MOMS Club growing throughout Bergen County, New Jersey

Bergen County, New Jersey:  In 1983 when Mary James, an at-home mother in California, decided she was tired of being alone at home, she wanted to meet other at-home mothers and she wanted to find other at-home children for her children to play with. When she discovered there were no other organizations that met during the day and allowed her to come with her baby and preschooler, she decided to start a brand new organization for at-home mothers, and the MOMS Club was born.  MOMS stands for Moms offering Moms support.

 

The chapter she started was so successful, she knew mothers in other areas must be needing the MOMS Club, too. Soon she and other volunteers were helping mothers start mom’s clubs across the country and around the world!

There now are 2,100+ chapters in the US alone and over 110,000 members, with international chapters also forming.

Locally, those interested can reach Vickie Payne at 973-893-8020, who stated,

“Are you are a stay at home or part time working mom or dad? We are building a group 

who support one another as we stay at home to raise our children. We contribute to the communities that we live in to make them better and more vibrant places for our children to develop and thrive.

We have monthly meetings that are a great way to meet us and see if you want to be part of our group.  Bring your kids and meet some new moms and dads. And yes, dads are also welcome. Included in what we do is create play dates, work on special nights out, set up service projects, discussion topics and equally important we are there to support each other.”

Jennifer Darby Metzger, Broker Co-owner of ERA Justin Realty located at 118 Jackson Avenue, Rutherford, New Jersey stated, “We have donated both our large conference room which can comfortably accommodate more than 40 of us plus an extra room that has been set up as a playroom for the kids while we are meeting. It’s a win-win for us. We are excited to have this facility available for the MOMS CLUB for our monthly meetings. Come check us out.”

For more information, call Vickie Payne at the MOMS Club of the Meadowlands at (973) 893-8020.  Additionally, more information is available at their website, http://www.momsclubofthemeadowlands.org/.  They are growing and would love to have you join us.”



Kevin Jurik Realtor Professional Joins ERA Justin Realty

Kevin Jurik has joined ERA Justin Realty since transferring from another real estate brokerage. His past transactions, linked to new marketing efforts and technologies will guide him to success for his buyers and sellers. Kevin will service the needs of those wanting to buy and sell in Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties.

Kevin Jurik Realtor Professional Joins ERA Justin Realty

“I believe to achieve success for my buyers and sellers, a hardworking, knowledgeable and experienced agent is needed. I pride myself on that.” stated Realtor professional Kevin Jurik of ERA Justin Realty.

Jennifer Darby Metzger, ERA Justin Realty Broker stated, “Kevin’s attributes parallel our business philosophy in that our buyers and sellers will benefit from his upbeat friendly abilities to provide customer satisfaction.  This is of extreme important at our firm.  Kevin demonstrates this each day.”

In his free time away from the office he enjoys all phases of the newest technologies that drive our real estate industry, bettering buyer and seller successes, working on impressive marketing strategies as well as having coached youth hockey for ten years.

Kevin added, “I enjoy what I do; providing for my family by working hard in my career as a real estate professional and assisting buyers and sellers so they can make educated decisions regarding their homes in our communities.  ERA Justin Realty is well known to have an outstanding and high volume ‘business model’ as a state-of-the-art real estate industry leader. To become one of the best, you learn from the best. I specialize in first time buyer purchases, relocation for those moving within the state or across the nation and helping those in need in this ever-changing real estate market.”

Having been a Lyndhurst resident, Kevin now resides in Rutherford with his wife Megan, daughter Rylee and their brand new baby daughter, Avery Cate.

“ERA Justin Realty proudly received the prestigious ERA world-wide 2003 through 2010 ‘Commitment to Excellence Award’, selected from ERA offices nationwide, and Kevin will be part of this continuing effort,” added Jennifer.

For more information, and to speak with Kevin about real estate needs, consumers can reach him and the other ERA Justin Realtor professionals at either of their two Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue or 57 Park Avenue. By phone at (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD.  Additional real estate information is also available at the firms 1000's of homes website at www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com. For additional information you can email Kevin at Kevin.Jurik@ERA.com .

ERA Justin Realty Report: Selecting the Right Real Estate Agent in 2011

Peggy McLaughlin, a Realtor Professional with ERA Justin Realty has been instrumental in hundreds of real estate transactions throughout her career. Her repeat business through referrals is outstanding as she now serves the needs of grown children whose parents engaged Peggy during her early years throughout Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties. Here Peggy explains the benefits of hiring the right real estate agent.

ERA Justin Realty Report: Selecting the Right Real Estate Agent in 2011

In our fast-paced real estate world with technologies that guide us from minute to minute, buyers and sellers must know facts rather than fiction to be successful in their purchase and sale. Picking the right real estate agent is at the top of the list.

Choices in real estate as in any business should be based on fact, not fiction. Agents who do a lot of business with excellent service provide a wealth of experience which can be necessary in the current real estate market. Years in business alone should not be the determinating criteria.

“It’s important to listen to  pricing figures you may not want to hear, but important to know so you can make an educated decision both on agent selection and proper pricing. Hearing glowing overpriced pricing from an agent in order to obtain a listing is not prudent. To buy into such dream-pricing only to be disappointed, not selling your property and losing valuable time is counterproductive to what you need to be successful,” said Peggy McLaughlin, a Realtor professional with ERA Justin Realty.

Continuing, she added, “Be sure before you list your home for sale or selecting your agent, you receive a true and critical (CMA) Comparative Market Analysis, a complete report which gives value details based on current market activity, sold houses and even more telling, those listings throughout your community that did not sell due to overpricing and other criteria. You can then set a price that is meaningful to you so qualified buyers will have an interest. And lastly, the pricing must be in line with the very restrictive appraisal guidelines so mortgage financing can be granted to your new buyer. Under appraised value usually results in a no-sale transaction.”

Ron Darby, ERA Justin Broker Owner continued, “Our Realtor professionals do continuing education to better serve the needs of our customers and clients. We market our listings on dozens of websites, see to vast paperwork, work within the transaction to be sure that before any offer is presented to a seller that we have a mortgage preapproval for buyer financing, review all disclosures, negotiate the purchase and sale and attend home inspections, appraisals, certificate of occupancy inspections and other details too numerous to mention here.

Carefully examine your agent’s enthusiasm. Be sure the agent believes it can be sold in the current market if properly priced.  Accept pricing updates from your agent if the market is unaccepting of your pricing and make needed adjustments as needed. Creating your team of professionals during a home purchase or sale is imperative in today's challenging home-sale market and can be critical to your ultimate success.

As in any business, there are good agents and those who may not be in tune with current market conditions  Some top-performing agents provide their clients with excellent service. Agents who do a lot of business have a wealth of experience to draw from can be helpful when problems arise. Our Realtor professionals oversee the marketing for our sellers and the house hunting for our buyers. We review disclosures and reports, negotiate the purchase contract and do whatever is required to facilitate a successful closing. You want to work with a professional who feels positively about your home and who believes it can be sold in the current market if properly priced and prepared for sale.”

ERA Justin Realty and its Realtor professionals will offer references from satisfied buyers and sellers whose opinions you can trust as they build a rapport with you. Don't underestimate the importance of good rapport and mutual trust. You'll be working with your Realtor professional for some time. Invariably problems crop up during a transaction. Working through the tough spots is far easier if you hire someone that you respect, trust and with whom you communicate well.  The qualities you're looking for in a Realtor include good communication skills, diligence, determination, promptness, trustworthiness, persistence and responsiveness.

Peggy concluded, “There is a difference in real estate companies.  Attending on-going advanced training, seminars, round-table discussions with industry leaders and focus groups is what we continually do at our firm.  We believe, in order to exceed buyers and seller’s expectations of what a real estate agent is about, we don’t learn just the basics.  We want to learn, know and teach much more than is ever expected of us.  In that way, we hope everyone holds us in the highest regard.  To prove that, our sellers have put their thoughts in writing. We have on file for the asking, ‘Real Estate Results In Writing’ our report of nearly 800 testimonials from our very satisfied sellers and buyers.”

ERA Justin Realty Report: New Kid On The Block

Fara Espandi, a Realtor professional with ERA Justin Realty is a

 real estate market leader throughout Bergen county as well as strong in her listing and sales activity in Essex and Hudson counties. Selected as a relocation specialist for the nation's largest RELO firm, Fara also focuses her attention to Fortune-500 buyers and sellers.

 

ERA Justin Realty Report: New Kid On The Block

Moving is a major change for all members of a family. Adult responsibilities weigh heavily when keeping track of all the tasks needed to make a move go smoothly. If you have children, this may be an interesting time to focus on their problems, but it’s also one of the most crucial times to keep their concerns in mind.

Sometimes what seems like a major disruption to adults is viewed as an adventure to the kids. Still, changing homes can also upset feelings of stability (in the case of younger children) and belonging (in the case of teens). These are special concerns for these age groups.

According to ERA Justin Realtor professional Fara Espandi, “The most important thing a parent can do is maintain normal routines as much as possible, and when it isn't possible, to let the kids know that apprehension about a big life change is normal, too. Keep calm about the move yourself, and your children will be more likely to follow your lead. It is advisable to be open about what’s happening, the excitement of a new house and the positives about the move.

This means keeping your kids in the loop at each stage of the move. They don't have to get a vote, but it helps everyone for them to get increasingly use to the idea of this change. Bring them along when you look at houses, make them familiar with the new area you're moving to, and investigate its attractions (including the athletic or extra-curricular offerings that appeal to your kids). Exploring some of this on the Internet is a good way to relate your relocation to an activity they already enjoy.

Encourage your children to express any worries, and do what you can to reassure them. If you went through similar experiences as a child, you can share how you dealt with it, if it was easy, so much the better, and if it was hard, your children will know they're not the only ones who have ever had to deal with change.

   

Minimizing the transition is essential for a smooth move with children. Try and arrange visits to the new school and meetings with the new teachers before the school year or semester starts. When you have more than one child, make bedroom assignments in the new house as soon as possible to avoid sibling strife (comfort, privacy and age seniority are all issues of kid politics that it is sometimes easy for grownups to forget).

Above all, be open and patient. If you pay the right attention, you will be letting your children know that, move or no move, the most important people in their lives aren't going anywhere.”

“There is a difference in real estate companies,” added Ron Darby, Broker Owner.  “Presenting consumer information, we believe, is in order to exceed sellers expectations of what ERA Justin Realty is about, and we don't offer just the basics.    In that way, we know that our sellers will hold us in the highest regard.  Our sellers have put their thoughts in writing. We have on file for the asking, ‘What people are saying’ our report of nearly 800 quotes and testimonials from our sellers and buyers.  No other area real estate firm can offer that.  Are we proud?  Absolutely!”

ERA Justin Realty has proudly received the prestigious ERA 2003 through 2010 Commitment to Excellence Award, for their service to their buyers, sellers and the communities they serve.  and is a national Top-100 ERA brokerage firm. For these reasons ERA Justin Realty should be your buying and selling Realtor of choice.

All of the ERA Justin Realty full service Realtor 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 website at their websites,  www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com .

Making a Price Adjustment for a Successful Real Estate Sale

ERA Justin Realtor professional Ilene Harpuder services the needs of buyers and sellers throughout Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties. Her involvement in hundreds of company transactions certifies her as one of the firm's corporate relocation specialists for the nation's largest relocation firm, processing transactions for Fortune-500 clients. A full-time professional with the firm she offers suggestions for real estate market pricing in 2011.

            Making a Price Adjustment for a Successful Real Estate Sale

In the real estate markets several years ago home pricing downward adjustments were in most cases not even a consideration because pricing continued to rise quickly. Many sellers enjoyed the quick escalation of pricing and values.  The real estate market has returned to, what experts consider now as, the ‘new normal.’

Today’s sellers are now resetting their expectations to be successful in the sale of their house. With a minimum of ten months of real estate inventory available, unless a house is priced to the current market, it will not sell. Buyers simply move on to one of dozens of other houses available to them. The old theory of listing one’s house many thousands above the market to have negotiation room is gone. When buyers see one house similar to others, multi thousands higher they don't choose to view it, but just move on to others.

It's important to list a house at a price that buyers will perceive as a good value and the best buy in the neighborhood.  Overpriced listings sit on the market. Buyers simply overlook them.

Ilene Harpuder, a Realtor professional with ERA Justin Realty stated, “Some national markets have not stabilized, prices continue to moderate downward. Educated buyers who realize that they can't time the market and who want to take advantage of low interest rates are moving ahead with their home search. They are very selective and are buying for the long term. They will wait for the right home and won't pay over market value.  Some sellers are reluctant to consider a price reduction after only a couple of weeks on the market, but this is often the best strategy. Buyers and their MLS agents focus on the new listings. If you bring your home on the market priced too high, but it's otherwise a house in good condition and in a good location, a price reduction early in the marketing period is likely to attract the attention of agents and buyers who still have the listing fresh in their minds.”

Jennifer Darby Metzger, Broker Co-owner added, “Before accepting a listing, we provide a comprehensive (CMA) comparative market analysis which is thorough in scope and will determine the true market value based on current comparable sales, as well as expired listings that did not sell, usually due to overpricing. We further provide a complete marketing effort on each of our listings, including print media, over fifty national and regional searching websites and individual blogs on our listings. Nearly 90 percent of today's homebuyers use the Internet to search for a home. Our email alerts to our buyers notify them when a new listing is submitted to the multiple listing service (MLS) that meets their search criteria.”

Ilene continued, “Depending on individual circumstances a seller may need to lower their price more than once, particularly if one waited months to make a price adjustment. If market values have moved down since listing, a seller could find themselves out of sync with the market again, considered in the industry as ‘chasing the market downward.’  Don't rely on what neighbors are asking for their homes. If they aren't selling, they are probably overpriced for the market also. Rely on sales of comparable properties that closed after you put your home on the market.”

During 2011, Ilene and ERA Justin Realty will continue advising buyers and sellers with dedicated service to current market swings and conditions and what they should do for a successful sale. It is not what a seller believes their value to be, but what a buyer is willing to pay for a house and most importantly, the value set during the financing appraisal based solely on current closings. 

Jennifer concluded, “There is a difference in real estate companies.  Attending on-going advanced training, seminars, round-table discussions with industry leaders and focus groups is what we continually do at our firm.  We believe, in order to exceed buyers and sellers expectations of what a real estate agent is about, we don’t learn just the basics.  We want to learn, know and teach much more than is ever expected of us.  In that way, we hope everyone holds us in the highest regard.  To prove that, our sellers have put their thoughts in writing. We have on file for the asking, ‘Real Estate Results In Writing’ our report of nearly 800 testimonials from our very satisfied sellers and buyers.”

ERA Justin Report: Real Estate Negotiation Tips that Help



Realtor professional Cathy Vick has serviced the needs of her loyal buyers and sellers for over twenty-years at ERA Justin Realty.  Additionally her expertise has earned her a relocation specialist designation with the nation's largest relocation company and she serves the requirements of Fortune-500 buyers and sellers in their purchase and sale.

ERA Justin Report: Real Estate Negotiation Tips that Help

Just about everything that we've all learned about real estate selling and buying is different in today’s ever- changing real estate market. The game rules have changed nationally and we are now dealing in what experts say is the “New Normal.”


As a seller, you will want to know whom you will be negotiating with. Are your buyers financially qualified for mortgage financing? ERA Justin Realty will never present an offer to a seller without a qualified mortgage pre-approval from a recognized lender with a proven track record.  It is typical for any of as when being a seller to hope for the best price, but highest may not necessarily be the best because it doesn't always come from a buyer who can financially close the transaction based on two important factors; obtaining the needed financing and equally important, having the seller’s house appraise based on comparable sales within the short few months timeframe. Although cash is considered king, large cash down payments are almost non-existent, with most buyers working with the minimum required down payment requirements. If the lender’s appraisal of value is less than the selling price, the transaction may fail because of new negotiations.


Cathy Vick a Realtor professional with ERA Justin Realty and one of the firm’s certified relocation specialists, stated, “As a seller or a buyer, each transaction is typically an emotional experience. Being rational is a necessity in making proper decisions. I, along with many of my ERA teammates, work with the nation’s largest relocation company representing dozens upon dozens of Fortune-500 buyers and sellers.  We have the information for successful closed transactions. Educated sellers do counter any offer from a bona fide qualified buyer. We give good advice to our buyers too, as to their need to be prepared to adjust their offer in order to own the home of their dreams. We advise that negotiations are the process, not adversarial. Both are trying to reach their common goal, the purchase and sale of the property.”


Ron Darby, Broker Owner stated, “We work with each of our sellers, advising them to be realistic in this ‘new normal real estate market.’ For sellers who will only sell if they get a certain price, we nurture those relationships by showing them current comparable sales, those sales that the appraisers use for their appraisal process, expired listings and that overpriced houses linger on the market while the buyers simply move on to one or more other houses that fit their needs. As of this writing there is approximately ten months of unsold housing inventory available.”


During 2011, Cathy will continue her specialty in advising her buyers and sellers with dedicated service and with a comprehensive CMA report as to correct pricing for this market for each new listing.

Ron concluded, “There is a difference in real estate companies.  Attending on-going advanced training, seminars, round-table discussions with industry leaders and focus groups is what we continually do at our firm.  We believe in order to exceed buyer’s and seller’s expectations of what a real estate agent is about, we don't learn or teach just the basics.  We want to learn, know and teach much more than is ever expected of us.  In that way, we hope everyone holds us in the highest regard.  To prove that, our buyers and sellers have put their thoughts in writing. We have on file for your viewing, ‘Real Estate Results In Writing’ our report of nearly 800 testimonials from our very satisfied sellers and buyers.”