Welcome to your Ole' Home!

The owner is motivated to see all reasonable offers!

www.HistoricAllendale.com

Great town and GREAT Price!

Sought after NORTHERN HIGHLANDS school system.

Close to NYC transportation, shopping, area golf, lakes and more!

This would make a wonderful family home...

OR

it is  zoned for professional - residential use.

Live and work at home.

www.HistoricAllendale.com

I thought I would take a moment to introduce myself.

You see, I write a lot about real estate. I write about things that happen in and around the town of Mahwah, Bergen County and New Jersey. I write about blogging, kids, dogs, events.  But, it dawned on me... I rarely write about me.

Advertising, branding and marketing are my strengths. It is what I love to do. I love to develop a strategy that will help buyers and seller's come together. I have been doing that for quite some time and for many a well-known brand.

As a former PR/AD and Brand marketer for Lipton, I lead the team that designed the global tea & health strategy for the company's worldwide communications --- about all things tea. And, my "meet the tea-tasters" public relations program called, "What is HOT and COOL" about Lipton Tea featured tea-tasters from around the globe eventually blossomed into the Lipton Tea Institute featured today on Lipton Tea's current web page www.Lipton.com . Click on the button for Lipton Institute for Tea. I spent many a night on the road with our spokepeople pitching major media media about the benefits of drinking tea. (I still keep in touch with tea-tasters around world via eMail and social networks!)

The  awardwinning - "Build a Better Salad" program helped promote the health and nutrition aspects of what you put in or on your salad. This nutritional ad/pr media blitz helped educate writers and their readers so they would get a better understanding of a person's daily healthy eating habits. This brand platform is still used today by Wish-Bone. See www.WishBone.com .

These are just two examples of major consumer brands that I have work on in my career as a marketing and branding strategist.

Today, over 84 % of buyers find a new home on the internet or via social networking.

I pride myself on my ability to market a property through great photography and personalized internet presence and relationship for each of my listings. I blog, I tweet, I am on facebook and TheBestofNJ --- to  name a few. I am a "technology junkie" and "early adapter." I do this as a creative outlet for me - the closet marketer - as well as for my listings.

All the while, I have been designing, selling and buying real estate for as long as I can remember. I used to sit in the office of my grandparents real estate company and greet buyers or sellers as they entered the door. "How can I help you?" I would ask. Funny, I still can remember sitting at the typewriter ( yes, typewriter) banging on the keys. All jibberish on the paper but, it seemed real to me. And, I marveled at the hundreds of keys hanging on key hooks. I loved the sound of the keys clanging and dangling together with their paper ring tags. I was 3 or 4 years old.

In high school, I bucked a trend and took mechanical drawing and architectural design. I was one of the few women in my high school school to do so. A New Jersey high school, I might add. Are you smiling Mr. Restaino? My teachers helped cultivate a passion for art, design and architecture that I still use each and every day.

In college, necessity was the mother of invention. Not overjoyed with the housing options in New Brunswick. Yes, in the 80's. I pooled several students together and had them rent a house off campus. Ads in the student paper and student center, collecting and paying rent, etc. Thus my real-world real estate career was born.

Through the years with my husband, Gary Wong, we have been fortunate to design, renovate, build, rent and sell many properties. We have built two of our own homes in Mahwah and one at the Jersey Shore. Our daughter is currently studing architecture at Rensselar. And, our son who just entered high school wants to be a technology engineer or builder. They say the apples don't fall far from the tree... 

Gary Wong and Pamela Stetson

Hopefully, you have learned alittle more about me.

I not only love a challenge and love marketing, I believe real estate is still an excellent long-term investment. And, I love to share that hands-on experience with my sellers and buyers.

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Know the sales value of your next home * based on actual market comps.

Allow me to present a Comparative Market Analysis to you that is customized to your home, finances and your specific needs. This will give you detailed information about pricing and selling your home in the current market.

For more information about buying or selling your largest financial asset, contact me at CupaT@aol.com.  Copyright - Pamela Stetson 2010, www.PamelaStetson.com

Lipton is a trademark of the Thomas J. Lipton Company and Unilever.

Wish-Bone is a trademark of Unilever

The OWNER SAYS --- Present all reasonable OFFERS !

What next? Does this really mean... all offers?

Currently in our area, we are in a state of virtual limbo. Seller's are motivated. They have adjusted their prices and they are ready, willing and able to see ALL OFFERS. And, buyers are looking. They come back, once, twice, even three times. But, no offers on paper.

What's an agent to do?

1. Look at the sales comps --- weekly.

Make sure that the pricing of the home is current with the weekly market adjustments. Yes, weekly. It seems to be alittle more work but it will be worth it. Continue to communicate the activity to your seller. This will help them realize that you are...doing homework and that you are on top of the activity.

2. Visit other are homes.

It never ceases to amaze me...when realtors don't actively preview homes for sale in the market. This is a MUST in any market. Agents must be able to get inside what is available for sale and add a reality check to the listings on area MLS'. If you have not been inside the home or condo for sale that is a comp for your listing --- you are not doing your job.

3. Social Media Blitz.

Add more chatter about the home to your social networks twitter, facebook, eZines, web blasts, and more. Have you thought about your blog? Add a different blog topic --- featuring your listing. If you don't know or don't use these fantastic virtual marketing tools --- you are not marketing your listing and that is...a subject for another blog!

4. Flag every media possible.

Get the words "Motivated", "Owner says sell" and other call to action words in your print, virtual and personal media ( when you are talking to other agents --- mention your listing . ) Write copy that is exciting and relevant to  your target buyer --- Is this an opportunity to move up? A chance to renovate?

Move beyond the more static sales copy. Get creative!

5. Face-to-Face.

Get "face" time with other agents in your area. Talk to them. Call them. Go to Realtor Tours and Previews. Visit Open Houses.  Ask the agents what their buyers are looking for....Tell them about the fantastic listing you have and tell them that your seller is motivated to see all offers. Put a tickler in your own broker office's mailboxes. Try to give some personality to the listing beyond --- the sell sheet.

Don't forget to get out of your office and into the local area. Have you visited the library? Gone to the Senior Center? Dropped a few house for sale cards off at the local pre-school?

6. Embrace Change.

Change the look and feel of the listing OFTEN. Move photos around. Write seasonal messages on your web pages, tours, etc. Make sure the photos are always "FRESH" to the potential buyer. Nothing creates more lackluster interest than photos that are the same since the first day of the listing. ( especially those snow photos!) Change them around. Put sparkle in the copy.

Put holiday bows on the sign posts. Get into the spirit of what ever season it is...Your seller will notice your interest in their home and buyers will be welcomed into the home.  Once they are inside ---  you will be able to motivate them to buy.

This could be your next home!

The seller's loved this home --- you will, too.  Beautiful tree-lined cul-de-sac located on the Wyckoff border. The street is adjacent to the Wyckoff Preserve. What a wonderful neighborhood to call home. This large 4 bedroom splilt is just waiting for it's new owner. 1 Bath plus 1 half bath ( 1.5 bths ) in the lower level Recreation room. This home affords the buyer the chance to make their own updates --- get creative! You have the fabulous location and the LARGE 4 bedroom home with hardwood floors, large Master Bedroom and a finished walk-out level and huge two car garage in a great location. Best of all --- Waldwick is so close to New York City, too. --- The homeowner is willing to talk. Call me today to see this wonderful home.

www.AnthonyPlace.com

Last, but not least, educate your seller that all offers means just that....offers. They may see a range of good, the bad and the ugly but...the opportunity to see what is reasonable is there. And, they always have the chance to negotiate what the see on paper. Nothing on paper, nothing to negotiate.

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Know the sales value of your next home in WALDWICK * based on actual market comps. Allow me to present a Comparative Market Analysis to you that is customized to your home, finances and your specific needs. This will give you detailed information about pricing and selling your home in the current market.

For more information about buying or selling your largest financial asset, contact me at CupaT@aol.com.

Copyright - Pamela Stetson 2010, www.PamelaStetson.com

Listed, marketed, SOLD and closed --- this one acre lot in the heart of beautiful Rio Vista Estates. ONE OF THE LAST LOTS IN RIO VISTA ESTATES. YOU CANNOT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS !!!

This is the cleared lot located on the corner of GREAT HALL ROAD and BRAMS HILL DRIVE in the newest section of the community. I listed this lot and it was under contract within 6 weeks. Most lots have been sold BUT I do have access to several lots that are considered to be RESALE. Contact me for more information the available lots in Rio Vista, Fardale, Cragmere, Deerhaven and other areas of MAHWAH.

Mahwah was VOTED ONE OF THE TOP 10 BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN NEW JERSEY BY NJMONTHLY MAGAZINE SEVERAL YEARS IN A ROW.... A few of the offerings in Rio Vista are:

 www.29SurreyLane.com

www.21GreatHallRoad.com

www.GreatHallRoad.com

www.PamelaStetson.com

www.RioVistaMahwah.com

Rio Vista is a very unique sub-division of over 300 million dollar plus homes. It features it's own community pool; tennis, basketball and bocce courts; full service gym and many wonderful open spaces --- all reserved for it's own residents.

In order to EFFECTIVELY market this private enclave one must be intimately familiar with it's history, it's pedigrees, legend and lore as well as know the developers and the many custom home builders --- in addition to the town, schools and neighborhoods. All these details  make Rio Vista and Mahwwah --- a community of choice.

Living in Rio Vista Mahwah offers a sense of community not found in many locations. The active homeowners association offers many opportunities to mingle amongst neighbors and firends with events such as block parties, bbq's, golf outings, reading clubs, fitness programs & more. You chose the level of activity that suits your personal needs.

Call me for your personal tour!

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Know the sales value of your next home in RIO VISTA MAHWAH * based on actual market comps. Allow me to present a Comparative Market Analysis to you that is customized to your home, finances and your specific needs. This will give you detailed information about pricing and selling your home in the current market.

For more information about buying or selling your largest financial asset, contact me at CupaT@aol.com.

Copyright - Pamela Stetson 2010, www.PamelaStetson.com

I LOVE Blogging in the Rain !

I thought I would take a moment to share a short success story.

Go Team Go !!!

A buyer was reading my blog and was interested in the CLUB soccer program in my area. They contacted me ... because I had been a travel coach for some time (and I often blogged about the sport, the kids and the games ). We discussed the level(s) of soccer at the club level and at our local the High School. We exchanged game "war stories" and bemused about our full time job(s) as volunteer coaches at the club level and for the local town recreation teams.

As our correspondance continued, I invited them to a game. Then I introduced them to a principal of one of our local elementary schools. We had formed a bond based on our mutual interestes. Soon,  they came to one of my open houses ... and not long after that ... we made an offer on a FOR SALE BY OWNER home in my home town!

Now, their two children go to the local public school (one has since become good friends with my son) and they are very active in our town and high school sports programs. I not only gained a customer --- our family made longtime friends --- and our town benefitted from new residents that became volunteers in our town!

All in all --- a terffic success story on many levels! So, Keep dancing in the RAIN!

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Remember ---Your agent is part of your team. You must take time to research and pick a qualified full time real estate agent. Once you are comfortable with them as a member of your team --- you must let them do their job. They are state licensed professionals in the real estate business. They are there to give you advise and counsel based on their training and experience. Afterall, that is why you hired them, right?

For more information about buying or selling your largest financial asset, contact me at CupaT@aol.com.

Copyright - Pamela Stetson 2010, www.PamelaStetson.com

Abbott & Caserta Realtors Pamela Stetson Multi-Million Dollar Club '04,'05,'06,'07, '09 Office: 201.447.6600 x 007 Mobile: 201.675.1618 Email: CupaT@aol.com Website: Click to open

www.HistoricAllendale.com   232 Franklin Turnpike Allendale, NJ 07401   GRACIOUS & STATELY APPROX CIRCA 185O'S HOME. SET IN THE HEART OF ALLENDALE. THIS IS TRULY A SPECIAL HOME. SET ON A LARGE .70 ACRE FENCED LOT W/ A CIRCULAR DRIVE & FEATURES A LARGE FRONT PORCH. DOUBLE ENTRY DOORS BECKONS YOU INTO THE HOME WITH HIGH CEILINGS, LARGE WINDOWS SOME LEADED GLASS, MOULDINGS, WOOD FLOORS AND LARGE ELEGANT ROOMS. 1ST FL BATH NEWR. CENTER STAIRWAY LEADS TO 3 LARGE BEDROOMS EACH W/WALKIN CLOSETS. THE MASTER BEDROOM IS HUGE & FEATURES IT'S OWN FULL BATH. A WALK UP STAIRWAY LEADS TO ENORMOUS ATTIC SPACE W/ FLOORS, WINDOWS & HIGH CEILINGS - COULD EASILY BE FINISHED. A DETACHED OVERSIZED TWO CAR GARAGE AND FULLY FENCED YARD --- OFFERS PERFECT FAMILY LIVING SPACE. MAY ALSO BE A GREAT LOCATION FOR A HOME OFFICE ZONED RESIDENTIAL 2. FANTASTIC NORTHERN HIGHLANDS SCHOOLS AND CLOSE TO TOWN, PARKS, RECREATION & NYC TRANS MAKE THIS A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY. THIS HOME NEEDS TLC & IS SOLD AS IS & THE NEW HOMEOWNER WOULD BE REWARDED WITH A WONDERFUL HOME RICH IN HISTORY. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $798,888

WONDERFUL TOWN... NYC transportation nearby and FANTASTIC Northern Highlands High School ! Walk to our favorite restaurants including the Allendale Bar & Grill, Mezza Luna, and FLIRT Sushi !!!

This home may be used for a home office ---- perfect for a doctor, lawyer, accountant and more!

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Know the sales value of your home and your neighborhood * based on actual market comps. Allow me to present a Comparative Market Analysis to you that is customized to your home, finances and your specific needs. This will give you detailed information about pricing and selling your home in the current market.

For more information about buying or selling your largest financial asset, contact me at CupaT@aol.com.

Copyright - Pamela Stetson 2010, www.PamelaStetson.com

Abbott & Caserta Realtors Pamela Stetson Multi-Million Dollar Club '04,'05,'06,'07, '09 Office: 201.447.6600 x 007 Mobile: 201.675.1618 Email: CupaT@aol.com Website: Click to open

www.21GreatHallRoad.com   21 Great Hall Road Mahwah, NJ 07430   Step into Provence .... $1,749,000 TRES MAGNIFIQUE! PREMIER BUILDERS OWN HOME IN A GORGEOUS RIO VISTA SETTING. THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL HOME. NEVER BEFORE SEEN DESIGN IN RIO VISTA --- DECORATOR DETAILS ARE THROUGHOUT THE HOME. FIREPLACE WARMS THE CHEF'S KITCHEN W/COMMERCIAL APPLIANCES AND GRANITE. ORANGERIE OR SUN ROOM FOR PEACEFUL DAYS, 2 FAMILY ROOMS, HUGE DINING ROOM, CHERRY LIBRARY, 2 STAIRWAYS --- TOO NUMEROUS TO LIST. PRIVATE STREET AND BACKYARD. YOU CANNOT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS! SALT WATER GUNITE POOL. PRO-PUTTING GREEN, INDOOR HOCKEY & MORE. ALL RIO VISTA FEES APPLY. Rio Vista Mahwah is an upscale enclave set on over 466 acres of private wooded land and it is surrounded by literally thousands of acres of Bergen County parkland. The original developers of the community, Darlington Associates, designed a series of one, two and even three acre homesites that surround the over 50,000 square foot Crocker Mansion. The property was once owned by the Newark Archdiocese and was once a Jesuit Seminary and college. FEATURING a community Pool, Tennis, Basketball and Handball courts, Gym with saunas and Childrens play area --- all for Residents of Rio Vista Estates.

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Know the sales value of your home and your neighborhood * based on actual market comps. Allow me to present a Comparative Market Analysis to you that is customized to your home, finances and your specific needs. This will give you detailed information about pricing and selling your home in the current market.

For more information about buying or selling your largest financial asset, contact me at CupaT@aol.com.

Copyright - Pamela Stetson 2010, www.PamelaStetson.com

Abbott & Caserta Realtors Pamela Stetson Multi-Million Dollar Club '04,'05,'06,'07, '09 Office: 201.447.6600 x 007 Mobile: 201.675.1618 Email: CupaT@aol.com Website: Click to open

www.VistaViewDrive.com   329 Vista View Drive Mahwah, NJ 07430   OUTSTANDING NEW YORK CITY LUXURY TOWNHOME --- RIGHT HERE IN MAHWAH! INTERNATIONALLY REKNOWNED DESIGNERS OWN HOME OFFERS PEACE, SERENITY, STYLE AND EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY. STONE, MARBLE, MOULDINGS AND SPECIAL WINDOW AND PAINT TREATMENTS MAKE THIS HOME --- A SHOWSTOPPER. JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF SPACE INCLUDING GOURMET KITCHEN W/STAINLESS, STONE,MEILE AND SUB-ZERO. HARDWOOD FLOORS. SOARING GREAT ROOM CEILING WITH 18 FT SLATE FIREPLACE W/ZEN BALL GAS FP. HAND FORGED IRON RAILINGS LEAD TO SUMPTIOUS MASTER SUITE W/TREY CEILINGS W/2 WALKINS & WHIRLPOOL. 2 MORE BDRMS AND FULL BATH, LAUNDRY W/MEILE W/D. CALIFORNIA CLOSETS & CUSTOM HUNTER DOUGLASS BLINDS THROUGHOUT HOME. HUGE FINISHED WALKOUT BASEMENT WITH FULL BATH AND BEDROOM W/ ENTERTAINER'S KIT, LRM AND MORE STORAGE. TOO MANY AMENITIES TO LIST. COMPLEX OFFERS POOL, TENNIS, XCERCISE FACILITY. MAHWAH OFFERS GOLF, SKIING, SHOPPING --- ALL W/IN WALKING DISTANCE. LOW TAXES AND GREAT SCHOOLS TOO! $699,000

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Know the sales value of your home and your neighborhood * based on actual market comps. Allow me to present a Comparative Market Analysis to you that is customized to your home, finances and your specific needs. This will give you detailed information about pricing and selling your home in the current market.

For more information about buying or selling your largest financial asset, contact me at CupaT@aol.com.

Copyright - Pamela Stetson 2010, www.PamelaStetson.com

It is that time of year again --- back-to-school and back to reviewing the sales and market data in order to sharpen the pencil for better pricing. The summer market was slow particularly in August but...still ... about 26 homes sold in Allendale in the last 3 months. This data is gleened from the NJMLS sales stats.

Hopefully, the sales trend in this town will continue to show strength this fall --- if homes are priced well. Homes in the upper end are still showing some signs of a struggle.

www.HistoricAllendale.com

PLEASE REMEMBER --- The most common reason for a home not selling is that the asking price has been set too high.  You must price your home according to RECENT sales data. (3 months ) Then, if you have NOT had a offer within 30 days from the listing start --- you need to make a price adjustment.  The fact is, your home is competing against those other homes, and what buyers are willing to pay is what will determine final sales prices.

 Your agent is part of your team. You must take time to research and pick a qualified full time real estate agent. Once you are comfortable with them as a member of your team --- you must let them do their job. They are state licensed professionals in the real estate business. They are there to give you advise and counsel based on their training and experience. Afterall, that is why you hired them, right?

-------------------------------------------------

Know the sales value of your home and your neighborhood * based on actual market comps. Allow me to present a Comparative Market Analysis to you that is customized to your home, finances and your specific needs. This will give you detailed information about pricing and selling your home in the current market.

For more information about buying or selling your largest financial asset, contact me at CupaT@aol.com.

Copyright - Pamela Stetson 2010, www.PamelaStetson.com