Joseph D Charles

Joseph D Charles

REALTOR®

License #: 1755399

Prominent Properties Sotheby's International Realty

Mobile:
973-715-8766
Office:
973-335-5700
Email Me

Joseph Charles's blog

Northern New Jersey Market Snapshot: What’s Happening Right Now in Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Hudson, and Morris Counties

Northern New Jersey Market Snapshot: County by County Trends

Curious about what’s happening in the Northern NJ real estate market right now? Here’s a quick look at the latest trends for a few key counties, with simple notes on what I’m seeing.

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No pressure, just good advice when you need it.

Bergen County

We’re seeing 127 new listings, which is actually an improvement from last week....

Can You Back Out of a Home Purchase in New Jersey After an Inspection? What Buyers and Sellers Should Know.

Can You Back Out of a Home Purchase in New Jersey After an Inspection

Short answer, yes, in many cases you can, but the details matter.

In New Jersey, most residential contracts include an attorney review period and an inspection contingency. These two things are what usually protect buyers if they want to walk away after the inspection.

 

How this usually works

First, attorney review.

After both sides sign a contract, which in NJ is really just the presented offer, there is usually a short attorney review period.  It typically lasts about 3 days. During attorney...

Can You Sell Your House As-Is in New Jersey? What Sellers Need to Know




Can You Buy and Sell a Home at the Same Time in New Jersey?



Northern NJ Real Estate Market Update | November 2025 Monthly Snapshot


This monthly snapshot highlights how the housing market performed in November 2025 across Wayne, Totowa, Woodland Park, and Little Falls, New Jersey. The video above combines each town’s weekly update into one quick overview so you can compare local market conditions side by side.

For each town, this snapshot focuses on three key metrics:

  • Median sale price
  • Percent of sale price received
  • Average days on market

Together, these numbers help show how competitive each market was, how quickly homes sold, and how close...

Who Pays Capital Gains Tax When Selling a Home in New Jersey?

Who Pays Capital Gains Tax When Selling a Home in New Jersey?

Most New Jersey homeowners do not pay capital gains tax when selling their primary home. But some sellers do, and the difference usually comes down to how the home was used, how long you owned and lived in it, and how much profit you made.

Quick note: This is general information, not tax advice. If your situation is complex (rental history, very large gain, inheritance, divorce, trust, LLC, or multiple homes), talk to a qualified tax professional.


What is capital gains tax?

Capital gains tax is a tax on the...

Will the Latest Federal Reserve Rate Cut Lower Mortgage Rates?

The Federal Reserve recently cut interest rates by 0.25%, marking the third rate cut this year. The goal is to help slow a cooling economy. The decision was not unanimous. Some Fed members did not want to cut rates at all, which is likely why the reduction was limited to a quarter point. President Trump publicly stated the cut should have been at least twice as large.

That brings up the question many buyers and homeowners are asking.

Will this rate cut lower mortgage rates?

The short answer is probably not, at least not in the way people expect.

There are two main...

Ready to Buy a Home? Here’s What to Know.

Buying a Home

Buying a home can be one of the biggest transactions you can make. As a result, you put a lot of thought into your decision-making.

It may take some time to come to a decision because you have to think about the type of home you want, the location, the price, and I’m sure there are far more factors that come to play.

So how can you come to a decision?

Having the right resources and information can do wonders for you. Here’s some helpful information on buying a home. With my knowledge and expertise about the real...

Northern NJ Weekly Housing Market Update: October 27 – November 23, 2025


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Latest News in Real Estate

Mortgage applications increased this week even though rates moved a bit higher. That sounds like good news, but here in Northern New Jersey, the main problem is still the same: we do not have enough homes for sale.

Bergen County

New listings dipped 11%, but prices stayed steady, up just 1% from last week. Bergen continues to be the county where homes take the longest to sell.

Essex County

Prices are flying high. New listings are up 8%, and the median sale...

3 Smart Steps to Buy a Home in Northern NJ’s Tight Market - Q4 2025




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