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james madalone

JAMES MADALONE - FALL IS HERE!!! NEWS LETTER

Happy Fall to everyone! Soon enough the leaves will be changing color, we will see pumpkins on door steps the weather will become more brisk and we will start the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping. ...
And I , James Madalone will be preparing for my winter wedding in Quebec Canada. Yes, I am happily engaged to be married to my future wife Christine on January 30th, 2010. We will exchange vows in an Ice Chapel, part of Hotel De Glace; which is a hotel constructed yearly of ice. Coincidentally we wont be staying there; there is a lot I would do for love....but why freeze? So my days as a single gentleman will come to a close (yeah right-haven't really had those in quite some time), and also the opportunity for first time home buyer's beneficial tax credits will expire as well.
Yes, sorry to say , the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Program is ending December 1, 2009

Anyone considering this opportunity should be aware that time is almost up- the clock is ticking...
What do you stand to Lose?
The program allows for a tax refund of up to $8,000. That money in today's standards and economy is a lot. A lot to lose. That combined with lower interest rates and great prices in a buyers market should be incentive.
To qualify:
Property can not be purchased from a family member
Buyer has not owned any primary residence in the past 36 months
Your gross income (adjusted) cannot exceed $95,000 for single buyers and for married or joint returns it cannot exceed $170,000
Information you should know :
* Tax credit is part of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
* This is a true tax credit verses a deduction of up to 8000 dollars or ten percent of the purchase price (whichever is less). You will need to fill out a form 5405
*keep in mind closing dates and time periods from the time of contract till closing- this gives you about two months - so get a move on it!
Nice Talking Once Again and please do call for any advice or service regarding real estate.
James Madalone & his amazing Team
The James Madalone Realty Group!

LIONS, TIGERS AND FLEAS - OH MY!!!!

Q: What did one flea say to the other flea? A: Shall we walk or take a dog?

LIONS AND TIGERS AND FLEAS - OH MY!!!!
Hi Friends!!! I am a great lover of animals. Three dogs and still counting....Owen, a springer spaniel age 9, Stanley, a cocker spaniel, age 4, and baby Lilly another adorable sharp little (5 month old) springer spaniel. Anyway, I will not continue to speak about them - a hard habit to break; rather, I will discuss a more important issue surrounding home sales and animals. IL start by sharing an experience that has occurred more frequently then it should. John was a home seller that I represented on many occasions. After his divorce he had accumulated 8 cats to fulfill the void in his life. Understandable- pets offer so much love. However he adopted a serious flee problem which presented problems on listing and showing this home. This problem coupled with that distinct cat urine odor was enhanced in the heat of the summer. I discovered these issues during my first open house. As the temperature rose, the fabreze aroma was withering quickly. Fortunately for me my allergies had kicked in; so that muted my sense of smell. The first family rang the doorbell and proceeded in. As they were signing the guest book login I noticed them sniffing , recognizing the odor immediately and if that wasn't bad enough, the younger kid kept itching his left leg. At that point I didn't put two +two together. But by 2 PM I watched a family run out of there scratching their limbs and at that point I was itchy too. The house was infested with flees! I came home that evening after speaking with my client ( "Mr. Smith....we have a problem that I need to discuss, but nothing that's not fixable!", I assured him. I crossed my fingers hoping that when I got home a little "GOOGLE.COM would give me the answers and suggestions I needed to pass along to my dear client. Funny thing is, I had just told a realtor the day before to "knock em dead" when she inquired about bringing her relocation clients for a showing of this home - Gosh, had she known in advance that these words precisely fit this situation. Christine, my girlfriend and marketing specialist for my team, was anxiously awaiting my arrival home, as I had promised her dinner at one of favorite outdoor restaurants in Jersey City. My search would be put on hold temporarily as we jumped on the turnpike heading towards the Holland tunnel. As she spoke to me I noticed that she too had begun to furiously scratch her neck and arms. Oh boy I thought, we had made a pact a long time ago to leave our troubles at the office. That evening Christine helped me research. Below are some resourceful answers. After relaying this advise to my seller, and even helping him scrub...the house sold 6 weeks later! Enjoy Your Summer Itch Free!!! The James Madalone Realty Group

How to Get Rid of Cat Urine Odors

How to Clean Cat Urine Odors - http://www.howtogetridofstuff.com Cat urine has earned a reputation for being one of the most formidable of all pet odors. It not only smells horrible, but has a very persistent odor that must be removed entirely. Leaving any trace of it is an invitation for your kitty to re-mark the same area over and over again. Most commercially available pet-odor removers are expensive and also unnecessary unless you're dealing with an aged urine stain or a fragile fabric.

You will need:

Removing Cat Urine from Carpet

Caution: Test this method on an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn't cause damage or discoloration.

  1. Remove as much of the urine as possible by blotting the stain with a dry towel, re-wetting it with warm water, and repeating. A shampooer, wetvac, or steamer can make this step much easier.
  2. Once you've removed as much urine as you are willing (or able) to, re-saturate the area with a 50/50 water/white vinegar solution and allow it to air dry (use a fan if you're in a rush).
  3. Completely cover the area with baking soda - use lots! (For more uses of baking soda, read 75 extraordinary uses for baking soda)
  4. Fill a container with enough water to saturate the stained area and add a drop of regular dish detergent. Pour the solution on top of the baking soda.
  5. Using either your hands, towels, or a scrub brush, work the baking soda, water and detergent paste into the carpet - work it in good and deep, then allow it to air dry.
  6. Once the area has dried completely and the baking soda has returned to powder form, vacuum it up. If the vacuum isn't cutting it, it can be blotted up using water and towels.
  7. Repeat steps 3-6 as needed to remove any remaining odor.

Removing Cat Urine from Upholstery

Caution: Test this method on an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn't cause damage or discoloration.

  1. Remove as much of the urine as possible by flushing the article/area with clean water and then removing as much of it as possible with either towels of a wet-vac
  2. Once you've removed as much urine as you are willing (or able) to, re-saturate the area with a 50/50 water/white vinegar solution and allow it to air dry (use a fan if you're in a rush).
  3. Cover the area liberally with baking soda - use lots!
  4. Fill a container with enough water to saturate the stained area and add a drop of regular dish detergent. Pour the solution on top of the baking soda.
  5. Using either your hands, towels, or a scrub brush, work the baking soda/water/detergent paste into the fabric - work it in good and deep, then allow it to air dry.
  6. Once the area has dried completely and the baking soda has returned to powder form, vacuum it up. If the vacuum isn't cutting it, it can be blotted up using water and towels.
  7. Repeat steps 3-6 as needed to remove any remaining odor.

Commercial Cat Urine Removers

If the steps outlined above just weren't enough to kill the odor, the next logical step is either to try an odor-removal product, or call in a professional cleaner to contend with the problem. There are TONS of pet odor cleaners currently on the market, and they tend to be expensive so it's a good idea to do some pre-purchase research. Also make sure you check the bottom of this page for tips submitted by other users.

How to Select a Cat Urine Remover

Epinions is a good place to start your search for a product that fits your needs. Different cleaners tend to work better in different situations so search for success stories with circumstances that match your own (Old stains, kittens, fabric types, etc). Once you've found a few that look good, perform some searches using the product name

Flea Prevention - onldogbeds.net

(please note most applies to cats as well)

Fleas and ticks are annoying critters that can irritate both the dog and the dog's owner. Fleas leave itchy bites and multiply quickly. Ticks burrow under an animal's skin where they can feast on the animal's blood. Ticks can also spread diseases to their victims. Keeping a dog pest free can be a difficult job, especially if the dog lives in an environment that caters to these pesky insects. Here are a few tips on how to prevent fleas and ticks from getting onto dogs.

Avoid Tall Grass and Weeds

Fleas and ticks generally stick to wooded areas and fields with tall grass or plants. These locations are ideal for these critters to jump onto or latch onto a large animal. When dogs venture into these areas, they become vulnerable to these insects. It is best to keep dogs out of wooded areas or areas where the grass and weeds are overgrown. If the owner and dog love to hike, owners should consider keeping their dog on a short leash to keep the dog from venturing into the vegetation surrounding the trail.

Stay Rodent Free

If owners are accustomed to leaving their dogs in the back yard or in a storage shed, they need to be sure that they eliminate places where rodents could nest. For example, owners should close off any small holes or crevices where rodents could squeeze in and live. Also, any piles of junk, wood piles, or stacks of wood should be organized so that rodents do not make these locations their new home. Because young fleas and ticks often latch onto small animals, it is best to keep the dog's area rodent free in order to prevent those young fleas and ticks from transferring onto the dog's bed or body.

Keep Dog Healthy

Fleas and ticks prey on animals that are not healthy. By feeding their dog a healthy diet and keeping the dog in good physical shape, owners will help prevent their dogs from attracting irritating bugs. Consult a veterinarian to understand what the best diet is for each breed of dog. Keeping a dog healthy will help make sure the fleas and ticks find another, less healthy, dog to feed on.

Natural and Chemical Treatments

When owners are eager to go hiking or running with their dog, they should consider spraying a natural or chemical treatment on their dog. These treatments are generally safe for dogs, but they are deadly to fleas and ticks. By spraying the dog with one of these types of treatments, owners will ensure that any bugs that try and connect to their dog will be killed instantly. Owners should consult with their veterinarian before spraying their dog with any kind of treatment to ensure that it will not be harmful to their dog.

Monitor the Dog

Owners should make a habit of checking their dog for bugs by combing slowly through their hair. If a dog has attracted one tick or flea, it does not mean that the entire house is infested. However, owners will need to take a few precautions to ensure that the insects do not reproduce. Owners should treat their animals and then wash or discard the animal's bedding. They may also consider fumigating their house. These chemicals can be bought at the store and will kill any stray fleas or ticks that may have burrowed into the carpet or furniture.


MY FRIEND'S A REALTOR

"My friend is a realtor".... those words echoed quite frequently when I sat an open house at my new construction site in Brick, NJ. Those homes are sold out (yahoo!), with an exception to one last remaining. But given that thought to ponder, I must bring up a valid point regarding friends and real estate; as real estate is one of the largest investments you'll ever make in your life time. Here's a similar situation to compare. True story, a friend of mine was a stock broker; and out of loyalty I gave him my business and unfortunately he lost a great deal of my money in the long run. I'm certainly not saying that you shouldn't use your friends for your real estate needs, simply rather know that they are qualified to do the best job possible. I can put anyone in my car and drive around showing homes, then write an offer. But that is just the beginning as the rest of the job to follow is much more intense. Calling your attorney, the selling broker, their attorney to make sure "this and that" is sufficient, timely and protective- it goes on and on. Most of my time is spent on "follow through" and it would be negligent to "relax" once a deal has been accepted. And this concept works on both ends. Listing a home isn't just simply doing pictures and placing it an mls hoping that spider search engines will pick it up. Its constant analysis, marketing, open houses, brochures, hand submitted search engine optimism etc.... Does your "friend or neighbor" do all this?

So the proof is in the pudding- 28 confirmed sales(not transactions) since January 2009 and still counting! We want to thank everyone for your support and keeping in touch since we started with Remax Premier in January 2009. Our team is doing absolutely unbelievable! We are generating buyer leads daily.

People are buying-that's a fact. And the excitement of helping them through the process is magnificent. So what's the secret to selling in this market? Aside from having a well thought out marketing plan which includes staging, our team has a secret marketing strategy that is unbelievable. I don't know anyone that is using this strategy, and guess what, it's working. Of course, your home must look the best and have the best price. It's a logical equation although sometimes emotions get in the way of that logic (since I'm not a doctor I cannot prescribe Prozac - but St. Johns wart is a good natural alternative). Interest rates are still amazing and if your home is with the right group and the right realtor, you will be quite pleased with the results. Don't be surprised if multiple offers were implied. Yes we've seen it in "this market", many times. We have already been involved in a few bidding wars. Remember - Its not over until the FAT LADY sings....la la la la la la la