Cynical "Experts" Proven Wrong Nationwide and in Ridgewood Many "experts" and some commenters to this blog predicted that Ridgewood and National home values would fall in the first half of 2010, transactions would be down and interest rates would rise. Check out what Time.com had to say back in January. Today is July 1st.  Let's see how the experts fared... Have Ridgewood Home Prices Fallen?  Well, not according to the New Jersey Multiple Listing Service (see chart below).   Well, then surely the number of Ridgewood transactions are down in the first half of 2010 versus the first half of 2009, right? Wrong.  The number of Ridgewood real estate transactions nearly doubled from 70 in the first of 2009 to 129 in the first half of 2010. At least they were correct about mortgage rates going... 07/08/2010

 Ridgewood  water restrictions effective immediately!! Important update for all Ridgewood residents: Stage IV water restrictions in effect for Ridgewood, NJ Stage IV prohibits any type of irrigation at this time & until further notice. For more information, please view the following website: http://water.ridgewoodnj.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=74:stage-4-water-restriction-in-place&catid=3:newsflash or http://water.ridgewoodnj.net The town has been making reverse 911 phone calls to notify residents of this matter. 07/07/2010

Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration will be held on July 5th, 2010. Ridgewood, NJ's 100th Annual Fourth of July Celebration Flag raising, Parade, Evening entertainment & Fireworks all will be on Monday, July 5th.  Parade begins 10:00 am  -  North Monroe and Godwin: See the Parade route.  Fireworks at Veteran's Field  For more information on the Fourth of July festivites, please visit: http://www.ridgewoodjuly4th.org/ 100th Anniversary T-Shirts are available at La Casita, 158 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood Tickets to the Evening Entertainment and Fireworks are available at stores or online. **Buy tickets in advance for $5.00 and save 50% off the gate cost of $10.00.** 07/03/2010

Ridgewood real estate market trend for the last 6 months January-June, 2010 Ridgewood, NJ has an average median sold price for this period of $611,117 (NJMLS) New Jersey Muliple Listing Service Statistics for All Property Types in Ridgewood, NJ for 6 Months Back Statistics for All Property Types in RIDGEWOOD for 6 Months Back Average Units Sold per Month for this period: 16.3 Total Units Sold for this period: 98 Average Units UC per Month for this period: 24.8Total Units UC for this period:149 Average Sold DOM for this period: 76 Average UC DOM for this period: 63 Average Median Sold Price for this period: $611,117       Wondering what your Ridgewood home is worth in today's market? Looking to buy or sell in Ridgewood, NJ? Call your Ridgewood real estate agent, Ridgewood  Realtor®  & ex... 06/16/2010

Ridgewood real estate sales comparison 2009 vs 2010 1/1/10-6/15/10 Ridgewood, NJ  real estate sales for residential homes as reported by the NJMLS  (New Jersey Multiple Listing Service). Prop Type:  Residential County:  BERGEN Area:  RIDGEWOOD Status: S Year 1:   2009 Year 2:   2010   Number of Sold Listings Dollar Volume of Sold Listings Average Sold Price     2009     2010     Diff   %Chg   2009     2010     Diff   %Chg   2009     2010     Diff   %Chg January 10 12 2 20 $7,159,999 $8,486,600 1,326,601 19 $716,000 $707,217 -8,783 -1 February 5 13 8 160 $4,549,999 $10,592,400 6,042,401 133 $910,000 $814,800 -95,200 -10 March 8 20 12 150 $7,290,000 $13,762,500 6,472,500 89 $911,250 $688,125 -223,125 -24 April 5 15 10 200 $2,958,500 $11,321,000 8,362,500 283 $591,700 $754,733 163,033 28 M... 06/14/2010

The Rotary Club of Ridgewood has organized a photo contest for and about the Village. Here are the details from the poster: A stunning photo doesn’t care who took it. No matter how much experience you have or how sophisticated your camera, you’re invited to enter the Ridgewood Photo Contest. The best photos in eleven different categories will be published in “Ridgewood 2010: The Year In Pictures,” a commemorative book representing the beauty, spirit and tradition of Ridgewood and the people who live here. Winners will receive a free copy and cash prizes. The cost is $5 per entry with proceeds going to The Rotary Club of Ridgewood. Enter now at Ridgewood-Photo-Contest.com.   05/27/2010

Molly Ringwald at Bookends in Ridgewood, NJ On April 28, 2010, Actress & Author Molly Ringwald was at Bookends in Ridgewood, NJ signing copies of her new book, "Getting the Pretty Back".   Molly Ringwald happily signing copies of her new book at Bookends in Ridgewood, NJ Sixteen Candles is one of my favorite movies of all time. So when I heard Molly Ringwald would be in my neighborhood of Ridgewood, I couldn't resist meeting her. I called a couple friends, bought the book and waited on line to meet someone I've admired in many films growing up. Who doesn't love such teen classics as The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink & the tv show The Facts of Life? (as well as many others).  It is so nice to see a teenage actor who didn't let Hollywood's fame & pressure get to her and lead her down the... 05/10/2010

  Ridgewood real estate update & statistics for the month of April 2010 Residential activity from 4/1/10-4/30/10 as reported by the NJMLS for Ridgewood, NJ (on 5/5/10). Listing Status        Total        Total List/Sale Dollars  Average ListPrice Average SoldPrice Median SoldPrice Sale Price/List Price* Sold 15  $ 11,321,000  $ 831,260  $ 754,733  $ 595,000   90.794 Co-Broker 12  $ 7,436,000  $ 679,242  $ 619,667  $ 577,000   91.229   List/Sold 3  $ 3,885,000  $ 1,439,333  $ 1,295,000  $ 1,100,000   89.972 New 62  $ 60,930,575  $ 982,751       Under Contract 41  $ 35,492,599  $ 865,673       Withdrawn 11  $ 10,069,800  $ 915,436       Expired 4  $ 4,412,000  $ 1,103,000       Back on Market 2  $ 888,500  $ 444,250       Extended 4  $ 4,683,899  $ 1,170,975       Current Active 118  $ 10... 05/04/2010

Ridgewood home sales from 1/1/10-3/31/10 as reported in the njmls (New Jersey Multiple Listing Service) Ridgewood home sales (Residential only) for the 1st Quarter of 2010: Area:  RIDGEWOOD Status: S Beginning: 1/1/2010 Ending:   3/31/2010 The average price for the 45 (total listings) properties is $729,811 The highest price is  $1,986,000 The Lowest price is  $285,000 The average market time is 75 Thinking of selling or buying a Ridgewood home? Call Jeana Cowie at 201-982-2200. Searching for a Ridgewood home for sale? View all Ridgewood homes for sale at www.jeanacowie.com.  Wondering what your home is worth in today's real estate market? Call your Ridgewood real estate agent Jeana Cowie 201-982-2200. 17+ Years as a full time Real Estate Agent. Over 550+... 04/19/2010

Many home shoppers are taking advantage of short sales in Bergen County and so should you. Maybe even Ridgewood short sales. There are some questions to answer though...   Where do you begin? How can you find Bergen County short sales? What is the process? How long does it take? Is there a specialist for short sales in Bergen County? Is there such thing as a short sale list?   Regardless as to whether you are buying a short sale in Bergen County or buying a home anywhere, you absolutely need to have a discussion with a loan professional before looking for that home. Initial discussions do not require you to give too much personal data or your SS#. However, the initial discussion is critical in identifying any issues which can be the difference in your loan getting approved and/or savin... 03/07/2010

SPECTACULAR NEW HOME FOR SALE IN RIDGEWOOD NJ ! @@ JUST LISTED !!!@@   Sheldon Neal | RE/MAX REAL ESTATE LTD. | sheldonneal@remax.net | 201-481-2891 317 Mountain Ave, Oradell, NJ   6BR/6+1BA Single Family House   Offered at $2,199,000 Year Built 2004 Sq Footage Unspecified Bedrooms 6 Bathrooms 6 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 100 x 175     DESCRIPTION A MASTERPIECE HOME THAT BUYER'S WILL FALL IN LOVE WITH! THIS SPECTACULAR NEW HOME IS LOCATED ON ONE OF RIDGEWOOD'S MOST PREMIER STREETS IN THE DESIRABLE OLD COUNTRY CLUB SECTION. STUNNING EXTERIOR W/STONE FRONT & A LARGE, OPEN FRONT PORCH. APPROXIMATELY 5,700 SF OF LIVING SPACE, THIS SPACIOUS HOME HAS A WONDERFUL LAYOUT. DRAMATIC 2 STORY GREAT ROOM W/WALLS OF GLASS OVERLOOKING PRIVATE YARD. BONUS AMENITIES SUCH AS B... 02/23/2010

Ridgewood, NJ is beautiful in a snowstorm I had a listing appointment in the beautiful town that I live in, Ridgewood, NJ and took some photos in today's snowstorm.             The welcome to Ridgewood sign with snow covered trees                                                                                       Beautiful Grove Park with it's beautiful trees                                  More of Grove Parks snow covered trees                              A gorgeous & traditional Ridgewood, NJ home                 Yet another Ridgewood home                                            This Ridgewood home still has Christmas                                                                                       decorations up, and will all the snow we've                                 ... 02/16/2010

Everyone knows that we are and have been; in a buyers' market. This mentality can be really challenging to people who want to sell their home. Low ball offers, buyers who won't budge and a feeling of entitlement to a cheap price. What is a seller to do? Let's start by looking at the attributes of a Buyers' market.      Attributes of a Ridgewood Buyers' market    Overpriced homes and excess inventory! There are more buyers than sellers in Ridgewood, NJ. Homes are not selling because the prices are perceived to be too high. Since homes are not selling the inventory of available homes swells. Sellers are stuck with the pricing of the past and are forced to negotiate if they want to sell their property.   Mortgage Approvals are tough to come by. The flow of money slows down. Banks make qual... 02/01/2010

Ridgewood, New Jersey Duck Pond A Picture is worth a thousand words in the town of Ridgewood in Bergen County, New Jersey.  The Winter  landscape can be as exciting and beautiful as the more colorful Springtime.  The popular Ridgewood Duck Pond as seen from Ridgewood Avenue is one of the many pictures worth a thousand words in Bergen County.  Just imagine how peaceful and calm strolling along watching the ducks on a crisp and sunny Winter's day can be. 01/31/2010

Urgency makes people buy and sell Real Estate? Without urgency there is no market. Urgency is what had been missing for almost a year. Our government has been trying to stimulate the Real Estate market for years. The 2009 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit did just that. It stimulated the Real Estate market by creating a sense of urgency for First Time Home Buyers. An incentive would be given for getting off the fence and getting into their first home. The benefit of the tax credit (to the housing market) was that the home had to close title by November 30, 2009 to qualify. Urgency was created! Not only do you have to purchase a home to receive the credit, you have a certain time frame. The last week of October, I received no less than a dozen phone calls from people who had never purchas... 11/02/2009

Ridge Thai Awarded "Best in Bergen County" by 201 Magazine 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 enjoyi... 10/25/2009

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 sam... 10/22/2009

Excellent New York Times Article on Graydon Debate Gives Fair Shake to Both Sides 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 ... 10/22/2009

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:      $677,700Under Contract:  $629,643Sold:                       $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 $670,0... 10/22/2009

How Many Days Does the 3 Day Attorney Review Period Last?  Nope.  You are wrong. Read On. 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 h... 10/22/2009