Westfield Seller Tips Archives - Luxury Homes/Top Towns

Determining the Fair Market Value of Your Westfield Home

June 4, 2021 by Scott Gleason

The real estate market is an ever-changing landscape. Currently, sellers wield the upper hand. But that does not mean that buyers will pay an astronomical amount simply because you asked for it. For a successful transaction, you must list your Westfield home at a price appropriate for the current market. Fair market value (FMV) helps sellers determine this price.

Fair Market Value

How to Calculate Fair Market Value

You must take into account several factors to come to a proper FMV. They change from month to month and sometimes even from week to week. Talk to your Westfield REALTOR® about how the market is behaving right now. Look at how much buyers paid for recently sold homes in your neighborhood recently. Look at the price-per-square-foot of homes similar to your own to provide you with an estimated value of your property. Hire an appraiser to assess the value of your Westfield home. All of these variables go into your calculation of FMV.

Fair Market vs Appraised Value

The appraised value is slightly different than the FMV. Banks use the appraised value of a home as part of their consideration in whether to approve or deny a mortgage loan. However, they will not approve a loan with an appraised value below the sale price. When that happens, buyers need to come up with money out of pocket to make up the difference or sellers need to lower their price. If neither side comes to an agreement, the sale falls through. Then, no one wins. But the FMV may end up higher than the appraised value. This happens in more popular neighborhoods. Again, discuss your options with your Westfield REALTOR® before deciding on what to list your property for when you decide to put it on the market.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Home Seller Resolutions for 2021

January 4, 2021 by Scott Gleason

I hope everyone welcomed in the New Year in their own fun yet safe way. Westfield came in at #1 on Coldwell Banker’s “Top Places to Live in New Jersey” last October. (It was #9 on Niche.com’s 2020 list.) But that comes as no surprise to anyone who lives here. With buyer demand rising, homeowners might want to put their properties on the market soon. As the new year begins, consider these home seller resolutions to make your house ready for a buyer in 2021.

If you wish to sell your Westfield property this year, take this time to tackle some home seller resolutions right now.

Home Seller Resolutions for 2021

Get Rid of the Clutter

One of the first (and possibly easiest) home seller resolutions to tackle is to declutter your Westfield home. Just because the holidays ended does not mean that charities do not need your help anymore. Go through your house room by room and start boxing/bagging up clothing, linens, appliances, toys, books, etc. that you no longer need or use. Then, donate these items to the local Goodwill, Salvation Army, or women’s shelter. Toss anything beyond repair into the trash.

Catch Up on Home Maintenance Projects

Next, a home seller needs to make sure their Westfield home is in tip-top shape to net the best sale price. This includes new paint where needed, replacing broken or missing roofing, repairing broken fixtures, and checking for leaky pipes. Even something as small as a wobbly mailbox or squeaky door hinges should be addressed before you place your property on the market.

Increase Your Curb Appeal

The outside of your Westfield home offers buyers their very first impression. So, make it a good one. Even while social distancing, a home seller can add curb appeal by simply trimming shrubbery and trees, clearing off the driveway and walkways, and keeping trash bins, tools, and toys tucked out of sight. As the weather warms up, regular weeding and lawn maintenance will be necessary to keep things neat and tidy.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Curb Appeal Projects to Tackle While Practicing Social Distancing in Westfield

March 20, 2020 by Scott Gleason

As more and more people get tested for COVID-19, we see confirmed cases in Westfield and the greater New Jersey area increase. Many businesses have either closed down for now or allowed their employees to work from home to limit exposure to the Coronavirus. Schools started up online teaching this week. Restaurants remain open for take-out or delivery only. We are urged to practice social distancing. But that does not mean you must stay trapped inside your Westfield home at all times. Breathe in some clean air and tackle those curb appeal projects you’ve been putting off. That will really help if you plan on placing your property on the market in the next few months.

While the mayor urges Westfield residents to practice social distancing, update your curb appeal with these simple, low-cost projects.

Easy Curb Appeal Projects

Yardwork

PE time for the kiddos. Give them each a rake and garbage bag and tell them to start cleaning up the leaves. Get down on your hands and knees and pull out all of your weeds. Older kids can mow the lawn. Grab some mulch at your local gardening center and freshen up the flower beds. Add flowers to your window boxes. Potted plants in pretty containers create lovely focal points on your front porch.

Clear Off Your Sidewalks

Over time, shrubbery and the lawn might begin to creep up onto your sidewalks and along the driveway. Another easy curb appeal project to tackle would be to trim these back to keep the pathways clear. Make sure to trim any spaces between the concrete as well. If you see mossy growth, power wash it away.

Speaking of Power Washing

Does your exterior paint look a little worse for wear? If the paint’s in good shape, you might just need to power wash the grime away. Tackle the windows while you’re at it, too. But, if you see chipped or peeling paint, you’ll need to repaint it. Power washing will only make that worse.

Add Some Color

Finally, I talked about planting some flowers before. They help add a nice pop of color. But, you can also add color by painting your front door a vibrant red or some other interesting color. This adds curb appeal without spending a lot of money on a new door. As an added bonus, an attractive front entry invites buyers inside.

I understand that times feel a little crazy right now. But I know we’ll get through this if we all do our part to practice good hygiene and social distancing. If you are thinking about selling your Westfield home, contact me. There are still buyers out there looking for houses right now. I’m always here to help.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

Finding the Right Real Estate Agent

February 28, 2020 by Scott Gleason

Whether buying or selling a Westfield home, you need someone on your side who knows the local market. Navigating a real estate transaction can feel daunting sometimes. With your busy schedule, who has the time? Where do you start? To find the right real estate agent, keep the following tips in mind.

Finding the Right Real Estate Agent

Take Your Time

First of all, take your time. This will probably be the biggest transaction you are a part of in your life. Therefore, you need to find someone who knows the business. Do you know anyone who bought or sold a house recently? Ask them who they used and if they were satisfied with the experience. Would they use them again? Word of mouth provides some of the best recommendations possible. Make sure to get the agent’s name and contact info.

Interview Several Agents

Next, take that list of agents you compiled and set up interviews with each. Look for someone that you feel comfortable with. Some key questions to ask include:

How long have you worked in the Westfield real estate market?
How many homes do you currently have in escrow?
What was your hardest purchase/sale you were a part of? How did you resolve any issues?
How often can I contact you? Which method do you prefer? Text, cell, personal meeting?
Can I talk to some of your past clients?

Check Their License

Once you decide on which real estate agent you wish to hire, check that their license is current and valid. How? Visit the New Jersey Department of Banking & Insurance website. You need their name and license number to perform a search. It’s simple and it’s free. This is a step many homeowners skip. Unfortunately, that could have dire consequences. So, take a moment to perform this quick search for your peace of mind.

Talk to Past Clients

Finally, talk to recent clients of the agent you choose. Ask them how they felt about their experience with the agent. Was the agent available when needed? How were their communication skills? Would the client work with them again? Good reviews usually mean good news. Bad reviews mean “move along”.

When you’re ready to put your Westfield home on the market or want to search for your next property, contact me. I’d be happy to help you in any capacity necessary.

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes

How to Sell Your Westfield Home Before the End of the Year

November 2, 2018 by Scott Gleason

The end of the year is quickly approaching. You want to put your Westfield home on the market. But, you’re unsure if now’s a good time. Should you wait until spring, when more buyers will be searching for properties? Don’t wait. There’s still time for you to sell your Westfield home before the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve. But you’ll need to act fast and follow my advice below.

How to Sell Your Westfield Home Before the End of the Year

Create a Standout Online Listing

Click here for an instant “No Strings Attached” valuation of your home.

According to Real Estate Agent University, 90% of home buyers begin their search online. If your online listing doesn’t catch their interest, they’ll move on to another property. Therefore, in order to sell your Westfield home before the end of this year, you’re going to need to make your listing stand out. Use a professional photographer to capture the best images of your Westfield home. They know which angles and lighting make your property look its best.

Embrace the Holidays…But Not Too Much

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about selling your Westfield home in the fall. In it, I discussed using “seasonal” decorations instead of traditional “holiday” ones. Adding a few holiday touches here and there is perfectly fine. In fact, it can even create a sense of sentimentality with buyers. You just need to keep these holiday touches to a minimum so as not to overwhelm potential buyers. Using warm fall colors in pillows, blankets, vases, and throw rugs are decorative accents. Recreating Santa’s village will cover up everything your home has to offer.

Get a Home Inspection

Another great way to sell your Westfield home before the end of the year is to get a professional home inspection done. Inspectors look for potential problems lurking inside your home. A pre-listing inspection allows you to fix these problems before you put it on the market. This helps smooth out possible speed bumps in the selling process.

Don’t Neglect the Curb Appeal

When you sell your Westfield home, you need to keep up your curb appeal. Clear out fallen leaves on a weekly basis. Paint the door. Clean out the gutters. With leaves gone from your home’s trees, your property is more exposed. So you want to make sure there is no cracked or peeling paint anywhere along the outside of your home. Straighten up the shutters and add a coat of paint that complements the main house color for an extra polished look.

Holiday Themed Open Houses

Open houses provide a great marketing tool for selling your Westfield home. You need to get your house in shape for any open house you host. But during November and December, you might want to play up holiday themes. Decorate your dining table as if you’re preparing a massive Thanksgiving or Christmas feast. Offer up pumpkin pie or muffins as treats for your guests during November. Christmas cookies and eggnog make great treats in December. How about a tree-trimming party after Thanksgiving is over? Allow buyers a glimpse into what they can expect holidays to feel like and they’ll be more apt to see themselves making this space their own right away.

Be Flexible

Whenever you sell your Westfield home, you need to be flexible about showings. End-of-year buyers are serious about purchasing properties. But their schedule may not align with yours. If you want your home sold by the end of the year, you need to accommodate buyers no matter when they want to see your home.

Offer Buyers Incentives

Offer buyers any incentive you think will entice them to buy your Westfield home. If they’re interested in the furniture, add it to your contract. Do they want new appliances? Spending a little bit to complete the sale quickly will be worth it.

Bike MS NYC 2018 Results

Finally, I’d like to give a great big shout out to everyone who supported Team Guys & Dolls on our quest to complete Bike MS NYC 2018. Thanks to all of you who donated, we managed to raise over $15,000 this year. Not only did we meet our fundraising goal, but we managed to exceed it as well. Your money will help fund research towards finding a way to obliterate this devastating disease once and for all. Thank you again for all of your support. We greatly appreciate it!

Scott Gleason, CRS at RE/MAX Select, Luxury Homes