Manahawkin, NJ

Southern Ocean County, New Jersey can be a bit confusing. Take, for example, Stafford Township. While Stafford Township is the name of the actual municipality, our post office is Manahawkin, NJ 08050.

The population stands at nearly 25,000 and is nearly fully developed according to the Stafford Township Master Plan. The final build out is expected to be completed by 2014, bringing the total population to approximately 28,000.

Within the boundaries of Stafford Township there are several communities. Communities within Stafford include Manahawkin, Cedar Run, Mayetta and most of Warren Grove. Moving counterclockwise from the western boundary, housing areas include Warren Grove, Ocean Breeze, Fawn Lakes and Atlantic Hills (adult communities), Ocean Acres (by far the largest development), Deer Lake Park, Manahawkin center (Downtown), Mallard Island (a.k.a. “Mud City”), Beach Haven West (bordering Barnegat Bay), Village Harbour, Colony Lakes, Mayetta, Cedar Run (including Cedar Run Apartments for seniors) and Perry’s Lake (adult community bordering shopping centers).

Ocean Acres is an area of nearly 6 miles and includes two municipalities, parts of Stafford and Barnegat Townships west of the Garden State Parkway, between Route 72 and Barnegat’s West Bay Avenue. Manahawkin’s Ocean Acres development is nearly complete, while Barnegat’s section is just getting started due to water supply issues and concerns of the New Jersey Pinelands Commission about the rare and endangered northern pine snake.

Development of Ocean Acres in Manahawkin began in the 1960’s. It includes numerous parks, schools, Holiday Lake and a golf course at the Ocean Acres Country Club.

Homes for sale in Manahawkin range in price from the $170’s for a “short sale” ranch to nearly a million for a custom lakefront on an oversize lot. Usual lot sizes are about 75 x 125. There are also building lots available priced from about $100,000!

If you'd like more information on homes for sale in Manahawkin or homes for sale in Stafford Township’s other communities, contact me.

It’s Jersey Shore Living!

Keller Williams Atlantic Shore

Laura Giannotta

609-384-6121

www.JerseyShoreViews.com

Homes for Sale in Manahawkin & Stafford Township!

It would be hard to find anything really good in the current economic crisis that is affecting nearly all of us whether it is directly or indirectly. However what has happened or will happen is an appreciation for the simple things in life like having a job, roof over your head and food to eat.

I have heard many people in the past few weeks say they are just happy to have a job and
they don't even care that some of the perks that might have gone with that are gone.

Is it possible that we will learn to live with less and in the end not worry about trying to keep up with others but be content with what we do have? Only time will tell but we are heading in that direction, not by choice but by necessity.

As long as people have a few dollars they will spend during the holiday season but the great unknown is what happens after it's over.

Retailers just don't know what's around the corner and have no idea what to expect for the first part of 2009. There really is no manual to read to tell you how to survive and most people I have spoken with said their greatest fear is the fear of the unknown. If we have not hit rock bottom yet you almost want it to get here as soon as possible so we can at least begin the slow process of recovery.

On a more uplifting note is the fact so many people really do care about their neighbors and we always seen at our best when times are at their worst.

We hear, read and see all about the bad because that's news but there are an amazing number of people from all ages who go out of their way to help others. Whether its donating food, clothes, toys or money we do have large hearts even when we have small pockets because in the back of our mind is the knowledge that so many have less than we do.

So was we approach this holiday season I chose to focus on the good things we do for one another rather than the bad because the difference between thriving and surviving is not as great as you might think and the gap can narrow very quickly.

There is no doubt that the state of the economy is having a major impact on
Non-profit organizations that depend on the generosity of companies and individuals. Going even further it's making it very difficult for organizations like food banks and the Salvation Army to meet the growing demand for their services and it's only going to get worse. That's why it's vital we do what we can to support the many campaigns and drives to help those badly in need which is magnified during the holiday season.

The Gamer's Arena is working in conjunction with Ocean County Hunger Relief to collect and distribute food to families in the Toms River area all during the month of December. Anyone who brings a non-perishable food item into their store on the corner of Route 37 and Hooper Avenue will receive 20 minutes of free game time on the system of their choice, including XBOX 360 or Wii. Sounds like a nice way to help yourself and others at the same time.

The Salvation Army, Ocean County Citadel is in desperate need of new unwrapped toys as they attempt to bring joy to as many families as possible.
The demand this year is greater than ever and you can drop the toys off at their location on Route 37 East in Toms River. or Give me a call and I will personally come pick it up from you and deliver it on your behalf.

It's always a great feeling to GIVE then to Receive

While it might not seem like much to Jesse in Fairbanks, Alaska or Steve up on Loon Mountain, New Hampshire...it's cold at the Jersey Shore.

Now I know I'm whining and winter's not even here yet, but it's 25 degrees out there! It's going to be colder tomorrow.

It's windy, the sun's not shining and look what appeared on my deck overnight...That's snow!!!!

We probably won't get much more snow than this, since I now have a snow blower and it's all gased up! (That purchase was made several years ago, and since then we haven't had enough snow to use it!)

So brace yourself for my "It's cold at the Jersey Shore Whine..."

Beach badges go on sale in May!

Keller Williams Atlantic Shore, Laura Giannotta www.JerseyShoreViews.com

I still hear people talking about how difficult it is to get a mortgage. Let me tell you that nothing can be further from the truth. What we have today is what was the mortgage standard in to 70's and 80's. Some of my Realtors still remember qualifying their own buyers for FHA mortgages. Remember those 29% and 41% DEBTS RATIOS? Well nothing has changed. FHA still has the same standards, but will allow for even higher debts ratios. They still will allow for "Less Than Perfect Credit" and can still do loans with credit scores under 600. So what has changed? NOTHING! The only exception in today's lending world is that so called "Liar's Loan." We were allowed to "State" income and assets, no one checked and almost everyone got their money, the buyer, the loan officer and of course the Realtor.

The real answer to turning this economy around? Interest rates. Last week when rates dropped below 6.00% for 30 years, my phone (that I thought was broken) started ringing. Think if we could see a 30 year rate under 5% (and this may happen) how many people would re-finance. Not all of the home owners are upside down. How many home shoppers would Buy? The unemployment rate will drop and our economy would see a small rebound.

And the people buying, actually could re-pay the mortgage.