What's Trending among luxury buyers...

Luxury home buyers rank open floor plans, smart technologies, and pools as top amenities in their home purchases.  

Here are their top-ranked amenities, among lusury home buyers: 

• An open floor plan was cited by 39 percent as the No. 1 preferred amenity
• Fully automated/wired home system, which could encompass high-speed cable and integrated music systems, computerized lighting, and home monitoring systems
• Pool
• Outdoor kitchen
• Gym
• Home theater

On the other hand, luxury home buyers ranked the following amenities as “less important”: wine cellar, guest house, safe room, separate catering kitchen, tennis court, and staff quarters (which came in last on the list). The average home purchase for this wealthy segment of buyers was estimated at $1.6 million.

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home warranty on the property

Whether you are buying or selling a home, having a home warranty on the property will benefit all parties involved. Buy a home in confidence with a Coldwell Banker Home Protection Plan. Your warranty will cover the major appliances for a year after closing and you can rest easy knowing that the home you are buying is protected. Click Here for more information or call me about our Home Warranty coverage so that you can take the next step toward the purchase of your home.

Here are a few compelling reasons for you to include a Home Protection Plan on your listing

Buyers:    Relief from unexpected        breakdowns on covered items    Affordable, flexible        and customizable plans    Access to a network of        service contractors    Increased confidence        in your home purchase

 

Sellers:    It may discourage        downward price negotiation    It can help        distinguish your property from other listings    It can help boost        buyer confidence    It can help reduce        your liability in post-sale issues

Large Postcard (8.5 x 5.5) - Just Sold Postcard (1 photo - small)

Large Postcard (8.5 x 5.5) - Just Sold Postcard (1 photo - small).

5 Benefits of Awnings Keep cool and save energy dollars

Made from metal or fabric, stationary or retractable, awnings can add value to your home and quality to your life — as well as keep more dollars inside your wallet. Here are five of the most common benefits

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Guide to Bathroom Fans and Vents

Keep moisture out of your bathroom with the right fan system
 

Proper ventilation is important if you want to keep excess moisture out of your bathrooms. This means choosing bathroom fans and vents that are the right size for your space, and a system with the features to suit your needs.

http://www.imakenews.com/rebath/e_article002773435_13.cfm?x=bmJqQC2,bw6yC3j1,w

Helpful Homebuyer Check List

Whether your dream home is new construction or an existing home, you will want to know what to look for as you begin your home search. Think of features that are important to you and create a checklist to serve as your roadmap for buying a home. Review the list below and find out how your Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Sales Associate will help you conduct a home search, negotiate, and close on a new home. Your Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Sales Associate will help you with the process of buying a home while representing your best interests throughout the purchase process. Use the home buyer checklist below to prevent errors and to stay on track: · Get pre-approved for a mortgage, look into credit report, FICO score, type of mortgage, shop for best rates, and programs. Determine your wants and needs: style of home, size, price, location· Seek out a Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Sales Associate Compare the services of different agents and look for good personal chemistry· Check out the neighborhoods, schools, crime rate, traffic, zoning, and work commutes · Rely on your Sales Associate’s expertise and in-company resources. · Check the Web for helpful information · Do your research and evaluate each property of interest · Visit or have your agent visit the town or city hall to learn of any zoning changes, liens, easements, or other restrictions. · Be informed and your Sale Associate will prepare your offer and apply his/her trained negotiating skills during the buying process· Get your Sales Associate to prepare a property value study. Ask the seller if there are any other offers and ascertain his motivation for selling, deadlines, etc. · Hire a certified inspector to conduct a home inspection and any other specific inspections· To prevent surprises and disappointments after you move into your new home, use the inspection period written into your contract to fullest advantage by hiring a home inspector to thoroughly examine the home you want to buy.· Be aware of the final negotiating factors that may benefit you in the purchase of the home.· Use the inspection report to re-negotiate, if necessary. · To prevent surprises after the fact, your agent will schedule a walk-through of the property before the actual closing (usually an hour or two before). Together, you and your agent will re-examine the home to (1) see that requested repairs have been made, (2) to determine if there are any changes or new damage since the home inspection, and (3) see that all of the sellers belongings have been removed from the premises as agreed. Once your walk-through has been completed, you can sit at the closing table with less worry knowing that your home is ready and waiting for you.You may find that you need to add some steps, based on your special situation, to create a customized home buying checklist for yourself. However, this should serve as a helpful guide as you start on the road to purchasing your dream home    

Price Your Home to Sell

Establishing a reasonable and profitable listing price for a home is perhaps the greatest challenge for every home seller. Before coming to a final figure, many sellers ask themselves: "The home down the street sold for a great price; can I price my home in the same ballpark?" "What is the highest price I can achieve in this market?" Many factors must be considered before settling on a listing price. I recommend that you take the following steps before setting an asking figure.Ask me for a CMA. I can provide you with a written competitive market analysis (CMA). This will provide a list of recent sale prices of similar homes in the area (with comparable numbers of bedrooms, baths, square footage and lot size), the asking prices of homes currently for sale nearby and other important information. I can provide you with a professional estimation of a legitimate selling price.Take the Emotion Out of It. I will evaluate the location, condition and size of your home. A house in a secluded, exclusive area may appeal to some, while others will want to be closer to schools, shopping and health care facilities. What is the physical condition of your home? Is it a fixer-upper? Does it make a good first impression (the ever important curb appeal)? Will it appeal to a growing family, or is it better suited to empty nesters?Determine If It Is a Buyer’s or Seller’s Market. Real estate markets vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. Home inventory, mortgage interest rates and the local economy play a role in determining whether the buyer or seller has a negotiating advantage. Interest rates remain at historically low levels and financing is available for those qualified, putting buyers in a good position to achieve homeownership.Do the Math. Do not forget to figure in closing costs, legal fees and other selling expenses when determining the selling price. I can provide cost estimates, and negotiate with a potential buyer to ensure a good sale price.Give It the Once Over. There is one more step to ensure that the house sells for your price, or more. Do as much as possible to improve the home's appearance: touch up the paint, fix leaks, seal any cracks, clean up the clutter, and eliminate pet odors. The house has only one chance to make a first impression.For more information, please feel free to contact me. 732.245.4031

How Homebuyers Benefit from Mortgage Pre-Approval

No matter what type of real estate market, it’s a good idea to be pre-approved for a mortgage loan before you begin your search.

A pre-approved mortgage loan is a lender's actual commitment to lend to the homebuyer, with specifications on the exact loan amount. To become pre-approved, consumers must provide personal financial information, such as income, debt and assets, to an underwriter. After a homebuyer applies for the loan, the lender will most likely approve the application with certain caveats. As the lender is committing to the loan amount and interest rate up front, the buyer knows they have their financing in place before shopping for a home. Advantages of having a pre-approved mortgage loan include:

Establishing an advantage. A pre-approval letter gives the homebuyer an edge in multi-offer situations. Sellers prefer working with potential buyers who are pre-approved; they do not want a deal to fall through because the purchaser cannot get sufficient financing. An offer with a mortgage pre-approval letter carries far more weight than an offer with only a pre-qualification letter or no letter at all.
Finding the loan that best meets your needs. Working with a mortgage advisor before looking at houses gives the homebuyer plenty of time to decide which type of loan works best for his or her financial goals. Once the buyer decides on the kind of loan he or she wants and has been pre-approved for it, the homebuyer can then focus on finding their dream home.

Establishing the price range. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage enables the homebuyer to determine, prior to house hunting, how much money he or she qualifies for, thereby establishing a price range. The homebuyer can then focus on looking at appropriate homes.
 Click Here to get pre-approved. Respectfully,
Gloria Benaroch, CRS, CSP,E-Pro, SRES,Coldwell BankerBroker AssociateFluent in French, German and Russianmailto:[email protected]
Cell:732-245-4031 Fax:862-345-2303Search the MLS: http://GloriaBSellsHomes.listingbook.com/

www.RiverPointeTownhomes.com  

Are you interested in becoming a homeowner

Are you interested in becoming a homeowner but would like a little help with the process? Here are few suggestions to simplify the tasks from start to finish:

STEP #1: Ask for a Free, No Obligation Buyer Consultation. One of your best resources to gather information as a potential homeowner is a buyer agent. The real estate industry has changed dramatically, and buyers now have access to professional representation in the same way as a seller. During your consultation, a buyer’s agent will explain the home buying process to you, gather information about your needs and describe how you will work together to purchase your new home. STEP #2: Ask about financing. There are many loan products to choose from, so ask your buyer agent to help you consult with a mortgage lender to determine which financial option is right for you. Or Click here to find a mortgage advisor. There also are state and government programs designed specifically for first-time homebuyers. STEP #3: Get pre-approved for a loan. It's critical to be pre-approved for a loan because it serves as a commitment to lend a specific amount based on the information you provide. A pre-approved loan gives you the confidence and buying power you need.
STEP #4: Do your homework. Get to know the market where you are interested in living. Spend time researching different neighborhoods, school districts, transportation, and other home buying criteria that are important to you. Go online to sites such as ColdwellBankerMoves.com to obtain information on buyers’ resources. Doing this type of homework gives you a better understanding of what is available and at what price.

STEP #5: Simplify your search. Create a checklist of the important features you want in a home, such as location, or the number of bedrooms or bathrooms. Other questions to answer: What will the commute to work be like? Are there shopping centers, parks, and schools located near the home? 

STEP #6: Make an offer. Once you find the right house, work with your agent to make the right offer. Make sure the offer is contingent on two items: 1) You're able to obtain adequate financing (if you haven't already done so), and 2) you can pull out if the property doesn't pass the home inspection and the owner can't come to terms with how to fix the problems. Be prepared for counter-offers from other buyers and some negotiation with the seller. Make an earnest money deposit, which is a check you will give to your agent to indicate you are serious about buying the house. The check will apply toward the sales price if the deal goes through; if not, you get it back. If an offer is accepted, it goes to the contract phase.

STEP #7: Be safe, not sorry. You've found your dream home! Now you need to fully understand what you’re buying. Making an offer contingent on an inspection by a registered home inspector can save thousands of dollars by avoiding unseen problems. In the contract with the seller, it should state any necessary repairs to be made before the closing. Prior to closing, walk through the house to see if the repairs have been made. 

STEP #8: Protect your investment with homeowners’ insurance. Lenders require homeowners’ insurance to protect the new homebuyer's interests as well as their own. There are many providers so shop around for the best rates.

STEP#9: Get ready for the closing. This is where the seller and buyer sign settlement-closing papers to transfer the ownership of the home and all transactions are finalized. If you need any assistance or guidance throughout the home buying process, please feel free to contact me. Respectfully,
Gloria Benaroch, CRS, CSP,E-Pro, SRES,Coldwell BankerBroker AssociateFluent in French, German and Russianmailto:[email protected]
Cell:732-245-4031 Fax:862-345-2303Search the MLS: http://GloriaBSellsHomes.listingbook.com/

www.RiverPointeTownhomes.com