Photo by Salvatore Vuono

Hi there! I’ve been so busy marketing my two beautiful listings and hosting open houses that I have not had a chance to post! I must say, I’m impressed (not not surprised) with the interest so far in these properties, considering they are so newly listed. If the past couple of weeks are any indication of the year ahead, it’s going to be a great one!

In other news, I’ve started a brand new monthly contest for my website visitors. If you’ve ever visited this website, even for just a few seconds, you are eligible to enter. Each month’s prize will vary, and for January the prize is a $25 gift card to Stop & Shop. The winner will be selected on the last day of the month and announced on the contest page. He or she will also be notified via email. So if you have not yet placed your entry, go to it

Also, regarding foreclosed properties – there are some apparent bargains around today with all the foreclosed properties on the market. But buyers should be cautious when purchasing such a property. Because a foreclosed home has likely been abandoned for a while, there could be major structural, plumbing, heating, or other issues lurking beneath the surface.  Remember these homes are usually sold “as is,” meaning the buyer is responsible for all repairs. Be sure to thoroughly research foreclosure purchase laws in your state before you venture in. Also keep in mind the former owner has a window of time after your purchase to come back and claim the property, and yes, this can occur even after you’ve put money into renovations or even moved in (in New Jersey, the redemption period is within 10 days of the foreclosure sale). Have a good real estate attorney and a real estate agent advise you through the process.

And with that, I’ll sign off for now. Back to work! (I love it).

-Melanie

PS – Come to my open house tomorrow! I don’t think this property will be on the market for long … catch it while you can!