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Month: February 2017

5 Interesting NJ Events Happening In March 2017

There is a myriad of interesting events taking place in New Jersey all year round. If you are wondering whether NJ events happening in March 2017 are as interesting as previous months, the answer is yes! Let’s find out more about these amazing NJ events.

The Fest for Beatle Fans (A Tribute)

When: 3-5 March 2017

Where: Hyatt Regency Jersey City, New Jersey 07302

The festival for Beatles is the perfect event for Beatles fans to gather. What’s more, celebrity guests and hosts are slated to grace the event. From dance activities to auctions of goods and paraphernalia used by the Beatles band, there will also be a contest to find look-alikes of the fabulous four – Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.

John Ciotta

When: 1-29 March 2017

Where: Resorts – Superstar Theater, Atlantic City, NJ

John Ciotta is a renowned percussionist, singer, and entertainer. He has been exciting audiences world-wide for years, including countries such as Scandinavia, Europe, Singapore, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, and Atlantic City. His performances has won the hearts of every nationality and culture because of his emotion-charged deliveries as well as the ability to perform in German, Spanish, French, Italian, and English. What’s more, his audiences have included luminaries such as Bob Hope, Billy Joel, and more.

Grand Funk Railroad

When: March 4, 2017

Where: Tropicana Casino – Tropicana Showroom, Atlantic City, NJ

Also known as Grand Funk, Grand Funk Railroad is an American rock band that was highly popular during the 1970s. The band had toured extensively and played to packed arenas around the world. Recognized for their arena rock style, Grand Funk was well-regarded by audiences. If you are a fan of hard rock or blues rock, this is the performance/event you do not want to miss while visiting New Jersey in March.

Arlo Guthrie & Taj Mahal

When: March 3, 2017

Where: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark, NJ

Arlo Guthrie and Taj Mahal are two musical legends that will be performing together in one incredible night. If you loved their musical works, you will definitely have a good time because songs like Statesboro Blues, City of New Orleans, etc., will be performed. Arlo Guthrie is the eldest son of singer Woody Guthrie, and has toured around the world playing many shows, including the Boys Night Out Tour, The Guthrie Family Legacy Tour, and more. Taj Mahal is a two-time Grammy Award winner, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and singer.

The Temptations & The Four Tops

When: March 23, 2017

Where: Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood, NJ

For more than five decades, the legendary Motown originators, The Temptations and the Four Tops have created a series of smash hits, as well as sold-out performances worldwide. What’s more, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. Catch them live at the Bergen Performing Arts Center, on March 23, 2017!

If you are interested to own a property here in New Jersey, it is recommended that you contact a qualified, local real estate expert to get started on the right track.

How To Evaluate An Offer For Your North Jersey House

Selling a home can be a complicated process especially for those who are not familiar with the real estate industry. One of the key goals of a property sale should be to ensure that one does not end up in a position where they sell the house for far less than they could have. Part of doing this is marketing the property well, as well as being able to evaluate offers to find out if they are good enough. This is where an established North Jersey real estate broker will become most important since he or she will support you every step of the way. Some of the important elements you should consider when evaluating offers for your North Jersey house include:

The Offer Price

Of course, this is the magic number that any home owner will consider when evaluating offers when selling their homes. By the time you are putting your home in the market, chances are that you already have an idea of how much it should fetch. Sometimes, this is a simply a ballpark figure, but the figure you have in mind should be more informed than that. The kind of neighborhood you live in, the state of the house, presence of amenities such as a swimming pool and the costs of other houses in the same neighborhood should give you a value you can consider as the offer price.

The Deposit

The other important feature of any North Jersey house offer is the deposit the would-be buyer is willing to put down. Clients who are serious about buying a property are more likely to put down the deposit as a show of commitment, and to also ensure that the house is not sold off to another client. If the buyer deposits more than is the expected minimum, this shows an increased interest in the house, which in turn means that they are likely to eventually buy the house.

The Home Inspection

A committed buyer will want to have the house professionally inspected before they can fully commit to buying it. This also provides them with information regarding how much money they might need to spend on maintenance and sorting out any issues the house might have. You should therefore expect this to happen when you put your house for sale. Fixing simple things such as leaking faucets should have been done before you put the house up for sale, so that the inspection will be in your favor.

These are just a few of the things you need to keep in mind when evaluating an offer for your home. The trick to selling a house easily and getting the most out of it is making sure that the process is handled by a professional. Getting a realtor to put your house on sale and then handle all the technical issues surrounding the process will give you peace of mind and also ensure that the legal issues will be sorted out as well. Of course, you would need to work with a realtor with enough experience in buying and selling houses in New Jersey for this to work.

Neighborhood Guide: Upper Saddle River, NJ

Upper Saddle River is located in Bergen County, in the northeastern part of New Jersey. Upper Saddle River has an area of 5 square miles, and has a population density of around 1,560 per square mile. This makes it quite appealing to homeowners who want to live in an area that is not crowded. Access to the main roads (Route 17, West Saddle River Road, East Saddle River Road and Lake Street) is easy from the neighborhood, so transportation should not be a hassle.

Lake Street and Saddle River Road are serviced by regular bus services, so public transportation is hassle free as well. Located at a comfortable altitude of 260 feet above sea level, Upper Saddle River is an excellent choice for many homeowners given the excellent amenities in place.

Living in Upper Saddle River, NJ

Living in Upper Saddle River, NJ can best be described as idyllic. The quiet, well-planned neighborhood has been described as an excellent environment to live with your family. Different kinds of homes are available, from estates to townhouses so finding a home that will suit you is easier here than in most other neighborhoods in the country. From the moment you get here, you will be instantly aware of the warm, friendly environment.

Dining spots

  • Five Guys Burgers and Fries

Located on 43 E Route 59, this is one of the most popular fast food restaurants in the region. The popularity stems from the restaurant’s culture of paying attention to quality for each meal. You will always be assured that your fast food will be tasty. Try out the hand cut fries cooked in peanut oil as well as the Cajun fries if you have a palate for spicier food. The variety in the menu ensures that even with family, everyone will find a meal that will become a favorite, and which will definitely be always be well made.

  • Sapphire Divine Indian Dining

When you have a hunkering for some exotic cuisine, you can try the Sapphire Divine Indian Dining restaurant, located at 164 Franklin Turnpike. This restaurant has an excellent décor, and has a menu of sumptuous North Indian meals. Vegetarian dishes are easily available. All meals are freshly prepared, so you can expect the true taste of North Indian cuisine.

Points of Interest

  • Lions Park

Upper Saddle River is home to Lions Park, the main park in the neighborhood. This offers decent trails, and provides you with an opportunity to come up close with nature. Lions Park is most well known for its playground facilities, which include swings and wide open fields for different games. Your kids will definitely love this place to bits, as it provides a lot for them to do as well as a chance to meet other kids and make friends.

  • The Upper Saddle River Historical Society Museum

Whether you’re a history buff or not, visiting this museum will be an interesting experience. In addition to the displays, the museum also hosts regular special events such as the Harvest Fest that you can attend with your family. The whole experience is as entertaining as it is educating.

As you can see, Upper Saddle River, NJ has a lot to offer to both current and potential homeowners. If you are seeking a comfortable, friendly neighborhood with excellent amenities such as schools and well-equipped hospitals in New Jersey, then Upper Saddle River is a choice that you will not regret. To get started, you can check out the latest Upper Saddle River property listings and consider your options.

Want To Stay In NJ & Commute To NYC Daily?

If you plan to live in the Big Apple without a sufficient budget to expend, you may start to find your available income diminishing rapidly because of transportation, groceries, bills, rent, and other expenses. So, let’s say you have finally made the decision to move away from New York City, and are looking to settle in a place that’s more affordable yet not far from NYC; you may want to consider living in New Jersey. When you stay in NJ, you have nothing to worry about as it will be easy to commute to NYC daily. Consider these NJ towns if you find yourself in this dilemma:

Secaucus

For starters, Secaucus is one of the easiest towns to commute to NYC daily. This town is basically the closest thing to New York City. What’s more, official timetables state that train ride between Penn Station and Secaucus Junction lasts approximately 13 or 20 minutes! That’s not all because you will also be able to hop onto almost any NJ Transit train. If you choose buses as your mode of transportation, you can rest assured that they can take the express lane when there is heavy traffic. In most cases, trains never get stuck; they only cost $4.25 per ride or $126 a month.

Harrison

Harrison, NJ is situated inside Passaic River’s bend and is straight on the PATH line which connects the World Trade Center and Newark Penn Station. That’s why you will be able to arrive in Manhattan in 20 minutes. The average cost of your commute? It’s only $89 per month or $2.75 per ride!

Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon is the Village of Pelham and the Westchester County city bordering one another. In addition, they feature similar commuting times. Mount Vernon features close proximity to the Bronx, which means you can drive to the nearest subway and take it into NYC. You also have the option to take the Metro-North Railroad (only half an hour away from Grand Central station). One more thing, you should not forget that Mount Vernon now offers both Line Harlem and Line New Haven options across three different train stations!

Bloomfield

Bloomfield has always been one of the most popular Jersey side choices among like-minded commuters. While Bloomfield might not be as vibrant as its Montclair counterpart, it is still considered a thriving township with a population of approximately 50,000. What’s more, you do not have to walk far to enjoy everything Montclair has to offer. When you live in Bloomfield, the commuting options are pretty diverse because you can choose either bus or train. With that in mind, the 192 express bus can take you to Port Authority in half an hour; and the NJ transit lane from Glen Ridge or Montclair to Penn Station can also take you to there in half an hour.

Floral Park

Floral Park is a Long Island town that has a population of over 16,000. The town is currently serviced by an array of LIRR train stations along Floral Park and Bellerose – the Hempstead line. While you may need to make the occasional transfer at Jamaica station, average traveling time during peak hours usually lasts from 31 to 40 minutes. If you are taking LIRR rides, you have plenty of book reading opportunities.

If you are interested in the idea of staying in other NJ communities such as Thomaston, University Gardens, Great Neck Estates, and Kensington (they are within close proximity to the Great Neck Train Station of LIRR) It is highly recommended that you work closely with an experienced NJ realtor. Need help finding the perfect NJ town that’s easy to commute to NYC daily? Feel free to contact us at NJLux today.

Look Out for Public Schools During Your Property Search!

Property search can be a dreary process, but one that is necessary under many instances. The success of such a process usually depends on a host of factors such as whether or not you use a realtor, having an idea of what you are looking for, and matching your expected sale price with a neighborhood that has homes costing around the same price. One element you may forget to consider is the presence of public schools near your potential home. It is important to look out for this because:

School Speed Zones

Most public schools will have speed restrictions on the streets near the school for the sake of the students’ safety. Though this is a noble thing, it can also increase the amount of time it takes you to get to your home. If you are interested in buying a house that is close to a public school, you could consider figuring out if there is a way to bypass the speed zones, and see if this reduces the amount of time it takes you to get home.

The Issue of Traffic

You also need to take into account the traffic buildup that can be attributed to the presence of the public school. Carpooling, the presence of bus stops and low speed limits can all contribute to traffic snarl-ups particularly during the weekdays. As a prospective buyer, it may be a good idea to identify how bad the situation is, and whether you can tolerate it or not. If the tailbacks are usually very severe, it might be wise to avoid buying that particular house since you would be subjected to hours of traffic practically every day.

Bus Stops

If there is a public school in the vicinity of the home you are about to buy, then you can be sure that there will be several bus stops in the area. This can be a double-edged sword. For one, it means that your kids will be dropped closer to home, thus making them safer. On the other hand, the presence of several bus stops on roads to and from your neighborhood will contribute to traffic snarl-ups. To find out how severe this problem is, you can consult a local realtor for more information. You can also get information from other sources such as the news and even by talking to the parents who take their children to the public school.

These are just some of the effects of having a public school close to your home. If you are in the market for a home, you might want one that is not so close to a public school for all the reasons above and more. The easiest way to finding a home with this and other requirements is by letting a realtor do the work for you. They can go through their real estate database and filter the results based on what you want. This results in a quicker way to find your dream home during the property search process.

Is It Possible To Sell Your Property Urgently?

There are many reasons why a homeowner would want to sell their home. Common reasons include a growing family, a change of environment, or job relocation. It could also be a measure taken because you simply want to get a new home. However, there are times when selling the house becomes a time-sensitive priority. Examples of this include when you have a limited time frame to move to another state or country for a new job.

In such cases, you may need to think outside the box to sell the house quickly. You can consult a realtor for tips on how to do this or talk to other people who have been able to pull it off for advice. That said, there are things you need to do to increase the chances of selling your home quickly, including:

Refresh The Home’s Interiors

It’s obvious that you will need to spruce up the home to make it more attractive to potential clients. However, how you go about it can influence how quickly you sell the home. Choosing to make small changes to refresh the house rather than opting for a major renovation project would be ideal. Some of the small changes include giving the home a fresh coat of paint and remodeling some of the aspects of the home. This will not take too much time, and will allow you to put the home in the market much sooner than if you had decided to do a complicated renovation. When making the small changes, aim at those that will catch buyers’ eyes.

Outsource The Property Sale

One of the best methods of urgently selling your home is by consulting a realtor and asking them to do it for you. The fact that they are in the business means that they can handle all the nitty gritty details that you would have forgotten to sort out had you opted to go it alone. Once you have identified an ideal realtor who has enough experience in the industry, you can leave most of the heavy lifting to them. The good thing about quality realtors is that you can tell them about your predicament and the need to sell the house urgently, and they will do all they can to make this happen.

Price Your Property Right

How much you decide to sell the house for can also influence how fast you sell it. When the price is too high compared to the true value of the house, it will be difficult to convince potential customers to buy the house. You also don’t want to sell the house at a throwaway price and end up making a loss. Getting the sweet spot in terms of pricing usually involves an inspection and consideration of current real estate industry variables. Once again, this is where a reliable real estate agent will come in, since they will be able to do all this for you with accuracy.

With these and many other tips, you can sell your property urgently rather than having it stuck as a stale listing for ages before someone decides to buy it.

How To Amplify Curb Appeal During Winter

When selling a house, the first important issue you should remember is that psychology heavily influences the decisions of potential buyers. It’s important that you do as much as possible to convince buyers that the house is a good deal, and that it is exactly what they are looking for. Most established realtors know the details that need to be optimized to amplify the curb appeal of any house.

During winter, it can be a little bit more difficult to sell a house since the weather may make it harder to make the house more presentable. But there are a few things that will effectively increase the winter curb appeal, including:

Giving The Home A Seasonal Sparkle

Rather than thinking that winter will make it more difficult to make your home look attractive, you can work with it for an excellent effect. For instance, if you have an unused fountain on your lawn, you can add a few twigs or even mirrored glass balls on it. When properly done, this will create an eye-catching work of art that will convince most people shopping for homes to consider taking some time to check out your home. Remember, the first step to selling your home is attracting the potential customers.

Use Lighting To Your Advantage

During winter, it may be darker than usual during the day, and potential home buyers may also opt to house-hunt in the evening when the sun is setting. Sometimes, even a house with a beautiful décor will end up looking bland if the lighting is not adequate. To prevent this, you should consider lighting up the home to make it more attractive. The exterior lighting fixtures should ideally be bright, and you may need to clean them to ensure that the light they produce is not blocked by dirt. The light bouncing off the snow is likely to create a warm feeling, and the glow will certainly feel inviting.

Show The Sunny Side Of Your Home

If your house looks particularly stunning during sunny days, you should not be shy to point it out your house’s non-winter curb appeal to the potential buyers. An easy way to do this is having a few photos of the home during sunnier times, so that they can see what they can expect once winter is over. You can also put photos of your curb (images of your curb appeal during winter, and summer) side by side so that buyers can see the transformation. Seeing that the home has a very beautiful garden during summer can be the tipping point for some buyers, who then decide to commit to buy the home.

There’s a lot more you can do to make a house more appealing during the winter, thus increasing the chances of a sale. These ideas can be gotten from many sources including blogs and even social media. If you are working with a realtor to sell the house, they would provide perfect advice regarding this particularly if they have a lot of experience in the field. You can also use realtor testimonials and other sources of information to gauge their quality. If you follow these tips, then it is likely you will work with a stellar realtor, who will make it easy to sell the house during winter.

Neighborhood Guide: Bergenfield, NJ

Bergenfield, NJ is a borough located in Bergen County. The borough has a population density of around 9,300 people per square mile, much less dense compared to most cities in the country. Bergenfield is a melting pot of culture, giving it an exciting and vibrant feel. Most races are represented, and people with Filipino ancestry make up a significant portion of the population.

With over 60 miles of well-maintained roadway within the Borough and an efficient public transport system, getting around is no problem for residents. The combination of excellent amenities such as schools and hospitals together with the warm, vibrant environment and very low crime rates makes Bergenfield an excellent option for potential homeowners.

Living in Bergenfield, NJ

The mixture of different cultures gives most neighborhoods here a decidedly vibrant feel. People from all walks of life mix freely, as most are very friendly which also gives Bergenfield a warm feel. By the time you settle in, chances are that it will be easy for you to connect with neighbors and many people you meet. Bergenfield still remains quiet and idyllic despite the vibrancy.

Dining Spots

  • Jamaican Delight

Located on 463 S Washington Avenue, Jamaican Delight is one of the most popular restaurants in Bergenfield. An excellent décor combined with very well-made Jamaican cuisine gives this restaurant a good reputation among the locals. Whether you have tried Jamaican food before or not, chances are that you will like this restaurant.

  • Nihon Kai

Nihon Kai is one of a few Japanese restaurants in the area. Located on 41 S Washington Avenue, Nihon Kai has gained a reputation for providing genuine Japanese cuisine. Whether you’re on a date or want to have a family meal, Nihon Kai will always leave you impressed, both with the quality and value for money you get.

  • Fritzie’s Bake Shop

For the best in cakes and pastries, Fritizie’s Bake Shop on 363 S Washington Avenue should be your first stop. All cakes and pastries are usually fresh, so you can enjoy the most out of them. The shop also accepts custom orders.

Points of Interest

  • John Pall Park

One of the most popular parks in the borough, John Pall Park is located on Thames Boulevard. It offers excellent space for you to take a walk, hang out with your friends or take a walk away from the bustle of the outside world. Playground facilities are available, so your kids can have fun too.

  • Tommy Fox’s Public House

This is an old-school tavern with an Irish feel to it, located on 32 S Washington Avenue. The interior décor is attractive, and makes the tavern a fun place to be. This is definitely one of the nightlife highlights of Bergenfield. It is an excellent place to catch up with your friends or even make new ones.

  • Fitness II Gym

Providing excellent and well maintained gym equipment, well trained assistants and even a smoothie bar, this should be on your list of places to go to regularly. Fortunately, membership fees are incredibly low given the excellent amenities provided including ample parking space.

These are just a few of the things that will make you love Bergenfield, NJ; there is a lot more. The fact that Bloomberg Magazine rated Bergenfield as the second-best place in the state to raise your kids should give you an idea of what kind of environment you will find. Whether you are moving in alone or with a family, buying a home here is a great choice. To get started, check out the recent real estate listings now!

Best Kids’ Destinations For Indoor Activities In New Jersey

Well, it is true that all kids love to play outdoors. However, certain weather conditions prove to be too risky for kids to stay outdoors. In New Jersey, you can rest assured that there are places where your kids can frolic all the year round in an indoor atmosphere that will still keep your children happy. Some of the best destinations for indoor activities in New Jersey are listed here for you and your kids to enjoy.

Fun Force

It may be winter outside now, but you don’t have to keep your children at home just because of the weather. In NJ, there is a myriad of places where kids can play indoors. There are wall-to-wall trampolines and giant mazes for kids to play indoors. It is at Fun Force where the real fun begins for your kids with bouncing in the air in a house, racing at a roller rink, and battling via laser tag. After extolling their skills at the Fun Force, the next place on the list is the “Gala Ball,” where arcade games await them.

Big Playhouse

The Big Playhouse is a non-tech, out of the ordinary, playground for kids who are less than six years old. It is an ideal place to play make-believe and get their hands dirty at a construction site, as a chef at the “Café Main,” and or be a doctor that nurse animals at “Doctors at Main.” If you want your children to develop their imagination, pay a visit here today!

Play Your Way

The big playground and activity center called ‘Play Your Way’ situated at Mill Racing Shopping Center, Riverdale is an adventurous place. This center helps kids under six years old at beam balancing, improving their agility at climbing, and older kids try their skills at an obstacle course and rock climbing on a mini wall.

Elite Climbing

Your kid junkies who fly high on adrenaline will enjoy the day running races, or zooming up rocky walls, or flying down the zipline in this ‘Elite Climbing’ center situated at 67 Old Kings Hwy. on Maple Shade.  There is no requirement for any previous sports experience for kids to have a great time being introduced to these sports.

Fun Time Junction

Go play in the “Fun Time Junction” at 400 Fairfield Road, where it is a perfect place for kids, preschoolers to learn the basics of outdoor living in a giant jungle gymnasium, going for a spin in vehicles, and get creative with crayons and other craft materials. The older kids can also play tag with laser guns and lots of other games found in carnivals.

Pole Position Raceway

Kids who love all things fast will love to race away on the ‘Pole Position Raceway’ at 99 Caven Point Road in Jersey City. Your kid will have an opportunity to race for first position at this very famous “Arrive & Drive” program where kids can participate in go-kart activities. The kids will learn the art of speed, endurance, control, and more. The basics of safety driving will also be taught to your children through the junior races.

For families living in New Jersey, there is never a dull day, even during the winter season. If you are interested in living in New Jersey, you can check the latest NJ listings or consult a reputable real estate agent to help you get one step closer to finding your dream home.

2017 Interior Design Trends to Know

If you are interested in kick-starting 2017 by refreshing your home’s interiors, having an idea of some of the hottest interior design trends in 2017 is important. It gives you an idea of a wide array of design trends that you can choose from, and you could even pick elements from different trends to combine them to come up with a unique look of your own. Some of the trends that will definitely be in demand this year include:

Rethinking The Use Of Color

Proper use of color has always been a major element of modern interior design, and this will become even more dominant this year. In the past few years, white and muted colors were all the rave, and were featured in many high-end homes as a positive. However, we are starting to see a comeback of muted pastel colors such as emerald green and dusty rose becoming more popular this year. Creative use of color for walls and fabrics to interesting effect is also likely to be seen, with many homeowners making more of an effort to make furniture, curtain treatment and wall colors matching to have a specific effect.

More Materials For Your Design Creativity

In the past, the materials available for use during interior design were limited to wood, metal and a few other common materials. In 2017 going forward, the number of materials you can use has dramatically increased. This increases the creative freedom one might need when doing interior design. It also makes it possible to mix and match different materials for more personalized designs. These include leather, metallic finishes, crackled resin, reclaimed wood and more.

Kitchens Will Be Featuring More Dark Metal Finishes

Over the past few years, the typical kitchen has featured silver finishes and the use of silver appliances such as fridges, toasters and cookers to match with the design. However, this has seen a shift starting late 2016, and likely to gain momentum in 2017. This shift if seeing people using darker metal finishing for kitchens to give them a more elegant look and feel. Satin brass, matte black and other similar colors end up looking extremely futuristic and elegant, and attract a high demand from customers doing interior design.

Layering And Textures Get More Attention

Rather than simply having a carpet in living rooms and other similar areas, 2017 will see more homeowners and designers pushing for different textures and then layering them in a specific pattern. One of the commonest ways to achieve this is by using natural fiber rugs. Adding depth to a room using layered rugs is also becoming a popular option as well.

These are just a few of the 2017 design trends you should know if you are going to change the décor to your home or are designing a new home construction. If you are moving house, you could also use the above pointers to find a home listing that features interior décor elements to look out for this year.

Manson in night view

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