Piscataway, NJ

Is this a good time for first time home buyers to consider a Piscataway home in New Jersey? It's a familiar question with the economy in the state it is in. Here are a few reasons why a home is still a great investment for first time home buyers.

Pride of OwnershipThis will never go away no matter what the economy is like. Owning your own home is the American dream for a reason. It just feels good to take care of a Piscataway home that's yours and yours alone.

Tax Incentives

Owning your own home is one of the best tax deductions. The new stimulus plan makes that tax incentive better than ever before. Not only can you deduct your interest payments on your tax forms this year and for every year during the life of your mortgage, the stimulus plan allows a huge homebuyer tax credit of $8,000 for homes purchased in 2009 by first time home buyers.

Your property taxes are deductible too. Many first time home buyers understand that they can deduct the mortgage payment interest but don't realize they can declare their property tax as well for an even bigger yearly deduction.

Equity

Yes, even now, you will begin to build equity with each year you're in your new home. Equity improves your credit worthiness and gives you options for loans in the future if you need them.

Take the first step toward buying a new home and contact me. I'll help you find the perfect place for you and your family. And, I'll help you get it at a great price.

Cathy Chaudemanche

Whether you are new to home buying or an experienced home buyer, you should take a minute to read this information before you set out to look for your new Piscataway home in New Jersey.

Look Before You Leap
Anyone who has bought a home in the past knows how good one can look when you walk through it. Even after you close on the sale and move in, all looks good, for a while. Then you begin to notice the little things. Things you should have known to look for when viewing. Be sure to have your home thoroughly inspected by a professional home inspector.

Avoid Problems at Closing
Title company issues can put a damper on your closing and possibly cause you to be without a home. How? Once your current home is sold and the new owners want to move in, you'll be looking for a place to live until you can get the closing issues resolved. Or, if you're renting and your lease is up, you'll need to get out or sign for another term. Work with a professional real estate agent who can successfully guide you through the home buying and home closing process.

Avoid First-Time Buyer Mistakes
Beyond the hidden problems of a home there are typical first time buyer mistakes to avoid when looking for your Piscataway home such as:

· How to estimate the cost of fixing up an older home.

· How to negotiate a better price and terms.

· The burdens of a long commute and how to decide how far is too far.

Buying a new home is fun and exhilarating, if you do your homework first to avoid making costly mistakes.
Whether you just want a recommendation for a professional home inspector or are looking for a new Piscataway home, I can help.

Cathy Chaudemanche

Which loan you'll use to buy Piscataway real estate in New Jersey may be one of the most important financial decisions you'll make. It's easy to get overwhelmed and intimidated by the lenders and the mortgage brokers. You need to know your rights when choosing a loan and a lender so you can be comfortable with the decision you make.

· You can shop around for the best rate and loan package. If you aren't happy with the deal the mortgage broker has put together for you, you are under no obligation to accept the loan.

· You have the right to know all the fees included in the loan. The lender has to give you a Good Faith Estimate of all the loan charges and fees, including the final amount you will pay in interest if you make all the payments as scheduled.

· You have the right to know in advance what fees will not be refunded to you if you cancel the loan.

· You have the right to ask your mortgage broker what he/she is being paid by the lender for arranging the loan.

• You have the right to know exactly why a loan was declined.

Make sure that you know your rights when shopping for a Piscataway real estate mortgage. You don't want to fall victim to predatory lending. Some signs of predatory lenders are:

· An appraisal value that is much higher than the value of similar houses in the neighborhood.

· A loan officer who tries to get you to accept a loan for an amount that you know you won't be able to repay.

· Being asked to sign a document with blank areas. You will be responsible for whatever terms are written into the blank spaces. Cross through any blank places, or write not applicable in the blank.

• A loan officer who asks you to exaggerate your income or reduce your debts to get loan approval.

Take the time to ask questions and get a second opinion of your loan offer from a reputable real estate professional or real estate attorney.

Need help understanding mortgage and real estate terms? Subscribe to my blog today! Or Bookmark my main Blog Here. You'll get also money saving home maintenance and staging tips, local real estate tips, info and statistics 4 to 6 times a week.

Cathy Chaudemanche
Realtor Associate/Keller Williams Realty
Metuchen, NJ
Servicing Home Buyers and Sellers in Middlesex County, NJ
http://www.YourHouseFast.com

Are you considering buying a fixer-upper in order to get a great deal on Piscataway real estate? If you are able to make a few home improvements yourself, you may be able to save thousands on the purchase price of investment property.

Several things are important to think about before you buy that fixer-upper. The first is the condition of the house. Some repairs are so expensive and difficult to make that you might not be able to recoup your initial investment. Basic repairs that you can reasonably expect to complete are:

· Removing old wallpaper, patching the walls and painting the interior and exterior.

· Replacing worn-out flooring and carpet.

· Repairing any broken windows or light fixtures, including ceiling fans.

If you venture too much farther into home improvement territory, you may find that you bit off more than you can chew. As a rule, heating and central air conditioning repairs are expensive. Similarly, foundation repair and re-roofing are usually too much for the average handyman to tackle.

Other projects that are often not cost-effective are complete kitchen and bathroom remodeling and replacing the main plumbing of Piscataway real estate. Any improvement that involves building an addition or tearing out walls probably won't have a good return on your money.
After you find that fixer-upper in just the right state of disrepair, too derelict to catch anyone's attention, but without any repairs beyond your abilities, you'll want to make sure that the location is good.

To get the best return on your Piscataway investment, you need to find a fixer-upper with the right combination of location and condition.

Need help understanding mortgage and real estate terms? Subscribe to my blog today! Or Bookmark my main Blog Here. You'll get also money saving home maintenance and staging tips, local real estate tips, info and statistics 4 to 6 times a week.

Cathy Chaudemanche
Realtor Associate/Keller Williams Realty
Metuchen, NJ
Servicing Home Buyers and Sellers in Middlesex County, NJ
http://www.YourHouseFast.com

If you're putting up your Piscataway home for sale, you're probably thinking about what you need to do to get it sold. Here is a short list of do's and don'ts to help you along your way:

Do's

· DO take pictures of every room of your house. Look each picture over with a fresh eye; see what needs to be done to the rooms.

· DO clean, clean, clean. What may look like "family clutter" to you may also turn the buyer off.

· DO replace hinges that are broken or worn, tighten doorknobs, etc. Buyers going through the house will open doors and cabinets. Having a doorknob come off in your hand is a definite deterrent to buying.

· DO fix cracks and watermarks. You don't want to give potential buyers the idea that you still have plumbing problems.

· DO take the time to stage your Piscataway home for sale. This can shorten the time it takes to sell, as well as raise the asking price.

Don'ts

· DON'T spend a lot of money on major upgrades unless you have to. While you may have to replace a water heater that's trying to quit, you don't have to replace a carpet in fair condition- just get it cleaned.

· DON'T be stuck on one price. The real estate market changes constantly. Having a set price may get your home stuck on the market.

· DON'T use your tax appraisal as an estimate for your New Jersey home's value. Compare your home to those in the neighborhood that have sold for a better estimate.

· DON'T pack until the sale is complete. If you absolutely have to, pack smaller things and hide the boxes.

• DON'T follow the potential buyers through the house. This can cause them to feel they need to move through quickly, which lessens the chance of them buying.

Putting up your Piscataway home for sale can be hard, especially if you've lived there for a long time. However, following these tips can help make the process a little easier.

Need help understanding mortgage and real estate terms? Subscribe to my blog today! Or Bookmark my main Blog Here. You'll get also money saving home maintenance and staging tips, local real estate tips, info and statistics 4 to 6 times a week.

Cathy Chaudemanche
Realtor Associate/Keller Williams Realty
Metuchen, NJ
Servicing Home Buyers and Sellers in Middlesex County, NJ
http://www.YourHouseFast.com