Category Archives: Selling Your Home

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5 Crucial Reasons for an “Annual Home Review”

Here’s a quick note to let you know how I can help you or the person you feel
comfortable introducing me to.

Just like an annual physical, it’s important to do an “Annual Home Review.”
Your home may be your biggest investment so it’s critical to keep up-to-date on the
answers to these five crucial questions:Annual Home Review

1. What homes near you have sold, and how does this impact you today?
2. What new tax laws give you deductions or credits on home improvements?
3. What’s happening in your neighborhood that will impact the value of your home?
4. What changes have occurred in your life that alter your goals for the next 5 years?
5. What’s occurring with your current mortgage? What changes could benefit you?

The next time you are in a conversation with a friend, family member or
neighbor who is talking about their home’s value, remember the future belongs to
those who prepare, and I am prepared to help you and the people you care about. Call
or text and we’ll start right away. Together we’ll make the future better than ever!

Matthew Haviland, Your Real Estate Consultant For Life
Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore 609-484-9890 ext 132

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Adjusting To An Empty Nest

Here’s a quick note to let you know how I can help you or the person you feel comfortable introducing me to.

This is the time of year when people you know start talking about kids moving away or going to university. Many find they simply don’t need as much space to be happy, or they want to be out doing things rather than focusing inside. Sometimes it’s nice to start fresh. In fact, it can be liberating!

Choosing to downsize a home can also provide an extra source of retirement income. There are many wonderful opportunities to create in this new chapter of life…IF one knows how to get the most out of their current equity.

So the next time you’re in a conversation with a friend, family member or neighbor and they mention they’re looking to adjust to the right amount of space, take out your cell phone, look up my number and call or text me immediately. I can help them find a smaller home with less to take care of, so they can spend more time enjoying this special new time in their life!

Best wishes,

Matt 609-338-3773

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Relocating For A New Job Doesn’t Have To Be Stressful

Relocating for a new job is never easy. The move can be one of the most stressful changes in life. Not only do you need to find a new place to call home, but you also have to adjust to a new environment, master a new job, and build a new support network—all at the same time. Not to mention paying two mortgages, which can be overwhelming and often unrealistic.

Sweetwater Marina, Mullica Twp. NJ

Sweetwater Marina, Mullica Twp. NJ

According to a recent survey by CareerBuilder, nearly 50% of workers said they would be willing to relocate for the right job. But that doesn’t mean it has to be a stressful experience.

The next time you’re in a conversation with a friend, family member or neighbor, and they tell you they’re relocating for a new job or their company is thinking about moving them, take out your phone, look up my number and call or text me immediately. I belong to a national network of realtors and lenders and I can help them find a new home that makes their move a positive and exciting one.

Matthew Haviland, Your Real Estate Consultant For Life

Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore 609-484-9890 ext 132

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Don’t Remodel Your Kitchen!

Before you remodel your kitchen, consider upgrading the whole house

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Old House

Carol and Nate were considering remodeling their kitchen in their lovely ranch home in Linwood, NJ.  This older home had the original kitchen, closed off from the living room and dining room and had limited shelf and counter space.  They consulted several builders and realized a new kitchen would cost then tens of thousand of dollars and they would still not have the open concept that they wanted.

Then they considered the option of purchasing a newer home… and even considered a 55 and over community.  Carol and Nate, found me on my website and asked for my help.  We quickly got their home listed and staged to sell and within two weeks we had multiple offers and accepted a full price offer.

New House

New House

From there they located a lovely newer home in Egg Harbor Township with a fabulous open layout and stunning kitchen.  They sold their home and moved in to their new home on the same day.

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Happy Clients!

So before you remodel your kitchen, consider upgrading the whole house.  You may find that you’ll get greater value when you move up to a newer home.

Best wishes,

Matt

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What’s Your Home Worth in a Declining Market?

Here’s a quick note to let you know how I can help you—or anyone you feel comfortable introducing me to.

It’s no secret that parts of our area are experiencing declines in the real estate market. Home prices are not going up for many area.  Take a look at the charts showing the Mainland area real estate market (Galloway, Egg Harbor Township, Northfield, Pleasantville, Absecon, Port Republic, Egg Harbor City, Mullica Township, Hammonton, Linwood, Northfield, Somers Point, Beuna and Hamilton Township.)  A healthy real estate market depends on a balance of buyers and sellers being able to move in and out of the market.  Right now we are seeing a buyer’s market in the mainland communities.

CMM_Report_SupplyAndDemand_chart CMM_Report_UnitsExpired_chart CMM_Report_UnitsForSale_chart CMM_Report_UnitsSold_chart CMM_Report_SoldForSaleMedianPrice_chart For sellers, the implication is that they will need to price their homes more competitively. A competitive price will attract more interest than a higher price. In the end, the higher priced property usually sells for the same as the competitively priced home, but just takes longer to sell.

If you or someone you know is thinking about selling, contact me to get a price analysis to help plan your sale: 609-338-3773. Also ask for a copy of my free report, How Sellers Price Their Homes.

Matthew Haviland, Your Real Estate Consultant For Life Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore 609-484-9890 ext 132

P.S. Do you know someone else who’s thinking about selling their home? Please introduce us so that I can help them get the most money possible from the sale

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February 2015 Market Statistics, Ocean City, Longport, Margate, Brigantine, Linwood, Egg Harbor Township, Galloway, NJ

Spring is hopefully right around the corner.  I wanted to take a moment and look at last month’s sales data and update you on what’s happening in the market.   With this update I am comparing a few statistics among different municipalities:  Ocean City, Longport, Margate, Brigantine, Linwood, Egg Harbor Township, and Galloway, NJ.

median-pricenumber of salesinventory-sales

As you can see sales, inventory and price varies greatly among each or these communities.  The turnover ratio shows the percentage of homes selling in each city.  The higher the percentage the more homes are selling each month.turnover ratio

The most commonly asked question I get is:  “How’s The Market.”  Experience shows it all depends on where you live.  If you’d like to know How the market is in your neighborhood I’d love to do some research for you and send you an email that will tell you what homes are for sale now, what homes have sold recently and how long homes are taking to sell in your neighborhood so you can feel secure in the knowledge that you have the most accurate information.  This timely information will tell you right away how your market is right now!  I imagine that information would be of value to you, would it not?

Please contact me if you’d like to know what’s happening in your market.  609-338-3773.

Best wishes,

Matt

*  Information based on MLS data as of 3/2/15

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Why Some Homes Take Longer To Sell…

Ocean City, NJ

Snow Covered BoardwalkOcean City, NJ

Here’s a quick note to let you know how I can help you—or anyone you feel comfortable introducing me to.

Sellers who list their houses in a hot market expect to get multiple offers. But when a house languishes without selling, even though plenty of buyers are looking, they wonder what’s wrong. They might think their price is fair, their bedrooms spacious, and their location just right. But buyers are not looking at any one house in isolation; they are comparing it to others. In that light, many features of a home, including price, can look less desirable than it would if standing alone. The only way to know what’s keeping a house from selling is to ask buyers for their input.

As a real estate consultant, my job is to get input from buyers about what interests them so I can help you position your home for the highest price possible. If you, your friends, or family members are planning to sell this year, please contact me at 609-338-3773. When you do, I’ll share with you a copy of my free report, Five Deadly Mistakes Home Sellers Make.

Matthew Haviland, Your Real Estate Consultant For Life Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore 609-484-9890 ext 132

P.S. Who do you know who’s thinking about selling a home? Please introduce us so that I can help them see their home through the buyers’ eyes.

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How To Sell Your House When You Already Have A Buyer

Over the years I’ve helped many clients sell their home when they already have a buyer lined up.  Typically I see this when a family member wants to sell a home to another family member.  You may not need the full services of a Realtor however you need help with paperwork and making sure things are done correctly and in a timely manner.  Many of my clients also wish to not have the liability risk that many For Sale By Owners Face.

I recently helped Amie purchase a home from her family.

I recently helped Amie purchase a home from her family.

One of the services I provide is as a Transaction Broker.  In NJ a transaction broker doesn’t represent either side and helps in the transaction.  For a small flat fee I can help with paperwork and guide you through the home selling and buying process.  I’ll also give you access to my services directory with reliable vendors to help you where needed.

Remember when you have a home to sell and have a buyer already call me and let me help guide you safely though the home selling process.  Best wishes,

Matt

P.S.  If you or someone you know is selling a home and may need my help.  Please call me now at 609-338-3773.

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Getting a Home Ready to Sell…

Getting a Home Ready to Sell…

Here’s a quick note to let you know how I can help you—or anyone you feel comfortable introducing me to.

A key factor in attracting (or repelling) home buyers is the cleanliness and orderliness of a home. While buyers are sympathetic toward sellersBeach House who must live in a home while selling it, most buyers can’t see past the normal clutter of a lived-in home.

Buyers view dozens of homes in a row. When they walk into a home, they’re instantly comparing it to sparkling clean, well-staged homes they’ve just seen. If a home is even slightly cluttered with toys, books, furniture and refrigerator magnets, buyers can be turned off, simply by comparison. The solution? Work with me to spot the areas of potential problem. I’ll help you figure out where to put your energy for the highest impact. Then start packing. Move 70% of your stuff out to a storage unit, and clean, clean, clean.

If you or someone you care about wants to get advice about preparing their house to sell, please contact me at 609-338-3773 or matt@sjhouses.com. Ask for a copy of my report, Five Deadly Mistakes Home Sellers Make.

Matthew Haviland

Your Real Estate Consultant For Life Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore 609-484-9890 ext 132

P.S. Who do you know who’s thinking about selling their home? Please introduce us so that I can make suggestions for how to get their house ready.

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How to Sell Your House Without Reducing Your Price

How to Sell Without Reducing Your Price

Dear Friend,

Here’s a quick note to let you know how I can help you—or anyone you feel comfortable introducing me to.

No home seller wants to reduce their price because their house isn’t selling. Here are 3 ways to prevent that from happening: First, price it well to begin with. Price it no more than properties are selling for in your area. You can place a premium for things like a view or a staging-logostunning yard, but not for things like a remodeled kitchen. On the other hand, not having a remodeled kitchen could cause the price to drop. Second, make it show like a model home. Clean every crevice. Fix every bit of deferred maintenance. Remove your personal possessions. Clean up the landscaping. Third, talk to me about how to minimize drawbacks and maximize advantages. As your real estate consultant, I can tell you a great deal about how to get more from the sale of your home, possibly putting thousands more in your pocket when you sell.  As a certified Real Estate Staging Expert I can conduct a complimentary analysis of your home and provide you with a custom eight page report with staging recommendations.

If you or someone you care about wants to get more out of the sale of their home, please call me at 609-338-3773 or matt@sjhouses.com. Ask for a copy of my report, The 10 Dumbest Mistakes Smart People Make when Buying or Selling a Home.

Matthew Haviland, Your Real Estate Consultant For Life Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore 609-484-9890 ext 132

P.S. Who do you know who’s thinking about selling their home? Please introduce us so that I can make suggestions for how to sell for more