Now that it’s September, all eyes are on the Federal Reserve Bank (the Fed). The overwhelming expectation is that they’ll cut the Federal Funds Rate at their upcoming meeting, driven primarily by recent signs that inflation is cooling, and the job market is slowing down. ​ But what does this mean for the housing market, and more importantly, for you as a potential homebuyer or seller? ​ Why a Federal Funds Rate Cut Matters ​ The Federal Funds Rate is one of the key factors th

The media has been full of stories about big changes coming to the real estate industry as a result of a lawsuit settlement by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and many major brokerages around the country. In New Jersey, legislative changes took effect this month. Here is a breakdown of some of those changes: ​ Sellers: ​ A seller’s disclosure is now mandatory and must be completed by all sellers to the best of their knowledge. Sellers can still offer compensation t

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. ​ Home Inspection Once you’re under contract on a home you’d like to buy, getting an inspection is a key part of the process. A

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. ​ 1. Should I Wait To Sell? If you’re thinking about waiting to sell until after mortgage rates come down, here’s what you need to know. So are a ton of other people, and while mortga

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. ​ Buyer activity, especially in the typical first-time homebuyer’s price range, is on the rise. With no home to sell, the impact of higher mortgage rates has less

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. There are a lot of factors the F

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.’ ​ Let’s consider a scenario where a homeowner has been in their home for 10 years, but t

1. Price Your Home Right 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. Hannah Jones, Economic Research Analyst for Realtor.com, explains: ​ “Sellers need to become familiar with their local market and work closely with a local agent to make sure their listing is attractive t

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. An article from CNBC explains: ​ “When it comes to mortgages, a higher c

When it comes to what’s happening in the housing market, there’s a lot of confusion going around right now. You may hear one thing in conversation with your friends, see something totally different on the news, and read something on social media that contradicts both of those thoughts. 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

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. ​ Here are the top two questions you need to ask yourself as you make your decisio

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. ​ Did You Limit Access to Your House? One of the biggest mistakes you can make when selling your house is restricting the days and times when potential buyers can tour it. Being flexible with your schedule is

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. ​ Experts Forecast Ongoing Home Price Appreciation Take a look at the latest home price forecasts from Fannie Mae, the Mortgage Bankers Ass

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. ​ However, the latest Economic Forecasting Survey from the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reveals that, for the first time in over a year, less t

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 “Gran

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. I was reminded of many good times and got to catch up with people I hadn’t seen in 30-40 years. Everyone was incredibly kind and because of social media, especially Facebook, most already knew a lot about me and my life today. I only heard words of kindness and support.

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. (Shocking right? The media was focusing on negativity.) All of this negative news coverage made a lot of people have doubts about the strength of the residential real estate market. If it made you question if you should delay your own plans to move, here’s what

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. ​ Experts Project Ongoing Appreciation ​ Over 100 economists, investment strategists, and housing market analysts were recently

1. Recreation: Parks & playgrounds, nearby beaches, lake access, bike trails and more! Ocean Township is located very close to many area beaches, such as Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, Avon by the Sea, and more! Deal Lake allows for kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, as well as other activities. The town also offers many other recreation options, from large parks, such as Joe Palaia Park (formerly Deal Test Site) to small neighborhood playgrounds, such as Appleby playground in Wa

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. ​ To stand a chance in this fast-paced market, buyers must be prepared to make an offer the moment they find a home that meets their needs. The window of opportunity is narrow, and hesitation can cost you the chance