Hi everybody ,

Is it time to get your own place?

Time is running out to take advantage of the first time Homebuyer tax credit! This add is being run on the NJAR site for New Jersey Real Estate Agents. I thought it to be rather funny and thought I'd share it with my friends here on Active Rain. What do you think?

Have a great weekend!

Restaurants of the Emerson New Jersey.

The Pascack Valley area in Bergen County, New Jersey has many great Restaurants to enjoy. We would like to begin a series of Blogs that will hopefully capture the essence of this special Suburban area. The town of Emerson in the Pascack Valley area features more than these two eateries but we'd like to begin by welcoming one Restaurant that is under new management and by saying farewell to an old favorite soon that has closed it's doors.

And now it's almost done and ready for those evening dinners on the Deck.

The New Emerson Hotel is located across from the Emerson Train Station on Kinderkamack Road in Emerson. Originally called the ETNA House, it has been on the Emerson Plaza since 1872. It has been a restaurant for the past 60 years. Currently under New Management, the relaxed atmosphere is enhanced by the charming Victorian structure. It is currently having a renovation done to it by adding an outside deck/dining area and ramp for handicap access. The Restaurant/Lounge offers an affordable menu with Live Entertainment most Fridays and Saturdays. Happy Hour is weekdays 4-6 pm and Weekday Lunch Specials are served from 11:30-3:30 pm. A 10% Discount off all Lunch entrees for Seniors is available. The Emerson Hotel is also prepared to Cater all Occasions!

Next in our series is a famous Pascack Valley Landmark that was called Fricke's Old Hook Inn located on Old Hook Road near the Westwood border. This popular Restaurant/Lounge had been around for as long as this Realtor© couple can recall. Known as the Home of the Happy Lobster. On April 1, 2007 it closed it's doors. One got the sense that they took a step back in time when entering this pub style atmosphere.
Currently at that site there has been erected a PNC bank.

Another transformation in Emerson will be the grand opening of the old Arthurs to be the new Gregory T's!

Below is the old Arthurs Tavern and Steak house...

And the new sign for Gregory T's is up and ready for business soon I'm told...

Hi everybody and Lisa says Hi!



Pascack Valley Real Estate Experts Bob and Lisa Hammerstein helped another happy homeowner to sell their home.

Today was a great day!





Seeing the happy smiles of our new friends for life just makes it all the more gratifying for Lisa and I to be in this business.

We were privileged to list and sell their split level home located in Emerson NJ on a quiet street, on a corner lot. We did it in 46 days.







So today was a very good day for our happy clients and subsequently, the Hammersteam!





You just cant beat the feeling of those smiling eyes.

Welcome to Hillsdale NJ!






Below is a representation of our current market trends here in Hillsdale New Jersey.

I think these graphs are pretty terrific and basically tell you the full scope of our current market here.

First the past 13 Months:





Below is our July past month graph:




Raw Data from the past 2 years and a half....

Hillsdale NJ Real Estate Report|July 09' Single Family Home Sales saw Nine homes closing in the town of Hillsdale in the month of July as we celebrated Independence Day.  The 2009 Summer Real Estate market is hot, hot, hot.  With interest rates low and the First Time Home Buyer Incentive program,  qualified Buyers can take advantage of some wonderful opportunities to own a piece of Small Town America!  There's no place like A New Hillsdale Home!  Act now before the First Time Home Buyer Incentive program goes away.

The town of Hillsdale is constantly changing to keep up with the times while maintaining that desirable small town feel.  Residents can take advantage of the many amenities offered by this Pascack Valley town.

Hillsdale, NJ July 09' Real Estate Market Activity:

Total Homes Sold..........................9

Average List Price..............$ 569,487

Average Sold Price.............$ 535,667

Median Sold Price..............$ 450,000

Sale/List Price....................... 94.061 (5-6% differential) 

There are currently 44 Actively Listed homes in the town of Hillsdale with an average List Price of $582,177.  There are some fantastic opportunities in this popular town with prices for every budget. 

Click here to view all Hillsdale Local Listings

Hi everybody and Lisa says Hi!


It's official!

Lisa and I just closed on a home that for our sellers that was listed at $424,944 and sold over asking at
$432,500. An outstanding feat in the current real estate market. To have a listing that goes over asking just made our clients sooooo happy as you can believe.







The home was listed on May 11th and sold in 51 days, a rather short amount of time considering that we also had to find them an extended family home as well so the in laws could move in with them. Then coordinate the two closings to fall together on the same day.

This is a reblog of Bob's post from yesterday.


Hi Everybody

Summer is winding down and the dog days of summer are almost over.

Soon School time bells will be wringing. 

In fact in some parts of the country school has already begun if I am not mistaken.

Before fall starts I wanted to post some of my more favorite shots from this past summer of Lisa's garden.

Hope you enjoy them.

First off are some of the butterflies that have visited our butterfly bush this summer.

Our Lillie's were full of color this year!



Our Yellow Finches kept coming back again to feed on Lisa's bird feeders.



We love watching them hang upside down to feed....



The shadows are getting longer now as summer winds down a bit.



Soon the rich colors of summer will be changing to another hue.

Below Delphiniums



Time is slipping by and we hope you all had a great summer!




A steamy warm summer moon....



It has been a very busy summer for Lisa and I.

We are thankful for the opportunity this market has afforded us to enjoy this wonderful time of the year.

Till next time have a great rest of the summer. Enjoy it while it's still here.

Bergen County New Jersey | The Role of Real Estate Attorneys in a Real Estate Transaction.


Putting the pieces together.






Speaking as New Jersey Real Estate Agents working with Buyers and Sellers in the Pascack Valley area of Bergen County, New Jersey, we'd like to share our list of the features that illustrate The Role of The Real Estate Attorney.

We are happy to offer names of qualified Attorneys to our customers and clients. However, there are occasions when a Buyer or Seller has an Attorney that they pre-selected.

Although most of the time things work out, we have seen those unfortunate situations where the Buyer or Seller feel that they have been left in the dark. Your Agent will keep track of the following terms. However, your Attorney will be the person who will monitor the Contingencies of the Contract on your behalf.


The following list is what you can usually expect your Attorney to handle during the course of your transaction:

1. Attorney Review - In the State of New Jersey, once a Seller and Buyer come to a "Meeting of the Minds", the Offer is signed by the Seller. Next, both the Seller and Buyer's Attorneys receive a copy of the contract to review. During this period, the Attorneys may exchange Riders which could alter portions of the Original Offer. The time frame for the Attorney Review Period could be important if you are a Buyer. It should be noted that during an Attorney Review Period in the state of New Jersey, the Buyer or the Seller can "Back Out", without explanation.

2. Home Inspection Issues - Within approximately ten days after the conclusion of the Attorney Review period, the results and requests for any Home Inspection issues are due. Once the Inspection has been concluded and the Inspection Report has been issued, the Attorney for the Buyer reviews the points with the Buyer. You should expect your Attorney to review these points with you in a timely manner (per the contract and/or Riders).

3. The Deposit Monies - Once the Attorney Review has been completed, the Buyer must meet the deadline set forth in the Contract to bring their Deposit monies to their Attorney. The Attorney will then forward the Deposit monies to the appropriate party in good-faith preparation for the closing.

4. Mortgage Commitment Contingency - The Buyer must take the necessary measures to apply for a Mortgage in a Timely manner. Your Attorney will coordinate the Closing of Title with the Lender to insure the Funds are available on the day and time of the scheduled Closing.

5. Title Review & Survey as well as Title Insurance - Your Attorney will order a Title Search to insure that the property is free and clear of any liens or judgments. Once your Attorney has cleared any judgments and confirmed that any open mortgages will be paid in full at closing, the Title Company will issue a "Clear to Close" and the Attorney will then proceed to closing accordingly. After the closing has taken place, the Title Company will issue a "Title Insurance Policy", insuring the property against any future claims that turn up reverting back to prior to closing. The Attorney will also order a Survey to be done on the property in question. This is important as a Survey will reveal any abnormalities of property lines, and if the Buyer intends on building/improving upon the property in the future, the Surveyor can set property corner markers, or "stakes", which mark the property lines. Your Attorney will forward a copy of the Survey to you prior to closing for you to review and familiarize yourself with your property lines.

6. Ordering of Homeowner's Insurance - The Buyer's Attorney will instruct the Buyer to make application for Homeowner's Insurance. The Buyer's Mortgage Lender will quite often remind the Buyer of this, as well, but it is necessary that the insurance is ordered in a timely manner. The Insurance Certificate must be available on the day of Closing of Title.

7. Closing Of Title - The respective Attorneys will confirm that Funds are available and coordinate with all parties to set the Closing of Title at which time, keys will be exchanged!

As a Buyer or Seller in New Jersey, it's important to note that The Role Of The Real Estate Attorney is to represent you in the legal matters concerning the Transaction.