Closter, NJ Real Estate Guide: Buy, Sell & Rent

Closter is a borough in Bergen County's Northern Valley, with 8,594 residents as of the 2020 Census. The borough calls itself the "Historic Hub of the Northern Valley," and the label fits: Dutch farmers settled here in 1710, the railroad arrived in 1859, and more than a dozen houses and districts in town now appear on New Jersey's historic registers. Add a 136-acre nature preserve and direct bus service to Midtown Manhattan, and Closter makes a strong case for buyers who want history and green space within reach of the city. Here's what to know before you buy, sell, rent or invest in Closter.

Why People Choose Closter

Few Bergen County towns have kept as much of their early history on the ground. According to the Borough's Historic Preservation Commission, Dutch settlers farmed Closter for roughly 150 years, and residents reached New York by ferry from Closter Landing on the Hudson. That changed in 1859, when the Northern Railroad's first locomotive came through and a new village grew up around the depot, turning a farm town into a commuter suburb.

That layered past still shows. The state's historic register lists early houses along Piermont Road and Hickory Lane, plus the Harold Hess Lustron House, which is listed on both the State and National Registers. The Closter Nature Center adds open space, with ponds, brooks, meadows and forest to explore.

Getting Around: Commuting from Closter

• Bus: NJ Transit Route 167 runs along Schraalenburgh Road, with stops at cross streets including Durie Avenue and Bergenline Avenue, and continues south through Teaneck to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan.
• Car: County Routes 501, 502 and 505 pass through the borough. The Palisades Interstate Parkway and U.S. Route 9W run through neighboring towns to the east, giving drivers a direct route south toward the George Washington Bridge.
• Rail: The 1859 rail line made Closter a commuter town, but buses and cars handle the trip today. If a train commute matters to you, we can map your drive to the nearest NJ Transit stations.

Neighborhoods and Housing Types

Closter is mostly a town of owner-occupied homes. The Census Bureau's most recent five-year estimate puts the owner-occupied rate at about 81.5 percent. Here's what you'll find:

• Historic homes: Eleven individual houses in Closter are on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places, on Piermont Road, Hickory Lane, Old Hook Road, Cedar Lane, West Street and Harvard Street.
• Old Closter Dock Road: The State Historic Preservation Office has issued an opinion on an Old Closter Dock Road Historic District, between Railroad Avenue and Harrington Avenue.
• New multifamily zoning: In 2026 Closter adopted Ordinance No. 2026:1383 to carry out its Fourth Round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan. It creates a Business Overlay Zone (District 3A) in the Business District No. 3 area, near Lewis and Perry Streets, where duplexes, quadruplexes, townhouses and apartments are allowed as conditional uses. Mixed-use projects there must set aside at least 20 percent of their units as affordable housing.

Buying a Home in Closter

Closter's history and its new zoning both affect what you should check before you sign. Here's what we help buyers review:

• Historic preservation rules: Under Closter's land use code, a property designated as a historic site or inside a historic district needs a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission before any exterior alteration, addition, demolition or new construction. Ordinary maintenance and interior work generally don't need Commission review. If you're planning a renovation, we find out a property's status before you make an offer.
• Older-home inspections: Closter's housing includes some very old homes, including registered historic houses. Plan for a thorough inspection covering the foundation, roof, heating system, electrical and plumbing.
• New construction and townhouses: As projects come forward in the District 3A overlay, we'll review association documents, fees and any affordability restrictions with you.
• Multi-unit purchases with FHA: If you find a two-to-four unit property, an FHA loan lets you buy it with a low down payment as long as you live in one of the units.
• Property taxes: Taxes are a major part of any New Jersey budget. We pull the current tax figure for every home you're considering.

Need financing? We'll connect you with a lender so you're pre-approved before you start touring.

Selling Your Closter Home

A registered historic house, a renovated single-family home and a new townhouse each compete in a different market, so your pricing has to match your property. If your home is a designated historic site or sits in a historic district, we'll show buyers what that means for future renovations, which builds confidence instead of raising questions. We'll prepare a free comparative market analysis based on recent sales of homes like yours, then market your home across the MLS and every major online channel.

Renting and Investing in Closter

With most of Closter's homes owner-occupied, the rental market here is smaller than in many Bergen County towns. The new District 3A overlay allows townhouses and apartments, so multifamily options in town may grow. We help renters find homes that fit their budget and commute, and we help investors and landlords look at realistic rents, taxes, insurance and condition before they commit, then price, market and screen tenants once they own.

Local Landmarks and Amenities

• Closter Nature Center, 145 Ruckman Road: 136 acres of ponds, brooks, meadows and forest, with public lectures and nature walks
• Harold Hess Lustron House, listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places
• Historic houses on Piermont Road and Hickory Lane, including the Haring-Auryanson, Tallman-Vanderbeck and Naugle houses
• Closter Public Library, 280 High Street
• Borough Hall, 295 Closter Dock Road
• Public schools: Closter Public School District (Hillside Elementary School and Tenakill Middle School), and the Northern Valley Regional High School District for high school (Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest)

Nearby Town Guides

Comparing Closter with nearby towns? Read our guides to Alpine, Demarest, Norwood and Harrington Park, or browse all of our North Jersey town guides.

Talk to a Local Broker

The Thompson Realty Group is a licensed New Jersey real estate brokerage based at 20 MacArthur Ave in Garfield, serving buyers, sellers, renters and investors across Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic and Union counties. Whether you're a first-time FHA buyer, a cash investor, or a homeowner wondering what your place is worth, we'll give you straight answers about Closter.

Call or text 201-928-5562 or book a free 15-minute consultation. You can also search every active New Jersey listing on our website.

Information on this page is provided for general guidance and is believed accurate as of October 2026. Programs, ordinances, taxes and transit schedules change, so please verify details for any specific property. Equal Housing Opportunity.