Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a fun Happy New Year as we usher in 2024!

After wonderful visits with family and friends up to NJ and back, my husband and I have talked about many ideas for this new year as I'm sure you have. We don't make resolutions, really, but we do discuss goals and desires and how to achieve them. Real estate is always on the list.

While there have been many "reports" of a crash this year, one thing's for sure...real estate is a hard asset you can't go wrong with. With that being said, here's some things to consider if you're looking for a "new view" as a primary or secondary residence in 2024:

1. Get your finances in order-If you need to finance your property, contact a loan officer you trust first to discuss all the programs available to you and get pre approved before even starting your search. If you need references for a loan officer, contact an agent in the area for references.
2. Don't rush it-We live in an "instant gratification" world in 2024. We expect everything to happen right now but when it comes to real estate, rushing is definitely not something you want to do. This is a huge investment even if it's a vacation home or investment so take your time.
3. Know what you want from the house itself and know what a good reasonable deal is-With the internet, we can get a jumpstart on home searches before even contacting an agent. Although you should never rush, you can save yourself and your agent's time searching if you have some idea of what you want  in your home and if it's within your budget.
4. When you start looking at homes, consider location-related features like commute time, school districts & property taxes-While this may be obvious, when you're looking at areas you really like, you may "overlook" these things and compromise your real desires and needs. Keep your priorities.

After doing all these things, you'll be ready to hit the road running towards that new home! Use your agent to help work out all the details to search for homes that best meet your expectations, desires, and maybe some special things you've always wanted in a home. She'll also be able to be an objective "sounding board" to help find the best place for you and your family. Changing your view in 2024 can be really exciting and stressful, but your agent can reduce the stress tremendously!  That's what we do!!

Enjoy the process and Happy hunting!!