Berkeley Heights Real Estate Market - Detailed Report of Homes Sold - Sean Carroll RE/MAX Classic Group

The following homes have closed during the month of November. If you would like more information regarding a particular property, please email me at scarroll@classicnj.com or logonto http://www.GoCarrollTeam.com


55 Springfield Ave., List $179,000 Sold $175,000, days on market 60

1 Cottage Court, List $435,000, Sold $405,000, DOM 343

86 Ferndale Drive, List $569,000, Sold $550,000, DOM 28

37 Janet Lane, List $569,000, Sold $562,500, DOM 5

85 Orchard Drive, List $649,500, Sold $635,000, DOM 99

71 Orion Road, List $679,900, Sold $639,000, DOM 99

138 Cambridge Drive, List $679,900, Sold $650,000, DOM 31

47 Greenbrook Road, List $839,900, Sold $790,000, DOM 42

390 Longview Ave., List $899,900, Sold $865,000, DOM 42

41 Gregory Court, List $949,000, Sold $951,000, DOM 46

Average Sales Price $622,250
Average Days on Market 79.5

Sean Carroll - Realtor

RE/MAX Classic Group

908-418-7152 -cell

908-898-0800 - office

Serving Berkeley Heights, Cranford, Westfield, Scotch Plains, Garwood, Kenilworth and surrounding areas of Union County

Garwood, NJ Real Estate Market Report

The following properties have closed during the month of November in Garwood, NJ. Please email me at scarroll@classicnj.com if you would like more info or visit http://gocarrollteam.com/.

212 4th Ave., List $399,900, Sold $395,000, 80 days on market
352 Hemlock, List $399,900, Sold $405,000, 57 DOM

Average Sold Price is $400,000
Average Days on Market is 68.5

Sean Carroll - Realtor

RE/MAX Classic Group

908-418-7152 - cell

908-898-0800 - office

Serving Cranford, Westfield, Garwood, Kenilworth, Berkeley Heights and surrounding Towns in Union County, NJ

Detailed Real Estate Report for Cranford, NJ

Here is a more specific breakdown of the homes that sold in Cranford as of November 30. 2006.

The following properties have closed during the month of November. If you would like more information regarding a property, just email back at scarroll@classicnj.com. You can find more exciting info about Cranford at http://CranfordHomesOnline.com.

30E Parkway Village, List Price $269,900, Sold Price $263,500, 68 days on market

126 Gallows Hill Road, List Price $305,000, Sold Price $305,000, 36 DOM

1108 Raritan Road, List Price $399,000, Sold Price $392,000, 147 DOM

10 Heathermeade, List Price $409,900, Sold Price $410,000, 35 DOM

180 Mohawk, List Price $439,900, Sold Price $422,000, 176 DOM

30 Mendell, List Price $448,500, Sold Price $436,000, 16 DOM

124 Wilshire, List Price $499,800, Sold Price $485,000, 74 DOM

18 Wadsworth, List Price $629,900, Sold Price $600,000, 18 DOM

424 Casino, List Price$649,900, Sold Price $624,500, 123 DOM

90 Belmont, List Price $729,900, Sold Price $729,000, 6 DOM

Average Sold Price is $466,700
Average Days on Market is 70

Sean Carroll - Realtor

RE/MAX Classic Group
908-418-7152 - cell
908-898-0800 - office

Serving Cranford, Westfield, Garwood, Kenilworth, Berkeley Heights and surrounding Towns in Union County, NJ

Cranford, NJ Business Teams up with Sean Carroll - Realtor in Cranford to Benefit Charity

Diane Pinder of Donna and Company - Gourmet Chocolates and Gifts

19 Eastman St. in Cranford, NJ

and

Sean Carroll - RE/MAX Classic Group

Cordially Invite you to Join Them in Celebrating the Holidays in Cranford, NJ by Stopping into Donna and Company anytime during the holidays to receive your complimentary cup of GOURMET HOT CHOCOLATE!!

For each patron who comes to Donna and Company to enjoy the Hot Chocolate, a donation will be made on your behalf to the Fisher House Foundation - to support our troops and their families in times of need. While inside Donna and Company, patrons can also purchase their own "Fisher House Chocolate Bar" - proceeds from which will also be donated to the Fisher House Foundation.

More Info about Fisher House (from their website at http://www.fisherhouse.org)

The Fisher HouseTM Program

The Fisher HouseTM program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need. The program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and the hardships of military service by meeting a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

Because members of the military and their families are stationed worldwide and must often travel great distances for specialized medical care, Fisher HouseTM Foundation donates "comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times - during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury.

There is at least one Fisher HouseTM at every major military medical center to assist families in need and to ensure that they are provided with the comforts of home in a supportive environment. Annually, the Fisher HouseTM program serves more than 8,500 families, and have made available more than two million days of lodging to family members since the program originated in 1990. Based on a comparison of fees at a Fisher HouseTM (the average charge is less than $10 per family per day, with many locations offering rooms at no cost) with commercial lodging facilities in the same area, it is estimated that families have saved more than $60 million by staying at a Fisher HouseTM since the program began.

In addition to constructing new houses, Fisher HouseTM Foundation continues to support existing Fisher HousesTM and help individual military families in need. Families and friends of patients at any of the military's hospitals can now receive up-to-the-minute reports on a loved one by going to the patient's own customized web page, thanks to new services provided through CaringBridge. We are also proud to administer and sponsor Scholarships for Military Children, the Hero Miles program, and co-sponsor the Newman's Own Award.

RE/MAX Classic Group Sponsors Blood Drive in Berkeley Heights, NJ

We are in need of donors to give blood 1/3/07 between 10-2:30 at RE/MAX Classic Group, 440 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights. Call the Office at 908-898-0800 or email at scarroll@classicnj.com Please contact Sean Carroll for a time when you can come in. Free teddy bears! Give the gift of life today. Let us help you give it

Kenilworth, NJ Real Estate Market Conditions - Sean Carroll RE/MAX Classic Group

Here is your market summary for Kenilworth, NJ for the month ending November 30, 2006.

In November, there were 6 closed sales in the MLS for an average sales price of $370,833 and an average days on market of 51

The list to sales price ratio was 95.7%

Currently, there are 32 single family homes and 7 multi-family homes active for sale in Kenilworth.

Submitted by Sean Carroll - RE/MAX Classic Group

http://www.gocarrollteam.com

Westfield Real Estate Market Summary

The real estate market in Westfield has adjusted in a similar fashion to surrounding towns, with prices easing off historic highs from one year ago. There are currently 176 single family homes and 3 multi family homes on the market for sale. These numbers have stayed relatively stable over the past few months, with an equal number of sales and new listings. Inventory levels are much higher than before, giving buyers more options when selecting a home.
Although prices and demand in general have trended lower, Westfield still remains an appealing option for many buyers, which has enabled homes to sell quickly if they are priced properly. Multiple offers are still a possiblity for competetively priced homes.

I expect this slight price softening trend to continue for the next several months, with buyers willing to pay a fair price for homes, and disregarding homes that are priced considerably above market value.

There were 23 properties that closed in November in Westfield, the average selling price was $785,930 and the average days on market was 97. (according to Garden State MLS Statistics)

Berkeley Heights Real Estate Market Summary

Here is your market summary for Berkeley Heights, NJ for the month ending November 30, 2006. Inventory is coming down from our highs of a few months ago, but it is likely due to a slow season, and the true test will come in the Spring when there will be more listings and more buyers. If our inventory climbs into the 90s or 100s again, the prices can be expected to continue to soften for the near term.

In November, there were 14 closed sales in the MLS for an average sales price of $632,055 and an average days on market of 75

The list to sales price ratio was 95.8%

Currently, there are 70 single family homes active for sale in Berkeley Heights, NJ.

Positive Attitude Means a Lot!

By now, those of you who have read my posts have seen that I like to comment on the human side of Real Estate just as much as the business side. Last time, I posted about managing emotions in a transaction, and emphasized the importance of keeping my own emotions out of the way, so I can be the objective Realtor and help my clients get what they need.

Today, I will comment on Attitude. More specifically, my desire to focus on keeping a positive attitude as the focus of my business, my client interactions, and also my interactions with other Realtors in my area of Cranford, Westfield, Berkeley Heights and surrounding areas.

First, I think it is appropriate to begin with a story. About 9 months ago, I was completing my usual rounds of broker's open houses in Cranford and walked into a home on the north side of town where I met the listing agent, and her preferred mortgage representative. As I always do, I said "Hello, I'm Sean Carroll from **insert name of former company here** :)

That greeting led to a pleasant, but brief conversation about the home, the real estate market in Cranford, and Real Estate in general. After a few minutes, the conversation naturally came to a close, and I left my business card and said sincerely "It was nice speaking with you. Good luck to you both!" I did not think that anything out of the ordinary had just taken place. Until....

Two days later, I received a phone call from that mortgage consultant inviting me to lunch. He told me that he enjoyed speaking with me, and that he liked to surround himself in business with positive people, and he felt that was the best way to not only grow his business, but enjoy his job and help him stay balanced in life. I was taken aback...Was this guy for real? I figured he wanted to network with me, and I always like to network. This, I accepted his lunch invitation and we went to the Westfield Diner and chatted for about an hour on numerous topics.

I found out that....Yes! This guy was for real. He was genuine, honest, and wanted to see me succeed in business. He also suggested that I speak to this new Broker in Berkeley Heights, who had a tremendous vision for running a positive, creative, and passionate RE/MAX franchise in our area. What the mortgage representative didn't know was that this Broker had already called me the day before. The listing agent from that open house told him about my positive attitude, and willingness to share opinions and advice about Real Estate...That changed my career. Within a month, I was working at RE/MAX Classic Group, where I remain today, and I can honestly say it was the best business decision I ever made. I have learned so much from everyone in that office, and my business has gone places I never thought were possible. Why?? ATTITUDE!!!

It is frustrating to me when I go to brokers open houses, or negotiate with many Realtors who just are not very nice. I realize it is a business transaction, and not personal, but it startles me when other agents not only aren't nice, but are just downright NASTY. I believe there is no place for that in our business, or in any business for that matter. I realized that I have nothing to gain by being mean to people. We all have bad days, and have every right to be in a bad mood sometimes, but to verbally take it out on others is not a good idea. It spreads negative vibes, which are not going to help any situation in my humble opinion.

Having a positive attitude that day started a chain reaction of events which led to a new company, more clients, and MORE CLOSINGS! Not only that, but I have learned so much about keeping balance in my life, and making sure that each component of my life (family, business, spirituality, physical health, emotional health) stays as balanced as possible on a daily basis. Ironically though, rather than get bogged down with trying to "balance everything" I have found that the key to my success on a daily basis starts with two basic actions each day:

#1 Choosing to start the day with a good attitude, and accepting life's challenges as growth opportunities

#2 Doing the next right thing.

Granted, I do not do this perfectly each day, and sometimes it takes real effort, especially to accomplish goal #1 after 2 deals have fallen apart, and something awful has happened in my personal life that day.. But it still is possible, and I have the power to re-adjust my thinking on a minute by minute basis.


Thanks for reading. Have a great day!!!

Sean Carroll to perform in Cranford Choral Concert

My 5 minutes of fame. :) Those of you in the Union County area are all welcome to come to this performance. The ensemble sounds terrific, and the music is excellent! I am excited to be performing with some wonderful musicians in my hometown of Cranford! The press release is below.

Sean Carroll, a Realtor with RE/MAX Classic Group in Berkeley Heights, NJ and a resident of Cranford, NJ will be performing with the Celebration Singers Choral Ensemble on December 8th and 9th at the Cranford Harvest Center on Myrtle Street in Cranford. Tickets are $15.00. The concert will feature the one act opera "Amahl and The Night Visitors" and traditional holiday favorites. Tickets will be sold at the door, or you can contact Sean Carroll for additional information.

Sean Carroll is a Real Estate Agent who proudly serves the communities of Cranford, Westfield, Garwood, Kenilworth, Berkeley Heights and surrounding towns.

RE/MAX Classic Group is located at 440 Springfield Avenue in Berkeley Heights, NJ.

Sean Carroll can be reached at 908-898-0800 (office) or 908-418-7152 (cell)

The Emotions of Real Estate

In our market areas of Cranford, Berkeley Heights, Westfield and surrounding towns, we are in a period of market correction, much like other areas of the country. As a result, many sellers are struggling with the concept that their home may now be worth less than it was just one year ago, especially after 5 years of double digit price appreciation. No matter how many statistics and reports I show them, some people just think their home is worth what it's worth...and that's that.

This type of market has created much frustration, disbelief, and HIGHLY emotional responses from some sellers when conrfronted with the dreaded price reduction question. Of course, not too long ago, sellers were riding high and it was the buyers who had to come to the realization that full asking price was often a "starting point" for negotiations, and I was greeted with equally emotional responses when advising them that to get this house they may have to pay $20,000 or more over the asking price, Such is the cycle of the real estate world.

As a personal goal, I am doing what I can to keep MY emotions from getting in the way of ANY transaction, and allow the sellers or the buyers to feel their perfectly valid feelings. As I have said in an earlier post, I am currently a seller in a buyer's market with my own home, and I was a buyer a few years back in a seller's market. I truly believe this has helped me stay more objective and patient when dealing with difficult, emotional situations with my buyers and sellers. My job is to share with them what the facts of the market are, and I have no control over their feelings, and should not take it personally when they react accordingly. I simply have to tell the truth, and accept the fact that I can't please everyone ALL the time.

What I have found is that when I let my clients voice their feelings and get them out on the table, it becomes easier to discuss the reality of the situation (most times) once everyone calms down a bit and starts to see that I am on their side, and this transaction is NOT about me or my commission. Granted, I want to get paid like everyone else, but in order to gain the trust of my customers, I need to demonstrate that I am truly working for their best interests, and not my own. Early on in my real estate career, I would feel myself getting angry at my buyers for not offering what "I" wanted them to offer because I wanted the path of least resistance. With training, experience, practice, and listening, I am getting much better at managing my emotions on both sides. As difficult as it is to allow my clients to vent on me for a few minutes, as long as it is done respectfully, I have found that our business relationship is strengthened, and the deal ends up going just as it should, however rocky.

Of course, there is no such thing as a perfect world, and not every deal goes as planned, nor do I succeed every time with a listing, price reduction attempt, or sale. That is often difficult for me to accept, being the perfectionist that I am, but at the end of the day, if I can look in the mirror and know I did what I could to help my client, there isn't much else I can do.

Thanks for reading! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Sean Carroll - RE/MAX Classic Group

Real Estate Market Conditions in Westfield, NJ

The real estate market in Westfield has adjusted in a similar fashion to surrounding towns, with prices easing off historic highs at a rate of about 5%-9% from one year ago. There are currently 197 single family homes and 4 multi family homes on the market for sale. These numbers have stayed relatively stable over the past few months, with an equal number of sales and new listings. Inventory levels are much higher than before, giving buyers more options when selecting a home.

As with surrounding towns, homes that are priced properly are still selling quickly, and homes that are priced too high are staying on the market longer as buyers have many choices when selecting a home.

The median sales price for the 24 homes sold in Westfield in October, 2006 was approximately $675,000 with the lowest priced at $270,000 and the highest at $1,999,999.

ZIP Code: 07090

About Westfield, NJ: Westfield New Jersey is a suburban community located approximately 25 miles southwest of New York City. There are approximately 29,000 residents, who enjoy a highly rated school system, a vibrant downtown area with many high end retail establishments, as well as dining, and many lovely parks.

Westfield is bordered by Cranford, Garwood, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, and Clark, and is centrally located to Public Transportation (Raritan Valley Train Line), and highways.

Prepared by:

Sean Carroll - Realtor

RE/MAX Classic Group
908-418-7152 -cell
908-898-0800 - office
http://www.TheCarrollConnection.com

Real Estate Market in Kenilworth, NJ

Kenilworth has seen moderate sales activity, and listings are staying on the market an average of 44 days for September and October, which is somewhat lower than some surrounding towns. This can be attributed to the smaller size of Kenilworth, lower inventory levels than surrounding towns .

Because of Kenilworth's lower tax rate when compared to surrounding towns, many buyers still find a great value in Kenilworth, with prices averaging about 10-15% lower for comparable homes in some surrounding towns.

For Kenilworth in September and October, the average selling price was $369,726 and the average days on market was 44.

Currently, there are 35 single family properties and 8 multi-family homes on the market in Kenilworth


About Kenilworth, NJ

Kenilworth, NJ is a small community located about 20-25 miles southwest of New York City, with a population of approximately 7500 people.

Kenilworth has a nice mixture of business and commercial properties and quiet residential neighborhoods. The downtown area located on and around Kenilworth Boulevard has restaurants, coffee shops, offices, and small retail establishments, all within walking distance of Harding Elementary School (K-6) and David Brearley High School (7-12).

With its close proximity to route 22, and the Garden State Parkway, Kenilworth is conveniently located for those looking to commute. Kenilworth is a close knit community, with the Brearley Bears Football games being a staple of a Friday night or Saturday afternoon.

Kenilworth is bordered by Cranford, Westfield, Roselle Park, and Union.

Want to sell your home in Kenilworth, NJ?

Call Sean Carroll of RE/MAX Classic Group
908-418-7152 - cell
908-898-0800 - office

Selling my Home in Cranford (part 2)

Many of you probably read my first post on this topic a few weeks back. I am happy to say that we are now Under Contract with our home, and we can start moving forward with our plans.

I listed my own home for sale once before, but this time it was different. Last time, I not only listed it, but my buyer clients ended up purchasing it, and thus I was the only Realtor involved. Talk about agency agreements..I was the listing agent, the buyer's agent, AND the seller. Quite strange. This time, a cooperating agency brought the buyers, and so I have had to wear a few different hats. During price negotiations, we were fortunate to have a multiple offer scenario, and I calmly handled that to make sure all parties were given a fair shot. I didn't start getting emotional until the attorney review period (I know most states do not have this), but basically it is a period where the attorneys for both parties "disapprove" the contract, and make the wording as strong as they can to protect the client's best interest. This process I thought would be wrapped up last week, but there were some communication dificulties on both ends, and my attorney added an extra clause to protect me. To make a long story short, I got very emotional today because I was trying to play Realtor and Seller at the same time. It got very difficult for me. I had to reach out to a colleague and ask for some assistance in calming me down.

One thing is for sure. This process has been quite valuable for my business, as it helps me truly remember just how emotional a home sale can be for the clients. I try to always be mindful of my clients feelings during the process, but going through it myself has definitely made me a better Realtor.

I am curious as to how many of you out there have listed/sold your own homes, and what your experiences were. I had some people tell me to have another agent handle it for a flat fee, and I had others tell me that I should do it myself, because it's one less person involved.

I am not sure if I would do this again, but I can say I have learned a great deal from this experience. Thanks for all your great comments about yesterday's post about presenting in person. For those of you who are curious, we are still in negotiations with that particular deal. Have a great day. Until next time.....

Sean Carroll - RE/MAX Classic Group

Market Conditions in Berkeley Heights, NJ

Berkeley Heights has seen slower sales activity, and listings are staying on the market an average of 78 days for October, which is higher than some surrounding towns. This can be attributed to higher inventory, fewer buyers, and lower buyer confidence in the housing market. Homes that are priced correctly, are still selling, however, but the homes that are priced even slightly higher than market value, are staying on the market much longer than in some surrounding towns.

For the 9 properties that were closed in October in Berkeley Heights, the average selling price was $571,722 and the average days on market was 78.

Currently, there are 88 single family properties on the market in Berkeley Heights.


About Berkeley Heights, NJ

Berkeley Heights is a small community located in Union County, NJ with a population of about 13,000.

Nestled in the Watchung Mountains, Berkeley Heights is a community of comfortable homes, and quiet tree lined streets, which provides the ideal setting for raising a family and enjoying life. Berkeley Heights has an excellent school system consisting of 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school and 1 High School (Governor Livingston)

Residents enjoy spacious parks and outstanding recreational programs for all ages. Berkeley Heights is an easy commute by train to New York City for work or play and provides access to other locations by nearby major highways. In this time of increasing development, the Township Committee is diligently working to maintain the beauty and character of the community.

Submitted By:

Sean Carroll - Realtor
RE/MAX Classic Group - Berkeley Heights
908-418-7152 - cell
908-898-0800 - office

Garwood, NJ Real Estate Market Conditions

The real estate market in Garwood, NJ has adjusted in a similar fashion to surrounding towns, with prices easing off historic highs from one year ago. There are currently 21 single family homes and 2 multi family homes on the market for sale. These numbers have stayed relatively stable over the past few months, with a fairly equal number of closed sales and new listings. However, much like other parts of New Jersey and the United States, housing inventory levels are higher than prior years, giving buyers more options when selecting a home.

Because Garwood is such a small town, with far fewer listings than surrounding towns, it is difficult to study month by month market movement. The median home sales price for the past 5 months in Garwood is about $409,000, with the lowest price at $300,000 and the highest price of $650,000.

I expect the gradual price softening trend to continue for the next several months, with buyers willing to pay a fair price for homes, and disregarding homes that are priced considerably above market value.

About Garwood, NJ

Garwood, New Jersey is a suburban community located approximately 25 miles southwest of New York City. With a balanced mix of residential areas, retail stores and manufacturing businesses in its .75 square miles, the borough of Garwood has approximately 4200 residents.

Most of the streets on the north side of town are numbered, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Avenues (there is no 1st); while on the south side they are named after trees, Willow, Hickory, Beech, Pine, Myrtle and Spruce.

The town is bordered by Cranford to the east, Westfield to the West, and Clark to the south. Garwood is located on the Raritan Valley Train Line of NJ Transit, and commuters can reach New York City via transfer at Newark Penn Station.

Garwood school district is a K-8 district, and high school students attend A.L. Johnson High School in Clark, NJ.

For more information about Garwood, NJ, logon to the borough's website at:

http://www.Garwood.org

Submitted By:

Sean Carroll - Realtor
RE/MAX Classic Group
908-898-0800
908-418-7152

Real Estate Market Conditions in Cranford, NJ

The real estate market in Cranford has adjusted in a similar fashion to surrounding towns, with prices easing off historic highs at a rate of about 5%-8% from one year ago. There are currently 86 single family homes and 7 multi family homes on the market for sale. These numbers have stayed relatively stable over the past few months, with an equal number of sales and new listings. Inventory levels are much higher than before, giving buyers more options when selecting a home.

Although prices and demand in general have trended lower, Cranford still remains an appealing option for many buyers, which has enabled homes to sell quickly if they are priced properly. Multiple offers are still a possiblity for competetively priced homes.

I expect this price softening trend to continue for the next several months, with buyers willing to pay a fair price for homes, and disregarding homes that are priced considerably above market value.

There were 8 properties that closed in October in Cranford. The average selling price was $404,813 and the average days on market was 60.

Location Characteristics: Cranford is a lovely suburban NYC community with a population of about 23,000 people. The town has an excellent school system, and a quaint downtown area, which is in the process of revitalization - including new condominiums and retail establishments.

The town sits on the Raritan Line of NJ Transit, and commuters can access New York City via transfer at Newark Penn Station.

For more information about Cranford, please visit the township's official website at:

http://www.Cranford.com

Submitted by:
Sean Carroll - RE/MAX Classic Group
908-898-0800 - office
908-418-7152 -cell

Taking my Work Home - Or at least from the office to the living room. :)

Ever since I started working for a living, I always thought that the perfect job would be one which I could work from home in my sweatpants. Well, when I started as a Realtor, I realized that much of my work could be done from home, and I really enjoyed my commute from the dining room to the office.

Then...my business picked up. Now, what I am finding is that I have to really set my boundaries carefully with both my work hours, and my work location. The problem with real estate for me is it can be addictive, and going upstairs to get a sweater can often lead to "I'll just quickly check my e-mail" which can quickly lead to 3 hours evaporating before my eyes.

Of course I pride myself on prompt service, quality service, and thoroughness. That is why I bought a Blackberry device to receive and respond to e-mail when I am away from my desk. That is why I invested in a laptop which is wireless ready. However, no matter how much I want to help my customers, I must balance my life, and keep my priorities in order. Real Estate and serving my clients here in Cranford or Berkeley Heights is a very important priority. But at 6:30 when my wife comes hom from her job. The MOST important thing quickly shifts for me from the computer, to greeting my lovely wife in the foyer. (Well...ok..it doesn't quite happen that way EVERY night).

My point is simply that I must be mindful of my work hours, my boundaries, and my life balance. If one part of my life gets out of balance too much, then the other parts inevitably suffer. I am thrilled that my business is growing, and I am very grateful that I have the tools, and the knowledge to continue to grow my business, but learning when to delegate to an assistant when neccessary, or when to turn the phone off so I can be a good husband or a good friend when I am needed.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Halloween in Cranford, NJ

Allright, I have to be honest. I never liked Halloween when I was a kid, and I never liked dressing up in costume to go to work or anything like that, but today, working from my home office in Cranford, I am having so much fun watching the kids run up and down our block trick or treating. I also had the pleasure of catching a glimps of the Halloween Parade at nearby Livingston School.

When the trick or treaters come to my door, they are so happy and having so much fun, it kinda makes me wish I slowed down to enjoy more moments like that when I was 10 years old.

The best part (or the worst part) of Halloween for me this year is the piles of leftover candy we will have. We went to Costco last night and we now must have 5 pounds of mini candy bars in our house. I am sure we will share it with many people, but the danger of those mini candy bars is the "I'll just have one" attitude, and then I eat 4 of them. Well...might as well start the weight gain a little early this year. :)

Working with Buyers Brings Great Joy

There is a saying in the real estate business which says "You've got to list to last". While I agree that listings are indeed a cornerstone to the business, and the key to getting more buyers to find out about my services, there is nothing that brings me more joy in this business than telling a buyer "The sellers have accepted your offer"

This past week, I had the pleasure of meeting a lovely family from Bayonne, who have been looking for a home for quite a while, and they were visibly frustrated with their search process thus far. I first spoke with them on a Sunday, showed them quite a few homes on Monday, and they decided to make an offer on a lovely Northside Cranford home on Tuesday.

Well.. after a few days of negotiating on their behalf....Friday morning, while I was preparing to go to a friend's wedding, I worked in tandem with my clients to ensure that their written contracts were submitted to the sellers, and Friday night at 10:14 P.M., on my way home from that wedding, I was able to call them (with their prior permission, of course) to tell them "Congratulations! Your offer has been accepted and signed!" The joy and relief that my customers obviously had gave me chills. There is truly something special about helping a family find their new home. When I watched them interact as a family the next day when I met them at the property in Cranford, it was such a joy to see. I could tell how appreciative they were that they had found a place that they could call home, and I was truly proud to have been a part of this moment in their lives.

I know this may sound idealistic or cliche, but I really do love my job. I am hopeful that my enthusiasm for real estate, and helping people, enables me to provide a pleasant experience for all of my customers, whether they are moving to Cranford or Berkeley Heights, to buy real estate, or relocating to California, and I help them with their move.

Sean Carroll, full time Realtor, Part Time Actor

That's right everyone. I am going to be on stage again soon. As many of you know, I am a former public school music teacher. Since I've become a full time realtor, I have wanted to act and sing recreationally again. I am grateful that the Celebration Singers in Cranford, NJ have given me the opportunity to appear in their Madrigal Dinner titled "The Changing of The Guard" at the end of January at Snuffy's Restaurant in Scotch Plains, NJ.

I was so thrilled to be cast as the Sheriff of Notting....that's right...Notting. Why not nottingham you ask? Because this show is a comedic spoof of sorts, poking fun at 20th century pop culture, while incorporating Renaissance and Medieval themes and music. I love my role as the sinister villain. :)

If any of you would like to see your Berkeley Heights/Cranford Realtor try his hand as an actor, I will post ticket information on my website.

Selling my Own Home

Ok...I am going to borrow a topic from my friend Denise Broesler and talk about having my own home on the market, and listing it myself.

I totally agree with Denise when she says that every Realtor should be required to buy or sell his/her own home every so often so that they can remember just how emotional this is.

Tanya and I love home, but we are making some lifestyle changes which include downsizing a bit, mainly because both of our jobs keep us out of the home more than we would like. So, we've put it on the market, and have been getting a LOT of showings. This, of course, is a good thing, as more showings means more possible offers. But man it is emotional! There is so much to do when selling a home, that I am grateful for my knowledge as a Realtor here in Cranford. I know the market. I have priced it competetively, as evidenced by the traffic through our home, and I know exactly what to do from a business perspective, but that does not minimize the wide range of emotions I feel every time I get a call from a Realtor to show the property.

We are very excited to have the professional opportunities we are blessed with right now, and I know we will make our new home wonderful. Right now though, I know that these feelings will help me better serve my clients. The more I understand how my clients are feeling, the better I can serve their needs. Its more than a house....it's a home, and it's a life!

Our home:

Keeping Balance in my Life

As a Realtor, it is very easy to get caught up in the rigor of the job, and leave very little time for the things I enjoy, and for my lovely wife, Tanya. I have made it a point this year to get more involved in the community, by sharing my time and talents with the Celebration Singers in Cranford, NJ.

As a former music teacher and choir director, I have been missing that part of my life lately, and it has greatly affected my serenity and balance. So, I joined this fabulous ensemble, and have met some wonderful people. Will I make real estate contacts? Of course, but that is not why I joined. It is just wonderful to be able to focus on a true passion in my life for a few hours, and make beautiful music with my friends and neighbors in Cranford.

I will keep you posted on concert dates, in case you want to see your Realtor on stage. :)

The celebration singers website is:

www.celebration-singers.org

Buying or Selling Real Estate in the 21st Century

One of the things I learned very soon after I started in the real estate business was that if I wanted to be a successful Realtor, I had to give the customers what they wanted. Consumers in my areas of Berkeley Heights, Cranford, Westfield, and surrounding areas want to get ALL of the information they can, and most of them were searching online. The days of a consumer relying on just the newspaper or traditional print media for information are gone. I realized that the internet was going to be not the future of real estate, but the PRESENT of real estate. In fact, I found that many customers searching for real estate services did not neccessarily want to talk with an agent until they were ready, because they feared those unwanted follow up phone calls which inevitably pressured the customer.

So, rather than withhold information about listings in my ads, or try to convince the customer to buy with me before giving them the information they want, I tried to do things differently. I pledged to myself that I needed to hold myself to the same professional standards that I held for anyone I hired.

For that reason, I immediately bought a blackberry so I could quickly respond to e-mails, started several websites strictly for informational purposes, and promoted my services as heavily as I could on the internet. The results have been incredible. Most of my business comes from past referrals, and new online customers that I would have never had before.
One of the things I hated about more traditional real estate sales was throwing myself at people, or self-promoting ALL the time. I found that the best way to get business was twofold:

1. Promote my services, rather than just myself.
2. Keep my promises and actually PROVIDE the service I advertised.
Without fail, the more that I did these two things, (especially number 2), the more referrals I got, and the more new business was hitting my website every day!

Living in Cranford, NJ and having an office in Berkeley Heights, NJ gives me the ability to not only serve my neighbors here in Cranford, but also stay on the cutting edge of marketing and help my friends and customers in Berkeley Heights, New Providence, and Summit. Before the internet, this type of service would have been quite difficult, if not impossible,