Spotlight on Sea Bright, New Jersey! Sea Bright is a borough of Monmouth County, located along the Jersey Shore. It borders the Monmouth County municipalities of Atlantic Highlands, Middletown Township, Monmouth Beach, and Rumson.In the 1840s the area was a small fishing community, populated by simple shacks along the beach dunes. However, the opening of the first hotel there in 1842 changed the face of the community and brought about a wave of tourism. The area was incorporated as a borough in 1897 and named for Seabright, England.Beach clubs are the name of the game in Sea Bright, which boasts seven of them –Ship Ahoy, Sands, Surfride, Sea Bright Beach Club, Chapel Beach Club, Driftwood, and Edgewater. All are private clubs, charging hefty membership fees and maintaining long waiting ... 12/13/2015

04/16/2011

Dear Friends, The busy summer season is upon us.  While members of Congress join many other American families in enjoying their summer vacations, let's remind them that we should be doing our best to make sure our beaches are safe and clean. Urge your Senators to pass the Clean Coastal Environment and Public Health Act.  This bill directs the EPA to modernize the technology we rely on to tell us if beach water is safe for swimming.  It also takes steps towards tracking and solving our sources of beach pollution. Send an email to your Senators here.   Thank you so much!   Susan Take Action! Click here to take action on this issue:    08/06/2010

It has been such a success for the past two Octobers, now the Taste of Sea Bright has been expanded with a brand new Spring Edition!  (I love this event!)  ON SALE THURSDAY, APRIL 1:  The TASTE OF SEA BRIGHT (Trolley Hop) event tickets. You are strongly advised to purchase tickets for your group immediately, as this event will sell out quickly.  Only 1000 tickets will be sold. Eventgoers ride the trolley and hop to 19 different stops for samplings of food, drinks, cocktails, door prize drawings, and incredible free giveaways!  EVENT DATE: Saturday, May 1, 2010TIME: Noon - 5:30 p.m. (Trolley and buses will run until 6:30 p.m.) Ticket cost: $40 - ALL INCLUSIVE.Includes admission bracelet, map/passport, all food, drinks, cocktails, unlimited trolley/bus rides throughout the event - and you... 03/30/2010

As a real estate representative, I’ve had the opportunity to help many homebuyers find their ideal homes. Buying a new home is one of the largest financial transactions that most people ever undertake. Because the process can be lengthy and sometimes confusing, I am there to help through every step. My goal is to help buyers find the home of their dreams and also make the home buying experience as easy and enjoyable as possible. Buying a home now can be rewarding and prove to be a great investment since interest rates are still at an all time low and prices of homes continue to decline. When representing buyers in the purchase of a home, I determine the current market value by using the “Right Pricing Analysis” (RPA) and also assist in the negotiations in order to obtain a great price ... 03/03/2010

Oceanfront Townhouse community for beach lovers! Three level oceanfront townhouse with private beach access, gorgeous views of the Ocean and Shrewsbury River – completely updated featuringnew kitchen, 2 – 1/2 baths, newer furnace, central a/c, fireplace, heated garage, 2 decks and a wonderful garden patio.  Complex is pet friendly and centrally located close to marinas, restaurants, quick drive to NYC community ferry, and much much more. Contact Diane@DianeKaplan.com for more details 10/08/2009

All aboard! The 2nd Annual Taste of Sea Bright is coming Saturday, October 3rd from11:30a-5:30pm. You can enjoy a day-long eating & drinking excursion and ride the trolley from one end of Sea Bright to the other all in an effort to increase awareness of Sea Bright's thriving business community.  We did this last year and had a blast! Sampling everything from sushi to fried seafood to pizza, as well as various beers, wines & spirits, you can say that those participating were having a great time.  (Don't forget to bring your I.D.!) We met some new friends and were even thankfully able to call cab to take us home! For $40 you get: an admission bracelet, map/passport, all food, drinks, cocktails, unlimited trolley/bus rides throughout the event - and you'll even a complimentary SBBA backpac... 09/10/2009

Although we hear over and over the bad news about the economy, there is actually good news for qualified home buyers.  If you are entertaining buying a new home, or perhaps thinking about refinancing your current mortgage, you can now lock in some unbelievable interest rates.  But, this time around, lenders are being more specific and detail oriented in checking credit scores, income and your home's value.  The best deals out there are for those lucky enough to have credit scores above 740 and a substantial downpayment.  Do not focus totally on the interest rate; check out the fees, especially when comparing lender to lender.  Some lenders will attract you by offering a lower interest rate, but when it comes time to close they will pack on the fees.  Be specific when asking your lender ... 06/12/2009

The worst home selling mistake a seller can make is overpricing.  Prices of homes are on the decline and you can estimate a 1% decline per month in home sale prices on average in Monmouth County.  In order to get the most for your house in this market, a correct price tag is the key factor.  If a house is listed today and does not sell within 30 days, the price will have to be adjusted downward at least 1%.  Have you heard the phrase "chasing the market"?  This is when a seller prices a property too high and then reduces the price as time goes on.  Each time the price is reduced the seller cannot understand why the house still doesn't sell after such a big reduction in price.  Can you figure out why this happens?  What happens is that every time the seller reduces the price, the market ... 11/08/2008

As a real estate representative, I've had the opportunity to help many homebuyers find their ideal homes. Buying a new home is one of the largest financial transactions that most people ever undertake. Because the process can be lengthy and sometimes confusing, I am there to help through every step. My goal is to help buyers find the home of their dreams and also make the home buying experience as easy and enjoyable as possible. Buying a home now can be rewarding and prove to be a great investment since interest rates are still at an all time low and prices of homes continue to decline. When representing buyers in the purchase of a home, I determine the current market value by using the "Right Pricing Analysis" (RPA) and also assist in the negotiations in order to obtain a great price f... 11/05/2008

Went to a great workshop regarding the Fall Housing Forecast presented by Jeffrey G. Otteau, State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser, and was surprised by the prediction that the housing market will redirect during the next 15 years from "...drivable suburban to walkable urban self-contained active adult" buyers whereby urban areas, especially those in close proximity to trains, will be the focus for Generation Y (Otteau Seminar, October 2008).  Also, prices of homes have been steadily declining at the rate of about a half percent per month since 2005 and are continuing to decline at a rate of about one percent per month.....So in other words, if you are a seller and sell now you will get more than if you wait and sell later.  For buyers, the best time to buy is now and if you wai... 10/25/2008

FEMA is considering changing flood maps to include a wider span of area.  When purchasing a property near the ocean or other water ways be prepared to get flood insurance.  Flood insurance coverage is not cheap and there is no set premium.....the premiums are determined by the location and size of the property and what amount of deductible you choose.  Be sure to order an elevation certificate before you search for flood insurance.  An elevation certificate helps in keeping costs for flood insurance down.  There is a web site you can go to for further information - check out www.fema.gov 09/10/2008

I read an article recently that appeared in THE HUB Newspaper September 4, 2008 which elaborated on facts that the real estate market is not in as much distress as proclaimed by the news media.  The article is entitled "New Jersey Residents Capitalize on Opportunities in Local Real Estate Markets".  The article lists some real-life experiences of New Jersey residents who recently purchased or sold a home and got a good deal.  The New Jersey Association of Realtors (NJAR) is urging New Jersey residents to "Get the Real Story".  Going online and finding out the truth about today's real estate market will give you an accurate picture of what is really going on out there.  For a personal consultation on the real estate market please contact me at dkaplan@gnrgmac.com or call me on my cell ph... 09/07/2008

Just wanted to let everyone know about a fun-filled event that will be taking place on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008 in Sea Bright NJ.  The Sea Bright Business Alliance (SBBA) is sponsoring the first "Taste of Sea Bright" event from noon to 6 pm.  A trolley will ride up and down Ocean Avenue picking up and dropping off participants at 27 different stops.  You will be able to sample food and drinks, shop and much more.  For complete details on this event click here. 09/05/2008

Getting a mortgage today is more difficult than it has been over the past several years.  Good credit and a decent downpayment is necessary, together with income requirements.  There are many mortgage reps out there and they are pounding the pavement for business.  Beware of untrue tales told by many mortgage reps in order for them to acquire new business.  Actually, a client of mine was telling me how he was being badgered by numerous mortgage reps trying to get his business.  They were using scare tactics by telling him that he would be given a different rate at the closing table and more fees or points added on if he went with another lender and not them.  He called me up so confused and upset - not knowing what to do.  Don't fall for it!  One way to make sure you are not getting rip... 08/29/2008

I have been through many real estate trends since the onset of my career as a real estate broker in 1984, i.e., prices of properties declining and prices of properties rising.  The real estate market cycles are usually progressing over a period of years not months, adjusting either upward or downward.  We are now experiencing a leveling of home prices but the trend is still continuing downward.  I came across a great web site which contains useful information regarding real estate trends.  Check it out at Otteau.com ......the good news is that some areas of Monmouth County are not as affected as other areas and inventory is declining.   08/28/2008

Just wanted to give everyone the heads up on an exciting event that will be taking place on September 6th and 7th on the beach in Sea Bright behind Donovan's.  This is a pack filled weekend of sun and fun on the beach watching skimboarders from all over the area compete.  For more information go to http://www.sea-bright.com/.  On Saturday, September 6th, part of the program is a fundraiser for Sea Bright's own skatepark.  There will be skim/skate movies on the beach on Saturday night.  Mark your calendars for this eventful weekend in September and find out just how wonderful the town of Sea Bright really is - the only town bordered on one side by the Atlantic Ocean and the other side shops, restaurants and more. 08/26/2008

Helpful to beach lovers, cameras are useful to see if there is a traffic jam heading into Sea Bright or to Sandy Hook.  Cameras have been placed throughout New Jersey to alert the public to various traffic jams, detours, construction projects, and more.  Here is the link that you can use to check out areas before you start your journey, especially if you are heading to Rumson, Sea Bright, Atlantic Ocean or Sandy Hook.....Check it out http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/commuter/511/conditions.shtm   08/24/2008