The Jersey Link Podcast is back with a conversation that feels like sitting around the table after a long year and finally exhaling. Jose Sanchez and Kate Vargo are joined by lender Brianna Lundquist to look back on what 2025 actually felt like in Central New Jersey and what that means for the year ahead.
What comes through quickly is how different the year felt compared to the ones before it. Rates didn’t suddenly change the game, but they stopped driving fear, which gave buyers time to think and forced sellers to be more intentional. “There was a calmness that came back,” Jose says, and that shift quietly changed how homes were priced, negotiated, and walked away from.
From the lending side, Brianna speaks to where pressure actually showed up. Affordability tightened. Qualifying buyers took more care. Some deals didn’t survive once inspections, financing limits, or condo rules came into play. She touches on why non-warrantable condos became a bigger conversation and how knowing those details early started to separate smooth deals from stressful ones. “If the financing is limited, you need to know that early,” she says.
Kate ties those moments back to what buyers and sellers were experiencing in real time. Homes priced with intention still moved. Others stalled out. Buyers became less willing to overlook issues just to win, and sellers learned quickly that the market was no longer forgiving guesswork. “Price still tells the story,” she says, especially in a region where every neighborhood behaves a little differently.
Here are the key takeaways:
(3:19) Mortgage reality check in 2025
(4:29) What a non-warrantable condo means
(6:22) Advice for listing condos the right way
(7:58) Overpricing exposed in 2025
(9:55) Bank statement loans explained
(15:21) What 2026 is shaping up to look like
(20:53) What happens if rates drop
(25:17) Seller prep that actually matters
(28:49) Why the right lender matters
(31:44) Ways to fund a down payment
(36:29) Being competitive without overpaying
(37:53) How appraisals really affect your loan
(41:35) Why real estate is not one size fits all
(44:23) Where buyers are moving now
(49:43) When homes become unmarketable
(55:23) Why sellers need more prep than before
(56:46) Stop paying rent and start preparing
About Brianna Lundquist
Brianna Lundquist is a mortgage banker and longtime Freehold resident. She guides buyers and sellers through the financing side of a real estate transaction and works closely with agents and attorneys to keep deals on track. Her background in home lending and her understanding of the local market help clients navigate income checks, approvals, and last-minute issues. She supports every stage of the mortgage process with clear direction and practical insight.
Connect with Brianna:
LinkedIn
Brianna’s instagram is Brianna_homeloans
About Katlin Vargo
Katlin Vargo is a real estate agent, focused on serving buyers, sellers, and investors in Central New Jersey. She has lived in Middlesex County for over ten years and brings a strong understanding of the local market. Outside of work, she spends time with her son, Beau, and their dog, Brooklyn, exploring nearby neighborhoods and parks.
Connect with Katlin:
Instagram
About Jose Sanchez
Jose Sanchez is a Broker-Associate at Keller Williams Realty West Monmouth with 22 years of experience in real estate, financial sales, and business operations. He leads a team, oversees recruitment, and manages client relationships throughout the buying and selling process. Jose also directs marketing efforts and helps drive team performance. He works closely with the community to support local growth and development. His focus remains on guiding clients and building strong partnerships across the region.
Connect with Jose:
LinkedIn
Instagram
1 min