Chatham, NJ

Here are the numbers showing activity, for listings and sales of real estate in Chatham Borough comparing the months of March 2008 vs 2009.

This is showing what we all know has been true ... home prices in New Jersey had become too high for first time buyers to make their move toward home-ownership - in fact between 2000 and 2005 incomes in NJ rose 16% while home prices rose 86%. Although home prices in Chatham have held much better than most of NJ and the nation, there has been an adjustment that probably will continue through 2009. This can be seen in the number of sales - only 2 in 2009 vs 5 in 2008. And, we currently have 68 active listings vs 61 last year. The good news is that we are matched up with last year with under contracts. Now, if they all close, we'll be in good shape!

1. For more information about Chatham real estate and to search Chatham area homes for sale, as well as Madison homes, Summit real estate, Chatham condos, and Convent Station townhouses, please contact Trish Giassa at 201-960-2090 or email Trish@BestNJhomes.com
   

Chatham, although often viewed as one town, is actually two separate and distinct towns: Chatham Township and Chatham Borough. The Township features single family homes on larger lots and several townhome and condo developments, while the Borough is closer to the downtown area with beautiful older homes, specialty shops, and restaurants. In 2005, Chatham Borough was recognized by Money Magazine as the 9th-ranked of the "Best Places to Live" in the United States. To learn more about Chatham Township and Chatham Borough visit www.MorrisCountyLiving.com

Chatham Township and Chatham Borough, New Jersery

By Robin Benjamin, Sue Adler Team

When I moved to Chatham last year from Short Hills, it felt like I was moving to another country, yet it is only one town over! I was used to Millburn Ave, not Main Street! and I swear the leaves on the trees were a duller shade of green. After 25 years of living in Short Hills, I was "a woman without a neighborhood," homesick and lost.

What I've come to learn, is that the Summit, Chatham and the Short Hills areas are more closely connected than I ever realized. It just took a personal move to find out.

Why the change in attitude?

Recently I had opportunities to dine at two local Chatham restaurants; Gregorio's and Scalini Fedeli. Both are on Main St, within walking distance to everything in town, a convenience I love.

Gregorio's can get really busy, so be sure to get a reservation and bring your own wine which I always consider a plus. A few other local hot spots on Main Street and not to be missed; Seranade , fine dining to perfection. A Taste of Asia is Malaysian cuisine. For those who don't know what that is, it's a mix of Chinese and Thai food. Yum! Chatham of course has a Japanese restaurant. Mitsuba . I've been to my fair share of sushi places. This might be one my favorites of all times!

To see rest of this entry, visit: http://njexperts.com/2009/01/22/im-still-home-on-main-street-in-chatham/

Recently I read a book by Laurie Moore-Moore, founder of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. A very smart lady and a very insightful book! In it, she suggested looking at sales during a certain period (in this case I'm going to choose 2008) to see how many "real buyers" were in the market and which price ranges performed better or worse than others. So, here is this report for homes and condos sold in Chatham Township, New Jersey in 2008. This information is garnered from the Garden State Multiple Listing Service and is deemed to be accurate but not guaranteed.

Let me know what you think. Let me know if you have other information that you think would be helpful to see in these reports. I look at this data right side up, upside down and sideways over and over again. Sometimes the obvious is not easy to see. I welcome your questions and feedback so I can also learn from this process.

For more information about recent sales and real estate Chatham Township or Chatham Borough or homes for sale in Summit, New Jersey, please contact me via cell or text at 201-960-2090, or email Trish@BestNJhomes.com. My website provides links and descriptions and photos of Summit, Short Hills, Chatham, Madison and other communties in New Jersey. Please visit.

At the beginning of every year I go into our Garden State MLS system to run some analysis of what has actually and really happened in our markets in the past year. I always find it illuminating to see the final figures, since I also hear the news and certainly know that the real estate market is not what is once was. However, there is one truth to real estate that continues to hold true. Actually, three ... location, location, location. Sutton Woods in Chatham Township, NJ is a beautiful condo community that is ideally located at the edge of Chatham Twp, NJ and very close to downtown Summit, NJ. A vital town center with interesting and yummy eateries, a first class hospital center, and a Midtown Direct NJ Transit train to New York City, among many other fantastic features. Visit www.SuttonWoodsChatham for more information about Sutton Woods. So, at Sutton Woods we have actually seen days on market decline and both average and median prices increase! Go figure! :) This is a community I have sold many homes in and know quite intimately.

If you are considering buying or selling in Sutton Woods, call me to get you top dollar. If you are interested in real estate and homes in Summit, Short Hills, Chatham, Madison and the surrounding areas, we can help you maximize your situation.

Come back to this blog for updates on more communities in Chatham, Madison, Morristown, Short Hils, Millburn and Summit. 201-960-2090. Trish@BestNJhomes.com