Increasing Your Property Value

Home Improvements that may increase your selling price, Westfield NJIs there a difference between price and value of a home?  YES.  Price is the amount you are asking for your property, where as value is buyer perceived.  The perception of value is influenced by many factors including location, condition, features, etc.  By paying attention to things that will increase the value of a home, sellers can increase their chance of attracting qualified buyers who are willing to pay your asking price.

Here are some tips, provided by Zillow.com, to achieve a positive impact on value:

  • Strategic renovations will impact value and your bottom line. Don’t spend more money on renovating than you can recapture in value on the sales price.
  • Condition will affect value. Do your own seller’s home inspection to identify and fix the problem before closing.  A failed buyer’s inspection could cost you a sale.  Buyers will often bargain down your asking price to accommodate for property condition and repairs, so fixing any problems before you close will only increase your return.
  • The kitchen and master bedroom are the two areas that have a big impact on home buying decisions.  Remodel or make minor updates to enhance your sale.
  • Cosmetics are important. Fresh paint will always add more value than it costs, lean or new carpet/flooring adds more value than it costs, landscaping adds more value than it costs and if you can, add some colorful flowers and new sod to your lawn.
  • Perceived size impacts value. Open floor plans make a room feel bigger than larger spaces with smaller rooms.  Showing a home with less furniture will help to make the space feel bigger.
  • Vacancy increases sale-ability. Property is easier to show, sell, and quicker to take possession of when it is vacant at the time it is offered for sale.

For more tips, visit Yahoo Real Estate – How-To Guides.

Naasa

Naasa Sherbeini

Westfield, Fanwood, Scotch Plains Realtor Visit my website at www.TopWestfieldHomes.com or Click here to search for Westfield homes

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Downtown Westfield Restaurant Week, February 27 – March 6

Downtown Westfield Restaurant Week is coming,

Sunday, February 27 to Sunday, March 6, 2011

Enjoy a two course Dinner for $20, and a two course Lunch for $10 at most of Westfield’s fine eating establishment.  (Tax, gratuity and beverages are not included)

Stay tuned for a list of participating restaurants or check www.westifledtoday.com for a complete list to be posted soon!

Reservations are recommended as these restaurants get quite busy during this week.

For more information, contact the Downtown Westfield Corporation at 908.789.9444.

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Super Bowl Party Tips

What’s your prediction?  Will it be Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers or Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers?  Whoever you may be cheering on this Sunday, here are some great tips on how to score at your Super Bowl XLV party this year.

  • Decorate the house in the colors of the team you’re rooting for.  If you don’t prefer one over the other, than decorate in both.  (Packers – Green & Gold, Steelers – Black & Gold)
  • Invest in a few foam “bad-call bricks” for people to throw at the TV because we all know that guests like to express their feelings about the refs and their calls, and we don’t want them doing damage to your house.
  • Have plenty of food.  Super Bowl Sunday and food go hand in hand.  If you’re not too keen on preparing everything on your own, don’t hesitate to ask guests to bring a dish to pass.  Remember, finger foods work great!
  • Make your clean up easy and simple.  Use paper plates and napkins and plastic utensils and cups so that everything can be tossed when done with.
  • Prepare a football pool or two.  Doesn’t necessarily have to be for money, but it is fun to wager a bet or two during the big game.
  • Have plenty of beverages.  This includes soda, water and of course the beer.  Nothing works up a thirst than a close game.
  • Most of all, enjoy your Super Bowl Sunday.  This party doesn’t have to be a stressful, and it doesn’t have to be thoroughly planned out.  As long as you have a TV, some food and drinks, and are surrounded by family and friends, you’ll be able to root your favorite team to victory.

Naasa

Naasa Sherbeini

Westfield, Fanwood, Scotch Plains Realtor Visit my website at www.TopWestfieldHomes.com or Click here to search for Westfield homes

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Has everybody done for their home maintenance checklist?
http://ping.fm/OkQPb

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Home Maintenance Checklist for January

Don’t let the dead of winter prevent you from keeping up on your home maintenance routine.  With freezing temperatures, your most important task of January, according to Marilyn Lewis of MSN Real Estate, is to prevent water damage from bursting pipes and leaks in your home.

Water and dampness in the home can come from a number of sources:

  • Pipes bursting from freezing and thawing
  • Leaky pipes inside the walls
  • Groundwater and rain seeping into your home

Here are a few tasks you can complete to safeguard against damage from frozen and bursting pipes:

  • Insulate any pipes exposed to the cold
  • Seal any leaks that are letting cold air in
  • When temperatures drop below zero, open both hot and cold faucets a trickle to relieve pressure in the pipes
  • Search for uninsulated water supply lines in the attic, garage, basement and crawl spaces
  • Locate your home’s water shut-off valve; learn how to turn off the water quickly in case a pipe bursts
  • Keep temperatures inside the house at 55 degrees Fahrenheit or above
  • Promise yourself that when spring arrives you will add to the installation in the basement or crawl space and attic
  • If you will be away from home during freezing weather, ask a friend or neighbor to check on your house for possible broken or leaking pipes

When its cold out, you’re not the only one trying to seek warm shelter.  Keep an eye out for pests in the walls of your home.  Insects need only a crack to enter and mice can squeeze through a dime-sized hole.  Here are a couple of maintenance items to cross off your checklist to prevent any unwanted house guests.

  • Seal any cracks where pests enter
  • Empty compost and garbage frequently
  • Check your basement, attic and crawl spaces for mice droppings or holes and install traps immediately if you encounter any
  • Keep food covered and put away
  • Fix leaky pipes quickly
  • Pick up and dispose of outdoor pest waste promptly
  • Pour boiling water down bathroom and kitchen drains monthly to prevent the buildup of bacteria-laden sludge and scrub removable drain covers weekly

Preventing leaky pipes and unwanted house guest during winter are two very important items that should be on your checklist; but here are a few more:

  • Examine the ducts of your forced-air furnace and seal any leaks with duct tape
  • Check your furnace filter monthly in the winter to see if it needs replacing
  • Walk around inside the house with a screwdriver, pencil and paper.  Tighten any loose knobs and attachments and list repairs to tackle later
  • Clean lint from under laundry appliances and carefully work the cleaning tool down into the lint filter
  • Gather product documents and warranties into a folder.  Discard of outdated materials
  • Use a vacuum-cleaner tool or a long-handled brush to clean under and behind the refrigerator

Fixing a small problem now, can prevent a very large one from happening in the future.  Are all the items on your January checklist crossed off?

Naasa

Naasa Sherbeini

Westfield, Fanwood, Scotch Plains Realtor Visit my website at www.TopWestfieldHomes.com or Click here to search for Westfield homes

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An Intimate Bridal Event in a Westfield Mansion – March 6, 2011

I dreamed of a wedding of elaborate elegance,
A church filled with family and friends.
I asked him what kind of a wedding he wished for,
He said one that would make me his wife.
~Author Unknown

Have you recently gotten engaged and beginning to plan the wedding of your dreams?  Well look no further for help in doing so and join us at the James Ward Mansion in Westfield for a unique bridal event.

The Westfield Affair

March 6, 2011 from 12 to 5 pm

(Snow Date:  March 13, 2011 from 12 to 5 pm)

James Ward Mansion

(169 E. Broad St., Westfield, NJ)

Plan your affiar with the many wedding professionals located in and around the Westfield area.  Enjoy great entertainment, displays, fashions, demonstrations and expert advise.  There will be food, dessert and wine tastings through out the day.

Admission is $5 per person, payable at the door.

FREE PARKING!

The first 50 people to RSVP will recieve a fabulous giftbad at the door, so RSVP early.

Check out which vendors will be on display at this year’s event.

Any questions regarding The Westfield Affair can be directed to Expo@TheWestfieldAffair.com or visit The Westfield Affair.

Naasa

Naasa Sherbeini

Westfield, Fanwood, Scotch Plains Realtor Visit my website at www.TopWestfieldHomes.com or Click here to search for Westfield homes

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Daddy-Daughter Dance

The Westfield Recreation Department presents its annual

Friday, March 4, 2011

L’Affaire in Mountainside

6:30pm to 9:30pm

1st through 6th grades

Now you’re probably thinking, March?!  But if you register prior to February 18, the cost per person is $45.00.  After February 18, the cost per person is $50.00.

This special evening will consist of a 5×7 father/daughter photographed portrait; hot buffet dinner and dessert, disc jockey to play the hottest tunes and an entire evening of dancing and fun.

Registration ends February 28, click here for a registration form.

L’Affaire is located at 1099 Route 22 East in Mountainside, NJ.

Contact the Westfield Recreation Department at 908.789.4080 for more information.

To all fathers, don’t miss this opportunity to get dressed up and spend a night with your little girl!

Naasa

Naasa Sherbeini

Westfield, Fanwood, Scotch Plains Realtor Visit my website at www.TopWestfieldHomes.com or Click here to search for Westfield homes

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Westfield, NJ Market Statistics Update

Here is a market update of Westfield’s real estate market through the week ending January 12, 2011. (Provided by Trulia.com)

Market View for Westfield, NJ

The average listing price is $687,496 which is up $11,550 (1.7%)  from the prior week.  The median sales price, October to December 2010, is $630,000. This number has increased 5.9%, or $35,000 from the same time period a year ago.  Recently, 232 homes were sold, there are 126 homes for sale and 41 in foreclosure.

Median Sales Price – 1yr

Westfield median sales prices

Number of Sales – 1yr

Number of sold homes in Westfield

Average Listing Price in Westfield, NJ

Westfield average property price

Number of Listings in Westfield, NJ

Westfield – number of properties

Average Price per Square Foot – 1yr

Westfield average price per square foot

Naasa

Naasa Sherbeini

Westfield, Fanwood, Scotch Plains Realtor Visit my website at www.TopWestfieldHomes.com or Click here to search for Westfield homes.

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New Jersey Devils Hockey Game – Sunday, January 23

Have you been to a New Jersey Devils hockey game this season yet?!  If not, here is your chance to attend, and to attend at a discount!

The New Jersey Devils will be hosting the Florida Panthers on Sunday, January 23 at 3 pm at Prudential Center.  Tickets for that day’s game can be purchased at a discount price through the Westfield Recreation Department.

For just $40, you will receive a Mezzanine/balcony seating (ticket value $59).  Purchase tickets online and use special offer code – DEVILS.

Prudential Center is located at 165 Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ.  For questions, please call Christine Myers, Devils Group Sales, at 973.757.6179.

See you at center ice!

Naasa

Naasa Sherbeini

Westfield, Fanwood, Scotch Plains Realtor Visit my website at www.TopWestfieldHomes.com or Click here to search for Westfield homes.

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2011 Westfield Recycling Information

For any newcomers to Westfield, or for a refresher to those who are veterans, here is some information on recycling in Westfield for 2011.

Recycling must be at curbside by 6:00am on your recycling dates, or they will not be collected until your next scheduled pickup day.  Residents are urged to place their recycling at the curb the evening before (no earlier than 6 pm) the pickup date to avoid a missed pick-up.

If your recycling was not picked up, you must call Great Northern Recycling within 24 hours of your collection day at 1.888.738.7348.

For those who live in an apartment or condominium complex, check with your Building Superintendent or Manager to find out where to set your recycling.

Recycling pick up will be done by WARD.  Reference your Ward location from the map provided.  If you are unsure which Ward you reside in, please contact the Department of Public Works at 908.789.4100 ext. 4600.

The 2011 collection schedule will be as follows:

2011 Collection Schedule
Month
Ward 1
(Mondays)
Ward 2
(Tuesdays)
Ward 3
(Wednesdays)
Ward 4
(Thursdays)
January
10,24
11,25
12,26
13,27
February
7,21
8,22
9,23
10,24
March
7,21
8,22
9,23
10,24
April
4,18
5,19
6,20
7,21
May
2,16,30*
3,17,31
4,18
5,19
June
13,27
14,28
1,15,29
2,16,30
July
11,25
12,26
13,27
14,28
August
8,22
9,23
10,24
11,25
September
5*, 19
6,20
7,21
8,22
October
3,17,31
4,18
5,19
6,20
November
14,28
1,15,29
2,16,30
3,17
December
12,26
13,27
14,28
1,15,29
  • Monday, May 30th is a holiday so pickup for Ward 1 will be on Friday, June 3rd
  • Monday, September 5th is a holiday so pickup for Ward 1 will be on Friday, September 9th

For a complete list on what and how to recycle in Westfield, visit recycling in Westfield.

Naasa

Naasa Sherbeini

Westfield, Fanwood, Scotch Plains Realtor Visit my website at www.TopWestfieldHomes.com or Click here to search for Westfield homes.

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