Frequently Asked Questions

Three things set us apart: (1) You always work with the same two people — we're a mother-and-son team, not a rotating roster of 50 agents. (2) Bilingual English and Mandarin with 22 years of school district expertise — we've helped 1,000+ families choose the right community. (3) Full-service under one roof — residential sales, property management, investment, new construction, land, commercial, and international relocation. Our 20+ consecutive Circle of Excellence awards and 5.0 Google rating with 45+ reviews reflect consistent results, not one lucky year.

Yes — 我们说中文! Both Holly Tang and Steven Hou are fluent in Mandarin and English. We support clients via WeChat (ID: holly1697), WhatsApp (+1 908-644-6036), phone, email, and in-person meetings in Chinese. We also have a dedicated Chinese-language page (中文页面) with full service information.

We serve 7 counties across New Jersey: Somerset County (Montgomery, Hillsborough, Bridgewater, Bernards, Basking Ridge, Belle Mead, Skillman), Middlesex County (South Brunswick, Edison, Piscataway, Monroe, Plainsboro), Mercer County (Princeton, West Windsor, Hopewell, Lawrenceville, Cranbury, Robbinsville), Morris County (Morristown, Chatham, Madison, Mendham, Bernardsville), Bergen County (Englewood, Tenafly, Fort Lee, Ridgewood, Alpine, Demarest), Hunterdon County (Flemington, Clinton, Lambertville), and Hudson County (Jersey City, Hoboken). We are dual licensed in NJ and NY.

Phone: 908-874-5798 · Email: [email protected] · WeChat: holly1697 · WhatsApp: +1 908-644-6036 · Office: 856 U.S. 206, Building B, Suite 13-B, Hillsborough, NJ 08844 · Book online: tanggrouprealestate.com/calendar · Available 7 days a week including evenings.

The top-rated public school districts include West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional (ranked among the best in NJ, known for academic rigor and large Asian-American community), Montgomery Township (consistently top 10, smaller community feel with excellent AP programs), and Princeton Public Schools (prestigious name, diverse student body, walkable downtown). Bridgewater-Raritan is also highly regarded and offers more accessible prices. The best district for your family depends on budget, commute, school philosophy, and community preferences — we provide personalized school district advisory as part of every home search.

The Princeton area is one of the strongest real estate markets in New Jersey. Princeton, West Windsor, Montgomery, Hopewell, and Lawrenceville all benefit from top-rated schools, proximity to Princeton University, excellent NJ Transit access to NYC, and education-focused communities. Home values have historically appreciated well. The tradeoff is higher entry prices — towns like Hillsborough and South Brunswick offer similar school quality at more accessible price points. We help families weigh all these factors based on their specific budget, commute, and school priorities.

Absolutely — this is a popular strategy. Towns in Bergen County (Englewood, Tenafly, Fort Lee, Alpine, Ridgewood) and Hudson County (Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken) offer quick commutes into Manhattan. Families send children to NYC private schools including The Dalton School, Trinity School, Horace Mann, Fieldston, and Riverdale Country School while enjoying more space and often lower overall costs in NJ. We specialize in helping families optimize this NYC school + NJ living arrangement.

Yes, and it's free. The builder pays your agent's commission — there is zero cost to you. Having your own agent is critical for negotiating upgrades and incentives, reviewing the builder's contract (which heavily favors them), monitoring construction quality, and protecting your interests at closing. We have relationships with major NJ builders including Toll Brothers, K. Hovnanian, and Lennar, plus local custom builders. Learn more about new construction →

It varies by price range and loan type. Generally: 3-5% down payment for conventional loans, 3.5% for FHA, and 0% for VA loans. You'll also need 2-4% for closing costs. In the Princeton/West Windsor area, homes typically start around $500K-$700K+ so plan for $25K-$50K+ minimum out of pocket. In more affordable areas like Hillsborough or South Brunswick, entry points are lower. We connect buyers with trusted lenders who can provide exact numbers based on your situation.

Our commission is competitive and transparent. Unlike discount brokerages that cut corners, we provide full-service listing support: professional photography, staging consultation, targeted marketing, open houses, negotiation expertise, and vendor coordination. The net result — what you walk away with after the sale — matters more than the commission rate. Our 20+ consecutive Circle of Excellence awards demonstrate we consistently deliver. Book a free consultation for a personalized market analysis.

Discount brokers save you on commission but often cost you more on final sale price. Here's what you lose: professional photography and staging that drives 3-5% higher offers, proactive marketing that creates urgency and multiple-offer scenarios, experienced negotiation during attorney review and inspection, and a dedicated agent who answers at 10pm when the best offer comes in. A 1-2% higher sale price from better marketing and negotiation far exceeds commission savings. We're happy to show you the data.

In competitive markets like Montgomery, Princeton, and West Windsor, well-priced homes with professional marketing often receive offers within 1-2 weeks. From accepted offer to closing typically takes 45-60 days (attorney review, inspections, mortgage processing). Homes that sit longer usually have pricing, condition, or marketing issues — this is exactly where our 22 years of experience makes a difference. We price strategically from day one to create urgency.

Yes. We manage 30+ rental units across New Jersey with a zero eviction record over 22 years. We specialize in serving overseas and out-of-state landlords who need a local team they can trust. Services include tenant screening, rent collection, maintenance coordination, lease management, and bilingual communication in English and Mandarin. Learn more about property management →

Absolutely. Renting in a top school district is a smart strategy — especially for families who want to experience a community before buying, or international families establishing residency. We help renters find homes in West Windsor, Montgomery, Princeton, Bridgewater, and other top districts. Our school district expertise ensures you end up in the right attendance zone, not just the right town.

This is our specialty. We manage investment properties for landlords in China, Taiwan, India, and other countries. Mandarin-speaking communication, regular photo/video updates, financial reporting, emergency maintenance handling, and tenant management — all handled locally while you're abroad. Our zero eviction record means your investment is protected. Learn more →

New Jersey's top school districts create built-in tenant demand that never goes away. Families will always need to live near good schools. Investment properties in towns like Montgomery, West Windsor, South Brunswick, and Bridgewater maintain low vacancy rates and strong rent growth. NJ also benefits from proximity to NYC's job market. The tradeoff is higher property taxes and entry costs compared to other states — but the appreciation and tenant quality are hard to beat. We help investors analyze specific properties for cash flow and long-term returns.

Yes. We regularly help international investors purchase rental properties remotely. The process involves: identifying the right property and school district, connecting you with international-friendly lenders, coordinating inspections and due diligence, managing the closing process, and providing ongoing property management. Our Mandarin-speaking team and WeChat availability make the entire process seamless for Chinese-speaking investors. Learn more about investment services →

Yes — international relocation is one of our core specialties, especially for Chinese-speaking families. We handle everything: school district selection and enrollment guidance, home purchase or rental, visa-friendly financing options, utility and service setup, cultural transition support, and ongoing property management if you maintain property overseas. Holly Tang's CIPS designation (Certified International Property Specialist) and our bilingual capability make us uniquely qualified. 我们可以用中文为您提供全程服务。 Learn about our international services →

Several NJ towns have thriving Asian-American communities: West Windsor and Plainsboro have the largest Asian-American population in Central NJ with abundant Asian grocery stores, restaurants, and cultural organizations. Edison has a large South Asian community. Montgomery and South Brunswick are growing quickly. In Northern NJ, Fort Lee, Englewood, and Tenafly in Bergen County have significant Chinese and Korean populations. We help families find not just a home, but a community where they'll feel welcome.

No. Non-citizens can purchase property in New Jersey. You'll need: a valid passport, an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) or SSN, and financing (some lenders offer mortgages to foreign nationals, typically requiring 25-30% down). Cash purchases are also common. There are additional tax considerations (FIRPTA for non-residents). We connect international buyers with attorneys and lenders experienced in foreign national transactions.

Yes. We handle commercial transactions including retail spaces, warehouses, office buildings, medical offices, and industrial properties across New Jersey. Holly Tang holds the CCIM designation (Certified Commercial Investment Member) — the highest recognized credential in commercial real estate. We serve business owners, investors, and tenants. Learn more →

Yes. We help buyers find buildable land, navigate zoning and permitting, connect with builders and architects, and manage the purchase process. We have deep knowledge of which areas allow custom builds, which builders have the best reputations, and how school district boundaries affect land values. Learn more about land →