Buyer resources

Guides

• Buying a home on the Jersey Shore: the full process
• First-time home buyers
• What is different about buying in New Jersey
• The buyer consultation
• Mortgage and closing process
• Checklists and reference material
• Glossary of terms

Questions to ask on every showing

• What are the current property taxes?
• Is there an association, and what is the fee and what does it cover?
• Public water and sewer, or well and septic?
• What is the flood zone, and what does the current owner pay for insurance?
• How old are the roof, heating system, water heater and electrical panel?
• Has there been an underground oil tank on the property?
• What work has been done, and were permits pulled?

Where to search

Live listings, saved searches and alerts are on the property search site. Local context is in the community guides.

Use the guides to organize your decisions

You do not need to read every guide before taking a first step. Start with the decision in front of you, then use the related pages to prepare a short list of questions. A buyer still choosing a location needs a different conversation from a buyer comparing inspection findings on a specific home.

Before you start touring

Write down the property features you need, the timing you are working toward, and what you still need to learn about financing. Discuss budget questions with your lender and use the buyer consultation guide to prepare for a conversation about the search and representation. Keep personal requirements specific to how you plan to use the home.

When you find a possible match

Create a simple property question sheet. Record the address, the source of each answer, and the date you received it. Include questions about condition, utilities, association information, and any feature that could materially affect your decision. If a detail has not been verified, leave it marked as an open question rather than turning an assumption into a fact.

The real estate glossary can help you identify unfamiliar language. Bring the actual document or listing reference to the relevant professional when the meaning affects your transaction.

Keep the next step clear

As the process moves forward, maintain a list of who is handling each task and what information is still needed. Use the mortgage and closing guide as an overview, then confirm the requirements and dates that apply to your own agreement. For location research, the community guides offer a starting point alongside your visits and property-specific research.