John Franc's Blog Posts

"No" art skills required....."Creativity Unleashed" is a weekly online group where participants explore the world of art as an outlet for expression and a means to enhance positive emotions & mood.

Plan a visit to "The Veterans United Military Memorial Museum" located across the wine bottle at 5576 Route 9, New Gretna.  The Museum also offers mobile exhibits for groups and

There is a raffle for Apple products where the 1st prize is an Apple ipad Pro valued at $899.00; 2nd prize is an Apple Watch Series 6 (GPS & Cellular 40mm) valued at $484.99; and for 3rd prize is

Many more area families could use an "Angel" this Christmas to insure that they receive a holiday meal and gifts for the children.   Barnegat-Waretown Chamber of Commerce is looking to

Great news for all of you that didn't get a chance to pick up a copy of your local newspaper to catch up with all the local happenings....you can view them on your mobile device, computer, pad

The New Jersey state Senate recently passed legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf, Assembly 9th District's Senator Chris J. Connors and Assemblywomen DiAnne C. Gove.  The

Saturday, September 5, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm marks the day and time of the next Surf City town wide yard sale.........you can get a printed list of all the participating homes by going to www

Don't forget that Thursday is your chance to get some farm fresh local fruits & vegetables at the outdoors Barnegat Farmer's Market......located at the fenced field opposite the firehouse on

As you can see the bridge is set to.......

The Morris Boulevard Bridge is nearing completion very soon ..........;

Go to the American Red Cross website to see places and times so you can donate blood:    www.redcrossblood.orgHere are a few scheduled dates and places.........................

The bridge at Morris Boulevard has been progressing with the help of the mild weather.........The home owners at Selma, Stevens and Julia Drives will no longer have to cross the Causeway in order to

A favorite event is being brought back this winter by the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce.  Warm up your winter and explore the sweet side of the LBI region in February.  You can

On the last Thursday of each month, the Manahawkin United Methodist Church provides those needing the use of the Laundromat free Washer/Dryer service.  Wash & Dry your clothes for free at the

Congratulations to our Barnegat VFW Post 10092 are in order for being awarded the National Outstanding Community Service Award by the VFW National Headquarters.  Barnegat Post's outstanding

The 54th Garden Club of LBI's Holiday Tour of Homes will be held on Thursday December 12th.  You'll get to see a dining room made of a slab of Thai Chamcha tree, a bar made from an original

Don't miss out by coming out on the first Sunday of every month to pick, sing or just listen to some music.  Open from noon to 5 PM at the Hunting Shanty at the Tuckerton Seaport (120 West Main

A Halloween costume for special needs youth and adults will be held by the Manahawkin Elks Lodge #2340 on October 6 from 12-3pm.  Trick or Treat stations, cupcakes, tatoos, ice cream, lunch and

ReClam the Bay is having an on-site program held each Friday through October at the Old Coast Guard Station 420 Pelham Avenue in Beach Haven from 9 - 11 am.  You will not only learn

Even though it's the middle of summer, Waretown is planning it's 21st annual Haunted Hayride event.  The event will be held on October 18 & 19 from 7-10 PM at the Waretown Lake located 182

Recently the Ocean County Board of Freeholders accepted the Natural Lands Trust Fund Advisory Board's recommendation to purchase 2 tracts of land along Bay Avenue in Stafford Township. Block 222 lot

So you have decided that you want to sell or rent your house.  Beware of the new Smoke Alarm regulation that became effective this year.  Homes that were built prior to January 1977

Finally it seems as "SPRING" has finally arrived here in southern Ocean County.  Sections of lower Barnegat Bay have been producing striped bass according to Captain Steve Pural of Reel

One of the benefits of living down the Jersey shore are the many fantastic restaurants that you can choose from to treat your palate..........................Barnegat will have a new restaurant to

Officials in Ventnor City are thrilled that vacationers are interested in spending time by visiting the city for it's closeness to NJ's gambling mecca and the shore.  Folks can view home

According to the National Association of Realtors recent 2019 Remodeling Impact Report:  Do it yourself (DIY) 47% of all home projects are done by the renter or owner & 56% of projects for a

A proposal to our MOVE-OVER law is in the works that would not only keep the $100-$500 fine but would now penalize violators with 2 points to their driver's licenses.  This change is being

What could be better than spending Sunday December 9 enjoying Christmas music with Jim Barone, an award winning tribute artist.  Don't miss this inspiring & fun performance beginning at 2

I don't know about you but I find the Jersey Devil legend fascinating and love to learn more about him or "it".   According to folklore,  Mother Leeds was pregnant with her 13th child

On October 12, 2018  at the Barnegat Township Municipal Complex in Barnegat Township will hold an informational presentation about the new storm water rules.  The Save Barnegat Bay

Are you age 60 or older?  Do you miss playing softball............................well you're in luck.  There is a group in Little Egg Harbor Township with an obvious love for the.

The Beach Replenishment at Harvey Cedars is moving along. This video was taken on 7/19/18 looking north from Hudson Avenue...................it's amazing how much the beach had deteriorated over the

If you think your angling skills, especially for fluke are better than the average angler, here's your chance to compete in a Fluke fishing tournament.  The Lacey Elks will hold their second

One pleasure that Barnegat residents enjoy through the summer season is attending the concerts at the Barnegat Municipal Dock.  With the Barnegat Bay as the background, sounds of great music

The signing into law of legislation A-839/S-258 will prohibit offshore development, exploration and production drilling for natural gas or oil in state tidal waters, state waters and submerged

In case you haven't noticed it's a whole new market out there in the real estate world.  It's a robust seller's market that is happening now and buyers have to realize that the days of waiting

The former Longshots Bar and Restaurant site on Route 9 in Waretown recently held a grand opening on February 9th for the new 5000 square foot establishment  "Breakers Kitchen and Tap". 

Home prices in November rose 6.2% as the shortage of homes for sale continued and show no sign of letting up.  Prices are higher then the 2006  Home price peak.*  Home price

Moon lover's will get a double treat in the first month of 2018.  Although most of us will be looking into the sky for fireworks or watching that big glittery ball descend in Time's Square,;

In case you haven't been to the Barnegat Public Dock in a while you will see some dredging going on right off the dock in Double Creek  Channel.  The dredging is part of an $8.7

Just a reminder that Sunday (November 5, 2017) is the day to adjust all our clocks.  The old saying to "FALL BACK----SPRING AHEAD" means that we will be turning our time pieces back 1

Sponsored by the LBI Jewish Community Center & the St. Francis Community Center the 18 Mile Run will take place on October 8 at 10:30  a.m.  Beginning in 1973 the race was held in memory

Senior citizens should be on the top of the minds of developers as much the millennials due to the fact they are looking for the same things in a home and it's location.  Older Americans

Home buyers who purchased new homes were more likely to make big money splurges after moving in.   In a recent release the National Association of Home Buyers found that new home

Beginning Thursday June 22 (and running every Thursday)  and lasting to October 26 the folks in Barnegat can get fresh produce, coffees, fresh fruit, nuts, ethnic foods and gourmet

A recent study by the Urban Institute showed that older homeowners not having outstanding debt will benefit by owning their own home due to the rise of the median home value.  Older

The Barnegat Waretown Chamber of Commerce announced the annual Barnegat Town Wide Yard sale takes place this weekend on Saturday April 29th.  Make sure that you registered so that your

One of my favorite St. Patrick's Day treats are freshly made "Irish Potatoes".  I love using coconut in any dessert recipe as it offers texture and sweetness, this definitely is true in this

Taking advantage of the spring like weather my wife and I checked out the Barnegat Rail Route which had plenty of hikers and bikers having the same idea that we did.  The 7 mile trail is

We couldn't pass up on the 40+ degree weather that we have been enjoying the last 2 days and decided to go for a walk at our favorite dock.  There was no breeze and the sun felt warm when

I just wanted to share an idea that I saw on the internet before the holidays.  We decided to buy a couple of the laser light displays to decorate our house for the holidays.  These lights

Plan on attending a great evening of music and a visit by Santa Claus.A "Singing Santa Holiday Show" will be held on Saturday December 17 at the Albert Music Hall sponsored by the Pinelands Cultural

I'm sure we are all preoccupied with the Halloween festivities but something dark & dreary is lurking after midnight....................Our state will begin implementing the 23 cents a gallon gas.

I'm not to proud to admit that when it comes to household chores I have been delegated to cleaning the floors in our home.  Until recently I have started off by vacuuming our hardwood

You still can enjoy all that Long Beach Island this Labor Day weekend knowing that the Island does not shut down after Labor Day.  The water is at it's warmest temperatures of

 PaintingPainting is one of the most cost effective, easiest ways for you to update and enhance the look of your home before you list it.  The nice part is you don’t

You should expect 45 days to close if you are financing a home mortgage for a home purchase, this wait is up from 44 days a month ago according to the most recent Origination Insight

In 2015, the majority of home owners that were remodeling their homes were either redoing their bathrooms or kitchens while some were redoing both. The bathroom and kitchen again were at

 A majority of Americans still feel that home ownership is a major aspiration but many are finding it more difficult to achieve it because of the huge amount of student debt they have. 

Always ask your clients which way they prefer to communicate with you.  Whether it be by phone, texting, or email, let them decide.   This is crucial in the real estate market today

I spotted this Bufflehead Duck Saturday feeding in Barnegat Bay.    They are a diving duck that feed on mostly  aquatic invertebrates, crustaceans, and mollusks and swallow their food

A recent study by the Mortgage Bankers Association shows that the economic & demographic changes in the U.S. Housing market will increase an additional 13.9 to 15.9 million households in the next 8

When Is the Right Time to Reduce the Asking Price?When a seller places their homes on the market,  buyers should respond by scheduling showings and making offers. That will not always be the

The old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words still rules in the world of the real estate photos that we as real estate agents present to market our listings.  The internet has

We as Realtors often are asked "Is the Fall a good time to buy a home?"  I always like to answer "it's always a good time to buy!"  Here are some really good reasons to buy a home

From the streams, lakes and mountains to the beach, ocean and lagoons.  It's been quite a change of scenery since our move from the Poconos to the Jersey shore.  One thing that hasn't

I moved down from the Poconos recently where I enjoyed Bass fishing in the many lakes and streams.  Now that we are settled in our new home I have one item I still have to get down from the

One of the most interesting things that I have learned about NJ real estate is that the Seller's Property Disclosure is not required by law in NJ.  Being a PA licensed real estate agent for the