Monthly Archives: November 2013

Bergen County Homes — No Comments
15
Nov 13

Things To Take into Consideration When Buying A Bergen County Home

Buying A home in bergen county NJ
The last thing a buyer wants to happen after signing a mortgage is to find the their new dream home in Bergen County has foundation issues or another costly repair that derails their move-in plans. These issues can be largely avoided if buyers are prepared to address potential property problems before they buy a home. Shoppers who are interested in a property can hire an inspector to pinpoint problems, and may be able to have the seller fix these issues before moving in or negotiate a better price for the home.
Whichever option a home buyer chooses, it’s important to be aware of repair needs before signing a contract. There are several areas adults should look for when shopping for their dream home.
Check for Foundation & Water Damage
The foundation of a home is one of the first areas home buyers should examine, primarily because this type of repair can be costly. My husband and I ended up walking away from a great home in Bergen County  this year because it had so many vertical cracks in the foundation and our counsel advised us against making the purchase.
During the home staging, home buyers should examine the basement and exterior of the house carefully for cracks in the stone or drywall, especially around windows and doors. In addition to foundation problems, shoppers should also check the home carefully for water damage. Individuals may be able to spot this type of damage in basements, especially if there was a leak, as well as bathrooms and kitchen. A musty odor in a basement can also indicate water damage.
Adults should check under sinks and behind toilets. Buyers are looking for brown or white stains on the walls or near pipes that may suggest mold, which can be potentially toxic.
Examine Electric and HVAC Systems
Older homes in Bergen County can be beautiful and grandiose, but the electric wiring inside the house may be old or out of date, which can cause safety and fire issues. Buyers should consider hiring an electrician to determine what type of wiring older homes have, according to MSN. For instance, some older properties built in the early 1900s may come with knob-and-tube wires, which can pose safety problems if they were tampered with by previous homeowners, the news source explains.
In addition, buyers should also inspect the property’s HVAC systems to determine if they look outdated or appear to be functioning at a poor pace. Buyers should examine vents as well to see if they are properly connected and hire a professional if needed.
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11
Nov 13

Secrets to Buying Your First Home in Bergen County NJ

Secrets to Buying Your First Home in Bergen County NJ

Secrets to Buying Your First Home in Bergen County NJ

The basics of looking for your first home in Bergen County NJ are an often discussed item within real estate circles. I should know because we dedicated a whole week to it. But as any experience homeowner or real estate professional will tell you, there’s always more that can be learned to prepare you for buying that first home.

In this segment from NBC’s LXTV Open House, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage agent, Ronnie Aiosa, teams up with designer and home improvement pro, George Oliphant, to cover some of the secrets to buying your first home.

One of the most useful tips they hit on in the video that was important for me was to look past the decor. When my wife and I first saw our current home, I was ready to turn around and leave after the first five minutes. The previous owners had painted the baseboard heating panels orange and baby blue. Baby blue! Wallpaper from Tony Manero’s house in Saturday Night Fever adorned pretty much every room. But our Coldwell Banker agent, emphasized that it’s easy to paint and wallpaper can be removed. If the “bones” of the house and the location fit our needs we shouldn’t let the lack of good taste in wall decor stop us.

So if your looking for your first home, call our Coldwell Banker Agent Matthew DeFede at 862-228-0554

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05
Nov 13

Your “Finding a First Home in NJ” Checklist

Buying A Home in NJBuying A Home in NJ can be a great investment, and many households dream of starting a family and developing memories in their first home. When it comes to shopping for a property, many first-time home buyers may be surprised by all the options their real estate agent provides. Luckily, there are several ways prospective buyers can narrow down their home search and find a property that best meets their needs.

The simplest way prospective buyers can begin their home search is to contact a real estate agent and go through a process of elimination by creating a simple checklist that outlines what they’re looking for.

Non-negotiable features

There are a number of home features and characteristics that buyers consider “must haves” before buying a home, therefore it’s important to start with these when making a checklist. For example, home-buyers may require a certain number of bedrooms or bathrooms, prefer to own a large piece of land or refuse to live in a certain neighborhood. These non-negotiable features should be communicated to their real estate agent to ensure that they are fulfilled before individuals spend time visiting home staging events.

Negotiable features

In some cases, buyers may want to own a home that features double bathroom sinks or borders two school districts. If these factors are important to buyers, but will not necessarily prompt them to turn away from a home sale, they should also be on the list. Real estate agents in NJ will work to meet all of a buyer’s guidelines, so buyers shouldn’t leave out the little amenities that may make a house feel more like a home.

Neighborhood caveats

You know what they say… “Location, Location, Location.” Choosing the right neighborhood features is almost as important as choosing the right home features. Neighbors, school districts, crime rates, amenities, costs and activities will be a part of a home buyer’s life for years, so it’s crucial to take these factors into consideration as well when drawing out a list of wants.

Lastly, buyers shouldn’t get discouraged if it takes some time to find the right home. Finding a house that has all the necessary features is worth the wait, and any additional quirks or home features can be altered to meet a buyer’s needs.

Bergen County Homes / Franklin Lakes Real Estate / Homes in Wyckoff / Luxury Homes in Wyckoff / Ridgewood Homes For Sale / Tenafly Homes For Sale / Wyckoff Homes For Sale — No Comments
03
Nov 13

Making Offers that Appeal to Home Sellers in Mahwah NJ

Making Offers that Appeal to Home Sellers in Mahwah NJ

Homes For Sale in Mahwah NJ

Both the concrete details and manner in which an offer is made can have a substantial impact on how a seller responds to it. While there is no way to ensure that a seller will accept a given offer, using knowledge of their situation and the advice of a real estate agent in Mahwah can make offers more compelling and negotiations yield better results.

Sentimental sellers

Buying a home in Mahwah from a seller who cares a great deal about a prospective property can be tricky. The person or people living there may have a strong attachment to the home despite their plans to move out, and letting it go can be difficult for them. In these cases, the seller may be swayed not by the price or financial terms, but rather by the home buyers’ attitude toward their new residence.

While home purchases are transactions, typically with large financial implications for those involved, the personal element cannot always be removed. Even for buyers who can approach negotiations objectively, they should keep in mind that there is no guarantee the property’s sellers can do the same.

If the current residents of a home are emotionally attached, then the key to closing the deal may be in how the buyers treat it. The perception that they will care for the property may be the missing element needed. Such intangible factors are difficult to account for when discussing home sale negotiations, because they vary so much from case to case and are difficult to predict. In some cases, a seller’s opinion of their home may cause them to overcharge, which buyers should watch for.

Should you have the opportunity to speak with the seller be sure to focus on a few elements of the home that you really enjoy rather than discussing your plans to change decor, design or landscaping.

Motivating factors

Home sellers may also be driven by other causes, such as past experience. If a seller has had a potential deal called off at the last minute, then certainty can be more valuable than money. Real estate agents in Mahwah NJ are often able to help buyers to read the reactions of the home seller and develop a negotiating strategy appropriate to the situation.

Another possibility is that a home seller could be preoccupied with other concerns. Moving out of an old home often coincides with other major events, such as settling in to a new job. When that is the case, home sellers are often inclined to make a deal more quickly so they can focus their attention. This may play into buyers’ hands and allow them to close a slightly better deal.

Looking for more advice on buying a home? Check out our Mahwah home buyer resources.