Burlington Township Homes And More

Burlington County, NJ

Our local housing market has followed the expected downward trend this year.  Early predictions of recovery this year appear to be incorrect.  Many experts agree that the market has reached or is near the bottom.  However, there is no agreement when conditions will approve.   Prices in Burlington County have dropped 4% and the number of sales have dropped 15% over the last 12 months. 

Joseph Seneca, professor at Rutgers Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy said there were some encouraging signs in the New Jersey real estate market, including a statewide increase in home sales in recent months, a fairly constant level of unsold inventory, and a slow decrease in prices, which he said probably helps the market.

"Foreclosures will continue to rise, and a good amount of the sales we've seen, particularly of existing homes, are fire sales of foreclosed homes being conducted by banks. So the housing market remains on a downward trajectory and prices are likely to continue to erode into 2009, nationally and in New Jersey."

The current housing situation is not bad news for all.  The current market is very attractive for buyers with good credit.  Sellers who are interested in selling there home can also make out well if the home is priced to sell.  Sellers should  remember that even though they will walk away from the closing table with less money, they will be able to purchase more home than 12 months ago.  Buyers & sellers interested in learning what opportunies are available to them should contact Leander McClain, Real Estate Consultant, 609-505-6578

Allow Me To Digress for a moment.

It recently came to my attention that in some states convicted felons are not allowed to vote.  Voting is a civil right and you forfeit certain rights, temporarily anyway, when convicted of a serious crime.  Some state disenfranchise convicted felons.  This means that they are not allowed to vote even after they have finished serving their sentence.  Now I understand that there is some case law that supports this (I am not a lawyer, nor do i play one on TV). But somehow, this doesn't seem fair to me.

So why are these same convicted felons allowed to buy real estate?   Is the right to purchase real estate an unalienable right?   Is the right to buy real estate a civil right?  Why should convicted felons enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

Maybe someone can explain.

Have A Great Day

Leander

Readers of my blog know that I absolutely LOVE food.  My time with the military and the Department of Defense allowed me a chance to travel extensively throughout the US and abroad.  Usually one of the first things I will do is make contact with a local and ask them what and where they eat.  As a result, I have had some delicous meals.  From Chicken Jose's in Puerto Rico to "pancakes" from a Muslim stand in Singapore.

The absolute worst meal, actually didn't taste bad, but smelled terrible (to me).  That meal was Pad Thai.  I was on a trip to Seattle and I noticed that there were plenty of Vietnamese & Thai restaurants.  So I tried it.  Tasted pretty good, but I could never get over the smell.

What is the absolute Worst Meal You have eaten and where did you eat it?

This is a great recipe for grilled lobster from my blogging buddy Jennifer.

Enjoy

If you are looking to get out of Burlington Township, a short 45 minute drive away is Boathouse Row. 

Boat house row begins on Kelly Drive near the art museum.  There you will find the famous boathouses, a path for walking, biking or roller blading as well as benches which will allow a beautiful view of the Schuylkill River.  You are also a short walk away from the Museums in Philadelphia.  Take a short drive and enjoy the day

WHOA

The other day I looked at my points and saw that I had cruised past 20,000 points.  I for one did not know how I would reach 20,000 points.  What would I blog about?  How would  I get points?  Will I be accepted on this new medium called active rain?

I have to say its been a great journey....and the journey has just begun. I hae met some great people and have learned so much that my head hurts from all the knowledge I am trying to cram in it.  To all my newbies....keep your head up.  You can do anything that you set your mind to.

Next Celebration 30,000 Points

Have a great day

Leander

DO YOU PICK IT UP?

For whatever reson, I have always been a person who picks up wayward coins that I find.  Much of that probably has to do with my upbringing.  You see, I grew up in a middle class working family.  We were not poor, but we not upper class by a long shot.  My parents did many creative things to make ends meet.  The other day I was listening to a story on National Public Radio.  The story detailed a family that always picks up coins and they log how much money they pick up.  It started out as a project and has turned into something they do regularly.  This year, they have picked up more than $1,000.  Now that is a little more than pocket change.

Let me know.  Do you pick up coins?  Yes or No

Have a Great Day

Leander

I thought I would give some advice to the New Real Estate Agents.  As I started writing, I realized that there was too much to write in one post.  So, this is  Part 1 of a series titled The Benefit Of My Wisdom

I hope you pick up at least one valuable point that will help you with your business

Two of my main philosophies are:

In Order To Receive, You Must First Give - Russell Simmons

Give With A Leading Hand - Joe Stumpf

As a result, I thought I would share with the new real estate agents (and any seasoned ones that care to read), the benefit of my wisdom.  I have not been in the real estate game as long as some of my associates.  However, I do feel that I have gained a vast amount of knowledge and wisdom.  I will sum it up and share with you today.

Golden Rule #1 - Have FUN -  Have fun.  Life is to short to not have fun.  If the only reason you got into real estate was to make money, Leave Now.  You will have many challenges as you learn your new field.  Along the way you will have to rely on the knowledge of others as you learn.  You might as well have fun.  There are not many mistakes that you can make that cannot be un-done.  So smile, laugh and have fun.

Surround Yourself With Positive People - People are either radiators or drains. They will either radiate positive energy towards you or they will drain the positive energy out of you.  Don't waste your time trying to test this theory. When you find a negative person or group, IMMEDIATELY remove yourself.  Negative people will drag you down and make you doubt yourself.  Trust me......I know!

Believe In Yourself  - Once you have surrounded yourself with positive people, you have to believe in yourself.  If you are not self-confident or you doubt your abilities, why should your potential clients trust you?  Walk with pride.  Talk as if you are a million dollar agent even if you have not made $1 in real estate.  My grandfather (C.D. Pryor) taught me the meaning of pride.  Everyday I saw my grandfather; he had on a shirt and a tie.  Whether he was working in the garden or conducting business.  I asked him "papa...why do you always wear a shirt and tie".  His response...."because I am a Pryor".  Basically because he was proud of who he was.  In his mind, he was a million dollar businessman even if he only had $10 in his wallet.  BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE AND BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!

Face Your Fears - We all have fears.  Facing your fears is not an easy thing to do.  But if you are going to be successful in any of your endeavors, you must conquer or at least be able to deal with your fears.  Use your fear to motivate you.  If you are afraid to talk to people you don't know, take a public speaking class.  Volunteer to speak to a group of school children (they are great audiences).  Learn 1 topic very well and volunteer to teach it to the other agents in your office.  You have to force yourself to do the things you are afraid of. Start small and move up.  Pretty soon....you may be a headliner.

You Must Prepare Yourself For Where You Want To Go. - This is another lesson I received often from my grandfather.  To say this another way,  educate yourself.  You have chosen the field of real estate.  There is much to learn.  You have chosen a great time to enter the field.  The market is suffering and agents are leaving the industry in droves.  If you have done your research, you know that the real estate market is cyclical.  It WILL turn around.  Use your time wisely to learn all that you can.  Work on any certifications that you qualify for. 

 READ   Read blogs.  Read the news. Read newspapers. Read Books.  Amazon www.amazon.com has a large selection of books.  Many available used for less than $5 (including shipping). 

Learn To Share With Others - Everyday, I learn something new.  There is so much to learn that no one person will ever know it all.  If you learn about a new technique, widget, program, website, etc.....the first thing you should think to yourself is, who can I share this with.  The great thing about blogging is that you have an instant audience that is willing to listen.

I hope you enjoyed part one of the series.  Click here for part 2 of the series

Lenders & Title Agents.....here is something to think about.  As a real estate consultant, I live by the motto...."In Order To Receive, You Must First Give"...and I don't mean a free calendar either :)

If you are looking for a beautiful hotel that is only 3 hours away from Burlington County, Consider the Rhinecliff.