Buying and Selling a Home in Wanaque, NJ

Wanaque at a glance

Interstate 287 runs through Wanaque, with Exit 55 near Union and Ringwood Avenues, and County Route 511 (Ringwood Avenue) runs through downtown. Haskell is a section with its own ZIP code and post office, and is home to the 27-acre Back Beach Park. NJ Transit bus 197 connects to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Wanaque students attend borough schools through eighth grade and Lakeland Regional High School. Wanaque is in the Highlands region.

What the housing is like in Wanaque

• Single-family homes in Wanaque and Haskell.
• Townhouses and condos.
• Hillside homes near the Ramapo Mountains.

What buyers should check in Wanaque

1. Water and sewer type. Confirm for the specific property.
2. Highlands rules. Check the parcel's designation for planned work.
3. Flood risk near streams and the Wanaque River — check FEMA maps.
4. Private wells. If the home has a well, New Jersey's Private Well Testing Act requires a water test before closing, and Passaic County is one of the counties where uranium is added to the test.
5. Septic systems. Order a separate septic inspection — a general home inspection doesn't cover it.
6. Property taxes. Look at the actual tax bill for the house, not an average, and compare Wanaque's rate using the state's municipal tax data.
7. Town certificates. New Jersey requires a smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm and fire extinguisher certificate at a change of occupancy; ask the town about any added resale inspections.

Selling a home in Wanaque

Wanaque's I-287 access appeals to commuters who want a mountain setting. Present commute convenience alongside the outdoors.

Want to know what homes like yours in Wanaque have actually sold for? Get a free home valuation, or search homes for sale if you're buying.

A note on fair housing

I describe homes, land and places — not who lives where. For school information, I point you to official sources so you can decide for yourself.