Mid-February, prime time to lock in Jersey Shore rentals

BRIGANTINE, N.J. (WPVI) -- It pays to be an early-bird when it comes to locking in that summer rental at the Jersey Shore.

Many realtors up and down the coast line are reporting that rentals are up anywhere between 20% and 35%, as compared to this time last year.

It is a trend that typically serves as a prelude to a strong season overall.

Marie LaPera from Berkshire Hathaway in Brigantine says not only are some of the prime weeks in July and August already selling out.

LaPera says another good sign for the Jersey Shore real estate market is the number of homes sales - up 16% this year in Brigantine alone.

LaPera says since the Great Recession, the tendency had been to take homes off the market in January and February.

But this year, she says, there is no need for that.