The Boss’ former home in Long Branch under contract to fans

7 1/2 West End Court in Long Branch, the house where Bruce Springsteen wrote "Born to Run," is under contract. (Staff Photo: Bradley J. Penner)

It turns out an uptick in the real estate market hasn't passed the little house at 7 1/2 West End Court in Long Branch. The home, where one-time renter Bruce Springsteen wrote "Born to Run," is under contract to three of the Boss' fans from New Jersey. One of the prospective owners will live in the house, Susan McLaughlin, an agent with ...

Keller Williams Realty, said this morning.

"They came. They loved it. They bought it,'' McLaughlin said.

The house went under contract in mid September and closing is expected in several weeks. McLaughlin said she could not provide details on the purchase price because the closing has not yet occurred. The home was priced at $299,000. "The sellers are very happy with the price,'' McLaughlin said. There were multiple offers, she added.

McLaughlin said the home had intense interest and international exposure with more than 63,000 hits on her Web site. It's appeared on Web sites, news reports, magazines and television newscasts around the world.  "It is just a reflection of people's affection for Bruce why this caused such a stir,'' McLaughlin said.

The prospective buyers are "local, some of the nicest people I've ever met,'' McLaughin said.

The one-level home, built in the traditional southern shotgun-style, is 928 square feet, has high ceilings, two bedrooms, living room, galley kitchen and one bathroom.

According to "Rock & Roll Tour of the Jersey Shore" by Jean Mikle, a reporter at the Asbury Park Press, and Stan Goldstein, an editor at the Star Ledger, Springsteen wrote "Born to Run," "Thunder Road," "Backstreets" and many other songs on the iconic album at 7 1/2 West End Court.

"During the "Tunnel of Love' tour (in 1988), Bruce would talk about how he was sitting on the edge of his bed and wrote "Born to Run' while living here," the two wrote.

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