Melissa DeSantis Real Estate

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Freehold, NJ
Melissa DeSantis Real Estate

Mom of twins 💙🩷‼️ Broker Associate/Managing Broker - REAL Broker, LLC Freehold. Ranked Top 1% Monmouth County Realtors. Featured in Inman News. NJ Homes For Sale.

Monmouth County Elite Top Agent recipient. I’d love the opportunity to earn your business 💕 "Top Realtor Freehold. Best real estate agent Monmouth County Freehold New Jersey.. Selling homes in Freehold, Manalapan, Marlboro & surrounding areas for top dollar. Top Real Estate Agent."

09/03/2026

📍 17 Stokes St. Freehold, NJ
JUST LISTED‼️
Offered @ $619,999

* 🏡 Classic Colonial in the heart of Freehold Borough
* 🛏️ 3 generously sized bedrooms
* 🛁 1.5 baths
* ✨ Hardwood floors & solid hardwood doors
* 🔥 Wood-burning fireplace with custom built-ins
* 🍽️ Formal dining room
* ☀️ Bright, sun-filled kitchen
* 🌳 Deep, private backyard
* ☕ Charming covered porch overlooking the gardens
* 🚗 Detached 2-car garage
* 🛠️ Large unfinished second structure with numerous possibilities
* 🏋️ Potential home office, gym, entertainment space, workshop or contractor space
* 🏡 Walk-up attic with potential for a future primary suite
* 📦 Full basement with plenty of storage
* 🚶 Walking distance to Downtown Freehold & NYC transportation
* 🚘 Easy access to major highways & shopping

09/02/2026

The Monmouth County real estate market is changing, and I’m seeing the shift play out in real time with both my buyers and sellers.

For buyers, there’s finally some room to negotiate again. Inspections, repair credits and contingencies that were difficult to include a year or two ago are back in the conversation, especially when a home has been sitting on the market.

But that doesn’t mean every buyer suddenly has the upper hand. Newly listed, well-priced, move-in ready homes are still attracting strong interest and, in many cases, multiple offers.

For sellers, this market is sending a very clear message: pricing correctly from the beginning matters.

Buyers have more inventory to choose from, which means they’re much less likely to overlook a home that’s priced $40,000 or $50,000 above what the current comps support. The longer a home sits, the more buyers begin to wonder why, and the seller’s negotiating position can start to weaken.

This is especially important in Monmouth County’s 55+ communities, where we’ve seen a significant increase in inventory and buyers have more choices than they’ve had in years.

The market is still moving. Homes are still selling. Buyers are still buying.

But the strategy has changed.

What worked in 2022, 2023 or even last year may not be what works today. Understanding what’s happening in the market right now is what helps buyers and sellers make better decisions.

08/31/2026

After nearly 20 years in real estate, there’s one thing I’m not willing to compromise on: telling my clients the truth.

Sometimes that means having a conversation they may not necessarily want to hear.

Sometimes it means recommending they wait.

Sometimes it means saying, “I don’t think this is the right house for you.”

And sometimes it means walking away from business because I don’t believe it’s the right decision for the client.

I’ve always believed my job isn’t to convince someone to buy or sell a home.

My job is to give them the information, experience and honest advice they need to make the best decision for themselves and their family.

Real estate transactions come and go. My relationships with my clients matter much more to me.

At the end of the day, I want you to look back on your decision and know you had someone in your corner who was looking out for you, not just the transaction.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in Monmouth County and want honest advice without the pressure, my DMs are always open. 🤍

08/28/2026

The 55+ housing market in Monmouth County is starting to look very different.

According to recent data from the New Jersey Real Estate Network, inventory in the 55+ market has jumped more than 35%, while median sale prices are down 10.8% compared to last year. Homes are also taking longer to sell, with the median time on market now at 53 days.

But one of the biggest shifts is happening with townhomes and condos in our adult communities. Inventory in that segment has increased a staggering 92.3%.

Months of supply has also climbed from just 1 month to 2.1 months.

So what does all of this mean?

Buyers looking in 55+ communities may finally have more choices and a little more negotiating power. And for sellers, pricing and positioning your home correctly from the beginning is becoming even more important.

The 55+ market in Monmouth County is changing, and if you’re thinking about making a move, understanding what’s happening specifically in this segment matters.

08/26/2026

The Monmouth County real estate market is shifting, but maybe not in the way you’d expect. 👀

Over the past year, the number of homes for sale has increased about 17%, from roughly 980 active listings to 1,150. That means buyers finally have something they haven’t had much of in the last few years: more choices.

But here’s where it gets interesting…

More inventory hasn’t meant falling home values.

The median single-family home price in Monmouth County is still up 4.2%, reaching about $745,000.

So what does that actually mean?

🏡 For buyers: You may have a little more breathing room, more homes to choose from, and potentially more negotiating power than you did a year ago.

🏡 For sellers: Homes are still selling at strong prices, but buyers have more options now. Pricing, preparation, and marketing matter more than they did when almost everything was flying off the market.

This isn’t suddenly a “buyer’s market.” It’s a market that’s becoming more balanced and more selective.

And that’s why the headlines don’t always tell the whole story.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in Monmouth County, understanding what’s happening in your specific town and price range matters more than ever.

08/25/2026

📍 200 Aimee Dr. Freehold
UNDER CONTRACT ❤️
So happy for both my sellers and buyers on the upcoming sale of this truly gorgeous home! 🏡

08/24/2026

Timing is everything in real estate, and sometimes the biggest mistake a seller can make is waiting too long.

Once a property lingers on the market for more than a few weeks, potential buyers naturally become skeptical. The assumption shifts from “this is a great opportunity” to “what’s wrong with this house?” Unfortunately, that hesitation is exactly what leads to price drops and lost leverage. Selling isn’t just about the right price; it’s about capturing interest before the market starts questioning the value.

08/21/2026

Thinking about gutting the kitchen before listing your home? It might be the quickest way to lose money. Data suggests that a full upscale renovation often yields a dismal return on investment compared to a simple, strategic refresh. While a complete overhaul might look glamorous, smart updates like swapping out hardware, painting cabinets, and modernizing fixtures can actually recoup well over 100% of the cost. Sometimes, less really is more when it comes to maximizing equity.

08/20/2026

Sometimes selling a home isn’t really about real estate. It’s about helping a family through a difficult time with as little added stress as possible. ❤️
After losing their mom, this family was faced with the emotional task of selling her home. It wasn’t just a property to them. It was their family home, filled with memories, and they weren’t comfortable with the idea of having showings, open houses and people constantly walking through it.
So we took a different approach.
I had a buyer who I felt could be the right fit, which allowed us to put together an off-market sale without ever having to publicly list the home.
But just as important as finding the buyer was structuring the sale around what the family needed.
The buyer agreed to work with their timeline and handled the necessary township permits and certifications, taking another responsibility off the family’s plate at a time when they already had more than enough to deal with.
There are situations where selling a home isn’t simply about getting the highest possible price.
Privacy matters.
Convenience matters.
Timing matters.
And your emotional well-being matters too.
Every seller’s circumstances are different, and the best strategy isn’t always the same.
My job is to understand what’s most important to the people I’m helping and find a solution that works for them.
If you’ve inherited a home or are responsible for selling a loved one’s property and feel overwhelmed by where to begin, there may be options you haven’t considered.
You don’t have to navigate it alone. ❤️ Reach out. You can call or text me anytime.

08/19/2026

Not all real estate marketing strategies are created equal. When selling a home, how it’s presented can have a meaningful impact on the attention it receives from buyers. Professional photography, video, thoughtful positioning, and targeted marketing can help a property stand out from the competition and make a strong first impression.

With so many buyers beginning their home search online, those first few seconds matter. The goal is to create marketing that makes buyers stop, take notice, and want to see more. A well-planned marketing strategy can help generate stronger interest, increase showing activity, and ultimately put a seller in the best possible position when it comes time to negotiate.

Address

218 Schanck Road
Freehold, NJ
07728

Telephone

(732) 757-2522

Website

https://melissadesantis.com/

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