Buying and Selling a Home in Passaic County, NJ

What the housing is like in northern Passaic County

• Lake and mountain towns — West Milford, Ringwood and Wanaque, with Greenwood Lake, private lake communities, reservoirs and state parks. Private wells and septic are common.
• Suburban Wayne — a large township with two NJ Transit stations, lake communities and highway access.

What buyers should check in Passaic County

1. Wells and septic. Private wells must be tested under the Private Well Testing Act before closing, and Passaic County is on the list where uranium is added.
2. Highlands rules. Five Passaic County municipalities are in the Highlands region, including West Milford, Ringwood and Wanaque.
3. Lake membership. Many lake communities have initiation and annual fees and their own rules.
4. Flood risk. Parts of Wayne along the Passaic River flood regularly — check FEMA maps and flood history.

Pricing a home in northern Passaic County

Lake access, lot terrain, water and sewer type and commute access drive value more than square footage alone. I adjust comparables for each.