Making Your Offer Stand Out in a Bidding War

Making Your Offer Stand Out in a Bidding War

Make no mistake about it.  It’s a seller’s market.  In July 2020, there was an average of nearly three offers per house sold, and 68% of homes were on the market for less than a month, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).   The current combination of low inventory, coupled with all-time-low mortgage rates makes this an ideal time to sell your home.

 

But what if you’re  in the market to BUY a home?  “With multiple-offer scenarios becoming the norm rather than the exception, it’s important to make sure that you present an attractive and competitive offer to ensure you don’t miss out on your dream home,” advises Beth Albanese, sales associate with ERA Justin Realty.

 

So what makes some offers stand out from the rest?   Here’s four things you can do to make a solid and competitive offer.  

 

Get Pre-Approved

Buyers who are pre-approved are a step ahead of those who aren’t. “Having a pre-approval letter shows a seller you’re serious AND qualified,” says Beth.  “This can definitely tip the scales in your favor with a seller.”  But according to a recent survey* only 52% of active homebuyers obtained a pre-approval letter BEFORE they began searching for a home.  

 

Present Your Best Offer

This is not the time to negotiate or come in under asking price. A buyer considering multiple offers will most likely eliminate these.  Rather, work with a trusted real estate professional who can provide insight into what the bid trends and final sale prices are in your area, and will use that information along with your budget to help you determine your best offer.

Be Ready to Act Quickly

If you really love the home, chances are that someone else does too.  “With houses selling faster than ever, you may not have much time to think about it, and it’s important to make sure your bid is in on time to be considered,” Beth advises.

 

Work with a Trusted Real Estate Professional

ERA Justin Realty has been the Rutherford market leader in closed sales for 19 consecutive years.  If you’re looking to purchase a home this fall and need expert guidance to make the best offer possible, contact Beth or any of our knowledgeable REALTORS at 201-939-7500.

 

 

A Surprising Shift to the ‘Burbs May Be on the Rise

A Surprising Shift to the ‘Burbs May Be on the Rise

While many people across the U.S. have traditionally enjoyed the perks of an urban lifestyle, some who live in more populated city limits today are beginning to rethink their current neighborhoods. Sharon Robie and Beth Albanese, Realtor Sales Associates at ERA Justin Realty highlight some reasons for the rise in this shift. “Being in close proximity to everything from the grocery store to local entertainment is definitely a perk, especially if you can also walk to some of these hot spots and have a short commute to work. The trade-off, however, is that highly populated cities can lack access to open space, a yard, and other desirable features,” they state.  These are the kinds of things you may miss when spending a lot of time at home. When it comes to social distancing, as we’ve experienced recently, the newest trend seems to be around re-evaluating a once-desired city lifestyle and trading it for suburban or rural living.

As the economy reopens, the impact on consumer preferences will likely shift buying behavior. Consumers are already looking for larger homes, bigger yards, access to the outdoors and more separation from neighbors. As we move into the recovery stage, these preferences will play an important role in the type of homes consumers will want to buy. They will also play a role in the coming discussions on zoning and urban planning. While higher density has been a hallmark of urban development over the past decade, the pandemic may lead to a re-thinking of space allocation.

Today, moving outside the city limits is also more feasible than ever, especially as Americans have quickly become more accustomed to – and more accepting of – remote work. This trend may continue for the unforeseeable future, while businesses re-evaluate their business models. 

If you have a home you were thinking about selling, you may see an increasing number of buyers looking for a property like yours. Likewise, if you’re thinking of buying to finally leave that City lifestyle, now is the time to consider looking at homes for sale in the burbs. Beth and Sharon, or any of our experience real estate professionals, are here to help make it happen! We are your area’s Full Service & Experienced Real Estate Company for over 50 years. Call 201.939.7500.

5 Easy Steps to Avoid Overwhelm from Media Overload

 

5 Easy Steps to Avoid Overwhelm from Media Overload

According to ERA Justin Realtor agent, Beth Albanese, "When someone is thinking about buying or selling a home, they want to be well-informed. They want to make the right decision for themselves and their family. They scour the internet for any information they can find about the housing market."

Today, there is an abundance of information available. It is often conflicting news. It can easily lead to confusion and concern, perhaps even causing a potential buyer or seller to cancel their plans to move altogether. Instead, the best thing to do is sit down and take a deep breath.

In a recent article, Jeff Davidson, a recognized speaker on the subject of productivity, explained:

“The pace at which new information arrives will accelerate every day…Too often, the reflex to take action only exacerbates your time-pressure problems. Do not bite off more than you can chew, and acknowledge that often, the wisest response to too much competition for your time and attention is to simply slow down to assess the best way to proceed.”

Beth added, "To that point, here is an easy five-step process to follow if all of this information seems overwhelming:"

Calm Down – Don’t let the confusion lead to concern or panic.

Slow Down – As Davidson suggests, just 'slow down to assess.'

Think – Remember the reasons you wanted to move in the first place. Are they still important?

Plan – Determine whether or not the new information should change anything. If you need further clarification on some points, reach out to a Realtor professional in your area for a better understanding.

Act – After thorough consideration, feel good about your decision, whether you decide to move or not.

Beth's bottom line includes, "Don’t let the plethora of seemingly conflicting information on the housing market stop you from moving forward with your life. Let’s get together to ensure you get the valuable counsel you need so you can make the right decision for you and your family. Simply call me at ERA Justin Realty at (201)939-7500. I'm here to help along with our team of nearly 40 agents, management and administrative staff. We re always just a phone call away."

ERA JUSTIN’S RELOCATION TIPS FOR KIDS

Beth Albanese and Sharon Robie focused sales professionals with ERA Justin Realty offer important relocation tips for kids. “ERA Justin Realty has been #1 in closed Rutherford transactions for the past 18 years. Many of the homes purchased, were done so with plans for their kids to begin the school year in a brand new location. Every year, one out of five American families move. One of the most important issues to them is explaining the news that they're moving and adjusting to their new home. Being informed is very important to children. One of the worst mistakes we can make as adults is to assume that kids don't care or won't understand the details. Keeping them 'in the loop,' consulting them about choices whenever possible, and including them in the family game plan will work wonders toward their adjustment.” Other factors depend on a child's age, Beth and Sharon continued:

“Preschool children: Kids under the age of six may worry about being left behind, or being separated from their parents. If you go on an orientation or house-hunting trip beforehand without the children, it's important to reassure kids this age that you will be back; bring something unique back to them from the new town. It's also very important for them to express their feelings and fears about the move. Give them a job to do - have them be responsible for boxing up their favorite toys, and 'labeling' their boxes with crayons and stickers.


Ages 6 to 12: Elementary age kids are usually most concerned with how the everyday routines of their lives are going to change. Showing them pictures, videos, and magazines of their new home will help a lot, especially if you can find new places in advance for the things they like to do. If your child takes dance lessons, find and share information about the new dance studio she can go to. If he takes karate or plays soccer or baseball, even if her favorite thing to do is the park or the pizza parlor, find these places in your new neighborhood and get brochures, pictures or videos.


Teenagers: Teenagers are most concerned with fitting in. They may react unhappily to the move. This is usually due to the total lack of control they have over everything important in their lives - friends, school and jobs - being disrupted. These children can be very worried about making new friends, and what will be different in the new school. They are curious about the clothing, hairstyles, bicycles, cars, etc. that kids in the new city will have. Pictures of all these things are very helpful, so if you take an orientation trip to be sure to take many detailed photos/videos of the schools they will be attending.


Other tips for making the transition:

1. Give young children an entertaining travel kit for the move.
2. Give older children a diary for recording the trip and move.
3. Give children of all ages a special address book and stationery set for keeping up with old friends.
4. Take videos of the new home if the kids won't get to see it before the move. Arrive well before the movers so kids can explore and become acquainted first.
5. Give children a chore to do, such as working on their room (younger), supervising little siblings (middle), and painting or arranging furniture (older kids).
6. Take a break with the family as soon as possible to explore the museums, sights, and recreation in your new city.
7. Arrange a visit to new schools and a meeting with the teacher before the actual first day of attendance.
8. Encourage the children to bring new friends home.

Regardless of when you move, prepare your children well for the transition. By planning ahead, you'll be able to offer them a few details of what to expect. Give the kids plenty of opportunities to express their feelings about the move, and their anxieties about the new school, new friends and teachers. Try to find ways to address your own emotional needs and your stress load so that you appear available to the kids at times. Planning and organizing can help keep stress to a minimum. Different children have different needs, certainly, and all kids process stress differently. Share your feelings and encourage the kids to see the move as a family adventure. You're all in it together. You will all experience emotional ups and downs, and it's important that everyone understands how normal these feelings are. Acknowledge the emotions of moving. Looking ahead to the new house, new school, and new friends should shortly be an exciting experience.

Jennifer Darby Metzger, owner-broker concluded, “This is an overview of how you may want to handle your move. It is our pleasure to assist our home buyers and sellers throughout the entire process. Reach any of our Realtor sales professionals at either of our two Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue or 57 Park Avenue. By phone, (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD.” Additional information about ERA Justin Realty is available on our 1000's of homes websites at www.erajustin.com and www.erajustinrealty.com."

Smart Sellers Think Like Buyers In Current Housing Market

 

There are many home buyers intent on buying while they can still lock in a low mortgage rate and varied mortgage programs for qualified buyers. The 2019 housing market is presenting good opportunities for sellers who understand how to maximize profit in this current selling environment. The first step is to start thinking like a buyer, not a seller. While buyers are anxious to buy before rates rise, sellers also know they are in competition with other homes on the market.

ERA Justin Realtor agent Sharon Robie reported, “As written in Inman News, buyers are concerned about value.  For this reason, pricing is important in order to create interest as well as showings to qualified buyers. Listings attract attention when they're new on the market. To maximize your opportunities, your home not only needs to be priced right and properly prepared for sale, but you also need a comprehensive prepared marketing plan by your Realtor agent at ERA Justin Realty. You want to make sure that information about your listing immediately reaches as many potential buyers as possible.”

The ERA Justin Realtor Beth Albanese added,  "Sellers need be proactive with comprehensive information when preparing the sale of their house.  ERA Justin Realty provides our sellers with a marketing plan with marketing materials that will be used to promote their home, as well as strong Internet exposure. As reported, approximately 80 percent of today's home buyers start their home searches on the Internet."

Ron Darby, Broker-Owner continued, “A listing on the Internet isn't enough, though. Buyers don't look at listings that don't have photos. You gain an edge with an array of multiple photos and a virtual tour of your home that we place on the Internet as soon as your home is opened to the market. It's important to have a good working relationship with your listing salesperson.  Hundreds of past sellers who had positive experiences buying their home through us decide to list with our salesperson who represented them as buyers. See our more than 1,000 written reviews about our services, available in our published report. In most cases, it's not wise to work with a salesperson who does not sell outside of their market area. An unorganized marketing effort as well as selling through an outside area discount brokerage firm can result in a no-sale."

Sharon and Beth continued, "Your aim is to sell for the highest price possible. But keep in mind that overpriced listings won't sell or appraise for a mortgage for your buyer as it's all based on comparable closed sales. Your house is in daily competition with many similar houses on the market at any given time.  We are active in your area and will advise you about an effective list price for your home.  We offer our Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), a comprehensive study of your house in comparison with others that are on the market, that have sold, that have expired, as well as a year-end market update.  It’s offered at no cost or obligation simply by phoning us at our office.”

ERA Justin Realty continuously receives the prestigious ERA Commitment to Excellence Award, chosen from approximately 30,000 ERA brokers and agents from across the nation.  For these reasons, ERA Justin Realty should be your buying and selling Realtor of choice, as thousands have chosen them since 1950.

Sharon, Beth and their ERA Justin Realtor team can be reached at either of their two Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue and 57 Park Avenue and their Hoboken meet and greet location and by office phone (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.

ERA Justin Realty Offers 2017 Online Video House Tours

ERA Justin Realty Offers 2017 Online Video House Tours

Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson Counties, New Jersey: Beth Albanese known as a Realtor agent with ERA Justin Realty reviewed some of the state-of-the-art technology advances offered, including technology which enables consumers to view house listings through an online video tour, making home buying and selling easier and productive.

Considered to be a technology leader in the real estate industry and a top 100 ERA real estate firm nationwide, ERA Justin Realty features video tours in today's fast-paced and technologically advanced real estate market. Video tours offer home sellers the advantages of a 24-hour a day, seven-day a week open house, at the home buyers convenience.

Beth said, “Video tours include both single and multi-scene views of the interiors and exteriors of ERA Justin listed properties. Online visitors can tour properties at any hour, from their home, office, or from anywhere in the world. The expectations of today's real estate home buyers and sellers are high, and as world consumers use the internet to look for a home, it is critical to have the best tools to promote our listings online. Video tours help potential buyers view a property's attributes so much better than just a text description or a single photo of a house. For example, consumers can view what is on the other side of the street and next door."

Continuing, she said, “Online video tours increase a listing's exposure to potential buyers, which our home sellers find very beneficial. Buyers who view a video tour then call us about a property. They are strong, interested prospects."

Consumers interested in learning more about ERA Justin Realty’s online virtual tours can visit and experience a virtual tour on the internet by entering www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com.

Beth concluded, “All of our ERA Justin Realty Realtor agents can be reached at either of our two Rutherford sales offices at 118 Jackson Avenue and 57 Park Avenue and by phone at (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD.”

Realtor Salesperson Beth Albanese Joins ERA Justin Realty

Realtor Salesperson Beth Albanese Joins ERA Justin Realty

 

 Jennifer Darby Metzger, ERA Justin Realty Broker Co-owner welcomed Realtor salesperson Beth Albanese to the firm.

 

 Upon accepting a position, she stated, "My goal is to provide quality and attentive service to the real estate market. I want to take buyers and sellers and turn them into friends after completing successful purchases and sales.  People want someone to help guide them to make a well informed decision. As a Lyndhurst resident my focus will be to aid families transitioning from either out-of town or locally to a  lifestyle in our surrounding communities.  As a professional, it will be my purpose to share my knowledge and experience. As a friend, it  will be my intent to express my enthusiasm and commitment. As your trusted Realtor, it will be my goal to serve you."

 

 When asked to express her business ethics and why she wants to call  ERA Justin Realty home, Beth offered, "As a Lyndhurst resident for over thirty years and with our family being Lyndhurst residents for their whole lives, I knew that I'd be at home as the firm is a leader in community real estate.

 

To be sure of my thoughts I interviewed with other agencies.  As soon as I interviewed with Jennifer Darby Metzger I felt at home. Not only was the office friendly and inviting, but I immediately recognized their professionalism and learned that they are the #1 agency in closed Rutherford transactions for the past fourteen consecutive years.

 

 Working with my ERA Justin agent teammates, I know that their high standards match mine. The firm offers me greater opportunities to serve the needs of my area buyers and sellers, even the Hudson County buyers who want to live in our Bergen County communities. Our agents have proven themselves to thousands of buyers and sellers since opening their doors in 1950. They exceed expectations each day.”

 

 Ron Darby, Broker Co-owner added, "Away from the office, Beth enjoys reading, scrap-booking, traveling and watching football.  We are pleased that Beth has selected our firm for her real estate career. We are confident that she will give her energy for the success of her buyers and sellers who want to enjoy a wonderful area lifestyle."

 

 ERA Justin Realty buyers and sellers have put their reviews of the company in writing. They have on file for review, Real Estate Results In Writing, their report nearing 800 testimonials and reviews that Beth will be proud to share.

 

 All of the ERA Justin Realty full service real estate team 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. Also view 1000's of homes at their websites, www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com.