The Northern Valley remains the pinnacle of Bergen County real estate, offering a sophisticated blend of high-velocity suburban neighborhoods and the region’s most prestigious “Gold Coast” estates. In 2025, the market proved its enduring strength, marking nearly a decade of uninterrupted growth.

Whether you are a first-time buyer seeking a foundational home with room to grow or a luxury seeker looking for the pinnacle of privacy, the Northern Valley continues to be the primary destination for those prioritizing NYC access and top-tier school districts.

The Headline: A Decade of Ascent

The 2025 data confirms the Northern Valley as a powerhouse of asset protection. The median sale price settled at $920,000, representing a generous 10.18% jump from 2024.

This isn’t a one-year anomaly; 2025 marks the ninth consecutive year of median sale price increases for the region. While the volume of sales remained remarkably steady—891 closings compared to 884 in 2024—the value of those holdings continues to climb.

A Tale of Two Speeds: Elite Privacy vs. Neighborhood Velocity

The Northern Valley market is defined by its diversity, with price points ranging from $260,000 to a staggering $17,700,000.

The “Engine Room”: The Remaining 90%

For the bulk of the market, the pace remains blistering. The 90% below the luxury threshold saw a median sale price of $838,500.

• Speed: These homes spent a median of just 21 days on market.
• Leverage: Sellers in this segment consistently received 100% of their original asking price.

The “Elite Tier”: $2,500,000 and Above

The top 10% of the Northern Valley market is where we see the “uncommon assets” that define the region’s prestige. In 2025, the median sale price for this tier was $3,298,888.

• Market Strength: Despite the higher price point, luxury assets closed for 100% of their original list price, spending a median of 59 days on market.
• The Record Breaker: Alpine reclaimed its crown (taking the #1 spot for 9 of the last 10 years) with the sale of an 11,500-sf estate for $17,700,000. Originally listed in 2017 for $25M, this September 2025 closing was secured by a cash buyer from Manhattan—a classic example of the urban to suburban migration we specialize in.

The Opportunity Window: A Rare “Neutral” Breath

While the overall numbers favor sellers, 2025 offered a rare gift to buyers. For the first time in five years, the region experienced three consecutive months of a neutral market (February through April).

This “reprieve” was likely tied to stock market volatility at the time, providing a brief window where the typical seller-dominated pressure eased. Understanding these macroeconomic triggers is exactly how we help our buyers time their entries into such a competitive corridor.

Why Northern Valley? From First-Time to Forever

The strength of this market lies in its ability to serve two distinct needs:

• The First-Time/Move-Up Buyer: Targeting specific school districts in towns like Bergenfield, Dumont, and Northvale, these buyers look for “functional integrity”—homes that offer immediate quality of life with the footprint to expand as their lifestyle evolves.
• The Luxury Seeker: In enclaves like Alpine and Englewood Cliffs, the demand is for “The Pinnacle of Wellness.” These buyers aren’t just buying square footage; they are investing in ultimate privacy, opulent design, and restorative environments.

What This Means for 2026

The Northern Valley is a market of precision. For Sellers, your asset is part of a nine-year growth streak, but the 100% list-to-close ratio depends on accurate market alignment from day one. For Buyers, the 21-day median market time for standard homes means you must have your strategy—and your advocate—ready before you start touring.

Planning a move in the Northern Valley this year? Success here depends on navigating the nuances between the “Engine Room” and the “Elite Tier.” Let’s map out your 2026 strategy.

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2025 Median Sale Prices by Neighborhood

• Alpine: $4,340,000 (16 sales)
• Bergenfield: $640,000 (146 sales)
• Closter: $1,321,000 (81 sales)
• Cresskill: $1,235,000 (94 sales)
• Demarest: $1,480,000 (71 sales)
• Dumont: $650,000 (131 sales)
• Englewood: $720,000 (113 sales)
• Englewood Cliffs: $1,800,000 (63 sales)
• Harrington Park: $995,000 (37 sales)
• Haworth: $1,500,000 (27 sales)
• Northvale: $792,500 (32 sales)
• Norwood: $1,150,000 (39 sales)
• Old Tappan: $1,350,000 (43 sales)
• Rockleigh: $1,265,000 (1 sale)