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Jersey City, NJ

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Al Fresco Dining in Jersey City

06-30-09
Virginia Varela
Virginia Varela: Real Estate Agent in Hoboken, NJ
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  • Office: (201) 222-9955
  • Mobile: (551) 358-8375

What's better then dining out in Jersey City? Why, it's dining al fresco in "Chilltown".

When you're feeling like you want to stay local and enjoy the beautiful weather in this up and coming town, here is a list of my favorite Jersey City restaurants with sidewalk, rooftop, or garden seating:


Amelia's Bistro
187 Warren St
Jersey City, NJ, 07302
201-332-2200

Lovely and intimate ambience makes this restaurant a great place for a romantic date. Good food, good service, and a friendly staff, this is a place many locals frequent especially during the warm days for an al fresco experience. The website is a little slow but mentions "Amelia's on Wheels" which offers high-end catering.

Azucar
495 Washington Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ, 07302
(201) 222-0090

Though the bar service and Mojitos are nothing to brag about, this restaurant has lovely sidewalk seating for a fun al fresco experience. Having a second level cigar lounge with bar and live Latin bands on weekends, Azucar is one of the more unique dining establishments in the area. Located across from the Newport/Pavonia PATH station and near the Lightrail Stop, you might want to call before arriving as at times they require reservations.

Embankment Restaurant
234 10th Street
Jersey City, NJ, 07302
(201) 222-6115

New chic restaurant in Hamilton Park neighborhood is known for its delicious brunch menu but very high prices. Though the decor is said to be better then its food, there is lovely al fresco dining on warmer days.

Hamilton Park Ale House
708 Jersey Avenue
Jersey City, NJ, 07302
(201) 659-9111

I have mixed reviews about the food, but its seems I'm not alone. They've changed chefs since I've patronized the place. As my first restaurant in Jersey City, I love this place for its cheery al fresco dining in lovely Hamilton Park neighborhood. Many of locals frequent this place for it's friendly staff, casual atmosphere, and reasonable prices. Dog friendly, they'll let your pooch sit by you if leashed and even give your pet a little bowl of water.


Madame Claude Cafe
364 1/2 4th St
Jersey City, NJ, 07302
201-876-8800

This quaint French restaurant is a BYOB with good food and great crepes, both savory and sweet. Bring enough cash with you as they don't accept credit cards and the ATMs are not walking-distance. On the corner or 4th & Brunswick, this is a good location for brunch and limited al fresco dining in the warmer months.


Sawadee Thai Cuisine
137 Newark Ave
Jersey City, NJ, 07302
201-433-0888

Though I have yet to experience the Al fresco dining myself, it is said to be available in the warmer months. Just blocks away from the Grove Street PATH stop, this new Thai restaurant has some of the chic-est decor and food in the area. Each plate is like a work of art which is also reflected in the ambience. Expect most of the dishes to contain coconut, peanut oil, and/or curry, so if you have food allergies and can't handle the hot stuff, beware!


Skinner's Loft
146 Newark Avenue
Jersey City, NJ
(201) 915-0600

Warm and welcoming location with a nice selection of small plates, dinners, and wines, this lovely new place is just blocks from the Grove Street PATH station. The first level has the bar and small tables if you're in a casual mood. The second level has a more formal, yet initmate atmosphere, and yes, on the warmer days there is a lovely little rooftop for dining al fresco!

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Blog_tag

Where do prices really stand? - 100% financing - Loan mod prospect #1 question

06-27-09
Paul Luykx
Paul Luykx: Loan Officer in Jersey City, NJ
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  • Office: (800) 405-0607
  • Mobile: (917) 209-1111
span lang="EN">Meltdown 101: Where do home prices really stand?
Is the historic U.S. housing market crash close to being over, or is the end still far, far away? Good read.
Home Buyer Tax Credit could expand
A first-time home buyer tax credit of up to $8,000 has helped to move housing inventory during an otherwise sluggish real estate cycle. Now both legislators and the business community are hoping to build on the incentive's success by expanding it. Read more
100% financing not available? - Wrong!
USDA financing (which we offer) allows for 100% financing PLUS seller concession closing cost. There is an upfront funding fee, but NO PMI, There are geographic and income restrictions, but it is amazing how many areas qualify. Here's the beef.

Should I pay my mortgage?
This seems to be #1 question for people considering loan modification. Unfortunately there are several answers and which is correct for you depends on the Circumstances. Attorney Richard Zaretsky addresses the common scenarios in this article. For loan modification help go here.
Reverse mortgages for home purchases
The feds issued new guidelines at the start of 2009 that would allow older borrowers to use reverse mortgages to buy a principal residence. But few lenders were ready to offer this option — until fairly recently. (We do - P). Read more
Rates mixed
For the week ending June 25th the 30-year fixed averaged 5.42% with an average 0.7% fees and points, up from last week when it averaged 5.38%. This time last year it averaged 6.45%. Freddie Mac rate surveys.

Available
- Same day loan decision (no ifs or buts)
- 30-day closes (45-days for FHA)
- Condo (conversion) financing services. Information
- FHA loans down to 560 Fico
- 50-70% LTV stated income loans (600-700 Fico needed)
- 95% LTV Fannie Mae condo loans
- Loans for non-residents
- Rehab and construction loans
- Non-warrantable property
- Reverse mortgages
- Jumbo loans at near conforming rates
- Commercial loans
Contact me for excellent service.
_________________________

"Every horse thinks its own pack heaviest"
Thomas Fuller (1608-1661)
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Blog_tag

Current loan modification challenges

06-20-09
Paul Luykx
Paul Luykx: Real Estate - Other in Jersey City, NJ
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  • Office: (888) 419-2779
  • Mobile: (917) 209-1111
Some modifications are arranged very quickly, and it seems others take forever.
At the end of the day lenders dictate the process. I regret to advise that in many cases lenders are very disorganized resulting in significant delays - often requiring (multiple) new submissions with fresh information. Below are a few articles that illustrate the state of affairs. It's a mess frankly. Please do be assured that we remain focused on getting the best possible modifications for our clients. As of today we have a 100% success rate, and we have not lost a single property to foreclosure! - Paul
"Mortgage modifications remain elusive even with a federal program intended to help..."
More than two months after the Obama Administration launched a plan to streamline mortgage modifications, those striving to save their homes from foreclosure remain frustrated over financially crippling delays. Read more.

"For some homeowners, promised help is elusive..."
More than three months after the Obama administration outlined a new program aimed at rescuing millions of distressed homeowners by compensating banks that modify mortgages, Ms. Ulery’s experience illustrates the mixture of confusion, frustration and limited assistance that now reigns. Read more .
"The failure of the mortgage modification system threatens housing"
The theory was simple and elegant. By offering homeowners who could not afford their monthly mortgage costs lower monthly payments, people could be able to stay in their homes. That would lower the US default and foreclosure rate, in turn building a foundation under the housing market. Read more
"Foreclosures grind on as lenders fail to modify loans"
The Obama administration's $75 billion program to reduce foreclosures has been beset by backlogs and delays, leading many overstretched homeowners to complain about unreturned phone calls and inaccurate information from lenders, while others say they were denied help for reasons that weren't clear. Read more.

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Blog_tag

125%LTV refi's? - Non-warrantable loans - 203(k) summary - FHA loans at risk?

06-19-09
Paul Luykx
Paul Luykx: Loan Officer in Jersey City, NJ
  • view my blog
  • Office: (800) 405-0607
  • Mobile: (917) 209-1111
FHA lending criteria have become stricter, and the trend will continue I think. The divergence between FHA and Fannie/Freddie is still significant. and F/F are not likely to lower their standards! /// And now the surging demand for FHA loans is putting the program at risk. US watchdog warning. /// Make it a good week folks. Call me if I can help - Paul
125%+ refinances?
The Obama administration is considering allowing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to refinance loans with current loan-to-value ratios of 125%, or higher. Read more
FHA 203(k) rehab loans
203(k) loans are the perfect for home renovations, handyman specials, and improvement of foreclosed property. The lending value can be as high as 110% of total cost. Summary

10 cities most likely to bounce back quickly
Forbes magazine has identified the top 10 cities that it believes are poised for recovery by examining unemployment figures, projected gross domestic product from Moody’s Economy.com, and housing affordability data from the National Association of Home Builders. Read more
Loans for non-warrantable condos
Condo's can be "non-warrantable" due to not enough (pre-)sales, too many renters, HOA control not turned over to owners, more than 10% ownership concentration, and many other factors. It is not "one size fits all" and it can be complex, but we do have loan options available. More information
Low inflation pushes rates back down
For the week ending June 18th the 30-year fixed averaged 5.38% with an average 0.7% fees and points, down from last week when it averaged 5.59%. This time last year it averaged 6.42%. Freddie Mac rate surveys.

Available
- Same day loan decision (no ifs or buts)
- 30-day closes (45-days for FHA)
- Condo (conversion) financing services. Information
- FHA loans down to 560 Fico
- 50-70% LTV stated income loans (600-700 Fico needed)
- 95% LTV Fannie Mae condo loans
- Loans for non-residents
- Rehab and construction loans
- Non-warrantable property
- Reverse mortgages
- Jumbo loans at near conforming rates
- Commercial loans
Contact me for excellent service.
_________________________

"There is no such thing as a good excuse"
John P. Grier (1914-2002)
0 Comments
Blog_tag

Rates heading to 6% - Buyer tax credit to $15K? - Borrow FHA down pmt

06-13-09
Paul Luykx
Paul Luykx: Loan Officer in Jersey City, NJ
  • view my blog
  • Office: (800) 405-0607
  • Mobile: (917) 209-1111
Rates are headed for 6.00%. In just 2 1/2 weeks much of the Fed's work to drive rates lower has unraveled. 5 reasons they might retreat - and why they might not. /// The homebuyer tax credit may be expanded in a number of ways. Let's also hope the Nov 30 deadline gets extented (See below) /// You can now publish my newsletter on your website with ann RSS feed. Go here to do it. /// Make it a good week folks! - Paul
Congress weighs tax credit expansion
Legislation introduced in Congress Wednesday would expand the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit to any purchaser and increase the maximum available to $15K. Read more.
Sources of FHA down payments
Did you know that a family member can take out a loan to gift the down payment, or that the home buyer is allowed to take out a fully collateralized loan for it? In all there are about 18 possible sources for FHA down payments. Check it out.

10 most undervalued cities
Homes in the majority of U.S. markets are undervalued right now, but housing prices may have yet to find a floor, according to IHS Global Insight. Here are 10 cities IHS finds the most undervalued.
Commercial mortgage defaults
The default rate on commercial mortgages held by U.S. banks may rise to the highest in 17 years in the fourth quarter as debt for refinancing remains scarce and the recession drags down rents. Read more
Rates hit 7-month high
For the week ending June 11th the 30-year fixed averaged 5.59% with an average 0.7% fees and points, up from last week when it averaged 5.29%, and increased again thereafter. This time last year it averaged 6.32%. "Higher mortgage rates are slowing refi's but not demand for home purchases. Over the 3 weeks ending June 5th, interest rates for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages rose nearly 1/2%. Applications for refinance fell each week during this period while applications for home purchases consecutively rose, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association" said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist. Freddie Mac rate surveys.

Available
- Same day loan decision (no ifs or buts)
- 30-day closes (45-days for FHA)
- Condo (conversion) financing services. Information
- FHA loans down to 560 Fico
- 50-70% LTV stated income loans (600-700 Fico needed)
- 95% LTV Fannie Mae condo loans
- Loans for non-residents
- Rehab and construction loans
- Jumbo loans at near conforming rates
- Commercial loans
Contact me for excellent service.
_________________________

"There is nothing like a dream to create the future"
Victor Hugo (1802-1885)
8 Comments