Seated L to R: ERA Justin Realty's Jennifer Darby, Rosemarie Zembryski, Fara Hamzeh, Terry Mertens, June Incorvaia.  Standing: Cathy Vick, Carol Calamari, Haleh Hamzeh and Ilene Harpuder

ERA JUSTIN REALTY PARTICIPATES IN KIP CENTER HOLIDAY FARE

Rutherford:  A chill is in the air, the malls are all decked out with holiday displays, shoppers are out and about and it’s also beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Rutherford’s Kip Center, the areas recreation and nutritional citizen center, where area residents enjoy the daily activities and lunch programs.

Christmas trees, wreaths, and holiday displays abound with participants who are as busy as holiday elves getting ready for the upcoming Kip Center drawing, when dozens of decorated trees and wreaths are given to winners through their annual holiday drawing. The event helps to raise needed donations used to fund the varied activities at the center.

Jennifer Darby, Broker-Associate at ERA Justin Realty teamed with Rose Zembyrski, Fara Espandi Hamzeh, Terry Mertens, June Incorvaia, Cathy Vick, Carol Calamari, Haleh Hamzeh and Ilene Harpuder, ERA Justin Realty teammates in decorating theme holiday wreaths, which are part of the Kip Center December fundraiser.  They joined together in sponsorship with many community, political, educational and historical organizations, all hoping that their entry will bring the highest donations for the Kip Center.

Ron Darby and Carol Darby, Brokers Owners at ERA Justin Realty strongly believe in participation in community and charity events.  Carol Darby stated, “Homeowners in our communities have always been loyal to us in making us their Realtor of choice, and we at ERA Justin Realty are ever thankful.  Whenever we have an opportunity to give back to our communities, we are there and participate. We are pleased to donate our time and funds in doing our small part to help this outstanding organization each holiday season.”

ERA Justin Realty operates two state-of-the-art real estate offices at 118 Jackson Avenue and 57 Park Avenue, Rutherford.  Through their charitable efforts the firm has been inducted into the Muscular Dystrophy Association President’s Club for raising the most funds within the real estate industry in New Jersey for 2005 and 2006 and they have been honored all across the nation as one of the strongest ERA offices assisting MDA in fundraising efforts.

Jennifer Darby one of Bergen County's leading Realtors and NJAR 2005 Gold Award achiever offers an overview of 2006 as reflected in Bergen County real estate prices.  In addition to her real estate activities, Jennifer was invited to speak at the ERA International Business Conference in San Francisco and she also is a qualified New Jersey real estate instructor for the NJ licensing course.

ERA JUSTIN REALTY OFFERS YEAR END 2006 HOUSE PRICING ADVICE

The year has flown-by as sellers throughout the northeast looked forward to strong selling prices of their houses but it hasn’t been a repeat of several years before. As summer came and went and we entered fall, when families were returning from vacations, buying pencils, pens and notebooks for the kids and returned to school, real estate values continued to adjust downward in one of the strongest modifying real estate markets in memory.  Only now, as we approach year-end are sellers realizing that strong adjustments of their asking prices must happen if they are to be successful in the sale of their houses.  Seller’s anxieties remain high with questions and the first question is “How do I price my house?”

Ask any experienced real estate sales professional that question, and the answer you will most likely hear over and over again is "realistically.” But who is the best judge of a home's true value - the homeowner, real estate sales professionals, a bank or an insurance company?

“If a homeowner is purchasing services from a bank or insurance company for a home equity credit line or insurance protection, respectively, their valuation methods should be used. Homeowners often mistake the value at which a bank appraises value. When the homeowner then goes to sell their home, they may have a different view of what their home is worth. "If you are thinking of selling your home in the near future and want to know for how much it could sell, then you should contact a real estate sales professional at our firm and request a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to determine its fair market value,” recommends Jennifer Darby, a sales professional and Broker with the firm.

The fair market value of a house is the highest price an informed buyer will pay.  A homeowner's asking price is the advertised price of a house when it goes on the market and may be set slightly higher than the fair market value because it is assumed that some negotiation will be necessary to reach an agreement with a Buyer. To get an estimate of the fair market value, a homeowner can call the ERA Justin Realty sales team and ask for a Comparative Market Analysis, a service which is provided free of charge and without obligation.

"In conducting a CMA, our ERA Justin Realty sales professionals have access to a wide array of information, such as databases containing recent listing and selling prices of similar homes in the neighborhood, and how long these homes took to sell. The resulting analysis can help a homeowner understand what today's changing market has done to the price of his or her home, and will provide a realistic figure of the home's fair market value. If a home is then put on the market, our sales professionals will use the CMA to help the homeowner establish a selling marketing program," added Jennifer.

The CMA information is very helpful in determining the true value of a house and the right asking price. In the end, however, the homeowner should decide on a price that he or she feels is competitive and consistent with the price at which other houses in the area have sold.

Jennifer continued,  “Our CMA report for our Sellers is truly comprehensive in all aspects.  Complete with color photos and detailed information, it makes pricing easier for those planning a sale.  Truly, there is a difference in real estate companies, and our details will make the difference. We ask Buyers and Sellers to compare.  We believe that in order to exceed expectations of what ERA Justin Realty is about, we don’t offer just real estate basics; we try to be as comprehensive as possible.  In that way, we know that our Buyers and Sellers will hold us all in the highest regard.”

ERA JUSTIN REALTY PROVIDES 
INSIGHT ON SELLING YOUR VACANT HOUSE

A famous line from the production “The King and I,” is “It’s a puzzlement!”   The current real estate market is modifying, leaving many sellers in a puzzlement.  They must move, have deadlines to accomplish and yet their current house is unsold because it is not priced consistent with the modifying market. What should sellers do?

One of the first things you should do if you're thinking about selling is to walk through your home and examine it with a critical eye. Imagine yourself as a buyer and force yourself to make a mental note of all the imperfections you've ignored for years.  Don't be surprised if you're overwhelmed by what you see. The drapes may be faded and frayed from years of sun exposure. If you have children or pets, the interior doors and baseboards may be nicked and need paint. Your furniture might be outdated and the floors might look worn. It may strike you that the place needs so much work that you ought to just move out, put on a fresh coat of paint, redo the floors and sell the house vacant.

Aileen Vitale a Realtor-Associate with ERA Justin Realty who is familiar with house staging says, “Painting and floor refurbishing are good ideas. Renewing the interior surfaces of your home when you sell is one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make to increase your net proceeds. Buyers usually pay more for homes that are in move-in condition. However, selling a vacant home could result in a lower net return. The main reason for this is that first impressions play a big part in selling houses. When buyers walk into a house that looks bright, inviting and comfortable, they feel good. When most buyers walk into a vacant house, they feel that something is missing. Many people have a hard time imagining what a vacant house will look like when it's furnished. For these buyers, a vacant house poses a problem. They walk into an empty living room and start worrying about how they'd furnish it. It can be a stressful experience.”

 She continued, “House buying is stressful enough without having to worry about how the floor plan works and which room is used for what. A strategically furnished house creates a more pleasurable viewing experience and reduces the stress of buying. Granted, some buyers, such as architects and designers, have the ability to conceptualize in three-dimension. Some experienced buyers have moved so many times that they've developed the knack of visualizing their furniture in an empty space. But, you are likely to sell your house for more money if you can appeal to the entire pool of prospective buyers, not just those who have a particular expertise. You can certainly sell your house vacant. Virtually everything sells at a price. The of question is how much more could you sell your house for if it was attractively furnished?” 

Dian Hymer, author of "House Hunting, The Take-Along Workbook for Home Buyers" and "Starting Out, The Complete Home Buyer's Guide, wrote, “A listing in the Oakland Hills (Calif.) was put on the market last fall. It had a great view, but was vacant. It did not sell after months on the market during a time when all well-priced listings in the area were selling. The listing was temporarily withdrawn from the market and staged with rental furniture and accessories. It was put back on the market at the same price and sold right away.”

Aileen concluded, “The cost of staging your home for sale may seem prohibitive, but it needn't be. Many sellers who stage their houses for sale use their own furniture after removing outdated pieces and rearranging the rest. Tattered draperies can be removed and often don't need to be replaced, unless they cover an unsightly or distracting outlook. For selling purposes, it's important to let in as much light as possible. It's a good idea to consult with someone who is knowledgeable in staging houses for sale. A stager can arrange to bring in furniture if you decide that's what you need. To keep costs down, you may be able to create an inviting ambiance without furnishing your entire house or condo. The living and dining room, kitchen, family room and master bedroom are the most important places to concentrate your staging efforts.

Jennifer Darby Broker-Realtor at ERA Justin Realty is recognized by buyers and sellers throughout Bergen County as a real estate market-leader.  She is a consistent award achiever and was the only agent member of the Meadowlands Board of Realtors who achieved the NJAR Gold Circle of Excellence 2005 award. She is a certified member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation of historic homes.

ERA Justin Realty Overview:

             What To Consider When Buying A Home Elsewhere

Jennifer Darby, ERA Justin Realty Broker-Realtor has information to share with area Sellers and Buyers.  “Aging Baby Boomers are buying second homes at a record pace. Looking back, 377,000 single-family second homes were sold according to the National Association of Realtors. Buying a second home for retirement, vacation or rental may be a great idea. But if you're buying outside of the area you're accustomed to, plan on ramping up your due diligence investigations.

The first thing to be aware of is that real estate law, custom and practice varies from one location to the next. For example, in New Jersey, most hire an attorney to help you buy and sell residential real estate. In some states westward, many usually don't use an attorney.

In some states, title and escrow companies handle the closing, and in other states attorneys are in charge of closing transactions. Property surveys are required in some states and not in others. The point is that there's a lot of diversity. You can't assume that the way homes are bought and sold in another area is the same as it is where you live.

Finding out about a local real estate market requires investigation, which is best done in advance. Emotions can run high when you find a home to buy. Don't wait until you're in the midst of an active negotiation to discover what you need to know in order to make a prudent decision.

A good way to start learning about an area is to have one of our ERA Justin Realty sales professionals research it for you.  We have an extensive database of ERA member offices worldwide.  We can determine where you may want to move, locate an office, the proper agent and view available homes for sale while sitting at a computer screen in our office.  When you want to visit your new area, we'll assist in making specific arrangements for you to meet with your new ERA agent.  You'll arrive feeling comfortable, as your choice of homes to visit will have already been done for you. Spending time in a location where you're considering buying is important

Interest rates also vary form state to state and so do closing fees. It pays to use a good local mortgage broker or lender who knows the ins and outs in the particular area.  This is just an overview of our services to those wanting to move to another area.  Simply call and we'll assist you with all of your questions and needs.  In a modifying real estate market, we are working even harder to achieve and exceed our Sellers and Buyers expectations. That's what we do each day throughout the year.  There is a difference in real estate companies.”

Jennifer is a qualified real estate professional who can help guide you through the rewarding move.  She has a special edge through an association with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. She has been certified in recognizing and appreciating the diverse styles of historic homes, and understanding the challenges faced and advantages available to customers wishing to buy and sell such properties. These professionals are recognized by the National Trust and listed on its Web site.

ERA Justin Realty 2nd and 3rd quarter Leadership Circle award achievers, all career professionals who were cited for outstanding service to their Buyers and Sellers. Pictured standing, L to R:  Haleh Hamzeh, Peggy McLaughlin, Glenn Elliot, Cathy Vick, Jennifer Darby, Grace Tirtito, June Incorvaia, Fara Espandi Hamzeh.  Seated: Kristen Davis and Rosemarie Zembryski

ERA-JUSTIN REALTY AWARD ACHIEVERS MEET EXPECTATIONS

Although 2006 has been a very different real estate year with modifying sales prices, buyers waiting for the right house at the right price and sellers who were not yet ready to adjust to the current market conditions, the ERA Justin Realty staff of sales professionals have worked diligently with sellers and buyers to continue to be an area real estate leader.  They have introduced the ERA Sellers Security Plan to area sellers where ERA Justin Realty will sell the house or ERA will buy it.  There are conditions to the plan, which may not be for every seller, but for those with a timeframe deadline it is ideal.  Additionally, the firm is offering the ERA Home Protection Plan, which covers many components of the house for the buyer, when purchased by the seller, and the seller is covered during the listing period while the house is being marketed for sale.  Consumers are invited to review both plan programs with the ERA Justin Realty sales professionals.

Ask the ERA Justin Realty 2^nd and 3^rd quarters 2006 award achievers, how important is proper house pricing and the answer you will most likely hear over and over again is "realistically.” Ask any of these Leadership Circle achievers who will provide a complimentary Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) and you will have the answers to your real estate questions.  They include, Haleh Hamzeh, Peggy McLaughlin, Glenn Elliot, Cathy Vick, Jennifer Darby, Grace Tirrito, June Incorvaia, Fara Espandi Hamzeh, Kristen Davis and Rosemarie Zembryski.

 Ron Darby, Broker stated, “If you are thinking of selling your house in the near future and want to know for how much it could sell, then you may contact a real estate sales professional at ERA Justin Realty and request a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to determine its fair market value.  The fair market value of a house is the highest price an informed Buyer will pay. 

A homeowner's asking price is the advertised price of a house when it goes on the market and may be slightly higher than the fair market value because it is assumed that some negotiation will be necessary to reach an agreement with a Buyer. To get an estimate of the fair market value, a homeowner can call our ERA Justin Realty sales team. Our service is provided free of charge and without obligation.  In conducting a CMA, our ERA Justin Realty sales professionals have access to a wide array of information, such as databases containing recent listing and selling prices of similar homes in the neighborhood, and how long these houses took to sell.

The resulting analysis can help a homeowner understand what today's changing market has done to the price of his or her house, and will provide a realistic figure of fair market value.  If a house is then put on the market, our sales professionals will use the CMA to help the homeowner establish a selling marketing program. The CMA information is very helpful in determining the true value of a house and the right asking price. In the end, however, the homeowner should decide on a price that he or she feels is competitive and consistent with the price at which other houses in the area have sold.  Our CMA report for our Sellers is truly comprehensive in all aspects.  Complete with color photos and detailed information, it makes pricing easier for those planning a sale.  

Truly, there is a difference in real estate companies, and our details will make the difference. We ask Buyers and Sellers to compare.  We believe that in order to exceed expectations of what ERA Justin Realty is about, we don’t offer just real estate basics, we try to be as comprehensive as possible.  In that way, we know that our Buyers and Sellers will hold us all in the highest regard.  Proof of our abilities for our clients and customers shows in these fine award achievers, honored during the 2^nd and 3^rd quarters of 2006.”

ERA Justin Realty Assists In Preparing To Make Retirement Move

Making a retirement move can be daunting. It involves a complicated decision-making process. When should you make the move? Where do you want to live? What kind of care will you need? How much can you afford? The mere thought of a retirement move is enough to stop many seniors in their tracks.

ERA Justin Realty Realtor Associate, Kristen Davis explains, “Deciding where to move is never easy. There are arguments for staying in the community where you've lived for most of your life. You still have friends in the area. You have doctors with whom you've developed relationships over the years. You know the area; it's familiar. This can be a comfort during later years.  On the other hand, many seniors prefer to be close to children and grandchildren. This could mean moving to a community in which they've never lived before. The trade off is having family close by, which can add significantly to one's quality of life. Seniors who are still independent, but who want a simpler lifestyle, may decide to make their retirement move in two phases.

One couple, who weren't ready to move to a retirement facility, sold their home and bought a condominium in the same area. In doing so, they freed themselves of the burden of maintaining their large family home, which left more time and money for travel and other pursuits.  A past article in the New York Times reported that two-phase retirement moves are becoming increasingly common as seniors live longer. Independent seniors first move to an active retirement community in states like Florida and Arizona where the winters are mild. When they need more care, they move to a second retirement community closer to their children. Seniors who are contemplating moving to a smaller home before full retirement should consider buying early as a hedge against inflation. A retired nurse who lived in a large house with stairs bought a smaller, single level home years before she needed it. She rented the smaller property to a tenant until she sold her family home. Using this strategy, she came out ahead financially. She paid less for her retirement home than she would have if she had bought it later. The retired nurse had no difficulty implementing her retirement move. She had worked in hospitals where she'd cared for far too many seniors who hadn't planned for their later years. They waited until they were desperate to make the move, only to find that their options were limited.

It's wise to plan a retirement move well in advance. Most good retirement facilities have waiting lists. It could be difficult to find a place where you'd like to live on short notice. Another California senior didn't want to be a burden on his children as he aged. He researched his retirement options and picked a retirement facility years before he needed it. He even selected the precise unit in which he wanted to live. He was put on a waiting list and waited for over two years. During this time, he de-cluttered his home and prepared it for sale. When he received the call that his unit was available, he was ready to go.”

ERA Justin Realty’s Rosemarie Zembryski 
Gives Tips

On How To Find Real Estate Value

Everybody wants a bargain. Last year good real estate values were few and far between. This was due to the fact that inventories of homes for sale were at record low levels. And, there was an abundance of buyers, all looking for the same thing. Today in most areas, buyers have the luxury of choice. So, there's less of a chance you'll overpay because you have to outbid another buyer. However, even though there is a lot to choose from, this doesn't mean that it will be easier to buy a property at a bargain price, but there are many valued listings available.

Rosemarie Zembryski, a career Realtor with ERA Justin Realty offered, “One reason is that many sellers have no sense of urgency to sell. The market has changed but in certain areas, acceptance of current pricing takes months before prices reduce to what the market dictates.  Another factor is that there is usually little consistency in pricing. Some listings are well-priced, others may be overpriced, and then there is the occasional listing that is actually priced below market value.

Another complicating factor is variability. Unless you're looking at listings in a single tract development, where each house is a cookie cutter of the others, you'll find disparities in age, condition, size and amenities. Each of these variables has an affect on market value.

Inman News, a real estate industry-reporting firm, recently stated that in order to find a good value, you need to be able to identify a fairly priced property when you see it. This requires intimate knowledge of home values in the area.  One of our ERA Justin Realty sales agents can help you to develop this product knowledge including doing your own due diligence--driving the area, researching the local economy, viewing listings on our www.ERAJustin.com website and visiting open houses. This gives you the confidence you need to make an educated decision about your purchase. Even though the pace of the home sale market has slowed, you may have to make a snap decision or risk losing out on a great buy. Sellers who understand the market and have a pressing need to speed the process along will price their properties at or under market value. If you aren't up on current market values, you could let a good value slip by because you didn't act quickly enough.

Part of buying at the right price is being there when the well-priced listings come on the market. Don't wait until a Sunday open house to see a new listing if your agent thinks it will sell quickly. It's possible to create a good value. One way is to research the listings that have been on the market a while without any offers.  Find out why they haven't sold. If there isn't anything wrong except your perception of the price, present a contract price that you feel comfortable with. Sellers who have a real reason for selling usually are very motivated and react to the current market conditions.”

Fara Espandi Hamzeh a career Realtor with ERA Justin Realty offers information to sellers about realistic timelines for a sale. Fara is an award winning sales professional with ERA Justin Realty and is consistently awarded by ERA Real Estate for her sales and listing production. She also receives ongoing buyer and seller testimonials for her services in exceeding expectations to those she serves.

ERA Justin Realty Update: Timeline Of A House Sale

Sellers often underestimate the time is will take to properly prepare their house for sale. For this reason, it's wise to start house-sale preparations months before you actually want to put your house on the market. For scheduling purposes, it helps to work backwards from the date that you'd ideally like to move. Let's say you want to be in a new house in early 2007.  There are three tasks that need to be accomplished in order to make this happen.

Fara Espandi Hamzeh a consistent award-winning career Realtor with ERA Justin Realty offers, “One is preparing the house for sale. The second is marketing the house to obtain a buyer. And the third is to work through contract contingencies and close the sale. Most houses benefit from de-cluttering, furniture rearranging, cleaning, painting and updating outdated floor coverings and light fixtures. These improvements cost relatively little and offer a better return on the investment.”

Fara continued, “Real Estate industry leader Dian Hymer of Inman News concurs that you can sell a house in any condition; there is always a market for fixer-uppers. However, buyers pay more for houses they can move right into without having to do work. There is competition among sellers with a vast selection of houses on the market, so buyers do have the luxury of choice. Our ERA Justin Realty sales professionals can help you map out fix-up-for-sale projects.  We can also put you in touch with reliable inspectors, contractors and stagers to assist with these endeavors.  As soon as you figure out the scope of the work, you can schedule a marketing date.

The next step it to review how long it may take to obtain a buyer. Simply ask us to provide you with the listing and pending sale dates for listings similar to your house that recently sold in your neighborhood. We have this information available through our three Multiple Listing Services and we’ll be pleased to provide a complimentary (CMA) comparative market analysis, which provides a current market range, closed sales and other information that will assist you. The time it takes to obtain a buyer can vary from one area to the next. It is important to use the most recent comparable sales information. The market is in flux. In general, it's taking longer for listings to go to contract now than it did a year ago.

The third element of the house-sale process is closing the transaction. You have some control over this. The closing date is negotiable. With the current interest rate range, you could find buyers who want to close quickly in order to protect an interest-rate commitment. Sellers often agree to cooperate with a fast sale in the interest of closing the sale. Sellers who aren't ready to move out by that date should ask the buyer for permission to rent back their home after closing. Although the closing date is negotiable, a typical closing date is 45-90 days from contract acceptance.

After collecting the above information, you're prepared to schedule your sale.  This means beginning in this fall market is the proper time for an early 2007 closing.  It's wise to build in extra time into your plan to account for unforeseen events. Occasionally a house sale doesn't make it to closing. Often this is due to issues over who pays for defects that arise during the buyer's inspections. This can set your schedule back while you find another buyer or work out the differences. You can minimize the risk of a transaction failing by getting pre-sale inspections before you start the fix-up work. If money permits, it's wise to correct some defects before marketing your house.”

Discount Brokers 
No Bargain For Fall 2006 Real Estate Sales

Everybody wants a bargain, but for Fall 2006 real estate sales it’s not the time for sellers to shop for the lowest real estate sales commission. As reported in major newspapers, the real estate market that sellers experienced in past years is no more. Highest sales prices, multiple contracts, upward bidding are now in the past.  Simply stated in the press, it is no longer a Seller’s market.  It is a Buyer’s market.  We all want to pay less for food, airfare and clothes so we go to shopping clubs, on-line and to shopping outlets, respectively, to buy discounted products and services. These are true bargains because we get the same brand name products for a lower price. But have you ever considered going to a discount dentist, doctor or lawyer?  Probably not. When it comes to professional services, most of us feel that you get what you pay for.

Ron Darby ERA Justin Realty Broker stated, “Let's take real estate services, for example. If you consider that the most costly transaction in your life is going to be your house, it makes the most sense to use the best real estate professional you can find to buy or sell it. Sometimes sellers may be attracted to a discount broker whereby sellers may pay a lower commission to sell their home. While most discount brokers advertise that they provide the same level of service as a traditional real estate broker, they do so only to some extent, and many at a much higher commission rate than advertised. For the lowest commission being advertised, many sellers get little more than their house being listed with some photos on the discount broker's Internet sites. This rate may not include marketing it with the local Multiple Listing Service, nor on Realtor.com®, both of which facilitate greater exposure to buyers. Sellers may also be instructed to show their own home to potential buyers (who are perfect strangers) because, at a discounted commission rate, an agent may not accompany the buyer on the showing.”

Darby added, “By contrast, when you hire a local full service real estate agent to sell your home, you get a professional with experience and extensive skills in local value, marketing, financial advisory, sales, negotiations and overseeing the many tasks from the sale through title closing. Sometimes helping with clients' anxieties and finding local contractors, attending inspections, helping to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy to the list, and you get the picture that real estate services go well beyond providing customers with just a listing or an online virtual tour of homes for sale. Our ERA Justin Realty sales professionals are schooled, trained and are in constant communication with me, and our management team. When you engage our firm, you have the entire ERA Justin Realty team working for you.

While the discount broker concept may rely on a possible out-of-the-area-consultant/agent, who may drive an hour to show a buyer in order to offer lower commissions, in reality, the lack of local agents who are expert in the local marketplace translate into inexperienced agents with no firsthand knowledge of the local community.

He continued, “Internet-based discount brokers, in particular, fail to attract buyers who need a Realtor® with a local presence. The greatest flaw in their discount broker concept is that they alone can attract buyers, which is the primary reason for selling your home through a Realtor® in the first place. From the buyer’s point of view, there is absolutely no advantage to using an Internet discount real estate broker since the seller, not the buyer, pays the commission. Why not take advantage of all the services we offer to them, free of charge, such as previewing properties, visiting neighborhoods and homes together, helping them obtain mortgages from local lenders, finding good contractors and services in the local community and much more. We, as your local real estate professional is often the first person a buyer knows in the neighborhood, and is an invaluable resource to new homeowners. In addition, our full service real estate professionals rely solely on commissions for their compensation, similar to an attorney who takes a case on contingency. The Realtor® has great incentive to work hard for their clients. By contrast, some discount brokers generally pay their "consultants/agents" a salary and a very small commission. Once again, you get what you pay for.  We will gladly provide all readers with our report of over 500 quotes and testimonials from our satisfied sellers and buyers.”

ERA Justin Realty received the prestigious worldwide 2003, 2004 and 2005 Commitment to Excellence award, one of 14 premier ERA real estate firms from 2,600.

 Darby concluded, “We recently announced that once again, for the third consecutive year, all across the nation, the most coveted award that can be achieved in business is the ‘J.D. Power & Associates’ award.  Only outstanding business entities are honored and receive it. ERA Real Estate was the recipient For Highest Satisfaction for First Time Home Buyers Among Full Service Real Estate Firms, in 2004, following in 2005 with the First Time Home Sellers award, and again in  2006 with the Highest Satisfaction for Repeat Sellers award.  Receiving this coveted award once is an honor, but to receive it for a second and then a third year is a reputation.  We are so proud and it will show in our service.  We ask for your confidence and will endeavor to exceed your expectations.”

ERA Justin Realty Welcomes Michelle Korosy

Rutherford:  “My enthusiasm and attention to detail will prove to be an asset for my buyers and sellers,” words spoken by new ERA Justin Realty agent, Michelle Korosy.

Jennifer Darby, Broker Co-owner of the firm said, “Michelle has a love for real estate and joins us with well-versed knowledge of the industry through her being a licensed Title Officer for many years.  She is very familiar with the entire settlement process, from the signing of a contract through inspection and survey procedures to the final closing date.  Having attended Boston University, she majored in Scenic Design and those skills will be invaluable in assisting sellers to ready their homes for prospective buyers. This experience combined with her sense of vision and ability to recognize potential and lifelong interest in architecture also makes her a knowledgeable resource for her buyers.”

Michelle’s knowledge will be used to benefit ERA Justin Realty sellers to stage their house for a sale and give the benefit of her advise on home restoration, renovation and decorating. 

A long time Rutherford resident, she resides with her husband Al, and their two children, Jack and Kate.

Michelle continued, “As a local resident, I knew immediately after interviewing with the firm that their agents were knowledgeable and professional and I enjoyed a feeling of being welcomed.  ERA Justin Realty is a successful office with a strong listing and selling base and they were certainly my choice.  In my free time we are busy renovating a home that is included in the historic tour of Rutherford.  The house was owned for many years by Reid Howell, friend and early publisher of world-famous poet, William Carlos Williams."

Jennifer concluded, “Michelle’s background will be complimented by the talents of our nearly three dozen other real estate professionals who attend continuing education to fine-tune their skills in this current real estate market that takes expertise in order to exceed our buyers and sellers expectations.

ERA Justin Realty is offering real estate programs to aid in a successful sale.  The ERA Sellers Security Plan where we say we will sell your house or ERA will buy it.  The plan has conditions that we will be pleased to explain.  Our ERA Home Protection Plan is also offered which covers the major components of the house.  When a seller offers the plan to a buyer, the plan covers the seller up until the day of closing.  Both plans will be explained to those interested and the plan contracts will be reviewed just for the asking.”

ERA Justin Realty sales professional June Incorvaia, a member of the New Jersey Association of Realtors and New Jersey Multiple Listing Service has achieved the 2005 NJAR Circle Of Excellence award.  As a career sales associate her focus is always on her buyers and sellers.  Her report centers on the responsibilites of both buyers and sellers to have a purchase find its way to the closing table.

ERA Justin Realty Report: 
What can homebuyers expect sellers to fix?

“ERA Justin Realty, in an effort to bring valued information to readers offers information to buyers and sellers.  Negotiating a purchase contract isn't easy when home sellers cling to expectations based on last year's real estate market, and buyers don’t want to overpay. Equally challenging are the renegotiations that can occur after buyers do inspections,” states June Incorvaia, a sales professional with the firm.

She continued, “As reported, Dian Hymer, author and writer for national publication, Inman News, writes, “How do you successfully navigate the second round of negotiations? The goal is to come away from the bargaining table feeling that you've struck a good deal, ideally without alienating the sellers. After all, you may need to impose on the sellers for return visits to the property before closing. And, you hope the sellers will leave the place clean and tidy. Before you begin a dialogue with the seller about who is to fix what, you should have a clear understanding of your purchase agreement. For example, does the seller warrant the condition of the property, or are you buying the property in its present condition? Let's say the contract states that the seller warrants the roof is free of leaks. You ask a roofing contractor to inspect the roof. He says there is evidence of past leaks and recommends replacing the roof before the next rainy season. In this case, it's reasonable to expect the seller to provide a leak-free roof at closing; it's in the contract. However, this may not mean that you're entitled to a new roof. Most sellers would seek a second opinion. Another roofer might recommend patching rather than replacing.”

The report continues, “Transactions can break down over differences of opinion about the extent of a problem and the appropriate remedy. It helps if both parties have open minds and a willingness to cooperate on reaching a mutually satisfactory solution. In many cases, a seller warranty is not a part of the contract. Instead, the buyer agrees to purchase the property in its present condition subject to inspections. Depending on how the inspection contingency is written, the buyer may have the unilateral right to withdraw from the contract and have his deposit returned, without even giving the seller the opportunity to repair defects. Likewise, the sellers may be under no obligation to make repairs. If a good faith effort is not made to work out a solution to property problems, the deal is off and the buyer's deposit will probably have to be returned. Negotiations over inspection issues may fall apart because one party feels that the other is taking unfair advantage. A successful negotiation involves give and take.

Many people think it's acceptable to ask home sellers to repair health and safety issues. Even so, some sellers refuse to pay if they have lived comfortably with these issues for years with no problems. Sellers may feel a buyer is negotiating in bad faith is they ask sellers to pay to correct a defect that they were aware of before they made their offer.

Suppose you are buying ‘as is’ and the seller disclosed that the roof needed to be replaced. An estimate to replace the roof was included during the negotiation. When you removed your inspection contingency, you made it conditioned on the sellers replacing the roof. This kind of a request would enflame some sellers as the price may have been negotiated lower because of the roof condition.  In these circumstances, emotions can run high during the purchase resulting in the transaction not going forward. Sellers are often offended when buyers lose sight of the big picture and insist that the seller take care of minor defects. It's best to focus on the major issues.”

June concluded, “Make sure you understand what happens if the sellers turn down your requests to repair defects, particularly if you don't want to lose the house. We make available to our buyers and sellers the exclusive ERA Home Protection Plan, designed to cover most major interior components of the houses we offer for sale. Ask to see the details available at our offices. 

ERA Justin Realty Report: 
 Is Now A Good Time To Remodel?

Many people think that fixing a house is a sure way to make money. Yet, homeowners are often disappointed when they discover that their renovations didn't add as much to the market value of their home as they thought they would. There are several factors that determine whether a remodeling project will be profitable. One is that renovation costs and the market value of those renovations vary from one part of the country to the next.

Carol Calamari, ERA Justin Realtor Associate offered, “ As reported by Inman News reporter, Dian Hymer, author of "House Hunting, The Take-Along Workbook for Home Buyers" and "Starting Out, The Complete Home Buyer's Guide," for example, it costs less to replace windows with new, high-end, dual pane windows in the Midwest than it does in the West. But, the homeowner who lives in the West is likely to recoup more than 100 percent of what is invested, while the Midwesterner will probably only recoup about 84 percent, according to the annual 2005 Cost Versus Value Report published each year by the National Association of Realtors in conjunction with Remodeling Magazine. Another variable is the current rate of appreciation, which also varies over time and from place to place. Generally, the past five years was a good time to remodel. For example, if you had bought a fixer-upper in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2000 and enhanced it with cost-effective improvements, you probably would have realized a healthy profit when you sold in 2005.

Let's say you pay $300,000 for the fixer. According to the Cost Versus Value Report, improving curb appeal (such as adding new siding and windows) and kitchen and bathroom projects have been consistent high-return investments in most markets. So you concentrate your efforts on these high-performing improvements and invest $50,000 in the property.

After the renovations, the house is worth about $350,000. If the market appreciates at a rapid clip -- let's say 10 percent per year from 2000 until 2005. So, your property is now worth $563,678. If you had not done the renovations, your property would only be worth $483,153, or $80,525 less.

By making the improvements, you not only enhanced your enjoyment of the property while you lived there, you received an added bonus of more than $80,000 because you received appreciation on a more valuable asset. This assumes that the appreciation rate is constant across different price ranges, which is not the case in this current real estate environment.

Now that the resale housing market is slowing, does it still make sense to invest in home improvements? Not if you live in an area where the appreciation rate is waning and you're planning on moving again soon. Depending on where you live, you might only recoup 70 percent to 90 percent of the money you invested on renovations at the time of sale if you don't stay long enough to benefit from appreciation.”

Carol continued, “ Before embarking on a large renovation, consider whether it makes more sense financially to move to a house that better suits your needs. In a runaway seller's market, it's difficult for many homeowners to find a suitable home to buy due to low inventory. And, even if you find a home, there's no guarantee that you'll be successful in buying it due to competition from other buyers. Now inventories are rising in most areas of the country, making it easier to find a house to buy. In some markets, homeowners whose listings have been on the market for a while might be receptive to offers made contingent on the sale of the buyers' home. This rarely happened last year in tight inventory areas. If you buy a new home rather than remodel your existing home, you won't have to live through the construction nightmare. There's also no need to worry about over improving your home for the neighborhood -- a mistake made by many homeowners who remodel.”

ERA Justin Realty Reports Singles Opt For Advantages of Home Ownership

A study completed by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University cited single-person households as one of the fastest growing housing markets in the country. Nearly 5 million one-person households will be added in the coming decade.

ERA Justin Realty’s Ilene Harpuder stated, “As real estate professionals, we must stay aware of emerging trends to best understand the unique lifestyles of our clients. To understand the motivations of single home buyers, we should first look at wants and needs that shape their home buying decisions and review some of the leading factors behind this growing trend.

According to a past Census Report, between 1975 and 2002, the share of Americans who had never married increased from about 24% to 29% Currently, about half of all adults are unmarried, and a single person living alone occupies one in four households. These figures are a sign of the times Changing societal norms and expectations, improved personal wealth, increasing rates of higher education, and even longer life expectancies for women, have all contributed to the rise in single-person households. So what are the changing norms and demographics that have positioned this customer base to drive a significant portion of the housing market?

Although between 80 and 90% of Americans will get married during their lifetimes, rises in personal wealth, length of education and changing attitudes have resulted in both men and women delaying marriage until later in life. For example, one out of three men and more than one out of four women in their early 30s were unmarried in 1997, compared with fewer than one in 10 in 1900. Many single persons have grown accustomed to their lifestyle. They have the financial stability to live where they want and do not have immediate plans to marry or remarry.

Perhaps of greatest interest, women actually make up a large portion of single home ownership. Their role in the housing market is expected to continue to accelerate as women's success in the workplace continues to expand and personal income disparities continue to narrow. An article in Business Week Online reported that on average, women ages 25 to 34 earned 82% as much as men in 2000, as compared to only 68% in 1975. As this trend continues, expect to see even more financially independent women become homebuyers.

With only one set of hands at home instead of two or more, some singles opt for homes with lower maintenance features; including vinyl siding, brick, and vinyl windows to decrease the time devoted to maintenance. Others chose condos or town homes where exterior maintenance, landscaping, and snow removal are all handled by the homeowner's association for a monthly fee.

For seniors who are single, many choose to move to active adult communities that are specially equipped to provide wonderful amenities for a lifestyle of one including golf courses, pools, and recreation centers. Other seniors consider proximity to cultural centers, medical facilities, public transportation or family when buying a home.

Another factor homebuyers should consider is their future needs as well as the future resale value of a property. While a one-bedroom townhouse may be enough room now, it would not be if the buyer planned on marrying or have children in the near future. And while a single person may not mind having one bathroom, it could be a major detraction for a future prospective buyer looking at the house down the road. If they can afford it, buying slightly more house than they anticipate needing could very well be a wise investment decision for single homebuyers.”

ERA Justin Realty Welcomes
Realtor Associate Pamela Collins

What background builds knowledge, character and drive to succeed in real estate sales?  Cathy Vick, a career sales professional with ERA Justin Realty stated, “It begins with early schooling and training.  Pamela Collins who has joined our sales team comes from that background.  A lifelong resident of Rutherford, after graduation from the school system, she attended Seton Hall University and graduated from Montclair State University being both an Honor Society and Dean’s List student. She then began her early career in television and radio advertising, then accepting a position in elementary education teaching grades 5-8. Pamela has two sons, Peter and Alex who are also actively involved in school activities, especially football with the Rutherford Recreation programs.”

Pamela said, “When I felt it was time to grow and become part of a real estate firm, with my ties to Rutherford and our other local communities, my choice was to be part of a local firm that has national recognition.  That choice for me was ERA Justin Realty.  Being part of our many communities, with friends, family and all those who know me, I look forward to serving them in their real estate needs.  I’m also excited to introduce myself to those buyers and sellers I’ve not yet met and achieve their needs and goals.  ERA Justin Realty will make that process so much easier for me.  They are real estate market-leaders with cutting-edge technologies to match buyers with their dream house, making selling easier for residents with the ERA Sellers Security Plan, a guaranteed sales plan and a vast national referral and relocation system for those sellers who may be moving across the nation to new locations.”

Pamela attended and received her licensing training from the Kovats School of Real Estate.  She is a member of the New Jersey Association of Realtors, as well as the national association,  the New Jersey Multiple Listing Service and the Meadowlands Board of Realtors.

Cathy added, “Our brokers and staff immediately welcomed Pamela to the firm.  She brings professionalism and she will be pleased to explain the terms, conditions and review the Sellers Security Plan agreement with those who may be interested in a guaranteed sales program. 

Because of our daily priorities, we proudly received the prestigious ERA world-wide 2003, 2004 and 2005 ‘Commitment to Excellence Award’, one of 14 premier ERA real estate firms from 2,600 ERA offices.  All across the nation, the most coveted award that can be achieved in business is the ‘J.D. Power & Associates’ award.  Only outstanding business entities are honored and receive it.  ERA Real Estate was the recipient of ‘Highest Satisfaction for First Time Home Buyers and Sellers Among Full Service Real Estate Firms.’ Award in 2005 and 2006.  For these reasons ERA Justin Realty should be your buying and selling Realtor of choice.”

Realtor Associate Aileen Vitale 
Joins ERA Justin Realty

Rutherford:  “Dealing honestly, openly and having pride in the service you provide your customers and clients will respect and have trust in you,” words of Aileen Vitale who is part of the ERA Justin Realty team of sales professionals. Aileen joined the ERA Justin Realty firm transferring from A.W. Van Winkle Realty. 

Jennifer Darby, Broker Associate stated, “Aileen’s hard work, enthusiasm and focus in handling all details of her transactions result in successful purchases and sales.  If there were eight days in the week, she would be working that eighth day also.  We are pleased that she has joined our active team.”

Aileen’s specialty is her love for architectural and interior design and decorating, bringing focus to custom marketing programs for her sellers. 

She is equally active in her time away from the office, well traveled with a passion for history, art and design with a degree in marketing. She has held positions as past President of the Kiwanis Club of Rutherford-East Rutherford and has received the Mayor’s Accommodation for community service as well as receiving Certificates of Appreciation for both the East Rutherford and Carlstadt Dare Programs. After her early years growing up in New York, Aileen has resided in Rutherford for over eighteen years with her daughter Daryl, now enjoying a position as a veterinarian assistant.

Aileen stated, “ERA Justin Realty is widely recognized for their professionalism, skilled staff, and forward industry thinking and the use of cutting-edge technologies resulting in successful transactions to better serve our buyers and sellers.  To say you are affiliated with ERA Justin Realty brings strong satisfaction.  With their support systems, success follows as we all work to exceed buyer and seller expectations.”

She then concluded, “ It will be my pleasure to find and make a space, a home for you; an individual expression of ourselves as well as a welcoming sanctuary for our families.”

For ERA Justin Realtors School is Never Out

For many Americans, the common perception is that January begins another year and one more opportunity to fulfill well-intentioned resolutions. However, Realtors® and academics know that September, in actuality, initiates another season of learning, new beginnings and possibilities.

For real estate professionals at ERA Justin Realty, the season of learning is 365 days long. Back-to-school simply marks the next phase in an unbroken cycle of professional education. Why the focus on education?

Carol Darby, ERA Justin Realtor Co-owner said, “As I am sure you have noticed, the business of being a Realtor has become significantly more complex. Innovation in technology and the knowledge required to apply it effectively to our profession continues to proceed at a dizzying pace. Our clients use technology to communicate with us in ways that few could have imagined just a few short years ago, and they expect us to be every bit as comfortable with using technology as they are. As cell phones replace office phones and electronic organizers replace appointment books, the power of the Internet offers the possibility of a global marketing presence to every Realtor at our firm.

The regulatory environment in which we operate has become more complicated as well. Legal protections for consumers, a host of financing options and a myriad of state and local regulations place demands on our attention that we must be prepared to meet if we are to continue to best serve the interests of our clients. Therefore, the knowledge base that each one of us must possess grows daily.

I'm not suggesting for a moment that sales professionals should feel nostalgia for simpler times. In truth, successful Realtors have always invested considerable effort to achieve success. If a sales associate's job simply consisted of putting up a sign, running an ad and waiting for the phone to ring, our profession would have been phased out of existence long ago. It is precisely the considerable knowledge required to help clients reach their real estate goals that instills value in what we do.

Fortunately, the intelligent use of technology has always been a core principle at ERA Justin Realty, particularly when it comes to education. Our innovative use of communications and multimedia technology serves to put each of us in control of what we learn and when we learn it. Unlike the students who ride the bus to and from their classrooms each school day, our classrooms are often "virtual" ones, and are open whenever we choose. Our personal curriculum is limited only by what we wish to know, and by the depth of our motivation to improve our standing as real estate professionals.

There is another important difference between Realtors and eager students, a difference that is challenging and invigorating. Unlike students, Realtors don't have to wait until the end of the semester to find out how they are doing. The results are visible in a client's happiness when they find a home that meets their needs both financially and emotionally, which lets us know how we are doing every day.”

Carol concluded, “We are proud to offer this, one of a series of informational tips for homeowners. We offer continuing articles as an added measure to make our phrase ‘There is a difference in real estate companies,’ more than just a phrase, but a reality. Because of our daily efforts, we received the prestigious ERA world-wide 2003, 2004 and 2005 ‘Commitment to Excellence Award’, one of 14 premier ERA real estate firms from 2,600, across the nation. The most sought award that can be achieved in business is the ‘J.D. Power & Associates’ award.  Only outstanding business entities are honored and receive it. ERA Real Estate was the recipient of ‘Highest Satisfaction for First Time Home Buyers and Home Sellers Among Full Service Real Estate Firms’ awards for the past two years.  For these reasons ERA Justin Realty should be your buying and selling Realtor of choice.”

ERA Justin Agents Complete ERA Top Gun Academy Training and

Introduce The Exclusive ERA Guaranteed Sale Plan

ERA Justin Will Sell It Or ERA Will Buy It

Rutherford:  Six dedicated ERA Justin Realty sales associates Fara Espandi Hamzeh, Rosemarie Zembryski, Haleh Hamzeh, Mary Iannaccone, Edward Bulger and Adolf Pastorek have completed requirements of the ERA TOP GUN Academy, an advanced eight week training course for fine-tuning their already successful skills for their sellers and buyers.

Each TOP GUN session introduces new techniques to help the ERA Justin Realty sales team and other participants be more productive in their sales market.  Understanding sellers and buyers needs and looking for ways to provide exceptional service is the focus of the course.  During the eight weeks, 53 ERA sales associates from all areas of New Jersey attended the Academy, but only the best of the best achieved top team status, including those from ERA Justin Realty. 

Ron Darby, ERA Broker and Co-owner said, “Those attending experienced a higher level of productivity due to increasing skill development in areas needed to be an effective real estate professional in today’s ever-changing real estate market.  The Top Gun Academy is just one of the ways that ERA Justin Realty offers its sales associates continuing real estate education.  Through continued emphasis on professionalism, we ensure that our sales associates have the tools and training required to effectively serve the real estate needs of our clients and customers.

About to be introduced by ERA Justin Realty is the ERA Sellers Security Plan, whereby we will sell your house or ERA will buy it.  Certain conditions do apply.  Any of the ERA Justin Top Gun Academy graduates will be pleased to meet to explain the plan as well as determine if you will qualify and the house qualifies.  It is a guaranteed sale plan where the seller can accept the ERA offer to purchase anytime during the 180 day listing period.  If a profit is realized by ERA, after expenses, the profit is also returned to the seller. ERA Real Estate is the only real estate firm nationwide to offer this exclusive plan.  The plan may not fit everyone’s criteria but for those needing a guaranteed sale because of a transfer etc., it may be a perfect solution.”

ERA Justin Realty is nearing its 25^th anniversary with ERA real estate.  The firm has been recognized as a top 100 ERA real estate office from 2,600 ERA firms worldwide and has been honored with the 2003, 2004 and 2005 prestigious ERA Commitment to Excellence Award, one of fourteen ERA real estate firms to receive it from the entire worldwide ERA network.  Full details of their accomplishments can be read at their 1000’s of homes website at www.ERAJustin.com.

The reader may also request the firm’s 500 quotes and testimonials from their satisfied sellers and buyers, “What People Are Saying.”  It’s yours for the asking.

Glenn Elliot helping to build a retaining wall at a Habitat build in California.

Realtor Glenn Elliot works on Habitate build

Jennifer Darby of ERA Justin Realty Shares Dos and Don’ts of mixing architectural styles

Most of us appreciate the aesthetic value of historic homes, and have even been known to fall in love with them from time to time.

Jennifer Darby of ERA Justin Realty Co. has partnered with the National Trust for Historic Preservation to increase her educational outreach centering on the preservation of historic properties. Having this designation makes her familiar with architecture that spans more than three centuries of history, highlighting both high-style and vernacular buildings ranging from stately Federal mansions and handsome Italianate row houses to modest Queen Anne cottages and mail-order bungalows.

Jennifer stated, “As reported in Inman News, not long ago, in a pleasant, Sixties-era neighborhood of California ranchers, the Inman Reporter came across a renovated house that looked all too familiar. The owner had replaced the original front doors, all the windows and the garage door in a style that could most kindly be described as Home Depot Eclectic. To begin with, there was a huge, modernistic vinyl picture window. A few feet away were a pair of casement windows bordered with those now-inescapable Craftsman style ‘simulated divided lites.’ The garage door, meanwhile, was topped with a row of little Colonial sunburst windows, while the front doors boasted an elaborate Frank Lloyd Wright pattern done in beveled glass. Just about the only style that was absent, in fact, was that of the original California rancher. Setting aside the wisdom of trying to transform one architectural style into another, any one of these motifs might have worked had it been used consistently and alone. Combining them all together, however, simply yielded a stylistic hodgepodge.”

Jennifer Continued, “It's amazing how a single motif can call up a whole architectural style. Motifs act as a kind of visual shorthand -- when we see fishscale shingles, we think Victorian. When we see zigzags, we think Deco. When we see curlicues, we think Spanish, and so on. But this same suggestive power can cause a lot of trouble when it's not used carefully. Few motifs, for example, could be more at odds than those New Englandish sunbursts being played against the jagged lines of Prairie School glass just a few feet away. Probably the most clear-cut dividing line between irreconcilable motifs is the one between traditional and modern architecture. There are always exceptions, but in general, traditional and modern styles spring from diametrically opposed philosophies, and seldom the twain shall meet. This realization might have discouraged our exemplary renovator from mixing in a little Ben Franklin with his Frank Lloyd Wright.

Is all this just stylistic nitpicking? Sure -- but nitpicking is what makes for good design. Nor are such clashing motifs something that would only bother an architect. Lately, more and more homeowners come primed with an impressive grasp of architectural styles -- due, no doubt, to ‘This Old House’-style TV shows and instant Google searches. Lots of people are able to sense when things don't seem to fit together right. So unless you aim to be eclectic, try to limit yourself to a few favorite motifs, and apply them consistently. If you use segmental arches, for example, don't mix them with round ones -- the first speaks Italian, while the second screams in Spanish. For similar reasons, don't mix double-hung windows with sliders, Art Nouveau with Art Deco, divided lites with glass block, and so on. All of these pairings come from very different eras and sources, and they'll get along none too happily in one facade.

If you're not sure which motif goes with which style, consult some books on the style or period you're interested in. Find five or six examples of buildings you really like, and take note of the motifs they have in common. Then, pay equally close attention to the things you don't find, and you won't be bedeviled by those mixed-up motifs.”

ERA Justin Realtor Grace Tirrito Suggests Tips

on Preparing Your House For Sale

When you prepare your house for sale, you are packaging a product. Just as a consumer is affected by the 'look' of a product, the overall ‘look’ of your property will affect a potential buyer. You can consider it theater too; your home will be on stage. You need to rehearse and prepare for the debut!

Grace Tirrito suggests, “Making sure you get the buyer's attention, you'll want to see your home through the buyer's eyes. Buyer's eyes will give you a realistic view of your home, and help create a pleasing, memorable impression for the buyer. You'll ask yourself: Is this what I want a buyer to see? Is this how I want a buyer to feel? Is this the impression I want the buyer to carry away? Hopefully, buyer's eyes will help you evaluate your property and eliminate any aspects that might leave a buyer uninterested.  It's important that you understand that the way you actually live in your house is not the way you want it to look and feel when it's on the market. This is not to say that the way you live in your house isn't perfectly normal and completely acceptable. What this means is that you'll want to expand your perspective and develop an objective, unemotional view of it.

A home is a personal refuge from the world. As soon as we move into a house, we become less and less objective about it. Celebrations with family and friends, milestones, holidays and entertaining make a mountain of memories that endear our homes to us. We're so busy living in and enjoying our house, we get quickly used to the doorknob that needs pushed and turned at the same time. We automatically jiggle the toilet handle. And we toss a rug over that missing tile on the bathroom floor. These are the quirky things that make the house our own.

The first step in acquiring buyer's eyes is to start referring to your house as just that: a house. Stop calling it a 'home.' 'Home' brings with it a host of emotions and sentiments. 'House' is more neutral. The next thing to do is get out of your house and into some 'Open Houses' to see how buyers operate.  Go to open houses and notice how buyers look around. Listen to what they say. Pay particular attention to emotional statements like, 'Oh, this is charming!' and, 'well, I guess we could paint it.' Make note of how you feel about the house.  Keep notes on your impressions. How did you feel as you drove up?  How did you feel as you walked to the door? Was the entry welcoming? How about the kitchen, bathrooms, floor plan? Could you imagine living there?

Model homes are professionally staged to appeal to buyers. Notice how perfectly clean and tidy the house is. Notice how uncluttered it is. Since no one actually lives there, it should appear uncluttered, of course, but look around at how the house is arranged and detailed to make it look as though someone does live there. It's an illusion created to make you feel at home, to make you want to move right in. This is exactly the look you want to achieve. Leaf through decorating magazines and home magazines and clip out pictures that appeal to you. Study them and determine what exactly is appealing? Pick out some ideas that you can use in your house. You may not have the same furniture or accessories, but you can implement many of the ideas just the same. As you explore, note specifics in certain rooms and small touches that you find appealing. Keep a notebook of the things you find pleasing. The chances are that if it works for you, it will appeal to someone else too. The chances are excellent that the person who buys your home will have tastes very similar to yours.”

Grace continued, “We are pleased to offer our ongoing consumer articles in our area press. Truly, there is a difference in real estate companies, and our articles and our ERA Home Protection Plans are additional examples. We ask Buyers and Sellers to compare.  We believe that in order to exceed expectations of what our real estate consultants are about, we don’t offer just real estate basics; we try to be as comprehensive as possible.  In that way, we know that our Buyers and Sellers will hold us all in the highest regard.”

Ana Negron-Pryor a WoodRidge resident has recently joined ERA Justin Realty where she will provide service to area buyers and sellers.  Her dedication is evident as she services Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson Counties

Ana Negron-Pryor Joins ERA Justin

David Nunziato ERA Justin Realtor has recently joined the firm. A Hasbrouck Heights resident with knowledge of all South Bergen County communities, he will focus on residential sales. 

David Nunziato Joins ERA Justin

John Boguszewski, ERA Justin Realtor is a New Jersey Association of Realtors Circle of Excellence achiever for 2005. John has been an active career Realtor with the firm for over a decade in listings and sales throughout Bergen, Passaic and Essex counties.

ERA Justin’s John Boguszewski’s Report:

Getting It Right the Second Time: To Remodel or Not to Remodel

Rutherford: Sometimes the house that was once your dream home is challenged by the changing realities in your life. Then it’s time to decide whether to change the house you’re in, or just change houses.

John Boguszewski, known in the industry as John “B” offers these valuable tips:  “Your family may not be the same one that originally moved in – kids arrive, or people start to work more at home, and the house suddenly seems smaller or unsuited to new needs. Or maybe your new-home search has just been taking too long, and you’ve decided to try and make your current one “new” instead.  This is a major undertaking that calls for serious consideration before moving forward. Are you so happy with your current neighborhood that you’d like to do as much as possible to avoid moving, or are you ready for a change of area? Can your family take the strain, and your business the disruption, of a project that will demand a significant shift of routine and even displacement of living arrangements?

There are practical considerations to add to these emotional and financial ones. You’ll want to find out if the changes you have in mind are compatible with local planning, zoning and building rules. And you’ll want to consult with designers and architects as to the feasibility – and approximate cost – of those changes. A related and crucial consideration is the future value of your house for resale if you remodel but still later wish to move. This is important because increasing your home’s resale value through renovation is not necessarily a given.

The reason is not just that remodeling can compromise a home’s aesthetics and efficiency – though this is a significant concern; rather than buying another home to suit new needs, remaking one forces you to work around existing systems (such as plumbing) and can lead to eccentric and unwieldy spaces. The consequences of the renovation working “too well” could be equally disadvantageous to you: a house that is much bigger than others near it, or otherwise uncommon in its neighborhood, can disrupt its location and be priced beyond what anyone looking in that area is willing to pay.

To make sure all of your domestic dreams are good ones, do some planning and consider consulting a real estate professional (who can help with everything from architect referrals to advice on what renovations are right for your market). This will make all the difference between building to a problem and modeling homeownership happiness or making a better decision of selling your current house and making a purchase that lends itself to the layout and features that fit your current lifestyle.”

John continued, “ERA Justin Realty proudly received the prestigious ERA worldwide 2003, 2004 and 2005 ‘Commitment to Excellence Award’, selected from 2,600 ERA real estate firms.  All across the nation, the most sought award that can be achieved in business is the ‘J.D. Power & Associates’ award.  Only outstanding business entities are honored and receive it.  ERA Real Estate was the recipient of ‘Highest Satisfaction for First Time Home Buyers and Sellers Among Full Service Real Estate Firms.’ award in 2004 and 2005. For these reasons ERA Justin Realty has been a buying and selling Realtor of choice for thousands.  We’d like to meet with you to review your real estate needs today, tomorrow or at a future date.”

ERA Justin Broker Associate and NJAR 2005 Circle of Excellence award winner, Glenn Elliot provides an overview when the brood leaves the nest.  Mr. Elliot has provided decades of real estate service to Bergen County residents in their real estate needs.  He is a member of the New Jersey Multiple Listing Service and Meadowlands Board of Realtors.

ERA Justin Realty Report, “When the Brood 
Leaves the Nest”

“If you’re an empty nester, or about to become one, you’ve got lots of company. The number of baby boomers age 65 and over is expected to increase nearly 80 percent over the next two decades. Shifts in the age distribution of our population will result in a growing number of Baby Boomers moving to accommodations that better suit their needs,” according to ERA Justin Realty Broker Associate, Glenn Elliot.

Continuing, Glenn said, “Today’s empty nester is not the sedentary retiree of yesteryear. Senior homebuyers tend to stay in or near the same community after they retire. Most people continue to work much later in life, perhaps in an entirely new career or as a full-time volunteer who serves their community.

A major decision you are probably facing is determining exactly what you would like your next living arrangement to be. Unlike generations in days past, today it is nearly impossible to describe a “typical” empty nester’s home. Much depends on your individual lifestyle, family situation and other personal preferences.

New living options marketed to meet a diversity of lifestyles are continually appearing on the marketplace. Translating your choices of amenities, location, ease of maintenance, architectural style, etc. into the selection of your next home can be a frustrating experience. Working with an experienced real estate professional who listens to your needs and understands the market can help shorten your search for the home that is right for you.

Choosing the right real estate professional can also pay dividends when selling your current home. The Senior Advantage Real Estate Council reports that 90 percent of seniors do not put their home on the market until they have settled on their new living arrangements. At the same time, younger families are seeking to move up and out to the larger homes and apartments offered by empty nesters.

The ERA^® Sellers Security^® Plan has been designed for empty nesters and others who wish to remove the anxiety from the process of selling their home. The Sellers Security^® Plan guarantees that your home will sell at a pre-determined price within 180 days of listing your home. Simply put, If we don’t sell your house, ERA will buy it^®.”

“The Sellers Security^® Plan is a guaranteed sale plan offered in all 50 states. An attractive feature of Sellers Security is the ERA^®  system’s exclusive Five Point Marketing Plan, which covers all the bases for a quick and hassle-free sale, by maximizing the marketability and sales potential of your home.  There are details and conditions that I’d be pleased to review with those interested.  Simply contact me for full and details and conditions,” concluded Glenn.

ERA JUSTIN'S KRISTEN DAVIS OFFERS

SUMMER RELOCATION TIPS FOR KID

Kristen Davis, a busy  Mom and focused sales professional with ERA Justin Realty offers important tips on Relocation for kids. “During the past months of 2006 homes were purchased with summer closings and plans for kids to begin a new school year in a brand new location.  Every year, one out of five American families move. One of the most important issues to anyone with kids is their reaction to the news that they're moving and their adjustment to the new home. Being informed is very important to children. One of the worst mistakes we can make as adults is to assume that kids don't care or won't understand the details. Keeping them 'in the loop,' consulting them about choices whenever possible, and including them in the family game plan will work wonders toward their adjustment.”  Other factors depend on a child's age, she continued:

“Preschool children:  Kids under the age of six may worry about being left behind, or being separated from their parents. If you go on an orientation or house-hunting trip before hand without the children, it's important to reassure kids this age that you will be back; bring something unique back to them from the new town. It's also very important for them to express their feelings and fears about the move. Give them a job to do, have them be responsible for boxing up their favorite toys, and 'labeling' their boxes with crayons and stickers.
Ages 6 to 12:  Elementary age kids are usually most concerned with how the everyday routines of their lives are going to change. Showing them pictures, videos and magazines of their new home will help a lot, especially if you can find new places in advance for the things they like to do. If your child takes dance lessons, find and share information about the new dance studio she can go to If he takes karate, or plays soccer or baseball . . . even if her favorite thing to do is the park or the pizza parlor, find these places in your new neighborhood and get brochures, pictures or videos.
Teenagers:  Teenagers are most concerned with fitting in. They may react angrily to the move, even insist they're not going. This is usually due to the total lack of control they have over everything important in their lives - friends, school and jobs - being disrupted. These children can be very worried about making new friends, and what will be different in the new school. They are curious about the clothing, hairstyles, bicycles, cars, etc., that kids in the new city will have. Pictures of all these things are very helpful, so if you take an orientation trip be sure to take many detailed photos/videos of the schools they will be attending.
Other tips for making the transition: 

1) Give young children an entertaining travel kit for the move.
2) Give older children a diary for recording the trip and move.
3) Give children of all ages a special address book and stationery set for keeping up with old friends.
4) Take videos of the new home if the kids won't get to see it before the move. Arrive well before the movers so kids can explore and become acquainted first.
5) Give children a chore to do, such as working on their room (younger), supervising little siblings (middle), and painting or arranging furniture (older kids).
6) Take a break with the family as soon as possible to explore the museums, sights and recreation in your new city.
7) Arrange a visit to new schools and a meeting with the teacher before the actual first day of attendance.
8) Encourage the children to bring new friends home.

Regardless of when you move, prepare your children well for the transition. By planning ahead, you'll be able to offer them a few details of what to expect. Give the kids plenty of opportunity to express their feelings about the move, and their anxieties about the new school, new friends, teachers, and their sadness at leaving all that is familiar. Try to find ways to address your own emotional needs and your stress load so that you appear available to the kids at all times. Their concerns will only be heightened if they see you with concerns. Find a balance with yourself and your kids, and keep communication open. Planning and organizing can help keep stress to a minimum.  Keep an eye out for signs of stress and anxiety in your kids. Different children have different needs, certainly, and all kids process stress differently. If you do notice acting out or other behaviors that indicate adjustment problems, talk to the guidance counselor or the pediatrician about how to proceed.  Share your feelings and encourage the kids to see the move as a family adventure. You're all in it together. You will all experience emotional ups and downs, and it's important that everyone understands how normal these feelings are. Acknowledge the emotions of moving. Looking ahead to the new house, new school, and new friends should shortly be an exciting experience.”

Kristen concluded, “This is an overview of how you may want to handle your move.  It is our pleasure to assist our home Buyers and Sellers throughout the entire process."

ERA JUSTIN REALTY REVIEWS BEST DOLLAR-FOR-DOLLAR IMPROVEMENT RETURNS

It would be nice if you could count on getting one dollar back when you sell your house for each dollar you invested in renovations. Most people hope for more than a dollar-for-dollar return. In reality, many improvements return less than the amount invested.

For example, in a past Cost Versus Value Report, published by the National Association of Realtors, as reported by Inman News, that nationally, the average percent recouped on a bathroom remodel was only 90.1 percent. It was 88.1 percent for a deck addition, 81.2 percent for a family room addition, and a mere 79.4 percent for a major kitchen remodel.

“Does this mean that remodeling is a waste of your time and money? It can be, especially if you go about a renovation in a haphazard fashion. It's important to do due diligence investigations before embarking on a remodel project, just as you would if you were considering buying a new home There are many variables to consider,” stated Jennifer Darby, Realtor with ERA Justin Realty Co.

“First, consider that the figures quoted are national averages. The amount recouped on a remodel depends in large part on where you live. There's significant variability from one city to the next, according to the NAR report.  For instance, nationally, homeowners recouped only 90 percent on a bathroom remodel. But, the amount recouped for the same job was 109.7 percent in New York City, 100 percent in San Francisco, and only 61.3 percent in Denver, on average.  The return on a remodeling investment will also depend on the value of your home, particularly in relationship to the value of homes in your neighborhood. If you have a small home in a neighborhood of larger, more expensive homes, you could come out ahead by enlarging your home. However, it's important to keep costs in line so that you don't end up over-improving your home for the neighborhood. Buyers tend to discount a home that's priced above the value of other homes in the neighborhood. Before remodeling, it's also important to consider your competition. In some areas, certain remodeling projects are taken for granted. For instance, if you're in an upscale neighborhood of older homes where most homeowners have remodeled their kitchen and bathrooms, you may be penalized price-wise by the market if your home is outdated. In areas where home prices are stable, you're likely to recoup more on your remodel investment than you would during times of meager appreciation. With this in mind, you're more likely to recoup your investment over the long term. There's a subjective factor that can't be overlooked when remodeling. This factor is often referred to as pride of ownership. And, don't discount the value of creature comfort. There's a certain sense of well being to be derived from a home that suits your lifestyle while aptly reflecting who you are. Despite these factors, from an investment standpoint, it makes sense to consider resale value before making an investment in a major renovation. This doesn't mean that you should remodel your home with someone else in mind. But, if you're aim is to recoup as much of your investment as possible, it's wise to consider home buyer preferences in your area. If your remodeling is not in tune with what buyers want, it could actually decrease the value of your home. Also keep in mind that while trends change, quality and good taste are timeless.  The NAR Cost Versus Value Report was based on professional judgment rather than on actual sales data. Therefore, the report is somewhat subjective. However, it does point out the importance of carefully considering before remodeling.”

Jennifer concluded, “At ERA Justin Realty the words, ‘There is a difference in real estate companies’ is more than a phrase.  We live it every day.  Because of our daily priorities, we proudly received the prestigious ERA world-wide 2003, 2004 and 2005 ‘Commitment to Excellence Award’ a select few from 2,600 ERA firms.

  All across the nation, the most sought award that can be achieved in business is the ‘J.D. Power & Associates’ award.  Only outstanding business entities are honored and receive it.  ERA Real Estate was the recipient of ‘Highest Satisfaction for First Time Home Buyers and Home Sellers Among Full Service Real Estate Firms’ in 2004 and 2005.  For these reasons ERA Justin Realty has been selected by buyers and sellers as their Realtor of choice.” 

ERA JUSTIN REALTY AGENTS ATTEND ERA TOP GUN ACADEMY

Rutherford:  Six dedicated ERA Justin Realty sales associates have accepted a major challenge by enrolling in the ERA Top-Gun Training Academy.  Fara Espandi Hamzeh, Rosemarie Zembryski, Haleh Hamzeh, Mary Iannaccone, Edward Bulger and Aldolf Pastorek have the acquired requirements to attend the ERA Top Gun Academy, an advanced eight week training course for fine-tuning their already successful skills for servicing their buyers and sellers.

Each ERA Top Gun session introduces new techniques to help the ERA Justin Realty sales team and other participants be more productive in their real estate markets.  Understanding sellers and buyers needs and  learning ways to provide exceptional service is the focus of the course.  During the eight weeks, ERA sales associates from all areas of New Jersey are attending the Academy, but only the best of the best will achieve top team status, and as past statistics show, ERA Justin Realty agents have historically achieved top honors.

Ron Darby, ERA Broker and Co-owner said, “We are very fortunate to be able to be part of the academy this year, as ERA Top Gun is taught on alternating years in New Jersey with this training taught by the national director of training. It's a rare opportunity for us. Those attending experience a higher level of productivity due to increasing skill development in areas needed to be an effective real estate professional in today’s ever-changing real estate market.  The Top Gun Academy is just one of the ways that ERA Justin Realty offers its sales associates continuing real estate education.  Through continued emphasis on professionalism, we ensure that our sales associates have the tools and training required to effectively serve the real estate needs of our clients and customers. We strive to exceed buyer and seller expectations each day."

ERA Justin Realty is nearing its 25^th anniversary with ERA real estate, has been recognized at a top 100 ERA real estate firm from 2,600 ERA firms worldwide and has been honored with the 2003, 2004 and 2005 prestigious ERA Commitment to Excellence Award, one of fourteen ERA real estate firms to receive it from the entire worldwide ERA network.  Full details of their accomplishments can be read at their 1000’s of homes website at www.ERAJustin.com.

ERA NEW JERSEY CELEBRATES SUCCESS AT ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER

Over 500 ERA Real Estate agents, brokers and managers gathered on April 24^th at Mayfair Farms in West Orange, New Jersey to honor the accomplishments of  ERA New Jersey Broker’s Council member offices. 

According to Ron Darby, Broker of ERA Justin Realty and Awards and Recognition Chairman for New Jersey stated,  “The evening honors all agents who were recipients of the ‘New Jersey Association of Realtors Circle of Excellence’ awards for 2005. Those awarded at ERA Justin Realty included John Boguszewski, Jennifer Darby, Kristen Davis, Glenn Elliot, Fara Espandi Hamzeh, Haleh Hamzeh, Ilene Harpuder, Mary Iannaccone, June Incorvaia, Peggy McLaughlin, Terry Mertens, Grace Tirrito and Cathy Vick. 

During each of the 12 years that I’ve chaired the event, it has grown and what makes the evening special is the diversity of the awards that are presented at the event. We like to make the awards program a team effort.  In addition to the NJAR awards, we award agents for outstanding efforts in other unique categories.  “You Make Us Look Great” award presented to Glenn Elliot, The “Extra Distance” award recognized Terry Mertens, “Most Improved” award to Kristen Davis and “Rookie of the Year” award to Haleh Hamzeh. “Top Producer Of The Year” award went to Jennifer Darby.  In every other ERA New Jersey office, awards in the same categories were presented to those outstanding agents.

“ERA has brokers and agents throughout New Jersey, the United States and the world. ERA is a global leader in the residential real estate industry with more than 30 years of experience in developing consumer-oriented products and services. The ERA real estate network includes more than 28,000 brokers and sales agents throughout the United States and 30 other countries and territories,” concluded Darby.

ERA Justin Realty has been recognized by multi-thousands of buyers and sellers over their 56 years in South Bergen County and is noted today as an area market leader.  They proudly received the prestigious ERA 2003, 2004 and 2005 Commitment to Excellence Award, one of 14 premier ERA real estate firms from 2,600 from across the nation.  They are also recognized in the Muscular Dystrophy national organization, presided over by Jerry Lewis, with an elite President’s Club designation for their charitable fundraising activities. For these many reasons ERA Justin Realty has been a buying and selling Realtor of choice to thousands of their customers and clients.

Mary Iannaccone, ERA Justin Realtor, shares spring vital home repairs to help recover from winter.  She was recently recognized by the Meadowlands Board of Realtors as a New Jersey Association of Realtors Circle of Excellence winner for her achievements during 2005.

SPRING IS BEST TIME FOR VITAL HOME REPAIRS AND HELP TO RECOVER FROM WINTER

“It's all starting to come out of hibernation--plants, flowers, lawns, and even your home. Winter plays havoc on houses, and spring should be a time to toss on some shorts and take a walk around your house to get that spring chore list in order. Here are few additional areas to pay attention to written by Inman News and Paul Bianchina,” according to ERA Justin Realty’s Mary Iannaccone.     

ROOF VENTILATION

Remember that ice dam on the roof last winter? Remember how hot your attic was when you went up there to check the antenna wire last summer? Proper attic ventilation can help with both those problems, and spring--while it's not too hot or too cold--is an ideal time to take care of any necessary work. Attic ventilation should equal approximately 1 square foot of vent area for every 300 square feet of attic, so first figure out roughly how many square feet your attic is, and then divide by 300. The total vent area should be roughly split between high and low vents, so now divide that number by two. Take some measurements to see if you have an adequate amount of vent area in both the eaves and high on the roof, and add more as needed. Also, check the condition of existing vents to see that the screen is intact, flashings are secure and well sealed, and there are no other problems that need correcting.

SPRINKLERS

Permanent, in-ground sprinklers are great, as long as they're properly adjusted. Run each set of sprinklers through a cycle, and watch how and where the water is hitting. Adjust or replace any sprinklers that are hitting your siding, washing out loose soil areas, spraying over foundation vents, or in any other way wetting areas on and around your house that shouldn't be getting wet.

GRADE

Soil is also susceptible to being washed away or redistributed by heavy winter rains and melting snow. Now is the time to check and see if the grade around the outside of your home has been moved around by winter's fury, which can result in runoff getting into your basement or crawlspace, or running into neighbor's yards where it shouldn't go. Look for areas where soil seems too high or too low in relation to your home, as well as for marks on your siding, foundation, walkways, and other areas that might indicate if soil or water is in a place it shouldn't be. A 4-foot builder's level placed on a long, straight board can help you check grade and slope--redistribute soil so that for every foot horizontally you have at least 1/4 inch of fall away from the house.

CHECK YOUR HOUSE NUMBERS

Can someone find your house easily, especially in the dark? Spring is a great time to check that your house numbers are clearly visible from the street, that they are painted a contrasting color from whatever surface they are mounted on, that they are somehow hit by exterior lighting at night, and that they are not obscured by overgrown foliage.

FENCES AND GATES

Fence posts are especially susceptible to ground water saturation, and will loosen up and tilt if the soil around them gets soaked too deeply. Check fence posts in various areas by wiggling them to see how solidly embedded they are. If any are loose, wait until the surrounding soil has dried out from winter's rains, then excavate around the bottom of the posts and pour additional concrete to stabilize them.  

SMOKE DETECTORS

As always when it's time to change the clocks, you want to check your smoke detectors. Replace the batteries, clean the covers, and test the detector's operation before it's too late. If you have gas-fired appliances in the house, including a water heater, now is also a great time to consider adding a carbon monoxide detector, which are inexpensive and easy to install, and are available at most home centers and other retailers of electrical parts and supplies.

Mary concluded, “If you are not personally handy, there are listings under handyman in many of the local newspapers who advertise for jobs big and small.  You may want to phone more than one, ask and check their references for work they’ve done for other homeowners before making your hiring decision.”

Left to right:  ERA Justin Realty first quarter 2006 award achievers include Jennifer Darby, Mary Iannaccone, Cathy Vick, Peggy McLaughlin, Carol Calamari and Fara Hameh.  All of these achievers were also cited for their outstanding production and received the New Jersey Association of Realtors 2005 Circle of Excellence award at a presentation by the Meadowlands Board of Realtors

ERA-JUSTIN REALTY AWARD ACHIEVERS

POINT THE WAY TO SPRING SALES

Flowers are blooming, lawns are greening, buds are on the trees and ERA Justin Realty is active in spring real estate sales. This is the time when families focus on real estate sales, but the first question asked is, “How do I price my house?”

Ask the ERA Justin Realty first quarter 2006 award achievers, and the answer you will most likely hear over and over again is "realistically.” Ask any of the Leadership Circle achievers who provide a complimentary Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) and you will have the answers to your real estate questions.  They include, Jennifer Darby, Mary Iannaccone, Cathy Vick, Peggy McLaughlin, Carol Calamari and Fara Hamzeh.  The New Jersey Association of Realtors also cited them all in their 2005 Circle of Excellence award categories where Fara Hamzeh received the Silver award and Jennifer Darby received the Gold award.

 "If you are thinking of selling your home in the near future and want to know for how much it could sell, then you may contact a real estate sales professional at our firm and request a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to determine its fair market value,” recommends both Cathy Vick and Peggy McLaughlin. 

“The fair market value of a house is the highest price an informed buyer will pay.  A homeowner's asking price is the advertised price of a house when it goes on the market and may be slightly higher than the fair market value because it is assumed that some negotiation will be necessary to reach an agreement with a Buyer,” added Mary Iannaccone.

Carol Calamari responded, “To get an estimate of the fair market value, a homeowner can call our ERA Justin Realty sales team. Our service is provided free of charge and without obligation.”

"In conducting a CMA, our ERA Justin Realty sales professionals have access to a wide array of information, such as databases containing recent listing and selling prices of similar homes in the neighborhood, and how long these homes took to sell. The resulting analysis can help a homeowner understand what today's changing market has done to the price of his or her home, and will provide a realistic figure of the home's fair market value.  If a home is then put on the market, our sales professionals will use the CMA to help the homeowner establish a selling marketing program. The CMA information is very helpful in determining the true value of a house and the right asking price. In the end, however, the homeowner should decide on a price that he or she feels is competitive and consistent with the price at which other houses in the area have sold,” concluded both Jennifer Darby and Fara Hamzeh.

Ron Darby, Broker Co-owner added, “Our CMA report for our Sellers is truly comprehensive in all aspects.  Complete with color photos and detailed information, it makes pricing easier for those planning a sale.  Truly, there is a difference in real estate companies, and our details will make the difference. We ask Buyers and Sellers to compare.  We believe that in order to exceed expectations of what ERA Justin Realty is about, we don’t offer just real estate basics, we try to be as comprehensive as possible.  In that way, we know that our Buyers and Sellers will hold us all in the highest regard.  Proof of our abilities for our clients and customers shows in these fine award achievers, honored during the first quarter of 2006 for their production.”

Cathy Vick ERA Justin Realty Realtor offers information to buyers and sellers through the firm's 2006 Answers Guide, a resource to most asked questions.  Cathy has received sales and production awards throughout her twenty-five association with the firm.

ERA JUSTIN REALTY OFFERS 2006 ON-LINE

CONSUMERS ANSWERS GUIDE

“ERA Justin Realty is making available to the public a valuable 2006 resource to help consumers with their most frequently asked questions about buying and selling a home. ANSWERS®, ERA's real estate reference guide provides ‘plain English’ explanations to help consumers feel more comfortable about the home buying and selling process,” offered NJAR Circle of Excellence award winner, Cathy Vick a top producer and continuous award winner each of twenty years with ERA Justin Realty.

The ANSWERS® guide is based on over 90 of the questions that ERA Brokers hear most frequently. According to Cathy,  "The ANSWERS® guide takes the most important things that we have learned over the years helping customers, and organizes it to help consumers feel more confident about home buying and selling." ANSWERS® is available to consumers free of charge on the firm’s website at  www.erajustin.com 

Both current and new homeowners will find sound advice, inside tips and honest answers to a multitude of questions about the real estate process in the ANSWERS® on-line guide. It contains sections on home selling, buying, financing and maintenance, and includes questions such as what makes a house sell, when is the best time to list a house for sale, is there any seasonality to the market, and what's the difference between fair market value and asking price. In addition, the guide includes a glossary of important real estate terms.

Cathy continued, “At ERA Justin Realty the words, ‘There is a difference in real estate companies’ is more than a phrase.  We live it every day.  Because of our daily priorities, we proudly received the prestigious ERA world-wide 2003, 2004 and 2005 ‘Commitment to Excellence Award’, one of 14 premier ERA real estate firms from 2,600.

To be a recipient, and all across the nation, the most sought award that can be achieved in business is the ‘J.D. Power & Associates’ award.  Only outstanding business entities are honored and receive it.  ERA Real Estate was the recipient of the ‘Highest Satisfaction for First Time Home Buyers and Home Sellers Among Full Service Real Estate Firms.’ award in 2004 and 2005. For these reasons ERA Justin Realty has been the buying and selling Realtor of choice for thousands.

Just a click away and the ANSWERS® guide will come into view and assist you with your real estate questions. From there, you will have the option to view featured homes or 1000’s of homes and view backgrounds on all of ERA Justin Realty’s sales professionals

Terry Mertens, ERA Justin Realty sales professional shares report information about gifting the family home.  Terry is a recepient of the 2005 New Jersey Association of Realtors "Circle of Excellence" sales award along with thirteen other ERA Justin Realty teammates.

ERA Justin Realty Report:  
Gifting The Family Home

“If you are getting ready to move out of your longtime home and into more sunshine, you can actually gift your home to a child or friend but that gift will come with a few strings attached. In many countries around the world, once the parents die, the children simply move into the home and take over the master bedroom. While that progression still occurs in the United States, estate taxes, rising home values, job transfers, and the desire for a separate space and different environment have changed the use of the traditional family home. The bottom line is that the home has evolved from basic shelter to the average person's most valuable possession. It needs to be carefully protected, guarded, and even nursed along--much like the responsibilities that took place within the home itself. And the financial value is usually accompanied by priceless memories and experiences, making the family home beyond doubt the ultimate asset.”  This is information brought forth by author Tom Kelly in his book "Real Estate for Boomers and Beyond,” reported ERA Justin Realty’s Terry Mertens, one of fourteen 2005 NJAR Circle of Excellence winners at their firm.

Terry stated, “First and foremost, your child or friend's basis in the house will be what you paid for the property, plus major improvements. Because this cost you paid years ago is probably much lower than today's soaring home value, there's a chance tax will be owed on a subsequent sale.”

Kelly’s book states, “For example, if you purchased your home in 1970 for $60,000 and it is now worth $450,000, your child's basis would be $60,000 if you chose to transfer the home to the child as a gift. If the married child sells the home 10 years down the road for $760,000, their tax liability would be on $200,000 ($760,000 minus the $60,000 basis, minus the $500,000 exclusion for married couples). Taxpayers in the 15 percent tax bracket would thus owe the Internal Revenue Service approximately $30,000 in capital gains tax. The actual gain is the difference between the adjusted sales price (selling price less selling expenses) and the adjusted basis. The adjusted basis is the original cost plus capital improvements. Capital improvements are the cost of improvements having a useful life of more than one year. Examples include the new roof, dock, deck, remodeled bathroom, and finished basement. Generally, an expense is a capital improvement if it adds value to the property or extends its useful life. If these criteria are not met and the expenditure is considered necessary to maintain current usefulness, it is a maintenance cost.

The outright gift would also reduce your lifetime gift tax and estate tax exemptions. While the limits on both the lifetime gift tax and estate tax used to be the same (there was one overall exemption, and the individual used it up by making gifts during life and at death), the 2001 legislation set the gift tax and estate tax on different roads beginning in 2004. Both were combined into a ‘unified’ exemption because gifts made during life also counted against the total. The overall, or unified, exemption remains for the entire estate, but a gift exemption limits the amount that can be given during a lifetime. Once the unified exemption is used up, the tax rates that apply are quite high. The estate tax is being phased out over a 10-year period, but the gift tax will remain in place. The gift tax exemption is $1 million in 2006, but the estate tax leaps to $2 million. In future years, the gift tax exemption will remain at $1 million, while the estate tax exemption rises until the estate tax is fully repealed in 2010. At that time, the top gift tax rate again will equal the top income tax rate.

If you are going to gift your home to an individual, it's best to offset the amount by first using your annual gift tax exclusion of $11,000 per gift. You can gift $11,000 (this amount will rise and is tied to inflation) to any one person in any year. Hence, if you and your spouse each make a gift to both your child and her spouse, you can offset $44,000 of the home's value. Then, as long as the home's net figure is less than $1 million, you won't owe any current tax (unless you made substantial gifts earlier that reduced your remaining exemption).”

Terry concluded, “Tax regulations do change, so take the time to check with a tax attorney or an accountant before making any moves. Be certain that goals are shared and discussed. You'll find it saves time, money and anxiety.”

ERA JUSTIN REALTY ACHIEVERS KNOW SECRETS OF REAL ESTATE SUCCESS

ERA Justin Realty Report:  Selling? 

Get Ready, Get Set, Toss

ERA Justin Realty’s Realtor Jennifer Darby offers tips with a smile in getting those closets ready for the sale of your house. “For many, we hardly want to think about closets, but the day is nearing, hour by hour. When your Realtor arranges for an open house or appointment, you will no doubt make sure everything is tidy and clean. The dishes are put away, beds made, litter box cleaned. But, what about your closets?   Storage is a number one priority with home buyers. They want to make sure they have a place to put their stuff. Will your closets prove to be a selling point?

Ready? Here's how it goes. You get a phone call. Friends are dropping by for a few minutes, so you toss everything into the closet - toys, coats and whatever. When your guests leave, you swear you will get to it tomorrow. Sometimes, tomorrow never comes. After a while, it becomes hard to close the door and you do not remember what is in there. It is now time to de-clutter and de-stress.

Everyone loves lots of closet space. Closets are where we keep clothing, shoes, and storage for seasonal items, sports equipment, linens and the endless supply of home necessities. The problem is it can become an 'out of sight, out of mind' issue. Since these things reside behind a closed door, they do not get much thought until the day we absolutely have to have that one thing in the very back.

It is not going to go away by itself, so take time to tackle it head on and get organized. Allow lots of time for this task. You probably won't be able to get through it in a day or even a weekend. Remember, it took you a long time to accumulate these items. You cannot expect to clean them all out in a few hours. You might want to tackle this chore in chunks of time, allowing a few weekends to get totally through the process.

You will find yourself agonizing over many decisions. The rule is, if you haven't worn it for 2 years, toss it. If it is a gift that Aunt Emma gave you 5 years ago and something you will never use, get rid of it. (Just don't tell Aunt Emma.) Pretend you are moving to smaller quarters, and you can only take the things you truly love. If you are having trouble, enlist the help of a friend who can be relentless.

Begin with clothing and shoes. Most of us keep favorites around far too long. 'I'm sure I can get back into that dress soon.' It only takes up valuable space in your home. Donate it to a charity. There is someone out there who will put your items to good use.

Think about your lifestyle as you are making these choices. Maybe your former employment was in an office and you needed to wear suits every day. Your current employment is a more casual job and your attire now reflects this attitude. Keep your favorite two suits and take the others to a second hand store or give them away. Retain clothing that works for your current way of living, not how you used to live.

ERA Justin Reports On Recommended Work Before Selling

Sellers often order pre-sale inspection reports. This inevitably raises the question of how much, if any, of the recommended work should be done before selling.  Ideally, any defect that would be hazardous to agents and buyers who preview the property during the sale process should be corrected. An example is a trip hazard that might cause someone to fall. In addition, to maximize your return from the sale, you should repair defects that adversely affect how the property looks.

Haleh Hamzeh, an ERA Justin Realty 2005 NJAR Circle of Excellence award recipient says, “First impressions are important. So, if the fence or entry porch are rotted and look shabby, repair them. If the exterior paint is peeling, repaint. You get positive results when you repair a defect and improve appearance by doing so.  For example, let's say that the wood pest (also known as termite) inspector finds dry rot under the linoleum in a bathroom. If the linoleum is worn and outdated, you'll do better on the sale if you replace the floor covering with a new, trendier one. In the course of doing this, the wood rot can be repaired. The result is that the house shows better and a defect is eliminated--two benefits for the price of one.

You certainly can't be expected to rebuild your home in order to sell it. Nor is this a sensible thing to do economically. As an example Take a house that had a deck that looked okay and wasn't unsafe. But there was dry rot and fungus damage scattered throughout the deck. The only way to repair the deck was to replace it. It would be difficult to get the job done in the timeframe in which the seller wanted to sell.  The deck was old and no longer met current code requirements. It would have had to be redesigned. So the seller decided to leave the deck as it was and disclose that the deck needed to be replaced. The future owners could have the new deck designed to meet their needs at a later date.

When structural elements are in need of repair and you haven't the time or money to repair them, it's a good idea to get repair estimates and make these estimates available to prospective buyers before they make an offer. This way, you're in control of the process and can find reliable contractors or engineers who will give you reasonable and not exorbitant estimates.

It can be unsettling to a buyer to discover that the roof is in poor condition or the foundation needs work. Most buyers will have no idea how much it will cost to make repairs. Fear of the unknown makes people anxious, which isn't a good frame of mind for someone who's trying to decide whether to buy your home.

As reported by Dian Hymer of Inman News, a pre-sale home inspector of an Oakland, Calif., home recommended that an engineer be consulted about a foundation that had settled. The seller hired an engineer who made a proposal for the repair. The cost was $20,000--not an insignificant number. But, it wasn't $40,000 or $50,000 as an inexperienced buyer might imagine.  If you choose not to make major repairs before selling, this should be reflected in your list price, especially if you have competition from other sellers.”

ERA Justin Realty Home Protection Plans Give Peace-of-Mind

Rutherford:  Everyone has his or her own "house horror story." The Sheffields' saga began just days after they moved into their new home and continued throughout the first year. The pool pump broke, the built-in vacuum stopped working, and most devastating, the air conditioning system ceased operating on the first day of the summer heat wave. Thereafter, the Sheffield home was nicknamed  "The Money Pit."

Fortunately, the Sheffields' had the forethought to purchase a home protection plan from their ERA Realtor, which covered all or some of the costs of repairing or replacing the broken home components.

June Incorvaia, ERA-Justin Realty consultant said, “The Sheffields’ story repeats itself thousands of times a day across the country.  It is for that reason that ERA-Justin Realty has the ERA Home Protection Plan program available for both our Buyers and Sellers.”

June continued, “A home protection plan safeguards a Buyer or Seller from unexpected expenses when covered mechanical items break down. The ERA Buyer Protection Plan and Seller Protection Plan are fully insured and administered by Aon Home Warranty Services, Inc., and provide replacement coverage as well as comprehensive repair of major mechanical systems and appliances such as air conditioning, heating and electrical systems, interior plumbing, built-in appliances, water heaters and accessible ductwork, subject to a small deductible per service call.

For Sellers, a home protection plan adds value to their home sale and protects them at a time when they would rather not make major investments in their property. It has been reported that on average, homes listed with a warranty sell more rapidly than homes listed without a home warranty. The ERA Protection Plan goes one step further by covering the Seller for up to six months provided that the Seller agrees to purchase the plan at a nominal fee for the Buyer. It's a win-win situation for the Seller having protection in place while the house is on the market for sale.

For Buyers in New Jersey, the ERA Protection Plan provides coverage generally for a year after the purchase on resale homes and, on new homes, the second through the fifth year of ownership (a builder's warranty generally provides protection for the first year).

If one considers that the most costly purchase in life is generally one's house, a home protection plan is a small price to pay for peace of mind and to insure oneself against the unexpected.

“There is a difference in real estate companies, and our ERA Protection Plans are perfect examples. We ask Buyers and Sellers to compare.  We believe that in order to exceed expectations of what a real estate consultant is about, we don’t offer just real estate basics, and we try to be as comprehensive as possible.  In that way, we know that our Buyers and Sellers will hold us all in the highest regard,” she added.

ERA Justin Realty proudly received the prestigious ERA world-wide 2003, 2004 and 2005 ‘Commitment to Excellence Award’, one of 14 premier ERA real estate firms from 2,600 to be a recipient, and all across the nation, the most sought award that can be achieved in business is the ‘J.D. Power & Associates’ award.  Only outstanding business entities are honored and receive it.  ERA Real Estate was the recipient of ‘Highest Satisfaction for First Time Home Buyer and Home Sellers Among Full Service Real Estate Firms.’ Award for 2004 and 2005. For these reasons ERA Justin Realty should be your buying and selling Realtor of choice.

ERA Justin Realty Report:

Smart Sellers Think Like Buyers In Current Housing Market

There are plenty of homebuyers intent on buying while they can still lock in a relatively low mortgage rate. So, the 2006 housing market should present good opportunities for sellers who understand how to maximize profit in this new, more balanced, selling environment.  The first step is to start thinking like a buyer, not a seller. Although buyers are anxious to buy before rates rise further, they know that the appreciation rate is subsiding.

Ron Darby, ERA Justin Realty Broker Co-owner reported, “As written in Inman News by Dian Hymer, when the market is rising quickly, buyers are less concerned about overpaying because they're sure they'll recoup the excess payment within a few months because of robust appreciation. This was the psychology of last year's buyer. Now, buyers are much more concerned about value.  For this reason, pricing is more important than ever, as is property condition. Buyers are less forgiving of defects. So, ideally, you should fix defects before you put your home on the market.

Listings are most salable when they're new on the market. To maximize your opportunities, your home not only needs to be priced right and properly prepared for sale, you also need a comprehensive marketing plan. You want to make sure that information about your listing reaches as many potential buyers as possible.”

The ERA Justin Realty listing and sales consultants/agents are proactive in advising potential sellers with comprehensive information when reviewing the sale of their house.   They provide you with a marketing plan with samples of the marketing materials that will be used to promote your home, as well as strong Internet exposure. As reported, 70 percent of today's homebuyers start their home searches on the Internet. 

Darby continued, “A listing on the Internet isn't enough, though. Buyers don't look at listings that don't have photos. You can gain an edge on the competition if multiple photos and a 360 degree virtual tour of your home is on the Internet as soon as your home is opened up to the market. It's important to have a good working relationship with your agent. For this reason, many sellers who had a positive experience buying their home decide to list with the agent who represented them as buyers. This is often a good strategy. Just make sure that you find out how your past agent works as a seller's agent.  In most cases, it's not wise to work with an agent who is outside of the local market area. Few agents can give good service if they are spreading themselves too thin. A bad marketing effort as well as selling through an outside area discount brokerage firm can result in a lower sale price.

Your aim is to sell for the highest price possible. Some sellers, who think they are selling in last year's market, think it's a good idea to list at a price that's way under market value to generate a bidding contest and send the price higher. This strategy could backfire on you this year. If you don't receive multiple offers--and most sellers aren't these days--you will have a hard time negotiating a buyer up from a low price. Don't list for less than a price you can accept if you don't receive multiple offers. But, keep in mind that overpriced listings won't sell. Your house is in daily competition with many similar houses on the market at any given time.

Our ERA Justin Realty listing and selling consultants who are active in your area will be able to advise you about an effective list price for your home.  We offer our Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), a comprehensive study of your house in comparison with others that are on the market, that have sold, that have expired, as well as the spring 2006 market update.  It’s offered at no cost or obligation simply by phoning our office, or responding to our CMA offer that you have recently received by mail.”

ERA-JUSTIN RECEIVES TOP NATIONAL
COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE HONORS

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN REAL ESTATE COMPANIES

San Francisco - Excitement is in the air.  Within the awards hall, seated are national award professionals from all around the world.  After an awards dinner, Brenda Casserly, President and Chief Operating Officer of ERA Real Estate positioned herself at the podium.  The event had all of the trappings of the Academy Awards and the award presentations began. The award evening is equally important to Brokers and Agents as the Academy Awards, for this day they are recognized for their outstanding achievements.

Ron Darby Broker and Co-owner of ERA Justin Realty attended with Glenn Elliot and Jennifer Darby.  All waited in anticipation as Ms. Casserly began the award presentations, “Today we proudly present the ERA Commitment to Excellence Award to the best of the best.  ERA Justin Realty is a company with dedication to the needs of its customers, its community and consistently demonstrates service, ethics, values and other hallmarks of overall excellence.  ERA Justin Realty is being honored for excellence for 2005.  This is the third consecutive year they have achieved these honors, as they also received it for 2003 and 2004.  ERA Justin Realty and others totaling fourteen have been selected from 2,600 ERA offices nationwide.”

Glenn Elliot and Ron Darby accepted the award from Ms. Casserly on behalf of the entire ERA Justin Realty team of sales professionals.

Glenn stated, “Throughout the entire ERA Real Estate System of 2,600 offices we and thirteen other firms were recognized with this prestigious award.  To receive this achievement there is strict qualifying criteria that we achieved.  In addition to service to our customers, we must demonstrate our strength to our community, our business ethics and values and strong emphasis on our charitable efforts we practice each year.  This is an honor above all honors.  Our ERA Justin Realty staff of teammates work diligently each day.  Credit goes to them for their efforts. 

We proudly are different from other real estate firms. It is our challenge to not only meet the requirements of our Sellers and Buyers, but to exceed their needs in each transaction.  Our success is based on referrals from our Sellers and our Buyers.  Over the years, we have become the Realtor of choice for thousands.  This Spring we are proud to offer at no cost or obligation our 2006 Spring Market Price Analysis which will answer all real estate questions including market trends.  Invite us in, you will be pleasantly pleased with the full color report with photos, current market values, closed transactions and the market price range of your house.  It’s easy.  One quick phone call to our office will begin the process.  It is available at no cost or obligation.”

ERA JUSTIN REALTY WELCOMES CAROL DARBY 
TO THE FIRM

ERA Justin Realty has been serving the communities of Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties since its beginnings in 1950, founded by Justin Tokarski.  Since those early days the real estate industry has changed, grown, been enhanced by technologies including the Internet, and although challenging at times to the industry, ERA Justin Realty has stayed ahead of the curve and is in the forefront of the industry with all of the state-of-the-art technologies that keep it a market leader.

Ron Darby, Broker Co-owner of the firm announced a major step in keeping the firm at the forefront of services to its buyers and sellers by introducing Carol Darby to the firm.  Coming from the corporate world, Carol brings thirty years of customer service, professionalism and management expertise with her, as she joins the firm as a Co-owner and office administrator.  “We have one of the finest real estate teams of professional Realtors in the industry.  They focus their days in serving their sellers and buyers, locating and making dreams come true for hundreds each year, while exceeding their sellers’ expectations.  Carol Darby will assist in providing the best in personal care and market knowledge for all who are part of our firm.”

Carol added, “In addition to my past residential real estate background, my specific focus will be on growing commercial real estate opportunities within the company.  I’ll be ready to assist our team with commercial real estate concerns whether our buyers are looking to make an investment or ready to change their investment direction.  Over the years, I’ve been recognized for my dedication in providing excellence in service and continually providing results.  These traits will provide all with the best in care and a commitment to service.”

Carol with her husband Lance have been married almost 30 years and resided in Wood-Ridge and Butler.  They have two grandchildren Ryan and Christopher and looking forward to more.

ERA Justin Realty has been recognized by multi-thousands of buyers and sellers over the years and is noted today as an area market leader.  They proudly received the prestigious ERA 2003, 2004 and 2005 Commitment to Excellence Award, one of 12 premier ERA real estate firms from 2,600 from across the nation.  For these reasons ERA Justin Realty should be your buying and selling Realtor of choice.

LORI ALLEN NEW AGENT AT ERA JUSTIN REALTY

“Striving to obtain complete customer satisfaction is a quality I have often been praised for and one that I continually pursue. These are words I’d lived by throughout my business life,” stated Lori Allen of ERA Justin Realty.

Lori has been working in service industries since she was a teenager.  From her beginnings she has learned the importance of holding customers needs and desires foremost when providing them with professional assistance.

In addition to her post at ERA Justin Realty, she has been associated with Federal Express for seventeen years, where she has been commended for her abilities to provide satisfying service, turning it into a pleasant experience.

Ron Darby, ERA Justin Realty Broker stated, “Lori’s attributes parallel our business philosophy in that our buyers and sellers will benefit from her upbeat, friendly abilities to provide customer satisfaction.  This is of extreme important at our firm.  Lori demonstrates this each day.”

In her free time, Lori enjoys volunteering for a local animal shelter, is active as a recreational softball coach, is a photography buff and has won the House Beautiful Award for outstanding landscape and gardening, presented by the Mayor of her community.  She has also been awarded the Bravo Zulo Award by Federal Express for excellence in service.  And if all that doesn’t fill Loris’ time, she has a miniature Schnauzer, Maggie, a kitten Noah and her cat, Gizmo.

She continued, “ERA Justin Realty is well known to be an outstanding and high volume ‘model’ as a state-of-the-art real estate industry leader. To become one of the best, you learn from the best.” 

ERA Justin Realty proudly received the prestigious ERA world-wide 2003, 2004 and 2005 ‘Commitment to Excellence Award’, selected from 2,600 ERA real estate firms.  All across the nation, the most sought award that can be achieved in business is the ‘J.D. Power & Associates’ award.  Only outstanding business entities are honored and receive it.  ERA Real Estate was the recipient of ‘Highest Satisfaction for First Time Home Buyers and Sellers Among Full Service Real Estate Firms.’ award in 2004 and 2005. For these reasons ERA Justin Realty should be your buying and selling Realtor of choice.

Doubling Investment Potential,
 An ERA Justin Realty Overview

Buying or selling a house is one of the biggest decisions most people will ever make with their finances and their lifestyle. Getting the best bargain in the purchase or making the most profit on the sale give buyers and sellers so much to think about that many may never stop to consider keeping that old house - or buying another - as an income-generating property. But the rewards, in savings and profits can be high.

Joel Shapiro a Realtor with ERA Justin Realty offers, “One option for buyers who otherwise might consider home prices beyond their reach is the property that pays for itself: a house you live in part of and rent the rest of. This offers not only an obvious balance of cost and income, but perhaps lesser-known benefits in taxes and mortgage. The rental units can be depreciated over time; considered to offset the rental income, this can lower your taxes on that income. At the same time, the rent's addition to your finances helps you qualify for a larger mortgage, and investors who occupy their rental properties can, under certain conditions, get interest rates lower than those who do not. A professional like those at ERA Mortgage can tell you more. Of course you'll want to decide if the demands of being a live-in landlord are for you, and explore if rent-control laws in your area might limit the return on your investment.  If being an offsite landlord is more appealing, you could always keep your current home as a rental after you move into the new one. Your long-tern familiarity with the home's features and condition could lend a certain confidence both to yourself and your potential tenants. As with any investment property, you'll first want to calculate whether the rental income will make up for the needed expenses. This is another consideration in which a qualified real estate sales professional can help, with his or her knowledge of the local rental market and its prospects over time. And of course being a long-distance landlord has its headaches too, so you have to enjoy the challenge and be ready to meet the needs.

But if solving problems appeals to you, then you may even prefer a fixer-upper to your familiar former home. With a thorough inspection to answer any questions, and a realistic budget and disciplined schedule to handle all improvements, your outlays can prove to be well worth it. Renovations can range from reconfiguring the floor plan to simply replacing  now-unfashionable décor. The attraction of "move-in" quality can draw renters who share your appreciation of state-of-the-art living but not your passion for the do-it-yourself effort behind it.

Owning an income-generating property is not for everyone, but - from younger buyers offsetting their purchase costs, to seniors easing the expenses of their retirement years - it can be for all kinds of people. Talk to a real estate sales professional at ERA Justin Realty to find out if rental property would be double trouble or two times the success for you personally.”

ERA Justin Realtor Carol Calamari achieved her certification from the National Trust for Historic Preservation for her educational outreach.  Her focus with the firm is in residential real estate listings and sales.  Her prior career in television won her the 1998 National Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Program Achievement for  Winter Olympics coverage.

ERA Justin’s Carol Calamari Achieves

National Historic Homes Certification

Carol Calamari, a Realtor with ERA Justin Realty, partnering with the National Trust for Historic Preservation has been certified for her educational outreach, centering on the preservation and restoration of historic properties.  Having achieved this designation makes her familiar with architecture that spans more than three centuries of history, highlighting both high-style and vernacular buildings ranging from stately Federal mansions and handsome Italianate row houses to modest Queen Anne cottages as well as bungalows.

By the standards of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, any structure at least 50 years old may qualify for historic-landmark status. This is determined by a home or other building’s demonstration of particularly significant architectural features or now-rare styles, or its role in important past activities or events (famous inventions, once-pivotal industries, presidential birthplaces or visits, etc.).

To be sure, such homes present many challenges. The older the house, the more likely certain elements will be present that aren’t in newer homes (such as asbestos and lead paint); these will have to be dealt with. And restoring the historic character to a possibly-neglected house can be a costly and time-consuming effort.

But there’s much to be said for the personal satisfaction of remaking a house by your own effort, and restoring an example of America’s past that can help keep us mindful and proud of our heritage. Also, where there are historic homes there are likely to be whole historic neighborhoods, which preserve and offer to the homebuyer just the kind of old-fashioned community qualities that today’s home-seekers are craving and today’s developers are trying to re-create.

If your home is on or considered eligible for local, state or national registers of historic places, various rules will be in effect for building materials, renovations, and uses of the structure which most fit the historical period in which it was built. Although these requirements can be an inconvenience, many states offer tax and other incentives for owning and rehabilitating historic homes found to meet historic-preservation officials’ criteria. And owners of homes on government registers of historic places still have broad latitude in selling, altering and using their property. 

Before buying such a home, you’ll want to check into several factors to determine whether the investment you’re making in history is the right one for you: What laws apply to local historic buildings and districts, how much restoration does the house require, and what contractors are available who are knowledgeable about handling historic homes are a few of the major questions you’ll want answered before making a commitment.

Carol Calamari, a qualified real estate professional can help guide you through this rewarding but complicated area. The sales professionals of ERA Real Estate have a special edge through an association with the National Trust for Historic Preservation: In the ERA^® Historic Real Estate Program, these professionals are recognized by the National Trust and listed on its Web site.

There is a difference in real estate companies, and ERA Justin Realty and Carol asks Buyers and Sellers to compare.  Their philosophy includes exceeding expectations of what a Realtor is about.  They don’t offer just real estate basics, they are as comprehensive as possible.  In that way they know that their Buyers and Sellers will hold them in the highest regard.

Realtor Rosemarie Zembryski Joins ERA Justin Realty

After a decade in successful real estate sales in South Bergen County, Rosemarie Zembryski has transferred to ERA Justin Realty from her prior position with A.W.Van Winkle Realtors, where she serviced her buyers and sellers in both listing and sales of residential properties.

“Rosemarie’s prior successes are evident.  When we received her request to be part of our ERA Justin team, our staff was very pleased, as they had worked successfully with her numerous times throughout the years on many transactions.  Having had previous experiences and knowledge of her work ethics, and her positive interaction with buyers and sellers as well as servicing a transaction from offer form to the closing table has always been positive.  We knew that Rosemarie would be a positive part of our team effort,” said Ron Darby, ERA Justin Realty Broker.

Rosemarie stated, “I am always pleased to give my total commitment to satisfy the requirements of my buyers and sellers.  I have based my real estate structure on always being flexible to adjust to their needs in this ever changing real estate market.  Working with first time home buyers is extremely positive as I become part of their enthusiasm in exploring areas in which they want to purchase, then narrowing their search to the house they know is special and living that experience with them until the closing of title. I’m excited to expand my business horizons at ERA Justin Realty, working with a team of over thirty teammates, all successful in what they do best, real estate.”

A Rutherford resident for twelve years, Rosemarie resides with her husband Joe and their three children, one attending Seton Hall University and two attending Pierrepont School where she has been an active PTA board participant as Vice President and Secretary.  She is also an active supporter of Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraisers and plans to be part of the MDA fundraising activity at ERA Justin Realty with their 2006 MDA Summer Camp for Kids program. Her husband Joe is also a member of the Rutherford Elks and they collectively participate in their activities.

Harpuder, a career ERA Justin Realty sales and listing professional

with a decade of production awards and accolades from  real estate offers

the 2006 ERA Answers Guide in both magazine and Internet formats

ERA JUSTIN REALTY’S ILENE HARPUDER OFFERS

CONSUMER ANSWERS GUIDE

“ERA Justin Realty is making available to the public a valuable resource to help consumers with their most frequently asked questions about buying and selling a home. ANSWERS®, ERA's real estate reference guide provides ‘plain English’ explanations to help consumers feel more comfortable about the home buying and selling process,” stated  million dollar sales producer, Ilene Harpuder a career sales professional with ERA Justin Realty.

The ANSWERS® guide is based on over 90 of the questions that ERA Brokers hear most frequently. According to Ilene,  "The ANSWERS® guide takes the most important things that we have learned over the years helping customers, and organizes it to help consumers feel more confident about home buying and selling." ANSWERS® is available to consumers free of charge on the firm’s website at http://www.erajustin.com/.

“The Answers guide, in a book format, is also available while supplies last, by calling me at (201) 939-7500, extension # 230. There is no charge or obligation to obtain a copy,” she continued.

Both current and new homeowners will find sound advice, inside tips and honest answers to a multitude of questions about the real estate process in the ANSWERS® on-line guide. It contains sections on home selling, buying, financing and maintenance, and includes questions such as what makes a house sell, when is the best time to list a house for sale, is there any seasonality to the market, and what's the difference between fair market value and asking price. In addition, the guide includes a glossary of important real estate terms.

Ilene added, “At ERA Justin Realty the words, ‘There is a difference in real estate companies’ is more than a phrase.  We live it every day.  Because of our daily priorities, we proudly received the prestigious ERA world-wide 2003, 2004 and 2005 ‘Commitment to Excellence Award’ a select few from 2,600 ERA firms.

All across the nation, the most sought award that can be achieved in business is the ‘J.D. Power & Associates’ award.  Only outstanding business entities are honored and receive it.  ERA Real Estate was the recipient of ‘Highest Satisfaction for First Time Home Buyers and Home Sellers Among Full Service Real Estate Firms’ in 2004 and 2005.  For these reasons ERA Justin Realty has been selected by hundreds of buyers and sellers as their Realtor of choice.” 

Just a click on the  ANSWERS® button on the right and the ANSWERS® guide will come into view and assist you with your real estate questions. You can also view our featured homes or 1000’s of homes and view backgrounds on all of our firms sales professionals

ERA JUSTIN REALTY OFFERS SUCCESSFUL 2006 CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

How many careers exist today that involve helping people achieve their lifelong dream? According to Ron Darby, a leading real estate owner and broker in the real estate industry for nearly 40 years and co-owner of  ERA Justin Realty, “Real estate agents help make dreams come true every day.”

Ron Darby speaks from great experience.  He has hired, trained and guided agents to success hundreds of times. Many ERA Justin Realty agents have been with him for decades, with earnings greater than at most area real estate firms.  He continued, “As real estate trends change, as agents commission needs change, we watch and listen.  In fact, ERA Justin Realty has one of the strongest commission structures for agents in the region,  once again bringing our firm to the forefront in earnings, outdistancing many competing offices in earning potential.  We also give our agents the greatest buyer base potential with stronger advertising than any other real estate firm in South Bergen County.  Full color page advertising of our listings in both area weekly newspapers brings an abundance of potential buyers to our agents while giving our sellers more marketing exposure than many other firms.  Our ‘Winning Edge Teammate Advantage’ benefit package is not obtainable at other firms. We proudly have a major market share, internal training programs and a superior level of support as requested by our agents.”

Darby’s career began as sales manager of K Realty where he focused and built that brand into a successful 5 office firm with two Rutherford offices, plus offices in Lyndhurst, North Arlington and a South Jersey office location serving Stafford Township and Long Beach Island.  From the Stafford Township office he was responsible for construction of nearly 200 custom single and multi-family dwellings.  After a decade he chose to  retire briefly, only to be encouraged by Justin Tokarski, founder of Justin Realty to form a partnership to duplicate the success he created at K Realty.  He added, “I had known of Justin’s impeccable real estate reputation as a broker and past mayor of Rutherford.    He called me month after month asking for a meeting, but I was enjoying my new freedom.  Finally, accepting his invitation for lunch, we agreed that I join him, and the rest is history.  Today, twenty-six years later, ERA Justin Realty is a ‘Top-100’ ERA firm worldwide from 2,600 ERA offices and is the recipient of the ‘ERA Commitment to Excellence’ award, one of twelve firms to receive this prestigious award worldwide.  For these reasons, agents both newly licensed and experienced who join us have the potential to begin strong earnings immediately.  Our agent ‘Winning Edge Teammate Advantage’ commission benefit package has been structured so agents have a sense of pride in receiving strong earnings and other benefits which they deserve in this new age of real estate.”

Jennifer Darby, ERA Justin Realty Broker Associate has served area homeowners in their real estate needs for more than a decade.  She has recently obtained her GRI certification from the Realtor Institute and serves as Vice President of the Meadowlands Board of Realtors and Director of the Rutherford Chamber of Commerce

ERA Justin Realty 2006 Tips on Dressing Your House For a Good Showing

As important a landmark as buying a home is in people’s lives, you’d be surprised at how much of it can turn on snap decisions. If you’re selling a house you’ll have to put careful thought into customers’ first impressions, because many sales will be made or lost before they reach the front door – or as soon as they walk through it.

ERA Justin Realty’s Jennifer Darby offers a menu of possible ‘first impression’ areas that an owner may want to consider.  “First consider curb appeal – the feeling customers get from the upkeep of the house and grounds, and how comfortable this makes them imagining themselves as a resident. You want to do everything you can to make them see your house as their house, both outside and in.  A new paint job is an investment that should more than pay for itself, and neat landscaping – trimmed shrubs, new flowers – puts your prospective buyers in just the right frame of mind. Inside, kitchens and bathrooms should be in sparkling condition – these rooms are known to be what makes up many home-seekers’ minds. Removal of odors like pet smells and smoke will lessen distractions for customers you want focusing on your home’s possibilities, and clearing of clutter is crucial.

The less belongings you have crowding your rooms and closets, the bigger the home will appear, and the easier it will be for potential buyers to envision placing their own possessions there. Put some things in storage if you need to, or hold a garage sale to help cut down on some of the build-up you were going to clear out for moving anyway (just hold it before buyers can see the piles on your lawn or the cars lined up on an otherwise peaceful street).  For buyers picturing themselves in your home, it’s also good to present the house in as general taste as possible – personal memorabilia, collectibles, and eccentric wall colors and furnishings should go out with the clutter. Repainting rooms in a neutral white also helps convey the sense of spaciousness.  Clean windows, fresh flowers, and other small details with big impact – they’re what you want to remember. From major improvements to subtle touches that tip the scales in your favor, the features of a house that we often take for granted can be the ones that determine your home selling success. According to the National Association of Realtors^®, curb appeal alone accounts for half of all home sales.”

Jennifer continued, “A little effort now saves you a lengthy process later. First impressions will expedite the sale, and securing the services of a qualified Realtor^® will make it all the surer. One of our ERA Justin Realty real estate professionals can guide you in all the above matters and more, from supplying a checklist of presentation tips, to recommending affordable painting contractors from his or her industry connections, to helping you rearrange the furniture. Whatever it takes, we can give you confidence that, for some buyer soon, the showing of your home will be love at first sight.  We also will provide a 2006 home market analysis  (CMA) with information in determining the true value of a house and the right asking price. In the end, however, the homeowner should decide on a price that he or she feels is competitive and consistent with the price at which other houses in the area have sold. Our CMA report for our Sellers is truly comprehensive in all aspects.  Complete with color photos and detailed information, it make pricing easier for those planning a sale.  Truly, there is a difference in real estate companies, and our details will make the difference. We ask Buyers and Sellers to compare.  We believe that in order to exceed expectations of what ERA Justin Realty is about, we don’t offer just real estate basics, we try to be as comprehensive as possible.  In that way, we know that our Buyers and Sellers will hold us all in the highest regard.”

ERA JUSTIN REALTY’S BEST MARKETING TOOLS ARE GOOD AGENTS

Rutherford:  Your best marketing tool when selling your home is a good real estate agent. Jennifer Darby and Terry Mertens, both recent graduates of extensive (GRI) Realtor Institute certifications share their insights,  “ Why?  It can be sometimes tempting to consider possible savings on commissions. And, since no one knows your home better than you, the choice should be obvious. But there is so much more to selling a home than simply putting a For Sale sign in the front yard.  There are reasons why some agents seem to do so well. They work diligently, pay attention to detail and are available at all times. They also use all the tools at their disposal, including extensive training, knowledge of the industry and neighborhoods and marketing expertise. A good licensed agent knows what needs to be done and when, and is aware of the potential pitfalls in this very important decision.”

Terry continued, “Gone are the days when an agent could be successful by simply putting a sign in the yard, making a few phone calls and having a nice smile. Changes in technology have made an impact in the way your property can be marketed. Today's real estate professional has so many more options available, and the smart agent knows how to use them. They combine the traditional tried and true marketing efforts with today's technology to better serve you and represent your needs to a greater group of potential buyers. They know how important it is to have a qualified purchaser who is pre-approved for mortgage financing before bringing a potential contract to their seller. Beyond that, an aggressive marketing plan needs to be created. A front yard sign and placement on the Multiple Listing Services are important, but eMarketing plays an increasingly larger role in finding the right Buyer.”

Jennifer added, “An effective web site, such as our http://www.erajustin.com/ can allow an agent to put your listing on the Internet for the world to see. This is in addition to another menu of Internet websites that ERA Justin listings are marketed from. This is a much more efficient way to market to a greater viewing audience whom you are not able to reach by sending out post cards or making phone calls. Think of it as an Internet mall. With photos of the inside and outside of your home and possibly virtual tours, buyers can explore before calling for an appointment. Our web site can also link buyers to on-line calculators, mortgage companies, general property search features, neighborhood and school searches, plus other valuable information that can allow them to see the affordability and assets of your home. And this information is available anytime, anywhere. You no longer have to sit around hoping for a phone call or someone seeing your ad in the paper. You and your agent are open for business 24 hours daily, seven days a week.

“Today's agent also has the capability of emailing photos of your property anywhere in the world, - great for potential out-of-town buyers. Messages sent via email or through a website can automatically trigger a cell phone, keeping your agent in constant contact. And many smart agents send regular email Newsletters that contain their listings and links back to information that can benefit the sale of your home. Instead of waiting for someone to drive down your street and see your sign, you now have the world at your fingertips. With so many houses on the market, it's wise to choose a sophisticated and high tech agent who can assertively promote your home. The odds are greater that your property will sell faster and at a higher price,” concluded Terry.

There is a difference in real estate companies, and ERA Justin Realty is always focused on the newest technologies. The firm asks Buyers and Sellers to compare.  Their philosophy includes exceeding expectations of what a real estate agent is about.  They don’t offer just real estate basics, they are as comprehensive as possible.  In that way they know that their Buyers and Sellers will hold them in the highest regard.

ERA Justin Realty Offers Security Measures for Homesellers

Today we’re all more conscious of security, and while we can all get impatient at its inconveniences from time to time, we are often thankful for the greater worries it helps us avoid. Selling a home is one area in which security concerns are nothing new; opening your home to potential buyers is a natural part of the process – and so should be your own safety considerations. It’s about taking a few common-sense precautions.

Peggy McLaughlin, a career Realtor/Agent with ERA Justin Realty shares ideas with Leader Newspapers and South Bergenite Newspapers readers, “Whether or not you are using a Realtor^®, you can make sure the sale stays an occasion for business and not an opportunity for crime. Remove any valuables or lock them away before an open house or other showing of your home. Never leave an answering-machine message telling when you aren’t home, and never divulge sensitive personal details like your work hours – it might seem like a selling point to tell prospective buyers how quickly you can get to your job from this location, but it can also clue would-be burglars in on when to return. Though the safeguards are simple, there are many of them to remember, and that is one area in which using a Realtor^® can strongly help. The businesslike approach of our ERA Justin Realty sales professionals  – limiting showings to certain hours, obtaining background information on potential buyers, etc. – might be more acceptable to customers coming from a professional. And in this day and age, Realtors^® themselves have to take precautions which make them all the more alert and sensitive to your own security.

Our ERA Justin Realty sales professionals, for example, take care to show the home to only one group of families at a time. The set number accentuates the feeling of the Realtor^® giving personal attention to your potential buyers, and also allows him or her to keep track of their whereabouts.”

Ron Darby, Broker, added, “Some of these procedures can even help expedite your sale: A good agent will introduce him or herself to the neighborhood, let your neighbors know that you have a house for sale, and ask them to report any suspicious activity. This not only helps protect your property, but also helps spreads the word of its availability to more possible customers. In addition, a common practice of full-services at our firm is pre-approval for mortgage financing through a program such as ERA Mortgage; such a process not only enables a background check on the prospective buyer, but also helps determine their seriousness as customers and saves you time, in knowing that if they like your house, they can obtain the needed financing.”

It’s always a relief to leave the complex real estate selling process to the experts, and our Realtors/Agents are focused in safety measures that can also put your mind at rest. It may be the way you want to go for both state-of-the-art service and a “real” sense of security.

ERA Justin Realty: How Accessibility Features Can Serve Homeowners of All Ages and Abilities

We all need a helping hand from time to time, but prefer to remain as independent as possible. Accessible features in a home are a way of lending ourselves a hand, and staying in our own house for much longer than we otherwise might.

“As more members of the baby boom generation - which comprises the largest segment of America’s population - reach retirement age, many of them show a preference for “aging in place” in their own homes rather than moving to traditional elderly communities and facilities. This trend has created more interest than ever in the designing and retrofitting of homes for maximum ease of use. Heightened awareness of the needs of disabled people of all ages, and increased legislative attention to their rights, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have also helped drive a trend which can benefit all homebuyers,” stated ERA Justin Realty Broker, Ron Darby.

What has come to be called “Universal Design” is a set of standards for making every house a welcoming home for inhabitants of all ability levels. These include placing light switches and thermostats low enough, and electrical outlets high enough, for anyone to reach; outfitting hallways with railings and showers with grab-bars and stools; replacing doorknobs with levers; offering ramps as well as stairs, and doorways that can accommodate wheelchairs; and minimizing falling risks through secure, low-pile carpeting.  Though there was a time when accessibility was considered an obstacle to resale value and desirability, attitudes – and demographics – have changed, and Universal Design is now considered a resale advantage. This potential extra salability can be achieved through minimal effort and expense. For instance, in many cases a room can be made wheelchair-accessible simply by changing the direction of a swinging door.

Darby continued, “The simplicity of such measures – and their popularity with potential homebuyers – makes it equally desirable to build a new home with these considerations in mind, or to retrofit an existing home with them. No one has to feel they’ve turned their home into a medical facility –you can avoid this with some smart and simple methods that enhance convenience and are common sense for all homeowners, while maintaining the more intangible comforts of home, like independence and familiar communities. In addition to the convenience offered by making these types of upgrades to a home, there are government loan programs that can help subsidize accessibility modifications. Talk to a local real estate professional about accessible-home options in any area where you may be interested in buying; he or she can also find out about financing opportunities and other ways to keep your path to satisfying and secure homeownership a clear one.”

ERA Justin Realty, a leading area Realtor serving Bergen, Passaic, Hudson and Essex Counties is part of the international global real estate network which was recently named the recipient of the 2005 J.D. Power and Associates Award for “Highest Overall Satisfaction For First Time Home Sellers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms.”  ERA Real Estate is the only national full service real estate company to be the recipient of a 2005 J.D. Power and Associates Award.

This marks the second year in a row ERA Real Estate has received an award from this prestigious organization. Last year, the company was the recipient of the 2004 J.D. Power and Associates Award for “Highest Overall Satisfaction For First Time Home Buyers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms.” 

The J.D. Power and Associates 2005 Home Buyer/Seller Satisfaction Study^SM. Study is based on responses from 4,834 home buyers and sellers surveyed in May and June 2005. The study was conducted for Cendant Corporation by J.D. Power and Associates.

ERA JUSTIN REALTY PARTICIPATES 
AT REALTOR CONFERENCE

New Jersey real estate Broker and Agent responsibilities continually increase as well as the training and education courses needed to successfully meet and exceed Buyers and Sellers expectations. 

Each year the New Jersey Association of Realtors holds their business conference in conjunction with New York and Pennsylvania.  The 2005 Realtor conference recently held, was attended by over 10,000 sales professionals who understand the need for continuing education to fine-tune their skills for their Buyers and Sellers.

ERA Justin Realty sales professionals who attended included, Fara Hamzeh, Glenn Elliot, Ilene Harpuder, June Incorvaia, Ron Darby-Broker, Jennifer Darby, Haleh Hamzeh and Terry Mertens. 

Two highlights for the ERA Justin teammates included a graduation ceremony for both Terry Mertens and Jennifer Darby who were graduates of the Realtor Institute GRI course of study.  At a ceremony attended by hundreds, they received their certifications.  Also thoroughly enjoyable was George Ross, Donald Trump’s mentor, attorney to the Trump family for many years and sidekick to Mr. Trump on the television series, The Apprentice.  Mr. Ross was guest speaker at the general assembly where he advised on success strategies and how to best serve clients and customers in the New Jersey real estate markets.

Training sessions included Customer Service at the Speed of Light, Professional Appraisal Practices, Helping Your Clients Succeed at the Negotiating Table, as well as The Five Principles of a Powerful Office.

Ron Darby, Broker Co-owner of ERA Justin Realty stated, “If you want something done right, ask a busy agent.  Not only did our group attend training sessions, in between you would find them with notes in hand, on their cell phones focusing on their existing sales and listings, the needs of their Buyers and Sellers and handling on-going transaction details, all without missing a beat.”

During their daily business activities, ERA Justin Realty proudly received the prestigious ‘Commitment to Excellence Award’, one of 11 premier ERA real estate firms from 2,600 for two consecutive years, as well as the Muscular Dystrophy President’s Club honors for their MDA fundraising in 2005. All across the nation, the most sought award that can be achieved in business is the ‘J.D. Power & Associates’ award.  Only outstanding business entities are honored and receive it.  ERA Real Estate was the recipient of ‘Highest Satisfaction for First Time Home Buyers Among Full Service Real Estate Firms.’ and again in 2005 the ‘J.D. Power & Associates’ award for ‘First Time Home Sellers’ Award. For these reasons ERA Justin Realty should be your buying and selling Realtor of choice.