Category: Ocean County Real Estate

Ortley Beach Real Estate Agents are Ready to Help

Realtor assisting a couple with a search of the Ortley Beach real estate market

It is easy to think it you can navigate the process of buying or selling a home without the help of a realtor. Usually, not long into the journey, those that attempt it realize they’ve made a huge mistake. It isn’t just what a realtor does that is so beneficial. It is what they do combined with who they know and what they know that makes them such a big help to their clients. Even with hours and hours of research, you will never know a market like a real estate agent does. Especially when it comes to a competitive market like Ortley Beach. Whether it be pricing a home to sell fast or advising buyers on what to offer, Ortley Beach real estate agents are ready to help.

Real Estate Agents Help with Searches

If you are buying a home, the first area where an agent is beneficial is with the process of beginning a search. Even though the size of Ortley Beach is not large, a search of the market can be overwhelming. An agent not only knows about the market itself, but also has important information about streets and neighborhoods. The best real estate agent will have a long conversation and ask a ton of questions to their clients in order to find the most suitable home.

For those who need to sell their home, getting your home listed on the MLS is imperative. This listing database means more people will see your home. Homes sold by owners without the assistance of an agent take longer to sell because the homes are not searchable on typical real estate sites.

Ortley Beach Real Estate Agents Give Advice on Offers

Real estate agents usually specialize in one area so that they can get to know that location really well. The more an agent knows about a neighborhood and town in general the better equipped they are to help buyers and sellers. It is important to know trends and current market values in order to price a home as well as to bid on a home.

Pricing a home correctly can sell a home quickly. It can also initiate a bidding war driving the price up as high as possible. Depending on what the seller is looking for, a knowledgeable agent will advise their clients to get the best result.

In terms of buyers, real estate agents help clients determine the best offer. An Ortley Beach real estate agent always has their client’s best interest in mind. It can be easy to be swept up into a bidding war, but an agent will be there to let you know when the price is way over the value of the home.

Realtors Offer Additional Professional Services

In addition to all the real estate benefits, agents help clients in a number of other ways. Past just getting the home listed with the MLS, agents help construct the perfect listing. Too little or too many details, an aggressive title, and bad photos can all turn potential buyers away. Agents don’t just help with the wording and language of listings. They refer clients to many other professionals like photographers. Having clear, well-formatted pictures is essential in creating an effective listing.

Once the listing is effective, agents are still by the client’s side. Buyers will be needing the help of many other professionals at this stage. Inspectors, appraisers, mortgage lenders, and many other people become involved in the process. Agents are a great resource for these vendors. They’ve been through this process more than the client and have a lot of experience with a variety of businesses.

Ortley Beach Real Estate is a Market Best Tackled with an Agent

Realtor assisting a couple with a search of the Ortley Beach real estate market

It’s easy for those not going through the process to say to not partner with an Ortley Beach real estate agent. The truth is, working with an agent makes the journey not only easier, but faster and more enjoyable. Despite which side of the equation you’re on, don’t listen to those that say a real estate agent is a waste of money. They are a valuable partner and resource for every buyer and seller.

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Ortley Beach Real Estate One of Top 3 Markets at Jersey Shore

When it comes to Jersey Shore real estate, Ortley Beach is one of the most popular towns. There are many reasons, but the main one is probably the variety in size, type, and location of homes that offers something for anyone. Add in beaches, entertainment, and great restaurants and it’s easy to see why people flock to Ortley Beach every summer. This popularity makes the real estate market here very competitive. Whether you are looking to purchase a rental property, buy a new home, or rent a home for your summer vacation, the best thing you can do is partner with a real estate office that has extensive experience in the Ortley Beach real estate market. They have the most advanced knowledge of new homes on the market and their familiarity of the area is invaluable.

Ortley Beach Real Estate is For Water Enthusiasts

Located on the Barnegat Peninsula means Ortley Beach has access to water from both sides of town. One side has the allure of the ocean and beaches within walking distance from many homes. On the other side is the Barnegat Bay. Here, boating, crabbing, and fishing top the list of activities. No matter what you enjoy doing on or by the water, you can do it in Ortley Beach. There are plenty of places to park for free along the streets in town as well as a few paid lots. Access to the beach and the water is always convenient. Beach badges are required for anyone between the ages of 12 years 62. What is great is that most, if not all, rental homes offer the use of beach badges during vacationers stay. Ocean beaches are guarded on weekends starting Memorial Day weekend. Then, daily from mid-June through Labor Day.

This Market Has Something for Everyone

Some real estate markets are fairly narrow in what they offer. Consider any town and think about the size and variety of homes. Many places, while the homes may appear different on the outside, are all relatively the same size and offer very similar amenities. Ortley Beach real estate, however, offers all sizes and shapes of homes that fit just about anyone’s criteria. From beach shacks to multi-million multiple family homes, waterfront to mid-block, the variety of size and location provides a wide array of purchase prices as well. Whether you are looking to purchase a new home for yourself or if you are searching for a rental property as an investment, Ortley Beach presents homes for just about anyone. Plus, if you’re looking for a great town to vacation in, Ortley Beach is it. From romantic weekends away to vacations with other families, there is a house for you.

Ortley Beach Real Estate Comes with Easy Access to Activities

One of the greatest things about Ortley Beach is its size. It’s less than one square mile in area. This can be a negative to some people, but for a beach town in New Jersey, it’s great. This means everything in town is easily accessible for everyone. A great place to eat is never far away. Casual dining, formal dining, and everything in between is always available. In addition to all the wonderful places to eat are fun, family-friendly activities like miniature golf and movies on the beach. Plus, bicycle rental shops, playgrounds, and tons of sports courts exist all within walking distance to everyone in Ortley Beach. And for those days when you want something different, a short drive away are the amusements included on the Seaside Heights and Point Pleasant boardwalks. Just like the Ortley Beach real estate market, the entertainment and activities are very diverse as well.

Ortley Beach Real Estate is Competitive for a Reason

Ortley Beach real estate is booming because of beautiful homes like the one pictured. Ortley Beach is written in teal in a script-font

As you can see, Ortley Beach is a great little town. With lots of fun, a mixed selection of homes, and easy access to everything, it isn’t hard to figure out why the real estate market here is so competitive. If you are searching for a home to purchase for year-round living, it is always best to get in touch with a seasoned Ortley Beach real estate agent.  They always have the best information available about the town, especially if you are new to the area. Vacationers will also benefit from dealing with a realtor. This can ensure both the owner and the renter that the transaction will be valid and remove the possibility of scams of any type.

After you’ve purchased your home, be sure to check out our Home Maintenance articles for tips on how to keep your new home looking great!

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4 Low Cost Investments That Can Boost The Value Of Your Ortley Beach Home

If you plan to put your home on the market, you’re not going to want to just throw it out there as is. The smart choice is to make some investments into your home. The idea is to both entice buyers and make your home more desirable, while also increasing the value of your home so you can command a better price on the market.

The choices you have ahead may be a little difficult to make, but with a little knowledge and a little foresight you can make a wise choice when it comes to investing money into home improvements. Here are some low cost areas you might want to consider:

  1. Furnace / HVAC Replacement – You don’t hear about this one very often, but when you are showing your home to buyers and you can show them that the furnace and/or HVAC system was recently replaced, they will air a sigh of relief knowing that it’s not an issue they will have to deal with. Just be sure to keep in mind that your return on investment will not be 100 percent. You might spend $10,000 on a new HVAC, but it won’t add $10,000 in value to your home. It will, however, make it more appealing to buyers.
  1. New Floors – Adding new floors to your home can make it far more appealing during open houses, adding real value to your home’s resale value and making it more desirable for buyers. That makes it a good investment for anyone trying to sell some Ortley Beach Real Estate. Aim for engineered wood floors or real wood, as they are the most desirable types of floors. While laminate can offer a good look that closely matches real hardwood, real hardwood or engineered hardwood has a cache that makes it the better choice.
  1. Re-do Your Bathroom – When it comes to investing in your Ortley Beach Real Estate, there is no better return on investment than remodeling your bathroom. Generally, you’ll get every dollar back you invest in it. Even minor stuff you can do on your own can be a worthwhile investment. New grout, new fixtures, new tiling, and so on – all are fairly easy and inexpensive ways to add value to your home without having to go too deep out of your own pocket.
  1. Focus On Lighting – When prospective buyers visit your home, you don’t want them walking into a dark, dank place. You want brightness and light. With that in mind, invest in new lighting fixtures, brighter bulbs, and drapery that lets in a lot of light. This will brighten your home and make it appear to be a more desirable place to live.

Can you think of others ways you can boost the value of your Ortley Beach Real Estate? Anny other low cost ways to get the most money possible when you put your home on the market? Then leave us some ideas in the comments below.

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Getting The Most From Your Home Architect

If you are one of the many people interested in having Monmouth County custom homes constructed for them, you already know that the road ahead of you will be filled with hard work and meetings, meetings, meetings. You’ll be meeting with your attorney to discuss property issues. You’ll be meeting with your bank people to discuss money issues. You’ll be meeting with township officials to discuss permits and all the other red tape that goes with new construction.

But in the long term, the most important meetings you’ll have will be those you have with your architect. After all, it will be his or her work that dictates the final design of the home you and your family will live in. That’s something that will last a lifetime – or at the very least until you sell your new Monmouth County custom homes for a handy profit!

So with that in mind, these are some key things you should keep in mind when talking to the architect of your custom home in Monmouth County.

Figure Out Your Budget In Advance – Home architecture is not a simple matter of A plus B equals C, and the budget to build a home is not a simple equation. The cost for 1,600 square feet in one configuration is not the same as 1,600 square feet in another configuration. That’s why it’s important for you to have a good idea of your budget BEFORE you sit with your architect and begin to flesh out the details of your custom Jersey Shore home.

Have Some Ideas Before Your First Meeting – You wouldn’t be reading this if you didn’t have a rough idea of the sort of house you wanted, so the good news is this: You SHOULD come equipped with your own ideas when it comes to designing your own custom homes in New Jersey. It doesn’t matter if you’re an expert in design. A good architect’s job is to bring your vague ideas into reality, turning your various wants, needs and daydreams into a structure that you will love.

Meet With Several Architects First – Unless your architect is your brother-in-law John who also happened to design the luxury home of Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston, you’re not going to want to go with the first person who comes your way. It’s important to meet with a few architects to get a sense for who understands your style, who understands your desires, and who can best bring them into reality.

Understand Your Architect Has Good Design Intentions – If your chosen architect doesn’t seem thrilled about a certain want or demand on your part, perhaps you should listen. The fact is, architects are trained professionals. They understand what will and will not work with building design, both for aesthetic and structural reasons. You may not always like what they have to say, but once they are hired they have your best intentions in mind.

Ask Questions – This is a simple one. Never, ever be shy about asking questions. If someone is going to be designing the custom home at the Jersey Shore you plan to live in or flip for profit, you’ll want to be sure you understand everything they tell you and show you. So if you’re not sure of something, don’t be silent. Ask questions!

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