Newsletter
Volume 2 Number 2    
333 Route 9 (Foodtown Plaza)  ]  Bayville, New Jersey 08721  ]  http://CENTURY21AtTheShore.com

"Think Like A Buyer to Sell Your Home"

By: John Distefano 


The name of the game to sell your home today is exposure and price positioning. You want to get all the willing and able buyers out there to see your home and more importantly, to act on it. To that end, I ask you to think a little bit differently. You need to think like buyer in order to successfully sell your home.


Today’s real estate market is very competitive. Thanks to the internet, shoppers are a savvy bunch. There is so much information just a click away. Who hasn’t gone to a new car dealer armed with the dealer invoice price ready to do battle? We need to use this easy access to information to our advantage to get you the best possible price for your home. So how do we do this? We must show these willing and able buyers that they are getting a good value for their hard earned money. After all, if you were a buyer, that is what you would be looking for. Right?


What does CENTURY 21 At The Shore Realty bring to the table? Where is the value to you, the seller? The CENTURY 21 brand name has been around for 38 years, and, is one of, if not, the most recognizable names in the real estate industry. Informed buyers know the name CENTURY 21. CENTURY 21 At The Shore Realty invests the bulk of our advertising budget in website exposure, including our own at Century21AtTheShore.com . We also use a variety of print media, signage, and open houses to get your home the exposure it deserves. The importance of the first impression can not be ignored. There are no “do overs” here with prospective buyers. Buyers cannot see through clutter, mess or eclectic styling and we want your home to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. To this end, CENTURY 21 At The Shore Realty staffs professional home stagers to consult with, or, for a fee, do the work for you.

Read The Entire Article HERE

Community Outreach For Local Food Pantry
By: Deanna Alter

With a new take on football, CENTURY 21 At The Shore Realty joined forces with the Morning Star Food Pantry, located in Bayville, NJ to bring soup to residents in need. With the assistance of our staff we collected many different varieties of soup for this “Souper Bowl of Caring” event and delivered it to the food pantry for distribution.


More...
SELLER’S CONCESSIONS… WHAT ARE THEY?
By: Kristyn Laycock 
Seller’s concessions are a great bonus feature for both buyers and sellers in the current market. They can make a difference between closing on a home or losing it. There are a few ways a seller’s concession can be utilized in a sales contract. So what are they?

A seller’s concession can be applied towards closing costs and prepaids which will assist the buyer in bringing little or no money to closing. The monies can be used in a number of ways: to buy down your interest rate (which will lower your monthly payment), to pay down other fees like homeowner’s insurance premium and HOA dues, etc. According to Broker Outpost LLC, the allowable amount is typically between 3-9% of the purchase price. Your experienced CENTURY 21 At The Shore Realtor will put this in your sales contract. Make sure no concession is left behind! If you don’t use it, you will lose it and, as per Broker Outpost LLC, the remaining balance will be credited back to the seller. This type of concession Broker Outpost explains will also help the sellers get their home sold which will allow them to close on the next home sooner.
Read The Entire Article HERE

Mortgage
Current Rates

Today
02/21/2009
40 Yr Fix 7.000%
30 Yr Fix 5.000%
20 Yr Fix 5.375%
15 Yr Fix 7.750%
5/1 ARM 5.125%
Closings

Last 3 Months
AreaNovDecJan
Ocean Co. 260144183
Toms River 593436
Berkeley 101111
Lacey 231320

Nancy T. Gray
Broker/Owner		 NOTES FROM THE BROKER: - REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust.
What is a Real Estate Investment Trust? It is a security that can be sold just like stock on a major exchange. The Trust invests in real estate either directly or through mortgages. REIT’s offer high yields and receive special tax considerations as well as a highly liquid method of investing in real estate.
An equity REIT invests in real estate and owns the properties. The revenue is derived mostly from the rental income.
A mortgage REIT is investing and ownership of property mortgages. These Trusts loan money for mortgages to owners of real estate or the Trusts can purchase existing mortgages or mortgage backed securities. Their revenues are generated by the interest they earn on the mortgage loans.
An individual can invest in a REIT by purchasing directly on an open exchange or by investing in mutual funds that specialize in real estate. Another option is to create a new REIT with a group of investors. It would be wise to retain an attorney who is knowledgeable in REIT’s and, of course, a Financial Planner.
A REIT can also be an excellent way for siblings to invest the proceeds from an Estate inheritance. It is a good way to purchase real estate and allow the inheritance to grow and be cashed in on at a later date. REIT’s can also be a way for a group of novice investors to pool their cash assets , and, with the guidance of a financial planner, a realtor, a mortgage lender, and an attorney purchase the right types of real estate that will make sound investments for the future and provide a good tax shelter.
Our Vision
To become the benchmark by which all others are judged.
CENTURY 21 At The Shore Mission
I dedicate myself to providing a professional environment where Realtor Associates and consumers alike are excited to become a part of. To be valuable to the people who are valuable to me. To demonstrate my interest in them; and to show that I enjoy serving them by going above and beyond their expectations.
CENTURY 21 At The Shore Realty Serving All Of Bayville NJ NANCY T. GRAY ] CENTURY 21 At The Shore Realty ] 333 Route 9, Bayville, NJ 08721
phone 732-606-9002 ]  fax 732-606-0602 ]  Info@CENTURY21AtTheShore.com
CENTURY 21 At The Shore Realty Serving All Of Bayville NJ CENTURY 21 Real Estate LLC. © 2009 CENTURY 21 Real Estate LLC. CENTURY 21® is a registered trademark licensed to CENTURY 21 Real Estate LLC.
Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.


March is National Nutrition Month: Eating Right Can Be Easy and Cost Effective
By www.eatright.org

Recipe Of The Month
Mexican-Style Lime
& Cilantro Whole Chicken from The American Dietetic Association
Ingredients
Vegetable oil spray
8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings
1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
3 8-inch whole-wheat flour tortillas
6 tablespoons shredded low-fat Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeño peppers or low-fat Cheddar cheese
Cooking Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Spray a large skillet with vegetable oil spray. Cook mushrooms, onion, and garlic in skillet over medium heat until onion is tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in cilantro and remove from heat.
Arrange one-third of the mushroom mixture on half of one tortilla. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of the cheese. Fold the other half of the tortilla over cheese. Place on a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining ingredients to make 3 quesadillas total.
Bake quesadillas about 5 minutes or until filling is hot and cheese melts. Cut each quesadilla into 4 wedges. -Serve warm — with salsa, if desired.

More about this recipe HERE

CHICAGO – When money is tight and time is short, it may seem difficult to maintain a healthy diet. But during National Nutrition Month®, the American Dietetic Association reminds consumers that mealtime doesn’t have to be costly when trying to eat right.
According to a recent ADA consumer survey, the majority of people consider convenience to be the biggest factor in selecting a meal. However, the economic recession has affected Americans’ mealtimes as well, including limiting the amount of money people are spending at restaurants.
“A healthy meal doesn’t have to be a big expensive production,” says registered dietitian and ADA spokesperson Bethany Thayer. “With just a little bit of planning, meals can be convenient, healthy and inexpensive.”
Thayer suggests ways to save money and still maintain a healthy diet:
Even small amounts of advance planning pay off: “Search online for easy one-pot recipes,” says Thayer. “Many recipe Web sites offer nutrition information and grocery lists for their meals. You can find dinner options that can last for more than one night.”
Use coupons: Only half of those surveyed by ADA said they clip grocery coupons and look for price specials. Clipping coupons or printing them from Web sites can save you 10 percent to 15 percent on your grocery bill. Also consider joining your supermarket’s shopper’s club for price specials.
Follow portions for protein: 42 percent of those surveyed said they were limiting the amount of meat purchased to save on grocery expenses. “You can still keep your costs low when shopping in the meat section. Remember that a portion of meat is the size of a deck of cards. A pound of chicken breasts could last for two meals if you follow portion control,” says Thayer.
Make a meatless meal: Beans are an excellent source of protein and are also an inexpensive way to create a healthy meal.
Think outside the crisper: Frozen or canned fruits and vegetables will last longer than fresh versions from the produce department and are equally nutritious. Read The Entire Article HERE

Tip: Watch your waistline. Where your fat lands is key. Abdominal fat is a risk factor for metabolic syndrome, which dramatically increases the risk of heart disease. So do sit-ups and keep your waist measurement less than 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women.
-Dr. Mehmet Oz
For National Heart Month, Make Healthy Food Choices
By www.eatright.org



February is National Heart Month, when good nutrition is truly at the “heart” of the matter.

A healthy heart is the result of good genes, the right food choices, plenty of physical activity and knowing how to deal with stress.

While you can’t do much about your genes, regular physical activity, making the right food choices and dealing with stress are lifestyle behaviors you can control. When it comes to heart-healthy eating, one key is monitoring the type and amount of fat you consume. Limit foods high in saturated fat, which can increase LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels. Instead, eat more plant proteins, fish, poultry and low-fat dairy foods. Cook with moderate amounts of olive or canola oil instead of butter, margarine or shortening.

Some examples of foods for heart health include:...


Read The Entire Article HERE
  National Heart Month: Be Heart Smart
American Heart Association
Here are some things you can do to help your heart:
  • Limit your intake of fat
  • Choose heart-healthy fats over saturated fats and trans fats
  • Limit your intake of sugars
  • Limit your intake of sodium/salt
  • Choose more whole grains and legumes
  • Choose more fresh produce and low fat dairy products
  • Choose lean meat and poultry
  • Include fish in your diet
  • Exercise portion control
  • Become physically active for 30 to 60 minutes a day
  • Stop smoking
  • Limit your intake of alcohol

Featured House of The Month
UNDER CONTRACT!

Listed By: CENTURY 21 At The Shore Realty
25 Days from Listing to Contract, even in THIS economy!
 
Agent Of The Month: Karen Vilardi

Today I am still living and loving Ocean County and its surrounding areas. I am honored to be a resident here. I love my family, my job, the people that I work with and the people I work with.
I live one day at a time, continuing to move forward. Let me walk forward with you through all your Real Estate transactions. BUYING, SELLING, TURNING a house into a home. Do it with TRUST and a FRIEND.