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Berkeley Heights, NJ Real Estate News

By Maria Couto, Realtor with "Results That "MOVE" You'
(RE/MAX Premier)
Prospective buyers commonly have a contingency in their contracts that calls for a satisfactory house inspection in order for the deal to go through.  If so, sellers can make this inevitability work to their advantage by engaging the services of a professional house inspector prior to placing their properties on the market.  By offering the report to prospective buyers, sellers can provide a degree of reassurance that my help facilitate a sale.  In the meantime, sellers should take the time to accompany house inspectors during their inspections.  This can prove to be a very enlightening experience that may help sellers recognize problems and develop the best strategies for dealing with with them.Getting a house inspection report before listing a home on the market shows faith to prospec...
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By Maria Couto, Realtor with "Results That "MOVE" You'
(RE/MAX Premier)
Some media folks show little reluctance in using terms such as "boom" "bust" and "bubble" when referring to the real estate market.  To be sure, real estate in many areas has exhiteted considerable run up  prices. It is also an immutable law of nature that gravity will, at some point, exert its influence on anything that soars too high.  On the other hand the word "bust" and "bubble" seem to be more descriptive of a 1929-style stock market crash than a correction in real estate prices.  After all, a home is a tangible asset that represents more inherent value that a mere piece of speculative paper.  It is best to take emotion out of home buying and selling. Granted it is a hard thing to do.Don't be deterred from buying or selling a home because of all the media attention to the "housing...
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By Maria Couto, Realtor with "Results That "MOVE" You'
(RE/MAX Premier)
Today's sellers have more reasons than ever to enlist the services of an agent. One way that experienced agents know how to sell a home in a tough market without reducing its price is to offer an interest-rate buy-down on the buyers mortgage.  With a typical 2/1 buy-down, the buyer gets a rate that is two percentage points below market rate for the first year of the loan.  During the secondly year, the rate is one point lower. After that, the rate reverts to the market rate in effect the time of the settlement.  This way, the seller can help the buyer better afford his or her home for less that it would cost to reduce the price. A seller can also offer to pay the buyers points at closing as further inducement to buy his or her home.The market for sellers is not as hot as it was a couple...
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By Maria Couto, Realtor with "Results That "MOVE" You'
(RE/MAX Premier)
There are circumstances under which a prospective buyer may want to consider a "tear-down"of a property. Aside from being a popular option in a tight market, in which land and homes are at a premium, tear-downs are attractive to those who desire a new property in an established neighborhood. This form of renewal is not inexpensive. The strategy presumes that real estate will continue to rise in value and that the added cost of demolition and construction will be recouped in time. Certainly there are substandard homes in good locales that are seemingly begging to be torn down. Depending on the area, the plan to purchase a property and tear down the existing structure may make sense. When considering a teardown, check the local jurisdiction for criteria that might have to be met.
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By Maria Couto, Realtor with "Results That "MOVE" You'
(RE/MAX Premier)
The vast reach of the Internet has given many home sellers the misguided impression that they sell their houses on their own without an agent.  There is even the belief that FSBO's (For Sale By Owner) are more profitable than agent-backed sale because they cut out the middleman.  However there is more to selling a home profitably than merely advertising it.  According to the National Association of Realtors, Home sellers who avail themselves of the services of a real estate agent realize 16 percent more for their homes than those who sell on their own.  Its ironic that people who chose to sell their homes by themselves without professional assistance generally make less money overall in the sale.  This is because there are many hidden expenses in the process of selling, and because the ...
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By Maria Couto, Realtor with "Results That "MOVE" You'
(RE/MAX Premier)
While the size of the average American family is shrinking the desire for larger homes to accommodate them is growing. In fact, nationally the average household size has shrunk to about 2.6 people since 1990, whereas the size of the average house grew by nearly 400 square feet t(2,434 square feet) during the same time period.  One in five American houses now has at least five bedrooms, while only one house in six have five bedrooms in 1990. What is driving this space race is not so much the number of people in the home as the utility of these rooms.  Today, fueled by technology, extra rooms are used as media rooms, offices and dens. Most buyers prefer homes with a least two and half bathrooms, if not three.  Two garages have become a minimum. Due to large inventory on the market, lower ...
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By Barbara Mulcahy, ABR, CRS - Your Berkeley Heights Real Estate Source
(Re/Max Integrity Advantage)
As reported in The Independent Press Sept. 19, 2007Residents are reminded that the fall chipping program will begin in Section 5 and end in Section 4.  Braches must be placed at curbside prior to the first scheduled date of pick up in the particular sections.  Brush should be placed in neat piles at curbside with the large diameter cut ends towards the street.  The largest branches should be limited to four inches in diamete, while short branches (under two feet) will not be accepted.  Section 1 - September 17 - 21Section 2 - September 24 - 28Section 3 - October 1 - 5Section 4 - October 8 - 12Prepared by:Barbara MulcahyRE/MAX Classic Group908-898-0800http://www.sellwithmulcahy.com/ BMulcahy@ClassicNJ.comServing: Berkeley Heights, Cranford, Mountainside, New Providence, Scotch Plains, Su...
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By Jane Nicastro-Disch Warren NJ, NJ Estates Real Estate Group of Weichert Realtors
(Weichert Realtors)
BERKELEY HEIGHTS NEW JERSEY TOWN & SCHOOL REPORTS        Berkeley HeightsBerkeley Heights is situated adjacent to Watchung, New Providence, Summit, Chatham and Long Hill Townships and enjoys an historic past dating back prior to the American Revolution. Berkeley, one of the two early proprietors who jointly held all of New Jersey by land grant and, "Heights", from the hilly section of the township.The first European settler was Peter Willcox, who received a 424-acre land grant in 1720. Mr. Willcox built a grist and lumber mill. In 1845, his heirs sold the mill to David Felt, a paper manufacturer from New York, who built a small village called Feltville around the mill. General Information Incorporated:Population:Area:County:Websites:Worship189911,9806.2 Sq. Mi.Unionhttp://berkeley-heigh...
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By Sean Carroll, Real Estate Speaker and "Expert" Coach
(The Get Off Your A$$ Academy)
There are currently 82 single family homes on market for sale in Berkeley Heights NJ. These numbers have remained fairly constant over the past month.Although prices have trended lower or remained flat, Berkeley Heights still remains an appealing option for many buyers, which has enabled homes to sell quickly if they are priced properly. Multiple offers are still a possiblity for competetively priced homes. However, with so many new listings, I expect days on market to rise for homes that are priced too high.There were 13 properties that closed in July in Berkeley Heights,  which is the same as July and the average selling price was $711,538 and the average days on market was 70, which is up slightly from 54 last month. (according to Garden State MLS Statistics)Prepared By:Sean Carroll ...
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By Sean Carroll, Real Estate Speaker and "Expert" Coach
(The Get Off Your A$$ Academy)
BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ-Sean Carroll, team leader of The Carroll Team at RE/MAX Classic Group in Berkeley Heights, NJ recently returned from attending the top educational opportunity offered in the real estate industry, the STAR POWERÒ Annual Conference. Presented by internationally acclaimed educator and trainer, Howard Brinton, this Conference brought together over 1,800 of the most progressive, forward-thinking professionals in real estate today to share their methods of success. The faculty consisted of 170 of the continent's top-producing real estate professionals, all ranking in the top 1% of all REALTORSâ in North America.Sean Carroll a REALTORâ with RE/MAX Classic Group had this to say about the experience: "This Conference and the STAR POWERÒ Systems have armed me with the best to...
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By Jane Nicastro-Disch Warren NJ, NJ Estates Real Estate Group of Weichert Realtors
(Weichert Realtors)
BERKELEY HEIGHTSLittle Flower Catholic Church310 Plainfield Ave,Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922(908) 665-9710 Diamond Hill United Methodist105 Diamond Hill Rd,Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922(908) 464-1807Faith Chapel172 Springfield Ave,Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922(908) 464-5920Mountain Ridge Bible Chapel763 Mountain Ave,Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922(908) 464-2678Union Village United Methodist1130 Mountain Ave,Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922(908) 647-2120United Methodist Church96 Ferndale Dr,Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922(908) 464-9760Westminster Presbyterian Church725 Mountain Ave,Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922(908) 464-9400 
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By Jane Nicastro-Disch Warren NJ, NJ Estates Real Estate Group of Weichert Realtors
(Weichert Realtors)
The OTTEAU REPORT NEW JERSEY HOUSING MARKET STILL STRUGGLING TO FIND BALANCE POINT The results of our latest analysis indicate that contract-sales activity declined by 5% in June, continuing a pattern of inconsistent sales pace. Following 3 consecutive months of increasing sales activity in January, February and March, sales declined in April, then increased in May, only to decline again in June. This uneven performance is evidence that the market has yet to regain its balance and continues to struggle with the effects of diminished affordability following the unprecedented home price increases that occurred between 1992 and 2005. From an inventory perspective, while the number of unsold homes continued to rise in June, that increase occurred at a slower pace than in the 4 preceding mon...
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By Juliet Johnson, Jacksonville Photography & Digital Marketing
(Vizzitopia)
This was a fun one.  An estate sale.  A postwar split with some furniture already in place.Our briefHip the place up to tempt first time buyers.The ResultsIt's been sold not once, but 3 times!It turned out that the coffee table is a well-respected vintage piece....  and so was the end table,        With Ikea's silver bowl and bright, bright green potpourri, plus some edgy magazines under the glass, we had something that was much more fun that those sofas deserved! Here's the kitchen - a mix of vintage and mod -         Curious how far 3 dishtowels will go, huh?  And the Master... not much to work with, but we punched it up some.        Ikea for the Euro-shams, pillows I made of cobalt raw silk with bright green beaded trim and the sarong I wore at the greek island in the picture.  First...
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By Sean Carroll, Real Estate Speaker and "Expert" Coach
(The Get Off Your A$$ Academy)
There are currently 79 single family homes on market for sale in Berkeley Heights NJ. These numbers have remained fairly constant over the past month.Although prices have trended lower, Berkeley Heights still remains an appealing option for many buyers, which has enabled homes to sell quickly if they are priced properly. Multiple offers are still a possiblity for competetively priced homes. However, with so many new listings, I expect days on market to rise for homes that are priced too high.There were 26 properties that closed in June in Berkeley Heights, and the average selling price was $598,981 and the average days on market was 59. (according to Garden State MLS Statistics)Prepared By:Sean Carroll - RealtorRE/MAX Classic GroupServing Cranford, Westfield, Garwood, Berkeley Heights, ...
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By Maria Couto, Realtor with "Results That "MOVE" You'
(RE/MAX Premier)
Sellers my be largely unaware of one of the most useful services that real estate agents can provide them.  This work, which goes on behind the scenes involves increasing the awareness of their clients properties to other agents who may have potential buyers.  Essentially, this amounts to a public relations effort, the goal of which is to disseminate as much informations as possible to as many potentially interested parties as possible.  It also helps for an agent to stress the most appealing features of a client's property with the intention of garnering interest.  Houses that are "talked up" to other agents have the best chance of selling a result that always tends to be noticed.  Networking provides real estate agents with one of their most effective home-selling tools.
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By Maria Couto, Realtor with "Results That "MOVE" You'
(RE/MAX Premier)
Not only to prospective buyers often experience difficulty keeping track of all the facts they are given, they sometimes do not get all the facts.  Either way, sellers have every reason to distribute fact sheets" to anyone interested in their property.  These informative brochures provide prospective buyers with facts about square footage, mechanical systems, taxes, schools, and other aspects of the home.  Aside from anticipating and answering their questions, the fact sheet remains with the prospective buyers as a useful reminder. With a picture and all the necessary information at their fingertips, prospective buyers can lieve  with a concise idea of the home they visited that day, as well a a record of whom to contact about their interest.  Fact sheets are a great idea for helping pr...
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By Maria Couto, Realtor with "Results That "MOVE" You'
(RE/MAX Premier)
The average buyer retains only about 60 percent of the information that he or she sees and hears about a home's features when house hunting.  With this in mind prospective buyers are encouraged to use digital cameras and cell phones with picture-taking capabilities to keep a photographic record of what they see. At day's end, this will help them make better sense of the homes they have just seen and make comparisons.  Beyond that, buyers should take a tape measure with them.  One of the first things house hunters like to asses is whether or not their present furniture will fit inside a home in which they are seriously interested.  Bring a notebook for taking notes, as well.Sellers can help jog prospective buyers' memories by giving them all the information they need about their home in ...
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By Maria Couto, Realtor with "Results That "MOVE" You'
(RE/MAX Premier)
If you are going about the business of selling your home, you should understand that most prospective buyers don't have the funds or inclination to spend money on exterior improvements right away. Thus, they maybe more likely to reject a property if they perceive that it will immediately require more money and energy than they are able to put into it.It is in the seller's best interests, therefore to make the repairs and perform the maintenance that will make their homes all the more appealing to prospective buyers. In most cases, dollars spent on painting the exterior of the house and improving the landscaping will yield a big return in terms of a sale and a return in investment.Exterior improvements not only increase the price of a house, but they also attract more interest and lead t...
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By Maria Couto, Realtor with "Results That "MOVE" You'
(RE/MAX Premier)
If your thinking of installing an in-ground swimming pool in your back yard, or if you already have one you should have realistic expectations about how this feature will affect the sale of your home. In areas in which it is regarded as something of a necessity, a pool is likely to increase the value of a home.  In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, a pool increases the value of a home in the Southwest by 11% on average. Elsewhere, the returns are mixed,  If a prospective buyer is a fitness devotee, a pool may be an attractive feature that helps sell a house.  In other cases, prospective buyers may be put off by maintenance and insurance costsl  If you are wondering how a swimming pool will affect the sale price of your home, Call Me, I am an expert on the local re...
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By Sean Carroll, Real Estate Speaker and "Expert" Coach
(The Get Off Your A$$ Academy)
There are currently 79 single family homes on market for sale in Berkeley Heights NJ. These numbers have risen over the past month, as at the end of March, there were only 57 homes on the market. Although prices have trended lower, Berkeley Heights still remains an appealing option for many buyers, which has enabled homes to sell quickly if they are priced properly. Multiple offers are still a possiblity for competetively priced homes. However, with so many new listings, I expect days on market to rise for homes that are priced too high.There were 12 properties that closed in March in Berkeley Heights, and the average selling price was $597,445 and the average days on market was 61. (according to Garden State MLS Statistics)Prepared By:Sean Carroll - RealtorRE/MAX Classic GroupServing C...
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