Facing a foreclosure can be a frightening and traumatic experience for those behind on their mortgages. To make matters worse, many homeowners don’t understand their mortgages and the terms, which means people often don’t know what to do. The first step in managing a foreclosure is to understand where you are in the process. Often there are steps that banks can take to help you get through a difficult financial situation so you can get…
One of the common mistakes people make when selling a home is valuing it too high. It’s hard to be objective when you’re thinking about a place you’ve probably loved and enjoyed for years. There are memories in those walls, and you’re not just going to give that away. But if you set the resale value too high, you may have trouble selling it. And the longer your house stays on the market the more…
If your goal is to sell your home and not just gaze dreamily at the beautiful glossy photos of your perfectly staged guest room, then it’s a good idea to understand some of the things that can derail the sale if you’re not careful. While this is not an exhaustive list, it can certainly help you avoid some common traps that can result in a stressful, hair-pulling and maybe not-so-profitable experience. 1. DON’T Mess With…
Buying a new home is an exciting time. There’s a lot to think about, from packing to getting the kids into a new school to making sure your loans and financials are in order. With a checklist of to-dos a mile long, you may feel pretty confident that your ducks are in a row. But before you get too comfortable, here’s a list of what NOT to do when buying a home, or all your best…
Buying a home may be the American Dream, but without the right knowledge and guidance, the buying process can quickly become a nightmare. The good news is that you can minimize hassles and stress by understanding a few basics, and by having a skilled real estate attorney by your side. Whether you’ve already been through a nightmare and don’t want to repeat it the second time around, or this is your first time buying a…
It’s popular to “go solar” these days. If you’re like many New Jersey residents, you’ve probably had at least one solar company knock on your door promising huge returns for little to no investment. Too many of these solar companies have created more problems than they’ve solved, not least of which is scamming customers and then promptly going out of business. Not every solar company does business this way, but some notorious ones have, and…
Home ownership is deeply embedded in the American Dream. It’s where so many of us start families or build memories. A home can be part of a family legacy or a stepping stone to bigger and better things. With all those expectations, is it any wonder that this particular dream can quickly turn into a waking nightmare of stress and anxiety? Even the smoothest of purchases can be stressful, but that doesn’t mean you can’t…
There’s a new scam in town, and this one is affecting home buyers in horrifying ways. Sometimes, an ounce of prevention is the only cure, so arm yourself with the knowledge to head this one off and warn everyone you know that if they’re in the market to buy a house, this could hit them, too. Beware The Legitimate-Looking Email It seems like every time you scan the headlines these days, you’re reading about another…
As a New Jersey resident, you aren’t legally required to hire a real estate attorney when you’re selling your home, but there are some circumstances when it pays to have one on your side. If you find yourself in one of the scenarios below, think twice before taking on the sale without one. A real estate attorney can help reduce stress, simplify the process and save you money in the long run. You’re Selling A…
Whether you’re buying a brand new construction or an old fixer-upper, you’re not legally required to hire a real estate attorney in New Jersey. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some scenarios where it is very likely a mistake NOT to. If you find yourself in one of these circumstances, stop! Take a deep breath – and get your real estate attorney on the phone. You’ll save yourself time, aggravation, probably money and almost definitely…
William P. Mikita was selected to the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Super Lawyers list. The Super Lawyers list is issued by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
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