Richard Truocchio's blog

If you're buying or selling a home in Hudson County, NJ, the sale price is only part of the math. Closing costs catch many people off guard—especially in a market like ours where Jersey City, Hoboken, and Weehawken transactions routinely cross the price thresholds that trigger New Jersey's "mansion tax." As a Hudson County realtor, I walk buyers and sellers through these numbers every week. Here's the complete breakdown so nothing surprises you at the closing table.

What Buyers Pay at Closing in Hudson County

Buyers in New Jersey typically pay 2% to 5% of the purchase price in...

By Rick Truocchio | Hudson County Real Estate Expert

Hudson County has some of the best multi-family investment fundamentals in the New York metro area — and most out-of-state investors still don't know it. Dense population, a renter pool anchored by Manhattan commuters, PATH and ferry access, and a housing stock full of classic two- and three-family homes make this one of the most consistently strong markets for buy-and-hold investors in New Jersey.

If you're considering a 2-4 unit property in Jersey City, Bayonne, Union City, Hoboken, Weehawken, Kearny, or Harrison, here's what you...

You're under contract on a home in Hudson County. Attorney review is closed. The next major milestone — and the one that surprises buyers most — is the home inspection.

Almost every buyer does one. Almost no one fully understands what it covers, what it doesn't, how to read the report, and how to use it strategically. Get this right, and the inspection is one of your most powerful tools as a buyer. Get it wrong, and you'll either panic over normal findings, miss real problems, or leave money on the table in negotiations.

What Is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is a visual...

Hoboken is one of the most sought-after real estate markets in the New York metro area — and for good reason. One square mile of walkable urban living, a PATH train that gets you to Midtown in 20 minutes, a restaurant scene that rivals Manhattan neighborhoods, and home prices that are still meaningfully below comparable NYC addresses. For buyers who want the city lifestyle without the city price tag, Hoboken consistently makes the short list.

But buying a condo in Hoboken is not the same as buying anywhere else. The market is competitive, the inventory is diverse, and the details —...

Ask any Hudson County resident what they love most about living here, and the commute almost always comes up. Living across the river from Manhattan — with multiple fast, reliable options to get there — is one of the county's biggest selling points. But not all commutes are created equal, and understanding the differences between PATH, ferry, and bus can meaningfully influence which town and which neighborhood is right for you.

The Big Three: A Quick Summary

If you're buying or selling a home in New Jersey — including anywhere in Hudson County — there's one part of the process that surprises almost every person who hasn't done it before: the attorney review period.

It's one of the most important consumer protections in NJ real estate law, and it's completely unique to New Jersey (and a small handful of other states). Understanding how it works before you sign anything can save you from a bad deal, a costly mistake, or a transaction that falls apart at the worst possible moment.

What Is Attorney Review in New Jersey?

Attorney review is...

If you've been watching Jersey City real estate and wondering where the smart buyers are going next, the answer is increasingly the same: the Heights.

Perched on the Palisades ridge above downtown Jersey City, the Heights offers something rare in Hudson County — genuine neighborhood character, real architectural variety, sweeping Manhattan skyline views, and price points that still make financial sense. It's where buyers who did their research end up, and where agents who know the market point clients who want value without sacrificing quality of life.

What Makes the Heights...

Kearny doesn't show up on many "best places to live in New Jersey" lists. That's exactly why smart buyers are paying attention to it.

Tucked between Harrison, Newark, and the Hackensack River, Kearny has the bones of a classic Hudson County town — walkable streets, a mix of housing types, and PATH train access — at prices that Hoboken and Jersey City left behind years ago. If you're priced out of the waterfront towns but don't want to sacrifice a Manhattan commute, Kearny is one of the most compelling options in the entire county.

Why Kearny Is Getting a Second Look in 2026

• The...

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear from first-time buyers in Hudson County is that they need 20% down to buy a home. They don't. In fact, with the right programs, buyers in New Jersey can purchase a home with as little as 3%–3.5% down — and in some cases, get help covering that down payment and closing costs too.

If you're buying in Bayonne, Jersey City, Kearny, Harrison, or anywhere else in Hudson County, here's a complete breakdown of the programs available to you right now.

Why Down Payment Is the #1 Barrier — and How NJ Helps

For most first-time buyers, it's not the...

You've done the math. A 700-square-foot apartment in Manhattan costs $4,000 a month in rent — or $1.2M to buy. Thirty minutes away in Hudson County, you can rent a two-bedroom with a backyard for $2,800 or buy a townhouse for $575,000. The commute is fast, the food scene is real, and you actually get to own something.

Every year, thousands of New Yorkers make this move. Here's everything you need to know to do it right.

Why Hudson County — Not Just "New Jersey"

When New Yorkers say they're "moving to Jersey," they often mean very different things. Hudson County is the slice of NJ...