Closing on your Millburn-Short Hills home

You've done your research, you've saved up a chunk of money for a down payment, you've been approved for a mortgage, you've gone to what feels like a thousand open houses and you've finally found "the one"--the perfect home for you in Millburn-Short Hills, NJ.  Congratulations!  But guess what?  There's still more to do!

Ask a lot of questions

Remember in elementary school when the teacher would say "There is no such thing as a stupid question?"  It's true.  Everything should be perfectly clear in your mind.  If you are uncertain about anything related to how the process is working, do not feel embarrassed to ask someone.  Call your real estate agent or call your loan officer.  Make sure all details are perfectly clear in your mind so there are no surprises later.

Go on a very thorough walk-through

Many clients are so excited about their new house at this point that they rush the walk-through.  Big mistake!  You don't want to miss anything in the heat of the moment.  Feel free to bring your home inspector back for the walk-through.  If you do not bring an inspector, make sure you have the inspector's report from before and check everything carefully to make sure all repairs were made.  Turn lights and appliances on and off in each room to ensure that they are working.  If something is not in accordance with the agreement, say something immediately.  You will have to decide if it is minor enough that you'll fix it yourself, or if it necessitates working out new terms with the seller.

Review the loan documents in advance


Ask your lender or attorney if you may review the loan documents in advance.  This will help ensure that you understand everything happening and will not be caught off guard at the last minute.  Many people just sign documents on the spot without reading them thoroughly so they can get the keys.  That's a legal contract--you want to make sure you know exactly what it says before you put your name on it.

These are just a few tips for home buyers that I hope you found helpful.  I have more information for Millburn-Short Hills home buyers on my blog.  If you have any further questions about buying (or selling) in Millburn-Short Hills, NJ, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Happy buying!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Tips for buying your Millburn-Short Hills home

I enjoy being your Millburn-Short Hills, NJ Realtor and helping your home-buying process go as smoothly as possible.  That's why I'm sharing these home buying tips today.  There is a lot to know when buying a home, and it can be intimidating if it's your first time.  I've helped many people buy Millburn-Short Hills real estate, and hopefully I can help you too!

As the real estate market and economy improve, more and more people across the United States are looking to buy homes.  Recent reports have indicated that it is a great time to buy, for many reasons.  Mortgage rates are at all all-time low.  Housing prices are on the rise, making real estate a good investment.  Buying is actually cheaper than renting, in many cases.  This means there are many more first-time home buyers in the market than there have been in recent years.  There are a few tips that can help ensure buyers are aware and prepared for everything involved in home-buying.


Really do your research on the area
Sometimes first-time buyers get so caught up in the amenities of the house itself, or looking for a good deal, that they don't stop and ask serious questions about the location.  What will your (and your spouse's) commute time be?  If you have (or are planning to have) children, is the school district one you'll be happy with?  How close are the nearby schools--would your child have to take a bus, be dropped off, or walk?  How do property taxes here compare to other places you've looked?  Is the house near grocery stores, restaurants, shops, parks, gyms, the library, etc.?  Is this somewhere you can see yourself living five or more years from now?


Outline all of your costs
A mistake many first-time home buyers make is not knowing the full cost of buying a home.  It will be more than the settled-upon purchase price of the house.  Within the paperwork should be a "Buyer Cost Sheet," which should be looked at closely and taken into consideration of the buyer's budget.  This sheet will be given to you by your lender or possibly your realtor and should include everything you'll be paying for, such as inspection and appraisal fees, transfer fees, closing costs, and more.  Some of these fees could be paid by the seller, but that would depend on what happens during negotiations.

Get a disclosure statement
State laws vary, but in general, sellers are required to disclose information about the property to you.  Because houses are sold "as-is," you want all of the information you can get so as to avoid unexpected costs later.  Realtors have detailed disclosure forms with a variety of questions.  You'll want to know if the house you're consider floods during heavy rains, for example, or if the foundation has a crack that has been covered.

If you're serious about home buying, you'll want to do more research than this, but hopefully it provides a good start!  Please contact me about buying your first Millburn-Short Hills home so we can talk about specific details and what is best in your situation.

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Enhance Your Curb Appeal in Millburn-Short Hills!

Spring is in the air…I can feel it. That means that favorable weather is in our future and that makes for the perfect time to spruce up our front yards (and back!) for a new look that makes your home stand out. Whether you are in the position to sell your home, or you are just looking for new ways to keep the appearance of your home in Millburn-Short Hills looking clean and fresh, these tips will help you accomplish just that without breaking the bank.

Landscaping: While many of us love full gardens filled with gorgeous plants and flowers, they can become a problem if we let them get out of control. For ultimate curb appeal, make sure that you are keeping the hedges trimmed, the flowerbed well-kempt and the lawn mowed. The goal is to be pretty while not overwhelming the walkway. If this is sounding a bit pricey, container plants placed by the front door or hung from the porches’ ceiling will create a fun and inviting look. These simple enhancements create an enjoyable Sunday afternoon and don’t cost a thing.

Paint: A good paint job can go a long way. You may have encountered this when buying your first home or after changing some of the colors in your current home. Paint can turn something dull and gray into something bright and full of life. Consider this when thinking of ways to boost your home’s curb appeal. Even if you are happy with your exterior’s current hue, changing it up can give your home a whole new personality and is sure to turn heads.

Pressure Wash: Take a walk around your home and carefully examine the siding. If you see any mildew, dirt or grime, it may be time to consider pressure washing. Using a pressure washer will flawlessly remove unwanted mud or other marks and stains found on your home’s siding. A presser washer can also be applied to porches and decks, where outdoor exposure can take its toll.

Clean Windows and Gutters: Even from a distance dirty gutters and windows can be noticed. To enhance your home’s curb appeal, make sure that you are keeping up with these two items. While it can be a task that is more tedious and time consuming, it’s necessary for a sparkling home.

Quick Money Savers:

-Outdoor lighting: Hardware stores and home goods stores often times have outdoor light fixtures on sale for as little as $20-$30 each.

-Walkway Lighting: Lighting up and down the sides of your driveway or sidewalk leading to the front door can do wonders for curb appeal. They will make your home stand out from afar after dark and provide guidance for evening and nighttime visitors.

Getting any ideas yet? For more tips and tricks on how to enhance your curb appeal in Millburn-Short Hills, contact me and I’d be happy to help! I’d also love to assist you in your next home purchase or home sale.

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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My Advice? Buy Your Millburn-Short Hills Home for the Right Reasons.

If there are two words that any Millburn-Short Hills home buyer should be aware of during their house hunt, these are them: buyer’s remorse. I can’t tell you how often I have seen buyers get caught up in the excitement and thrill of shopping for a new home, only to later regret their choice. The question that many people who I speak to about this subject have is, “What is it that causes buyer’s remorse? Don’t people know what they want in a home before they start looking?” Well, the short answer is yes, but many people aren’t looking for the right things.

It’s easy, when you are looking for a Millburn-Short Hills home, to get caught up or distracted by features that are seemingly impressive. My many years of experience as a Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent have shown that one of the biggest causes of buyer’s remorse is not purchasing a home for the right reasons. Amenities, luxury and impressive add-ons are great, but they are benefits to a home, not what makes a home the ideal living situation. In the interest of helping guide my clients through their Millburn-Short Hills real estate transaction, I thought that I’d share a few things that you should be looking for in a home. In other words, these are the “right” reasons that you should choose to buy a home.

Don’t focus on square footage. Focus on space. Not everyone can afford a gigantic home, nor does everyone want one. Quite frankly, they’re nice, but they cost a lot of money to maintain and tend to use up more energy. Instead, focus on light and space within the home. Are there a lot of walls, or is the space open, with one room leading right into another? Are there a lot of windows to give the rooms natural light? These elements will be what make you happy within the home, and they will allow you to maximize the use of what space you do have to work with. This, in the long run, will most likely satisfy you more than a home that is huge in square footage but has little windows and several walls closing you in to each room.

Focus on long-term value instead of immediate worth. While we are in a down market right now, it is a known fact that real estate tends to go in cycles. Eventually, the market will recover and home values will be back on the rise. With that being said, you shouldn’t focus on the immediate worth or value of a home and what you can get for it in one or two years. If you’re planning on staying in the house for awhile, then focus on the home’s potential value years from now, after you’ve had a chance to make your own renovations and updates.

Don’t neglect to factor in location. You could find a house that blows you away in every respect possible, but if you can’t stand the neighborhood that it’s in, then you’ll never be completely happy. Do your research about what neighborhoods that you would like to live in before you start your home search. That way, you can find the best home in the neighborhood that you’d most want to live in instead of finding the dream home and then learning to love the neighborhood.

Focusing on the amenities, size and luxurious elements of your Millburn-Short Hills home will only provide you with short-term gratification. If you keep your head focused and buy a home for the right reasons, then you will be a happier homeowner. As a Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, it’s part of my job to look out for my clients’ best interests and ensure that they are making the decision that is best for them. That’s why overall, my advice is this: before you buy, make sure it’s for the right reasons!

If you have any questions about buying a home on the Millburn-Short Hills real estate market, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d love to help you in any way that I can. I hope to hear from you soon!


Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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What Buyers Look For in a Millburn-Short Hills Home

In today’s housing market, home buyers want it all. With affordable prices and mortgage rates at their lowest in years, today’s Millburn-Short Hills home buyers are looking for the best deals and steals.  Home buyers know they can get more for their money, and expect their potential homes to have all of the best amenities and then some. Patios, porches, decks or outdoor rooms are a big plus in today’s home search, along with first-rate appliances and high-dollar counter-tops.

As a Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I have the benefit of hearing all of my clients wants and needs when it comes to buying a home, and have the inside scoop on how sellers are preparing their homes to sell. Before you list your Millburn-Short Hills home, there are a variety of curb appeal and interior enhancements to consider. If you are searching for a home in Millburn-Short Hills, compile a list of features you would like your new home to have. 

Before we jump the gun, here’s what today’s home buyers are looking for.

Homes in Good Condition: It’s no secret that a home in tip-top condition is more appealing than a home that needs some TLC. It’s also a fact that homes in good condition sell quicker. Many buyers demand a home that is well-maintained and eludes limited upgrades. Buyers don’t want an unknown expense looming over their heads, which is why they would rather spend the money for a home that’s move-in ready, rather than pay now for the house and more later for the fix-ups. While buyers have the funds to buy they may not have the funds to improve.

A Bargain: In this housing market buyers can get a lot more bang for their buck. They are also more focused on negotiating and drawing limits when it comes to price. A big part of real estate is strategy, and in today’s market, the buyers are catching on. If you’re selling your home and are hoping to sell at a fair price, it’s important to eliminate any obstacles that are in the way. That means updating, cleaning, staging and repairing are of upmost importance in selling a Millburn-Short Hills home.

Outdoor Living Space: What’s better than a relaxing warm night on your screened in porch in Millburn-Short Hills? When searching for a home, it’s quite appealing to find one that has an inviting outdoor living area. When a home already has this feature, it makes the home more competitive within the market. If a home doesn’t have it, but has room for expansion, that can be a perk as well.

A Touch of Luxury: It’s a fact. Buyers like luxury. In other words, they enjoy amenities that give off the feeling of “living large.” A popular feature that meets these criteria in high-end homes is coffee bars in the master bedroom. Imagine that! Your own private coffee shop in your personal space that brews your favorite blends 24/7. In less-expensive homes, updated features and high-dollar finishes are on the top of the list. For example, granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen or marble flooring in the bathrooms and laundry areas. If you’re not ready to make these somewhat larger enhancements, consider adding barstools to your counter space in the kitchen or recreational areas. It’s an inviting idea when buyers walk into a home and can imagine hosting a dinner party or get-together. 

While you may not be able to find all of these features in your home search (or if you’re selling you may not be able to provide them all) it’s important to consider your wants and needs before buying a home, equally as important to prepare your home for a competitive market if you are selling. For more advice on how best to prepare your Millburn-Short Hills home and for more information on beginning your home search, don’t hesitate to contact me! As your Millburn-Short Hills real estate resource, I am dedicated to guiding you through every step of the process.

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Must-Do Showing Tips For Your Millburn-Short Hills Home!

Putting your Millburn-Short Hills home on the real estate market can be a stressful endeavor, particularly in this buyer’s market. Before you list your home, there are several tasks that need to be completed and options to be considered. Partnering an all-consuming process like putting your home up for sale with the hectic nature of everyday life can become incredibly overwhelming. That’s why hiring the right Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent is so important. The right professional will help you prepare your house before listing so that once your house is on the market, you can focus on your own life. Your agent can handle the rest.

As an experienced Millburn-Short Hills real estate professional, I know how to guide my clients during their home sale, but I also know what to tell people do before listing their home. If you can purchase and set up the right embellishments before your first showing, then you can avoid the stress that surrounds preparing your home for sale. You will have already gotten that part done, and your agent can focus on marketing and showing your Millburn-Short Hills home to potential buyers.

The quick checklist below should be completed before you list your home. This way, your property will be ready for showings almost immediately. Your home will reach the eyes of Millburn-Short Hills homebuyers much faster, and you can move on with everyday life while your agent gets your home sold. Here are a few quick tips:

De-clutter and remove all personal items and photos. We know that you’re still living in your Millburn-Short Hills home, but you’re going to have to go through all the clutter eventually. The beginning of the selling process is as good a time as any. It also cleans up and neutralizes your property. The more low key and neutral the décor is, the more potential homebuyers can see themselves living in your home with their belongings. This could get your home sold much faster.
Invest in some new, good quality, neutral rugs. Everyone has their own preferences in regards to interior decorating, which is why neutral colors for your rugs are a safe bet. It will keep the potential homebuyers from getting distracted by bright blue carpeting and keep them focused on how they can use the room for their own needs.

Re-paint rooms as needed. This idea is similar to the rugs. If you have bright yellow walls in the bathroom, it may distract the buyers and turn them off to that room. Re-painting rooms not only freshens up what could be an old paint job, but it also neutralizes your home even more, allowing them to see each room with their own paint colors.

Replace and update light fixtures. Lighting is everything during a showing, so make sure that all light bulbs are working and/or all light fixtures are flattering to your space. It might sound like a costly endeavor to go through and update all new light fixtures, but when your home looks perfectly lighted during showings, it will be worthwhile. It will make a big difference in how homebuyers see your home.

Make any small repairs. The more repairs you make now, the less you’ll have to make during negotiations. It will also help you get more for your property, as the less issues buyers can find with the home, the more likely it is that they’ll give you a higher offer.

Make sure your appliances match in the kitchen. The more cohesive your appliances look, the less distracting it will be to homebuyers as they walk through your home. You want everything to look clean and finished so if some of your appliances need replacing, it would be better to do so before putting your home on the Millburn-Short Hills real estate market. It will increase the value of your home if everything is brand-new, anyway.

Update major furniture as needed. Does that couch need to be re-upholstered? Is your dining room set ancient? Believe it or not, replacing these things before listing your home is better than waiting until the move. Today’s homebuyers want everything to look up to date and modern when buying a home. Even if you’re not leaving any furniture, you want to give the appearance that your home is modern. Having outdated furniture will make your whole home look outdated, so making these needed changes before listing your Millburn-Short Hills home is key.

Move some furniture around. You want each room to look as spacious as possible. In order to do this, you may need to remove certain furniture from a room or rearrange everything completely. This might sound like a hassle, and it can be, but you also want to make sure that you are showcasing your property in the best light possible. Taking care of it before your first showing will expedite the selling process, as you won’t be hearing feedback about how a certain room looks cramped. Have ideas for staging worked out ahead of time, so that when it comes time for an open house or showing, all you have to do is execute your plan.

Incorporate minor decorative details. You don’t want to overdo it on the decorations, but including some minor details will help give each room an inviting, finished feel. Remember, showing a home is all about perception. Even if you wouldn’t normally put so much thought into the little details, to potential homebuyers, the inviting accents could make them completely fall in love with your home. You want each room to feel like “home”, so that each buyer can see themselves living on your property.

These initiatives might sound daunting, but if you take care of them all before listing your home, you will find that your home sale goes much faster and that you will get a positive response from prospective homebuyers. If you need more advice on how best to prepare your Millburn-Short Hills home for sale, don’t hesitate to contact me! As your Millburn-Short Hills real estate resource, I can give you tips and guidance on how to make your home look its best, no matter how old it is. I hope to hear from you soon!


Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Four Things To Keep in Mind During Your Millburn-Short Hills Home Search!

My years of experience as a Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent have taught me many things, but one important lesson I’ve learned is that no matter how seasoned the homebuyer, mistakes can still be made. Oftentimes, people get so caught up in the excitement of buying a home that they forget to keep a rational head during the house hunting process. The rush of finding a brand-new property outweighs practicality in many instances.

I consider it a priority on my end to make sure that anyone who is searching for a Millburn-Short Hills home doesn’t simply fall for “love at first sight.” There are many elements that are important when house-hunting, and while it’s easy to let your emotions get the best of you, it’s also important to remember something: you actually have to live in the home you buy for a long time. As silly as it sounds, you would be surprised how many people who are searching for a home on the Millburn-Short Hills real estate market forget that buying property is a commitment.

With this thought in mind, I thought I’d pass on some things you should definitely keep in mind during your Millburn-Short Hills home search. If you remember these four things throughout your home buying process, I can safely say that there is a much better chance of you being happy with your property in the long-term, as opposed to having that awful feeling commonly known as “buyer’s remorse.”

Location, location, location. You hear it all the time. Location matters when buying a home. There are several questions you should ask yourself when picking your next neighborhood. For example, what will your job commute be like? How are the school districts in the area? Is this neighborhood safe? Is it great for raising a family? Remember, even if you don’t have children yet or don’t think you’ll mind a long commute, you have to think long-term. If you’re planning on starting a family, or think you’ll get sick of the commute after a few months, it might be time to look for a neighborhood that better suits your needs.

Figure out which home features are your “deal-breakers.” Believe it or not, sometimes, in the excitement of searching for a new home, many Millburn-Short Hills homebuyers forget to think about their lifestyle and needs. They see a home that they love in theory, but don’t think about how practical it is to live there. It’s important to remember that while you want to live in a home you love, you also want to find a home that will be appropriate for your lifestyle and what you see for yourself in the long run. Do you have pets? Find a home with a yard for them to play in. Will your family be growing in the near future? Make sure you get a home with an extra bedroom or two. Is there sufficient storage space? How much remodeling will need to be done on the home before it is “move-in ready?” These are all important factors you have to consider if you’re going to be a happy homeowner in the long run.

Don’t forget to ask questions. Even if you hire a very qualified real estate agent to handle all of your negotiations for you, it’s still important to know exactly what’s going on during your transaction. Don’t be afraid to ask the seller questions about the home or your real estate agent for more information about the area. The more questions you ask throughout the transaction, the less you will have to stress out about once you move in. It’s important to know what you’re getting yourself in to before the move happens.

Make sure you scrutinize. Don’t forget, you’re moving in to a new home. You have every right to scrutinize it before agreeing to buy it and to ask the seller to make any needed repairs or fix any damages. If you need some guidance in this department, talk to your real estate agent. They will look out for your best interest and help you give the house a final walk-through in which you pay attention to every detail. Remember, while you want to buy a home as soon as you can, you also want to make sure that you’re looking out for yourself. Don’t neglect the final walk-through and make sure you have your eyes open.

If you keep these four key elements in mind during your hunt for a home in the Millburn-Short Hills area, you are far more likely to be a long-term, happy homeowner. The most important thing to remember is this: don’t let your emotions be your primary guiding factor! You want to give your heart some say, but you need to remember to use your head. It’s important to be practical and make sure your new home will fulfill your long-term needs.

If you have any questions about buying a home in Millburn-Short Hills, or if you want to see some of the beautiful homes available on the local real estate market, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d be happy to help you however I can. I hope to hear from you soon!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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Get Your Millburn-Short Hills Home Organized This Fall!

We’re fully immersed in the fall season, which means a few things. One is a fresh start. While the new year technically starts in January, something about the fall suggests a new beginning. Another thing that fall signifies is the weather cooling down and many are preparing for winter the Millburn-Short Hills area. When the winds start getting harsh and the temperature drops, it can be difficult to find the motivation to go through your Millburn-Short Hills home and start organizing.

As a Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I have many years of experience with our freezing winters. The best way to make sure that your house is the ideal escape from the snow is to take action while it’s still pleasant outside. I thought I’d share a few quick tips that will help you organize your home this season:

Create a mudroom. There’s nothing worse than having your kids or pets track mud through the house. Establishing a “mudroom” is a great way to condense cleanup into one room and have all sports gear, school bags, and coats in one area.

Do you have a remote corral? The anxiety that sets in when one loses the remote might sound comical, but when it happens to you, it’s more of an annoyance. Use an old basket or inexpensive container to place all remotes in. It will keep you sane when it comes time for your favorite show to come on.

Keep your slippers in a basket. Waking up in the middle of winter and placing your bare feet on a freezing floor is far from fun. Having your slippers handy, in a basket next to your bed, will eliminate the discomfort and keep your bedroom a little more organized.

Create a power and wire map. Snowstorms, as we all know from this past winter, can mean power outages. Figure out your house’s inner workings, (such as where the fuse box is, where you can turn your toilet and sink water on and off and where you turn off the gas), before your leak or power failure. Here’s a hint: keep the map next to where you keep the flashlight for more efficient problem-solving.

Use a boot organizer in the colder months. When you’re about to head to work in the blizzard and you can’t find your favorite pair of winter boots, it’s easy to get frustrated. Having a boot organizer will help your winter boots keep their shape and create some extra space in your coat closet.

As trivial as some of these organization tips may sound, eliminating some of the excess clutter around your home will take the stress out of your home. The freezing winter weather is difficult enough to deal with. Getting your home organized now will allow you to enjoy your Millburn-Short Hills home for the haven it is during the harsh winters.

As your Millburn-Short Hills real estate agent, I can give you some tips and ideas on how to “de-clutter” your home before you put it on the local real estate market. If you’re interested in putting your home on the Millburn-Short Hills real estate market, or you have some questions on how to maximize the space in your home, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’d be happy to help you in any way I can. I hope to hear from you soon!

Elaine Pruzon
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
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