Agent Know How

03/20/2026

12/03/2025

📌 Knee-Deep in Lease Renewals Season — Let’s Talk Rent Increases

I am knee-deep in lease renewals this year. 😅
Three of my past clients who purchased multifamily homes with me recently raised rents and asked me to handle the notices to their tenants:

📍 Garwood, NJ: $3,025 ➜ $3,200
📍 Elizabeth, NJ: $2,450 ➜ $2,600
📍 Luxury Unit: $5,900 ➜ $6,300

That’s an average increase of roughly 6%, which is actually in line with what I’m seeing across NJ in 2025.

But let’s talk about something important —
✔ What renters should know and
✔ What landlords must follow
when it comes to rent increases.

✨ For Renters: How Much Can a Landlord Raise Your Rent?

It depends on where you live.

Here in NJ, each city has its own rules:

1️⃣ Some towns have rent control

Cities like Elizabeth, Union City, West New York, Jersey City (many units), and others have annual caps—typically 3%–5%, depending on local ordinance.
✔ If your building is under rent control, a landlord MUST follow that limit.

2️⃣ Some towns have no rent control

In places like Garwood, Rahway, Cranford, Roselle Park, etc., landlords can raise rent by any “reasonable” amount as long as proper notice is given—usually 30–90 days, depending on the lease.

3️⃣ Federally subsidized rentals follow their own rules

Section 8 / HAP contracts, senior housing, or affordable housing programs have strict caps and approval processes.

✨ How to Find Out If Your Rental Has Rent Control

Here are the easiest ways to check:

🔍 Search: “*Your Town* Rent Control Ordinance”
Most cities have the rules posted online.

🏛️ Call your town’s Rent Control Board or Housing Office
They’ll tell you if your building qualifies.

📄 Review your lease
Some leases disclose whether the unit is rent-controlled.

If you’re unsure, DM me. I’m happy to look up your town’s ordinance for free.

✨ For Landlords: Don’t Forget the Notice Requirements

Rent increases must be:

✔ Delivered in writing
✔ Sent with the correct notice period (usually 60 days)
✔ Clear about the new rent + renewal date
✔ Consistent with local rent control laws

02/23/2025

I'm using chatgpt to create a visual of my rental listing's pet policy.

While we say "No Pets," usually, but not always, we do accept fish, hamsters, guinea pigs, or rabbits... maybe some household reptiles. 🤔 Maybe.

So I asked chat gpt to create an image for me. Here's what it came up with.

I personally like the part where in the image Chatgpt added all approved pets should submit a resume and character references.

Imagine a dog's or cat's resume 🤔

EXCAVATOR 2006 TO PRESENT DAY
□ Responsible for digging holes in the backyard. Putting bones and other toys inside of them and sometimes covering it up but likely will dig them back up for posterity.

SMALL OBJECTS ORGANIZER 2010 TO PRESENT DAY

□ Responsible for relocating things Hoomans leave scattered or loose on counters that would otherwise be a hazard to but feline and human health.

02/02/2025

One of my favorite business quotes of all time comes from Zig Ziglar which is ...

"You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”

This time of year is always humbling for me. Sure, I can be a little braggadocious from time to time, 😆 but winning the Circle of Excellence Award reminds me that I did the thing Zig talks about ... that I can lay my head down at night and be proud of my sweat, my effort, and my sleepless nights because it helped someone else get what they wanted.

I've consistently produced at the bronze level.
I've been recognized at the silver level a few times ...

Maybe, just maybe one day, I'll achieve the Gold or the Platinum level.🤞 God willing, Angie willing.

At the start of 2024, I was with RE/MAX Select. Shout out to them for their supervision and support. And, BIG BIG shout out to my chosen broker, Keller Williams Premier Properties. You renewed my love for the real estate business in ways I will never be able to describe fully.

Thank you for helping me achieve this!! I'm truly looking forward to how we can GROW and thrive together ❤️

01/31/2025

Hopatcong Heights

01/12/2025

Open House TODAY Jan 12th 1-4pm

12/06/2024

Spread the Warmth KW Coat Drive

02/08/2024

My T shirt is out for delivery. . I am vDay ready
Good morning, New Jersey