Geoffrey Green, President of Green Team Realty, presents Vikki Garby with the 1st Quarter Sales Leader Award for 2019
Vikki Garby is Green Team New York Realty’s 1st Quarter Sales Leader for 2019
Green Team New York Realty is proud to announce that Vikki Garby is the 1st Quarter Sales Leader. According to Geoff Green, President of Green Team Realty, “Vikki Garby is a very smart and focused Real Estate professional. She is establishing herself as a true leader in the Orange County Real Estate marketplace. Vikki’s analytical abilities have served her well in both Residential and Commercial Real Estate. And both are contributors to her sales success. It’s going to be exciting to watch Vikki grow her Real Estate business. We are extremely blessed to have her as part of our Agency.”
About Vikki…
Prior to entering the world of real estate, Vikki worked for a major bank in New York City as an investment banker. There she reviewed and negotiated complex contracts on a regular basis. During that time, she became a real estate investor, negotiating her own transactions as a buyer. And her love of real estate and skill at navigating its many transactional parts, lead her to obtain her license so that she could help others with their real estate needs. In addition, Vikki has received her Commercial Investment Real Estate Certification. And this further enhances her ability to assist real estate investors and commercial clients.
Vikki had the following to say: “I appreciate this recognition very much. Success in this business is achieved by chugging away every day to help our clients as best we can. Thank you to all my loyal clients for trusting in me and for referring me to your family and friends. You have helped me grow my business to what it is today and I am extremely grateful for that. The support, tools and resources I receive by being a part of Green Team New York Realty make my job that much easier and more rewarding!”
Paul Simon’s beautiful ode to the changing of the seasons seems like the appropriate theme song for this post. April has arrived, and with her come blooming trees and flowers and lush, green lawns. We’re greeted with the songs of birds in the morning, and the chirping of crickets after dark. And we are more than ready to shake off those winter blues and welcome Spring into our lives.
Clean for Spring…
For many, the arrival of spring is synonymous with deep cleaning. Idreamofclean.net has the ultimate checklist. And, for those who may not dream of clean, check out Popsugar.com’s simpler checklist.
With a clean, fresh canvas, you’re ready to accessorize and make changes that bring the outdoors in. Decoraid.com shares spring decorating trends for 2019. And, while you’re bringing the outdoors in, Housebeautiful.com shares some house plants that can help you get a good night’s sleep.
Take it outside…
As the weather gets warmer, we spend more and more time outdoors. Now is the perfect time to create the outside living space of your dreams. So Housebeautiful.com has ideas to inspire amazing backyard escapes. Furthermore, kids need their own space to escape to. And homebnc.com has some great ideas for play areas. Furthermore, it’s great when adults and kids can work together on projects for the home. These DIY projects will enhance your garden while you have fun!
Celebrate Earth Day…
The first Earth Day celebration took place on April 22, 1970, 49 years ago! To learn more, click here.
An Earth Day Celebration will be held at the Outdoor Discovery Center at Hudson Highlands Nature Museum in Cornwall on Saturday, April 27, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities are designed for family fun and learning. They include nature play, storytelling and puppetry, interactive games and activities, music, hay rides, a community art project and more. And the celebration kicks off with a Hike-a-Thon at 9 a.m.!
Vernon Earthfest 2019 will take place on Sunday, April 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Heaven Hill Farm and Garden Center. With live music throughout the day, there will also be face painting, gem mining, and a showcase of photography by local high school students and artwork by local elementary students. In addition, presenters include the Delaware Valley Raptor Center, Honeybees and the Environment, Snakes ‘n Scales (and Scary Critters) and Eyes of the Wild (Unusual Animals). Visit the website for details.
Earth Fest Warwick will be held on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5. There will be several events going on at Stanley Deming Park. The 3rd Annual Too Good to Toss community swap celebrates re-use, repair, and re-creating! Treecycle, hosted by local artists and makers, welcomes you to join in hands-on re-purposing and up-cycling, a bike check-up clinic, music, dance, food, information and more!
DIY Projects for Earth Day… and every day!
Of course every day is Earth Day, and GoodAirGeeks.com has lots of DIY ideas for projects for adults, kids, schools, community service and more. And if you’d like some more ideas, there is always Pinterest to provide you with lots of earth-friendly projects.
Kristine “Krissy” Many has been awarded Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA) Certification by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).
According to the NAR, determining property values depends more than ever on professional expertise and competence, the best use of technology, and a commitment to approach pricing from various perspectives. Further, Marc Gould, Executive Director of the Center for Specialized REALTOR® Education, stated, “Consumers deserve accurate property value assessments, so NAR is proud to provide REALTORS® with a credential that provides enhanced tools, education, and expertise to determine the most accurate value for a home.”
PSA Certification gives REALTORS® the knowledge and skills to:
select appropriate comparables and make accurate adjustments;
guide sellers and buyers through details of comparative market analyses and the underlying pricing principles informing them; and
interact effectively with appraisers.
Krissy considers herself a consultant rather than a salesperson. And, she adds, “In my consultative role, this certification will benefit my clients by allowing me to effectively and accurately address their pricing questions, allowing them to feel confident in their buying and selling decisions.”
Green Team New Jersey Realty welcomes Kristi Anderson to their team. Kristi brings with her over 18 years of experience. The Broker-Realtor® is an Accredited Buyer’s Representative and has Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource Certification. In addition, the 15-year resident of Vernon has a thorough knowledge of the area and local market. But she brings something more. She brings a desire to help people make their real estate dreams come true.
Kristi’s passion for real estate began when she purchased her first home. She found the whole process exciting. Searching for the right house, negotiating, arranging financing, closing… even dealing with challenges that arose inspired Kristi to get her license. She still feels that same excitement when helping clients find the right house. She is able to point out the good and bad, helping them see potential they might be missing. With a good eye for staging, she helps her sellers present their homes in the best light to potential buyers. Her slogan, “Kristi will make it happen for you,” aptly describes her commitment to the clients she serves.
This busy mom of four still finds time to volunteer with the Vernon Township School District’s SCA. She is also a dedicated, hardworking volunteer board member of the Vernon Chamber of Commerce.
Kristi is excited about joining Green Team New Jersey Realty. She feels that this is the right place at the right time for her. “I’m happy to be joining a team with the passion, energy and commitment to client service that I have.”
Green Team’s 2019 Launch Competition has blasted off. And it looks like this year’s teams are all on board for an exciting ride!
The Launch Competition is about inspiring sales associates to get back to basics, enhancing those skills that lead to the exceptional client service the Green Team is known for. During this yearly event, associates compete individually and on teams. And Team Captains lead the way, motivating and training team members to best utilize the Green Team’s custom-designed customer relationship management system, or CRM.
Meet the Teams
The Masterminds, Warwick, NY Office
Angela Murphy returns again as Launch Team Captain. The team’s goal is to utilize the CRM during the competition, as well as throughout the year for a more organized business. According to Angela, “We have an energetic and supportive team and we truly enjoy each other as team mates.”
Kim Lesley stepped up to volunteer as Team Captain for this aptly named group. According to Kim, “Our strategy is to develop a feeling of support, fun and results!”
Keren Gonen is another returning Team Captain. Their team strategy is to work together to make it happen. And Keren’s team motto is “There is no TRY. There is only DO!”
Sheena Masters brings her knowledge of Central and Northern New Jersey to Green Team New Jersey Realty
This lifelong resident of New Jersey is a perfect fit for Green Team New Jersey Realty. Raised in East Brunswick, a fondness for the outdoors led Sheena Masters to move to Vernon in 2010. As such, she has a keen eye on Central and Northern New Jersey. An avid skier, mountain biker, climber and diver, she pursues these passions both at home and abroad.
Sheena also brings some very special skills to her clients…
Sheena graduated from Rutgers University with a BA in Psychology. And, certified as a Registered Behavior Technician, she conducts therapy sessions with children on the spectrum. The joy she finds in helping children extends to helping her clients find a home that complements their lifestyle. Her gift for listening helps her find what is important to them, and her knowledge of local areas can help her guide prospective Buyers.
Focused and high energy, Sheena also enjoys the fast paced world of short sales, foreclosures, auctions and investment properties for flippers. She is alert and tech savvy and keeps an eye on current trends, constantly looking at new listings for her clients.
When Sheena does relax at home, she can be found enjoying time spent with her puppy, Toona, and her three cats.
The team of Charles Nagy and Theodore Van Laar was Green Team New Jersey Realty’s 4th Quarter and Yearly Sales Leaders for 2018. The Dynamic Duo, as Geoff Green affectionately calls them, are equity partners in the brokerage. And they are committed to leading by example. They are strong believers in the Green Team’s unique system of training and support which gives sales associates the tools to provide the best possible customer service and experience.
The Dynamic Duo come from diverse backgrounds in real estate. Yet together they form a productive, successful team. One bond that unites them is their love of resort properties and living. Charles and Ted have been recipients of the Circle of Excellence Award multiple times between 2014 and 2017. That Award requires minimum sales of $2.5 Million and 15 transactions to qualify. In addition, they were Second Quarter Sales Leaders at Green Team New Jersey Realty for both 2017 and 2018.. In 2018 they also became part of the Green Team’s President’s Club, which honors those associates with $5 to $10 Million in sales volume.
Thoughts from Charlie, the Team’s designated spokesman
Charlie Nagy is the team’s designated spokesman. And there was a lot of growth and success for him to reflect upon. “2018 was an exciting year for GTNJR on a number of fronts. First and foremost it was a year of great accomplishment for the Team. Not only did we bring on some new and experienced talent who came to us with many years of experience and achievement, but we bought our own office building and as a result of the Team effort, we ended the year as the #1 firm in sales volume and transactions in all of Vernon, NJ after only our second year in business. While it’s exciting to have won the award for top producer in the fourth quarter, it is more exciting for me to see what we all did as a Team for the entire year. Congratulations to us all.”
Many homeowners believe that rising interest rates and home prices have scared away buyers and therefore have not listed their houses for sale. However, the truth is that buyers who were unable to find a home last year are out in force, and there are even more coming!
“Approximately one-third (32%) of Americans plan to purchase a home in the next five years. Millennials are most likely to have such a purchase in their five-year plan (49%), versus 35% of Generation X and 17% of baby boomers.”
As we can see, buyers are optimistic! According to the report, here are the top reasons Americans plan to buy:
The most common reason Americans prioritize buying is that they believe it’s a good investment!
If you’re a homeowner looking to sell, 2019 is the perfect year to put your house on the market. But why?
Buyers want to buy
No competition!
At least 3 of the renowned organizations that report on real estate market trends predict that homeowners are going to wait until 2020 to list their homes, leading to a nice increase in sales (as shown in the graph below).
Don’t wait for a competitive market; be ahead of the curve and sell your house at the best possible price!
Bottom Line
There are plenty of buyers entering the market! Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a current homeowner looking to move-up to your next home, get in touch with one of our Sales Agents to discuss your real estate needs!
Green Team Realty’s February 2019 Housing Market Update went live on Facebook February 12 at 2 p.m. If you were unable to view the webinar live, you can watch it at your convenience by clicking here. Sign up for future updates here.
Meet this month’s panelists…
Moderating the Market Update is Geoffrey Green, President of Green Team Realty. In addition, Geoff presents national statistics as well as local updates for Orange County, NY and Sussex County, NJ. This month he is joined by Jennifer DiCostanzo of Green Team New York Realty, Michael Giannetto of Residential Home Funding, and Keren Gonen of Green Team New Jersey Realty.
The National Perspective
According to Geoff, this time last year no one was really talking about a slowdown in the housing market. The conversation was more about how fast and how far everything would go. A few months later some chinks in the armor appeared. And now we’re looking at national numbers, comparing 2018 to 2017, Sept – Dec, all below the year over year numbers from 2017. The year over year drop by each region, 10.3% overall, 6.8 in the northeast, 15% in the west, etc., is also of interest.
A quote by Mike Fratantoni, chief economist for the MBA, is relevant: “The spring home buying season is almost upon us, and if rates stay lower, inventory continues to grow, and the job market maintains its strength, we do expect to see a solid spring market.” In Geoff’s experience, this just seems to be a very slow moving market pace; unlike the fast paced ups and downs of the stock market. From the perspective of number of units sold, we’re clearly trending down. It seems that every region in the U.S. is on that same path.
Over the last 12 months, housing supply was in the red, meaning there was a lack of it. In June there was a turnaround, with more supply. Some people are saying that transactions are going to catch up again, with more supply becoming available. However, Geoff is not entirely sure that is going to happen at this time. While he does believe there will be a strong market in 2019, the real debate is what is going to happen in 2020, 2021, 2022.
There was a period of time when rates were climbing, but now they are almost 1/2 a point lower than they were in October, November. The Fed is pledging to be patient with raising short term rates, as they’re seeing indicators of a potential recession on the horizon. They’re slowing down anticipated rate hikes which had been slated at the end of last year.
The Local Perspective – Orange and Sussex Counties
Units Sold
There is a lot to glean from the local stats, even as they play out on the national stage. In January, while the same as in 2018, it’s still higher than the previous four years. This is a good indicator.
In Sussex County, we’re just above 2016, but below 2017 and 2018, for the month of January.
Days on Market
This stat is an indicator of how fast things are moving. In Orange County, January 2019 is the lowest it’s been for this month in five years.
In Sussex County, the number of days on the market is tied for the lowest it’s been in five years.
Average Sales Price
As Geoff has mentioned in the monthly housing market updates, price lags activity. Price appreciation should be seen throughout the first half of 2019, but he believes in the second half of the year, prices will start to come down.
The highest peak was in 2018. January 2019 has the highest price for that month in the last five years. In general, higher prices should bring out more sellers, which should create more inventory and allow more units to sell.
Asking to Sold Ratio
This is the ratio of the last asking price versus where are homes selling. This shows on average how much sellers are having to negotiate off the price of their property. This is the highest ratio for this month since 2014.
This number is strong in Sussex County as well as in Orange. The numbers are still showing a strong market.
And thanks to our Sponsor…
The Housing Market Update is sponsored by REALLY – a better, smarter, faster real estate referral network for Agents. Learn more at ReallyHQ.com.
Panel Discussion:
Geoff introduced Jennifer DiCostanzo of Green Team New York Realty, the top producer in the company. According to Jen, supply and demand are a real challenge. On the Orange County side, sellers are afraid to list because they have nowhere to go if they’re shopping in the same market. If sellers are relocating, it’s easier for them to let go as they don’t have the same issues and can secure housing. She is welcoming this market because she finds buyers to be more educated and sellers more realistic. Jen is hoping to see the market open up.
Keren Gonen of Green Team New Jersey is a regular panelist on the Housing Market Update. Her thoughts on the January sales numbers were that the totals were a reflection of inventory not being available. Sales were higher last year as there was more inventory to sell. It still is a seller’s market due to lack of inventory. And there are several sellers on the fence, waiting to see what will happen in the near future. There is hope that these sellers will soon be listing.
According to Geoff, the lack of inventory is a real problem. Nationally and locally, seeing the numbers going down, it seems like less people are buying homes. There has been a lot of frustration for some trying to buy a home, and some may have rented when they couldn’t find anything. Some may now be locked into leases.
What will the market look like over the next few years?
Geoff asked Jen what she thinks the market will look like in 2020, 2021,2022 as far as pricing, activity… She feels that we’re at a more stable point now; that it will not be quite as erratic. After the last downturn, when prices finally started going up in 2016, 2017, it was a very poignant time. If you bought at the height of the market, you could actually sell and recoup equity. That is the silver lining in helping sellers make that decision when they need to sell. And now is that time. If job growth is good and stable and interest rates make home buying and financing affordable, the market should stay at a steady pace. Real estate is fueled by circumstance, regardless of the market. People will always need to buy and sell. If we can give leverage to the market by educating our buyers and sellers and strategically strategizing, you put them ahead of the game.
Geoff asked if Jen had been referring to those buying homes in 2006, 2007 and 2008 when she talked about recouping equity. Jen replied that basically, it would go short. Jen purchased her own home in 2007, and almost immediately she would have been unable to sell her home for what she bought it for. Where we are now is a good time to step back and walk away with equity. Whether you’ve been in your house for 10 years or 50 years, you’re going to recoup on your investment. Geoff recalled the downturn. There was a huge loss, almost 50% of the number of transactions from 2006 to 2008 disappeared, and it was a very difficult time. He found Jen’s point valid; that people should finally be able to move on and move into something else should they want to.
Geoff then asked for Keren’s 2-3 year view. She hopes that we remain in a strong market. With rates coming down, she sees more people who had been renting once again looking to buy. However, the issue remains inventory. Keren sees growth in the area, with people moving to Sussex from other counties in New Jersey and some from New York, attracted to lower taxes, etc. Buyers are more educated, but so are the sellers. Therefore you see homes that are priced correctly. She believes the market will remain good for at least a couple of years.
Mortgage trends
Mike Giannetto of Residential Home Funding was asked if he sees the trend of lowering interest rates continuing. Mike replied he hopes so. There has been a decrease in interest rates. There is a global slow down. The economies in China and Europe are getting weaker. We’ve had a downturn in our rates because we are the safest investment at this point. This definitely had an affect on mortgage backed securities and hopefully the stronger US market will continue.
Geoff recapped. The more risky other assets are, the more money wants to seek a haven in bonds, which drives down the rate that people need to give to attract people to buy those bonds, which ultimately lowers interest rates on mortgages. Instability and uncertainty around the globe actually can be good for mortgage rates to come down.
We know a recession will be coming; just don’t know when. Those that went through the last downturn in the housing market are waiting “for the other shoe to drop.” As long as there is no global meltdown economically, we should be okay. The market is pretty healthy. Geoff has heard of some subprime lending happening; he asked Mike if he’s seen it occurring at levels similar to 2005-2007. Mike replied that there are safeguards in place, even as some new products are being introduced. Some of the products are necessary in order for some people, such as self-employed, to purchase a home. The money behind these products is portfolio money or hedge fund money, which is why the loans are scrutinized. The banks are lending their own money, so are therefore quite careful.
Forty years after founding his own brokerage, Joe Green has joined his son’s company. And father and son are a force to be reckoned with.
In Orange County, NY the name Green is synonymous with Real Estate. Furthermore, it is associated with exceptional client service. Joseph Green Realtor was founded in 1978, and 27 years later that’s where Geoff Green began his career. That’s where Geoff learned from some of the best in the business – his mom and dad, Marie Pennings and Joe Green.
Eventually Geoff did what kids do. He decided to spread his wings. And in 2005, Geoff founded Green Team New York Realty.
Meet Joe Green
Joe didn’t start out wanting to be in the real estate business. Rather, his goal was to teach. He taught physical education and coached football in Warwick. His wife, Marie, was a registered, part-time nurse.
Joe loved what he was doing, but back in 1974 a teacher’s salary wasn’t enough to support a family with 5 kids. Since he needed to supplement his income, Joe saw real estate as a way to make extra money if he worked hard at it
Finding His Calling
However, once he got into it, he discovered he’d found his calling. Because it wasn’t just about making more money. It was about meeting new people, and the adventure that came with each unique transaction. Maybe the most important aspect was that helping people was becoming emotionally rewarding. Marie also got her license, and real estate became a family affair.
In 1980, Joe and Marie decided it was time to go into real estate full-time. They purchased the building at 7 Main Street in Warwick. In 1982 they bought a building in Goshen and opened their 2nd office. Finally, they expanded into Washingtonville.
Life is what happens while you’re busy making plans
When Geoff was in the third grade, everything changed. Joe and Marie divorced, and the children went to live with their mom. While divorce is hard for the parents, it is also difficult for the children.
But life goes on, even when families are divided. Joe continued to build his real estate business, but found that divorce wasn’t the only hardship. In 1987 the housing market tanked, and they had to downsize. Marie took over the Warwick office. Joe closed down the Washingtonville office and kept the Goshen office. Despite all of the hardships Joe persisted.
Experience that spans decades
Joe has been in this ever-changing profession for over 40 years. Back in 1974, when Joe first started practicing, everything was open listing. Clients would call several brokers and they’d all be in direct competition with each other. Then MLS came along and exclusive right to sell became the norm. One brokerage firm tried to impress Joe with the latest in technology, which would change the way business was done. And so, Joe received his introduction to the fax machine.
However, it’s the experience that counts. And Joe and his team provided a full complement of real estate services. That included residential, commercial, land, farm and ranch sales, investment sales, leasing, property management, residential appraising, financial and legal referral services, and relocation services. They covered Orange, Rockland, Westchester, Sullivan and Ulster Counties. Furthermore, his expertise and vision helped to safely guide his clients through some very difficult economic cycles.
Change in the Air
In 2013 Joe decided to shut down the Goshen office and moved his Agency to Chester. However, he began to see that the key to a successful brokerage was technology. And his son was a master at using technology to grow his business. When Geoff opened his own office in 2005, at the 7 Main Street location, Joe couldn’t have been prouder or more excited.
And through the years, he saw what was happening at the Green Team. Technology was enhancing the way brokers worked. Consequently, Joe decided that it was time to join forces with his son and combine the best of both worlds. Each man brings incredible experience and expertise. Together, there is no stopping them.
And Joe doesn’t come to the Green Team alone. He brings with him three of his best agents. Cam Monaco has been with Joe for 30 years. While Krissy Many is newer to the business, she’s a powerhouse. And Vilma Lawla is also excited to be part of the Green Team.
The Future Looks Bright
Joe looks forward to sharing his knowledge. His advice? “Every day you can learn something new. Be like a sponge. Do it your way. Don’t copy but learn from everyone else. Experience can help some of the more inexperienced.” And Joe hopes that his years of experience will help newer agents.
Geoff is excited about having his dad join the firm, “I can’t explain how blessed I feel that Pop is now part of our Agency. It’s amazing to not only see him around the office, but to watch him doing what he does best: sharing his wisdom. Pop is one of the most experienced Real Estate Brokers I know. It’s a simple fact that our Agency just got a lot better as a result of Pop deciding to come on board with the Green Team.”
The two men respect each other and their individual contributions to the industry and their community. They look forward to combining over 50 years of experience and forging a new beginning. They are indeed a force to be reckoned with.
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Green Team New Jersey Realty welcomes Kristi Anderson to their team. Kristi brings with her over 18 years of experience. The Broker-Realtor® is an Accredited Buyer’s Representative and has Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource Certification. In addition, the 15-year resident of Vernon has a thorough knowledge of the area and local market. But she brings something more. She brings a desire to help people make their real estate dreams come true. 
