Baristaville Open Houses: Sunday, Feb. 5

BY  |  Saturday, Feb 04, 2012 6:53am  |  COMMENTS (0)

It’s the weekend of the Big Game, not the Big Deal, and the real estate market is responding accordingly. Just about 35 properties are open this Sunday. There are a few new listings that may inspire buyers to put down the wings and get off the couch.

9 Prescott Ave., Montclair
List Price: $569,000
Taxes: $15,796
Acreage: 0.17 Acres
5BR/3BA

A new listing, this 10-room 2,244-sq. ft. Colonial has old-fashioned charm and modern flair. The circa 1927 house has a new kitchen with a tin ceiling, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops; the main bathroom is also new. The insulation was recently updated as well. Period details include hardwood floors and leaded glass and moldings in the dining room.  Two sun rooms, cedar closets, a large master bedroom and private backyard are among the other house attributes. The finished, full basement has half a kitchen and a full bathroom. Lastly, there is a detached two car garage with loft storage. Open house 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Continue Reading

Property Taxes Up 20 Percent Under Christie

BY  |  Monday, Jan 30, 2012 8:30am  |  COMMENTS (36)

Property taxes are eating up a larger share of family income under Gov. Chris Christie than under previous governors, primarily due to a sharp reduction in direct property tax relief over the past two years. In fact, net property taxes are 20 percent higher under Christie than they were when Democrat Jon Corzine left office two years ago.

With property tax credits and rebates included, the average New Jersey homeowner paid $7,519 in net property taxes last year — compared with $6,244 in 2009 — according to statistics released by the state Department of Community Affairs on Friday.

That $1,275 increase represents a 20.4 percent hike in net property taxes — which is the amount of money that the average New Jersey household actually pays in property taxes after property tax rebates or property tax credits are subtracted. Continue Reading

Baristaville Open Houses: Sunday, Jan. 29

BY  |  Saturday, Jan 28, 2012 9:00am  |  COMMENTS (0)

It’s been a dismal week on the national real estate front, with news from the Commerce Department that new home sales are the worst they’ve been in almost 50 years. Optimism is in fairly short supply on the local front as well; of the 75 of so listings, just about seven are new. On the plus side, buyers have quite a bit from which to choose. Here are three new listings:

463 Tillou Rd., South Orange
List Price: $429,000
Taxes: $15,338
Acreage: 0.26 Acres
3BR/2.1BA

Located in the Wyoming section, this eight-room Colonial retains many of its circa 1935 details, such as crown molding and built-ins in the dining room (though the green paint will likely not appeal to all). Many rooms are nicely appointed; the spacious living room, for instance, has a wood burning fireplace and a bay window. A new roof was installed last year, as were windows.  The bathrooms are newer as well. The kitchen is perfunctory but not a gem. There are New York City views in the winter. Finally, there is a partially-finished basement and one car attached garage. Open house 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Continue Reading

Baristanet Real Estate Guide: South Orange

BY  |  Thursday, Jan 26, 2012 11:00am  |  COMMENTS (2)

The second in a series of guides to house hunting in Baristaville.

Home to Seton Hall University, South Orange offers a mix of suburban tranquility and urban flair. Situated between the South Mountain Reservation and Newark, the village shares a school system with sister town Maplewood. The downtown center is anchored by the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), and boasts a gourmet grocery store and scores of independently owned shops and restaurants. South Orange attracts a diverse mix of residents including recent graduates, young families, jazz musicians and artists; it is also a mecca for upper-middle class African-Americans. The town recently elected one of the youngest mayors in New Jersey, providing a fresh influx of energy to the political scene. Crime is sometimes an issue near the Newark border, and the town has increased police presence there in recent months. Housing stock varies from charming single-family homes to luxury rental apartments and stately mansions in the Montrose Historic District. Steep property taxes are offset by access to train and bus lines, spiffed-up parks and green spaces, an affordable municipal pool, and a vibrant cultural scene. Continue Reading

N.J. Education Boss Leaves Montclair

BY  |  Sunday, Jan 22, 2012 8:09am  |  COMMENTS (10)

This week, we learned that N.J. Education Boss Christopher Cerf has left Essex County, specifically his Montclair residence at 168 Union, and has relocated to Montgomery Township. Cerf continues to own the Union Street house he bought in 1999 for $865,000; the house was assessed at $1,984,500 on 2008.

The move puts Cerf in a mostly Republican legislative district and away from Essex County Sen. Ron Rice (D) who has been using senatorial courtesy to block Cerf’s confirmation for more than a year.

Baristaville Open Houses: Sunday, Jan. 22

BY  |  Saturday, Jan 21, 2012 9:00am  |  COMMENTS (0)

Variety is the best way to characterize the approximately 75 properties open in Baristaville this weekend; all sorts of options are available, and many of them are touting reduced prices. At least one realtor has a sense of humor about the conflicting playoff game; 34 College Ave., Montclair, a nine-room Cape Cod with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, promises that “the football game will be on the flat screen!!!” The house is listed at $540,000 and open from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

13 Rutgers St., Maplewood
List Price: $452,000
Taxes: $15,338
Acreage: 0.17 Acres
4BR/1.1BA

This 11-room Colonial, a new listing, has many upgrades as well as details dating to its 1927 construction. The roof, oil tank and paint are new. Period details include hardwood flooring and columns in the living room. All four of the bedrooms are on the second floor, which has an updated bathroom. A four-season sunroom, constructed in 2002, has heat and air conditioning; there is central air throughout the first floor. Finally, there is an unfinished basement and two car detached garage. Open house 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Continue Reading

Essex Fells: Real Estate’s Old Fashioned Charmer

BY  |  Sunday, Jan 15, 2012 9:35am  |  COMMENTS (22)

Speaking of love letters, The New York Times Real Estate section wrote one to Essex Fells today. They mention The Pond and wax poetic about its charms, painting a scene where folks glide on the ice, pizza is delivered and you can warm your cold hands in front of a bonfire. Sounds idyllic? Here’s what’s on the market in Essex Fells, including this house at 73 Stocker Road, which is open today. Now it just has to get cold enough for the pond to freeze…

Baristaville Open Houses: Sunday, Jan. 15

BY  |  Saturday, Jan 14, 2012 8:00am  |  COMMENTS (0)

Out with the old, in with the new doesn’t apply to this weekend’s open house scene; of the 80 or so houses showing, nearly all are holdovers from last year. However, many of the listings boast something special. One house in Montclair has a (small) indoor pool, while a new Maplewood listing has a fantastic wraparound porch. The upper-end of the market is busier than recent weeks, with about seven houses priced at $1,000,000 and up. Condos are more plentiful than usual as well. Swimming pool, wraparound porch — what are the special features on your home wish list?

9 Lobell Ct., Bloomfield
List Price: $399,000
Taxes: $12,607
Acreage: n/a
4BR/4.1BA

Completely overhauled and expanded in 2007, this 10-room Colonial is nicely appointed, with a modern, open kitchen. The home is situated at the end of a cul-de-sac on an irregular lot. Central air and walk-in closets are among the attributes. An extra room could serve as an office or gym. Outdoors, there is a deck and patio. Finally, there is a finished basement and two car attached garage. Open house 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Continue Reading

Baristanet Real Estate Guide: Maplewood

BY  |  Tuesday, Jan 10, 2012 12:30pm  |  COMMENTS (4)

Today we launch our first real estate guide, both for the benefit of city dwellers thinking about a move to the suburbs, but residents of Baristaville thinking about possibly changing towns. We start with Maplewood.

Known for its tree-lined streets, lovely old homes, socially progressive attitude (lots of Occupy Wall-Street supporters here) and proximity to NYC, Maplewood packs a lot of personality into its four square miles. Young professionals, recent immigrants, creative types and gay families alike appreciate the town’s welcoming, small-town vibe –- not for nothing is its nickname “Mapleberry.” Two main shopping districts –- the charming walkable downtown packed with chic stores and restaurants, and the bustling strip of Springfield Avenue -– buzz with stroller-pushing moms and local workers. In summer, locals flock to the town pool, and to the ultra-popular, ultra-groovy Maplewoodstock, a free outdoor concert that has become a tradition. Columbia High School, which also serves adjacent South Orange, is recognized for its stellar arts and music programs as well as a state champion fencing team — and is the birthplace of Ultimate Frisbee. Housing prices are a bargain compared to some nearby towns but come with a high property tax bill.

On the market
“Value is what is selling homes in Maplewood over Montclair,” says Robert Northfield, real estate broker/sales person for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s Maplewood office. He says buyers can find a “Montclair” house for a little less in Maplewood. Buyers are attracted to the community’s variety of housing stock and styles, small town feel, tree-lined streets, diversity, the Village, good schools, beautiful parks and the “fantastic commute to New York City” — one half hour by train.

Continue Reading

Baristaville Open Houses: Sunday, Jan. 8

BY  |  Saturday, Jan 07, 2012 9:00am  |  COMMENTS (2)

It’s the first open house Sunday in three weeks, but area real estate remains in a winter freeze; only about 40 properties are showing. Thirteen of them are in Maplewood. Millburn has a couple of nice new listings, while just one house is showing in Montclair.

20 Rahway Rd., Millburn
List Price: $675,000
Taxes: $12,721
Acreage: 0.09 Acres
3BR/1.1BA

This just-listed eight-room Colonial was renovated in 2004 to feature a modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. Also new: the roof, windows, hot water heater and exterior stairs. Other attributes include central air; hardwood floors; and a fireplace in the living room. One of the bathrooms has a combination jacuzzi/shower. Outside, there is a deck, patio and underground sprinkler system. Lastly, there is a finished, full walkout basement and one car attached garage. Open house 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Also a new listing in town, 264 Glen Ave., Millburn, a three bedroom, 3.1 bathroom Colonial with many upgrades, is open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The property, situated on .077 acres, is listed at $650,000. Continue Reading

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