Bergen County New Jersey Home Buyers Guide

The following is a Guide for Bergen County Home-Buyers. Whether you are a first time home-buyer, a move-up buyer or you are downsizing, this HomeBuyer's Guide can help answer your questions regarding the Real Estate Process.


The first step when Buying a Home is to get Pre-qualified. The loan is the first piece of the puzzle that should be addressed. Click here to check out our Tips for First Time Home-buyers.

It's important to know what amount of money you will need to purchase your dream home.

Click here to learn some Tips for Pre-Qualifying for your Mortgage.




The next important step is to select a real estate professional to assist you in the home buying process. Click on the following link to find out How to find the right real estate agent.




Making an offer on your Dream Home takes strategy. Click here for our tips on Making an Offer.


Once you've decided on the right home and gone through the offer and acceptance process, it's time to order a Home Inspection. Click here for our Home Inspection Tips.

Click here for tips on understanding The Real Estate contract.


We are here to help you with your real estate needs. Click here and Ask us Anything!
Buying or Selling a Home in Bergen County, New Jersey? Give Lisa & Bob a call at (201)218-6802 or visit us at http://www.hammersteam.com/.

If you or someone you know is planning a Move in the near future, call your Pascack Valley experts, Lisa & Bob Hammerstein at (201)218-6802 or visit us on our website at http://www.hammersteam.com/.

We'll be able to help you if you're Moving to any of the Pascack Valley towns in Bergen County New Jersey.For more Local Information about the Pascack Valley area of Bergen County, New Jersey, call Bob & Lisa at (201)218-6802 or visit us online at http://www.hammersteam.com/.
Your Real Estate Resource for the Pascack Valley!

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Robert & Lisa Hammerstein • Sales Associates • Keller Williams Village Square
257 E Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood NJ  201-445-4300 •

Westwood NJ | The Hub of the Pascack Valley

Westwood New Jersey The Hub of the Pascack Valley in Bergen County!

Westwood, New Jersey - The Hub of the Pascack Valley Area
At the center of the Bergen County area of the Northeast corner of New Jersey, you will find the quintessential Family town of Westwood. This quaint town is one of the towns that comprises the area named "The Pascack Valley". Westwood, named the "Hub" because of it's location at the center of the County, people coming here from other areas will find a town rich in history and drenched in charm. Just ten miles North-Northwest of the George Washington Bridge, the Pascack Valley Train line has been a draw for commuters coming to enjoy the tranquillity of suburban life.



The streets of the town are lined with quaint specialty shops and eateries making for a thriving downtown business district. All is centered around the Train Station and the Park Gazebo where summer concerts and movies can be enjoyed by the public. Around the Holiday Season in December, the town and it's merchants go all out on decking the halls, making for a Norman Rockwell-like setting to behold.

On the opposite side of town from the Gazebo where the "Five Corners" of the town center meet stands a small Memorial Park dedicated to the Volunteer Firemen of the town.
Students from K-12 attend the Westwood Regional School district serving both the town of Washington Township as well as Westwood. There are four K-4 elementary schools and two schools for 5th and 6th graders while grades 7-12 attend the Westwood Regional High School with their mascot named the Westwood Cardinals.



The Pascack Book County Park in Westwood is a wonderful place for families to relax, take a leisurely stroll or feed the ducks. The Fountain in the Brook makes for a scenic display.
Many come to the town of Westwood for it's old world Colonials with Lemonade front porches and Victorian homes such as the homes picured here, that were sold by the HammersTeam. For more Westwood homes visit our website at http://www.hammersteam.com/.


There are so many reasons why families flock to the cozy town of Westwood in the Pascack Valley area of Bergen County, New Jersey.


Call Lisa & Bob for more in depth Pascack Valley history and local information of the town of Westwood, New Jersey.
Click this Link To View Our Westwood Show!
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Lisa & Robert Hammerstein • Sales Associates • Keller Williams Village Square
257 E Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood NJ  201-445-4300 •

Montvale | NJ | Market Reports March 2009

Welcome To Montvale New Jersey!

Montvale NJ Real Estate ReportMarch 09' Single Family Home Sales
Montvale NJ Real Estate ReportMarch 09' Single Family Home Sales saw Two homes closing in the town of Montvale in the month of March. The Spring 2009 market is in full bloom! With interest rates low, qualified Buyers can take advantage of some wonderful opportunities to own a piece of Small Town America! There's no place like A New Montvale Home for the New Year!


The town of Montvale is constantly changing to keep up with the times while maintaining that desireable small town feel. Residents can take advantage of the many amenities offered by this Pascack Valley town.

Montvale Market Activity:
Total Homes Sold..........................2
Average List Price..............$ 794,500
Average Sold Price.............$ 694,500
Median Sold Price..............$ 694,499
Sale/List Price....................... 87.413 (12-13% differential)


There are currently 44 Actively Listed homes in the town of Montvale with an average List Price of $797,077. There are some fantastic opportunities in this popular town with prices for every budget.

Click here to view all Montvale Local Listings
For more information on Listings in the Pascack Valley area of Bergen County, New Jersey, call Bob & Lisaat (201)218-6802, or visit us online at http://www.hammersteam.com/ your Pascack Valley Real Estate Resource at "Your Service"! It's a great time to "Buy A Home" in the Pascack Valley. We're keeping an eye on the real estate market for you....
Click on the links below to view some scenes of the picturesque Pascack Valley towns.
EMERSON
HILLSDALE
RIVER VALE
WESTWOOD
PARK RIDGE
MONTVALE
WOODCLIFF LAKE
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
PASCACK VALLEY SPRING SHOW
PASCACK VALLEY SUMMER SHOW
PASCACK VALLEY FALL SHOW
PASCACK VALLEY HOLIDAY SHOW
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Lisa & Robert Hammerstein • Sales Associates • Coldwell Banker • (201)218-6802
• Address • 50 Broadway • Hillsdale, NJ 07642

Washington Township | New Jersey | Market Reports

Washington Township, New Jersey Market Reports.

Washington Township NJ Real Estate ReportMarch 09' Single Family Home Sales saw Three homes closing in the town of Washington Township in the month of March. The 2009 Spring Real Estate market is in full bloom. With interest rates low, qualified Buyers can take advantage of some wonderful opportunities to own a piece of Small Town America! There's no place like A New Washington Township Home!


The town of Washington Township is constantly changing to keep up with the times while maintaining that desirable small town feel. Residents can take advantage of the many amenities offered by this Pascack Valley town.


Washington Township Real Estate Market Activity:
Total Homes Sold..........................3
Average List Price..............$ 591,600
Average Sold Price.............$ 550,000
Median Sold Price..............$ 515,000
Sale/List Price....................... 92.968 (7-8% differential)


There are currently 47 Actively Listed homes in the town of Wasington Township with an average List Price of $609,453. There are some fantastic opportunities in this popular town with prices for every budget.
Click here to view all Washington Township Local Listings
For more information on Listings in the Pascack Valleyarea of Bergen County, New Jersey, call Bob & Lisa at (201)218-6802, or visit us online at http://www.hammersteam.com/ your Pascack Valley Real Estate Resource at "Your Service"! It's a great time to "Buy A Home" in the Pascack Valley. We're keeping an eye on the real estate market for you....
Click on the links below to view some scenes of the picturesque Pascack Valley towns.
EMERSON
HILLSDALE
RIVER VALE
WESTWOOD
PARK RIDGE
MONTVALE
WOODCLIFF LAKE
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
PASCACK VALLEY SPRING SHOW
PASCACK VALLEY SUMMER SHOW
PASCACK VALLEY FALL SHOW
PASCACK VALLEY HOLIDAY SHOW
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Lisa & Robert Hammerstein • Sales Associates • Coldwell Banker • (201)218-6802
• Address • 50 Broadway • Hillsdale, NJ 07642 •

Pascack Valley High School Renovations | Hillsdale New Jersey

The Way We Were in Pascack Valley High School and the New and improved Pascack Valley High School!

Springtime has arrived here in Hillsdale New Jersey bringing new sites and memories for us.
Including a Fresh New Look for our High School!

I would like to share this photo-blog about our old High School in Hillsdale and the many changes that have taken place here in the spring of 2009. Our recently renovated High School is complete!

Lisa's and my old High School, Pascack Valley High School, where we met, has undergone some extensive renovations in the past 2 years. The picture below is the way the School sign on the front of the building used to look back when we were students. This has since been replaced along with a new facade. The photo below was taken a few years ago just before the renovations began.

Lisa and I met at Pascack Valley High School. Oh so many years ago it seems. We have seen many changes in our hometowns through the years. It is sometimes mind boggling to us. Ok, don't laugh too much but, this is what we looked like back then. Cute Huh? Ah yes, those were the days!



This Spring has shown even more improvements to our alma matter. Below is a shot of the way we remember it. Walking through those front doors in the morning greeting all our friends and favorite teachers. What a great place it was.


To give you a better perspective of what has changed below are shots of then and now.


And what it looks like now.Wow, what a change.





It is a transformation into modern times compared to the school we attended in our youth.The shot below was taken a year ago just before it was completed with the new sign. Driving past the school the other day, Lisa shouted out, "hey, there's a new sign on the school"!


Now with the advent of social networks such as Facebook and My Space lately, Lisa and I are finding many old classmates. And they are finding us as well. People we haven't thought about for years and years are suddenly popping up in our emails almost on a daily basis.

With springtime here the football field is getting spruced up as well. So many fond memories of sitting in those bleachers or playing on the field. Bob running cross country on the track and starting the first hockey team in the high school.

The old scoreboard is still standing. I used to try to sneak into the football games from those woods and watch the games up on that hill. It gave a great view of the whole field from up there. Just the way we remember it. Boy oh boy it brings back so many memories of the way we were.


Everything is looking fresh and clean as springtime starts to warm the air.

Still the school evokes many memories for us whenever we drive past it. It seems like just yesterday we were walking up to this building and enjoying ourselves in the springtime of our lives.

We have entered the digital age and another new sign welcomes all the students of the new generation.

Welcome to Pascack Valley High School. New and Improved!


So many opportunities for River Vale and Hillsdale children. The Pascack Valley School District is highly rated. We can both attest to that. Great teachers and programs. Spring has a fresh look for the Pascack Valley High School Makeover.



The way we were was great but today is even better. Spring Ahead!

Bergen County Real Estate Market Reports

Below is a market report for Hillsdale NJ in Bergen County. This graph reflects the current market of homes on the market as well as what has sold and what hasn't sold.

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Robert Hammerstein • Sales Associate • Coldwell Banker • (201)315-8618

• Address • 50 Broadway • Hillsdale, NJ 07642 •

Happy Holidays From the HammersTeam

We'd like to take this opportunity to wish all of our friends, family and wonderful colleagues all the warmth of the holiday season.

Merry Christmas from Bob and Lisa of the HammersTeam!

Warm Wishes for a Happy & Healthy 2009' New Year too!

Below is our Pascack Valley Holiday Show for 2008!

Enjoy!

Happy Holidays to Everyone Everywhere!

Bergen County | NJ |Pascack Valley| Homes for the Holidays

Buying a home around the Holidays could be a very positive experience for both Buyers and Sellers alike. In fact we purchased our home the day after Christmas and moved in around the end of February. Keep in mind the following points when purchasing or selling a home around the Holidays. For Sellers; usually the most motivated Buyers are out and serious about buying. For Buyers; Sellers are usually motivated and ready to negotiate.
Sure it's a very stressful time of year but it's also the most festive time of year when spirits are high. Sellers can take advantage of decorating and creating an atmosphere of "Home Sweet Home". While Buyers can take advantage of visualizing themselves in an atmosphere of warmth and cheer.
Interest rates are very low so Buyers should take advantage as there is no time like the present to put your "Dream Home" at the top of your Wish List - Home for the Holidays!

Click the Big Red Button for our Pascack Valley Holiday Show.

Pascack Valley NJ Tips For Winterizing Your Home

The weather is beginning to feel like Fall in the Pascack Valley area of Bergen County New Jersey. Before long old man Winter will be upon us so now is the time to get ready to Winterize Your Pascack Valley Home. The following is our HammersTeam's Cool Weather Check List.

1. Seal & Insulate Windows & Doors with caulk or plastic

2. Block Drafts with A/C covers and Door Drafter Stoppers

3. Check your Furnace & Thermostats to make sure they are operating properly

4. Replace Screens with Storm Windows

5. Turn outside water faucets off

6. Drain outdoor hoses and store in shed or basement

7. Have chimneys cleaned

8. Keep firewood for fireplaces stored away from the house

9. Rake & blow leaves away from the home per town ordinances

10. Clean gutters

11. Repair any leaders and downspouts to assure proper drainage

12. Trim all bushes in landscaping and clean up garden beds & store all gardening tools as well as pots & planters

13. Check snow blowers and shovels

14. Replenish rock salt supplies

15. Have outdoor water sprinklers winterized by a professional

16. Have pools winterized by a professional

17. Remove window air conditioning units and store in a dry place

18. Cover outdoor Central Air Conditioning Units to protect from weather

19. Put Basement Windows Well Covers over the basement windows

20. Cover the outdoor furniture

When the weather is mild it's easy to forget these things but once it turns cold it could be too late. So be sure to Winterize Your Pascack Valley Home by following HammersTeam's Cool Weather Check List.

If you or anyone you know is thinking of Buying or Selling a Pascack Valley Home, call Lisa & Bob at (201)218-6802.

River Vale New Jersey Spotlight

Small Town America can be found in any one of the eight Pascack Valley Towns in Bergen County, New Jersey. Spotlight the small town of River Vale New Jersey. In the 2007' article published by Money Magazine called "The Top 100 Best Places to Live", the Small Town of River Vale New Jersey earned the #29 spot.

The community has a lush, park-like character, prompting some to call it the "Garden Spot" of the Pascack Valley. The scenery is further enhanced with quaint, winding roads and scenic, historic homes. River Vale is tucked between the neighboring communities of Woodcliff Lake, Park Ridge, Montvale, Lake Tappan in Old Tappan, Harrington Park, Emerson, Westwood and Hillsdale. New York City lies 22 miles southeast. Although River Vale is a small town of only 10,000 residents, it offers many of the advantages of a much larger city. For example, New York City is close enough so that residents can experience its many educational, cultural and economic opportunities.

Since River Vale mainly consists of families, the most popular free-time activities involve youth sports, community events and civic groups. Several independent youth sports organizations keep the kids fit and active. Weekends are busy at the local parks and schools, which host baseball, softball, soccer and basketball games. Parents can get their exercise with a round of golf at Edgewood Country Club or Bergen Hills Country Club. Additionally, nearby lakes and the Wood Dale County Park have a variety of recreational facilities.

As you enter this small townof River Vale you are greeted by the unassuming town center called "The Four Corners" where the two main roads of River Vale Road and Westwood Avenue intersect by a traffic light and anchored by a town clock. The Pascack Valley town of River Vale is lush with Golf Courses and a general sense of peace amidst it's green lawns. Another Pascack Valley small town community rich in History. River Vale residents also enjoy community events as an opportunity to get together with their neighbors. Seasonal celebrations, parades and events are scheduled throughout year, offering fun activities for all ages. The annual Easter egg hunt and fall Octoberfest are particularly popular.

If you are searching for a place to put down roots Small Town America spotlights River Vale New Jersey.

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Lisa & Robert Hammerstein • Sales Associates • Coldwell Banker • (201)218-6802

• Address • 50 Broadway • Hillsdale, NJ 07642 •>