Grace Tirrito a Realtor professional with ERA Justin Realty resides in Lyndhurst where a large part of her real estate listings and sales are prominent, as is Rutherford and other Bergen County communities. A career professional with decades of successful sales and sold listings, she offers with humor, one of our less favorite tasks.

 

                ERA Justin Realty Report:  Fall Selling with Humor. Ready, Get Set, Toss

 

ERA Justin Realty’s Realtor Grace Tirrito offers tips with a smile in getting those closets ready for the sale of your house. “For many, we hardly want to think about closets, but the day is nearing, hour by hour. When Grace arranges for an open house or appointment, you will no doubt make sure everything is tidy and clean. The dishes are put away, beds made, litter box cleaned. But, what about your closets?   Storage is a number one priority with home buyers. They want to make sure they have a place to put their stuff. Will your closets prove to be a selling point?
Ready? Here's how it goes. You get a phone call. Friends are dropping by for a few minutes, so you put everything into the closet - toys, coats and whatever. When your guests leave, you swear you will get to it tomorrow. Sometimes, tomorrow never comes. After a while, it becomes hard to close the door and you do not remember what is in there. It is now time to de-clutter and de-stress.
Everyone loves lots of closet space. Closets are where we keep clothing, shoes, and storage for seasonal items, sports equipment, linens and the endless supply of home necessities. The problem is it can become an 'out of sight, out of mind' issue. Since these things reside behind a closed door, they do not get much thought until the day we absolutely have to have that one thing in the very back.
It is not going to go away by itself, so take time to tackle it head on and get organized. Allow lots of time for this task. You probably won't be able to get through it in a day or even a weekend. Remember, it took you a long time to accumulate these items. You cannot expect to clean them all out in a few hours. You might want to tackle this chore in chunks of time, allowing a few weekends to get totally through the process.
You will find yourself agonizing over many decisions. The rule is, if you haven't worn it for 2 years, toss it. If it is a gift that Aunt Emma gave you 5 years ago and something you will never use, give it away. (Just don't tell Aunt Emma.) Pretend to yourself you are moving to smaller quarters, and you can only take the things you truly love. If you are having trouble, enlist the help of a friend who can be relentless.
Begin with clothing and shoes. Most of us keep favorites around far too long. 'I'm sure I can get back into that dress soon.' It only takes up valuable space in your home. Donate it to a charity. There is someone out there who will put your items to good use.
Think about your lifestyle as you are making these choices. Maybe your former employment was in an office and you needed to wear suits every day. Your current employment is a more casual job and your attire now reflects this attitude. Keep your favorite two suits and take the others to a second hand store or give them away. Retain clothing that works for your current way of living, not how you used to live.
Place everything in piles: (1) Keepers; (2) Maybes or Yard Sale; and (3) Donations. It might also help to obtain some of the organized storage available for closets. These are especially useful for those small items such as ties and belts. Everything will be neater and you will be able to find things quicker.
Toys and seasonal items are a little more difficult. If the kids have outgrown those old skates, pass them down to a friend. Holiday decorations can tug at your heartstrings, but if they are broken or no longer hold their luster, out they should go.  If you cannot bear to part with them, pack them in a storage box. By the time the de-cluttering is finished you should have room left over. Books, toys and clothing that is going to a charity should be boxed up or placed in plastic bags. If you are considering a yard sale, try to tag as you go along.
When you start sorting through paperwork, promise yourself to handle each piece only once. Papers that belong to other family members should be sorted and then handed over to that individual. Control newspaper and magazine pile-up by vowing to discard each issue by the time the next one arrives. On Sunday, Saturday's paper goes out whether or not it has been read. The same thing goes for magazines. Some offices or charities are happy to have them, especially hospital waiting rooms. As for regular bills, they can be organized with a portable file box.”
“There is a difference in real estate companies,” Grace continued, “Presenting consumer information, we believe, is in order to exceed sellers expectations of what ERA Justin Realty is about, as 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 over 700 quotes and testimonials from our sellers and buyers many seen in our television commercials. No other area real estate firm offers that.  Are we proud?  Absolutely!”

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 1000s of homes at their websites at www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com.

ERA Justin Report: Markets suggest now is the time to buy a home

ERA Justin Realtor professional Glenn Elliot with decades of real estate experience explains why fall 2012 is a great time to buy, with proper assistance. His focus to the industry has given him a legacy as a market leader in area communities of Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson Counties. Glenn services Fortune-500 buyers and sellers in their transactions.

ERA Justin Report: Markets suggest now is the time to buy a home

What is the most important things a seller should look for when hiring a real estate agent to sell their house? How many houses has the agency sold and closed in the town in which they are located? Is it the size of the company they are licensed with? Details of their  marketing program? Their years experience in the business?

There are many things that should be taken into consideration when hiring someone and giving them the responsibility for selling your home. According to ERA Justin Realty Broker Realtor Glenn Elliot with decades of areas successes, "With information from the well respected KCM group, we agree these things are needed to be known and in our opinion, one of the most important questions you can ask a potential listing agent is a simple one. Do you truly believe that now is a good time to buy a home?

Why should this matter when hiring someone to sell your home? Although buyers are back, they do have questions about purchasing right now. They want to know they are making an intelligent choice. We believe, especially in today’s market, you need to hire someone who realizes that this is one of the best times in American real estate history to buy. If an agent doesn't believe that, how will they be able to convey this to a potential buyer to buy your home?

When interviewing a real estate professional, ask them to explain why purchasing a home makes sense today. They should be able to explain it simply and effectively."

Glenn continued, "These positive quotes recently were noted." The Wall Street Journal  stated: “With home sales starting to improve, and with prices now possibly forming a bottom, real estate could well be the asset class that represents the best low-risk buying opportunity out there today.” Donald Trump said, “I’m pretty sure this is a great time to go out and buy a house. And if you do, in 10 years you’re going to look back and say, ‘You know, I‘m glad I listened to Donald Trump’. John Paulson, a multibillionaire hedge fund operator and the investment genius who made a killing betting against housing a few years ago, is now bullish on residential real estate market. He recently said," If you don’t own a home, buy one. If you own one home, buy another one. If you own two homes, buy a third. And, lend your relatives the money to buy a home.” These may be over simplifications, but a recent Gallup Poll showed that 67% of American’s think that now is a ‘good time’ to buy a home. The Gallup Organization went on to say, “Overall, there is good reason for most Americans to think now is a good time to buy a house. Interest rates remain near historic lows. Home prices are down sharply, providing many incredible buys.”

According to Ron Darby Broker Co-owner, “We work with our agents each day to help them achieve the goals of their buyers and sellers, and  the fall 2012 season is just in front of us.  In a constant changing real estate industry we invite new agents to join us. We want them to have the education needed for success. Opportunities are just a  phone call away."

 

Glenn continued, “We stress stability, a necessity for success in this new world of real estate. We also provide buyer potential with stronger area advertising than any other real estate firm in South Bergen County.  Two full color page advertisements of our listings in The South Bergenite brings an abundance of potential buyers to our agents for their buyers while giving our sellers strong marketing exposure.  We proudly are considered a real estate market leader by thousands of sellers and buyers and hope to be the Realtor of choice to thousands more in the upcoming years."

ERA Justin Realty is once again honored as a ‘Top-100’ ERA firm worldwide and is the recipient of the ‘ERA Commitment to Excellence’ award from 2003 through 2011.  .

Glenn concluded, “To learn more, phone us or view our websites at www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com." ERA Justin Realty operates two state-of-the-art Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue and 57 Park Avenue.  By office phone (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD." 

ERA Justin Realty Fundraiser for MDA Camp for Kids and Telethon Presentation

ERA Justin Realty's top MDA fundraisers Al Rottini and Jennifer Darby Metzger are filmed for their Muscular Dystrophy check presentation for the MDA Labor Day Telethon. On hand sharing the experience is ERA's Gene Amsel.

ERA Justin Realty Fundraiser for MDA Camp for Kids and Telethon Presentation

The setting for the ERA Muscular Dystrophy 2012 fundraising effort recently culminated during the filming of ERA Justin Realty's check presentation of over $22,000. for the firm and the ERA Brokers of New Jersey.  The filmed presentation will be shown during the MDA Labor Day Telethon.

Ron Darby, Broker, and the ERA New Jersey Chairman for MDA introduced Al Rottini and Jennifer Darby Metzger for their efforts in leading the team fundraising efforts. The firm spearheads the efforts for MDA in this lifesaving mission.

Al stated, “ERA Justin Realty and our teams of Realtor professionals focused and succeeded in an outstanding fundraising effort in sending area MDA children to summer camp. It will culminate on the MDA Labor Day Telethon when Jennifer and I will present a combined check from our firm and the ERA Brokers of New Jersey of over $22,000, used toward the kids summer camp program.”

Jennifer continued,  “Our ERA Justin teammates spent time at summer camp with the kids.  At that moment, one can see how rewarding it is to participate.  We spent the day working with the kids in their arts and crafts projects, viewed their games and activities and enjoyed their varied conversations.  Each year MDA supports some 90 summer camps across the country. Whether in Alaska or Hawaii, in California or New Jersey, at MDA camp barriers simply don’t exist. A child with a disability can just be a child among friends. MDA camp is a magical place offering a wide range of activities specially designed for young people who have limited mobility or use wheelchairs. MDA camp programs, although structured, are conducted in a relaxed atmosphere that gives campers an unmatched opportunity to develop lifelong friendships, share interests and build self-confidence. Activities range from outdoor sports such as swimming, boating, baseball and horseback riding to less physically demanding programs like arts and crafts and talent shows. Thousands of youngsters attend MDA camp each year at no cost to their families.”

 For their efforts, ERA Justin Realty was recently inducted into the President’s Club of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Al concluded “We are requesting all of our area residents who would like to become involved in MDA fundraising for our continuing MDA Summer Camp  program to reach us at our offices.  We are anxious to have as much help as possible.   We, and all of our ERA Justin Realty full service Realtors can be reached at either of our two Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue and 57 Park Avenue.  By office phone (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD.  More MDA information can be found on our website, www.ERAJustin.com.”