Jersey Shore Views...: February 2009

It might only be February 25th, but here are the New Jersey shore we're already thinking about the beach!  Beginning at noon, you can log on and vote in the 2nd Annual New Jersey Top Ten Beaches Survey!

With more than 127 miles of coast we've got it all, ocean and bay beaches from Sandy Hook to Cape May, New Jersey,  scenic barrier islands, lighthouses, fishing villages and the night life of Atlantic City.

Last year Wildwood took top honors in New Jersey's first Top 10 Beaches Survey.  Island Beach State Park took top honors for best eco-tourism in the Survey.

You can vote for your favorite New Jersey beach in 4 categories; day trips, family destinations, shore events, eco-tourism.  

So log on, and vote for your favorite New Jersey beaches right here!    

The survey is sponsored by the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium/New Jersey Sea Grant and Stockton College's Coastal Research Center. Voting will continue until midnight May first and the results announced on May 21st at the State of the Shore meeting in Sandy Hook.  So take sometime and vote for your favorite New Jersey beaches!

Are you still hanging onto old prom dresses, formal shoes, costume jewelry or other accessories that could make a high school girl's dreams come true?

Please consider donating them to the first ever southern Ocean County event to enable all high school junior or senior girls to attend this year's prom.

It's called Patti's Prom Project, and right now we're gathering dresses, shoes, jewelry and purses for the Boutique scheduled on March 28th at the Lacey Community Center in Forked River.  

This Boutique is open to all girls in the southern Ocean County, including Pinelands Regional, Southern Regional and Barnegat High Schools.

Not only is apparel being accepted, we still need business contributions from nail salons, hair dressers and flowers.  And of course we'll need help the day of the event March 28th.

If you'd like more information on donating items or services please contact Robin Bahr at RobinRealtor@comcast.net or email me at Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com.

If you'd like to drop off prom wear there are several locations:

 

Are you a New Jersey homeowner facing foreclosure? There are now several programs available to homeowners throughout the state and right here in Ocean County, New Jersey who are threatened with foreclosure.

There's a Foreclosure Mediation Program which provides an opportunity for qualified New Jersey homeowners who are facing foreclosure to receive help from housing counselors, attorneys, and a neutral mediator to resolve the problems many homeowners in the Garden State are facing.

This program attempts to assist homeowners avoid foreclosure by proposing work-out and payment arrangements between the homeowner and their lender.  It's free with court trained mediators.

The Office of the Courts Foreclosure Mediation Program will also provide lawyers to income-eligible homeowners. Information is available at 888-989-5277 to sign up or visit www.njforeclosuremediation.org.

There is also the Hope Hotline 1-888-995-HOPE offering free, confidential help and assistance to homeowners with mortgage problems 24 hours a day / 7 days a week in both English and Spanish.

Many New Jersey housing counseling agencies now have employees trained in foreclosure prevention.

In Ocean County housing counseling is available through O.C.E.A.N., Inc., located at 22 Hyers Street, Toms River, NJ 08753 or reach them by phone at 732-244-2351, ext 14.
 
They've partnered with the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency and staff has been specifically trained in foreclosure prevention and asset preservation. These trained counselors can set up a plan of action designed for your specific situation.  They will do their best to help you find a solution.

Then there's the Mortgage Assistance Program will provide funding to homeowners to bring mortgages current or to refinance or renegotiate the terms of the mortgage. Ocean County homeowners must work through O.C.E.A.N., Inc. to determine eligibility.

First and foremost, if you are having trouble meeting your mortgage commitment, reach out for help as early as possible.  That is key to a successful solution to a problem many New Jersey homeowners are facing.

If, after counseling, it’s determined a short sale of your home is necessary please contact me.  I’ve got the experience to work with you and your lender to get your home sold quickly.

Keller Williams
Atlantic Shore
Laura Giannotta
609-384-6121

Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com   

Apparently it's not just REALTORS who have a problem with the press.  The press is having a problem with press!

It's reported today that a new public relations campaign has been launched to counter what newspaper publishers call "gloom and doom" reports of the its industry's downfall.

The PR campaign launched Monday (February 2, 2009) will include ads, commentary reports and a website.  With the kickoff yesterday an ad appearing in over 300 newspapers, including the New York Times, touts the fact that more people read about the Super Bowl than watched it.

Newspaper publishers are facing some of the same problems as REALTORS...A less than robust economy, job loss and Internet competition!

Currently there are about 1.400 newspapers nationwide, down by 100 in the last ten years.

Perhaps some of those newspaper publishers should read our comments here in the Rain!  We too are tired of the "gloom and doom" reports, which seem to be the media's bread and butter!  I guess we're not alone any more.