As the deadline to file taxes looms near, Westfield homeowners look for ways to alleviate some of their tax burdens. Westfield home values have steadily risen over the last few years. Many Westfield homeowners took out a home equity loan for various projects and expenses. Did you? If so, you might be able to write off the interest paid on that loan. However, you'll need to know the difference between home equity debt and acquisition debt first. The IRS treats these loans very differently. Home Equity Debt vs Acquisition DebtHome Equity Debt When home values go up, Westfield homeowners utilize their newfound equity for a wide variety of reasons. One of your kids started college. Another one's getting married. You want to take a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. You're interested in starting a... 03/23/2018

The national ranking company Niche recently released their "Best" lists for each state across the country. Westfield made their Top 10 List of "Best Places to Live in New Jersey". Our great schools, extremely low crime rate, entertainment options, and family-friendly atmosphere helped us rank in the upper echelon. Why Westfield Made the Top 10 List of Best Places to Live in New JerseyNiche gathers data from trusted sites like the Department of Education, FBI, and the US Census Bureau. They also send out millions of questionnaires to local residents around the US. Then, they analyze the answers to these questions as well as the data gathered from official sources. This helps them determine each city's rankings. Westfield ranked #10 on Niche's "Best Places to Live in New Jersey" list base... 03/16/2018

There are many pre-listing tasks every seller should undertake before putting their home on the market. Decluttering, packing up, and staging, are just a few of the chores on the list. If you want to make your Westfield home sale a success, follow these simple steps. How to Make Your Westfield Home Sale a SuccessPrice Your Home According to the Current Market First, let's talk money. Pricing tops the list of importance for most buyers. Price it too low, you risk losing money. However, price it too high and you risk losing buyers' interest. It's imperative that you price it according to how the market currently values it. How do you know what that magic number is? That's where your Westfield REALTOR's@ knowledge and expertise comes in to play. Not only can they run a Comparative Market A... 03/09/2018

After some deliberation, you've decided to sell your Westfield home. When marketing to today's buyers, you need to make sure they can picture your home as their home. To do so, you're going to need to stage it properly. That's where a professional staging company comes in handy. They know how to arrange each room of your house to maximize the positives and minimize the negatives. But, not all home stagers are created equal. To find the right one, ask your Westfield home stager these five questions. What to Ask Your Westfield Home StagerHow Long Do Your Westfield Area Homes Typically Stay on the Market? Ideally, you want a Westfield home stager whose homes typically sell in 30 days or less. If your home is still on the market after 30 days, you may need to reduce your price to drive up i... 03/02/2018

Selling your Westfield home involves several crucial steps. First, you need to find the right Westfield REALTOR@. Then, you need to determine an appropriate list price. After you hold open houses and/or private viewings, you'll accept an offer from a buyer and open escrow. At some point, an appraisal will be performed. This determines your home's fair market value and can make or break a home's sale. Here's what you need to know about the Westfield home appraisal process.The Westfield Home Appraisal ProcessAppraisal vs Inspection First things first, a Westfield home appraisal is not the same thing as a home inspection. An inspector physically assesses your home and its systems to make sure everything is in good working order. They look for possible maintenance issues and point out poten... 02/23/2018

The Westfield luxury real estate market started the year off with a flurry of activity. Whisperings of interest rate hikes could influence more buyers to look for homes earlier in the year. So, putting your Westfield home on the market now could be more profitable than waiting. But today's buyers differ from those of yesterday. Marketing your Westfield home in 2018 means catering to specific types of buyers and their tastes.Marketing Your Westfield Home in 2018Showcase Your Home's "Smart" Features Most of today's buyers search out "smart homes". When marketing your Westfield home in 2018, you should showcase any "smart" features you have. Do you utilize an Amazon Echo ("Alexa") or Google Home system ("Hey, Google.")? Good. If not, you might want to invest in one. Buyers want to know tha... 02/16/2018

There's been a flurry of activity in the Westfield luxury home market since the beginning of the year. Several newly constructed homes entered the market in the last 30 days. A few more are under contract. If you're in the market for a new home, now's the time to buy. Read on for a breakdown of the Westfield Area Market Report for January 2018.Westfield Area Market Report for January 2018Active Westfield Luxury Homes for Sale in January 2018 The Garden State MLS reported a total of 21 active Westfield luxury home listings. New construction made up more than 70%. Eleven of these entered the market within the last 30 days. NCN Properties has a custom colonial currently under construction that hit the market 15 days ago. Thirteen days ago, two custom colonials by Villane Construction were ... 02/09/2018

After the boom and subsequent bust of the mid-2000s, the US real estate market hit hard times. Banks tightened their lending standards, making it more difficult for buyers to receive funding for a home purchase. But that all seems to be behind us. A stronger economy, low unemployment, and high consumer confidence have rallied the market. If you've been on the fence about selling your house, 2018 might be the year to make it happen. But don't wait too long. You're going to want to sell your Westfield home sooner rather than later. Why Sell Your Westfield Home Now?Rates Remain Low...for Now While 3% may be a thing of the past, rates remain historically low. Currently, they're in the low 4% range for a 30-year fixed-rate loan. Some financial experts believe we will see rates hit 5% and abo... 02/02/2018

You've decided to sell your Westfield home. One of the tips I previously wrote about to sell it quickly is to let it show. By that, I mean that you need to be willing to let people come look at it at any time. This could take the form of a scheduled open house or private showings. If you prepare for your Westfield open house or a private tour now, it could help alleviate any last-minute stress they might cause.How to Prepare for Your Westfield Open HouseA Clean Home is a Sold HomeIt should go without saying, but the first step in preparing for your Westfield open house is to make sure everything is spotless. Carpets, upholstery, drapes, etc. should be deep cleaned, especially if smokers or pets reside in your home. Clear off the countertops in your kitchen and bathroom. Empty all your t... 01/26/2018

The usual rule of thinking is to lower your asking price when your Westfield home isn't seeing much traffic. But that isn't necessarily the right thing to do in all situations. Several factors help determine how to price your home appropriately for the market. Sometimes, that may mean actually raising your price even after you've had it on the market for a little while. When should you think about increasing your Westfield asking price after listing? When the following scenarios arise.Increasing Your Westfield Asking Price After ListingChanges in the Local Market The real estate market is in constant flux. Sometimes it's up. Sometimes it's down. But, rarely does it stand still. If the Westfield real estate market in your neighborhood has changed since you first listed your property, you... 01/19/2018

The Westfield tax assessment appeal season is coming soon. In fact, the first quarter is when Westfield homeowners can file their appeals. I've seen so many people whose own homes would be more attractive to buyers if the property taxes were lower. By the same token, I've also seen many buyers who would be able to afford more "home" if the property taxes were lower. That peaked my interest in the whole tax appeal process. I've even appealed my own taxes and currently benefit from that. Since the Westfield tax assessment appeal season opens up on Monday, I wanted to share with you what I've learned about the process. Helpful Westfield Tax Assessment Appeal Info Back in February of this year, I hosted a free Westfield tax appeal seminar featuring Jennifer Jacobus, Esq. She handles these k... 01/05/2018

New year, new tax code. Late last week, President Trump signed a bill overhauling the tax system. It goes into effect beginning next Monday, January 1st. Many people are still scrambling to determine how it affects them. You definitely need to talk to your tax attorney, CPA, or financial adviser to see what impact the changes will have on you. Even though we have less than a week before 2018 begins, there are still things you can do now that could save you money on your 2017 Westfield taxes.Ways to Save Money on Your 2017 Westfield Taxes NowPay January's Mortgage TodayOne of the quickest ways to affect your 2017 Westfield taxes is to make an extra mortgage payment this month. The standard deduction doubles beginning January 1st, 2018. If you itemize, this may cost you. By paying January... 12/29/2017

Selling your Westfield home during the winter presents itself with certain obstacles we don't experience any other time of the year. First, there's the weather. Fewer buyers are willing to trudge through the snow and freezing temperatures to look at homes. Then, there are the holidays. With just nine shopping days until Christmas and 16 days until New Year's Eve, everyone's running around preparing for parties and presents. Follow these tips for a quick Westfield home sale and you'll be able to tick that off your "to do" list in no time.Tips for a Quick Westfield Home SaleDeep CleaningFirst and foremost, in order to achieve a quick Westfield home sale, you'll need to clean your home from top to bottom. Everything needs to be cleaned, including baseboards, cupboards, drawers, appliances,... 12/22/2017

Winter is officially upon us. As snow falls upon our community, the Westfield real estate market begins to slow. With Christmas just over two weeks away, our focus turns to shopping for gifts rather than shopping for houses. That doesn't mean buyers aren't out there looking. But, if you're selling a home right now, you'll see fewer people showing up at your door. The November 2017 Westfield Area Market Report shows that the market has begun to wind down for the year. November 2017 Westfield Area Market ReportActive Westfield Luxury Homes for Sale in November 2017The Garden State MLS reported a total of 24 active Westfield homes on the market. Of those, 15 were newly constructed or were in the process of building built. Fourteen of them hit the market in the last 30 days. One of the acti... 12/15/2017

Putting your Westfield home on the market can feel daunting, especially during the hustle and bustle of the holidays. But it doesn't have to be an overwhelming process. Follow these simple steps for your Westfield home sale and you'll do just fine. Countdown to a Westfield Home Sale: What to Do FirstHire a REALTOR@When refinishing furniture or painting a room, doing it yourself may be a great plan. But, when it comes to a Westfield home sale, leave it to the pros. Ask your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers for references for REALTORS@ in your area. Once you compile a list of names, set up interviews with each. Talk to them about their experience, knowledge of the area, and how often they keep in touch. When you find someone that fits with your personality and requirements, that... 12/01/2017

Next Thursday, millions of families across the country sit down to enjoy a sumptuous feast and express thanks for the many blessings they received over the past year. After the turkey and all its trimmings get put away, then it's time to start planning Christmas. There's no better place to start than the Westfield Area Y Men's Club 2017 Christmas Tree Lot.What: Westfield Area Y Men's Club 2017 Christmas Tree LotWhere: 200 Elm St, Westfield, NJWhen: Nov 25th to Dec 23rd, 5 pm to 9 pm Monday-Friday, 9 am to 6 pm Sat & SunContact: Westfield Area Y Men's Club Facebook page, contact via emailWestfield Area Y Men's Club 2017 Christmas Tree Lot Beginning the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Westfield Area Y Men's Club 2017 Christmas Tree Lot is open for business. The lot stays open seven days ... 11/24/2017

You've been wanting to make a change. Your Westfield home's value increased since you bought it. Maybe your kids flew the coop and you don't need as much space. Perhaps the opposite is true. Your family has outgrown your current housing situation. But before you can move on, you must sell your current property. For this week's Westfield seller tip, learn how to price your home to sell. What's My Westfield Home Worth?First, you should find out what your Westfield home's worth. Several real estate search sites like Zillow and Trulia provide an estimated home value along with the address and asking price. However, these can be way off the mark in terms of the real market value. Instead, visit my Find Your Home's Value page here. Enter your home's address. Then, add your email address and s... 11/17/2017

We're nearing the end of the year. That means it's holiday season. Typically, real estate transactions slow down at this time. If you have your home on the market, don't be discouraged. Learn how to sell your Westfield home during the holidays with these helpful tips. How to Sell Your Westfield Home During the HolidaysHoliday DecorFirst off, yes, you can decorate. Just keep things tasteful. A holiday-themed wreath on the front door and some small fall or winter-themed decorations here and there inside are fine. At Christmas, go ahead and decorate your tree. Add a nice string of lights to frame your Westfield home. Simple decorations during the holidays help make a home feel inviting. Garish, over-the-top decor can make a potential buyer walk away. You may even want to consider hosting a... 10/27/2017

According to Safeguard the World, one US home is broken into every 13 seconds. A home without a security system is three times as likely to be broken into than one with a system in place. But, does a security system add value to your Westfield home? Yes. And in more ways than one. Why Should I Install a Westfield Home Security System?With approximately two million reported home burglaries each year, thieves pose the biggest threat to our homes. Sometimes, the cost of replacing broken windows and doors adds up to more than what may actually be stolen. A home security system deters would-be thieves from breaking into your Westfield home in the first place.Expensive monitoring systems are a thing of the past. In today's marketplace, an investment of a few hundred dollars grants you a state... 10/27/2017

Looking for a project? Remake the 1929 Colonial located at 450 Beechwood Pl in Westfield, NJ into exactly what you and your family wants. Demolition has already begun to take place inside this grand single-family home. So, you can add your own personal touches. 450 Beechwood PlaceThis home features a brick fireplace in the living room, four bedrooms, three full baths, one partial bath and an unfinished basement. The sale of this property includes architect plans for an expansive master suite on the third floor. Since this is a partially demolished site, buyers and their representatives enter at their own risk. Must present an all cash offer or secure a reno loan to buy. Sold as-is. Great bones. Primo location.You can view interior photos and suggested floor plans by visiting www.450Beec... 10/20/2017