Heather's Blog

Wildwood's Newest Addtition: Sunset Cove

2007-04-11T09:07:30Z

It's finally here!! Wildwood's West Side will have an exciting new project to be proud of. K. Hovnanian has announced its plans to build 298 homes on the back bay.

The homes, which are set to be built between Baker and Garfield Avenues, will be laid out in small clusters and all will have water views. Initially, the plan was also set to include a marina, but that will be confirmed at a later time.

The announcement could not come at a better time for the city of Wildwood. There has been much talk of large companies investing in the city. My hope is that with a company as large as K. Hov breaking ground on the West Side, others will follow.

More information will follow......

Morey's Pier Opening this Weekend!!!

2007-04-05T14:28:30Z

Hello out there from Wildwood, NJ. Attention all boardwalk lovers: Morey's opens this weekend!! I don't know about you, but I can't wait to get my son on the rides and watch him have a great time. Morey's does such a great job on Easter. Last Easter, the bunny was on the boardwalk and children could pick an egg for a prize.

If you are planning on coming to Cape May County for the holiday - make the boardwalk part of your weekend.

Look who I found .........

2007-04-05T14:17:31Z

I was surfing around online the other day researching 55+ communities in South Jersey. I was expecting either Beazers or another large builder to pop up first - but oh no. Guess who I found? Well none other than AR member Lawrence Yerkes.

It's true. This is the perfect example of the power of AR membership and blogging. Think about how many consumers search for 55+ communities in South Jersey. I would think it is a fairly popular topic.

Good job Lawrence...... way to get your name out there!!

Spring is in the air..... and you know what that means!

2007-03-30T14:06:45Z

Ahh.... the weather is here, wish you were... You see where I am going with this. This week was the perfect Spring week in Wildwood with very mild temperatures (dare I say warm) and plenty of sun. It was one of those weeks when you can really appreciate living by the beach and having this amazing location year round.

On Tuesday, I cut out of work early (shh..... don't tell anyone) and headed down to the beach in North Wildwood. There were surfers out and couples walking their dogs, people were out and about the island. It felt so great to be out in the sun. Hey Wildwood locals, we are pretty lucky!

Sign ordinance is hurting sellers.

2007-03-30T11:55:49Z

I don't know what your towns are like, but Wildwood Crest, NJ is making it very difficult for an agent to sell a home. As of this week, each property is allowed to have only one sign. Think about it, in a building where there are multiple units, that one property is only allowed one sale sign. What if there are multiple units for sale that are listed with different companies? How do you swing that?

Apparently, it is up to the agents to work it out amongst themselves. Can you imagine having a conversation with an agent from another office and coming up with an argument for why it should be your sign instead of their's? Right now I am having such a hard time coming up with a way that multiple companies could work together.

What about your sellers? How are buyers supposed to know that the property is on the market? Many weekends, tourists drive around the island looking to see if anything jumps out. Hmm... I am off to see if I can think of any creative way to get around this obstacle.

Get your tickets now for Morey's Pier

2007-03-29T14:51:31Z

Hey mom and dad, do you know that now is the time to stock up on tickets for the piers in Wildwood. Moreys is having their annual ticket sale and for those of you who have small children, the savings are huge.

Just a reminder, Mariner's Landing Pier is opening up on Sunday. Stop by the boardwalk in North Wildwood for the Easter Egg Hunt and then head on down to the rides. It makes for a great kids day. I hope to see you all there!!!

Wildwood Living... it's not all about the east side.

2007-03-29T14:32:22Z

I know, I know. You want to be close to the beach, right? You want to be able to unload your car and walk the rest of the week, right? Well, it is nice to be close to the boardwalk and in the center of things when you are renting or if you have children and don't feel like packing them up for a day in the sand.

But if you like true shore living and a slower pace, then take a look at all the west side of Wildwood has to offer.

If you haven't noticed, there are some great projects going up all over the west side. Both Tacony St. and Dock St. were at one time lined with small fishing shacks. Not anymore!! Take you pick from the many luxurious townhouses and condos that are packed with upgrades. These streets offer the best of both worlds - - a recluse from the noise that comes with being too close to the boardwalk and a great water view. Here you can park your boat and enjoy a lazy day in the sun.

You have got to keep your head up!

2007-03-24T15:09:46Z

This is my big thank you to AR and all of the members who have truly helped me grow my business. I have learned so much from the site and have gotten so many great ideas on different unique ways to market myself and have heard new strategies for dealing with difficult buyers and sellers.

Why is this site so important to me. Well, this has been a tough year in Wildwood, to say the least. I am fairly new to the industry, and as I have heard from co workers, the first year is a learning experience. I think one of the main reasons that I have been able to keep my head up is because of AR. Instead of getting frustrated and walking away from the profession, I took what energy I had left and soaked up as much as I could.

Because of AR I met great agents like George Tallabas. George thank you so much for all of your great ideas. Thank you for sharing your winning strategies with a "newbie." Thanks to Sarah Cooper for having such a warm and welcoming spirit, for making me laugh.

I feel as if I have made so many new friends, friends who I might never meet, who have impacted my career. That is great stuff - that's the stuff AR is made of.

Hey, isn't that my job??

2007-03-23T20:12:49Z

I started working with Jane a few months ago. She and hew husband are looking for a single family home in the Wildwoods and as any agent who practices on the island can attest to, that can be a hard find. Jane has grown children and she needs a home large enough to accommodate the grandchildren when they come to visit. The home must also have a bedroom on the first floor. Jane has MS and has difficulty climbing stairs. At some point she knows her difficulty will become an inability.

She and her husband live in the Philadelphia area, so she has about a two hour drive down the shore. Her husband is a firefighter and works very long hours. In short, she has a hard time viewing listings.

When I see something new that looks like it might work for her family, I shoot her out an email and see if there is any interest. If Jane gives me the green light, I go to the home and snap a bunch of pictures and report back. It works well and Jane doesn't waste her time.

Today I received a message from Jane that made me think about the agents she used in the past. She thanked me for all of my work, for continuing to keep her in mind, and for going out to preview the homes. When I spoke to her on the phone, she again thanked me for doing all of this running around, basically she thanked me for doing my job.

Aren't we supposed to gather as much information as we can and make the process as easy on our buyers as possible? If that isn't it, then why do we get paid?

AR blogging leads to help with my fight to save downtown Wildwood, NJ

2007-03-22T20:26:47Z

I received an email about 2 weeks ago from Paul Lamach who works on the website Localref. for Wildwood, NJ. He contacted me to let me know that he wrote an article about local agents who blogged. I thanked him for the shout out and he suggested that I continue to write articles that deal with Wildwood.

When I decided to post the article on the need to change the face of downtown Wildwood, I decided to contact him again and see if maybe he would be willing to help me spread the word. He said he would read the blog, and then post a similar article telling his readers to first check out what I had to say.

I just logged on to the page, and sure enough, Paul has my AR article up. To me, that is so huge and I appreciate the additional avenue that Paul has provided.

I am working on putting together a letter that I will send to city hall. I will include my AR article and any and all feedback I get. My next step will be to try to form a concerned citizens group and see if we can stir something up. I want what is best for my town. I want to help get the ball rolling.

Hey Paul, here is your shout out. Thanks!!!

Where are you having lunch... the Alumni Grill in Wildwood, NJ of course.

2007-03-21T21:24:54Z

Each town has a local hangout - "the" place to go and grab some great food and run into friends. A place where the owners know the customers and treat them like family. In Wildwood, NJ that place is the Alumni Grill.

Located on Pacific Ave. - one of the few businesses that actually thrive on the street, the Grill serves up an amazing lunch with a pretty diverse (read unique, creative, fun, delicious) customer inspired menu. A menu, I might add, that received a big old shout out from the City Paper. Check out the article and you will get a good idea of what I mean.

So what do you order when you visit the Grill? Well, because the menu is enormous it might take you a few minutes to decide. I love the chicken quesadillas - my absolute favorite. If you still are not sure, just wave down any Comcast, Verizon, public works or police vehicle on the island and ask them what's their favorite item from the menu. They ALL eat at the Grill!!

The owners, Mike and Jenn, live and breathe the restaurant. Open year round, (thank you) the brother and sister work from open to close and in the summer, that is one long day. How do the two of you do it??

When in Rome... do as the Romans. When in Wildwood... do as the locals and have a great lunch at the Alumni Grill.

"Oh those Wildwood days......." where have they gone?

2007-03-20T07:58:00Z

I can't tell you how many times I have thought about this article. Driving into the office, down Pacific Ave., trying to picture what the town looked like in its hay-day, I wonder how this could have happened.

Let me begin by saying that I love this island. There is no better beach town around. We have beautiful beaches and the most amazing boardwalk. During the summer, the town is packed with visitors who know they can spend a week on the island and not run out of things to do. I, being slightly hyperactive, love that.

But Wildwood, something is missing. What happened to the town you once were?

Pacific Ave. is the "Main St." of Wildwood and at one time it was the center of town, filled with shops and life. If you wanted to go out for a night on the town, Pacific Ave. was the spot. I hear stories from family members and friends of the great times that were had and the friendships that were formed on that one strip of land.

That's powerful stuff. That feeling can't be forgotten. We need to remind ourselves of what once was and do better. Come on Wildwood, I know we can do better.

The people of this island are amazing and they deserve a town they can be proud of year round. They deserve a town with a constant heart beat.. a community.

So what I am really trying to say is enough is enough. Let's work together as a community and get back some of the town's glory.

I am tired of seeing empty, boarded up stores that once were. We have too many "second hand" shops (I guess that's what they are attempting to be. Who even knows!!) We don't need any more small convenient stores. If Pacific Ave. is the center of our town, if it is the main strip - then what does that say about us??

We need a plan and we need one now!! City officials, anyone out there, let's do what we can to entice business owners to come to Wildwood and invest in our city. Let's come up with a redevelopment team to design a downtown we can be proud of.

Please, for the sake of Wildwood's future, let's act now. We do not have to be a great town three months out of the year. We can be the best American town year round.

There have been other articles written about Wildwood and I respect all of the view presented. Check out Tom Giansante's view of the island in his article, "Are you nostaalgic for Wildwood?". I respect Tom's love of the island and am glad to have another member on my team.

Hello from Weichert Hoey in Wildwood, NJ

2007-03-09T13:17:08Z

Hello fellow Weichert agents...... Greetings from Wildwood, NJ. I am a member of the Weichert Hoeyfamily - five offices strong with over 120 agents. My company serves all of Cape May County, providing all of our customers with the service they expect from Weichert. We have just come away from our strongest January and February ever. This is huge in any market - especially the current one. March looks like it will be strong as well.

So fellow Weichert agents..... how are things going in your areas? Are you seeing an increase in business? Are listings selling?? I would love to hear back.

People who need people are the luckiest.....

2007-03-09T12:10:25Z

Broker's Open Houses are big in my office. Sellers love them. Agents use them as a chance to get out of the office and socialize (maybe even win something depending on who is hosting it.) There really is no better way to get a large number of agents out to the property. Who doesn't like free food?? If you feed them, they will come...

My problem is that despite all of the free food and drink - and maybe a chance to win something - it is really hard to get agents from other offices to attend. When I am getting ready for one, I send out a faxed invitation a few days in advance. I follow that up with phone calls to all of the offices on the island. Next, the day of the open, I fax the invitation one more time and then, and this is really my favorite part, I hand deliver invitations. It gives me a way to meet other agents, get both my face and name out there, and start up conversations. I enjoy it - and it makes me feel as if I am actively doing something.

I have gotten a lot of great information from outside agents during open houses. I have been the first to hear about new listings and what projects are in the works. It's good stuff.

AR members.... how big are Broker's Open Houses in your areas???? Any tricks to getting more agents out???

Appealing to our buyers....gone are the good old days.

2007-03-08T10:39:37Z

I just got finished reading an article put out by Eugene Miller on RISMEDIA entitled "Maximizing Second-Home Sales." I list and sell in Wildwood, NJ - a resort market - and a lot of what Miller said made sense.

According to NAR, second home purchases accounted for 40% of all sales in 2005. That is music to my ears and I am hoping that the trend will continue. Miller's point was to market your buyers - know who your buyers are and where they go when shopping for a second home. Gone are the days when you can solely rely on mailings and ads in publications. Where do second home buyers begin their search? Online of course and many agents are missing the boat.

None of this is news to any AR members. Why are we here? To network - to exchange ideas - to grow our business. I am surprised at the number of agents who are working in my market and have not jumped on board. Some agents are waiting for the buyers to come down when the weather breaks and walk into their open house. Some agents are waiting to get calls from their postcards and mailers. Others are doing nothing and waiting for the phone to ring off of their sign. I am way too impatient for any of that. I need to be proactive and am constantly trying to find new, creative ways to market myself.

First time buyers have faith in the market.

2007-03-06T12:03:37Z

Early last fall I began working with a couple who was interested in buying a single family home in the area. Unlike most of the buyers who I have worked with, this was their first time purchasing a home. I began to search for homes and they worked with Weichert Gold services to get approved for a mortgage.

I met the couple this past Saturday. They are from New Hope, Pa but have spent vacation time around Sea Isle City, NJ. They both have their summers off ( I am so jealous!!) and would use this home as a getaway. Two of the properties that we viewed were in a great location - just blocks to the bay. Neither of them were intimidated by the small repairs that the properties would need. They stayed upbeat and positive - I love that.

I guess what makes this couple so unique in my eyes is that they are secure in their decision to buy now. They have done their homework and understand that rates are low and there is a lot on the market. Every time that the TV or radio comes on, each time that you open the papers, there are messages about the housing slump. Instead of listening to the bad press, they realize that now is the time that is right for them - and for that I admire them.

There was an article in Realtor Magazine about young professionals deciding to buy now and not being deterred by market conditions. How true.

When bottom feeders attack!!

2007-03-05T11:10:38Z

This Saturday was absolutely gorgeous in Wildwood. The sun was warm - there were plenty of people out walking the boardwalk. You could not help but feel that spring is right around the corner. One of my new listings was being open housed by an agent from my office - and it was guaranteed that she would get a nice stream of visitors.

By late afternoon, I had finished showing property and was trying to get my Sunday organized. My phone rang and it was the agent who was sitting my open house. She was very excited because, like I had thought, traffic was great and to top things off she had a buyer who was going to put in a contract on the unit. PERFECT!! OPEN HOUSES WORK!! WHAT A GREAT SATURDAY!! She came back to the office to put everything in writing and I patiently waited for the number.

Now here is where it goes downhill. But first- Wildwood has had a rough couple of months. There is a lot on the market and some investors/ small developers are accepting low, low offers on a few of their units. This kills everyone (except those who are lucky enough to find those deals) and sends a very bad message about selling conditions in Wildwood. The word spreads that you can steal units and within no time offers come in that are basically insulting. So back to my offer.... The contract comes in with a 60 day closing. Great. It is a cash offer. Even better. They are $90,000 under asking price. WHAT??? They want the jacuzzi tub removed. Are you kidding?? UGH!! It's another case of a bottom feeder coming into town, throwing offers everywhere to see what will stick.

I call my people with the news and present them with the offer. They laugh and I understand. Their unit is a 3 bedroom 2 bath condo with amazing direct ocean views and is located in a great section of North Wildwood. They own a great piece of property.

So fellow Rainers, keep your eyes and ears open because I have heard that bottom feeders travel in packs!!!

A visit back home and nothing looks familiar

2007-02-22T09:34:34Z

I am originally from Berks County, PA. - Pennsylvania Dutch all the way - and later today I will be enjoying some Shoo Fly Pie. Everyone knew everyone, and looking back at it now, that was a great security blanket. I moved to South Jersey after I graduated from college and haven't been back to area in some years. I now spend my working days in Wildwood - miles away in so many ways from where I grew up.

On Tuesday I traveled back "home" for a family funeral. Getting off the bypass, I was shocked, to say the least, at what I saw. What once was a beautiful city, now looked more like a war zone. Shops that not too long ago were up and running had been boarded up. Here was this great city, that in its hayday had been a hot spot - and now it looked as if it had been abandoned.

I know that there are many cities across the country that are now only a shadow of what they used to be. I would love to see a developer or investor go in and revitalize the city - restore the old beautiful buildings and give the city residents something to be proud of. Someone out there: SAVE OUR CITIES!!!

Active Rain is helping to build a community in South Jersey

2007-02-16T08:41:44Z

When I first joined AR this summer there were no signs of life from South Jersey Realtors. I think one of my first blogs was about the lack of participation from agents in my area. Good News - AR is spreading and more agents are taking advantage of all that the site has to offer.

I would like to welcome all of the new bloggers who practice in my neck of the woods. Deborah Colubiale Welcome!! Even though I am all of the way over here in Wildwood, you never know when we might end up working on a deal together. David Green - we are bound to run into each other at some point. Thanks for checking out my blog.

So Hey Cape May County - - is anyone else out there?????

Helping to extend the season in Wildwood

2007-02-15T08:36:47Z

There are so many shore resorts in South Jersey that, come Labor day, close everything up and turn into a ghost town. I have always thought that this was such a shame. Growing up in Reading, PA, I could not wait for those winter weekends when we would drive down to check on our summer house. The beaches are beautiful during the winter and nothing tops a snowy day at the shore. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait for summer to roll around - spending lazy days off at the beach is the best. But the shore can be appreciated during any season and I am glad to see that Wildwood is trying hard to book weekend events year round.

The Wildwoods convention center was a great addition to the island. The weekend events help the local business owners hang tight during the winter and prevent that "ghost town" feeling. On any given weekend there could be concerts, cheer leading competitions, classic car conventions or a sporting event. The weekend travelers allow property owners to be able to rent year round, increasing their investment potential.

208 E Glenwood with water views.....

2007-02-10T15:05:18Z

This fully furnished 3 bedroom 2 bath condo complete with ocean views is perfect as a second home or investment property. Plenty of room and a large deck make this perfect for entertaining family and friends. Enjoy the serenity of a quiet street in Wildwood. Located just a short distance to the beach and boards, you will be able to put on your walking shoes and enjoy island living.

Buyers with impeccable taste wanted at 320 W. Cresse

2007-02-08T20:44:49Z

Tired of the cookie-cutter condos? Looking for a property that makes a statement? Searching for that perfect property at the Shore? This six bedroom three and a half bath Wildwood Crest Townhouse stands above the rest. If kitchens are your thing, you'll appreciate the stainless steel Jenn-Air appliances, custom cabinetry and granite counter-tops. Downstairs houses five bedrooms and plenty of closet space. Upstairs is a large great room with commercial glass doors that leave in an amazing amount of natural lighting. The master suite has a tiled shower and soaking tub. Over 3000 feet of uniquely designed living space with endless possibilities.

Looking for a great condo with water views????

2007-02-06T09:58:48Z

This three bedroom condo located at 504 E. 11th Ave. in North Wildwood, NJ is perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy true "shore living." Lounge on the large decks and look out at the ocean. Sit by the fireplace and stay warm. The master suite features a jacuzzi tub and tiled shower. This condo would work well for anyone looking for an investment property.

Update with a happy ending

2007-01-27T08:38:23Z

About two weeks ago I posted a blog about a certain FSBO company and their commercials that I got stuck watching during my time home sick with the flu. Well, I am feeling much better now. Days after my frustration I drove by the home that I mentioned in my post - - - the home that I could no longer picture in my mind without the FSBO company's sign. The sign was gone - only to be replaced by my company's sign. An agent from a sister office had been in contact with the seller for months and when they finally realized that their approach was not working - the agent was there to offer his assistance. Way to go!!

I wish Stephen Ruffer the best of luck. I hope your hard works pays off and that you have a new loyal customer. Let's all work to show both our buyers and sellers that there is a reason to use a Realtor.

"Buy Owner" ads are enough to make me sick!

2007-01-17T09:05:25Z

I don't usually watch that much TV during the day - but for the past three VERY long days I have been home with the flu - parked in front of the TV. During my time recovering, I noticed numerous Buy Owner commercials on mutliple channels. As if being sick with the flu isn't bad enough - I have had to deal with the frustration of knowing that there were consumers thinking of placing their home on the market who were watching these ads, buying into the idea that they do not need a REALTOR.

The commercials look pretty much the same - couples sitting in their homes sharing stories of how a sales agent could not get the job done. Low and behold, they visit this site, sign up for the service and bam their house gets sold and they saved big bucks. UGH!! My first instinct was to go around my neighborhood taking photos of the homes using this service, posting the photos here and including the days that the sign has been planted in the front yard. Off of the top of my head I can think of three sellers who are using this service and I can no longer picture the property without the sign in the yard - THAT IS HOW LONG THEY HAVE BEEN LISTED WITH THIS COMPANY - I have never seen an open house at the home. I have never seen an ad in any local publication about the property. There isn't a brochure box outside and the sign with the property ID number is so faded that it is pointless. How is this company working with these sellers to get the job done? Are you kidding me??

So has anyone else noticed an increase in the ads in their area?? I am very curious.

Once all of my aches and pains go away I will remove myself from in front of the tv and go back to the office. I can't wait. I don't think my stomach can handle another commercial.