ERA Justin Report: Real Estate Signals to Watch

Ron Darby Broker co-owner of ERA Justin Realty, a real estate leader throughout Bergen County and serving Passaic, Essex and Hudson Counties shares their report on real estate signals to watch in your real estate transaction. The firm, celebrating its sixty-first year has generated thousands of real estate transactions since opening their doors in 1950. 

     Throughout the nation, buyers, sellers, Realtors and all those associated with real estate transactions are closely watching and nurturing each real estate transaction until it goes to closing.

     Sellers should be alerted to watch closely as a qualified buyer begins to negotiate a contract. In today’s real estate market one cannot take a casual outlook that there may be several contracts to come after the current one. The current contract should be reviewed, considered, and countered with realization that there are other homes, possibly similar, that may also be of interest to the subject buyer.  Of course, negotiation is meant to bring the highest and best offer for the seller, but it must be met with a sense of balance between the parties.  Buyer’s remorse is one reason why a purchase may fail.

     The federal tax credits that were available have ended and properly priced houses are those that are selling. To amplify positives about a purchase and sale, sellers should disclose any significant defect of the subject sale before the sale, as it will be determined during the home inspection process, giving the buyer reasons to want to renegotiate the contract. Knowing those details before a contract is finalized reduces that possibility. To have the transaction fall through, then put the house back on the market can be costly both in time lost, the seller’s expense in continuing to own the house and the possibility of a lower contract when resold; all not prudent.

     Currently within the real estate market it is both a price war and beauty contest, meaning that the house should be in top condition because of the vast inventory of houses available and at pricing correct to the market. Stringent appraisals using specific comparable sales are also required on each sale that involves financing. Having sold the house in a price range to accomplish a favorable appraisal is important. Unless this happens, it can have a negative impact on the transaction.  Negative impact on home prices with improper pricing can lead to more low appraisals.  Included in required appraisal guidelines is a three month look back by appraisers at closed transactions.

     Ron Darby, ERA Justin Broker co-owner stated, “Our ERA Justin Realtor professionals can assist all those planning a sale by providing a no cost, no obligation (CMA) comparative market analysis that will include similar houses currently on the market and expired listings that did not sell. Based on that criteria a pricing market range can be determined with the seller. Overpricing of real estate in this modifying real estate market disadvantages the seller with fewer showings, possible under priced offers to purchase and the real possibility of an under appraisal which can very often cancel the contract of purchase and sale.

     There is a difference in real estate companies and our Realtor professionals continuing activity demonstrates that. We are selling houses. The ERA® network including ERA Justin Realty, a “Top-100” ERA firm has approximately 30,000 brokers and sales associates and approximately 2,600 offices throughout the United States and 45 other countries and territories. As of this writing, ERA Justin Realty is #72 nationwide.” 

     Darby concluded, “The entire ERA Justin Realty team of Realtor professionals can be reached at either of our two Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue and 57 Park Avenue.  By office phone (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD.  View 1000's of homes at our winning websites at www.ERAJustin.com and  www.ERAJustinRealty.com.  Ask to see a copy of our publication, “Real Estate Results In Writing,” with nearly 800 testimonials from our satisfied buyers and sellers.”

Selecting Your Team Of ERA Justin Real Estate Professionals

Daniel Weiner, ERA Justin Realtor professional offers valuable information as we approach the 2011 buying and selling season. Dan specializes in first time and repeat buyers and sellers throughout Bergen, Passaic, Hudson and Essex counties.

Buying or selling real estate during this, a strong market for many and heading into 2011, including the lowest interest rates in nearly 50 years, a large inventory of single family, multi-family, condos, co-ops and investment properties with many motivated sellers. The real estate industry has changed, our buyers and sellers are now more educated to market conditions and we are dealing in what market experts now explain as the “new normal.”  It’s not if a buyer or seller will need the services of a Realtor, but which best trained Realtor will be selected. Although it has always been important to select a top-notch team of Realtor professionals for your purchase and sale in this “new-normal,” it is more important than ever, knowing that there is a difference in real estate companies.

Daniel Weiner, ERA Justin Realtor professional offered, “One of the major selections on your team is your Realtor professional who will guide you through the transaction to a successful closing. The other is your mortgage lender who will arrange financing. In this regulated industry with strict guidelines that lenders must follow, it is necessary that your selected lender has a strong success record. The mortgage business has changed dramatically in recent years. The approval process can be grueling and appraisals sometimes problematic. Your mortgage lender should have a proven strong closing record.

ERA Justin Realty has spent years creating a major Internet presence for our buyers and sellers and is an important resource for beginning your home search and gaining specific information about the market, past sale prices, active listings and local neighborhoods. We are partnered with approximately fifty websites on the Internet providing information on all of our featured listings and MLS listings.

Your Realtor professional will educate you about the various neighborhood school systems, recreational facilities and needed information if you rely on public transportation including bus and trains.

The National Association of Realtors reported that over 90 percent of homebuyers use the Internet for their home search and that increases monthly. Our ERA Justin Realtor professionals stand ready to assist  with your purchase. To make the process most productive, we maintain two winning company websites at www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com with comprehensive information and video tours on our featured listings as well as providing 1000’s of MLS listings.

The NAR report viewed that  many buyers thought a Realtor professional’s technology skills were important.  Approximately four out of five buyers thought knowledge of the process, honesty, integrity, responsiveness, communication and negotiation skills were very important.”

Dan continued, “Select one of our ERA Justin Realtor professionals who embraces these characteristics, and has the MLS resources at hand to locate the kind of property you want to buy.

Remember, it is your decisions that count. Those important decisions should be made by you, not your Realtor professional, attorney or mortgage lender even if you're busy, because this process determines probably the largest investment decision you may make.”

Dan and all of the ERA Justin Realty full service Realtor professionals can be reached at either of their two Rutherford offices at

118 Jackson Avenue and 57 Park Avenue.  By office phone, (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD or at either of ERA Justin's web sites http://www.erajustin.com/ or http://www.erajustinrealty.com/.

ERA JUSTIN REALTY PARTICIPATES IN KIP CENTER HOLIDAY FARE

Ron Darby, ERA Justin Realty Broker Owner with Realtors Cathy Vick and Rosemarie as they put the finishing touches on their Kip Center wreath entry for their annual fundraiser for the center.

Rutherford:  It was just spring, but within a wink and a blink a chill is now in the air, the malls are all decked out with holiday displays, shoppers are out and about and it’s also beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Rutherford’s Kip Center, the areas recreation and nutritional citizen center, where area residents enjoy daily activities and lunch programs. Holiday trees, decorative wreaths have brought much cheer to the Kip Center located at 55 Kip Avenue for its 15^th annual Festival of Trees and Wreaths, as well as much needed donations.

Holiday displays abound with participants who were as busy as holiday elves getting ready for the recent Kip Center drawing, when dozens of decorated trees and wreaths were given to winners through their annual holiday drawing. The event helps raise needed donations used to fund the varied activities at the center.

Cathy Vick and Rosemarie Zembryski of ERA Justin Realty are the firm’s coordinators for the 2010 charitable event, and have presented their unique theme wreath.  The focus was to bring strong financial benefits to the Kip Center fundraiser. “We’re happy to report that our entries have been cited by the Kip Center as ‘Most Creative In the Business Category,’ for past years said Zembryski and Vick.”   

Ron Darby, ERA Justin Realty Broker Owner said, “ ‘Tis the season for giving. By helping the Kip Center raise money with ERA Justin Realty’s donation of our holiday wreath you are helping the community. Many always stop by The Kip for a chance to win!  It's always a win-win situation locally and you will be helping our area seniors immensely. Contact the Kip Center for details on their charitable drawing.

You may read more about the firm’s fundraising activities at their website, www.erajustin.com or phone any of their teammates at (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD if you would like to assist in their ongoing fundraising activities.

Welcome To ERA Justin Realty's New Blog

Welcome to ERA Justin Realty's new blog, the Northern New Jersey and Meadowlands Real Estate Blog. Here you will find interesting information on the Northern New Jersey area with an emphisis on area real estate topics and general information about the area and about ERA Justin Realty and our staff. We hope that you find it informative.