Blogfinger

Question and answers about OG real estate.  Paul Kaplan of the OGCA presides.

This group, formerly known as the Home (Groaners)  Owners Association,  invited two local realtors to field questions from the audience, and the result was a mishmash of related topics.  The lack of an organized program created an environment for  confusion.  Look at the hour’s list of topics below.

I watched on ZOOM and I have a few observations:

a.  In the discussion about what wonderful qualities exist in Ocean Grove  that attract home buyers,  they told us what we already know such as our Victorian architecture, but the list strangely failed to mention the obvious–ie the OG Camp Meeting Association.    

That came up near the end of the hour when the realtors had to explain why they ignored including  the CMA  and how they try to educate their clients about the CMA—totally dismissive of what the CMA actually does in our town, and why they are so important to our life styles here.   The best the realtors can do in this regard is to hand potential  buyers a copy of the CMA  summer guide; and no mention of nearly 1000 mostly religious events and programs each summer season in the Grove.  Nor did they mention the Great Auditorium, Tent Village, and the remarkable serious music program.

And when showing folks around the Grove, perhaps the realtor should tell them about the music they will hear around here:   This is Susan Boyle.

And this is some other music they might hear:

They proudly  mentioned.  “our great diversity“—really?   What diversity?       Finally the ladies  admitted that “It is a religious town.”  They were trying to avoid that topic.

The realtors discussed our  complicated real estate  market by bringing up the dollars needed to buy here, but they did not mention life styles and the tensions which exist between the sizable secular side and the CMA.  In discussing the CMA they ignored the ways that the CMA has changed and the failure to bring all groups together in the Grove.  These are topics that impact the market . Choosing realtors to speak is to invite people with self interest.

b.  Regarding life styles here, they said that “It’s fun to live here.”   Another brilliant comment today by the experts.   Blogfinger.net  has emphasized such  important lifestyle  interest topics. Where were these topics today?

This is an OG block party. Shouldn’t this life-style topic be mentioned.?  We do have people who live in the Grove.   Blogfinger photo

c. In discussing  the important issue as to  why more young families tend to buy elsewhere,  there was barely a mention of the bleak low scoring  Neptune schools. They dismissed the concerns about Neptune schools saying that young kids who live here can just go to private schools.  However they did not recall that when young families shop for a place to live, the first concern are schools and then home prices.  Plenty of young families could afford to buy in the Grove, but there are other reasons that they choose to go elsewhere.

d. Regarding the Historic Preservation “Committee” they made  the dumbest remark:  “The HPC keeps the town quaint and pretty.”   Historic preservation was glossed over.

e . Important topics left out or just barely mentioned in discussing real estate:   The North End Redevelopment Plan,  the “cash” cow matter regarding Neptune and its indifference to  the Grove, why our parks maintenance suck, the lack of OG representatives on the Township Comedy, Neptune indifference,  the lack of Township secular programming for those who live here, the failure of the Chamber of Commerce,  comprehensive  insurance availability, inappropriately high taxes, parking problems, history of the town, and the tourism stats and truth telling.  Also mostly ignored was our important relationship to our neighbor Asbury Park.

A handout was provided, and the OGCA promised to place it on their site

Do house shoppers wonder about our dog population?     It’s important, especially to those “young families..”      Blogfinger.net

Asbury Park Art. OG House shoppers want to be near A. Park. Really?  Paul Goldlfinger image.

f.  Topics emphasized:   Buyers remorse,  seller disclosures, land lease concerns by CMA lenders,  rising land lease costs, increasing short term rentals, fading neighborhoods due to renters, renter aspects such as air-bb, winter rentals,  homes increasingly bought for rentals and investment, 2 day rentals, demographics with an average of over 60, young families who can’t afford to buy here. (but many do buy elsewhere because they want to have great public schools,)  other kids,  and neighborhoods, not because of money.,)  irising house prices with 50% selling over asking prices, assessed values vs market values, home inspections problems, lenders who won’t finance in OG because of concern re; land leases,, low inventories now,  lower prices here compared  to nearby towns  and, should OG secede from Neptune?

It is apparent that the OGCA needs to improve on their presentations to the public.   Today: too much clutter and lack of focus.  The format failed and could not keep up with the mishmash of topics,  and even some of those who asked smart questions were at a loss as to how to frame  their concerns and digest the answers.

Good try, but do better next time.  These topics are important.

Paul Goldfinger,  Blogfinger.net. Ocean Grove,  NJ, USA.

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