21 Austin St Woodbridge, NJ
Beautiful house located in Sewaren; Woodbridge, NJ.
3 bedroom, stunning hard wood floors, finished basment A/C, Florida room, private yard. For More Information
Woodbridge, NJ Home For Sale 21 Austin St.
January 4, 2012 By
Attractive Spa Springs Perth Amboy New Jersey Homes
September 15, 2011 By
Perth Amboy homes in the desirable Spa Springs neighborhood offer homebuyers a classy suburban environment in northeast Perth Amboy real estate. One of the most attractive areas for buying or renting Perth Amboy NJ homes, Spa Springs is buffered by the Warren County Park to the north and a quiet cemetery and park on the west. Chickentown, another quality neighborhood within Perth Amboy real estate, is south of Spa Springs.
Perth Amboy homes for sale in Spa Springs and Perth Amboy rentals include single-family homes, duplexes, and multi-family options. Real estate ranges from decades or centuries old to newer. Many historic homes in Perth Amboy do not have garages. Spa Springs, however, offers many homes with garages.
Most residences in Spa Springs are set on short landscaped streets along County Road 655 (N. Florida Grove Road).In 2009, the average price for a single-family home was $287,367, townhouses $144,052, duplexes $150,173, 3-4 unit buildings $143,814, and 5+ units $138,410.
Spa Springs is also convenient to employment centers, shopping areas, schools, and recreation. The New Jersey Turnpike is located just north of the county park. Garden State Parkway is a short distance to the west, and Route 440 reaches the southern Spa Springs border. The “City by the Bay”, Raritan Bay that is, offers waterfront activities, hiking, biking, and a variety of sports. Golf courses are minutes away.
A city of approximately 50,000 residents today, the historic community was once home to the Lenape Indians. Settlers arrived from Scotland in 1684. Over the past few centuries, Perth Amboy welcomed immigrants from many, many nations. In the early 1900s, the community’s resort-like hospitality and yacht clubs magnetized wealthy vacationers to the waterfront.
Many communities such as this one are currently undergoing a slow revitalization. The harbor and waterfront areas are seeing new loft-style residences as some old industrial buildings are being replaced or refitted.
Perth Amboy, part of the New York metropolitan area, offers proximity to Staten Island and New York, affordable home prices, tight knit neighborhoods, and helpful residents. Spa Springs is one of its gems.
For information about full-spectrum real estate services including listings for convenient Perth Amboy properties, homes for sale, and commercial real estate, Perth Amboy apartments and Perth Amboy house rentals, please call Petra Best Realty at 732-442-1400.
How to Buy a Perth Amboy House
August 26, 2011 By
First-time buyers who are looking at houses in Perth Amboy may benefit from creating their own homebuyers checklist. What things need to happen before homebuyers can pocket the keys to their own Perth Amboy homes?
The first order of business is to determine whether or not buying is the best option. The median price for existing Perth Amboy houses and condos is $188,000 today. Prices vary by home, street, and neighborhood. For a $150,000 home, monthly payments will be between $1125 and $1725 including taxes and insurance (0.75-1.15 percent of purchase price).
Before seriously looking around at Perth Amboy real estate for sale, it behooves potential buyers to study several subjects, including the home-buying process, what is affordable, loan packages and owner financing, how to qualify for a loan, points, and closing costs.
When buying real estate in Perth Amboy, investment equity does build slowly. However, there are also expenses to owning a home, such as property taxes, insurance, interest, and home maintenance. Generally speaking, buyers can afford homes worth about three times their annual household incomes. Single applicants many want to consider renting out a portion of their real estate—a bedroom or second duplex—to reduce payment obligations.
If the decision is to buy, then take a hard look at finances and balance them out. Establish credit by borrowing and paying smaller loans. Obtain credit reports from the three major credit-reporting companies and repair credit problems. All the while, save. Save up for down payment, closing costs, and inspections. Buyers who put down higher down payments get better interest rates andpay less over the long run.
When all is in order, find a lender and get prequalified. The lender will want to see evidence of down payment funds, two years of solid employment in the same position or field, and proof of income, plus some pretty good credit scores.
Now is the time to find a Perth Amboy real estate agent and to view Perth Amboy real estate listings in the correct price range. After locating the right home, obtain a disclosure of the problems with the house. Make an offer and sign the contract. Have the property inspected and deal with any inspection issues. Based on the discovery of any new problems, renegotiate the terms as necessary. The bank will appraise the house and the buyer purchases insurance. Close the deal and the keys are yours.
For information about full-spectrum real estate services including listings for convenient Perth Amboy properties, homes for sale, and commercial real estate, Perth Amboy apartments and Perth Amboy house rentals, please call Petra Best Realty at 732-442-1400.
History of Ompoge to Perth Amboy New Jersey Real Estate
August 12, 2011 By
Ompoge land at the mouth of the Raritan River—now Perth Amboy NJ real estate—was deeded by the Lenni-Lenape Indians in 1651 to Augustine Herman. Thirty-two years later, the first three Perth Amboy homes were built on the site.
Perth Amboy is home to the Royal Governor’s Mansion. It is the only Proprietary House still standing from the Colonial Period. This historic Perth Amboy house was constructed for the royal Governor of New Jersey. Ben Franklin’s son William Franklin held that position briefly before the American Revolution nullified its importance. This historic Perth Amboy home has endured many lifetimes. After the Revolution, it became a private home, then a hotel, and a rooming house for retired ministers.
City Hall is another fine specimen of historic Perth Amboy real estate. It served as a courthouse, jail, school house, community center hosting church and town meetings, concerts, and shows as well as municipal offices. The bill of Rights was first ratified in the Perth Amboy City Hall. Due to fires, the building’s architecture has been changed over the centuries. Today, in adjacent City Hall Park, there is an historic statue of George Washington and an exact replica of the Liberty Bell.
Another original building is School One. It is still in use surrounded by newer additions and operating as the Thomas Mundy Peterson School, named for the first black voter after the passing of the 15th Amendment in 1870.
The area’s name morphed from Ompoge to Emboyle to Amboyle to Ambo and Amboy, and finally Perth Amboy after the Earl of Perth who was Lord Chancellor under King James II. Perth Amboy chartered in 1718 and again after the American Revolution.
The well-organized Lenni-Lenape, part of the Algonquin Indian nation, moved during the four seasons to take best advantage of the weather. Their homes were movable. They planted gardens around their permanent settlements in the spring. Some went to shore to catch oysters and clams in summer and then they would return to the villages to harvest. During winter, they hunted. Many of the trails frequented by the Lenni-Lenape became the transportation system for European settlers.
The peaceful Lenni-Lenape often acted as mediators between the tribes. Land ownership was a new concept for them. Prior to the deeding of the land to Herman, the tribes had endured hostile invasions from people coming from abroad. To avoid harsh treatment, many sold their villages to the newcomers in exchange for not-so-valuable but items new to them such as rum and guns.
Call us today: For information about full-spectrum real estate services including listings for convenient Perth Amboy properties, homes for sale, and commercial real estate, Perth Amboy apartments and Perth Amboy house rentals, please call Petra Best Realty at 732-442-1400.
Live Downtown: Perth Amboy New Jersey Real Estate and Rentals
July 28, 2011 By
Smith Street is the centerpiece of Downtown Perth Amboy residential and commercial real estate. The charming Smith Street shopping area is only 7 blocks long. A stroll along the treed, red-brick sidewalks offers visitors and residents of Perth Amboy homes shops and restaurants along a Victorian streetscape with lanterns and benches.
Amboy Towers at Five Corners, a 10-story landmark at Smith and State streets and Brunswick, is a skyscraper next to the interesting 2- and 3-story buildings in the charming historic downtown Perth Amboy commercial real estate district. The area also includes many services such as medical facilities and places of worship.
Downtown Perth Amboy home rentals and Perth Amboy apartment rentals offer residents easy commutes to employment, and proximity to restaurants, entertainment and the marina. Options for downtown Perth Amboy apartment rentals include well-maintained properties, various amenities such as pools and fitness centers, and many newer multi-family options.
From studios to single-family homes in Perth Amboy, there are a variety of lease options available. Ask our Perth Amboy real estate and rental team at Petra Best Realty about townhomes near the water or 3-bedroom Harbor Terrace units at Smith and High Streets.
Call us today: For information about full-spectrum real estate services including listings for convenient Perth Amboy properties, homes for sale, and commercial real estate, Perth Amboy apartments and Perth Amboy house rentals, please call Petra Best Realty at 732-442-1400.
Perth Amboy reflects a rich cultural heritage. The first homes were built in 1683. City Hall was built in the early 1700s. In the 1800s and early 1900s, the community was a popular waterfront resort. It has always welcomed immigrants to its shore on the Raritan Bay.
Downtown Perth Amboy real estate is comprised of 0.315 square miles of land that borders the Bay. The population downtown is approximately 5,000 in 2009. Downtown home values range from $175,000 to $750,000. In 2009, the average for a single family home was $287,853, for a duplex $175,286, multi-family with 3-4 units $337,025 and with 5 or more units $227,911.
In 2009, the median income downtown was about $45,000 and the average age only 31.5 years. Over half the population drives to work but the vast majority of residents get to work in 5-35 minutes.
Families are served by the Perth Amboy Public School District and several private schools as well as Middlesex County College. The community features year round recreational programs for children and youth.
Residents of Perth Amboy Homes Gain Skills at Middlesex County College
July 15, 2011 By
Since the 1970s, residents of homes in Perth Amboy can choose from more than 550 courses and 80 degree and certificate programs and participate in transfer programs at Middlesex County College. The main campus features state-of-the art classrooms and laboratories on a beautiful 200-acre campus. In addition, many convenient courses and programs are convenient to Perth Amboy real estate, including ESL and Child Care.
For information about full-spectrum real estate services including listings for Perth Amboy properties, Perth Amboy homes for sale, and Perth Amboy NJ commercial real estate, Perth Amboy apartments and Perth Amboy house rentals while attending college, please call Petra Best Realty at 732-442-1400.
Middlesex County College is a two-year community college with a scenic main campus located in Edison, New Jersey. The Perth Amboy Center campus at 60 Washington Street serves Perth Amboy homes and a third campus is in New Brunswick. Total enrollment is near 14,000 in 2011. Over half of the students pursue additional higher education, many through excellent transfer programs and joint admissions programs with the New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rutgers University.
Perth Amboy Center opened in another location in 1974. The present location has eight classrooms, three computer labs including an ESL lab and an Instructional lab, a multipurpose room and a student lounge. Courses include English as a Second Language, developmental courses in reading, writing, and math, and college credit courses in liberal arts and business.
The Center also provides enrollment services such as admissions, placement tests, academic advising, registration, FAFSA filing, financial aid information, and payment processing.
Low student-to-faculty ratios, flexible scheduling, online courses, support programs, innovative teachings ensure successful student experiences at Middlesex County College, providing easy faculty access and comfortable learning environments for students. There are co-curricular and leadership experiences, honors courses and societies. Students are also able to take courses during high school.
A list of Academic Departments follows:
Accounting, Business & Legal Studies
Biology
Chemistry & Physics
Computer Science and Information Technology
Dental Auxiliaries Education
Engineering Technologies
English
ESL/Languages & Cultures and Center for International Education
Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance
History & Social Science
Hotel, Restaurant & Institution Management
Mathematics
Medical Laboratory Technology
Nursing
Radiography
Visual, Performing & Media Arts
Middlesex County College is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Degree programs include Associates in Fine Arts, Associates in Science, and Associates in Applied Science.
Improve Energy Efficiency of Perth Amboy Homes Year by Year
June 27, 2011 By
Many owners of older Perth Amboy homes could benefit greatly from adding energy efficient improvements to their Middlesex County real estate. Perth Amboy New Jersey real estate is an historic community located immediately across the Raritan Bay southwest of Staten Island. The established community features affordable prices and a wide selection of charming homes and Perth Amboy rental homes.
In 2011, the federal government is offering tax credits to taxpayers living in Perth Amboy real estate and throughout the nation. Every improvement, great or small, helps lower energy bills. Here is a list of improvements that qualify for the 2011 Federal Tax Credit:
Section A: Expires December 31, 2011.
Tax credit involves 10 percent of cost up to $500, or a specific amount from $50-$300. In order to claim the tax credit, property owners must be living in the Perth Amboy NJ home. New construction is not included in the incentive. Qualifying upgrades: Biomass stoves, heating systems, Ventilation systems, Air conditioning (HVAC) systems, Insulation, Roofs (metal, asphalt), Water heaters (non-solar), Windows and doors
Section B: Expires December 31, 2016.
Tax credit involves 30 percent of cost with no upper limit. Principal residences, second homes, and new construction qualify. Qualifying upgrades: Geothermal heat pumps, Small wind turbines (residential), Solar-energy systems
Section C: Expires December 31, 2016.
Tax credit involves 30 percent of the cost up to $500 per .5 kW of power capacity. Principal residences and new construction qualify. Qualifying upgrades: Fuel cells (residential fuel cell and micro turbine system)
Despite the fact that any ENERGY STAR-rated product will save money on energy bills, not all ENERGY STAR-qualified products qualify for a tax break. In addition, energy efficient tax incentives vary by year. Last year, the lax incentives for energy efficient improvements totaled 30 percent up to $1,500 per type of improvement. Be sure to check on the 2012 tax incentives.
The upgrades may pay off in resale value, too. Buyers are increasingly interested in sustainable or “green” features in Perth Amboy homes. However, Joe Robson, chairman of the National association of Home Builders, reported that NAHB surveyed homebuyers and found that 57 percent are only willing to pay an additional 2 percent for green features.
What are the most helpful upgrades? 1) Improving attic insulation saves energy, increases comfort, and improves indoor air quality. 2) Tankless water heaters heat the needed water on demand instead of keeping an entire tank hot 24 hours a day.
For more information about homes in or near Perth Amboy, contact Petra Best Realty at (732) 442-1400. Petra Best Realty provides full-spectrum real estate services including listings and rentals.
Buy a Home in Perth Amboy NJ – Golf Capital of the Nation
May 30, 2011 By
New Jersey’s Perth Amboy homes are within 150 miles of a quarter of the Top 100 Golf Courses in the United States. In September 2005, Golf Magazine named Perth Amboy real estate as the unofficial “Golf Capital of the U.S.” That is in spite of the fact that there are no golf courses within the Perth Amboy city limits.
Perth Amboy NJ real estate offers affordable options. The median list price today is $181,000. Avid golfers searching for Perth Amboy homes for sale or Perth Amboy rental properties or income properties need not go far to find a tee box. In less than a dozen miles, there are several popular and historic golf courses. Most are open to the public and offer more than golf. Take the entire family out to any of these fine facilities.
- La Tourette Golf Course on Staten Island
- Colonia Country Club in Colonia
- Hyatt Hills Golf Course in Clark
- Raritan Landing Golf Course in Piscataway
- Tara Greens Golf Center in Somerset County
- Bel Aire Golf Course in Monmouth County
- Tamarack Golf Course in East Brunswick
- Silver Lake Golf Course on Staten Island
Overlooking Richmond Town, La Tourette Golf course spans 6,692 yards of championship-caliber golf. Home of the annual March of Dimes Celebrity Fund Raiser, La Tourette was designed by VanClete and opened in 1936. It features a full service pro shop and snack bar.
The 110-year-old Colonia Country Club golf course nestles into architectural masterpieces of days gone by. Its’ beautiful renovated clubhouse offers relaxing getaway. At Colonia, par is a sacred score.
The scenic 9-hole Hyatt Hills Golf Course and its driving range, putting green offer a top-notch public facility includes an 18-hole miniature golf course, full-service clubhouse with relaxed dining and venue for special events.
Raritan Landing Golf Course is a 3,300-yard par 58 course with small greens and narrow fairways, perfect for shot making and accuracy. The Froghair Grill offers food and refreshments.
Sprawling over 100 acres, Tara Greens Golf Center offers exceptional facilities for every level of golfer. Its regulation course, driving range, 9-hole pitch ‘n putt and practice green, as well as a miniature golf course are popular for area residents.
Home News Tribune readers rated Tamarack as Best Golf Course in Central Jersey. It is the home course for several high school golf teams. Tamarack offers two 10-hole championship golf courses by Hal Purdy. The East is a 6,226-yard par 71 and the West is 7,025-yard par 72. Tamarack offers a full-service restaurant and many programs.
The public Silver Lake Golf Course offers great conditioning and excellent dining at the Veranda restaurant.
For more information about homes near Perth Amboy, contact Petra Best Realty at (732) 442-1400. Petra Best Realty provides full-spectrum real estate services including listings and rentals.
High Schools near Perth Amboy Homes
April 14, 2011 By
Families relocating to Perth Amboy NJ homes may choose to send their high school students to a variety of schools in the area. Perth Amboy NJ real estate falls within the Perth Amboy Public School District for Perth Amboy High School. The phone number is (732) 376-6030. Publicly funded education is also available through the local campus of Middlesex County vocational and Technical High Schools at (732) 257-3300.
A handful of private parochial schools in and near Perth Amboy real estate also offer Grades 9-12:
- Cardinal McCarrick High School, (732) 721-0748
- St. Joseph by the Sea High School, (718) 984-6500
- St. Joseph High School, (732) 549-7600
- Bishop George Ahr High School, (732) 549-1108
Perth Amboy High School (PAHS) is a four-year public school serving Grades 9-12. It is the only high school in Perth Amboy and serves over 2,300 students. Built in 1971 to accommodate far fewer students, PAHS bursts with extra life. Extracurricular activities include concert and marching band, sports in the Middlesex County leagues, and school clubs. In addition to academics, the school features two programs sponsored with the Board of Education: Gear Up by Kean University and The School Based Youth Services Program by Jewish Renaissance Foundation.
Perth Amboy Middlesex County vocational School serves more than 250 students.
Cardinal McCarrick High School, formerly called St. Mary’s Diocesan High School, is located at 310 Augusta Street in South Amboy real estate, near the South Amboy train station. Providing an excellent, faith-filled education, Cardinal McCarrick High School is the regional high school for the Diocese of Metuchen. Students from 20 surrounding communities attend. The school is also a member of the Greater Middlesex Athletic Conference and offers a variety of organizations and clubs. Programs include Innovative College Advisory Program, Formal Academic Support, AP and SAT prep, Distance Learning and 21st Century technology, and an Interdisciplinary honors program.
St. Joseph by the Sea High School is located at 5150 Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island NY. Affiliated with the Sisters of Charity, the Catholic school has graduated over 8,000 students since 1967. It became co-ed in 1973 and added extensive new facilities since then, including a variety of sports complexes. St. Joseph by the Sea requires four years of training in all major subjects and strives to immerse students in the “rich spiritual and intellectual tradition of Western Civilization.”
St. Joseph High School is a private all-boy’s college prep school on 70 acres in Metuchen and Edison. The address is 145 Plainfield Avenue, Metuchen NJ. Conducted by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, St. Joseph’s educates students from over 40 school districts and several counties.
Bishop George Ahr High School at 1 Tingley Lane in Edison NJ is a co-ed college preparatory Catholic school in the Diocese of Metuchen. The school features a challenging curriculum, spiritually uplifting environment, vibrant extracurricular programs, award-wining sports, community service programs, performing arts, and technology-laced curriculum.
For more information about homes in the Amboy’s, contact Petra Best Realty at (732) 442-1400. Petra Best Realty provides full-spectrum real estate services including listings and rentals.
Integrating 2011 Designs into Perth Amboy Homes
March 29, 2011 By
One of the trends in Perth Amboy NJ real estate today is buying down and remodeling. Many Perth Amboy homeowners are choosing to stay put instead of moving up to larger homes in Perth Amboy, South Amboy or other New Jersey communities in Middlesex County.
To sustain and gain on resale value, Perth Amboy property owners and investors in Perth Amboy real estate should pay attention to applicable design trends to create style while minimizing costs or sustain the ability to recoup costs upon resale.
Remodeling of kitchens and bathrooms always tends to be the more worthy investment in a home’s value. The cost of these remodels, unless eccentric or lavish, can normally be recouped upon the sale of the properties, especially in desirable neighborhoods. Re-doing small bathrooms is one of the least expensive ways to upgrade homes.
Let us look at the work of a hundred designers from the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) have to say about their latest approach to design. Based on a survey of their design choices during last fall, we get a picture of what homeowners across North America want in kitchen and bath design.
According to Margaret Morgan of newjerseynewsroom.com, there are seven new kitchen trends and four for bathrooms. For the kitchen, it’s 1) shaker-style cabinets, 2) maple cabinets, 3) dark natural finishes, 4) fewer add-ons like wine refrigerators and cupboard racks, 5) granite and quartz countertops, 6) neutral beiges and grays versus colors and whites, and 7) trash organization and compactors.
Bathroom trends include 1) quartz countertops, 2) vessel sinks, 3) green, whites and off-whites, beiges and browns, and 4) faucet emphasis of satin nickel, bronze or oil-rubbed bronze and polished chrome or nickel.
Quality, professional work in these and other areas of the home enhance the appeal. Other hot trends presented by Realtor Magazine may not require full remodels: decorative lighting, outdoor living, recycled features or artwork, energy efficient appliances, his and hers amenities, car lifts to gain space, double-paneled windows and large windows, wood trim throughout home, mirrors, and stations for electronics.
By popular demand, new home design is getting smaller and more efficient. Wasted space is disappearing and other greener elements like ceiling fans are appearing. Buyers are asking for separate laundry rooms and organized closets.
For more information about area real estate and rentals, contact Petra Best Realty at (732) 442-1400.
