Making the decision to sell your home begins a journey of a thousand steps. From hiring a real estate agent to getting the home ready for the market, there is a lot to do.

Luckily, homeowners have a tool belt full of items that make the job easier. The most powerful tool of them all is decorating – better known as staging.   Done right, staging your home will help it sell faster and for more money.

Before you hire a decorator, or decide to do it yourself, you’ll need an appropriate backdrop – a clean, uncluttered space. Otherwise, staging the home is like putting lipstick on a pig.

Why Declutter?

There are several reasons homeowners should clear their homes of the clutter accumulated from daily living. First, clutter makes people anxious.

The results of a nine-year long UCLA study show that there is “real psychological stress associated with clutter.”

The last thing you want a potential buyer to feel is stress or anxiety when touring your home.

Since most clutter in a home is a collection of personal items, depersonalizing the home goes hand-in-hand with clearing clutter. Sure, all those personal items are what makes your house a home, but too many of them may hinder its sale.

Buyers need to be able to imagine what it would be like living in your home, surrounded by their belongings. Your stuff detracts from their ability to do that.  Besides, you will have to move all that stuff once your home sells, so you might as well do it sooner rather than later.

Depersonalizing: What’s Involved?

Depersonalizing is the act of removing most items of a personal nature. Family photographs, souvenirs, collections, DVD and CD collections and framed diplomas, degrees and awards are a few examples of items to pack up and store.

Getting Started

Since you’ll need boxes for the move, buying them now saves work later on. Buy several boxes for each room in the house, and don’t forget newspaper or other packing material to protect breakables.

The best way to go about depersonalizing the home is to do it one room at a time.

Living Room and Family Room

Since this is where families spend most of their time, these rooms will most likely take the longest. Items to remove include:

• Toy bins or boxes
• Toys (including pet toys)
• Family photos
• DVDs, video games and CDs
• Excess magazines and catalogs
• Newspapers
• Craft items
• Clothing

Kitchen
Now we move from the most challenging room to the easiest room to depersonalize – the kitchen.  The biggest clutter catcher in this room is the refrigerator. Remove the magnets, sticky note reminders, kids’ artwork and personal photographs. In fact, remove everything from the front, sides and top of the refrigerator. Unless it’s decorative, pack it all up.

Many families use the kitchen counter as a mail drop. There’s nothing particularly wrong with that, but mail is highly personal and needs to be put away, out of sight.

Bedrooms
Since bedrooms are the most personal of all the spaces in a home, they can be challenging to depersonalize. Remove family photos, of course, but you may need to go beyond that. Imagine a posh hotel room and remove anything from the bedrooms that you wouldn’t find in one.

Bathrooms
Bathrooms tend to become cluttered with personal products. While it isn’t necessary to pack these items up, it is crucial that they be put out of sight in cupboards and drawers.

Don’t forget the shower stall or bathtub. Buyers will pull back the shower curtain. Would you want to be greeted by pumice stones, shampoo bottles or kids’ water toys? Again, think of a posh hotel bathroom and try to imitate that look.

Home Office
The home office is typically one of the most cluttered rooms in the home and also a hot selling feature, so it’s important to create a vignette that appeals to the target market for the home.

Attack the walls first, taking down awards, diplomas and degrees, and photos.

Clear the desk of mail, work papers and professional journals and magazines.

As you work on depersonalizing each room in the home, don’t just throw the items in the boxes. Wrap and pack for the move and then take the boxes to a storage facility.

Don’t forget to organize what’s left in the room – it puts you one step closer to staging the home.

Should You Hire a Stager?

Everyone’s situation is different.  Some homes don’t need staging.  Of those that will benefit from staging, the extent of what needs to be done will vary from one home to another.

As part of my listing service, I offer a consultation with a stager, at no charge to the homeowner.  During the initial consultation, the stager will offer suggestions.  If the homeowner feels that they need more help in getting the house ready for sale, they can then hire the stager at an hourly rate.

If you’re thinking of selling your home, it’s never too early to call in a real estate agent to talk about the entire home-selling process, including staging.  Give yourself plenty of time to get your home ready, to maximize your sale.

Call me if you want to talk about getting ready to sell.  551-427-6343.

Happy New Year!  I hope your 2014 is filled with peace, happiness and good health.

What will happen in the real estate market this year?  Many pundits are predicting slightly better sales in 2014 than in 2013.  But the KCM Blog‘s headline today took a different view:

Housing Predictions for 2014: Sales Will Surge

Among the reasons cited are (1) the number of first time home buyers are expected to rise, and (2) many move-up buyers, who have been trapped in their homes because of negative equity, will finally be able to make that move because of rising property values.

Many buyers and sellers think that with the holidays and winter approaching, they should wait until spring to make a move.  Au contraire!  
There are good reasons, if you are thinking of buying or selling, to do it NOW rather than waiting for spring.  Here are some of them, recently published in the KCM Blog:

5 Reasons to Buy A Home Now Instead of Spring
by The KCM Crew on November 25, 2013 in For Buyers

Based on prices, mortgage rates and soaring rents, there may have never been a better time in real estate history to purchase a home than right now. Here are five major reasons purchasers should consider buying:

Supply Is Shrinking  With inventory declining in many regions, finding a home of your dreams may become more difficult going forward. There are buyers in more and more markets surprised that there is no longer a large assortment of houses to choose from. The best homes in the best locations sell first. Don’t miss the opportunity to get that ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ buy.

Price Increases Are on the Horizon  Prices are projected to appreciate by over 25% from now to 2018. First home buyers will probably pay more both in price and interest rate if they wait until the spring. Even if you are a move-up buyer, it will wind-up costing you more in net dollars as the home you will buy will appreciate at approximately the same rate as the house you are in now.

Owning a Home Helps Create Family Wealth  Whether you are rent or you own the home you are leaving in, you are paying a mortgage. Either you are paying your mortgage or your landlord’s. The Fed, in a recent study, revealed that the net worth of the average homeowner is 30 times greater than that of a renter.

Interest Rates Are Projected to Rise  The Mortgage Bankers Association, the National Association of Realtors, Freddie Macand Fannie Mae have all projected that the 30-year mortgage interest rate will be over 5% by the end of 2014. That is an increase of almost one full point over current rates.

Buy Low, Sell High   We would all agree that, when investing, we want to buy at the lowest price possible and hope to sell at the highest price. Housing can create family wealth as long as we follow this simple principle. Today, real estate is selling ‘low’ compared to where it will be next year. It’s time to buy.

5 Reasons to Sell Before Spring
by The KCM Crew on November 19, 2013 in For Sellers

Many sellers feel that the spring is the best time to place their home on the market as buyer demand increases at that time of year. However, the fall and winter have their own advantages. Here are five reasons to sell now.

Only Serious Buyers Are Out  At this time of year, only those purchasers who are serious about buying a home will be in the marketplace. You and your family will not be bothered and inconvenienced by mere 'lookers'. The lookers are at the mall or online doing their holiday shopping.

There Is Far Less Competition  Housing supply always shrinks dramatically at this time of year. The choices for buyers will be limited. Don't wait until the spring when all the other potential sellers in your market will put their homes up for sale.

The Process Will Be Quicker  One of the biggest challenges of the 2013 housing market has been the length of time it takes from contract to closing. Banks have been inundated with both purchase and refinancing loan requests. Both of these will slow in the winter cutting timelines and the frustration these delays cause both buyers and sellers.

There Will Never Be a Better Time to Move-Up  If you are moving up to a larger, more expensive home, consider doing it now. Prices are projected to appreciate by over 25% from now to 2018. If you are moving to a higher priced home, it will wind-up costing you more in raw dollars (both in down payment and mortgage payment) if you wait. You can also lock-in your 30 year housing expense with historically low interest rates right now. There is no guarantee rates will remain at these levels in years to come.

It's Time to Move On with Your Life  Look at the reason you decided to sell in the first place and decide whether it is worth waiting. Is money more important than being with family? Is money more important than your health? Is money more important than having the freedom to go on with your life the way you think you should?

You already know the answers to the questions we just asked. You have the power to take back control of the situation by pricing your home to guarantee it sells. The time has come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire. That is what is truly important.


If you're thinking about buying or selling, DO IT!  Call me!  Happy Thanksgiving!

The video illustrates the yearly wear and tear on the homes systems and appliances, the fact that breakdowns are likely and frequent and how a home warranty service agreement can help protect against breakdowns. 

Several years ago, I decided to purchase a home warranty on my home, and it has come in handy several times -- for a kitchen sink blockage and a broken attic fan, for example.  Check out the video, and if you want more information, give me a call.

Here's the Mahwah real estate update for the week March 24 - March 30, 2013:

NEW LISTINGS:
1252 GARRISON CT - 1BR, 1FB CONDO/TNHS RENTAL - $1,600
793 SASSAFRAS CT - 2BR, 2FB, 1HB CONDO/TNHS RENTAL - $1,900
26 WANAMAKER AVE - 3BR, 1FB HOUSE RENTAL - $2,000
1377 YORK ST - 3BR, 2FB CONDO/TNHS RENTAL - $2,800
3 FOX RIVER XING - 4BR, 2FB, 1HB CONTP RENTAL - $3,950
584 LILAC LN - 2BR, 2FB CONDO - $ 230,000
15 GRIST MILL RUN - 2BF, 2FB, 1HB TWNHS - $529,915
110 ARMOUR ROAD - 3BR, 2FB Col - $499,000
3 FOX RIVER XING - 4BR, 2FB, 1HB Contp - $759,000
35 BROOKWOOD DRIVE - 4BR, 3FB B/L - $930,000
236 AIRMONT AVE - 4BR, 4FB, 1HB Col - $987,000
174 HALIFAX RD - 5BR, 4FB, 2HB Col - $1,728,000
55 BRAMS HILL DR - 6BR, 4FB, 2HB Col - $2,399,000

SOLD:
233 INDIAN HOLLOW CT - 2BR, 2FB CONDO - $330,000
14 FINN CT - 4BR, 5FB, 2HB COL - $1,700,000

LEASED:
600 PULIS AVE - 2BR, 1FB HOUSE  - $1,200
402 GREEN MOUNTAIN RD - 3BR, 2FB, 1HB CONDO/TNHS - $2,700
6 VILLAGE DR - 3BR, 2FB, 1HB HOUSE - $4,800

Note: These properties were listed and sold by various participants of the NJMLS based on information from the New Jersey Multipe Listing Service, Inc. for the period March  24 - March 30, 2013. Information deemed reliable, not guaranteed. 

What's new on the market?  What homes sold?  Here's this week's Mahwah real estate market activity.  Links to property details are for new listings only.
  
NEW LISTINGS THIS WEEK: (July 20-26, 2012)
600-128 PULIS AVE - 1BR, 1FB Apt for Rent - $950
50 E CRESCENT AVE - 2BR, 1FB Apt for Rent - $1,725
101 RAINTREE LN - 2BR, 2FB Condo for Rent - $1,775
12 EAKENS CT - 2BR, 1FB Condo for Rent - $1,800
118 INDIAN HOLLOW CT - 2BR, 2FB Condo for Rent - $2,000
2066 DRAKE CT - 2BR, 2FB Condo for Rent - $2,000
164 DEMEDUK CT - 3BR, 2FB, 1HB Condo for Rent - $3,000
2114 HILLTOP RD - 1BR, 1BA Condo - $239,900
2080 DRAKE CT - 2BR, 2FB Condo - $289,000
1111 DEVON CT -  2BR, 1FB Condo - $314,000
12 EAKENS CT - 2BR, 1FB Condo - $317,900
3514 WHITTIER CT - 2BR, 2FB Condo - $335,000
118 FISHER ROAD - 3BR, 2FB, 1HB Townhouse - $515,000
317 VISTA VIEW DR - 3BR, 2FB, 1HB Townhouse - $659,900
163 DEERHAVEN RD - Land - $675,000

UNDER CONTRACT: (NOTE:  Price is list price)
1052 CHEDWORTH CIR - 1BR, 1FB Condo - $224,900
71 FROMM CT -  2BR, 1FB Condo - $239,000
70 RAMAPO VALLEY RD - 3BR, 3FB  3-Family - $259,900
234 LARCH LN - 2BR, 2FB, 1HB Condo - $319,500
12 SOUTH ST - 4BR, 2FB Cape Cod - $369,000
104 AIRMONT AVE - 3BR, 3FB Ranch - $639,000
63 BRAMS HILL DR - 7BR, 6FB, 1HB Colonial- $2,099,000

SOLD:
1246 GARRISON CT - 3BR, 2FB Townhouse - $359,900
14 WINTER ST -  3BR, 2FB, 1HB Colonial - $485,000
71 FYKE RD - 5BR, 3FB, 1HB Colonial - $865,000

Note: These properties were listed and sold by various participants of the NJMLS based on information from the New Jersey Multiple Listing Service, Inc. for the period July 20 - July 26, 2012. Information deemed reliable, not guaranteed. 

What's new on the market?  What homes sold?  Here's this week's Mahwah real estate market activity.  Links to property details are for new listings only.
  
NEW LISTINGS THIS WEEK: (July 13-19, 2012)
105 BELLGROVE DR 4B - 1BR, 1FB Rental - $1,350
1443 YORK ST - 1BR, 1FB Rental - $1,925
1340 LAVENDER CT  - 2BR, 2FB, 1HB Rental - $1,975
158 DEMEDUK CT  - 3BR, 2FB, 1HB Rental - $3,000
114 N RAILROAD AVE - 4BR, 2FB Ranch - $205,200 
142 RAMAPO VALLEY RD - 2BR, 1FB Colonial - $384,000
20 REID CT - 3BR, 1FB, 2HB Split Level -  $535,000 
76 WALNUT WEST ST -4BR, 3FB Colonial -  $700,000 
25 DEERHAVEN RD - 4BR, 3FB, 1HB Ranch -  $989,500 
0 STAG HILL RD - 4BR, 2FB, 1HB Colonial -  $1,150,000 
86 SEMINARY DR - 5BR, 3FB Colonial - $1,249,000 

UNDER CONTRACT: (NOTE:  Price is list price)
118 RAMAPO VALLEY RD - 6BR, 2FB Colonial - $229,900
1212 SYCAMORE LN  - 2BR, 2FB Condo - $286,500
1246 MULBERRY DR - 2BR, 2FB, 1HB Townhouse - $315,000
578 LARAMIE LN - 3BR, 2fB, 1HB Townhouse - $549,000
61 OWENO RD - 4BR, 2FB Colonial - $595,000 
5 BLOSSOM LN - 7BR, 5FB, 2HB Colonial - $2,195,000

SOLD:
600-33 PULIS AVE -  2BR, 1FB Mobile Home -  $43,000
21 HINES AVE - 3BR, 1FB Colonial - $312,000
7 STRONG ST - 3BR, 2FB Colonial - $352,500
2209 LANCASTER CT - 3BR, 2FB, 1HB Townhouse - $408,000
209 SUMMIT RD - 4BR, 2FB, 1HB Colonial - $420,000
1 SETON LN - 4BR, 4FB Colonial - $925,000
39 WALSH DR - 5BR, 5FB, 1HB Colonial - $1,450,000

Note: These properties were listed and sold by various participants of the NJMLS based on information from the New Jersey Multiple Listing Service, Inc. for the period July 13 - July19, 2012. Information deemed reliable, not guaranteed.

Here are last month’s numbers for Mahwah single-family homes and condos/townhouses sold, according to the New Jersey Multiple Listing Service.

Single-family homes 
June saw an increase over the previous month in the number of homes sold.  Eighteen single-family homes sold in the month of June, compared to 12 in May.

In June, the average list price was $810,967 and the average sold price was $733,250, which means that homes in Mahwah were selling last month at 90.417% of their list price, on average. For the listings that sold, the average number of days homes were on the market was 101.

Condos/Townhouses
At an average list price of $398,800 and average sold price of $368,157, there were 14 units sold in Mahwah in June. The sale price to list price ratio was 92.316 and the average days on market was 65.  

Here are the June sold listings, as reported in the NJMLS:
 
Address                         DOM       Price             Style               BR FB HB

1275 HIBUSCUS CT         31          $173,000       CONDO            1    1    0
2909 HEMINGWAY LN     47          $220,000       CONDO            1    1    0
670 JUNIPER WAY          21          $258,000       CONDO             2    2   0
106 RAINTREE LN           64         $268,000         CONDO            2     2   0
1207 RIO VISTA DR        172        $285,000        CONDO            2     1   1
802 SASSAFRAS CT       12         $299,900        TWNHS            2     2   1
2405 HEMINGWAY LN     31         $305,000        CONDO            2     2   0
2208 LANCASTER CT      25         $340,800       TWNHS             2     2   1
2366 PHILLIP CT             17          $352,000        TWNHS            2     2   1
179 GRANDVIEW LN      44         $420,000        TWNHS            2     2   1
97 FISHER RD                93           $505,000         TWNHS           2     2   1
71 N BAYARD LN            94         $530,000         TWNHS            3     3   1
251 WESTERVELT LN    170         $577,500       TWNHS           3     2   1
270 APPLE RIDGE BLVD 95        $620,000        TWNHS          3     3   1
   
139 CHAPEL RD              130        $400,000         RANCH           2    1   1
180 ISLAND RD                 36        $431,000          COL                3     1   1
75 SUNNYSIDE RD             2         $450,000        S/L                   4     1   1
55 W AIRMOUNT RD       180         $450,000        B/L                  4     2   1
26 REID CT                       68           $520,000        COL                4     2   1
63 ALCOTT RD                   7          $605,000       COL                  4    3    0
76 FELDMAN CT               10         $635,000        COL                 4     2    1
20 BOULDER TRL             18         $655,000        COL                 4     2   1
5 STORRS CT                   39          $685,000        COL                4     2    1
18 VICTORIA LN               541        $690,000        COL                 4    2    1
34 HEATHER LN                25         $715,000        RANCH           3    2    0
28 THUNDERHEAD PL      22         $725,000        COL                4    2    1
18 GREEN WAY               103        $735,000        COL                4    3    1
39 MALCOLM PL               78         $740,000         COL               4     2   1
5 DEERFIELD TER             51         $777,500        S/L                 4     3   1
5 IVY LN                            30           $910,000     COL                   5     4    1
51 CORTLAND TRL          284        $1,300,000     RANCH          5    4   3
44 BRAMS HILL DR         208         $1,775,000      COL               6    5   2

Note: These properties were listed and sold by various participants of the NJMLS based on information from the New Jersey Multiple Listing Service, Inc. for the period June 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012. "DOM" = Days on Market.  

Currently on the Market
As of July 9, there are 89 single-family homes for sale, at an average list price of $903,825, and 58 condo/townhouse units available at an average list price of $371,239.  

There's been a lot of activity lately, and it will be interesting to see if the pace continues or slows over the summer months.  Check back next month!