Barnegat - Manahawkin Community News: December 2010

Friday, December 31, 2010

Is it Time to Buy a Home?

You're thinking about buying a home, but you're asking yourself; Is it time to buy? Has the market stabilized? According to the Case-Shiller index; YES, it is time to buy a home!

The Case-Shiller Index is one of the best measures of home values. And the latest numbers show that homes are now worth about the same as they were in 2003.

Karl Case has said "In most places, in fact almost all of the cities we track, prices stopped falling about a year ago. And they've come back a little bit."

The Standard & Poor's Case-Shiller Home Price Indices are constant-quality house price indices for the United States. There are multiple Case-Shiller home price indices: A national home price index, a 20-city composite index, a 10-city composite index, and twenty individual metro area indices.

The indices are calculated from data on repeat sales of single-family homes, an approach developed by economists Karl Case, Robert Shiller and Allan Weiss.

So, is it time to buy a home?

If the above calculations aren't enough, don't forget that; Mortgage Interest Rates Are Still At Historic Lows. Just because you could have had a 30-year fixed rate loan at 4.75 percent last November and this past February doesn't mean you shouldn't try to refinance now that interest rates are just over 5 percent. This is still an amazing interest rate for the long-term and if you don't refinance or buy now, you'll soon wish you had.

And don't forget; Home Prices Are At Generational Lows. Right now, home prices are in a state of fluctuation. They're rising (slightly) in some areas and falling in others. But just because home prices might fall before they rise again shouldn't keep you from making an offer on a home as long as you find the right house at the right price on the right terms.

So, one more time; is it time to buy a home? Yes, it is!

Karl Hess, Real Estate Agent Ocean County

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Mama, Don't Take My Kodachrome

Dwayne's Photo in Parsons, Kansas, the last lab in the world that processes the famed color film Kodachrome, is discontinuing it at the end of the year.

After 75 years, all that will be left of Kodachrome is the Paul Simon song and a state park named after it in Utah.

The Eastman Kodak Co. discontinued making the film in June 2009.

Unlike other color film, Kodachrome starts as black-and-white film. Color dyes are added in the lab, like printmaking, which is why you can't develop it at home.

Dwayne's in Kansas is the last licensed processor, and doing 700 rolls a day, twice its average, but that's not enough demand to convince Kodak to make more chemicals.

Introduced in 1935, Kodachrome was the first commercially successful color film.

The film has an unparalleled reputation among professional photographers as it had a color saturation that is unmatched with any other slide film or with digital.

As Paul Simon sang...

Kodachrome
They give us those nice bright colors
They give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world's a sunny day, Oh yeah
I got a Nikon camera
I love to take a photograph
So mama don't take my Kodachrome away

Afghan Girl Photographer: Steve McCurry

Ocean County, NJ and Jersey Shore Homes and Real Estate - Get free access to all listings with photos in Ocean County including waterfront, beachfront and water-view homes on The Jersey Shore.

Karl Hess, Real Estate Agent Ocean County

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

For Sale By Owner Statistics

For Sale By Owner (FSBO) vs. Realtor

We all know why owners try and sell their own homes; to save money. But these statistics tell a story that doesn't meet their most basic desire.

For Sale By Owner (FSBO) Statistics: FSBOs accounted for 9% of home sales in 2010. The typical FSBO home sold for $140,000 compared to $199,300 for agent-assisted home sales.

FSBO Methods Used to Market Home:

Listing on Internet . . . 27%
For-sale-by-owner Web site . . . 11%
Yard sign . . . 46%
Friends/neighbors . . . 39%
Newspaper ad . . . 12%
Open house . . . 14%

Most Difficult Tasks for FSBO Sellers:

Getting the right price . . . 23%
Preparing/fixing up home for sale: 18%
Selling within the planned length of time: 14%
Having enough time to devote to all aspects of the sale: 13%
Understanding and performing paperwork: 10%

Source: 2010 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers

More For Sale by Owner statistical evidence show that a REALTOR is more advantageous from the start: 80 to 90% of all FSBO's sign with an agent eventually. 50% of those FSBO's that were successful in selling their own home say they would hire an agent the next time. Studies indicate that unrepresented owners actually sell their home for less than owners with an agent. (Though that doesn't necessarily mean less money for a FSBO as that can depend on other factors).

Just to reiterate; 50% of SUCCESSFUL For Sale By Owner folks say that they would hire an agent the next time they had a home for sale. An amazing stat!

Bottom line: Hire a REALTOR and save yourself time and money, not to mention reducing the stress that comes from selling a home!

If you'd like to keep up with the very latest real estate market conditions in your neighborhood or anywhere in Ocean County and on The Jersey Shore, click HomeValuesinOceanCountynj.

Karl Hess, Your Real Estate Agent on The Jersey Shore

Sweet Jenny's Engulfed in Flames

Barnegat Landmark Restaurant Catches Fire.

A day after on of the worst billards to hit Ocean county, a fire ripped through Sweet Jenny's Peppermint Park on Monday evening, erupting just minutes after the Route 9 restaurant had closed and keeping firefighters from seven departments busy for more than two hours.

According to the AC Press, the fire was reported at 5:26 p.m. and the building was "fully engulfed" by 6:01 p.m, Barnegat Township Police Lt. Patrick Shaffery said.

No one was inside the business, which closed its doors at 5 p.m., Shaffery said.

Sweet Jenny's is a popular restaurant and ice cream "bar" and was housed in a cozy log cabin style building on route 9 in Barnegat. There is a 2^nd Sweet Jenny's in Ship Bottom on Long Beach Island.

Karl Hess, Your Real Estate Agent in Ocean County

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Blizzard Warning Ocean County, NJ

The National Weather Service as issued a blizzard warning and a coastal flood warning for Ocean County, NJ.

Tips to keep you safe:

1. Prepare for power outages and blocked roads. Winds, ice and snow tend to bring down power lines. Make sure that you have candles, matches or lighters, a battery operated radio, and emergency food supplies and tons of blankets. Think about where you'll put candles to keep them lit and safe. Have plenty of food staples like powdered milk and protein bars. If your water supply depends on an electric pump, bottled water may be a good idea.

2. Staying warm when the power goes out may be a problem. Don't think you're immune if you don't use electricity to heat your home. Many people don't realize that their heating system depends on a boiler that is powered by electricity. Electric stoves and gas stoves that depend on electricity will be powerless if the storm knocks the lines down. Be prepared with alternative heat sources and plenty of blankets.

3. Traveling in a blizzard is just not a good idea. If you are on the road during a blizzard look for a hotel or motel nearby and stay off the road until driving conditions are safe again.

4. If you get stranded in your car during a bad snow storm be prepared with plenty of warm clothes and packaged snack foods. It may seem sensible to leave the engine running to keep warm, but it isn't. The danger of carbon monoxide poisoning is high. Snow can block your exhaust pipe and fill the car with deadly fumes. Keeping one window open just a bit will help avoid this. If you keep the engine running you may run out of gas before the storm is over. A better idea is to run the engine in short bursts. Turn the engine on long to keep the car warm and then turn it off. Keep this routine up until the conditions are stable enough for you to get back on the road.

5. Designate a spot, in the hall closet, to keep a bag of warm clothes for each person in the household. If the lights are out, it will be hard to find that really warm turtle neck or a pair of warm socks or gloves...in the dark. Count on the power being out for at least a day or two and have some board games and a deck of cards on hand. Arts and crafts are always fun for the kids (especially if there isn't any television to distract them) so make sure you have some of those supplies easily available.

6. Along with warm clothes and blankets, consider stocking your Blizzard Kit with the following: batteries, flash lights, battery operated radio/television, bottled water, toilet paper, nonperishable foods such as cereal or crackers, canned goods, a non electric can opener, a small cooler, candles, prescription medicines and any over-the-counter remedies you use regularly; and if you have young infants or toddlers - diapers, baby wipes, formula, baby food.

7. Stock up on shovels and snow removal equipment before the snow storm. You may also want to cover the windows and spaces around the doors to keep drafts at a minimum in the event the heat shuts off.

8. If you live in an area that gets bad storms regularly consider investing in an emergency generator. Having an alternate source of power if the main lines go down can be a life saver.

9. A cellular phone is a 'hot' commodity for the snowbound. If you have a cell phone, make sure it is charged and easy to find. Even if the phone and power lines go out you can get word out that you are stranded and need help.

10. Finally, STAY INSIDE. However tempting it may be for kids to go out and make snow angels or play in the falling snow, use caution. Those blowing winds - both before and after a blizzard - are cold enough to cause frostbite, and snowdrifts may hide dangers children might otherwise see. Stay indoors where it's safe, and warm!

Blizzards are serious business. Weather forecasters can only predict so much. Educate yourself and stay on top of the updates in your area. There is no harm in being overly cautious. In most cases where a blizzard is concerned, it truly is better to be safe than sorry.

Karl Hess, Your Real Estate Agent in Ocean County

Friday, December 24, 2010

History of Christmas in America

The History of Christmas in America according to The History Channel.

In the early 17th century, a wave of religious reform changed the way Christmas was celebrated in Europe. When Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over England in 1645, they vowed to rid England of decadence and, as part of their effort, cancelled Christmas. By popular demand, Charles II was restored to the throne and, with him, came the return of the popular holiday.

The pilgrims, English separatists that came to America in 1620, were even more orthodox in their Puritan beliefs than Cromwell. As a result, Christmas was not a holiday in early America. From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed in Boston. Anyone exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined five shillings. By contrast, in the Jamestown settlement, Captain John Smith reported that Christmas was enjoyed by all and passed without incident.

After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. In fact, Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the first Christmas under America's new constitution. Christmas wasn't declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870.

Irving Reinvents Christmas It wasn't until the 19th century that Americans began to embrace Christmas. Americans re-invented Christmas, and changed it from a raucous carnival holiday into a family-centered day of peace and nostalgia. But what about the 1800s peaked American interest in the holiday?

The early 19th century was a period of class conflict and turmoil. During this time, unemployment was high and gang rioting by the disenchanted classes often occurred during the Christmas season. In 1828, the New York city council instituted the city's first police force in response to a Christmas riot. This catalyzed certain members of the upper classes to begin to change the way Christmas was celebrated in America.

In 1819, best-selling author Washington Irving wrote The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, a series of stories about the celebration of Christmas in an English manor house. The sketches feature a squire who invited the peasants into his home for the holiday. In contrast to the problems faced in American society, the two groups mingled effortlessly. In Irving's mind, Christmas should be a peaceful, warm-hearted holiday bringing groups together across lines of wealth or social status. Irving's fictitious celebrants enjoyed "ancient customs," including the crowning of a Lord of Misrule. Irving's book, however, was not based on any holiday celebration he had attended - in fact, many historians say that Irving's account actually "invented" tradition by implying that it described the true customs of the season.

A Christmas Carol: Also around this time, English author Charles Dickens created the classic holiday tale, A Christmas Carol. The story's message-the importance of charity and good will towards all humankind-struck a powerful chord in the United States and England and showed members of Victorian society the benefits of celebrating the holiday.

The family was also becoming less disciplined and more sensitive to the emotional needs of children during the early 1800s. Christmas provided families with a day when they could lavish attention-and gifts-on their children without appearing to "spoil" them.

As Americans began to embrace Christmas as a perfect family holiday, old customs were unearthed. People looked toward recent immigrants and Catholic and Episcopalian churches to see how the day should be celebrated. In the next 100 years, Americans built a Christmas tradition all their own that included pieces of many other customs, including decorating trees, sending holiday cards, and gift-giving.

Although most families quickly bought into the idea that they were celebrating Christmas how it had been done for centuries, Americans had really re-invented a holiday to fill the cultural needs of a growing nation.

Today in history bought to you by: Karl Hess, Your Real Estate Agent in Ocean County

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Homes for Sale Barnegat

Homes for Sale Barnegat with Maps and Photos

There are at least 5 homes for sale in the Deer Chase section of Barnegat. All these properties in Deer Chase, Barnegat have at least 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. These five houses have over 1900 square feet of living space and have a list price under $285,000.

Barnegat gets its name from nearby Barnegat Bay and Barnegat Inlet. The inlet was originally "Barendegat," or "Inlet of the Breakers," and was named by Dutch settlers in 1614 for the waterway's turbulent channel. Barnegat Township has a total area of 40.8 square miles, of which, 34.7 square miles is land and 6.2 square miles of it (15.09%) is water.

Since 1970, the township's populations has jumped from 1,539 to 22,643 - an increase of 1,371 percent. And the township still has 2,500 to 3,000 housing units already approved that have yet to be built.

Even through the economic downturn, 120 to 150 new homes a year have been built in Barnegat. Development is still very active in Barnegat Township and in all likelihood will continue.

If you're interested in buying, selling or investing in Real Estate in Barnegat, Ocean County or along The Jersey Shore, click on The Jersey Shore Home Finder.com and get free access to thousands of home listings with photos and maps.

If you'd like to keep up with the very latest real estate market conditions in your neighborhood, including or anywhere in Ocean County and on The Jersey Shore, click Home Values in Ocean County NJ.

Looking for something do this weekend in Ocean County or just want to keep up with current events? The Jersey Shore News will keep you informed with local community information and happenings. There is also a complete list of Open Houses in Ocean county at Open House Ocean County.com

Karl Hess, Your Real Estate Agent in Barnegat

Homes for Sale Barnegat

Homes for Sale Barnegat with Maps and Photos

Even through the economic downturn, 120 to 150 new homes a year have been built in Barnegat. Development is still very active in Barnegat Township and in all likelihood will continue.

Karl Hess, Your Real Estate Agent in Barnegat

Ocean County Book Drive

This Holiday Season, Give the Gift of Reading

The Ocean County Library System is holding a book drive to collect new children's books to be distributed throughout the library's "Sparks Best Friends Forever Reading Club" program.

All 21 locations of the Ocean County Library System are accepting new book donations through December 31^st, 2010, including Toms River, Barnegat, Lacey, Stafford, and Berkeley.

Ocean County Library Map

Since the "Sparks Best Friends Forever Reading Club" program was started in 2008, the library has collected and distributed more than 4,000 books throughout the community.

Little know fact: By 4th or 5th grade, odds of struggling readers catching up with their peers are very low. It is of vital importance that ALL children "keep up" with their peers and do not fall behind for their appropriate grade level.

The earliest ages a child goes through are truly his or hers most formative years. From birth, children are sifting through stimuli and learning how to interact with their surroundings and the people they're in contact with. Parents are critical to laying a foundation on which a child's education is based on. Parents are most often a child's first teachers and from them a child is taught not only fundamentals of education, but how to learn as well.

Socialization of a child is heavily influenced by his or her peer group and that includes attitudes toward learning and education. The America's Children report reflected that children's inclinations toward education also affect their ability to learn. Instilling a love for reading and encouraging your child to maintain it aids in a stronger desire to resist persuasion of peers in the negative and helps them continue to develop.

Reading is instrumental in forming a foundation on which to build a child's educational career...and forming that foundation as early as possible is key.

For more information call the Ocean County Library at 732-349-6200 or from Southern Ocean County, call 609-971-0514.

Karl Hess, Your Real Estate Agent in Ocean County

Monday, December 20, 2010

Saving Barnegat Bay

While Barnegat Bay remains a paradise for boating, there has been a decline in fish, mollusks and other aquatic wildlife in recent years. After many years of study by the New Jersey DEP, Rutgers University, and various grassroots groups such as Clean Ocean Action and ReClam the Bay, state legislators last week passed three bills aimed at protecting and preserving Barnegat Bay.

In other legislation, the state also agreed to a deal with Exelon Corporation, which operates Oyster Creek Nuclear Facility, to close the plant 10 years sooner than expected, in 2019. In exchange for the early closure, Exelon will not be required to build expensive cooling towers that would have reduced the temperature of water emissions.

One of the laws, perhaps the toughest in the nation, will restrict the sale of certain types of fertilizer. It is expected to ultimately reverse the declining conditions in a place that had once been a center for commercial fishing and oyster harvesting. The bay was long considered a sportsman's paradise, attracting hunters and fishermen from all over the globe.

Other bills aimed at improving water quality that passed last week include a requirement that construction crews restore soil to its original condition after a project is completed so that storm water will soak back into the ground instead of running off hard-packed dirt and into sewers.

Another new regulation implores the federal Environmental Protection Agency for technical assistance in determining a safe daily-nutrient level in the water and requires the state DEP to identify and upgrade malfunctioning storm drains in Ocean County as a way to reduce the bay pollution.

At the heart of the regulations, however, is the requirement that at least 20 percent of the nitrogen in fertilizer sold in New Jersey be a slow-release type that will prevent the material from washing easily into waterways. Nitrogen is a major pollutant that spurs algae blooms that eat up the oxygen levels in the water, depriving fish and other aquatic life of the vital component.

While meant to address the issues with Barnegat Bay in particular, this legislation will have state wide ramifications as the law takes affect.

Karl Hess, Your Real Estate Agent on The Jersey Shore

Homes for Sale Toms River

Homes for Sale Toms River with photos and maps of available properties.

Is it the right time to buy a home in Toms River? With interest rates at historic lows, home prices the lowest in years and the fact that home ownership is one of the last tax deductions the middle class still have, the answer must be a resounding "YES!"

There are at least forty-nine, 3 bedroom, 2 bath single family homes with at least 1800 square feet of living space available in Toms River ranging in price from $200,000 to $300,000. These homes are in various locations like Bayshore, East Dover, North Dover, Silverton and West Dover...and many others.

If you're interested in buying, selling or investing in Real Estate in Toms River, Ocean County or along The Jersey Shore, click on TheJerseyShoreHomeFinder.com and get free access to thousands of home listings.

If you'd like to keep up with the very latest real estate market conditions in your neighborhood or anywhere in Ocean County and on The Jersey Shore, click www.HomeValuesinOceanCountyNJ.

Toms River's unique scenery with access pristine beaches and river make it one of the most beautiful places to live in New Jersey. Toms River can be seen in various TV and news media including MTV's "Made" and "Jersey Shore" (season 1 and 3), HBO's "Boardwalk Empire", and the original "Amityville Horror" movie. In 1998, Toms River Little League won the Little League World Series and made it to the Regional Championships numerous times since then. UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar also hails from Toms River. The township also has the 2nd largest Halloween parade in the world.

In three of the last 4 years, Toms River was ranked in the top ten safest "cities" in the United States, of the 378 cities nationwide.

Karl Hess, Your Agent on The Jersey Shore

Saturday, December 18, 2010

For Sale by Owner Market Trends

This Month in Real Estate - The latest real estate trends including For Sale by Owner

This Month in Real Estate is a monthly video news series that offers an inside look at the national real estate market. Each edition provides a snapshot of the numbers and trends that drive the real estate market, as well as expert opinion and analysis. For information on your local real estate conditions, please click on Home Values in Ocean County NJ for the very latest in real estate trends and analysis.

This month's video discusses why the number of For Sale By Owner listings has dropped from 11 percent to 9 percent. To view the 2 minute video, click here.

Karl Hess, Your Real Estate Agent on The Jersey Shore

Homes for Sale in Stafford Township

Homes for Sale in Stafford Township with photos and maps.

There are 20 Homes for Sale in Stafford Township with listing prices between $200,000 and $300,000. These 20 homes all have at least 3 bedrooms and 2 baths and all these homes for sale in Stafford Township also have basements.

If you're interested in buying, selling or investing in Real Estate in Stafford Township, Ocean County or along The Jersey Shore, click on TheJerseyShoreHomeFinder.com and get free access to thousands of home listings.

If you'd like to keep up with the very latest real estate market conditions in your neighborhood or anywhere in Ocean County and on The Jersey Shore, click HomeValuesinOceanCountynj.

Stafford Township is in Ocean County, New Jersey. The township population was 22,532 and was formed by Royal Charter on March 3, 1750. It was incorporated as one of New Jersey's first 104 townships by on February 21, 1798, and became part of the newly-formed Ocean County on February 15, 1850.

Stafford Township is the gateway to the resort communities on Long Beach Island, with Route 72 providing the sole road access, ending in Ship Bottom as it crosses Manahawkin Bay via the Manahawkin Bay Bridge. The Garden State Parkway and Route 9 pass through the township and provide access to Route 72 which would allow an easy commute of about make at 1.5 hours to Philadelphia and 2 hours to downtown Manhattan.

This is the time to buy a home in Stafford Township as prices are the lowest in yeas and are just starting to increase as indicated by this graph of Average Listing Price for Stafford Township.

Stafford Township, Ocean County, NJ and Jersey Shore Homes and Real Estate - Get free access to all listings with photos in Ocean County including waterfront, beachfront and water-view homes on The Jersey Shore.

Karl Hess, Real Estate Agent, Stafford Township

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

One-Time Tax Savings for 2010

Tax Savings Before the End of 2010

A Special one-time Roth IRA conversion deal, and don't forget about the Education deduction I wrote about last month.

For 2010 only there is a way to delay taxes normally paid when converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. If you act before Dec 31, you can setback the tax bill by splitting your conversion income in half and reporting it on your 2011 and 2013 returns. Remember, taxes could be higher by the time you pay your tax bill in full. Before 2010 and starting again in 2011, taxes on this type of conversion will be assessed for the tax year in which you convert your IRA funds.

Why pay taxes for the privilege of owning a Roth IRA?

•1) It might be your only way to have one: you can make regular contributions to a Roth only if your income is below IRS limits.

•2) Qualified withdrawals are tax free: That also means they won't affect the taxability of your Social Security Benefits.

•3) No required distributions during the account owners lifetime: the IRS makes you tap your traditional IRA every year after you turn 70½, but Roth IRAs can be left to grow - for yourself or your beneficiaries.

As always, consult a tax and/or investment consultant when making these decisions.

Karl Hess, Your Real Estate Agent on The Jersey Shore

Homes for Sale Pine Beach

Click Homes for Sale Pine Beach to get a complete list of homes in Pine Beach with photos and maps.

There are 27 homes for sale in Pine Beach, NJ in Ocean County, with a population was 1,950.

Pine Beach was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 26, 1925, from portions of Berkeley Township. the borough has a total area of 0.6 square miles, of which, 0.6 square miles of it is land and 1.59% is water.

The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $57,366, and the median income for a family was $67,404.

Pine Beach Elementary School serves grades K-6 in the Toms River Regional School District. It is among the few public elementary schools in New Jersey to receive a distinguished Great-Schools Rating of 8 out of 10.

The school community has reviewed this school and given it an average rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

If you're interested in buying, selling or investing in Homes in Pine Beach, Ocean County or anywhere along The Jersey Shore, click on MyJerseyShoreHomeFinder.com and get free access to thousands of home listings with maps and photos.

If you'd like to keep up with the very latest real estate market trends and conditions in your neighborhood or anywhere in Ocean County and on The Jersey Shore, click on http://homevaluesinoceancountynj.com.

Looking for something do this weekend in Ocean County or just want to keep up with current events? The Jersey Shore News will keep you informed with local community information and happenings.

Ocean County, NJ and Jersey Shore Homes and Real Estate - Get free access to all listings with photos of ALL Ocean County Homes including waterfront, beachfront and water-view homes.

With home prices in Pine Beach at historic lows, now is the time to search out homes for sale in Pine Beach and make your dreams come true.

Karl Hess, Your Real Estate Agent for Pine Beach

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Christmas Tree Tips

Preserving Your Christmas Tree

Make Your Christmas Tree Last

A Christmas tree can drink up to a gallon of water every day. However, when the cut end of the tree trunk is exposed to the air for more than a couple of hours it seals over with tree sap. If it is sealed over it cannot drink any water...so make sure trim off an additional 1/2" from the bottom of the trunk.

With water, your tree's needles can remain soft and stay on the tree for up to six weeks. Without water your tree will dry out, shed lots of needles and become an extreme fire hazard. So in the interest of having the best looking, neatest and safest tree, it should be mounted in a base with a water reservoir. Ideally the water reservoir should hold more than a gallon of water. Otherwise you may need to refill the tree stand more than once a day.

After you set up your tree, fill the reservoir with water. It may take a day or so before your tree drinks any water, but then once it does start drinking, check it frequently. If the reservoir runs dry, the trunk will start to seal over and the tree will dry out.

Christmas tree preservatives and cut flower preservatives contain the same ingredients: a food source for the plant, an acidifier (hard water is alkaline - making the water more acidic helps the plant take in water and food), and a disinfectant to prevent mold, fungi, and algae from growing.

So you can make your own Christmas Tree Food:

What You Need:

•1 gallon water

•2 cups light corn syrup

•4 teaspoons chlorine bleach

•4 teaspoons lemon juice or vinegar (optional)

1. Nothing could be easier... mix the ingredients together and keep the solution in the base for the Christmas tree or vase, for cut flowers. Both trees and flowers will last longer in cooler areas away from direct sunlight.

2. Make sure the tree or flower always has 'water'. Regularly refill the vase or the base where the tree sits. In addition, you may wish to spritz the tree or flowers periodicially with water from a spray bottle.

3. You can store the solution for 4-5 days at room temperature in a closed container, or two weeks refrigerated.

Tips:

1. Do Not Drink! If you plan on making enough tree or cut flower preservative to store, label your container and keep it out of reach of children and pets.

2. Bleach and vinegar produce toxic vapors when mixed. If you add vinegar or lemon juice, add it to the water rather than mix it directly with the bleach.

3. If you don't have corn syrup, you can substitute 4 teaspoons of sugar, dissolved in the water. Some people add a penny to a sugar solution, so that the copper can act as a fungicide and acidifier.

4. Another common option is to substitute a can of acidic soft drink, like Sprite or 7-Up, instead of the corn syrup and lemon juice. Just add a can of (non-diet) soft drink to a gallon of water, with a splash of bleach.

5. For flowers, you'll probably want to cut the recipe: 1 quart water, 1/2 c. corn syrup, 1 tsp. bleach, 1 tsp. lemon juice.

This is an easy way to preserve your Christmas Tree and remember, a dried out tree is a fire hazard!

Karl Hess, Your Real Estate Agent on The Jersey Shore

Short Sale Properties in Manahawkin

Here is a list of short sales in Manahawkin with photos and maps.

There a currently at least 5 short sale properties in Manahawkin. Properties are on Atlantis Ave, Mizzen Ave, Shore Ave and Inlet Ave.

A short sale is a sale of real estate in which the sale proceeds fall short of the balance owed on the property's loan. It often occurs when a borrower cannot pay the mortgage loan on their property, but the lender decides that selling the property at a moderate loss is better than pressing the borrower.

Both parties consent to the short sale process, because it allows them to avoid foreclosure, which involves hefty fees for the bank and poorer credit report outcomes for the borrowers. This agreement, however, does not necessarily release the borrower from the obligation to pay the remaining balance of the loan, known as the deficiency.

Manahawkin is in Stafford Township, Ocean County, New Jersey. The township population was 22,532 and was formed by Royal Charter on March 3, 1750. It was incorporated as one of New Jersey's first 104 townships by on February 21, 1798, and became part of the newly-formed Ocean County on February 15, 1850.

Stafford Township is the gateway to the resort communities on Long Beach Island, with Route 72 providing the sole road access, ending in Ship Bottom as it crosses Manahawkin Bay via the Manahawkin Bay Bridge. The Garden State Parkway and Route 9 pass through the township and provide access to Route 72 which would allow an easy commute of 1.5 hours to Philadelphia and 2 hours to downtown Manhattan.

If you're interested in buying, selling or investing in Real Estate in Manahawkin, Ocean County or along The Jersey Shore, click on TheJerseyShoreHomeFinder.com and get free access to thousands of home listings, including Short Sale Homes in Barnegat.

If you'd like to keep up with the very latest real estate market conditions in your neighborhood, including or anywhere in Ocean County and on The Jersey Shore, click on www.homevaluesoceancountynj.com.

Karl Hess, Your Real Estate Agent on the Jersey Shore

Friday, December 10, 2010

Open House Toms River

Open House in Toms River Schedule for Dec 12th, 2010

There are three Open Houses in Toms River this weekend; on Vaughn Ave, Toms River, Beachview Drive, Toms River and N. Maple Ave, Toms River

Here is a list of the Open Houses Toms River with map and photos for Sunday, Dec 12^th, 2010.

Here is a complete list of all Toms River Homes for Sale.

If you're interested in buying, selling or investing in Real Estate in Ocean County or anywhere along The Jersey Shore, click on TheJerseyShoreHomeFinder.com and get free access to thousands of home listings. You can also elect to receive daily updates of any new listing that come on the market. This service is completely free and can be stopped at anytime with a click of a button.

If you'd like to keep up with the very latest real estate market conditions and trends in your neighborhood or anywhere in Ocean County, go to http://homevaluesinoceancountynj.com/

While you're going to open houses in Toms River, you may want to start thinking about getting a "buyers agent."

Why do you need a "Buyers Agent?" Many buyers seem to have the "I want to go it alone" mind set. I always have to ask why? Since the seller pays the buyer's agent, the service is essentially free to you, the buyer.

Going it alone creates more risk for home buyers: A lot of buyers fail to wrap their arms around representation issues. Buyer's agents are not paid just to search the MLS and unlock doors. We are certainly there to help you find a home, but beyond that we are there to represent you during negotiations, coordinate very important matters such as inspections, appraisals, the walk-through, and the myriad issues that can come up during the contract period. The hard work starts AFTER the home is found, not before.

The unrepresented home buyer: This is the single largest financial transaction that most people will ever make. Do you really want to enter into such a transaction unrepresented? Further, chances are, you are up against a pro that has a fiduciary obligation to represent their client - the seller.

"But I can save a bundle on commissions...." First, you are not paying any commission. And second, does the seller's agent have ANY reason to lower the price just so you can save money? No, the seller's agent responsibility is to his client. My responsibility is to you.

So, while you're looking at Open Houses in Toms River, remember:

A Buyer's Agent will:

- Protect YOUR best interest
- Protect YOUR negotiating position
- Advise and give informed opinion to assist in the transaction
- Help YOU to get the BEST deal on the home

Karl Hess, Your Real Estate Agent on the Jersey Shore

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