Over the years, I’ve bought three homes and sold one in the U.S.
When we moved to New Jersey in 2021, we rented for a year before purchasing ,
a 15-year-old townhouse in Edgewater, a charming riverside town along the Hudson River.
Buying House in Edgewater New Jersey_
The townhouse, with 2 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, cost $650,000,
and we pay around $300 per month in HOA (Home Owners Association) fees.
1. Location, Location, Location
Buying House in Edgewater New Jersey_ Edgewater was my first choice ,
Because of its proximity to Manhattan.
Commuting to the city is just a 40-minute Door-to-Door trip, which made it ideal for work.
For families, location often means balancing school districts with property prices.
With a high school rating of 7/10, Edgewater felt like a reasonable compromise.
While many parents aim for 9–10-rated schools, I was okay with this score, having learned from my experience
in California that such ratings often reflect parents’ investments in private tutoring ,
rather than the quality of public education.
2. Elevated and Weather-Friendly
New Jersey winters bring plenty of rain and snow,
so we looked for homes on higher ground to avoid flooding or the hassle of constant snow clearing.
Our townhouse offered the added benefit of HOA-managed maintenance,
which covers snow removal, landscaping, and external repairs like roofing.
For someone accustomed to California’s mild weather, this was a big relief.
3. A House with Potential for Upgrades_Buying House in Edgewater New Jersey
Our first home in San Jose taught us the value of a house that allows for incremental upgrades.
My husband, who’s quite handy, enjoyed fixing things over time, which increased the home’s resale value.
This townhouse was no exception.
Although not brand-new, it was in solid condition.
Some areas, like the dated kitchen cabinets, bathroom sinks, and early-2000s tiles,
provided opportunities for my husband to work his magic.
4. Sticking to a Budget_Buying House in Edgewater New Jersey
We capped our budget at $750,000 to avoid financial strain.
This meant focusing on homes that wouldn’t exceed this limit, especially with interest rates being high at the time. Overextending on a mortgage would have impacted our quality of life,
so we prioritized staying within a comfortable range.
Next Steps: Renovation and Transformation
We took plenty of photos when we first bought the house, capturing its “before” state.
Over time, as we make upgrades, I’ll share updates and photos of the transformation process.
Buying this house was a careful balance of location, budget, and long-term potential,
and I look forward to making it our perfect home, one project at a time. 😊
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