Finding Homes For Sale In South Orange NJ - A Newbie's GuideFrom the endless research to deciding on priorities and making a budget, house hunting can be a long and difficult task. Fortunately, the South Orange area has something for everyone—and as a longtime resident of the area for twenty years, I have expert knowledge of the community and the local market. Here is a bit of background on the community, and tips for how to best start your journey toward finding a new home.

What does South Orange have to offer?

South Orange’s beautiful architecture and unique gas street lighting makes it a beautiful and unique community to live in. Its wide variety of styles, neighborhoods, and price ranges makes the area an eclectic, visually interesting, and demographically diverse environment—and chances are, there’s something for you.

As far as community involvement goes, there’s a lot to do around the neighborhood. The South Orange area is known for its creative community and boasts a performing arts center, gallery space for contemporary artists, summer concerts, and more. For those that like to stay active, it’s close to South Mountain Reservation—which has open space, picnic areas, hiking trails, paddle boats, and more—and the Baird Recreation Center for indoor sports and arts activities. And a day in the city is not far away—South Orange is about 30 minutes from Manhattan by car or train.

For families considering the area, South Orange has many schooling options. The community shares a school district with the neighboring Maplewood with six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. Columbia High School is known for its academics, with a large selection of Advanced Placement courses, a strong arts curriculum, and competitive fencing team. South Orange also has many alternative options—there are many private and parochial schools, as well as preschools, nearby.

The beautiful and eclectic South Orange has many great options for anyone looking to move near the area. If you’d like to find out more about the community, find more information about the neighborhood here.

Where should I start?

It’s always a good idea to begin your journey by talking with a local realtor who has good area knowledge. By discussing your options and preferences with an expert who knows the area and the local market well, you’ll save time on research and focus on finding the best properties for the right price. Plus, a knowledgeable realtor will be able to give you insightful pros and cons for each location and home, alert you to any potential issues or problems before you see any property, and direct you to the right properties for your needs and preferences. Discussing your move with an expert will allow you to look in the right neighborhoods for you and your family with considerations such as distance from schools, parks, and transportation.

Finally, hiring a realtor is a strategic move in a competitive market with multiple bids. Realtors will have the most up-to-date listings, so you won’t be a step behind other house hunters when you look on real estate websites yourself. Talking with a real estate agent will give you an inside view of what’s available and help you navigate your search, bidding, budgeting, and timing throughout the process. Finding a local and knowledgeable realtor is key for navigating the specific market of South Orange and finding the best home for you.

If you’d like to talk to me about the South Orange area or discuss your journey to finding a home, feel free to call me, Allison Ziefert at 917-751-0448.

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