Camille Miller

In north Jersey usually an attorney. In south Jersey a title company. I recommend always getting an attorney no matter where you're buying. The extra money it costs for an attorney to check over the contract and advise you is priceless in the end.

Recently I signed a purchase contract for a house. The seller came back saying per NJ law there is a grace period of closing dates up to 10 days, which gives them the right to postpone the closing date.

Yes, it true. "on or about" is interpreted as 10 days in either direction. Ask your attorney about your options to recoup your additional costs. At times a buyer can do a "use & occupancy" so they can move in early but not close on the home to help with moving/storage costs. As long as your mortgage extends through the cost date the seller is proposing it is reasonable to postpone under Jersey law.

Don't close without documentation. You are responsible for the permit once you own the house, and the increased taxes should it have been missed in the asssesment. One thing you could do is call the town yourself so you have first hand knowledge of what the town officials say. Hopefully you also had the home inspected and nothing was discovered in the basement. Don't sweat it. Just don't close with out seeing the permit.

Fencing is a zoning issue with your township and each town makes its owe rules. You can call the zoning department and ask what the set backs are. I'm certain the zoning officer or his/her admin will know the exact answer. They may ask for your block & lot number so be prepared.

You know you're from Jersey when ...
You don't think of fruit when people mention "The Oranges."
You know that it's called Great Adventure, not Six Flags.
A good, quick breakfast is a hard roll with butter.
You've known the way to Seaside Heights since you were seven.
You've eaten at a diner, when you were stoned or drunk, at 3 A.M.
You know that the state isn't one big oil refinery.
At least three people in your family still love
Bruce Springsteen, and
you know the town Jon Bon Jovi is from.
You know what a "jug handle" is.
You know that WaWa is a convenience store.
You know that the state isn't all farmland.
You know that there are no "beaches" in New Jersey--there's the shore--and you don't go "to the shore," you go "down the shore." And when you are there, you're not "at the shore"; you are
"down the shore."
You know how to properly negotiate a circle.
You knew that the last sentence had to do with driving.
You know that this is the only "New" state that doesn't require "New" to identify it (try . . Mexico . . . York .. . Hampshire-- doesn't work, does it?).
You know that a "White Castle" is the name of BOTH a fast food chain AND a fast food sandwich.
You consider putting mayo on a corned beef sandwich
a sacrilege. (OR NOT!)
You don't think "What exit?" is very funny.
You know that people from the 609 area code are "a little different." Yes they are!
You know that no respect able New Jerseyan goes to Princeton... that's for out-of-staters.
The Jets-Giants game has started fights at your school or local bar.
You live within 20 minutes of at least three different malls.
You refer to all highways and interstates by their numbers.
Every year you have at least one kid in your class named Tony.
You know the location of every clip shown in the
Sopranos opening credits.
You've gotten on the wrong highway trying to get out of the mall.
You know that people from North Jersey go to Seaside Heights, and people from Central Jersey go to Belmar, and people from South Jersey go to Wildwood.
It can be no other way.
You weren't raised in New Jersey--you were raised in either North Jersey, Central Jersey or South Jersey.
You don't consider Newark or Camden to actually be part of the state
You remember the stores Korvette's, Two Guys, Rickel's, Nichols, Channel, Bamberger's and Orbach's.
You also remember Palisades Amusement Park.
You've had a boardwalk cheese steak and vinegar fries.
You start planning for Memorial Day weekend in February.
And finally ...
You've NEVER, NEVER, NEVER,
EVER pumped your own gas.