International Students and Relocation Experts
Moving to a new city can be challenging especially when moving from another country.
We at DV Real Estate Group have vast experience helping international students and people coming from abroad to work to relocate. We understand how stressful a time like this can be. We pride ourselves in giving the guidance and attention needed so that your move can be as simple as possible.
Reasons to work with us:
1. Familiarity with the local market: We have extensive knowledge of the local housing market, including the availability of rental properties, prices, and neighborhoods.
2. Language and cultural barriers: You may face language and cultural barriers when navigating the rental market in a foreign country. We bridge this gap by communicating with landlords, negotiating leases, and explaining the rental process in an easy way to understand.
3. Time-saving and convenience: Searching for housing can be a time-consuming and overwhelming process. We can streamline the search by pre-screening properties, arranging property viewings, and handling paperwork, saving valuable time and effort.
4. Access to a wider range of options: We often have access to a broader range of rental properties than what may be publicly available. We have connections with landlords, property managers, and other industry professionals, giving us access to off-market listings or exclusive opportunities.
5. Guidance and support: Renting a property involves legal and financial considerations that you may be unfamiliar with. We provide guidance on lease agreements, rental regulations, and help understand your rights and responsibilities as tenants.
6. Increased trust and security: Working with a reputable real estate broker can provide a sense of trust and security . We have professional affiliations, licenses, and ethical guidelines that we must adhere to, which can help protect you from fraudulent practices or unfair treatment.
Author: DV Real Estate Group
Tips for Buying a Home in a Competitive Market
There is no doubt that the housing market in New Jersey is HOT HOT HOT right now and there are no signs of it cooling down anytime soon. No matter where you look, housing inventory continues to be low while demand for housing continues to increase. This type of market can scare people away from buying a home, but we’re here to show you that it is still possible to buy a home in a competitive market. The DV Real Estate Group has compiled a list of tips to help you score your dream home during this competitive housing market.
HIRE AN EXPERIENCED REAL ESTATE TEAM IN YOUR AREA
First things first, working with an experienced team of real estate agents is your best bet when trying to purchase a home in a competitive market. Not only does a knowledgeable real estate agent know what to expect, they can also help the homebuyer move through the process quickly and also avoid paying more than necessary for the property they are trying to buy. (Need a Jersey City real estate agent? Contact the DV Group here)
KNOW WHAT YOU WANT
Having a good understanding of what you are looking for in a home will save a lot of time and prevent you from losing good opportunities due to indecisiveness. When buying in a competitive market, you have to be able to make decisions quickly. Making a list of priorities, narrowing down your preferences and also listing things that you can do without with also make for a more nimble home buying process. A real estate agent with local expertise can help you understand the costs for the kind of home you want, and also make recommendations.
GET PRE-APPROVED
Whether you are buying a home in a competitive market or not, a homebuyer should always get a pre-approval prior to starting the house hunting process. Having a pre-approval lets the seller know that you are qualified to purchase their home therefore making your offer more competitive. A pre-approval letter also helps the homebuyer figure out what their price point is when house hunting. This will help narrow down your choices.
Don’t let a competitive market scare you aware from owning your dream home. Work with our team of top real estate agents in Jersey City and let the DV Real Estate Group help you find the home of your dreams.
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Author: DV Real Estate Group
Single Women Outpace Men in Homebuying
As we conclude Women’s History Month, I decided to share how women are changing the landscape in the real estate world. First, here are some interesting facts:
- It wasn’t until 1900 that all states allowed women to hold property in their own names.
- It wasn’t until 1974 that women were able to apply for and obtain mortgages on their own without a male co-signer.
A lot has changed since then. With the rise of women in the US workforce, women now account for 12.9% of American owner-occupied homes. In 2022, 17% of single homebuyers were women and 9% were single men. That means that single women almost doubled single men in the purchase of their primary homes last year.
When speaking to my single male colleagues, clients, and friends many of them prefer to rent because it gives them more flexibility as to where they want to live or, in case they want to move, they are not “stuck” with a home they need to sell. Women, on the other hand, prefer the stability and security that being a homeowner entails.
In the past, being single past your late 20’s was socially unacceptable, but as more women decide to stay single for a longer period of time to pursue their careers, this real estate trend will continue to rise.
In my opinion, purchasing your primary residence, regardless if you decide to stay single forever or just until you find your significant other, is a smart decision. Real estate in most instances, is a long term investment and the equity that is built is always a positive thing in anyone’s life. You can always keep the property as an investment or sell it and use the equity to buy your marital home.
So, to all my single ladies out there, purchase your home and be happy in it! Because a happy house is always full of love — no matter your relationship status.
Author: DV Real Estate Group
Life Insurance, Wills, and an Expiration Box
If there is one thing we can be certain of is that one day we will no longer be on this earth. Mother Nature has made sure we have an expiration date and as much as we may not like to think about death, that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. Once we have responsibilities such as a family, owning real estate, or any assets for that matter, it is of utmost importance that our loved ones and our assets are protected.
When a property is purchased, the mortgage company requires you to purchase property insurance which is not optional. The mortgage company is protecting themselves against the worst scenario possible that could happen to the property. Because they have such a huge interest in the property (in lending the money to purchase the property), the mortgage company needs to make sure that their investment is safe.
The same is to be said with protecting your life’s interest. If you and/or your partner are considering purchasing a home, recently bought one, or have owned one for years, it is imperative to have life insurance. If not, you are putting your family’s livelihood at risk. Have you thought about how your family would pay the mortgage if you were no longer here?
Because there is such excitement of purchasing a home, this is not something that is often thought about. However, this is the best time to take care of such matters. Having these honest conversations shortly after moving into your new home is just as important as purchasing the home. At the same time, a will should be drafted because you do not want to put your family through a long and dreadful probate process. The pain of losing a loved one alone is a lot to bear. Additionally, planning these matters is much better when everyone is in good spirits and in good health.
Finally, to avoid confusion and to make sure that all documentation, accounts, and policies are accounted for, preparing a death box is essential. This “box” which could be in a digital file and/or actually stored in a safe box should include the following:
- Bank accounts
- Loans/Credit Cards
- Mortgages
- Will and Trust
- Life insurance policies
- Car Title & Insurance
- Home Title & Insurance
- CPA and Lawyer Information
Author: DV Real Estate Group
Diana Vasquez Makes Guest Appearance on “Beyond the Close”
I was recently invited to make a guest appearance on Beyond The Close. Beyond The Close is a real estate reality show on American Stories Network showcasing ten real estate agents from across the country.
Not only did the agents compete to win prizes, but they were mentored by successful entrepreneurs such as Jay Abraham, Kevin Harrington from Shark Tank, and Jason Williford. I am very lucky to call Jason my mentor. He has been an incredible source of real estate knowledge and marketing wisdom.
We toured spectacular multi-million dollar properties in Miami such as The Regalia’s $34M penthouse and a new development site at Dezer’s Porsche Design Tower. We met with super star agent, Christine Quinn from Selling Sunset. And yes, she is as fabulous as she looks!
I was given an inside tour of one of Journal Square’s newest projects located at 413 Summit Avenue by Titanium Realty Group. The project is still under construction and I got to see the level of detail and expertise of the men and women behind this tower.
I feel such gratitude to have such amazing people around me. I truly believe that professional growth comes from having an amazing team.
Cheers to a New Year, teamwork, and a new year of real estate opportunities.
Author: Stephanie Maldonado
What is an assumable mortgage?
With the unforeseen mortgage interest rate hikes, many buyers of both residential and commercial real estate cannot afford what they could afford last year. For residential buyers, their buying power has diminished as their monthly payments increased substantially and home prices have not dropped enough. For investors looking to find a deal, it is almost impossible to achieve. Interest rates are as high as cap rates, leaving little to no cash flow, and in some instances even negative cash flow.
A solution for this dilemma is an assumable mortgage. An assumable mortgage is a mortgage that has an assumption clause in the contract stating that another party can take over the same terms as the initial buyer did. This means that if your mortgage is 3.5% for 30 years the new buyer can take over that exact same mortgage amount, interest rate, and term years. If someone locked in a great rate, they can now sell their property and let the new buyer assume the mortgage with the same interest rate. However, they can only assume the balance of the existing loan. If you are selling the property above the loan amount for a profit, the new buyer will either have to come up with the cash difference or get a second mortgage.
You will have to look through your mortgage documents to make sure your loan is assumable and the new buyer will have to be approved by the lender to assume the mortgage just like a regular mortgage transaction. These assumable mortgages function both in residential and commercial loans as long as the clause is in the contract.
Ready to begin your home buying journey? Get started with DV Real Estate Group today.
Author: DV Real Estate Group