Jo-Anne Johnson Realtor

Open house this weekend! Sunday December 10th from 1pm to 3pm!

Are you looking for your dream home in an amazing Lake Community? Come check out this gorgeous custom built home in Lake Hopatcong, NJ - listed at $689,900!!

📍407 WILLS AVE - HOPATCONG, NJ

So much to be grateful for. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Moving to Morris County, NJ? I would love the opportunity to help buyers and sellers in this challenging market!

Reach out today!

If your listing expired and your house didn’t sell, you’re likely feeling a little frustrated.

Not to mention, you're also probably wondering what went 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. ShowingTime advises: “. . . do your best to be as flexible as possible when granting access to your house for showings.” It’s simple. If no one’s able to look at it, how’s it going to sell?

- Did You Make Your House Stand Out? When selling your house, the old saying matters: you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Putting in the work to make the exterior of your home look nice is just as important as how you stage it inside. As an article from U.S. News says: “After all, if people drive by, but aren’t interested enough to walk through the front door, you’ll never sell your house.”

- Did You Price Your House Compellingly? Business Insider notes: “. . . the biggest mistake sellers make is overpricing their home.” If your house is priced higher than others like it, it could make buyers lose interest. Pay attention to the feedback people give your agent during open houses and showings. If lots of people are saying the same thing, it might be a good idea to think about lowering the price.

It’s natural to feel disappointed when your listing has expired and your house didn’t sell.
DM me to figure out what happened and what to reconsider or change if you want to get your house back on the market.

Swipe to find out!

Want to know how many homes are available for sale in the Morris County area? What are homes priced at? How long is it taking for homes to sell in our market? These graphs will help you!

Want a local expert on your side during the buying or selling process? Let's talk.

DM me for more info.

The best part of the job is receiving such kind words from a client! Thank you for sharing your experience!

It was my pleasure working with you!

Reaching retirement is a significant milestone in life, bringing with it a lot of change and new opportunities.
As the door to this exciting chapter opens, one thing you may be considering is selling your house and finding a home better suited for your evolving needs.
Fortunately, you may be in a better position to make a move than you realize. Here are a few reasons why.
When you live in a home for such a significant amount of time, it’s natural for you to experience changes in your life while you’re in that house. As those life changes and milestones happen, your needs may change. And if your current home no longer meets them, you may have better options waiting for you.
Consider the Equity You’ve Gained And, if you’ve been in your home for more than a few years, you’ve likely built-up substantial equity that can fuel your next move.
That’s because you gain equity as you pay down your loan and as home prices appreciate. And, the longer you’ve been in your home, the more you may have gained.
As you plan for your retirement, DM me so we can find out how much equity you’ve built up over the years and plan how you can use it toward the purchase of a home that fits your changing needs.

To all the hardworking people out there! Enjoy your day!

The most important skill in real estate is Negotiation - so important to have a strategy to get the Sellers the best price and terms - and for the Buyers to be able to win in a competitive market.
There is a 'psychology of negotiation' that will give sellers and buyers the advantage.

I am excited to have earned the 'Certified Real Estate Negotiator' designation - along with being certified as an Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) /Negotiator from Cornell, I believe these skills are needed throughout a transaction to ensure a successful purchase or sale for my clients.

Only 6 days on the market, extra busy open-house, multiple offers... and we are already UNDER CONTRACT!
So happy for my sellers!

Welcome to this Beautiful Colonial Tudor property situated on a professionally landscaped half acre in desirable Summit section of Basking Ridge.

Exceptional floor plan and entire home hardwood flooring (stairs and upper hall included). Convenient to transit, highways, shopping and restaurants.

Enjoy the pristine, private and serene rear of property from your deck with beautiful landscape design and side wood decorative fencing.

A wonderful community and lifestyle not to be missed!

🏠 Listing price $1,175,000

Morris County market stats by price range!

Although 'days on the market' may be slightly increasing, prices remain strong and sellers still have a great opportunity to sell.

Buyers have less competition and if they are to have their offer accepted, they can refinance when the rates moderate. Win-win for all!!

Curb appeal is so important! Buyers may decide whether to even see the inside based on the condition of the exterior. Little things make a big difference!!

You may have heard some people say it’s better to rent than buy a home right now. But, even today, there are lots of good reasons to become a homeowner. One of them is that owning a home is typically viewed as a good long-term investment that helps your net worth grow over time.

Homeownership Builds Wealth Regardless of Income Level

You may be surprised to learn homeowners across various income levels have a much higher net worth than renters who make the same amount.

What makes wealth so much higher for homeowners? A recent article from Realtor.com says: “Homeownership has long been tied to building wealth—and for good reason. Instead of throwing rent money out the window each month, owning a home allows you to build home equity. And over time, equity can turn your mortgage debt into a sizeable asset.”

Basically, the wealth you accumulate when you own a home has a lot to do with equity. As a homeowner, equity is built up as you pay down your loan and as home prices appreciate over time. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains how this same benefit isn’t true for renters in a recent podcast: “Renters as non-homeowners gain no wealth benefit as home prices rise. That wealth actually accrues to the landlord.”

Before you decide to sign another rental agreement, now is a good time to think about whether it would be better for you to buy a home instead.

If you're not sure whether to keep renting or to buy a home, know that owning a home, no matter how much money you make, can help build your wealth. DM me to get started on the path to homeownership.

Downsizing is a popular choice for homeowners when they retire or when their needs change, but with inflation still high, it’s also a way to reduce costs.

Downsizing could help cut down on your expenses and your equity can fuel your move.

If you’re thinking about moving to a smaller home, DM me to go over your housing goals and look at your options on our local market.

Beautiful Colonial Split with Contemporary Flair situated on over an acre of private and serene property!!

To learn more, reach out today!

You might be worried we’re heading for a housing crash, but there are many reasons why this housing market isn’t like the one we saw in 2008. One of which is how lending standards are different today. Here’s a look at the data to help prove it.

Every month, the Mortgage Bankers Association releases the Mortgage Credit Availability Index. According to their website, “The MCAI provides the only standardized quantitative index that is solely focused on mortgage credit. The MCAI is . . . a summary measure which indicates the availability of mortgage credit at a point in time.”

Basically, the index determines how easy it is to get a mortgage.

In 2004, the index was around 400. But, by 2006, it had gone up to over 850. Today, the story is quite different.

Since the crash, the index went down because lending standards got tighter, so today it’s harder to get a mortgage.

One of the main factors that contributed to the housing bubble was that lending standards were a lot less strict back then. Realtor.com explains it like this: “In the early 2000s, it wasn’t exactly hard to snag a home mortgage. . . . plenty of mortgages were doled out to people who lied about their incomes and employment, and couldn’t actually afford homeownership.”

As mentioned, lending standards have changed a lot since then. Bankrate describes the difference: “Today, lenders impose tough standards on borrowers – and those who are getting a mortgage overwhelmingly have excellent credit.”

The decreasing index suggests standards are getting much tougher – which makes it clear we’re far away from the extreme lending practices that contributed to the crash.

There are plenty of good reasons you might be ready to move. No matter your motivations, before you list your current house, you need to consider where you’ll go next.

>>The Benefits of Newly Built Homes

1. Build your dream home
If you build a home from the ground up, you’ll have the option to select the custom features you want, including appliances, finishes, landscaping, layout, and more.

2. Take advantage of builder concessions
A lot of home builders are working hard to sell their current inventory before they add more to their mix. That means many of them are offering concessions and are more willing to negotiate with buyers.

3. Minimize home repairs
Many builders offer a warranty, so you’ll have peace of mind on unlikely repairs. Plus, you won’t have as many little improvement projects to tackle.

4. Take advantage of energy efficiency
When building a home, you can choose brand-new, energy-efficient options to help lower your utility costs, protect the environment, and reduce your carbon footprint.

>>The Benefits of Existing Homes

1. Explore a wider variety of home styles and floorplans
With decades of homes to choose from, you’ll have a broader range of floorplans and designs available.

2. Appreciate that lived-in charm
The character of older homes is hard to reproduce. If you value timeless craftsmanship or design elements, you may prefer an existing home.

3. Join an established neighborhood
Existing homes give you the option to get to know the neighborhood, community, or traffic patterns before you commit.

4. Move in faster
If you have a short timeframe to move or you just don’t want the process to take several months while your home is under construction, buying an existing home might make sense for you.

DM me to discuss what's available and what's right for you.

If you’re looking to buy a house, you may find today’s limited supply of homes available for sale challenging.

If you need to open up your pool of options, it may be time to consider a newly built home.

According to the U.S. Census, there’s positive news when it comes to new home construction. More new homes were completed and are ready to sell. Builders broke ground and started construction on more single-family homes. And the number of permits for building new single-family homes ticked up.

There are other perks that come with considering a newly built home:

>Customization - When you buy a new home under construction, you can tailor it to your unique needs and taste.

>Brand New Everything - Another perk of a new home is that nothing in the house is used. It’s all brand new and uniquely yours from day one.

>Minimal Repairs - because everything is new, you’ll likely find there are fewer maintenance and repair needs up front.

>Energy Efficiency - Lastly, building a home gives you the opportunity to incorporate more energy-efficient options that can help lower your costs over time – which can feel especially important when inflation’s raising many of the costs around you. If you’re having trouble finding your dream home in today’s market, it may be time to consider newly built homes as an option.

DM me so you have an expert on your side to help you explore what’s available in our local area.

Though the housing market is no longer experiencing the frenzy of a year ago, buyers are showing their interest in purchasing a home.

That activity can be seen in the latest ShowingTime Showing Index, which is a measure of buyers actively touring available homes.

The 62% jump in showings from December to January is one of the largest on record. There were also more showings in January than in any other month since last May.

It's normal for showings to increase early in the year, but the jump this January was larger than usual, and a lot of that has to do with mortgage rates.

Michael Lane, VP and General Manager at ShowingTime+, explains: “It’s typical to see a seasonal increase in home showings in January as buyers get ready for the spring market, but a larger increase than any January before after last year’s rapid cooldown is significant. Mortgage rate activity this spring will play a big role in sales activity, but January’s home showings are a positive sign that buyers are getting back out there . . .”

It's important to note that mortgage rates hovered in the low 6% range in January, which played a role in the high number of showings.

What does this mean?

When mortgage rates eased, buyer interest climbed. The jump in home showings early this year makes one thing clear – while rates may be volatile right now, there are interested buyers out there, and when mortgage rates are favorable, they’re ready to make their move.

If you’re thinking of selling your house, DM me so you’re ready when the time is right for you.

📍 OPEN HOUSE - Toms River, NJ!

Welcome to this absolutely Stunning Glen Ridge model situated on a premium lot where nature and privacy abounds.

Meticulously maintained w/ extensive upgrades throughout, this special property will impress the most discriminating buyer.

One floor living with open floor plan - Gourmet Kitchen with granite, stainless steel appliances - separate breakfast room with glass door access to private and serene rear property. Master Bedroom Suite with luxurious bath - oversize shower w/seating, 2 double closets. Laundry room, 1 car garage and attic access.

Located in a 55+ community close to beaches, shopping, and county parks. Amenities include a large clubhouse, various activities and clubs, and a community pool.

A wonderful community and lifestyle await!

Come join me this Sunday at 5 Randalls Dr. Toms River, NJ!

Senior Transition

If you are the children or family of Seniors who need to consider a transition – whether due to health or that their house is too big, too many stairs, too much ‘winter’, or even NJ taxes – I’m happy to answer any questions you might have.

As a Senior Real Estate Specialist, I’ve learned that when seniors consider selling their home, it can be very stressful and emotional, especially if they have lived in their family home for decades.

There are financial, legal and most of all, personal feelings that affect the decision.

Most aging parents want to ‘age in place’ if possible – there are many mobility enhancements that can be made to a home to make this happen.

At some point, however, if they need to transition, it might be helpful to have a professional assist in the journey.

I am available as a resource to answer your questions or recommend other resources that may be helpful.

After steadily falling over the winter, mortgage rates have started to rise in recent weeks. This is concerning to some potential homebuyers as the combination of higher mortgage rates and higher prices have made homes less affordable. If you’re planning to purchase a home this year, you too may be wondering if now’s the right time to buy or if you should hold off on your search until rates come back down.

The recent uptick in rates has been driven by what’s happening with inflation. Joel Kan, Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), explains:

“Mortgage rates increased across the board last week, pushed higher by market expectations that inflation will persist, thus requiring the Federal Reserve to keep monetary policy restrictive for a longer time.”

>>Advice for Home Shoppers

If you’re thinking about pausing your home search because rates have started to go up again, you may want to reconsider. This could actually be an opportunity to buy the home you’ve been searching for. According to the MBA, mortgage applications declined by 13.3% in just one week, so it appears the rise in mortgage rates is leading some potential homebuyers to pull back on their search for a new home.
So, what does that mean for you? If you stay the course, you’ll likely face less competition among other buyers when you’re looking for a home. This is welcome relief in a market that has so few homes for sale.

Over the last few weeks, mortgage rates have risen. But that doesn’t mean you should delay your plans to buy a home. In fact, it could mean the opposite if you want to take advantage of less buyer competition.

DM me to explore the options in our market.

Before you buy a home, it’s important to plan ahead. While most buyers consider how much they need to save for a down payment, many are surprised by the closing costs they have to pay. To ensure you aren’t caught off guard when it’s time to close on your home, you need to understand what closing costs are and how much you should budget for.

>>What Are Closing Costs?

People are sometimes surprised by closing costs because they don’t know what they are. According to Bankrate:

“Closing costs are the fees and expenses you must pay before becoming the legal owner of a house, condo or townhome . . . Closing costs vary depending on the purchase price of the home and how it’s being financed . . .”

In other words, your closing costs are a collection of fees and payments involved with your transaction. According to Freddie Mac, while they can vary by location and situation, closing costs typically include:

• Government recording costs
• Appraisal fees
• Credit report fees
• Lender origination fees
• Title services
• Tax service fees
• Survey fees
• Attorney fees
• Underwriting Fees

>>How Much Will You Need To Budget for Closing Costs?

According to Freddie Mac, the costs to close are typically between 2% and 5% of the total purchase price of your home. With that in mind, here’s how you can get an idea of what you’ll need to cover your closing costs.

Let’s say you find a home you want to purchase for the median price of $366,900. Based on the 2-5% Freddie Mac estimate, your closing fees could be between roughly $7,500 and $18,500.

It’s important to plan for the fees and payments you’ll be responsible for at closing. DM me so you can feel confident throughout the process.

After the loss of a loved one, families have so much to deal with.

As a realtor trusted by the family to guide them in the sale of the home, it was a true honor to help.

I am so grateful to those who trusted me to guide them through the home buying or selling process during 2022 and made it possible for me to achieve the Gold Level of Circle of Excellence.

The opportunity to earn the trust of the people you work with is everything - at the end of the day, real estate is all about relationships.

Thank you.

Worth reading if you are planning to move!

Why It Makes Sense To Move Before Spring Spring is usually the busiest season in the housing market. Many buyers wait until then to make their move, believing it’s the best time to find a home. However, that isn’t always the case when you factor in the competition you could face with other buyers at that time of year. If you’re ready...