Free money from the government - sounds like a late-night infomercial.  Believe it or not, there are legitimate programs, mostly loans and tax credits, to help first-time buyers purchase a home.  You won’t be getting millions scot-free, but you might qualify for enough help to make a new home affordable.

Most programs require the buyer to write or submit an application.  You must meet certain requirements, which will vary, to be considered eligible.  There may be time limits on spending.  For example, one New Jersey program requires a purchase be made between April 8, 2009 and December 1, 2009.  There will certainly be limits as to how much funding they buyer can receive and how those funds are used.  The program mentioned above can only be used for down payments or closing costs. 

Reviewing these applications and verifying the information given takes time.  Don’t forget these are government programs so be prepared for some paperwork, possible red tape and delays.  If you’ve already picked a house and made an offer, you won’t likely have enough time to secure additional assistance before your closing date.  Start the application process early, secure the funding, and then begin your home search.

Federal
The federal government is offering a substantial incentive to buyers.  The National Association of Home Builders has an excellent FAQ sheet on their site www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com.

First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit:  This is the one most people have heard about.  A true tax credit, not a loan, of up to $8000 is available for those buying a principal residence (not an investment or vacations property) for the first time.  Purchase must be made before December 1, 2009.

State
In addition to the federal government, some states are offering first-time buyer incentives.  The state of New Jersey is one of a number of states offering help to buyers through a variety of programs.  The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency has several listed on the state’s website, www.state.nj.us, for easy reference.  Here is a sampling of the programs listed there.

First-Time Home Buyers Tax Credit Loan (TCLP) Program:  A loan, not a gift, to pay closing costs and/or down payments.

First-Time home Buyer Program: Another loan offered at a below-market, fixed interest rate.  You must be a first-time buyer or buying in an urban area.

The State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, also on the state’s website, is offering a unique opportunity as well.

New Jersey Individual Development Accounts (IDA):  A matched savings program for low-income families.  Funds may be used for buying a home, starting a business or continuing higher education.

This is by no means an exhaustive list.  Ask your Summit NJ real estate agent to help you do some research into government programs for first-time buyers.  It’s worth a look if it means “free” money.

Once of the first house hunting concerns parents face is the school system their children will be attending.  When you buy a house, you also invest in the community and all it has to offer.  That includes the schools

Think about your goals and plans before you start your search.   You may not yet be a parent, but will you be starting your family while in your next home?  Do you plan to remain in that long enough that the school system should be a factor in your decision?  It’s best to answer these questions at the start of a new home search.

Choosing a school system to suit your needs takes a bit of forethought on your part.  Do what you usually do when you have a parenting question – ask other parents.  Check out the school websites for contact information for the local PTA or PTO.  Walk through neighborhoods in the evenings when you are house hunting and look for other parents.  Don’t be afraid to ask around.  Word of mouth is a powerful gauge of a school system, but it may not tell the whole story.

Test scores and other statistic can help fill in the rest of that story.  Two websites to check out are www.schoolquest.com and www.greatschools.com.  They post demographics and reviews and each has a school search feature.  Some states publish their own “report card” on-line.  There are many other resources on-line.  Your Summit NJ real estate agent might have a link on his website, too.

You might want to call and perhaps even visit a few schools in person.  Ask about extra-curricular activities, afterschool care and enrichment programs.  Find out what action the schools will take if a child is struggling academically or if one is found to be especially gifted.  Long discussions are best saved for when school is not in session and the staff less occupied, but ask if you can make a brief return visit when the children are there.  This gives you a chance to see the level of discipline maintained in the halls and common areas.

Private schools are becoming a more and more popular choice among parents.  They should be subjected to the same scrutiny that you would use for a public school (perhaps even more, since you will be paying the tuition).  Think about the distance between the private school and the homes you are considering.  Find out how long the commute actually takes during school hours, factoring in traffic and time spent in drop off and pick up lines. 

Choosing a school system is an important component in a new home purchase.  Make sure you do your homework before you buy.

There was time when moving meant getting a few pizzas and calling in a few favors.  Once you have more than a futon and bean bag to move, you will probably want to find a professional mover to help you.  They won’t work for pizza but you might actually be able to trust them to keep your favorite chair from falling off the truck.
Step away from the computer.

Yes, that’s right.  Take your hands off the keyboard and call a few real estate agents.  Get recommendations from them and from anyone else you know who has moved lately.  The Internet is a great resource but start with actual people.  Try to get names for at least 3 or 4 companies to compare.

Check them out.
Next, check out the names you’ve found with your local Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed.  See is you can find out how long they have been in business through your state’s secretary of states’ office.  Older is better in this case.  You can go back to your computer now and run a few searches on the company names.  Disgruntled customers are not shy about publishing their negative experiences on-line, but take these reports with a grain of salt.  Those people may have had other motivations for their reports, but if a pattern begins to develop you’re better off trying the next company on your list.  Sites like movingscam.com are a good resource for consumer comments.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s site protectyourmove.gov is a treasure trove of information regarding safety and compliance with regulations.

Make an appointment
Call the companies that have made the cut so far and ask them to come to your home and give you a written estimate.  Anyone who won’t give an estimate should be crossed off the list, immediately.  Reputable companies will give you their rates upfront and won’t change them on your moving day.  Be sure to ask if they subcontract moves.  That should eliminate a company from your list, too.  After this, it will be your turn to go visit them.  Check out their facilities, offices and vehicles to be sure they are who they say they are.  If the company looks a little shady, chances are it is.  Make absolutely sure that they are insured and find out what their policies are regarding damages and claims.

Negotiate
By the end of this process you will likely have a favorite company.  If their price is higher that some of the others on the list, ask if they are willing to negotiate and show them the estimates you have gathered.  Keep in mind, they may offer services the others don’t but you have nothing to lose by asking.

Moving is a stressful enough time.  Don’t make it worse by hiring a mover without researching them first.  Moving may have gotten a bit more complicated as you’ve grown up but at least you don’t have to sleep on that futon anymore!

Short Hills real estate owners typically have beautiful lawns anyway, but if you’ve found that it’s time to sell your home for another property, curb appeal can mean everything, and these spring landscaping tips can help.

• Dump The Dead: Dead foliage, twigs, and leaves can leave your lawn looking like it’s had a rough time this winter. Take the time to remove all of it as soon as possible. If you have ornamental grasses in your yard, you’ll want to cut them back at least six inches so you can get ready for new growth. Be sure to remove the clippings, though.
• Tackle Low Areas: Spring is the ideal time to use mulch for those lower areas in your overall landscape plan. Four inches of mulch is about the maximum you should use in any given area.
• Take Care of The Weeds: In just fifteen minutes a day three days a week, you could tackle any weed problems you have. It doesn’t take a lot of time to keep up with the problem, and stopping it before it starts means you won’t have to spend hours making the outside of your Summit NJ real estate look more attractive.
• A Little Help Never Hurts: From your lawn to your flower beds, a little help from fertilizer certainly isn’t going to hurt your curb appeal. You can even find a huge variety of organics to help keep your lawn safe for the kids.

Curb appeal means everything when you’re trying to sell your home, so take the time to make your lawn look like a spring oasis.

Claremont Realty Group joined 10,000 walkers and runners in North Jersey’s Susan G. Komen RACE FOR THE CURE on Sunday, April 26th in Essex County’s Branchbrook Park. Claremont Realty Group and their team, THE PINK WARRIORS raised $13,530.00 for the cause!

CRG’s race participants include from left: Nekki Robinson, Toni George, Kristin Balsley, Bill Webster, Janet George, Katy Roessle and Liz Parcells; missing from photo is Debby Prinzen.

Green living is at the forefront of the minds of many these days, even those buying new homes. From trying to decide whether your neighborhood association might allow solar panels to carefully evaluating your carbon footprint, buying Short Hills NJ real estate may mean making a fresh start, ecologically speaking. Luckily, this area is one of the most environmentally responsible in the country.

A recent Summit NJ Recycling Advisory Board Meeting only serves to demonstrate the area’s overall commitment to the cause. Over the course of bi-monthly meetings for the last three years, a myriad of programs have been implemented to help make the area a bit greener. From extensive Earth Day programs to recycling cans sponsored by city merchants to the famed Green Fest events, the board is attempting to change the way Summit and the surrounding areas look at their impact on the earth.

Even the public library is getting in on the act. By hosting energy expert Dr. Phillip Eisner to discuss the “Science of Sustainability,” not only can the community learn more about what’s currently being done, but also what should be done to make certain both new and old residents are continually working to build a better future.

As you select the right Summit NJ real estate to meet your needs, maybe it’s time to think about your carbon footprint as well. What can you do to pitch in?