Bathroom Design 101

According to the National Association of Realtors' (NAR) annual "Cost vs. Value Report," the bathroom is one of the most important features potential buyers look for in a home. What's more, NAR's 2007 report shows that a bathroom remodel recouped 93.2 percent of the initial cost upon selling the home.
Will Smith, celebrity interior designer, suggests that homeowners pay close attention to the bathroom mirror, paint, hardware and lighting. Each can easily and inexpensively be updated to provide a current look for a bathroom.
Making over a bathroom on a budget can be easily accomplished -- without sacrificing style. According to Smith, high-end looks for less include:

• 
  Mirror: A frame around the mirror gives a bathroom a finished, updated look. The mirror is the focal point in the bathroom and can make a real statement with the right frame.
• 
  Paint: A painted bathroom is a tried and true way to make a big impact with little cost. Create a spa-like setting with paints in beige and pale tones or use popular colors such as brown, aqua, olive and gold to make the bathroom stand out.
• 
  Hardware: Match the lighting, fixtures, bath bars, knobs and switches to create a cohesive look. Brushed nickel, pewter, antique or oil rubbed bronze finishes are all good options.
• 
  Lighting: Soft lighting makes more of a statement than harsh lighting, so select a fixture with shades or sconces. You can also contribute to the greatest focal point in the room by placing the fixture above or alongside the mirror.

Smitha Ramchandani is a licensed real estate professional at Weichert Realtors' Morristown West, New Jersey office. She is a Certified Buyer Specialist, a Home Marketing Expert and also an expert in buying and selling of townhouses and condominiums. You can reach Smitha at: 973-252-8245 (Res.) or online at: http://www.morris-homes.com/ or http://www.thetownhouseexpert.com/

Home Ownership Has its Benefits

Combined with historically low interest rates and a plentiful inventory of affordable homes, the recently passed tax credit of up to $7,500 for first-time buyers presents an excellent opportunity for those looking to make their dreams of homeownership a reality. There has never been a better time to buy a home. Seize the opportunity; the first-time buyer tax credit only applies to purchases closed by June 30, 2009. 
According to reports conducted by the National Association of Realtors covering a three year period, there are many other benefits of homeownership. These advantages include:

• Higher education performance and graduation rate.
• More household participation in civic affairs, a greater level of voluntarism and increased awareness of local politics.
• Better physical and psychological health, as well as higher life satisfaction, self-esteem and perceived control over life decisions.
• Greater median wealth compared to renters with comparable incomes.
  

Smitha Ramchandani is a licensed real estate professional at Weichert Realtors' Morristown West, New Jersey office. She is a Certified Buyer Specialist, a Home Marketing Expert and also an expert in buying and selling of townhouses and condominiums. You can reach Smitha at: 973-252-8245 (Res.) or online at: http://www.Morris-Homes.com or http://www.TheTownhouseExpert.com

Understanding the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

Nearly 650 buyers attended a recent Weichert company-wide "Understanding the Incentives" tax credit seminars.
These seminars allowed buyers to dispel a misperception common among first-time buyers. Many attendees believed they would not be able to obtain the financing necessary to purchase a home, and were excited to learn that homeownership was within their reach.


Details of the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit are as follows:

	Features of the Federal Tax Credit up to $7500
Refundable Yes. Reduces income tax liability for the year of purchase. Claimed on tax return for that tax year.**	Eligible Property Any single-family residence (including condos, co-ops) purchased between April 9, 2008 and June 30, 2009 to be used as a principal residence."·	Income Limit Yes. Full amount of credit available for individuals with adjusted gross income of no more than $75,000 ($150,000 on a joint return). Phases out above those caps ($95,000 and $170,000, respectively)."·

We all know this is a great time to buy, especially for first-time buyers who may be able to take advantage of the temporary tax credit. So come learn about the tax credit and the other financial advantages of homeownership on October 18.  Contact Smitha today!
Smitha Ramchandani is a licensed real estate professional at Weichert Realtors' Morristown West, New Jersey office. She is a Certified Buyer Specialist, a Home Marketing Expert and also an expert in buying and selling of townhouses and condominiums. You can reach Smitha at: 973-252-8245 (Res.) or online at: http://www.Morris-Homes.com or http://www.TheTownhouseExpert.com

Morris County Real Estate Recent Townhouse/Condo Sales- August 2008 Condo and Town home Sales Report

Morristown, Madison, Chatham, Denville, Randolph, Parsippany, Rockaway, Hanover, East Hanover, Montville, Morris Plains, Morris Township, Roxbury New Jersey Real Estate - August 2008 Condos and Townhouse Sales Report.

Town	Address	List Price	Style	Beds	Baths	Garages	Sold Price
Butler Boro	119 BARRISTER DRIVE	$339,900	Multi Floor Unit	2	2	0	$330,000
Butler Boro	134 BARRISTER DRIVE	$299,500	One Floor Unit	2	2	0	$295,000
Butler Boro	135 BARRISTER DR	$299,900	One Floor Unit	2	2	0	$277,000
Chatham Boro	380 MAIN ST UNIT 40	$299,900	One Floor Unit	1	1	0	$295,000
Chatham Twp.	10D Heritage Drive	$312,500	First Floor Unit, One Floor Unit	1	1	1	$308,000
Chatham Twp.	140 RIVEREDGE DR	$457,750	Townhouse-End Unit	2	2	1	$445,000
Chatham Twp.	36 LEXINGTON CT	$379,900	Townhouse-Interior	2	1.1	1	$370,000
Chatham Twp.	250 RIVEREDGE DR	$412,750	Townhouse-End Unit	2	2	1	$402,000
Chatham Twp.	9D HERITAGE DR	$312,000	First Floor Unit, One Floor Unit	1	1	1	$305,000
Chester Boro	195 West Main Street Unit 3	$39,900	One Floor Unit, Ranch, Trailer	2	1	0	$39,000
Chester Twp.	11 DRAKE LN	$639,900	1/2 Duplex, Townhouse-End Unit	3	3.1	2	$605,000
Denville Twp.	14 GLATTLY DR	$639,000	Townhouse-Interior	3	2.1	2	$609,500
Denville Twp.	2603 ASHFIELD CT	$435,000	Townhouse-Interior	3	2.1	2	$421,000
Denville Twp.	1703 WINDSOR CT	$454,900	Townhouse-Interior	3	2.1	2	$434,000
Dover Town	60A FOX HILL DRIVE	$115,000	First Floor Unit	1	1	0	$97,500
Dover Town	34 PARKER ST	$199,900	Townhouse-End Unit	2	1	0	$185,000
East Hanover Twp.	3 Frankie Lane	$369,900	Townhouse-Interior	2	2	0	$367,500
East Hanover Twp.	11 JOSEPH DR	$385,000	Townhouse-Interior	2	2	0	$377,500
Florham Park Boro	6 Penna Court	$1,095,000	Ranch, Townhouse-End Unit	3	4.2	2	$997,000
Hanover Twp.	103 Viera Drive	$639,500	Townhouse-Interior	2	3.1	2	$639,500
Hanover Twp.	103 Sunrise Drive	$418,850	Townhouse-Interior	3	2.1	1	$405,000
Hanover Twp.	148 VISTA DR	$379,900	Townhouse-Interior	3	2.1	0	$365,000
Jefferson Twp.	62 RED OAK TERRACE	$309,900	Townhouse-End Unit	2	2.1	2	$295,000
Lincoln Park Boro	1 STONYRIDGE DR	$309,900	First Floor Unit	3	1.1	0	$305,000
Long Hill Twp.	36 STONEHEDGE RD	$529,000	Townhouse-Interior	3	2.1	1	$510,000
Madison Boro	252 Plymouth Court	$499,000	Townhouse-Interior	2	2.1	1	$490,000
Madison Boro	268 U2 Main Street	$299,000	One Floor Unit	1	1	0	$260,000
Madison Boro	66 Derby Court	$515,000	Townhouse-Interior	3	2.1	1	$496,000
Mendham Boro	10 HAMPSHIRE DR	$387,500	Townhouse-End Unit	2	1.1	0	$369,000
Mine Hill Twp.	400-51 E RANDOLPH AVE	$314,500	Townhouse-Interior	2	3.1	1	$310,000
Montville Twp.	36 Wedgewood Drive	$648,800	Townhouse-Interior	3	3.1	2	$642,500
Montville Twp.	33 Louis Drive	$738,800	Townhouse-End Unit	3	2.1	2	$739,800
Montville Twp.	90 Jesse Court	$558,000	Townhouse-Interior	3	2.1	1	$520,000
Montville Twp.	7 Franklin Ct	$485,000	Townhouse-Interior	2	2.1	2	$467,500
Montville Twp.	14 CENTURY COURT	$579,900	Townhouse-Interior	3	2.2	1	$555,000
Montville Twp.	40 VILLAGE DR	$579,000	Townhouse-End Unit	3	2.1	2	$550,000
Montville Twp.	48 WASHINGTON CT	$399,900	Townhouse-Interior	2	2.1	1	$390,000
Montville Twp.	12 W SPRINGBROOK RD	$379,900	Multi Floor Unit, Townhouse-Interior	2	2.1	1	$362,000
Morris Plains Boro	9-I FOXWOOD DRIVE	$269,900	See Remarks	1	1	0	$266,000
Morris Twp.	69 HANCOCK DRIVE	$429,000	Townhouse-End Unit	2	2.1	1	$415,000
Morris Twp.	46 DAVENPORT PLACE	$524,900	Townhouse-Interior	2	2	1	$510,000
Morristown Town	140 Speedwell Avenue	$295,000	Multi Floor Unit, See Remarks	2	1	2	$285,000
Morristown Town	90 Mt Kemble Avenue	$209,900	One Floor Unit	1	1	0	$196,500
Morristown Town	31 Taft Lane	$465,000	Townhouse-Interior	2	2.1	1	$435,000
Morristown Town	44 Ridgedale Ave	$358,000	Multi Floor Unit, Townhouse-Interior	2	1.1	1	$344,000
Morristown Town	48 DeHart Street	$1,185,000	Townhouse-Interior	3	4.1	2	$1,050,000
Morristown Town	44 Ridgedale Unit 40	$369,500	Townhouse-Interior	2	2	1	$355,000
Morristown Town	37-B COBB PL	$349,900	Townhouse-End Unit	2	1	0	$332,500
Morristown Town	60-D RIDGEDALE AVENUE	$359,900	Multi Floor Unit, Townhouse-Interior	2	1.1	0	$347,250
Morristown Town	6 D RIDGEDALE AVE	$314,000	Multi Floor Unit, Townhouse-End Unit	2	1.1	0	$319,000
Morristown Town	27 SUSSEX AVE UNIT 3	$319,900	Townhouse-End Unit	2	2	0	$297,500
Morristown Town	37 HILL ST A1	$249,900	One Floor Unit	1	1	0	$230,000
Mount Arlington Boro	27 CRESTVIEW LANE	$299,999	One Floor Unit	2	2	0	$288,000
Mount Arlington Boro	16  Zachary Way	$421,900	One Floor Unit	2	2	1	$421,900
Mount Arlington Boro	46 BROOKSIDE LN	$233,333	Townhouse-Interior	1	1	0	$231,000
Mount Arlington Boro	50 RIDGEVIEW LN	$379,000	One Floor Unit, Townhouse-End Unit	2	2	1	$335,000
Mount Arlington Boro	18 HICKORY WAY	$358,500	Townhouse-Interior	2	2.1	1	$345,000
Mount Arlington Boro	1 BIRCH TER	$354,900	Townhouse-End Unit	2	2.1	1	$348,500
Mount Arlington Boro	94 CRESTVIEW LN	$229,900	First Floor Unit, One Floor Unit	1	1	0	$219,000
Mount Olive Twp.	30  Tudor Place	$239,900	Townhouse-End Unit	2	1.1	0	$213,000
Mountain Lakes Boro	12 SHERWOOD DRIVE	$689,000	Townhouse-End Unit	3	3.1	2	$642,500
Parsippany-Troy Hills Twp.	2467 Rt 10 Apt 49-7A	$182,882	First Floor Unit	1	1	0	$176,000
Parsippany-Troy Hills Twp.	2467 Rt 10 Apt 22-1B	$178,932	One Floor Unit	1	1	0	$175,000
Parsippany-Troy Hills Twp.	2467 Route 10 East Unit 36-1A	$214,900	First Floor Unit	2	1	0	$192,000
Parsippany-Troy Hills Twp.	2467 Route 10 Bldg 33 Unit 4B	$190,000	Townhouse-Interior	1	1	0	$175,000
Parsippany-Troy Hills Twp.	186 Crown Point Road	$494,718	Townhouse-Interior	3	2.1	1	$486,718
Parsippany-Troy Hills Twp.	371 SUMMERHILL DR	$419,900	Townhouse-Interior	2	2.1	1	$403,500
Parsippany-Troy Hills Twp.	2467 ROUTE 10 BLD 5 unit 3B	$224,900	One Floor Unit	2	1	0	$219,000
Parsippany-Troy Hills Twp.	63 AUTUMN RIDGE RD	$429,900	Townhouse-Interior	3	3	1	$420,000
Parsippany-Troy Hills Twp.	2467 ROUTE 10	$239,900	One Floor Unit	2	1	0	$230,000
Parsippany-Troy Hills Twp.	2350 ROUTE 10-B17	$184,900	One Floor Unit	1	1	0	$175,000
Parsippany-Troy Hills Twp.	199C-10 N BEVERWYCK RD	$181,900	First Floor Unit, One Floor Unit	1	1	0	$165,000
Parsippany-Troy Hills Twp.	203-1 N BEVERWYCK RD	$197,500	One Floor Unit	1	1	0	$190,000
Parsippany-Troy Hills Twp.	189-19 LITTLETON RD	$179,990	One Floor Unit, Townhouse-End Unit	1	1	0	$170,000
Pequannock Twp.	4302 TUDOR DR	$369,900	Townhouse-Interior	2	2.1	1	$360,000
Pequannock Twp.	3806 TUDOR DR	$354,000	Townhouse-End Unit	2	2.1	0	$342,000
Pequannock Twp.	4707 TUDOR DR	$249,000	First Floor Unit, One Floor Unit	1	1	0	$257,000
Randolph Twp.	706 WENDOVER COURT	$359,900	Townhouse-Interior	2	2.1	1	$350,000
Randolph Twp.	9 WOODMONT DRIVE	$449,500	Townhouse-Interior	3	2.1	2	$430,000
Randolph Twp.	105 Boulder Ridge DR	$349,000	Townhouse-Interior	2	2.1	1	$330,000
Randolph Twp.	501 Boulder Ridge	$395,000	Townhouse-End Unit	2	3.1	1	$382,000
Randolph Twp.	36 KENSINGTON DR	$485,000	Townhouse-Interior	3	2.1	1	$472,500
Riverdale Boro	1116 WHARTON COURT	$359,990	Townhouse-Interior	2	2	1	$325,000
Riverdale Boro	8312 SANCTUARY BLVD	$299,000	One Floor Unit	2	1	1	$290,000
Rockaway Boro	49-51 WALL STREET UNIT 4	$199,000	One Floor Unit	1	1	0	$185,000
Rockaway Twp.	3106 Cleveland Lane	$315,000	First Floor Unit, One Floor Unit	2	2	1	$291,000
Rockaway Twp.	322 Richard Mine Rd. V-7	$204,900	One Floor Unit	1	1	0	$202,000
Rockaway Twp.	3112 CLEVELAND LN	$299,900	First Floor Unit, One Floor Unit	2	2	1	$279,000
Rockaway Twp.	1323 HAMILTON DR	$355,000	One Floor Unit	2	2	2	$345,000
Roxbury Twp.	26 PONDSIDE DRIVE	$344,000	Townhouse-Interior	3	2.1	1	$335,000
Roxbury Twp.	98 E Whisper Way	$257,400	One Floor Unit, Townhouse-End Unit	1	1	1	$235,000
Roxbury Twp.	9 LOCH LN	$317,900	Townhouse-Interior	2	2.1	1	$310,000
Washington Twp.	88 Nottingham Sq.	$259,000	Townhouse-Interior	2	1.1	1	$250,000

Smitha Ramchandani is a licensed real estate professional at Weichert Realtors' Morristown West, New Jersey office. She is a Certified Buyer Specialist, a Home Marketing Expert and also an expert in buying and selling of townhouses and condominiums. You can reach Smitha at: 973-252-8245 (Res.) or online at: http://www.Morris-Homes.com or http://www.TheTownhouseExpert.com or http://www.TheTownhomeExpert.com

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