MRoseSellsNJHomes

Come see this lovely townhome located in Mt. Holly, NJ! This home has 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, and a finshed basement for even more living space! Priced to sell at $173,900! Take a look at the video and then call for an appointment to visit this home TODAY! You are also welcome to stop by our OPEN HOUSE this Sunday, October 10, from 1-4pm! Michele Rose is a Realtor and Professional Home Stager in Burlington County, NJ. She has been assisting both buyers and sellers with their real estate needs for the last 6 years. In 2007, she founded Rose-Colored Staging, a professional home staging and redesign business, to help sellers successfully market their homes with professional home staging.

From my guest blogger, Lisa Rose

The best part of summer for me is when it ends.  Ok, so I've never handled the heat well.  My parents knew this and Dad, being the practical man that he was, would take Mom and us to the Philadelphia Zoo every year on the weekend after Labor Day weekend because it was usually cooler and less crowded than the summer season.  That zoo trip anniversary is today.  The zoo was not my first choice for today, 2010.  I had my hopes set on Burlington City.

Today, Sept. 11, was The Wood Street Fair in Burlington City and as always I missed it!  This makes 3 years of my Wood Street Fair knowledge all for nothing!  I quickly recuperated from Wood Street Fair Withdrawal when I realized that the temperature today reached 80 degrees-- my ideal temp is 70 and the Fall season has just begun!


Autumn is my favorite season and unlike any other season, I find it appeals to all of my senses-- the crisp leaves crunching under my feet as I walk the dogs, the smell of a fireplace, the taste of peach pie and hot apple cider.  I want to make homemade soup and I find I'm drawn to New England styled chowders and squash recipes.  Fall makes me want to burn candles and cuddle up in a blanket or sweater.  It's cozy.

To begin my Fall Festivities, I have decided to venture to Valenzano's Winery in Shamong next weekend on Sept. 18 and 19 for their Winefest with my friend Keith.  I discovered their fabulous Jersey Devil Port Wine at the Bordentown Cranberry Fest last year.  My sister, Michele Rose, a home stager, uses the Jersey Devil bottles in her business of staging homes.  The artwork is fabulous and hey, the Port isn't too bad either!  I supply her with her bottles :)
Can't make it to Shamong?  Go to Kirby's Mill in Medford for their Flea Market on Sept. 18.

This year, the Bordentown Cranberry Fest on Farnsworth Avenue is on Oct. 2 and 3. I love this festival and intend to go this year.  I wheeled Mom in her transport chair last year and found the crowds to be pleasant, the food and wine to be fabulous, and the vendors most professional.  This is definitely a family event with a separate street block entirely devoted to kids.  I'm so glad sis and I stumbled upon this festival years ago!

This year I am living close to Pemberton where the Pemberton Borough Fall Festival on Hanover Street is taking place on Sept. 25. Pemberton is a tiny town but with a few hotspots that you should know about.

If you go to the Fall Festival, don't bother going to Wawa or Burger King for lunch or snacks.  Make your way about a mile to Budd's KNP Farmers Market , 132 Vincentown Road, where they will give you some good home cooking and don't forget to try some ice cream or baked goods.

 The Grist Mill Antiques Center is a great way to spend some extra hours for browsing around.  Clark's Canoe Rental is excellent for the kids to spend a day on Rancocas Creek.  The Village Thrift is sponsored by The Christian Caring Center and brand new to "the boro."

Pemberton just isn't your scene?  Check out a community event, The Spirit of Chesterfield Festival in the Village of Crosswicks on Sept. 25. There's a 5K run, rummage sale, crafters, vendors, artisans, pony rides, baked goods, pumpkin weight guess, bands, chili cookoff, rummage sale, historic church tours, bands, book sale, antiques, cars, kids games, and more, more, more!

The Yorkshire Alliance East Union Street Yard Sale Burlington City is from 9am-3pm on Sept.26.  Eat lunch or dinner at Francesco's Italian Restaurant at 351 High Street.  I loved their shrimp and broccoli alfredo.  Park in the back and skip dessert because you'll want to walk up to Umms for ice cream.  The snickers chocolate is to die for with freshly made waffle cones.  Don't want to drive?  Hop on the Riverline.

Don't know what on earth to do with gourds other than carve and pop a candle inside?  Westampton at 2 Academy Drive is Bringing Vegetables To the Table: A Celebration of The Harvest on Sept 30 and Oct 1 for $3.00.  The focus is on vegetables grown locally in NJ and ways to prepare and enjoy the bounty of autumn vegetables.

Medford is an active community for Fall events.  On Oct. 2 Oktoberfest is celebrated from 4pm-8pm on Main Street in Medford.

Oct. 9 go toThe Annual Apple Festival at Kirby's Mill for crafts, vendors, baked goods, and homemade apple ice cream, then head over to Main Street Medford for The Scarecrow Contest and Harvest Festival and Concert!

For over age 16, Oct. 9 from 6pm-11pm is The Witches Ball in Downtown Mount Holly! Costume contests, live music, art, shopping in The Black Market, and find your future at The Gypsy Village.

Hear true tales of hauntings from members of South Jersey Ghost Research. Commemorate the evening with a portrait.  (Oct.31 is designated for the kids) Check out The Historic Prison sometime, but not for "Halloween at The Prison" mainly because they do not allow you in the building after a certain time and it is strictly an outdoor event. (I learned this tidbit last year.)

Oct. 16 is the Celtic Cafe Concert at 7pm at the Friends Meeting House on Union Street and on Oct. 30 at 7pm is the Halloween Parade on Main Street in Medford!

On Oct. 24, check out the Halloween Parade in Bordentown at 2pm and later on that day go on The Ghost Walk from 6pm - 9pm for $10. Take a ride around town afterwards and check out the decorations for the House Decorating Contest. Raindate is Oct.31.

In Burlington City, go on The Ghost Tour on Oct. 29 or Oct. 30 at 6pm.  The Halloween Hoopla is on Oct. 31 from 3pm-5pm.

On Nov.6 from 9am-4pm go to Saint Thomas Greek Orthodox Church for the Holiday Craft and Vendor Sale in Cherry Hill.

Nov. 11 is the Veteran's Day Parade in Burlington City and Home For The Holidays is on Nov. 26 at 6pm.  I have no clue what that is, but I think I want to find out!

And in the in-between time? Check out Johnson's Corner Farm on 133 Church Road in Medford for pick-your-own everything! Hayrides are free, taking visitors to the fields for picking. Pay by weight of produce. Recently Johnson's was featured on CBS, The Morning Show.

Click here for Other New Jersey Festivals and have a fabulous Fall!

Michele Rose is a Realtor and Professional Home Stager in Burlington County, NJ.  She has been assisting both buyers and sellers with their real estate needs for the last 6 years.  In 2007, she founded Rose-Colored Staging, a professional home staging and redesign business, to help sellers successfully market their homes with professional home staging.

 

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty."  John F. Kennedy

Thank you to all who have served our country! It is because of you that America celebrates its freedom and because of you that we are so blessed.  Let us never underestimate the importance of freedom and liberty and let us never underestimate the price.  Today we remember and honor our veterans.  Today we remember and honor those of you still serving.  Our prayers and gratitude are with you.

 

 

Michele Rose is a Realtor and Professional Home Stager in Burlington County, NJ.  She has been assisting both buyers and sellers with their real estate needs for the last 6 years.  In 2007, she founded Rose-Colored Staging, a professional home staging and redesign business, to help sellers and other Realtors successfully market their listings with professional home staging.

 

 

This article comes to you from my sister, Lisa Rose, who is my "Guest Blogger."  Lisa is also a life-long resident of Burlington County and loves to shop!

It never fails.  There will come a crisp evening every September when someone in my family will walk through the front door and say,

"It smells like Halloween."  No explanation is necessary.  We just say, "Awww, it does?" 

Translation:  It smells just like it did when were trick-or-treating 35 years ago with the smell of fireplaces and leaves.

There is something special about the Fall.  It is a time to celebrate the year's harvest and prepare for the cold winter ahead.  It's also a reminder of the upcoming holiday season.

Burlington County offers a variety of Fall Festivals, Craft shows, and Halloween activities for the whole family:

One year my sister and I stumbled upon the Cranberry Festival on Farnsworth Avenue in historic Bordentown City.  I found a footstool made of an old Pepsi crate and always keep it in front of my favorite rocker.  This year's festival is on October 3 and 4.  They offer hundreds of crafters, food vendors, a classic car show and children's events.

October 10th, visit the historic Kirby's Mill in Medford for the Apple Festival and try some home-churned apple ice cream, apple cider donuts, apple cobbler and more!  Over 100 artists and crafters will have display booths with one-of-a-kind items for your early holiday shopping.  Musicians will serenade you while you enjoy this fabulous annual event! 

October 10 is also the Fall Home Brew Contest in Mt. Holly at the High Street Grill for tasting and judging the People's Choice, see who the professionals pick, beer tickets and a fall inspired buffet.

The Witches and Wizards Costume Ball is for adults who want to get into the Halloween spirit with fire dancers, palm and tarot readings, ghost stories, and a costume contest.  Held at Mill Race Village in Mt. Holly on October 15. 

   

The Historic Prison offers Haunted Tours from October 9 to the 31st. 

Enjoy live music at the Celtic Café Concert on Union Street at the Friend's Meeting Hall on October 16 in Medford.

Octoberfest is to be held in Haddonfield on October 17 with over 100 crafters, vendors and skateboard demonstrations.  Stop by the Haddonfield Farmer's Market for some fresh produce before you head home.

In neighboring Chatsworth, The Annual Cranberry Festival is October 17 and 18th with crafters, vendors and antiques. 

My cousin informed us of a wonderful mission project.  The International Gift Sale held on October 18 and sponsored by Faith Presbyterian Church in Medford, helps sell handcrafted items to support the international economy for struggling countries.  It's the perfect place to find unique Christmas presents and holiday décor and it's for an excellent cause!

October 18th 9am is the Fall Foliage Family Float Festival!  (Say it 3 times real fast)  Smithville is offering free canoes and kayaks for all of the family to enjoy the foliage views from the Rancocas Creek.  Don't forget to check out the re-enactments and Star cyclists.

October 25th   Bordentown:  Check out the Halloween Parade, a Ghost Walk, and Bordentown's House Decorating Contest.

No matter how you spend your free time this Harvest season, be sure to walk outside on a crisp autumn night and take in the fall air and know that it smells like Halloween.

 
Mt. Holly's Historic Prison

Michele Rose is a Realtor and Professional Home Stager in Burlington County, NJ.  She has been assisting both buyers and sellers with their real estate needs for the last 5 years.  In 2007, she formed Rose-Colored Staging to help sellers market their homes with professional home staging.

Let me introduce you to Carl and Lisa.  They have been married for three years, are expecting their first child, and lived in a one-bedroom apartment.  It was time to buy a house!

Now let me share with you some key steps they took in their journey to homeownership, steps that ensured they got their dream home:

•·  They made sure they were financially secure.  For three years, Carl and Lisa have rented a one-bedroom apartment and lived below their means, saving for the day they would buy a house.  The payoff:  They had a healthy down-payment at closing, negotiated for closing costs from the seller, and had enough left over to purchase necessities such as appliances and furniture.

•·  Their timing was perfect.  With baby expected the end of June and their lease not up until May, they could comfortably close the end of March.  The payoff:  Having that goal in mind helped keep them on track for finding their home.  Within just a few weeks, their home was found and we successfully closed the end of March, giving them the luxury of taking their time to move in-- a big stress relief!

•·  They knew what they wanted.  She knew she wanted a formal dining room; he knew he wanted a basement.  We sat down together and talked about what they pictured in their "dream home."  Her real dream: a Victorian style home with a front porch.  They knew they would not likely get everything they wanted, but we kept these things in mind in our search.  The payoff:  They purchased a totally renovated Victorian-era farmhouse complete with a wraparound porch and they are in love with it.

•·  They assembled their "dream team."  Their mortgage representative was a recommended trusted friend with a reputable, local bank so their financing was secure.  Prior to placing an offer, we went back for another look, this time with a few friends in tow.  They brought their electrician friend, a friend who does insulation, and one who does flooring, all with varying degrees of construction knowledge.  Once under contract, they hired an experienced licensed home inspector who was knowledgeable about older homes. The payoff:  There were no big surprises at the home inspection and they knew exactly what they were buying.

•·  They wrote a letter to the seller.  If there is a chance a home has other offers, I encourage my buyers to write a letter to the seller when submitting an offer.  Their letter introduced themselves to the seller, explained their situation, and shared their hopes and dreams for their new life in his home.  The payoff:   The letter helped my buyers keep focus as to what this house meant to them.  The seller, having never received a letter like that before, was extremely touched.  All negotiations after that went very smoothly.  The seller agreed to make all repairs according to the home inspection, and at closing gave my buyers old pictures and history of the house, making this a very friendly transaction.

Carl and Lisa did not find a perfect home, but they found the home of their dreams.  They are slowly moving in and making the new house their home.  Lisa told me the other day that when there is a day she does not go to the new house, she feels a little sad!  They are totally in love with it and looking forward to settling in soon, in plenty of time for baby's arrival.