Archive for the ‘Homeowner Tips’ Category
Tips for a Successful Home Sale
January 31st, 2012 | 
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Selling your home quickly and at the price you are asking is every homeowner’s dream. While the real estate market may seem like it is complicated and ever-changing, there are several constants to keep in mind when embarking on the home selling process.
Be certain to consider the following rules of thumb when your home is on the market:
Tidy Up. Be sure that your home is neat and tidy before potential buyers arrive. Give your home a once over and make sure that nothing is getting in the way of buyers being able to see how well loved and cared for your home is. Dirty or cluttered homes typically turn buyers off quickly, and the extra time you put into cleaning up will be well worth it.
Hit the Road. Never remain at home during showings or Open Houses. Your goal is to get buyers to explore your home, perhaps lingering to imagine the possibility of living there themselves. You being there could make them uncomfortable, leading to a shorter visit. For sure, you will be curious, but it’s easy enough to get any feedback from your real estate agent right after the showing.
Price to Sell. Often the key to how quickly a home sells is directly related to its price. It is extremely important to set a realistic, competitive price that will attract buyer attention. Your real estate agent can provide you with pricing recommendations based on local market conditions and sales of comparable properties.
For recent home sales in Bedminster, go to Bedminster-Real-Estate.com. If you are thinking about the possibility of listing your home for sale, and would like a FREE Market Analysis, please contact us and we would be happy to set up a time to meet with you.
Remodeling projects that add value
According to Remodeling magazine’s 2011-2012 “Cost vs. Value Report,” replacement projects perform better in resale value than other types of remodeling projects. In fact, seven out of the top 10 projects were siding-, window- and door- replacement projects.
The good news for cost-conscious homeowners is that
investing in your home in a way that pays off at resale doesn’t have to cost a lot. The high value of most replacements can be
contributed to the relatively low cost of these projects. What’s more, the majority of replacement projects immediately improve curb appeal, making the home more attractive to buyers.
Based on interviews with real estate professionals throughout the country, the Remodeling report found that the top project is fiber-cement siding, which typically recoups 78 percent of costs. Fiber-cement siding has been in the No.1 spot for six of the seven years since it was added to the report.
Moving up two spots in the rankings is the minor kitchen remodel, now coming in at fourth place at 72 percent. Considered an “interior replacement” project, this is the least expensive way to give an existing kitchen a complete facelift. It is typically done by adding new cabinet door and drawer fronts and hardware, new countertops and new appliances.
The right remodeling project, when done well, also has the potential to make for a quicker sale and reduce negotiations with buyers over perceived shortcomings.
If you are thinking of perhaps putting your house on the market, please feel free to give us a call, and we would be happy to meet with you and answer any questions you might have about getting your house or townhouse ready to sell. Also, feel free to go to www.Bedminster-Real-Estate.com for more valuable information about buying and selling in Bedminster.
Are these buyers looking for YOUR home?
The Basking Ridge Real Estate team from Weichert (Jennifer Blanchard, Judi Jensen and Gerry Light) are working with qualified buyers who are looking for homes in the following locations:
- Bedminster: Stone Run and Edgewood up to about $500,000
- Bedminster: Autumn Ridge up to about $700,000
- Basking Ridge: any four bedroom single family home in the Hills specifically including the Carlisle and Liberty Ridge sections up to about $750,000
Homeowner tip – Repair or Replace?
There’s nothing worse than having a major appliance break, especially since most people depend heavily on their dish washer and laundry machines. When something goes… there is the inevitable choice that must be made: whether to repair it or just get a new one.
Of course, the primary factor to consider when making a decision is the cost of the repair versus the cost of replacing the appliance, factoring in such things as tax, installation, and removal and disposal of the broken unit. According to Angie’s List, a national consumer ratings company, these things should also be considered:
- Age/History – Older appliances may require ongoing service, which could cost more over time than simply buying something new. On the other hand, if you have not had trouble with the appliance in the past, it might be worth fixing it.
- Energy Efficiency – New appliances could save you considerably when it comes to energy costs. Determine if the energy savings will offset the cost of a new appliance. In addition, tax credits may be available on energy-efficient units.
- Features/Performance – As technology advances, appliances have more and more features and can do more things. Putting cost aside, purchasing a new appliance might be the right choice simply because it improves your quality of life.
If the decision is to purchase a new appliance, remember that quality products tend to last longer, and that proper care will help prevent problems and reduce the need for repairs.
Contact me if you are considering a move into or out of Bedminster, NJ; I am happy to help you determine the value of your Bedminster home, or you can search what’s for sale in Bedminster (and many other areas as well!)
Home Staging Seminar
I am often asked about home staging and whether it is necessary when listing a home for sale. I do think it is important – whether you engage a certified home stager or you do it yourself. I am considering attending the seminar offered by my home-staging-go-to-person, Angela Gaugaf of NJ Home Staging and Redesign:
Home staging is one of the most valuable tools that home owners can use to sell their home in today’s competitive market. Angelia will be presenting a 2-hour seminar addressing this topic. She will cover the following:
- What home staging is and how it can influence buyers and the selling price
- Home staging statistics and facts
- The top 5 staging mistakes to avoid when selling
And of course, she will be showing before and after pictures – something everyone loves!
The seminar will be offered on two dates – Wednesday, October 19th and Wednesday, November 2nd from 7 to 9 PM at Artistic Impressions Studio in Boonton, NJ. The class fee is $50. Call 973-257-1500 to register or for additional information.
Please click here to drop me a line and let me know if you are attending – I’d love to meet you!
Bedminster Real Estate
A Great Time to Buy a House!
There is no doubt that this is a great time to buy a house. Purchasing a home has remained affordable, primarily because of the extended period of historically low interest rates that has continued for more than two years. A wide variety of properties from which to choose and affordable prices sweetens the opportunity for homebuyers.
The general public agrees, and so does the secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Consider these recent reports:
- According to a recent Gallup poll, 69 percent of Americans believe that now is a good time to buy a house.
- Responding to a recent New York Times/CBS News poll, 9 in 10 Americans said homeownership is an important part of the American Dream.
- The National Association of Realtors‘ ninth housing pulse survey showed that the overwhelming majority of Americans (72 percent) say that buying a home is a good financial decision. Almost two-thirds (64 percent) say that now is a good time to buy a home.
- During a recent interview broadcast on CNN, Shaun Donovan, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, urged Americans to purchase homes. He said, “In the long run, it is a good time to become a homeowner because it’s so affordable today compared to where it’s been for generations.”
For more information on Buying and Selling Homes in Bedminster, go to www.Bedminster-Real-Estate.com.
Taking the Plunge with an In-Ground Pool
Whether you’re thinking of buying a home with an in-ground pool
or toying
with the idea of having one built, there are many
important considerations to take into account. In additon to significant installation costs for those building
a new pool, all homeowners with a pool will need to be mindful of ongoing maintenance expenses as well
as insurance and tax implications.
If a swimming pool is in your future, here are some things to keep in mind:
• Installation costs for a 600-square-foot concrete pool average around
$30,000. Less expensive options include fiberglass shells and pools with
liners; however, pool liners need to be replaced approximately every 10
years, raising ongoing maintenance costs.
• Other equipment you will need to maintain your pool include an energy-
efficient pump, chemical balancing supplies, cleaning, and fees for
opening and closing the pool for the season. A rule of thumb is
homeowners should budget around $600 annually for maintenance in a
seasonal swimming climate and between $15 and $25 per week in a
year-round climate.
• Homeowners with a pool should increase the liability portion of their
homeowners insurance policy from the standard amount. In addition,
many underwriters require you to fence in the pool so that children can’t
wander in unsupervised.
• There is no guarantee that adding a pool will add to your home’s selling
price. Experts advise keeping building costs between 10 percent and 15
percent of what you paid for the house to help assure you don’t invest too
much money that you won’t necessarily recoup on resale.
For more information on Buying and Selling in Bedminster,
Click on the following link: Bedminster Real Estate
Selling your home in Summer time
Many people think that next to the winter holidays, the summer is the worst time to sell a home. I have to disagree! Just this weekend – a holiday weekend – I negotiated a contract on a Society Hill townhouse in Basking Ridge, fielded a call from another agent looking for comp information as she was negotiating a contract, and my partner Gerry and I both showed homes. There is a definite market out there. In fact since June 20th, there have been 7 contract sales in Bedminster.
A few years ago, I wrote about selling your home in the summer months - now I have some additional tips for you:
Summertime means barbecues, outdoor fun and lots of sunshine, flowers and greenery. The commonality among all of those rites of summer is that they draw attention to a home’s landscaping and outdoor spaces. Homeowners who are selling their home in the summer months should make an effort to highlight their home’s usable outdoor space.
In addition, sellers with their home on the market during the summer should keep these considerations in mind:
- “Stage” your backyard so that buyers can envision themselves relaxing and entertaining there. Power wash your deck or patio as well as your outdoor furniture, replace worn-out cushions and make sure to have a few simple outdoor accessories.
- A fully landscaped yard will save buyers time and money. Ensure your front and back yards appear maintained by trimming overgrown trees and shrubs, and making sure your lawn is manicured regularly.
- Inside, keep your home cool for showings and Open Houses. Setting the air conditioner to a comfortable level, or using fans and opening windows to let in a cool breeze, will help buyers focus on your home and not how warm they are.
- Guard against heat-related smells by emptying all garbage cans and fully cleaning your home before any showings, focusing specifically on bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens
These tips will help ensure that as potential buyers are considering their options, your home will outshine the competition!
Good Luck and have a safe and happy Fourth of July!
Owning a Home is a Smart Decision
A recent survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors showed that a substantial majority of both homeowners and current renters believe that owning a home is a smart decision over the long term.
The American Attitudes About Homeownership survey of 3,793 adults found that even in today’s challenging economy, 95 percent of owners and 72 percent of renters believe that over a period of several years, it makes more sense to own a home.
Other findings of the American Attitudes About Homeownership survey include:
- A large majority of homeowners are happy with their decision to own a home. In fact, 93 percent of the owners surveyed would buy again.
- Homeowners are more satisfied with both the overall quality of their family life and with their community life than renters are.
- Of the renters surveyed, 63 percent said that it was at least somewhat likely that they would purchase a home at some point in the future, with young adults 18 to 29 years old having the strongest aspirations for homeownership.
If you think it might be time to start thinking about owning a home, take a look at what’s currently available in Bedminster. You can also see what has been selling in Bedminster to get a sense of how much you might need to spend to get the home you want.
Posted in Bedminster Real Estate, General real estate information, Homeowner Tips, Just Sold - Bedminster, New listing - not in Bedminster, New Listings in Bedminster | 
Tags: bedminster, Bedminster Real Estate, Homeownership, Just Sold, New Listings in Bedminster, Real Estate Attorneys | 
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Cost vs. Value – Bedminster Real Estate
According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2010-2011 “Cost vs. Value Report,” even despite the challenging economy, investing in your home still pays off at resale – and it doesn’t have to cost a lot. The report also showed that home sellers consider first impressions to be a top priority, with 9 out of the top 13 projects being exterior replacements that contribute to curb appeal and help attract buyers.
Based on interviews with real estate professionals throughout the country, the Remodeling report found that the top two projects were also the least expensive. A mid-range entry door replacement returns more than 102.1 percent of project costs upon resale, followed by a mid-range garage door replacement, at 83 percent.
While considered upscale, the third-best project, fiber-cement siding replacement, has been a consistently high performer, recouping 80 percent of costs this year, and also showing the smallest cost increase of any project (less than 1 percent).
The right remodeling project, when done well, also has the potential to make for a quicker sale and reduce negotiations with buyers over perceived shortcomings.
Click here to access the “Cost vs. Value” website, where you can download data for 80 cities.
Some additional numbers for those of you who are wondering about kitchens and baths – – a minor kitchen remodel (refacing cabinets, changing out hardware, replacing oven and cooktop, changing countertops, painting trim and refreshing the floor) returns almost 73%. The addition of a deck also returns about 73%.
Surprisingly, according to this study a bathroom renovation returns only about 53%.
Please note that these numbers are based on national averages. I will admit that I have a hard time getting my head around these numbers – – I think there are too many variables… but I suppose that it’s all relative. Projects that improve first impressions allow the biggest bang for the buck and kitchens are more valuable than bathrooms.
Visit Bedminster Real Estate to see what’s selling in town – new kitchens and bathrooms or not!
Posted in Bedminster Real Estate, General real estate information, Homeowner Tips |
Tags: Bedminster Real Estate, Home Remodeling |
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