| Author |
Message |
    
Lisa Ebert
Citizen
Username: Boomie
Post Number: 37
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 9:03 am: |     |
I know this is off topic, but you SO peeps seem very informative and I wanted to pick your brains a bit.
Forever, my husband and I have dreamed of a vacation home, somewhere at the NJ shore, close to the water. It seems we are effectively priced out of that market. Does anyone know of any places that are still somewhat in reality for shore homes? Also, we have started looking elsewhere, since I would like to have a vacation home while my kids are still in the house. So we have begun looking at cabins in upstate NY, Maine, etc and there are some nice little cabins from $150,000 up to $300,000 or so, with acreage, all from 3-8 hours away. Im wondering if we should switch gears and maybe go with one of these properties. We are looking for somewhere we can go 1-2 weekends per month to get away, but also have friends over, meet new people, etc.
What are your thoughts? |
Lisa Ebert
Citizen
Username: Boomie
Post Number: 42
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 3:13 pm: | |
Hmmm, I guess not. |
Nonymous Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 8436
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 3:19 pm: | |
Answers sometimes take more than a few hours to stream in.
Also, maybe you should be more specific. If you want a shore property, what price range is "in reality" in your view? How far are you willing to travel?
|
pseudonymous
Citizen
Username: Berry_festival
Post Number: 177
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 3:20 pm: | |
Lisa,
It's a small contribution but I would suggest you look at the closest property possible. While a wonderful secluded location may appeal when you go to look at it, driving a long distance every other weekend can become a real bummer.
Also, friends say they will drive 8 hours to visit but they are unlikely to really deliver on that promise. |
Nonymous Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 8437
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 3:21 pm: | |
Also, the question and answer section called "Please help" has lots of helpful folks.
|
Lisa Ebert
Citizen
Username: Boomie
Post Number: 44
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 4:39 pm: | |
Well thanks NR, for that *helpful* advice. I saw the "Please Help" board. I *did* put the price ranges I was looking at in other locations, but I guess you missed that. Regarding the time needed for a reply, my post was made more than 6 hours ago and I have noticed a trend that if no one responds by then, it will sink. Its a pretty active board.
Sincere thanks to Pseudo, I do appreciate those thoughts |
Nonymous Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 8438
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 4:45 pm: | |
Sorry I sounded nasty. I was actually trying to help. I'll try harder next time.
On second thought, I don't see what I said that ticked you off. Can you help me?
Tom Reingold
|
Lisa Ebert
Citizen
Username: Boomie
Post Number: 45
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 4:48 pm: | |
For Help I suggest you try the "Please Help" board. Maybe I will reply to you there.  |
Nonymous Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 8441
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 4:55 pm: | |
Perhaps I should have known better.
|
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1820
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 7:36 pm: | |
Lisa-
My sister and pseudo brother in law bought a house on the bay in Brick. I'm sure it wasn't more then $300,000. I can ask her for you if you want. They bought a boat a do a lot of tubing boating, water skiing. They also put a pool in the yard.
My brother bought a four bedroom house in Lake Ariel (sp) PA 8 or 9 years ago. He hardley uses it. A month or so ago he was talking about selling it. Not sure if he meant it or not. It's a four bedroom A frame not too far from the Delaware Water Gap. |
Daniel M. Jacobs, PP, AICP
Supporter
Username: Conrail
Post Number: 48
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 9:40 pm: | |
If you are willing to drive a bit, you should try Cumberland County, NJ on the Bay, accessible via turnpike. Prices are not as competitive as at the traditional Jersey Shore. |
Lisa Ebert
Citizen
Username: Boomie
Post Number: 46
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 10:09 pm: | |
Thanks Just the Aunt. On the bay in Brick for $300,000 - I would be VERY surprised. Most of the ones I have seen are at least $600,000 over there. Is your brothers house actually on the lake?
Daniel thanks, but what towns should I look into? I don't know anything about the area, but its not so far so I would be willing to look into it. Mays Landing? |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1837
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 11:02 pm: | |
Lisa-
I just another sister and she said our sister paid in the high $200,000's for the house. It's at least four bedrooms, she's not too sure. And it's on the bay with their own dock and bulk head for the boat. She bought it early 2003.
My brother's house isn't right on the lake. I've never been there. He's got my sister in law, 5 kids, three dogs and his mother in law who goes with them when they go. No thanks! We think he's a block or so from the lake. It's about 2 1/2 hours from West Orange, where he lives.
I know with all the hours he's working and all the projects he has going he has no time to use the house. My sister in law wants him to buy somewhere down the shore or in Florida. So he's looking to buy a house to knock down and rebuil ddown the shore somewhere. |
Quint
Citizen
Username: Shark_killer
Post Number: 20
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 1:59 am: | |
huh? on the bay is over a million . Never mind the beach |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1842
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 6:21 am: | |
Quint-
So what are you saying? Are you calling me a liar?
>>>huh? on the bay is over a million . Never mind the beach<<< |
Two Sense
Citizen
Username: Twosense
Post Number: 360
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 12:36 pm: | |
How about a lakeside property in northwest Jersey? |
Lisa Ebert
Citizen
Username: Boomie
Post Number: 47
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 1:19 pm: | |
Possibly twosense. Tell me more. What towns? |
Kristen Williamson
Citizen
Username: Kris219
Post Number: 53
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 1:29 pm: | |
For the lakes in NW Jersey...you can always try Highland Lakes. It's about an hour away using 280, 287 and 23. A lot of people vacation there who live in Bergen, Essex, etc., but there are also those who are year-rounders. |
Two Sense
Citizen
Username: Twosense
Post Number: 362
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 1:59 pm: | |
Check-out the Garden State MLS at www.gsmls.com, and look at lakefront, lake on lot, pond on lot, stream on lot, waterfront properties (within your space and financial parameters) in Sussex, Warren, Mercer, and Hunterdon counties -- all of which can be accessed via I-80 (from I-280) and I-78 (from Rt. 24).
First, this will give you a realistic sense of price/value. Second, you can reverse engineer your way into finding communities with pertinent properties. Third, you can identify brokers who have listings in these communities.
Next, get in a car and check out these communities. Having done the weekend house scene for many years (years ago), I highly recommend a site that's 60-90 minutes away (2 hours max.). It removes all barriers to taking advantage of your second home, including family members on different schedules -- arriving/departing at different times. However, if you don't want too many "guests" visiting, go further away or buy a smaller house.
|
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 1846
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 2:02 pm: | |
Get a boat. My Sister and family were priced out of beach houses and instead of driving to Delaware or Maryland, they bought a large catamaran (250 K), it has four Bedrooms two heads and enough room for the family. They recently said up to Montauk IL and then down the sound. They’ve made a few trips to AC.
On a typical weekend they with drive to Toms River on Friday, take the boat out to Tyces Shoal (Back side of Island beach ST park) Saturday and Sunday, and then drive home (1 ˝ - 2 hour trip). They have easy access to all the shore restaurants and often visit friends with houses on the bay sides.
 |
Mrs T
Citizen
Username: Netjack
Post Number: 189
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 2:55 pm: | |
Lisa,
A few things from current experience:
The property has to be a good investment, beacuse when you're paying the mortgage every month it really helps to think of it that way.
Easy to get to, packing and sclepping are a pain already, a long distance make it worse.
Good destination, water is a good place to be. You want a place that you love going to, and the kids as well.
Not too big, remember you have to maintain, pay utilities, and clean the property, just like your primary home.
All in all, we love our house in the country. If you get a fixer, rehab before you use it!!! We've been doing it slowly, and I'm just sooo done with it. But, it was the way it had to happen financially.
pl me if you'd like to discuss in more detail
Oh yeah, another mortgage deduction. |
Lisa Ebert
Citizen
Username: Boomie
Post Number: 48
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 3:05 pm: | |
Brett, we had a boat. Talk about ZERO investment potential - its throwing money right into the sea - we paid over $10,000 a year AFTER buying the new Sea Ray for dock fees, dry dock and wet, maintenance etc. We enjoyed it for the 5 years we had it but it was a DRAIN in every way.
I am loving all the suggestions here and welcome all this information. I am already using most of it to explore new areas. Thank you all! |
exwoodgirl
Citizen
Username: Exwoodgirl
Post Number: 62
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 4:21 pm: | |
Lots of people I know have vacation/second homes in the Poconos. There are lots of communities that have lots to offer--lakes, activities, etc. Prices have gone up over the last couple of years, but you can still buy a vacation home quite reasonably. |
Jeff Alexander
Citizen
Username: Jalexander
Post Number: 65
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 7:07 pm: | |
The Highland Lakes area is fantastic.. Vernon/Warwick is a wonderful area. It isnt too crowded, you have a "beach" (wayawanda state park), restaurants that are very good and reasonable, skiing, a drive in movie theater, a quaint little town (warwick).. I can go on and on
It is also an easy , rarely busy one hour drive from us. |
Kristen Williamson
Citizen
Username: Kris219
Post Number: 59
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 8:29 pm: | |
Right on Jeff...you left out the Highland Lakes beachs (one newly rennovated), a club house with activities, and plenty of hiking trails! If no one has figured it out, I'm from Vernon, which includes Highland Lakes. The hiking trails and drive-in theatre are my favorite (I'm not a skier evern though I live on the mountain).
PL me if I can be of any more help! |
wnb
Citizen
Username: Wnb
Post Number: 253
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 22, 2005 - 11:42 am: | |
Don't get a place much farther than 2 hours away. Or much closer for that matter.
It's about the right distance to feel "away" from the NY metro area while still being convenient. Sunday rolls around you want the option to stay late and still get home before midnight.
Remember shore traffic greatly reduces the distance you cover in that 2 hours. Driving north or west to a lake still hits traffic, but not as bad.
|
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 2099
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 22, 2005 - 12:02 pm: | |
My dad lives in Highland Lakes, and we vacationed there all my life. It is an awesome place. |
Kristen Williamson
Citizen
Username: Kris219
Post Number: 63
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Friday, July 22, 2005 - 12:06 pm: | |
I never get traffic going North, as long as you don't use Rt. 80 during the evening rush hour. Returning produces even less traffic unless it is in the morning rush hour, where it can be a little slower. But I've rarely ever had problems in the three years I've been traveling it.
It is really easy to get around because it is incredibly predictable. On the other hand, shore traffic, which you would think is predictable, has led me to many 4-5 hour rides that should have taken 2 hours. Who goes down the shore on a Sunday afternoon? Seriously?! I credit most of it to the removal of the Union toll on Pkwy South. Once you got past the Raritan toll, there wasn't a drop of traffic. There weren't even accidents either...maybe someone should rethink that toll removal. From what I've experienced in traffic, it was a horrible idea. |
Jeff Alexander
Citizen
Username: Jalexander
Post Number: 66
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 22, 2005 - 4:45 pm: | |
You can also go out to the Poconos,
There are communities with all sorts of amenities including lakes.
You really have to be careful if you head out there .. some of the communities have picked up really bad reputations, especially those right over the bridge.
Route 80 can be downright scary in terms of traffic, so if you consider it, drive out there during the time you would usually be driving out there.
Northridge Station in Tannersville is really nice and not too far (75 mins without traffic)... no lake, but Camelbeach and Camelback ski area are right across the street. |
compsy
Citizen
Username: Compsy
Post Number: 208
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, July 23, 2005 - 9:36 am: | |
The town of Milford, PA, up past Dingman's Ferry, is an up-and-coming location, and it is only an hour and a half away. Closer locations are possible in that neck of the woods, as well, (Dingman's Ferry is about an hour and a quarter, and you don't have to stay on I-80 that long).
Prices are still reasonable, or at least were a year ago. There are lots of little lakes, and the area is not like the Pocono's near the I-80 corridor...yet.
One other plus is its accessibility to I-84, which means family and college friends who live in New England and New York State can get there easily. If I had real estate money to invest and didn't want/need to head to the shore, that's where I'd buy...
Attached is a picture of a house that two years ago could have been built for $200,000, including (non-lakefront) lot. Add $100,000 for lakefront.
 |
Jason & John
Citizen
Username: Johnh91011
Post Number: 214
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, July 23, 2005 - 4:25 pm: | |
We have often thought about getting a vacation/weekend place. One criteria has always been a 2 to 2 1/2 hour drive away. However whenever we have looked at anyplace the drive to (early saturday morning) was 2 hours away but the drive from (on sunday afternoon) increased to 3 - 4 hours. |
Jeff Alexander
Citizen
Username: Jalexander
Post Number: 67
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, July 23, 2005 - 5:08 pm: | |
You really need to do your research on something like this.
All of the options are very different. Vernon is nothing like the Shore which is nothing like the Poconos which is nothing like Vermont, etc, etc.
The best advice I will give is to rent a place and spend a weekend where you are coinsidering. It will be well worth the money. Drive during the time you would normally drive out there to get a feel for the true travel time, check out the restaurants to make sure there are decent and not overly crowded places to eat, check out the amenities to make sure they aren't overly crowded/ overrun with unruly kids.. In short, do everything you would normally do there and make sure you still like the place... better to invest a few hundred dollars and a weekend than pop hundreds of thousands of dollars and then be miserable.. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 1235
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, July 23, 2005 - 5:30 pm: | |
My family has had a vacation home on Lake Wallenpaupack (in the poconos) for almost 30 years now. Needless to say, we love it. The pace is very different than what you would find at the beach. IMHO, it's much more peaceful (which I love--although I love the beach too). Lakefront property has become somewhat pricey, but you may be able to get second or third tier property (within close walking distance to the lake) for the price range you mentioned.
On a good day, when traffic is light, we can make it there in under two hours.
www.wallenpaupack.com
Not the greatest website, but it will familiarize you with the area.
I would suggest this realtor:
www.chantre.com
A friend who's always loved our place and has been looking for a place of his own for several years, finally bought a place in a community called The Hideout, which is very near us in the poconos. It's not lakefront and I believe he paid $200,000. I know there are a couple of lakes, one of which allows boating, and a pool and other activities available in the community. However, you have to be interested in that kind of "community" situation. The above recommended realtor also handles properties in the The Hideout.
There are certainly an abundance of vacation rental properties in the area as well. It might be a good idea to try a rental (or two, or three) and see how you feel about the area before commiting to buying anything.
For a little taste, here's a photo of the view from our deck:
 |
Lisa Ebert
Citizen
Username: Boomie
Post Number: 56
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 25, 2005 - 9:36 am: | |
You all have given me a lot to think about. Jeff your point is well taken, but we have been around the block, destination-wise and would not buy anywhere unless we were sure we enjoyed the area. Honestly the most important thing to me is proximity to water. We are boaters and would love nothing more than easy access to open water, as well as a view of it. Whether the poconos, the Jersey shore or Vernon area, thats the main thing.
I love your view Me! |
Old and Gray
Citizen
Username: Pastmyprime
Post Number: 175
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 25, 2005 - 10:01 am: | |
Far Southern NJ is much more affordable for shore properties...however, it is much farther then Monmouth County. |
Lisa Ebert
Citizen
Username: Boomie
Post Number: 57
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 25, 2005 - 10:43 am: | |
O&G I have been looking in Delaware, Rehobeth area, but there are so many of those land leases/mobile home parks there. |
ckpan
| | Posted on Monday, July 25, 2005 - 1:15 pm: | |
Lisa ~ I have a Hideout property in Lake Ariel. Best investment we've made. In 5 years, my property value has doubled. Two hours from South Orange, door to door. What's best about the Poconos vs. the Jersey Shore is that there is something different going one each season, (fall foliage, winter skiing, spring golf, summer swimming/boating). We've had friends come visit for the weekends and they've said the drive is perfect. You're far enough away but can still able to get back if need be. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1866
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 25, 2005 - 2:23 pm: | |
ckpan-
My brother also has a house there too! See my earlier post in this thread... |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page