by Ana Simon for Brown Harris Stevens, Montclair, NJ
There’s something about Presidents Day weekend that shifts the energy in real estate.
It’s not official. There’s no ribbon cutting on “spring market.”
But I can tell you this — my texts and emails definitely ticked up over the weekend.
Buyers who were “just browsing” are asking about showings.
Sellers who said “maybe later in the year” are asking what their home is worth today.
That’s usually the signal.
In Northern New Jersey — especially in towns like Montclair, Glen Ridge, Verona, Bloomfield, Clifton and West Orange — Presidents Day tends to mark the unofficial start of the spring season. Historically, March through June is our most competitive window, and local data shows the typical median list price in Montclair around $1.37M going into February 2026 with inventory still tight.
And here’s the reality: the buyers and sellers who do best in April are usually the ones who started planning in February.
If you’re thinking about selling, this is the moment to ask:
- What would my home realistically list for in today’s market?
- What small improvements actually move the needle?
- How do I time my listing for maximum exposure?
If you’re buying:
- Are you fully pre-approved — not just pre-qualified?
- Do you understand how quickly well-priced homes are moving?
- Are you prepared for multiple-offer situations?
The market we’re heading into is likely to be competitive again in many Essex County towns. Inventory remains relatively limited, and well-presented homes are attracting serious attention.
As someone recently ranked the #1 agent in Montclair by sales volume, I don’t take that lightly. What it really means is this: I see the shifts early. I see the patterns. And I help my clients make decisions before the rush.
Presidents Day isn’t about rushing into anything.
It’s about getting ahead of the season instead of reacting to it.
If you’re even considering a move in 2026 — whether in Montclair or anywhere across Bergen, Essex, Morris, or Passaic counties — now is the time to have a strategic conversation.
With all this snow, nobody is thinking that Spring is here. But the market is definitely starting to warm up.
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