The real estate market is a fluctuant being, ever-changing and evolving over time. It can be beneficial to review the state of the market to see whether or not local areas are appreciating in value. Many Realtors use monthly market reports to gauge the quality and quantity of homes on the market which can directly influence the sale of your property. This is a snapshot of the market during the month of June 2019 from a few towns in West Essex. These statistics include the purchase price, selling price, days-on-market, yearly trends and more. All of the information included was taken directly from the GSMLS.

CLICK THROUGH THE GALLERY TO VIEW ALL OF THE REPORTS BELOW

Hearth Realty Group is the #1 Independent Real Estate Agency in Verona, South Orange & Maplewood. We are a technology driven boutique real estate agency made up of experienced service-focused local experts who support our clients beyond the transaction. We strive to have a meaningful impact on the communities we serve through volunteer work and financial contributions to local charities. If you are interested in selling your home, feel free to make use of our Free Home Evaluation Tool. If you are looking to rent or buy a home in northern New Jersey, make sure to use our Homes for Sale Search Tool. To learn more about Hearth Realty Group, click here. 

Hearth Realty Group is a technology driven boutique real estate agency made up of the area’s top service-focused local experts. We strive to have a meaningful impact on the communities we serve through volunteer work and financial contributions to local charities. Learn more about what sets our agents apart with our weekly Q&A agent spotlights. Our first featured agent is a veteran of the the real estate industry in West Essex and 2015 Realtor of the Year, Kerry Metzger. 

Tell me a bit about yourself and your brand. Where did you grow up? What are your hobbies? How did you get into real estate? How long have you been an agent?

Kerry: I grew up in Montclair and have lived in Verona for 20 years. I was very involved with the Verona High School Band Parent Association and I was on the board of the baseball parent club. I am also on the board of directors for the West Essex Out of the Darkness Walk. I was also on the board of directors of the West Essex Board of Realtors.

I have been a realtor for 17 years and a broker/sales agent for 2 years. I originally worked for an independently owned Prudential office that later became a part of Prudential New Jersey Properties and then Berkshire Hathaway Home Services. I am excited to be working for an independent company again that is driven by customer service and commitment to the local community. 

I graduated from the School of Visual Arts in NYC and love using that experience in staging homes.  Before real estate I managed restaurants and had a baking business. The customer service skills and management experience has translated well into real estate. 

Are there any specific markets that you specialize in?

Kerry: I cover all of northern NJ and work with a wide spectrum of clients from first time home buyers to commercial investors, contractors and property management.

What makes your brand special or unique? More specifically, why should clients choose you for their real estate needs?

Kerry: My goal is to provide the best customer service possible to every client. I offer staging services and have a staff of movers and excellent relationships with all types of contractors whom I know and trust to assist with any needs. Being an independent company gives us the flexibility to create an experience that is specific to each client. 

Do you have any advice for first time home buyers?

Kerry: Determine what you are comfortable paying monthly for a mortgage while still being able to save and have some extra money for enjoyment and stick to that number. There is nothing worse than being stressed out about being able to make ends meet. 

Do you have any closing statements for the readers?

Kerry: Hearth Realty Group is a collaborative company, we support each other to be able to provide an exceptional experience for every client. We have pride in our work, our dedication to our communities and having a high professional standard.

Click here to get in contact with Kerry!

Hearth Realty Group is the #1 Independent Real Estate Agency in Verona, South Orange & Maplewood. If you are interested in selling your home, feel free to make use of our Free Home Evaluation Tool. If you are looking to rent or buy a home in northern New Jersey, make sure to use our Homes for Sale Search Tool. To learn more about Hearth Realty Group, click here. 

Saturday night concert-goers made their way to the Hearth Realty Group office at 460 Bloomfield Ave in Verona, a venue revealed to them only shortly before the show, to see live music from three local musicians. This event, hosted by real estate agent Marika Autrand, was organized by Sofar Sounds, an international platform that strives to bring the magic back to live music by facilitating secret gigs and intimate concerts in unique venues worldwide.

Marika first went to a Sofar Sounds show in Montclair in April, and loved the intimacy of seeing live music in a cozy space with a group of only fifteen to thirty other concert-goers, along with the mystery of a secret gig at a location only disclosed shortly before the event. (Sofar guests at first only see the town the show is in and get more details about the location as the concert approaches). Seeing Sofar Sounds as a kind of Air BnB for concerts connecting local musicians with local venues willing to host, Marika immediately knew she wanted to host a Sofar show and was excited to bring one to Verona. A large group gathered at the Hearth office for music from indie singer-songwriter and comedian Evie Joy, the duo Visen, and singer-songwriter Rory D’Lasnow. Guests enjoyed the talented musicians and relaxed vibe as well as being able to talk and joke around with the musicians and hear stories about the songs.

Check out Sofar Sounds Official Website and the artists Evie Joy, Visen, and Rory D’Lasnow!

Hearth Realty Group is the #1 Independent Real Estate Agency in Verona, South Orange & Maplewood. We are a technology driven boutique real estate agency made up of experienced service-focused local experts who support our clients beyond the transaction. We strive to have a meaningful impact on the communities we serve through volunteer work and financial contributions to local charities. If you are interested in selling your home, feel free to make use of our Free Home Evaluation Tool. If you are looking to rent or buy a home in northern New Jersey, make sure to use our Homes for Sale Search Tool. To learn more about Hearth Realty Group, click here. 

This 4th of July will mark the 3rd annual West Orange Food Truck Festival! In attendance will be some of the most delicious mobile eateries in the area such as…

• The Little Sicilian Food Truck: featuring the flavors of Palermo Italy’s world-renowned street food
• Carnivale Donut Bar: featuring their “Over The Top” Milkshakes with chocolate-coated rims and a warm donut on top
• The Guac Spot: featuring all sorts of decadent tacos, rice bowls and burritos
• Angry Archie’s: specializing in jumbo lump crab cakes and lobster rolls

…and much much more!

The full roster of food trucks can be found on the official Facebook event here. The festivities will be in full swing from 3pm – 9pm at the West Orange High School between the soccer and baseball fields. There will be plenty of parking and a great view of the fireworks that evening. So come celebrate the 4th of July with good friends, great food and the wonderful community of West Orange!

Hearth Realty Group is the #1 Independent Real Estate Agency in Verona, South Orange & Maplewood. We are a technology driven boutique real estate agency made up of experienced service-focused local experts who support our clients beyond the transaction. We strive to have a meaningful impact on the communities we serve through volunteer work and financial contributions to local charities. If you are interested in selling your home, feel free to make use of our Free Home Evaluation Tool. If you are looking to rent or buy a home in northern New Jersey, make sure to use our Homes for Sale Search Tool. To learn more about Hearth Realty Group, click here.

The Township of South Orange Village, or South Orange for short, traces its history back to colonial America in the mid-1600s. Settlers traveling from Connecticut landed on the shores of the Passaic River and purchased the land known today as Newark from the Lenni Lenape Indians. After about a decade, the settlers decided to expand their territory and purchased a new swath of land just west of Newark which encompassed all of the Oranges as well as many other modern-day townships. Having been settled since before the Revolutionary War, this land has seen the birth of America first hand and actively played its part by creating the first primitive roadways in the early 1700’s. These roadways would eventually be used regularly by George Washington and his troops during the American Revolution. These roadways are now modern-day thoroughfares such as South Orange Avenue, Main Street and Ridgewood Road. South Orange would be officially incorporated as its own township in 1869.

Modern day South Orange is just as vital to Northern New Jersey as it was in the colonial era. Many people flock to this area of New Jersey because of its rich history, charm and proximity to major cities such as Newark or New York City. It is common for many people who work in the city to commute home to the suburbs, this makes towns along the train line such as South Orange and Maplewood highly sought after. Many homes for sale in South Orange are so close to public transportation that you can walk to or from the stations within minutes! South Orange is also the home of Seton Hall University which was established in 1856 and is one of the most prestigious schools in the state. Seton Hall helps to give South Orange a fun college town appeal with great bars and venues to visit year-round.

The public-school system in South Orange has programs for children of all ages from preschool through high school. Many of the educational facilities are shared with the neighboring township of Maplewood where the shared high school, Columbia, is located. Columbia has been ranked the #6 best college-prep high school in Essex County with bountiful extracurricular activities and AP courses available for all students.

South Orange is also widely known for its appreciation and commitment to furthering the arts. The town has its own performing arts center, SOPAC, which features plays, musicals, poetry and live music events year-round. The South Orange Village Center also hosts live music in the downtown area during the summer months that features a plethora of local artists from across the state. Many urbanites moving from Brooklyn or Manhattan tend to settle in South Orange because of its connection to the arts and it’s safe neighborhoods which also give you quick access to the city and all of the entertainment options available there. If you are looking to move to a fun, charming and comfortable new neighborhood, South Orange is definitely a place to check out! You can view homes for sale in South Orange here.

Hearth Realty Group is the #1 Independent Real Estate Agency in Verona, South Orange & Maplewood. We are a technology driven boutique real estate agency made up of experienced service-focused local experts who support our clients beyond the transaction. We strive to have a meaningful impact on the communities we serve through volunteer work and financial contributions to local charities. If you are interested in selling your home, feel free to make use of our Free Home Evaluation Tool. If you are looking to rent or buy a home in northern New Jersey, make sure to use our Homes for Sale Search Tool. To learn more about Hearth Realty Group, click here.