Sea Isle City Featured Property for Sale

Landis Co. Featured Property For Sale 382 43rd Place, Sea Isle City, NJ MLS #138019

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Property Description: Recently renovated and furnished. Relax at the water and within walking distance to everything. If you cannot use all the time property has great rental history. Rented for 2013 season for $15,000. 

http://www.landisco.com/real-estate-sales/listing/382-43rd-place-sea-isle-city-nj-138019.html

Address: 382 43rd Place, Sea Isle City, NJ

MLS #: 138019 

Asking Price: $369,000  

Taxes: 2500  

Bedrooms: 3 

Full Baths: 1 

Listing Agent: John Fee (609)263-3400

Sea Isle City Vacation Rental Headquarters New Website

Check out The Landis Co., Realtors new website.

www.LandisCo.com

We are glad to announce our newest rental website service, The Beach Bag. Add your favorite rental properties to the beach bag (shopping cart) so you can review and compare properties, as well as send them to friends and family.

Search 100's of Sea Isle City Vacation Properties Here

For personal service you can chat with a Landis Co. agent right from the website or call seven days a week during business hours. Monday through Friday our office will be open until 7pm.

Call us today (609) 263-3400 or email at info@LandisCo.com for more information about Sea Isle City rentals or Jersey Shore real estate.

www.LandisCo.com

Sea Isle City Summer Renters FAQ's

Top 10 Questions Sea Isle City Renters Ask 

Search 100's of Sea Isle Vacation Rentals

Renters call with many questions about Sea Isle City and the properties they are interested in. From amenities to location, many of the questions will help them with decisions on what property to rent and what to bring along for their vacation.

One question that many renters ask is the location of their property in comparison to the streets that have lifeguards. This is a very important question for those who have children and do not want to find themselves far from lifeguards once they reach the beach access. Most beaches have lifeguards every three to four blocks, which makes the walk a maximum of two blocks either way. Just remember, the lowest and highest street numbers do not have lifeguards on duty. Check with your agent for the closest lifeguard location.

Over the past few years, more and more renters want to know if the property they are vacationing at offers wireless Internet service. Even though this service does not have to be free to the renters, they want to be able to access the Internet. A small percentage of owners have the wireless Internet service available at no charge to tenants. Some areas in Sea Isle have hot spots where access is available. At many agencies, customers have the option of coming into the office to check their E-mails and have access to the Internet.

Renters want to know what small appliances, cooking utensils; dishes, etc. are available in the unit they are renting. This question is next to impossible to answer for several reasons. If we tell a renter that the property has a blender, and the blender breaks before the renters arrive, our customer is now upset with us. The owner refuses to come down and replace the blender, and there is an unsatisfied customer. I tell the owners to make sure there are more than enough dishes, glasses, and utensils than the occupancy notes. This allows for breakage, and lost or stolen items. Every owner stocks their units in different ways. I tell my tenants that if they are planning on cooking anything but basic meals while down at the shore, they should bring the proper cooking equipment.

Every renter hopes that there are beach tags available for their use while staying in Sea Isle. Our agency does not list whether or not there are tags available. The reason for this is that the owner may leave several tags at the beginning of the season, but through the course of the season, some or all the tags go home with the renters on bathing suits or towels. If our tenant arrives at a property that they were told tags are supplied, and they are not there, it now becomes our problem to find them tags to use for the week. If we call the owners, the normal response is that they left tags and they are not replacing them. This to can make for unhappy tenants, so we therefore tell our tenants not to expect tags, but if they are there, it is a bonus.

Bedding is a common question tenants want to know about. Even though our site list the number of bedrooms, and what kind of beds are in each, many tenants want to know the location of each room with what beds. This is common for tenants who have young children and want to confirm the bedroom with the bunk or twin beds are next to the master bedroom. Although we list the beds on the amenities, we cannot guarantee this to be 100 percent accurate because the owner can change this at any time.

Renters want to know the parking situation at the potential property they will be living for a week. They may be having visitors, or members staying may be coming from different locations and there may be more than one or two cars. Most two-bedroom condominiums offer only one or a maximum of two parking spaces, which are designated. Larger townhouses or condo’s, especially the newer construction offer three, four, five or some even six parking spaces including the garage. Parking is Sea Isle City is a premium, and the mores spaces that are available per unit, the better.

Often, tenants want to know if the other side of the townhouse or condo is occupied by a group rental, or an owner. This question has a motive depending on who is asking the question. Obviously, a group rental would like to see another group rental near them so they can enjoy the summer on the same level. A family with small children would like the owner or another family staying next to them. No one can answer this question unless the property only rents for the season, at which time it is safe to tell them it is a group rental, (unless the owners specifically only rent to families, which is not likely).

Cleanliness is extremely important to many tenants. This could be the highest priority of many renters. Although almost 85% of all rental properties are cleaned by a cleaning service, some properties seem cleaner than others. The degree of the cleanliness depends on the owners. Some owners have their carpets and upholstery professionally cleaned each season, (and they should), while others allow their property to go several years before this is addressed. Each unit should have a thorough cleaning before the season starts along with a cleaning and inspection after each turn over. Some hire professionals, while other owners will come down and inspect and clean the property themselves. Owners cleaning themselves sometimes do a better job than the paid cleaners. I do not agree with the owners who depend on the tenants to leave the property as they found it. This may work for a week or two, but as the season progresses, the property gets dirtier and dirtier because the tenants realize it was not that clean when they arrived.

A question that is often asked and can sometimes work and sometimes not is if the owner will negotiate the price on the property.The answer to the question is: It depends on the owner and how far into the season we are. If it is three days before the rental period, there is a good chance the owner will negotiate as long as they don’t plan on using the property that week for either themselves or their family or friends. The only way to get an answer to the question is to call the owner. Many agents do not want to be bothered with this game of negotiating, but as long as the offer is within reason, I will call the owner and ask. The worse they can do is say no. I think by doing so, I’m working the best I can for the renter, the owner, and the agency.

Along the same line as above, a question many tenants ask is whether it is better to book their property early in the season, or to wait until the last minute to see if there are any good deals. I always encourage booking early because you have the best properties available for the best value. Everyone wants the perfect property for the perfect price, and those who book early get the best deals and guarantee themselves a property that they chose because it has what they want, and at a price that is fair. For those who wait until the last minute, they may or may not find something they want, and the property was obviously overpriced compared to the others or it would have already been booked. So you may save a few hundred dollars, if you can find something you want, but it should have been priced lower in the first place. Don’t get me wrong, some tenants get lucky and find a good property and the owner will lower the price to where it is a great deal. But the odds are that you will spend a lot of time and effort to either not be able to find something you are satisfied with, or you find a property that should have been priced lower than what you end up paying.

Questions are always being asked by renters and there is never any answer that fits every situation. A good agent is willing to get an answer to the customer’s satisfaction.

If you have any questions about your Sea Isle City vacation, please don't hesitate to ask by contacting me at 609-263-3400 or jws@Landisco.com

www.LandisCo.com or www.SeaIsleCityRealEstate.com 

Sea Isle City Real Estate: Finding the Right Fit

Resort Real Estate: Finding the Right Fit

Evaluate your lifestyle and needs before buying in a resort community

By Iyna Bort Caruso, FrontDoor.com

These days, resort developers are courting prospective buyers with services and amenities that rival five-star resorts: championship golf courses, world-class skiing facilities, luxury boutiques, even private airstrips. The options are dizzying.

As alluring as resort living can be, purchasing real estate in a resort development should be more than just love at first sight. It should be the right fit for your lifestyle -- what you can afford, certainly, but also what the resort affords you.

The first question to ask yourself is:
What's your primary reason for buying a resort community property?

·                     If it's for your primary residence, make sure it satisfies your needs and wants as a full-time home, rather than a place to play for a few weeks. Ask the locals about what it's like to live there and research crime rates and local amenities. If you have kids, check out the schools. Are you looking for social opportunities? Appreciation potential? That 24/7 vacation sensibility?

·                     If you're looking for an investment opportunity with rental income potential, check the bylaws to make sure rentals are permitted and, if so, how the process works. Some resorts may require additional insurance or homeowners association approval. Better still if the resort has an on-site property management office that can handle the rental process for you.

·                     If a weekend retreat is what you're after, consider how much time you're comfortable spending on the road to your destination. Barry Dougherty bought a two-bedroom vacation home in Newtown, Conn., less than 90 minutes from his Manhattan apartment. He says he loves that his "head-clearing weekend in the country never starts out with a frustratingly long commute."

·                     If you're scouting a vacation home you're hoping will transition into a retirement home some day, make sure its accessibility and layout will allow you to age in place

Once you isolate the dominant reason for your home purchase, these tips will help you hone in on the right one:

·                     Choose a community that fits your lifestyle. There are resort communities designed for any lifestyle, including high-end luxury, waterfront, age 55 and older, active/fitness or golf. These neighborhoods offer access to amenities and activities that cater to specific interests.

·                     Seek financial advice. A financial planner can help you determine how much home you can afford. The cost of a vacation home goes beyond selling price. You'll need to factor in taxes, utilities, homeowners association fees, club membership fees, not to mention transportation expenses to get you there.

·                     Create a must-have list. Some people want to be in the heart of the action and close to cultural activities. Others would rather be in the middle of the great outdoors. Jot down a wish list and make sure there's something on it for friends, family and members of your visiting circle.

·                     Take your time. The biggest mistake people make is "jumping in too quickly," says Craig Venezia, author of Buying a Second Home: Income, Getaway or Retirement (NOLO 2007). "They spend a week on vacation and say, 'I love it. I want to buy here.'" Take off your vacation blinders. Make several trips, rent over a period of time and venture off into the outlying areas. "Don't feel pressured to buy," Venezia advises. "You've got the luxury of time."

·                     Single family versus condo. Identify the type of home that fits your needs. Both condominiums and town homes offer turn-key living. No lawn mowing, no repair worries, no exterior maintenance. But if you're planning to use your home for entertaining friends and family, the roominess and privacy of a freestanding house might be a smarter choice.

·                     Do your due diligence. Since real estate is one of the biggest investments you'll ever make, do your homework. Look into the developer's history to see what other properties the company has built. What's the track record? How long has the developer been in business? Strike up some informal chats with other resort owners to find out what insiders really think.

·                     Side-by-side comparisons. When you've narrowed down your resort contenders, run a side-by-side comparison. Compare square footage, amenities, fees and travel distances. Aesthetics count, too, of course. Take some shots with a digital camera so that candidates are fresh in your mind.

·                     Think long term. No one has a crystal ball so it's safer to make a purchase decision based on lifestyle and personal benefits than the prospect of a quick turnover. "Take a buy-and-hold strategy," Venezia says. "Look at resort properties that are going to show you the promise of appreciation."

Contact one of our real estate agents for more information about Sea Isle City property. Find us on the web at www.SeaIsleCityRealEstate.com or www.LandisCo.com !! 

Commercial Property for Sale 2603-09 Route #9, Ocean View, NJ - #149232

Landis Co., Realtors - Jersey Shore Real Estate Search

PRIME TIME COMMERICIAL LOCATION! High visibility location with traffic light at corner. This is a 7.5 acre parcel located on the corner of Route #9 and Ocean View-Woodbine Road. Property is subdivided into 5 separate lots. Purchase individually or combine. Also see MLS #149231 AND #149233. ALL LOTS LOCATED IN HISTORIC COMMERCIAL ZONE WHICH ALLOWS FOR A VARIETY OF COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL USES. OWNERS ARE ANXIOUS AND WILL CONSIDER ALL OFFERS. 

For more information contact The Landis Co., Realtors, info@LandisCo.com or ask for Jim Sofroney 609-263-3400

www.Landisco.com

Sea Isle City Summer Rental Info ~ LandisCo.com

Sea Isle City Vacation Rental Information LandisCo.com

The following information is provided for our summer vacationers in Sea Isle City. The details we provide generally pertain to the rental of apartments, condos and homes. For information on hotels, motels, or B&B's, click on accommodations.

Search 100's of Sea Isle City Rentals Here

Rate Information
Rates are determined by three criteria: (1) Distance from the beach or Bay, (2) time selected - July & August peak season or June & September off season, (3) size, type and quality of the rental unit. Many of our rental units are now assigned a rating to assist you in the selection process.
Deposits, Leases, etc.
Typically, summer rentals are for a period of one week or longer. A written lease is required and a one-third deposit is given when the tenant signs the lease. In addition, most property owners require a security deposit of $500 and most agents charge a lease processing fee of $45. In the event you must cancel your rental, your deposit is held until the unit has been re-rented and is typically subject to a cancellation fee of 10% after 72 hours. Credit cards are accepted for carry over and initial deposits.
What's Included
Rental units are usually complete with the exception of linens and towels. A daily maid service and/or departure cleaning is not included in the rental, but is available as an option for a reasonable charge. Properties are expected to be left reasonably clean at the end of your stay, with reasonable wear and tear excepted. A "clean-up" list is included in your check-in packet. Pets are usually not allowed. Check our "Pet Friendly" rental section for units that allow pets with a minor additional charge.
Beach Tags
Beach tags are required for all persons over the age of 12 and are not normally included in your rental. The cost of beach tags is $20 for a seasonal tag ($25 after May 15), $10 for a weekly tag, and $5 for a daily tag. Beach tags are not required on Wednesdays. Tags can be purchased on the beach from an inspector or at the beach tag office at JFK Blvd. and Park Blvd.
Parking and Transportation
Parking is at a premium. The City has public parking lots located at 48th St and Park Road, JFK and Landis Ave. and on 42nd Street at the Bay. Access to downtown is now available by a public jitney system that operates from June until Labor Day from 2:00pm until 10:00pm with a late nite service on weekends from 10:00pm until 3:00am.

Miscellaneous
Appliance and air conditioning breakdowns sometimes occur. Under normal conditions, repairs are made within 24 hours. Refunds are not given for breakdowns. It is important to specify the exact number of persons you need to accommodate when making your reservation. The maximum number of persons is listed on your lease and filed with the City. Do not rent a property if you expect to exceed the allowed number of occupants. Check-in time is 1:00pm on Saturday and check-out time is 10:00am. A clean-up list is included in your check in packet. Be sure to return the keys to the agent's office so that you are not charged for a new set. The unit should be clean when you take occupancy. If it is not, advise the agent immediately. Please clean up the unit prior to departure.
Accidental Damage Waiver
All Landis Co leases include a non-refundable $45.00 fee for an Accidental Damage Waiver (ADW). This waiver protects the tenant from the expense of unintentional and accidental damages tenants and/or their guests may cause to the rental property during the term of the lease. The ADW eliminates the large up front payment of a property Security Deposit. All covered and non-covered damages must be disclosed and reported to the rental agent within 24 Hours of the occurrence and prior to check out. Upon receipt of notification of damages, the Agent will immediately order an inspection and verification of the damages including an estimated cost of repair/replacement. The ADW fund will pay maximum damage protection of up to $1,500. The tenant will be responsible for any damages that exceed this amount as well as damages that are listed as excluded from coverage. If during the term of the lease, a tenant or guest causes any damage to the leased real or personal property as a result of inadvertent acts or omissions, the ADW fund will reimburse the property owner the cost of repair or replacement of such property up to a maximum damage amount of $1,500. Certain terms, conditions and exclusions apply.

ADW WILL NOT COVER THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
• Group Seasonal Rentals are specifically excluded from this program
• Damages considered to be normal wear and tear
• Cleaning or excessive cleaning (Tenant is responsible to clean up before leaving)
• Beach Tags
• Trash removal and/or violations of the City Trash Ordinance are not covered if the owner does not provide a required number of lids and cans.
• Acts of God
• Loss or damage to tenant's property or rental equipment brought on the premises
• Pet damage in pet friendly units covered up to $250
• Violations to the owner of any City Ordinance or Citation caused by the tenant covered up to $100

Additional details of the ADW can be found in the Landis Co handout. By submitting payment for this plan and accepting the terms and conditions of the lease, the tenant authorizes the Landis Co Realtors through the ADW Fund to disburse any amount due and payable under the terms and conditions as set forth in the program. The tenant must notify the Landis Co of their non-participation in the program PRIOR to signing a lease. Upon waiving ADW Fund participation, the tenant will be required to pay a refundable security deposit in the amount of $500. Please refer to the Security Deposit clause in the lease agreement for more information.

For more information about Sea Isle City Vacation Summer Rentals contact The Landis Company at info@LandisCo.com or (609) 263-3400. Find us on the internet at www.LandisCo.com

Sea Isle City Mayor's message - FEMA Flood Elevation Info

MAYOR’S MESSAGE: 
The recently issued FEMA Advisory Maps have become a cause for concern among property owners at the Jersey shore.  Be assured that we are working hard to obtain the facts so we can keep Sea Isle’s homeowners accurately informed.  Toward that end, I will soon be travelling to Trenton with other Cape May County mayors to meet with the Governor’s cabinet and FEMA representatives to discuss our concerns and gain substantive information that I will pass on to you.  We are grateful for the efforts of Senator Jeff Van Drew in facilitating this important meeting.  Please use the links in the “FEMA Flood Elevation” section below to learn more about this issue.

Through the cooperative effort of the City, the Tourism Commission, and the Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization, we’ve embarked on an exciting campaign to expand our marketing area.  A picture of a billboard that was rented by the Tourism Commission near Lincoln Tunnel is found below in “Recent Photos.”  Tools like this will get the message to our North Jersey and New York neighbors that our gem of an island to their south is open for business and ready to offer visitors the vacation of a lifetime.  Please note that the expense for the billboard was funded entirely by the Tourism Commission with no taxpayer dollars spent.

The largest ribbon-cutting ever held in New Jersey will take place on Friday, February 15, on the promenade.  The ribbon will stretch the entire length of the promenade and the cutting will officially launch Polar Bear Plunge Weekend and Sea Isle City’s 2013 visitor season.

Saturday, February 16, is Sea Isle’s much-anticipated Polar Bear Plunge.  We expect this year to be the best ever with several brand new additions to the festivities.  Safety, of course, always comes first and, in the interest of your safety, we ask that plungers only enter the water in the designated plunge area.  Also, in the interest of your safety, you are reminded that the promenade is closed north of 32nd Street.  The last three blocks of the promenade are blocked off to secure that area for repairs necessary due to damage caused by super storm Sandy.  Contractors are being lined up and repairs will begin shortly after Presidents’ Day Weekend.  Rest assured that the north end of the promenade will be safe for your strolling pleasure well before the 2013 summer season.

Sunday, Day Three of Polar Bear Plunge Weekend, is highlighted by the Annual Run/Walk for Autism.  Please support this important event, knowing that all proceeds go to Autism research.

Smile…You’re in Sea Isle!

Leonard C. Desiderio, Mayor of Sea Isle City 

FEMA FLOOD ELEVATIONS: 

There is a lot of information – and misinformation – circulating around town concerning upcoming changes to the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM).  Sea Isle City’s Administration and City Council are working in close consultation with State and Federal agencies to clarify and bring the most up to date information available to our property owners and residents.  City officials will continue to bring you the latest and most accurate information regarding this very important subject as it becomes available.  

For a list of “Frequently Asked Questions” and a link to the Governor’s Rule, please read the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s February 5 press release by clicking HERE.  For additional information and copies of the new advisory base flood elevation (ABFE) maps, please visit www.region2coastal.com/sandy.

Sea Isle City Weekend Rental Information

Sea Isle City Weekend Rentals 

The Landis Co., Realtors

Search 100's of Sea Isle City Vacation Rentals Here

You can do a Rental Search for weekend rentals or Contact the office for assistance. There is a two (2) night minimum and a minimum rent amount of $250.00+ per night plus damage deposit plus booking fee.

Call us at (609) 263-3400, or email us at info@LandisCo.com.

Properties vary so please specify:
- The dates you want to rent along with check in time and check out time
- Number of bedrooms you need
- Location (beach front, beach block, middle of island, bay front...)
- Also indicate the number of adults and children the rental is for
- And anything else pertinent to the rental

http://www.landisco.com/2013/weekend-rentals.php

Good morning from Sea Isle City, NJ

Brought to you by The Landis Co., Realtors, Sea Isle City #1 Vacation Rental Headquarters !

 www.LandisCo.com

Realtors Lawrence Yun Talks Housing, Jobs, Elections

Great real estate information brought to you by The Landis Co., Realtors. For more information about Sea Isle City or Cape May County real estate contact us at info@LandisCo.com or (609) 263-3400. www.LandisCo.com

Find a Sea Isle City vacation rental here.

Are you ready? Find a Sea Isle City vacation rental here. 

www.LandisCo.com

Sea Isle City Sunrise at It's Best ! Perfect !

One of the best things about living and visiting Sea Isle City is be close to nature. I'm no expert on nature but I know how it makes me feel. There is something about the water, sky, sun that is magical. It never seems to be the same colors or cloud formations, but I always have this feeling of freedom and grace from knowing we are all looking at the same thing from where ever we are.

Living for most of my life near the ocean has been amazing in the sense that I never get tired of it even in the shortest days of the winter. If you want to find out more about the Jersey Shore lifestyle check us out online at www.LandisCo.com and I'm sure you will find an agent at The Landis Co., Realtors that can help you discover what you would want and need in a vacation home. If it's for one week or a lifetime, I'm sure you will find a home either in Sea Isle City or the surrounding area. IML

Sea Isle City Family of Real Estate, The Sofroney Family

The Landis Co. History

The Sofroney Family History - Five Generations of Sea Isle City Real Estate Professionals 

Maurice M. Sofroney was born in Philadelphia in 1893, one of 8 children of Eastern European immigrants. Maurice was educated in public schools and in his early years worked with the Reading Railroad as a telegrapher until 1913 when he relocated in Sea Isle City working as a food distributer and proprietor of the Central House Hotel at Garrison Avenue (39th St) and Landis Avenue. For the next five years he dabbled in Real Estate until he purchased the Louis Steinmeyer Real Estate & Insurance business located at West Jersey Avenue and Landis Avenue, renaming it M.M.Sofroney Real Estate & Insurance and increased the prestige of this business until it became one of the most well known of its type in the area. 

In 1913 Maurice married Charlotte M. Ledig, born in Philadelphia in 1895 and whose parents, Frederick D. Ledig and Cora (Roberts) Ledig owned and operated the Central House Hotel during the summer seasons beginning in the early 1890s until their passing and the transfer of the property to their daughter and her husband. Maurice and Charlotte had three children, Fred D. born in 1915; Charles W. born in 1916 and Maurice M. Jr. born in 1918. During these years, Maurice began his political career having been appointed City Tax Collector and Treasurer and serving as City Commissioner and thereafter Mayor for two terms in office. 

In the mid 1920s, Maurice moved from the area and the Sofroney Real Estate business was assumed by his wife, Charlotte who relocated the business to its present location at 4201 Landis Avenue. Charlotte continued the business thru the late 1950s during which time she worked as Real Estate Broker, Insurance Broker-Agent and well as acting as director of the NJ Motor Vehicle Agency for Cape May County which was located in her real estate office at 4201 Landis Avenue. Charlotte semi-retired from business in the late 1950s and the Sofroney Real Estate business was assumed by her oldest son, Fred D. Sofroney. 

Fred was an active FHA Real Estate Appraiser as well as a real estate broker and insurance broker-agent for several large property and casualty insurance companies. Fred was active in the family business until his sudden passing in 1968 when Charlotte was called upon to reassume her duties as real estate broker and insurance agent. Fred's nephew James was working with Fred at this time and shortly thereafter the business was assumed by Fred's brother Maurice Jr. and Maurice's son James. Maurice and his mother Charlotte fully retired shortly thereafter, with Charlotte completing nearly a half-century of business and community service. The Sofroney Real Estate and Insurance business was fully assumed by Maurice's son James, a real estate broker, insurance broker, and real estate appraiser. 

In 1987 James sold the Sofroney Real Estate Agency, electing to stay in the area and open Metro Appraisal Services, a regional appraisal company which he ran until 2008 when this company was turned over to his son, James Jr. Beginning in 1994 through the present, James built, opened and currently operates The Landis Co. Real Estate at 60th Street and Landis Avenue, the largest real estate rental office in the area. Presently, James Jr. has joined his father in the operation of Landis Co., and has located his company, Metro Appraisal Services in the 2nd floor of the 60th Street office. 

The Sofroney family has had 4 generations of real estate professionals operating in this area for nearly 100 years and a 5th generation is not far behind. With eight grandchildren now in school and showing business aspirations, it will be interesting to see which of this next generation will assume the helm of the oldest family business in the area. 

For more information about Sea Isle City real estate contact The Landis Co., Realtors. www.LandisCo.com , (609) 263-3400 or info@LandisCo.com .

Sea Isle property owners to save on flood insurance

By LEE PROCIDA, Staff Writer Press of Atlantic City

Sea Isle City residents will be able to save 20 percent on their flood insurance starting this fall because of the community’s acceptance into a national flood mitigation program.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Community Rating System is a voluntary incentive program that promotes better planning to prevent flooding and awards insurance discounts based on danger reduction efforts.

Sea Isle’s status in the program was rescinded in 1995, but Mayor Len Desiderio said Monday that the city, after nearly 20 years of working toward improving its flood rating, was able to enter the program this year as a Class 6 community, one of only 10 in the state, according to FEMA’s website.

“We’ve actually gone from one of the worst to one of the best in flood planning management,” he said.

Among the city’s actions were an ordinance banning the building of family rooms or spare bedrooms at ground level and a requirement that all homes built after 1993 be one foot higher than FEMA’s base flood elevation.

The city also hired a consultant on floodplain management two years ago.

Communities in the program are ranked from 1 to 9, with Class 1 communities the most prepared and Class 9 the least. There are 59 entities in the program inNew   Jersey, and none are ranked better than a 6, according to the latest information from FEMA.

In The Press ofAtlantic City’s coverage area, Sea Isle City joins Avalon, Brigantine,Long BeachTownship, Longport and Stafford Township as the only communities where residents can get a 20 percent discount on their insurance.

A total of 20 towns along the ocean and bays in the area are in the program, with discounts that range from 5 percent, such as in Atlantic City and Greenwich Township, to 10 percent, 15 percent and 20 percent.

Desiderio said the city’s homeowners will collectively realize about $800,000 in savings by participating in the program, which is made possible through a number of new plans and ordinances implemented over the past 20 years, such as outlawing ground-floor storage rooms and requiring flood vents in homes.

“We have made great strides,” Desiderio said. “We’ve worked very hard to achieve this.”

Eleven Things You Should Know Before Buying a Waterfront Home:

Pre-qualifying for a home, understanding navigable water use laws, conducting a professional home inspection, verifying property lines and purchasing insurance; buying a home can be a complicated process. But add “waterfront” into the equation and things get a little more complex. The good news is, Realtors regularly deal with waterfront properties know the ins and outs of this process. The following tips will give you a heads-up on what to expect when purchasing a home by the water.

1. Find a real estate agent that specializes in waterfront properties. Since there are fewer waterfront properties for sale, most agents won’t have the specialized knowledge of appraising or investigating waterfront properties. In fact, it’s not unusual for a real estate agent to never have a single waterfront transaction in the entire career. Sometimes “you may think you’ve found a great deal” but the reason it’s a great deal could be restrictive use conditions or protected plants and animals etc. You might not be able to create that private beach you’ve been dreaming about.
2. Consider the property more than the house. “Oftentimes, people fall in love with a house, but after they buy it, they realize the swimming is mucky, the view’s not very good, it’s difficult to get down to the water, or the place is not very private,” says Ted Silberstein, a real estate agent and GIS analyst with Parsons Realty. Ted specializes in land use restrictions and is an advisor to all of the Parsons’ real estate agents. Long story short, you can change the house, but you can’t change the location, so buy a property that you really love after you’ve checked it out first.
3. Can anyone use the waterway in front of your home? The answer is YES. Therefore it’s important to know if the area you’re considering is the “local hangout” on the weekends or during the summer months. Agents specializing in waterfront properties will know this. Here’s an excerpt of the regulations regarding waterways. The public’s right to use California waterways is guaranteed by the United States and California Constitutions and affirmed by California Legislative Codes. Both Federal and California case law further define and affirm these rights. The United States Constitution says - Freedom of navigation and the public’s right to use rivers are guaranteed by the Commerce Clause. The congressional Act admitting States to the Union requires that “all the navigable waters within said State shall be common highways and forever free.” Therefore, when you barbecue, be sure to throw on another shrimp just in case you have company.
4. Choose a property that dovetails with your lifestyle. You may find a beautiful property for sale, but it’s a 30 minute drive to the closest boat launch. “If you’re passionate about fly fishing on the Sacramento River, that’s going to make a difference in how often you actually do it. Focus on the activities you’re passionate about and choose a property accordingly.
5. Look into loans early. Since many waterfront properties are more expensive than other properties, loans will often fall into the jumbo mortgage category, In addition, there may not be recent sales in the area to justify the “cost per square foot” since a good chunk of the purchase price is allocated to the unique location. Chris Lamm of Security 1 Lending says “lenders will therefore only consider very qualified buyers.” And, buyers ought to start the loan process before they start looking for a property because waterfront property loans can take a lot longer than a normal home loan,” Lamm says.
6. Carefully check out the structure and look for deferred maintenance. Waterfront homes receive more abuse from the elements than the average home, so extra measures should be taken to protect them.
7. Insurance can be costly and complicated. Look into this early to make sure you know what you’re getting into. For instance, Tim Beasley of AAA insurance of Redding, CA says waterfront homeowners may have to cover additional perils such as a flood insurance policy and liability policies with higher than normal limits.
8. Find out what you can do with the property. If you want to make any changes to your waterfront property, such as adding a dock, start this process early to ensure that these alterations will be possible. Government agencies are very strict to deal with, and you don’t want to commit to purchasing an expensive home without knowing these limitations. Also find out what kind of activities are allowed on the body of water, as some areas have restrictions on jet skis, speedboats and other watercraft.
9. Talk to neighbors. Get insider information from neighbors by asking if they enjoy living in the community, if they have any issues with the property you’re thinking about purchasing, or if there are any waterfront-related problems.
10. In rural areas look into utilities. Waterfront buyers who are accustomed to the convenience of suburban life may assume that electricity, clean water, an adequate septic system, cable and Internet will be readily available at their new property, but this is not always the case. Bringing these services in to remote areas can be very expensive.
11. Get to know your responsibilities as a waterfront homeowner. If you’re part of a homeowners association, find out what kind of upkeep and maintenance of the property will be required from you by reviewing the conditions, covenants and restrictions also known as CC&Rs.

For more information about Sea Isle City real estate check us out online at www.LandisCo.com . 

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• Excellent training program to insure a fast start
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Call: Jim Sofroney (609) 263-3400, jws@LandisCo.com , www.LandisCo.com