Archive for the ‘Information for Buyers’ Category

Yeah, I used a line from a song that won’t leave your head now. What I’m trying to convince you all on is that mortgage interest rates are so low that it makes up for any tax credit you missed. Think about the savings you’ll see for the next 30 years if you act now and purchase a place.  Talk to your mortgage broker and get all the details on what I’m talking about. Don’t sit home and talk about how you missed your opportunity to purchase the condo of your dreams. If you have any questions please reach out to me, I’d more than happy to answer anything you come up with. Check all available condos / townhouses on my main page to see what you can get for your money.

Buying a home is a tough decision no doubt about it. You set your budget you go out and see what you feel you can afford but in the back of your mind one question remains. What would I get if I look at places 20-30K more than what I’m willing to spend.

The answer is different for everyone. In any property decision you need to decide on your wants and needs. You may love a garage but do you need a garage. You may like 3 bedrooms but do you need them? See where I’m going with this?

With that being said in Bridgewater NJ you have plently of options within the condo market. If you move up or down 20-30K your options increase which include a possible deck, bigger bathroom, garage, and various other things.

Whats the moral of the story? Talk to your mortgage professional and see what moving up in price would do to your monthly payments. If the numbers add up and see what these properties look like.

I made the decision when I bought my condo that since it was my first place I went for the lower price point. The price was something I needed. I made my decision based on this converation with myself. Have tha conversation with yourself and give me a call and we’ll get you moving towards your goal.

Today’s spotlight is on Bridgewater Oaks. This large community is directly off Route 22 east right back the Raritan Country Club. If you’re coming from Route 22 West just make a quick u-turn in the corporate park on your right and you’re in. The first thing you’ll notice is that Bridgewater Oaks is tucked so there is considerably less traffic in the community. You have a bunch of different color schemes and units to choose from so without further delay take a look at the following pictures. If you see anything you like give me a call.

I would be remiss if I didn’t make one cliche post about how you still have time to take advantage of the $8000 first time home buyer tax credit. You have until April 30th to go under contract and close on the property by June 30th. That means you need to get and see some properties this weekend. I’m not going to sit here and say that 8 grand will change your life but if you’re just about to pull the trigger now is the time to act. If you see a property, your numbers line up, and it makes sense for you, take the next step.

On a typical condo in Bridgewater, NJ in the middle 250-325K price range the tax credit is basically a 5% reduction on the current asking price. So if you place an offer on a property for a little less than list PLUS you get this credit you’re looking a big gap between the list and sold price.

That previous scenario makes complete sense and I hope that I can help you in these last few weeks. Browse my site and check out the various properties for sale. The lists are broken down by price range the results JUST show condos / townhouses in Bridgewater. You want information for your purchase you’ve found the right site.

I wanted to take time this evening to go over a very common question I’ve been receiving from clients as of late. When people are looking in the condo market they ask what are the taxes? what is the condo fee? I answer with the typical $250-300 answer and this causes the buyer to reel back in horror as they think about they’re monthly expenses. I did the same thing when I was shopping for my first place. The idea of an additional couple hundred bucks going out the door each month can be overwhelming unless you know what that money does for you.

I touched up on this topic briefly in a previous post but as in any homeownership situation there are costs incurred. If you own a house you typically pay for a homeowners policy covering you in case of various situations. One of the things that cause the yearly fee to be so high on a home is that this policy covers you in case of slip and fall. When you’re in a condo the fee you pay covers you in case of someone slips and falls in the common areas. This is a major thing to note because this fact helps you understand the lower level activity in owning a condo. With the fees you pay that go into your snow removal, landscaping, outside repairs, and recreational activities you don’t have to spend all your time on the maintenance and upkeep of your place. Most towns including Bridgewater charge it’s residents for trash pickup which is also included in your condo fees. In the Bridle Club, where I live, I recieve trash pick-up 3 times a week which is more than the single-family residents around the block.

The bottom line is that owning a condo or single-family home is a major decision. You need to ask yourself, how much time do I have to handle the various tasks that come along with a house. I personally love the fact all the outside tasks are taken care of my the association and I can focus on other things of interest. The fees you pay are comparable to those you spend living in a house. Run the numbers and do the math, you’ll see what I’m talking about. When in doubt talk to your mortgage professional and have them go over numbers with you, you’ll be surprised at what you may find out.

The question may sound stupid but it’s one of the major things I’m asked from buyers. If you live in a townhouse unit chances are you have a garage and you can park in there and in the driveway. If you choose a condo style unit (similar to one I live in) you usually receive an assigned space with a letter printed on the concrete. The rest of the parking with out markings is open to your guests and your other car you may have. It works out to be a great system because the condo communities in Bridgewater, NJ have large lots with a ton of ample parking. During the two years I’ve lived here I haven’t run into a parking situation at all and I’m extremely happy with the system.

I hope that clears up the questions and I know it’s something I asked about when I was buying my place. Give me a call or email me with any other questions and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

As a resident of Bridgewater whenever I mention to someone I live here they say, “Oh I know where that is, it’s by the mall right?” If you’ve been to Bridgewater Commons then you understand why people from all around the state know of it. It’s a huge mall with every store you can imagine. I personally LOVE the Chipotle and you can find me there on many nights.

Wikipedia has to say about the store selection:

“The mall has a variety of stores covering three floors. In the early years of the mall, they marketed on the fact that they have three floors and leased space in the mall by theming the floors. The bottom floor was known as the “Commons Collection” and had the more exclusive/upscale stores. The middle floor was known as the “Promenade” and was themed to have stores that sold family related items and gifts. The top floor was known as “The Campus Level” and contained shops that were marketed toward the younger, 15-21 set. The food court called “Picnic on the Green” was also located on this floor. Neon signs displayed the floor names on the Campus level and have since been removed during the construction. Signs and lighting displaying the names “Promenade” and “Commons Collection” still exist but are not as prominent as they once were. In recent years, there has been a noticeable upscale trend as shown by the opening of new stores such as Pottery Barn, J.Crew and Apple.”

What does this mean to you and your property search? It’s just another perk on the list of perks you receive when you move to wonderful Bridgewater NJ.  It’s always great to get excited about where you live and having the Commons mall so close gets a ton of people excited. If you’re selling your condo then this is a major point to make to your potential buyers because it will set your house apart.

For more information on the mall visit:

http://www.bridgewatercommons.com/

Have a great day and happy shopping!

Today’s spotlight is on Finderne Heights an excellent and affordable option for condo ownership in Bridgewater, NJ. Located directly off Route 22 East these brick style condos offer one, two, and three bedroom condos at various price ranges. You have access to a large swimming pool and tennis courts. There are also garages available for an additional monthly charge which is a unique feature at this price point. There are one bedroom condos listed currently for less than $160,000. There are two bedroom properties for less than $200,000. This is a great way to become a homeowner so please take a look at the pictures and browse my main site for what’s available right now. If you see something you like, as always feel free to give me a call.

Happy New Year! Today’s spotlight is on Chelsea Village. The condo community is located right off of route 22 east and provides easy access to all the major highways in the area. Residents also enjoy convenient proximity to downtown Somerville and all it has to offer. When you see the community from the street it doesn’t give you an idea of how large it actually is. Take a drive in and you’ll see how this wonderful this Bridgewater Condo community truly is. With that, lets get right to the pictures!

Today’s spotlight is on Stratford Place in Bridgewater NJ. This centrally located community is on the other side of Bridgewater near the Chealsea Village community and Finderne Heights. From this location 287 both north and south are extremely close. Also, if you take Chimney Rock Road you can use back streets to get to 78 very quickly as well. Living in Stratford Place allows for easy access to Route 22 east and west for all your shopping needs. The units in this community are your basic condo units and are perfect for a first time homebuyer. Check out my tour and see for yourself. Once your done check the open listings on my site to see whats available then give me a call. Have a great rest of the weekend!