For most first-time buyers, financing their purchase is the biggest hurdle. Share theses financing tips with your buyers to help smooth their path to homeownership. 1. Do a personal financial review. Create a financial plan with a preferred monthly housing payment, available cash for down payment and closing costs, income and spending. 2. Start with an early loan preapproval. Buyers should obtain preapproval for…
It’s no secret home staging is a huge component of selling a house. A properly staged home helps buyers picture themselves in it, inspires them, and can help make the house look more attractive. “Other than pricing the home properly, home staging may be the second most important factor for creating buyer urgency,” says Denise Petti, a Realtor® from Ship Bottom who specializes in staging…
As one of the earliest planned communities in the United States, a visit to Hope Township in rural Warren County is like getting a glimpse back into history. There is a lot that hasn’t changed from the time the area was established by German Moravians in 1769. This evangelical sect was said to have traveled to New Jersey from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in order to spread…
A visit to Smithville is like taking a step back in time—when days were simpler. Historic Smithville got its start as a one-room stagecoach stop on a well-traveled path. The Smithville Inn, originally built in 1787, still stands today and is at the heart of the entire town. In fact, its restoration is what brought the entire town to life, creating a popular South Jersey…
By Erin McFeeters Companies across the globe moved to virtual work in 2020 and as the pandemic pushes into 2021, many of them are considering making the shift permanent. According to Business Insider, Google extended its work-from-home policy until September—employees will then begin working a minimum of three days in the office and the rest from home. Other companies across the globe plan to do…
By Erin McFeeters Are you looking to escape the city? New Jersey has you covered with six train systems across the state with direct access to New York City. Here are highlights of the 11 towns on the Northeast Corridor NJ Transit System. Trenton Located along the Delaware River in Mercer County is the state capital of New Jersey, Trenton. The city is…
By Erin McFeeters New Jersey is unique in that it is located between two major job markets, NYC and Philadelphia. However, city life isn’t for everyone so if you’re looking to live in a suburb but want an easy commute to the City of Brotherly Love check out these seven towns. Below times are estimates according to Google Maps. Collingswood—15 Minutes From upscale apartments to…
During the summer and into the fall, it’s hurricane season in the Garden State. In areas more prone to flooding, such counties towards the shore, it is vital to stay informed about pending weather conditions. However, the entire state is at risk of being impacted by hurricanes and tropical storms between June 1 and November 30. When it comes to natural disasters, preparation is the…
By Erin McFeeters Lone Star State, The First State, The Last Frontier, Sunshine State, Keystone State—each state across the U.S. has a nickname that’s on license plates and welcome center t-shirts. Besides beautiful beaches, changing seasons, and easy commutes to major cities, New Jersey is known as the Garden State. History Camden County resident and former New Jersey Attorney General Abraham Browning is credited with…
By Erin McFeeters On the outskirts of Monmouth County between Trenton and Freehold, lies a small downtown surrounded by farmland and historic homes. If you blink your eyes while driving through Allentown you’ll probably miss it, but the historic homes and unique gift shops and restaurants are worth the stop. “Allentown [is] your typical small town,” said Zoë Danch, co-owner of the Moth Coffeehouse. “It’s family-friendly,…