Wow, Short Hills / Millburn New Jersey made the #6 possition in Gay Real Estate’s top ten gay ghetto’s.  According to Gay Real Estate every year they cross-analyzing demographics against real estate sales data to discover those especially prized metropolitan areas throughout the USA that are most in vogue with the diverse GLBT community.

Here is what they had to say about Short Hills / Millburn “Natural and historical beauty, vibrant downtown venues that retain quaint charms but exceptionally innovative restaurants and shops, the nationally recognized Paper Mill Playhouse, a first-class school system, and easy commutes into the Big Apple all conspire to make this area a uniquely awesome place to live. These valuable features have not been lost on the GLBT community that thrives in this Victorian-era central New Jersey enclave of restored antique homes and outstanding real estate investment opportunities.”

Of course they were talking about the surrounding towns as well including South Orange, Maplewood, Summit, Livingston and even Chatham New Jersey.

If you would like to do a little research on the gay friendly neighborhoods of Millburn New Jersey, visit Short Hills Gay Real Estate.

Written by your Gay REALTOR

James Boyer
Short Hills REALTOR
RE/MAX Properties Unlimited
973-539-6300 Office
973-647-0253 Direct

As many know, Northern New Jersey is a gay friendly place.  There are some places though that members of the gay community find to be of more appeal than others.  These towns not only are gay friendly, but they tend to have a gay community, as well as great public transportation.

Members of the gay community seem to be a bit more mobile than people in general.  We tend to jump on opportunities and pick up and move accross state, or even accross the country.  That makes it very important to choose a home in a town which has as many of the things that draw buyers, gay or strait, as possible.

Many of the towns along the New Jersey Transit Midtown Direct line meet these needs in spades.  From South Orange, to Summit, to Chatham, and on out to Morristown we find higher demand from home buyers than many of the surrounding towns.  This helps to support home values.

To read the latest report on a Midtown Direct Towns real estate performance visit Morristown NJ Real Estate.

The 40 Park Condominium project kicked off its official opening last week.  It was a huge success for the developers of the project.  For what the project developers agents were saying, they had managed to get quite a number of pre-sales before the project ever went public.

If you are interesting in this project or any other new construction project be aware that you must visit the project for the first time with your REALTOR so that he / she can register you.  Otherwise the builder will not recognize any representation relationship you have with your REALTOR and you will be left with no representation.

If you are a member of the GLBT community and would like to work with a Gay NJ REALTOR you have come to the right place.  Give James Boyer a call at 973-647-0253, or visit him at Gay NJ Real Estate.

The other less publicised election taking place on Tuesday May 6th is a race to determine who will be running in the fall for a U.S. Senate seat.  This story is very interesting, not just because there is a openly gay man running, but also because this is taking place in North Carolina, the state formerly of Jessy Helms.

To read the entire article stop by Gay Lifestyle from 365Gay.com.

It sure would be interesting if Jim Neal were able to get past the primary and be able to run in the general election this fall.

Written by James Boyer NJ Gay REALTOR.  Thinking about buying or selling a home in New Jersey?  Want to make sure you work with a GLBT REALTOR who understands your needs and concerns?  Visit Gay Real Estate where you can see all the homes currently listed for sale along the Midtown Direct Train Line of New Jersey, and contact Me.  If you are seeking a home in another area, I can make sure you are put in touch with a GLBT REALTOR in that area.

Ok, this is not going to be a big post about enviro friendly towns.  My main premise is that if you live in a town which has great public transportation and you use it, you are being more enviro friendly.

Here is my list of desireable towns in New Jersey which are also gay friendly.

South Orange NJ

Maplewood NJ

Millburn NJ

Summit NJ

Chatham NJ

Madison NJ

Morristown NJ

All of these towns have Midtown Direct train stations in them.  If you can use the train you sure can save on gas and pollution over driving your car to work and home. 

Thinking of looking for a home in gay friendly New Jersey?  Take a look at Gay Real Estate.

Summit NJ is one of those desireable towns which the gay community also finds to be desireable.  There are many reasons for this, including the relatively low real estate taxes and the easy transportation via the New Jersey transit Midtown Direct train line.

Since Feb 1st of 2008 there have been 27 homes sell in Summit NJ, the following are just a few of the homes which sold.

• 133 Summit Ave. Unit #39 in the Summit Parmley, A 2 bedroom 1 bath condo.  with $1040 in monthly fees.  Sold for $330,000 in 94 days on the market.
• 777 Springfield Ave in Executive House, A 2 bedroom 2.1 bath condo with $240 in monthly fees.  Sold for $375,000 in 114 days on the market.
• 35 Edison Dr. in Briant Park, A 4 bedroom 2 bath single family home.  Sold for $390,000 in 143 days on the market.
• 241 Ashland Rd. A 3 bedroom 3 bath home.  Sold $625,000 in 86 days on the market.
• 28 Montrose Ave.  A 4 bedroom 2.1 bath single family home.  Sold for $945,000 in 141 days on the market.
• 25 Glen Oaks Ave. in Summit’s Memorial Field neighborhood.  A 5 bedroom 3.1 bath single family home.  Sold for $999,999 in 16 days on the market.
• 11 Hillview Terrace.  A 4 bedroom 2.1 bath Colonial.  Sold for $1,500,000 in 28 days on the market.
• 232 Oak Ridge Ave. A 2 Story Tudor Built in 1929 with 5 bedrooms 5.1 bath home.  Sold for $2,650,000 in 19 days on the market.

Summit really is a nice town, and very convenient for members of the gay community.

Brought to you by your Gay Real Estate Agent James Boyer serving the Summit NJ Real Estate and surrounding real estate markets.

The real estate market in gay friendly Maplewood NJ moved forward in a positive way last month. [Read more →]

Those were the words used by a commission established to study gay cival unions in New Jersey.  The study basically said civil unions create a “second-class status” for gay couples, rather than giving them equality.

The report stopped short of calling for gay marriage in New Jersey, but hinted strongly that anything short of that is not likely to solve the problems.  The commission did find that gay couples in Massachusetts, the only state that now allows same-sex marriage, do not experience some of the legal complications that those in New Jersey do. 

[Read more →]

Thinking about buying or selling a home in Morris, Essex, or Union County.  Want to use a Gay REALTOR to represent your interests?  I cannot blame you, buying or selling a home is a very big and very personal experience. 

When taking on a task as large as buying or selling a home, it is usually best to call upon a market expert who also understands your needs. 

I am that market expert for the Midtown Direct real estate markets from South Orange all the way out to Morristown.  This is a really great area of New Jersey with lots to offer the gay community.  When you are ready to talk with a gay REALTOR, give me James Boyer a call 973-647-0253. or check out my website at morristown nj real estate.

Northern New Jersey is widely seen as a very gay friendly place.  To tell you the truth the areas along the Midtown Direct train line are very friendly.  It is well known that places like South Orange NJ and Maplewood NJ are very gay friendly, but did you know that Summit NJ and Chatham NJ are also very gay friendly as well?

While South Orange and Maplewood are gay friendly, they are also in Essex County which curses them with higher property taxes then they deserve.  Summit NJ is in Union County with has much lower property taxes and Chatham NJ is in Morris County, also with much lower property taxes. 

When you think of moving to Northern New Jersey keep Summit and Chatham in mind they are about a 5 minute longer train line to New York City but thousands of dollars cheaper per year to live in.

To see all the homes currently for sale in the area check out Summit NJ Homes For Sale.

OK Gay Real Estate shoppers.  There is a new way of saying Summit NJ MLS Search.  The National Association of REALTORS wants all of us local REALTORS to use phrases such as Summit NJ Homes For Sale, or Search Summit NJ Homes For Sale. 

Seems a little convoluted to me, after all what do you think of when you think, I want to look for a home?  You think, I want to look at the MLS.  But for some reason the National Association of REALTORS does not like Search the MLS any more.

So here his my nod to NAR:  If you want to see all the homes currently for sale in and around Gay Friendly Summit NJ take a look at Summit NJ Homes For Sale.  There you can find every home currently listed for sale in the local MLS.  Whoops that was bad, oh well I am a disobedient gay realtor I guess.

Thinking of buying a home in Morristown NJ?  Your Gay REALTOR brings you the best home search tool available.

Morristown NJ Home Search

If you are member of the gay community and would like to work with a Gay REALTOR I ask you for the chance to win your business.  I have excellent market knolledge of the Midtown Direct real estate markets including Morristown.  Give me a call at 973-647-0253 Direct or use the link above to visit my website and send me a message there.

Thank you,

James Boyer
NJ REALTOR
RE/MAX Properties Unlimited
973-539-6300 Office
973-647-0253 Direct

For gay real estate needs you likely will be more comfortable working with a knoledgeable gay REALTOR.

Thinking of  buying or selling a home in Maplewood New Jersey?  Check our your Gay REALTOR’S MLS Search at Maplewood NJ MLS Search.

If you are a member of the Gay community and would prefer to work with a Gay REALTOR give James Boyer a call at 973-647-0253.  Serving the Gay community with pride.  When you think Gay Real Estate Agent think James Boyer. 

Many people seem to think that just because we are gay we have more fashion sense, more decorating sense, and more home improvement sense.  Really do we all have that?  Well not really but that is OK, it can be a learned talent.

Learning to be that supper Gay Home Decorating specialist is not really all that hard.  You can impress your friends and relatives by just getting a few home improvement books from Home Depot for that matter.  Lots of great ideas that everyone could learn, it is just that most choose not to learn them.

Here in New Jersey there are many homes which need cosmetic improvements which are for sale.  Many of these improvements mainly improve paint and changing out cabinets, counter tops, and appliances, but most of the time the home buyers looking at these homes expect to get a $3 discount for every $1 of actual improvements that are needed.  On the flip side of that, these same buyers will pay premium for a home that is nicely decorated and updated.  Makes it really easy for the savvy home buyer who is willing to do some painting etc. and make it Gay Real Estate

James Boyer REALTOR, Your Gay Real Estate Specialist.  I specialize in Summit NJ Real Estate and Real Estate in all of the surrounding towns up and down the Midtown Direct Train Line.  Any questions or need a well informed Gay NJ REALTOR give me a call at 973-647-0253

Last night my partner and I went into NYC on the Midtown Direct, from Convent Station.  Only took about 55 minutes to arrive at Penn Station.  Not bad.  Then it was off to gay hang out Splash, which was busy as usual, and then off to our Restaurant ilili on 5th Avenue.  Food was Lebanese, and good, Wine was more than I thought it was going to be, that that was OK.

I did notice that there were quite a number of gay groups doing restaurant night at ilili though.  After dinner we all headed down to a place call Xes  another gay bar, which I had not been to before.  Good looking bartenders, and crowd, but very small building for the size of the crowd.  I guess that is a good thing, meaning they were doing a good amount of business, Then back to Penn Station to catch the reverse of the Midtown Direct, and that was it for a gay couples night out on the town.

James Boyer REALTOR, Your Midtown Direct Gay REALTOR.  Selling real estate in the gay friendly towns from South Orange NJ, Maplewood NJ, Short Hills NJ, to Summit NJ, on over to Chatham NJ and then out to Morristown NJ. 

Real Estate in the Midtown Direct Real Estate markets is moving these days.  People of the Gay Community in New Jersey are out buying homes again, as well as the rest of the public.  Last night was a welcome break from selling and managing the process of buying / selling real estate.

If you are seeking a Gay REALTOR to help you find a home in Northern New Jersey, Just give me a call 973-647-0253 and I will help you.  If you need to buy or sell outside of my area I am happy to help you find just the right Gay REALTOR for your needs.

Gay Real Estate

Gay Real Estate

James Boyer REALTOR® Presents

A Wonderful Colonial in South Orange’s Upper Wyoming Neighborhood.

88 Jessica Way South Orange NJ 07079

For More Pictures, A Virtual Tour Of This Fine Home, & A Full MLS Search Visit Our Website South Orange NJ Real Estate.  The Virtual Tour is on the Featured Homes For Sale page

Stunning Colonial with breathtaking views of NYC Manhattan. Magnificent entrance foyer with turned staircase, custom kitchen, spacious rooms, gleaming wood floors.   All on New Jersey’s Midtown Direct Train Line taking you to NYC Manhattan in minutes.

88 Jessica Way Property Taxes Projected To Be Much Lower In 2008 

Property Details

• 4 Large Bedrooms
• 2 and 1/2 Baths
• Formal Dining Room
• Large Great Room
• Stunning Views Of Manhattan
• Better Than Move In Condition 
• MLS # 2477769 

Contact James Boyer REALTOR® for more information or your private showing today.

Click on the map of South Orange to adjust your view.

James Boyer REALTOR
Direct Phone:   973.647.0253
Office Phone:   973.539.6300

South Orange NJ Real Estate

©2008, James Boyer, RE/MAX NJ Realty | South Orange NJ Real Estate

Gay REALTOR | Gay Real Estate

South Orange NJ REALTOR | South Orange NJ MLS Search 

Gay.com and HRC (Human Rights Campaign) have gotten together to help the gay community, be they job-seekers, consumers, or investors, make better decisions based on how many companies treat the Gay and Lesbian community.  You can read the full story at http://www.gay.com/business/cpd/ 

 Cheers,

James Boyer
Gay REALTOR 
RE/MAX Properties Unlimited
973-539-6300 Office
973-647-0253 Direct
Gay NJ REALTOR

I try to write about Gay Real Estate and the issues that face the Gay community when buying or selling Real Estate in New Jersey.  Next article for Your Gay Real Estate will cover Summit NJ from the Point of view of a Gay Summit REALTOR

Painting your house not only protects it from decay but adds value.   A nice new paint job brings cosmetic appeal and a sense of great up-keep together to add value to your home with-out spending a lot of money in the process.  Home buyers will often judge your home by their first impressions.  Why not give them elegant soothing and rich first impressions.  If not your home may be giving your home buyers the impression that you have not kept up with the maintenance, and that many disasters await them in the near future in your home.  Not the kind of thoughts that should be promoted in someone you hope will buy your home. 

If home buyers don’t detect any obvious neglect in a home they usually have a much easier time bringing themselves to writing a nice offer that will be easier for you to accept.

When thinking of buying or selling a home in Morris, Union or Essex Counties of New Jersey call upon your Gay REALTOR James Boyer of RE/MAX Properties Unlimited 973-647-0253.  James can help you with your real estate needs from South Orange, to Short Hills/Millburn, into Summit and all the way out to Morristown New Jersey.  Many call this the Midtown Direct home market, but what ever you call it for local information check out Maplewood NJ Real Estate at JBoyerHomes.com

Gay Real Estate & Gay REALTOR are not trademarked and tend to be key words that gay and lesbian people use when researching real estate in New Jersey.

Madison NJ, heaven for the suburban minded member of the gay community.  Just 30 minutes out of New York City, yet all the pleasures of the wonderful suburban New Jersey life.  Maplewood is blessed with a fairly large gay community which only adds to the appeal of Maplewood and the surrounding communities.

Here are the numbers for the Maplewood Gay Real Estate Report:

$133,000   Lowest priced home to sell in Maplewood NJ
$605,000   Highest priced home to sell in Maplewood NJ which was priced below 500K
$381,103   Average priced home to sell in Maplewood NJ which was priced below 500K
$382,000   Median priced home to sell in Maplewood NJ which was priced below 500K

$455,000      Lowest priced home to sell in Maplewood NJ which was priced above 500K
$1,800,000   Highest priced home to sell in Maplewood NJ which was priced above 500K
$689,799      Average price of a home to sell in Maplewood NJ which was priced above 500K
$640,000      Median price of a home to sell in Maplewood NJ which was priced above 500K

The Gay Real Estate Report shows that Maplewood New Jersey had 294 homes actually sell in 2007.  For those of you who think that 2007 was just a horrible year in the Maplewood NJ Real Estate market, well it was not so horrible.  The real estate market for Essex, Union & Morris Counties in New Jersey bottomed out price wise in August and September of 2007 and since then it has been moving sideways to slightly up.

If you are thinking of buying a home in the near future now is a great time.  The number of buyers in the market is down due to the fear mongering in the national news media, and there are some very great deals to be had.

If you would prefer to work with a Gay Realtor please think of me, James Boyer.  I will be more than happy to put your needs and desires first and give you a 110% effort to get you a great deal.

James Boyer
NJ REALTOR Associate
RE/MAX Properties Unlimited
One Madison Avenue
Morristown NJ 07960
973-647-0253 Direct
973-539-6300 Office
Maplewood NJ Real Estate

Wow, a gay real estate agent wins office in Texas.

Fort Worth Texas elects Gay REALTOR Joel Burns, to represent the ninth district on the city council, he will be the cities first openly gay city official

Burns, a real estate agent, received over 50 percent of the vote.

Downtown Fort Worth and the Texas Christian University are within the ninth district and will be governed by Burns.

Burns, who will be sworn in early in 2008 was supported by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.

James Boyer
NJ REALTOR
RE/MAX Properties Unlimited
One Madison Ave.
Morristown NJ 07960
973-647-0253 Direct
973-539-6300 Office
Gay NJ Real Estate

For a experienced Gay Real Estate Agent in Morris Union & Essex Counties of New Jersey look to James Boyer of RE/MAX Properties Unlimited.

Get the best homes, expert advice, residential listings, local info, and more from James Boyer REALTOR, a proven Maplewood NJ real estate expert.

Maplewood NJ currently has 109 homes for sale.

$195,000   Lowest Priced Maplewood NJ Home For Sale
$999,000   Highest Priced Maplewood NJ Home For Sale
$466,600   Average Priced Maplewood NJ Home For Sale
$399,000   Median Priced Maplewood NJ Home For Sale

Currently Maplewood currently is in a buyers market.  Home buyers can get excellent deals on homes that are currently for sale.  If you are interested in finding out more about what homes are for sale, and what a professional Maplewood NJ REALTOR can do to make your home dreams come true, contact James Boyer NJ REALTOR 973-647-0253 of visit my website at Maplewood NJ Real Estate expert.   

If you are looking for a Gay Realtor contact James Boyer REALTOR for all your Gay Real Estate needs.  Maplewood NJ, an incredibly gay friendly place to live in on the Midtown Direct train line. 

This post is dedicated to all the many members of the gay community here in New Jersey.  Many of you are from here origonally and many more have found New Jersey and made it your home.  As you all know New Jersey is very gay friendly and becoming more so all the time.

Heres to you Gay Community of New Jersey.

James Boyer
Gay NJ REALTOR Associate
973-647-0253 Direct

If you or one of your friends will be buying or selling a home in New Jersey please feel free to direct them to this site or to my website for all your and their Gay Real Estate needs.  As I have said New Jersey is a very gay friendly place, but there are many REALTORS here as with everywhere who are not Professionals, it is always a good idea to hire the best.

What is going on with Republicans lately?  First it was Republican Senator Larry Craig’s hi-jinks now this.

 A bill introduced by Republican senator Gordon Smith and Democratic senator Joe Lieberman, along with 19 cosponsors, would grant domestic partner benefits to federal employees.

Under the Domestic Partner Benefits and Obligations Act for 2007, federal employees and their domestic partners would be eligible for federal health benefits, the Family and Medical Leave program, long-term care, insurance, and retirement benefits, according to a statement released Wednesday by Smith and Lieberman. Same-sex couples would also assume the same obligations that apply to married employees and their spouses, such as anti-nepotism rules and financial disclosure requirements.

“It’s time for the federal government to catch up to the private sector, not just to set an example but so that it can compete for the most qualified employees and ensure that all of our public servants receive fair and equitable treatment,” Connecticut’s Lieberman said in the statement. “It makes good economic and policy sense. And it is the right thing to do.”

The two senators introduced similar legislation during the previous session of Congress.

Based on the experience of private companies and state and local governments, the Congressional Budget Office has estimated that offering benefits to same-sex domestic partners of federal employees would increase the cost of those programs by less than one half of 1 percent. (The Advocate)

 Wow, a Republican is proposing this.  Who would have thunk it.

James Boyer REALTOR, Specializing in the real estate markets along the Midtown Direct New Jersey Transit Line.  If you are thinking of buying or selling from Maplewood NJ 07940 all the way to Morristown NJ 07960.  If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call 973-647-0253 or stop my my website and send a e-mail

The Morris Township NJ committee voted Wednesday night to approve the acquisition of the Mount Kemble Ave property in Harding to build multipurpose fields. The location is very desirable as the property is sized properly for the construction of soccer, lacrosse and football fields. Total purchase price for the Harding Real Estate,  $3.8 million dollars.James Boyer Gay REALTOR, is a resident of Morris Twp’s Convent Station Section.  If you are wanting to work with a Gay Realtor the next time you buy or sell a home in New Jersey give hime a call.  If you are interested in knowing more about the area and what to know some of the most friendly towns for the gay community please contact James at 973.647.0253 of visit is website at Gay Real Estate.

The Morristown New Jerseys real estate market seems to have bottomed out now after dropping in the spring and early summer of 2007.  The only real price declines we are continuing to see are from home sellers who over priced their homes when they listed them.

What does this all mean for Morristown New Jersey home sellers?  If you want to sell, this is a great time to get started while the home inventory levels in and around Summit are down.  The real jump in new home listings will likely come in March and early April of 2008.  If you can get your home listed on the market long before all the competition hits in March and at a proper price, you likely will get your house sold for a fair price in a reasonable time frame. What does this mean for Morristown New Jersey area home buyers?  The deals are out there for now.  While the new home listings coming to market this last month or so are mostly priced properly, there are still many homes which have been on the market for a 60 or more days.  Many times home buyers look to these listings thinking there must be some sort of defect with the house which is why it did not sell.  The truth is the defect with the house was the owners reasoning on price, and by the time the home owner got around to bringing the price down to where it should have started, it was too late.  You see, the highest price any home seller is going to receive for their home is in the first three to five weeks their home is on the market.  If a home seller prices their home too high to get a offer during that time period, the home seller likely will have to take a lower price than they would have received if they had priced their home right to start with.  To sum this whole paragraph up, homes that have been on the market for sale for 70 or more days equal bargain to be had, or the home will not sell. You will never know which unless you make a offer though. Remember making offers does not cost anything.Summit New Jersey home buyers and sellers, time to get going.

 Gay Home and Real Estate Shoppers

There are 109 Homes on the market in Summit New Jersey as I type this.  Usually home sellers do not have their homes on the market this time of year unless they are truly serious about selling.  Gay home buyers looking for bargain, what are you waiting for, why not look at some of the biggest bargains out there. 

Here are the Summit NJ real estate market statistics as of today 12/12/2007

$1,102,437    Average List Price
$    789,000   Median List Price
100.9              Average Days On Market
   89.0             Median Days On Market

Lots of homes out there with ready and willing sellers.  Home buyers who are ready sure can get some good deals.  If you would like to take advantage of the great deals out there take a look at my free Gay Realtors MLS Search at jboyerhomes.com

Specializing in the Gay Friendly Summit NJ Real Estate market.  

Happy Holidays,

Jim, your Summit NJ Realtor

OK everyone, it is time to walk around your house and disconnect your garden hoses and put them away for the winter if you have not dones so already.  Not only will this help prolong the life of your garden hoses, but it will help to keep the water pips that feed your outside spigots from freezing and bursting.  If you can, be sure to shut off the water supply to your outdoor spigots and then drain the water from the spigot.

If your outside water spigot is warn or not working properly consider replacing it with a frost free spigot (typical cost $25 to $50 over standard spigots)

Specializing in the Gay Friendly Madison NJ Real Estate market.  

Happy Holidays,

Jim, your  Family Madison NJ Realtor 

99 Homes on the market in Chatham New Jersey as I type this.  Usually home sellers do not have their homes on the market this time of year unless they are truly serious about selling.  Gay Home buyers looking for bargain, why not look at some of the biggest bargains out there.  Chatham NJ and the surrounding towns are some of the most gay friendly towns in New Jersey.  Come take a look at Morris County, I think you will like what you see. 

Here are the Chatham NJ real estate market statistics as of today 12/11/2007

$1,105,313    Average List Price
$    775,000    Median List Price
95.1                 Average Days On Market
87.0                 Median Days On Market

Lots of homes out there with ready and willing sellers.  Home buyers who are ready sure can get some good deals.  If you would like to take advantage of the great deals out there take a look at my free MLS Search at jboyerhomes.com

Specializing in the Gay Friendly Chatham NJ Real Estate market.  

Happy Holidays,

Jim, your Gay NJ Realtor

How To Sell Your Home For More Money In Less Time!!  Sometimes Even Gay People Need A Little Style Advice.

This article is all about what you can do to present your home in the best possible light when you are trying to sell it.

·        Replace older systems. Old systems are a fear of problems to home buyers

·        If roof is old, replace it. Old roof brings the fear of problems again.

·        Kitchens & Bathrooms sell houses. Clean, declutter, paint, update

·        Drive up appeal; does your home have any? First impressions many times are the only impression you will get with home buyers. Plant flowers, re-mulch the flowerbeds, keep the lawn cut and trimmed, clean (power wash) the front steps, paint the front door.

·        All walls and ceilings which have not been painted in 5 years need to be painted

·        All Trim should be cleaned and painted (if trim is painted already, gloss paint is called for here).

·        Clean your home as if NBC News was going to showcase it on the nightly news.

     Another suggestion I have been made aware of is garage floor epoxy, It really does make a garage floor look nice and well kept, and does not cost much.

Just as an example here is a little background on my direct experience, back when we were in a sellers market (2005) I flipped a few homes and made good returns doing it. One of the homes I will now tell you about had been sitting on the market for 5 months without selling. The town house was about 17 years old, had 3 bedrooms 1.5 baths, the carpeting, paint, windows, kitchen, leaky roof, heating / air conditioning system & poorly working garage door opener, were in fair to poor condition.

Here is what I did:

• Replaced the HVAC system, home buyers love new systems ($5,500)
• Replaced the Roof, bragging point, Brand New Roof ($3,400)
• Painted All Walls & Ceilings, Makes everything look fresh ($600)
• Replaced all Carpeting, Bragging point Brand New Carpet ($2,300)
• Replaced Kitchen Counter Tops, Inexpensive but nice neutral ($1,100)
• Repaired Windows, some needed new glass, local repair shop fixed ($400)
• Replaced Garage Door Opener ($200)
• Replaced Kitchen Appliances With Mid-Grade Stainless Steel ($1,800)
• Replaced all light fixtures with modern Home Depot purchased fixtures ($550)
• Replaced some of the sink faucets, Home Depot again ($300)
• Cleaned the place to showroom standards
• Planted some nice annual flowers out buy the front door and in beds ($50)

Total Spent = $16,200

Results = Town Home put back on the market for sale in 5 weeks, Sold in 2 days, full asking price. Return Improvement Investment = Over 300%

What is my point?  You can do this with your own home. You may not have the same things that need to be done. Here is a little exercise for you, step outside your home; pretend you are walking in as a home buyer. Look at your home as if you were thinking of buying it, what things do you see that you wish the homeowner had taken care of. Or have a good local Realtor or home stager come in and advise you on how best you could stage your home to achieve the best value if you were to sell your home. 

A home stager likely will charge you a fee of about $150 for a 2-hour consultation session.

Take a look at my MLS search  Madison NJ Real Estate  to see all the great deals.  

Happy Holidays,

Jim, your Madison NJ Realtor 

James Boyer
NJ Realtor Associate
RE/MAX Properties Unlimited Real Estate
One Madison Ave
Morristown, NJ 07960
Madison NJ Real Estate
973-647-0253 (Direct)
973-539-6300 (Office)

Gay Realtor, Gay NJ Realtor, Gay Real Estate

From a story in NJ.com Friday, November 30, 2007

I n recognition of World AIDS Day, Our Youth, a Jersey City-based nonprofit, will host an awareness concert, “AIDS is a Drag, Wrap it Up!” The night will include performances by renowned drag queens and straight and gay singers to raise money for AIDS prevention.

“It’s a very good cause,” said Luscious Lola, one of the drag performers and public relations manager for Our Youth. “I really don’t think it’s publicized. It’s only publicized through the gay community.”

Legendary drag queens, like LaRitza Dumont from Orlando, Fla., will entertain the crowd in between singers like Gemini and Danny K. Teens from Our Youth will perform a skit from the musical “Rent.” The night will also have a delicious home-cooked all-you-can-eat buffet, door prizes and raffles.

“We have a new staff that is dedicated and able to help me produce a show of this greatness,” said Our Youth founder Rob De Anthony. “We have a lot of talented people donating their time to us.”

Openly gay rapper Shorty Roc will be performing hits from his newest CD, “Personal.”

“I talk about what happens in our community and things that people in our age group can understand,” said the Brooklyn rapper, who has performed at clubs and pride events. “I chose to be open about my sexuality in my music because I wanted to be that real.”

Since coming onto the rap scene five years ago, Shorty Roc has produced music dealing with politics, dating, sexuality and the risk of AIDS and said being included in the concert was “an accomplishment.”

“When I see the fans, they tell me how much they appreciate my music. They say, ‘Wow, that’s what I’m going through.’ It’s good,” he said. “I think when people see a rapper like myself it changes peoples’ outlook.”

“We all have to realize that the youth is the next generation,” said drag queen Harmonica Sunbeam, who performs on Tuesday at 11 p.m. at The Cage in Hoboken. “I feel the more that we hide from our children, the more we endanger them from learning things in the wrong way.”

Sunbeam, who is HIV-positive, said the night will have “entertainment with a message” for all ages and orientations.

“I can speak from personal experience and give some insight on t