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Notes -
Will you be able to sell the house later if you design it yourself?
Legally: The cited New Jersey law does not define "solely as a residence for himself". However, if you live in the house for two years before selling it, the federal IRS will refrain from taxing the first 250 k$ of profit that you make from the sale, and presumably the state authorities would use the same guideline. (Pennsylvania has no restriction at all.)
Practically: Even if the plans are not "signed and sealed" by an architect, you still have to abide by the building code in order to get a building permit from the municipality, so insurance and mortgage companies should still be perfectly willing to deal with the house.
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