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The Scott Gleason Team Insider's Guide
to Buying a Home in and around Westfield NJ
Top Techniques to Get the Best Buy in a
Buyer's Market
- Know what you really want in a home.
This page assumes you are buying a house for
your residence. (I also have expertise in
investment real estate, and you are welcome
to contact me if that is your interest. It
is a very different subject). Getting a
great price for a house you don't enjoy
living in is hardly a bargain. In our
initial homebuyer's opportunity
consultation, I will gladly help you paint
your "ideal scenario" and prioritize your
list so that you can match your dream,
desires, needs, no-no's and budget.
- Wow the seller with your ability to
close the purchase. Get the most
advanced Pre-approval offered. When it's
time to make an offer, price is only one
factor and not necessarily the most
important one to the seller. The more
cash-like I can claim your position to be,
the better I can do for you on price. I will
introduce you to mortgage representatives
from esteemed, nationally known lenders who
will give you a letter with a "you can take
it to the bank" sense.
- Offer to close on the seller's
schedule. With your mortgage half done,
and employing expeditious attorney and
inspectors (I can recommend the best) you
can close in a couple of weeks if it helps
you save on price. Some sellers, conversely,
want things to go slowly or flexibly.
Sometimes older sellers are worried about
how and where they will vacate a lifetime
accumulation of things. Your flexibility on
timing can be worth thousands, when the
seller is evaluating you price offer.
- Assure the seller you will "perform"
honorably and expeditiously. Many buyers
exploit the attorney review and inspection
contingencies to make the terms and
financial result less favorable to the
seller than originally negotiated. If we can
honestly assure them your offer is real, it
is worth something on the price.
- Accept that they don't ring a bell at
the bottom. Getting a home that really
fits you, with financing that really works,
within a close margin of error will serve
your total wealth better than scrambling to
buy in a rebounding market. It is very
likely that savings negotiated by handling
other aspects of the transaction well, and
taking advantage of the current financing
climate, will compensate for any price swing
remaining in the market.
- Obey one cliché. Pay for
location, location, location and prioritize
it above everything—especially condition. As
you own your home, every nail, gallon of
paint, light dimmer, landscaping
improvement, plumber visit, costs the same
whether you house is in an A location or B
location. But the resale value of the
improvements will be commensurate with
location. Location is the one buying
decision you can never modify. When the
market goes up, prized locations appreciate
the most and when the market softens weak
locations suffer the most. Besides the
quantifiable location factors we can tell
you about, if you are zooming in on a
purchase, hang out on the block a while, and
even knock on some neighbor's doors and ask
them about the neighborhood.
- Recognize the Difference Between Skin
and Bones. "Bones" are aspects of the
property that cannot be changed such as the
location, view, size of lot, noise in the
area, school district, and floor plan.
"Skin" represents easily changed surface
finishes like carpet, wallpaper, color,
landscaping, window coverings. Focus your
selection on Consider each house on its
underlying merits, not the seller's
decorating skills. Homes with good bones,
because the skin can always be changed to
match your tastes. I recommend that you
imagine each house as if it were vacant.
- Think ahead. It is much more cost
effective to upgrade a house cosmetically
and mechanically that is already big enough
for your future needs, than to enlarge a
house that started smaller and in better
condition. It is also usually a better
resale strategy because the architectural
integrity is better.
- Stretch within reason. Assuming
you take a fixed rate mortgage, your payment
will not go up, but your income probably
will. That will make your payment look
smaller in the future. Meanwhile you will
accumulate stuff and maybe family members,
making your house less vast each year.
Building addition is much more costly than
buying one in place or a bigger house, and
so it selling, buying and moving. So buy
with the future in mind, even if you have
lot of macaroni and cheese the first year.
It's the most cost effective, wealth
building choice, and who doesn't love
macaroni and cheese occasionally anyway?
- Try to like more than one house at a
time. If we can say "here's my client's
offer and we would love to do business with
you. By the way we are making an offer on
another house later so please let us know."
It's compelling.
- The price of the money is a huge
component in the ultimate price of the
purchase. There are several things you
can do with this knowledge. One is to use
the historically cheap, government
subsidized money in the market while it is
available. Another is to work with your
lender representative, following tips to
optimize your credit profile while you are
house hunting, so you qualify for the very
best rate you can when you apply for your
mortgage. You may also consider seeking a
rate fixed just for the period you
realistically intend to own a home—for
instance, why pay the higher 30 year rate if
you know your job will rotate you away in 7
years or less?
Having participated in hundreds of
transactions on behalf of buyers and sellers
I can guide you toward optimizing your
searching and purchasing strategy. And I'll
do my part to keep it fun and smooth for
you. Let's plan to get together.
- Don't Be Pushed or Rushed Into a
Decision. A real estate agent's first
job is to supply you with information – as
much information as you need or want. Your
agent should have an automated system that
informs you of all properties that meet your
search requirements. Don't make a decision
on any property until you understand the
activity on similar properties in the area.
You must have complete, unrestricted access
to all data in the Multiple Listing Service
about (1) what similar homes are currently
listed for, (2) what similar homes have been
for sale but did not sell, and (3) what
similar homes have sold for over the past
six to 12 months. Only when you have all the
facts can you make an informed decision.
- Stop Calling Ads. Real estate
agents write ads to make the phone ring.
Many properties have drawbacks not mentioned
in ads such as poor floor plans, traffic
noise, power lines, or litigation in the
community. What's not mentioned in the ad is
usually more important than what is
mentioned. What you really want is complete
information on the entire market – not just
what happened to be advertised that day. If
you're searching for property by calling
real estate for-sale ads or driving around
and calling on signs, you miss out on the
best buys because (1) 17% of homes for sale
don't have for-sale signs; (2) many brokers
never hold open houses; (3) most "discount"
real estate brokers never advertise their
listings; and (4) the best property values
often sell before they are advertised. To
obtain a total market overview, you want a
real-time information system to provide you
with instant notification on all properties
meeting your requirements the day the
information becomes available.
- Obtain Factual Data. I believe
that true real estate service begins first
with furnishing you with factual
information. Any information that you want
and need. Whenever you want it. Unfiltered
and unscreened. Without cost. Without
obligation. That's why I offer a HomeFinder
Service. My HomeFinder Service is free.
There is no obligation (or pressure) to buy.
The system provides you with real-time
information – instant notification on every
property meeting your requirements – the day
the information becomes available,
unfiltered and unscreened by a real estate
salesperson. Here's how it works: Simply
tell me what you want – price range, square
footage, location, style and whatever else
you find important. I'll program the system
to download all the information on
properties that meet your exact
specifications, then set up the system to
deliver the information to you by e-mail as
often as you want it – daily, twice a week,
three times a week, or weekly.
- My state-of-the-art computers have
direct access to MLS mainframe computers, so
you can know about new listings the day they
are entered into the MLS computers. This is
often five to 10 days before other buyers
know about these homes – and one to three
weeks before these homes are advertised or
held open. No matter what style of property
you want, if it's out there, our computers
will find it. Do you want two or three
baths? A three-car garage? A spa? How about
a fireplace? A fenced-in yard? An acre of
land? A wooded lot? A quiet cul-de-sac
street? If you specify it, and it's out
there, you can have that information the
same day it appears on the computers – even
before many real estate agents are aware of
it.
- Obtain the "Pulse" Of the Market
First. Using the HomeFinder system, you
quickly develop a true sense of the "pulse"
of the market. You see exactly what
properties are available for sale. What is
selling, and what is not. You obtain a
"30,000-foot view" of the market. When a
property comes available that is of interest
to you, and you would like to see the
inside, you can move quickly. I'll make
arrangements for you to tour the inside of
any property, at your convenience, no matter
which real estate company has the property
listed. There will be no pressure to buy.
Nobody will ever say to you, "This is a
red-hot deal! A creampuff! You had better
make an offer on this property today or
you'll miss out!"
- As you can see, my team and I have a
different philosophy. My HomeFinder
Service is free. I am paid by the seller if
you buy a home. To get started on the
HomeFinder Service, just give me a call at
908-698-2630. My job is to help you find the
perfect home at the very best price and
terms.
Location Factors, Neighborhoods, And Home
Values.
Location will always, always be the most
potent and least mutable component of real
estate value. The best locations appreciate most
in rising markets, and retain value best in soft
markets.
It is also important to note that if you
intend to improve your home during your
ownership, labor and materials are priced at the
store, but their installed value is increased or
diminished by the location of the improvement.
For a dramatic example, a $25,000 paver patio
backing onto a golf course could be worth twice
or thrice as much at resale as a $25,000 patio
backing onto an interstate.
Within a community, the power of location is
also affected by supply and demand. In a
seller's market, the variation would shrink and
in a buyer's market the spread could be even
greater.
Some location factors apply all over America:
interior lots are more private and useful than
corner lots, cul-de-sacs are safer play zones
than county roads, the top of the hill is more
valuable than the bottom, nature views are
preferred over commercial views, etc. The rest
of this article will address location factors
more idiosyncratic to Westfield NJ.
Universal considerations include:
- Parking and Public Transportation
- Depending on whether you drive or take
public transportation, you may want to
consider purchasing a home with ample
parking space or one that is in close
proximity to your preferred method of public
transportation (i.e. buses or trains). Homes
in Westfield within walking distance of
"town and train" command a price premium,
which should be recoverable on resale. The
walkable neighborhoods are also among those
graced with Victorian and pre-depression era
grand Colonials. If you travel out of town
frequently, consider the nearest airport
location (for Westfield, Newark
International Airport is a 20 minute drive).
In addition, it is also a good idea to make
sure that there is accessible parking near
your home for guests and visitors if you
entertain frequently. You may also want to
check the commuting distance between the
prospective home and your job or nearby
schools.
- Schools in the Area - If you have
children or plan on having children, you may
also want to consider learning more details
about the schools and education programs in
Westfield, and surrounding, areas. The Scott
Gleason Team can provide you with reports
and information regarding the details of
schools in the area, such as student/teacher
ratios, graduation rates, etc.
- Entertainment - The proximity of
theatres, shopping areas, and dining
locations to your home are all factors that
you may want to ask about; each provide
numerous fun getaways and nights out that
can all be found in downtown Westfield and
surrounding areas. The lively downtown
scene, including music festivals, street
fairs, sidewalk sales and outdoor dining is
a top draw for relocating to Westfield, or
coming for the day or evening from
surrounding towns. The Scott Gleason Team
can provide a list of entertainment sources
in the area or you may want to do some
investigating of your own.
- Sports and Recreation - If you
have hobby such as golfing, tennis or
swimming, you may want to consider
purchasing a home in Westfield since the
area has many nearby recreation and sporting
locations.
- A "Green"
Neighborhood - Homes with yards can be a
great fit for families with children or
buyers with gardening and landscaping
interests. In addition, by purchasing a home
with trees on the property, you will help
provide your home with a natural source of
shade and cooling during the warm summer
months. If you have never owned a home
before, be realistic about how large a yard
you want; landscaping and lawn/garden
maintenance can be very time consuming and
expensive, especially if you have never
experienced them before. Westfield also has
a number of public parks with summer
concerts and other outdoor activities.
- Privacy - The level of privacy
you are looking for may also factor in on
where you purchase your home and could be
the determining point in deciding between a
highly populated downtown area versus a more
quiet suburban atmosphere.
- Growth Potential - You should
also look at the growth potential of the
neighborhood in which you are purchasing a
home. It is important to buy in a
neighborhood where a minor increase in
population growth would increase, not
decrease, the value of your home and the
pleasantness of the community.
- Expansion Potential - You may
choose to buy a home in a superb location
with the intent of enlarging it later. We
are conversant in governing zoning
regulations and will help you confirm the
feasibility of such a plan before you seal
the deal.
Westfield-centric location factors are:
proximity to town, school district and "branded"
neighborhoods.
The joys of our charming, happening downtown
and ease of commuting are very important to a
significant segment of Westfield homebuyers. So
proximity to the center of town is a powerful
home value multiplier. Furthermore, many
homebuyers focus on Westfield because of our
large inventory of Victorian and early 20th
century colonials, also concentrated around
downtown. A rough estimate would give a house
within 10 minutes' walk to town 120% valuation
compared to an otherwise identical house on the
perimeter of Westfield.
Finally there is neighborhood "branding." For
a town of just under 33,000 residents in not
quite 12,000 homes, Westfield has quite a
catalog of neighborhoods and avenues whose names
denote established community, architectural
cachet, manicured properties, and old time
savoir vivre. Any savvy listing agent will
feature a branded neighborhood name in the
marketing for a qualified property. When we give
age ranges for homes in these neighborhoods,
please note that since the 1990s, builders have
managed to create a couple hundred new homes by
tearing down older, obsolescent ones and minor
subdivision of properties. These branded
neighborhoods have absorbed a higher
concentration of this redevelopment because the
cost of building is constant, but the value of
the new construction is multiplied by the
premium location factor. So when we say a
neighborhood was built between 1840 and 1920, it
should be understood you may find a smattering
of grand new constructions mixed in.
Among the neighborhoods that lend a patina of
élan to their homes are:
- The Boulevard Historic District
Though unofficially self-designated,
Boulevard boasts some exemplary homes,
Victorians, Dutch Colonials, Italianates,
Federal Revivals and Tudors, dating from the
1840s to the present. And the residents have
posted nifty antique looking signs at the
terminus of the district, proclaiming their
historic identity. The Boulevard Historic
District is served by these Westfield Public
Schools: Tamaques & McKinley Elementary
Schools, Roosevelt Middle School, and
Westfield High School. Walk to Town and
Train-5-15 minutes.
- Brightwood
Lies between Brightwood Ave and Brightwood
Park, probably the most rustic park in town,
essentially a huge copse of woods
surrounding a pond and a tire swing.
Brightwood Ave, upper Clark St , Fairhill
Dr, Fairhill Rd, Hamilton Ave, Madison Ave,
Overhill St, upper Prospect St, Sedgewick
Ave, Sedgewick Ct, Sunnywood Dr, Woodmere
Dr. are included. Brightwood includes some
of Westfield's older homes, dating from 1860
to the depression. In the post war there was
a subdivision and building boom, and from
the nineties there has been another wave of
"luxury" construction. The architecture
ranges from farmhouse to Arts & Crafts, to
the nouveau mansion. The Brightwood
neighborhood is served by these Westfield
Public Schools: Franklin Elementary School,
Roosevelt Middle School, and Westfield High
School.
- The Gardens
Mostly built between 1870's and WWII, the
houses on Alden Ave, Bradford Ave, Birch
Ave, Cedar Terrace, Colonial Ave, Dudley Ct,
E Dudley Ave, Highland Ave, Hillside Ave,
part of Mountain Ave, Mountainview Circle,
Priscilla Lane, Standish Ave, and Wild Hedge
Lane share a desired cohesion of gently
traveled streets, prosperous well kempt
colonials, and carpool and block party
togetherness. The Gardens is served by these
Westfield Public Schools: Franklin
Elementary School, Roosevelt Middle School,
and Westfield High School. Average walk to
town, 20 minutes.
- Indian Forest
Characterized by streets drawn with a French
curve, sprawling properties, expansive
ranchers and colonials built from the 1930s
to the 1970s, at which point the process of
tearing down the more modest homes began, to
replace them with 5,000 to 10,000 sq foot
trophy homes which sit very nicely on the
large curvy lots. The neighborhood is
comprised of Lawrence Ave, Lenape Trail,
Minisink Way, Munsee Way, Ramapo Way,
Shawnee Pass, Watchung Fork, Winchester Way
and Wyandotte Trail. Indian Forest is served
by these Westfield Public Schools: Franklin
Elementary School, Roosevelt Middle School,
and Westfield High School. Average walk to
town, 30 minutes.
- The Kimball Ave Historic District
The only official one in town though some
residents of Boulevard and Stoneleigh Park
wish to be designated too. The district is
comprised of the block between Lawrence Ave
and Elm St. The district boasts a number of
Queen Anne architectural gems with turrets,
latticework, unique dormers and
multiple-gables roofs. Numbers 230, 237,
242, 243, 249, 257, 265, and 266 Kimball
built between 1881 and the turn of the
century, are exemplars of Queen-Anne design
cues. The Faulkner House at 248 Kimball
Avenue is a Georgian Revival. The Kimball
Ave Historic District is served by these
Westfield Public Schools: Wilson and
Franklin Elementary Schools, Roosevelt
Middle School, and Westfield High School.
Walk to town, around12 minutes.
- Kimball Circle
These houses are early twentieth century
vintages significant in their size, opulence
and display of design elements echoing the
chateaux, palazzos, and "cottages" of Europe
and England. 921 and 940 Kimball Avenue are
eclectic Tudor variations. These castle like
confections are on very large manicured
lots, many of which back to Echo Lake Golf
Club. Kimball Circle is served by Wilson
Elementary School, Roosevelt Middle School,
and Westfield High School.
- Lawrence Avenue
Ascends from near downtown to the
Mountainside border, graced by homes of a
variety of styles set deep in their generous
lots. Built in 1895, 322 Lawrence Avenue is
a Colonial Revival. The Marsh Arnold House
at 538 Lawrence Avenue exhibits the boxy
roofline invented by and named for François
Mansard. Lawrence Ave is home to grand
Victorians and other classic revival styles
near town, morphing into more contemporary
statements and modern mansions as one climbs
the hill. The Avenue is served by Franklin
Elementary School, Roosevelt Middle School,
and Westfield High School.
- Prestige Avenues
Parts of Tremont Ave, St Marks Ave, Lenox
Ave, Arlington Ave, Prospect St, Clark St,
Elm St, Euclid Ave, Harrison Ave, Tuttle
Parkway, Lincoln Rd, Stanmore Pl, Sinclair
Pl, Effingham Pl, Embree Crescent, Westfield
Ave, Carleton Rd, have the following in
common: they are near enough to town to have
been developed in the Victorian and Colonial
Revival periods, with generous,
architecturally appealing homes. One can
walk to the train or the gelato shop, values
are high and many of these homes are antique
in the front, only to conceal state of the
art kitchens and two story additions with
family room and master suite. The address
have a walk to town factor of 5-20 minutes.
- Stanley Oval
Site of a revolutionary war arsenal, and
later the Stanley Oval Tennis Club, which is
now the Westfield Tennis Club, Stanley oval
is a thermometer shaped 15 home cul-de sac
with a greensward in the bulb of the
thermometer. The homes range in vintage from
1900to 1930 and the architectural styles
range from Colonial Revival to Georgian, to
Dutch Colonial, and Tudor variations.
Stanley Oval has an association responsible
for the oval, and which has social
functions. The Oval is served by Wilson
Elementary School, Roosevelt Middle School,
and Westfield High School. Walk to town and
train, 14 minutes
- Stonehenge
Charming homes, leafy streets, and a 25
minute average walk to town make Stonehenge
a favorite neighborhood. Dorian Rd, Dorian
Ct, Dorian Place, Hyslip, Shadowlawn,
Shackamaxon, Knollwood Terrace, Norman
Place, Lawnside Place, Norgate Rd, Dartmoor,
Nancy Way- Tamaques and McKinley Elementary
Schools, Edison Middle School, Westfield
High School.
- Stoneleigh Park
If you like the massive yet friendly and
cozy look of Spring Lake homes, you'll like
Stoneleigh Park. Imagine a third of a square
mile of land bounded by Dorian Rd, Rahway
Ave, Shackamaxon Dr, and Westfield Ave.
Within is an oval boasting a couple of dozen
very handsome, very large homes of the
Gatsby sort. Stoneleigh has a gate, which is
held open. It's a nice place to buy a home,
or just walk the dog around the oval and
admire the mansions of the late 19th and
early 20th century variety. Tamaques
Elementary School, Edison Middle School,
Westfield High School. Walk to town and
train, 10 minutes
- Wychwood
The community was developed by Arthur Rule
and won the 1936 1st Prize for Architectural
Standards from the American Institute of
Architects. Most homes were built in situ in
the early 20th century, but Sips-Manor,
built in 1664, was moved into Wychwood from
Jersey City, and now sits at 5 Cherry Lane.
Woodland Ave features some very old houses
as well. Housing styles include English
Manors, Tudors and Cottages, Tuscans, and
Colonials. Wychwood is a neighborhood with
an ostensible entrance flanked by two
gatehouses at the intersection of Wychwood
Drive and East Broad St. Streets include
Canterbury Lane, Canterbury Rd, Cherry Lane,
Dorset Hill Rd, Gallowe Kimball Ave, Kimball
Turn, Rodman Lane, Topping Hill Rd, Wychwood
Rd, Winyah Ave, Woodland Ave. Wilson
Elementary School, Roosevelt Middle School,
Westfield High School. Walk to town is a
little over a half hour.
These neighborhoods collectively account for
about 15% of the housing stock in Westfield,
though they account for a disproportionate share
of the total real estate value. We know them
well and delight in showing them.
Westfield also boasts a very wide diversity
of housing options and areas. Come see us for a
look into a neighborhood that may suit you.
Housing Options for Westfield NJ Seniors
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s
2005-2007 American Community Survey, 3,848 or
12.5% of Westfield residents are 65 and over.
Many Westfield seniors own single-family homes
and condos or inhabit multifamily housing that
is not designated as senior housing. There are
also these, more senior-specific possibilities:
The Chelmsford
(not restricted but senior popular)
The one-floor units make the Chelmsford a
popular community for downsizers who want to
keep a pied-a-terre in town. Units include two
bedrooms and two full bathrooms, with one unit
recently selling for $475. The Chelmsford is
situated only a block away from downtown
Westfield, and in very close proximity to Trader
Joe’s. Many of the units have dining areas or
bedrooms that open to private balconies. Onsite
parking is available, with elevator to each
floor. 260 Prospect Street NJ 07090
Contact Scott Gleason
for Availability Cowperthwaite
Square Townhomes
(restricted) Restricted to the 55
and over community, Cowperthwaite Square
consists of beautiful 2 bedrooms, 3 bath
condominiums. With a brick façade and paverstone
patio, these condos offer everything you could
want by way of aesthetics. Add to this the
beautifully landscaped front lawns and you might
forget you are sharing walls. Cowperthwaite
Square Westfield, NJ 07090
Contact Scott Gleason
for Availability Heather Glen
Scotch Plains 55+, Single Family homes in
planned community Yet another wonderful living
option for active adults is the “55 years and
better” Heather Glen community. There are only
51 single-family homes in this community, which
includes a clubhouse with billiards room, card
room and prep kitchen. Additionally, there is an
outdoor heated pool and a beautifully landscaped
front garden. Features include garage, basement,
and first floor bedroom with capacities ranging
from 3-4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Located only a
mile away from downtown Westfield, residents can
easily enjoy all that Westfield has to offer
while still delighting in the seclusion that
Heather Glen has to offer. Priced from $550.
628 Fanwood Avenue Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
Contact Scott Gleason
for Availability One Lincoln
Plaza
(not restricted) Located in-town,
each of these limited edition one and two
bedroom condominiums situated in a former bank
simply exude elegance. The extravagant units
feature oak, stone, and tile floors throughout.
There are gas fireplaces in the formal living
areas, entertainment bars replete with wine
refrigerators, and designer kitchens to make
your favorite Food Network star proud (or
jealous). With cabinetry done in maple and
cherry and the latest in fine appliances, you
will be sure to “wow” your guests whenever you
invite them over. The designer bathrooms include
a whirlpool tub, and the room itself is finished
with natural stone tile. Add to this an enviable
location (right in the heart of downtown
Westfield), on-site parking, secure individual
basement storage and even a secure bicycle
storage area, you will truly be living in the
lap of luxury if you choose to reside at One
Lincoln Plaza. From $450. 1 Lincoln Plaza
Westfield, NJ 07090
Contact Scott Gleason for Availability
The Savannah
The ne plus ultra of in-town, 55 and over
age-restricted condominiums. They are all
designed for one level living and a few are even
offered with libraries and studies. These
luxurious age-restricted homes feature soaring
ceilings, hardwood floors, fine appliances,
fixtures and finishes. Step in the elevator to
access all of downtown Westfield’s shops and
restaurants just steps away, or your very own
private, underground parking. Add the doorman,
and it is somewhat like luxury living in a
mini-Manhattan. If you want to go to big
Manhattan, it’s a five-minute walk to the train.
The Savannah in downtown Westfield also features
a clubhouse as well as kitchen facilities, and
is exclusively sold to residents aged 55+ at
prices starting from about $700. 111 Prospect
Street Westfield, NJ 07090
Contact Scott Gleason
for Availability Sunrise
Assisted Living Community
Sunrise has been providing the world with
Assisted Living Communities since 1981, and
their years of experience have lent a spirit of
welcoming homeliness to the Sunrise of
Westfield. Observed from the outside, the
Sunrise sits sprawling on beautiful green lawns
surrounded by exceptional outdoor gardens. Once
inside, however, the true beauty of Sunrise
emerges. You can find numerous fresh cut flowers
throughout the residence, as well as multiple
comfortable community areas filled with
residents participating in whatever activities
may be taking place at the time. There is a
widely varied selection of activities to choose
from such as darts, balloon volleyball,
sing-a-longs, bible study, current event
discussions, reminiscing activities, life skill
activities, and family get-togethers. Residents
are encouraged to keep active, and trips to
museums, theaters, shops, and movies are often
being made. There’s even an on-site parlor for
all your beauty needs. Sunrise provides Assisted
Living and Alzheimer’s Care, and perhaps one of
their greatest offerings is their choice of
suites, which enables residents to choose
between a private or companion suite with its
very own full bath and resident’s choice of
floor plans. For all the animal lovers out
there, be sure to keep an eye out for the
resident dog and cat. 240 Springfield Avenue
Westfield, NJ 07090 Tel: 908-317-3030
Trinity Place Condos
These high-rise condominiums include 2
bedrooms and 2 baths. With a brick façade,
Trinity Place will charm you with its
traditional appeal. Located only two blocks away
from the train station, these condos are the
perfect spot for those who have to commute to
work, but still want to live in a lively,
affordable neighborhood. Senior High School is
located right down the block as well, making
Trinity Place a wonderful option for those who
desire the peace of mind that comes with knowing
your child will have a safe commute to school.
The average listed price varies from $275-$400.
515 Trinity Place Westfield NJ 07090
Contact Scott Gleason
for Availability The Pointe at
Garwood
These beautiful townhomes were built by
Millennium Homes, a company that specializes in
exclusive, luxurious, state-of-the-art
communities. One of their recent additions has
been the Pointe at Garwood, which is a 55+
community that is set in the heart of Garwood’s
new downtown. Townhomes feature three levels,
come with private elevator, and floor plans
include 2 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and a finished
basement. With downtown Westfield and Cranford
only a mile away, there are plenty of things to
do within walking distance of The Pointe.
Restaurants, shops, and movie theaters can be
found close by, and if you’re looking to expand
your reach, the nearby train station can bring
you directly to Manhattan or even the Jersey
Shore. If you prefer to travel by bus, then you
can find the bus stop bound for New York
directly across the street. The Pointe has a
bocce court and a clubroom, which boasts a
kitchen and media room. Nearby Golf Clubs and
Unami, Echo Lake and Lenape Parks ensure that
you will more than adequately enjoy your active
adult lifestyle at The Pointe. Starting from
$499,000.
512 Maple Court Garwood, NJ 07027
Contact Scott Gleason
for Availability Sandra Circle
Not walkable, coop ownership, Pool-Outdoor
$150-$250 When you first set sight on the
homes of Sandra Circle, you notice how elegant
they appear, with a red brick façade and
matching red shutters and door. In Sandra
Circle, you can find affordable housing in a
peaceful, serene setting. Condos vary in size
from 1-2 bedrooms and 1 bath. Carpeting comes
standard, and all tenants have access to their
very own basement storage area. There are
laundry facilities on the premises. Note that
this is a co-op, and your tax-deductible
maintenance fees will include taxation as well
as heat, hot water, snow and trash removal, and
outside maintenance. Be sure to use the in
ground pool during those hot summer days.
Contact Scott Gleason
for Availability Southwyck
Scotch Plains 55+ Condominiums Club House,
Pool-Outdoor, Tennis Courts This private,
gated condominium community consists of 294
townhouses that sit on a majestic 55 acres.
Located along the banks of Robinson’s Branch of
the Rahway River, the scenery seems to shift
stunningly around you as the seasons change.
Most of the townhomes have 2 bedrooms and 2.5
bathrooms, with available driveway, one-car
garage and guest parking. You can enjoy your
living quarters with supreme peace of mind as
well, as the community offers 24-hour security.
The grounds are beautifully maintained, and you
do not have to leave the community to go
swimming, engage with your neighbors, or enjoy a
tennis match. There is a newly renovated pool,
clubhouse, and tennis courts on the property
making Southwyck a great place to live
peacefully, comfortably, and safely amongst your
fellow residents. 1 Carriage Drive Scotch
Plains, NJ 07076
Contact Scott Gleason for Availability
Westfield I
1133 Boynton Avenue
Westfield, NJ 07090
(908) 233-5898 |
Westfield II
1129 Boynton Avenue
Westfield, NJ 07090
(908) 518-9586 |
If you or someone you love is 62 years of age
or older, and are seeking Senior housing in a
beautifully well-kept, safe area, then the
Westfield Senior Citizens Housing Corporation
welcomes you to come visit one of their two
buildings located on Boynton Avenue. One
building provides living options for low-income
seniors, and sits on 8.5 acres of park-like
land. The building is “W”-shaped, allowing for
openness amongst inhabitants and great views for
all. The second building meets all of the
Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
Every bathroom in each of the 130 one-bedroom
units includes grab rails, giving residents the
freedom they deserve. Additionally, help is just
a call away, should you need it, as each room in
the one-bedroom unit has an emergency response
alarm. Laundry can be done on-site (with a
laundry room on every floor), and there are
numerous amenities available including an
expansive library and a multipurpose room where
one can log online, surf the net, and e-mail the
grandkids. Additionally, special events take
place at the Westfield on a continuous basis.
There are weekly trips, book groups, college
courses, concerts, and even parties. There are
recreational opportunities as well for the
active adult and these include: walking groups,
fitness classes, the PACE program (People with
Arthritis Can Exercise), Tai Chi, and more. You
must place yourself on the waiting list if you
wish to live here, and applicants are considered
on a rolling basis. The Town of Westfield Senior
Transportation Service provides handicapped
accessible curbside transportation to and from
town Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. |
