Whether it’s changing the look of your home for the season, getting an emergency serving piece, adding to your candle collection or just browsing the latest trends, a trip to Home Goods can start you on your way.

Follow the link below to test out your style preferences and see where it takes you.

http://www.homegoods.com/stylescope/

 Home Goods also has a good selection of inexpensive items to complete home staging when putting your home on the market.  Feel free to contact me for some ideas.

The last thing you want is a plumbing freeze up! Remove garden hoses from outdoor faucets – leaving hoses attached can cause water to back up in the faucets and in the plumbing pipes just inside your exterior walls. If freezing temps hit, that water could freeze, expand, and crack the faucet or pipes. Make this an early fall priority so a sudden cold snap doesn’t sneak up and cause damage.

Turn off any shutoff valves on water supply lines that lead to exterior faucets. That way, you’ll guard against minor leaks that may let water enter the faucet.  While you’re at it, drain garden hoses and store them in a shed or garage.

 3. Time for your sprinkler system to go to sleep.

Time to drain your irrigation system. Even buried irrigation lines can freeze, leading to busted pipes and broken sprinkler head.

1. Turn off the water to the system at the main valve.

2. Shut off the automatic controller.

3. Open drain valves to remove water from the system.

4. Remove any above-ground sprinkler heads and shake the water out of them, then replace.

If you don’t have drain valves, then hire an irrigation pro to blow out the systems pipes with compressed air. A pro is worth the  charge to make sure the job is done right, and to ensure you don’t have busted pipes and sprinkler head repairs to make in the spring.

4. Seal the deal.

Grab a couple of tubes of color-matched exterior caulk and make a journey around  your home’s exterior, sealing up cracks between trim and siding, around window and door frames, and where pipes and wires enter your house. Preventing moisture from getting inside your walls is one of the least expensive — and most important — of your fall maintenance jobs. You’ll also seal air leaks that waste energy.

Pick a nice day when temps are above 50 degrees so caulk flows easily, (it’s like piping decorative writing onto a cake).

5. Are your gutters clear?                                                                                                       

Clogged rain gutters can cause ice dams, which can lead to expensive repairs. After the leaves have fallen, clean your gutters to remove leaves, twigs, and gunk. Make sure gutters aren’t sagging and trapping water; tighten gutter hangers and downspout brackets. Replace any worn or damaged gutters and downspouts. You may even want to consider heaters especially made for gutters (or roofs). These are especially helpful if you are western facing where there is ice melting during the afternoon that runs into the gutters and then immediately refreezes when the sun goes down (that’s from personal experience!)

If you find colored grit from asphalt roof shingles in your gutters, beware. That sand-like grit helps protect shingles from the damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun. Look closely for other signs of roof damage (#6, below); it may be time for a roofing replacement.

Your downspouts should extend at least 5 feet away from your house to prevent foundation problems. If they don’t, add downspout extensions.

6. Eyeball your roof.

If you have a steep roof or a multi-story house, stay safe and use binoculars to inspect your roof from the ground.

Look for warning signs: Shingles that are buckled, cracked, or missing; rust spots on flashing. Any loose, damaged, or missing shingles should be replaced immediately.

Black algae stains are just cosmetic, but masses of moss and lichen could signal roofing that’s decayed underneath.

A plumbing vent stack usually is flashed with a rubber collar — called a boot — that may crack or loosen over time. They’ll wear out before your roof does, so make sure they’re in good shape. A pro roofer will replace a boot, depending on how steep your roof is.

7. Direct your drainage.

Take a close look at the soil around your foundation and make sure it slopes away from your house at least 6 vertical inches over 10 feet. That way, you’ll keep water from soaking the soils around your foundation, which could lead to cracks and leaks or creating slippery walking areas.

Be sure soil doesn’t touch your siding.

8. Tune ‘er up!

Schedule an appointment with a heating and cooling pro to get your heating system checked and tuned up for the coming heating season.

An annual maintenance contract ensures you’re at the top of the list for checks and shaves 20% off the cost of a single visit. You should know that most maintenace & service contracts do not include plumbing work to the boiler.

Change your furnace filters on hot air furnaces. This is a job you should do every two months anyway, but if you haven’t, now’s the time. If your HVAC includes a built-in humidifier, make sure the contractor replaces that filter.

9. Time for a trim.

Very late fall is the best time to prune plants and trees — when the summer growth cycle is over. Your goal is to keep limbs and branches at least 3 feet from your house so moisture won’t drip onto roofing and siding, and to prevent damage to your house exterior during high winds.

For advice on pruning specific plants in your region, check online.

10. Are you fireplace ready?                                                                                 

To make sure your fireplace is safe, grab a flashlight and look up inside your fireplace flue to make sure the damper opens and closes properly. Open the damper and look up into the flue to make sure it’s free of birds’ nests, branches and leaves, or other obstructions. You should see daylight at the top of the chimney.

Check the firebox for cracked or missing bricks and mortar. If you spot any damage, order a professional fireplace and chimney inspection.

Your fireplace flue should be cleaned of creosote buildup every other year.

                                                    Feel free to contact me with questions

More than just the unofficial end of summer, Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of our country. It is time that the country sets aside to pay tribute to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, prosperity, and well-being – the American worker!

History of Labor Day

The first Labor Day was celebrated on Tues., September 5, 1882 in NYC. Its origins stem from the desire of the Central Labor Union to create a holiday for workers and was championed by Matthew Maguire who was secretary of Local 344-International Association of Machinists from Patterson, NJ. By 1894 31 states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28,  of that year Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September the legal holiday. It was originally intended that the day would be filled with a street parade to allow the public to appreciate the work of the trade and labor organizations. After the parade, a festival was to be held to amuse local workers and their families. One of the reasons for choosing to celebrate this on the first Monday in September was to add a holiday in the long gap between Independence Day and Thanksgiving.

 What do people do?

Labor Day is traditionally a day of rest. It often signals the last chance for many people to go on trips before the summer ends. It also marks the beginning of the school year and football season. Sometimes people organize fireworks displays, barbecues and public arts or sports events.

Traditionally, people did not wear white clothes, particularly shoes, after Labor day. However, this custom is slowly dying out, (unless you’ve met my mother!).  More and more people now wear white all year round, rather than just in the summer.

With the number of people involved in a single real estate transaction (real estate agents, attorneys, appraisers, inspectors, lenders, underwriters, etc.), buying a house can seem both overwhelming and complex—particularly if you don’t speak the ‘language’ of real estate.

To help you break the language barrier, here are some examples of basic real estate terms you’ll often heard when buying a home:

Mortgage – A mortgage is a home loan, which can be obtained after you contact a bank, credit union, or other type of lender. There are several different types of loans that can have different interest rates, terms, and down payments.

Amortization – This is the schedule to pay off a mortgage over an extended period of time, with payments made in monthly installments. Usually these payment plans extend over 15 or 20 years.

Credit Rating – Your “credibility” according to a numerical conversion helps lenders determine whether or not giving you a loan is a good risk. If you have a good credit rating according to one of the three credit reporting agencies (TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian), it is likely that you’ll be entitled to a lower interest rate on your loan.

Pre-Approval – If a thorough assessment of your financial situation is made, and the results are in your favor, you might be able to attain a pre-approval letter. This letter would give you in a firmer commitment of the loan amount that lenders are willing to extend to you, in turn helping your chance of buying your dream home.

Down Payment – The cash that is paid upfront on your home purchase, which differs from the payment of the rest of your purchase, which will be financed by your mortgage loan.

Binder or Earnest Money – The money that is included in an offer letter that proves how serious, or earnest, the home buyer is about the purchase.

Contingency– A condition included in the contract when a home is purchased that is meant to protect you, as the home buyer. There are several different types of contingencies, including secure home financing, a satisfactory inspection of the sale property, and the sale of the buyer’s current home.

 Title – legally valid claim to ownership of real property, evidenced by deed, certificate  of  title, or bill of sale. A lender will extend mortgage financing to a buyer only if the seller holds uncontested ownership of the property in question. Most states treat a mortgage as a lien against the title held by the lender, or mortgagee , but some states recognize a mortgage as a binding obligation of the borrower, or the mortgagor named in the title.

 Appraisal –written estimate of market value by a qualified appraiser. Appraised value is one of the key factors determining loan size in loans secured by real estate. The estimated value of real property is based on replacement cost, sales of comparable property, or expected future income from income producing property.

Escrow Account – funds that the lender collects monthly to pay the monthly mortgage insurance premiums, homeowners insurance policy premiums, and yearly property taxes.

Closing Costs – expenses involved in transferring real estate from a seller to a buyer, among them lawyer’s fees, survey charges, title searches and insurance, and fees to file deeds and mortgages.

Points –fees paid to induce lenders to make a mortgage loan. Each point equals 1% of the loan principal . Points have the effect of reducing the amount of money advanced by the lender, thereby increasing the effective interest rate.

Don’t let the language of real estate be intimidating….Contact me and I’ll be happy to translate.

Heading to college brings up many emotions, including excitement and a little trepidation–as we all remember from our own experiences. Having been through this twice with my own children, I know it is as much a transition for parents as it is for their child. While prepping for the big day may feel limited for parents to buying linens, clothes, and toiletries (and paying that tuition bill!), incorporating elements from home into your son or daughter’s dorm room can be very comforting to your college freshman in the face of all these changes.

Along with making new friends, adapting to classes, and entering a more independent lifestyle, your child will be facing a whole new set of opportunities,obstacles and people-especially their roommate. Incorporating some of the following creature comforts can give your college-bound student’s dorm a sense of home that defies distance.               

      PICTURES: What is better when you need a lift than a picture. I bought a frame that held a bunch of different pictures and filled it with photos of good times with friends, family, pets, and favorite vacations. Looking at these pictures will put a  smile on your child’s face when that little bit of homesickness creeps in.

FAVORITE BOOKS: The empty shelves in a college dorm can seem daunting. Yes, they will be filling them with required reading but a few favorites can give your child a sense of comfort.

SOMETHING SENTIMENTAL: Despite the fact that the last thing any dorm room needs is an influx of knick-knacks, bringing an item with sentimental value can be of huge value to your college freshman. A beautiful conch shell found after hours of searching a beach? Bring it. A coffee mug bought on vacation that makes your child smile? Bring it.  Meaningful items can definitely give a dorm room a more homey feel.

 BEDDING FROM HOME: Though you cannot provide the comfort of your student’s own bed, you can bring their pillow or a mattress topper for the rock-hard dorm bed. Every little bit helps!

FOOD: Obviously, it is impractical to send your child with a year’s worth of local perishables. However, when dropping off, visiting, or sending a care package to your college student it might be worth taking a trek to their favorite local market or food store. Specific and specially made snacks, trail mixes, or other food items can surely make your college kid happy, and remind them that no matter how great college is, there is no place like home.

Whether or not you’re a Yankees fan – or even a baseball fan – it’s hard to ignore Derek Jeter’s legacy.

The 40-year-old is playing his final season this year, his 20th with Major League Baseball. And Jeter, who played through one of baseball’s most scandal-wracked eras without one of his own, is definitely deserving of every hat-tip he receives in this moving clip.

Michael Jordan, Spike Lee, Phil Jackson, Carmelo Anthony and even Mr. Met make appearances in the video, put together by Jordan Brand. Jeter was the first Jordan Brand-endorsed player, and was handpicked by Michael Jordan himself in 1999.

Courtesy of People Magazine & Nike

Well, the time has come!  The highly anticipated restaurant from The Food Network Star, Chef Aaron Sanchez – Paloma- has opened their doors!

The restaurant, located at 15 Harbor Point Rd, fills the space previously occupied by popular pop-up Beer Garden at Harbor Point.  The 6,000 square foot glass building is set with two floors offering a panoramic view of the water.  There is an upstairs dining area, a downstairs main bar, and plenty of outdoor dining to enjoy those Harbor Point sunsets.  The menu includes a bone-in rib eye, fresh salsas and extensive raw bar.  Desserts include churros, traditional flan and Mexican coffee.  The bar scene is quite extensive as well.  The menu features handcrafted spirits from Latin America – tequila, mescal, pisco, cachaca and rum.

World of Beer, located at 18 Harbor Point Rd, kicked off it’s grand opening on June 29th!  The chain, which launched in 2007 (and operates 50+ taverns across the country) offers fifty taps and 500+ bottles.  They feature beers with flavor—lagers, Pilsners, stouts, IPAs and flavored beers from burgeoning small and regional breweries from the U.S. and around the world.  In addition to beer, World of Beer’s new locations will feature a “tavern fare” menu, craft spirits, an extensive wine program and live entertainment in addition to the beer.

Harbor Point also has two more restaurants on the horizon with Fortina and Bareburger slated to open soon.

Coming Soon for all you Beer Garden fans, The Beer Garden, previously located in Harbor Point is relocating to 290 Harbor Dr. in Shippan Landing.

Do you know when a real estate transaction is really done?  Until the deed is recorded anything can happen, and it’s not just the buyer’s side that can throw a wrench into the deal.

Just like in scouting, the motto of a real estate transaction is BE PREPARED! Here are a few of the biggest places where deals can get hung up — and how to avoid them.

Appraisal issues

Pricing is one of the most important steps in listing your home, just for this reason.  Every home sells twice, first to the buyer and then to the bank.  Homes not appraising at the contract value has been a problem since the housing crisis, and will likely continue for years to come. Even when there are multiple offers, a third-party appraiser, who is not part of the deal, may not agree with the selling price.

This becomes a tough issue if you have a property that hits a number that the comps may not support. Make sure the agent who is present at the appraisal is well armed with comps and information to support the selling price. Seeing a contract price and address on paper is one thing, but to know there were 100 people through the home in three days with six offers, provides color and context.

Inspection problems

It’s the call no one ever wants to get – the inspector found major problems with the home.

Unexpected inspection issues, particularly large ones, can cause scared buyers to walk away. For buyers who still want to move forward with the home, it means re-negotiating the purchase price or asking the seller for credits back. Another round of negotiations means the deal can go south quickly if both parties can’t work together.

When this happens, it’s helpful for all parties to put emotions aside and work together. If the buyer wants to buy, and the seller wants to sell, it means compromising. If this buyer walks, the next buyer could have the same problem. The best way to avoid deals going south due to inspections is to have the property inspected before going on the market. Iron out any issues that may arise and then price the property accordingly. Every seller should consider doing a pre-sales property inspection.  This is not a guarantee that a different inspector will not find different issues, but the major concerns should be covered.

Buyer’s remorse

The buyer gets excited about a property and makes an offer, only to second-guess themselves once the deal is put together.  Buyer’s remorse happens all the time in real estate.

Before you make an offer, or before the final round of counteroffers, ask yourself: Do I really love this home?  Does the price make sense? Do I love this home for this price? It’s better to walk away before you get too emotionally involved in the process.

For sellers – be careful. If your buyer doesn’t seem to be fully committed, stops responding or doesn’t appear to have their ducks in a row, it might be better to wait for another buyer than to tie up the listing and have to go “back on the market.”

There are rare issues that come up that are completely unexpected. A neighbor makes a random disclosure, or the inspector finds something nobody else knew about or that a previous inspector missed. Maybe there’s an odd lien on the title report or something happens to the buyer, unexpectedly. In these cases, keep an open mind and go to plan B. A good listing agent will never change the status of the listing to “pending” unless the deal is truly done.

Most deals hit a bump or two but nothing that can’t be dealt with.  Feel free to contact me and we can discuss any concerns you might have.