Tips for Green Grass During Dry Summers - 06/24/07 09:46 PM
Care and patience makes the difference between a healthy lawn and a horrid gray eyesore, especially when rain is rare.  If you will check your moisture regularly, you can alter your schedule to better meet your lawns needs.  According to the Oregon State University Extension Service, many people water their lawn more than necessary!
Minimize fertilization.  Over fertilized and over watered lawns tend to lack the ability to thrive under stress.  This is a problem because a during a drought the lawn hasn't developed a deep root system. Heavily fertilized lawns
Maintain your lawn equipment. Sharpen mower blades at least twice … (0 comments)

Best School Districts in New Jersey: Top 10 School Districts - 06/21/07 07:26 AM
Here are the top 10 school districts as rated by New Jersey Monthly for 2006.
McNair Academic (Jersey City - Hudson County)Tenafy (Bergen County)Millburn (Essex County)Montgomery (Someset County)Mountain Lakes (Morris County)Glen Rock (Bergen County)Northern Highlands Regional (Allendale - Bergen County)Pascack Hills (Montvale - Bergen County)West Windsor - Plainsboro South (Mercer County)Glen Ridge (Essex County)For a complete list of the top 75 Public High Schools in New Jersey, contact me at 201-240-8699 or drop me an email at ascognamiglio@njrealestate.com.
… (0 comments)

"Finders Fees" Fall Flat for FSBOs! - 06/16/07 05:58 PM
Say that fast 5 times!
I've come across the "finder's fee" offer from FSBOs a few times for "bringing a buyer."  So, once I bring this buyer, what will I do?  Drop them there on the stoop and walk?  No, that's where the ignorance of the general public of the entire buying process comes to light.
If I have knowledge of a customer who will like a particular home once I've previewed it, that customer will have had the benefit of our relationship. When I "bring a buyer," I will have a qualified prospect.  I will also be:
1) Taking my time to show the home … (14 comments)

..."The Service of Full Time Real Estate People is a MUST!!!"... - 06/16/07 05:44 PM
A letter arrived the other day that really made my day.  I had contacted a FSBO back in January and got an appointment to see the house.  Great house, not so great attitude...
Anyway, back to the letter.  I won't bore you with the entire contents but one paragraph got my attention...
"I have been in the marketing field in Financial Services Business for over 30 years and took it a challenge to myself to sell it on my own in order to have hands on experience in real estate marketing. I have learned so many mistakes as to its pricing and marketing … (2 comments)

June Home Maintenance Tips - 06/13/07 09:07 PM
Maintaining your home can be an overwhelming task, but not if you break down the maintenance into monthly, seasonal projects.  Here's a practical list to tackle in June...
Clean & seal wood decks during a sunny stretch. When the deck is dry, apply deck cleaner and scrub. Next day, apply deck sealer. Also if nails are popping up, consider replacing them with galvanized screws.Schedule annual chimney cleaning (every two years if you don't use your fireplace frequently). The cost is typically lower about now - $30-50 for an inspection; $60-130 for a cleaning.Replace air conditioning and heating filters to boost energy efficiency. … (2 comments)

Relocation Resources at Your Fingertips! - 06/13/07 09:01 PM
You're considering a move to a new area...wouldn't it be great to access community, school and area reports on ONE website?
Are you visiting one website after another looking for demographics, crime rates and school information?  Consider all the time you'd save if you could find everything you need in ONE PLACE! If you're interested in learning more about any particular area in Northern Bergen County, Morris County or Sussex County, look no further. 
I also provide a link to nationwide directories of every Chamber of Commerce, further expanding your knowledge base AND a link to nationwide directories of state education bureaus.
But, … (0 comments)

Showing Techniques ... Share Your Best! - 06/10/07 08:00 PM
Everyone has their own style of showing a home.  I developed mine over time and have definitely scaled back in the verbiage while walking through the house.
I think that there's nothing more annoying than constant background chatter pointing out the obvious.  The customer can SEE this is an eat in kitchen.  They SEE the hardwood floors.  Why do I have to keep yapping on?  Well I don't... so I don't! 
I've learned to point out the 'UNOBVIOUS'.  Thanks to following around home inspectors and asking TONS of questions, I've been able to detect features and defects that might not be discernable … (8 comments)

Agent-Provided Home Warranty ... Marketing Tool or Gift? - 06/10/07 07:51 PM
Please provide your feedback and opinions on the following scenario:
I've decided that it would be a wise marketing move, a viable sale incentive, and a self-protective measure, to provide home warranties for each of my listings.  The listing is protected by a home warranty for the term of the listing; the buyer is protected against annoying breakdowns of covered items. 
My "legal defense fund" is reduced by $20 for each home warranty I put in place.  It benefits me greatly to enlist a home warranty on each of my listings!  Payment is due at closing.  At closing I have the $$$ to pay … (12 comments)

CMA's Work Both Ways - 06/09/07 09:00 PM
Of course you perform a comparative market analysis when it's time to determine a competitive listing price for the prospective client.
However, in order to prepare a competitive and fair offering price, you need to run a comparative market analysis for your buyer as well.  That's the only way to determine if the offer you're delivering is FAIR and at MARKET VALUE. 
After determining market activity and number of homes available for sale, you may want to further define your offering price. If your customer can offer exceptional terms like a quick close and no contingencies, God speed to you.  Be as … (3 comments)

Aren't Agent Bonuses Illegal? - 06/09/07 08:36 PM
If they are, why are they still being offered up so boldly?  I showed a home where the bonus offered was listed as 25% IF THE OFFER WAS A CERTAIN DOLLAR AMOUNT.
Ok, so as a fiduciary agent, I am now being asked to defer my client's best interest to my own monetary gain. I REALLY DON'T THINK SO.  Is this not to the extreme financial detriment of my customer?  YES IT IS.
It sickens me to consider pushing a customer into making an offer so that I can receive a bonus.  Honestly, it does.  Not only that, but what if the designated … (12 comments)

The Seller Isn't the Only One... - 06/08/07 07:56 PM
...who must be satisfied with the final negotiated price on the home.  Of course, the buyer has to be at ease with the fact that they're making a purchase that's at market value price.  But what about the appraiser?  Yes, that lender who's forking over hundreds of thousands of dollars will want to ensure that their investment is well placed.  So the financial institution will also be sending out an appraiser to verify that the sale price is indeed market value.  Who knew?
How many of us have had deals fall apart due to a home that didn't appraise? 
One way to … (5 comments)

BTW, I've been working with a REALTOR but... - 06/08/07 06:56 AM
Last week I received an inquiry from a customer asking for more info on one of my listings.  She responds to my initial response which offered her a showing of the listing this way....
BTW--------I should mention that I have been working with a Realtor.  She isn't terribly familiar with Morris County so I have been doing most of the hunting.  
So, you're working with a REALTOR but she's not familiar with the area...what's the point of working with a REALTOR then?  I thought one of the most valuable benefits we offer was familiarity with a region? Oh yes, and she also mentioned to … (4 comments)

We Need a Standardized Code for "Could Use a Little Work!" - 06/05/07 08:32 PM
How many times have you read through listing information, gone to the home, only to find that the description is...to be quite delicate...stretching the truth a bit?
Sometimes I wonder if I'm even at the right house!  For example, a lovely lake home (which it was actually) was purported to have a "gourmet kitchen."  To me that tagline is deserving only of kitchens with the highest end appliances, gorgeous cabinetry and finer countertop material (Zodiac, silestone, granite).
My customers have always been extremely good natured about any 'discrepancy' in the listing info vs. the reality, and we usually have a very good laugh. 
Still, it does … (7 comments)

Preferred Buyer Status...The Home You Want at the Price You Can Afford! - 06/02/07 07:26 AM
Are you ready to become a Preferred Customer?
Buying a home is an exciting time in one's life. Making the smart move of enlisting in my Buyer's Advantage Program is your first step to ensuring that your new home and community meets your needs. My services and experience range from providing you with direction in finding the home that best suits you and your family, to finding you appropriate and reliable assistance in securing financing. For your convenience, I provide listings by email. 
As a Preferred Customer, a home search will be compiled based on the criteria set by you.  Property listings … (0 comments)

Preferred Lakefront Buyer Status...Get Listings Immediately! - 06/02/07 07:20 AM
Preferred Buyer Status brings a host of benefits to your table.  As a Preferred Buyer, you'll be added to my customer list and receive listings for lakefront homes AS SOON AS THEY'RE LISTED!  If you've had your eye on a lakefront home that's priced out of your range, you'll be informed AS SOON AS THERE'S A PRICE REDUCTION! 
Any buyer who is serious about living on Lake Hopatcong is working with a knowledgeable REALTOR.  If you're not, you can miss out on the lakefront home of your dreams or waste your time looking at lakefront homes that may not be classified … (0 comments)

Lake Hopatcong, NJ - Lakefront Living at Its Finest! - 06/01/07 05:28 AM
Lake Hopatcong, NJ offers a lifestyle unrivaled by any other location.  Many locations around the Lake offer no additional fees (such as application and association fees, etc.), unlike other lake communities in Morris and Sussex County.  Some application fees can run as high as $2000!
There are currently two websites serving Lake Hopatcong.  They're both exceptionally informative and can provide basic information such as lodging, dining, and marina locations.  There's www.lkhopatcong.com and www.lakehopatcong.com.  I have no preference; they're both great sites that offer a valuable service to both residents and visitors alike.
For more information about lakefront homes for sale or purchasing a lakefront property … (0 comments)

Jefferson Township, NJ Real Estate Market Report - May 2007 - 06/01/07 05:05 AM

Welcome to the Jefferson Township Real Estate Market Report for May 2007.  All data is compiled from the Garden State Multiple Listing Service and may be deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.
There are currently a total of 230 ACTIVE listings in Jefferson Township, with 66 listings being classified as UNDER CONTRACT. 
Following is sales data and home details for properties closed in the month of May 2007. 
For more information, or to follow sales in Jefferson Township, NJ, go to www.AntoinettesHomes.com where sales data is posted on a monthly basis, as of April 2007. 
… (0 comments)

 
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"Antoinette" Scognamiglio, GRI, ASP Jefferson Township NJ Homes for Sale

Jefferson Township, NJ

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Re/Max Superior Homes

Address: 333 Route 46 West, Suite 104, Mountain Lakes, NJ, 07046

Office Phone: (973) 334-3500 x 3911

Cell Phone: (201) 240-8699

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