About Us

Meet the Chopper Russo Team

Since 2008, Thomas “Chopper” Russo and his RE/MAX Select team have helped over 1,500 families and businesses buy, sell, and lease across Northern New Jersey. Based in Oakland, the team serves buyers, sellers, investors, and business owners throughout Bergen, Passaic, Morris, and Hudson Counties — handling residential, commercial, and rental real estate with local expertise and relentless client advocacy.

1,500+
Clients served since 2008
#1
Real estate team in Northern NJ
Top 1%
Of REALTORS® nationwide
5.0★
Across 500+ client reviews

A Local Team Built on Relationships

Chopper Russo’s approach to real estate was shaped long before he earned his license. Raised in a family that ran a Northern New Jersey manufacturing business for nearly a century, he learned early that lasting success comes from treating people well and showing up for the community. His grandfather — his mentor and business teacher — passed down a simple philosophy that still guides the team: treat people the way you’d want to be treated, and never burn a bridge.

Chopper brought that mindset to real estate in 2008 and built a team around it. Today, the Chopper Russo Team is a collaborative group of professional REALTORS® who combine deep local market knowledge with specialized roles — pricing strategy, marketing, negotiation, and transaction management — so every client gets an expert focused on each stage of the process. For sellers, that means broader exposure and stronger marketing. For buyers and investors, it means better access to opportunities and confident, well-informed decisions.

What We Do

Full-Service Real Estate Across Northern NJ

Residential

Helping first-time buyers, move-up families, luxury clients, and sellers across Oakland, Mahwah, Franklin Lakes, Wyckoff, Wayne, Ringwood, and the surrounding towns.

Commercial

Ranked the #1 commercial real estate team in New Jersey — representing business owners and investors in office, retail, industrial, and income-producing property sales and leasing.

Rentals & Leasing

Guiding tenants, landlords, and investors through the rental market with the same strategy and responsiveness we bring to every sale.

Recognition & Expertise

Among the Most Credentialed Teams in New Jersey

Chopper was the first agent in New Jersey to earn the Master Certified Negotiation Expert (MCNE) designation, and the Chopper Russo Team is the only full MCNE team in the state. Between them, the team holds designations spanning buyer representation, commercial practice, luxury marketing, distressed properties, property management, and senior and military clients:

MCNEABRACPAHWDCDPECIPSCLHMSCMOECNHSCPMCRENC-RETSCRSMilRESRENERSPSSFRSRES
#1 Real Estate Team in Northern NJ
#2 in New Jersey — Real Trends / WSJ
#1 Commercial Team in New Jersey
Top 1% of REALTORS® Nationwide
RE/MAX Hall of Fame
RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement
RE/MAX Circle of Legends
Best of Zillow

Giving Back

Rooted in the Community We Serve

Community involvement isn’t a side project for the Chopper Russo Team — it’s central to how they work. The team donates a portion of every transaction to causes including Baking for Memories, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Homes for Heroes, which provides specialized savings and support for military personnel, first responders, healthcare workers, and educators. In 2020, the team was recognized with the RE/MAX NJ Community Citizenship Award.

Chopper is deeply involved in Oakland and the surrounding area as a member of the Oakland Chamber of Commerce, the Elks, the Knights of Columbus, the Rotary Club, and the Passaic County Chiefs Association, and through his work with the Oakland Education Foundation, Oakland Green Team, and the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge. He was named a Fifth District “Hometown Hero” by Congressman Josh Gottheimer for his contributions to the community.

Let’s Talk About Your Next Move

Whether you’re buying your first home, selling a legacy property, leasing, or investing in Northern NJ, the Chopper Russo Team is ready to help.

Our Agents

Meet the People Behind the Chopper Russo Team

Real estate is a team effort — and every client benefits from ours. From listing specialists and buyer’s agents to our transaction coordinator, each member plays a dedicated role so nothing falls through the cracks. Get to know the local professionals who’ll guide your next move across Northern New Jersey.

Tommy Kindergan
Tommy Kindergan
Tommy Kindergan
Agent

Phone +1(201) 417-1310

Address 392 Ramapo Valley Rd, Oakland, NJ 07436

Tommy Kindergan is a dedicated real estate professional with RE/MAX Select and the Chopper Russo TEAM, serving both residential and commercial clients across Northern New Jersey. Tommy brings strong market knowledge and a commitment to getting results.

Known for his responsiveness and attention to detail, Tommy has built a reputation for making the buying, selling, or leasing process smooth and stress-free. Clients often highlight his patience, ability to understand their needs, and hands-on support from start to finish.

With experience in both residential and commercial transactions, Tommy offers a well-rounded approach tailored to each client — whether they're first-time homebuyers, investors, or business owners looking for space.

As a full-time agent, he's available seven days a week and approaches every deal with professionalism and care. No matter the situation or price point, Tommy looks forward to helping clients move forward with confidence.

Where We Work

The Communities We Know Best

From our home base in Oakland, the Chopper Russo Team represents buyers and sellers throughout Bergen, Passaic, Morris, and Hudson Counties — including Mahwah, Franklin Lakes, Wyckoff, Wayne, and Ringwood. Deep local knowledge of each town’s neighborhoods, schools, and market trends is what helps our clients buy and sell with confidence.

Our Service Area

Local Roots, Regional Reach

Our office sits at the heart of Oakland, NJ — and our reach extends across Northern New Jersey. Whether you’re buying, selling, leasing, or investing, the Chopper Russo Team combines hands-on local knowledge with coverage that spans Bergen, Passaic, Morris, and Hudson Counties. Find us on the map below, or reach out anytime to talk about your neighborhood.

The Team Advantage

Why Work With a Real Estate Team?

Working with a local team gives you a strategic edge a single agent can’t match. At the Chopper Russo Team, specialized roles, deep local expertise, and constant availability all work together toward one goal: the best possible outcome for you.

Specialized Roles

From pricing strategy and marketing to negotiations and transaction management, each step is handled by a professional focused on that part of the process.

For Sellers

Broader exposure, stronger marketing, and faster response times — so your home reaches the right buyers and sells for its full value.

For Buyers & Investors

Better access to opportunities, sharp local insight, and confident decision-making from your first showing through closing and beyond.

Client Reviews

But don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what buyers, sellers, and investors across Northern New Jersey have to say about working with the Chopper Russo Team.

helenildocosta88

Tommy made buying our first home such an amazing experience. He was patient, knowledgeable, and always available to answer our questions. Throughout the entire process, we felt supported and never pressured.Thanks to Tommy dedication and guidance, we are now in our first home, and we couldn’t be more grateful. We highly recommend him to anyone looking to buy or sell a home!

mo8373

Tommy Kindergan was fantastic—always available, super patient, and really understood what I was looking for. He went the extra mile, made sure every detail was handled, and made the process feel smooth and stress-free. His network of trusted professionals during closing was also a huge help. So glad I had Tommy in my corner!

user2387792

Tom was fantastic to work with! Very responsive, perhaps the most responsive individual we have ever worked with! Tom took the time to genuinely understand our needs and wants, and equally as important, really understood what we did not want! We have had real estate professionals in the past just throw a bunch of properties at us to see what may stick, which was a significant waste of everyone's time. Tom demonstrated deep knowledge about the areas we were looking in and if he didn't know something he told us right away and promptly got us the information we needed. Tom consistently put our needs ahead of his own and guided us away from a bidding war when we thought about continuing, but when he reviewed the comparable values in the area with us again, we were able to avoid significantly overpaying for a property we liked. Who does that? Almost no one in real estate except Tom. I highly recommend Tom without any reservations and hope to use his services for our next sale and purchase! No better compliment than using the same professional again! Highly recommended!!!
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