JoAnna's Real Estate Thoughts

$399,900

21 Dogwood Lane, Freehold, New Jersey

This stunning 4 bedroom, 3 full bath colonial is truly move-in condition!

Outstanding features include 10 foot ceilings in Living room, Dining room and Kitchen. Beautifully decorated with custom moldings, tasteful carpets and gleaming hardwood floors! Many items recently replaced including windows, doors, siding, roof, furnace, garage door, hot water heater, PVC fence, main bathroom, paver patio and paver walkway!

Award winning Freehold Boro High School!

To my Manalapan Township neighbors,

You'll soon be getting a letter with your new tax assessment.  

You need to understand that these were "across the board" reductions in value to stop the rush of homeowners filing for (and winning) tax appeals.

Our assessment values were originally calculated in 2007.  Since that time, as you know, home values have dropped considerably.  The purpose of this reassessment is to bring the assessed value of your home closer to true market value. It isn't an exact science and won't precisely indicate the current market value of your home.  It is just a measure by which the township will calculate your taxes.

I know some of you were probably excited to see the lower assessment values thinking your taxes would be lowered and others were probably disturbed to consider this number might be reflective of the true market value of your homes!  Again, the only reason this reassessment took place was to curb the number of tax appeals being filed by township residents. 

THE TAXES YOU ARE PAYING SHOULD NOT CHANGE DRAMATICALLY!! 

The Township is lowering the assessed value on your home and will be raising the tax rate... so you should be paying approximately the same amount (not counting any normal annual tax increase). Make sense? Drop me a note or give me a call if you would like further clarification.

Now... having said this... if you believe your new assessed value is NOT indicative of your home's market value, you could qualify for a tax appeal. To win an appeal, you need to provide 3 - 5 comparable CLOSED sales that defend your position. I've helped my clients on more than a few tax appeals and would be happy to help you evaluate your situation.

In the words of Benjamin Franklin... "In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes."

In the words of JoAnna Siminerio... "In this world nothing is certain but death and increasing taxes... oh, and gaining weight during the holidays!"

Best wishes to my family, friends and neighbors for a happy and healthy Thanksgiving Day!

Credit to my daughter Danielle
for another great photo and kudos
to my sister Cathy for a
fabulously fun and healthy
Thanksgiving Turkey Treat!!

This extended and expanded custom home will surpass your expectations! 

Mother/Daughter, In-Law Suite, Large or Blended Families... This home does it all!!

$459,900 - 10 Old Queens Boulevard, Manalapan, New Jersey

I don't just sell homes in Manalapan's Yorktowne, I lived here for over 16 years!  Yorktowne Development is a family neighborhood, of single family homes, approximately 40 years old. The community is situated between Gordon's Corner, Pease and Pinebrook Roads.  Often a favorite for New York City Commuters due to the convenient proximity to the Gordon's Corner Road New Jersey Transit (Midtown) and Academy Lines (Downtown/Wall Street Area) bus stops.

In 2008, the average sale price for a home in Yorktowne was $403,125.

I'm very happy and excited to represent this special home for sale.  This extended and expanded, custom home, set on almost ¾ acre of Manalapan property, is the perfect choice for large families looking for extra space.  Blended families or those in need of a true mother/daughter can find it here.  With 5 bedrooms and 3 full baths, this home far exceeds the boundaries of the typical Yorktowne home!  

Outstanding features include 2 separate eat-in kitchens, each with updated stainless appliances, upper level master bedroom with full bath, walk-in closet, 2 double closets, and private balcony, second master/guest suite has 12x9 walk-in closet with custom organization system and laundry hookups ready to go, large dining room has laminate flooring and vaulted ceiling, hardwood flooring under most carpeted areas, painted in today’s colors and finished with decorative moldings and new doors.

As it is currently being used, the lower level is a fully-functional in-law suite with separate entrance.  This space can easily be used and enjoyed by the single family.  Living/family room with stone fireplace, master-sized bedroom, full bath, sizable laundry room, dining room (can be converted to additional bedroom) and recently renovated recreation room (with separate staircase to the upstairs).   Tremendous 31x14 kitchen  offers maple cabinetry, ceramic tile flooring and comes in handy when entertaining in the huge, fully fenced, flat backyard, with plenty of room for a pool!

Size, condition AND value!  All this AND an award winning Manalapan, New Jersey School District!  Why wait?

800 Wright Debow Road, Jackson, NJ

$375,000

Mint 4 bedroom, 2 ½ bath, expanded custom home surrounded by woods, on private, level lot.  

Kitchen/Dining Room feature updated appliances, cabinets, hardware plus 8 foot slider to rear deck and yard! 

Family room is truly a "Great" room for entertaining with almost 400 square feet of space, sliders to yard, windows with custom treatments, access to half bath and laundry room. 

Master bedroom is truly a dream come true with 500 square feet of living space, 3 walk-in closets plus another double closet!   Bright and sunny, thanks to the many windows!

Luxurious master bathroom features double sinks with custom countertop, oversized shower, soaking tub, ceramic tile flooring and decorator wall tile!  

The list of newer or replaced items goes on and on and on!!  Including:  newer entry door, all carpets replaced, all solid wood interior doors, $3,000 water treatment system recently installed, upgraded light fixtures and ceiling fans, crawl space recently waterproofed and septic field only a few years old.

You won't find a more "move-in condition" home on the market in this price range!

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Click for more information on 800 Wright Debow Road, Jackson, New Jersey.

Click to search for available homes in Jackson, New Jersey.

VAILABLE!

Beautiful, like new, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhome with 2 car garage in the luxurious Villages at Meadow Creek.

End unit Temple Model Townhome with 2 car garage is light, bright and airy. Owners have upgraded pre-finished hardwood floors on first level. Kitchen boasts upgraded cabinets and countertops, stainless steel appliances, gas fireplace, recessed lights and decorative molding. 4 large bedrooms with lighting and ceiling fans and upgraded baths complete the upstairs. Full daylight basement for all your storage needs! 

A fabulous home with a fabulous resort lifestyle!

All this for $2,900 per month!

Resort lifestyle, every day!  The Villages at Meadow Creek, Manalapan, New Jersey.

The Villages at Meadow Creek offers 300 luxury townhomes in a family-oriented, country setting in one of New Jersey's most desirable townships! World-class amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, kiddie pool, basketball court, tennis, tot lots and a grand community clubhouse.

For more information on rental opportunities, resale purchases or new construction in The Villages at Meadow Creek, please contact me.

 17 Hoffman Avenue, Sayreville, New Jersey

 $299,999

Fall in love the moment you pull up to this meticulously maintained 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath home with full basement and beautiful yard in the Morgan Section of Sayreville.  Plenty of curb appeal thanks to the cheerful landscaping and freshly painted covered porch.

Outstanding features of this home include:  updated kitchen with solid oak cabinets and full appliance package, newer thermal windows, hardwood flooring, 2 zone hot water baseboard heat, laundry chute to laundry room in full basement which includes ½ bath, rooms for extra storage, plus convenient access to the backyard ready for entertaining with patio, outdoor speakers which are connected to the jukebox where you can play hours of music as you enjoy lazy summer days in the above ground pool, detached oversized garage and frost-free hose bibs. 

Excellent location for commuters with nearby access to NYC bus and train.

First Time Homebuyers... There is still plenty of time to qualify for the $8,000 tax credit by closing on a home before the November 30, 2009 deadline!

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Click for more information on 17 Hoffman Avenue, Sayreville, New Jersey.

Click to search for available homes in Sayreville, New Jersey.

47 Harbor Road, Morganville, New Jersey

$689,900

Custom built in 2005, this beautiful five bedroom two-and-a-half bath brick-front colonial offers a spacious flowing floor plan ideal for today’s lifestyle. The hub of the home is the expansive kitchen with three walls of 42” cherry cabinets, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, and a huge eating area. Off the kitchen is the enormous great room, which features hardwood floors, a coffered ceiling, a gas fireplace and lots of windows. This is a fabulous space for entertaining!  Pamper yourself in the wonderful Master Suite that offers a sitting room, a gorgeous tiled bathroom with a Jacuzzi, and a huge walk-in closet with a window.

Located in the Morganville section of Marlboro Township, this home also features idyllic views of a neighboring horse farm. 

Outstanding features include:

Full Full Brick Front Colonial ~ Pella Windows

Two-story Foyer, 9’ Ceilings on First Floor

Hardwood Floors ~ Hardwood Staircase

Neutral Carpeting in Bedrooms

42” Cherry Cabinets, Granite Counters,

     Stainless Steel Appliances, Center Island,

     Pantry, Sliding Glass Door to Deck

Great Room with Coffered Ceiling, Gas Fireplace

Master Suite with Sitting Room & Walk-in Closet

Master Bath with Jacuzzi Whirlpool

Two-Zone Central Air & Heat ~ Security System

Public Water, Septic System

Marlboro Township School District

Click for more information on 47 Harbor Road, Morganville, NJ.

I started blogging less than a year ago and haven't looked back.  In fact, it's been very disappointing to not have enough hours in the day lately to post or comment as often as I would like. 

The good news is, in my opinion, my lack of time to blog is a direct result of my blogging!! 

When I joined Active Rain, I gave serious consideration to the message I wanted to send with the majority of my postings.

I saw this forum as an opportunity to position myself as the Manalapan New Jersey Neighborhood Real Estate Specialist!  I've lived in Manalapan almost 17 years and have been raising 2 daughters through the school system.  I'm a Girl Scout Leader and community volunteer.   What better place in which to specialize?

I started posting about community, school and local area events.  I'd post my Manalapan listings.  I'd write about market trends in Manalapan Real Estate.  Working with my Weichert colleague and fellow Manalapan resident, Gail Szeluga, we've been working toward buidling a focus toward reporting on the different communities that make up Manalapan Township.  Soon thereafter we expanded our Manalapan presence via Facebook, Twitter and other Social Networking forums.  Join us (and the 286 other Manalapan residents) on Facebook at the Manalapan Residents Group.

Almost immediately, the phone starting ringing. 

Buyers would find me via posts on Manalapan homes for sale.  Sellers started to stumble upon me when searching for information on Manalapan Township.

I've been thrilled with the response and felt I was making great strides toward my goal of being seen as the source for Manalapan Real Estate information.

Recently, I received a phone call from Ms. Jill Capuzzo.  That's when I KNEW the plan was working!

Jill is a reporter with the New York Times!  She was writing an article on "Living in Manalapan" and needed a local professional to show her around town and fill her on on the local market.  She found MY blog which then led her to my website and finally to my listings!  Don't you just love when a plan comes together??

About a week later, Gail and I had the pleasure of meeting Jill and touring her around Manalapan! 

We visited neighborhoods throughout Southern and Northern Manalapan, as well as East and West of the Route 9 corridor. 

We talked about the award winning Manalapan-Englishtown and Freehold Regional High School Districts.  We covered the newly expanded Manalapan Recreation Center and the recently rejuvenated Thompson Grove Park.  We toured many Manalapan landmarks, including the municipal building, 9/11 memorial, Old Tenennt Church, Holiday Park Duck Pond, Millhurst Mills, historic Englishtown and Pine Brook Golf Course.  We talked about the attraction Manalapan holds for New York City transplants looking for a little extra elbow room while still enjoying a reasonable commute.  Good schools, affordable homes, reasonable taxes... what's not to like?  The time flew by!  Once you start a realtor talking about real estate, good luck getting them to shut up!  We had a blast!

What a thrill it was tonight when I felt my blackberry buzz and looked down to see my most recent Google Alert...

REAL ESTATE   | June 28, 2009
Living In | Manalapan, N.J.:  High Marks for Space, Schools and Location
By JILL P. CAPUZZO

I scanned the article quickly.  As promised, Jill highlighted my Manalapan listing at 9 Old Queens Boulevard.  What I didn't expect was that she would give mention to both myself and Gail!  What a treat!  A great afternoon showing off all our real estate know how, talking about the town we love AND a mention in the New York Times! 

Me!!  In the New York Times!!  Excuse me while I go call my Mommy!! :-)