When you are buying a home, obtaining a home insurance policy is typically one of the last things buyers will do before closing. In this episode of HOUSE TALK, I speak with Insurance Broker Jaina Lally of Goosehead Insurance about why you should start the process of selecting insurance much earlier.
Watch this 6 minute video to learn the how insurance premiums are determined, and what you can do to help keep your premium down.
In New Jersey, home sellers must abide by the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. This means that you must give all potential buyers equal consideration regardless of whether they fall into one of New Jersey’s 14 protected classes.
Does this mean you have to sell your home to someone who can’t pay for it? Of course not! You can always consider financial qualification, but you can’t consider any of New Jersey’s protected classes, as I explain in this 4 minute video.
Selling your home in Morris, Essex or Union County, NJ? Give me a call, or text me at 973-462-4079. I’m happy to help!
Are you buying or selling a home? Concerned about what that will do to your taxes? In this episode of HOUSE TALK I discuss the tax implications of a sale for both sellers and buyers. I brought in my own tax accountant, Alison Cogan, CPA from MRA Advisory Group for this discussion.
Some real estate agents call themselves brokers, others use the title salesperson, or REALTOR®. What’s the difference? Aren’t they all the same anyway?
Actually, there are differences. A broker has a legally different set of responsibilities from a salesperson. And a REALTOR® has taken the extra step of joining the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribing to the association’s code of ethics, which goes above and beyond what is typically required by law.
Watch this 4 minute video to learn the differences, and how they might affect who you choose to work with to buy or sell your home.
Bungalow style homes were part of the Arts and Crafts movement of the 1900s and 1910s. While they’re sometimes called Craftsman Homes or Craftsman Cottages some Craftsman Homes could be significantly larger. Bungalows were one story, or one and a half story homes where the second story has sloped walls beneath the Roof. Dormers are often used to provide additional space in the second floor. Another common feature of Bungalows are deep front porches with thick round columns for support.
During the Arts and Crafts period you could order a house from a catalog from Sears or a number of other companies like Aladdin or Montgomery Ward. The pre-cut lumber for the house would be delivered by train and you put it all together on site. Bungalows were a popular style sold by these companies. The typical floor plan was for the front door to open directly from the porch into the living room, beyond which was a dining room and an open kitchen beyond that in a style similar to today’s popular open floor plans. To one side would be an archway to a short hall with two or three bedrooms and a bath right across from the first three rooms.
Bungalows often featured other arts and craft features like exposed beams and built-in cabinets, shelves or benches. Bungalow style homes were popular in the West, especially California, and in the Upper Midwest. In New Jersey they could often be found in resort areas as summer homes which would become weatherized over time to become year-round homes. They do also show up in older trained suburbs here and there.
Maybe you already have an idea what at Tudor home looks like. Or maybe you’ve seen the term in a listing and wondered, what does that mean?
Well, to start with, what’s called a Tudor in most real estate listings isn’t actually a Tudor. Tudor homes were built primarily in England and Wales in the 1500s, long before any Europeans were building houses in North America. So what we call Tudor in America today are homes built mostly built in the 1920s in older suburbs of the Northeast and Midwest. These homes feature architectural elements common in Elizabethan and Jacobean homes of Merry Olde England. They are more a reflection of domestic regional architecture than of a specific time period. They also incorporate many of the materials and forms of the Arts and Crafts movement which was also popular at that time. Another term used for these homes is Tudorbethean, a portmanteau of Tudor, Elizabethan and Jacobean. This term is nonetheless descriptive for what is, in effect a bit of a mishmash of styles.
Among the things that characterize Tudor Revival architecture are:
Tudor interiors featured exposed beams, arched doorways, large brick or stone mantels, dark stained wood trim and wainscoting, and textured plaster walls and ceiling. The style is not dissimilar to today’s Dark Academia interior style.
Tudor revival made a comeback in the 1970s and 80s with the use of half-timber styling on standard bi-level and colonial houses, with decorative beamed ceilings, dark wood trim (with contrasting stark white walls) and stained glass, often paired with dark shag carpeting. The style was further popularized in hotels and certain restaurant chains of the time such as The Ground Round.
In New Jersey, Tudor Revival homes can be found in many of the train suburbs like Maplewood, South Orange, Summit, Montclair, Paterson and Metuchen. Later Tudor-styled homes can be found sprinkled throughout North Jersey in communities developed in the 1970s and 80s, particularly in Morris, Essex and Somerset counties.
If you’re looking for a cozy little Tudorbethean, a Tudor-styled bi-level, or any other type of home along the midtown-direct train line give me a call or text at 973-462-4079 and I’ll be happy to help. And remember: When thou findest Tim, thou wilt findeth home!
You’ve been enjoying your final Summer in the house, but now it’s time to get ready to put it on the market. What is different about listing in the Fall?
There are several things to consider when selling your house in the Fall. The market typically isn’t as crazy as it is in Spring, but Fall is still a good time to be on the market. More buyers are active than in the Summer, when most folks are enjoying the beach. But those with children in school are less likely to be looking. Still, today less than half of households have school-age children so there are plenty of potential buyers out there. But selling in the Fall does have it’s own challenges.
Get Photos Now
Don’t wait until you list your home to get outdoor images. Fall can mean leaves on your yard and not on the trees. Get photos in the Summer, or even Spring, when flowers are in bloom and trees are fully leafed out to let buyers know what the yard looks like in warmer seasons.
Keep the Yard Immaculate
Don’t allow leaves to pile up. Have leaves raked or use the leafblower daily to keep the yard neat and clean. Add colorful fall blooms like Mums, Pansies and ornamental cabbage. These will keep your yard warm and appealing as temperatures cool.
Let the Light In
With the sun lower in the sky, rooms can seem darker in the Fall. Remove of open curtains and shades to allow as much light in as possible. More showings are likely to occur after sunset in the fall, so make sure all your exterior light fixtures and bulbs are working. Also try different light bulbs to see what makes your interiors look best. Kitchens and bathrooms may look better in Cool White or Daylight bulbs. Depending on paint colors, bedrooms could benefit more from Warm Light.
Perform Basic Maintenance
Have the furnace serviced. Seal windows and other openings with caulk. Buyers will want to feel warm in the home. Replacing HVAC filters will help eliminate odors and allergens as the the windows will likely be closed in cooler weather.
Go Easy on Seasonal Decorations
While a few Halloween or Thanksgiving items is ok, adding too much decoration can make the home appear cluttered. Also don’t overdue the scented candles, or cookie baking. Buyers may suspect you’re compensating for an unpleasant smell.
If you are thinking of selling this Fall, give me a call or text at 973-462-4070. I’ll be happy to list your home and help you move on to your next home!
Not every condo can be purchased using an FHA mortgage. The FHA must approve a condo complex in order for the units to qualify for FHA financing. The FHA looks at things like the ratio of owner-occupied to rented units and the financial stability of the HOA when approving a condo complex. If the complex does not qualify, you will have to consider conventional financing or a cash purchase, or look for an FHA qualified complex to purchase in.
One of the things the FHA looks at are how much reserves the HOA has. This is the money the Home Owners Association sets aside for future capital expenses like new roofs, paving the parking lot, etc. You will want to know this as well. If reserves are insufficient for future maintenance work, you may be faced with a large, unexpected contribution when such work becomes necessary.
One thing you’ll want to know is what the HOA fees cover. Most of the time the HOA fees cover things like exterior maintenance (by contributing to the reserves) and maintenance of the parking lots and grounds. If the community has amenities the HOA fees will also cover maintenance of these. But sometimes HOA fees will cover certain utilities like water or heat, and in rare instances even things like taxes. Before you turn down a unit because the fees or too high, find out what they cover, it might not be that bad when you consider what is included.
Condominium communities often offer a number of amenities, that is one advantage of condo living. Swimming pools and tennis courts are common. More recently communities have included club rooms, rooftop gardens and similar areas that can be reserved or rented for entertaining. Some communities also host gatherings, or sponsor clubs and other social opportunities for residents.
Some condos have their own driveway and garage. Others offer a specific number of reserved parking spaces for each unit. However, some merely have a parking lot with spaces on a first-come first-served basis. Guest parking spots are often limited, making entertaining difficult. Communities may also restrict the types of vehicles that can be parked. They might restrict motorcycles or trailers. Be sure you know what you will be able to park before you purchase.
Storage can be quite limited in many condo units. Find out if there are storage areas elsewhere in the building, such as in the basement. If storage is insufficient you may need to plan to purchase space in a self-serve storage facility.
What are the most current interior design trends in 2022? Is greige still a thing? Is Mid-century Modern hot? Has my personal favorite, Art Deco, made a revival? (Sadly, no…) Here is a quick intro to the hottest design trends of 2022
What is grandmillennial? Think of your grandmother’s house, and you probably have a good idea. The term Grandmillennial was coined in 2019 and encompasses a return to classic design styles of a century or more ago. Think floral wallpaper. Maybe not the dainty floral patterns of yesteryear, more like if Georgia O’Keefe made wallpaper (well, maybe not quite that bold, but close…) Also classic patterns, with needlepoint, embroidery and lace. Pleated lampshades and upholstery, also materials like rattan and wicker, and dark woods like cherry and walnut typify the style. Grandmillennial invites one to nestle in and get comfortable.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is Japandi, a portmanteau of the words Japanese and Scandinavian. Japandi features the spare, zen aesthetic of Japanese style with the simple, functional practicality of Scandinavian style. Japandi interiors are minimalist without seeming antiseptic, with light colors, natural materials and greenery. The Japandi vibe is calming and peaceful, as if your yoga instructor had a waiting room.
Dark academia style might be characterized as your 80s goth kids grew up and found some money, or perhaps you’ve moved into Hogwart’s with Harry Potter. Like Harry Potter, dark academia is inspired by 19th century Gothic revival style architecture, with carved dark wood, old books, leather chairs. Got a favorite old bookshelf, an old globe (maybe even one that opens to reveal a mini-bar), a candelabra and maybe an old upright piano? You’re all set for dark academia style, just settle back in your flannel PJs with a gin and tonic in your wingback chair and enjoy reading a Gothic romance.
Martha Stewart fans, take heart! Cottagecore is here! If you have been hankering to take up making dried flower arrangements, or maybe display your copper jello mold collection on the kitchen soffits again, this is the interior design style for you. Knotty pine furniture, eggshell paint, hand-dyed fabrics and similar arts and crafts styles are the heart of Cottagecore. Sustainability and self-sufficiency are key to the cottagecore ethic.
Maximalism is Attention Deficit Disorder as a design style. Look at this nifty throw pil… ooooh what groovy wall pap… oh look, stained glass!!! Maximalism is all about experience, making a space a reflection of the owner in all their eccentricity and unique flair. If you’ve got it, flaunt it! That is the maximalist’s motto.
Whatever your design aesthetic, if you’re looking for a home to display it in, give me a call or text at 973-462-4079. I’m happy to help you find a canvas to live your design life in!
Ever wondered what is meant by a mid-century modern home?
In this two and a half minute video I provide a brief introduction to mid-century modern architecture and interior design.
If this is the style of home for you, give me a call or text at 973-462-4079 and I’ll be happy to find you a totally rad mid-century pad!
When you find Tim, you’ll find home!
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The data relating to the real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange Program of NJMLS. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Coldwell Banker Realty are marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and information about them includes the name of the listing brokers. Some properties listed with the participating brokers do not appear on this website at the request of the seller. Listings of brokers that do not participate in Internet Data Exchange do not appear on this website. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Source: New Jersey Multiple Listing Service, Inc (c) 2025 New Jersey Multiple Listing Service, Inc. All rights reserved.
© 2025 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC
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