By Wendy Trager, GRI

As with any disaster, we see the best and the worst in people.  While most of us have experienced the best, some of you have shared stories of those who are taking advantage of families impacted by Hurricane Sandy.  Please be very careful when using someone to fix or repair, or rebuild your home and/or credit.  Make sure to find out:

•  Is this professional licensed and insured and established in NJ?   You want to be able to find them in the future if something wasn’t done correctly, so that they can make repairs, etc., and if necessary, that you have a legal recourse).  Use a local reputable professional.  If they are too busy, ask them to recommend someone.

• Make sure you contact a mold specialist if mold is a problem.  Mold must be remediated properly and you may need a certificate stating this.  If it’s not done correctly, this could result in a costly expense down the road and may impede you from selling your home in the future.

• DO NOT GIVE UP!  I’ve heard this from insurance adjusters and attorneys with experience.  Do not give up if your claim has been turned down. Keep appealing! Those that have used attorneys do have a higher success rate.  Most attorneys offer a free consultation (you want someone with experience in this area and recommended) so it’s worth it just to find out if the attorney can help you.

• You should never have to pay up front for credit repair!

Aberdeen, NJ

81 Single Family homes are currently listed for sale in the Monmouth/Ocean MLS in Aberdeen, NJ.  The Aberdeen market starts with a complete tear-down short-sale Cliffwood 3 Bedroom 1 Bath Ranch listed in the $70,000 range and ends at a 4 Bedroom, 2 ½ Bath with Full Basement and 2-Car Garage To Be Built New Construction Strathmore Colonial listed in the high $500,000 range.

6 Single Family homes were sold in Aberdeen in November ranging from a $135,000 Cliffwood Beach 4 Bedroom, 2 Bath with 2 Car Garage Expanded Ranch to a $392,500 4 Bedroom, 3 ½ Bath with updated Kitchen and newer baths and 1-Car Garage Strathmore Colonial.

The Market Absorption Rate for Aberdeen is 7.2 months.

Hazlet, NJ

69 Single Family homes are currently listed for sale in the Monmouth/Ocean MLS in Hazlet, NJ.  The Hazlet market begins with a Keansburg 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Cape priced in the $100,000 range and ends in the high $600,000 range for a 5 Bedroom, 4 Bath with Full Finished Basement and 2-Car Garage Colonial.

10 Single Family homes were sold in Hazlet in November ranging from a $186,030 Woodland Park Cape with 4 Bedrooms, 1 Full Bath, 2 Half Baths and Full-Finished Walk-out Basement to a 1909 Victorian for $375,000 4 Bedroom, 2 ½ Bath with Full Walk-out Basement.

The Market Absorption rate for Hazlet is 5.9 months.

Keyport, NJ

31 Single Family homes are currently listed for sale in the Monmouth/Ocean MLS in Keyport, NJ.  The Keyport market starts with a 6 Bedroom, 3 Bath with Full Basement and 2-Car Garage  A-Frame (Fannie Mae owned and in need of extensive work) priced in the mid $80,000 range and ends at a 3 Bedroom, 2 ½ Bath Colonial with a Full Walk-Out Basement and 1-Car Garage priced in the high $300,000 range.

No Single Family homes were sold in Keyport in November in the MLS.

The Market Absorption rate for Keyport is 9.5 months.

Matawan, NJ

40 Single Family homes are currently for sale in the Monmouth/Ocean MLS in Matawan, NJ.  The Matawan market starts with a 2 Bedroom, 1 Bath, Full Basement with 2-Car Garage Short Sale Colonial priced in the low $100,000 range and ends at a 4 Bedroom, 4 ½ Bath with Full Basement and 2-Car Garage Waterfront Custom Colonial in the low $1,000,000 range.

5 Single Family homes were sold in Matawan during November beginning with a $233,500 3 Bedroom, 1 Bath with Full Basement Ranch and ending with a $420,000 4 Bedroom, 2 Full and 1 Half Baths with 1-Car Garage 2010 Lakeside Heights Colonial.

The Market Absorption rate for Matawan is 7.9 months.

(Please see my November post explaining the Market Absorption Rate).   

Please note: Some properties scheduled to close in November were postponed until December due to Hurricane Sandy and the mortgage companies requesting new appraisals. 

Attached are the Sold Listings Reports for November 2012 which show all the Single Family Homes that sold in Aberdeen, Hazlet, (no sales in Keyport) and Matawan.  I have adjusted the Days on Market (DOM) and the original listing price to reflect when a home initially came to market.

Market value is determined by what buyers are willing to pay in today’s market.  Similar to how prices are determined for stocks.   Other factors such as the location (busy street, cul-de-sac) and condition of the home also influence market value.

Feel free to contact me at info@WendyTragerRealtor.com with any questions you may have.  If you would like to see listings go to www.WendyTragerRealtor.com and use the Property Search (no strings attached) or you can email me.  If you would like to see information on other towns in Monmouth/Ocean or Middlesex counties contact me.