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July 2011

Season Badges: the Most and Least Affordable Beaches

Season Badges: the Most and Least Affordable Beaches

If you’re still pondering a season pass to the beach, look no further. The prices are right here, listed from least to most expensive beach badge, by county.

The cost varies widely. Brick Beach costs $30 for its quiet, boardwalk-less oceanfront beach, while Seaside Heights charges $45 for the season on a beach surrounded by boardwalk amusements. The cheapest in Ocean County is Mantoloking, a town that also has a lot of private beaches; while Island Beach State Park's season pass is $50, and that will allow you entry into any state park in New Jersey as well. The cost is for a vehicle hang tag, meaning it's the same price whether you have a car full of people heading to the bathing beach or if you are swimming solo.

In Monmouth County, there aren't any season passes cheaper than $45, which is Long Branch.

It is clear no beaches are equal; here is how they stack up when judged simply on the cost of a season pass, bought after Memorial Day:

OCEAN COUNTY

MONMOUTH COUNTY

The prices above are for full season, adult badges. For a comprehensive guide to all beach offerings, check out our Guide to Beaches.

 


Good News for Realtors helping home owners and Great News for Homeowners...

this new ruling will be beneficial to Homeowners because the Realtors will not be overloaded with the paperwork needed and will be there to help with getting the short sale DONE! At the end of the day that is what BOTH parties want.

FTC Will Not Enforce Provisions of MARS Rule Against Real Estate Professionals Helping Consumers Obtain Short Sales

 The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) has made an important step in resolving the confusion caused by the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Mortgage Assistance Relief Services Rule (MARS) among real estate professionals who provide assistance to struggling homeowners in negotiating short sales with servicers on the sale of the home.

On July 7, 2011, NAR President Ron Phipps met with FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz to discuss the problems caused by MARS. On July 15, 2011, the FTC announced that it will forbear from enforcing most provisions of its MARS Rule against real estate professionals who assist consumers in obtaining short sales from their lenders or servicers.

Effective immediately, real estate professionals acting in their licensed capacity will no longer need to comply with most of the Rule’s requirements, including the required disclosures, advance fee ban, and recordkeeping requirements.

This forbearance of enforcement will only apply to real estate brokers (and real estate agents under their direction and control) who are:

  •  Licensed and maintain good standing pursuant to any applicable state law requirements
  •  In compliance with state laws governing the practices of real estate professionals
  •  Assisting or attempting to assist a consumer in negotiating, obtaining or arranging a short sale of a dwelling in the course of securing the sale of the consumer’s home.

The FTC will still enforce the Rule’s prohibition against misrepresentations made by a real estate professional while assisting a consumer in negotiating or obtaining a short sale.

The FTC’s forbearance should have the effect of resolving this issue for real estate professionals who are acting in their licensed capacity. While the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and state attorney generals can still enforce the Rule as written, both groups are expected to follow the FTC’s lead. NAR will continue to work on obtaining a complete resolution of this issue.

For additional information on the MARS Rule click here.
For the FTC statement on the MARS Rule click here.


How's the Condo Market in Long Branch?

The median list price in LONG BRANCH, NJ 07740 this week is

$415,000.

Inventory has been lightening lately and the Market Action Index

has been trending up. Though days-on-market is increasing, these

are mildly positive indications for the market.

  SUPPLY AND DEMAND 

Home sales have been exceeding new inventory for several weeks.

However because of excess inventory, prices have not yet stopped

falling. Should the sales trend continue, expect prices to level off

soon and potentially to resume their climb from there. Watch prices

as the market transitions from a Buyer's market to a Seller's market.

 PRICE

Again this week in LONG BRANCH we see a downward notch for

prices. Pricing has been weak in recent weeks and versus their

absolute-high level. At this point, we will be looking for a

persistent upward shift in the Market Action Index as a leading

indicator for a trough in prices. 

 

Download Gloria benaroch Exec Summary [Condo]_NJ_LONG BRANCH_07740 

 

 


Sunday is the best day to prepare an extra meal to eat during the week.

Sunday is the best day to prepare an extra meal to eat during the week.

Why? Typically we make a family meal on Sunday which means we’re in the kitchen anyway. Why not make an extra dish that freezes well to heat up on a busy night or at least prep the ingredients for a week night meal. 

PS Did you know doing laundry after 9pm might just save you money? Turns out many electric companies lower their rates after 9pm to non-peak rates which could save you money.


Some Food Bowls Are Better for Your Cat?s Health

Some Food Bowls Are Better for Your Cat?s Health

by JaneA Kelley, Cat expert and animal communicator, Paws and Effect

 

 

If your cat tends to get "feline acne" on her chin, th culprit may be her food dish. Experts say that plastic dishes can get scratched up and harbor bacteria, even if they're cleaned regularly. Stainless steel, glass or ceramic dishes, on the other hand, are easier to clean, which can keep your cat healthier and happier. If you use ceramic dishes, be sure they are made with food-safe glaze. Most cats prefer flatter dishes so their whiskers don't press against the edge of the bowl. Also, don't use "double dishes" with food and water side by side; food can get into the water and make it unpleasant for the cat to drink.

Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people.

 


Pick Your Own Farms in Monmouth and Ocean County

Pick Your Own Farms in Monmouth and Ocean County

Atlantic Farms
1506 Atlantic Ave. Route 524 Wall
732.528.8680
Peppers, Eggplant, tomatoes, plum tomatoes, cut flowers

Battleview Orchards
91 Wemrock Road Freehold
732.462.0756
strawberries, sour cherries, peaches, necatrines

DeWolf's Farm and Kim's Country Store
10 West Colliers Mill Road New Egypt
609.758.6288
strawberries, blackberries, pepper, tomatos, eggplants, beans,broccoli,cabbage,spinach, pole beans, potatoes, melon,sweet potato

Earth Friendly Organic Farm
17 Olde Noah Hunt Raod, Clarksburg
609.259.9744
Blueberrries, blackberries,raspberries

Eastmont Orchards
181 Route 537, Colts Neck
732.542.5405
Peaches,nectarines, sweet corn, vegetables

Hallock's U pick Farms
30 Fischer Road, New Egypt
609.758.8847
Strawberries,peas,tomatoes,pickles, cucumbers,squash,lima beans,butter beans,onion,okra,field and black-ey peas, bell,fyer and hot peppers, eggplant

Ogule's Farm
39 McCaffrey Road,Englishtown
732.446.7342
Tomatoes, watermelon,okra, sweet pot cantaloupe,assorted peas, assorted beans

River Bend Farm
200 Casino Drive, Farmingdale
732.938.2387
Vegetables, herbs and berries

The Berry Farm
Route 34 (Behind Delicious Orchards), Colts Neck
732.294.0704
Strawberries, raspberries (red and black) blackberries

Wemrock Orchards
300 Route 33, West Freehold
732.431.2668
Strawberries,blackberries,raspberries

PICK YOUR OWN CALENDAR

 
 
 
 
 
 
FRUITS & BERRIS
 
MOST ACTIVE
 
LATE
 
Blackberries
 
July 15 -  July 30
 
10-Aug
 
Blueberries
 
July 5 - Aug 10
 
15-Aug
 
Cherries
 
June 10 - June 25
 
25-Jun
 
Peaches,Nectarines
July 20 - Sept 1
 
15-Sep
 
Pears
 
Aug 10 - Aug 31
 
10-Sep
 
Raspberries
 
July 5 - July 21
 
1-Aug
 
Strawberries
 
June 1 - June 10
 
25-Jun
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 VEGETABLES
 
 
 
 
 
Cucumbers
 
July 5 - Aug 15
 
15-Sep
 
Lettuce
 
May 20 - July 15
 
31-Aug
 
Onions
 
June 25 - July 31
 
30-Sep
 
Peppers
 
July 15 - Oct 31
 
5-Nov
 
Snap Beans
 
June 20 - July 20
 
31-Aug
 
Squash
 
June 25 - Sept 1
 
30-Sep
 
Sweet Corn
 
July 5 - Aug 31
 
25-Sep
 
Tomatoes
 
July 10 - Sept 15
 
15-Oct