HALLOWEEN HISTORY & ORIGIN:

Halloween is one of the oldest holidays still celebrated today. It's one of the most popular holidays, some say, second only to Christmas. While millions of people celebrate Halloween without knowing it's origins and myths, the history and facts about Halloween make the holiday more fascinating.

Some people view it as a time of superstitions, ghosts, goblins and evil spirits that should be avoided at all costs. However, the holiday has, in fact, transitioned from a somber pagan ritual, to the day of merriment it has become...a time of fun, putting on costumes, trick-or-treating, and having theme parties.

HALLOWEEN HISTORY:

Halloween is celebrated on October 31st, the last day of the Celtic calendar. It was originally a Pagan holiday, honoring the dead, referred to as, All Hallows Eve, and dates back to over 2,000 years ago. All Hallows Eve is the evening before All Saints Day, which was created by Christians to convert Pagans, and is celebrated on November 1st. The Catholic Church designated this day specifically to honor it's saints.

ORIGIN OF HALLOWEEN:

While there are many versions of the origins and old customs of Halloween, some remain consistent by all accounts. Different cultures view Halloween differently, but traditional Halloween practices remain the same.

Halloween culture can be traced back to the Druids, a Celtic culture in Ireland, Britain and Northern Europe. Roots lay in the feast of Samhain, celebrated annually on October 31st, to honor the dead. Samhain signifies "summers end" or November. Samhain was a harvest festival with huge, sacred bonfires marking the end of the Celtic year and the beginning of a new one. Many of the practices involved in this celebration were motivated by superstition. The Celts believed the souls of the dead roamed the streets and villages at night. Since not all spirits were thought to be friendly, gifts and treats were left out to pacify the evil and ensure that next years crops would be plentiful. Do you get the connection? This custom evolved into Trick-or-Treating............<HAPPY HALLOWEEN>

For all your Real Estate & Insurance needs and helpful hints, contact, LEGACY REALTY GROUP, "The New Star in Town",1963 Oak Tree Rd. Edison, N.J. Tel: 732-744-0400

ATTENTION REAL ESTATE &
AFFILIATED PROFESSIONALS

With decades of experience...we can provide the most comprehensive
Insurance coverage's for Brokers/Agents and other affiliated Real Estate services, customized to the needs of every potential Real
Estate risk, including coverage for owned properties:

REAL ESTATE BROKERS AND AGENTS:

> Coverage for sale of all owned residential property.
> Coverage for sale of residential property developed or constructed by an affiliated firm.

PROPERTY MANAGERS:

> Coverage for claims brought by tenants for properties in which full ownership is held.
> Coverage for properties in which partial ownership interest is held (includes ownership interest by immediate family).
> Coverage for a combination of full and partial ownership interests in various properties

ADDITIONAL COVERAGE FEATURES A REAL ESTATE BROKER/AGENT 

PROFESSIONAL
LIABILITY POLICY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:

> Coverage for residential/commercial/industrial and land sales.
> Coverage for allegations of discrimination.
> Coverage for failure to disclose environmental problems.
> Coverage for defense costs.
> Coverage for personal injury.
> Coverage option for contingent bodily injury & property damage.
> Coverage for lock box use and operation.
> Coverage for open house property damage.
> Coverage for independent contractors.
> Options for low deductibles, supplemental payments for loss of earnings due to attendance at trial or proceedings, licensee proceedings and
    subpoena assistance.
> Coverage for renovation oversight services.
> 1031 Exchange services.

 ALSO AVAILABLE:
> Coverage's for real estate appraisers, real estate consultants, real estate leasing agents. title agents/abstractors, mortgage bankers & brokers, and
   other professionals connected with real estate and real estate finance.

  ADP, Statewide Insurances Agencies, Inc.

  325 Columbia Turnpike, Suite 106

Florham Park, New Jersey, 07932

contact

 "ANJUM RAZI”

973-538-6300, ext-226
cell: 201-323-2529
www.adpinsurance.com

SELLING YOUR HOME.......WHAT ARE THE  PROS AND CONS OF USING A LOCK BOX?

TO LOCK BOX OR NOT TO LOCK BOX.

 

Lock boxes are certainly a convenience, and part of modern day Real Estate services, since they allow access to a property at times when sellers may not be at home. Either Supra boxes or combination boxes are the norm in most marketplaces, but let's discuss the pros and cons of each.

 

THE SUPRA SYSTEMS: Have great features, but the showing agent must subscribe to the service to obtain a special key. The system electronically records when and who entered the property. The advantages are obvious and that is why these systems are popular. The down side is that the key (which looks like a cell phone) and the Supra boxes themselves, are rather expensive, consequently, many Real Estate Agents do not subscribe to these services, and choose a combination lock-box instead.

 

A COMBINATION LOCK BOX: Does solve the issue of agents who do not subscribe to the Supra System, but once the combination is made known to other co-operating agents, it is not possible to determine electronically, who viewed the property or when it was viewed. Since a co-operating agent must first call the listing office to determine the availability of the home, It becomes the responsibility of the listing agent or office to record the dates and times that the home is being shown, along with the name of the showing agent.

 

VISIBLE LOCK BOX LOCATION. Having either type of lock box clearly visible from the street can make a home vulnerable to vandalism. While not common, there have been cases where homes were broken into, when vandals cut lock boxes off of front doors and smashed them, exposing the keys. Whenever possible, it is recommended that the lock box be attached to a rear or side door, where it would not be visible from the street.

 

CONCLUSION. When selling your home, it is your goal to expose it to as many potential buyers as possible, even when you are not there. Lock Boxes allow that to be possible, making the scheduling of showings easier. The question is whether or not sellers are willing to risk missing a showing, simply because the day or time is not convenient for them. What are the sellers priorities?

 

For all your Real Estate, Insurance needs and more helpful hints, contact LEGACY REALTY GROUP. "The New Star in Town", Edison, NJ, 08820

732-744-0400

 

 

exerpted in part from McKissock, continuing education.

INVEST IN YOUR HOME

If you're thinking of remodeling or upgrading your home, you're not alone. According to a recent survey, more than 1/3rd of Americans have not moved in the past five years. Instead, they are redesigning and upgrading areas of their home, and minor improvements can make a world of difference. 

>LANDSCAPING:

  Tastefully neat shrubs, trees & flowers, paver stone patios, etc. A few potted plants at the front entrance, can add as  much as 15% to the value of  

  your home and, consider this. If you ever do decide to sell and a potential buyer drives by your weed infested, poorly landscaped home, think of how

  they might imagine the condition of the interior. 

>CALIFORNIA CLOSETS:

  Get more out of the existing space you have by organizing more efficiently and provide your home with a modern, stylish look.

>WINDOWS & DOORS:

  No need to replace them. (unless they are falling apart) Consider modern shades, draperies, designer fabrics & awnings. Paint exterior doors in either

  of four welcoming dark colors. Blue, Red, Green or Yellow.

>KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS:

  Of course you can go nuts here. If you have to replace appliances, consider most popular today, black or stainless steel. If cabinets are in decent

  shape, replace the knobs. Counter tops can be replaced with inexpensive laminates. Granite is not necessary, and expensive. Ceramic tile and wood

  laminate floors are very popular. In the bathroom, consider installing attractive sliding doors & fixtures, and upgrade the lighting.

>HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING:

  The single, most important thing to remember is organized maintenance. Change air filters regularly. Don't waste your money on the cheapest filters.

  You'll wind up having to replace them more often. Remember, you get what you pay for. If you're lucky, you might get 15 years out of your A/C

  compressor, so have it checked each season and run it occasionally in the winter for a few minutes, just to get the motor running. Drain some water

  from your water heater into a bucket, using the small spigot at the bottom, at least every six months. You'll probably notice a small amount of dirty

  water at first, then clean. Helps prevent a buildup of rust from the interior liner. Average life span of a water heater is 10-12 years. If you hear it making

  a banging noise, prepare for a new heater soon.

As you can see, most upgrades need not cost a fortune. Not only will you enjoy the changes while you are living there, but a relatively small investment

can potentially lead to a substantial increase in value. Who knows, the house may turn out so nice and comfortable, you may never want to move. On the other hand, why do you suppose the nicest homes seem to always sell for more than the others?

For all your Real Estate, Insurance needs and helpful hints, contact: LEGACY REALTY GROUP, "The New Star in Town",1963 Oak Tree Rd. Edison, N.J. 732-744-0400.

OPPORTUNITY IS KNOCKING

If you are planning to become a movie star, a professional athlete,
hitting the lottery or inheriting a fortune from your
family.......CONGRATULATIONS. You don't have to read any further......
But, if you have a High School diploma, you can qualify for the next
best way to earn a lot of money....as a Real Estate Salesperson. As
Ralph Kramden, of the 50's comedy show, The Honeymooners, once said to
his wife Alice, "all your life you've been waiting for your ship to
come in, well here it is, the Queen Mary". Read on.

Legacy Realty Group, "the new star in town", and the experts in
Residential & Commercial listings, sales and rentals, is in the
process of careful expansion. We are seeking a few, serious
individuals who recognize the unlimited potential income and prestige,
that can be derived from a career in Real Estate. OR maybe you are
presently in Real Estate, and are looking to make a change from your
present situation, tired of being a "small fish in a big pond" with no
help when you need it. With Legacy Realty Group, there are no
surprises, no hidden fees, no franchise fees and no desk fees, so you
get to keep all of your commissions.....and you can be successful
working part time or full time, from home or office. Plus, tuition
re-imbursement for unlicensed applicants. Why not pick up the phone
and make the call, 732-744-0400, ask for Anjum Razi and find out why we
are the envy of the industry. All inquiries will be strictly
confidential.

For all your Real Estate and Insurance needs and helpful hints,
contact the "new star in town", LEGACY REALTY GROUP,1963 Oak Tree Rd. Edison, N.J. 732-744-0400.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NEW JERSEY (part 2)

9>  BRIDGES AND TUNNELS
1927-1957-It is difficult to imagine, but until 87 years ago you needed to travel by water to connect between New Jersey and New York City. Then in 1927, New Jersey welcomed the Holland Tunnel, named after it's chief engineer, Clifford Holland. In 1931 The George Washington Bridge was inaugurated. In 1962 the lower deck was attached. Still the world's busiest bridge, the GWB transports well over 100 million vehicles a year. The first tube of the Lincoln Tunnel opened in 1937. A second tube, delayed by World War II, opened in 1945, and a third tube was completed in 1957.

10> HITTING THE ROADS
The 1950's. New Jersey has two great roads that traverse the state from North to South: The New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway. The main line of the Turnpike (the busiest road in the world) was completed in 1952, the Parkway was done 5 years later.

11> CULTRUAL PROMINENCE
By now, who doesn't know that New Jersey has spawned more artists and entertainers than virtually any other state in America. Starting with Frank Sinatra  (Hoboken) or Count Basie  (Red Bank); Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Joe Piscopo, Meryl Streep (Summit) Jack Nicholson (Neptune) Susan Sarandon, (Edison), The Four Seasons The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire, and what about the 2014 Super Bowl at Met-Life Stadium. New Jerseyans have always appreciated our state and now most of the rest of the world does too. So What if it has taken 350 years.

These brief recollections of events have been excerpted from a wonderful article written by Michael Aaron Rockland, for the 1/4/14 issue of New Jersey Monthly Magazine. Suggested reading.

For all your real estate, insurance needs and helpful hints, Contact LEGACY REALTY GROUP, "The new star in town", Edison, NJ, 08820

732.744.0400