Welcome, March!

Wishing you the luck of the Irish with your pot of gold at the end of the Rainbow.

“When we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present…we experience heaven on earth.”

The last few months in the real estate market have been challenging to say the least.

Interest rates keep rising and market conditions are uncertain.

However, things are leveling off and buyers are once again becoming confident in their purchasing power.

Inventory is still low

Some properties are still having bidding wars.

January and February had 269 sales, and as of March 11, there were 57 sales and 381 properties under contract.

This is a great time for buyers and sellers.

Buyers because sellers are willing to negotiate a little more than before.

And sellers because when their property is priced right, it is sold within weeks if not days.

There is so much going on in Cape May County!

B. G. Capital has 2 large projects going on in the Wildwoods.

They’re completing a 64-room hotel and pool at the corner of Pacific and Lincoln and completing townhouses at the site of the former St. Anne School and rectory.

Eustace Mita, ICONA resorts owner, is planning to bring a hotel proposal back to Cape May after Ocean City Mayor, Jay Gillian, stated he could not support a plan for a $150,000 million ocean-facing resort.

Upper Township had a raucous meeting regarding the redevelopment plan for the site of the former B. L. England generating station in Beesley’s Point.

In Wildwood Crest a new application for the Mahalo Hotel postponed its Planning Board Meeting until April. People were not happy. Many drove 2 hours or more to attend the meeting to let their opinions be heard. The attorney for the hotel asked for the continuance because he said the presentation would not be finished at the March meeting and needed to be presented in whole.

The Islands are opening up for the coming season!

Lots of new restaurants to try and the tried and true ones that have been there for years.

Some of our favorite restaurants are Duffinetti, Anglesea Pub, Dogtooth, Mud Hen, Poppi’s, Sapore, Nino’s, Mad Batter, Lucky Bones, Iccara Italiano Bistro (I just discovered this restaurant this year, and it is a gem!), Washington Inn, Lobster House, Beach Creek, Primal and so many more.

You could spend the entire summer going from restaurant to restaurant and still not try them all. Biking is still a favorite pastime, and the bike trail has been expanded. There’s nothing like whale and dolphin watching or taking a speed boat ride at sunset.

I’d love to hear from you about your favorite restaurant or activity or places to visit or a funny story about your experience at the Shore.

Send me an email or visit my website at joyce-jewell.com to add your comments.

Real Estate is my passion and I look forward to hearing from you!