Robin Benjamin

Girl’s Night Out Near Your Summit Homes!

robinbenjamin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:09:50 +0000

“Mom, I’m bored!!” If those are words you hear often around your Summit homes, The Connection may have some answers for you!

“Programs with children in mind, and community at heart.” that is just part of the mission statement donned by local community leader, The Connection – a not-for-profit service organization specifically designed by women, for women and families but open to all! This Friday join The Connection for “Girl’s Night Out!” from 6:30pm-9:00pm. All girls over the age of 6 are invited to come with friends and enjoy an evening of swimming, gymnastics, games, food and fun! Bring a bathing suit and towel, registration is required but membership is not. The cost is $25 per child.

The Connection is known locally for enriching lives in the Summit homes community through a variety of service programs. Some of which include: special needs swimming instruction, after school enrichment programs, adult and children recreational activities including fitness classes, educational opportunities and The Girl Project designed to empower all girls ages 9 and up.

The list goes on and on, so go check out what they have to offer the community and you!

The Connection for Women and Families, 79 Maple St, Summit, NJ

To Register for Girl’s Night Out call 908-273-4242 – space is limited!

If you would like to learn more about my local community or discover the meaning behind A New Suburbanism click here or call me at 973.202.7270

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 66. See more 07901 zip code real estate.
(all data current as of 2/22/2012)

$709,000 : MLS # 2919518 in Summit City

4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
$515,000 : 63 Tall Oaks Drive, New Providence Boro

4 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

Lot size: 13,503 sq ft
$829,000 : 161 Mountain Ave, New Providence Boro

5 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Lot size: 31,363 sq ft
$1,649,000 : 354 Ashland Road, Summit City

5 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 6,800 sq ft

Lot size: 1.31 ac
$779,900 : 260 Ashland Rd, Summit City

5 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Lot size: 10,890 sq ft

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

2012 – An Affordable Time to Buy a Home along the NJ MidTown Direct

Virtual Results PubSub — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:44:24 +0000

A combination of historically low mortgage rates and declines in home pricing are resulting in the most affordable time to buy a home along the NJ MidTown Direct in two decades. This is great news for home buyers, provided they are able to qualify for a loan. Stricter guidelines and qualifications may make getting a home loan more challenging, so potential home buyers should work with a mortgage specialist to determine their ability to buy a home.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) report that nearly 76% of new and existing homes sold in the last quarter of 2011 could have easily been purchased by buyers earning $64,200 (the national median income). The previous quarter showed nearly 73% of homes in that range, marking a 3% increase.

Interest rates have been at record lows and change weekly on 30-year loans with Freddie Mac reporting an average of 3.87% on February 16th. 15-year loans were averaging 3.16%. Many housing markets were considered affordable in the recent index, however, if you are in market to purchase a home, the following areas represent the best choice in order of affordability according to the NAHB/HOI:

Youngstown, Ohio
Boardman, Ohio
Warren, Ohio
Lakeland, Florida
Winter Haven, Florida
Modesto, California
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Toledo, Ohio
Kokomo, Indiana
Fairbanks, Alaska
Cumberland, Maryland
Lima, Ohio
Rockford, Illinois

Click on The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index: History of Least and Most Affordable Areas spreadsheet located here to download the list of historical data on the most and least affordable areas in your community or browse their website to learn more.

Short Hills Summer Camp for Your Special Sweetheart!

robinbenjamin — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 03:36:34 +0000

Spring is fast approaching near your Short Hills homes, and most parents are beginning to think about planning their summers. Whether your plans involve planes, trains, or cars, most parents agree they will all have at least one thing in common: a camp for the kids! But if you are a parent of a child with special needs, choosing a camp can be a daunting task. While most summer camps do not cater to children with disabilities, if they do, the activities may not necessarily be geared to your child’s individual needs or have therapeutic benefits or trained staff. Enter CAMP PAL (Play and Learn) 2012! Creative Speech Solutions, LLC is a multi-disciplinary therapy center with an amazing team of specialists including speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and even a nutritionist! The therapists and specialists run the camp near your Short Hills homes and include sports, games, music, and arts & crafts in small manageable groups. Their camp is designed to be as therapeutic as it is fun – so no need to worry that your child will be missing out on anything this summer!

CAMP PAL 2012 Info click here

Program Dates: July 10 – August 16

Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
1:30p.m. – 4:00/4:30p.m.

If you would like to learn more about my local community or discover the meaning behind A New Suburbanism click here or contact me at 973.202.7270

Buying & Selling a “Green” Home Along the NJ MidTown Direct

Virtual Results PubSub — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:37:52 +0000

While the decline in new home construction may have some feeling “blue,” those of you who embrace a “green” lifestyle will be excited to hear about the latest projections along the NJ MidTown Direct. “Green” remodeling is a growing trend in the real estate industry! In fact, McGraw-Hill Companies, revealed last week that 17% of residential home building in 2011 was due to eco-friendly homes and upgrades. Rates on the West Coast, North Midwest, and New England have experienced even stronger growth.

This number is anticipated to continue to rise to five times that rate in the next five years with over 30% of “green” home building being forecasted for 2016. Beyond 2016, builders believe over 90% of their projects will be “green.” Home buyers are seeking earth-friendly features in homes for sale, so home sellers and remodelers should take note of these statistics. Renovation work has also increased in recent years, most likely due to the shifting economy, and builders report that home remodels make up over 60% of their business, according to the recent McGraw-Hill study done in conjunction with National Association of Home Builders and Waste Management.

So, home owners and those looking for new homes with eco-friendly perks, have the “green” light! Almost half of builders (46%) have begun marketing their “green” services and are becoming well-versed in determining the best needs and options for their clients. As builders become more familiar with the processes involved with earth-friendly materials, consumer cost has decreased as well, making it a great time to upgrade your home for sale. Benefits of making these eco-friendly measures can be reduced energy costs, reduced waste, better quality of life, and peace of conscience.

To get more information on the results of the Green Home Builders and Remodelers Study, click here.

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 76. See more 07078 zip code real estate.
(all data current as of 2/22/2012)

$1,088,000 : 28 Kilmer Dr, Millburn Twp.

5 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 2,700 sq ft

Lot size: 9,583 sq ft

Year built: 1942

Parking spots: 1

Days on market: 3
$2,295,000 : 35 Robert Dr, Millburn Twp.

6 beds, 5 full, 1 part baths

Home size: 5,772 sq ft

Lot size: 20,908 sq ft

Year built: 2011

Parking spots: 3

Days on market: 132
$1,175,000 : 177 Hobart Ave, Millburn Twp.

6 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Lot size: 1.06 ac

Year built: 1880

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 317
$999,999 : 401 Hobart Ave, Millburn Twp.

3 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

Lot size: 30,056 sq ft

Year built: 1962

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 5
$599,000 : MLS # 2919095 in Millburn Twp.

3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

Lot size: 5,662 sq ft

Year built: 1926

Parking spots: 2

Days on market: 3

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Love Is In The Air In Your Summit NJ Home

robinbenjamin — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:00:33 +0000

Love is in the air. Literally. How many beautiful varieties of birds have you seen or heard flying around your Summit homes? If you spend any time outside, you will have noticed we have some gorgeous birds living in this part of the state! Bird watching is not only a lovely past time, but can also make for quite a hobby – depending on how much time you have to spend!

The Reeves-Reed Arboretum located near your Summit homes, is a fantastic resource for all your bird-loving adventures! Coming up on February 18th, the Arboretum is hosting the Great Backyard Bird Count for families with children ages 6 and up. You will get to assist scientists at Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology in documenting winter bird populations in our area. First you get to go to a lesson on bird identification, and then you will go outside to start the identifying process. The Great Backyard Bird Count is a 4-day event, but you don’t have to stop there! You can continue to identify birds at home too! There are SO many fun things to do at Reeves-Reed Arboretum – including a special Valentine activity today! Check out more information below!

Website: Reeves-Reed Arboretum, For a compete list of Children’s activities click here.

If you would like to learn more about my local community or discover the meaning behind A New Suburbanism click here or call me at 973.202.7270

Restaurant Week Swoons Valentines’ Patrons Near Their Summit Homes

robinbenjamin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:42:51 +0000

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, downtown Summit is hosting their 4th Annual Restaurant Week running from February 17 – 26, 2012. With over 30 restaurants participating in Restaurant Week, the Summit homes definitely have something to swoon over! Start your evening with dinner at the ever famous, history rich, Root’s Steakhouse. Remember customers who bring in any piece of Root’s merchandise can enjoy a complimentary ice cream sundae!

If you want to try some new flavors check out Negeen Persian Grill! Owned by local Millburn residents, the Zarrabikias have been serving their traditional grilled meats, fish, and mouth-watering stews to the public for quite some time. Try the KABOB SOLTANI (filet mignon) and you will think you have died and gone to heaven! After you have indulged sufficiently, you may want a fresh and healthy treat. Check out Red Mango, rated #1 by ZAGAT, located on Beechwood Rd. They offer a vast selection of fruity or chocolate frozen yogurt combinations, smoothies, parfaits and even have a delicious Artisan hot chocolate.

Any way you slice it, there is no reason NOT to visit downtown Summit homes this week and get to know your local restaurants at a more intimate level! For a complete listing of participating Summit restaurants click here.

If you would like to learn more about my local community or discover the meaning behind A New Suburbanism click here or call me at 973.202.7270

Resources for Avoiding Home Foreclosure Along The NJ MidTown Direct

Virtual Results PubSub — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:57:10 +0000

Home ownership can be a heavy responsibility at times… especially when times are tough. Finding the resources for avoiding home forclosure along the NJ Midtown Direct are here although it can be challenging to find help when times are difficult due to a decrease or loss of income, illness, unexpected disaster or home repairs, or personal crisis such as separation or divorce. Add to that a reduction in home values, and the problem can seem insurmountable. While savings can help to alleviate some of the impact of these life events, it is still helpful to be aware of potential programs and alternatives offered to distressed homeowners, too. In fact in last month’s State of the Union address, President Obama made reference to this struggle in home ownership, saying, “And while Government can’t fix the problem on its own, responsible homeowners shouldn’t have to sit and wait for the housing market to hit bottom to get some relief.”

If you find yourself in a no-win situation regarding your mortgage, it can be helpful to speak with your lender and ask about modifications that can be made in the short term. You can ask about the short sale process, too, and see if that may be a viable option for you. A short sale is when your lender agrees to accept a lower price than is owed on your property as payment in full. There is a lot of paperwork that accompanies this type of sale and it is helpful to use a real estate agent that has short sale experience with this type of transaction. In fact, some real estate agents and home buyers specialize in just this type of sale and can be a great help to you!

If you want to stay in your home, rather than sell, programs such as the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) , or the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative (HAFA) offered by Freddie Mac may all be options. Fannie Mae and your individual lender may have other programs that can assist you as well. Please click here to view a variety of tools on how to avoid foreclosure. Remember that you have options, if you are willing, able, and have the time necessary to explore them. Don’t give up!

If you would like to learn more about my local community or discover the meaning behind A New Suburbanism click here or call me at 973.202.7270

Millburn Home To Basketball Benefit For The Cure!

robinbenjamin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:00:36 +0000

This Friday night near your Millburn homes, the boys’ basketball program at Millburn High School is hosting a fundraiser to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Komen is the most widely known breast cancer organization in the United States. It also happens to be the largest and best-funded – having invested over $2 billion for breast cancer research, advocacy and education since it began in 1982.

Many people may not be aware that Susan Goodman Komen’s life was taken by breast cancer in 1980 at the age of 36. Komen’s younger sister, Nancy Goodman Brinker, started the foundation in her sister’s memory in hopes that someday doctors will find a cure. Thanks to Nancy, they are that much closer! Come show your support this Friday night near your Millburn homes High School!

When: Friday, February 10^th, 2012

Boys’ Basketball Game Times: Freshman 4pm ~ Junior Varsity 5:30pm ~ Varsity 7pm

Admission: $3

Come taste the delicious “PINK” bake sale goodies, enter the contests and/or purchase a few T-shirts. All proceeds to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

If you would like to learn more about my local community or discover the meaning behind A New Suburbanism click here or contact me at 973.202.7270

Falling in Love With Your Millburn-Short Hills Home For Sale

robinbenjamin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:12:20 +0000

Valentines Day is fast approaching and love is in the air. Share a little extra love with your Millburn-Short Hills home for sale this week and you may find a buyer sooner than you thought! Buying a home is largely an emotional decision. Buyers may try to rationalize, set limits, make T-charts, and even compromise when searching for a home, however typically the sale is made when a potential buyer falls in love with your home for sale.

As a home seller, you may feel challenged in trying to anticipate what you can do to make your home more inviting and attractive to a prospective buyer. However, the following easy steps can welcome your buyer instantly and help them to feel as though they are coming home when they enter your property, so read on.

First, look out your windows. Are they clean and inviting? Do you have a pleasant view or can you camouflage it with some temporary plants just outside the window? Whenever you leave or anticipate a home showing, remember to leave the window coverings open so natural lighting can show off your property. The more light the better, so evaluate whether additional room lighting should be left on, as well. If the weather is nice and the outside noise quiet, consider leaving a window open to create a slight breeze.

Is your home comfortable looking? Is the temperature moderate and the ambiance set without being overdone? Soft music, flowing water from a fountain, or fresh flowers can leave a lasting impression about the feel of a home.

Your goal is to intrigue the senses throughout your home. Whether its a soft blanket or an antique desk; if you have an unusual and beautiful showpiece, show it off. Creating a lasting impression through touch or evoking a memory, since these are often reasons later given for why a particular home was chosen. The sense of smell is very powerful, too, so keep in mind that baking cookies REALLY can help in the sale of your home. If you do have the smell of baked good lingering in your home, please make sure the cookies are available for potential buyers so disappointment does not cloud their view of your property.

Lastly, leave the house. Thats right – let the potential buyer have a chance to feel that the house is theirs – if even for 15 minutes. Your home buyer needs to feel as if they are in their new home. For this reason, many professional home stagers recommend eliminating personal effects and photos when a home is being shown. Remember, your main job as a home seller is to prepare your home so potential home buyers feel a sense of ownership and an urgency to make it theirs before they leave.

If you would like to learn more about my local community or discover the meaning behind A New Suburbanism click here or call me at 973.202.7270

Historical Maplewood Home to Glee Club, Welcomes New Talent!

robinbenjamin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:42:04 +0000

Tenors! Basses! The Maplewood Glee Club is looking for a few good men to join the ranks as their newest choir members! The well-known Maplewood Glee Club has been meeting for over 65 years and in addition to sharing their talents with others, the club provides scholarships for the musically talented to continue their studies of the art. The club consists of over 40 male singers, who perform two concerts per year. It includes members from the local surrounding communities including Millburn, Short Hills, Maplewood homes, Summit, Chatham, and more! Founder, Wesley P. Pollitt, served 5 years active duty in World War II , and dreamt of organizing a glee club similar to the one he performed in during his college years. When he came home from the war to his Maplewood home, he gathered interested patrons and the early glee club was formed, in 1946. For more information or to schedule the choir to sing at an event, contact Erik Solberg, president of the club @ president@maplewoodgleeclub.org.

Where: 120 Burnett Ave. Maplewood, NJ 07040

When: Mondays 7:45pm – 9:45pm

Website: http://www.maple.woodgleeclub.org

If you would like to learn more about my local community or discover the meaning behind A New Suburbanism click here or call me at 973.202.7270