BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/29/2009 - 05/29/09 12:38 PM
Part 3 - You Can't Take Things too seriously in the Summer (Ocean City, NJ)
So I had my friends, Christine and Bill, listen to or read the last posting ... and all three of us offered additional ideas that should be in writing.  This is (for sure) the last posting of the day ... and the third and final part of what was foolishly begun.
 
Automobile driving, bicycle riding, and even walking represent additional rewards and concerns here in Ocean City.  Clearly, the experienced drivers, bikers, and walkers have all been here and done it before.  It's the newcomers … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/29/2009 - 05/29/09 08:59 AM
Part 2 ... You Can't Take Things too Seriously in the Summer ... Ocean City, New Jersey
Navigating the Streets & Roads in Ocean City, New Jersey
 
You need to practice defensive driving and follow a number of important strategies.  "Defensive Driving" for this posting means that almost everyone you see in an automobile all summer long is only here in Ocean City for a week.  They simply don't know where they are going.
Drive slowly ... expect sudden stops or very slow cars planning a left or right turn, but unable to find the street.  Don't pass.  They may … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/29/2009 - 05/29/09 07:33 AM
You Can't Things Too Seriously In the Summer ... Ocean City, New Jersey (Part 1 - Introduction)
One of several postings regarding the ongoing arrival of summer ... note:  we've had the unofficial start of summer on Memorial Day Weekend ... and now we have the opportunity for "long weekend practice" for several weeks in June plus the coming end-of-May weekend.  "Practice what," you say.  Well read on and enjoy!
I had my first close shave in terms of avoiding an accident today going North on Central at 7th Street.  Fortunately, I'm in my "summer defensive driving mode" which includes going … (4 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/27/2009 - 05/28/09 02:41 PM
Why Real Estate Agents Like Title Companies ... here in Ocean City, New Jersey
 
As everyone knows, the Buyer selects the title company to go to for closing.  The Seller follows accordingly.  Now some parts of New Jersey work much differently than other parts.  Since I am in South Jersey, in particular the shore points, I have very limited experiences elsewhere.  On the rare occasion I must go to a closing out of the Ocean City area.  So I have come to appreciate the title companies in our little corner of the world ... Ocean City, New Jersey.
I'm going … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/26/2009 - 05/26/09 11:31 AM
What's Been Happening In & Around Ocean City, New Jersey
 
My wife and I attended an "Ocean City Fine Arts League" Movie Night" on May 21st at St. Peter's United Methodist Church, Eighth and Central Avenue.  Showing times are 7PM, and movie nights will continue every other month through January, 2010.  These "Art-Related Movies" represent a good way for the Art League to introduce itself to others as well as provide specific entertainment for both it s members and the community.
The donation is $5.00 per person ... and they also have a popcorn machine so you purchase a treat.  … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/26/2009 - 05/26/09 11:05 AM
Coastal Living ... the monthly magazine dealing with "lifestyles" along the waters of this country including Ocean City, New Jersey
 
I have been an original subscriber, a charter member I believe they refer to me, with Coastal Living since they first started to publish (now maybe 7-10 years).  Perhaps the best way to find out about this great magazine is to visit its web-site at coastalliving.com ... or another way would be to purchase a copy at your favorite bookstore.  
This monthly magazine makes an effort to publish articles from the east coast to the west coast in the … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/26/2009 - 05/26/09 10:40 AM
Memorial Day Weekend 2009 ... Here today, gone tomorrow ... Ocean City, New Jersey
 
Last week as we near Thursday and Friday, one could feel the change in the air, the momentum of people crossing the Causeway, the cars on the Longport Bridge, the slower traffic looking for a street and driving so slow that cars backed up to the next street.  The unofficial start of summer was getting started, and by Saturday morning cars were everywhere ... and so were people.  In a resort community like Ocean City, New Jersey; certain weekends represent key time factors.  And Memorial Day … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/21/2009 - 05/21/09 03:24 PM
Random Thoughts on my numerous blog postings ... Ocean City,  New Jersey
 
A lot of people tell me ... "how do you get so much time to write a blog posting?"  I say:  "when I take a few minutes to write one (and I tend to think and write and type at the same time), it is a relaxing experience for me.  It's a way to think about sharing some ideas, thoughts, frustrations, etc. ... a time-out from the world of real estate until the next phone call comes in.
When I was a high school principal (for 17 years … (2 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/21/2009 - 05/21/09 07:35 AM
Ocean City is New Jersey's "Top Beach" ... Ocean City, New Jersey
 
In the "State of the Shore Report," Ocean City (NJ) received top honors for "the best beach in New Jersey.  Our well kept, but well known, secret about our little island so close to everything, but also just far enough away, has received another honor and recognition.  It will continue to happen because Ocean City has quite a bit to offer the visitor, the rental tenant, the second home owner, the full time resident, the retiree, and the investor.  I know this because at one point in my … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/21/2009 - 05/21/09 07:18 AM
Tearing Down an Old House on our block in the Gardens (Ocean City, New Jersey)
 
A single family on a corner lot was sold about four or five months ago, and the rumor was that the building was going to be torn down.  As a real estate agent, I had been in that building while it was "for sale."  The land value was probably ten times the value of the building.  Now many people say that you should protect the older buildings, but the fact is that the ongoing owner has that responsibility.  Too often they are neglected since the … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/20/2009 - 05/20/09 10:18 AM
Missing Days ... random thoughts about what I've been doing in the past few days here in Ocean City, NJ
 
I've had some confusion in the past few days due to a lot of different real estate tasks that have all arrived about the same time.  To make that more complicated, it is the weekend when my newsletter editorial duties for the Ocean City Yacht Club arrive (where you must put all the incoming material into a readable "Microsoft Publisher" format) between Friday and Monday ... although Monday is a holiday this issue.
I also have to "pending contracts" that … (2 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/20/2009 - 05/20/09 08:48 AM
Memorial Day Closing In ... here in Ocean City, New Jersey
 
So I've had that kind of week where I have far too much to do, not enough time to do it, a bit unhappy about how I'm feeling about most of everything, and last evening at home ... I suddenly figured it out.  MEMORIAL DAY IS CLOSING IN.  The rhythm of the island is changing ... slowly, but changing.  A bit more traffic every day.  Different kinds of telephone calls.  More problems with the telephone calls.  And that's not even counting some of the "contract pending situations" that I … (2 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/16/2009 - 05/17/09 10:36 AM
Ocean City Gazette ... Ocean City's Only Locally Owned Newspaper ... Ocean City, New Jersey
 
This represents a follow-up to a recent posting where I went into some detail reviewing my favorite local papers, and magazines and other material where I tend to get most of my local information.  Well, I forgot one ... i.e. the Ocean City Gazette ... and it's always good to know that you have readers reading your writing.  So I was called on the spot for not mentioning this one.  A big mistake.  Indeed, it is the one I read every Thursday (and not Friday) … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/16/2009 - 05/17/09 09:51 AM
Keys, Lockboxes, Tenant-Occupied, Owner-Occupied, & Agent-Must-Show Sale Listings in Ocean City, NJ
 
Did I miss any?  Maybe "unable-to-show due to repairs" or "no-keys-available as yet."  If you can think of others, let me know.  The life of a "Listing Agent" often revolves around one, more, or all these possible factors, or arrangements, or problems.  Add to that "working in a resort community" with about 600 real estate agents and almost no owners around (which can be both a good and bad situation), and one can see ongoing issues.  Plus I forgot salt air from the ocean which causes most good … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/15/2009 - 05/15/09 11:37 AM
Summer 2009 Rental Season ... Ocean City, New Jersey
 
We have only 36 days to go before we start the "Top 10 Rental Weeks of Summer, 2009."  But the entire time from May 1 through October 1 (and sometimes before May 1st or after October 1st) represent activity here in Ocean City, New Jersey.  The spring and fall shoulder seasons represent important times for the resort because second home owners are out and about, investment property owners are down to either open up their rental properties or close them up accordingly.  It's also a good time for adults without children … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/15/2009 - 05/15/09 08:10 AM
Friday Morning Activities at French Real Estate (Ocean City, New Jersey)
 
If you read a series of my postings, you know I enjoy reading, writing, watching films, playing tennis, walking and biking throughout Ocean City, making wine, and selling and renting real estate to those who venture down to our barrier island.  You may also know that I was a high school principal for seventeen years and had a total of thirty-two years in public eduction in Pennsylvania with our administrative roles and teaching history, psychology and sociology.  I will start my 17th year in real estate sometime later in … (2 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/14/2009 - 05/14/09 01:00 PM
The "Comparative Market Analysis" ... for Ocean City, New Jersey
 
Many different agents and agencies call the "CMA" a lot of different names, but I have tended to stick with the title, CMA or Comparative Market Analysis.  Although not everyone understands what you are talking about, almost everyone has a degree of knowledge at what you are trying to do.  Now many of the larger agencies direct agents to utilize their in-house system ... many of them being quite interesting and useful.  They certainly have a professional look and quality to their cover and format.  Being in a smaller agency, … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/13/2009 - 05/13/09 10:48 AM
Northend & Gardens Single Family "New Construction" Sale and Rental Properties in Ocean City, New Jersey
 
If you are looking for a family vacation with all the bells and whistles, and a short drive from almost anywhere in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Virginia, and several other states nearby ... look no further than OCEAN CITY, NEW JERSEY.
We have something for everyone here ... from small efficiency and 1-BR condo units, to 3-4-5BR condominiums in multiple locations, to 1920 & 1930 summer cottages, to just about everything else in between.  But for the second year in a row, … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/12/2009 - 05/12/09 07:43 AM
South Jersey Golfing
Now it seems a bit strange for a tennis player to be talking about "Golf in South Jersey;" but if the truth were told, I do enjoy golf.  I played for about eight years when I started to teach back in the mid-1960s.  I recall one summer when I was footloose and fancy free when I took one graduate class, studies out at the local city pool, and played golf several times a week.  I still enjoy watching the professionals play golf on television.  But it takes too much time ... and the second issue, I need … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/9/2009 - 05/09/09 11:41 AM
"BEACH READING" in Ocean City ... 2009 Summer Season
 
I have three great locations for my summer reading in Ocean City ... on the front porch after 5PM with the ocean breeze coming up the street, in the back yard under a tree anytime, on under a beach umbrella on Surf Beach in a light rain when most people are leaving the beach.  By the way, for that third location my toes get wet but the book stays dry.  And I'm working on a 4th location on our third floor back deck looking out at the Longport Bridge.  No one … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/9/2009 - 05/09/09 09:26 AM
Isolated & Unusual Realtor Skills ... Ocean City, New Jersey
After 17 years in my second career, with another 32 years in my earlier teaching/administrative career; I am constantly amazed by the varied backgrounds and skills brought to the real estate business by new and experienced agents.  This will be another continuing "posting topic" which I think other real estate agents (and even Buyers and Sellers) might find interesting maybe as much as I do.
 
I'm a writer ... I write every day.  Often I do better an original writing on some days, but I always write.  I'm also a … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/7/2009 - 05/08/09 12:02 PM
43 Days To Go ... Ocean City, New Jersey
 
We are on the final spring season march from now until the start of the "top ten rental weeks of the summer."  What kind of March are we talking about?  It's the Spring Buying Season that still has a way to go.  And when you think of sunshine (or lack there of), damp wet weather, and simply a colder spring ... that describes our 2009 weather.  That hasn't helped us to get Buyers down here the past month or so.  And although it has not improved all that much, here they … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/7/2009 - 05/07/09 09:55 AM
Peaks & Valleys ... Reflections on the ideas from this book to help all of us in our real estate careers
(Ocean City, New Jersey)
 
Spencer Johnson, the author of WHO MOVED MY CHEESE?(1998), recently wrote any interesting book  entitled Peaks & Valleys ... Making Good and Bad Times Work for You - At Work and In Life (2009).  These are always short, highly readable books.  And Johnson always adds a handout at the end as a way for the reader to keep something around for future reference.  A great idea!!  
As I did in the last … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/7/2009 - 05/07/09 08:42 AM
Who Moved My Cheese? ... Reflections of the ideas from this work to help all of us in our real estate careers (Ocean City, New Jersey)
 
Spencer Johnson writes great books with only a limited number of pages.  Now it is one thing to write a long excellent book; quite another to do it in only a 100 pages more or less.  Johnson is one of the best.  I've been wanting to read his latest book, Peaks and Valleys:  Making Good and Bad Times Work for You - At Work and in Life (2009).  And I found it in the … (3 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/6/2009 - 05/06/09 02:09 PM
2009 Cape May County Tourism Conference ... Part 3 of 3 Postings
 
The 2009 CMCDOT Booklet was produced by the Cape May County Department of Tourism under the direction of Diane Wieland.  At the back of the booklet, the following notice appears:  "This informational handout is produced by the Cape May County Department of Tourism by Diane Wieland, Kathryn Tomlin and Deborah Bass; additional copies are available by calling 609-463-6415.  Some data will be listed on the county web-site at capemaycountygov.net and www.thejerseycape.com
My summary and observations after listening to Diane Wieland and reading the 2009 booklet follow.  What I … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/6/2009 - 05/06/09 11:19 AM
2009 Cape May County Tourism Conference ... Part 2 of 3 Postings
 
This represents the summary of my notes taken at the conference.  Part 1 reviewed the conference details, the speakers, the agenda, and some initial highlights.  Part 3 will cover a review of the booklet covering statistics for Cape May County.
30 million people are a tank of gas away from South Jersey ... 90 million people are five hours or less from the same location.  During the past year, tourism people from South Jersey traveled to Canada for several programs and presentations ... and people from Canada came … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/5/2009 - 05/05/09 01:47 PM
2009 Cape May County Tourism Conference
Just returned from the "tourism conference" held in Cape May Courthouse today, May 5, 2009.  This conference, "a forum for the tourism industry" (which real estate happens to play an expanding role due to sales and rentals ... and its impact on just about every other tourist-related business), had as its theme this year"  "Is Cape May County's Tourism Industry Recession Proof?"
The keynote speaker for the conference was the New Jersey Secretary of State, Nina Mitchell Wells who shared the state's latest research.  Diane Wieland, Director of the Cape May County Departmet of Tourism … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/1/2009 - 05/02/09 12:11 PM
My Listing Update ... Northend/Gardens in Ocean City, New Jersey (+ a few more listings elsewhere)
 
I don't often post blogs regarding my sale listings since one can visit www.FrenchSales.com to see my listings as well as the rest of our agency sale listings.  However, with the "Spring Buying Period" now in full swing; some readers may find a number of these Northend & Gardens Sale Listings of interest.
SINGLES
212 Ocean Road ... 3BR/2.2BA single family in the Gardens with views ... $1,295,000
818 Fourth Street ... 3BR/1.5BA single family in the Northend ... excellent rental history ... $742,500
… (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 5/1/2009 - 05/01/09 08:04 AM
May 1st & Some Thoughtful Comments for Your Consideration ... Ocean City, New Jersey
 
The first thought always on the 1st of May is that "outdoor showering begins today."  Well, that would have been true for a few days during the past week and weekend when we hit the 80s and 90s.  But it's raining on the island today and much colder than the past few days.  We'll hold on the showers for just a bit more time ... unless we use a good bit of hot water.
Another realtor and myself were off the island yesterday for an event.  … (0 comments)