Things to do now that it’s over 70 degrees (Wordless Wednesday)

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:59:33 -0700

Things to do now that it’s over 70 degrees (when not selling homes in Little Egg Harbor)…

Put away snow blower…Tune up lawnmower…Turn on outside water…Clean up planting beds…Design vegetable garden layout…Get out deck furniture…Clean deck furniture…

I’m sure I’m forgetting something…Oh, that’s it…take some time to admire an early spring at the Jersey Shore!

Need a REALTOR® Down the Shore?
Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta
Your Jersey Shore real estate resource!
609.384.6121
www.JerseyShoreViews.com
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

Homes for Sale in Manahawkin, NJ - Manahawkin Housing Market Report & Trends January 2012

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 02:32:34 -0800

The mild winter weather here at the Jersey Shore might be credited for the record number of Manahawkin home sales in January, getting the 2012 Jersey Shore real estate market off to a great start!

Manahawkin Housing Market Activity January, 2012

New

Listings

Under

Contract

Expired

Sold

Days on

Market

Median
Sold Price

147

$223,750

Thirty four homes sold in Manahawkin in January, 2012. That’s a welcome sign…in 2011 only two months saw more homes sold. In May last year, 32 Manahawkin homes sold and there were 40 home sold in June, 2011.

Another good sign is the number of Manahawkin homes under contract. Compare this to the Manahawkin housing market just one year ago.

Manahawkin Housing Market Activity January, 2011

New

Listings

Under

Contract

Expired

Sold

Days on

Market

Median
Sold Price

191

$270,450

While prices were higher last year at this time, compare the median sale price of Manahawkin homes price in January, 2012 to one month ago.

Activity Date:

New

U/C

Expired

Sold

DOM

Median Sold$

December 2011

144

$205,000

January 2012

147

$223,750

The Manahawkin housing market usually heats up in April. We’re seeing an early surge in activity this year. But uncertainty in job market continues to hamper the full housing market recovery in Manahawkin and all over southern Ocean County at the Jersey Shore.

If you’d more information on homes for sale in Manahawkin at the Jersey Shore, or any particular segment of the housing market in southern Ocean County at the Jersey Shore, contact Jersey Shore REALTOR® Laura Giannotta at 609.384.6121.

Need a REALTOR® Down the Shore?
Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta
Your Jersey Shore real estate resource!
609.384.6121
www.JerseyShoreViews.com
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

A Hazy Shade of Winter (Speechless Sunday)

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 12:53:45 -0800

A Hazy Shade of Winter (Speechless Sunday)

Actually, it’s a sign of spring here in southern Ocean County, where the NJ Pinelands meet the Jersey Shore.

The NJ Forest Fire Service is conducting controlled burns along Route 539, west of the Parkway in Little Egg Harbor.

The NJ Forest Fire Service sets the small fires to clear underbrush which could intensify wildfires. New Jersey's spring wildfire season starts in March.

The sky was Jersey Shore blue today, but not so on Route 539 in the Pinelands!

Need a REALTOR® Down the Shore?
Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta
Your Jersey Shore real estate resource!
609.384.6121
www.JerseyShoreViews.com
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

All Housing Market Trend Reports Are Not Equal!

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 03:38:52 -0800

All Housing Market Trend Reports Are Not Equal!

The Jersey Shore means many places to many people. It could be a family vacation home on Long Beach Island or a bungalow in Ocean Gate.

Ask anyone who lives here, they won’t tell you I’m from north or south Jersey. They’ll tell you they live ‘down the shore’.

This presents a problem when examining housing market trends in New Jersey. Ocean County (my part of the Jersey Shore) is poorly represented in the data.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR®) uses local market trend reports, but how accurate are they?

Well consider NAR® reports only four categories for NJ housing market trends.

·        The Atlantic City region, covering Atlantic County.

·        The Newark-Union region which includes Essex, Hunterdon, Morris, Sussex, and Union counties.

·        The Trenton Ewing Region which covers only Mercer County.

·        The Edison Region, which in addition to covering Ocean County, includes Middlesex, Monmouth, and Somerset counties.

Count them…only 11 counties. Problem is that New Jersey has 21 counties. Basing a housing market trend analysis on these mismatched groups is misleading.

That is the basic problem with national and regional housing market trend reports.  Ocean County at the Jersey Shore isn’t anything like Somerset County. Everything from home prices, income and employment (or unemployment) is different.

The median home price in Somerset County in December, 2011 was $325,200 while it was $226,000 here in Ocean County.

If you further magnify the housing reports to focus on Little Egg Harbor at the Jersey Shore, the median home price was $157,200 at the end of 2011.

Little Egg Harbor 2011 Home Sale Prices

So if you’re thinking about moving to southern Ocean County at the Jersey Shore, call Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta at 609-384-6121.

Let’s look at the individual towns; Barnegat, Little Egg Harbor, Manahawkin or Tuckerton. We’ll examine recent home sales, the homes for sale and determine the LOCAL housing market trends at the Jersey Shore.

When we do, I think you’ll find this is a great time to purchase a home at the Jersey Shore!

Subscribe to this blog, I’ll be examining market trends in Little Egg Harbor and other southern Ocean County communities!

Need a REALTOR® Down the Shore?
Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta
Your Jersey Shore real estate resource!
609.384.6121
www.JerseyShoreViews.com
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

Bulb Confusion! (Friday Fotos)

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:09:10 -0800

We’re having a heat wave here at the Jersey Shore. Temperatures have been in the high 50’s and 60’s.

It’s quite a difference from the winter of 2011 when our shovels and snow blowers were getting a real workout.

Unseasonably warm weather is welcome at the Jersey Shore…but it’s wreaking havoc in my garden. My Jersey Shore garden is suffering bulb confusion!

Looks more like April!

Take advantage of the snow free roads at the Jersey Shore. Get your vacation home shopping started early. Contact Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta at 609-384-6121. Let's find your new home!

Need a REALTOR® Down the Shore?
Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta
Your Jersey Shore real estate resource!
609.384.6121
www.JerseyShoreViews.com
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

Homes for Sale - Little Egg Harbor NJ Housing Market Report, January 2012

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:45:50 -0800

Homes in Little Egg Harbor at the Jersey Shore are still selling, but not at the pace of one month ago. December, 2011 home sales in Little Egg Harbor were above average, but January, 2012 home sales declined.

Activity Date:

New

Listings

Under

Contract

Expired

With

Sold

Days on

Market

Median
Sold

Dec 2011

142

$157,250

Jan 2012

174

$165,750

In January, 2011 only 10 homes sold in Little Egg Harbor, but the median price of those Little Egg Harbor homes sold in January 2011 was more than $15,000 over the $165,750 recorded last month.

So if you’re planning to buy a home in Little Egg Harbor, what are you waiting for?

Are you afraid of prices declining further? Don’t be!

Ask this Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® about EquityLock, Home Price Protection™. It provides financial protection to homeowners in the event their home’s market value declines at the time they sell their home. If the market drops when the homeowner sells, EquityLock Solutions will pay the difference no matter what the home is sold for.

Learn more about how Keller Williams Atlantic Shore is working to protect home buyers with home price protection.

Need a REALTOR® Down the Shore?
Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta
Your Jersey Shore real estate resource!
609.384.6121
www.JerseyShoreViews.com
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

Homes With A Basement in Ocean Acres...Can You Live Without It?

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:01:46 -0800

A Basement in Your Ocean Acres Home...Can You Live With Out It?

Three bedroom 2 bath single family homes in Manahawkin's Ocean Acres are listed anywhere between $150,000 and $299,000. There are 28 homes listed for sale in this section of Stafford Township within that range, only 8 have basements.

Three bedroom 2 bath homes seem to be a popular home size for first time home buyers at the Jersey Shore.

But, first time home buyers in Manahawkin should take note of the savings realized in homes without a basement.

The $150,000 to $299,000 price range is what homes are listed for. Savvy buyers realize what counts is not what the Ocean Acres home is listed for, but what it sells for. That's what matters to buyers (and their appraisers) and sellers in Manahawkin.

Sale price tells it all! From the sales since January 1, 2012 it would appear that a basement will cost you about $30,000 in a 3 bedroom 2 bath home.

Statistics from the Jersey Shore Multiple Listing Service show four homes with 3 bedrooms, 2 bath sold since January 1, 2012 in Manahawkin's Ocean Acres. Only one of these home was a short sale. Even so, check it out.

Address List $ BR BA Sell $ Sell Date 1202 Treasure Ave (short sale) $184,900 3 2 $165,000 02/10/2012 112 Ahoy Rd $211,000 3 2 $201,500 02/07/2012 228 Stern Ave (basement) $245,000 3 2 $235,000 01/17/2012 165 Topside Rd (basement) $249,900 3 2 $232,500 01/31/2012

So if you can live without a basement you could save a significant amount on your 3 bedroom 2 bath home in the Ocean Acres section of Manahawkin.

Need a REALTOR® Down the Shore?
Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta
Your Jersey Shore real estate resource!
609.384.6121
www.JerseyShoreViews.com
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

‘Green Labels’ Confuse Me!

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:25:06 -0800

‘Green Labels’ Confuse Me!

You’ve decided a painting project will help you get through the dreary days of winter.

Simple right? Not if you’re trying to be environmentally responsible. Interior paints are not all environmentally equal.

There are five ‘green designations’ for paint…and they don’t all test for the same things!

Greenguard: Measures VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) levels, and only allows trace amounts. Manufacturers measure the paint during drying and pay $3000 or more to Greenguard for testing and logo use.

Green Seal: Measures VOC’s, some hazardous and rates performance. Manufacturers pay $2500 to $9500 for Green Seal testing and logo use.

Green Wise: Limits VOC’s and odors. Part of the membership fee that companies pay is used for product testing by the Coating Research Group, an industry organization.

GreenSure: Sherwin Williams created and self-regulated.

Green Promise: Benjamin Moore created regulating VOC’s in the base paint and colorants.

If you’re planning some painting this winter (especially with the windows sealed against the Jersey Shore’s wintery wind) do some research first.

Need a REALTOR® Down the Shore?
Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta
Your Jersey Shore real estate resource!
609.384.6121
www.JerseyShoreViews.com
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

The Power of Blogging is Ongoing or Are Tax Appeals That Interesting?

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:07:59 -0800

The Power of Blogging is Ongoing or Are Tax Appeals That Interesting!

I wrote a blog last year about property tax assessment appeals in Little Egg Harbor and New Jersey. I explained that the NJ state regulations for the tax appeal process apply statewide, not only in my corner of Little Egg Harbor at the Jersey Shore. Last year, I got calls from several home owners, and all were successful in the Little Egg Harbor tax appeals.

Well guess what, good things multiply!. I've already completed one Jersey Shore tax assessment appeal market analysis in 2012, and I'm working on 6 others....all calling from a search on the Internet (A February, 2011 blog)!

If you're a New Jersey real estate agent you know we don't charge for this service, a Comparative Market Analysis.

But I do ask that these callers (and emailers) to mention me to friends and family that are ready to buy or sell. And though I email the report, I also drop off a hard copy.

The one referral I got last year equals time spent. The requests I have this year will equal more than time spent.

If you think you want to appeal your New Jersey taxes read about the tax appeal process , and this Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® will provide the information you need so you can figure out your options. Remember, this Comparable Market Analysis is not an appraisal.

What you need to know about tax appeals at the Jersey Shore in New Jersey.

Need a REALTOR® Down the Shore?
Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta
Your Jersey Shore real estate resource!
609.384.6121
www.JerseyShoreViews.com
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

Atlantic City’s Steel Pier Regresses (One Woman’s Opinion)

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:08:39 -0800

Atlantic City’s Steel Pier Regresses (One Woman’s Opinion)

The new owners of Atlantic City’s Steel Pier plan to resurrect the diving horse act much like the original attraction made famous in the 1920’s.

The plan was announced this week, when the Casino Redevelopment Authority approved its contribution to the first phase of the Steel Pier improvement project.

The diving horse act made two month reappearance in 1993, but was cancelled following protests by animal rights groups.

The new Pier owners claim the diving horse is iconic, and people need to look at the big picture. They claim this small part of the Steel Pier redevelopment will bring family entertainment back to Atlantic City.

To the developers my question is, what are you thinking? I would never bring children to a spectacle like this.

Jeff Hirst, a New Jersey native who now resides in Ohio, has started an opposition petition. This proposal to bring back diving horses to Atlantic City outrages me, if this outrages you too sign Jeff’s petition.

Need a REALTOR® Down the Shore?
Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta
Your Jersey Shore real estate resource!
609.384.6121
www.JerseyShoreViews.com
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

Barnegat NJ Homes for Sale – January, 2012 Barnegat Housing Market Report

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:15:09 -0800

Barnegat NJ Homes for Sale – January, 2012 Barnegat Housing Market Report

There are 292 homes for sale in Barnegat, NJ. This includes single family homes, condos and adult community homes. Prices for single family homes that sold in January range from $84,900 for a 4 bedroom 1.5 bath government owned home in the Settlers Landing section of Barnegat Township to $370,000 for a 5 bedroom 2.5 bath home on almost a half-acre in the Brookville section.

Activity Date:

New

Under

Contract

Expired

Sold

Days on

Market

Median
Sold $

December 2011

175

$197,500

January 2012

165

$219,000

Two of the homes that sold in January were in Barnegat Township’s Heritage Point and Four Seasons adult communities. In Four Seasons at Mirage the 3 bedroom 3.5 bath home sold for $263,000, after lingering on the market for more than 500 days. That home was first listed in March 2010 at $359,000. The 3 bedroom 3 bath home in Heritage Point sold for $318,000, after only 32 days on the market. Also sold in January was a manufactured home in Barnegat’s Pinewood Estates Adult Community.

The days on the market tells the story! If you want your home in Barnegat, or anywhere in southern Ocean County at the Jersey Shore, to sell price it right. Call Jersey Shore REALTOR® Laura Giannotta to find out if your home is market ready and what it might sell for in today’s market.

This home in Barnegat’s Heritage Bay adult community is listed at $220,000.

Check out all 5 Cardinal Place, Barnegat has to offer!

Need a REALTOR® Down the Shore?
Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta
Your Jersey Shore real estate resource!
609.384.6121
www.JerseyShoreViews.com
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

Little Egg Harbor NJ - Has the Housing Market Hit Bottom?

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:11:10 -0800

Little Egg Harbor NJ - Has the housing Market Hit Bottom?

The housing market in Little Egg Harbor slowed in 2011, and prices decreased. But the question most asked, "Have we hit bottom?"

First let's look at the figures to date for the Little Egg Harbor Housing Market in 2011.

Little Egg Harbor - 08087

Ocean County, NJ

Date:

New
Listings

Under
Contract

Expired

Sold

Avg
Sold $

Days on
Market

Median
Sold $

Jan 2011

$173,590

227

$180,250

Feb 2011

$150,417

121

$138,000

Mar 2011

$194,476

160

$187,000

Apr 2011

$188,056

220

$173,000

May 2011

$210,456

134

$205,000

Jun 2011

$184,308

167

$184,000

Jul 2011

$216,435

130

$210,000

Aug 2011

$151,182

116

$146,500

Sep 2011

$202,843

184

$201,800

Oct 2011

$171,385

192

$152,500

Nov 2011

$164,871

143

$152,900

Dec 2011

$191,413

145

$157,000

So in looking at these figures, I'm looking at a reduced sale price range from 2010, but also a decreased number of homes for sale listed on the market in Little Egg Harbor.

I know it's boring, but take a look at the 2010 figures.

Activity Date:

New
Listing

Under
Contract

Expired

Sold

Avg
Sold $

Days on
Market

Median
Sold $

Jan 2010

$200,388

130

$193,000

Feb 2010

$208,018

102

$225,000

Mar 2010

112

$183,250

150

$171,250

Apr 2010

$173,528

185

$181,500

May 2010

$196,804

101

$206,950

Jun 2010

$212,671

133

$212,500

Jul 2010

$193,039

138

$170,000

Aug 2010

$206,100

155

$185,000

Sep 2010

$213,342

158

$210,000

Oct 2010

$216,119

110

$204,500

Nov 2010

$188,414

159

$150,950

Dec 2010

$243,868

126

$250,000

My read; We're ready for a rebound in real estatesales and prices in Little Egg Harbor, NJ.

But take note; there will not be the extraordinary yearly/monthly increases in value that we've seen in passed year. I think there's a leveling going on and we'll see a leveling in property values in 2012, and traditional increases in 2013 along the lines of 3% to 4%.

The unfortunate news for homeowners; that 3% to 4% increase is on your current value...not your assessed value or what you paid for the home.

If you'd like a current assessment of your home’s value Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta can provide a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to see how your home would be valued if it was for sale. Or if you’re stay put you might qualify for an appeal of your tax assessment. No guarantees, but I can provide that information to help YOU make the decision!

Laura Giannotta
Click on any of the links below to:

How to Proceed with a NJ Tax Appeal
Search the Jersey Shore MLS
Find out about buying or selling a home at the Jersey Shore
Contact a Little Egg Harbor REALTOR®

Need a REALTOR® Down the Shore?
Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta
Your Jersey Shore real estate resource!
609.384.6121
www.JerseyShoreViews.com
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

The Jersey Shore Housing Market Heats Up!

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:57:47 -0800

The Jersey Shore Housing Market Heats Up in 2012!

Little Egg Harbor Housing Market - If the first weekend of 2012 is any indication, homes sales are on the rebound in the southern Ocean County communities of Barnegat, Manahawkin, Tuckerton and Little Egg Harbor.

Judging by the inquiries on my listings of homes for sale in Manahawkin, Little Egg Harbor and Barnegat, the race is on!

Add to that, a showing on Saturday with a follow up Sunday…the Jersey Shore housing market is poised to explode! While the faxed contract doesn’t guarantee a closing, it’s a solid offer!

And why not buy a home now in Little Egg Harbor, Manahawkin or Barnegat?

Mortgage rates are low and home prices are low. I’m not talking only REO and short sales. Home prices haven’t been lower, even before the boom (bubble) years!

If you’re buying a home at the Jersey Shore, now is the time! Contact a Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta 609-384-6121.

In June, when prices are up, you don’t want to say; would of, could of, should of!

Call 609-384-6121 today for homes for sale at the Jersey Shore!

Need a REALTOR® Down the Shore?
Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta
Your Jersey Shore real estate resource!
609.384.6121
www.JerseyShoreViews.com
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

NJ Scores Low...Take This NJ...Let's Change That!

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:41:54 -0800

And take that we will…from the ‘What Exit’ jokes to attorneys vs chemical plants…the Garden State has been at the brunt of many jokes. This one’s for real ... We’re rich according to tax rates but do we expect too much? We, New Jersey, are listed as 14th out of a list of 15 as the worst run states.

" New Jersey

State debt per capita: $6,551 (6th highest)
Pct. without health insurance: 13.2 percent (21st lowest)
Pct. below poverty line: 9.5 percent (4th lowest)
Unemployment: 9.2 percent (15th highest)

Despite having the second highest median household in the country, New Jersey in recent year performed poorly in a number of areas. Most notably, the state has the sixth highest state debt per capita. Its credit rating was also downgraded from AA to AA- in February 2011 due to concerns over its massive state employee retirement obligations."

New Jersey is trying to turn it around, so if you like to be part of the process, first thing to do if you live here is call me or go anywhere and register to vote.

This is a real estate blog, because you invest in the place you live…So expect Little Egg Harbor a REALTOR® Laura Giannotta at the Jersey Shore to send you a voter registration card, and the most up to date information on state, county and municipal elections!

{The attorney vs. chemical plant joke goes this way…”Why does New Jersey have more chemical plants than attorneys ? Answer: Because California had first choice.}

Need a REALTOR® Down the Shore?
Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta
Your Jersey Shore real estate resource!
609.384.6121
www.JerseyShoreViews.com
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

Open House Sunday November 20th Heritage Bay Barnegat, NJ

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:37:33 -0800

Open House Sunday November 20^th Heritage Bay Barnegat New Jersey

Join me at 5 Cardinal Place in Heritage Bay from 12noon until 3 pm Sunday November 20^th. You’ve got to see this expanded 2 bedroom 2 bath home. It’s offered at $220,000.

Heritage Bay, a 55+ community in Barnegat at the Jersey Shore, offers active adult living in a small community with only 292 homes. While Heritage Bay is relatively small compared to other 55+ communities at the Jersey Shore, there are plenty of activities in the clubhouse, and social clubs for every interest.

Heritage Bay is located on West Bay Avenue in Barnegat, across from the Genudari’s Shopping Center. It’s convenient to the Garden State Parkway, shopping and the Barnegat Bay.

Need directions to 5 Cardinal Place in Heritage Bay? Click here for bing map directions to Barnegat

Need a REALTOR® Down the Shore?
Little Egg Harbor REALTOR® Laura Giannotta
Your Jersey Shore real estate resource!
609.384.6121
www.JerseyShoreViews.com
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com