Coldwell Banker

Say Yes To CRS!!

Garvey Group — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:01:00 GMT

Say Yes To CRS

Buying or selling a home can seem like an overwelming task. But the rigth Realtor can make the process easier and more profitable. A certified Residential(CRS) with years of experience and success, will help you make the smart decisions in a fast-pace, complex and competitive market. Work with a Realtor who belongs among the top 4 % in the nation. Contact Doug Garvey (CRS) today!!

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Your Needs Change!

Garvey Group — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 20:40:00 GMT

Your needs change, your family grows, you transfer jobs, your goals may alter yet the Garvey Group still remains the same. We realize that different times require different measures. Let us help you through this process. We delivery one one customer service, paying close attention to detail at hand with the added touch. The Garvey Group is full circle every step of the way building strong referral based relationships with our customers.

Referrals always welcome,

The Garvey Group

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Top 10 improvements to help sell your house

Garvey Group — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:15:00 GMT

Top 10 improvements to help sell your house

Start from the outside and work in

A prospective buyer starts by looking at the outside of the house. You’ve heard the term “curb appeal”, so let’s get really specific about it. Bob Edwardsen, 30 year real estate veteran with Windermere Real Estate, states “I’ve had buyers decide not to even view the home at all based on a poorly maintained exterior. They simply say “keep driving” and we move on to the next house.”

What exactly does that mean? According to Edwardsen, “First impressions are everything. The general condition of the exterior of the house which includes fresh paint, an attractive front door, walkways in good repair, and well maintained yard, all make the first impression.”

1. Your front door and entryway.

2. Roof and siding

3. Garage door

4. Landscaping

5. Windows

Ok, the exterior is in great shape, and you’ve got the buyer into the house. Now what?

6 and 7. kitchen and bathrooms

8. Don’t forget the floors!

9. Where does a fresh coat of paint fit in?

10.water heaters, insulation, and plumbing

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Move In Ready!!

Garvey Group — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:45:00 GMT

COLDWELL BANKER REAL ESTATE SURVEY
FIRST-TIME BUYERS DEMAND NEW KIND OF “STARTER HOME”
87 Percent of Beginner Buyers Want Move-In Ready

PARSIPPANY, N.J. (Feb. 8, 2011) – The term “starter home” seemingly refers to an entry-level property – one that is affordable yet needs “tender love and care.” But amidst the many homes available in today’s market, current first-time buyers want places with a little less “room for improvement.” In a survey of 300 consumers who purchased their first home in the last year, 87 percent said finding a move-in ready home is important to them.

This survey from Coldwell Banker Real Estate explored what was most important to new buyers to provide insight for those looking to buy or sell in 2011. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), first-time home buyers accounted for half of the market in 2010.

What Surprised First-Time Home Buyers
Several consumers experienced unexpected benefits after buying their first home:

67 percent said the market afforded them the opportunity to buy a home sooner than expected
Half said they found a home in a more desirable neighborhood than expected
61 percent were able to get the home at a better price than expected
40 percent got more space than expected
43 percent locked in a lower interest rate than expected

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Market!

Garvey Group — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 11:53:00 GMT

Here is your weekly update to get you up to speed on the mortgage market as you go into the weekend and meet with clients. The MBS (Mortgage Backed Securities) market has still been volatile. It’s very difficult to get a grasp on where things are going but I will do my best to explain where we are.

In yet another volatile trading session, lenders were excessively unfriendly with loan pricing out the gate this morning. However, following a strong 10-year Treasury note auction, MBS prices benefited from a modest benchmark interest rate recovery rally. The corresponding effect on mortgage rates was widespread re-pricing for the better. Re-pricing for the better = lower rates. Re-pricing for the worse = higher rates.

Unfortunately, even after re-prices for the better, loan pricing was still worse than it was yesterday and the best execution conventional 30 year fixed mortgage rate still moved back up to 4.875%. We say 4.875% is the best execution conventional 30 year fixed mortgage rate because the average cost to permanently buy-down your mortgage rate from 4.875% to 4.75% is outrageously high, reflecting a complete lack of liquidity for 4.0 MBS coupons in the secondary market.

Next week has only a couple of relevant economic reports scheduled and they come the latter part of the week. The stock and bond markets will be closed Monday in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. They will not close early today, but we may see trading thin out as market participants head home for the long holiday. Look for more details on next week’s events in next Friday’s weekly update.

Here are rates leading into this weekend:

30 year fixed – 4.625% (4.782% APR)

15 year fixed – 4.0% (4.267% APR)

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January Update

Garvey Group — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 14:23:00 GMT

Prices are now at all-time lows. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) housing affordability index, home prices are more affordable now than during any other time in our history going back to 1970. In addition, this time of year is especially good for buyers, because activity has slowed down. The school year in full swing and the holiday season cuts the number of active buyers, so sellers are especially motivated to make a deal.

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Happy New Year

Garvey Group — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 16:59:00 GMT

The Garvey Group is excited to find your dream home in 2011!!

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Interest rate update from Coldwell Banker Mortgage

Garvey Group — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:38:00 GMT

Current Rates from Coldwell Banker Mortgage!

30 year fixed mortgage 4.875%

15 year fixed mortgage 4.25%

FHA 4.91%

VA 4.89

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Coldwell Banker Survey Identifies Multi-Generational Homes As a Trend in Real Estate

Garvey Group — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:30:00 GMT

37 Percent of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Professionals Surveyed Have Seen More Families Looking for Homes that Accommodate Multiple Generations

RSIPPANY, N.J. (Feb. 22, 2010) – Family reunions are taking on a new meaning in the real estate market. According to a recent survey by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC among its network of real estate professionals, in the last 12 months, 37 percent of sales professionals surveyed noted an increase in homebuyers looking to purchase homes to accommodate more than one generation of their family. In addition, almost 70 percent of Coldwell Banker sales agents believe that economic conditions may cause greater demand for multi-generational homes in their market during the next year.

Furthermore, the Coldwell Banker® January 2010 survey respondents cited financial drivers as the No. 1 reason why home buyers or sellers are moving into a house with other generations of their family (39 percent). Twenty-nine (29) percent said that health care issues are the primary reason, and six percent cited a strong family bond as the main factor.

“While saving money is certainly an incentive for buying a home that accommodates multiple generations, the benefits go beyond just financial reasons,” said Diann Patton, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Consumer Specialist. “With two or three generations living under one roof, families often experience more flexible schedules, quality time with one another and can better juggle childcare and eldercare.”

Communicating with family members and consulting with their real estate professional is key, as well. “Talk to everyone involved and determine how comfortable the family members are about sharing bathrooms, office space or common areas, and let that guide your search,” Patton advises. “All of these topics are incredibly important in finding the right kind of home to fit the family – like one that has four bathrooms or one that has three.”

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Cost vs. Value: Small Projects Pay Off Big

Garvey Group — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:25:00 GMT

Judicious home remodeling is still worth the investment, according to Remodeling magazine's annual "Cost vs. Value Report."

Six of the top 10 most profitable remodeling projects cost less than $14,000, according to the new Cost vs. Value report. Find out what home improvements offer the best return in your part of the country.

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