New Jersey Real Estate Agent

8 Ideas for a Princeton NJ homes for sale search

If you are searching for your dream home in the Princeton area I have good news for you. It is possible to find one, provided you are armed with the knowledge of what is needed and what could be expected. My husband and I relocated to the Princeton area to be close to both Philadelphia and new York, wher we worked at the time. We also moved locally when our family grew.  I know both as a buyer and a real estate agent what it is like to search for a Princeton home for sale. (When I refer to the Princeton NJ area, I include the surrounding towns of Montgomery, West Windsor, Hopewell, Lawrenceville, Pennington and others). Here are some insider tips to buy your Princeton home like a pro.

1.  The art and science of making an offer.

Making an offer is challenging because its the first critical step to purchasing your dream home. This step sets the tone for the subsequent negotiations and the ultimate outcome for you financially.

Each number contemplated an offering price carries a message, and it’s important that this the message works to your advantage. The initial offer has to be based on the reality of the greater Princeton NJ real estate market and the understanding of the motives of the seller for this particular house. This information is usually not something most real estate buyers have. It is also not something you could through a formula or friendly advice. Knowing the “right” offering price could mean the difference between getting a good deal, or not. This is one reason, why working with a Realtor experienced in the intricacies of making and negotiating offers, would work to your advantage.

2. Search for a home takes time.

Do not let anyone rush your search. I have clients who tell me they only want to see a few homes, because they don’t want to “waste” my time. There is no such thing as too much time, when you are looking for a home.  There are agents who may feel they are spending “too much” time and pressure buyers into making decisions faster. Princeton real estate could be one of your largest assets. You need the time to do it right. If you are not getting enough time from your agent, find the one who will give you the time.

3. You may buy not the type of the house you expected.

I have clients who thought they liked Princeton colonial houses, and ended up buying a Montgomery NJ ranch house. I have clients who thought they wanted an open floor plan, and bought a home with nooks and crannies.

There are no short cuts to buying Princeton real estate.You need to see as many houses as possible (in your price range) to come to the point where one house appeals to you more then the others.

The following are 2 more “secrets” to buying Princeton NJ Mercer County real estate and homes for sale.

4. You may buy not in the neighborhood you expected.

Buying Princeton area real estate is often a question of trade offs. You may decide a neighborhood or community not to be your first choice, but fall in love with a house there. You may also start your search in one community, but later decide that another one suites you better. It is a process of discovery and evaluation of options and is important to your search.

5. Do not keep secrets from your agent.

It often puzzles me that buyers do not discuss what is on their mind with their agent. I have heard that some of it is based on prior unfortunate experiences. Be upfront with your agent about your financial situation (as it relates to the house purchase), about your timing, about any other considerations that could possible effect your search. This would benefit you and make the process less stressful for all parties.

6. Do not limit your search.

Work with an agent you can trust and consider their ideas for options other then what you thought you wanted originally. There may be houses, communities, timing, tactics, they can point out to you, which you may have not considered, but could lead to finding the home which meets your needs.

7. Avoid analysis paralysis.

It is also possible to get stuck in the search process. Every house begins to look like another one and seems as suitable as the next, or none seem acceptable. The search stalls sometimes because of losing site of what’s important. Re-focus, and expect a good agent to keep you focused on your end goal. It is not the same as pressuring. It’s about  understanding what is important to you, evaluating trade-offs and keeping site of the end goal.

8. Enjoy your search.

It is possible to get tired and begin to dread the home search process. It could seem the right house does not exist. These feelings are normal, but could be a drag on your energy.  Change your thinking. With every house you see you are getting one closer to your dream home.

Do not give up on your dream home. Go for it, search for it. It could be your exact dream or a dream you did not know you had.

Take my time – your dream can be one appointment away: 609-553-4175.

f you are looking for your dream home in Mercer County NJ Princeton, West Windsor, Princeton Junction, Hopewell, Pennington, Plainsboro, or Lawrenceville, and Somercet county NJ Montgomery – allow this Princeton area Realtor be part of your search.