The Trophy Kids

Mom and dad, get ready. You're about to be blamed for something else.
The Millennial Generation. (Where did generations X,Y and Z go?)
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, "The Trophy Kids Grow Up: How the Millennial Generation Is Shaking Up the Workplace," kids born between 1980 and 2001 are entering the job market and causing all sorts of problems.
"Blame it on doting parents, teachers and coaches," the article states. "The Millennial's were raised with so much affirmation and positive reinforcement that they come into the workplace needy for more."
In our community of Millburn /Short Hills that can't be true. Can it?
As a mom who has lived here for 30 years, I know many kids who give back to the community, and whose hard work and balanced egos helped Millburn High School gain its #1 ranking in the recent September issue of NJ Monthly.
Ok, ok. Maybe on "one or two" occasions we hovered too much, and even gave them a trophy when they came in last. But according to a posting by Sue Shellenbarger, "Helicopter Parents: Beneficial or Detrimental?" we're not the only guilty ones. Apparently a number of historic well-known Presidents had parents who were worse than us.
So, there's still hope. And who knows? One of our Millburn/Short Hills kids may even be President some day, and we hovering "helicopter" moms might even get a little credit for getting them there.
If not, they still get a trophy, right?



Robin


http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB122455219391652725-lMyQjAxMDI4MjI0MTUyNTEyWj.html

Get into the Groove- South Orange, Maplewood, Millburn Art Scene

Wow! Not only do we have SOPAC in South Orange, Maplewood stock and an ongoing music series in Maplewood, but we also have Poetry readings and an original art gallery in Millburn! Not to mention the long-standing Papermill Playhouse, and NJPAC in Newark.

Things are definitely happening right here, in our back yard. Just off the center of town in Millburn exists a gem of creativity, art and unique home furnishings at the Stewart Leshe Collection . It opened just a year ago is creating a local beat unto it’s own for us all to share.

Stewart Leshé Collections is hosting a book party and poetry reading for The
Notebook Poets in celebration of their new book, "OPEN DOORS". on Saturday, October 25th, from 5pm - 7pm.
StewartLeshé Collections, LLC
105 Main Street
Millburn, NJ 07041

This post is contributed by:
Deirdre Silberman
Buyer Specialist , The Sue Adler Team
#1 Keller Williams Team in NJ 2005-2007
Cell: (973) 985-0500
Office: (973) 376-0033 X 288
Email: deirdre@sueadler.com
Website: http://www.sueadlerteam.com/ ...... the ONLY website you need for NJ Real Estate 20 minutes to 1 hour from NYC!

Wall Street Journal article on "The Trophy Kids Go to Work" - Absolutely fascinating article that I'd love your opinions on

The following article was so interesting to me. Maybe because it makes me think of my own children and how they will be in the work force one day ( currently ages 16 and 18). As parents, we're taught that our childrens' self esteem is the most important thing and everything we have done for them was so that they would feel good about themselves which would help them in future years in life and the workforce. Has this all backfired? I would really love to hear your comments on this- from ALL generations because I think this is such an interesting topic.
Thanks,
Sue Adler
http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB122455219391652725-lMyQjAxMDI4MjI0MTUyNTEyWj.html

Attention Homeowners! Conditions for second mortgages have changed!

A NJ mortgage banker, Rich Hirsch, has been a tremendous wealth of information to me every step of the way through this credit crunch. I wanted to share his latest regarding Home Equity Line Of Credit :

October 17, 2008

Mortgage Master continues to be an industry leader in residential mortgage lending. We have had no disruption in 1st mortgage lending since the credit squeeze began.
Conditions for 2nd mortgages have changed.
1) 2nd mortgage lenders are re-evaluating loans by reviewing your home value.
2) If a bank re-values lower, they can freeze your 2nd mortgage (aka equity line).
3) You DO NOT have to pay it back. It is simply frozen and can not be further utilized/drawn up.
a If you’ve drawn 300k on a 500k line then that’s it—no more allowed.
b If you’ve a 500k line with NOTHING drawn a bank may freeze the ENTIRE line. Nothing allowed.
If you have a line of credit and it is NOT in use.
1) Call your lender. Confirm it is available.
2) Consult your financial planner. Prime is at 4.5% In advance of a potential line freeze, drawing some or all of the line may be useful—i.e.: if college expenses are near or a retirement strategy or another large cash event is close.
a Be aware the prime rate changes. If you can not repay the cost of debt or are scared of fluctuating rates, the above is NOT the plan for you.
3) Call Me. We might refinance your 1st mortgage loan. We will close the 2nd, but give you cash out from the 1st. We can offer fixed rates—no worries about fluctuations.
4) We can work in conjunction with your financial planner to look at either option.
If your line is FROZEN:
1) You can refute the bank assessed value of your New Jersey home.
2) I suggest you contact me. I know the approved appraisers for many banks. I can have a local independent appraiser asses the value. If proved higher your line can be made available.
a If not, we can evaluate your needs and determine if a refinance is an option.
3) I’m here to help you work with the equity in your home.
It is critical to stay informed. Call me for accurate answers about 1st or 2nd loans.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Regards,
Rich Hirsch
Mortgage Banker
Office: 908-410-9066

Sue's Thoughts On Our NJ Real Estate Market

We’re all in this together.

In these uncertain times, I’d like to share my thoughts and address concerns you may have about our local real estate market in Short Hills, Summit, Maplewood, Livingston, Chatham and surrounding NJ towns. I’ve included links to interesting articles that you may find helpful and of course I’m available if you’d like to discuss your own personal needs confidentially.

1. Foreclosures, and Pre-Foreclosures: There have been laws put in place to help people who need to sell with upside down mortgages. Three recent Real Estate laws that every homeowner, buyer or seller should be aware of

2. Life Goes On….. Our towns are the first really beautiful towns with excellent public schools off of the midtown direct train line into NYC, and Manhattanites who don’t want to pay for private school, want a yard and some more space will still move out to the suburbs. We don’t have an endless supply of inventory like other parts of the country, so even in tough times, there is still a demand for great houses in great locations (as long as they are priced competitively). Buying a home is a long term investment.

3. If you’re currently renting, can put 20% or more down, have stellar credit, and a steady job, you’re golden.

4. Move-Up Buyers are in a great position because if the market has dropped 10% in a given town, then the loss you’re taking on the sell side will be less than what you’re saving on the buy side.

5. Sell First. This way, if you’re counting on a certain amount of equity from your current home, you won’t have any surprises. For a long term investment, it may even make sense to rent out your current house and hold onto it as an investment. We can discuss your options.

6. Current Home Owners with ARM mortgages: You may want to call your mortgage company to discuss fixed rate options.

7. I'm happy to send the pdfs for the following articles: "Taking The Mystery Out Of Credit", Top 10 Do's and "Don'ts During The Loan Process", and "How Good Credit Transfers Into Lower Scores"

Yours to count on,

Sue

Sue Adler

#1 Keller Williams Agent in New Jersey 2005, 2006, 2007

#5 Keller Williams "Individual" Agent Nationwide 2007 (out of 75,000)Over 900 Homes Sold!

Cell: (973)464-9129 (call first)

Office: (973)376-0033 ext 101

E-fax: (480)247-4891

Email: Sue@SueAdler.com

Website: www.SueAdler.com...... the ONLY real estate website you need for NJ real estate 20 minutes to an hour from NYC!