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	South Jersey Real Estate October 2002 by Dustin A. Peters DustinPeters@Realtor.com

Weekend "Get-A-Ways" at the Shore

When the leaves start to turn across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and the New England States... and the tourists and everyone else packs up and leaves the South Jersey Shore Points, you know that Labor Day has come and gone ... and the Fall Months have arrived.

But those in the know, and there are now many more learning this every year, realize that South Jersey is the place to be in September, October, and November. Gone are crowds with traffic jams and parking problems... soon even the parking meters disappear (always a cause for community celebration). The boardwalk traffic remains steady, but once again fairly light when compared with the summer days and nights. Boardwalk biking is no longer limited to certain times.

The weekends generally have "special themes" in many shore communities bringing many more people for these weekend activities. These Fall "shoulder months" represent additional income for the businesses that rely on the five or six months of shore activity. And, of course, it is also the "Fall Buying Period" which brings lots of interested buyers here most weekends through the end of November. It is important to remember that "the weekend get-away at the shore" is an activity that brings visitors here throughout the calendar year. The obvious summer activity keeps hotels and motels busy all of the time... and this can often extend into all of the other nine months as well. B&B's often stay open through the end of the calendar year only taking off a few months in mid-winter opening again in early April.

But some of the real bargains can be found in the same rental properties that summer tenants use because many owners also rent these properties for long weekends and holidays all year long. Indeed, one can generally rent a two, three, or four-bedroom property for two or more nights throughout the off-season. Properties will rent from $65-75 per night at the low point to $200-500 per night at the high point depending on location, amenities, and calendar dates. Often the Thanksgiving, New Year, and Spring holiday times are more extended... usually for four or more nights at a time.

Consider this: four couples rent a beachfront with all of the amenities for $400-500 per night... that's $100-125 per night per couple. In addition, you have the advantage of a full rental property, views, etc.

There is a lot to offer visitors throughout the year in most of the South Jersey shore communities... from the excitement of Atlantic City, to the many beaches (great for walking anytime of the year), to fishing in your favorite location, to great restaurants from Cape May in the south to Ocean City, Margate, and Atlantic City up the road. But most of all, it is the opportunity to get away from everything for a short period of time... read a good book, spend some quality time with family or friends, or check out the shore in the different seasons of the year.

Finally, one additional plus for visiting South Jersey in the off-season. If you happen to be a potential Buyer of shore property, the real strategy is to always be at the location when fewer people are there. Less conflict and competition becomes a part of your strategy.

Dustin A. Peters is an Agent with French Real Estate, Inc. (Ocean City, NJ), and he can be reached via email at www.DustinPeters.com or DustinPeters@Realtor.com