Faina, quite an impressive array of data you've presented. FYI...we're trying to assemble a "tri-state" Active Rain gathering. Will keep you posted. Many prayers...

Andrew -thanks you. You understand and appreciate the effort it takes to gather the information and analyze it for the real estate consumers. Making this information available to the public should help buyers and sellers to make informed decisions.

Dear Faina,

I live in montgomery township. I'm looking to move to a bigger house now. The first website that I came across to get more information on the housing market is yours! Your blog spot is very informative.
Thank you very much.

 I have a question if you could spend time on it and answer me. The question is about "main floor master bedrooms".

- Does the houses with "main floor master bedroom" loose value in the market?

- Does such houses appeal only certain age group of people thereby reducing its marketability?

- What is the common mindset of people in NJ [in our Princeton real estate] to think about "main floor master bedrooms" ?

 Please excuse me for the lengthy question. I didnt know where to post the question, but I realize you could be a better person, So please help.

Thanks a lot in advance,

RT

RT-thank you for your kind words about my blog. I am not sure if your question has do with marketing a home with the first floor master bedroom or if you are looking to buy a home, where the master bathroom is on the first floor and you are not sure if it's a good idea. 

Generally, there are fewer homes with master bedrooms on the first floor. That doesn't necessarily mean that a home with a master bathroom on the 1st floor is less valuable, then the one with the master bedroom on the second floor. A lot depends on the neighborhood, the type of the home and other considerations. 

There are buyers who would not want the master bedroom on the first floor, because they may have small children and would like to be close to their rooms. On the other hand buyers with grown or teenage children may prefer 1st floor master bedrooms, since it allows more privacy. There are some buyers who prefer 1st floor master bedroom because of their age and or other requirements. 

Buying a home involves looking at many different possibilities and trade offs to make sure you are making the right decision. If you need more specific advise or information, don't hesitate to call or e-mail.  

thanks for your response Faina, I appreciate it. I don't have a house with master BR in main floor. We just started our home hunt and I saw a house which was very beautiful in cherry valley, but the only niggling is that the master BR is in the main level. cherry valley has some houses with main floor BR and am not sure about it from resell prespective.

 Also, any community you take, you can kinda judge the prices depending upon the models right? Here is always a benchmark for a particular model house / lot / upgrades. But cherry valley seems to be an exception. Same model homes are priced with a 100k difference and so on. I dont know what is it with cherry valley's pricing oscillations.

 - RT

RT -in Cherry Valley - there are approximately 12 houses on the market now with the prices ranging from $739,850 to $$1,495,000. The difference in the asking price for a particular model could be attributable to several valid factors, or could be a reflection of it not being priced correctly. You need to understand these differences.

I just wrote about how confusing it is to understand the Princeton area real estate prices and some of the reasons behind it. You can read this article "Who else wants clarity about Princeton real estate prices?" here. To make an offer it's important to understand the market and the prices. The market is changing and it's even more difficult to reconcile what you see to what you hear. Hopefully your agent should be able to provide the information you need to make smart decisions.

Let me know if you need specific information.  

Thanks for the wonderful post about clarity in prices. Glad to see that you bring in the facts & myths out of the box and analyze and give readers a better picture.

Well, I'm going to disturb you with one more question.

Cherry valley has some houses with master bedroom in the main level. And you know some are for sale too. Could you shed some light from resale prespective?

- will these houses be odd man out when it comes to resale just because most of the houses dont have MBR in the main floor?

- will these houses be targeted only by specific age group / family thereby cutting down its scope to all prospective buyers?

- i did do some research in the internet. few other states like texas, NC says that people there prefer MBR in the main floor. Does NJ people share the same mindset?

- Also monroe township has a newer community that has lots of houses with MBR in the MF. Does it mean that it is a preferred trend?

So many questions aah? I am asking you all these because not many agents do such study and shed light to the buyers / sellers about the facts prevailing. I dont generalize, but they concentrate about the house / price / bids / sell / buy etc.,

Sorry to bother you again and again and you are just great taking your time to answer an anonymous person in the blog spot. Iam sure your answers to me are helpful to so many other prospective buyers.

 - RT

RT, I am happy to answer your questions. Monroe is a community with a lot of retirement housing, so it is consistent with that demographics for houses to have the Master Bedroom on the first floor. It does not indicate that it is a trend in other Townships. There has been talk for several years now that with the Baby Boomers nearing retirement there would be more demand for this type of home design and that the builders would be building more houses like this. Because of the slowing real estate market, there is not a lot of new building currently.

The answer for the master bedroom being on the first floor in Cherry Valley would depend on the specific house, price, location, how it compares to others. Whether it's a good decision for you will also depend on your particular situation. Without knowing these facts it would be difficult to give you a precise answer. A knowledgeable agent should take all these factors into consideration when giving advice.  Feel free to call me 609-553-4175 , so we can discuss the specifics and I could give you more guidance.

I was very busy last week, thats why couldnt acknowledge your reply, Thanks a lot for taking time and answering me. Will contact you sometime.

Fiana, It appears that you are an expert in your area.  I would like to network in the future.  Feel free to contact me for any real estate appraisal related questions.

http://www.truevaluerealestateappraisals.com