ROBERT DEFALCO REALTY'S ANNUAL CHAIRMAN'S AWARD WINNERS

Robert Defalco hosted his 2010 Annual Awards Luncheon and Holiday Party on December 2, 2010 at the Richmond County Country Club on Todt Hill, Staten Island. At this event, Mr. Defalco announces his top producers of the year for both his Staten Island office and his Colts Neck office.

This year's top producers and winners of the prestigious Chairman's Award for the New Jersey office were the team of Anna Appolonia and Leanne Lucarelli. Anna and Leanne have closed, year to date, in excess of $10MM worth of volume with an approximate $1.5MM dollars of volume still expected to close by year end.

Anna and Leanne have been able to succeed in this challenging Real Estate Environment due to their unwavering dedication, work ethic and excellent customer service.

Please join the Robert Defalco Realty Management staff in congratulating them on this year's achievement!

Patience and Pricing

To settle the greatly heated debate of the current recession, here it is: now is the perfect time to buy a new home. And, if sellers’ homes are priced right to sell, they will.
Although it takes time, the market is still active and making a recovery. It’s important to keep in mind that the real estate market, like the economy, is cyclical. There will be peaks in the market along with valleys.
However, mortgage rates are at their lowest in recent years. Although selling won’t happen overnight, with efficient, focused real estate professionals, the number of days your home remains on the market can decrease.
The marketplace is more stable now than it was a year ago.
Some crucial things to remember when selling or buying:

Buyers--
· More options in housing inventory
· Fewer competitive offers on same properties
· Don’t have to pay asking price
· Various mortgage options
· “Wait and see” approaches are not always best

Sellers--
· Be realistic with your asking price
· Overpriced homes will not sell
· In high demand areas, there will always be buyers
· Properties will not sell as quickly as they did in previous years

Keep in mind that people will always need a place to live!

Robert DeFalco Realty Presents Holiday Toy and Clothing Drive in Colts Neck

This year, honoring the “DeFalco Cares” Pledge, our Colts Neck office will be sponsoring a NEW toy and clothing drive for 180 Turning Lives Around Organization in Hazlet, New Jersey. This organization has been a blessing for victims of DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
When violence forces women and children to leave their homes, 180′s Safe House is a safe haven. It shelters up to 7 families at a time for a period of 30 to 60 days in a confidential location. Residents are provided with counseling, advocacy and assistance in finding housing. Art therapy and counseling are available for children.
In addition, to fearing for their safety, many women stay in abusive relationships because they fear homelessness and financial instability. 180′s Families in Transition Program provides women and their children with a safe home for up to 24 months. Support services include career counseling, financial management, life skills training and assistance in obtaining housing.
This year especially, 180 Turning Lives Around is looking forward to our donations for TEENAGERS in particular.
We will be available to collect your donated items until December 10, 2010 between the hours of 10am – 4pm at our Colts Neck office located at 315 Highway 34, Colts Neck 07722 (across from Delicious Orchards). If you would like to bring items to the Staten Island office, we will be happy to arrange for transport to New Jersey.
Please help us in any way you can to bring a smile to the children’s faces this holiday season. THANK YOU!!

Article courtesy of V. Vargas, Colts Neck Office

Sell First vs. Buy First!

Coordinating the sale of your home with a new home purchase can be tricky and stressful. Whether you buy first and sell later or vice versa, you will find that there are obstacles to overcome. Let's look at the first option...SELL FIRST, BUY LATER. Many homeowners often fear that if they sell their home before they are in contract to purchase a new home that they will find themselves stranded with no place to go, or that they will be forced to settle for a home that is not exactly what they had hoped for. On the flip side, if you try to BUY FIRST, SELL LATER, often times, you may find the home that has exactly what you want, but those sellers will not be willing to tie up their home to someone with a home sale contingency. That usually leaves the client in a very frustrated and now in a vulnerable position to potentially sell their home for less than they may have gotten if they sold first, bought later. When your home is already in contract and you now put an offer on the property you wish to purchase, you have more negotiating strength. You are now considered a serious and qualified buyer as opposed to someone that is not able to follow through with the purchase. As Real Estate Professionals, we completely understand the apprehensions of sellers when it comes to making these types of decisions. Leanne & Anna have experience in making your transition as smooth as possible, and can be trusted to make recommendations for your situation that will help you yield the best possible results during negotiations.

While there is no "right" answer when it comes to Sell First vs. Buy First, there are several pros and cons to either situation. Your unique situation needs to be analyzed by a real estate professional and at that point they can offer you the best possible advice. However, generally, you will find yourself in the best position if you sell first and then buy. Often times the buyer of your home will understand that you need time to find something and will be reasonable in their expectations of closing time frame. remember it is ultimately you, the seller, who signs the contract and agrees to the anticipated closing date, so you are usually in the driver's seat when it comes to that.

If you are considering making a move, we can assist you in coordinating that transition and making the process as smooth as possible. Contact Anna or Leanne today to discuss your options.

article courtesy v. vargas Robert DeFalco Realty, New Jersey

JUST LISTED! DELIGHTFUL 4 BEDROOM COLONIAL FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP

We are pleased to announce our newest listing! This delighful 4 bedroom Center Hall Colonial is located in East Freehold on a lovely winding street. Home features a gorgeous updated gourmet kitchen which was completely renovated in 2008. Kitchen boasts beautiful custom cabinetry with trim, Viking Designer Series Stainless Appliances, Travertine tiles and Gleaming Granite Countertops.

This light and bright home features hardwood flooring through out, spacious room sizes, and a wonderful flow. Large, private yard, 6 zone sprinkler system, and hot tub are additional features. Home is situated on quiet block across from green acres. Freehold Regional School System!

Nothing to do but unpack & move in! Call Leanne @ 917-596-2772 or Anna @ 732-371-3233 to preview this lovely home today.

SHORT SALE BRIEFING

Short Sale, a far too common term in the housing market of today, often opens the door to many questions and apprehensions for both buyers and sellers alike.

A "short sale" is the potential sale of a property wherein the mortgage balance on the property is greater than the current market value of the premises. When this occurs, either the realtor or the seller's attorney negotiates with the bank to settle the debt for less than what is owed.

Although obtaining approval for a short sale can be a lengthy & complicated process, usually in the long run all parties involved in the transaction will benefit. A seller benefits because a "foreclosure" is not reported to the credit bureau. A homeowner is often concerned as to how this will affect his/her credit score. According to information provided by credit reporting agencies the impact on the credit score is substantially less than that of a foreclosure, as most of the impact is caused by the late/missed mortgage payments, not necessarily the reporting of the debt being settled for less than what was owed. A buyer benefits because these properties are usually sold below market value, as that is the incentive to hold on an d wait for the bank to approve the sale. The bank benefits because they don't incur all of the expenses of taking a property all the way to Sheriff's sale only to resell the property for the same value.

It is important that you work with a Realtor that is experienced with the ins and outs of the short sale process, as this will increase your chances for a successful result. We have experience in the process. If you are looking to purchase a short sale property in Monmouth or Middlesex County, or if you have a home that seems as though it may need to be sold "short", let us help you handle the details. Call Leanne @ 917-596-2772 or Anna @732 371 3233 at Robert Defalco Realty to discuss your situation.

Article courtesy of Valerie Vargas and Robert Defalco Realty Website

Mortgage Update! October 18, 2010

Don't miss out on these great rates! It has never been a better time to purchase a home! As we all know home prices have come down between 20%-25% from their highs in 2005/2006. Now combined with the great prices, the banks are practically giving mortgages away to those credit worthy buyers!

As of this morning, it is possible to obtain a 30 year fixed rate mortgage with no points at a rate of 4.375%. The 15 year rate with no points is even better at 3.75%. The FHA rate is 4.375%.

In addition, for those of you that are looking to make a move into one of our Luxury Markets, like Colts Neck, Holmdel, Rumson, etc. the Temporary Loan Limits that the government put in place are expiring on 12/31/10. What this means to you--the conforming loan limit that is normally $417,000 which was increased to $729,750 will no longer be available. This affords someone purchasing a home and needing to obtain a mortgage of between $417,000 to $729,750 to be able to keep the conforming rate without being pushed into a jumbo rate loan. GREAT OPPORTUNITY!

Of course, if you are looking to make a move in the Monmouth, Ocean or Middlesex County areas we are available to assist you. In addition, our in house Mortgage Representative, Michael Scarimbolo of SI Mortgage Group is available to assist you in getting a pre approval for a mortgage or to help you determine what your best mortgage options are. Michael can be reached at (732) 845 0300.

Call Anna @732-371-3233 or Leanne @917 596-2772 to inquire regarding properties you may be interested in seeing.