HOME & DESIGN theconnectionsnj.com PAGE 50 3 COVERS. 1 CONNECTION. LOCAL BUSINESS. LOCAL STORIES. LOCAL IMPACT GET YOUR BUSINESS INTO 80K+ HANDS NEXT ISSUE: FEBRUARY 2027 ADVERTISING DEADLINE: JANUARY 8, 2027 Health & Wellness Kidz Connection Home & Design Events & Community Senior Living Local Business Spotlight 908.903.1799 Info@theconnectionsnj.com www.theconnectionsnj.com or many of us in the Somerset Hills, the dining room table sits quietly most of the year, waiting for a gathering. Then Thanksgiving and the holidays arrive, the extra leaf goes in, and family and friends find their seats. In some homes, the extra chairs stay out all year. In others, there is more room at the table than there used to be. Either way, the table often knows it is time for a change before anyone says so. That quiet signal moves our market more than any headline. Through October 13, 175 homes were sold in Bernards Township, Bernardsville, Bedminster and Far Hills, versus 221 at this point in 2025. Fewer homes changed hands, yet those that did sold for an average of 103% of list price after 27 days on the market, versus 101% and 31 days last year. As of October 13, 66 homes were active or coming soon and 33 more were under contract. Buyers waiting for those homes hope to spend their first months settling in, not lining up contractors. With rates up again and many buyers holding funds in reserve while they watch the financial markets, they are more cautious. In two neighboring areas this season, the well-maintained and nicely presented homes drew the strongest response. The difference was how easily buyers could picture each one as their own home. That is encouraging news if your kitchen has not changed since you moved in. Buyers are not asking for perfection. They want a home that looks cared for and ready to enjoy. Fresh paint, new light fixtures and clear counters can change how a house feels in a weekend. Our team offers complimentary staging using the furniture and belongings you already have, and we will point out the few simple changes worth making. We respect every homeowner’s timing, budget and comfort level, and we work within them. If you are considering a move during the holiday season or right after, there may be fewer buyers out and about, but there are far fewer homes for sale. That means less competition and more serious buyers, many facing the same situation you are, with a relocation or a move that cannot wait. A well-prepared home listed in this window often has the spotlight to itself. When it is time to choose what is next, whether a first home, upsizing, downsizing or fun-sizing, or trying to be closer to family, friends or your commute, the right home is the one that works for you every day and on the occasions that matter most, even if the folding tables have to be brought out. From my home here in Basking Ridge to yours, all of us at The West Oak Team wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and a warm holiday season. When you are ready to talk about your next move, we’d love to sit down with you for a complimentary, no-pressure consultation. Source: GSMLS, January 1 to October 13, 2025 and 2026. Information deemed reliable but not warranted. Marie Young is a longtime real estate professional with Coldwell Banker Realty. Her office is located in Basking Ridge, NJ. Reach her by email at marie@marieyoung.net or by cell at 908-938-2525. Thinking of moving? Think Young! REALTALK Room at the Table By Marie Young Somerset Hills · Bernards Township / Basking Ridge, NJ Fall 2026 Market Report (as of 10/14/26) If you are considering a move during the holiday season or right after, there may be fewer buyers out and about, but there are far fewer homes for sale. F
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