Around Burlington County

If not, you better start. 

Effective March 1st, 2008 in New Jersey - it becomes a primary offense to drive while talking on a hand held cell phone.  What does that mean?  It means the police can pull you over if seen with a phone to your ear.  Up until now, it was a secondary offense, so they needed another reason to pull you over first (like driving through the stop sign that you didn't see!) 

Can you still talk on your phone?  Yes.  You just need to do it though a headset or speakerphone.  Many new cars even have bluetooth capability built in.  What is bluetooth you may ask?  Simply put, a bluetooth headset is a wireless device that communicates with your phone.  With one, you can talk on your phone all day long with both hands on the wheel! 

I currently use the Jawbone headset (pictured).  There are many to choose from...just get one!  Oh, and by the way...it's also an offense to text message while driving! 

Ravi Shah, REALTOR^®
South Jersey Real Estate Blog
Prudential Fox & Roach
O: (856) 222-0077 x153
C: (609) 760-7852

Agent: Knock Knock 
Seller:     Who's There?
Agent: A potential buyer
Seller:     Go Away!

Ok, maybe the conversation doesn't go exactly like that, but it sure feels like it lately.  I don't know about you, but it seems that I've been having a harder time getting appointments to show homes lately.  What is surprising is that I actually have a client, ready and willing to buy a home in this market.

Here are a few examples from the past two weeks. 

• I had a confirmed appointment and the homeowner was supposed to be home to let us in.  We get to the door, ring the bell and surprise!  No one home.  I did notice that there was a combo lockbox on the door so I call the listing office and guess what...they have no record of a lockbox at this house.  They call the listing agent for me and I get a call back 3 hours later with the code.  Um...sorry, but we've long since left!
• I made an appointment through the listing office, showed up at the door with my clients and we were refused access.  Apparently the office never let the homeowner know we were coming.  The homeowner called the listing agent while we were waiting outside and he did confirm that we had an appointment, but we were still refused access.  I can't really blame the homeowner, but since I know they are facing foreclosure, I would have thought they would have let us in.  Oh well, their loss.
• On another occasion I called to make an appointment through the listing office.  When they called the homeowner, the request was refused.  The reason...he/she works late at night and normally sleeps during the requested time (late morning).  Ok, he/she needs sleep, I can respect that.  However, don't put in the listing ad "owner very motivated, will consider all offers". Apparently the homeowner wasn't that motivated. 

I could go on but you get the idea!  With so many similar homes for sale, my clients have no interest in trying to go back to see these homes. 

So, the #1 tip to get your home sold in this market:  If a buyer wants to see your home, make sure they can get in to see it!

Ravi Shah, REALTOR^®
South Jersey Real Estate Blog
Prudential Fox & Roach
O: (856) 222-0077 x153
C: (609) 760-7852

If you're like me, and the many other homeowners who have been in their home for awhile, the answer probably is...no! 

When you buy/sell a home today, the local township requires that a carbon monoxide detector be in the home before they will issue a certificate of occupancy.  So for the majority of people who bought their home in recent years, they have one.  For the rest of us however, it's probably one of those things we overlook and say we'll get to later.  It occurred to me this morning, that I'm one of them!

What is carbon monoxide?  From wikipedia, it's a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is poisonous if inhaled.  In a home, this gas can be formed from items like furnaces or heaters, wood-burning stoves, car exhaust, and propane-fueled equipment such as portable camping stoves.  Also, if you have a workshop in your basement or garage, gas powered tools emit carbon monoxide as well. 

So do yourself a favor, run out to your local hardware or department store and buy one.  It only costs a few dollars and could potentially save your life.  I'll be over at Lowe's later today!

Ravi Shah, REALTOR^®
South Jersey Real Estate Blog
Prudential Fox & Roach
O: (856) 222-0077 x153
C: (609) 760-7852