Pascack Valley NJ Real Estate : January 2008

Moving to River Vale New Jersey?  If you're moving to River Vale New Jersey, there are many things we think you'll be pleased to learn.  The town of River Vale in Bergen County New Jersey has a population of under 10,000 residents and is known as the "Garden Spot" of the Pascack Valley.  The green lawns are plenty and if Golf is your pleasure, well River Vale has some of the best Courses with three to chose from!

The two main roads in the town are River Vale Road and Westwood Avenue and they intersect to form the sleepy town center known as the "Four Corners".  River Vale was recently named by Money Magazine as number 29 on their list of the top 100 towns to live in America.  Looking for a town that has everything a family could want? Money Magazine awarded River Vale three A+ marks in the categories of Ease of Living, Leisure/Arts and Safety.

This tiny town is rich in history and big on community feel.  Some things you'd like to know about the town are the organizations such as Residents for a better River Vale, a civic organization that, through fund raising, offers the community additional social and economic support.  Events are available to residents like a Farmers Market, Holiday Breakfast with Santa, Back to School with Dignity, Kids Care Finger Printing, Pet Care and a Senior Dinner.   Other such events like an annual Garage Sale is dedicated to helping neighbors. This event gives neighbors a chance to meet and spend time together.  The non-profit organization has volunteers that give their time to help others who may need assistance.  River Vale doesn't leave any of it's residents out and even has a Senior Friendship Club.

The beautifully renovated public River Vale Library, is located on River Vale Road and offers residents a truly special place to go and learn.  A Memorial  Ball Field and Ampitheater which hosts movies under the stars in the summer is just some of what goes on nearby on River Vale Road.  Summertime fun for everyone with Concerts and movies as well as Ball Games!                                               

A lovely Veteran's Memorial Park was constructed for residents to reflect and pay tribute and honor the men and woman from River Vale who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States.   

Plenty of outdoor sports and fun for all is available close to home. The town center business district offers convenient shops and eateries as well as a brand new Bank.       

The River Vale Schools are dedicated to setting high standards of education.  Two elementary schools (K-5)accommodate children on the north and south ends of town with a middle school (6-8) located in the middle of town.  While River Vale students join Hillsdale students to attend the highly rated Pascack Valley High School NJ in Hillsdale. 
The Holdrum Middle School as well as Roberge elementary were both recently beautifully renovated.                               

For the commuter the Rockland Buses, NJ Transit Lines and neighboring Westwood Train Station with the Pascack Valley Train Line offer opportunities for travel to NYC.

Downtown River Vale has undergone a revitalization with their 100 year celebration when they dedicated the town clock located at the Four Corners in 2006'.

When driving through the town of River Vale, you'll get a sense that the residents really care about their little community!  And they really do!

 Moving to River Vale New Jersey?  Call your Pascack Valley experts, Lisa & Bob Hammerstein at (201)218-6802 or visit us on our website at www.HammersTeam.com.  We'll be happy to answer any questions if you're Moving to River Vale New Jersey or any of the Pascack Valley towns in Bergen County New Jersey.

We want to thank Bob Carney for Meming us. Did I spell that word right? Can we spell check it? What exactly does that word Meme mean? lol

So from one Bob to another Bob here goes.

We have been so busy lately that it has been a challenge to keep up in the A/R community as much as we would like to. Changesare a coming for the HammersTeam in the immediate future. Keep an eye on us for a big change.

We love movies just like our friend Bob Carney and are currently getting flix from Netflix. This is so much more convenient for those of you who love movies. Get 3 at a time and no time limit to get them back, postage paid, and a great selection. We think they are great! 

Getting back to our 8 random things, I love to read even though Lisa doesn't and a book that we have had on our bookshelf for quite a while now has been this book  I try to refer to it on a regular basis - very techno geeky book that I think works well for a newbie to learn this stuff.  Could be helpful for Active Rainers or anyone like me who likes to read.


Now for a history lesson about us. Lisa and I met in High School in Pascack Valley High School in Hillsdale NJ. I attempted to go out with her back then but apparently she wasn't interested at the time. Go figure! 


After High School, I went onto playing in numerous bands all over the Metro area. Lisa moved out of the area a few years after High School so we didn't see each other for those years.

I had been playing in a band that was starting to take off so I was busy with that. Meanwhile, Lisa returned to the area and ran into a mutual old friend of ours. He was also a member of the band I happened to be playing in at that time. He invited her to a gig we were playing in Hoboken NJ. When we saw each other this time it was Love at first sight!

Some months later the following video shows our story of what happened at the grand opening for the Paramount Theatre at Madison Square Garden in NYC. I just want to point out that this was in front of over 6000 people and I was extremely nervous.We were opening for Blood Sweat and Tears. Pay close attention to the words of the song - it's pretty scary how fitting it is and that wasn't planned.  I have been an avid novice videographer for most of my life and like to video tape important events so I asked Lisa to videotape our show. She was operating the video camera up on the catwalk of the theatre because I knew that would be the best viewpoint for what was to come. Aren't I clever - tee, hee, hee.... Luckily the stage hands let her go way up there. Did I mention that she's scared to death of heights! Guess it must have been love - ha ha ha! If you listen closely you can hear one of the stage hands congratulating her after the applause. When the show ended, I actually got on one knee and formerly proposed to her back stage with a ring that I had spent the day in NYC purchasing for the occasion. 

The rest, as they say, is History! 

We hope you enjoy this old vid from our past and would love to see your comments on this post. Sorry if these 8 random things falls short of the exact number but we hope this video will make up for that! P.S. - We're going on 17 years of being happily married!

 We'd like to invite:

Lori Lincoln from Taunto, MA

Cait Donohue from St. Louis 

Chris Frantz from Brooksville, Florida

Good luck guys and hope you enjoy this fun exercise!

Moving to Hillsdale New Jersey?  We just Sold a Hillsdale Home to a family and they were quite excited about the prospect of moving into their new Hillsdale residence.  When a Buyer purchases a home in an area they are not familiar with, there are many things to consider.  The following are some important considerations when re-locating to a new area like the quaint Norman Rockwell-like town of Hillsdale New Jersey.

• Commuters may be concerned about public transportation.  In the center of the town of Hillsdale, commuters will be happy to find the Pascack Valley Train Line as well as New Jersey Transit Buses on Broadway in Westwood and neighboring Rockland County Coach Buses to The Port Authority Bus Terminal and George Washington Bridge Bus Station in New York City.  Should you arrive at the train early, you can pop into either the Starbucks on Broadway for a cup of their famous Joe or Ronnie's Hot Bagels for a tasty bite to start your day off right!

A New Hillsdale Homeowner with pre-school age children will want to consider the availability of Day Care.  Loving Touch Nursery School located at 365 Broadway across the street from the Shop Rite in Hillsdale offers many programs for pre-school children.  Call (201)722-8500 to schedule a visit to the facility.  Or a private school at 460 Hillsdale Avenue in Hillsdale - St. John's Academy offers Pre-K through 8th grade classes.  Call them at (201)664-6364 for information.

The Hillsdale Schools are highly rated with three elementary schools and the top rated Pascack Valley High School NJ which recently completed renovations bringing the school benefits to new heights!  Yes, our alma mater never looked this good!

The borough has a bustling downtown Hillsdale Business District and a Hillsdale Homeowner will be delighted to find the many conveniences offered close to their new home.  Hillsdale homeowners will find a super Shop Rite on Broadway or the specialty King's market in the plaza on Hillsdale Avenue in the center of town.  And yes, there's even a 7-11 on Hillsdale Avenue that we remember from back in our own school days!

The town of Hillsdale offers park benches at the town center where the Hillsdale Veteran's Memorial Park resides and hosts events such as the Sun Dial Garden Club plant sale.  On Memorial Day 07' the Hillsdale Historic Preservation Committee invited residents for an open house to see a bit of old Hillsdale at the Hillsdale Historic Victorian Train Station.   If you want to really enjoy some fun, it's a short ride or walk to the Hillsdale Beechwood Park.  Here Hillsdale homeowners will find a great gathering place for the entire family.  In the Summer the town hosts events at the Beechwood Park on Hillsdale Avenue such as Baseball under the Lights and a Summer Concert series in July - bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the live entertainment under the stars.  Hillsdale Town Day in September is chocked full of fun for the family with Hot Dogs, Pony Rides and live music. 

When evening falls and the adult community comes out to kick back and relax, there's a Hillsdale Nightlife with Restaurants like the popular and nostalgic Cornerstone located on Broadway directly across from the Hillsdale Train Station.  You'll feel like you just took a giant step back in time to an old English style pub from the turn of the century.  A fun feature is the flashing traffic lights that go off each time a train goes through the Hillsdale Train station. 

Although the evening atmosphere appeals to adults, families are welcome here as well.  The atmosphere is fun and the eats are mm.... mm....good!

If you're moving to the town of Hillsdale New Jersey you'll soon find the town has something to offer everyone.  Recreation is abundant and available throughout the community with sports, fitness and there's even a popular Senior's Club for the 50 plus who like to go on trips, have luncheons and just enjoy life!  One of the more popular family functions offered is the Hillsdale Stonybrook Swim Club with resident membership rates. 

The Swim Club offers Olympic sized pool as well as kiddie pool, snack bar, showers, clubhouse, playground, swim activities and lessons too!  For the book enthusiast, the Hillsdale Public Library was recently renovated and is a great place to just go and enjoy some quiet time.     Currently celebrating their 110th anniversary with a community project based on collecting memories in the form of stories and pictures.  Once they have collected enough, memories will be shared on the Library website and a permanent hardcover book will be published.

So if you or someone you know is planning a Movein 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 Hillsdale New Jersey or any of the Pascack Valley towns in Bergen County New Jersey.

Most people will agree that a home purchase or sale is one of the biggest and most important transactions a person will experience in their lives.  Whether you are a First Time Home Buyer or a Home Seller getting ready to jump into the world of real estate, you should read these Tips to follow when Choosing the Right Realtor® for You:

1. Just as every home is different, every person has ideas of what they consider to be important aspects about the professional they chose.  First, sit down and make up your own list of things you think are important.  Even if this is the first time you are buying or selling real estate, remember your needs are what is most important. 

2. It's a good rule of thumb to talk to three different people.  This rule is recommended when getting estimates for other services with much less importance or cost.  Why not Buying or Selling Real Estate?  It's important to follow through with all three professionals.  Just because one person seemed to have everything you thought was important, you will never know.  The next person may just be the "right choice" after all.  Being hasty on this step may not be in your best interest so take the extra time to follow through.

3. The company you decide on may be less important than the professional you chose.  There are many different real estate models in the industry but the person you chose should be the one you will interact with most closely.  You'll want to ask the agent if they answer to anyone else in their organization. Chosing someone you think you will enjoy working with may be most important to you.  After interviewing each agent ask yourself, "Does this person seem trustworthy and likable"? 

4. How important is it to get an agent with the most listings and most sales?  Only you can answer this question.  Will an agent with many listings be available to you?  You may subscribe to the idea that having an agent with several sales under their belt is better than a newer agent or one who limits their number of transactions to give you the best service possible.  You may feel that agents who are new to the business may have more energy to bring to the table.  Or a more seasoned agent with experience may fit your needs best.

5. How important are designations and awards to you?  If they are important to you then that may be the agent for you.  However, those awards are likely more important to your agent.  Is the agent you are interviewing boasting about themselves and their awards more than telling you how they are going to service your needs?  Only you can decide which is more important to you.

6. Ask each agent for how they intend to work for you.  Other than compatibility, this may be the most important thing to consider.   Each agent should be able to list everything they plan on doing to either get you the home of your dreams or get your home sold as quickly and for the most money possible.  When acquiring estimates from other types of professionals most people ask for it in writing. 

7. You should be able to get a sense for how knowledgeable an agent is about your area.  Ask the agent how well acquainted they are with their market area.   

8. Lastly, after interviewing three professionals, make comparisons and base your decision on the points that are most important to you.   You'll most definitely want to chose an agent that you think will make servicing your needs their number one priority!

We hope you enjoyed these Tips To Follow when Choosing the Right Realtor® for you!

If you are thinking of Buying or Selling a Home in the Pascack Valley area of Bergen County New Jersey, call Bob & Lisa at (201)218-6802or visit us online at www.HammersTeam.com.  Or click on the buttons below for more free real estate tips and information. 

If you enjoyed this Blog, click on the button to Subscribe to our Blogs.

We are family was a song done by Sister Sledge in the 80's.   I connect life events with music which is something that I've done as long back as I can remember.  This week we have welcomed in another new year with the start to 2008'.  We've read many posts here on Active Rain as well as through other social networks.  Connecting through social networking has catapulted us into a new age in a way that many of us never dreamed imaginable in our life times. 

This past year has been such a myriad of events in the world and it promises to be a year filled with more of things both exciting and unknown for 2008'.  This week alone the Active Rain network was able to be part of an unimaginable family reunion with Jay McGillicuddy finding his birth mother after a lifetime of not knowing her.  This was a story that was right out of a fairytale novel.  It was so touching as told from the heart of his beautiful wife and fellow Rainer, Monika McGillicuddy.  For those of you who haven't read this story, you must take a moment to read it.  You'll be amazed - I know we were.

We saw many of our Active Rain friends in California go through frightening wildfires that put many out of their homes in 2007'.  Now they are being threatened by other possible natural disasters with the torrential storms on the West Coast.  The outpouring of e-mails and posts last year set off a chain reaction of caring that stretched from one side of the Country to the other.  We're wishing our West Coast friends hope and well being for the future.

Just in time for the New Year, Rich Jacobson shared with us a bit of his family joy with a sweet proposal by his son to his fiance.   Now that's what I call romantic!  Thanks for sharing that with us Rich!

Teresa Boardman posed the question of how are real friends different from social networking friends when through her social networking she was able to locate a set of lost keys.  She aptly named her post "Friends".

Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman shared her story of hope and how she learned to make plans for dealing with life's curve-balls in her Business Plan for 2008'.  Here's wishing you all good things in 08' Sally!

Then this morning I read a post by one of our good friends here in the Rain, Brad Andersohn.  His story touched my heart so deeply because it was a story of overcoming life's challenges as a family.  That's when I had my musical moment - We "Are" family here and when we connect through social networking.   We ask that you all send Brad and his family your prayers and good wishes.

By connecting through social networks, we are sharing more than professional tips and advice, we are sharing all of life's up's and downs with each other.  It's just like We Are Family!  We all need each other and through social networking we are finding out that we are not alone!

The Pascack Valley Market -  Washington Township Sales Activity Report - December 07' shows the Sales Activity of Single Family Homes for the month of December 2007 in the chart below.

The Pascack Valley Holiday Season 2007' is drawing to a close.  The decorations and lights will linger for a short while longer as we set our sights to the New Year and dream of Spring.  Welcome 2008'!

There are currently 41 Actively Listed homes in the town of Washington Township with an average List Price of $676,756.

Compare the previous month's activity for the Pascack Valley town of Washington Township by clicking on the following link:

 November 07'  Washington Township  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 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

THE PASCACK VALLEY FALL SHOW

Pascack Valley 2007' Home Sales Report Year In Review

The Pascack Valley Market -  Woodcliff Lake Sales Activity Report - December 07' shows the Sales Activity of Single Family Homes for the month of December 2007 in the chart below.

The Pascack Valley Holiday Season 2007' is drawing to a close.  The decorations and lights will linger for a short while longer as we set our sights to the New Year and dream of Spring.  Welcome 2008'!

There are currently 26 Actively Listed homes in the town of Woodcliff Lake with an average List Price of $1,079,551.

Compare the previous month's activity for the Pascack Valley town of Woodcliff Lake by clicking on the following link:

 November 07'  Woodcliff Lake  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 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

THE PASCACK VALLEY FALL SHOW

Pascack Valley 2007' Home Sales Report Year In Review

The Pascack Valley Market -  Montvale Sales Activity Report - December 07' shows the Sales Activity of Single Family Homes for the month of December 2007 in the chart below.

The Pascack Valley Holiday Season 2007' is drawing to a close.  The decorations and lights will linger for a short while longer as we set our sights to the New Year and dream of Spring.  Welcome 2008'!

Montvale Real Estate Market Activity: 

There are currently 30 Actively Listed homes in the town of Montvale with an average List Price of $880,195.

Compare the previous month's activity for the Pascack Valley town of Montvale by clicking on the following link:

 November 07'  Montvale  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 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

THE PASCACK VALLEY FALL SHOW

Pascack Valley 2007' Home Sales Report Year In Review

The Pascack Valley Market -  Park Ridge Sales Activity Report - December 07' shows the Sales Activity of Single Family Homes for the month of December 2007 in the chart below.

The Pascack Valley Holiday Season 2007' is drawing to a close.  The decorations and lights will linger for a short while longer as we set our sights to the New Year and dream of Spring.  Welcome 2008'!

Park Ridge Real Estate Market Activity: 

There are currently 31 Actively Listed homes in the town of Park Ridge with an average List Price of $662,368.

Compare the previous month's activity for the Pascack Valley town of Park Ridge by clicking on the following link:

 November 07'  Park Ridge  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 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

THE PASCACK VALLEY FALL SHOW

Pascack Valley 2007' Home Sales Report Year In Review