Your Beautiful Home October 24, 2022

Going Hard on Fall

Dear Mary-
My DYI decorations look like my 5 year old was in a fever dream while she was  painting. Where can I go for ideas? Help!
My Response-
One of my favorite things about being a New Jersey Real Estate Broker is seeing beautiful homes and well-designed spaces. I am obsessed with everything to do with home – buying and selling, improvement, and decorating.  Usually I am less than psyched about fall.  I like sitting by a pool on a hot day enjoying the sun. But his year- this fall, my husband and I were visiting friends and I was inspired.  In short I have fallen for Fall.
The decorations in their house were nothing less than inspiring.  I’m sharing a few photos to show you how they seamlessly incorporated the decorations for the season into the everyday decor of each room.  It made it somehow more cheerful, more homey, and more celebratory.
Some additional thoughts:
    • Rule #1 – Be Patient and take your time. Your project will be better if you are not rushed.
    • Use decorations you already have to create mini displays on side tables or entry tables
    • Vary the height of the objects
    • Symmetry and balance are always important
    • Use clear glass vases to hold mini pumpkins and pinecones
    • Don’t have the right color vase for the center – paint one of those glass vases from the last time you received flowers. I know you have a few of those tucked away -NOT being used.  The color change will make this something you use.
    • Tons of ideas in Pinterest, Better Homes & Gardens, or other sites to show you how.
Share any photos of your ideas with me!  Maybe you can be my next source of inspiration.
Market Trends August 23, 2022

Your Next Wise Move

There are a lot of mixed messages about the economy in the news today.  What is going on with the local real estate market?  I have three positive messages to share with you.

  1. Buyer demands remains strong. While we may not have multiple bids on every house, or we have fewer offers, well-maintained properties still sell quickly and often at or above the asking price.
  2. Sales prices have risen by 32% in 5 years. The real estate values have been on a steady increase and have risen sharply since 2020.  The pandemic awakened many young city-dwellers to the idea of having more space, a place to work from home, and a patch of grass to call their own.  The law of supply and demand is reflected in the increase in sale prices.  For example, in Clark NJ in 2017, average sale price was $461,648; in 2022, the average sale price it is $612,492.

 

  1. Current mortgage rates are still historically low.

Below are some average 30 year fixed interest rate as per Freddie Mac.

1974 – 9.19%

1981 – 16.63%

1991 – 9.25%

2008 – 6.03%

June 2022 – 5.52%

Referenced from:  website:  https://www.freddiemac.com/pmms/pmms30

We may have become accustomed to the super low rates of the last few years.  But there are still good interest rates that make owning a home a good investment and a step up on the financial growth ladder.

 

While you contemplate the relevant data related to real estate I have shared, I have a few questions for you.  Where do you want to be?  Does your house suit your needs today?  If making a move is a question for you, let’s get together to go over the numbers with you.  I can sell your current house AND help you find your new one.