The Rachel Romano Realty Group

From starting your search to closing, most buyers in South Jersey are looking at 60–90 days if they're ready to move. That assumes you're pre-approved, know what you want, and we find the right home. In a competitive market, having your paperwork in order upfront is what makes the difference when we need to move fast.

Closing costs typically run 2–5% of the loan amount and cover things like title insurance, taxes, lender fees, and attorney fees. In New Jersey, both buyers and sellers have costs at closing. Sometimes we can negotiate seller concessions to offset yours, but that's a strategy conversation, not a given.

Yes, always! In NJ, home inspections are standard, not optional. They're your opportunity to learn the true condition of the property before you're legally committed. I always recommend going in person with the inspector. What we find there often shapes the negotiation that follows.

It depends on your financial position. Selling first gives you certainty about what you have to spend. Buying first gives you flexibility, but can mean carrying two mortgages. We'll look at your specific equity, savings, and risk tolerance before deciding. There's no universal right answer here.

We regroup. Rejection usually means we were under on price, missing terms the seller cared about, or someone else came in with a better offer. I'll find out what we can, and we either adjust and try again or move on to the next home. In a competitive market, it's possible that buyers may not get their first choice, and that's okay!

The basics go a long way: declutter, deep clean, address anything visually obvious that suggests deferred maintenance. You don't need to renovate, but you do need to compete. I walk every listing before we go live and give you a prioritized list of what's worth doing and what isn't worth the cost.

In South Jersey, well-priced homes in good condition are typically under contract within 2–4 weeks. Homes that sit usually have a pricing or condition issue, or even a marketing issue (and sometimes a mixture of the three). The first two weeks on market are when you have the most attention, so we want to get it right before we go live, not after.

Professional photography, MLS listing, syndication across major platforms, social media exposure, and targeted outreach to buyers already in my network. The photos and the first few lines of the description are what get buyers in the door.

Price is the obvious factor, but it's not always the most important one. Financing type, contingencies, flexibility on closing date, and the buyer's pre-approval strength all matter. I'll walk you through each offer side by side so you're making an informed decision.

This happens, and it doesn't automatically kill the deal. Options include renegotiating the price, asking the buyer to cover the gap, splitting the difference, or disputing the appraisal if there are grounds to. It's a solvable problem that often incites unnecessary panic.