Essex County offers a good mix of green spaces, relatively affordable and spacious homes, and that coveted proximity to NYC. That said, buying a home here (and just about everywhere else) is easier said than done. Depending on your unique situation and multiple other factors, you may have a smoother-than-average or protracted home buying experience.
If you’re looking into homes for sale in Essex County, NJ, we’ve prepared this quick and easy home buying guide to help you find the best deal possible.
Find a local agent
A local real estate agent possesses deeper familiarity with Essex County real estate than one that’s based somewhere else. Apart from showing you homes for sale, they can also give you insight on the lifestyle, plus other aspects that may enrich your life or otherwise. So before anything else, find a local Realtor to assist you in buying a home.
Balance must-haves with the nice-to-haves
Achieving your real estate goals will depend largely on what your non-negotiables are. But a lot of buyers often forget that not every home feature is essential. You won’t always get a neatly packaged deal with all the amenities and features you want.
Come up with a list of must-have home features. These can include proximity to schools or public transportation (or both) to the number of bedrooms and off-street parking. This list will immediately help you narrow down your options, not only in terms of properties, but also neighborhoods.
As for your list of nice-to-have features, don’t let it dictate the direction of your home search. You don’t want to end up with a home that only makes you temporarily happy because it lacks what you really need.
Study the market
Making a decision during a real estate transaction involves a lot of work and research. While you don’t have to extensively study what goes on in the town or neighborhood you’re interested in, it helps to be apprised of current trends and market conditions. Keep yourself updated by following local news and ask your agent about the latest developments.
Get mortgage pre-approval
Being pre-approved for a mortgage sends the right signal to home sellers: you’re a serious buyer that’s been vetted by your preferred bank or lender. While you haven’t fully secured that amount you want to borrow, you’re almost there.
But that’s not the only benefit of getting pre-approved. It influences your home search because it confirms your price range. This is another way of narrowing down your options to homes for sale in Essex County that both fall within your budget and offer some of your must-have features.
There are many more towns and communities to discover in Essex County. Consider exploring the real estate market with trusted agent Frank DeZao. As a lifelong New Jerseyan with extensive knowledge of numerous counties — Bergen County, Morris County, Sussex County, and Passaic County — Frank is ready to make your home buying journey a hassle-free experience.
Get in touch with Frank DeZao by calling 201.953.9376 or sending an email.