Some projects take a little vision. Others take a lot. This one needed both and has became the HIGHEST SELLING HOME in Passaic county!
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When we first saw 38 Birchwood Terrace, it wasn’t much to look at. The house that sat on the property was half destroyed. No appliances. No toilets. No showers. Missing walls. The shingles on the roof were ripped off in the back. The back porch was just wooden studs standing there exposed and there were indications of animals using it as a home. But even with all of that, we knew this location would be a huge benefit to a new buyer and the neighborhood.
Many new construction homes are built on smaller lots, where the structure takes up the entire property, leaving the property with a small yard and short driveway.
The lot was the real value. It was flat, regular in shape, and measured nearly 100 ft by 200 ft, which gave us options. We could have rebuilt on the existing foundation, for a new home with smaller basement. Or we could have dug out the basement, increasing its size to match the footprint of the home above. Both would have worked.
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Big Announcement! This home sale made the news!
FEATURED ON NORTHERJERSEY.COM: "North Jersey's most expensive home sales in June"
But the decision was made to rebuild from scratch because the size of the lot, paired with knowing Wayne as a hot town for sellers and buyers, was the best option.
Because the lot was so big, and not on a mountain, it just made sense to relocate the foundation of the home further back. That gave us two major advantages. First, there would still be a nearly 100 by 100 backyard, that would be 100% usable. Second, having the home set back further would allow room to add a beautiful circular driveway in the front, which would give the home even more appeal and functionality.
Pictured Below is the Original Home on this beautiful large lot in Wayne NJ.
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The Build
Once the plans were set, construction got underway to demolish the old home and start building the new. Size wasn't as important as building quality and a floor plan that felt right, which is this builder’s specialty! We also wanted to ensure the house matched the town, so we drove around nearby streets to find a home we wanted to emulate. We found a great match a few blocks away and used that as our guide for the style of the home. Building a home that looked out of place was not something we wanted to do.
The result is a 6-bedroom home with nearly 4,200 square feet of living space, a 2,000 sq ft finished basement, and a 2-car garage. Each bedroom has its own full bath and walk-in closet. There are soaring two-story ceilings in the entry and family room. The main level has 10-foot ceilings with 8-foot doors, while the basement and second floor enjoy 9-foot ceilings. There’s a private guest suite and home office, both with access to the garage—great for use as a separate entrance. Its design was built for modern, flexible living. The architect really did a fantastic job as it’s one of the nicest layouts I’ve ever seen.
Construction Begins
Listing The Property Before Completion
We listed it on the MLS early, before professional photos were ready and before we were able to let people in freely for safety concerns. All we had was a rendering and the floor plans. So, I knew a proactive marketing approach was needed to get as many people in the door as possible by reaching out to them personally—both agents and potential buyers alike. We were getting plenty of showings from that, and I kept telling people, including others in the industry, “Do not wait on this home.” Because I knew once the home was completed, staged, and professionally shot, they’d wish they had acted sooner.
That wasn’t enough to overcome buyer hesitation. Many saw it two or three times but still said they wanted to wait to see what it would look like when “this” or “that” was completed. The home wasn’t finished so people couldn’t picture the final result. They didn’t trust what they couldn’t see, even as I toured each showing and pointed out all of what the home had to offer, from it’s high-quality build, to its terrific floor plan, and desirable location.
Then finally, around the same time, buyers came through as the work was nearing completion. Both saw the home multiple times with multiple family members. They finally understood the vision and knew if they waited any longer, they’d have to compete. The one accepted offer was strong, and the seller accepted.
Nearly finished. Final steps; were patio installation, driveway, and landscaping
Wrapping Up
Now, this new construction home is nearly wrapped up, and one very lucky family will be moving into one of the nicest homes in Wayne!
Not only that, we’re happy to know that the neighbors also benefit from this new build. The house that sat here before was a problem, especially for those adjacent to it. Neighbors knew the story, and there was nothing that could be done other than a private building coming in. The house was falling apart and was an eyesore for everyone who drove past it. We know this because once it was purchased, the neighbors came over to thank us for turning it into something beautiful. This didn’t just help the buyer and seller, it helped the neighborhood. And it most likely will raise values for the homes around it.
This is the kind of work I love. It’s more than selling homes. It’s about helping people see what’s possible and creating something better than what was there before.
For any questions on this property or others in the area, feel free to email me at joecharlesnj@gmail.com.
Keep scrolling for more photos of this new construction home...
Wayne Township NJ
The folks at Wayne Township were great to work with. They answered every question and even went above and beyond for us at times. Building, zoning, engineering—everyone was helpful, including the front office people.
For More Information on this home: Check out this video
38 Birchwood Ter, Wayne NJ Video ( Instagram )
Finished! 38 Birchwood Ter Wayne NJ - New Construction Home
Home Listed by: Joseph D Charles | NJ Realtor
Prominent Properties Sotheby's International Realty
Contact Joe Charles for the Builders information at joecharlesnj@gmail.com
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If you’re thinking about selling, buying, or even just renovating in the next 12 months, I’d be glad to share what’s working in today’s market and help you make the most informed decision for yourself.
No pressure – just good advice and a team of trusted specialists when you need them.
Joseph Charles | Realtor
joecharlesnj@gmail.com | Call/text: 973-715-8766