Bergen County Real Estate: Reverse 1031 Exchange Demand Rising

Posted by PAULA CLARK @ 7:55 pm, November 24th, 2008

Bergen County Real Estate: Reverse 1031 Exchange Demand Rising

A slower Bergen County real estate market is creating more of a demand for reverse 1031 exchanges. Properties are taking longer to sell making it difficult for sellers to adhere to 1031 exchange 180 day rules. But there is another option called a Reverse 1031 Exchange allowing for the roll-over of proceeds after closing on another property. Inman had a great article by Ilyce Glink addressing reverse exchanges. Read what she has to say:

Q: We are Canadian citizens who have owned a home in Fort Myers, Fla., for four years. There is no mortgage on the property.

We have put the property up for sale, and have made a down payment on a new house. We have bought and sold in the past, and I understand that as long as the new house is equal or higher in value, there are no capital gains taxes owed on the profits under IRS tax code 1031.

What happens if we have to close on the new house and the existing one has not sold yet? When it does sell, will we be able to use the proceeds of the sale to pay off the new mortgage with no penalty?

A: A 1031 tax-free exchange is used when a real estate investor sells a piece of property and purchases a replacement property that costs at least that much or more. The exchange must happen within a specified period of time. You have 45 days to identify the property and 180 days in which to close.

Many real estate investors are finding that the slow real estate market makes it tough to adhere to the deadlines. What can you do? You can set up a reverse exchange, in which you purchase the new property first and then sell the existing property afterward.

A qualified 1031 exchange company should be able to handle a reverse exchange. But be prepared, as reverse exchanges cost significantly more than a regular 1031 exchange. You should also hire a real estate attorney to make sure you’re doing it correctly and meeting all of the necessary deadlines.

A 1031 tax-free exchange cannot be used on personal property, so be sure that you are not using the property more than the time allotted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Your 1031 exchange company should be able to advise you.

Are you selling Bergen County real estate qualifying for a 1031 exchange? Visit PaulaClarkRealtor.com or give me a call for more information.

What is my Bergen County real estate worth.

Bergen County Real Estate: Is Cobuying A Second Home for You?

Posted by PAULA CLARK @ 5:33 pm, November 21st, 2008

Bergen County Real Estate: Is Cobuying A Second Home for You?

Craig Venezia is a nationally recognized expert on home mortgages, and the author of Buying a Second Home: Income, Getaway, or Retirement. Second-home ownership in Bergen County is more popular than ever due to such factors as the shrinking American family, older and wealthier households, and new technologies for working from home. One out of every three homes purchased in the United States today is a second home.

If you dream of owning a second home, but realize it isn’t in your budget at the moment, cobuying a Bergen County second home may be just what you need to make your dream a reality.

Listen to Craig Venezia’s podcast or read the transcript: ‘Should You Cobuy a Second
Home?
’ It may help you decide if cobuying is right for you.

Learn more about buying a Bergen County second home by visiting PaulaClarkRealtor.com.

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Bergen County: New Jersey Real Estate Podcast - November 2008

Posted by PAULA CLARK @ 5:14 pm, November 17th, 2008

Paula Clark of Coldwell Banker presents:

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12 Questions to Ask When Choosing Your Bergen County NJ REALTOR

Posted by PAULA CLARK @ 5:00 pm, November 13th, 2008

12 Questions to Ask When Choosing Your Bergen County NJ REALTOR

bergen county nj realtorYour Bergen County NJ home is most likely the largest investment you have and choosing a Realtor to assist you with the sale is a major decision. Below are questions to ask when choosing a Bergen County NJ Realtor:

Make sure you choose a REALTOR® who will provide top-notch service and meet your unique needs.

1. How long have you been in residential real estate sales? Is it your full-time job? While experience is no guarantee of skill, real estate — like many other professions — is mostly learned on the job.

2. What designations do you hold? Designations such as GRI and CRS®, which require that agents take additional, specialized real estate training, are held only by about one-quarter of real estate practitioners.

3. How many homes did you and your real estate brokerage sell last year? By asking this question, you’ll get a good idea of how much experience the practitioner has.

4. How many days did it take you to sell the average home? How did that compare to the overall market? The REALTOR® you interview should have these facts on hand, and be able to present market statistics from the local MLS to provide a comparison.

5. How close to the initial asking prices of the homes you sold were the final sale prices? This is one indication of how skilled the REALTOR® is at pricing homes and marketing to suitable buyers. Of course, other factors also may be at play, including an exceptionally hot or cool real estate market.

6. What types of specific marketing systems and approaches will you use to sell my home? You don’t want someone who’s going to put a For Sale sign in the yard and hope for the best. Look for someone who has aggressive and innovative approaches, and knows how to market your property competitively on the Internet. Buyers today want information fast, so it’s important that your REALTOR® is responsive.

7. Will you represent me exclusively, or will you represent both the buyer and the seller in the transaction? While it’s usually legal to represent both parties in a transaction, it’s important to understand where the practitioner’s obligations lie. Your REALTOR® should explain his or her agency relationship to you and describe the rights of each party.

8. Can you recommend service providers who can help me obtain a mortgage, make home repairs, and help with other things I need done? Because REALTORS® are immersed in the industry, they’re wonderful resources as you seek lenders, home improvement companies, and other home service providers. Practitioners should generally recommend more than one provider and let you know if they have any special relationship with or receive compensation from any of the providers.

9. What type of support and supervision does your brokerage office provide to you? Having resources such as in-house support staff, access to a real estate attorney, and assistance with technology can help an agent sell your home.

10. What’s your business philosophy? While there’s no right answer to this question, the response will help you assess what’s important to the agent and determine how closely the agent’s goals and business emphasis mesh with your own.

11. How will you keep me informed about the progress of my transaction? How frequently? Again, this is not a question with a correct answer, but how you judge the response will reflect your own desires. Do you want updates twice a week or do you prefer not to be bothered unless there’s a hot prospect? Do you prefer phone, e-mail, or a personal visit?

12. Could you please give me the names and phone numbers of your three most recent clients? Ask recent clients if they would work with this REALTOR® again. Find out whether they were pleased with the communication style, follow-up, and work ethic of the REALTOR®.

When you are ready to interview Bergen County NJ Realtors, give me a call. I am glad to answer the above questions and any additional questions you might have.

What is myBergen County NJ home worth?

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Bergen County NJ Real Estate & Homes For Sale: 74 Wilcox Street

Posted by PAULA CLARK @ 2:25 pm, November 11th, 2008

Bergen County NJ Real Estate & Homes For Sale:

74 Wilcox Street, Dumont NJ 07628
MLS# 2849307

bergen county nj real estateWelcome to this expanded Brick front cape with open, and spacious floor plan in Dumont NJ. Entrance hall with closet, and formal living room with gleaming hardwood floors. Gourmet magnificent kitchen, with maple cabinets, and sparkling granite counter tops with center island. $6,000. Thermodor Oven for the Chef in you! Expanded into dining room area with vaulted ceiling, and skylight with french doors on both sides leading to private yard, and french doors leading to porch in front.

bergen county nj real estateQuiet dead end,and tree lined street. Imagine! 5 bedrooms, and with large landing on the second floor for added space. Great playroom in the basement for even more added space, and storage. Just blocks from the parks,transportation to the city, and close to all schools.

Learn more about 74 Wilcox Street or other Bergen County NJ real estate by visiting PaulaClarkRealtor.com.

Search all Bergen County NJ homes for sale.

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Bergen County NJ Real Estate: Is Owning Rental Property For You?

Posted by PAULA CLARK @ 2:08 pm, November 11th, 2008

Bergen County NJ Real Estate: Is Owning Rental Property For You?

bergen county nj real estateInvesting in Bergen County NJ real estate and owning rental property sounds glamorous, but it isn’t for everyone.

Be sure you know what you’re getting into and understand what you are getting into before signing on the dotted line. Here are some questions you should ask yourself before purchasing an investment property:

++ Where will the down payment come from for this property?

++ Do you have cash reserves so you handle periods of vacancy, i.e. no income?

++ How about reserves for unexpected repairs and other expenses?

++ Do you need property to rent immediately or do you have time and money for a “fixer-upper”?

++ Will you make needed renovations and repairs or hire someone else for the job?

++ What type of property do you want: single family, apartment, duplex, condominium, or vacation property?

++ Thinking it through ahead of time assures that you won’t get caught making a rash decision you will regret later.

If you decide now is the time to take advantage of lower market prices and invest in Bergen County NJ real estate and rental property, visit PaulaClarkRealtor.com.

Search all Bergen County NJ real estate and homes for sale.

Bergen County NJ Home Buyer Benefits Improve For Veterans

Posted by PAULA CLARK @ 2:05 pm, November 6th, 2008

Bergen County NJ Home Buyer Benefits Improve For Veterans

Bergen County NJ Veterans now have expanded homeownership opportunities, thanks to the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2008.

Three provisions in the legislation are critical to help Huntsville veterans during the current housing turmoil. The law will make it easier for veterans who have fallen victim to risky subprime loans to refinance their loans into a safer, more affordable loans backed by the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs. The legislation also extends the VA loan limit increases through 2011, which will help veterans living in high-cost areas.

In addition, the VA can now offer adjustable-rate mortgages to veterans. That would make Bergen County NJ home ownership more attainable for military families and personnel who often have to move more frequently than their civilian counterparts.

If you are a Veteran thinking about buying a Bergen County NJ home, please get in touch and we can give you some information on how you can take advantage of the great home purchase opportunities that exist right now.

Learn more about Bergen County home ownership by visiting PaulaClarkRealtor.com.

Search all Bergen County NJ homes for sale.

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Election Day in Old Tappan

Posted by PAULA CLARK @ 12:06 am, November 5th, 2008

Schools were closed today in Old Tappan, and The Polls were open for business.  Many Old Tappan Residents Volunteer .  They have the voter sign in, write up a ticket, and escort them into the booth.  Many friendly faces greet me at the door. The voting place is The T. Baldwin Demarest Elementary School.  I remember bringing my children to this school, dropping them off, and going to vote.  I love this town, and I am still here!  I have made many friends here over the years.  As I was leaving the room I heard someone call my name, only to turn around, and see a couple that relocated from North Carolina, and moved to Old Tappan.  They have been here for over 10 years, and we have kept in touch. I  have watched their children grow, and who now attend Northern Valley Regional High School of Old Tappan.  Just one of the reasons I love what I do.  Helping people Buy, and Sell Homes, whether it is in Old Tappan, River Vale, Hillsdale, Westwood, Norwood, Northvale, Harrington Park, Park Ridge, Hillsdale, Montvale, Emerson, and All of Bergen County! Is what makes me happy.