Six Tips When Buying a Home

When buying a home in today’s complex real estate market, it is critical to have a local, trusted adviser on your side. Cathy Vick, seasoned Real Estate Sales Associate at ERA Justin Realty states, “Finding a home can be daunting as a first-time homebuyer if you aren’t prepared”. Here are five tips on how to find the home that is right for you, without losing your mind.

 

1. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Before You Start Your Search

One way to show you’re serious about buying your dream home is to get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage. Understanding your budget will give you the confidence of knowing whether or not your dream home is within your reach. This will help you avoid the disappointment of falling in love with a home well outside your price range. ERA Justin can help find a mortgage lender to get you started.

 

2. Know the Difference Between Your ‘Must-Haves’ and ‘Would-Like-To-Haves’

Do you really need that farmhouse sink in the kitchen or a certain light fixture to be happy with your home choice? Would a two-car garage be a convenience or a necessity? Before you start your search, list all the features of a home you would like. Qualify them as ‘must-haves’, ‘should-haves’, or ‘absolute-wish list’ items. This will help with what to focus on that’s most important.

 

3. Research and Choose the Neighborhood Where You Want to Live

Every neighborhood has its own unique charm. Before you commit to a home based solely on the house, explore the area. Make sure it meets your needs for “amenities, commute, etc. and then spend a weekend exploring before you commit.” Also, an experienced real estate professional can share the “lay of the land” to a particular area, and may introduce you to a location you never would have considered before.

 

4. Pick a House Style You Love and Stick to It

Evaluate your family’s needs and settle on a style of home that will best serve those needs. Just because you’ve narrowed your search to a zip code doesn’t mean you need to tour every listing in that vicinity.

 

5. Find a Real Estate Pro to Help Navigate the Process

You started the preliminary process of the home search. Now is the time to contact a professional to help you move the process along. The home process is a complex transaction and although the internet and real estate apps can help you “find the home of your dreams”, an experienced real estate agent will help guide you through the arduous process.

 

6. Document Your Home Visits

Once you find a real estate professional and start touring homes, the features of each individual home will start to blur together. Keep your camera handy and make notes on the listing sheet to document what you love and don’t love about each property you visit.

 

Cathy Vick and our ERA Justin Realty agents are experienced in the local market and are here to answer any questions you may have regarding the home buying process. In a high-paced, competitive environment, any advantage you can give yourself will help you on your path to buying your dream home.

 

To contact any one of our Real Estate Professionals for your home buying or selling needs, stop by either of our two Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue or 57 Park Avenue or by calling 201.939.7500. 

FLASHBACK: JENNIFER DARBY METZGER SPOKE AT NEW YORK'S HARVARD CLUB

 

FLASHBACK: 

JENNIFER DARBY METZGER SPOKE AT 

NEW YORK'S HARVARD CLUB

The most powerful and successful real estate leaders, from franchise brands and independent real estate firms across the nation, were welcomed to the Harvard Club in New York in 2018 by RIS Media.

Ron Darby, ERA Justin Realty Broker-Owner said, "Those leaders, including Jennifer Darby Metzger, came together last year for this event to exchange ideas and strategies to better meet the needs of today's sophisticated, technology-savvy consumer. Jennifer was chosen as a guest speaker specifically by a select group of brokers, owners, brand executives, and real estate service leaders."

“It was an honor to be invited to speak amongst some of the most knowledgeable leaders in real estate”, Darby Metzger said. As Jennifer spoke, she shared some of her strategies for effectively reaching, connecting and servicing today’s technologically-driven consumer.

It is this philosophy that has helped ERA Justin Realty to be recognized by its parent company, ERA Real Estate. ERA Justin Realty was named as a finalist for the Gene Francis Memorial Award. This award recognizes those companies that reflected the qualities most respected throughout the global ERA system and the real estate industry. Known for both his forward-thinking business acumen as well as his philanthropic spirit, Gene Francis established a defining culture of service to which all ERA companies aspire. Factored into the award selection are: high customer satisfaction ratings, strong brand engagement and use of ERA resources, and sales and company growth.

See why ERA Justin continues as a leader in customer satisfaction. The ERA Justin Realty team can be reached at either of the two 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 Leadership Circle 2019

ERA Justin Realty Leadership Circle 2019

 

The Year-to-Date ERA Justin Realty Leadership Circle achievers for 2019 include (from
front to back): Julia Dagistanli, Sophia Vazac, Fara Espandi, Lee Schilare, Cathy Vick,
Carol D. Calamari, and Kristen Davis (not pictured).

Each one of these skilled real estate agents are knowledgeable on a variety of topics and
can help the sale or purchase of your home go smoothly.

The home buying/selling process is a complex transaction and although the internet and
real estate apps can help you “find the home of your dreams”, an experienced real estate
agent, like our Leadership Circle achievers, will help guide you through the arduous
process.

Our agents know the local market, have a vast network of other real estate professionals
to reach out to (including mortgage lenders, home inspectors, attorneys, title companies,
movers, etc.), and have tremendous negotiation skills. Even a straightforward sale can go
awry unless both parties keep to deadlines and stay ahead of potential problems. Our real
estate agents can correct issues with the contract, make sure inspections and repairs are
completed on time, and keep both parties on schedule to make the closing. Those are only
a few areas where having a professional Realtor can be of extreme value. The
experienced skills of our team are invaluable to the success and experience of the
transaction.

Our agents and their brokers, Ron Darby and Jennifer Darby Metzger are always advising
homeowners on topics that aid them in making sound real estate decisions regarding their
homes. “There is a difference in real estate companies and our agents take pride in their
work,” stated Darby.

With close to 100 units sold to date between these leadership circle winners, it is easy to
see that these sales professionals are hyper-focused and ready to serve the needs of their
sellers and buyers.

To contact any of our ERA Justin Realty agents for your home buying or selling needs,
stop by either of our two Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue or 57 Park Avenue or
by calling (201) 939-7500 or visiting www.ERAJustin.com.