Real Estate Beyond Four Walls

The 11th Annual Maplewood MayFest comes to Maplewood NJ this weekend. This has become one of Maplewood's largest and most beloved of community festivals. From 12pm-5pm on Sunday, May 20, 2012, Springfield Avenue is closed off to automobile traffic from Indiana St to Oberlin St for MayFest visitors. The festival includes live musical entertainment, pony rides, classic carnival rides, food and a classic car show.

Live music will be played by several different performers and bands on two separate stages:

Stage 1, Live Music Only (Near Prospect St)

• 12pm to 12:45pm: The Jimmy Lee Ramblers
• 1pm to 1:45pm: The Community Band
• 2pm to 2:45pm: Shakey Ground
• 3pm to 3:45pm: Big Mamou
• 4:15pm to 5pm: Mood Ring

Stage 2, Teen Bands and Performing Arts Demos (Near Prospect St)

• 12:45pm to 1pm: Tentative Attraction - 3 girls playing self-penned songs
• 1:10pm to 1:20pm: Life Karate & Fitness Center demo
• 1:25pm to 1:35pm: LaChaneys Dance & Music Academy demo
• 2:10pm to 2:20pm: Fashion Show Top Hat & Tails demo
• 2:25pm to 2:35pm: Viva Flamenco demo
• 2:45pm to 3pm: 8Bit - 4 young musicians performing indie originals and covers
• 3:10pm to 3:20pm: The Theatre Project demo
• 3:25pm to 3:35pm: Inspirational Dance demo
• 3:45pm to 4:15pm: The Collectives musical performance
• 4:30pm to 4:40pm: Chair Yoga demo
• 4:45pm to 4:55pm: The Strollers Community Theatre demo

Admission is absolutely free to the public. If there is rain on May 20th, the festival will be postponed until the following Sunday, May 27, 2012. Bring the family down to Springfield Avenue on Sunday, May 20th from 12pm to 5pm for a great family-friendly time at the Maplewood MayFest. Fantastic food, wonderful live entertainment, classic cars and fun rides are just a few things that have made the Maplewood MayFest one of the biggest community events in the Maplewood area.  

FEATURED HOME OF THE WEEK

For more info on this and other Maplewood area homes for sale, please click here.

Francine Lichtman, Real Estate Beyond Four Walls, New Jersey Homes

Originally posted on my Maplewood is Home real estate blog here: http://maplewoodishome.com/2012/05/maplewood-mayfest-2012/.

The 12th Annual Run for Rachel event takes place on Sunday, May 20, 2012, beginning at 7:30am. Located only 7 miles north of Maplewood, the Run for Rachel will begin at the Livingston Memorial Oval (10 Robert H Harp Dr, Livingston, NJ). Participants can choose to be join in on the 5K NJ Women's Open Championship Race, the 3K walk or the Kids' Run. Registration starts at 7:30am and the first race (the 5K) starts promptly at 9:30am. All money raised benefits the Rachel Coalition. The Rachel Coalition is part of the Jewish Family Service of MetroWest. It began as a grassroots organization in 1997 to help victims of domestic abuse as well as their families by providing aid, counseling and other support. Among other services, the Rachel Coalition provides:

• Support groups for domestic violence victims as well as children from homes of domestic violence
• Counseling by licensed clinical social workers
• Legal services
• 24-hour hotline
• Access to shelter with kosher provisions, if necessary
• Access to medical services
• Vocational assistance

Anyone wishing to participate in the Run for Rachel event happening near Maplewood can download an application by clicking here. The cost is just $22 before May 11th (or $20 for any USATF member). Registration costs $25 after May 11th. The Kids' Run is just $7 each. You can register as late as the day of the event. All participants will be able to get into either the Turtle Back Zoo or Mini Golf for a discount when they show their BIB number at the ticket counter. After the racing is over, there will be a DJ, refreshments, entertainment for the kids, goodie bags for all those who pre-register and prize drawings. Help raise money for a great cause by participating in the Run for Rachel near Maplewood on May 20, 2012. Make sure to register before May 11th so you can get your goodie bag. Click here to set up your own online donation page to make it easier for those who wish to support you and this charity that helps victims of domestic violence and their families get out of the cycle of abuse and on to a better life.

FEATURED HOME OF THE WEEK

Francine Lichtman, Real Estate Beyond Four Walls, New Jersey Homes Originally posted on my Maplewood is Home real estate blog here: http://maplewoodishome.com/2012/05/run-for-rachel-near-maplewood/

This Saturday, April 28th, the Maplewood Green Day Fair comes to Memorial Park in Maplewood, NJ. From 11am to 4pm, there will be demonstrations of eco-friendly products, live bands, an eco-bike tour, green vendors and even fun learning events for the kids. Local organic farmers will be providing lucious, healthy food for sale, as well. Just some of the eco-friendly fun you will find throughout the day include: DEMOS

• Cloth diapering
• Making bath salts
• Edible plant walk
• Repairing old windows (instead of replacing)
• Backyard composting
• Rain gardens/Rain barrels
• Honeybees
• Bike tune-ups
• Local foods cooking
• Arts and crafts with recycled books

CHILDREN'S EVENTS

• Bash the Trash - Musical performance using instruments built from recycled trash
• Liberty Science Center - Learn about worm composting, how long it takes to break down trash and more
• Home Depot - Kid-friendly building kits
• Recycling Tapestry - Hands-on event using salvaged material to create your own wall hanging...good for all ages
• Envision Blue/Green - Interactive education for kids about conservation by creating a craft project together
• Express Yourself Studios - Kids get to create their own art using trash

LIVE MUSIC

• David Easton Band
• 8 Bit
• Mood Ring
• Jimmy Lee Ramblers
• Kelly Jin-Hendel

There is just too much going on to mention in this post. So, you're going to have to come to the Maplewood Green Day Fair to see it for yourself. Please bring your gently used shoes (collection for Souls 4 Shoes by Morrow Church), books (BookBgone) and used Frito-Lay bags, mechanical pencils, pen, markers and digital cameras (Terracycle). It's free fun for everyone!

FEATURED HOME OF THE WEEK

Francine Lichtman, Real Estate Beyond Four Walls, New Jersey Homes Originally posted on my Maplewood is Home real estate blog here: http://maplewoodishome.com/2012/04/maplewood-green-day-fair/.

It's time to do some spring cleaning on your Maplewood home.  That includes getting rid of old paint, cleaners and batteries that can't be included in your regular weekly curbside collection.  Essex County will be holding a special Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day from 8:30am to 4pm on Saturday, May 5th. The Essex County Fleet Maintenance Garage located at 99 W Bradford Ave in Cedar Grove, NJ will be holding this free public collection for all Essex County residents.  Anyone who brings their household hazardous waste to the collection site must provide proof of residency or they will be refused. Items that will be accepted include:

• Aerosol Spray Paints
• Automotive Fluids (motor oil, antifreeze, etc)
• Batteries (9V, NiCad and car)
• Chemistry Sets
• Darkroom/Photo chemicals
• Driveway Sealant
• Fire Extinguishers
• Fluorescent Light Bulbs
• Gas/Kerosene
• Household Cleaning Products
• Mercury and Mercury-Containing Products
• Oil-Based Paints/Stains
• Paint Thinner/Solvents
• Pesticides/Herbicides
• Pool Chemicals
• Propane Tanks (for BBQs)

The following items will not be accepted:

• Asbestos
• Batteries (AA, AAA, C or D)
• Commercial/Industrial Waste
• Empty Containers
• Explosives/Munitions
• Latex Paint
• Regulated Medical or Infectious Waste
• Unlabeled, Unidentified Materials

This Household Hazardous Waste Collection event in Essex County is meant only for household waste. Hazardous waste from commercial and industrial facilities will not be accepted.  Businesses will need to make separate arrangements to have their hazardous waste collected.  If you are not sure where to bring your old paint, car fluids, propane tanks or pool chemicals while you clean out your Maplewood home, take it to the Essex County Fleet Maintenance Garage on Saturday, May 5, 2012 for their annual household hazardous waste collection event. Francine Lichtman, Real Estate Beyond Four Walls, New Jersey Homes Originally posted on my Maplewood is Home real estate blog here: http://maplewoodishome.com/2012/04/household-hazardous-waste-collection-in-essex-county/.

What an incredible rise in home sales for February and March!

If you recall, in one of my recent newsletters, I mentioned that home sales rose 31% in January and now we are seeing that the official number for February is 28%. We are on track for March and the present month of April looks to continue this pace. The overall sales volume for 2012 is now the strongest in four years!

Home prices overall have come down to where they were in 2003; not the greatest news for the Sellers, but excellent news for their experience on the "buy" side. The overall home affordability index is at 131%, which points to continued growth in the housing market in New Jersey.

The reasons for the above good news are certainly the more positive news about job creation here in New Jersey. This state has added more than 17,000 jobs in the private sector during the first two months of 2012, which is more than half of the complete total of jobs added during all of 2011. Another great indicator we have recently learned about is that the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank reported economic growth in New Jersey during the fourth quarter outpaced the rest of the nation... these statistics, according to our leading New Jersey real estate specialist, Jeffrey Otteau.

The rental market also continues to boom due to many baby boomers getting out of home ownership as well as a result of many who have lost their homes and now need to find rentals for their families. This sector of the market is expected to remain strong for the forseeable future with costs of rentals moving upward as time goes on.

In closing, the market is strong. Don't delay! If you are thinking of selling and moving on to your next home, please call me to discuss now! There is a lot of demand out there. Do not let these months go by!

Any real estate agent will tell you that having a professional inspection performed on any Maplewood property you are interested in purchasing is a smart thing to do.  This is a significant financial investment that should never be entered into lightly.  You inspect everything else before you buy it (car, furniture, clothing, etc).  Why should your home be any different?  Before you hire a professional inspector, though, you should know what to be on the lookout for as a buyer when checking out a Maplewood home.  This checklist should help:

• Water/Moisture - Stains on the ceilings or walls, moisture build-up around sinks, faucets and showers, mold/mildew
• Basement - Mold, wood rot, leaky pipes, termite damage in the wooden joists (pitted or flaky wood)
• Attic - Insulation, termite damage, possible pest issues (holes to the outside), wiring
• Appliances - Age, working condition
• Exterior - Cracks in foundation, trees located too close to the house, condition of exterior walls
• Neighborhood - Condition of other Maplewood homes in the area

Water is one of the most damaging elements in nature.  Mold can be dangerous to adults, children and animals if found to be toxic.  Poor insulation can mean it will cost more to heat your Maplewood home in the winter and cool it in the summer.  Older or faulty appliances may need to be replaced soon after you move in.  Cracks in the foundation can be a costly fix. Large trees planted close to your home can lift it off its foundation completely or the root system could burrow into your water pipes, causing costly repairs. This buyer inspection checklist isn't meant as a substitute for a professional inspection.  You are still going to need to have that done.  However, using this checklist can help you distinguish a Maplewood dream home from a Maplewood nightmare before you go to the next step.  Finding too many potential red flags during a regular walk-through may mean it is time to move on to another home.  Let me know when you're interested in checking out some Maplewood homes for yourself. Francine Lichtman, Real Estate Beyond Four Walls, New Jersey Homes Originally posted on my Maplewood is Home real estate blog here: http://maplewoodishome.com/2012/04/buyer-inspection-checklist/.

SOMbike (South Orange Maplewood Bicycle Coalition) will be hosting its First Family Ride of the Spring in Maplewood this Saturday, April 7, 2012.  Bring the family down to the New Jersey Transit Parking Lot (located at Baker Street and Maplewood Avenue) in Maplewood at 10am.  Ride leaders Tom Reingold and Kate Cahill will take all bicyclists who show up on a a ten mile round trip through the gorgeous back roads of Short Hills.  Children as young as 8 years old have made the trek with no problem.  Please be aware, though, that there are some hills.  But its a free guided ride for anyone who comes. Please make sure to wear appropriate safety protection (helmet, elbow pads, etc).  It is currently required by law in the state of New Jersey for kids under 17 years old to wear a bicycle helmet when riding a bicycle.  But it is also good common sense for everyone to wear a helmet.  Studies have shown that helmets reduce the risk of injuries to the head and brain by as much as 85% compared to those who don't wear helmets.  So, definitely, buckle up!  For more information, please call Ellen Kahaner at 917-710-5481 or email her at ekahaner@gmail.com. Francine Lichtman, Real Estate Beyond Four Walls, New Jersey Homes Originally posted on my Maplewood is Home real estate blog here: http://maplewoodishome.com/2012/04/first-family-ride-of-the-spring-in-maplewood/.

There are many buyers out there, and while there are many houses on the market, there, quite frankly, are not enough of them.

We have seen a steady increase in home sales for the last eight or nine months. There has been a 31% increase year over year January 2011 as compared to January 2012. Banks are beginning to loosen their lending standards; They are now, more often, accepting credit scores of 700.

We have also seen four straight months of job growth with January showing the largest month of job creation in New Jersey. “The Jersey Comeback” it is being called by some. There has been a quite a push to get major corporations to relocate here. They are luring these companies with tax credits and it is working. Some of the major names are Panasonic, Allergen, Bayer and Manischewitz. As these companies move into Jersey, they will be hiring a lot of staff. People will be relocating for many of these jobs and they will need houses. With the home sales pace the highest it has been in four years and the inventory overall being the lowest it has been in four years, it is a very strong time to consider putting your house on the market. This, however, does not mean that prices have gone up and you can now attach a high price to your home. What it does mean is that if your home is priced according to what the market is saying, it will sell and you can move on to the next phase of your home life.

Call me to discuss the possibilities!

Does your bathroom need a bit of freshening up but you don't have the budget for a major overhaul? If you're going to be selling your Maplewood home within the next year, you should start getting it up-to-date now. You don't need to have a Trump-sized bank account to give your home a million dollar makeover. Here are five low cost updates for your bathroom: Paint - A splash of color is great for any room in your Maplewood house. The bathroom is no exception. Give your bathroom a spa-like feel with soothing colors like pale blues and sea blue-green. Choose a color that complements your bathroom's fixtures and cabinetry. The right color can breathe new life into a dull, tired-looking bathroom for pennies per square foot. Believe it or not, the best type of paint to use on your bathroom is an exterior semi-gloss latex paint. Exterior paint is made to endure the elements. Water from the shower can seep into the walls of your bathroom and create mold if not protected with the proper type of paint. Artwork - When showcasing art, the bathroom is not usually the first (or fifth) place you think of in your Maplewood home. However, you can add a nice focal point for little money by framing some artwork or special photos or adding other artistic pieces in your bathroom. These are also easy to change at a later time. Take some flowers from your garden, dry them out and place them in a shadowbox to hang on your bathroom wall. Simple, cheap and easy. Wallpaper - Really make an impact with wallpaper. There are tons of styles, colors and textures to choose from. Choose a higher end wallpaper to add to just one wall and paint the rest of the walls using a complementary color. You can take a swatch of the wallpaper with you so that the paint company can match the color you want directly (or even just use it to see how the paint color will look against the wallpaper). Always make sure that the wallpaper is treated to withstand the moisture from a bathroom first, though. Accessorize - You accessorize your kitchen, your living room and your bedroom. Don't forget the bathroom. A decorative shower curtain, new fluffy towels, a throw rug for wet feet and curtains for the windows are just a few of the items you can use to create an ambiance. Add a decorative soap dispenser, toothbrush holder and some candles. Shelving - There never seems to be enough storage in your Maplewood home no matter what size it is. This includes the bathroom. To keep things off the counter tops but within reach, add shelving. You can store towels and other linens near the shower using rounded corner shelving. Place toothpaste, mouthwash, razors and toothbrushes on a shelf below the mirror. Shelves are very inexpensive ways to add a little extra storage and another decorative accent to a bathroom. As you can see, you don't have to break into your children's college fund to make your Maplewood bathroom more functional and attractive. These are just five low cost updates for your bathroom. Not only are they inexpensive, but they don't take much time to implement either. Saving time and money while increasing the functionality of a room is definitely a smart investment! Francine Lichtman, Real Estate Beyond Four Walls, New Jersey Homes Originally posted on my Maplewood real estate blog here: http://maplewoodishome.com/2012/03/five-low-cost-updates-for-your-bathroom/.

Volunteers are needed to work on the Maplewood Community Garden this weekend (Saturday, March 24, 2012). The Maplewood Community Garden Organization is looking for help from 9am to 3pm to build 15 raised beds in the community garden located behind the Maplewood First Aid Squad building (129 Boyden Ave).  After the raised beds are built, soil and compost materials will be added in preparation for future planting. Also, a new fence and gate will need to be built around the bedding area and volunteers will be used to get rid of the knotweed built up in the garden.  Knotweed is an invasive species of plant that can hurt building foundations, roads and even local flood channels by reducing their water carrying capacity. Anyone interested in volunteering their time to the Maplewood Community Garden can contact the organization via email at contact@maplewoodcg.org.  The more beds we have available for planting, the more Maplewood citizens can join in on creating their own organic garden.  The Maplewood Community Garden was created in an effort to encourage Maplewood residents to eat healthy as well as create a better sense of community. Francine Lichtman, Real Estate Beyond Four Walls, New Jersey Homes Originally posted on my Maplewood is Home real estate blog here: http://maplewoodishome.com/2012/03/volunteers-needed-for-maplewood-community-garden/.