News

Saddle Brook, NJ – February 1, 2024 – Greater Bergen REALTORS® (GBR), REALTORS® Care Foundation (RCF) hosted their annual 2023 RCF Grant Award Ceremony at GBR Headquarters in Saddle Brook, NJ on Friday, January 26, 2024. This year, the RCF awarded over $202,000 in grant awards to 41 local non-profit organizations.

The yearly event is a celebration of the ongoing philanthropic efforts of the REALTORS® Care Foundation and other local non-profit organizations across Northern New Jersey. The gourmet catered breakfast ceremony, kindly donated by Skopos Catering, Wood Ridge, NJ was an opportunity for RCF Trustees, NJMLS executive leadership, and the grant award recipients to gather to highlight each special organization's impactful work.

Saddle Brook, NJ – January 24, 2024- U.S. existing-home sales rose from a 13-year low, climbing 0.8% from the previous month and breaking a five-month streak in which sales declined, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Despite the increase, sales were down 7.3% compared to the same period last year, as affordability challenges continue to hinder prospective buyers. Most of this period’s closed sales went under contract in October, when mortgage rates were at a two-decade high. With rates having dropped more than a full percentage point since then, existing-home sales may continue to pick up in the months ahead.

Saddle Brook, NJ – January 16, 2024- The Greater Bergen REALTORS® (GBR), REALTORS® Care Foundation (RCF) welcomes their newly elected Board of Trustees for the year 2024. GBR member, Shana Sanchez has been elected the 2024 RCF President, alongside 2024 Executive team: Vice President, Maureen Mamunes, Treasurer, Patricia Sudal, and Secretary, GBR Chief Executive Officer, Jorge Ledesma.

The 2024 RCF Board of Trustees includes GBR 2024 President, Lisa Comito, Linda Barba, Charlene Barbetta, Jaqueline Frank, Aaron Galileo, Maria Gesualdi, Esq., Steve Grossman, Rose LaPira, Nataly Mendez, Debra Norman, and Soo Yu.

Saddle Brook, NJ – January 9, 2024 - Greater Bergen REALTORS® (GBR) Community Service Committee partnered with Jersey Cares for the 2023 Annual Winter Coat Drive, a collection of over 600 new and gently used winter coats of all sizes for local communities throughout the months of November and December.

This year, thanks to participating GBR brokerage offices, Berkshire Hathaway Home Service, Hasbrouck Heights; Christie’s International Real Estate Group, Ridgewood; Coldwell Banker, Allendale; Corcoran Infinity Properties, Cresskill and Rivervale; Keller Williams Town Life, Tenafly; Liberty 100 Realty, Waldwick and Re/Max Home Signatures, Closter, the committee collected over 600 coats – their second year reaching a record-breaking number of donations since their partnership with the organization.

Saddle Brook, NJ – December 8, 2023 – This week, Greater Bergen REALTORS® (GBR) Executive leadership team attended the New Jersey REALTORS® Award Ceremony at the 2023 REALTORS® Triple Play Convention and Trade Expo, in Atlantic City, NJ. GBR’s Immediate Past President, Robert Funabashi was honored at the ceremony, receiving the local real estate association REALTOR® of The Year Award on behalf of Greater Bergen REALTORS®. The session also honored Communications award winners, Quarter Century Club recipients, and REALTOR® Emeritus members.

Saddle Brook, NJ - December 1, 2023 - U.S. sales of existing homes recently fell to a 13-year low, dropping 2.0% month over-month and 15.4% year-over-year as of last measure, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), as surging interest rates and elevated sales prices continue to make homeownership unaffordable for many prospective buyers. Purchase activity is down significantly compared to this time last year, but rising interest rates are also keeping many current homeowners from selling, causing inventory to remain at historically low levels nationwide.

Prices Continue To Increase In September Despite Softening Home Sales

Saddle Brook, NJ – October 25, 2023 – National sales of existing homes recently fell to a 7-month low, as surging borrowing costs, rising sales prices, and limited inventory continue to keep many would-be buyers out of the market. Borrowers have become increasingly sensitive to fluctuations in mortgage rates, which have remained above 7% since mid-August. With fewer buyers able to afford the costs of homeownership, existing home sales declined 0.7% month-over-month and were down 15.3% year-over-year, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).