Joe Cafasso's (cafassoj) Blog

Today is October 17th, I just paid $2.91 a gallon for gas. All of my friends and family still have their jobs, and I'm not planning on touching my 401k for another 30+ years so I'm not really worried about my retirement. I would say 90% of people reading this blog are in the same position that I ...

At 9:30 I went to CNN.COM to check the headlines and saw that the stock market was down 204 points. I refreshed at 10:15 and the market dropped another 100 points. Now, at 11:00 it's down 497 points. I sit hear and listen to other Real Estate agents doom and gloom and can't help but point somethi...

I'm by no means and economist or a politician, however, I'm watching Glenn Beck tonight trying to get my mind around the Senate's proposed bailout program. They just went over several different "add on" features which ranged from loans for Rum distillers in the Virgin Islands to tax credits for r...

I work with many builders and investors who look to purchase land. For the past 3 years, I've noticed an increasing trend that is very concerning. As a realtor, when I list a piece of land, I am able to classify it as either raw land or an approved building lot. By definition, a raw land is a pie...

To piggyback off of my last blog, I have been contemplating a 30 day listing package over the last few days. This listing package would allow motivated sellers to be showcased to buyers who are looking to purchase a home quickly. I found a link on a website which I think is great! Click on the li...

I'm sitting here watching the Tom Cruise Movie "The Last Samurai" and I'm thinking a lot about honor and "dying on your sword" when you know you're defeated. You may ask what this has to do with Real Estate. Right now, we are all like the last group of Samurai, outnumbered and over powered by ove...

Staging Your Home   With so much competition in the Real Estate market right now, you have to make your home stand out! Some small changes that can make your buyer feel right at home.Make sure you have an appealing approach to your home.Clear away any debris. ( Dead leaves, plantings)Edge the gra...

First StepCongratulations on your decision to purchase a new home. Your first step toward buying your new home will be to analyze your needs. By analyzing your needs you will be able to get a clear picture of exactly what you want your new home to look like and how it should function for you. Fir...

As a full time Real Estate agent, EVERYONE I talk to has the same question... How is the Market? I am asked this question while doing listing presentations, at open houses, even out having a cocktail at the local bar.No matter how many times I am asked about the market, I can never think of a goo...

Preapproval vs Praqualification Now that you have your list of features you want in your new home, you are ready to start looking! Well, not just yet. You are going to need to know in what price range to look. There are two ways to go about this. You can get prequalified or preapproved for a mort...