Manalapan, NJ

Just a quick note to let everyone know that the fares for commuters who ride the NY Waterway ferries from Monmouth County are going down again. Since December the fares have decreased $51.00.

Effective Monday March 30, 2009 the price of a monthly pass is reduced to $605 down from $635. The 40-trip pass is reduced to $615, down from $646. Ten-trip passes are $190, down from $197. One-way fares are $20, down from $20.50. The company eliminated a fuel-surcharge in December. In addition to the reduction in fuel prices, NY Waterway officials have made changes to maintenance and operations to increase effieiency.

I took a new listing this weekend in my farm in Manalapan New Jersey's Yorktowne Development. Yorktowne is not just where I farm. I used to live there. Check out my recent post about this great home.

I love getting listings in my Farm. Who doesn't? They give you the confirmation that your hard work and commitment is paying off!

The weather was BEAUTIFUL in New Jersey today. Up near 70° with sunny skies... quite the conflict to be jacketless and warm and stepping over piles of snow!! (So long snowmen!)

I planted my sign in front of the home (Don't you just love that part?).

It went in effortlessly thanks to the warm weather softening the ground!

I stepped back with my client... looked at the sign, looked at her home, looked at the sunny skies, looked around at my old stomping grounds and sighed... LIFE IS GOOD!

Got in the car and started toward my appointment to show sell a house today!

As I pulled out of the driveway, out of the corner of my eye I saw him, Rob, my old mailman and neighbor. He was the best mailman ever! (No offense Richie).

I quickly pulled over and teased him, asking him if he had the buyer for my brand-spanking new listing. Mailmen know EVERYONE and EVERYTHING that goes on in town!

He laughed and then congratulated me on my success. I shrugged... "huh?," wondering how Rob knows what I've been up to.

He told me that he figures I must be sooooooooo successful because I am the only agent sending mail anymore!

He then thanked me for keeping him and the United States Postal Service in business!

The point is this... he noticed and commended me for sticking with it. He encouraged me to keep at it. He felt if you farmed before when competing with 10 other agents going after the same business, why would anyone stop farming now when they have much less or maybe no real competition at all?

He went on to say that the local perception is that I am successful, committed and have the wherewithal to stay the course, even with the challenges we face in today's complicated real estate market.

I'd say that kind of recognition is worth the 42 cents stamp. (Wouldn't you?)

This concept goes deeper than direct mail or farming. It applies to all aspects of our business today. This is NOT the time to hold back.

The current market condition presents us with a unique opportunity to take advantage of LESS competition in the marketplace. This is the time to dig your heels in and plant your seeds diligently so that when the market starts to bloom you'll be in a superior position to excel!

Good luck!

Jo

JoAnna Siminerio
Weichert Realtors - Marlboro / Manalapan
732-598-6823 cell 732-536-4400 x152 (office)
JoSiminerio@optonline.net
www.JoTheRealtor.com

Just a reminder to all! Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hour this evening, March 8, 2009 (Spring forward--Fall Back). It might be a good idea to check the batteries on your smoke dectectors as well. Enjoy this wonderful weekend!

Staging a home before you sell can make a great first impression on potential buyers. When you're ready to sell, I can show you more ways to showcase your home for a successful sale. Call me.

Visit: www.EssieNJ.com

SHORT SALE 101:

"RUMOR vs. REALITY CHECK"

=

Solutions To Help NJ Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure

(March 2009 edition)

RUMOR: Let's say a financially distressed homeowner owes a mortgage lender/bank a certain amount of money for a mortgage note, and the bank agrees to allow a SHORT SALE. This means the seller should purposely list their home at a high price since the bank will accept an offer from a buyer for 10%-20% less than what the sellers actually owe the bank, right?

REALITY CHECK: NO. This is NOT necessarily true! Many lenders understand the general public has "caught wind" to what a SHORT SALE home actually is, and because of that, the rules of engagement are changing. Every mortgage lender is different and is governed by various rules when it comes to what price is acceptable vs. unacceptable. Now don't get me wrong; often times mortgage lenders are willing to "bend" a bit and accept a less than attractive offer from a buyer for a SHORT SALE home. However, I have had lenders tell me directly "we will let certain homes go to FORECLOSURE before we will just give it away for almost no money in a SHORT SALE."

They didn't make that statement based on principle, but rather on mathematics. If a home is listed on the market for sale, and it doesn't yield contract offers high enough to cover the mortgage + the fees to sell the home + any delinquent utilities + delinquent home owners association fees (if applicable), the lender may feel it could be less costly to allow it to be FORECLOSED on. Lenders are often willing to negotiate when it comes to what "sale price" they eventually accept for a SHORT SALE, but a 10%-20% discount to a potential buyer is often NOT accurate when the SHORT SALE home is: #1 priced appropriately for the current market and #2 the home shows well.

SOLUTION = If you're a homeowner who is financially challenged and it seems like you can't figure things out on your own, make sure you speak to your mortgage lender immediately. Be honest with them about your circumstances, and ask them for all possible solutions to help improve your situation. If they don't offer you any favorable options, then ask them about their specific steps to get you consideration for a SHORT SALE.

After doing your research with them, interview and select a Realtor who understands how the SHORT SALE process works. Be certain the Realtor is upfront with you about where the current prices of homes comparable to yours are. This way you will have realistic expectations about what to expect, and you can price your home appropriately based on current market conditions. By following these suggestions, you'll be one step closer to attracting a buyer that will write a contract to purchase your home, and even closer to getting your mortgage lender to say SHORT SALE APPROVED!

Here's last month's edition (February) of Short Sales 101: Rumor vs. Reality Check

Look at this GREAT 3-bedroom + 2.5 bath "BANK APPROVED SHORT SALE" townhouse for sale in Marlboro Township's Point de Jardin community

Luxury homes like this in Manalapan can also offer short sale opportunities

Information courtesy of:

AMBER NOBLE-GARLAND

Short Sale Specialist
Weichert Realtors (Marlboro ~ Manalapan office)
455 Route 9 South
Manalapan, NJ 07726
917-723-5645 - cell
732-536-4400, ext 199 - office

www.AmberLovesRealEstate.com

"Your Reliable Resource For NJ Real Estate, Local Info & More"