FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS

First-Time Home Buyers Dominate Real Estate Market

With the first-time home buyer’s tax credit in full effect, younger buyers are taking the opportunity to enter the real estate market and the New Jersey real estate market has seen its fair share of first-time buyers enter the playing field recently. Across the state, agents are finding that they must consider the first-time home buyers’ unique needs and adapt to this new type of client. “Those first-time home buyers who’ve entered the housing market- drawn by the perfect storm of historically low interest rates, attractive prices and the $8,000 tax credit- expect much more from their Realtors,” said Dave Liniger, Co-Founder of RE/MAX International. “They want access, they want answers, and they want ongoing communication through text messaging. They just want to know, ‘How fast can I get the information?’ and ‘How available are you?’”
Part of an ‘instant-gratification’ and Internet generation, first-time home buyers are tech savvy and educated and they don’t want to wait for answers. They are confident and eager to become home owners.
“Making a point to notice how certain generations and certain clients like to communicate is vital. You have to adapt, you have to anticipate, and you have to be ok doing business on the phone, through text message, through email, whatever your client wants,” says Anita Jacobus of RE/MAX at Barnegat Bay in Toms River .
First-time home buyers are being drawn to the housing market because of low interest rates, attractive prices, a huge volume of inventory, and the tax credit. Not only do they have options and room to negotiate, but they have $8,000 that they can use to cover closing costs or to just get back come tax time.
“First-time home buyers are a large percentage of our clients right now and we’re having the best spring in three years. They are creating a domino effect in the real estate market, purchasing homes, allowing the sellers of those homes to move up or to downsize if they choose, and are stimulating the furniture and home improvement industry as well,” said Richard Wieland of RE/MAX First Realty in East Brunswick .
To qualify for the $8,000 tax credit, buyers must meet the first-time home buyer criteria and they must be a first-time home buyer. They qualify if they have not owned a principle residence in the last three years and must close on their home purchase before November 30, 2009. As long as they live in the home for three years, they never have to repay the tax credit.

SOURCE: RISMEDIA, August 27, 2009-

New Listing on the Lake in Gated Lakeside Community

I'm so excited about this new listing I just took in Lakeside!
This 5 bedroom, 3 bath home with just over 3,500 square feet of living space in the prestigious gated community of Lakeside. This gorgeous two story home has an open floor plan with tons of natural lighting. The entrance is Stunning with 20' ceilings, lots of large windows and a wide semi-spiral staircase leading to the 2nd floor. Off the entrance is a downstairs-Bedroom with 3/4 Bath, a large living room leading to the formal dining room. Second downstairs room could be another bedroom or an office, separate family room open to the gourmet kitchen & breakfast nook. Upstairs has 3 bedrooms & 2 baths, large Bonus Room with balcony, and a Tech Center with built-in book shelves. 8' double-doors open to the giant Master Suite with Retreat, and balcony overlooking the big backyard with covered patio which overlooks the community lake. Master bath has double vanity sink, large tub, and huge Walk-In Closet. New carpet & tile floors. Fresh custom paint inside. Home includes a big walk-in pantry, double pane windows, and large back & side yards. The back yard overlooks the 8 acre man made lake with it's own private dock. OFFERED AT $1,099,000. The community amenities include the 8 acre man made lake with catch & release fishing, paddle boats, two tot lots playground areas, walking/jogging path, Jr. Olympic & Wading pool, clubhouse and so much more for the low HOA dues of $152 per month. NO MELLO ROOS!

Townhome in Lakeside

Another listing I had in Lakeside is in escrow! While many townhome complexes are struggling, Lakeside is actually thriving! Check out listings in Lakeside ! www.LakesideBP.com

SOLD IN A WEEK

I recently listed an Arbor Cove home in the gated community of Lakeside in Buena Park. It had 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and approximately 2,500 sq. ft. I listed it for $689,000 and was in escrow in just about a week. The key to selling is pricing the home right! We did and we close escrow on Thursday.