Harris Sandler-Broker Associate

Gov. Murphy signed A-2685 into law which requires that when a seller discloses awareness of water leakage, dampness, the presence of mold, and more on the property disclosure form, buyers must be provided with the NJ Department of Health's mold guidelines. To comply with the law, which takes effect on May 1, NJ Realtors® updated form #140 in its zipForm Library. https://www.njrealtor.com/zipform/

Your real estate professional can help guide you toward the mortgage that fits your needs.

Types of Mortgages These three general types of mortgages allow for different down payments, terms, and special conditions like including home improvements.

Exposing your home to the broadest group of buyers is important to finding the right buyer.

Priced Right With the Internet being the most popular tool to find a home, sellers should optimize the list price for Internet tools that use rounded dollar amounts.

Even though the mechanics of transferring title to a property is simple, there are many things to consider and professional tax advice is important.

Transferring Property Prior to Death As people approach the inevitable, even if they have a will, the decision to transfer title to real estate prior to death could be an unnecessary expense for the would-be heir.

Your agent can help you find the best choice for you and recommend a trusted mortgage professional.

Low Down Payment Mortgage Options There is a variety of different low-down payment options available to home buyers which have qualifications that vary based on the loan and the borrower.

A $10,325 investment can grow close to $120,000 in equity in seven years in this investment example that allows you to live in it, raise your family, entertain your friends and make money on it at the same time.

Home Leveraged Investment A small down payment in a home can increase dramatically through appreciation amortization creating Equity Build-up.

Make sure you have an update-to-date antivirus and malware application on your computer. But if you do fall victim to a crime, acting fast and contacting the right people is key.

betterhomeowners.com

Our Rent vs Own analysis shows you the difference it is costing you to continue renting.

Rent Own Comparison The investment benefits don't go to the tenant but instead, the owner, whether it is a homeowner or an investor.

Taxpayers involved in discharged debt should consult early with their tax advisor to determine the effect.

Mortgage Forgiveness Normally, debt forgiven is considered income but qualified principal residence indebtedness is excluded through 12/31/20.

Your real estate professional can suggest which types of improvements are best for resale value and recommendations on trusted service providers.

Home Renovation Home renovation TV shows are more entertainment than instructional.

I'm ready to help you find your dream home.

Perfect Match A real estate agent is a matchmaker who introduces you to homes until you fall in love with one.

We can help with a recommendation of a trusted roofer.

Roof Leaks A quick inspection can indicate whether you have issues that need attention.

Things that work in a buyer's market will not work in a seller's market.

Make Your Best Offer FIRST This strategy is not about trying to negotiate the best price; it is about beating out the competition and buying the home.

It may be confusing but pre-qualification and pre-approval are NOT the same thing.

Pre-Approval Is Good for Everyone Pre-approval benefits both the buyers and sellers and could be the difference in an accepted offer.

One question becomes: will you stay in the home long enough to recapture the cost of the points?

What is a Point? A point is one-percent of the mortgage amount paid to a lender to reduce the interest rate.

A tape measure and a small finishing nail can be a helpful first step if you don't have a device made for the job.

Find a Wall Stud These tips can save time and keep you from putting unnecessary holes in the wall when looking for a stud.

Before you receive any contracts, have a discussion with your agent about potential liability from accepting letters accompanying an offer to purchase.

BEFORE you accept the buyer's letter Accepting a letter from a buyer personalizing the offer being made could expose a seller to a fair housing complaint.

The homeowner can select the carrier for his homeowner insurance, but the lender determines the carrier for the mortgage insurance.

Home Insurance and Mortgage Insurance Many homeowners with mortgages pay for both types of insurance but only one of them protects the owner.

It does require Mortgage Insurance Premium for the life of the loan which should be considered.

FHA Streamline Refinance Refinancing a home with an existing FHA loan is much simpler with less costs than using a conventional loan.

Let me recommend a trusted mortgage professional who works our area and you can talk with.

Pre-Approved First It's always been recommended to be pre-approved but with the low inventory situation, it should be the first thing a buyer does.

Some lenders are not setup to accept bi-weekly mortgage payments

Way to Prepay a Mortgage Regardless of which method is used, the borrower needs to check with the lender to see that the extra principal is applied properly.

If you received relief as defined by the CARES Act, your servicer or creditor is required to report your account as current.

Free Credit Reports Weekly credit reports are available free of charge through Experian, Equifax and Transunion until April 2021.

For entirely different reasons, there are other homeowners who are trying to weigh the pros and cons of selling their larger home and downsizing.

Moving UP or DOWN Staying at home in 2020 caused of lot of owners to think about how nice it would be to have a larger home to accommodate the additional activities that come along with isolating.

With the pandemic and low inventory in most markets, the online showings are very important.

Types of Showings Each of these three types of showing s contribute to the successful marketing and sale of a home.

The fixed-rate payment is about the same as a 5/1 adjustable and you can get a thirty-year term.

Mortgage Rate History These low rates contribute greatly to the affordability of housing in today's market.

Every reasonable person who lives in the house should know how to handle this quickly.

Homeowner Basics - Turn Off Water Learning where and how to turn off the water before an emergency occurs is important.

For homeowners who normally itemize, the increased standard deduction may result in a higher deduction.

Itemized Deductions 2020 Each year a taxpayer can compare to see whether the standard deduction or itemizing deductions will benefit them the most.

If buying a rental home is on your list to do for 2021, this article will provide some suggestions to help you.

Rental Home Investments The similarity of the working parts of a rental home and the home you live in give an investor an edge to understanding what makes it work.

The rules are simple and you can get more information from IRS publication 523 or your tax professional.

Excluding the Gain Being able to exclude the gain up to certain limits is a big reason that homes are considered a good investment.

When it comes to financing terms, APR does not stand for April.

Annual Percentage Rate APR is the annual cost of a loan to a borrower including fees connected to the loan