Pascack Valley Inspection Information

Posted by PAULA CLARK @ 6:52 pm, May 27th, 2007

Homeowner Checklist

The amount of do-it-yourself air conditioning maintenance a homeowner can do is limited. However, there are a few steps that can help the system operate trouble-free and minimize the potential for consequential damage. Ensuring adequate airflow is perhaps the most important homeowner responsibility.

Homeowners can (following manufacturer instructions):

  • Clean or replace the filter(s) regularly.
  • Keep leaves and other debris off the condensing unit.
  • Keep the condensing coils clean by carefully brushing and hosing them.
  • Keep shrubs and other plant growth that might obstruct airflow at least 18 inches away from the condenser.
  • Maintain insulation on ductwork in attics and other unconditioned areas.
  • Check the condensate drain for any sign of blockage or leakage. Water should be dripping from this drainline when the unit is running.
  • Keep room input and return registers clear of furniture or other obstructions.

Selecting Trained Professionals

If your air conditioner needs more than the regular maintenance described here, consult a qualified air conditioning technician. A well-trained professional can provide a thorough pre-season or maintenance evaluation and servicing as needed. Insufficiently trained service technicians forsake proper diagnostic procedures and often only perform stop-gap measures to keep a unit going. Such short-sightedness can have a drastic effect on other components leading to consequential failure of the entire system.

At a minimum, a technician should:

  • Check that the system contains the correct amount of refrigerant.
  • Test for refrigerant leaks.
  • Check for and seal duct leakage.
  • Clean the blower components.
  • Measure airflow through the evaporator coil.
  • Verify the correct electric control sequence.
  • Inspect electric terminals, clean and tighten connections.
  • Oil motors and check belts for tightness and wear.
  • Check the condensate system for backup or leakage.
  • Check operating temperatures and pressures.
  • Check the accuracy of the thermostat.

Coldwell Banker Agents Awarded

Posted by PAULA CLARK @ 1:13 pm, May 23rd, 2007

Top Agents posing in front of The BreakersNew Jersey

Pictured above,from left to right, are me, Paula Clark , Orly Steinberg of Coldwell Banker in Ringwood, Karen of Coldwell Baker, Alpine/Closter, Karen Adatto, Coldwell Banker, Ringwood, New Jersey, Jill Bossory, Coldwell Banker, Parssipany (and our supportive husbands, of course).

Top new Jersey and New York Coldwell Banker Agents were invited to “The Breakers Hotel” in West Palm Beach Florida.   We had meetings to exchange our ideas and bring our Real Estate business to the next level.   As we all know, the Internet has grown tremendously in the last 10 years, and New Jersy Coldwell Banker is on the cutting edge of Internet technology. In 1997 only 10% of Buyers and Sellers were actively looking to buy or sell homes in Bergen County New Jersey from the Internet.  Today, statistics show that web surfing has grown to 83% of people that are looking to buy and sell Real Estate in New Jersey. 

When you choose a Realtor, make sure they are Internet savy, and know how to work the world wide web so that more buyers will be exposed to you home.  

The New Jersey Bergen Record list hundreds ads advertising homes for sale but in today’s fast market, real estate can be sold by the time it reaches the newspaper.  Your Real Estate Agent should be placing your home in Realtor.com and other web sites  that have virtual tours. Be sure to include as many pictures as is possible.  Your Real Estate agent should have their personal web site high on search engines so that it drives home buyers traffic.  In conclusion all top New Jersey agents agree,  the Internet will never take the place of personal service, but the Internet is a necessary addition to a Realtors marketing to get the maximum exposure to Buyers and Sellers and therefore, get you Top Dollar for your home!

Is it a Buyer’s Market? Is it a Seller’s Market?

Posted by PAULA CLARK @ 4:46 am, May 18th, 2007

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.