Princeton Real Estate

Beatrice Bloom, Princeton Real Estate Agent

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POPULAR ARCHITECTURAL STYLES OF HOMES

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Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – February 19, 2020

POPULAR ARCHITECTURAL STYLES OF HOMES

There is a wide range of architectural styles available for homes. Listed below are the main styles trending currently in the U.S. 

· Craftsman Bungalow: Defining features include columned front porches, low-pitched roofs and double-hung windows with divided panes in the upper sash and one large pane in the lower sash.

· Cape Cod: Quaint structures recognized by their steep roofs, central chimneys, shingle siding and symmetrical windows framing the front door.

· Ranch: Beloved by Americans for its open, single-story floor plans, attached front garages, sliding glass doors and low rooflines.

· Contemporary: Guiding principles of these modern dwellings include sustainability, energy efficiency, open floor plans and abundance of natural light.

· Victorian homes: Vibrantly colored and asymmetrical, these homes are very distinct from the other styles listed, due to varied rooflines, turrets, spindlework and prominent front porches.

· Colonial Revival: Symmetrical two-story homes that often feature a grand entryway, dormers and evenly spaced windows with shutters.

· Tudor: Half-timber framing and steeply pitched rooflines are hallmarks of Tudor architecture.

· Townhouses: Both space-conscious and practical, townhouses became popular in the early 19th century and continues to endure today. 

· Mid-Century Modern: This aesthetic embraces open spaces, large glass windows, geometric lines and an integration with nature.

· Neoclassical homes: This style exudes grandeur with its iconic full-height columned front porches and reflects the classical ideals of beauty found in Greek and Roman architecture.

So, which of these styles of homes are you vibing with? 

CHOOSING THE RIGHT HOME FOR YOU & YOUR FAMILY

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Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – February 12, 2020

CHOOSING THE RIGHT HOME FOR YOU & YOUR FAMILY

When you and your family are searching for a home, there are many factors to consider before making a final decision to put a formal offer in on the house you’ve got your eye (and perhaps heart) on. While it’s easy to fall in love with several houses you’ve toured, it is essential to take the needs of your entire family into consideration before proceeding.

– Figure out the right size. Factor in how many people are likely to eventually live in the house. Be sure the house is roomy enough to accommodate everyone, but not so large it becomes a burden to care for and maintain.

– Consider the renovation potential. If you are buying an older home, consider the possibility you’ll want to remodel or renovate. Can you see yourself hiring a contractor to knock down walls, tear up the kitchen or bathroom, or redesign the floorplan? 

– Envision living in the house. Imagine what your furniture will look like once you’ve moved in. Visualize painting the walls a fresh new color. Walk around the property and imagine the deck or yard filled with patio furniture or the kids’ toys.

Source: Vila Media, LLC

REAL ESTATE & REALITY TV

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Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – January 29, 2020

REAL ESTATE & REALITY TV

Do you find yourself inspired by television shows in which a fixer-upper home is transformed into a dream house — under budget and completed within a short period of time? It’s best to realize up front that this simply isn’t likely to pan out for 99.9% of us in the real world.

Here are a few examples of how unrealistic expectations are created and some areas where a remodeling TV show could create a false sense of reality:

Budgeting is crucial. You will need to set a realistic budget right at the start of the planning process. Then, be sure to add 10% beyond that estimate to help avoid your project turning from a dream into a financial nightmare.

Create a vision through careful planning and consideration of what you want to accomplish by determining what is most important to you. What is your vision of the completed project? This may evolve as you invest the time and effort to make your vision clear before making a large financial commitment. 

Timing is everything. In real life, remodeling projects generally take a minimum of several weeks or months to complete — not three days. A good contractor will help manage your expectations realistically from the start regarding how long your project will likely take.  

Keep enjoying your shows, taking note of ideas and inspiration for projects you would like to do in your own home — just be sure to remember Hollywood makes everything look easy!

WHAT’S THE ONE THING HOME BUYERS CARE MORE ABOUT THAN LOCATION? PRICE! 

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Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – January 15, 2020

WHAT’S THE ONE THING HOME BUYERS CARE MORE ABOUT THAN LOCATION? PRICE! 

Overpricing your home to earn a bigger profit may seem like a good idea at first. But chances are, if you don’t get the pricing right, your home will sit on the market many more days than it should, which plants the idea in prospective buyers’ minds there is something wrong with your home. And this means your home very well may end up selling for even less than asking, in addition to the lengthy amount of time spent finding a buyer, which can be stressful and costly. 

Don’t ignore the comps. Most of us are very emotionally attached to our homes, which leads us to believe it’s worth more than it really is. If your next door neighbor’s home in a similar condition to yours was sold in the past six months and has a comparable square footage and number of beds/baths, this is what you will need to focus on when determining an asking price. Because not only will prospective buyers and their agents already have that information, and more importantly, the appraiser assessing your home’s value once it’s under contract certainly will, too!

Take note: just because the internet claims your home is worth a certain amount, it is unlikely that is what your home will ultimately sell for, as that estimate doesn’t take into account the condition of your home, which is a huge determining factor.   

Finally, choose wisely if you decide to invest in renovations prior to listing your home. While kitchens and baths tend to have the best ROI, they are still not necessarily a dollar-for-dollar investment.

HOW TO SUBMIT AN OFFER THAT’S MORE LIKELY TO GET ACCEPTED

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Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – October 23, 2019

HOW TO SUBMIT AN OFFER THAT’S MORE LIKELY TO GET ACCEPTED

How to Submit an Offer That’s More Likely to Get Accepted

While it may seem there isn’t too much within your control when it comes down to making an offer on your dream home, considering using these tips to increase your chances of submitting an offer that gets accepted:

  • Understand the market. An offer not only identifies what you are willing to pay for the house but also what you think it is worth. 
  • Consider motivation. A seller’s motivation can tell you a lot about their willingness to accept a lower offer. 
  • Be timely. You have less negotiation power if the seller has been presented with multiple offers. The sooner you put in an offer, the quicker you can find out whether or not your offer has been accepted or if you will be given an opportunity to revise it.
  • Offer a higher earnest money deposit. The earnest money deposit (EMD) accompanies your offer letter. It signifies a serious, sincere commitment to wanting to purchase the house.

The home-buying process can feel overwhelming at times. Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve your timeline while also increasing the chances of having your offer accepted. Do your research, try your best to be patient, and you will be in your new home in no time.

PREPARING TO CLOSE: THREE REQUIRED CLEARANCES

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Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – August 21, 2019

PREPARING TO CLOSE: THREE REQUIRED CLEARANCES

In order to transfer home ownership in Princeton, there are three documents homeowners  will need to provide to their buyers once clearances have been attained. The associated   fees for each are determined by closing date and the date of application completion or     request.

1. Construction Record Clearance (CRC): this document is issued once all open construction permits are closed out. (Note: this step does not apply to residents of the former Borough.) 

2. Sewer Certification: this document confirms proper connection of sump pumps and drains. 

3. Bureau of Fire Safety certificate: this crucial life-and-death certification confirms your home fully complies with the township’s smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector and kitchen fire extinguisher requirements.  

As it is not uncommon for a home to require re-inspection, for a variety of unforeseen reasons, the sooner a seller begins this process, the better the odds of avoiding last-minute headaches. To access these forms, and for more information, visit the township’s website.