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School systems in New Jersey vary greatly, but it's pretty much accepted that Bergen County schools stand out as some of the best in the state --- even in the country. Northwest Bergen County is the hub of many of those schools, starting with Allendale. Allendale is what we refer to as a "train...
08/11/2012
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Except for my childhood --- when I lived in Asbury Park which is technically a city, but not a city like NYC --- I've lived in the suburbs. The suburbs at the Jersey Shore are nothing like they are in NW Bergen County which is where I've lived for the better part of my life, but it's still quiet ...
08/09/2012
I hae resisted home staging since it's inception because I think it's difficult to find stagers with great taste and affordable prices. It also takes more time than a lot of Sellers have, particularly those who are transferring out of the area and in a hurry to get there. I'm also not convinced ...
08/03/2012
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A colleague recently asked me if we had to disclose if someone died (specifically, committed suicide) in a home we are marketing. It seems the potential Buyer asked that question, although her Realtor assured my colleague it wouldn't influence her decision to purchase the home (sure it wouldn't -...
07/30/2012
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Those of us who have been in real estate since the year of the flood sometimes rely on our decades of experience, and don't think much about furthering our education. Well, the New Jersey Real Estate Commission made the decision easy --- all licensees are required to take 12 credits of continuin...
07/17/2012
Sunday's Journal showed a graph exhibiting how various incvestments are doing --- NASDAQ, S&Ps, Treasurys, Gold, Real Estate and others. Real Estate landed toward the bottom of the list with another 6% drop in prices (for April). I continue to be confused by all the so-called experts who give d...
07/16/2012
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There was a time when holding an Open House made sense. For me, it was 23 years ago when I was new in the business, and wanted to do everything I could to make myself known. Beyond that, I felt I could do a better job sharing my homes with the public since I knew far more about it than Realtors ...
07/14/2012
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I'm confused. I keep reading about how difficult it is for towns and states to stay within their budgets, and how many services might have to be cut, but then I read about towns like Wyckoff, NJ and Franklin Lakes, NJ buying up land so it doesn't get developed. Now, don't misunderstand --- I am...
07/13/2012
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It appears that no matter how many times I explain to Buyers that the inspection of the home they're buying is meant to uncover material/structural defects to the home, and NOT to give them a second chance to negotiate the price of the home. And it's not just the fault of Buyers, but lazy attorne...
07/09/2012
I have a gorgeous listing in Franklin Lakes, NJ that has been renovated within an inch of its life. The owner bought the proverbial sow's ear and, over a few years, turned it into a silk purse. At the risk of sounding sexist, He had no experience in architecture or interior design, so I wasn't ...
07/07/2012