Mary Krol Donchak- ERA Central Realty Group

Mary Krol Donchak- ERA Central Realty Group Serving Central New Jersey Real Estate

Home prices are up in some markets and flat or negative in others. So, what's going on?It really comes down to one thing...
06/29/2026

Home prices are up in some markets and flat or negative in others. So, what's going on?

It really comes down to one thing: inventory.

Where there are more homes for sale than there were before the pandemic, prices have stabilized or dipped. Where inventory is still well below normal, prices are still climbing.

And that’s why the headlines are so confusing right now. It varies a lot by area.

The national average is 1.7%, but your city’s number may tell a different story depending on where you live. That's exactly why working with someone who knows your local market makes all the difference right now.

Are you trying to buy or sell in the next 6 months? Drop a comment below and I'll tell you what the data says about our market right now.

There’s a reason only 5% of sellers sell without an agent. The ones who tried selling solo point to the same three stick...
06/23/2026

There’s a reason only 5% of sellers sell without an agent.

The ones who tried selling solo point to the same three sticking points – getting the price right, knowing how to prep the house, and selling on time.

That’s a lot to juggle alone. And getting any one of them wrong can cost you time, money, or both.

But a good agent handles all the hard parts.

So, let’s connect when you’re ready to move, and we’ll chat about what a smooth sale looks like for you.

Putting off buying a home? Maybe you're waiting for a crash to get a better deal – or afraid you'll buy now and watch yo...
06/17/2026

Putting off buying a home? Maybe you're waiting for a crash to get a better deal – or afraid you'll buy now and watch your home's value fall later.

Either way, the widespread drop you're bracing for may not be coming.

Yes, a few markets are seeing mild declines. But more than 100 economists and housing experts expect home prices will actually rise nationally over the next five years – not fall.

And waiting for a deal that never comes could mean passing up the chance to gain thousands in equity or paying more in a few years for the same home.

So before you decide to wait, let's talk about your options and what prices are really doing in our area.

If you spend enough time online, you'd probably think home prices are crashing or they’re about too.But the data tells a...
06/16/2026

If you spend enough time online, you'd probably think home prices are crashing or they’re about too.

But the data tells a different story.

According to Realtor.com, home prices are still rising in 71% of housing markets across the country.

That's the majority of markets.

Yes, some areas are seeing slight price declines. But they're the exception, not the rule.
That's why it's important to be careful about where you're getting your housing market information.

The internet loves dramatic headlines. The data usually tells a more complete story.

Want to know what's actually happening with home prices in our area? Send over a message.

A few years ago, sellers could say "no" to just about everything a buyer asked for.No repairs.No concessions.No negotiat...
06/15/2026

A few years ago, sellers could say "no" to just about everything a buyer asked for.

No repairs.
No concessions.
No negotiation.

Today? The market looks a little different.

Zillow says 67% of sellers pay some or all of their buyer's closing costs.

That doesn't mean every seller should do it. But it does mean the most successful sellers today understand something important:

The market has shifted. And that's means negotiation is back on the table.

Sometimes helping with closing costs makes sense. Sometimes another concession is the better move. But it’s normal for today’s market to require some give and take.

The key is knowing what buyers are asking for in your area, and which compromises are actually worth making.

Want to know what sellers in our area are negotiating right now? Send a message or drop a comment below.

If affordability has been the biggest thing standing between you and a home, there’s a little bit of good news.Asking pr...
06/10/2026

If affordability has been the biggest thing standing between you and a home, there’s a little bit of good news.

Asking prices have started to ease – the typical asking price this May came in under where it was a year ago.

And these lower prices are good news for your move – not a sign the market’s in trouble. It points to a market that’s rebalancing with more realistic seller expectations and a little more breathing room for buyers again.

So, if you’ve been waiting for an opening, let’s connect. I’ll help you see what that looks like in our area.

Moving this Summer? Whether you're buying or selling, you probably have questions.My new Summer Buyer & Seller Guides ha...
06/09/2026

Moving this Summer? Whether you're buying or selling, you probably have questions.

My new Summer Buyer & Seller Guides have the answers.

Inside, you'll find out what higher inventory means for you, what’s going on with affordability right now, what strategies for buying or selling are actually working this season, and more.

Stop guessing and start moving forward with confidence. DM or drop a comment with "BUYER" or "SELLER" below to get your free digital copy.

A lot of buyers think affordability is impossible right now.But sometimes it’s not about giving up on homeownership. It’...
06/08/2026

A lot of buyers think affordability is impossible right now.

But sometimes it’s not about giving up on homeownership. It’s about expanding where you’re looking.

Yes, some states are significantly more affordable than others. This list breaks down the top 10. But that doesn’t mean you have to make a cross-country move to find better options.
Even in expensive markets, there are usually neighborhoods, towns, and communities nearby where home prices, property taxes, or overall costs are a lot more manageable.

The key is knowing where to look – and a local agent can help you find those opportunities.

Curious what's out there? Broadening your search, even just a little outside of town, might open up more options than you'd expect.

Drop a comment below or send a message if you want some advice on where to look based on your price point.

Because even though you want rates to come down, experts say this latest inflation data could actually set the stage for...
06/04/2026

Because even though you want rates to come down, experts say this latest inflation data could actually set the stage for rates to stay “higher for longer.”

So, what can you do about it? Should you just wait?

My advice is simple. Focus on what you can control.

Even in a market like this, there are things you can do to get the best mortgage rate possible. Because sometimes you need to move no matter what’s happening – and that’s okay.

You just need the right strategy.

Let's talk about what this means for your situation and your timing. Drop a comment below or send over a message.

Because you don’t have to figure it out alone. And there are still ways to move forward.

One of the biggest questions I’m getting right now is: “What’s going to happen with the housing market in the second hal...
06/03/2026

One of the biggest questions I’m getting right now is: “What’s going to happen with the housing market in the second half of the year?”

And it makes sense why everyone is asking.

Affordability is tight. Rates feel high. Prices do too.

And people want to know if the second half of the year is going to be better.

Here's the honest answer. A lot of it depends on what happens with inflation – and the lingering uncertainty overseas. But even in today’s market, there’s opportunity, if you know where to look.

Want a breakdown of what’s impacting the market, where experts think things could go from here, and what you can actually do about it?

Send a DM or drop a comment below and I can send you over an article that breaks it all down.

Address

210 Route 539
Cream Ridge, NJ
08514

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16096472508

Website

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