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2008
RESOURCES REAL ESTATE COLLECTS
PAJAMAS FOR LOCAL SHELTER
Resources Real Estate collected new pajamas for women and children, supporting the women’s shelter 180 Turning Lives Around as part of their community outreach program, Sharing Resources. Because women and children often flee their homes without any of their personal belongings or supplies, Carolynn Diakon, owner of Resources Real Estate, believes pajamas would not only bring a much needed necessity to the shelter, but also needed comfort for the women who reside there.
Diakon says, “We take for granted the daily necessities such as sleepwear and toiletries. Something simple like a pair of pajamas for a child, who was forced to leave their home, means so much more to those who have so very little.”
Nicole Romaine, Development Director at 180 Turning Lives Around in Hazlet, was on hand at the offices of Resources Real Estate on River Road in Rumson to receive the countless pairs of pajamas, slippers, and sleepwear for the shelter.
Because of the limited storage facilities at the shelter and the offices of 180 Turning Lives Around, Diakon has offered to store the surplus in her home to be distributed and collected on a need basis. This generous offer, Romaine hopes, will help keep the pajama collection ongoing and the Shelter in the forefront of donors’ minds when they make purchases throughout the year.
180 Turning Lives Around, is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault in the community. They are committed to providing support during crisis and long term counseling, advocacy, education, and prevention, as well as outreach.
Carolynn Ozar-Diakon opened Resources Real Estate, a full service real estate company in 2000. She is totally committed to personally hand picking her agents and training them herself. With 21 years of real estate experience, Carolynn maintains an outstanding reputation of leadership and knowledge for her team of agents.
Resources Real Estate is located at 112 East River Road in Rumson, NJ. For more local real estate info you can call (732) 212-0440. You can also hear real estate trends and tips on www.resourcesrealestate.com
2007
Asbury Park Press 12/02/07
Region’s real estate market faring better than most
Despite recent local reporting that the real estate market and lending institutions are in dire straits, the national statistics do not apply to this particular area of the country.
It is being widely, and falsely believed, that the real estate market is "bottoming out" and that we may well be facing a major housing crisis. What the local media is failing to report is that, as suburbs of New York City, many New Jersey towns are statistically above the national averages.
Real estate is not strictly a commodity; it is made up of submarkets within markets all over the country. Each town, county and region and each price range within them is another. To look at what is happening in the real estate market in the nation is not a true picture of this region of the country.
We do not live in a statistic or a commodity. We live in a home. Shelter is a basic human need, and we as humans always will seek ways to possess it. The American dream will not evaporate because of a mortgage situation or any other short-lived reason. The mortgage industry has gone back to sensible lending practices.
In recent years in our area, the incredible rise of real estate prices made heads spin, and buyers began to talk in terms of investments instead of homes. Our expectation level of unorthodox, quick profits made some forget the other reasons to own a home — the warm fireplace to come home to, the neat row of hooks for soccer cleats or the porch where one can sit, relax and say "Hi" to our neighbors on a warm summer evening. Suddenly, it was expected to double our money on a place where we hang our proverbial hats.
Real estate can be a quick turnaround profit. But it always has been, and will continue to be, a stable long-term investment — and a darn good one. Even with this current real estate blip, residents of Monmouth County and many parts of Ocean County still have plenty to be chipper about.
Real estate historically goes up, comes down and then goes up again. Using Rumson as an example, the average closed home price in 1997, as reported by the Monmouth County Multiple Listing Service, was $521,510. In 2000 it was $819,027, and in 2006 it was $1,435,004. Today that number is $1,426,856. Although the price is slightly less, more homes have sold in Rumson to date than last year. This represents an overall increase of about 173.6 percent, or 17.3 percent per year.
Take a small town like Red Bank and the average home selling prices from 2004 through 2007. As reported by the Monmouth County MLS, in 2004, it was $346,630 and in 2005, it was $427,341. It was $440,924 in 2006, and this year it has been $477,086. This represents about a 37 percent increase, or 9.25 percent per year for the last few years. Not too shabby for an investment that also provided you with a roof over your family's head.
As far as the plethora of foreclosures that was expected to change the market dramatically, this appears to be a misunderstanding of numbers. The major foreclosure sources report a foreclosure action on property several times during the entire foreclosure action. Some properties are reported three and four times, which clearly distorts the actual numbers. In addition, many foreclosed homes are listed before the sheriff's sale and sell at market value. Leading New Jersey experts say we are experiencing far fewer foreclosures than other states — as few as 10 per county per month. It's not exactly a groundswell of real estate opportunity.
According to USA Today, there never has been a better time to buy a house. Interest rates are at an all-time low. If we all wait for the exact right time to buy a house, or for the market to reach its lowest point, many families would live in homes they outgrow or would pay someone else's mortgage by renting.
Buying a house is like getting married or having a baby — a big decision — and rarely is the time "just right." However, people do it every day; we don't wait for the media to declare it safe, especially when many daily newspapers are losing readership and seek high-drama stories to keep reader attention. If the time is not right for you or your family, do not buy a house. However, if you are waiting for a "bottom" to drop out, it may never happen.
The situation is very different than it was in 1987. There was much higher unemployment and, most importantly, home prices shot up as much as 30 percent in about a year, and then started to fall again the following year. That was fleeting equity. There is a lot of equity now in homes, except very recent purchases. Even then, if it is a trade-up, who cares? The house above you will be more attainable. Spread is key, not price.
Buyers won't wait forever. They have a continued interest in owning a home and a low interest rate. In the last month, I lost two income properties by not bidding high enough. I lost out to buyers who were willing to pay more. Food for thought.
Carolynn Ozar-Diakon is broker-owner of Resources Real Estate, Rumson.
The Hub - November 2007
Carolynn Diakon, local entrepreneur and philanthropist, has been nominated by WJRZ radio station as an Exceptional Woman of the Year. Selected among many participants, Diakon will be honored at an awards banquet on November 14th near the station’s headquarters in Toms River.
Diakon’s many successes in business, charitable efforts, and familial responsibilities are some of the things for which she is being recognized. Serving on the boards of Prevention First, the Monmouth County Mental Health Association, and The Monmouth County Historical Society as well as her personal volunteerism in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Diakon gives of herself and her resources wherever she finds need.
As a business owner, Diakon has been committed to giving back to the community and has said, “I support many causes and feel it’s so important to give back to people who live in the area; especially when you’ve reached a level of success, you have a responsibility and a duty.”
In an effort to help others reach out to local charities, Diakon built and maintains a website dedicated to local charitable events at www.monmouthsocialcalendar.com. She posts upcoming events on a calendar, allowing the visitor to click through and make a direct donation, and also includes photos from the events if provided.
Carolynn Diakon opened Resources Real Estate, a full service real estate company in 2000. She is totally committed to personally hand picking her agents and training them herself. With 21 years of real estate experience, Carolynn maintains an outstanding reputation of leadership and knowledge for her team of agents.
Resources Real Estate is located at 112 East River Road in Rumson, NJ. For more local real estate info you can call 732-212-0440. You can also hear real estate trends and tips on www.housebuzz.com.
Asbury Park Press - app.com 10/14/07
RUMSON GROUP SEEKS TO GROW
The Rumson Business Association has been started up again and is seeking new members. A prospective member must be sponsored by an existing associate and enrollment is my invitation only.
Carolynn Diakon, owner of Resources Real Estate, Rumson, is the membership chairwoman. For information on joining the group, contact Judy Rose at (732) 741-7777.
THE HUB 10/4/07
Resources Real Estate, located on River Road in Rumson, is sponsoring and taking part in an innovative and cooperative new advertising campaign. In an effort to offer local businesses cross promotion and publicity, the agency is providing up to 10 complimentary flat screen televisions to be installed in local businesses. The devices will be programmend to run a slideshow of advertisments providing no less that five minutes of "air time" to each participating business during the presentation. Carolynn Diakon, owner of Resources Real Estate, will provide all equipment and installation necessary for the sponorship. All that is required, according to Diakon, is a signed agreement of participation. Currently there are four establishments taking part in this promotion: The Cellar in Fair Haven; Sea Bright Pizza in Sea Bright; New Outlook Salon of Fair Haven; and Resources Real Esate in Rumson. If you would like to take part in this unique cross promotion, contact Diakon at (732) 212-0440.
October 2007 - Inman News
http://www.stewart.com/news.jsp?newsId=29739
Carolynn Ozar-Diakon, broker-owner for Resources Real Estate in Rumson, N.J., said the key to avoiding failed transactions is in offering a higher level of professionalism. "If there were not such an influx in part-time and hobby Realtors then there would be less failures," she said. "Sometimes even the best Realtor cannot save a transaction with a novice who does not want to learn on the other side. Negotiating an hourly rate, in the event the transaction does not close, would be somewhat of a remedy, although it opens the door for an expectation of paying hourly rates rather than a percentage in all transactions."
The biggest cost "and largest waste of money" for real estate professionals is for advertising, she said. "Seller's expect it, although it does next to nothing to sell a home. The broker overhead is high with advertising and insurance costs."
A prominent deal-killer in a slowing market is sellers' refusal to accept a changing market, Ozar-Diakon said, and buyers "tend to make a fuss over more things and also the little things in a slower market." Sometimes buyers get the feeling that they are overpaying for a property, "especially as the media is constantly pushing the bubble concept," she said.
Successful agents are the ones who do not give up on a transaction, she said. "There is usually a compromise that will fix the situation. The measure of an agent and a great agent is the number of closings, not sales."
The Monmouth Journal June 15th 2007
Rumson Centennial
Rumson realtor Carolynn Diakon of Resources Real Estate said, “I think it’s a wonderful example of Rumson coming together and celebrating what a wonderful area we live in.” She added, “I can’t think of a better place to work, or to raise a family, than in Rumson.”
THE HUB & THE ATLANTICVILLE
February 15th 2007
RESOURCES REAL ESTATE TO BE PROFILED AS AN OUTSTANDING BUSINESS.
Resources Real Estate has been chosen by Close Up TV news as an outstanding business. They will appear on Close Up on America's Business - Showcase News Magazine Show. The television broad cast company is PAX Communications Corp, which owns and operates the largest broadcast television group in the United States as measured by the number of television households in the markets their stations serve.
Resources Real Estate is a full service company located in Rumson. The company was started by Carolynn Ozar-Diakon in 2000. She is a 21 veteran of the real estate business. She started her career in a large agency and was quickly a top producer. She now owns and operates Resources Real Estate, a small agency with 19 agents that she hand picks and trains herself. Resources Real Estate is located at 112 East River Rd, Rumson. For more information call (732) 212 -0440 or visit www.housebuzz.com
THE HUB & THE ATLANTICVILLE February 2007
RESOURCES REAL ESTATE RANKS IN TOP 7% OF MONMOUTH COUNTY REAL ESTATE
Resources Real Estate, Rumson has been ranked in the top 7% of monmouth County Realtors for sales volume in 2006. The comapny was ranked 37 out of 524 offices in the county.
Thuis is an outstanding accomplishment for Carolynn Ozar-Diakon and her agents. "Many of the offices in Monmouth County have 50-80 agents. "We have 19 agents here and we still did the same volume and more than some of these larger offices." says Diakon.
Carolynn opened Resources Real Estate,a full service real estate company in 2000. She is totally commited to personally hand pick her agents and train them herself. With 21 years of real estate service, Carolynn maintains an outstanding reputation of leadership adn knowledge for her team of agents.
Resources Real Estate is located at 112 East River Rd, Rumson. For more local real estate information you can call 732-212-0440 or visit www.housebuzz.com
2006
RUMSON JOURNAL December 2006
CAROLYNN DIAKON FROM RESOURCES REAL ESTATE DONATES ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FRIENDS OF THE MONMOUTH COUNTY CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER.
THE MONMOUTH JOURNAL October 2006
PUTTING CHILDREN FIRST
Carolynn Diakon, Grace Hanlon, Dr Dennis Embry and Mary Pat Angelini, at the Prevention First Parents' Councel inaugural event last week. Hosted by Diakon at her home in Rumson, a group of nearly 50 local parents listened to nationally recognized child developement expert, Dr Embry speak about school violence, conflict resolutuion and aggression in young children. Carolynn Diakon and Grace Hanlon serve as members of the Board of Directors of Prevention First and as co-chairs of the Parent's Council, a new program to give parents access to discuss issues in an informal environment.
THE RUMSON JOURNAL September 2006
LOCAL REALTOR LOVINGLY RESTORES HISTORIC RUMSON HOME.
Turn onto Belknap Lane off Ridge Rd, and it is like stepping back into time. Large estates and carriage houses are scattered on either side of a quiet, narrow country lane. This historic charm and the almost neglected feel of the grand yellow and white house in the 1870's was what originally appealed to Carolynn Diakon, and what spurred her to purchase the property with her husband Bob. The abundance of windows and the brick walkways meandering through the one acre lot reminder her of the garden pathways in her childhoom home in England. It didn't hurt that it was just around the corner from her office. Diakon is also the owner of of Resources Real Estate in Rumson, which she started in 2000 in a small space over Angelica's restaurant in Sea Bright.
When her family first moved into the house, none of the five bathrooms totally worked - that is, each had just one working component, so you can imagine the inconvenience. There were four major roof leaks, and as a result, the interior was run down, moldy, and the wallpaper was peeling in many places. A very small kitchen in the back of the house was crying out for updating and expansion. An adjacent eating area had extensive water damage in the old ceiling, with beams that looked charred as a result. It would have been much easier to just raze the house and start fresh, but Diakon could not bear that idea. "There was so much potential" says Diakon "and I knew I could create something marvelous from it."
Diakon is the general contractor and designer for the renovation of her home, and she works hands on. Her first action was to take one entire month from her business to work with fifteen men for thirty days to make the house habitable. At one point, when her husband was on a business trip, Diakon started peeling the aluminum siding off the exterior and found the original clapboard and shingle underneath, which she started to restore. "I start projects, and Bob is forced to go along with me to help finish them," laughs Diakon. With a refurbished roof and repainted clapboard and shingles, the owner has turned her attention to interior restoration.
Having grown up in a large old stone house in England that often felt damp and cold, Diakon was determined to create a home full of warmth and charm, and a haven for her children. As a start, she refurbished all six fireplaces in the mansion, and converted the master bedroom fireplace to gas. " I have great memories of my childhood watching the flickering of a coal fire as I fell asleep, and I wanted to recreate that feeling," says Diakon
She decorates in keeping with the charming Victorian syle of the home. A beautiful sunroom is encased in French doors from floor to ceiling and furnished in lovely floral patterns. Talk to Carolynn for a few minutes and you will find there are stories to be told about each piece. The clock in the sitting room once graced the walls of a chocolate factory in Brooklyn. "I prefer things with a life and a history," In a town with so many historic homes, and a"throw-away" society, it is indeed refreshing to see a loving restoration instead of a knockdown.
THE HUB July 27th 2006
Kathy Magrino
TWO RIVER REAL ESTATE MARKET IS CHANGING BUT THE AREA REMAINS DESIRABLE.
Similar to other real estate markets across the nation, the Two River area real estate market is changing according to local professionals. Several factors are affecting and causing these changes. The rising mortgage interest rates and an increasing number of homes for sale in the area are among the causes for the recent changes.
The market is changing, but the Two River area still remains desirable. The changing real estate market simply means that buyers and sellers need to take a different approach to buying or selling their homes.
Sellers are acknowledging the need to be more patient in today's real estate market, and some sellers are reducing the asking prices of their homes. Carolynn Ozar-Diakon, broker/owner of Resources Real Estate in Rumson says, "Prices (of homes for sale) have adjusted to counteract the higher supply".
Yes the Two River area is a very desirable place to live. Nestled along the Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers (the two rivers that give the area its name) and bordered by the Atlantic ocean to the east and the bustling town of Red Bank to the west the Two River area is a wonderful place to call home.
Ozar Diakon says "The area that we live in is just so beautiful - (with its) rivers, beaches, horse pastures and the small towns. Yet, it is so convenient to Manhattan, and we have great schools".
Where is the Two River real estate market heading in the future? Only time will tell. But Ozar-Diakon says "I see a normal market in the future. I do not see the bubble (that others are talking about). What I do see is the return of creativity in both marketing and financing".
For a weekly update on what's happening in the local real estate market, listen to Carolynn Ozar-Diakon every Monday morning at 8.05am on local radio station 94.3FM - The Point. Ozar-Diakon can be reached at Resources Real Estate at (732) 212-0440 or visit www.housebuzz.com for additonal information.
Found on www.brianpasch.com
Brian Pasch - April 3, 2006
Monmouth County New Jersey Real Estate Overview
by Carolynn Ozar-Diakon
Monmouth County has held its value over other NJ counties well overall. However, we remain one of the most expensive areas in the state, and sooner or later buyers run out of steam. Meaning prices can only go so high before buyers become price sensitive. With the increase in inventory, this equates to adjusting selling price expectations on the part of the seller. No one likes to hear that, including us realtors - we own houses too!
However, the market is still very high compared to the market only 7 years ago. We must realize that over-pricing is not a wise decision right now, and can only hurt the seller in the long run. (Inexperienced agents, who have never experienced changing markets, are not a good source of opinion right now) the Homeowner's that are serious about selling must price attractively against the supply (even if they think their house is worth more) because like any commodity, the product that is the better value will sell faster for more money. The competition will eventually be forced to drop it's price also, the longer the delay the bigger the price reduction necessary.
Keep in mind, when buying up - this is not bad news. The higher priced homes will come down even more percentage wise.
Overall, the news is not terrible - it is an opportunity to get back to reality and only the serious sellers will stay on the market, which will in turn bring the supply down.
I am attaching the latest Otteau report. please contact me if you have any questions. Please feel free to pass along, I am always available for questions.
STILL! Waiting for the Spring Market
Although buying activity in February registered a 15% increase over January’s level, it is currently running well behind last years pace confirming the slowdown in the residential market is continuing into 2006. Year-to-date buying activity is currently running 14% less than last year’s pace while the inventory of unsold homes on the market is 61% higher than a year ago. By combining these indicators the resulting Market Swing of -75% indicates that the 2006 market has lost 75% of its strength as compared to last year at this time. While considerable demand still exists from the buying side of the housing equation, declining housing affordability will continue to dictate the “mood of the market”. From the seller’s perspective, more aggressive marketing and pricing strategies will be essential to restore the buyer’s ‘sense of urgency’ that was prevalent in 2005.
Carolynn can be reached at:
Carolynn Ozar-Diakon
RESOURCES Real Estate - Broker/Owner
732-212-0440
carolynn@resourcesrealestate.com
http://www.resourcesrealestate.com
EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE***EXCEPTIONAL HOMES***EXCEPTIONAL AGENTS
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