The incredible amount of snow this winter has not put a damper on activity in the Millburn-Short Hills real estate market.

There are currently 78 homes actively listed for sale, according to Garden State MLS, and 16 of them just came on the market since the beginning of January. Last year in January, there were four new homes added to the “active” roster. This is a strong indication that sellers are regaining a confidence in the marketplace after having waited out the recent downturn. Home values have inched up year-over-year and there is hope 2011 will continue the trend.

Buyers are still found in abundance, whereas interest rates continue to be low. There are 25 homes under contract and five since the new year started.

The following is a summary of what sold this past month (January 1-27):

• 8 River La. – Colonial - 3 Bed/1.5 Bath - $545,000
• 42 Cypress St. - Colonial - 3 Bed/3.5 Bath - $515,000
• 111A Millburn Ave. - Duplex - 4 Bed/2.5 Bath - $500,000
• 30 Southern Slope Dr. - Colonial - 3 Bed/1.5 Bath - $590,000
• 1 North Brook Dr. - Cape Cod - 4 Bed/2 Bath - $636,000
• 110 Hobart Ave. - Cape Cod - 3 Bed/2 Bath - $736,000
• 47 Glen Ave. - Colonial - 5 Bed/4.5 Bath - $820,000
• 58 Elmwood Pl. - Colonial - 3 Bed/2 Full & 2 Half Bath - $781,100
• 9 Winding Way - Colonial - 4 Bed/2.5 Bath - $853,091
• 54 Wellington Ave. - Colonial - 4 Bed/3 Full & 2 Half Bath - $816,000
• 35 Robert Dr. - Raised Ranch - 4 Bed/3.5 Bath - $899,000
• 406 Hobart Ave. - Colonial - 5 Bed/4.5 Bath - $1,150,000
• 77 Slope Dr. - Expanded Ranch - 4 Bed/3.5 Bath - $1,125,000
• 5 N. Pond Dr. - Expanded Ranch - 4 Bed/3.5 Bath - $1,634,000
• 10 Garden Ct. - Custom - 5 Bed/4 Full & 2 Half Bath - $1,737,500

When your house no longer suits you, you have two choices—move or remodel. Find out which big change is the right investment of your housing dollars.

Just about everything—remodeling costs, the hassle of living in a construction zone or the ability to live happily without one more bathroom—is a personal preference. After all, your home isn’t just your largest investment; it’s also the place where your family lives.

Will remodeling make your home better than everyone else’s?

To make the right move-or-remodel decision, you have to know:

• Your home’s value. Easy. Just ask a real estate agent to estimate it and tell you how it compares with the value of the other homes in your immediate neighborhood. Also, ask what your house is likely to be worth after the improvements.

• Your neighbors’ home value. Go to neighborhood open houses. Seeing the inside of local homes will inspire and help you make good choices about finishes, room sizes and how much to spend.

• Your remodeling costs. Once you’ve got your renovation vision, get a quote from a home improvement contractor or, if you’re remodeling it yourself, tally the costs of the items on your supplies shopping list.

Then add the remodeling costs to the value of your home. If the number you get is more than 10 percent above the average value of homes in your neighborhood, you’re over-improving and probably won’t be able to sell for what you put into the remodel.

Here’s why: No one wants to buy the most expensive home on the block (your home) if they can spend the same money to get a similar home on a block of higher-priced homes. Would you pay $850,000 to live on a block where all the other homes are valued at $675,000? Probably not.

Make home improvements that are typical for the neighborhood. Granite countertops aren’t necessary if the neighborhood doesn’t warrant it  just as laminate countertops in a Trump Tower condo wouldn’t be appropriate. Your tour of open houses gives you a chance to verify that your planned remodel isn’t an over-or under-improvement for the neighborhood.

Do you love where you live?

Review the pros and cons of your current location. Do you want to keep your children in the same school district but can’t find or afford a bigger, better house? Love the neighbors? Have an easy commute to work? Then stay put. If you’ve soured on the traffic, the neighborhood’s crime rate or the nosy neighbors, then moving on might be the best option.

 Do you have room to expand?

If your remodeling plans include increasing the overall size of your home, the size of your lot may be the deciding factor in whether to move or remodel. If you live in a 1,500-square-foot ranch on a 3,000-square-foot lot, you might be able to add a second story to turn it into a 3,000 square-foot, two-story home. But you’re not likely to add 1,500 square feet at ground level. And if you have a septic tank and well, the location of those will limit how and where you add onto your home (or cost you a bundle to move). It is important to check with your town hall on building possibilities for your particular property (setback requirements or other local ordinances).

 Can you afford to move?

Consider these moving costs: sale costs for your existing home, moving your household goods, buying window treatments and possibly furniture for the new house, costs to fix up your existing home before sale, higher utility costs (if your next house is bigger), insurance cost differences and property taxes.