With the recent decision by the Supreme Court to uphold the Affordable Care Act, speculation regarding a 3.8% Medicare tax on real estate transactions has resurfaced. Although this provision of the law will not take effect until next year, a few friends and clients have expressed concern. Their basic question is, “Will I be taxed […]
The term ‘specialist’ is defined as “A person who concentrates primarily on a particular subject or activity; a person highly skilled in a specific and restricted field.” We already know that a Realtor is a specialist in the field of real estate. However, what makes someone a neighborhood specialist? A neighborhood specialist is someone who […]
I recently received a fax advertisement that said “List your home on the MLS for only $395.00.” The ad goes on to talk about how you can list your home on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) without paying a Realtor’s commission. While I realize that in this challenging housing market it is a tempting scenario […]
Many factors influence a successful home sale. Factors like location, market conditions, and interest rates can all affect the final purchase price. However, too often, the home seller’s emotions get in the way of achieving the best deal possible. Everyone believes their home is their castle -and why wouldn’t they? When making what was probably […]
We see it on home decorating shows, and certainly if you are house hunting, you have undoubtedly seen the sought after “updated kitchen”. This quintessential kitchen will have its trademark granite countertops, upgraded cabinetry, and of course, stainless steel appliances. For a while now, Stainless Steel has been the “it” finish for appliances. It has […]
Recently, the REALTOR University Research Center sponsored a study that concluded now is the time to become a homeowner. Researchers from different universities conducted the study. The study looked at what they call the indifferent renter –someone who in principle has no preference to own or rent for any reason other than to build wealth. […]
A common dilemma faced by many homebuyers is choosing between purchasing a newer home, maybe 10-20 years old or younger, and an older one. Many buyers have their minds set on a newer home in order to avoid major expenses that are typical with older homes. Some of the anticipated expenses of older homes include […]
We all see the signs on the side of the road, sometimes sporting balloons, announcing an Open House nearby. Whether you are looking to buy a house or not, it is a great idea to stop by. There are many reasons why people come to open houses, but typically, they can be broken down into […]
I recently hosted an Open House for one of my colleagues. The house was a very spacious four-bedroom colonial loaded with plenty of high-end, quality upgrades. However, as the majority of guests failed to comment on or notice the beautiful wood floors, high-end molding, or Anderson windows, I understood exactly why -they were too distracted […]
Did you know that Somerset and Hunterdon Counties dominated New Jersey Monthly’s list of “Best Places to Live” in 2011? Of course, we already know how great our area is, but this confirms that it’s not a secret! Each year, New Jersey Monthly ranks a list of over 500 municipalities in New Jersey. It bases […]