The Lighthouse Road Trip On The New Jersey Coast October 20th & 21st 2018

New Jersey is home to some truly spectacular lighthouses; we’ve got architectural gems loaded with rich history dotted all along our coast. While one of the best ways to see them all is by taking the 2-day lighthouse challenge, held annually in October 20th & 21st 2018, you can still enjoy a select few over the course of a summer road trip. Take in some of our most notable lighthouses while enjoying the beach along the way!

Below is the schedule for the challenge 

	Saturday	Sunday
	Site Hours	Site Hours	Fee to Climb?	Restrictions?	Restrooms?	Food Nearby?
Absecon	08a - 08p	08a - 06p	$ 7.00	None	Yes (Handicap)	Yes
Barnegat	08a - 06p	08a - 06p	Donation Requested	None	Yes (Handicap)	Nearby
Cape May	08a - 08p	08a - 06p	$ 8.00	None	Yes (Handicap)	Nearby
East Point	08a - 06p	08a - 06p	TBD	None	Yes (Handicap)	Yes
Finn's Point	08a - 06p	08a - 06p	Donation Requested	None	No	Nearby
Hereford Inlet
Navesink Twins			Donation Requested	None	Yes (Handicap)	Nearby
—North Tower	08a - 06p	08a - 06p
—South Tower	09a - 06p	09a - 06p
Sandy Hook	08a - 06p	08a - 06p	Donation Requested	Under 48"	Yes (Handicap)	Nearby
Sea Girt	08a - 06p	08a - 06p	Donation Requested	None	Yes	Nearby
Tinicum	07a - 08p	07a - 06p	Donation Requested	Under 42"	Yes (Handicap)	Yes
Tucker's Island	08a - 06p	08a - 06p	$ 3.00	None	Yes (Handicap)	Yes
Tatham Life Saving Station	08a - 06p	08a - 06p	Donation Requested	Handicap Accessible	Yes (Handicap)	Yes
U.S. Station 30	08a - 06p	08a - 06p	Donation Requested	None	Unknown	Nearby
Barnegat Museum	08a - 06p	08a - 06p	Donation Requested	Handicap Accessible	Yes	Nearby

This trip totals 170 miles and can start at either Cape May Lighthouse or the Navesink Twin Lights.  One of the great things about Garden State lighthouses is that many are very affordable or even free to visit.

For full details on the lighthouse chllange

A New Starbucks opening can signal gentrification in a neighborhood, Harvard study finds

When a new Starbucks comes to town, you can expect to find a 0.5% increase in house prices in that ZIP code within a year, according to a recent study by the Harvard Business School.

But that doesn’t mean that Starbucks is attracting more affluent residents. In fact, the opposite is likely true.

The study presents a broader assessment of gentrification measures, determining that the neighborhood development is “strongly associated” with a jump in the number of restaurants, bars, cafes and grocery stores.

Based on their observations, the study asserts that a Starbucks opening can be a sign of gentrification.

“The presence of a Starbucks is far less important than whether the community has people who consume Starbucks,” the study stated. “Consequently, we think that this variable is likely to be a proxy for gentrification itself.”

4 Reasons Why Fall Is A Great Time to Buy A Home!

Here are four great reasons to consider buying a home today instead of waiting.

1. Prices Will Continue to Rise

CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Insights report reveals that home prices have appreciated by 6.2% over the last 12 months. The same report predicts that prices will continue to increase at a rate of 5.1% over the next year.

Home values will continue to appreciate for years. Waiting no longer makes sense.

2. Mortgage Interest Rates Are Projected to Increase

Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows that interest rates for a 30-year mortgage have already increased by half of a percentage point, to around 4.5% in 2018. Most experts predict that rates will rise over the next 12 months. The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the National Association of Realtors are in unison, projecting that rates will increase by half a percentage point to around 5.1% by this time next year.

An increase in rates will impact your monthly mortgage payment. A year from now, your housing expense will increase if a mortgage is necessary to buy your next home.

3. Either Way, You Are Paying a Mortgage

There are some renters who have not yet purchased homes because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that unless you are living with your parents rent-free, you are paying a mortgage – either yours or your landlord’s.

As an owner, your mortgage payment is a form of ‘forced savings’ that allows you to build equity in your home which you can then tap into later in life. As a renter, you guarantee your landlord is the person building that equity.

Are you ready to put your housing cost to work for you?

4. It’s Time to Move on with Your Life

The ‘cost’ of a home is determined by two major components: the price of the home and the current mortgage rate. It appears that both are on the rise.

But what if they weren’t? Would you wait?

Look at the actual reason you are buying and decide if it is worth waiting. Whether you want to have a great place for your children to grow up, you want your family to be safer, or you just want to have control over renovations, maybe now is the time to buy.

If the right thing for you and your family is to purchase a home this year, buying sooner rather than later could lead to substantial savings.

Are you thinking about buying? heres the fall home buying guide

Are you thinking of selling? Here's the fall home selling guide.

2nd Quarter closed sales for New Jersey

Amazing Race from the Jersey Shore

This past Sunday I was walking the boards in Long Branch NJ takng advantage fo the wonderful weather I came across a group of girls gathered around 2 girls who were wearing only their bright pink tshirts. Curious I stopped to see what was going on on as one of the group was videoing these girls. Come to find out these two girsl from the Long Branch area presumably are applying to be on the amazing race.

So if you see them on the next season's show . YOU SAW IT HERE FIRST

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From 2009-02-22-1018-44