Zillow Advice RSS: Discussion-Guide,All Real Estate Advice Topics,NJ http://www.zillow.com/advice/NJ/all/discussion-guide/ Zillow Advice search results | Zillow Real Estate Prospetive buyer Monroe, nj http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/Prospetive-buyer-Monroe-nj/401094/ I am looking for a single family home in Monroe, nj.<br/><br/>Hows the area for young couples with young kids?<br/>Whats the median income range here?<br/>Hows elementary schools?<br/>Hows prospective future value with so much ongoing construction?<br/>Hows the commute to nyc?<br/>Is this a safe neighborhood?<br/><br/><br \><br \>1 reply Tue, 31 May 2011 00:55:00 GMT http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/Prospetive-buyer-Monroe-nj/401094/ 2011-05-31T00:55:00Z Refinancing after home depreciated http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/Refinancing-after-home-depreciated/490703/ Is it possible to refinance my mortgage, when my home value has depreciated. I originally bought the condo at $305,000 several years ago. Refinanced 3 years back, and got a 30 year fixed rate of 5.5%. But now I still owe about $229,000 and the value of the home is now at about $230,000. Is it possible for me to refinance, with the rates being so much lower these days?<br \><br \>2 replies Fri, 03 May 2013 17:50:00 GMT http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/Refinancing-after-home-depreciated/490703/ 2013-05-03T17:50:00Z Top 10 Home Improvements for This Spring http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/Top-10-Home-Improvements-for-This-Spring/489904/ SPRING is here!&nbsp; Everyone is gearing up for those Spring Home Improvements.&nbsp; This is the <a href="http://realtormag.realtor.org/home-and-design/architecture-coach/article/2013/04/spring-home-improvements-repair-replace-enjoy?om_rid=AAHo2k&amp;om_mid=_BRdprsB8x7cvj0&amp;om_ntype=BTNMonthly" rel="nofollow">Top 10 Home Improvements for This Spring</a> according to The National Association of Realtors.&nbsp; Click on the hyperlink.<br/><br/>Shaun Brandon<br/>REALTOR<br/>[Contact information and hotlinks removed by Zillow moderator. Please see our Good Neighbor Policy.]<br \><br \>0 replies Sun, 28 Apr 2013 18:50:00 GMT http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/Top-10-Home-Improvements-for-This-Spring/489904/ 2013-04-28T18:50:00Z I am waiting for the short sale approval for one year . I have to move from the apart. in May 1. http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/I-am-waiting-for-the-short-sale-approval-for-one-year-I-have-to-move-from-the-apart-in-May-1/489522/ I am waiting for the short sale approval for a year &nbsp;and I don't have it yet. &nbsp;Because of that letter we did not make the closing last week. &nbsp;I clean the house and fixed everything for the CO , I spent the money from my pocket , because we have to move in May 1. &nbsp;We don't have a place to live now. What can we do? &nbsp;When I call my agent she says: &nbsp;"Iam waiting for them" &nbsp;Can you help me? &nbsp;<br \><br \>2 replies Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:05:00 GMT http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/I-am-waiting-for-the-short-sale-approval-for-one-year-I-have-to-move-from-the-apart-in-May-1/489522/ 2013-04-25T16:05:00Z Are there lenders offering conventional loans with less than 10% down? http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/Are-there-lenders-offering-conventional-loans-with-less-than-10-down/481634/ I have excellent credit and credentials and looking to purchase in Hoboken, NJ but don't have the 10% + reserves available. &nbsp;Most properties are considered condos so FHA is not an option as the condos are not registered with the FHA. &nbsp;Any lenders offering a conventional 30 year fixed rate mortgage with less than 10% down?<br \><br \>7 replies Wed, 06 Mar 2013 22:49:00 GMT http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/Are-there-lenders-offering-conventional-loans-with-less-than-10-down/481634/ 2013-03-06T22:49:00Z House on Market for 5 days.... 16 Showings.... But... http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/House-on-Market-for-5-days-16-Showings-But/488802/ We listed our house on Tuesday morning (4/16). It's been 5 days and we've had 16 showings. We have an open house on Sunday. Am I being crazy wondering why we haven't had anyone ask for a second look or received an offer yet? I'm assuming from the amount of showings that the price is where it needs to be. Advice?<br \><br \>15 replies Sat, 20 Apr 2013 19:21:00 GMT http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/House-on-Market-for-5-days-16-Showings-But/488802/ 2013-04-20T19:21:00Z March Sales on LBI 2013 http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/March-Sales-on-LBI-2013/486288/ <div>March 2013 saw some increased avtivty as compared to February. A total of 22 homes sold (compared to 14 in February) so activity has certainly increased! The average price of a single family home is lower, however this is due to the number of storm damaged homes that sold. These homes traded at a lower number due to their conidtion rather than a deperciation in the LBI real estate market. If you look at the sold homes that were NOT damaged in the storm, the average sale price is over $1,000,000!<br/><div>March saw much more activy than past couple of months. A total of 22 homes sold on LBI in March 2013!<br/><div>Single Family Homes<br/><div>18 Sold<br/><div>Average Price: $751,027<br/><div>Average Percentage of Listing Price: 91.3%<br/><div>Average Days on Market:128<br/><div>Condominiums<br/><div>1 Sold<br/><div>Price: $425,000<br/><div>Percentage of Listing Price: 96.8%<br/><div>Days on Market: 143<br/><div>Multi Family Homes (Duplexes)<br/><div>3 Sold<br/><div>Average Price: $634,000<br/><div>Average Percentage of Listing Price: 93.2%<br/><div>Average Days on Market:86.3</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br \><br \>0 replies Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:08:00 GMT http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/March-Sales-on-LBI-2013/486288/ 2013-04-04T16:08:00Z February Sales on Long Beach Island http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/February-Sales-on-Long-Beach-Island/481292/ <div>The month of February saw some interesting activity in the LBI real estate market on Long Beach Island. There were roughly the same number of properties sold in February as January, but the average sale price was lower in February than in January. February sales are broken down below:<div>Single Family Homes<div>12 Sold<div>Average Price: $880,791<div>Average Percentage of Listing Price: 92.9%<div>Average Days on Market:178<div>Condominiums&nbsp;<div>2 Sold<div>Average Price: $545,000<div>Percentage of Listing Price: 93%<div>Average Days on Market: 143<div>Multi Family Homes (Duplexes)<div>None sold in January 2013</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br \><br \>2 replies Mon, 04 Mar 2013 22:08:00 GMT http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/February-Sales-on-Long-Beach-Island/481292/ 2013-03-04T22:08:00Z NJ Property Taxes - The sole reason for the market decline? http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/NJ-Property-Taxes-The-sole-reason-for-the-market-decline/484875/ <div class="comment-body rich-content">I&nbsp;believe property tax levels are a major factor contributing to both the struggling real-estate market and moreover, the current record level of foreclosures in NJ. I hear homeowners say they just can't afford to pay anymore. What is it exactly that they can't afford? Take a look at the average mortgage statement and the amount that goes toward escrow and you will find that answer; it's not the part that goes toward property insurance either. For municipalities it seems that homeowners are an easy stand-still target to pick and fleece from; however, the foreclosures are a manifestation indicating that they are starting to kill off this source of easy revenue. Real estate professionals should be front and center pushing for an effort to implement an effective property tax reform strategy that would roll back the current tax costs.&nbsp;I think that if this was successful, the market would recover almost immediately. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this. I know high taxes aren't news - but the reason I bring it up is because it seems most agents try to avoid discussing this cost until later in the hiouse hunting process. Taxes aren't always disclosed on most Realtor websites; one of the reasons that I love Zillow!</div><br \><br \>0 replies Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:23:00 GMT http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/NJ-Property-Taxes-The-sole-reason-for-the-market-decline/484875/ 2013-03-26T19:23:00Z Ask our community... http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/Ask-our-community/484773/ I did a short sale on a property in florida in April 2009. I fell behind in the payments but managed to work out a short sale with BOA and managed to sell the property. BOA agreed to write off the debt and I was able to move forward. 2 years on I am looking to buy another property, on my credit report it is being reported as a short sale. I recently went into contract on a property hoping to get a mortgage as my 2 year wait was now up. Having a 750 credit score I thought that I was in good shape. My offer was accepted however when we went to process the mortgage it was coming back as showing that the property went into foreclosure status while the short sale was pending. BOA have reported it as a short sale but also added foreclosure pending which is not visible on my credit score until you try to apply for a mortgage and it shows up. I am now not able to get a mortgage for the next 5 years. Is there anyone that can assist on this matter in helping me find a mortgage within the next 30 days, as i need to close on the property. I am putting down 20% of the $430 purchase price.<br \><br \>6 replies Tue, 26 Mar 2013 02:58:00 GMT http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/Ask-our-community/484773/ 2013-03-26T02:58:00Z What is a realistic amount to qualify for two years after a Chapter 7 discharge? http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/What-is-a-realistic-amount-to-qualify-for-two-years-after-a-Chapter-7-discharge/484434/ I received a discharge one year ago. It was a chapter 7. I have since married and have piggybacked off my wife's credit by being placed on her cc's. I also received my own cc with about 2k in credit line. I try to use the card regularly and have paid it down always on time. I am the bread winner in the family. I make 100k a year. I am curious about what I can realistically expect to qualify for in one year (2 years since discharge) with an FHA loan? I believe we will have approx 50k to put down.<br \><br \>4 replies Sun, 24 Mar 2013 00:49:00 GMT http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/What-is-a-realistic-amount-to-qualify-for-two-years-after-a-Chapter-7-discharge/484434/ 2013-03-24T00:49:00Z Expectations from Landlords for Tenants http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/Expectations-from-Landlords-for-Tenants/439888/ BRAND NEW EVERYTHING<em>-[promotion deleted by Zillow moderator. Please see our Good Neighbor Policy]</em><br \><br \>1 reply Sun, 22 Apr 2012 12:26:00 GMT http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/Expectations-from-Landlords-for-Tenants/439888/ 2012-04-22T12:26:00Z listing http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/listing/429387/ why is my listing not on zillow? the address is 528 old post road, wyckoff, nj 07481<br \><br \>2 replies Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:52:00 GMT http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/listing/429387/ 2012-01-20T16:52:00Z Pre-qualifying for a mortgage http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/Pre-qualifying-for-a-mortgage/327917/ <p>Hello,<br/><br/>I currenly live in nyc and work in parsippany but am looking to relocate.&nbsp;Im not sure if I would qualify for a <a href="http://www.zillow.com/mortgage/">mortgage</a> since i have a blemish on my <a href="http://www.zillow.com/mortgage-glossary/Credit-Report/">credit report</a> although my current score is 678.&nbsp; I currently make $53K/yr and my husband makes about $45/yr and am wondering how much house we could afford assuming we can get qualified.&nbsp; we have a current car payment of $600/mo and I'm thinking this is a huge X on our end.&nbsp; Are there any properties in the Denville/Parsippany Troy Hills area that can be rented with an option to buy?&nbsp;</p><br \><br \>7 replies Wed, 24 Feb 2010 04:17:00 GMT http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/Pre-qualifying-for-a-mortgage/327917/ 2010-02-24T04:17:00Z impact of FEMA's BFE to insurance premiums? http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/impact-of-FEMA%27s-BFE-to-insurance-premiums/482968/ What impact will the change in FEMA's Base Flood Elevation have on flood insurance premiums in hudson county? Is this something to consider when buying in Hoboken/Weehawken/Jersey City? Considering a new construction in Hudson county where the ground floor is only a few feet off the ground.&nbsp;<br \><br \>0 replies Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:31:00 GMT http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/impact-of-FEMA%27s-BFE-to-insurance-premiums/482968/ 2013-03-14T19:31:00Z FHA STREAMLINE Refinance Quicken Loans http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/FHA-STREAMLINE-Refinance-Quicken-Loans/482890/ <p>Reposting this as discussing because I can't reply to the ask a question.<br/><br/>I was contacted by quicken loans for FHA streamline Refinance. Here is what the rep quoted me. I know I will be paying about $81.41 more for MIP. Is this worth it? Can I get a better deal out there? I'm trying to close before April 1 (New rules about MIP for life will be in effect starting april 1st). Also according to the rep Quicken is paying for all the closing cost? but my loan balance is increasing because the escrow account.<br/>My current rate is 4.75% Quicken want to give me 3.75%. Located in Bayonne, NJ<br/>.Payoff of Mortgage(s) &nbsp;&nbsp; $282,865.50 &nbsp;&nbsp; .<br/>.Payoff of Other Debt(s) &nbsp;&nbsp; $0.00 &nbsp;&nbsp; .<br/>.Property Taxes Owed &nbsp;&nbsp; $2,405.01 &nbsp;&nbsp; .<br/>.Adjusted Origination Charges &nbsp; $0.00 &nbsp;&nbsp; .<br/>.3rd Party Costs(GFE Lines 3-8)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; $6,359.26 &nbsp;&nbsp; .<br/>.Prepaid/Escrows(GFE Lines 9-11)&nbsp;&nbsp; $3,529.64 &nbsp;&nbsp; .<br/>. &nbsp; .<br/>. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; .<br/>.Total Loan Amount &nbsp;&nbsp; $286,858.00 &nbsp;&nbsp; .<br/>.Actual Good Faith Deposit $0.00 &nbsp;&nbsp; .<br/>.Lender/Promotional Credit $5,434.00 &nbsp;&nbsp; .</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp; .<br/>.MIP Refund &nbsp; $925.44 .<br/>. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Act Cash From Client $1,941.97.<br/><br/>R Payment Comparison T<br/>&nbsp; .&nbsp; Description &nbsp;&nbsp; Proposed&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Present&nbsp; .<br/>&nbsp; .&nbsp; First Mortgage P&amp;I or Rent $1,328.49 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;$1,508.18&nbsp; .<br/>&nbsp; .&nbsp; Other Financing P&amp;I &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; $0.00 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; $0.00&nbsp; .<br/>&nbsp; .&nbsp; Homeowner's Insurance &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; $89.42 &nbsp; &nbsp;$89.42&nbsp; .<br/>&nbsp; .&nbsp; Real Estate Taxes &nbsp;&nbsp; $840.75 &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; $840.75&nbsp; .<br/>&nbsp; .&nbsp; Mortgage Insurance &nbsp; $291.21 &nbsp;$209.80&nbsp; .</p><br \><br \>1 reply Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:22:00 GMT http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/FHA-STREAMLINE-Refinance-Quicken-Loans/482890/ 2013-03-14T14:22:00Z Real Estate Tax Appeal Appraisal http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/Real-Estate-Tax-Appeal-Appraisal/482909/ [Promotion removed by Zillow moderator. Please see our Good Neighbor Policy for more information.]<br \><br \>0 replies Thu, 14 Mar 2013 15:43:00 GMT http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/Real-Estate-Tax-Appeal-Appraisal/482909/ 2013-03-14T15:43:00Z how can ibuy aforeclose home?. http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/how-can-ibuy-aforeclose-home/481775/ 3 replies Thu, 07 Mar 2013 20:01:00 GMT http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/how-can-ibuy-aforeclose-home/481775/ 2013-03-07T20:01:00Z Real estate discussion ? http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/Real-estate-discussion/481362/ What are the real estate marketing tips&nbsp;for&nbsp;successful&nbsp;in that&nbsp;business.&nbsp;<br \><br \>1 reply Tue, 05 Mar 2013 10:30:00 GMT http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/Real-estate-discussion/481362/ 2013-03-05T10:30:00Z Sellers with Septics: Don't Pump your Dump! http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/Sellers-with-Septics-Don%27t-Pump-your-Dump/481223/ SELLERS WITH SEPTIC SYSTEMS: Do not pump your septic before you put your home on the market. &nbsp;The buyer's septic inspector WILL NOT be able to get accurate readings of the tank because the water levels will be too low.&nbsp;<br/><br/>A LAST MINUTE SEPTIC PUMP BY A SELLER &nbsp;IS A RED FLAG TO THE BUYER. &nbsp;If you have maintained the system properly, there is no need to take this last minute measure.&nbsp;<br/><br/>This is the one time my advise to anyone selling a home will be to "Hold onto your c**p! Let the inspector do his job (and God bless him for doing it).&nbsp;<br/>&nbsp;<br/>If you are a buyer of a home with a septic system, you will want to get it inspected. &nbsp; Your agent should have experience working with a few different and very well qualified inspectors. &nbsp;Up here, in northern NJ, there are several very reputable companies who really know their.......<br/><br/>Just give me a shout out and I will be happy to provide those references.<br/><br/>Annmarie Cristiani<br/>Sales Associate<br/>[Promotion and contact information removed by Zillow moderator. Please see our Good Neighbor Policy.]<em><br/><br/><br/></em><br \><br \>2 replies Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:06:00 GMT http://www.zillow.com/advice-thread/Sellers-with-Septics-Don%27t-Pump-your-Dump/481223/ 2013-03-04T16:06:00Z