Self-employed? 5 steps to help you get a mortgage - MSN Real Estate

Self-employed? 5 steps to help you get a mortgage - MSN Real Estate

Self-employed? 5 steps to help you get a mortgage - MSN Real Estate

Self-employed? 5 steps to help you get a mortgage - MSN Real Estate

5 Amazing Moments From the London Olympics

Slideshows and Photos Across the Internet Are Commemorating the Event

Nielsen Ratings reported that nearly 220 million Americans tuned in to the Olympics — making it the most watched event in US TV history.

The photo that gold medal winner Jordan Burroughs tweeted on Saturday is being talked about as the image that is worth more than a thousand words — a picture of him and Sadegh Goudarzi, the Iranian wrestler Burroughs beat to take the gold, hugging each other.

Then there’s Michael Phelps, who has won a mind-boggling and record-setting 22 medals — 18 of which are gold. In fact, if he were a country, he would land in the top 60 countries with the most medals, while on the list of most gold medals he would be at #36!

Photo from “With One Last Gold, Phelps Caps Career That Inspired a Generation” The New York Times

London prides itself on its pomp and circumstance — and the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics were no exception, as can be seen by the extraordinary fireworks display during the finale.

Photo from “Top Photos” on London2012.com

It’s been called “Morgan’s Miracle” — after the US womens soccer player Abby Wambach took the game against Canada into overtime, Alex Morgan scored the winning goal with just 30 seconds to spare. Three days later, the team defeated Japan and took the gold.

Photo from “Fresh Faces: U.S. Soccer Star Alex Morgan” on NBCOlympics.com

And of course, this year’s Olympics was also about watching the watchers — the newly minted Duke and Duchess of Cambridge most particularly.

Photo from “Where Are The Royals Today?” On NBCOlympics.com

For more fantastic images and stories, check out these sites:

• London 2012 Pictures of the Day on The New York Times
• Stunning Images From London Olympics Finale on Huffington Post
• Olympic Slideshows on NBCOlympics.com
• Photos and Galleries on London2012.com
• London 2012 on Olympic.org

Thought You'd be Interested

Thought You'd be Interested

5 Books Everyone Is Reading This Summer

If You Haven’t Heard of “Gone Girl” Yet, You Will

1. “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn

Possibly the hottest book of the summer, “Gone Girl” tells the tale of a missing wife in a disintegrating marriage. The Wall Street Journal called the book “compulsively readable” and Reese Witherspoon has already snapped up the rights to produce and star in the film version.

2. “Most Talkative: Stories from the front lines of pop culture” by Andy Cohen

Even for those who aren’t “Real Housewives” fans, this book from the franchise’s creator (and Bravo’s executive vice-president of development and talent) Andy Cohen is sure to offer a few chuckles. A meandering through the path Cohen has been on since his early days watching “Charlie’s Angels” and “All My Children,” “Most Talkative” is chock full of celebrity anecdotes, pop culture mishaps and even an underlying thread of what it takes to make it in showbiz.

3. “11/22/63: A Novel” by Stephen King

If you’re looking forward to the movie “Looper,” this book should be right up your alley. “One of the best time-travel stories since H. G. Wells” (The New York Times), Stephen King’s “11/22/63: A Novel” should also keep you busy for a while — it’s nearly 900 pages long.

4. “Dead End in Norvelt” by Jack Gantos

Set in the 1960s, “Dead End in Norvelt,” a young adult novel, won this year’s Newbery Medal for children’s literature. The American Library Assn., which awards the prize, called the book “an achingly funny romp through a dingy New Deal town.”

5. “The Uninvited Guests” by Sadie Jones

What happens when an upper class British family gathered for a birthday celebration must open its doors to the straggling third-class survivors of a nearby train wreck? When the story is set in 1912 and is told by the masterful Sadie Jones, the answer is “hang on to your hat” because who knows what’s going to happen next? “The Uninvited Guests” is the story of “an elegant dinner party that turns into a phantasmagorical mashup evoking Noel Coward, Agatha Christie, The Twilight Zone, Downton Abbey and Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.” (NPR)

No Gold Medals For Social Skills

The Olympic spirit may be easier to uphold on the track than online. This week the second athlete was thrown out of the Olympics and sent home after posting disparaging remarks about other competitors to their Twitter account.

Last Wednesday, Greek triple jumper Paraskevi Papachristou was kicked off the team for tweeting negatively about African immigrants in Greece. Shortly after the announcement, the athlete posted an apology to her Facebook page, saying, “I would like to express my heartfelt apologies for the unfortunate and tasteless joke I published on my personal Twitter account. I am very sorry and ashamed for the negative responses I triggered, since I never wanted to offend anyone, or to encroach human rights.” (via The New York Times)

Barely a week later, Michel Morganella, a Swiss soccer player was tossed off his team after tweeting insults about South Koreans the Swiss soccer team lost to South Korea 2-1 on Sunday. Morganella apologized shortly afterwards, as did the head of the Swiss Olympic delegation, who said the remarks “contradict the Olympic charter.”

The immediacy and accessibility of social media can be an instant emotional outlet for joy “We won!”, sadness “I can’t believe MJ is gone”, love “I love Mrs. A” and more — but it’s very immediacy and instant publication can transform one hot-headed, human reaction into an international insult. We have all had those moments of cursing and spewing and venting our frustration when things don’t go our way — until recently, those moments happened in our heads or under our breath. Social media is a powerful knife that can cut both ways — everyone, but especially public figures, might be well advised to count to 10, or maybe 100, before clicking “post.”

5 Infographics To Help You Eat Healthy

1. Eat breakfast and eat less all day

from DishinDietian

2. Shop smarter to eat better

from Supermarket News

3. Exercise this much to burn off that meal

from Nerd Graph

4. Forget the apple — eat these 10 nutrients every day

from Healthy Times Blog

5. What about all those diets?

from Greatist

Avoid these common mistakes when buying a home

Home buying can be a frustrating experience, but choosing a competent real estate agent to guide you through the process will likely save you time and money. Here are some tips to avoid costly mistakes.

1. Get pre-approved BEFORE you start your home search. Pre-approval will give you a realistic price point when viewing potential homes and puts you in a better position to make a serious offer.
2. Research the neighborhood. Learn about crime statistics, schools and amenities within your potential town.
3. Look beyond the décor. Focus on the structure itself, square footage and layout. Look beyond the taste of the current homeowner, and remember you are buying the actual house.
4. Never skip the inspection. Your home is likely the biggest investment you will ever make, a home inspection is necessary to ensure it is a sound structure or at the very least, make you aware of any defects.
5. Give yourself an out. Make sure there are contingencies (such as financing or inspection) in the contract so you can back out of the deal and recoup your deposit.
6. Don’t buy the most expensive house on the block. The lower home values around your property will negatively affect your property's value.
7. Keep resale value in mind. It may be difficult to envision selling a home that you have yet to live in, but remember to consider long-term property value, location and overall mass appeal, when viewing a potential home.

Call your local CENTURY 21® Office for knowledgeable sales professionals to guide you through your home buying experience.

Information acquired through C21 e-newletters.

7 Reasons To Love The Google Nexus 7 Tablet

1. Price

At $199 for a 7” tablet with 8GB of storage, the latest version of Android, and a gorgeous high resolution screen, Google’s Nexus 7 leaves the Kindle Fire ($199) and the Nook ($199) in the dust.

2. Size

With recent rumors swirling about Apple’s upcoming foray into the 7” tablet market (the “iPad mini”?), Clearly consumers like this size — at just over half the square inches of Apple’s iPad, the Nexus 7 is far easier to cart around.

3. Feel

Google got it right with this tablet — It’s light — at 12 oz., it weighs a little more than half the iPad 3 and it’s “grippy” — the back is covered in a friendly rubberized plastic.

4. Speed

Powered by an impressive 1.3GHz quad-core processor and 1GB of RAM , the Nexus posted impressive speed test results, going frame-for-frame-per second in graphics performance with the iPad 3 and beating the iPad in web browser speed and multi-threaded process testing.

5. Performance

The very first tablet to ship with the latest version of Android, Jelly Bean, the Nexus 7 offers significantly improved responsiveness compared to earlier Android versions.

6. User Experience

In addition to streamlining performance, Jelly Bean, the latest version of Android, comes with a more robust notification design — a feature that has been the bane of many tablet makers (and users) and an improved interface, including auto-sizing of icons to fit available space.

7. Display

One word: gorgeous. Other than the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 (which is nearly three times the price of the Nexus 7 at $565 with16GB on Amazon), this is by far the best display available on a 7” tablet — a 1280x800 IPS touchscreen with a pixel density of 216ppi. The iPad 3 with Retina display offers 264 ppi, while the iPad 2 displays at merely 132 ppi.

 

There have been recent reports that the Google Nexus 7 is out of stock — but a quick look on the Google Play site this morning has Google showing that the 8GB tablets are “in stock,” although the 16GB version ($249) says it “ships soon.”

8 Reasons Federer Is The Greatest Tennis Player of All Time

Incredible Records, Facts and Stats About Roger Federer

Roger Federer, file photo. (Credit: Wiki Commons/James Marvin)

He’s polite, handsome, intelligent — and quite possibly the best men’s singles tennis player of all time. A veritable dinosaur on the court at 30 years old, Roger Federer has compiled a stunning resume of accomplishments. And as he proved last Sunday on the great lawns of Wimbledon, he’s not done yet.

This month Federer set a record when he played  in his eighth Wimbledon final. Take a look at eight other amazing accomplishments Federer has achieved so far in his career.

1. Grand Slam titles — 17

Federer has won 17 Majors in nine years — from his first championship win at Wimbledon in 2003 against Mark Philippoussis to his most recent victory at Wimbledon against Andy Murray.

Although he has won five more Grand Slam titles than any other men’s singles player (Roy Emerson won 12); five women’s singles players have racked up more than 17 Majors titles — Margaret Court won 24 between 1960 and 1975, and Steffi Graf won 22 between 1987 and 1999.

2. Grand Slam finals — 24

Federer shattered the previous record for a men’s singles player reaching the Grand Slam finals in his career — Ivan Lendl now runs a distant second with 19 Grand Slam finals.

3. Consecutive weeks at #1 — 237

Federer blew past Jimmy Connors’ record of 160 consecutive weeks ranked as the number one men’s singles player in the world — by more than 77 weeks (from February 2, 2004 to August 17, 2008). His consecutive run at the top spot also surpasses the women’s record of 186 weeks, held by Steffi Graf.

4. Consecutive quadfecta of Grand Slam finals

Federer is the only men’s singles player to reach the finals of all four Majors two years in a row — which he did in 2006 and 2007.

5. Consecutive U.S. Open titles — 5

In tennis’ Open Era (1968 forward), Federer’s five wins from 2004 to 2008 set the record for men’s singles consecutive titles on the courts in Flushing Meadows, NY.

6. Consecutive Wimbledon finals — 7

Federer is the only male player in history to make it to the final round on the green grass in England seven times in a row — he reached the last match on the grass Centre Court each year from 2003 to 2009.

7. Consecutive Grand Slam finals — 10

The 2007 U.S. Open saw Federer play in his tenth Grand Slam final in a row (the streak began in 2005 at Wimbledon) — blasting a pre-Open Era record of seven consecutive Majors finals set more than 70 years previously by Jack Crawford in 1934.

8. Consecutive titles at two different Grand Slams — 5

In 2008, when Federer won his fifth consecutive U.S. Open, he also became the first male player in tennis history to win the title at two different Grand Slams five years in a row — having won Wimbledon from 2003 to 2007, crushing Bjorn Borg’s previous record of four consecutive titles at two Grand Slams (the French Open from 1978 to 1981, and Wimbledon from 1976 to 1980).

Fed also surpassed Borg’s record of winning the same two Grand Slams in consecutive years when he won both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open from 2004-2007. Borg’s record was still an impressive three-year streak winning both the French Open and Wimbledon (from 1978-1980).

 

 

Is the Real Estate Market returning to "Normal"?

The new data from the National Association of Realtors shows that home sales for the past 2 months are on the rise.  Low interest rates and Lower asking prices have first time home buyers making the move. 

What we are finding in this area is that a well priced home is receiving multiple offers shortly after the house comes on the market. The key to selling your home is still pricing for today's market.  The key to a purchase is research the recent sales in the area (your realtor can help you with that) and if the home is listed well make your offer accordingly.  Low Ball offers on a well priced home will be refused.

An experienced agent makes all the difference in the world in making the trasaction go smoothly. 

Thought You'd be Interested

Thought You'd be Interested- Recent sales in North Caldwell

Market conditions dictate list price

When you list your home you want to get the best possible price and that is what your listing agent wants too.  In the current market it is difficult to hit on the right number until the home has been shown and buyer and agent feedback is accumulated.  Even high end homes are affected and it is the listing agent's duty to analyze the data and explain the results to the seller in terms they can understand.

Our office currently has a listing on Eileen Dr. in the Park Ridge section of Cedar Grove that, historically speaking, should be in the million dollar price range.  Market conditions and buyer feedback have caused a major price reduction and this custom home with 4 bedrooms including a huge master suite, a massive great room with fireplace, dining room that currently houses a table for 14 and a finished basement complete with a full bath, bonus room, access to rear patio, family room and gourmet kitchen.  This home is now listed at $875,000.  

If you are thinking of listing your home, please keep current market conditions in mind when setting an asking price.  If you are buying a home remember that the listing agent should be on top of prices in the area and the home may be priced to sell in today's market.

If your interested in seeing this home on Eileen Dr. or any other home in the area, please let me know.

Has your listing expired?

In this market many houses come on the market and never sell, there are a number of reasons for this that can be overcome by your agent.  Market positioning is key, this means if your home is overpriced for the neighborhood you will not get the buyers you are looking for. Below is a check-list developed by Real Estate Marketing Experts that can help you discover the reason for your disappointment.  Go over it, answer the questions truthfully and if you have any questions or would like me to help make a marketing correction please feel free to contact me.

A Little off the Subject: My new Puppy

Instead of my normal post about Real Estate I'd like to write a little about my new passion, my new Goldendoodle Puppy Bailey.  She is a cross between a golden retriever and a standard poodle.  This mix gives you a dog with the lovable and faithful personality of a golden retriever and the intelligence and agility of the poodle.  On top of those traits you also get a dog with a low allergy possabiltiy and a no to low shed coat.  Goldendoodles were originally bred as a therapy dog,  a golden retriever is the top choice for this job but many of the patients who benefit from a dog visit are subject to allergies, therfore the cross was born.  I know that most dog breeders refer to the goldendoodle as a mutt but she is the most adorable mutt I've come across and she makes me happy.  Bailey and I are looking forward to the future when she is old enough to help me show houses.  If you have any questions about goldendoodles feel free to ask if I don't know I can find the answer.  And, as always if you know anyone thinking about buying or selling a home in North Jersey please let me know!

North Jersey Short Sales (Part 2)

Once you have decided to try to short sell your home call your lender and see if they have a pre-sale approval process.  Not all lenders do this but you can ask.  Most lenders will give you a short-sale information package to fill out.  This will include a hardship letter where you explain why you can no longer pay you mortgage, copies of the past 2 years income tax returns, a list of all outstanding debt, a list of all recurring payments you must make (utilities, water, groceries) pay stubs and other financial paperwork.  This package must be completely filled out and returned to the bank before you can accept an offer.  You can list your house with a realtor.  A short sale must be listed with a licensed real estate agent who has no relationship to the seller, all short sale transactions must be arm's length, which means that the seller, the agent and the buyer can have no relationship. 

North Jersey Short Sales (part 1)

If you are one of the many homeowners in North Jersey who is finding themselves underwater in their home you need help. Your first step should be to contact your lender and request a loan modification. If you really can't make your full mortgage payment every month and the recommended sales price of your home is less then you owe on it your bank may approve a reduction in your monthly payment. This is often the only help a distressed homeowner needs to move forward and continure living in their home.

If you are not approved for a modification and you can't make your mortgage payments you are risking foreclosure. In a foreclosure the mortgage holder takes the house back and you are forced to move. A possible alternative to foreclosure is short selling your home. In a short sale you maintain some control of the sale and the timing of your move.

If a short sale is the road you decide to travel keep in mind you will need a Real Estate Agent who is specially trained in short sales and a Real Estate Attorney who is experienced in the short-sale process.

I hold the SSFR designation which is the Short Sale and Forecloser Expert designation earned through the Board of Realtors. A short sale is anything but short and does have credit ramifications but in a desperate situation it is a viable alternative to foreclosure.

Selling your Home - Not Really

If your planning to sell your home there is one critical thing you have to remember from day one.  Your are not selling a home, your are selling a house.  The buyer needs to make it his home.  The memories and decor that make this house your home have to be packed away before you list your house.  Thinking of the property as your home once you decide to list will expose you to many problems.  Pricing is effected by this thought process, you really can't put a price tag on a home.  You need to remove your emotions and think of this as a business deal.  Your Real Estate Agent will give you advise as to price that will not include the value of the time you have spent in the home. 

My best advise is to not be home when the house is shown.  Buyers like to put their own spin on a house and if you cringe knowing they are taking out the shelves you so lovingly built into the nursery wall it may effect the way you negotiate a sale. 

You may have spent hours finding just the right color orange for the kitchen but the buyers want a green kitchen. 

Remember, you are selling a house not a home

Finding the Home Thats Right for You

With all the choices in today's market, how do you go about finding the right home? It seems the more research you do, the more confused you get.

It's important to understand your needs and plan for them. Know what you want in a home, what's important to you, and what you can live without. Many of us start out with a champagne taste and a beer pocketbook, so it's important to be realistic.

Where and what you buy will affect you for as long as you live in the house, If you make the wrong purchase that may seem like a very long time. Get your priorities in order before you start looking or even talk to a real estate broker or sales associate.

For first-time home buyers this is a new experience, so it's especially important to do your homework. Ask people who have previously purchase a home about their experience, but don't ask for advise.  Only you can know what you really want and how much you are willing to pay for it.  If you currently own a home, you know exactly what's lacking. You may need another bedroom or bathroom, or a good school nearby.

First, decide where you want to live. A big part of the answer hinges on where and how you earn a living. If your job requires a lot of reading or is quite stressful, public transportation may offer valuable time to sit quietly. Regardless, you should practice the commute at the time you would be traveling before you make a commitment. A 15 minute drive on a Sunday afternoon may be a 60 minute stop and go during rush hour.

People with children have other major considerations: school and safety. If you plan to send your children to private schools, you can live where you want assuming you can easily arrange transportation. Call the local Board of Education and arrange a tour of the school you children will attend, preferably during school hours.

Obviously, lifestyle is an important consideration. People who frequently dine out, go dancing and attend the theater probably belong in the city or a close-in suburb,  make sure you're in close proximity to the things that matter most.

It used to be that homes came in a limited variety, but today, you have many choices. In addition to the traditional single-family home, you can buy a townhouse, condominium or apartment condominium or co-op. 

In condos and other such communities, make sure the rules and regulations, as well as the by-laws, match your lifestyle. This type of housing is great for people who want to own their own space without being responsible for mowing the lawn or repairing the roof; a management company handles that.

On the other hand, you'll pay fees for these services. In addition to checking the documents and financial soundness of the homeowner's association, you must determine if the monthly fees are worth the services and additional amenities such as a swimming pool or exercise room. Another consideration, if you are using an FHA mortage is if the develpment is FHA approved.  Not all complexes qualify for FHA funding.

Affordability can be a factor not only in the type of housing, but whether it's new or an existing home. Old houses often have fine woodwork or interesting nooks and crannies not normally found in new homes. They generally sit on landscaped lots with mature trees and grown bushes.

New homes may cost more, but you can make many more decisions on amenities, colors, carpeting and fixtures. Make sure you're dealing with a reputable builder, and have an attorney review all documents,

Selecting a real estate professional is an important first step in beginning your search. Ask for personal recommendations to find an individual who is knowledgeable about the neighborhood and has access to the local Multiple Listing Service. Make sure you feel confident about his or her knowledge and skills, and understand the business relationship that you have established between you.

If you are searching for a home in the Northern NJ area I would be happy to help.

Gail Vinnal                                                                  Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR)

My new designation

Today I received a new designation through the National Association of Realtors, I am now an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR).  What this means is that I have attended continuing education classes geared specifically to a Real Estate Agent who works with the buyer end of a Real Estate Transaction. 

As a Buyer Representative I offer a higher degree of service to a homebuyer making the buyer the center of the sale.  Working with buyer's is my favorite part of the Real Estate Business and finding them the perfect home is a game I always like to win.  Some agents prefer the listing side of the business but, although I do take listings and am very good at working them, my favorite part of the job is matching up a buyer's wants and needs with properties currently on the market. 

Although all agents can and do work with both buyers and sellers most transactions lean to the side of the seller, after all, the seller is the one who has the property, sets the price of the home and pays the Real Estate Commission out of the proceeds of the sale.  In the past the general feeling has been that all agents work for the seller because that is who pays them.  The educational materials we received  in this class point out that at a closer look the seller may possess the property but the price is actually set by the buyer, The seller has the option of accepting or refusing an offer but if he wants to sell his home he has to negotiate with what the buyer offers him.  The same with the Real Estate Commission, the commission is paid out of the proceeds of the sale according to the terms of the listing agreement but, the commission is based on the sale price that was offered by the buyer and, in normal sales the only person actually bringing money to the closing table is the Buyer so, although the seller negotiates the sales commission the buyer really pays it.

If you or anyone you know is thinking of buying or selling a home, or if you just have questions about the process feel free to contact me.

Gail
gailvinnal@verizon.net

Thought You'd be Interested

Thought You'd be Interested Recent sales in Clifton, NJ

Problems with the home your selling-disclose

Sometimes sellers believe if they just put on a good face, no will know what's going on behind the scenes. These days, it's a crime to lie about things that are wrong with your home. While the buyer still has to prove you knew or should have known about these items, the damages (not to mention the defense) can be costly.

In the paperwork you receive from your realtor when you list your home, you are asked to fill out a seller's disclosure.  This is a form which asks about the current condition, past problems, repairs and improvements that have been made to the home over time.  Your are asked to check yes, no or unknown.  Sometimes your response requires and explanation and if you don't know the answer (what year was the roof replaced) unknown is a perfectly acceptable response.  This form should be filled out as completely and honestly as you are able.  It will be signed by the seller and the buyer and is a part of the real estate contract.  This disclosure relieves the seller of responsibility if a problem arises and it is addressed in the disclosure.  If the buyer has knowledge of a problem and purchases the home anyone he is accepting the conditon of the home.

If you're honest and upfront about past problems and steps you've taken to correct them, your seller disclosures will be a whole lot easier. If the house has current issues, tell the broker and the buyer what you're doing to correct them. Or, make it clear that the purchase price reflects these problems. Either way, honesty pays.

Making an Offer

When you make an "offer" or "bid", the seller of the home can accept or reject it, make a counter-offer or not respond.

If the seller rejects your offer, makes a counteroffer or doesn't respond, your options remain open. You can accept the counteroffer, make another offer or reject it and keep looking.

It's important that you think through your decision before you make an offer. You won't be able to think it over more you have come to a meeting of the minds.

Once both parties have signed the offer the contract is sent to both attorneys for review.  The attorney review period is approximately 3 days or, until both attorneys are satisfied with the wording of the contract.  During the attorney review period either party can cancel the contract for no particular reason.  Once the attorney review period of over the contract is binding.  At this time you will be given a time frame in which inspections must be done and deposit money delivered to your attorney.  The contract will also contain a mortgage commitment date which is when you must have confirmation from your lender that you are indeed qualified for the mortgage you applied for and the lender is committed to lending you that money.

What is a good offer

Once you've found the right home , you'll need to know the real value of the house so that you can make an educated offer.
A home's value is determined by the following:

• Sale Price History: Pay attention to trends in appreciation or depreciation on the home.
• Home Characteristics: The number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage and other characteristics of the home. 
• Similar Home Prices: Prices of comparable homes in the neighborhood.

I always offer to create a market analysis of the property for my buyers, this is something that is done for the seller when they put the house on the market and it helps position the home to sell quickly.  It will help a buyer make and informed decision as to what a particular house is worth to them.  Some things to keep in mind when making an offer:

If there are multiple offers on the house be careful of the "I want to win" mentality, I've seen buyers overpay because they get caught up in the heat of the bidding war.

The final price, regardless of what other homes have sold for, is what a ready, willing and able buyer is willing to pay for a property, so, the buyer is really the one who sets the value of the home.

Home Buyers Need to Take Notes

House hunting can become slightly overwhelming.

You might forget one house from the next. You may get frustrated that you haven't found your dream home or get so excited you forget to focus on your wants and needs.
Its a good idea to write down simple description of the homes you see.  I usually give my buyers a copy of the MLS sheet so they can write on the back.  After you see a few homes they all start to look the same and frequently you start remembering the good points of a few homes as features of the same home.  Some buyers are very disappointed when they go back to the home they think they want to make an offer on only to find they had blended a few homes together in their mind. 

The key to keeping the facts straight when viewing a number of homes is to write down the pros and cons of each home next to the address.  If the seller will allow it, pictures help.

Real Estate Companys - Independent, Unknown National or Well Established Name?

At first glance the answer to which type of company should I choose is obvious.  Having worked for all of the above I'm here to tell you that the choice is not all that clear.  Over time, the benefits of each type of company have worked for different types of agents, buyers and sellers.

When I first was licensed in New Jersey to sell real estate I placed my license with an established national company.  This allowed me excellent training which is what all of my future success was built upon.  Being a small fish in a big pond however, did not give me the personal guidance someone with no clue about the actual customer service needed in the real estate world.

I moved to a local independent office where I received daily guidance and my hand was held through every aspect of my first deals.  An independent office allowed me to learn at my own pace with very little in the way of restrictions on my movement.  The drawbacks to this type of office became evident as I became more knowledgeable in the business and technology started to become a necessary tool in buying and selling homes.  An independent office does not usually have the funds required to establish a web-presence.  As the years went by this became a huge drawback when the person wanting to list their home started to search for the office.  Unless the owner of the independent company is very web savvy and is willing to invest in technology the independent office is not the best place for the business of real estate.
After 5 years I was once again on the move.

I moved to a larger, statewide, Internet based office.  The draw for this type of office was limited in office time was required, with the magic of the Internet most of our business could be preformed from home or on the road as long as there was Internet access.  This type of office worked very well for me as long as the market was booming.  As soon as things started to slow down the into the office mind set was important to keep my head in the game.  When there is alot of business you don't need to go to an office, you are out with buyer's and meeting with seller's, when business slows down if you don't have a business environment to go to life in general takes over and home chores become a focus and your business goes out with the trash.
4 years I was moving on out

The next 3 years found me back at an independent office, but with a twist.  We handled much of the foreclosure market.  I became very efficient at the distressed home sale but my heart was not in it, I do not enjoy profiting from others problems.  I don't think that agents who handle distressed property are wrong, they actually preform a necessary function and without them the people who have fallen on hard times would be in worse shape, this is just not the business for me.
So I moved yet again, hopefully for the last time!

I am now at a huge ,international, very well established company.  Ironically the same company I started with.  I feel they still have the best training.  Each office is independently owned giving it the small independent feel.  It is a huge company which affords an Internet presence that is unbelievable!
With the advent of Internet in Real Estate I have the choice of offices to work out of, so, of course, I've chosen one of the top 10% offices in the entire company even though there are offices closer to my home.  I am lucky enough to have an office full of successful agents behind me.   My new move, my last move looks to be my best move yet.

Century 21 Cedarcrest Realty in Caldwell NJ has welcomed me with open arms, and I thank them for that.  If buying or selling a home is in your future and you are located in northern NJ give me a call, I'd be happy to help!

GETTING YOUR HOME READY TO SELL

Deciding to sell your home is only the beginning of the process, you have alot of work ahead of you.  Before you list your home you need to make you home desirable to the public, this means you really have to remove you personality from the house and allow potential buyers to place themselves in the rooms.

I recommend that seller's follow the three C's of home sales.

1.  CLUTTER - Remove any clutter around the home.  This does not only mean get rid of the trash but remove you personal items from counters and walls.  Basically, start packing, anything that is important to you pack away.  Pictures, books, small statues, childrens hand made gifts are what make your house your home.   Buyers need to see a house as their home and that is difficult when they are looking at pictures of your children.  The things you keep on your kitchen and bathroom counters may make your life more convient, but they reduce the visable counter space which is very important to a buyer.  Putting these things away not only makes the rooms seem larger it also reduces the possabiltiy of items important in your life being broken or lose.

2.  CLEAN - I know your house is clean, you wash the floors, dust the furniture and vacuum the rugs.  When I say clean, I mean deep, hands and knees, scrub brush cleaning.  When you take your personal pictures off the walls there may be light marks on the walls.  Paint is cheap and a quick coat of neutral color paint makes a room seem bigger and brighter.  Clean the windows and it dosen't take much to change the mini blinds on all your windows.  Make sure all your light fixtures have new bright bulbs.  Removing one piece of furniture from a room can make the room much bigger. Check the pathways around your house.  Three recliners lined up in the family room may make for easy football watching but re-positioning those chairs may free up room for more open floor space.

3.  CURB APPEAL - The first impression of your home is not from the inside, as soon as a buyer drives up to the front of your house decision making begins.  Make sure your front entry way is inviting, if its February remove the Christmas decorations.  Check the window treatments on your front windows.  Red livingroom curtains and purple dining room curtains may go with the interior decor of the rooms but they are not very appealing from the exterior.  Rake your leaves, shovel your snow or mow you lawn, whatever the season calls for.  You don't want to remind the buyer of all the outside work homeownership requires, they already know, but if it isn't done they start to think it is an overwhelming task.

Remember, you don't want a buyer to think that an unpainted wall or and unraked yard is a good reason to make a low offer.  A home presented in it's best possible light will sell for the best possible price.

Why should a buyer use a Real Estate Agent

I often hear buyers state that they don't need an agent because they can find everything they need on the internet.  Finding the property that meets your needs is only the beginning of the home buying process.  Agents are trained to negotiate the best price for their client  unemotional negotiating will always have a better result.  Agents also have contacts with home inspectors, mortgage people and real estate attorneys to help you through the process.  When using an agent buyer's have the voice of experience on their side.  You will probably only buy a few homes in life, Agents do this everyday!  In addition, in New Jesey, the agent's commission is paid at closing by the seller so you basically get experience and education for free.  If you thinking about buying find an agent you trust today.


Gail Vinnal
Broker Assoicate
Realty Executives
gailvinnal@verizon.net

Ready to Buy?

Once you have a mortgage pre-approval in hand you know what price range you will be looking in but that is not all you need to know to find your dream home.  You need to decide what area you want to look in, what type of home you want, are you willing to do some work and if so how much.  You can then contact your realtor and tell them what you are looking for.  I always ask my buyers to make a list of 10 things they want in a home in the order you want them.  Please keep in mind very few buyers find 100% of what they want in the home they buy.
 Narrow you location choice to a few towns but try not to be too specific, it is fine to want to live in a certain town or a certain school district, looking for a home a a specific street makes finding you a home almost impossible.  Also, be open to looking a a home that does not seem (on paper) to be what your looking for you could be surprised!  Many buyers refuse to look at a certain style of home but if they walk in it is a perfect fit.  I don't advise making you agent show you hundreds of homes but I do suggest that you look at a broad spectrum of homes that meet your needs.  In my experience when you find the right home you know it almost as soon as you walk in the door.  Don't be afraid to ask to see any home you may like this is the biggest purchase of your lifetime and it is the agent's job to find the right fit.
Keep an open mind, trust your Real Estate Agent and have fun if you make the right purchase you may only do this once in your life!

Happy New Year!

Now that the holidays are over it's time to get serious about your Real Estate plans for 2012. This year is predicted to be a better year for seller's which can be good news for both the buyer and the seller.

For the buyer a better sales year means that you should start your search NOW. Prices and interest rates are still very low making a purchase an excellent way to start the new year. If things do pick up this year you will begin to see prices increase over the next 12 months making starting the search early in the new year critical to getting the most home for your money. Have your real estate agent send you e-mailed new listings in the area and price range you are hoping to make you purchase in.

For the seller a better sales year means that you should start preparing you home for market and keep an eye on current sales and listings in your neighborhood so when you are ready you have a good idea of the sales value of your home. The easyist way of doing this is to contact a real estate agent and ask to have new listings and sold homes sent to you weekly via e-mail.

The best stratagy for both the buyer and seller is to keep informed of the market in your area so you know when the time is right for you to make a move.