Archive for the ‘Basking Ridge Real Estate Information’ Category

While the overall real estate market is not doing so great, the market here in Basking Ridge remains strong.  Sale prices may not be where we want them to be (as sellers and homeowners) but sales activity continues to remain steady with some properties attracting multiple bids and near-asking sale prices.  It’s a little hard these days to push the envelope on pricing – market value is going to become evident in the first few weeks that your house is listed and you and your agent will have only limited control over the final sale price.

What you can control is how the house shows.  I often tell prospective sellers to start packing.  Less is more, de-clutter and neutralize.  You are selling a house, not your home – to a buyer who is looking for a house which they can envision as their home.  You need to make it easy for them to do that.

Sharon Tara, a stager in NH wrote a great article for a real estate forum that I frequent.  She says that when preparing your house for sale, you should consider the “Perfect Crime”. Today’s buyers are like the detectives in those old time movies: leave them the smallest amount of evidence and they will find a way to use it against you!

She suggests that successfully selling your house requires leaving no evidence at the scene. Remove the DNA – your family photos, diplomas and degrees.  Clean up the fingerprints – medical equipment, medications, hobbies and collections.  Allow a prospective buyer to walk through your house and imagine it as their home.  I do not think you have to take away everything; it is important that your house be warm and inviting. But it should be presented in a way that is universally accepted as such: chocolate chip cookies or apple spices are much better aromas than last night’s garlic casserole!

Additionally, you should be prepared to flee the scene at a moment’s notice!  It is virtually impossible to keep your house in show shape 24 hours a day – but, of course, that is what today’s detectives expect (oops, I meant buyers).  I often tell people that we understand that people live here – and if you are feeding a toddler three meals a day it’s okay to leave the high chair in the kitchen. But it’s a good idea to keep a laundry basket or a plastic tote by the front door to hold the remnants of quick clean up so you can leave in a hurry if an agent calls to schedule a last minute showing.

The best way to ensure that your house will sell is to price it right and make sure it shows PERFECTLY.

258 Alexandria Way, Basking Ridge

Spring Ridge Duplex – Greenbriar model – 3 bedrooms, 2.1 baths and a finished basement.

Sold for $432,000

The price on 267 English Place in Society Hill Basking Ridge is getting better and better! Now being offered at $284,900 – this two bedroom end unit has been updated with a new kitchen, new bathrooms, floors, and more.

Open this Sunday from 1:00 – 4:00. Come take a look!

Sign up for new listing alerts in Basking Ridge or take a look at what sold each month for the last two years – a great way to get an idea of Basking Ridge home values.

You may have seen my listing at 11 Archgate Road in Basking Ridge.  It’s a wonderful four bedroom center hall colonial set on almost an acre in the Glenbrook community of homes right off of Lyons Road.  Many major updates have been taken care of: landscaping, new driveway, roof, gutters, front porch, irrigation, bathrooms, floors, doors, electric, moldings, California closets, even an energy audit! 

There have been several sales in this community over the last 12 months:

• 65 Addison Drive – 4 bedrooms, 2.1 baths on almost an acre - sold for $780,000
• 11 Penwood Road – 5 bedrooms, 2.2 baths – sold for $760,000
• 3 Penwood Road – 5 bedrooms, 3.1 baths – sold for $839,000

Given the size difference and location difference of these properties, 11 Archgate Road has been fairly priced at $94,000 lower than the average value of these closed sales in the neighborhood.

At $699,000, 11 Archgate Road is an excellent value in Basking Ridge!

If you haven’t seen it yet, call your agent or contact me and I will make an appointment for you to preview it.  You never know, this could be your next home in Basking Ridge!

There have been fourteen contract sales in Basking Ridge since 9/1/11 – at prices across the range from $200,000 up to $1,300,000.  Of the 178 properties showing available, eight are starred as being in attorney review and I know that there are at least two others with offers being negotiated.  I am working multiple offers on one of my listings, just received an offer on another one and I am expecting an offer on a third before the end of the week.  Despite this activity, the absorption rate here in town has crept up significantly – reaching almost 12 months.  That is CrAzY – and I think it is a false high as I am aware of several properties that are under contract that are not accurately reported in the MLS.  This is being done to protect sellers in a buyers market full of uncertainty when it comes to things like appraisals and re-negotiations after inspections.

Obviously though, people are still buying homes in Basking Ridge – there have been 22 closings since September 1st:

85 Manor Drive, sale price: $975,000
22 Royal Oak Drive, sale price: $1,480,000
23 Mayflower Drive, sale price: $490,000
37 Emily Road, sale price:  $1,750,000
19 Hancock Court, sale price: $499,000
222 Patriot Hill Drive, sale price: $615,000
21 Sentry Court, sale price: $1,232,500
128 Constitution Way, sale price: $468,000
35 Old Farm Road, sale price: $1,215,000
22 Dexter Drive North, sale price: $537,500
12 Van Dorn Road, sale price: $650,000
78 Carlisle Road, sale price: $610,000
55 Kinnan Way, sale price: $865,000
1 Potomac Drive, sale price: $210,000
184 Spencer Road, sale price: $475,000
257 Penns Way, sale price: $275,000
72 Liberty Ridge Road, sale price: $712,000
23 Ramapo Drive, sale price: $1,042,000
26 Hickory Drive, sale price: $855,000
18 Hadley Court, sale price: $660,000
142 Irving Place, sale price: $225,000
21 Knollcroft Road, sale price: $474,900

Great houses when listed at great prices will absolutely sell.  And – in my opinion – every house is a great house!  Seriously, there is a buyer out there for every house. You just need an experienced agent to help you market the property, find the buyer and navigate the rough waters of the current market!  As these 22 new Basking Ridge homeowners can attest: it can be done!

Helpful Links

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Considering a move to Basking Ridge? 

Three bedroom ranch on almost half an acre!

Then check out this charming three bedroom ranch on almost half an acre at the end of a private lane close to town.  This home offers an updated kitchen, a renovated master bathroom, a finished room in the basement perfect for the kids or an office, a wall of windows overlooking a huge deck in the living room.  Two full bathrooms, a huge two car garage and a yard that is perfect for so many things….parties, soccer games, swing sets, gardening!

www.65SAlwardAve.com

www.65SouthAlwardAvenue.com

Over $150,000 of upgrades since 2004

 11 Archgate Road, Basking Ridge

Great new Price: $699,000

Landscaping, driveway, fenced yard, upgraded electric, fresh paint, new gutters, new flooring, new doors – inside and out, new roof, you name it, it’s new!  Don’t take my word for it, come see – call for an appointment or come to next week’s open house on Sunday, 9/18 from 1:00-5:00.

Five closed sales in Basking Ridge this past week:

• 1 Potomac Drive in Spring Ridge – listed for $225,000 sold for $210,000
• 18 Hadley Court in Amherst Mews – listed for $699,000 sold for $660,000
• 33 Vanderveer Drive in Revere Hill – listed for $$819,999 sold for $805,000
• 22 Royal Oak Drive, a Bocina built colonial – listed for $1,575,000 sold for $1,480,000
• 37 Emily Road, another Bocina built colonial – listed for $1,825,000 sold for $1,750,000

Considering a move into or out of Basking Ridge?  Consider calling Jennifer Blanchard – she IS Basking Ridge Real Estate!

Welcome Back, September, it’s good to see you again!

As much as I love the slow laziness of the summer months, by the time September rolls along I’m really happy to see it!  Things start happening again: school, sports, routine, and…..REAL ESTATE!

There have been sixteen new listings and ten price adjustments in Basking Ridge since the first of the month.  And, there have been 11 contract sales.  Traditionally we see an uptick in market activity between Labor Day and Thanksgiving.  So if you are looking to make a move, it might pay to take advantage of the Fall Market in Basking Ridge.  I am happy to provide a listing of current properties or an evaluation of the value of your home in the current market.  No obligation, just Information!

Please visit one of today’s featured listings in Basking Ridge:

11 Archgate Road: $699,000 – from 1:00 – 5:00 – Alma and I will be more than happy to show you this wonderful center hall colonial with an amazing list of upgrades and a terrific location within walking distance of Pleasant Valley Park.

267 English Place: $289,900 – from 1:00 – 5:00 – Carol and I will be more than happy to show you this wonderful two bedroom end unit in Society Hill I.  FHA approved and completely updated!

I will be floating between these properties and a listing in Bridgewater: 15 Frohlin Drive which is just off of Washington Valley Road which will be hosted open by Kate between 1:00 and 4:00 today.  Stop by and visit this large split level home on a nice level lot in one of the best Bridgewater neighborhoods.

I am looking forward to talking with you when you are ready to make a move!

11 Archgate Road, 1-4, four bedroom colonial in quiet Basking Ridge neighborhood – over $150,000 in upgrades!

267 English Place, 1-5, two bedroom end unit in Society Hill – many updates including kitchen and baths!

Interest rates are at incredible lows… now might be the time to buy!  Stop in at one of these open houses and talk to an experienced agent about your options in this market.