Our Insights, Experiences, Local Information, and Travelshttp://www.njandpapremierhomes.com/blogPrinceton NJ real estate market news provided by Keller Williams Real EstateThu, 18 Feb 2010 03:00:00 GMTMovies in Lambertville, NJ...Yes, Lambertville!Did you know that you can see recent films in Lambertville?

I remember going to the ACME in Lambertville when I was a little girl, I then remember it as a posh supermaket which did not make it.  The building sat vacant prior to it being renovated and converted into the city's Justice Center.  What is not as well known is that the Justice Center moonlights as a movie theater on Friday and Saturday nights.  I have never been to the theater but know many who do go and enjoy the atmosphere, movies, community, and reduced ticket prices.  For most shows the tickets are a recommended donation of $5; for special events the ticket prices vary. 

Location: 25 S. Union Lambertville, NJ

Upcoming shows are as follows:

Movie theater concessions are available for purchase....enjoy the movie(s)!

]]>http://www.njandpapremierhomes.com/Blog/Movies-in-Lambertville-NJYes-Lambertvillehttp://www.njandpapremierhomes.com/Blog/Movies-in-Lambertville-NJYes-LambertvilleTue, 02 Mar 2010 03:00:00 GMTNew Hope - Restaurant Week 3/21-3/26google map to real pro systems

Make Your Reservations Now!!

I was driving through New Hope, PA this snowy morning on my way to get coffee before I reached my final destination...our Lambertville office.  When I pulled into town I saw a new banner announcing the FIRST EVER Restaurant Week in New Hope!  What a great idea!  My husband and I try to hit the restaurant week in Philadelphia each year and this gives us the chance to enjoy it in our backyard!  It is a great opportunity to try a new place at a discounted rate...I don't know about you, but we are always up for a bargain!  It is not cheap to enjoy good food...LOL!

Visit the New Hope Chamber's website to see all 17 participating restaurants and make reservations to enjoy a 3 course meal for $29.95/person.  If you go to the Chamber's site you can view several of the restaurant's menus including the The Mansion Inn and Triumph Brewery (which also includes a pint of beer!).  If you don't see the menu on the Chamber's site, try the restaurant's website which is where I found the menu for Marsha Brown.  Bon appétit!

]]>http://www.njandpapremierhomes.com/Blog/New-Hope-Restaurant-Week-321-326http://www.njandpapremierhomes.com/Blog/New-Hope-Restaurant-Week-321-326Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:00:00 GMTAnnual Indoor Farmer Market Sunday 2/28UPDATE: This event has passed; if you were able to attend I hope that you enjoyed it!  As I was out of town, my husband went in my place and got us some ghee from Pure Indian Foods, AMAZING onion and cinnamon bread from the Village Bakery, and mushrooms from Davidson Mushrooms which we had with dinner tonight.....we will update this blog with additional information on upcoming farmer markets. 

When: Sunday 2/28/2010 from 11am -3pm

Where: Tre Piani located in Forrestal Village

What: A GREAT indoor farmer's market set up throughout the restaurant.

Why: Support local agriculture and vendors in NJ.  This is a great event that we always enjoy.  We usually grab lunch (including oysters) and a bloody mary or two! 

How Much: $2 donation requested

Some of the Vendors:

  • Cheese from Cherry Grove Farm
  • Davidson's Mushrooms
    • We follow Davidson's Mushrooms around the various outdoor markets in the summertime.  We get their mixed box of portabella, oyster, and shiitake mushrooms.
    • Love their Barbera and Chardonnay
    • LOVE IT.....it has a higher smoke point and is great for cooking! 
  • Terhune Orchards - apples, cider, salsa
    • They make a great, fresh tasting salsa and always have samples on  hand :)
  • Village Bakery - breads and sweets
    • Our girls occasionally moonlight with them helping them sell their fresh breads.  Their bread is better than any you can get at the grocery stores and well worth the trip!  Visit them on Gordon Avenue in the Village of Lawrenceville.
  • and much more....

To see a complete list of vendors visit the Slow Food Central NJ website.

Have Fun...if you go, post it in the comments section and let me know what you think!

]]>http://www.njandpapremierhomes.com/Blog/Annual-Indoor-Farmer-Market-Sunday-228http://www.njandpapremierhomes.com/Blog/Annual-Indoor-Farmer-Market-Sunday-228Wed, 24 Feb 2010 03:00:00 GMTPrinceton P.F. Chang'sLast night we had some errands to run along Princeton's Route 1 Corridor including stopping by the Princeton Keller William's office (located behind Market Fair) to scan some contracts.  My girls decided that we should go to P.F. Chang's for dinner since we were so close by.  Not wanting to pay for a full meal, I remembered that from 3-6 PM they have a Happy Hour with discounted beverages and lite appetizers including the Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps.  The four of us ate very well for $50 which also included a glass of wine and sake.  To find out more about this promotion visit their website.

Also, if you apply for their 'Warrior Card' you get an additional 10% off :)

Enjoy!

]]>http://www.njandpapremierhomes.com/Blog/Princeton-PF-Changshttp://www.njandpapremierhomes.com/Blog/Princeton-PF-ChangsTue, 23 Feb 2010 16:12:00 GMTDid you know that a condominium community must QUALIFY for FHA financing? Read on to learn how this may effect you.

Good-Bye Spot Approvals...
Prior to February 1, 2010 it was fairly easy to get approved for an FHA loan in a condominium community that was NOT FHA approved.  All the lender needed to do was get a "Spot Loan Approval" and as long as certain conditions were met the property could qualify for FHA financing.  Well, like a lot of other changes in the lending world, those days are over.  As of February 1, 2010 if a condominium community is NOT already approved by FHA and HUD then one cannot purchase in that community with an FHA loan.  Will this create problems?  It is likely to.  A large percentage of first time buyers buy in a condominium complex and tend to use FHA financing due to the lower down payment requirements. 

Do Your Homework....
If you are purchasing with an FHA loan, save yourself a lot of time and hassle by doing your homework and learning which communities are approved for an FHA loan.  I have outlined some below, but you should check with your lender or visit HUD's website. 

Are there any alternative low down payment programs?
If the community does not qualify for an FHA loan, depending on the location and whether or not you meet the income qualifications, you may be able to qualify for the USDA loan program which offers 100% financing.  Please see other blog post under 'Financing.'

Bucks County, PA Approved Condos

(this is NOT an exhaustive list)

Town Condominium Name Zip Code Approved Through Chalfont Lindenfield 18914 12/7/2010 Doylestown

Charing Cross

18901 12/7/2010

Doylestown

Valley House 18901 12/7/2010 Doylestown Westwyk 18901 12/7/2010 Holland Tamerlane 18966 12/7/2010 Holland Tapestry 18966 12/7/2010 Holland Village Shires: To Include - Beacon Hill, Canterbury Croft, Hamlet, Old Jordan Woods, and Signal Hill/Heritage Place 18966 12/7/2010 Jamison Mill Ridge 18929 12/7/2010 Lower Makefield
(Yardley Address) Brookstone 19067 12/7/2010 Lower Makefield
(Yardley Address) Rose Hollow 19067 12/7/2010 Lower Makefield
(Yardley Address) Spruce Mill at Makefield Glen 19067 12/7/2010 Middletown Township Summit Ridge 19047 12/7/2010 New Britain Carousel Pointe 18914 12/7/2010 New Hope Riverhill of New Hope
(a section of Village II) 18938 12/7/2010 New Hope
(Solebury) Wilshire Hunt 18938 12/7/2010 Newtown Country Bend 18940 12/7/2010 Newtown Crown Pointe 18940 12/7/2010 Newtown Kirkwood 18940 12/7/2010 Newtown Liberty Square 18940 12/7/2010 Newtown Society Place at
Newtown Grant 18940 12/7/2010 Upper Makefield (Washington Crossing) Heritage Hills 18940 12/7/2010 Yardley Cornerstone 19067 12/7/2010 Yardley Yardley Commons 19067 12/7/2010

 

Mercer County, NJ Approved Condos

(this is NOT an exhaustive list)

Town Condominium Name Zip Code Approved
Through
East Windsor Wycoff's Mill 08520 12/7/2010
Ewing Heritage Crossing 08628 12/7/2010
Ewing Parkway Gardens 08628 12/7/2010
Ewing The Jefferson @ Ewing 08618 5/7/2011
Hamilton Society Hill I and II Hamilton 08619 12/7/2010
Hamilton Grandville Arms 08690 12/7/2010
Hamilton Ravenscroft 08690 12/7/2010
Lawrence Eagles Chase 08648 12/7/2010
Lawrence Lawrence Square Village I and II 08648 12/7/2010
Lawrence Society Hill @ Lawrenceville 08648 12/7/2010
Lawrence The Manors @ Lawrenceville 08648 12/7/2010
Pennington Drakes Mill/Baker Mill (part of Brandon Farms) 08534 12/7/2010
Pennington The Villages at Twin Pines 08534 12/7/2010
Princeton Griggs Farm 08540 12/7/2010
Princeton The Woods @ Princeton Walk 08540 12/7/2010
Princeton Junction Windsor Ponds 08550 12/7/2010
Washington Township Andover Glen @ Foxmoor 08691 12/7/2010
Washington Township Hampton Chase 08691 12/7/2010

 

Middlesex County, NJ Approved Condos

(this is NOT an exhaustive list)

Town Condominium Name Zip Code Approved Through
Plainsboro Campbell Woods at Princeton 08540 12/7/2010
Plainsboro Ravens Crest 08536 12/7/2010
Plainsboro Villages at Princeton Crossing 08536 12/7/2010
South Brunswick Princeton Landing 08540 12/7/2010

 

 

]]>http://www.njandpapremierhomes.com/Blog/Did-you-know-that-a-condominium-community-must-QUALIFY-for-FHA-financing-Read-on-to-learn-how-this-may-effect-youhttp://www.njandpapremierhomes.com/Blog/Did-you-know-that-a-condominium-community-must-QUALIFY-for-FHA-financing-Read-on-to-learn-how-this-may-effect-youMon, 22 Feb 2010 03:00:00 GMT100% Financing is Still Available
USDA Rural Development Program

To learn more about this program, please contact Amy Procaccino with Gateway Funding:
Office: 609-586-0020 x 222
Email: AProcaccino@Gateway-Funding.com

 

Through the USDA Rural Development Program, 100% financing is still available.  With this program there is NO Mortgage Insurance Premium; however there are income limitations and the specific property needs to qualify based on location.  The following areas are ones we service and which are eligible*:

 

  Towns
Mercer County, NJ

Hopewell Borough and Township, Titusville, Pennington Borough, some Northern and Western sections of Princeton Township, Lawrenceville North of I-95**

 
Somerset County, NJ

Belle Meade, Skillman, Rocky Hill, Hillsborough, Montgomery, Branchburg, Bedminster, Far Hills, Peapack and Gladstone**

 
Hunterdon County, NJ

All of Hunterdon County including: Lambertville, East and West Amwell, Ringoes, Stockton, Delaware Township, Flemington, Frenchtown, Milford, Kingwood Township, Tewksbury, etc.**

 
Bucks County, PA

Parts of Upper Makefield/Washington Crossing, Wrightstown, Buckingham, New Hope, Solebury, and areas NW of New Hope-Solebury along river and West north of Doylestown**

 
  **NOTE: The aforementioned areas were determined after looking at the USDA website.  We do NOT guarantee the accuracy, or completeness of any information listed here and final determination of property eligibility must be made by Rural Development.

The income limitations are as follows:

For households up to and including 2 children: $92,000

For households with 3+ children: $120,000

To learn more about this program visit the USDA's website and to search specific property addresses use their mapping feature.  This can be accessed as follows:

  • CLICK HERE to go to the USDA website.
  • Once on the site look in the menu on the left side of screen.
  • Under the heading "Property Eligibility" click on the appropriate link.
  • When you accept the "Property Eligibility Disclaimer" you will be taken to a map and can search by clicking on the map or entering a specific property address.

To learn more about this program feel free to call Amy Procaccino with Gateway Funding: 609-596-0020 x 222 or email her at: AProcaccino@Gateway-Funding.com

]]>http://www.njandpapremierhomes.com/Blog/100-Financing-is-Still-Availablehttp://www.njandpapremierhomes.com/Blog/100-Financing-is-Still-AvailableFri, 19 Feb 2010 03:00:00 GMTPurchasing Differences in PA and NJ: OverviewThe Delaware River is the only thing that separates New Jersey and Pennsylvania; however, they are worlds apart when you are talking about the nuances of the real estate transaction.  Each state has their own protocol, and as such, you need to make sure that if you are considering a purchase in both NJ and PA you have a Realtor who is adept at the laws and customs of each state.  The following is a brief outline of the differences and subsequent posts will give more comprehensive detail of each item.

  Pennsylvania New Jersey
Offer

Full Contract is Submitted
(18-21 pages in length)

Full Contract is Submitted (6-9 Pages) OR a 1 Page Offer to Purchase is submitted
Contract

When signed by all parties it is fully binding and the property status is "Under Contract."

When signed by all parties the contract is NOT binding. 
It is ONLY binding upon the conclusion of Attorney Review. 

 
 Attorneys

Typically not involved. Southern NJ tends to follow PA's practices.

 

In Central NJ and North; attorneys are typically involved. 

 

Inspection
Negotiations

Assumming no attorneys are involved; the Realtors handle the inspection negotiations.

 

The attorneys handle the inspection negotiations.

 
Buyer Closing Costs

There is a 2% realty transfer tax in PA.  This is customarily split between the buyer and seller.  This is paid at closing.

 

There is not a buyer closing fee in NJ under $1 Million.  When the contract price is $1M or higher, there is a 1% fee that the buyer pays at closing.

 
Tax Reimbursements at Closing

Taxes in PA are paid on an annual basis.  Therefore, depending on when closing is, the buyer may have to pay a full year of taxes at closing. 

 

Taxes in NJ are paid on a quarterly basis, as such there are usually less taxes due at closing.

 
 Heating Fuel

Unused heating fuel is typically reimbursed to the seller at closing. 

 

Unused heating fuel typically goes with the property. 

 
 Closing A title company typically conducts the closing.  Closings are typically conducted by an attorney. 
     
]]>http://www.njandpapremierhomes.com/Blog/Purchasing-Differences-in-PA-and-NJ-Overviewhttp://www.njandpapremierhomes.com/Blog/Purchasing-Differences-in-PA-and-NJ-OverviewThu, 18 Feb 2010 03:00:00 GMT