Ridge Thai Awarded "Best in Bergen County" by 201 Magazine

Ridgewood Thai's Website

Ridge Thai's Website (Ridgewood, NJ)

According to 201 Magazine Ridge Thai nudged out another Ridgewood Restaurant for first place on this year's list.  Taste of Thai, in Ridgewood, was the category's runner up.

Ridge Thai serves traditional Thai Dishes, in large portions, at its 24 seat establishment located at 50 Chestnut Street near the Ridgewood Train Station.  One local resident quoted in the 201 Article describes it as "small, inmate" while another says "The staff is accommodating, to the point of being sweet without being sugary.  The spices are real and delicious.  When I wipe the back of my neck and back of my head and they are wet with perspiration, but my mouth and throat are not burning in the least, I know I'm enjoying the best Thai food."

Related Articles

Ridgewood's Office Beer Bar and Grill Named Best Sports Bar in Bergen County

Ridgewood's Country Pancake House Serves the Best Breakfast in Bergen County

Brooklyn's Brick Oven Pizzeria, in Ridgewood NJ, Named Best Pizza in Bergen County

Click Here to Subscribe to The Ridgewood Front Porch

Click below to view the original article

Ridgewood Restaurant Recognized for Best Thai Food

 

48 Ridgewood Homes Sold in the August 15th - October 9th Time Period

The image above probably does not fit with the title of this post .  However, I thought it captured how I have felt over the past couple of months which is good news specifically for for me - and for Ridgewood Real Estate in general.  My goal is to post a Ridgewood Real Estate report on a weekly basis.  However, you will notice that the time period covered here is 2 months.  The reason for the huge time lapse from the last report, to this one, is that Ridgewood Home sales have been very hot and there has literally been zero time to write this weekly report.  I have been extremely busy as an individual agent and my entire firm (Marron Gildea & Donohue) has experienced the same surge in activity and I am hearing the same from Realtors at other local firms.

This is good news for agents but it is also good news for Ridgewood Homeowners as well.  We are seeing more homes with multiple offers and some homes are selling very quickly.  These local indicators coupled with the positive news on the national real estate market seem to indicate that we have found a bottom and may have already started to turn back up.

Ridgewood Real Estate Round-Up:August 15th - October 9th

  • 59 Ridgewood Homes were Listed in this time period.
  • 44 Ridgewood Homes went Under Contract in this time period.
  • 48 Ridgewood Homes were Sold in this time period.
  • Click Here  for a link to the detailed information on all of the Ridgewood Homes listed above.

    search-for-home-call-to-action-button.gif featured-listings-call-to-action-button.gif whats-my-home-worth-call-to-action-button.gif

    Click Here to Subscribe to The Ridgewood Front Porch

    The properties in this blog post were listed and sold by various participants of the NJMLS based on information from the New Jersey Multiple Listing Service, Inc. for the period of August 15th through October 9th 2009. 

     

    ----------

    About Al Donohue

    Al Donohue heads up Marron Gildea & Donohue's Ridgewood office and is one of the top agents in Bergen County.

    ibs-photo.jpg

    Al attributes much of his success to lessons learned during his years as a top sales executive on Wall Street. Most of Al's clients are busy professionals and business owners and they love the fact that he speaks their language and understands the incredible demands on their time. Al stays in constant touch with his clients not only through phone calls and face-to-face meetings but also through email, instant messaging, and web pages created specifically for his clients. Clients can view the status of the sale of their home, read feedback from agents that have shown their home and review the status of their personal marketing plan 24-hours-a-day via their personal web page.

    Al understands that technology is just a tool and says it is really his focus on providing world class customer service that has enabled him to achieve great results for his clients. He says the key to his success has been his ability to listen more than he speaks and always put the needs of his clients first.

    Click below to view the original article:

    Ridgewood Home Sales - Strong Late Summer/Early Fall

     

    Excellent New York Times Article on Graydon Debate Gives Fair Shake to Both Sides

    Graydon Pool NY Times Article

    Photo Credit: Rob Bennett for The New York Times

    I think the article it does a good job of framing the debate and it is a good primer for anyone who would like to bone up on the issue in advance of Wednesday's (9/9) Council Meeting.  However, I doubt that there is anybody left in Ridgewood that is not up to speed on this issue and does not already have a strong opinion.

    Here's an excerpt:

    "Both sides say they are Graydon's real defenders. The pool project's report is billed "Restoring Our Village Landmark." Advocates say a concrete pool, sensitively built and respecting the park's distinctive natural setting, is the only way to return it to the community gathering place it used to be.

    The swimming season ends Labor Day, but the battle is just heating up. The council is considering a request for proposals for a new or updated pool. The Preserve Graydon Coalition plans a show of force for a pro-pond presentation to the council on Wednesday. A pro-pool group, Fix Graydon Now! - headed by a longtime Graydon member, Leigh Warren, who has reluctantly come to believe that Graydon will never lure back enough people in its current form - plans a show of force in opposition.

    "I'm told there will be a police presence," one of the pro-pond organizers said ominously."

    Click below to read the article in its entirety.

    NYT Article on Gradyon Pool Debate

    Related Articles

    Ridgewood's Graydon Pool Project: Blessing or Boondoggle?

    The Preserve Graydon Coalition holds their first meeting

    Preserve Graydon Coalition Makes Presence Known at Ridgewood Meeting

     

    Click Here to Subscribe to The Ridgewood Front Porch

    Ridgewood Real Estate

    Click below to view the original report:

    New York Times Take on Ridgewood's Graydon Pool Debate

     

    Ridgewood Real Estate's Week of Lucky Sevens

    • Seven Ridgewood Homes were listed for sale this week.
    • Seven Ridgewood Homes went under contract this week.
    • Severn Ridgewood Homes were Sold this week.

    It was a pretty consistent week in Ridgewood Real Estate.  Not only did we have the exact same number of homes in all three categories but the average price in each category was also very similar this week (8/8 - 8/14).  See below:

    Average Prices:

    New Listings:      $677,700
    Under Contract:  $629,643
    Sold:                       $670,971

    Click Here to view the details on all homes listed below.

    Street # Street Name Bedrooms Status Days on Market Style Price*
    426 JACKSON 3 Active 8 C/C $542,000
    560 VAN BUREN 3 Active 7 S/L $569,000
    537 BANTA 5 Active 4 S/L $599,000
    186 LINCOLN 4 Active 4 S/L $670,000
    683 EASTERN 4 Active 7 COL $695,000
    443 WASTENA 4 Active 5 COL $779,000
    120 HIGHLAND 4 Active 7 COL $889,900
    481 GROVE 4 Under Contract 11 C/C $428,800
    642 GLEN 2 Under Contract 64 RANCH $475,000
    315 WALTHERY 2 Under Contract 57 RANCH $498,800
    488 GROVE 3 Under Contract 186 COL $549,900
    416 COLWELL 4 Under Contract 16 RANCH $559,000
    435 GLEN 5 Under Contract 85 COL $799,000
    136 MONROE 4 Under Contract 15 COL $1,097,000
    458 NORTHERN 3 Sold 112 B/L $535,000
    485 FRANKLIN 3 Sold 29 COL $582,000
    453 GLEN 4 Sold 173 S/L $525,000
    390 BERKSHIRE 4 Sold 18 COL $642,000
    231 BOGERT 5 Sold 70 COL $643,000
    184 KATHERINE 3 Sold 65 COL $767,500
    227 MCKINLEY 5 Sold 24 RANCH $830,000
                 
     * For Ridgewood homes marked Active, Attorney Review or Under Contract "Price" refers to 
    the list price.  For homes marked Sold, "Price" refers to the final sale price.  

     

    search-for-home-call-to-action-button.gif featured-listings-call-to-action-button.gif whats-my-home-worth-call-to-action-button.gif

    Click Here to Subscribe to The Ridgewood Front Porch

    The properties in this blog post were listed and sold by various participants of the NJMLS based on information from the New Jersey Multiple Listing Service, Inc. for the period of August 8th through August 14th 2009. 

    Click below to view the original article:

    Ridgewood Home Sales Report - A Week of Lucky 7's (Aug. 8th - 14th)

     

    How Many Days Does the 3 Day Attorney Review Period Last? 

    Nope.  You are wrong. Read On.

    3 Days?

    3 Days?

    Ridgewood Sees Some Green Shoots

    The real estate industry has recently begun to see some "green shoots" and Ridgewood is doing significantly better than the national average - by almost every metric.  One by-product of the difficult real estate market is that the transactions themselves have become more difficult for both buyers and sellers.  This is reflected in transactions taking longer to complete the "attorney review" process, more contentious negotiations over home inspection issues and, in some cases, in deals just completely falling apart. 

    So, I was delighted to see that of the 5 Ridgewood Homes that entered the Attorney Review phase, in the 7 day period covered in this report, 4 have already moved to the "Under Contract" phase.  This means that the buyers, sellers and their attorneys have approved the contracts and  have agreed to move forward.  This may not sound impressive becuase most folks think the 3 Day Attorney Review period actually lasts 3 days but that is where they are wrong.  Once both sides engage an attorney things can last much longer.  Click here for a full explanation of the Attorney Review Period.

     

    Ridgewood Real Estate Transactions - August 1st - August 7th

    Click Here to view the details on all homes listed below.

    7 new listings.
    5 homes marked as being in "attorney review" (4 of which moved to Under Contract)
    8 homes went under contract.
    5 homes were sold.

    Street # Street Name Bedrooms Status Days on Market 2008 Taxes Home Style Price*
    687 ELLINGTON 3 Active 6 $7,982 C/C $445,900
    274 GLEN 4 Active 8 $7,450 C/C $469,000
    678 SPRING 3 Active 10 $9,752 RANCH $595,000
    230 HILLCREST 3 Active 10 $10,117 COL $659,900
    43 GLEN 4 Active 5 $13,166 COL $675,000
    441 ALPINE 4 Active 6 $12,328 COL $779,000
    729 MARY ANN 5 Active 4 $20,813 COL $1,135,000
    416 COLWELL 4 Attorney Review 13 $11,332 RANCH $559,000
    11 MONROE 2 Under Contract 121 $8,429 COL $349,900
    481 GROVE 4 Under Contract 11 $9,160 C/C $428,800
    469 GEORGE 3 Under Contract 99 $10,289 S/L $549,000
    530 BENNINGTON 3 Under Contract 107 $9,600 RANCH $595,000
    374 VAN EMBURGH 5 Under Contract 385 $13,913 COL $649,900
    78 RIDGE 5 Under Contract 140 $13,783 COL $798,000
    353 BOGERT 4 Under Contract 50 $12,626 COL $809,000
    489 COLONIAL 6 Under Contract 172 $16,851 COL $839,900
    239 CLAREMONT 4 Under Contract 44 $16,053 COL $875,000
    286 MAPLE 5 S 17 $8,434 RANCH $520,000
    150 HOPE 4 S 304 $9,819 COL $515,000
    420 HILLCREST 3 S 144 $10,794 S/L $565,000
    161 VALLEY VIEW 3 S 17 $12,657 COL $698,000
    226 BEECHWOOD 5 S 142 $20,919 COL $915,000

     * For Ridgewood homes marked Active, Attorney Review and Under Contract "Price" refers to the list price.  For homes marked Sold, "Price" refers to the final sale price.

    Related Articles

    This Week in Ridgewood Real Estate: July 25th - 31st

    New Jersey Home Sales Rise for Sixth Month In a Row

    Ridgewood Real Estate Update (July 18 - July 24) - The Trade-Up Buyer is Back

    The properties in this blog post were listed and sold by various participants of the NJMLS based on information from the New Jersey Multiple Listing Service, Inc. for the period of August 1st through August 7th 2009. 

    ----------

    About Al Donohue

    Al Donohue heads up Marron Gildea & Donohue's Ridgewood office and is one of the top agents in Bergen County.

    ibs-photo.jpg

    Al attributes much of his success to lessons learned during his years as a top sales executive on Wall Street. Most of Al's clients are busy professionals and business owners and they love the fact that he speaks their language and understands the incredible demands on their time. Al stays in constant touch with his clients not only through phone calls and face-to-face meetings but also through email, instant messaging, and web pages created specifically for his clients. Clients can view the status of the sale of their home, read feedback from agents that have shown their home and review the status of their personal marketing plan 24-hours-a-day via their personal web page.

    Al understands that technology is just a tool and says it is really his focus on providing world class customer service that has enabled him to achieve great results for his clients. He says the key to his success has been his ability to listen more than he speaks and always put the needs of his clients first.

    Click below to view the original article:

    Ridgewood Real Estate Update - Smooth Transactions and a Dumb Question (Aug. 1st - Aug. 7th)

     

    Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner Bought his Home at the Peak of the Market in 2004 and Doesn't Understand Why He Can't Sell It for More Today...Uh Oh.

    According to this very funny video, from The Daily Show, Tim Geithner purchased his home at the 2004 market peak for $1.6 Million and has now listed it for $1.635 million. Even folks without his financial background know that the real estate market has come down considerably in that time. Anyway, check out the video. Pretty funny.

    The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
    Home Crisis Investigation
    www.thedailyshow.com
    Daily Show
    Full Episodes
    Political Humor Health Care Crisis

     

    Click here to view original post:

    Video - If Geithner Can't Sell His Own Home, Do You Really Think He Can Save the Economy?

     

    Graydon Pool Preservationists Show Up En Masse at Ridgewood Village Council Session

    Graydon Pool Ridgewood NJ

    Graydon Pool Ridgewood NJ

    The supporters of the Preserve Graydon Coalition (PGC) showed up in force this week at a Village Meeting sporting "Preserve Graydon" stickers.   By most accounts, the meeting featured lively discussion with supporters of both factions (PGC and Ridgewood Pool Project) making strong points.

    Below are a couple excerpts from Michael Sedon's coverage in the Ridgewood News.

    "The people here tonight are only a small sample of the hundreds and hundreds of supporters we have gathered in just two weeks," said Susanne Kelly, co-chair of the PGC. "This includes seniors and young families."

    "The fact of the matter is there's a financial imperative, there's a health imperative," Aronsohn said. "Ladies and gentlemen, we need to move forward, [and] we need to move forward with civility. All voices, all people have a seat at the table."

    Click here to read the full article.

    Related Graydon Pool Articles

    Ridgewood's Graydon Pool Project: Blessing or Boondoggle?

    The Preserve Graydon Coalition holds their first meeting

    Click below to view the original article

    Preserve Graydon Coalition Makes Presence Known at Ridgewood Meeting

     

    Is the Old Graydon Pool Safe?  Will the New Pool Project Lead Ridgewood Down a Path to Financial Ruin?

    Fox News Says "We Report - You Decide".  My tag-line on this subject would be more like... "I Vacillate - You Decide".

    I Love Graydon Pool the Way it Is!
    Graydon Pool

    Whether the Pool Project is a Blessing or Boondoggle depends largely on who you ask.  We have a town divided.  I am a Ridgewood Resident with two young children and our family goes to Graydon.  I always liked the idea of the sand bottom and the natural look and feel of Graydon.  It made our pool different and more fun.  And, of course, I don't love the idea of our town making a huge investment during these uncertain financial times.  If you love Graydon the way it is be sure to visit the Preserve Graydon Coalition Site.

    The New Ridgewood Pool Project is a Great Idea!

    Ridgewood Pool Project

    Clearly I am confused and probably confusing you in the process.  If I love Graydon the way it is,  how can the Ridgewood Pool Project be a great idea?  Well...after reading the Ridgewood Pool Project Report and talking to one of the co-chairs I think I was swayed to the dark side, or the right side, depending on your vantage point.  Click here to view the full PDF version of the Ridgewood Pool Project July 2009 Report.  It seems like the facts below are irrefutable or at least I am told they are.  So much for doing my own research.  Anyway, being a paranoid concerned  parent and a bit of a germaphobe this sentence from the report was the clincher.  "Graydon is allowed to have roughly 200 times the bacteria count of a traditional pool". At least until I run into an anti-Pool Project person who convinces that me that the additional tax burden will be much more scary than the germs.

    Below is a bit more detailed info from the supporters of the Ridgewood Pool Project

    FACTS ABOUT GRAYDON POOL AND THE RIDGEWOOD POOL PROJECT

    1.       Membership at Graydon has fallen 70 percent in ten years.  Where towns like Glen Rock have 40 percent of its residents join the pool, Ridgewood now has only 7 percent.  Hundreds of Ridgewood families now belong to other traditional pool facilities, with Indian Trail Club, Saddle River Valley Swim Club, Paramus Pool and Stony Brook in Hillsdale being the most popular.

    2.       The Ridgewood Pool Project (RPP) is not a special interest group- it was formed through Village Parks & Recreation and is officially advised by several senior Village staff members.  It initially started with a neutral, research-based approach, and its mission assigned by Village Council in 2006 was to find out why residents are leaving Graydon and what will bring them back.  The RPP began advocating for a pool renovation once the research was complete and showed overwhelmingly that this was the only approach that would restore Graydon to a community gathering place for current and future generations.

    3.       Following an EPA ruling, the Village is no longer allowed to use any chemicals to disinfect the water at Graydon.  Although the pond passes all of its water tests and is deemed perfectly healthy by the State, the standards for bacteria levels in the water are much lower than those for swimming pools.  In essence, Graydon is allowed to have roughly 200 times the bacteria count of a traditional pool. 

    4.       Research indicates that many residents - particularly young families, who make up nearly half of the Village population and are essential to restoring membership levels - indicate they will only return to Graydon if it becomes a traditional, cement-bottom pool (although they do want to keep a unique, natural looking feel).  The reasons are: they want the swimming water to be disinfected, and they want to be able to see children under the water.  Meetings with DEP officials in 2008 confirmed that as long as Graydon is a pond, it cannot be disinfected.

    5.       Following a concept from a pool designer that was too commercial looking, the RPP had resident and architect Nicole Walla provide a rendering that marries modern pool design with the natural beauty and nostalgia of Graydon (http://ridgewoodpoolproject.googlepages.com/newdesignconcept).  The design provides for a separate, sizeable pond at the corner of Linwood and Maple, which is intended to be ornamental but could be swimmable if there is resident interest.

    6.       There are absolutely no official cost estimates for the new design concept.  Though the original design was quoted at $13.9 million and a revised number of $10 million has been circulating, the RPP has absolutely no confirmation of this number and will not have that information available until the Village RFP process is completed later this year.  Regardless, the RPP is confident, based on its research, that a new facility can be self-funding and self-sustaining through membership fees.

    The Ridgewood Pool Project is not without its Detractors

    Just ask the folks at the The Preserve Graydon Coalition...

    "Founded in July 2009, the Coalition is dedicated to retaining the unique character of Ridgewood's historic Graydon Park, including its large, open swimming area, center rafts, and extensive sandy beaches. We provide accurate information about Graydon's safe, clean water. We enlist the support of residents who love Graydon and would deplore its loss to a concrete-based facility with a much smaller pool."

    The folks at the Preserve Graydon Coaltion say The Water is Clearer - If You Take the Time To Look

    So...Can I borrow your opinion on this debate while still finalizing my own? What do you think?  Blessing?  Boondoggle?  Mix of both?

    If you would like more info on this ongoing debate see the links below:

    Preserve Graydon Coalition Makes Presence Known at Ridgewood Meeting

    The Preserve Graydon Coalition holds their first meeting

    CEO for Graydon ?

    Graydon: Is that a problem we should spend $10 million on to solve?

    Click below to view the original article:

    Ridgewood's Graydon Pool Project: Blessing or Boondoggle?

     

    National Housing Numbers are Looking Good...NJ is Looking Better

    Money and Piggy Bank

    This latest news is on top of positive news on building permits, housing starts and national home prices.

    Now is a great time to consider entering the market:

    • Interest rates are still near all-time lows.
    • Affordability is high.
    • Prices are starting to climb.

    Consider what Jeffrey Otteau, New Jersey's real estate valuation guru, had to say this week about the local NJ real estate market.

    "With evidence mounting that the national housing market is beginning to show signs of life, New Jersey is experiencing a stronger recovery pace than the rest of the nation.  To illustrate this, consider that national existing home sales rose in June for the 3rd consecutive month marking the first time this has occurred since 2004.  In New Jersey however, home sales have now risen for 6 straight months which last occurred back in 2003 in the midst of a home buying frenzy fueled by the sub-prime lending boom."

    Related Articles

    Ridgewood Real Estate Update (July 18 - July 24) - The Trade-Up Buyer is Back

    Mortgage Applications, Building Permits and Housing Starts All Rise

    Ridgewood NJ Continues to Draw Down Its Real Estate Inventory - July 11-17

    Click below to view original article

    New Jersey Home Sales Rise for Sixth Month In a Row

     

    This Week's Ridgewood Home Sales Triple Last Week's Numbers...

    Ridgewood Train Station

    ...and are more than double from the week before that.  This week 15 Ridgewood Homes closed versus 5 last week and 7 the week before that.  These numbers bounce around from week to week but we are definitley seeing an upward trend.

    Ridgewood Real Estate Transactions for the Week

    Summary - Click Here for Full Details on All Homes Below
    5 new listings.
    5 homes marked as being in "attorney review".
    6 homes went under contract.
    15 homes were sold. 

    * For Ridgewood homes marked New, Attorney Review and Under Contract "Price" refers to the list price.  For homes marked Sold, "Price" refers to the final sale price.      

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Street # Street Name BR Status Days on Market 2008 Taxes Style Price
    481 GROVE 4 New  6 $9,160 C/C $428,800
    416 COLWELL 4 New  5 $11,123 RANCH $559,000
    576 NORTHERN 4 New  8 $10,014 S/L $599,000
    554 MORNINGSIDE 3 New  7 $11,500 RANCH $749,900
    237 DEMAREST 5 New  4 $18,639 COL $1,139,000
    469 GEORGE 3 Attorney Review 98 $10,289 S/L $549,000
    111 CLAREMONT 4 Attorney Review 69 $15,658 COL $699,000
    353 BOGERT 4 Attorney Review 46 $12,626 COL $809,000
    1081 HILLCREST 4 Attorney Review 69 $11,610 COL $875,000
    136 MONROE 4 Attorney Review 11 $14,707 COL $1,097,000
    80 PERSHING 3 Under Contract 19 $8,674 C/C $425,000
    620 GLEN 4 Under Contract 159 $9,070 C/C $450,000
    273 GLEN 4 Under Contract 44 $10,708 COL $545,000
    252 GLEN 5 Under Contract 160 $13,028 COL $739,000
    14 MAYNARD 5 Under Contract 84 $21,636 COL $1,295,000
    350 HIGHLAND 6 Under Contract 21 $27,451 COL $1,829,000
    169 MCKINLEY 3 Sold 86 $10,470 S/L $450,000
    260 HIGHWOOD 3 Sold 60 $9,416 COL $575,000
    314 VESTA 3 Sold 25 $8,984 C/C $569,000
    557 LYNN 3 Sold 24 $10,004 S/L $590,000
    338 IRVING 3 Sold 9 $11,980 COL $605,000
    796 NEWCOMB 3 Sold 50 $12,480 COL $635,000
    117 JOHN 4 Sold 75 $11,016 COL $625,000
    310 EASTBROOK 4 Sold 59 $13,908 COL $670,000
    104 IRVING 4 Sold 13 $13,694 COL $796,000
    372 IRVING 4 Sold 25 $13,029 COL $820,000
    376 GLENWOOD 4 Sold 23 $14,552 C/C $785,000
    220 BEECHWOOD 5 Sold 36 $17,901 COL $935,000
    727 HILLCREST 5 Sold 115 $17,231 COL $1,100,000
    89 WOODLAND 4 Sold 23 $24,918 COL $1,250,000
    185 SPENCER 4 Sold 20 $19,665 COL $1,299,900

    Related Articles

    Ridgewood Real Estate Update (July 18 - July 24) - The Trade-Up Buyer is Back

    Mortgage Applications, Building Permits and Housing Starts All Rise

    Ridgewood NJ Continues to Draw Down Its Real Estate Inventory - July 11-17

    Click below to view the original article:

    This Week in Ridgewood Real Estate: July 25th - 31st

     
     
    Aloysius_donohue_photo Rainmaker_large

    Aloysius Donohue - Ridgewood Real Estate

    Ridgewood, NJ

    More about me…

    Marron Gildea & Donohue - Ridgewood

    Address: 50 W. Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ, 07450

    Office Phone: (201) 445-8880 x 313

    Cell Phone: (201) 906-3287

    Email Me

    This blog focuses on Ridgewood New Jersey (NJ) with an emphasis on real estate related topics.



    Links

    Archives

    RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog

    Find NJ real estate agents and Ridgewood real estate on ActiveRain.