Bergen County Real Estate Chick

We ask realtors to come in with an offer in writing. I have been noticing that more and more calls are coming in with the "what will they take" question. What will they take for the house?

According to the Media, the sellers are in such a pinch that they will consider anything. That is certainly not true here in Bergen County, NJ. The market IS soft, but not that soft.

A buyer who is playing is wasting his or her time, the seller's agent's time, the buyer's agent's time and the seller's time. We are still looking for serious buyers. I am not a tour guide--yet.

Lindsay Gamble, MBA

Bergen County Real Estate Chick

201 599-1484

I spent the day on the road in Bergen County. Showed houses to some early risers. Another couple before lunch. Finally, a third couple in the afternoon. Then I looked at my gas gauge. Oh dear!

It had been full when I started in the morning. So I drove over the the local service station. He handed me my credit card bill to sign. Good grief!

It is bad enough to be treated as a tourguide by some people, but their extendedsearch for houses is starting to take away a good deal of the profit! Exon is doing well.

Does anyone have a surcharge for their buyers? A fee paid up front that comes off the transaction at closing? It sems fair to me. Otherwise, I am thinking of using the buyer's car. Takes longer, but. . .

Lindsay Gamble, MBA

Bergen County Real Estate Chick

Gold Star Realty/GMAC

201 599-1484

Will Rogers was a stand up comic during the Depression. Of course that was a difficult period in American history. His advice to sales people? "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." At Gold Star/GMAC we are running harder and faster than ever for our buyers and our sellers.

We have more and more details to consider for each listing. To stay on track I must run over to a listing right now and take a number of inside shots. In the fast market, we never had time to take much less post inside photos. Now, it is essential. We want people to get a feeling for the home before they see it.

Call me if you are looking to buy or sell in Bergen County--Gold Star Country! We make you home a Star.

Lindsay Gamble, MBA

Bergen County Real Estate Chick

201 599-1484

I am so happy that the Wall Street Journal has decided to agree with me: it is a good time to buy a house. Today, Sunday March 9th they reported: "Finally, it's a buyer's market out there. For years rapidly rising pricesw kept many first time home buyers out of the housing market. But as home values slide further downward and interest rates hover at low levels, it may be time to start looking to buy that first house." Wow!

I spent the after noon at an Open House at one of my new listings. Last month we would have had one couple come through. Today we had close to 10! Things are starting to turn here in Bergen County.

This is no longer the bid up market where many people were trying to get the same house. Nor is it a market for people who are trying to get something for nothing. No down payment, owner give backs, etc. It is a market for people who what to buy a house. What a unique idea!!

The Journal gives this advice to buyers: "remember, you're investing in a place to live, not speculating in the stocke market or even putting money into a savings account. So, keep it simple.

Lets keep it simple. Give me a call and I will help you find the home of your dreams here in Bergen County, or find you a professional realtor if you are thinking of living elsewhere.

Questions or comments?

Lindsay Gamble, MBA

Bergen County Real Estate Chick

201 599-14384

I knew it would happen again. The power went off. Of course, the storm is over. The rain has stopped, but the power is out.

For years this would have been a problem. No light, no frig, no heat, etc. But this year I took care of things. To everyone's surprise we installed a gas powered generator. That is right. Natural gas generator. It tests itself every Friday morning, but other than that, we have not given it a second thought.

That was until the power went out. Outside I heard, "putt, putt, putt". And the yellow box springs to life. The power is out in the neighborhood. Not my house. If we were out of town, no problem. The power would be on.

Not cheap (about $5,000). But perfect when the power goes. If you live in Bergen County and want the name of my installer, please leave me a message and I will put you in touch with my electrician.

Meanwhile, across the street we see the light from flashlights and candles as neighbors try to avoid falling down stairs. I wonder how many of them will install a natural gas generator after this outage?

Sleep well!

Lindsay Gamble, MBA

Bergen County Real Estate Chick

Gold Star Realty/GMAC

201 599-1484