March 9, 2026

By Courtney Orlando, REALTOR® | Courtney Orlando Group · Compass Real Estate

For much of the past decade, real estate narratives have been dominated by speed. Homes would list on Thursday, host packed open houses on Sunday, and receive offers by Monday. Buyers were conditioned to move quickly …

March 6, 2026

For decades, one statistic has dominated conversations between sellers, buyers, and agents: Days on Market (DOM). It has long been the go-to measure of how quickly a home sells and how strong a local housing market may be.

But in 2026, a quieter — and arguably more …

February 27, 2026
By Courtney Orlando, REALTOR® | Courtney Orlando Group · Compass Real Estate

If you’ve spoken to a homebuyer in New Jersey recently, you’ve likely heard this:

“There’s just nothing out there.”

Yet when we pull the data, listings do exist. Homes are coming to market. Contracts are …

February 23, 2026
By Courtney Orlando, REALTOR® | Courtney Orlando Group · Compass Real Estate

In 2026, most real estate headlines focus on pricing, rates, and inventory. But the real story happening behind the scenes in New Jersey is different:

Deals aren’t falling apart because of drama.
They’re collapsing because of …

February 20, 2026
By Courtney Orlando, REALTOR® | Courtney Orlando Group · Compass Real Estate

In today’s real estate environment — especially here in New Jersey — buyers are confused about two common myths:

1. That working with the listing agent (the seller’s agent) saves money or gives you an advantage.
2. That …

February 18, 2026
By Courtney Orlando, REALTOR® | Courtney Orlando Group · Compass Real Estate

The 2026 housing market isn’t crashing.
It isn’t booming.
It’s negotiating.

Across New Jersey, we’re seeing something more strategic than emotional — a market where buyers and sellers are both informed, cautious, and unwilling to overextend …

February 16, 2026
By Courtney Orlando, REALTOR® | Courtney Orlando Group · Compass Real Estate

The New Jersey housing market in early 2026 doesn’t look like the frenzy of 2021. It doesn’t resemble the rate shock adjustments of 2023 either. Instead, we’re seeing something more balanced — and for prepared buyers …

February 13, 2026
By Courtney Orlando, REALTOR® | Courtney Orlando Group · Compass Real Estate

In New Jersey, once an offer is accepted, many buyers and sellers believe the hard part is over.

In reality, it’s just beginning.

Unlike some states, New Jersey is an attorney review state. That means the …

February 11, 2026
By Courtney Orlando, REALTOR® | Courtney Orlando Group · Compass Real Estate

In New Jersey’s fast-moving real estate market, it’s easy to focus on winning the offer. But long before closing day, there’s a critical step that protects buyers from unexpected financial shock:

The home inspection.

A property …

February 6, 2026
By Courtney Orlando, REALTOR® | Courtney Orlando Group · Compass Real Estate

In New Jersey’s competitive housing market, getting pre-approved is often treated as a checkbox. But experienced buyers—and successful sellers—know the truth: who your lender is can matter just as much as your offer price.

In 2026 …