Trust ERA Justin Realty’s Second Quarter LEADERS Award Winners To Sell Your Home

Trust ERA Justin Realty’s Second Quarter LEADERS Award Winners To Sell Your Home

ERA Justin Realty announces its Leaders Award winners for the second quarter 2020. The Leaders Awards at ERA Justin is an internal awards program designed to recognize those agents that meet and exceed their goals and the company’s goals on a monthly basis. The second quarter winners are (pictured, left to right): Carol D. Calamari, Julia Dagistanli, Fara Espandi, Lee Schilare, and Rosemarie Zembryski.

“Each one of these agents knows that the impact of buying or selling a home goes well-beyond a simple transaction,” says Broker/Co-Owner, Jennifer Darby Metzger. “They do not just push for the next transaction, going for quantity over quality. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. These agents don’t treat real estate as a job, but as a lifestyle. That is the key to their success.”

And now more than ever, in today’s fast-paced world where answers are just a Google search away, there are some who may question the benefits of hiring a real estate professional when selling a house. The reality is, the addition of more information can lead to more confusion. A real estate agent can be your essential guide, but truth be told, not all agents are created equal. Finding the right agent for you and your family should be your top priority when you’re ready to sell your house.

The right agent is the person who can truly walk you through the whole process, look out for your best interest, and seamlessly lead you through all the steps along the way. The way we execute real estate transactions is changing constantly, especially as more elements can be done virtually. Making sure you have the best advice on your side is more important than ever.

So, how do you choose the perfect agent?

It starts with trust. You must trust the advice this person is going to give you, and you’ll want to begin by making sure you’re connected to a true professional. 

 

What do you need to trust your agent to do?

1. Navigate the Process

There are over 200 possible steps that take place during a successful real estate transaction. Don’t you want someone who has been there before, someone who knows what these actions are, to ensure you have a positive selling (or buying) experience?

2. Negotiate on Your Behalf

Today, hiring a trusted and talented negotiator could save you thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of dollars. Each step – from the buyer submitting an original offer, to the possible renegotiation of that offer after a home inspection, to the potential cancelation of the deal based on a troubled appraisal – you need someone who can keep the deal together until it closes.

3. Price Your House Competitively

There’s so much information in the news and on the Internet about home sales, prices, and mortgage rates. How do you know what’s going on in our local area? Who do you turn to in order to competitively and correctly price your home at the beginning of the selling process?

Hiring a trusted professional who has a finger on the pulse of the market and is eager to help you learn will make your experience an informed and educated one. You need someone who’s going to tell you the truth, not just what they think you want to hear.

“We are  proud of these top-notch agents, who, first and foremost, are here for our community,” adds Darby Metzger. “They know this business inside and out and will help you navigate the process effectively and efficiently.” To connect with any of our real estate professionals, call 201.939.7500.

The Beautiful Victorian Home

The Beautiful Victorian Home

Architecture doesn’t merely add beauty and interest to its surroundings; it also provides beholders with a window into the past. A home’s design speaks volumes about the lifestyles of those for whom it was built. Just as contemporary style homes speak to our desire to lead informal, convenient lives, Victorian homes have a story to share about their former owners.

Carol Calamari, Sales Associate at ERA Justin Realty, discusses the history and traits of these beautiful homes from yesteryear.

Carol says, “The Victorian era was a time of rapid change. Technologies were advancing, and the middle class was growing larger and wealthier. Victorians built their homes to reflect the new world and show off their new affluence.”  So, what are Victorian homes actually like? Learn about the history and features of Victorian houses and see if purchasing one is right for you.

What Is A Victorian Home?

A Victorian home is not a single style of architecture so much as it’s a representation of a specific era. Homes built between 1840 and 1900 are called Victorian and while they’re known for their colorful, ornate facades, there’s a broad range in architectural features present in each of the different types of houses that comprise the Victorian style. These styles include Gothic Revival, Italianate, Romanesque, Queen Anne, Second Empire, and Eastlake.

Why Are They Called Victorian Houses?

Victorian houses were very much a product of their time. Although they were named after Queen Victoria, their intricate and romantic architecture can be directly attributed to the burgeoning Industrial Revolution, which brought with it a love for using the latest materials and technologies to build homes unique to that time period.  Mass production, steam-driven sawmills, and new transportation methods gave architects and builders a sense of design freedom they had never experienced.

Unfortunately, this over-the-top style quickly fell from favor with the emergence of the Arts and Crafts movement of the early 20th century. Arts and Crafts stalwarts preached simplicity in design and hand craftsmanship.

Characteristics of a Queen Anne Victorian

One of the most recognizable or popular Victorian style is the Queen Anne. The Queen Anne style has an asymmetrical overall shape that includes a steeply pitched irregular roof that often has multiple intersecting gables.

The houses have a lot of decorative detailing, such as classical columns, elaborate brackets, half-timbering, patterned shingles, spandrel panels, spectacular chimneys and vergeboard (decorative wood edging).

Queen Anne homes were highly individual, with no two the same. Common characteristics of Victorian houses include:

·         A variety of colors and textures used throughout the entire house

·         Porches (frequently wrap-around) and balconies with decorative trim (called spindlework)

·         Octagonal or circular towers or turrets

·         Large, projecting bay windows that were often highly decorative

·         Entry doors with a large glass panel in the upper part of the door

·         Exteriors were typically wood, but also often included patterned brick or stone, clapboard, slate, stucco and terra cotta panels

Carol adds, “If you are toying with the idea of purchasing a Victorian home, you should be aware of the history and characteristics of this beloved architectural style. Committing to a Victorian means you will be part of the romance and history of a by-gone era.”

And Carol would know the significance of these style homes. Carol is an active member of the Rutherford Historic Preservation Committee since January 2018 and has partnered with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is certified for her educational outreach, centering on the preservation and restoration of historic properties.  Having achieved this designation makes her familiar with architecture that spans more than three centuries of history, highlighting both high-style and vernacular buildings ranging from stately Federal mansions and handsome Italianate row houses to modest Queen Anne cottages as well as bungalows. For more information on these style homes, contact Carol Calamari, at 201.939.7500.

55⁺ Adult Community Living

For those home-shoppers who may be nearing the age of retirement, the idea of living in a 55⁺ community might seem appealing. An active adult community, alternatively referred to as 55⁺, will have its differences when compared to your other neighborhoods — one of those being age limitations.

So, before you buy into one of these communities near you, take note of some key things about living in an active adult community. Joana Iliescu, Sales Associate for ERA Justin Realty, says, “Most 55⁺ aged people are still very vivacious and very active and athletic and want to do fun things and would like to continue doing these activities well into retirement”. She shares the benefits of living in this type of community and why not all are alike in what they offer.

Why Choose a 55⁺ Community?

While many of those who seek out a 55⁺ community are not retired, many are empty-nesters who are at a stage where they want to downsize or simply want less home maintenance to deal with. Many 55⁺ new home communities also feature the latest amenities. Walking trails, concierge services and even community gardens are a few examples.

Common amenities include community pools and lawn maintenance, so residents can have a nice yard without having to work so hard on keeping it that way. Fitness centers are also popular attractions, as residents can stay active and fit, without the hassle of a gym membership.

Age Requirements and Restrictions

Of course, the first thing you’ll want to consider are those age restrictions. While many active adult communities will have age limits set at 55 years, others may be higher, lower or have none at all.

Most communities will have an association with by-laws with restrictions. Joana adds “For example, some restrictions may include the number of occupants living in the dwelling, access of amenities for non-residents, or customization of the home itself”. 

Lifestyle Evaluations

You’ll want to consider if the active adult lifestyle truly fits your needs at this stage in your life. There are differing levels of maintenance that residents choose to adopt when moving into an age-qualified segment. “You should consider not only your current needs, but think of long-term needs as you age-in-place,” Joana states. This would include floorplan layout as well as sense of community. 

A close-knit community of neighbors in the same life stage, coupled with a community with lots of activities and security, makes a 55⁺ community an attractive option for homebuyers ready to start the next chapter of their life.

To help you get started looking for your next community, contact Joana Iliescu or any of our experienced ERA Justin Realty Sales Associates at (201) 939-7500.

BUYING AND HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS

BUYING AND HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS

When searching for a home, you may end up selecting a property in a community with a Homeowners Association (HOA). Before you buy, it’s important to know how an HOA works and what they mean for you. Peggy McLaughlin, Broker Sales Associate with ERA Justin Realty provides an overview of what HOAs are and whether or not they are the type of property for you.

What is An HOA?

A Homeowners Association is a nonprofit organization, made up of a leadership team or board of directors that makes and enforces rules for multiple-unit buildings like condominiums and townhouses and planned communities of single-family homes. These members are elected by residents and meet regularly to review community affairs. 

If you buy a property with an HOA, you’ll be required to join its homeowners association. As a member of the homeowners association, you agree to abide by the HOA’s rules and regulations, which are designed to keep your community safe, clean, and visually cohesive and appealing, and to pay dues, known as HOA fees. An HOA will usually have its rules in a document called a Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&R).

But all homeowners associations aren’t the same in services or cost. Peggy says, “Fees can differ even within a development, due to variations in square footage, location, and orientation, all of which can affect how much upkeep and maintenance the property requires. Thus, the more features included in the community, the more you’ll pay in HOA fees.”

Condominium HOAs

A condominium is like an apartment you own. You own the interior of your property, but the HOA owns the exterior and all common areas. 

Condo HOAs tend to have the most restrictive rules—covering everything from where you park to what color your window treatments can be, to whether or not (and what type) of holiday decorations you can display in your front windows or entryways. The HOA can also manage any fitness centers, swimming pools, parking garages and storage units. 

 

Townhouse HOAs

Townhouse HOAs usually provide the same types of features and amenities that condo HOAs do, but they’re typically not as restrictive. Because you also own the exterior of your townhouse, you have a little more control over what you can do with it. While there may be rules about what types of landscaping you can have and what color your mailbox is, you can usually put up Christmas lights without having to fill out two or three forms. Your townhouse community may also include a pool, clubhouse and fitness center, and the HOA will manage those.

Single-family residence HOAs

Single-family residence HOAs generally cover common areas such as neighborhood parks, green spaces, sidewalks, and swimming pools. Homeowners are responsible for their own home and yard maintenance.

It is important to know the type of HOA you are entering before committing long-term. Peggy continues “My advice would be to carefully read over the rules and understand the restrictions. New homeowners can get caught up on wanting a particular home that they glance at or overlook some restrictions that may not readily impact them when they move in. They need to consider future implications such as outdoor holiday decorations or whether or not they can own a pet.”

When you’re looking at a potential property to buy, it’s important to have an experienced professional, such as Peggy McLaughin, who can help you understand the neighborhood’s HOA structure and fees. To help you find your next home, contact any one of our ERA Justin Realty Sales Associates at 201.939.7500. ERA Justin Realty has sold 3 times more homes in Rutherford than the nearest competitor, based on statistics from NJMLS. We are located at 118 Jackson Avenue or 57 Park Avenue in Rutherford.