The Core Of The Shore

05/20/2026

The New Long Branch Pier Will Open In 2027
By Carly Baldwin

The city of Long Branch just received an additional $5 million in state aid to help fund construction of its new municipal pier. It will extend 550 feet from the existing boardwalk into the Atlantic Ocean.

Construction just started this spring and it is scheduled to open in 2027. Once the pier opens, it will be open year-round. A large decorative archway will adorn the entrance and the pier will end in a T-shape, which engineers say is good for withstanding storms. It will have a 40-foot wide octagonal seating area at its mid-point, said the city.

The new pier will give fishermen access to deeper waters and it can also be used for people strolling, jogging and families. The pier will be 20 feet wide and will be fully ADA (wheelchair) accessible.

"Families, walkers or runners can walk out onto the pier to enjoy the views and capture moments. Or, if you are a fisherman, it will be a great location to fish," Long Branch City Councilman Bill Dangler said previously.

05/20/2026

Let me know!! Email me thecoreoftheshorecom
And lets get that home listed!

04/16/2026

Mortgage Rates Inch Down
Mortgage rates ticked down this week, averaging 6.37%. The decrease in rates represents a positive development for prospective homebuyers and could spark a more favorable spring homebuying season than last year.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.37% as of April 9, 2026, down from last week when it averaged 6.46%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.62%.
The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.74%, down from last week when it averaged 5.77%. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 5.82%.

And first quarter market trends pic attached

04/04/2026

04/04/2026

🏡 **Thinking about selling your home in today’s market? Now might be your moment!

Inventory is still tight, which means serious buyers are out there👀—and they’re ready to move ✅️.
With the right strategy, pricing, and presentation, sellers are continuing to see strong results.

✨ What this means for YOU:
• Less competition = more eyes on your home
• Well-priced homes are still selling quickly
• Negotiating power can still favor sellers

With **20+ years of experience in the New Jersey market**, I know exactly how to position your home to stand out and sell for top dollar.

📍 Whether you're just curious about your home's value or ready to make a move, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.

💬 Message me for a **free home evaluation**
📲 Let’s talk strategy and timing!

03/29/2026

Fresh website:
Let me be a part of your real estate journey!

Www.thecoreoftheshore.com

03/26/2026

Heather Mason Taylor
Manasquan, New Jersey

03/25/2026

⚖️ Market Shift
Still technically a seller’s market, but negotiation power is starting to balance out as inventory grows and buyers take their time.

--- 📊 Q1 2026 Market Update — Monmouth County, NJ

The first 3 months of 2026 are giving us a clear picture… and the market is shifting 👇

🏡 **Home Prices**
Prices are still holding strong, with median sales ranging roughly **$660K–$790K**, showing modest year-over-year growth around **2–5%**.

📉 **Sales Activity**
Fewer homes are selling compared to last year (**down ~17%**), meaning buyers are being more selective.

📦 **Inventory**
Inventory is slowly rising, giving buyers **more options than we’ve seen in recent years**

⚖️ **Market Shift**
Still technically a seller’s market, but **negotiation power is starting to balance out** as inventory grows and buyers take their time.

👉 **Buyers:** More opportunity, less frenzy — but well-priced homes still move fast
👉 **Sellers:** Pricing strategy matters more than ever
👉 **Investors:** Strong long-term appreciation still in play (+2–4% annually)

---

Here’s a **clear breakdown of January 2026 vs January 2025 in Monmouth County**

# # # 📊 January Market Snapshot (Year-over-Year)

**📉 Closed Sales**

* Jan 2025: **374 homes sold**
* Jan 2026: **307 homes sold**

**💰 Average Sale Price**

* Jan 2025: **~$996K**
* Jan 2026: **~$927K**
➡️ **⬇️ Down ~7%**

**⏳ Days on Market**

* Jan 2025: **41 days**
* Jan 2026: **35 days**
➡️ **⬇️ Homes sold

**📊 Inventory (Months Supply)**

* Jan 2025: **3.3 months**
* Jan 2026: **3.84 months**

**📈 Sale-to-List Price**

* 2026 actually ticked **slightly higher (~99.7%)**
➡️ Buyers still paying close to asking or + (if priced correctly from the jump)

#

02/11/2026

Come join us!

All are welcome! No special invites. Bring whatever you want to share as well! We supply some food drink, music, fun and a great view of the parade in front of our office.

Past years have had bagpipers, games for children and more !
#

12/05/2025

📌Economists expect a reset not a rebound.

🗂 When it comes to the mindset of Real Estate, think long-term, what goals do you want to accomplish for you and your family?

🇺🇲Geography matters when it comes to market statistics. Therefore pay attention to trends in your local area as its not all one size fits all.