I Believe This Photo Originated Here on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/messages/#!/profile.php?id=592364301 I am not sure if Mark Stucker Took this photo or just posted it.
It broke and warmed my heart at the same time and I thought I would pass it along on this Cold Friday Evening. I hope you have a wonderful successful weekend!
Tara Stone, Realtor
Horse Property Specialist
Certified REO and BPO Specialist
2 comments • Tara Stone ~ NJ Estates and Stables • January 20 2012 09:57PMDo You Love Westfield?
Did You Think Living In Westfield Was Out Of Reach?
Think Again…Click Here To View Homes Available For Sale Under $500,000
Call Me Today About Our Buyer Rebate!
Visit Westfield On Line HERE
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View The #1 Boutique Realty In Westfield HERE
Did You Know We Have A Equestrian Division? Click HERE
Tara Stone, Realtor
Horse Property Specialist
Certified REO and BPO Specialist
0 comments • Tara Stone ~ NJ Estates and Stables • January 19 2012 07:31PMGo Directly To The Article and Credits Here: http://westfield.patch.com/articles/keeping-it-real-married-couple-opens-realty-group
For Westfield residents David and Lorena Barbosa, realtors for more than a decade, opening an office together had been a long-term goal.
The couple, who met on a blind date, took themselves off the market when they married in 2004.
Parents to two daughters under the age of four, the Barbosas started David Realty Group in October after years of thinking about joining forces. Equal partners, Lorena focuses more on training and recruiting while David specializes in the technology side of the business, including Internet marketing, website design and managing day-to-day operations.
The two also collaborated on their street-level South Avenue West office space, with David creating the layout and Lorena choosing the color scheme.
"I wanted to open up an office because I live here and I know the area; I grew up in Cranford," said David, who spent much of his 18-year career in Jersey City. "When I was 17, I started hanging out in Westfield. One of my best friends owns Bovella's. He's the godfather to one of our daughters. My other good friend is Vinny Ferraro of Ferraro's, so we know a lot of people in town. It just made sense to open up this office.
"If you go to Jersey City, go to Hoboken, go to Weehawken, there are a ton of upscale boutique real estate offices, so in talking with Lorena, I said you know I lived in this area my whole life and there's never been an upscale, boutique real estate office, ever."
While the Barbosas acknowledge it is daunting to open a real estate business in today's economic climate, they said it is all they know. Throughout the process of starting their business, they have been asked repeatedly how they hope to compete with "the big guys."
"We're not here saying we're going to take the market share from Coldwell Banker or from Weichert or Keller Williams," David said. "If we tried to do this 20 years ago, there's no way we could compete because 20 years ago there was a lot of print ad needed to market the homes. All of that has changed with the Internet. The Internet has leveled the playing field."
David said by participating in four multiple listing services in New Jersey, David Realty Group's offerings appear on over 50 websites.
"That's what's changed the game today and that's why you will see more small boutique offices popping up," he said.
With eight agents and a growing number of listings, David Realty Group believes it can keep up with larger firms but aspires to keep the personal touch.
The Barbosas believe the key to success is listening to their clients and being available "24/7" to meet their needs. They also feel being small can have its advantages.
"With the big guys, if the customer has a problem with their agent, can they call the owner of the company?" David said.
Another feature the Barbosas believe will set their office apart is their equestrian division.
"One of our agents specializes in horse properties and that takes the agents all over the state. It's a great avenue for us to go down. It just builds our brand even more," said David.
The couple also offered advice to prospective buyers and sellers.
"It may sound cliche, but it's always the right time to sell your house," Lorena said. "People think the spring is the best time, but really, if you want to sell in the winter, there are fewer houses on the market so that's a great time, too."
The Barbosas also recommend shopping around for the right agent for what is probably "the biggest transaction" of one's life.
"Interview at least three agents," Lorena said. "If you needed plumbing work, you'd probably get three estimates."
"We work with sellers to let them know what we think will make the home more marketable," Lorena said. "We do work with home stagers so we offer that, too."
And how is working together working out?
"I love it," said Lorena.
"We actually get along better at work than we do at home," David joked.
The realty group participated in a holiday coat drive and the Barbosas said they hope to volunteer in more community-wide activities.
"We're already entrenched in the community," David said. "We look forward to getting even more involved."
For more information, visit David Realty Group's website or call 908-264-8843.
Tara Stone, Realtor
Horse Property Specialist
Certified REO and BPO Specialist
0 comments • Tara Stone ~ NJ Estates and Stables • January 16 2012 09:53PMThese Clients Found Me on ActiveRain!
SOLD!
New Client Testimonial: 1/11/2012
My wife and I got in touch with Tara when we were planning to relocate to NJ back in March of 2011, and were looking toward buying a single family home. We opted for Tara after reading testimonials about her on her then website. Having worked with her, I can say that all those glowing testimonials were absolutely true!! Tara is a charm to work with! Whenever I flew in for scheduled viewings, she was very punctual about time, and had done all the necessary research about the property of interest. She was extremely patient, showed us what we interested in, but also showed us what was on the market, which allowed us to think outside of the box. Once we found our desired house, she worked very much in our interest to negotiate a great price!! And then she literally hand-held us till the closing..... Summary: Based on my experience with Tara, I have no hesitation in fully recommending her to all seeking a great real estate agent!! Positives: Charming personality and friendly disposition, respectful of others' time, highly knowledgeable, very patient, ability to identify one's needs with respect to a desired property, works tirelessly till the end-game. Negatives: Can't think of any.…MORE
My Response: Jiju and Sheron, Thank you so much for the beautiful words. I truly appreciate the time you took to write this review and it was my pleasure to help you find your first home in New Jersey. Warmest Regards, Tara
Thank You ActiveRain For Providing This Amazing Platform!
~ Forever Yours Tara
Tara Stone, Realtor
Horse Property Specialist
Certified REO and BPO Specialist
0 comments • Tara Stone ~ NJ Estates and Stables • January 11 2012 03:30PMTara Stone, Realtor
Horse Property Specialist
Certified REO and BPO Specialist
3 comments • Tara Stone ~ NJ Estates and Stables • January 09 2012 08:39PMTara Stone, Realtor
Horse Property Specialist
Certified REO and BPO Specialist
4 comments • Tara Stone ~ NJ Estates and Stables • January 06 2012 10:31PMI consider myself pretty savvy and aware of my surroundings. As a Realtor, safety is always a concern and I take precuations to insure that safety. I never thought about this hidden danger for our children until I saw Julia's post this morning. It's excellent and if you have children or representing a listing that has children you MUST read this. Be Well, Tara
"I'm Mayhem, and I'm Your Worst Nightmare!"
I like small children.
I surf the internet looking for them.
I don't have to bother with social networking sites.
I can use the MLS.
I know if it's a boy or a girl.
I know approximately how old they are.
I know their address.
I KNOW THEIR NAME!!!
I know they might respond to me if I call them by their name.
I'm Mayhem, and I'm your worst nightmare!
Parents, if your house is for sale, PLEASE remove any and all references to specific information regarding your children. This may include name banners, awards, certificates, report cards, signs, etc. Don't give Mayhem a chance with with your children!
Real Estate Agents: Please encourage your listing clients to remove name signs such as the one above. While charming, they could put a child at risk. If the client won't comply, refrain from posting such photos.
This is one important piece of advice I give all my Connecticut Home Staging clients, and one that I would think all agents would too. However, every day I see new listings posted on the MLS with this kind of blatant "invitation". Let's keep the children's safety in mind!
Julia Vigneron Maher, Nestings Home Staging & Model Home Design: Award-Winning Staging for Model, Vacant and Occupied Homes in Fairfield County, CT (including Fairfield, Southport, Westport, Trumbull, Monroe, Newtown, Stratford, Easton, Weston, Wilton, Norwalk, Darien, Stamford, Greenwich) and Connecticut.
203.257.7395
Tara Stone, Realtor
Horse Property Specialist
Certified REO and BPO Specialist
0 comments • Tara Stone ~ NJ Estates and Stables • January 05 2012 09:54AMI thought this blog post was worth it's weight in Gold and new I had to pass it on. Great info for agents and home owners. Thanks for the inside Michael B
How To Prepare for a Home Appraisal
You’ve just signed all of the paperwork for your refinance, handed the loan officer the check for the appraisal, and now you’re wondering what is going to happen next. Good news-the appraisal inspection is painless, and usually takes anywhere from 30-60 minutes to complete. However, there are a few things that you should do to help the process move along as smooth as possible.
Preparing for the appraisal inspection:
- Create a detailed list of the recent improvements, which should include the following: when completed, cost of the improvement, before and after pictures if available.
- Make sure each room is accessible; the appraiser is required to inspect each room.
- If there is a crawl space, this area will also have to be made accessible for inspection for an FHA appraisal.
- Give the appraiser room to do their job. Errors are more likely to occur when the appraiser isn’t able to concentrate on their inspection.
- Keep all pets restrained. I’ve been bitten twice by a dog, and once by a cat; the owners had assured me that their pets were friendly-not so much!
- If you live within a development that has a homeowners association, have the name and phone number of the contact person available, along with a fee statement.
- If the appraisal is for an FHA loan, then the area leading to the attic will have to be cleared and made accessible-the appraiser is required to make at least a head and shoulders inspection of the attic area.
- Walk through each room and straighten up as if you were getting ready for company to visit. Appraisers are objective and can look past many things, however, the underwriter reviewing the appraisal photos may feel differently.
- Complete any unfinished projects-most appraisals are done “as is”, and any projects that haven’t been completed, will have to be adjusted for within the appraisal report.
- A copy of any agreements regarding easements (shared driveways and/or garages,etc.) should be made available.
Concerns about value:
For years I’ve been a big proponent of developing a relationship with a Realtor. I’m not talking about a real estate agent who happens to be a relative that lives half way across the state. I’m talking about one that does a lot of work within your neighborhood.
By building a relationship with a professional Realtor (this is all they do and they do it well), they’ll be able to give you great insight as to what’s happening within your neighborhood, and they would be glad to let you know what similar homes are selling for.
Once the appraisal is complete:
You have a right to a copy of your appraisal, so ask for it. If you should find any errors or have any concerns, talk with your loan originator. This is hard for borrowers to understand, being that they paid for the appraisal, but the mortgage company is the appraiser’s client, and they can’t discuss the appraisal with anyone else unless given permission.
Trying to understand an appraisal can be like trying to read the “Dead Sea Scrolls,” so ask questions and get clarification when needed-you paid for it!
If you have any questions, or Minnesota real estate appraisal needs (divorce, bankruptcy, tax appeal, or estate planning) please contact Michael at 612.599-2581, or use the form on the contact page.
Tara Stone, Realtor
Horse Property Specialist
Certified REO and BPO Specialist
0 comments • Tara Stone ~ NJ Estates and Stables • January 03 2012 09:14PMThe Pro Slaughter Regime would love us to believe that owners have no choice but to abandon and starve their horses because there is now horse slaughter in in the US...Here are some facts!
Since US Slaughter plants closed down to horse processing there has NOT been a decrease in the amount of horses shipped for slaughter.
The Media Hype Around Abandoned horses has been proven falsifies on several accounts.
Here is a great article uncovering a REAL story..
If You Like The Truth Take A Moment To Educate Yourself On This Very HOT topic.
Tara Stone, Realtor
Horse Property Specialist
Certified REO and BPO Specialist
0 comments • Tara Stone ~ NJ Estates and Stables • January 03 2012 07:54PMHunterdon County New Jersey..A Perfect Place for You and Your Horses!
Alexandria Trail Systems
Click Here to view properties with horse facilities over $1 million
Click Here to view properties with horse facilities under $1 million
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Tara Stone, Realtor
Horse Property Specialist
Certified REO and BPO Specialist
0 comments • Tara Stone ~ NJ Estates and Stables • January 03 2012 07:22PMContent © 2009 'Frequent Contributors'. Design © 2009 ActiveRain Corp.
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