David Width Jr.

The following statistics were pulled from the Jersey Shore MLS system (www.jerseyshoremls.net) on home sales statistics from January 1st, 2009 through July 1st, 2009. The statistics come from closed sales on single family homes, townhomes, and adult community homes in the Little Egg Harbor & Tuckerton market areas.

UPLAND

There were 79 upland homes to sell with an average days on market of 127 days (roughly 4 months)

Average list price of an upland home was $215,800.

Average selling price of an upland home was $204,500

The highest sold upland home listed for $449,900 and sold for $410,000.

The lowest sold upland home listed for $72,500 and sold for $60,000.

WATERFRONT

There were 32 waterfront homes to sell with an average days on market of 172 days (roughly 6 months)

Average list price of a waterfront home was $286,000.

Average sell price of a waterfront home was $260,000.

The highest sold waterfront home listed for $619,000 and sold for $595,000.

The lowest sold waterfront home listed for $161,900 and sold for $142,000.

**THERE ARE CURRENTLY 60 HOMES UNDER CONTRACT AND AWAITING TO CLOSE**

** Please keep in mind these numbers are AVERAGES only. Your home may be worth considerably more, or less, than the averages stated above. When trying to determine individual value, please consult with a LOCAL real estate professional.**

The following statistics represent the Little Egg Harbor/ Tuckerton Market home sales statistics, and were taken directly from the Jersey Shore MLS. The time periods represented in this market analysis run from January 1st, 2009 - June 2nd, 2009.

UPLAND

There were 62homes that sold and their days on market averaged to @ 129.

Average list price - $214,000

Average sell price- $204,800

The highest sold property listed for $399,900 and sold for $408,000.

The lowest sold property listed for $72,500 and sold for $75,000.

WATERFRONT

There were 20 homes that sold and their days on market averaged to @ 202.

Average list price - $305,900

Average sell price - $277,200

The highest sold property listed for $619,000 and sold for $595,000.

The lowest sold property listed for $199,000 and sold for $142,000.

*There are currently 49 homes under contract and awaiting to close*

** Please keep in mind these numbers are AVERAGES only. Your home may be worth considerably more, or less, than the averages stated above. When trying to determine individual value, please consult with a LOCAL real estate professional.**

About two years ago, I was involved in a couple of sales with first time home buyers in which they choose to use the state first time home buyer lending program with a smart start grant. This program was a very useful and appropriate program for many first time buyers, with the rates around 6 1/8, nearly a full percent lower than conventional rates at that time, plus they could obtain up to a 4% grant from the state towards closing costs, that would be completely forgiven if they stayed in the home for 7 or more years. However since then, rates have dropped down into the 5% range, but the first time home buyer program rates are still up around 6%. However, if you choose to not take the smart start assistance money, you can obtain a rate of 5.5%, but what is the point with normal rates at 5%. If the buyer decided to take advantage of the full 4% smart start assistance, they would obtain a rate of 6.25%. My opinion, this program used to be fantastic considering the rates were low compared to normal rates back then, plus 4% of the purchase price in a grant from the state in smart start assistance.
Now however, it seems like going with the pre-fund program through the tax credit makes more sense.

I am sure all of us are familiar with the $8,000.00 tax credit that will be available for first time buyers purchasing a home PRIOR to December 1^st, 2009. Now New Jersey, only 1 of 3 states to offer the program, is introducing the "Pre-Fund" program. This program allows the home buyer to be able to receive up to $5000 of the tax credit PRIOR to purchasing their home that can be used toward down payment and/or closing costs. The qualifications for this program are similar to the qualifications for the tax credit. In order to qualify you must meet both sets of requirements and reasonably expect to receive the tax credit. This is a loan which must be repaid upon receiving the tax credit from the government. This can be used with either conventional or FHA financing and is offered at a competitive interest rate. There is also grant money (the program talked about above) that may be available in addition to the "Pre-Fund" Program that can also be applied to the down payment and/or closing costs. These programs can provide the opportunity to take advantage of the current real estate market, as home prices have decreased and interest rates are low.

I found this little poem that I thouhgt just perfectly fit the occasion. To all you moms out there today, wholeheartedly, have a wonderful Mother's Day, you all deserve it so very much.

Without You

Mom, without you, there would be no me.
Your love, your attention, your guidance,
have made me who I am.
Without you, I would be lost,
wandering aimlessly,
without direction or purpose.
You showed me the way
to serve, to accomplish, to persevere.
Without you, there would be an empty space
I could never fill, no matter how I tried.
Instead, because of you,
I have joy, contentment, satisfaction and peace.
Thank you, mom.
I have always loved you
and I always will.

By Joanna Fuchs

The following information is provided from the Jersey Shore MLS system and is as follows for the properties sold between April 1st, 2009 and April 30th, 2009:

There were 10 upland homes to sell and had an average of 141 days on the market.

The highest sold property listed for 319,000 and sold for 317,000.

The lowest sold property listed for 72,500 and sold for 75,000.

The average list price for the month of April was 183,285 and the average selling price for the month of April was 178,690.

There were 3 waterfront homes to sell and had an average of 287 days on the market.

The highest sold property listed for 429,000 and sold for 395,000.

The lowest sold property listed for 249,000 and sold for 213,000.

The average list price for the month of April was 325,000 and the average selling price for the month of April was 296,000.

** Please keep in mind that these selling and listing prices are AVERAGES, and individual properties will variously differ from these averages. Also keep in mind that these statistics were pulled only from the month of April of 2009. For the best idea of the value of your home, or if you are considering buying a home, my best adice would be to consult with a real estate professional in your area. **