Bucking Trends in Summit, NJ

The Summit real estate market is bucking trends!

There is so much negative press about the housing market these days, including questions about whether or not the great American dream of home ownership is dead and gone…just a fleeting trend whose time has come. Well, here in Summit, we beg to differ! And here at Lois Schneider Realtor, we have the numbers to prove it!

Contrary to national trends, the Summit housing market is alive and well!  The number of homes sold was up 149% (107 vs. 43) in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the same quarter last year.   Not only was there an increase in the number of homes sold, but the average sale price was up 12.5% ($1,009,000 vs. $897,000) and the average days on market were down 15.3% (59 vs. 50).  That paints a very promising picture for our market.

According to Lois Schneider, President of Lois Schneider Realtor, “Our market usually experiences a seasonal slowdown in July and August, but this year has been different.  Lower prices, historically low interest rates and a pent-up demand for homes has created a robust summer market.  We are even seeing multiple bids on some homes.”  

As all indicators show, it’s a great time to buy or sell a home in the Summit area.  For additional information about market trends in the area, please feel free to stop in our Summit office at 431 Springfield Avenue, give us a call at 908.277.1398, or send us an email at info@LoisSchneiderRealtor.com. 

The American dream of homeownership is alive and well…let us help you make your dream a reality!

There’s No Place Like Home

The “dog days of summer” find many of us travelling hither and yon, in search of new adventures and experiences, and a chance to unwind and leave the stress of daily life behind. Whether you take a week down the shore, a European excursion, a cross-country drive, or a flight to Alaska (like our very own Kara Thoms, pictured at left)–one thing is for sure–your vacation will eventually end, and you will come home.

Ah, home. That magical place that means so much more than four walls, a roof and a floor. It is a living, breathing character in our lives, full of happy memories, quiet moments, family gatherings, and peaceful rest. It is where we host celebrations and seek refuge. There truly is no place like home.

At Lois Schneider Realtor, we know the true value of your home. When you are buying or selling a home, it may feel like the value lies in pricing, and although pricing is a crucial factor in a successful transaction, we know that there is so much more. Our experienced sales associates understand the feelings and emotions associated with selling a piece of your history or buying a piece of your future. They are here to guide you and advise you through every step of the process, and long after the process is complete. Even if you are not in the market for a new home, but just need to feather your current nest with a new sofa, new kitchen, or new patio, Lois Schneider Realtor is the place to come for answers and suggestions. Because our associates live and work in the communities they serve, they have an endless supply of resources and helpful hints for creating that special sense of home.

Whether you are looking for something new or already living in your dream home,  our experts are available to offer advice and recommendations. Stop by and visit us in our home, at 431 Springfield Avenue, in the heart of downtown Summit. And if your vacation is over, welcome back. Welcome back to your own bed, your favorite chair, home-cooked meals at your dining room table.  Welcome home…there is no place like it!

*Photo courtesy of Kara Thoms

(Pictured above: Siblings Kara and John Thoms visiting brother, David Thoms (left to right),who is stationed aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Alex Haley in Kodiak, Alaska. In the background is the fishing vessel Cornelia Marie, one of the commercial crab fishing boats featured on the Discovery Channel series “Deadliest Catch.” Kara, John, and David are the children of Patricia and New Providence Mayor John Thoms.

2009-2010 Year-over-Year Comparison Chart for Quarter 2 for Summit, NJ

*Statistics provided courtesy of the Garden State Multiple Listing Service (GSMLS)

2009-2010 Year-over-Year Comparison Chart for Quarter 2 for New Providence, NJ

*Statistics provided courtesy of the Garden State Multiple Listing Service (GSMLS)

2009-2010 Year-over-Year Comparison Chart for Quarter 2 for Millburn Township, NJ

*Statistics provided courtesy of the Garden State Multiple Listing Service (GSMLS)

2009-2010 Year-over-Year Comparison Chart for Quarter 2 for Madison, NJ

*Statistics provided courtesy of the Garden State Multiple Listing Service (GSMLS)

2009-2010 Year-over-Year Comparison Chart for Quarter 2 for Chatham Township, NJ

*Statistics provided courtesy of the Garden State Multiple Listing  Service (GSMLS)

2009-2010 Year-over-Year Comparison Chart for Quarter 2 for Chatham Borough, NJ

*Statistics provided courtesy of the Garden State Multiple Listing Service (GSMLS)

2009-2010 Year-over-Year Comparison Chart for Quarter 2 for Berkeley Heights, NJ

*Statistics provided courtesy of the Garden State Multiple Listing Service (GSMLS)

Why More Matters

Now that Lois Schneider Realtor has taken to the Bar as a great form of exercise (see Lois Schneider Realtor Hits The Bar), it’s time to round out our good health with some delicious, healthy food.

We all know that the United States is facing an obesity epidemic, and we all know that we should be making better food choices. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)website, the The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) are launching a dynamic health initiative soon to be seen in stores, online, and on food packaging. It’s called “More Matters” and it replaces the existing 5-a-Day program.  And because you matter to us, we are going to help make it easy for you to get your greens (and yellows, oranges, and reds–because variety is not only the spice of life, it is also good for you!)

Did you know that in the communities we serve, there is access to at least one Farmer’s Market every day throughout the summer and the fall? What a great way to support the idea that “More Matters”—not  just more fruits and vegetables for better health, but more business for our local farmers and artisans. Locally grown produce, at your fingertips, 7 days a week!

Here’s the rundown of local Farmers Market towns, times, and location:

Summit—Sundays through November 21, 2010. 8 am – 1:30 pm. Park & Shop Lot #2, between Summit & Maple Streets. For more information, visit www.summitdowntown.org.

Morristown—Sundays through October 31, 2010. 8:30 am – 2 pm. Public Parking Lot #10, Dumont Place at Spring Street and Morris Street, behind Post Office. For more information, visit www.morristown-nj.org.

Maplewood—Mondays through October 25, 2010. 2 pm – 7 pm. Municipal Street Parking Lot, Springfield Avenue at Indiana Street. For more information, visit www.maplewoodnj.org.

Millburn—Tuesdays through October 26, 2010. 8 am – 2 pm. Municipal Parking Lot #1, Main and Essex Street. For more information, visit www.downtownmillburn.org.

New Providence—Wednesdays through October 27, 2010. 1 pm – 6 pm. Borough Hall Parking Lot 360, Elkwood Avenue and Academy Street. For more information, visit www.newprov.org.

South Orange—Wednesdays through October 27, 2010. 2 pm – 7 pm. Parking Lot across from Train Station on Sloan Street. For more information, visit www.mainstreetsouthorange.org.

Madison—Thursdays through October 28, 2010. 2 pm – 7 pm. Downtown Madison at Waverly Place through 9/30 and Staples Plaza Parking Lot on Main Street between 10/7 and 10/28. For more information, visit www.ILoveMadisonNJ.org.

West Orange—Fridays through November 19, 2010. 12 pm – 6 pm. Main Street behind Town Hall.  For more information, visit www.downtownwestorange.org.

Chatham Borough—Saturdays through November 20, 2010. 8 am – 1 pm. Train Station Railroad Plaza off Fairmount Avenue. For more information, visit www.ChathamBoroughFarmersMarket.org.

Westfield—Saturdays through October 30, 2010. 8:30 am – 2 pm. South Avenue Train Station Parking Lot. For more information, visit www.westfieldareachamber.com.

Oh, and if you’re looking for “more” kitchen to prepare your healthy dinners, or “more” dining room to sit with your family and enjoy your bounty, then visit the Lois Schneider Realtor office at 431 Springfield Avenue in downtown Summit, or call 908-277-1398. Our experts are MORE than happy to assist you with all of your real estate needs.