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May 2018 Atlantic County Announces First Time Home Buyer Grant Money Now Available – $10,000

It's back! $10,000 available for Atlantic County, NJ First Time Home Buyers

Good news!  As of today the Atlantic County, NJ grant program is now funded with grants available of up to $10,000 for first time home buyers!  All funds are forgiven after 5 years.  This programs does not work for everyone so I’ve outlined the key requirements below.  If you don’t think you’ll qualify for this program the state grant program is also giving $10,000 grants and it’s easier to qualify.  Click here for details on the state grant.  You will need to be pre-qualified by an a approved mortgage company.  My preferred lenders are on stand by to help qualify potential first time home buyers asap and get them qualified to receive the grant money.  Complete the form below and we’ll reach out to see if you qualify.

Atlantic County, NJ First Time Home Buyer Grant Money Is Now Available

Eligible Applicants:

     HOUSEHOLDS

  1. Who have resided in Atlantic County for the last 12 months or are employed in Atlantic County.
  2. Who have not owned a home for the last  three years.
  3. With acceptable credit history and the ability to obtain an approved mortgage.
  4. With incomes below 80% of Median income:

These income levels are (2015):

                                                           # of Household  Members 80% of Median Income
1 Person. $37,600
2 Persons $43,000
3 Persons $48,350
4 Persons $53,700
5 Persons $58,000
6 Persons $62,300
7 Persons $66,600
8 Persons $70,900

If you or someone you know may be eligible to qualify for this grant please call me for more details at 609-338-3773.  Time is limited and funds are usually gone in a few months so please call me now.  Matt

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$10,000 Grant Money For First Time Home Buyers Is Back!

NJ home buyers in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Essex, Gloucester, Mercer, Passaic and Union may be eligible for $10,000 grant.

It’s back!  The HomeSeeker Downpayment assistance program has funds available now to issue $10,000 grants to first time home buyers.  These grants are only for the following counties:  Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Essex, Gloucester, Mercer, Passaic and Union.

HomeSeeker loans are only available to eligible homebuyers who obtain first mortgage financing through the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency’s (NJHMFA) Homeward Bound mortgage program.  The $10,000 is forgivable after 5 years of owning the home.  The home must be a primary residence.

If you would like to know if you qualify for the HomeSeeker grant I’ve arranged a free mortgage consultation with my preferred lender approved by the NJHMFA to fund the HomeSeeker loans.  Contact me below for a free consultation.  There are limited funds available on a first come first serve basis.  Contact me now to see if you qualify.

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When Should I Sell My House?

Why wait until the Spring? There is less competition right now!

Many people always think of the Spring as the best time to sell and buy a home.  That typically is when we have the most activity in our market however that doesn’t mean it’s always the best time to sell.  Right now we are on the tail end of winter.  We have some cold nights and the occasional snow storm and overall the weather is not bad.  Buyers are out now shopping for homes.  Listing and selling your home now means that your home will competing agains fewer homes for sale.  Fewer homes for sale means you may be able to get a better price for your home.

March 2, 2018 Winter storm. Ocean City, NJ

Some of our communities are experiencing an all time low in inventory of homes available.  The answer to the questions of when should I sell my house is it depends.  It depends on your circumstances, your plans, your neighborhood and your house.  There are many factors to consider and I’m here to help you.  Contact me for a free consultation to determine when the best time to sell would be for you.

Best wishes, Matt

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Thank You For Helping Me Earn The NJ Circle Of Excellence Silver Level In 2017

I want to say thank you for my friends, family past clients and all the wonderful people I was able to help in 2017.  I was able to achieve the NJ Circle Of Excellence Award Silver level.  My business is almost 100% referral based so I want to thank all of the people who felt comfortable and confident referring me to the people that they care about.  Thank you and I look forward to another fantastic year in 2018!  Matthew Haviland

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The Haviland Group Welcomes Our Newest Real Estate Partner James Schroeder Esq.

Photo of Agents by Macpherson Photography

Matthew Haviland, Jim Schroeder, Richard Haviland, Linda Haviland: The Haviland Group

We are pleased to welcome a new partner agent to The Haviland Group.  Jim Schroeder has been a long time friend of the Haviland family and personal legal advisor to our family and many of our past clients.  Jim is a licensed real estate agent and attorney.  This allows him to use his incredible legal knowledge to help our clients in their real estate needs.

Jim is the owner of the Schroeder Law Group, a law firm with offices in Hammonton and Egg Harbor City, New Jersey. Jim devotes a significant portion of his practice to real estate issues, especially counseling those in distressed situations and helping real estate investors get started. He serves as attorney for the Land Use Boards in Hammonton, Galloway and Estell Manor. Most importantly Jim is an all-around great guy, and a man who values family and faith. Jim is involved in many local charities and organizations helping them improve our communities. We welcome Jim to our real estate team at the Haviland Group.

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Can A House Be Sold While In Foreclosure Without Going To Short Sale?

Your house can be sold while in foreclosure without going to sheriff sale.

Recently past client’s of mine came in to my office.  They received notification from their bank that the home was sold and they need to get out of the house.  They had been behind on their mortgage payments and had attempted to work out a modification but it was not successful.  Their house was located in Atlantic County in southern NJ.

Normally, in our county the foreclosures run through the sheriff’s office and usually the owner of the house is notified of the sale and can even postpone the sale for at least a month.  However in this case the house was sold to an investor and the deed was recorded with the county clerks office.  I advised that my client’s seek legal advice since there was little I could do to help at this point.

If you or someone you know is facing foreclosure contact me immediately.  I’m here to help home owners keep their home when possible or avoid foreclosure through a short sale.  Contact me for a private complementary consultation.

Matt

P.S.  If you or someone you know is facing the stress of foreclosure and not knowing if you will still have a roof over your head contact me for help and options.

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11 Reasons Home Sellers Should List During the Holiday Season

Now is a great time to sell your home.

Holiday-Proof-Your-Real-Estate-Business

11 Reasons Sellers Should List During the Holiday Season

We made it past Thanksgiving and now December will be over before we know it.  Many home seller chose to pull their homes off the market this time of year and wait until Spring to sell.  Here are 11 reasons sellers should list during the Holiday Season.

11. By selling now, you may have an opportunity to be a non-contingent buyer during the Spring, when many more houses are on the market for less money! This will allow you to sell high and buy low.

10. You can sell now for more money and we will provide for a delayed closing or extended occupancy until early next year.

9. Even though your house will be on the market, you still have the option to restrict showings during the six or seven days around the Holidays.

8. January is traditionally the month for employees to begin new jobs. Since transfers cannot wait until Spring to buy, you need to be on the market during the Holidays to capture the market.

7. Some people must buy before the end of the year for tax reasons.

6. Buyers have more time to look for a home during the Holidays than they do during a work week.

5. Buyers are more emotional during the Holidays, so they are more likely to pay your price.

4. Houses show better when decorated for the Holidays.

3. Since the supply of listings will dramatically increase in January, there will be less demand for your particular home. Less demand means more money for you.

2. Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from during the Holidays and less competition means more money for you.

And the number one reason why your seller should list during the Holidays …

1. People who look for homes during the Holidays are more serious buyers!

* repost from blog.KW.com

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Be Thankful

A reminder to be thankful on thanksgiving and all the other days, too.

These words from an unknown poet remind me to be thankful on Thanksgiving and all the other days, too.

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times, you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,
because it means you’ve made a difference.

It’s easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

I love the thought that Thanksgiving is less of a meal and more of a mindset. May your Thanksgiving be filled with friends, family, love and all that is important to you.

Matt

P.S. We are grateful to our friends, family and clients for their support of our real estate business and we always have time to help new clients.  Who do you know that would benefit from our help?  Please send me a message to let me know.

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First Time Home Buyers In Atlantic County Receive $16,000 Grant.

Kimberly and William received $16,000 to purchase their first home.

Kimberly and William were looking to buy their first home and were referred to me by a for sale by owner.  They ended up not buying the for sale by owner home and instead found a home at lower price that had been completely redone including new roof, siding, windows, kitchen, bathrooms, heater, air conditioning, septic system and well.

Here’s the best part, they were able to qualify for the NJ Home Seeker grant for $16,000 to help them pay their down payment and closing costs.  Not everyone qualifies for the grant and the process to receive the grant is tedious and time consuming.  So to get funding for the grant allow for another 4-6 weeks of transaction time.  In the end Williams and Kimberly purchased a fantastic home at a great price and their new mortgage payment is less than what they would have spent in rent.

Who do you know that would like to buy their first home?  Please have them call me or contact me here.  I’ll be happy to go over home buying options including financing and any available grant programs.  Best wishes,

Matt

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Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore Is The Real Estate Sales Leader In Egg Harbor Township, NJ

The new sales leader in Egg Harbor Township NJ is Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore with the highest year to date units and sales volume.

Recently one of our competitors has been advertising as the Egg Harbor Township, NJ real estate sales leader.  I questioned whether this was true and discovered that at one time they were the sales leader however year to date real numbers show that Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore is number one in sales volume and sales units.  I have included some charts and graphs to show this.  These are real numbers taken from the South Jersey Shore Regional Multiple Listing Service.

Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore units sold in Egg Harbor Township increased 73.68% as of September 21st 2017 compared to year to date numbers from 2016.  165 units have been sold year to date and our next closest competitor sold 131 units.  Units sold is the number one indicator of who the sales leader is in a community and we are dominating that category.

 

Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore sales volume increased 53.96% as of September 1st 2017 compared to year to date numbers from 2016.  Year to date sales volume for 2017 is $24,814,297.00 making it number one.  Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore is number one in market share also with 16.6% market share  based on units sold.  So the new sales leader is Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Shore and we have the data to prove it.  If you are looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate in Egg Harbor Township, NJ I’m your local home town real estate consultant and I’m happy to help.  Call me at 609-484-9890 ext 132 or send me a message on this site.

Best wishes, Matt

P.S. Here are the actual sales numbers taken from our multiple listing service showing how we stack up against the competition.

YTD Total # Units as of 9-21-17

YTD Total $ Volume as of 9-21-17

YTD 2017 vs YTD 2016 Change in # Units as of 9-21-17

YTD 2017 vs YTD 2016 as of 9-21-17