wyckoff: The Battle of the Appraiser, the Assessor & Me! - 02/19/15 11:43 PM
Every few years, my job as a Realtor becomes a lot busier, but not because I'm listing and selling homes, in Northwest Bergen County --- Franklin Lakes and Wyckoff, in particular.  It's because of the dreaded REVALUATION!!  This is the time where towns realize the taxes they collect aren't enough to pay for the programs they've promised their residents.  What to do.  What to do,
For the last 25+ years, I've asked the same question of all the Assessors I've worked with --- why don't you assess homes for as close to REAL MARKET VALUE as you can, then raise the … (9 comments)

wyckoff: Luxury Homes in Bergen County, NJ - 06/26/14 01:33 AM
For much of my 25-yr career, I've worked in the Luxury Market --- towns like Franklin Lakes, Wyckoff, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, Ridgewood, Ho-Ho-Kus and Allendale. We used to refer to 3,000 square foot, $950,000 homes luxury homes.  Then came the roaring 1990s, and we started seeing homes built the size of the local municipal building. Five thousand square foot homes became the norm, but in time we saw homes over 8,000 square feet going up, and that's when I began to worry.  It's one thing to build an 8,000 sf home on a 2 acre lot (Saddle River, for … (0 comments)

wyckoff: Beautiful 4 Bedroom Home in Wyckoff, NJ - 06/09/14 01:16 AM
http://postlets.com/s/354-drake-rd-wyckoff-nj-07481/11535312
 
This updated and meticulously maintained 4 Bedroom home, in everyone's favorite town, Wyckoff, NJ, sits perfectly on a lushly landscaped .69 acre lot.  Baths and Kitchen have been updated, a wonderful Great Room is surrounded by glass and adjoins the charming Garden Room, a new Laundry Room, gleaming hardwood floors, new furnace and central A/C, and so much more make this not just a beautiful place to live, but a solid investment.  It is Wyckoff, after all.  Call Kate for more information: (201) 264-4417.
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wyckoff: Beautiful Expanded and Renovated Wyckoff, NJ Split Level 354 Drake Rd - 05/31/14 02:58 AM
 
http://354drakerd.agentmarketing.com/
You'll Fall in Love with 354 Drake Rd in Wyckoff NJ.  This beautiful expanded and renovated split level in the hottest town in New Jersey --- Wyckoff! --- offers a spacious 4 BR, 3 Bath home on a beautifully landscaped .69 acre lot. 354 Drake Rd offers a Newer Kitchen, Baths and Laundry Room, newer furnace, C/AC and a brand new septic system being installed.  This is a dream come true!! 

354 Drake Rd has Newer Baths, a beautiful Paver Driveway & Walkways, Hardiplank Siding, A Sundrenched Deck, Gleaming Hardwood Floors and a Truly Modern Kitchen!  354 Drake Rd … (3 comments)

wyckoff: The Luxury Home Market in Wyckoff and Franklin Lakes New Jersey - 05/23/14 02:03 AM
While I was showing an agent and her clients through my beautiful $1,979,000 home, in Wyckoff, I heard something I haven't heard in a while --- "This home is underpriced." While I was confident the home was well-priced, I don't often hear that from buyers or their agents. But this home is magnificent, and the seller and I worked hard to get the price right. The luxury market in both Franklin Lakes and Wyckoff --- two of the towns I've lived and specialized in --- is seeing a strong resurgence.  In part, this is due to sellers being more diligent about pricing … (0 comments)

wyckoff: THE NEW SCOURGE THREATENING NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS - 03/25/14 11:46 PM
In the 1980s, when my kids attended Ramapo High School, in Franklin Lakes, NJ, the things parents most feared were pot and alcohol.  Ramapo had a notorious structure known as "The Wall," which was the place they went to buy, sell and smoke pot (years later I would learn some also indulged in mushrooms and LSD).  In fact, a janitor was caught and arrested for selling to the students during breaks.I moved to Franklin Lakes, in 1973, from Asbury Park. Asbury Park High School had its share of racial slugfests, smoking and drinking, but no drugs (at least while I was … (0 comments)

wyckoff: Beautiful Designer's Townhouse, Wyckoff, NJ $735,000 - 05/30/13 01:44 AM
http://www.postlets.com/repb/9265015
Stunning 3 bedroom, 2.5 Bath townhouse in Cedar Hills --- Country Club living in beautiful Wyckoff, NJ.  Designer's own home with a lovely open floor plan, beautiful design, built in 1994. Spacious rooms, lots of storage, 2-car garage, Clubhouse, Swimming Pool, Tennis. Amazing price!
 
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wyckoff: Northwest Bergen County Housing Inventory - 03/06/13 03:30 AM
It's already March --- the time of year when we usually have much of the year's inventory already on the market.  That hasn't happened, and what IS on the market has been on for many months, and is still overpriced.  My buyers are seriously frustrated, and wondering if anything is going to change, over the coming months.  I fear we're going to continue to see lower than usualy inventory which might just be good news for sellers.  I'm seeing homes selling for more than I would have expected just because buyers are so anxious to buy.  I'm also seeing some buyers … (2 comments)

wyckoff: Hurricane Sandy Devastates My Home State of New Jersey - 11/06/12 03:13 AM
I grew up at the Jersey Shore --- Avon, Bradley Beach, Asbury Park and Wanamassa --- in the 50s, 60s & 70s.  Not once did we ever lose power, and certainly not heat.  The closest we came was (and I'm guessing) in the mid-50s when we were told a hurrican was coming our way.  We all descended into the dirty, rat-infested basement to hide until the threat had passed.  I remember peeking out the Bilco door to see if I could see the hurricane, but alas it missed us.
As I watched Sandy beat the hell out of my old stompiny … (2 comments)

wyckoff: Wonderful Wyckoff, NJ --- Never Before Listed for Sale! - 09/17/12 02:07 AM
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wyckoff: Home for Sale in Wyckoff, NJ --- On The Market Very Soon! - 09/06/12 05:04 AM

 
I'm listing a wonderful 1938 Colonial on a .75 acre property in everyone's favorite town --- Wyckoff!  The property has been professionally landscaped and frames the sparkling inground pool. The rooms are surprisingly spacious for a home of that era. The Great Room & Master Suite were added on in the 90s, and the Kitchen was redone around the same time. The location is on a quiet cul de sac --- close to the Lincoln School --- in the Meadowbrook section of town. 
Wyckoff offers top-rated schools, a multitude of recreational activities for kids of all ages, parks, ball fields, tennis … (0 comments)

wyckoff: Creampuff, Anyone? Wyckoff Charmer Coming Soon! - 08/28/12 06:06 AM

This wonderful Four Bedroom, Two Bath Colonial, orginally built in 1937, sits perfectly on a .7 acre professionally landscaped lot on a lovely quiet cul de sac in everyone's favorite NW Bergen County towns --- Wyckoff! Spacious rooms, a renovated Kitchen, Great Room, Living Room w/fireplace, Dining Room, hardwood floors and a sparkling inground pool make this a great buy at $649,000.  Sellers should be ready by mid-September, but in the meantime, call me at (201) 264-4417 for all questions.
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wyckoff: NW Bergen County's Hot Towns - 08/11/12 02:12 AM
School systems in New Jersey vary greatly, but it's pretty much accepted that Bergen County schools stand out as some of the best in the state --- even in the country.  Northwest Bergen County is the hub of many of those schools, starting with Allendale. 
Allendale is what we refer to as a "train town" that draws many buyers who commute to NYC. It's a relatively small town with a lot to say for itself --- bustling downtown, great schools and a quiet stateliness.  Norther Highlands Regional High School draws students from Allendale, HoHoKus, Saddle River and Upper Saddle River. Many … (0 comments)

wyckoff: Franklin Lakes Purchases Land from Temple - 07/13/12 04:51 AM
I'm confused.  I keep reading about how difficult it is for towns and states to stay within their budgets, and how many services might have to be cut, but then I read about towns like Wyckoff, NJ and Franklin Lakes, NJ buying up land so it doesn't get developed.  Now, don't misunderstand --- I am 100% in favor of nipping over-development in the bud.  I just want to know where all this money is coming from.  Both towns have tried to keep tax increases to a minimum, and have avoided cutting services (so far), but how is that possible when you … (0 comments)

wyckoff: Towns in Northwest Bergen County New Jersey - 06/28/12 02:25 AM
Northwest Bergen County is composed of 13 towns: Allendale, Franklin Lakes, Glen Rock, Ho-Ho-Kus, Mahwah, Midland Park, Oakland, Ramsey, Ridgewood, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, Waldwick and Wyckoff.  New Jersey taxes are generally high compared to other areas of the state, and Bergen County certainly ranks on the high side.  On the other hand, Bergen County is known for its better than average school systems, and that's the top requirement when buyers are searching for a home.  This is the reason Bergen County housing prices haven't plummeted as much as other towns in NJ.
I remember being surprised when I started my career, … (0 comments)

wyckoff: Brookside Manor Townhouses, Mahwah, NJ -- Rules and Regs - 06/11/12 06:12 AM
I swore I would never move to a townhouse.  When I left my hometown of Asbury Park, NJ to move to Bergen County, I thought I had moved to mars.  First, no ocean.  Who leaves the ocean to move to the sticks?  And, in 1972, Franklin Lakes was the sticks.  Then, after the divorce, I had to make another move.  This time to Wyckoff, NJ --- a lovely town just minutes away from Franklin Lakes, but very different. Franklin Lakes properties were an acre or more, while in Wyckoff you were lucky to get more than .4 acre. I thought I'd … (0 comments)

wyckoff: Wyckoff Buys Site of Former Russell Orchards - 05/10/12 06:39 AM
In these tough economic times, who thought a township could come up with $3.1 mil to purchase land purchased by a developer just 3 years ago.  That developer, Barrister Development, is certainly thrilled since he paid a little over $1 mil for the property.  On top of the $3.1 mil, the township will be responsible for the cleanup of the pesticides from when the property was used as a farm. In addition, the township will lose the $56k/year the former owner paid in taxes. 
I know it's important to maintain open spaces, but to pay an exorbitant amount just to make … (2 comments)

wyckoff: Farewell High Mountain Golf Club, Franklin Lakes, NJ - 05/07/12 01:37 AM
I was sad to hear that our local golf club has gone the way of most acreage, in Bergen County.  Built in 1966, the club was a rarity --- an 18-hole course with a lovely dining room and pro shop, set in the middle of a lovely residential setting. It was a landmark we all took for granted would be there forever.  But, as with most things, money talks. My understanding is Toll Brothers, among others, made an offer the owners simply couldn't refuse.
I can remember playing the course, and thinking I should have taken up mountain climbing --- that's … (4 comments)

wyckoff: Buying vs Renting in New Jersey - 05/06/12 03:20 AM
I don't know how things are across the country, but in my neck of the woods we're seeing a surge in rentals. On one hand, I understand there are people who, for a variety of reasons, can't yet afford to buy. but home prices are at historic lows, so on the other hand, it kind of surprises me that we're getting into bidding wars on rentals!
Case in point: I took my client to see a rental apartment in a high-rise building, in Essex County. To say that this was not my (not my client's) taste would be to seriously understate … (2 comments)

wyckoff: Oil Tanks --- Why Do You Torture Me?? - 04/25/12 05:55 AM
Just listed a wonderful, but very quirky home, in Wyckoff, NJ.  Only 2 bedrooms, but a beautiful Family Room addition with a WALK-IN fieldstone fireplace!!  AND a new Kitchen,  AND a pink Jacuzzi in the BEDROOM.  But, I digress.  The Seller was, of course, thrilled when the home sold $20k over the asking price, but not so thrilled when the oil tank failed the pressure test. Thank goodness, I make my clients test their tanks --- oil and septic --- before I put their homes on the market.  Jim Dunkersloot, the area's best oil tank expert, told me there were several … (0 comments)