North Brunswick Township High School recently had to close when mold was discovered in the school. Find out how to protect your home from mold, and the associated risks.
If you'd like to read the EPA piece I mentioned in the video, you can find it by clicking here.
The NEW Holiday Inn Express & Suites in North Brunswick is now open, and it's fantastic! Come on a tour of the hotel with me!
Find out how your house numbers could potentially do you in! You don't want to miss this!
This beautiful colonial style home is located in the Royal Brook Estates section of North Brunswick, and features 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, wide plank hardwood floors, a custom master bedroom, and so much more! Watch the video, and see more at https://rem.ax/2NEOpDX!
Check out this GORGEOUS custom waterfront home! You won't believe the views! Interested in seeing it? Call Mark at 732-798-0273!
Selling a home can bring out some interesting emotions in people. Some homeowners are concerned that their valuables will be safe while people are viewing their home. Others wonder what buyers and their agents are thinking about their home while touring it.
In the past, a homeowner might stay in their home during showings, to keep an eye on their things, and to see if they might be able to overhear anything from the buyers who are previewing it. Nowadays, things have gone a little more high tech - some homeowners are using security cameras to watch and listen to the people in their homes.
In the past, homeowners might have nanny cams set up in their homes - discreet cameras set up to record what was happening that they could then review when they got home. By today's standards, this is a quaint relic of the past.
With the technology available today, homeowners can watch in real time what's happening in their homes. With wifi-enabled cameras, they can watch live feeds right from their homes to their phones.
The legality of using security cameras in a private residence to record people depends on the state in which you live. Many states have what is known as "one-party consent" laws, where it is lawful to record a conversation to which you are a party. This may not work for recording guests in your home if you're not there with them. Several other states prohibit recording, observing, or overhearing people in a private area where they would expect a certain level of privacy. That would make recording people in your home against the law.*
I recently showed a home to a client, and there were obvious cameras in the home. I softly said to my client, "There are security cameras here, and we may or may not be being monitored. Just watch what you say while we're here."
The reason I wanted my client to watch what she said was twofold. First, I didn't want her to say anything that would potentially upset the seller (I may not be crazy about a homeowner monitoring showings, but I still don't want to be rude). Second, and more importantly, if she liked the house, I didn't want her to say anything that would hurt her negotiating position. For example, if she wanted to make an offer and come in on the low side, but the seller had already heard her say that she loves the house and can't live without it, her ability to negotiate would be ruined.
There's a downside for sellers who insist on using cameras in their homes. Knowing you have a camera in your home may get you to monitor it, and may cause you more harm than good. Hearing what people REALLY think about your home may not always be in your best interest (you won't please everyone with your decor and whatnot). Hearing someone say that your artwork is tacky or your couch looks like it came from the 80's can be stressful, and let's face it - it's stressful enough selling your home without being privy to what people are saying behind closed doors.
If you're selling your home, you might want to reconsider using cameras. Besides not wanting to hear unvarnished opinions from buyers, you could also be opening yourself up to legal action if someone discovers they're being watched, especially if you're involved in a transaction with them and they find out you've been watching their home inspection, appraisal, etc.
If you're buying a home, and you see cameras in a home you're previewing, or you suspect there may be cameras, act in the house as you would if the seller were following you around. Because, in a way, they are.
* For legal advice, you should always consult an attorney. This article is to illustrate what happens in different areas, and how common sense should be used when buying or selling a home with cameras in it.
A home buyer in Illinois reached out to me recently. He saw a video of mine on YouTube about what to do if the home you're buying is haunted. He had put an offer on a vacant bank-owned property, but after taking pictures of the front of the home, noticed something interesting in the windows that gave him pause. Check out what happened when he reached out to me, and take a look at the picture of the home he sent me! What do you think? Is the home haunted?
Here is the picture the buyer sent me! Let me know your thoughts!
Check out this episode of Mark Madness! Mark Madness happens every day in the month of March, and it's where I give you great information on buying and selling homes so you can have the best move possible! This episode is especially important, because I discuss how to keep you and your home safe while your home is on the market. Watch the episode, and tune in every day on my Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/MoveMeMark!
Call me at 908-705-5110 and let's talk about it! Thanks for watching!
Recently, I saw a commercial on TV for a popular car painting place. The commercial mentioned that they had "tax season specials". I looked online and saw an ad on YouTube for the same company which asked, "Looking for a responsible way to spend your tax return?" Now, I'm all for spending your money the way you see fit, but is getting a paint job for your car really the most responsible thing to do with your tax refund?
All this got me thinking. What really IS the most responsible thing to do with your tax refund? And here is your answer. I have here 5 AWESOME things you should be doing with your tax refund! Doing any one of these five suggestions will put you on a road to increased wealth and stability, and will do so much more than getting a paint job on your car. Let's get started!
Home ownership is a major part of how people build wealth in our country. Typically, home values rise over time, so the home you buy can be worth more when you sell. Also, as you pay down your mortgage, you build more and more equity in the home. That can mean a great deal when it comes time to sell!
Are you currently renting? Wouldn't it be great to be paying off your OWN home rather than someone else's? With certain loan programs allowing borrowers to put down as little as 3% to 3.5% on their new home, you can't go wrong!
If paying down the mortgage on the home in which you reside is a good idea, having other people pay the mortgage for you is even better! Putting your tax refund towards an investment property is a great way to build passive income and future wealth, all at the same time.
When you buy a home, there will be costs associated with the closing that you will have to pay. Costs include prepaying property taxes, title search fees, attorney fees, and more. Having money set aside to take care of those costs will go a long way.
Paying down your debt is certainly not one of the more exciting sounding things to do with your tax return, but it can be really important. Why? Because, if you are carrying large balances on your credit cards, or if you have other revolving debt that is outstanding, you may still be able to qualify for a mortgage, but you might not be able to qualify for as MUCH of a mortgage as you would like. This could mean that your dream home could be just out of reach.
Paying these debts down will help you qualify for a larger mortgage, plus will put you on better footing when it comes to being approved for the loan. It's a win-win!
Do you have a home you would need to sell in order to buy your next home? Using your tax refund to spruce things up could help you get more money on the sale of your home, and help you sell more quickly! There are plenty of low-cost renovations you can undertake that can make a huge difference. Painting, having carpets cleaned, and fixing up your landscaping are just a few of the things you can use your tax refund on that will pay off when selling.
Once you've decided what to do with your tax refund, you're going to need a plan! Call me at 908-705-5110, and we can put a plan together that will get you into a new home you'll LOVE in the time frame you want. Just imagine - getting the keys to your new home and having a place that's all your own! Or selling your current home and finding the new home you've been dreaming about! You're on your way!
P.S. - Don't forget, you can start your search for a new home right here on MoveMeMark.com. Have homes matching what you're looking for emailed to you as they become available! Get started by clicking here.
The numbers are in! How did the housing market do in New Jersey in 2017? Let's take a look at North Brunswick! Is it a good time to sell? You will definitely be surprised!
Interested to know how your home compares to the rest of the market? Call me at 908-705-5110 and let's talk about it!
