New Jersey Real Estate Agent

Welcome! This site is about you (not me)- present or prospective Princeton area home buyer, seller and homeowners In Princeton, Montgomery Township, Princeton Junction, Hopewell and surrounding towns.

Princeton Real Estate is the resource for smart New Jersey real estate consumers in the greater Princeton NJ area. My name is Faina Sechzer and I am the author/publisher of this site and a Princeton New Jersey Realtor. I prefer to not talk much about myself, and focus instead on you -my readers. I understand you may want to know who the person “behind” this site is. I am happy to share personal and professional information a little later in this article, but first I would like to talk about how you could gain important knowledge from this site. This site is about educating, conversation and building relationships.

Have a burning question right now? You can contact me in many ways and we could chat right now.

I share my knowledge here to help my readers be smarter Princeton real estate home buyers and sellers. Buying and selling real estate in today’s market is not easy- financially, logistically and often emotionally. Subscribe to this blog and you get insider tips and techniques to make this process easier. Gain advantage over others interested in Mercer County and Somerset County real estate (including Princeton NJ real estate, Hopewell NJ real estate, Pennington NJ real estate, Montgomery NJ real estate, West Windsor NJ real estate, Plainsboro NJ real estate, and Lawrenceville NJ real estate).

You will find information on teh Princeton Real Estate web site not publicly available anywhere else. This site is about you, your real estate questions, needs, views, interests and opinions. I love hearing from my readers and answering your questions. If you have a specific question don’t hesitate to call at 609- 553 -4175. Your questions, issues and concerns would be addressed in complete confidence. Drop me an e-mail at Faina.Sechzer@HendersonSir.com and/or comment on the blog. If you like what you read, subscribe and each new article would be delivered to you automatically.

You could expect to find these topics on the Princeton Real Estate blog web site.

• What are the differences between various communities, such as Princeton NJ, Hopewell, Pennington, Montgomery, West Windsor, Princeton Junction, Plainsboro, Lawrenceville, and other greater Princeton area towns

• What is it like to live in the greater Princeton area? What are the neighborhoods, such as Ettl Farm, Princeton Ridge, Littlebrook, Riverside, Russell Estates and which one suites your needs better

• What are the real estate prices and trends for the greater Princeton area

• What are the insider secrets to help me buy and sell Princeton real estate

• What do I need to know if I am relocating to the greater Princeton NJ are?

If you are interested in the Princeton area homes for sale,  considering selling your home, or relocating from another area, we could help you make important home buying and selling decisions.

Meet Faina Personally

I lived in the Princeton New Jersey area for 20 years and love it. We moved here for the convenience of commuting to New York and Philadelphia, where my husband and I worked at the time. We lived for many years in West Windsor, and later moved to Princeton.

We have four wonderful kids, two are already on their own; the two youngest keep us young and working:) Having raised my kids in the greater Princeton area, I have first hand knowledge of area public and private schools.

I was born in the Far East Russia, raised and grew up in Europe, and came to this country as a young woman. I speak Russian and Ukrainian. I love reading and belong to a local book club. Books are my escape, release, and best therapy. I love to travel and lived, traveled and worked in many countries. I like many sports, and wish I were better at them. I love dancing, and wish I could do it more often. I walk 5 miles every morning (OK, its almost every morning, and mostly 5 miles).

Meet Faina Professionally

Read a few articles on Princeton Real Estate web site and you will quickly learn that I practice real estate differently. When we meet in person and have an opportunity to talk, you would find the same person, you met through my articles. My practice is all about my clients. I am not #1 in anything – my clients are #1 in everything. After many years of corporate life, I became a New Jersey real estate agent to provide the kind of service I wanted when I was a client.

I sometimes joke that I am a “secret” agent. I do not advertise myself in the local publications, like Princeton Packet or Town Topics. Although based on the articles on Princeton real estate web site New York Times sometimes finds me:) I don’t have my pictures on benches, shopping carts, or even my business cards. I don’t push or pressure real estate sellers or buyers, because I dislike aggressive sales tactics. To give my clients every possible advantage, I invest in identifying and implementing the best available home selling and buying technologies, marketing strategies and tools. Instead of talking on how great I am, my focus is on helping real estate buyers and sellers.

1. Adviser and Consultant

Although real estate is often considered sales, for my clients I function more as an adviser and consultant. Real estate buying and selling could be stressful. I try to make it as stress free and enjoyable experience for you as possible.  This is what I offer my clients:

• Listening and understanding your needs
• Telling you as I see it (not always what you may want hear)
• Knowledge of the local real estate market
• Superior marketing skills
• Knowledge and investment in the latest technologies
• Putting your interests interest above all
• Having someone you could trust
• Having the time and being available or you
• Advising, informing, and presenting options
• “Holding” your hand through the rough patches

2. Trust is about relationship

Marketing knowledge, integrity, trust, and dedication are essential for a good real estate agent. The challenging part is how could you tell. Did you ever meet an agent who said they were not an expert, were untrustworthy, and did not have time for you because they had too many other clients? Of course not. Many real estate agents proclaim their greatness on their web sites; it’s hard to tell them apart. Its even harder to get to know the real person behind the web site.

Trust is developed through a relationship and knowing another person. Read this blog and you will get to know me. You will know if I am the right real estate agent for you. Its impossible to fake the blog. My clients tell me that I am the same person in real life as in my blog. That is not always the case with the “sale and hype” type web sites. This site is about educating, conversation and building relationships.

3. Career Highlights

I prefer to talk about my clients. I am making the exception for the About Faina page, because, it’s kind of expected, to talk about myself here. With that in mind, here are a few points of my professional career.

• 25+ years professional marketing

• Corporate technology management

• Senior Principal – management consulting for Fortune 500

• Certified Interior Decorator

• Ran a private publishing company

• MS Electrical Engineering

Contact Me

Have a burning question? Need real estate advice? Have suggestion for future topics? Have ideas for improving this site? Want share important community events? I love hearing from you.

Tried and true: 609-553-4175

E-mail :             fsechzer@yahoo.com

Skype:                faina.sechzer

Connect On:

Faina Sechzer on Twitter

Faina Sechzer on Face Book

Faina Sechzer on LinkedIn

NJ Home Buyer Benefits

1.Real Estate Market Knowledge

Declining real estate market has many home buyers confused as to what should they do. Knowledge of the market and educating the clients is the key benefit a real estate agent has to offer. I spend a lot time analyzing Princeton real estate market trends, so my clients could make the right decisions when buying their home now. I publish the general results in this blog as well, to help those who are not working with an agent yet. The most useful and specific advice is reserved for my clients, since I know their needs.

2. Time for the search limiting the number of clients

The second most important benefit for the clients is feeling free and not under sale pressure to take their time in the search of Princeton homes for sale (as well as Montgomery homes for sale, Hopewell homes for sale, and West Windsor homes for sale among others).

Unlike most Princeton NJ real estate agents, I limit the number of clients I take. This doesn’t get me to the “top producers” clubs, but it gives each client the time and attention they deserve. My method makes the search process as efficient as possible, but often, finding the right home takes time. I believe clients need to see as many homes, as it takes, until the right one is found.

NJ Home Seller Benefits

1. Broadest Internet exposure.

Consumers start their search on the Internet and most brokerages and agents have web sites, use MLS and Realtor.com. This alone is not enough in today’s competitive market. I use the latest advances in social media networking and blogging to expose your home to the largest pool of most likely buyers and to make it stand out from the competing properties.

2. Staging for all homes.

I provide staging consultation without additional fees. My clients’ homes sold quickly, in large measure, due to staging. In the age of Internet exposure and the short attention span of prospective buyers, special talent and skill is needed to make homes appealing and desirable on the Internet. As important is how the home is presented for the target buyers in home showings. As an Interior Decorator, and sometimes with an assistance of a professional stager, I help my clients present their home at it’s best.

3. Professional Photography.

Pictures of your home are what potential buyers see first and is often what makes them decide to visit your home or not. My experience proves the advantage of your home being professionally photographed. No matter how good we as agents think are as photographers – we are still amateurs. Let me show you the kind of photography needed to attract prospective buyers. Your home deserves it.

4. Latest marketing techniques.

Technology and real estate market change daily. You as a Princeton area home seller need the best available to beat the competition. This is the reason I invest time and money into new marketing strategies, techniques and tools to give your home an extra edge in the crowded market.

5. Presenting Your Home To Selling Brokers.

It is critical that local area agents are made aware of how your home is better then the others. All the Internet exposure notwithstanding, it is often the local area agents who bring the buyers, and selling your home to them is very important. I do it by in-person presentation of your home to major local brokers. Is it time-consuming? Yes. Does it work? Certainly.  MLS listings and/or a Broker Open Houses alone will not do that.

About This Blog

This blog, just like my real estate practice, is all about YOU, not about me. It is about sharing my knowledge with you and arming you with information  not available anywhere else, yet critical to your success as a home buyer or seller. You will realize reading this blog I practice real estate differently. I do not declare myself #1 in anything. My clients are #1 in everything. You would have an advantage over other Princeton, Hopewell, Montgomery, and West Windsor real estate buyers and sellers, if you read this blog. I will share with you information not available anywhere else: insiders secrets to buying and selling homes and real estate in the Princeton area, the latest strategies, real estate prices, the condition of the Princeton and national real estate markets, latest market statistics and reports.

You will get the insiders view of different communities and neighborhoods in Princeton, and surrounding towns. What is it like to live in Princeton? What are the schools like? What are the neighborhoods like?  What are the good restaurants, shopping or things to do? What are the differences between living in Princeton and Montgomery, or West Windsor? You will get the answers to all these questions and more.

This blog is about you, your real estate needs, views and interests. It is also about having a conversation.  I am interested in your opinions, ideas, questions and thoughts. Please subscribe to the blog, comment, drop me an e-mail, and call 609-553-4175.  Your privacy is most important to me. Your information will not be released to anyone and no one will contact you unless you ask for it.

I would also like you to meet my clients.

Meet My Clients and Their Stories

My clients are the best. It is a privilege to be a New Jersey Realtor and work with such wonderful people to help them buy and sell homes in the greater Princeton NJ area. I would like you to meet some of them.

Family downsizing in Princeton NJ.

This family raised their children in Princeton. After the kids grew up were out on their own, the parents found themselves in a house that was to big for their present needs. They asked me to find them a house with minimum maintenance required. We found a home in Governor’s Lane, Princeton NJ-a community of luxury townhouses where all outside maintenance is taken care of by the association. This left my clients more time to enjoy their time traveling and visiting their children.

The house I found for them was under priced and I negotiated a great deal. Right after their purchase the house was valued for $200,000 more then what they paid.

Here is what my clients wrote:

“To Whom It May Concern:

I am very pleased to be able to write a very positive endorsement for our realtor, Faina Sechzer, of Sotheby International, with whom we have been working for several years on all of our properties in Princeton, NJ.

Faina has demonstrated a high level of professional knowledge and expertise, is prompt in responding to all of our needs, and does so in a warm and friendly manner. Her professionalism as well as her pleasing and warm personality have made our transactions extremely comfortable and efficient, as well as pleasant and successful. She has worked hard to promote our properties when we were selling, and to find tenants when we were renting. Not only has she done very well for us, but through her successful and efficient efforts we have saved a great deal of money.

We highly recommend Faina with no reservation to anyone interested in buying, selling or renting a property.

Sincerely,
Rabbi Dr. Dov Peretz Elkins & Maxine G. Elkins

Here are a few more comments from my clients.

Young couple relocating and selling in Ewing.

This young couple with their adorable kids and new baby twins were relocating to pursue other career opportunities. Extremely smart and savvy, they first tried to sell their house by themselves as FSBO. After several months of not making progress, they asked me to help. The challenge was the end of November, the worst time to be selling. The couple were receptive to all my marketing recommendations.

The house went under contract in 6 weeks. This is what they wrote.

‘Thank you for all your help with the house sale and for  putting up with ¦.rants gracefully! We really appreciate all of your work. Good luck to you¦ Take care.

Sincerely,
Vanessa + Jeremy

Two young couples buying and selling in West Windsor NJ

This was an interesting situation, because this letter is from a customer, not a client. I They were selling their house in West Windsor, but their agent from Foxtons (remember them?) left the company and no one was helping them with their sale. I represented the buyer. By facilitating the transaction, while holding my clients interest above all else, I helped two young couples move on with their life plans.

Here is what they wrote:
“We are writing this letter to convey our gratitude and appreciation for your part in making the sale of our home possible as the agent representing the buyer. In addition to guiding your clients, you have helped us, the sellers as well. ”
If this sale is a success, it will be in no small part, because of your efforts and commitment to propel the deal forward and assure the various parties stay within the proper deadlines. It has been a pleasure for us to deal with you, and we have been very impressed with your professionalism, honesty and attention to details. We would happily recommend your services as an agent to prospective buyers or sellers in the area.

Sincerely,
Leticia Vega, Ph.D
Christoph Hengartner, Ph.D

If you like reading New York Times, read today’s Sunday edition article Battling for Bidding Wars. Here is a

Princeton real estate in the New York Times

shameless plug – I am in it:) I mean some the information from the hour long interview is there.

I received a call form the New York Times last week. They wanted to get my opinion on multiple offers in the buyers market.  They called me because of the articles I wrote on the Princeton Real Estate blog.

Back in late summer I wrote a post on Multiple offers in the buyers market, describing why such a phenomena was possible in Princeton. Fast forward to the New York Times call.  The time is now post  September 2008 market crash and it was an interesting question for them to revisit.

I was on my way to meet with people at the national real estate bloggers conference in NYC, so I couldn’t talk with the reporter for long. We agreed to pick up the conversation the next day. I spend a few hours researching the topic to come up with a broader view then just my personal experience with multiple offers. I found a few interesting things which are described in this follow up post Multiple offers in buyers market now.

Interestingly enough, awhile back I wrote an article “ Who else wants to be in the New York Times” to bring attention to real estate blogs as a way for the press to learn what’s really going on in the local real estate from people who practice it every day. I never thought the NYT would call me:)

I am energized to continue covering local real Princeton real estate to educate real estate buyers and sellers, and perhaps press. My 2 second of fame feels good:)

MeMe is fun interview-like way for people, in the sometimes impersonal Internet world, to get know each other by answering questions about themselves. It works a bit like a chain letter, in that one gets tagged to write a MeME, and passes on the tag to others. I was tagged by a good friend Irina Netchaev from Pasadena in her MeMe. She asked the following questions.

1. Who is your favorite musical artist? (post a youtube video)
I am really going to show my age on this one. Please understand, Russians are a sentimental lot:) My first and forever love are Beatles. Amazingly, my kids of various ages love them too. My recent discovery also goes back in time – Mike Brant (Israeli/French singer)

Another French find – Petit Cheminot (La Chanson du Dimanche S02E05)

2. Who is your favorite artist? (post a flicker photo)

My artistic loves are sentimental as well – French Impressionists. I like Modigliani for his beautiful dreamy women.

3. Who is your favorite blogger?
I have so many, how could I possibly choose one? I was reading Lorelle on WordPress long before I knew what Wordpress was. I discovered Skelie at Skelliewag.org who impressed me by saying she welcomed and answered reader’s e-mails (not sure if  she still does). There are many fantastic “professional” bloggers, i.e those who make money from their blogs from advertising. What impresses me even more are the bloggers on non-monetized blogs. It takes a whole lot of gumption and perseverance to write day in, day out without being paid, and many times not even knowing if anyone would read what you write. Many real estate bloggers are in this category. I met Daniel Rothamel once briefly, but know he is a great guy; I learned from him that you can “enthusiastically wave” on the Internet. I love Lani Anglin-Rosales from agentgenius.com for being gracious hostess for the RE blogging world, Mike Farmer – at Bonsai Blog for continually exploring RE issues, Deb Micek at Tribal Seduction -for her engaging style and energy. The list is way too long:)

4. If you could meet anyone (alive or dead), who would it be and what is the most interesting thing about them?
A. Senator Clinton. I would like to know what was the most important thing in her life, to advance her to the Presidential candidate. In today’s New York times magazine there is a very interesting article about that.
B. Secret agents (females) working without diplomatic immunity in other countries. I don’t know anything about them, but would like to ask many questions. First, how do they reconcile work and family?

5. What did you want to be when you grew up?
From early on I knew that many roads were closed for me in Russia, so I didn’t even dream about them as a child. My only dream was to go to college. All I had to do for that is graduate #1 in high school. I did. Everyone said “you are good at math – it means engineering and computers”. So, I got MSEE. That’s how it went.

6.What is the most interesting piece of trivia you know?
I am steeling my husband’s trivia: man have 3 color receptors corresponding to 3 primary colors. Some women have 4. It means we can see what no one else can. Husbands please remember this:)
Personal Trivia: in my first year after leaving Russia I lived in 4 countries (including Brooklyn) and 6 towns.

7. If you could live in any point in history what would it be and why?
A point in history where I could be a Chairwoman of the Board by day, Princess at night and Mommy all the time. I am not sure if I already missed this period, or if it hasn’t come yet.

8. What is the most interesting job you have ever held?
All my jobs in management consulting were fascinating. I learned about many different businesses, met amazing people, solved difficult problems, traveled the world, ate at great restaurants:)

The next step in the process is to nominate 8 people to tell us more about themselves.

Kelley Koehler The Housechick Blog
Deb Micek  The Tribal Seduction  
Fausta Fausta’s Blog 
Linda Davis  Eastern Connecticut Real Estate
Howard Stein Our Mounmouth Blog
Kim Wood       West Of Philly Burbs  
Brad Nix
Daniel Rothamel  Real Estate Zebra

Photo by hanneorla

My clients are the best. It is a privilege to be a New Jersey Realtor and work with such wonderful people to help them buy and sell homes in the greater Princeton NJ area. I would like you to meet some of them.

Family downsizing in Princeton NJ.

This family raised their children in Princeton. After the kids grew up were out on their own, the parents found themselves in a house that was to big for their present needs. They asked me to find them a house with minimum maintenance required. We found a home in Governor’s Lane, Princeton NJ-a community of luxury townhouses where all outside maintenance is taken care of by the association. This left my clients more time to enjoy their time traveling and visiting their children.

The house I found for them was under priced and I negotiated a great deal. Right after their purchase the house was valued for $200,000 more then what they paid.

Here is what my clients wrote:

“To Whom It May Concern:

I am very pleased to be able to write a very positive endorsement for our realtor, Faina Sechzer, of Sotheby International, with whom we have been working for several years on all of our properties in Princeton, NJ.

Faina has demonstrated a high level of professional knowledge and expertise, is prompt in responding to all of our needs, and does so in a warm and friendly manner. Her professionalism as well as her pleasing and warm personality have made our transactions extremely comfortable and efficient, as well as pleasant and successful. She has worked hard to promote our properties when we were selling, and to find tenants when we were renting. Not only has she done very well for us, but through her successful and efficient efforts we have saved a great deal of money.

We highly recommend Faina with no reservation to anyone interested in buying, selling or renting a property.

Sincerely,
Rabbi Dr. Dov Peretz Elkins & Maxine G. Elkins

Here are a few more comments from my clients.

Young couple relocating and selling in Ewing.

This young couple with their adorable kids and new baby twins were relocating to pursue other career opportunities. Extremely smart and savvy, they first tried to sell their house by themselves as FSBO. After several months of not making progress, they asked me to help. The challenge was the end of November, the worst time to be selling. The couple were receptive to all my marketing recommendations.

The house went under contract in 6 weeks. This is what they wrote.

‘Thank you for all your help with the house sale and for  putting up with ¦.rants gracefully! We really appreciate all of your work. Good luck to you¦ Take care.

Sincerely,
Vanessa + Jeremy

Two young couples buying and selling in West Windsor NJ

This was an interesting situation, because this letter is from a customer, not a client. I They were selling their house in West Windsor, but their agent from Foxtons (remember them?) left the company and no one was helping them with their sale. I represented the buyer. By facilitating the transaction, while holding my clients interest above all else, I helped two young couples move on with their life plans.

Here is what they wrote:
“We are writing this letter to convey our gratitude and appreciation for your part in making the sale of our home possible as the agent representing the buyer. In addition to guiding your clients, you have helped us, the sellers as well. ”
If this sale is a success, it will be in no small part, because of your efforts and commitment to propel the deal forward and assure the various parties stay within the proper deadlines. It has been a pleasure for us to deal with you, and we have been very impressed with your professionalism, honesty and attention to details. We would happily recommend your services as an agent to prospective buyers or sellers in the area.

Sincerely,
Leticia Vega, Ph.D
Christoph Hengartner, Ph.D