Short Hills Area Summer Activities

Although most of June didn’t feel much like summer, the sun is starting to come out more often and there are plenty of activities in the Short Hills & Summit area to try out this season including horse back riding, sailing, surfing, yoga, tennis and music lessons. All of these activities offer opportunities for children, adults and groups.

TOWN RECREATION DEPARTMENTS

Millburn-Short Hills:
http://twp.millburn.nj.us/Recreation

Chatham Borough & Township:
http://chathamrecreation.org/contacts.php

Madison:
http://www.rosenet.org/gov/recreation/default.htm

Maplewood:
http://www.twp.maplewood.nj.us/departments/recreation-cultural-affairs/recreation

South Orange:
http://www.southorange.org/TheBaird/

Summit:
http://www.ci.summit.nj.us/departments/recreation.cfm


ART:

Visual Art Center of NJ
Summit
http://artcenternj.org/

The Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey
Madison
http://www.njshakespeare.org/

Theater Arts
Papermill Playhouse
Millburn-Short Hills
http://www.papermill.org/outreach/theatreschool.php

GOLF:

New Jersey Golf Course Guide
http://www.new-jersey.com/col/golf/

GolfLink.com’s NJ Guide
http://www.golflink.com/top-golf-courses/state.aspx?state=NJ

HORSE BACK RIDING:

Dapple Hill Farm
Sara Goetz
Whitehouse, NJ
http://www.dapplehill.com/index.asp

Crewe Hill
Sand Spring Road
Harding Twp, NJ
973-267-2060
Boarding/Lessons

Hidden Brook Farm
Bedminster, NJ
http://www.hiddenbrookfarm.com/index.html

Palermo Show Stable
Bedminster, NJ
http://www.palermoshowstable.com/index.html

MUSIC:

School of Rock
My nephews (5 & 7y/o) go here and love it.
Chatham
http://www.schoolofrock.com/index.php

Millburn Music Center
Millburn
http://www.millburnmusic.com/

Summit Music Center
Summit
http://www.summitmusicstudio.com/index_new.html


SAILING:

New Jersey Sailing School
Point Pleasant
http://www.newjerseysailingschool.com/

Nelson Sailing Center
Island Heights (Toms River)
http://www.nelsonsailingcenter.com/

Offshore Sailing School
NYC & Jersey City
http://www.offshore-sailing.com/

True North Sailing
Jersey City
http://www.sailtruenorth.com/sail_school.html

SKATEPARKS:

Chatham Twp Skate Park
Outdoor, Public
http://www.chathamrecreation.org/actdetails.php?actid=40

Bloomfield Skate Park (allows bikes)
Outdoor, Public
http://www.bloomfieldtwpnj.com/Rec_SkateParkReopens2009.php

Garden Sk8
Indoor Skatepark
Pine Brook
http://www.gardensk8.com/

Shields Skatepark (allows bikes)
Flemington, NJ
Indoor
http://www.shieldsskatepark.com/

Small Empire Skatpark
Offers Summer Camps
Flanders NJ
http://www.smallempireskatepark.com/


SURFING:
Yes, you can surf in NJ. There’s actually quite a big scene in NJ. If you’re just starting, definitely begin with lessons!

Coastline Adventures/NJ Surfing School
Billabong Sponsored
Kids Camps, Adult Camps, Women’s Camps and Private Lessons
Mantoloking (Brick)
http://www.njsurfschool.com/

Beach House
Private & Group Lessons
Bayhead
http://www.beachhouseclassic.com/lessons.htm

Eastern Lines
Belmar
http://www.easternlines.com/knowledge/learn-to-surf

7th Street Surf Shop
Ocean City
http://7thstreetsurfshop.com/lessons.htm


TENNIS:

Center Court
Chatham
http://www.centercourtclub.com/

Summit Tennis Association
Summit
http://www.statennis.com/about.htm

Westfield Tennis Club
Westfield
http://www.westfieldtennisclub.org/


YOGA:

Liv Yoga
Livingston
http://www.livyoga.com/

Power Flow Hot Yoga
Chatham
http://www.powerflownj.com/

Shakti Yoga
Maplewood
http://www.shaktinj.com/

Surya Hot Yoga
Summit & Hoboken
http://www.suryayogaacademy.com/


-Erin Smith
http://www.TheJillSmithTeam.com

Closing Cost Estimates

As with a lot of purchases and services one pays for in life, buying a home also involves fees and expenses beyond just paying the agreed upon sale price. The break down of closing costs was given to me by Steve Lupton with ISB Mortgage (908-522-6500) and represents a ballpark estimate for closing costs for 2 hypothetical purchases; one for a purchase price of $400,000 and one for $1,000,000. The information provided below is a general guideline used for example purposes only. Your actual closing costs may be more or less. Also, these costs do not include the cost of a home inspection which depending on the size of the home could cost $300-500. The total closing cost estimates are in bold type.

Purchase Price: $400,000
Loan Amount: $320,000
Down Payment: $80,000
Interest Rate: 5%

Estimate for Closing Costs:
Appraisal Fee: 500.00
Credit Report: 14.00
Loan Application: 395.00
Commitment Fee: 150.00
Flood Certification Fee: 8.00
Attorney Fees: 3,200
Recording/Filing Fees: 350.00
Location Survey: 550.00

Sub-Total: $5,017.00

Prepaid Escrow & Adjustments:
Hazard Insurance (12 months): 780.00
Real Estate Taxes (4 months): 3000.00
Interest: 44.44

Sub-Total: $4,446.67

Details of Purchase:
Purchase Price: $400,000
Closing Costs: $5,017.00
Pre-paids: $4,446.67
Total Costs: $9,463.67
Total: $409,463.67
Less Mortgage Amount: $320,000
Down Payment: $80,000
Total Cash Required for Closing: $89,463.67




Purchase Price: $1,000,000
Loan Amount: $800,000
Down Payment: $200,000
Interest Rate: 5.750%

Estimate for Closing Costs:
Appraisal Fee: 500.00
Credit Report: 14.00
Loan Application: 395.00
Commitment Fee: 150.00
Flood Certification Fee: 8.00
Attorney Fees: 5,000
Recording/Filing Fees: 400.00
Location Survey: 550.00

Sub-Total: $7,017.00

Prepaid Escrow & Adjustments:
Hazard Insurance (12 months): 1200.00
Real Estate Taxes (4 months): 4800.00
Interest: 1916.67

Sub-Total: $7,916.67

Details of Purchase:
Purchase Price: $1,000,000
Closing Costs: $7,017.00
Pre-paids: $7,916.67
Total Costs: $14,933.67
Total: $1,014,933.67
Less Mortgage Amount: $800,000
Down Payment: $200,000
Total Cash Required for Closing: $214,933.67

Have a Certified Wildlife Habitat™ in Your Own Backyard

Have a Certified Wildlife Habitat™ in Your Own Backyard

The National Wildlife Federation offers a great program to restore natural habitat in your community whether you have an apartment balcony or multi-acre estate. By addressing 5 categories you can apply to have your home habitat certified by The Nation Wildlife Federation. The categories include supplying food, water and shelter for wildlife and creating green space that uses native species and conserves soil and water. This is a great project for families or anyone wanting to help sustain their local ecosystems.

The application process includes a $20 fee and a simple form outlining the features of your habitat. Included in the application fee is a certificate recognizing your certified habitat, free NWF membership with a one-year subscription to NWF quarterly newsletter and your habitat’s listing with the NWF’s Certified Wildlife Habitat™ registry. Once certified you can also purchase a Certified Wildlife Habitat™ yard sign to show your neighbors your commitment to the environment.

I have reposted The Nation Wildlife Federation’s guidelines for the Certified Wildlife Habitat™ requirements. Please visit their website for all the details and particulars.

Provide Food for Wildlife

Your habitat needs three of the following types of plants or supplemental feeders: Seeds from a plant • Berries • Nectar • Foliage/Twigs • Nuts • Fruits • Sap • Pollen • Suet • Bird Feeder • Squirrel Feeder • Hummingbird Feeder • Butterfly Feeder

Supply Water for Wildlife

Your habitat needs one of the following sources to provide clean water for wildlife to drink and bathe: Birdbath • Lake • Stream • Seasonal Pool • Ocean • Water Garden/Pond • River • Butterfly Puddling Area • Rain Garden • Spring

Create Cover for Your Habitat

Wildlife need at least two places to find shelter from the weather and predators: Wooded Area • Bramble Patch • Ground Cover • Rock Pile or Wall • Cave • Roosting Box • Dense Shrubs or Thicket • Evergreens • Brush or Log Pile • Burrow • Meadow or Prairie • Water Garden or Pond

Give Wildlife a Place to Raise Their Young

You need at least two places for wildlife to engage in courtship behavior, mate, and then bear and raise their young: Mature Trees • Meadow or Prairie • Nesting Box • Wetland • Cave • Host Plants for Caterpillars • Dead Trees or Snags • Dense Shrubs or a Thicket • Water Garden or Pond • Burrow

Garden in an Environmentally Friendly Way

You should be doing two things to help manage your habitat in a sustainable way. Soil and Water Conservation: Riparian Buffer • Capture Rain Water from Roof • Xeriscape (water-wise landscaping) • Drip or Soaker Hose for Irrigation • Limit Water Use • Reduce Erosion (i.e. ground cover, terraces) • Use Mulch • Rain Garden Controlling Exotic Species: Practice Integrated Pest Management • Remove Non-Native Plants and Animals • Use Native Plants • Reduce Lawn Areas • Organic Practices: Eliminate Chemical Pesticides • Eliminate Chemical Fertilizers • Compost

Please visit TheJillSmithTeam.com's green page.

Neighborhood Market Updates Available at TheJillSmithTeam.com

Have you ever wanted to keep updated with home sales in your neighborhood or a neighborhood you are considering moving to? We are pleased to announce a great new feature to TheJillSmithTeam.com that will send you monthly reports on the home sales within your neighborhood which includes selling price compared to list price, a map of currently available homes and recently sold homes, photos and details of each listing and much more. This incredibly helpful program is called Market Snapshot and you can start using it now. Just fill out a 2-step form with the address of your house or a house in a neighborhood you are considering and you will receive monthly neighborhood sales updates via email.

Data is pulled from the Garden State MLS so market information is up-to-date. If you live in or are considering a move to Essex, Morris, Union or Somerset county, your neighborhood will be covered in Market Snapshot. Sign-up by visiting this link also located on the right hand side of our homepage.

Luxury Statistics Now Available at TheJillSmithTeam.com

Luxury sales statistics are now available at TheJillSmithTeam.com. These statistics cover the towns of Millburn-Short Hills, Summit and Chatham and are divided into two categories: houses originally listed between $1-$2 million and houses originally priced over $2 million.

Although dollar volume dropped dramatically for houses priced between $1-2 million in Chatham in 2008, average sale price was up 3% from 2007. Less houses sold but sellers who did not have to sell remained steadfast in their pricing even in a buyer's market. Average sales price in Millburn-Short Hills and dollar volume were both down in 2008 although sales for homes priced between $1-$2 million have historically fluctuated plus or minus 6-7% in the past 8 years. Millburn-Short Hills remains a top choice for luxury homes in the area and sales have always been strong. Summit's dollar volume in 2008 was well below that of 2007's totals, but prices in Summit's luxury market are even more consistent than Millburn-Short Hills, fluctuating no more than 2% annually since 2000.

For all the details please visit TheJillSmithTeam.com's Sales Statistics webpage for Luxury Statistics, Statistics by School District, Statistics by Town and Quarterly Under Contract Statistics.

Team Member Kathy Murphy Gets Green

Local Realtor® Achieves National Association of Realtors® Green Designation

Summit, NJ. Kathy Murphy long time Short Hills resident and sales associate with The Jill Smith Team of Keller Williams Realty in Summit, NJ has been awarded the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) Green Designation, the only green real estate professional designation recognized by NAR.

Kathy Murphy achieved this designation after completing 18 hours of course work designed specifically for REALTORS®. The courses were created in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of industry experts from across the country, ensuring designees gain comprehensive knowledge of green homes and buildings and issues of sustainability in relation to real estate.

More specifically, Kathy Murphy was trained in understanding what makes a property green, helping clients evaluate the cost/benefits of green building features and practices, distinguishing between industry rating and classification systems, listing and marketing green homes and buildings, discussing the financial grants and incentives available to homeowners, and helping consumers see a property’s green potential.

“As energy costs rise along with concern for the environment, homeowners are looking for innovative ways to save money and live responsibly,” said Dick Gaylord, NAR’s immediate past president. NAR’s Green Designation was developed in response to growing consumer awareness of the benefits of resource efficient homes and buildings. The designation helps consumers who care about energy efficiency and sustainable building practices identify REALTORS® who can help them realize green real estate and lifestyle goals.

As a NAR Green Designee, Kathy Murphy has gained the knowledge and tools necessary to become a trusted green resource for the residents of the Summit area. To find out how Kathy’s green expertise can assist you in buying or selling a home please contact her at KathyMurphy@kw.com or visit TheJillSmithTeam.com for more information.

This Week's Featured Listing 4/27/09

This week’s featured listing is a pristine, updated 4 bedroom, 2.1 bath 1905 Queen Victorian located on a quiet, tree lined street in Millburn just a few short blocks to NYC trains, Downtown Millburn and Wyoming School. 47 Chestnut Street is a great house, perfect for a first time home buyer and not to be missed! It is in move-in condition and on a quiet, tree lined street, one where you’ll get to know you neighbors and feel like a part of the community. And with its location just a few blocks from downtown Millburn, the train station, library, doctors offices, pharmacy, banks, shopping and dining, you have the offerings of an affluent town with the convenience of city living.

This is a new listing offered at $749,000 and will have its first Public Open House this Sunday May 3 from 1-4pm. For a private showing please contact Jill Smith at 973-722-2234 or JillSmith@comcast.net.

Please click here for all the photos and details.