Author Archives

Matthew Haviland

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I Wish You Enough

I once read a story about an old man who was saying goodbye to his daughter at the airport. The daughter was going on an overseas assignment, and the old man felt it would be the last time he would see her.

As they were saying their final goodbyes at the gate, the old man said to his daughter, “I love you, and I wish you enough.”

Afterwards, another man who was waiting at the gate asked the old man what he had meant by saying, “I wish you enough.”I Wish you enough

The old man smiled and said, “That’s a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.” He paused for a moment and looking up as if trying to remember it in detail, he smiled even more.

“When we said ‘I wish you enough,’ we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with enough good things to sustain them,” he said.

“We meant, ‘I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish enough Hello’s to get you through the final Good-bye.’”

I love that sentiment. It reminds me that the pain in life has an upside, and the highs in life don’t last forever, so don’t take them for granted. As you gear up for the rest of this great year, I want you to know that I wish you enough in all things so that you find the right balance.

Sincerely, Matt Haviland Your Real Estate Consultant For Life

P.S. Let me know how you’re doing on your New Year’s resolutions/goals. I’m at SJhouses.com or 609-338-3773 and you can download and view my full February newsletter here:  2016 Newsletter- Matt

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Atlantic County First Time Home Buyer Grant Money Now Available – $10,000

It's back! $10,000 available for Atlantic County, NJ First Time Home Buyers

Good news!  The Atlantic County, NJ grant program is now funded with grants available of up to $10,000 for first time home buyers!  All funds are forgiven after 5 years.  This programs does not work for everyone so I’ve outlined the key requirements below.  You will need to be pre-qualified by an a approved mortgage company.  My preferred lenders are on stand by to help qualify potential first time home buyers asap and get them qualified to receive the grant money.

Free Money!

Free Money! $10,000 Grant For First Time Home Buyers

Eligible Applicants:

     HOUSEHOLDS

  1. Who have resided in Atlantic County for the last 12 months or are employed in Atlantic County.
  2. Who have not owned a home for the last  three years.
  3. With acceptable credit history and the ability to obtain an approved mortgage.
  4. With incomes below 80% of Median income:

These income levels are (2013):

                                                           # of Household  Members 80% of Median Income
1 Person. $38,400
2 Persons $43,900
3 Persons $49,400
4 Persons $54,850
5 Persons $59,250
6 Persons $63,650
7 Persons $68,050
8 Persons $72,450

If you or someone you know may be eligible to qualify for this grant please call me for more details at 609-338-3773.  Time is limited and funds are usually gone in a few months so please call me now.  Matt

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The Wildwoods & Diamond Beach Market Statistics For 4th Quarter of 2015

What's happening in the real estate market at The Wildwoods and Diamond Beach 2015

Here is an overview of the real estate market for The Wildwoods and Diamond Beach.  4th Quarter average sales price was $309,101.  This up 3% from the 3rd quarter of 2015 and up .07% from the 4th quarter of 2014.  Median sales price was a$255,000.  That’s a 6% increase from the 3rd quarter and a decrease of 8.8% from the 2014.  204 units sold in the 4th quarter of 2015.  That a decrease of 2.4% from the 3rd quarter and an increase of 8.5% from 2014.  Days on the market has gone down to 132.  That 3 days less than the 3rd quarter and 15 days less than it was a year ago.  Now is a great time to buy, invest and sell at the shore!  For more information on Wildwoods and Diamond Beach Real Estate contact me.  Matt

Wildwoods and Diamond Beach real estate statistics 4th quarter 2015

Wildwoods and Diamond Beach real estate statistics 4th quarter 2015

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Ocean City, NJ Market Statistics 4th Quarter Of 2015

What's going on in the Ocean City, NJ Real Estate Market For 2015 4th Quarter.

Here’s what’s happening in the Ocean City, NJ real estate market:

Average sales price of $588,770 has gone down by 1% compared to the 3rd quarter of 2015 and down 1% from 4th quarter of 2014.  Median sales price of $481,000 is down 7% compared to the 3rd quarter and 1% down from 2014.  Sales volume of 222 units sold is down 7% from the 3rd quarter and up 2% from 2014.  Days on market has gone up also to 128 days on market.

Right now is a great opportunity to buy sell and invest in Ocean City.  Please contact me for more information on Ocean City, NJ real estate.  Matt

Market Report For Ocean City, NJ 4th quarter 2015.

Market Report For Ocean City, NJ 4th quarter 2015.

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5 Crucial Reasons for an “Annual Home Review”

Here’s a quick note to let you know how I can help you or the person you feel
comfortable introducing me to.

Just like an annual physical, it’s important to do an “Annual Home Review.”
Your home may be your biggest investment so it’s critical to keep up-to-date on the
answers to these five crucial questions:Annual Home Review

1. What homes near you have sold, and how does this impact you today?
2. What new tax laws give you deductions or credits on home improvements?
3. What’s happening in your neighborhood that will impact the value of your home?
4. What changes have occurred in your life that alter your goals for the next 5 years?
5. What’s occurring with your current mortgage? What changes could benefit you?

The next time you are in a conversation with a friend, family member or
neighbor who is talking about their home’s value, remember the future belongs to
those who prepare, and I am prepared to help you and the people you care about. Call
or text and we’ll start right away. Together we’ll make the future better than ever!

Matthew Haviland, Your Real Estate Consultant For Life
Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore 609-484-9890 ext 132

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My Inspiration for Your New Year’s Resolutions

I’m inspired by the following story to set some New Year’s resolutions, not only about being kind
to others, but also about being kinder to myself. What do you think? Here’s the story:
On the way back from work every evening, more often than not, there would be a homeless
man standing at the exit ramp of the freeway.

He waved at every car. He was always happy and smiling and sometimes almost dancing.
Every day after work I would gather my spare change, and put it aside to give to him if I saw
him. A feeling of joy would come over me whenever he was there as I came off the ramp. He
had that effect. His joy was infectious. Occasionally the red light would be on for a minute and
we would ask each other about our day. His answer would always be the same, “I’m blessed!”
Then one day I was called into my boss’s office and told that I was being let go due to some
mistakes I had made on a recent project.

Winter on the Mill Pond in Port Republic, NJ

Winter on the Mill Pond in Port Republic, NJ

Needless to say that on my way home that day I was upset. I started calling myself names and
reviewing everything I had done wrong. I wasn’t feeling the joy as I got off the ramp where the
homeless man would be. Yet there he was as always, smiling and waving.

I’d hoped to catch the green light, but missed it. He set his eyes on me, as he strolled over to
my car. When he reached me, he gave me an even bigger smile than usual and said, “Today I
will give you a dollar.” He pulled a dollar out of his pocket and pressed it into my hand. I burst
into tears. I wanted to jump out of my car and hug him!

In hindsight, I know he helped me remember that no matter what I’d lost, I still had the choice to
be joyful in my present circumstances. I had no job and no savings, but in that moment, I
suddenly felt like I could deal with it. I vowed to stop beating myself up and get on with life with a
smile on my face and more kindness to others than ever before.

Sincerely,
Matt Haviland
Your Real Estate Consultant For Life

P.S. I hope your New Year’s resolutions are full of heart and joy. Please let me know if this
story inspires you as it did me.  Contact me at this site or 609-338-3773

P.P.S.  For more stories and inspiration download or view my January Newsletter here:  Jan 2016 Newsletter – Matt

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How to Get the Most from a Great Situation

Here is a quick note to let you know how I can help you or the person you feel comfortable introducing me to.  According to CareerBuilder.Com, the three most common months people receive promotions are January, July, and September, which means someone you know might be getting a promotion next month. Once that happens, increased responsibility, extended working hours, and longer commute times can be offset by moving to a house closer to the office.

Who do you know that's getting a promotion? They may need my help.

Who do you know that’s getting a promotion? They may need my help.

Experience shows that many people do just that—moving into their next home within 6-12 months of getting a new job or promotion. Moving quickly after a promotion lets family and friends enjoy well-earned financial rewards together.  The next time you’re in a conversation with a friend, family member or neighbor and they tell you they finally got that promotion, please don’t keep me a secret—take out your cell phone, look up my number and call or text me immediately.

My service is designed to help people find the home that fits their life best.

Matthew Haviland, Your Real Estate Consultant For Life

Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore 609-484-9890 ext 132

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My Holiday Gift

If you’re like me, you search hard for holiday gifts that have special meaning for your loved
ones. Fortunately, this year I came across an inspiring story that has sparked new ideas in a
whole new direction. Maybe it will do the same for you. Here’s the story:

It’s just a white envelope stuck in the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no tag. A similar
envelope has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past 10 years. It all began
because my husband Mike hated Christmas—the frantic running at the last minute to get a tie
for Uncle Harry—the gifts given because you couldn’t think of anything else.

Merry Christmas From The Haviland Group

Merry Christmas From The Haviland Group

Knowing Mike felt this way, one year I decided to bypass the usual swag and look for something
special. I finally found inspiration through our son, Kevin. Shortly before Christmas, Kevin’s
team was in a wrestling match against an inner-city team. The inner-city youngsters attended in
uniforms so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together. They
were a sharp contrast to our Eastside boys in their spiffy uniforms. The other team didn’t even
have proper headgear.

Kevin’s team beat them. Mike shook his head sadly, “I wish just one of them had won a round,”
he said. “They have potential, but losing could take the heart right out of them.”
Mike loved kids, and he knew them, having coached little league football and baseball. That’s
when the idea for his gift came to me. That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and
bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the
inner-city team. On Christmas Eve, I placed the first envelope on the tree, the note inside telling
Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me. His smile was brighter than the
Christmas tree that year and in all the succeeding years as I found new ways to help other
youngsters on behalf of Mike.

The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on
Christmas morning and our children, ignoring their new toys for a time, would stand with wideeyed
anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents.

Sincerely,
Matt Haviland
Your Real Estate Consultant For Life
P.S. If you know anyone starting a new job, business, or perhaps going off to college, please
pass this letter along to them. Maybe it will make a difference! Let me know what you think by contacting me here or call me at 609-338-3773

P.P.S.  To download or view my December Newsletter click here:  Dec 2015 Newsletter – Matt

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What People Are Really Looking For – At Home

272 Deerfield Drive Mays Landing, NJ 08330

272 Deerfield Drive Mays Landing, NJ 08330

Here is a quick note to let you know how I can help you or the person you feel comfortable introducing me to.

The other day I was reading a story that said the storage industry is an 8.8 billion dollar business. It’s no wonder, when you consider how much time we spend looking for lost objects. The average person spends 6 minutes a day looking for car keys! IKEA reports the top 4 items men search for are clean socks, keys, wallet, and remote control. Women search for shoes, a child’s toy, wallet, and remote control. It occurred to me that a home is never more organized than just before and after a move. While it is seldom easy to move, very few things feel better than starting over again with the right amount of space. The next time you are in a conversation with a friend, family member or neighbor and you notice they would benefit from having the right amount of rooms and space to enjoy an organized home…then stop, take out your phone, look up my number and call or text me. Together we’ll make sure they get the best advice for the space they need.