House-Hunting Tips for Newlyweds in NJ

NJ Realtor Vicki Brenner, on her wedding day.
Contact her at brennvlb@gmail.com or (732) 491-6126.

First comes love, then comes marriage. Then comes... first-time home buyer stress! Licensed Realtor Vicki Brenner of Weichert in Clinton, NJ helps home-seekers in Hunterdon and Warren County, NJ find the home of their dreams. Here, she shares 5 valuable tips for couples searching for their first home together.


5 Tips for First-Time Home Buyers:

Congratulations! You’ve made the decision to purchase your first home. This is a very exciting time in your life, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. This is quite possibly the most expensive purchase you will ever make in your lifetime, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly! I’ve compiled some tips to help you make an informed, confident decision when buying your first home.

1)    Team up with a local Realtor- Your Realtor will know the ins and outs of your desired neighborhood. They will walk you through the entire process and help you purchase a great home, at an affordable price. Contrary to popular belief, homebuyers don’t pay their Realtor’s commission (in most cases); this is the seller’s responsibility. Pair up with a Realtor you connect with, and one who listens to your needs, wants, and concerns.

2)    Sit down with a mortgage lender- Meeting with a mortgage lender will give you direction when it comes to finances. Your lender will provide information on the different mortgage programs available, and help you decide which one will best suit your needs. Obtaining a mortgage pre-approval is typically an easy process, and will give you a realistic idea of what you can afford.

3)    Know what you want- write out your needs, wants, and deal breakers so your agent can find homes that you’ll actually want to look at. In the same respect, be willing to compromise. If the house you found has central air (one of your needs), but lacks granite countertops (one of your wants), consider updating the countertops at a later date.

4)    Be patient- Buying a home can be a lengthy process. Typically it takes anywhere from 35-60 days after your offer is accepted before you “close”. If you’re currently renting and know your lease is up in December, you probably want to start looking for homes in September/October to give adequate time. You may end up looking at several homes, over a span of weeks or months, before finding “the one”.  Don’t rush into it, you should be confident in your decision to avoid buyer’s remorse.

5)    Cover your bases- Buying a home involves working with several different vendors. Finding a reputable mortgage lender, home inspector, and real estate attorney (in NJ it is customary to work with an attorney) will make the process run smoothly. Your Realtor should be able to provide you with a list of preferred vendors that they have worked with in the past. If not, ask friends and relative for referrals.


Victoria “Vicki” Brenner is a licensed Realtor in the state of New Jersey, and works out of the Weichert, Realtors office in Clinton. She resides in Warren County with her husband and two children. Vicki is a member of the NAR, NJAR, and Hunterdon-Somerset Association of Realtors. For all your real estate needs, feel free to contact Vicki at: brennvlb@gmail.com or (732) 491-6126.