Fourth of July Weekend in South Jersey: Local Firework and Parade Calendar

Where to Catch Fireworks and Events in South Jersey After a year of cancelled events and postponed parties, we can finally look forward to a firework filled, Fourth of July weekend in South Jersey! Whether you are spending the holiday weekend by a pool, or posting up along the coast, we know you'll want to checkout your towns local fireworks. The Zielinski Real Estate Group has you covered on that front- checkout our list of parades, family-friendly events, and local fireworks in your area this holiday weekend. Camden County, New Jersey Westmont will be celebrating the holiday weekend with an Independence Day Parade this Saturday, July 3rd at 11:30am, starting at the Municipal Building and ending at Crystal Lake Pool. That evening, you'll find fireworks at Haddon Township High School at dusk (rain date for foreworks is Monday, July 5th). Neighboring township of Collingswood will also be hosting fireworks and events suitable for the entire family. Sunday, July 4th from 2:00 - 10:00pm at Roberts Pool, enjoy water games, raft races, prizes and live music, culminated with fireworks at dusk. For a full list of local events and fireworks, click here.  Burlington County, New Jersey Head down to Savich Tract fields in Marlton this Sunday, July 4th from 4:00 - 7:00pm for fireworks, music and ice cream! Evesham Township residents will have parking passes available to them. Looking to get active this weekend? Cherry Hill will be running an inaugurla Independence Day 5K on Sunday, July 4th at 8:00am. The event will begin at Croft Farm Arts Center in Cherry Hill. Be sure to arrive around 7:00am for registration and Packet Pickup. There will be prizes awarded to the top three male and female age group winners, as well as t-shirts to the first 175 registrants. Enjoy post-race refreshments during the Award Ceremony, featuring giveaways, a DJ, and more! South Jersey Shore What better place to spend the Fourth of July holiday weekend than at the Jersey Shore? Checkout a full list of shore towns hosting fireworks below: Friday, July 2nd Barnegat at dusk Manasquan at dusk Union Beach at dusk Wildwood at 10:00pm Saturday, July 3rd Bradley Beach at dusk Lower/North Cape May at dusk Sunday, July 4th Atlantic City - Borgata at 9:20pm Atlantic City - Tropicana at 10:00pm Avalon at dusk Beachwood at dusk Cape May at dusk Long Branch Beach at dusk Margate at 9:00pm Ocean City at 9:00pm Sea Isle City at 9:00pm Seaside Heights at 9:30pm Stone Harbor at 9:00pm We love sharing local events and parades in the South Jersey area with you! We know the area like the back of our hand and are always available to answer questions and offer our insight on the community. Contact our team today if you are interested in buying or selling in the South Jersey area, or checkout what's currently on the market here.

Understanding HOA Fees

If you are considering purchasing a condo or a townhome, you'll want to understand and factor in home owners association fees, or more commonly referred to as HOA fees. HOA fees are an additional monthly payment on top of mortgage, taxes, and insurance. These fees cover services and amenities that the condo or townhome community provides.  Typically, these communities require their residents to follow certain rules. Since many people are living in the same building and space, these fees are a group effort in maintaining lawn care, swimming pools, parking garages, roofing, sidewalks, and many other exterior amenities.  What do HOA Fees cover? Although these extra fees may require a bit more budgeting, those interested in condos and townhomes know the benefit and luxury that comes with them. Since you will be living in close proximity to your neighbors, these fees ensure a quality of life and safe atmosphere for the community.  Covering things such as lawn care, trash removal, pest control, and general maintenance, these amenities save homeowners time and energy. You typically won't have to worry about mowing your own lawn, shoveling snow, or repairing sidewalks and pavement. Additional luxuries may include private swimming pools, clubhouses, gyms, and tennis courts. The fees will cover the upkeep and maintenance of these luxuries. How much do HOA Fees cost? Depending on the area, type of building, and the variety of amenities, pricing of HOA fees can range from as little as $20 a month to the more common $200 - $400 a month. Your real estate agent will be able to easily obtain and relay pricing during your home search. We always recommend thoroughly researching and understanding the services, regulations, and expectations that come with each condo and townhome community and their HOA fees. Understanding and agreeing with their rules and expectations is necessary before signing anything official. The Zielinski Real Estate Group are experts in their field and are eager to assist you if you should need further explanation and advice before purchasing a property with HOA fees. Contact our team today for more information or take a look at what is currently on the market here.

5 Tips to Keep Your Home Cool and Costs Down

While New Jersey is blessed with all four seasons, the summer months bring with it sunny days and high humidity. Although ninety degrees makes for a great beach day at the Jersey Shore, having a place to cool off at the end of the day may come with a less-than-ideal electricity bill. How can you keep your home cool while keeping your electricity bills low? We have our top tips to ensure you stay comfortable this summer without racking up crazy PSE&G bills. Draw the Shades Is your home a furnace to the sun? If you have sun-facing windows, a good place to start cooling down your home this summer is drawing the shades during peak sun hours. Shades and curtains will act as a shield to block the sun from heating up your home. This simple step will cut out nearly 30% of unwanted heat! New Jersey tends to stay hot and humid throughout most of the summer, however there are always a few cooler nights in June and September. Save on electricity bills and open up windows on cooler nights to let the breeze flow for free. Skip the Hot Meals Skip the roast dinner! Turning on your oven for lengthy periods of time will surely raise the temperature in your kitchen. Opt for something cool or throw something on the grill to keep the cooking outside your home. While the oven is the most obvious appliance enemy this summer, dishwashers, and laundry machines also radiate heat. Although the heat from these appliances are minimal, it can't hurt to save these chores for evening hours after the sun sets and your home cools. Summer-Proof Your Fans Keeping your fans running will circulate cold air and keep your home cool. The age old saying remain true: hot air rises, cool air falls. Keep your fans pushing the cool air downwards. Did you know that your ceiling fans have seasonal settings? Make sure your ceiling fan is switched to the proper setting to keep the cool air pushing downwards rather than pulling it up and away. Change your AC Filters If you find that you are running the air conditioning at a desirable temperature yet your home is not maintaining a good temperature, you may want to check your AC filters. A good rule of thumb for air conditioners is to change out the filters every four to six weeks, especially during months where they are getting a lot of use. Think Outside - Plant Trees Take notice of which side of your home the sun faces during its peak hours and consider planting a shade tree or shrubbery in that area to block the sun. While you may not see immediate payoffs, it will surely benefit you in the long run with both shade and curb appeal! Don't have time for a tree to grow? For immediate shade relief, awnings and shutters can be installed to block the sun. While awnings may be a little pricey, they have been shown to reduce heat by 65 - 75% when placed in proper windows. With these tips, we hope you are able to save a little bit on your electricity bills while keeping as cool as possible! The Zielinski Group knows just how hot and humid New Jersey summers can be, and we are always eager to share our tips and tricks we have accumulated in the business.  Looking to buy or sell in the New Jersey area? Contact our team today or take a look at what's available here.

What to Expect When Moving to Cape May

When most people think of the Jersey Shore, they think of summertime and family vacations. New Jersey’s coast is a popular vacation destination, attracting families and crowds with its beaches, boardwalks, restaurant scene. But who populates the area during the off-season?   While New Jersey’s beaches make for an ideal summer vacation, they also offer a beautiful and serene location to reside full time. If you have been considering relocating and moving to the Jersey Shore full-time, it’s important to know which towns will best suit your needs. In this blog series, we will cover various beach towns along the Jersey Shore to break down the best beach towns to relocate full-time.   What to Expect When Moving to Cape May   Located at the southern-most tip of the Cape May peninsula, Cape May is popular among the retirement community for its beaches, fishing, and historical setting.  Famous for its plethora of Victorian homes, this beach town is registered as a National Historic Landmark City.   With approximately 4,000 year-round residents compared to its 40,000 during the summer, the off-season is relatively quiet and peaceful, yet there is still plenty to do. Downtown Cape May hosts a variety of boutiques, cafes, and fine-dining restaurants. Visit the theatre on a rainy day or one of Cape May’s many wineries when the sun is shining.   Downtown Cape May is easy to navigate without a vehicle, however, is located very close to major highways and roads. Cape May is also in close proximity to the Atlantic City Airport as well as the Philadelphia Airport.   Cape May is a great place for families, with three public schools and one private and charter school. With the parks, playgrounds, beaches, and neighboring town’s boardwalks, Cape May hosts endless activities for children and families.   Cape May is famous for its historical architecture. These colorful Victorian homes nicknamed the “painted ladies” can be found downtown around Washington. There are more residential areas of Cape May, as well, such as West Cape May and Cape May Point.   The average value of homes in Cape May falls around $650,000, going up about 20% in the past year. Cape May, like many towns in the area, is a sellers market as of 2021.   Whether you are looking for an investment summer escape or to relocate to the Jersey Shore, Cape May provides a safe, beautiful, and welcoming community with plenty to do. Take a look at homes available in the area here, or contact us today.