Ingrid Zimmer's Blog Posts

Why the End of Summer Can Be a Smart Time to Think About Your Next MoveThe end of summer often feels like a natural reset.Vacations wind down. School routines start again. The calendar gets more

The Home Projects Worth Tackling Before FallLate summer has a way of sneaking up on homeowners.One minute you’re thinking about barbecues, vacations, and long evenings outside. The next,

Why Some Homes Feel Bigger Than They Really AreSquare footage matters when you’re looking at homes, but it doesn’t always tell the whole story.Two houses can have almost the exact same

Before You Leave for a Long Weekend: A Quick Home CheckA long weekend away can be a great reset — but it is worth taking a few minutes before you leave to make sure your home is ready, too

Why Some Homeowners Stay Put Even When They Could Afford to MoveFor years, people often viewed homeownership as a series of stepping stones.You bought a starter home, built some equity, moved to

A Garbage Can Costs How Much?! And 5 Other Surprising Costs of Homeownership Essentials...When people think about the hidden costs of owning a home, they usually picture things like unexpected

As Memorial Day weekend rolls around and the weather finally starts cooperating again here in Northern New Jersey, many homeowners naturally start thinking more about their outdoor space.And if&

How Much Should Sunlight Really Matter When Buying a House?There’s no question that technology has changed the way people search for homes.Years ago, buyers mostly relied on listing photos, a

4 Ways To Give Your Offer an Edge This SpringLooking to buy a home this season? Here's what you should know. Buyers have more leverage today than they’ve had in years. There are more

Do You Look at Listing Photos Like a Real Estate Agent? Take This Quiz to Find Out!Think you’ve got a good eye for real estate? Listing photos can reveal a lot more than just square footage

Want Real Feedback About Your Home Before Listing It? Ask Your Agent to Be Brutally Honest... Not Your Friend.When you’re getting ready to sell your home, it helps to take a step back and try

Would You Buy a Haunted House? (There’s a 50/50 Chance You Might!)Not the kind you pay a few bucks to walk through for a good jump scare, but a legitimately haunted house. Or at

People are turning to AI for just about anything you can think of:Trying to figure out if a strange symptom is worth a doctor’s visitDrafting a text they’ve been overthinking for three

You’ve probably heard that “curb appeal” is important when selling your home.But just in case you haven’t, it’s essentially the first impression buyers get when they

Saving for a House Down Payment Is Way Harder than Experts Make It Sound, But...It’s not something that rolls off the tongue of many agents, but let’s just say it.Saving for a down

“Good Fences Make Good Neighbors”... As Long as You Keep These Tips in MindPutting up a fence might seem like one of the simplest home improvement projects you can take on. It adds

Why Spring Is Often the Busiest Time in Real EstateEvery year, something interesting happens once winter begins to fade. The real estate market starts waking up.More homes hit the market, more

Spring Home Maintenance Checklist: 10 Things Homeowners Shouldn’t ForgetAfter a long winter, spring is the perfect time to give your home a quick checkup. Snow, ice, and cold temperatures can

5 Signs It Might Actually Be Time to MoveWhile not everyone needs to move right away, there are situations where waiting can cost more than acting.Here are five signs it may truly be time:1. You

What Actually Makes a “Good Time” to Move — and What Doesn’tYou’ve probably heard it before:“I’m waiting for rates to drop.”“I’ll move

The Best Way to Figure Out If a New Home Would Really Make You HappierIt’s common to look around your current home and wish for something better.More space. A different layout. A better

Leased Solar Panels Could Impact a Buyer’s Ability to Get a MortgageMost homeowners who consider adding solar panels have a few common goals:They’re environmentally conscious and want to

More Buyers Are Planning To Move in 2026. Here’s How To Get Ready.Momentum is quietly building in the housing market. New data from NerdWallet shows more Americans are starting to think about

If you’re in your 20s or early 30s, buying a home can feel more like a “pipe dream” than the “American Dream,” with prices, rent, food, gas, insurance, and student

If you’ve ever bought a home before, you’re probably familiar with the advice that agents give their clients: don’t make any big purchases while you’re in the middle of house

Cat owner fined £1,100 after pet enters neighbour’s gardenA cat has been found guilty of trespassing into a neighbour’s garden in France, forcing its owner to pay €1(&

Daily Decluttering Matters More Than the Perfect Throw Pillow When Selling Your HomeWhen you sell a house, staging can make a real difference. But the word “staging” means different

September 2025 New Jersey’s housing market continued to balance out in September, with steady prices, slower sales, and growing inventory giving buyers a bit more leverage than we&rsquo

🏡 New Jersey Real Estate Market Update – August 2025The housing market across New Jersey showed a mix of rising prices, slower sales, and growing inventory last month. Here’s what you

June 2025U.S. existing-home sales edged up 0.8% month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.03 million units, exceeding economists’ expectations, although sales were down 0.7%

Selling and Buying at the Same Time? Here’s What You Need To KnowIf you're a homeowner planning to move, you're probably wondering what the process is going to look like and what you should

Tired of the Term “Cozy”? Here Are 15 Real Estate “Code Words” with Funnier (And Fresher) AlternativesReal estate listings take a lot of heat for using certain “code

Waiving Home Inspections: Just Because Other Buyers Are Doing It, Doesn’t Mean You Have to (Or Should)Many homebuyers have felt like they’ve had to go to extremes just to have their

Why More Sellers Are Choosing To Move, Even with Today’s RatesIt’s hard to let go of a 3% mortgage rate. There’s no question about it. It’s the main reason why so many

Can You Decode Real Estate Acronyms Like an Agent? Take the Quiz!Real estate agents often have just a few lines of space to squeeze in every last detail of a home, so over the years, they’ve

Why Waiting for 3% Rates to Come Back Around Could Cost You as a HomebuyerThere’s a saying in real estate: “Date the rate, marry the house.” But lately, some buyers aren’t

A Tale of Two Housing MarketsFor a long time, the housing market was all sunshine for sellers. Homes were flying off the shelves, and buyers had to compete like crazy. But lately, things are

If You’re Selling Your Home Soon, Don’t Let the Word ‘Concession’ Scare YouIn recent years, it hasn’t been unusual to list a home and have it go under contract in a

February 2025 Market Update U.S. existing-home sales fell for the first time since September, slipping 4.9% month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.08 million units,

Is Buying a Home Without an Agent Right for You? Take This Quiz to Find Out!Thinking about buying a home on your own? Skipping a real estate agent might seem like a great way to save money, but it

U.S. existing-home sales advanced for the third straight month, climbing 2.2% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.24 million units, a 10-month high, according to the National Association of

If you’ve been thinking about buying a house, you’ve probably heard that there aren’t that many homes for sale. And if you’ve been actively looking, chances are you can

A Record Percent of Buyers Are Planning To Move in 2025 – Are You?This could be the year to sell your house – and here’s why. According to a recent NerdWallet 

December 2024U.S. existing-home sales improved for the second consecutive month, rising 4.8% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.15 million units, an eight-month high, according to the

When Is the Perfect Time To Move?It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of waiting for the perfect moment to make your move – especially in today’s market. Maybe you’re

If Your House’s Price Is Not Compelling, It’s Not SellingThere’s one big mistake you need to avoid when you sell your house this year: setting your price too high. It

Expert Forecasts for the 2025 Housing MarketWondering what’s in store for the housing market this year? And more specifically, what it all means for you if you plan to buy or sell a home? The

Should You Sell Your House As-Is or Make Repairs?A recent study from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows most sellers (61%) completed at least minor repairs;

September 2024 Market UpdateU.S. existing-home sales slid 2.5% month-over-month and 4.2% year-over-year to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.86 million units, according to the National

August 2024U.S. existing-home sales increased for the first time in 5 months, as lower mortgage rates and rising supply helped boost market activity. According to the National Association of&

The Real Story Behind What’s Happening with Home PricesIf you’re wondering what’s going on with home prices lately, you’re definitely not the only one. With so much

July 2024U.S. existing home sales fell 5.4% month-over-month and 5.4% year-over-year to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.89 million units, with monthly sales down in all four regions,

We all get in a mood sometimes. And sometimes what causes us to feel “grrr” or “ahhh” can partly depend on what color of the rainbow we happen to be looking at.The color

June 2024 Market UpdateU.S. existing-home sales declined for the third consecutive month, as higher mortgage rates and rising sales prices hindered market activity during what has traditionally been

Why Moving to a Smaller Home After Retirement Makes Life EasierRetirement is a time for relaxation, adventure, and enjoying the things you love. As you imagine this exciting new chapter in your,

U.S. existing-home sales fell for the second month in a row, sliding 1.9% monthover-month and 1.9% year-over-year, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), with sales down in

U.S. existing-home sales grew 3.1% month-over-month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.00 million, exceeding economists’ expectations and marking the strongest sales pace since August

Make the Most Out of a Small Kitchen With These Creative Storage SolutionsIf you have a smaller kitchen, it can be hard to find space to store all of your dishes, gadgets, and other kitchenware,

Thinking of Selling? You Want an Agent with These SkillsSelling your house is a big decision. Your home is one of the biggest investments you’ve probably ever made, and it’s a

Home Prices Are Climbing in These Top CitiesThinking about buying a home or selling your current one to find a better fit? If so, you might be wondering what's going on

The Perks of Buying over RentingThinking about buying a home? While today’s mortgage rates might seem a bit intimidating, here are two solid reasons why, if you’re ready and

March 2024U.S. existing-home sales improved for the second month in a row, jumping 9.5% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.38 million units, exceeding economists’ expectations and

Is It Better To Rent Than Buy a Home Right Now?You may have seen reports in the news recently saying it’s more affordable to rent right now than it is to buy a home. And while that may be

Why Overpricing Your House Can Cost YouIf you’re trying to sell your house, you may be looking at this spring season as the sweet spot – and you’re not wrong. We

You’ve probably heard the news that there are changes coming in terms of how real estate commissions are paid.This might sound exciting and like a potential game-changer for you as a home

Finding Your Perfect Home in a Fixer UpperIf you’re trying to buy a home and are having a hard time finding one you can afford, it may be time to consider a fixer-upper. That’s

The Truth About Down PaymentsIf you’re planning to buy your first home, saving up for all the costs involved can feel daunting, especially when it comes to the down payment.

January 2024U.S. existing-home sales slipped 1.0% month-over-month and were down 6.2% year-over-year as of last measure, while pending sales jumped 8.3% from the previous month, marking the largest

Achieve Your Dream of Homeownership with Condos and Townhomes [INFOGRAPHIC]Some HighlightsIf you’re trying to buy a home but are having a hard time finding something in your

What’s Really Happening with Mortgage Rates?Are you feeling a bit unsure about what’s really happening with mortgage rates? That might be because you’ve heard someone say they

Home Equity Can Be a Game Changer When You SellAre you on the fence about selling your house? While affordability is improving this year, it’s still tight. And that may be on

Experts Project Home Prices Will Go Up in 2024Experts project home prices will go up in 2024. Let’s connect to go over what’s happening with home prices in our local.

Foreclosure Activity Is Still Lower than the NormHave you seen headlines talking about the increase in foreclosures in today’s housing market? If so, they may leave you feeling a bit

Why It’s More Affordable To Buy a Home This Year [INFOGRAPHIC]Some HighlightsHome affordability depends on three factors: mortgage rates, home prices, and wages.Mortgage rates are

Homeownership Is Still at the Heart of the American DreamBuying a home is a powerful decision, and it remains at the heart of the American Dream. Unlike renting, owning a home means more than just

2 Reasons Why Today’s Mortgage Rate Trend Is Good for SellersIf you’ve been holding off on selling your house to make a move because you felt mortgage rates were too high,

Why You May Want To Seriously Consider a Newly Built HomeAre you putting off your plans to sell because you’re worried you won’t be able to find a home you like when you move?

Sell Smarter: Why Working with a Real Estate Agent May Beat Going SoloIf you're thinking about selling your house on your own, called “For Sale by Owner” or FSBO, there are

Things To Consider If Your House Didn’t SellIf your listing has expired and your house didn’t sell, it's completely normal to feel a mix of frustration and disappointment.,

Why Pre-Approval Is Your Homebuying Game ChangerIf you’re thinking about buying a home, pre-approval is a crucial part of the process you definitely don’t want to skip. So, before you

The True Cost of Selling Your House on Your OwnSelling your house is no simple task. While some homeowners opt to sell their homes on their own, known as a FSBO (For Sale by Owner), they often

Your Needs Matter More Than Today’s Mortgage RatesIf you’re thinking about selling your house right now, chances are it’s because something in your life has changed. And, while

Why Buyers Need an Expert Agent by Their SideThe process of buying a home can feel a bit intimidating, even under normal circumstances. But today's market is still anything but normal. There

Rockaway, New Jersey, is a charming town located in Morris County, just an hour's drive from New York City. The town is known for its rich history, scenic beauty, and vibrant community. In this,

The Power of Pre-ApprovalIf you’re buying a home this spring, today’s housing market can feel like a challenge. With so few homes on the market right now, plus higher mortgage rates, it

Trying To Buy a Home? Hang in There.We’re still in a sellers’ market. And if you’re looking to buy a home, that means you’re likely facing some unique challenges, like

Get Ready: The Best Time To List Your House Is Almost HereIf you’re thinking about selling this spring, it’s time to get moving – the best week to list your house is fast

Historic Clinton NJClinton, New Jersey, is a small town located in Hunterdon County, which is located in the western part of the state. The town was incorporated in 1865 and has a rich history that

What’s Ahead for Home Prices in 2023Over the past year, home prices have been a widely debated topic. Some have said we’ll see a massive drop in prices and that this could be a repeat of

Balancing Your Wants and Needs as a Homebuyer This SpringThough there are more homes for sale now than there were at this time last year, there’s still an undersupply with fewer houses

An Expert Makes All the Difference When You Sell Your HouseIf you’re thinking of selling your house, it’s important to work with someone who understands how the market is changing and

Shades of Death Road is a winding, rural road located in Warren County, New Jersey. The road has gained notoriety for its name, which is said to have been derived from a history of violent murders

Checklist for Selling Your House This Spring [INFOGRAPHIC]Some HighlightsAs you get ready to sell your house, there are specific things you can add to your to-do list.These include

How To Make Your Dream of Homeownership a RealityAccording to a recent Harris Poll survey, 8 in 10 Americans say buying a home is a priority, and 28 million Americans actually

Discovering the Culinary Gems of Warren County, NJWarren County, NJ is known for its natural beauty and rich history, but did you know that it's also a foodie's paradise? From delicious dining

What You Should Know About Closing CostsBefore you buy a home, it’s important to plan ahead. While most buyers consider how much they need to save for a down payment, many are

Living in Warren County, NJ: A Guide to Life in the Garden StateWarren County is a beautiful and bustling county located in the heart of New Jersey. With its diverse landscapes, rich history, and

The Top Reasons for Selling Your HouseMany of today’s homeowners bought or refinanced their homes during the pandemic when mortgage rates were at history-making lows. Since rates doubled in

Sell Your House Before the HolidaysAs you look ahead to the winter season, you’re likely making plans and thinking about what you want to achieve before the year ends. One of those key