ERA JUSTIN AGENT TIPS: VALUE FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT DOLLARS

ERA JUSTIN AGENT TIPS: VALUE FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT DOLLARS

ERA Justin Realty, a market leader throughout Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson Counties deals with homes each day.  Some are pristine and some call for improvements.  "Collectively, our Realtor agents share knowledge with these tips. When you decide to undertake a major renovation or some minor home improvements, you may want to consider improvements which could attract buyers and increase your price if and when you sell your home. Should you put in a new kitchen or bathroom? Add new landscaping? Which improvements matter most and give the biggest return?

It is estimated that the average American family stays in a home for approximately seven years. Considering that your home is probably your most expensive asset, it makes sense to consult an ERA Justin Realtor agent to identify those improvements that will appeal to more buyers and help it sell faster, and possibly for a higher price. Before taking on major home improvements, it is best to first take care of minor maintenance needs, such as fixing leaky faucets, grouting around tubs, cleaning gutters and so on. Buyers are more comfortable purchasing a well cared for home because if what they can see is maintained, it is more likely that what they cannot see has also probably been maintained. Once basic maintenance needs are cared for, our real estate professionals can be helpful in recommending home improvements that may increase the value of your home. If you have extra funds to spend on one project, and you are choosing between renovating your kitchen or adding a new in-ground pool, which do you think would increase the value of your home more?  Installing a new kitchen will generate a greater return when selling than a pool. Not all buyers want a pool, however, they all want an updated kitchen." 

Minor upgrades may also enhance the value of your property. Cleaning and de-cluttering go a long way to improving the sale of your home. Agents also recommend adding light and brightness to a home with new lighting fixtures. Landscape improvements, fresh interior paint in a neutral color and removing old carpeting (to expose wood floors or to replace with new carpet) are also  recommended. 

The team concluded, “For a survey of what improvements you are considering as well as a comparative market price analysis for a current 2017 value, one of our ERA Justin Realtor agents will be glad to give you a comprehensive overview and written report, at no obligation." 

ERA Justin offers Summer Relocation Tips for Kids

                                           

Fara Espandi, an active Realtor agent with ERA Justin Realty offers tips on Relocation for kids. “Every year millions of families move. One of the most important issues to anyone with kids is their reaction to the news that they're moving and their adjustment to the 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 move.”  Other factors depend on a child's age, she continued:

“Preschool childrenKids 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 before hand 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 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 12Elementary 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 bring that information home.  Even if their favorite things to do is the park or the pizza parlor, find these places in your new neighborhood and get brochures, pictures or videos.

TeenagersTeenagers are most concerned with fitting in. They may concerned about the move, even insist they're not going. 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 be sure to take many detailed photos/videos of the schools they will be attending.

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 opportunity to express their feelings about the move, and their thoughts about the new school, new friends, teachers, and leaving all that is familiar. Different children have different needs, certainly, and all kids process it differently. Share your feelings and encourage the kids to see the move as a family adventure. You will all experience the new adventure, and it's important that everyone understands how normal these feelings are. Looking ahead to the new house, new school, and new friends should shortly be an exciting experience.”

Fara 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 sales professionals by phone, (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD". 

ERA Justin Realty Report: Gifting The Family Home

ERA Justin Realty Report:  Gifting The Family Home

“If you are getting ready to move out of your longtime home and into more sunshine, you can actually gift your home to a child or friend but that gift will come with a few strings attached. In the United States, estate taxes, home values, job transfers, and the desire for a separate space and different environment have changed the use of the traditional family home. The bottom line is that the home has evolved from basic shelter to the average person's most valuable possession. It needs to be carefully protected, guarded, and even nursed along--much like the responsibilities that took place within the home itself. And the financial value is usually accompanied by priceless memories and experiences, making the family home beyond doubt the ultimate asset.”  This is information brought forth by author Tom Kelly in his book "Real Estate for Boomers and Beyond,” reported ERA Justin Realtor agent Catherine Nimmo. The firm has consistently been awarded for their commitment to excellence from approximately 30,000 ERA brokers and agents.

Catherine stated, “First and foremost, your child or friend's basis in the house will be what you paid for the property, plus major improvements. Because this cost you paid years ago may be lower than today's home value, there's a chance tax will be owed on a subsequent sale. Carefully note that tax laws change and everyone should review their specific situation with their tax advisor for the most current laws and tax information.”

Kelly’s book continued, “The adjusted basis is the original cost plus capital improvements. Capital improvements are the cost of improvements having a useful life for a period of time. Examples include the new roof, dock, deck, remodeled bathroom, kitchen and finished basement. Generally, an expense is a capital improvement if it adds value to the property or extends its useful life. If these criteria are not met and the expenditure is considered necessary to maintain current usefulness, it is a maintenance cost.

Catherine concluded, “Tax regulations do change, so take the time to check with your tax attorney or your accountant before making any moves. Be certain that goals are shared and discussed. You'll find it saves time, money and anxiety.”

ERA Justin Realty proudly continues to receive the ERA Commitment to Excellence Award, from approximately 30,000 ERA real estate brokers and agents.  For these reasons ERA Justin Realty should be your buying and selling Realtor of choice.

All of the ERA Justin Realty listing and sales 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. Also view 1000's of homes at their websites www.ERAJustin.com,  www.ERAJustinRealty.com and www.SellBergenCounty.com

New Homebuyer Tips offered by ERA Justin Realty 2016 NJ Realtors Circle of Excellence Achievers

New Homebuyer Tips offered by ERA Justin Realty

2016 NJ Realtors Circle of Excellence Achievers

Ask any of the ERA Justin Realty 2016 NJ Realtors Circle of Excellence achievers and they will advise, “Buying a home is a focused decision to begin with; the only prospect more daunting may be doing it for the first time. But by asking the right questions and considering a few simple but important issues, you can pave the way for some powerful beginner's luck. Becoming a first-time homeowner has possible uncertainties, but remember that you're not alone. A past National Association of Realtors survey says, first-timers made up nearly half of all homebuyers. With so many making a move, you can too."

Chances are they did it with the help of a real estate professional, possibly including L to R: Jennifer Sullivan, Kristen Davis, Daniel Simone, Rosemarie Zembryski, Libra Schilare, Michelle Korosy, Julia Dagistanli, Cathy Vick, Joana Iliescu, Fara Espandi and Carol D. Calamari who can navigate the complexities of the home buying process and let you concentrate on the rewards of a new experience. These professionals will tell you that there are three major points you should take into account: finding the right financing, investigating the community you're considering, and evaluating your prospective home's amenities.

Before your home-search begins it's helpful to determine what price-range you are comfortable with and get prequalified for a mortgage loan. Some hopeful home-seekers will quit the search before they start, out of worry that they can't afford a down payment or sheer unfamiliarity with the financing process. But today those worries are often unfounded. There is an array of financing options available for aspiring homeowners of almost every income. For example they can suggest many different mortgage companies with one likely to fit your unique financing needs.

Once you've gained confidence about financing, it's important to make sure you're familiar with the location you'd like to live in. Think about what you want in a community and how your chosen location meets your needs including nearness to the city (or country), reputation of the school system, access to public transportation, and property values. This is another task that ERA Justin Realty with tools like their websites search functions on www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com, are perfectly equipped to help you. Those web site features, unique 1000’s of homes sections, are designed so a prospect can view homes for sale in Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties, all areas in which ERA Justin Realty lists and sells.

You also need to evaluate the soundness of your possible new home. What condition are major components like the furnace, windows and roof in? Is it a house needing only cosmetic improvements which will one day pay for themselves in resale value, or structural repairs that will affect your future profit? A qualified home inspector can help you answer such questions with confidence.

Jennifer Darby Metzger Broker Co-owner added “There is a difference in real estate companies and first-time homebuyers have the benefit of our knowledgeable award achievers. 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."

Kristen Davis & Julia Dagistanli ERA Justin Realty's 2017 Five Star Professionals Cited by New Jersey Monthly Magazine

Kristen Davis & Julia Dagistanli

ERA Justin Realty's 2017 Five Star Professionals

Cited by New Jersey Monthly Magazine

Focus for clients and customers are the force that motivates the staff of active Realtor salespersons at ERA Justin Realty.  In fact, the firm tracks continuing activity of 100 real estate firms who service the vast reaches of area communities and ERA Justin Realty has again proven itself to be an area real estate market leader. Two outstanding agents have been cited as 2017 Five Star Home Professionals by New Jersey Monthly Magazine.

Five Star Professional partnered with New Jersey Monthly Magazine to identify real estate professionals in the New Jersey area who deliver outstanding service and client satisfaction. The Five Star Professionalresearch team contacted thousands of recent home buyers, as well as other consumers. Phone, mail and on-line respondents rated their service professional on criteria such as overall satisfaction and whether they would recommend the professional to a friend.

Ron Darby, ERA Justin Realty Broker Co-owner proudly offered, "An incredible honor to have our salespersons awarded in New Jersey Monthly Magazine.  These honors are incredible.  We are so very proud ofKristen Davis, and Julia Dagistanli for their efforts, service to their buyers and sellers and the communities they serve throughout Bergen, Passaic, Hudson and Essex Counties."

Continuing, Darby said, "Each year we proudly present the New Jersey Realtors Circle of Excellence Awards. They are also represented for 2016 where they exceeded the expectations of their sellers and buyers.  These fine professionals currently awarded have also earned with their teammates the elite Circle of Light for Community Service Award which was presented at the ERA global business conference in Los Angeles, California.   For our sellers and buyers, ERA Justin Realty has compiled our What People Are Saying presentation of nearly 900 testimonials and reviews regarding our services.  A copy is available for review for the asking."

For Spring 2017 Kristen and Julia will be pleased to provide a current market price analysis of your home at no cost or obligation.  The report features current homes on the market, homes that have sold and closed, and details as to the current value of your home.   It will also give specifics as to what a seller may do to make it more marketable. Invite them in, it will be well rewarding for your sales process.

ERA JUSTIN REALTY OFFERS NATIONWIDE RELOCATION SERVICES

ERA JUSTIN REALTY OFFERS NATIONWIDE RELOCATION SERVICES

Ron Darby, ERA Justin Broker co-owner with fifty years of area real estate experience and with listings and sales totaling thousands of transactions for the firm, shares relocation services with our readers.

He offered, “In today's real estate market a large portion of buyers come from out of town. Whether moving across the country or just across the state within Bergen, Passaic, Hudson and Essex counties, relocating to a new community can be an exciting experience for everyone in a family. With corporate transfers, company down-sizings and moves to meet family needs on the rise, relocation services have expanded the daily major scope of  our business.”

“ERA-Justin Realty was our area's first relocation specialist since ERA Real Estate was the only company to electronically transfer listings to relocating buyers, as part of the their network, now the norm but with thousands of ERA relocation companies." stated Darby.

"This original cutting edge technology helped establish and maintain the company's reputation as a technology leader in the real estate industry. Today ERA Justin Realty continues to serve the needs of transferees as part of one of the nation's large ERA corporate relocation firms and by training our sales agents on how to best serve this special market for their clients. In conjunction is extensive home buying information on our 1000's of homes websites, www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com.

To help buyers who are relocating determine the general area in which they would like to live, our agents work with ERA's  national website which features multi-thousands of home listings and allows users to research detailed information about those communities. Buyers can learn about the styles of homes in an area and how much house their money can buy in different neighborhoods. Finding a highly qualified, knowledgeable, local Realtor agent who knows the area can simplify the process of relocation and having staff who lives in the area and knows the nuances of the communities is very important," according to Darby.

"Our Realtor professionals begin by interviewing transferees about the community from which they are moving, in order to find out what they liked best about that community and what qualities they value, so that we can recommend a community which encompasses those qualities," he added.

Working with both incoming buyers and local corporations in need of relocation services for their employees, corporations like the products that a quality full-service real estate company like ERA-Justin Realty has to offer. ERA Justin Realty offers a high level of customer service, which they, as an independently owned and operated company can provide. Many home sellers, recognizing the benefits that ERA Justin Realty has to offer in relocation services list their homes with the firm for greater showing exposure. They like the fact that their home with color photos, video tours with strong details are exposed worldwide through dozens internet sites.

Darby concluded, “Call or visit any of our Realtor agents who will be pleased to provide answers to your relocation questions.  Each year ERA Justin Realty has received the prestigious worldwide Commitment to Excellence award, from the ERA network of approximately 30,000 brokers and agents.  Our sales professionals can be reached at either of our Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue and 57 Park Avenue.  By office phone (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD. We are just a phone call away, and always here for you.”

ERA Justin Realty Welcomes Dwight Vega To The Firm

ERA Justin Realty Welcomes Dwight Vega To The Firm

 ERA Justin Realty has been serving the communities of Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties since its beginnings in 1950. Since those early days the real estate industry has changed, grown and has been enhanced by technologies.  ERA Justin Realty has stayed ahead of the curve and is in the forefront of the industry with all of the state-of-the-art technologies that keep it a market leader.  For these reasons, the-best-of-the-best licensed real estate agents continually join the ERA Justin Realty sales team.

Ron Darby, Broker co-owner recently announced another step by introducing Dwight Vega to the firm who will focus on residential listings, sales and rentals.

A Lyndhurst resident for twelve plus years, Dwight also brings his warmth and caring to the communities through his ownership of a Park Ave., Rutherford bridal shop and will serve new families throughout their wedding planning and their upcoming real estate needs.

 Dwight said,  “We have one of the finest real estate teams of professional Realtor agents in the industry, a top-100 ERA firm nationally and  I will focus on serving my buyers and sellers needs, making their dreams come true while working to exceed their expectations.”

ERA Justin Realty has been recognized by multi-thousands of buyers and sellers since 1950 in closed transactions and continues to  be recognized as an area market leader. They proudly continue to receive the prestigious ERA Commitment to Excellence Award  through ERA real estate and their firms all across the nation and globally. For these reasons ERA Justin Realty is recognized as an outstanding Realtor of choice.

 Dwight 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 and (201) 438-SOLD. Also view 1000's of homes at their websites at www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com.