Looking for a single-family home in New Jersey? I'm Christopher Burns with Century 21 Action Plus Realty, helping families find their perfect house in Monmouth County, Ocean County, and Middlesex County. Single-family homes give you the space, privacy, and freedom you just don't get anywhere else - your own yard, your own rules, and a place to truly call home.
💰 Complete Home Buying Budget Breakdown
What you actually pay beyond the purchase price on a $500K home
💡 Pro Tip: Budget an additional 1-2% of home value annually for maintenance and repairs ($5-10K/year)
Why Single-Family Homes Are What Families Really Want
Look, I get it - condos and townhomes have their perks. No lawn to mow, someone else fixes the roof when it leaks. But here's the thing: when you own a single-family home, it's really yours. You want to paint the kitchen bright yellow? Go for it. Want to build a shed or put in a pool? Nobody's gonna stop you or make you fill out forms with the HOA.
In New Jersey, single-family homes make up most of what's out there. That's not by accident. People here value their space, their privacy, and being able to do what they want with their property. I had a client in Marlboro who bought a house just because he wanted to work on cars in the garage. Try doing that in a condo - your neighbors would go crazy.
What Houses Really Cost Around Here
Okay, let's talk money because I know that's what you're thinking about. The median price for a single-family home in Monmouth County is running around $585,000 right now. Ocean County is a bit more affordable at about $475,000. Middlesex County sits somewhere in the middle around $520,000.
But here's what those numbers don't tell you: what you get for your money changes big time depending on where you look. A $450,000 house in Brick might get you 2,000 square feet with a nice yard. That same money in Red Bank? You're looking at a much smaller place, but you're walking distance to all the downtown restaurants and shops.
🏡 Monmouth County
Manalapan: Great schools, newer houses, close to highways. 4-bedroom colonials around $575,000.
Holmdel: Established neighborhoods, mature trees, excellent schools. Higher property taxes but worth it.
Shore Towns: Manasquan & Sea Girt - beach town charm, $800K+, great year-round communities.
🌊 Ocean County
Brick & Toms River: More house for your money. Decent homes in the $400K range with solid communities.
Jackson: Space! Half-acre lots, close to Six Flags. Growing fast with young families.
Point Pleasant: Shore access without full shore prices. $500-700K, bike to the beach!
🏘️ Middlesex County
Monroe Township: My hometown! Great mix of ages, solid schools, central location. $400-700K range.
Old Bridge: Suburban living with NYC access via train. More space than closer suburbs.
Value Play: Get more square footage while staying connected to major employment areas.
What to Actually Look For in a House
After helping hundreds of families buy homes, I've seen what works and what doesn't. Here's my honest take on what really matters.
Lot Size and Your Yard
Don't just look at how big the house is. The yard matters too. A quarter-acre lot is pretty standard around here, but you'll find everything from tiny yards to half-acre properties.
Think about what you'll actually use the yard for. Got dogs? You want some space and hopefully a fence or at least room to put one up. Kids who play sports? Bigger is definitely better. Just want a small garden and a place to grill? Quarter acre is plenty.
School Districts Matter Even If You Don't Have Kids
Even if you don't have kids right now, this matters. Houses in top school districts hold their value way better. When it's time to sell down the road, you'll have an easier time and probably get more money.
Property Taxes - Yeah, They're High
I'm not gonna sugarcoat this: New Jersey has high property taxes. Like, really high. On a $500,000 home, you might pay anywhere from $8,000 to $14,000 a year depending on what town you pick. That's just reality here.
But here's what I tell people - you're paying for something. Good schools, clean streets, solid services. Towns like Holmdel or Colts Neck have property taxes that make your eyes water, but their schools are some of the best in the whole country. If you've got kids, that matters a lot.
How Buying a House Actually Works
Get Pre-Approved First
Don't even start looking at houses until you're pre-approved for a mortgage. I can't show you homes if I don't know what you can actually afford, and sellers won't take your offer seriously without a pre-approval letter anyway.
This isn't the same as pre-qualification where they just ask you some questions. Pre-approval means a lender has actually looked at your financials and said yes to a specific amount.
The House Hunt
This is the fun part. We'll set up searches based on what you want, and I'll send you new listings as soon as they hit the market. Good houses go fast around here, so you gotta be ready to move quick.
I usually recommend seeing at least 10-15 houses before making an offer. Helps you calibrate what's out there and what you really want.
Making Your Offer
Once you find the one, we put together an offer. In this market, you're often competing with other buyers. I'll help you figure out a price that's competitive but not crazy. Sometimes we include an escalation clause that says you'll beat other offers up to a certain amount.
Inspection Time
This is where we find out what's actually wrong with the house. I always recommend getting a full inspection, even on new construction. Inspectors find stuff - trust me on that.
If they find big problems, we can negotiate with the seller to fix them, give you money off the price, or sometimes you might walk away if it's really bad.