Tips for First Time Homebuyers offered by ERA Justin Realty's Team Kubs

Allyson and Wayne Kubs, known as Team Kubs throughout the ERA Justin Realty listing and sales areas of Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson Counties provide valuable information for first-time homebuyers.

Tips for First Time Homebuyers offered by ERA Justin Realty's Team Kubs

ERA Justin Realtors Allyson Kubs and Wayne Kubs will advise, “Buying a home is a focused decision, doing it for the first time. By asking the right questions and considering a few simple but important steps, you can pave the way for some powerful beginner's luck. Becoming a first-time homeowner may have a few uncertainties, especially moving from a rental apartment, but remember that you're not alone, and our ERA Justin Realtors are there for you each step of the way.   Many make a successful buying move each day as monthly rents continue to increase. You can too.

It can be streamlined, dealing with one of the ERA Justin real estate professionals. ERA Justin Realty can navigate the home buying process, and let you concentrate on the rewards of this new experience. Their 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 qualities.

Before your home-search begins it's helpful to determine what price-range you are comfortable with and get pre-approved for a loan. Many hopeful home-seekers have concerns 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, most lenders offer many different loan products, and one is likely to fit your unique financing needs.

Allyson offered, "Once you've gained confidence in an area, 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 one meets these interests, 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 on our comprehensive search web sites www.ERAJustin.com  and www.ERAJustinRealty.com are perfectly equipped to help you with. Our web sites feature our unique 1000’s of homes section, where a prospect can view almost every house for sale in Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties, all areas in which we list and sell homes. This information is obtainable both on your computer or on our mobile websites on  Ipads and smart phones.

You also need to evaluate the attributes 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? A qualified home inspector can help you answer such questions with confidence."

Wayne added, "Keep in mind that being new to the buying process, with the assistance of our firm does have its strong advantages. We will be with you through the entire process. Obtaining good guidance can help make sure you get it right the first time. There is a difference in real estate companies, and our available ERA Home Protection Plans are perfect examples for ease of mind during your first year of ownership.  We ask Buyers and Sellers to compare.  We believe that in order to exceed expectations of what our Realtor professionals are about, we don’t offer just real estate basics, we try to be as comprehensive as possible.  In that way, we hope you will hold us all in the highest regard."

ERA Justin Realty has proudly received the prestigious ERA world-wide Commitment to Excellence Award. Only outstanding business entities are honored. They are also the #1 ERA real estate office throughout Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson Counties for 2012 production. For these reasons ERA Justin Realty should be your buying and selling Realtor of choice.

The ERA Justin Realty's Team Kubs 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.

ERA Justin Realty Joins Leading Industry Leaders

ERA Justin Realty Broker Co-owner Jennifer Darby Metzger and Realtor Adrian Tridel recently attended Inman Real Estate Connect with real estate industry leaders for strong 2013 real estate progress.                                  

 

ERA Justin Realty Joins Leading Industry Leaders

at Inman Real Estate Connect

 

Jennifer Darby Metzger, ERA Justin Realty Broker Co-owner joined with Inman News, Realtor Adrian Tridel and the top 100 most influential real estate leaders at New York's Grand Central Hyatt Hotel.

Real Estate Connect recognized those who embody leadership, ingenuity, strength, conviction, power, persistence, perseverance and progress — their voices and actions that can move the industry toward change.

Drawn from brokers, lenders, technology providers and those outside the industry who impact the business of buying and selling homes, the members of the list are truly extraordinary leaders.

Jennifer said, "Real Estate Connect focuses on how technology is changing real estate and it is easily the best investment any professional can make in terms of career development. It encompassed three full days of intense seminars, training and the ability to personally socialize with some of the most influential nationwide industry leaders. Also attending was our ERA corporate leaders, Richard A. Smith, President and CEO, Realogy Corp., Alex E. Perriello III, President and CEO, Realogy Franchise Group and Charlie Young, CEO and President, ERA Franchise Systems."

Attending with Jennifer was Adrian Tridel who is not only licensed in NJ but also NY. The first day of the conference, Agent Reboot, was a fast-paced, deep dive into marketing and technology. It was practical and engaging, because our speakers avoided canned presentations and there was plenty of live audience interaction along with abundant social coverage. Agent Reboot topics included social, mobile, technology and every agent walked away with dozens of tips and techniques to improve their business. This year’s emcees were Chris Smith, Inman’s chief evangelist, and Katie Lance contributing editor and Inman’s director of social media. Their presentations were augmented by many of the leading voices in real estate today.

Adrian added, “There is a difference in real estate companies and we feel we need to have the most up-to-date information so our Realtor professionals can continue to be on the cutting-edge. We like to do things differently. With technology and creativity we provide above and beyond service. The tools we bring to the table bring more exposure and ease of the process for our buyers and sellers."

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 they can be reached at (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD. View 1000's of homes at their websites at www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com.

ERA Justin Realty Leadership Circle Winners Bring Success To Sellers

ERA Justin Realty Leadership Circle 2012 achievers taking a pause from their activities. Standing- Fara Espandi, Cathy Vick, June Incorvaia, Glenn Elliot, Carol Darby, Carol Calamari. Seated- Ilene Harpuder and Grace Tirrito. Not pictured Jennifer Darby Metzger and Ronald Darby

          

 ERA Justin Realty Leadership Circle Winners Bring Success To Sellers

Flowers will begin to bloom, buds will be on the trees and ERA Justin Realty Leadership Circle achievers will bring satisfaction to hundreds of buyers and sellers in 2013, repeating many successes of 2012. This is the time when families focus on real estate sales, but the first question sellers ask is, “How do I price my house?”

Ask these ERA Justin Realty Leadership Circle Performance achievers from 2012 and the answer you will hear over and over again is "realistically.” Ask and they will provide a complimentary Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) and you will have the detailed answers to your real estate questions.  The Leadership Circle achievers who were cited for their performance to their buyers and sellers include Fara Espandi, Cathy Vick, June Incorvaia, Glenn Elliot, Carol Calamari , Ilene Harpuder and Grace Tirrito. Carol Darby and Jennifer Darby Metzger Broker Co-owners, recently awarded the honors with production honors.

Additionally, the top Leadership Circle Producer honors were awarded to Cathy Vick and Carol Calamari.

Carol Darby said, “Although varied real estate markets have been adversely affected throughout the country, we are poised to achieve and exceed expectations for our 2013 buyers and sellers. We offer for your review our publication Real Estate Results In Writing, our report of nearly 800 reviews from our buyers and sellers. We are proud of this accomplishment and plan to share it with hundreds of buyers and sellers this year.

If you are considering the sale of a home and want to know the facts of the 2013 real estate market, including current pricing, you should contact one of the Leadership Circle achievers at our firm and request a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) and no cost or obligation to determine its true market value as well as the market forecast.

In conducting a CMA, our ERA Justin Realty Leadership Circle achievers have access to a wide array of information, such as databases containing recent listing and selling prices of similar homes in the neighborhood. The resulting analysis can help a homeowner understand the current market and will provide a realistic figure of the home's fair market value.  If a home is then put on the market, we can use the CMA results to help the homeowner establish a selling marketing program. The CMA information is very helpful in determining the true value of a house and the right asking price. In the end, however, the homeowner should decide on a price that he or she feels is competitive and consistent with the price at which other homes in the area have sold.”

Jennifer Darby Metzger added, “Truly, there is a difference in real estate companies, and our focus to detail will make the difference. We ask buyers and sellers to compare.  We believe that in order to exceed expectations of what ERA Justin Realty is 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.”

Consumers can reach the ERA Justin Realty Leadership Circle achievers at either of their two Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue and 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 websites at www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com

With more than 45 years as a real estate leader in Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson Counties, Ron Darby, broker co-owner of ERA Justin Realty shares valued information for buyers and sellers. He, with his Realtor professionals are responsible for thousands of area real estate transactions. The firm is celebrating 63 years as a real estate market leader.

             ERA JUSTIN REALTY OFFERS NATIONWIDE RELOCATION SERVICES

Ron Darby, ERA Justin Broker Co-owner with forty-five years of area real estate experience, listings and sales totaling thousands of transactions for the firm, shares relocation services with South Bergenite 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, 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 their scope.”

“ERA-Justin Realty created a market as a relocation specialist, when ERA Real Estate was the only company to electronically transfer listings to relocating buyers, as part of the ERA national network" stated Darby.

This type of cutting edge technology helped to 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 largest corporate relocation firms and by training its sales agents on how to best serve this special market for their clients. In conjunction is extensive home buying information on their 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, ERA's  national website, www.ERA.com  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 who knows the area can simplify the process of relocating, and having staff who lives in the area and knows the nuances of the community 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 and details are exposed worldwide through dozens Internet sites.

Darby continued, “Call or visit any of our Realtor professionals who will be pleased to provide answers to your relocation questions.  Each year ERA Justin Realty receives 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 Continues To Represent the Cartus Broker Network

ERA Justin Brokers and Co-owners Carol Darby, Ron Darby and Jennifer Darby Metzger inked continuing contract representation with the Cartus Broker Network. Stability and focus to their buyers and sellers bring continuing success to the firm as they celebrate their sixty-third anniversary.

              ERA Justin Realty Continues To Represent the Cartus Broker Network

Nations Leading Referral Relocation Firm

Rutherford, New Jersey – Cartus, based in Danbury, Conn. and ERA Justin Realty, headquartered in Rutherford, New Jersey are continuing an agreement granting ERA Justin Realty the status of Associate Broker in the Cartus Broker Network, the nation’s leading real estate broker and referral network.

The agreement establishes ERA Justin Realty’s relationship with Cartus.  Under the agreement the firm continues the opportunity to manage Cartus’ relocation business and corporate properties within the firm’s market areas including Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson Counties. They are a “Top-100” ERA real estate firm with a sixty-three year history of exceptional service to the industry and to the buyers and sellers they serve. This continuing relationship and other relocation business brings new and stronger opportunities to both their buyers and sellers because of the additional corporate relocation and referral opportunities brought to the firm and to their buyers and sellers whose houses are currently listed. 

Jennifer Darby Metzger, Broker Co-owner of ERA Justin Realty stated, “We are extremely proud to have been selected to serve areas previously served by Burgdorff-ERA Realty and to serve Cartus and their client base of many corporate Fortune-500 companies in the transfer of buyers coming to our areas, as well as sellers being transferred to other parts of the nation.

To qualify to be part of the Cartus family takes serious commitment. Prior to acceptance to their network we had to undergo a complex approval process, as those within the network are accepted only after being considered the best-of-the-best. Detailed follow-up to Cartus is required and our dedicated team of Realtors who handle all of the Cartus business opportunities offered to us.”

Ron Darby, Carol Darby and Jennifer Darby Metzger the firm’s co-owners were pleased to be selected for incoming and outgoing referral and relocation opportunities throughout greater Northern New Jersey. Their team of Realtor agents had completed extensive training and had undergone a detailed selection process by the Cartus Broker Network.

Gerry Pearce, executive vice president of Cartus Broker Services said, “This agreement demonstrates our commitment to providing the highest level of service from our broker alliances.  ERA Justin Realty is one of many outstanding brokerage firms which have joined our organization, and we look forward to working with them in the years to come.”

Carol Darby continued, “We are excited to have this relationship with Cartus.  As a leader in the corporate relocation industry, the expertise and know-how they offer to us as an Associate Broker continues to allow us to better serve our sellers and buyers. It enhances our listing base with more houses for our buyers and gives our sellers greater opportunities for quality sales from buyers transferring to our marketing areas. These types of buyers are usually in-town for a brief period and therefore are focused on usually making decisive purchase decisions before returning to their home-town.”

In conclusion she said, “Cartus Broker Network is the nation’s leading real estate referral network consisting of more than 400 Principal and 500 Associate brokers that serve the clients and customers of Cartus.  Cartus Corporation is the premier provider of global mobility management and workforce development solutions serving the corporate, government and affinity markets. Through its industry-leading outsourcing, consulting services, intercultural and language training, Cartus helps the mobile workforces of organizations of all sizes achieve success worldwide.”

ERA Justin Realty proudly continues to receive the prestigious honors of being an ERA “Top-100” brokerage firm from nearly 3,000 ERA offices globally. They are consistently honored for their professionalism, integrity and service to their buyers and sellers.

For more information consumers can reach ERA Justin Realty 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 websites at www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com

ERA Justin Realtor Adrian Tridel offers tips for early spring house repairs after winter damage. A career professional with the firm, he serves buyers and sellers in Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson Counties.

 

                   ERA Justin Realty Report:  Get Ready for Spring 2013 House Repairs

“Yes, it's January, but soon we’ll be coming out of hibernation--plants, flowers, lawns, and even your home. Winter plays havoc on houses, and spring should be a time to take a walk around your house to get that spring chore list in order. Here are few additional areas to pay attention to,” according to ERA Justin Realtor, Adrian Tridel. 

ROOF VENTILATION:

Remember that ice dam on the roof last winter? Remember how hot your attic was when you went up there to check the antenna wire last summer? Proper attic ventilation can help with both those problems, and spring--while it's not too hot or too cold--is an ideal time to take care of any necessary work. Also, check the condition of existing vents to see that the screen is intact, flashings are secure and well sealed, and there are no other problems that need correcting.

SPRINKLERS:

Permanent, in-ground sprinklers are great, as long as they're properly adjusted. Run each set of sprinklers through a cycle, and watch how and where the water is hitting. Adjust or replace any sprinklers that are hitting your siding, washing out loose soil areas, spraying over foundation vents, or in any other way wetting areas on and around your house that shouldn't be getting wet.

GRADE:

Soil is also susceptible to being washed away or redistributed by heavy winter rains and melting snow. Now is the time to check and see if the grade around the outside of your home has been moved around by winter's fury, which can result in runoff getting into your basement or crawlspace, or running into neighbor's yards where it shouldn't go. Look for areas where soil seems too high or too low in relation to your home, as well as for marks on your siding, foundation, walkways, and other areas that might indicate if soil or water is in a place it shouldn't be. A 4-foot builder's level placed on a long, straight board can help you check grade and slope--redistribute soil so that for every foot horizontally you have at least 1/4 inch of fall away from the house.

CHECK YOUR HOUSE NUMBERS:

Can someone find your house easily, especially in the dark? Spring is a great time to check that your house numbers are clearly visible from the street, that they are painted a contrasting color from whatever surface they are mounted on, that they are somehow hit by exterior lighting at night, and that they are not obscured by overgrown foliage.

FENCES AND GATES:

Fence posts are especially susceptible to ground water saturation, and will loosen up and tilt if the soil around them gets soaked too deeply. Check fence posts in various areas by wiggling them to see how solidly embedded they are. If any are loose, wait until the surrounding soil has dried out from winter's rains, then excavate around the bottom of the posts and pour additional concrete to stabilize them.  

SMOKE DETECTORS:

As always when it's time to change the clocks, you want to check your smoke detectors. Replace the batteries, clean the covers, and test the detector's operation before it's too late. If you have gas-fired appliances in the house, including a water heater, now is also a great time to consider adding a carbon monoxide detector, which are inexpensive and easy to install, and are available at most home centers and other retailers of electrical parts and supplies.

Tridel concluded, “If you are not personally handy, there are listings under handyman in many of the local newspapers who advertise for jobs big and small.  You may want to phone more than one, ask and check their references for work they've done for other homeowners before making your hiring decision.”

ERA Justin Realty has published its report Real Estate Results In Writing, featuring reviews from over 700 of their very satisfied Buyers and Sellers.  They also proudly received the prestigious ERA world-wide 2003-2012 ‘Commitment to Excellence Award’, as a premier ERA real estate firm from approximately 30,000 brokers and agents for their service to their Buyers, Sellers and community.

The ERA Justin Realty full service Realtors 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 at www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com. 

ERA Justin Realtor Professionals Attend Triple Play Business Conference

ERA Justin Realtor professionals recently attended the Triple Play business conference at Atlantic City. Standing is Adrian Tridel, Denise Leonessa, Cathy Vick, Jennifer Darby Metzger, Wayne Kubs, Glenn Elliot and Ron Darby  Seated is Allyson Kubs and Carol Darby.

             ERA Justin Realtor Professionals Attend Triple Play Business Conference

ERA Justin Realty Brokers, Ron Darby, Jennifer Darby Metzger and Carol Darby attended the December 2012 regional Realtor business conference with a group of their Realtor professionals.  Attending with them was Adrian Tridel, Denise Leonessa, Cathy Vick, Wayne Kubs, Glenn Elliot and Allyson Kubs.

The New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania associations of Realtors joined together to build referral bases, develop new success strategies and discover innovative tools for Realtors to serve the needs of their buyers and sellers in their local marketing areas.

Members of the ERA Justin Realty listing and sales team completed days of intense training, educational seminars and learning new and updated laws governing real estate relationships to properly serve the needs of their buyers and sellers.

The business conference was attended by thousands of dedicated Realtor professionals, held at the Atlantic City convention center.  Those they serve expect the ERA Justin Realty organization to be focused on education to keep them knowledgeable and to provide superior services in a constant changing real estate environment.

Jennifer Darby Metzger, Broker said, "All Realtors today face the challenges of legal matters, technologies that change daily, real estate transfer matters and action based plans to assist our sellers for a successful sale in an ever-changing real estate market."

Carol Darby, Broker added, "Real estate licensing laws require continuous updating of our education so we are positioned to properly serve in New Jersey. All of our team have completed their 2012 educational requirements and look forward to their responsibilities to their sellers and buyers."

Ron Darby, the firm’s Broker of Record concluded, “There is a difference in real estate companies and we feel we need to have the most up-to-date information so our Realtor professionals can continue to be on the cutting-edge of education for our sellers and buyers. In this way, we are confident we are doing the best for them. We are thankful that our firm is held in high regard and offer our publication of reviews about our company, Real Estate Results in Writing, a history of nearly 800 written testimonials from our sellers and buyers.”

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 they can be reached at  (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD. View 1000's of homes at their websites at www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com.