Prioritizing Your Home Search for Buying Success

“You can’t always get what you want…..but if you try sometime, you just might find….. you get what you need.”   Rolling Stones.

I work with a lot of first time home buyers.  I love the reward of having someone realize their dream of home ownership.  I also enjoy explaining the home buying process  because it involves so much more minutia than people anticipate.   My back ground in mortgage lending taught me to be detail oriented, and that helps me help my customers sort through their own details in the home buying process. 

Many potential buyers are not aware of the right questions to ask during a home search, or they may forget because the list is long and personal to each buyer.   This is completely normal.  

To begin, buyers needs to come up with a realistic wish list of what they seek in a home.  Your agent will work with you on this list to help narrow down the home search within a few key categories, as follows: 

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1.      Location. 
Think about 1) where you want to live, visually;  2) where you would want your children to attend school;  3) how far you are willing to commute to work  and;  4) how available you would like shopping to be.  Do you need school busing or public transportation?  Prioritize what’s most important in this list.    Visit town websites to get a feel for the community.  Take a drive.  Ask your agent for school information.   If commuting is key;  do a ‘dry run’ during rush hour before you settle on a town.     A Sunday drive to look at homes is not a Monday morning commute.

2.      Space and amenities.   I ask my customers what is most important to them in a home and the answers vary as the dialogue progresses.    Your agent will help make a list of what you want and then prioritize what matters most.    For example, I discovered in conversation with a customer that her sons visited often for dinner.   For her, having a place for a dining room table was on the top of her list.   She also needed a double width area to park cars.   In fact, the ability to park was more important than having a garage.   Our discussion helped narrow down the home search, which saved us time.   In fact, in this case, my customers bought the first home I showed them because it fit their criteria and they were ready to buy.

3.      Condition.   Do you want a home in move in condition, or are you willing to live with an outdated home and work on it over time?   There are loans available that allow a buyer to finance the purchase price plus the cost of improvements in one mortgage.    You may have more options than you think. 

4.      Style.   Does it matter if the master bedroom is on a different floor than the other bedrooms?   Do you prefer one-floor living?   Knowing this upfront will help your agent select appropriate homes for you.

Be realistic.    Unless you have unlimited resources, you will need to prioritize your wish list.  Your agent’s job is to provide you with a reality check of what you can afford versus what you desire in a home.    I use a questionnaire to help my customers prioritize their housing needs so that I can make the home search as efficient as possible.   Also, with today’s technology, I can videotape the inside of a home with my phone or IPAD and send it to my customer in advance of a showing.   This minimizes their need to ‘drop everything’ because I can literally bring the house to them.  In fact, I have had buyers make offers on homes based upon what I could show them using my IPAD.   The bottom line is, a good agent will conduct a home search in a manner that works for you, so communication is important.  

Financing.    Unless you are paying cash, this is actually the first and most important step any home buyer should take before house hunting.   Rely on your agent for a few referrals for mortgage lenders. You must be pre-qualified for a loan before you can make an offer on a home.  Therefore, you need to be pre-qualified for financing before you begin your home search.  At the same time, you don't want to visit several lenders who will pull your credit without having a sense of the type of property you seek.   What you can afford is largely determined by the real estate taxes you will pay, so start with your agent and allow him or her to guide the process.

The home buying process is often emotional and can be stressful, so rely on your agent take the stress off of you.   Be honest about the things you like and don't like.    Be realistic about what you can buy based upon what you can afford.   Let your agent know how you prefer to communicate (email or phone) and your availability to see homes.    Finding your first home does not have to be a strenuous process with the right agent and an organized home search.

Annmarie Cristiani

Sales Associate

REMAX Traditions Real Estate

201-815-7861 cell

www.househunter99.com

Advice for Landlords: Fair Housing guidelines

Did you know that if you are a landlord (herein meaning a man or woman) your rental investment is a commodity?  After all, the purpose of having a residential unit to rent is to make money.  However, many landlords think of their investment unit as a personal possession.  It is not.   Once a lease is signed, the possession of the commodity belongs to the tenant for the term of the lease.  Even when a lease is not signed, an offer to rent falls under Fair Housing Guidelines.  

I am using the word ‘commodity’ to bring to the attention of everyone the laws of Fair Housing.  The state of NJ has laws in place that are more protective than even Federal guidelines. 

HOW TO CHOOSE A TENANT:

When a landlord is choosing a tenant, there are only a few measures of risk to assess and none of them are personal.  

1.      Can the tenant pay?  The source of the payment is inconsequential.  It can be child support, cash in the bank or a steady job.  Money is green.  If the tenant can demonstrate an ability to pay, the means (so long as they are legal) can’t be critiqued. 

2.      Has the tenant demonstrated a willingness to pay?  This can be determined by running a credit report on the prospective tenant.  The NJ Tenant’s Rights Book addresses a landlord’s ability to deny housing based upon a poor credit history.  It does not indicate that a lack of credit is a factor.   

3.      Is the tenant able to enter into a contract?   If the tenant is of legal age and of sound mind, the tenant is a viable candidate. 

These are all the measures a landlord can use to select a tenant.  

THE LANDLORD/TENANT INTERVIEW

Landlords need to be very careful about the wording they use when interviewing a tenant.  For example, it’s not okay to assume a twenty-something year old, single tenant will have parties and make noise.   This is a presumption that discriminates against an age group.

·         It is not okay to deny a single mom and children housing over a presumption the children will be loud or because the thought of scampering feet overhead troubles you.

·         It is not okay to dismiss tenants because of sexual orientation, marital status or the size or make up of a family.

·         It is not okay to accept a married couple over a couple who is co-habitating, or a person who is single. 

·         It is not okay to select fewer tenants per unit because of ‘wear and tear’ if the unit is capable of the capacity.

It is okay to give a consistent, factual message to EVERY applicant that is relevant to the lease or town ordinances.

For example, it’s okay to tell EVERYONE who is interested that the town has a noise ordinance if one exists.  It is not okay to simply tell one age group under a presumption of behavior.

It is okay to understand and relay the town or state fire code when it comes to occupancy per square footage. 

FAIR HOUSING AND TENANT’S RIGHTS

The state of NJ makes Fair Housing guidelines very clear through the Attorney General’s Memorandum.   Anyone who offers housing for sale or rent falls under these guidelines.   A Landlord is obligated to treat the rental unit as the commodity it is- and personal preferences of a tenant are not allowed.

It is a real estate agents obligation to terminate a listing when he or she suspects the landlord is not willing to abide by Fair Housing guidelines.   Agents take a sworn oath and their licenses are on the line.  In any event, the objective of the agent is to secure housing for people at large. 

If you are a landlord or tenant, it is important to understand your rights and obligations.

HIRE A REAL ESTATE AGENT

Hiring a real estate agent to rent the space is a smart idea.  It creates a third party to find tenants via the multiple listing services, which is accessible to all.  Your agent will run a credit report on the prospect, verify employment (or assets to pay) and arrange an interview for you.    It takes the pressure off you, as a landlord and enables a broader scope of exposure to the listing.  Further, in most instances, the tenant pays the real estate commission; not the landlord.   Commission in NJ is negotiable.

IF YOU NEED LEGAL ADVICE, ASK AN ATTORNEY

I am not an attorney, this information is not legal advice, and it is always wise to check with your own attorney to clarify any questions you have.  You can and should also check out this important booklet which must be given to any prospective tenant and should be read by all tenants and landlords.

Truth in Renting- State of NJ

If you have a home or apartment to rent in northern NJ, or if you are looking to rent, please give me a call.  I would be happy to help.

Annmarie Cristiani
Sales Associate
RE/MAX Traditions Real Estate
201-815-7861

201-337-6600
annmarie.cristiani@gmail.com

www.househunter99.com

What is a Final Walk Through and When Should You Do It?

A final walk through is a buyer's option stipulated in your sales contract.    It means you get to go back into the property the morning of, or a few days prior to,  closing to be sure that what you are buying is what you are getting.    

For example, let's say you negotiated with the seller that he would keep the chandelier in place as part of the sales contract.   What might occur if you close on the property, take the keys, and then go to your new home with a missing chandelier?  You would not be too happy.

Several years ago, before I was a licensed agent, my husband and I bought a home from an estate.   The house was vacant with just some odds and ends laying around, and so we did not feel compelled to do a walk through.  What a mistake.  The home was a cape cod style with eves upstairs for storage.  In those eves, post closing, I found about two hundred hangers and garbage.  I had to clean it.

Also consider this.   The plants and trees in the ground, at the time you signed the contract, are part of the real estate.   There have been instances when the sellers cut trees down or took bushes with them prior to closing.   In one case of which I am aware, a seller cut down two beautiful trees that adorned the sides of the front driveway leading to the home.  The buyer loved the trees.   After closing, the buyers discovered the trees were gone.   In this case, the seller had to make restitution because the buyer took him to court.   He could not replant the trees, but he did have to reimburse the buyer several thousands dollars for their value. 

Most often, everything is fine during a walk through and it's a formality, but why take that chance?  This is likely the largest purchase you will make.  Conducting a walk through is your right - so take it, and be sure you are getting what you agreed to buy.

Annmarie Cristiani

REMAX Traditions Real Estate

househunter99.com

201-815-7861

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Looking for landlords in Mahwah , Society Hill, and area

RENTED!!!!   

Rentals are really hot right now.  I have a unit listed at Society Hill in Mahwah that is in the process of having a lease signed, for $1425, and I have a line of renters out the door ready to take this tenants place.  If you are a condominium/ townhouse owner and are considering renting your place in the Mahwah area, please let me know.  

• I have a renter who is a business professional, living in a hotel who will pay 6 months rent in advance and move in within a few days.
• I have three separate renters who can move in June 1st.
• I have a line of real estate agents with renters who seek the same.

Remember, if you are a landlord, you typically do not pay anything to have your place rented.  The commission is typically paid by the tenant. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by getting a qualified tenant in your place as soon as possible.

Annmarie Cristiani

Sales Associate

REMAX Traditions Real Estate

201-815-7861 cell

annmarie.cristiani@gmail.com

visit my website

Beautiful one bedroom rental in Mahwah Society Hill available ASAP!

Click here for more pics! This won't last!

SPARKLING, MODERN, CLASSY AND ELEGANT -THIS COMPLETELY RENOVATED, CORNER RESIDENCE IS WAITING FOR A TENANT WHO WILL ENJOY THE LIFESTYLE THAT SOCIETY HILL/KILLMER II HAS TO OFFER. THE NEARBY CLUB HOUSE, POOL AND TENNIS COURTS OFFER AN OPPORTUNITY TO EASILY BECOME A PART OF THIS WONDERFUL COMMUNITY. THIS IS COSMOPOLITAN LIVING IN A COUNTRY CLUB LIKE SETTING NEARBY DINING, SHOPPING, HIKING, SKIING, AND LOCAL HOT SPOTS. THE RESIDENCE HAS BEEN ENTIRELY RENOVATED. THE SLEEK AND MODERN KITCHEN OFFERS NEW, CEILING HEIGHT CABINETS WITH NEW APPLIANCES, NEW COUNTER TOP AND FLOORING. THE UPDATED BATHROOM INCLUDES A NEW VANITY WITH GRANITE COUNTER TOP, A NEWLY TILED BATH AND NEW TILE FLOOR. THE CARPET IN THE BEDROOM AND FLOORING THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE UNIT IS NEW. A LAUNDRY ROOM OFF THE KITCHEN ALONG WITH FIRST FLOOR LIVING MAKE FOR AN EVEN EASIER LIFESTYLE. THIS UNIT TRULY SHINES AND WON'T LAST.



Annmarie Cristiani
Sales Associate
REMAX Traditions Real Estate
201-815-7861

Why Open Houses Matter

There is a lot of buzz among real estate agents about whether or not open houses  matter.  

They do, when they are done correctly.  The results prove this to be the case.  Personally, I bought my own home at an open house.  I have put in offers for my customers as a result of open houses, so I can tell you first hand- THEY WORK.   

Why and how?

1.  The most activity your home will see is in the first two weeks it hits the market.  EXPOSURE sells.  Why would you limit exposure to your property if your objective is to sell your house?

2.  Today's buyers are different than those from a few years ago who were 'sort of looking around."  There is pent up demand in the market and inventory is low.  Buyers come qualified, and about 30% of them have cash, according to stats on the NJMLS.

3.  An open house is an opportunity for a PREVIEW EXTRAVAGANZA.  Many agents simply don't like to do open houses and don't market them correctly.  It's an opportunity to create a buzz and draw a crowd.

4. We are seeing bidding wars today, and they occur at an open house frenzy.  Your agent will work with you to arrive at a price and spend the week prior to the open house doing everything to market this special day.   Your neighbors are often a fabulous resource and 'in the know' on who is looking to move into your neighborhood.  Did you ever think to ask your neighbor, "hey, how would you like to choose your next neighbor?"  

5.  It's spring!  Have you seen open houses lately?  Many have had dozens of people come through and produce multiple offers!  It's all in the marketing and exposure.   Why miss out on this opportunity?

Allow your agent to do her/his job and prepare a PREVIEW EXTRAVAGANZA to give your home maximum exposure.   Think of it this way- the more people who see your home, the more potential offers you will have.  EXPOSURE matters.

Annmarie Cristiani, Sales Associate
REMAX Traditions Real Estate
     201-815-7861 cell  
     annmarie.cristiani@gmail.com  

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 DON'T MAKE A MOVE WITHOUT ANNMARIE!

Why your lender matters!!

For buyers, the most important piece of your transaction is your mortgage.  You will shop rate, but let me challenge you by thinking bigger.  Think process and realize your goal is to buy the house.  All things being similar, consider this.

1.  Do you have a loan officer who is licensed as such, specializes in loans and works with your schedule?  Or, do you have the platform person at the bank who sells mortgages and several other products, who is not individually licensed and who does not specialize in lending?

The mortgage  PIECE of the transaction is so important, I will not take a buyer out to see a home UNLESS they are preapproved.  Why would I show them a home I'm not sure they can buy?  It's a disservice to the seller, it's time consuming for me, and it is ultimately not fair to the buyer.   Securing financing is actually the best first step before you house hunt.

A prequal and a preapproval are not the same.  Anyone with a pulse can get a prequal.  It's just a letter that says, "if you provide all your docs and when we eventually  run your credit, if you meet the guidelines you can get a loan".    It means nothing.   Many banks can only issue you a prequal.  They can not review your credit until you have found a home, and their processing staff can't review your information unless you have an application.

However, a preapproval means the buyer has met with a loan officer before the home search, the credit has been reviewed, income and assets were submitted and reviewed, and the lender says, "You qualify.  Go find a house with your agent."   Those are the buyers I work with, and we close on homes successfully because they are truly qualified.

If you were a seller, who would you rather have walking through your door?   When you get an offer, which offer is stronger; the one with the prequal or the one with the actual preapproval?

When considering a loan officer versus a retail bank (or online lender), ask yourself these questions.

1.  How much time do you have?  Gathering your paperwork and following up with a lender can be a part time job.  It is the most paper intensive part of the process of home ownership.  Can you spend time faxing, mailing, driving, sorting through what is required, or do you have a loan officer who will do the leg work for you?

2.  Does the lender allow access to your agent and attorney?  These three advocates work together, as a team, to reach one goal; to get you in into your home.  If the communication is not there, delays are likely to take place. COMMUNICATION IS KEY.

3.  Is the loan processed locally or do you need to send you paperwork to California, on a different time frame, and they work 9-5?  Are the appraisers local?

THINK smart.   A smooth real estate transactions occurs when your advocates (agent, lender, attorney) are able to work well together to reach the ultimate goal.  HOME OWNERSHIP.

It's like the collaborative orchestration of a good basket ball team, as the ball is driven down the court.  It is passed to a team mate, strategically passed again down court, another time, to a team mate by the basket and "BOOM" - in the net.  This play has been practiced by your advocates.  Don't hit the rim for the rebound.  Get the ball in.

HAVE A TEAM DO THE WORK FOR YOU!  Buying a home is stressful enough.  Delegate what you can and allow your trusted advocates to do their job for you.

Annmarie Cristiani
sales associate, REMAX Traditions Real Estate
annmarie.cristiani@gmail.com
201-815-7861
www.househunter99.com

March 2013 real estate report for NJ

Housing trends: According to the NJMLS, there were fewer homes on the market in March of 2013 than March of 2012 (down about 8.5%). 

The number of active listings at the end of March 2013 was down 23% from March, 2012. Values of homes have increased by over 6% since last year at this time. This confirms a trend we hope will continue. 

There are many more buyers than homes to show because there is pent up buyer demand. Mortgage rates remain very low, making home ownership affordable to more people. Conversely, market rent has increased by about 2.5% compared to last March.

All of which means – it’s a great time to buy and a great time to sell. Multiple offers have become routine in this market. Getting in and out of attorney review is nail biting.

If you tried selling a few years ago, but were not successful; now may be the right time.   Call me or send me an email to ask about your home's value.

Annmarie Cristiani
REMAX Traditions Real Estate
201-815-7861
www.househunter99.com
annmarie.cristiani@gmail.com

First-Time Home Buyers: This Spring's 'Wild Card'?

First-Time Home Buyers: This Spring's 'Wild Card'?

Selling on Your Own? Read This First

HOMES SELL FOR TWO REASONS:  PRICE and EXPOSURE.

PRICE:
If you are selling on your own, without using an agent,  you are doing so in order to save on PRICE.   Time is of less concern and the exposure will not be there.

The question is - will you save on price when you lack exposure? 

The answer is NO, in 90% of the cases, according to the National Association of Realtors.  "FSBOs accounted for 10% of home sales in 2011. The typical FSBO home sold for $150,000 compared to $215,000 for agent-assisted home sales." 

Now, let's do the math.  The commission on a $215,000 house (if listed at 5%) is $10,750.    The average home seller actually walks away with MORE money by using a real estate agent.

Further, homes that are priced accurately draw more buyers.  This spring; RIGHT NOW, is a time of multiple bids on homes that are priced correctly.  Multiple bids actually drive the final sales price up, not down.  


EXPOSURE:
Internet
The current stats tell us that 88% of potential home buyers use the Internet for their home search, and 86% also use a real estate agent (according to the National Association of Realtors).   The Internet and use of social media can make your listing viral, but only licensed agents have access to the MLS.  Sites that are available to buyers are not updated, often inaccurate and reach a far smaller audience.   IDX is an option only agents can use.  An Internet Data Exchange (IDX) is a real estate property search site which allows the public to conduct searches of approved Multiple Listing Service properties in a certain area.   It means that, if listed, your home is available for the world to see by cooperating brokers.

Accessibility
Exposure, however, is not limited to the Internet.  Exposure also means your ability, as a seller, to actually show your own home.  Are you home all day, every night and weekend?   How many buyers do you lose because you don't have an agent to expose your home?   If you are limiting your showings   (for example) to Saturday mornings only, from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, you are missing out on a very large buyer pool.  Further, the potential buyer does not want you around while they are looking through the house.    To the buyer, the house is not yours - it's potentially theirs.

Here is the reality and conclusion.  Your home is a commodity,  and it is being sold along side other commodities within your neighborhood.  PRICE and EXPOSURE sell commodities.  When you start to think of your home in this way, you begin to see why a real estate agent can help you get more for this asset.

If you are looking to sell or buy in northern NJ, give me a holler.  I'd be happy to help.

Annmarie Cristiani
Sales Associate
RE/MAX Traditions Real Estate
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Dear current home owners,

 
Contratulations if you wanted to sell your house last year but were not able to because there weren't enough buyers.  You made a smart move by waiting.   The market has changed and it is literally smokin hot.

In Paramus, NJ, homes are being listed and sold within hours in  the $450-$550k average price range.  Why?  Paramus has low taxes and a desirable school system.   

Why is the market over all so hot RIGHT NOW?  Because the buyers who were waiting a few years ago are now out looking for homes - and they are serious.  They have waited, they have saved and they are qualified.  The rates are very low.  Inventory is low, too.  This is why housing starts for builders has been on a progressive rise.  Buyers want more homes to see.

I have qualified buyers, with a mortgage waiting for them, who are renting (which means they can move pretty much whenever), and who seek a home in Paramus NJ.   They are looking for something under $600k.  

If you own such a home, PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO CALL ME.  I will preview the home, with your permission, and with no obligation.  My handy dandy IPAD is great for taking pictures or video on the spot.  My buyers can preview your home without walking in the door.   If they like what they see, we take it from there.

I am not looking to list your house.  I am looking to sell it.    
Real estate agents have an agreement we use with FSBOs that gives me the ability to show your house to my one specific buyer,  and that's all.  If the buyer wants to purchase the house, the seller pays the agent a negotiated fee for bringing the buyer.  If no deal is made, the agreement is invalid.  I can send you a copy for your review.  You do want to sell your home, don't you?  You have nothing to lose but potentially more to gain.

DO YOU WANT TO WAIT ANOTHER YEAR, HOPING FOR MORE DOLLARS, WHEN THERE ARE BUYERS OUT THERE RIGHT NOW WHO WANT TO PAY YOU NOW?   

Please, send me an email or call me,  or shoot me over a  few pics of your house.  Let's see if I can get you even more than you asked for last year, or the year before; when your home did not sell.  You made a smart move by waiting.  Now is the time to try again.

Annmarie Cristiani
Sales Associate
RE/MAX Traditions Real Estate
www.househunter99.com  website
annmarie.cristiani@gmail.com  email
201-815-7861 cell phone

I recommend +Cianci House  for home staging and interior design.

Exterior Renovation: the most bang for your buck!

Did you know that replacing siding, windows and doors can recoup up to 70% of their cost at resale?

According to the 2013 Remodeling Cost Vs. Value Report, spending money on exterior improvements will give you the biggest bang for your buck when you go to sell.  Why?  Exterior improvements can help with energy efficiency.  In addition, don't neglect the importance of curb appeal to potential buyers. Remember, the outside of your house is the first thing a buyer will see.  

You don't have to go crazy.  Take a look below.  This house desperately NEEDED new siding, replacement windows, a new front window and a new front door.  Making this improvement did not necessarily raise the value of this home in a market of decreasing value (as we had last year). However, it certainly helped the house maintain its value and would make it far easier to sell.  In this market, it could make it move very quickly!  Attracting more buyers means getting more offers on the table.  

In this case, the homeowner did the following, for the cost of about $20,000.00, through a licensed home improvement contractor.

• New premium vinyl siding (go to a reputable manufacturer- don't get the cheap stuff)
• Replacement vinyl windows and front Anderson Window
• New front fiberglass, maintenance free door
• Seamless, capped gutters
• New garage door
• New shutters

Voila!!!!     See below.

If you are a buyer, these are the types of improvements you can make with an FHA 203K renovation loan!  This is ONE mortgage loan which covers the cost of the purchase price plus improvements.  So, a buyer could purchase the 'before' house at a discount, transfer title to their name, and then have money left over after closing to make the improvements themselves.  

Take the time to select a buyers agent or a listing agent who is aware of these options.  Doing so can open up possibilities if you are buying and attract more buyers if you are selling!
Annmarie Cristiani, Sales Associate
REMAX Traditions Real Estate, NJ
www.househunter99.com                          or  Google me
https://www.facebook.com/nothernnjrealestate

Add a level to a level....

Can you add a level to a split level?  Of course you can!  When you can't go 'out', go 'up'.
Find a licensed contractor to get an estimate.  If you are buying the house, see if you can get an FHA 203K loan for the purchase price plus cost of improvements.   Ask me how.

Annmarie Cristiani
Sales Associate
REMAX Traditions Real Estate
www. househunter99.com

Attract More Buyers and Sell Your Home Faster!

I had to run to the Borough Hall in Ringwood, NJ today for my customers who are buying a home there.   On the way back I took a few minutes to stop and take these pictures of  Monksville Reservoir (scroll down)     I love this area of Ringwood and it looked particularly inviting this afternoon.    It reminds me that spring is around the corner and it makes me long for a kayak.     There really is so much to do in Ringwood- boating, fishing, swimming, camping, bike riding, site seeing and more.     I am looking forward to hiking and kayaking very soon!

Ringwood made it into the list of Money Magazine’s Best Places to Live in 2011.  Check it out!
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2011/snapshots/PL3463150.html




For places to visit in Ringwood, go to:
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/ringwood.html

Shop for Ringwood homes now!  www.househunter99.com

Annmarie Cristiani
Sales Associate
RE/MAX Traditions
201-815-7861 cell
201-815-6600 office
Don't make a MOVE without Annmarie!

 

Just a 'stones throw' away- nature is in your back yard.  Ramapo Reservation  is just a few minutes from Oakland, NJ and within 30 minutes of most towns in Bergen County.  It is also a hop away from New York State with easy access from route 17 to route 202.

My children and I have hiked Ramapo Reservation's trails for years.  There are numerous paths to take.  Head to the summit for a great view of Ramapo college along with  some beautiful homes nestled along the river.  You may see a horse or two along adjoining private road ways.  Don't miss it in the fall.
So,  go 'take a hike' and bring Fido with you.  Dogs are welcome.
http://www.njhiking.com/nj-hikes-ramapo-valley-county.php


Annmarie Cristiani
Sales Associate
RE/MAX Traditions Real Estate
201-815-7861
201-337-6600
www.househunter99.com 
annmarie.cristiani@gmail.com

Don't make a MOVE without me!   

 

What is a condominium?

Did you know that a condo is a type of ownership and not a style of a home?

With a condo, you own the interior wall and airspace but not the exterior wall or the land. The exterior is considered common areas/elements which are assigned to your unit.  If you have a balcony, it is assigned to you but typically is maintained by the condo association. 

Common areas like walkways and pool houses are part of the Master Deed, not the unit deed, and everyone has a right to shared access of these common areas.
The home owners association dues pay to maintain these areas. 

Condominiums can look like townhouses, detached houses on land, garden apartments, mid rise or high rise buildings.    The term condominium is misunderstood by most people.  In fact, if you were to perform a Google.com search for the image of a condo, you would see high rise pictures dominate the page.  This is misleading and confusing for purchases.  The fact is, a condo is a form of ownership and can look like a single family detached house, a town house or apartment complex. 

If you are looking for a condominium, be sure you are with a buyer's agent who understands what this from of ownership truly means.   Many lenders won't provide financing for condos or will require at least a 20% down payment, so you will want to be sure you are conducting your home search with the right agent.

Annmarie Cristiani
Sales Associate
RE/MAX Traditions Real Estate
(201) 815-7861 cell
(201) 337-6600
www.househunter99.com 

Don't make a MOVE without Annmarie!


This is a condominium located in Lakewood, NJ.  Would you know it was a condo just by looking at it?

Sellers with Septics: Don't Pump your Dump!

SELLERS WITH SEPTIC SYSTEMS: Do not pump your septic before you put your home on the market.  The buyer's septic inspector WILL NOT be able to get accurate readings of the tank because the water levels will be too low.

A LAST MINUTE SEPTIC PUMP BY A SELLER  IS A RED FLAG TO THE BUYER.  If you have maintained the system properly, there is no need to take this last minute measure.

This is the one time my advise to anyone selling a home will be to "Hold onto your c**p! Let the inspector do his job (and God bless him for doing it).

If you are a buyer of a home with a septic system, you will want to get it inspected.   Your agent should have experience working with a few different and very well qualified inspectors.  Up here, in northern NJ, there are several very reputable companies who really know their.......

Just give me a shout out and I will be happy to provide those references.
Annmarie Cristiani
Sales Associate
RE/MAX Traditions Real Estate
201-815-7861 cell
201-337-6600 office
 www.househunter99.com
annmarie.cristiani@gmail.com

Don't make a MOVE without Annmarie!

Bergen County NJ real estate- styles of homes

One of the most confusing aspects of house hunting is understanding the abbreviations and definitions of house styles. Here’s a guide to demystifying  and cracking the codes of B/L, S/L, CC, Col, Ranch and Exp CC.

Colonial: By far the most popular style of them all, a colonial style layout separates the main sleeping quarters from the living area by a full flight of stairs. The main floor contains the living room, dining room and kitchen area. The second floor contains the main bedrooms (usually three or more). Colonials are the most traditional and sought after layout. In the northeast, most colonials have a full basement and some sort of attic.

Ranch: This home has all the living space on one floor upon entry through the front door. Typically one side of the home will contain the bedrooms and the other side will contain the living area. Many ranches have full basements. If a seller chooses to add a level (upstairs) to the house while maintaining the downstairs as is, it would be called an expanded ranch.

Raised ranch: This is a newer version of a ranch. Typically, the front entry is ground level where the garage, laundry and family room are located. The main living area and bedrooms are on the second floor; going up a full staircase. There is no basement and the attic area is typically crawl space.

Bilevel: These homes became popular in the sixties because they maximized living space while being relatively inexpensive to construct. The front door entry opens to a foyer and coat closet, and that is all. From the foyer, one can either walk up a half flight of stairs to the living area and bedrooms. Otherwise, taking a half flight of stairs down brings one to a family room, the garage, laundry, usually an additional bedroom and a walk out entrance to the back yard. A bilevel has no basement and typically crawl space as an attic.

The main difference between a raised ranch and a bilevel is the entry way and the stairway. Otherwise, the living arrangements are similar.

Split Level: Splits and bilevels are often confused but are entirely different. A split has three or more levels separated by a half flight of stairs. The front door often leads to the living room, dining room and kitchen as a first floor. Half a flight up brings one to the bedrooms. Half a flight down brings one to a family room. Half a flight down from the family room is often a basement. Each level is about half the size of the width of the house.

Cape Cod: These homes became very popular during and after  World War II because they were relatively easy to construct and didn’t take up much land space. In NJ, You will find cape cods are often on smaller lots in an area of similar homes.

The entry door of a cape  often leads into a small foyer and the stairs to the second floor. The living room, dining room (if any) kitchen and one or two bedrooms are located downstairs with a full bath. Upstairs typically contains two bedrooms (often separated by a bathroom) with dormer windows in the bedrooms. In essence, the upstairs is the attic of the house. A home owner may expand the upstairs to make larger dormers for more space (and minimize the roof line impact on ceiling space). These expanded homes are called expanded cape cods.

Finding the style home that works best for you within your price range is a personal choice. Your real estate agent can help you discover your priorities as part of your house hunting.

Which style of home do you find works best for you and your family?

Scroll below for pictures of home styles, in order: colonial, cape cod, raised ranch, bilevel, split level.

Annmarie Cristiani
NJ licensed real estate sales person
REMAX Traditions Real Estate (#1 in Oakland, NJ)

383 Ramapo Valley Road, Oakland, NJ 07436
www.househunter99.com
EMAIL: annmarie.cristiani@gmail.com