Diane Kaplan » Local Waterfront NJ Real Estate Specialist

Tips for Making Your Home Greener

Diane Kaplan — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:25:06 +0000

Times are a changing……every homeowner should take a look around and make a few simple changes around their home to protect the environment. Making some changes to have a greener home can not only save you money but help combat global warming. Do you know what the key is to making your home greener? The answer is efficiency. Being efficient in anything makes whatever you are doing a little better.* Lighting – replace your incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent light bulbs.

* Timer Thermostats – Install programmable thermostats and set your thermostat down some degrees while you sleep and during the day when you are at work. Setting your thermostats down just 5 degrees will save you big.

* Cover Drafty Areas – Plug and seal areas around doorways, windows, electrical outlets, plumbing openings. This save you big time.

* Water Heater Insulation – Insulate around your hot water heater and pipes around the water heater.

* Energy Efficient Appliances – remember to select ENERGY STAR when purchasing a new furnace, hot water heater, air conditioner, etc. You will save about 10 to 30% on operating costs vs. non-energy efficient units.

These are just a few changes that you can make to save energy costs and you will be amazed at just how fast your savings can add up. We can all do a little to save our planet and money, too.

Sea Bright/Rumson Bridge Closing

Diane Kaplan — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:15:32 +0000

Today January 25th 2012 – Please be advised the Monmouth County Engineering Department has notified the Borough of Sea Bright that the Sea Bright/Rumson bridge will be closed for testing for four hours on Wednesday, January 25 from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Contact Diane Kaplan if you are looking to see or buy a property along the Jersey Shore – Cell # 732-672-0409.

Sea Bright NJ Home for Sale

Diane Kaplan — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 09:00:49 +0000

House for sale in Sea Bright NJ at an affordable price, only $449,00. House located at 16 Church Street sits in the center of town close to the Shrewsbury River. Property features 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths with garage and driveway, cozy enclosed front porch, deck in rear, outdoor shower and separate office. The floor plan is open for easy entertaining affording lots of light through the large windows. Move right in to this meticulously maintained colonial and enjoy superb sunsets and glorious sunrises in this Oceanfront community.

Enjoy shopping, finest restaurants, public transportation within a short distance of house; especially, the ocean beach. This vacation spot is on the rise and is the modern “Mayberry”. Come visit or call to make an appointment to view this beautiful house for sale.

Contact Diane Kaplan you real estate professional at 800-531-2885 Ext. 289 or cell # at 732-672-0409. Search all homes for sale and view the entire MLS – Click Here.

Upcoming Events at Jersey Shore

Diane Kaplan — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 09:00:22 +0000

JANUARY 1, 2012 – The Mad Hatter on the Jersey Shore is sponsoring the 3rd Annual Polar Bear Plunge – the Plunge will take place January 1, 2012 at 1 pm at 10 E. Ocean Avenue – home of the Mad Hatter. This is a fundraising event, so start the year off by giving to a good cause. The ipad2 is the grand prize giveaway at this event. Please register by calling (732) 530-7861 and reserve your spot.

DECEMBER 30, 2011 – The Black Nativity – This holiday special is a joyous retelling of the traditional story of the birth of Jesus in music and dance. Event being held at the Count Basie Theatre located at 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ on December 30th at 7:30 pm. For more information, please call 732-842-9000 or Click Here and see details online.

Black Nativity is a Gospel “song play” based on the Gospel of St. Luke, using the poetry of Langston Hughes and performed by an all-Black cast of singers, actors, dancers and musicians. One of the first plays authored by an African-American to be performed on Broadway (it debuted in 1961), Black Nativity delivers a powerful message of joy, hope, victory and liberation. An important civic tradition in many cities across the country,Black Nativity at the Count Basie Theatre is directed by veteran actor and director Darrell Lawrence Willis, Sr., Producing Artistic Director of the Dunbar Repertory Theater Company, whose mission is to perpetuate an appreciation of cultural diversity and celebrate African-American culture.

Looking to buy a house or condo in the area, call Diane Kaplan for all your real estate needs at (800)531-2885 Ext. 289 or Click Here to search all homes for sale in the MLS.

Real Estate Closings in New Jersey

Diane Kaplan — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 09:20:57 +0000

Buying a home can be a lengthy process so be sure you have the right professionals to guide you along through to the closing. When purchasing a property good legal advice is definitely needed together with having the proper representation at the closing.

Park East Financial is a real estate paralegal and attorney service provider made up of a group of paralegals serving real estate professionals and their active buyers throughout New Jersey. This group of paralegals and attorneys are experts in New Jersey residential real estate.The Park East Financial group believes in a very personal approach. Working with Park East Financial can be a very enlightening experience – one of the associates will be assigned to the buyer and they will manage the buyer’s file from Attorney Review to the closing table. All the work is exclusively performed in-house by experienced paralegals under the supervision of the associated attorneys.

Working with a local professional paralegal company is an excellent way to ensure that all the terms of the sales contract proceed according to schedule and close in a smooth and streamlined manner. The Park East Financial Group’s commitment to professional, courteous and responsive service results in increased buyer satisfaction.

If you would like more information, please contact the Park East Financial Group at 732-945-5224.

Sea Bright NJ Townhouse for Sale – “The Waterways”

Diane Kaplan — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 09:00:34 +0000

This great community offers riverfront location with ocean beaches across the street – The Waterways is a quiet seashore community located in Sea Bright NJ – townhouse for sale priced at $509,000. Townhouse features 3 bedrooms, 2-1/2 baths, one car attached garage, updates include – bamboo flooring, windows, appliances, siding, roof, and staircases.

Ideal property for second home or all year round – the furnace and air conditioning condensor are being replaced. Master bedroom has skylight and balcony and views of the ocean. Amenities include waterfront inground pool and private boat slips. Pet friendly community, steps into town, bus into NYC on corner and the Seastreak Fast Ferry service is only 10 minutes away by car located in Highlands, NJ.

Contact your real estate specialist, Diane Kaplan and get complete details of area and all properties for sale. To Search for Homes for Sale Click Here.

Sea Bright NJ – Go Green for Holidays!

Diane Kaplan — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:00:50 +0000

With all the decorating, wrapping, giving, shopping, buying and baking that takes place during Christmas and New Year’s, household waste increases by 25 percent each holiday season, according to research. Lighten your environmental footprint this year with the following green holiday tips.

* Send electronic greeting cards. According to the U.S. Postal Service, 16.5 billion holiday greeting cards will be sent this year. Save paper by sending your greetings online with free e-cards from sites like Hallmark and American Greetings.

* Bake seasonal treats. Pecans, winter squash and sweet potatoes are now in season, so whip up southern favorites like pecan pie, sweet potato pie and butternut squash soup to serve at Christmas dinner.

* Switch to LED holiday lights. LED string lights use 80 percent less energy and last 10 times longer than traditional incandescent lights.

* Carpool on your outings. According to research, the average American drives 14 miles roundtrip on a shopping trip. Carpool with friends and family when Christmas shopping, or shop online to omit driving altogether.

* Buy green gifts. Gifts with environmental benefits can make an impact far beyond the holidays. Consider giving rechargeable batteries to the techie, gardening tools to the green thumb or a donation to a favorite charity to the volunteer.

* Give homemade gifts. Websites and blogs are booming with creative, inexpensive do-it-yourself ideas for gifts and décor.

* Wrap creatively. Between wrapping paper and gift bags, Americans generate four million tons of waste during the holidays. Give gifts that require little or no wrapping, like a gift card, or wrap gifts with recycled paper, magazines or newspapers.

* Recycle your tree. After the holidays, real Christmas trees can be recycled to benefit the environment in many ways, such as grounded into mulch and used as reefs in local lakes.

Contact Diane Kaplan, Broker/Associate of Better Homes Realty if you are looking to buy or sell a home. Search all homes for sale – Click Here.

Sea Bright NJ Emergency Management

Diane Kaplan — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:00:22 +0000

The Borough of Sea Bright Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is a branch of the Municipal Government and is mandated by the State of New Jersey as well as the Federal Government. The OEM was put in place to establish, maintain and practice an “All Hazards Approach” for the safety of the residents and businesses of the Borough as well as continuity and continuation of the Municipal Government in time of Man-Made or Natural disasters. The office oversees all Municipal resources, and in times of emergency will make sure all resources are utilized for the safety of the residents.

The Office of Emergency Management is constantly monitoring and updating the efficiency of its operations plan, working together with all Municipal Departments to maintain continuity of Local Governments emergency services.

It is very important to realize that the Office of Emergency Management is responsible for the welfare and well-being of its residents. During times of emergency, especially that of flooding and major storms, the OEM may close down Ocean Avenue due to flooding. It is especially important to remember to pay attention to all road closed warning signs and not travel through flooded roadways.

Below is a list of websites for specific information during hurricanes, flooding and severe weather conditions:

National Weather Service – Mount Holly

State Office

Code Red - Fill Out the Form & Be Connected

Monmouth County Emergency Management

Hurricane Preparation

Radio - Emergency Radio Station 1630 AM

Contact Diane B. Kaplan, Broker/Associate, Better Homes Realty for all area information. Buying or selling a home, contact Diane Kaplan at 732-672-0409 or Click Here for HOME SEARCH. Search all homes for sale in MLS.

Long Branch NJ Oceanfront Townhouse “The Bluffs At Beachfront North”

Diane Kaplan — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 09:00:05 +0000

Gorgeous townhouse situated only steps away from the Atlantic Ocean and Pier Village – a vacation paradise all year round. This unique townhouse features 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, open floor plan plus a two car garage, decks, porch and so much more……This home is offered for sale at $929,000.

This townhouse is located at “The Bluffs at Beach Front North”, a luxurious condo community on the Atlantic Ocean; upgrades to this special unit include crown moldings, hardwood floors, granite counter tops in kitchen. The amenities include clubhouse with inground pool, fitness room, game room, computer room and best part of all it is only steps to the ocean beach.

Contact Diane B. Kaplan, Broker/Associate at Better Homes Realty for all your real estate needs. SEARCH ALL HOMES FOR SALE CLICK HERE – see all homes for sale in Monmouth and Ocean County.

Seastreak Alert for Monday Dec. 19th

Diane Kaplan — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 18:55:47 +0000

Monday, December 19th, 2011 Ferry Schedule Change:

The SEASTREAK FERRY HIGHLANDS will be out of service on Monday, December 19th – In her place, the Seastreak Martha’s Vineyard Express and the Seastreak Ocean State will be operating – there will be direct service to Pier 11 at 7:30 am from Atlantic Highlands aboard the Seastreak Martha’s Vineyard Express and direct service to East 35th Street at 7:30 am from Atlantic Highlands aboard the Seastreak Ocean State. The 5:50 pm departure from East 35th Street will be operated by the Seastreak Ocean State and will run direct to Atlantic Highlands and Highlands. The 6:10 pm Pier 11 departure will be operated by the Martha’s Vineyard Express and will run directly to Atlantic Highlands and Highlands. All other service will be operating normally. For complete Seastreak Information click here.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home in the Highlands and surrounding areas, contact Diane Kaplan for complete real estate area information. Search all homes for sale in Monmouth and Ocean County – Click Here.

Diane B. Kaplan, GRI

Broker/Associate Better Homes Realty

(800) 531-2885 Ext. 289 Office

(732) 672-0409 Cell Phone