Optimism on the Horizon, Part II
Back on December 18, 2010, about 4 1/2 weeks ago, we wrote on this blogsite about our optimistic outlook on the local vacation home real estate market here at the shore in Cape May County, New Jersey. We talked about expanding our business, but purposely left you in the dark about how it would be accomplished.
Well, here it is.
We have a signed agreement to purchase the property next door. A former upscale home decor business, the owners were forced to close their lucrative business due to health issues. They listed the 100′x60′ property for sale with us, Jewell Real Estate Agency. The building has about 1,900 square feet on both the first and second floors, plus a third floor for storage. There are also eight parking spots in the asphalt parking lot, a valuable asset in the busy summertime.
The first floor of the new building will house four full-time real estate sales agents, plus our rental department. There is also a stockroom with a separate outside rear entrance that will accommodate our cleaning company, Timber Lane Cleaning Service. The second floor will undergo a makeover next year that will see the two bedroom apartment transformed with the carpet replaced by hardwood floors and the vintage 1980 wallpaper steamed off and replaced with a more modern look. Then we'll have room for four more desks for agents, plus a large conference room and full kitchen.
Our current building, a cramped 800 square feet, will continue as the offices for City Girl and Mountain Man - the two broker/owners - and our secretary and right-hand woman, Chris. With just three of us in the building, we'll no longer feel squeezed into a small space. Adding our 50′x60′ property into the mix, we will have 150′ frontage on the main thorofare through the Wildwoods - New Jersey Avenue - with ample parking. Our current concrete driveway will be utilized as a deck, hosting two outdoor tables with colorful beach-themed umbrellas and chairs. We will also have an information kiosk there, loaded with maps and pamphlets about local tourist attractions. The landscaping will feature plenty of flowers and color.
We're excited. You should be, too, because when a realtor expands their business capacity, it means good times are right around the corner. As we've said before, the real estate market was the first to collapse in 2006 and it's leading the resurgence in 2011. Isn't that great news?!!!
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