Catherine "Cathy" Chaudemanche Team - Central Jersey Homes

Coming Event- Comprehensive Home Buying Workshop

-Registration not required but strongly suggested, free admission, refreshment will be served-

Various Middlesex County professionals will present in an easy to understand format current and specific information you need to know as a Middlesex County home buyer. Including local down payment programs, mortgage programs, government incentives, etc...

Learn More...OR Register Now

Metuchen Chamber of Commerce

Cathy Chaudemanche
Realtor Associate / Keller Williams Elite Realty
Servicing Home Buyers and Sellers with their Real Estate needs in Middlesex County and central New Jersey.
Piscataway Real Estate, Edison Real Estate,

When buying a home in Piscataway, New Jersey, of course everyone wants to work with a dynamic Piscataway real estate agent. But sometimes, it's hard to know not only what talents you want in a real estate agent but also what you really need. While Piscataway real estate agents differ, there are five traits you definitely want the agent you choose to work with to embody.

1. Marketing skills - You need to work with a Piscataway real estate agent who knows the ins and outs of real estate marketing. If you are selling your home, your agent should know how to market your home both offline and on the web for maximum online exposure. If you're buying a home, your agent should be aware of the latest and greatest homes on the Piscataway market.

1. Negotiating flair - Once you decide on a property, you don't want to overspend. A good agent will have the skills to get you the best deal around. With a good negotiator, you can have peace of mind knowing you won't be taken advantage of.

1. Experience - This is understood. If you're working with Piscataway real estate agents, you want them to be experienced.

1. Good listening skills - If an agent doesn't listen to exactly what you want, then there's no way he or she can give you the service you deserve. A Piscataway real estate agent with excellent listening skills is necessary if you want your goals met.

1. Dedication - No matter how much experience or skills a real estate agent has, it's essential that you choose someone who is ready to put in the time and commitment needed to get your deal done.

There are many Piscataway real estate agents from which to choose. And you'll want to interview several agents to figure out the one who's right for you.

Cathy Chaudemanche
Realtor Associate / Keller Williams Elite Realty
Servicing Home Buyers and Sellers with their Real Estate needs in Middlesex County and central New Jersey.
Piscataway Real Estate

Buying a home can be a life-changing experience. Whether it's your first piece of North Edison Real Estate or your third, take some time to assess all the ups and downs that are part of such an expensive purchase. Here are a few tips to help prevent negative emotions such as buyer's remorse from getting you down:

1. Before Looking for Your North Edison Real Estate, Do Your Research

One of the best ways to prevent home buyer's remorse is to conduct thorough research in the beginning. Know how much house you can afford. Consult an Edison real estate professional and visit different neighborhoods. Check out school districts. Bottom line - go over as many details as possible before putting down your hard-earned cash.

2. Be Honest With Yourself

Although you may love that charming North Edison real estate fix-upper located in a great neighborhood, do some soul searching and be honest with yourself. If you know in your heart that to make yourself happy you'd need to do a complete remodel project, maybe you should keep searching. The reality is that you could wind up taking on more than you really want to.

3. Don't keep Looking at Other Homes

Just like fashions, home designs can change over time. There will always be something newer, bigger, more contemporary - you name it! So if you continue to look at other homes long after you've made your purchase, you may never feel satisfied with your property.

4. Stop Asking for Opinions

Everyone's situation is different, especially when it comes to homes and decorating styles. And remember, you didn't buy this Edison real estate to please everyone else. You bought it to please yourself. So if you're happy with your purchase, don't concern yourself with everyone else's opinions. They will just make you doubt your choice.

Before you start feeling remorseful and questioning your real estate buying decision, remember to focus on your original list of wants and needs. Remind yourself that you met the majority of your criteria when purchasing your Edison real estate. Be content. You're living in your dream home.

Cathy Chaudemanche
Realtor Associate / Keller Williams Elite Realty
Servicing Home Buyers and Sellers with their Real Estate needs in Middlesex County and central New Jersey.
Edison Real Estate

If you have a Piscataway home Mortgage in New Jersey, you're probably trying to figure out how you can save money. One of the best ways to add a bit of cash back into your pocket is create a budget, and work on paying off your home mortgage early. With a little research and a lot of focus, you can be mortgage free sooner.

1. Make Additional Monthly Payments On Your Piscataway Home Mortgage

One of the easiest ways to pay off your home mortgage is to simply make extra payments towards your principal balance. This helps decrease interest over the years, which helps you pay off your mortgage loan at a faster rate. You could pay as little as $100 extra a month and make a huge difference in the amount of interest you'll pay over the life of your loan. Use a mortgage calculator to check out figures and help you get an idea of how much you could save over the years.

When you make principal only payments, be sure to write a separate check and write "Principal Pre-payment Only" and your account number in the memo area of the check. Also enclose a letter instructing the mortgage company to apply this to pay down your principal balance. If you don't do this, the bank may apply it to your next mortgage payment instead of just to your principal. If you are paying your Mortgage online, you might have an option for additional payment to your principal.

2. Pay Bi-Weekly Your Piscataway Home Mortgage

Another way to pay off your Piscataway home mortgage early is to pay twice a month, or bi-weekly. Paying bi-weekly could potentially subtract up to nine years off your loan. You simply make two smaller payments, instead of one big one. Therefore, you save a significant amount of money in interest charges.

However, if your loan company requires that you pay a fee to pay bi-weekly, or if they require that you switch plans whereby you are required to make a bi-monthly payment, don't do it.

Instead, stick with your current monthly payment schedule and simply pay more on your principal each month as described above. This way you'll still save a significant amount of interest, but you won't be locked in to making bi-weekly payments. If you run into a rough patch, you can go back to paying your normal monthly amount. This keeps your options open, rather than being locked in if you converted to the bi-weekly payment plan.

3. Refinance Your Loan

When you refinance, the goal is usually to get a lower home mortgage payment. But if you want to pay off your mortgage early, you could refinance, get a lower interest rate, but continue to make the same payments you were initially paying on your previous loan. This would allow you to pay more on your interest charges, and ultimately shorten the life of your loan.

When trying to pay off your Piscataway home mortgage early, you have several options. Just make sure to thoroughly research all the available plans of action until you find the one that's right for you.

Looking for timely and insightful mortgage and real estate information? Bookmark my Middlesex County Real Estate Blog today! You'll get 5 times a week local real estate commentaries, statistics and more.

Cathy Chaudemanche

Selling a home requires preparation. While there are many things to consider, one of the first things you should do is to ensure that your home makes a great first impression. That's why it's important to de-clutter in an effort to prepare your Metuchen home for sale.

1. Start with the kitchen

Potential buyers will open drawers and cabinets. So, be sure to de-clutter your pantry, cupboards and drawers. Throw away trash and unsightly items. Organize things such as pots, dishes and utensils for a fresh, tidy appearance.

2. Organize your closet

We've all been there. You have company coming over and the quickest way to clean up is to throw everything in a closet. While this may be okay if you're having a visit from friends, it's not okay if you're preparing your Metuchen home for sale. Buyers want to see everything, so don't forget to organize your closet. Make sure all clothes are folded neatly or on hangers, and if you have carpet, make sure to vacuum. If your closet is stuffed, remove clothing you rarely wear and either give it away, sell it or neatly store it.

3. Make bathrooms shine

Nothing's worse than a dirty bathroom. This is an extreme turn off for buyers. You want your property to have the look of a model home. This means clearing off countertops and removing personal items, in addition to cleaning showers, bathtubs, toilets, floors and mirrors.

4. Remember the outside

Curb appeal is the first thing buyers see when they visit your property. If buyers view a driveway filled with kid's toys, unsightly lawn furniture and an un-kept lawn, they may turn away without bothering to go in. Pick up around the outside of your house. Plant a few flowers and keep your lawn trimmed.

These small changes can give the appearance of a well-maintained, clutter-free home. If you want your property to stand out from the competition, follow these easy steps to prepare your Metuchen home for sale.

Looking for timely and insightful mortgage and real estate information? Bookmark my Middlesex County Real Estate Blog today! You'll get 5 times a week local real estate commentaries, statistics, tips and more...

Cathy Chaudemanche
Realtor Associate / Keller Williams Elite Realty
Servicing Home Buyers and Sellers with their Real Estate needs in Middlesex County and central New Jersey.
Metuchen Real Estate