In almost every location, the luxury home market has improved dramatically and this is especially true east of Route 17 which are closer to New York City.  While I’ve never seen any data to explain this, I have felt that being on top of the George Washington Bridge is a major factor for high end home buyers who are in positions where they may not stay for extended periods of time such as Fortune 500 CEO’s, senior level diplomats, celebrities and athletes and who must be within 15 minutes of the George Washington Bridge.

Let’s take a look at our luxury home market in Bergen County beginning with Alpine New Jersey.   Alpine made tremendous progress in 2011.  Alpine homes nearly tripled the number of sales in 2011 going from 4 to 11.  Smart home buyers looked at Alpine homes as a tremendous opportunity.  I remember one buyer saying to me that he never thought he could buy a good home in Alpine at $2-2.5 million.

Saddle River  had a solid performance this year with one more sale going from 19 to 20 closings.  Saddle River homes certainly appear to have stabilized and the average sales price of a Saddle River home is up by 10%.  Alpine and Saddle River are the 2 most exclusive Bergen County luxury home markets.

Franklin Lakes is still having a tough time though; Franklin Lakes homes went from 50 to 38 sales and average pricing is down by 3% but there’s good news here too for Franklin Lakes homes – home buyers paid a higher percentage of the asking price in 2011 and the time it took to sell a Franklin Lakes home dropped dramatically from 126 to 92 days.  I bet you’ll see a great improvement in Franklin Lakes homes by year’s end and certainly in 2012.

Tenafly homes at the luxury home level more than tripled the number of sales going from 2 to 7.  While the average sales price was lower, this does not tell the reality of the Tenafly luxury home market.  The 2 sales in 2010 were new construction; the 7 sales in 2011 were from a broad palette of new and resale Tenafly homes.  Tenafly real estate at the high end did extremely well so far in 2011.

The bottom line on all of this is that the real estate market for Bergen County luxury homes is either stabilized or doing very well indeed and that’s good news for all of us.

New Alpine residents soon discover a spectacular nature preserve that hosts a boat basin and a 17oo’s pub – The Kearney House.  This 18th century establishment has a colorful past and is the scene of  many dining and other events.  Open to the public from May through October, there are also special events during the colder months.  In fact, November is a busy time at the Kearney House with “Short Stories for Long Nights” on the 21st and Thanksgiving Time on the 27th and 28th. 

Kearney House activities are so popular that they are often sold out;  it’s a good idea to plan early.  Located along the Hudson River by the Alpine Boat Basin, you are transported into another world the moment you drive down to the river.  Imagine taking your children out to a candle light dinner in this historic tavern only 10 minutes from your Alpine. home.   It’s a wonderful way to teach them about how people lived during the past.  General Cornwallis is said to have stayed there in 1776.

Listed on the National and New Jersey Historic Registers as the Blackledge-Kearney House, you can keep on top of what’s happening at Mrs. Kearney’s house through a calendar of events or by calling the Palisades Interstate Park at 201-768-1360.

Hidden away on a most private setting is this exquisitely charming ranch style home that will captivate you from the moment you step inside.  While only 15 minutes from the George Washington Bridge and New York City, you feel as if you have been transported to the New England woods. 

Decidedly rustic in it’s ambience with it’s heartwood pine and random planks, it’s also a combination of skylights, open space, granite, stainless steel and natural stone plus modern comforts such as central air conditioning.  The many large windows add so much light to the house that you feel one with the natural surroundings and the open floor plan is ideal for entertaining as well as intimate moments when you just want to unwind.

Kitchens are important in all homes and here we have the perfect combination of rustic charm and modern features – there’s even a breakfast bar for a quick cup of coffee or a fast sandwich.

An added plus is both the 2nd floor loft which is ideal for many purposes and the 2 story family room on the main level.

Offered at $869,900 in the storied community of Alpine, New Jersey, you will enjoy years of pleasure in this most uniquely special home that is also an extremely affordable entry into the Alpine community.  Call me at 201-741-8490 for your private viewing.