Identity theft is major problem.  According to IdentityTheft.info, more than 15 million US citizens have their identities stolen each year.  As technology changes, these thieves adapt very quickly.  One way to protect yourself is by attending things like the free Westfield paper shredding event being hosted by me and my colleague, Patrick Cicala. What: Free Westfield Paper Shredding Event When: Saturday, June 11th, 9:30am to 11am Where: Capital One Bank (138-142 Central Ave, Westfield, NJ) Contact: Scott Gleason (908) 698-2630Free Westfield Paper Shredding EventNever put your financial documents out on the curb for your weekly trash pick up.  Once anything is placed out at the curb, anyone can take it for their own personal use.  Shred all of your old, outdated financial information you... 05/26/2016

Home staging brings Westfield Sellers top dollar.  It's been proven that an empty house takes longer to sell than a well staged one.  Why is that?  Buyers have an easier time imagining your space as their space when you set the stage for them.Home Staging Brings Westfield Sellers Top DollarAs a Westfield luxury home Seller, you need to set the scene for a potential Buyer.  Classic looks make a better impression than a cluttered space.  On the other hand, a completely empty home leaves a Buyer feeling empty as well.  For a quick, successful sale, you need to make sure you put your home's best face forward.De-Clutter - You don't have to pack everything you own.  Take down family photos, books and tchotchkes floating around your Westfield home.  You can also make rooms feel less cluttered ... 05/19/2016

State of the Market, Westfield NJWe started the year in a seller’s market, followed by some overbuilding, widespread cases of seller pricing exceeding buyer sensitivities, an avalanche of available listings flooding the market, and hence a change in the market balance. Every seller can always enjoy their own personal seller’s market. We just have to team up to position your house as better prepared, better priced than the rest it cohort. I will make sure it’s better promoted than 99% of them. While every season and every month sees home sales, if you want to participate in the peak shopping season, we have to crack the whip and sharpen our pencils NOW. The “season” is like musical chairs. It’s the crest of the party now. The music slows between Memorial Day and the end of school, then s... 05/12/2016

Earth Day officially takes place on April 22nd each year.  However, every day is Earth Day in our Westfield community.  Registration is now open for the Westfield Earth Day 2016 Clean Up, which takes place tomorrow.What: Westfield Earth Day 2016 Clean Up When: Saturday, April 30th, 10am to 12pm (Raindate: May 1st) Where: Brightwood Park, Grove St @ Grandview Ave, Maryland Ave @ Grandview Ave & Mindowaskin Park Contact: Westfield NJ Online Sign-Up FormWestfield Earth Day 2016 Clean UpVolunteers are needed for the Westfield Earth Day 2016 Clean Up.  There are four locations to choose from: Brightwood Park, Mindowaskin Park, Grove St/Grandview Ave and Maryland/Grandview Ave.  All ages are welcome and encouraged to participate.  A member of the Westfield Town Council or Green Team will be o... 05/05/2016

111 Hazel Ave Westfield NJ | Real Estate | Homes For Sale 05/04/2016

Now that winter is over, Buyer demand appears to have picked up.  The Westfield luxury market offers dozens of options to fit just about any Buyer's taste.  This Late March 2016 Westfield NJ Market Update will give you a glimpse at what is available right now.Late March 2016 Westfield NJ Market UpdateThe Garden State MLS shows that there are 27 luxury Westfield homes currently on the market.  Of those 27 homes, 24 were listed within the last 30 days.  Twelve of these properties are either new construction, are currently under construction or are ready to be built.  That includes the exquisite 6 bed/5.5 bath, 4000 square foot Colonial located at 7 Amy Dr.  This Gialluisi Custom Homes designed property is located on a cul-de-sac within walking distance of local schools.  It is under const... 04/07/2016

The Garden State MLS has released its Early March 2016 Westfield Market Update.  New construction in the Westfield luxury market is booming.  A few properties have even sold after less than two weeks on the market.  Are you interested in purchasing a new Westfield luxury home?  This market update will help you make an informed decision.Early March 2016 Westfield Market UpdateCurrently, there are 25 active luxury homes on the Westfield real estate market.  According to the Early March 2016 Westfield Market Update, 15 of these properties are newly completed construction, are currently under construction or are ready to be built.  These homes range from a 4 bed/4.5 bath end unit townhome that is currently under construction for $715,000 all the way up to a 5 bed/6.5 bath, 6600+ square foot... 03/10/2016

4br 2.5bth Renovated ColonialOpen Floor PlanFinished basementNew siding, windows, plumbing, hvac etc etcAsking $795k Still time to pick out your colors, paint, ktch cabinets, vanities etc Mel201-618-2854Click Here ..........  http://newjersey.craigslist.org/reo/5467715885.html    02/28/2016

When it comes to settling down, there are several factors to consider.  What are the schools like?  How easy is it to get to work? For some, how attractive the population is may be a consideration.  According to dating app Clover, New Jersey ranks high for female attractiveness.  Unfortunately, it also ranks high for least attractive males.New Jersey Ranks High for Female AttractivenessAccording to Clover's statistical analysis of its users, New Jersey ranks high for female attractiveness.  In fact, it came in third overall, just behind Connecticut and New York.  No New Jersey city was singled out.  It would appear that the East Coast is the place to live if you want to surround yourself with gorgeous ladies.  Six of the top eight states on the list were located there.  The women of Man... 02/25/2016

12 Marlin Ct Westfield Town, NJ 07090 Come and visit this home! SLIDESHOW VIEW A VIRTUAL TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES Price: $699,900 MLS Number: 3279289 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 4 DESCRIPTION Pristine updated ranch on cul-de-sac convenient to Rt 22, EWR, Pharma, Lenape/Echo Lake Parks with bicycle/running paths, lake & river fishing, dog park, concerts. School Bus service for grades 6-12! Move in and enjoy! Kitchen Updated in 2013 with granite, maple and SS appliances. Master bath remodeled 2013. Gleaming refinished oak floors. Renovated main bath. Powder room remodeled with marble floor and updated fixtures. Newer FHA and AC units 2005. New electric panel. Finished basement newly carpeted. Aluminum leaf guards. New retaining walls at driveway. SELLER CONTACT INFORMATION Scott Gleason NJ Agenc... 02/24/2016

213 Scotch Plains Ave Westfield Town, NJ 07090 Come and visit this home! SLIDESHOW VIEW A VIRTUAL TOUR SPECIAL FEATURES Price: $575,000 MLS Number: 3280739 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3 DESCRIPTION Light, bright high ceilinged colonial in brilliant location for schools and commuters. Gorgeous kitchen, baths, plumbing and electric renovations in 2014. Generous backyard & 2 screened porches. . . one for year round utility, one for fair-weather entertaining and dining. Recent improvements include: gut renovation of kitchen * updates to all 3 bathrooms including new plumbing of 2nd floor bath *new electric panel *new garage roof * completely new driveway and garage floor * new front drainage system tying new gutters to sump-pump underground to street * update to side porch * backyard re-landsca... 02/24/2016

February 2016 real estate Market UpdateTowns Near Trains Selling Best--The seller’s market is holding up in most towns we cover, with inventories below the 6 month threshold.In this 3 month look-back, it’s also interesting to note that sales pace isn’t always swiftest at the affordable end of the towns’ price ranges.For example in Cranford, where the  average sale price is $440K, the supply from $300-400K is 5.7 months, while the supply from $500-600K is 2.7 months.In Westfield, where the average sale price is $804K, the supply of homes priced $500-600K is 6.9 months, and the supply from $900k to $1M is 4.1 months.  Over $1.1M there is an overhang with a supply of 11.1 months.Statistics aside, there is a red hot sale in every price range every month.  Your market experience doesn’t have... 02/23/2016

Why should you work with a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)?  You are going to want to have their special training working for you throughout the entire home buying process.  After all, this is most likely the largest financial decision you will make in your lifetime.  A REALTOR® is one of the most important assets you can have on your side when purchasing a home.  But not all REALTORS® are the same.  A Certified Residential Specialist will provide much more insight, experience and information than a regular real estate agent.Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) DesignationI recently attended a Council of Residential Specialists convention in Orlando, FL.  There, I met market leading, ultra-conscientious agents from around the country.  It was a terrific skills-building couple o... 02/18/2016

Anyone who owns a home in the Westfield community knows that you have to pay property taxes.  How many of you feel that you are paying more than you should?  The Westfield NJ Property Tax Appeal Seminar will teach you how to challenge what the Tax Assessor's office is charging you.  You have nothing to lose and possibly hundreds of dollars to gain by attending this seminar.What: Westfield NJ Property Tax Appeal Seminar Where: Amuse Restaurant (39 Elm St, Westfield, NJ) When: Monday, February 15, 2016 at 7:30pm Admission: FREE Contact: Scott Gleason (908) 698-2630Westfield NJ Property Tax Appeal SeminarYour property taxes are based on how much your property is worth.  The Tax Assessor's office is the official entity that determines its value.  However, many offices around the country are... 02/11/2016

The luxury home buying process is a much different experience than that of lower-priced properties.  Luxury home buyers tend to see features and amenities as their main focus rather than price.  These luxury Westfield Home Buyer tips will help make the purchasing process a little easier.Luxury Westfield Home Buyer TipsSearching for a Property - The internet is a great place to start.  However, some of the high end properties may not be listed on the MLS or any other major search engine due to privacy concerns.  The first of my luxury Westfield Home Buyer tips is to utilize your REALTOR'S® resources.  They have access to just about any property on the market, including off-market "pocket listings".  Hire a REALTOR®  that is experienced in the area you are looking to buy, let them know ex... 02/04/2016

The pre-game ceremonies and show for the Super Bowl sometimes seems like it's WAY too much.  But this year, local fans have a reason to tune in.  The Westfield High School Football Team will be highlighted in a segment titled "Before They Were Pros" at 11am on CBS.  The Westfield High School Football Team was undefeated this past season and won the North 2, Group 5 State Championship this season.Several Westfield High School have had impacts on professional sports as well as business and the arts.  Some notable graduates are former NY Giants quarterback Dave Brown and former NFL players Butch Woolfolk and Steve Cheek.  Former MLB Dodgers catcher and former NY Mets manager Jeff Torborg is also a graduate.  As a side note, Torborg was the catcher for Sandy Kofax's perfect game and he also... 02/04/2016

Since the financial crisis of 2008, lenders have become much more strict in their lending practices.  New TRID rules have meant longer escrow times.  Buyers get antsy.  They do things that they think are innocuous while in escrow.  However, they can be detrimental to your home loan in the end.  Here are some common Buyer mistakes that you can easily avoid.Common Buyer MistakesMaking Major Purchases - One of the biggest common Buyer mistakes is to make big purchases while you are still in the middle of your escrow.  It's easy to get excited and start designing your ideal kitchen or perfect living room before you've actually moved in.  You may decide to get a jump on things and go furniture shopping now.  That way, you can get rid of your old things and move in with fresh, new "stuff".  B... 01/28/2016

It looks like the Westfield luxury market is off to a good start this year.  The Mid-January 2016 Westfield Luxury Market Update showed that new construction hasn't slowed down even as the temperatures continue to drop.  See what else is going on in the Westfield luxury market below.Mid-January 2016 Westfield Luxury Market UpdateThe Mid-January 2016 Westfield Luxury Market Update showed that a total of 15 luxury homes in the $750,000+ price range are currently for sale.  Of those, 12 are either newly constructed, are currently under construction or are ready to be built.  Click on any of the addresses below to see photos or watch a virtual tour of the property. 254 Virginia St - 4 bed/3 bath, 2258 sq ft, $835,000 509 Boulevard - 3 bed/4.5 bath, 2800 sq ft, $899,000 1723 Boynton Ave - 4 ... 01/21/2016

In his annual State of the Town address on January 3rd, Mayor Andrew Skibitsky declared that Westfield is thriving.  There are some exciting new residential developments on the horizon.  The vibrant downtown area offers many opportunities for young entrepreneurs.  This new year is shaping up to be even more spectacular than last year.Westfield is Thriving One of the examples given by the mayor to show that Westfield is thriving was its AAA Rating by Standard & Poor's last August.  This is only given to those businesses or organizations that consistently show that they provide strong management and financial performance.Westfield was also recognized by NJ Family as their pick for the Best Mid-Size Town for Families in 2015.  Low crime rates, fantastic schools and the abundance of neighbo... 01/14/2016

A new year means new possibilities.  Is owning a new Westfield NJ luxury home one of the possibilities on your list for 2016?  It should be.  The Westfield Luxury Market Update for 12/29/15 shows that you could own a newly constructed home even through the winter.Westfield Luxury Market Update - 12/29/15The Westfield Luxury Market Update on 12/29/15 indicated a total of three homes currently under construction or ready to be built.  Some of these are still early enough in construction that the new owner can customize some parts of the home.  Feel free to click on any of the links below to find out more about each property: 630 Broad St - 5 bed/3.5 bath, list price $740,990 209 Edgewood Ave (no pictures available) - 5 bed/4.5 bath, list price $1,249,000 520 Clifton St - 6 bed/6 bath, lis... 01/08/2016