Glass 98% full in Westfield NJ market

As a home marketing specialist, and Westfield NJ specialist, I must frequently excercise the discipline of averting my eyes from the real estate "meltdown" portrayed on national TV to look at our local market from various angles.

Last week two sales closed in two days for over list price, provoking me to post this report on the state of the Westfield home sales market. To mangle Mark Twain's message to Westfield buyers, sellers and homeowners: reports of our demise are grossly exaggerated.

Looking over contracts signed in 2008 and already closed, there are 119 to date, with 23 at list price or better. Avg Sale price: $754,031. Avg SP % of LP: 97%. Avg days on market 73 (including new homes listed a year or more before they can sell).

Of the 23 star sales, 2 or 3 were simply underpriced, and proved the market insists on paying for value even when sellers or agents under price. The other 20 were prepared right, staged right, priced right and promoted right, from the start. In a competetive (buyers') market, "right the first time" is gold.

If you would like to see the listings and pictures, please email Service@ValueMyHomeNJ.com. If you like to review lots of numbers please see below. You may also request a quick over the web analysis of your home's value.

If you would like a free, no strings consultation on how to join the ranks of successful sellers, please email Scott@LuxuryHomesNJ.com. Thanks for reading my first post!