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At its meeting on November 3, 2015, the North Brunswick Township Council adopted an ordinance creating a new Certificate of Continued Occupancy inspection requirement. Working with the Middlesex County Association of Realtors®, New Jersey Realtors® was able to have the fees that sellers would have to pay when selling their homes reduced. As originally discussed earlier this year, the CCO inspection fee was proposed at $260.00. When the ordinance was introduced, it was listed as $195.00. After learning that the CCO fee as introduced…

In the days and weeks leading up to the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure Rule, many industry leaders, including NAR, grew increasingly concerned about the harsh penalties that could come as the result of a misstep in following the new procedures.   In response to these apprehensions, the House of Representative passed a bill created to assist smaller lending, title and escrow companies with compliance. The Homebuyers Assistance Act will not hold these parties liable for unintentional noncompliance prior to February 1, 2016…

On Monday, September 28, NJ Realtors® CEO, Jarrod Grasso, and Chief Counsel, Barry Goodman, provided more than 600 attendees with an informational overview of the NJ Realtors® updated Statewide Sales Contract (form 118). Now available through the NJ Realtors® online forms platform, this new form has been revamped to suit the needs of agents throughout the state while also including all of the TRID-compliant language that becomes pertinent on October 3 with the TRID implementation.   NJ Realtors® will be hosting a second webinar…

Having lived in your home for years, if not decades, there’s no arguing that you know the ins-and-outs of your current residence better than anyone else. However, that doesn’t mean that you’re going to be the best person to sell your home when you decide to move. Though tempting, For Sale By Owner transactions are not as successful or lucrative as some might originally assume — even in a seller’s market.   Instead, contracting a New Jersey Realtor who has years of experience, is well-versed on the current market conditions…

In accordance with the upcoming TILA-RESPA Integration on October 3, and to further address the expressed needs of members throughout the state, the New Jersey Realtors® Risk Management Committee has created an updated version of the Standard Form of Real Estate Sales Contract (Form 118) to comply with TRID regulations as well as a brand new cohesive, statewide contract.   To allow members the chance to become familiar with the new statewide contract and stay compliant with the law, NJ Realtors® has now created two versions of…

On October 29 a group of enthused Realtors® gathered for the 2015 Diversity & Fair Housing Forum. Held at the Forsgate Country Club, attendees learned about the distinguishing characteristics, emerging trends and distinct real estate goals and challenges in serving diverse markets. In addition, Barry S. Goodman, Esq. taught a session on complying with the Fair Housing Act and law against discrimination, while leaders from AREAA, NAGLREP, NAHREP and NAREB served as guest panelists.      

When it’s time to finally take the dive and list a home for sale, many sellers will rush to update, reconstruct, and replace the lackluster parts of their home. But are they picking the right projects? In order to get the maximum return on investment on any pre-sale construction job, consult the 2015 Cost v. Value Report, put out by Remodeling magazine each year, which compares job cost changes to Realtors’ perceptions of what the projects bring to a selling price when the property is resold.   This year’s cost-value ratio of…

On September 10, NJ Realtors® hosted an informative webinar in partnership with MyForce and featuring Tracey Hawkins — “Tracey, the Safety Lady” — a nationally-recognized expert in safety and security. Tracey's presentation included tips on staying safe on the road, online, at open houses and more. Tracey shared experiences other Realtors® have relayed to her as well as helpful tips that can be incorporated into every day life.   Below you will find a link to download the PowerPoint that accompanied Tracey's presentation.  …

On Tuesday, September 8, the Metuchen Borough Council voted to pass ordinance 2015-10, which addresses vacant and abandoned properties and storefronts within the community. After the ordinance was proposed earlier in the summer, the Middlesex County Association of Realtors® worked with members of the Borough Council to address some concerns over areas of the ordinance that pertained to storefronts and commercial properties. The original proposal detailed a timeline for which properties would be considered vacant that many Realtors®…

At its August 25, 2015 meeting, the Stanhope Borough Council adopted an ordinance exempting real estate licensees from being required to register vacant properties they have listed with the municipality. This ordinance was adopted in response to a request from the Sussex County Association of Realtors® and New Jersey Realtors® over concerns that Realtors® would be subject to requirements of a newly adopted vacant property registration ordinance.   In response, the borough council adopted this ordinance exempting real estate…