Is The End In Sight?

Well, it has been a long troubled trip, but it does seem that the monster is beginning to show signs of life once again. The loud thud you heard was the real estate market hitting bottom (we hope.)

Wall Street has a term that I hope won’t offend you called a “dead cat bounce.” The idea that even a dead cat will bounced if dropped from a high enough point and means that some recoveries are just a small bounce before another fall.

 

The experts can predict anything they want (and do) but my barometer is my business. In the last few weeks I have seen a marked increase in the number of people looking for homes. I have even been involved in a bidding war between two buyers, something I haven’t seen in some time. 

So now may be the best time to make your move. With prices as low as they have been in years, and likely will be seen again. Mortgage rates are still low. This might be the best opportunity you are ever going to see in your lifetime.

 

Be sure to visit my website at http://www.dmsweeney.com

Diversity Reigns In Central New Jersey

Another interesting feature of Central NJ is the diversity of places people and things to do. People from many different cultures and backgrounds find Central New Jersey a comfortable inviting place to live.

Adult communities are popping up throughout the area, proving that not everyone wants to move to Florida or Arizona when they retire. Some of these communities are exquisite, with amenities and activities that show why they are called “active adult” communities.

Generation Y are the next big buyers of real estate and they want something completely different from their parents or Gen Xers want. They want town life where they can walk around, see people and do things. They love eating out and they want to be near public transportation so they can go to the City when they feel like it.

Several towns along the 4 NJ Transit train lines that run through Central NJ, The Northeast Corridor, Raritan, Morris and Gladstone Lines, fit the bill. Bound Brook, for instance has been in the news over the years every time there are heavy rains and flooding. The US Army Corps of Engineers is making progress in finishing their Green Brook Flood Control Project that should eliminate the problems of the past. Even before that, however, much of the town is above the flood plain and poses no risk. This makes for a great opportunity. Real estate costs are lower in some of these areas because of the past flooding problems, and they are nice towns with train stations and restaurants. But once the flood projects are completed, they will see only increases in property values and features.

I will talk about more towns along the train lines and adult communities in coming posts.

Be sure to visit my website for more about Central New Jersey, its real estate, homes for sale and things to do. http://www.dmsweeney.com

Things to Do In Central NJ

One of the best things about Central New Jersey is the variety of things to do. First, all roads lead to New York. If you look at a map you will see that most major roads in Central NJ head towards NY. There are several train lines and buses all over the place, so if you just want to go out in the biggest and best city in the world you can be there in about an hour.

But then you might find enough going on out here to keep you busy. 

Do you like the Broadway shows? Then check out the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, or the McCarter Theatre in Princeton. How about shopping?  There are 6 major indoor malls in Central NJ. There’s the Short Hills Mall, The Bridgewater Commons Mall, The Quakerbridge Mall, The Princeton Market Fair, Woodbridge Center, Menlo Park Mall. Plus more Big Box Malls than you can count. There’s the Flemington Outlet stores and then there are the towns like Lambertville and New Hope PA, and the lists go on and on.

More of an outdoors type? There’s the Sourland Mountain Preserve, The Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, Revolutionary war sites like Washington Crossing State Park, Princeton Battlefield State Park, Jocky Hollow State Park and again the list goes on and on.

So you see, there is much more to Central NJ than many know. Those of us who live hear know why it’s a great place to live.

Be sure to visit my website for more about Central New Jersey, its real estate, homes for sale and things to do. http://www.dmsweeney.com

Central New Jersey

You will find me talking a lot about how nice the Central New Jersey area is. Somerset County for instance, is the richest county in New Jersey, with New Jersey being the richest State in the nation. But it’s not all about the money. The life style is what makes it great. In fact, CNNMoney.com has named two of the townships within Somerset County, Hillsborough and Franklin, in there “Best Places to Live” feature. So it’s not just me talking.

There is a lot to do and explore in the region, and I will cover much of it in coming posts.

Be sure to visit my website for more about Central New Jersey, its real estate, homes for sale and things to do. http://www.dmsweeney.com

The Unknown New Jersey

New Jersey is the butt of a lot of jokes. Like the four boroughs that are not Manhattan we are not quite New York, but at least they have the name. People’s opinions of NJ are formed on the trip to NYC. Passing through the Linden refineries on the Turnpike, heading down the helix to the Lincoln Tunnel, or on the 8 lane always backed-up approach to the GWB, they decide that NJ is little more than a land bridge to the Big Apple.

There is a part of NJ that most people don’t know. The area not serviced by the Turnpike or the Garden State Parkway (so don’t ask us “what exit” we’re from.) We like to think of it as Central NJ, but western NJ might better describe it to outsiders. The area from Princeton to Morristown north and south, and from the Brunswick’s to the PA border east and west, is an area of mixed suburban to rural life that smashes the NJ stereotypes.

Come with me as we explore these areas in my next few posts.

Be sure to visit my website for more about Central New Jersey, its real estate, homes for sale and things to do. http://www.dmsweeney.com

Back to Basics

In these times when the cheese is being moved from day to day we have to return to the basics, doing what we know some would say. What I know is real estate in NJ and I am redoubling my efforts to serve that market. I hope this blog will be of interest. Please join in and ask questions or make comments. This is a place to share, not just hear my thoughts. Let’s make it useful.

Be sure to visit my website for more about Central New Jersey, its real estate, homes for sale and things to do. http://www.dmsweeney.com