Hillsdale New Jersey Summer Concerts Update

Hillsdale New Jersey Happenings 2008!

Hillsdales Beechwood Park Summer Concert Schedule

The Hillsdale Summer Concert Series is almost over but there is a special treat coming up on Tuesday August 5th at 8:00 PM. Pete Seeger will be joined by his grandson Tao Rodriguez-Seeger and his longtime friend blues man Guy Davis for a sing-a-long get together. Bring along your blankets and chairs for a remarkable evening with this legendary performer from the lower Hudson Valley.   

This will be a truly special concert as Pete Seeger is preparing to release a 32 track album of “new takes on old favorites” titled “At 89″.    His age?  Seems like yesterday we were singing along to such songs as Turn, Turn, Turn, Where Have All the Flowers Gone & If I Had a Hammer. 

Beechwood Park in Hillsdale NJ is a special place for me personally as I {Bob}, grew up across the street from it and saw it’s many transitions through the years.   The park has become a wonderful family orientated playground, baseball, soccer field under the lights located just west of the stage area.  I can remember when this facility was being built and playing in the woods before it became what it is today.  I went to Camp Hildaca in the 60’s in Beechwood Park and spent many summers having fun.  Oh, am I giving away my age here?  I’ve even gotten to play on this very stage many years ago.  I had a band and we just went in there before the days when you needed permits and such and just set up with a generator behind the stage.  Fun stuff! Here is a couple of old pictures of us from back then.  Not the best shots but you get the idea.

The Stage for Summer Concerts

Beechwood Park in Hillsdale NJ

Hillsdale NJ Beechwood Park Bandshell

  

 

Of course things change as time goes by but the general feel of Beechwood Park is still the same.

My View from the Stage

The Free Beechwood Park Concert Series is held every summer from July through the begining of August. All concerts start at 8:00PM. It is located on the eastern side of Hillsdale Avenue in Hillsdale. In the event of rain, the concert will be moved to the Pascack Valley High School auditorium at 200 Piermont Road in Hillsdale

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This should be a very enteraining concert/sing along so if you do plan on attending be prepared to sing for what promises to be a very memorable evening.   Hope to see you there!

 

 For more information about the Pascack Valley and surrounding Bergen County, New Jersey area, visit us at www.HammersTeam.com or call Bob and Lisa direct at (201)218-6802.

 

Home Buyer Advice >>>> Paralysis by Analysis Can Stop You From Buying a Home in Bergen County New Jersey

The current real estate market has been somewhat of a challenge for many Home Buyers and Home Sellers alike. The media reports and real estate professionals are calling it a “Buyer’s Market”. The description of a “Buyer’s Market“ is when homes are coming on the market or “Listing” faster than homes are going off the market or “Selling”.

Sometimes even the most astute Buyers and Sellers can become confused by all the choices. We like to refer to this state of confusion as “Paralysis By Analysis”. Sellers can become overwhelmed with indecision regarding pricing while Buyers are confused by all the home choices. Before you become paralyzed by over analysis, read on for some real estate tips.

This month we were reminded about this phenomenon when our own daughter was trying to decide whether or not to renew her apartment lease or search for a new place. When she had located an alternate apartment, we told her to sit down and make up a “Pros and Cons” list to assist her in the decision process. In real estate, as with any major decision, there are most asuredly going to be some compromises to negotiate. It is a rare instance that life provides us with the absolute perfect scenario to fuel our decisions.

When faced with an important life decision such as Home Ownership, flipping a coin isn’t the answer. A more helpful approach to take is formulating a list. Some people are big fans of making lists. From earliest childhood we are told by our parents that Santa himself makes a list and checks it twice. This sage advice can be applied to most situations regarding making important decisions.

 

For instance, when a Buyer begins the Home Search process, the first order of business is to sit down and make a list of the features necessary to accomodate their family’s needs. Click here to read more about starting the Home Search Process.

If we are indeed in a “Buyer’s” market, the average Buyer will find more than one choice to fit their criteria. Once you narrow your selections, the Pros and Cons List becomes a helpful tool. Click here to read more about the Home Buying Process.

Home Sellers can capitalize on a Buyer’s market as well. Click here to read more about Selling Before Buying your next home.

With many fine homes to chose from, our Home Buyer Advice is don’t let paralysis by analysis stop you from Buying a home.

Call Lisa and Bob today at (201)218-6802 and let us help!

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

• Address • 50 Broadway • Hillsdale, NJ 07642 •

Hillsdale New Jersey Sold Homes Report for May 2008

Hillsdale, NJ Single Family Home Sales Activity for May 08′ - The Pascack Valley saw Ten homes closing in the town of Hillsdale in the month of May. The Spring market is heating up with homes listing for the busiest real estate season of the year! With interest rates low, Buyers should act now before the rates and the market shifts back to a Seller’s market! Strike while the iron is hot!

The town of Hillsdale is constantly changing to keep up with the times while maintaining that desireable small town feel. School will be out soon and the Stonybrook Swim Club will be open for Summer fun to begin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hillsdale Real Estate Market Activity:

Listing Status
Sold: 10

Total List/Sale Dollars 
$ 5,254,000

Average List
Price: $ 572,587

Average Sold
Price  $ 525,400

Median Sold
Price  $ 488,500

Sale Price/
List Price 91.759

There are currently 62 Actively Listed homes in the town of Hillsdale with an average List Price of $654,788. There are some fantastic NEW CONSTRUCTION opportunities in this popular town with prices beginning at $649,999 to the over one million dollar range.

Compare the previous Year’s activity for the Pascack Valley towns by clicking on the following link:

May 2007′ Market Report

For more information on Listings in the Pascack Valley area of Bergen County, New Jersey, call Bob & Lisa at (201)218-6802, or visit us online at 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

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

• Address • 50 Broadway • Hillsdale, NJ 07642 •

 

Northvale New Jersey Home For Sale

Move right into this immaculate 3/4 Bedroom Northvale, New Jersey Split Level home in the sought after Northern Valley, NJ school district. You will be delighted when you drive up to the conveniently located and nicely manicured property. Step inside to find the spacious and open floor plan which is the perfect solution for your entertaining needs. Walk to New York City public transportation, shopping for all your family’s necessaties as well as Top Notch Schools.

From the exterior with Vinyl Siding and new doors and windows to the freshly painted interior with Two New Full Baths and a New Gourmet Kitchen, this home has it all!

MLS# 2818561

Price: $462,000

Style: Split Level

Bedrooms: 3/4 Bedrooms

Garage: One Car Attached w/opener

Property: 74X100 Corner Lot

Baths: Two New Full

Kitchen: New with Granite Counters, Ceramic Tile Floors and Stainless Steel Appliances

Open Living Room, Dining Room and Family Room

Outside features newer Deck off Kitchen

Items Included: Stainless Steel Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Microwave and Double Oven Stove, Dishwasher, Washer, Dryer, Dining Room Chandelier, One Wall and One Window A/C unit, all blinds and shades.

Items excluded: Garage Refrigerator & Child’s Swing set

The most updated and enticing price in town! You’re gonna want this home!

Don’t wait, call HammersTeam today at (201)218-6802 for your personal viewing of this home.

 

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

• Address • 50 Broadway • Hillsdale, NJ 07642 •

 

Bergen County Real Estate News

 

Photo courtesy of John Hansen

Yesterday, something rare and exciting happened in our little corner of the world of Bergen Countyin the town of Paramus New Jersey. A black bear was spotted running around the neighborhood around the Paramus Catholic High School and beyond.

As reported in the Bergen Record April 25th, it was indeed an exciting event ending in tranquilizing the bear for it’s own safety. Turns out, according to the newspaper, that the black bear was approximately 400lbs and guesstimated to be about 3-4 years old. Not too small a bear, in my humble opinion.

I have been in the mountains up in Harriman State Park, just over the border of NJ, in New York state and had one of these bad boys come rumbling down the mountains in a full gallop and scare the heck out of me. Fortunately he kept going and didn’t stop to check me out as I was swimming in a nearby lake at the time. Thank goodness for that. Whew!

On a Real Estate note, the Bergen Record newspaper posted this cartoon below, in the editorials and I thought I’d share it with the rest of the world. Somehow the Real Estate market is always on the minds of people, as you can see. Pretty fitting cartoon for our times.

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

• Address • 50 Broadway • Hillsdale, NJ 07642 •

 

Did You Ever Sell A Used Car in Pascack Valley?

Most of us have. I know we have and when we were getting ready to slap that “FOR SALE” sign in the window, guess what we did? Well, we did our best to pretty it up. We may have spent an entire weekend cleaning it out and washing it up. Looked under the Seats, made sure the Trunk was cleaned out, cleaned out any Ashtrays that may have been used. Probably even waxed it & windexed the Windows really well so it sparkled!

So when a Seller is getting ready to sell a house, shouldn’t they take the same sort of care as when you sell anything “Used” or as they refer to it nowadays - “Pre-Owned”? Think about what we do when we have a Garage Sale. Much the same sort of care goes into the preparation of selling used items.

Somewhere along the way, probably in the heat of the Frenzied Seller’s market, people overlooked that a pre-owned home should be shined up before the marketing begins. As silly as it may seem, Buyers like the homes they look at to be clean and fresh looking. Alittle elbow grease and a fresh coat of paint can go a very long way in the race to be “SOLD”.

I suppose the purpose of this message then would be to Sellers - “Take some care in the preparation of getting your home ready for selling”. When the day draws near for the first showing or Open House, be prepared when those doors open to be the best one that the market has to offer for the price. When the agents make a list of homes to show their Buyers, you want your home to be at the very top of their showing list!

The competition is staggering in this current “Buyer’s Market” so when making plans to Sell your home, remember that the competition doesn’t have to be the newest one on the block to win the race. Just the most prepared!

Did you ever sell a used car? Just apply the same theory to selling a house and you’re sure to be a success!

Thinking of Listing Your Home? Sellers - call the team that wins! The Hammers Team!

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

• Address • 50 Broadway • Hillsdale, NJ 07642 •

Hillsdale New Jersey Real Estate Market

The Real Estate market in the popular town of Hillsdale New Jersey has held it’s own. With a good supply of Active Home Listings ranging from the low $300,000 price range to the $1,000,000 +, this town Sells! That “Hometown” feel is a well-known selling feature of this popular town of the show “ED” fame. What makes everyone love and flock to the town of Hillsdale? Is it the trendy Downtown centered around the quaint Train Station and Hillsdale Traffic Booth carrying it’s passengers to their destination? Is it the Top Notch School System? Or is it the desire for those Homebuyers to own a peice of Old Fashioned Americana? Whatever your desire, this homespun town with it’s tree-lined streets and green lawns is sure to please.

The highways and by-ways make Hillsdale easily accessed and yet one still gets the sense that home sweet home is just around the next corner. For Sellers thinking of putting their homes on the market, now is a good time to capitalize on a currently active Real Estate market in the Pascack Valley. For the Buyer, there’s no time like the present to make a move on your peice of Americana. Why pay rent when you can own a home in this sought after town. Interest rates seem to be remaining lower than ever making the temptation too great to pass. Nobody knows what will happen in tommorow’s market but getting into a home in Hillsdale could be the perfect move today!

Hillsdale New Jersey Information

Call Bob and Lisa today at (201)218-6802 or visit us online at www.HammersTeam.com for your Hillsdale Real Estate needs!

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

• Address • 50 Broadway • Hillsdale, NJ 07642 •

Pascack Valley Baby Boomers - Get In Touch With Your Roots!

Get In Touch With Your Roots!  It’s a well known fact that the population as a whole is living longer today.  Baby Boomers such as Bob had fathers who served in World War II.  My parents were the generation that followed close behind Bob’s parents.  Many of us so-called “Baby Boomers” have parents that lived through the Depression Era and post Depression Era.  You’ll probably find that this generation are great Story Tellers with a wealth of knowledge to share.  This opens up opportunites for many of us to get in touch with our “Roots”!  If you’re like me and are fortunate enough to still have your Mother with you, I would urge you to listen to the stories of your elders.  You’ll probably be amazed how much you didn’t know about yourself and your own Roots!   

For instance, just this morning I was chatting with my Mom on the phone.  Something sparked her to launch into one of the many stories that I’m sure I’ve heard before but today it resonated for some reason.  She was telling me about how my Grandmother was from a family that was, as she put it, “comfortable”.  It seems my Great-Grandfather was a Composer of music and a Mariachi Player.  When the Mexican Revolution came and their money was no longer any good, they were forced to flee Mexico and come to America.  Now of course this is only one quarter of my story as I had two parents who also had two parents.

Bob’s Great Grandfather on the other hand was a Builder in the town of Hillsdale and his Mother was born and raised in Sweden on the border of Finland.  Sadly, both of our Fathers are no longer with us and so their stories are gone with the exception of what our Mothers can tell us and what we can remember.

As Baby Boomers we are at that point in our lives where we are fortunate enough to be Bridging the gap.  We both have Mothers that are still living and a daughter who is a member of the popular Gen-Y group or better known as the “Echo-Boomers“.  These terms are losely used to describe the differences in the time periods (sometimes overlapping) in which we were all born.

But if we don’t capture as many of the stories as we can now and pass them on to our children, they will be lost forever.   So the next time you have the opportunity to hear the stories your parents or grandparents have to share with you, take a moment, and lend an ear.  They will probably enjoy the company and you will be enriched by the stories they tell that will help you to “Get In Touch With Your Roots”!

For more local information about the Pascack Valley area of Bergen

County, New Jersey call Bob & Lisa at (201)218-6802.

Your Local Real Estate Resource!

River Vale New Jersey in the Pascack Valley - In Search of the American Dream

The community of River Vale, New Jersey in Bergen County consists of a small unassuming town known for it’s Golf Courses and manicured green lawns a plenty. It’s not uncommon to get a glimpse of the beautiful wildlife as seen here on Piermont Road in front of the Edgewood Country Club.

 

Established in the early 1900’s, the Township of River Vale is rich in History and has remained one of the most unassuming towns in the Pascack Valley region. It’s quiet yet upscale personality boasts three Golf Courses as well as the town center known as “The Four Corners” where River Vale Road and Westwood Avenue intersect to provide the town with shops, banks and local food stops.

This is the place that Lisa remembers growing up. Walking to the town center known as the Four Corners with friends or one of her three siblings, Lisa remembers a simpler time when walking to grammer school was what she did. Having grown up on the South side of River Vale, Lisa walked to Roberge School which covers grades K-5. Children on the North end of town attend Woodside. All meet at Holdrum School for grades 6-8 and then move up to Pascack Valley High School to join the children from the town of Hillsdale. Of course this was where Lisa first met Bob!

This beautiful town of River Vale has undergone some changes in the form of updates to the town center and the River Vale Public Library. The town celebrated it’s 100 year River Vale Cenetennial in a year long celebration.

In our current Real Estate market, homes in River Vale range from approximately, the low $400,000 price range for a First Time Homebuyer home up to $1,500,000+ for new construction.

The HammersTeam sold this rare Waterfront property on the Old Tappan border of Northern Valley.

For more local information and River Vale listings call Lisa and Bob at (201)218-6802 or visit us online at www.HammersTeam.com! Visit our site often to see updates.

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

• Address • 50 Broadway • Hillsdale, NJ 07642 •

Pascack Valley Real Estate Updates - Moving to Westwood New Jersey?

Moving to Westwood New Jersey? Well you are in for a special adventure in home ownership! Homeowners who live in this Pascack Valley town in Bergen County New Jersey will tell you that living here has benefits you will be thrilled to learn about if you are Buying a home in Westwood New Jersey.

The quaint little Borough of Westwood is known as the “Hub” or center of the popular area of Bergen County called the “Pascack Valley”. Located at the center of the county, the small town of Westwood has a trendy downtown business district bustling with stores, restaurants and a movie theatre as well as a charming park with a gazebo all centering around the Westwood train station running to the Hoboken Path. The main avenue appropriately named “Westwood Avenue” runs for two blocks with specialty shops, botiques & eateries lining both sides of the street. In addition the main roads that run from Westwood Avenue are Kinderkamack Road and Broadway, each with more specialty shops. This little town utilizes each of the intersecting streets of Center and Fairview to accomodate even more shops. Don’t worry - there is plenty of parking to be had for all as on street metered parking is supplemented by parking lots available along the side streets.

The busy commuter will appreciate the convenience of the strong transportation infrastructure the town of Westwood has to offer it’s residents. Conrail trains to Hoboken, NJ Transit bus service to Midtown New York City, Pascack Valley Rail line to Hoboken & Taxi Service is also available.    

While the town of Westwood is a bustling and trendy hub, it is also a community enriched with history and tradition. Town activities are centered around the Westwood Memorial Park and Gazebo located across from the Train Station at the corner of Broadway and Washington Avenues.    

Here residents can not only enjoy the park benches but in the warmer months the town offers free cocncerts in the Park as well. There are also activities throughout the borough that include something for everyone. There are ponds, pathways, wooded areas as well as tennis courts, basketball courts, bicycle paths and playgrounds sprinkled throughout the community.

If you are moving to Westwood New Jersey with children, the Westwood school system is top notch with five elementary schools and a Junior/Senior High School serving the residents of Westwood as well as the neighboring Washington Township community.

The Westwood Library is not only a place to seek quiet time to learn but it’s also, like so many of the structures in the town of Westwood, is a thing of architectural beauty.

The Library is located on Park Avenue and offers programs and groups certain to appeal to all ages.  

Looking for quiet time with nature? Westwood has beautiful and peaceful green parks with walking paths and fountains.

At day’s end when there just isn’t enough time to prepare a meal, Westwood Restaurants offer affordable dining where you can bring the entire family or enjoy a quiet meal for two.   

The town of Westwood offers Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Corps. for the community-minded individuals who want to get involved on this level of service.

At the corner of Westwood & Harrington Avenue and Kinderkamack Road (also known as the Five Corners) proudly stands a Fireman’s Memorial. This statue was dedicated to the past and present members of the Westwood Fire Department. At the center of town stands a Veteran’s Memorial devoted to those whose lives were lost in service to their country.     

Having grown up in the area, we both have fond memories of the town of Westwood New Jersey. Walking down the avenue is a special treat!

Moving to Westwood New Jersey? You are sure to find that “small town feel” combined with all the features that provide the sort of community that many wish to find when they seek to become “Home Owners”!

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 www.HammersTeam.com. We’ll help you if you’re Moving to Westwood New Jersey or any of the Pascack Valley towns in Bergen County New Jersey.

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

• Address • 50 Broadway • Hillsdale, NJ 07642 •

If you enjoyed this Blog Post, you may enjoy reading our other “Moving to” the other Pascack Valley Town posts.

Moving to Hillsdale New Jersey?

Moving to River Vale New Jersey?