The Connections Bridgewater-Somerville April 2019

www.theconnectionsnj.com N E W B R E E Z E RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL FULLY INSURED FREE ESTIMATES TREE SERVICE LLC Specialist In LANDSCAPING & TREE SERVICES TOPPING • TRIMMING • PRUNING STUMP REMOVAL Email: mrosales23@aol.com 908.413.6182 When you’re buying or selling a property, you become a target for advice. Unfortunately, listening to others isn’t always helpful. People generally give advice that validates the choices they’ve already made. Those choices may not be appropri- ate for you. The real estate market is constantly chang- ing. A person who bought or sold property in a different region or span of years may have strong opinions that don’t fit your situation. Beware the water cooler. A certain type of friend/rela- tive/co-worker will be happy to tell you every horror story they know. You’ll be a nerv- ous wreck, looking for any potential pitfall. Cautionary tales could be second-hand stories or worse, inaccurate. A person might believe their motivation is to help you, but in fact wants the attention that comes from being an “expert.” People will tell you stories from real estate TV shows they’ve seen. Nothing pack- aged as entertainment is like- ly to be accurate or useful in your actual transaction. Tele- vision portrayals of the home buy/sale process are overly simplified, with a heavy dose of invented dramatic conflict that is always miraculously resolved within 22 minutes. Keep your transaction under wraps. Advice can be helpful, but only from those you trust and respect. Don’t allow yourself to be bombard- ed by opinions from all sides. Instead, limit your advisors to a trusted few: your chosen professionals, and a couple of personal contacts or family members you feel comfort- able with. Your real estate agent, lender, and attorney are bound by fiduciary and ethical guidelines to consider and act upon your best inter- ests. You can’t pick your rela- tives, but you have full authority to choose your real estate professionals and advi- sors. Choose wisely! Local expert Johanna Wiseman of RE/MAX Preferred Professionals can be reached at 908-705-0652, or visit www.MyBridgewaterHome.com The Advice Trap By: Johanna Wiseman See ad on page 3 208 Glen Crest Drive Branchburg, NJ 08853 herculesseptic@gmail.com Residential • Commercial • Septic installation & repair • Video pipe inspection • High-velocity water jetting • Home septic inspections 24-hour affordable service Free estimates • Fully insured Cleaning your septic system can save you thousands in repairs and replacement! 26 Years Experience Any New Septic Installation $ 500 Off home & design PAGE 28