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Are you a seeker of scary? You are guaranteed to get the scare of your life at these five locations in what is known as "Haunted New Jersey"! Brighton Asylum – Passaic, NJ Brighton Asylum is a nationally ranked haunted house, called the “Scariest Place on Earth” by the Today show and was named the #1 haunt in America for millennials by the Huffington Post. The attraction has also received accreditation from Fox News, Z100, and many others. One of the most detailed, interactive, and unique haunted houses, Brighton Asylum is sure to scare. With plenty of options to choose...
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Most home inspections cover similar attributes of a home, and common home inspection issues in New Jersey tend to revolve around the type of things caused by our climate and home wear and tear. We get our share of weather extremes, and those frigid winters and blazing summers can take a toll on HVAC systems, plumbing, roofs and more. Not every house is perfect, and even your dream home will require some fixes every now and then. One of the joys of homeownership is accepting this reality and working hard to fix these issues as they arise. During your home...
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Do you need to choose between pre-approval vs pre-qualification? The two sound similar in nature, but there's an importance difference between them that you should be aware of when buying a home. Pre-Approval vs Pre-Qualification - The Difference Pre-approval is not the same thing as a pre-qualification. Pre-qualification is the first step in the mortgage process. During this step, you are giving a bank or lender an overall financial picture. This includes your income, assets, and debt. After evaluating your situation, the lender can give you an idea of what you qualify for. However, this is not a guarantee! This...
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If you're interested in buying a condo or townhouse, you may need to budget for homeowner's association (HOA) fees. The key to understanding HOA fees is understanding the services that an HOA provides, and what makes the cost worth it. What are HOA Fees? When you purchase a home in a condominium, townhouse, or another form of planned development area, it is often necessary to join the homeowners association and pay the monthly fee that accompanies the association. In these types of communities, many people live in the same space. That said, all residents are responsible for keeping and maintaining...
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The newest trend in the housing market is flipping houses. Just look at all the shows on HGTV that are based on this very premise. There has been a recent fascination with fixing up houses to resell, and it is amazing to watch the final product come through. If you’re in the market to flip a house or considering the idea, here are some things that you should know. First-time Flippers One thing that first-time flippers, or flippers in general, may underestimate is the costs associated with flipping houses. The obvious first expense is the property acquisition cost. Paying...
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Short sales vs foreclosures? Both are often viable options made available to people behind on their mortgage payments, have a house worth less than the outstanding balance on the mortgage, or both. Though these are both the result of financial issues, they are different in their own ways. What is a short sale? Short sales are usually initiated by the homeowner, often times when the value of the house drops 20% or more. Before the process begins, the lender must sign off on the decision to put the house up for short sale. The lender also needs to provide documentation on...
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Rent-to-own vs Mortgages - what is the difference? Home ownership is an important step in everyone’s lives. When it’s finally time to take that step, you may question which route is right for you: signing a rent-to-own agreement or getting a mortgage and purchasing a home. As with any decision, there are pros and cons to each. Rent-to-own (RTO) The rent-to-own option describes a real estate property that is leased in exchange for a monthly payment, with the option to purchase the property during — or at the end of — the agreement. Landlords typically charge more for these types of leases, with...
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Are you feeling bored with your bathroom but don’t necessarily have the funds to do a full renovation? No problem! Here are some quick hacks for redoing a bathroom on a budget and keeping your wallet intact. Redoing A Bathroom On A Budget Tips 1. Make Little Changes Instead of going all out and renovating your whole bathroom, start with little changes. Sometimes all you need is a new sink or mirror to make your bathroom feel like new. Even if you feel like you need more, doing it in stages keeps you from having to take a large chunk...
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Are you using a local lender or one of those nationally advertised mortgage companies? We have all heard the term "shop local" but what about your Mortgage? Garden State Home Loans is a local company with roots in the communities we serve. 1. Local Lenders have local connections. When putting in an offer on a home, the listing agent will take your mortgage lender into consideration. Real estate agents often have preferred lenders that they’ve built strong relationships with, so going with a local lender boosts the chances of having your offer accepted! 2. A more personal experience. Local lenders...
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Our state has a long and rich history, so it comes as no surprise how conveniently one can find historic homes in NJ. But while history buffs may travel to see George Washington’s headquarters at Ford’s Mansion, and millennials may schlep to Seaside Heights to take pictures of the Jersey Shore house, a majority of the Garden State’s historic homes remain obscure footnotes in New Jersey history. Historic Homes in NJ: 1. The James and Ann Whitall House, National Park In 1748, James and Ann Whitall built their eponymous house on their 400-acre property in present-day National Park. American militiamen...
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