50 minute read
One Room Leads Two Lives
1 ROOM LEADS 2 LIVES
Billiards, anyone? Or a formal dinner? A convertible space in North Jersey can have it all.
Text by Donna Rolando Design by Jaclyn Isaac Photography by Mike Van Tassell
Making the most of space originally carved out for a formal dining room, designer Jaclyn Isaac introduced a way to go from billiards to dinner table in a snap. She created a lounge atmosphere featuring a 14-foot gold velvet banquette and standout elements such as custom-design tiles by Flor.
He was shooting for a billiards room; she wanted the practicality of a formal dining room. A new-construction home in North Jersey presented a dilemma for Steve and Rania, formerly of Astoria, Queens, and the parents of five children. Fortunately, a happy compromise was as near as the right designer.
Indeed, principal designer Jaclyn Isaac, owner of Shrewsbury-based Doni Douglas Designs, came up with a plan to use one room to grant both wishes. Today the homeowners marvel at the ease at which the billiard table can be converted when company’s coming. On those special occasions, hydraulics adjust the height for dining and what resembles wall art turns into a tabletop by Andrew Coslow. Vital to the design plan are acrylic chairs slim enough to be stored until called into action.
“The pool table is amazing,” says Steve, who is an enthusiastic fan of how Isaac equipped a formal dining room for everyday fun.
While the family vacationed in Greece for two months, Isaac got to work—she surprised them with how she took the contemporary design from paper to reality, finishing in 2019 right before the pandemic. For a flavor of Greece, murals evoke what Rania describes as a “wavy feel” extending across the ceiling, where a smoky-glass-andbrass chandelier by Arteriors adds an abstract touch. The murals help the high ceiling make its own aesthetic statement.
Just right for hosting many guests, a 14-foot-long gold velvet banquette creates a lounge effect. For a sense of drama, gilded-finish vintage mirrors flank windows accented with a laser-cut leather geometric pattern in olive green. Completing the picture are custom design carpet tiles in shades of olive, cream and black over red oak floors.
Visible from the kitchen, the living room also had to rise to the challenge of family living. To maximize seating, there’s room for the entire family on the olive velvet curved sofa by Rowe Furniture, paired with two side chairs in white performance fabric from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and a dark bronze table by Michael Aram.
The room delivers a pop with a gallery of Thom Filicia black-and-white monoprints and a cut-pile wool, linearcontrast rug over large format porcelain tile in limestone. This creation from Abbot Collection/Loloi Rugs “is almost like an art piece on the floor,” says Isaac.
With children ages 5 months to 7 years, the couple appreciates that the living room’s freestanding marble fireplace is water-based. “It’s so the kids can touch it and not burn themselves,” says Steve. “Yet it looks 100 percent like fire.”
Coming home from Greece to see how design elements came together under Isaac’s direction was quite a treat. “We loved it all,” says Rania. “She was great to work with, friendly—and knew what I wanted.”
This page: Homeowner Rania and two of her five children hang out on the curved sectional in the living room, which wows with its gallery of black-andwhite monoprints. Opposite page: Isaac (pictured) used unexpected features like a mural to build interest in the billiards room.
DO RUGS RIGHT
You can give bare floors a quick, stylish makeover with these magic-carpet tips from four local pros. By Haley Longman
Finding a fabulous area rug to ground your space shouldn’t be a game of Goldilocks: “Too big?” “Too soft?” “Too bright?” Or “just right?” A rug will smartly complement the rest of your décor, as well as add texture and warmth to your space—if it’s chosen and used wisely. So we asked four local designers to share advice on how to find the perfect size, material and style of rug for every room in the home, plus tips on maintaining and cleaning them.
OUR EXPERTS
Nicole Forina,
Nicole Forina Home, Tinton Falls
Ria Gulian,
Interior Designs by Ria, Oceanport
Stephanie Lawton,
Jill Ryan Interiors, Tinton Falls
Holly Volpe,
HV Design Group, Colts Neck
SIZE
A too-small rug visually shrinks the space, so when in doubt, go oversized rather than undersized, our experts say. The general rule is to leave 1-and-a-half to 2 feet of bare flooring from the edges of the rug to the wall, and always place the rug just under the front legs of a table or sofa, says Ria Gulian. “For a living/family room, you either want all your furniture halfway on the rug or completely on the rug,” says Nicole Forina. For bedrooms, get a cozy rug that’s cut to the room with a six-inch wood perimeter. “In a dining room,” adds Holly Volpe, “both front and back legs of the chairs should still be on the rug when they’re pushed away from the table.”
STYLE
The pattern or overall look of your rug will depend on your taste, of course, and the one you choose should complement the furnishings and the rest of the décor in that room. “We try to use rugs that include the main color of the design,” says Stephanie Lawton. “The pattern of the rug should complement the patterns of other elements in the room.” The pattern you choose will likely depend on the room’s aesthetic. “Look for abstract or geometric rugs for modern or contemporary spaces, and consider a more plain, floral or damask pattern for traditional spaces.”
Gulian says to treat the rug just as you would other fabrics such as drapes or upholstery. “Once you have a style or theme for the room, then select the area rug to coordinate with the other fabrics in that space,” she advises.
MATERIAL
Our experts agree that the material of your rug depends on the room in which it’s placed. For first-floor, high-traffic areas such as a mud room or an entryway, “the best options are rugs made of nylon, olefin or polypropylene fibers,” says Forina. If you’re going to put a rug in the kitchen, she suggests trying a vintage Turkish runner, which is made of durable wool and has busy patterns that will easily hide kitchen messes. And Volpe has one tip to keep in mind when you’re considering the height of the rug’s pile (shag vs. low-profile or loop-pile): “The higher the pile, the more luxurious it is, but the harder it probably is to keep clean.”
MAINTENANCE
There’s no point in purchasing fabulous rugs if they’re not properly taken care of. Shake and air them out regularly, spot-clean as needed according to the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions—blot into the stain, don’t rub—and consider hiring a professional rug service to deepclean once a year, either at your home or off-site, says Volpe.
A good rug pad is imperative too, to protect the hardwood floors, but each kind has a different purpose. “If you’re worried about the rug being too thick or adding height to it, then a rubber loom rug pad is best,” says Lawton. “Felt rug pads are heavier and thicker, and they add more cushioning.”
IT’S UP TO YOU
Some of your rug decisions will depend on your own preferences—or what you have already. For instance: • If you have an open floor plan…resist the urge to go too matchy-matchy with the rugs in each room. Instead, “the rugs should complement each other,” says design assistant Stephanie Lawton of Tinton Falls. “They should have the same color if they’re going to be close together, or at least not clash.” • If you like the layered look…don’t be afraid to layer rugs, because it’s a seamless way to add texture to your space. “Both rugs should be relatively low-pile when achieving this look, with the larger rug a more organic natural and coarse material such as sisal, jute or seagrass,” Tinton Falls designer Nicole Forina suggests. “For example, if you have a special Persian rug but it feels too small for your living space? Layer it over a large sisal rug!” • If you want a runner on your stairs…opt for a wool or nylon runner that will stand up to foot traffic. “A runner protects wood flooring and prevents slips,” says designer Holly Volpe of Colts Neck. “When selecting a runner, consider style, usage and price point.”
MONMOUTH
COUNTY’S TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS 2022
MONMOUTH COUNTY IS HOME TO SOME OF THE MOST SEASONED AND TALENTED REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS IN THE COUNTRY. To help readers find the best agents to work with, Monmouth Health & Life contracted DataJoe Research of Boulder, Colorado to facilitate a multi-faceted research campaign. It consisted of an online survey delivered directly to agents across Monmouth County via email as well as internet research. In the survey, real estate agents were asked to provide sales volume ranges and also nominate their peers. In the Internet campaign, DataJoe consulted a variety of websites to build richer knowledge of individual licensed real estate agents across the county.
DataJoe checked and confirmed that each published winner had, at the time of review, a current, active license status with the appropriate state regulatory board. If they were not able to find evidence of a real estate agent’s current, active registration with the state regulatory board, that real estate agent was excluded from the list. Finally, DataJoe presented the tallied results to Monmouth Health & Life for final review.
We recognize that there are many good real estate agents who are not shown on the representative list. This is only a sampling of the huge array of talented professionals within the county.
MONMOUTH COUNTY’S TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS ELITE 2022
ASBURY PARK
William Hagan
eXp Realty 910 First Ave. Asbury Park, NJ 07712 732-245-7665
Stacy Stefani
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS
Lisa English
O’Brien Realty LLC 76 First Ave. Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716 201-951-7036 732-229-3532
AVONBY-THE-SEA
Charles Koehler
EATONTOWN
Michele Ashkenazi
FAIR HAVEN
Elaine Eadon
Christie’s International Real Estate Northern New Jersey 756 River Rd. Fair Haven, NJ 07704 732-778-4400 732-800-5050
Paul Kiernan
Re/Max Paradigm Realty Group 740 River Rd. Fair Haven, NJ 07704 732-492-7271 732-492-7271
FREEHOLD
Melissa Desantis
Drew Robustelli
HOLMDEL
Pascale Coppola
Doreen Demarco
Christian Giamanco
Ron Ison
Barry Weinstein
HOWELL
Theresa Lee
LONG BRANCH
Chris Katz
Re/Max Synergy 95 Brighton Ave. Long Branch, NJ 07740 732-859-8505
MANALAPAN
Roman Balandin
Roman Balandin Realty 200 Route 9 North, Suite 300 Manalapan, NJ 07726 732-786-3838
Lori Bocchieri-Bennett
Jason Gumnitz
Alan Kurlander
George Pavlushkin
Michael Sclafani
Theresa Trentacosta
MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP
David Borrero
Re/Max Homeland West 494 Monmouth Rd. Millstone Township, NJ 08510 917-681-2603
MONMOUTH BEACH
Richard Nagel
NEPTUNE CITY
Cindy Nelson
OCEAN TOWNSHIP
Joseph Baumann
RED BANK
Dennis Freshnock
Gary Thomson
Maureen Yetman
RUMSON
Bernadette Barnett
Stacie Bender
Eric Bosniak
Pamela Girard
Robert Haspel
Preferred Properties Real Estate 105 E. River Rd. Rumson, NJ 07760 732-778-7852 732-224-9200
Elizabeth Lubin
Pauline Poyner
Mario Venancio
Suzanne Veninata
Better Homes and Gardens –Murphy & Co. 113 E. River Rd., Suite 1-A Rumson, NJ 07760 646-279-2372 732-820-7500
Kelly Zaccaro
SEA GIRT
Denise Dreyer
Ward Wight Sotheby’s International Realty 522 Washington Blvd. Sea Girt, NJ 08750 201-819-2604 732-449-5959
Patricia Mayer
SHREWSBURY
Michael Gruosso
Christopher Pizzola
SPRING LAKE
Lauren Gill
Cindy Napp
Steven Porzio
Gregory Rice
Michael Skea
Edward Szumski
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach 1101 Third Ave. Spring Lake, NJ 07762 732-859-3751 732-449-3200
WEST LONG BRANCH
Cathy Ades
Cathy Ades Real Estate 369 Monmouth Rd. West Long Branch, NJ 07764 732-996-5619 732-413-0040
COUNTY’S TOP REAL ESTATE AGENTS 2022
ABERDEEN
Susan Grace McGowan
Hometown Residential Realty 1061 Route 34 Aberdeen, NJ 07747 732-614-4025 732-583-8888
ASBURY PARK
Anthony Gonzalez
Shannon Mitchell
Karen Moses
Kenneth Rickel
AVONBY-THE-SEA
Brenda Connolly
Cheryl Sullivan
BELFORD
Vincent Alu
Lighthouse Realty Of NJ 892 Main St. Belford, NJ 07718 732-670-6565 732-884-8151
BRADLEY BEACH
Patrick Parker
Patrick Parker Realty LLC 523 Main St. Bradley Beach, NJ 07720 201-788-6182 732-455-5252
EATONTOWN
Anna Garifine
ENGLISHTOWN
Gina Pappone
The Pappone Group 520 Route 9 North Englishtown, NJ 07726 908-770-4896
FREEHOLD
Viktoria Adamov
Timothy J. O’Rourke
Purnima Talwar
HAZLET
Vincent J. Aquilino
Angela Dorsi
HOLMDEL
Barbara Alvarez
Anna Appolonia
Rhonda Beck-Edwards
Jeffrey Dispenza
Re/Max Real Estate Leaders 670 N. Beers St., Building 1 Holmdel, NJ 07733 732-241-8574 732-812-3700
Catherine Erkal
Kelly Fernandes
Monica Kloc
Peter Maneri
Carissa Marshall
Nicole Rabbat Levine
Gerine A. Skamarak
Exit Realty East Coast 57 E. Main St. Holmdel, NJ 07733 908-902-4778 732-946-2000
Christine Stout
Ranka Vucetic
KEYPORT
Susan Montanti
Driftwood Real Estate Group 158 Main St. Keyport, NJ 07735 732-895-5923
Melisa Takacs
Millennium Interstate Realty 62 Route 36 South Keyport, NJ 07735 732-996-1835 732-203-1500
LITTLE SILVER
Frank Pento
Re/Max Real Estate Ltd. 25 Sycamore Ave. Little Silver, NJ 07739 732-687-4301
Philip Vonschondorf
Two River Realty 524 Prospect Ave. Little Silver, NJ 07739 732-233-9504 732-842-3006
MANALAPAN
Glenn Aaronson
Kathy Decker
Rosemary Dipasquale
Julieann King
Danielle Lazzaro
Olga Orak
Brian Teitel
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New Jersey Properties 357 Route 9 South Manalapan, NJ 07726 732-616-5499 732-536-4003
Sara Teutonico
MATAWAN
Jeffrey Kagan
Kp Edgestone Realty 76 Main St., Suite 1 Matawan, NJ 07747 646-624-5598 732-307-3200
Jethro Kwok
Jeffrey S. Lee
MIDDLETOWN
Sheryl B. Dente
Natalie Perrone
Jeanne Rich
Denise Ripnick
Exit Realty East Coast 280 Route 35 South Middletown, NJ 07701 732-809-6316 877-778-3948
Michael Smith
MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP
Robin Cittone
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New Jersey Properties 222 Millstone Rd. Millstone Township, NJ 08535 609-647-8659 732-446-4959
MONMOUTH BEACH
Scott Gilbert
Amy Peak Jengo
Kerrin O’Brien
Daniel A. Wright
MORGANVILLE
George Russ
Keller Williams West Monmouth 50B Route 9 North Morganville, NJ 07751 (631) 241-7650 (732) 536-9010
NEPTUNE
Bonnie Hogan
OCEAN
Joanne Botwinick
RED BANK
River Giberson
Elizabeth Leston
Ellen Pignataro
RUMSON
Karin Busichio
Justin Eberle
Amna F. Khawaja
Michael A. Milano
Kathryn Perez
SEA GIRT
Pat Butera
David Herchakowski
SHREWSBURY
David Giuliano
Eric Hoffman
Dianna Olson
Jerilyn Restivo
David Sgalambro
SPRING LAKE
Susan Bastardo
Keith Kernan
Colleen Tobin
Salvatore Ventre
eXp Realty 503 Route 71 Spring Lake, NJ 07762 732-232-6005 Spring Lake
Jeanmarie Wheat
TINTON FALLS
Danielle Coyle
Re/Max Select 4001 Asbury Ave., Suite 1L Tinton Falls, NJ 07753 732-598-0428
WALL
Richard L. Davidson
Colleen Dingley
Diane Turton Realtors 2383 Route 34 South Wall, NJ 08736 732-322-0731 732-292-1400
William L. Kozlik
Lauren Rodgers
Josephine Michael Tsarnas
WEST LONG BRANCH
Robert Shirvanian Jr.
Exit Realty East Coast 964 Broadway West Long Branch, NJ 07764 732-768-3546 732-946-2000
Doreen DeMarco
963 Holmdel Rd., Holmdel, NJ 07733 O: 732.946.3200 | C: 732.241.5015 | www.doreendemarco.com | doreen.demarco@foxroach.com
A TOUR DE FORCE of Monmouth and Ocean County real estate, Doreen DeMarco is a top-producing realtor and licensed broker with extensive knowledge of her community, passion for client success and a track record of exceptional negotiating. After 35 years of living in Holmdel, there’s not much she couldn’t tell you about the area—from the inside scoop on schools and the best local businesses to how long it will take you to drive just about anywhere.
Doreen thinks of herself as a counselor and facilitator for her clients, not just a representative. She’s an always-available, hands-on guide from start to finish who knows that the devil is in the details. For sellers, Doreen will craft a narrative through staging and photography that amplifies the best and most marketable aspects of their home. Buyers can expect insight that goes well beyond comps and nearby amenities to find them not just a house that suits their needs, but a home that suits their life.
This client-centric approach has really made a difference for past clients like Mary and Bob: “Doreen’s expertise in the Holmdel community was instrumental in helping us assess the market and get the best possible price for our home.” Joe and Nicole agree: “Doreen’s industry knowledge is undeniable. Not only did she bring more offers than we expected, she also negotiated for a much faster close which relieved a lot of stress for us.”
A year and a half after becoming a licensed realtor, Doreen started winning New Jersey Realtors Circle of Excellence Sales Awards. She has maintained or increased her level of certification every year and is currently at the highest tier, Platinum. She attributes part of her exponential success to her willingness to learn and adapt. “With every listing, every tour, every negotiation, there’s always something to be learned and leveraged down the line,” she says.
Follow Doreen on Instagram @doreendemarcorealestate
Heritage House Sotheby’s International Realty
Bernadette Barnett
1 West River Rd., Rumson, NJ 07760 O: 732.842.8100 | C: 908.902.5035 | www.bernadettebarnett.com | bernadettebnj@gmail.com
IN AN INDUSTRY WHERE CAREERS ARE BUILT on word-of-mouth and results, Bernadette Barnett has been flourishing for over twenty years. “The bottom line,” she says, “is that I’m a hard worker dedicated to doing the best job possible for my clients. I love what I do, and my clients trust me.”
As a four-time top producer at Heritage House Sotheby’s International Realty and an 11-time Platinum New Jersey Realtors Circle of Excellence Sales Award winner, it would be easy to assume that Bernadette’s sales and marketing acumen have led her to be frequently among the top one percent of realtors in Monmouth County. She believes her success is due equally to the relationships she develops with her clients by being a hardworking advocate for their best interests.
Before she became a real estate agent, Bernadette relocated many times, living in New York, Connecticut, California and Hong Kong before coming back to New Jersey. She experienced first-hand how important it is to partner with a realtor who is an excellent listener and communicator, and is willing to go the extra mile to make sure you find the right home. Those moves also showed her what it’s like to have to make a housing decision over the course of a single weekend—something that’s become commonplace in today’s real estate market.
Compass Real Estate
Ranka Vucetic
31 West Main St., Holmdel, NJ 07733 O: 732.530.6300 | C: 732.610.7010 | ranka.vucetic@compass.com
BESPOKE SERVICE, hands-on advocacy and 25 years of experience; that’s the foundation of what Ranka brings to all of her clients’ real estate journeys. In line with her promise to provide personalized attention to each and every buyer and seller she represents, Ranka doesn’t work behind a team.
Operating independently means that Ranka gets to be fully hands-on with what she loves most about her job—building relationships and helping her neighbors. No matter what stage of the process they’re in, when a client needs something, Ranka answers the call and takes care of it herself. She loves facing and resolving the day-to-day challenges that are inherent in her line of work.
“She was outstanding,” says one former client, Alex. “Ranka is a true advocate. She advised us on every aspect of each transaction, from home inspection and certificate of occupancy to mortgage and closing. She was present at all of the showings and insightful on each potential buyer. When it came to buying our new home, Ranka knew the market extremely well and provided candid observations on all the houses we viewed. Hands down the best realtor we’ve ever worked with.”
Beyond her work ethic, personal approach and extensive knowledge base, Ranka says she relies on her intuition and expert interpersonal skills to present the best options to buyers and highlight the intangible aspects of sellers’ homes. “Every house has a story,” she says, “and people are unique. You need to look past what a property has on paper and see what it has to offer real people living there. I consider that part of ‘knowing the market.’ It’s not just recalling facts and figures and spotting trends.” Last year, Ranka’s individual sales eclipsed 20 million dollars.
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach
PAMELA GIRARD, Realtor
110 Avenue of Two Rivers, Rumson, NJ 07760 C: 732.233.7158 | pamela.girard@foxroach.com
THERE’S SOMETHING TO BE SAID about that rare combination of experience and a true calling. Pam Girard has both with one added bonus - a knack for putting people together.
With over 30 years in the real estate industry, she knows that entering the market can be overwhelming but with the right agent by your side, it doesn’t have to be. Her love of selling houses is outweighed by the connection she makes with her buyers and sellers. She believes wholeheartedly that real estate is much more than just selling properties and our homes much more than just the dwellings we live in. She has the tenacity and immense drive to win deals and a work ethic to match. Morning, noon and night, Pam is available to her clients and will stop at nothing to make sure their every need is met. She laughs knowing that her family will attest to her dedication, oftentimes dropping whatever it is she is doing to take a call from a client and immediately problem solve to figure out a solution. Guiding clients from start to finish, she makes the process of buying or selling a home almost stressfree so that they can focus on their priorities and even enjoy the process. Her relationships that she has built with colleagues over the years are also extremely important to her.
Pam has consistently been recognized as a NJ Realtors Circle of Excellence Award winner and has also received the Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Chairman’s and President’s Circle Awards for the past 3 years. She lives and breathes Monmouth County and appreciates the characteristics and beauty that make the area unique. From grand estate and waterfront properties to quaint summer cottages and adult community townhouses, she has successfully brokered them all. With Pam by your side, you’re guaranteed “happy house hunting”.
Ward Wight Sotheby’s International Realty
Michael S. Skea, Broker Associate
1117 Third Ave., Spring Lake, NJ 07762 O: 732.449.3322 | C: 732.272.5898 | www.wardwightsir.com
WITH A RARE AND EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND in the homebuilding industry and real estate law, Michael Skea provides a significant blend of proficiencies that benefit every client. His superior set of negotiation and communication skills is evident to clients, who continually describe him as being one of the most knowledgeable, ethical, and patient real estate professionals in the area.
As a Monmouth County resident since 1987, he is highly experienced with each of the Jersey Shore Real Estate markets. Michael’s primary market consists of Spring Lake, Sea Girt, Manasquan, Brielle and Wall while being well versed in the Rumson, Fair Haven, and Little Silver market to the north, and the Bay Head, Mantoloking, and Lavalette market to the south.
Michael is a consistent recipient of the NJ Realtors® Circle of Excellence Award® since 2013 having achieved the highest Platinum status in 2018, 2020 and again in 2021. He has been the #2 Company Top Producer for several years and was named the Top Producing Agent in Spring Lake in 2020.
Well known for his integrity, Michael’s clients trust him to deliver a stressfree real estate experience. He is privileged to work with his clients and prides himself in serving as their “Trusted Real Estate Advisor at the Jersey Shore.” He looks forward to collaborating with you on all of your real estate needs and invites you to follow him on Instagram @michaelskea_realtor and TheSkeaWay.blog.
One client testimonial says it all: “We worked with Michael on three separate real estate transactions. His deep subject matter expertise as a real estate attorney, as a former senior executive in the home building industry, and as a very successful and trusted realtor, positions him as ‘best in class’ in this market.”
O’Brien Realty
Kerrin “Kerry” O’Brien
37 Beach Rd., Monmouth Beach, NJ 07750 O: 732.229.3532 | C: 917.567.0684 | www.kerrinobrien.com | kerrinob@gmail.com
KERRY O’BRIEN IS ONE OF MONMOUTH COUNTY’S TOP
PRODUCERS and has spent years ensuring that the family firm she founded with her partner, Tammy, became synonymous with aboveand-beyond customer service and results. She’s been a successful broker for many years and has achieved the Platinum certification of New Jersey Realtors’ Circle of Excellence Sales Award several years in a row.
Whether for a client or colleague, Kerry is never too busy for consultation and loves to lend her extensive knowledge base to anyone it can help. She’s also always working to better leverage the resources and reach of O’Brien Realty for her clients—utilizing the latest technology to showcase seller homes and give buyers a better feel for prospective properties. Additionally, virtual offices in New York and Florida make relocations to and from popular destinations easier.
Buyers and sellers may be at odds around the negotiating table, but Kerry understands the value in ensuring everyone feels respected. Keeping both parties on great terms makes her clients’ transitions easier and has gained the O’Brien name a reputation for being easy to work with among other New Jersey realtors.
The O’Brien Realty mantra is trust, loyalty and respect. Embodying those principles has taken them from a small “mom and mom” operation to a major player in residential, multi-unit and commercial real estate with five offices and over 200 agents in less than ten years. While their family might be a lot larger now, Kerry insists that nothing has changed in the way they approach their work: “It’s always been a labor of love. The team and I are serving many more people than when I started out, but it’s all built on the same work ethic, professionalism and client-first attitude.”
Heritage House Sotheby’s International Realty
Nicole Rabbat Levine, Broker Associate®
38 Main St., Holmdel, NJ 07733 C: 732.216.4700 | O: 732.946.9200 | www.NicoleRabbat.com
TOP REALTOR NICOLE RABBAT LEVINE is your resource for all things Real Estate and Monmouth County. She has over 16 years of experience as a Realtor, and has earned the Platinum award several times, the highest level of achievement through the New Jersey Association of Realtors. Nicole has always attributed her success to diligently working for her clients through individualized attention, listening to and understanding their specific needs and wants, educating them on the real estate market, and delivering on her commitment to white-glove service and excellence.
Navigating the current housing market is no small task, and she prides herself on diligently working for each of her clients. With the ever-changing market, it’s more important than ever to get creative in approaching multipleoffer situations and advising clients properly. Nicole advises buyers and sellers that to receive or pay the best price, it’s recommended that they hire a passionate real estate agent with proven negotiation, local market, and unmatched marketing skills.
One of Nicole’s values is to build lasting relationships with her clients. She is recognized as a resource of information to her clients even after they move. Whether looking for a specific contractor or local pre-school recommendations, Nicole’s clients turn to her for her expertise. Creating these lifelong relationships and the ability to serve as a trusted advisor is Nicole’s purpose. Being a client’s lifelong realtor is one thing, but also being their lifelong friend is Nicole’s “why.” She appreciates the unrivaled trust her clients have placed in her on their largest investment.
Nicole holds a BA in Business and Marketing from Monmouth University. She’s a licensed NJ Broker-Associate and an Accredited Buyer’s Representative. Aside from her career, Nicole is also the co-founder and board member of The Social Conscience Project, a 501c3 all volunteer Monmouth based charity. After each closed sale, she donates a portion of her commission giving her client a choice to select one of three charities. She is also the vice chair of the Mediation Committee for the board of Monmouth Ocean Regional Realtors and serves on the Associate’s Committee.
Whether buying or selling, or simply looking for Monmouth County resources, contact Nicole.
Denise Dreyer, Realtor Associate GRI, ABR, SRS
522 Washington Blvd., Sea Girt, NJ O: 732.449.5959 | C: 201.819.2604 | www.denisedreyer.com | ddreyer@wardwightsir.com
WHEN IT COMES TO SERVICE, marketing and creative solutions, Denise Dreyer stands apart. Now in her fourteenth year with Ward Wight Sotheby’s International Realty, Denise has been the company-wide top producer for the past eight consecutive years and is a New Jersey Realtors Circle of Excellence Platinum Sales Award winner. She has a reputation for providing candid and understanding counsel and prides herself on facilitating low-stress transactions that make the most of her clients’ investment.
As a New Jersey native with nearly 17 years of experience buying, selling and renting homes, her knowledge of the local market is unsurpassed. “My standards for customer service,” she says, “are extremely high. I love exceeding my clients’ expectations at every step of their journey—it makes my day-to-day exciting and rewarding.”
Whether a client is searching for their first home, looking to upsize or seeking a custom luxury estate on the historic Jersey Shore, Denise is more than prepared to guide them through the extensive variety of inventory in the area. As the market has become dramatically more dynamic over the past two years, her up-to-the-minute awareness has been increasingly valuable to the buyers and sellers she represents. Denise ensures that all of her clients are adequately prepared to quickly make educated decisions they feel confident in.
Denise leverages the latest technology to showcase homes and streamline her business—increasing the quality and reach of her listings and freeing up time to go above and beyond for her clients. Denise’s honest, patient and always-accessible approach combined with her ability to negotiate contracts and market homes have led to many clients saying things like, “Denise is far and away the most effective broker I have ever worked with. It never felt like a transaction; it felt like a partnership. I wouldn’t consider using anyone else,” (Frank S. on Zillow).
Heritage House Sotheby’s International Realty
Kelly Fernandes, Realtor Associate
38 Main St., Holmdel NJ 07733 | C: 908.489.5970 | @KellyFernandes_Homes Kelly.Fernandes@sothebysrealty.com | KellyFernandesHomes.com | NJ Realtors® Circle of Excellence Sales Award®
A POWERHOUSE IN REAL ESTATE for the past seven years, Kelly Fernandes, keeps raising the bar and providing the highest level of service. Her unwavering negotiation skills, cutting-edge marketing strategies, and remarkable creativity result in persistent record-breaking sales and winning bids in an ultra-competitive, and unprecedented market. Globally recognized, over 97% of Kelly’s business comes exclusively from client and colleague referrals across the nation. This attests to her outstanding level of success and commitment to exceeding her client’s goals. Moreover, her reputation as a real estate global advisor and relocation strategist, with a fundamental understanding of the real estate movement in and out of New Jersey, provides her clients unique opportunities here in Monmouth County and beyond. Admired for her attentive nature, strong work ethic, and her keen eye in navigating challenging situations, it’s clear that Kelly deeply cares for her clients. No matter the price point, she insists on providing a one-of-a-kind personalized experience for all of her transactions. Nothing compares to the amount of time and energy she is willing to invest in her clients in order to deliver exceptional results.
Immersed in the real estate industry her entire life with a background in residential construction, Kelly brings an extensive level of knowledge around the home industry. She leverages her lifetime of connections and resources to ensure a seamless client experience. Originally from Monmouth County’s “Two River” area – her upbringing forged her love for everything Monmouth County has to offer. As a true Monmouth County champion, Kelly has garnered an outstanding reputation for her dedication to serving the community and finding ways to support local business owners through networking and her social media @KellyFernandes_Homes. Kelly has been featured in The New York Times, Asbury Park Press, Inman News, and many more. It’s easy to see why her name is synonymous with skill, innovation, integrity, passion, and most importantly, added value.
Chris Katz, Realtor
95 Brighton Ave., Long Branch NJ 07740 C: 732.859.8505 | O: 732.795.9500 | www.thekatzteam.com | Facebook @thekatzteam
TOP REALTOR CHRIS KATZ IS A WELL-KNOWN CONNECTOR IN THE
COMMUNITY. She’s always been a natural at sensing when to connect families looking for homes. Chris made her networking skills official when she became licensed 16 years ago and she’s excelled ever since.
Chris and her husband, Todd, make up The Katz Team specializing in high-end residential, investment, and commercial properties. Chris is also a skilled house flipper with a large network of professionals that also benefit clients needing trustworthy service providers.
Clients recommend Chris because she’s personable, patient, always accessible, a calm voice in hectic situations, and knows everyone. Because of her professionalism, Chris has achieved recognition as a Top 20 agent in all of Monmouth and Ocean Counties and is a recipient of the NJ Realtors® Circle of Excellence® Sales Award®-Platinum Level for 2020 and 2021. Additionally, The Katz Team was honored with the RE/MAX Hall of Fame 2020 Chairman’s Level for individual agent and team and named the #1 commercial team for RE/MAX in New Jersey. When it comes to dedicated work, reliable service, trusted connections, and extensive knowledge of the community where they raised their family, turn to The Katz Team – all the others are copy Katz.
RE/MAX SYNERGY
Anna Garifine, Broker/Associate, Owner
95 Brighton Ave., Long Branch, NJ 07740 | 246 Rt 35 S., Eatontown, NJ 07724 C: 732.245.2484 | O: 732.870.1212, ext. 111 | AnnaGsellshomes@gmail.com | www.JerseyRealEstateSales.com | facebook.com/AnnaGSellsHomes
AS A LIFELONG JERSEY SHORE RESIDENT and a 23-year veteran in the local real estate market, Anna Garifine is dedicated to making homeownership dreams come true. She attributes her success to her many wonderful clients and their continued support and referrals. Anna enjoys working with both sellers and buyers and has developed an expertise in new construction sales. She is the managing partner at RE/MAX SYNERGY, with offices in Long Branch and Eatontown, and is passionate about helping fellow agents grow their business. Anna is currently serving her second term on the Monmouth Ocean Regional Realtors Board of Directors where she chairs the Managers Committee, and is the Chair of the NJ Realtors Risk Management Committee. In addition to being named a Top Realtor here, she has most recently earned NJ Realtors® Circle of Excellence® Sales Award®-Silver, the RE/MAX Hall of Fame and 100% Club, and is an eight-time FIVE STAR PRO winner.
Susan Bastardo, Realtor Associate, SRES
1122 3rd Ave., Spring Lake, NJ 07762 C: 732.245.5848 | O: 732.449.2777 | susan.bastardo@cbmoves.com
SUSAN BASTARDO KNOWS THAT “KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.” That is why she is always attuned to trends in the market and prepared for anything that comes her way. Susan’s prior experience in the mortgage and banking industry was the perfect segue to a career in real estate.
Susan’s clients rely on her savvy knowledge of “everything” Monmouth County – and trust her artist’s eye and knack for decor when it comes to staging their home for sale. Additionally, Susan holds a SRES designation that gives her the experience to define a customized approach that fits the overall life plan for client’s buying and selling a home later in life. A recognized NJ Realtors® Circle of Excellence Sales Award recipient for over 10 years and bestowed a Coldwell Banker International President’s Circle Award for 2020 and 2021, puts Susan in the top 7% of all Coldwell Banker agents worldwide.
When you work with Susan, you are working with a strong communicator and negotiator who will successfully manage your entire real estate transaction. Her true passion and devotion is helping people reach their real estate goals. Whether you plan on buying, selling or investing in real estate, Susan will make your move a seamless, stress free experience!
©2021 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.
Not intended as a solicitation if your property is already listed by another broker.
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Murphy & Co.
Suzanne Veninata
113 East River Rd., Suite 1A, Rumson, NJ 07760 O: 732.820.7500 | C: 646.279.2373 | www.suzanneveninata.com
IT’S NOT BY COINCIDENCE that friends, colleagues and clients flock to Suzanne Veninata for recommendations about the area’s best restaurants, salons and shopping destinations. Suzanne is simply a mover and shaker and Rumson’s “go to” when in need of advice. A mom of two, a successful real estate sales associate and nature enthusiast, Suzanne simply never sits still. After 19 years living in New York City with a successful career in real estate capital markets, Suzanne found her home in Rumson.
Suzanne’s energy, charisma and innate connection to her customer’s needs has propelled her at an unprecedented pace to a top level performer in what can be a challenging business. And she’s just getting started…
520 Hwy 9 Manalapan, NJ 07726 O: 732.972.1000 | C: 908.770.4896 www.ginasellsnj.com | gpapponeremax@gmail.com 1008 State Hwy 35, Middletown, NJ 07748 C: 908.907.3274 | O: 732.671.8000 MDSmith1008@aol.com | www.Michael-Smith.Weichert.com
DYNAMIC AND
INNOVATIVE, Gina Pappone and her team offer a wealth of knowledge and creative ideas to anyone looking to buy, sell or rent. From starter homes and distressed properties to luxury estates, Gina has seen it all, but believes there’s always something new under the sun: “Experience alone can count for a lot, but I get the best for my clients by leveraging it in inventive ways that prepare them for where the market is and is going to be.” Gina is a Platinum New Jersey Realtors’ Circle of Excellence Sales Award winner and received the RE/MAX Hall of Fame Award in 2021.
HOMES of Distinction
MICHAEL CONTINUES TO BE AN AWARD WINNING
AGENT with award winning service. He lists and sells homes in a safe manner and provides advice, assistance and peace of mind in this ever changing market. With over 30 years of real estate sales and finance experience, he understands the importance of an investment as substantial and personal as buying and selling a home. He carefully guides you through the many steps and is fully committed to providing you with a high level of service. He consistently earns the NJ REALTORS® Circle of Excellence Sales Award® and maintains a 5-Star Zillow rating.
Stunning And Only 3 Years Old! Stafford Park, Ranch
Home Which Features 3 Large Bedrooms And 2 Full Baths. The Eat In Kitchen, Living Room And Dining Room Are All Laid Out In An Enormous Open Concept Floor Plan With 10’ Ceilings Throughout. The Eat-In Kitchen Boasts An 11’ Center Island, Granite Countertops And Stainless Steel Appliances. All Neutrally Painted With Beautiful Flooring Throughout.
Remax Central 908.770.4896 Gina Pappone, Team Lead
11 LENNOX CT., HOLMDEL, NJ PRICE UPON REQUEST
Location, Convenience & Lifestyle
A golden opportunity in the Regency at Holmdel. This beautifully designed home features luxurious finishes throughout & 1st floor Primary Suite. Located within a prized community offering state of the art amenities.
139 MONROE AVE., SPRING LAKE, NJ $6.395M
Stunning New Construction
Meticulous craftsmanship and fine finishes will complement this 6000 SF+, 7/8 BR, 7.5 Bath home with a 4-stop elevator, gorgeous outdoor cabana/bar and in-ground gunite pool set on a 75’ wide private homesite
13 FOX HUNT ROAD, HOLMDEL, NJ LIST PRICE: $929,000 | SOLD PRICE: $1,150,000
Sold with Multiple Offers This stunning Holmdel home received 125 showings, 26 offers and sold for $221,000 over list price. Now is the best time to sell your home for the greatest return on your investment.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, REALTORS® C: 732.241.5015 Doreen DeMarco, Broker Sales Associate
320 CRESCENT PKWY, SEA GIRT, NJ $5.8M
Private Custom Built Home. Situated on a 75’ wide corner lot, this custom home has everything you’re looking for: 6/7 bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms, 5,000+ SF, a 4-stop elevator, finished basement and a private oasis yard with a gunite pool!
Ward Wight Sotheby’s International Realty C: 732.272.5898 | O: 732.449.3322 Michael Skea, Broker Associate
1106 HEMLOCK AVE., SEA GIRT, NJ $950,000.00
Move in Ready Right out of Pottery Barn with 6 Beds, 2.5 Baths, 2 Fireplaces, HDWD floors, In ground Pool, NEW Pool Cover, outdoor shower, HWBB heat, CAC, NEW Liner & NEW Roof! Minutes to beach but not in a flood zone! Perfect 1st or 2nd home at the shore. Call Susan at 732-245-5848.
Coldwell Banker Realty C: 732.245.5848 | O: 732.449.2777 Susan Bastardo, Realtor® Associate, SRES
LONG BRANCH, NJ $2,299,000
New construction in Long Branch 5 Bedroom/4.5
bath in WEST END with OCEAN VIEWS. Open concept w/dining room, White shaker kitchen w/SS appliances, center island, family room w/sliding door to fenced yard (room for pool) deck, rooftop platform w/360 degree views.
ReMax Synergy 732.859.8505 Chris Katz, Sales Associate
New Construction
Opportunity to own a new home in the heart of Red Bank. Close to Downtown, located in the historic district. 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms. Call for details.
Holmdel Estate Recently sold in Holmdel over list price. Tailored strategic marketing paired with global awareness results in offers. The knowledge experience, and proper guidance from Nicole results in a closing. Closed for $1,387,000
Heritage House Sotheby’s Int’l Realty C: 732.216.4700 Nicole Rabbat Levine, Broker Associate
$2,100,000 46 CONOVER LANE, MIDDLETOWN
Navesink River Waterfront. Under Contract.
Custom home designed with emphasis on waterviews. Renovated kitchen and bathrooms. Gorgeous MBR and bathroom provide spectacular views of the river. Two-floor bonus room. 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. Backyard boasts a spacious deck and in-ground pool.
Fair Haven to the Rescue. Everyone loves Fair Haven where neighbors become friends and lifetime memories are made. In-town, move-in-ready home, 3 BR, 2 BA, LR, FR, eat-in-kitchen, private yard. Hurry don’t wait or this home will disappear.
$799,000 235 THIRD STREET, FAIR HAVEN
Heritage House Sotheby’s International Realty 908.902.5035 Bernadette Barnett
30 HIGHLAND AVE, MONMOUTH BEACH
Breathtaking Waterfront Home This stunning
contemporary style home boasts 5 Bedrooms, 4.5 Baths with oversized windows offering sweeping views of the gorgeous sunsets over the Shrewsbury from every room. The Reef, Long Branch. Each exquisite residence at The Reef spans 3,100 sq. ft. of living area, 5 beds, 5 baths, and a private roof deck with panoramic ocean views.
THE REEF 200 OCEAN BLVD 13, LONG BRANCH
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
HOME & GARDEN SHOWCASE
BACKYARD STRUCTURES
A family-owned and operated business located in Belford, Backyard Structures builds stunning gazebos, pergolas, and other outdoor structures throughout Monmouth County. Using top grade materials, expert craftsmanship, and generations of expertise, Backyard Structures has enhanced outdoor living spaces for over 30 years. Backyard Structures delivers superior product selection, pricing and overall value to homeowners, with top quality American-made sheds, swing sets, garages, playhouses, pavilions, and other structures. Visit our Belford location to learn more.
515 ROUTE 36, BELFORD 732.495.8866 WWW.BACKYARDSTRUCTURESNJ.COM
BEDROCK GRANITE
Bedrock Granite is known for its superior customer service. We have been in business for over 30 years serving both the trade and public. We are committed to making the design process easier for our customers who are looking for custom fabrication for home remodeling projects. For your convenience, we are open seven days a week and we have a large selection of slabs and remnants on site to browse through. Visit Bedrock Granite’s Instagram and Facebook pages to see our newest and most elegant projects.
803 SHREWSBURY AVE., SHREWSBURY 732.741.0100 WWW.BEDROCKGRANITE.COM
BETSONS FURNITURE
Known as Monmouth County’s favorite furniture destination, Betsons has a 50,000 square foot showroom jam-packed with amazing furniture, mattresses, and decor. They differentiate themselves from other stores by keeping everything in stock at the lowest prices, all year long. It’s no wonder why they have over 250 5-star reviews on Google, Facebook, and Yelp.
1 NORTH MALL DR., OCEAN TOWNSHIP 732.898.0650
CENTRAL JERSEY POOLS
Visit our family owned 25,000 square foot Superstore on Route 9 in Freehold to see the area’s largest display of Hot Tubs, Swimming Pools and Outdoor Kitchens for over 65 years. Voted the best Pool Retail Store in the entire United States by our peers. We offer openings, weekly service, pool inspections, and renovations. We are located in Freehold one mile north of the Raceway on Route 9. Call or visit us today
4235 ROUTE 9, FREEHOLD 732.462.5005 WWW.CENTRALJERSEYPOOLS.COM
JAYNE CAMLIN OF COMPASS RE
Providing a consultative approach to real estate in Monmouth County and surrounding areas for over 35 years, Jayne is equipped with an unmatched, extensive knowledge base to successfully guide each, and every, client home. Whether buying, selling, or even just considering, she helps you make good decisions— guiding, educating, never pressuring. Jayne is a skillful negotiator, master marketer, and will be your trusted advisor. Let her many years of continued success go to work for you!
623 RIVER RD., FAIR HAVEN 732.673.9100
COWLEYS
For over 30 years, Cowleys has been helping thousands of homeowners and businesses deal with a full range of termite and pest infestations including bird, rodent, and wildlife removal as well as crawl space repair, mold treatment, and attic insulation. We guarantee our pest control methods are the most thorough you have ever experienced or we will treat your home or business again for FREE! If you are still not satisfied for any reason, we will refund your last payment.
1145 NJ 33, FARMINGDALE, NJ 732.806.7603 | WWW.COWLEYS.COM
GENERAL PLUMBING SUPPLY
GPS Showrooms aren’t just a place to find kitchen and bath innovations—they’re a place to envision your next home design. From faucets and sinks to showers, cabinets, countertops and even lighting, your inspiration is our mission. And because we’re also a major supplier, delivering the details to contractors throughout the East Coast since 1910, our in-house experts can help with even the most challenging projects. Whether you’re casually browsing or searching for something specific, stop by your local GPS showroom for a truly remarkable experience encompassing thoughtful design, top brands, and impeccable customer service.
BAYONNE, BERGENFIELD, EDISON, EATONTOWN, FLEMINGTON, GREEN BROOK, HAWTHORNE, LAKEWOOD, MATAWAN, MORRIS PLAINS, ORANGE, PARAMUS, MANHASSET 1.800.CALLGPS | WWW.SHOPGPS.COM
Celebrating 86 years in business, our staff at family owned New Jersey Gravel & Sand brings a world-class level of attention and detail to your every landscape, hardscape, and natural stone need. We fabricate stone masterpieces for all interior and exterior applications, from fireplace hearths and mantels crafted with natural stone, to thin veneers, to stone used for outdoor kitchens, and custom pool coping. Visit our website, Facebook or Instagram accounts and of course our amazing 23-acre stone yard to experience exciting new products and ideas.
1661 ROUTE 34 SOUTH, WALL 732.938.5252 | WWW.NJGRAVELSAND.COM
OASIS HOME BY NLM DESIGN INTERIORS
“I approach my design projects by appreciating the collaborative process with my clients and the professional artisans I bring to each project. I believe that the value of great design has the ability to be a positive transformative experience.” Ideal projects include private homes, workplaces, retail, dentist offices, and lobbies throughout the Metro area. Recognized by ASID, Houzz, and HGTV, Nancy has been a featured designer in several New Jersey showhouses such as Mansion in May, and Stately Homes by the Sea and been a trendspotter/blogger for Design NJ at High Point Market.
627 COOKMAN AVE., ASBURY PARK 732.775.5151 WWW.OASISHOMEDESIGNS.COM
RYSER’S LANDSCAPE SUPPLY
Ryser’s Landscape Supply, family owned and operated, has been serving our loyal customers for over 25 years. We pride ourselves on exemplary customer service, product knowledge and providing quality products to homeowners, builders, contractors and designers. Ryser’s carries everything you could possibly need to make your outdoor living spaces functional and beautiful. Whether you are updating or looking to create a magnificent showplace, Ryser’s is here for you every step of the way!
145 WHITE RD., LITTLE SILVER 732.741.8338 WWW.RYSERSLANDSCAPESUPPLY.COM
THE MERCANTILE BY TOWN & COUNTRY DESIGN STUDIO
Coming Spring 2022, The Mercantile by Town & Country Design Studio will launch an expanded Gift Box Collection and Registry. Each curated gift box is thoughtfully sourced and styled for that special someone or event. Luxurious packaging with a phased reveal that allows the unboxing process to be a gift within itself. Whether selecting from the “ready to go” gift boxes or curating a custom gift box, The Mercantile is here to give you an enjoyable experience.
25 BRIDGE AVE., RED BANK, NJ 732.345.1441 WWW.TANDCMERCANTILE.COM
WOODHAVEN
Over 40 years, Woodhaven has helped builders, contractors, and homeowners build better. Known for exemplary customer service and exceptional expertise, homeowners trust Woodhaven for kitchen and custom closet design, flooring, stairs and railings, windows and doors, and more. Our knowledgeable staff works with you to provide solutions that enhance your home and your enjoyment of it. Your home is likely the biggest investment you’ll ever make; we take that seriously and are honored to help bring your vision to life.
LAKEWOOD • MANAHAWKIN POINT PLEASANT BEACH • SHREWSBURY 1.800.213.3300 WWW.WOODHAVENLUMBER.COM
WORLDWIDE WHOLESALE FLOOR COVERINGS
For over 30 years, Worldwide has been proudly serving residents surrounding their four locations in Edison, Fairfield, Lawrenceville, and Old Bridge. While all locations offer the finest selection of brand name flooring, carpet, stair runners and custom rugs the Edison and Old Bridge locations feature Kitchen and Bath Studios offering the same fine quality in cabinets, countertops and more. From concept to installation Worldwide’s sales experts, designers, and installers make their customers’ home updates and renovations a wonderful experience.
NOW OPEN SEVEN DAYS | 888-WORLD40 WWW.WORLDWIDEWHOLESALE.COM
