Monday, February 28, 2011

This Week In Hoboken Real Estate: Feb 15-28

This Week In Hoboken Real Estate: Feb 15-28

February: The Mouse That Roared.

The number of condos for sale is climbing all the way to 374. A lot of 2010 retreads in there though.



The 2010 Hoboken Real Estate Report Is Now Available!



Feb 15-28 Hoboken Real Estate Report



My sellers are out there. Why? becasue they want to sell. When is the buyere going to get the best deal? Now. When is the seller going to get the best deal? Now. My sellers are going to contract, having multiple offers, and reducing prices to be competitive.


The 40 page 2010 Hoboken Real Estate Report is now available. .

It's my best yet. Really good stuff. I will share over the next couple of months in this blog. Get it today for free. To anyone who reads it, leave some feedback and I will put you on the preview list for quarterly reports.

The 2010 Hoboken Real Estate Report Is Now Available

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Hoboken Open Houses feb 26 & 27

Hoboken Open Houses Map Feb 26th & 27th

I'll be at 300 Newark Street Sat and sun 12:30-2:30.

Lots of buyers are out. A good time to sell.

From Doorfly.com.......

Top 10 Reasons People Decide To Buy A Home
Renting is a very frustrating way of life. The money you pay every month disappears, leaving you with few benefits other than a roof over your head. Compared to owning a home, renting is a futile exercise that leaves you with nothing after your lease is up. It’s no surprise that people want to get out of the rent race, and here are 10 reasons why people decide to buy a home versus renting.

1. They Want to Build Equity
Homebuyers build equity as their property increases in value over time. This equity has many benefits, including the ability of a homebuyer to leverage equity in lines of credit to make repairs or additions to their home. Equity is a powerful thing and a natural consequence of home ownership. Renters never gain equity in their rental space, and at the end of their lease they are thrown out on the street with nothing to show for years of on time rental payments.

2. They Don’t Want to Throw Their Money Away
Without equity, what does paying your rent on time gain you every month? The truth is that paying rent guarantees a roof over your head for about 30 days and nothing more. In that sense, renting is like an extended stay hotel in that at the end of your rental period or lease you have nothing to show for the money you’ve paid. This makes renting a terrible investment when compared to home buying.

3. They Want More Space
It’s incredible how little you get for your rental payment each month. Most renters are lucky to have even a tiny balcony, let alone roomy closets o storage space. Many homes come with luxurious yards and spacious garages for storage. This makes buying a home an attractive option for those who prefer to stretch their legs.

4. They Want to Make Upgrades
Most leases forbid the renter from altering the rental space. For those do it yourselfers, this can mean a boring living experience. Home buyers are not only allowed to make upgrades, but doing so can be a great investment and raise the overall value of your home. From an investment perspective, this is a no brainer.

5. They Don’t Want to Pay Extra to Own Pets
For those pet lovers out there, renting can be a major financial undertaking Pet deposits can be very expensive, and some apartments add a monthly premium to rent just for having a pet, and separate deposits/premiums for each pet. These fees can add up fast! Homebuyers don’t have to deal with these sorts of fees, and they can also typically provide a better environment for their pets as well.

6. They Don’t Want to Be So Close to Noisy Neighbors
Have you ever lived on the second floor of a 3 story apartment complex? Wild partiers underneath blaring music at 4AM and home fitness gurus doing jumping jacks above you can make you realize just how annoying living so close to your neighbors can be. Homebuyers can sometimes deal with annoying neighbors as well, but at least they’re not rattling your chandelier when they stomp their feet down the hallway.

7. They Don’t Want to Deal With a Landlord
Sometimes dealing with a landlord can be tough. Some landlords are not very friendly or flexible, and won’t hesitate to throw you on the street if rent isn’t on time. Other landlords can be so distant that problems with rent or appliances don’t get resolved for months or even years. As a homeowner, there’s no landlord to deal with and you have the freedom and independence of conducting business on your own terms.

8. Their Hobbies Make Renting a Bad Idea
Drummers and musicians need a place to live, but do you want them living above you in a cramped apartment complex? For those renters who have hobbies or professions that are noisy or require space, renting just isn’t an option for them. Owning a home with plenty of space is their only way to go.

9. They Don’t Want to Deal With Deposits
Security deposits? These never seem to work out in the renters favor and come moving time it always seems like every little problem leads to forfeiture of the sometimes huge security deposits we have to pay just to sign the lease. Home buyers don’t have to deal with this as their home is more closely tied to their assets and their individual independence.

10. They Want to Live the American Dream
Owning a home is a big part of the American dream, and most people would say that the independence, autonomy, and sense of accomplishment that owning a home brings is an essential part of the American way of life. Does renting an apartment do the same?

These free maps are a service of Brian Murray. Open houses are a great way to get a high level view of the market when just starting your search but keep in mind the following important items:



1) Open houses only represent a small portion of what is available. On any given week end in Hoboken, there are between thirty and sixty open houses. This represents as little as 5% of the total inventory. A buyer who is just starting out should see open houses in different price ranges to understand what your money will buy in terms of square footage and location. Beyond and initial five or six open houses, a realtor will save you time by working with you to help define your wants versus your must haves and the properties that really fit you best.



2) The realtor at the open house works on behalf of the seller not the buyer. The relationship is defined by NJ state law that the agent holding the open house, as part of the listing realty, is working as a seller's agent. If you tell the agent anything regarding your motivation or price range, they are obligated to tell the seller.



3) You can choose to work with any realtor even to purchase a home viewed at an open house. Meaning if you see a home you like at an open house, don't be bullied into using that agent to sign a contract. You can certainly use a seller's agent if you wish, but you can choose to work with any realtor to write, present, and negotiate the offer on your behalf.



4) The Hoboken Real Estate market is competitive. If you already have a happy relationship with an agent, let the person running the open house know as a courtesy. If you plan to work with an agent but haven't yet looked at homes together, list that realtor on the sign in sheet. There are two reasons agents have a sign in sheet. First to market their services to you. Second is for security.



5) You are not wasting my time because you are just starting out and not sure what you want. If you find value in the open house maps,The Hoboken Market Trend Report, The Hoboken Weekly Market Conditions Snapshot, The Hoboken Real Estate Report, my blog or any of the other types of information and services that I provide, please contact me before you start your search. Often, I can help you choose the best or most represntative homes to see and can schedule a few hidden gems that we can see with an extra twenty minutes.









Open Houses By Bedrooms: One Beds, Two Beds, Three Plus Beds



Open Houses By Price: Upto $430k, $430- $550k, above $550k


Map Legend:Yellow= Studio, Blue= 1 Bedroom,Red= 2 Bedrooms,Orange=3+ Bedrooms (includes mulifamiles)






Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.


Hoboken Open Houses Map weekend of Feb 12 & 13

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Oil Up. Rates Down.

From The IHRE Mortgage guy.....

**Keep in mind that every borrower’s situation is different, and each must be evaluated individually.

Rates could be higher, or lower, depending on each individual scenario!!**

REVISED February 23rd, 2011---- 12:00 PM ET
Lock Period = 45 Days

CONVENTIONAL CONFORMING LOANS (loans less than or equal to $417,000)

30 YEAR FIXED ---------------------------- 4.875%/ 4.913% APR

30 YEAR FIXED INTEREST ONLY--- 5.375%/ 5.396% APR

15 YEAR FIXED----------------------------- 4.250%/ 4.298% APR

5 / 1 ARM------------------------------------- 3.500%/ 3.211% APR

7/1 ARM ------------------------------------ 3.875%/ 3.586% APR

*All quotes are with 0 points
*Investment Properties --- ** Add 1.75 points (if 25% down)**
*There is a rate increase for cash-out refinance transactions over 60% Loan to Value, or condominiums over 75% LTV*



CONVENTIONAL HIGH BALANCE CONFORMING FIXED RATE LOANS (loans greater than $417,000, but less than $729,500)

30 YEAR FIXED ------------------------- 5.125%/ 5.136% APR

15 YEAR FIXED ------------------------- 4.500%/ 4.527% APR

** Loan amount restrictions based on county and property type. Cash-out refinances over 60% LTV not allowed.

***There is a rate increase for condominiums over 75% LTV***


CONVENTIONAL JUMBO LOANS (Fixed rate programs greater than high-balance conforming, ARM programs greater than $417,000 up to $1,000,000 loan amount)

30 YEAR FIXED--------------------------- 5.375%/ 5.391% APR

30 YEAR FIXED INTEREST ONLY-- 5.625%/ 5.638% APR
15 YEAR FIXED--------------------------- 4.500%/ 4.527% APR
5 / 1 ARM------------------------------------- 3.999%/ 3.623%APR

7/1 ARM -------------------------------------- 4.250%/ 3.998% APR

** All non-conforming loans need to be discussed in detail

** ARM rates on jumbo products could be lower with a 25% down payment or more

** There may be a rate add-on for condominiums and multi-family homes



*** Special Program 15/ 30 ARM -----4.500% / 4.698% APR -- .50% Points --- Loans up to $1,000,000!!!



**Please call for rates on loans over $1 million or rates on FHA loans**

www.mundymortgages.com

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

This Week in Hoboken Real Estate Feb 8th-15th

This Week In Hoboken Real Estate: Feb 8-15
You Don't Bring Me Flowers...
...just 2010 retreads. The number of condos for sale is climbing. A lot of 2010 retreads in there though.



The 2010 Hoboken Real Estate Report Is Now Available!


8 Contracts in 7 days!. 21 Price changes. 20 solds.... total available up to 369.

Feb 8-15 Hoboken Real Estate Report



My sellers are out there. Why? becasue they want to sell. When is the buyere going to get the best deal? Now. When is the seller going to get the best deal? Now. My sellers are going to contract, having multiple offers, and reducing prices to be competitive.


The 40 page 2010 Hoboken Real Estate Report is now available. .

It's my best yet. Really good stuff. I will share over the next couple of months in this blog. Get it today for free. To anyone who reads it, leave some feedback and I will put you on the preview list for quarterly reports.

The 2010 Hoboken Real Estate Report Is Now Available

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Hoboken Open House Map Feb 12 & 13

Hoboken Open Houses Map Feb 12th & 13th

I'll be at 300 Newark Street Sat 1-3 and sun 12-2.

Be My Valentine

House hunting is a lot like looking for love. Open House here, open house there. You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince (ss). A good realtor is a lot like having your own Patti Stanger, just nicer.





These free maps are a service of Brian Murray. Open houses are a great way to get a high level view of the market when just starting your search but keep in mind the following important items:



1) Open houses only represent a small portion of what is available. On any given week end in Hoboken, there are between thirty and sixty open houses. This represents as little as 5% of the total inventory. A buyer who is just starting out should see open houses in different price ranges to understand what your money will buy in terms of square footage and location. Beyond and initial five or six open houses, a realtor will save you time by working with you to help define your wants versus your must haves and the properties that really fit you best.



2) The realtor at the open house works on behalf of the seller not the buyer. The relationship is defined by NJ state law that the agent holding the open house, as part of the listing realty, is working as a seller's agent. If you tell the agent anything regarding your motivation or price range, they are obligated to tell the seller.



3) You can choose to work with any realtor even to purchase a home viewed at an open house. Meaning if you see a home you like at an open house, don't be bullied into using that agent to sign a contract. You can certainly use a seller's agent if you wish, but you can choose to work with any realtor to write, present, and negotiate the offer on your behalf.



4) The Hoboken Real Estate market is competitive. If you already have a happy relationship with an agent, let the person running the open house know as a courtesy. If you plan to work with an agent but haven't yet looked at homes together, list that realtor on the sign in sheet. There are two reasons agents have a sign in sheet. First to market their services to you. Second is for security.



5) You are not wasting my time because you are just starting out and not sure what you want. If you find value in the open house maps,The Hoboken Market Trend Report, The Hoboken Weekly Market Conditions Snapshot, The Hoboken Real Estate Report, my blog or any of the other types of information and services that I provide, please contact me before you start your search. Often, I can help you choose the best or most represntative homes to see and can schedule a few hidden gems that we can see with an extra twenty minutes.









Open Houses By Bedrooms: One Beds, Two Beds, Three Plus Beds



Open Houses By Price: Upto $430k, $430- $550k, above $550k


Map Legend:Yellow= Studio, Blue= 1 Bedroom,Red= 2 Bedrooms,Orange=3+ Bedrooms (includes mulifamiles)






Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.


Hoboken Open Houses Map weekend of Feb 12 & 13

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Hoboken Mortgage Rate: 5%

The Latest Hoboken Mortage Rate:


REVISED February 9th, 2011---- 4:00 PM ET
Lock Period = 45 Days

CONVENTIONAL CONFORMING LOANS (loans less than or equal to $417,000)

30 YEAR FIXED ---------------------------- 5.000%/ 5.083% APR

30 YEAR FIXED INTEREST ONLY--- 5.375%/ 5.396% APR

15 YEAR FIXED----------------------------- 4.375%/ 4.391% APR

5 / 1 ARM------------------------------------- 3.500%/ 3.211% APR

7/1 ARM ------------------------------------ 3.875%/ 3.586% APR

*All quotes are with 0 points
*Investment Properties --- ** Add 1.75 points (if 25% down)**
*There is a rate increase for cash-out refinance transactions over 60% Loan to Value, or condominiums over 75% LTV*



CONVENTIONAL HIGH BALANCE CONFORMING FIXED RATE LOANS (loans greater than $417,000, but less than $729,500)

30 YEAR FIXED ------------------------- 5.125%/ 5.136% APR

15 YEAR FIXED ------------------------- 4.500%/ 4.527% APR

** Loan amount restrictions based on county and property type. Cash-out refinances over 60% LTV not allowed.

***There is a rate increase for condominiums over 75% LTV***



CONVENTIONAL JUMBO LOANS (Fixed rate programs greater than high-balance conforming, ARM programs greater than $417,000 up to $1,000,000 loan amount)

30 YEAR FIXED--------------------------- 5.375%/ 5.391% APR

30 YEAR FIXED INTEREST ONLY-- 5.625%/ 5.638% APR
15 YEAR FIXED--------------------------- 4.500%/ 4.527% APR
5 / 1 ARM------------------------------------- 3.999%/ 3.623%APR

7/1 ARM -------------------------------------- 4.250%/ 3.998% APR

** All non-conforming loans need to be discussed in detail

** ARM rates on jumbo products could be lower with a 25% down payment or more

** There may be a rate add-on for condominiums and multi-family homes



*** Special Program 15/ 30 ARM -----4.500% / 4.698% APR -- .50% Points --- Loans up to $1,000,000!!!



**Please call for rates on loans over $1 million or rates on FHA loans**
thanks mike mundy www.mundymortgages.com

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

This Week In Hoboken Real Estate Feb 1-8

This Week In Hoboken Real Estate: Feb 1-8
It's Ground Hog Day! The Movie!
More of the same....Low inventory, few price changes.





The 2010 Hoboken Real Estate Report Is Now Available!


15 Contracts in 8 days!. 19 Price changes. 14 solds.... Here is a scary number...only 348 condos for sale. .

Feb 1-8 Hoboken Real Estate Report



My sellers are out there. Why? becasue they want to sell. When is the buyere going to get the best deal? Now. When is the seller going to get the best deal? Now. My sellers are going to contract, having multiple offers, and reducing prices to be competitive.


The 40 page 2010 Hoboken Real Estate Report is now available. .

It's my best yet. Really good stuff. I will share over the next couple of months in this blog. Get it today for free. To anyone who reads it, leave some feedback and I will put you on the preview list for quarterly reports.

The 2010 Hoboken Real Estate Report Is Now Available

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Hoboken Real Estate: A Piece for Assorted Lunatics

Hoboken Real Estate: A Piece for Assorted Lunatics

Pink Floyd fans might recognize this title from one of the best selling albums of all time. In today's world on itune single driven music, a the great piece of music Dark Side Of The Moon stands the test of time. The reason...It's really a guide for about perspective for buying and selling real estate!

Song Titles (in no order and associated lyrics)

MONEY
Money, get back.
I'm all right Jack keep your hands off of my stack.

TIME
You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today.
And then one day you find ten years have got behind you.
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun.

So you run and you run to catch up with the sun but it's sinking
Racing around to come up behind you again.
The sun is the same in a relative way but you're older,
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death.

BREATHE
And all you touch and all you see
Is all your life will ever be.

US AND THEM
Down and out
It can't be helped but there's a lot of it about.
With, without.
And who'll deny it's what the fighting's all about?

BRAIN DAMAGE
The lunatic is in my head
You raise the blade, you make the change
You re-arrange me 'til I'm sane.
You lock the door
And throw away the key
There's someone in my head but it's not me.

ECLIPSE
All that is now
All that is gone
All that's to come
and everything under the sun is in tune
but the sun is eclipsed by the moon.