What's the Best Blog Comment You've Received? I'm human, I like the feedback from ActiveRain, both in emails and blog comments.  Most are well thought out, some raise issues that I hadn't thought about and some are the proof that people are reading, so it keeps me writing. Perhaps the best feedback I have received came in this morning in response to a blog written Friday called Dog Training Tips at the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter. I wrote about Martha Windisch, a certified dog trainer from Chatsworth, who volunteered to provide tips and answer questions at the Shelter.  This is her comment on my ActiveRain Blog: "Thanks for the publicity!  We had a great crowd of people today at the shelter for the Ask a Trainer event in celebration of National Train Your Dog Month.  I answered... 01/22/2011

A Chatsworth based dog training expert will be available at the Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter in Manahawkin Saturday, January 22 for questions and tips. According to the Human Society of the United State, 6 to 8 million dogs and cats find themselves at shelters each year.  About half are euthanized because there aren't enough good homes. Martha Windisch a certified dog trainer, living in Chatsworth, thinks most behaviors that cause people to abandon their pets are easily solved by training and socializing. The Southern Ocean County Animal Shelter is located on Hay Road in Manahawkin, just off Recovery Road.  The trainer will be available from 1pm until 4pm.   Dogs and cats will also be available for petting, loving and adopting!  01/21/2011

By Curtis LeeThe Murphy-Lee TeamPrudential Zack Shore Properties Whenever a natural disaster is broadcast on the news-whether a tropical storm hitting a state along the Atlantic Ocean, wildfires in the West or-it serves as a reminder how hazardous water, wind, fire and earth movement can be to your home, perhaps your most cherished and largest investment. But, there are immediate actions you can take to protect your property and prevent major damage should one of these elements strike in the future. Depending on the age of your home and the building codes in your area, some of these improvements may already be in place. Water Apart from major flooding, most damage occurs when water seeps in through cracks and leaks. Make sure that windows and doors are well sealed. Seal any cracks and h... 01/15/2011

By Curtis LeeThe Murphy-Lee TeamPrudential Zack Shore Properties   Eco-friendly. Carbon footprint. Global warming. Energy-efficient. These catch phrases have become part of our lexicon as we've become more aware of our impact on the environment and our role in protecting it. As a homeowner, there are some simple, inexpensive steps you can take to make your home energy-efficient. Get started on the road to being "green" with these five tips:   Change Your Light Bulbs By replacing just five incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, you can save $100 per year on electric bills while using up to 75 percent less energy and removing greenhouse gases from the environment.  Buy ENERGY STAR® Appliances ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances, such as refrigerators, washers and air ... 01/12/2011

Just Another Winter Morning at the Jersey Shore... As predicted, we had some more snow last night.  When did a snow storm become a 'plowable event'?  Seems like that's the new catch phrase this winter!   Anyway, this snow was not too bad.  It's warm enough out, and winds are calm at the Jersey Shore, so digging out wasn't bad. Before stepping out. It was all sparkly. Winter weary rhododendron. Tiny squirrel snow blower needed for nest. Look for color where you can. Done & back inside! 01/12/2011

Snow Day at the Jersey Shore!   I knew there was snow forecast for the Jersey Shore yesterday, and I heard that southern ocean County was due for more snow at the beginning of the week.   But what did I miss?  Nobody sent me the snow memo!  Early this morning busy at my desk, I looked up and there it was again.  It's a Jersey Shore winter!  Snow in Manahawkin! Manahawkin, NJ January 8, 2011 Some things look good in snow! Should take the decoration down...it still looks like Christmas! 01/08/2011

By Curtis LeeThe Murphy-Lee TeamPrudential Zack Shore Properties              2011 opens as a strong buyer's market so home sellers must be on their toes to give their homes maximum appeal. Not only should sellers complete the home repairs they know must be made, they should also consider hire a certified home inspector to thoroughly and impartially evaluate their properties. If this inspection results in a fix-it list, review the list with your real estate professional to establish necessities and priorities. Depending on your budget and objectives, you may want to repair only items that could cause significant deterioration to your property, such as a leaky roof. Ideally, the closer you can get your home to "move-in-ready" status, the more likely you are to attract today's cautious an... 01/08/2011

The wheels of government turn slowly, but a good idea can build momentum.  Just a year ago, I wrote about groundbreaking local legislation limiting and regulating fertilizer applications in Manahawkin, NJ.  (Protecting the Barnegat Bay - One Manahawkin Yard at a Time) That local ordinance spurred several local initiatives and finally state legislative action.  Today New Jersey has the strictest fertilizer usage regulations in the nation!  NJ Governor Christie signed three bills yesterday all aimed at protecting the Barnegat Bay from further run-off pollution. In addition to the limits on when and where fertilizer can be applied to lawns, another bill requires standards for builders to restore 'optimal soil conditions' after the completion of construction to stem run-off, and another cha... 01/06/2011

A $58 Trash Can?  You Bet! Late in 2010 Manahawkin NJ went to single-stream recycling...that means no more separating paper, cans, bottles and cardboard.   It all goes into one handy 96 gallon container and is picked up by an automated truck...Much like Manahawkin's garbage collection. These automated recycling and garbage cans are expensive!  If you're buying or selling a home in Manahawkin, remember those recycling containers (as well as the automated garbage containers) are numbered and assigned to the home.       Make sure that those containers remain with the home, either through your REALTOR® or on the final walk through before your closing!   Each can costs $58.00!   Facts about Manahawkin's Single-Stream recycling program Facts about Manahawkin Trash Collection & Automated Trash... 01/02/2011

Here is a list of short sales in Manahawkin with photos and maps. There a currently at least 5 short sale properties in Manahawkin.  Properties are on Atlantis Ave, Mizzen Ave, Shore Ave and Inlet Ave.   A short sale is a sale of real estate in which the sale proceeds fall short of the balance owed on the property's loan. It often occurs when a borrower cannot pay the mortgage loan on their property, but the lender decides that selling the property at a moderate loss is better than pressing the borrower.   Both parties consent to the short sale process, because it allows them to avoid foreclosure, which involves hefty fees for the bank and poorer credit report outcomes for the borrowers. This agreement, however, does not necessarily release the borrower from the obligation to pay the re... 12/14/2010

Homes for Sale in Manahawkin - Manahawkin NJ - Housing Market Report - November 2010 Homes for sale in Manahawkin averaged about 500 during the month of November, stable from the October Manahawkin Housing Market Report.  The report of homes for sale in Manahawkin is much better than the October report for our neighbors to the north in Barnegat.  Manahawkin, NJ New Listings Under Contract Expired Sold Days on Market Median Sold Price November 2010 58 25 22 27 113 $275,000 The November 2010 Manahawkin Housing Report is not that different than the report for November in 2009. Manahawkin, NJ  New Listings Under Contract Expired Sold Days on Market Median Sold Price November 2009 58 32 39 36 119 $285,750 Only one of the homes in Manahawkin that closed in November was a short sale and one wa... 12/12/2010

By Curtis LeeThe Murphy-Lee TeamPrudential Zack Shore Properties Today's first-time homebuyers are presented with the opportunity of a lifetime. Mortgage rates in early December stood near lows last seen during the Truman administration while home prices were well off their peaks of previous years. The combination made housing affordability, as measured by the National Association of REALTORS®, the highest since NAR® launched its Affordability Index in 1973. Housing inventory is also abundant in many markets, enabling first-timers to secure good homes and pave the way to their financial futures. Indeed, homes and their long-term virtues of shelter, wealth-building and personal and civic pride are available at bargain-basement prices that won't, or can't, last. Naturally, first-timers ha... 12/11/2010

Sold: Waterfront Home in Stafford Township, Ocean County, NJ There are some incredible deals out there for potential home buyers if you know where to look.  Check this out: Home in Beach Haven West, a 5 bedroom, 2 bathroom waterfront home sold for $275,000. House comes with bulkhead and deck. The home was put on the market approximately 2 months ago at an asking price of $339,000. The tax assessed value is as follows; Land: 270,600.00 Build: 102,100.00 Total $372,700.00. This house sold for $1.00 on in 1994. Stafford Township is in Ocean County, New Jersey. The township population was 22,532 and was formed by Royal Charter on March 3, 1750. It was incorporated as one of New Jersey's first 104 townships by on February 21, 1798, and became part of the newly-formed Ocean County on February... 11/12/2010

Homes for Sale in Manahawkin - Manahawkin NJ October 2010 Housing  Market Report Nearly 500 homes were available for sale in Manahawkin during the month of October, 2010, remaining stable from the September 2010 Manahawkin Housing Report. Manahawkin, NJ  New Listings Under Contract Expired Sold Days on Market Median Sold Price October 2010 89 26 54 31 121 $247,000 For the same period, October 1 through October 31, 2009, numbers from the Jersey Shore Multiple Listing Service indicate sale prices and the number of homes in Manahawkin under contract  are down, while days on the market are up and sales steady.   Manahawkin, NJ New Listings Under Contract Expired Sold Days on Market Median Sold Price October 2009 94 47 35 32 110 $282,450 Two Manahawkin foreclosure properties were sold in Oct... 11/11/2010

By Curtis LeeThe Murphy-Lee TeamPrudential Zack Shore PropertiesAutumn winds blow a chilly reminder that winter is fast approaching. Perform the following maintenance tips each fall to protect your property's value and prevent major repairs.  Roof, Gutters and DownspoutsRain, ice, snow and wind can all cause damage to your roof and gutters. Now's the time to trim back all tree limbs and vegetation away from the roof. You also should remove debris, such as leaves and sticks from your gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters don't allow water to properly drain away from the home, which can cause seepage in your ceilings and walls. You can also invest in gutter guards, a screen that prevents debris from entering the gutter and directs the flow of water away from the house and into the groun... 11/10/2010

Fall Is Just a Memory at the Jersey Shore  .. This was taken just 3 weeks ago in Manahawkin, NJ along Route 9 in Cedar Run.  One frosty morning and several days of Jersey Shore wind and rain has left most of the trees bare.  There are not many fall colors left here in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, but it was a spectacular autumn! 11/07/2010

Prepare Your Manahawkin Vegetable Garden...Get a Jump on Spring! Vegetable gardening in Manahawkin, and all over the Jersey Shore is challenging...the sandy soil needs some organic matter to improve the soil texture.  Texture refers to the size of the soil particles and it's ability to hold onto water and nutrients. Manahawkin's sandy soils have very large particles.   And then you have ph levels, is your soil acid and alkaline?  The ph levels needed will depend on what you plan to grow. .. The recommended ph level for tomatoes is 6.0 to 7.0 If you're interested in a little science experiment, you can find out what your garden soil is acid or alkaline with some common household products.  (Sounds like science class!) Scoop some soil into a container. Add a half-cup of vinegar. If the so... 11/06/2010

Southern Regional High School Calvacade of Bands The Southern Regional Band Parents Organization will host it's 19th Annual Cavalcade of Bands NJ Regional Championships at 6:00 PM on October 23rd at the Southern Regional High School campus. Marching band contests are held each weekend throughout the fall, concluding in four championship classification contests, which are held at the end of the marching season. Each show usually consists of seven to twelve bands in one or more of the four classifications. At the Southern Regional event, seven bands will compete in separate divisions, determined by the number of musicians.  Several award-winning local bands will play including Barnegat High School, Lacey High School and in addition to the local bands participating will be bands from Cinna... 10/21/2010

The Road to Nowhere! A View of the Route 72 Causeway to Long Beach Island, from what's left of the Bridge to Nowhere in Manahawkin This road starts out as Stafford Avenue, off of Hilliard Boulevard.  As you head east, you'll run out of pavement you'll find yourself on Manahawkin's (Stafford Township) Road to Nowhere.  At the end of the Road to Nowhere, there used to be a bridge.  It was constructed some 50 years by New Jersey Bell to access  telephone poles across the salt marsh.  The bridge has been vandalized over the years and actually set on fire a couple of times.  Can you guess the name of the bridge...that would be the Bridge to Nowhere!.   There's not much to do down the Road to Nowhere...watch the birds, enjoy the scenery, take photos and watch the world go by!   And for those ... 10/17/2010

83 David Dr. Manahawkin, NJ 08050 PRICE REDUCED USE LESS ENERGY, SAVE MONEY Home Photo Gallery Virtual Tour Property Map Payment Info Request Showing Contact Me Curtis Lee Broker~Salesperson Office:(609) 597-6464 Mobile:(609) 709-2866 Website:Visit Website Co-listed by: Eileen Murphy Prudential Zack Shore Properties Cell::732-239-0257 Website:Visit Website Price : $299,900 Bedrooms : 3 Bathrooms : 1 Lot Size : 4,000 County : Ocean Property Type : Detached Year Built : 1965 MLS Number : 3043646 click for more information and pictures Property Description USE LESS ENERGY, SAVE MONEY This ranch has income producing solar electricity What a great deal a water front home with virtually no utility bills. Average electric bill is $12 per month. Owner earnes over $3000 per year selling power b... 10/15/2010