Living In Your Home • October 26, 2021

It’s Time For Home Fall Maintenance

by Roslyn Sibilia

As we head into the heart of the fall season…it’s time for routine maintenace which protects the exterior, interior and major systems of your home. Yes it is a time where many clean out and organize, but maintaining a home properly will protect your investment. Before the weather gets really cold and snowy it’s time to get out there now. Here is a list of items to get you started. From winterizing your exteior pipes, replacing system filters and checking your roof, you will be happy to know that you can rest easy this winter. If you are preparing to sell your home, even better. This will assist the home inspection process and prevent hiccups. The winter season has always proven to have serious buyers looking for homes.

If you want more tips about how to get your house home ready, contact me at 732-995-5609 or go to NJhomesbyroslyn.com

Home Fall Maintenance List

Inspect your roof.

Protect faucets from freezing temperatures.

Freshen your furnace filter.

Ready your fireplace.

Keep the humidifier humming.

Ward off gas problems.

Keep wood fires burning brightly.

Keep the humidifier humming.

Ward off gas problems.

Keep wood fires burning brightly.

Repair walkways.

Review safety features.

Prep your lawn for winter.

Clean your carpets.

Bennett, J. (2021).Prep Your Home for the Season with Our Fall Maintenance Checklist. Better Homes & Gardens. https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/advice/your-homes-fall-checklist/

Enjoying New Jersey • October 1, 2021

Carve Out Time For Halloween Happenings

by Roslyn Sibilia

No Halloween Party? No Problem..There are a number of things to enjoy this Halloween weekend to experience the season! Check out the list below put together by New Jersey Leisure Guide! I would love to know your favorites!

Halloween Central Jersey has many “scary” and “not so scary”, frightful shows, events, and parades that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

We have put on our costumes and headed into the dark of night with a full moon to search haunted houses, cemeteries, and pumpkin patches for ghosts, goblins, and skeletons to come up with the best Halloween events for families with kids. Caution: many of these events are Soooo scary that they are not recommended for children under 8. Suggest you call ahead to confirm age appropriateness.

Note: Sometimes conditions require cancellations or changes of dates, times and location which are not reflected in the original schedule. Before planning a trip to visit one of the listed events, it is suggested that you call the event sponsor to confirm the event schedule or for additional information on the event.

Stay tuned — we will be updating this list as the event sponsors confirm this year’s events.

Halloween Central New Jersey 2021 Events

Very Scary Halloween Events

Trap Door Escape Room

60 White Street

Red Bank, NJ

Website

570-234-3366

Open seven days/week

These are spooky physical adventure games in which people coordinate in “Creepy” rooms with other participants and have to use elements of the room to solve a series of puzzles, find clues, and escape the room within a set time limit.

Must be 14 or older to enter alone. Ages 10-13 can enter if accompanied by an adult.

HallowFest

September 10 – October 31: The park will operate from 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and from 5 p.m. with varying closing times on Friday evenings

Six Flags Great Adventure

1 Six Flags Boulevard

Jackson, NJ 08527

Website & Tickets

Caution: The park is family-friendly by day, but they turn up the terror at dusk!

From 2 to 6 p.m, families and young thrill-seekers will experience HALLOWFEST Thrills by Day.

Chills by Night begins at 6 p.m. and will feature four scare zones, three shows, and three haunted mazes available outdoors in the wide-open midways, plus one indoor haunted maze.

Nightmare at Gravity Hill

Cicconi Farms

1005 Farmingdale Road

Jackson, NJ

732) 703-4198

Website/tickets

Weekends beginning September 17 and ending on October 30, 2021

Located on five acres of farmland, there are over a dozen scary scenes & settings in it’s Graveyard and its Haunted Fields. Expect a 35 minute walk amongst chilling, haunted trails with creepy themes and adventures.

The curse of Gravity Hill features an extensive cast of terrifying ghouls, zombies, creepy clowns and other denizens of the night.

Casola Farms – Haunted Attractions

Weekends, beginning Friday, September 24th and ending Sunday, October 31st, 2021

Casola Farms

131 South Main Street

Marlboro, NJ

732-946-8885

Website

Featuring 4 Terrifying Attractions: The Haunted Hayride of Terror, 3d Haunted Barn, Haunted Wooded Trail, and the Marlboro Zombie Breakout

Field Of Terror

Open weekends Friday, Saturday & Sunday beginning on Friday, September 24th and ending on Sunday, October 31st, 2021

831 Windsor Perrineville Rd

East Windsor, NJ

Website/Tickets — No on-site tickets sales, every one must buy a timed ticket before arriving

Choose from 4 terror filled events and one non-scary Family Friendly flashlight corn maze for those who are less brave.

Scary Rotten Farms – Haunted Experience

Berry Fresh Farms

151 Brick Blvd.

Brick Township, NJ 08723

(732) 477-0606

Website & Tickets

Not for anybody under the age of 13, unless accompanied by an adult

Weekends, beginning Friday, Septemeber 24th ending Saturday, October 30, 2021

3 Terrifying Haunts:

Twisted Tales, Sinister Sneed’s Chaotic Carbival of Chaos, and Blackened Plaque

COVID SAFETY MEASURES will be in place.

Scare Farm

120 South Branch Rd.

Hillsborough, NJ

Website

Weekends, beginning Friday, Septemeber 24th ending Sunday, October 31, 2021

This year Scare Farm will again be hosting 3 Great Attractions, and after the great response of last season our Creepy Hollow, Paranoia Walking Trails and The Slayride – Hayride will again be one continuous Attraction for One Price.

Oasis Island of Terror

3 Circle Drive

Robbinsville, NJ

609-259-7300

Website/Tickets

Weekends beginning Friday, October 1, until Saturday, October 30, 2021

The featured Scary attractions are “The Woods Have Eyes” and “Blackout.” They also have The Sawmill Escape room. A realistic escape room experience, where the last piece of the puzzle is YOU!

During the daytime, the attractions include: U-pick your own pumpkins, Fall sand art, Haunted (decorated) Fun Zone, Haunted Gem Mine, and the Fossil Adventure.

Asbury Park Zombie Walk and Undead Festival!

Saturday, October 2, 2021; 1pm – 6pm

Asbury Park Boardwalk

Asbury Park, NJ

Website

The New Jersey Zombie Walk is dedicated to all things horror and zombie. The undead outbreak was born in Asbury Park in 2008, and every year since the zombie horde has increased in size, rocketing the event further and further towards a total citywide takeover. Prior to 2014 when the Zombie Pub Crawl in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, with over 15,000 zombies was listed by the Guinness Book of World records for the “largest gathering of zombies”, the Asbury Park Zombie Walk with over 10,000 held that record.

At 1pm, arrive in costume. Zombie Walk Info & Merchandise tables will be set up right along the Boardwalk. At 4pm the Zombie walk begins on the Boardwalk, heading from Convention Hall down the boards towards the Casino where it will turn onto Cookman Avenue and head towards the Downtown! The Zombie Walk route ends outside of Johnny Macs House of Spirits on Main Street. Judging for the Costume Contest will take place on the stage outside of JMacs immediately after the Zombie Walk!

The Haunting at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel

Selected dates from October 14th thru October 30th, 2021

Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel

1401 Ocean Avenue

Asbury Park, NJ 07712

Tickets

Cost: $35 +

Experience a Halloween tour of 13 haunted rooms @ The Berkeley Hotel in Asbury Park, NJ, along with a VIP speakeasy featuring Halloween-themed food & drinks! The Haunting is all new for 2021 – experience the haunted ballrooms and tour through an all new level of the spooky hotel. More Frights, More Scare Actors and More Fun. Also, make sure to add tickets for the Last Ride Immersive Coffin Experience as well as the Prisoner Maze. VIP’s (21+) get access to our Halloween Speakeasy Bar. This scary event includes strobe lighting, serious terror and loud music.

Brookdale Haunted Theater

selected dates from October 15th to October 30th, 2021

Brookdale Community College Performing Arts Center

765 Newman Springs Rd.

Lincroft, NJ 07738

732-224-2411

Website

Cost: $20

brookdalehauntedtheater@gmail.com

Brookdale’s annual Haunted Theater – designed, built and run by current and former students – is a delightfully scary, tormented trip through evil creatures, ghouls and ghosts, bloody body parts, and more. The popular Haunted Theater redefines “stage fright” for its many visitors during the walking tour of a maze of blood-chilling rooms.

Haunts In The Park

Thursday, October 28th, 2021; 5pm & 6pm( Rain date: Friday, October 29th)

Community Park

1001 River Avenue

Point Pleasant Boro, NJ

Website

Cost; 2$ for the G rated (for younger Children) walk @5pm. $5 for the 6pm more scary Haunted Trail guided walk (may not be appropriate for younger children)

Not So Scary Halloween Events

Northlandz Halloween Train Rides

Saturday & Sundays, October 2 – 31, 2021

Northlandz

495 Highway 202 South

Flemington, NJ 08822

Website

908-782-4022

This event features outdoor spooky train rides with a Pumpkin Pie eating contest, Halloween parade, Games & Prizes, Music Concert , Food Trucks, a Pumpkin Painting contest, and more.

BlueClaws Laser Light Shows

October 8th & 9th, 2021; Gates open for each show at 6:00 pm and each show begins at 7:00 pm (Rain or Shine)

FirstEnergy Park

2 Stadium Way

Lakewood, NJ

Website/Tickets

Tickets are available now for just $18 for adults and $12 for juniors (12/under).

The show is choreographed to a set of spooky music is sure to excite fans with a one-of-a-kind show across the Jersey Shore sky. Food and drink will be available at the ballpark. The Boardwalk, presented by Toyota World of Lakewood, with popular boardwalk games, plus the BlueClaws mini golf course, will both be open during the event.

The night will also be Halloween-themed. Kids are encouraged to come dressed up in costume and take part in a costume contest. The contest winner will earn a 2022 BlueClaws Luxury Suite for their family, to be used in April or May, subject to availability.

Night of Frights

October 22, 23, 2021: @6pm

The Historic Village at Allaire

4263 Atlantic Ave.

Farmingdale, NJ

Website & Tickets

Cost: $10 – $15

Enjoy the village grounds and historic buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries…visit with ghosts, ghouls, and monsters. Storytelling at the Chapel; a special night out at the Blacksmith Shop; the Manager’s House with fortune-telling for your entertainment; Mr. Allaire’s Macabre House; the Carriage House with legendary spirits; the towering four story shadows of the General Store stocked with seasonal goods; and don’t forget treats at the Bakery plus our very own Haunted Food Truck! New for 2021: TWO twisted, scary, creepy trails that will give you goosebumps In the dark of the night, from woods to historic homes, the Historic Village at Allaire takes on a twist for the Halloween season. Costumed ghouls, Glow In The Dark Bubble Witch Show, & Fire Juggler.

Boo Tastic

October 23rd, 24th, 30th & 31st, 2021: from 12-4pm each day.

Jenkinson’s Boardwalk

300 Ocean Ave

Point Pleasant, NJ

Website

732.892.0600

Cost: $29

This family event features the aquarium, mini golf, arcade games, a treat from the sweet shop. Wear a light-up pumpkin necklace and take home a Halloween bag.

Annual Toms River Halloween Parade

October 30th, 2021; @ 7pm

Toms River Center

Main Street and Route 37,

Website

Reported to be the 2nd the largest Parades of it’s type in the world by Guiness Book of World Records! It’s a parade with plenty of floats and decorative Halloween themed attractions. Arrive early. It is recommended you arrive about 2 hours prior to the start of the parade. This allows time to get settled and comfortable so the parade can begin on time. In the past, people have put chairs out even earlier. Parade starts at 7:00 pm, from the Toms River Center located at Main Street and Route 37, proceeding South on Main Street, then east on Washington Street and concludes at Hooper Avenue. Most trophies will be distributed at 101 Hooper Avenue, Ocean County Administration Building

Somerville Spooktacular

October 31, 2021; 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Main Street, and Borough Hall!

Somerville, NJ

Website

Community event presented by Somerville Recreation & Downtown Somerville Alliance. Enjoy music, activities, and entertainment on Division Street, Main Street, and Borough Hall!. Participating merchants will be handing out candy to trick or treaters! Free parking in lots 1, 2, and 4 as a treat for parents.

(2021) “Discover The Best Halloween Events This Year”. New Jersey Leisure Guide, https://www.new-jersey-leisure-guide.com/halloween.html

Enjoying New Jersey • September 1, 2021

It’s Apple Picking Season In The Garden State

by Roslyn Sibilia

The Garden State welcomes Fall!...New Jersey is home to so many orchards and it makes for a great day for the fall season. What is better than the taste of a newly picked Macintosh or a Granny Smith apple or a freshly backed hot apple pie and cider? If you are looking for some things to do in the coming weekends, here are a few orchards listed in Northern, Central & Southern New Jersey by NJ Leisure Guide that you might like to check out. If enjoying these events makes you think of relocating to Central New Jersey, I’ve got you covered…just contact me...Roslyn Sibilia at 732-995-5609 / NJHomesbyRoslyn.com

Northern NJ Apple Picking Farms

Alstede Farms / 84 Route 513 (Old Route 24), Chester, New Jersey

In addition to apple picking, they offer Fall Family Fun Days Features scenic hay wagon rides to pumpkin patch. Two corn mazes. Both mazes feature corn stalks that are over 10 feet tall with pathways carved through the immense plants. The adult maze is many acres in size and contains lots of turns and intersections. The children’s maze is only one acre is size and is much easier to transverse through.

Demarest Farms / 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale, NJ 07642 https://demarestfarms.com/

In addition to apple picking, they offer pre picked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, rest rooms, picnic area, face painting, birthday parties, school tours.

Hillview Farms / 223 Meyersville Road, Gillette, NJ https://hillview-farms.com/

A family owned and operated 53-acre farm. They offer a tractor ride to and from the apple orchard. Tractor starts around 10:00 and ends between 4:00-5:00.

Mackey’s Orchards / 284 Route 519, Belvidere, NJ http://www.mackeysorchard.com/

Varieties include MacIntosh, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Winesap, Granny Smith, Ida Red, Cortland, and dozens more.. Central NJ Apple Picking Farms

Melick’s Orchards / 472 Route 513, Califon, NJ https://www.melickstownfarm.com/

Pick your own Fuji, Honey Crisp and Gala apples as well as Asian pears every day 9-5

Phillips Farms / 564 Millford-Warren Glen Road, Milford, NJ https://www.phillipsfarms.com/

A family-owned farm situated along the scenic Delaware River in the rolling countryside of Holland Township; offers pick your own apple and peach picking.

Riamede Farm / 122 Oakdale Road, Chester, NJ https://www.riamedefarm.com/

Open daily in September and October; 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. They have 34 varieties of apples ranging from traditional classics to heirloom specialties to modern favorites. The early apple varieties begin to ripen the first week of September when we open for our pick your own apple season. Pick your own apples in a scenic old orchard. Take a free haywagon ride on weekends through the orchards out to the patch. Find a new apple favorite amongst our 34 varieties of traditional, heirloom and modern apple varieties, sold by the pound. Be tempted by fresh pressed cider, local honey, old fashioned jams, and warm cider donuts. Take home some gourds and Indian corn. And mostly, enjoy a country day and the fall colors at our 68 acre 250 year old farm, kept simple, authentic and without the carnival.

Ripple Hill Farm / 181 Mountain Rd, Basking Ridge, NJ https://www.ripplehillfarm.com/

Starting in early September, they are open to the public on Sundays from 12-4pm for pick-your-own apples as well as a farm stand with fresh, picked-that-morning produce. They offer varieties of apples including Macintosh and Gala, while Granny Smith and Stayman Winesaps are available later in the season. Please check their website to confirm dates & times.

Stony Hill Farm Market & Gardens / 15 North Road 8 Route 24, Chester, NJ https://stonyhillfarms.com/

Saturdays & Sundays 10AM-5PM. In addition to apple picking, they offer a Maze Fun Park and lots of activities for kids, families, and groups.

Sun High Orchard / 19 Canfield Avenue, Randolph, NJ https://www.facebook.com/sunhighorchardnj/

In addition to apple picking they offer a “Kiddie Corn Pit Play Area” – a giant corn filled sand box for ages 1-6, and other children’s activities including a Rope Maze, a Tile Maze, a Pipe Maze, and a Kiddie Hay Maze. and their friendly animals. Their alpaca “Jersey Gold” and mini donkey “Jessica” are always looking to make new friends. Please call ahead to confirm picking times & dates

Tree-Licious Orchards / 135 Karrville Road, Port Murray, NJ https://treeliciousorchards.com/

Featuring over 130 acres of fresh fruits, pumpkin picking, berry picking, apple picking, peach picking, private tours, corporate events, farm wedding, farm to table dinners and fun for the whole family. Moreover, the property where Treelicious Orchard resides has been an operating farm for more than 200 years.

Valley Crest Farm & Preserve / 14 Allerton Road, Lebanon, NJ https://www.visitnjfarms.org/Valley_Crest_Farm___Nature_Preserve/

Pick you own hours are 9am- 4pm daily and until 6pm on Wednesdays. Weekend hours are Saturdays from 9am- 4pm and Sundays from 10am- 6pm. Apple picking runs from August through November. They offer a variety of apples including Ginger Gold, three types of Gala, McIntosh, Macoun, Pink Lady, Cameo, Honey crisp, Granny Smith and more.

Wrightman’s Farms / 1111 Mt. Kemble Avenue, Morristown, NJ http://www.wightmanfarms.com/index.html

They are open for picking on Fridays , Saturdays, and Sundays

Central NJ Apple Picking Farms

Battleview Orchards / 91 Wemrock Rd, Freehold, NJ https://www.battlevieworchards.com/

Pick your own family farm with a country store and excellent bake goods.

Bonacorsi Family Farm / 1137 Croton Road, Flemington, NJ http://www.bonacorsifamilyfarm.com/

They offer over 60 varieties of apples. Please visit their website to confirm fall apple picking dates.

Eastmont Orchards / 321 County Road 537, Colts Neck, NJ http://eastmontorchards.com/

Early-September Honeycrisp, McIntosh; Mid-September to Mid-October Cameo, Cortland, Crispin, Empire, Golden Delicious, Idared, Jonathan, McCoun, Red Delicious, Spartan; Mid-October to Closing Arkansas Black, Braeburn, Fuji, Granny Smith, Red Rome, Stayman Winesap, Yellow Newtown Pippen

Giamarese Farm / 155 Fresh Ponds Road, East Brunswick, NJ http://www.giamaresefarm.com/

Open early July to September, for pick your own apples, nectarines and peaches.

Lee Turkey Farm / 201 Hickory Corner Rd., East Windsor, NJ https://leeturkeyfarm.com/

54 acres nestled in the arms of suburbia. Hundreds of fruit trees and acres of vegetables all yours for the picking. The picking/market hours are from 9:00am till 6:00pm begonning about the 2nd week in July. You must be at the farm no later than 5:15pm to enter the fields and orchards. Offers pick your own Apples, Peaches, and pumpkins

Terhune Orchards / 13 Van Kirk Road, Princeton, NJ https://www.terhuneorchards.com/

Fall Family Fun Weekends Enjoy a day of family fun on the farm! What better way to celebrate fall than with Pick-Your-Own Apples! Enjoy pony rides, wagon rides, visit the Corn Stalk Maze, the Barn of Legends and Lore, and our barnyard of farm animals. Don’t worry about lunch, there’s lots of food available – soup, chili, hot dogs, pies, apple cider donuts, apple cider, and more! Terhune Orchards features live music played by some of our best local talent, (between noon and 4pm). No admission. Parking is at the farm.

Von Thun’s Country Farm Market / 519 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction, NJ https://vonthunfarms.com/

A family owned farm. They offer U-pick Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, apples, and pumpkins. U-pick strawberries start the berry picking in late May. Blueberry picking traditionally starts in late June, followed by blackberries later in the summer. Apples and pumpkins are available for picking from mid-September through October.

Southern NJ Apple Picking Farms

Haynicz’s Orchardview Farm / corner of Buck and Elk road (Rt 553 and Rt 538), Monroeville, New Jersey https://www.facebook.com/Hayniczs-Orchardview-Farm-Market-and-Greenhouse-197438020269238/

Theyhave pick your own strawberries, peaches, apples, collards and pumpkins in season.

Hill Creek Farms / 1631 Route 45, Mullica Hill, NJ

They grow three varieties on dwarfing rootstock including; Cameo, Jonagold, and The Autumn Rose Fuji apples. In addition to apple picking they offer a snack and refreshment stand, picnic area, face painting, pony rides, and school tours.

Johnson’s Corner Farm / 133 Church Rd., Medford, NJ https://www.johnsonsfarm.com/?utm_source=GMB

Offers pick ypur own apples, peaches and pumpkin picking. Visit their Animal Farm, which now includes an obstacle course. The Animal Farm is bursting with many animals to feed along with a pipe slide, wacky bridge, rope maze, balance beam, and tire climb! Enjoy our furry animals in a picturesque farm setting with utilities to feed them safely through our feeding tubes and to wash-up afterwards at our hand washing stations. There is also the Discovery Barnyard This is a Fun-filled and secure area designed for Families with young children. The Discovery Barnyard is brimming with age appropriate climbing structures, shaded eating area, small animal barnyard, and our very popular pedal go-carts. Click this link for a full explanation, and check out our photo gallery of fun! On those hot summer days, cool off at our farm market with a delicious Ice Cream cone, thick Milkshake, or refreshing Italian Ice, and enjoy it while sitting under the shade of our sycamore trees or our tented picnic area.

Mood’s Farm Market / 901 Bridgeton Pike (Route 77), Mullica Hill, NJ https://www.moodsfarmmarket.com/

They also have an Apple Festival on Saturday, September 11, 2010 10:00am – 4:00pm. The festival kicks off with the interactive story of Johnny Appleseed at 10:00. The Donut Eating Contests will follow at 10:30. The winner receives a cash prize and a bag of donuts. There is one adult contest and two kids contests.

Strawberry Hill Farm / Corner of Waln & Ellisdale Road, Chesterfield, NJ https://strawberryhillfarm.org/

Golden Delicious, Gala, Empire, and Macintosh apples available

Living In Your Home • April 6, 2021

It’s Time For Spring Cleaning

by Roslyn Sibilia

The weather may not feel like it, but spring is here…Time to dust off the cleaning supplies for the home. Before the weather gets nice enough where you don’t want to do it, take advantage now while still indoors. There are so many things to give the seasonal dusting and cleaning to that get ignored the rest of the time. Here are some things that are good to address to give your home a fresh feel for the spring and most importatnt if you are looking to prepare your home to sell. If you want more tips about how to get your house home ready, just contact me at 732-995-5609 or go to NJhomesbyroslyn.com

Home Spring Cleaning List

The Exterior

*windows & screens (including sills and molding). Winter just seems to linger on the windows

*vent covers

*ceiling fans

* wipe down the walls

*doors (those that have fingerprints on them, because we refuse to use the doorknobs.

*switch covers

*moldings clean and recaulk if needed (including base moldings and chair rails and other decorative ones.

*carpet steaming

*airduct cleaning

*dryer vent cleaning (this prevents fire hazards)

Bathrooms

recaulk if necessary. Caulk sometimes gets dried up and cracks. Recaulking prevents leaks before they turn into something more. Grout is porous and it’s good to seal it, too.

Tile floors

If using waxes, sometimes there is a buildup, steaming the floor removes this residue

Declutter

Organization is just as important. Out with the old and in with the new. Get rid of excess papers, supplies and objects that have been around and not needed. With less stuff in out in the house, comes less cleaning.

This is a great time to look up a local charity and donate unused or lightly used clothing, toys and appliances. If you haven’t used things for a few years, you probably don’t need them. If you find it hard to part with some things, take pictures and keep in an album, especially when it comes to school projects or work.

Exterior

*Prune shrubs

*Remove any dead foliage

*Edging give a clean look to a lawn or anywhere grass leads to a patio or pool.

*Repaint/stain the deck

*Powerwash the patio, walkways, house and pvc fence. Parts of a home facing north, get discolored with a moldy green. This is normal due to the minimal amount of sun on that side.

*Weeding…we all hate it, but it needs to be done

*Resealing the driveway

EDGE Scholarship • January 3, 2021

Scholarship Application Season Is Here!

by Roslyn Sibilia

EDGEscholarship.com

Have questions…Contact me at 732-995-5609 or RSibilia@ERACentral.com

Housing Market • September 9, 2020

Listen to Your Fellow Americans

by Roslyn Sibilia

Positive news regarding the housing market has created a confidence to be part of it… Many Americans are optimistic when it comes to decisions about buying or selling a home based on a recent poll by Fannie Mae. See what other Americans are saying about the housing market. If you are ready to get off the fence and search for a new home, contact me, Roslyn Sibilia at 732-995-5609.

In a seller’s market, it’s not too surprising Americans have expressed optimism toward home selling. But Americans also say it’s a good time to be a buyer—in fact, more Americans are bullish over buying than selling.

Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index, which reflects the attitudes of more than 1,000 respondents toward housing, shows consumer sentiment over five of six housing indicators increased in August. Consumers are expressing more optimistic views than previously over buying and selling, and fewer concerns over job losses.

The buyer optimism stems from near-record low mortgage rates, which are helping to “restore much of consumers’ positivity on whether it is a good time to buy a home, while also improving the good-time-to-sell sentiment,” says Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist. “The August survey was conducted as consumers continue to face uncertainty regarding schools’ and business’ reopening plans and as the CARES Act $600-per-week income supplement expired.”

While Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index rose by 3.3 points in August to a reading of 77.5, the index is still down 16.3 points compared to a year ago.

Here’s a closer look at findings on consumer sentiment from the latest survey:

Homebuying expectations: The percentage of respondents who said it’s a good time to buy a home increased from 53% to 59% in August.
Homeselling expectations: The percentage of respondents who said it’s a good time to sell a home rose from 45% to 48%.
Home prices: Fewer respondents believe home prices will rise over the next 12 months, the percentage decreasing in August from 35% to 33%. The percentage of respondents who said home prices will likely fall decreased to 26% while the share who think home prices will stay the same was unchanged at 34%.
Mortgage rates: More Americans believe mortgage rates will remain near record lows. The percentage of respondents who said mortgage rates will go down even more over the next year increased to 33%. Forty-five percent of respondents believe mortgage rates will stay the same.
Job concerns: Consumers are less concerned about losing their jobs over the next year. Seventy-eight percent of respondents said they are not concerned about losing their job in the next 12 months, up slightly from 76% the previous month.
Household income: Some Americans are feeling richer. The percentage of respondents who said their house income is significantly higher than it was a year ago rose to 25% in August. The percentage of respondents who say their household income is significantly lower stayed unchanged at 16%. Fifty-nine percent said their household income has stayed the same.

To stay most updated regarding your home buying or selling decision, contact me to discuss your local market…732-995-5609 / NJHomesbyRoslyn.com

Source: “Poll: American Say It’s a Good Time to Buy and Sell” Realtor Magazine (September 9, 2020)

Living In Your Home • September 8, 2020

Helpful Tips When Working With Technology

by Roslyn Sibilia

Technology plays a huge factor is all lives these days….Many hours on a computer can cause side effects for some. With travel times eliminated , some may even work longer hours. Also, children’s education will be more technology driven than before with many virtual classes. Here are some tips below from Start Healthy Magazine to manage the side effects of digital headaches.

Today’s world revolves around screens. It’s hard to avoid, because most jobs require using a computer and a cell phone. Even outside of work, cell phones and televisions take up our free time. If this is you, you’ve likely experienced a digital headache. Here are the reasons digital headaches occurr and how to stop them.

Do digital headaches really happen?

Yes, digital headaches are real and in fact 60 percent American adults report experiencing digital eye strain, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, dry eyes, and blurred vision after prolonged use of screens. When using screens, blinking less than you should and trying to keep focus causes dry eyes and strain. Visual demands when dealing with screens is unlike any other activity. The technical term for it is an ocular migraine caused by eye strain and mental fatigue, and it could have serious consequences on your vision if you don’t take steps to decrease and manage it.

Suggestions to ease the pain and fatigue

Turn down the brightness

The quickest way to help decrease risk for ocular migraines is to decrease the brightness of the screen. Not only does this ease up your eyes from taking in so much light at once, but it will help prolong your battery life too.

Invest in a pair of computer glasses

Computer glasses have become a phenomenon among those immersed in digital work all day. By blocking out blue UV light, they help reduce damage to the retinas. These light waves are short and full of energy. They are the same light waves emitted from the sun and are why people wear sunglasses. Typically, computer glasses are separate from regular glasses and should only be worn when sitting in front of a screen for prolonged periods.

Limit your free time used on screens

Get outside, talk to people, and call instead of text. These are ways to step away from screens during your free time so you can reserve the work your eyes need to do during work hours only. Giving yourself time away from work should mean giving your body, most important, your eyes, time to rest as well.

Annual eye exams

Stay on top of your prescription when you feel yourself getting frequent headaches. It’s always a good idea to get an annual eye exam, even when you don’t feel your eyes hurting or vision changing. There are things going on in your eyes you can’t see or feel. When you have the proper prescription and care, it makes it easier on your eyes when they do have to work hard.

Eyes are often forgotten in our health care routine. Be kind to your eyes and follow these tips to help reduce risk factors of CVS (computer vision syndrome). Consult your optometrist before trying new glasses and changing your eye care routine.

Source: “Digital Headache Remedies” 2020 Start Healthy (September 5, 2020)

Living In Your Home • September 8, 2020

What’s Changed On Your List This Year?

by Roslyn Sibilia

Many desirable features or rooms fitting the popular search criteria have a tendency to change over the years…This year is no exception to the rule. In fact, 2020 has sparked a new wave of what is desired. Here are a few of the more popular ones. Would you add anything different?

Need space or would like to downsize?

Let’s discuss your options! Contact me at 732-995-5609 / NJHomesbyRoslyn.com

Source: Keeping Current Matters (September 4, 2020)

Housing Market • September 2, 2020

Keeping You In The Know

by Roslyn Sibilia

How Did Your County Measure Up with Home Sales?… Let me keep you on current with periodic updates about the housing market in your area. The current data shows that housing market is moving forward. Questions about your local market? Contact me, at 732-995-5609 / NJHomesbyRoslyn.com. I am always happy to keep you in the know.

Housing Market • September 2, 2020

Mortgage Applications…No Sign Of Slowdown

by Roslyn Sibilia

Thinking of Waiting it Out?…Other buyers are ahead of the game with low interest rates making the rising home prices more affordable. In fact the number of mortgage applications has surpassed the 2019 numbers 1 year ago and is up by 33%. Check out the additional information below offered in Realtor Magazine to support the current market conditions.

Contact me at 732-995-5609 /NJHomesbyRoslyn.com to discuss your next move. I am always happy to keep you in the know.

The summer homebuying spree continues as buyers rush to apply for mortgages, CNBC reports. The COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders delayed the spring housing market and fueled pent-up demand that took off well into the summer, making “August the new April,” CNBC adds.

Mortgage applications to purchase a home inched up 0.4% last week compared to the previous week, and are now 33% higher than a year ago, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported Wednesday.

Low mortgage rates are adding to buyer urgency. The average contract interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 3.11% last week, the MBA reports.

“The home purchase market remains a bright spot for the overall economy,” says Joel Kan, an MBA economist. “Mortgage rates at record lows and households looking for more space are driving this summer’s surge in demand.”

Meanwhile, applications to refinance are 34% higher than a year ago.

Offering an olive branch to refinancers, the Federal Housing Finance Agency announced Tuesday that it would delay implementation of a new loan refinance fee until Dec. 1. The fee, known as the “adverse market fee,” was originally slated to take effect in September. It will add a surcharge of 0.5% on mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that are refinanced into lower rates. That could result in up to $1,400 extra fee for homeowners refinancing an average $300,000 GSE-backed refinanced loan. The new fee does not apply to applications for home purchases.

“Extending the effective date will permit lenders to close refinance loans that are in their pipelines and honor the rate lock commitments they made to their borrowers, ensuring that economic relief in the form of record-low interest rates will continue to flow to consumers,” says MBA CEO Bob Broeksmit.

Source: “Mortgage Demands From Homebuyers Spikes 33% Annually, Signalling No End to Summer Spree,” CNBC (Aug. 26, 2020)

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It’s Apple Picking Season In The Garden State

It’s Time For Spring Cleaning

Scholarship Application Season Is Here!

Listen to Your Fellow Americans

Helpful Tips When Working With Technology

What’s Changed On Your List This Year?

Keeping You In The Know

Mortgage Applications…No Sign Of Slowdown

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