Bernie & Juli's Blog

Software for Agents???

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:21:17 -0500

Help???

I've been using Top Producer for several years from the 6 on a computer to the 7 to the 8i....

What happened... am I getting stupid or is it sooooo complex now it would be easier to just shot myself!!?!?!!?

I am looking for a software system that is NOT complicated to keep track of emails, clients, listings, etc. I would like it to be web based so I can access from anywhere. Top Producer has some great features, but I dare someone to try to "tweak" an email that is already in an action plan... would be easier to get an Act of Congress passed!!!!

I always had the stupid impression that the "box" was supposed to work for me!??!?!? How silly of me!!!!!

Thanks, Bernie Martin

Buyers ARE Buying!!!

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Thu, 29 May 2008 13:43:08 -0500

Keep the faith!!!! Buyers are here!!! We just put 2 contracts together this week on 2 very nice homes. One was new construction and the other an awesome deal on a HUD house.

Lending seems to be progressing also!

Despite the incredible negative news media campaigns, we have to work our Buyers as always and show them the advantage of buying while the selection is so great and the Mortgage Rates are low.! We all know the Mortgage rates will start to climb, so NOW is the time to get Buyers looking!

It is very tough sometimes to be up and positive in such negative surroundings! However, we owe it to our Buyers AND sellers to help bring both sides to the table... that's what we do!!!

Keep up the positive attitudes!

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella

$$ Bonus Brought Buyers Out!!!!

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Sat, 24 May 2008 17:47:13 -0500

Interesting thing happened this week!

I asked a Seller to consider a Buyer Agent Bonus on his Listing to help move the property, since it is a rehab and all the "Big Box" store credit cards are now coming due on his purchases (6 months free!!).

We were averaging 1 showing a week with the price at a fair value. Dropped it several times with a few more "lookers" but NO Offers.

We did a $5,000 Buyer Agent Bonus and all of a sudden Buyers are coming out of the wood work like ants!!! Were these agents hiding them or did they just see dollar signs and pushing this listing??? My Seller doesn't care - he just wants to move his property.

What has caused this "sudden" activity??? I kinda have to believe the agents stopped complaining about everything and took out Buyers to Purchase a House?!?!?!!? Sometimes, it is all in our mindset as to how we react and behave with Buyers (and Sellers)!!

If money talks, and it certainly seemed to do so here, perhaps that is the push we need to start this train moving again.... cause it sure is stalled in many areas of the country!!!

If your price seems fair on a listing (by who's standard?), perhaps consider offering an attractive $$$ Bonus to get agents back to selling houses!!!

We still don't have an offer, but I am convinced we will shortly - too many agents and too much activity not to!!

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella at www.snjrealestate.com

20+ Acres w/Home & 48x60 Steel Butler Building!! Contractor's Dream!!

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:52:20 -0500

CONTRACTORS DREAM location & Set-up. Located just off Rt 55 in Monroeville, NJ This 20+ Acre Site has the best of everything. The house is 700+ Feet from the public Road with the trees and the 48 X 60 Steel Double Sliding, Drive Thru Butler Building is 400+ feet further into the woods!!!

Ideal for Contractor and Equipment - MONROEVILLE, GLOUCESTER CO., NJ 08343

Property can be viewed at our Listing Domain Site of: Http://www.250CedarBridge.com

Bernie Martin and Juli Morella Thank you for looking at our wonderful home for sale!

Mickleton Home Backs to Woods

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:40:14 -0500

Beautiful Home in Mickleton (E. Greenwich Twp.), NJ. The Great Room AND the Solarium both have Beautiful "Walls of Windows" - Overlooking the woods behind your yard!! What a great home to escape to!! It's located in Summer Meadow off Wolfert Station Rd.

See it at: Http://www.276Jennings.com

Bernie Martin and Juli Morella thank you for looking at this great home!

Glassboro Rancher - Near Rowan University

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Sat, 03 May 2008 21:22:07 -0500

Beautiful Rancher in Glassboro, NJ Near Rowan University

Bernie Martin and Juli Morella are proud to showcase this wonderful Rancher in the "Ridge" Section of Glassboro This home features 3 large bedrooms, upgraded kitchen, full Brick Wall woodburning fireplace and hardwood floors.

The Lower Level is finished and ready to entertain in. It can also be seen on our Visual Tour of our Homes at:

http://www.visualtour.com/inventory.asp?U=101777 The Domain name is www.325Deptford.com

It is offered through Bernie Martin and Juli Morella at $299,000

Visit our website at www.SNJRealEstate.com for all the details!

Thanks

NJ Real Estate Taxes!!!!!

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 19:33:37 -0500

Could Someone Please explain NJ Real Estate Taxes???

I can't comprehend how open farm land that has been paying only several thousand dollars a year for huge Acreage, can suddenly be worth $10,000 - $15,000 - $20,000 in Tax Revenue per LOT a YEAR to municipalities that didn't spend any money to build that community??

Where is all the extra CASH going to these towns and worse, how can they justify that amount of money?

When a builder develops a community, they incur all the expenses of roads, sidewalks, installing utilities - basically everything!

A good example is Glassboro.

They had open farm land that was developed by a builder (at the builder's complete expense!) as a 55+ Community. As a 55+ Community, they are not going to have too many school kids, won't need too much police activity since the neighborhood watch is probably the best in Glassboro, the Fire Dept is on minimal call since the homes were all built to new building codes.

So - the question is WHY are the taxes($8-10,000 per tiny lot - 6,000 Sq.Feet) sooooo high??? And where is all that NEW CASH MONEY going in Glassboro???

I was speaking with a resident who purchased a large new home in Woolwich Township on 1.5 Acres of open land (not a tree in sight!!) 2 years ago in a regular development (not 55+) that had all the streets, utilities, etc built by the developer and their taxes are now $18,000 a YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now the sad part - these people are leaving New Jersey because of the TAXES!!!!!

Can someone please explain how these towns can justify such high TAXES!!?!?!?!

How about a basic standard rate for the type and amount of land you own? Farm Land would be minimal; unimproved land would be low; improved (with ANY structure) would be high; 55+ Communities would be exempt from the school portion; and commercial would be highest? Then it wouldn't matter what is built on it. Each town would determine how many acres it had and base everything from there. Here's a novel idea, as a structure is added - taxes would actually drop each year since that would then be an improved lot and contribute to the town's tax base.

Let's go back to Glassboro with that 55+ Community - they have gained at least $500,000 in Revenue a year from it, yet the Revenue Dollars needed by the town are still higher each year?????

I am only pointing out Glassboro because it's easy with a 55+ Community that is forced to pay so much - each town has its nemesis, believe me!!

Help - before everyone has left NJ broke and in disgust!!

Swedesboro Estate Home - 1.5 Acres

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 20:57:23 -0500

Brick Front side entrance 3 Car Garage Home in Woolwich Township of Swedesboro, NJ

Almost 6,000 square feet of Luxury. The Gormet Chef Kitchen is just Awesome with it's 6 Burner Gas "GE Monogram" Range with warming shelf Hood, 2 different Ovens, Corian Countertops all around as well as the very LARGE Center Island. All Stainless Steel Appliances - Dishwasher, Trash Compactor and cooking. The Sub-Zero is 48" with the external Ice/Water and matches the Lesington Cherrywood 42" Cabinets!!!!

Naturally, it has 4 Bedrooms, 4 Full Baths, a Solarium, Media Room and Massive Master Suite Area!!

It can be seen on it's website: www.362Rainey.com or our Website: www.SNJRealEstate.com

All of this offered at $799,000 through Bernie Martin & Juli Morella

Spring is Here!!!

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:42:55 -0500

It's so beautiful out!!! What a great time to be looking for a new home. Yards look nice, trees and shrubs and flowers are all blooming and everyone is in a better mood too!

Housing selections are the best ever and interest rates are incredibly low!!

Let's ALL do what we can to help the Real Estate world get back on it's feet - we really all need to pitch in and help get it started. Perhaps just sprucing up your yard, painting your house inside or outside will get Buyers and Sellers motivated to get this big train movin again!!!!

Let's get it started again!!!!!

Active Living - Village Grande at Camelot

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:52:17 -0500

309 Gosling Way 101 Heritage Loop

This Eden is at http://www.309Gosling.com This Coventry is at http://www.101heritageloop.com/

We just got 2 great Lisitings in the Active Adult Living Community of Village Grande at Camelot in Glassboro, NJ

We listed a 2 Bedroom with 2 Bath Loft Home called the "Eden" and a 3 Bedroom 3 Bath with a Loft home called the Coventry.

Thanks for taking the time to view these great homes!!!

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella

One of a Kind Home!!!

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:21:34 -0500

This 5 Year Dream House is becoming Reality!!! Inspired by Famous Architect Frank Lloyd Wright, a local Custom Builder Has finally achieved his dream creation. Vincent Builders wanted to step outside the "box" and have a challenge!! This certainly was - however, what an amazing House!!!

Some "teasers" - it has a THREE STORY WATERFALL INSIDE the huge atrium, a custom Elevator, EIGHT FOOT Anderson Glass Entrance/Exit Doors as well as 8' doors throughout the main level!! A Kitchen that is just out of this world!!! The Cabinets are all HAND MADE and CUSTOM Fitted on Frameless cabinets with "Sapelle" Mahagony exteriors that have ALL the grains matching on the Drawers and Doors - just an incredible look! Naturally, a Commercial Grade 48" Wolfe Top of the line Stove with 6 Burners and Waffle Griddle, a 48" Subzero Refrigerator, TWO Bosch High Efficiency Dishwashers, an 8 Night Vision Camera Security System. Oh, did I forget the 7500 GALLON AQUARIUM!??!?!!?

It is nestled on 24+ Wooded Acres just minutes from Philadelphia in Monroeville, NJ 08034.

It is being offered at $3,812,000

Here's a Link to really see this Incredible Home: http://SNJRealEstate.com It's right on our Front Page!!!

"Ain't nothing like it" within MANY, MANY Miles!!!!!!!

Wellcome Mat???

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 09:50:43 -0500

Does anyone know what is going on with Wellcome mat???

They are an awesome video server company and it has not been available for about 36 hours now???

Help... they are the best out there!!!

Bernie

Enough Already! "Ceaseless Talk of a Recession"

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 17:51:41 -0600

Robert Toll, in an interview while announcing their Company's loss (Toll Brothers), is quoted as stating:

"Ceaseless talk of a recession continues to dampen the mood of consumers in general, whether or not a recession actually occurs. For home buyers, we believe this drumbeat, coupled with concerns over mortgages, the direction of home prices, and foreclosures, has kept pent-up demand on the sidelines," Toll stated.

I must agree 101% with Mr Toll. The News Media's constant negative headlines are giving home Buyer's the excuse they need to not purchase their next home. Or, worse yet, not get their existing home sold.

As Realtors, we must point out the positives to our Sellers and Buyers so they can see that the choices of homes to chose are great, the price of money is awesome and we can help them find their next home of their dreams! If you look at the typical interest rate of 6%, plus all the write off power against your income, it is incredibly "cheap" money!!

It's Turning!!!

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 14:14:20 -0600

Finally!!!! Just within the past 7 days, I've had to go back to Buyers and tell them 2 of the homes they wanted to see are not available - they have a MEETING OF THE MINDS!!!!!!!

Yes Indeed!!!!!!

Then, I had a Buyer I had to go back to and tell her we suddenly were not the only Buyer for what she wanted and they were going to go for Highest and Best Offers to have the seller make a decision!!!

The Market IS ALIVE and WELL?!?!!? Course that all depends on which side of the fence you are sitting on!!! In reality, it's good for everyone to finally see!!!

Despite all the Gloom and Doom of the News Media, people are Selling and Buyers are Buying... Buyers will now have to get a little more aggressive if they want a Property and not "assume" it will still be there tomorrow... it may not be!

The selections are the best ever and the price of money is soooo incredibly cheap!!! I remember buying a house in the 80's at 18%.... by today's standards, the rates now are basically free Money...... especially after using the Tax advantages of the interest!!

Just Listed - Mullica Hill "Harrison Estates" Home

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:11:37 -0600

Exactly what you've been looking for! Architecturally Gorgeous, Brick Front Home sits high on a Cul-d-Sac St. within Harrison Estates. Enjoy your Morning Room AND Sunroom while looking outside at your natural stream with the little wooden Bridge over it! Upgraded Gourmet Maple Cabinet Kitchen is a chef's delight. Enjoy your back staircase as you come downstairs for your midnight snack! The Master Suite has a special Tray Ceiling as well as a Walkin Closet bigger than many bedrooms! The Lower Level is spotlessly clean, partially finished with a full bath and Walk out door

This 4 Bedroom, 3.5 Bath Home has BOTH a Sunroom & a Morning Room

http://www.visualtour.com/show.asp?T=1387289

Getting Busy!!!

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 16:00:52 -0600

Yes indeed!!!!!

We're getting BUSY!!!!! Super Bowl Sunday was the key again this year (as always!). Can't get men out of the house to look all January!!!

2 Buyer's bought this week in the early $200,000 range.....

I'll take 2 of those every week!!!!!

We still need to encourage Buyers that it is ok to Buy and the market is a great opportunity to get the house they want, at the right price and FANTASTIC MORTGAGE $$$$$$$$$$$$$ are available!!!!! Buy now before the rates go up!!!!

Let's all keep up the postive attitude and help each other BePositive about Real Estate in 2008!!!!

Have a great year!!!!!

Foreclosure Correction!!

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:31:52 -0600

Hi All,

The Evening News on ABC (1-30-2008) did a feature story on touring Foreclosed homes in California as a new thing now and showed pre-qualified people on buses going to "foreclosed homes". The homes they were viewing were past the "foreclosure" status and are now "Bank Owned (REO's)...

Typically, you CANNOT get into a foreclosed house until after it is foreclosed and sold at a Sheriff Sale back to the bank officially. In case you get a bunch of Buyer's looking to get into buses and tour foreclosed homes, that's what prompted this!

Awesome Listing Website Tool

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:31:59 -0600

Wow!!! I just joined the "ListingDomains.com" Website. Where have I been??? This site is AWESOME!!! Not only does it provide another source for Listing your info, but you can do pictures, individual address website info, get your listing very professionally presented on Craig's List, etc.

It is incredibly easy to use, not expensive and just another great tool to link to your Website and future in this ever changing Real Estate World. We must embrace this new technology that is available or we will become extinct, very quickly.

Best of all, when someone drives up to YOUR LISTING, they can access the info from their phone if they have any kind of an up-to-date mobile phone! All they have to do is "Google" your address website to get the info!!!!! They can request an appointment to see YOUR LISTING while sitting in front of YOUR LISTING!!!!

Thanks "ListingDomains.com"

Bernie

Motivating Buyers

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 10:16:39 -0600

Well, the Fed certainly did their part to help motivate Buyers! Now, we as Realtors must step up and be "Positive" with our Buyers and show them that the price of money is SOOO GOOD they must BUY NOW!!

Most of us usually wait until the market is going up and then we jump in... show the smart Buyer that even if the price of the neighborhood house drop a few more percentage points, the price of Mortgage money is sooo CHEAP it doesn't pay to wait!

Do some simple math with your Buyers. Show them the SAVINGS with a low interest loan versus waiting for the house values to stop declining. Just ask your Mortgage Lender to do a chart of a loan at various rates at a fixed purchase price.

We need to do whatever we can to get Buyers to get off the fence and step in - our Economy needs it more than we can imagine. Do what I did, start an email campaign to the Evening News Anchors asking them to PLEASE put a positive spin on the Fed rate change - that in itself will jump start our economy more than any Bill passed by our Lawmakers. Buyers just need a strong figure to tell them it's OK to Buy now - give them the "Permission" they so need to hear!!

Mullica Hill Custom Home Listing

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 20:11:28 -0600

Beautiful Custom Built Personal Residence of one of Gloucester County's Home Builder. It's a 4 Bedroom 2.5 Bath Home, but that's only the beginning! It has Brazialian Cherry Hardwood throughout the Main Level. Incredible Kitchen with a 6 Burner Professional Wolf Stove/Range with a Bosch Dishwasher and Subzero Refrigerator. The Laundry/Utility Room off the Kitchen, with newer Whirlpool Front Loading Washer/Dryers has 2 entrances from the outside - the garage and the side of the home. The Great Room has a Wood Burning Fireplace with a Heatillator to warm the entire home. The Office has matching cabinets built in also.

As you stand on your deck/porch off the Master Suite upstairs, gaze into your Koi Pool thats got a complete Geothermal Heating system for year round enjoyment. Or perhaps, look to your right and notice the Matching detached 3 car Carriage House to complement your 4 CAR Attached Garaqge. The sprinkler system and boulders keep your property looking wonderful as you drive up your long driveway to your new home.

Enter the Lower Level through the Double Door Walkup and notice how high the ceiling is - ready to finish and enjoy at your leisure.

This Awesome home can be yours to enjoy for years to come for only $700,000

Short Sale Basics

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:07:25 -0600

The Term "Short Sale" means the proceeds from the Sale of a Property are not enough to pay off the Mortgage or other Liens on the Property. This can happen very easily in today's market if you purchased your home only a few years ago, were paying on a "Interest Only" type Mortgage and financed nearly 100% of the home.

Further complicating a short sale is any liens or notes beyond the Primary Mortgage. Let's assume you have a "80/20″ on a $400,000 home. That means your Primary Mortgage is $320,000 (80%) and the 2nd Mortgage is $80,000 (20%). If your short sale is only going to net you say $360,000, you are "short $40,000″.

The real problem comes in that BOTH Mortgage Companies MUST AGREE to taking less money at the settlement table. This all has to be worked out prior to the settlement date. Then, if they agree, you want to be sure you are not held Personally Liable for the difference - very common mistake people get themselves into!!

I suggest you contact a good Real Estate Attorney that specializes in "Short Sales" to help you get through this. They can and will negotiate for you to achive permission to do the short sale and be sure you are not held liable.

HOWEVER, most Attorneys will NOT try to help if you have several Liens/Mortgages on your property. ALL of the Liensholders must agree. The small lienholder knows this and can be very difficult to negotiate with. Some of them will insist on a larger share of the proceeds ratio just becasue of that.

Best to consult an experienced Attorney to help you. If you are in the Southern New Jersey area, Bill Sragow, ESQ. is excellent and very knowledgeable in helping. He also can get the Bank/Mortgage Companies to pay his fee!! He is located in Cherry Hill at 856-424-5000. His email addresss is William.Sragow@verizon.net

My View on Real Estate

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 08:10:43 -0600

Well, we can all "gloom and doom" or take a hard look at the opportunity we all have and run with it!

Yes, the Media is slamming Real Estate and all the Mortgage woes. However, as a Buyer, look at what's really available to you.

Housing selections and pricing hasn't been this good in 5+ years?? The Mortgage Industry has rebounded with great rates and many programs they've always offered!! Yet, as Buyers, we are all afraid to buy. Why? The Media hasn't given you "permission" to buy!! The negative news has become so consuming in the Real Estate and Mortgage Industry, we aren't seeing the great opportunity we really have!

Yes, the prices of homes may drop a little more and perhaps the mortgage rates will drop a little more?? Does that mean we just stop and look forever???? I even have Seller's that are willing to help Buyer's with their old unsold home's mortgages for up to 6 months, just to help get things going again! We know it's difficult to carry a new mortgage as well as the old mortgage and that has also stopped a lot of transactions from going to settlements. However, when a Seller is willing to fund your old mortgage for up to 6 months or until sold, that's a "win-win" for everyone!!

Let's look at the facts and realize that prices are the best for a Buyer in a very long time and the interest rates are awesome. It's time we stopped listening to the negative sensationalism of the Media and get back to Buying and Selling Real Estate!

It's a great time to be Buying or Selling!!

Mortgage Payment Management

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:26:37 -0500

We had a great Mortgage meeting yesterday mostly on the Mortgage Industry.

As our Mortgage people were explaining, we need to provide ways for our Buyers and Sellers to come together to help both sides achieve a great win-win deal. If we help our Seller's provide Concessions for the Buyer's to use towards buying down points to help their mortgage payment, we can get a larger base of Buyers for a particular Listing Price.

Likewise, if we help Buyers understand the value of discussing their true goals with a good mortgage Banker, perhaps they can see the merits to some of these great Programs our Lenders have for today's Buyers!

We are certainly not like the Automotive Industry; however, once we get past the sticker shock of a new car, we always are really concerned with the monthly payment!

Purchasing a house is no different! Let's do our best to help our Sellers and Buyers see the value in being open minded with a good mortgage person to achieve a great settlement for all!

Great Mortgage Industry Explaination

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 07:46:20 -0500

Hi Everyone,

In case you missed it, Kurt wrote a great story on the mortgage industry and why it is struggling to maintain itself and still provide rates that Buyers are willing to absorb. I provided the link below!

http://activerain.com/blogsview/165688/American-Home-Mortgage-The

Hope this helps - it sure helped me get a better understanding as a Realtor

Awesome Listing-Gloucester Co, NJ

Bernie Martin & Juli Morella (Weichert Realtors) — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 10:44:35 -0500

Wow...... Just Listed an Entertainer's Delight!!! Or a Secluded Retreat!! The choice is yours!!!

This 4 Bedroom, 3.5 Bath, First Floor Master Suite Estate is located in Historic Mullica Hill, Harrison Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey. It is on 3.7 Secluded Acres that backs up to a Creek and Forest that will stay that way forever. It is naturally tree lined and shrubs all along the side yards so no fencing is needed for privacy. As you drive down this famous area of Harrisonville Rd, smile as you gently turn into your lighted and pillared driveway and coast past the trees and flowers and shrubs as you approach your circular driveway in front of your Estate Home with the Water Fountain in the center of the Circular Island - smile, you've arrived!!

The home has over 5,000 sq. ft. plus an unfinished Lower Level of 3,000'. The first floor Master Suite is an Oasis in itself. It is the entire right side of the first floor level with a huge bath area, a sitting area, an exercise room off it as well as a deck off the rear to the heated inground swimming pool. Relax under the retractable awnings while enjoying the privacy of your estate. All of this wonderful life dream can be yours for $1,199,000. The Visual Tour is

http://www.visualtour.com/inventory.asp?u=101777