Selling Your Home During the Winter

Winter is here, and while bad weather used to discourage buyers from venturing out, the rise in virtual tours and online showings eliminates many of the old roadblocks that came with home sales in the winter season.  

“The biggest challenge for sellers in the winter season is the weather.  Even the brightest home can look dreary in inclement weather,” says Kristin Davis, a sales associate with ERA Justin Realty.  “With a few simple touches to create a warm and welcoming ambience, your home can still shine during this selling season.”  

Clear a Path

Make sure walkways are shoveled clean of snow, and sprinkle a layer of sand or salt if freezing is a possibility. Place a rubber mat by the door for wet shoes and boots.  

 

Let the Light In

Open the blinds and push back the drapes on every window. Turn on every light in the house, including appliance lights and closet lights. 

 

Keep it Warm

“Heat the house a degree or two warmer than usual before the showing, then reset to the usual temp,” recommends Kristin. “This will keep the HVAC system from going on during a buyer visit.” Keep the inside temps at a comfortable level -- 65 degrees should do it -- to give a buyer more incentive to linger.

 

Create a Mood

“Buyers want to imagine themselves living in the home, so be sure to make your rooms appear warm, cozy, and inviting,” Kristin advises. Light a fire in the fireplace. Toss blankets or throws across the couch arms. Set your dining room table and add candles. A few subtle changes can go a long way.  

 

Turn On the Sound

Music can also set a mood. Play soft music - light jazz or classical are best bets -- throughout the house. Stream from a service like iTunes or Spotify so the music is continuous.  

 

Ease Up on the Scents

Many people are allergic to certain scents and deodorizers, and a closed house can intensify these smells, so don't use plug-in air fresheners or burn scented candles. 

 

Don’t let the winter season discourage you from putting your house on the market.  Call 201.939.7500 to speak to Kristin or any of the other knowledgeable sales associates at ERA Justin Realty to determine the best time to sell your home. 

Save Money on Winter Heating Bills

 

Save Money on Winter Heating Bills

December 21 is the first day of winter.  “According to the Farmer’s Almanac, we’re in for a snowy winter in the Northeast, with the possibility of a blizzard hitting sometime in early February,” says Glenn Elliot, a sales associate with ERA Justin Realty.  With colder temperatures in the forecast, here are some easy tips to lower your heating bills and save money this winter season.

 

Use a programmable thermostat and use a lower setting. You will save up to 3 percent on your heating bill per degree lowered over a 24 hour period (or about 1 percent per 8 hours). A programmable thermostat can make this regulation easier and help you save 10-20% on your energy bill year round. Glenn suggests, “Program your heater to come on right before you wake up, cool down when you leave for work, warm up when you return from work, and go down again right before you go to bed. If you’re working from home, lowering your thermostat even one degree makes a difference.”

 

Change air filters monthly. Clean air filters permit a better flow of air through your heating system, allowing hot air to more easily flow through the vents and into your rooms. You also reduce the strain on your furnace, which can extend its life. 

 

Seal the leaks in your house. If you seal most of these leaks, you can save between 10-20% on your heating bill this winter. “Seal gaps around any pipes, wires, vents or other openings with caulk or weather stripping,” Glenn recommends. 

 

Add insulation to your house. Insulation helps keep the hot air in and the cold air out. This can not only save you money, but it can also be a tax-deductible home improvement which will give you an even better return for your investment!

 

Use a humidifier. Humidifiers can reduce your heating costs because moist air retains heat better than dry air. There are other benefits to using a humidifier as well -- they reduce static electricity, ease dry skin, and make it easier to breathe. 

 

Most of these improvements are inexpensive and easy enough for just about anyone to do. But some are best handled by a professional.   Contact Glenn or any of the other experienced agents at ERA Justin Realty at 201.939.7500 to refer you to the trusted home maintenance and repair vendors in your area.

 The Financial Benefits of Home Ownership

Mortgage rates have hit new record lows 11 times in 2020, according to The Mortgage Reports. If you are ready to buy, it’s a fantastic time to lock in.

And while a low mortgage interest rate is a great reason to start your home buying journey, there are multiple financial benefits to home ownership. “Owning a home is a great way to build your long-term wealth,” says Julia Daglistanli, a sales associate at ERA Justin Realty. “Instead of paying your landlord, you are paying toward your own investment.”

According to a report by Trulia, buying is cheaper than renting in 100 of the largest metro areas by an average of 37.4%. And while that alone may have you thinking about buying a home instead of signing another lease extension, there are many other reasons to buy versus renting.  

Here are four more reasons why owning a home makes financial sense:

Mortgage payments can be fixed while rents go up. $485.6 billion was spent on rents in the U.S. in 2017, representing an increase of over $4.9 billion from the year before. What’s more, rents have increased consistently over the last 20+ years.

Equity in your home can be a financial resource later. “The equity built in your home can be borrowed against in the form of a home equity loan or home equity line of credit,” Julia explains. “Simply put, a home equity loan is essentially a ‘second mortgage’ that uses your home as collateral as you borrow an exact amount of money.”

A mortgage can act as a forced savings account. Each month, your housing payments go toward owning your home instead of renting it; building your personal wealth and assets instead of someone else’s.

Overall, homeowners can enjoy greater wealth growth than renters. According to the latest data from the Federal Reserve, a homeowner’s net worth is 44.5 times greater than that of a renter ($231,400 vs. $5,200).

If you’re interested in learning more about how home ownership may benefit you,  call Julia or one of the other sales professionals at ERA Justin Realty at 201.939.7500.

 

Selling Your Home in Today’s Marketplace

Are you thinking about selling your home to take advantage of the current real estate market, but a little worried about the process due to current health and safety concerns?

In a survey by Realtor.com, people thinking about selling their houses today indicated they’re generally willing to allow their agent and some potential buyers inside if done under the right conditions. They’re less comfortable, however, hosting an open house, which is understandable, given the health concerns our country is facing this year. 

“If you need to sell your house now, you should ask your realtor what virtual practices they have in place to ensure that everyone -- you, your family, and potential buyers -- is comfortable with the home showing and selling process,” says Fara Espandi, as sales associate with ERA Justin Realty.  

Working with a trusted professional who is skilled with today’s changing virtual practices is critical during this current selling climate. “My colleagues at ERA Justin and I always abide by the recommendations given by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), as well as state and local regulations,” Fara explains, adding, “We know what today’s buyers need and how to put the necessary steps in place. 

For example, according to the same realtor.com survey, when asked to select what technology would be most helpful when deciding on a new home, here’s what today’s homebuyers said, in order of preference:

• Virtual tour of the home

• Accurate and detailed listing information

• Detailed neighborhood information

• High-quality listing photos

“At ERA Justin, we have the tools and technology to promote your home in today’s marketplace, including virtual tours and access to professional photographers” Fara explains. “In addition, we have achieved the number one ranking in Rutherford closed sales for 19 years running.  If you want a neighborhood expert who can provide the accurate and detailed information buyers want, look no further than the sales associates ERA Justin.” 

 

If you’re ready to sell, contact Fara or any of the knowledgeable and professional sales agents at ERA Justin Realty to learn more about how to effectively navigate through today’s current landscape. You can reach us at 201.939.7500, or stop by our offices in Rutherford at 118 Jackson Avenue or 57 Park Avenue in Rutherford.