What's Happening on LBI
Memorial Day weekend is finally here — although summer weather apparently didn't get the memo. Somehow, almost every MDW on LBI ends up being a little bit of a weather letdown.
Over the weekend, I had a chance to check out Ono's Bowls in Beach Haven. They've become pretty popular in Westfield, NJ, and recently opened their LBI location in Beach Haven. I'd describe it as a healthier alternative to Playa Bowls, with a strong focus on fresh ingredients and juices. They actually juice everything fresh right in front of you, and to my knowledge they're currently the only place on the island offering that.
I also stopped by LBI Distillery, and it completely exceeded my expectations. It's an intimate, laid-back spot with great drinks, fun bartenders, and an atmosphere that almost feels like you're hanging out at your neighbor's bar. They'll have live music Thursday through Monday throughout the weekend. Definitely worth checking out if you haven't been yet.
Friday also marks the launch of our new lifestyle newsletter: The 18.
Your LBI Weekend Rundown
We've been putting this together for a while now and are excited to finally get it out there. The goal is simple — one quick Friday morning read that gets you caught up on everything happening around the island before the weekend starts. Music, events, food spots, business openings, local stories, contests, random things going on around town — basically all the stuff people on LBI end up texting each other about anyway.
If you're already on our newsletter list, you'll automatically get it Friday morning. If it's not your thing, you can always unsubscribe.
For parades and all Memorial Day weekend happenings, keep an eye out for The 18 in your inbox Friday morning.
As the spring market winds down, it's a good time to reflect on what we just saw. In many ways, this felt like the first "normalizing" spring market since Covid — and the first season where we saw real price resistance, especially at the lower end of the market.
A large number of homes that hit the market this spring were priced 10%+ above where buyers were actually willing to engage — and got little to no action because of it.
Technically there's still another week left in the spring market, and we'll break down all the final numbers next week once it officially wraps up. But at this point, it's fair to say this spring underperformed compared to the last several years — disappointing for both sellers and buyers, in different ways.
No broad 5%+ price jump.
Certain segments still performed well, but price growth was much more selective and much harder to force. This market also had more unserious sellers than any spring in recent memory — owners testing the market with aspirational pricing 10%+ over actual value. Many of those listings expired, saw repeated price cuts, or are still sitting today.
$1.5M–$2.5M was frustrating.
A select number of homes were priced correctly and ready to sell — and those went almost immediately, shutting many buyers out. Outside of that, a large portion of inventory in that range was priced far too aggressively, leaving buyers feeling like there were very few realistic options all spring.
Given how the spring performed, I think it's unlikely we'll see major market-wide price jumps through the rest of the year. In certain segments, homes that came to market this spring at overly aggressive prices will likely need to roll pricing back to stay competitive heading into the fall.
Of course, there will always be outliers. Certain property types should continue to appreciate — particularly highly desirable inventory like oversized south-end oceanblock lots, unique new construction, and properties with strong long-term scarcity value.
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Beach Haven Gardens · Long Beach Island
New Build with Bay Views in Beach Haven Gardens
7 29th Street, Long Beach Township
Offered at $2,695,000, this brand-new 2026 construction in Beach Haven Gardens stacks a serious amenity list into one of LBI's most walkable bayside neighborhoods. The top floor opens up under 14-foot ceilings, anchored by a chef's kitchen with Cambria Inverness Bristol Bay quartz, custom cabinetry, and a full Frigidaire Professional appliance package. A 3-stop elevator hits every level, and the rooftop deck delivers 360° views of the bay, ocean, and Atlantic City skyline. Outside, a 10' x 20' inground pool, turf area, outdoor shower, and TV area make the backyard genuinely usable all summer. Across the street from the bay, walking distance to Southwick's Marina, California Grill, Howard's, and the beach.
Property Highlights
A brand-new build with a pool in a walkable bayside neighborhood is one of the strongest dual-use plays on LBI right now. It works on both ends: a long-term family home in a tightly held pocket of the island, and a serious income-producing rental from day one. Comparable new builds with this same combo of new construction, pool, and walkable location are renting for upwards of $13,000 a week in peak season — putting this firmly in the top tier of LBI's rental market.
Beach Haven Gardens is the location that makes the math work. You're across the street from the bay, within walking distance to Southwick's Marina, California Grill, Howard's, Queen City Crust, Delaware Avenue Oyster House, and Wawa, and only a mile from Fantasy Island and Bay Village. Renters pay up for walkability like this — and the build itself backs it up with Andersen 400 Series black windows, Cedar Impressions siding, and 40-year shingles with metal roofing in the front.
Quick Snapshot
| Price | $2,695,000 |
| Bedrooms / Bathrooms | 4 beds · 3 full / 1 half bath |
| Square Footage | 2,200 sq ft |
| Year Built | 2026 (New Construction) |
| Location | Beach Haven Gardens · Long Beach Township |
| Lot Size | 3,049 sq ft |
| Property Type | Single-Family · Bayside, New Construction |
| Parking | 1-car attached garage + paver driveway |
Courtesy of Kaitlyn Mooney of Island Realty-Surf City
The Guarino Team
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We don't just know the Long Beach Island market. We live it, invest in it, and study it every single day.
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