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February 2010 – week 1 Issue
Home Buyers in Bergen Protected
Power Blackout in Bergen County
Hudson River Contaminated
Luxury Homes in Englewood
Luxury Condo Plan in Edgewater Not Approved
Home Buyers in Bergen Protected
Home buyers in Bergen County are now protected by a new regulation. Many Bergen County homes have to be inspected by officials and given a Certificate of Continuing Occupancy (CCO). This certificate is mandatory now before home sellers complete the sale of their homes. Just before a sale is complete, a town official comes to check if anything needs to be addressed. The criteria for inspection vary from town to town, and some towns do not require the CCO, such as Mahwah. New Jersey law mandates a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, carbon monoxide detectors outside homes and smoke detectors on each floor. Rutherford’s CCO mandates hand wired smoke detectors; Englewood‘s allows battery operated smoke detectors; and Ridgewood checks only for fire extinguishers and detectors as required by the state. Other safety factors for which officials often check are cracks in sidewalks, visibility of the house number, rails in staircases, rainwater discharge pipes and front door locks. Each town charges fees ranging fro $20 to $100 for such an inspection, depending upon the number of inspectors needed. Some towns also offer a detailed checklist of what all the inspectors will look into, before sending dispatching an officer. Real estate experts do not anticipate a major disruption to home sales by the new regulations.
Power Blackout in Bergen County
Residents of Bergen County towns were left without power recently due to equipment failures in the region. People living in Cliffside Park and other towns in North Bergen and West New York faced power outages after equipment in the power substations broke down. The power outages also caused disruption in traffic, as traffic lights went dark and commuters were left in a state of confusion. Major traffic delays were worst in the area of Tonnelle Avenue, near the PSE&G substation site. The Palisades Medical Center was also affected by the blackout. It drew power from ready generators for part of the afternoon, however. The cause of the power disruption has not yet been determined.
Owners of real estate in Alpine may now have new reason for concern. According to a federal report released last month, the water in the Hudson River is more contaminated than previously thought. High PCB contamination has been found in the water, and experts state that this makes the river much more contaminated than they thought. The PCB contamination began with General Electric’s two capacitor plants releasing the chemical, a lubricant for machine parts. Removal of a portion of a decaying dam near the plant caused the chemical waste to flow into the river. Known for its carcinogenic properties, PCB is harmful and environmental experts say that something needs to be done immediately. A massive removal project of contaminated river mud is already underway, but in light of new developments, it will now have to be revised.
While the market continues its ups and downs, new luxury home projects continue to be developed in various parts of Bergen County. One example of desirable Englewood homes is the Towne Centre, which is attracting attention as a prestigious address. Located along W. Palisade Avenue, the residential complex is in close proximity to Manhattan, the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway. Apartments in the Englewood real estate complex come equipped with high end appliances and also have spacious rooms and playrooms for children. The building also features a gym, a club house and a multipurpose room for small parties or formal meetings. The classy apartment complex is also at the heart of a great neighborhood and is surrounded by art galleries, designer boutiques and high end restaurants. Towne Centre is also an ideal location for families with children due to Englewood’s strong education system. Anyone interested in Towne Centre may contact the leasing office at 1-800-860-4406.
Luxury Condo Plan in Edgewater Not Approved
An application for a luxury condominium building in Edgewater was rejected by the borough’s Board of Adjustment because it did not meet the required standards. The construction was proposed to face River Road and Route 5, and approval was sought for a ten-unit building nine stories tall. It also asked for nine variances from the borough code, which included a taller building than permitted and the removal of a portion of a cliff from behind. Four members supported the plan and three opposed it, but for variances to be approved, five of the seven votes must be cast in favor of the project. The project was proposed by SGS Development and was opposed by Edge Hill Condominium Association, an immediate neighbor to the property, which said that the construction would obstruct views from its apartments. Members of the association also added that the proposed construction was too close to their property.
Buy a Home in Bergen County
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- When Selling a Home
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Find out more about Bergen County homes available for sale. Anat Eisenberg can help you find your dream real estate property. Anat is no ordinary real estate agent. In short, she is professional, honest and dedicated. Call: 201-341-4765 or email here.