July is here!! and so is the heat!! atleast here in North Jersey, we have had a lot of heat and sometimes a lot of rain. But it is summer. So the real estate market has been strong still for sellers, and landlords!! Rents have been flying!! and getting higher. I feel most of the business I have been seeing is rental only. (not a bad thing) but it just goes to show how prices have reflected the rental market. We have a new "mansion Tax" going into effect on July 10. Basically:

"The updated law applies to transfers of residential, commercial, certain farm properties, and cooperative units sold for more than $2 million. It also applies to non-deed transfers of controlling interests in entities that directly or indirectly own commercial property,…

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Hey there my awesome supporters, 


Hope you're having a wonderful day!!! And yes, you read that right!! Welcome June, Can you believe we are already half way through 2025?? Time really does fly as you get older. Well the market has been still pretty strong for sellers. I know many articles have been stating that there is a lot more inventory sitting on the market than ever before ( or the atleast the last 5 years). BUT not NJ, or atleast North Jersey, Our market I feel is still competitive in many parts, I just had a few offers get rejected in Lyndhurst and Saddlebrook. Its almost going on one year since the market has changed for buyers and realtors, I will give you my take on it. Real Estate although changed, many things really stayed the same, I…

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Welcome Guys, it has been a while since I last wrote, but the market has drastically changed over the las couple of years. I'm sure if you've been in the market to buy or sell, you know what I'm talking about. Rates have gone up and down, but lately have remained pretty high if we are to average out the last ten years. But as I have always said, fi you can afford to buy a house now, do it. We cant predict how the market will be a year from now, or how high rates will go, or if they will drop. Im sure you've noticed rents have gone up significantly over the last few years as well, so it makes buying a house that much more appealing, why pay high rent if you can pay a little more and own it. 

Now if you're in the market to sell your home, we all know…

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Hey Folks, 


Steven Lartiga-My Awesome Realtor here, with a new way to communicate to you all. I was going to wait until the new year but why wait when we can do it now. Well it's already December, and it feels like this year went by so fast. We have seen many phases of the market over the last 5 years, from not so much demand, to unrealistic levels. Homes have appreciated much faster and higher than ever before and they're only continuing to get higher. The real estate market has been great to those who have bought before 2020, as many got their homes with not only a great market price at the time, but also a low interest rate. We have seen interest rates go from 4 percent to 2.5 percent back in 2020, to now 7.5-8% in 2023. So when they say real…

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If you are ready, waiting might cost you 

I am going to discuss this topic with a few assumptions.

  1.        You want to buy a home  home buying guide
  2.        You are ready to buy, meaning this is the next step
  3.        Financially, you are ready to buy  get a pre-approval
  4.        Again, you want to by a home

My answer to that question is “what are you waiting for?”, obviously you are asking because you are concerned about either interest rates or home values, most likely both.  

So, if it is interest rates that are you concern, this is where you would tell me that (insert number here) months/years ago the interest rates were (insert number here) and that is true. I could play the game and do the same and tell you what they were blank…

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I really like my town

I moved to Kearny in 2006. Five years later, after getting married, we moved to Lyndhurst, NJ and stayed there till we bought our house in Kearny in 2018.

Here are some of the things that I really like about Kearny, NJ

Location: Kearny's location offers many benefits for travelers and commuters. The town is conveniently located near major transportation hubs, making it easy to get around the area and beyond. The airport is just a short 30-minute taxi ride away, making it a great option for those traveling by air. Additionally, the Harrison Path Station and NJ Transit train stop in nearby Lyndhurst( offers free parking), providing a quick and easy 20-30 minute train ride into New York City. Kearny is also conveniently located…

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The mistakes I have seen.

Home buying is a significant investment and a complex process that requires careful planning and preparation. To ensure a smooth and successful home buying experience, it's important to avoid common mistakes that can derail your plans. Here are Five common mistakes to avoid when buying a home and offer advice to help you make informed decisions and achieve your goals.


Not getting pre-approval: Before you start your house hunt, it's essential to get pre-approved for a mortgage. A pre-approval lets you know how much you can afford and helps you understand the mortgage options available to you. It also gives you a better idea of the additional costs you will incur, such as closing costs. This information is critical to help…

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In recent months, the media has been filled with stories of a struggling real estate market. Headlines blare about declining home sales and plummeting prices, painting a dire picture for anyone looking to buy or sell a home. But don't believe the hype. The reality is that the real estate market is thriving, and now is a great time to make a move.

Just this past Saturday I did an open house for a 2 family home.  The house had just come back on the market a few days earlier and since we did not have a lot of time to promote the open house my colleague and I were not sure about the turnout.  We were so busy that we had to extend the open house by 45 mins.  More than 30 sets of buyers came through and these were not the same buyers you would find during…

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Congratulations on taking the first step towards owning your own home! The process of buying a home can seem overwhelming, but with the right knowledge and preparation, it can be a smooth and exciting experience.

First and foremost, it’s important to determine your budget and get pre-approved for a mortgage. This will give you a better idea of how much home you can afford and also make you a more attractive candidate to sellers.

Next, do your research and make a list of the must-have features you want in a home. This will help you narrow down your search and ensure that you find a home that meets your needs and preferences.

When you find a home you’re interested in, it’s important to have a professional home inspector take a look. This will help…

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Be the best buyer you can be!

The importance of speaking with a mortgage rep or broker, and getting a pre-approval cannot be stressed enough.

In fact, it should be one on the 1st things you do, if not the very 1st thing.  This is assuming that you have a general Idea on where you want to buy.  Your desired location’s property taxes are a factor when it comes to pre-approvals.

I do meet buyers every now and then that want to find their house first, then get a pre-approval. This usually does not work out. Learning that a house that you like is not in your price range can be demotivating and delay you in accomplishing what you want. 

Even worse is finding a house, getting pre-approved for the price but since you needed a day or two to get…

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