Thinking of taking the step to invest in Long Beach Island? We can help!

Here are some helpful tips:

Establish some investment parameters.

If you are looking for an income producing property:

• Note that ocean side homes work much better than bayside homes.
• Establish what level of investment you want to make, recognizing that most lending establishments require at least 20% down for second homes, and that the interest rate may be a little higher that advertised rates on second homes.
• More bedrooms will produce greater rental returns.  A five bedroom home will far out produce a three bedroom home on the rental market.
• Some of the best values are "fixer-uppers".  If you paint and do basic carpentry, you can add value easily to many beach homes
• The value is ALWAYS in the land... Pay close attention to lot size.
• Get SOUND rental advise, and ask to see rental comparatives... Many Island Realtors do not do rentals as well as sales, and are not well versed in real rental value. (at LBIdirect.NET, we are experts at both!)
• Take your time!  There will always be more properties coming up for sale, and recognize the value of your money.

If you are looking strictly for a vacation home:

Most of the advice above applies, but remember that buying a second home is always a set of trade-offs.  It is likely that you will never find the perfect home, or one exactly like your primary residence.

Again, the value is in the land, so pay attention to location...how close to  the ocean and lot size.

Make sure you get a great home inspector for your home purchase.  Remember that this is a second home, and will sit vacant for some time.  Ask about how to winterize the property, and get helpful tips on how to maintain your home.

About The Geography -

There is a lot of conversation about the differences between the “North End” of LBI and “the “South End.”  For those coming to the Island for the first time, the differences are apparent.

If you make a left (head north) on the Island, you first enter Surf City.  This is the one concentrated patch of commercial activity on the North End, which runs about eight miles in length.  After you pass Surf City, you head into a strictly residential area called North Beach.  The homes of North Beach are mostly located on large lots, about twice the size of the lots found in Surf City.  This area is part of Long Beach Township, while Surf City is self governing.  Most of the beaches found in North Beach have private entry ways, and the public is not allowed to enter the beach areas from these private streets, however, the beach front is totally public. 

After passing through North Beach, you enter another self governing part of the Island, Harvey Cedars.  This borough has some commercial activity to the north part of it, mostly realtors.  The lot size is more similar to Surf City, and there is a mix of private lanes to the beach and public streets.  The Bible College is located in Harvey Cedars, as well as Sunset Park, where there is a ton of activity during the summer months; concerts, races, events etc.

Once you head through Harvey Cedars, you are back in Long Beach Township’s area called Loveladies.  This, like North Beach, is entirely residential, but has many lagoons built in to the bay.  The homes in Loveladies are the most expensive on LBI, and new homes tend to be 3,000sq.’ to 4000sq.’.  Many refer to Loveladies as the “Hamptons” of New Jersey.  Again, like North Beach, most of the access to the beach is private.

After passing through Loveladies, you once again encounter a self governing area called Barnegat Light.  Here the homes are on slightly larger lots than in Surf City, and all beach access is public.  North of 20^th st. the sand dunes are massive, and if you are heading to the beach, be prepared for some real exercise.  At the north end of Barnegat Light is the Lighthouse State Park.  There are beautiful gardens and shore-scapes to explore.

 If you make a right hand turn (head south) coming on to LBI, you encounter Ship Bottom.  Ship Bottom has some of the smallest lots found on LBI and is a commercial and residential area.  There are some great restaurants and amusements in Ship Bottom, and this is where people come if they are visiting just for one day.  Homes rent very well in Ship Bottom, and the beaches, while busy, are typically quite large.  Ship Bottom is also self governing.

Heading south from Ship Bottom, you encounter a large expanse of mostly residential area covering Brant Beach through North Beach Haven.  This area is part of Long Beach Township.  This area has mixed sized lots, but most average 50x100, or about half the size found in North Beach and Loveladies.  Homes also rent quite well in this area, as families can head north to Ship Bottom, or south to Beach Haven for activities.  Sprinkled in this area are some great restaurants, miniature golf, and shopping.  Some areas in this expanse are quite narrow, while other areas span four-five blocks.

Next, heading south, is Beach Haven. This is also a self governing area, and home to the greatest concentration of activity on LBI.  Families love to vacation here, as there is an amusement area geared to smaller kids, and two large shopping districts.  This is also where LBI started.  Prior to the causeway bridge, there was only railroad access to LBI, which terminated in Beach Haven.  The railway traveled from  You can find homes built in the late 1800’s in Beach Haven, and there is a “Historic District” within the borough so that the Victorian character of the area will be preserved. 

Below Beach Haven is the last residential area on the Island, called Holgate.  Lot size is similar to Beach Haven, and the area is almost exclusively residential.  At the very south of Holgate is the Forsythe Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a beautiful expanse of land to walk on.   This is an area for migrating birds and butterflies to rest.