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Maria Couto,ABR,CRS-Berkeley Heights & Long Hill Area Specialist

OUTSIDE CHANGES WILL BRING BUYERS IN BERKELEY HEIGHTS

Seventy percent of homeowners get their first impression of a house from a picture on the Internet. This makes the at-a-glance attractiveness of a home, referred to as 'curb-appeal',more important than ever. To increase the curb appeal of your home, apply a fresh coat of asphalt sealer to the driveway to make it (and the whole house) look like new. Prune back any severely overgrown shrubs to make the exterior of the home more visible. Lay some mulch in the planting beds to make them look better cared for. Also, consider refinishing the deck if it looks worn and weathered. While you are at it clean the wood or vinyl clapping on your home with a pressure washer. One way to increase the curb appeal of your home is to paint or replace, a worn front door.
Curb appeal is compelling and powerful. As more and more people shop for prospective new homes on the Internet photos of the exterior of the home really matter.

Maria Lourdes Couto, ABR,CRS,SRES
REALTOR-Associate
RE/MAX Classic Group
Cell: 908-400-1801
Direct Line: 908-376-1568
E-Mail: Homes@MariaLCouto.com
Berkeley Heights and Beyond

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SCORING IN BERKELEY HEIGHTS SCHOOLS

New Jersey has released the scores of how students in every public school fared on the states proficiency test in language arts, math and science.

Language Math Science

Pass/Advance Pass/Advance Pass/Advance

Union County average: 79 11 78 28 74 28 State Average: 82 11 80 28 80 31

Berkeley Heights District:

Columbia Middle School: 92 20 89 34 94 51

Mountain Park Grammar 98 21 94 50 98 71

Thomas Hughes Grammar: 98 26 94 60 96 86

Wm Woodruff Grammar: 96 23 93 46 93 68

To find out information about Berkeley Heights and its Surrounding Towns of New Providence, Long Hill and Warren feel free to visit my Web Site.

FROM YOUR POINT OF VIEW IN BERKELEY HEIGHTS AND BEYOND

Many people buy homes, partly or wholly on the basis of the view that is afforded on the surrounding landscape. If you are about to make a purchase of property with a "million dollar view", you might want to take steps to assure yourself that this important feature will be preserved. With this in mind, have your agent ask the present owner or the city zoning and planning office if the property is protected by a view ordinance. In addition, your agent can find out if neighbors are subject to restrictions that would protect your view. If the property is in a planned unit development check whether a homeowners' association actively enforces restrictions. Lastly check local zoning laws for building restrictions. As a buyer, a Realtor does more for you than merely taking you to see houses and sending you the updated MLS everyday. We also have the knowledge and experience to keep you informed about issues such as zoning and planning.
Prepared by:


Maria Lourdes Couto, ABR,CRS,SRES
RE/MAX Classic Group

PAINTING AN ACCURATE PICTURE Berkeley Heights, Long Hill and Beyond

As a Sellers' agent I want to show my clients property in Berkeley Heights and Beyond area it's best light, literally. For instance, I know to monitor the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) listings on a daily basis and evaluate its ability to attract attention. This means, among other things, that if a Sellers place their home on the market in the spring, and the MLS picture shows no leaves on the trees, it is time for a picture update. An outdated picture may seem like a small matter, but it can give potential Buyers the impression the the house has been languishing on the market. To further increase a homes' attractiveness to Buyers , MLS pictures should show luxurious (or useful) features that set the home apart from others. I work hard to sell a property on purpose not by accident. As an experienced real estate agent I can gauge the local market to figure out how to price a property correctly, reach the largest audience of buyers through the MLS and extensive Internet marketing as well as print media.Commitment to detail, negotiating skills, dedicated service and attention to clients needs are just some of the benefits I bring to the table. Sales hardly happen spontaneously. They are the result of scrupulous analysis, attention to detail, dedicated effort and most important: experience.

MILLINGTON MARKET SALES REPORT--LONG HILL TOWNSHIP

2007 SALES REPORT

MILLINGTON-LONG HILL

ADDRESS

STYLE

ORIG. LIST. PRICE

FINAL LIST PRICE

SALE PRICE

DOM

20 MEADOW VIEW RD

RANCH

347,000

347,000

290,000

1

55 MIDVALE AVE

RANCH

424,900

424,900

420,000

20

36 THE CRESCENT

RANCH

459,900

448,900

428,000

50

1774 VALLEY RD

CAPE COD

499,000

474,900

429,000

114

192 BASKING RIDGE RD

RANCH

475,000

439,000

430,000

86

58 COOPER LANE

TWNHOUSE - END

569,000

529,900

475,000

101

4 BROADVIEW RD

RANCH

552,500

552,500

539,000

53

44 STONEHEDGE RD

TWNHOUSE - INT

579,900

579,900

555,000

8

144 OLD FORGE RD

RANCH

595,000

579,900

560,000

76

181 OLD FORGE RD

COLONIAL

579,900

579,900

565,000

40

26 SUNSET PL

COLONIAL

639,000

599,900

575,000

125

197 NORTHFIELD RD

BI-LEVEL

629,000

629,000

610,000

57

29 CARLTON RD

COLONIAL

649,000

649,000

626,000

29

142 CHURCH RD

SPLIT LEVEL

687,000

670,000

638,625

59

9 W. RAYBURN RD

RANCH

643,900

643,900

639,900

23

250 CARLTON RD

COLONIAL

749,900

749,900

730,000

30

1252 LONG HILL RD

COLONIAL

779,000

779,000

760,000

40

18 AVE MARIA CT

COLONIAL

824,999

789,000

800,000

104

80 SHAWNEE PATH

EXP RANCH

939,000

849,000

824,000

144 SHAWNEE PATH

COLONIAL

910,000

879,000

850,000

52

29 RAINBOW DR

COLONIAL

939,850

939,850

870,000

90

12 WINDSOR WAY

COLONIAL

895,000

895,000

895,000

12

7 POPPY PL

COLONIAL

1,030,000

1,030,000

995,000

57