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Family Fun Activities to Do Down the Shore This Summer

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Soleil Sotheby's International Realty

The Jersey Shore is a fun-filled vacation destination that offers beautiful beaches, exciting wildlife adventures, thrilling water sports, and an array of attractions. From enjoying romantic boardwalks or museums overlooking the water to visiting the diverse aquarium to ascending above the coast on a parasailing adventure, Soleil Sotheby’s International Realty says, “you can do it all at the Jersey Shore.”

Let us look at the Silver Pinball Museum, this is a unique museum dedicated to pinball and video games. The museum has over 600 pinball games that rotates throughout the year. The museum also has a gallery of pinball back glass artwork, photography, a gift shop, and many charitable events throughout the year. If your family loves playing pinball, this is the place to come.

Cape May County Park and Zoo has over 550 animals and several habitat zones with different species, which include the African Savannah, an Aviary, and a Reptile House. The zoo also has train rides for the kids, that travel through the zoo and a carousel.

Ocean Grove Beach features quiet dunes and gentle surf. This beach is the hot spot for sunbathing and swimming. In the summertime, the beach hosts a variety of activities such as sandcastle contests, movie nights, and athletic events that everyone in the family can join in on. The nearby boardwalk offers tasty foods, shopping, and other accommodations.

Jenkinson’s Aquarium, which is on Jenkinson’s Boardwalk at Point Pleasant Beach is a fun aquatic facility that is great for a family day on the Jersey Shore. The aquarium is home to many global marine and freshwater species, like the Pacific harbor seals, Atlantic and Pacific shark species, coral reef specimens, African penguins, and alligators.

North Wildwood Beach is one of the most popular beach resorts on the Jersey Shore. Families come here to swim and catch some fish. One of the biggest highlights of this area is the historic Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, a quaint Victorian lighthouse that offers spectacular coastal views.

Casino Pier is an amusement park with rides, games, concession stands, and other family activities. This amusement park has miniature golf, go-karting, and a historic antique carousel. The fun never ends at the Casino Pier.

The list goes on for these fun summer activities to do down at the shore. Do not forget to see the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum, that has military aircraft, Belmar Parasail, soar hundreds of feet over the ocean, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park and Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. New Jersey Shore has all sorts of things the family can enjoy during the summer. These are some must see ones you need to put on your list!

 

How to Get your Jersey Shore Rental Ready for Next Year

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Housewife in rubber protective cleaning and polish electric cooker. Black shiny surface of kitchen top, hands, detergent.

 

It’s a New Year, which means we have a few months of winter ahead of us. If you own a vacation home down the Jersey Shore, you probably know the precautions you should take already, but it doesn’t hurt to remind you just in case. First, you should have the HVAC inspected before the temperatures get too cold and make sure to have the heat on, so the pipes don’t freeze. We also recommend having an on-call handyman available to handle any repairs and/or snow removal if you are unable to do it yourself.

 

However, we also wanted to take a second and talk about ways you can improve your vacation rental, so that it is a hot draw come the summer. Memorial Day will be here before you know it. Many of the recommendations we make shouldn’t be too expensive or time-intensive, but they can go a long way in attracting new and returning guests. Here are a few things you should consider to update your vacation rental.

 

Replace Your Old Television: People who are looking at vacation rentals in Brigantine and other parts of the Jersey Shore probably won’t be spending too much time in front of the TV during their stay, but an outdated television is a sure way to make your rental look old. A quality flat screen television won’t set you back too much, and it can be an easy way to modernize a room.

 

Schedule a Deep Cleaning of Your Home: While you can do it yourself, we recommend hiring a professional cleaning service to do a thorough and detailed cleaning of your vacation rental.

 

Replace Any Chipped Dishes and Glassware: If you have a lot of mismatched kitchenware or dishes that are chipped, it might be a good idea to take care of that. You don’t have to spend a fortune either. You can find deals on boxed sets of dishes online and in most big-box retail stores.

 

Switch Out Any Old Linens: Having soft linens that ensure quality sleep is an easy way to earn yourself a good vacation home review. Opt to replace any older linens and pillows for something higher quality that will last a long time and provide a good night’s sleep.

 

Put Life into Your Outdoor Furniture: Chances are your guests will spend a lot of time outside. You don’t have to replace your outdoor furniture to create an inviting outdoor atmosphere. However, you may have to do a thorough cleaning of the furniture and replace the cushions.

 

At Soleil Sotheby’s International Realty, we specialize in vacation rentals and homes for sale in Brigantine and other parts of the Jersey Shore. Contact our team today if you are interested in listing your vacation rental.

Warm Weather Home Staging Tips

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Nice entryway to home with carpeted staircase, and white interio

 

Although summer has come and gone, we still have many weeks of warm and beautiful weather to come. That’s why we wanted to take a moment and discuss summer staging tips for the rest of this season or for next. It’s never too early to think about staging if you are going to sell your home in the next twelve months.

 

Why Stage?

 

Staging is an important part of the process to sell your home. Staging makes the property look more like a welcoming home, and it enables prospective buyers to develop an emotional connection and start conjuring ideas about how they would decorate. If they can see themselves in your home, they are more likely to put in a competitive offer.

 

So as the days are still relatively long and the weather is warm, your NJ realtor may offer you the following suggestions to stage a home that could lead to an offer:

 

Enhance your curb appeal: Whether we are talking about the beginning of spring or the end of summer, we would highly encourage you to clean up your yard and promote outdoor living. This could mean fixing up the lawn, planting a few colorful shrubs, or finally fixing that leaning fence. Curb appeal will go a long way to show prospective buyers that you took care of your home and your home is great for the outdoors.

 

Take advantage of natural light: As the days are still long, you’ll have ample opportunities to use natural light to stage your home. Your NJ realtor may recommend you position your furniture in a way to take full advantage of the light. Natural light makes the home feel larger and more vibrant. If you can, use light-colored window treatments to accentuate it even further.

 

Serve seasonal refreshments and treats: If you are having an open house, it’s always polite to serve refreshments and treats. It might be a good idea to look into providing seasonal and local items. As it’s the end of summer, apples, pumpkins, and squash will be fresh and abundant. A little added touch, like a seasonal recipe, may actually go a long way to make your home memorable and one that buyers will consider bidding on.

 

If you thinking about selling your home or want to invest in NJ real estate, our award-winning team of realtors can help. Contact us today to learn more!

 

Is Now a Good Time to Invest in a Beach House down the Shore?

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Owning a house down the Jersey Shore is a dream many people in the Garden State and elsewhere share. Whether you fell in love with the Jersey Shore from yearly treks as a child or you discovered the Jersey Shore later in life, owning a home down the Shore is a dream that can be realized. But is now the right time to take the plunge and invest in a second home down the shore?

If you don’t follow “The Shore Report,” a quarterly publication we release to highlight what the Jersey Shore real estate market looks like, we would highly encourage you to do so. Each report consists of data on housing trends and comparative analysis. The goal is to help interested buyers and sellers learn where the market is going. If you had read the latest issue in May, you would discover the following about Jersey Shore houses for sale in these towns:

Brigantine: Brigantine has offered value to real estate investors for years, and it been one of the hottest markets of the Jersey Shore. Home prices are appreciating, providing investors with a good return.

Atlantic City: Although there have been economic troubles in the past that have caused real estate values in Atlantic City to go down, there has been a renewed interest in new building and renovation. Atlantic City property values should go up as more development and renovation occurs in the city.

Ventnor: Ventnor home owners should be very happy with the fact that home values are going up, making it a seller’s market for the first time in a very long time. There has been significant interest from investors in Ventnor as they see the value and potential in this South Jersey beach town.

Margate: Home values in the area are expected to go up as new construction homes and condos pop up everywhere in the town. Margate is a year-round town for many and offers a tight community spirit, providing ample opportunities for those who want to make the Jersey Shore a second home.

Longport: Longport should remain a top choice for luxury home buyers looking for a quiet, exclusive way of life down the Jersey Shore. Longport home values should remain constant for the foreseeable future.

Next month, we will be releasing a new Shore Report to highlight the latest news on the Jersey Shore real estate market. As investing in a Jersey Shore home is a very personalized decision, we would also encourage you to contact one of our agents today to discuss your options and see whether now is the right time to invest in a home down the Jersey Shore.

What Should You Know about the Two Newest Casinos in Atlantic City?

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gambling, craps game

 

On June 28th, the Ocean Resort Casino and the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City will open up, ushering new energy into the city’s Boardwalk. Although both casinos will be new, residents and visitors of A.C. will likely be familiar with their locations. The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino stands in the same location as the former Trump Taj Mahal. The Ocean Resort Casino will take the place of the Revel casino, which was closed in 2014. Both casinos promise exciting world-class entertainment, a luxurious gaming experience, and premier restaurants and shops.

 

Some of the biggest names in the world of entertainment will be visiting Atlantic City this week. Carrie Underwood will be performing on Friday, June 29th, at the Hard Rock, and Pit Bull will follow the next day. Other acts that will be performing in the upcoming months will include Steve Byrne, Howie Mandel, Third Eye Blind, and Jon Lovitz. The Ocean Resort Casino will feature a wide variety of entertainment attractions over the opening weekend as well.

 

Additionally, there are a few cool things that both casinos will feature. For one, Topgolf will open a 26,000 square ft. simulated golf play facility at Ocean. Hyatt’s Exhale is going to have a 32,000 square ft. spa for guests who are looking for a relaxing time during their stay at the Ocean Resort Casino. Cereal Town will be an interesting dining option for guests at the Ocean Resort Casino as it will serve cereal 24 hours a day. Not to be outdone, the Hard Rock Atlantic City will feature over 20 restaurants, including an over 500 seat buffet.

 

Those who are looking at Atlantic City house rentals will find no shortage of things to do at these casinos and beyond. The opening of the Hard Rock and the Ocean Resort Casino will have other casinos stepping up their game as well to offer the best in entertainment, shopping, and game play. If you are considering visiting Atlantic City this summer and beyond, you will see that Atlantic City is going through a boom.

 

We encourage you to contact one of our real estate agents today to learn more about the many available Atlantic City house rentals and discover why Atlantic City will be a top destination for travelers of all kinds who are looking for amazing entertainment, a stunning view of the Atlantic Ocean, and the top amenities you will only find down the Jersey Shore.

 

 

Getting Your Jersey Shore Rental Ready for Summer

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woman doing chores cleaning bathroom at home

 

Can you believe that summer is here already? It seems like only yesterday we were talking about nor’easters and winterizing your home. Whether you’re interested in the nightlife in Atlantic City or the tranquil beaches of Brigantine, summer down the Jersey Shore is a special time of year. Each year, millions of people visit the Jersey Shore, and many will choose to book a week or weekend at one of the many Jersey Shore rentals available.

 

If you invested in Brigantine or Margate NJ real estate and are the owner of a vacation rental, you have probably already filled up most of the dates for the season already. Now that the booking is done, it’s time to get the rental in proper shape to accommodate your tenants. If the rental is dirty or needs repairs, this will reflect negatively on you and may hinder your income for future seasons. Luckily, most of the work can be quick and easy. Here’s a quick list of things you can do to make your rental ready for summer:

 

Inspect Your Air Conditioning Unit: Yes, if you are down the shore, you will benefit from those coastal winds. But it can get pretty hot in Atlantic City and other shore towns, which is why you should have your AC united tested if you haven’t done so already. Many times, a major issue can be prevented with a minor fix.

 

Hire a Professional Cleaning Service: Before you begin renting out your property to people, a major cleaning is a must. While you can clean it yourself if you so choose, it often makes more sense to spend the money and hire a professional cleaning service that can provide the deep cleaning needed. Contact a few in your area to find the best quote.

 

Make the Rental a Functional Home: While you don’t need to keep family pictures or personal items around, the rental should still look like a home. Make sure the rental is fully furnished and has all of the amenities necessary to enjoy oneself while down the Shore. Also, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to update your linens and kitchen items if you notice they’re worn down or getting older.

 

If you would like more information, we would encourage you to check out this article published in NJ Monthly last month that goes over what vacationers should look for when choosing a rental. It may give you an idea of how you can present your property to meet your tenants’ needs. And if you are looking for a rental, we encourage you to check out all of our vacation rental listings here.

What Are the Best Jersey Shore Towns to Purchase a Home?

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Atlantic city waterline aerial

 

Imagine waking up to sun rays reflecting through your bedroom bay window. You can hear the ocean’s waves gently hitting against the beach, welcoming you to another morning down the Jersey Shore. Sounds like the perfect way to start the day, right? If you are considering purchasing a home at one of the many amazing Jersey Shore towns out there, this could be a reality.  Many people have made the decision to live down the Jersey Shore and few if any would say they have regretted it. The Jersey Shore is a gorgeous coastal haven for year-round or seasonal living.

 

Now that it is spring time, the market is moving fast. Prospective homeowners are shopping around, trying to find stunning homes in their favorite Jersey Shore towns. If you are looking at homes, you might be wondering which Jersey Shore town is right for you. While each will have their own personality, attractions, and quirks, we wanted to take a second and spotlight our favorites. Who knows, maybe the Jersey Shore home of your dreams is up for sale right now in one of these towns below:

 

Atlantic City Real Estate: Everyone knows Atlantic City as a resort town with its luxurious casino hotels and iconic boardwalk. Millions of people come to Atlantic City each year to try their luck on the tables, eat at its many fine restaurants, shop the outlets, walk the boardwalk, lay on the beach, and more. Atlantic City has many residential parts as well, and nearly 40,000 people call Atlantic City home. Atlantic City is experiencing a boom as the Hard Rock Casino and Ocean Resort Casino are set to open this summer, creating many new career and real estate opportunities.

 

Ventnor Real Estate: If you want to be close by to Atlantic City and other shore towns and are looking for a family-friendly, walkable area to live, Ventnor may be the Jersey Shore town for you. Ventnor has its own boardwalk, beautiful beaches, and year-round attractions. We would also highly encourage you to check out the local shops and fine restaurants on Ventnor Avenue for a fun day/night out with family and friends. In case you’re a Monopoly enthusiast, Marvin Gardens is located in Ventnor too.

 

Margate Real Estate: Margate is a small residential community that is world-famous for its beaches and marinas. The beaches are very clean, and the neighborhood is very safe and community-oriented – perfect for raising a family. Margate is also right next door to Ocean City, and there are many small shops and restaurants in Margate as well. If you’re looking for a quaint Jersey Shore town that is close by to a variety of attractions and sites, Margate is an excellent place to call home.

 

Longport Real Estate: Located just north of Ocean City, Longport is a small borough in Atlantic County with stunning homes and landscapes. If you’re looking for a quiet place to call home and enjoy the spectacular view of the ocean, Longport won’t disappoint you. We suggest if you come here for a visit or to stay, you should take your bike out to Longport Beach to enjoy the ocean waves in solitude.

 

Brigantine Real Estate: Brigantine was named one of the “12 great charming beach towns in New Jersey” by Essex Home Improvements for good reason. At Brigantine, you can see the history of the town – some of which stems all of the way back to the 1500s. There a variety of museums, historical sites, and, of course, the Brigantine Lighthouse. However, Brigantine is more than a historical destination as it offers modern family attractions, beautiful shops, and, of course, a great view of the Atlantic Ocean.

 

 

Tips for Working with a Real Estate Listing Agent

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Home For Sale Real Estate Sign in Front of Beautiful New House.

 

Are you getting ready to sell your home down the shore? If so, your best bet is to find a quality real estate agent with knowledge of the Jersey Shore real estate market.  A listing agent is in charge of many things that can make or break a sale.  Those responsibilities include the following:

 

  • Working with the seller to determine a listing price based on the condition of the home, the market, and various other factors.
  • Attending all pitch sessions to help the client sort through and understand various bids.
  • Hiring photographers and home stagers to make the home as photogenic as possible.
  • Creating a listing with quality images and engaging copy.
  • Networking with other agents and putting the home on the multiple listing service.

 

Given all of these responsibilities, finding the best listing agent is crucial to ensuring your expectations are met. That’s why it’s important to hire an agent who has experience working on the listing side of things and understands the New Jersey Shore real estate market.

 

In order to achieve this, you’ll want to set your expectations with your agent right away to make sure they are comfortable with your goals. Any prospective listing agent will be able to tell you how comfortable they are with your expectations, how they plan on getting your home sold, and whether or not your expectations are fair and reflect the market.

 

It’s important to develop a transparent relationship from the get-go, so there isn’t confusion down the road. You should know that there are many things your listing agent might work on that you might not see. If you would like to know the daily minutiae, you should be up front, so the listing agent can provide you with those updates. In addition to that, you should know that you are certainly allowed to provide input on the listing, including any details you would like in the description and which pictures you like or would prefer not to include.

 

The thing to keep in mind is that the best way you’ll succeed in getting your home sold is developing a professional relationship with your listing agent where transparency and trust are paramount. At Soleil Sotheby’s International Realty, we have helped countless homeowners down the Jersey Shore sell their home for top market dollar. We would love to speak with you today about your home.

Tips for Choosing the Best Holiday House Rental in Atlantic City

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Christmas stocking

 

One emerging trend that is taking the real estate industry by storm is the idea of destination holiday reunions. The holiday season is a time to come together as a family and watch favorite holiday movies, sing carols, and eat tons of cookies and other holiday snacks. Plus, there are gifts too! However, the holiday season can also be a source of stress, especially if you have a big family and you’re hosting.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, or another holiday tradition, hosting can be a big job. You could have family members coming in from all over the country, meaning you will need to find room for them, clean after them, and entertain them. If you have ever seen Christmas Vacation, you could see just how stressful hosting the family for the holidays can be. This is why many families are opting instead to rent a house for the holidays instead.

By choosing one destination where everyone can meet on the holidays, there is less pressure on the hosts to provide the ultimate holiday experience. You can choose a home that has enough room for everyone so Uncle Phil doesn’t have to sleep on a cot in the hallway.  In addition to that, you can pick a place that is easy to get to no matter where you live and has a number of holiday events scheduled to keep everyone entertained.

If you are considering a place to spend the holidays, we would highly recommend you look into Atlantic City house rentals. Atlantic City offers world-class entertainment for holiday-goers of all ages. You could catch a holiday movie on IMAX® at the Tropicana, check out the Atlantic City Boardwalk Christmas Parade, or attend a show or eat a fine meal at one of Atlantic City’s many casinos. Atlantic City is a little quieter this time of year, so it’s the perfect time to walk the boardwalk and get a view of the Atlantic Ocean. And if you want to try your luck on Christmas day, the casinos are open.

If you are looking at house rentals in Atlantic City or another shore town, please keep the following tips in mind to find the perfect one for your holiday family adventure:

  • Speak with a Local Real Estate Agent with Knowledge of the Market
  • Create Budget and Iron Out Who Is Going and Whether There Are Any Special Needs
  • Set the Dates Far in Advance So You Have More Options to Choose From
  • Read Any Available Reviews and Scrutinize Reviews Very Carefully
  • Consult Your Real Estate Agents for Any Recommendations and News

At Soleil Sotheby’s International Realty, we have amazing Atlantic City house rentals available all times of year. Contact us today to speak with an agent who can match you with the perfect vacation rental.

Are You Looking for an Affordable NJ Summer Home? Why Not Atlantic City?

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shutterstock_196917404

 

As we wind down on another summer, many people who visit the Jersey Shore will have that same urge to finally do it and buy a home down the shore. That urge often will dissipate, though, when they see the price tag. At Soleil Sotheby’s International Realty, our agents want to match anyone who has a dream to live by the beach with a home or condominium that meets their needs and budget.

 

To that end, we wanted to point you in the direction of a recent article in Realtor.com that listed the most affordable beach towns to live in the United States. Realtor.com named Atlantic City as the most affordable beach town in the country. If you are looking for a home right on the beach that won’t break the bank, we encourage you to check out Southern New Jersey’s favorite playground.

 

Here are a few reasons why you may want consider looking into Atlantic City real estate:

 

$117,500: That is the city’s median home price. While you can certainly find million dollar homes and condominiums in Atlantic City, there are many different properties for every budget. And you can still have a great view. If you were to check our listings right now, you would find many single family homes and condominiums on the boardwalk or by the bay for $150,000 or less.

 

Those Low Real Estate Prices Inspire Investors as Well: Atlantic City will always have one thing going for it: the beach. People want to live by the beach and investors know that. As the prices remain low, investors will seek opportunities to renovate existing properties and build new ones as well. They are betting on the city’s comeback and you should as well.

 

Atlantic City Features World-Class Entertainment and Restaurants: Atlantic City is still the place to be on the East Coast if you want to gamble, take in a show, and eat at a first-rate restaurant – all in the same resort. It also has amusement parks, a thriving boardwalk, and plenty of water attractions available for tourists and resident alike.

 

If you’re looking for a home down the shore, Atlantic City offers a number of great properties to choose from at prices unseen in many other shore towns. At Soleil Sotheby’s International Realty, our agents can help you find a property in AC that you’ll be happy to call home. We also have a variety of Atlantic City house rentals if you would like to get a taste of what AC living is like. Contact us today at 609-487-8000 to learn more.