Boardwalk Journal Radio: Tune In with Mark on 1020 AM WIBG at 5:00PM Feb 26th

A new magazine, title Boardwalk Journal, geared to celebrate all aspects of Atlantic City and the Jersey Shore is being launched. It will be distributed through out the shore, and more importantly, will be the magazine found on the new Express Train (ACES) from Atlantic City to New York, and will be sure to attract greater patronage from the "Big Apple."

I am the grateful Realtor who has been asked to serve as this publication's Real Estate consultant. In this role I will be contributing a monthly column on Real Estate and I will be participating in monthly radio programs.

The following is a portion of the press release that Boardwalk Journal just sent out:
Tomorrow morning, Boardwalk Journal publisher Jennifer Hill will present another hour of Boardwalk Journal Radio with Harry Hurley from 8AM to 9AM on 1020 AM WIBG.
Boardwalk Journal Radio can also be heard via a live Internet stream at WIBG.COM

Boardwalk Journal Radio returns Thursday night from 5PM to 6PM on 1020 AM WIBG and live on the web at WIBG.COM.
Jennifer's guests will include local radio legend Ed Hurst and the Boardwalk Journal's real estate consultant Mark Arbeit.
To learn more about Harry Hurley please visit http://www.harryhurley.com/

To learn more about Jennifer Hill & The Boardwalk Journal please visit http://www.boardwalkjournal.com/
To learn more about Mark Arbeit please visit http://www.markattheshore.com/

The PULSE of the Shore Market for 2009

With January and most of February behind us, Buyers continue to come to the shore looking for a great deal. Without a doubt, there are deals to be found, and coupled with great mortgage rates there is no better time to buy!

However there is still misconception out there about our market. As recent as yesterday I received an email from a prospective Buyer that said, "I know that nothing's moving at the shore".

Please allow me to dispel that rumor by beginning this entry with some congratulations to the Buyers and Sellers I represented in the past few weeks in successful transactions:

Congratulations to:

Linda & John for the purchase of their home in January in Margate

Remarkable Renovations on the sale of their home in February in Margate

Tom & Betsy on the purchase of their home in February in Margate

Craig & Brandi on the purchase of their home in February in Ventnor

Debbi & Marty on the purchase of their home in February in Ventnor

Bob & Michelle on the sale of their condo in February in Ventnor

Kim & Michael on the purchase of their home in February in Ventnor

In addition to these completed sales, I currently have 11 more properties under contract and scheduled to close in the coming weeks.

Good news for you and good news for the shore. Still a great place to invest your money and great place to share with friends and family.

ATLANTIC CITY RESTAURANT WEEK: WHAT BETTER TIME TO VISIT THE SHORE?

Atlantic City Restaurant Week is a seven-day celebration of the culinary scene in Atlantic City.
For the week of March 1-7, 2009, participating restaurants will offer a multi-course meal for the fixed price of $15.09 for lunch and $33.09 for dinner (not including beverage, tax and gratuity). Restaurant week offers gastronomes and gourmets an extraordinary opportunity to explore some of Atlantic City's classic restaurants - and some of the city's newest - to sample a variety of the exceptional dishes prepared by Atlantic City's chefs at incredibly reasonable rates.

AC Restaurant Week Gift Certificates - Click to Purchase


What you need to know about

Atlantic City Restaurant Week

WHEN: Sunday, March 1 through Saturday, March 7, 2009

WHAT: Participating restaurants will offer fixed price, three-course meals at prices far below the normal cost:
Lunch: $15.09 per person
Dinner: $33.09 per person

Prices DO NOT include taxes, beverages or gratuity.

WHERE: Approximately 70 casino restaurants and independent restaurants throughout Atlantic County.
How can I find out which restaurants are participating?

Go to the “Restaurant List Page” The restaurant list is under the ‘Restaurants’ tab. If you click ‘View’ for the restaurant of your choice, you’ll see a description of the restaurant, location, contact information, the days and hours they are participating, and the special Restaurant Week menu they are offering.

Is there a special menu?

Yes. Each restaurant will offer a special Restaurant Week menu as well as their regular menu.

Do I need tickets in advance?

No. There are no tickets or vouchers. However, gift certificates are available online on the "Gift Certificate" page.

Do I need reservations?

Some restaurants suggest reservations in advance. You can make them directly through the restaurant(s) you choose. Some restaurants are also accepting reservations through the Open Table system online; you can access the URL from the "Restaurant List Page."

Does each restaurant serve both lunch and dinner?

No. Please check with the restaurant(s) of your choice to find out which meals they are offering Restaurant Week menus for. This information is also available on the "Restaurant List Page."

Does each restaurant offer the Restaurant Week menu every day?

No. Please check with the restaurant(s) of your choice to find out which days they are participating in Restaurant Week. This information is also available under individual restuarant pages, accessed from the "Restaurant List Page."

Is parking available?
Many independent restaurants have their own parking.
You can park in casino self-park garages or use the casino valets for a nominal fee (fees are posted as you enter).
The South Jersey Transportation Authority is offering discount parking in their lot on Christopher Columbus Blvd. between Atlantic and Arctic Avenues. Have the participating restaurant stamp the back of your parking ticket or give you a business card to present at the parking booth for a $4 parking rate (regularly $7 weekdays and $12 weekends). Please do not staple anything to the parking ticket.

How can I get Restaurant Week information if I’m on the road? Call the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority’s information center toll-free at 1-888-AC-VISIT (1-888-228-4748).
If you have Internet access on your cell phone, key in www.acrestaurantweek.com, and your mobile service will redirect you to the list of participating restaurants. You can then view the phone number, address and directions to the eatery of your choice. Click on the phone number link to dial the restaurant immediately.

What’s the best way to get to Atlantic City?

There are many convenient ways to get to and around Atlantic City:
By car, via the Atlantic City Expressway.
By train:
Daily service between Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station and the Atlantic City Rail Terminal, with free shuttles from the terminal to all casinos.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday service between New York City’s Penn Station and the Atlantic City Rail Terminal, with one stop in Newark and free shuttles available to Caesars, Harrah’s and Borgata casinos.
Cab service is also available at the Atlantic City Rail Terminal.
Jitney service (see below) is available on Michigan Avenue, just up the street from the Atlantic City Rail Terminal.
By bus from many regional destinations to the Atlantic City Bus Station, Michigan and Atlantic Avenues. Cabs are available at the bus station, and the station is also within walking distance of many restaurant locations and Jitney service.

How can I get around Atlantic City once I’m there? Cabs are readily available at all casino valet areas and throughout Atlantic City. If you are traveling between two points within the city’s boundaries, the maximum cab fare is $13 per ride, plus tip. For destinations outside of Atlantic City, please ask the driver what the fare will be.
Jitneys, Atlantic City’s unique 13-passenger mini-buses, run continuously 24-hours a day along Pacific Avenue. There are also Jitney routes to the Marina District casinos (Harrah’s, Trump Marina and Borgata) and up Michigan Avenue to Atlantic City Outlets-The Walk. Look for curbside signs for boarding locations. The fare is $2.25 per ride.
Rolling chairs are covered wicker chairs pushed by operators along the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Fares are based on distance.

Are there any special hotel rates if I want to stay over?

Yes, special rates and hotel packages are available during Restaurant Week. For details, please visit "Lodging Page", our "Hotel Packages Page", or our "Hotel Specials Page." You can also call the Visitor Information service at 1-888-AC-VISIT (1-888-228-4748) or stop in at the Visitor Information Centers for assistance in booking a room. The centers are located at mile marker 3.5 on the Atlantic City Expressway and at the corner of Mississippi Avenue and the Boardwalk in Boardwalk Hall.

What else is there to do while I’m in Atlantic City?

My first choice is call Mark Arbeit and look for a shore property! However, the Atlantic City area is jam-packed with great shopping and entertainment opportunities, world-class spas, cultural attractions, championship caliber golf, 11 exciting casinos and more. For information, please visit http://www.atlanticcitynj.com/. You can also call the Visitor Information service at 1-888-AC-VISIT (1-888-228-4748) or stop in at the Visitor Information Centers for assistance. The centers are located at mile marker 3.5 on the Atlantic City Expressway and at the corner of Mississippi Avenue and the Boardwalk in Boardwalk Hall.

New Atlantic City Express Train Is ACES!!!

ACES is the new express line between Atlantic City and New York City.

The long awaited and eagerly anticipated new train service between New York City and the Jersey Shore started Friday, February 6, 2009 with the debut of the Atlantic City Express Service, or "ACES" for short.

It's a $25 million effort backed by three casinos, as well as the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.

Now tourists, shore residents and city dwellers will have a faster, cleaner and decidedly more comfortably mode of transport from city to shore.

The first train left Atlantic City just after 10:00 a.m. bound for New York's Penn Station. The return trip departs Manhattan at 2:30 p.m., with one stop in Newark before arriving in Atlantic City.

The service will operate on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $50 one way for regular seats, and $75 for first class.

This will be another big boom for our community as New Yorkers will find it easier to come down for quick weekend getaways and shore home owners will be more inclined to sneak into the "Big Apple" to catch a Broadway show.

Just another good reason to own a home on the Jersey Shore!

Related Links: http://www.acestrain.com/

Creating The Perfect Shore Home

Many people are coming to the shore looking for a home that is in "move in ready" condition. Unfortunately, these homes are few and far between.

Another new alternative is to buy a home in your location of choice and have this home renovated or modified to meet your needs.
Here's a great example:

This is 104 N. Clermont Avenue in Margate. When it came on the market in November, it was anything but "move in" condition. Priced right, the home was purchased by Remarkable Renovations, a company owned by the creative and talented developer Debra Buchalski. Remarkable Renovations specializes in home remodeling, design and restorations. Immediately after purchasing the home, Ms. Buchalski created plans to reconstruct and modify the existing house to include the features demanded by most of today's Buyers.
104 N. Clermont was then put back on the market in mid-November priced at $525,000, using plans and architectural designs that included highly popular features such as a first floor master suite, a large front porch, totally renovated eat-in kitchen w/granite counter tops and renovated bathrooms, a fenced yard with enclosed outdoor shower, cedar impression vinyl siding, hardwood floors and attached garage. The house was schedule for completion by Spring 2009.
The house went under contract in 20 days!









Construction is going well and since the Buyers made their decision to purchase this home during the early stages of the renovation, they are able to be a part of the selection process for the home.

These two photos were taken on February 2nd, 2009

104 N. Clermont Ave, is scheduled to be completed by April 15, 2009.

This is just one example that there is more than one way to find the right home to suit your needs.

Sometimes, it is best to find the home in the right location and determine if it can be fixed affordably. Sometimes all you need is a little bit of imagination and vision.

Stay tuned for more updates!

The Newest Challenge in the Market - No Inventory!!!

For some of you this entry will be a huge surprise. All you ever hear about the Real Estate market is there are so many homes on the market.

This is true and not true.

Many of the homes that are on the market are the SAME homes that came on the market over a year ago. Many of these homes needed work, and were over priced when they first came on the market. Now, while their prices may have come down, many of them are still over priced and just sitting on the market giving the illusion that market is glutted with homes for sale.

Buyers come to the shore already with the belief that it is a "buyer's market" and judge the home for sale based upon the plethora of homes that have been sitting that have not sold and probably will never sell until there is a reality check.

Buyers are looking for deals, but more so, they are looking for good homes in good locations that are fairly priced.

Today’s blog entry is directed at people either trying to sell their property or considering their property on the market now. The Buyers are here and they are coming down in mass at this time. There is an opportunity for you to sell your home at the fair market price. You don't need to "wait until Spring".
Currently Listed Properties

If your house is on the market now, and you haven't gotten any offer in the last 3 months, it is time to reconsider the price and condition of the property.

1) Speak to your Realtor and have them provide you with a comparative market analysis (CMA) to determine what homes like your have SOLD for in recent months.

2) If you are priced right, and by this I mean, priced close to what similar homes have sold for), then it may mean you need to make a few cosmetic improvements to your home to make it more appealing. Remember, first impressions make a huge difference and if your home is messy or does not show well, Buyers will be turned off and not even go inside. (I will add my home improvement tips to my blog soon)

3) The Market value of your home may have declined below your bottom line. Keeping it on the market at a price that it will not sell for is not helping your cause. It only becomes know on the market as “that overpriced house that has been on the market forever.” If you can not afford to sell it at the current market value, take your property off the market until a later time when the market can meet your financial expectations.
Calling New Properties

I have published these 10 tips in The Press of Atlantic City previously. These are my "10 commandments" for Sellers for increasing your odds for a quicker sale of your property:

1) Matchmaker, matchmaker – choosing the right Realtor. This is probably your largest personal asset. While it is very nice that you want to help your friend or your relative who is “in the business,” this is not a good reason to have them sell your home. Seek out a full time, top producer in your area with whom you are comfortable. Look for someone who offers a creative marketing plan to sell your property.

2) Welcome to my neighborhood – knowledge is power. As special as your home is, it is not the first house to sell in your neighborhood. Your Realtor should provide you with a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis). This will include similar homes that have been recently sold, currently for sale, and how long these homes have been on the market. This will help you set an appropriate asking price.

3) Price to sell, not to keep – pricing right is critical.
Overpricing a house because you need a certain amount for the next house, for your retirement or based on what you paid for it is counter productive. Overpriced properties are used by other Realtors to sell appropriately priced homes. Upping the price for “wiggle room” is also an ineffective tactic. In a tight market our goal is to get as many people through your front door and as many offers as possible.

4) First impressions make a difference – curb appeal matters! 75% of a buyer’s decision is made when they pull up to the door. Plant flowers in the springtime, baskets of mums in the fall. Use window boxes if you don’t have beds. Touch up your front door if it needs a coat of paint. Buy a new door mat. Do whatever you can to give the exterior of your property that “WOW” factor. If you are in a condo, that “WOW” factor will have to happen when they open your unit door.

5) It’s an inside job – cleanliness is next to marketable.
It’s time for spring cleaning no matter what month it is if you are selling your house. Time to clear out all that junk that has been sitting around forever. If you can make one major change inside your home that will improve it the most, it is removing as much of the unnecessary stuff as possible. Clear pathways, open spaces, spacious closets sell homes. Less is more!

6) If you can smell it, you won’t sell it!
Pet lovers and smokers beware! You may not mind the odor or may even be oblivious to it, but you can bet that it will be the first thing that potential buyers notice. Stale cigarettes or pet aromas are instant turn offs to most people, making your home appear dirty and unsanitary. If you are selling your home and you smoke, start smoking outside or at least try to contain it to one room. Empty and dispose of old cigarette butts and open windows. If you have pets, bath them often and use pet odor neutralizers.

7) Put on a happy face – a fresh coat of paint. Nothing will help the sale of your home better than a new coat of neutral toned paint. It is the least expensive way to clean up and brighten your home.
8) Shoulda, woulda, coulda list.
Every one has that list of things they know they should get to around the house. Once you put your house on the market is too late to suddenly realize how many little things should have been fixed before you tried to sell it. These are the things that everyone will notice. Fix them now!
9) Timing is everything. Ask someone on the Jersey Shore when is the best time to sell their home and most people will say “In the Spring.” Unfortunately, if everyone puts their home on the market at the same time, it makes it even more difficult to make your home stand out in the crowd. Entering the market as a new home during a less popular month with less competition has its advantages. Buyers are looking for homes all year long. Don’t believe there is only one right time to sell.
10) Seeing is believing. Make showings easy!
The most important thing you can do to help sell your home is make it easily available for showings. The easier it is to show, the more willing Realtors will be to show it to their buyers. If you refuse showings or make rules that restrict times, your home may be avoided, as it will be considered a hassle. Lock boxes are the easiest way for all Realtors to gain access for showings, but your schedule will ultimately determine how easily the home can be shown.

Right Time...Right Property...If you Can Find It!

While October –December is not generally thought of as a busy “home shopping” time at the shore, I found myself quite busy and many homes were sold. Now that January is here, my phone is ringing even more with people calling and looking for a home at the shore.


While temperatures may be dropping, so are the mortgage rates. With rates like 4.75-5.25% people are really crunching numbers and realizing renting is no longer the best choice.


Is this the right time to buy for you?


It is IF you can find the right property.
One thing all Buyers must keep in mind is that there is no such thing as a “perfect house.” Looking for the “perfect home” is a little like looking for the “perfect soul mate”. Neither exists but with a home you have a better chance of making changes that match with your lifestyle and requirements.


The vast majority of Buyers do not want a home that will require work.


Definition of work:
Needs a new bathroom or kitchen...maybe it needs new siding or the backyard is a mess.


Most buyers (not all) want a home that is move in ready.


There are two big reasons (and probably many more):
1) For most of the people buying a home at one of the Shore Points it is a second home. Not a primary residence. Even if Buyers are willing to do the work, their concern is how they will find someone to do it and how they can supervise it when it is going on.


2) Most Buyers want as much house as they can buy for the money. They either can’t or don’t want to put more money into the house after they buy it.


Solutions for Buyers and Sellers
Sellers – Before you put your house on the market, clean it up and make it as cosmetically appealing as possible. Most Buyers will “live” with your choices if they are clean and neutral. A few bucks spent now may make the difference in keeping your house from sitting on the market for a long time and getting a better price.


Buyers – Try to see past cosmetic repairs. A diamond in the rough could save you a fortune. There are some terrific tradespeople at the shore that can make that old house look new.