15 Reasons to Stop Renting that NJ Beach House

Do you spend your summer vacation at a beach rental? Have you considered buying a NJ beach house instead of paying rent during peak season?

Here are 15 reasons why you should stop throwing money away and buy your vacation home instead!

 

  1. Owning a vacation home is a moneymaker. You can charge other people to rent from you, instead of the other way around. Just one summer guest during peak season may be enough, or you might book several guests every year. You can handle it yourself or hire a property manager if you want to be hands-off.
  2. Give your credit score a major boost. Owning a NJ Beach House will increase your credit score over time as you make timely mortgage payments. This is a great way to build up your credit score so you can purchase future properties, if real estate investment is something you want to pursue.
  3. Directly benefit from energy efficiency. Renters pay exaggerated utility costs that are built into the rent. As the owner, you can make energy-efficient home improvements and see a considerable savings. High efficiency (HE) appliances and solar panels will make you money back on your investment.
  4. Prioritize location over accommodations. Renters are focused on house features even more than the location. If you’re buying a vacation home, you can and should focus instead on the location and land- a far more worthwhile investment. NJ beach houses can be easily torn or renovated, but the value truly lies in the close proximity to the beach and a view of the ocean!
  5. Full control over layout and decor. Have the option to change the paint color and design the rooms to suit you. As the owner, you can make the NJ beach house your own. Hang paintings from your favorite artist, and keep your surfboards in the garage instead of transporting them in a car. You can install weather protective features, or upgrade to more comfortable mattresses.
  6. Flexible occupancy schedule. When you are the homeowner, you have the advantage of setting the schedule. You get first pick of the weeks or months that you will utilize your NJ beach house, and you can reserve space for seasonal guests based around your personal plans.
  7. Take charge of who shares your space. Wouldn’t it be good to know who is using the beach house before you? You might not want to arrive directly after a group of party animals, especially if the furniture gets dirty or smells like smoke. You might not want to share space with a careless family leaves stains on the carpets and chips in the paint. As the owner, you will have control over who is sharing the space. You can strictly rent to people you know, or simply interview potential summer guests upfront.
  8. Friendship with your Neighbors. Those who live in NJ beach houses year round tend to look out for each other. If you own your vacation home, you will get to know your neighbors. They will keep you in the loop while you are away. It’s good to have a friend across the street, able to tell you if something is not right.
  9. Enjoy the off-season perks. Locals get to enjoy the off-season perks of living in a NJ beach house once tourism winds down. You can visit randomly, if you choose. It’s very affordable to plan a quick getaway during the off-season, especially when you own your vacation house. There are end-of-summer deals at boardwalk shops, half-price ticket days at amusement perks, beach tag-free weeks, and events in early spring and late summer.
  10. Always find a parking spot. NJ beach houses don’t always come with free parking. Attached garages are often used for storage, so renters must find parking spots on the street. This is a huge hassle during peak summer months. If you own a NJ beach house, you can make use of the garage or get a reserved parking spot.
  11. Work a summer job if you want. There are tons of seasonal job opportunities for teens and adults at the Jersey shore. It’s easy to find work on the boardwalk, or you can try out to work as a lifeguard on the beach. The trouble is, when you only spend a week or two at your NJ beach house, it’s not as easy to find work. However, if you own a NJ beach house in the area, locals will know you and will likely employ you even for a short time.
  12. Your tax refund will be better. There are financial benefits to owning a vacation home, especially around tax season. You can take a few different approaches that will allow you to get a bigger refund.Learn how you can claim passive losses on your NJ beach house or claim deductions for mixed-use property, even if you’re not renting it out.
  13. Owning a home is a real asset. Stop throwing money away on rent when you could be paying into a tangible asset. Everyone knows that paying rent for something long term is not financially wise. If you can buy, it’s better to buy. Turn your NJ beach house into a personal asset, instead of renting year after year.
  14. Real estate is safer than the stock market. These days, more people are choosing to invest in real estate over the stock market. Stocks are risky and our people hesitate to gamble with their money in the current economic climate. For many, real estate is a smarter way to invest. Money management professionals agree that buying a NJ beach house property while prices are low is a smart move.
  15. One day, your NJ beach house can become your retirement home. Wouldn’t it be great to buy a vacation house in your 30’s, rent it out in your 40’s, use it for your friends and family in your 50’s, and make it your retirement home when you’re ready? Owning a NJ beach house will fit well into your long-term plan if you already spend most summers at the Jersey Shore. You can move to the beach after retirement, and your house could be fully paid off.

Owning a NJ beach house can work for you!

Are you planning to move into your NJ beach house and live as a year-round resident? That’s even better! You can still reap the benefits of NJ’s beach house rental business.

One way to do this is by renting out part of your home, while you dwell in another part. If that’s not an option, you can arrange to stay with a friend while your beach house is booked with guests. Some families take a vacation themselves while their beach house is being rented out. During peak season, you can make a ton of money renting out your NJ beach house, and it may enable you head for Disneyworld when summer guests arrive.

Whether you keep a primary residence, or you move into your NJ beach house, owning your vacation home is a smart choice. Stop throwing money away! Make your summer vacation pay for itself.

How to be a Smart Shopper in a Flooded Real Estate World

When did becoming a realtor get SO TRENDY? Now, everybody knows somebody who does real estate. Learn to tell the difference between a pro and a dabbler, or you’ll get yourself into big trouble.

Search for an agent with real experience in real estate.

Lately, we’ve seen a major shift in real estate. A large number of people have left their jobs or stepped out of unemployment, expecting to make a living in real estate. While this wave of activity shines a positive light on the market, it leaves us wondering why real estate is now such an alluring career option.

It would appear that someone has convinced America that selling houses was a direct route to fortune. People from all walks of life are getting licensed to practice real estate. Once certified, they’re gathering data from people with intent to guide them through the process of buying or selling a home.

Spoiler Alert: Real estate is not like selling candy bars, and it’s not like becoming a rep for the newest multi-level marketing craze! It’s a very demanding job that comes with a ton of serious responsibilities. A good realtor knows the industry inside and out, and has the experience and connections to prove it.

People need to get real about real estate. Despite what self-made real estate expert programs may claim, it is not the perfect job for everyone. What we now face is an overabundance of rookie realtors who are fighting for clients. Be careful not to get stuck with a realtor who will waste your time and money, leaving you very disappointed in the end.

You might be temped to work with a real estate rookie, because they’ll be eager and available to help you. They might even offer you a generous commission rebate – a real estate incentive recently made legal in New Jersey. You may feel comfortable working with a realtor you know personally, but please use caution. Before putting your future into the hands of a real estate agent, make sure they are the real deal.

“If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.” -Red Adair, notable firefighterRed Adair’s famous quote warns that hiring an amateur will eventually cost you more than you’d expect. As a firefighter, Red was faced with trouble in the form of uncontrollable oil well fires. He understood the importance of fire prevention firsthand, and the same is true with real estate. Put your trust in a realtor who understands housing, and will avoid mistakes that would bring you trouble- very expensive trouble.

Don’t rely on the realtor with the wrong type of expertise.

Even the best realtors should be analyzed for what they can bring to the table. Realtors vary a great deal in what they are good at and what they can offer you.

If you are in the market to buy new construction housing, or pre-construction so you can customize it, you must find the realtor with this expertise. A real estate professional specializing in new construction will have relationships with builders and information on zoning and codes that a typical realtor will lack. If you are looking to buy and flip a property as an investment opportunity, you will want to work with a real estate professional who has experience with investors and contractors, and can utilize their databases to match up buyers and sellers.

Think of this as a partnership. You need to work with someone on your level, who shares the same goal and can provide the guidance and resources that you need in order to be successful. There is no return policy on real estate, even if your realtor has led you the wrong way. Make sure you find a trustworthy real estate professional to help you buy or sell your home.

Be careful not to become the victim of a real estate scam.

There are plenty of wolves in sheep’s clothing out there. With such an overabundance of real estate professionals, it can be hard to identify a fraud.

Early this year, a mother-and-son real estate team were arrested for scamming homebuyers in south Jersey. The pair was breaking into foreclosed homes, and selling them to unsuspecting individuals. The mother had previously worked as a realtor but her real estate license was revoked for life back in 2010. Working under a different name, she continued taking advantage of people, collecting money for homes that she had no legal right to sell. This tricky woman hopped around different office buildings, working under her own company name and managed to fool over twenty people into working with her.

Spare yourself a real estate nightmare like this. You should insist on a well-known real estate agency. Even if you want to work with a private office, pick one that’s affiliated with a major realty like Sotheby’s. Working with agents of a well-known realty is less risky, because the paperwork is going to check out. Also, ask plenty of direct questions when you are touring a property. Don’t be afraid to inquire about why the house is being sold, or ask what insurance claims have been filed. There are so many unknowns, so it’s best to research the property and do a thorough home inspection. Better yet, invest in new construction housing where everything is new and there is no history of damage, mismanagement or fraud.

Find a real estate professional, and let the dabblers practice on somebody else.

Beware of the overabundance of unqualified real estate agents out there in the world. Choose an experienced realtor with a great reputation, who will keep you from making expensive mistakes and regrettable decisions. Spend your time and money on the real deal, and let the dabblers practice on somebody else.

8 Advantages to buying New Construction Homes in NJ

If you’re leaning towards buying a previously owned home, I will give you 8 reasons to start changing your mind. New construction homes in NJ are the smarter choice, because you will truly get your money’s worth.

New Construction Homes in NJ will cost less and offer more.

    1. Low Maintenance and Fewer Repairs… Buying a used house at the Jersey Shore is risky. Older beach houses have taken a beating due to the salt air and maybe even some flooding. Resale homes, even in the greatest condition, require heavy maintenance to keeps things running. Old appliances need TLC and you could pay through the nose for structural renovations. A newly built house will eliminate these risks. It’s wise to have new construction homes in NJ thoroughly inspected before closing, but you’re not likely to find any major surprises. New construction homes in NJ need very little maintenance or repair, if any!
    2. Covered by Warranties… Brand new houses come with warranties directly from the builders. In the off chance that something was done incorrectly or something unusual happens, the warranties will cover all materials and workmanship and systems (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) for up to ten years. Newly installed appliances also carry a manufacturers warranty or service warranty. If the new stove or dryer stops working, you can have it repaired or replaced for free.
    3. More Efficient Technology… Everyone knows that aged technology becomes obsolete. There is no question that the latest models of washing machines and heating systems are far more efficient than they were a decade ago. If you buy a ten-year- old house equipped with old appliances and systems, they will not only cost more to operate but they will not work very well. The air quality you get with new heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) systems is cleaner than it used to be. High efficiency (HE) appliances work to lower your electric bill. Don’t sell yourself short by using the outdated technology that usually comes with a resale house.

Your new construction home will make a great primary residence or investment property

    1. Ability to Customize… New construction homes in NJ are usually built based upon a spec. If you want to be able to customize your new home, you will have the option with a new construction home. You can work with the realtor to communicate your requests to the builders. They will make sure things are done the way you envision, and in compliance with building codes. Designing the home of your dreams is easy with this approach. Buy a new construction in the early stages, or buy it preconstruction, and you can have it built according to your specifications.
    2. Faster Appreciation… New construction homes in NJ tend to appreciate faster than other types of properties. When newly constructed houses start popping up, the demographics change in a way that attracts more retail stores, more schools, and other amenities to serve the growing population. This means that you could buy a very affordable house in a typical beach town community, and within a few years, the value of your house will increase dramatically because the already-high property value will skyrocket.

Bet you never thought about these next three advantages to new construction homes in NJ!

    1. Easy Access to a Green Card… This is not a joke, and there is nothing shady about it! According to law EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, foreigners can get a green card for investing in new construction homes in NJ. Smart people are taking advantage of this awesome little secret. International students who plan to pursue a career in America are finding this option to be especially beneficial. Foreign parents can invest in a new construction home in NJ-either to rent it out, sell it, or take up residence- and the entire family becomes eligible to receive green cards in exchange for their local investment. By spending $500k or more on a new construction project that helps create local jobs, you and your dependent children get onto a fast track for legal status.
    2. No Junk Mail for Previous Residents… This may seem minor, but you can imagine how annoying it would be to have a mailbox full of letters addressed to the previous homeowners. Mail forwarding doesn’t work too well, so it’s bound to happen. You’ll also receive tons of junk mail and ads intended for the old residents.

      Another thing to consider is what type of reputation the previous homeowners had. If they were low tippers, the deliveryman might take the long way to deliver pizza to your house. These types of things might not bother you, but they can add up and impact your homeowner experience.

    3. Start Fresh… There’s something unexplainable about owning a brand new, modern beach house. Everything is spotless and fresh as the ocean breeze coming through your windows. There are no stains to hide, no chips to cover, or odors to get rid of. The owners of new construction homes in NJ have a fresh advantage for their families or investment projects.

Here’s one last benefit to remember about original homeowners: You won’t need to worry about having a sentimental old resident show up like Ben Affleck in Surviving Christmas, if you buy new construction homes in NJ. That would just be awkward for everyone. You can’t be too careful. Shop wisely.

New construction homes in NJ are a better investment than resale houses

If you’re in the market to buy a house or investment property, the new construction homes in NJ should be on your radar. Resale housing may have a lower listing price, but you’ll lose more money in the long run. Start from scratch with new construction and you’ll save yourself a lot of headaches, plus your house will be worth more later if you ever wish to sell it.