ERA JUSTIN REALTY’S BEST MARKETING TOOLS ARE GOOD AGENTS
ERA Justin Realty Demystifies Winter Home Selling
The leaves have fallen the weather gets colder, homeowners often shudder at the thought of selling their home in the winter, out of fear that there will be fewer buyers, their home will look less attractive and will command a lower selling price than in the spring time. Following are the 4 most common myths as well as the truth about selling a home in the winter, as reviewed by Cathy Vick ERA Justin Realtor sales professional.
Myth #1 If I wait until the spring to sell my house there will be more buyers and more competition for my home.
TRUTH: “There really is a limited spring market anymore,” according to Vick, “since most markets are interest rate driven.” “Interest rates are currently low, and that is what motivates most buyers. So, now may be your best opportunity as listings are also fewer as your competition.”
Though you may get more foot traffic through your home in the spring, a good portion of these people may be just “lookers.” According to Vick, “In winter you may have fewer showings, but you tend to get more serious and qualified buyers because few people like to spend an afternoon browsing through homes when the weather is cold, rainy or snowy. Many “lookers” wait until the spring.”
Myth #2 “My house will sell for a higher price in the spring” or “Since the economy has begun to improve, I’ll wait to get an even higher price for my house in 2015.”
TRUTH: Home prices of 2014 may not continue to escalate in 2015, always an unknown. We know what the economy is like now. With political worldwide uncertainties, there is no way to predict what lies ahead in the spring of 2015. “A significant benefit of winter home selling is that there is less inventory at this time of year, which translates into less competition amongst listings,” states Vick. “Remember, it only takes one buyer to purchase a house, and sellers establish the price that they want to ask. Houses that are well decorated, updated and in move-in condition always move rapidly, she continued.
Myth #3 My house looks better in the spring when the trees have leaves and the flowers are blooming.
TRUTH: Remember, the playing field is level in whatever season you choose to sell your home. In the spring, everyone’s house has blooming flowers and trees. Do not discount the benefits of winter selling. Holiday decorations and the wonderful aroma of food, roaring fires and scented candles are very attractive to buyers.
Myth #4 Since I need to move in the spring, I will wait until after the winter to sell my house.
TRUTH: Winter home sellers can choose a closing date in the spring, which can benefit both the seller and the buyer. The seller, knowing that their house is sold, can go and buy a new house, without pressure. The buyer benefits by having the necessary time to sell their old house.
“ERA Justin Realty is highly driven by the knowledge and experience of our business platform. Everything we do is designed with the universal goal of expanding that knowledge base through a series of innovative tools, programs and resources that help deliver true value and make it easier for us to better serve today’s consumers. We are building a smarter business community; we all achieve more when we share knowledge and work together. Our updated ERA identity, logo and brand standards have been introduced and are designed to reflect who we are today while positioning our ERA brand for the future. Our fresh new look is extending to everything from yard signs to marketing and advertising materials but more importantly to the new products and services to bring greater success for our buyers and sellers. Welcome to the new ERA,” added broker owner Ron Darby.
SMART UPDATING YOUR HOUSE, AN ERA JUSTIN REALTY REPORT
SMART UPDATING YOUR HOUSE, AN ERA JUSTIN REALTY REPORT
Keeping your home updated is sound advice. By making improvements along the way you get the benefit and when it’s time to sell, there’s less to do. But how do you go about making decisions on what to purchase?
According to Julia Dagistanli, ERA Justin Realtor salesperson, “If you don’t want to end up with the current equivalent of avocado appliances and brown shag carpet, colors of past years, you’ll need to choose wisely. What may seem up-to-the-minute style-wise could end up costing you in the long run. Kitchen and bath improvements can be expensive, so home buyers would want to deduct that cost if your home seems outdated.
The endless variety of products available to homeowners can leave you with much to consider. And it’s easy to quickly choose an item that looks smashing, only to find it doesn’t look so stylish a few years later. So, think in practical terms when investing your improvement dollars.
If you’ve fallen in love with that glass bowl and think it’s the perfect way to make a statement in the bath, consider placing it on top of a cabinet that gives you space for your personal items. Your kitchen may look crisp and clean without any overhead cabinetry, but you will need storage space for your dishes. So, take that need into consideration during the planning stage.Go for a timeless, classic design when choosing major items and, if in doubt, think simplicity. Quality granite, ceramic tile and white fixtures will never go out of style. You can then add accents that are easily changed out without breaking the bank.
Important improvements include good lighting, quality surfaces, plenty of storage and a floor plan that accommodates your needs. Prioritize your requirements and wishes to get an individualized look without being too trendy. It’s a good idea to work with a designer, usually offered by retailers at no charge, to optimize your dollars, but be very specific about what you need and expect and what your budget will stand. Our teammates prioritize in assisting our sellers stage their house as they prepare for a sale.
When it’s time to sell, you’ll know you’ve made the right decisions and so will your grateful buyer.”
Dagistanli continued, “We are pleased to offer our consumers updating and staging articles in the South Bergenite, The Record and the Herald News. Truly, there is a difference in real estate companies, and our articles and our ERA Home Protection Plans are additional examples. We ask buyers and sellers to compare. We believe that in order to exceed expectations of what a real estate company 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.”
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“ERA Justin Realty is highly driven by the knowledge and experience of our business platform. Everything we do is designed with the universal goal of expanding that knowledge base through a series of innovative tools, programs and resources that help deliver true value and make it easier for us to better serve today’s consumers. We are building a smarter business community; we all achieve more when we share knowledge and work together. The updated ERA identity, logo and brand standards have been introduced and are designed to reflect who we are today while positioning our ERA brand for the future. Our fresh new look is extending to everything from yard signs to marketing and advertising materials but more importantly to the new products and services to bring greater success for our buyers and sellers. Welcome to the new ERA,” added Darby.
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ERA JUSTIN REALTY PROVIDES INSIGHT ON SELLING YOUR HOUSE VACANT
Ron Darby, broker co-owner of ERA Justin Realty since the 1980’s has been active in real estate since 1967. His expertise in real estate has brought thousands of transactions to the firm processed by his agents. He has been known as mentor to many, who have grown to major success status as multimillion dollar owners of their own firms and he has been responsible for the growth of ERA Justin Realty to “Top 100” status throughout the ERA real estate system globally and all across America,
ERA JUSTIN REALTY SHARES FIRST IMPRESSION TIPS FOR AUTUMN SELLING
ERA Justin Realty’s Michelle Korosy’s enthusiasm and attention to detail proves to be an asset for her buyers and sellers. She has a love for real estate and is well-versed with knowledge of the industry. She is very familiar with scenic design and those skills are invaluable in assisting sellers to ready their homes for prospective buyers. This experience combined with her ability and interest in architecture also makes her a knowledgeable resource for her buyers. She offers first impression tips for autumn selling.
When it comes to your home, first impressions are everything. Buyers will drive by and make an instant decision on whether they want to step inside. The exterior of your home, in conjunction with the landscaping, has the ability to make or break the first appearance. Just as important as accessories are to completing an outfit, the perfect front door can instantly increase the curb appeal of your home.
Michelle Korosy an ERA Justin Realtor agent, with years experience, said, “To gain the viewpoint of the potential buyer, walk across from the front of your home and give it a critical look. Is there something that is less than appealing? Does it look neat, clean and most of all, inviting? Take notes and decide where your improvement dollars might be best spent. Whether you replace your front door, or spruce up the one you now have, the improvement will be noticeable. You will get your share of positive comments from friends and neighbors about how handsome the house looks. Depending on your home’s exterior finishing, you might consider painting the door a color that complements the color of the trim, rather than matching it. Consult a color wheel, and consider the colors located adjacent to the trim color, or directly opposite. Red, purple, or green front doors are not uncommon today. The door is a relatively small space, considering the expanse of the front of most homes, so you can choose an unconventional color for the door and not have it overwhelm the facade. And because of the small area of the door, it can be easily repainted if you change your mind. Some experts have reported that a yellow door adds immediate impact and clearly says, ‘Welcome.’ If you have a solid wood door, consider refinishing it. If the wood is particularly beautiful or interesting, you can simply oil or seal it to show off the grain. Talk to someone at the paint store about the best way to enhance the appearance of your wood door and protect it against the elements. You can also freshen up the entrance by polishing or replacing the hardware on the door. If the doorknob, lock, and kick plate is shabby, buy new ones. Measure what you have before you go shopping.”
Korosy continued, “Fiberglass doors are popular for special orders. Special order fiberglass doors cost more than what you would expect to pay for a steel door. Fiberglass doors do not dent or chip, and are impervious to the weather. Steel and fiberglass top the list of popular door choices, but wood doors continue to do well. Wood surfaces must be refinished and varnished every few years, depending on how much they are exposed to the elements. Mahogany is a popular choice, especially in wet or humid climates, because it does not expand or contract much. Oak is an excellent wood for a front door but is very hard and does not accept paint well. Keep this in mind should you decide to paint it later on. Consider whether your home is stucco or brick, and note the interesting architectural details. Your front door should enhance the existing elements, not compete with them. Newer homes with cleaner exterior lines can take on an elaborate door, though the design should be in keeping with the home’s size and style. New stock doors give you dozens of options, while a custom door is often the focal point of the property. Whether you paint, refinish, or replace the door, freshening up the entrance is sure to enhance your home’s curb appeal.”
For more information on CMAs and to review their over 700 written reviews, consumers can reach the ERA Justin Realty sales team 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.
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Tridel added, “Serving our customers and our communities through leadership and commitment is at the core of ERA Justin Realty’s operating principles. We’ve received The Circle of Light for Community Leadership Award and we were recognized for embracing a philosophy through community service and charitable works that greatly impact the areas where we work and live. Our team has long been committed to serving our local communities, as well as for business excellence, and we are proud. We are also celebrating our 30th anniversary with our ERA family. Our award recognizes us for the extraordinary things we do and for our communities and people in need. Throughout the entire ERA system of approximately 31,000 brokers and agents, we were the only firm to receive it when presented to us in Los Angeles.”