You will never have to pay to be listed as a top neighbor. Period. That important detail clarified, let's discuss how we arrive at two "top neighbors" for a given region:
Localism is a bustling collection of hyper-local communities, and the top neighbors should reflect those members who are most active. When ranking users in a given region, several factors are considered. To get your foot in the proverbial door, you need to have posted at least one "Localism" article or photo for the region.
The very best way to quickly rise to #1 is to post high-quality local content. Keeping a steady strem of incoming posts and photos will massively tilt the scales in your favor.
What doesn't count toward the top neighbor ranking? ActiveRain points and community sponsorships. The top neighbor spots will always go to the most active members in a region. We want to create a level playing field that encourages the growth of communities — talent and dedication are required to win the day.
Update August 30 - The 3 bedroom ranch foreclosure in Highland Lakes NJ was listed today for $167000. This would be a wonderful Sussex County vacation property or full-time home. My crystal ball predicts that this move-in ready, updated REO home for sale in the Highland Lakes section of Vernon will find the right buyer quickly!
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Within Vernon, NJ, Highland Lakes vacation homes are extremely popular. This section of single family residences is enjoyed by year-round residents and by those wanting a mountain getaway in Sussex County, NJ. Like many of our local Sussex lake communities, Highland Lakes has older log cabins and small ranches that have been converted for year-round use right on up to Colonials under constructions. Just 50 miles from the heart of New York City, Highland Lakes is a modestly-priced, lovely community!
"five lakes, a Clubhouse, and recreational facilities including ballfields, beaches, tennis and basketball courts, picnic areas and playgrounds. Sailing and boating are enjoyed by many, along with swimming, hiking, fishing, and kayaking. There are sailing leagues, swim teams, tennis leagues and a variety of recreational and social activities held at the Clubhouse. The Club supplies docks and boat racks for members located throughout the community."
Additionally, Highland Lakes getaway properties are wonderful 4-season spots. Around Sussex County in the fall, you can pick apples, take a hayride, play golf, hike High Point State Parkor just gaze at fabulous foliage. You would be just minutes from the waterpark or skiing at Mountain Creek, as well as the area's many challenging golf courses.
Want a great deal? Perhaps a foreclosed Highland Lakes vacation home is right for you. Both short sales and bank-owned foreclosures may be the "steal" you seek. I'm getting an REO ready for the real estate market; I suspect this 3 bedroom Highland Lakes ranch with unimpeded lake views will fly off the market because it is in good shape! Not yet on the market, the list price hasn't been determined. It could be the one to make your dreams of a getaway vacation home in Highland Lakes, Sussex County, NJ, a reality!
Considering selling a home or looking to buy one around Sussex County, NJ? Benefit from creative marketing, top negotiating skills and vast real estate knowledge by contacting Irene via the data to the right or www.HomesIrene.com. Irene Kennedy, who is a NJ real estate agent with Weichert, Realtors, lives in Sussex County & works from the Hamburg office.
Within 50 miles of Manhattan, weekend getaway or vacation homes for sale in Sussex County, NJ, are very appealing to folks looking for a "country home" with little upkeep required. Prices have fallen drastically, so more people from New York City are purchasing vacation homes in the rural Sussex area. Folks from other distant areas are also jumping on the bandwagon!
Vacation properties in Sussex County being purchased by distant owners is nothing new. In 1961 my great-uncle Joe and aunt Dot purchased a summertime log cabin in Lake Tamarack, Stockholm, NJ. Brooklyn apartment dwellers, Dot and her 2 boys spent the entire summer enjoying the mountain air, lakes, hiking, etc. Joe came weekends and for his week's vacation. Dot's brother from Staten Island owned a lakefront cottage down the road; most of the neighbors were also city-dwellers seeking a great place to spend the summer.
The history of other vacation communities within Sussex, NJ is similar. Over time, most of the summer homes inLake Mohawk, Scenic Lakes, Highland Lakes, etc., were converted for year-round residency or replaced by more modern homes.
The get-away appeal of Sussex County, NJ, is nothing new! Nor is it limited to summers - year round relaxation, strenuous sports and nature offer a 4-season change of pace. No matter what one's age, Sussex County NJ resort homes make a great place to have some fun.
In this little series of posts, we'll take a peek at why New Yorkers and even folks who own a beach house at Long Beach Island still want a ski condo near Mountain Creek, a small home adjoining Ballyowen Golf Course or one of the many other weekend getaway homes we have for sale in Sussex County!
Irene Kennedy's 2009 series on Getaway Properties in Sussex County, NJ:
Considering selling a home or looking to buy one around Sussex County, NJ? Benefit from creative marketing, top negotiating skills and vast real estate knowledge by contacting Irene via the data to the right or visit www.HomesIrene.com.
Irene Kennedy, who is a NJ real estate agent with Weichert, Realtors, lives in Sussex County & works from the Hamburg office. Her primary market includes: Augusta, Branchville, Crystal Springs, Frankford, Franklin, Hamburg, Hampton, Hardyston, Highland Lakes, Lake Mohawk, Newton, Ogdensburg, Scenic Lakes, Sparta, Sussex, Vernon, Wantage. With her vast network, however, Irene Kennedy also can help you find an equally talented real estate agent elsewhere.
In June 2009, GSMLSmarket data for Wantage shows that only 4 homes sold during the month, but as many more are Under Contract, we can expect a much different picture when the July market data is available. Better news for Wantage home sellers is that the Median Sale price rose from just $164,500 in May to $255,000 in June!
As for buyers considering purchasing a home in Wantage, we still have plenty of choices with 162 MLS listings in Wantage alone. Add Branchville and other adjacent towns - home buyers have lots of option here in Sussex County!
All this Wantage NJ real estate data on homes for sale has been updated based on June 2009 information. Sometimes earlier months changed. Say a deal on a home for sale that was Under Contract in May fell apart; the UC number dropped and the Active number went up accordingly.
Whether you're considering selling your home or purchasing a home in one of Sussex County's fine communities, this is a better time than many folks think. Statistics are a useful overview, but to really understand the outlook for your personal real estate goals - let's sit down and chat!
Considering selling a home or looking to buy one around Sussex County, NJ? Benefit from creative marketing, top negotiating skills and vast real estate knowledge by contacting Irene via the data to the right or www.HomesIrene.com.
Irene Kennedy, who is a NJ real estate agent with Weichert, Realtors, lives in Sussex County & works from the Hamburg office. Her primary market includes: Augusta, Branchville, Crystal Springs, Frankford, Franklin, Hamburg, Hampton, Hardyston, Highland Lakes, Lake Mohawk, Newton, Ogdensburg, Scenic Lakes, Sparta, Sussex, Vernon, Wantage. With her vast network, however, Irene Kennedy also can help you find an equally talented real estate agent elsewhere.
Right here in beautiful Sussex County, we have some very valuable but little known real estate. I'm referring to stromatolites - fossils on a Precambrian rock outcrop, which is more than 500,000,000 years old. Stromatolites are one of the oldest living organisms on Earth - and you can meet some right in Hamburg!
The most famous places to view stromatolites are Shark Bay or Coral Bay both in Australia, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and in the Bahamas. While I'd love to visit any of those places, such a trip isn't in my family budget. Probably not in yours either...
So, what about a short ride to explore stromatolites fossils right in Sussex County, NJ? FREE and fun - just you and Mother Nature. Family members of all ages can find something of interest - collecting loose rocks, climbing on boulders, viewing fossils, perhaps spotting some wildlife. Best of all, everyone will get dirty, so wear your sturdy playclothes! Try to locate the "Godzilla's butt print" fossil. Bring a rope to aid climbing. You'll probably want your camera too. Perhaps hike along the Wallkill River, which runs parallel; listen for the waterfall. The Wallkill River stems from the Hudson and empties into Lake Mohawk in Sparta, NJ.
Directions: The Bluffs Active Adult community is at the intersection of Gingerbread Castle Road in Hamburg and Wheatsworth Road in Hardyston. (You probably won't find Bluffs Court via GPS or Mapquest.) We're right between Ballyowen Golf Course and the Gingerbread Castle. At the top of the loop, you can park at the site of the future clubhouse. Voila - stromatolites!
When you visit, please remember that you're in a private community. There are no public restrooms, no trash cans, no benches, no concession stands - simply you and our good Earth. It would be a prime time to practice being concerned environmentally-friendly citizens. And speaking of citizens, all my lovely neighbors and I always appreciate a wave or Hello!
Following are some links to Wikipedia for those who would like some details about terms used and what you'll be seeing. Never hurts to sneak in a little learning!
Considering selling a home or looking to buy one around Sussex County, NJ? Benefit from creative marketing, top negotiating skills and vast real estate knowledge by contacting Irene via the data to the right or HomesIrene.com.
Irene Kennedy, who is a NJ real estate agent with Weichert, Realtors, lives in Sussex County & works from the Hamburg office. Her primary market includes: Augusta, Branchville, Crystal Springs, Frankford, Franklin, Hamburg, Hampton, Hardyston, Highland Lakes, Lake Mohawk, Newton, Ogdensburg, Scenic Lakes, Sparta, Sussex, Vernon, Wantage. With her vast network, however, Irene Kennedy also can help you find an equally talented real estate agent elsewhere.
While there are many more interesting things to do around Sussex County, NJ, for the 4th of July weekend, I still want to give you the option to review the June market data for Sparta real estate transactions. Don't know about you but I prefer to be at Lake Mohawk this weekend...
GSMLS market report for Sparta shows that 19 homes were sold in June 2009, a significant drop given May's high of 29! The list to sale price ratio ticked up slightly - averaging 96% in June. Given the prices, however, this didn't have a major impact on either home sellers or buyers.
As you'll see, the number of listings are up - meaning great choices for buyers who have their eye on Sparta!
Whether you're considering selling your home or purchasing a home in one of Sussex County's fine communities (Lake Mohawk, for example), this is a better time than many folks think. Statistics are a useful overview, but to really understand the outlook for your personal Sparta real estate goals - let's sit down and chat!
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
