How Accessibility Features Can Serve Homeowners of All Ages and Abilities

We all need a helping hand from time to time, but prefer to remain as independent as possible. Accessible features in a home are a way of lending ourselves a hand, and making in our house continually comfortable.

“More members of the baby boom generation, show a preference for aging in place, in their own homes rather than moving to traditional assisted living communities. This trend has created interest in the designing and retrofitting of homes for maximum ease of use. Heightened awareness of the needs of disabled people of all ages, and increased legislative attention to their rights, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have also helped drive a trend which can benefit all homebuyers,” stated ERA Justin Realtor professional Grace Tirrito.

What has come to be called 'Universal Design' is a set of standards for making every house a welcoming home for inhabitants of all ability levels. These include placing light switches and thermostats low enough, and electrical outlets high enough, for anyone to reach; outfitting hallways with railings and showers with grab-bars and stools; replacing doorknobs with levers; offering ramps as well as stairs, and doorways that can accommodate wheelchairs; and minimizing falling risks through secure, low-pile carpeting. Attitudes and demographics have changed, and Universal Design is now considered a resale advantage. This potential extra salability can be achieved through minimal effort and expense. For instance, in many cases a room can be made wheelchair-accessible simply by changing the direction of a swinging door.

Grace continued, “The ease of doing this makes it equally desirable to build a new home with these considerations, or to retrofit an existing home with them, using simple methods that enhance convenience and are common sense for all homeowners. Talk to one of our Realtor agents about accessible-home options in any area where you may be interested in buying.  He or she can also assist about financing opportunities and other ways to keep your path to secure homeownership a clear one.”

ERA Justin Realty, a leading area Realtor brokerage serving Bergen, Passaic, Hudson and Essex Counties is a Top-100 ERA office of the global ERA real estate network and had been named the recipient of the J.D. Power and Associates Award for 'Highest Overall Satisfaction For First Time Home Sellers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms.'  The awards were from a study based on responses from 4,834 home buyers and sellers surveyed by J.D. Power and Associates.

James Severino with his ERA Justin Team Provides Insight on Staging Your Home 2017

 

James Severino with his ERA Justin Team Provides Insight on Staging Your Home 2017

   

One of the first things to do if you're thinking about selling is to walk through your home and examine it with a critical eye, making mental notes of the possible imperfections overlooked for years. Drapes may be faded from years of sun exposure. If you have children or pets, the interior doors and baseboards may be nicked and need paint. The floors might look worn. It may strike you that the place needs some work.

 

James Severino with his team of Realtor agents, those staging homes for years suggest, “Painting and floor refurbishing are sometimes good ideas. Painting the interior of your home may be one of the most cost-effective improvements. Buyers typically pay more for homes that are in move-in condition. The main reason being that first impressions play a big part in selling homes. When buyers walk into a home that looks bright, inviting and comfortable, they feel good. When most buyers walk into a vacant home or one needing work, many people have a hard time imagining what it will look like when it's furnished by them. They walk into an empty living room wondering how they'd furnish it.”

 

 He continued, “A strategically furnished house creates a more pleasurable viewing experience and eases the process of buying. Some experienced buyers have moved so many times that they've developed the knack of visualizing their furniture in an empty space. But, you are likely to sell your home for more money if you can appeal to the entire pool of prospective buyers, not just those who have a particular expertise. You can certainly sell your home vacant but as a second choice. The question is how much more could you sell your home for if it was attractively furnished?”

 

Dian Hymer, author of "House Hunting, The Take-Along Workbook for Home Buyers" and "Starting Out, The Complete Home Buyer's Guide, wrote, “A listing in Oakland Hills (Calif.) was put on the market. It had a great view, but was vacant. It did not sell on the market during a time when all well-priced listings in the area were selling. The listing was temporarily withdrawn from the market and staged with furniture and accessories. It was put back on the market at the same price and sold right away.”

 

James added, "Our talented agents who stage homes, and the cost of staging your home for sale may seem prohibitive, but needn't be. Many sellers who stage their homes for sale use their own furniture after removing extra pieces and rearranging the rest. Some draperies can be removed and often don't need to be replaced, For selling purposes, it's important to let in as much light as possible. Our stager Realtor agents can suggest renting furniture if you decide that's what you need. The living and dining room, kitchen, family room and master bedroom are the most important places to concentrate your staging efforts. We can also suggest area stagers, not associated with real estate firms for a second opinion.

 

“There is a difference in real estate companies,” James continued,  “Our buyers and sellers have put their thoughts in writing. We have on file for viewing, ‘What people are saying’ our report of nearly 900 quotes and reviews. No other area real estate firm can offer that.  Are we proud?  Absolutely!”

Team-Kubs Home Protection Plans Help To Avoid Money Pit 2017

                          Team-Kubs Home Protection Plans Help To Avoid Money Pit 2017



Everyone has his or her own house story. The Sheffield's saga began just days after they moved into their new home and continued throughout the first year. Fortunately, they had the forethought to purchase a home protection plan from their ERA Realtor which covered many of the costs of repairing or replacing some broken home components.

Allyson Kubs ERA Justin Realtor agent said, “The Sheffield's story repeats itself thousands of times a day across the country. It is for that reason that we have the ERA Home Protection Plan program available for both our buyers and sellers.”

Wayne Kubs continued, “A home protection plan safeguards a buyer or seller from unexpected expenses when covered mechanical items break down and provide replacement coverage or comprehensive repair of major mechanical systems and appliances such as air conditioning, heating and electrical systems, interior plumbing, built-in appliances, water heaters and accessible ductwork, subject to a small deductible per service call."

For Sellers, a home protection plan may add value to their home sale and protects them at a time when they would rather not make major investments in their property. The plan goes one step further by covering the seller for a period while selling provided that the seller agrees to purchase the plan at a nominal fee for the buyer. It's a win-win situation for the seller having protection in place while the house is on the market for sale. For buyers in New Jersey, the plan provides coverage generally for a year after the purchase on resale homes. If one considers that the most costly purchase in life is generally one's house, a home protection plan is a small price to pay for peace of mind and to insure oneself against the unexpected.

Allyson concluded, “There is a difference in real estate companies, and our ERA Protection Plans are perfect examples. We ask buyers and sellers to compare. We believe that in order to exceed expectations of what our Realtor agents are about, we don’t offer just real estate basics, we try to be as comprehensive as possible. In that way, we know that our buyers and sellers will hold us all in the highest regard."

The Kub's team and their teammates can be reached at (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD. Also view 1000's of homes at their websites at www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com.

Danny Simone, Smart Updating Your House in 2017

Danny Simone, Smart Updating Your House in 2017

Keeping your home updated is sound advice. By making improvements along the way, you'll get the benefit when it's time to sell.

According to Danny Simone, ERA Justin Realtor agent, “If you don't want to end up with the current equivalent of avocado appliances and brown shag carpet, you'll need to choose wisely. Kitchen and bath improvements can be expensive, so home buyers may want to deduct that cost if your home seems outdated. So, think in practical terms when investing your improvement dollars. Go for a timeless, classic design when choosing major items and, if in doubt, think simplicity. Quality granite, ceramic tile and white fixtures will never go out of style.  You can then add accents that are easily changed out without breaking the bank. Prioritize your requirements and wishes to get an individualized look without being too trendy. When it's time to sell, you'll know you've made the right decisions and so will your grateful buyer.”

 Lee Schilare, Danny's business partner added,  “We ask Buyers and Sellers to compare. We believe that in order to exceed expectations of what our Realtor agents are about, we try to be as comprehensive as possible, continuing since 1950. In that way, we know that our buyers and sellers will hold us all in the highest regard.”

ERA Justin Realty has proudly received prestigious ERA world-wide ‘Commitment to Excellence Awards’ and all across the nation, the most sought award that can be achieved in business is the ‘J.D. Power & Associates’ award.  Only outstanding business entities are honored and receive it.  ERA Real Estate was the recipient of ‘Highest Satisfaction for First Time Home Buyers Among Full Service Real Estate Firms.’award. For these reasons ERA Justin Realty should be your buying and selling Realtor of choice.

ERA JUSTIN TEAM ACHIEVES DREAMS FOR BUYERS & SELLER 2017

ERA JUSTIN TEAM ACHIEVES DREAMS FOR BUYERS & SELLERS  2017

How many careers exist today that involves helping people achieve their lifelong dream? According to Jennifer Darby Metzger broker co-owner and veteran of  real estate with ERA-Justin Realty stated,  “Our ERA Justin Realty sales professionals make dreams come true every day. Imagine how satisfied they feel every time they help a buyer find a home.  We all feel as rewarded today as we did when entering the real estate business, now with multi-thousands of transactions.”Since 1950 ERA Justin Realty has been on the cutting edge of top service to area communities, both in listings and sales as well as their participation in charitable events.  Their slogan, 'There is a difference in real estate companies' carries a strong message, as the management and staff of the firm work to exceed buyer and seller expectations each day.  They prove it when one looks at their awards, activities, successful sales and their charitable events, all listed on their websites www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com.  Their business is based on ‘Going the extra distance’ for their buyers and sellers each day throughout each year.

 Ron Darby, ERA Justin Realty broker co-owner added, “Repeat and referral business is a mainstay of our firm.  Throughout these decades Jennifer, our team and I have built a solid base of buyers and sellers who count on us to transact real estate transactions for their families, children and their grand children. Our production success history is well told with nearly 1,000 letters of recommendation on file at our office, available for viewing when you call upon our team to fulfill your real estate needs.  We want to perform above your expectations.”