Times are Challenging - But!

With consumer confidence low and gas prices high, getting motivated to buy a Montclair home can be a challenge. This is especially true if you’re not sure about qualifying for a home mortgage. Just in case you haven’t heard, as a result of the sub-prime mortgage mess, qualifying for a new home loan in today’s Montclair real estate market is going to be a bit more challenging. All the more reason to connect with a trusted lending consultant and get pre-qualified. Provided your credit and finances are in order, now just might be the best time to buy Montclair real estate.

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In case you didn’t know, Memorial Day was formerly known as Decoration Day. The last Monday of the month of May is the date we recognize and remember those members of the armed forces who died protecting the freedoms we enjoy and many take for granted.

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From the previous post, you were provided an outline of standard features most often requested by your typical Montclair real estate buyer. For those buyers who fit in the luxury genre, the features and amenities listed below represent what most luxury-minded buyers seek in their next Montclair estate home. Take a look and see if this list aligns with your wants and needs as a Essex County luxury home buyer:

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If you’re entertaining thoughts of placing your Montclair real estate on the market in the future, as a Montclair home seller it is especially important you understand what features and amenities of your Essex County home need to be present when you do decide to sell your Montclair home. Below is a list of highly sought after standard creature comforts and amenities Montclair home buyers expect to find when purchasing their next property. Just remember, not all of these features and upgrades will offer you an immediate return on your investment however it will improve the “livability” and comfort of your Montclair home, condo or flat.

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As Median Home Prices Drop in Many Major Cities, NJ Stays Afloat

The following story is from the Associated Press and was featured on Yahoo! News. We wanted to point out that despite our media’s portrayal of doom and gloom in the nation’s housing market, some light is shining on New Jersey.

Median home prices drop in many cities

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Make no mistake about it, buying your first (or fifth) Montclair home is no small feat especially in today’s economy. I often tell Montclair first-time buyers to do the smart things in preparation for buying Montclair real estate. Here are a few things to remember:

1. If your credit scores are not pristine, go to work on repairing them. As a result of the recent mortgage mess, mortgage qualification rules by lenders are stricter. Therefore, it is important you “polish” up your credit rating
2. I recommend you pay off your bills. Possessing many high interest rate credit cards will make the challenge of buying a Montclair home even more difficult
3. Reduce your spending and save for your down payment and closing cost
4. Take the bus or the train and save on gas (and save the environment too)
5. Instead of going out to eat, stay at home to eat your meals (home cooked meals are actually better for you)
6. When you have enough money put away, get pre-qualified for your mortgage before searching for Montclair real estate
7. Become familiar with the Montclair real estate process
8. Be a smarter Essex County home buyer by getting to know the lay of the land in the Montclair area

Select the Right Montclair Real Estate Agent!

Because buying a Montclair home requires the resources and skills of an experienced Montclair real estate agent, who you choose to be your agent is very important. Leave a comment or contact me, Chris Lane if your ready to begin your Montclair home buying journey.

Until my next post,

Chris

In case you didn’t know it - the Montclair real estate market is in a real (estate) tug-o-war. With so much information in the news about declining market activity, you would think that those Montclair homeowners who about to list their home’s on the market would realize the market has swung to the buyer’s advantage. If you still need to be convinced, take a look at the compelling evidence:

1. Essex County homes take longer to sell on the mls
2. There are more Montclair homes on the market now than last year this time
3. More homes have to make a price adjustment (lower) than in the past
4. Essex County new home builders have reduced their inventory due to the current market conditions

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This is going to be quick so hang on! Not stagging your Montclair home is a major mistake plain and simple. Any attempts to market your Essex County home without first setting the stage for your Montclair property will be an invitation for a disaster. We all know the Montclair real estate market can be challenging enough. It is recommended you review and implement these quick stagging suggestions if you are serious about selling your Montclair home quicker and for more money.

1. Create impeccable curb appeal. You must get them to stop - look and enter - your front door! Mow the lawn, trim the shrubs, weed the flower beds and add new mulch.
2. Haul away any adult play toys including boats, RVs, motorcycles, PWCs, anything that takes up space in your driveway and makes your home’s curb appeal less than inviting. Park them at a storage facility.
3. Clean - clean - clean. Power wash the drive, the exterior and the gutters.
4. Make the entrance to your home magnetic. If you have a porch or stoop, de-cluttered and add a splashof color with a potted plant.
5. Inside your Montclair home, make sure it is “white-glove” clean. Every nook and cranny must shine! Cabinets, walls (touch up paint applied where needed), and the floors/carpet all must sparkle.
6. Target your bathrooms and the kitchen! Organize and de-cluttered these rooms. Remember this - great kitchens sell homes. Updated appliances, cabinets with ample storage and solid surface counter-tops all help sale your Montclair home.
7. Remove all vestiges of your personal items and collectibles. It is imperative your buyers be able to visualize their belongings in your space.
8. Create islands of comfort with your furniture. Furniture groupings are the best way to create character and room flow in your Montclair home!

Have a Question About Montclair Home Staging?

Like to know more about preparing your Montclair home for the Essex County real estate market and setting the right stage? Make a comment or leave your email address and we will answer all of your Montclair home staging questions. If you have any concerns about leaving your email address, your right to privacy is our primary concern. We promise we will never sale, rent or share your contact information with any third party.

Until my next post,

Chris

Frankly, not always. Of course, so much depends on your set of circumstances. In some cases, filing a claim against your homeowner’s insurance will be more costly than it is worth. Remember, you may actually get hit with a higher premium because you submitted a claim. What you may not know as a Montclair home seller is this…. you may actually be making it more difficult for a buyer of your Montclair home to secure a homeowner’s insurance policy due to so many claims previously made on your existing home. Not to mention the fact that you may find it harder to secure coverage for your new home later as well.

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Easy Access to the Finest Entertainment

For those thinking about relocating to Montclair and other prospective home buyers, you might be asking yourself, “What is there to do in the greater Montclair area?” The best way to answer the question is to find out what you enjoy doing during your limited leisure time. Here in Essex County attending the theater and experiencing live performances rate high on the list of how our clients want to spend their precious time. Towns in Essex County not only provide easy access to Manhattan and NYC via the MidTown Direct Train, but offer a wealth of nearby theatrical, musical and cultural events to choose from.

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