Mahwah Homeowners Renting 'NJ Experience' to Super Bowl Travelers

Super Bowl XLVIII is coming to Bergen County in less than two weeks and some Mahwah residents are hoping to cash in while they introduce football fans to the “real New Jersey.”

Township residents have been taking to sites like super-bowl-rentalz.com, airbnb.com, and even Craigslist to offer their homes for rent to travelers flocking to the area for the big game.

Though the township is about half an hour from MetLife Stadium, locals say their homes offer fans a unique Super Bowl experience.

“It’s not just about coming out here for the game,” Mahwah resident TJ Spizzo, who has listed his home as available for rent over Super Bowl weekend on two event rental sites, said.

“People have this perception of what New Jersey is like, and Mahwah is so not that.”

His wife, Tiffany, added, “we entertain a lot, and people really enjoy coming here. It makes sense for us to extend that to people coming into the area for the game, and show them all that Mahwah has to offer.”

In its online rental listings, the Spizzo’s home offers in its rental ad a “bed and breakfast” experience for those coming to the area for the Broncos vs. Seahawks matchup.

“This is not the NJ your imagining,” the ad reads.

“Our home is nestled at the base of the Ramapo Mountains overlooking the Ramapo River. Listen to the beautiful sounds of a waterfall as you sit on our wrap around porch and take in the nature that is a secret to those that have not visited north NJ. Our 4.5 acres backs up to thousands of acres of state reservation land only 20 miles outside NYC. Enjoy hiking, native trout streams and the amenities of our home prior to your Super Bowl celebration.”

The Spizzos plan to be at home while they rent out their house, but they promote that as a plus, as they will provide a home-cooked breakfast to their guests each morning, have the fridge and bar fully stocked each day, and provide transportation to and from Newark Airport, and MetLife Stadium.

But, in addition to rehabbing the image of the state, the family also hopes to make a pretty penny by offering their home to out-of-staters.

The home will cost visitors $4,500 per night, with a three-night stay minimum over Super Bowl weekend, and a five-day maximum.

And, the family is offering extras available to their guests – guided hikes, daily personal yoga instruction, and upland bird hunting are all available, for an extra cost.

“We have never rented our home before,” TJ Spizzo said.

“But, we really wanted to take advantage of this opportunity, and of all of the money coming into the area for this, quite frankly.”

The Spizzos are not the only Mahwah family offering their home for the football weekend – several others have listed their homes with other rental websites, and are each promoting different aspects of their homes to attract renters.

A home on Wyckoff Avenue in Mahwah listed on airbnb.com promotes itself as “perfect for the Super Bowl.” The home sleeps 10+, according to its ad, and touts its living area with flat screen TV, sunroom, library, fully-stocked kitchen, laundry facilities, cable, WiFi, nearby restaurants, and a safe neighborhood.

But, large groups looking to rent this home will have to pay for it – the asking rent is $10,000 for Super Bowl week, or $2,000 a day.

A home on Deerhaven Road listed on Craigslist is asking $2,800 for fans who can check in on Friday at 3 p.m. and out by Monday at noon. That home promotes its two bedrooms, walk-in shower, and computer access.

Another Craigslist ad offers a two-bedroom townhouse off Miller Road that has “plenty of room for sleeping” for $975 per night. That ad talks up the nearby pharmacy, supermarket, restaurants, and train station to get visitors to the stadium.

While locals offering their homes for rent anxiously await football fans to answer their ads, they say they too look forward to enjoying the game, though not from the stadium down Route 17.

“We don’t have tickets,” TJ Spizzo said. “But, we were invited to a friend’s house for the Super Bowl, so we’ll be watching from there.”