These are the most expensive Central Jersey towns for homebuyers right now
If you're a Somerset County homeowner, you'll be happy to hear that four Somerset County towns have the most expensive homes across Central Jersey.
If you're on the seemingly endless hunt for a home in Somerset County, you might not be so happy.
Comparing home sales across all of New Jersey's ZIP codes by using data from Zillow's Home Value Index, four Somerset County communities and one Union County community make up Central Jersey's five priciest ZIP codes in home sales so far this year, and they are ranked highly overall in the state.
An important note: These rankings are calculated as a weighted average – that's a statistics term that takes more than just numbers into consideration – of the middle third of home sales in each ZIP code. They are not the median sales for a home in the area.
Hottest towns in Central Jersey to buy a home, by ZIP code
1. 07931, Far Hills
It comes as no surprise that Far Hills’s 07931 tops our list of most expensive ZIP codes in Central Jersey. At the heart of the Somerset Hills, Far Hills is one of the most affluent communities not only in Central Jersey, but in the entire state, as it ranks as the 20th most expensive ZIP code in New Jersey in home sales.
The typical home sale in Far Hills is $1.31 million. Right now, the priciest residence in the borough is listed for $6.5 million, with other estates for sale for $4.95 million and $3.59 million. The pictured home at 15 Sherwood Farm Road is for sale for $3.79 million, which is a custom-designed brick Georgian Manor Home on seven acres.
Some of Far Hills’ population of just under 1,000 people – making it also the second-smallest ZIP code on this list – live in massive mansions tied to equestrian farms. The biggest event of the year is also, fittingly, the Far Hills Race Meeting, a 102-year-old international premier steeplechase event every October.
2. 07091, Westfield
With a walkable downtown full of hip restaurants and chic boutiques, Westfield homeowners have a mix of a suburban lifestyle and an urban playground. In this Union County town, the typical home sale has been $1.05 million, which also makes 07090 the 34th most expensive ZIP code in the state.
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The commuter town on the Raritan Valley Line of New Jersey Transit is home to 31,000 people, as it was to Charles Addams, who lived in Westfield and used a house in town as inspiration for “The Addams Family.” The most expensive home currently for sale in Westfield is listed for $2.6 million, with plenty of homes right behind it at $2.59 million and $2.49 million. Pictured 781 Norgate Rd. is for sale for $1.2 million, which includes a pool, deck, and everything one would need to entertain.
Recently the town approved a redevelopment plan to revitalize the downtown and repurpose the vacant former Lord & Taylor store, so prices are likely to continue to crawl upwards.
3. 07059, Warren Township
In this upper-class suburban community, the 16,000 residents of 07059 have the best of all worlds – schools ranked in the top 20% in the state, quiet neighborhoods in the Watchung Mountains surrounded by foliage, and a downtown shopping centers anchored by Acme. Residents can also find popular and diverse restaurants like Saly G’s, Uproot, Lukas’ Seafood & Grille, Silk Road, the Stone House, La Colina and more.
Here, the typical home sale is $988,939. Some of the highest-priced homes on the market include those priced at $4 million, $2.75 million and $2.5 million. The pictured $4 million modern home at 6 Ravinn Lane includes an elevator, indoor pool and dance floor.
4. 08558, Skillman (Montgomery)
In the past decade, the Skillman section of Montgomery – with a typical home value of $937,767, the 50th highest in the state – has become one of the most affluent ZIP codes in Central Jersey, partly due to its proximity to Princeton. Just 15 minutes from downtown Princeton, with its university, think tanks, research companies, quaint shops and restaurants, 08558 has both a rural lifestyle and is close to it all.
Although Skillman was once primarily rural and best known as the home of a state psychiatric hospital (which is now a Somerset County park), it’s enjoyed rapid growth in the last decade especially along the Route 206 corridor, where residential and commercial development has progressed. But Skillman also extends from the busy highway westward to the Sourland Mountains, the largest unspoiled region between New York and Philadelphia.
Skillman's highest-priced homes are listed for $1.59 million and $1.55 million, both of which are new-construction estates on Spring Hill Road.
5. 07069, Watchung
In Somerset County's eastern-most municipality, the typical home sale is $937,538, just $200 less than Skillman. In 07069, many of the large homes are located on the slopes of the Watchung Mountains, some with views of the New York City skyline.
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For some, that skyline also represents a career, since part of Watchung’s value is due to its easy commute to New York City because of its proximity to Route 78. But the borough's population of 6,500 enjoys a small-town atmosphere centered around a manmade lake as well as a commercial strip on Route 22 that includes the Watchung Square Mall and other shopping centers.
As the town with the 51st highest home sales in the state, Watchung’s current real estate market includes homes for sale for $1.5 million and $1.19 million, ranging from the modern to the comfortable. Pictured 41 Mareu Drive is for sale for $1.649 million, which is a custom brick home with a three-car garage.
New Jersey's most expensive towns to buy a home
While Central Jersey did not dominate the charts for the most expensive ZIP codes for home sales in the state, many Shore towns did. Here are the overall 10 most expensive ZIP codes in all of New Jersey:
07723, Deal - $3,252,968
07620, Alpine - $2,732,815
08202, Avalon - $2,407,447
08247, Stone Harbor - $2,264,361
08738, Mantoloking - $1,958,519
07078, Short Hills - $1,903,920
07711, Allenhurst - $1,872,062
08750, Sea Girt - $1,843,401
07976, New Vernon - $1,775,826
07717, Avon-by-the-Sea - $1,601,976
Contact: JIntersimone@MyCentralJersey.com
Jenna Intersimone has been a staff member at the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey since 2014, after becoming a blogger-turned-reporter following the creation of her award-winning travel blog. To get unlimited access to her stories about food, drink and fun, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. You can also follow her on Instagram at @seejennaeat and on Twitter at @JIntersimone.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ real estate: Central Jersey towns with highest homes prices
