Archive for August, 2006

7 Reasons to Own Your Own Home

Monday, August 28th, 2006

  1. Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, property taxes you pay, and some of the costs involved in buying your home.

  1. Gains. Between 1998 and 2002, national home prices increased at an average of 5.4 percent annually. And while there’s no guarantee of appreciation, a 2001 study by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORSÒ found that a typical homeowner has approximately $50,000 of unrealized gain in a home.

  1. Equity. Money paid for rent is money that you’ll never see again, but mortgage payments let you build equity ownership interest in your home.

  1. Savings. Building equity in your home is a ready-made savings plan. And when you sell, you can generally take up to $250,000 ($500,000 for a married couple) as gain without owing any federal income tax.

  1. Predictability. Unlike rent, your mortgage payments don’t go up over the years so your housing costs may actually decline as you own the home longer. However, keep in mind that property taxes and insurance costs will rise.

  1. Freedom. The home is yours. You can decorate any way you want and be able to benefit from your investment for as long as you own the home.

  1. Stability. Remaining in one neighborhood for several years gives you a chance to participate in community activities, lets you and your family establish lasting friendships, and offers your children the benefit of educational continuity.

Posted in Tips and Advice | 1 Comment »

I’m Back!

Sunday, August 27th, 2006

It’s been awhile since my last post due to many new projects taking up all my time. The first one being a brand new First Time Home Buyers site which can be found at http://www.njfirsttimebuyers.com  It is filled with great articles on every subject a first time home buyer should read, instant access home searches (no sign up required to search) easy click site map, a realty helper on sidebar, quick calculators, tips for the new homeowner, utilites page, and a wide variety of more good stuff!  I will be back to posting often and as requested I will put up some new stats on housing in Monmouth and Ocean County. Have a great night!

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Restaurant Week 2006

Wednesday, August 16th, 2006

The Cranford Downtown Management Corporation is happy to bring you Restaurant Week 2006.  Come dine in some of the fine participating downtown Cranford restaurants during the week of 8/19/06 through 8/26/06.  Dinners are $20.06 in most establishments.   

Participating restaurants: 

Antone’s                                             Dim Sum

Applegate Farms*                                Donna & Company*

Baskin Robbins*                                  Emma’s Brick Oven

Bel Paese                                            Garlic Rose

Blimpies*                                            Office Restaurant

Cervantes of Spain                               Pizza Chef/Pizza House

Cranford Family Restaurant                  Riverside Inn

Cranford Hotel                                    Steve’s Restaurant

                                                          Tony’s Pizzeria & Café

*different offers prevail

Please call Denise Broesler, Restaurant Week Chairperson, for more information at 908-276-HOME or the DMC Office at 908-709-7208.

The event is being sponsored by the Cranford Downtown Management Corporation and by Denise Broesler of RE/MAX and Michael Campanaro of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Teaming up to Bring you Home.  Visit our website at http://cranfordrocks.com or call us at 908-276-HOME.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Good Faith Estimate

Saturday, August 5th, 2006

We have our sample “Good Faith Estimate” compliments of Jeremiah Phillips of Custom Mortgage Solutions. The GFE has also been added to our sample form section to the left. Thanks to Jeremiah for this information and thanks to Larry for suggesting it!   ****Next up will be a Rental/Lease Agreement. ****

Posted in Mortgage News and Info | 1 Comment »

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