How to Know When Home Improvements are a Bad IdeaThere are many good reasons to spend money to add upgrades to a home. But there are also times when it pays to put the brakes on luxury home improvements. Knowing the difference can not only save you money, but it might save you the heartache of losing hard-earned cash or, in a worst case scenario, losing your home.

It all depends on your reasons for renovation.

Here are some things to consider before you tackle any renovation project:

  • Think about the finished product: A complete kitchen renovation, for instance, might take up to three months or even longer. Just how long can you live without a home-cooked meal? Think about approaching the job in stages, or at least discuss the timeline -- and the disruption -- in detail before the work…

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Putting Down Money For A Down PaymentThe average homebuyer rarely pays the full price for a home outright without working with a lender to secure a mortgage. However, whether is buyer is purchasing their first fixer-upper or an upgraded luxury estate, some money must be paid or put down. The down payment simply is a portion of the purchase price of a home, and it's typically expressed as a percentage. The remainder of the payment to the seller comes from the mortgage secured by the homebuyer.

How Much Do You Need for a Home Down Payment?

For many years, prospective homebuyers were told they needed to have a 20 percent down payment when purchasing a property. According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and a 2017 Aspiring Home Buyers Profile report, 39 percent of…

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Panting Home's FacadeIf you've ever considered painting your home's exterior as a DIY project, you might know how quickly it can escalate into chaos. However, there are some tasks that almost any homeowner can perform. 

Touch up the trim, paint the front door a trendy color, or brighten the shutters with a more compatible hue. The home will have a stylish new look, and you'll gain great satisfaction in addition to saving some money. Furthermore, in a real estate market like Holmdel with a lot of listings, a fresh coat of paint can help a waterfront home stand out from the competition.

Here are some tips for getting professional quality before you get started: 

Choose a Proper Color Palette

Choosing an exterior color palette can be difficult. There are a…

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Summer time means beach time. From summer dresses to hats to even sunscreen, we have you covered as to what to pack in your beach bag.

When Nicole Kidman arrived on the red carpet at Cannes in a show stopping Dior dress made of intricately woven raffia, it confirmed a trend that shows no sign of stopping. The palm fiber material is a natural for summer hats, shoes and bags, and it’s never been more popular.

No one does boho summer vibe better than CJ Laing, the Palm Beach shop (with Nantucket and Siasconset doors as well). Their raffia tote has leather whip stitching, fun tassels and beading. It’s roomy enough to cram in your Kindle, fashion mags, and a bottle of OPI’s Cajun Shrimp nail lacquer—a summer standard for toes. 

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The Importance of a Home Inspection for Home SellersA home inspection is a near-standard part of the home-buying process, from fixer-uppers to upgraded oceanfront homes this offers buyers peace of mind knowing that the investment they plan to make is a good one. But what happens if, as a seller, one of the prospective buyers orders a home inspection and the report comes back poorly? Take a deep breath, and read on. Here are some tips and guidelines to navigate this difficult predicament even in hot markets such as Manasquan, NJ.

Take Time to Plan

Both buyers and sellers want the home buying process to go along as quickly as possible. This means that sellers are provided with a little time to get a home inspection and deal with the results, but sometimes this is not enough. There are a handful…

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What Not to Forget Before Closing on a HouseReal estate is selling quickly these days, especially in hot housing markets such as Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. In some markets, homeowners barely have time to catch their breath between listing and signing a contract. Closings in some areas are equally swift and, no matter how prepared you might be for that upcoming move into your new oceanfront home, there are a lot of details to handle. Here's a preliminary checklist to help smooth the way for you, and to assure that the buyers actually get the house they expect:

Keep Up With Landscape Maintenance 

You may not have much enthusiasm for yard work once you know you're moving on, but there isn't a buyer on earth who wouldn't be disappointed and justifiably upset to drive up to a lawn that's…

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Becoming a Homeowner with a Low Credit ScoreSometimes life takes unexpected twists and turns, and these changes can result in not having the ability to stay current with your bills. Over time, this situation could lead to a lower credit score, and while that might not affect a renter, it’s a big deal for someone who wants to purchase a luxury or waterfront home.

Rather than giving up on the dream of home ownership in Bay Head or surrounding ares, there are many programs available to assist those who have had to overcome challenges with their finances. Let’s explore a few options for home ownership even with a low credit score.

Different Scores For Different Programs

There are many mortgage programs available to help those with less than perfect credit, but two in particular are very…

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Buying a Home with a Septic Tank Buying a home in a some areas, even luxury and waterfront homes, can often mean owning a home with an on-site septic system. With no available municipal sewer service in most rural areas, on-site septic systems provide an efficient, low-maintenance way to handle and process home waste in a sanitary manner. Although designs can vary, depending on the soil, location, and other specific details regarding the home, most on-site septic systems consist of a waste pipe, a septic tank or tanks, and a drain field to filter the resulting effluent safely into the soil. When these systems are functioning properly and have been correctly designed and installed, there is little evidence of their existence visible above the level of the soil.

Before buying a…

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When the budget is small, getting a house that's right may be a challenge––but that doesn't mean it can't be done. There are plenty of options in housing markets such as Bay Head, NJ for people who have small budgets, even when they want a waterfront property that really makes them happy and that they can love and enjoy for a long time.

By considering all the possibilities and exploring options that might not have been thought about before, the chances of getting a house that's a good fit is much higher. Before any buyer with a tight budget gives up on finding a house, they should carefully consider what they may be able to do with that particular budget.

How Tight is the Budget?

Tight budgets may mean different things to different people. For…

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Kitchen Changes Before Selling Almost every home can benefit from a few improvements, and one of the places potential buyers really scrutinize is the kitchen. This may leave sellers thinking they need a full remodel. Not only is such a gesture expensive, but it also does not have a great return on investment.

That does not mean sellers should ignore the kitchen, however. Making smaller kitchen improvements can improve sale prices and decrease the amount of time it takes to sell a home. Bay Head area buyers are impressed with stylish features, so start with improving elements which look most dated.

Have a Theme

Buyers often look for a visual theme tying rooms together that creates a flow or luxurious feel to an otherwise perfect waterfront home. Colors should complement one…

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