National Open House Weekend Tips!

ATTENTION BUYERS!! The time has come to get your comfortable shoes on, grab a water bottle and get the car keys, it's National Association of Realtor's Open House Weekend and in Monmouth County the balloons will be everywhere!!! Here are some handy tips that you may want to keep you from getting overwhelmed by it all. First, make it an occasion to spend some quality time with your significant other by getting a babysitter so you can see as many as possible and look forward to lunch or dinner after 4pm when most of them end. Second, have a plan! Know which areas you are most interested in based on school systems, access to work or family members, Hazlet, Middletown and Holmdel are among the most popular. Try to determine the exact style of house that you like such as a Colonial, Ranch, Split, Bi-Level or Cape. Research these different styles so you have an idea of what they look like from the street and try to resist the temptation to look at any that you know will not be your dream house so will have time to preview the right one.  Establish if you definitely want a garage, this will cut down on the amount of homes you would be tempted to preview on your drive by. Bring a pen and make notes on the print outs offered by the Realtors so you will be able to refresh your memory at the end of the day. And finally, remember to have fun and get excited about the prospect of buying your next home! Joanne Schiffres, http://joannes.betterhomesus.com Better Homes Realty, Hazlet 732-757-5013    

Your Realtor Is A Valuable Resource

Realtors are more than just "door openers".  An experienced full time agent has established and maintained great industry relationships over the years in order to serve his or her clients when it comes to the largest purchase they will ever make. Your Realtor's sole purpose should be to make your transaction as seemless as possible. That is why they should be the first person you go to when you need an important referral such as an attorney, home inspector or most importantly, a mortgage representative. Real Estate transactions are only as good as the people involved in order to move things along in a timely fashion and open communication between those related industries are most important when difficulties arise. Why wouldn't you, the buyer or seller, want all parties involved in your transaction to have your best interests in mind and make this experience one of excitement and joy rather than something else entirely! Joanne Schiffres  http://joannes.betterhomesus.com Better Homes Realty 732-757-5013

HIREAVETERAN Career Fair

Tuesday April 24th 11am - 4pm Merri Makers Reception Center  PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel All Branches of military service are invited to attend. bring resumes and meet with representatives from  the following organizations: (just to name a few) Centenary College, Open Road Auto Group, Magyar Bank, Creative Financial Group of NJ, Dr. Rotem, Merri-Makers, Prudential Financial, Riva Networks Inc. Primerica Financial Serv., Patuxent Enginerring LLC, USBGC, Rutgers University, Sysco Metro New York, Set Focus, Greenway Mortgage, Earle Asphalt Company, MetLife/Bridge Financial Group and many other. Info by: Independent Newspaper: Posted by Lisa Alaimo Better Homes Realty 800-531-2885 x451   www.SearchHomesInNJ.com  

Better Homes Red Bank Agent Hits the 10 Year Mark!

This year marks Jenine Ford’s 10^th anniversary as a real estate agent—the last three, happily at Better Homes Realty in Red Bank “I chose Better Homes because of their unbeatable internet presence,” she said. Ford resides in Eatontown, NJ and is a mother of two. She not only enjoys serving the community in their search for the perfect home, but also being part of the community as a mother, an agent, and a friend: “I pride myself on being not just a neighbor, but an agent who cares about my town and community.” Ford’s aforementioned commitment to the community is mirrored through nine years of Circle of Excellence status—quite an achievement! Although Ford’s domain extends throughout Monmouth County, she enjoys professional relationships and mutual goals with buyers and sellers from her area and beyond. Congratulations Jenine, we are proud to have you!

Monmouth County--JUST SOLD--2/29-3/5

2/29/2012 Aberdeen: 4 bedroom/3 bath Ranch 370 Fairfield Way$140,000 6 bedroom/2 bath Colonial 882 Malden Dr. $190,000 Atlantic Highlands: 3 bedroom/2 ½ bath Dutch Colonial 60 Fourth Ave $375,000 Colts Neck: 14 bedroom/7 bath Villa 187 Heyers Mill Rd. $4,450,000 Eatontown: 4 bedroom/2 ½ bath brick front Colonial 121 Nottingham Dr. $539,000 Freehold: 4 bedroom/1 bath Colonial 27 Parker St. $105,000 4 bedroom/1 ½ bath split level  98 Wynnewood Ct. $230,000 4 bedroom/2 bath Ranch 132 Townsend Dr. $340,000 6 bedroom/6 ½ bath Colonial 311 Brandon Blvd. $1,150,000 Holmdel: 4 bedroom/2 ½ bath Colonial 16 High Point Rd. $517,000 4 bedroom/2 ½ bath Colonial 12 Morse Way $653, 500 Howell: 2 bedroom/2 bath mobile home 5 Kay Lane $26,500 Long Branch: 4 bedroom/3 bathroom Victorian 470 Harrison St. $220,000 Manalapan: 4 bedroom/2 ½ Colonial 51 Winged Foot Dr. $455,000 Marlboro: 4 bedroom/2 ½ Colonial 16 Millay Rd. $365,000 Middletown: 2 bedroom/1 bath Cape 364 Port Monmouth Rd. 87,500 3 bedroom/2 ½ bath Ranch 141 Iler Dr. $405,000 Neptune: 3 bedroom/2 bath Colonial 53 Heck Ave. $363,000 Millstone: 4 bedroom/3 ½ bath 1 Red Owl Court $475,000 Red Bank: 3 bedroom/ 1 ½ bath Cape 84 John Street $363,000 Sea Girt: 4 bedroom/3 ½ bath Colonial 201 Boston Blvd. $2,000,000 Union Beach: 4 bedroom/3 bedroom Ranch 514 Central Ave. $225,000   3/1/2012 Eatontown: 4 bedroom/3 ½ bath Mother/Daughter 1 Woodmere Dr. $275,000 Fair Haven: 5 bedroom/3 bath Colonial 166 fair Haven Rd. $689,000 Highlands: 2 bedroom/2 bath RaisRan 8 Bay St. $195,000 Holmdel: 4 bedroom/2½ bath Center Hall Colonial 12 Cindy Lane $640,000 Howell: 3 bedroom/2 bath Custom Home 117 Casino Dr. $230,000 3 bedroom/2 ½ bath Colonial 9 Weymouth Dr. $280,000 Marlboro: 4 bedroom/2 ½ bath Colonial 9 Kinglet Ave. $335,000 4 bedroom/2 ½ bath Colonial 9 Damascus Dr. $485,000 Middletown: 3 bedroom/1 bath Ranch 502 Mackey Ave. $290,000 5 bedroom/2 bath Colonial 782 Clinton Pl. $380,000 Neptune: 2 bedroom/1 bath Ranch 3406 W bangs Ave. $44,000 3 bedroom/2 bath Ranch 6 Provincial Pl. $232,500 Rumson: 3 bedroom/3 bath Colonial 3 Wood Lane $1,385,000 Tinton Falls: 3 bedroom/2 ½ bath Colonial 107 Annapolis St.$330,000 West Long Branch: 3 bedroom/2 bath Ranch 4 Primrose Lane $324,000   3/2/2012 Asbury Park: 3 bedroom/1 ½ bath Colonial 1513 3rd Ave. $268,000 Holmdel: 3 bedroom/ 2 bath split level 17 Deerfield Rd.$400,000 4 bedroom/ 2 ½ bath Colonial 7 Sweet Briar Lane $477,500 Howell: 4 bedroom/3 bath Bi-level 43 Forrest Hill Dr. $290,000 3 bedroom/2 ½ bath Split-level 9 Silversmith Ct.$296,000 Manalapan: 3 bedroom/2 bath Ranch 40 Symmes Rd. $282,500 4 bedroom/3 ½ bath Colonial 99 N Parsonage Way $750,000 Marlboro: 4 bedroom/2 ½ bath Ranch 36 Longfellow Terr. $310,000 3 bedroom/2 ½ bath Colonial 40 Hummingbird Ct. $361,000 Ocean: 4 bedroom/2 ½ bath Colonial 17 Conaskonk Dr. $405,000 Oceanport: 3 bedroom/2 bath Ranch 97 Monmouth Blvd. $365,000 Roosevelt: 6 bedroom/5 bath Colonial 35 Lake Dr. $305,000 Rumson: 3 bedroom/2 bath Victorian 94 Bingham Ave.$460,000 4 bedroom/5 bath Colonial 4 Bellevue Ave. $1,425,000 Sea Bright: 4 bedroom/4 ½ bath Custom 8 Tradewinds Lane $1,750,000 Wall: 3 bedroom/2 bath Ranch 1204 Laurel Ave. $387,500

Help for Seniors

Click here for more info from my colleague Sandra RostekFebruary 29, 2012 by Wendy Trager Email: wendytrager@optonline.net.   It comes as no surprise that some of the hardest hit in this economy are seniors.  Homes seniors have been living in their whole adult life may now burdensome to pay for and upkeep.  Many seniors feel they have nowhere else to go.  Reverse Mortgages can be the solution for a variety of problems:

• To help seniors looking to downsize and finance the purchase of a smaller home.
• To help seniors facing foreclosure
• To help seniors suffering from job loss and unable to pay their mortgage
• To help with home repairs
• To help with sale of home
• To help a senior stay in their current home and pay for home healthcare

• The homeowners must 62 years old
• The home must be their principal residence (must live in the home more than half a year)
• The home must be a single family home, a 2-4 unit building or a federally approved condominium or planned unit development
• If there are debts against the home, then the homeowner must use the reverse mortgage to pay it off
• There are NO credit/income requirements

• Traditional mortgage or home equity loans require proof of sufficient income and credit history to qualify, and you will have to repay beginning within 30 days of closing.  With a reverse mortgage, there are no monthly payments to be made at any time during the loan for as long as you continue to occupy the home as a primary residence.  Since there is no monthly payment, the FHA does not require verification of your income and does not require a good credit rating. 

Looking for an FHA-approved condo or townhome in Tinton Falls? Call Erica Herbst (732) 850-0944 for

There are FHA approved 1-3 bedroom condos and townhomes available from $179,000-$300,000. (Tinton Falls and surrounding area.)   Fantastic location, minutes to parkway, route 18, shopping & beaches!  Contact Erica Herbst 732-850-0944 or eherbst11@yahoo.com.  

Mark the Date!!! Your Residential Real Estate Questions Answered.

Live Chat on Ustream.tv  by Lisa Alaimo of Better Homes Realty.  Present will be Michael J. Weber of Weber Law Offices in Howell, NJ.  Chat live and ask you real estate questions.  All Residential real estate questions and RE Legal Quesions. Re-sale, short sales, bank owned, foreclosure, condo's, town homes & rentals. Mark the date... March 1, 2012 at 7:PM You can email your request prior, we will respond on live chat and email you back with answers. Email to : LAlaimo@BetterHomesUS.com See you there... Channel Name:  BHRLisaalaimo or search on ustream.tv  NJrealestateagent   or just click the link below and save to your favorites. http://www.ustream.tv/channel/njrealestateagent Lisa Alaimo.. . .www.SearchHomesinNJ.com     for Michael Weber of Weber Law offices...  www.WeberLawOffices.com

Avoiding Foreclosure (Government information)

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/avoiding_foreclosure Call me with any questions. 800-531-2885 x 451 or email me at:  LAlaimo@BetterHomesUS.com  Better Homes Realty   Lisa Alaimo

Pricing your home to sell.

How to use comparable sales to sell your home.. Click the link from houselogic..  http://buyandsell.houselogic.com/articles/how-use-comparable-sales-price-your-home/ Lisa Alaimo/Better Homes Realty   800-531-2885 x451  www.LISAALAIMO.com   email me at: LAlaimo@BetterHomesUS.com

Just Listed/Open House

Just as I am getting settled at my new agency, Better Homes Realty, I was fortunate enough to list this wonderful 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in Clark, NJ. This home is beautifully landscaped and features a huge deck off the dining room, which leads you to the meticulously maintained in-ground heated pool. Inside this home, you will find 3 nicely sized bedrooms, perfect living room and dining room area, and an amazing family room. The family room features tile floors, fireplace, and wet bar! Imagine the gatherings you can have in this home!!!  Want to see more, visit my open house here, Sunday, August 29, 1-4 pm! Come and discuss with me, how I can assist you with all your real estate needs and provide “committed, invested, responsive, and trusted” service!