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For Northern NJ | November, 2024

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what's happening around town!

Latest around Northern NJ

Buyers Locked Out of Market

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5 Reasons NOT to Move to Northern NJ in 2024

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Don't Sell Until You Watch this!

  • Learn 3 Simple ways to know it's time to sell your home! And spoiler alert - it's not the most obvious!

Sell Your Home for Top Dollar in Northern NJ!

  • How to sell your home for the most money as featured on NBC Today

Upgrading Your Home? Don't do this!

  • Planning to upgrade your home? 🏠 Before you dive in, make sure to avoid these common mistakes that could negatively impact your home's value!

What you need to know about NAR!

  • If you are buying in NJ, this video will share exactly what you need to know about hiring a buyers agent!

Top Appreciating Towns

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What's Happening This Month in Northern NJ!

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Report Cards by Town

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Bergen County, NJ

Bergen County, New Jersey, has a population of 953,243 and is considered one of the best places to live in the state. Most residents own their homes, and the area offers many bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. It attracts young professionals, with residents generally leaning liberal. The public schools in Bergen County are highly rated.

Tenafly, NJ

Tenafly, a suburb of New York City in Bergen County with a population of 15,299, is one of the best places to live in New Jersey. Most residents own their homes and enjoy a suburban feel with numerous restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. The town attracts families, and residents generally hold moderate political views. Tenafly’s public schools are highly rated.

Oradell, NJ

Oradell, a New York City suburb in Bergen County with a population of 8,208, is considered one of the best places to live in New Jersey. Residents enjoy a suburban feel, with most owning their homes. The town has plenty of coffee shops and parks and is popular among retirees. Oradell residents generally lean conservative, and the public schools are highly rated.

Hawthorne, NJ

Hawthorne, a suburb of New York City in Passaic County with a population of 19,456, offers a dense suburban feel with many restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. It attracts families and young professionals, with residents generally leaning liberal. The public schools are rated above average.

Demarest, NJ

Demarest, a New York City suburb in Bergen County with a population of 4,930, is considered one of the best places to live in New Jersey. It has a rural atmosphere, with most residents owning their homes. The community generally holds moderate political views, and the public schools are highly rated.

Closter, NJ

Closter, a New York City suburb in Bergen County with a population of 8,555, is highly rated as a place to live in New Jersey. It provides a rural feel, and most residents own their homes. The community tends toward moderate political views, and the public schools are highly rated.

Montvale, NJ

Montvale, a New York City suburb in Bergen County with a population of 8,413, is known as one of New Jersey’s top places to live. It offers a sparse suburban atmosphere, with most residents owning their homes. The area attracts many young professionals, and the community generally leans conservative. Montvale’s public schools are highly rated.

Upper Saddle River, NJ

Upper Saddle River, a New York City suburb in Bergen County with a population of 8,313, is highly rated as a place to live in New Jersey. It offers a rural feel, with most residents owning their homes and enjoying the town’s numerous parks. Residents tend to hold moderate political views, and the public schools are highly rated.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ

Woodcliff Lake, a New York City suburb in Bergen County with a population of 6,096, is highly regarded as a place to live in New Jersey. It provides a sparse suburban feel, with most residents owning their homes and enjoying many coffee shops and parks. The community leans conservative, and the public schools are highly rated.

Real Estate Insights, Home Tips & More

pre sell things to do

Pre Sell Checklist

September 16, 20234 min read

The Pre-Listing Home Selling Checklist: Get Your Home Ready for the Market

Selling a home is a significant life event that requires thorough planning and preparation. Your actions before listing your property can profoundly impact the speed of the sale and the price you ultimately receive. Here is a comprehensive pre-listing checklist to get your home market-ready.

1. Assess Your Finances

  • Review Mortgage Terms: Understand your current mortgage terms to determine any pre-payment penalties or if your mortgage is portable.

  • Estimate Selling Costs: Calculate the costs you will incur, including real estate agent commissions, staging, repairs, and other closing costs.

2. Research the Market

  • Check Neighborhood Comps: Look at similar properties in your neighborhood that have sold recently to get an idea of pricing.

  • Determine Market Conditions: Is it a buyer's or a seller's market? This will influence your pricing strategy.

3. Choose a Real Estate Agent

  • Interview Agents: Speak to multiple agents and ask about their marketing plan, fees, and track record.

  • Check References: Make sure to check reviews or ask for client references.

4. Home Inspection

  • Pre-inspection: Optional, but strongly recommended to preemptively catch any issues that might deter buyers.

  • List of Repairs: Create a list of essential repairs and improvements based on the pre-inspection.

5. Home Improvements

  • Minor Repairs: Fix small issues like leaky faucets, loose handles, and minor wall damage.

  • Major Repairs: Consider whether larger repairs, such as a new roof or HVAC system, will offer a good return on investment.

6. Declutter and Stage

  • Declutter: Remove personal items and unnecessary furniture to make your home appear more spacious.

  • Stage Your Home: Consider hiring a professional stager to arrange your home in a way that appeals to a broad audience.

  • Deep Clean: Hire professionals to clean carpets, wash windows, and ensure your home is spotless.

7. Curb Appeal

  • Exterior Cleanup: Keep lawns mowed, plant some flowers, and ensure the entryway is inviting.

  • Paint: A fresh coat of neutral paint inside and out can make a big difference.

8. Professional Photography

  • Hire a Photographer: Professional photos are essential in online listings to present your home in the best possible light.

  • Virtual Tour: A 360-degree virtual tour can offer an interactive experience for potential buyers.

9. Legal and Paperwork

  • Property Disclosures: Prepare a list of disclosures required by your jurisdiction, such as age of the home, any known defects, or past repairs.

  • Consult a Real Estate Lawyer: Preemptively deal with any legal matters that could arise during the selling process.

10. Final Touches

  • Replace or Clean Carpets: Stained or old carpets can be a turnoff for buyers.

  • Update Lighting: Consider upgrading outdated light fixtures to modernize the space.

  • Smell Test: Address any odors, especially pet-related, that could deter potential buyers.

By ticking off each item on this pre-listing home selling checklist, you'll be putting yourself in a strong position for a successful, stress-free sale. Each step prepares your home to look its best and attract the right buyers, setting the stage for a smoother transaction once you list your property.


Other Resources For Sellers

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Top 10 High ROI Sellers Checklist:

If there was a way for you to get more value for your home without spending tons of $$$, effort and time? To see how my sellers get more money for their homes with these simple low cost hacks, click the link below for instant access to all my tips.

Tips Here ➡️ https://topnjrealtor.com/seller-tips

To Increase the value of your home, get these proven tips!

After over a decade of experience our team has perfected the highest ROI prep tips that mean more money in your pocket! Here is a quick checklist to get you started with prepping your home for sale. These tips are designed for high impact and low effort!

  • Don't get personal. It’s time to move out emotionally—and physically. Survey each room, and pack away personal items such as family photos, bric-a-brac, medicine, etc

  • Declutter and Update. Take out bulky furniture, old electronics; clear off desks, tabletops, shelves. Keep rooms (especially bedrooms) decluttered and minimal.

  • Paint a fresh perspective. Whites, neutral, pale grays, can make your house feel fresh and new again— and the buyer feel calm and at home.

  • Shed some light. Make sure every light bulb is energy- efficient, and at the highest wattage the light fixture will allow. Give all fixtures a deep clean for maximum sparkle.

For the rest of the checklist, https://topnjrealtor.com/seller-tips

prep for sale
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Stacy Esser

SEG RE COACHING| Top 1% in the NJMLS | Best in Bergen Mag | John Maxwell Coach | Stager | Lux Specialist | Real Trends America’s Best | Women to Watch

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