Mary Riera, Realtor with Raritan Bay Realty

05/26/2026

This, right here.....

There is nothing as good as buying Real Estate using other people’s money

It simply does things that no other investment can do

It’s not up for debate it’s just math

05/18/2026

Jump-start your home-buying journey by getting preapproved! 🚀 Gathering key documents like your ID, social security number, and list of current debts can speed up the process and bring you one step closer to your dream home. Ready to make your move? Contact me today to get started!

04/22/2026

Let me show you exactly why that 0.7% number isn't a joke.

$150,000 gross income is roughly $9,500 a month take home after federal taxes, state taxes, and payroll taxes depending on where you live.

A $750,000 home at 6.5% interest with 10% down requires a monthly payment of around $4,750. That's 50% of your take home pay gone before you've bought a single grocery or filled up your gas tank once.

Then the rest of the math arrives uninvited.

Property taxes on a $750,000 home average $7,500 to $12,000 a year. That's another $625 to $1,000 a month.

Homeowners insurance runs $200 to $300 a month. Utilities on a home that size average $400 to $500 a month.

Maintenance eats another 1 to 2% of home value annually.

You're now at $6,500 to $7,000 a month in housing costs alone.

On $9,500 take home.

That leaves $2,500 for food, transportation, childcare, retirement savings, and every other expense that exists in a normal human life.

And yet people do this every single day because the bank approved them, the realtor showed them the dream, and nobody in that transaction had any financial incentive to tell them the truth.

The bank gets paid on closing day. The realtor gets their commission. The mortgage officer hits their quota.

You get a house you can't breathe in and a savings account that never grows.

$150,000 a year and house poor is one of the most common and least talked about financial traps in America right now.

04/22/2026

Your home equity has been quietly growing for years. Why not use it while you can enjoy it?

A home equity line of credit (HELOC)* can turn a portion of that equity into added buying power, which can help when the time comes to purchase another home.

Wondering how much equity you could access? Contact us and we can run the numbers for you https://www.primelending.com/about-us/contact

*All credit decisions for brokered products will be made by a third party. Restrictions and limitations apply.

04/21/2026

Your tax refund can be more than a little extra spending money — it can help move you closer to your next home. Even putting a portion toward a down payment or closing costs can make a big difference in your buying journey. Small steps like this add up to big opportunities over time. 💸🏡 If you’re ready to explore what’s possible, I’d love to help you see which homes could be within reach; send me a message!

04/21/2026

That starter home your parents told you to buy in 2016 for $180,000 is now $425,000.

Hope you listened.

And if you didn’t, you’re in very crowded company.

Back then, $180,000 still felt expensive to a lot of people. It did not feel like some screaming bargain. It felt like a stretch. It felt risky. It felt like a big adult decision that could wait another year.

That is how opportunity usually looks in real time.

Not obvious. Not easy. Not comfortable.

In 2016, a 20% down payment on a $180,000 home with rates around 3.5% meant a payment most middle-class families could still realistically chase.

Now?

That same basic house at $425,000 with today’s rates turns into a payment that feels like a second job.

Same house. Same neighborhood. Same square footage.

Just a very different economy.

And that’s the part people miss when older generations say, “You should’ve bought sooner.”

They’re not wrong that buying earlier would have helped.

But younger buyers are not crazy either.

They were trying to make a rational decision in a market that still looked expensive then, and now looks almost absurd.

That’s what makes housing so frustrating right now.

The starter home used to be the first rung on the ladder.

Now in a lot of places, it feels like the ladder got pulled onto the roof.

The hard truth is this:

A lot of people did not waste their chance.

They just underestimated how fast the window would slam shut.

So no, the better question is not whether people should have bought in 2016.

The better question is what a smart next move looks like now.

What would you do in this market: keep renting, buy smaller, move farther out, or wait?

04/21/2026

A lot of people sell property the moment it goes up in value, but the smarter idea here is that real estate can become more powerful the longer you keep it.

A house can appreciate, produce rental income, and eventually turn into an asset that keeps working for you long after the mortgage is under control.

Selling might give you a short-term win, but holding gives you a better chance at long-term wealth, cash flow, and equity that keeps compounding over time.

The people who build real estate wealth usually think in decades, not quick exits.

04/20/2026

Homeownership can offer more than just a place to live — it can create stability, flexibility, and long-term financial growth. For many people, it becomes a foundation for building memories, routines, and a sense of belonging. Over time, the investment you make in your home can also support your bigger financial goals. 🏡✨ If you’re curious about what homeownership could look like for you, send me a message and let’s talk through your options.

04/03/2026

You never know who in your circle might be getting ready to make a move 🐰🏡 Whether they’re just starting to think about it or already hopping into the process, having the right support can make all the difference. I’m always here to help guide people through it in a way that feels smooth and stress-free. If someone comes to mind, feel free to send them my way—I’ll take great care of them 💛

04/02/2026

You’re understanding and use of money will decide what economic class you are a part of

You cannot control what financial situation you’re born into, but you can’t control which financial situation you leave