Keith Bochner Real Estate - New Jersey

02/16/2026

Move-Up Buyers Are Choosing New Construction

If your current house isn’t meeting your needs anymore, don’t assume your only choice is an existing home. New construction is becoming a real contender, especially for move-up buyers who want space, features, and a home that works for how they live now.

Curious whether new construction might be a fit for you? Let’s chat.

At some point, a house that once felt perfect just… doesn’t anymore.

02/12/2026

The number of homes for sale is finally making a real comeback.

While how much inventory’s grown varies a lot by area, some states are already back to the inventory levels that were considered normal in 2017-2019.

And with more homes on the market, you have more options.

Now, it’s not the same everywhere, but the direction is clear. This is the most buyer-friendly set up we’ve seen in years.

Want to know how much things have improved in our area? DM me.

02/11/2026

Inventory Is Making a Comeback in 2026

Inventory isn’t fully back to normal everywhere. But it’s moving in the right direction. And, in some areas, it’s already there.

If you’ve been waiting for a moment when you have options and a little breathing room, this is the strongest setup buyers have seen in a long time.

If you want to know what’s happening in our local market, let’s talk.

After a long stretch where buyers were competing for too few homes, inventory has made a comeback over the past year.

02/09/2026

Buying your first home can feel frustrating when the options don’t seem to match your budget. But if you check out townhomes, the numbers may actually work better than you’d expect.

Townhomes make up nearly 1 in 5 new homes being built today, which is the highest share on record.

And with more townhomes on the market, you have more options in what’s typically one of the most affordable ways into homeownership.

Sure, they may be a bit smaller – but that usually means they're priced a bit lower, too.

So why not consider a townhouse for your first place? DM me if you want to see what’s available locally.

02/05/2026

Buying a home is getting more affordable, and this graph helps explain why.

It shows how much of a household’s income typically goes toward buying a home. As a general rule, spending 30% or less of your income on housing is considered affordable.

For the last couple of years, the math was still well above that threshold. But lately, things have been getting better thanks to a mix of lower mortgage rates, slower home price growth, and rising wages.

While affordability isn't going to snap back overnight, the trend is finally moving in the right direction.

If you want to talk through what this means for your buying power, send me a message and let’s break it down.

02/04/2026

It’s Getting More Affordable To Buy a Home

For the first time in quite a while, affordability is easing. That’s a meaningful shift.

And because this improvement isn’t happening everywhere at the same speed, understanding what’s changing locally is what really makes a difference. If you want to see how these trends show up in our area, let’s talk it through.

There’s finally a little good news for anyone who’s been priced out or sitting on the sidelines.

02/02/2026

Home Insurance Costs Are Rising: What Buyers Should Plan For

If you’re thinking about buying a home, don’t forget to plan ahead for your homeowner’s insurance.

While costs are rising, knowing what to expect and how to shop around can make a big difference as you’re budgeting for your purchase. Because this isn’t coverage you’ll want to skimp on. It’s your best protection for what’s likely your biggest investment.

Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make. And homeowner’s insurance is what protects that investment.

01/29/2026

Home sales picked up coming into 2026.

We just had the strongest December for home sales we’ve seen in nearly 3 years.

And that matters because December is usually a slower month in real estate. But 5.1% more homes sold in December than in November.

It means momentum is building. Buyers are stepping back in. And more homes are selling.

They’re not waiting until spring. Maybe you shouldn’t either.

If you want to sell now and get ahead of the Spring crowd, let’s connect.

01/28/2026

Thinking about moving in 2026? Where you live (or plan to live) could make a big difference.

Some markets are shaping up to be great for sellers, with strong demand and rising prices.

Others are standing out as solid spots for buyers, especially first-time buyers looking for more options and improving affordability.

Here’s a list of the top 5 markets for both, so you can see just how split the markets are.

Not seeing your city on this list? Don’t stress – this is just a national snapshot.

Whether your local market leans buyer-friendly or seller-friendly, the right strategy is what really matters.

To find out where our market falls and what strategies are working in our area, send me a message and I'll break it down.

01/26/2026

Why Rising Foreclosure Headlines Aren’t a Red Flag for Today’s Housing Market

Foreclosure activity may be rising, but it’s still well within a normal range – and nowhere close to the danger zones of the past. But the headlines are doing more to terrify than clarify. And that’s exactly why having a trusted real estate expert you can call on is so important.

When you hear something in the news or see something on social about housing that worries you, please reach out so you have the context to understand what’s really happening and how it impacts you (if at all).

If you’ve seen headlines saying foreclosure activity has been climbing for 10 straight months, it’s easy to assume that's a sign of trouble for the housing market.

01/22/2026

Mortgage Rates Recently Hit a 3-Year Low. Here’s Why That’s Still a Big Deal.

Mortgage rates dropping to a 3-year low isn’t just a headline.

For many buyers, where rates are now could be the difference between watching from the sidelines and finally getting the keys to their next home.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to re-run your numbers and see what’s possible now, this is it.

Let’s take a look at what today’s rates mean for your budget and your options.

If you’re one of the thousands of homebuyers waiting for rates to fall, you should know it’s already happening.

01/21/2026

Still trying to find the perfect home? Here’s the good news.

Experts project the number of homes for sale will keep climbing, with inventory expected to rise another 9-10% percent this year.

That means more choices and more chances to find what you've been searching for.

Want to see what’s out there? DM me and let’s have a conversation about what you’re looking for.

With how inventory’s growing, your home could already be waiting for you.