Bergen County NJ Real Estate Blog

Recently we learned that the Fed had cut its federal funds rate once again to 4.5%.  What followed in the news was a flood of technical financial jargon, which just confuses many people rather than helping them understand how the change affects them. 

Luckily for those who did not major in finance, BankRate.com has put together a handy “What The Fed Said” translator of the Fed’s news release!  Check it out here and remember that an experienced Realtor can always refer you to a reputable lender, who can help you decide the best way to finance your home purchase. T

o learn more about Bergen County NJ real estate, please call me at 201-930-3070 or visit PaulaClarkRealtor.com.  To begin searching for Knox

County

OH homes please use my complimentary MLS search.

Fall is in full swing, and winter sports in Old Tappan have started to have tryouts for when they officially begin.

Northern Valley of Old Tappan’s Basketball Varsity is going to have an exciting year.                  With Dennis Rossi as Head Coach, and a selectively chosen starting 5, I have faith that this will be a winning year for Old Tappan.  I will keep you posted with all of the updates with each game, and the scores.  You can read it right here.

Attached is the schedule for the year.  Love to see you at the games. 

May your Thanksgiving be blessed with the bounty of the season and the love of family and friends! 

We’ll be back next week with more of the latest Bergen County NJ real estate news and information!  In the meantime, please feel free to contact me at 201-930-3070 or visit PaulaClarkRealtor.com.

Temporary problems in the mortgage market are expected to free some pent-up demand, but disrupted existing-home sales and distorted prices on sales closed in September, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Even so, prices continued to rise in some area. Because of this and other factors, total existing home sales fell 8% and are 19% below the level that they were in September 2006.

Lawrence Yun, NAR senior economist, said the decline is understandable. “Mortgage problems were peaking back in August when many of the September closings were being negotiated . . . the good news is that mortgage availability has markedly improved in recent weeks . . .”

Click here to read the full article, and remember that the Bergen County NJ real estate market is always changing from month to month and neighborhood to neighborhood. To find out the latest market trends or learn more about Bergen County NJ real estate, please visit PaulaClarkRealtor.com or call me at 201-930-3070. To begin searching Bergen County NJ homes, please use my complimentary MLS search.

Winter is finally upon us, and it seems like it is dark out before most of us are even home from work.  During the winter months our homes can seem darker than usual, but there are ways to use natural light to brighten things up.  Money Magazine recently published a list of “Do’s” and “Don’ts” for adding light to any home – among the topics covered are: 

• Skylights (pick ones that open and choose carefully where to put them)
• Big windows (install them to showcase your best views, but don’t forget to add small windows above or below them that open)
• Window height (put windows high on the wall, but not tight to the ceiling)
• Window grouping (group several windows together, but don’t separate them with fat supports)
• Window shades (install shades in windows that face east, west, and south; avoid using UV-inhibiting coating)

Adding natural light is a great way to increase the value of your home.  To receive a complimentary comparative home value analysis, click here.  For more information about Bergen County

NJ real estate, please visit PaulaClarkRealtor.com or call me at 201-930-3070. 

Many potential first-time homebuyers put off the purchase of their first home because they simply think they won’t be able to qualify for a loan.  However, applying for a mortgage is very different than it was 10 or 20 years ago – thanks to all sorts of creative financing offers that are available today, many people who are still giving their money to a landlord could be purchasing their own home.

FreddieMac.com has put together a great list of “myths” about becoming a homeowner, and it shows just how feasible homeownership can be for most people.  Here are just a few of the Many Myths About Homeownership:

Myth: You need great credit to become a homeowner.
Fact: You may still be able to buy a home with less-than-perfect credit. And remember, you can improve your credit over time.

Myth: You need to put 20% down to buy a home.
Fact: There are many types of mortgage products and programs that allow low and no down payments. But remember to factor in other costs such as closing costs, property taxes, moving, etc.

Myth: Lenders share your personal financial information with other companies.
Fact: By law, banks and other financial institutions are restricted in their uses and disclosures of information about you. In some situations, you may choose to restrict the disclosure of your information if you don’t want it to be shared.

Myth: You can’t get a mortgage if you’ve changed jobs several times in the last few years.
Fact: Not true. You can change jobs several times and still get a loan to buy a home. Lenders understand that people change jobs. The important thing is to show that you’ve had a stable income.

If you are ready to get on the path to homeownership in Bergen County NJ, please call me today at 201-930-3070 or visit PaulaClarkRealtor.com.  You may also begin searching Bergen County NJ real estate here!