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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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/

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.

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

10 Tip for 1st Time Home Buyers

10 Tips for First-Time Homebuyers:

1. Be picky, but don’t be unrealistic. There is no perfect home.

2. Do your homework before you start looking. Decide specifically what features you want in a home and which are most important to you.

3. Get your finances in order. Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your down payment and your closing costs

4. Don’t wait to get a loan. Talk to a lender and get pre-qualified for a mortgage before you start looking.

5. Don’t ask too many people for opinions. It will drive you crazy. Select one or two people to turn to if you feel you need a second opinion.

6. Decide when you could move. When is your lease up? Are you allowed to sublet? How tight is the rental market in your area?

7. Think long-term. Are you looking for a starter house with the idea of moving up in a few years or do you hope to stay in this home longer? This decision may dictate what type of home you’ll buy as well as type of mortgage terms that suit you best.

8. Don’t let yourself be house poor. If you max yourself out to buy the biggest home you can afford, you’ll have no money left for maintenance or decoration or to save money for other financial goals.

9. Don’t be naive. Insist on a home inspection and if possible get a warranty from the seller to cover defects within one year.

10. Get help. Consider hiring a REALTOR® as a buyer’s representative. Unlike a listing agent, whose first duty is to the seller, a buyer’s representative is working only for you. And often, buyer’s reps are paid out of the seller’s commission payment.

What's New @ CENTURY 21 JRS REALTY

What's NEW!!!
If you are not up with the times you are behind the times. CENTURY 21 JRS Realty with offices in Clark and Rahway New Jersey have two offices of agents that are forward thinking and definitely up with today's technology. "Our agents have all the latest technology from hand held devices to lap top listing presentations" Company Leader JR Sangiuliano says.
CENTURY 21 JRS Realty is part of the number 1 Real Estate franchise in the world. With more offices, agents, and homes sold world wide CENTURY 21 is the BEST. CENTURY 21 JRS Realty has added many new and exciting ideas to its menu of services to its clients and customers. CENTURY 21 JRS Realty now has a personal blog, over 10 web sites for marketing client listings, a new and more informative company web site, personal web site dedicated to one single home and homeowner, and no money down mortgage opportunities for qualified home buyers when most other companies are turning those customers away.
CENTURY 21 JRS Realty puts all new technology in 2 categories that benefit its clients and customers. The first category is technology that allows quick responses to clients and customers with information. Today Realtors need to be able to attend to the concerns of clients immediately, with cell phones, v-mail, e-mail, text messaging and mobile command centers CENTURY 21 JRS Realty agents are equipped to do just that. The second category of technology deals with exposure of clients homes to potential buyers. Today's real estate market conditions require an agency to diversify the medias in which client homes are marketed. It is no good anymore to just put up a sign and enter the listing in the MLS, buyers must be found over a multitude of media sources. CENTURY 21 JRS Realty markets its clients homes in many different media avenues to ensure every buyer see its office listings . One of the most important things CENTURY 21 JRS Realty agents are doing to find buyers for their clients homes is a series of HOME BUYER SEMINARS free to the public. These seminars are directed to informing home buyers about the process in which to take in order to buy a home. CENTURY 21 has held seminars at the Crown Plaza in Clark New Jersey and at Commerce bank in Linden New Jersey. The office is planning a series of 8 seminars in Kenilworth New Jersey for this summer. CENTURY 21 JRS Realty advertises in more than one magazine every month, local news papers on the weekends, more than 10 web sites connected to 100's of search engines, and now offers personal web sites dedicated to one homeowner and one home. No more searching through thousands of listings to find one home. Now each home has its own personal site usually with the address of the property as the web site address.
CENTURY 21 JRS Realty is extremely proud of all the new and exciting ideas that have been implemented recently. CENTURY 21 JRS Realty has the most responsible, hardest working, and most intelligent agents in the industry.

All CENTURY 21 JRS Realty Agents

• Always live by the "Get by Giving" rule.
• Always conduct their business with the clients #1 concern as their #1 concern.
• Always live up to our standards regardless of pressures by local Realtors to lower them
• Always work toward a common GOOD
• Always do what they say they will do, sometimes more but NEVER less

How to sell in a homebuyer's market

How to sell in a homebuyer's Market
Real estate marketing pro shares her tips for selling in tougher conditions. By Marilyn Lewis

Has it been a while since you sold a house? Things have changed in the last six months.
Angela Stamoulos, an education manager for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, trains agents to educate sellers about the changed market.
The trick these days, she says, is to distinguish your property from the large number of similar homes in the same price bracket. "These wallflowers are the big problem right now, from the point of view of sellers and real estate agents," she says.
Stamoulos' tips:

1. Don't let your property languish while new, competitive inventory is building up. Price it right initially to give buyers a sense they are getting a value for their money and to avoid numerous, incremental price reductions that reek of desperation.
2. If you get a lot of activity -- visits and second showings -- don't respond instantly to an offer. Tell buyers you'll allow a couple of days to give adequate time for multiple house hunters to view your home. Even in this difficult market, Stamoulos says, well-priced properties are bid up over the asking price.
3. Educate yourself about your local market. Ask agents for these statistics, including comparisons from last year:
*Inventory. The number of homes currently on the market.
*Days on the market. The length of time properties are staying on the market.
*Average sale price. This is helpful information, but it can be skewed by, for example, numerous high-end properties sold. The average price in your market may still be $350,000, just as it was last year, but today $350,000 may buy a lot more house.
*Median price. This is the price at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less.
*List-to-sell ratios. This ratio, expressing the list price of homes over the selling price, will reveal drops in prices. Ratios are given for periods of time -- say, a month or a quarter -- showing the effect of price reductions on time on the market.
4. Find the agent who can expose your property to the most buyers:
Ask whether the company is part of a larger company or network. How many agents does the company employ to promote your property to buyers? The more the better.
Use Alexa Internet to compare agencies' Web-site traffic. Be sure to compare local -- not national -- Web sites when checking local offices of national companies.
Learn about the agency's overall marketing strategy. Do they use newspaper ads? E-mail? Their Web site? What's their marketing plan for your property?
To screen agents, interview several, asking each for their market data and their interpretation of local trends.

The World's Most Powerful Brands

Move over Microsoft, there's a new brand king in town. At least according to market research firm, Millward Brown Optimor. In its annual list of the top 100 most powerful brands, Google now replaces Microsoft as the world's top brand.
An article from Reuters points out that Google, which ranked No. 7 just one year ago, made the leap to the top spot with very little advertising. While Microsoft, on the other hand, slid down into third place despite the huge marketing push behind the Windows Vista operating system.

For Buyers

7 Reasons Buyers Need Title Insurance

Title insurance can help ensure the buyer and the lender that title defects will not make a property unsaleable in the future because of:

1. Forged documents

2. Undisclosed heirs to the property

3. Mistaken legal interpretations of wills or trusts

4. Misfiled documents—deeds, liens, mortgage satisfaction documents

5. Confusion caused by similarities in names

6. Incorrect marital status

7. Mental incompetence

For Sale By Owners

17 Service Providers You’ll Need When You Sell:

1. Real Estate Attorney

2. Appraiser

3. Home Inspector

4. Mortgage Loan Officer

5. Environmental Specialist

6. Lead Paint Inspector

7. Radon Inspector

8. Tax Advisor

9. Sanitary Systems Expert

10. Occupancy Permit Inspector

11. Zoning Inspector

12. Survey Company

13. Flood Plain Inspector

14. Termite Inspector

15. Title Company

16. Insurance Consultant

17. Moving Company

For Buyers

6 Creative Ways to Afford a Home

If your income and savings are making homebuying a challenge, consider these options.

1. Investigate local, state, and national downpayment assistance programs. These programs give loans or grants to cover all or part of your required downpayment. National programs include the Nehemiah program,http://www.getdownpayment.com/ and the American Dream downpayment fund from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. http://www.hud.gov/news/release.cfm?content=pr02-014.cfm

2. Get the seller to provide financing. In some cases, sellers may be willing to finance all or part of the purchase price of the home and let you repay them gradually, just as you do with a mortgage.

3. Consider a shared-appreciation, or shared equity, arrangement. Under this arrangement, your family, friends, or even an third-party may buy a portion of the home and thus share in any appreciation when the home is sold. The owner/occupant usually pays the mortgage, property taxes, and maintenance costs, but all the investors' names are usually on the mortgage. There are companies that can help you find such an investor if your family can’t participate.

4. Get help from your family. Perhaps a family member will loan you money for the downpayment and/or act as a cosigner for the mortgage. Lenders often like to have a cosigner if you have little credit history.

5. Lease with the option to buy. Renting the home for a year or more will give you the chance to save more toward your downpayment. And in many cases, owners will apply some of the rental amount toward the purchase price. You usually have to pay a small, nonrefundable option fee to the owner.

6. See if you can qualify for a short-term second mortgage to give you the money to make a higher downpayment. This may be possible if you have a good income and little other debt.

CENTURY 21 JRS Realty Seminar

CENTURY 21 JRS Realty Hosts Seminar for Clark Seniors

April 19, 2007

This after CENTURY 21 JRS Realty gave part one of a three part seminar on selling your home in today's Real Estate Market. The seminar for the Clark senior citizens was presented by JR Sangiuliano and CENTURY 21 JRS Realty and covered the beginning stages of selling your home. The topics covered in part one of the seminar series included the Highest Price Market Evaluation, showing your home to potential buyers, receiving an offer and much much more. Part one of this three part seminar series was very well attended with more than 50 local senior citizens enjoying lunch, desert, and the seminar all compliments of CENTURY 21 JRS Realty. We at CENTURY 21 JRS Realty would like to invite any home owner interested in information about the sale of their home to contact our office by phone or E-mail to schedule a private one on one consultation. Fell free to E-mail our office at c21jrs72@aol.com or call 800-831-0681.

Understanding Capital Gains in Real Estate

Understanding Capital Gains in Real Estate

When you sell a stock, you owe taxes on your gain—the difference between what you paid for the stock and what you sold it for. The same is true with selling a home (or a second home), but there are some special considerations.

How to Calculate Gain

In real estate, capital gains are based not on what you paid for the home, but on its adjusted cost basis. To calculate this:

1. Take the purchase price of the home: This is the sale price, not the amount of money you actually contributed at closing.

2. Add Adjustments:
Cost of the purchase—including transfer fees, attorney fees, inspections, but not points you paid on your mortgage.
Cost of sale—including inspections, attorney’s fee, real estate commission, and money you spent to fix up your home just prior to sale.
Cost of improvements—including room additions, deck, etc. Note here that improvements do not include repairing or replacing something already there, such as putting on a new roof or buying a new furnace.

3. The total of this is the adjusted cost basis of your home.

4. Subtract this adjusted cost basis from the amount you sell your home for. This is your capital gain.

A Special Real Estate Exemption for Capital Gains

Since 1997, up to $250,000 in capital gains ($500,000 for a married couple) on the sale of a home is exempt from taxation if you meet the following criteriaYou have lived in the home as your principal residence for two out of the last five years. You have not sold or exchanged another home during the two years preceding the sale. Also note that as of 2003, you may also qualify for this exemption if you meet what the IRS calls “unforeseen circumstances” such as job loss, divorce, or family medical emergency.

For Home Owners

Avoiding Foreclosure

A pending foreclosure is stressful and confusing। If you can help owners through this difficult time, you could earn their gratitude and loyalty for years to come। Encourage owners to contact their lender to see whether a loan workout option is available। If the problem is temporary, options include Forbearance. A lender may allow a borrower to reduce or suspend payments for a short period of time, after which another option must be agreed on to bring the loan current within a specified time period. A forbearance option is often combined with a reinstatement, especially if the borrowers know they’ll have enough money to bring the account current. The money might come from a hiring bonus, an investment, an insurance settlement, or a tax refund.
Reinstatement. Lenders may be willing to discuss accepting the total amount owed to them in a lump sum by a specific day.
Repayment plan A borrower might be able to forge an agreement with the lender to resume making regular monthly payments, in addition to a portion of the past due payments each month, until the loan is current.
If the problem is long-term, options include Mortgage modification. If the borrower can make at least some of the payment on the loan but doesn’t have enough money to bring the account current, the lender might be willing to permanently change one or more terms of the original loan to make the payments more affordable. Examples include:

• Adding the missed payments to the existing loan balance


• Changing the interest rate, including making an adjustable rate loan into a fixed-rate loan


• Extending the number of years to repay the loan.

Claim advance. If your mortgage is insured, you may qualify for an interest-free loan from your mortgage guarantor to bring your account current. The repayment of the loan may not start for several years.

If keeping the home isn’t an option, alternatives include Sale. The lender will usually agree to a specific amount of time to find a purchaser and pay off the total amount owed. The borrower will be expected to obtain the services of a real estate professional to market the property aggressively.

Pre-foreclosure sale or short payoff. If the property’s sales value isn’t enough to pay the loan in full, the lender might accept less than the full amount owed to cut its losses. This option can also include a period of time to allow the borrower’s real estate professional to find a qualified buyer. A pre-foreclosure sale could provide additional funds to pay other lien holders and a few moving costs.

Assumption. The lender might agree to permit a qualified buyer to assume the mortgage payments, even if the original loan documents state that it’s nonassumable.

Deed in lieu. The lender might agree to allow the borrower to voluntarily “give back” the property and forgive the debt. Although this option sounds like the easiest way out, the borrower must generally attempt to sell the home for its fair market value for at least 90 days before the lender will consider this option. Also, this option may not be available if the borrower has other liens, such as judgments by other creditors, a second mortgage, or IRS or state tax liens.

Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (www.hud.gov)

New Power Site

View our New Marketing Tool
CENTURY 21 JRS Realty now offers a web site dedicated specifically to each home by itself. No more searching to find your home through thousands of pages on some search engine. Now with CENTURY 21 JRS Realty every home will have one web site dedicated only to that home. Our clients will enjoy their own web address and web site with slides shows, school information, room measurements, census reports, maps, and much more.

For Sellers

What Is Appraised Value?

It’s an objective opinion of value, but it’s not an exact science so appraisals may differ.For buying and selling purposes, appraisals are usually based on market value—what the property could probably be sold for. Other types of value include insurance value, replacement value, and assessed value for property tax purposes.Appraised value is not a constant number. Changes in market conditions can dramatically alter appraised value.Appraised value doesn’t consider special considerations, like the need to sell rapidly.Lenders usually use either the appraised value or the sale price, whichever is less, to determine the amount of the mortgage they will offer.Used with permission from Kim Daugherty, Real Estate Checklists and Systems, http://www.realestatechecklists.com/

Understanding Capital Gains in Real Estate

When you sell a stock, you owe taxes on your gain—the difference between what you paid for the stock and what you sold it for. The same is true with selling a home (or a second home), but there are some special considerations.How to Calculate Gain In real estate, capital gains are based not on what you paid for the home, but on its adjusted cost basis. To calculate this:

1. Take the purchase price of the home: This is the sale price, not the amount of money you actually contributed at closing.

2. Add Adjustments:
Cost of the purchase—including transfer fees, attorney fees, inspections, but not points you paid on your mortgage.
Cost of sale—including inspections, attorney’s fee, real estate commission, and money you spent to fix up your home just prior to sale.
Cost of improvements—including room additions, deck, etc. Note here that improvements do not include repairing or replacing something already there, such as putting on a new roof or buying a new furnace.

3. The total of this is the adjusted cost basis of your home.

4. Subtract this adjusted cost basis from the amount you sell your home for. This is your capital gain.

A Special Real Estate Exemption for Capital Gains

Since 1997, up to $250,000 in capital gains ($500,000 for a married couple) on the sale of a home is exempt from taxation if you meet the following criteria. You have lived in the home as your principal residence for two out of the last five years. You have not sold or exchanged another home during the two years preceding the sale. Also note that as of 2003, you may also qualify for this exemption if you meet what the IRS calls “unforeseen circumstances” such as job loss, divorce, or family medical emergency.

For Sellers

Moving Tips for Sellers
1. Give your forwarding address to the post office, usually 2-4 weeks ahead of the move.
2. Notify our charge cards, magazine subscriptions, and bank of the change of address.
3. Develop a list of friends, relatives, and business colleagues who need to be notified of the move.
4. Arrange to have utilities disconnected at your old home and connected at your new one.
5. Cancel the newspaper.
6. Check insurance coverage for moved items. Usually movers only cover what they pack.
7. Clean out appliances and prepare them for moving, if applicable.
8. Note the weight of the goods you’ll have moved, since long-distance moves are usually billed according to weight. Watch for movers that use excessive padding to add weight.
9. Check with your condo or co-op about restrictions on using the elevator or particular exits.
10. Have a “first open” box with the things you’ll need most—toilet paper, soap, trash bags, scissors, hammer, screwdriver, pencils and paper, cups and plates, water, snacks, and toothpaste.

Plus, if you’re moving out of town:
1. Get copies of medical and dental records and prescriptions for your family and your pets.
2. Get copies of children’s school records for transfer.
3. Ask friends for introductions to anyone they know in your new neighborhood.
4. Consider special car needs for pets when traveling.
5. Let a friend or relative know your route.
6. Carry traveler’s checks or an ATM card for ready cash until you can open a bank account.
7. Empty your safety deposit box.
8. Put plants in boxes with holes for air circulation if you’re moving in cold weather.

For Sellers

Moving Tips for Sellers
1. Give your forwarding address to the post office, usually 2-4 weeks ahead of the move.
2. Notify our charge cards, magazine subscriptions, and bank of the change of address.
3. Develop a list of friends, relatives, and business colleagues who need to be notified of the move.
4. Arrange to have utilities disconnected at your old home and connected at your new one.
5. Cancel the newspaper.
6. Check insurance coverage for moved items. Usually movers only cover what they pack.
7. Clean out appliances and prepare them for moving, if applicable.
8. Note the weight of the goods you’ll have moved, since long-distance moves are usually billed according to weight. Watch for movers that use excessive padding to add weight.
9. Check with your condo or co-op about restrictions on using the elevator or particular exits.
10. Have a “first open” box with the things you’ll need most—toilet paper, soap, trash bags, scissors, hammer, screwdriver, pencils and paper, cups and plates, water, snacks, and toothpaste.

Plus, if you’re moving out of town:
1. Get copies of medical and dental records and prescriptions for your family and your pets.
2. Get copies of children’s school records for transfer.
3. Ask friends for introductions to anyone they know in your new neighborhood.
4. Consider special car needs for pets when traveling.
5. Let a friend or relative know your route.
6. Carry traveler’s checks or an ATM card for ready cash until you can open a bank account.
7. Empty your safety deposit box.
8. Put plants in boxes with holes for air circulation if you’re moving in cold weather.

Seminar Success

CENTURY 21 JRS Realty Rocks the Crown Plaza

On Saturday March 31st CENTURY 21 JRS Realty with the help of Kwik Mortgage and Ebert Home Inspections held a successful Home Buyers Seminar at the Crown Plaza in Clark New Jersey. "We had a great turn out and everyone left with important information about the home buying process". said Company Leader JR Sangiuliano "Our family of agents wanted to give back to the community, and we figured what could be better than an informative free seminar on today's changing market and the process to follow in order to own a home". Sangiuliano continued.

CENTURY 21 JRS Realty supplied a free lunch and 3 hours of information on the Real Estate market। CENTURY 21 JRS Realty had mortgage representatives on site for quick and easy free pre-approvals. All attendees received a packet of information from CENTURY 21 JRS Realty, Kwik Mortgage, and Ebert Home Inspections. Everyone in attendance was give one on one access to Realtors, mortgage brokers, and home inspectors to help answer every question about the home ownership process.

For a one on one consultation with a realtor from CENTURY 21 JRS Realty about the home ownership process please visit our web site at http://www.century21jrsrealty.com/ and drop us an e-mail any time.

CENTURY 21 JRS Realty Enjoys Awards Diner

Congratulations to CENTURY 21 JRS Realty

CENTURY 21 Honors Top Agents

Congratulations to Team Excel

On Thursday March 29th CENTURY 21 held its annual awards banquet at the Double Tree Hotel in New Jersey. This event is focused on honoring top sales associates for their accomplishments in the past year. Team Excel from CENTURY 21JRS Realty proudly accepted their CENTURION award for excellence in team production. This is the highest award a CENTURY 21 system member receives for sales performance. Team members Audra Loccisano, Jessica Kinsella, Joe Piizzi, Vinny Spingola, and team Leader JR Sangiuliano accept the award from CENTURY 21 representatives with pride.

I Wonder if Seller & Buyers Know This About CENTURY 21

The Strength of the CENTURY 21® System
From the Desk of Marci Hodges

System Growth
* Since 1995, the CENTURY 21 System has seen:
· A total increase of approximately 159 percent Adjusted Gross Closed Commissions (AGCC) System-wide, evidence of the growth and success of the CENTURY 21 System as a whole
· An average per-office AGCC increase of 176 percent, another clear indication of our commitment to help increase the productivity and profitability of our System members

Leadership Position

* Century 21 Real Estate LLC is the world’s largest residential real estate sales organization with more than 147,000 “Agents of Change” residing in more than 8,000 offices located in 45 countries and territories worldwide.

* A recent study conducted by Millward Brown shows that CENTURY 21 remains the most recognized brand name in real estate and the real estate company that consumers think of first for both the general market and Spanish-dominant Hispanics*, **

Resources
* 21Online.com, the CENTURY 21 System’s Intranet site, provides brokers and sales associates with all necessary brand elements, real estate news and more

· In addition to CENTURY 21 System news and information, it also contains leading technology tools, including eGreetings, Life@Home, Virtual Presentation Library (VPL), Broker Financial Tools (BFT) and the CENTURY 21 PR Studio.

* The CENTURY 21 Learning System® (CLSTM), a Web-based, fully interactive educational platform that enables CENTURY 21 brokers and sales associates to engage in live educational sessions from the convenience of either their homes or offices

* CENTURY 21 LeadRouterSM, is a software-based system that captures leads from home buyers and sellers, and then matches the lead information with the most appropriate sales associate according to business rules established by the local broker/owner. Converting data to voice, the product instantly informs the sales associates of the lead via phone or designated communication vehicle.

* CENTURY 21 SearchrouterSM, also known as IDX (Internet Data Exchange), allows offices to feature not just their Century21.com listings, but also listings in the surrounding area via their MLS. Thus, giving the online customer exactly what they are looking for along with more qualified leads for our franchisees.

* 21st Century News, the CENTURY 21 System’s bi-annual newsletter, contains information for brokers and sales associates on how to build business, and real estate tips and best practices

* Weekly Wire, the CENTURY 21 System’s award-winning weekly electronic newsletter designed to provide brokers and agents with relevant and timely information and tools in an effort to help them grow their businesses

Awards & Recognition
* Century 21 Real Estate LLC
· Hispanic Trends magazine: Top 25 Franchises for Hispanic Franchisees (2006)
· Entrepreneur magazine Top 10 Global Franchises (#1 in real estate category) (2006)
Hispanic Creative Advertising Awards: Bronze Award in the interactive media category for an online banner advertisement entitled “Signs.” (2005)

* The CENTURY 21 Learning System (CLS)
· Training magazine’s Training Top 100 (2001 through 2006)
· Corporate University Xchange Award for Excellence and Innovation in Corporate Learning (2006)
· Paragon Award (2004)
· InfoWorld 100 Award (2004)

* Weekly Wire
· CENTURY 21 System's weekly e-newsletter is honored with the IRIS communications award for writing excellence. (2005)

* 21Online.com
· APEX Award for Most Improved Intranet (2004)

* Century21.com
· Hit wise United States Online Performance Awards for achieving a top 10 ranking in the Business and Finance - Real Estate category for (2004 – 2006)

For Sellers

12 Tips for Hiring a Remodeling Contractor

From the Desk of Chandersh Shah

1.Get at least three written estimates.

2. Get references and call to check on the work. If possible, go by and visit earlier jobs.

3. Check with the local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau for complaints.

4. Be sure that the contract states exactly what is to be done and how change orders will be handled.

5. Make as small a downpayment as possible so you won’t lose a lot if the contractor fails to complete the job.

6. Be sure that the contractor has the necessary permits, licenses, and insurance.

7. Be sure that the contract states when the work will be completed and what recourse you have if it isn’t. Also remember that in many instances you can cancel a contract within three business days of signing it.

8. Ask if the contractor’s workers will do the entire job or whether subcontractors will do parts.

9. Get the contractor to indemnify you if work does not meet any local building codes or regulations.

10. Be sure that the contract specifies the contractor will clean up after the job and be responsible for any damage.

11. Guarantee that materials used meet your specifications.

12. Don’t make the final payment until you’re satisfied with the work

For Buyers

Choices That Will Affect Your Loan

from the Desk of AMR Ibrahiem
Mortgage term. Mortgages are generally available at 15-, 20-, or 30-year terms. The longer the term, the lower the monthly payment if the same amount is borrowed. However, you pay more interest overall if you borrow for a longer term.

Fixed or adjustable interest rates. A fixed rate allows you to lock in a low rate for as long as you hold the mortgage and is usually a good choice if interest rates are low. An adjustable-rate mortgage is designed so that interest rates will rise as interest rates increase; however they usually offer a lower rate in the first years of the mortgage. ARMs also usually have a limit as to how much the interest rate can be increased and how frequently they can be raised. ARMs are a good choice when interest rates are high or when you expect your income to grow significantly in the coming years.

Balloon mortgages offer very low interest rates for a short period of time—often three to seven years. Payments usually cover only the interest, so the principal owed is not reduced. However, this type of loan may be a good choice if you think you will sell your home in a few years.

Government-backed loans, sponsored by agencies such as the Federal Housing Administration (http://www.fha.gov/) or the Department of Veterans Affairs (http://www.va.gov/), offer special terms, including lower downpayments or reduced interest rates—to qualified buyers.

Slight variations in interest rates, loan amounts, and terms can significantly affect your monthly payment. For help in determining how much your monthly payment will be for various loan amounts, use Fannie Mae’s online mortgage calculators.

For Sellers

5 Ways to Speed Up Your Sale

From the desk of Joe Piizzi

1. Price it right. Set a price at the lower end of your property’s realistic price range

2। Get your house market ready for at least two weeks before you begin showing it.

3. Be flexible about showings. It’s often disruptive to have a house ready to show on the spur of the moment, but the more often someone can see your home, the sooner you’ll find a seller.

4. Be ready for the offers. Decide in advance what price and terms you’ll find acceptable.

5. Don’t refuse to drop the price. If your home has been on the market for more than 30 days without an offer, be prepared to lower your asking price.

For Buyers

10 Questions to Ask Your Lender

From the desk of Audra Loccisano

Be sure you find a loan that fits your needs with these comprehensive questions।

1। What are the most popular mortgage loans you make? Why?

2। Which type of mortgage plan do you think would best for us? Why?

3 Are your rates, terms, fees, and closing costs negotiable?

4. Will I have to buy private mortgage insurance? If so how much will it cost and how long will it be required? NOTE: Private mortgage insurance is usually required if you make less than a 20-percent downpayment, but most lenders will let you discontinue the policy when you’ve acquired a certain amount of equity by paying down the loan.

5. Who will service the loan? Your bank or another company?

6. What escrow requirements do you have?

7. How long is your loan lock-in period (the time that the quoted interest rate will be honored)? Will I be able to obtain a lower rate if they drop during this period?

8. How long will the loan approval process take?

9. How long will it take to close the loan?

10. Are there any charges or penalties for prepaying the loan?

For Sellers

10 Ways to Make Your House More Salable From the desk of Simi D'souza

1. Get rid of clutter. Throw out or file stacks of newspapers and magazines. Pack away most of your small decorative items. Store out-of-season clothing to make closets seem roomier. Clean out the garage.

2. Wash your windows and screens to let more light into the interior.

3. Keep everything extra clean. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates. Mop and wax floors. Clean the stove and refrigerator. A clean house makes a better first impression and convinces buyers that the home has been well cared for.

4. Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. Open the windows.

5. Put higher wattage bulbs in light sockets to make rooms seem brighter, especially basements and other dark rooms. Replace any burnt-out bulbs.

6. Make minor repairs that can create a bad impression. Small problems such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the impression that the house is not well maintained.

7. Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, trim the bushes, and edge the walks. Put a pot or two of bright flowers near the entryway.

8. Patch holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.

9. Clean your gutters.

10. Polish your front doorknob and door numbers.

For Sellers

5 Things to Do Before You Sell

1. Get estimates from a reliable repair person on items that need to be replaced soon, a roof or worn carpeting, for example. In this way, buyers will have a better sense of how much these needed repairs will affect their costs.

2. Have a termite inspection to prove to buyers that the property is not infested.

3. Get a pre-sale home inspection so you’ll be able to make repairs before buyers become concerned and cancel a contract.

4. Gather together warranties and guarantees on the furnace, appliances, and other items that will remain with the house.

5. Fill out a disclosure form provided by your sales associate. Take the time to be sure that you don’t forget problems, however minor, that might create liability for you after the sale.

If you would like to speak with a CENTURY 21 JRS Realty Sale Associate about this topic or any other questions you may have about selling your home please visit our web site at http://www.century21jrsrealty.com/

For Buyers

10 Things to take the trauma out of your Home Purchase
1. Find a real estate agent that’s simpatico. Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the agent you chose is both skilled and a good fit with your personality.

2. Remember, there’s no “right” time to buy, any more than there’s a right time to sell. If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess the interest rates or the housing market by waiting. Changes don’t usually occur fast enough to make that much difference in price, and a good home won’t stay on the market long.

3. Don’t ask for too many opinions. It’s natural to want reassurance for such a big decision, but too many ideas will make it much harder to make a decision.

4. Accept that no house is ever perfect. Focus in on the things that are most important to you and let the minor ones go.

5. Don’t try to be a killer negotiator. Negotiation is definitely a part of the real estate process, but trying to “win” by getting an extra-low price may lose you the home you love.

6. Remember your home doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Don’t get so caught up in the physical aspects of the house itself—room size, kitchen—that you forget such issues as amenities, noise level, etc., that have a big impact on what it’s like to live in your new home.

7. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to get approved for a mortgage, investigate insurance availability, and consider a schedule for moving. Presenting an offer contingent on a lot of unresolved issues will make your bid much less attractive to sellers.

8. Factor in maintenance and repair costs in your post-home buying budget. Even if you buy a new home, there will be some costs. Don’t leave yourself short and let your home deteriorate.

9. Accept that a little buyer’s remorse is inevitable and will probably pass. Buying a home, especially for the first time, is a big commitment, but it also yields big benefits.

10. Choose a home first because you love it; then think about appreciation. While U.S. homes have appreciated an average of 5.4 percent annually over from 1998 to 2002, a home’s most important role is as a comfortable, safe place to live.

For more information or help directly from a CENTURY 21 JRS Realty Agent visit our web site at http://www.century21jrsrealty.com/

Homebuyers Market?

How to sell in a Home Buyer's market

A real estate marketing pro shares her tips for selling in tougher conditions। By Marilyn Lewis

Has it been a while since you sold a house? Things have changed in the last six months.
Angela Stamoulos, an education manager for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, trains agents to educate sellers about the changed market.
The trick these days, she says, is to distinguish your property from the large number of similar homes in the same price bracket. "These wallflowers are the big problem right now, from the point of view of sellers and real estate agents," she says.
Stamoulos' tips:
Don't let your property languish while new, competitive inventory is building up. Price it right initially to give buyers a sense they are getting a value for their money and to avoid numerous, incremental price reductions that reek of desperation.
If you get a lot of activity -- visits and second showings -- don't respond instantly to an offer. Tell buyers you'll allow a couple of days to give adequate time for multiple house hunters to view your home. Even in this difficult market, Stamoulos says, well-priced properties are bid up over the asking price.
Educate yourself about your local market. Ask agents for these statistics, including comparisons from last year:
Inventory. The number of homes currently on the market.
Days on the market. The length of time properties are staying on the market.
Average sale price. This is helpful information, but it can be skewed by, for example, numerous high-end properties sold. The average price in your market may still be $350,000, just as it was last year, but today $350,000 may buy a lot more house.
Median price. This is the price at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less.
List-to-sell ratios. This ratio, expressing the list price of homes over the selling price, will reveal drops in prices. Ratios are given for periods of time -- say, a month or a quarter -- showing the effect of price reductions on time on the market.
Find the agent who can expose your property to the most buyers:
Ask whether the company is part of a larger company or network. How many agents does the company employ to promote your property to buyers? The more the better.
Use Alexa Internet to compare agencies' Web-site traffic. Be sure to compare local -- not national -- Web sites when checking local offices of national companies.
Learn about the agency's overall marketing strategy. Do they use newspaper ads? E-mail? Their Web site? What's their marketing plan for your property?
To screen agents, interview several, asking each for their market data and their interpretation of local trends.

30 under 30

30 under 30

Energizing the Industry
By Robert Sharoff, Robert Freedman, Pamela Geurds Kabati, Stacey Moncrieff, Lucien Salvant, and Christina Hoffmann Spira

He’s a card
J. R. Sangiuliano, 24
Sales associate
Century 21 JRS Realty
Clark, N.J.

In the two-plus years that J.R. Sangiuliano has been in real estate, he’s handed out more than 4,000 business cards. “I give a card to everyone I talk to--in restaurants, shops, everywhere.”

That, together with the 15,000 flyers he distributes each month and the eight hours of cold calls he makes weekly, has paid off.
In 1999 Sangiuliano closed more than $9 million worth of sales and was among the youngest sales associates to ever receive Century 21’s Centurion Award for sales production.

Sangiuliano works 75–90 hours a week in the company his parents have owned for 11 years. He heads its electronic marketing efforts--the company has a Web site, www.century21jrsrealty.com, and posts listings on eight others--and also mentors newer salespeople.

“I wanted a job that would let me work as hard as I wanted to and that would reward me for that,” he says.

COST VS. VALUE

2006 Cost vs. Value

Making Home Improvements Pay What’s the return for remodeling? Remodeling magazine’s annual report compares construction costs with resale values for 25 common remodeling projects in 60 U.S. markets.Prices for most remodeling projects continue to climb, while the recoup value of improvements at resale is declining to levels last seen in 2002. These are the findings of Remodeling magazine’s 19th annual Cost vs. Value Report — the eighth prepared in cooperation with REALTOR® Magazine. None of this should come as much of a surprise to you: This year’s recoup values confirm the housing slowdown many parts of the country are experiencing. With both home-sale and remodeling activity at record levels in the last five to six years, some cooling is inevitable. Indications are that the current downturn represents a return to “normal” levels. A number of improvements designed to make the report more reliable and useful has also affected both cost and value data. For starters, Remodeling took a fresh look at the specs for the 25 projects it studies each year. (REALTOR® Magazine, in the past, has limited the number of projects it included in its coverage.) The cost-to-construct figures (which include labor, material, subcontractors, and gross profit) are higher than in previous years, but also more accurate. (Read full project descriptions at www.remodelingmagazine.com.) The estimates of resale value are also more accurate than ever before (see “Survey confidence is high,” below), thanks to the more than 2,000 members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® who completed Remodeling’s e-mail survey this past summer. In addition, the report introduces nine regional averages, following the divisions established by the U.S. Census Bureau. This breakdown provides higher confidence levels than could be achieved with the four larger U.S. regions measured in previous years. What the numbers mean when comparing cost estimates for actual projects, remember that averaging tends to have a leveling effect on “Job Cost” data. And, seemingly small differences in size, scope, or quality of finishes can dramatically affect the final project cost. Remember, too, that, even in neighborhoods in the same city, local conditions can affect both the cost and value of a remodeling project, making our numbers appear too high or too low. In an actual real estate transaction, the “cost recouped” for a given remodeling project depends on a variety of factors. These include the condition of the rest of the house, the value of similar homes nearby, and the rate at which property values are changing in the surrounding area. A home’s urban, suburban, or rural setting also affects its value, as does the availability and cost of new and existing homes in the immediate vicinity. Bring value to clients and customers by marrying information from the report with your home pricing expertise and your knowledge of qualified remodelers in your area.View the PDF version of the full report published in REALTOR® MagazineAbout the report Research team Specpan, an Indianapolis-based company, programmed and hosted the Web-based survey, collected and compiled the data, and provided pre- and post-survey consulting. More than 100,000 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® members — salespeople, brokers, and appraisers—received e-mail links to the survey. Of those, 2,188 provided value estimates. Hometech Information Systems, the Bethesda, Md.–based estimating software developer, provided cost-to-construct estimates for each of the 60 cities surveyed. Survey confidence is high The statistical accuracy or confidence level of the national averages is 95 percent (+/– 2 percent), which means that 95 percent of the time, national results for this survey will fall within 2 percent to either side of the results published here.No cause for alarm. Should you be concerned about lower recoup values in this year’s Cost vs. Value Report?The unusually strong housing market over the past few years has boosted both remodeling and new-construction activity. For many home owners, the appreciation in house prices significantly added to their net worth. Similarly, home improvement projects often paid for themselves through a comparable increase in the home’s value. But every good thing must come to an end. Eventually, things return to normal. Luckily, today’s “normal” is great news for home owners and real estate practitioners: When you consider its value at resale, a home improvement project costs only 20 cents to 25 cents on the dollar. The other 75 cents to 80 cents spent on a project goes directly back into the home through increased value — not to mention increased owner enjoyment. — By Kermit Baker, director of the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University.Replacement projects lead returns Of the top 10 projects nationally measured by cost recouped at resale, seven — including the top three — are replacement projects. An upscale fiber cement siding replacement returned 88 percent of the investment. Mid-range vinyl siding replacement was second at 87.2 percent, and mid-range wood window replacement edged out minor kitchen remodeling for third at 85.2 percent. Only roofing replacement finished outside the top 10 projects, at 73.9 percent for a mid-range job, and 72.9 percent for an upscale one.Energy efficiency in the face of high fuel prices could be a logical reason why replacement projects are high-value performers. But Charlie Gindele, president of Dial One Window Replacement Specialists, in Santa Ana, Calif., calls that a rationalization. “The thing that motivates people, by and large, is the aesthetics,” he says.Amy Mills Siler, a salesperson at Joan Ryder and Associates Real Estate Inc., in Bel Air, Md., agrees that most home buyers are looking for a house with curb appeal. “If they drive up to a house with dingy aluminum siding and old windows, the buyers automatically get a bad taste in their mouth,” she says. “The old saying ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’ falls on deaf ears with most clients.”Gindele, who works in Orange County, Calif., where median housing prices in the second quarter of 2006 topped $726,000, says the return on investment is just an added bonus to home owners, who undertake remodeling projects for a variety of benefits. Among other things, “they do it because they want the ease of operation, the beauty, the sound-deadening component,” he says. “But it’s nice to recover your expense.”View the PDF version of the full report published in REALTOR® Magazine