Buy it on Amazon today!

I don’t know about you but it seems like every woman I know, in Ocean County, is reading the 50 Shades of Grey Trilogy.

From what I understand, second hand of course, this Christian Grey character has quite the way with the ladies (including the ones reading the books)!

When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.

Imagine then; what might be happening today, if Christian Grey were a REALTOR?

Despite the facts that homes have never been more affordable, mortgage interest rates have never been lower and home prices have bottomed out almost everywhere, most of us are afraid to move.  Society has been telling us it’s “wrong” to buy or sell a home today.

Along comes Christian Grey, the REALTOR.  He doesn’t care about what society is saying.  He knows what he likes and how to make us like it too.  And you know what?  We do!

We feel so good about what we are doing that we can’t keep it a secret any longer.  We must tell someone!  So, we share how good it feels to buy a house at a great price and we secure a 30 year mortgage at a great rate and we fall in love with our new home.

Before we know it, our friends are doing the same thing and getting the same feelings.  They too feel compelled to share their “secret” with others and before we know it, Christian Grey is selling more houses than books in Ocean County!

Fiction?  Of course but stranger things have happened.

What it really boils down to is how does owning a “home” make us feel?  The truth is it feels wonderful!  It doesn’t feel dirty or taboo or unnatural.  Quite the contrary; it feels completely natural.

Obviously, Christian Grey isn’t available but we do have real estate agents available to satisfy the needs of most of the “wanna be” home-buyers and home-sellers in Ocean County.  So, take a walk on the “dark side”…you know you want to!

The Grandest of Them All!

“April showers bring May flowers” and May’s grandest flower is Mother’s Day!

As a personal tribute to mothers everywhere, I would like to share a story about my relationship with my mother…

I actually wrote a thesis about this event for my undergrad exam in philosophy but I thought I would keep it simple, for Mother’s Day.

If there were no God, there would be no Love

In the midst of the most confusing, traumatic, dramatic and emotional time of my life (high school), I became fascinated with the Existential Period of Literature.  I couldn’t read enough Sartre and Camus!

On top of being the typical rebellious teenager, I was now empowered by philosophy.  For those of us not familiar with existentialism, it is a philosophy which basically states that our “existence” is a complete accident, there is no “God” and life has absolutely no true meaning.  In short; the “absurdity of life”.

So, you can probably imagine my mother’s delight; her first-born struggling with the trials and tribulations that is adolescence has now embraced the belief that his life is a complete accident and without purpose.

As all mothers should do, mine took the time to talk to me.  She did not judge or preach.  She simply listened to me and then asked me one simple question.

“How do you explain love?”

If there is no “God” and life is an accident and has absolutely no meaning, how do you explain love?

As much as I really wanted to, I could not for the life of me come up with a rebuttal because I knew my mother loved me with every ounce of her being.  She still does!

Today, I am blessed to still have my mother in my life.  I hope many of you are just as fortunate. And I know those of you who have lost your mothers still carry them in your hearts.

Your beliefs are your beliefs.  I respect that.  But if you ever find yourself struggling with “why”, just remember what my mom told me so many years ago, “if there were no God, there would be no love.”

Happy Mother’s Day!

Some of you may have even gone as far as inquiring on a specific property listing or registering for “property alerts”.

Have you ever wondered, “who is getting your inquiry”?

Watch as Jim Flanagan explains the Law of Unintended Consequences

Click here to view the embedded video.

Understand a little better now?

Now, to be perfectly honest, I can understand this specific competitor’s reasoning; they are a large, regional brand and they invest a lot of time and money into their internet marketing.  Sales have been down for 6 years now (which means income is too) but expenses keep going up, so they are looking to alternate means of generating income.

Makes pretty good business sense…right?

WRONG!

How do you feel knowing your inquiry may be relegated to a real estate agent that may not be capable of generating their own real estate business?

Do you feel a little bit like these folks?

Stop worrying.  You are in the right place!

When you inquire through this website, or register for listing alerts here, I personally review and respond to your request.  Then, I select the real estate agent I feel is best suited to service your specific inquiry.

And, while I do not charge our agents a fee, there is a cost for the opportunity to work for you; that cost is “care”!

Our team of professionals adheres to a strict code of conduct when it comes to your real estate business.

We care about your real estate needs.  We care about our customers and clients.  And, we care about our reputation as the most professional real estate brokerage in Ocean County.

So, come on, give us a try.  Your satisfaction is personally guaranteed!

Get the Real Story!

What’s in it for me?

Well, if you live in Ocean County, NJ, chances are you:

1. Own a home
2. Rent a home or apartment
3. Live with someone who does

So, like it or not, you are affected by the housing market!

Believe it or not; this post has very little to do with “selling real real estate” and everything to do with your life in Ocean County.

Do we have your attention yet?

Good!

Let’s get started…

Why should you care about this weekend’s Nationwide Open House Event?

The housing market has led us into and out of almost every major recession over the last 100 years.  So, even if you don’t plan on buying or selling a home, in Ocean County, in the near future, you probably care about whether or not we are coming out of this Great Recession.

SEE ALL OF THE OPEN HOUSES IN OCEAN COUNTY HERE!

How will the Nationwide Open House Weekend get us out of the Great Recession?

It won’t!

But, if this weekend is filled with potential home-buyers looking at homes for sale in Ocean County, that is a pretty good sign that consumer confidence is returning to the local housing market.

And, a return in Consumer Confidence is usually the first indicator of a sustainable recovery!

Now do you care?

Still think this weekend’s National Open House Event doesn’t affect you, here in Ocean County?

LOOK AGAIN!

Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters

My girlfriend works for Ryan Homes, a reputable builder of new homes in Ocean County. Yesterday, she was working at their Adult Community site in Lakewood, The Legacy at Woodlake Greens.

She told me about a couple that put a deposit down on one of their new homes; they had a house to sell but priced it right (according to market) and had a contract within 2 weeks.  They also have the means to carry both homes (short term) and wanted to secure their new home yesterday.

Why?

These words came directly from this couple, “we know it will cost more in a year or two”!

They get it.

While the masses hem and haw about whether or not “now is the time to buy”, those who “get it” are buying homes.

Why?

Because it will cost more in a year or two!

But, aren’t home prices in Ocean County still falling?

On average, yes.  But, we’re not talking about price, we’re talking about COST.

Whether or not we’ve finally hit bottom (price wise), in Ocean County, will be determined months after the fact.  What can be acknowledged, with relative certainty, is that we have hit the bottom of the “cost cycle” in real estate.

What am I talking about?

Mortgage interest rates.

Believe it or not; mortgage interest rates will begin to rise over the next year or two.

These quotes come directly from, Buying a Home?  The COST is more important than the price:

“A better economic climate almost always brings higher rates, and a lessening of the troubles in Europe from massive central bank assistance adds to the movement of money from safe havens to more risky assets, driving rates upward.”

“The Fed sees growth coming faster than originally expected. There’s suddenly less chance that the Federal Reserve will intervene to help keep mortgage rates low. Absent Fed intervention, mortgage rates are apt to rise and Wall Street is now betting that the Fed has bowed out. With no stimulus, mortgage rates rise.”

“Mortgage rates will be starting to rise. From the 3.9 to 4.0 percent average rate in the past five months on a 30-year fixed mortgage, the new rates will soon be in the range of 4.3 to 4.6 percent.”

So, unless you have cash, you may want to seriously consider “getting it” while the “getting” is good in Ocean County…because it will cost more in a year or two!

Just ONE question...

Are you confused about the Ocean County real estate market?

Have you been hearing “conflicting” reports about the housing market?

Do you know who, or what, to believe and trust?

Well, you are not alone.  We know there are many current residents, and future residents, of Ocean County, who don’t know what to believe.

But, we can’t supply the answers until we know the questions…

Well, here’s your chance to tell us what, or which, question about real estate in Ocean County, NJ, you most want answered.

Relax, it’s just ONE question!

Click here to take survey

Your answers will help us post more relevant content and, perhaps, help you, or someone else, understand how real estate really works in Ocean County.

Thank you for taking the time to answer this ONE question.  Your feedback and assistance is greatly appreciated!

Here’s the link to that ONE question survey ONE more time:

Click here to take survey

We promise to share the results of this survey with everyone who reads our blog and then some.  Your contribution will help help both home-buyers and home-sellers in Ocean County, NJ!

Now, I am not here to tell you that home “prices” have not dropped significantly over last 6 years but I am willing to tell you that home “values” have not.

What am I talking about?

There is a BIG difference between “value” and “price”!

Watch this video about the TRUE VALUE of a home

Click here to view the embedded video.

Understand?

Yes, home prices in Ocean County may have returned to 2002-2003 levels but how much is a lifetime worth?

What is the “value” of raising your children, growing old with your spouse and/or growing up with your brothers and sisters?

Owning your home was never meant to be a financial profit.  It was, still is, and always should be an emotional profit.  One that is exclusively…yours!

Why do you live in Ocean County?

Is it because you grew up here?  Is it because you loved going to the beach as a kid and want your kids to experience that joy?  Is it because of the life-long friendships you made and the memories that you made along with them?

Or, is it because you were promised a “financial” return on your investment?

Home prices in Ocean County may never return to 2005-2006 levels and that would be just fine, as long as the “true value” of a home continues to grow with each and every family that owns one.

Courtesy of Wikimedia

We’re talking a different kind of “March Madness”; real estate, not college hoops.  Is the Ocean County real estate market poised for a rebound?

According to last week’s featured article in Barron’s, Home Prices Ready to Rebound, we may have finally hit bottom!

What does that mean for Ocean County?

The ONLY way is up.

Recent economic data and, after a prolonged absence, recent media and news articles suggest we actually “hit bottom” sooner than later this year.

Now, hold your horses, Home-Sellers in Ocean County

Before you go ringing in 2005 again, read the ENTIRE article!

The housing market still has a long way to go (up).  Home prices are still predicted to fall this year (2012) and hit bottom before a “gradual” increase beginning in the Spring of 2013…provided the dreaded “Shadow Inventory” doesn’t further delay the “rebound”.

Yo, Fence-Sitting Home-Buyers!

If you don’t get off your a$$ soon, the ONLY thing you may have to show for “waiting” is a spindle dent in your derrieres.

The stock market is “rebounding”.  Consumer confidence is “rebounding”.  And, yes, Mortgage Interest Rates are “rebounding”.

You know what they say about waiting too long; you snooze, you lose!

I know, I know, I have skin in the game as a REALTOR

So, here are a couple of articles from “reputable” sources backing my play:

• FORTUNE - The One Number to Watch for a Housing Recovery
• WALL STREET JOURNAL – Elusive Bottom for Home Prices Near, Forecast Says

Still not ready to consider the possibility?

Keep waiting!

Time is the great equalizer.  The only true way to know when we have “hit bottom” here in Ocean County, is by looking back down after it has passed you by.

Open House Tour in Whiting!

There will be at least 13 houses held OPEN in Whiting this Sunday, March 18th.

The “Luck O’the Irish” will hang around for another day as Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty will be joining their peers in hosting Open Houses, in Whiting, from 1 to 4pm!

These Open Houses will contain a variety of homes; Single Family and Adult Community, Fee Simple and Co-Op.  There should be something for everyone interested in Whiting.

But, don’t worry…

If you don’t find it Sunday, we will help you find the home of your dreams any day of the week.

Here are the Lucky 13 Open Houses in Whiting!

If you are looking for Open Houses in all of Manchester, just CLICK HERE!

If you are looking for Open Houses anywhere in Northern Ocean County, please visit our Open House Page Here!

Otherwise, we will see you Sunday, in Whiting, between 1 and 4pm…

Slainte!

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, there were 3 rules when it came to celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day in Ocean County:

1. Everyone is Irish on Saint Patrick’s Day!
2. The Irish do NOT drink “green” beer!
3. The “luck” of the Irish is having a designated driver!

Well, alot of things have changed over the years in Ocean County; the “Jersey Shore” is now an MTV parody, MTV doesn’t play music videos and Saint Patrick’s Day is the watered-down version of its former self.

So, in the interest of change, it is my pleasure to present to you..

The New Rules for Saint Patrick’s Day in Ocean County:

1. NOT everyone is Irish; accept it and move on!
2. Corned beef and cabbage is GOOD for you!
3. The LUCK of the Irish is buying a home in Ocean County at these prices and these mortgage rates!

Really?

This is a real estate website!  Exactly what were you expecting?

Seriously, from your friends at Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty, an Irish Toast:

Saint Patrick was a gentleman,
Who through strategy and stealth,
Drove all the snakes from Ireland,
Here’s a toasting to his health.
But not too many toastings
Lest you lose yourself and then
Forget the good Saint Patrick
And see all those snakes again.

‘Beannachtam na Feile Padraig!’