Beer tasting in Jersey City - a fun way to spend happy hour

Hi ladies! Thought you'd like to indulge in this! Grab your beau or your bff and head to Marco & Pepe this Wednesday. They are hosting a beer tasting and are pairing them with fried oysters - a fabulous summer treat. The invitation was sent to me for this Wednesday from 5:00 - 7:00 pm and the cost is just $15.. the cost of a Grey Goose and club soda at the W Hoboken..

I frequent Marco&Pepe on occasion for their terrific dinner and brunch -- i.e. it's the grilled crusty fresh bread served with melted Nutella that makes me go back - sooo yummy!

Last time I had dinner here, the restaurant served an entire dinner meal for free to anyone to help ease the pain of the economy.. it's a great restaurant with a big heart. It's time I make a trip back.
If you end up staying for dinner try their Halibut

Enjoy!

Story: A bathroom renovation

My condo has been in desperate need for a bathroom renovation since I bought it. But, as a homeowner, you'll learn that there is always something that needs repairing - especially if you buy in an older building like I did.

The time came that I had to redo the bathroom - and just like you see on HGTV when people try to do it themselves, it was one surprise after another.

I had two contractors give me estimates - both were around $2,000.

Me being in real estate know that the savviest of investment repairs that can yield the highest returns, are the one's done well and at as low a cost as possible. So I decided to demo the bathroom myself along with some help of a hired man and some direction from a pro -- my fiance's mother. :)

I was originally told by a contractor that the reason my walls are not flush with the rest is because "there are two layers of sheet rock - but you never know what's behind these old walls. "

Sure enough, as we started to carefully remove the tile, we discover that behind the tile are these enormous concrete blocks about 31/2 inches thick!

Then we had to remove the blocks one by one and then move on to removing the floor tile.

Long and behold underneath the floor tile was a gorgeous original marble with a weave design, silver accents and black squares! Absolutely beautiful. My thought immediately was, I hope I can save this!

After removing 20 bags of heavy duty construction garbage - which my association wasn't happy about - little tip: always call the association president first before making any renovations like this where there will be some noise and garbage involved to give them a heads up. Things will go much smoother! I then called my contractor in to finish the job -- which will save me about $400, it would have been more of a savings however we had to pay a company to remove the construction debri and dispose of properly.

Unfortunately the floors of my bath aren't level which explains why someone covered up the gorgeous marble to attempt a renovation. The concrete blocks are difficult to remove and whoever renovated my bath just slapped tile over it which explains why it was unlevel with the rest of the walls.

Contractors tell me that more of the concrete and plaster now left needs to be removed in order to do the renovation properly. Otherwise the new sheet rock that needs to be installed still wouldn't be flush with the existing sheet rock. So back to demo!!

After another 20 trash bags of heavy duty construction material of concrete, plaster and more, we were then ready to move on! PHEW!

A special concrete liquid was poured over one half of my bathroom floor to now level the ground so that the new floor tile I picked out - a cermaic design of octagon white tiles with block accents - can be laid properly. The contractor's also had to level the walls around the tub which had huge gaping spaces between.

The white subway tile I picked out has now been put up along the walls of the tub. As another money saver, I opted not to continue the tile work throughout the walls of the bath, half way up, the way it was originally. I saved money on tile and labor as well.

After the tile is done, floor is in I then have to paint myself for the finished product. Can't wait!

Hoboken real estate sellers and buyers: Record low sales news article on CNN money

http://money.cnn.com/2009/08/12/real_estate/record_home_price_fall/index.htm

Hoboken landlords; the good days of the Hoboken real estate rental market are gone

More and more potential tenants are negotiating rents these days. They are convinced that with the current economy and state of the Hoboken real estate market, they have a very good chance at finding a nice apartment at a great price. On top of it, they'll want part or all of the fee paid, repairs and painting all done for the price they are willing to pay. Don't be surprised if a potential tenant makes an offer on your rental either, they are looking to negotiate just about everything. And with over 100 rentals listed on the MLS plus dozens of other rentals listed in offices independently, they'll find someone who's willing to give them what they want. 

On a side note, in this market you'll want to make absolutely sure that the agent you are working with will treat your rental like a sale. I've said this before, but it is crucial to the success of your apartment being rented. With customers starting online with their searches, an MLS listing will only optimize your visibility to potential renters. 

Bottom line: todays rents are lower than last years in many cases and it takes more ensure your apt gets rented. Consider paying the broker fee, put your listing on the MLS, don't list your rental with an agent unless they are willing to take pictures to market it, clean, repair and paint to get your place rented. 

1st time buyers - vide0 - what would you do for 8k? Buy Hoboken real estate?

A video of regular people in NYC being questioned "what would you do for $8,000"? Free money? Check it out!

Watch Here On You Tube

New In Hoboken, Koa Koa frozen yogurt - my report

Earlier this week after a meal with my sweetheart, I remembered Koa Koa was open and I decided I had to do some research for la vida squared followers! Hard work no doubt and a disappointing brain freeze later, I was disappointed to find that Koa Koa had a limited selection of flavors. It's true you serve your own and then it's weighed at the counter, however unlike 'yogurtland',- popular in L.A. with so many different inventive flavors - Koa Koa only had a few. 

I tried the cookies and cream as well as the green tea. Cookies and cream was pretty tastybut needed some more 'cookie' and it was painfully cold! Green tea was so bitter and sour I couldn't taste anything else in it.. My sweetie patiently waited for me to order my frozen yogurt and take pictures while after I went with him to Ben & Jerry's across the street where he ordered the coconut seven layer crunch bar on a chocolate sprinkle cone - yummmm - not as healthy I know, but so good! 

I certainly have to go back and  give it another try after they've been open a while longer. It's decor is very fun and you gotta love self serve. You'll have to do your own research and fill me in on your findings!

Invitation for a special sample sale and fall fashion trunk show in Hoboken!!

Hi ladies! A stylistic friend and co worker is hosting a fabulous little party at her home in Hoboken.

Here is the invitation she sent me

Girls Night – from 7.30pm - Spring Sample Sale items – 25-50% off the samples I’ve decided to part with! Not to mention the 25% off 4 pieces from the new Fall Collection – available ONLY at Trunk Shows and until August 10th!

(<---- didn't put this pic up because of her but this gown is GORGEOUS!!!!!)

DATE: Tuesday, August 4thTIME: From 7.30pmPLACE: 659 1st Street, Apt 415, Hoboken Cash or Check only on sale items; credit cards accepted for all other purchases. Let me know if you can make it (so I have enough wine!!) And bring a friend or two – you might win some jewelry!!Hope to see you later :)

If you think you want to go - contact her and tell her I told you about her event

Emma Greengrass Stylist for Stella & Dot Jewelrywww.stelladot.com/emmagreengrass

Stylist ID 101040

NY Times article - says Hoboken Real Estate sales are sluggish

Considering supply and demand and new foreclosure numbers is now the right time to buy or sell?



Otteaus' latest real estate numbers in NY Times article outline Hoboken and Jersey City's supply and demand

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/realestate/02njzo.html?ref=realestate