5 Things You Will Need Before Buying a Home

Buying a home is an exciting time, whether it be your first or fourth purchase. As you begin scanning a variety of homes online, visions of backyard gatherings, picking paint color, and decorating the walls play in your mind. However, before you are able to hang the pictures and invite friends over, there are important things to get in order before even beginning your home search. The Zielinksi Group suggests organizing these five things when you decide you are ready to buy a home. Prequalify for a Mortgage It’s tempting to scour the internet for the perfect place immediately upon deciding that you are ready to purchase property. To prevent falling in love with a home above your budget, it is important to prequalify for a mortgage. Your realtor will be able to direct you to the right person to help you with this process, which involves submitting documentation such as pay stubs, tax records and proof of assets. Your documentation will then go through verification with the lender, which may take a few days. Finally, you will receive a pre-approval letter stating how much you will be permitted to borrow which you can show your real estate agent. You are now ready to begin your home search! Money for Down Payment The loan does not cover every cost included in purchasing a home. It is important to understand that you will need money for a down payment when purchasing a property. The amount you decide to put down for your down payment gives the mortgage lender a loan-to-value ratio of the home. A typical down payment falls around 20% of the home’s value, however, your realtor will be able to help you decide what amount is best for the house of your choice. Money for a Home Inspection Getting a home inspection is a critical step in the home buying process as it will show you the condition of the home and its systems. Inspection results will show you what costs and fixes need to be done not only immediately, but over time. The results can also be used as a contingency in your contract, which your realtor will help you determine. In New Jersey, the average cost for a home inspection $400. This price fluctuates based on home size. Money for Closing Costs The Zielinksi Real Estate Group recommends saving some money after the down payment for closing costs. When you finally decide on a property and your offer is approved, you will need to have money for closing costs, which can range from 3 – 5% of the sold price. Closing costs are fees paid to cover the costs to finalize your mortgage. This transaction happens at the final stage of the buying process, when the title of the property is transferred to the buyer.  Educated Real Estate Team Last but surely not least, you want to make sure your realtor is knowledgeable of the area and market you are searching for. As you gear up to begin the house hunt, partnering with the right realtor who will provide support and education is critical. In addition to the very important and necessary items discussed above, a quality realtor is the fifth item to check off before buying a home. The Zielinski Real Estate Group promises to have your back during this process to assist you in organizing everything you need before making a decision on a home. We would love to be alongside you on your purchasing journey. Please contact us with any questions.

What to Expect Buying a Home in Cherry Hill

Why Should You Move to Cherry Hill, NJ   If your desire is to remain close to the city and shores, yet feel comfortable in a suburban community, the Cherry Hill area of Southern New Jersey is perfect for you. Cherry Hill is a township within Camden County, New Jersey. A popular and growing township, a recent increase in families moving to the area has brought the total population to 71,045.   Located in the heart of South Jersey, Cherry Hill is just twenty minutes from Philadelphia and about an hour to the Jersey Shores. Easy access to all major highways makes commuting extremely quick and efficient.   What to Expect Buying a Home in Cherry Hill   The housing market that is Cherry Hill has an option for every home buyer. Currently, there are about 300 homes for sale in the area ranging from $14K to $1.9M. The listing price falls around $325K, with an increase of 12.8% year over year. With a variety of neighborhoods, Cherry Hill offers everything from apartments, townhomes, condos, and houses.   The great school district makes for an excellent resale value. Cherry Hill hosts 22 public schools and 13 private and charter schools.   Errands and shopping are extremely easy in this area, with the Cherry Hill Mall, Trader Joe's, Wegmans, coffee shops, shopping centers, restaurants, and gyms.   There are so many family actives in the area, as well. Spend a day at Sahara Sam’s Oasis Outdoor Waterpark, or enjoy a rainy day at the Garden State Discovery Museum. Cherry Hill is also only 15 minutes from all Philadelphia Sporting events.   Buying a Home in Cherry Hill   The Zielinski Real Estate Group are experts in the South Jersey and surrounding areas and are able to assist you in your home buying process. Browse current listings in the area here.   Looking to make the move and want to see what the area has to offer? Contact our team today. We are eager to help you on this journey!

Ideas for Creating a Bohemian Aesthetic in Your Home

You’ve decided to put your house on the market and are hoping for a quick sell. Luckily, we are still in the thick of a seller’s market, which means homes are selling for top price because inventory is low. Aside from receiving top price for your listing, homes are also going at a much quicker rate. There are a few common trends we are seeing of the homes that sell in a matter of days, and at the top of the list is a specific aesthetic.   Zillow analyzed approximately 1.4 million home sales from 2020 and found that homes featuring a bohemian design sold, on average, in 11 days with a 2.3% sale premium.   So, how do you create a bohemian design? We have plenty of ideas for you!   Create a Bohemian Aesthetic   To create a bohemian or “boho-style” home, you’ll want to incorporate an eclectic mix of colors, textures, and patterns. Boho homes can be identified by their similar laidback but vibrant atmosphere.   One thing all boho-style homes have in common is the airy ambiance. To accomplish this, start with light and creamy walls as a neutral backdrop to the fun and eclectic décor.    White walls will allow you to get creative and mix-and-match patterns with bohemian decorating. Incorporate colorful and vibrant pieces to add pops of color. Throw pillows, rugs, and paintings are all great places to start.   Integrating a bohemian aesthetic in your home does not mean you need to start from scratch. There are a variety of simple décor ideas and small elements that will bring the space to life. Textiles and fun fabrics are a great way to infuse boho style into a room. Layer a colorful rug over your existing one or add a fun tasseled blanket or throw pillow to the sofa.   Bold and vibrant prints are a staple. Hang a variety of patterned prints to your wall and use the colors from the prints as inspiration for accents around the room.   Bring the bohemian elements into your backyard space as well and create a Moroccan-style oasis. Similar to inside, layer colorful rugs, textured blankets, and patterned pillows. Just make sure they are all intended for outdoor use.   When adding bohemian elements to your space, think bold, vibrant, and unique. Get creative with textures and mix-and-match patterns to really bring the space to life.    Our team is eager to offer advice and input to help you stage your home to sell. Looking to buy or sell? Contact us today!   www.zhomesrealestate.com 856.264.8671 www.zhomesrealestate.com

What to Expect When Moving to The Wildwoods

With work-from-home and remote positions becoming the norm, people are discovering their office can be anywhere they’d like. Without the daily commute into an office, it’s easier to work from vacation homes and out of state.   Although the Jersey Shore is most popular in the summer, it’s also an excellent place to reside full time. It’s close enough to hotspots like Cherry Hill and Philadelphia while being right on the beach makes it feel like a vacation every day.    If you have been considering relocating and moving to the Jersey Shore full-time, it’s important to know which towns will best suit your needs. In this summer blog series, we will cover various beach towns along the Jersey Shore to break down the best beach towns to relocate to full-time.   What to Expect When Moving to The Wildwoods   Wildwood, as a whole, is a beach city along the Southern New Jersey coast. Falling in between Cape May and Stone Harbor, Wildwood sits on a barrier island that provides wide, sandy beaches. Visitors and vacationers can enjoy the five miles of beaches for free, and spend evenings walking on the 38 blocks of boardwalk, dining at a variety of restaurants, or enjoying the bars and nightlife.   Wildwood has its own school district that serves students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, with its own elementary school and high school.   With a population of 5,325 year-round, the Wildwoods make an excellent community to live full-time. “The Wildwoods” is a collective term for its four different communities and neighborhoods: the Borough of Wildwood Crest, City of Wildwood, Borough of West Wildwood, and the City of North Wildwood. Each community is unique and great in its own way.   Wildwood Crest   Wildwood Crest is a borough in Cape May County, New Jersey, and is the southernmost neighborhood in The Wildwoods. Of the four communities, Wildwood Crest is a top choice among year-round residents. As the only dry neighborhood of The Wildwoods where alcohol cannot be sold, the Crest is a quieter community. The population falls around 2,992, with the median home value at $482,002.   Wildwood   The city of Wildwood is a borough in Cape May County, New Jersey with a year-round population of 5,325. Popular among summer renters, Wildwood has plenty of summer attractions and things to do. Wildwood hosts 38 blocks of boardwalk, on which you will find bars, restaurants, shopping, amusement rides and water parks. The average home value in the city of Wildwood falls around $393,900.     West Wildwood   West Wildwood is a borough in Cape May County, New Jersey with a year-round population of 603, making it a much quieter area of the Wildwoods to reside full-time. The summer population grows as much as 5,000. While West Wildwood has it’s own smaller beach, you can access the Wildwoods larger beaches by bike or a 5 minute drive. The median home value falls at $380,000.   North Wildwood   North Wildwood is a city located on the Jersey Shore in Cape May County, New Jersey. With a population of 3,812 year-round residents, it’s one of the quieter sections of The Wildwoods in the off-season.  North Wildwood property value closely resembles that of Wildwood Crest, with the median listing home price falling at $474,900.   During the summer months, visitors have plenty of activities ranging from restaurants, bars, mini-golf, beaches and amusement rides. North Wildwood falls next to Wildwood, making it extremely easy to walk to the boardwalk.   All four neighborhoods have easy and efficient access to all major highways and gas stations. Churches, libraries, parks and schools make this beach town a perfect place to relocate full time. If you are interested in learning more about The Wildwoods or any other shore town, contact our team today or take a look at all current listings.