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

Garden State Film Festival 3-22 thru 3/25 2012

The 10th Annual Garden State Film Festival at the Paramount Theatre and other area venues. See over 190 current independent films from around the globe. This fun-filled weekend includes a special FREE screening of Michael, open talent casting call, professional panel discussions, parties, and more. Special Screening:  "I want My Name Back" Sat March 24th 9PM Wonder Mike & Master Gee of Rappers Delight, followed by a historic reunion concert with special guests. GSFF Only happens once a year.. Get tickets at the venues or GSFF.ORG source: APP  posted by Lisa Alaimo Better Homes Realty 800-531-2885 x451  www.SearchHomesInNJ.com  

Networking Wine Social

Join the OCBR housing opportunities committee on April 12th at the Bacchus Winery in Toms River from 530-7:00 p.m. for an evening of great food, wine and fun. Enjoy Hors D'oeuvres and fresh Panini's from Buccio's Gourmet Bistro!   click on the link to print out your invitation... Click here for the Invitation

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. 

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

HUD AWARDS NEW JERSEY HOUSING AUTHORITIES $62 MILLION TO IMPROVE, PRESERVE NATION'S PUBLIC HOUSING STOCK

Asbury Park Housing Authority receiving: $ 899,164./ Belmar Housing Authority receiving: $ 42,496./ Brick Housing Authority receiving: $ $244,053./ Edison Housing Authority $ $180,659./ Freehold Housing Authority $ $81,609./  Highlands Housing Authority $ $114,446./ Keansburg Housing Authority $ $62,350. Long Branch Housing Authority $$987,915./ Middletown Housing Authority $78,245./ Neptune Housing Authority $364,030./ New Brunswick Housing Authority $568,072./ Perth Amboy Housing Authority $980,463./  Red Bank Housing Authority $88,248./  South Amboy Housing Authority $155,898./  Woodbridge Housing Authority $719,382. For a complete list of cities and awarded amounts please visit: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/states/new_jersey/news/HUDNo.2012-02-10 entered by Lisa Alaimo/Better Homes Realty 800-531-2885 x451  visit: www.LisaAlaimo.com

The Costume Shop in Keyport is Closing it's doors!!! Everything MUST GO!

Sad to say but.... The Costume Shop in Keyport is closing its doors..  Everything MUST GO!!!!  Feb. 29th 2012 it's gone! 50% off all Retail Costumes, Masks, Wigs, Make-up. Fixtures etc. also for sale.. Maybe early for Halloween, but not early for a great deal... Stop by: 41 Division St. Keyport, NJ 07735   PH: 732-264-5115   Hours: Mon/Wed/Thurs/Fri 10-6  & Sat 10-2 information provided by Lisa Alaimo of Better Homes Realty... Call Lisa for a complimentary Market analysis. 732-241-4588 * 800-531-2885 x 451

Asbury Park downtown parking now charges residents, shoppers, workers

Light of Day Asbury Park 2012 tickets on sale now

Annual spectacular set to rock new year

CinemaWilde! in Asbury every Sunday

  Asbury Park's The Showroom is an independent cinema (and multi-purpose venue) known for its uniqueness in the triCity area and much of the Jersey Shore.  After some collaboration between the triCityNews editor, Steven Froias, and the owners of The Showroom, CinemaWilde was born!  Launched this past Sunday, March 6th, CinemaWilde will be a twice monthly Sunday afternoon matinee that will run through May.  It will be comprised of films that feature alternative lifestyle themes but after careful consideration, the offerings will be of quality and appeal for all audiences.  The owners and Froias explain that they "are on the same page when it comes to movies."  They "love independent cinema and seek out those films that are considered finds - movies that maybe haven't received the attention they deserve but are great flicks."  To ensure that CinemaWilde is not only a series of movies but a social event, movie-goers can take advantage of the special they set up with Asbury's Moonstruck.  Moonstruck has generously offered patrons of CinemaWilde 50% off their entree when dining at the restaurant on film nights. "As always in downtown Asbury, it's the collaboration of the various entities in the creative constellation that lead to great things.  We expect the same of CinemaWilde at the Showroom for it's initial six Sunday afternoon matinee run - with good times to follow at Moonstruck."  - triCityNews Think of it as your live and local Netflix service 0 with more friends and better food! - triCityNews

Anthony J. Gonzalez Better Homes Realty (908) 565-0457 Anthony@JerseyShore102.com http://www.JerseyShore102.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!