Gardening and Barnegat Bay

Using hardy, native plants will save YOU money, time AND help the environment.  What's not to like?

Writing about gardening in January seems a bit odd, except here in New Jersey where Governor Chris Christie has recently signed landmark legislation to set into motion the strictest regulations on using fertilizers.  The fertilizer industry actually thinks that this legislation, initially targeting Barnegat Bay, with statewide implications, will be the example that other states will follow.  

Conservation groups and county and state government agencies trying to protect Barnegat Bay are asking people to cut back on their use of fertilizers, garden chemicals and lawn sprinkling; so the time seems perfect for a new landscaping style that saves homeowners money and frustration, and could help save the bay from an escalating flood of nutrient pollution.

The "Bayscape for Barnegat Bay" project aims to get homeowners acquainted with the concept of using hardy, native plants in landscaping without need for heavy watering, fertilizing and chemical treatments that can pollute the bay.   The project is sponsored by the American Littoral Society with funding from the Barnegat Bay Partnership, which coordinates research and conservation efforts on the bay and its 660-square mile watershed.  

Over the last nine months, the society organized workshops and presentations to local community groups and a native plants sale during the Barnegat Bay Festival at Island Heights in June.

Bayscape for Barnegat promotes gardening that that is designed for low maintenance and features many grasses and species that thrive in the sandiest of soils for a natural, seaside look.

The hope is that folks will be inspired to help reduce polluted runoff going into Barnegat Bay by planting these types of gardens in their yards. If you don't live in the Barnegat Bay watershed, these plants will thrive in most areas of Ocean County and will help improve a waterway near you.  For a list of native plant suppliers visit www.littoralsociety.org/shore_stewards.aspx.  For more information contact The American Littoral Society.

Karl Hess, Your Jersey Shore Real Estate Expert

Waterfront Homes for Sale in Forked River

Waterfront Homes for Sale in Forked River for under $500,000 with Photos and Maps
There are 12 waterfront homes for sale in Forked River under $500,000. The homes have at least 3 bedrooms and 2 baths.  Square footage ranges from just under 1200 to almost 3000 square feet of living space.  Prices of these waterfront homes for sale in Forked River range from $299,900 to $500,000.
Forked River is an area located within Lacey Township, in Ocean County, on The Jersey Shore with a population of almost 5,000. Here is a complete list of properties available in Lacey Township.
Many Ocean County residents commonly refer to all of Lacey Township as Forked River with the first word pronounced with two syllables (FOR-ked or FORK-ed). Pronouncing the first word with one syllable (forkt) is a certainly a sign of a new resident or someone not quite familiar with the area.
Forked River is a great place to raise a family with good schools, dining and recreational activities, and as you can see by the picture, easy access to boating, fishing and The Jersey Shore beaches.  Forked River is located on Route 9, minutes from the Garden State Parkway and Routes 70 & 72, which makes commuting to Philadelphia or New York simple.
Are you curious about whether the real estate market as stabilized or about the value of your own home? You can keep up with the very latest real estate market conditions in your neighborhood, or anywhere in Ocean County including The Jersey Shore, by simply clicking on Home Values in Ocean County, NJ.
Looking for something do this weekend in Ocean County or just want to keep up with current events? The Jersey Shore News will keep you informed with local community information, happenings and the latest real estate news.
Looking for Open Houses in Ocean County? Get a complete list of Open Houses in Barnegat and the rest of Ocean County at Open House Ocean County.com
If you're interested in buying, selling or investing in Real Estate in Forked River, Ocean County or anywhere along The Jersey Shore, click on The Jersey Shore Home Finder.com and get free access to thousands of home listings with photos and maps.
Karl Hess, Forked River, Lacey Township, Ocean County Real Estate Agent

Helping Veterans with Homes

A new home is being built on Long Island. Not really big news right?  Well, it should be; Using volunteer labor and supplies donated by his fellow builders, Mark Baisch of Landmark Property intends to have the home ready for occupancy by April. The price tag will be $100,000, although Mr. Baisch put the actual market value of the house "well over $300,000."

There is just one condition for any prospective buyer: he or she must be a veteran returning from Iraq or Afghanistan.

The house is one of four in Suffolk County that Long Island Home Builders Care is planning to build for soldiers coming home. Mr. Baisch donated the $80,000 property to Long Island Home Builders Care, a nonprofit group that is the charitable arm of the Long Island Builders Institute, which has more than 500 builders and re-modelers. The house is one of four in Suffolk County that Long Island Home Builders Care is planning to build for soldiers coming home.

Lois Fricke, the director of development for Long Island Home Builders Care, described the homes for service personnel as the newest mission of the builders' group. The house can be customized to the needs of the veteran.

In Nassau, Long Island, work is under way on a similar plan "that will substantially include veterans housing," said Carl Schroeter, the director of Nassau County Real Estate Planning and Development. Some of the homes will be refurbished for returning veterans.

Nassau is also working with Homes for Homecoming Heroes, a nonprofit group in Jericho, to acquire a vacant lot in Hicksville for a new below-market-rate single-family home for a returning veteran.

Larry Sklar, the director of Homes for Homecoming Heroes, said the house, to be built with volunteer labor under professional supervision, would be the first of a succession that he intended to build for veterans across the Island. Veterans will be required to put down only 1 percent, versus $700 on houses costing $9,000 each in Levittown, the large postwar planned community.   What a great idea, let's hope it catches on.  

 

Karl Hess, Ocean County Real Estate

 

Pebble Beach, Barnegat Homes For Sale

Pebble Beach, Barnegat Homes for Sale with Maps and Photos

These Pebble Beach, Barnegat homes for sale have 3 to 5 bedrooms and range in size from just under 1000 square feet of living space to over 2700 square feet.  Priced from $165, 000 to just under $700,000 there is a wide selection. Homes are located on Denville Street, Tulsa Drive, Newark Road, Edison Road, Montclair Road, Dune Lane, and Bayshore Drive.  

Barnegat gets its name from nearby Barnegat Bay and Barnegat Inlet. The inlet was originally "Barendegat," or "Inlet of the Breakers," and was named by Dutch settlers in 1614 for the waterway's turbulent channel. Barnegat Township has a total area of 40.8 square miles, of which, 34.7 square miles is land and 6.2 square miles of it (15.09%) is water.  

Since 1970, the township's populations has jumped from 1,539 to 22,643 - an increase of 1,371 percent. And the township still has 2,500 to 3,000 housing units already approved that have yet to be built.

Even through the economic downturn, 120 to 150 new homes a year have been built in Barnegat. Development is still very active in Barnegat Township and in all likelihood will continue.  

Are you curious about whether the real estate market has stabilized or about the value of your own home? You can keep up with the very latest real estate market conditions in your neighborhood, or anywhere in Ocean County including The Jersey Shore, by simply clicking on Home Values in Ocean County, NJ.

Looking for something do this weekend in Ocean County or just want to keep up with current events? The Jersey Shore News will keep you informed with local community information, happenings and the latest real estate news.

Looking for Open Houses in Ocean County? Get a complete list of Open Houses in Pebble Beach Barnegat and the rest of Ocean County at Open House Ocean County.com  

If you're interested in buying, selling or investing in Real Estate in, Ocean County or anywhere along The Jersey Shore, click on The Jersey Shore Home Finder.com and get free access to thousands of home listings with photos and maps

Karl Hess, Barnegat, Ocean County Real Estate Agent

Long Beach Island Chocolate Week - Valentines Day in the LBI Region

Long Beach Island Region Chocolate Week is ‘chockfull' of fun things to do on the island and surrounding area from February 11th to February 20th.  Celebrate Valentines Day with romantic gift ideas; dinner, a night at a B&B, a massage, and of course, chocolates!  

February 11 - Daddy O Restaurant presents Valentine Themed Wine Dinner offering 4 courses all paired with a different wine and decadent dessert.   

February 12th  - The LBIF will be giving out "Chocolate Turtles".  While you're getting your chocolate fix, learn about green technology.  Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences 120 Long Beach Blvd, Loveladies.  

Feb 12 - Our Gang Players present Hello Dolly featuring a chocolate themed intermission during their Saturday performance at the Ocean First Stage Performing Arts Center in Manahawkin.  

Feb 16 - TGIFriday's Chocolate Week Bartenders Competition: Bartenders will be creating libations featuring chocolate while being judged their showmanship. Drinks will be auctioned to crowd.  

Feb 17- Healing Hands of Manahawkin Patient Appreciation Day with special chocolate gifts, in office raffles and giveaways. Chocolate Treats for office visits during the week and free New Patient Evaluations just by mentioning Chocolate Week!  

Magnolia House B&B is offering their romantic, cozy rooms for $175 or less (depending on the room) for one night; need more than one day Magnolia House B&B is offering a second night stay at $99!   Lavish Salon is offering 10% all services in the month of February and 10% off all sugar and chocolate skin care products during LBI Region Chocolate Week.  

Island Wellness Center Chocolate Week Valentine Special includes a 60 minute Blissful Massage for singles and couples ($40 each) and a complimentary chocolate bliss drink, an energizing blend of intense Mayan gold chocolate, rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fruits and exotic botanicals from around the world.  

Engleside Inn and Restaurant offering Chocolate Martinis, Chocolate Profiteroles and Chocolate Lava Cake. Reservations are not required but suggested.  

Buckalew's Restaurant and Tavern offers Chocolate Week and Valentine Specials, Feb 14 - Valentines dinner for two for just $99 featuring 2 appetizers, 2 soups or salads 2 Entrees 2 Desserts and a bottle of wine or champagne.  

MyJerseyShoreHomeFinder.com is offering a free comparative market analysis for your home in Ocean County and a complete market snapshot of your neighborhood. If you're curious about whether the real estate market has stabilized or about the value of your own home or home values in your neighborhood, simply click on Home Values in Ocean County, NJ and you will get your analysis within 24 hours!

Looking for something do this weekend in Ocean County or just want to keep up with current events? The Jersey Shore News will keep you informed with local community information, happenings and the latest real estate news.

Can't seem to find all the Open Houses in Ocean County? Get a complete list of Open Houses in the LBI Region and the rest of Ocean County at Open House Ocean County.com  

If you're interested in buying, selling or investing in Real Estate in Ocean Township, Ocean County or anywhere along The Jersey Shore, click on The Jersey Shore Home Finder.com and get free access to thousands of home listings with photos and maps

Karl Hess, LBI Region and Ocean County Real Estate Agent

 

This Month in Real Estate Video, January 2011

This Month in Real Estate is a monthly video news series that offers an inside look at the national real estate market. Each edition provides a snapshot of the numbers and trends that drive the real estate market, as well as expert opinion and analysis. For information on your local real estate conditions, please contact Karl Hess, your Keller Williams Jersey Shore agent. 

 

Real estate trends is a generic term used to describe any consistent pattern or change in the general direction of the real estate industry which, over the course of time, causes a statistically noticeable change. This phenomenon can be a result of the economy, a change in mortgage rates, consumer speculations, or other fundamental and non-fundamental reasons.

Click on the link below it get the latest in Real Estate information on a two minute video.  This months topic: Home Affordability.

http://karlhess.yourkwagent.com/atj/user/AdditionalPageGetAction.do?addlPageName=tmire

Karl Hess, Ocean County and Jersey Shore Real Estate

 

 

Berkeley Twp Ponders Consolidation

In an effort to reduce costs, Berkeley Township, Ocean County has assigned a committee to investigate a "modified consolidation" between the local grade school district and the regional high school district.

The Berkeley district is made up of four schools, with a student population of about 2,000 in preschool through sixth-grade. Those students move on to the Central Regional School District, which also has about 2,000 students in seventh through 12th grades. Central Regional, based in the Bayville section of Berkeley, has students not only from the township, but also from Island Heights, Ocean Gate, Seaside Heights and Seaside Park.

Under consideration is a customized version of consolidation where, for example, should a person with a particular job skill in the Berkeley schools retire, district administrators would determine whether there is someone in the Central Regional district with a similar position who could fulfill that job.

In my personal opinion, this consolidation of school districts in long overdue. There are over 500 school districts in New Jersey, in comparison, California has 1100 school districts, but has a population of 37 million compared to NJ's 9 million, not to mention the extreme differences in size.  Hopefully school district consolidation will be a growing trend within the state, especially considering the tightening of local, state and federal budgets.

Click on this link for local community information and for homes for sale in Berkeley, NJ.

Karl Hess, Ocean County and Jersey Shore Real Estate