Pascack Valley NJ Real Estate : November 2007

Home Inspection issues seems to have become a hot topic in the real estate market.  But can you have it your way?  When we were experiencing a Seller's market, Buyers were striking Inspection Contingencies right out of the contract just to secure their bids.

The sort of inspection issues that were accepted by Buyers in the past few years of the Hot Seller's Market are now causing negotiations to continue right up to the Closing Table.  While home prices have come down in most parts of the Country, there are still areas where prices have not been affected by the overall state of the market.

The problem with this new  viewpoint is that not all Sellers are seeing the same issues as reasons to negotiate.  They aren't allowing Buyers to have it their way in many cases because they are now holding two mortgages!  Is it possible that Buyers have become more demanding due to the state of the economy?  Or has the media become the scapegoat in this new trend?  How many people are blaming the media for the reality of the market? Could it be that the Sellers are just not getting the fact that the market moved over to the "other side"?

Everyday we talk to other agents involved in transactions fraught with inspection issues.  Have we become so smart about homes that we have lost touch with the main reason home ownership is such a wonderful thing?  When did the American Dream become such a Nightmare?

Perhaps we have come to a point when negotiating is the new phenomenon!  Obviously something has shifted - but what?  The average home inspection lasts approximately two hours in duration.  The following is an abbreviated list of points that your Home Inspector will review with you after you have the home of your dreams inspected:

• Driveway condition
• Sidewalks, stoops & Decks
• Roof age & condition (including eaves, soffits and facia boards)
• Sprinklers, Hoses and outside drainage
• Gutters & Downspouts
• Siding material and condition
• Kitchens & Baths
• Chimneys and Fireplaces
• Heating & Cooling Systems
• Oil & Underground Tanks
• Windows & Doors
• Electric Service and Panel
• Interior Walls, Floors & Ceilings
• Attics
• Basements
• Appliances (if included)

Now this is an abbreviated list as it depends on the type of home you are purchasing and what inclusions there are.  But you get the idea, there are many issues to explore when purchasing a home.

Let us not forget that Homes are one of the single largest expenses that most people will have in their lives.  Sellers and Buyers should review all things considered in the negotiation process.   Having said that, is it any wonder that in this current market, with Home Inspection Issues many are asking Can You Have It Your Way?   

So Now What?  Have you been caught in the swinging real estate door?  Questions are buzzing around everywhere about the press reports regarding sub-prime loans, foreclosures and a declining real estate market. 

Earlier today, I was challenged by Active Rain Mate, Mike Jones, to write this post after commenting on his post titled Real Estate Correction: I Don't Want Help From My Government .  "So now what" was how I commented on Mike's post.  With so many opinions out there it's difficult for anyone to answer that question.  I thought to myself, this must be what the public feels like when they ask a "professional" for their opinion regarding the state of the real estate market.  

Once I accepted Mike's challenge, I sat down and committed myself to writing this post.   I thought it would be prudent of me to do some background on the "History of Real Estate Cycles".  So I did what so many people do, I "googled"the phrase!   I found myself reading link after link of many sites and authors with as many different opinions as there are grains of sand on the beach!  Some I thought were genius and others were your standard gobledy gook.....

"So now what"?   Who can the public hang their proverbial hat on when it comes to determining the answer to this question?   I thought of what questions I would ask the professionals, if I were the average consumer.  I came up with this exercise.  Ponder the following points:

• If Real estate is cyclical, find out where "you" are in the cycle
• Real estate is local so find out what "your" local market is doing
• Consider "your" financial situation before making any decisions to change "your" status
• Determine if "your" housing needs are being met as they stand
• Gather these facts from your local trusted professionals such as Realtors and Mortgage Lenders

We should all be our own best advocates in everything we do.  The trickle down theory is bound to hit many who may have made the right" decision at the time they made it but may have been caught in the swinging real estate door.   Remember that markets can change.  Be prepared to go through the same exercise of points to ponder each time you form that question "So Now What".  Then do what "YOU" think is the best thing to do.

Some related posts to read:

The Real Estate Market - What's Driving It?

Is It A Buyer's Market? Read These Signs and then You Decide.....

The Benefits of Using a Realtor

Tips for Sellers - The Importance of Full Service Realtors

Price It To Sell and the Buyers will come!

The Importance Of Curb Appeal

Great Time To Buy Real Estate and Here's Why

Click here for our Active Rain Profile

The Pascack Valley area of Bergen County New Jersey celebrates the Holidays with town events and activities for the whole family scheduled as follows:

Emerson New Jersey - The Tanglewood Marionettes presents the Fairy Circus Puppet Show at the Emerson Library on Saturday, December 8th from 1:00-3:00pm.  Registration is suggested.  Call (201)261-5604 for informaiton.  The Movie The Polar Express will be showing on December 28th at 1:30 at the Emerson Library as well.  Click on the following link for Emerson Library information.   The Emerson Library is located at 20 PALISADE AVENUE, EMERSON, NEW JERSEY  07630

Westwood New Jersey - Saturday, December 1st, the Borough of Westwood will kick off the 2007 holiday season with its 17th annual 'Home for the Holidays' celebration in the downtown area and Veterans' Memorial Park.  Festivities will commence at 6:00 p.m. Residents, organizations and businesses that would like to become involved with the planning of this year's event may contact the Westwood Recreation Department (201) 664-7882

River Vale New Jersey - December 5th at 6:30 p.m. there will be a Menorah Lighting at the Town Hall and then on December 7th a Christmas Tree Lighting will take place at 7:00 p.m.  The Town Hall is located at 406 River Vale Rd in River Vale, NJ 07675 For more information call, 201-664-2346

Park Ridge New Jersey - Sunday, December 2nd the annual Christmas Tree Lighting will take place at the Depot Square at 5:00 p.m.  Children may bring a natural ornament for the Tree.

Montvale New Jersey -  Frirday, December 21st The Montvale Library will host a Christmas Party with Santa (all ages)  Start Time: 3:45 PM  Come enjoy stories, snacks, games, and a visit from Santa.  Registration is required in person or by e-mail to Bombace@bccls.org.

The Holidays are a stressful time so be sure and take time out to enjoy friends and family!  If you're dreaming of a Pascack Valley Home for the Holidays, call Lisa & Bob at (201)218-6802 or visit us online at www.HammersTeam.com

We are days away from one of the biggest Holidays of the year.  With cookies baking and calls to friends, customers and relatives flying to and fro, Thanksgiving is in our sights.  On this glorious day of Thanks and Giving we all pause to think of all the blessings that we have in our lives.  Read more here about the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Thanksgiving certainly is not just a Holiday to commemorate the Turkey.  Click here if you are interested in reading more about the History of Thanksgiving.  We have so much more to be thankful for this year through Active Rain.

Since joining the network last October, we have certainly grown in leaps and bounds.  We remember when the numbers were much less and the community seemed to be a slight sprinkling of members across the country.  But today with Active Rain at 58,551 and counting, this place somehow still feels like a cozy little place to call home.  How in the world is it possible to make friends and acquaintances through an on-line network, you ask?  Well, we are here to say that through Blogging, we have much to be thankful for.  You see, Active Rain is so much more than just a Social Network of people joining hands through cyberspace for the sake of knowledge and camaraderie.  Active Rain has become "The Giving Network" by means of professionals with the same common goal of growing and learning in order to provide the best service possible to their customers.

It's so funny how in the beginning, the network seemed full of exciting and new ideas.  Through Blogging we learned aboutReal Estate Shows, widgets, SEO, Slide Shows, Pod-casts, U-Tubes, etc, etc..... Read more hear about Active Rain's Inman Innovator's Award.

Today.... the network continues to be "full of exciting and new ideas".  The more the network grows, the more information and ideas we get to learn about.  But we can't begin to say enough about the friendships we are thankful for.  Imagine an opportunity to meet over 58,000 like-minded professionals?  What party can you go to do that?

Those Active Rain Gods sure did have a great idea when they started this community.  They truly developed "The Giving Network".  So today....

These Pascack Valley Rainers want to Give Thanks to The Giving Network.

Buyers Hear What They See?  Tips for Sellers!  When I was a young girl, one of the first teen idols I remembr was Bobby Darin.  Recently we watched the movie "Beyond The Sea" telling his life story .  At the end of the movie, in an effort to console Bobby, the actress that played his wife Sandra Dee tells Bobby (played by Kevin Spacey) "people only hear what they see".  On that note Bobby gives the performance of his life to a Las Vegas audience.

I thought how profound those words were and how they apply so well to Buyers and Sellers in the real estate market.  When we are out with Buyers showing Homes, it doesn't matter what the words in a listing say or how nice the pictures on the Multiple Listing Service look.  Buyers will only hear what they see when they enter the home.  To that end, we say "Sellers Take Note"!  Consider those words when preparing your home for sale.  Note the following tips to make your home more appealing to Buyers so they See what they Hear:

• First Show them the Door - by this we mean make sure your first impression makes your Buyers want to come in.  If the door needs paint, windex or repair, do it now.  There is only one chance to make a First Impression!
• Before coming in, check out the Landscaping. Plant, mow or trim to spruce it up. 
• Outdoor Stoops, Decks, Porches and Railings should be clean and safe.
• Once they enter your home, Keep It Simple and uncluttered.  Eliminate personal photos so the Buyers can picture themselves in your home.
• Paint is the most inexpensive fix-up of all.  Take care to keep the colors neutral.
• Clean like the white glove is coming.  Most Buyers are attracted by a clean home because it tells the Buyer that the home has been maintained. 

So remember what Sandra Dee told Bobby Darin, "people only hear what they see" and keep that in mind.  Buyers Hear What They See so follow our Tips for Sellers and watch how fast your home sells! 

Technorati Profile

Home Buyers with Paralysis by Analysis is precisely what occurs when a Home Buyer begins to become paralyzed by the numerous choices available.  When a Home Buyer sets out on their venture to Buy a Home, there are several points to consider.  When we begin to work with a Home Buyer there are important questions that we ask.  Some of those questions are as follows:

• What towns are you considering
• What is your budget
• How many bedrooms will accomodate you and your family
• Are there any Styles that you will not consider
• Is a Garage important to you - How many cars will need to be accommodated
• How important is a Basement
• Is there any other important criteria such as, proximity to public transportation 

Most people will tell you that Location is the most important factor but when a home that will meet more of your needs is located on a busy street, some people will forgo the location.

When the market produces more than what is customary in the way of choices, some people become so indecisive that the become paralyzed by the process.  The reason it becomes important to take steps to avoid this is that it may be in your best interest to Buy a Home while it is still a Buyer's market.

To avoid falling into this category, we have provided the following Tips to follow:

1. Sit down and make up a List of the items that you Must Have.
2. Then make up a list of the items that you Would Like To Have.
3. Then, contact your Realtor for ways to navigate to finding the best home to suit your needs! 

Click here for some tips on Buying a Home.

If you are thinking of Buying a Home in the Pascack Valley area or surrounding Bergen County towns, we're here to help.  Feel free to click on any of the links below to find answers to your Home Buying Questions.

Give Thanks Today Like There Is No Tomorrow!  This is my Thanksgiving Post and here's why.  All the years I was growing up my family has celebrated Thanksgiving together at my Aunt's home in Hillsdale, New Jersey.  The Thanksgiving table stretched out across two rooms to include all the family who traveled from all over to join in the celebration.  We each had our own task for the day's celebration.  I was always in charge of baking the cookies, my Mom brought the green beans and mashed potatoes, one cousin brought the sweet potatoes while the other provided pumpkin pie. My Aunt made the Turkey and stuffing much to everyone's delight!

On the great table of Thanks my cousin, the graphic artist, always made up artistic name tags to place at each setting.  There were in-laws and outlaws always welcome to join and the meal always started with a prayer of thanks.

I suppose many families all across the World have similar tales to tell of how they remember this special holiday.  Of course there are family members that don't always see eye to eye.  But on this great day the very idea of coming together for one common goal of giving thanks somehow smooths out those otherwise rough edges of life.

As I've gotten older, sadly place settings at our Table of Thanks have disappeared.  We've lost many of the older generation.  My dear sweet Aunt passed some five years ago and our celebration moved from her home in Hillsdale to her daughter's home in West Milford.  My father left us almost ten years ago and left a very large whole in the hearts of all of us.  Thankfully we still have my Mother.

My one sister moved to Texas over 20 years ago but always sent Turkey cookies.  This year she has passed that tradition on to our daughter who is in her twenties now.  I have one brother who lives in Oregon and he always seems to call once we've all taken our seats but the phone gets passed so everyone can say hello. My New York sister's husband is traditionally the chosen one to say a prayer and this year he is threatened by health issues but will hopefully still be there to say a prayer of Thanks. 

This post is not meant to be a sad post but rather a message of thanks.  I'm thankful for all the memories my loved ones have provided and feel very lucky to be able to continue our family tradition this year.  I hope all of those who read this post have memories of their own to share on their table of Thanks.

This year I say to everyone "Give thanks today like there is no tomorrow".  Because Thanksgiving day is meant to be a day of uniting for that one common goal of recognizing all that there is to be thankful for. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pascack Valley and Bergen County Home Listings - There are beautiful homes available throughout the Pascack Valley and Bergen County area of New Jersey ready and waiting for Buyers to call them their own.   Click here to find Your Home Sweet Home.

Despite the news reports of a faltering home sales market, people continue to need a place to call "Home".  Click here for Tips on When To Buy.

Buying a Home is one of the biggest and most important investments most people will make in their lifetime.  Much like the stock market, the investment is intended to be "Long Term".  Click here for details about Your Real Estate Investment.

Finding an agent you feel comfortable with is important.  Beyond the amount of sales an agent makes, find out what the agent you chose will do for you.  Click here to learn more Tips on Chosing a Realtor.

There are many things to consider before purchasing your home.  Click here fo our List of Home Buying Tips.

Pascack Valley and Bergen County Home Listings are available.  The eight towns of the Pascack Valley are as follows:

Hillsdale, River Vale, Westwood, Emerson, Woodcliff Lake, Park Ridge, Montvale and Washington Township.  For additional towns in Bergen County check out our full service website at www.HammersTeam.com.

If you are thinking of Buying a Home in the Pascack Valley or Bergen County area, call Bob & Lisa at (201)218-6802 or visit us online at http://www.hammersteam.com/.  We're at "Your Service"!

Other Related Topics:

Best Places To Live In The Pascack Valley

What Drives The Real Estate Market

A Great Time To Buy Real Estate

Success Of The Husband & Wife Realtor® Team

Find Local Information on the Pascack Valley area from local Home town experts!

The Bergen County Players celebrates 75 years!  This Bergen County resident remembers the excitement I felt the first time I stepped into The Little Red Firehouse theatre some 35 years ago.

I was a High School student attending Pascack Valley High School in Hillsdale, New Jersey.  Our theatre class was taught by a wonderful teacher named Mrs. Gladys Stiefel and in her efforts to inspire her class, she planned the outing for us to attend a show.  My memory may not be as clear as it once was but to this day I remember how excited I was to be attending my first Broadway play as a young teen!

The November 7th edition of the Twin Boro News reported the 75 year anniversary in an article written by managing editor, Barbara Parker.  In the article Parker reported how "audiences have enjoyed hit Broadway plays and musicals right in their own backyard".  Founded in 1932 during the Great Depression, the Oradell based group is made up of volunteer members who participate both on and off stage.  The only requirement is for members to be at least 17 years of age.

When the town of Oradell built a new firehouse in 1949, the players saw the potential the quaint historic firehouse had of becoming "The Little Firehouse Theatre".  Like many other Bergen County icons throughout the community, the Bergen County Players are rich in history. 

All performances take place at The Little Firehouse Theatre located at 298 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell, NJ.  For tickets schedules, discount offers and reservations, either log onto The Bergen County Player's website at http://www.bcplayers.org or call (201)261-4200 or you can visit the box office at The Little Firehouse Theatre.  For information about benefit theatre parties or group sales, call (201)262-0515.

The Bergen County Players celebrates 75 years and the group hopes to continue to provide quality entertainment for years to come!

For more local Pascack Valley and Bergen County information, call Bob & Lisa at (201)218-6802 or visit us online at www.HammersTeam.com.  We're your Pascack Valley Real Estate Resource and we're at "Your Service"!

If you are thinking of Buying or Selling a home in the Bergen County area, call us anytime.