new jersey blog: 'Tis the Season to write Blogs - 12/23/10 06:05 AM
‘Tis the Season to write Blogs   With winter firmly entrenched here in South Jersey, it's time to focus on writing articles for this blogsite.  As you may have noticed the past two years, we make many additions to this blogsite December through March, but with the warm weather comes other more-pressing responsibilities.
This past year, our thoughts in the warm months turned to many other diversions.  First up was The Free Meal Center, Cape May County's first-ever daily soup kitchen.  We formed a non-profit organization on January 25, 2010 and took possession of the 4,275 square foot building situated on 2.38 … (2 comments)

new jersey blog: Republican Triple Play - 01/19/10 09:57 PM
Republican Triple Play
January 20th, 2010
In what can only be attributed to voter backlash to the Obama administration, the GOP completed its sweep of the three major off-year elections with a Senatorial victory in Massachusetts yesterday.  So much for the political pundits who declared the Republican party as DOA a year ago.
The GOP resurrection all started in Virginia on November 3, 2009 when Bob McDonnell, the former state Attorney General, trounced Democratic State Senator Creigh Deeds by a 59% to 41% margin in the gubernatorial race.  It was the biggest margin of victory in the Commonwealth since 1961.  McDonnell, who … (4 comments)

new jersey blog: ATV's in New Jersey - 01/18/10 01:10 AM
ATV's in New Jersey
January 18th, 2010
Let's face it.  Unless you live in rural America and own a large tract of land, there is no place for all-terrain vehicles (ATV's).  Here in New Jersey, with a population density of 1,134 people per square mile, ATV's are a fish out of water.
New Jersey's Assembly and Senate recently approved a bill which would regulate ATV's, while at the same time creating three parks for ATV's and dirtbikes.  Governor Jon Corzine, whose last day in office is today, is expected to sign the bill into law as he packs up his … (8 comments)

new jersey blog: Civil War in West Wildwood - 01/16/10 06:02 AM
Civil War in West Wildwood
January 16th, 2010
It's the Hatfields and the McCoys, the Blue and the Gray, the Union and the Confederacy.  Whatever label you attach, it is an all-out war in West Wildwood, pitting neighbors against neighbors, one political faction against the other.
The war has taken the form of employee suspensions, court ordered re-instatements, lawsuits, and even an upcoming mayoral recall election.  It's Peyton Place by-the-Bay.
There have been undercurrents of one side versus the other for a long time, but the war intensified in May, 2008 with the election of a new set of three … (1 comments)

new jersey blog: The Little Town That Could - 01/11/10 01:44 AM
The Little Town That Could
January 11th, 2010
The Borough of Woodbine is located in the northwest corner of Cape May County, in southern New Jersey.  Situated in the Pinelands National Reserve, Woodbine is physically located about 20 miles from the very affluent beachfront communities of Avalon and Stone Harbor and 30 miles from trendy, historic Cape May.  But in perception, they are a million miles apart.
Woodbine shouldn't be underestimated.  It's the hidden gem of the county.  And continually preparing itself for future prosperity.
The rural, wooded town of 2,700 folks boasts an airport, a museum, the largest employer in … (1 comments)

new jersey blog: New Jersey Entices Solar - 01/05/10 06:51 AM
New Jersey Entices Solar
January 5th, 2010
New Jersey has the reputation of being one of the most business-unfriendly of the 50 United States.  It's well deserved.  They did it the old-fashioned way - they earned it!
But solar power is the exception.  New Jersey is mandated by the state's Energy Master Plan to provide 20 percent of its energy through renewable sources by 2020.  To reach that lofty goal just 10 years away, the state is offering monetary incentives to get it done.  And alternative energy providers are lining up to cash in.
The state set up a system … (1 comments)

new jersey blog: Distressed Properties Affecting Appraisals - 01/05/10 02:45 AM
Distressed Properties Affecting Appraisals
January 5th, 2010
There are typically three main issues that can stop a potential real estate transaction dead in its tracks - the home inspection, the mortgage approval, and the appraisal.  Let's talk about appraisals.
The problem with appraisals in today's real estate market is that properties sold via a short sale, sheriff sale, or foreclosure are being used as comparables when evaluating the price of a regular home.  About 25% of realtors have had a sale fall apart because of a low appraisal.  The National Association of Home Builders reported that 25% of their new home … (2 comments)

new jersey blog: A Changing World - 12/30/09 10:07 PM
I alway enjoy listening to my husband talk about his life and how times have changed.  Life was much simpler back then.  I, too, had a great childhood with lots of memories.  Being Italian with a large family was a great way to grow up.  But it's now time to look to the future and what's in store for us.
A Changing World
When I was a youngster, I thought everything always stayed the same.  I thought the corner general store would always be there and always be called Percy's.  The same for Al's Barber Shop, and the same for Green's … (3 comments)

new jersey blog: Jobs, Jobs, Jobs - 12/27/09 09:24 AM
Mountain Man and City Girl
The Blogsite of Jewell Real Estate Agency, Wildwood Crest, NJ 609-729-8505
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
December 27th, 2009
As realtors, we have found that the main factor in whether a family can buy a second home here at the Jersey shore is job stability.  If a family has a solid income that will not be affected by a cut in salary or loss of job, they seem willing - even anxious - to take advantage of the incredibly low real estate prices and interest rates. 
But should their job be iffy, it's better to sit this one out.  … (0 comments)

new jersey blog: A Good Barometer - 12/26/09 09:05 PM
A Good Barometer
December 27th, 2009
Here at Jewell Real Estate Agency, we sell mostly vacation homes at the Jersey shore.  Condos, townhomes, single family homes - they are all elements of the dream families have of owning a second home in the Wildwoods.
Being a second home market, our yearly calendar of sales activity is fairly predictable.  By that I mean that just like a school year starts and ends around the same time each year and school vacations are scheduled about the same weeks each year, our business also has regular busy and quiet times.
Our real estate … (2 comments)

new jersey blog: I Wanna Be "Dave" - 12/25/09 10:39 PM
I just love some of the ideas my husband, Douglas, comes up with.    If only life was so simple and an ordinary man could become President.   Read below and let me know what you think.

I Wanna Be ‘Dave'
December 26th, 2009
You probably have seen the 1993 movie Dave, which starred Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver.  To refresh your memory, Kline plays Dave Kovic, an unassuming and likable man who heads a "temp" agency in Ohio.
Dave is hired by White House bigwigs as a one-time only stand-in for President Bill Mitchell, who has identical looks.  When the President … (7 comments)

new jersey blog: More Banker Greed - 12/25/09 01:48 AM
More Banker Greed  
Friday, December 25th, 2009 Joining their fellow banking CEO cohorts, the heads of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were approved for $6 million in pay each for 2009.  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to refresh your memory, purchase bundles of mortgages to ensure that money is always available to lending institutions which give loans to homebuyers.  They are quasi-private companies backed by the federal government.
Fannie CEO Michael Williams and Freddie CEO Ed Haldeman each received $900,000 in salary and another $3.1 million in salary with payments deferred to 2010.  That's $4 million apiece.  Each also is eligible for another … (5 comments)