Sheri Van Houten Marino, Broker Associate, KW Valley Realty

10/02/2026

An AI summary can explain what an inspection report says. Your agent can help you work through which findings matter for this home and how to raise them during negotiations.

Practical ways to use AI for homebuying research in the United States, alongside the local knowledge and judgment an agent brings to a specific purchase.

10/01/2026

If selling is on your mind, you don’t necessarily need a brand-new kitchen to impress buyers. Avoiding a few design mistakes can help the space show much better.

Your kitchen doesn’t need to be brand new to make a good impression. Sometimes it’s the smaller design choices that keep the room from looking as polished as it could. Business Insider asked interior designers about three common mistakes that can make a kitchen look cheap, offering some useful p...

09/30/2026

✨ NEW PRICE | 16 Shephard Rd, Hewitt, NJ ✨

Lake living just became even more inviting! 🏡🌊 16 Shephard Rd is now offered at $950,000.
Surrounded by beautiful greenery with stunning lake views nearby, this property offers the space, setting, and lifestyle to make every day feel like a getaway plus a private dock for your boat!

📍 16 Shephard Rd, Hewitt, NJ 07421
💰 Now Offered at $950,000

Ready to see it for yourself? Contact Sheri Marino 201-707-8361 to schedule your private showing!

09/29/2026

A backyard railroad sounds like something from a Disney film, but Walt Disney built one at his Holmby Hills home. Its tracks, tunnel, and bridges made the property a place to bring one of his favorite hobbies to life.

Explore Walt Disney’s homes in Los Angeles and Palm Springs, including his Los Feliz storybook house and the Holmby Hills estate where he built a miniature railroad.

09/28/2026

It’s striking how much more of a household budget mortgage payments can take today than they did a decade ago. This chart puts that shift in perspective.

Barron’s looks at why a 7% mortgage rate puts more pressure on U.S. household budgets than the same rate once did. Its chart compares mortgage principal and interest costs as a share of income now and a decade ago, showing how affordability depends on more than the interest rate alone. The piece w...

09/24/2026

Part of the appeal of buying a home is becoming the master of your own domain—no landlords, no lease renewals, just a space where what you say goes.

It's understandable that homeowners associations can cause some consternation. HOAs govern the rules of a community, from landscaping standards to exterior paint colors, and enforce them through fees and fines that homeowners have little choice but to pay.

09/24/2026

🏡 OPEN HOUSE this Sunday!

Come see 58 Ramapo Road, West Milford — the best townhouse alternative just 15 miles to Bergen County! ✨

Enjoy your own space, a great backyard, and beautiful lake-area surroundings.

📅 Sunday, Sept. 27
⏰ 12 PM – 2 PM
📍 58 Ramapo Road, West Milford, NJ

Stop by and take a look! We’d love to see you there. 🏡

09/22/2026

EXPERIENCE year-round LAKE LIFESTYLE with a PRIVATE DOCK ON GREENWOOD LAKE’s east shore while living in this BEAUTIFUL 5 Bedroom/4.5 Bath ESTATE-LIKE HOME. Nestled in the private AWOSTING LAKE COMMUNITY, and just 15 MILES TO BERGEN CTY, this has it all! CHEF-GRADE GOURMET KITCHEN, GREAT ROOM + LIV RM, DINING RM & PRIVATE REAR EXTENDING LIVING. BREATHTAKING SUNSET VIEWS...Make every day an escape!

16 Shephard Road, West Milford, NJ 07421. Click for more photos and pricing

09/22/2026

Getting clear on down payment options can save you from sitting out longer than you need to.

A 20% down payment can be helpful, but it isn’t a rule for every homebuyer. Many loan programs allow qualified buyers to purchase with less upfront, though the tradeoffs can include mortgage insurance, different monthly payments, or stricter approval requirements. If you’re planning to buy, this...

09/21/2026

A lower-cost state can stretch your retirement budget, especially if housing, insurance, and everyday expenses are easier to manage.

Retirement planning often starts with savings, but where you live can make a major difference in how far that money goes. This AOL piece looks at affordable states for retirees, with housing costs, everyday expenses, and lifestyle all playing a role. It’s a useful reminder that a later-life move i...