Atlantic City

Atlantic City is a short trip from Monmouth County

Once a desolate area of sand, marshes and wilderness, the Atlantic City region is now one of New Jersey’s most vibrant and recognizable areas. The famed Atlantic City Boardwalk is one of the state’s most iconic images, stretching nearly 4 miles along the city’s waterfront. The boardwalk’s evolution from simple sand barrier to a hotspot of shopping, amusement parks and casinos helped bring Atlantic City from its sleepy beginnings to its current status as New Jersey’s premier resort city.
The 24-foot wide boardwalk is a great place to stroll and the best place to try Atlantic City’s world-famous specialty foods: saltwater taffy or fresh roasted peanuts. For those who enjoy shopping, the waterfront offers 60 colonial-era shops and specialty vendors. And perhaps nothing symbolizes Atlantic City more than the midway games and amusement rides that line much of the boardwalk.
Atlantic City also offers the complete casino gaming experience. With 12 casino resorts and countless clubs, bars and excellent restaurants, the city provides 24-hour entertainment. The only thing that can compare with a perfect Atlantic City day is an unforgettable Atlantic City night.

The First 100 Days

During the first quarter of 2009, the first 100 days of the new President's term, you are no doubt going to hear a lot of news stories about the economic stimulus plan and the financial rescue package and their possible ramifications to the real estate and mortgage markets. You're going to see headlines about new incentives for home buyers and hear stories about 4% interest rates.
But the truth is that right now, at the time of the writing of this article, the government already has in place one of the largest tax incentives for qualifying home buyers it has ever offered - up to an $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers, and mortgage rates are within a half a point of being the lowest they've been in our country's history.
The truth is that for those looking to buy or refinance a home in 2009, it may just be that this is your time!
Exceeding Your Expectations
Belita

The Jersey Shore Region

With the warm weather approaching, it's time to get out and see New Jersey.

Fishing villages, long boardwalks and quiet beach communities characterize the Shore region. The area is especially popular for surf, bay, and river fishing-all the way from Sandy Hook to Holgate at the tip of Long Beach Island.
Along the entire shoreline you can explore fishing villages and boardwalks filled with amusement rides and shops. The restaurants here are truly a seafood lover’s paradise, and many specialize in the “fresh catch of the day”. Other popular activities include shopping at the Englishtown Flea Market Auction or Jackson Outlet Village
Families can choose between Six Flags Great Adventure Theme Park, Wild Safari Animal Park, and Hurricane Harbor Water Park for a day of fun. Also within the region are three major motor sports tracks, a number of minor-league baseball parks and two thoroughbred racetracks. And many people love to spend their free time swimming, surfing, building sandcastles or just walking along the beautiful white sandy beaches. Dozens of campgrounds are located throughout the area, and Island Beach State Park includes one of the larges natural dune barrier beaches in the northeast.

Concert lovers can attend concerts at the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove. For even more entertainment one can catch bluegrass, country, and folk shows at Waretown's Albert Music Hall; national headliners at PNC Arts Center in Holmdel; jazz, blues, and rock at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Banks; musicals and drama at the Fine Arts Center in Tom’s River; and a variety of shows at the Strand Theatre in Lakewood. If you're into musicals, you can also visit the Beach Haven's Surflight Theatre in Lakewood.

What should Renters do Now?

Renters are advised to take action immediately and start saving part of their paycheck every month to help accumulate a down payment. They are also encouraged to borrow 10-20 percent less than what the bank is willing to lend; that way they're only buying as much home as they can afford.
The longer you rent, the longer it may take you to eventually get into homeownership. If the market conditions have scared you, perhaps you're not looking at the other side of the coin. Owning a home becomes part of your investment portfolio, provides tax benefits, allows you to build equity (it still exists), and, if you buy now, you may get an excellent deal.
According to a MarketWatch news article, buying a home now can provide some real negotiating power to request improvements, price reductions, help with closing costs, and more. "People can get a lot of what they need and almost all of what they want today," said Jay Papasan, one of the authors of "Your First Home".