Crystal Ball Real Estate

Condo Crawl

Good idea some Realtors had to combine and advertise condos that are open on November 1 so buyers can concentrate on those available - web news and emails - plus some newspaper -we'll see the outcome - Are there buyers our there? The interest rate is low enough - 5% - and this is a good time to settle in.

Halloween weekend - slow day at the real estate office!

A slow day leads to a 'catch-up' day - calls to sellers, letters to prospective clients, getting the labels on the Holiday Card mailings, putting my new ' Wild Life Habitat' sign in our garden, clearing out summer planters and plants , and going to hear a former Montclair resident play at Trumpets. Hendrik Meurkens  - harmonica - just returned from music-prone Prague and en route to Toronto - plays all over the world and we were lucky to hear him, with his piano, drums and guitar group play for almost 2 hours - another set coming up as we left.

 Some 'trick or treaters' came by with their parents - looks as if they had fun. Heard of the dentist who is buying candy back from children. And daylight saving time ends too!!!

Closing delays--reasons......

Originally scheduled for an August closing, 65 Cambridge Road closed yesterday - delays included, oil tank inspection, removal and soil tests : asbestos removal , bank requirements ( changing requests e.g, that paid bills reflected completed work - not just that they had been paid) that meant letters from suppliers - proof of any soil contamination resolved: removal of items from the house and delays ( freezer in basement had to be cut up to get out of a doorway that had been changed over time)  - the original contents of house sale went well - and people were all understanding -however, we almost ran out of time with the mortgage commitment etc. to see the house - a nice colonial on a street near the Walnut St. RR station between Grove and Ridgewood - go to: http://www.AdrianaOtooleHomes.com- house sold at $425,000 - The attorneys and the Realtors all worked together - ( why use a Realtor?) and came to a successful conclusion ....everything cost a little more to do at each step of the way - delays always create costs....(I don't need a Crystal Ball to know that!)

My favorite tree on Bloomfield Avenue

The spreading American Elm tree is still in good health on Bloomfield Avenue, near Berkeley - over 100 years old -the great tree reaches almost across the street.

Elm Tree

> elm tree.bloomfield and berkeley
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Terra Cotta Warriors coming to DC

Some of the 7,000 warriors  created for the  Chin dynasty, 246 BC will be in DC from NOvember to March at the National Geographic gallery; http://www.Nationalgeographic.com/terracotta and should be a great exhibit - Buried for centuries and discovered in 1974, the individual figures are part of the memorial he created for his after life - http://www.terracottawarriors.com is another site - horses, chariots, servants, musicians etc a whole city for his afterlife. All facing East - the direction of  the areas he conquered during his rule - he came to power at age 13 and waged many wars. Not popular but he left a memorial - plus having started the first of the China Walls. 

Library Walk - 41st Street, NYC

Just discovered the ' Library Walk' on 41Street in NYC- from the Public Library on 5th - for several blocks - (96 bronze plaques) go to: http://www.grandcentralpartnership.org for information and pictures of all the plaques - hard to stop and read during busy commuting time  but beautiful. There seem to be a few missing - cement blog in the place of where they had been - but check them out next time you are walking, ( make it from east to west- that's how they face)

FIABCI - Federation of International Real Estate

I did not get to the lunch at the UN, however did go to a networking meeting at 633 3rd avenue with Realtors from all over - US and abroad - (great day to be in the City, and walk from Port Authority bus terminal) Met with agents from NYC, Jersey City, Point Pleasant, Virginia, San Francisco and locations between. The most common topic of discussion was the ' market' - and how it is slow for most - however, there are areas where sales are continuing. ( especially with a Buyer's Broker in the city) - The international investor is evident ( the dollar works in their favor) and creates activity) Development has slowed in many areas - with the money being the biggest hindering element. When will things change? That will take a few more meetings to attend. The National Association Meeting in San Diego next month is where I'll keep tracking trends. What's happening here in Montclair? The lower priced properties - ($300,000 - 600,000 are generating interest - the upper price ranges, sporadic activity.) We'll see what this weekend brings -no Giants game, maybe good weather -  

Giants football and real estate and wet weather!

Where was everybody - our office had 4 open houses - all price ranges and Bloomfield and Montclair - and very few 'lookers' It must have been the NY Giants game - or the wet cold weather - Good thing buyers use the internet for their 'looking' .....will try next week again - other houses.

Montclair Historical Society - Distinguished Service Dinner

Nice event at the Montclair Golf Club in West Orange Friday - honoring Amy Hatrack,Barbara Casi;;o. Jeffrey Farrell, Mary Ann Lindholm and Terry Lowe for all their work in making and keeping th 3 buildings in the condition and continued tradition ( the Crane House, The Clark House and Evergreen, The Charles Schulz House). Gardeners, Lisa Caplan, Jane Griffith and Diane Simon for all their digging and planting and to Bangz Salon for it's preservation success of the former Masonic Temple on South Fullerton. Executive Director Carlos Pomares has done a terrific job in getting new members and old members to work on projects. http://www.Montclairhistorical.org for information = membership forms and hours of tours and programs.