Blog

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you a holiday season full of joy and happiness! 2025 was a very eventful year in the world and certainly in real estate too!

2026 looks to be little changed from 2025 as far as real estate trends go, so if you are looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate, I’m your man in the Westfield/Summit and surrounding area as well as coastal Ocean & Monmouth Counties.  I am personally invested in Union, Somerset, Monmouth and Ocean Counties and I would like to help you navigate these complex markets too.  Rates remain high and with the stock market in bubble territory, income investing in quality New Jersey properties is a smart idea.  I have been doing it for over 24 years and I have a lot of good ideas to share with you, so please contact me!

This year, I donated thousands of dollars to a variety of deserving pet rescue charities as part of my commitment to giving back a portion of my commissions to pets in need.  Last year, I also helped an upstart rescue in New Jersey launch their website.  Check out Faith Haven Rescue @ www.faithhavenrescue.org and consider a donation of your own.

You’re browsing New Jersey open houses using this website, but did you know we also have some other websites and our own Real Estate App to help you with your search.

Contact us today to discuss how we can help to buy or sell a home.  You can call or text us at 908.578.3630 or use our contact form.

We look forward to working with you.

Darren Named Top Agent

I am proud to have been named a top agent on Zillow for the month of October. This marks the 10th consecutive month I’ve been awarded this exclusive designation. When considering selling or buying a home in NJ, work with an agent with a proven track record of success. Whether you’re in the earliest stage of your journey or you’re ready to go, give me a call or send me a private message and we can discuss how I can help. Happy to meet up for coffee to discuss the real estate market. #NJRealtor #JerseyShoreRealEstate #TopAgent #Remax

During the past year, I donated thousands of dollars to a variety of deserving pet rescue charities as part of my commitment to giving back a portion of my commissions to pets in need.  Recently, I also helped an upstart rescue in New Jersey launch their website.  Check out Faith Haven Rescue @ www.faithhavenrescue.org and consider a donation of your own.  During the upcoming year, my commitment continues, so if you are a pet-lover, let’s talk.

You’re browsing New Jersey open houses using this website, but did you know we also have some other websites and our own Real Estate App to help you with your search.

Contact us today to discuss how we can help to buy or sell a home.  You can call or text us at 908.578.3630 or use our contact form.

We look forward to working with you.

October 2025 Market Update

Days on Market (DOM) and Inventory continue to climb significantly in both Monmouth and Ocean Counties further indication of a shifting market. The market is still solidly skewed towards sellers, but all signs point to a market shift towards a more balanced market. If you’re a buyer, it’s time to get out there and shop the growing inventory. If you’re a seller, you need to be sure to price your house according to the new dynamics. Let me know if you’d like to dive into this topic further. I’m here to assist buyers, sellers and investors. I can be reached at www.darren.realtor. jerseyshorerealestate njrealtor njrealestateagent realestateinvestor

During the past year, I donated thousands of dollars to a variety of deserving pet rescue charities as part of my commitment to giving back a portion of my commissions to pets in need.  Recently, I also helped an upstart rescue in New Jersey launch their website.  Check out Faith Haven Rescue @ www.faithhavenrescue.org and consider a donation of your own.  During the upcoming year, my commitment continues, so if you are a pet-lover, let’s talk.

You’re browsing New Jersey open houses using this website, but did you know we also have some other websites and our own Real Estate App to help you with your search.

Contact us today to discuss how we can help to buy or sell a home.  You can call or text us at 908.578.3630 or use our contact form.

We look forward to working with you.

Avoid a Tax Surprise when Selling

When selling real estate, it is critically important to consider the tax implications.  You should always consult with your accountant and/or tax advisor, but here’s also a useful article from CNBC to get you thinking about the topic.  If you are a real estate investor o flipper selling property, you definitely need to consider tax deferral programs such as the 1031 Exchange.  For more information on how to initiate an exchange, please contact me.  I have considerable experience in this area.

My experience spans multiple decades or buying, selling and investing as well as real estate development and restoration.  I also have almost 30 years of sales experience, so when it comes to finding an agent who can best represent sellers as well as know how to be a tough negotiator for buyers, look no further.

This year, I donated thousands of dollars to a variety of deserving pet rescue charities as part of my commitment to giving back a portion of my commissions to pets in need.  Last year, I also helped an upstart rescue in New Jersey launch their website.  Check out Faith Haven Rescue @ www.faithhavenrescue.org and consider a donation of your own.  In the coming year, my commitment continues, so if you are a pet-lover, let’s talk.

You’re browsing New Jersey open houses using this website, but did you know we also have some other websites and our own Real Estate App to help you with your search.

Contact us today to discuss how we can help to buy or sell a home.  You can call or text us at 908.578.3630 or use our contact form.

We look forward to working with you.

September 2025 Market Update

The real estate juggernaut continue in Ocean and Monmouth Counties, two important Jersey Shore real estate markets that remain hot!  Check out the updated September Monmouth and Ocean County real estate market stats have been recently published. If you’re a buyer, seller or investor and would like a more localized analysis to your neighborhood, town or a particular property, contact me and I would be more than happy to assist.  We will continue to monitor these monthly metrics for continued weakening.  If you are considering buying or selling and need the assistance of a local expert, please reach out to me to discuss how this market makes a difference for YOU! I can be reached at www.darren.realtor. jerseyshorerealestate njrealtor njrealestateagent realestateinvestor

During the past year, I donated thousands of dollars to a variety of deserving pet rescue charities as part of my commitment to giving back a portion of my commissions to pets in need.  Recently, I also helped an upstart rescue in New Jersey launch their website.  Check out Faith Haven Rescue @ www.faithhavenrescue.org and consider a donation of your own.  During the upcoming year, my commitment continues, so if you are a pet-lover, let’s talk.

You’re browsing New Jersey open houses using this website, but did you know we also have some other websites and our own Real Estate App to help you with your search.

Contact us today to discuss how we can help to buy or sell a home.  You can call or text us at 908.578.3630 or use our contact form.

We look forward to working with you.

Halloween House “Haunting”

Halloween is a great time of year to go house “haunting”.  Of course, I mean “hunting”.  LOL.  People are under the misconception that the Fall/Winter season is a bad time to be selling or buying a home.  Not true.  These cooler months are a great time to be in the market!

If you’re a buyer, you’ll be you’ll be competing with fewer, albeit much more motivated buyers.  Also, if you like the way a home looks in the Fall and Winter months, you will likely love it in the Spring and Summer!

If you’re on the sell side, you’ll be in a market with fewer homes for sale, so if you believe in the laws of supply and demand, you should be able to command a higher price.  In addition, you’ll find that the Fall/Winter buyers are also highly motivated buyers who are out in the market when there are so many holiday and weather distractions.

You’re browsing open houses in Ocean and Monmouth Counties using this website, but did you know we also have some other websites and our own Real Estate App to help you with your search.

Contact us today to discuss how we can help to buy or sell a home.  You can call or text us at 908.578.3630 or use our contact form.

We look forward to working with you.

Fall Maintenance Tips!

Fall home maintenance is very important for homeowners.  Protecting your house during the Fall/Winter months is critical to protecting your home!  Most of the tasks are simple and can be completed by yourself or a handyman at little cost.  I’m one of the most handy Realtors® you will ever meet, so if I can provide some guidance on these Fall projects, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Click here to read the full article on the Fall maintenance tips!

Contact us today to discuss how we can help to buy or sell a home.  You can call or text us at 908.578.3630 or use our contact form.

We look forward to working with you.

Watch Those Interest Rates!

Did you know that a small move in mortgage rates can make a big difference in your life-of-loan interest payments?  It’s true, but many do not understand this impact over a 30 year mortgage life.  We just had a BIG move in mortgage rates, so let’s talk about your next move.

During the year, I donated thousands of dollars to a variety of deserving pet rescue charities as part of my commitment to giving back a portion of my commissions to pets in need.  Last Fall, I also helped an upstart rescue in New Jersey launch their website.  Check out Faith Haven Rescue @ www.faithhavenrescue.org and consider a donation of your own.  During the upcoming year, my commitment continues, so if you are a pet-lover, let’s talk.

You’re browsing New Jersey open houses using this website, but did you know we also have some other websites and our own Real Estate App to help you with your search.

Contact us today to discuss how we can help to buy or sell a home.  You can call or text us at 908.578.3630 or use our contact form.

We look forward to working with you.

Thinking of Selling on Your Own?

If you are considering selling your home, please contact me first.  I’m happy to have a no-obligation consultation with you before you make your first step.  I will prepare my custom market analysis for your review and provide you with many useful tips to maximize your selling price and minimize the frustrations while avoiding the pitfalls.   There are so many things to ponder before listing your home for sale.  Why not take some free advice from a local expert before you proceed.

Think about it.  You use licensed experts for your health (a Doctor), your legal matters (an Attorney) and your finances (an Accountant or Certified Financial Planner).  Why would you then try to sell one of your larger assets without a licensed expert (a Realtor®)?

We also host a new real estate group on Nextdoor.  Connect with neighbors and friends interested in the topic of real estate investing.  Click here to join the conversation!

Check out my BLOG posting here for some of the top reasons you won’t want to go it alone with your real estate transaction.

Contact us today to discuss how we can help to buy or sell a home.  You can call or text us at 908.578.3630 or use our contact form.

We look forward to working with you.

June 2025 Market Update

Wow! Ocean and Monmouth Counties, two important Jersey Shore real estate markets, remain hot but signs of normalizing continue to surface. While average and median home sale prices in these markets continue to rise year-over-year, the inventory and days-on-market(DOM) metrics continue to rise as well hinting to a cooling market. We will continue to monitor these monthly metrics for continued weakening. If you are considering buying or selling and need the assistance of a local expert, please reach out to me to discuss how this market makes a difference for YOU! I can be reached at www.darren.realtor. jerseyshorerealestate njrealtor njrealestateagent realestateinvestor

During the past year, I donated thousands of dollars to a variety of deserving pet rescue charities as part of my commitment to giving back a portion of my commissions to pets in need.  Recently, I also helped an upstart rescue in New Jersey launch their website.  Check out Faith Haven Rescue @ www.faithhavenrescue.org and consider a donation of your own.  During the upcoming year, my commitment continues, so if you are a pet-lover, let’s talk.

You’re browsing New Jersey open houses using this website, but did you know we also have some other websites and our own Real Estate App to help you with your search.

Contact us today to discuss how we can help to buy or sell a home.  You can call or text us at 908.578.3630 or use our contact form.

We look forward to working with you.