Joseph Atmonavage | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

By Joe Atmonavage | NJ Advance Media

Currently in New Jersey, the median price of homes listed is $299,000 — though medians vary widely between counties. That price has steadily increased over the last year, making things especially challenging for first-time home buyers. Widespread reports that it's a seller's market here means that many potential buyers are going to have to increase their budgets.

So here's a look at what potential buyers can expect to discover on the market for around $500,000 in each of New Jersey’s 21 counties. Location being everything, you'll find that what buys you a home on seven acres in Sussex County buys who a whopping 658-square-foot condo in Hoboken.

Happy house hunting.

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Joseph Atmonavage | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Atlantic: 204 N. Haverford Ave., Margate City

This 2,100-square-foot Margate City home has four bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms. Highlights of the shore home include first and second floor decks, as well as a sizable backyard. The home is listed for $525,000.

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The home was originally listed for $575,000 in December 2016.

Property taxes for the home were $5,724 in 2016.

Average listing price in county: $259,838

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Joseph Atmonavage | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Bergen: 635 Delaware Ave., Ridgewood

In one of the most expensive real estate markets in the state, potential homeowners can move into this Ridgewood home, which features a quarter acre of land, four bedrooms and two bathrooms, for $499,900. The Cape Cod-style home is located "on a quiet, tree-lined street," according to the home's listing.

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The home last sold in 1999 for $210,000.

Property taxes for the home were $9,384 in 2016.

Average listing price in county: $697,753

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Joseph Atmonavage | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Burlington: 27 Periwinkle Drive, Mount Laurel

Listed at $499,900, the Mount Laurel home that features four bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms is "move-in ready," according to its listing. The 2,962-square-foot home sits on nearly half an acre of land and is located in the "highly desirable" Laurel Pond development. The home also has a finished basement and a large backyard that showcases a patio, hot tub and heated pool.

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The home was originally listed in February for $524,900 before being reduced to its current price.

Property taxes for the home were $11,765 in 2015.

Average listing price in county: $230,788

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Joseph Atmonavage | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Camden: 212 E Browning Road, Collingswood

This Collingswood home is more than double the price of the average listing price of homes in Camden County, but the 1,440-square foot home is recently renovated, is a stone's throw away from the Cooper River, and has three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms.

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The home was originally listed for $589,900.

Property taxes for the home were $6,111 in 2016.

Average listing price in county: $165,616

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Joseph Atmonavage | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Cape May: 319 Ocean # B FL 2&3, Ocean City

No moving trucks needed for this Ocean City condo. Listed for $469,900, the two-story condo is being sold completely furnished, according to its listing. The home, which has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, anticipates doing $20,000 in rentals during the 2017 summer.

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Average listing price in county: $477,745

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Joseph Atmonavage | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Cumberland: 1466 Whispering Woods Way, Vineland

One of the bigger houses on the market for around $500,000, the Vineland home, which is listed for $499,900, is nearly 4,000-square-feet and includes an "impeccable" finished basement that has a full kitchen, two fireplaces, a gaming area and a media room, according to the home's listing. The home has four bedrooms and four bathrooms.

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The home last sold in 2004 for $310,000.

Property taxes for the home were $9,093 in 2015.

Average listing price in county: $124,556

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Joseph Atmonavage | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Essex: 8 Rynda Road, Maplewood

Location is the selling point for this four-bedroom, one-and-a-half bathroom Maplewood home. The Colonial-style home is within walking distance to transit into New York City, and is located on a quiet, tree-lined street, according to its listing.

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Joseph Atmonavage | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The home last sold in April 2014 for $451,000.

Property taxes for the home were $12,395 in 2016.

Average listing price in county: $382,867

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Gloucester: 203 Hopkins Road, Mickleton

Located on half an acre of land, this Mickleton suburban home has four bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms and is on the market for $489,000. The 3,614-square-foot home has a sizable deck in the backyard. The finished basement also has a walkout to the large yard.

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The home was originally listed for sale in January for $509,000.

Property taxes for the home were $12,516 in 2016.

Average listing price in county: $194,776

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Hudson: 301 Monroe St. #101, Hoboken

In one of the most desirable places in the state to live, having around a $500,000 budget can score you this 658-square foot condo in Hoboken. The condo, which was built in 1920, has two bedrooms and one bathroom, and has high ceilings, hardwood floors, granite counter-tops, stainless steel appliances and a breakfast bar, according to its listing, which claims the condo is "great for investors."

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The condo was originally listed for $515,000 in April.

Property taxes for the home were $4,949 in 2016.

Average listing price in county: $504,005

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Hunterdon: 8 Bonnell Road, Pittstown

The average listing price for a home in Hunterdon County is $433,945. On the market, for a slightly higher price at $499,900, is this 2,756-square-foot Pittstown home. The home, which has four bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms, is situated on nearly three acres of land. It features an in-ground pool, a large deck overlooking the pool and outdoor space, and new appliances.

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The home last sold in 1998 for $310,000.

Property taxes for the home were $10,553 in 2015.

Average listing price in county: $433,945

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Mercer: 3 Tall Timbers Drive, Princeton

Don't let the picture from the yard deceive you, the ranch-style home in Princeton is much bigger than it it looks. Located on more than an acre-and-a-half of land, the home is 4,278-square-feet and has six bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms. It is on the market for $499,000.

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The home was once listed for sale in May 2016 for $595,000.

Property taxes for the home were $15,176 in 2016.

Average listing price in county: $307,235

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Middlesex: 28 Karrich Court, Old Bridge

Built in 2014, the suburban Colonial-style home is located on a cul-de-sac in Old Bridge. The home backs up to farmland, but is within commuting distance to New York City. On the market for $499,999, the home has three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms,

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The home was originally listed for sale for $525,000 in April.

Average listing price in county: $341,623

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Monmouth: 35 Kings Mountain Road, Freehold

According to its listing, this Freehold Township home is the perfect spot to throw an outdoor or indoor "bash." But the payment for that bash is going to start at $479,000, which the home is currently listed for. The home features a game room with a bar, refrigerator, kegorator and spots for two televisions. The outdoor space includes a new patio with a fire pit, outdoor kitchen and a pool.

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The home was originally listed for sale for $489,000.

Property taxes for the home were $8,951 in 2016.

Average listing price in county: $524,668

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Morris: 453 Mount Hope Ave., Rockaway

Located right off of Christopher Columbus Highway in Rockaway, this Colonial-style home is on the market for $479,900. The home has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms and an acre of land. Inside, there is a sunken family room with a fireplace and a fully finished walkout basement.

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The home was listed for sale in April for $499,900.

Average listing price in county: $543,996

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Joseph Atmonavage | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Ocean: 90 Sandy Point Drive, Brick

It's always going to cost you to live close to the water. This 2,460-square-foot Brick home, which has five bedrooms and three bathrooms, is on the market for $499,000. The home has two large living rooms, each with views of the water. The Metedeconk River is just steps away.

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The home was originally listed for sale for $550,000 in July 2016.

Property taxes for the home were $9,933 in 2016.

Average listing price in county: $358,142

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Joseph Atmonavage | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Passaic: 61 Chatham Terrace, Clifton

The Clifton home was built in 1956 and is in the Montclair Heights section of Passaic County. The home, which is on the market for $499,900, has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Highlights of the home include recently redone bathrooms, hardwood floors throughout and a backyard deck.

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The home last sold in 2001 for $355,000.

Property taxes for the home were $13,085 in 2016.

Average listing price in county: $305,834

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Salem: 77 Island Road, Monroeville

Priced at more than three times the average for sale price of homes in Salem County, this Monroeville home is 3,232-square-feet, has four bedrooms, four bathrooms and is located on nearly four acres of land. All the living spaces have recently been updated. The home is on the market for $439,000. (The closest home to $500,000 that was for sale in Salem County.)

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The home was originally listed for sale for $499,999 in September 2016.

Property taxes for the home were $8,967 in 2015.

Average listing price in county: $134,970

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Joseph Atmonavage | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Somerset: 20 Hopkinson Lane, Somerset

Built in 2012, the three-bedroom, three-bathroom Colonial-style home in Somerset is on the market for $499,000. Highlights of the 2,049-square-foot home include its "luxurious master suite" that has two large walk-in-closets, a large deck and its location -- just a few miles from I-287 and the train into New York City.

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Joseph Atmonavage | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The home last sold in March 2012 for $398,640 before being listed for sale again this March for $505,000 before being reduced to its current price.

Property taxes for the home were $10,157 in 2016.

Average listing price in county: $564,045

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Sussex: 571 Houses Corner Road, Sparta

This Sussex County home features the largest plot of land of any home on this list. For $499,000, a potential homeowner could get this 2,366-square-foot Sparta home, which is located on more than seven acres of land. "Perfect location for the nature enthusiast," according to the home's listing.

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The home last sold in July 2004 for $555,000.

Property taxes for the home were $12,464 in 2016.

Average listing price in county: $239,862

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Union: 90 Delmore Ave., Berkeley Heights

The Cape Cod-style home in Berkeley Heights is on the market for $499,000. The 1,388 square-foot home features four bedrooms, two new bathrooms, a redone kitchen, and a large rear deck and leveled yard.

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The home last sold in July 2013 for $470,000.

Property taxes for the home were $8,826 in 2015.

Average listing price in county: $405,668

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Joseph Atmonavage | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Warren: 21 Cornerstone Drive, Hackettstown

Enjoy the beautiful, big front yard of this Hackettstown property on its relaxing front porch. The 2,972-square-foot home, which has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, is positioned on more than an acre of property and has a fenced-in backyard. The home is for sale for $464,000.

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Joseph Atmonavage | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The home last sold in October 2013 for $430,000.

Property taxes for the home were $10,661 in 2015.

Average listing price in county: $235,525

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More real estate in New Jersey

What does $300k buy you in each of N.J.'s 21 counties?

What does $200k buy you in each of N.J.'s 21 counties?

Take a look: 10 oldest homes in New Jersey

The fastest-shrinking towns in the state

Joe Atmonavage may be reached at jatmonavage@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @jatmonavageNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.