December 2023 Real Estate update

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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Should I wait to buy my home?

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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What I like about Living in Kearny, NJ

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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What is really going on with the Real Estate Market?

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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Knowing when to buy or sell your home

Life of a realtor

Being a Realtor means that people always ask you if NOW is a good time to buy or sell. This is not just at the obvious places such as my office or a listing appointment, but everywhere. I mean everywhere. Weddings, BBQs, in line at the post office, even in my own house from the guy fixing my fridge. I do not mind it at all. Especially since I enjoy talking about Real Estate.

Usually, they are expecting me to bring up some statistics demonstrating the strength or weakness of the current market. I don’t, at least I don’t START with that.  Why?  If someone is thinking of buying or selling THEIR home, their reason almost always has nothing to do with the market, and I rather discuss that.  

Here are some reasons why 

Why you want…

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Lasting Impressions

Defying conventional wisdom that holds that retirees either downsize their homes or move to a more favorable climate, seniors are now tending to "age in place", Three quarters of the people age 45 and over surveyed by AARP indicate that they will stay in their current homes as long as they can. With this emphasis on stability in mind, buyers with young families may want to select a home that speaks to more than their immediate needs. This selective approach to home buying may include a preference for ranch style homes that can accommodate older adults with limited mobility. It also may pay to view bedrooms with an eye toward converting them to hobby rooms and offices once the children leave the home.

HINT: Buyers with young families and long-term…

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Something in the Air?

Sellers must rely on their agents' recommendations to point out things that they can do to make their homes more attractive to prospective buyers. This includes removing sources of unpleasant odors that sellers may have grown so accustomed to that they are unaware that they pose a problem. People searching for homes often find themselves assaulted by the scent of cigarette smoke and cooking aromas that permeate the walls, floors, and furnishings. If sellers do not undertake deep cleanings, rug replacement, and other procedures needed to remove odors from their houses, they risk losing sales. Unpleasant odors can not only increase the time that a home spends on the market, they can reduce the sale price.

Hint: Air fresheners only mask odors. To…

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Interesting

As interest rates on home mortgages have hovered at or near record low levels in recent years, prospective buyers and sellers have both derived potential benefits. For buyers, a low 30 year fixed mortgage rate means that they will be able to afford the most house for their money. For sellers, this greater buyer affordability translates to higher asking prices. However, as they as, "good things do not last forever." As the Federal Reserve continues to hint at the direction that interest rates will take, there is nowhere to go but up. The only question is, "When"?  According to a National Association of Realtors' forecast, rates will reach 5.3% in 2016. Can you afford to wait?  Give Rosa Agency, Inc. a call to discuss the home buying process 201-997-7860.

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