New Jersey Real Estate News

Dec. 16, 2020

The Holidays Aren’t Stopping Homebuyers This Year

The Holidays Aren’t Stopping Homebuyers This Year | MyKCM

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are behind us, yet finding the perfect holiday gifts for friends and family is certainly still top of mind for many right now. This year, there’s another type of buyer that’s very active this holiday season – the homebuyer.

Each month, ShowingTime releases their Showing Index which tracks the average number of appointments received on active U.S. house listings. The most recent index notes:

“The Showing Index reported a 60.9 percent jump in nationwide showing traffic year over year in October, the sixth consecutive month to see an increase over last year.”

Here’s the breakdown of the latest activity by region of the country compared to this time last year:

  • The Northeast increased by 65.5%
  • The West increased by 64.7%
  • The Midwest increased by 55.7%
  • The South increased by 54.7%

Why is the traffic so active?

The health crisis definitely put homebuying plans on pause for many earlier this year. Buyers, however, are in the market and making moves well past the typical busy homebuying seasons of spring and summer.

One of the main reasons buyer traffic has continued to soar in the second half of 2020 is how dramatically mortgage rates have fallen. According to Freddie Mac, the average mortgage rate last December was 3.72%. Today, the rate is a full percentage point lower.

Bottom Line

There are first-time, move-up, and move-down buyers actively looking for the home of their dreams this winter. If you’re thinking of selling your house in 2021, you don’t need to wait until the spring to do it. Your potential buyer is very likely searching for a home in your neighborhood right now.

Posted in News
Nov. 17, 2020

Why Working from Home May Spark Your Next Move

Why Working from Home May Spark Your Next Move | MyKCM
(Previously Posted via Keeping Current Matters)

If you’ve been working from home this year, chances are you’ve been at it a little longer than you initially expected. Businesses all over the country have figured out how to operate remotely to keep their employees healthy, safe, and productive. For many, it may be carrying into next year, and possibly beyond.

While the pandemic continues, Americans are re-evaluating their homes, floorplans, locations, needs, and more. Some need more space, while others need less. Whether you’re renting or own your home, if remote work is part of your future, you may be thinking about moving, especially while today’s mortgage rates are so low.

A recent study from Upwork notes:

“Anywhere from 14 to 23 million Americans are planning to move as a result of remote work.”

To put this into perspective, last year, 6 million homes were sold in the U.S. This means roughly 2 – 4X as many people are considering moving now, and there’s a direct connection to their ability to work from home.

The same study also notes while 45.3% of people are planning to stay within a 2-hour drive from their current location, 41.5% of the people who are citing working from home as their primary reason for making a move are willing to look for a home more than 4 hours away from where they live now (See graph below):Why Working from Home May Spark Your Next Move | MyKCMIn some cases, moving a little further away from your current location might mean you can get more home for your money. If you have the opportunity to work remotely, you may have more options available by expanding your search. Upwork also indicates, of those surveyed:

“People are seeking less expensive housing: Altogether, more than half (52.5%) are planning to move to a house that is significantly more affordable than their current home.”

Whether you can eliminate your daily commute to the office, or you simply need more space to work from home, your plans may be changing. If that’s the case, it’s time to connect with a local real estate professional to assess your evolving needs and determine your path together.

Bottom Line

This has been a year of change, and what you need in a home is no exception. Let’s connect today to make sure you have expert guidance on your side to help you find a home that fits your remote work needs.

Posted in News
Nov. 9, 2020

Is it Safe to Sell My House Right Now?

Is it Safe to Sell My House Right Now? | MyKCM

In today’s real estate market, the buzz is all about how it’s a great time to sell your house. Buyer demand is high, and there simply aren’t enough homes available to buy to meet that growing need. This means now is the time to make a move so you can close the deal on your ideal terms.

Even in today’s strong sellers’ market, there are homeowners who are choosing not to sell due to ongoing concerns around the health crisis, financial uncertainty, and life in general. According to Zillow, here are the top three reasons homeowners who are thinking of selling sometime in the next three years are not putting their houses on the market right now:

  • 34% - Life is too uncertain right now
  • 31% - Financial uncertainty
  • 25% - COVID-19 health concerns

If you identify with any of these, you’re not alone. Whether it’s the future of your employment situation or simply being uncomfortable having guests in your home for showings, life feels a lot different than it did at this time last year. The good news is, real estate professionals have spent the majority of 2020 figuring out how to sell homes safely, and it’s paying off for those who are choosing to move this year.

Real estate agents are doing two things very well to make selling your house possible:

1. Agents Are Implementing Technology in the Process

While abiding by state and local regulations as a top priority, real estate agents are making sales happen safely and effectively by leveraging key pieces of technology. Agents know exactly what today’s buyers and sellers need and how to put the necessary digital steps in place. For example, agents have capitalized on the technology buyers find most helpful when deciding on a new home:

  • Virtual tours
  • Accurate and detailed listing information
  • Detailed neighborhood information
  • High-quality listing photos
  • Agent-led video chats

They’re listening to their audience and leveraging the tools that help buyers get an initial look at a home without having to step inside. This helps reduce the number of people entering your home, so only those who are very seriously interested need to take the next step: in-person showings.

2. Agents Are Facilitating Safe and Effective In-Person Showings

After leveraging technology, if you have serious buyers who still want to see your house in person, agents are following the guidelines set by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and utilizing safe ways to proceed. Here are a few of them, understanding again that the agent’s top priority is always to follow­ state and local restrictions first:

  • Limiting in-person activity
  • R­­­equiring guests to wash their hands or use an alcohol-based sanitizer
  • Removing shoes or covering them with booties
  • Following CDC guidance on social distancing and wearing face coverings

Getting comfortable with your agent – a true trusted advisor – taking these steps under the modern-era safety standards might be your best plan. This is especially important if you’re in a position where you need to sell your house sooner rather than later.

As Jeff Tucker, Senior Economist for Zillow notes:

“Homeowners who feel life is uncertain right now may think they can still get a strong price if they delay selling until they have more clarity. The catch is that waiting to sell may raise the cost of a trade-up. This fall's record low mortgage rates, which make a trade-up more affordable on a monthly basis, are not guaranteed to last.”

Bottom Line

In this new era in our lives, things are shifting quickly, and virtual strategies for sellers may be your ideal option. Opening your doors up to new approaches could be game-changing when it comes to selling your house while the market is leaning in your favor. Let’s connect so you have a trusted real estate professional to help you safely and effectively navigate all that’s new when it comes to making your next move.

Posted in News
Nov. 9, 2020

How to Control Pet Fur in Your Home

house pets

Animals are a blessing to a family and can make a wonderful addition to your home. I love them so much I work rescuing animals and my home has become a lively version of Noah's Ark without all of the thunder and lightning. With all of these animals as you can guess pet fur can become an issue if we do not make a point to control it. There is no reason to let fur stop you from adding a pet to your home. 

The best thing you can do to help keep pet fur in your home under control is to start at the source. Brush your puts often to trap shedding fur in the brush before it can shed and spread around your home. This is particularly important in the summertime when our pets are shedding more than normal. 

Keep fleas under control with topicals and prescription internal flea medicines from your veterinarian. This will prevent your pets from scratching and shedding fur all over the house while dealing with a flea. The reduced pet fur is just one of the many reasons to control fleas around and on your pets. 

Get a quality pet vacuum that can handle large amounts of pet fur and trap it with quality filters. Use this vacuum to regularly clean up your floors and upholstery. This will help keep pet fur from taking over your sofa and landing all over you. Remember while it can be tempting to make a, no pets on the sofa rule your pets are not likely to care when you are not around so cleaning up is your best defense. 

A dust mop like Swiffer or a microfiber washable version can help control the pet hair on your hard floors. Hardwood floors often hide pet hair in the groves that are found by the owner's unsuspecting foot. Hard floors are often a source of balls of fur that have gathered together and get blown across the room by the fan like a little tumbleweed. Regular dust mopping can prevent this. If you do not like to dust mop look for a vacuum that can do hard floors as well as carpets. 

Keep a lint roller by the door or in your bag. Even the cleanest home will still have some pet hair that will land on your clothing. This is completely unavoidable unless you have a habit of turning your pets down for a warm snuggle on the way out the door. Instead of stressing if they will get fur on your work clothes clean them up on your way out the door or in your car. 

Look for places that may trap pet fur. This can be simple places like your cat towers and sofa cushions. Make a point to deep clean these areas soften when running the vacuum around other areas of the room those dark corners can easily be forgotten. 

Give your pets a high-quality diet. Excess shedding can often be a sign of nutrient deficiency. Giving your pets a quality balanced diet can help reduce excess shedding and make it easier to control the pet fur in your home.

Posted in News
Nov. 6, 2020

Real Estate Is a Driving Force in the Economy

Real Estate Is a Driving Force in the Economy | MyKCM

As the economy recovers from this year’s health crisis, the housing market is playing a leading role in the turnaround. It’s safe to say that what we call “home” is taking on a new meaning, causing many of us to consider buying or selling sooner rather than later. Housing, therefore, has thrived in an otherwise down year.

Today’s high buyer demand combined with low housing inventory means we’re seeing home prices appreciate at an above-average pace. This demand is being driven by those who want to take advantage of historically low mortgage rates. According to Freddie Mac:

"The record low mortgage rate environment is providing tangible support to the economy at a critical time, as housing continues to propel growth."

These factors are driving a positive impact on the economy as a whole. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the real estate industry provided $3.7 billion dollars of economic impact to the country last year. To break it down, in 2019, the average newly constructed home contributed just over $88,000 per build to local economies. Across the country, real estate clearly makes a significant impact (See map below):Real Estate Is a Driving Force in the Economy | MyKCMIn addition, last week, the Bureau of Economic Analysis announced the U.S. Gross Domestic Product increased at an annual rate of 33.1% in the 3rd quarter of this year, after decreasing by 31.4% in the second quarter. There’s no doubt the growing economy is being fueled in part by the soaring housing market. Experts forecast this housing growth to carry into 2021, continuing to make a big impact on the economy next year as well.

Bottom Line

The American Dream of homeownership has continued to thrive in the midst of this year’s economic downturn, and “home” has taken on a new meaning for many of us during this time.  Best of all, the housing market is making a significant impact as the economy recovers.

Posted in News
May 21, 2020

Virtual Real Estate Services Available During Coronavirus Pandemic

While the government has strictly advised against all public gatherings, with some states even banning open houses and home showings, despite a global pandemic, with proper safety measures in place we must find a way to move forward. The real estate industry has bounced back with effective technological solutions to assist in their transactions and nullify the dangers posed by COVID 19 pandemic.

Any offers submitted on a listing, can now be completed by buyers virtually with the assistance of e-sign or docusign applications. Virtual tours replace traditional open house events and showings, and virtual conferences are being conducted instead of conventional face-to-face introductory meetings. The most popular among buyers are access to 3D virtual tours of houses where the buyer has complete independence to roam around the property virtually and internalize the overall look of a house. Jerry Mac Homes is now proud to offer 3D virtual tours with every listing. If any pre-qualified buyer sees a home that you are interested in but afraid to visit it in person for any reason, Jerry Mac will visit the home and take a 3D virtual tour so you can safely view the home from the comfort of your computer or mobile device.

When buyers place an offer on a home, home inspectors are doing the inspections at the property. Some are now offering Face Time meetings or virtual walk throughs, in order to allow you to view the entire process live. The entire home buying process, including signing of the purchase agreement, can be done electronically. Jerry Mac Homes proudly partners with mortgage lenders in the market who have shifted their entire process online, removing the need to appear physically. Title companies are also having closings in separate rooms that are immediately cleaned or conducting them with homeowners or buyers staying inside their cars. Keeping Home Buyers and Sellers Safe!

Of course, if anyone still wants to be physically involved in the process of viewing the house, by maintaining social distancing and using proper precautions like masks, gloves, and sanitizers, showings and deals can still be carried out safely. But if, for example, you are a buyer interested in Cherry Hill real estate and thinking "who is the best realtor that could offer the complete set of services virtually during this pandemic, you may not need to go farther than this website right here. 

Posted in News
Aug. 12, 2018

Cherry Hill Public Schools 2018-2019 Calendar

The Cherry Hill Public Schools 2018-2019 Calendar has been released.  Check out the school calendar this year! 

The dates below have been revised as of 6/28/18.

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Posted in Cherry Hill
May 3, 2018

Cherry Hill Neighborhoods

 

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April 25, 2018

Holiday Village in Mt Laurel

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Posted in Mount Laurel
April 5, 2018

Best Places to Live in South Jersey

South Jersey refers to the southern part of the state between the lower Delaware River and the Atlantic Ocean. Most of it, if not all, is considered part of the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area. We've picked out the best places to live in South Jersey based on housing prices, employment, crime rates, education, and other important factors. If you are new to the area, or moving from one part of South Jersey to another, we highly recommend checking out these neighborhoods.

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