Karen Lampiasi

This is a very viable price range in Clifton. You should connect with an agent who can help you. If you'd like a referral to a great Clifton agent please let me know at Karen.Lampiasi@CBmoves.com and I'd be happy to help. - Thu Jun 26 2008, 13:27

The best way to find out what it's worth is to speak with a realtor familiar with your community and ask to see information on comperable homes that have VERY RECENTLY sold. By very recently, I mean homes in the last 2-3 months at most, plus research on the homes currently under contract. With the market being in a state of flux, only very recent numbers will help guide you.

If you are in Bergen or Passaic County and need assistance, please contact me via my website and I'll have one of my agents assist you in gathering that information. - Mon Jun 2 2008, 13:20

This is a GREAT time to be buying. Plenty of properties to choose from, sellers are generally motivated and interest rates are still historically low. If you wait until the everyone is talking about how much the market is "improving" - you will already have missed the best time to buy and will pay more. Plus, the propbability is the interest rates will be higher making the actual monthly cost of the property more.

So - as everyone else has said here, make sure you are comfortable that the price you are paying is truly current market rate. Don't rely on comps from 6 months ago because they will be higher. Look at properties that have sold VERY recently or are currently under contract and take a tiny bit off.

Good luck! - Mon Jun 2 2008, 12:43

Ringwood is spread out and a bit more rural than nearby Bergen County. The nearest malls would probably be the Palisades Mall (jump back on 287 N) or Willowbrook in Wayne. If having things very close by appeals to you, you can look around in some of the surrounding towns. If you'd like some additional suggestions please feel free to get in touch with me.

Karen Lampiasi
Broker/Manager
Coldwell Banker - Mahwah
Karen.Lampiasi@CBmoves.com - Fri May 9 2008, 11:36

Congratulations. Now the real work begins! :)
You need to give some thought about whether you want to work in a big company or a small boutique office. One of the things you should look at is what kind of training the company offers. Many of the larger companies offer an intensive multi-day training program to really get you familiar with the company, their websites, marketing materials and then guidance about working with buyers & sellers.

Different companies also have different types of corporate structures. Some managers are "non-competiting" - meaning they are only there to help their agents (training, coaching, problem solving, guidance, etc...) and they do not list and sell property themselves. Other companies have managers who in addition to managing the office also list & sell properties themselves. Smaller "boutique" offices might have a salesperson who has their brokers license acting as the "Designated Realtor" but their primary objective is working with clients. It's important to know what kind of situation you are going into.

Things I would ask a prospective broker about:
1) Training - is there corporate training, how long does it last, what kind of on-going training do they offer, do they do personal coaching in the office or offer workshops on a regular basis to continue developing your skills
2) What is that company's market share in their area
3) What sort of website presence does the company have (do they have their own website, and if so - what sort of traffice does it get)
4) What are the fees you are going to be expected to pay in your first year. Some things you'll want to find out about are: Error & Ommission Insurance, NAR Dues (National, State & Local), MLS Dues (your yearly fee to join the MLS & your key pad fee)
5) How many agents work in the office and how productive are they. Do they have a lot of people who are very active or does the office allow alot of non-productive agents to hang their license there. I'd want an office that is productive & professional
6) What kind of turnover does the office have. If they have top agents who have been there a long time it's probably a pretty good place to work. If it wasn't - they could have left long ago.
7) What sort of atmosphere does the office have - is it friendly and supportive of new agents? You may want to talk to some of the new agents and see how they feel about their first year there.
8) When you speak with the manager you should see how you click with them. They are going to be the most important person in your training and development!

If you are looking in Bergen County by any chance, please feel to give me a call. I'd be happy to talk to you and if you're not up here, I can point in the direction of some offices you might want to consider in your area.

Good luck with your new career!

Karen Lampiasi
Manager/Broker
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
201-891-7800 Ext 162
www.EverythingBergenCounty.com
Karen.Lampiasi@CBMoves.com - Wed Apr 30 2008, 13:57