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Community Corner

WCEC Storming Back Stories: John C. Conover Agency Continues to Work Diligently to Recover Real Estate on the Jersey Shore

Since 1906, the John C. Conover Agency has set the standard for the real estate market at the New Jersey Shore.  They were a catalyst in Asbury Park’s development and expansion and have remained at the leading edge ever since.  In addition, they have been at the forefront of the exciting boom that has revitalized the shore market for the past 15 years.

Greg Demaras, broker/owner with John C. Conover and a former resident of Asbury Park for 12 years, has experienced the rebirth of this town from the beginning.  “Asbury Park has gone through many transformations and it is a booming area for the real estate market.  Hundreds of businesses have invested here and are responsible for what has been happening,” he says.  Demaras, who calls Asbury Park ”The City by the Sea” comments that Asbury Park offers many exciting attractions for visitors – the artsy and eclectic stores, ethnic restaurants, and one of a kind boutiques.  In addition to the beautiful beach area and infamous boardwalk, he says Asbury Park is “an appealing environment.”

In the weeks and months after Hurricane Sandy hit, he still gets calls asking “Is the Jersey Shore okay and can we go to the beach?” Demaras, who was the President of the Chamber of Commerce in Asbury Park from 2010-2012 answers them with a strong “Yes!”  Many cannot believe that there is still so much confusion.  As a realtor, it is critical to him and his colleagues that the perception changes and people know that the Jersey Shore is “not gone” but remains an excellent investment.  He and others are working diligently to change this.  “Right now, we are in recovery real estate.”

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Asbury Park was battered by Hurricane Sandy and, as a result, hundreds of families were forced to evacuate their homes.  The famous boardwalk suffered a lot of damage and dozens of feet of sand from the ocean littered the streets for months.  In remembering this, Demaras says that there was a huge spike in house rentals immediately after Sandy, as hundreds of homeowners were displaced and needed to find temporary housing.   

Located on Main Street a half a mile away from the ocean, they had no power for two weeks and luckily the real estate agency did not experience any damage to the interior or exterior.  

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“Hurricane Sandy had a terrible impact on this area and the other beach towns.  It changed the Jersey Shore dramatically,” he says.   “The entire Shore is in rebuild mode and realtors have banded together to create awareness that there are many beautiful homes for sale and is still a great place to vacation and rent.”

Demaras was very impressed with how the community of Asbury Park came together along with the volunteers and relief organizations that offered their time and donated supplies.  “Collectively, we came together as one and the incredible humanity and spirit of helping is etched in my mind forever.”

To learn more about this business and others affected by the storm, please visit http://bit.ly/19EYgjm. Funded by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the WCEC’s “We’re Storming Back” Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Program provides free workshops, training, and resources to New Jersey businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy to help them to recover and thrive. 

About The WCEC

The WCEC, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit corporation, is a U. S. Small Business Administration’s Women’s Business Center.  The WCEC provides the tools for individuals to successfully own, operate and grow their small businesses, thereby investing financially, intellectually and emotionally in their communities. The WCEC provides more than 150 classes, seminars and individual consulting sessions each year for more than 5,000 participants. For more information please visit www.wcecnj.org/.

John C. Conover Agency

200 Main Street

Asbury Park, NJ

732-897-9200

conovernj.com

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