When you think about surfing, you might first think of Hawaii or California.  But at the Jersey Shore we have a community of dedicated surfers you'll find up and down Ocean County's beaches. Some surfer's are at it all year long, but many wait for warmer weather.  Well, it's time prepare for a summer of Jersey Shore surfing. If you're just starting out, or an experienced surfer dude, the Tuckerton Seaport Parking lot is the place to be tomorrow.   The Surfrider Foundation's Jersey Shore and South Jersey Chapters are sponsoring a Surf Swap Meet in conjunction with Brighton Beach Surf Shop and Matador surf boards.  The Surf Swap Meet runs from noon until 5pm Saturday, May 7th.  Admission is free for the Surf Swap Meet, the regular admission applies to other Tuckerton Seaport exhibits. Sur... 05/06/2011

The 10th annual Simply Bassing Surf Tournament, opening up this Saturday, May 7. Running to June 26, this tournament is conducted by several of the bait and tackle shops on Long Beach Island. Open only to LBI shore-based anglers, cash prizes are awarded to the top eight fish of the tournament. There is a $20 registration fee, which can be handed in at most island shops. Eight weeks of stripper fishing competition: Last year's 1st place finisher won $1,000.00 Register for the 10th Annual 2011 Simply Bassing Surf Tournament ($20, runs from May 7 to June 26, 2011) and also Sign Up for the Fisherman's Headquarters Spring Striper Side-Bet! The two tournaments run concurrently. The Side-Bet (100% Pay Out) is offered by Fisherman's Headquarters between competing Simply Bassing Anglers! It is ... 05/05/2011

Long Beach Island Real Estate Market Snapshot Did you know there is a tool that you can utilize that gives you information directly from the MLS system? Market Snapshot is a FREE, comprehensive report that will give you access to information on the real estate market in YOUR neighborhood such as: prices of homes sold, current active listings, trends and much more!   The information is real time, pulled from Jersey Shore MLS - you see what real estate agents see! In this complicated market, it's not enough to know prices for properties that are currently listed for sale - you need to see the prices of properties that have actually CLOSED to get a true picture of the market. Market Snapshot provides you with valuable market data from your own Long Beach Island neighborhood or the neighbor... 05/05/2011

The middle stretch of The Jersey Shore contains the state's most desirable island (Long Beach Island), its tackiest Shore town (Seaside Heights), the terminus of the intercoastal waterway (Bay Head), a park that manages to be both popular beach and nature preserve (Island Beach State Park) and the state's best-known lighthouse, Barnegat Light. And if you tire of the beach, or more likely the traffic, you always can head west - into the Pine Barrens of Ocean County. For all you North and farther-south Jerseyans who have never been here, don't say "Long Beach Island." It's LBI. See, you're already a local. And there's only one way to get here, unless you have a boat (or know the 'double-secret' sidestreets to the "causeway"), and that's Parkway Exit 63 and Route 72 east through Manahawki... 05/04/2011

Classic Cas at Ship Bottom Cruise Nights!! Every Tuesday in May (through October), visit the 10th Street waterfront park boat ramp from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm  to see the classic cars on display.  I never thought I'd say this, but I'm actually looking forward to Cruise Nights.... I recently attended the Atlantic City Classic Car Show with my husband - I have to be honest, I was kind of dreading it but I promised him I would go with him (he's quite addicted to the classic car shows and auctions on TV).  So, knowing how much he was looking forward to it, I agreed to go along. What a nice surprise!  I actually enjoyed myself!!  There were lots of different style cars there from as far back as the early 20's with a nice array of muscle cars from the 60's (which is my husband's favorite era for c... 05/04/2011

Long Beach Island Happenings Week of May 2nd Monday May 2nd: 1.  Brain Games:  at the Island Branch of the Ocean County Library in Surf City.  Call 609-494-2480 for more information.  Tuesday May 3rd: 1. Adult Writers Group Meets:  1-3pm at the Island Branch of the Ocean County Library in Surf City.  Call 609-494-2480 for more information. Thursday May 5th: 1.  Book Sale (through the 7th):  At the Island Branch of the Ocean County Library in Surf City.  Thurs & Fri 9am-4pm, Sat 9am-noon.  Call 609-494-2480 for more information. 2.  Bead Happy Hour:  5-8pm at Just Bead It in North Beach Haven.  Come and learn new beading techniques and make cool spring jewelry!  Call 609-492-2323 for more information.   Ongoing Events:  Barnegat Lighthouse is Open: The # 2 tourism destination in the Sta... 05/03/2011

ALL OF LONG BEACH ISLAND                 ACTIVE   SOLD   LY SOLD Total Units   505   26   21               Average Price   1,331,090   1,070,635   962,833               Median Price   919,000   885,000   800,000               Average Days on Market   196   194   189                             SOUTH SIDE (Ship Bottom to Holgate)                 ACTIVE   SOLD   LY SOLD Total Units   276   15   9               Average Price   1,039,465   1,093,333   866,000               Median Price   810,000   900,000   900,000               Average Days on Market   170   143   123                                           NORTH SIDE (Surf City - Barnegat Light)                 ACTIVE   SOLD   LY SOLD Total Units   229   11   12               Average Price   1,682,831   1,039,682   920,833             ... 05/02/2011

Here are some LBI Events - Saturday, April 30th 1. Amergael celebrates its 25th anniversary with a Schmitter Party: at Speakeasy Pizzeria in Ship Bottom from 12 noon - 9pm.  Cost is $10 and goes towards scholarships and food bank donations.2.  Fantasy Island Job Fair:  10am-2pm at Fantasy Island in Beach Haven.  Hiring for various positions.  Contact Melanie at 609-492-4000 ext 31 for more information and to schedule an interview.   3.  Crazy Craft Drop-In:  3-m at the Island Branch of the Ocean County Library in Surf City.  For kids of all ages.  Call 609-494-2480 for more information.4.  Holocaust Remembrance Day Film Discussion:  2pm at the Island Branch of the Ocean County Library in Surf City.  The film is "Inheritance."  Call 609-494-2480 for more information.5.  Lighthouse Intern... 04/28/2011

ALL OF LONG BEACH ISLAND                  ACTIVE    SOLD     Total Units   518   26                   Average Price   1,331,574   922,346                   Median Price   918,065   802,500                   Average Days on Market   198   240                                 SOUTH SIDE (Ship Bottom to Holgate)                  ACTIVE    SOLD     Total Units   283   16                   Average Price   1,045,324   757,875                   Median Price   824,995   708,750                   Average Days on Market   175   154                                               NORTH SIDE (Surf City - Barnegat Light)                  ACTIVE    SOLD     Total Units   235   10                   Average Price   1,676,542   1,185,500                   Median Price   1,199,000   992,500                ... 04/21/2011

It has been a long winter, and the business organizations on and around Long Beach Island have been planning the first offical Opening of the Beach and Welcoming of  Summer on May 21 beginning at 1030am at the 17th Street Beach entrance in Ship Bottom. Families and beach goers have their choice of activities happening in the morning; which  will kick off with a free LBI Surf Fishing Clinic on the 17th Street Beach hosted by Oceanside Bait and Tackle at 1030am, as well as a " Welcome the Summer Breeze" Kite Contest sponsored by The Breeze FM  Radio Station. Look for events happening throughout the day at Long Beach Islsnd Foundation of Arts & Sciences Green Business Panel will be hosting a live broadcast featuring enviormentally minded businesses, Sidewalk Sales in Ship Bottom, Annivers... 04/20/2011

Here is the start of a series of posts on the Long Beach Island Summer 2011 Events. Have you checked out the lineup for the Surflight Theatre yet?  There are some very interesting choices!  It's nice to have the choice of live theatre right here on Long Beach Island....please support the theatre!! RENT - Justin Guarini from the first season of American Idol is starring in this show which was a HUGE hit on Broadway. GREASE - Ok, I have to admit, I'm not sure of the correlation here but Marc Summers from the Food Network is starring in the 70's hit (maybe because it's called "grease" and he's from the "food" network? ha ha) ART - Judd Hirsch (remember him from the sitcom TAXI?) is starring in this show - I'm not familiar with it but it looks interesting from the description on the website... 04/19/2011

 You know the old saying....April showers bring May flowers so now is a good time to get rain gutters in great shape.                                        Your best bet is to clean your gutters twice a year, that will help you to avoid drainage problems that could potentially lead to more costly repairs.  Be sure you have a good, sturdy ladder to ensure your personal safety and to make the task as hassle-free as possible.  Make sure that the ladder is placed on a flat, steady surface, and follow the rule of two: never stand on the top two rungs of a ladder, as it becomes very difficult to maintain your balance.  Wear thick, heavy gloves when performing this kind of task.  Gutters may have sharp or jagged metal pieces as well as screws or nails that may pose a danger to your hands and ... 04/14/2011

7 Things to Consider Prior to Listing Your House on LBI You've made the decision that you are ready to sell your home on Long Beach Island...while your home may be perfect "as is" for you and your family, there are a few necessary steps that every homeowner should consider in order to ensure that their home will sell quickly and at the highest price possible. 1) Have Your House Professionally Cleaned- This may seem like an unnecessary expense, but in this market you need to do everything possible to make your home stand out.  Giving your home a clean, fresh appearance really appeals to potential buyers.       2) Make All Necessary Minor Repairs-This is an inexpensive way to give your home a finished look and will convince potential buyers that the home is in good repair.  This includes ... 04/13/2011

Are You Buying Your Long Beach Island Home from a Distance?                                The process of purchasing a home can be a complicated and stressful experience, but if you're purchasing a home on LBI and you live elsewhere (as the majority of our buyers do) the experience can become even more complicated.  Here are some tips to make purchasing a home from a distance less stressful.  Use the internet extensively...the internet is a powerful research tool for learning more about virtually any topic, and purchasing a home is no exception.  From finding a REALTOR® to searching properties, the internet is a great aid in finding a home.  It is also a great resource for finding information about potential lenders, home inspectors, and all the other extras involved in buying a home.  ... 04/11/2011

Here is a list of things you need after you purchase your home on LBI.  Now that you've signed all the paperwork and your loan is approved, it's time to move in.  But wait!  Before you put your feet up, there are a few things that you will need in order to make your new house a "home".  1) Locks...regardless of whether you purchase a newly constructed home or one that was formerly owned by someone else, it's important that you have the locks changed.  Everyone from REALTORS® and contractors to friends and family of the former owner may have a key, which is why getting new locks should be at the top of your list.  2) Furnishings...some homes may include appliances and possibly even some furniture, but most homeowners prefer to decorate their house themselves.  After all, someone else's t... 04/08/2011

Here are some tips for hiring a home inspector for your Long Beach Island house. You've gone to countless open houses, searched online for months, and have finally found the house of your dreams, but before signing your name on the dotted line there are a few key steps you should not overlook.  When purchasing a home, hiring the right home inspector can be the most important decision you make.  Knowing the condition of the house you are going to purchase cannot be left to appearances or promises, and some undetected problems can be even more costly than the price of the house itself.  Making sure you have the services of a home inspector who knows what he or she is doing can prevent what should be a great investment from becoming a financial disaster.  So what steps can you take to be s... 04/07/2011

These days, a home theater is one of the most popular trends in the nation.  Homeowners are opting to save a bundle on the cost of theater tickets by bringing the fascinating world of cinema into their own homes in a big way. When it comes to creating a home theater, the choice is yours when it comes to the level of quality that you want to deliver.  A home theater can include something as basic as a television and DVD system or it can include a projection screen with surround sound and, for the family who really wants the authentic experience, actual theater-style seating.  Building a home theater isn't cheap, which is why it's important to set a realistic budget before getting started.  Unless you are an expert at installation, hiring a professional to install your home theater may be... 04/06/2011

I know this photo is pretty BAD but there's a really GOOD reason for that! We had 3 offers on this house within 4 days of it being listed - SOOOOO I never got to retake the exterior photo or to take ANY interior photos!   This deal was a real pleasure - both the sellers and the buyers were gracious, appreciative and NICE.  So the house was priced really well and closed at $815,000 on April 1, 2011 with NO glitches! Congratulations to all the happy parties!   122 East 17th Street, North Beach Haven, Long Beach Island New Jersey 04/05/2011

Many people on LBI love to do birdwatching so I thought I would pass on this information from an article I read about How to Attract Birds to Your Backyard..... Bird watching is a popular past time that is shared by many, but what if watching your fluttering friends was as simple as peeking into your backyard?  Thanks to a few landscaping techniques, you can trade in your binoculars for a lawn chair and enjoy bird watching from the convenience and comfort of your own home.  Attracting Birds Of A Feather  If you want to attract birds to your backyard, you have to make it a place that they will be drawn to.  One way of doing this is by studying the feeding and/or nesting habits of the birds that you want to attract.  Like any other animal, birds have unique characteristics that are specif... 04/05/2011

An LBI favorite, the Dockside Diner in Spray Beach on Long Beach Island is open once again!! The diner has had a nice little face lift so go an see it for yourself (the photo above is from last year!) The food is still terrific, the staff is friendly and the atmosphere is as beachy as ever!  Breakfast was delicious today and the crowds were piling in....by 10:00 am the booths & tables were filled but there was counter seating still available.  Visit this little gem the next time you're on LBI, you WON'T be disappointed!  04/02/2011