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.