The average homebuyer takes about 8 weeks to find a home, and that can be a very long 8 weeks for some.

From open houses to multiple offers and inspections, it’s no wonder that home shoppers often desire to make quick decisions about property purchases to cease the search and move in as soon as possible.

Sometimes, if a home looks great on the surface, seems to be in a good neighborhood, and isn’t too far from work, offers start pouring in. And there are homebuyers will look at homes solely online. While the Seller’s Disclosure is an immensely important source of information for you as a buyer, don’t gloss over the advantages of seeing certain facets of the home up close and personal with your own eyes.

It pays to look deeper. A home will likely be the most important purchase you can make, so rushing may be a big mistake. The next time you look at a property, be sure to take the time to look out for the following.

1. Check out the Roof

Replacing an entire roof is a major expense that unfortunately, some homebuyers learn too late they need to take care of before they move in. Be sure to check for any signs of wear, damage, or evidence of multiple patches or several layers of roofing. From the sidewalk or driveway you can see if there is any waviness on the surface of the roof – this can be a sign of warped truss beams and plywood. This is not only a warning sign that a major repair is warranted, but it could also indicate poor air flow in the attic, which would become another fix to address.

Some companies may not grant you homeowners insurance if your roof is in a state of disrepair or is too old. While patches can cost a few hundred dollars, total replacement often goes as high as $20,000.

Be sure to ask about the roof’s age as well or when the most recent repair was made.

2. Look for Signs of Water Damage

Water damage can indicate that a house either has some major structural issues, is in a flood plain, or was impacted by a natural disaster. When touring a home, look for ceilings and walls with watermarks, if there’s a moldy smell indicating dampness, or if the plaster is flaking off in sections.

3. Check the Plumbing

Plumbing can be a major issue in older homes – and one of the most expensive fixes for homebuyers. Check the water pressure and ask if there is insulation on the pipes and the pipe material (certain outdated materials you’ll want to replace).

It’s also worth asking the age of the boiler, looking at the hot water tank, and determining if the radiators are in good working condition.

4. Figure Out How Well the Home Has Been Maintained Overall

There can be many different signs that a previous owner or renter was less-than-responsible with the home’s maintenance, including faded paint, cheap replacement tiles, and mismatched fixtures.

If the home’s HVAC system seems aged prematurely and not running smoothly, it may mean that it wasn’t cleaned yearly or that it’s on its last legs. All this evidence points to the likely possibility of expensive updates and repairs you’ll need to make.

5. Look Outside of the Home

You can discover a lot about whether a home is right for you without stepping foot inside. Look for poor grading, swampy spots in the yard, and the condition of sheds or any outbuildings.

Walk around the neighborhood, check out businesses close by, get a feel for the road noise at different hours, and see how strict the HOA is if there is one.

Remember that while the Seller’s Disclosure tells you about conditions the current homeowner is aware of, it won’t cover all qualitative considerations you might have for your dream home. Furthermore, it’s subject to that person’s level of diligence and memory and is no substitute for your own poking about.

For the past few years real estate prices in the New Jersey suburbs soared. They’re still high, but more and more people are moving to another part of the Garden State — the Jersey Shore.

In towns like Ocean City, for example, nearly 21% more people moved in than left compared to the previous year, reports Bloomberg, with prices increasing since last spring. The New Jersey coast has seen a shortage of available homes since last fall — and many of the buyers are looking at Margate NJ real estate for second homes.

And many are paying for the privilege, with homes going upwards of $80,000 over the asking price, says Cape May County-based real estate agent Dan Higman.

Some of the hottest real estate in New Jersey is close to the water. Barnegat Township in Ocean County is where two large buildings of active-adult communities are building 600 luxury homes.

Cheap interest rates and low inventory have driven double-digit price growth throughout New Jersey, with the peak of prices expected for summer 2022. In Montclair, homes regular are sold for $60,000 over the asking price.

New Jersey real estate prices have seen a steady increase of 12% in 2020 and 15% in 2021. Multiple offers are commonplace. In 2022, prices will still rise, buyer demand will be strong, and inventory will continue to be low, says New Jersey Realtors President Robert White.

Even the most expensive Jersey Shore homes are getting scooped up fast. Homes in the area are regularly priced at least at the $1 million mark. Those homes are usually gone in days.

The Big Fall in Housing Stock

How low is real estate stock in New Jersey right now? In the spring of 2021, it was about half of what it was just a year prior. For example, in Randolph, there were nearly 150 homes listed in spring 2020. The following year there were 23.

The inventory level is being called unprecedented — and driving up the average home cost to over $500,000. The median sales price in January 2021 for a single-family New Jersey home was nearly $505,000, a 22% jump over 2020.

Single-family homes sold for about 100.2% of the listing price on average in 2021 and stayed on the market for just 44 days, a fall from 72 days the previous year. Closing and pending sales are also up 17% and 14%, respectively.

The Popularity of Shore Communities

Small New Jersey shore communities are driving much of the hot real estate market in the state, with many people escaping cities during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Experts see that trend continuing through 2022, with people attracted to relatively cheaper homes, walkable downtowns, and more outdoor space. Cape May and the Highlands are in high demand, especially with communities featuring outdoor dining and shopping districts and welcoming beaches and boardwalks.

Something — or someone — else is driving the strong market as well: millennials. More younger people are deciding to buy rather than rent, since rental costs have also soared, and are taking advantage of the fact that 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are averaging around 3%.

The numbers continue to speak for themselves. According to Zillow, home costs in Avalon were up 19% in 2021. And the average home value has jumped to $2.4 million so far in 2022.