Scott's NJ Blog - Luxury Homes/Top Towns

Cranford Street Fair 2021

October 4, 2021 by Scott Gleason

Fall is definitely in the air here in the Northeast. The leaves began to change color already here in New Jersey. Scotch Plains recently celebrated the Fall season with their Scotch Plains Days. Traditionally, Westfield’s Girls Night Out takes place at the beginning of Fall. Not to be left out, Cranford ushers in the season with their Cranford Street Fair this weekend.

What: Cranford Street Fair 2021
Where: Downtown Cranford
When: Sunday, October 10th, 11 am to 5 pm
Cost: Free admission & free parking
Contact: Cranford Area Chamber of Commerce (908) 272-6114 or via email

Cranford Street Fair 2021

October kicks off the end-of-year holidays with gusto. That means hayrides, pumpkin patches, and decorating your home for Halloween, right? Well, you can find some unique decorations for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas at the street fair put on by the township. Guests enjoy live performances from local musicians. In between live performances, a DJ keeps the joint jumping. Of course, they encourage everyone to dance when the inspiration hits.

Dozens of local vendors and artisans set up booths around the Downtown Cranford area specifically for the Cranford Street Fair. They sell everything from home decor to jewelry to furniture and more. Start your Christmas shopping now. Pick up a little something for yourself. Or do both. And to keep the kids entertained, organizers set up special games, rides, and activities for them. To keep your strength up for dancing and shopping, visit one of the local food vendors on-site. This event promises to be fun for the entire family.

Vendors Welcome

Events like the street fair draw in thousands of people at a time. That means great exposure for your business or organization. If you want to set a booth of your own at the fair, contact StreetFairs.org for more information.

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Realty, Luxury Homes

Scotch Plains Day 2021 Brings Fall Fun to Town

September 24, 2021 by Scott Gleason

Scotch Plains residents love where they live. They know that helping each other only makes them stronger. Mayor Losardo says that volunteerism lies at the heart of our beautiful community. At Scotch Plains Day 2021, he plans on acknowledging all of the efforts of local volunteers. But that is just one small part of the family-friendly events planned.

What: Scotch Plains Day 2021
Where: 430 Park Ave (Between Grand & E 2nd)
When: Sunday, October 3rd, 11 am to 3 pm

Scotch Plains Day 2021

As a special “thank you” to our lovely town, organizers invite all township residents to Scotch Plains Day 2021. Part of the celebration includes a special outdoor screening of “Casper” on the town hall’s lawn at 7:30 pm on Friday, October 1st. If you make it a little early (7 pm), join in on some pumpkin carving.

Then, on Sunday, the 3rd, come see the unveiling of our new historical kiosks located town hall. Visit one of the booths set up by local community groups to learn more about what each organization does and how you can help them out. Theatrical Artist Prep entertains the crowd, while the Brother John Brown Band performs live. A special Kids Zone will be set up for the little ones to stay busy. Make sure to stop by one of the food trucks to grab a bite to eat. If you find yourself thirsty for a beer, visit Stage House Tavern’s beer garden by 6 pm.

Downtown Westfield Girls Night Out Update

Finally, a quick note. The morning events for Westfield’s Girls Night Out 2021 went off without a hitch. Unfortunately, the evening’s events were postponed due to a flood watch. Therefore, organizers arranged a raincheck date of next Thursday, September 30th. That just means a second chance to spend time with your favorite gal pals and pamper yourself. Have fun!

FEATURED WESTFIELD AREA LISTING – UNDER CONTRACT

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Realty, Luxury Homes

Downtown Westfield Girls Night Out 2021 is a Go

September 17, 2021 by Scott Gleason

The global pandemic left so much of our lives up in the air last year. We had to adapt to a new “normal”. Fortunately, some things returned for 2021. Outdoor events like Sweet Sounds Downtown and Cranford’s own Summer Sounds series made summer that much better here in Union County. Alas, summer is over. Fall is in the air. Now, it is time to bring back Downtown Westfield Girls Night Out.

You and your girlfriends deserve a day of shopping, dining and relaxation. Downtown Westfield Girls Night Out is back for 2021.

What: Downtown Westfield Girls Night Out 2021
Where: Downtown Westfield Shops and Restaurants
When: Thursday, September 23rd, 10 am to 2 pm & 5 pm to 9 pm
Contact: Downtown Westfield Corp (908) 789-9444

Downtown Westfield Girls Night Out 2021

It’s true. Girls Night Out is back in Downtown Westfield. That means more boutique specials, more refreshments, and more relaxation just for you. Dozens of the shops and boutiques in Downtown Westfield open their doors both day (10 am to 2 pm) and night (5 pm to 9 pm) for champagne shopping and general pampering. For this one day only, enjoy free parking at any meter on the street or town-owned garage in the downtown area.

As a fun bonus, all participating shoppers automatically earn a chance to win a gift card to local businesses throughout the day. Five lucky winners each receive a $50 gift card through five random drawings. However, one extra lucky person wins the grand prize of a $250 gift card. We learn that lucky winner’s name at the end of the night. But you must register in order to be considered for the drawings. To do so, visit the Girls Night Out website here.

Cranford Community Paint Out

Just a reminder. This weekend is the Cranford Community Paint Out event. It looks like the weather should be perfect to paint outdoors. Grab the kids, your friends, neighbors, and anybody else you enjoy hanging out with. Then, grab a paint brush and express yourself artistically in the great outdoors.

FEATURED WESTFIELD AREA LISTING – PRICE CHANGE

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Realty, Luxury Homes

September 2021 Market Update

September 9, 2021 by Scott Gleason

Curious about your home’s value?

Please click below for the market update of interest to you:

Westfield by Grade School:

Scott Gleason scott@luxuryhomesnj.com

Coldwell Banker RealtyLuxury Homes for Sale in Westfield

Homeowners Insurance Check-Up: Are You Prepared for a Natural Disaster?

September 9, 2021 by Scott Gleason

Back in 2012, Superstorm Sandy hit our neighborhood. Just last week, Hurricane Ida struck. (Reminder: Regular curbside pickup will not allow for bulky storm waste and debris. You must dispose of it at the Conservation Center.) When a natural disaster strikes, many homeowners rely on their insurance to take care of damages to their property. But when was the last time you checked on your homeowners insurance? You need to do that sooner rather than later.

Homeowners Insurance Check-Up

Tornados. Floods. Hurricanes. Severe cold weather. They may all affect our lives here in the Westfield area at one point or another. If that happens, you want to be prepared.

Floods

Yes, homeowners insurance typically covers damage from a plumbing issue on your property. However, most of these policies do not cover flooding from a natural disaster. According to CoreLogic, flooding represents the #1 natural disaster in the country. And more than 20% of the claims come from homes located in non-flood zones. You must purchase a separate flood insurance policy to cover your Westfield area home in case of a natural disaster.

Tornadoes/Hurricanes

A typical homeowners insurance policy covers most wind damage resulting from a tornado or hurricane. However, it might require a higher deductible. Plus, you might want to increase your payout to cover total damage and loss of property, including how much it would cost to replace your home at its current value. On the other hand, it does not cover water damage. For that, you need a whole separate flood insurance policy.

Cold Weather

Another issue we deal with here in the Westfield area is cold winter weather. Your regular homeowners insurance policy should cover damage from a frozen pipe as long as you maintain a proper temperature on your property. Damage on properties unoccupied for an extended period of time (such as a second home or during a long vacation) will not be covered under a standard policy. If a tree or branch falls on your roof, any removal and repairs should be covered by your regular policy as well. The same goes for damage from hail.

Wildfires

Finally, while more prevalent in the West, wildfires can occur anywhere. Fortunately, this should be included as a “covered peril” in your homeowners policy. But check with your agent to make sure.

Schedule an appointment with your insurance agent as soon as possible. Go over everything included in your policy. Make sure your deductibles fall where you want them to. Also, double-check that your payout covers a total loss of personal property as well as your home. Most likely, it costs more to replace your home now than when you first purchased your insurance policy. But you want it to be up to date. If it isn’t, increase it to the current replacement value. The last thing you need to worry about when you lose everything is whether or not you have sufficient insurance.

FEATURED WESTFIELD AREA LISTING

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Realty, Luxury Homes

Cranford Community Paint Out 2021

August 27, 2021 by Scott Gleason

Our Westfield neighbors claim Charles Addams (from “The Addams Family” fame) as its native son. But Cranford houses its own set of very talented artists albeit maybe not as famous as Mr. Addams. The City invites artists of all ages to participate in the Cranford Community Paint Out 2021. All you need is a bit of imagination and a willingness to showcase your work.

What: Cranford Community Paint Out 2021
Where: Fire Me Up Studio (117 N Union Ave) and Various Locations Around Cranford
When: September 18th (rain date of the 19th)

Cranford Community Paint Out 2021

Artistry knows no age limit. For the Paint Out, though, children will be split up into two age groups (ages six to 11 and ages 12 to 17). The younger kids receive guidance from the staff at Fire Me Up Studios in painting a Cranford landmark of the child’s choosing. The older kids, on the other hand, get to choose whatever inspires them most around the Cranford community as their focus. They have between 1 pm and 3 pm to create their individual masterpieces.

Adults paint plein air (outdoors). Organizers chose seven different locations they felt picturesque enough for our artists to capture. These locations include:

Crane-Phillips House
Droescher Mill
Dryer Farms
Eastman Clock
The gazebo at Union and Phillips
Hansen Park
Nomahegan Park

If none of these particular locations inspire you, consider using the “artist’s choice” option. You choose a location where you want to paint. Just let the organizers know where that will be on the day of the event. Painting takes place between 10 am and 4 pm.

How to Register

To register your child into the Cranford Community Paint Out, visit Fire Me Up Studio’s online calendar here. Go to September 18th and pick the link for your child’s age group. It costs $16 per child to participate. The registration fee includes artist supplies as well as a cute little apron to protect their clothes. Adults may register online here for just $15 per person. Each adult registration includes an artist’s tote while supplies last.

FEATURED WESTFIELD AREA LISTING

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Realty, Luxury Homes

Westfield Area Night of Lights 5K is Back for 2021

August 20, 2021 by Scott Gleason

After canceling last year due to COVID concerns, the Westfield Area Night of Lights 5K is back for 2021. This fundraiser helps aid local families struck by tragedy. Whether you run, walk, skip, or saunter your way through the 5K, it does not matter. Enjoying yourself along the journey is the goal.

After canceling last year due to COVID concerns, the Westfield Area Night of Lights 5K fundraiser for families after tragedy is back in 2021.

What: Westfield Area Night of Lights 5K 2021
Start/Finish: Tamaques Park
When: Sunday, September 12th, 6:30 pm
Admission: $30 per person through Aug 31st, $35 Sept 1st to 13th
Contact: Sam Tooley, The Tooley Legacy Foundation, via email

Westfield Area Night of Lights 5K 2021

When Sam Tooley’s brother Jake died in a house fire back in 2017, his family was overwhelmed by the love and support they received from their community. To pay it forward (and to honor his brother’s memory), Sam created the Tooley Legacy Foundation. The foundation provides financial and emotional support for families that find themselves in tragic situations such as the one the Tooley’s faced. Fundraisers like this 5K help fund their efforts.

On the night of the event, participants gather at Tamaques Park at 6:30 pm. In keeping with CDC guidelines, runners/walkers will be spaced out to allow for social distancing. Bib pickup will be done outdoors for safety as well. Garden State Radio performs live close to the finish line. That way, participants receive an extra push to complete their final steps of the race. Organizers provide snacks and water for participants to keep them going throughout the 5K course. Then, at the end of the race, refuel courtesy of one of the food trucks on-site.

Registration for the 5K

Early registration for the Westfield Area Night of Lights 5K ends at the close of business on August 31st. This entitles you to a discounted price of just $30 per person. If you register between September 1st and September 13th, you pay an extra $5 per person. Visit the Night of Lights online registration site here to sign up for the race.

FEATURED WESTFIELD AREA LISTING

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Realty, Luxury Homes

Downtown Cranford Summer Sounds Series 2021

August 13, 2021 by Scott Gleason

Westfield’s Sweet Sounds Downtown Music Festival concludes at the end of this month. But they are not the only ones showcasing sweet, sweet music this summer. In fact, the Downtown Cranford Summer Sounds Series for 2021 continues through the end of August as well. And it costs absolutely nothing to listen.

What: Downtown Cranford Summer Sounds Series 2021
Where: Eastman Clock Plaza (N Union Ave)
When: Every Thursday through August 26th from 6 pm to 8 pm
Admission: FREE
Contact: Downtown Cranford (908) 709-7208 or via email

Downtown Cranford Summer Sounds Series 2021

Visit the Eastman Clock Plaza on Thursday evenings for the rest of August to enjoy live music. Each week promises a new act with a different musical style. Next Thursday (August 19th), listen to Laredo perform their brand of Country Rock at the plaza that promises to get you up and dancing. To close out the Summer Sounds series, Andy Lackow and Mess Around play full-throttle Blues Rock for guests at the plaza on August 26th. Bring a lawn chair from home to enjoy these free concerts in comfort. And simply have fun.

Hot Weather Tips

Whether you listen to an outdoor concert, shop at one of our area boutiques, or dine al fresco, the National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for the Westfield area. That means a heat index of up to 106. Put on your sunblock before spending any time out in the sun. Wear a hat and sunglasses for additional protection. Loose, light clothing helps keep you cool. Limit your time outdoors as much as possible during the hottest time of the day. Stay hydrated. That means drinking water regularly throughout the day, even if you do not necessarily feel thirsty. Please check on your elderly relatives and neighbors to make sure they are OK as well.

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Realty, Luxury Homes

Home Sellers Benefit From a Pre-List Inspection

August 6, 2021 by Scott Gleason

Now is a great time to sell your Westfield home. Prices continue to rise. Interest rates remain low. And Westfield made the Top 10 List of Best Suburbs to Live in New Jersey. We keep seeing more and more buyers looking to move here. But even in a seller’s market, you need to make sure your property is in tip-top condition. That is why home sellers can benefit from a pre-list inspection.

Most buyers have a home inspection performed during the escrow process. But home sellers greatly benefit from a pre-list inspection, too.

Home Sellers Advice: Pre-List Home Inspection

No Surprises

One of the best reasons why home sellers should perform a pre-list inspection is because it eliminates the element of surprise. Your buyer will most likely have an inspection performed during the escrow period. If you get one done before you even list your Westfield home, you know the condition of your home as it stands today. Inspections uncover issues you may not have even been aware of. Performing one now allows you the chance to get ahead of it.

You have two options if you find issues during the home inspection. One, spend the money fixing it/them. If problems are fixed before you list your home, buyers won’t even know there was an issue to begin with. Or two, get estimates from local contractors for the cost of repairs. When the buyer performs their home inspection, you can present them with your findings. In turn, this may mean reducing your sale price in order to factor in the costs and make the sale happen. But it also shows transparency and due diligence on your part which sits well with buyers.

Money Savings

How does spending a few hundred on a home inspection save home sellers money? It allows you time to shop around for the best deal on repairs. Also, when you show the buyer that you recently updated an aging system (electrical, HVAC, roofing), it shows them that you put pride in ownership and took care of your home. Plus, when the buyer accepts the disclosure of any repairs made, they acknowledge that they accept the home in its current condition. This greatly reduces the chance that buyers come back later on in the transaction and ask for discounts.

More Marketable

Finally, a pre-list home inspection helps your Westfield home become more marketable. As I said before, buyers like transparency. It provides them with a certain level of trust that you are being forthright. Make sure you have the results of your pre-list inspection readily available to buyers as well as the proof of any completed repairs.

Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Realty, Luxury Homes