Carmelo Torres

Hi Kim,

Just adding my 2 cents and agreeing with the answers posted so far.

1. If the home is "For Sale By Owner", you don't need an agent. However, if the home is listed by an agency, you can choose to work with the listing agent (agency selling the home), but the best representation you can get is working with an agent who is not involved with the seller. Choosing an agent not affiliated with the agency involved on the sale side of the transaction. This whole thing about dual agency can smudge up the whole process for you. The agent will have to watch what he discloses for both you and the seller.

2. With regards to an attorney, you don't "need" one. A title agency can so some of the work and the seller's attorney (if he/she has one) can do some of the work too. HOWEVER, most agents will agree (as do I) that it would be in your best interest to hire your own attorney. I've sold homes in the past without a buyer wanting an attorney, (but only because he was from NY, buying a home in NJ, and he was used to dealing with home sales without attorneys - he was an investor). But in NJ, you are not required to have an attorney either. But for your protection, you should get one to protect your interest in the real estate transaction.

3. A Realtor should be treated like a personal concierge. Someone who will help you through the process. Communication should be the name of the game. Someone who interacts with the other agent (the homeowner's agent), the attorneys (on both sides of the transaction), the mortgage lender (if you allow it), the home inspectors and official town inspectors, and making sure the whole process goes as smoothly as possible and notifying you of potential real estate red flags that can delay the home buying process.

Hope this helps.

Carmelo Torres
A Home For Sale Realty
A Premier Statewide Real Estate Agency
Website: http://www.ahfsr.com
Contact: http://contact.ahfsr.com - Wed Feb 25 2009, 12:54

Hi Reginald,

This property seems to have been sold in October of 2007 and is not currently for sale by a real estate agency or at least not publicly listed in the Mulitple Listing Service (MLS). If the property was listed in the MLS, any real estate agent could show you the property and you're encouraged to work with an agent that represents you as a buyer in the real estate transaction process.

Here are the other homes that are listed for sale on Orange Rd in Montclair --> http://emailrpt.gsmls.com/public/show_public_report_rpt.do?r…

As mentioned, any Realtor, including myself, can show you these homes.

Respectfully,

Carmelo Torres
A Home For Sale Realty
A Premier Statewide Real Estate Agency
Website: http://www.AHFSR.com
Contact: http://contact.ahfsr.com - Mon Feb 23 2009, 18:30

Frank, I hope you're taking all this in.

Just to let you know, all Realtors are bound by a Code of Ethics. No need to tell you where that got us now. Unfortunately, some agents do get too friendly with home inspectors and will work closely with them and will selectively address problems. In the end, most real estate agents have to bring the bread home to survive because most are not salaried employees. We all work on commission so this pay stucture will skew the professionalizm of some agents. But not all of them. As you can see, there are some good agents providing good information to your question. There are many good agents out there, but all are there to make a buck if this is their only means of support. So I do agree with Marc also with regards to the selection process of a home inspection.

However, it's a catch 22 because if you don't know anyone in the business, you're first inclination might be to seek out a Realtor who can help recommend one. Now I'm not a top producer like other agents but I strongly follow the code of ethics and have some experience in what to look for also in a home and because I have multiple streams of income, I don't solely depend on selling real estate to survive. However, you may feel better seeking a top producer in the town you're interested in buying and seek out brand name offices as well. (Wow, a real estate agent who actually recommends you working with another agent, how about that).

If there are major problems with a home, any home inspector should point them out. Here are some things you may want to look for also and request:

Of course, every home should have a termite inspection.
Check the electric supply coming into the home and any loose electrical wiring. Check for overloads.
Beware of wall paneling in an older homes, God knows what's behind them.
Looking for sagging floors or ceiling.
Check for oil tanks, well water, septic if the home is not connected to public service utilities.
Check under and in close proximity to sinks and toilets for possible rot based on past issues with a home.
Find out the age of hot water heaters and furnaces (average life time is 10 to 15 years).
Find out how sturdy the home's foundation is (again check for termites).
Check for sump pumps and make sure they work in the basement.


There is so much more to check but these come to mind as red flags when home inspections are done.

Again good luck with everything.

And by the way, Robert Hahn's company is offering a discount as someone else mentioned, If you would like the coupon, let me know. I can forward without a problem. Or you may want to contact him directly from the link I sent in my previous post. But in the grand scheme of things, a savings of $35 dollars is a tear drop in the bucket compared with the actual expense of a home that has not been properly inspected if purchased.

Carmelo Torres
A Home For Sale Realty
A Premier Statewide Real Estate Company
Website: http://www.ahfsr.com
Contact info: http://contact.ahfsr.com - Thu Feb 19 2009, 06:42

Always trust a licensed professional. But you should be entitled to references as well. The best source, in my opinion, is to use inspectors recommended by real estate agents who have had successful transactions.

Here is an example of a price list from a home inspector I've used in the past for properties I have helped with clients.

http://www.familybuildinginspectors.com/inspections/

This is just a recommendation and prices are average. You may want to interview a couple of home inspection companies before commiting to one.

Another good resource is http://www.usinspect.com/HomeBuyers.asp .

Good luck and let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Carmelo Torres
A Home For Sale Realty
A Premier Statewide Real Estate Company
Website: http://www.ahfsr.com
Contact info: http://contact.ahfsr.com - Mon Feb 16 2009, 17:49

Hi David,

Well you can drive down to the Wayne Park n Ride on Route 23 South (near rt 80), or the Mother's Park n Ride on Route 23 North also in Wayne.

There is also a stop if you drive north 23 to Kinnelon Rd (near the Burger King). If you make the uturn and and drive into the Meadtown Shopping Center where you can park your car and mount the NYC bound bus.

Here is a link to the 194 Bus which makes some stops on Route 23 --> http://www.njtransit.com/pdf/bus/T0194.pdf

I've taken this bus myself from Wayne into NYC (when I used to live in Totowa). Now I take the same line from Newfoundland if necessary because I now live in West Milford.

I think this may be your best option to commute.

Carmelo Torres
A Home For Sale Realty
A Premier Statewide Real Estate Agency
Website: http://www.ahfsr.com
Contact: http://Contact.AHFSR.com
Office: 800-236-2360 x 807
Mobile: 973-986-7901 - Wed Feb 18 2009, 11:53

Hello,

Address is 43 Walnut St in Oakland NJ.

Property seems to be under attorney review as per MLS, but not yet under contract.

Here's the link for more info --> http://newmls.gsmls.com/public/show_public_report_rpt.do?rep…

Respectfully,

Carmelo Torres
A Home For Sale Realty
A Statewide Premier Real Estate Agency
Website: http://www.ahfsr.com
Contact: http://contact.ahfsr.com - Tue Feb 17 2009, 09:07