ocean city new jersey: I'm sitting "Hurricane Sandy" out on our barrier island, Ocean City,New Jersey - 10/28/12 02:57 PM
I'm sitting "Hurricane Sandy" out on our barrier island, Ocean City, New Jersey
 
It's 5:40pm here in Ocean City, NJ; and I'm upstairs in my third floor office location listening to the rain and wind blowing as I write my first hurricane blog posting.  My wife is downstairs making a great hurricane dinner ... meat loaf, baked potatoes, home-made apple sauce, etc.  Our son, Nick, is in from California visiting getting caught in our arriving hurricane.
Why did we stay?  Actually, we were planning an afternoon return to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania accepting our close friend's invitation to stay with them.  … (3 comments)

ocean city new jersey: BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 3/20/2009 - 03/20/09 08:41 AM
What did Susie Orman have to say?
 
It's Spring here in Ocean City, New Jersey ... and guess what, it's snowing.  Not a lot and probably not for long.  But what a spring greeting.  Got into the office early after watching the first half hour of the Today program.  One of the guests was Susie Orman ... the very interesting speaker and writer of financial information and wise investments.  So what did she have to say ...
Among other things ... she recommends buying or investing in REAL ESTATE.
Since it follows my last blog where I made the … (0 comments)

ocean city new jersey: BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 3/19/2009 - 03/19/09 03:42 PM
Here's Another Spring Buying Prediction
 
Yes, I've given you a number of thoughts, predictions, maybes, maybe-nots, and more in these postings.  So here is one more:  just maybe housing will be "up-up-and-away" again this spring IF the interest rates move into the "4s" as might possibly happen with the goings-on in Washington right now.  If so, many areas around the country, maybe most areas, will get just the push and boost that is needed to jump-start the housing market.
Remember we talk about housing as if it were a national market ... but the reality is that it is is … (0 comments)

ocean city new jersey: BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, . City, NJ ... 3/12/2009 - 03/12/09 09:19 AM
OCBOR creates the "OCEAN CITY REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION"
 
I thought I'd share this effort by the Ocean City Board of Realtors (Ocean City, NJ) and their Education Committee who worked long and hard to obtain state and national approvals along with some sound thinking about what should be required in order for local agents to achieve this certification.  I won't go into all of the details regarding the requirements ... just visit www.OCBOR.org or phone our hard-working, great Executive Officer for our Board, Christine Bauder at 609-399-0128.
Part of the effort is "continuing education" which involves on-gong workshop programs … (2 comments)

ocean city new jersey: BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 3/7/2009 - 03/07/09 12:49 PM
More Thoughts about the "Spring Buying Period"
 
As the thoughts go ... "these were the best of times, they were the worst of times ...," it is certainly true that "the times they are a-changin" too.  It seems like every day things are getting a bit worse, or occasionally a bit better, depending when you tune in or read the national news.  Obviously, there is the national news ... but real estate markets are made up of isolated pockets of housing all over the country.  For example, Ocean City (New Jersey) represents a small barrier island on the Atlantic Ocean … (0 comments)

ocean city new jersey: BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 3/6/2009 - 03/06/09 09:32 AM
Single Family Sale Listings ..Ocean City, New Jersey
 
THIS JUST MAY BE THE VERY BEST TIME TO BUY a "single family" sale listing in Ocean City, New Jersey.  Why?  Because we have a selected number available in average-to-good-to-even better condition ... with many of them in the Northend and Gardens listed from the mid-$600,000 range to just under $1 million.  Obviously, there are many others priced over a million; but it remains a real time for consideration regarding single family sale property in Ocean City.
Although the national economic indicators and conditions don't bode well for optimism or encouragement, … (0 comments)

ocean city new jersey: BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 3/5/2009 - 03/05/09 11:10 AM
This is what I've been Reading lately
 
I've been working on "TEAM of RIVALS:  The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln" by Dorris Kearns Goodwin (2008) which goes into minute details about how Lincoln organized his cabinet with the men who ran against him when he won the Presidency.  It's my "on again/off again read ... which means as others arrive, I may put it away for a few days or a week.
"AMERICAN LION:  Andrew Jackson in the White House" by Jon Meacham (2008) was another non-fiction book that I completed ... part of my once a year read of … (0 comments)

ocean city new jersey: BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 2/19/2009 - 02/19/09 09:33 AM
Ocean City, New Jersey ... A Resort Destination Worthy of Note
 
I am always amazed how much coordination and effort takes place within this small barrier island a short drive from Atlantic City, NJ and the first resort location on the road through South Jersey.  First of all, you have the City of Ocean City and their outstanding efforts ... some great people doing an excellent job to promote and maintain the "special features" that make Ocean City what it is.  Add to that the leadership and efforts of the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce who has also taken the … (0 comments)

ocean city new jersey: BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Oce an City, NJ ... 2/17/2009 - 02/17/09 01:40 PM
More Film Reviews ... Roma ntic Comedy
This is my favorite type of film that I use as a way "to get my groove back" when I am down, but not out.  I find this type of light film with a lot of humor, slapstick, some romance (but often subtle), and often some great supporting cast members to get me an enjoyable two hours.  By the time it is over, I'm better than I was when I started.  I even have some specific films that I enjoy ... anything with Spencer Tracey and Kathern Hepburn, Doris Day and Rock Hudson, John … (0 comments)

ocean city new jersey: BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 2/17/2009 - 02/17/09 10:59 AM
Sale Listing Update ... Ocean City, New Jersey
 
Let's take a look at the sale listing inventory for "all of Ocean City" and for "the Northend & Gardens Only."  I like to do both of these breakdowns because so many of my Buyers and Owners represent this special area from 6th Street north to the end of the island ... that area from 6th Street to North being the Northend, that area from North Street to the Longport Bridge being the Gardens.
 
                                        All of Ocean City                                                         Northend & Gardens Only
Singles                                      238                                                                                          82
Multi-Family                              66                                                                                          35
Condominiums                        744                                                                                        … (0 comments)

ocean city new jersey: BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 2/6/2009 - 02/06/09 01:57 PM
A Listing Philosophy ... 
 
Over many years I developed my own ideas about "the listing process.  Why?  Because our smaller interactive office allows for a great deal of "give-and-take," but not nearly as much office detail and structure.  It's simply very easy to meet-and-talk with many agents.  But in such an environment, there was not as much agency instruction, education, and foundation-building. 
That type of assistance would certainly help, but many of us (including myself) arrived here with additional "real world" experience ... surely "people skills," maybe some writing skills, certainly organization skills, and in my paritcular case … (0 comments)

ocean city new jersey: BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 2/6/2009 - 02/06/09 10:24 AM
Western Movies ... Part 2
Following up my recent posting on "western films" ... the top ten as picked by the experts, here are my favorites for your review. 
I like "High Noon" from the top ten in the previous posting.  Gary Cooper is the town leader that the town no longer wants, but continues to need.  The classic western with the good guy all alone.  Grace Kelly is his Quaker wife who wants him to no longer be the sheriff, and he is willing to leave.  But the bad guys are coming back to town.  A great character actor, … (0 comments)

ocean city new jersey: BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 2/5/2009 - 02/05/09 03:17 PM
Northend Sale Listing at 354 Asbury Avenue 2nd Floor
 
So you have decided to consider the purchase of a shore property in Ocean City, New Jersey.  You have gone to a number of web-sites, reviewed the possible options, considered locations, arrived at a particualr price point ... so you are ready to go.  Great!  Plan to make a "Valentine's Day" Visit (Saturday, February 14th) to Ocean City, New Jersey ... "OPEN HOUSE" from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM.  This will be my location on "Saturday Only."
Listed at $497,500, this second floor 3BR/2BA two-year old new construction condominium is looking … (0 comments)

ocean city new jersey: BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 2/5/2009 - 02/05/09 11:14 AM
What's that Song about the "Western Movies?"
 
I'm a movie fan, a film buff ... I love to recommend films that I often rate (4-great, 3-good, 2-average, 1-poor & I often add a ".5" to gain variation).  I did that for my high school faculty when I was a building principal; did it now in my on-line newsletter (BEACH NOTES) for Buyers and Owners ... so I thought I'd do a blog posting every so often.  First of all, I now only go to the "real movie theatre" (but these long thin places aren't exactly the real thing anymore).  … (0 comments)

ocean city new jersey: BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 2/5/2009 - 02/05/09 09:24 AM
I just got a New Listing!
 
Now many agents get new listings all the time ... what's important is how we do it, and what we do with it.  And it's not always a one, two, three arrangement.  Often it involves an initial listing meeting where the agent and the Owner/Seller meet and talk about it.
Let's add one more important aspect right away.  In the present economic situation across the country, it is not as easy to market and sell a property anywhere.  Obviously, some parts of the country are in better housing shape than others.  A "resort market" … (0 comments)

ocean city new jersey: BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 2/4/2009 - 02/04/09 01:09 PM
Rental Activity in Ocean City, New Jersey
 
"They're Back!  No, it's not another science fiction film ... and they aren't really back ... but they will be back for "SUMMER 2009" ... where?  All over the beach and boardwalk and downtown Ocean City, New Jersey.  The "regulars" are returning - rental tenants who usually start booking from September through November have joined my January and February "regulars" ... it's summer rental time in Ocean City, New Jersey again.
You won't know it by the traffic in the streets ... it's web-site hits at www.FrenchRentals.com; it's emails arriving at Dustin@BeachNotes.net; it's … (0 comments)

ocean city new jersey: BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 2/4/2009 - 02/04/09 11:04 AM
A Couple of Days Off the Island ... But we're Back!
 
So I had to take my wife, Leslie, back to Pennsylvania for some difficult oral surgery.  We're back ... a long four hour drive in major Philadlephia traffic and snow avoidance all the way.  Actually it could have been worse ... we hit the traffic, but missed the snow.  She's relaxing, and I'm back at work.  Crossing the Causeway last evening around 7PM, I had that same old feeling ... back on "island time" again.
Spending a couple of days in the "real world" is always an adjustment after … (2 comments)

ocean city new jersey: BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 1/30/2009 - 01/30/09 10:14 AM
Gardens New Construction Single Family
One of the advantages of having a property along Ocean Road on the "200" or "300" block is that Ocean Road starts to make the turn becoming parallel to East Atlantic Boulevard where most of the properties can be found on the side of the street backing up to Ocean Road.  A bit complicated sentence ... but what I'm trying to say is that the back of properties on Ocean Road on "the ocean side of the street" generally have very good ocean views enabling one to have these views from back decks and even interior … (0 comments)

ocean city new jersey: BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 1/22/2009 - 01/22/09 12:12 PM
Northend Neighborhoods ... The "800" & "900" blocks ... A Primer
 
Part III
 
We continue and conclude this 3-part posting of the Northend streets in the "800" and "900" beachblocks.  We have moved up the street from Sixth Street to Pennlyn Place in the last posting.  We have seven additional streets to review as we reach the end of the Northend.  Let's continue our trip.
Second Street  This is another with one side having a back alley (north side), but not on the south side.  Therefore, you have two different types of configurations.  There remains a lot of single … (0 comments)

ocean city new jersey: BEACH NOTES from Dustin A. Peters, Ocean City, NJ ... 1/21/2009 - 01/21/09 11:10 AM
A New President, Continuing Lower Mortgage Rates, and "What Else"
 
The National Association of Realtors has been saying for some time:  "It's a good time to be buying a house."  In Ocean City, we've been saying:  It's a good time to being buying in Ocean City."  I've been saying:  "If you are considering a purchase of a shore property in the next three-to-five years, do it now!
All of the above comments continue to be heard.  And during the last couple of months we see the ever so slow, but ever so consistent movement to lower mortgage rates.  Rates were't … (0 comments)