Laura Giannotta Keller Williams Atlantic

As if I didn’t feel old enough, the death of Les Paul and thinking back to the ‘Summer of Love’ at Woodstock, my good buddie Craig Rutman, the Apex of Real Estate in North Carolina sent me a note.

If you don’t know Craig he’s the ActiveRainer scouring the internet, visiting every site possible, so I don’t have to!

Well Craig, sent me a link this morning that curled my graying hair!

It was about Bob Dylan, song writer and performer extraordinaire, (please tell me you remember him).  He actually started his career in the folk scene in NYC in the early 60’s.  His idols were, of course, Woody Guthrie and Ramblin’ Jack Ellitiott.  Still foggy, how bout "Blowing in the Wind".

We’re not talking 40 years since Woodstock, we’re talking 50 years full of Bob Dylan music.

Fast forward to July 23, 2009!  A great day in Ocean County!  Bob Dylan will be playing at Blue Claws Stadium (home of the Blue Claws, surprising isn’t it?) otherwise know as First Energy Park in Lakewood, Ocean County.

Unfortunately, Lakewood’s not what it once was, so the performers had (?) to stay in Long Branch (Monmouth County, NJ).

I guess Robert Zimmerman, AKA Bob Dylan, needed to walk.  So he did..around a area of Long Branch many will say is not so nice.

Well, a police report ensues…suspicious character wandering around…

Guess who, Bob Dylan with no ID, two 20 something cops, and a trip back to Dylan’s hotel, because the 20 something’s didn’t have a clue!!  Click here to read about the whole episode, not mentioned yet in our local papers!

So tell me Mr. Dylan…How Does It Feel (Like a Rolling Stone) .

.  .

Me (left) and Tessie circa 1969 (missing her all the time) !

Buying a home at the Jersey Shore? Congratulations…Let’s take a look at some of the things to consider before you sign on the dotted line.

1. New Jersey Real Estate Agency Relationships
2. Lenders and Loans
3. Homes and Communities
4. The Contract – Contractual Provisions
5. Offer and Acceptance - Attorney Review
6. Closing

The current Real Estate Agency Law in New Jersey is relatively new. Here’s a brief history of real estate agency law in New Jersey. Prior to the 1995 every real estate agent worked for the seller. The law setting up 4 types of real estate agency and disclosure of agency was enacted in New Jersey after a national study found state laws to be lacking.

New Jersey now has strict real estate agency laws, and requires real estate agents to tell clients upfront, before any “substantial contact”, how they’ll be working. That means before a buyer begins to relate information about the type, location or price range of the property he or she desires or before a seller discusses his or her motivation for listing.

New Jersey Real Estate Agency relationshipsare detailed in the New Jersey Consumer Information Statement (CIS). Law requires the CIS be reviewed prior to any discussions. The full Consumer Information Statement can be found here.

Briefly, there are four types of real estate agency in New Jersey. They are:

• Seller’s Agentworks only for the seller. The agent has fiduciary duties or legal obligations to the Seller. These include care, undivided loyalty, confidentiality and disclosure. Seller’s agents include all persons licensed with the brokerage firm authorized to list the property (more on this under disclosed dual agency).
• Buyer’s Agentworks only for the buyer. A buyers agent has fiduciary responsibilities to the home purchaser; care, loyalty, confidentiality and disclosure.
• Transaction Broker represents neither the buyer nor the seller. They locate qualified buyers for a seller or suitable properties for a buyer.
• Disclosed Dual Agent works for both the buyer and the seller. Prior to working as a Disclosed Dual Agent the brokerage firm must first obtain informed written consent from both the buyers and sellers. A Disclosed Dual Agent in New Jersey MAY NOT, without express permission, disclose that the seller will accept a price lower and list, nor can the Disclosed Dual Agent disclose that a buyer would pay more than the offered price.

Disclosed Dual Agencyin New Jerseymost often occurs when a real estate agent with a firm is working as a Buyer’s Agent and shows the buyer properties owned by sellers who have listed their property with that firm.

Real estate sales persons in New Jersey act as representatives of their broker. Therefore disclosed dual agency occurs when the buyer looks at ANY property listed by the same broker, not only properties listed by the agent. Remember a disclosed dual agent can not put one party’s interest above another.

If real estate agency relationships in New Jerseyare still unclear, ask questions when you interview real estate agents to represent you. Or, as in any step during the home buying process in New Jersey, ask an attorney.

Where can you find a real estate agent to represent you? Ask friends and relatives who they’ve dealt with. Research online, reading blogs and examining websites can give you a glimpse of the agent’s interests and specialties. If you'd like an agent with advanced training in representing buyers, find an Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR®). Check out this website to find an agent with the ABR® designation.

Prepare a list of questions that are important to you. Ask about the agent’s knowledge of the area, what they’ll provide for you and their strategy for finding your next home. Ask about continuing education (CE). New Jersey has no CE requirements, so find an agent that takes continuing education seriously. Don’t be afraid to ask for references. Speak to the agent’s previous clients to get a better idea of the agent’s strengths and weaknesses.

Just as a Buyer’s Agent provides ‘undivided loyalty' you, as a home buyer, should do the same. REALTORS® in most cases don’t get paid til they get to the closing table. So you’ll want to find a buyer’s agent that you can work with and stick with them.

You can still search for homes on the internet, through friends or at Open Houses. Just make sure it’s understood, You’re Already Working With An Agent.

The 'Hawkin Deli in Manahawkin brings real NJ deli taste to the Jersey Shore!

While New Jersey might be informally known as the Diner State, we do love our delis. If you grew up in New Jersey, deli sandwiches are a way of life!

The 'Hawkin Deli is a relative newcomer to Manahawkin. But it brings great deli sandwiches to the Jersey Shore. Used to be the only deli available around here was from specialty shops (too expensive) or chain sandwich stores (too boring).

Located at 100 McKinley Avenue (the road running from Route 9, parallel to Route 72, behind ShopRite and Wal-Mart), the 'Hawkin Deli offers the usual hot and cold subs, plus specialty sandwiches, great for lunch or a fast dinner.

I’ll often stop for my mid morning breakfast sandwich, the New Jersey staple, Pork Roll, Egg and Cheese on a hard roll. But my favorite sandwich at the 'Hawkin Deli is called the Sloppy Zo.

Now a Sloppy Joe is a well known deli treat in New Jersey. If you’re thinking of the ground meat mess on a hamburger roll, you’re wrong. A deli Sloppy Joe is ham, turkey, Swiss, Cole slaw and Thousand Island dressing all piled high on fresh rye bread. Well, you can order that, but I recommend the Sloppy Zo.

The Sloppy Zo at the 'Hawkin Deli replaces the ham with thinly sliced roast beef, tops it with freshly sliced turkey, some Swiss cheese, Cole slaw and Thousand Island dressing sandwiched between two slices for fresh rye. Mmm!

As if that wasn’t enough, this and all specialty sandwiches come with fries, or my favorite Tater Tots! If you’re watching your figure, make any one of the great sandwiches a Wrap. Or you can try one of the 'Hawkin Deli’s build your own salad.

Choose romaine, iceberg or Spring Mix with dressing and it’ll be $4. You can add 3 toppings for $1.50 or 7 for $3.00. Toppings include everything from walnuts to cauliflower.

The 'Hawkin Deli is also very community conscious. When the Friends of the Barnegat Library (FOL), asked for help in providing our annual lunch for all Barnegat Library employees, they stepped up to the plate (bad pun) and worked with us on pricing and special orders!

The Barnegat Library employees are still raving about that lunch 4 months later, and are hoping the next lunch the Friends of the Library provides during National Library Week comes from the 'Hawkin Deli.

The 'Hawkin Deli
100 McKinley Avenue
McKinley Plaza
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
609-597-6082

HOURS:
M – F 10am til 8pm
Saturday 8:30am til 4pm
Sunday 8:30am til 3pm