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Barbara Tesa – Setting the Standard for Excellence
A Trailblazer in Real Estate Excellence
Barbara Tesa has been a standout real estate agent, assisting clients in buying and selling properties since 2009. Over the years, she has garnered numerous accolades for her outstanding contributions to the industry, including the NJ REALTORS® Circle of Excellence Silver Sales Award for 2022, the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Green Team’s 2022 “Team Player Award,” the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Platinum Award for Sales Volume, and the Five Star Professional 2023 Award. Additionally, Barbara was not only the 2023 Third quarter sales leader for our Vernon, NJ office but ended 2023 as one of the top five agents for our brokerage as a whole.
Barbara Tesa’s motto: “YOUR Property is MY Priority,”
Her success in the competitive real estate market is attributed to her belief in the importance of a genuine interest in her clients’ goals and unwavering diligence in helping them achieve them. While she has worked with clients from diverse backgrounds, Barbara has recently concentrated on assisting sellers. Referrals from satisfied clients serve as the best testament to her exceptional business promotion, and she takes great pride in showcasing their homes in the best possible light.
Investing in Success
Barbara goes above and beyond the call of duty, investing in professional photography and videos for her client’s properties, leveraging social media for promotion, and featuring them in local publication ads. Additionally, Barbara creates beautiful property-specific marketing brochures that potential buyers can pick up at open houses or other showings.
“Unlike other agents we came across, Barabara did her homework on us and learned exactly what we wanted to find in a home instead of leading us on paths that were not for us.
Barbara was so patient with us and always took as much time needed at all hours of the day to make sure that we understood each step of the first-time home buying process from start to finish, we never felt rushed and never felt left in the dark. Extremely knowledgeable, dedicated to her clients, and super friendly – she is really the best! Even post-closing, she is responsive to any questions or when you just want to share some progress photos.I’d highly recommend to anyone that was searching for a home. Thank you, Barbara, for helping myself and Mike finally find our home!” – Ashley Harsch
A Positive Influence in the Industry
In addition to her personal and professional achievements, Barbara is a valued member of the BHGRE Green Team’s mentorship program. Using her professional knowledge, experience, and compassion, Barbara is committed to helping new agents just beginning their real estate journey become the best they can be.
“Having Barbara as a mentor has meant that I have someone to turn to for advice, support and guidance. She has offered insights on several challenges and dilemmas that I have encountered thus far in my real estate career.
Most importantly, having Barbara as a mentor has provided me with encouragement and has instilled increased confidence in my abilities.” – Peggy Bradfield
The Go-To Agent for Success
Barbara Tesa is not just a real estate agent; she is a testament to excellence and commitment. Her impressive track record, coupled with glowing testimonials, paints a vivid picture of a professional who goes above and beyond for her clients. Whether it’s assisting sellers, utilizing innovative marketing strategies, or providing invaluable mentorship, Barbara embodies the qualities of a top-tier real estate expert.
If you are looking for a real estate agent who will work tirelessly to help you achieve your goals, look no further than Barbara Tesa. She is an outstanding agent who is committed to her client’s success.
Contact Barbara today to learn how she can help you buy or sell a property!
Cell:(973) 704-8164
barbaratesa@gmail.com
Jimmy Cosenza is now a Licensed Real Estate Broker
Congratulations to James “Jimmy” Cosenza on becoming a Licensed Real Estate Broker.
Embarking on the journey to becoming a licensed real estate broker is no small feat—it demands extensive knowledge and unwavering hard work, an accomplishment achieved by a select few. For Jimmy Cosenza, an agent dedicated to becoming one of the best in the business, the path to becoming a broker was not just a professional milestone but a personal commitment to excellence.
Elevating Client Experiences
Jimmy Cosenza has long harbored a genuine interest in real estate. His passion and intricate local market knowledge uniquely position him to provide clients with a competitive edge. Whether assisting first-time homebuyers, helping sellers maximize property value, or guiding investors toward profitable opportunities, Jimmy’s dedication to excellence is unwavering.
Jimmy has previously earned certifications as a Real Estate Negotiator and obtained his Commercial and Investment Real Estate designation. Now, with the added responsibilities and capabilities of a broker’s license, he offers an even more comprehensive and strategic approach to real estate transactions. Clients can expect expert guidance, innovative solutions, and a level of service that reflects Jimmy’s continuous pursuit of excellence.
Looking to the Future
As Jimmy embraces this new chapter, his focus remains on the future. His commitment to self-improvement and genuine passion for real estate ensure that clients will continue to benefit from the highest service standards. Whether stepping into your first home, navigating the market as a seller, or seeking opportunities as an investor, Jimmy Cosenza is ready to help you navigate every aspect of the ever-changing real estate market.
Congratulations, Jimmy! Your unwavering dedication and hard work have led you to this well-deserved achievement as a licensed broker. All of us here at BHGRE Green Team wish you continued success as you embark on this new chapter of your real estate journey.
Celebrating Terry Gavan’s Dedication and Success
A True Real Estate Professional
In the fast-paced and competitive world of real estate, few agents possess the dedication and expertise required to navigate challenging deals successfully. Terry Gavan, a remarkable agent with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Green Team, is one such individual. Her recent achievement in closing a difficult deal, despite numerous obstacles, showcases her unwavering commitment to her clients and their needs. Let’s take a closer look at Terry’s journey and applaud her exceptional work in the real estate industry.
The Challenging Deal
Terry’s most recent triumph involved a log house in Westtown, which presented several unique hurdles, including an easement on the property. Marketing a property with such complexities is no easy task, but Terry accepted the challenge wholeheartedly. With her extensive knowledge and sharp negotiation skills, she tirelessly worked to secure a buyer, despite facing a series of unrealistic and unacceptable below market offers along the way.
Persistence and Dedication
Terry’s unwavering dedication to her clients was evident throughout the arduous ten-month process. While many might have been discouraged by the numerous setbacks and adversities, Terry remained steadfast and focused on achieving the best outcome for her client. Her ability to maintain a positive mindset and adapt to changing circumstances is a testament to her exceptional professionalism.
A Lasting Legacy
What makes Terry’s success even more remarkable is her long-standing relationship with the client/seller. Having sold his house in Greenwood Lake in 2005 and subsequently helped him purchase the Westtown property in 2006, Terry has built a deep connection with this client, as she has with so many other repeat clients – over the years. Now, once again, the client entrusted Terry with selling the property, allowing him to embark on a new chapter in his life. This story highlights Terry’s commitment to nurturing long-term relationships with her clients and the trust they place in her expertise.
“When I decided to sell my home in Greenwood Lake in 2005, I was fortunate to somehow be referred to an excellent Realtor…Terry Gavan.
She listed the house and in under two months we were in contract. Terry’s knowledge, expertise, professionalism and pleasing personality came into play and made it work smoothly.
Terry then sold me my log house In Westtown in 2006. Assisting and guiding me in the buyer process with the same amount of effort, energy and knowledge.
Terry stayed in touch with me over the years ..always stopping by to say hello and checking in.
So of course when it came time to sell this log home I loved, Terry was there to explain all the nuances involved in a sale in the year 2022 and once again with a clear focus and constant updates and communication along with the bias for action that she adheres to, we got it done. It was no easy task. There were hurdles but Terry never deterred and stayed focused on the goal of selling.
She saw it through to the finish and I got a full price offer.. I could not have been happier with the entire transaction.
Another job well done! I would highly recommend calling Terry to get the job done!” – Mike A. – Westtown seller
Terry’s Remarkable Portfolio
The client’s situation is not unique when it comes to Terry’s impressive portfolio. Over the years, she has established herself as a trusted real estate professional for her long-time clients, many of whom she has assisted in buying and selling multiple homes. This “legacy” relationship is a testament to the exceptional service Terry provides, the trust she inspires, and the profound impact she has on the lives of her clients.
Terry Gavan‘s recent triumph in closing a difficult deal exemplifies her unmatched dedication, unwavering persistence, and remarkable expertise in the real estate industry. Her ability to navigate complex situations, maintain strong client relationships, and achieve outstanding results sets her apart as a true professional. We congratulate Terry on her well-deserved success and commend her for the exceptional service she provides to her clients. Terry Gavan is an inspiration to aspiring real estate agents and a shining example of the impact one individual can make in their profession.
Jacqueline Kraszewski Celebrates 10 years with BHGRE Green Team!
Congratulations to Jacqueline (Jacque) Kraszewski on her 10-year anniversary with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Green Team!
Jacque is an amazing and hardworking realtor who is loved dearly by our team. Her dedication, passion, and tireless efforts have not only contributed to her success but to the success of BHGRE Green Team as a whole.
Over the past decade, Jacque has established herself as a trusted and respected real estate professional in the community. Her commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and outstanding customer service have helped countless clients find their dream homes.
We are truly grateful for Jacque’s contributions to BHGRE Green Team and the real estate industry. Her contagious enthusiasm and unwavering work ethic are truly inspiring.
Here’s to many more years of success, growth, and achievements for Jacque and BHGRE Green Team! Congratulations, Jacqueline!
If You’re Selling Your House This Summer, Hiring a Pro Is Critical
It can be tempting, especially with how hot the housing market has been over the past two years, to consider selling your home on your own. But today’s market is at a turning point, making it more essential than ever to work with a real estate professional.
Not only will a trusted real estate advisor keep you updated and help you make the best decisions based on current market trends, but they’re also experts in managing the many aspects of selling your house.
Here are five key reasons why working with a real estate professional makes sense today.
1. A Professional Follows the Latest Market Trends
With higher mortgage rates, rising home prices, and a growing number of homes for sale, today’s housing market is showing signs of a shift back toward more pre-pandemic levels. When conditions change, following the trends and staying on top of new information is crucial when you sell.
That makes working with an expert real estate advisor critical today. They know your local area and follow national trends too. More importantly, they’ll know what this data means for you, and as the market shifts, they’ll be able to help you navigate it and make your best decision.
2. A Professional Helps Maximize Your Pool of Buyers
Your agent’s role in bringing in buyers is important. Real estate professionals have a large variety of tools at their disposal, such as social media followers, agency resources, and the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to ensure your house is viewed by the most buyers. Investopedia explains why it’s risky to sell on your own without the network an agent provides:
“You don’t have relationships with clients, other agents, or a real estate agency to bring the largest pool of potential buyers to your home. A smaller pool of potential buyers means less demand for your property, which can translate into waiting longer to sell your home and possibly not getting as much money as your house is worth.”
3. A Professional Understands the Fine Print
Today, more disclosures and regulations are mandatory when selling a house. That means the number of legal documents you’ll need to juggle is growing. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains it best, saying:
“Selling a home typically requires a variety of forms, reports, disclosures, and other legal and financial documents. . . . Also, there’s a lot of jargon involved in a real estate transaction; you want to work with a professional who can speak the language.”
A real estate professional knows exactly what needs to happen, what all the paperwork means, and how to work through it efficiently. They’ll help you review the documents and avoid any costly missteps that could occur if you try to handle them on your own.
4. A Professional Is a Trained Negotiator
If you sell without a professional, you’ll also be solely responsible for all the negotiations. That means you’ll have to coordinate with:
- The buyer, who wants the best deal possible
- The buyer’s agent, who will use their expertise to advocate for the buyer
- The inspection company, which works for the buyer and will almost always find concerns with the house
- The appraiser, who assesses the property’s value to protect the lender
Instead of going toe-to-toe with all these parties alone, lean on an expert. They’ll know what levers to pull, how to address everyone’s concerns, and when you may want to get a second opinion.
5. A Professional Knows How To Set the Right Price for Your House
If you sell your house on your own, you may over or undershoot your asking price. That could mean you’ll leave money on the table because you priced it too low or your house will sit on the market because you priced it too high. Pricing a house requires expertise. NAR explains it like this:
“A great real estate agent will look at your home with an unbiased eye, providing you with the information you need to enhance marketability and maximize price.”
Real estate professionals know the ins and outs of how to price your house accurately and competitively. To do so, they compare your house to recently sold homes in your area and factor in the current condition of your home. These steps are key to making sure it’s set to move quickly while still getting you the highest possible final sale price.
Bottom Line
Whether it’s following local and national trends and guiding you through a shifting market or pricing your house right, a real estate agent has essential insights you’ll want to rely on throughout the transaction. Don’t go at it alone. If you plan to sell, let’s connect so you have an expert on your side.
A Majority of Consumers Say It’s a Good Time To Sell Your House
If you’re a homeowner thinking about selling your house, you’re probably looking for the best time to make your move. That means you’re likely balancing a number of factors, like your changing needs, where you’ll go when you sell, and today’s mortgage rates in order to time it just right.
According to recent data, that sweet spot could already be here. The latest Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) by Fannie Mae finds that 76% of consumers believe now is a good time to sell.
The graph below shows the percentage of survey respondents who say it’s a good time to sell a house. The big dip in March and April of 2020 reflects how consumer sentiment dropped at the beginning of the pandemic as uncertainty about the health crisis grew. Since then, the percentage has grown consistently as more people feel confident it’s a good time to sell.
In fact, survey respondents think it’s an even better time to sell a house today than they did in 2019, which was a strong year for the housing market. The latest survey results indicate one of the strongest peaks in seller sentiment in nearly three years (see graph below):
What Makes Today a Good Time To Sell?
One reason so many people think it’s a good time to sell is because there are still more buyers in today’s market than there are homes for sale. That’s driving home prices up, making it a good time to sell your house.
And if you’re on the fence about whether or not to sell because you don’t know where you’ll go once you do, know that you might have more options today than in previous months. That’s because the number of homes coming onto the market has grown each month since the start of the year. When more homes come onto the market, it gives you more opportunities to find one that meets your changing needs.
Bottom Line
While the number of homes available for sale is growing and giving you more options for your move, inventory is still low overall. That could mean it’s a great time for you to sell. If you’re ready to address your changing needs and take advantage of today’s favorable conditions, let’s connect.
Why You Need an Expert To Determine the Right Price for Your House
If your lifestyle has changed recently and you’re ready to make a move, taking advantage of today’s sellers’ market might be just the answer for your summer plans. With homes continuing to get multiple offers, this could be your moment to get the contract you’re looking for on your house if you’re ready to sell.
And here’s the thing – you need an expert on your side to ensure you make all the right moves when you do, especially when it comes to pricing your house. Even in this competitive market, you can’t stick just any price tag on your home and get the deal you want. A key piece of the puzzle is setting the right asking price so you can help buyers notice your home (and get excited about it) from the very first time they view the listing. That’s where a real estate professional comes in.
Why Pricing Your House Right Is Important
The price you set for your house sends a message to potential buyers. Price it too low and you might raise questions about your home’s condition or lead buyers to assume something is wrong with the property. Not to mention, if you undervalue your house, you could leave money on the table which decreases your future buying power.
On the other hand, price it too high, and you run the risk of deterring buyers. When that happens, you may have to do a price drop to try to re-ignite interest in your house when it sits on the market for a while. But be aware that a price drop can be seen as a red flag for some buyers who will wonder why the price was reduced and what that means about the home.
In other words, think of pricing your home as a target. Your goal is to aim directly for the center – not too high, not too low, but right at market value. Pricing your house fairly based on market conditions increases the chance you’ll have more buyers who are interested in purchasing it. That makes it more likely you’ll see multiple offers, too. And if a bidding war happens, you’ll likely get an even higher final sale price. Plus, when homes are priced right, they tend to sell quickly.
To get a look into the potential downsides of over or underpricing your house and the perks that come with pricing it at market value, see the chart below:
Lean on a Professional’s Expertise
There are several factors that go into pricing your house, and balancing them is the key. That’s why it’s important to lean on an expert real estate advisor when you’re ready to move. A local real estate advisor is knowledgeable about:
- The value of homes in your neighborhood
- The current demand for houses in today’s market
- The condition of your house and how it affects the value
A real estate professional will balance these factors to make sure the price of your house makes the best first impression and gives you the greatest return on your investment in the end.
Bottom Line
If you’re thinking about selling, pricing your house appropriately is key. Let’s connect to make sure your house is priced right for the local market, for your home’s condition, and to stand out from the competition.
Sellers Have an Opportunity with Today’s Home Prices
As mortgage rates started to rise this year, many homeowners began to wonder if the value of their homes would fall. Here’s the good news. Historically, when mortgage rates rise by a percentage point or more, home values continue to appreciate. The latest data on home prices seems to confirm that trend.
According to data from CoreLogic, home price appreciation has been re-accelerating since November. The graph below shows this increase in home price appreciation in green:
This is largely due to an ongoing imbalance in supply and demand. Specifically, housing supply is still low, and demand is high. As mortgage rates started to rise this year, many homebuyers rushed to make their purchases before those rates could climb higher. The increased competition drove home prices up even more. Selma Hepp, Deputy Chief Economist at CoreLogic, explains:
“Home price growth continued to gain speed in early spring, as eager buyers tried to get in front of the mortgage rate surge.”
And experts say prices are forecast to continue appreciating, just at a more moderate pace moving forward. A recent article from Fortune says:
“. . . the swift move up in mortgage rates . . . doesn’t mean home prices are about to crash. In fact, every major real estate firm with a publicly released forecast model . . . still predicts home prices will climb further this year.”
What This Means for You
If you’re thinking about selling your house, you should know you have a great opportunity to list your home and capitalize on today’s home price appreciation. As prices rise, so does the value of your home, which gives your equity a big boost.
When you sell, you can use that equity toward the purchase of your next home. And at today’s record-level of appreciation, that equity may be enough to cover some (if not all) of your down payment.
Bottom Line
History shows rising mortgage rates have not had a negative impact on home prices. Now is still a great time to sell your house thanks to ongoing price appreciation. When you’re ready to find out how much equity you have in your current home and what’s happening with home prices in your local area, let’s connect.
If You’re a Homeowner, You Have Incredible Leverage When You Sell Today
In today’s housing market, homeowners have a great opportunity to sell their house and receive the best terms for their personal situation. That’s because there’s a limited number of homes for sale, which is creating competition among buyers. Right now, homebuyers want three things:
- To be the winning bid on their dream home
- To buy before mortgage rates rise more
- To buy before home prices go even higher
These buyer needs give you an amazing advantage – also known as leverage – when you sell.
What Does This Mean for Sellers Today?
You might already realize this enables you to sell at a good price, but you’re also in a great position to get the best terms to suit your needs.
According to the latest Realtors Confidence Index from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average home sold is receiving 4.8 offers. That’s why there’s a good chance you’ll get offers from multiple buyers who are willing to compete for your house. When you do, you should look closely at the terms of each offer to find out which one has the best options for you.
And if you have questions at any point in the process, remember your trusted real estate advisor can help. They’re experts who understand the fine print, know how to compare the terms of various offers, and will help you select the best one for your situation.
Bottom Line
If you’re thinking of selling your home, know buyer demand in today’s market gives you a great opportunity to get the best terms and price when you sell your house. Let’s connect today to discuss how much leverage you have as a seller in today’s market.
