Almost everyone starts their home search on the internet which is great because there is so much information available. But finding the right home takes an organized approach and that’s where I can help. From the type of real estate that’s right for you to the size of the property and the ambience of the town, every detail should be considered so that the home you buy is the best for you and your family.

1. Let’s Get Started
Before we actually start looking at homes for sale, its best if you consider these points. This gives you the chance to focus on what you want and need in a home and helps both of us to get a clear picture of what you're looking for. We’ll be talking about:

• Type of home - Are you a traditionalist or open to anything? Are you willing to do some fix-up, or do you prefer a home in "turn-key" condition?
• Home features - What is most important to you in a home and where are you willing to compromise? Can you give up a fireplace to get air conditioning?
• Property size - Do you prefer a small, low maintenance lot or would you rather have a large backyard for children to play in or for greater privacy?
• Commute to work - How much time are you willing to spend commuting to work? Do you want to be near highways or within walking distance to public transportation? Does it matter if it’s by train, ferry or bus?
• Community atmosphere - Do you prefer the city, a suburb or a more rural environment? Which are you more flexible about - where you live or the size of your home and its features?
• Price range – Have you spoken to a licensed mortgage banker? It’s not only about what you can afford; it’s about what you decide to invest every month in your home. Financing and my Buying Process has great information on this.

Finding your home is a process and it’s not unusual to change your thoughts on everything. The more you investigate, the more you learn. I can help you with detailed information from bus routes to where to get sushi.

If you take the time to think about this, your home search will be a lot of fun and although you might find it a bit overwhelming at first, it always works out when you do things right.

2. Inspecting Homes & Towns
Here I have a question for you – How familiar are you with Bergen County?

This is important because it lets me know how much area information you’ll need. Some people spend the first few outings just looking at locations while others are ready to start looking at homes right away and yet others want to do both. Let me know what you need and that’s what we’ll do.

When we start looking at homes, please keep this in mind:

• At first it’s more a search to see what you don’t like; you’ll rule things out.
• Before we meet, tell me how much time you have for me so we’re on schedule
• Don’t try to see 15 homes the first time out; you’ll never remember them
• Go back to homes you think might work for you. Sometimes a second view can be very surprising.
• Never look in just one community. Keep your options open.
• Don’t be afraid to make changes while we’re looking – we can always make immediate adjustments.
• If you have children, let me know their ages. I’ll bring some extra supplies along.

Here’s what I will have for you on every house we’ll see:

• A full print out of the MLS listing
• The activity history of the house in the MLS
• A map showing where the house is located
• The MLS tax sheet with the property tax and assessment
• The MLS flood and tax assessor maps

If you wish, I can bring or email demographic reports of the towns we’ll visit as well as market information.
My goal is to make sure you’re totally prepared and that you have all the information you need when we go out together.

3. Watching the Market
We can both watch the market to see what’s out there for you from new MLS listings to price changes. You can search for homes yourself but I’ll also go through the inventory for you inside and out of the MLS to pre-select what’s available based on your parameters. It’s equally important that I keep you up to date on market trends and mortgage conditions. The more you know, the better it is.

Be Sure to Call Upon Me Whenever You See a Home You Like - If you happen to drive by a home that looks good to you...or see a home on the internet or advertised by another realtor that you'd like to take a look at, let me know right away so that I can get you all the information on it.

I can show you any home on the market. I belong to 3 different MLS systems so my customers have the most comprehensive access to the inventory. You can Search for Homes or View My Featured Homes right now!