The Bergen County Real Estate Newsletter | December 2009

Bergen County New Jersey Real Estate Newsletter December 2009




Hi everyone and Lisa says Hi!


December has arrived and so has our updated Real Estate Newsletter!





The Fall foliage season is over here. Can this be far behind? The temperatures are cooling off a little too quickly for my tastes.



New Jersey is the Garden State.



The market has heated up as the temperatures drop all around the country.

The time for the first time home buyers credit has been extended and expanded as well. If you can be in contract by April 30th 2010 and close by June 30th 2010, you could still take advantage of the tax credit but you better hurry.


For More Information on the first time home buyer Extension.

Click on the link below for a short video highlighting the important updates to this very important stimulus package.




Business is great and we are excited at the possibilities available for first time home buyers as well as sellers looking to move up.





Historically, interest rates are still at an all time low.

Either moving up or buying for the first time, now is a great time to make the move up to home ownership.


This Newsletter is full of interesting and useful information that I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter.


This month's issue includes topics such as:

"Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended, Expanded";

"Man's Best Friend May Be Costly When Selling Your Home";

"Should I Take My Home Off the Market During the Holidays?";

"Tips for an Eco-Friendly Holiday";

"How Mortgage Management Affects Credit Scores";

Plus a roundup of November real estate activity as well as much more advice and information.


We hope you enjoy this monthly newsletter. If you have any comments, please e-mail them to us or post them as comments below.

We hope you all have a wonderful upcoming Holiday Season.


Please Click on the button below to access our newsletter:

If you or someone you know is planning a Move or Sale of their home in the near future, call your Pascack Valley experts, Lisa & Bob Hammerstein at (201)218-6802 or visit us on our website at www.HammersTeam.com.  We'll be able to help you if you're Moving or selling in any of the Pascack Valley towns in Bergen County New Jersey.


For more Local Information about the Pascack Valley area of Bergen County, New Jersey, call Bob & Lisa at (201)218-6802or visit us online at www.HammersTeam.com.

Your Real Estate Resource for the Pascack Valley!

__________________________________________________________________

Robert & Lisa Hammerstein • Sales Associates • Coldwell Banker • (201)315-8618

• Address • 50 Broadway • Hillsdale, NJ 07642 •

 

Hillsdale New Jersey | Market Report August 2009

Hillsdale NJ Real Estate Report|August 09' Single Family Home Sales saw Seven homes closing in the town of Hillsdale in the month of August as the Summer winds down. The 2009 Summer Real Estate market has been hot. With interest rates low and the First Time Home Buyer Incentive program, qualified Buyers have taken advantage of some wonderful opportunities to own a piece of Small Town America! There's no place like A New Hillsdale Home! Act now before the First Time Home Buyer Incentive program goes away.

The town of Hillsdale is constantly changing to keep up with the times while maintaining that desirable small town feel. Residents can take advantage of the many amenities offered by this Pascack Valley town.


Below is a representation of our current market trends here in Park Ridge New Jersey.

I think these graphs are pretty terrific and basically tell you the full scope of our current market here.

First the past 13 Months:







Below is our graph for the the month of August 2009:




Below is a graph depicting the the market going back to October of 2007:

Average List Price..............$ 653,121

Average Sold Price.............$ 611,071

Median Sold Price..............$ 625,000

Sale/List Price....................... 93.562 (6-7% differential)

There are currently 45 Actively Listed homes in the town of Hillsdale with an average List Price of $573,162. There are some fantastic opportunities in this popular town with prices for every budget.

Click here to view all Hillsdale Local Listings

If you or someone you know is planning a Move in the near future, call your Pascack Valley experts, Lisa & Bob Hammerstein at (201)218-6802 or visit us on our website at www.HammersTeam.com. We'll be able to help you if you're Moving to any of the Pascack Valley towns in Bergen County New Jersey.


For more Local Information about the Pascack Valley area of Bergen County, New Jersey, call Bob & Lisa at (201)218-6802 or visit us online at www.HammersTeam.com.

Your Real Estate Resource for the Pascack Valley!

__________________________________________________________________

Robert & Lisa Hammerstein • Sales Associates • Coldwell Banker • (201)315-8618

• Address • 50 Broadway • Hillsdale, NJ 07642 •

Bergen County New Jersey Real Estate Newsletter

Hi everyone and Lisa says Hi!


September has arrived and so has our updated Real Estate Newsletter!

Summer is coming to a close here and the temperatures are cooling off a little to quickly for my tastes.

Soon we will be in the season I love the most which is Fall and the beautiful changing of the leaves here.

New Jersey is the Garden State.




The market has heated up as school gets back in session all around the country. We have been overwhelmed with the number of buyers we have been taking out and helping lately. It has cut into my blogging time. :-) But I digress.

Business is great and I am excited at the possibilities available for first time home buyers as well as sellers looking to move up. But time is running out if you want to take advantage of the credit. You must be closed as of November 31st this year. Only a short time away.





Historically, interest rates are at an all time low but are creeping up slowly. Now is still a great time to buy.

Either moving up or buying for the first time, now is a great time to make the move up to home ownership.


This Newsletter is full of interesting and useful information that I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter.

This month's issue includes topics such as:

"Sellers: Know Your Buyer Market"

"Major Campaign To Extend $8,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit Underway"

"Real Estate Investment 101"

"New Disclosures Help Mortgage Consumers Know Risk"

"Making Small Homes Have Big Appeal To Buyers"


Plus a roundup of August real estate activity as well as much more advice and information..

Below is a link to my "September Real Estate Update":

Click on the Button below to access our newsletter:

If you or someone you know is planning a Move in the near future, call your Pascack Valley experts, Lisa & Bob Hammerstein at (201)218-6802 or visit us on our website at www.HammersTeam.com. We'll be able to help you if you're Moving to any of the Pascack Valley towns in Bergen County New Jersey.


For more Local Information about the Pascack Valley area of Bergen County, New Jersey, call Bob & Lisa at (201)218-6802 or visit us online at www.HammersTeam.com.

Your Real Estate Resource for the Pascack Valley!

__________________________________________________________________

Robert & Lisa Hammerstein • Sales Associates • Coldwell Banker • (201)315-8618

• Address • 50 Broadway • Hillsdale, NJ 07642 •

Bergen County | NJ | The Role of a Real Estate Attorney

Bergen County New Jersey The Role of Real Estate Attorneys in a Real Estate Transaction.


Putting the pieces together.






Speaking as New Jersey Real Estate Agents working with Buyers and Sellers in the Pascack Valley area of Bergen County, New Jersey, we'd like to share our list of the features that illustrate The Role of The Real Estate Attorney.

We are happy to offer names of qualified Attorneys to our customers and clients. However, there are occasions when a Buyer or Seller has an Attorney that they pre-selected.

Although most of the time things work out, we have seen those unfortunate situations where the Buyer or Seller feel that they have been left in the dark. Your Agent will keep track of the following terms. However, your Attorney will be the person who will monitor the Contingencies of the Contract on your behalf.


The following list is what you can usually expect your Attorney to handle during the course of your transaction:

1. Attorney Review - In the State of New Jersey, once a Seller and Buyer come to a "Meeting of the Minds", the Offer is signed by the Seller. Next, both the Seller and Buyer's Attorneys receive a copy of the contract to review. During this period, the Attorneys may exchange Riders which could alter portions of the Original Offer. The time frame for the Attorney Review Period could be important if you are a Buyer. It should be noted that during an Attorney Review Period in the state of New Jersey, the Buyer or the Seller can "Back Out", without explanation.

2. Home Inspection Issues - Within approximately ten days after the conclusion of the Attorney Review period, the results and requests for any Home Inspection issues are due. Once the Inspection has been concluded and the Inspection Report has been issued, the Attorney for the Buyer reviews the points with the Buyer. You should expect your Attorney to review these points with you in a timely manner (per the contract and/or Riders).

3. The Deposit Monies - Once the Attorney Review has been completed, the Buyer must meet the deadline set forth in the Contract to bring their Deposit monies to their Attorney. The Attorney will then forward the Deposit monies to the appropriate party in good-faith preparation for the closing.

4. Mortgage Commitment Contingency - The Buyer must take the necessary measures to apply for a Mortgage in a Timely manner. Your Attorney will coordinate the Closing of Title with the Lender to insure the Funds are available on the day and time of the scheduled Closing.

5. Title Review & Survey as well as Title Insurance - Your Attorney will order a Title Search to insure that the property is free and clear of any liens or judgments. Once your Attorney has cleared any judgments and confirmed that any open mortgages will be paid in full at closing, the Title Company will issue a "Clear to Close" and the Attorney will then proceed to closing accordingly. After the closing has taken place, the Title Company will issue a "Title Insurance Policy", insuring the property against any future claims that turn up reverting back to prior to closing. The Attorney will also order a Survey to be done on the property in question. This is important as a Survey will reveal any abnormalities of property lines, and if the Buyer intends on building/improving upon the property in the future, the Surveyor can set property corner markers, or "stakes", which mark the property lines. Your Attorney will forward a copy of the Survey to you prior to closing for you to review and familiarize yourself with your property lines.

6. Ordering of Homeowner's Insurance - The Buyer's Attorney will instruct the Buyer to make application for Homeowner's Insurance. The Buyer's Mortgage Lender will quite often remind the Buyer of this, as well, but it is necessary that the insurance is ordered in a timely manner. The Insurance Certificate must be available on the day of Closing of Title.

7. Closing Of Title - The respective Attorneys will confirm that Funds are available and coordinate with all parties to set the Closing of Title at which time, keys will be exchanged!

As a Buyer or Seller in New Jersey, it's important to note that The Role Of The Real Estate Attorney is to represent you in the legal matters concerning the Transaction.

If you or someone you know is planning a Move or Sale of their home in the near future, call your Pascack Valley experts, Lisa & Bob Hammerstein at (201)218-6802 or visit us on our website at www.HammersTeam.com. We'll be able to help you if you're Moving or selling in any of the Pascack Valley towns in Bergen County New Jersey.


For more Local Information about the Pascack Valley area of Bergen County, New Jersey, call Bob & Lisa at (201)218-6802or visit us online at www.HammersTeam.com.

Your Real Estate Resource for the Pascack Valley!

__________________________________________________________________

Robert & Lisa Hammerstein • Sales Associates • Coldwell Banker • (201)315-8618

• Address • 50 Broadway • Hillsdale, NJ 07642 •

Are You a Good Home Owner? | Pascack Valley Real Estate

Have you been a good Homeowner?


The other day, I went to Lisa with a concern I had about something I had noticed on our Boiler. Now I'm not what I would refer to as a "Handy Homeowner". But it occurred to me that what I am is what I would refer to as a "Good Homeowner". I am constantly keeping an eye on things in the house and watching what is going on with all the major components. Just before Easter, I happened to look under the Kitchen Sink only to notice a small leak. In record time I called in our Plumber and found that I had indeed averted a possible Springtime Catastrophe with a connection from my dishwasher! That was scary!

So as Real Estate Agents that are also Homeowners I would like to share our following list of the key components that made it to "Bob's List" of things to do!

1. Hot Water Heaters - There may be differences in opinion on the life expectancy of a HWH but if you ever have one leak into your Basement you'll have wished that you took note of this.

2. Furnace/Boilers - You'll find it's well worth the time to learn which type you have and how you can maintain it properly. We have a Gas Boiler and I keep an eye on the temperature & put oil into the circulators twice a year if you have this type of Boiler. Nowadays newer boilers are pretty much maintenance free though.

3. Plumbing - Something as simple as keeping an eye on the pipes in the Basement to make sure there are no leaks that may be lurking could save you from experiencing a Basement Flood. If your drains are slow, calling in a plumber to find out if the drains need snaking can avoid a future problem.

4. Roof - Step outside and stand back to take inventory of how your Roof looks. Are there areas with moss build-up or signs of mold?

5. Gutters - I clean our Gutters a minimum of twice a year. We've attended many inspections where the Inspector has made recommendations to simply keep the Gutters clean to avoid water build-up in and around the Foundation of the home. Diverting rain water away from your home is crucial.

6. Attics/Crawlspaces - These spaces can be overlooked because most people don't have cause to visit those areas often. But at least twice a year, take a peek in those dark spaces where animals and bugs might be lurking.

7. Basement- If your home has one, finished or not, keep an eye on it. Like Attics, you may not visit your Basement often but if you have one, chances are there are some Major items to keep an eye on down there. Like settlement cracks and moisture effervescence forming on the foundation walls. You may want to think about waterproofing paint as well.

8. Windows & Doors - Are they keeping the drafts out? Do they need fresh caulking?

9. Trees & Landscaping - It's not just for fun! Make sure that trees are not growing too close to your home or your neighbor's home. Don't allow your landscaping to go without attention for too long or bad things could happen. Termites live in the ground and love certain types of Mulch. Keep the landscaping trimmed and leaves cleaned up around the house.

10. Fireplaces- For Woodburning varieties, it's important for the safety of your home to have your chimney cleaned and checked annually. Creosote can build up in your chimney and ignite, causing a Chimney Fire. The mortar on the outside Chimney should be observed from time to time as well as this can deteriorate. And don't forget to inspect the inside of your fireplace as well for mortar problems. Sometimes it may need some patching.

11. Electrical - Do all of your outlets and switches work? Are there any wires that need the attention of an electrician?

12. Appliances- Clothes dryers should have their lint traps cleaned after every use. Most people aren't aware how important it is to turn your water off (after each use) that is hooked up to your Washing Machine. Many are just a rubber hose and this item can be so worn over time that it explodes and empties gallons of water into your Basement! We would recommend using steel reinforced hoses for safety and reliability.

13. Smoke & C.O. Detectors - If you have Battery operated types, changing the battery at Day Light Savings Time and Fall Back time is a good way to remind you to take care of this important and simple task.

14. Porches & Stoops - You may have a Wood type that should be maintained by painting or just keeping clean. Your Brick stoop has mortar that should be visually inspected for wear and water seepage.

When a Home is Listed for Sale, the Buyers will most likely hire their own Home Inspector to check on all of the key components of the home. However, if you are a Seller thinking of Selling a Home, it would be prudent to hire a Home Inspector to avoid possible problems in the transaction.

Not all Home Inspectors will have the same opinion of course but being a "Good Homeowner" and taking the extra measure of being aware, may just be the ticket to a "smooth transaction". Even if you are not thinking of buying or selling, keep your Family safe & happy, like I do - it doesn't take much effort. Just ask yourself are you a "Good Homeowner"?

For more information on homes in the Pascack Valley area of Bergen County, New Jersey call Bob & Lisa at

(201)218-6802. Or visit us at http://www.hammersteam.com/ - your Real Estate Resource!

______________________________________________________

Robert and Lisa Hammerstein • Sales Associates • Coldwell Banker • (201)315-8618

• Address • 50 Broadway • Hillsdale, NJ 07642 •

Park Ridge | New Jersey | Small Town Americana

Park Ridge New Jersey Real Estate Market Update!

Park Ridge, New Jersey - Small Town Americana

Take your time when you're entering this 2.6 square mile tiny Residential Community in the Pascack Valley or you may just miss it! Yes, it's tiny but it's small town features are what draws people to this town. Although it's small in size, the town where former President & Mrs. Nixon once resided, has an understated sense of grandeur.

Home of the Luxury Townhome Complex called the "Bear's Nest", for those who seek privacy with that sense of Small Town Americana with a touch of class, have found it here in the town of Park Ridge.
One of those units listed and sold by the HammersTeam. Special Features of which were:
•· Gated Community
•· Elevator to all levels inside Unit
•· Corner Curio Cabinets in LR/DR area
•· Recessed Lighting throughout
•· Entry Foyer w/Coat Closet
•· One Car Garage with Automatic Opener
•· Central Air Conditioning
•· Finished Walk-out Basement w/Wet Bar
•· Cathedral Ceiling in Master Bedroom
•· Two Decks w/Sliders- MBR & Dining Room
•· Two Fireplaces - Living Room (gas),
Family Room (wood burning)
•· Main Level & 2nd Level wired for Sound System
•· Finished Loft w/Wet Bar,Cathedral Ceiling w/Skylight
•· Outdoor Patio through Sliders in FamRm
•· Master Bedroom Suite w/Custom Walk-in Closet and Master Bath w/Jacuzzi & Shower Stall
•· Crowne Molding throughout
•· Painted in Neutral tones
•· Central Vacuum System
•· Security System
Easy Living..... Comfort & Style define this beautiful home in this exclusive community!
Price furnished upon request
All Information deemed reliable, subject to Errors and/or Omissions.
Room Sizes are approximate
Bears Nest Amenities
Gated Community
Tennis Court
Outdoor Pool
Exercise Room w/Sauna
Health Club
Pets O.K.
Grounds care
Snow & Leaf removal
For additional Information about the Bears Nest Call: (201)391-5497


The Borough has exhibited extraordinary independence offering it's residents their own electric and water utility at some of the lowest rates in the State. The town also has it's own highly rated school system with two elementary schools for children attending k-6 and a single Jr/Sr High School for 7-12th grade students.




Commuters enjoy the same Pascack Valley Train Line at the town's center with yet another of the Valley's quaint Train Stations. Commuters also have access to Local Buses carrying commuters to NYC.

Other noteworthy features Park Ridge offers it's residents is an Olympic sized Municipal Pool as well as a 12 acre pond which also doubles as an attractive Park area.

So this town may be small in size but one can see that it is large in quality. It's no wonder the residents are so delighted with their piece of "Small Town Americana"!

Residential homes in Park Ridge currently range in price from approximately $329,000 for First Time Home Buyers up to $1,089,000. Currently there are 32 Homes on the market in Park Ridge.

An example of one of those homes sold by HammersTeam was a delightful Ranch set on a quiet tree-lined cul-de-sac pictured here.

For more details about the Borough of Park Ridge, call Lisa and Bob today at (201)218-6802

__________________________________________________________________

Robert and Lisa Hammerstein • Sales Associates • Coldwell Banker • (201)315-8618

• Address • 50 Broadway • Hillsdale, NJ 07642 •

Pascack Valley NJ | Success of a Realtor

Success Is Just A Frame Of Mind
I've been a Realtor since the late 90's and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had. In fact, when I follow the ripple effect, I find there are usually more transactions that result from the success of a single contact. We have listed properties where the listing generated a contact with a buyer that purchased something else and so on and so forth. My husband and I have been a team since the early 2000's when he joined me to form the HammersTeam.

We're in a service business of helping people so as long as we've helped someone and were able to earn a living doing it that counts as a double success in our book! We both feel so blessed by having the ability to work together on a daily basis in assisting others recognizing their dreams of home ownership. We focus on old fashioned customer service when working with our customers. We add the most up to date technology possible and together it has blended to become a marriage of success for our clients. It's a great feeling to help others and we can't imagine doing anything else!
Your Pascack Valley, NJ Real Estate source. http://www.hammersteam.com/

_______________________________________

Robert and Lisa Hammerstein • Sales Associates • Coldwell Banker • (201)315-8618

• Address • 50 Broadway • Hillsdale, NJ 07642 •