All it takes is a little thing like Verona High School being named the only town-specific public high school in New Jersey to have a perfect graduation rate and everybody wants to live in Verona.
Irony aside, the New Jersey Department of Education’s new report on last year’s graduation rates (and our highly read story on it) is likely to make the tight Verona real estate market even tighter. The supply shortage doesn’t get much help this weekend, with just three new listings, at least one of which will take work to be as perfect as our high school.
If you are looking for alternatives, there’s an opportunity for ground-up construction for somebody with deep pockets. The 4.3-acre tract at 26 Crestmont Road is back on the market, and for considerably less than its initial listing last February at $1.6 million. The parcel can be subdivided into four lots and the listing says that an additional 4-acre property with New York views is available.
Speaking of considerably less, there are also changes to the price of a Victorian mansion overlooking Montclair and to the diner property at the entrance to Verona Park. Formerly home to Lucy’s Diner and Lisboa BBQ, 467 Bloomfield Avenue was listed in May 2014 at $369,000, but last July, after interior renovations and parking lot repaving it came back on the market at $499,000. That price was later dropped to $399,000 and this weekend it has come down another $30,000. Potential restaurateurs should keep in mind that two small buildings with 20 one- and two-bedroom apartments are going up almost immediately to the east of the diner.
As for the Victorian, 10 Overlook Park, which has six bedrooms and almost as many bathrooms on a 1.1 acre lot, was listed last July at $1,549,000. It is now listed with Halstead Property at $1,299,000.
And as for that big football thing this weekend, we’ll just say “Go Team”.
New Listings
47 Martin Road: 2 beds, 1 bath. Needs renovation. $204,900.
276 Linden Avenue: 3 beds, 1 1/2 baths. Partially finished basement. Close to Verona High School. $289,899.
2 Claridge Drive Apt. 11LE: 2 bed, 2 bath condo in full-service high-rise building. Walk-in closet in master. $525,000.
Open Houses
39 Wedgewood Drive #114: 1 bed, 1 bath condo. Second floor unit, sunny kitchen. $173,250. Open house Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.
22 Elmwood Road: 3 beds, 1 1/2 baths by Everett Field. Kitchen opens to deck. $399,900. Open house Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
213 Fairview Avenue: 3 beds, 2 1/2 baths. In-ground pool, deep yard. $418,500. Open house Sunday 2 to 4 p.m.
80 Cumberland Avenue: 3 beds, 1 2/2 baths. Updated. $460,000. Open house Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
12 Cliff Street: 4 beds, 2 1/2 baths. Renovated kitchen, family room addition. $535,000. Open house Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
14 Wayland Drive: 3 beds, 2 baths. Updated kitchen, 1st floor bath with spa tub. Cut $14,000 to $585,000. Open house Sunday 2 to 4 p.m.
Price Changes
467 Bloomfield Avenue: Former diner by Verona Park, with hot dog stand and ice cream service. Cut $30,000 to $369,000.
14 Wayland Drive: 3 beds, 2 baths. Updated kitchen, 1st floor bath with spa tub. Cut $14,000 to $585,000. Open house Sunday 2 to 4 p.m.
95 Fairway Avenue: 5 beds, 3 1/2 baths. Open kitchen with library gallery. Cut $30,000 to $769,000.
