Waterfront Homes and Chunks of History in Little Egg Harbor’s Mystic Island!

Mystic Island is a section of Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey…Ocean County’s southernmost municipality.

It’s main road, from Great Bay Boulevard to Mystic Beach at the Great Bay, used to be known as Shore Road. It winds through Mystic Island, Hickory Island and Osborn Island. This thoroughfare is now known as Radio Road.

That name came about in the early 1900’s with the construction of the Tuckerton Wireless Tower, the tallest and strongest radio tower in 1912. Its guide wire foundations are still visible, though the tower is long gone.

Mystic Island, New Jersey – Waterfront Homes and Chunks of History!

The tower was built by the German company known as HOMAG, The High Frequency Machine Corporation for Wireless Telegraphy. This tower was used to communicate with an identical station in Eilvese, Germany beginning in 1914, just before the outbreak of World War I.

Though taken over by the US Navy to assure the messages sent and received did not violate America’s Declaration of Neutrality, the tower was still manned by German nationals employed by HOMAG. It’s rumored that this tower was used to send the message ordering the attack on the Lusitania!

When the US entered the WW I, all radio stations were taken over and shut down by Executive Order. All the German employees of HOMAG were taken as prisoners of war and the Tuckerton Tower was assigned to the US Navy. They used it as a back up for the Navy’s main transatlantic wireless station north of here in New Brunswick, NJ.

After the war, the Tuckerton Wireless Tower was included in German war reparations paid to America.

The government then sold the tower to RCA which used it as a backup a facility in Rocky Point, NY. It operated until 1948. The Tuckerton Wireless Tower was demolished in 1955 and that’s when the single family homes in Mystic Island began cropping up

This 820 foot wireless tower was anchored by 3 huge blocks that exist today; one is in the backyard of a home on North Ensign Drive, one in the middle of the street on South Ensign Drive, and the other in the middle of Staysail.

South Ensign Drive, Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Staysail, Little Egg Harbor, NJ

Many smaller foundations for supporting towers are still visible in the lagoons of Mystic Island. If you’d like to see some great photos of the Tuckerton Wireless Tower, its construction and demolition, visit the Giffordtown Schoolhouse Museum, home of the Tuckerton Historical Society.

If you’d like information on the real estate market or homes for sale in Mystic Island, Little Egg Harbor or Tuckerton, give me a call!

Keller Williams Realty – Atlantic Shore
Laura Giannotta
609-384-6121
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

GET YOUR OWN JERSEY SHORE VIEWS!

After the Storm on Long Beach Island

New Jersey’s coastal counties have been declared a disaster area by Governor Corzine.

Though the rain and wind subsided over the weekend, yesterday was the first day local and state officials could take a firsthand view of the damage.  They were out in force on Long Beach Island, calling last week’s storm the worst in a decade.

Most lagoon front property in Little Egg Harbor and  Manahawkin fared well, some of the beaches on Long Beach Island were not so lucky.

Bulkheads and jetties saw some real action during the 4 days of wind and rain.

 

The beaches in Surf City handled the storm far better.  Last year, Surf City received beach replenishment help from the Army Corps of Engineers.  The wider beach and plenty of dune grass helped against the winds and high tides.

 

That’s not to say the Surf City beach was debris free…

So as state and municipal officials continue to tally the costs to repair the damage on the Island, some were just enjoying the remnants of the storm.

 

Can I use the expanded and extended tax credit program to buy a home in New Jersey if I don’t have perfect credit?

Can I use the expanded and extended tax credit program to buy a home in New Jersey if I don’t have perfect credit?

You might have thought that you couldn’t meet the deadline to use the expanded and extended tax credit program to buy a home in New Jersey. But with the extension and expansion now law, you have six months!  And that will give you some room to work on your credit score.

The extended tax credit program offers first time home buyers six more months to get a home under contract to qualify for the $8,000.  The expanded tax credit program allows homeowners, who’ve lived in their homes for five of the last eight years, to qualify for a $6,500 credit.

The first step to see if you can take advantage of the expanded and extended tax credit program to buy a home in New Jersey is to check your credit score, and work on improvements.

The best place to learn about your options to increase your credit score is to speak  with a mortgage professional.  You can click here for a list of active mortgage professionals in New Jersey…they’re part of the ActiveRain professional real estate
community.

The higher your credit score, the easier the mortgage approval process.  Your credit score is made up of your payment history, the amount you owe, the length of your
credit history and the types of credit you have.

Very simply your credit score improves by paying bills on time, paying down credit card debt and having lines of credit.

But a mortgage professional, after reviewing your credit report, can offer suggestions to tweak your score.  It’s important to speak with some one experienced in the world of home finance because, while not mysterious, credit scores are quirky.

This simple step will get you on your way to taking advantage of the expanded and extended tax credit program to buy a home in New Jersey if you don’t have perfect credit.

If you’d like some suggestions on mortgage professionals I’ve worked with feel free to contact me.  When you’re ready to buy a home, give me a call!

Keller Williams Realty – Atlantic Shore
Laura Giannotta
609-384-6121

Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

 

Homes for Sale in Tuckerton – October, 2009 Housing Market Report

Homes for sale in Tuckerton – October, 2009 Housing Market Report

Tuckerton, NJ	New Listings	Under Contract	Expired	Sold	Days on Market	Median Sold Price
October 2009	8	9	9	7	167	$157,000
October 2008	13	7	14	6	117	$267,500

These figures are a bit misleading.  There were really only five homes for sale in Tuckerton that closed during October, 2009.  Two of the 7 sold units were listed twice in the Jersey Shore Multiple Listing Service…they were listed for sale in both the single family category and the condo categaory.  

That brings the median sold price of homes in Tuckerton to $216,000.  

The inventory of homes for sale in Tuckerton dropped last month when compared to the same period one year ago.  There are currently about 57 homes for sale in Tuckerton, while last year at this time, there were 61 homes for sale in Tuckerton.

If you’d like more information on homes for sale in Tuckerton, or comparable sales in your neighborhood, call or email me!

Keller Williams Realty – Atlantic Shore
Laura Giannotta
609-384-6121
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

Homes for Sale In Manahawkin – October, 2009 Housing Market Report

 Homes for sale in Manahawkin – October, 2009 Housing Market Report

Manahawkin, NJ	New Listings	Under Contract	Expired	Sold	Days on Market	Median Sold Price
October, 2009	94	47	35	32	110	$282,450
October, 2008	92	23	56	33	122	$298,500

The number of homes for sale in Manahawkin (inventory) was down in October, 2009 over 2008 by more than 100 units.  As you can see, prices are also down.  

With enactment and expansion of the homebuyers tax credit, I expect the prices of homes for sale in Manahawkin to continue to inch up.  The median sold price of homes in Manahawkin increased in October, 2009 more than $10,000 over September, 2009.

If you’d like neighborhood specific information on homes for sale in Manahawkin (Stafford Township, NJ), or are interested in pricing your home to sell, contact me via email or phone.

Keller Williams Realty – Atlantic Shore
Laura Giannotta
609-384-6121
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

Homes for Sale in Little Egg Harbor – October, 2009 Housing Market Report

Homes for sale in Little Egg Harbor – The October 2009 Housing Market Report

Little Egg Harbor, NJ	New Listings	Under Contract	Expired	Sold	Days on Market	Median Sold Price
October 2009	67	43	57	29	124	$217,000
October 2008	56	23	62	21	126	$219,000

There are just over 300 homes for sale in Little Egg Harbor, NJ.  Last year (2008) at this time there were 435 single family homes for sale in Little Egg Harbor.   

Fewer homes were listed last month, and prices are inching up in Little Egg Harbor.  The median sales price in October, 2009 was $2,000 more than in September.  

With these market trends this might be the perfect time to buy or sell a home in Little Egg Harbor.

If you’re looking for homes for sale in Little Egg Harbor, NJ, call or email me.  I’ll get you the neighborhood specifics you need.

Keller Williams Realty – Atlantic Shore
Laura Giannotta 
609-384-6121
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

This information provided by the Jersey Shore MLS

Homes For Sale in Barnegat, NJ – October, 2009 Housing Market Report

Homes for sale in Barnegat - The October 2009 Housing Market Report

Barnegat, NJ	New Listings	Under Contract	Expired	Sold	Days on Market	Median Sold Price
October 2009	47	32	22	29	166	$220,000
Barnegat, NJ	New Listings	Under Contract	Expired	Sold	Days on Market	Median Sold Price
October 2008	56	23	62	21	126	$219,000

Current inventory of homes for sale in Barnegat, NJ is roughly 188 single family units.  That compares to the huge inventory during the same month last year, 360 units.

The market appears to be leveling out in Banegat, NJ, so if you’re planning to buy or sell a home in Barnegat call me for more information on neighborhood specifics.

If you’re looking for homes for sale in Banregat, NJ, call or email me.

 

Keller Williams Realty – Atlantic Shore
Laura Giannotta 
609-384-6121
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com  

 

Homes for Sale in Little Egg Harbor – Housing Market Trends July, 2009

 

 

Homes for Sale in Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Housing Market Trends
July, 2009

Fewer homes for sale in Little Egg Harbor were listed in July, 2009 than any other month this year.  That means with fewer homes for sale in Little Egg Harbor, prices should begin to stabilize.  
The number of listings of homes for sale in Little Egg Harbor that either expired or were withdrawn from the Multiple Listing Service is also on the rise, contributing to the smaller inventory of single family homes on the market.
Total inventory of homes for sale in Little Egg Harbor, though it varies day to day, is running about 350, while last summer inventory was well over 400 residential single family units.

Little Egg Harbor	New Listings	Under Contract	Expired & Withdrawn	Sold	Days on Market	Median Sold Price
January, 2009	83	19	75	10	132	$214,500
February, 2009	79	29	49	8	111	$233,000
March, 2009	61	18	47	16	133	$195,500
April, 2009	79	26	54	17	117	$213,000
May, 2009	68	30	56	23	125	$170,000
June, 2009	92	39	61	26	122	$240,000
July, 2009	55	35	66	25	127	$185,000

 
Compare the figures on housing market trends in Little Egg Harbor to those from 2008.

Little Egg Harbor	New Listings	Under Contract	Expired & Withdrawn	Sold	Days on Market	Median Sold Price
January, 2008	87	18	101	22	113	$317,500
February, 2008	125	32	75	19	89	$220,000
March, 2008	97	24	53	16	89	$248,500
April, 2008	94	31	42	24	99	$233,000
May, 2008	92	24	78	32	115	$222,400
June, 2008	80	22	69	28	112	$227,200
July, 2008	78	19	87	29	124	$238,500

Keller Williams Realty – Atlantic Shore
Laura Giannotta
609-384-6121
Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

GET YOUR OWN JERSEY SHORE VIEWS!
Search homes for sale at the NJ Shore

Home for Sale in Manahawkin, NJ – Housing Market Trends July, 2009

 

Homes in Manahawkin

Housing Market Trends

July, 2009

Take a look housing market trends in Manahawkin.  More homes in Manahawkin were listed in July and fewer sold than in June, and the number of listings to expire also increased in July.  With time running out on the $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers, home buyers in Manahawkin should act now!

Homes in Manahawkin, NJ	New	Under Contract	Sold	Days on Market	Median Sold Price
January, 2009	98	25	15	128	$295,000
February, 2009	101	24	20	118	$271,250
March, 2009	105	28	18	123	$275,000
April, 2009	97	45	22	103	$248,195
May 2009	103	45	39	115	$259,000
June, 2009	83	56	45	146	$275,000
July, 2009	95	47	29	111	$297,000

You can compare the figures above to those for the same period last year, to get an idea of housing market trends here in Manahawkin.  Prices are up, and the number of homes in Manahawkin at sold in July, 2009 is up slightly!  Even better news is that the number of homes under contract in Manahawkin is also up!

Homes in Manahawkin, NJ	New Listings	Under Contract	Sold	Days in Market	Median Sold price
January, 2008	117	31	23	102	$275,000
February, 2008	104	44	24	94	$294,150
March, 2008	111	36	30	88	$297,600
April, 2008	114	45	36	100	$274,500
May, 2008	104	36	32	101	$299,255
June, 2008	102	33	31	94	$265,500
July, 2008	74	39	23	115	$284,000

There are still many great homes for sale in Manahawkin, and still time to buy before the $8,000 first time home buyers tax credit expires.  If you’d like to work with a local Manahawkin REALTOR®, an Accredited Buyers Agent (ABR), with an in-depth knowledge of homes for sale in Manahawkin, give me a call.

Take a look at this home in Manahawkin that my buyers just closed on and will claim their $8,000 first time home buyers tax credit!

  

Keller Williams Realty – Atlantic Shore

Laura Giannotta

609-384-6121

Laura@JerseyShoreViews.com

 

GET YOUR OWN JERSEY SHORE VIEWS!

Search Homes for Sale at the NJ Shore

Fresh Seafood In Manahawkin Without Crossing the Causeway!

Fresh seafood in Manahawkin does not have to involve a ride over the Causeway to Long Beach Island.  A great Manahawkin seafood option is the Exit 63 Seafood Corner, located at 743 E Bay Avenue in Manahawkin!

Open year round, Exit 63 Seafood Corner combines great prepared seafood and a fresh fish market.  On my last visit, I had Blackened Tuna over rice ($19.00), while my dining partner had a wonder seafood combination in a white wine garlic sauce over linguini (also $19.).  There are daily specials, and it’s the freshest seafood in Manahawkin.

 

This time of year it’s good to have a local Manahawkin seafood restaurant, because after a long day the last thing you want is to battle the crowds at restaurants on Long Beach Island.

The Exit 63 Seafood Corner building itself is small, and it’s been a Manahawkin seafood staple for years.  I had been there when it was known as Corey’s, but the new Exit 63 owners have taken it to the next level…fine dining and fresh seafood in Manahawkin.

I first tried dinner at Exit 63 Seafood Corner in April, well before the summer crowds.  It was on the recommendation of a client, and what a find!

Exit 63 Seafood Corner is open daily, and also serves lunch.  The service is fast and friendly.  Seafood prices vary due to changes in market prices for the freshest seafood in Manahawkin.  There is no liquor license, so bring your own wine, they’ll provide glasses and chilling buckets if needed.

Exit 63 Seafood Corner

747 East Bay Avenue

Manahawkin, NJ 08050

609-978-3474

(Eat in or Take Out)