Freddie Moorer

I can hear you now, "Oh, no! Not another article on curb appeal to sell my Plainsboro NJ home!" To which I reply, "Oh, yes." One more time around the block, but this time, we're doing it in style.

The 21^st Century Curb

Curb appeal is that thing you do to pretty up the outside of your Plainsboro NJ home. It's the landscaping, the painting and the checking of the little details. However, many home sellers (and real estate agents, for that matter), don't take into account that the curb nowadays isn't just the view from the front of your house. In the 21^st century, the "curb" starts right here on the Net.

Your online home listing has only three seconds - three short moments of time - to catch a potential buyer's eye and turn them into an interested party. Unfortunately, it's hard not to be biased or become used to the problems and eyesores your home may have. Because first impressions are so crucial and the housing market is glutted with competition, you have to bring it up a notch to get your home sold. read more http://www.freddiemoorer.com/plainsboro-homes/id30.html

At the beginning of 2008, it was predicted that green national and New Jersey homes would not only become a steady trend, but would also become the nationwide norm. As the home building industry struggled with economic upheaval, the building of green homes was one sector that kept growing.

Energy Star Designations

As of December, 2009, over 1 million homes have received the Energy Star designation since the program's inception in 1995. Despite the many foreclosures, the glutted housing market and drowning homeowners, 75,000 more homes gained the Energy Star designation in 2009, raising the numbers to 1,024,200.

In 2007, 12% of single-family homes in the U.S. were Energy Star homes. In 2008, the numbers had reached 17%. Although the reports have yet to come in for 2009, there's no doubt the numbers are increasing.

Two Other Green Home Certifications

Energy Star isn't the only one with a green program; the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) also has a green home certification program. The number of participating homes is small (3,050 by the end of '09), but noteworthy.

The National Association of Home Builders Research Center (NAHB) provides the National Green Building Certification, with over 500 participants.

The need for green national and New Jersey homes is, admittedly, consumer driven. Homebuyers want energy efficient homes - whether those homes are newly constructed or remodeled - and are willing to pay for them. Yes, the cost is higher, but most expect to make back the money spent on the house through future energy savings.

As we move forward in 2010, keep green in mind because energy efficient New Jersey homes are in high demand. If you're trying to sell your home and can't get it off the market, consider renovation towards a greener world.

If you're trying to sell your home or find a green home to buy, I can help. Call me today at 732-247-7800 ext 182 or email me at freddie@freddiemoorer.com for more information.

Links:

Energy Star designation

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_hpwes

Green home certification program

http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=147

Energy efficient homes

http://www.green-energy-efficient-homes.com/

Not too long ago the "Greening of America" was just an idea. Now, it's a government mandate. The latest requirements for new construction may just cause the cost of new homes for sale in New Jersey and around the nation to rise.

In December, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new stormwater management requirements for new construction. These new requirements have the National Home Builder's Association (NAHB) up in arms. In a news release posted on the NAHB website, the Chairman said the new housing regulations are unrealistic.

It all comes down to stormwater. When it rains, water hits the ground and seeps into it. In most cases, that water is absorbed and filtered by the ground, and then replenishes the world's water supply. Not so in developed areas, where pavement and roofing, among other man-made surfaces, prevent the water from being absorbed.

The remaining water becomes runoff, which, according to the EPA, damages the infrastructure of surrounding development, causes downstream flooding and bank erosion. In addition, the water carries pollutants, which are carried into streams and water supplies. The new regulations have a strict limit on pollutants in stormwater, as well as requiring that the stormwater has little to no soil or sediment in it.

While less pollution is a fantastic idea, NAHB says something is missing - such as understanding soil differences. Certain types of soil absorb water better, reducing the amount of run off, while other types of soil produce a naturally high amount of sediment. The cost for homebuilders to meet these regulations can be expensive - an expense that will be passed on to those looking for newly built homes for sale in New Jersey.

The EPA has done some wonderful things for environmental protection, such as the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), that already affect construction costs. However, for newly built homes for sale in New Jersey, this new stormwater requirement may end up not only being impossible to keep but impossible to pay for.

If you're looking for new home construction that meets all necessary requirements, I can help. Call me today at 732-247-7800 ext 182 or email me at freddie@freddiemoorer.com for more information.

Links:

New storm water management requirements for new construction

http://www.epa.gov/oaintrnt/stormwater/index.htm

new housing regulations are unrealistic

http://www.nahb.org/news_details.aspx?sectionID=148&newsID=10074

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/rcra.html

Any time supply is bigger than demand, businesses start looking for a way to set themselves apart from the competition. If you have a Piscataway home for sale, you're probably doing the same thing. What is the competition like, though? Are you looking for similar houses, similar neighborhoods - or is the competition nation wide? By paying attention to homes that are selling nationwide, you can find out a lot about what buyers want.

Once again, CNN Money published their "Top 100 Best Places to Live" for 2009. If your Piscataway home for sale is in a place similar to the Top 10, you just might have a much better chance at selling, especially if you market those positive attributes. Here are just a few of the things these places have in common:

• Small towns: Whether a place is small or not is always relative. For instance, someone who lives in a town with less than 3,000 people would think Bryant, Arizona, with a population of almost 15,000 was a big place. However, the Top 100 list points the way; the population numbers range from 8,000 to 50,000. If your home is in a low population area, this could be a great selling point.

• Robust, needed industries: High-tech industries, energy services and health care are just a few sectors that haven't been hit as hard by the recession. These industries will be needed for years to come, and the demand for trained workers is higher in areas with these industrial sectors than in others. If your home is located in an area with lower than average unemployment, brag about it!

• Low crime rates: For most, if not all of the top 100 places, crime is low, if not almost nonexistent. For instance, Papillion, New England has around 22,000 people. They also have less than one personal crime per 1,000 people. If you aren't sure what the crime rate is around your home, check! Low crime rates are an excellent selling point; one that you could be missing out on.

• Education: Education has always been important to most people - a fact that is clear with the Top 100 list. The list averages 20 universities or professional schools within 30 miles, and over 71% of the population per place has had some college. Do you have great universities? Do you live in a highly educated community? It may not seem like a big deal to you, but it will to the buyer.

From population demographics to the number of recreational activities available, everything goes into making your Piscataway home for sale attractive to buyers. Do the research and find out what makes your area special.

If you're trying to find your home's selling points, I can help. Call me at 732-247-7800 ext 182 or email me at freddie@freddiemoorer.com for more information.

Top 100 Best Places to Live

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2009/top100/

your home is in a low population area

http://www.city-data.com/

crime rate is around your home

http://www.clrsearch.com/RSS/DidYouMeanSearch.jsp?type=community

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Are you wondering what to get your loved one? Buying Piscataway New Jersey foreclosures may not be on the top of your list, but maybe it should be. Do you need some extra room? Is it time to spread out? Are you a repeat buyer?

You've probably heard the term "buyer's market" more often than you care to, but if you want to expand your living quarters, you might want to pay attention.

What is a buyer's market?

The typical reply might be something like, "A buyer's market is where the supply is greater than the demand; the heavier the supply, the stronger the buyer's market." What you really need to know is that a buyer's market is heavily tipped in your favor. Mortgage rates, housing supply and negotiations are all pointed towards helping you find - and buy - the home of your dreams.

What's so great about buying Piscataway New Jersey foreclosures or other homes for sale now?

Whether you're a first-time buyer or currently own a home and want to upgrade, there are plenty of reasons to get into the action now:

• Home prices are lower than they've been in 12 years.
• Foreclosures are going for rock-bottom prices as lenders try to make up their losses.
• The number of programs to help buyers get into a new home is higher than it's ever been.
• Between government programs, lenders' programs and private programs, the chances of getting into a home you can afford are high.
• Many sellers are eager to find qualified buyers. If you've been pre-approved for a mortgage, you have a better stance in negotiations.
• Mortgage rates are lower than they've been in a long time, but are slowly starting to rise again.

These are just a few of the reasons.

Why buy foreclosures?

Foreclosures are selling at much lower prices than other homes. In fact, many expect to save at least 30% when buying foreclosed property and that percentage isn't unrealistic.

If you've been trying to figure out what to buy your Valentine, and you've been thinking about buying a home, look around at Piscataway New Jersey foreclosures. Not only can you find a fantastic deal, but you'll also be able to celebrate Valentine's Day in a new home!

Links:

programs to help buyers

http://www.hud.gov/buying/localbuying.cfm

Mortgage rates are lower

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704193004574588240879737018.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_realestate