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Most first-time homebuyers qualify for down payment assistance, but few use it. With options as low as 3% down and grants available, you can reduce upfront costs. Rising down payment averages reflect personal choices, not increased requirements. Consult a lender to explore your options and maximize your potential savings.
October 2024
Discover how the Federal Reserve’s upcoming rate cuts could impact mortgage rates and the housing market through 2025. Learn how potential rate reductions can ease the lock-in effect for sellers and boost buyer activity. Explore expert insights on what this means for you as a homebuyer or seller, and get advice on navigating the market in this changing economic landscape. Stay informed and prepared for new opportunities in real estate.
September 2024
Discover the recent changes in the real estate industry following the National Association of Realtors (NAR) lawsuit settlement and new legislative updates in New Jersey effective August 1st. Mandatory seller disclosures, buyer broker compensation options, and the necessity of a buyer agency agreement for property showings are key updates. Learn how these changes affect both buyers and sellers, including what remains unchanged, such as agent compensation negotiations and ethical obligations. Stay informed to make the best decisions in the current market.
August 6, 2024
When you decide to buy your first home, you may come across a number of terms and conditions you’re not familiar with. While you may have a general idea of what an inspection is, maybe you’re not sure why you need one or how it’s different from an appraisal. To keep it simple, here’s an explainer of each one and what they mean for you as a homebuyer.
July 1, 2024
There’s no denying mortgage rates are having a big impact on today’s housing market. That probably leaves you with some questions about whether it still makes sense to sell your house and make a move.
Here are three of the top questions you may be asking – and the data that helps answer them.
June 1, 2024
With the rise in Jersey shore property values over the last few years, along with the increased equity homeowners have gained as a result, it appears that many potential sellers are coming to realize conditions are ripe for a move. Inventory levels remain lower than usual for this time of year but are up vs. 2023.
May 1, 2024
Recent headlines may leave you wondering what’s next for mortgage rates. Maybe you’d previously heard there were going to be cuts this year that would bring rates down. That refers to the Federal Reserve (the Fed) and what they do to their Fed Funds Rate. While cutting, or lowering, the Fed Funds Rate doesn’t directly determine mortgage rates, it does tend to impact them. But when the Fed met last week, a cut didn’t happen — at least, not yet.
April 1, 2024
This is question #1 among buyer clients these days. Inventory levels continue to be very low. Much of that has to do with seasonality. Real estate is a seasonal business for a number of reasons, with more transactions done in the spring and summer months. There are a number of reasons for that, but in 2024 the major cause is what we in the industry call the ‘mortgage rate lock-in effect.’
March 13, 2024
The housing market shifted in 2023 as mortgage rates rose and home price appreciation started to normalize once again. As a seller, you still need to recognize how important it is to price your house appropriately based on where the market is today.
February 13, 2024
With the start of a new year, the idea of buying a home might be on your mind. It’s an exciting goal to set, and it's never too early to start laying the groundwork. One crucial step to prepare for homeownership is building a solid credit score. Lenders review your credit to assess your ability to make payments on time, pay back debts, and more. It’s also a factor that helps determine your mortgage rate.
February 1, 2024
When it comes to what’s happening in the housing market, there’s a lot of confusion going around right now. If you’re thinking about making a move, that can leave you with a lot of lingering questions. That’s where a trusted local real estate agent comes in.​
Here are the top 3 questions people are asking about today’s housing market, and the data to help answer them.
January 23, 2024
Things To Consider If
Your House Didn’t Sell
If your listing has expired and your house didn’t sell, it's completely normal to feel a mix of frustration and disappointment. Understandably, you're probably wondering what may have gone wrong. Here are three questions to think about as you figure out what to do next.
January 9, 2024
Thinking About Buying a Home?
Ask Yourself These Questions
If you’re thinking of buying a home this year, you’re probably paying closer attention than normal to the housing market. You’re probably getting your information from a variety of channels, including the news, social media, your real estate agent, conversations with friends and loved ones, the list goes on and on. Most likely, the subjects of home prices and mortgage rates are coming up a lot.
January 5, 2024
Why the Economy Won't tank the housing market
If you’re worried about a coming recession, you’re not alone. Over the past couple of years, there’s been a lot of recession talk. Many people worry, if we do have one, it would cause the unemployment rate to skyrocket. Some even fear that a spike in unemployment would lead to a rash of foreclosures similar to what happened 15 years ago.
January 5, 2024
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2024 Housing Market Forecast
The new year is right around the corner, and many people are wondering if 2024 will be the right time for them to buy or sell a home. To make the most informed decision possible, it’s important to know what the experts have to say about what's ahead for the housing market. The good news is that it may be better than you think. Here’s why.
December 4, 2023
Are Grandparents Moving To Be Closer to Their Grandkids?
During the pandemic, many people distanced themselves from their loved ones for health reasons.Grandparents were told to stay away from their grandkids, especially as schools started to open. That’s because it would have been risky to visit with their grandchildren who may have gotten sick from school.
Now that the pandemic has passed, many grandparents want more than ever to be near their grandchildren again to make up for that lost time. But how are they getting that “Grandparent Wish?” The data tells us many are moving to make sure they’re getting more quality time.
November 1, 2023
High School Reunion
I have no idea how it’s possible that it’s been 40 years since I graduated high school. I’m very appreciative of having had the chance to catch up with my classmates who attended our reunion this past weekend.
October 12, 2023
Home Prices Are Not Falling
During the fourth quarter of last year, some housing experts projected home prices were going to crash in 2023. The media ran with those forecasts and put out headlines calling for doom and gloom in the housing market.
October 12, 2023
WHAT EXPERTS PROJECT FOR HOME PRICES OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS
If you're planning to buy a home, one thing to consider is what experts project home prices will do in the future and how that might affect your investment. Home prices, especially in the Jersey shore area, have fared far better than expected, and are also rising across the country. Data shows, and experts forecast home prices will keep appreciating.
September 10, 2023
5 reasons to move to ocean township
There is something for everyone in Ocean Township, an amazing place to live and reside in Monmouth County, NJ!
August 10, 2023
A Tale of Two Buyers:
The Key to Success in the Competitive Real Estate Market of Summer 2023
In today's competitive real estate market, being proactive is the name of the game. The Summer of 2023 is not the time for buyers to cautiously test the waters; it's a time for decisive action. Are you in or out? This is the question serious buyers need to answer.
July 24, 2023
Your needs matter more than
today's mortgage rates
If you’re thinking about selling your house right now, chances are it’s because something in your life has changed. While things like mortgage rates are a key part of your decision on what you’ll buy next, it’s important to not lose sight of the reason you want to make a change in the first place. It’s true mortgage rates have climbed from the record lows we saw in recent years, and that has an impact on affordability.
July 6, 2023
What’s the difference between average and median sales price?
When the National Association of Realtors (NAR) releases it's Existing Home Sales Report, the information it contains on home prices may cause some confusion. This all stems from the fact that NAR will report the median sales price, while other home price indices report repeat sales prices. The vast majority of the repeat sales indices show prices are starting to appreciate again. But the median price reported may tell a different story.
June 21, 2023
Local housing market update: may 2023
Statistical Figures used in this local market update were provided by Monmouth Ocean Regional MLS.
May 2023- Housing Market Update
Why aren't home prices crashing?
There have been a lot of shifts in the housing market recently. Mortgage rates rose dramatically last year, impacting many people’s ability to buy a home. And after several years of rapid price appreciation, home prices leveled off to a degree in our area. These changes led to a rise in headlines saying prices would end up crashing.
April 19, 2023
trying to buy a home? hang in there.
We’re still in a sellers’ market. And if you’re looking to buy a home, that means you’re likely facing some unique challenges, like difficulty finding a home and volatile mortgage rates. But keep in mind, there are some benefits to being a buyer in today’s market that give you good reason to stick with your search. Here are a few of them.
April 11, 2023
A Smaller Home Could Be Your Best Option
Many people are reaching the point in their lives when they need to decide where they want to live when they retire or their children leave home for school or their own places. If you’re a homeowner approaching this stage, you have several options to explore.
March 9, 2023
What You Should Know About Closing Costs
Before you buy a home, it’s important to plan ahead. While most buyers consider how much they need to save for a down payment, many are surprised by the closing costs they have to pay. To ensure you aren’t caught off guard when it’s time to close on your home, you need to understand what closing costs are and how much you should budget for.
February 15, 2023
Why You Shouldn’t Fear Today’s Foreclosure Headlines
If you’ve seen recent headlines about foreclosures surging in the housing market, you’re certainly not alone. There’s no doubt, the stories in the media can be pretty confusing right now. They may even make you think twice about buying a home for fear that prices could crash.
February 1, 2023
IS IT A GOOD TIME TO BUY OR SELL
A HOUSE NOW OR WAIT?
Are you considering buying or selling your home but think it’s best to sit out today’s volatile real estate market? You may want to think twice.
As far back as the summer of 2021 I heard people saying they were going to sit out the crazy real estate market because they didn’t want to overpay.
November 10, 2022
What town on the jersey shore is for you?
Considering buying a home on the Jersey shore? Regardless of whether you’re looking for a summer home or a year-round home, the town and neighborhood you live in are as important a factor in your decision making process as any.
October 26, 2022
things to know before applying
for a mortgage
When working with a loan officer employed by a bank you are working with a direct lender. A direct lender will only be able to offer you products offered by their financial institution...
October 5, 2022
TOP 3 SELLER MISTAKES
1- Overpricing the home- The first days and weeks a home is listed on the MLS are critical. The longer a home lingers on the market, especially in today’s real estate environment with low inventory levels, the more questions potential buyers will have about it. Today’s buyers have been trained to...
September 26, 2022
What We Focus On Expands
Here’s the bottom line, moving can be very stressful. That’s probably not a newsflash to anyone, but it’s certainly something that I am more aware of now having gone through a buy and sell with my own family recently.
August 17, 2022
OUR BIG MOVE
The last few weeks of my family’s lives has been a whirlwind. Last Thursday we closed on the sale of our longtime home in Wanamassa and later that afternoon we purchased our new home nearby in the Colonial Terrace section of Ocean Township.
August 3, 2022
market shift
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit a little over two years ago I do not know of one person in the real estate industry who would have predicted what we have seen since that time. As almost anyone with any knowledge of the industry knows, prices have soared over the last couple of years.
July 13, 2022
The Arrival of Summer (and Silton)!
From a local’s perspective, there is always a change of atmosphere on the Jersey Shore after Memorial Day weekend. There’s more of everything, good and bad. There are definitely more fun things to do, but there’s more congestion (people and traffic) too.
June 28, 2022
father's day
This past weekend was Father’s Day. I tell my son as frequently as possible, “the best thing I have ever done in my whole life was to be your Dad.” There is nothing that makes me prouder than being a father to my son and a husband to my wife. I am far from perfect (as they will both attest to) but I always try my best.
June 21, 2022
My PERSPECTIVE AS A SELLER
Today I had the second of three open houses at my newest listing. What made this listing unique was that it was my own home.
A home I have lived in for over 22 years. That my wife has lived in for the last 13+ years. It’s also the only home my soon to be 8-year-old son...
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June 4, 2022
Finding my first home
In September of 1999 I was living with a friend in a rental property in Fanwood, NJ. There was a creek that ran alongside the house and the first floor of the home, which included my bedroom, was flooded during a big storm. I lost my childhood albums/music collection. Everything else could be replaced.
JUNE 1, 2022
Launching a website
I’ve wanted to launch a website for my business since I started as a realtor more than 5 years ago. But since I was going to put my name on it, it had to be more than just a landing page. That’s the biggest reason I’ve waited until now.
May 19, 2022
Why 'For Sale by Owner' is a Bad Idea
Today I met with a longtime friend who told me he’d like to discuss selling his home. He also told me he was considering selling it himself, For Sale By Owner (FSBO). In the real estate world we refer to these as ‘fiz-bo’s’.The first thing I told him when we met was that if he was going to sell that he would be leaving money on the table if he decided to list it himself.
May 5, 2022
Putting a Premium on Authenticity
In my time as a realtor I have learned a lot, but one thing that has become very apparent to me is that clients, whether they are buyers or sellers, want to work with someone that they have a personal connection with. That is...
May 4, 2022
My story
People want to know my story. This is one of the many things that I’ve learned in my time as a realtor. Clients want to know who they are working with. They want to know what makes me tick. My ‘why’. The reason I do what I do? What motivates me to get up every day and take on this challenging career that I have dedicated myself to.
APRIL 28, 2022