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Haunted Homes: Barbara Tesa’s tale from Clinton Road
Barbara Tesa shares her frightening experience on New Jersey’s Clinton Road.
Clinton Road is located in West Milford New Jersey, and became famous for being one of America’s most Haunted Highways. This 10-mile stretch is home to many paranormal experiences, hair-raising folklore, and even true crime stories. Aside from that, being surrounded by a dense forest and with extremely limited cell phone service, Clinton Road can make anyone feel uneasy…
A road filled with hauntings
It was a rainy October evening and Barbara was on her way to meet clients at a home they wanted to view. Due to the rain causing traffic delays, Barbara was running a few minutes late. She decided to call her clients to notify them of her delay but they had hesitation in going into the home. Barbara insisted they wait just a little longer for her to arrive; they agreed.
Barbara began to feel uneasy. The rain started to come down in buckets and the road began to narrow; she was surrounded by dense woods to the right and what appeared to be a pond on the left.
As the rain came down harder, Barbara needed to slow down to be able to see out her windshield. Up ahead she saw a couple on a tandem bicycle, as she approached them she was able to see they were dressed in clothes from an era well behind us. She thought to herself “They must be going to a Halloween party somewhere close by but how strange to be out in this weather.”
A moment later she came upon a vehicle stopped on the side of the road. A man was standing there with his foot propped up against his Jeep, wearing a cowboy hat while smoking a cigarette. It was almost as if he was enjoying the scenery on a beautiful sunny fall day.
Up ahead, a man appeared on the left side of the road. He was standing in front of his motorcycle with his helmet resting on the seat. Again, enjoying the day as if the rain had no effect on him.
Barbara called her clients to let them know she was only seconds away. They told her they were no longer interested in the home because the area gave them an eerie feeling. Barbara notified the listing agent to let her know they would not be viewing this home and to make the owner aware.
Barbara decided to make a K-Turn in the road to head back towards the highway; the road was so narrow it became a disheartening task. The rain continued to come down and her heart began to race. Barbara called her husband to ease her uncomfortable feeling, and he remained on the phone until she made it back to the main road. She told her husband about the strange occurrences that she had seen and yet, moments later after turning around, the man by his motorcycle, the man with the cowboy hat, and the couple on a tandem bicycle had all disappeared.
When Barbara got home she spoke with the seller’s agent who suggested she look up “Clinton Road in West Milford NJ”. Barbara gasped at what she read; apparently what she had seen were APPARITIONS; Ghosts of the past!
This is a true story based on the experience of Barbara Tesa.
A Spine Chilling Story
An experience like that is sure to give you goosebumps for years to come. A quick google search will show hundreds of other stories similar to Barbaras, perhaps you even have your own. If you’ve never visited Clinton Road would you be brave enough to?
Green Team Celebrates our affiliation with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate.
Celebrating Our New Team!
After 17 years of being an independent agency, Green Team Realty made the decision to affiliate with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. This was a huge opportunity for us to expand our horizons and take advantage of everything this amazing company has to offer. The marketing tools, as well as the special training that they provide to our agents, are hard to beat. Additionally, these tools will also help to make the real estate process all the better for our clients.
After such an exciting change we wanted to take some time to celebrate joining this fantastic company. To do so we decided to host ribbon-cutting ceremonies at both our New York and New Jersey offices.
Our Warwick offices ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by numerous members of the community as well as many of our agents and administrative team. Mayor Newhard, Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton, Assemblyman Karl Brabanec, and Executive Director of the Chamber Stefanie Keegan all came out to show their support.
Afterward, at our Vernon offices ceremony, we were joined by Mayor Howard, The Vernon Chamber of Commerce, our administrative team, and many of our sales associates. While there our CEO Geoffery Green, made a wonderful champaign toast to our new affiliation and the future of our team. Following Geoff’s speech, Mayor Howard also made his own fantastic speech congratulating us.
We are so very thankful to everyone who was there with us for this exciting occasion. Our team looks forward to showing our communities everything we have to offer.
Geoffery Green’s Speech:
Mayor Howard’s Speech:
Another Successful Applefest!
Warwick’s Most Anticipated Event
The charming village of Warwick welcomed people for another very successful Applefest. An estimated 30,000 people come every year to enjoy the many treats Warwick has to offer.
Taking part in the Excitement
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Green Team was excited to join in on the fun. Our booth included the perfect photo opp with a beautiful faux house, courtesy of Valentine Home Builders, complete with branded pumpkins and fabulous fall decor. Clearly many others were also impressed as we had hundreds of people stop by to take photos throughout the day.
Many people jokingly asked, “Can you come to my house and decorate my front door?” BHGRE Green Team’s Marketing Director, Nicole McCormick, who organized the event took that as a huge compliment. “As a lifestyle brand, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate offers many staging tips and guides for the home. I wanted to bring that to life at Applefest. With the help of the brand, our agents and Valentine Home Builders, that thought came to fruition. We will be using the same Door Front Display at our Furever Homes for Pets: Pet Portrait Fundraiser this weekend; all proceeds benefit the Warwick Valley Humane Society.” said Nicole.
Showing their devotion to their Community
Our sales associates were front and center to enjoy the festivities. They handed out brochures about the area, balloons to little ones, and goody bags they created themselves. Our agents love to go above and beyond; an ideal that is shown in the care that they take with their clients every day. Being able to meet new people and spread the love during Applefest was a great experience for everyone.
“It was a great event; it felt really good being a part of the team.” stated Brian Cisek.
“Me too!” Replied Nancy Sardo, “It was a great day spent with great people! Here’s to next year!”
A Rewarding Experience
In addition, Green Team was excited to have the opportunity to host a raffle to win a brand new Apple Watch SE. We had many people enter but the lucky winner was Linda Zappala!
We love having the opportunity to get to know our community on a personal level. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Green Team strives to ensure that everyone we have the honor to work with receives the best possible experience.
Apple Fest 2022 was a huge success and we look forward to participating again next year!
Barbara Tesa Reached The Cap!
Congratulations From Geoffrey Green, President Of Better Homes and Gardens Realty Green Team, to Barbara Tesa for reaching the commission cap for Company Dollar Contribution in 2022!
“I am very happy for Barabara as she once again reaches the cap. If you know Barbara you would agree that she is a true professional. She takes her work in this industry very seriously. She is responsive, intelligent, and fun to be around. That is why she continues to excel as one of BHGRE Green Team’s top producers. Congrats Barabara, keep up the good work!”
Barbara Tesa‘s dedication to her clients and hard work has allowed her to reach the cap on her commission with Better Homes and Gardens Realty Green Team. This is an outstanding accomplishment and means Barbara will now receive a 100% commission split on any deal she closes during 2022.
Barbara Tesa’s thoughts on hitting CAP:
“The sales I’ve completed this year, whether for buyers or sellers, always came down to making the client feel THEY were the priority. No matter how the market is performing, the best I try to give all my clients is my attention to their real estate needs/goals…because if I don’t do that, I know someone else will. And that’s why my motto is: Your Property, My Priority!”
Better Homes and Gardens Realty Green Team’s commission structure is undoubtedly one of the finest in the industry, but it doesn’t end there. Our lead generation platform, certified sales assistant program, and dynamic training systems are just a few other things worth mentioning.
Click here to learn more about Better Homes and Gardens Realty Green Team and why you should join our team.
Congratulations, Barbara Tesa!
Should I Rent or Should I Buy? [INFOGRAPHIC]
![Should I Rent or Should I Buy? [INFOGRAPHIC] | MyKCM](https://files.mykcm.com/2022/07/14124050/20220715-MEM-1046x2129.png)
Some Highlights
- It’s worth considering the many benefits of homeownership before you make the decision to rent or buy a home.
- When you buy, you can stabilize your housing costs, own a tangible asset, and grow your net worth as you gain equity. When you rent, you face rising housing costs, won’t see a return on your investment, and limit your ability to save.
- If you want to learn more about the benefits of homeownership, let’s connect today.
Housing Experts Say This Isn’t a Bubble
With so much talk about an economic slowdown, some people are asking if the housing market is heading for a crash like the one in 2008. To really understand what’s happening with real estate today, it’s important to lean on the experts for reliable information.
Here’s why economists and industry experts say the housing market is not a bubble ready to pop.
Today Is Nothing Like 2008
The 2008 housing crash is still fresh in the minds of many homebuyers and sellers. But today’s market is different. Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, says:
“This is not the same market of 2008. . . . It’s no secret the housing market played a central role in the Great Recession, but this market is just fundamentally different in so many ways.”
Natalie Campisi, Advisor Staff for Forbes, explains how today’s lending standards are different than those during the lead-up to the housing market crash:
“Among the differences between today’s housing market and that of the 2008 housing crash is that lending standards are tighter due to lessons learned and new regulations enacted after the last crisis. Essentially, that means those approved for a mortgage nowadays are less likely to default than those who were approved in the pre-crisis lending period.”
Another reason today’s housing market is nothing like 2008 is that the number of people looking to buy a home still outweighs the supply of homes for sale. As realtor.com notes:
“. . . experts don’t believe the market is in a bubble or a crash is in the cards, like during the Great Recession. The nation is still suffering from a housing shortage that has reached crisis proportions at a time when many millennials are reaching the age when they start to consider homeownership. That’s likely to keep prices high.”
Bottom Line
Experts say the housing market isn’t a bubble, and we’re not heading for a crash. Let’s connect so you can have a full picture of today’s housing market in our local area.
Should I Buy a Home Right Now?
If you’ve been thinking about buying a home, you likely have one question on the top of your mind: should I buy right now, or should I wait? While no one can answer that question for you, here’s some information that could help you make your decision.
The Future of Home Price Appreciation
Each quarter, Pulsenomics surveys a national panel of over 100 economists, real estate experts, and investment and market strategists to compile projections for the future of home price appreciation. The output is the Home Price Expectation Survey. In the latest release, it forecasts home prices will continue appreciating over the next five years (see graph below):
As the graph shows, the rate of appreciation will moderate over the next few years as the market shifts away from the unsustainable pace it saw during the pandemic. After this year, experts project home price appreciation will continue, but at levels that are more typical for the market. As Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says:
“People should not anticipate another double-digit price appreciation. Those days are over. . . . We may return to more normal price appreciation of 4%, 5% a year.”
For you, that ongoing appreciation should give you peace of mind your investment in homeownership is worthwhile because you’re buying an asset that’s projected to grow in value in the years ahead.
What Does That Mean for You?
To give you an idea of how this could impact your net worth, here’s how a typical home could grow in value over the next few years using the expert price appreciation projections from the Pulsenomics survey mentioned above (see graph below):
As the graph conveys, even at a more typical pace of appreciation, you still stand to make significant equity gains as your home grows in value. That’s what’s at stake if you delay your plans.
Bottom Line
If you’re ready to become a homeowner, know that buying today can set you up for long-term success as your asset’s value (and your own net worth) is projected to grow with the ongoing home price appreciation. Let’s connect to begin your homebuying process today.
Expert Housing Market Forecasts for the Second Half of the Year
The housing market is at a turning point, and if you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, that may leave you wondering: is it still a good time to buy a home? Should I make a move this year? To help answer those questions, let’s turn to the experts for projections on what the second half of the year holds for residential real estate.
Where Mortgage Rates Will Go Depends on Inflation
While one of the big questions on all buyers’ minds is where will mortgage rates go in the months ahead, no one has a crystal ball to know exactly what’ll happen in the future. What housing market experts know for sure is that the record-low mortgage rates during the pandemic were an outlier, not the norm.
This year, rates have climbed over 2% due to the Federal Reserve’s response to rising inflation. If inflation continues to rise, it’s likely that mortgage rates will respond. Greg McBride, Chief Financial Analyst at Bankrate, explains it well:
“Until inflation peaks, mortgage rates won’t either. Without improvement on the inflation front, we don’t know where the interest rate ceiling will be.”
Whether you’re buying your first home or selling your current house to make a move, today’s mortgage rate is an important factor to consider. When rates rise, they impact affordability and your purchasing power. That’s why it’s crucial to work with a team of professionals, so you have expert advice to help you make an informed decision about your best move.
The Supply of Homes for Sale Projected To Continue Increasing
This year, particularly this spring, the number of homes for sale has grown. That’s partly due to more homeowners listing their houses, but also because higher mortgage rates have helped ease the intensity of buyer demand. Moderating buyer demand slows down the pace of home sales, which in turn helps inventory rise.
Experts say that growth will continue. Recently, realtor.com updated their 2022 inventory forecast. In the latest release, they increased their projections for inventory gains dramatically, going from a 0.3% increase at the beginning of the year to a 15.0% jump by the end of 2022 (see graph below):
More homes to choose from is great news if you’re craving more options for your home search – just know that there isn’t a sudden surplus of inventory on the horizon. Housing supply is still low, so you’ll need to partner with an agent to stay on top of what’s available in your market and move fast when you find the one. It’s not going to be easy to find a home, but it certainly won’t be as difficult as it has been over the past two years.
Home Price Forecasts Call for Ongoing Appreciation
Due to the imbalance between the number of homes for sale and the number of buyers looking to make a purchase, the pandemic led to record-breaking increases in home prices. According to CoreLogic, homes appreciated by 15% in 2021, and they’ve continued to rise this year.
Even though housing supply is increasing today, there are still more buyers than there are homes for sale, and that’s maintaining the upward pressure on home prices. That’s why experts are not calling for prices to decline, rather they’re forecasting they’ll continue to climb, just at a more moderate pace this year. On average, homes are projected to appreciate by about 8.5% in 2022 (see graph below):
Selma Hepp, Deputy Chief Economist at CoreLogic, explains why the housing market will see deceleration, but not depreciation, in prices:
“The current home price growth rate is unsustainable, and higher mortgage rates coupled with more inventory will lead to slower home price growth but unlikely declines in home prices.”
For current homeowners looking to sell, know your home’s value isn’t projected to fall, but waiting to make your purchase does mean your next home could cost more as home prices continue to appreciate. That’s why, if you’re thinking about buying your first home or you’re ready to make a move, it may make sense to do so now before prices climb higher. But rest assured, once you buy a home, that price appreciation will help grow the value of your investment.
Bottom Line
Whether you’re a homebuyer or seller, you need to know what’s happening in the housing market, so you can make the most informed decision possible. Let’s connect to discuss your goals and what lies ahead, so you can determine the best plan for your move.
The Drop in Mortgage Rates Brings Good News for Homebuyers
Over the past few weeks, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from Freddie Mac fell by half a percent. The drop happened over concerns about a potential recession. And since mortgage rates have risen dramatically this year, homebuyers across the country should see this decline as welcome news.
Freddie Mac reports that the average 30-year rate was down to 5.30% from 5.81% two weeks prior (see graph below):
But why is this recent dip such good news for homebuyers? As Nadia Evangelou, Senior Economist and Director of Forecasting at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains:
“According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped sharply by 40 basis points to 5.3 percent. . . . As a result, home buying is about 5 percent more affordable than a week ago. This translates to about $100 less every month on a mortgage payment.”
That’s because when rates go up (as they have for the majority of this year), they impact how much you’ll pay in your monthly mortgage payment, which directly affects how much you can comfortably afford. The inverse is also true. A decrease in mortgage rates means an increase in your purchasing power.
The chart below shows how a half-point, or even a quarter-point, change in mortgage rates can impact your monthly payment:
Bottom Line
If your home doesn’t meet your needs, this may be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. Let’s connect to see how you can benefit from the current drop in mortgage rates.
Why Growing Home Equity Is Great News if You Plan To Move [INFOGRAPHIC]
![Why Growing Home Equity Is Great News if You Plan To Move [INFOGRAPHIC] | MyKCM](https://files.mykcm.com/2022/07/07152642/20220708-MEM-1046x1851.png)
Some Highlights
- According to the latest data from CoreLogic, the average homeowner gained $64,000 in home equity over the past 12 months.
- That much equity can be a game-changer when you move. When you sell, it could be some (if not all) of what you need for a down payment on your next home.
- To find out how much equity you have in your home and how you can use it, let’s connect today.
