Tag Archives: NJ

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Mistakes Can Be Portals of Discovery

Matt's Home News May 2015

Imagine an organization as a ship sailing on the ocean. All of the personnel on board, have one over-arching responsibility: Do not make a hole in the ship!

When working above the waterline, however, making a mistake and creating a hole in the side of the ship will have no serious consequences. We’ll have the time to repair the hole, learn and sail on.

Sunset in Absecon, NJ Faunce Landing Road.

Sunset in Absecon, NJ along Faunce Landing Road.

Below the waterline, an action that creates a hole could, quite literally, sink us.

Business Insider identified these 3 inventions that started as above-the-waterline “mistakes” and had below-the-waterline impact:

Sir Alexander Fleming: Before discarding a contaminated petri dish, Fleming noticed a specific mold dissolving all the bacteria it touched. Fleming went on to discover the mold contained penicillin.

Ruth Wakefield: While baking a batch of chocolate cookies, Ruth Wakefield realized she was out of baker’s chocolate and decided to substitute sweetened chocolate instead. The sweetened chocolate did not melt leaving crunchy chocolate morsels. Chocolate chip cookies were created.

Spencer Silver: After setting out to make a stronger adhesive, Spencer Silver, a researcher in 3M Laboratories, actually created a weaker adhesive. Years later a colleague spread the adhesive on little pieces of paper. Post-It notes were born.

Sometimes mistakes feel bigger than life, especially when we mix them with embarrassment or disappointment. Most mistakes are only mistakes when we stop forward progress and walk away without getting the lesson or the benefit.

Sincerely,

Matt Haviland
Your Real Estate Consultant For Life

P.S If you liked this story, let me know how it touched you. Contact me SJHouses.com or 609-338-3773.

P.P.S. If you’d like to download or read my full May 2015 Newsletter click here:  May 2015 Newsletter – Matt

 

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What’s Your Home Worth in a Declining Market?

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

It’s no secret that parts of our area are experiencing declines in the real estate market. Home prices are not going up for many area.  Take a look at the charts showing the Mainland area real estate market (Galloway, Egg Harbor Township, Northfield, Pleasantville, Absecon, Port Republic, Egg Harbor City, Mullica Township, Hammonton, Linwood, Northfield, Somers Point, Beuna and Hamilton Township.)  A healthy real estate market depends on a balance of buyers and sellers being able to move in and out of the market.  Right now we are seeing a buyer’s market in the mainland communities.

CMM_Report_SupplyAndDemand_chart CMM_Report_UnitsExpired_chart CMM_Report_UnitsForSale_chart CMM_Report_UnitsSold_chart CMM_Report_SoldForSaleMedianPrice_chart For sellers, the implication is that they will need to price their homes more competitively. A competitive price will attract more interest than a higher price. In the end, the higher priced property usually sells for the same as the competitively priced home, but just takes longer to sell.

If you or someone you know is thinking about selling, contact me to get a price analysis to help plan your sale: 609-338-3773. Also ask for a copy of my free report, How Sellers Price Their Homes.

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

P.S. Do you know someone else who’s thinking about selling their home? Please introduce us so that I can help them get the most money possible from the sale

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Tax Appeal Time – Help With Your Atlantic County, NJ Tax Appeals.

tax-appeal-time

I’ve been getting calls from clients regarding appealing their Atlantic County, NJ property tax valuations.  In an effort to help I’d like to include some resources to help with this process.

The deadline to appeal taxes is April 1st.  All of the information and forms required can be found here:  http://www.aclink.org/taxation/homepage.asp  Here is a link to the form you’ll need to download and complete:  http://www.aclink.org/taxation/pdfs/FormA-1-Print.pdf

You’ll see on form A-1 that you will need to provide 5 comparable sales to justify your appeal.  Comparable sales used as evidence in 2015 should have occurred between October 1, 2013 and October 1, 2014.  This is where many people get stuck coming up with this information.

If you need help completing the form or obtaining comparable properties I am available to help.

For a fee of $50.00 I will locate the 5 best comparables and email them to you with full details including lot and block number and addresses.  (This service is free to current and past clients)

If you need additional help completing form A-1 I can also help for an additional $75.00 fee.

Note:  The county charges a separate filing fee ranging from $5.00 to $150.00 based on the assessed valuation. The filing fee schedule is as follows:

If the assessment appealed is:
Less than $150,000 $5.00
$150,000 or more, but less than $500,000 $25.00
$500,000 or more, but less than $1,000,000 $100.00
$1,000,000 or more $150.00

Best wishes on saving money on your taxes!

Matt

P.S.  Call me if you need my help with your property tax appeal.  I have a limited amount of time set aside to help with this so call me at 609-484-9890 ext. 132 if you need my help.

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

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.

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.

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How To Sell Your House When You Already Have A Buyer

Over the years I’ve helped many clients sell their home when they already have a buyer lined up.  Typically I see this when a family member wants to sell a home to another family member.  You may not need the full services of a Realtor however you need help with paperwork and making sure things are done correctly and in a timely manner.  Many of my clients also wish to not have the liability risk that many For Sale By Owners Face.

I recently helped Amie purchase a home from her family.

I recently helped Amie purchase a home from her family.

One of the services I provide is as a Transaction Broker.  In NJ a transaction broker doesn’t represent either side and helps in the transaction.  For a small flat fee I can help with paperwork and guide you through the home selling and buying process.  I’ll also give you access to my services directory with reliable vendors to help you where needed.

Remember when you have a home to sell and have a buyer already call me and let me help guide you safely though the home selling process.  Best wishes,

Matt

P.S.  If you or someone you know is selling a home and may need my help.  Please call me now at 609-338-3773.

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Current Areas of Coverage For The Haviland Group Real Estate Team In South Jersey

The Haviland Group At Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore - Matthew Haviland


Here are the areas and Zip Codes where we help home buyer’s sellers and investors make their real estate dreams come true.  We are happy to help anyone you know who needs help in these areas in the Greater Atlantic City area.  We also gladly accept agent and broker referrals.  

Atlantic County, NJ

Egg Harbor Township, 08234

Galloway Township, 08205, 08215

Hamilton Township, 08330

Egg Harbor City, 08215

Port Republic, 08241

Absecon, 08201

Mullica Township, 08037,08215

Hammonton, 08037

Linwood, 08221

Northfield, 08225

Brigantine, 08203

Margate, 08402

Ventnor, 08406

Longport, 08403

Pleasantville, 08232

Buena Vista Township, 08310

Buena Borough, 08341

Folsom Borough, 08037

Estell Manor, 08270

Weymouth Township, 08317

Corbin City, 08270

Cape May County, NJ

Ocean City, 08226

Upper Township, 08270 –

Woodbine 08230

Ocean View 08223

Strathmere 08248

Seaville, 08230

Marmora, 08223

Tuckahoe, 08250

Petersburg, 08270

Dennisville, 08214

Sea Isle City, 08243

Avalon 08202

Burlington County

Lower Bank, 08215 (Mullica River Area)

Green Bank, 08215 (Mullica River Area)

New Gretna, 08087

Ocean County, NJ

Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087

Mystic Islands, 08087

Tuckerton  08087

Eagleswood, West Creek 08092

Manahawkin, Stafford Township, 08050

 

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Hurricane Sandy Relief Events In February

FYI and those interested :

1. Thursday 2/7/13 7 pm John Amodeo and Chris Brown & more at the Brigantine Republican club for Hurricane Sandy issues. Meeting at the Cellar 32, 2ndfloor. The Cellar is behind and to the left of the new CVS near the lighthouse as you come into Brigantine Ave. It’s Home made sub night at the meeting.

2. Lawyer Joseph A. Porcelli of Toms River is having two free 2 hour seminars for those home and business owners who want information on Sandy claims. Friday 2/8/13 at the Atlantic County Library , Egg Harbor Twp, 1 SwiftAve. EHT NJ -8234. Times are 9:30-11:30 AM 2/8/13 and 1:30 to 3:30PM 2/8/13. Space is Limited. He asks that people call or email in advance for attendance: Phone: 732-244-4451 or 877-529-9191 or email at SandyClaims@AttorneyPorcelli.com.

Best wishes, Matt