WHAT'S TRENDING IN REAL ESTATE TODAY !!!!!

Three of the hottest topics that are gaining traction.

1. GENERATION X JUMPS TO THE TOP:

    Generation X-those ages 33 to 47, made up the largest chunk of home buyers, at 31%, between July   2011 and June 2012, according to the National 

    Association of Realtors, "home buyer and seller generation trends" report. Generation Y-those 32 and younger, made up the second largest group at

    28%. Followed by younger baby boomers (18%) and older baby boomers (14%).

2. MOBILE REAL ESTATE SEARCH:

    Consumers are talking to their mobile devices in droves for real estate searches. According to the Search Agency, an on-line marketing firm, real

    estate ad clicks on smartphones, grew 10.7% between the fourth quarter of 2012 and the first quarter of 2013. Tablet ad clicks shot up even higher,

    increasing 20.2%, quarter over quarter, and 87% year over year. It all proves that consumers are becoming far more comfortable searching for real

    estate on mobile devices, which allow a buyer to search leisurely, saving time, without the need to physically visit a real estate office.

3. REVERSAL OF FORTUNE IN INVENTORY:

    The complaint is widespread: Housing inventory has been stubbornly low in the past year. Perhaps that's starting to change. The number of listings

    nationwide, ticked up by 4.3% to 1.9 million homes on the market in June. According to Realtor.com, that is the highest monthly jump in a year, and

    rising home prices could persuade more sellers to throw their homes on the market in the coming months.

Suffices to say, the demographics of buyers and sellers and the manner in which they buy and sell real estate, has changed dramatically over the past decade.

For all of your Real Estate and Insurance needs and helpful information, contact LEGACY REALTY GROUP, Edison, NJ. 732.744.0400

BEWARE OF THE FEARFUL DOG !!!!!

We usually associate fear in animals, especially dogs, with running away or hiding. However, fear can also be exhibited through aggression. A variety of triggers can cause an unexpected, fearful response, and many dogs have fear responses serious enough to require behavior modification.

Here is a list of signs that your dog may be suffering from a fear issue:

> Barking while backing away.

> Lunging, barking, threatening behavior at people or unknown dogs while on a leash.

> Unprovoked biting without warning.

> Excessive drooling.

> Pacing, screeching, howling or destructive chewing of windowsills, walls or doorways leading to the outdoors, when left alone.

> Excessive shivering.

> Violent attacks on other dogs without warning.

> Growling and snarling when in possession of bones, food or toys.

> Attacking or threatening visitors or strangers to the home.

> Hiding   > Growling with mouth closed.

If your dog exhibits some or all of these symptoms, it may have a serious fear issue. For help and guidance, contact a certified veterinary behaviorist for help. These actions can generally be eliminated with professional training which is worth the inquiry. After all, dogs become beloved members of the household.......and most of us wouldn't just discard a member of the family.

excerpted from INSIDE JERSEY Magazine

For all of your Real Estate and Insurance needs, and helpful hints, contact LEGACY REALTY GROUP, Edison, NJ. 732.744.0400

HOLIDAY SHOPPING SAFETY TIPS......TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS

Shopping during the Holiday Season can present unique risks, mostly because it is a time when busy people become careless and vulnerable to theft and other crimes.

Here are some simple, but valuable hints to prevent the unthinkable:

1.  Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. if you must shop at night, go with a friend or family member.

2.  Dress casually and comfortably. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.

3.  Do not carry a purse or wallet if possible. If a purse containing any of today's electronic devises, is stolen, your entire life can be accessed.

4.  Always carry your drivers license, or I.D. along with necessary cash, checks and/or credit card, on your person. Avoid carrying large amounts of
     cash, and pay for purchases with a check or credit card when possible. Keep cash in your front pocket.

5.  If you must carry a wallet or purse, be extra careful. They are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas, transportation terminals

     etc.

6.  Do not leave your shopping cart unattended, even for a moment. Think about how easy it is for a thief to lift your purse or even a small child

     from an unattended cart.

7.  Avoid overloading yourself with packages. Maintain clear visibility and freedom of motion.

8.  Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. Con artists are experts at distracting you, with the intention of stealing from you. They

     quickly recognize those who are most vulnerable.

9.  Teach your child to contact a store clerk for help if you become separated.

10. Place packages in the trunk of your car, out of sight of potential thieves.

11. Get your keys out before you approach your parked vehicle.

12. Always park in well lighted areas, and avoid parking next to vans and trucks, even cars with dark tinted windows.

13. Try to always use your ATM in a secure location and shield your pin # from the view of others. Take your ATM receipts with you rather than

       discard them in the trash.

14.  At home during the Holidays, check the I.D. of anyone who delivers packages to your home.

15. Keep gift wrapped packages out of sight of windows and doors.

DON'T TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED. TRY TO MAKE YOUR HOLIDAY EXPERIENCES HAPPY AND JOYOUS AS THEY ARE MEANT TO BE. DON'T LET A SPLIT SECOND, LAPSE OF MEMORY TURN YOUR HOLIDAY INTO A NIGHMARE.

For all your Real Estate and Insurance needs, and other helpful tips, Contact LEGACY REALTY GROUP, Edison, NJ, 732.744.0400.

HOLIDAY MARKETING PROGRAM

We learned a long time ago, that the major reason why the Real Estate business slows down during the Holiday Season, is because the majority of real estate agents themselves, slow it down.....basically taking a mental vacation from Thanksgiving until after the new year.

If you are thinking that you are going to have to sell your home, but your plans appear to be unfolding during the Holiday Season, worry no longer. Once again, in approximately 45 days, we will be re-introducing our "Holiday Marketing Program".

Here are some facts:

1. First and foremost, homes are festively decorated for the season and they seldom, if ever, present themselves more brilliantly. It is at this time of year
    they are most pleasing to the eye.

2. The Holidays generally weed out the lookers from the real buyers. Though the overall numbers might be limited, when buyers shop during the Holidays,

     they are serious.

Here are the simple guidelines:

You list your home for sale with our company exclusively, for the 7 week Holiday Period, and it is only shown to those buyers developed by our company. We control all the buyer activity for you, provide you with 24 hour in advance, notice of showings, and re-arrange any appointment that is not convenient for you. No Open Houses and No Lawn Sign.

When the Holidays are over, and if the home has not yet been sold, we will then place a lawn sign on the property, conduct open houses, and enter the listing into the MLS, where the potential for all other prospective buyers from all sources, increases.

The Holidays are right around the corner and if the need to sell arises at that time, you don't have to put your plans on hold.

For all your Real Estate and Insurance needs, and questions about our Holiday Marketing Program, contact LEGACY REALTY GROUP, EDISON, NJ. 732-744-0400

MOLD
  FROM THE ORDINARY<>
  Fungi and mold naturally grow in our environment. In fact, over
100,000 types have been identified, and some very useful. For example,
yeast is a type of fungi used in preparing breads, other baked goods
and products and some alcoholic beverages. The unique flavor of Blue
cheese is a result of mold. An edible mushroom is a type of fungi and
lifesaving penicillin is a product of mold. Obviously, some forms of
mold add value to our lives, while other forms can be harmful.
Excessive amounts of mold and/or exposure to molds, can present health
concerns for some people.

TO THE UNHEALTHY<> Intrusion of water into your home or business from storm damage,
plumbing or equipment failures, long standing leaks, and poor humidity
control, can result in mold growth, and if not addressed quickly, can
present an increased risk to health. Some amount of mold spores are
normally present in most environments, but may grow and multiply if
the environment is not promptly returned to normal. Organic materials,
such as, wood, paper, dry wall and insulation, found inside every
building, provide food sources for mold to flourish, which poses a
health threat. Be alert for:

< The presence of visible mold
< Strong musty odors which normally indicate that mold is present
< Evidence of past moisture problems
< Excessive humidity

These conditions normally require the expertise of a professional to
inspect and safely eliminate the problem.
Health conditions are more likely to arise with "at risk" people. i.e.
infants and children, pregnant women, the elderly, people with asthma
or allergies, and those with weakened immune systems. However, anyone
can be affected and symptoms of the presence of mold, often include;
runny nose, sneezing, coughing, sore throat and sinus inflammation.
source, Servpro, environmentalists

For all your Real Estate and Insurance needs, and more helpful hints,

contact LEGACY REALTY GROUP, Edison, NJ. 732.744.0400

CONSUMERS VALUE THE KNOWLEDGE OF REALTORS

A recent report shows that consumers have come to depend on the expertise of real estate agents to guide them through real estate transactions. The survey found that 87% of New Jersey home buyers, used a real estate agent or broker to purchase their home. Buyers revealed the most important factor when choosing a professional, "is agent honesty and trustworthiness". The other qualities that ranked highest in the survey included knowledge of the market, responsiveness to questions, and follow up.

93% of New Jersey sellers were assisted by a real estate agent when selling their home, which is higher than the nationwide average of 87%, who used a real estate agent for their home sale. Recent NJ sellers typically sold their homes for 95% of the listing price, and 68% reported they reduced the asking price at least once, which is similar to national findings.

The share of home sellers who sold their home without the assistance of a real estate agent (for sale by owner, FSBO) was 4%, which is lower than the national share of 10%. Respondents found that FSBO sellers struggled with getting the price right and having enough time to devote to all aspects of the sale. This clearly indicates that working with a real estate agent is much more beneficial than attempting alone. Even in cases where FSBO's knew the buyer, 100% of the FSBO's admitted they would work with a real estate agent next time.

PURCHASING POWER IS HIGH IN NEW JERSEY

According to a recent profile, the median household income of buyers was $110,000 in New Jersey, versus $80,900 nationally. The median income among first time buyers was $88,700 and $127,000 among repeat buyers, compared to $62,400 among first time buyers and $96,600 among repeat buyers nationally. This clearly indicates that New Jerseyans have more purchasing power than the average nationwide consumer. This, along with low interest rates and high affordability, favor the housing market in New Jersey.

(source, New Jersey Realtor Magazine)

For all your Real Estate and Insurance needs, contact: LEGACY REALTY GROUP, EDISON, NJ. 732.744.0400

CHECKING OUT YOUR NEW HOME !!!!

You're getting ready to close on you first new or resale home purchase, and your pre-settlement "walk through" is next. Here's a checklist of things to look for, before taking title:

Grading:
. Does the ground around the foundation slope away from the house?
. Are there signs of erosion?
. Is the shrubbery placed at least 2-3 feet from the foundation?

Roof and Gutters:
. Are the shingles flat and tight?
. Is the flashing securely in place?
. Do the gutters, downspouts and splash blocks direct water away from the house?

Exterior appearance:
. Are the windows and doors sealed and protected by weather stripping?
. Are the trim and fittings tight?

Floors:
. Is the carpeting tight? Do the seams match?
. Are there any ridges or seam gaps in any vinyl tile or linoleum?

Appliances:
. Do all of the appliances, faucets and plumbing fixtures, including toilets and showers, operate properly?
. Use a hair dryer to check all electrical fixtures and outlets.
. Test the heating and cooling system for proper operation.
. If the home has a fireplace, do the draft and damper work properly?
. Test the doorbell, intercom system, and garage door opener.

Doors and windows:
. Do the doors and windows open and close easily?
. Are any window panes loose or cracked?

These pre-closing inspections shouldn't take more than 1 hour, and it is time well spent. If there are any problems, adjustments can be made at the closing table. Once title closes, it will be difficult, if not impossible to correct them.

For all your Real Estate and Insurance needs, contact LEGACY REALTY GROUP, Edison, New Jersey.
732-744-0400.