5 Tips: How To View A Hoboken Open House

5 Tips: How To View A Hoboken Or Jersey City Open House

If you're starting a search for a home, or in this area a condo, then you probably have been using websites like www.Trulia.com, www.Realtor.com, www.Zillow.com, or Craigslist to search for Hoboken properties and Jersey City open houses.

Ever wonder what happens during an open house? Does the idea give you flashbacks of pushy salesman trying to sell you something? You're not alone!

You should know that you can relax. Visiting open houses should be fun! You can view open houses on your own, or you can enlist the help of a Hoboken or Jersey City realtor to represent you and take you to open houses that just fit your criteria.

At first, walking into people's home's will feel weird. But then after you've done it a few times, you'll feel like a pro.

There will always be a seller's agent present during an open house. Very rarely will the home owner actually be home. The agent's job is to answer questions and to log your attendance for security reasons. However, some agents are also looking for potential clients.

Here are 5 tips to use when viewing properties on your own:

• Sign your realtors name.                                                                                                          Every open house will have a sign in sheet for you to fill out. Unfortunately you can't get around it. However, to keep phone calls and emails at a minimum, sign in with your realtor's name. That way you signal to the agent that you are working with someone. If you're not, leave your phone number. Most agents won't call you but many will email you to see what you thought of the place and to offer assistance.
• Grab some information.                                                                                                                After you sign in grab an information sheet so that you have the information readily available  
• Take notes.                                                                                                                                                 If this is a place that is in your budget, then takes notes of what you like and didn't like, how it compares to other places and note the address. This way you'll remember in the future what your feelings were about the property
• Keep your eye out for a star.                                                                                                          If you're not working with an agent, and you are serious about your home purchase, then as you visit open houses keep an eye out for an agent that shows professionalism, is friendly, knows the area and is open to answering your questions. 
• Agent representation.                                                                                                                    You should remember that the agent hosting an open house represents the seller, therefore you should be careful how much information you disclose while you are there. Try to keep the excitement down to a minimum as it could hurt you in negotiations! 

Consider hiring your own agent to look out for your best interests, not theirs. Remember, the seller pays the realtor's commissions, not you. For more tips to view an open house or to learn more about me as a realtor please visit my website www.karinaabad.com

There May Be No Such Thing As The Perfect Hoboken Condo

There May Be No Such Thing As The Perfect Hoboken Condo

Shopping for a condominium is exciting. Looking at other people's home's is fun I'll admit. But when it turns into a sport more so than a goal then you may be searching for something that doesn't exist. Remember, almost never does someone find a "perfect home".

Here are my tips when searching for a home.
1. Make a wish list

I'm not talking about a power point presentation, I usually ask my clients to give me their top five. Yours might be something like this:

• Close to Ferry
• Two bedrooms
• Garage parking
• Renovated Kitchen
• Washer Dryer on site

Your wish list are the thing's you MUST have. Try not to be too specific like, dish washer, 1200 square feet, exposed brick and first floor. You don't buy a home solely based on it's features. You buy a home for your lifestyle. Details can always be added to suit your style.

2. Visit some open houses
Before you view condo's with your real estate agent, take one or two Sundays to yourself to look at some open houses with whomever you are buying with, say your spouse or partner, or if you're buying for yourself, then take your closest friend.
This is important because many times you will find that what you want, is not what your partner wants, or what you thought you wanted, is not really what you thought you wanted. You also want to get comfortable walking into other people's homes. Lastly, it's a good way to get an introductory grasp on the market and what is available in your price range. You may learn that $400,000 may not buy you the roomy two bedroom two bath you were hoping for.

3. Don't rush to view homes

Make it a point to meet with your real estate agent to discuss what's important to you in a home, your lifestyle, and discuss what you expect from him or her. Then let your agent get to work and do the searching.

Hopefully you were referred to an agent who is skilled and will listen to your needs then show you homes that only fit your criteria.

4. Know that you can find your ideal home on your first day out!

Don't be scared! Don't feel like you have to see everything on the market or that you didn't look long enough. Most buyers find the home they want to make an offer on, once they've seen on average 6 homes!! Your agent is skilled to pin point what you are looking for. Plus, like myself, many agents preview listings and we are familiar with many buildings. So, I can say to a client that says to me, "what about this unit? Can we see this one?" - I'll respond with, it is not an open layout like you wanted, and the terraces in this building are located off of the bedrooms - not the living room.

5. When you see one you like - go for it.

Don't wait to see a few more before you decide. It happens ALL the time, even in slow markets. A buyer will see one they like, then they'll decide they want to keep looking a little more. Well, you know what happens next. The buyer will want to come back and make an offer, and that home has an accepted offer.

Remember, there are ALWAYS a pool of buyer's looking for the same specific qualities/wish list you're looking for.

If you've seen more than 20 - 30 homes, then I recommend that you sit down with your real estate agent, re-evaluate and come up with a new game plan. Prepare to make some repairs and changes. You are unique and so are your tastes. Remember, paint can be changed so can counter-tops and window hangings. You can add molding you can take away molding. What's important is the space and if it suits your day to day life.

Part of the fun of being a home owner is personalizing your home.

Hoboken Open House List | RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty

800 Jackson St. METROSTOP CONDOMINIUMS When: Saturday 7/24 & Sunday 7/25 1-4PM Listing Price: 1BR's Starting @ $369,000 /                       2BR's Starting @ $525,000  View More Info

219 Monroe St. #2 FANTASTIC STARTER HOME! When: Sunday 7/25 1-3PM Listing Price: $259,000 Bedrooms: 1 Baths: 1 Sq.ft: 603 MLS#: 100008181 View More Info

609 Madison St. #Unit B PARKING SPOT INCLUDED! When: Saturday 7/24 2-4PM Listing Price: $449,000 Bedrooms: 2 Baths: 2 Sq.ft: 1080 MLS#: 100006389 View More Info

700 1st St. #17R JUST REDUCED! 1137 SQFT W/BALCONY! When: Saturday 7/24 1-3PM & Sunday 7/25 2-4PM Listing Price: $475,000 Bedrooms: 1 Baths: 2 Sq.ft: 1137 MLS#: 100006917 View More Info

Hoboken Real Estate Open House List For This Weekend

Rain Rain Go Away!! Suzie needs to find a home! Hopefully she's working with a real estate agent that is doing all the leg work for her - but if not - here's this weekend's list. Might need the wellie's again. Look fabulous with this beautiful umbrella!

Tell them you heard about the open house here!!

Saturday

1500 Washington Street - True 1 bedroom $539,000 1-3pm Hudson Place Realty

129 Harrison Street - Studio $280,000 1-3pm Uptown Realty

129 Harrison Street - 1 bedroom $395,000 1-3pm Uptown Realty

129 Harrison Street - 2 bedroom plus den $569,000 1-3 Uptown Realty

423 Jefferson Street #9 - 1 bedroom $270,000 1-3pm Gotham Realty

1500 Hudson Street #12G - 2 bedroom 2bath $1.079Mil 1-3pm Liberty Realty

510 Monroe Street #205 - 2 bedroom plus den 2bath $499,000 1-3pm Liberty Realty

417 Adams Street #1R - 1 bedroom $269,000 1-3pm Liberty Realty

839 Willow Ave - 2 bedroom units $349,000 1-3pm Coldwell Banker

713 Adams St #4 - 2 bedroom 2 bath $539,000 2-4pm Halliburton Homes

213 14th St #4L - 2 bedroom 2 bath $389,900 2-4pm RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty

Sunday

700 Bloomfield St - 1.5 bedroom, 2 parking spots $575,000 1-3pm Hudson Place Realty

150 14th Street - 2 bed 2 bath w/large terrace $699,000 1-3pm Hudson Place Realty
87 Jackson Street - 2bed 2bath $540,000 11-4pm Weichert Realtors

2 Constitution Court - 2bed 2bath $600,000 2-4pm Uptown Realty

100 Clinton St - 1 bedroom $359,000 1-4pm Realty Express

734 Adams St - 2 bedroom 1 bath $385,000 1-4pm Realty Express

915 Madison St - 2 bedroom 2bath $529,900 1-4pm Realty Express

72 Park Ave - 1 bedroom $437,000 1-3pm Liberty Realty

1200 Grand St #311 - 2 bedroom 2 bath $560,000 1-3pm Liberty Realty
1025 Maxwell Lane #1006 - 2 bedroom 2 bath $824,999 1-3pm Liberty Realty

1500 Washington Street #6U - 2 bedroom 2 bath $684,900 2-4pm Liberty Realty

1500 Hudson Street #5H - Short Sale! 2 bedroom 2bath $850,000 2-4pm Coldwell Banker

159 Newark Street #2B - 1 bedroom $429,000 1-3pm Coldwell Banker

211 Jefferson Street #3 - 1 bedroom $439,000 2-4pm Coldwell Banker

501 9th Street #602 - 2 bedroom 2 bath with roof deck $765,000 1-3pm Coldwell Banker

1110 Park Ave #6 - $449,000 no details 1-4pm Coldwell Banker

531 Park Ave #4 - no price provided 1-3pm Coldwell Banker

2 Constitution Court #1208 - no details $625,000 1-3pm Coldwell Banker

2 Constitution Court #601 - no details $685,000 1-3pm Coldwell Banker

1016 Willow Ave #403 - 2 bedroom 1.5 bath $429,000 1-3pm RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty

615 Madison St #B - 2 bedroom 1.5 bath $459,000 1-3pm RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty

329 Willow Ave #3R - carriage house - 2 bedroom 2 bath $479,900 1-3pm RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty

1034 Clinton St #204 - 2 bedroom 2 bath $529,900 2-4pm RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty

109 Jackson St. #2B - 2 bedroom 2 bath $539,000 12-2pm RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty

1300 Grand St #405 - 2 bedroom 2 bath $537,000 1:30 - 3:30pm RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty

607 Clinton St #2 - 2 bedroom 2 bath $540,000 2-4pm RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty

326 Monroe St #2R - 2 bedroom 2 bath w/balcony $549,000 2-4pm RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty

380 Newark St #2B - 2bedroom 2 bath $587,000 12:30 - 2:30pm RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty

1200 Grand St. #627 - 2 bedroom 2 bath $589,000 1-3pm RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty

456 9th St #44 - back on market 2 bedroom plus roof deck $599,000 1-4pm RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty

315 Monroe St #1 - 3 bedroom 2 bath w/private backyard $629,000 2-4pm RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty

812 Grand St. #310 - 3 bedroom 2 bath $749,000 1-3pm RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty

81 Adams St. #1 - 3 bedroom 2bath with patio $769,000 1-3pm RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty

659 1st Street #503 - 2 bedroom 2.5 bath w/roofdeck $649,999 3:30 - 5pm RE/MAX Gold Coast Realty