Special offer

Westfield, NJ Real Estate News

By Scott Gleason, CRS, Westfield NJ New Homes Specialist
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Spring is a great time to buy a Westfield home. Over two dozen luxury homes are currently active. Several of them entered the Westfield marketplace within the last 30 days. If you're interested in purchasing a new property, now's the time. Find out what's going on in our neighborhood by reading the Westfield Area Market Report for March 2018 below.Westfield Area Market Report - March 2018Active Westfield Luxury Homes for Sale According to the Garden State MLS, a total of 25 luxury Westfield homes are currently on the market. Twelve of these are newly constructed homes, with 11 properties coming up for sale in the last 30 days. These include a custom North Side colonial, a new Tower Homes colonial, and a center hall colonial to name a few. Most recently, I had three sellers list their pr...
Comments 0
By Scott Gleason, CRS, Westfield NJ New Homes Specialist
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
The deadline to file your income taxes in 2018 is April 17th. Did you sell a home in 2017? You might be able to take advantage of certain Westfield home sale tax deductions when filing this year. If you haven't filed yet, it's not too late to discuss these with your tax attorney or accountant.Westfield Home Sale Tax DeductionsMortgage Interest and Property Taxes Two of the Westfield home sale tax deductions you can take advantage of right now are mortgage interest and property taxes. Anything you paid for either one of these in 2017 can be deducted on your taxes. The new tax code caps mortgage interest at anything paid up for up to $750,000 in mortgage debt and $10,000 in property taxes. However, the old limits (interest paid on up to $1,000,000 in mortgage debt and unlimited for proper...
Comments 0
By Scott Gleason, CRS, Westfield NJ New Homes Specialist
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
For a successful home sale, you need to market it correctly. This includes staging your home to appeal to as many buyers as possible. One area that needs your attention the most when staging is the exterior of your home. Poor curb appeal might turn potential buyers away. If you increase your Westfield curb appeal, then you'll increase your appeal to Westfield buyers. How to Increase Your Westfield Curb AppealPaint Unless your home's exterior is completely rundown, you won't have to spend the time or money involved with painting the entire house. Instead, concentrate on the trim, shutters, front porch railing, and mailbox. A fresh coat in a color that coordinates with the main house color makes a world of difference in the appearance of your property. And this chore can be done in one we...
Comments 0
By Scott Gleason, CRS, Westfield NJ New Homes Specialist
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
As the deadline to file taxes looms near, Westfield homeowners look for ways to alleviate some of their tax burdens. Westfield home values have steadily risen over the last few years. Many Westfield homeowners took out a home equity loan for various projects and expenses. Did you? If so, you might be able to write off the interest paid on that loan. However, you'll need to know the difference between home equity debt and acquisition debt first. The IRS treats these loans very differently. Home Equity Debt vs Acquisition DebtHome Equity Debt When home values go up, Westfield homeowners utilize their newfound equity for a wide variety of reasons. One of your kids started college. Another one's getting married. You want to take a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. You're interested in starting a...
Comments 0
By Scott Gleason, CRS, Westfield NJ New Homes Specialist
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
The national ranking company Niche recently released their "Best" lists for each state across the country. Westfield made their Top 10 List of "Best Places to Live in New Jersey". Our great schools, extremely low crime rate, entertainment options, and family-friendly atmosphere helped us rank in the upper echelon. Why Westfield Made the Top 10 List of Best Places to Live in New JerseyNiche gathers data from trusted sites like the Department of Education, FBI, and the US Census Bureau. They also send out millions of questionnaires to local residents around the US. Then, they analyze the answers to these questions as well as the data gathered from official sources. This helps them determine each city's rankings. Westfield ranked #10 on Niche's "Best Places to Live in New Jersey" list base...
Comments 0
By Scott Gleason, CRS, Westfield NJ New Homes Specialist
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
There are many pre-listing tasks every seller should undertake before putting their home on the market. Decluttering, packing up, and staging, are just a few of the chores on the list. If you want to make your Westfield home sale a success, follow these simple steps. How to Make Your Westfield Home Sale a SuccessPrice Your Home According to the Current Market First, let's talk money. Pricing tops the list of importance for most buyers. Price it too low, you risk losing money. However, price it too high and you risk losing buyers' interest. It's imperative that you price it according to how the market currently values it. How do you know what that magic number is? That's where your Westfield REALTOR's@ knowledge and expertise comes in to play. Not only can they run a Comparative Market A...
Comments 0
By Scott Gleason, CRS, Westfield NJ New Homes Specialist
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
After some deliberation, you've decided to sell your Westfield home. When marketing to today's buyers, you need to make sure they can picture your home as their home. To do so, you're going to need to stage it properly. That's where a professional staging company comes in handy. They know how to arrange each room of your house to maximize the positives and minimize the negatives. But, not all home stagers are created equal. To find the right one, ask your Westfield home stager these five questions. What to Ask Your Westfield Home StagerHow Long Do Your Westfield Area Homes Typically Stay on the Market? Ideally, you want a Westfield home stager whose homes typically sell in 30 days or less. If your home is still on the market after 30 days, you may need to reduce your price to drive up i...
Comments 0
By Scott Gleason, CRS, Westfield NJ New Homes Specialist
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Selling your Westfield home involves several crucial steps. First, you need to find the right Westfield REALTOR@. Then, you need to determine an appropriate list price. After you hold open houses and/or private viewings, you'll accept an offer from a buyer and open escrow. At some point, an appraisal will be performed. This determines your home's fair market value and can make or break a home's sale. Here's what you need to know about the Westfield home appraisal process.The Westfield Home Appraisal ProcessAppraisal vs Inspection First things first, a Westfield home appraisal is not the same thing as a home inspection. An inspector physically assesses your home and its systems to make sure everything is in good working order. They look for possible maintenance issues and point out poten...
Comments 1
By Scott Gleason, CRS, Westfield NJ New Homes Specialist
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
The Westfield luxury real estate market started the year off with a flurry of activity. Whisperings of interest rate hikes could influence more buyers to look for homes earlier in the year. So, putting your Westfield home on the market now could be more profitable than waiting. But today's buyers differ from those of yesterday. Marketing your Westfield home in 2018 means catering to specific types of buyers and their tastes.Marketing Your Westfield Home in 2018Showcase Your Home's "Smart" Features Most of today's buyers search out "smart homes". When marketing your Westfield home in 2018, you should showcase any "smart" features you have. Do you utilize an Amazon Echo ("Alexa") or Google Home system ("Hey, Google.")? Good. If not, you might want to invest in one. Buyers want to know tha...
Comments 0
By Scott Gleason, CRS, Westfield NJ New Homes Specialist
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
There's been a flurry of activity in the Westfield luxury home market since the beginning of the year. Several newly constructed homes entered the market in the last 30 days. A few more are under contract. If you're in the market for a new home, now's the time to buy. Read on for a breakdown of the Westfield Area Market Report for January 2018.Westfield Area Market Report for January 2018Active Westfield Luxury Homes for Sale in January 2018 The Garden State MLS reported a total of 21 active Westfield luxury home listings. New construction made up more than 70%. Eleven of these entered the market within the last 30 days. NCN Properties has a custom colonial currently under construction that hit the market 15 days ago. Thirteen days ago, two custom colonials by Villane Construction were ...
Comments 3
By Scott Gleason, CRS, Westfield NJ New Homes Specialist
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
After the boom and subsequent bust of the mid-2000s, the US real estate market hit hard times. Banks tightened their lending standards, making it more difficult for buyers to receive funding for a home purchase. But that all seems to be behind us. A stronger economy, low unemployment, and high consumer confidence have rallied the market. If you've been on the fence about selling your house, 2018 might be the year to make it happen. But don't wait too long. You're going to want to sell your Westfield home sooner rather than later. Why Sell Your Westfield Home Now?Rates Remain Low...for Now While 3% may be a thing of the past, rates remain historically low. Currently, they're in the low 4% range for a 30-year fixed-rate loan. Some financial experts believe we will see rates hit 5% and abo...
Comments 1
By Scott Gleason, CRS, Westfield NJ New Homes Specialist
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
You've decided to sell your Westfield home. One of the tips I previously wrote about to sell it quickly is to let it show. By that, I mean that you need to be willing to let people come look at it at any time. This could take the form of a scheduled open house or private showings. If you prepare for your Westfield open house or a private tour now, it could help alleviate any last-minute stress they might cause.How to Prepare for Your Westfield Open HouseA Clean Home is a Sold HomeIt should go without saying, but the first step in preparing for your Westfield open house is to make sure everything is spotless. Carpets, upholstery, drapes, etc. should be deep cleaned, especially if smokers or pets reside in your home. Clear off the countertops in your kitchen and bathroom. Empty all your t...
Comments 0
By Scott Gleason, CRS, Westfield NJ New Homes Specialist
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
The usual rule of thinking is to lower your asking price when your Westfield home isn't seeing much traffic. But that isn't necessarily the right thing to do in all situations. Several factors help determine how to price your home appropriately for the market. Sometimes, that may mean actually raising your price even after you've had it on the market for a little while. When should you think about increasing your Westfield asking price after listing? When the following scenarios arise.Increasing Your Westfield Asking Price After ListingChanges in the Local Market The real estate market is in constant flux. Sometimes it's up. Sometimes it's down. But, rarely does it stand still. If the Westfield real estate market in your neighborhood has changed since you first listed your property, you...
Comments 1
By Scott Gleason, CRS, Westfield NJ New Homes Specialist
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
The Westfield tax assessment appeal season is coming soon. In fact, the first quarter is when Westfield homeowners can file their appeals. I've seen so many people whose own homes would be more attractive to buyers if the property taxes were lower. By the same token, I've also seen many buyers who would be able to afford more "home" if the property taxes were lower. That peaked my interest in the whole tax appeal process. I've even appealed my own taxes and currently benefit from that. Since the Westfield tax assessment appeal season opens up on Monday, I wanted to share with you what I've learned about the process. Helpful Westfield Tax Assessment Appeal Info Back in February of this year, I hosted a free Westfield tax appeal seminar featuring Jennifer Jacobus, Esq. She handles these k...
Comments 0
By Scott Gleason, CRS, Westfield NJ New Homes Specialist
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
New year, new tax code. Late last week, President Trump signed a bill overhauling the tax system. It goes into effect beginning next Monday, January 1st. Many people are still scrambling to determine how it affects them. You definitely need to talk to your tax attorney, CPA, or financial adviser to see what impact the changes will have on you. Even though we have less than a week before 2018 begins, there are still things you can do now that could save you money on your 2017 Westfield taxes.Ways to Save Money on Your 2017 Westfield Taxes NowPay January's Mortgage TodayOne of the quickest ways to affect your 2017 Westfield taxes is to make an extra mortgage payment this month. The standard deduction doubles beginning January 1st, 2018. If you itemize, this may cost you. By paying January...
Comments 0
By Scott Gleason, CRS, Westfield NJ New Homes Specialist
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Selling your Westfield home during the winter presents itself with certain obstacles we don't experience any other time of the year. First, there's the weather. Fewer buyers are willing to trudge through the snow and freezing temperatures to look at homes. Then, there are the holidays. With just nine shopping days until Christmas and 16 days until New Year's Eve, everyone's running around preparing for parties and presents. Follow these tips for a quick Westfield home sale and you'll be able to tick that off your "to do" list in no time.Tips for a Quick Westfield Home SaleDeep CleaningFirst and foremost, in order to achieve a quick Westfield home sale, you'll need to clean your home from top to bottom. Everything needs to be cleaned, including baseboards, cupboards, drawers, appliances,...
Comments 2
By Scott Gleason, CRS, Westfield NJ New Homes Specialist
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Winter is officially upon us. As snow falls upon our community, the Westfield real estate market begins to slow. With Christmas just over two weeks away, our focus turns to shopping for gifts rather than shopping for houses. That doesn't mean buyers aren't out there looking. But, if you're selling a home right now, you'll see fewer people showing up at your door. The November 2017 Westfield Area Market Report shows that the market has begun to wind down for the year. November 2017 Westfield Area Market ReportActive Westfield Luxury Homes for Sale in November 2017The Garden State MLS reported a total of 24 active Westfield homes on the market. Of those, 15 were newly constructed or were in the process of building built. Fourteen of them hit the market in the last 30 days. One of the acti...
Comments 1
By Scott Gleason, CRS, Westfield NJ New Homes Specialist
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Putting your Westfield home on the market can feel daunting, especially during the hustle and bustle of the holidays. But it doesn't have to be an overwhelming process. Follow these simple steps for your Westfield home sale and you'll do just fine. Countdown to a Westfield Home Sale: What to Do FirstHire a REALTOR@When refinishing furniture or painting a room, doing it yourself may be a great plan. But, when it comes to a Westfield home sale, leave it to the pros. Ask your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers for references for REALTORS@ in your area. Once you compile a list of names, set up interviews with each. Talk to them about their experience, knowledge of the area, and how often they keep in touch. When you find someone that fits with your personality and requirements, that...
Comments 0
By Scott Gleason, CRS, Westfield NJ New Homes Specialist
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
Next Thursday, millions of families across the country sit down to enjoy a sumptuous feast and express thanks for the many blessings they received over the past year. After the turkey and all its trimmings get put away, then it's time to start planning Christmas. There's no better place to start than the Westfield Area Y Men's Club 2017 Christmas Tree Lot.What: Westfield Area Y Men's Club 2017 Christmas Tree LotWhere: 200 Elm St, Westfield, NJWhen: Nov 25th to Dec 23rd, 5 pm to 9 pm Monday-Friday, 9 am to 6 pm Sat & SunContact: Westfield Area Y Men's Club Facebook page, contact via emailWestfield Area Y Men's Club 2017 Christmas Tree Lot Beginning the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Westfield Area Y Men's Club 2017 Christmas Tree Lot is open for business. The lot stays open seven days ...
Comments 0
By Scott Gleason, CRS, Westfield NJ New Homes Specialist
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
You've been wanting to make a change. Your Westfield home's value increased since you bought it. Maybe your kids flew the coop and you don't need as much space. Perhaps the opposite is true. Your family has outgrown your current housing situation. But before you can move on, you must sell your current property. For this week's Westfield seller tip, learn how to price your home to sell. What's My Westfield Home Worth?First, you should find out what your Westfield home's worth. Several real estate search sites like Zillow and Trulia provide an estimated home value along with the address and asking price. However, these can be way off the mark in terms of the real market value. Instead, visit my Find Your Home's Value page here. Enter your home's address. Then, add your email address and s...
Comments 1