The Jersey Shore Pot O’ Gold
Jersey Pot O Gold
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Winds at the Shore…
The thing you can’t see, but causes a lot of damage. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) differentiates “straight line” wind from that which comes from a storm. Straight line wind was the least damaging according to their 2017 statistics. Straight line winds are different than severe weather related winds. Severe weather is responsible for billions of dollars of damage each year. According to the site Science.HowStuffWorks.com, it would take a 40-45 mph wind to knock a 100lb person off their feet. Doesn’t seem like much, but in our area of New Jersey, we can see frequently 40mph+ straight-line wind gusts but generally not sustained.
Merriam-Webster defines wind as “a natural movement of air at any velocity”. But they also go into other definitions which reminded me that wind can have positive effects too. For example, wind mills need wind to create energy. In many countries, windmills still provide a good source of energy. And then there are “wind instruments” which require you to blow into the instrument to create music.
NOAA also has a wind chill chart on their page. It is fascinating to me to see how little wind it takes in the cold to drop the temperature or “wind chill” . As I sit here writing this, we are in a cold snap with temperatures in the low single digits. Just a little wind would take us into negative “wind chill” temperatures.
Claimsmate.com has a great article on “The 5 Surprising Things You Need To Know About Wind Damage Insurance Claims”. Keep in mind that owning a home at the Jersey Shore does put you in straight line wind during the year. Insurance companies don’t always include wind coverage in your policy. And many differentiate down to small detail what they will cover under wind damage. I definitely recommend checking out your insurance policy, go over it with your insurance broker to make sure you know the differences in your policy on wind damage and whether you are covered. It will be devastating to learn after you already have damage, that you aren’t covered for wind.
Research Sites:
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hazstats.shtml
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Thinking of Warm Weather and Summer Vacations at the Jersey Shore?
Are you already tired of the winter weather? Grey skies, snow, sleet, rain? Now is probably a good time to start thinking about your summer getaway. Especially if you can’t take one now for a reprieve from the cold.
The Jersey Shore is the perfect place to look for a summer vacation! Although I am a native, I still get warm and fuzzy when I think Jersey Shore. It’s my home after all. Since I live at the Jersey Shore, I want to tell you about “my Jersey Shore”.
I grew up here in the LBI/Manahawkin region. Where summers were spent bicycling around town, canoeing on the lagoons and days spent on the beach. Backyard barbecues, shucking clams, parades and fireworks. Although it is a different time, not that much has changed. Families still come to the Jersey Shore to enjoy their beach season and to make memories with their families. I love the Long Beach Island beaches with the sugar white sand. There are ice cream shops galore not only on the island, but off too. If you enjoy the nightlife, the Beach Haven area is a good place to check out. Beach Haven also has an amusement park for the kiddies, waterpark, Surflight Theater and shopping mall for those local goodies. The island overall has an abundance of shops and restaurants. On the North side in Barnegat Light, there is the fishing village and Lighthouse area too. And let’s not forget boating! Manahawkin offers waterfront properties so you can keep you boat right at your home. LBI also has waterfront locations. This is just a taste of what the area has to offer. If you stop down, don’t forget to pick up your copy of The Sandpaper. It offers information on all the local stuff like restaurants, bands, concerts and more. This is not what you see on the reality show. LBI is a very different shore area than that which was featured on television.
Now is the time to start planning your summer retreat. There are many options to look at to find that perfect stay. If you are looking for a temporary stay, then a rental is what you will need. Sites like LBIVRBO, VRBO and Airbnb are very helpful. Local real estate offices can also assist. Proximity to the ocean is what drives overall price. When renting, ask the questions as to what you might need to bring with you. Are linens provided? Do you need pillows, etc.
Barnegat Lighthouse
Long Beach Island
If it’s a second home you prefer, then Beach Haven West or LBI can offer you a wide range of prices and accommodations to suit whatever your lifestyle and needs are. On LBI, the proximity to the beach can drive price, but so can location on the water. There’s the North End and the South End. Both have very different appeals. The South is very active with night time entertainment for all while the North end is quieter. Pricing on the island will generally start around $400k and go up from there.
On the mainland side, Beach Haven West (not to be confused with Beach Haven on the island), is the waterfront area of choice. Most homes are not too far from the bridge to the island if you like to enjoy both beach and boating. Homes generally range from a low of $300k and up. There may be some foreclosures a bit lower, but will most likely need extensive repair or need to be raised higher. There are a bevy of restaurants on the mainland side as well as shopping. Additionally, you can find other activities such as a movie theater, canoeing in the creeks/rivers, Atlantic City is only about 35 minutes from Manahawkin and more.
Speaking of AC, we are really centrally located in this area. As mentioned above, only 35mins to AC, 1.5 hrs to Philadelphia and 2 hours from New York City. If you are coming in out of state, it could be a great opportunity to spend time at the shore, but also branch out and visit another hotspot.
Of course, if you have any questions about “My Jersey Shore”, please feel free to reach out!
Hope to see you at the Jersey Shore this 2019 year!
This blog, HARNJ.com is based on the opinion and expertise of the blogger, Lisa G Lopez.
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Searching for your dream home…
Searching for the home of your dreams can be a scary proposition to many. Today’s technology, while helpful at showing buyers all their options, can be a bit overwhelming to some! There is no shortage of home searching tools. From Zillow to REALTOR® websites, there are literally thousands of them!
Sites like Zillow are great if you’re looking for a general understanding of what’s currently for sale. The BEST way, however, is to work with a seasoned REALTOR®.
What sites like Zillow and Realtor.com fail to do is provide you the home buyer/seller with an intimate experience. These sites rely on tax records and MLS data for the valuations etc. While a REALTOR® will use these tools as well, it’s the additional information they bring to the table that makes the difference.
Finding a REALTOR® that specializes in the area you are interested in, type of home you want etc will make the difference. Their intimate knowledge can provide insight that you might not have discovered on your own.
If you are looking for a REALTOR®, ask friends, family, and coworkers for recommendations. Then INTERVIEW the agents! Ask the questions that matter most to you. Perhaps you want an agent that will text you daily updates on property searches- ask if that’s an option. Maybe it’s important that your agent is GREEN certified. Whatever matters to you should be discussed up front. This will help manage the expectation you both have of each other (and spare hurt feelings down the road).
Bottom line, while house hunting can be a stressful experience it can be pleasurable if done with the assistance of a professional.
If you have any questions on home buying or selling please reach out to Lisa G Lopez at lglopez@homealliancerealty.com
See you at the closing table!