🔆 Special Note: If you're not pre-approved yet, please get pre-approved at this point before submitting offers.

🚨Setting Up Personalized Property Alerts

• Forget the delay and inaccuracy of consumer websites such as Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, etc. As your realtors, we provide direct access to real-time, comprehensive MLS data, ensuring you don’t miss out on your dream home.
• ⭐To get started, you can either schedule a call with us to discuss your home buying criteria or fill out the detailed NJ home buying criteria form above ⬆️.
• The sooner you can fill out the form, the sooner we can set up personalized property alerts that notify you the moment a property that fits your specifications hits the market.

☎️When you find a property(ies) you like, reach out to us IMMEDIATELY!

1. We’ll verify its status—whether it's active, under attorney review (we may be able to submit backup offers), under contract (80%+ likely to close), or sold
2. We’ll provide the crucial list price vs. sale price trends to inform your offer
3. We’ll provide documents NOT available on Zillow/Redfin/Trulia, etc. like the seller’s disclosure, floor plans, inclusions/exclusions lists, and records of recent upgrades, etc.
4. We’ll investigate how many offers are on the table for a home you're interested in. While not all agents share this information, we leverage our extensive network and professional relationships to gather insights whenever possible.

🚗 Exploring Areas: Don't hesitate to drive around neighborhoods/houses to feel them out. Utilize Google Aerial and Google Street view to assess surroundings, especially for highways, major roadways, railroads, or power/cable lines. If direction matters, check Google Maps; north faces up.

Google Aerial View

Google Street View

🏡Diving Into Home Viewings:

1. Exploring Open Houses: Open houses are a fantastic way to start getting a feel for what's available in the New Jersey market. They offer a no-pressure environment to explore different styles, neighborhoods, and amenities. If you're up for some weekend exploration, most open houses are held on Sundays between 1-4 PM, and we're more than happy to join you or support you over a call. Remember, if any agent inquires, just let them know you're working with Steven Hou – that should give you space to browse in peace.
2. Friends and Family Insight: Bring friends or family along on your house hunts. They might notice things you miss and offer different perspectives that could prove invaluable. Plus, it makes the experience more enjoyable!
3. Seeing Beyond the Pictures: Photographs can be deceiving, often enhanced to show properties in the best possible light. So, when you browse online, imagine the home to be about 10-20% worse in person to avoid disappointment.
4. Virtual Tours – The Remote Experience: Can't make it in person? No problem! We offer virtual tours via Zoom, FaceTime, WhatsApp, and more.
5. Understanding the Market with a CMA: Want a better idea of what a home is truly worth? We'll compile a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for you. This is more than just a price tag; it's a snapshot of how the home measures up against others in the area, considering factors like size, condition, and recent sales.
6. Multiple Visits and Professional Opinions: If you're serious about a property, we encourage multiple visits. Sometimes, a second or third look can reveal more than the first. Feel free to bring a contractor to discuss potential changes and get an idea of renovation costs.
7. Post-Viewing Debriefs: After each viewing, let's chat. These debriefs help us refine our search and understand what resonates with you. Properties that rank 7/10 or higher on your scale deserve serious consideration, and if you're leaning towards an offer, let's move swiftly.
8. Offer Strategy: In this competitive market, it's often the early bird that gets the home. If you're considering making an offer, we say go for it. There's a grace period known as the "attorney review," where you can opt out without any penalties, giving you flexibility. Remember, each offer is a learning opportunity – it helps us gauge the market and positions you better for future bids.

https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/group/I4irR3ojzj6Scx0N7A8K

🚨If you haven’t already filled out our NJ Home Buying Criteria form, please do so now, so we can set you up with accurate property alerts. Do not rely solely on Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, etc. as it often has missing/inaccurate data.

https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/jprAqDXBAfh2uxXKdTIH

📱Optional for NJ Home Buyers: Download Home by ShowingTime

Home by ShowingTime is a simple way for you to stay involved in the home buying and selling experience with your agent. Buyers can view upcoming tour information and driving directions for showings their agent schedules for them. Sellers can automatically receive showing requests, confirm them, see feedback from potential buyers and view all activity on their home(s) throughout the sales process.

1. Stay Up to Date: View a snapshot of showings and activities on your listings at any time
2. Receive Instant Notifications: Receive notifications of new showings and feedback, as well as ‘Showing Complete’ alerts
3. Manage Multiple Listings: Easily manage showings and feedback on multiple properties with one login
4. Easily Access Your Showing Tour: View your showing tour as a homebuyer complete with appointment details, driving directions and more
5. Connect with Your Agent: Communicate with your agent regarding a recent or upcoming appointment!
6. Download the Home by ShowingTime App: You may access Home by ShowingTime through the app or on your desktop at https://home.showingtime.com/

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/home-by-showingtime/id1433915149

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.showingtime.ConsumerApp&hl=en_IN&pli=1

Home-by-ShowingTime_Guide.pdf

More Resources**:**

Finding and Evaluating NJ Investment Properties 🌆

Video: First-Time Homebuyers: Housing Conditions to Avoid

• Summary: Property condition matters when buying a home, regardless of the loan type or down payment amount.
  1. 🏠 Be aware of property condition when buying a house, as pre-approval for a basic loan may not cover the cost of necessary renovations.
  2. 💡 Renovation loans have higher interest rates and require contractors, while normal loans require houses to be in average or better condition.
  3. 🏠 Avoid buying a house with severely damaged or dirty carpets, as it may indicate below-average housing conditions.
  4. 🏡 Avoid buying a house with unfinished remodeling or subflooring, as it may affect your ability to get a normal loan.
  5. 🏡 When buying a house, avoid below average conditions like ripped cabinets, exposed wiring, and missing appliances.
  6. 🏠 The house must be in average or better condition, regardless of the loan type, and renovation may be needed for major issues like falling siding.
  7. 🏡 Avoid assuming property condition doesn't matter when buying a home, and consider renovation options if needed.

Video: The Hidden Expenses of Buying a Home: Must-Know Advice

Next Step:

Offer Negotiation