June 2016 - NJ Lux Real Estate

5 Interesting NJ Events Happening In July 2016

Posted on June 25, 2016December 16, 2022 by njlux-admin

When you ask someone about their impression of New Jersey, it’s extremely hard to hear “boring” being used as one of the adjectives. There are lots of interesting museums, concert halls, local theaters, eateries, and more situated around the Garden State. What’s more, there are plenty of opportunities for day trips and activities. There is a lot going in this state, and there is never a dull moment. Here are five interesting NJ events that are slated to happen in July 2016. Check them out!

12th Annual Celtic Festival

If you appreciate and enjoy exploring unique music roots, you should definitely head down to this multicultural event in July 2016. There will be demonstrations and performances from a pipes and drums band as well as a variety of family activities to choose from. In addition, a pub tent will be set up so expect some dancing to happen within that area too! The event will be held on 16th to 17th July at the Historic Cold Spring Village.

Music on the Lawn

Starting from July, Music on the Lawn is an event that will happen in Sussex County, on every Saturday. So free up your schedule and head out to Westfall Winery to watch acoustic bands playing live music outdoors for your enjoyment. If you want to spend an afternoon relaxing on their scenic farm, do remember to prepare and bring a homemade picnic lunch. In addition, discounted wine sold in glasses is available. You can even purchase a whole bottle to enjoy throughout the concert!

4th of July Street Fair

The annual fair will be held along 87 Main St., & Stevens Ave. in Little Falls. The atmosphere of this giant town block party will simply wonderful and it brings the whole community together with a wide variety of merchandise vendors, great finger-food (pulled pork, shish kabobs, zeppoles, French fries, Italian Ice and many more) and plenty of attractions for your entertainment. You really should come and join the fun at the Street Fair, especially if it is your first time participating in a 4th of July event as a family. The event starts at 10am and ends at 5pm so there is plenty of time to explore the area and have lots of fun!

The 21-Point City Tour

If you are up for some sightseeing activities, the 21-Point City Tour will make a great choice. The event is ending in August, so participating in July will be a good idea. You will first meet up with the participants at Park Pl. & the Boardwalk before proceeding to Absecon Island. Then the event is ready to move on to a relaxing ride through Atlantic City history. On Absecon Island, there are 44 points of interest to see and explore. What’s more, transportation is provided and historical narrative will be made available.

Art After Hours: First Tuesdays

Held at the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers, First Tuesdays is the perfect event for all art lovers in NJ. If you are free on 5th July 2016, be sure to head down to this signature monthly program by Zimmerli. There will be a variety of activities to enhance the overall museum experience as well. You can opt for a guided tour where curators will provide insight on current exhibitions. In addition, musicians from the New Brunswick Jazz Project and Mason Gross School of the Arts, and two guest artists from the tri-state region will be present as well.

With so many fantastic events happening in NJ every month, it is easy to see why many people choose to stay in the state. Entertainment venues are easily within reach and everything is just so convenient! If you are property hunting in New Jersey and want to narrow down your best real estate options, you can call us at 201.568.5668 or email Josh@NJLux.com today!

Closter, Cresskill, and Demarest Among The Top Places To Live In New Jersey

Posted on June 20, 2016February 14, 2023 by njlux-admin

If you are planning to move to New Jersey, the state offers everything from large, spacious estate homes to fine dining establishments to charming countryside scenery. NJ offers plenty of diverse places to live in. What’s more, NJ has a stable economy that is spearheaded by main industries including tourism, telecommunications, banking and more. Its close proximity to some of the most alluring beaches is an outdoor lover’s door to paradise. If you decide to go property hunting in the Garden State, Closter, Cresskill, and Demarest are among the top places you should consider:

Closter

Closter is a well-known borough in the scenic Bergen County. This neighborhood is exceptionally livable and its many pros include high income per capita, a very stable housing market, low crime rates and lots of local amenities. The quality of a school district is usually one of the top factors for parents considering where to live and Closter does not disappoint in this feature too. Closter has a strong education system in place which ensures high graduation rates. Do you know that Closter is home to a wide variety of commercial establishments, and this is a good indicator of active entrepreneurship here? This could be the start of a new career that will allow you soar new business heights. The median home price in Closter is about $629,200 with more than 80% of the real estate being owner-occupied or rented out.

Here’s a sampler of what you can get in Closter: A grandiose house that is located on Closter’s most prestigious cul de sac and comes with a private temperature controlled wine cellar.

Cresskill

Cresskill is a borough with an interesting history that date back to America’s colonial period. Just like Closter, Cresskill enjoys a stable housing market and ranks high in terms of quality of living. While Cresskill’s median home value is about $566,626 and investing in real estate here does require a substantial investment, it is certainly worth it because the properties you can find here are spacious and the number of rooms per house is above state average.

Here’s a sampler of what you can get in Cresskill: An all-brick Colonial estate at its finest, this property is beautifully landscaped and features more than 10 rooms. Its opulence is further enhanced with the generous use of marble and the fact that it overlooks the breathtaking Ramapo Mountains.

Demarest

One of the greatest things about living in Demarest is its safe and caring local community. While Demarest exists as a pretty small borough compared to others in the state of New Jersey, some of the most affluent and opulent estates and homes are found here. If you truly embrace living the urban sophisticated lifestyle, or you are moving in as a family, Demarest is an excellent community for you to consider. From low crime rates to a solid education system, this ethnically-diverse borough offers a lot of pros if you want to make it your home.

Here’s a sampler of what you can get in Demarest: Built on a 2-acre land plot, this French Chateau with 11 bedrooms is situated in one of the most sought-after addresses in Demarest, coming with two swimming pools, bowling alley, spa, tennis court, and more.

If you require assistance in finding the best real estate options in Closter, Cresskill, and Demarest, do not hesitate to email or call us today at NJLUx.com!

Easy Ways To Amplify Your Curb Appeal For Your House in New Jersey

Posted on June 15, 2016March 1, 2023 by njlux-admin

If you are eager to sell your property in New Jersey, you have to remember that first impression always counts. Especially when you are in a buyer’s market, you need to make your house stand out among the competition. The first thing that attracts NJ property buyers is the quality of your curb appeal. From the first moment they set eyes on your house, you have the chance to capture their attention when your exteriors look stunning. Need help to amplify your curb appeal? Fret not, here are some great ideas that are easy to implement:

Repaint Your House’s Exteriors

A repainting job always does the trick because prospective buyers get the sense of “new” when they see a fresh coat of paint. Even if you have decorated the interiors well, you seldom get a chance to impress the house buyers if they keep thinking about how dull your house looks on the outside. For those who want to spend less and if your exterior paint is still holding up decently, you can consider washing the exteriors to spruce it up.

Fix the Roof and Chimney

The roof and the chimney are often the highest points of the house and they will often be the first things prospective house buyers notice. Even if they do not pay attention to these features, your home inspection report will point them out. Problematic roofs and chimneys are going to be a main area of focus for the buyer to push down your selling price so rather than losing value this way, it’s better that you fix them and add value to your property.

Change the Front Door

As one of those features that prospective NJ house buyers notice upon visiting your house for viewing, you can instantly give a superb impression through the front door. The very first thing you can always say to buyers is that “We have just recently upgraded the front door” and these prospects will start the viewing with enhanced house security in mind. Do make sure that the new door you are getting matches the style of your house and the more unique it looks, the better your chances of selling the house fast. By the way, the front door easily stands out in photos posted in your online listing, so there’s another incentive you can consider.

Spruce Up the Landscaping

Now, I know what you are thinking – maybe this will be expensive but on the contrary, it does not have to be. Use a local handyman to put down new mulch and help you trim shrubs. After he’s done, you can just sweep around the front yard and the walkway yourself. Not only will you make your front yard looks clean, you will also create a positive environment to welcome the prospective house buyers during viewing sessions.

Replace the Mailbox and House Number

This is by far the cheapest investment you can make on this list but can be effective enough to enhance the first impression you are making. Replacing house numbers can make your address look posh while changing a new mailbox is a nifty move to make your property stand out in your NJ neighborhood. As mentioned, you will find that it does not break the bank to do these upgrades so for those on a tight budget to improve the curb appeal, you won’t go wrong with this option.

Moving For Your Kids – Quality Schools In New Jersey

Posted on June 10, 2016February 8, 2023 by njlux-admin

When you are buying real estate in a new state with your family, the state’s education system and available schools will play a big part in influencing your decision, especially if you have kids of school-going age. If you are a concerned parent and want to ensure your kids study at quality schools in New Jersey, here are some stellar NJ educational institutions to consider:

Princeton University

Located in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a well-known private Ivy League research university that was established in 1746. The education institution provides both undergraduate and graduate instruction in engineering, natural sciences, social sciences and humanities, and more. As the university has groomed many successful students, its alumni include Fields Medalists, Abel Prize winners, and more.

Tenafly High School

Currently Bergen County’s top public school, Tenafly High School caters to more than 1,050 students staying in Tenafly and Alpine. Offering a robust curriculum with a wide spectrum of extra-curricular activities, Tenafly High School is committed to nurturing students into well-rounded contributing members of an ever-changing global society. This school was only the only NJ school to receive the highly coveted Blue Ribbon School Award by the US Department of Education in 2005.

Newark Academy

Situated in a 68-acre plot of land in Livingston Township, Newark Academy is a private school established since 1774. It features both a Middle School and an Upper School with nearly 600 students in its cohort. They have students coming from 81 different neighborhoods in New Jersey, and Newark Academy was notably the first school in New Jersey to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma.

Biotechnology High School

Located at 5000 Kozloski Rd, Freehold, New Jersey, Biotechnology High School is one of the top ranking high schools in New Jersey. Also known as Biotech, the school provides a comprehensive vocational education to students over the course of four years. The school’s main curriculum boasts an intensive science program, and aims to ensure every student is equipped with all the knowledge and practical skills to pursue further education in fields such as natural sciences and biotechnology.

Essex Fells Elementary School

Located in Essex Fells, Essex Fells School is an elementary school that enrolls students who are eligible for preschool through sixth grades. Students are taught in relatively small groups/classes, with a 7.2 student/teacher ratio. According to recent reports, more than 200 students attend the school. Essex Fells Elementary aims to nurture their students to communicate effectively and think critically through a mastery of the English language as well as establish a strong sense of responsibility.

High Technology High School

Founded in 1991 and located in Monmouth County NJ, High Technology High School enrolls students in ninth through twelfth grades. The school offers courses such as Principles of Engineering, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Introduction to Engineering and Design and more. Developing students to become future leaders and life-long learners are part of the school’s mission so you can rest assured that your child is receiving quality education at one of the quality schools in New Jersey.

Rutgers University

Also known as the State University of New Jersey, Rutgers University is New Jersey’s largest educational institution and doubles as an American public research university. Rutgers University is established in 1766, and currently has more than 60,000 undergraduate and graduate students in its student population. They are taught by the university’s 9,000-strong faculty. There are three campuses located throughout NJ in New Brunswick, Newark and Piscataway.

If you want to know more about quality schools when you are buying property in New Jersey, feel free to talk to us and let us show you the best listings that fit your real estate criteria.

Top Ways To Invest In Real Estate

Posted on June 5, 2016February 14, 2023 by njlux-admin

The popularity of real estate investments has significantly increased over the last five decades. Investing in real estate is more than just finding yourself a great house to buy in a nice neighborhood, it is a common investment vehicle that needs to be driven the right way. Today, New Jersey is one of the best states in the U.S. to invest in homes so that’s where you should start looking first.

Although there are plenty of opportunities for making big gains in the real estate market, it is pertinent that you equipped yourself with expert knowledge before you buy or own any of it. Truth is, it is more complicated than investing in bonds and stocks. But do take heart that it won’t be long before you finally find your best way forward. Here are some ways to invest in real estate:

Go for Real Estate Trading

If you have always been inspired by the capabilities of day traders or actually have such skills, the strategy of flipping properties may be the ideal way for you to make a neat profit from investing in real estate. Like other types of investments, you need to avoid these common house flipping mistakes, and profits are definitely yours to gain if you can buy properties in a very hot market or are significantly undervalued, and then sell them after a short period of holding time (between three to four months tops).

Buying a House then Making it a Rental Property

Feel safer if you took fewer risks? Sure, it is definitely a great decision and there are no qualms about the success of this type of venture. If rental properties are something new to you, you just need to know it entails a process of buying a property and renting it out to a sincere tenant. In this case, you are the owner, thus the landlord, so you are in charge of paying for the property’s taxes, mortgage and maintenance costs.

A common strategy is to also charge sufficient rent to cover all of the aforementioned expenditure, wait until the mortgage has been fully paid, and start enjoying when the majority of the rent becomes profit. What’s more, your property may also have appreciated in value over time so it’s pretty much a win-win situation, isn’t it?

Invest in Real Estate Investment Trusts

Also known as REITs, a trust like this is created when a trust or corporation utilizes their investors’ money to operate and purchase income properties. Similar to other stock out there, real estate investment trusts are also bought and sold on major exchanges. When the corporation you have invested in makes profits that are taxable, you get paid via dividends.

Leverage When the Opportunity Rises

If you are a real estate investor, you have a special tool that is not available to stock market investors, which is the ever-important leverage. Let’s say you are ready to buy a stock. In most cases, you are required to pay the full value of the stock when the buy order is placed. Buying on margin is no different and the amount of money that can be borrowed is still less than with real estate.

A majority of traditional mortgages often require 25% down. However, there are many types of mortgages that require as little as 5%. Yes, depending on the property’s location and this is the leverage you need. With this leverage in your grasp, you can pay a fraction of the property’s total value to control its entirety as well as the equity it holds.

Of course, before diving into a real estate investment in New Jersey, it is best to consult an experienced NJ property agent to ensure careful choices are made.