Buying a Home

March 31, 2025

The NJ Real Estate Shift: Are Buyers Finally Gaining the Upper Hand?

By Courtney Orlando, Courtney Orlando Group | Compass Real Estate

The real estate market in New Jersey has been a rollercoaster over the past few years, with soaring home prices, fierce bidding wars, and limited inventory making it tough for buyers. But as we step further into 2025, the tides may …

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March 28, 2025

Rising Down Payments: What It Means for Today's Homebuyers

By Courtney Orlando, Courtney Orlando Group | Compass Real Estate

Buying a home has always been a major financial milestone, but recent trends indicate that it’s becoming even more expensive upfront. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the average down payment for home purchases in the U.S. reached $30,400—an …

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March 26, 2025

The Hidden Costs of Homeownership: What Every Buyer Should Know

By Courtney Orlando, Courtney Orlando Group | Compass Real Estate

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of finding the perfect property, but many buyers overlook the true cost of homeownership. Beyond the mortgage, there …

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Posted in Buying a Home
Feb. 18, 2025

The New NAR Rules: What Homebuyers Need to Know in 2025

The real estate industry faced a major shake-up when the National Association of Realtors (NAR) introduced new rules that aimed to change how commissions are handled. Some experts predicted this would significantly lower costs for homebuyers, while others doubted any real impact. Now, as we enter 2025, it’s time to …

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Feb. 12, 2025

Compass One: The Future of Real Estate Transparency & Client Experience

By Courtney Orlando, Courtney Orlando Group | Compass Real Estate

"In a first-of-its-kind move, Compass has launched Compass One—the industry’s first-ever all-in-one client dashboard, connecting Compass agents to their clients in real-time," reports PR Newswire. This revolutionary platform is set to redefine how buyers and sellers engage with their real estate …

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Jan. 29, 2025

Buy vs. Rent: Why Owning a Home Wins in 2025

By Courtney Orlando, Courtney Orlando Group | Compass Real Estate

"The average rent in the U.S. has increased by over 30% in the last decade," according to Zillow. With rental prices soaring, many are wondering: is it finally time to buy? While renting has its advantages, homeownership offers long-term financial …

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Jan. 15, 2025

The Impact of LA Wildfires on Real Estate: Lessons for Buyers and Sellers

By Courtney Orlando, Courtney Orlando Group | Compass Real Estate

"In 2025, over 100,000 acres have been scorched by wildfires in Los Angeles alone," according to recent reports. These numbers are staggering and hard to ignore. Wildfires don’t just destroy landscapes—they reshape lives and redefine priorities. For the real estate …

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Jan. 8, 2025

7 Costly Mistakes Homebuyers Make—And How to Avoid Them

By Courtney Orlando, Courtney Orlando Group | Compass Real Estate

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make—and mistakes can cost more than just money. They can cost time, peace of mind, and opportunities. The good news? You can avoid most pitfalls with the right strategy …

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Jan. 6, 2025

The Future of Luxury Real Estate: Trends and Insights for 2025

By Courtney Orlando, Courtney Orlando Group | Compass Real Estate

Luxury real estate continues to evolve, driven by new buyer preferences, emerging technologies, and lifestyle shifts. As we look ahead to 2025, high-end properties are not just about opulence but also about functionality, sustainability, and personalization. Here’s a look at the …

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Jan. 3, 2025

Real Estate Investing in 2025: Smart Strategies for Wealth Building

By Courtney Orlando, Courtney Orlando Group | Compass Real Estate

The real estate investment landscape in 2025 offers exciting opportunities for both seasoned investors and those just starting out. With shifting trends, evolving technologies, and dynamic markets, now is the perfect time to reevaluate strategies and maximize returns. Here’s how you …

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