Checklist for Millburn-Short Hills Home Sellers!

If you’re preparing to sell your Millburn-Short Hills home this fall, congratulations! With homebuyers eager to buy before mortgage rates and home prices continue to rise, you’ve got a good chance of selling your home fast. Plus, inventory is still relatively low, so you might get multiple offers.

It’s important to be familiar with the steps in the home-selling process before you’re right in the middle of it. BHG Real Estate shared a basic seven-step checklist for home sellers. As a New Jersey real estate agent, I’ll go into detail for you about each one:

1.  Hire a real estate professional! Right away, you’ll create a trusting partnership with a professional, who can walk you through each step of the home-selling process. You’ll discuss market trends, recent sales, realistic expectations, timelines and next steps. You need to find a good match, so don’t be afraid to ask questions! As a Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I’m always willing to answer any questions you have.

2.  Set price expectations. You and your agent can work together on this. Determine what you need to net from the sale. Find out what your home is worth. Have your agent share with you what other homes like yours are selling for in the Millburn-Short Hills area. Consider an appraisal, which will let you know if there is any damage that needs to be dealt with.

3.  Declutter. This is a step that every home seller needs to take but that most dread. Over the years, we accumulate a lot of stuff! Potential homebuyer don’t want to see that stuff. They want to see a move-in-ready home that looks like a model. So clean out all your closets, cabinets and storage spaces and get rid of whatever you can. Make the home spotless.

4.  Host a garage sale. This is a great idea for those of you who end up with a lot of items to get rid of after you declutter. Rather than just tossing them, you might as well try to earn some cash for them! This could be put aside for closing costs, moving costs or home repairs. Also, you could let garage sale customers know that you’re selling your home. They can spread the word!

5.  Pump up curb appeal. Potential homebuyers see the outside of your house before anything else, so you want it to look memorable and inviting. Keep your lawn green and lush, but also mowed and manicured. Trim your trees and bushes. Plant blooming flowers in your gardens, or place flower pots on your front porch. Power wash your exterior. Hang a welcome sing on your front door.

6.  Transfer or cancel utilities and insurance. You want to do this after you have a homebuyer or after you have bought your next home. You don’t want a surprise bill coming in the mail after you have moved out!

7.  Get prepared for the closing. This includes bringing keys and remotes and other items that might not even cross your mind. As your New Jersey real estate agent, I can prep you for this and let you know what you need to do.

Selling your Millburn-Short Hills home is an exciting adventure! Let me help walk you through the process and support you every step of the way. Contact me!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Local Business Spotlight: Reeves-Reed Arboretum!

Complements of Reeves-Reed Arboretum

With summer winding down and fall right around the corner, it’s important to remember the places that are fun to visit year-round in New Jersey! So today, as your New Jersey real estate agent, I’d like to shine a spotlight on the Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit, NJ.

Listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places, this arboretum displays design trends of landscape architects from the late 19th and 20th centuries. There is lots of history here, as each exhibit was added at different times throughout the past couple centuries.

The arboretum is made up of five-and-a-half acres of formal gardens, each representing design trends from the early 20th century. Some favorite exhibits include the Wisner House, the Keller Azalea Garden , the Rose Garden and the Rock Garden. You can stroll down the trails, take a group or self-guided tour, or just sit and relax on the benches.

Nature isn’t all you’ll find at the arboretum! There is the interactive exhibit called ‘Elements’, which works the six elements of stone, metal, wood, light, ice and water into the setting. There are 30 site-specific installations, using materials unique to the grounds, and some even contributed from Hurricane Sandy! This is definitely a sight to see.

The arboretum also hosts numerous events year-round, which makes it a great destination, no matter what time of year you’d like to go! They have classes on Wednesday afternoons for kids ages three to five. Each week, they create a different art project with a different theme. The arboretum also host concerts, such as the Wells Fargo Jazz for Teens Alumni Concert coming up on Sept. 11.

Annual events occur year-round as well, with ‘Celebrate Fall’ being the next one to look forward to, happening on Oct. 27 this year. There are all sorts of educational sessions too, for children, youth and teens, scouts and school groups, and adult lectures, trips and workshops.

Numerous volunteer opportunities are also available at the arboretum, which is a great way for residents who just relocated to Summit, NJ to meet new people! Currently, the volunteers meet at the Louise B. Roehm Greenhouse on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon.

The arboretum is open daily from dawn to dusk. It’s free, but there is a nonmember suggested donation of $5. Still, that’s a great price for spending an afternoon in a beautiful, serene setting!

As a Summit real estate agent, it’s important to me that you become familiar with local businesses and attractions after buying a Summit home. By keeping up with my local business spotlight blogs, you can feel a bit more familiar with the town that you're moving to.

Whether it’s Summit, Millburn, Short Hills or one of the many other towns I work in, there is something for everyone! When you’re ready to relocate, contact me. Together, we can figure out where the best location is for you to live!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Home Renovations That Add Value to Your New Jersey Home

As a Millburn-Short Hills homeowner, at some point, you’ll probably want to do some renovations on your home. Whether it’s a few upgrades here and there, or a total makeover, you want to make sure you choose renovations that will add value to your home. That way, when you decide to sell your Millburn-Short Hills home, you’ll attract more potential homebuyers and receive a higher return on investment!

As your New Jersey real estate agent, I’d like to fill you in on the home upgrades that will best increase your home value. You want to stick to changes that are long-lasting and that won’t go out of style. These upgrades have been in for many years now and don’t seem to be going anywhere! That way, when it comes time to sell your house, you won’t have to upgrade it again in order to get with the times.

So when renovating your home, here is what you should stick with and why:

• New appliances. Homebuyers will definitely look at your appliances when home searching, so this is a great way to add value to your home, especially if you make them stainless steel or with an Energy Star rating. The newer the appliances are, the higher your home value.

• Granite or stone countertops. While laminate countertops are cheaper, they don’t last as long. Granite and stone are very durable and will last years of wear and tear. Plus, they look sleek and visually appealing. Homebuyers lover these in the kitchen and bathrooms.

• Hardwood floors. This is something that never goes out of style. Carpeting gets dirty and allergenic, laminate gets stained, tiles are hard and cold… hardwood wins. It looks sophisticated and clean, and it brings an earthy appeal into the home. To save money, Pergo flooring is a laminate wood that is cheaper but looks like the real deal.

• Woodwork and molding. An easy way to add more visual appeal throughout the house is molding with wood around doorways, ceilings and walls. Crown molding is big, and chair rails look great in a dining room. This simple addition makes any room look more sophisticated.

• Neutral colors. You want your paint colors to express who you are and your taste, but you also want them to be neutral, earthy tones that fit every personality type. In this AOL Real Estate article, a home designer says if you want red, put it in the dining room above a chair rail, but never in a bedroom. Just be smart about how you color your home.

If you’ve got a budget, it’s best to begin your home renovation in the kitchen and bathrooms, with appliances, fixtures and countertops. These will add the most home value and gain the most interest from potential homebuyers. After that, you can work your way through the other upgrades.

Have questions? Ready to sell your Millburn-Short Hills home? Give me a call, your Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent! I’m here to help!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Local Business Feature: The Mall at Short Hills

Complements of The Mall at Short Hills

When buying a Millburn-Short Hills home, or relocating to the Short Hills, NJ area, it’s important that you get to know the local businesses. As a Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I’m a strong supporter of local business! Businesses are what drive our local economy, and owners of local businesses are often local residents. It feels great to support them.

Plus, when you live in Millburn or Short Hills, you want convenience! So today, I’d like to feature The Mall at Short Hills, which is really a collection of a bunch of local businesses and stores! This mall encompasses 150 upscale specialty stores and restaurants. While many of the stores are big-name chains, such as Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue, over 40 locally owned boutiques also reside here.

The entire mall has Wi-Fi, so if you need to get some work done outside of your home or office, you can relax in the Grand Court seating area, complete with a glass flower wall and an entertainment lounge. Or, you could cozy up in a quaint café or a full-service restaurant.

Looking to get social? The Mall at Short Hills has special events and activities happening daily. Here are some of the upcoming events to look forward to:

• Bring the kids to Childsplayspot tomorrow, Aug. 16, for their Glitter Tattoo Body Art event! This takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. Each child can choose a glitter tattoo from the collection, and a staff member will safely apply it.

• Have somewhere to go this weekend? Look fabulous by visiting Saks Fifth Avenue Aug. 17-19 for a relaxing facial, followed by an expert makeup application. This takes place each day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment only, so be sure to call!

• Ready to decorate your Millburn-Short Hills home for fall? Pottery Barn will get you prepared on Aug. 18 by sharing with you the new textile and accessories for a rich fall palette. Plus, you’ll learn all the insider tips on how to take your summer décor to autumn décor. This begins at 10 a.m.

• Also on Aug. 18, head to Williams-Sonoma for a complimentary technique class about cooking with wine. A class expert will teach you how to incorporate wine into sweet and savory dishes, which wines to use and how much, and so much more. Call the store to register!

Aside from these events, there are lots of back-to-school specials throughout the mall, along with more facials and makeovers, trunk shows, game demonstrations, reading events and more.

As you can see, The Mall at Short Hills is one great reason to browse the Millburn-Short Hills real estate market! There are lots of local businesses to enjoy in the Millburn and Short Hills areas. Need help? Have questions? Contact me, your New Jersey real estate agent!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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What Makes a Good New Jersey Real Estate Agent?

When you’re selling your Millburn-Short Hills home, it’s important that everything goes as smoothly, quickly and painless as possible. At the same time, you want the process to be successful in terms of money, closing agreements and timetables.

As a Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I understand what New Jersey home sellers want from their agents! Because I was recently named the top Realtor in the state of New Jersey for sales volume, I also know what it takes to successfully sell a New Jersey home.

When choosing an agent, don’t just go with the first name you find! Choose an agent that you know will get the job done. The KCM Crew recently shared five demands that home sellers should make of their real estate agent. Because I agree with all of them, I’ve created a summary here:

• Find an agent who will help you price your home correctly, right from the start. Many agents will agree to your desired listing price and then hit you with a price correction later. Data shows that your home will sell more quickly if priced correctly right away. Selling to the buyer isn’t the only job, either. The appraisal by the bank has to agree with the price, too.

• Find an agent who understands your personal needs and timetable. Why are you deciding to sell your New Jersey home right now? Is it because you found another home to move into? Is it to downsize or move up, or to relocate for a job? Your agent should do whatever she can to ensure that you move by the date you need to move by. (This isn’t always possible, but don’t accept a lack of effort on the agent’s part!)

• Find an agent that takes many challenges off your plate. There is a lot involved in the home-selling process. Your agent should be able to help you with much of it, such as researching homes in the area similar to yours, listing your home online, getting potential homebuyers over for showings and open houses, negotiating and getting all the paperwork together.

• Find an agent that can help with you relocation. Chances are, if you’re moving out of your current home, you’re relocating to a new home. Your agent should be able to help your coordinate your closing so that you can close on your current home and move into your new residence immediately. You don’t want to be caught without a roof over your head!

• Find an agent who can get your house sold. That is the purpose of you going through the process of selling, right? Your agent should be straightforward and more concerned with your home sale than your feelings. If something needs to be done, like a price change or a repair, you need an agent who will come right out and tell you. No beating around the bush when it comes to selling a home!

Like I said, I was named New Jersey’s top Realtor for sales volume, so you know you’re getting a trusted New Jersey real estate agent when you work with me. You can also check out my testimonials. When you’re ready to sell your Millburn-Short Hills home, contact me!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Which New Jersey Home Flaws to Address, Ignore

As your Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I’m here to help you through the home-buying process in Millburn, Short Hills, Summit, Livingston and surrounding areas! At this time, the Millburn-Short Hills real estate market is full of eager buyers, but low housing inventory, so you might be tempted to buy a flawed home. I’m here to caution you.

Even with bidding wars and quick home sales, it’s important that you have a home inspection and create a closing agreement that is fair to you as the North Jersey homebuyer. It’s also important that you’re aware of the flaws your potential home has, and you know when to address them and when to ignore them.

Here are housing flaws that you can ignore and still go through with the closing:

• Old or unappealing wallpaper
• Old, dirty or chipped paint
• Doors
• Closets
• Cabinets
• Fixtures
• Carpeting
• Furniture placement

These are all cosmetic flaws that you can easily change as the homebuyer. Once you move in, you can repaint the walls or hire a professional to do it. With fixtures and doors, you can easily switch these out with a trip to the hardware store. These are all quick, inexpensive changes.

On the contrary, here are home flaws that you should address:

• Outdated furnaces
• Air conditioners
• Electrical outlets
• Outdated appliances
• Mold and mildew
• Water damage
• Foundation issues

These are all home flaws that are either expensive to fix or a serious concern. This is why it is so vital that you have an inspection done before closing! With these, you have the option of requesting that the home seller fix an expensive issue, or that the cost of the home be lowered to make up for it.

As a Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, the last thing I want is for you to regret your home-buying decision down the road. That’s why it’s important to know what issues are major and need to be addressed, and what issues are minor and can easily and inexpensively be fixed by you.

Does the home-buying process seem overwhelming to you? I can tell you that it’s doable! If you qualify for a mortgage and want to buy a Millburn area home, do not let fear stop you from doing so. Home prices and mortgage rates are both expected to continue rising, but both are still low by historical standards. Now is still the ideal time to buy, before it gets more expensive!

Scared of bidding wars and competition from other North Jersey homebuyers? That’s what I’m here for. As your Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I’m on your side, and I’ll be there for every step of the process. Contact me with questions or to start searching for the perfect North Jersey home for you!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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5 Millburn-Short Hills Area Events This Weekend!

How are you enjoying your summer so far in the Millburn-Short Hills area of New Jersey? Is it flying by for you? It is for me, your North Jersey real estate agent! To ensure that you enjoy ever free moment you have left this summer, I’ve gathered information about five upcoming events in the area.

Check out what’s happening and see what you might like to attend:

1. Bring a blanket, a picnic basket and a bottle of wine to the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey in Summit, NJ tonight at 7 p.m. for Shakespeare in the Garden! Tonight’s performance is Henry V and is the last performance this summer. A short 15-minute question and answer session takes place after the performance with cast members. 
2. If you’re looking for an outdoor activity the whole family can enjoy, gather the kids and head to Summit, NJ for Screen on the Green tonight! This is the second night of the outdoor film series. The night begins with a pre-movie Family Dance Party with Summit Soundz, and then there is a screening of Toy Story! Plan to be there by 7:30 p.m. 
3. Flamenco Nights has arrived at Galeria West, an art and music gallery in Westfield, NJ. It’s a bi-monthly concert that features music and dance artists that portray and celebrate this popular genre from Spain. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, July 26. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $15 for kids. 
4. Considering adopting a pet to your New Jersey family? Jersey Animal Coalition in South Orange, NJ will host a Take Me Out of the Shelter community festival this Saturday, July 28, beginning at noon. You can “name your price” for any animal that has been at the facility for more than a year. There will also be a barbecue, ice cream, face painting and more! 
5. On Sunday, July 28, enjoy a gorgeous day outside at the historic garden of Macculloch Hall Historical Museum in Morristown, NJ. Gary Reed will be performing 21st century songs, with roots in the 60’s and 70’s, while you wander through the garden or enjoy a picnic on a blanket. Tickets cost $12 for nonmembers and can be purchased that day. 

For more events in the Millburn, Short Hills and Summit area, visit the Millburn-Short Hills Patch or Summit Patch! They’ve got daily events listed.

Enjoy this last weekend of July! When you’re ready to buy a New Jersey home or sell your New Jersey home, contact me! As your Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I’m always here and ready to help you achieve your real estate goals.

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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