If you’ve been waiting for the perfect day to go house hunting in Baristaville, this Sunday, April 11, is the day. Local realtors will be showing off their properties like debutantes at a Baristaville Ball. Tell all your friends who may be interested, there’ll be a ton of houses open to the public for New Jersey’s Open House Weekend.
From condos to castles, the choice is somewhat overwhelming, so I asked realtor Katie Severance, author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Selling Your Home for some tips on making the most of Super Sunday.
1. Look closely at basements this weekend. With the rainiest March on record, a dry basement with no water stains or signs of seepage is quite a badge of honor right now.
2. If you have a two hour window in which to attend open houses, plan on 30 minutes per house including travel time. If you map out a strategic route, that should allow you to spend about 20 minutes each in 4-5 homes.
3. Ask how long the house has been on the market; if a price reduction was made recently or, if it’s on at the original asking price.
4. If you are interested in the house, ask if there is a Seller’s Disclosure form which describes everything the seller knows about the structure of the house. In the state of NJ, sellers are not required to provide them but many do, anyway.
5. To give you an idea if the home might sell, ask the hosting Realtor what similar homes in the same price range have recently sold or gone under contract.
After the jump, Katie’s advice on narrowing down the “hunt” and a fairly comprehensive list of opens in Baristaville.

Katie’s strategy: “I call the big three “location, condition and size” and then ask buyers to think long and hard about prioritizing before looking at houses. It just helps keep the rudder straight when shopping. For instance, if location is your number one priority, you’re not as likely to get seduced by a great big house with 4,500 square feet and an in-law suite that is located right next to a highway entry.”
“Everyone has a different #1 priority. You’d think it would always be location but it’s not necessarily so. Some people want absolute move-in condition and are just too busy to do even one upgrade and others want as big a house as they can possibly afford. If you find a house with 2 out of the big 3, that’s like a neon sign telling you to go for it.”
We asked local realtors to send us information on their open houses. They were happy to comply, however the listings came in different formats. Most of the realtors sent links to the properties from the Garden State Multiple Listing Service. If you go, tell us if you find the house of your dreams.
Montclair Realty is showing these homes: 1-4 pm
87 North Mountain Ave, Montclair $979,000
9 Rockledge Road.Montclair $899,000
27 Duryea Road, Montclair $829,000
55 Warren Place, Montclair $649,000
68 Cleveland Terrace, Bloomfield $459,000
Stanton Company Opens – 9 properties, 4/11, 2-4 pm. Click here for info on their listings.
Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty has properties open in Montclair and Bloomfield.
Rhodes Van Note has 17 opens, 2-4 pm, described below:
110 Lorraine Avenue, Upper Montclair
Grand Dutch Colonial on tree-lined street, spacious and inviting with 5 BR, 2 full & 2 half BA, updated eat-in-kitchen, formal dining room and den. Idyllic park-like lot. Near Upper Montclair Village, NYC Midtown Direct Train. $1,199,000.

114 Cooper Avenue, Upper Montclair
Spacious Foursquare Craftsman Colonial in the heart of Montclair. Features include 6 BR, 2 full BA, LR with fireplace, formal dining room, family room, deck & deep property. Minutes to NYC train & Upper Montclair Village. $ 698,000.
29 College Avenue, Upper Montclair
Spacious cul-de-sac Colonial, 3 BR, 2.5 BA, remodeled kitchen, SS appliances, FDR, FR w/wbfp, new cedar deck to landscaped yard. Laundry room, 2 zone heat/air, 2 car garage. Easy access to NYC train & bus, near MSU. $609,000.
20 Burnside Street, Montclair
Beautifully maintained 5 BR, 2.5 BA Colonial with unique front-to-back LR with wood-burning fireplace and built-ins, eat-in-kitchen, enclosed porch off FDR & spacious backyard. Near NYC train, Watchung Plaza, UMTC stores. $599,000.
26 Walnut Parkway, Montclair
Fabulous 3-family home with great space and charm. Terrific owner-occupied or investment property. First and second floors each with fireplace, hardwood floors & built-ins. Sep. utilities. Close to restaurants, shops, NYC transp. $569,000.
57 Union Street, # 31, Montclair
Charming condo, elevator building, 2 BR, 1.5 BA, updated kitchen, hardwood floors, central air, garage. Near restaurants, shops, NYC transportation. $ 339,500.
246 Forest Avenue, Glen Ridge
Updated CH Colonial, desirable, tree-lined street, 5 BR including master, 3 full & 2 half BA. Generously sized rooms, EIK with granite counters, LR with fireplace, FDR, family room & den. Walk to NY train, shops. Top-rated schools. $899,000.
10 Appleton Road, Bloomfield
Tastefully updated 4 BR, 2.5 BA Colonial located in wonderful neighborhood. Move in & enjoy the inviting LR fireplace or sip lemonade on the front porch. Lovely kitchen opens to DR perfect for entertaining. Near NYC train. $399,000.
87 Merkel Drive, Bloomfield
Lovely Brookdale Cape, 4 BR, 2 full BA, EIK, wood cabinets, SS appliances, sliders to deck, fenced yard. Office attached to MBR. Finished basement family room, den, laundry, storage. NY bus at corner, Brookdale school. $379,000.
18 Greenbrook Drive, Greenbook Townhouses, Bloomfield
Impeccable 2 BR, 2 full BA unit, MBR walk-in closet, FDR, LR, EIK, sliders to deck, CA, laundry in unit. Assigned & guest parking, NY bus at corner, steps to area stores. Easy one-floor living, low maintenance, Brookdale area. $299,000.
46 Greenbrook Drive, Greenbook Townhouses, Bloomfield
Desirable townhouse offers 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Kitchen opens to private area for outdoor enjoyment. The living and dining rooms have new Pergo floors. Ideally located near NYC transportation, area shops, restaurants. $299,000.
55 Park Avenue, # 46, Bloomfield
Fabulous 2 BR unit, Pre-War elevator building, bright open floor plan, updated BA, FDR, MBR walk-in closet & reading alcove. Hardwood floors, new gas range, laundry & storage in basement, garage options. Near everything! $259,000.
115 Brittany Court, Cambridge Crossings, Clifton
Terrific end-unit triplex townhouse, 2 BR, 2.5 BA, 3rd BR option, new breakfast bar kitchen, granite counters & SS appliances. Dining area, MBR walk-in closets, 1st floor laundry room, CA. NY bus, pool, clubhouse. $399,000.
178 Brittany Court, Cambridge Crossings, Clifton
Terrific townhouse, 2+BR, 2.5 BA in desirable community. Top floor den & sep. room ideal additional BR. Open floor plan, updated kitchen, SS appliances, LR w/marble FP, dining area, hdwd floors, CA, laundry. NYC train, pool. $369,000.
11 Spring Hill Drive, West Orange
Spacious, well maintained ranch, 4 BR, 3.5 BA, gorgeous eat-in-kitchen w/granite counters & breakfast bar opens to family room. Features central air, hardwood floors, fireplace & separate entrance bedroom suite for live-in. $519,900.
131 Crest Drive, Belleville
Fully updated 3 BR Colonial, new EIK with cherry cabinets, renovated bath and FDR. Features include hardwood floors, crown molding, his & her closets in MBR, new windows. Paver walkway to level yard, patio & deck. $349,000.
Montclair Heights, Clifton
Well maintained expanded ranch is a gem with 3 BR, updated kitchen, formal dining room, finished basement and back porch overlooking deep yard. Close to NYC transportation, schools, parks. Easy one floor living! $429,000.
Prudential Janett Real Estate in Verona, has 15 houses open in Verona, West Caldwell, North Caldwell, Essex Fells, and Montclair. Click here for listings.
Weichert Montclair’s list of opens includes Montclair, Bloomfield (5), Caldwell, Nutley (5), West Orange, and Boonton. Click here for listings.

ReMax Village Square listings for the following properties, here.
* 101 Gates Ave. Unit A-8, Montclair 2-4 pm
* 27 Upper Mountain Ave., Unit #3, Montclair 2-4 pm
* 285 Aycrigg Ave., Unit #A, Passaic 1-4pm
* 19 Cedarwood Terrace, Woodland Park, 2-4 pm
* 701 Grove Street, Montclair, 2-4 pm
* 72 Fairview Ave., West Orange, 2-4 pm
* 16 Bellaire Drive, Montclair 2-4 pm
* 67 Chestnut Road, Verona 2-4 pm
* 8 South Mountain Ave., Unit E, Montclair 2-4 pm
* 421 Ridgewood Ave., Glen Ridge, 2-4 pm
Prudential Properties has these homes open in Montclair:
37 Oakwood & 101 Gates Ave. open both Saturday & Sunday;
202 Alexander Ave, 8 Oxford Terrace, 118 Linden Ave, 19 Woodland Ave. Sunday only.
Keller Williams Towne Square National Open House Day Open Houses – Sunday, 2-4
62 Undercliff Road , Montclair
$1,400,000
7 Undercliff Drive, Montclair
$899,000
415 Claremont Ave., 5H, Montclair
$229,900
824 Valley Rd. , Montclair
$569,000
204 Watchung Ave., Montclair
$499,000
54 Quarry Dr. (55+) – Four Seasons at Great Notch
Woodland Park (formerly West Paterson)
$649,900
387 Elmwood Ave. Maplewood
$539,000
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Upper Montclair has the lion’s share of listings this weekend, with properties in Bloomfield (5), Montclair (15), Glen Ridge (3), Cedar Grove (3), Nutley (2), and more. Complete listings are here. All the following homes are open 1-4 pm.
238 Claremont Ave-#1, Montclair
$288,000
24 Elston St, Bloomfield
$259,000
19 Howe Ave, Montclair
$345,900
7 Clinton St, Bloomfield
$329,000
361 Claremont Ave – #4, Montclair
$349,000
16 Blum Ln, Bloomfield
$334,000
9 Carlton Rd, Montclair
$415,000
51 Greenbrook Dr, Bloomfield
$379,000
218 Grove St, Montclair
$589,900
49 Comley Pl, Bloomfield
$399,000
685 Valley Rd, Montclair
$685,000
63 North Ave, Bloomfield
$399,000
48 Woodmont Rd, Montclair
$749,900
1 Hyde Rd, Bloomfield
$409,900
9 Marquette Rd, Montclair
$895,000
195 Little Falls Rd, Cedar Grove
$589,900
22 Club Rd, Montclair
$995,000
5 Sunset Terr, Cedar Grove
$649,900
205 Midland Ave, Montclair
$1,195,000
13 Oakwood Ct, Cedar Grove
$674,900
237 Upper Mountain Ave, Montclair
$1,495,000
4 Cross Pl, Glen Ridge
$346,000
500 Park St, Montclair
$1,495,000
150 Essex Ave, Glen Ridge
$439,000
337 Upper Mountain Ave, Montclair
$1,599,000
971 Bloomfield Ave-A1, Glen Ridge
$179,000
8 Stonehenge, Montclair
$469,000
200 Stratford Dr, Nutley
$409,000
505 Mountain Ave, N. Caldwell
$449,000
99 Mountainview Ave, Nutley
$599,000
75 Maple St, W. Orange
$329,000
OPEN SUNDAY
18 Hackett Pl, Rutherford
$669,000
1PM – 4PM
185 Clarken Dr, W. Orange
$355,000
325 Locust St, Teaneck
$299,000
552 Hillside Terr, W. Orange
$359,000
349 Green Acres Dr – #15, Verona
$179,900
704-705 Smith Manor Blvd, W. Orange
$499,000
365 Bloomfield Ave, Verona
$188,800

Related Posts:

• The 411 on Baristaville’s Public Schools 2010-2011
• Open Houses In Baristaville, Sunday, June 27, 2010
• Baristaville Open Houses: Sunday, May 20