Thursday, May 29, 2008

Improve the Air Quality in your Office Environment

It's been awhile since I've written about healthy, green living. It's a passion of mine to learn to reuse materials, recycle, to eat more organically, have less clutter, use less energy, do what I can as a person to help the environment.

As a Realtor, the overall market is always a concern. It's been a rocky road in the housing sales. However, talking and writing about healthier ways of living go hand in hand in the Real Estate biz.

A few years ago, I found an article about a study that NASA along with the ALCA (Associated Contractors of America) conducted in the late 1980's about houseplants that was good news to homeowners and office workers.

This is Spring time, the weather is warming up, more outdoor living, more open windows but there are buildings where it's difficult to bring the fresh air in. Not so good if you spend a lot of time in energy efficient buildings that lack the proper ventilation. If that's the case, the lack of good air quality can trap pollutants in the unventilated buildings.

The recommended plants can be found below. Note that all the plants in the list are easily available from your local nursery.

1. Philodendron scandens `oxycardium', heartleaf philodendron
2. Philodendron domesticum, elephant ear philodendron
3. Dracaena fragrans `Massangeana', cornstalk dracaena
4. Hedera helix, English ivy
5. Chlorophytum comosum, spider plant
6. Dracaena deremensis `Janet Craig', Janet Craig dracaena
7. Dracaena deremensis `Warneckii', Warneck dracaena
8. Ficus benjamina, weeping fig
9. Epipiremnum aureum, golden pothos
10. Spathiphyllum `Mauna Loa', peace lily
11. Philodendron selloum, selloum philodendron
12. Aglaonema modestum, Chinese evergreen
13. Chamaedorea sefritzii, bamboo or reed palm
14. Sansevieria trifasciata, snake plant
15. Dracaena marginata , red-edged dracaena

For an average home or space of under 2,000 square feet, the study recommends using at least fifteen samples of a good variety of these common houseplants to help improve air quality. They also recommend that the plants be grown in six inch containers or larger.

For health and wellness tips for your home or office, don't hesitate to call me or drop me an email. It would be my pleasure to pass what I know to help.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

GOOD NEWS in our Marketplace

HOME SALES PREDICTED TO RISE IN LATE '08


As many of you know the Real Estate market has had some pitfalls and slower than normal sales activity in the last year or so.

I am very pleased to know that in our area we are looking much brighter than in other parts of the country. Last year, we experienced one of the slowest years in terms of contract activity in 10 years.

Buyers may want to consider looking a for a home at a great price while the mortgage rates are still low and sellers there are BRIGHTER DAYS AHEAD.

Below please find some links to recent articles on the marketplace that are informative and help you better understand where we are going.

If you have any listings needs or questions on the market in our area, please don't hesitate to send an email or just call me direct on 732-684-1559.

I look forward to hearing from you. Have a fabulous and prosperous week.


http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008805140423

http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2008051603?OpenDocumentp://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008805140423

http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2008051603?OpenDocument

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Real Estate RollerCoaster Ride

It's a very strange Spring Season we're in here at the Jersey Shore. It's busy one week and slows up the next.

So much inventory, more hurdles to get a mortgage and I haven't seen prices like this in ages. It's time to buy so what is holding everyone up? It's not going to be like this forever.

If anyone looking to buy or sell a home, please know that I'm a hardworking Real Estate Professional and know my market since 1992. Foreclosures, short sales, vacation homes, primary homes, condo/townhouse, land, new construction. I've had the experience. I am here for you buyers or sellers on the fence and not sure what to do. I would love to hear from you.........

Mission Statement
To provide valued customer service to buyers and sellers in Real Estate through listening to their needs and the communication of resourceful information that inspires them to make their best choice.

My ultimate goal is to be the catalyst to help them fulfill their AMERICAN DREAM of home ownership.

Thanks for reading my blog........Lucy

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Why are sellers so impatient?

This is a very challenging time for sellers. They had a great ride there for a while back in 2002 - 2005 times were great. Many, many real estate investors were born. Even sellers who had not considered selling their homes jumped on the wagon and made huge profits in getting there homes sold.

The real estate market just like anything else is a cycle. Whatever goes up, must come down. And down is where it seems to be heading. We should consider ourselves lucky here at the Jersey Shore because our area is most definitely not experiencing the same downward spiral many other areas are like Florida, California and Nevada.

The market here is not the strongest but at least buyers are now out looking. Sellers need to realize that price is important. Buyers are looking for a good deal because most know the market could still drop a little further. Why are sellers so anxious and opposed to reducing their prices of homes for a sale? If a home is not moving no matter how many open houses, advertising, marketing, even showings a listing could have, the reasons are most always the price. The location and condition are important but PRICE to sell is a big deal.

SELLERS NEED TO STOP BLAMING THE REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS FOR NOT DOING A GOOD JOB. SELLERS NEED TO WORK MORE THAN EVER WITH AGENTS TO GET THEIR HOMES SOLD. SELLERS NEED TO UNDERSTAND PRICING THE HOME TO SELL IN THE BEGINNING IS THE BEST WAY TO GENERATE AN OFFER ASAP. SELLERS THAT TRULY WISH TO MOVE ON SHOULD REALIZE THAT FOR WHAT THEY MAY NOT REAP IN THEIR SALE THEY WILL MAKE IT UP IN A BUY.

While housing affordability in New Jersey has improved over the last year, home sales remain weak due to a variety of factors including tighter lending standards and low confidence in home prices. Adding to these housing troubles is growing concern about job security as the economy shows increasing signs of weakness.

No one has a crystal ball in this market but ending on a positive note, if you can make the move the interest rates and price points overall it is a good time to purchase a home.