Part of a good real estate broker's week is previewing new listings in the area. Not only does it keep me up-to-date on what's for sale, it's very helpful when I am pricing my own new listings. When buyers call and ask about a particular property, I can advise on condition, location, updates, size, height of basement ceilings, yard, views, traffic  .. all those important elements that concern a buyer, and make the house hunt more efficient.

This week, for example, I previewed a house in Verona that seemed overpriced but was surprisingly much bigger than it appeared from the photos and from the street, and it was beautifully renovated with a huge amount of space. So my first impression of overpriced turned out to be wrong, this house is priced well. Another I looked at in Verona, in a good area, was just ordinary and while a lower price point than the other, I could not see it as a good value.

I also took the time to stop at a colleague's open house - new construction condo located on Bloomfield Ave. in Essex Fells ... great for commuting but I wondered about the noise from the street. Turns out this unit is nicely designed with many upgrades and beautiful finishes, and really quiet with triple-glazed windows  ... a great downsize for someone who wants easy maintenance and convenience in a great town.

Personally, if I can't live "walk-to-town," give me fantastic views. Climb the hills of Cedar Grove to a newly renovated custom home with views northwest and north from almost every window. Pretty cool considering you are just 15 miles from NYC.

The best kitchen was in a "stately tudor" in Montclair ... gorgeous addition with an 8 burner Wolf range, great light, everything you would want in a kitchen with an attached family room  ... but the rest of the house? Red, red and more red, complemented with pink. Oh boy. Carpeting (why are those great wood floors hiding?) Baths that need updating. But, the best kitchen.. so I'll "warn" my buyers.

Finally, a pet peeve .. don't call a house a dutch colonial when it is not.