Realtors expect you to call. We need you to call. It’s difficult to buy or sell home we don’t stay in pretty close contact with one another. You should expect us to contact you with frequency as well. Different types of sales require different levels of frequency, as do different people. Home sales require more contact than the purchase of a small plot of land. One client may want to hear from their Summit NJ real estate agent twice a week while another may only want calls prior to showings. As the client, how often your agent calls is up to you.

This issue is best discussed when you are choosing your Summit NJ realtor. Ask how often she usually contacts clients. Find out what her favorite methods of communication are. If you agent loves to Tweet or text and you are still figuring out how to make a call on your cell, the relationship may not be a good fit. On average, most realtors like to touch base with their clients about once a week by phone or e-mail.

You should also discuss what information you wish to receive during these chats. Tech savvy clients often want to know how many hits their on-line Summit NJ listings have garnered over a specific period of time. You may want to keep tabs on recent sales of comparable homes in your neighborhood, as they will often affect your pricing. Most clients want to know when an appointment for a showing has been made. You and you agent should have a set protocol for appointments. A potential buyer may make a last minute request but most agents will try to give you at least an hour’s notice before showing your home. Think about setting “open” hours, like when you know you’ll be at work, where your agent can show the home without calling first. Be sure to update your agent if you are taking time off or staying home sick.

When you are thinking about calling you agent or waiting for her to call, keep a few things in mind. A large office with many assistants can accomplish more phone calls than a one- or two-man operation can. The more time you agent spends on the phone with you, the less time she has to market and show your Summit NJ real estate. Complex issue may not be easily handled by phone or e-mail; a personal appointment may be required. Try to call during business hours unless you have an emergency. Your agent wants to be in close contact with you so if you’re wondering “Should I call?” the answer is probably “Yes!”

The tax credit extension is big news for Summit NJ real estate buyers. The measure recently passed by Congress and signed by President Obama doesn’t just give buyers more time find and purchase the perfect house. It will also give even more buyers access to a tax credit worth up to $8000.

The new measure will give more buyers the opportunity to take advantage of the tax credit. Additions to the incentive give home builders an opportunity to qualify for the credit. It also gives a concession, though somewhat smaller, to “move up” buyers.

If a binding sales contract for the construction of a new home is signed by the newly reset deadline and the sale is closed by June 30, 2010, the buyer is eligible for the same tax credit that first-time home buyers have been enjoying. Builders may still have some difficulty completing the construction of a new home in this time frame, so putting off a purchase would not be advisable. Winter is not the best season to begin construction so extra time should be allotted for weather-related delays.

“Move up” buyers can also take advantage of a significant tax incentive. This is a big change from the previous incentive package. Buyer who have owned a home and lived in it for at least five consecutive years out of the past eight and close on a new home by the deadline can claim a credit of up to $6,500. This incentive, coupled with the current buyer’s market and the excellent inventory in the Summit NJ listings, make this a very attractive time to buy a new home.

The extension also sets a new deadline for claiming the tax credit. Buyers will be eligible for the tax credit if they purchase a new or existing home by April 30, 2010. This gives you and your Summit NJ real estate agent more time to find the perfect home for you. There will still be a tax break after this deadline passes, but it will reduce by a significant margin each quarter until the end of the year.

For buyers, this tax incentive is a great motivation to take a second look at the current market. Prices are reasonable and the choice of homes in our area is excellent. Consider contacting a Summit NJ realtor to see if your dream house is waiting for you right now.

The holidays are upon us but the Summit NJ real estate market does not take a Christmas break. Nor does it rest for Chanukah, Kwanza or any other holiday. Home buyers will still be attending open houses and showings with the holiday season in full swing. Likewise, staging cannot take a vacation.

Many staging purists will say to completely forego decorations if your home is in the Summit NJ listings this holiday season. Any distraction should be eliminated in their way of thinking. However, that’s not a very realistic approach. Families won’t want to minimize their celebration on what they hope will be their last holiday in their home. Children, especially, would be devastated by ignoring the merry season.

There are a few ways to enjoy the season without ruining that all-important first impression. Keep your holiday decorations simple, understated and elegant and your home will still “wow” potential buyers. Consider your decorations a celebration of winter rather than a specific religious observation. Make sure you don’t compromise your space in order to make the home festive. Streamline your outdoor decorations.

If your Summit NJ real estate agent is doing her job properly, you’ll have many different people looking at your home this winter. They will be of many different colors, nationalities and creeds and you have no way of knowing what religious observances they make or what will offend. This year, don’t put out the religion-themed decorations, like menorahs and nativity scenes, or be prepared to slip them out of view quickly for unplanned showings. Decorate your home as a celebration of winter, using colors that complement and blend with the room.

The rooms are what people want to see, not a gigantic Christmas tree. Make sure that none of your holiday decorations steal the space from your room. Look for a tall, slender tree that will fit easily into a corner. Limit the number of colors you use on the tree to two or three and use white lights as opposed to multi-colored ones. White will not detract from the rest of the room and looks elegant and contemporary.

The white light rule is in effect outside as well. They brighten the exterior and make it more visible to buyers driving past. Leave the large inflatable displays in the attic this year. They are too taste-specific for a well-staged home. Plus, they look like deflated balloons when they aren’t running and they’re loud when they are.

If you have any questions about whether or not your home’s holiday look is market ready, just consult your Summit NJ realtor. She will help you put your best foot forward, no matter what the season.