Thomas McCormack

HOLIDAY EXPRESS CONCERT & TOWN LIGHTING

SANTA EXPRESS

Nov. 28, 2008
Red Bank Train Station (starting from Little Silver). Ride the train with Santa from Little Silver to Red Bank and join the parade to the concert on Broad Street. FREE.

Nov. 28, 2008 Downtown Broad Street. Rock 'n' Roll with Holiday Express in concert and see the lighting of Red Bank's decorations and Christmas tree. 7:00pm FREE.

County plans to tackle job concerns head on

Local economic development expert is a strong business advocate

Former New Jersey Commerce and Economic Growth Commission representative John Ciufo has been tapped by the Board of Chosen Freeholders to guide Monmouth County through recent economic downturn and the pending closure of Fort Monmouth.

"We face tremendous challenges in the area of economic development in Monmouth County, particularly with the credit squeeze and problems on Wall Street," said Freeholder John D'Amico, who is liaison to the Planning and Economic Development & Tourism departments. "We have the additional challenge of the pending closure of Fort Monmouth and the loss of those jobs."

Ciufo, a resident of Howell Township, has been a strong advocate for the business community for more than a decade. As administrative director of the Planning and Economic Development & Tourism departments, he will work to develop public/private partnerships and market Monmouth County to businesses in the hopes they will relocate here, bringing jobs with them.

"John fully understands the needs of the shore region business community," said Benjamin L. Waldron, executive director of the Monmouth-Ocean Development Council. "He goes the extra mile to make sure we are in a position to extend the welcome mat to companies considering relocating or expanding in our area, as well as making sure that those businesses that exist here are satisfied that the shore region is the best possible place in New Jersey to live, work and recreate." With the Commerce and Economic Growth Commission, Ciufo worked with state agencies, county economic development offices, municipalities, redevelopment corporations, urban enterprise zones and small business development centers. He focused on business retention and expansion by promoting business incentives and assistance programs to the region's business community. "I am able to analyze business problems and issues and bring the necessary resources from federal, state and local government agencies together to find a solution," Ciufo said. "The county is focusing its resources to address economic challenges that we are facing. Working closely with our business community, economic development partners and elected officials, I am confident that we can overcome these challenges."

"With John on board we will be able to get through this economic storm and come out stronger and a better place to live at the end of the day," D'Amico said.

My recommendation to my buyer and investor clients is to be educated about the market you're shopping in. What this means is to be familiar with the inventory, get a sense of what a given price range should provide you in a particular town or neighborhood, keep track of average price, list-to-sale price ratios and days on the market.

And of course (WARNING: shameless self-promotion approaching!) make sure you're working with an experienced realtor who is a full-time professional and knows your market! It shocks me how often consumers entrust such an important financial transaction to agents who are no more qualified than they are except they have a real estate agent's license.

For those considering Northeastern Monmouth County, below are market reports for 3rd Quarter Year-to-Date activity for the towns listed below. Better yet, sign up to receive reports as they are published along with other market information that's key to being a Resourceful Buyer.

• ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS
• FAIR HAVEN
• HIGHLANDS
• LITTLE SILVER
• LONG BRANCH
• MIDDLETOWN
• MONMOUTH BEACH
• OCEANPORT
• RED BANK
• RUMSON
• SEA BRIGHT
• SHREWSBURY

Search the Monmouth County MLS for all available listings! You can even create and save your own searches (click the Your Account button at top), be notified as new listings that match your search become available and find out about scheduled open houses!

NEW AFFORDABLE 1 & 2 BEDROOM RENTAL APARTMENTS AT CONIFER VILLAGE FOR SENIORS AGED 55 AND OLDER
The Township of Middletown announced the availability of 180 affordable housing 1 and 2 bedroom rental units at the Conifer Village at Middletown. These rental units are available to low and moderate income seniors age 55 and older that meet certain income standards. Rents include hot water and are as follows:

Low 1 BR
1 person max. income: $29,750
2 person max. income: $34,000
RENT: $701

Mod 1 BR
1 person max. income: $35.700
2 person max. income: $40,800
RENT: $808

Low 2 BR
1 person max. income: $29,750
2 person max. income: $34,000
3 person max. income: $38,250
4 person max. income: $42,500
RENT: $838

Mod 2BR
1 person max. income: $35,700
2 person max. income: $40,800
3 person max. income: $45,900
4 person max. income: $51,000
RENT: $967

*subject to change

Conifer Village at Middletown is under construction and is located on the northbound side of Highway 36 directly west of Navesink Avenue and the Eastpointe Shopping Center.

Interested households will initially be required to submit an application for affordable housing to the Township for pre-qualification. Pre-qualified households will be matched to affordable units through a random selection process. If your pre-qualified household is selected for consideration, a $25 application fee will be required. All households must provide income documentation and pass a credit check. All successful applicants will be required to demonstrate the ability to pay a security deposit (one and one half months rent), first month's rent and agree to maintain the unit as the household's primary residence.

Applications are available at the Department of Planning at the Middletown Municipal Complex and on the Middletown Township Website by clicking HERE. Applications can also be requested by calling 732-615-2098, 732-615-2280 or 732-291-0809. Applications may be submitted in person, by mail, or via fax at the Middletown Township Department of Planning, Johnson Gill Annex Building, 1 Kings Highway, Middletown, NJ 07748. To fax the completed application, please send it to 732-615-2103, Attention: Eleanor.

For more information including directions to the property and floor plans, please visit http://conifervillagemiddletown.coniferliving.com/

Link to Affordable Housing Application: http://www.middletownnj.org/planning/pdf/Affordable-Housing-App-12_07.pdf

Although initially 2008 had an encouraging start for Atlantic Highlands relative to 2007, sales have not kept pace with the previous year and have fallen behind with unit volume down 30% for same period (Q1-3) last year.

On a more positive note, there were some gains in the 3rd quarter for sales prices (which had taken a hit in the first half of the year) with average sales price for the term at very close to last year's average... about 1/2 % off.

Buyers continue negotiate and we can see their leverage in the list-to-sale differential with an almost 9% gap between asking and sold price.

Advice to sellers: Continue to price aggressively, maintain optimum market position thru marketing, showing condition & easy accessibility. To discuss selling the pros & cons of selling in the current Atlantic Highlands market, please give me a call.