BEACH NOTES ... August 31, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/31/10 09:21 AM
Housing:  Don't Read Too Much ... Or At Least Don't Believe All of It ... from Ocean City, New Jersey
 
I would be less than honest if I didn't also say that you shouldn't believe everything that I have written as well ... but at least I have so warned you.  Much of my thinking about things comes from reading newspapers and magazines and books where I copy notes in my journal, tear pages from my own magazines, etc.  I then try to motivate my own thinking to reflect some of the thoughts from interesting articles ... which could be … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 31, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/31/10 08:55 AM
Charlie Chan ... a new book coming out ... from Ocean City, New Jersey
 
You have to be "real" old to say that you know who Charlie Chan is, or was.  I remember the old black and white television in our living room ... a very large unit with a much smaller screen.  We probably picked up three channels if we were lucky.  And, of course, having grown up to about 7th or 8th grade via radio, tv was a new thing for me and my family.  And staying up late and watching "the million dollar movie" or the early … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 30, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/30/10 04:25 PM
Mad Men ... the Best Show on Television
 
I'm a big movie fan ... esp the old black and whites.  But I also scan the channels for what might look interesting ... and I tape everything for future viewing (or maybe not viewing).  In other words, I almost never watch a show at the time it was on.  I've only been doing that for several years ... but it is a great way to use one's time so wisely.
Now:  Mad Men ... which is the best show on television right now in terms of a continuing series.  On AMC, … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 29, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/29/10 05:32 PM
Ninth Street Beach in the 1960s in Ocean City, New Jersey
 
Now I was a Wildwood (NJ) boy, who only discovered Ocean City (NJ) after I met my wife to be, Leslie.  She likes to say:  "I got him out of Wildwood and brought him more culture in Ocean City."  And as in most things, she was right.  We stayed in an old B&B called the Hanif Inn on Wesley Avenue off Ninth Street in the downtown section.  Her parents knew the owners, the Olmars; and I enjoyed talking with them into the late evenings.  We spent about 20+ years … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... 8/27/2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/27/10 11:36 AM
Phish Report from Ocean City, New Jersey
 
Just read about "Phish," the New England rock group that will be making an appearance in Atlantic City (NJ) for several days in late October, 2010.  Then my broker called me and gave me the same information for my son, Nick, who lives in California.  So I quickly called Nick who already has their entire schedule.
When Nick graduated from college back in 1997, he and three other friends toured the United States following "Phish" everywhere.  It was a type of graduating experience.  He drove an old Volvo station wagon.  His wife to … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 27, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/27/10 11:23 AM
Jersey Shore Market Report ... from Ocean City, New Jersey
 
It's almost the starting time for the "fall buying period" ... one of the two major buying times in shore resort communities like Ocean City, New Jersey.  Now I've been around long enough to remember December months when I had 6-7 closings to wrap up the calendar year.  I recall those other years when the spring buying period resulted in condominium sales followed by a strong rental summer rental season with a relisting of said condo property in the fall buying period for another $100,000 plus from the original purchase … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 26, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/26/10 10:14 AM
Changing Times at the Shore ... from Ocean City, New Jersey
 
Just updating you on my return to my real estate job effective September 1, 2010 here in Ocean City (NJ).  Since early August I have picked up responsibility for my sale listings, conducted some open houses, and have taken some buyers around to visit sale property.  But overall, I have not spent much time in the real estate agency office, French Real Estate, in Ocean City, New Jersey.  But my relaxing days are coming to a close.  And I am looking forward to more activity.
I have joined with … (3 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 26, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/26/10 09:55 AM
Boardwalk Empire ... The History of Atlantic City and its rise to fame ... from Ocean City, New Jersey
 
Based on the book, Boardwalk Empire - The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City, by Nelson Johnson; HBO has developed an upcoming miniseries of the same name.  THE PRESS of Atlantic City has published excerpts of the book in three or four issues of their daily paper, and now with the premiere set for September 16, 2010; it will continue to receive a lot of attention in Atlantic City too.
Since our little island of Ocean City (NJ) is … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 25, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/25/10 01:50 PM
OPEN HOUSE ... 19 Laurel Drive South in Somers Point, New Jersey
 
Please stop by our "Open House" at "19 Laurel Drive South" in Somers Point (NJ) on Saturday, August 28th from
9:30 AM to 2:00 PM.
 
Located on the "Fairways," this "clean and ready" rancher is just what many buyers might be looking for ... and at an excellent listing price - $249,500.  Hardwood flooring in the living and dining room provides a welcoming attraction for anyone entering the house.  The sun room at the rear, which opens to both the dining room and kitchen is also a … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 25, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/25/10 11:36 AM
Condominium Sale & Sold Property Review in Ocean City, New Jersey
 
We now move to the largest property category (both "for sale" and "sold/pending") in Ocean City, New Jersey.  Clearly, there is always something for everyone in this category:  varied locations all over the island, old and new units out there, low to very high price ranges, and different sizes (1BR through 5BR units ... some even larger).
The present number of condominium property units for sale throughout Ocean City (NJ) is 703.  The average listing price for condos is $651,755, and the median listing price for condos is $514,900.  … (1 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 24, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/24/10 03:27 PM
Results for the 2010 Summer Rental Season ... Ocean City, New Jersey
 
Every year about this time I review the summer rental season by the numbers, the critical weeks, the leading weeks, etc.  I've been doing this since 1993 when I started working at French Real Estate in Ocean City (NJ).  Many things stay the same each year, but there are changes to reflect on as well.  My purpose in doing this on a yearly basis is to assist other agents in the rental process, to help owners understand the varying demand among rental weeks, and to alert rental tenants … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 23, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/23/10 04:21 PM
New Author/Two Books ... from Ocean City, New Jersey
 
I'm always scanning the newspapers for a new writer ... and ran across Martin Walker who divides his time between Washington, D. C. and the southwest section of France.  He has three works of fiction and a long list of non-fiction books tied into his work as a senior director of the Global Business Policy Council.  Let's focus on the non-fiction in this posting:
     The Caves of Perigord (not sure of the date)
     Bruno, Chief of Police (2008)
     The Dark Vineyard (2009)
 
I did not have an … (5 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 23, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/23/10 01:17 PM
Can Two Be Better Than One ... from Ocean City, New Jersey
 
Since 1993 when I started my second career following 32 years in public education as a teacher and later a high school principal, I have watched with some interest how various real estate agents work with one another, with partners, with teams, with assistants, etc.  Each pairing always presents a somewhat different point of view for me over the years.  I was truly interested in how it was working ... but I was never so interested that I pursued it beyond my off-and-on-study in an isolated manner.
Probably … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 23, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/23/10 10:37 AM
Multi-Family Sale Listings & Sold/Pending Property ... in Ocean City, New Jersey
 
The "Multi-Family Property Category" in Ocean City (NJ) is the smallest property category with only 80 sale listings throughout the island.  One misleading factor in this list is that it is often tilted heavy at the higher prices because often two new construction condominiums are also listed as a "duplex" for this property category.  Therefore, the average list price may not be truly representative because they never sell both of them as a duplex (at least a rare occasion).
The average list price is $1,152,697 and the median … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 22, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/22/10 01:06 PM
Single Family Sale & Sold Property Update in Ocean City, New Jersey ... 2010
 
As we prepare for the "Fall Buying Period," it is useful to look at what's been happening in the single family property category from January 1 through August 22, 2010.  We find 226 sale listings throughout Ocean City (NJ) with an "average" listing price of $1,304,274 and a "median" listing price of $892,000.
We find 45 sale listings under $500,000, 24 more from $500,000 to $600,000, 23 more from $600,000 to $700,000, and 38 more from $700,000 to $1million.  That is just over 50% of the … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 21, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/21/10 02:50 PM
Serving Alcohol in Ocean City (NJ) 
 
Every Saturday afternoon I receive my copy of TIME magazine, and I try to read an article or two before doing anything else.  This cover story reviews "the anti-mosque uproar" across America.  A favorite essay writer for TIME, Nancy Gibbs, on the last page of every other issue had a great piece entitled "Sacred Spaces - We all view them differently.  so how can we best turn hallowed ground into common ground?
Now I'm not suggesting my topic meets all of this criteria, but it did cause me to decide to write a posting … (1 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 18, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/18/10 10:31 AM
A Rainy Day at the Beach ... in Ocean City, New Jersey
 
Some of my most memorial rainy days have taken place during my time in Ocean City, New Jersey.  When we were renting property during the summer, I enjoyed sitting on on the second floor porch at the Haniff Inn, an old B&B on Wesley Avenue downtown.  I recall walking up to the Boardwalk with my wife, Leslie, often trying to find a dry location later in the evening.  Perhaps my most unusual rainy day activity has been (when it is a light summer rain) heading down the the … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 17, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/17/10 03:20 PM
Lifeguard Stands on the Beach ... from Ocean City, New Jersey
 
A recent article in THE PRESS of Atlantic City (8/14/2010) ... "Each Jersey beach takes its own stand" ...has led to this posting.  Having gone to the beach throughout South Jersey over fifty plus years, I found out something in this article that I just never knew.  I knew the most important location and tool for lifeguards was their stand, and that elevation enabled them to be able to all over the water from that angle.  I also knew that the surf line changed throughout the day here in … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 17, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/17/10 03:19 PM
Lifeguard Stands on the Beach ... from Ocean City, New Jersey
 
A recent article in THE PRESS of Atlantic City (8/14/2010) ... "Each Jersey beach takes its own stand" ...has led to this posting.  Having gone to the beach throughout South Jersey over fifty plus years, I found out something in this article that I just never knew.  I knew the most important location and tool for lifeguards was their stand, and that elevation enabled them to be able to all over the water from that angle.  I also knew that the surf line changed throughout the day here in … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 17, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/17/10 01:08 PM
Community Updates:  Hammonton (NJ) ... from Ocean City, New Jersey
 
This is one in a continuing posting of news and interest about other communities nearby Ocean City, New Jersey.  Hammonton (NJ) has been of interest to us since our nephew, Chad, married a girl from this community - Jenn.  They now reside in a lovely little street just back from the main street going through town ... Grape Street.  We can make it up to Hammonton via the Parkway in about a half hour or a bit more depending on traffic.  One can also take a more scenic route which … (2 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 16, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/16/10 04:14 PM
Getting Ready for Emergencies on a barrier island in South Jersey ... from Ocean City, New Jersey
 
"Be Prepared - Coastal Storms & Other Emergencies" is the title of "The 2010 Guide to Hurricane Preparedness & Evacuation" produced by the Ocean City Office of Emergency Management in conjunction with the Ocean City Free Public Library.  I make it a point to read this little booklet each year.  Maybe as one gets older, the weather becomes an important daily aspect ... but when you live on a barrier island next to the ocean in a somewhat isolated location for much of … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 16, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/16/10 03:42 PM
More About Ocean City (NJ) ... "The Ocean City Fine Arts League"
 
One of the first things that caught my eye when we started to spend more time in Ocean City, New Jersey was the number of different artists in and around town in particular and South Jersey in general.  The number of art shows on the boardwalk, down in the Ocean City Library, and on the streets in town provided almost ongoing representation for these varied displays. 
Originally on the 800 block of Asbury Avenue and now on the 600 block of Asbury Avenue, the downtown was a … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 16, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/16/10 11:24 AM
The Summer Season is almost over ... in Ocean City, New Jersey
 
The summer rental season, the busiest time of our calendar year, is almost over.  We hit the downside this Saturday when each succeeding week has less rental tenants than before.  Yes, Ma; there is life after the rental season in a resort community like Ocean City, New Jersey.
So how do we know all of this you ask:  obviously, past years continue to support this time frame.  So does the lighter traffic during the week.  Parking gets easier all over the place.  The locals tend to be friendlier … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 14, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/14/10 03:12 PM
OPEN HOUSE in the Gardens for the past two Saturdays ... Ocean City, New Jersey
 
In one of my summer meetings with the sellers of 313 Gull Road I was asked what can we do to generate more traffic to the property at this time of year.  I responded by saying that with the first two weekends of August approaching, the most rented time of the summer, we should try to have a few open houses.  Of course, it can be difficult to have these for people who are living in the sale property full time.  I suggested Friday, Saturday, … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 14, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/13/10 01:00 PM
Route #52 Bridge Report ... from Ocean City, New Jersey
 
The Route 52 Causeway Replacement Project keeps moving along with a recent report to the community.  They are now getting ready for the slowdown that will occur with traffic when Labor Day has come and gone.  Yes, that means the rental season in Ocean City (NJ) will be over ... and the entire causeway will be closed to traffic for four days from September 13 through noon on September 17.
That time frame will enable them to tie-in construction which will include the partial demolition of the existing bridge with … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 13,2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/13/10 06:54 AM
The Barnes Foundation ... in Philadelphia, PA as visited from Ocean City, NJ
 
My wife, Leslie, and I made a full day visit to the Barnes Galleries and Arboretum outside of Philadelphia (PA) along City-Line Avenue, just north of the city.  We arrived at 10:30 AM ... you must schedule an appointment time by phone or internet.  We visited the gallery and decided to take advantage of a guided tour of the grounds which we had never done before.  The late Mr. Barnes and his wife who lived until the 1960s slowly began what we be one of the world's … (1 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 12, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/12/10 04:18 PM
The Somers Point Circle ... from Ocean City, New Jersey
 
About 40+ years ago, when my wife, Leslie, brought me to a more civilized shore point called Ocean City (NJ) ... more about that another time; I took my first spin around "the Somers Point Circle."  Now I go into great detail here because I have taken that circle a good many times in the past 40+ years (sometimes several directions in a day).  If I have to saw so myself, I wasn't much of a "circle driver" in my early years, and I didn't much like them either.  But … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 11, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/11/10 03:30 PM
A Moonbeam VW Convertable ... in Ocean City, New Jersey
 
Let's talk about the cars real estate agents drive.  I drive a VW Convertible ... moonbeam is the color, never knew what they meant - just liked it.  Plus a black top.  When I park at the agency office, everyone walking, biking, or driving by knows that I am there.  Is that why I purchased the car in 2003?  No.  But since there may only be five or ten convertibles in the entire community, it has become part of my identity.
We've owned used Volvos and Saabs for the last … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 10, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/10/10 03:20 PM
New Listing ... 917 Second Street 2nd/3rd Floor ... in the Northend "900" Beachblock (Ocean City, New Jersey)
 
Just Listing ... one of the very unique, third property from the beach and boards, on the "900" beachblock in the Northend, 917 Second Street has5BR/3BA on the second and third floors with both floors having front and rear ocean views.  This property generates $50,000 + income each summer in Ocean City (NJ).  A Coste-built condo with all the efforts put in by one of the great builders in Ocean City, "917" has some great features including an open floor plan with … (1 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 10, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/10/10 02:37 PM
A Realtor's Role ... from Ocean City, New Jersey
 
I've been getting back into "my realtor's role," whatever that means, as I slowly recover from bypass surgery.  In other words, although I'm not working full time in the office right now; I am picking up my sale listings, touching base with other real estate agents, and going in and out of the agency just a bit more.  Most of my work involves the telephone.
This morning I got a new sale listing, and the owner stopped over to my house to drop off materials and review listing price.  So that … (0 comments)

BEACHNOTES ... August 10, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/10/10 11:21 AM
Resort Real Estate ... in Ocean City, New Jersey
 
Resort real estate is certainly an important niche in the total field of real estate across the country.  Obviously, it is quite a bit different from the home buying and selling process which most buyers/owners are used to doing.  In fact, it can be so different that it becomes quite difficult to become a player in the game.  
Let's focus on several aspects of resort real estate:   the location, the market, the usage of the property, the timing, and the cost.  I will try to cover these five points briefly … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 9, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/09/10 01:40 PM
Palm Prelude (Smart Phone) ... from Ocean City, New Jersey
 
I have been a "palm man" for years starting out with the "organizer" which I never thought that I could give up.  The early palm phones were not always the best, but they continued to have that "organizing process" which made up for some phone mistakes. 
When I purchased the old "Palm Treo," I was pleased by a variety of features including the way you could link your contacts into a variety of different files.  I also liked the 30 or more ""quick list" of important numbers ... but … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 9, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/09/10 01:23 PM
New Author + Book Review ... from Ocean City, New Jersey
 
In one of my daily/weekly papers I came across the Scottish writer, Ian Rankin, and his first book of a long series with his detective, John Rebus.  Our local library had a copy of the 1987 book, Knots and Crosses, which I recently finished.  Rankin can tell a good story: great plot, solid characters, and the setting in Scotland is very new to me. 
I've recently been reading a number of different writers from out of the United States ... including Sweden, Scotland, and France.  Mostly, I have … (1 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 8, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/08/10 11:39 AM
The Beach Chair ... in Ocean City, New Jersey
 
My wife and I have gone to the beach about 3PM on the past two Saturdays staying until about 5:30PM.  Just long enough to enjoy the later afternoon sun, watch many of the people leave the beach, and get some insights as to what we are missing by not coming more often.
Obviously, being a sales and rental agent in a resort community means I usually spend an entire Saturday checking in rental tenants and solving rental property problems.  But for the first time in 17 years, I have missed all … (1 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 8, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/08/10 11:21 AM
Open House Option for the Summer Months ... in Ocean City, New Jersey
 
Once the "Summer Rental Season" kicks off (about mid-to-late June), you can generally say goodbye to getting into many sale properties.  Obviously, there are some out there that don't rent ... but generally the summer (in my 17 years working here in Ocean City) tend to be quite slow in that regard.
But a few weeks ago while talking with an Owner, he asked me what we could do to get his sale property more attention "right now."  I said:  "the next two weeks will have the … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 6, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/06/10 01:13 PM
About 90 Days ... in Ocean City, New Jersey
 
"90 Days" ... what does that mean?  Once Labor Day arrives, and the gang goes home ... that's about the number of days remaining in the "Fall Buying Period."  It has certainly been a somewhat neglected time frame the past few years with so many national economic events happening that simply caused a lot of buyers to stay home.  But not this year ... because the mortgage rates are great:  low and lower.  And buyers can see some interesting opportunities that may not be around if you don't take the opportunity … (1 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 5, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/05/10 01:28 PM
Sale Listing Update:  Condominiums in Ocean City, New Jersey
 
This is the largest property category throughout Ocean City (NJ) with over 600 sale listings all over the community.  It is also the proprty category that has the most appeal to buyers because there are price ranges available at almost anyone's budget.  You can find efficiency units; 1-2-3-4-5 and more bedrooms with varying numbers of bathrooms; older and newer plus new construction condominiums; and locations suitable to the beach and bay and parts in-between. 
That is the reason why over 300 condominiums have sold to date in Ocean City (NJ).  … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 3, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/04/10 02:21 PM
Multi-Family Sale Listings ... in Ocean City, New Jersey
 
There are now 77 multi-family sale listings (our smallest property category) throughout Ocean City (NJ).  29 of these multi-unit sale listings are found in the Northend and Gardens sections of Ocean City (NJ) ... or about 37% of them.  In the Northend and Gardens we find about 13 of that 29 number close enough to the beach to be considered solid summer weekly rentals.  Some of the others might rent by the week, but not as well.  They could also rent by the season or year-round too.
I happen to have … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 3, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/03/10 09:16 AM
Listing Update:  Single Family Property in the Northend & Gardens in Ocean City, New Jersey
 
We still have about four full weeks plus until we reach the close of the 2010 summer rental season, but now is the time to be thinking about "the Fall Buying Period."  That will begin right after Labor Day and extend to the end of November.  So here is a quick listing update for the "Northend/Gardens."
 
We find 230 single family sale listings throughout Ocean City and 91 in the Northend and Gardens.  The Northend and Gardens has an "average listing price" of $1,345,707 … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 2, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/02/10 02:00 PM
OPEN HOUSE ... Saturday August 7th & 14th ... 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM ... 313 Gull Road
 
It's a perfect time to see one of the best single family houses for sale in the Gardens in Ocean City (NJ) during the next two Saturdays ... August 7th and August 14th ... from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM.  This is a great property with 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms on one of the largest lots in the entire Gardens area:  88x100 feet.  Take a short walk, a longer bike ride, or even drive your car because there will be … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 2, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/02/10 11:15 AM
Excellent Mortgage Rates ... as reviewed in Ocean City, New Jersey
 
In spite of a variety of economic issues facing the United States, and a lot of worry and concern on the part of many people, the "second home, resort market, and rental market" continue to conduct business.  One of the primary factors relates to "mortgage rates:"  now at some of their best rates in quite a long time. 
 
Conforming 30 year fixed rates are 4.625%; 15 year fixed rates are 4.125%.  Conforming 5/1 Arms are 3.50%; 7/1 Arms are 3.75%.  And Jumbo Arms, including interest only, are … (0 comments)

BEACH NOTES ... August 1, 2010 ... Ocean City, New Jersey - 08/01/10 11:04 AM
Book Recommendation:  Summer Reading in Ocean City, New Jersey
 
I'm recommending the most recent book by a great writer, Daniel Silva, entitled The Rembrandt Affair (2010).  It is the 13th one in this continuing series dealing with espionage and spys throughout Europe and the rest of the world.  Silva is probably the best at what he does.  He starts with Gabriel Allon, an Israeli agent who has the cover of a master art restorer who travels about Europe working on damaged paintings.  At this point in his career Gabriel has married his long time lover, Chiara, who was also an … (0 comments)