Now that spring is here, more and more buyers are jumping back into the market, and competition is heating up.
If you’re serious about landing a home you’ll love, you need more than just a wish list. You need a smart strategy – and that starts with working with a great agent who can help you put together a strong offer.
Here are some top tips your agent will share with you that are helping buyers stand out (and win) in today’s market.
1. Don’t Lowball on Price
It’s tempting to start with a super low offer in an attempt to save money. But in a competitive spring market, that could backfire. If the price isn’t reasonable, you could offend the seller and lose out to a better bid. As NerdWallet says:
“If you really want the property, you should avoid offending the seller. So, be wary of placing a so-called lowball offer. One of the most obvious risks of making a lowball offer is outright rejection. . . As a buyer, you& ...

If buying a home is on your radar – even if it’s more of a someday plan than a right now plan – getting pre-approved early is still one of the smartest moves you can make. Why? Because, like anything in life, the right prep work makes things clearer.
The best time to get serious about buying is before you’re ready to buy. Here’s why.
Pre-Approval Helps You Understand Your Numbers
One of the biggest benefits of pre-approval is how it helps you understand your buying power. As part of the pre-approval process, a lender will walk through your finances and tell you what you can borrow based on your income, debts, credit score, and more. That number is power.
Once you have that clarity, you’re no longer guessing. You know what you’re working with. And that gives you the information you need to be able to plan ahead. That way, you’re not falling in love with homes that are outside of your price range & ...

You’ve been working on your savings and dreaming of that moment when you finally have keys to a place that’s truly yours. What you might not realize is that your tax return could give you a little extra cash to help you get there sooner. As Freddie Mac notes:
“ . . . your tax refund from the IRS can be a useful supplement to your homebuying budget.” 
So, if you’re getting a tax refund this year, you can use it to help you pay for some of the upfront costs that come with buying a home, like the down payment and closing costs. And here’s the best part.
On average, people are getting even more money back in their refunds than they did last year. While it’s not a big increase, the visual below uses data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to show the average individual’s refund is 3.9% higher this year:
Of course, how much money you may get in your tax refund is going to vary. But when it comes t ...

The real estate landscape in Westwood, NJ, is poised for notable changes as we inch closer to 2025. This post delves into the anticipated trends and what they mean for prospective homeowners and real estate investors.Mortgage Rates and Their InfluenceHomebuyers in Westwood should brace for high mortgage rates. Industry analysts predict that the average 30year fixed mortgage rate will stabilize around 6.5% in 2025. This persistence of high rates could challenge especially firsttime homebuyers and influence the broader market conditions.Improving Home AvailabilityOne positive stride in the market is the enhancement in home availability. A 16% rise in existing homes for sale as compared to last January signals a healthier selection for buyers. For those exploring the Westwood market, this uptick provides a window of opportunity to find suitable homes.Trends in Home PricesHome price appreciation is expected to moderate, providing some relief to buyers. By 2025, the median existing home pri. ...

Want to know two reasons this spring might finally be your time to buy? Inventory has grown and sellers may be more willing to negotiate as a result. That means you’ve got more options and more power than buyers have had in years. Let’s break it down.
1. You Have More Homes To Choose From
The number of homes for sale this February was higher than it’s been in any of the past five Februarys – and that’s great news for your home search. The graph below uses the latest data from Realtor.com to show the supply of homes on the market has grown by 27.5% in just the last year:
More choices for your search is a good thing – and experts also say that inventory is projected to continue rising this year, which is even better. It means it should be easier to find something that checks your most important boxes. But that’s not all this does for you. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realt ...