Escape the cold and snow this weekend. 50 degree temperatures are predicted! Take a walk on the beach- breathe in the fresh salt air and feel the warm sun on your face.
We expect to see prospective tenants and buyers around the island all weekend- a real sign of spring at the shore.
 I appreciate your referrals of friends and relatives. 🙂
Cape May County property owners recently received the annual green postcard stating the current tax assessment for their property.Â
If your property is located in Stone Harbor, the data is new for 2009. Otherwise, it’s likely your assessment is the same as posted last year. Each town is re-assessed at different times based on requirements from the county tax office.
In average times, we like that our assessment stays the same each year as our property value increases. Eventually, the town is required by law to reassess to bring the figures up to fair market value.
Unfortunately, in the current market, the higher assessments stand out.Â
If you decide to challenge your assessment, you must provide data to support fair market value as of October 1, 2008 (settlements after 10/1/08 will not be considered).
To obtain an application for an appeal, contact the Cape May County Tax Board (609) 465-1030. Or, call your local tax assessor for more information.
Link to Cape May County Board of Taxation web site:
http://www.co.cape-may.nj.us/cit-e-access/webpage.cfm?TID=5&TPID=2836
 Yes, he saw his shadow, and brought us 50 degree weather and sunshine on Groundhog Day. Today, it’s snowing. Very unpredictable little bird!
Trying to look on the bright side of the doom and gloom news reports.Â
High gas prices forced us to re-think our driving habits- saving the environment along with our money. Eating out less is good for our diets (although “walking” to Springer’s is still okay in my book :) ). Do I really need it?- thinking before spending leads to less waste. And, we are thankful for things that we may have taken for granted in years past.
I’m still queasy from receiving my year end retirement account report. And the annual notice of our tax assessment arrived in yesterday’s mail. The fair market value of local real estate has dropped almost 20% from the peak in 2005- but that looks pretty good compared to the losses in the stock market. Hey…just trying to see the positive side of things.
Here’s to a brighter tomorrow…the weather sounds just right for a walk on the beach!
The majority of our summer tenants (and property owners for that matter) live within a 2 to 3 hour driving radius.  We are all experiencing similar cold weather conditions, so thinking about the beach helps us to cope!
Prospective tenants are actively searching on line (and sometimes in person) for their ideal summer vacation house. After a quiet fall, it’s great to have some business.
The 2009 rental season may be a bit bumpy- and likely, we will have more last minute rental requests than ever before.Â
 But, I’m confident that the beach will be full!
For those of you who live near regular public transportation, this may not be a big deal. But, we are excited about the new direct train service between Atlantic City and New York City.Â
From the atlanticcitynj.com web site:
The NYC to AC trains will make the 143-mile run Friday, Saturday and Sunday with two trains on Friday, three on Saturday and four on Sunday. The newly remodeled cars will carry as many as 300 passengers per four-car train.
Tickets for the new Atlantic City Train Service will go on sale January 15. Passengers will be able to make reservations and get additional information at www.acestrain.com.
It doesn’t last (that’s what we like best)- but it’s pretty for a few hours.
  
 The beach side promenade between 80th and 83rd Streets (major renovations underway at the Windrift, by the way- the 2 inside bar areas from what I could see).
I guess we’re considered a fascinating bunch! The attached article was front page news this morning in The Press:
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/185/story/383897.html
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 I am a big fan of Girl Scout Cookies- the peanut butter sandwiches are my favorite. But wait…peanut butter is now a risky food product. The Girl Scouts try to stay current with the times- their cookies are trans-fat free, the packaging is 100% recycled paperboard; and this year the girls have to assure us that the cookies are salmonella free!Â
The concern might effect sales (although I still bought a box). And there’s always Thin Mints!
February 8th??
And for those who ask:  No, the year round residents do not wander along the beach all day. We have jobs and other responsibilities…but we are naturally drawn to the ocean and appreciate our good fortune of living at the shore. And, yes, I do try to walk on the beach everyday. It never gets old 🙂