Kimberly Thomas, Broker Associate Realty Executives Brown & Pope

By now, everyone knows that, just like the Dot Com bubble, the real estate market grew its own bubble to a degree that it finally popped. Foreclosure numbers went up, sales went down and everyone, from the government to lenders to John Q public, started looking around for someone they could point a finger at and blame.

The hard truth is that placing blame doesn't do anyone any good, especially those trying to save their South Jersey homes. The truth is that it's time to do what Americans have been doing since the country was founded - picking ourselves up off the ground, dusting off and working with what we still have. Thanks to new acts such as the "Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009," it's even more possible to do that.

If you've been dealing with the possibility of foreclosure, you may have missed the news, so here are a few uplifting highlights that can make all the difference:

• If you rent your South Jersey home and the home is foreclosed upon, you have to receive a 90-day eviction notice. You can't just be preemptively kicked off the property. As well, if you have a lease you have to be allowed to live on the property until the lease is up unless:

•a) the new owner wants to move in and make it his or her residence or

•b) state law says the lease can be terminated on notice.

Although three months doesn't seem like a lot of time, that's three months you wouldn't have had in most states before the Act was passed.

• Lenders and homeowners are now receiving incentives for successful loan modifications and refinancing under the Making Homes Affordable Program. According to the White House government website, "Servicers covering more than 75 percent of loans in the country have now begun modifications and refinancing under the Administration's MHA Program."

• One of the biggest challenges to homeowners is finding out who owns the mortgages on their homes. This can make it incredibly difficult to discuss refinancing or modification with the mortgage owner. Thanks to the Act, you have to be informed whenever your loan is sold or transferred to another party. Now, you always know who has control of your mortgage and who you need to talk to.

Dealing in the current real estate market can be hard. If you're already struggling financially, it can be even harder. Try to keep abreast of the current laws that can help homeowners and families keep their South Jersey homes!

If you can't qualify for loan modification or refinancing, and are considering a short sale, I can help. I have a certification in Short Sales & Foreclosure Resources. Call me at 856-308-5989 or email me at kim@kimcanhelp.com for more information.

www.KimCanHelp.com www.NJHomesNearPhilly.com

Buying or selling a home has a major impact on many people's lives. So it's important not to leave the task to just anyone.

Take advantage of all the benefits that come with working with a full-time South Jersey real estate agent. Since selling or buying a home can be a full-time job, it just makes sense to work with an agent that has a full-time commitment.

A full-time real estate agent can offer:

• Lots of experience - If your agent lives and breathes real estate around the clock, then he or she is better equipped to handle the many surprises that come with buying or selling a home.

• Peace of mind - You could be a first-time home buyer or seller. A full-time South Jersey real estate agent has the knowledge to lead you through every step, saving you time, money and stress.

• Availability - Since your agent works full time, she is available to you when you have questions, concerns or need her for any reason.

• In-depth market knowledge - The real estate market is changing faster than ever. In order to be a successful buyer or seller, you need to be kept up to date. A full-time real estate agent stays current with what's happening each and every day.

Whatever your home-buying or home-selling goals, it's smart to have an experienced, full-time South Jersey real estate agent working for you. You'll save yourself headaches, heartache and from making home buying mistakes.

Are you ready to work with a full-time South Jersey real estate agent? Give me a call today at 856-308-5989 or email me at kim@kimcanhelp.com

LINKS: www.KimThomasHomes.com; www.KimCanHelp.com

First-time buyer

http://www.lendingtree.com/smartborrower/first-time-home-buyers/

Real estate agent

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-does-a-real-estate-agent-do.htm

home buying mistakes

http://www.lendingtree.com/real-estate/advice/buying-a-home/common-home-buying-mistakes/

The last vestiges of summer have faded away, the leaves are turning into a brilliant array of color and the temperatures are dropping. All this glorious change means the holidays are coming, but it also means it's time, once again, to look over your South Jersey home.

With temperatures dropping and leaves falling, there are plenty of things to add to your "to do" list. Just in case your list is empty, here are a few "to do's" to get you started on your fall South Jersey home care:

• Sealing Your Driveway - If you have a blacktop driveway, you probably already know it isn't going to be smooth forever. The asphalt cracks, the color fades and the asphalt sags to create potholes. As winter rolls around and snow begins to fall, you'll probably be putting down salt, which will further break down your driveway. Sealing it now, either by hiring a company to do it or sealing it yourself, can help keep your driveway smooth and beautiful.

• Winterizing Your Sprinklers - Sprinkler systems do wonders in keeping your lawn green. However, leaving water in the system over the winter can cause a big, expensive mess, especially if the pipes aren't buried below frost level. If you don't feel comfortable winterizing the sprinkler system yourself, you can hire a professional for under $500.

• Cleaning Gutters and Roofs - Everybody knows that fall brings leaves that fill your gutters and cover your roof. If you haven't been on the roof of your house lately, now's the time to do it. You want to make sure all the debris is gone before the snow hits, so the strength of your roof isn't tested further. For that matter, now is a great time to install gutter guards; you'll never have to clean your gutters again!

Preparing your South Jersey home for the winter can be a tedious process, but the money you'll save with proper maintenance will put a smile on your face.

If you're looking for a home to call your own, I can help. Call me at 856-308-5989 or email me at kim@kimcanhelp.com for more information.

Links: www.KimCanHelp.com www.KimThomasHomes.com

Sealing it yourself

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=LawnGarden/SealDvWay.html#term

Winterizing the sprinkler system

http://www.housekeepingchannel.com/a_603-Tips_for_Winterizing_Your_Sprinkler_System

Gutter guards

http://www.askthebuilder.com/Gutter_Guard_Test_Results.shtml

With rising Mullica Hill real estate sales, many people looking to invest are starting to wonder if Real Estate Investment Trusts are once again a potential opportunity. Home sales have gone up for the past six months in a row, homebuilding price indexes are rising and investors are turning optimistic. Is it really a good time, though?

What are REITs?

REITs are Real Estate Investment Trusts. These trusts invest in property then sell shares to people or businesses. If the REITs make a profit, that profit is split between shareholders as dividends. Many investment trusts cover a full portfolio of Mullica Hill real estate and other real property, rather than just one property. In the past, they've been incredibly popular because they trade like stock and dividend yields are normally at the top of the market.

Not All REITs Are Created Equal

It's important to remember that real estate investment trusts come in different shapes and sizes. As well, REITs report rental income, rather than sales, as revenue. Keeping rental income in mind, it becomes obvious REITS with long-term leases and high occupancy rates are generally better than others to invest in. Also, the higher the occupancy, the easier it is to raise rental rates (although this is probably not good business at this time due to the current real estate market).

Investing in REITs Now

If you're thinking of investing in REITs now, don't forget that they may only benefit in a particular market. For instance, many individual investors are purchasing unfinished homes at steep discounts, investing a little more to finish the homes and then renting them out. As most real estate agents, blogs, articles and magazines will tell you, the rental market is doing quite well, so this may be a viable option for you.

No matter what type of Mullica Hill real estate you're thinking of investing in, however, remember that any type of investment is risky. Is it time to invest? Ultimately, only you can make that decision. Do your research, check your funding, then - and only then - make an informed decision.

If you're interested in real estate investments, I can help. Call me at 856-308-5989 or email me at kim@kimcanhelp.com for more information.

Links: www.KimCanHelp.com www.KimThomasHomes.com

Real Estate Investment Trusts

http://investopedia.com/terms/r/reit.asp

Dividends

http://www.finpipe.com/divexpl.htm

Rental income

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/industries/article/0,,id=98895,00.html

Living in a Voorhees condo can be a lot of fun, but it can also be an exercise in frustration when it comes to having enough room for all your items and making your home look its best. Here are a few tips to keep you from losing your mind:

1. Use an ottoman for your coffee table. It can double as storage.

2. Put shelves above the doorways rather than somewhere else on the wall.

3. Low bookcases along the back of your couch can double as a couch table.

4. Use glass shelves in deep-set windows as additional storage space for knickknacks.

5. Buy larger, but fewer, pieces of furniture.

6. Use a magazine rack.

7. Leave the views of windows and doors uncluttered.

8. Stay away from bright, vibrant prints for furniture fabric.

9. Use corner bookcases where possible.

10. Remember that, with a Voorhees condo, less is more.

11. Maximize space in the kitchen with apartment-size appliances.

12. Consider under the counter appliances or a pullout pantry unit.

13. Use magnetic strips to wall-mount large knives.

14. Consider a futon or Murphy bed rather than a huge mattress.

15. If you have a big bed, use the space underneath as storage.

16. Purchase pull out drawers or storage bins as under-the-bed storage areas.

17. Add shelving and wall cabinets to your bedroom to minimize clutter.

18. Use knobs and hooks in your bathroom for hanging towels or robes.

19. If you have the room, use a tall thin corner tower in your bathroom for towels and cleaning products.

20. Use a clothes hamper rather than a basket.

So remember, just because you live in a Voorhees condo doesn't mean you have to feel crowded or settle for a less than gorgeous décor.

If you're considering buying or selling a condo, I can help. Call me at 856-308-5989 or email me at kim@kimcanhelp.com for more information.

Links: www.KimThomasHomes.com www.NJHomesNearPhilly.com

Use an ottoman

http://www.indobase.com/home/furniture/funiture-ottoman.html

Use a corner bookcase

http://thecornerbookcase.com/

Under-the-bed storage areas

http://home-organization.suite101.com/article.cfm/under_the_bed_storage

Kimberly Thomas, Broker-Associate; www.KimThomasHomes.com; www. NJHomesNearPhilly.com