OUR BLOG

Summer in New Jersey hits different. Whether you’re craving beach days, scenic hikes, or quirky small-town vibes, we’ve got it all—sometimes within an hour's drive. If you're tired of the same old backyard BBQs and want to make the most of your summer weekends, here are some quick-hit, easy day trip ideas perfect for NJ residents:

When it comes to decorating your home, your personal style should shine. But if you're thinking about selling — now or even a few years down the line — some choices can actually hurt your home's value. As real estate pros, we've seen some common décor missteps that can make potential buyers hesitate or lower their offers.

Buying a home in New Jersey this spring can be a good time for potential buyers, though the market is competitive, with more homes available and sellers potentially more willing to negotiate compared to previous years. However, prices remain high, and interest rates continue to influence purchasing power. 

When it comes to selling your home, first impressions matter — a lot. Buyers aren’t just looking for a place to live. They’re looking for a move-in-ready dream, and the better your home shows, the more buyers will fall in love (and compete with offers).

Selling your home isn’t just about sticking a “For Sale” sign in the yard and hoping for the best. It’s a high-stakes move that requires strategy, timing, and the right team. Even in a strong market, simple mistakes can cost you time, money, and the best buyers. Here are 5 common mistakes we see sellers make—and how to avoid them.

When it comes to real estate transactions, every detail matters. Whether you’re buying, selling, or renting a property, the process can often feel overwhelming and complex. However, one of the best ways to simplify things and ensure a smoother experience is by working with preferred vendors. These are professionals—such as inspectors, contractors, appraisers, title agents, and mortgage brokers—whom a real estate agent or agency has already vetted for their quality of service, reliability, and professionalism. Let’s dive into the top benefits clients can gain from utilizing preferred vendors during their real estate transaction.

When it comes to finding the perfect place to raise a family, Monmouth County, NJ, checks all the right boxes. From top-rated schools and safe communities to beautiful parks and easy access to beaches, this area offers an exceptional quality of life. Whether you're looking for a peaceful suburban setting or a vibrant community with plenty of activities for kids and parents alike, Monmouth County provides the best of both worlds.

Are you ready to make 2025 your year of real estate success? Whether you’re looking to buy your dream home or sell your property for top dollar, Roman Balandin Realty is here to make it happen! As the top realtors in Monmouth County and across New Jersey, we know the local market inside and out—and we’re ready to put that expertise to work for you.

The holiday season is fast approaching, and it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll transform your outdoor spaces into a winter wonderland. Outdoor holiday decorations not only set the festive mood for your home but also bring a sense of warmth and joy to your neighborhood.

Are you ready to elevate your real estate career? At Roman Balandin Realty, we're not just a brokerage – we’re a family that’s invested in your success. And right now, we’re offering an unbeatable $50K incentive for all new agents who join our team!

The real estate market is experiencing a notable resurgence as more individuals are flocking to purchase homes, signaling a robust recovery in the housing sector.

As winter approaches, many individuals plan vacations to escape the cold and enjoy warmer climates. However, it's crucial to ensure that your home is secure while you're away.

If you have a small amount of money to invest in real estate, you'll likely want to focus on strategies that require lower upfront costs and provide opportunities for gradual growth. Here are some real estate investment options suitable for individuals with limited capital:

Managing a home flipping business in New Jersey, like in any other location, requires careful planning, organization, and a good understanding of the local real estate market and regulations.  In addition, you will have legal and financial obligations as well as an owner of a business.

Become a Real Estate Investor – Everyone is doing it!

Becoming a real estate investor with no prior experience in real estate and investments is completely possible with careful planning, education, and a willingness to learn.  Good thing Roman Balandin Realty has all the tools you need to be successful.

It is exciting — and a little scary — to think about buying your first home. Even when you know you are ready to buy a house, you might not be sure where to begin. These tips for first-time homebuyers will help you navigate the process from start to finish.

Buy now, or wait until 2024? That’s the question prospective homeowners are struggling to answer in today’s housing market. Home prices skyrocketed throughout the pandemic and mortgage rates are soaring too!  The combination is leading many potential home buyers to “wait”.

We understand that paying homeowner’s insurance is paid, HOWEVER, it is something that can save your pocket in case of an accident, incident, or emergency. 

Let’s take a look at how homeowner’s insurance works, what homeowners insurance covers, and what homeowners insurance doesn’t cover.

Are you planning your next renovation project? It’s more critical than ever to know what upgrades increase home value before you get started.  Read on to learn more about what we suggest you focus on, especially if selling your home is in the horizon.

Sometimes, your landscape just needs a little T.L.C., other times, your landscape needs a lot of work. Starting a complete landscaping overhaul can be a daunting task for many homeowners, but there are steps you can take..

If you are anything like me, springtime makes me crave bright fresh spaces, especially after enduring months of dull winter days.  And with craving spring, color, and brightness comes getting my home clean and refreshed! Spring is a great time to deep clean our...

With the temperatures tumbling by the day, there’s no better time to prepare your home to withstand the winter chill… Here are 5 common household issues you’re likely to face during the winter and how to prevent them: Air Leaks and Drafts Often caused by a lack of...

There’s no question that Airbnb has permanently changed the travel industry. If you’ve stayed in an Airbnb rental, you may have wondered what it would be like to be on the other side… We can see the appeal! By becoming an Airbnb host, you can diversify your income...

Make the most of this holiday season by creating long lasting family memories!  What better way is there to do that than taking part in one or more of these amazing must-do holiday experiences and top Christmas events. From drive-thru Christmas light spectaculars...

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Fall is the season for warm, cozy homes. And what better way to bring that feeling into your home than by staging it?

Put on your boots and grab your jackets, the autumn breeze is here! Though summer has come to an end, there are still plenty of activities taking place as the leaves fall from the trees. Bring your friends and family, children and adults, to all of the exciting...

Purchasing a home is definitely the largest and most crucial purchase of anyone’s life. There are an abundant amount of steps that the process entails. With that being said, you’ll want to ensure that everything flows as smoothly as possible. When you first take a...

In the real estate world, there are several types of properties that can be purchased. Each entails their ups and downs, but one in particular is drastically flourishing in today's market. A multifamily styled home is structured exactly how it sounds - there are...

Preparation to list your home on the market requires an abundant amount of diligence and effort. You’re delegating a lot of time trying to ensure that every last detail will be perfect and luring to motivated buyers. After all is said and done, the last occurrence...

Purchasing a home is certainly one of the most important and drastic decisions you’ll ever need to make. There are an abundant amount of factors that must be thought through and agreed upon before having the opportunity to sit at the closing table. Most will say...

If purchasing a home is on your itinerary, an abundance of questions are most likely dominating your mind. Above all, it can certainly become overwhelming when pondering how much money is sufficient or fair to offer. In the earlier years of real estate, it was...

As we know, spring is right around the corner! When warm weather is in the air, people have a tendency to revamp their homes and clean up as much as they can. This is certainly a great action to consider since the housing market is at it’s peak during this time of...

It’s a prime misconception that the first step to buying a home starts with scrolling on zillow. Sure, you can reminisce about living in a multi-million dollar mansion, but when it comes to real estate, it’s important to set realistic boundaries. To rid all of the...

It’s safe to say that one of the first steps of purchasing a home is deciding and understanding where the money will come from. Though some buyers have a sufficient amount of cash, it is likely that you will need to borrow a significant amount of funds from another...

When it comes to selling your home, it is certainly crucial to select the best time period. Though many people believe that the summer market is superior, the winter market has an abundant amount of benefits as well. With that being said, here are a few reasons why...

The holiday season calls for friends and family coming together in celebration. Aside from all the laughter and cheers, this time of year can be extremely stressful. Before you allow your guests to stay overnight, you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared and...

The leaves will start to change from shades of green to orange, red or even yellow. The blazing heat will start to become brittle and crisp. Those storage bins filled with your heavy sweaters will start to make an appearance again..and the list goes on! Though...

Congratulations! All of the contracts have been signed for your home to hit the market. The #1 question to follow is certainly, “What now?” The process of preparing your home for sale can be overwhelming. In order to keep everything on track, it’s crucial to have a...

"Exit Tax" I'm sure we've all heard of it. The state of New Jersey will tax you for simply moving out into another state, right? You will be charged 8.97% of the profit or 2% of the sale price, whichever one is higher. Outrageous right? Well that's because it's not...

From time to time, we all need to escape from reality. Especially nowadays, it is extremely important to hold onto sanity and remember that self care is ranked above all. When unprecedented times arise and we face hardships, it is easy to forget that. Whether it’s...

Selling your home is a straightforward enough process—on the surface, that is. The reality is, you do have to contend with a number of extenuating circumstances, including competition in your market. For this reason, you definitely want to make sure that your home...

Building a home is more complex than you may think. From the foundation to the style of the roof, every detail counts. With that being said, a lot of thought, time and money is devoted to the construction from start to end. If you’ve ever closed your eyes and...

Summer is all about spending time with family and friends. Whether you’ve spent minutes or days with children, I’m sure you understand how difficult it can be to keep them occupied. This past year especially, kids have been putting creativity to a whole new level...

It's summer! Vacation mode has activated as you reminisce about laying on the beach, going on vacation and spending quality time with friends and family. The month of July is the perfect time to get out and enjoy the atmosphere. Below is a list of events scheduled...

It’s easy to say that everyone aspires to endure the “happily ever after” in their fairytale story called life. Though it may sound simple, finding the perfect dream home is similar to finding a spouse. In our minds, we have a particular taste. We know if we prefer...

It’s easy to say that everyone aspires to endure the “happily ever after” in their fairytale story called life. Though it may sound simple, finding the perfect dream home is similar to finding a spouse. In our minds, we have a particular taste. We know if we prefer...

Are millennials ready to purchase a house? Buying a home, especially for the first time, can definitely be terrifying. After all, it's likely the biggest purchase of your life. With prices seemingly rising everyday, it certainly doesn't make the process any...

Hold onto your hats because what I'm about to tell you will blow you away! No, this isn’t one of those things that are too good to be true, though it may seem unbelievable. Mortgage rates are at an astronomical all time low in spite of decades-high inflation! Did...

Just moved to New Jersey and looking for something to do? Well you’ve come to the right place! After a successful home buying transaction, I'm sure you're hungry for great deals and meals. New Jersey has the hottest locations, consisting of an abundant amount of...

Bridge Loans From time to time, we all find ourselves in spontaneous situations that we do not immediately know how to handle. When they involve significant expenses, our minds tend to fog up as panic becomes the dominating factor. Let’s say you need to relocate....

As humans, we are granted basic rights. We have earned the privilege to essentially do and say as we please, with limitations of course. If you wish to rent and become a tenant, you are granted rights as well because you’re still a human. Living under someone...

Given our current circumstances, an excessive amount of people have lost their jobs. Despite the fact that situations like this are uncalled for, domino effects arise. No job means no income. Without income, it's impossible to pay off  house/car payments. If...

After a long day of work, the last thing you want deal with is overgrown grass or shrubs. Do you really want to worry about roof leaks or siding issues either? Have you always wanted the convenience of a pool but don't want the hassle of one? Well good news, I have...

When you list your property yourself, it may seem like you’re saving thousands of dollars instead of working with a realtor. Selling your home is actually more complex than you may think. It's kind of like a game of Jenga; every action must be completed precisely...

It's easy to let minor things slip through our fingertips sometimes. In some cases, what is put on the backburner really needs to be prioritized and taken care of. Without a doubt, you want your home to appear as bright and vibrant as possible, literally and...

When something is desirable, the chance that one only person views it highly is slim to none, especially in the real estate world. Purchasing a home is typically for long-term purposes. Without a doubt, you want to obtain the property that your heart and mind has...

Determining whether it is more substantial to purchase a home or pay rent is definitely one of the greatest financial decisions to make. Expelling your life savings is a huge and stressful occurrence, which is why it’s very important to understand your long-term...

“How much money is my home actually worth?” When you’re looking to sell your house, that’s probably the first question that will come to your mind. I know, you’ve created memories under that roof that have a lot of sentiment and value, but now it’s time to pass it...

Though the weather might not be hot at the moment, the housing market sure is! Pack your bags because now is the time to take a trip into reality. Stop reminiscing about your dream home, make it happen! Preparation and knowledge are key factors during the  process,...

If financial loans were to be rewarded, VA Loans should receive a meritorious medal. Originally made to assist returning service members, VA loans have helped more than 25 million veterans, active service soldiers, and their families to have a home. If you are one...