For Immediate Release in Central New Jersey - 03/27/09 09:40 PM
MICHAEL J. SINTON HAS BEEN AWARDED THE CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST DESIGNATION BY THE COUNCIL OF RESIDENTIAL SPECIALISTS. 
Jackson Township, March 27, 2009 - Michael J. Sinton, a Jackson Township Realtor has been awarded the prestigious Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Designation by the Council of Residential Specialists, the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the National Association of Realtors.
Realtors who receive the CRS Designation have completed advanced courses and have demonstrated professional expertise in the field of residential real estate. Fewer than  38,000 Realtors nationwide have earned the credential.
Home buyers and sellers can be assured that CRS Designees subscribe to the strict … (0 comments)

Two Ways to Upgrade! - 03/25/09 02:33 PM
Have you ever overdressed for an event? Perhaps you understood the dress to be formal, but when you arrived in your sequin dress or black tuxedo, everyone else was wearing jeans and turtlenecks. You may recall how everyone stared as you entered the room, looking a bit out of place.
That happens to homeowners too, but it's not called overdressing - it's called over-improving. It happens when property owners remodel a home to the point where its new value far exceeds all others in the neighborhood.
Let’s say that your family has grown, and you begin your improvements by adding a … (1 comments)

Learn Before You Leap! - 03/25/09 02:15 PM
Although there is still speculation regarding the overall health of the real estate industry, there are signs that we are nearing the bottom of the market. If you are considering a purchase, either as your primary residence or strictly as an investment, you can easily capitalize on current conditions if you are educated and prepared.
While no one can say with absolute confidence that prices won't drop any further, some people simply must and will buy a home. Let me share some suggestions to help you avoid pitfalls and take advantage of today's opportunities.
First, shop for an appropriate mortgage and … (0 comments)

A Brief Tale of the Short Sale... - 03/18/09 03:42 PM
Foreclosure has a negative impact not only on homeowners, but also their neighborhoods and local economy and housing market. One way to avoid foreclosure is with a "short sale," in which the lender is willing to accept a payoff that is less than the balance of the loan. Such a sale still benefits the lender, supports home values, and helps the seller maintain a level of credit.
Because "short selling" is a different process for different types of loans, the expertise of a real estate agent adds value to these complicated transactions. A "normal" sale involves at least two agents, the … (0 comments)

Evaluating an Appraisal - 03/12/09 09:22 AM
All of us often turn to professionals when we need critical services performed or important guidance offered. Of course, the buying and selling of property is one such example, and the selection of a representative should be pursued carefully with interviews and research.
The same applies when choosing another professional who is crucial to the real estate transaction - the appraiser. But who orders the appraisal? Most often, it is the lender, who uses the report to confirm a property's value before approving financing. Sometimes, either the buyer or the seller will order an appraisal in order to secure an independent … (0 comments)

The Fastest Road to Yes!! - 03/03/09 10:17 PM
Whether up or down, fast or slow, there are "tricks" you can use to make a home sell in any type of market. Following these actions should help produce results, particularly in down or slow conditions.
First, make your home a "best buy" by having your real estate representative perform a thorough analysis of listings and recent sales in your neighborhood. Position your home right in the middle of an attractive price range (buyers look in broad ranges, so be sure you are noticed).
Before your final pricing decision, determine the level of pressure you're under to sell within a given … (0 comments)

Opportunity Knocks!! - 03/03/09 09:55 PM
There are some desperate sellers out there, but perhaps none so desperate as banks. That's right - banks that own foreclosed properties are anxious to get them off their hands. After all, their business is lending, not property management.
If you are pondering the purchase of such an "REO," or Real Estate Owned property, how do you find one, and then determine if it's the right buy for you? Banks work almost exclusively with real estate professionals, so your best bet is to begin your search at your trusted local agent's office.
Chances are the broker will have a list of … (0 comments)

Time For a House Call... - 03/03/09 09:36 PM
A real estate professional recently coined the term "Price Denial Syndrome," a troublesome condition that afflicts sellers having a hard time facing the realities of today's markets. Of course it’s difficult to make a pricing concession, but an overpriced home simply will not sell.
Perhaps the sellers argue that they really need the money, but then they have to ask themselves what they'll do for money if the home doesn't sell. Maybe they figure that they can shoot for the moon now and reduce the price later if they must. However, the longer a property remains unsold, the more likely it … (0 comments)

 

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