These tips are to help save you money No matter what the economy is doing!

Tip of the week

Energy & Money Saving Tips – Ovens and Cooktops

Plan meals so you can cook several items at once.

Avoid preheating when possible.

Save time and money by using the self-cleaning feature after you’ve cooked a meal.

To reduce the amount of cooking time required, defrost frozen foods prior to cooking.

Being a smart homeowner in 2011 means…
1) Saving Money
2) Saving energy
3) Saving the environment
4) Being a more responsible consumer
You can still live within your means and not miss out on anything! Each week tune in to our tip of the week and see how to save money while still enjoying life.

If you have missed any of our Being A Smart Homeowner in 2011 series, visit: www.Sellertom.com Go to “booklets and reports” button and find the entire series under “being a smart homeowner”.

So for this week, keep up with your budget & check back next week to see more tips.

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

Welcome to Episode 36 of Life And Living At The Jersey Shore. September 14, 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:

In addition to our statistics segment each week we are adding a Q & A segment. We’re opening the floor, if you will, to all our viewers. If you have any questions about real estate, mortgages or the southern Ocean County community in general, just pop off an email to Amanda at Amanda@sellertom.com
and we’ll answer them on the air.

Now we did get an email from Jim Dierking a great friend, client and financial advisor: He asked how the stats from the summer of 2010 stacked up against 2011 and thought 2011 was better. And he was right! As we mentioned last week for the summer of 2011 52% of the active listings sold. I check the same time for 2010 and only 38% of the active listings sold. So we really are doing much better.

Fun stuff in Southern Ocean:

The 29th Annual Ocean County Decoy & Gunning Show takes place on Sept 24th and 25th
Join in the fun for this exciting two day event celebrating the culture of the area! Demonstrations, contests, seminars, decoy auction, crafters, carvers, vendors, food, refreshments, music, entertainment, sneakbox, rubber duck races and lots of fun,. Two great locations: Tip Seaman County Park and Tuckerton Seaport Museum. Call or go to the website for additional information www.tuckertonseaport.org Phone: (609) 296-8868

Tom’s Tidbits:

David “Screaming Lord Sutch”, as leader of the Monster Raving Loony Party, was Britain’s longest serving party leader until he hung himself in June 1999. And we thought our politicians were nuts!

Smart Home SELLER/Buyer tip:

If you've been passing up buying homes that require cosmetic repairs for lack of funds to fix them up, FHA has a program for you. Not to be confused with FHA's much more complicated 203K program, a Streamlined 203K loan eliminates much of the paperwork and simplifies the process to obtain rehab funds.
A Streamlined 203K loan is figured into the original loan balance, resulting in one loan. And! the mortgage balance can exceed the purchase price of the property.
Borrowers are not required to hire professional consultants, licensed engineers or architects. Legitimate contractors are required however, so no DIY.
The appraiser or home inspector can put together a list of recommended repairs / improvements.
This is a great program to get into bank owned, foreclosed or short sale properties or just homes that need a lot of cosmetic work. We’ll talk more about the improvements that are eligible in next week’s show.


My 2 Cents:

Over the summer, Donna and I had occasion to visit Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. While there we took a tour of the ball park and there was one thing that really has me thinking. On the door to the umpires’ locker room (and this is the absolute truth) They printed the words “Umpires’ Locker Room” in Braille!

Home of the week:

We have a really killer home that is priced well below market value. Have a look…


A massive 5 bedroom 3 bath home with a full master suite on the first floor! For only $319,900.00; that’s a deal! So check out this and all our videos at www.Sellertom.com

Well, there’s 10 minutes of your life you’re never getting back?
Our show is written by me, Tom Smith – produced by, Amanda (some last name) Nichols; filmed and directed by, Donna ( Pretty Shoes) Smith

If you like our show, friend us on Facebook, Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sellertom
follow us on Twitter and pass the show on to your friends. Thanks or viewing and have a great week!
Brought to you by The Tom Smith Realty Group, Thomas J Smith and Amanda Nichols. For more information call/text 609 709-1429 visitwww.Sellertom.com Tom@sellertom.com

This Week’s Southern Ocean County Real Estate Stats

Well, let’s look at how the summer stacked up: from June first to August 31st 1138 properties were listed in southern Ocean County. In the same time period 594 properties sold. So 52% of the listing sold and that’s about the same as the national average.

So check back next week for more market stats.
Brought to you by The Tom Smith Realty Group, Thomas J Smith and Amanda Nichols. For more information call/text 609 709-1429 visit: http://www.Sellertom.com Tom@sellertom.com

September Home Maintenance Checklist

Service Furnace or heating system

†Have a professional clean your chimney, make sure damper closes tightly

Install storm windows and door panel

Caulk around doors & windows

Install weather stripping

Clean out garage

Remove items that will freeze from unheated shed

Being a smart homeowner in 2011 means…
1) Saving Money
2) Saving energy
3) Saving the environment
4) Being a more responsible consumer
You can still live within your means and not miss out on anything! Each week tune in to our tip of the week and see how to save money while still enjoying life.

So for this week, keep up with your budget & check back next week to see more tips.
Brought to you by The Tom Smith Realty Group, Thomas J Smith and Amanda Nichols. For more information call/text 609 709-1429 visit: http://www.Sellertom.com Tom@sellertom.com

Welcome to Episode 35 of Life And Living At The Jersey Shore. September 7, 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





In This Episode:

This Week's Real Estate Statistics
Fun Stuff to do in Southern Ocean County
Tom’s Rant!
Smart Home Buyer Tip
Tom's Two Cents
Home Of The Week – 7 Pine Grove Ave., Manahawkin

If you like our show, friend us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and pass the show on to your friends. Thanks or viewing and have a great week!
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