BankRate.com Reports Lower Interest Rates

30 year fixed-rate mortgage rates drop.

30 year fixed-rate mortgage rates have dropped for the 5th week in a row according to BankRate.com. Interest rates haven't been this low since the end of March.



If you are thinking of buying a home and want to learn how the lower interest rates effect your buying power, contact me or visit me website. Here you can view all New Jersey real estate listings, get the current market value of your New Jersey home and more!

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Buyers Benefit From Market Correction

Slower Market Is Good News For Buyers

Just because the bidding wars of the last few years are over doesn't mean it is not a good time to own a home. In fact, the market correction that is taking place and balancing the market between buyers and sellers is good news for both buyers and sellers. Sellers are still seeing their homes appreciate, just not at the double digit rates of the last few years.

Buyers are benefiting the most, however. There is more inventory giving buyers more choices. Buyers also have more time to mull over their home buying decision. They now have time to sleep on a decision and don't have to fear another buyer will snap up their dream home if they don't act, NOW! Buyers, also, have more negotiating power now than in the recent past. It is not uncommon for sellers to pay closing costs, throw in appliances or paying condo or HOA fees.

Interest rates are up slightly, but are still under 7% which is a far cry from any historical highs.

If you are considering buying or selling a home in New Jersey visit my website and contact me to help you get the most out of your transaction.

Tags: slower market benefits buyers, New Jersey market correction, [tagname]

New Jersey Ranks 13 For Closing Costs

An annual closing cost comparison survey conducted by BankRate.com has ranked New Jersey as 13 in the nation. The survey compared settlement costs from 10 lenders in all 50 states. The average cost for lender, title and settlement costs totaled $3,024. New Jersey's fees to close a loan total $3,158.

New York ranks number one with costs of $3,887 and Missouri came in last with $2,713 in costs. The good news is, New Jersey's 13th place is down from 4th place in 2005.

If you are thinking of buying a home and are interested in getting the lowest settlement costs possible, contact me or visit my website. I will put my expertise to work to help you get the best possible deal!

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Getting NJ Property Taxes Undercontrol

New Jersey property taxes are the highest in the nation. New Jersey also has more mucipialities per square mile than any other state with 21 counties and 566 municipal governments.

Many think one way to control propety taxes is to share services. Consolidation and economies of scale would be reflected in real savings.

Pahaquarry Township merged into Hardwick Township in Warren County in 1997, and the state has nearly 700 shared-services programs involving local governments.

In Somerset County, 17 municipalities, 10 school districts and the county government saved $13.6 million last year through shared services. Manville, Bound Brook, Raritan Borough, South Bound Brook and Bridgewater for instance, share a daytime weekday ambulance service.

Politics, bureaucracy and a desire by residents to have their own schools and communities are reasons that consolidation isn't more widespread.

Elected officials are wary of proposing forced consolidation, and residents have often been hesitant to support it.

What do you think?
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Thinking of buying or selling a home in Central New Jersey? Visit my website to view all real estate listings, get the current value of your home, free reports and more!

Tags: taxes, property taxes, New Jersey, buy, sell,listings, real estate, Jackie Safran, buyer, seller