It is often a rule not to mix religion and politics into Real Estate.  I know I am going to regret this but here goes

Recently a lot has been said about the Mosque being built at Ground Zero.  First of all the Mosque in question is not anywhere near ground Zero.  So that is why I refer to it as the Not so close to Ground Zero Mosque.

I am disappointed in the many Americans that apposed the building of this Mosque.  In the United States we have something very few countries have, it makes us the riches,t smartest, strongest, happiest country on the planet.  The Constitution of the United States guarantees the basic rights of all the citizens.  This means that no one has the right to impose their will over another.  For 230 years this concept has often been tested but has never failed. If a government cannot guarantee the rights of one of its citizens it cannot guarantee the rights of any of its Citizens.

Ron Paul a Congressman from Texas could not have said it better we he wrote

“The debate should have provided the conservative defenders of property rights with a perfect example of how the right to own property also protects the 1st Amendment rights of assembly and religion by supporting the building of the mosque.  Instead, we hear lip service given to the property rights position while demanding that the need to be “sensitive” requires an all-out assault on the building of a mosque, several blocks from “ground zero.”…

The outcry over the building of the mosque, near ground zero, implies that Islam alone was responsible for the 9/11 attacks. According to those who are condemning the building of the mosque, the nineteen suicide terrorists on 9/11 spoke for all Muslims. This is like blaming all Christians for the wars of aggression and occupation because some Christians supported the neo-conservative’s aggressive wars…

This is all about hate and Islam phobia.  We now have an epidemic of “sunshine patriots” on both the right and the left who are all for freedom, as long as there’s no controversy and nobody is offended.

Political demagoguery rules when truth and liberty are ignored.”

Thanks for Reading my Blog Morris Plains Homes NJ and Now the Quote “You can’t talk your way out of a situation you behave yourself into.” Steven Covey

Morris Plains had some big hitters come to town last Tuesday.  I am not talking about the real estate investment type of big hitters but the baseball kind.  Joe Girardi, Paul O’Niel Joba Chamberlain and some other of the Yankees came to town as part of the Yankees Hope Week Program.  They were in town to honor long time Yankee fan Jane Lang.  Jane loves the Yankees so much that she goes to at least 30 games a year.  Jane will walk from her home to the train station, take the train to Penn Station then jump on the subway to Yankee Stadium. 

Well you must be thinking why the big deal?  Well Jane has been complety blind since she was 22.  She and her guide dog learned how to get to the stadium  by taking the train and Subway.  Jane takes NJ transit to Penn station where she jumps on the subway to the stadium.  To help remind her what station to get off at she keeps hard candies in her pocket.  Everytime the subway makes a stop she moves one piece of candy from one pocket to the other.  When she has emptied a pocket she knows to get off the train. 

She sits in the special section where she can listen to the game through radio head phones.  She had the thrill of a life time when she was escorted by ex Yankee Paul  O’Neil all around the new Yankee Stadium.  Paul  was one of Jane’s favorite players.  The whole trip was kept a secret from Jane and word went out through the town as neighbors escorted Jane and her Family to the Train station.  The Players where gracious enough to sign autographs for the kids and talked to many of the town’s people that came to see Jane off.

This is just another example of why this is a great town to live and raise your families.   One word to the Yankees. “If a blind woman is such a fan of the New York Yankees that she would take the trip to Yankee Stadium 4 hours round trip 30 times a summer the least you can do is get off your asses and take soul procession of first place

Thanks for readding my Blog Morris Plains Homes NJ.  Heres the Quote;  “Today I am the luckiest person in the world” Jane Lang

If you had a family membership at the Morris Plains Community Pool this past summer you sure have gotten you money’s worth this summer.  With July on record as being the second hottest and August  shaping up to the same. The attendance at the pool is poised to break all previous records.

The pool first opened in the early sixties.  There was an expansion in the seventies that brought it to its current configuration.  Over the years the recreation department has decorated, landscaped and added improvements and  have made it the go to place for Morris Plains families for the last 47 summers.  The highly trained life guards ensure a pleasant safe way to spend the day.  “It is a nice safe place for the kids to hang out.  It’s just another reason why I love to live in Morris Plains” said one mom.

The pool offers swim lessons.  These lessons are free and are given to all levels of swimmers from beginner to advance.  Water exercise classes are offered two days a week and are a hit with the senior ladies.  Also Swim team training classes are offered to those team members that are looking to improve their technique.  The Community Pool at Morris Plains Is just another reason to move to Morris Plains.

What is going on with the economy you ask?  Nothing really there is some signs of improvement in some sectors but high unemployment is still weighing on the recovery.  Unemployed people don’t buy anything.  When people don’t buy things the economy does not expand.  The rate in New Jersey is at 9.5 percent.  The number  of unemployed in NJ has come down about a half percent since the beginning of the year. We are  about where we were this time last year.  The good news is that statistically the level of unemployment has leveled off and seems to be slowing going lower.  However the number of unemployedt is still about 5 percent higher now than it was in 2007.  Home sellers should remember that for every 1 percent increase or  decrease in the employment rate equals to about a 5 percent increase or decrease in local home values.   If you bought a home in Morris Plains last year your property value has remained about the same but it is about 20 percent lower than it was in 2006                                       

NJ Unemployment Rate   

            NJ Unemployment Rate                                                                                                                       

Interest rates are their lowest in 60 years.  30 year fixed rates are bouncing around 4.5 percent. Mortgage Buyer Freddie Mac says the average 30 year fixed price Mortgage is at 4.44 percent.  15 year mortgages can be found fewer than 4 with some coming in at 3.90.  So those people with low personal debt and secure jobs will make out like a bandit. 

The money is there.  Banks have the funds to lend.  However so many home owners would have to come to the table with cash that the lure of lower payments does not outweigh the out of pocket expense.  The home market is still a buyer’s market and will be for an extended period of time.   Between the people who are unemployed and those that are underwater on there current home values has taken a large chunk of the home buying public out of the market.  Home prices will not begin to move higher until such time as unemployment numbers move lower.  Once, more people come into the market home prices will move higher. 

The Fed has had made noise that they would be slowly extracting themselves out of propping up the housing market.  However earlier this week they came out and decided to continue the status quo.  We can expect interest rates to continue be low well into and maybe through 2011. 

Thanks for reading my Blog Morris Plains Homes NJ and here is the Quote; I still feel like I gotta prove something. There are a lot of people hoping I fail. But I like that. I need to be hated. I still feel like I gotta prove something. There are a lot of people hoping I fail. But I like that. I need to be hated.  Howard Stern

First let’s congratulate the Morris Plains Marlins Swim Team for their third undefeated season.  The Marlins are 21 and 0 over the last three years.  Coach Tina Cecala and her staff should be congratulated for their tremendous effort.  The swim team is one of the best recreation programs in the county.  The coaches have succeeded   in combining personal achievement and solid team work to produce a great summer swim team.  Good luck in the County Championships

There are at least 11 million people in the US that owe more than their home is worth, and a ton more whose property is worth a bunch less than they paid for it.  If you fall in this category you may not be as trapped as you think. 

According to the Wall Street Journal, record low Mortgage rates and a new slump in home prices are presenting some unusual opportunities in the housing market.  Even underwater home owners may benefit.

Many home owners are intentionally taking a hit on their current house writing a check to retire the loan in order to buy a much larger house for not that much more money.  Some are throwing conservative financial advice to the dogs.  They are opting to cash in refinancing.   They are paying thousands out of their pocket to settle their loans and then taking out new mortgages with lower payments and shorter terms.

Essentially these people are doubling down on their homes and taking a chance that when the economy recovers they will have put themselves in a position where there new properties will appreciate faster than if they had waited for their older home to do so.  Economists are saying that this may not be such a bad idea.  Christopher Mayer from Columbia Business School says that “If you are trading up, what better time than now”  Interest rates are rock bottom and the cost of a larger home is much less then what it was 2,3 4 years ago. Someone who wants to refinance is home could plunk down cash to retire the  higher rate loan then refinance the new loan and might be able to reduce his monthly payments as well as shortening is loan term.  Look at the graphs below

For example, 2 years ago someone bought a home for 246,000. That same home has appraised for 228,000 today.  Our home owner has paid 29,000 in principle and closing costs to refinance his current 30 year loan at 5.87% into a 20 year loan at 4.5%.  This will save the home owner 95,000 in interest over the life of his loan and lowers his monthly payment by 148.00 dollars.  If you do the math our home owners not only saves the 95 grand over the course of his loan.  He also earns a return of about 10% a year for 5 years on his investment of 29,000.

It is not easy for many of us to accept the fact that we have lost tens of thousands of dollars on our homes.  However for scores of home owners summoning the courage to take a loss now could lead to large gains later. 

This is agreat time to be a buyer especially in Morris Plains.  There are a number of homes in town that are competively priced to the current market.  These homes will sell very quickly, I know of one that already has had alot of interest in it.  If you need any information about the town give me a call and I will be happy to assist you.

Thanks for reading my blog on Morris Plains Homes NJ and here is the Quote.”Go back a little to leap further.”  John Clarke

There is trouble brewing for the housing market in Morris Plains.  It is a well-known fact in the real estate world that when a home hits the market it gets the most traffic in the first 30 days.  If it is correctly priced, it will sell within that time period.  If within that 30 days there is plenty of traffic but no offers the home price should be lowered 5 percent.  If a home has had little or no traffic the price should be lowered 10 percent.

In Morris Plains there are 31 homes for sale in Morris Plains that have been on the market for an average of 100 days.  They range on the market from 32 all the way up to 271 days.  10 homes have been on the market for 4 months or more.  Now before you say “well that is because of the economy or the market”.  The truth is there are currently 10 homes under contract that where on the market for an average of less then 30 days.

Why did these homes sell in such short time?  They were all correctly priced to the market when they were listed.  These 10 homes where not all inexpensive properties, six where priced over 549,000 dollars.  The highest priced one was priced at 699,000.  Four of these  homes sold in under two weeks. 

It is not rocket science, there is a lot of competition in the market.  If a buyer cannot find the home he wants at the price he wants in Morris Plains he will go to Denville or Morris Township or Hanover to find his home.  Remember the market dictates what your home is worth.  The current average absorption rate for Morris Plains is up around 6 months.  In the long run incorrectly pricing your home will cost you tens of thousands of dollars.  Hoping to get your asking price is not a strategy it is a mistake.

Thanks for reading my Morris Plains Real Estate Blog:  Here is the quote: “This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in”.  Theodore Roosevelt

It has been a few weeks since the last time I wrote.  The past few weeks have been very busy but I am back.

What’s going on in the world economy?  Most people think very little.  However things are getting better.  The trade deficit in the US widen in May.  The cause of this is that the value of the dollar has gone up making US goods less attractive to foreign buyers, the European debt crisis has limited overseas demand, and China’s economy slow down have all contributed to the increased. 

Although the deficit has grown what is important to note is that the business is still picking up.  Exports grew in May with the sales of industrial equipment, business machines, and semiconductors.  Imports rose as well with an increase in cars, pharmaceuticals toys and clothing. 

The shining star is the earnings report from Alcoa Inc.  They have reported an increase in sales to the automotive industry by 8 percent and sales to the truck and trailer manufactures by up to 17 percent.  The business environment continues to get better and the Alcoa news is important.  A few weeks ago I spoke of the world wide increase in demand for diesel fuel.  The increase in sales of aluminum to the truck manufactures indicates an increase in demand for trucks.  Trucks haul the majority of goods in the world and more trucks on the road indicate and greater demand for consumer goods Consumers are coming out from under the bed and are back buying.

The Housing Market in Morris Plains has slowed down for the summer.  35 Homes are for sale.  The absorption rate is about 8 to 9 months.  Things should pick up as we move into the fall when people are back from vacation. 

Interest rates for a 30 year fixed rate loan are around 4.5 to 4.75 percent.  Recently I entered the interest rate market for a 5 year adjustable rate loan.  I have been quoted a rate of 3.5.  Not bad mi amigo.  Low interest rates, contrary to popular opinion, are here to stay for at least another 6 months or so.  There is no inflation and unemployment although high has stabilized.  This news maybe an  indication of an improving  economy at least on the local level three people on my street have found jobs. 

So things are getting better just keep the faith and keep moving forward.  Remember “Be the Shark always swimming always moving “

Thank you for reading my Blog Morris Plains NJ Homes.  Here is the Quote;   Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does. “   William James

Let’s congratulate the class of 2010 from Morristown High School.  Their graduation was the other night.  The highlight of the ceremony was Dan Knapp’s Valedictorian speech.  It was a fantastic speech and brought the whole crowd to it’s feet.  to see it go to You Tube and type in Dan Knapp but here is the link .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI2w-KhMlx4

Let’s give some props to the All Season Garden Club of Morris Plains. The flower boxes on Speedwell Avenue look great. It is just one more thing that makes the town look fantastic.

Summer has here and the recreation activity has started at the Morris Plains Community Park. The swim team at the town pool is gearing up for another great season. The team lost some of it senior swimmers last year but this year they still look good. The team could go 7 and 0 again this. This would be the third year in a row of an undefeated season.

Don’t forget that Morris Plain’s Family Day is this Saturday June 26; the rain date is June 27th. The action starts at 5:30 PM with rides, games, and activities. Please support the civic organizations that will be selling refreshments and food to raise money for their programs. Around 9:30 PM sit back and watch one of the largest fireworks displays in the area

There is some good news on the economic front. US diesel fuel demand is on the rise. According to the Energy Department said that demand for the fuel is up almost 10 percent from this time last year. Demand for diesel fuel is expected to continue to increase as the manufacturing sector of the US continues to recover. Diesel demand and economic growth are intertwined as the economy gains strength diesel fuel the main fuel for the American Trucking Industry increases. Most of American goods move by truck. Industrial output rose 1.2 percent in May.

Manufacturing in the central Atlantic region expanded for the forth straight month in May according to the Richmond Fed’s latest survey. The Bloomberg survey of 67 economists showed that the US economy has expanded this year at the fastest pace since 2004. Things are also picking up in the Midwest. Demand for diesel continues to grow even after the spring planting season comes to an end. Goods arriving in US ports of Los Angeles and San Francisco are up 18 percent for May.

World wide the demand for diesel demand has really picked up as economies in Europe and Asia continue to recover. More and more Diesel fuel is being exported to the Asian and European Markets to satisfy this demand.

Home sales for May were lower then expected but home sales overall with an increase of 19.2 percent over May of 2009.  “On Average we are looking at a moderate advancing trend in home sales” Stephen Stanly of Pierpont Secrurities in Stamford CT.  The time to move on a new home is now.

The proof is that buyers have moved back into the market and already some of the choicest properties have already been grabbed up. If you are looking to sell and moving up into a larger home or are just interested in the Real Estate market in Morris Plains Just give me a call.

Thanks You for reading My Blog Morris Plains Homes NJ.  Here is the quote: People that pay for things never complain.  It’s the guy you give something to that you can’t please.  ~Will Rogers

Mortgage rates hit new lows for the year.  Rates on a 30 year fixed rate mortgage have fallen to the lowest level of the year and are barely shy of an all time low.  30 year fixed rate mortgages have fallen to 4.72 percent.  The average for a 15 year is 4.17.  This is the lowest rate for a15 year mortgage since August 1991.  Rates on a 5 year adjustable mortgage are at 3.92.

Investors weary of the European dept crisis and the turbulent stock market have shifted money into the safety of US Treasury Bills.  Fixed rate mortgages tend to track that yield.  The unemployment picture shows that few private sector jobs have been created.  This has made the investors nervous of the stock market and pushed bond rates higher and interest rates lower.  When bond yields fell interest rates followed. 

It was expected that when the tax credit for home buyers program had ended that rates would move higher.  Fortunately for the home buyer just the opposite has happened.

Another good omen showing that the economy is improving.  Is that it appears that corporations do not appear to fear future restrictions on credit.  Many corporations have begun stock by back programs.  Instead of hoarding cash to use in the event of tighting credit, corporations are out buying their own stock back.  Over 122 billion has been spent buying stock back.  This is a boom to share holders.

Consider the performance of the Buyback Letter, edited by David Fried, an advisory service that recommends stocks based on buyback activity. Since the beginning of 1997, which is when the Hulbert Financial Digest began tracking this service, it has produced a 10.7% annualized gain, compared to 5.1% for the overall stock market (as measured by the Wilshire 5000 index). Among all the services the Hulbert Financial Digest has tracked since 1997, the Buyback Letter is in third place (second when ranked on a risk-adjusted basis).

Private equity is getting into the investment picture as well.  Just look what happened in Delaware last week.  A refinery that Valero Refining Company had shut down in November and affected the income of over 4,900 families was bought by a private investment company.  The new Delaware Refining Company has already called people back to work to begin startup procedures.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in Morris Plains NJ give me a call.  I can help you through the process.

Thanks for reading my Blog Morris Plains Homes NJ.  Here is the Quote: There are so many men who can figure costs, and so few who can measure values.  ~Author Unknown

We have some good news in Morris Plains.  Six homes closed in May.  The average days on market before a contract was signed were 88 days. The average sales price was 394.  This works out to about 94 percent of asking price.  That is about a percentage point lower then in April but still not bad.  What is really good news on the home front is that the in May, 6 homes went under contract and the average list price was 599,000.  The average days on market for these homes, was only 35 days. 

The absorption rate for homes priced over 500,000 dollars is only 3 months. While the average for all homes in Morris Plains is 5 months.  Only one home under 500,000 has gone under contract in May.  What does that mean?  Well all the home owners that sold their smaller home have now out buying their next larger and higher priced homes.   This bodes well for those homes priced higher then 500,000.

On the Macro side of things, US economic drivers continue to improve.  On June 2^nd we saw strong housing data as well as double digit auto sales growth.  This morning the ADP jobless claims number showed a decline of 55,000 and weekly claims were off by 10,000.  This was about what was expected.  However the main driver to watch is will be the May Non-Farm Payroll numbers that are expected to be out later this week.  The consensus is for a gain of 430,000 jobs.  That is HUGE.

Thanks for readding my blog Morris Plains Homes NJ.  Here is the Quote: The results of quality work last longer than the shock of high prices.  ~Author Unknown

Good News, More Good News and Some Bad News for the Housing Market in Morris Plains

There was a great article in the Wall Street Journal this morning.  It appears that the devaluation of the Euro has had a positive effect for The U. S. housing market.   An influx of of international money looking for a safe haven is pushing domestic mortgage rates to their lowest levels in 50 years. 

Most industry insiders were bracing for a rise in rates when the FED was going to stop propping up the market.  Instead 30 year mortgage rates have fallen once again below 5 percent.  Instead because of all this cash could push 30 year mortgage rates as low as 4.5 to 4.25 percent.

For every one percentage point decline in mortgage rates equvalent to roughly a 10 percent reduction in the home price.  If the rates hold economists predict that this will allow current home owners to sell existing homes with out actually dropping the price of their homes.  A home priced at 300,000 dollars to a buyer a month ago has just become more affordable to a larger pool of buyers.  This higher number of buyers will be competing for the same home.

More Good News is that The National Association for Business Economics report that they expect the country’s Gross National Product will expand by 3.2 percent in 2010 and 2011.  Growth prospects are stronger, unemployment and inflation are lower.  The economy in April added jobs at the fastest pace in four years.  Unemployment is expected to drop from 9.9 percent to 9.4 percent by the end of the year. By the end of 2011 it will drop to 8.5%

Now for the bad news for Morris Plains Home Owners.  The number of homes for sale in town has jumped up to 34.  What’s worse is our absorption rate is now 8 months.  At this level our market for homes are squarely in the buyers range.   How did this happen you ask? 

Well first we saw the first hints of it over the last 2 weeks when I reported that over a quarter of the homes in Morris Plains have been on the market for 6 months to a year or more.  Many have been listed many times over.  Some have been listed over a period of years.  The reason they never sold is very simple weak marketing and they are all over priced.  

Now the problem is that too many people waited to long to put their homes up for sale.  The time to strike was  2 to 3 months ago when there was no competition, when we only had 20 homes on the market.  Now everyone is jumping into the market and the number of homes for sale has increased by 35 percennt.  Compounding the problem is that every home for sale in Morris Plains is over priced by 5 to 10 percent.  Get ready for a slow sales season this summer.  There will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth in the community of caring. 

If you are serious about selling your home give me a call.  We will work together, construct a realestic marketing plan, price your house to the market and sell it.  Remember Real Estate is not magic we do not wish or hope someone buys your home.   I will work to sell it.  

Thanks for Reading My Morris Plains Blog.  The Quote for today is:  “The young rebel the old conserve, together we move forward.”  Robert Leckie