Thinking of Buying a Home in Ridgewood?

Here are 2 Ridgewood-Specific home buying mistakes to avoid and below is a document outlining 10 general mistakes to avoid.  Armed with this info you will have a better chance of getting a good deal on your Ridgewood Dream Home.

1.  Do you really have to be within walking distance of Ridgewood’s Downtown?

Finding a home within walking distance of Ridgewood’s Downtown is at, or near, the top of many buyer’s wish lists.  Being able to walk to town and to the Ridgewood train station is a huge benefit.  That said, before you let this drive your home buying decision be sure to ask yourself “How often will I really walk to town?”

I have found that most buyers, including the one writing this blog, overestimate how much they will walk to town.  I wouldn’t trade my home on Colonial Road for anything.  I love my home and my neighborhood and I have the greatest neighbors in the world.  However, I have to admit that I can count on 2 hands how many times I have actually walked to Ridgewood’s downtown even though I am only a few blocks away.  Yet, being within walking distance of downtown was a “must-have” when I bought my home.

2. Are you looking for a termite-free home?

If so, please keep driving right past the Ridgewood exit.  Don’t let these creepy crawlers scare you away from the charming old Ridgewood Colonial you’ve dreamed about.  Nearly every Ridgewood home inspection I have been involved in has turned up some form of termite damage.   So, if you want that beautiful old Ridgewood Tudor, you are going to have to face down the termite menace.

Don’t get me wrong, termite infestation and/or termite damage are serious issues that cannot be ignored.   However, before you cut and run at the first mention of termites, you should hire a certified wood destroying insect inspector (who also has an exterminator’s license) to assess the termite issue.   If there is existing damage you should also call in a qualified contractor to determine what can be done to fix the damage and what it will cost.  Once you have all facts you can then determine if you should walk away or fix the damage and move forward.

Who should pay to fix the termite damage and/or treat the infestation is a topic for another post…

Click the icon below to view more detail on mistakes #1- #5 and to see mistakes #6 -#10.

1. Chosing the wrong agent.
2. Making an offer without the proper pre-approval.
3. Not knowing ALL the costs involved.
4. Limiting your search to open houses, the Internet, etc.
5. Thinking there is only one perfect home for you.

List is courtesy of Buffini & Co.

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Marron Gildea & Donohue Names Kathy Lops Associate of the Month

“This is the second time Kathy has won the Associate of the Month award and she has been with us less than a year,” said Aloysius Donohue, a managing partner at the firm. “Kathy’s success does not surprise me one bit.  She works hard, she is always upbeat and she has a thorough knowledge of the local real estate market.”

A native New Englander, Kathy attended Lafayette College in Pennsylvania.  Upon graduation, she pursued a career in sales and marketing at leading financial institutions across the globe, from Boston and New York to Sydney, Australia. Kathy frequently draws on skills learned in the corporate world in her work as an effective real estate professional.

Kathy and her husband have lived in Ridgewood for nearly a decade and have two elementary school-aged children. She is an active member of numerous community organizations as well as the public school system.

Lops seems to take the awards and accolades in stride and prefers to credit her company, clients and coworkers for her success.  “The management and agents here really work as a team and they have helped me so much since I joined the MGD family,” said Lops.  “I’ve also been lucky to work with some incredibly wonderful clients who continue to refer their friends and family to me.”  Lops says the market continues to be challenging but notes a recent upswing in the number of clients looking at homes and making offers.   She is looking forward to a busy Spring.

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LOPS NAMED MARRON GILDEA & DONOHUE NOVEMBER ASSOCIATE OF THE MONTH

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