Michael Tiago Mortgage Loan Officer & NJ Realtor & Notary Public

06/09/2026

06/09/2026

Most homebuyers focus on the mortgage. Almost nobody talks about this.

Property taxes can quietly add thousands of dollars to your annual costs — and if you’re buying here in New Jersey, this is especially important to understand.

New Jersey has the highest property tax rate in the entire country at 2.08%. On a $400,000 home, that’s over $8,300 every single year. On a $600,000 home — closer to the median in many NJ towns — you’re looking at over $12,000 annually just in taxes.

That’s not a reason to avoid buying here. But it IS a reason to go in with your eyes open.

Here’s something that surprises almost everyone:

Texas — one of the most popular relocation destinations in the country — has a property tax rate of 1.47%.

California? 0.68%.

A lot of people leave New Jersey thinking they’re escaping high costs. Sometimes that’s true. But the math isn’t always what you’d expect, and every situation is different.

This is exactly why purchase price alone doesn’t tell the whole story. When we work with buyers here in New Jersey, we always look at the total cost of ownership — mortgage, taxes, insurance, and everything in between — so there are no surprises after closing.

Buying in NJ? You deserve an agent who knows these numbers cold.

👇 Drop your town in the comments — we’d love to hear what you’re seeing out there.

06/04/2026

Realtors get asked mortgage questions when touring homes all the time, and they're not qualified experts and nor should they provide professional advice within the mortgage side. As a mortgage loan officer I highly advise asking questions about where down payment can come from because there's multiple sources, and some may fit your needs and may have more benefits than others.

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05/30/2026

Record low housing inventory continues for May 2026 in New Jersey

Record housing inventory continues as of reports from May 2026 in New Jersey

05/23/2026

Middlesex County and Ocean County had the most single family homes for sale in April 2026. 1,073 units hit the market in Middlesex County while Ocean County had 1,341 units for sale, according to our most recent housing market data report. Download entire report now: https://njreal.to/1T7Ih1

05/03/2026

If you can buy a house you can buy a house, but can you maximize the savings in time, money, and effort in doing so? This is why consulting matters. Feel free to give me a call for a no obligation real estate consulting to achieve your best real estate path.

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04/23/2026

1 in 3 homeowners are giving up sub-5% mortgage rates to sell, showing the “lock-in effect” is starting to ease. More sellers are prioritizing lifestyle changes over low rates, while buyers aren’t waiting either, signaling a slowly thawing housing market.

One in three sellers are finally giving up sub-5% mortgage rates. See how families are trading "golden handcuffs" for sanity as the lock-in effect begins to thaw.

04/09/2026

Just a call or text away for consulting on your future property.