James Lockard - Realtor, Allendale, NJ

On Saturday April 4, 2009 at 10 am the Holiday Observers of Allendale will host Peter Cottontail during his annual visit to Crestwood Lake in Alllendale.

All Allendale children under the age of 12 are welcome to attend an egg hunt which will be done by age groups. The older the children the tougher the bunny will make it to find the eggs. Special plastic eggs are hidden and for those who find these treasures, a special prize awaits.

A Special Egg hunt for all Moms will take place after the children have completed their search.

Come and join the fun!

For more information, visit the Holiday Observers website.

Want to know more about Allendale?
Visit my Allendale Blog

James Lockard
RE/MAX Properties
Office: 201-825-6600
Cell: 201-674-3114
Email: jlockard@remax.net
Website: http://www.bergencounty-homes.com/

The spring is coming and soon people in Bergen County will be cleaning out the basement and garage. What do you do with the junk the garbage man will not take?

The Bergen County Utiliites Authority will host several Household Hazardous Waste days in 2009. Rain or shine all sites will be open from 9 am to 3 pm. Proof of Bergen county residency is required.

Items such as pesticides, paints, batteries and motor oil can be dropped off at the eight collection events at three sites throughout the county. They are:

Bergen Community College, 400 Paramus Rd., Paramus on Sunday, April 5, 2009; Sunday, June 28, 2009; and Sunday, October 4, 2009.
Moonachie Location:BCUA, Foot of Empire Blvd., Moonachie on Saturday, March 14, 2009; and Saturday, July 18, 2009.
Mahwah Location: Bergen County Campgaw Mountain Reservation, 200 Campgaw Rd; Mahwah on Saturday, May 16, 2009; Sat., Sept. 12, 2009 and Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009.

All HHW collection events are offered free of charge to Bergen County residents.

For more information see the BCUA website at http://www.bcua.org/

Information provided by
James Lockard
RE/MAX Properties
www.BergenCounty-Homes.com

Allendale Real Estate Market Report - 12/31/2008

This is the time of year for reflection and in real estate a time to compare the market of the past year to previous years. You may have heard many people quoting statistics for the nation and how home prices have dropped. I am also sure you have heard how the real estate market is localized and what happens in one area of the country does not necessarily reflect on the market in Bergen County and more specifically in Allendale.

So let's compare the 2007 market to the 2008 market. I believe a few tables of figures can show the picture.

I believe the important figures to look at are the decrease in number of homes sold, about 17%, the increase in inventory at each year end of about 22%, and the good news, a relatively flat average sold price. The number of new homes on the market and the number of homes that the listing agreement expired pretty much stayed the same when you consider if a listing agreement expires, it usually gets relisted as a new listing.

Not bad for Allendale home owners considering recent reports of prices of homes in 20 US cities fell 18% as reported in The Record on 12/31/2008. Yes, less homes have sold and inventory is up, usually an indication of falling prices. But consider that in 2005 the average sold price in Allendale was $805,219, and in 2006 which many consider the peak of the market, it was $850,625, we really haven't lost value in the last three years.

The market could get worse before it gets better. Time will tell. Allendale home owners still have weathered the storm much better than many others throughout the country.

If you are interested to find the current value of your home allow me to provide a free Comparative Market Analysis specifically for you. Please visit my website at http://www.bergencounty-homes.com/ or call me directly on my cell phone: 201-674-3114

If you would like a free list of Allendale homes for sale or would like more information about Allendale real estate, or you would like to be the first to know about hot new listings before other Allendale home buyers do, then give me a call at:

James Lockard
RE/MAX Properties
Office: 201-825-6600
Cell: 201-674-3114
Email: jlockard@remax.net
Website: http://www.bergencounty-homes.com/

Santa Claus is coming to Allendale, not once but twice in the next couple of weeks.

On Friday evening December 5, 2008, The Allendale Chamber of Commerce's will hold it's annual Holiday Walk though downtown Allendale. At 7pm the big tree at the Allendale Bar and Grill will be light up. Many merchants in town will be dispensing holiday gifts to all residents. Santa then makes his appearance shortly afterward with treats for the youngsters.

On Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 1 pm Santa will join the Allendale Holiday Observers on the west side of town when the Observers will light their tree and provide refreshments and caroling while waiting for Santa. Santa will arrive shortly after 1 pm riding the fire truck and then allow all children up to eight grade to tell what they want for Christmas and gift them a gift.

Please join in the Holiday Festivities!

James Lockard
RE/MAX Properties
Office: 201-825-6600
Cell: 201-674-3114
Email: jlockard@remax.net
Website: http://www.bergencounty-homes.com/

When I first read in the local papers that Northern Highlands was spending $1.3 million for new boilers for the school I thought this is a bit excessive and what was that going to do to my taxes. Digging a little deeper I came up with some more facts.

Not only will the original boilers, which are now over forty years old, be replaced, but also an emergency generator will be installed to support emergency lighting, the phone system, full power to the gym and auditorium, the computer networks and the toilets. It turns out, Northern Highlands is a designated emergency facility for the area and the backup generator is necessary for this function.

The total cost of the project is $1,397,080. If it does not go to the referendum, it would have to be paid completely by taxpayers. However, under existing laws if a successful referendum is held the state will pay for 40% of the debt service or $558,832. In addition, the district will apply $400,000 left over from the 2002 bond that helped build the new science wing which came in under budget.

Total estimated tax cost is average Allendale household will pay $8.30 the first year and $10.60 each year for the next nine years. Similarly, average Upper Saddle River households will pay $9.12 the first year and $11.64 for the next nine years or about less than one dollar a month for ten years.

Although I do think some consideration should be made to look into more energy conscious alternatives such as geo-thermal heating for the school, the bottom line is that all Allendale and Upper Saddle River voters should get out and vote to pass this referendum. If not, the costs to us as taxpayers will be three times as much over the next ten years.

James Lockard
RE/MAX Properties
Office: 201-825-6600
Cell: 201-674-3114
Email: jlockard@remax.net
Website: http://www.bergencounty-homes.com/