The answer depends on who you ask.   The answer also depends on which part of the world you live.  At the start of 07 the skeptics were wondering where this market was headed.  It started slow, and homes that were listed stayed on the market a bit longer.  The Buyer’s watched, and waited.  When the price was just right, an offer was made.  When a home that was renovated, and on a quiet street, curb appeal, good school system, and priced right, many buyer’s made an offer on the same house.  And so a bidding war ensued.    As the weather got warmer, and the flowers have started to bloom, more homes came on the market.  The Buyer’s have more choices.  However, if you eliminate homes that need updating, bedrooms that are too small, kitchens that don’t have enough cabinet space, not enough bathrooms, the basement needs to be finished, or there is no basement., taxes are way too high,  commuting to work not close enough, home is on a main road… and the list goes on,…What are the choices??  Is it a Buyer’s market after all??  As long as the price is right, the house will sell no matter what the negatives are.  An Average of 200 homes in Bergen, Hudson, Passaic, Morris County go under contract every day! 

Is it a Seller’s market?  It all depends.  A Seller may have more competition in the market, but it is important to find out what homes are the competition, and list your home lower than the competition, but a bit higher than the last home that sold.  Find out where your home fits.  Curb Appeal Sells!   When a Seller is ready to sell, the home should be spotless, decluttered, and have curb appeal.  Your first impression is the most important stage of the selling process.  “Stage your home to sell”  

When I list a home, it has to be perfect!, or at least close to perfect.  I see it  through a buyer’s eyes, and make sure that when I take pictures, the home is ready, move in, and the buyer can imagine themselves in the home.  This is why depersonalizing is importatnt as well.  Remove personal pictures, and put away all of your knick knacks.  Less is more.  We want to get the Buyer to make an appoinment.  Pictures are worth a thousand words.  I know it’s a cliche, but it’s so true.

Is Real Estate a good investment?  Of course it is!  Whether you buy a home, renovate, and then flip it, live in it for a while, market goes up, and then you sell.  There will always be buyer’s, because we all need a place to live.   There will always be Seller’s.  Homeowners will relocate, downsize, want a bigger home, or retire, and even move in with their children.  And there you have it!    I LOVE THIS MARKET.  I LOVE REAL ESTATE.  I LOVE MATCHING BUYER’S AND SELLERS IN THE NORTHERN, AND PASCACK VALLEY, AND IN ALL OF BERGEN, AND HUDSON COUNTY.