JoAnna Siminerio, Manalapan Marlboro NJ Real Estate

I started blogging less than a year ago and haven't looked back. In fact, it's been very disappointing to not have enough hours in the day lately to post or comment as often as I would like.

The good news is, in my opinion, my lack of time to blog is a direct result of my blogging!!

When I joined Active Rain, I gave serious consideration to the message I wanted to send with the majority of my postings.

I saw this forum as an opportunity to position myself as the Manalapan New Jersey Neighborhood Real Estate Specialist! I've lived in Manalapan almost 17 years and have been raising 2 daughters through the school system. I'm a Girl Scout Leader and community volunteer. What better place in which to specialize?

I started posting about community, school and local area events. I'd post my Manalapan listings. I'd write about market trends in Manalapan Real Estate. Working with my Weichert colleague and fellow Manalapan resident, Gail Szeluga, we've been working toward buidling a focus toward reporting on the different communities that make up Manalapan Township. Soon thereafter we expanded our Manalapan presence via Facebook, Twitter and other Social Networking forums. Join us (and the 286 other Manalapan residents) on Facebook at the Manalapan Residents Group.

Almost immediately, the phone starting ringing.

Buyers would find me via posts on Manalapan homes for sale. Sellers started to stumble upon me when searching for information on Manalapan Township.

I've been thrilled with the response and felt I was making great strides toward my goal of being seen as the source for Manalapan Real Estate information.

Recently, I received a phone call from Ms. Jill Capuzzo. That's when I KNEW the plan was working!

Jill is a reporter with the New York Times! She was writing an article on "Living in Manalapan" and needed a local professional to show her around town and fill her on on the local market. She found MY blog which then led her to my website and finally to my listings! Don't you just love when a plan comes together??

About a week later, Gail and I had the pleasure of meeting Jill and touring her around Manalapan!

We visited neighborhoods throughout Southern and Northern Manalapan, as well as East and West of the Route 9 corridor.

We talked about the award winning Manalapan-Englishtown and Freehold Regional High School Districts. We covered the newly expanded Manalapan Recreation Center and the recently rejuvenated Thompson Grove Park. We toured many Manalapan landmarks, including the municipal building, 9/11 memorial, Old Tenennt Church, Holiday Park Duck Pond, Millhurst Mills, historic Englishtown and Pine Brook Golf Course. We talked about the attraction Manalapan holds for New York City transplants looking for a little extra elbow room while still enjoying a reasonable commute. Good schools, affordable homes, reasonable taxes... what's not to like? The time flew by! Once you start a realtor talking about real estate, good luck getting them to shut up! We had a blast!

What a thrill it was tonight when I felt my blackberry buzz and looked down to see my most recent Google Alert...

REAL ESTATE | June 28, 2009
Living In | Manalapan, N.J.: High Marks for Space, Schools and Location
By JILL P. CAPUZZO

I scanned the article quickly. As promised, Jill highlighted my Manalapan listing at 9 Old Queens Boulevard. What I didn't expect was that she would give mention to both myself and Gail! What a treat! A great afternoon showing off all our real estate know how, talking about the town we love AND a mention in the New York Times!

Me!! In the New York Times!! Excuse me while I go call my Mommy!! :-)

Jo

JoAnna Siminerio
Weichert Realtors - Marlboro / Manalapan
732-598-6823 cell 732-536-4400 x152 (office)
JoSiminerio@optonline.net
www.JoTheRealtor.com

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What better way to kick off the summer season than with a parade!

Each year, Manalapan Township celebrates Memorial Day with a parade down Main Street!

It is a wonderful opportunity for marchers and spectators to show their community spirit by celebrating Memorial Day together, as a township.

The parade starts at Manalapan's Municipal Complex, travels past the Recreation Center through the heart of Englishtown and finishing up at the American Legion Hall on Sanford Street.

As a Girl Scout Leader and Mom, I've been marching with my kids for years and think I will miss it some day!

Families line the street waving and cheering. Parade marchers come prepared with treats to throw to the kids who are watching and eagerly waiting to snatch a lollipop or piece of candy!

Manalapan High School Marching Band led the way followed by numerous Girl Scout and Boy Scout Troops. There were police cars and fire trucks, and even Uncle Sam made an appearance on stilts!!

There were representatives from Manalapan's local government and many were hoping for their 15 minutes of fame when the local news channel showed up!

Last, and most certainly not least, on hand were many township veterans showing their support and pride as the community came together to remember the many people who gave their life for their country and to support the American soldiers who risk their lives every day for our safety.

I hope all my Manalapan neighbors, friends and family had a wonderful, safe Memorial Day Weekend! Best wishes for a very fun filled summer!

I took a new listing this weekend in my farm in Manalapan New Jersey's Yorktowne Development. Yorktowne is not just where I farm. I used to live there. Check out my recent post about this great home.

I love getting listings in my Farm. Who doesn't? They give you the confirmation that your hard work and commitment is paying off!

The weather was BEAUTIFUL in New Jersey today. Up near 70° with sunny skies... quite the conflict to be jacketless and warm and stepping over piles of snow!! (So long snowmen!)

I planted my sign in front of the home (Don't you just love that part?).

It went in effortlessly thanks to the warm weather softening the ground!

I stepped back with my client... looked at the sign, looked at her home, looked at the sunny skies, looked around at my old stomping grounds and sighed... LIFE IS GOOD!

Got in the car and started toward my appointment to show sell a house today!

As I pulled out of the driveway, out of the corner of my eye I saw him, Rob, my old mailman and neighbor. He was the best mailman ever! (No offense Richie).

I quickly pulled over and teased him, asking him if he had the buyer for my brand-spanking new listing. Mailmen know EVERYONE and EVERYTHING that goes on in town!

He laughed and then congratulated me on my success. I shrugged... "huh?," wondering how Rob knows what I've been up to.

He told me that he figures I must be sooooooooo successful because I am the only agent sending mail anymore!

He then thanked me for keeping him and the United States Postal Service in business!

The point is this... he noticed and commended me for sticking with it. He encouraged me to keep at it. He felt if you farmed before when competing with 10 other agents going after the same business, why would anyone stop farming now when they have much less or maybe no real competition at all?

He went on to say that the local perception is that I am successful, committed and have the wherewithal to stay the course, even with the challenges we face in today's complicated real estate market.

I'd say that kind of recognition is worth the 42 cents stamp. (Wouldn't you?)

This concept goes deeper than direct mail or farming. It applies to all aspects of our business today. This is NOT the time to hold back.

The current market condition presents us with a unique opportunity to take advantage of LESS competition in the marketplace. This is the time to dig your heels in and plant your seeds diligently so that when the market starts to bloom you'll be in a superior position to excel!

Good luck!

Jo

JoAnna Siminerio
Weichert Realtors - Marlboro / Manalapan
732-598-6823 cell 732-536-4400 x152 (office)
JoSiminerio@optonline.net
www.JoTheRealtor.com

"The mission of Center Players, Inc. shall be to bring enrichment through the performing arts to the diverse community it serves. To achieve this goal, the organization will conduct activities and programs to educate and entertain its patrons, and provide actors, directors and other creative people the opportunity to pursue their craft."

COMING SOON!

Here's your chance to support this local community theater, as well as fellow Manalapan resident and Realtor, Michelle Catania! In the upcoming production of The Odd Couple, The Female Version, Michelle is starring in the role of Olive Madison (Oscar). I hope to see you there!

Written by Neil Simon
Directed by Ricky Selterman

Fridays (8PM): March 6, 13, 20, 27, April 3
Saturdays (8PM): March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 4
Sundays (2PM): March 8, 15, 22, 29, April 5

Neil Simon’s famous update of his original “Odd Couple” starts with a group of women friends playing their regular game of Trivial Pursuit. This week, the meeting is at the apartment of Olive Madison, a divorcee who freely admits to being a slob: “I leave a mess when I read a book.” Late to arrive is Florence Unger, a stickler for neatness, who would try the patience of a saint. She has unfortunately just become separated from her husband. As life would have it, the slob and the fuss-budget decide to room together — with hilarious results! Through many ups and downs the two women are forced to agree on one thing — even the best of friends sometimes make the worst of roommates.

Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

Center Playhouse
35 South Street
Freehold, NJ 07728
Phone: 732-462-9093

The Center Playhouse is located in the heart of downtown Freehold, NJ at the corner of South & Mechanic Streets.

Take Route 79 or Route 537 to the center of Freehold. The theater is on South Street, one block from Main St.

Parking is allowed evenings and weekends in the lot on Mechanic St., directly beside the theater.

Jo

JoAnna Siminerio
Weichert Realtors - Marlboro / Manalapan
JoSiminerio@optonline.net
www.JoTheRealtor.com

Here is a summary of the new First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit. Thanks to Ann Arbor's own Missy Caulk for use of the fabulous chart!

The new bill increases the size of the existing temporary (and refundable) first-time home buyer credit to $8,000, up from $7,500. It will not be applicable for nonfirst time homebuyers, but it also removes the requirement under current law that the credit be paid back if the buyer stays in the home for at least three years. And it extends the credit's expiration date to Dec. 1, 2009, from July 1. Those eligible for this credit must have purchased a home after Jan. 1, 2009, and before Dec. 1, 2009.

First time homebuyers, search the Monmouth County MLS for your next home today!

Jo

JoAnna Siminerio
Weichert Realtors - Marlboro / Manalapan
JoSiminerio@optonline.net
www.JoTheRealtor.com