Real Estate Market in Ocean County NJ

[Andrew Pierson]

Hello,

I’m a young investor currently renting out two properties in Eastern Pennsylvania. I’m about to relocate to Ocean County, NJ, specifically around the Howell/Brick area, due to my fiancé’s one-year medical residency.

I’m interested in investing in a single-family home or duplex that I could live in for about one to three years, ideally within a 15-mile radius of Jersey Shore and Newark Beth Israel hospitals. I’m not very familiar with the local market and would love any insights on promising neighborhoods for living and investing.

I successfully acquired both of my current properties off-market without the help of realtors, but I'm feeling a bit stuck on how to navigate the Ocean County market. I'm looking for distressed properties in need of rehab, with a budget of around $250,000 for a loan, along with my own cash to invest in renovations over the next year. Ideally, I'm seeking homes with 2-3 bedrooms and at least 1.5 bathrooms.

From my research, I find Howell appealing as a potential location, but I’m open to other suggestions. If anyone has expertise in this area or can provide guidance, I’d greatly appreciate it. I plan to start a deep dive into off-market deals in the next couple of months, aiming to occupy the property by July of next year. I’m not in a rush, but I’m eager to learn more about the local market.

Thank you in advance for your help!