Buying a home can be an overwhelming process! I'm here to help you by not only being your REALTOR, but also by providing you with as much information as possible so that you can make an educated decision in the buying process.
I'm happy to provide you many on-line resources so that you, as a BUYER, can find relevant information for your property search in Margate, Ventnor, Longport and Atlantic City and surrounding areas of Somers Point, Linwood, Northfield, and Egg Harbor Township, NJ. There is also information to help you stay current with local news, mortgage interest rates & calculators, community information, and many other useful resources.
Buying a property is probably the biggest investment you will make in your lifetime. I want you to be comfortable with your decision and feel as if you have the information needed to make it with comfort. Of course, if you are not finding what you need, don't hesitate to contact me. I am happy to help you throughout every stage of the home buying process.
Click on our links below to start your search. I have provided information here that is local to Margate, Ventnor, Longport, Atlantic City and surrounding areas.
Get Pre-qualified for a Mortgate BEFORE You Start Actively Shopping for Properties:
Obtaining financing is one of the most critical parts of a real estate transaction. As a buyer, it is important to do your research and get pre-qualified BEFORE you start actively looking at properties. Getting pre-qualified is important, because it saves you time by allowing you to focus on properties you know you can afford. In addition, it helps your offer to be accepted over other offers from non-qualified buyers, because then the seller will know he is not wasting time negotiating with you. Sellers don't want to waste their time if you truly cannot afford to buy the property being offered.
Make Sure You Use a NJ Licensed Home Inspector for YOUR Home Inspection
Effective December 31, 2005, all individuals performing home inspections in New Jersey are required by state law to be licensed. The licensing law sets education, training and experience requirements, prescribes a standard of practice for home inspections, and mandates that home inspectors refrain from unethical behavior. Additionally, it requires that home inspectors carry a minimum of $500,000 in E&O insurance, have specific tools and equipment, and include their name, street address, and license number in all print and on-line advertising and promotion, and vehicle signage.
Despite the full implementation of the licensing law, many individuals are still performing home inspections without the mandatory state license. Some are flagrantly violating the law by packaging "free" home inspections with other services, while others are simply unaware that they need to be licensed.
As a homebuyer, you need to be sure that the person you have chosen to perform your home inspection service is state-licensed. This is for your protection. Besides being assured that the home inspector is looking after your best interests, it provides protection in the event that you have a claim against the inspector at a later date. Many unlicensed inspectors have no errors and omissions insurance, and those that do will be likely disclaimed by their insurance company once it is discovered that they are practicing in violation of state law.
To find out if the home inspector you want to use is licensed in the state of New Jersey go to Click Here. This will take you to the New Jersey State Consumer's Affairs Site that handles all licensees in the of New Jersey.
NJAR and Legislators Shift Focus from Budget to Property Taxes
In July New Jerseys legislative leaders and Governor Corzine resolved the budget stalemate and approved a budget for fiscal year 2007. Go to the NJAR FY 2007 Budget web page at http://www.njar.com/private/2007Budget Proposal.shtml for more information on the new budget measures NJAR was following.
The issue of property tax relief was central to the budget negotiations. The compromise that broke the stalemate increases the sales tax to 7 percent and puts half of the one percent increase aside for property tax relief. A constitutional amendment to dedicate the annual revenue from .05 percent of the increase to property tax relief was introduced in both houses. Both houses must wait 20 calendar days before voting on the amendment.
This will be a busy summer at the statehouse. Governor Corzine will address a joint session of the Legislature on July 28, the same day legislators are able to vote on the constitutional amendment. This special session of the Legislature will be dedicated to property tax reform.
NJAR believes New Jersey homeowners need relief from rising property taxes. For an update from NJAR go to www.njar.com.
WHAT TO EXPECT, AND NOT EXPECT, FROM A HOME INSPECTION
(Note: This article pertains to home inspections in New Jersey, but is nonetheless applicable to other jurisdictions.)
Home buyers have a lot to think about when shopping for a new home. Questions like, "Is this the best deal?", or, "Can I afford it?", or, "Will I be happy owning this home?" are common. Once an agreement of sale is signed, hopefully these questions have been answered, but then there are likely a new set of questions, like "Will my mortgage be approved?" Or, "Is the home I am buying in good condition?" A professional home inspection is intended to be the means by which a home buyer can gain a measure of additional comfort in answering this last question.
While most buyers know that a home inspection is part of the "due diligence" process of a home purchase, many buyers don´t fully understand what a home inspection involves. The assumption may be, incorrectly, that a home inspection will uncover any and all issues that would make a home less-than-perfect. This assumption can provide buyers a false sense of security, and provide unrealistic expectations as to conditions. The intent of this article is to provide some answers, help guide your expectations and educate you in what you should expect from a home inspection. To read the rest of this article, please Click Here
