James R. Matarazzo Jr.’s Blog

Nestled in a prime park-like setting, this gorgeous and meticulous Cedar Model interior townhouse unit features upscale living.   Move right in, just like new.  The dwelling has many builder upgrades.  These upgrades include: first floor wood floors, cathedral ceiling in living room, an extended loft located on second floor, extra insulation in the front two bedrooms, telephone/computer hookups in many rooms and large Pella windows to provide a picturesque view of the backyard forest.  Be a part of Roseland Green. Suburban living at its finest.  Price $595,000, 2010 Taxes $10,474, Monthly Fee $295

Visit:  http://www.19PacioCourt.com or call James R. Matarazzo Jr., Broker-Salesperson, 973-885-2190 for an appointment.

http://www.northsevenstudio.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/north7card_invite1.jpg

North 7 Studio is a full service photography space offering a range of photographic sytles from high production conceptual, product and architectural to portraiture and fine art photography.

The shooting space consists of 285 square feet with 13 foot ceilings and 300 square feet office/prep space.  Hourly and daily studio rental.  Workshops, lectures, digital retouching, printing, graphic and book design.  The Studio was formed by Claire Rosen and Andrew Hanenberg.

http://www.North7Studio.com, 7 North Willow Street, Space 8D, Montclair, New Jersey 07042

Opening North 7 Studio launch party on January 7, 2010 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

With just shy of 50,000 people, the Township of Montclair’s retail is seeing a devestating affect on its community with more projected retail stores planning to close up shop, due to ecomonic times, excellerating tax rates and higher rents.  What people don’t understand is when a township raises your taxes significantly every year it takes money off the street, and retail suffers.  Take a one bedroom condo in Montclair, over the last four years many of them have gone up in taxes $350 to $500 a year.  It’s shameful many local town governments can’t manage their expenses and continue to spend at residents expense. With escalating taxes, money is taken off the street and retail suffers as a result.  Growing up in a retail business and being a local realtor that’s a recipe for disaster for retail and the community. I decided to investigate as to what type of retail will survive in the local area.  Many retailers are three to four months+ in the red with their bills.  For over six months I’ve seen empty streets during lunch hours and weekends, shoppers without shopping bags, and empty coffee shops in Downtown Montclair, Church Street Shopping District and Upper Montclair.  When a community loses its retail business, there is a correlation with a decline of property values.  Montclair Farmer’s market has seen a significant decline, in attendance, volume and sales over the last four years.  It appears that fast food chains of burger places are the next wave of profitable retail venues and are replacing the nail salons, bars, and coffee houses.  Montclair has three new types of burger outlets: Elevation Burger-which uses natural ingrediants, Smash Burger-angus burger as it’s meat,  and soon 5 Guys Burger.  I decided to see just how successful Smash Burger could be as a franchise.  My last seven drive-bys, showed full parking lots, tables spoken for, and lines at the cash register.  Apparently, fast food is making a hugh comeback, especially in Montclair, New Jersey.   The New Jersey Smash Burger is a big hit, www.smashburger.com   Fast Food is the new trend in Montclair and may be a savor to Montclair’s retail district and its community.

Wonderful Mid-Century Contemporary Ranch with privacy of park-like grounds and rustic lodge feeling.  This house features a huge living/dining room combo with vaulted ceiling, pecky cypress walls, stone wall fireplace, and walk-out panoramic views of backyard forest and mountains.  The first floor has two bedrooms with a full bath.  The second floor has a master bedroom with built-in desk/vanity, full bath, and balcony overlooking scenic views.  There is a circular driveway in the front yard with a small fish pond and towering evergreens.  The backyard has a wonderful large deck to enjoy the four seasons.

 For an appointment contact:  James R. Matarazzo Jr., Broker-Salesperson, John Young Realty, (973) 885-2190 Cell, http://www.14FairviewDrive.com http://www.JamesMatarazzoJr.com http://www.JamesMatarazzoJrsellshomes.com

Looking for a holiday gift?  How about going traditional with a wreath for your next door neighbor, friend, co-worker, or just for your front door.  Visit Matarazzo Farms, with a large selection of Holiday wreaths.  Celebrating the Holiday Season since 1921.  Matarazzo Farms is conveniently located at 216 Mountain Avenue, North Caldwell, New Jersey, 973-226-3289.

Paper Mill Playhouse will host twelve performances of The Nutcracker from December 18th to December 27th.  Tickets are $19 to $57.  To call for tickets call the box office 973-376-4343, www.PaperMill.Org  The Paper Mill Playhouse is located at 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, New Jersey.

In 1904 a blight called Cyrphonectria parasitica came and wiped out some four billion trees, 99%  of the American chestnut population.  A few strong Chestnut trees managed to escape extinction.  Luckily I grew up with one on my family’s estate.  “For Americans, chestnuts seem like something our grandparents ate.”  My grandfather warmed them up in the oven for a weekly dessert.  He couldn’t waite each year for the old chestnut tree to yield its crop.  It was a great gathering each fall season.  Ideal for winter holiday eating, there’s no other nut that can perform with the versatility.   Loaded with super-natural complex carbohydrates, chestnut’s are considered brain food and a tremendous source of energy.  They are heavy on starches and natural sugars.  A pound of American Chestnuts run $30 a lb, while imported Chestnuts run $10 a lb.  Each mature tree drop about 5,000 chestnuts a year.  To bake chestnuts put your oven up to 300 degrees and bake for 8 to 10 minutes to candy the maple-syrup shell.  Make sure to put an “X” on one end of the chestnut to release steam otherwise, you’ll be hearing fireworks in the oven.  Chestnuts are an American tradition over the holidays.

The Fullerton Building, 5 Roosevelt Place, Montclair, New Jersey features a breathtaking roof top patio unique among the Montclair Hi-Rises, Location, and Affordability.  One of the better built buidings in Montclair, this well managed building is situated in an ideal location, within a short walk to Montclair Library, Church Street Shops, Downtown Restaurant Row, and NYC train and bus lines. There are two one bedroom units for sale in the Fullerton, 5 Roosevelt Place, Montclair. A studio for $205,000 has been renovated with picturesque picture window, updated kitchen cabinets with new stainless steele appliances, and newer dark wood floors. The mezzanine unit faces West, with late afternoon sunsets. For an appointment to view, have condo questions, or other real estate needs, I would be glad to discuss further with you in detail. Rental Renovated Doctors office at $4,000, just a beautiful office & great location… Also available is a spectacular three bedroom unit for $479,000, price recently reduced. One of the largest units in Montclair and the largest line in the Fullerton Building, these type of units are seldom for sale. New to the Market-a one bedroom 6th floor unit, top floor with unobstructive direct views of NYC with balcony and garage spot, awesome, metropolitan/surburban life style. Price $285,000. Also available for rent. To visit more on these properties visit www.5RooseveltPlace.com  www.JamesMatarazzoJr.com  www.JamesMatarazzoJrsellshomes.com  www.EssexSuburbia.FeaturedBlog.com James R. Matarazzo Jr., Broker-Salesperson (973)885-2190, Email: JamesMatarazzoJr@aol.com Going Green? Visit my homepage at www.JamesMatarazzoJr.com for a list of Green friendly sites:)

Open House Sunday December 6, 2009 from 2:30 pm to 4:00pm.  One of the nicest condo units in Montclair for sale in a decade! Very spacious three bedroom unit and excellent price point, consisting of 1631 square feet, in the Fullerton. The D line is one of the largest unit lines in the building as well as Montclair.  It has been many years since a three bedroom unit has been up for sale in this special building, The Fullerton, Montclair.  This spectacular condo features a new kitchen with new wood cabinets, stainless steele appliances, Brazilian granite countertop and marmoleum flooring. The unit has spectacular views of NYC from the bedrooms and screened in porch/balcony. It is within walking distance to the train line and Downtown Metropolitan Montclair. There is a large living room with built-in shelves. The unit comes with a (seperately deeded) garage spot. Taxes for the garage spot are $460.20 for 2009. Sellers will reimburse purchaser for a second parking spot (rented) municiple for 1 year. 2009 Taxes for the unit are $9,781.93, monthly fee is $629. *Taxes are updated with the New 2.38% rate for 2009.  Be a part of Metropolitan Montclair where the city meets the suburbs! For all other specifics about the unit, contact James R. Matarazzo Jr., Realtor Sales Associate, John Young Realty/GMAC (973) 885-2190. www.JamesMatarazzoJr.com visit my site for a property website tour.  For further information email JamesMatarazzoJr@aol.com

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