LEGACY REALTY GROUP.........THE NEW STAR IN TOWN!!

Let us help build YOUR "Legacy".
If you are going nowhere in your career or job, and feel frustrated with no apparent
relief in sight....Why not consider a lucrative career in Real Estate. Your opportunities
at Legacy Realty Group, including your income, are endless. Earning potential $50,000
to $100,000, in your first year. Free expert training, no franchise fees, no desk fees
and Real Estate School Tuition re-imbursement for new agents. Residential, Commercial
sales and rentals, Title and every type of insurance, all under one roof. We'll help you
plan your career goals from day ONE to "SUPER STAR STATUS".
For more information, contact:
Anjum Razi
732.744.0400 or Email: arazilegacyreatlygroupus.com
 

HOW TO WRITE AN EMAIL WORTH READING

How do you get people to open what you send, and even more important, to pay attention
to what you write?

1. USE CLARITY IN THE SUBJECT LINE
    Don't just write "Hi". Make sure the message is specific. This will save you time, and your
    recipients will prioritize your message in their in-box.

2. KEEP IT SHORT
    Don't expect the recipient to absorb or respond to every point you are trying to make.
    Let's face it, not everyone is an accomplished writer, which can lead to confusion over
    what you are trying to say. Try bolding key words, or use a bulleted list.

3. MAKE YOUR MESSAGES WORTH SEEING
    Remember to keep it short, but consider creating a simple video (under one minute).
    Send a follow up message as a backup.

4. SET REMINDERS
    Send time sensitive messages, i.e. respond by, date, time, etc.

Try these tips, one at a time, or all of them,  to cut back on computer time, and watch the results
with each message.


Legacy Realty Group
Edison, New Jersey
732-744-0400


Condensed exerpts, May/June REALTOR Magazine

PROPERTY TAXES TOO HIGH ?

Q. If you were asked, "are your property taxes too high", how would you answer?

A. While New Jersey homeowners, on average, pay the highest property taxes in the country, the
    answer to this question really depends on whether your property is assessed too high. If your
    property is properly assessed, comparable to what your neighbors are paying, then even if your
    taxes are high, they are not too high. If, however, your assessments are higher than comparable
    properties, then you are paying more than you should.

Q. How is the assessment determined?

A. All taxable property in your town is assigned a value by the local Tax Assessor, which should refect
    the actual market value of your property, multiplied by a percentage ratio*, and every town has it's
    own ratio. To determine if the assessed value of your home fairly reflects it's market value, you
    have to divide your assessed value by your town's ratio. If this number doesn't reflect what properties
    like yours are selling for in the current market, then you have the basis for a tax appeal.

Q. When is this value determined?

A. On October 1st of the prior year, so for 2014, the value determination date is October 1st, 2013.

Q. When is the tax appeal filing deadline?

A. Tax appeals must be filed by April 1st of the tax year, or 45 days from the date the bulk, home
    assessment notices are sent by the Municipality. Whichever is later. If the entire municipality is
    revalued or reassessed, the filing deadline is extended to May 1st, of that year.

To learn more about filing a tax appeal, check with your Municipal Tax Assessor, to determine the town
percentage ratio, hearing dates, and depending on the size of your appeal (simple or complicated)
whether or not you should be represented by counsel.

*known as Chapter 123 ratio


Legacy Realty Group, Edison, New Jersey
732.744.0400

CHILD PREDATORS--10 COMMON WARNING SIGNS *

Unusual interest in young children (i.e. hanging around kids at a party, rather than the adults).

Isolating children.

Trying to spend time alone with your child.

Taking a special interest in your children.

Buying them little things they like, without your permission.

Childlike behaviors.

Having Kid related stuff at their houses, that they have no need for.

Secrets with your child.

An adult who frequently tickles or wrestles with your children.

Relationship with your children seems "too good to be true". (i.e. offers free babysitting).

These activities are not always easy to spot. Be very alert, and remember, virtually every day
we cringe, as we read about incidents in the newspapers and see them on T.V.

YOU CAN NEVER BE TOO CAREFUL WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR CHILDREN!!!!

Legacy Realty Group, Edison, New Jersey
732.744.0400

*Source, Oprah Winfrey Show

SAVING LOOT

10 simple ways to put more money in  your wallet!

1.  If possible, avoid buying anything from a vending machine. These items usually have a big mark-up
    and if it's a food product, it is rarely healthy.

2.  Send away and follow up on rebates, the day you make a purchse.

3.  Never pay checking account fees. There are plenty of free banks out there.

4.  Drive your car longer. Drive it as long as it is safe.

5.  Eliminate some of your cable service. Do you really need 500 channels?

6.  Subscribe to magazines that are your "must reads". It's much cheaper than buying them on the
    news stand.

7.  When flying, bring your own snacks. These days you get nothing to eat, unless you fly Business
    Class or First Class, and airport food can be expensive.

8.  Make your trip purchases like sunscreen, aspirin, tooth brushes, etc. ahead of time. Tourist stores
    are more expensive.

9.  Keep tires properly inflated. Recommended PSI is different for Summer and Winter. It keeps you
    safer, extends tire wear, and uses less gas.

10. Eat at home more often.

These may appear to be microscopic savings, but they add up. Remember, every little bit helps.

For more, good money ideas, visit: TheSimpleDollar.com


Legacy Realty Group, Edison, New Jersey
732.744.0400

5 GOOD HABITS
Are you still trying to follow your New Year's resolutions? If not, Spring is a good time to let go
of bad habits and start fresh.

1. Excercise:
    If you are feeling stressed and nothing seems to be going right, trying to squeeze in a walk, run
    bike ride, swim or other, makes you feel energetic. Excercise releases endorphins in your brain
    which make you feel better. Of course, be sure to consult your Doctor, if you are starting any
    major excercise program.

2. Read and study more:
    Become better educated on trends, regionally and nationally. It will give you a clear picture
    of the mindset oif consumers like yourself.

3. Attack the big task first:
    When faced with a major obstacle, don't blow it off until later... Confront it first. You might be
    tempted to tackle the easier stuff first, but this usually winds up intensifying the stressful
    situation.

4. Use Checklists:
    Rather than trying to perform your chores/duties from memory, a more formal plan of action
    helps make you more productive. Think of how you might shop for groceries in the
    supermarket, without a list.

5. Try to greet the day with a smile:
    Remember to hold doors open for others, and say "thank you" when someone does it for you.
    In heavy traffic, let someone squeeze in front of you, and wave. Have patience when waiting
    on a line, etc. Remember the "Golden Rule". Admittedly, you may not receive the same
    courtesy every day, but your actions will make you feel better about yourself.

HAVE A GOOD DAY!


Legacy Realty Group, Edison, N.J.
732-744-0400

HOME SWEET HAZARDS

A few helpful, common sense tips on how to avoid the dangers lurking in simple home maintenance:

How serious a problem are home accidents?
Almost half of all accidental deaths occur at home, are responsible for more than 3 million injuries and about 55,000 fatalities nationwide, every year.
That's more than workplace and automobile accidents combined. The top causes are poison, falls, electric shocks and fires.

Before starting a task, everyone should have a simple checklist, for example:
If you're going to clean out the gutters, 1. Get a sturdy ladder and lean it against the house. 2. Make sure the ladder components work, and that it's
in good shape. 3. Make sure it has a good footing, leaning at the proper angle, tall enough to prevent you from having to reach, and no over head
obstructions, like power lines of any kind.
When cutting the grass, wear long pants, heavy shoes, safety glasses and gloves. Your neighbor might be in shorts, t-shirt and sneakers (or maybe no shoes at all)
and with a drink in a cup holder. Being safe might be embarrassing, but at least you'll have all your fingers and toes. If you are going to use a chain saw, wear
a baseball cap, with the brim out front where it was meant to be, why? Because if the saw gets stuck and jerks back, which it sometimes will, the blade teeth will strike
the brim of the hat, and can save you from serious facial and head injuries.
Since many people have done something dangerous and don't get hurt, they keep doing it the same way...probably until something bad does happen.
These days, with activity filled lives and always in a hurry, people often, don't stop to think of the consequences.
HAVING YOUR FINGERS, TOES AND EYES, IS A GOOD THING !!!!!!!

TIP FOR TODAY----BEWARE OF SCAMS

Police nationwide, are asking citizens, especially seniors, to be vigilant of a rash of recent phone and internet scams
that are being reported. Among the most common, are:

1. Unsolicited calls advising that you have been pre-approved for a mortgage at a very low interest rate, that requires
   an up front processing fee.

2. Email stating that you have won a large lottery prize or entitled to an inheritance, and to send good faith money, to prove who you
   are, in order to receive the Big Prize award.

3. A phone call from someone who claims to be a representative of MicroSoft, and that your computer needs to be updated
   to avoid a total blackout of service. The questions they ask, provide them with enough information to remotely control
   your computer.

4. Since Income Tax Season has just passed, you get what appears to be a timely call from someone who claims to be an I.R.S
   Agent, stating that you owe back taxes, and If not paid, the police will come to your home and evict you.

5. An Email with the exact name and address of someone you know, claiming that while traveling abroad, they were the victim of
   a mugging and were robbed of all their money and other personal belongings, asking if you can send money, so they can
   return home safely.

While these scams may sound easy to avoid, the callers and Emailers are very convincing. Be extremely careful!!!
Tips to avoid fraud, can be obtained from the U.S. Department of Justice website, www.stopfraud.gov

Legacy Realty, Edison, New Jersey
732-744-0400

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Since Springtime usually generates motivation for cleaning, making repairs or replacements, listed below is a helpful list of questions to ask, before you hire Home Improvement Pros:
1. Can you show me proof of license, certifications or associations you belong to?
2. Are you bonded?
3. Will you provide three recommendations?
4. What are your specialties-kitchens, bathrooms or additions? Are there jobs you don't like to tackle?
5. Will you secure the necessary permits?
6. What sort of deposit do you require up front, before you start the work?
7. Do you have a regular team of sub-contractors, or do you assemble different team members?
8. If it becomes necessary, how might we resolve conflicts-will the resolution be in the contract?
9. If you are not personally part of the work team, how often do you visit the job site to check progress?
10. What is the best way to reach you-email, phone, text?
11. What is your typical clean up schedule, daily, weekly?
12. Will you provide proof of release of lien when the work is done?

These days you can't afford to be bashful when hiring general contractors, you won't hurt anyone's feelings. At one time or another, we have all seen examples of exasperated homeowners who have been duped by unscrupulous contractors who take your money and do a terrible job, or walk away without finishing. Be nice..but be smart.

Legacy Realty Group, Edison, New Jersey, 732.744.0400

* list curtesy of National Assoc. of Realtors