Jersey Shore Real Estate News - Events & Happenings on the Jersey Shore

August 11, 2017August 11, 2017

Margate Dunes Project Update: Judge Rules OK to Continue

Just last week, I wrote about the temporary hold placed on the Margate Dunes Project at our local beaches. Officials believed that stagnate water created by sand excavation and heavy rains posed a public safety risk. Yesterday, Judge Marie Bumb lifted the temporary restraining order, allowing the Margate Dunes Project to continue.

Why Allow Continued Work on the Margate Dunes Project?

While she understands the City’s concerns, Judge Bumb cited concerns about delays in the Margate Dunes Project could domino into bigger problems down the road. This represents only one portion of a larger project along the Atlantic City shoreline. The point of the entire project is to create a barrier against destruction caused by hurricanes. Delaying the Margate Dunes Project pushes other projects in Ventnor and Longport into the hurricane season. In turn, this puts other Jersey Shore residents in possible jeopardy.

Judges Restrictions on Continuing Berm Construction

In an effort to alleviate some of the public’s fears, Judge Bumb put restrictions in place for continued beach work. For example, contractors must created elevated walkways for easier beach access. Then, pond areas must now be fenced off. Also, all standing water must be pumped out right away. All this comes at the contractors’ expense, not the City’s. A City attorney plans to plead their case for continuing the restraining order later this afternoon.

Expect to see Margate Dunes Project construction right away. The Army Corps of Engineers’ updated schedule shows work planned at the Jackson Avenue beach on Saturday, August 12th. Unless something changes this afternoon, bulldozers join sunbathers at the beach this weekend. Be prepared.

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Sherri Lilienfeld, Helping You Live Your Jersey Shore Dream

August 4, 2017August 6, 2017

Margate Dunes Project on Hold Temporarily

Earlier this year, I wrote about how the summer time construction of dunes along our Jersey shoreline would affect beach goers. We knew to expect closures of Margate beaches between June and August. However, the timeline for completion might get pushed back. Earlier this week, an Atlantic County Superior Court judge placed the Margate Dunes Project on hold temporarily due to large water “ponding” on the beach.

Why the Temporary Halt of the Margate Dunes Project?

Last week, Weeks Marine, the contractor in charge of constructing the dune on Absecon Island, tried to create a drainage basin by excavating several feet of sand. Unfortunately, this resulted in a huge pond of stagnate water. The location and size of this pond made it impossible for beach goers to safely navigate around it. In turn, this forced our Commissioner of Safety, John Amodeo, to close down Margate area beaches. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ordered Weeks Marine to pump the water into the ocean to clear out the area.

DEP attorney David Apy gave testimony for what he called “over aggressive” excavation tactics. Judge Julio Mendez agreed to issue a restraining order against continuing construction on the Margate Dunes Project. The matter will be re-evaluated after a meeting with all parties involved on August 11th. The dune project is expected to continue to move along the shoreline to Ventnor later this month. From there, it moves on to Longport in September.

Most Margate Beaches to be Re-Opened

While the Margate Dune Project stays in a holding pattern, the City announced the re-opening of Margate beaches to the public this weekend. This includes returning lifeguard staff to their posts. After bacterial tests came back “normal”, they were deemed safe for beach goers to attend again. However, Huntington Avenue remains the sole closure.

FEATURED JERSEY SHORE HOME OF THE WEEK

For more information on this and other homes for sale on the Jersey Shore, please visit my Featured Listings page.

Sherri Lilienfeld, Helping You Live Your Jersey Shore Dream

July 28, 2017July 28, 2017

Why Hire a Property Management Company for my Jersey Shore Home?

Some people choose the Jersey Shore to live year round. Others decide it’s the perfect vacation destination. During the summer especially, the population of most Jersey Shore towns swell by thousands. You decide to invest in a second home here to capitalize on the tourist population as well as a possible vacation home for yourself. You’ll probably need someone to watch your property while you’re not there. So, why should you hire a property management company for your Jersey Shore home? It just makes good dollars and sense.

Why Hire a Property Management Company?

Time

Nowadays, who has the time to keep up with their primary residence, let alone a second home? A property management company screens potential renters. They run background checks as well as credit checks. Then, they take care of any complaints that may arise from renters. Finally, they collect rent and any deposits required. Do you have the time to do this?

Location

Do you live in Princeton, Newark or Paterson? That’s a long way to go if an emergency arises at your second Jersey Shore home. A local property management company can handle any emergency that arises. They act on your behalf. That means they get the call at 2 am from a frantic tenant rather than you. Also, they often either have in-house maintenance staff or work with local contractors to get the situation under control quickly, efficiently and most cost effectively.

Marketing

Not only does a good property management company handle current tenants, they also provide marketing to find your next renter. Since they are local, they know how to cater advertising to appeal to the market. You’ll never have to worry about a vacant property when you have the next renter already lined up.

Knowledge

Do you know all the laws regarding landlords and tenants? A reputable property management company should. For example, they know whether or not you are legally allowed to evict an unruly tenant. They also know what information must be disclosed to potential tenants before a lease is signed. A property management company can tell you how much of security deposit you are legally allowed to charge and what time frame you have to return it upon vacating. This is their business. Any property management company worth their salt can answer these questions for you.

Interview several different property management companies before settling on one. Research their reputation ahead of time. Talk to local renters and your Jersey Shore REALTOR@ to see who they recommend. You can start by contacting Apex Property Management as your first stop for your interview. You can also search the Business Directory at the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints filed against them. The more thorough your homework, the better chance you’ll have of finding a great property management company to take care of your second Jersey Shore home.

FEATURED JERSEY SHORE HOME OF THE WEEK

For more information on this and other homes for sale on the Jersey Shore, please visit my Featured Listings page.

Sherri Lilienfeld, Helping You Live Your Jersey Shore Dream