Welcome to Episode 26 of

Life And Living At The Jersey Shore. July 6, 2011

It is filled with Real estate tips, trends, statistics, fun things to do in southern ocean county. The web cast is funny, informative with lots of Tom’s wisecracks.

Each week we try to bring you fun, informative and interesting tidbits about the best kept secret at the Jersey Shore... Southern Ocean County

Here are this week’s market stats:
Well, here are the stats for the month of June 2011 (that’s last month). We have 468 new listings; 242 closed sales (just over 52%). The average sale price was $366,370.36 and that’s up from $315,365.68 for the month of June 2010. The average days on the market is 151. So it’s taking less than six months to get a house sold. That’s pretty good considering what it was just a couple of years ago. It’s a slow cooker but things seem to be turning around.


Fun stuff in Southern Ocean:

Picnicking in the Parks - The Ocean County park system provides picnic grounds for small and large groups. All parks have at least a few picnic tables, but some parks are able to accommodate large groups even up to 700! Beginning March 1 of each year, the park system will take limited reservations for large groups on a first-come-first-served basis up to three weeks before the requested date. Picnics can be held between April 1 and November 1.
A fee is charged based upon the size of the group, and proof of insurance is required for groups of 300 or more persons. (They do not take reservations on holidays.). Beer in cans or kegs, wine in wine boxes are allowed by permit only in connection with reserved picnics. Only those with reservations may consume beer/wine, and only within designated roped-off area. No alcoholic beverages are permitted on any sports field! For more detailed information, Rules and Regulations, or a Picnic Reservation Form, telephone the park system at 1-877-OCPARKS or 1-732-506-9090, ext. 5954. Please note that all requests for a picnic reservation must be made at least 3 weeks prior to the picnic date.

Our real estate glossary:
CLOSING COSTS
Closing costs are separated into what are called "non-recurring closing costs" and "pre-paid items." Non-recurring closing costs are any items which are paid just once as a result of buying the property or obtaining a loan. "Pre-paids" are items which recur over time, such as property taxes and homeowners insurance. A lender makes an attempt to estimate the amount of non-recurring closing costs and prepaid items on the Good Faith Estimate which they must issue to the borrower within three days of receiving a home loan application.

Smart home buyer tip:
Make a list. Do you (and your spouse, if you're married) really know what you need and want in your home? You'll save yourself many hours of shopping (and potentially arguing) if you make a list ahead of time. Zero in on the features you must have, would like to have, definitely don't want and would prefer not to have. Your goal is to find the right home for your family without falling in love with one that doesn't suit your needs. Tip: Start compiling your wish list by thinking about what you like and dislike about your current home. I call it the dream sheet.

My 2 Cents:
Thinking about stuff I remembered a life lesson that is really on topic any time. A young wife called her mother and asked her how to cook a ham. Her mom told her and ended with “don’t forget to cut it in half before you put it in the pot”. The young wife asked her why and her mom said she didn’t know, that’s how her mother told her to do it; so that’s how they always did it. The young wife was curious, so she called her grandmother and ask her why the recipe called for cutting the ham in half. Her grandmother laughed and said it wasn’t part of the recipe, she just didn’t have a big enough pot. So, maybe, just because it’s “always been done that way”, doesn’t mean there’s a reason to continue doing that way.


Home of the week:
This week’s home of the week is 196 Sprague Ave in West Creek (Eagleswood Township) This Cape Cod style home was custom built by Aiken Construction (a well know and highly regarded local builder). It has with 5 bedrooms, 2 baths on a quite acre of land. There’s a screened porch just perfect for summer and lots of room for gardening. Have the best of both worlds: secluded wooded location yet only a few miles to major shopping, the bay and the beaches of Long Beach Island. With a little TLC this could be the perfect home and its priced well under market value. Other features include zoned gas heat, central air, fireplace, one car garage, and pull down stairs to huge attic storage.
Don’t forget to go to www.SellerTom.com for all the photos and videos of this home.


Well, that’s 10 minutes of your life you’re never getting back.
Our show is written by me, Tom Smith – produced by, Amanda ( the Wedding Planner) Nichols and Directed by, Donna (where’s the beach) Smith

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Brought to you by The Tom Smith Realty Group, Thomas J Smith and Amanda Nichols. For more information call/text 609 709-1429 visit: www.Sellertom.com Tom@sellertom.com