Thanks Jenet, I know but wanted to vent a little. Forgive me for ranting, I usually don't get involved in most of the posts I read but it sounded more like an ad and from a familiar name I had bad dealings with.

Sorry to Dennis, he may be a good person and agent. I know this is your brother and always wish to give everyone a fair shake so didn't mean to bad mouth you if I came off that way.

This question was posted in Nov. '07. As it is two years later, I wouldn't stress too much about who was recommended a day ago and what their motives were and what the agent's qualifications are.

How long ago did Soccermom7 use DenVal to sell the linden home? The agency is only 3 or 4 years old isn't it?
You created a trulia profile just to give props to DenVal? Most people don't troll trulia unless they have an ongoing interest in real estate. By chance do you also work for DenVal?

I'm a life long linden resident and know in linden only a few family's own most of the town and are very influential, the valvano's are one of those family's and they don't even live in the town. They moved up and out a long time ago.

From my understanding the DenVal agency was created and used mostly for managing the family real estate investments. They own a lot of prime commercial real estate in linden and do a lot of buying linden homes and land cheaply "somehow" and then build and sell new homes in their place.

I'm always scratching my head wondering how they are able to get permits to build in many of the places they do. They get building permits and variances nobody else could, well they are rich and have connections in town.

FYI:
Have you heard about his brother? I don't know Dennis so don't want to simulate him to his dirt bag brother that was the linden city building inspector, a real piece of work. This guy actually hit on my wife and wouldn't give us a permit for work done in our house until my wife would agree to go on a date with him. She didn't and it took a while for us to get that permit. Anyway, thank goodness the FBI did a sting and arrested him for taking bribes and extorting "other" builders that wanted to build in linden. No big surprises there.

Here is a news article about the brother:
http://blog.nj.com/ledgerupdates/2007/08/a_linden_city_build…

Note: Searching for this update I just came across another article and being a good person wish my condolences to the family. Apparently Dennis Valvano Jr., the father of the owner of DenVal died this past month on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009 at the age of 77.
http://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?n=de…

We used Dennis Valvano at DenVal Realty in Linden to sell our home and couldn't be happier. he did everything he promised and more. our home was advertised here and many other places on the internet. The staff at DenVal was very professional and helped us every step of the way and best of all we did get a good price for our home.

Psst... Grace I'll let you in on a little known secret, wanna know?

It's Me!!! LOL....

If not, I'd like to think I'm pretty darn close. I grew up in Linden, know it like the back of my hand and as a matter of fact still live in Linden. I'm close friends with a couple of shall we say local industry insiders, and not to sound cliche` but my number one job is customer satisfaction and I demand the same from all the agents in my brokerage. If you'd like feel free to give me a buzz, I'll tell you more, not so much about myself but how I can help you best depending on your particular situation, needs, timeline and so on.

--
Victor Kaminski
Owner / Broker Manager
Marivic GMAC Real Estate
2056A Lincoln Hwy. (Rt.27)
Edison, NJ 08817-3330
Office: 732-650-9911 Ext.302
Cellular: 908-884-5757
Toll Free: 1-866-745-GMAC(4622) Ext.302

If you would like to see a Market Snapshot of Linden to see how the market is doing, please connect below. This also offers community and school reports plus an overview of list vs. sales prices plus days on market.
http://www.homeinsight.com/Widget/default.asp?WK7JL36V3VLE
Sandra Bolcar
RE/MAX VILLAGE SQUARE
Upper Montclair, NJ 07043
973-744-7722
sandra@thecrosskeysteam.com

Each agent has basically the same tools to do the job today. It's just how effectively they use them. Obviously you want to choose an assertive agent, but select one that you feel comfortable with and suits your own personality, is prompt and courteous and not overly agressive, Don't choose one purely on the merits of what they say they will do to advertise your home because 95% of homes that sell are through an agent other than your listing agent. That's the great thing about the MLS. Agents who heavily advertise are truly marketing themselves and, of course, just hope that they sell your home in the process. This brings me to the meat of my answer. Don't expect agents to perform a miracle sale if your home is overpriced. Buyers are sophisticated and want value for their money. Would you buy an overpriced home just because you like the listing agent and thought they were doing a great job??
Pricing your home right from the start will move it quickly since the many agents out there will tell their buyer customers what a great value your home is compared to all the others that are just sitting there.
You might even be pleasantly surprised with more than one offer.
If you would like more tips on buying or selling a home, I would love to hear from you.
I'm still in the real estate business after 29 years!
sandra@thecrosskeysteam.com

Every agent is the best. Just ask them.

Seriously, you want to do some interviews of course. But in doing those interviews you have to ask the right questions.

Here is how to ask the wrong way, followed by the right way:

Wrong: Will you advertise my home?
Right: Where will you advertise my home? How many times per month? For how long?

Wrong: Will you do open houses?
Right: How many open houses will you do per month? Will you continue to do them every month of the listing? Can you put that in writing?

Wrong: Will you put my home on the Internet?
Right: Can you give me a complete list of websites where I can find my home after you list it?

The strategy is to find out EXACTLY and SPECIFICALLY what an agent is going to do to get your home sold. A good agent will have no problem committing to a specific program and putting it in writing.

Depends on your definition of best?! I live in Linden and sell many homes in town. My company and I have a comprehensive, customized marketing and pricing strategy aimed at getting you the most money for your home in the least amount of time. I'd appreciate the opportunity to introduce myself so you can get to know me, and so we can discuss your home. Please contact me at your convenience. Edgar Collado 908-917-9769

If you don't get a response from a local agent, ask some of your friends/family for recommendations. If you still get nowhere, email me through Trulia or my website and I'll be happy to refer someone to you. My company is a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the world--a network of boutique agencies working together to help buyers and sellers worldwide.