Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Houses in Clark NJ

CENTURY 21 JRS Realty celebrated the end of 2007 with a wonderful holiday party, comedy show, and award presentation.
2007 was a great year for CENTURY 21 JRS Realty. We have many terrific agents that make up a very successful company. All of our agents are SPECIAL people, not only to the Sangiuliano family but to all of our customers and clients as well. They are a credit to themselves, their family's, and CENTURY 21. We honored the top 3 agents in both of our offices. Jessica Hoff and Khem Persaud received awards for #1 TOP SALE Associates in the Clark and Rahway offices. Simi D'souza & Marci Hodges we honored as the #2 Top Sales Associates in Clark and Rahway respectively. Punit Shah & Amr Ibrahiem were the #3 Top Sales Associates in Clark and Rahway as well. Congratulations to all CENUTURY 21 JRS Realty agents and employees on a great year. You are all very much loved and appreciated.










































Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Homes in Clark

Understanding Adjustable Rate Mortgages
You've probably heard a lot about ARMs in the news of late, but many people still find them confusing. They know that the rate changes, but they aren't sure how. ARMs really aren't all that complicated.
An ARM, like its counterpart the fixed rate mortgage (or FRM), has two elements: The interest rate and monthly payment. With a fixed rate loan those items stay the same throughout the life of the loan. With an ARM, the interest rate changes and in turn, causes changes in your monthly payments.
It works like this. An adjustable rate mortgage has a period in between rate changes called the adjustment period. A one year ARM has an adjustment rate period of a year, so that's how often the interest rate - and your payments - can change. A 3-year ARM has a 3-year adjustment period, etc.
The interest rate itself has two parts: the index and the margin. The index determines the interest rate. It may be based on CMT securities, the Cost of Funds Index (COFI), the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or even the lender's own cost of funds. These indexes vary, with some changing more often than others and some that are generally higher than others. The margin represents how much your interest rate will be over and above the index. For example, if your index is 3% with a 3% margin, the rate would be 3% + 3% or 6%. Following is the formula.
Index + Margin = Fully Indexed rate
Using the formulas, if the index rose to 4%, the fully indexed rate would be 7%. There is a limit on how much your loan can change: It's called a rate cap. Rate caps limit how much interest the lender can charge you.
There are two main kinds of caps typically used on ARMs:
A periodic cap limits how much your rate is allowed to increase from one adjustment period to the next.
A lifetime cap limits how much the interest rate can change over the entire life of the loan. By law, there must be an overall (lifetime) cap on adjustable rate mortgages.
Note that if the interest rate on a given loan is held down by means of a periodic cap, if the index were to go up, the lender may be able to impose the increase at the end of the next adjustment period. For example, if a periodic cap is 2% but the index rose 3%, the lender may raise the rate 2% during the present adjustment period and the extra 1% during the subsequent period.
There is a third cap called a payment cap that limits how much your monthly payment can go up at the end of each adjustment period. Usually if your ARM has a periodic rate cap, it will not have a payment cap.
The reason it's so important to consider all these caps when evaluating a loan is to understand the way that your monthly payment will increase. This is important because it will directly affect the amount of money you have on hand each month for non-housing expenses. The incremental increases in the index and rates can be deceptive. But do the math: If your monthly payment increases from $953 to $1,395 over the first seven years of the loan, that is nearly a 50% increase and could represent a significant burden to your monthly budget.
If you still aren't sure about your ARM program, get a written disclosure from your lender. If you are considering an ARM, be sure to compare the annual percentage rates (APR) and caps on several ARMs to evaluate which one will cost you less money.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

For Sale in Clark

1) One of the major deductions is the business use of your car.
2) Decide the best tax usage of your car-Mileage or Actual Cost Method
3) You can switch the method of usage for car even if you used the other
4) Keep adequate travel records
5) Though most business meals are only 50% deductible, there are exceptions
6) Don't overlook deductions such as stationary and business cards
7) As a Self-employed tax-payer you are permitted to take a special "above the line" deduction for health insurance premiums you pay yourself and your family
8) Deduct business use items- Things use part for business and personal may be deducted for the business use.
9)Continuing Education expenses are deductible
10) All Dues are deductible
11) A portion of Equipment costs may be deducted in the year of purchase
12) Hire your Children
13) You might qualify for special tax breaks if you hire your spouse to work for you.
14) Home office Expenses for work done from home
15) Don't miss the self-employment tax deduction
16) Gifts to Clients up to $25
17) Keep Good Records
18) Check out the benefits of a retirement plan
19) You may also qualify for an individual retirement account
20) Don't under pay your taxes
21) Always take a sensible approach when it come to tax planning

This information is general in nature and should not be acted upon without further details and/or professional assistance. The tax laws contain numerous limitation and exceptions that cannot be easy or quickly summarized. To identify and implement the tax strategies best suited to your situation, please contact and certified CPA.

Short Sales in NJ

CENTURY 21 JRS Realty attends seminar on Short Sales
BY JR Sangiuliano
Today CENTURY 21 JRS Realty hosted a seminar by a title company on Short Sales to help them help sellers that cannot afford their present mortgages. With the changes in the Real Estate market and Mortgage industry that have affected the entire country this past year it is important to stay up to date on all information. That is the number one reason CENTURY 21 JRS Realty is keeping up with all the changes that are affecting buyers and sellers in today's Real Estate market. Many Realtors do not have the experience or expertise to handle short sales and closings for sellers that are behind in their payments.Short sales offer an alternative to losing your home to foreclosure and allow sellers to still purchase another home if they so desire. Not many Realtors take the time to learn how to help sellers fix the situations they have been put in by dishonest mortgage company's, over priced homes, and ARM payments that they cannot afford. Sellers do not have to lose their homes to the banks through the foreclosure process. A properly trained Realtor can save a homeowner thousands of dollars in fees, and hours of heartache by simply knowing the process. Well now CENTURY 21 JRS Realty has the training and knows how to save sellers time and money if they are behind in payments or just cannot afford them any more. Did you know it takes 7 years to clear a foreclosure from you credit, but with a short sale you may be able to buy your next home right away. CENTURY 21 JRS Realty and Broker/Owner JR Sangiuliano suggest that if you have a situation in which you are falling behind or cannot afford your monthly payments just call one of our highly trained sales associates to asses your situation with you and let you know the proper steps to take. CENTURY 21 JRS Realty has two offices in this local area, 138 Westfield ave in Clark, and 1474 Main St in Rahway. We can also be reached on the web at http://www.c21jrs.com/ or e-mail JR at c21jrs72@aol.com for more information.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Punit Shah Gets Great Report Cards


CENTURY 21 JRS Realty starts a report card system to track costumer satisfaction.

BY JR Sangiuliano

2007 has been another great year for CENTURY 21 JRS Realty clients and customers, and we will make sure 2008 is even better. We have started a report card system for all clients that have transactions with our company. After a transaction has concluded our client swill receive a report card survey in the mail to let us know their level of satisfaction. We feel this will be a great way not only to keep in touch with past clients but also to make sure our agents are living up to expectations. All clients will be able to report directly to the broker about their level of satisfaction.

Punit Shah has been the test agent for this new system. This month Punit received 6 report cards with perfect scores. Every client that received a report card sent it back with excellent scores. This reinforces to me that customer satisfaction is still the name of this Real Estate game. With prices falling and days on market rising keeping clients happy is the most important task a Realtor has. Up to date information, showing feedback calls, and many other service oriented daily activities are the key to satisfied customers in a soft market.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Foxtons May file Bankruptcy

Foxtons may file for bankruptcy
BY JAMES BERNSTEIN james.bernstein@newsday.com
11:04 AM EDT, September 27, 2007
Foxtons, the one-time 800-pound gorilla of the 2 percent marketplace in the New York metropolitan area, said it may file for bankruptcy and close its business, explaining it "can't stand in the way of a hurricane" that has come about as a result of the decline in the home mortgage industry.The New Jersey-based company, which once rocked the real-estate industry by selling homes for as little as 2 percent commission -- compared to commissions of up to 6 percent at other brokers -- said in an announcement that it is "releasing" 350 of its 380 employees "and may be filing for bankruptcy protection in order to close the business in an orderly fashion."No one answered the phone at the company's headquarters Thursday morning
In a statement, John D. Blomquist, Foxton's senior vice president and general counsel, said the company had been "well run, very efficient" and had "a great team that has pioneered a new model in the real estate business -- a model which has proven itself and, we believe, will have lasting influence on our sector."But, he added, "The plain fact is that we have been battling against a real estate market that recently has turned into a sharp decline, and the company no longer has the liquidity to operate as a going concern.""We understand the impact of the action we are taking, but there comes a point where you can't stand in the way of a hurricane, and it is a property hurricane we are facing."The company's announcement said that it has some 4,400 current listings and that it plans to "preserve the value of these listings to minimize customer disruption and to dedicate the anticipated revenues to pay creditors."Foxtons created a huge advertising splash, spending close to $12 million a year on television, radio and billboard ads. It even used buses, bus shelters and subway platform ads to attract customers.
More articles
Copyright © 2007, Newsday Inc.

Monday, August 13, 2007

Power of GOOD Secretaries

Power of good Secretaries
I would just like to take a minute and thank my right and left hands, my secretaries Betty , Naisha, & Jenean. You never know the power your front line administrative people can have on the overall office. A good admin can change the entire attitude of your company. They can pick up the mood with conversations, and sniff out problems before they occur. They can be a go between to agents that we may not have contact with on a regular basis because of scheduling conflicts. A good secretary is worth their weight in GOLD.
Well, I feel fortunate to have Three!!! These three lady's keep our offices going everyday of the week. When things need to get done now, they are there to respond. When clients call with concerns they are there to make sure the clients are taken care of first, and that the clients know how important they really are. Our front women always have a smile on no matter how fast or slow things are going. From post cards to making appointments and from the web to solving problems, these 3 lady's do it all. Every office is only as good as the people answering the phone. I feel very lucky to have my company in good hand. SO to Betty, Jenean & Naisha I say THANK YOU!!! Keep up the GREAT work.

Friday, August 10, 2007

JUST a HUG!!!

Just a Hug, that"s all.
You can't imagine the power that a huge can have on someone until you actually use it daily. This is a great motivator, and just a simple way to show your people you care. We take for granted a hug to a loved one when we see them at family outings or for the holidays. What about when one of your agents lost a sale or is just having a bad day. A simple 2 second hug might go along way.
On the surface you may think a hug is just putting your arms around someone. But, to that person what could it mean? Hey...I care. You are not alone. If you need someone to talk to I am here for you. I am not to busy to care about you and what you are going through. I may be able to help, let me try. I am not to wrapped up in my own world that I can't take 2 seconds to let you know I am here for you. And the power goes on and on.
With agents that you lead and manage it says that and a lot more. Don't be afraid to show the people you lead that you actually care about them as people not employees. If your people know you care they will follow you to the depths of hell, without question. Leaders need to have open doors and free lines of communications with the people they expect to lead.
Showing you care will allow your people to feel they can share with you, and they will want to be with you forever.
JUST A HUG!!!!!

Monday, August 6, 2007

Proud to be Published



Gaining an edge during this busy season The kids are on Summer break, moderately priced homes are abundant and the weather is just right for cruising through those weekend open houses. If you're in the market for a new home, the Summer months are traditionally the best time to dive into real estate. But this perfect storm of home buying brings more buyers and competition to the table. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to gain an advantage. "No matter what time of year it is, if you're shopping f or a new home, you have to follow a few very basic steps," noted J.R. Sangiuliano, a real estate agent with Century 21 JRS Realty, which has locations in Clark and Rahway. "You need to get pre-approved for a mortgage immediately, you need to work hand-in-hand with a full-time Realtor, and you need to go and actually see houses, not just drive by." According to Sangiuliano, viewing homes in person is one of the most important moves that a buyer can make-e specially during the Summer season. "It's a very busy time and many agents and buyers are on vacation during the months of July and August," the agent noted. Many prospective buyers are merely picking up faxes detailing a property or taking virtual tours instead of physically visiting houses of interest. And, while that research may be beneficial to some extent, agents say that's not always the right way to find your dream home. "It's often a waste of time," Sangiuliano said. "A lot of clients don't have the time right now or they want that anonymity, so they just request a price and an address and do the drive-by. You need to go in and see 100 percent of the house." And despite July and August vacation trends, Sangiuliano and his crew of Realtors take full advantage of the season, offering Summer-themed company open houses. A barbecue-style bash encouraging pre-approval is slated at the agency's Clark office tomorrow. "We'll be serving hot dogs and hamburgers in the parking lot from noon to 2 p.m.," Sangiuliano said. "We're inviting people to eat and drink and take a look at the homes we have to offer. We'll have a mortgage company on the phone waiting to do pre-approvals and we'll be available to show properties to prospective buyers from 2 to 4 p.m."
Jacqueline Roudez, a sales associate with The Real Estate Group, LLC, in Maplewood, agrees. "The school season has a lot to do with the Summer rush," she noted. The children are out of school and a lot of parents have a small window of only a few months to find a new home." And when children are involved in a move, Roudez says buyers need to ask all of the right questions. "Take the time now to do the research about schools and recreational activities," she said.



Sunday, August 5, 2007

Do you have a plan?

Day one with new agents I like to make sure they have a plan for everything they do. One of the first plans I give them is how to properly show a home to buyers. Having a plan is good for a new agents or an experienced agent. People want to know they will be cared for. Letting people know you have a plan and how you work does just that, takes control.



Step one-Meet customer at the house-Give them the house listings in the order they will see them-Tell them the following-"We are going to enter the home and go directly to the basement, we will work our way up, we must stay together, and we will save all questions for the end". "But before we go in..." Now the agent reads the listing and the remarks to the customer so they know what to expect. Giving them a preview of what's to come.

Step two-TELL them about the home, don't try to SELL them the home. Now the agent LEADS the customer through the home from bottom to top pointing out the factual information about what the home has. "Here is the........the listing says this was replaced in 2001". "This is the family room the listing says it measures 18x14". Simply point out the factually important parts of the home. If you use HGTV type words and sound like you are trying to SELL them the house they may feel you care only about making a sale and not about what they told you they wanted. You must be listening if you are to hear your customers.

Step Three-Upon exiting the home find out what they liked, disliked, want more of, and want less of in the home they will own, and write it down on the listing. Agents must get information from the buyer about the home they just left so the agent can compare it to others in the market to find the right next home to show.

The time to SELL a home is not in the home. The sale is made when the agent is introduced to the customer and gets the right information from the buyers about likes and dislikes, gets them pre-approved for loan they can afford, and builds a relationship with that customer based on trust, honest, and hard work. The only question that remain is when will you bring them in the right house, the house that talks to them. Agents will not and should not talk people into buying a home.
Customers will not care how much you know until they know how much you care.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Desperate Times For Some

Desperate Times Should Not Call For Desperate Measures.
OK, this will be more of a rant then an informative educational post, although all sales people can learn from it. Over the past years a certain CENTURY 21 company has done many many things to ruin our professional reputation and nothing has ever been done. This company is near the top for sales volume each year, and near the bottom for well trained ethical agents EVERY DAY. This company has had numerous ethics complaints filed against them, to the point that I know of attorneys that will not deal with them at all. Over and over again this company puts out poor untrained Realtors that do things wrong and do not follow through on their responsibilities. They lie in the beginning and then their clients back out or get denied mortgages in the end. That fact that they do so many sales is a travesty. Most of their agents just plain STINK!!!
So what brought this on? In the last two days 2 agents from this company did the following things. One of the agents called my listing agent on a particular property 34 times in 3 hours about his contract. Then this agent showed up with out an appointment at our sellers home and tried to present his offer without the sellers agent present, and pressure them to accept his offer. To top things off when this agents offer was not accepted he showed up at the sellers home again, this time yelling through the front door begging the sellers to take his clients offer"I know it's lower but please....".
A second agent from this same company today called one of our sellers directly, asking the seller if they are happy with us and "why don't you switch offices and list with us". Mind you, we have a commission agreement with these clients for another 5 months. Not to mention that we are both CENTURY 21 Companies.
This company located in Roselle Park needs to be reprimanded by CENTURY 21 and the Real Estate commission. These types of actions have been done over 40 times that I know of on my deals and to my clients. Not to mention the agents I have talk to that tell me they have had the same experiences.
If a company is built with the right foundation, based on trust, honesty, hard work, and integrity these things would not happen. Also, if these qualities were present in a sales office a change in the market would not send everyone running desperately to do business the WRONG way. If the broker is telling people to do these things he should be ashamed of himself. Further more, the broker should not have to try to motivate with pressure and fear, that makes agents leave. I have news for you, I have interview 3 of you agents that are going to be leaving. The fear and lack of confidence you are showing and projecting on your people is not working, learn how to lead. Obviously this broker has not built on a sturdy foundation. You could train a monkey to sell a house in the market we saw from 1998 to 2004, and you did. Now we will see the real character of your agents, and we already are. SHAME ON YOU!!!!

ARE U SPENDING TIME OR WASTING TIME?

Make the most of your life

Evens like to “Get ready…get set…” endlessly. It is the ODDS who “go.” Evens busy themselves with the means while ODDS focus on attaining the ends.Evens love to wallow in busy work because it gives them the delusion they are getting things done. They are plodders, often losing sight altogether of their goals. Evens “put in” their time.ODDS are achievers. They get things done.Committees, at least the bad ones, can be great for focusing on what doesn’t matter. They spend a ton of time on the means while forgetting about the end.I sat on a non-profit committee for three months, which met once a week. Their stated purpose was to raise money for youth programs. Compared to them molasses moves at the speed of lightning. They loved asking each other, “Define your terms.” If a fire had broken out in a corner of that room, by the time we defined “smoke,” we would have all been ashes.The problem with that committee was that merely “being” at the meeting became more important than the problem solving that was supposed to be occurring at the meeting. No one got any credit and no one got any blame so no one got anything done.When it comes to minor matters, plodders often seek perfection. That way, you can put in more time. When I was a college student, I worked a summer at a freight car company. Like most lousy employees, I was a plodder. I was an Even.What the company did was rebuild freight cars that came in off the road.One morning, my job was to paint over the rust spots on a series of freight cars. I was standing there carefully dabbing out the various spots of rust. The foreman came by and observed me for a moment. Then he walked up, grabbed my paint bucket, shoved me out of the way, took a few steps back and splashed the entire gallon of paint onto the side of the freight car. Handing me the empty bucket, he said, “Spread it around and get your ass moving to another job. This ain’t the Mona Lisa, kid.”Now, when I’m doing something and I realize that it doesn’t deserve the time I’m giving it, I remind myself, “It ain’t the Mona Lisa. Just get it done.”Mark was a salesman whose job required a certain amount of schmoozing with his clients; taking them to dinner, golf outings, that sort of thing. He became a great schmoozer. But in the process, he forgot that the purpose of schmoozing was to sell more product. He almost lost his job before he realized that he had to focus on the passion that had brought him to the job to begin with – selling. He was getting ready, getting set, but not going. He wasn’t selling. Every college has a number of “Get ready, get set but never go” students. They often change majors, schools and manage to accumulate hundreds of college credits without ever earning a degree. These students hang around a college for the same reason some people hang around bars. It is a comfortable environment. Such students have focused completely on the process and have forgotten their goal of getting a degree.Why have so many of us allowed ourselves to “Get ready, get set…” but not “go?” Fear.When you decide to live a life that relishes your ODD, change is going to occur. You’re gambling that the change is going to make your life better, not worse, and that’s scary. The unknown always is. If you are thinking Even, maybe you’re scared because you perceive that the stakes are so high. At such times, it’s good to remember that although many things in life are important, none of them is serious. No matter what you do, no matter how great, silly or stupid, it is virtually certain that, in a very short amount of time, no one is going to know, care or remember.That would be just as true if you were the ruler of the world. In just a hundred years, in terms of the universe hardly the blink of an eye, you and I and everyone else alive today, at least physically, will be the dust on someone’s furniture.BECOMING YOUR WIZARD OF ODD: Be the dust that had fun. Focus on the goal, not the process.BECOMING A WIZARD TO OTHERS: Remind those around you about the old saying in basketball: “You miss all the shots you never take.”

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Secrets to Homeowner Savings

Secrets To Homeowner Tax Savings
1/9/2007By Robert J. Bruss, Inman News
www.HomesJustListed.com
New book explains unique benefits for property owners
Tuesday, January 09, 2007By Robert J. BrussInman News
Sandy Botkin's new book "Real Estate Tax Secrets of the Rich" explains tax benefits for homeowners and investors in an easy-to-read, authoritative format. The blessedly short chapters include simple explanations of sometimes-complicated tax rules with lots of examples and "Sandy's elaborations," which provide practical implementation advice.
Just in time for the 2007 income tax filing season, Botkin's new book provides strategies to resolve key tax issues so property owners can legally minimize their tax bills. What is especially valuable about this new book is the author doesn't just explain real estate taxation, but at the end of each chapter there are citations to the Internal Revenue Code, tax court decisions, recent IRS rulings and other authoritative sources.
Purchase Bob Bruss reports online.
The book includes basic tax explanations on virtually every topic homeowners and investors need to understand. In addition, the author provides advanced tax strategies, such as how to avoid tax if your principal-residence sale results in capital gains exceeding the $250,000 or $500,000 tax exemptions of famous Internal Revenue Code 121.
But this is more than a simple real estate tax book. It provides coverage of important tax topics most people don't think about but should know about
For example, Botkin explains how to deduct costs of looking for investment property to purchase, including travel expenses. Of course, there are lots of examples showing how the tax law applies differently depending on whether the investor is just starting out or already owns realty investments.
Advanced-level real estate owners will especially profit from tax techniques that are a bit "over the top" but are perfectly legal. To illustrate, for home sellers who rented their homes more than three years during the last five years and lost their $250,000 or $500,000 principal-residence exemptions, the author explains how selling to your "S corporation" can be beneficial taxwise.
The superb graphics, even with cartoons, make the potentially dull topic of taxes especially interesting and easy to comprehend. Occasionally, Botkin even adds a bit of humor, such as his explanation of how increasing your withholding allowance for $33,000 of additional homeowner deductions is "like giving birth to 10 children (a $3,300 exemption each) … but a lot less painful." I didn't know CPAs were allowed to have a sense of humor.
Botkin's explanations of how divorce and death affect homeowner tax benefits are the best and easiest to understand. He even reveals a little-known tax loophole for a surviving-spouse head of household who can file a joint tax return for up to two years after a spouse's death. The author also simplifies the market value stepped-up-basis rule when inheriting property from a deceased co-owner.
If you thought it was impossible to understand the tax benefits of owning your home and/or investment property, think again after reading this excellent new book. Botkin explains the Internal Revenue Code to make it as understandable as possible.
Chapter topics include "Why You Should Own Your Home"; "Buy a Home or Die in Poverty"; "Tax Basis: The Starting Place for All Deductions"; "IRS Record Keeping Requirements to Bulletproof Your Basis"; "Why Making Improvements to Your Home is Much More Valuable than Making Repairs"; "Maximizing the New Mortgage Interest Rules"; "Excluding Gain When You Sell Your Home"; "Exceptions to the Two-Year Rule"; "Using an S Corporation to Avoid the Two-Year Rule"; "Understanding Depreciation"; "Making Land Deductible"; "Splitting Income by Hiring Family Members"; and "How to Avoid All Gain on the Sale of Investment Property Using Like-Kind Exchanges."
Not only is this an ultra-complete tax book explaining virtually every topic applicable to homeowners and investors, but it is an easy, enjoyable read. Too bad Botkin didn't write the tax code because then ordinary people could understand it. On my scale of one to 10, this outstanding new book rates an off-the-chart 12.
"Real Estate Tax Secrets of the Rich," by Sandy Botkin, CPA, Esq. (McGraw-Hill, New York), 2007, $24.95, 207 pages; available in stock or by special order at local bookstores, public libraries and www.Amazon.com.

What you know Does Not Matter!!!

They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care! by JR Sangiuliano

To many Realtors lack vision and purpose beyond just making money. As Realtors we provide a valuable service. If a Realtor does not value his service the service will not be presented as valuable. As Realtors we help people realize what is still the American Dream, home ownership. Immigrants still come to this country and live in relative poverty saving money to someday be able to own a home. Realtors need to have a vision, and that vision starts with what you have a passion for. If your passion is supplying people with the American dream you will have a great career. That passion will guild your every move and all your activities and interactions with the public. But, if your passion is for the dollar you will not have a long career in this field. If you are not tuned into peoples wants, likes, and desires you will be a poor service provider. If your soul purpose in this career is YOU, then good luck because you will need it.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Day for the DUCKS!!!!


COMPANY OPEN HOUSE WASHED OUT???

NOT CENTURY 21 JRS Realty.......

On Sunday July 29th, 2007 CENTURY 21 JRS Realty held a company open house in the parking lot of the Clark office. For some reason no home buyers showed up. Well it could have been because it started raining cats and dogs(oops Mike Vick)....cats and other animals at 11:55am. The company open house started at 12 noon and some agents show here enjoyed wet burgers and franks. Well it's the thought that counts and even though we got rained out the agents that were in attendance had fun. Thank you to those agents that helped out all afternoon. Braving the storm we see Kelly, Simi, Joe, Amr, Audra, Jessie, and Krishna

Friday, July 27, 2007

Boost Your Curb Appeal

14 ways to make the most of your curb appeal
By Dana Dratch • Bankrate.com

Curb appeal is the equivalent of charisma in a home.
It's that quality that makes you say "wow" when you first see it. You feel good when you pull into the driveway. You want to walk in the front door. Whether the home is yours or one you're considering, curb appeal can make a big difference in how you feel about the property.
If your home has that star quality, you won't have any trouble getting more for it than similar homes in the neighborhood. It also means you won't have any trouble getting potential buyers into the home.
It works the other way, too. "A lot of people won't go into a house if it looks bad from the outside," says Tom Silva, general contractor on the PBS series "This Old House" and "Ask This Old House." "Curb appeal is the beginning of getting people to look at the inside."
If your home doesn't shine, there are plenty of things you can do to unleash its charm.
Here are 14 ways to amp up the appeal of your home:
1. Manicure the yard. Some of the prime elements: Nurture and mow the lawn so it's trimmed and healthy. Make sure plant beds "are edged with nice, crisp edges, and mulched," says Roger Cook, landscape contractor for "This Old House" and "Ask This Old House." "It makes everything stand out. It gives the feeling that if the outside is being taken care of, maybe the inside is, too."
2. Clean the windows, doors and front entryway. Get rid of those spider webs on the light fixtures, shine any metal work and change all the bulbs. Visitors will notice whether the front of the home looks clean, even if it's on an unconscious level. And if everything is shined and bright, it's not only inviting but it signals that the rest of the home is well maintained.
3. Scope out the front door. It's one of the first things people will notice in a home, so make it count. But that doesn't mean you have to break the bank because there are good options at every price level. You can paint it for the cost of your time and a little paint or have it professionally replaced for $1,000 or more.
4. Don't skimp on flowers. "It's always nice to have flowers in front of the house," says Cook, whether it's hanging baskets, beds of annuals or both. "And, for some reason, people like red flowers better than anything else," he says.
5. Pressure clean. It can give a new appearance to walkways, driveways and (depending on the construction of your home) sometimes the house itself, says Cook. You can even rent the machinery and do it yourself.
6. Talk to your friends. "Get a fresh eye," says Silva. "You don't see something starting to look old or run-down because you see it so gradually." Bring in a couple of people you trust and ask their opinions.
7. Head for the trees. "Trees, planted in the proper spaces," can enhance the appeal and value of a home, says Cook. Consult a professional to help you select the variety, size and location. And if you want to plant larger trees, have them professionally installed.
8. Paint your house. If you want to really amp up that curb appeal, "painting your house makes a difference," says Silva. Use colors that are appropriate for the style of your house. For instance, in historical buildings, that often means soft colors and warm colors, he says. "You want to have a color that's warm and inviting," he says. "It's one of the easiest ways to get curb appeal."
9. Call an arborist. Get the low-hanging branches -- especially those hanging over the house -- removed, says Cook. And that's an area where you do want to use a pro. If you're ever hiring anyone to work on your home, Cook says, get several free estimates. Don't automatically choose the cheapest one. Instead, select the one in whom you have the most confidence. And verify that your choice has liability and workman's comp insurance. (Ask to see the certificate.)
10. Reseal the driveway. Do it yourself in a weekend or hire a pro, says Cook. For a pro, the best thing you can get is a recommendation from someone who's had the work done fairly recently, he says. If you do it yourself, wash down the driveway one day and let it dry. Then seal it the next day. If it has cracks that you need to seal, allow an extra day for the job.
11. Examine the shutters. Many times they're the wrong size and most people hang them upside down or put them too far away from the windows, Silva says. What that does is throw off the proportion of the house.
12. Look for elements that draw too much attention from the rest of the house. One example is the garage door. "A garage door should blend in. It shouldn't stand out and be the whole focus of the garage," says Silva. "You don't want it to dominate."
13. Hire a professional designer. If the front of your home needs a little cosmetic work, that's a good time to call in a designer, says Silva. You might want to change the porch or add a new type of railing, or select a different style or number of columns. A designer is also a good option if you sense there's something out of whack with the way the front of the home looks, but you can't quite put your finger on it. Prices vary. A designer can give you options, a plan and a budget.
14. Make a plan. If your landscaping lacks luster, sometimes it's a matter of moving things around, says Cook. One good move: If you're going to stay in the house, consult a professional to give you a long-range landscaping master plan, says Cook. "You can pick little things and keep working and after four to five years, you're done," he says.

Saturday, July 21, 2007

BECOME A REALTOR IN 11 DAYS

BECOME A REALTOR IN 11 DAYS

This is not a joke. CENTURY 21 JRS REALTY is aggressively searching for career sales professionals that would like to work with our family of highly trained sales people. Anyone that wishes to be a career Realtor can attend a 75 hour training course and have a Real Estate licence in 11 days. If you would like to become a career Realtor please contact JR right away. If you know anyone that you feel would make a great Realtor because of their drive and determination there may be a finders fee involved. Please call JR with any information you may have about a person you feel would be perfect to sell Real Estate. A career in Real Estate sales can be very rewarding if you have the right LEADER to guide your career.

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Prepare Your House for Sale

Prepare Your House for Sale
In real estate listings, what's the difference between describing your home as "beautiful" versus "move-in condition"? About $12,500 on a $250,000 home.

Professor Paul Anglin, a real estate economist in Guelph, Ontario, says that homes described as "beautiful" in real estate listings sell for 5% more while "move-in condition" has no effect on sale price.

Anglin and his colleagues from the University of Windsor and researchers from Canada Mortgage and Housing examined about 20,000 real estate listings and sales data in Windsor and Essex counties, Ontario, from between 1997 and early 2000. Among other things, they studied how listings' phrasing affected sale prices and the length of time it took for the listings to close.

When speed is of the essence
Listings with the words "beautiful" or "gorgeous" sold 15% faster. "Landscaping" in a listing hastened a sale by 20%. Describing a property as in "move-in condition" quickened the sale by 12%. Calling a home a "handyman special" cut sale time by half (researchers excluded listings that used the term to describe a workshop or hobby area).

Other familiar jargon, such as "must see" or "vacant," or including the information that a seller was moving, had virtually no effect on the time before a sale.

The kiss of death appears to be language that reeks of desperation -- words such as "motivated" and "must sell." These slowed sales by 30%. The term "ranch" house slowed sales by 10%. Properties described as rentals (income producing) took 60% longer to sell.

Though Anglin assumes the basic effects he identified are universal, the size of their impact will vary by locale, he says.

Saturday, July 14, 2007

What's 'beautiful' worth? About $12,500

What's 'beautiful' worth? About $12,500
The right phrasing in real estate listings can speed a sale and even boost the final price, a Canadian study says. And here's a tip: If you must sell, don't put "must sell" in your ad.By Marilyn Lewis

In real estate listings, what's the difference between describing your home as "beautiful" versus "move-in condition"? About $12,500 on a $250,000 home.

Professor Paul Anglin, a real estate economist in Guelph, Ontario, says that homes described as "beautiful" in real estate listings sell for 5% more while "move-in condition" has no effect on sale price.

Anglin and his colleagues from the University of Windsor and researchers from Canada Mortgage and Housing examined about 20,000 real estate listings and sales data in Windsor and Essex counties, Ontario, from between 1997 and early 2000. Among other things, they studied how listings' phrasing affected sale prices and the length of time it took for the listings to close.

When speed is of the essence
Listings with the words "beautiful" or "gorgeous" sold 15% faster. "Landscaping" in a listing hastened a sale by 20%. Describing a property as in "move-in condition" quickened the sale by 12%. Calling a home a "handyman special" cut sale time by half (researchers excluded listings that used the term to describe a workshop or hobby area).

Other familiar jargon, such as "must see" or "vacant," or including the information that a seller was moving, had virtually no effect on the time before a sale.

The kiss of death appears to be language that reeks of desperation -- words such as "motivated" and "must sell." These slowed sales by 30%. The term "ranch" house slowed sales by 10%. Properties described as rentals (income producing) took 60% longer to sell.

Though Anglin assumes the basic effects he identified are universal, the size of their impact will vary by locale, he says.

Saturday, July 7, 2007

5 Mistakes Home Sellers Make


5 Mistakes Home Sellers Make

By Stacey L. Bradford,Associate Editor, SmartMoney.com
THE REAL ESTATE MARKET may be slowing, but that doesn't mean you can't sell your home. It just means you need to be savvy and not fall prey to the common mistakes that home sellers often make.

1. Asking Too Much the single biggest mistake folks make is setting their asking price too high. In a softening market homeowners need to price conservatively or they risk turning off potential buyers, says Michael Corbett, author of "Ready, Set, Sold." How should you set the price? Gone are the days when you can expect to sell your home for more than your neighbor did last year. Single family home prices have fallen for three consecutive quarters and are now down 6.5% from their peak in 2006, according to the National Association of Realtors. So rather than looking at how much homes in your area sold for six to 12 months ago, compare prices for similar properties currently on the market. If you see a listing for a house that's just sitting unsold for a few months, chances are the owners are asking too much and you'll want to set your price a bit lower, says Corbett. Click here for more help on setting the right price.

2. Questioning the First Offer Too many sellers say no to their first offer, even if it's close to or at full asking price. Holding out for more money is a strategy that rarely works, especially at a time when interest rates on mortgages are in flux and a potential buyer's purchasing power could decrease. (For more advice on selling in a cooling market, click here.) The reality is that in any market a home's first offer is often its best, says Elaine Clayman, a real estate broker with Brown Harris Stevens. She says that's because educated buyers will pounce on a property they like -- with a competitive bid -- as soon as it comes onto the market. And don't forget that the longer a home sits unsold, the greater chance a seller will have to reduce his price to sell.

3. Not Responding to All Offers What if you get an offer that's simply too low? Many homeowners will reject it outright. But it's a mistake not to respond to all offers. Here's why. First, you can't blame someone for testing the market -- after all in today's market many buyers are confident that they have the upper hand. Second, just entering into negotiations with one party gives you leverage with other potential buyers, says Corbett. Most importantly, it allows you to tell brokers that your property is in play and sends a message that if someone is interested he had better act quickly and present a very competitive bid. "Chances are the second offer will be close to your asking," he says. Watch our video for more advice on negotiating.

4. Using a Home Stager Unless you're trying to sell a multimillion-dollar dwelling, you don't need to pay a professional to stage your home. There are a number of free or cheap things you can do on your own to get your house into show condition. Most importantly, paint the walls. Nothing does more to brighten up a place, says Peter Comitini, a real estate broker with Corcoran Group. Next, he recommends getting rid of all the clutter, excess furniture and family knickknacks. Finally, make all the necessary repairs before your first open house. If a buyer sees a small problem, say, a leaky faucet, he's likely to wonder about larger issues like the furnace or roof. Watch our video for more techniques on how to stage your home.

5. Picking the Wrong Buyer Now more than ever, sellers need to select their buyers carefully. Thanks to all the defaults in the subprime market, lenders are tightening their lending practices, making it more difficult for consumers to qualify for mortgages. So it's critical to find a buyer who's pre-qualified for a loan. Next, watch out for buyers who need to add contingencies to the contract, including a clause stating that the deal won't close until they sell their own home. A better bet is to look for cash-flush first-time home buyers or someone who has already unloaded his existing house. In a slowing market it's difficult to estimate how long it could take your buyer to find someone to purchase his dwelling, warns Brown Harris Stevens' Clayman. And if that property doesn't go for as much as he expected, that person may no longer be able to afford your agreed-upon price.

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Selling? Here's your to-do list



When the housing market's iffy, it's more vital than ever to make home repairs, spiff up the kitchen and bathroom, get rid of odd paint colors and bare patches of lawn, and consider other improvements.By Amy Hoak, MarketWatch


The interior walls are neutral. The clutter is a distant memory. A shower door has been replaced; even the design of the bedspread has been factored in. A professional inspection and appraisal have limited any surprises down the road. Now, the Green family's Chicago home is ready for sale.
"We're paving the road to make the closing process much smoother," Dan Green said.
He even created a blog, partly as a marketing tool for his Lincoln Park neighborhood home.
In an uncertain market, a little extra work can mean not only a smoother sale or a higher listing price, but also determine whether sellers get to the closing table at all.
"Talk to Realtors and they will tell you anything you do cosmetically to increase curb appeal is going to help the resale value," said Sal Alfano, the editor of Remodeling magazine.
In addition, many buyers stretch financially to get into a home, so they may pass over one needing too much work, said David Lupberger, a home-improvement expert for ServiceMagic, which connects homeowners with screened home-service professionals.
"The last thing you want is a list of projects that has to be taken care of," he said.
Here's the bright spot: Some of the most effective improvements aren't very expensive. Giving rooms a fresh coat of paint, for example, quickly pays off.
If you're planning to add a "for sale" sign to the lawn this spring, consider these five areas while creating your to-do list.
1. First impressions count
You want to make a good impression from the moment potential buyers pull up to the house, experts say. First glimpses will include the home's exterior, the shrubbery, the gutters and the front door.
Peeling trim could be a kiss of death. Paint the exterior of the home in an odd color, and you could turn away potential buyers before they come inside. Don't underestimate the importance of good lawn care, either.


"A lawn that looks good on the outside gives the impression that someone cares about that home," said Trey Rogers, a professor of turf-grass management at Michigan State University and the author of "Lawn Geek," a book of tips on how to maintain a lawn.
His advice is to "keep it green and keep it cut." Mow the lawn to about 3 inches high at least twice a week when a home is on the market; 2 inches if the home is in a Southern state. The more it is mowed, the denser it will become. And get on a fertilization program, Rogers said, starting at the beginning of the season.
If there are small spots to fill in, bypass store-bought sod and instead borrow some grass from an inconspicuous place elsewhere on the lawn, Rogers said. The grasses will match better that way.
Early birds selling at the tail end of winter should keep the sidewalks shoveled if there is snow on the ground.
2. Neutralize and de-clutter
When it comes to preparing a home's interior, any real estate professional or stagger worth a paycheck will advise a client to go with neutral colors.
"People can't visualize beyond what they see," said Jim Gillespie, the president and CEO of Coldwell Banker. Neutral colors, including beige and ivory, have the added advantage of making a room appear larger, an effect that Dan Green noticed right away when he repainted his bedroom walls.
Removing the home's clutter is also extremely important for helping potential buyers to imagine their family living in the home, Gillespie said.
Beyond that, do some spring cleaning: Shampoo the carpets, rebuff hardwood floors and oil wood cabinetry.
3. Consider replacement projects
Sellers might consider getting a home inspection before listing their home as a way to detect any overdue replacement projects, Gillespie said. The sellers can either fix any problems or give the buyers a discount to account for the repairs. Gillespie advocates making the necessary repairs before selling.
Home buyers recognize the value of a house that doesn't need major repairs, said Remodeling editor Alfano.
"The house is probably not going to move, or you're not going to get all the value out it, if the new buyer knows they're going to have to replace the roof sometime soon," he said.
According to the 2006 "Cost vs. Value" report from Remodeling magazine, a roof replacement for a midrange home cost an average of $14,276 and returned $10,553, or 73%, at resale. Replacing vinyl siding cost $9,134 on average, returning $7,963, or 87%, at resale.
A printable PDF of the report includes regional figures.
4. Kitchens and bathrooms rule
It's no secret that buyers tend to be awed by updated kitchens and bathrooms.
"If the last time it was remodeled was in 1980, that's going to be points against, versus another house that was upgraded even five years ago with sort of a modern look," Alfano said. "It's hard to go wrong with a kitchen or bath remodel, unless you get a little too edgy with the design or the materials you use."
That said, sellers spending only a couple of years in a house probably aren't going to completely remodel either room. Sellers should zero in on where these rooms need the most improvement, said Lupberger, of ServiceMagic, and then decide how much they want to spend.
If kitchen cabinets are structurally fine but their exteriors are outdated, it might be worth it to reface them, Lupberger said. If counters are old, replacing them may add new life to the room. In the bathroom, look into resurfacing a chipped or damaged bathtub.
5. Warranty coverage and documentation
Sellers can provide some extra peace of mind to buyers by purchasing a warranty on their home that will cover such things as heating and plumbing, should the buyer run into problems after closing. The coverage is becoming a little more popular, Coldwell Banker's Gillespie said. Warranties can be bought from companies such as American Home Shield and AON.
"Little things like that . . . you need that today, to set the property apart with all the competition out there," Gillespie said.
He also recommends displaying the age of the water heater and furnace. If either one is on the older side, have it inspected for proof that it works correctly.
If you've done replacement projects in the past few years, dig out the documentation to prove it, Alfano said. If any of the improvements cut energy costs, make that known, too.
"You never really could (miss), but it wasn't on the tip of everybody's tongue," Alfano said. "Now, it's in the news all the time."

Sunday, July 1, 2007

What's A FICO SCORE????

DID YOU KNOW?
FICO scores are your credit rating
They range from 300-850, higher is better
Most lenders base approval on them
Higher scores mean lower interest rates


FICO scores are calculated based on your rating in five general categories:
Payment history - 35%
Amounts owed - 30%
Length of credit history - 15%
New credit - 10%
Types of credit used - 10%

The Right Way To Get Started


If you are going to do it, do it RIGHT!

by JR Sangiuliano


After 11 years as a full-time sale associate for CENTURY 21 JRS Realty I have come across many ways of buying Real Estate in New Jersey. We have had everyone from no money down customers to buyers that bought the videos on how to buy Real Estate that put you on the fast track the the court house. There is only one right way to buy Real Estate and that is the way we teach buyers in our seminars. We hold seminars for home buyers to show them the right way because so many Realtors do not take the time to teach them.

Step 1: Get Pre-Approved for a loan. Buyers need to know what the payments will be and if they are comfortable with investing that amount every month. Also, you may be spending time looking at homes above or below your range, and that creates head aches for everyone.

Step 2: Find an Full-time knowledgeable agent. Only a full-time knowledgeable agent can give you the guidance and the support you deserve. In today's high speed information exchange world there will be times you need to speak with someone NOW, and if your agent is not accessible you may encounter some unnecessary heart ache.

Step 3: Give your agent Honest information. You must trust you realtor. Give your realtor all the information he/she needs to search and find you homes that fit what you want.

Step 4: View homes in Person. No one will ever buy a home over the Internet or from just driving buy the front of the home, if they do they are taking a huge risk. You should always see the home from the inside. So if you are going to see the home from the inside you should save time driving around by your self and just make one trip, a trip to view the home inside and out.

Step 5: Present an Offer. After finding the home you would like to own, you need to have your agent present and offer. Your offer consists of: Good faith deposit check, pre-approval letter, addendum's and disclosures, and the legal offer sheet. Understand what you sign is not a binding contract until agreed upon and signed by both parties.


After having an offer accepted your agent must now guide you through the sales transaction process, which may vary from state to state. There are usually inspections that must be done on your new home to inform you about how best to maintain the major utilities of the home, and get the most out of all you appliances. This leads to a closing, and in many states the realtor handles this as well.


All these reasons and more lead to one fact: Make sure the realtor that assists you in your purchase is will trained and is prepared to help you through the entire transaction. Realtors help you with the allocation of more money then you will ever pay a doctor, lawyer, or accountant. Why not put just as must care into the selection of a realtor?

For more information please e-mail me at c21jrs72@aol.com. We have brochures and documents on the process ready to e-mail to anyone that would like the help.

Saturday, June 23, 2007

SIGNS YOU ARE READY TO OWN A HOME

Sign Says "You are Ready to OWN a HOME"

  • Your Budget is set and you can follow it
  • You have an initial investment saved
  • Your income source is stable
  • You have a "rainy day" savings fund set aside
  • You control your debts not the other way around
  • Your credit history is in tip top shape
  • You are ready for a long-term commitment
  • You are able to be your own landlord

Monday, June 11, 2007

Company OPEN HOUSE

CENTURY 21 JRS REALTY is holding the entire company open.
On July 15, 2007 at the Clark Location 138 Westfield Ave. Clark NJ, 07066, CENTURY 21 JRS Realty will hold the entire company open. There will be hot dogs, hamburgers, and refreshments served from 12PM to 4PM. Home buyers can come to view not only open houses but all homes in the market that are for sale. Come in and view every home for sale in Union, Essex, and Middlesex Counties. We will have homes in every price range open & ready to show. CENTURY 21 JRS REALTY will also have on hand mortgage representatives for quick over the phone approvals. For more information visit our web site www.Century 21JRSRealty.com or call JR @ 732-396-0606

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Four Ways to Organize, Declutter Your Garage

4 Ways to Organize, Declutter Your Garage
By Amy Hoak, Marketwatch

There's a big difference between driving a car into a garage filled with a jumbled mess and one that is tidy and well kept. But not everyone can afford to -- or wants to -- hire a garage organization company to do the work.And that's fine, said Donna Smallin, author of "The One-Minute Organizer," because with some extra time and hard work homeowners can get some order on their own. It's retaining the clean garage that is the real challenge."Organizing is not a one-time project, it's a process," she said. That's especially true for the garage, where items not needed in the main part of the house often get hidden away.Below are some tips on how to clean up your act and maintain a neat garage:
1. Take inventoryBefore buying a single organization product, know what's in the garage to begin with. And start removing items that aren't needed.
"We get (items) out of the house because we don't want them anymore... but we leave them in the garage. Go in and pick out things that you really don't need anymore," Smallin said.Make the easy decisions first, said Barry Izsak, president of the National Association of Professional Organizers and author of "Organize Your Garage in No Time.""Start with the things that are unemotional and you can easily pitch right away," he said. It's easier to pitch a broken VCR or the "10-year accumulation of National Geographics molding away in the corner" than items that have more sentimental value.Keep things that are still useful and relevant -- and are able to be stored. For the tough decisions, ask "what's the worst thing that can happen if you get rid of it?" he said.Those planning on unloading unwanted items at a garage sale should try to start collecting things in one place, perhaps parking the cars in the driveway and using the center of the garage for a few days, she said. Or donate the items to charity, getting receipts for tax deductions. Those who just want to get rid of the stuff might check out Freecycle.org, a Web site that helps people in communities throughout the country to hand items off to neighbors.
2. Think in zonesTo find the best place to store objects, separate them by use, Smallin said. For instance, sporting equipment should have its own space, as should outdoor lawn-care items and car-washing supplies."People are more likely to put things where they belong if it's obvious where they belong," she said. "If there's no organization, things get put wherever because it doesn't seem to matter." Items used most frequently should be the easiest to access.
3. Shop for suppliesAfter creating a plan of where items will be placed, start thinking about what organization supplies might be best to hold them."I'm a big believer in hanging things in the garage because we're limited with floor space if we want to park the cars in there," Izsak said.Those on a tight budget might consider peg boards to help organize, he said. Another common way to keep costs down is by reusing old shelving items from the house, including old kitchen cabinets and bookshelves.The upside to purchasing cabinets specifically made for the garage is that they're often longer, Smallin said, allowing the homeowner to store more behind closed doors.She also advocates thinking vertically. Bicycle hoists keep bikes elevated off the ground and can be purchased for about $35, she said. Smallin also likes shelving units that are mounted on the ceiling, such as ones from the manufacturer HyLoft.Thinking of redoing the flooring? Start with that job first. If it's painted with epoxy, for example, it will take about three to four days for it to dry, Smallin said.
4. Keep it cleanGo out to the garage and clean up every three months or so once the job is complete, Smallin said. Those who want a reminder might choose to subscribe to Homefree.com, an online service that keeps track of a home's maintenance schedule, she said. Smallin works as an organization expert for the firm, which charges an annual fee to send e-mail reminders about jobs ranging from inspecting the water heater to flipping the mattresses.The most important element of an organization project is the follow-through, Izsak said."The biggest reason for clutter and disorganization...it's not a bad system, it's because the person didn't maintain the system," he said. Amy Hoak is a MarketWatch reporter based in Chicago.

Thursday, May 31, 2007

6 Forms you will need to Sell your Home



Forms You’ll Need to Sell Your Home
1. Property Disclosure Form: This form requires you to reveal all known defects to your property. Check with your state government to see if there is a special form required in your state.
2. Purchasers Access to Premises Agreement: This agreement sets conditions for permitting the buyer to enter your home for activities such as measuring for draperies before you move.
3. Sales Contract: The agreement between you and the seller on terms and conditions of sale. Again, check with your state real estate department to see if there is a required form.
4. Sales Contract Contingency Clauses: In addition to the contract, you may need to add one or more attachments to the contract to address special contingencies—such as the buyer’s need to sell a home before purchasing yours. 5. Pre- and Post-Occupancy Agreements: Unless you’re planning on moving out and the buyer moving in on the day of closing, you’ll need an agreement on the terms and costs of occupancy once the sale closes.
6. Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Pamphlet: If your home was built before 1978, you must provide the pamphlet to all sellers. You must also have buyers sign a statement indicating they received the pamphlet.

Sunday, May 27, 2007

CENTURY 21 JRS Realty Posts New Record



What Slow Market?????

CENTURY 21 JRS Realty has just posted one of the company's best months in recent history. In May 2007, CENTURY 21 JRS Realty listed 16 homes for sale and posted 7 contracts for buyer clients "This company is growing by leaps and bounds." said Company leader JR Sangiuliano "We have a very hard working, motivated group of agents that are well trained and know what it's like to work 10 to 12 hour days." JR continued. CENTURY 21 JRS Realty only hires and trains full time hard working career Realtors to assist the clients in the area. The Real Estate market may have taken a dip, but CENTURY 21 JRS Realty has more homes for sale then ever before. Buyers are still buying, mortgage rates are still low, and the market has been more active for the agents in CENTURY 21 JRS Realty that work this career. The use of technology is very important to the agents at CENTURY 21 JRS Realty. They utilize 10 web sites, E-mail, Text messaging, and much more. "After getting rid of much dead weight we started from scratch 3 years ago with 4 full time agents and one office. Now we have 15 full time agents and 2 local offices." JR said. "We cannot keep everyone around if they do not live up to the standards I have set for the company, but what we do have are the agents that have decided they want to handle this career the right way and live by the right core values." Sangiuliano added. CENTURY 21 JRS Realty has offices in Clark and Rahway to serve the local public with quality service and even backs up that promise with a pledge that allows clients to be released from their contract with CENTURY 21 JRS Realty if they so choose, no other company offers that incentive.

Monday, May 21, 2007

For Sale By Owner Help Center

Is Your Buyer Qualified?
Unless the buyer who makes an offer on your home has the resources to qualify for a mortgage, you may not really have a sale. If possible, try to determine a buyer’s financial status before signing the contract. Ask:
1. If the buyer has been prequalified or preapproved (better) for a mortgage. Such buyers will be in a much better position to obtain a mortgage promptly.
2. Does the buyer have enough money to make a downpayment and cover closing costs? Ideally, a buyer should have 20 percent of the home’s price as a downpayment and between 2 and 7 percent of the price to cover closing costs.
3. Is the buyer’s income sufficient to afford your home? Ideally, buyers should spend no more than 28 percent of total income to cover PITI (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance).
4. Does your buyer have good credit? Ask if he or she has reviewed and corrected a credit report.
5. Does the buyer have too much debt? If a buyer owes a great deal on car payments, credit cards, etc., he or she may not qualify for a mortgage.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

For Buyers



8 Ways to Improve Your Credit
Credit scores, along with your overall income and debt, are a big factor in determining if you’ll qualify for a loan and what loan terms you’ll be able to qualify for.
1. Check for and correct errors in your credit report. Mistakes happen, and you could be paying for someone else’s poor financial management.
2. Pay down credit card bills. If possible, pay off the entire balance every month. However, transferring credit card debt from one card to another could lower your score.
3. Don’t charge your credit cards to the maximum limit.
4. Wait 12 months after credit difficulties to apply for a mortgage. You’re penalized less for problems after a year.
5. Don’t order items for your new home you’ll buy on credit—such as appliances—until after the loan is approved. The amounts will add to your debt.
6. Don’t open new credit card accounts before applying for a mortgage. Having too much available credit can lower your score.
7. Shop for mortgage rates all at once. Too many credit applications can lower your score, but multiple inquiries from the same type of lender are counted as one inquiry if submitted over a short period of time.
8. Avoid finance companies. Even if you pay the loan on time, the interest is high and it will probably be considered a sign of poor credit management.
This information is copyrighted by the Fannie Mae Foundation and is used with permission of the Fannie Mae Foundation. To obtain a complete copy of the publication, Knowing and Understanding Your Credit, visit http://www.homebuyingguide.org/

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Fun Day in Rahway

HOT RODS & HARLEY DAY in RAHWAY




HOT RODS & HARLEY DAY
This week end marks the second time CENTURY 21 JRS REALTY participated in the Town of Rahway Hot Rods & Harley Day. On Saturday May 12th, 2007 from 11AM to 6 PM CENTURY 21 JRS REALTY agents gave out free items to the people of Rahway. This is a great event that features old muscle cars and hot rods from to 50's and 60's on display for all to see. CENTURY 21 JRS REALTY had more than 15 agents and assistants on hand handing out free cookies, raffle tickets for a free TV, balloons, and face painting for the children. This was a great event and we are happy to support our towns.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Congratulations Graduates

Congratulations CENTURY 21 JRS REALTY Graduates

Today is Graduation day, and although our agents have been out of school for many years they are all graduating again. Today is the graduation day for the SMART TRAINING PROGRAM that 7 CENTURY 21 JRS REALTY agents have been involved in for 7 weeks. This program has given these 7 agents skills, knowledge, and awareness that will be a benefit to them for the rest of their Real Estate careers.
The real benefit will be felt by the clients and customers that are taken care of by these CENTURY 21 JRS REALTY agents. Punit, Joe, Chandresh, Audra, Jessie, Simi, and Marci now have more information, respect, and accountability than any other agent in New Jersey. These additional quality improvements will be a major benefit to clients and customers all over this state. This training program sets these agents apart from your average run of the mill realtor in today's market. Attending a program of this magnitude shows willingness to learn and improve as well as the desire to be in control of your career and life.
As a company LEADER I could not be more proud to know these wonderful people, and I am blessed to have them working with my company and me. These 7 agents are a credit to themselves and the Real Estate industry. Anyone looking to by or sell a home would be blessed to have any one of these great agents working to assist with their transaction.

Graduates

Joseph Pizzi E-mail: josephpizzi@yahoo.com

Audra Loccisano E-mail: Auroura828@aol.com

Jessie Kinsella E-mail: Jessie141@aol.com

Punit Shah E-mail: Punit.shah@century21.com

Simi D'sousa E-mail: Simibiz@gamil.com

Chandresh Shah E-mail: csshahdd@bww.com

Marci Hodges E-mail: Hodg7mr@aol.com

Congratulations Graduates I am very Proud of All of You!!!!!

JR Sangiuliano