Thursday, March 24, 2011

New Testimonial

I was honored to be able to assist these clients with their home purchase.  They were an absolute pleasure to work with and totally fun to show houses to.  I wish them the best of luck in their new home.

Testimonial
Steve Tamburello is our Realtor and will be on any future property transactions that we are involved in. Steve was phenomenal in every way. He was always available when we needed to either speak with him or meet with him regardless of day or time. He was timely in all issues that needed to be resolved. Steve kept a cool head always and his advice and quiet confidence allowed us to feel comfortable that he had our back regardless of the decision that we made. The 8 Ann Drive transaction was not an easy one and I know for a fact that without Steve Tamburello it would have never been completed due to the difficulty. On top of all of this, Steve has been working with me to find a house for probably about a year now and he has made me feel like I was just working with a friend. Thanks so much Steve and we will always recommend you to anyone that we know buying or selling a house. This Century 21 Office is extremely lucky and should be very proud to have a person like Steve Tamburello representing them. Steve was extremely professional and thorough throughout the entire process. Communication was top notch as well. All around, excellent experience. I cannot wait to be able to refer Steve to a friend or family member when the opportunity arises.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Great Spring Tips

Courtesy of Victory Home Inspection

Go Native in Your Garden!

You may have been reading a lot lately about the importance of using native plants in your landscaping. What exactly are native plants? Native species means, with respect to a particular ecosystem, a species that, other than as a result of an introduction, historically occurred or currently occurs in that ecosystem. Using these native species supports local wildlife that depends on them, such as bird and butterflies. In addition, these types of plants require less watering and other maintenance.

Going native doesn't have to mean letting your yard go wild. Gradually adding natives, and reducing dependence on what the nurseries want to sell you, including invasive species, can go a long way towards helping the local ecosystems.

As you are planning updates to your landscaping this spring, why not try adding these four natives:

1. Swamp milkweed. OK, so the name doesn't sound glamorous. But the plant is essential for monarch butterfly caterpillars to eat. And certainly those monarchs are glamorous!

2. Cardinal flower. Red and gorgeous like the bird, this wildflower attracts hummingbirds. Lobelia Cardinalis, or Cardinal Flower.

3. Purple coneflowers, or echinacea. This flower is not exactly native to NJ but it does very well, and it has become a garden center staple, so it's easy to find and grow. Not only does the flower attract butterflies, the goldfinches like the seed come fall.

4. New England aster. Forget those ubiquitous 6 for $20 mums. Planting this aster will ensure the plant comes back next year, for one thing. Plus, its nectar is loved by butterflies.

Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
* Check for damage to the roof
* Check fascia and trim for deterioration
* Have a contractor inspect and maintain your A/C system
* Check your water heater
* Replace all extension cords that have become brittle, worn or damaged
* Check your fire extinguishers
* Clean the kitchen exchaust hood and air filter
* Review your fire escape plan with your family
* Repair all cracked, broken or uneven driveways and walks
* Check the shutoff valve at each plumbing fixture to ensure it works
* Clean clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper and space under the dryer
* Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

Victory Home Inspections, LLC

786 Garwood Rd.,Moorestown, New Jersey 08057
856-235-0564

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

New Listings / New Camera

Loving the new Camera that the GF purchased last weekend.  It is a Sony DSC-H55 Cyber-shot.  Has a much wider angle then the Canon that I have been using. 
The only problem is it can't take a cloudy day shot and turn it into a sunny day shot as you can see on

6 Wilson Dr
in the My Listings section. 
I guess you can't have it all.  I even see clouds in the forecast tomorrow. 
One day I will get a nice sunny shot, hopefully soon. 

Link to Camera Page
Sony did not pay me to post this.  But wouldn't mind if they did. 

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Are Americans more confident now?

(Sorry, it is a Real Estate Blog afterall.  Need to get down to a little business.  Not all fun and games.) 

More Americans Confident About Home Ownership

Americans are more confident about the stability of home prices than they were at the beginning of 2010, according to Fannie Mae's latest national housing survey, conducted between October 2010 and December 2010.. And when it comes to home ownership, younger Americans are particularly optimistic, the survey finds.

Nearly 80 percent of all respondents, including home owners and renters, surveyed said they thought housing prices would hold steady or increase over the next 12 months--which is up from 73 percent in January 2010. In fact, survey respondents expressed more confidence over the stability of home prices than they did about the overall strength of the economy. Sixty-one percent said the economy is heading on the wrong track.

Young Americans, Hispanics, and African-Americans were the most positive about their views on home ownership among the general population, according to the survey. Nearly 60 percent of Generation Y respondents (those between 18-34 years old) say that buying a home offers a lot of potential as an investment. Also, more than one-third of Hispanics and African Americans say they plan to buy a home within the next three years, compared to one in four of the general population.

“We are also seeing encouraging signs in the positive attitudes toward home ownership among younger Americans, despite the severe impact of the housing crisis on Generation Y,” says Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae’s chief economist. “But most respondents to our survey continue to lack confidence in the strength of the economic recovery, and they are less optimistic about their ability to buy a home in the years ahead. This sense of uncertainty is weighing on the housing recovery today and reshaping expectations for housing for the future.”

Source: “Fannie Mae’s Latest National Housing Survey Shows Key Changes in Americans’ Attitudes Toward Housing and the Economy,” RISMedia (March 1, 2011)

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Wide Angle Lens for the IPhone?

Wide Angle Lens for the IPhone?

I am reaching out to you guys on this one... I have been doing some research on wide angle lenses for the IPhone and my Canon point n shoot. I have found a couple company's that make them. You get a sticky ring like washer that attaches to the camera/phone and the wide angle lens, like a magnet, sticks to it. I watched a bunch of YouTube videos on the products and they seem to work fine. If anyone has any experience with these lenses I would love to hear from you. Photographers? Need a little help...

I was looking into these...

























If anyone has any thoughts, I would love to hear them.

Thank-You..

P.S.
Will stay in Cool New Stuff.