Chris Tarta’s interest in real estate began in middle school, when he spent time at his father’s real estate law firm. Watching transactions unfold from start to finish gave him an early understanding of the critical role a strong agent plays in a successful deal.
Despite that early exposure, Tarta initially pursued a career in hospitality. After attending Johnson & Wales University, where he studied culinary arts and hospitality management, he spent two decades managing restaurants. Most recently, he owned Bella Campania in Hillsdale and Due South Broad Bistro in Ridgewood.
As his family grew, however, the demands of restaurant life became increasingly difficult to balance. Tarta wanted more time with his wife, Ann, and daughters, Mia, Este and Charli.
“When you work in restaurants, you work all the time—nights, weekends and holidays,” he said. “When I sold a property I owned during a tough market, I became very familiar with the real estate process and realized how relationship-based it is, much like hospitality. It gave me a light at the end of the tunnel.”
While still working in restaurants, Tarta earned his real estate license and began taking on clients. In 2017, he transitioned into real estate full time.
Today, he leads the Align Team at eXp Realty in Wyckoff, representing buyers and sellers primarily in Bergen County, while also working in Passaic, Essex, Sussex, Monmouth and Ocean counties. His portfolio spans luxury homes, primary residences and investment properties.
Tarta credits his work ethic and relationship-driven approach for the team’s success.
“I am a platinum-level Realtor and ranked in the top 0.1% in New Jersey in sales,” he said. “Align is the No. 1 team in New Jersey across all brokerages. In 2025, we completed approximately $645 million in sales and about 1,400 transactions.”
Bergen County continues to attract buyers for its balance of space, lifestyle and accessibility, Tarta said.
“People can enjoy comfortable home sizes and generous yards while still having an easy commute to New York City,” he said. “That blend of suburban living with proximity to Manhattan is a major draw.”
For homeowners considering selling this spring, Tarta said market conditions remain favorable.
“You probably have never been able to get the price for your home that you can right now,” he said.
Still, he encourages buyers and sellers to begin conversations well in advance.
“Ideally, you should reach out to a Realtor months—or even years—before making a move,” he said. “That allows time for planning and strategy so you can make the best possible decisions.”
One advantage of working with a team like Align, Tarta noted, is access to off-market opportunities.
“For buyers, we can identify properties before they hit the public MLS and create opportunities ahead of competition,” he said. “For sellers, we can position a property as an exclusive offering, which can lead to prime pricing and smoother transactions based on preferred timing and terms.”
Though his career path has shifted, Tarta said his hospitality background still shapes his approach.
“We operate as a white-glove, concierge real estate team,” he said. “I work directly with clients, supported by 22 full-time staff members who manage everything from contract to attorney review. For sellers, we also have a robust marketing department and a large buyer database.”
Outside of work, Tarta embraces the Northern New Jersey lifestyle he promotes professionally. He and Ann, his high school sweetheart, returned to Wyckoff to raise their family.
“That says a lot about the area,” he said. “We believe in it so much that we chose to come back here for our children.”
The family’s ties to the community run deep. Rather than relocating, they chose to rebuild their home in their longtime neighborhood.
“We couldn’t imagine leaving,” Tarta said. “Our kids are friends, we vacation together, and it truly feels like home.”
Much of Tarta’s free time is spent supporting his daughters—Mia, 16; Este, 13; and Charli, 11—at sporting events, including pickleball, basketball, volleyball and lacrosse. The family also enjoys hiking and walking local nature preserves.
A former restaurateur at heart, Tarta continues to support local dining favorites, including Wyckoff Tavern, Wyckoff Thai, Pazza in Franklin Lakes, Shumi in Ridgewood, Allendale Steakhouse, Roots in Ridgewood, and Sakura, The Brick House and Aldo’s in Wyckoff.
For more information, visit alignteam.com.
“People can enjoy comfortable home sizes and generous yards while still having an easy commute to New York City.” - Chris Tarta