Single Family Home Archives - Living in Millburn-Short Hills NJ

Waiving Your Appraisal On Your Home In Maplewood NJ

April 16, 2015 by rbenjamin Leave a Comment

The famous Maplewood resident, William Shakespeare, once said, prior to buying a home in Maplewood, “To waive or not to waive the appraisal contingency in Maplewood—that is the question.” And William (or Willy as the guys at the deli called him) pondered this for years. What if the appraisal is low? Or, what if the appraisal is wrong? Because he wasn’t using the top real estate agent in Maplewood, he kept losing in bidding wars. Evidently he was busy writing some histories and tragedies, and some sonnets, to seek out sound real estate advice. What a sucker.

It could have been so simple. The truth is, appraisers make mistakes. We all make mistakes. Something as simple as marking off the wrong amount of bedrooms or baths, an incorrect lot size or home square footage, are all things that could throw off an appraisal. So, you ask for a new one. The second option is the price could be reduced to the appraised value and the sale moves on. Or, the buyers put more money in escrow. Lastly, buyers and sellers split it down the middle.

But you don’t have to go down that route, whether you’re a buyer or a seller. Because there are people who can council you, who know the market and what a home in Maplewood actually cost, who have done all of the analysis, and know the ins and outs of real estate in Maplewood. There is Robin Benjamin, the top real estate agent in Maplewood. So, there’s no reason to let a great deal go afoul (Willy’s favorite word) because of an appraisal. We shan’t allow it. We shan’t!

Look, sellers are people. Buyers are people. Even lenders are people (kind of), and as people we can communicate our needs, wants, desires, and not lose great deals and dream homes because of a house being appraised incorrectly. We don’t have to waste everyone’s time and money, and we can get to the business, whether that’s doing the appraisal or not. But listen to her. She knows. The top real estate agent in Maplewood can help you, by communicating and telling the truth of what a home in Maplewood costs, and what a good deal is. We’re all people, and Robin Benjamin works on both sides, seller and buyer.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the good life. “Living in Maplewood,” as Shakespeare said, is “such stuff as dreams are made on.”

Living in Maplewood and Owning Your Home Just Got Easier

February 27, 2015 by rbenjamin Leave a Comment

It’s a great time for Millburn-Short Hills and Maplewood millennial home buyers. Mortgage rates are around 3%. The Federal Housing Administration has lowered mortgage insurance premiums. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have reduced minimum down payment requirements from 5% to 3%.

Because of the Great Recession, many people now in their late 20s and early 30s have put off purchasing property. In the past, first-time buyers made up about 38% to 40% of home purchases. Over the past several years, however, that rate has been significantly lower, in some places by as much as 10 percentage points.

For many who have been living in the Millburn-Short Hills area and renting, buying a home is looking better and better. As rents rise and jobs stabilize, the numbers start to tip in favor of buying, and young professionals find themselves touring a Maplewood home or a Millburn-Short Hills Colonial. From sunny Los Angeles to snowy Virginia, agents are reporting a distinct increase in young clients looking to buy for the first time.

There’s a lot to be said for living in Maplewood and for owning your own home. Our community is bustling and there is so much to enjoy! If you commute, its proximity to transit is another huge plus. As an agent who’s been selling homes in this area for years, I can help you find the home of your dreams and a smart way to pay for it!

First-Time Home Buyers Guide to Maplewood Homes

January 27, 2015 by rbenjamin Leave a Comment

Congratulations on the decision to buy your first home! You’re making a great choice by checking out Maplewood homes and Short Hills real estate. I’ve helped many first-time buyers over the years. Here are a few things to know and think over as you start the home buying process.

The first thing to think about is your price range. Before the financial crash, banks were handing out home loans like hotcakes. This proved to be a pretty bad idea. In general, financial experts advised that housing costs shouldn’t take up more than 30 to 35% of your gross income. Keep in mind that maintenance costs are going to come up, too. When you’re making your new monthly budget, it’s a good idea to set aside an amount to cover things like calling a plumber or roof repair or hiring landscapers. Be realistic about what you can afford. Use the mortgage calculator on the home page to get an idea of the possibilities. Check with a lender to get a pre-approval before you start shopping.

Remember that there are great tax benefits to homeownership. The 2009 stimulus tax credit has expired, but you can deduct your mortgage interest and property taxes from your gross income. This means lower federal taxes. In New Jersey, property taxes up to $10,000 are completely deductible. Keep these deductions in mind when you compare the costs of owning with the costs of renting.

Finally, use your imagination. I see so many first-time buyers who will pass up a great house in their price range in the right place, just because there’s a small defect or oddity. These people don’t realize how much small changes, like new paint or carpet or other small remodeling projects can change how a house looks and functions. Keep an open mind as you tour Maplewood homes. Your dream house is waiting for you!

Walk Your Dog and Search for Homes in Millburn

October 17, 2012 by rbenjamin 1 Comment

As the weather cools near New Jersey homes with the introduction of Fall, pet owners and their four-legged friends may find themselves trying to eek out the last rays of sunshine. Once the opportunity of running through the park and jumping in the many leaves or maybe taking longer walks now that it’s not quite so hot out passes, it may be harder to entertain your pet.

In case you are are wondering what you are going to do for activity with your “best friend,” I wanted to clue you in to some “pet-friendly” establishments. Finding a place for you and your dog to watch the world go by can be almost as challenging as trying to search for homes in Millburn without an expert like me. 😉

So, while this list is short, it gives you a few places to visit that will have you and your pooch enjoying the sunshine near your Millburn/Short Hills home.

If you’re willing to chance the elements, the following outdoor trails are always worth exploring, too, if the weather is warm enough.

To learn more about my favorite places to take my pup and why or to search for a home in Millburn or Shorthills, give me a call at 973.202.7270

Spring & Summer in Millburn-Short Hills: The Perfect Time to Host a Neighborhood Sale

June 24, 2012 by rbenjamin 1 Comment

As the weather warms, so does the chance for a successful neighborhood sale in Millburn-Short Hills. No matter what you call it, be it a yard sale, garage sale, tag sale, or estate sale – the goal is the same – to sell unwanted items and in turn beautify your home and clear your space!

Whether you are trying to reduce your clutter or are using your yard sale as an opportunity prior to moving from your home, the following ideas may help you earn a bit more and increase the amount of items removed.

However, before you start sorting through your items, approach your local real estate agent and ask for help. Whether you need additional signage or specific advice on items that make for a great sale in your area, Short Hills real estate agents are a great resource, because they KNOW your area. If you are selling your home, your agent will likely be very involved as your yard sale can gain exposure for your home and let the neighborhood know you are placing it for sale.

Using the following ideas, you can plan for success in your neighborhood sale and have fun while doing it. Involve neighbors and your family and decide how you will devote the money raised at the sale to generate even more enthusiasm. Perhaps you are saving for a trip or need to pay bills or just want a new piece of furniture for your home, no matter the cause, uniting to meet it will energize your efforts to ensure your success.

Market Your Sale
Use advertising and colorful signs. Be clear on the address, day of sale and hours. Plan to set up items well ahead of your scheduled time, as many buyers will show up 15-20 minutes early and you want to be ready for them!

Set Your Prices Low
Price everything to sell with permanent black markers, using sticker tags or blankets where every item located in that area is the same price. If multiple families are involved make sure that is indicated with a letter or color to give proper credit.

Be Organized
Display items neatly and similar items together to give an organized feel on tables. Label sizes on clothing and place like items together. Dishes are often better sold as sets, such as 6 glasses or 10 plates for a set price, rather than individually. If your items are displayed as clutter, people will be less likely to want to bring them into their homes.

Pay Attention to the Season
In summer boogie boards, wetsuits and sunglasses will be a big hit, skis not so much. However in the fall, unopened items, warm clothing and snow gear will go fast!

Make Sure Items Work
Safely extend an electrical cord into your buying zone so buyers can test appliances and other items. You may also want to have test batteries available, if needed.

Plan to Package & Sell
Have bags and wrapping supplies available for securing breakables and allowing buyers to easy carry their purchased items. Also, make sure you have a petty cash center that has a full-time attendant. Small bills and lots of change are a must for any garage sale so plan accordingly.

Decide What You Are Selling
Fast selling items often include jars and bottles, clothing, collectibles and antiques, unopened puzzles, jewelry, dishes, camping items, books, toys and dolls, and homemade treasures.

Need Ideas For Your Kids?
If you have a child or teen who likes to sew, have them spend some time crafting dresses for dolls or aprons with spare material. If beads or stamps are rampant in your house, have your children make bracelets or cards to generate some extra money and get the thrill of entrepreneurship.

When The Sale Ends – Let It All Go.
Once your sale is over, pack remaining items into boxes and immediately take to your local donation center, unless you have scheduled an organization to pick up your items directly. That way, you can enjoy the money you’ve made AND the peace of mind knowing that the items will not return to your tidy home.

Ready Set Organize is a local company owned and operated by a friend of mine Pam Carson,that will get ALL of this done for you and MORE!

If you would like to learn more about my local community or discover the meaning behind A New Suburbanism click here or contact me at 973.202.7270

In Millburn/Short Hills:Codes and You – Scan One Now & See

June 20, 2012 by rbenjamin 1 Comment

Have you noticed the odd bar code boxes showing up on Millburn /Short Hills real estate signage and flyers lately? Do you recognize them as QR codes? Are you shaking your head wondering what a QR code actually is and does? Do you have a smartphone?

A QR code is very similar to a UPC bar code that is used in pretty much every store, from where you buy your groceries to where you shop for clothes. It gives detailed product information. In a matter of seconds, using your smartphone, you can get all the information you desire on the item at no cost and with less hassle.

With a QR code, you can read about the product, including a home for sale, using your smart phone easily and fuss free. You can efficiently scan the “house for sale” flyer you found on your doorknob or the for sale sign of the home next door to your daughter and discover the details of the home without having to make a phone call. You can be directed to a real estate website that will show you more homes and other resources, too, if you desire.

As a real estate agent, I enjoy QR codes because they allow me to “show” you the house BEFORE we even talk. You can view pictures, videos, floorplans, community information and status – everything you want to know – instantly. I personally dislike having to wait for a call back when I want information, so I use QR codes to make sure you can find out what you need to know, when you want to know it!

So, please let me know what you think. I value your opinion and wanted to educate you on what and why those little fuzzy boxes exist. Do you love QR codes, too, or would you rather see my picture on a sign instead? Maybe both? 🙂

Open House Success in Millburn/Short Hills: Begins with Trust

June 12, 2012 by rbenjamin 1 Comment

When you are buying a home or listing your home for sale in the Millburn/Short Hills area , you have a lot to consider. If you are buying, you will no doubt be viewing and walking through many Open Houses in Millburn/Short Hills in search for the one that makes you feel “at home.” If you are selling your home, you will need to make your home feel less “yours” so that it can appeal to buyers.

Both of these situations can be emotionally challenging and so it really helps to have a trusted friend with experience in your area, namely a knowledgable Short Hills Real Estate Agent, at your side through the process.

A real estate agent has more experience than you when it comes to knowing how to market or discriminate between homes in your area. Trust your agent to have your best interests in mind so that you can utilize that knowledge. This is especially true when it comes to open houses!

Work with and listen to your agent’s suggestions to meet with the most success (and follow my advice in this post).

Staging A Successful Open House

First off, make sure the interior of your home is clean and de-cluttered! If it is in your budget, consider removing the bulk of your house contents to an alternate location. Your ultimate goal as a seller is to move, so start packing – it will help your home to sell more quickly! Consider the model home concept that new builders use and set that as the goal for your home – neutral, tasteful, open.

Make sure the outside looks great, both in regards to your property, and your neighbors’ homes. Does your street look safe, well-kept and friendly? If not, brainstorm about what you can do to achieve a friendly neighborhood feel. Maybe you can offer to help trim or mow your neighbor’s lawn or put away their trash cans, resulting in a more attractive canvas for your home. Check that your for sale sign is standing straight and tall and consider adding a few balloons (bright colors) to attract even more attention.

Speaking of neighbors, invite them! This is an opportunity to hand-pick a new neighbor, and they can have a say in it by inviting they’re interested friends. Plus it will create a buzz, increase positive energy, and make sure your open house is well attended. If you have a neighbor who has listed their home, be sure to visit their open house, too, so you can see what your home is being compared against. In including your neighbors you may actually find that they are more than willing to assist you with your open house with small favors like making sure there is ample street parking or repairing a broken brick planter. Ask your agent for the best way to handle this as it depends on the area – it might be better to host an early preview for neighbors for homes where a huge turn-out is expected.

Since you’ve invited your neighbors to stop by, make sure you have fresh-baked goods (and their accompanying aroma) present in your home as a thank you for visiting. Nothing says “home” better than the smell of vanilla and cinnamon. If you are unable to do this, do NOT resort to air fresheners as many people are allergic to them. Ask your real estate agent for advice on dealing with the odors in your home well before the open house occurs.

Please feel free to add your comments on what you feel makes your Millburn/Short Hills Open Houses more valuable to you as a home buyer and seller, too. I’d love to learn from you! Consult with me for other more specific suggestions on how to make YOUR open house more successful – as each home uses a different approach. You’ll be glad you did!

If you would like to learn more about my local community or discover the meaning behind A New Suburbanism click here or contact me at 973.202.7270

In Chatham NJ: Deciding Between Buying a Home or Buying a Condo?

June 5, 2012 by rbenjamin 1 Comment

In your search for the right home, you will likely be doing a lot of footwork and analysis. Before you begin looking at actual homes in Chatham NJ, it is wise to determine how much home you can afford and the level of maintenance you desire. In doing so, you may find that the new home that best fits you is not a traditional single family house, but instead a home in a planned community or a condominium.

Your location, city or suburbs, is largely determined by your lifestyle and occupational needs. Cost is always as factor, as well, since living in the city often means less space for the same amount of money. Less space may lead to you exploring the condominium home market and the benefits and challenges that condo life introduces to home ownership.

When buying a condo, you often need to consider Homeowner Association (HOA) fees as you will be sharing the costs of overall property maintenance, along with the decision making power to make any changes on the property. For this reason it is extremely important that you review all Homeowners Association bylaws before making a condominium or planned community purchase.

Ask yourself these questions – to determine what type of property you value most.

Proximity – Where do spend your time? Where do you want to live? What type of housing is available in that location in your price range?
Neighbors – Would you prefer them to share your walls or need more separation? Would you prefer more privacy than condo life can offer?
Control – Do you like to share control over home matters or be the final authority? Do you care if you need to ask permission before making a change to your deck or paint?
Upkeep – Do you like the idea of a garden or would you rather never weed again? Yard maintenance handled by an association is a prime benefit for many condo owners.
Price – Can you afford the home? If there are association fees, are they reasonable?

Whichever type of home you decide to pursue in Chatham NJ, asking these questions will help you feel secure in the knowledge that your new home is suited to you and your specific needs. Happy house hunting!

In Millburn/Short Hills: If a Lender Pulls My Credit, Won’t it Lower My Credit Score?

June 1, 2012 by rbenjamin 1 Comment

Are you pre-approved for your home purchase?

If not, you need to be, and no, it won’t affect your credit rating.

In today’s real estate market, serious Millburn/Short Hills buyers know that the home buying process cannot begin in earnest until they are pre-approved, not pre-qualified for a mortgage. Pre-qualification is based upon “stated” numbers regarding monthly revolving debt, income, and other general information whereas pre-approval is based on verified facts. In the verification process for pre-approval lenders must make inquiries on employment and even check your credit score.

Luckily the Fair Credit Reporting Act recognizes this as a permissible and valid reason for a company to access your credit and it will NOT affect your credit rating or score. Mortgage lenders can run a “soft” credit check, sometimes called a “quotation check” to verify your credit worthiness and pre-approve you for home purchase. It is also interesting to note that multiple lenders can do this (within a 14 day period) without it affecting your credit score, if you want to compare loans. You can also check your own credit report as many times as you would like without causing harm in the same manner. In fact, before meeting with a lender or considering purchasing a home, you should evaluate your credit report and make sure it is error free.

Other types of credit inquiries CAN affect your credit report, so refrain from opening lines of credit at clothing, furnishing stores or car dealerships and other installment retailers until your loan is funded. Credit inquiries account for less than 10% of your overall credit score, but it is still not worth the risk when purchasing a home is in your near future. To keep yourself credit-worthy, make your payments on time, continually strive to increase your income, and make sure the monthly amount accessed on each of your credit cards is less than 30%. These proactive measures will go a long way to helping you secure the loan you need and the home in Millburn/Short Hills that you want.

In A Hurry To Sell Your Millburn-Short Hills Home?

May 31, 2012 by rbenjamin 1 Comment

If you are considering listing your Millburn-Short Hills home for sale, recent market studies have indicated that we are entering a seller’s market, so your timing could be perfect! A decrease in inventory in the housing market is good news if you need or want to sell your home quickly.

As a home seller, there are three areas where you can have major impact when selling your home.

Of course the appeal of your home is a prime consideration, but did you realize that the marketing efforts and pricing are key as well?

Price to Sell and Expect Results!

When time is of the essence, be careful not to set your price too high. Even if your home is “worth” more than your neighbor’s or “seems” like it should bring a high price, be realistic and aggressive in your pricing. Remember that home searches are typically focused on price, and plan accordingly. Would you rather only appeal to the $500,000 buyer when your home is worth $505,000, or open your options to the buyer who has a search parameter set at $499,000? The key here is exposure – when time is short, you want as many buyers as possible viewing your property! Price your home to sell and look forward to a quick sale and multiple offers.

Harness the Power of the Internet to Sell Your Home Fast!

Recent surveys report that 86% of home buyers begin their search on the web. Your home needs to be there, as well. In addition to having a listing page with property details, consider resources such as Craigslist, Realtor.com, and other sources throughout the internet. Ask about syndicating your home listing to make sure it gets as much exposure as possible.

In your listing marketing efforts, don’t forget pictures – lots of them! Buyers in the Millburn-Short Hills area want to “see” what is available before comparing homes in person. Make sure your photos are attractive and will sell your home. In doing so, you create a connection with your buyer before the home has even been visited.

Clutter-free and Clean Make For a Speedy Sale!

Look through your home with a critical eye. Minor repairs and touch-ups should be done to create a well-maintained look and your home needs to be very clean. Remove furniture and clutter as necessary. An orderly home is a home that sells fast!