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This newsletter is going to focus on our current market's selected transactions so you get a feel for the current market's tenor. The lifestyle and events section will be focused on all things fauna in honor of the long awaited spring.
In my last newsletter, I noted that the market had been delayed—and that pattern has largely held. So between winter weather (no one wants slush tracked through their home) and overlapping spring breaks for local and NYC schools, many sellers chose to wait to put their home on the market.
But while inventory paused, demand did not. Buyers have been building up — and when homes finally hit the market, they were met with strong competition, multiple offers, and solid sale prices. A few snapshots from the field:
Starter Homes
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5 Inness, Glen Ridge: 8 offers, sold for $1.355M
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42 Carolin: 14 offers - in contract
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30 Wellesley: 8 offers - in contract
Mid-Size Homes
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17 Mendl: 8 offers - in contract, capped below $1.6M
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26 Claridge Court: 6 offers - in contract, none exceeding $1.5M*
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138 Alexander: multiple offers, sold for $1.45M
Smaller but Highly Renovated
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40 Cross Street: 23 offers, in contract, rumored to land at $1.2M
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9 Windermere: Rd: 6 offers, closed at $1.45M
Notable Outlier
Luxury Market
Also very active. Early-season listings in Glen Ridge and Montclair saw 3–5 offers, with sales landing in the high $3M–$4M range.
What This Means...
For Buyers:
The market is competitive—and strategic positioning matters more than ever. Pricing alone won’t win; terms, preparation, and execution will.
Current pricing trends:
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Smaller homes (3-4 BR, 1.5 baths, often no CAC): ~$1.2M–$1.4M
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Mid-size homes (4–5BR, some updates): ~$1.4M–$1.7M
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Larger homes (5BR+, primary ensuite, CAC, some updates): ~$1.7M–low $2M
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For Sellers:
If you’re even considering your next move, this is your window. Demand is deep, and well-positioned homes are being rewarded. If you want to talk through timing, prep, or what your home could command in today’s market, I’m always happy to strategize.
*Claridges's initial deal fell apart and it went back on the market. Stay tuned for updates.
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Lifestyle Tips and Tricks
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Your Best 'Renovation' Might Be Outside
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Since we have a pause in the market, now is a good time to take a moment to discuss one of my favorite topics: Gardens! Landscaping is one of the simplest, most cost-effective ways to elevate a home’s value—and its day-to-day livability. Thoughtfully placed trees can create privacy, soften sightlines, and make a property feel worlds away from neighboring homes (a row of green giants for example). They also help mitigate rising temperatures, offering shade and cooling benefits as our climate warms.
Layer in seasonal color (azaleas or hydrangea are perfect) and suddenly the garden becomes an extension of the home—another “room” for living and entertaining. And with more plantings comes more life: birds, pollinators, and a healthier local ecosystem.
Best of all? Compared to most renovations, landscaping delivers strong impact at a lower cost—and without the headache of permits.
April is an ideal time to plant. Cooler temperatures and steady rain give trees and shrubs the chance to establish roots before summer heat sets in—setting you up for long-term success.
Here are some of my favorite and realiable flora for your yard:
Trees For Privacy
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Skip Laurel - Dense, shiny leaves provide year-round screening
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Spruce (many varieties) - Classic evergreens in shades of green
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Leyland Cypress - Fast-growing, full, ideal for privacy buffers
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Green Giant Arborvitae - A go-to for screening; grows very quickly and fills in beautifully
Trees For Spring & Summer Beauty
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Dogwood (Cornus kousa) - Soft pink, white, or cream blooms
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Cherry (weeping or upright) - Delicate pink or white blossoms
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Cornelian Cherry Dogwood (Cornus mas) - Among the earliest to bloom, with cheerful yellow flowers
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Magnolia (Southern & Northern) - Glossy evergreen leaves or deciduous varieties, both with striking blooms
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Crepe Myrtle - Summer color in pink, white, or red plumes
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Redbud - Early purple blooms, signature heart-shaped leaves
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Deodar Cedar - Graceful evergreen with soft, drooping branches in blue or gold tones
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Alaskan Cedar - Elegant, dark evergreen with relaxed, flowing form
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Trees For Fall Interest
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Sugar & Red Maple - Brilliant red foliage that defines autumn
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Japanese Maple - Sculptural & versatile, stunning fall color
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Ginkgo (male only) - Vivid yellow leaves; avoid female trees
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Viburnum (Korean, Mariesii) - Spring flowers followed by beautiful fall berries
Trees For Wildlife & Habitat
Long-living, canopy trees that support birds and local ecosystems:
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Oak.
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Tulip Tree
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Elm
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Maple
Bushes For Structure (Year-Round Green)
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Small Leaf Holly - Compact, dense, and deeply green
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Cherry Laurel (Otto Luyken) - Round form, Broad, glossy leaves
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Yew - Classic evergreen with red berries
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Globosa Blue Spruce - Rounded form with a striking blue hue
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Rhododendron - Full-bodied evergreen with seasonal blooms
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Ornamental Bushes For Seasonal Interest
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Camellia (winter) - Elegant blooms when little else is flowering
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Rhododendron (spring) - Bold leaves and vibrant flowers
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Azalea (spring) - A lighter, more delicate counterpart
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Hydrangeas (summer)
Bigleaf - Classic mopheads in blue, pink, white, or purple
Oakleaf - Cone-shaped blooms with dramatic foliage
Smooth - Large white blossoms
Panicle - Layered blooms in white to soft pink ombré
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Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus alba, sanguinea, Winter) - Color from striking red branches
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Winterberry - Bright red berries that carry through the winter months and support birdlife
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Lilac - Fragrant spring blooms in purple or white
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A must-see seasonal highlight. With more cherry blossom trees than Washington, D.C., this park transforms into a canopy of soft pink blooms—perfect for a stroll or picnic
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A local staple. Fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, and community vibes—your Saturday morning ritual, sorted
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Hosted by the Montclair History Center, this guided tour offers a fascinating look into local history through the stories of those who shaped the town.
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An intimate night with the indie rock favorite, bringing their signature blend of atmospheric sound and stripped-back emotion to Montclair. Expect the hits, a little nostalgia, and a crowd that knows every word.
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Vintage, makers, food vendors, and great energy. A well-curated market that feels equal parts treasure hunt and social outing.
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A lively cultural festival celebrating Arab heritage with music, food, shopping, and community.
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Spend a spring afternoon outdoors with family and friends at the beautiful Prudential Concert Grove. Enjoy paddle boating, hands-on crafts, face painting, a bouncy house, entertainment, and delicious offerings from local food vendors—all surrounded by blooming cherry blossom trees. This is a free event for all ages.
Click HERE for details.
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Earth Day Celebration & Music Festival
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Get ready for the Earth Day Celebration & Music Festival at Hoboken’s Monroe Center Plaza! This free annual event presented by The Hoboken Business Alliance brings the best of green living and local talent for a day packed with sustainable shopping, high-energy fitness, and incredible live tunes.
Click HERE for details.
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Local Happenings - In May
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This annual in-person plant sale is a fabulous community event every spring. Find the highest quality annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, hanging baskets and special items all chosen by our Van Vleck Horticulturalist. Members will enjoy first access to our Spring Plant Sale items on this evening and a 10% discount on all sale purchases.
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The Maplewood Garden Club’s 88th Annual Plant Sale returns May 8–10 at the Maplewood Community Pool—and it’s widely considered one of the best in the state. Members have spent months growing and curating a standout selection, including rare and hard-to-find plants—all offered at approachable prices. It’s their only annual fundraiser, supporting the Garden Club’s ongoing beautification efforts throughout the community.
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The official start of iris season—rows of vibrant blooms (in May/June) in one of the region’s most unique gardens. Join the following day for a festive afternoon in the gardens with live music and activities.
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As a town, we are so lucky to have a jewel box of a museum like the Montclair Art Museum. MAM’s Signature Spring fundraiser, is a celebration of art, design, and community. Join friends for an Artful Lunch or attend Art Gala in the evening. This year, the annual fundraiser is held in conjunction with Art in Bloom, a nationally celebrated exhibition where contemporary floral designers create fresh interpretations inspired by works on view throughout the Museum. A very special night to raise money for a special institution.
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4 BD 5 BA - UNDER CONTRACT
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3 BD 1.1 BA
UNDER CONTRACT
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Together for a Greener Future
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Earth Day is more than just a date on the calendar—it’s a reminder that the places we call home deserve our care. This year, I’m joining my colleagues across the country in Compass4Earth, a company-wide commitment to environmental stewardship.
Whether it’s through local cleanups or sustainable daily habits, the Compass community is working to make a powerful impact. I’d love for you to see what we’re up to! You can follow our journey at www.compass4earth.com or see our team in action on
Instagram @compass4earth.
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Thanks for reading and subscribing! Ready to achieve your next real estate goal?
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Meredith Bergmann
Lic. Sales Assoc.
Principal Agent
M: 917.355.4074
O: 973.310.7360
[email protected]
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113 Grove Street
Montclair NJ 07042
973.310.7360
compass.com
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Office: 973-310-7360
Compass RE is a licensed real estate broker. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.
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