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Keeping Current Matters

National Association of Realtors

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Home Tour Red Flags

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Home Tour Red Flags

Frontdoor.com, HGTV’s real estate Web site, identifies several potential problems that buyers should look out for when touring a home.

1. Mediocre Maintenance. Three layers of roofing and gutters with plants growing out of them are signs that the owners have not kept up with the property. What else have they neglected?
2. Foundation Failures. If the yard slopes toward the house, it could cause water to run down the foundation walls or into the basement, which could result in costly repairs. Also if foundation cracks or bulges are thicker than 1/3 inch, the house could have serious structural issues.
3. Faulty Wiring. Make sure all switches and outlets function properly. Flickering lights, circuits that don’t work, and warm or hot outlets or faceplates are all symptoms of wiring problems.
4. Fresh Paint …On One Wall. New paint can spruce up walls, but they can also hide bigger problems, such as water damage, mildew or mold.
5. Foggy or Non-functioning Windows. Check for water in between double-paned windows and make sure all windows work properly.
6. Structural Walls and Floors. The house may have an open floor plan, but was it always open or did the homeowners renovate? If a load-bearing wall was removed without adjusting the framing, it can shift weight to other parts of the house.
7. Bugs. No one wants a
house with a pest
problem. Look for
evidence of
unwelcome
creatures as
you tour
the home.

Green Thumb

It’s finally time to pull out the patio furniture, fire up the grill and enjoy outdoor activities in your yard. Here are some tips from HGTV.com that will keep your grass looking green all summer long.
When cutting the grass, try to keep its height at about two-and-a-half to three inches. Sharpen the blade of your mower at least three times a year to avoid grass split ends, and be sure to change your mowing pattern to prevent soil compaction, which will inhibit grass growth.
Instead of lightly watering your grass three to four times a week, give it a good soaking once a week – most lawns need about an inch of water. Watering early in the morning is best.
To combat weeds, make sure to use herbicides specially formulated to combat the types of weeds that are growing in your yard. If you aren’t a fan of herbicides, weed removal tools, such as weed hounds, usually do the trick.
Over-fertilizing is a common problem and can kill your lawn. You should only fertilize in the spring and summer months if you neglected to apply fertilizer in the fall. Every time you mow your lawn the clippings provide nitrogen, an excellent natural fertilizer.
Finally, keep kids, pets, vehicles and wheelbarrows off moist soil and emerging grass. Wait until your lawn is full and dry to enjoy it.


Monday, June 9, 2008

Stone Harbor Does Quiet Beaches Well!!

For other entertainments, Stone Harbor relies heavily on the neighboring beaches to provide non-surf attractions and activities. Stone Harbor does quiet beaches, and does it well. Some people would place Stone Harbor on their "Best-Kept Secrets" list, which suits the residents and renters in Stone Harbor just fine. While the beaches at better-known Wildwood and Atlantic City are crowded beach towel-to-beach towel with vacationers, Stone Harbor remains relatively quiet and uncrowded. And if that's what you're looking for, Stone Harbor is the place to go.
Guards are located at raft beaches: 83rd, 87th, 94th, 96th, 100th, 105th and 117th Streets.
They are also located at the following beaches where rafts are not permitted: 86th, 90th, 102nd, 103rd, 108th, 112th, 116th and 120th Streets.
Surfboards (with leashes attached) are permitted at 81st, 110th and 122nd Streets
Local Details

Beach Fees
$5 day, $10 week, $20 season. Tags required 5/26 - 9/4

Handicap Access to the Beach
City has sand wheelchairs that can be reserved at the Beach Tag Office 368-6805. There is no charge for use of chairs. City does have accessible beaches. See Beach Patrol

Lifeguard Hours
10 am - 5 pm

Surfing Beaches
81st Street & 110th Street

Surf Fishing Beaches
at discretion of lifeguard captain - daily basis

Public Boat Ramps
80th St Marina - $6 day, $75 seasonal Fishing Piers
83rd & Bay

Bicycle Paths
None

Boardwalk Hours for Bicycles
None

Boardwalk Hours for Roller Blades
None

Tennis Courts
97th Street & 82nd Street

Recreation Department:
1-609-368-5102

For More Information
1-609-368-6101

Beach Tag Office
1-609-368-6805

Beach Tags are available by mail or at the Stone Harbor Beach Patrol Building, 95th Street & the Beach (609-368-6805), or at the beach. Stone Harbor and Avalon beach tags are accepted at either location.

Would you like more information? call me..I Love To Talk Real Estate!
Cell:609.425.7521

StoneHarborRealtor.com

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Stone Harbor and Avalon Real Estate Snapshot of May Real Estate Sales Activity

Stone Harbor Real Estate Sales Activity in the Month of May


Stone Harbor MLS statistics show 110 single family homes are now on the sale market with prices ranging from a low of $495,000 to high of $6,150,000.
4 single family home SOLD and settled in May including one listed at $4,895,000.
Average days on the market =210 days.

There are now 5 single family homes Under Contract ranging in listed price from $950,000 to $1,199,000.
Average days on the market for these single family homes =245 days

There are now 69 condominiums/town homes now on the sale market in Stone Harbor ranging from a low price of $225,000 up to $1,899,000.The average time on the market is 244 days.
There were 3 Stone Harbor condos SOLD and settled in May selling for price ranging from $495,000 to $999,000.The average time on the market was 267 days..
There are now 3 Stone harbor condos Under Contract ranging in price from $689,000 up to 4877,000. The average time on the market is 423 days.



Avalon Real Estate Sales Activity in the Month of May

Avalon MLS facts show right now there are 210 single family homes for sale ranging from a low of $699,000 up to a whopping $11,900,000
There are now 10 Avalon single family homes Under Contract ranging in price from $999,000 up to $3,095,000.Average days on the market =340 days
15 Avalon single family home SOLD and Settled in May ranging in SOLD price from $675,000 up to $6,500,000.Average days on the market for these homes =237 days



There are now 154 condominium/ town homes for sale in Avalon. These range in price from $185,000 to $2,495,000.The average time on the market for these condos is 259 days.
There are 4 Avalon condos now Under Contract with listed prices from $695,000 to $899,000.Average time on the market for these units is 513 days.
6 Avalon condos have SOLD and settled in May with Sold prices from $585,000 up to $1,500,000.The average days on the market was 299 days

Would you like more information on Avalon or Stone Harbor Homes for Sale? Call me..I LOVE to talk Real Estate! 800.708.5792




StoneHarborRealtor.com