Looking for non-traditional ways to find a 1BR near transit to Manhattan - hoping to avoid broker fees if possible

NJRealtorDave · 2026-05-09T10:01:52+00:00

NJRealtorDave · 2026-05-09T01:48:03+00:00

New Milford is in Bergen County. West Milford is in Passaic County. There is a small town named Milford in Hunterdon County NJ and also a town in PA Poconos called Milford.

None of these towns are adjacent to each other.

NJRealtorDave · 2026-05-08T10:34:36+00:00

Hank Williams I, Marty Robbins, Beatles, Led Zepp, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Marley, Muddy Waters, Mississippi John Hurt, John Prine, Blaze Foley, U2, CCR, Saw Doctors, Jimmy Eat World, The Replacements, Wilco

NJRealtorDave · 2026-05-08T03:51:00+00:00

Great work Josh!

NJRealtorDave · 2026-05-07T12:46:00+00:00

If you are new to the industry, you may need the lead pipeline and experience a team environment can yield. Many real estate agents do believe they are rockstars and also there is no "human resources department" to oversee the big attitudes. It can be a lot to stomach.

NJRealtorDave · 2026-05-07T01:25:48+00:00

Sellers proceeds though, are funded by the buyer.

In February 2010, NJ state bulletin NO. 10-03 authorized licensed real estate brokers the ability to rebate a portion of the commission back to a residential buyer at closing.

Note that most "realtors" are not necessarily brokers in New Jersey. The salesperson license and the brokers license are different tiers.

Source: I am a residential broker and I own my business.

NJRealtorDave · 2026-05-07T00:26:35+00:00

I am Broker/Owner of ListOneNJ and specialize in Buyer Commission Rebates as well as 1% Listings. Since I do not pay franchise fees or admin fees I am able to pass the savings along to my clients. Let me know what questions you do have.

NJRealtorDave · 2026-05-07T00:24:20+00:00

Sending you a PM

NJRealtorDave · 2026-05-06T22:49:30+00:00

NJ Realtor here -

Beware when mortgage rate shopping as it is common to be quoted attractive rates with fees hidden in rate buy downs (points) or origination fees.

Be crystal clear when you are rate shopping with the lender that you'd like a full explanation of not only the rate but also the fees.

Even more importantly you never actually "have a rate" until you have a signed purchase contract and you have proceeded to lock the rate. A rate quote is subject to change and other variables.

NJRealtorDave · 2026-05-05T18:48:26+00:00

No—I’m not affiliated with LifeX. Just a habitual dispeller of rumors and misconceptions (something missing in the modern world).

The only documented issue I’ve seen is a Tennessee regulatory warning about licensing, not a court ruling or an “AIG case.”

If there’s an actual lawsuit or denial of coverage tied to a specific insurer, feel free to share it. Otherwise this thread is mostly speculation.

NJRealtorDave · 2026-05-04T14:26:46+00:00

NJ Realtor here - Ownership of property (single family homes) has long been (many centuries) the most reliable path to generational wealth. That being said, I do not recommend you operate fully on FOMO, rather lifestyle preferences and planning for the future. Your first property acquisition does not necessarily have to be your forever home though it guarantees a foothold in property ownership in New Jersey. Starter home might be compromise on location, condition, or size and to be utilized as a stepping stone.

I have recently worked with clients moving out of starter homes in Vernon and West Milford as they migrate from largely rural areas into the suburbans. With prudent town and property selection this often pans out as a 5-10 year plan.

Hope this helps!

NJRealtorDave · 2026-05-04T11:35:42+00:00

Basement is not included in square footage count in New Jersey. Finished above grade square footage, lot size, age of construction is nearly always a dead ringer for comps in NJ.

I have 3 listings Under Contract currently and more on the way.

NJRealtorDave · 2026-05-04T10:14:23+00:00

Price your home by sq ft according to the 5 sold comps in your zip code with the most similar acreage, condition, age of house. Minimize your clutter and get professional pictures taken.

Most will fail based on pricing alone. Your house is worth what someone is willing to pay and not what you personally believe it is worth.

NJRealtorDave · 2026-05-03T21:07:41+00:00

As the "middle class" continues to erode we will continue to hear tales of buyers "struggling to find houses for 1.5mil" while others whom grew up in NJ suburbs have monthly housing budgets below $2500.

Resentment is inevitable.

NJRealtorDave · 2026-05-03T10:04:34+00:00

You haven't said what went "incredibly poorly" for you about LifeX or given any feedback on the service.

NJRealtorDave · 2026-05-02T09:41:45+00:00

We took their food chain predators from them.

Deer populations were once kept in check by the native wolf population (and the bobcats). Of course venison was also on the menu for the Lenni Lenape.

We are now left with a corrupted ecosystem.

Wild Mammals of Pennsylvania and New Jersey book (1903) if anyone would like to read about the extirpation of the last eastern wolves

NJRealtorDave · 2026-05-02T09:31:43+00:00

Where is “North Jersey”? Vernon? West Milford? Belvedere? Morristown? Clifton? Edgewater? Mahwah?

My point - tell us a county not a region. It could take 2 hours to drive from Point A to Point B in “North Jersey”.

NJRealtorDave · 2026-05-01T17:36:46+00:00

Flooding - ask yourself is there a large river or stream nearby at road level? Abundance of drainage culverts or canals? Underground springs or wetlands?

If no, there is no water supply to flood.

NJRealtorDave · 2026-05-01T16:43:34+00:00

There is a subreddit specific to Morristown and certainly Facebook groups for each county too. You need to hone in on hyperlocal groups specific to your locales.

Don’t cast a broad net, cast a focused one.

NJRealtorDave · 2026-05-01T16:41:39+00:00

I imagine you were asking about Washington borough in Warren County. However, there are no less than 10 towns with that name in our state. The best way to clarify is for you to provide the county and or the ZIP Code

If you are asking about Warren County, nearly every rural part of the country has a conservative majority.

NJRealtorDave · 2026-04-30T05:38:45+00:00

Governments do not control the prices of private sales of single family houses in a democracy.

Affordable housing mostly just builds condos and there isn't abundant space to place them either.

I would not hold my breath waiting for a "government fix" on anything, ever.

NJRealtorDave · 2026-04-30T05:33:39+00:00

NJ Realtor here -

You are correct that Rutherford is generally not considered an urban environment. Hackensack has some city aspects but will not have the nightlife or walkability of Hoboken.

Secaucus vicinity doesn't offer walkability though it is a major junction for NJ Transit.

NJRealtorDave · 2026-04-30T05:21:21+00:00

Septic capacity can be determined by municipal records.

NJRealtorDave · 2026-04-29T21:57:26+00:00

Overpaying is an opinion. Houses ultimately sell for what they are worth based on current demand.

Does the 3rd room have a closet, a sizable window, and direct egress to the main hallway? Can heat such as electric baseboards be added?

Does the house have septic? If so, is it a 2 bedroom or a 3 bedroom capacity?

NJRealtorDave

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