theconnectionsnj.com HOME & DESIGN PAGE 38 TRITANTI PLUMBING & HEATING LLC RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL PROFESSIONAL | RELIABLE | EXPERIENCED Emergency Services • Plumbing Repairs • Drain Cleaning Pipe Installation & Repairs • Toilet Repairs & Installation Water Heater & Boiler Services • Leak Detection & Repairs 908-642-5879 www.tritantiplumbing.com Bonded & Insured | License#13500 he 2026 spring real estate market is underway! At the moment, it looks like we are going to have another great year locally, with good news for almost everyone. First, the inventory of available homes has risen above past years, so buyers have more to choose from. In previous years, there was a stampede every time a home was listed for sale, with buyers feeling pressured to see it and make a decision as soon as possible. The fear was that when a home for sale met the buyers’ criteria, they had to be the successful bidder, or they might not find another opportunity in their price range for months. Now, with a rise in the number of homes for sale, there is less pressure. In the past few years, our market has been dominated by cash buyers. In other words, those who did not need a mortgage for their purchase were able to easily win in competitive situations, with sellers feeling more comfortable about a cash sale. Relying on a buyer who needs to qualify for a mortgage adds an extra level of risk for the seller, with potential obstacles including the appraisal. Also, mortgages tend to increase the length of escrow period, due to the lender’s approval process. If cash buyers’ offers were competitive in terms of price, the sellers often felt it was safer to choose a cash buyer, or as a second priority, a buyer with a large down-payment. Prospective buyers with a small down-payment percentage were frustrated with the experience of making offers for homes without success. The good news here is that nearly all of those cash buyers were able to find and close on their homes last year, and now there will be a chance for the buyers who were not previously successful to have their day. Sellers need not worry. Prices are strong and still rising locally, and experienced real estate professionals know how to work with mortgage lenders to guide transactions smoothly to closing. Renters will find that there are an increasing number of apartments available, with more construction still underway. The downside is that the majority of new properties are expensive, “luxury” rentals. Locally, there is room for improvement in the availability of affordable rentals including apartments and especially single-family homes. While the local real estate climate is not a perfect situation for everyone, I hope for progress in 2026. In the meantime, we can all be thankful for a strong housing market. Contact real estate expert Johanna Wiseman of RE/MAX Preferred Professionals, 908-705-0652. REAL ESTATE CORNER Welcoming a Balanced Market in 2026 By Johanna Wiseman, RE/MAX Preferred Professionals In the past few years, our market has been dominated by cash buyers... Relying on a buyer who needs to qualify for a mortgage adds an extra level of risk for the seller, with potential obstacles including the appraisal. The 2026 spring real estate mar
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