Tress Realty Group
  • Home
  • Investors
  • Homeowners
    • Selling >
      • Sale Prices
    • Buying >
      • Land
      • New Jersey 55+
  • News
  • About
  • Contact
  • Send Out Cards

PBS: Beyond Trump: The ‘Real’ Real Estate Titans of New York City

4/28/2016

0 Comments

 
Amir Korangy joins us to talk about real estate mogul-turned presidential candidate Donald Trump, and the influence of power-playing developers in shaping New York City’s famous skyline.
0 Comments

Home Is Where The Heart Is

4/14/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Yesterday, we discussed the reasons why homeownership makes sense, financially. Today we wanted to touch on the emotional or ‘real’ reasons that many Americans strive to become homeowners.

​The top 4 reasons to own a home cited by respondents were not financial.

1. It means having a good place to raise children & provide them with a good education
From the best neighborhoods to the best school districts, even those without children at the time of purchasing their home, may have this in the back of their mind as a major reason for choosing the location of the home that they purchase. 

2. You have a physical structure where you & your family feel safe
It is no surprise that having a place to call home with all that means in comfort and security is the #2 reason.

3. It allows you to have more space for your family

Whether your family is expanding, or an older family member is moving in, having a home that fits your needs is a close third on the list. 

4. It gives you control over what you do with your living space, like renovations and updates
Looking to actually try one of those complicated wall treatments that you saw on Pinterest? Want to finally adopt that puppy or kitten you’ve seen online 100 times? Who’s to say that you can’t in your own home?

The 5th reason on the list, is the #1 financial reason to buy a home as seen by respondents: 

5. Owning a home is a good way to build up wealth that can be passed along to my family

Either way you are paying a mortgage. Why not lock in your housing expense now with an investment that will build equity that you can borrow against in the future? 

Bottom Line

Whether you are a first time homebuyer or a move-up buyer who wants to start a new chapter in their life, now is a great time to reflect on the intangible factors that make a house a home.
Source: KeepingCurrentMatters
​
0 Comments

Best Energy-Smart Home 2016 - Fine Homebuilding HOUSES Awards

4/14/2016

0 Comments

 
This Felton, California home combines traditional passive-solar strategies with new-age materials. 
0 Comments

Study Again Finds Homeownership to be a Better Way of Producing Wealth

4/11/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
​Is it better to rent or buy a home in today’s housing market?
The index examines the entire US housing market and then isolates 23 major markets for comparison. The researchers use a “'horse race' comparison between an individual that is buying a home and an individual that rents a similar quality home and reinvests all monies otherwise invested in homeownership.”

Ken Johnson Ph.D., Real Estate Economist & Professor at Florida Atlantic University, and one of the index’s authors states:

“The nation as a whole is in buy territory. Continued near record low mortgage rates, unsteady stock market performance, and rents (on average) now out pacing the cost of ownership (maintenance, taxes, insurance, etc.) all combine to favor owning and building wealth through home equity over renting and reinvesting in a portfolio of stocks and bonds.”

Dallas, Denver and Houston currently remain deep in rent territory but, “there is some degree of good news from these markets for homeowners as the cost of renting is now increasing at a faster rate than the cost of homeownership — reducing the advantage of renting over buying.” 

Bottom Line

Buying a home makes sense socially and financially. Rents are predicted to increase substantially in the next year, so lock in your housing cost with a mortgage payment now.
Source: KeepingCurrentMatters
0 Comments

6 Ways an Energy Audit Can Skyrocket a Home’s Listing Price 

4/9/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture

A home energy audit might not be at the top of your to-do list, but if you’re getting your home market-ready, here’s why you should make it a priority.

If you’ve ever been in the market to buy or sell a house, you’re probably familiar with a few key questions when it comes to utilities. Septic or sewer? Oil or gas? And how much will it cost to heat and cool this place?

The answer to those questions can affect the final offer, because what buyers want to know is, how much will this place really cost me? The monthly mortgage payment is one consideration, but ongoing maintenance and utility bills are also part of a smart consumer’s equation.

In other words, an energy-efficient house is an attractive house. So while a home energy audit might not be at the top of your to-do list when getting your home market-ready, it should be. In fact, in some states, an energy audit is required before selling a home.

Energy labels for homes exist — LEED ("Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design") and Energy Star, for example — but you don’t need an official (and sometimes expensive) title to reap the benefits of efficiency. What you do need is an energy audit from a reputable provider who can measure your home’s performance. Is it drafty? How’s the HVAC? Is the insulation effective? Think of this as the equivalent of a miles-per-gallon rating for your home.

With that in mind, here’s how an energy audit before selling a home can boost your property’s value when it’s time to sell.

1. Show you where to put the money

A home energy analysis, such as the Home Energy Rating System Index, provides a detailed report regarding energy problems and fixes. Results in hand, you’ll know where to put your home improvement dollars, making your home more attractive to prospective buyers.

2. Lower utility bills

Once you know where to make cost-effective fixes, you can pinpoint the ROI on those upgrades, large or small. Repairing caulking, say, or sealing a fireplace may be key to reduce your monthly energy bills. Alternatively, a bigger investment, such as replacing old windows, could cost more upfront but make a bigger impact on the value of your home overall.

3. Competitive advantage 



Read More
0 Comments

6 Kitchen Design Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

4/6/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Ok…you’ve decided this is the weekend you’re going to embrace your inner DIY’er and paint your kitchen! You run down to the paint store and pick up what looks to be the most fabulous shade of paint you’ve ever seen.
You spend the entire day painting your kitchen and realize after its dry…YIKES!!! This paint color looks horrible! Oh…my gosh!!! What do I do now?!!!
We’ve all been there before and can certainly relate to this type of mistake. Before you go and invest in any kind of paint, or major renovation project in your kitchen, find out more about 6 types of kitchen design mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Not Working with a Professional

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when deciding to undertake a major kitchen renovation is not working with a professional.
A professional kitchen designer will be able to help you plan your new kitchen layout, and incorporate things you may or may not be thinking about like ample storage space and countertop space. In addition they will also be able to assist you with the proper measurements and making sure you’re ordering the correct size upper and lower cabinets.
At TheRTAStore.com our friendly kitchen designers are trained to think about all of the small details to help give you piece of mind so your next kitchen remodel will be a stress free experience.

2. Following Kitchen Trends


We all love the shiny new object that comes out every year, but the thing with trends is that they are here today and gone tomorrow. While it may seem like a great idea to choose the latest high-end appliances or the “it” color of the moment, a couple of months from now that shiny, pricy, slick new item may never get you a return on your investment.
An excellent way to save yourself a lot of heartache and money is to do your research up front and make an informed decision before investing in trendy items.
​
3. Not Enough Lighting

Just like beautiful jewelry can help to finish off the perfect outfit, excellent lighting can help to define your kitchen space. Not providing enough lighting in your kitchen can make it feel dark, small, and cramped.
When planning out your next kitchen remodel, work with a design professional who can assist you with planning the right amount of light for your kitchen that will aid in making your space feel larger, brighter, and more airy.

Read More
0 Comments

New Jersey’s Most Expensive Home

4/6/2016

0 Comments

 

The 30,000-square-foot mansion was built on the former Frick estate

Picture
The Garden State’s most expensive listing is only eight miles from Manhattan — and comes with a storied past.
The property belongs to Richard Kurtz, founder of the real-estate company Kamson Corporation. In 2006, Kurtz bought a 60-acre estate — which included a 1930s English manor house — from the heirs of Henry Clay Frick II, the grandson of the American steel magnate of the same name.
There was one stipulation: the 86-year-old Frick must be allowed to live in the mansion for the rest of his life.

Continue reading...

0 Comments

4 Home Improvements That Can Lower (or Eliminate) Your Tax Bill

4/4/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
We know. It’s tax season and you’re knee-deep in paperwork and you already dipped into your savings to remodel your home last year and now you have to pay more money to the IRS and you just want it all to end already.

Wait, back the truck up. Did you say you remodeled your home? You might be in luck. If you’ve made the right kind of renovations, you could deduct the expense or even get a tax credit—which promises to significantly lower (or even eliminate) the amount you owe to the IRS. And if you’re planning to renovate—or even to buy a home that could require renovations—you’d do well to approach it so you can reap these rewards, too.

Here are four big renovations that can lower your tax bill.

Energy generators

Under the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit, homeowners can receive a tax credit for alternative energy equipment installed in your home.

(Yes, that’s a tax credit, which is directly subtracted from the amount you owe, as opposed to a deduction, which simply lowers your taxable income.)

Homeowners receive credit for up to 30% of the cost of purchasing and installing “alternative energy equipment,” defined by the IRS as solar electric systems, solar water heaters, wind turbines, or geothermal heat pumps. You can also receive credits for residential fuel cells, capped at $500 per kilowatt of energy capacity.

Granted, these are all expensive additions—a wind turbine capable of powering your entire property costs $30,000 on average—but they pay back big, come tax time.



Read More
0 Comments

RENOVATION MISTAKES THAT DECREASE HOME VALUE

4/1/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
RENOVATING ONE BEDROOM INTO ANOTHER SPACE
Home renovation mistakes

Pondering about having your very own crafting room or knocking down the walls between two bedrooms to make a bigger one? Stop! Think about the future when it will be time to sell your home. Having 2 bedrooms instead of 3 can cost you a few tens of thousands of dollars.

As a general rule, houses with more bedrooms command higher prices because listings are typically grouped together based on the number of rooms (and toilets and baths). Fewer bedrooms can also mean that fewer people will be interested to even look at your future listing. 3 bedroom homes sell the most, more so for families. Unless you have more than 3 bedrooms, then it would be wise to really think long and hard before deciding to renovate your home into one with fewer bedrooms.


Source: realtytimes.com
​
0 Comments

3 Ways to Transform Your Room with Windows Coverings

4/1/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
​While you can’t often change the architecture of your home, you can change your decor when you want to mix things up a bit. With winter wrapping up and spring on its way in, you might be looking to refresh your home with a few quick fixes and updates.

Adding new window treatments is an inexpensive way to transform your space. They complement your existing style, but they also give you a little wiggle room to experiment. Consider how much privacy you need, how much light you want to allow, the level of insulation you’d prefer and your budget before choosing your new window coverings. With all those aspects in mind, we’ve chosen three of our favorite options to help you get started.

Curtains
Curtains are at the top of our window treatment list due to their versatility and ability to take any room from drab to fab. Because you have such a plethora of options to choose from, it’s best to know ahead of time what you want your curtains to do. If you’re looking for privacy, especially for first-floor bedrooms and bathrooms, we recommend darker panels or lined curtains. Dark panels hide your windows best and lend a moody, romantic vibe to the room. They are also a great striking and graphic element for a space that needs a little jolt.

Curtains can also distract from an undesirable view, like an alley or your next-door neighbor’s fence. If privacy isn’t an issue, opt for sheer curtains. They’re a timeless style, and can soften a room that has busy patterns or harsher tones. If you have any asymmetrical windows, sheer curtains also help to balance them, lending symmetry to your space. If you want a softly lit room, opt for sheer curtains with light lining for a romantic dimming effect.
Picture

Read More
0 Comments

    Picture

    Tress Realty

    Tress Realty Group compiles some of the best real estate news, tips, and information for buyers, sellers and investors.

    Get started with your home search at www.TressHomes.com.

    Archives

    April 2020
    January 2019
    October 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    June 2013

    Categories

    All
    Chatham
    East-brunswick
    Fair Haven
    Glen Ridge
    Hoboken
    Home Sales
    Maplewood
    Millburn
    Montclair
    Ridgewood
    South Orange
    Summit
    Tress Homes

    RSS Feed

Home

Website disclaimer and copyright

​
Use of the information and data contained within this site or these pages is at your sole risk. If you rely on the information on this site you are responsible for ensuring by independent verification its accuracy, currency or completeness.  It is provided “as is” without express or implied warranty. 

Some properties which appear on this web-site may no longer be available because they are under contract, have been sold or are no longer being offered for sale.  Images uses for navigation may be for properties in different towns, and are not intended to be considered anything other than representative of the types of houses that may be found in a particular municipality.  All data and/or search facilities on this site are for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties that consumers may be interested in purchasing.

Tress Realty Group cannot guarantee the accuracy of the IDX/MLS data created by outside parties. Tress Realty Group further assumes no responsibility for any misleading content or incorrectly listed information due to such negligence. All ancillary information presented on this web-site is not guaranteed and should be independently verified by the users of this site. Tress Realty Group makes no warranty, either expressed or implied, as to the accuracy of the data contained within or obtained from this web-site.

Tress Realty Group accepts no liability for any interference with or damage to a user’s computer, software or data occurring in connection with or relating to this Site or its use or any website linked to this site.  Further, Tress Realty Group has provided Hypertext links to a number of sites as a service only. This should NOT be taken as implying any link between us and those various organizations or individuals.

Disclaimer: this website may be supported by ads and participation in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you click our links. The information included in this post is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal or financial advice.

Site copyrighted by Tress Realty Group LLC  © 2016-2022, all rights reserved.
  • Home
  • Investors
  • Homeowners
    • Selling >
      • Sale Prices
    • Buying >
      • Land
      • New Jersey 55+
  • News
  • About
  • Contact
  • Send Out Cards