Jersey Shore Views...

Information on Dog and Cat Licensing in Barnegat, Little Egg Harbor, Stafford Township (Manahawkin) and Tuckerton

Responsible dog and cat owners at the Jersey Shorehave just a few more days to obtain or renew licenses for their pets.  Some municipalities charge a late fee if the license is not obtained by January 31st.

New Jersey law requires the owners of all dogs that seven months of age or older have a municipal license.  In order for the license to be issued, the owner must present proof that a licensed veterinarian has vaccinated the dog against rabies and that the duration of immunity from that vaccination extends through at least ten months of the twelve-month licensing period.

State law allows an exemption to the rabies inoculation requirement if the owner presents written certification from a licensed veterinarian that the dog cannot be vaccinated due to a medical condition or course of therapy.

Dog licensing fees in Barnegat, Manahawkin, Little Egg Harbor and Tuckerton, and all municipalities for that matter, are set by municipal ordinance but there is a maximum.  No licensing fee charged by a municipality can exceed $21.00 annually.

License fees are kept by the municipality and used for animal and rabies control activities. But the state get its hand in there too.

Municipal licensing clerks also collect the following additional fees when the dog is licensed:

-$1.00 for each dog licensed that is forwarded to the state for the Rabies Trust Fund to support State rabies and animal control programs
-$3.00 is charged by the municipality for unneutered dogs and sent to the state to fund New Jersey's low cost spay and neuter program
-$0.20 for each dog licensed that is forwarded to the state to defray the costs of operating The People for Animals, Inc. the state's largest a low cost spay and neuter clinic.

The  Barnegat dog and cat license application is available here.

The Tuckerton dog license application is available here.

The Little Egg Harbor dog license application is not available online, but you can call 609-296-0675 for more information.

If you have a dog or cat in Manahawkin (Stafford Township) that was licensed last year the renewal application was mailed to you.  If you have a new pet, Stafford Township dog and cat license applications are available at the Municipal Building on Bay Avenue.  (Note that to get a dog and cat license in Manahawkin the vaccination certificate must be good through December 31st.)  Further information is available by calling Animal Control at 609-597-1000 x 8525.

For responsible dog and cat owners in southern Ocean County at the Jersey Shore, free rabies vaccinations are available every other Wednesday, at the Southern Ocean County Animal Facility, 360 Haywood Road in Manahawkin.  An appointment is necessary.  Call 609-978-0127.

For information on low cost spay and neuter programs in southern Ocean County and the Jersey Shore, visit the Friends of the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter.

                            
All photos are from the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter. The dogs and cats pictured are available for adoption. 

New Jersey’s new law permitting rebates in residential real estate transactions is already drawing consumer questions. 

On January 19, 2010, former Governor Jon Corzine signed  A-373 into law, permitting rebates to consumers in real estate transactions.  The bill’s intention is outlined in it’s explanatory statement:

“This bill amends R.S.45:15-17 to permit a real estate broker, broker-salesperson or salesperson to give a client a rebate from the commission that the real estate broker, broker-salesperson or sales person receives in a transaction.” 

While the New Jersey Association of REALTORS^®(NJAR) originally opposed this measure when it was first introduced, but as the bill moved forward NJAR^® negotiated several amendments with the sponsors that increase consumer protection.

The NJAR^®-secured amendments included in the final version of A-373:

• State that only brokers can offer rebates to those buying property, rather than allowing all real estate licensees to offer rebates to buyers and sellers.
• Mandate that rebates only be in the form of a credit or check.
• Require that rebates be documented in a contract at the beginning of a brokerage relationship in a written or electronic form or in a buyer agency agreement.
• Ensure that rebates can only be provided in connection with purchases of residential property.

Although this new law took effect immediately after being signed, the New Jersey Real Estate Commission (REC) must adopt new regulations necessary to implement the law.

Under current REC regulations offering rebates is prohibited.  NJAR® expects the REC to send out an advisory in February clarifying the law.

Click here for the final version of the new law.

Retirement Communities in Little Egg Harbor - Mystic Shores

Mystic Shores

The Mystic Shores adult community in Little Egg Harbor was built in the mid 1980's.  Mystic Shores offers single family attached and detached homes.

In January, 2010 there are 18 homes for sale in Mystic Shores adult community.  They range in price from $70,000 for an 1100 square foot, two bedroom one bath attached home to $179,000 for a detached 2 bedroom, 2 bath home with a one car garage. 

Home owner fees at Mystic Shores currently stand at about $70 monthly and taxes on a detached home run about $2800 annually.  There are 525 units in the Mystic Shores retirement community in Little Egg Harbor.

Links to other retirement communities in Little Egg Harbor:

Four Seasons at Harbor Bay

Sea Oaks Retirement and Golf Community

Cranberry Creek in Little Egg Harbor

Sunrise Bay Retirement Community

Little Egg Harbor Retirement Communities - Sunrise Bay

Sunrise Bay

The Sunrise Bay retirement community in Little Egg Harbor was built by the Kleiner Group and is located about 15 minutes off of the Garden State Parkway (Exit 58).

The Sunrise Bay adult community completed construction in 2005.  Homes at Sunrise Bay range in size from nearly 1300 to just over 2100 square feet.  There are both 1 story ranches and 2 story loft homes for sale at Sunrise Bay in Little Egg Harbor.

The Sunrise Bay Clubhouse features a pool, exercise room, billiards, card rooms and more.

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There are currently (January, 2010) 3 homes for sale in Little Egg Harbor's Sunrise Bay retirement community.

Monthly homeowner association fees are $120. Annual taxes range from about $3600 to over $4000 annually. 

The Sunrise Bay adult community consists of 325 single family homes.

Links to other retirement communities in Little Egg Harbor:

Four Seasons at Harbor Bay

Sea Oaks Retirement and Golf Community

Cranberry Creek in Little Egg Harbor

If you need more information on retirement in southern Ocean County's Little Egg Harbor, please contact me! 

Good news for New Jersey home buyers and sellers!  Governor Corzine has signed into law legisltion that requires up to 16 hours of continuing education for New Jersey REALTORS.

It won't be long now before New Jersey's new Governor, Chris Cristie, is sworn in.  But the New Jersey Association of REALTORS (NJAR) just reported via Twitter, that Governor Corzine has signed the continuing education bill.

The continuing education courses are not contained in the new law.  An advisory committee will be appointed to decide what will and will not qualify for continuing ed credit.

More on the new law is available here.

Good job New Jersey REALTORS...Good job NJAR! 

Little Egg Harbor Retirement Communities-Cranberry Creek

Cranberry Creek

The Cranberry Creek adult community in Little Egg Harbor is built by the Kleiner Group.  Construction began 2003. This is an active adult community for people over 55.  Home sizes range up to 2,400 sq ft and offer 2-3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 9' ceilings and a 1 or 2 car garage.  All Cranberry Creek homes in Little Egg Harbor are built to Energy Star specifications. The clubhouse has a fitness center, pool, bocce, tennis and more.

Many Cranberry Creek models have optional sun rooms, dens, and screened porches.  All homes feature 2 or 3 bedrooms, 1-2 car garages and all back up to the woods.  There are still some new, quick delivery homes at the Cranberry Creek adult community today with prices starting at about $219,000. 

The Cranberry Creek Emerson model is just over 1,200 square feet and has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths with a one car garage.  The Cranberry Creek Whitman model has 3 bedrooms, 2½ baths and a two car garage, pricing on this 2400 square foot model starts at about $260,000. 

Quick delivery new homes in the Cranberry Creek adult community in Little Egg Harbor are available starting at $219,000 for the Cranberry Creek Faulkner III model to $240,000 for a Fitzgerald III model.

The Jersey Shore Multiple Listing Service in January, 2010 shows there are 2 previously owned homes for sale in Little Egg Harbor's Cranberry Creek...a 2 bed/2 bath for $189,000 and for $240,000 in Cranberry Creek there's a 3 bed/2.5 bath home. 

Cranberry Creek's monthly maintenance fees run $129.  Taxes range from $3,000 to $4600 annually for the homes for sale in Little Egg Harbor's Cranberry Creek.

Some Little Egg Harbor Links of Interest

Sea Oaks Retirement and Golf Community

Four Seasons at Harbor Bay-The Jersey Shore's Newest Adult Community

Four Seasons at Sea Oaks in Little Egg Harbor - The Jersey Shore's Premier Retirement & Golf Community

Four Seasons at Sea Oaks

Four Seasons at Sea Oaks is an adult community in Little Egg Harbor that is built around the Sea Oaks Country Club, on Route 539, just east of Harbor Bay and  minutes from exit 58 on the Garden State Parkway.

K Hovnanian built 375 homes at Sea Oaks between 2000 and 2007. The homes at Four Seasons at Sea Oaks in Little Egg Harbor have 2-3 bedroom and 2 car garages and some models have lofts. Homes range in size from 1,190 to 3,400 square feet.

The Four Seasons at Sea Oaks adult community in Little Egg Harborhas a clubhouse offering indoor/outdoor pools, exercise facilities, tennis, bocce, meeting and card rooms and more. There is a restaurant with bar and even a small hotel for overnight guests.

In January, 2010 we have 12 homes available in the Sea Oaks community.  They range in price from $229,000 for a 2 bedroom/2 bath home to $490,000 for a 3 bedroom/3 bath home with a finished basement.

Monthly maintenance fees at Sea Oaks run about $175, and taxes range from $3,900 to $5,800 annually.

Perhaps the biggest draw to the Sea Oaks retirement community is the semi-private Sea Oaks Golf Course.

Sea Oaks Golf Courseis an 18-hole championship course designed by Ray Hearn.  It opened for play in 2000. Sea Oakstakes full advantage of the terrain of southern Ocean County.  It blends in with the Pinelands using native plants and trees for borders and traps.  Sea Oaks is a par 72 course offering five sets of tees to accommodate a variety of handicaps.

Some Little Egg Harbor links of interest:

Four Seasons at Harbor Bay, A New Adult Community in Little Egg Harbor, NJ

Homes for Sale in Little Egg Harbor, NJ - December, 2009 Housing Market Report 

Retirement Communities in Little Egg Harbor, NJ

Harbor Bay

Four Seasons at Harbor Bay

Four Seasons at Harbor Bay is the newest adult community in Little Egg Harbor which claims it will "offer a new generation of sophisticated adult living". They have begun construction and will offer 387 single family homes with upscale amenities. There are presently models to view at Four Seasons at Harbor Bay in Little Egg Harbor. Homes range from 2-3 bedrooms with 1900 to more than 3200 square feet.  Prices start in the upper $200's.

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The Four Seasons at Harbor Bay adult community in Little Egg Harbor will be a gated community and feature a 16,000 square foot clubhouse with an indoor, sauna, outdoor pool, card rooms, craft rooms, sports and billiard rooms, catering kitchen, multi-purpose room, state of the art fitness center, aerobics room, library and much more. Outdoor activities will include tennis, horseshoes, bocce, billiards, bridge and a driving range and putting green.

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Little Egg Harbor is located off Exit 58 of the Garden State Parkway and is just minutes to the beaches of Long Beach Island or the excitement of Atlantic City.  Four Seasons at Harbor Bay, the adult community in Little Egg Harbor, is just a few miles off the Parkway on Route 539.  The Sea Oaks Golf Course is just down the road.

Some Little Egg Harbor links...

Sea Oaks in Little Egg Harbor-A Retirement and Golf Community 

Little Egg Harbor Protecting the Environment

Homes for Sale in Little Egg Harbor - December, 2009 Housing Market Report

Interesting Little Egg Harbor History

Giving Kids a Smile Continues in Ocean County, NJ...Free Dental Care for Kids on Friday, February 5, 2010.

2010 marks the seventh year of Give Kids A Smile!  or National Children’s Dental Access Day. The New Jersey Dental Association has been a participating since the program’s inception in 2003.

It's a national program modeled after a St. Louis, MO program of the same name. Once a year, on the first Friday in February, volunteers in the dental community give their time and services to deliver screenings and treatment to children age 12 and under, absolutely free.

In New Jersey, nearly 4,000 children each year have participated in the program.  Volunteer dentists have provided nearly $2.4 million in free dental services at more than 80 locations throughout New Jersey.

Dental services include everything from preventive to emergency. Referrals are given on an as-needed basis. Children will also get tips on daily oral hygiene and free toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss where available and while supplies last.

Every child must be accompanied by either a parent, guardian or a school official.  Also, appointments for each child or groups of children must be made in advance and directly with the participating location.  These are the participating Ocean County locations:
 

Remember this is free for children under 12, but you must schedule an appointment.  Parental  consent forms are also required.  Click here for the forms.

More information is available on the NJ Dental Association website.

If You're a Responsible Recycler New Jersey's Got Cash for You!

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has a refrigerator/freezer recycling program that can put $50 in your pocket.  It’s part of the New Jersey Clean Energy Program and promotes responsible recycling. 

By being a responsible recycler, you can get energy wasting, older refrigerators and freezers off the grid! 

Here’s how it works:

• Arrange for a free pick up of your old refrigerator/freezer by calling 877-270-3520 or schedule online at JACO Environmental.
• Get$50 cash back for being a responsible recycler once your transaction is processed.
• Save up to $150 a year on energy costs by recycling an old fridge.

To Participate in this Initiative:

• You must be a New Jersey resident and a customer of Atlantic City Electric, Jersey Central Power & Light, PSE&G, or Rockland Electric Company.
• You must own the refrigerator or freezer being recycled.
• Your refrigerator or freezer must be between 10 and 30 cubic feet in size.
• Your refrigerator and freezer must be in working condition.
• There is a limit of two units per residential address.
• A check from the NJ Clean Energy Program is mailed to you, a responsible recycler, within 90-120 days.

But if $50 in your pocket isn’t enough to encourage you to be a responsible recycler, check out these facts:

On average a newer refrigerator or freezer consumes 1,000 fewer kilowatt-hours annually than a refrigerator or freezer manufactured before 1990.

Recycling 20,000 older refrigerators or freezers will result in energy savings equal to the amount of power used in approximately 1,400 homes annually.

Recycling 20,000 older refrigerators or freezers would result in the avoidance of CO₂ emissions equal to removing 40,000 cars from the road for one year.

According to the scheduling link for JACO Environmental the next pick up date in Manahawkin, Barnegat, Little Egg Harbor, Tuckerton and other southern Ocean County communities is Monday, February 8.

If you’d like to find more ways to be a responsible recycler, check out the New Jersey Clean Energy Program.