Real estate agent who specializes in new construction in Bergen County
Jay Costa of eXp Realty is a Bergen County real estate agent who is also a new home builder and investor. He helps owners sell teardowns and vacant lots to builders, and he helps buyers purchase spec and custom new construction, both on and off market.
With more than 11 years in the industry, Jay brings a builder's knowledge of contracts, construction and market dynamics to every deal. Call (201) 429-5535 or email jay@searchbergen.com.
820 Kingsland Ln, Fort Lee · Jay's new build
Land, teardowns and new homes
Jay has built multiple homes and sold dozens of teardowns and lots in Bergen County since 2016.
- 01
Owners of an older home on a good lot
Who suspect a builder will pay more for the land than a family would pay for the house.
- 02
Owners of a vacant or subdividable lot
Who want to know what it's worth and who will buy it.
- 03
Buyers of a new or under-construction home
Who want their own representation rather than relying on the builder's sales rep.
- 04
Builders and investors
Looking for land, teardowns and off-market opportunities in Bergen County.
How do I sell a teardown or vacant lot in Bergen County NJ?
Selling land to a builder works differently from selling a house. Builders buy on what they can build, not on the condition of the house that's there now. Here's how Jay runs it:
- 1
Gather the basics
Block and lot number, deed, any survey, and title. Confirm everyone on title is ready to sell.
- 2
Check buildability first
Before pricing, Jay looks at what builders look at:
- Lot size and frontage against your town's zoning minimums
- Setbacks, height limits, floor-area and lot-coverage rules, which set the size of home a builder can put up
- Topography, steep slopes, wetlands and flood zones
- Utilities: sewer vs. septic, water, gas, and any well that would need sealing
- Subdivision or variance potential, which can change the value a lot
- 3
Estimate demolition and site costs
Demolition permits, utility disconnects, asbestos or oil-tank checks, and tree and soil-erosion requirements all come off the builder's number. Knowing them up front keeps an offer from being chipped away later.
- 4
Price it the way a builder prices it
Working back from what the finished home is likely to sell for in your town. For example, Jay bought a Hillsdale teardown for $259,000 in 2019. Every lot is different, so treat that as one example, not a price list.
- 5
Choose public or private
Jay can list on the MLS or bring the lot quietly to builders and investors he works with, so the sale stays off market. He follows current NJMLS rules either way.
- 6
Negotiate the terms that matter to builders
Then close through your NJ attorney. These terms include as-is vs. inspections, approvals contingencies, timing, and closing date.
At 103 Central Ave in Hillsdale, Jay bought a teardown on a 12,166 sq ft lot for $259,000, took down the old house, built a 2,768 sq ft two-story home himself, and sold it in 2020 for about $820,000.
Jay's own projects
Jay doesn't just sell land to builders. He buys land, builds new homes and renovates them himself.
- 103 Central AveHillsdaleTeardown, new build, sold
- 820 Kingsland LnFort LeeNew build
- 1471 John StFort LeeCondo renovation
- 591 Windsor DrPalisades ParkRenovation
- 181 High StNorthvaleBought as an investment
Buying new construction in Bergen County
Bergen County has little open land left, so much of its new construction is teardown-rebuild on existing lots. Jay's Hillsdale build was one: he took down an old house and built a new one to sell.
Spec vs. custom
In a spec home, the builder chooses the lot and design and sells the finished or nearly finished house. In a custom home, you hire the builder to build to your plans, which means more decisions, more contract detail and more timeline risk. Jay helps you weigh which fits your budget and schedule.
The builder's contract is written for the builder
Jay has built homes himself and reviews it with your attorney for deposits and draw schedules, allowances and finish selections, change-order pricing, completion dates and what happens if they slip, the certificate of occupancy, and warranty terms.
Inspections at stages, not just at the end
Jay recommends independent inspections before drywall and before closing, plus a punch-list walkthrough.
The on-site sales rep represents the builder
Many builders pay the buyer's agent fee, but not all do. Jay explains how his fee works, in writing, before you start.
Why work with an agent who is also a builder?
- He prices land the way builders do, because he's one of them.
- He reads construction contracts and plans with a builder's eye, which helps spot problems before you sign.
- He knows the local builders and investors. He works with families, investors and developers across Bergen County, and partners with a local builder on his own projects.
- He handles every kind of deal. Residential homes, vacant land, commercial and new construction, on and off market.
- He has local roots. Jay was raised in Norwood, NJ, with family roots in Englewood Cliffs, Fort Lee and Palisades Park.
Towns served
Jay serves Bergen County and surrounding areas, including:
- Hillsdale
- River Vale
- Westwood
- Old Tappan
- Norwood
- Northvale
- Harrington Park
- Park Ridge
- Englewood Cliffs
- Fort Lee
- Palisades Park
- Cliffside Park
FAQ
Who buys teardowns and vacant lots in Bergen County?
Mostly local builders and developers, plus some investors and families who want to build their own home. Jay is a builder and investor himself and works with that buyer pool directly.
Is my house worth more as a teardown?
Sometimes, especially an older, smaller home on a large or well-located lot. It depends on what zoning allows a builder to put there and what new homes in that town sell for. Jay can run both numbers, as a house and as land, so you can compare.
Can I sell my lot or teardown off market?
Yes. Jay can bring it privately to builders and investors instead of listing it publicly, subject to current MLS rules.
Do I need to demolish the house before selling?
Usually not. Most builders prefer to buy the property as-is and handle demolition and permits themselves, and they price that cost into their offer.
Do I need my own agent to buy a new construction home?
It's strongly recommended. The builder's rep works for the builder. Your own agent compares the price to the market, negotiates the contract with your attorney, and coordinates inspections and the punch list.
Who buys land for new construction in Englewood Cliffs?
Mostly custom and spec home builders and developers, plus some buyers building their own homes. Jay has family roots in Englewood Cliffs and works with builders and investors across Bergen County.
Talk to Jay
Thinking about selling a teardown or lot, or buying new construction? Get a straight answer on what your land is worth to a builder.
Real Estate Agent, Builder & Investor | eXp Realty
NJ License ID: 1537475
Phone: (201) 429-5535
Email: jay@searchbergen.com
Mail: PO Box 13, Park Ridge, NJ 07656
★★★★★ 5.0 stars from 10 reviews on Zillow
eXp Realty. Equal Housing Opportunity. This page is general information, not legal, tax or engineering advice.