Sheldon Neal -- That British Agent --

It's Pumpkin Pickin' Time !

With only a week to go before Halloween, and a month before Thanksgiving, time is running out to take a Hayride to a local Pumpkin Patch a pick up a Pumpkin or two for your front porch !

We just took my family to De Piero's Farm in Montvale, NJ yesterday, and had so much fun !

We took the Hayride to the Pumpkin Patch, then
proceeded to pick 3 of the finest Pumpkins in the land !!!!

My little guy Preston even put on his special 'Pumpkin Hat' for the occasion !!!!!!

In addition, De Piero's Farm has tons of other fun things to do including a Hay Maze !

...and some other Halloween fun stops !!!!

... for some reason my son Spencer has a flair the the dramatic, and loves all things scary !!!!!! lol !

De Piero's also has a fabulous fresh food market where you can pick up all the fresh produce you could ever want, and some homemade soups and chilli and apple cider while you're at it

This was a fun way to spend the afternoon, especially as it's something different for the kids, and gets them out in the fresh air !

... Preston had a blast !

There are usually towns close by that have these set up at a local farm, so consider taking a few hours to do something that you wont be able to do for the rest of the year, and head over for a few hours and pick a winner !

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>> Dont miss other upcoming blog entries from "ThatBritishAgent" !

Sheldon Neal is a local Bergen County Realtor ® with RE/MAX Real Estate Ltd.

If you are looking for Bergen County Realtors, call local Bergen County, NJ expert Sheldon Neal for all your Buying & Selling needs !
Sheldon Neal ~ RE/MAX REAL ESTATE LTD.
cell: 201-481-2891
email: SheldonNeal@remax.net
website: www.SheldonNeal.com

Tom Sawyer Diner - 98 East Ridgewood Ave, Paramus NJ

Recently Renovated, the Tom Sawyer Diner is a Diner for the year 2009 !

Not your normal diner, Tom Sawyer's architectural design makes this eatery a sharp dressed palace to stop by and dine.

The menu was updated this month - October 2009 - and offers a great selection from wraps and paninis, pastas and seafood, and of course the standard omelette's and burgers you'd expect at a diner !

... however here are a few versions of their Specialty Burgers that are unique to tom Sawyer !

• Top of the World Burger
  Bacon, cheddar, sauteed mushrooms & Onions
  
• Tuscan Burger
  Fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers
  
• Aztec Burger
  Avocado, bacon, monterray cheese, cheddar cheese
  
• Babylon Burger
  Swiss cheese, roasted peppers, caramelized onions, mesclun greens, balsamic aioli
  
• Tom's Burger Special
  Portabello mushroom, roasted pepper, fresh mozzarella, balsamic aioli
  
  

I just couldnt resist the Milano Panini with chicken, spinach, fresh mozzarella, marinara sauce! ...

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>> Dont miss other upcoming blog entries from "ThatBritishAgent" !

Sheldon Neal is a local Bergen County Realtor ® with RE/MAX Real Estate Ltd.

If you are looking for Bergen County Realtors, call local Bergen County, NJ expert Sheldon Neal for all your Buying & Selling needs !
Sheldon Neal ~ RE/MAX REAL ESTATE LTD.
cell: 201-481-2891
email: SheldonNeal@remax.net
website: www.SheldonNeal.com

10 Things First Time Buyers Should Know About Their First Home !

Buying your first home is an exciting thing !

... but it is certainly a new experience when it comes to home maintenance now, as opposed to when you were renting !

Here is a list of 10 things you may have to deal with, and subsequently you should be aware of as you step over the thresh hold !

1. There's really no such thing as a dry basement
   Well there can be, but you may have to work at it a little. Water has a crazy way of making its way down the side of the exterior of your house, and once it hits the foundation, it can penetrate into your basement relatively easily. The main objective is always to steer as much water away from your house as possible. Leader extenders and grading your landscaping and ground round your house to slope away from your house, are two of the easiest and most effective ways to divert large amounts of water away from your foundation. If that doesnt work you may have to consider a sump pump or french drain.
   
   
   
2. As Fuzzy As they Look - Squirrels are NOT really your Friends !
   It will amaze you how small of a hole a cute little squirrel needs to get into your attic ! And with the sharp teeth and claws they have, they can make a small hole into a little tunnel for entry !... oh and once they're inside, they have a knack for chomping on insulation, electrical wiring, cardboard boxes or anything that looks intriguing in there ! ... and if they get in the rafters? ... you'll often hear the pitter patter of little footsteps overhead as you try to sleep ! SO ! ... try to keep the siding and roof eaves in good condition, and patch or cracks or asap.
   
   
   
3. A Lush Green, Well Manicured Lawn Doesnt Just Happen Because You Want It To !
   Ah yes, the pride of each neighbor - their lawn ! Well the key is how you water it, but also how you cut it, and fertilize it ! If you are going to do it yourself, then make sure you dont overwater or underwater, and dont set your cut length too low on your mower ! Most fertilizer bags will have a schedule for you to follow so you know which type to use at different times of the year. Ultimately you may want to consider an underground sprinkler system ! It's the best addition we added to our house ! Set it and forget it - and it will water the right amount for your lawn throughout the entire summer !
   
   
   
4. Santa Claus is not the only guy who can come down your Chimney !
   Birds are renowned for it, and even those cute fuzzy little squirrels again ! Once they get inside the flue they can cause damage to the liner or blockages over time. The easiest way to virtually eliminate that concern is to install a 'Chimney Cap' which is a little cage that fits right onto the top of your chimney stack. Most can be installed for less than $100.
   
   
   
5. Trees can have a Temper if they feel neglected !
   Those towering characters who can shade your property and look beautiful in the changing seasons, can also bite back if you dont keep an eye on them. The larger the get, the more dangerous they can be if they develop a problem. Cracked or fallen branches will win the battle with your roof or windows almost every time, so if you see any large branches that have a crack, or seem to sway significantly in the wind, they may need to be removed or trimmed by a tree expert. It may be a good idea to have a local tree company assess the health of your trees at least once a year.
   
   
   
6. Some Dinner Guests Dont Need A Written Invitation !
   If you have a back yard, it has friends. Critters of all kinds from birds to raccoons and skunks amongst others, and if you leave garbage bags outside of your garbage cans, dont be surprised if you wake in the morning to find those bags shredded, and the contents strewn all over the place, as the dinner guests search for a few tasty scraps they can nibble on ! Always put your garbage bags in a can with a lid !
   
   
   
7. Whether you want it or not, you have a Sewage line !
   Whereas when you rent, it is your landlord who is concerned about the sewage lines, once you own a home, you do NOT want to encounter a sewage backup if you can possibly help it - TRUST ME ON THIS ONE - I still have nightmares about the one and only time we had one in our house a long time ago ! Check with your local utility or water company and see if they have a service contract for your sewer lines. Usually they are very inexpensive - maybe $80/year - but they often include one cleanout per year, and emergency service in case of - well, an emergency !!!
   
   
   
8. 'Move In Condition' doesnt mean you wont have something to replace before long !
   Water heaters, furnaces, ac condensers, washers, dryers all have life expectancies. If you are not sure how old any of these or other appliances in your home are, you should try to find out, and then budget accordingly so you dont get caught in an emergency need for replacement - it usually costs you more for short notice replacements.
   
   
   
9. Hardwood Floor Refinishing can look Great - If done by a professional !
   I say this because shiny hardwood floors are so popular in many parts of the country these days, however, it can be a very MESSY job if done wrong !!!! Sticky and tricky, and can give awful results if you dont know what you are doing ! Spend a few hundred dollars extra and have a pro do it ... then sit back and smile at how gorgeous it looks !
   
   
   
10. Finally - Your favorite neighborhood store will not be the diner - it will be Home Depot !!!!!
    Even if you buy a great home that is new construction or at least immaculate and maintained terrifically - there will ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS be little things you have to or want to do to set up your new home the way you want it. Most of those items will be found at your local hardware store ! ... learn the back roads for the quickest route there !!

Being prepared is always the best way to avoid or deal with hurdles or challenges !

Welcome to HomeOwnership !!!!!!!!

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>> Dont miss other upcoming blog entries from "ThatBritishAgent" !

Sheldon Neal is a local Bergen County Realtor ® with RE/MAX Real Estate Ltd.

If you are looking for Bergen County Realtors, call local Bergen County, NJ expert Sheldon Neal for all your Buying & Selling needs !
Sheldon Neal ~ RE/MAX REAL ESTATE LTD.
cell: 201-481-2891
email: SheldonNeal@remax.net
website: www.SheldonNeal.com

Maywood History "Trolley Tour" - Sunday October 25th !

The "History Trolley" is coming to Maywood !

It will tour the streets of Maywood on Sunday October 25th. Maywood's resident Historian 'Betty Fetzer' will be on board, providing the knowledgeable yet witty commentary about the borough's people and places of the past !

You must call to reserve your spot, and seats will be filled on a first come first serve basis. Call Carol at 201-845-8830 to book your spot !

The Trolley will leave the Maywood Public Library parking lot at 1:30pm and will return there by 3pm. Refreshments and conversation with the Maywood Historical Committee after the tour at the First Presbyterian Church a few doors down from the library.

Seats are just $10 each so call today to join the tour !

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>> Dont miss other upcoming blog entries from "ThatBritishAgent" !

Sheldon Neal is a local Maywood Realtor ® with RE/MAX, specializing in Homes For Sale in Maywood, NJ.

Sheldon is also a proud Maywood resident !

If you are looking for Maywood Realtors, call local Maywood, NJ expert Sheldon Neal for all your Maywood and Bergen County Buying & Selling needs !
Sheldon Neal ~ RE/MAX REAL ESTATE LTD.
cell:
email: SheldonNeal@remax.net
website: www.SheldonNeal.com

MAYWOOD NJ LEAF COLLECTION - PROCEDURES CHANGED !!!!!

In a recent Council Meeting the Maywood Council decided to change the leaf collection procedures for the town of Maywood, NJ.

The major change is that residents are now NO LONGER allowed to rake leaves into the street for town pickup - that procedure has been abandoned due to the stringent stormwater requirements placed on municiplalities by the Department of Environmental Protection.

Residents are now required to bag all leaves for collection.

@@ FREE LEAF BAGS ARE AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS FROM THE TOWN DPW ON WEST HUNTER AVENUE - A MAXIMUM OF 20 LEAF BAGS ARE AVAILABLE PER RESIDENCE @@

In addition, LANDSCAPERS are now also required to bag leaves to leave on the premises, or remove leaves from residences on their own.

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>> Dont miss other upcoming blog entries from "ThatBritishAgent" !

Sheldon Neal is a local Maywood Realtor ® with RE/MAX, specializing in Homes For Sale in Maywood, NJ.

Sheldon is also a proud Maywood resident !

If you are looking for Maywood Realtors, call local Maywood, NJ expert Sheldon Neal for all your Maywood and Bergen County Buying & Selling needs !
Sheldon Neal ~ RE/MAX REAL ESTATE LTD.
cell:
email: SheldonNeal@remax.net
website: www.SheldonNeal.com