News was out that the real estate market was picking up.  Mary and Jim, who had been neighbors for years with nearly identical homes, decided it was time to sell, both with the same agent and broker.  With the positive news, Jim decided to price 5% above what his agent suggested (after all, he wanted negotiating room and the home had many nice features).  Mary, on the other hand, followed her agent's advice on price.  While Mary quickly received multiple offers and ende [...]

The Zastko Report April 2012 As the spring market moves along, we continue to see movement in real estate, not only locally, but also on the national scene.  What's happening specifically and what's the impact for the future?  What are the financial experts saying about the outlook on today's prices?  Why are so many houses failing to make it from contract to close, and what can be done?  We answer all these questions and more on the Zastko Report, with Andr [...]

In an effort to increase consumer awareness of the benefits of buying a home now, the National Association of Realtors is encouraging Realtors nationwide to hold open houses on Saturday and Sunday the 28th and 29th of April. Gloria Zastko, Realtors is proud to announce its firm will participate.  It is an incredible event for sellers to showcase their homes and for potential home buyers to shop for their new home. "Never in my 40 years of listing and selling real estate have I se [...]

March at Gloria Zastko, Realtors  was in like a bear and out like a bull.  "We're back", says Gloria Zastko, founder and President of Gloria Zastko, Realtors.  Zastko is pleased to report that leading the team in sales was John J. McDonald and in listings was Arthur Napolitano. Napolitano brings over 32 years of professional real estate experience to the firm.  He worked for many years as a broker sales associate and was a partner and trainer for  a loc [...]

There is still a tremendous amount of Short Sale activity on a national level.  We've seen an increase over the past few years to about 306,000 short sales in 2011, and a predicted 500,000 in 2012, according to JPMorgan and CoreLogic.  Also, in the past month, the National Association of Realtors reported that 14% of sales in February were short sales.  So, what's the trend in Middlesex County? According to data from the Middlesex County Multiple Listing System, 13.6% [...]

There is still a tremendous amount of Short Sale activity on a national level.  We've seen an increase over the past few years to about 306,000 short sales in 2011, and a predicted 500,000 in 2012, according to JPMorgan and CoreLogic.  Also, in the past month, the National Association of Realtors reported that 14% of sales in February were short sales.  So, what's the trend in Middlesex County? According to data from the Middlesex County Multiple Listing System, 13.6% [...]

Click to view the video Things continue to pick up in the Central Jersey real estate market. What's been happening locally and what can we expect? Andrew reviews some of the latest statistics and insights on The Zastko Report. In This Month's Zastko Report: A look back at activity in Middlesex County in February 2012 compared to the year before Why we're seeing a growing number of multiple offers on homes Discussion on some of the latest opportunities for p [...]

There's a growing mantra in the real estate community, "It's cheaper to buy than rent, it's cheaper to buy than rent..."  It seems like there's a new article out each week.  Even this past week, Trulia released a new article and illustration, claiming that in 98 of 100 metro areas, it is cheaper to own a home than to rent something comprable.  However, is this really the case, or just a bunch of self-serving salespeople who trying to manipulate you into [...]

Four decades ago, Gloria Zastko started selling and listing real estate.  She quickly became a leader in the industry, winning virtually every sales award.  After 20 successful selling years, on March 15, 1991, Gloria, her son Andrew, and a select group of charter members, including Ginger Boyle, Sonya Panson, Lucy Mollica (retired) and the late, Carol Latchaw, opened Gloria Zastko, Realtors® . Steadily growing for more than 21 years, this award-winning real estate firm is a lo [...]

Click to view the video Spring has sprung! National reports are that real estate activity is up. Is that what we're seeing with homes in Central Jersey? Andrew Zastko of Gloria Zastko Realtors shares the driving force behind some of the latest trends, as well as some of the opportunities for buyers and sellers in the near future In This Month's Zastko Report: A look back at activity in Middlesex County in January 2012 compared to the year before Why the monthly payment [...]

Traditionally, winter is a slower time of year, especially in Central Jersey.  Between the holidays, shorter days, and colder temperatures, conventional wisdom seems to point to the Spring.  Yet, are there advantages to planning a move this time of year?  Dian Hymer of Inman News recently wrote a very informative article on the subject, guiding a potential home seller step by step through the decision making process.  She begins as follows: We're getting close to [...]

Almost four decades ago, Gloria Zastko started selling and listing real estate.  She quickly became an icon in the industry, winning virtually every sales award.  After 20 successful selling years, on March 15, 1991, Gloria, at age 60, her son Andrew, and a select group of charter members, including Ginger Boyle, Sonya Panson, Lucy Mullica and the late, Carol Latchaw, opened Gloria Zastko, Realtors® . Steadily growing for more than 20 years, this award-winning real estate firm [...]

All the doom and gloom in the media these days about the real estate market is not telling the real story.  People are still looking for their dream home, whether moving up or down or just making a lifestyle change.  The American Dream lives on! Sima Brokowsky, takes pride in one of her most recent double transactions. Vito and Maria Pavone were looking for a lifestyle change and together with Sima's help had their home in North Brunswick under contract in a matter of days and [...]

The heat is on in Central Jersey real estate.  Although there is a deluge of tough news regarding real estate, many major financial resources such as the Wall Street Journal, CBS Money Watch, Forbes Magazine and National  Public Radio all concur in their advice .."It's Time to Buy a Home Now" and it is also a  a time to sell now The lowest interest rates in decades make this the optimum time to move in, up or out.  It is not the price of the home that is i [...]