Jay Everett-Keller Williams Realty Ocean Living

02/04/2022

https://www.thirteen.org/programs/nj-spotlight-news/business-report-nj-home-prices-surge-1643917259/

New numbers confirm New Jersey’s real estate market was red hot through the end of 2021. According to New Jersey Realtors, home prices soared due to strong demand. At the end of the year, the median sales price for a single-family home reached $435,000 in New Jersey. There were fewer homes for sal...

02/02/2022

💸Why is sooner better than later if you're on the fence? SAVE MONEY! Predictions are that mortgage interest rates will continue to climb throughout 2022 AND 2023.

📈According to Federal Reserve Economic Data, the 30-year fixed rate mortgage average in the US was 2.65% on 1/7/21 and has now risen to 3.55% as of 1/22/22. This can be a difference of hundreds of dollars EVERY MONTH over the 30-year life of your mortgage. And, with rates fluctuating daily, the rates have been in the 4% range recently.

🏠If you're happy where you are for the long-term but have a mortgage rate over 4%, it may still be a good time to consider refinancing to save money monthly for years to come before rates increase.

⏰If you've had any thoughts of selling and moving, or becoming a homebuyer in the near-term, it may not pay to sit on the sidelines even in this competitive environment. Remember--if you've thought of selling--the higher rates continue to go the less Buyers can afford to pay, a potential deflatiobary pressure on prices despite low inventory.

❤️I know it can be daunting, but I am here for you whether you just need to ask a question, get guidance, or actually make a move. Shoot me a DM, text, or let me know how to reach out to you--whatever works for you is what I want to help you make happen!
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01/24/2022

A long time in coming, Gov. Phil Murphy today announced the upcoming launch of the Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance Program (ERMA), administered by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA). This program will provide up to $35,000 in assistance to cover mortgage arrearages, delinquent property taxes, and other housing cost delinquencies for eligible homeowners negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Jersey’s program utilizes $325.9 million of federal Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) money, and is expected to help thousands of families get back on their feet.

ERMA will also provide free housing counseling services to help New Jersey homeowners apply for this program, guide them through all available options, and work with their loan servicers to achieve the best outcome available for their family. These counselors will also ensure that the process is accessible to those without access to internet or those having difficulties navigating the process.

If you are unsure if you’re eligible, you should call 855-647-7700 to be put in touch with a housing counselor who can help guide you through the process and understand your options.

In December, New Jersey’s ERMA program became one of the earliest HAF plans to receive United States Department of Treasury approval to launch. The program is financed through the federal Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The ERMA application portal will open for applications at: www.njerma.com on Feb. 8 at 9AM.

Visit www.njhousing.gov/dca/hmfa/covid19/haf to review program eligibility and sign up for program updates.

To qualify for the ERMA program, homeowners must meet the following requirements:

1) Be a New Jersey homeowner with a demonstrated COVID-19-related financial hardship occurring after Jan. 20, 2020;
2) Own and occupy an eligible primary residence;
3) Have an income below 150% of their Area Median Income (AMI).

NJHMFA will provide the centralized application intake platform, eligibility review, and payment of assistance, which will be made directly to the servicer.

ERMA applications can be submitted using a personal computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet. Housing counselors are available to assist homeowners that need help completing the application or understanding all available options.

NJHMFA will work to accommodate homeowners with disabilities as well as to assist applicants with limited English proficiency. The application portal is available in many languages. Applicants seeking accommodations should contact NJHMFA at (855) 647-7700 for assistance.

The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) is dedicated to increasing the availability of and accessibility to safe, decent and affordable ...

08/25/2021

📈 Home Prices, Inventory, Mortgage Rates, and Inflation all been up recently, and the market is shifting.

📉 Prices are currently plateauing and may flatten or soften in the near-to-mid-term as they have exceeded the historical 4% median price appreciation trend.

🏡 This does not mean we won't continue to have a strong market, but it does likely signal a shift in the equilibrium between supply and demand pressures that we've already started to feel with our clients' deals.

❓ If you have questions about buying or selling in this market, please reach out to me! I'm happy to advise you 😊

📞 732-788-3346

08/11/2021

New Jersey is in the process of developing a Home Owner Assistance Fund to help with mortgage payments for those who have fallen behind due to Covid. Use the link for more information and to register to receive updates on the program:

The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) is dedicated to increasing the availability of and accessibility to safe, decent and affordable ...

07/28/2021

So excited to have showings starting today for my adorable new listing at 3261 Washington Rd., Parlin, NJ! This move-in ready Cape-style home has so much to offer, including: 2 Bedrooms, 2 Full Bathrooms, 2 full Kitchens, abundant living space and a beautiful fenced-in yard with a great 11' x 16' deck right off the Breakfast Room!

Enjoy cozy gas stoves/fireplaces in the huge Finished Basement as well as in the Living Room, Breakfast Room, and 2nd Floor Bedroom. Enjoy hosting your next gathering in the lovely formal Dining Room.

With a Bonus Room, Basement, and Shed there is plenty of space for you to move everything in so you can take advantage of convenient access to nearby shopping, highways, & public transportation. Elementary School and playing fields are also across the street.

List Price: $325,000

To learn more and see additional photos, use the website link in my Instagram bio or visit: https://www.jayeverett.com and scroll down to the Featured Listing.

Call or text me today for a private showing: 732-788-3346
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07/19/2021

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Matthew 7:12a

Clients of mine just closed on a home today!

One of the best parts of the deal, in my humble opinion, was that the Seller was genuinely kind and considerate in handing the property over. They went out of their way to lay out all keys and documents nicely, transferred a number of warranties for parts of the home to my Buyers, and even mapped the wall outlets and where they fit on the home's electrical panel.

Think about how you'd like it if you bought a new home and had no idea what to do if a fuse was blown or if you missed out on warranty protection that could have saved you hundreds of dollars! The Seller did think about this, and my Buyers were the beneficiaries.

In a world gone mad, it's nice when people take the time to think of others--especially in the fraught and stressful realm of real estate!

On to the next successful closing!

07/02/2021

You've probably heard about the real estate market by now. In local markets here in NJ, appreciation is much greater than national averages. Have you had any thoughts of selling? We are seeing market signals that prices will not continue to climb indefinitely. That makes this moment extremely opportune for selling if the timing works for your household. If you need to make a game plan, discuss your options, understand your home's value, or make a move, please call or text me and I'd be honored to help--even the option best for you doesn't require a Realtor!
📞 732-788-3346
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06/29/2021

The Monmouth County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is accepting applications for tenants who owe back rent due to Covid-19. Tenant OR landlord may initiate the application. The application must be completed online:
www.monmouthcountyerap.com

Please see attached flyers in English and Spanish for more information.

There are 11 community agencies throughout Monmouth County who are able to assist people who do not have access to computers, or who may need help in completing the application. The list of those organizations is also attached.

Please share this information!

05/25/2021

When shopping for a home in today's market, I'm counseling clients to not just fall in love with curb appeal, but to make sure their next home will meet their needs for the next 5 to 7 years, to the extent it is possible to foresee. Interest rates are still near historic lows, but with home values up across the state it's important to try to set yourself up with a period of time to make some steady, comfortable mortgage payments. This can help protect your household's financial well-being and equity position against any potential market volatility in the future.

03/23/2021

UNDER CONTRACT! So excited to help my Seller get to the closing table after dozens of showings and offers! Call or text me to help get YOU under contract quickly and smoothly 👍