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The State of Our Union

Our blog highlighting the best things of Union County, local market updates, our thoughts and opinions about our industry, answers to your frequently asked questions, and more.

Living in East Rutherford NJ | Home of MetLife Stadium

East Rutherford is the smallest borough in America to host a professional sports team, and this summer, MetLife Stadium hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final. But East Rutherford is more than the Meadowlands. With some of the lowest property taxes in Bergen County, a 20-minute bus commute to Manhattan, and a real estate market more accessible than neighboring towns, this complete guide covers everything you need to know about living in East Rutherford, NJ from housing and schools to dining, parks, and the proposed $3 billion Meadowlands Convention Center that could reshape the area.

Understanding Realtor Commissions and Compensation in NJ

Real estate agents in New Jersey don’t earn a dime until closing day — and the amount they actually take home is far less than most people think. After brokerage splits, business expenses, and self-employment taxes, a typical NJ agent keeps roughly 1% to 1.5% of the sale price. This guide breaks down how commissions work, what 184 tasks agents perform per transaction, and why the commission-based model means your agent is bearing significant financial risk on your behalf.

NJ Local Business Spotlight: PopUp Bagels Opens in Westfield, NJ

PopUp Bagels opened its first New Jersey location at 220 South Avenue West in Westfield on July 10, 2026. The celebrity-backed bagel brand, known for hot, whole bagels and its “Grip, Rip and Dip” schmear experience, chose Westfield as the first of more than 25 planned NJ shops. Here’s the full menu, pricing, hours, and what to order on your first visit.

Escrow Explained: What NJ Home Buyers Need to Know

If you’re buying a home in New Jersey, escrow plays a role at every stage — from your earnest money deposit through closing and into your monthly mortgage payment. This guide explains the two types of escrow NJ buyers encounter, how much you’ll need, who holds the money, how attorney review impacts the timeline, and why NJ’s high property taxes make escrow a bigger factor here than almost anywhere else.

Maintenance-Free Homes in NJ: Types, Costs & Tips

New Jersey offers a full spectrum of maintenance-free housing options — from condos and townhomes to 55+ adult communities and manufactured homes. This guide breaks down each property type, typical NJ HOA costs ($200–$750/month), the 2026 tax relief programs that can cut a senior’s property tax in half, and county-by-county guidance on where to find the right fit.

Living in Elizabeth, NJ: Neighborhoods & Commute Guide

Elizabeth is Union County’s largest city, the county seat, and one of the most affordable direct-NEC commuter cities in the New York metropolitan area. This guide covers Elizabeth’s neighborhoods including Elmora, Westminster, Peterstown, Bayway, and more, along with commute logistics, schools, the internationally diverse dining scene, property taxes, and real estate data for buyers and investors.

1031 Exchange NJ: From Multi-Units to NNN Passive Income

Michael Martinetti sold four two-unit residential properties and purchased a Chipotle using a 1031 exchange — without spending his own money. This guide breaks down how 1031 exchanges work, what triple net (NNN) leases look like in practice, and why NJ investors have an especially powerful reason to use this strategy to trade management headaches for passive income.

Selling Your Home in NJ: Where to Start (2026)

Thinking about selling your home in New Jersey but not sure where to begin? This guide walks you through every step from checking your home’s current value to navigating disclosures, attorney review, the NJ exit tax, and what to expect from listing day through closing. Get a free home value estimate and schedule a no-obligation consultation with the #1 ranked large team in NJ.

Realtor vs. Agent, Solo vs. Team, Brokerage Explained

Realtor, real estate agent, broker, brokerage – they get used interchangeably, but they actually mean different things. This plain-English guide breaks down the title distinctions, what a real estate brokerage is and why every agent works under one, how solo agents and teams actually operate differently (including how the Michael Martinetti Group is structured), and how real estate commissions work after the 2024 NAR settlement.

Elon Musk’s $1 Trillion vs. NJ: The Napkin Math

Elon Musk just became the first person worth $1 trillion. We grabbed a napkin and ran the math on what that fortune could buy across New Jersey — from MetLife Stadium to every diner, beach badge, golf course, and home on Long Beach Island. Spoiler: he could buy everything on the list and still have 93% of his money left.

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