Make A Great First Impression with A Punch Of Color | Front Doors!

You always hear the term curb appeal. But what does that mean? Simply, it means that when someone walks by or drives by a property, it looks great from the outside. Think of it as a fabulous coat and someone wants to see the whole ensemble.


I found some great ideas for doors. Yes doors. Why doors? Glad you asked! Because in Hoboken and Jersey City, where I sell real estate, you don't really get a chance at curb appeal. All you have is your door. So what better way to make a statement than to punch it up with some great color.

Pink is so unexpected yet it can be chic or sweet. And so many different shades to choose from! I LOVE this door

When choosing a color for your door, think of ways to accent it with either plants or a beautiful door knocker.

And don't under estimate the power of Red. Red looks amazing on almost any brownstone or home. 

What do you think about blue? I think its so elegant here tied in with green - perfection!

And last but not least - this tiffany esque green  is to die for 

What do you think? Now that you see these would you splash up your front door? Please don't forget to comment below! 

New Listing 85 Jefferson St | Adorable Starter One Bedroom Downtown Hoboken

First Look Marketing! Announcing my new listing - an adorable starter one bedroom in downtown Hoboken 85 Jefferson Street

This condo unit is oozing with Hoboken charm. Located at 85 Jefferson St, it is walking distance to the PATH train, the light rail and the NYC bus stop! A commuters dream. Unit is on the first floor and has those beautiful flower window gates. 

Attractively priced at $299,000 with low taxes and low maintenance fees this is an excellent alternative to renting or can be a nice investment.

Some nice features include high ceilings and newly refinished hardwood floors

Track lighting and an open layout

Spacious living and bedroom area

Beautiful common outdoor yard and laundry on site

Public open house September 6th and 7th from 12:30-2:30!

If you are interested in scheduling a private viewing to see this one bedroom condo at 85 Jefferson St in Hoboken please contact me at Karinaabadrealestate@gmail.com or 201-355-6171

10 Tips for Preparing a Home For Sale

1. Paint

When it comes to interior paint -- big, bold, bright colors might work for your current design scheme, but when buyers walk through a home, and the main living space is four different colors, it's likely all they'll see is dollar signs and time spent repainting.







2. Landscaping:

Landscaping can make or break a home sale, or turn it into a long, laborious process. When thinking of landscaping, consider the plants or trees before anything gets planted -- trees and roots can wreak havoc with lawns, foundations and pipes; take into consideration how large a plant or tree will get and how far the root system will travel over time.



3. The Front Door:

The front door is one of the first things potential buyers see -- a strong and visual front door can leave a great first impression to potential buyers. If the door is broken, doesn't work properly, or is in desperate need of a makeover, a buyer may see these things as weak points and consider offering less.


4. Upgrades:

Don't assume you'll recoup every investment, especially when it comes to large upgrades. Pools are notorious for poor return on investment, as are other large home additions. If you're considering upgrading your home before putting it on the market, look to areas that are sure to make you money: kitchens and bathrooms, if tastefully done, will always add to the value of a house.


5. Fireplaces:

Fireplaces appeal to a large majority of buyers, but changing out the aesthetics of a fireplace can either be a great investment opportunity, or drastically lower a buyer's offer. It's best to take trends into consideration when making updates or changes to a fireplace sometimes painting over exposed brick can be a huge deal breaker for some buyers, especially when a majority of people like exposed brick fireplaces. However, sometimes painting a brick fireplace white can instantly modernize a space.


6. Old Appliances:

Potential buyers look at the appliances in a home to gauge their age and how well they've been taken care of. Appliances play a large part in any home, and if they are old, outdated and no longer working can create hesitations in potential buyers. If it's a classic that still works, don't worry about replacing it; if you can't get the door clean, or the oven temperature doesn't rise above 350 degrees, it's probably time to replace it. There's no need to go all out on the latest and greatest technology either, consult your real estate agent for what is the market standard and go with that.


7. Deep Cleans and Small Stuff:

Most buyers have an eye for the small details of a house. An initial deep clean of the house, and continued maintenance thereafter, shows potential buyers that the house has been maintained. The small details matter: windows and window tracks, light switches, molding, a garbage disposal, tile, grout, sinks, ovens and appliances are all looked at by buyers. Make sure these items are not overlooked when the house goes on the market -- potential buyers will appreciate the time you took to address them.


8. Trends:

Trends can be quite alluring for those looking to dabble in interior decorating. Some buyers like trends, but the majority of buyers look for classic, neutral colors on walls and fixtures. While a chevron pattern may be the perfect accompaniment to your current sofa or bedspread, most buyers will see the pattern, when applied to walls, as a potential paint job. If you're considering listing your house, consider accessorizing with drapes, pillows and some pictures. These are simple ways of adding personality, and buyers will appreciate a neutral color scheme on the walls. You can also increase your value by working with a stager.


9. Hard to Clean Surfaces and Floors:

Buyers always look at the floors and counters in a potential home, and these surfaces can be huge selling points. If the counter tops are stained, hardwood floors scratched up, carpet damaged, or the tile is breaking, consider cleaning or finding a quick replacement. If a solid counter top is stained, a buyer will no doubt see dollar signs. If you have hardwood floors, some products can actually dull the wood over time. If the wood needs a little TLC before the house is listed, consider having the floors buffed.


10. Small Spaces:



Kitchens and bathrooms are undoubtedly some of the biggest selling features of a house or property. If either of these areas is small, consider revamping to make them look larger. A small bathroom with no windows is going to look like a cave if the color scheme is on the darker side. Bigger in a small space is always best -- stick with neutral, light colors to help make the room look larger. Update any light bulbs that are reaching the end of their life; upgrading to a higher wattage or lumen can help enhance a small area too.

Selling a home is a large task, and every seller hopes to make money on their home sale. Prepping your home before a sale will always result in better viewings and interested buyers, and the end result will be a happy seller and an even more excited buyer.

Contact me for more tips for a personal consultation before you ready your home for sale. It can make all the difference.

10 Tips For Preparing Your Home For A Sale

   

Downtown Jersey City Condo Market Update | Market Snapshot by Karina Abad

Downtown Jersey City Condo Market Update a Market Snapshot

140 Bay Street Lofts in Jersey City

Jersey City remains very active with the number of units down from June however the Median Sold Price is actually up 4.7% while the median days on market is up just three days.


July  52 Units Sold                                       June 65 Units Sold
Median List Price  $613,500                        Median List Price  $589,000
Median Sold Price $612,500                       Median Sold Price $585,000
Median D.O.M.     17 Days                         Median D.O.M.     14 Days


There are 76 units under contract in July with a Median List Price of $596,250 and Median Days on Market of 25 Days.

Search for your next Jersey City condo now and don't forget to subscribe so you can receive my monthly market updates!

Hoboken Condo Market Update | Hoboken Market Snapshot by Karina Abad

Hoboken Condo Market Update and Snapshot 

New Listing 662 1st Street Hoboken 

Real Estate has proved to stay competitive even though more inventory entered the market in Spring. The median days on market is up five days from June and median sale price is down 2.7% 

July 100 Units Sold                                    June  109 Units Sold

Median List  Price $550,000                      Median List  Price $550,000

Median Sold Price $539,500                      Median Sold  Price $555,000

Median D.O.M.    19 Days                        Median D.O.M.      14 Days

There are 122 units Under Contract in July with a Median List Price of $542,000 and a Median Days on Market of 20 Days.

Search for your Hoboken Condo now and don't forget to subscribe to view my monthly Hoboken Condo Market Update! 

Logos

New Condo Listing in Hoboken 662 1st St #5B Three Bedroom For Sale

I'm proud to introduce 662 1st Street - Unit 5B a grand Hoboken condo for sale! South Pointe building! New to market - FIRST LOOK BELOW

This beautiful property was newly constructed in 2010 replacing an old tire shop. The builder saw the need for large three bedroom homes, as they are always hard to find in Hoboken, and this five story building is comprised of exclusively three bedrooms.

This penthouse unit is now available at an attractive price of $909,000. Offering 1780 square feet of livable space, three bedrooms and two full baths plus gorgeous finishes throughout.

South Pointe offers above and beyond traditional sound proofing and insulation with extra attention paid to sound proofing by the original developer.

 Gorgeous hardwood floors throughout and exposed HVAC duct work give the space a modern look

 Expansive living room with ample space for a dining table and a bay window

Beautiful kitchen with contrast between the espresso cabinets and white counters

Extra long breakfast bar great for entertaining

Sleek subway style backsplash laid in a brick pattern pop against the stainless steel GE Cafe Series appliances

Extra roomy master bedroom with great wall space for that king size bed

Space efficient lime stone master bath with beautiful counters, clean lines and walk in shower

Spacious walk in closet with closet organization system installed

Generous sized second bedrooms offers blue skies and western exposure

Third bedroom can do double duty as a guest room, office or nursery

A real laundry room and side by side washer and dryer plus storage above

Covered parking space for no hassle travel

If you are interested and would like more information or would like to schedule a private viewing please contact me directly at 201-355-6171 or email me at Karinaabadrealestate@gmail.com

Feel free to stop by my first public open house this Sunday between 12 and 2p.m. 

Hoboken Real Estate Year Condo Report 2013

What a year! My Hoboken real estate 2013 condo report shows huge gains from 2012. Hoboken condo owners can finally breathe.

I can describe the year in one word - COMPETITIVE  
Buyers and their agents had to work harder to buy a home due to multiple bid scenarios and very little inventory. Sellers had the advantage this year and buyer's were forced to pay.


All Hoboken condo sales for 2013 

Median Sale Price was $540,000 UP 14.8% from 2012's Median Sale Price of $470,000
Total Units Sold were 1024 UP 35.9% from 2012's Total Units Sold of 753


Break Down
Studio Market - 24 sales for the year
One Bedroom Market - 330 sales for the year  = $409,000 Median Sale Price
Two Bedroom Market - 553 sales for the year = $580,000 Median Sale Price
Three Bedroom Market - 105 sales for the year = $792,000 Median Sale Price
Four and Five's were the remaining.

The Median Days On Market for all condo sales in Hoboken was just 21 days reflecting the competitive nature of 2013.


2014 Start of the Year Sales

January 2014 shows 49 units sold DOWN from 82 in December. And a Median Sold Price of $504,000 above the Median List Price of $499,000 but slightly down the Median Sold Price of December of $506,000.

It is normal for sales to dip in February but you can see that prices have not been affected much as inventory is still tight and buyers are shopping in these cold months.

What To Expect At Closing and Final Walk Thru | Condominium | Real Estate NJ

Congratulations you made it to close! So what can you expect on the day of your closing? Read on to find out.

"Closing", which is the day you sign all the documentation and take ownership of the property you are purchasing.

BEFORE YOUR CLOSING
Your attorney, either the evening before or the morning of, will alert you as to the final amount that you will owe at closing, which will be due in the form of certified bank funds or you can arrange for a wire transfer. This will be a large amount as it combines the remainder of your down payment and all of your closing costs.

Shortly before your closing you'll want to do a walk thru with your real estate agent, so be sure to schedule this at least a day in advance. Your walk thru, depending on the size of the home and whether repairs needed to be made, can last anywhere from 10-25min.

AT THE WALK THRU
You are there to carefully look over the home for any new possible damage that may have occurred when the sellers moved out, or from the unit being vacant.

You'll also bring with you a list of items that the seller agreed to rectify prior to closing, and check that these items were done. In cases where you are not able to detect whether a repair was completed, schedule in advance for your home inspector to come back in with you to check for you, or ask them if you can call them during the walk thru.

Hopefully all is well and you can head straight to the closing. If there is a problem, alert your real estate agent who will then immediately alert your attorney as to the issue. Usually, the attorney can work out a solution by the time you arrive at your closing. In rare cases where the issue is pertinent, your closing can be stalled until an acceptable agreement is reached.

AT YOUR CLOSING 
A few people may be present:
You
Your attorney
Your real estate agent
The other party (seller)
Seller attorney
Seller real estate agent
Title Company
Mortgage Rep

Your attorney will review with you all of the documents that pertain to your sale or purchase. If you are the buyer, he or she will review with you your entire closing package page by page, usually giving you a summary of what the document you are signing means. If you have any questions be sure to ask, but this paperwork is standard and required by mortgage and government regulators. He or she will also review with you what's called the HUD line by line, so you understand where your money is going (closing costs) and how these figures were calculated.

Your closing will typically last anywhere from 30 to 60min. If a party is late then you can certainly run over, or if there is a problem like issues during the walk thru.

But, let's assume all goes well and you've signed the final page needing your signature. Congratulations! You'll be handed over your keys to your new home and on your way to enjoy.


I hope this gives you some ease and now you know what to expect at a closing and final walk thru!