Market Report: April 2, 2013

Friend on Facebook Follow on Twitter Forward to a Friend Buy vs. Rent It's the age old debate: should you rent or should you buy? But there's more than just rent vs. mortgage to consider and, with this interactive calculator from The New York Times, putting together your own side-by-side is a snap. Input your current rent, projected monthly mortgage, down payment and a few other stats and the calculator will tell you if it makes sense to rent or, for most, when buying will pay off. Click here to try the calculator now!  Great in the Garden State Our links to the U.S. News & World Reporthigh school rankings got GREAT feedback, so this week we're taking a deeper dive into New Jersey's A+ schools. New Jersey Monthly ranked the top 100 public high schools in the state, based on performance, environment, outcomes and other special considerations. Some of our faves including Tenafly, Glen Rock, Summit, Glen Ridge, Millburn, Chatham and Allendale topped the list again...did YOUR school (or soon-to-be school) make the cut? Check out the full list here.  Are Consumers Primed to Buy? Consumers Confident, Have Desire to Buy Home prices are up, foreclosures are down and, more importantly, first-time and repeat buyers are getting into the market. CNBC reports that nearly 4 in 5 Americans believe owning a home is an essential part of the American dream, topping the previous three-year high. Who's buying? Thirty-five percent are first-timers. What does all this mean for you? An eased lending process, more competition for prime properties and, likely, a drop in rents as more and more people look to own. Read more... Have you taken a break from your home search? Ready to get started again? Click here to view the latest Suburban Jungle properties in Westchester and Rockland Counties, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut.  Check Out... Montclair, NJ! Known as “Park Slope West,” this bustling community has it all: live theater, shopping, art houses, restaurants, outdoor activities, comedy shows, music and much more, in one of the most walk-able suburbs out there. With its tree-lined streets and cobble stone sidewalks, many first-timers mistakenly take Montclair for a typical bedroom community—but this vibrant town is far from it. Consistently ranked one of the best places to live, Montclair is ideal for the NYC transplant and, as it's just 14 miles away, the commute is a breeze. Click here to see Suburban Jungle's latest listings in Montclair.  SJ's Home of the Week! This breathtaking 1902 Craftsman Colonial boasts sweeping architecture and thoughtful details throughout, plus a number of modern upgrades you'll love. And, like Montclair, it has it all: a cook's kitchen, vestibule with a window seat, fireplaces, an alcove library and elegant formal dining room leading to a wraparound porch and patio. Perfect for a family or anyone craving space, this 6 BD, 3.1 BA home sits on nearly 0.5 acres and is centrally-located to NYC commuting options plus parks, schools and area shopping. Read more... What's the Buzz in YOUR Neighborhood? There's A LOT going on this week! Here's some great happenings in your current—or future—neighborhood.  Yorktown Heights, NY Grow Your Own! Dream about garden-fresh veggies, but don't know where to start? Check out Hilltop Hanover farmer Mike Fedison for an afternoon workshops on perennials (veggies you only have to plant once!). In this fun, hands-on afternoon workshop you'll get everything you need to grow your own delicious garden without the hassle. Start now and soon enough you'll have asparagus, rhubarb, artichokes and other edibles growing and growing and growing. For more information or to register, click here or call 914-962-2368. Norwalk, CT Comedy's Finest: The comedy legend, actor, writer and, now, distiller Dan Aykroyd will autograph bottles of his Crystal Head Vodka at Total Wine & More from 6:00PM - 8:00PM on Saturday, April 6. Purchase your bottle onsite and have the opportunity to meet this entertainment luminary. Whether you loved him in Saturday Night Liveor Ghostbusters,Trading Places orDriving Miss Daisy (or if you just love vodka!), you'll love this intimate gathering surrounding his super-premium vodka. For more information call 855-330-6673. Morristown, NJ The Home Front: Macculloch Hall Historical Museum is now featuring The Other Side of War: The Civil War on the Home Front. This new exhibit includes an intimate look at women during the war, and the critical role they played for the Union. From starting the U.S. Sanitary Commission to becoming nurses and more, women heroically battled at home. The exhibit includes many personal letters from soldiers on the battlefront, chronicling our nation's history in a unique, memorable way. The exhibit runs through November 11th. For more information, click here.