Princeton Real Estate

Beatrice Bloom, Princeton Real Estate Agent

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LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND YOUR HOME

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Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – July 17, 2017

LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND YOUR HOME

Summer is the perfect time to really look at the state of your landscaping.  Margaret Wolfe Hungerford, said “ Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” This certainly reins true in the creation of your outdoor space.  Defining your desires for the space is the first step. Do you prefer a manicured and formal yard or more of a free form with wildflowers and open space?  

Some things to consider are the cost of both creating and maintaining your landscape. What is the desired functionality? Once you have defined your desire be sure to plan for all seasons.  Plant annuals and perennials to create three seasons of beauty. Consider what you want the focal points to be. Will you have paths to meander through that connect different types of flowering beds and other specimens?

One thing for sure is that beautiful and well maintained landscape increases both curb appeal and your home’s value.

RETIRED? GEARING UP FOR RETIREMENT?

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Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – July 10, 2019

RETIRED? GEARING UP FOR RETIREMENT?

It is never too early to prepare for your housing needs.  If your current community is where you want to enjoy your Golden Years, you may want to think about what is needed to age in place. Things to consider are one floor living, walkability to shopping, places of worship or cultural activities. Some individuals opt for downsizing while others make modifications to their existing homes in order to accommodate their needs.  

Will loved ones be visiting and need a place to stay? Will you need supplemental income and consider renting space to increase cash flow? Or will you need modifications to improve accessibility. If so it is important to speak with a professional to anticipate both cost and timing.

SOLAR PANELS; CREATING ENERGY WHILE SAVING MONEY

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Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – June 26, 2019

SOLAR PANELS; CREATING ENERGY WHILE SAVING MONEY

Solar Panels reduce energy costs, add value to your home, create less of a carbon footprint and can generate and 8-10% return on investment.  There are some things that you need to know before you decide to move forward to making these changes to your home.

· What size system do you need

· How many square feet does your roof space allow for solar panels to be installed

· What is the annual amount of Kilowatt hour you can expect from your system

· Are there tax credits and other incentives 

· Energy costs in New Jersey are expensive; what is the projected savings and how long will it take to recoup the cost of installing the system

When taking into consideration as to buy or lease the panels, you should know that if you chose to lease it may complicate things if you decide to sell your home.  

GETTING YOUR HOUSE PREPPED FOR SALE

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Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – June 19, 2019

GETTING YOUR HOUSE PREPPED FOR SALE

Decluttering your house is key to getting your home sold.  Personalized decor and collections can limit the imagination of buyers.  A way to look through your house it to use the KonMari method. For those of you that are not familiar, this method introduces the idea of only keeping items that are used and bring you joy.  Tidying not by room but by category; books, papers, clothes and sentimental items. Take time to consider if the item is useful. When was the last time your used it? Is it something that you should pack away? Once you have gone through the process it will cut down on the items that you pack and move and will ensure that you are off to a great start in your new home.  

THE COST OF WAITING TO BUY A HOME

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Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – June 12, 2019

THE COST OF WAITING TO BUY A HOME

Fredie Mac is forecasting interest rates to rise to 4.5% by the end of the Fourth quarter in 2020.  Corelogic predicts that home prices will appreciate 4.8% over the next twelve months.
                

Today                                                                          Next Year

4.3%                        Interest Rate                           4.5%

$250,000                Home Price                         $262,000

$1,231.60               Mortgage Payment       $1,321.04


If home prices continue to appreciate and interest rates go up, waiting to buy could cost you thousands of dollars.  Over thirty years, you could save $32,198 that money could used for retirement. Yearly you can save $1,073.28, perhaps you could take a weekend retreat. Monthly, you save $89.44, perhaps dinner and a movie.


Still on the fence? Let’s sit down and find out the difference a year could make in your life.

MOLD AND REMEDIATION

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Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – June 5, 2019

MOLD AND REMEDIATION

Mold is ever present and can simply be a nuisance or can cause health issues.  The key is to identifying what type of mold is in your home.

Mold likes moisture so you may see it growing in the grout of the tile in the shower or in the basement, in crawl spaces and on walls. It is worth the cost to hire a professional for remediation.  Sealing off the infected area, using HEPA scrubbers and vacuums are able to capture the tiny mold particles in their entirety are all services a good remediation company will offer. Professionals use antimicrobial chemicals to clean the infected area after demolition.  Once the area is treated, you may want to run a dehumidifier and consider taking it one more step, have the area treated to be resistant to water damage.

Good remediation companies are able to clearly communicate a remediation plan, use professional equipment and have years of experience.

Beatrice Bloom