Mark Your Calendar for “Middletown Day”!!! Don’t Miss This….

I was reading about this event and wanted to share what I found out…. Mark your calendar for “Middletown Day” on  SEPTEMBER 22, 2018 for this year’s MIDDLETOWN DAY festival….. come to Croydon Hall located at 900 Leonardville Road in Leonardo from 11 am to 5 pm.

The perfect time of year for some outdoor fun at this annual fall festival with activities for all ages, including a business and community showcase, craft fair, live local music, children’s activities, emergency response demonstrations, hayrides, flea market, food court and more. The event is held rain or shine. Family fun will abound, including a petting zoo and pony rides, carnival games, bouncy houses, sports contests, and fire safety lessons in the smoke house.

If you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell a house, call your New Jersey Shore Realtor, Diane B Kaplan, at 732-672-0409 Cell (call or text). Check out Diane’s website to see all listings of houses for sale.

 

 

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Buying a Home? You Need at Home Inspection……

Old or New — always have a home inspection…..

Atop the long list of items to do when buying or selling a house is the home inspection. But what is involved? How much does it cost? Why is it done in the first place? It’s important to understand what a home inspection entails and how it affects the sale of your home or the purchase of a new one. The more you know, the less likely you are to get ripped off or taken by surprise. 

What is a Home Inspection?

First of all, let’s clear up a commonly misunderstood point: a home inspection is not the same as an appraisal. An appraisal is an estimate of a property’s overall market value. A home inspection is much more detailed and practical. It is also not a code inspection and therefore does not report on building code compliance or give a “passing” or “failing” grade. It is defined as an objective visual examination of the structure and systems of a home by an impartial, neutral third party not related to the buyer or seller. In layman’s terms, it shows you what’s wrong with the property you want to buy or sell and if it is serious enough to prevent a sale.

The three main points of the inspection are to evaluate the physical condition of the home, including structure, construction and mechanical systems; identify items that need to be repaired or replaced; and estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems, equipment, structure, and finishes. Bottom line: a home inspection is to inform the buyer of any readily visible major defects in the mechanical and structural components, and to disclose any significant health or safety issues.

What Does a Home Inspection Cover?

A home inspection includes a visual examination of the house from top to bottom. There are hundred of items a home inspection covers, including general structure, flashings, basement or lower level, framing, central cooling and heating, chimneys, plumbing and electrical systems, drainage, bathrooms and laundry facilities, foundation, common safety devices, fireplaces and wood stoves, kitchen and kitchen appliances, general interior, attic, insulation. ventilation, roof, and exterior.

An inspector cannot report on defects that are not visible. For instance, defects hidden behind finished walls, beneath carpeting, behind storage items and in inaccessible areas, and even those that have been intentionally concealed. Systems that are seasonally inoperable (swamp coolers, air conditioning, furnaces) will not be turned on during the inspection.

How Do I Find an Inspector?

To hire an inspector, get recommendations from your Realtor, or from friends and family. If you don’t know anyone who has hired a home inspector, you can find home inspectors in the Yellow Pages category “Home Inspection Services.” When interviewing inspectors, be sure to ask for references and any memberships in professional associations. Find out about the inspector’s professional training, length of time in the business, and experience.

It’s a good idea to be present during the inspection for a couple of reasons: First, you can ask the inspector questions during the inspection. Also, the inspector will have the opportunity to point out areas of potential trouble, which will mean more to you if you see it with your own eyes than read it in the inspector’s report later. Many inspectors also will offer maintenance tips as the inspection progresses.

Is the Seller Obligated to Make Suggested Repairs?

The seller is not required to make any repairs, replacements or maintenance since this is not a code inspection. However, the buyer can use the inspection report as a negotiating tool. For instance, if certain repairs or replacements are made, the buyer might offer to pay more, or if they’re not, the buyer can bid lower.

Also, never allow an inspector to contract with you to make repairs he/she has suggested — this is a major conflict of interest, not to mention unethical. However, some inspectors do offer a guarantee or warranty on their service for an additional fee, although it is not a standard practice and not required.

How Much Does it Cost and How Long Will it Take?

Remember that a thorough, accurate home inspection takes time. The last thing you want to do is to try to hurry the inspector along. The inspector’s most important priority is accuracy, and accuracy takes time. The chances of mistakes and missed conditions are much more likely the more the inspector rushes through. Expect your home inspection to take anywhere between two and five hours (allowing about one hour for each 1,500 square feet of living space over 3,500 square feet). Of course, older homes will take longer than newer ones.

Expect your inspection to cost anywhere from $200-$500 depending on size. The cost is worth it and may be one of the most important investments you make when buying a home. Contact Diane B Kaplan, your New Jersey Shore Realtor for all your real estate needs.

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OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY AUGUST 19TH IN HIGHLANDS! COME SEE……

Rear Deck View

OPEN HOUSE

SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 2018

1 – 4 PM

42 BARBERIE AVENUE

HIGHLANDS, NJ 07732

Gorgeous completely updated 2/3 bedroom 2 bath Beach House located minutes from the NYC Commuter Ferry…This one of a kind Beach House is ready for immediate occupancy; redone with the finest materials and expert craftsmanship; Designer kitchen (all appliances included; range, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, washer and dryer). with lots of light; Floors are solid Wood Look Tile on main level and hardwood flooring upstairs. Master suite encompasses private master bathroom featuring finest tiled materials….

Wonderful seashore community located on the Sandy Hook Bay and across from the Atlantic Ocean and Shrewsbury River; – close to town shops and great restaurants; minutes to NYC ferry port in Highlands NJ.  Click here for complete details!

Contact your New Jersey Shore Realtor, Diane B Kaplan, for all your real estate needs.

Search all homes for sale and see what I see everyday ....call Diane B Kaplan your NJ Shore Realtor at 732-672-0409!

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Join The Walk….. The Endless Summer Walk 2018

A special event is taking place on September 22, 2018 – The Eighth annual Endless Summer Walk starting point is the Aberdeen/Matawan train station. This is a 30 mile walk — all in one day!

To Register for this event CLICK HERE…..

You can view the FREEWALKERS website’s calendar to see all events.

If you are looking to buy or sell a property, please contact your New Jersey Shore Realtor, Diane B Kaplan, at 732-672-0409 (call or text) for all your real estate needs. Check out all homes for sale and see what I see everyday in my MLS – click here.

 

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Increase Your Home’s Value with Curb Appeal!

Which house would you prefer?

 

How to increase your home’s value is an important factor when thinking about selling a home. Enhancing your front yard can make people stop and stare especially if the colors are bright….remember, it doesn’t have to cost a ton of money!  How to increase your home’s value is important to know, especially in today’s hot sellers’ market – here are some helpful tips.

How to increase your home’s value — Some examples for sprucing up your curb appeal include: paint the front door, trim or shutters; change your mailbox; plant a tree; install some flower boxes; plant some flowering shrubs with vibrant colors; clean up sidewalks; add decorative rocks to flower beds; trim hedges and cut lawn; make all repairs to all sidewalks; add rock garden.

landscaping 2 landscaping 3

There are many ways to spruce up your house inside and out; attractive curb appeal increases the value of your house and makes it stand out among the competition.  Be careful not to jump too quickly into a project – think carefully about your house and what it looks like now and what you want it to look like after you add your enhancements; whether landscaping or painting (choose colors wisely).

Looking for a home to buy?  Call me to assist you in searching for your dream home. I am a full time real estate broker with over 30 years experience and am working every day for my clients. You can search online and see what I see everyday directly from my MLS.

Call your New Jersey Shore Realtor, Diane B Kaplan, at 732-672-0409 for a complimentary market evaluation on your home.

Follow me on Facebook – Click here to like my realtor facebook page….thank you.

 

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