Princeton Real Estate

Beatrice Bloom, Princeton Real Estate Agent

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WHAT IS TITLE INSURANCE AND HOW DOES IT PROTECT ME?

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Title insurance protects you and the lender from any liens or claims that may be outstanding on the property.  Unlike other insurance, this protects you from things that happened in the past.

First step in getting the insurance is a title search.  Essentially this is an investigation of the chain of title on the home.  It confirms that there are no unpaid debts, including, unpaid mortgages, unpaid taxes, forged deeds, and contractor claims to name a few. It is estimated that one third of all title searches come up with some sort of issue.  The title company works to resolve these issues prior to closing.

There are two types of policies; lender’s policy and owner’s policy.  The lender’s policy covers the lender for the amount of the loan on the home.  It decreases as the mortgage is paid down. The owner’s policy protects you by against future issues that may arise and for the full length of ownership.

 

PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY FROM RADON

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Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – November 14, 2018

PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY FROM RADON

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that has no color or odor.  The EPA recommends that Radon levels should be under 4.0 pCi/L. It is not uncommon in our area to have levels close to or about this number.

Testing your home for radon is a simple process.  Buy a test at your local hardware store and follow the instructions included in the kit and send it in for analysis. If the levels come back high don’t panic!

Remediation is a process that takes about a day.  It involves a licensed contractor that installs a system that ventilates your home using PVC pipes to draw the gas up from the ground and out of the house.  Typically, it can cost anywhere between $1,500-$2,000 depending on the levels and desired system.

SELLING YOUR HOME…STEP BY STEP

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Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – November 7, 2018

SELLING YOUR HOME…STEP BY STEP

There are many things that must be taken into consideration when you decide to sell your home.  From our initial consultation to settlement and everything in between it is imperative that you have a trusted advisor and knows the market inside and out.

At our first visit, I will come to you home with information about my Team, The Weichert Way, a pricing strategy, market comps and next steps.

Customized pricing and marketing strategies are two of the most important steps to getting your home sold.  Analyzing the specific comparables as well as general market absorption rates will give a good indication as to how much your home will sell for.

Marketing your home online is critical in getting the word out about your property.  Professional staging and photography are two tools that I find critical in getting your home looking the best for that critical first impression of buyers.

 

WHEN TO CONSIDER A PRICE ADJUSTMENT

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Stacks of One Hundred Dollar Bills with Small House on Slight Gradation.

Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – October 10, 2018

WHEN TO CONSIDER A PRICE ADJUSTMENT

Your home has been on the market for 30 days and you have not received an offer.  It is time to analyze what the market is telling you. There are three key factors to consider: Showings, Feedback and Offers Received.

Have you had many showings? The first few weeks of a house being on the market should be a flurry of activity.

Take a good look at the feedback you are receiving. What is the opinion of price in comparison to other homes the buyer is looking at? Are there suggestions for cosmetic updates or concerns about the layout of the home?

Have you received any offers? Often times we think that an offer is to low and that very well may be the case.  However, an offer shows interest and can give you a good indication as to whether the house is priced according to the market comparables.

This is not an easy decision or one that should be taken lightly.  Take time to evaluate your situation with your Real Estate Agent.

 

REMODEL, MOVE OR TEAR TOWN?

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Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – October 3, 2018

REMODEL, MOVE OR TEAR TOWN?

Remodeling offers the benefit of sprucing up your home and putting the finishes in your home to your own taste and specification. You can do one room at a time and budgeting accordingly. Remember, it is important to consult the Township to see if permits are required to do the remodeling in your home as well as your real estate agent to make sure your investment will pay back.


Moving, requires a different type of effort.  There are two parts to this making this decision: 1) You will need to ready your home for sale;  2) You will be actively looking to find your new home and identifying the three L’s “Location, Location, Location.” Contact your real estate agent to figure out the value of your current home and what homes are available to purchase.


You love the three L’s of your current home. The town is where you want to be, the home is in the neighborhood you want to live in and the home is in that perfect spot within the neighborhood.  You decide to tear it down and build your dream home. If this is the route you are taking be sure to hire an architect and a licensed contractor to manage the process.

 

Beatrice Bloom