As someone who has spent over a decade helping North Jersey homeowners navigate the real estate landscape, I find the latest figures on New Jersey’s housing wealth both impressive and encouraging. In Q1 2026, our state was among the top five nationwide for homeowner housing wealth, based on over 965,000 anonymized home equity borrowing inquiries. For those exploring their options, the median home equity for New Jersey shoppers was about $295,000—half had more, half less—while nearly three out of four had at least $200,000 in equity. That’s a substantial cushion, and a testament to the strong position many local owners have built.

Home equity—the difference between your home’s value and what you owe on your mortgage—can grow as you pay down your loan or as property values rise. Many in our area consider tapping into this equity for reasons like consolidating debt, covering education expenses, or funding home improvements. If you’re weighing these possibilities, it’s wise to first confirm your available equity, fully understand loan costs, and borrow only what truly fits your needs. As always, I’m committed to helping my clients make well-informed decisions—every step of the way.

Here's a quick update on Hudson County's real estate market. Homes are selling at a similar pace as before. Fewer properties are changing hands, but prices remain consistent.

As we step into September, the housing market is sending a few clear signals. After eight months of yearly gains, pending home sales have edged slightly negative—higher borrowing costs are prompting many buyers to take a step back. We’re also seeing contract signings soften, homes now taking about 60 days to sell, and mortgage rates rising from around 6% in late Q1 to the high-6% range.

On the buyer’s side, there’s a bit more room to negotiate: the median list price has slipped to $424,500, price cuts are happening on roughly 20% of listings, delistings have decreased compared to last year, and active inventory is up by about 4%. Yet, despite these fresh listings, national inventory remains about 11% below what we’d expect before the pandemic, highlighting that the underlying shortage continues even as buyers hesitate.

Right now, experts are closely watching how sellers approach pricing, the pace of delistings, and whether regional trends keep narrowing as everyone adjusts to firmer borrowing costs.

Having guided clients across North Jersey for over a decade, I know how shifts like these can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re navigating a market that’s always evolving. Whether you’re considering your next move or just want a local perspective, I’m here to help you understand what these trends mean for your goals.

Recently, consumer confidence in the US slipped to its lowest level in seven months. While people felt more positive about their current situation—reflected in a ~7-point jump in the present-conditions index to 121—the outlook for income, business, and jobs over the next few months became less certain. The expectations index dropped about 6 points to 68, a threshold historically linked to increased recession risk. Early in Q3, employers cut 23,000 jobs, and unemployment rose to around 4%, mostly because more people left the workforce rather than an uptick in hiring. Despite these shifts, homebuying sentiment remained resilient—expectations dipped only slightly in Mid-Q3 and continued to trend up, even as about 61% of people anticipated higher interest rates. With policymakers keeping rates steady and the market not expecting much relief soon, buyers can expect borrowing costs to stay elevated through the end of the year. In my years helping North Jersey clients navigate every market turn, I’ve learned that understanding these economic signals helps you make informed decisions—especially when weighing your next move in Passaic, Bergen, Morris, Hudson, or Essex County.

Labor Day in the United States celebrates the contributions of workers everywhere, while also unofficially marking the final big summer weekend before fall takes over.
It’s known for backyard barbecues, road trips, and that classic tradition of buying things you didn’t know you needed because “it’s on sale.”
Beaches, parks, and grills reach peak activity as everyone tries to squeeze every last drop of summer fun out of the long weekend.
Happy Labor Day! Wishing you a fun, easygoing weekend filled with good vibes, great food, and absolutely no thoughts about Monday.

Research local schools even if you don’t have kids — they influence home values.
Consider internet availability and speed, especially for remote work or streaming needs.