Bergen County homes in high demand

As a result of the pandemic, most of us have more cash on hand than we used to. Money typically spent on trips, restaurants and other activities outside the home went into our bank accounts.

Many are now flush with cash. “Americans in the aggregate have roughly $2.7 trillion in “excess savings” accumulated since the pandemic began”, according to the New York Times.

That’s especially obvious when it comes to buying investment properties.

Last week I submitted an offer on behalf of a real estate investor for a two family home in Secaucus. It needed quite a bit of updating.

How was the competition? There were 80 offers for the property. Was it underpriced? No. This was not an anomaly. Rental properties, even in rough shape, are routinely getting more than 10 offers and selling in a matter of a few days.

Buyers looking for their primary home also have fierce competition. Inventory remains near record lows. And there are more buyers age 30-35 than ever before. In February, one Ridgewood home received 40 offers and another home 25. The sale price for both is expected to be significantly over list price.

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The local real estate market is strong according to this Glen Rock Real Estate Report. Home values are up 10% in the last year and 17% over the last five years. The supply of homes is low. And the sale price to list price ratio is nearly 100%.

So if you’re looking to buy or sell, you need a real estate agent who knows the local market like the back of his hand. Michael Shetler has been a Glen Rock resident since 2004 and a real estate agent since 2005. He’s been named one of Bergen’s Top Real Estate Agents and has earned the NJ REALTORS® Circle of Excellence Award from 2013 through 2017.

Glen Rock continues to attract home buyers in great numbers in part because its school system is so strong. Glen Rock High School is the highest ranking public non-magnet high school in Bergen County.

The borough is also very convenient for commuters, offering two train stations, bus service and easy highway access.

Glen Rock homes start around $500,000 for a move-in ready home. On the luxury end of the market, there are new construction homes available up to approximately $2 million.

For home buyers searching for a small town atmosphere and a strong sense of community, call Michael Shetler to discuss buying real estate in Glen Rock at 201-421-0506 cell.

See all Glen Rock homes for sale.

Or see only Glen Rock homes under $500,000 or Glen Rock homes over $1 million.

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Just listed – Open Concept Colonial

15 Douglas St, Emerson, NJ 07630 has an open concept floor plan and was built on an existing foundation in 2004.

 

To help you appreciate the 2,384 square foot interior, I’ve prepared a 360º virtual tour. In the virtual tour window below, you can navigate from room to room and rotate the view to see all around you from every vantage point.

15 Douglas St, Emerson, NJ 07630 also has a finished basement and large flat backyard. Be sure to watch the video as well!

For a showing or for more info please call Michael Shetler, Keller Williams Village Square, at 201-421-0506 cell or 201-445-4300 x231 office.

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Bergen Magazine names Top Real Estate Agents

UPDATE: Bergen Magazine has named Michael Shetler “one of Bergen County’s Top Agents for 2023”.

Top real estate agents across Bergen County, NJ have recently received letters from BERGEN magazine.  They were notified of their selection into Bergen’s Top Real Estate Agents by publisher Tom Flannery.

Michael Shetler of Keller Williams Ridgewood is one of those recipients. Michael’s production in 2017 was 27 units and his dollar volume was over $11,000,000 in 2018.

Bergen magazine commissioned DataJoe Research of Colorado Springs, Colorado to conduct a research process to determine Bergen’s top real estate agents. Thousands of agents were surveyed. Selection criteria included recent activity, including sales and volume levels, and peer recommendations.

DataJoe then conducted independent research, identifying and confirming high-level achievers in the market using various public sources. DataJoe then utilized a scoring algorithm factoring in performance, community perception (including industry awards and nominations) and experience to yield final scores.

Michael Shetler will appear in BERGEN magazine’s April “Home” issue. He will also appear on BERGEN magazine’s website as one of Bergen’s Top Real Estate Agents.

To contact Michael Shetler, call 201-421-0506 cell or 201-445-4300 x231 office.

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Is this your year to make a move? If you’re planning to buy or sell, hire an experienced local agent from the #1 real estate office in the New Jersey MLS!

Michael Shetler has been providing exceptional service to buyers and sellers since 2005 and has earned the NJ REALTORS® Circle of Excellence Award for three consecutive years.

Keller Williams Village Square Realty in Ridgewood was #1 in total units and volume for the 4th consecutive year in 2016.

For home sellers, Michael combines high-end presentation skills with s
ophisticated online marketing strategies. He uses photos, video, 3D video,
drone photography and Facebook marketing to maximize the value of the homes he sells.

For home buyers, Michael provides a high-level of insight into the latest real estate data and patiently works with buyers to find the right home at the right price. The core of his business is to provide exceptional service and generate business by referral.

Call Michael at 201-421-0506 cell or 201-445-4300 x231 office. Or follow him at Facebook.com/BuyingInBergen.

Michael is one of Bergen’s top real estate agents.

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If you are considering moving up to your dream home, it may be better to do it earlier in the year than later. The two components of your monthly mortgage payment (home prices and interest rates) are both projected to increase as the year moves forward, and interest rates may increase rather dramatically. Here are some predictions on where rates will be by the end of the year:

HSH.com:

“We think that conforming 30-year fixed rates probably make it into the 4.625 percent to 4.75 percent range at some point during 2017 as a peak.”

Svenja Gudell, Zillow’s Chief Economist:

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the 30-year fixed mortgage rate hits 4.75 percent.”

Mark Fleming, the Chief Economist at First American:

“[I see] mortgage rates getting much closer to 5 percent at the end of next year.”

Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist:

“By this time next year, expect the 30-year fixed rate to likely be in the 4.5 percent to 5 percent range.”

Bottom Line

If you are feeling good about your family’s economic future and are considering making a move to your dream home, doing it sooner rather than later makes the most sense.

Keeping Current Matters, Inc. © 2016

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Michael Shetler, a top-producing agent with Keller Williams Village Square Realty in Ridgewood, NJ, was honored with a 2015 NJ REALTORS® Circle of Excellence Award®, presented by the New Jersey Association of REALTORS® for his achievements in real estate sales.

This is the 5th time Michael has received the award, having also been a recipient in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2014.

The NJ REALTORS® Circle of Excellence Sales Award® recognizes those members who have demonstrated excellence in the field of salesmanship.

“2015 was a very good year for the whole company. Keller Williams is a phenomenal learning-based company and I among many have benefited,” said Shetler.

Mr. Shetler has been with Keller Williams in Ridgewood (Keller Williams Village Square Realty) since it opened its doors in 2012. He covers all of Bergen County including Ridgewood, Glen Rock and Saddle River. Michael is known for his internet marketing techniques including FaceBook boosted posts, YouTube videos and Google Adwords.

To learn more about how Michael Shetler can help you with your buying or selling needs or if you’re a real estate professional interested in joining his team, contact Michael at 201-421-0506 or michael@BuyingInBergen.com. Information is also available at http://BuyingInBergen.com.

About Michael Shetler:
Michael Shetler is a real estate agent in Bergen County recognized for patiently, skillfully and diligently helping residential buyers and sellers in Bergen County. Since 2005, Michael has been a full-time REALTOR® based in Ridgewood. He earned the NJ REALTORS® Circle of Excellence Sales Award® in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015 and ranks in the top 10% of the 300+ agents in the office. Michael is a Glen Rock resident.

About Keller Williams in Ridgewood: Keller Williams Village Square Realty is the number one ranked real estate office in the New Jersey MLS (NJMLS) based on both sales volume and sales units (2013, 2014, 2015). Located at 257 E. Ridgewood Ave in Ridgewood, NJ, the office has more than 275 real estate agents. For more information see http://BuyingInBergen.com/keller-williams-ridgewood.

About KWRI: Keller Williams Realty, Inc. is the largest real estate franchise company in North America, with 700 offices and 125,000 associates in more than a dozen countries around the world. In 2015, Keller Williams was named the No. 1 training organization in the world across all industries by Training magazine. The company has grown exponentially since the opening of the first Keller Williams Realty office in 1983, and continues to cultivate an agent-centric, education-based, technology-driven culture that rewards associates as stakeholders. The company also provides specialized agents in luxury homes and commercial real estate properties. For more information or to search for homes for sale visit Keller Williams Realty online at (www.kw.com). For more information about KWWorldwide, please visit kwworldwide.com.

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As you may have guessed, 2015 was a solid year for local real estate. Prices went up but not so much that affordability has been significantly impacted.

In 2015, the median sale price for residential properties rose 2.5% for the year while the number of sales increased by 11.6%. The number of days it took to sell a property decreased by 3.6%.

Residential properties include single family homes and condos/townhouses/co-ops. Single family homes fared slightly better as a category, with a median sale price up 3.3%. Condo/townhouses/co-ops were up only 1.7%.

In 2016 the NJ real estate market should be even stronger based on the current inventory of homes on the market, which is quite low.

A complete report on the real estate market in northern New Jersey will be available soon. Contact me for a pdf copy.

source: NJMLS. Info deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

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When it comes to fall in Ridgewood, New Jersey, many families think about pumpkins, the leaves changing colors, apples everywhere, and of course plenty of fun in the now-cooler weather. Whether you are looking for something for the whole family to do or even a romantic date, the area has something for everyone! Here are some top-notch recommendations to get you out and enjoying the fall weather.

The Ridgewood Guild

There’s plenty to do at The Ridgewood Guild this fall. Enjoy the Jazz Fest, which occurs September 13th. The organization also sponsors a Plant-A-Thon event during the fall months. The Ridgewood Guild always has something interesting in the works.

The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce

The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce offers a variety of things to do during the fall months including various activities planned with area businesses. Through October 25th, you’ll want to check out the Farmers Market located at the NJ Transition Train Station. And, Memorial Park at Van Neste Park features car shows in September. You’ll also want to consider the Party Like Mad to Benefit the Library event taking place on October 17th at the library. The Park Steakhouse park West Tavern Golf Classic takes place on September 25th and it’s the perfect networking opportunity!

The Hermitage in Ho-Ho-Kus

If you’ve never visited The Hermitage Museum, make this the time to go. You’ll enjoy the incredible beauty of this historic charm an there are a few key things taking place during the fall months. For example, the GermanFest Vintage Auto Show takes place on Sept. 27th. You’ll also want to check out the Cadillac Club of North Jersey’s fall show on October 3rd. Bring the entire family to the Bergen County Wellness Festival taking place on October 17th. More than 70 vendors will be available for everything from holistic health and fitness assessments to a fantastic pumpkin path and farmers market.

Abma’s Farm in Wyckoff

For some true fall fun, get outdoors at Abma’s Farm. This petting zoo, market, and greenhouse comes to life in the fall months. Visit September 23d for the First Day of Fall event with hayrides and scarecrow making for the kids. Public hayrides are available every Saturday in October. You can also book a fall farm adventure at the location through October 27th. The Nighttime Hayrides take place for groups of 30 in October. Other things to take into consideration include the Fall Greenhouse Workshops, Pony Rides on Saturdays, and the numerous market goodies available this year!

Hiking

Perhaps the best way to experience the area this fall is to just get out into the parks and onto the trails. There are numerous hiking areas worth exploring specifically Mahwah (Campgaw) and The Celery Farm in Allendale. In Mahwah, it may be too soon to ski, but there are plenty of hiking opportunities here. You’ll also want to visit Darlington Country Park and the Ramapo Valley Reservation. The footpaths are the perfect place for watching wildlife here. Visit the Celery Farm’s 107-acres of freshwater wetland and marvel at the leaves changing colors.

When it comes to exploring all the Ridgewood, New Jersey area has to offer, any of these trips is worth taking. The weather is still nice and the beauty of fall is always on display in late September and into October. Before the winter arrives, get outdoors to enjoy nature!

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