By Ginny Raue
It’s always easier to promote or sell a product that you truly believe in. For realtor Mark Minadeo, West Milford is not only where he works but it’s also his home town, a town he highly endorses and, by his civic involvement, it’s evident that Minadeo does more than talk the talk.
Minadeo, 51, has been in real estate for 21 years and currently works for RE/MAX Country Realty in West Milford. He enjoys his chosen profession, helping people move in or out of a home, one of life’s major decisions.
“It’s a great experience to see someone get their house or to move on to their next home,” he said.
Minadeo was raised in Bergen County and Pearl River, N.Y. He has lived in the Crescent Park community of West Milford since 2003, finding the development just by chance.
Out doing a little house hunting, he and his family happened to drive into Crescent Park on a day when a block party was in progress. The area and the friendliness of the people won them over right away.
He and Jennifer, his wife of 15 years, are now happily raising their children, Anthony, 11, and seven-year-old Gianna in the family-oriented development.
Acknowledging the depressed real estate market of the last several years, Minadeo said he is now seeing positive signs.
“Since the spring, the market has turned upward,” he said. “There are a lot of houses under contract, so people are moving in. My office is doing very well; people are buying houses, which is very optimistic.”
There is a current inventory of approximately 290 homes for sale in town with some foreclosures still on the books but a higher percentage of short sales. “They’re dealing with that everywhere,” he said.
If you could typify a West Milford homebuyer it would be a young family, looking for a more rural setting, away from the maddening crowd.
“That’s what drew us up here. When you turn onto Union Valley Road and see the trees, the horses, the lakes – it’s just beautiful up here and worth the extra ride.”
Then there are those who move out of town or around town. Some retiring, some who have outgrown their homes or maybe looking now to own a lakefront home. According to Minadeo, it’s one of the best buyer’s markets he’s ever seen.
“With historical low rates and prices that are extremely reasonable compared to past years, you can get a lot more house for your money,” he said.
When Minadeo is called upon to help sell a home, he goes through a check list with the owners to assist them in putting the best face on their property.
“You need to show prospective buyers the highest and best points of your home. Make it spacious and open, do some painting and cleaning. De-clutter it, polish it up. Let people appreciate the layout and design.”
Minadeo agrees that home buyers are savvier now due to the internet. He enjoys working with educated clients, finding it easier to move forward and track down that perfect home. But, he said, the key component in the relationship is trust.
“They are coming to deal with you on the biggest purchase of their life, they need to trust you to help them achieve their goal. I get a lot of pleasure out of doing a good job and give my best to every client.”
When not working, Minadeo spends a good deal of his time on township sports programs. He is the vice president of the Little League and sits on the board of PAL. He has coached every team his son has played on and plays on an over-40 softball team himself. Several years ago, he instituted the Little League opening night celebrity event and continues to bring famous names to the town for the occasion. He’s helped to raise funds for PAL, working at Thunder in the Highlands and the Autumn Lights Festival.
Minadeo enjoys spending time with his family and, in what little time is left, he is sharpening his Texas Hold ‘Em skills at the Old School Pub in Upper Greenwood Lake, playing in tournaments and learning from skilled players.
When it comes to meal time, he said he’s more of an eater than a cook. He has submitted a recipe for a favorite meal his mom has been making for years. He’s tried making the dish, but it’s just not the same. There’s always something special about a mom’s cooking.