Murray Hill Square was created as a village of stores and boutiques modeled after famous buildings in Williamsburg, VA, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.  In the 1980's, the choice was made to turn stores into unique residences.  What remains today are homes built to commercial standards (steel beam construction) with 10' ceilings and authentic materials (reclaimed bricks from the streets of Philadelphia and real slate or wood shake roofs, for example).  Homes were carved from store spaces so no two homes are alike.  Not your typical development!

This home is a classic reproduction of "The Pearson House" and is a step back in time with a blend of traditional appointments and modern kitchens and baths.  Hardwood floors ground the high ceilings adorned with crown molding.  Chair molding divides the walls and shows off four long boxed 9-over-9 windows.   The kitchen is compact and a model of efficiency with Wood-Mode cabinets, Corian counters, newer refrigerator, stove and dishwasher.  Pantry and main floor laundry are right outside the kitchen door.  The master bedroom is generously sized at 17 x 12. 

One of the unique things about this home is that it is "two homes in one".  That is, the main floor has a large living / dining room, kitchen / laundry, master bedroom / master bath.  However, if you take the stairs to the lower level you will enter a large living space with a bedroom / full bath lots of closet space and its own entrance to the outside.  We think that it becomes a large home for someone or two private spaces for others.  This could be great for roommates or mother / daughter arrangement.  

One thing that Murray Hill Square residents enjoy the most is their own train station with Midtown Direct service to NY right across the street.  No worries getting to the train or cost to park at the station.   Don't need the train to commute?  New Providence has easy access to I-78. 

So, take a future 'step into the past' with a new home in Murray Hill Square.  Call or e-mail for a private showing or more information.  This home is available immediately -- still time for buyer tax credit if under contract by 4/30 and close by 6/30/10.    

Rare opportunity to own within a unique enclave of 13 mid-century modern homes built in 1953.  Stylish one floor living and three main floor entrances with minimum steps gives this home easy access to all.  A circular driveway lets passengers off near doors and enables multiple car households plenty of convenient, off-street parking.  Of course, there is a traditional, lower level garage with driveway as well.

Located across from the Summit Medical Group, this home resides in the desirable Berkeley Heights school system.  There is easy NYC commuter access by bus, highway or train.

Once inside, this home has dark hardwood floors and exposed brick walls around the fireplace.  Four dramatic walls of full length windows surround the house showing off a private deck and colorful, woodsy back yard. 

The kitchen was updated with Shaker-style cinnamon-colored maple cabinets and a sage green glass tile backsplash.  Black glass appliances and polished nickel fixtures complement the look. 

Unlike a traditional style home, this house has flowing open spaces where the residents decide what purposes the roomy “areas” will be used for.  It’s a totally flexible environment that adapts easily to changing needs. 

The master bedroom features a walk-in closet and updated master bath with shower stall.  There are two additional bedrooms and a vintage main hall bath.  Hardwood floors throughout, except where tiled.   

There is a lower level rec room, office, laundry room / storage / utility room and garage access. 

The FHA 203k renovation loan program provides funds for both the purchase and renovation of a home packaged into one mortgage loan. Once the purchase of the home is closed, renovation funds are held in escrow to pay for pre-determined renovation work done by approved renovation contractors.

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Listed by Virginia Belson

Qualifies for SMART START PROGRAM up to $15,500 credit from the state of NJ.

Charming older Colonial (Circa 1873) Freshly painted interior with 4 Bedrooms 2 Full baths, large eat-in kitchen, wood floors.  Relax on the wrap-around porch. Above ground pool - owner will remove if buyer request.

Listed by Virginia Belson.

Renovated in 2007 features: Hardwood floors throughout, granite countertops, Bosch oven and warmer, refrig., dbl. bowl sink, lg.overhead hood, dbl.dishwasher. Master Bedroom w/walk-in closet with built-ins, another closet and full bath w/shower stall. Lg. guest bedroom and 3rd bedroom. New updated full bath with jacuzzi tub, new powder room, finished walkout basement and laundry area. Ample storage space throughout the home. Professionally landscaped and sprinkler system.

Three authorities on FHA and its loan products respond to the most frequently asked questions from REALTORS®.

• To qualify for the move-up tax credit, a home owner must have occupied the same principal residence for five of the last eight years consecutively.
• Buyers can elect to claim the credit on either their 2009 or their 2010 tax return, whichever is best for them.
• Buyers who claim the credit in 2009 can’t file electronically because the Internal Revenue Service hasn’t put the required forms on line. The wait for a refund is three or four months.
• The home can be a mobile home or travel trailer that is fixed to land owned or leased by the home owner. A mobile home or travel trailer that is actually mobile doesn’t qualify.
• The home can’t be purchased from a close relative, including a parent, spouse, child, grandparent or grandchild.
• A buyer who earns no taxable income or doesn’t owe any federal income tax can qualify for the tax credit and file a tax return just to claim it.

Source: Bankrate.com, Marcie Geffner (01/21/2010)

It’s possible to trim your property taxes by challenging the assessed value of your home. But making a convincing case against your real estate assessment, the basis for your property tax, requires doing a bit of homework first. Initial research can be done online or by phone over two or three days, but the process can stretch out for months if you’re forced to file a formal appeal.    Read More...

Great opportunity for a FHA 203k Loan see http://www.NewJersey203k.com for more details

Spacious 4 bedroom, 2-1/2 bath home on level lot on one of New Providence's nicest neighborhoods.  Great bones!  Newly refinished hardwood floors, walk up 17x24 attic -- potential for fabulous master suite.  Near Lions Park, Murray Hill train station and the excellent New Providence schools. 

To claim the credit on your 2008 taxes, you must file an amendment to your 2008 return. To do this you will need two forms: Form 1040X  for filing an amended return; and Form 5405  for the home buyer tax credit.

Applying the Home Buyer Tax Credit to Your 2009 Return

To claim the credit as part of your 2009 return, you will need: The standard Form 1040 and Form 5405 for the home buyer tax credit.

....Read More

The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has established a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified move-up/repeat home buyers (existing home owners) purchasing a principal residence after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010 (or purchased by June 30, 2010 with a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010).

The following questions and answers provide basic information about the tax credit. If you have more specific questions, we strongly encourage you to consult a qualified tax advisor or legal professional about your unique situation.  ....Read More

The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has extended the tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence. The tax credit now applies to sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify.

For sales occurring after November 6, 2009, the Act establishes income limits of $125,000 for single taxpayers and $225,000 for married couples filing joint returns.

The income limits for sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before November 6, 2009, are $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married taxpayers filing joint returns.

The following questions and answers provide basic information about the tax credit. If you have more specific questions, we strongly encourage you to consult a qualified tax advisor or legal professional about your unique situation.  ...Read More

-First-time homebuyers, who are defined by the law as buyers who have not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase, may be eligible for up to an $8,000 tax credit.  ...Read More

Part 5 of 5

Option # 5 Deed In Lieu of Foreclosure:

A deed in lieu of foreclosure occurs when the borrower agrees to trade the property to the lender in exchange for the cancellation or the note. This foreclosure alternative is more likely to work in states where there is a long foreclosure timeline. The lender will be able to get the property much sooner than going through the foreclosure process, which lessens the probability of the property being in disrepair as well as eliminates the lender’s cost to foreclose. Like the mortgage workout, sellers who are interested in a deed in lien of foreclosure should consult their attorney or contact the lender directly. ... Read More

Part 4 of 5

Option # 4 Short Sale:

A short sale is a situation in which the seller owes more money on the loan than the sale of the property will likely produce on the market and the seller is unable or unwilling to bring money to closing. In a short sale, the lender has not yet foreclosed on the property, which provides a window of opportunity for the owner to sell the property in order to at least partially get the lender what is owed. ...Read More

Part 3 of 5

Option # 3 Lender Workout:

Lenders often will work with distressed homeowners to help them keep their homes by reducing or rolling back interest rates; forgiving back payments or adding them to the loan amount, or possibly recasting the entire loan and wrapping all fees into a fixed-rate mortgage.  ... Read More

Part 2 of 5

While homeowners who are at risk of default or who have defaulted on their mortgage may feel that “walking away” is their only solution, there are options available to them. Real Estate professionals can help outline the options; you must seek legal and tax advice. ... Read More

Pre-Foreclosure:

Anytime homeowners are behind in their mortgage payments, they are considered in “pre-foreclosure”. The length of what is considered pre-foreclosure varies depending on state laws. During this time, the homeowner is initially notified of the mortgage payment default. This contact typically occurs within 30 days following the default on a payment. Before placing a lien on the property, ... Read More 

Bring your builder to a new cul-de-sac in Berkeley Heights, conveniently located off Mountain Avenue between Snyder and Plainfield Avenue.  Two new construction homes of 4500 and 6000 square feet are already built and await their 3 new neighbors.  Lots are approved by the town and have full improvements and utilities on site.  Detailed plans available for review.

Listed by Kirsten Hood, this CRC Communities built "The Villas at Murray Hill" luxury townhomes will make you never want to leave home again.  Quality materials, extensive architectural details abound and "upgrades are standard".  Pictured is the furnished model representing the smaller one of two unit styles in a boutique complex of just 26 homes.  While most features are standard you will enjoy seeing these options:  living room built-in bookcase, built-in bookshelves in bedroom/office, basement wine bar and home theater. 

Well thought out designs maximize convenience from the garage into the kitchen.  An elevator makes life easy providing a lift between the finished basement, the main level kitchen / living area and the second floor bedroom level.  Abundant storage can be found in ample closets and kitchen cabinets as well as the basement area and walk up attic. 

The master bedroom features two large walk in closets and a smaller closet (possibly for seldom used items - formalwear?) with under eaves storage (possibly for luggage?).  In addition, there is a tray ceiling, gas fireplace and spa-like master bath with soaking tub, separate large shower, two separate vanity areas with granite tops and, of course, a water closet.

The kitchen features all stainless steel Viking appliances from a gas cooktop, armoire refrigerator, wall oven, wall mounted microwave and dishwsher.  Granite is standard.  Beautiful cabinets feature concealed hardware, full extension drawers and soft self-closure mechanism.  

If you can think of something else to be added to these generously appointed units, you may find this builder to be talented and flexible enough to incorporate your ideas. 

This development is truly a 'walk to train' location (one resident says it takes him two minutes from his front door to the stop) and access to New York couldn't be easier on Midtown Direct to Penn Station trains.  Or choose to change at Hoboken to catch the PATH for financial district/Wall Street or alternative midtown. 

Sales office hours are:  Tuesday and Thursday - 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM.  Or by appointment.