The Sue Adler Team - Yours to count on for NJ real estate 20 minutes to 1 hour from NYC » In The News

Planning a “STAYcation” this summer? or just looking for some fun activities in your neighborhood

Sue Adler — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:54:21 +0000

Many families are choosing to stay put this Summer instead of spending a lot of money on an expensive vacation. Whether this is your plan or not, there are numerous fun and exciting things to do in our local communities. Here are just a hand-full of interesting things happening right in your backyard. So get out and explore your favorite NJ town. Here are some of mine, my family, friends and neighbors favorites! Please let me know what you are enjoying in your town this Summer, I’d be happy to post the details.

Morristown National Historical Park A great day trip for the History buff! Washington’s Headquarters with the Ford Mansion and Headquarters Museum, the Fort Nonsense Unit, and the New Jersey Brigade Area and the Jockey Hollow Unit including the Wick house , five reconstructed soldier huts, and approximately 27 miles of walking trails.

The Montclair Art Museum Montclair, NJ

The Laboratory and home of Thomas Edison West Orange, NJ

The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Bike, Hike and enjoy nature all just a short drive from home.

Freylinghuysen Arboretum Located in Morristown, NJ Offering programs for the aspiring chef, historical exhibits and many children’s programs including Friday night Family Movies, and “Fairy Day”

The Papermill Playhouse Millburn, NJ. Love musical theatre, but dont’ have the time or the money for a trip to the city to catch a Broadway production. The Papermill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ will not disappoint. You may need to make this a fall outing as the theatre has a limited schedule during the summer months.

Madison Boro, NJ Down town Summer concert series Dates: July 23, Aug 6, 20, Sept 3, 17, Oct 1
Time:6 PM – 8 PM Admission:FREE!
Bring a blanket or chair for a free outdoor music concert on the lawn of the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts every other Friday.

Repost of RISmedia article – Going Social: How Social Media Enables Real Estate Pros to Build Business

Sue Adler — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 05:03:13 +0000

Going Social: How Social Media Enables Real Estate Pros to Build Business

By Paige Tepping Print Article

RISMEDIA, March 22, 2010—Social media is taking the real estate industry by storm as real estate companies and professionals alike are using popular sites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to keep in touch with their clients and prospects.

While the real estate industry is ever-evolving, professionals around the country are doing their part to enter the social scene and connect with their clients on a whole new level. In addition to the social aspect that goes along with networking, real estate professionals are finding simple ways to leverage their business at the same time, creating a true, win-win situation. Keller Williams Realty is a prime example of a real estate company striving to focus on the “social” aspect in everything they do.

A Social-Media Mindset
“For Keller Williams Realty, social media isn’t just about broadcasting our message—we want to strike up a conversation and engage our community. Really, these sites are a great way to provide valuable information that our agents can use in their business, or even on their own Facebook or Twitter pages,” says Amber Presley, PR and social media manager, Keller Williams Realty International.

As social media infiltrates the real estate market , agents continue to perceive it as a now-standard way to connect with clients.

“Social media provides a way to connect with people on the level they want to be connected with,” says Sue Adler, Realtor/Partner, Keller Williams Realty, in Essex, Union and Morris counties. “Connecting with individuals through social media shouldn’t be the end-all, though. It is simply an extension of what real estate professionals do on the phone or in person, and it should be used to facilitate face-to-face time.”

“Social media is a new medium for real estate agents to advertise, market and lead generate,” says Ben Kinney, real estate team owner, Keller Williams Bellingham, Washington, and “is creating a fundamental shift in the way we communicate, educate, shop and nurture our relationships. While being involved with social media is half the battle, the other half comes through creating good content that will spread effectively. It is crucial to be consistent and create informative content, as this is what will spread virally.”

When approaching social media, it is important to remember the “social” aspect and focus on providing information that you yourself would find interesting.

“I tend to post a variety of content on Facebook and Twitter,” says Adler. “It is important to keep it interesting by sharing videos, business and social information as well as questions so people can interact.

Adds Kinney: “Real estate agents need to create good community resources so they can establish themselves as an expert in their local market for free, to thousands of people.”

Strategic Business Building
Social media is not just a tool to strengthen existing relationships with friends, clients and your sphere of influence; it is a way to strategically build your business through creating community-related resources as well as generating traffic and leads.

“I use social media as a tool to leverage my time, my expenses and my business—not as a replacement for any traditional business activities,” says Kinney.

While social media has allowed him to network and work his sphere of influence, Kinney has focused on successfully integrating social media into his real estate business by:

-Becoming an expert on his local area—Using Twitter and Facebook fan pages to create community-related resources
-Generating buyer and seller leads—Using targeted Facebook pay-per-click ads
-Networking by occupation—Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are great resources to meet targeted individuals.
-Farming social networks—Using tools like demandspot.com, you can search for leads based on what words are used in tweets.
-Working his sphere—Status updates, tweets, blog posts and pictures can all serve as a reason to pick up the phone and call.

“I see social networks as a warm introduction to REO asset managers, local and national builders, relocation companies and investors,” says Kinney.

While many may argue that being involved with social media is the way of the future, real estate professionals shouldn’t get involved just to get involved.

“Social media has taken the place of the local newspaper in terms of being top of mind, but if you are going to get involved, be sure to use it correctly, or it can ultimately hurt your business,” says Adler.

Adler’s presence on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and her blog have provided her with business opportunities that she never would have had otherwise. Through posting links to videos as well as LinkedIn testimonials, Adler has created a steady referral business in addition to gaining a lot of attention both locally and nationally.

Focus on Being Social
Social media has proven a win-win situation for Adler, Kinney and Keller Williams Realty as a company.

“I’ve received a tremendous response from my clients,” says Kinney. “My use of social media has helped to solidify my reputation as an aggressive real estate agent and it also shows that I’m exhausting every market resource available and thinking outside the box.”

With a large network of friends, followers and connections, Kinney is able to refer business back to individuals who refer business to him, creating a positive situation for everyone involved.

A Top-Down Approach
Over the past year, Keller Williams Realty has continued to focus on educating its agents first and foremost about the benefits of being involved with social media, and how to use it properly.

“It has been part of our strategy to not only build up the presence of Keller Williams Realty on social media sites, but also to build our agents’ presence through education. In addition to Webinars and teleseminars, we have developed how-to guides for the most popular social media sites with videos to help our agents understand the tools, as well as weekly articles in our e-newsletter on new and emerging trends,” says Presley. “Most recently, we launched the KW Blog, which focuses on social media, and soon Keller Williams University will launch its new course, Internet Lead Generation, with a social media module, focusing on developing a smart social media business strategy.”

“The most important thing to remember about social media is that it’s all about being social,” says Adler. “There is no secret to being successful at social media except that you need to get your name out there and connect with others—whether it be through phone, e-mail or social media.”

You can find Keller Williams Realty online at facebook.com/kellerwilliamsrealty, blog.kw.com, twitter.com/kwri, youtube.com/kellerwilliams as well as KW.com.

Mortgage rates are at their all time lows!!!

Sue Adler — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 04:15:35 +0000

Steve Lupton Loan Officer ISB Mortgage
908-591-4235
steve.l@comcast.net

Steve Lupton sent this email to our office on Friday:

CNBC and Bankrate.com just reported that home loan rates are at their all time lows. Yes, all time lows! This is great news for anyone in New Jersey who has yet to refinance to take advantage of the lowest rates ever recorded, or to purchase that new home or investment property more affordably than ever before.Both 30 Year and 15 Year Fixed Rates clipped down to their lowest levels. All this is incredible as just months ago, many experts had anticipated that rates would be well above 5% this summer and on their way to 6% by year end.

Last month, NBC reported that nearly 50% of all people with a 30 Year Fixed rate had rates higher than 5.75% – do you know where your interest rate is at currently? It’s worth a look, and a call to me to help check it out!

Plus – in most parts of the country, home values as reported by both the National Association of Realtors and the S&P Case-Shiller Indices are higher than last year. If you were unable to refinance last year, the combination of your current home value and historic interest rates may provide you a greater opportunity to save money than ever before.

Finally, even if your home has lost value from when your loan was originated, you may still be able to refinance. There are some special programs available that might allow you to refinance without private mortgage insurance, even if your loan will now exceed 80% of the present value.

Don’t miss this chance to save money. Even if you have already taken advantage of the historic rates that have been offered, don’t miss this chance to help your family and friends. Call me today and we can discuss what options exist for you.

Time waits for no one…and when rates rise, they will rise quickly.

Tribute to Short Hills Realtor, Diane Newman

Sue Adler — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 22:14:51 +0000

This week, the Millburn/Short Hills real estate community lost a dear friend, Diane Newman. I dont know anyone who didnt love Diane. She was always honest, so giving of herself, really cared about people, and was always such a pleasure to work with.

We always remember who was nice to us in times that are not easy. Years ago, when I moved to Short Hills, and had to start my real estate practice over in an entirely different state, when others treated me as a threat, Diane went out of her way to to help me acclimate to my new market. I will never forget her for that. She was always so secure in herself and gave of herself so freely. She always worked from her heart.

My heartfelt sympathies go out to her daughter and real estate partner, Amanda, and the rest of her family. Diane will be missed by everyone she touched.

The Most Distinctive Honor of My Career – STAR POWER!

Sue Adler — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 14:43:44 +0000

You’re probably asking yourself – “What in the world is Star Power? Howard Brinton, for more than 20 years, has chosen one top agent in the country per month who is willing to share the secrets of their success with other agents, and shared these interviews to build an amazing real estate training organization. So much of what I’ve learned has been from the STARS over the years. Recently Howard was diagnosed with cancer, and Alex Charfen, CEO of Certified Distressed Property Experts has taken over STAR POWER.

When I got the phone call from Alex in February, telling me that they wanted to make me their August STAR, it was the most amazing feeling because first of all – it’s the most exclusive distinction I believe you can receive in the Real Estate Industry, and second of all, Alex said that he called several of my Short Hills/ Summit/Maplewood real estate competitors for references ( went 3 deep) and only heard raving remarks about me – I mean if your competitors are saying great things about you, THAT’s just pure awesomeness in my book.

Alex and the STAR Power crew flew in to Short Hills from Austin for 3 days this week and interviewed me, my team, my clients, and of course I took them to the Millburn Deli so they could interview Andrew Morgan about the success of the Sue Adler Dot Combo - shameless plug

They’ve asked me to do a Spotlight Presentation on Effective Use of Social Media next month at their annual conference being held in Nashville. The best part about these speaking engagements is the amout of agent referrals across the country that follow and the connections I make with other top agents in the country. This keeps all of us on top of our game, which helps YOU, my clients… and that’s certainly a win-win.

Yours to count on,

Sue

Sue Adler, #1 Keller Williams Agent in NJ 2005-Present cell (973)464-9129 vip@sueadler.com , www.sueadler.com

Multiple Offers are back on NJ homes, but Sellers, the game is not the same.

Sue Adler — Mon, 10 May 2010 03:59:54 +0000

Bulletproofing your real estate transaction

As many predicted, with rates on the rise, pent up demand, and the tax credit deadline approaching, NJ real estate market activity this spring has really picked up along the Midtown Direct Trainline towns, and it has once again become the norm to see multiple offers on homes that are priced well and in great locations

The difference is some buyers initially dont believe it. Then once they lose a house or two in a multiple bid situation, and later become the winning bidder who paid above asking price , they may try to negotiate the price back down during inspections or from low appraisals.

The smartest thing a listing agent can do while weighing multiple offers, in my opinion, is to try to bulletproof the transaction right then and have the buyer agree that the inspection is for major defects only and that anything disclosed in the Seller Property Disclosure Statement is NOT an inspection item, because the offer price should take those disclosed items into account.

Also, when it comes to weighing offers, if the buyer is putting a significant amount down, then an appraisal should not be an issue and that’s a big deal today. If a potential buyer is putting only 10-20% down, then it can be an issue if the house doesnt appraise so, when deciding between offers, if there is either an appraisal contingency or a mortgage contingency, try to get the buyer to agree that the appraisal will be completed within 10 days ( which is the about the same as an inspection time frame), and to be performed by a LOCAL appraiser. ( And most importantly your agent should be there to supply the comps!)

If the buyer says they own a house but doesn’t need to sell first, great, but make sure the contract states that AND the pre-approval letter states that the sale is not contingent upon the sale or settlement of any other real estate.

If the winning bidder agrees to the above and during attorney review tries to change the terms, a good agent will keep checking in with the back up buyer’s agent if it makes sense to go that route.

The New York Times Article, in which I was quoted today spurred me to write this blog post. Luckily, so far in 2010, I have not had the experience that the first buyer backs out and the house sells to the 2nd or 3rd back up buyers, as agents in this article state, and I do strongly feel that bulletproofing the transaction when weighing offers is the key to that.

Bottom line is, make sure you hire a Listing Realtor who is not only skilled at creating the demand for your house, but who is also knows how to put you in the best possible position to protect your interests during the transaction.

Sue Adler www.SueAdler.com (973)464-9129 , specializing in Millburn, Short Hills, Summit, Maplewood, South Orange, Livingston, Chatham New Jersey real estate

Millburn Deli will launch The Sue Adler.Combo sandwich April 1st!

Sue Adler — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:43:51 +0000

SINK YOUR TEETH INTO MILLBURN WITH THE SUE ADLER.COMBO!

Millburn-Short Hills, NJ —No matter how you slice it, few things in life are better than a great sandwich. On April 1, 2010, The Millburn Deli will launch its latest taste sensation: The SueAdler.Combo, with $1 from each purchase going to beef up the Millburn-Short Hills Volunteer First Aid Squad.Here is the article found in the Item of Millburn-Short Hills and NorthJersey.com

My yummy signature sandwich, the Sue Adler.Combo, will feature grilled chicken, fresh Mozzarella cheese, ripe avocados, fire-roasted tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, tender baby greens, a drizzle of Balsamic Vinegar, and a hint of pesto, served fresh on thinly-sliced whole-grain bread. The scrumptious sandwich will appear in the showcase of the Millburn Deli for 6 months. I won the opportunity to have my name immortalized in the annals of sandwichdom ( ha ha) during a charity auction at the Newcomers/Encore Club of Millburn-Short Hills’ Winter Gala. It’s so cool to be able to give back to my community in a way that’s so much fun! What better way could there be to show your appreciation than by filling bellies and helping out a great organization, like the Millburn-Short Hills First Aid Squad, in the process?

The Millburn-Short Hills Volunteer First Aid Squad, which will receive $1 from the purchase of each Sue Adler.Combo, has been serving its community since 1958 and provides emergency first aid and service to the Township of Millburn and neighboring communities without regard to sex, race, color or creed. The Squad is operated wholly by volunteers and is funded entirely by private contributions.

So gather your friends and family, and come on out and try my sandwich and support our local First Aid Squad in the process!

Sue Adler To Have Her Own Signature Sandwich at Millburn Deli

Sue Adler — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:42:15 +0000

Last night my husband and I attended the Millburn-Short Hills Newcomers Club Winter Gala at the beautiful Beacon Hill Club in Summit. There was an amazing turnout and I got to see so many of my clients -so it was alot of fun for me. There was a silent auction, and the first item, which quickly caught my eye, was “Create your own signature sandwich at the Millburn Deli. Your sandwich will appear on the sandwich board for six months.” I instantly got excited – I mean how amazing would this be for marketing? – seriously!

Well, I put in a bid. A few hours later I noticed that I was outbid and the auction was nearing the end, so I stood by the table, feeling really competitive ( I cant help it, I’m just that way when I really want something) and made sure my bid was the highest. So, yes, YAY, I won my own signature sandwich!!!! So here’s where I need your help.

What should I name my Millburn Deli sandwich? And what should be IN this signature sandwich?

At first I thought “The Sassy Sue Adler” – roast beef with melted provolone with sassy horseradish sauce. But it’s too much like another griller they have.

Then in the middle of the night I thought…. how bout “The SueAdler.combo”? ( SueAdler DOT combo - Get it? ) But what to put in the combo? Between appointments today I built my ideal sandwich in my mind… Turkey, avocado, sun dried tomatos, cucumbers, and goat cheese on a whole grain roll or a whole grain something or other.

Please be creative and share your ideas and do NOT be shy. And if you had to name your own deli signature sandwich, what would you name it and what would you put in it? Feel free to share your ideas here or on my facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/sueadlerteam . And if I like your idea better than mine, I’ll buy you deli sandwich!

Yours to count on,

Sue

Sue Adler Team finishes #1 in homes sold for NJ Midtown Direct train line towns in 2009

Sue Adler — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:24:16 +0000

A huge thank you to my clients and friends! Because of your business and referrals, in 2009 The Sue Adler Team:

* Sold more homes than ANY other full service agents in our Midtown Direct Towns in the worst market ever. (according to GSMLS stats)

* Placed #1 in the entire Keller Williams New York Region (NJ, NY, CT) for the 5th year in a row.

Update on our market:

Inventory is quite low right now, and buyers are very frustrated with the lack of nice homes on the market, so if you’re thinking of selling, you may have a great opportunity – call me for a consultation so we can discuss if this is the right time for you – (973)464-9129.

Last week I had the honor of speaking at The Inman Connect Real Estate Conference at the NYC Marriot Marquis, where all of the biggest innovators in Real Estate meet once a year to exchange ideas. I continue to connect with the best and brightest in the industry and am excited to implement new home search features for YOU that are just in beta right now, but will blow you away when you see them.

Lastly, thank you for the positive response on our neighborhood/town videos! We had a blast putting together this project – over 30 local residents volunteered to “talk about their towns”. These videos have become “viral” via facebook and the local press, as we’re getting many calls asking us for the “REAL” town tours! Check them out, and feel free to forward them to anyone you think might be curious about moving here: Click Here to View

Help! I’m being held hostage by my listing agent!

Sue Adler — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:16:46 +0000

Today is the third time in recent weeks that a Seller who is listed with another local agency, has contacted me to say that they are unhappy with their current agent and the Broker will NOT release them from the listing contract. The one I heard from today has been locked into a contract with this agency for….sit down for this one…. FIFTEEN months (I believe it was renewed after a year and now runs several more months). She said that she is so disgusted that she is going to make sure that anyone she knows looking to hire a Realtor does NOT use this company. Now, why would this company want to risk ruining their reputation by holding an unhappy client hostage? Where is the win-win here?

Moral of the story, if you’re interviewing Realtors, do yourself a favor and make sure your contract has a clause stating that it is cancellable with a reasonable amount of notice. Agents who offer this obviously have the confidence in their ability to get your house sold , and agents who insist on locking you into a long contract because it’s their company policy, well… as far as I’m concerned, their company policy needs to be a win-win, or no deal.

Yours to count on,

Sue (973)464-9129