Sports

Home 'Trumps' All for Tebow? It May Be QB's Best Option

Area real estate agents say gated communities are scarce if that's his wish.

Is Tim Tebow trying to take Mark Sanchez's job and invade his neighborhood?

That's what some were saying when a report surfaced over the weekend that the newest New York Jet was looking at a home in the upscale Trump National Golf Club community in Bedminister. It also happens to contain the residence of the team's current starting quarterback.

It's not hard to see why some were doing a double-take. After all, the most highly-publicized backup quarterback ever , but that comes right after Sanchez signed a three-year contract extension. Many fans believe he's here to take Sanchez's job. But now his house?

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Then again, Tebow's options may be limited, according to area real estate agents.

"Our area is limited on 'gated' communities," said Lori Dahl, a broker-sales associate based in Summit for .

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Dahl said that's partly because this area of New Jersey is used to big names living in the area. Many celebrities feel at home, since they aren't the only ones residing here and privacy is fairly easy to obtain. She points out that Summit alone houses Jets head coach Rex Ryan, former Mets and Yankees pitcher Al Leiter, "Mad Money" host Jim Cramer and actress Elisabeth Shue. And that's without getting into the CEOs that you may not know the names of–and those you do. Jon Corzine used to call Summit home.

To that end, if Tebow does cozy up next to Sanchez, he'll be doing so within 20 minutes of his general manager. Mike Tannenbaum makes his residence in Basking Ridge, as did future Hall-of-Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson.

Gov. Chris Christie, a Mendham resident, welcomed Tebow to New Jersey last week through Twitter and said Monday "there’s great places to live in Morris and Somerset counties, right near the Jets training facility," according to New Jersey 101.5.

Greg Ambrose, a realtor for  in Basking Ridge, said there are no actual gated communities in the Somerset Hills, but there are gated estates.

That appears to be the norm throughout the area. 

"If someone truly wanted a 'gated community,' there only a few in this area," Dahl said. "A few examples might be in Livingston and Llewellyn Park (Thomas Edison’s home) in West Orange. As you go west, away from New York City to the Bernardsville/Far Hills areas, there are larger estates, each with their own “gated property.” But then you give up the conveniences of being close to New York City and the hustle bustle that goes along with it."

That may very well be what the devoutly religious and outwardly humble Tebow is looking for. If Monday's press conference is any indication, the time away from the spotlight is going to be very limited.

Getting away from that may be just what he is looking for.

"At every price point and for every buyer there are choices and priorities," Dahl said. "It may be golf, it may be gated, it may be commute, school ratings, and walkable towns with shops and high-end restaurants."

For Tebow, the most important thing he may be looking for as he searches could be quiet. 

"It is the priorities of what you have to have and what is important for the quality of life you desire that is the difficult–but exciting–part of any new area you move to," Dahl said. "It is an adventure to be explored and enjoyed."


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