Bergen County is filled with historic homes. There are Victorians, Craftsmans, Tudors, and Colonials, some of which date back to before the Revolutionary War. These houses that have stood the test of time are part of what gives our area its charm.

Owning a historic property is a unique opportunity to take part in preserving that history. “It can also be a valuable investment opportunity,” says Michelle Korosy, Sales Associate at ERA Justin Realty, “Historic homes that are well loved tend to retain their value, even during slow periods in the real estate market.”

They can also be a big responsibility. To better understand whether a historic home is right for you, here’s what you should know.

It Can Be Rewarding

Historic properties exude beauty and charm, and often showcase distinctive architectural elements that make them one of a kind. “Doing your part to preserve them for future generations can be a source of pride,” says Jennifer Darby Metzger, Broker/Owner at ERA Justin Realty, “But there can also be financial rewards, too. Your historic property could qualify for tax abatements or credits from the local or federal government which can be used for restoration.”

Learn the Story 

Check to see if your town has a Historic Preservation Society, a Town Historian or check your town’s library, volunteer organizations and local museum. These sources will often have written documentation on the history of your historic home, potentially including who the builder was and who the home was built for, as well as old photos! For example the Meadowlands Museum located in Rutherford has old photos of most of the homes in town and sells them, nicely framed, as a fundraiser for the museum. Some of these organizations also have programs for markers for Historic Homes or local awards for restoration projects.

Maintenance & Upgrades

Many people are surprised to find out that homes built in the 1980’s are degrading faster than homes built in the 1880’s. “We say ‘they don’t make ‘em like they used to’ for a reason!” says Korosy. But no home is without maintenance, and older properties could require significant upgrades in plumbing, electrical systems and appliances.

If you are looking to fall in love with a historic house, keep all of these things in mind. Michelle Korosy and all of the experienced agents at ERA Justin have connections with local vendors who can help you keep your historic home in tip top shape. Give us a call at 201-939-7500.

ERA Justin Realty is thrilled to welcome new Sales Associate Erin Hunkemoeller to the team.

“I joined ERA Justin for the people!” says Erin, “They sold us our first home. After that experience I knew I wanted to be part of the team!”

Erin bought her home in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey a year ago. She lives there with her partner Joe and two rescue dogs, Alex and Roxi.

“When I think of ‘home’, I think of the people (and pets) that I love. But it’s also about being part of a community,” says Hunkemoeller, “Home is volunteering with Hearts and Bones Rescue, where my dogs are from. Home is being involved with my town’s historical society. Home is dancing at our local ballroom studio, and cooking and baking with food grown in my own garden. I love helping people find their own ‘home’ story.”

“Erin is a dedicated real estate professional whose core values and commitment to excellence matches our company’s,” says Jennifer Darby Metzger, Broker/Owner of ERA Justin Realty. “She fits right in, and is hitting the ground running.”

Erin says she can describe her core values in 4 words:  

• ●  Integrity: “With unwavering ethics, I maintain transparency and professionalism in every interaction.”
• ●  Excellence: “I strive for excellence, constantly refining my skills to bring you top-tier service.”
• ●  Collaboration: “Together, we achieve greatness. I collaborate with experts to offer holistic real estate solutions.”
• ●  Empathy: “I understand the emotions tied to real estate. I will support you through every high and low.”

Erin also recognizes the need for personalized attention. “Your needs are unique. I tailor my approach to align with your goals, preferences, and budget,” says Erin, “And trust is paramount. I provide transparent insights into the market empowering you to make confident choices.”

“My service philosophy centers around making your real estate dreams come true,” says Erin, “I’m not just about transactions; I’m about delivering a seamless experience that leaves you satisfied and excited about your property journey.”

If you’re ready to start your own real estate journey, contact Erin or any of the experienced real estate professionals at ERA Justin at (201) 939-7500.

Buying your first home is not only a right of passage, it is also the key to building wealth.

Yet more and more young, first time home buyers are putting off homeownership. 

The age of the typical first timer is up to 36. Why?

According to the National Association of Realtors the number of first time home buyers fell to its lowest level on record last year, as young adults are facing a longer path to homeownership than in years past.  First time buyers made up just 22% of buyers in 2022, down from 34% the year before. 

“One of the biggest things holding them back is student loan debt,” says Pilar Castro, Sales Associate at ERA Justin Realty, “Plus, when there is a bidding war people who already have equity in a home have more buying power. However, first time homebuyers can overcome these issues when they’re armed with the right information.”

Here are some keys to success for first time homebuyers in the current market.

20% Down is not a hard & fast requirement

You may already have a down payment saved, you don’t need as much as you think! “20% down is a myth. Some first-time homebuyers put down as little as 3%,” says Castro. Some put down none thanks to public and private first-time homebuyer programs across the country.

“They can help you get into a house with little to no money up front,” says Jennifer Darby Metzger, Broker/Owner of ERA Justin Realty. “You just need to know where to look for the programs to see if you qualify. The right mortgage lender or real estate professional can help you find one.”

Explore Every Option

Accept the possibility that you won’t get your dream home right away. It’s a seller’s market, which means there are not enough homes on the market to meet buyer demand. “Take that into consideration when making your list of needs. Could a condo or a townhouse do for now? Quit paying your landlord rent, get your foot in the door and start building your own personal wealth,” says Castro. 

Face Facts

The bottom line: Buying your first home right now is tougher than it was a decade ago. But that should not hold you back. The right real estate professional can help you. Give Pilar Castro or any of the agents at ERA Justin Realty a call at 201-939-7500.

Understanding the current state of mortgage rates is critical when it comes to figuring out how much you can afford to spend on a house. But it’s important to remember, that you don’t have to marry it. You can date the rate!

“Interest rates fluctuate,” says Mary Iannaccone, Sales Associate at ERA Justin Realty, “Just because you’re locking into one now doesn’t mean you are locked into it forever. You can always refinance.”

If you’re thinking about buying a house, but are on the fence due to higher interest rates, here is what you need to know.

Historically Low Rates

Mortgage interest rates have been at record lows the past few years. Rates plummeted in 2020 when central banks worldwide implemented measures to stimulate the economy during the Covid 19 pandemic. This allowed more people to buy at affordable rates. “But it is important to remember what we saw then was abnormal circumstances,” says Jennifer Darby Metzger, Broker/Owner of ERA Justin Realty, “The rates we are seeing now are a return to normalcy. But they are still low in the grand scheme of things, historically.”

Recent Upward Trend

The upward trend we have been seeing lately is a result of inflation but it is also a sign that the global economy is recovering. Mortgage rates have been rising, but that rise has been gradual.

One Size Does Not Fit All

“It’s important to remember that mortgage rates vary from person to person,” says Iannaccone, “It depends on which kind of loan you choose, the length of time you choose to pay it down, your down payment, your credit score. One size does not fit all. You can shop around for the best rate.”

Forecasting Future Rates

While we can’t predict the trajectory of mortgage rates, we can say, historically speaking, what goes up must come down,” says Iannaccone. “And that’s why we say ‘Marry the house, but date the rate.’” 

If you’re trying to decide whether to make the leap and buy despite rising mortgage rates, Mary Iannaccone, or any of the experienced real estate professionals at ERA Justin Realty can help you figure it out. Give us a call at 201-939-7500. 

Everyone keeps saying it’s a seller’s market. So you listed your home for sale. It’s been on the market for weeks, with no bites? Sound like a familiar scenario? You might just need to make a few small changes to see big results.

When it comes to selling a house, homeowners generally want three things: top dollar, a quick closing and the fewest hassles. (There are always some!) While today’s market is generally favorable toward sellers, there are some factors that could keep a house from selling. Here are some things to think about.

Limited Access

“If we can’t show your home, we can’t sell your home,” says Lee Schilare, Sales Associate at ERA Justin Realty, “Access is key.” Are you putting limits on how often agents can show your home? Take a hard look at your schedule and see where you can free things up. 

“Motivated buyers may be traveling in from out of town to see houses, and if yours is not available to them, they won’t buy it,” adds Schilare. “Minimal access equals minimal exposure.”

Curb Appeal

“You always want to make a great first impression,” says Schilare, “And that starts with curb appeal.” How your home looks on the outside could make or break a buyer’s decision to book a showing. Sometimes all it takes is a little more upkeep. Pull the weeds. Keep the lawn mowed. Add a few colorful plants or flowers. A little can go a long way for curb appeal.

Staging

Remember you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and that goes for the inside of your home too. Stage your front hall. Put away all of your coats and shoes. Make that first glimpse of your home clean and inviting. You want buyers to be able to imagine themselves in your home as soon as they walk through the front door. 

Declutter

Don’t let it stop at the front door. If you’re having trouble selling, you may just need to declutter. Buyers have a hard time seeing how great the bones of your house are through mess. So clear away those piles of paper. Pack up all of your family photos. Less is more.

Priced Too High

We know you want top dollar. Everyone does. But is your sale price unrealistic? That could be why your home hasn’t sold yet. 

“It’s tempting to list high in a seller’s market,” says Jennifer Darby Metzger, Broker/Owner at ERA Justin Realty, “But the fact is if it’s overpriced it will sit on the market and if it sits too long that could deter buyers.” 

Bottom Line

There could be several reasons why your home isn’t selling. Fortunately the most common ones are easy fixes. An experienced real estate agent can help you identify your shortcomings and make sure your home is priced to sell. Lee Schilare or any of the agents at ERA Justin Realty can help. Give us a call at 201-939-7500.

Timing can be crucial when it comes to making significant financial decisions. If you’ve been contemplating selling your house, it’s time to take that leap. Here’s why:

It’s a Seller’s Market

The biggest reason to sell your house now is it’s a seller’s market. “Inventory is more than 50% lower than normal nationwide,” says Laura McCarthy, Sales Associate at ERA Justin Realty, “There are more buyers than there are available homes.” This means sellers have the advantage of setting higher prices and receiving multiple offers. You could sell high… fast.

Record-Low Mortgage Rates

Yes, they’re higher than they were. But historically speaking mortgage rates are still quite low. “This is not just good news for buyers, it’s actually good news for sellers, too,” says Jennifer Darby Metzger, Broker/Owner at ERA Justin Realty, “Low interest rates mean buyers can afford to pay more for a house. The higher the price, the more money in your pocket.” By selling now, you have a large pool of qualified buyers who can afford to pay more for your property.

Equity

If you’ve owned your home for a significant period of time, you may have more equity in it than you think. “Equity is how much more money your home is worth now versus how much you paid for it,” says McCarthy, “If you bought your house for $100,000 and it’s now worth $150,000 that $50,000 is your equity.” Selling now will give you the opportunity to cash in on that equity and either reinvest it, or use it in retirement.

What does this mean for you?

“This means the time to act is now,” says Darby Metzger,  “Buyers have fewer choices than they did in normal years, which puts your house in high demand.”

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR):

• 74% of homes sell within a month of listing
• The average number of days on the market is 18
• Average number of offers on a single house: 3

“When a home goes on the market – and it’s priced right – it sells quickly,” says McCarthy, “We can help you make sure your price is right.”

Bottom Line

Ultimately, the decision to sell is a personal one that depends on factors specific to your circumstances. If you need help deciding if now is the best time for you, Laura McCarthy or any of the knowledgeable agents at ERA Justin Realty can help. Give us a call at 201-939-7500.

ERA Justin Realty Co is proud to announce its 2023 Leaders for the second quarter of the year. The winners are: Jennifer Sullivan, Libera “Lee” Schilare, Julia Dagistanli, Fara Espandi, Danielle Sette, Jessica “Jessi” Davidson, and Rosemarie Zembryski.

 “This market is red hot again. But, that doesn’t mean houses are selling themselves,” said Jennifer Darby Metzger, Broker/Owner of ERA Justin Realty Company. “Competition is fierce and these agents stayed on top of their game to serve their clients.”

The ERA Justin Leaders Program recognizes agents who meet and exceed their goals and the company’s goals on a monthly basis. 

“These agents stand out because even in the face of ongoing low inventory and bidding wars they connect with their clients to make their home purchases or sales more than just a financial transaction,” says Darby Metzger. “They keep in mind that whether it’s buying that new home or downsizing as an empty nester, real estate represents changes in someone’s life. Our agents recognize that and honor that responsibility,” adds Darby Metzger. 

ERA Justin Realty is again the #1 top selling real estate office in Rutherford, for the 22nd year in a row. In 2022, ERA Justin closed more than three times as many sales as any other office in Rutherford.

ERA Justin is also #1 overall in the Southwest Bergen Area which includes Rutherford, East Rutherford, North Arlington, Lyndhurst, Wallington, Carlstadt, Hasbrouck Heights and Wood Ridge and has been for more than 7 years.

Want to work with one of our award winning team members for your real estate needs? Call 201.939.7500. We are conveniently located at 46 Chestnut Street and 57 Park Avenue in Rutherford. Visit erajustin.com to see current listings.

Tips for first-time homebuyers are easy to find. Know your budget… get pre-approved…

But what about first-time sellers? You rarely see tips for that. Here are some things you need to know.

Prepare Emotionally

Buying and selling are very different transactions. Buying a home can bring excitement for a new era. Selling a home can bring sadness for the end of one. You need to be prepared for the emotions you may feel when deciding to move.

Prepare Financially

When buying a home, you want to get the most for your money. When selling, it’s the opposite. You want to maximize your profit potential, without spending too much to get your home ready to sell. Take a hard look at your finances and figure out what you need to make on your house in order to move into a new one.

Price Your Home Accurately

You have to be realistic about what your home is worth. That starts by pricing your home accurately. “You don’t want to create the wrong impression by pricing your house too high then reducing it,” says Kristen Davis, Sales Associate at ERA Justin Realty, “A real estate agent familiar with how much other houses in your neighborhood are selling for can help you make sure yours is priced to sell.”

Stage Your Home

You don’t have to spend a lot to stage your home, but it is necessary to boost its appeal to a wider range of buyers. “You don’t have to buy all new throw pillows,” says Jennifer Darby Metzger, Broker/Owner of ERA Justin Realty, “Sometimes removing extra furniture and taking down family photos and personal mementos is all that’s needed. And you need to pack it all up eventually anyway!” If it looks like no one lives there, you’ve staged it well.

List on the Right Day

“This is one For-Sale-By-Owners rarely get right: listing on the right day,” says Davis. The best day to list your home is determined by a host of factors including your location, the weather, and the current state of your local real estate market. You want your home to stand out  on its very first day on the market. A knowledgeable real estate agent can help you figure out when that first day should be.

Be Flexible

Go with the flow when it comes to showings. The more your home is available to your agent and potential buyers, the faster it will sell. Keep it clean and tidy every day until you’re in contract.

This list is just a sampling of best practices for first-time sellers. For more individualized instructions, Kristen Davis or any of the experienced sellers agents at ERA Justin Realty can help you. Give us a call at 201-939-7500.

Close your eyes. Imagine your dream home. Chances are you’d have to win the lottery to buy what you were just picturing. But how close can you get? For that, we will have to take your dream state and break it down into two lists: your must-haves and nice to haves. So let’s start big, with your Dream State.

Dream State: Okay, go ahead and picture your dream home again, you have to start somewhere! Chef’s Kitchen. Walk-in closets. Second floor laundry. A pool! “If you can find a home that checks off all your boxes that’s in your budget,” says Julia Dagistanli, Sales Associate at ERA Justin Realty, “It’s a clear winner!”

Must-Haves: Okay, so maybe you don’t need a pool. Decide what you can scratch off your list, and what is absolutely non-negotiable. Perhaps it’s that 2nd floor laundry or a certain number of bedrooms. If so, keep those things on your list.

Nice-to-Haves: “Here is where you list the pool,” says Jennifer Darby Metzger, Broker/Owner of ERA Justin Realty, “It would be nice, but it’s not a necessity.” Perhaps neither is that Chef’s Kitchen. But how nice would that be? List all the things that would be a happy surprise in this column.

When it comes to buying a home in the current market, it’s best to be realistic about your personal reasons for moving. Is a pool the main reason you want to move? Probably not. It’s more likely the need for more space or a home office, proximity to loved ones, friends or work that’s motivating you to move.

So take a good, hard look at your list of needs versus wants – and what would be a nice added bonus! A knowledgeable real estate agent will know where you should look to check off the most boxes. Perhaps you can have it all! Julia Dagistanli or any of the Sales Associates at ERA Justin Realty can help. Give us a call at 201-939-7500.

New Jersey has always been seen as a desirable place to live, but right now it is more popular than ever. There are several reasons why.

New Jersey’s real estate market has been experiencing a surge in demand ever since 2021. “For many home buyers, the pandemic caused a shift in priorities in both personal health and work,” says Joana Iliescu, Sales Associate at ERA Justin Real Estate, “Those changes directly affected where they are choosing to live.”

The Work From Home trend that started during the pandemic is a lingering factor in today’s real estate market. Suburban home sales are as strong as ever as more and more people have “hybrid” employment, working a few days from home and commuting to the office for the rest. This puts New Jersey in a particularly popular position due to its proximity to major metropolitan areas like New York City and Philadelphia. 

“People can easily work in the big cities, without having to live in the cities,” notes Jennifer Darby Metzger, Broker/Owner of ERA Justin Real Estate, “Many former city dwellers love Bergen County because it’s close to New York, but still feels like a world away.”

Low mortgage rates helped spike home sale numbers in 2021, but the higher interest rates of today are not slowing down transactions nor bringing down prices. The average single family home price in New Jersey is currently $357,000. That’s up 12.5% since last year. The rise in prices is due to the low number of existing homes on the market, resulting in high demand.

“Another reason for the high demand,” says Iliescu, “are the traditional reasons many people choose to move out of cities and into suburban or rural areas: more space, excellent schools and a lower cost of living. Plus, there are a wide range of activities to take advantage of across the state.”

“Here in New Jersey we have beaches for summer swimming, mountains for winter skiing and Broadway just over the river. What more could you ask for?” asks Iliescu.

If you’re looking to move out of a city – or looking to sell your home to someone who might be – Joana Iliescu or any of the knowledgeable agents at ERA Justin Realty can help. Give us a call at 201-939-7500 or pop into our office at 46 Chestnut Street in Rutherford.