Best Activities in Ocean City

Kristin
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Each year OceanCity.com readers vote on the best of everything in Ocean City. We also have a panel of experts around Ocean City who pick their favorites based on local experiences, which we refer to as Editor’s Choice. Click here for this year’s voting.

Whatever the weather and whatever your preferred form of entertainment, there’s always something to do in Ocean City. The bay is riddled with watersport centers for the adventurous vacationers, just as Coastal Highway hosts an abundance of mini-golf courses for those who prefer a more relaxed kind of fun. Either way, you’re sure to have a great time.

Best Fishing Charter

The Angler boat

If you’re looking to reel in sea bass, cod, trout and everything else the Atlantic Ocean has to offer, sign up for one of the Angler’s Deep Sea Fishing Trips and set sail on their 65-foot fiber glass party boat with your fishing rod in hand. If you’re looking for more of a scenic adventure, their Nature Cruise will take you around Assateague Island to see the ponies and waterfowl, and the Evening Scenic Cruise treats boaters to a trip around OC and the bay as the sun sets.

Runner-up: Happy Hooker

Best Mini Golf

Old Pro
At Old Pro you can play a game of golf through any era, including the Jurassic.

Old Pro Golf

*5 year winner!* 

Since 1965, Old Pro has been treating professional and amateur golfers alike to challenging games at all four of their locations. Fuel your imagination with whatever your heart desires, whether that be underwater, safari, Renaissance castle, dragon, dinosaur or pirate-themed courses. You’ve seen all of Old Pro’s fantasy sculptures every time you drive down Coastal Highway – the dinosaurs don’t bite, so why not get to know them a little?

Runner-up: Lost Treasure Golf 

*5 year winner!*

Best Parasailing

OC Parasailing

At OC Parasail, you can choose high up you go, so whether you’re looking to relax while watching the sunset or experience a wild ride over the ocean, your flight will be smooth, safe and tons of fun. Nothing compares to the feeling of flying over the water while dolphins swim beneath your feet, and OC Parasail offers the best parasailing adventures in all of Ocean City.

Runner-up: OC Watersports 

Jet skiing is one of the best things you can do on a hot day in Ocean City.

Best Jet Skiing

Odyssea Watersports

*5 year winner!*

For the ultimate thrill on the bay, Odyssea’s jet skis are the best Ocean City has to offer. Family owned and operated for 20 years, Odyssea has a private beach, experienced guides to assist watersport newbies, and top-quality jet skis, pontoon boats, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards.

Runner-up: OC Bayside Rentals

Best Kayak Rental

48th Street Watersports

*5 year winner!*

Located on the picturesque Isle of Wight Bay, 48th Street Watersports is one of the only places in Ocean City that offers kayak eco tours, where guides will help you get out on the water and catch an intimate glance at all the plant and animal life that the bay has to offer. You can see diamondback terrapins, Maryland blue crabs, ospreys, egrets, horseshoe crabs, jellyfish and sometimes even stingrays and skates as you glide over the shallow waters of the bay.

Runner-up: Coastal Kayak 

No experience needed, as guides are always available to help.

Best Surf Shop

Malibu’s Surf Shop

Surfers rejoice at Malibu’s Surf Shop, where you can find the best surf gear and boards that Ocean City has to offer. If you’re new to surfing but looking to ride the waves, Malibu’s offers private lessons every morning with seasoned instructors who are local to the Ocean City area. If you don’t have a board of your own, Malibu’s has rentals, too.

Runner-up: K-Coast Surf Shop

Editor’s choice: Chauncey’s Surf Shop

For over 20 years, Chauncey’s has been offering top-of-the-line surfing and skating equipment and is an old favorite for lovers of any kind of board. Even if you don’t surf or skate, Chauncey’s offers unique gifts, trendy clothing, jewelry and shoes and souvenirs that you’re not likely to find in any other shop on the beach.

Best Rainy Day

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! 

For once, the odditorium on the Boardwalk beat out the movies for Ocean City’s Best Rainy Day activity! When the rain starts pouring down and you’re seeking shelter near the Jolly Roger pier rides, head inside Ripley’s to be amazed by all their weird collections — a model of the world’s tallest man, shrunken heads and two-headed animals among them. The kids will be entertained for as long as their attention spans allow them. 

Runner-up: Fox Sun & Surf Cinema 

Editor’s choice: Ocean City Life Saving Station Museum

Brush up on your Ocean City history at the Life Saving Station Museum located on the southern end of the Boardwalk overlooking the Inlet. Exhibits include Surf’s Up, which documents the evolution of surfing in Ocean City over the years, Sands From Around the World, the Boardwalk of Yesterday and more, plus a Kids Corner makes the museum fun for visitors of all ages — children can learn all about Ocean City through games and puzzles while parents tour the exhibits. 

Photo Friday: Air Show Photos and Other Fun Things

Kristin
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It’s Friday, and you know what that means — Photo Friday, the greatest day of the week. This week we received a good amount of family-fun-in-the-sun pictures, as always, in addition to some really cool shots from the 11th OC Air Show last weekend. While last week’s theme was The Natural Wonders of Ocean City, this week’s is Air Show Photos and Other Fun Things. After this one we’re going to take a break for a week or so, but when we come back, we hope to see all your patriotic and fun 4th of July Photos! 

Aaand now for the weekly spiel: If you don’t see the picture you submitted in this week’s lineup, don’t fret. We’ll always come back with a new theme and will be pulling newly submitted photos in addition to those that haven’t yet made the blog. You’ll still be in the running for whatever we’re giving away in the weeks to come, as long as you included your name and email address in your submission. 

>> Submit your own Ocean City photos here 

This week’s winner is Regina, Air Show Photographer extraordinaire, who will receive two Jolly Roger Amusements gift certificates for her great shots.

OC airshow from Ocean city beach.

Come on take the pic we have waves to catch
One of the things I love about OC is how it brings people together. I am a 2-year breast cancer survivor and this was my first awareness walk. It took my breath away!
Sophia and Cami July 2017 94th Street Candy Kitchen
Enjoying Seacrets
Kohrs custard in Oct! It tastes just as good in the off season! Oct. 2017
Under the Pier

Worcester County Sales Market Watch 2018 – Ocean City Real Estate

Joanna Laslo
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The following study compares 2017 and 2018 between the dates of January 1 and June 19, for each of those years.

In Worcester County,  the number of single family home sales declined by 20.19% between 2017 and 2018.  In contrast, however, the price of the average home sold increased by 10.6%!  That trend was extended to condominiums and townhouses as well.  The number of condos sold in 2018 decreased by 13.9% in 2018.   However the sold price was 3.7% higher than in 2017.

That being said there was only a 1.66% difference in unimproved lots and land, with 60 sales in 2017 and 59 in 2018.  Conversely, one more farm sold in 2018 compared to 2017.

The following are some interesting statistics for our county with more specificity than previous reports (by popular request);

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES
SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

Single Family Homes

Jan 1-June 19, 2017

416 single family homes were sold.

List price

The lowest list price of these homes was $23,900 (215 Laurel St. Pocomoke)

Average list was $292,400

Highest list price was $2,600,000 (9 Beach Walk Mews Ocean City).

Sold price

The lowest sold price was $12,500 (348 Winter Quarters Dr. Pocomoke)

Average sold price was $279,681

Highest sold price was $2,300,000 (9 Beach Walk Mews Ocean City)

The days on the market (DOM) for these properties:

Low 0 days  – there were 8 units that sold in 0 days:

  1. 12506 Sea Buoy Ct, Ocean City
  2. 11836 Man O War, Berlin
  3. 179 Sandy Hook Lane, Ocean Pines
  4. 102 Seafarer Lane, Ocean Pines
  5. 90 Matinique Circle, Ocean Pines
  6. 13 Junniper Ct, Ocean Pines
  7. 118 Austin Circle, Berlin
  8. 92 White Sail Circle, Ocean Pines

Average 129 days

Highest DOM was 2,136  (369 Walnut Hill in Berlin)

Compare these sales to the same time period in 2018:

332 singles family homes settled in 2018.

List price 

Low was $14,900 (700 Clarke Ave, Pocomoke)

average was $309,337

highest was $1,699,000. (12972 Inlet Isle Lane)

Sold price

lowest sold price was $10,500  (700 Clarke Ave., Pocomoke)

Average sold price was $295,936

Highest sold price was $1,725,000.  This property (12972 Inlet Isle Lane in Ocean City) sold for $26,000 more than the asking price after 634 DOM!!

The days on the market (DOM)for the single family homes sold in the first half of 2018:

Low was 0 days.  There were 6 properties that sold in 0 days:

  1. 7 Bimini Lane, Berlin
  2. 1 Avon Ct, Ocean Pines
  3. 275 Woodhaven Ct, Berlin
  4. 7628 Downs Rd, Newark
  5. 10 Juneway Lane, Ocean Pines
  6. 9 Watergreen Lane, Berlin

Average DOM was 124 days

Highest number of DOM was 1,946 (12240 Swan Lane in Bishopville)

 

CONDOS AND TOWNHOUSES
CONDOS AND TOWNHOUSES

Condos and townhouses

January 1 – June 19, 2017

638 condominium or townhomes were sold

List price

Low $79,900 (719 142nd Street, Ocean City)

Average $289,059

High  $1,700,000 (#2  48th Street  unit 1701, Ocean City)

Sold prices:

Low $70,000  (719 142nd Street, Ocean City)

Average  $276,794

High  $1,400,000  (#2   48th Street Unit 1701, Ocean City)

DOM

Low  0  – There were two units that sold in “0” days:

  1. 13201 Wight St #304, Ocean City
  2. 5801 Atlantic Ave #501, Ocean City

Average  183

High  1,903  (Sunset Bay Phase II unit 407 54th Street Ocean City)

January 1 – June 19, 2018

549 units were sold

List price

Low  $74,900 –  (206  8th Street #32, Ocean City)

Average  $299,941

High  $1,499,900  –  (2  48th Street #1706, Ocean City)

Sold price

Low $70,000  –   (206  8th Street #32, Ocean City)

Average $287,150

High  $1,425,000 –   (2  48th Street # 1706, Ocean City)

DOM

Low  0  – there were 6 properties that sold in “0” days

  1. 14500 Wight Street #302, Ocean City
  2. 107 Convention Center Dr #48B, Ocean City
  3. 11 36th Street #302, Ocean City
  4. 5101 Atlantic Ave #301, Ocean City
  5. 705 Edgewater Ave #705, Ocean City
  6. 11431 Manklin Creek Rd, Ocean Pines

Average  147

High  4,027   (106  16th Street 2 Ocean City,)

Lots/unimproved land

The first half of 2017 showed 60 parcels of land that changed hands.

List price

Low  $5,000 (Lambertson Rd Pocomoke)

Average  $162,989

High  $ 1,500,000  (N Baltimore Ave Ocean City)

Sold price

Low  $5,000 (Lambertson Rd., Pocomoke)

Average  $142,867

High   $ 1,500,000  (N Baltimore Ave, Ocean City)

DOM

Low  4  (132 Pine Forest Dr Ocean Pines)

Average  523

Highest # od days   3152  (323 Walnut Hill Dr, Berlin)

2018 There were 59 land parcels sold

List price

Low  $4,999 (507 Bonneville Ave Pocomoke)

Average  $117,545

High  $440,000 (Lot 3 Saddle Creek Dr Berlin)

Sold price

Low  $3,000 (507 Bonneville Ave Pocomoke)

Average  $98,222

High  $425,000  (Lot 3 Saddle Creek Dr Berlin)

DOM

Low  0   (704 Edgewater Ave Ocean City)

Average  518

High  3,854  (lot 11 Croppers Island Rd Berlin)

Farms

Two farms were sold in 2017:

  1. Lot 3, Backcreek (36.35 acres) Rd Bishopville was listed for $200,000 and sold after 2,107 DOM for $175,000
  2. 6641 Whitesburg Rd (28.22 acres) Snow Hill was listed for $450,000 and sold for $400,000 after 66 DOM.

Three farms sold in 2018:

  1. 4723 Stockton Rd (8.76 acres) in Pocomoke was listed for $529,000 and sold for $455,000 after 48 DOM
  2. 10442 Katelyn Lane (33.76 acres) in Berlin was listed for $799,000 and sold for $700,000 after 921 DOM
  3. 6033 Tyson Lane (245 acres) in Snow Hill was listed for $1,100,000 and sold for $925,000 after 13 DOM

In review: While fewer properties were sold, overall, the properties showed a slight increase in price.

For further information, please feel free to reach out to me:

(joanna@oceancitybeachproperties.com), or call your local REALTOR for assistance.

Best Bars in Ocean City (of 2018!)

Kristin
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Each year OceanCity.com readers vote on the best of everything in Ocean City. We also have a panel of experts around Ocean City who pick their favorites based on local experiences, which we refer to as Editor’s Choice. Click here for the 2019 voting.

It’s that time of year again: Time to announce the winners of the Best of Ocean City contest, where tens of thousands of Ocean City lovers place their votes every year in categories related to the Best Bars, Best Restaurants, Best Activities and the Best of the Boardwalk. And for many OC visitors, the most important part of any Ocean City vacation is the bar-hopping. “Best Bars” almost always proves to be the category that we get the most votes in, and we totally understand why. There are some great bars in Ocean City. And some not-so-great bars. But we’re here to concentrate on the positive. 

Without further ado, here are 2018’s Best Bars in Ocean City, Maryland! If you don’t agree with the results — or even if you do agree, but want them to stay the same next year — it’s not too early to start voting in the Best of Ocean City 2019. 

Fish Tales wins again!

Best Bar Overall

Fish Tales

*5 year winner!*

Taking home the gold, the “Best Bar Overall” is Fish Tales — again! It’s always neck-and-neck between Fish Tales and Seacrets for this one, but Fish Tales ultimately won out for its colorful marina atmosphere and overall family-friendliness. Bring the kids along to play in the sandy playgrounds on the bay, and as I said last year, be sure to try Fish Tales’ signature Pink Warrior, the official drink of the Poor Girls Open where proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.

Runner-up: Seacrets

Editor’s Choice: Harborside Bar & Grill

Harborside is a treasure of West Ocean City’s commercial fishing harbor, where sailors dock their boats and head straight to the bar for a plate of fresh seafood and a fresh-squeezed Orange Crush. And when it comes to the crush, accept no imitations! Harborside is home of the original Orange Crush, which tastes best when you’re out on their patio watching the sun set or seeing a live band perform, both of which happen quite often at Harborside. 

Best Drinks

See above!

Fish Tales

Seacrets always makes this list, and they even have their own beer brewed by Evo.

Seacrets pulled through in this category last year, but in 2018, Fish Tales is not to be beat. On their drink menu you’ll find “Tales Originals,” which includes the Pink Warrior (again, see above), the Upside Down Pineapple (“sorority girls unite!”) a Sexy on the Bay (where a portion of the sales are donated to the Humane Society), the always delicious Big Fish ( Bacardi pineapple rum, Bacardi orange, Malibu banana, and Malibu coconut rum mixed with orange and cranberry juice) and more. Are you salivating yet? 

Runner-up: Seacrets

Editor’s Choice: Harborside Bar & Grill

It’s a well-known fact that Harborside makes some of the best crushes in town, and there are 16 variations of the crush on their drink menu. There are also three special crushes made with moonshine, plus a wide selection of mules, margaritas and Ketal Botanicals that come without the carbs, sugars, GMOs and artificial flavorings that are found in most drinks. At Harborside’s happy hour, get a crush for $5.50 and pair it with happy hour food including steamed shrimp, steamed clams, steamed mussels and buffalo wings. 

Best Happy Hour

Coconuts Bar & Grill

*5 year winner!*

Head inside the Castle in the Sand hotel on 37th Street and that’s where you’ll find Coconuts, a frequent winner of Ocean City’s “Best Happy Hour.” Happy Hour at Coconuts is every day from 5 to 6 p.m., where drinks are 2-for-the-price-of-1. It’s the best and the fastest hour in Ocean City, often enjoyed alongside live music and, of course, beautiful views of the ocean.

Runner-up: MR Ducks

Editor’s Choice: Mother’s Cantina

At Mother’s, Happy Hour prices aren’t just for drinks — although you can’t beat $1.50 draft beers and $3.50 house margaritas — but they’re also for tacos, which are only $1.75 daily from 5 – 7 p.m. There are additional Happy Hour specials depending on the day of the week, so it’s very rare to go to Mother’s Cantina and not get a good deal on at least some part of your meal. 

Best Sunset View

Fager’s Island

*5 year winner!*

It would be blasphemous to not award Ocean City’s Best Sunset View to Fager’s Island. They time it perfectly every evening so that the 1812 Overture bellows from the bar just as the sun is setting, and if you haven’t stood on their gazebo on the water to enjoy this phenomenon, you haven’t really had the full Ocean City experience. 

 

Runner-up: Ropewalk

Editor’s Choice: The Angler

The Angler steals the editor’s pick for Best Sunset View this year, due to their location by the 50 bridge bayside and their Evening Scenic Cruise on the boat that goes by the same name as the restaurant. Aboard the Angler, you can experience a 45 minute cruise of Ocean City’s waterways for just $4 with the purchase of a $12 lunch or dinner entree. And there’s no better way to enjoy a sunset than that. 

Best Live Music

Seacrets

*5 year winner!*

No one in Ocean City does live music better than Seacrets. Whether an act is performing at Morley Hall, the Tiki Stage or the outdoor Beach Stage, you can bet there will be a huge crowd with seemingly limitless energy and dance moves. You can even watch live cams and pre-recorded videos of the bands that regularly rock the Seacrets stages right on their website. 

Runner-up: Coconuts

Editor’s Choice: Fager’s Island

Fager’s Island is one of the few businesses in Ocean City that can perfectly balance fine dining with explosively entertaining live music. Bands and DJs frequent Fager’s all weekend long, but even on the weekdays there’s entertainment to be enjoyed: specifically at their Monday Night Deck Parties, where live music accompanies drink specials and a beach party atmosphere all night long. 

Pickles: The only place to be when the game’s on.

Best Sports Bar

Pickles Pub

Pickles has been a favorite sports bar among locals since the joint first opened up in 1989. Open year-round and providing Ocean City with a dose of casual pub atmosphere downtown, locals and visitors alike are known to catch a game on their giant high-def TV, and maybe enjoy a fried pickle or two. Or 12. 

Runner-up: The Original Greene Turtle

Editor’s Choice: Greene Turtle West 

The Original Greene Turtle in North OC is often a winner or runner-up of “Best Sports Bar,” but the Turtle’s location in West Ocean City is not to be forgotten! The Greene Turtle West is family-friendly and a hub year-round for live music, craft beer on tap, sports on the TV and always a game of pool. 

Best Craft Beer Selection

OC Brewing Co

OC Brewing Co. is not only a brewpub, but a full-scale family restaurant, too. Stop by the brewery on the corner of 56th Street and Coastal Highway and you’ll find up to 16 craft brews on tap at any given time, ranging from light lagers to dark ales, best enjoyed with an order of “Almost Famous” egg rolls. They serve their own craft beer brewed in-house in addition to local beers from all over the Delmarva peninsula and beyond. 

Runner-up: 45th Street Taphouse

Editor’s Choice: Hopper’s Tap House

Located in Salisbury, MD, just a short drive west from Ocean City is Hopper’s Tap House, a bar that boasts what’s probably the largest selection of craft beer on the Eastern Shore, if not the entire world. At Hopper’s there are over 40 craft beers on tap, many of them local, on any given day, plus live music on the weekends and “Hoppy Hour” from 3 to 7 p.m.

Best Brewery

Burley Oak

Burley Oak in Berlin, MD draws thousands of visitors to the area every year just for their craft beer alone. According to Burley, “Our goal is to produce distinctive beers whose quality is unsurpassed using new and traditional brewing methods,” a goal that they’ve certainly accomplished: Their brews are as unique as it gets, and made largely with local ingredients. Stop in for an IPA or, for those feeling adventurous, a JREAM: a sour beer made with fruit and milk sugar, offered in a variety of flavors. 

You can’t miss the Backshore van!

Runner-up: OC Brewing Co

Editor’s Choice: Backshore Brewing Co 

All Backshore beers are brewed in the salty air, right on the Ocean City boardwalk! Backshore is constantly changing up their beers on tap, although the Boardwalk Blonde ale and the Downtown Sugar Brown ale are consistently available, and consistently delicious. With names like “Turn Down for Wheat” and “It’s Getting Hot in Beer!,” the brews are as tasty as they are original. 

Local bartender retires after over four decades at the Greene Turtle

Kristin
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Karen Connolly
Connolly at the Turtle, back in the day.

Karen Connolly has been bartending at the Original Greene Turtle in North Ocean City since the place first opened in 1976. Kind of. 

On June 18, 2018, the Turtle held a 42nd Anniversary Party for the now-chain’s original location, except it wasn’t so much a party for the Turtle as it was a retirement party for Connolly. She’s been a loyal Turtle bartender for 42 years (at least, for all intents and purposes), and now she’s hanging up her shakers and strainers to work in the Turtle’s t-shirt shop next door.

So she’s really only retiring from bartending. Because after over four decades working at what some might consider to be OC’s first locals bar, with a friendly pub atmosphere “where everybody knows your name” as Connolly puts it, how could you ever really retire?  

She’s such a staple of the Turtle and Ocean City culture as a whole that at the party on June 19, Mayor Rick Meehan presented her with a key to the city, on behalf of himself and the City Council, for making Happy Hour especially happy at the Greene Turtle for four-plus decades. A video of the ceremony can be viewed here. 

“Congratulations on 42 years…I can tell you who has a lot to do with that, that’s Karen,” Meehan said.

“I told you, no fanfare!” said Connolly, who goes on to describe how she, hilariously, purchased a pair of blue denim snakeskin bell-bottoms from Meehan many years back when he owned a shop on Dorchester Street. 

Karen Connolly Steve Pappas
Connolly with one of the restaurant’s owners, Steve Pappas. The cover image is courtesy of the Greene Turtle.
(Full disclosure, Connolly really came on as a bartender at the Turtle after they’d already been open for about a year. 
“It’s actually been 40 years, but Steve told everyone that I’d been working here the entire time and when I said, ‘Steve, I didn’t work here the entire time,’ he said, ‘don’t tell anyone that.’ I’m not gonna lie to ‘em!” 
Since Connolly’s not going to lie and the Mayor sort of spilled the beans in the video above, I feel that this information can be safely published here.) 

I met up with Connolly during the first half of the Monday night party to talk to her about her life and career in Ocean City, and what makes the Greene Turtle (aka the Cheers of Ocean City) such a special and long-lasting place. She was hard to talk to, but only because she’s so popular among the Turtle’s staff and clientele that someone was pulling her away for a photo or a chat every few minutes. Aside from that, the bartender — who is as sassy and friendly as she describes herself in the interview — was an easy and open conversationalist, and it’s easy to see why she’s a fan favorite among the Turtle’s guests.  

A brief Q + A session with Karen Connolly

What is it about the Greene Turtle that made you stick around for so long? 

I ask myself that a lot. When this bar first opened, it was 30 x 30, 40 x 40 maybe. We did not sell food, I think the year after they’d just changed the drinking age to 18, but this place, it rocked. And then I was 23 or 24, and there weren’t that many restaurants where the place was packed every single day.

We talk about the restaurant Cheers, you know the show Cheers, where everyone knows your name? We were like the original Cheers, and not Cheers on TV. The Greene Turtle was the neighborhood bar, it really was.

How’d you end up in Ocean City? 

I was from Pennsylvania but when I was four or five my family moved to Baltimore. My family built a home down here in 1962 when I was a little kid. So I did grow up here every summer and when I graduated from college, we never moved back. A lot of people end up here that way.

And then ironically our one daughter, she moved up to Harford County, and our younger daughter, she’ll never leave Worcester County. But a lot of people, they migrate here and then their kids migrate back to the city. I think when they get older they’ll probably end up coming back to the Eastern Shore. It’s what they call the circle of life or something.

And how did you end up here at the Turtle? 

I was friends with the wife of one of the original owners, not Tommy or Steve, and they offered me a job. I worked for two years, every winter I would travel around the world and so one winter they got mad at me because I guess the girl who was working every day, they resented that I would work hard for eight months and then I’d travel for four months. So they didn’t hire me back, but then the next year, I guess it was in ‘80, they heard I was back in town and was tending bar somewhere and they said, do you wanna come back to the Turtle? And I said sure, because I felt very comfortable here.

This place was not a meat market. It was not a pick up joint. I cannot tell you how many weddings, baptisms, unfortunately funerals, because I’ve worked here for so long. I do have a lot of long-term ties. Makes it interesting.

You’re obviously an expert bartender after being in the business for so long. What advice do you have for other bartenders here in Ocean City?

Save your money. You make $200, but then you go out that night and you blow $150. You do that and then after July 4th you’ll go, “oh [shoot], I haven’t saved a nickel yet.”

I told Steve, let the younger girls take my place. So the one girl said to me, ‘Karen, I don’t know how you do this for so many years. I talk to the guest and after five minutes of talking to ‘em, I don’t know what to say to them anymore.’ Well, it’s because of this thing! [Motioning to cellphone] People don’t have the gift of the gab anymore. [Steve] said to me, well so-and-so’s young, and most of the customers are old — I said Steve, I was young and I was waiting on 50, 60, 70-year-old men. I figured out what to say to them.

What do you think you’ll miss the most about working here? 

One of the main ingredients: The tourists. Since I’ve been in the t-shirt shop just for a few weeks, I’ve had more guests from the bar come down and say, you were our bartender 10 years ago. They’ll say, I’ll never forget you, you made our visit so great, blah blah blah, ‘cause I’m sassy, friendly, and a bartender can be sassy and friendly.

Where now everybody’s so politically correct and I can’t look at you funny ‘cause I’m going to hurt your feelings, at the bar you can get away with being — you can be involved with your customers. You can be sassy at the bar. But say you work at a Denny’s and you’re sassy, and you got sassy, people could be offended and go on Yelp and be like, ‘meeeh!’ We had a lot of laughs behind the bar. People were not as needy back in the old days.

I will miss all the people that I love. But I can stop and get a drink, so I still will see the locals. And like I say, the tourists that I’ve been waiting on for, some families I’ve known for 30 years now, their children are grown and now they have their own children. But they normally stop in the t-shirt shop, so I’m pretty sure I will see almost everybody.

First White Marlin of the Season Reeled In

OceanCity.com
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OCEAN CITY, MD – (June 18, 2018): Anglers in the resort town are celebrating as the highly coveted “first white marlin” of the season has been caught. Ron Bennett reeled in the first white marlin of 2018 on Saturday, June 13. The marlin was caught at approximately 8:27 a.m.while the crew of “Stalker” was fishing off the shore of Ocean City. The fish was released after the catch.

As the angler reeling in the first white marlin of the season, Bennett will receive a $5,000 prize awarded by the Town of Ocean City. 

“Ocean City is proud to be the White Marlin Capital of the World,” said Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan.  “The first white marlin catch of the season is a symbolic start to the fishing season and hopefully a sign of many more for our offshore fishermen this summer.”

The $5,000 prize money will be awarded to Bennett at a future Mayor and Council Regular Session. The angler is also expected to receive a $5,000 prize from the Marlin Club and $5,000 from a local fishing group.

“Ocean City Film Challenge” Seeks Short Movies About the Resort

Kristin
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OCEAN CITY, MD — June 15, 2018 — The Ocean City Film Festival in collaboration with the Art League of Ocean City is presenting a challenge to filmmakers and aspiring filmmakers across Delmarva and beyond: The Ocean City Film Challenge.

The Ocean City Film Challenge — the first of its kind for the Festival and the Town of Ocean City — is open to any artist who wishes to make a short film that takes place in Ocean City and is in some way about the resort. The film can be of any genre, and the only other parameters are that it not exceed 20 minutes in length and be made between June 16 and July 16, 2018.

“We love seeing all the talent that comes from local artists, but we’d always love to see more films that are shot right here in OC,” said Film Festival Director William Strang-Moya. “Ocean City is a beautiful landscape, and there’s so much that artists can take advantage of right here in town.”

The Ocean City Film Festival is entering its third year after its premiere festival in June 2017 and its second in March 2018. The OCFF additionally holds $5 Film Night events on the third Saturday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Center for the Arts on 94th St., where local filmmakers showcase their talents to an audience of film lovers and movie buffs.

Anyone who participates in the Ocean City Film Challenge will have their film screened at the $5 Film Night on July 21, and also at the third Ocean City Film Festival in March 2019. The first-place winner of the Challenge will receive an Ocean City-related prize package including a hotel stay, a restaurant gift card, and OC swag.

More information and updates on the Festival and the Film Challenge are available  online at ocmdfilmfestival.com/oceancityfilmchallenge. Contact OCFF Co-Director Kristin Helf at kristin@artleagueofoceancity.org with any questions.

The Ocean City Center for the Arts at 502 94th Street is the home of the Art League of Ocean City, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the visual arts to the community through education, exhibits, scholarship, programs and community art projects.

Photo Friday: The Natural Wonders of Ocean City

Kristin
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Happy Photo Friday! We get so many submissions of sunsets, wildlife and the general landscape of Ocean City that it only made sense to make this week’s theme the natural wonders of Ocean City. Most of these photos were submitted within the last few weeks, but we threw in a few from Halloween and the winter months for a more diverse look at all the beauty our readers have captured over the last year. 

If you don’t see the picture you submitted in this week’s lineup, don’t fret. Next week we’ll be back with a new theme and will be pulling newly submitted photos in addition to those that haven’t yet made the blog. You’ll still be in the running for whatever we’re giving away in the weeks to come, as long as you included your name and email address in your submission. 

>> Submit your own Ocean City photos here 

This week’s randomly-selected winner is Rhiana, who will receive two Jolly Roger Amusements gift certificates for her incredible osprey photos. Great shots! 

My mom in OC in the 1950s
Dewey the gnome
Sunset in Northside Park
An osprey on a successful hunt for lunch. Taken from the balcony of our condo on 103rd St.
A successful lunch grab.
Butterflies enjoying goldenrod in the dunes
I found my very first sand dollar on 103rd st. I felt like I won the lottery!
Under the pier at sunset
Sunset over the bay during a dolphin cruise originating from Talbot Street Pier.

In June 2017 I was staying at The Quay on 107th street and was able to capture this sunset .
Beach
Beach
Hey how are you doing. This photo was taken at the end of summer last year in downtown ocean city. I believe it was around 3 or 4 street. Came herw after graveyard shift and did some Beachscape photography. Photography by Doug Brown
Memories will ALWAYS BE SEEN FOR GENERATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Ocean City Themed Pumpkins! Taken on 36th Street at dawn.
Horses in the dunes
Horses in the dunes
Harbor shot. Ocean City.
After the storm this week, at Northside Park, Ocean City. Only the seagulls and me!
The crew from “Chasin’ Tails” looks on as day five of The White Marlin Open draws to an end. Photo by : John Duerr
Ocean City Beach sunrise yoga on 8/21/17! Heather Rovder is featured in this photo flowing to the amazing sunrise the morning of the solar eclipse. Heather recorded her session on her iPhone 7+ and was able to capture this beautiful moment.

Traffic Delays Expected During Air Show Event

OceanCity.com
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OCEAN CITY, MD – (June 13, 2018): The Town of Ocean City is reminding residents and visitors to expect traffic delays during the 2018 Ocean City Air Show on Saturday, June 16, and Sunday, June 17.  Traffic congestion is expected in the downtown area from the Route 50 Bridge to north of 33rd Street each day from 11 a.m. through 5 p.m.

Traffic patterns will be altered on Philadelphia Avenue at 17th and 19th Streets from 11 a.m. through 5 p.m. each day restricting eastbound turns.  Additionally, northbound traffic on Baltimore Avenue will be rerouted at 9th Street and 12th Street each day beginning at 3:30 p.m. to allow all patrons to leave the event.  Traffic patterns will also be altered at 12th Street and Philadelphia Avenue, 15th Street and St. Louis Avenue, and 21st Street and southbound Baltimore Avenue from3:30 p.m. until cleared on both days.

The Route 50 Drawbridge will be skipping the scheduled opening at 4:25 p.m. on both days of the event to allow traffic to flow out of town.

To avoid traffic delays, spectators are urged to arrive before 10:30 a.m. or take advantage of the municipal bus system to get to and from the event. In addition, significant pedestrian traffic is also expected near the event and in surrounding areas. Pedestrians are encouraged to Walk Smart, use crosswalks, and cross with caution.

Mad Fish fills a dining niche in West Ocean City

Kristin
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It was late February of this year when Cole Taustin, Jay Taustin and Frank Raffo initially closed the deal on West Ocean City’s newest restaurant. It was then almost instantly that construction crews came to the scene, appropriate licenses were garnered and in what might be the quickest restaurant turnover in Ocean City history, the old Ocean City Fish Company was transformed into Mad Fish Bar & Grill in just 10 short weeks.

Inside Mad Fish
“I’m not crazy, my reality is just different from yours,” says the fish on the wall.

The new restaurant’s owners are building upon the success of The Embers Restaurant and Blu Crab House & Raw Bar, two of their businesses which happen to be located side-by-side in downtown OC. That’s the scariest part of this new venture, Cole Taustin said: opening a new location that’s literally in a new location. 

“We’re new to West Ocean City, but we’re new to the whole area in the fact that what we’re providing is something unlike anything else in town,” he said. 

The downside of their new location is the daily trips the restaurant’s owners now have to make between West OC and over the bridge to downtown. It’s a minor setback compared to what most new businesses face — but then again, Ocean City’s summertime traffic can be pretty killer. 

Finding its place in a sea of restaurants

They don’t see themselves as being in direct competition with other West OC businesses, Taustin said. Instead, they’re targeting a “different niche,” and are adding new dining elements to the Ocean City restaurant scene rather than taking away from anyone else’s. 

“Harborside has theirs, Sunset [Grille] has theirs, Crab Alley, everyone has their own niche, and I think we just add to that,” he said. “I’ve had conversations with all the neighboring owners, and they’ve all agreed that this should be a ‘rising tide’ situation.”

Theme-wise, there’s nowhere in Ocean City that’s quite like Mad Fish. 

For their quirky name-and-logo combination, Taustin and co-owner Frank Raffo were simply tossing names back and forth and mocking up images online before they decided they needed the word “fish” in their branding. They made their lists of potential fish-name ideas, and finally converged on Mad Fish, which for Raffo was inspired by his kids and Dr. Suess, and for Taustin evoked Mad Hatter/Alice in Wonderland vibes. 

Inside Mad Fish
Inside Mad Fish, local collabs: Table designs were printed by Ocean City print shop Plak That, and the beautiful glittering wall art was made by local artist Abbi Custis. Even two of the restaurant’s bars were built by Jason Hearn of Tall Tales Brewing Company. 

All are welcome to this Mad Tea-Party

The theme and the aesthetic of the restaurant is a welcome change of pace in West O, not that there’s anything wrong with the decades-old dives and restaurants on the bay that are tried-and-true for their sunset views, their signature crushes and, what else, their fresh seafood selections. Mad Fish docks another boat in the harbor to ride the rising tide of a local dining scene that only gets better with age. Their doors are open to any local or tourist looking to have a good time. 

Mad Fish view
View from the outdoor seating area, taken during one of the restaurant’s soft openings.

“Our demographic is pretty wide in that we can take everybody from your dive bar fans to your white collar golfers. We want to keep things fun and fresh, but there’s an element of class to everything that we’re doing.” 

The menu is new, but much of it adds on to selections that have already proven to be successful at Blu Crab House. Like Blu, they’ll serve halibut, tuna, crabcakes and crab dip, and they’ll also feature a Fish of the Day, synonymous with the restaurant’s name. There’s a full raw bar, steamer pots and “great ceviche,” Taustin said, and Executive Chef John Latta has been experimenting with different land options as well: Chili nachos, slow-cooked ribs and filet mignon plates are all on the menu.

At the bar, of which there are three throughout the restaurant, diners will find classic crushes, margaritas, Moscow mules, Tall Tales and other craft beers on tap and creative specialty drinks including the MF’in Punch and the Mad Tai, a variation of the classic Mai Tai. 

mad fish bar
Out at the bar.

After 10 weeks, a grand opening

Rather than throwing their new staff right into the lion’s den, the restaurant has conducted a number of soft openings to give chefs a chance to familiarize themselves with the menu, bartenders practice with their specialty drink-making muscle memory and servers the opportunity to get to know the place’s layout and its POS system. The grand opening and ribbon cutting, open to the public, will take place on Friday, June 15 at 4 p.m.

The response at the soft openings has been phenomenal, Taustin said. He has his staff to thank for getting Mad Fish off the ground, from their general contractor through the building process to their in-house culinary team, managers and waitstaff. 

“They’re the ones who make things happen day in and day out,” he said. “It doesn’t matter how good your vision is, what kind of systems you put in place, if you don’t have the team to execute. And thankfully we do.”

Mad Fish team
A good restaurant can’t exist without a good team.

Take the bus to the OC Air Show

OceanCity.com
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Ocean City, Maryland – (June 13, 2018): The Town of Ocean City is reminding visitors that there will be heavy traffic and delays coinciding with the Air Show weekend, June 16 – 17, 2018. Traffic congestion is expected in the downtown area from the Route 50 Bridge to north of 33rd Street each day from 11 a.m. through 5 p.m.

One way to avoid maneuvering through traffic is to take advantage of Ocean City’s municipal bus system. Buses leave every few minutes from the Park and Ride Lot on Route 50 and the Tanger Outlets across the street, both in West Ocean City. 

Regular bus service on Coastal Highway starting at 144th Street at the Ocean City Northside Transit Station will be leaving southbound every ten minutes or less. Buses may be boarded at any stop, located every other block between the 144th Street Station and 17th Street where the Air Show can be accessed.

“This is the absolute best way to avoid traffic and parking issues,” said Ocean City Transit Manager Mark Rickards.  “Leave your home, condo or hotel and board the bus with $3 dollar per person all day pass. Buses run 24-7 with no worries about missing the last one. Drivers are there to help as well. Just look for the blue barrels and the Beach Bus sign on both sides of Coastal Highway.”

Make your life even easier when leaving the Air Show: Head back to 17th Street for the Park and Ride buses that will take you back to your personal transportation at the Park and Ride Lot on Route 50. Police Officers will be available to direct buses out in the traffic. Buses and bikes have dedicated travel lanes of coastal highway from 15th Street to the 144th Street Station. Bus stops along Coastal Highway will also be available for your trip back to the north Ocean City and mid-town areas.

Special ticket agents will be available at the Park and Ride Lot on the 16th and 17th to allow for easy and quick access to the buses. Restrooms are available. If boarding a bus to buy an all-day pass, one must have exact change to purchase a pass. Remember to have your pass/ticket ready to go when boarding the bus to speed boarding and get everyone back to where they want to go.

Finally, remember to Raise Your Hand to Ride the Tram. The Boardwalk Trams will continue to operate except at the full height of the air show given crowd levels on the Boardwalk. Trams will operate from the 27th Street Station on the Boardwalk to the First Street Station near the Inlet. The tram stops upon request.

“Our goal is for everyone to have a safe and fun Air Show and Father’s Day Weekend,” said Rickards. “And don’t forget your bus ticket!”

Fathers Day Happenings and Specials in Ocean City

Kristin
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Live music at Fager’s Island 

Treat your dad to a delicious meal, a spectacular sunset view (weather permitting) and live music at Fager’s Island. Bryan Clark will be performing at 6 p.m. on Father’s Day Sunday, rocking Fager’s with all his contemporary classics from “Sinatra 2 Soul.” 

Fager’s Island, Ocean City Night Life

Live Bands, Deck Parties, Special Events, Drink Specials… It’s always time to party at Fager’s Island. Don’t miss our Monday Deck Parties in season and the best live bands in the area year round. We are your Bachelorette Party headquarters.

Free dessert for dad at The Shrimp Boat

Free dessert for dad (or anyone else) when you order from their special dinner menu for Father’s Day.  All dinners are served with two sides. The Shrimp Boat suggests the seafood stuffing and garlic smashed potatoes with these hearty meals:

Crab Imperial ……29.99 
Jumbo lump crabmeat broiled to perfection with a golden layer of rich imperial sauce. 
 
Eastern Shore Platter ……28.99 
Fish of the day, crab cake & shrimp prepared broiled or fried. 
 
Crab Stuffed Shrimp Imperial ……34.99 
Hand picked crab meat stuffed in 4 jumbo shrimp topped with rich imperial sauce and broiled golden brown .
 
Crab Cake Stuffed Flounder gf ……34.99 
5 oz. crab cake stuffed into whole flounder fillet & broiled.
 
Surf & Turf Combination…………..38.99 

Broiled jumbo lump crab cake & grilled 6 oz. tenderloin filet.

Good Vybes at Macky’s

Head to Macky’s on the bayside for brunch, a Bloody Mary bar and the sounds of a steel drummer on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stay for Happy Hour from 3 to 6, or come back later to see DJ Vybe from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. with $1 rail drinks and $6 cheese pizzas.

Dinner specials and a breakfast buffet at Horizons

Horizons Oceanfront Restaurant just inside the Clarion Resort is another dining option where the view just can’t be beat. Enjoy their deluxe breakfast buffet on Sunday morning, then 30% off all entrees from 5 – 7 p.m. and 30% off all steaks fro m 5 – 9 p.m., all to be enjoyed while looking out at the beautiful Atlantic ocean down below.  

Brunch at the Dunes

Sleep in on Sunday, then take dad out to a late breakfast at the Dunes Manor’s Weekend Brunch Buffet. Unfortunately the Dunes’ Saturday Air Show Buffet is sold out, but rooms and seats at the Barefoot Bar are still available as of this writing (June 12). 

Spend the weekend at the Grand

The Grand Hotel & Spa is offering discounted rates just for this weekend — rooms are 15% off on Sunday ($219) and 10% off on Friday and Saturday ($289).

The beer’s always cold at the Original Greene Turtle

“Dads — whether you are an Orioles fan or a Nationals Fan the place to be on Father’s Day is Ocean City’s Original Sports Bar – The Original Greene Turtle on 116th street and Coastal Highway!!! During all O’s and Nat’s games get $2 Natty Boh Drafts, $2 Natural Light Cans or $2 Miller High Life Bottles. Let us wait on you this Father’s Day and bring the kids to enjoy our upstairs Game Room while you catch the game and all sports action right here at 116th street in Ocean City!

Looking for fun things to do? 

Luckily Father’s Day weekend in Ocean City is jam-packed with fun, family-friendly and free events, so our fingers are crossed that the sky will be clear and the sun shining. The OC Air Show is on Saturday and Sunday, there will be an OC Cruzers Car Display on Sunday at Somerset Plaza and, as always, there will be live music and ice cream in North Ocean City at Sundaes in the Park. 

Whether you’re spending Father’s Day at home or here in Ocean City, we hope your day is super special. And if you are spending the holiday in Ocean City, we’ll see you on the beach!

Top 5 Snacks on the Ocean City, Maryland Boardwalk

Kristen Proscia
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As some of you may know, the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland stretches 10 miles long. Half of that is filled with snacks! There are so many to choose from that making the ultimate decision can be tough. Next time you’re on the Boardwalk and start to hear your stomach growl, consider one of these five great options. 

5. Fractured Prune

The Fractured Prune has a bunch of locations throughout Ocean City. You can find it on the boardwalk on at 14th street as well as South Atlantic Avenue.

How ’bout a Key Lime Pie donut? 

Fractured Prune is known for its specialty donuts. You choose the glaze you want, from chocolate to key lime to mocha. On top of choosing the glaze you prefer, you also get to choose the toppings. Topping choices range from cookie crumbs to crumbled bacon to powdered sprinkles. You can’t go wrong.

4. Dumser’s Dairyland

Dumser’s is an Ocean City tradition. You can’t visit Ocean City without going to Dumser’s one night for ice cream — and you know it’s gotta be good, because they’ve won The Best of Ocean City — Best Ice Cream for 11 straight years. They have seven locations in Ocean City, and you can find them on the Boardwalk near the Inlet parking lot as well as on Wicomico Street.

Dumser's ice cream
Sometimes a vanilla cone with sprinkles is all you need.

3. Thrasher’s French Fries

Another Ocean City classic. They can be found by the Pier, on 2nd street and 8th street. The line for Thrasher’s is usually always long. If it is your first time visiting Ocean City, it is a must, and it’s well worth the wait. 

Thrasher's French Fries
Thrasher’s fries are best served with lots and lots of vinegar.

 2. TLC’S Polish Water Ice

TLC’s Polish Water Ice is the perfect summer night refresher., found on South Atlantic Avenue and North Atlantic Avenue. The best combination to get is the water ice and custard together — it’s so light and dairy free!

Once you get a sample, it’s hard to turn back.

1. Fisher’s Popcorn

Of course Fisher’s Popcorn makes the top of this list. Located on South boardwalk, you can’t miss the huge sign for it nor can you miss the amazing smell of popcorn drawing you in.

Flavors include butter, caramel and white cheddar just to name a few.

Caramel corn
You will absolutely want to take a bucket home with you!

A Day in the Life of an Ocean City BBQ Employee

Carrie Dortenzo
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Bustling restaurants. Crowded streets. Salty air. Ocean City, Maryland in the summer time. A large portion of vacationing consists of cuisine and dining out. As many tourists flock to the shores of our small beach city, we should recognize the efforts the locals put in through our restaurant, hotel, and many other summer jobs.

Smoker’s BBQ Pit: A staple of West Ocean City since 1996.

One of those restaurants being Smoker’s BBQ Pit in West Ocean City located along Route 611. Pulling up to Smoker’s, you and I will have vastly different but similar experiences. I have been an employee at Smoker’s BBQ for six summers now. When we pull into the driveway along the pebbled road, our nostrils are filled with the telltale aroma of BBQ sauce and smoky air. While customers usually will park in the front, I will park in the back in the employee parking. I will walk in the back door and be greeted by the smiling face of my boss Denise, while you will order at the front counter with the smiling face of Denise. (If there was an Ocean City’s Best Boss award, she would win it.) 

As an order gets taken the line cooks prepare the food — grilling and frying and occasionally singing. Then the food gets wrapped and bagged and then sent off to you, the customer, when your playing card gets called and your order is rung up. And in the back of the restaurant there will be a dishwasher ‘hopefully’ hard at work, the boys breading the chicken and fish and preparing and smoking the meats – rib, pork butt, and brisket – and the girls making and preparing the sides, salads, and cornbread. 

Smoker’s employees on the 4th of July.

Smoker’s BBQ is more like a family then a set of employees. Most of us have been working with each other for a long time; most of us come back year after year. It is a fun environment,  we all get along, and to top it off we run like a well oiled machine at this point. So head over to Smoker’s BBQ when you want some family style smoky barbecue or a dose of Southern comfort.

Vacation Rentals 101: How to avoid vacation property service calls

Joanna Laslo
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lonely repairman

There are a number of issues that arise (during the summer) that will likely increase your chance of requiring costly maintenance calls.

Since tenants usually check in on weekends, most service calls are initiated during that time. Calling for a service person could be quite expensive with “after hours” or “emergency” service calls.

Many of the issues can be avoided by being aware of common errors frequently committed by tenants.

Here are some examples of common complaints:

Refrigerator isn’t operating property

The hot water heater is not working

The air conditioner isn’t cooling property

Keys don’t work

Dryer isn’t drying clothes

The disposal is jammed

Here are some suggestions for avoiding service calls

Refrigerator: If the freezer is working, so is the refrigerator. A fan blows the cold air from the freezer down into the refrigerator. Common error:  an empty refrigerator does not hold the “cold.” Tenants arriving will place food in a warm refrigerator and instinctively turn the dial to a lower setting. The tenants have the mistaken thought that the refrigerator will get cold more rapidly if they turn the dial down low. Unfortunately, when the dial is turned down low the system will freeze and leave the tenant without refrigeration at all.

Correction: Ask the tenant what the dial is set on.  If they inadvertently froze up the system, with a low setting, they will need to shut the refrigerator completely down, wait six hours and turn it back on to a medium setting. More info here. 

If the dial is not set up high, ask if there is anything blocking the vent. If the vent is blocked it will prevent air from being pushed to the refrigerator side.

Hot water heater: Most hot water heaters in vacation properties are not large enough to allow for multiple showers at the same time.  Common error: If a dishwasher is run shortly before showering, the hot water may run out before the shower is completed.

Correction: Check the breaker to be sure the hot water breaker is on.  Make sure to allow at least 20 minute between showers, and that the dishwasher has not been run for at least an hour before expecting hot water. More info here. 

Air conditioner not working: The same principle for the refrigerator applies to air conditioning. Common error: Tenants frequently leave doors open while carrying in their belongings. In an attempt to cool the unit quickly, the thermostat is frequently turned down. Unfortunately, this can easily cause the system to freeze up, resulting in only warm air emitting from the air conditioning unit.

Correction: Ask what the thermostat is set on and make sure the circuit breaker is on. If the thermostat is set lower than 20 degrees below the outside temperature, the system will likely freeze. The system will need to be turned completely off and allowed to thaw for approximately eight hours. When it is eventually turned back on, the thermostat needs to be set at 76. Once the temperature reaches 76, the thermostat could be lowered a little at a time to cool the unit. Remember an air conditioner is limited to a 20 degree difference between the outside air and the thermostat.  As an example, if the outside temperature is 90, the unit will likely freeze up before it cools lower than 70. However, if the outside temperature is 100, the air conditioning is not expected to cool below 80.  Turning the thermostat down lower will only freeze the system up. More info here.

Owners are advised to replace their air conditioning filters each spring and every few years have their duct work cleared.

Keys don’t work: Often when keys are cut for a unit, unless they are cut from a master key, the newly cut keys may be slightly “off’ and not work properly.  Common error: Tenants do not spend time struggling with a key.  

Correction: Make sure you use a master key to cut additional keys from. Rub the sides of the key on a sidewalk or road. Sometimes the metal “burrs” keeps the key from fitting into the keyway properly.

Try to pull the key out slightly.  Sometimes the master key isn’t fully inserted into the key machine to the “stop” position on the blank. More info here. 

Dryer not drying properly: Many vacation properties have stack washer and dryers. They will not hold a  load as large as your regular household dryer. Common error: If a dryer is overloaded it will need to be run a number of times to properly dry the contents. This may cause overheating and a breakdown of the appliance. 

Correction: Check the circuit breaker to be sure it is fully on. Do not overload dryer. Check vent hose for excessive lint that may not allow the hot air to vent out. More info here. 

Remember: At the beach, towels and sand are the most frequent items in a dryer. Towels always need more time and fewer towels should be placed in the dryer.

Disposal jammed: Food particles frequently caused the disposal to stop working. Common error: Tenants often place food in the disposal without running the disposal to clear it between uses.

Correction: If the disposal is making a humming sound it is likely jammed. Insert a broom handle into the sink drain into the disposal and gently turn the mechanism clockwise. This should free up the disposal and allow it to operate properly. If there is no humming noise, the reset button on the housing of the disposal under the sink should do the trick, once the disposal is cleared.  If shells or hard substances are in the disposal preventing the blade from turning, make sure the disposal is off (the circuit breaker should be off) before cleaning the debris from the disposal, reset and start. More info here. 

Service calls, especially after hours, or on weekends or holidays, can cost an exorbitant amount of money. Many times these charges may be avoided by a few timely questions of your tenants, which will make your investment more profitable.

Ocean City Real Estate: Charming Home in Berlin, July 2018

Kristin
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Charming and Updated Home in Berlin, MD — Description

Play where you live – live where you play!

This open-contemporary home is ideal for living, working and playing!  Enjoy the open living room area with lots of windows, leading to the private sun-deck and yard in the back. The sunroom opens up as a screened porch and can also be fully enclosed.  If you need two work spaces this home is perfect, with a den/office on the first floor and a large loft on the second floor.

With three bedrooms on the first floor, plus a bedroom and private bath on the second floor, there’s plenty of room for your extended family or guests. This home has been continuously and recently updated and upgraded with all the special comforts that you need to enjoy living to the fullest. From solar panels on the roof to a recently installed HVAC system, a whole-house water softener system, solid hardwood floors (first floor), granite kitchen countertops, new French-doors refrigerator, REO filter at the kitchen sink, newly painted interior, Cat 5e technology and more, this home will please the most idiosyncratic person or family.

Courtesy of Berkshire Hathaway Homeservice & PenFed Realty. Contact Brenda Truelove for a free private showing while you are in town. See more info on this property here. 

Property details

Property/type: Single Family Home
Bedrooms: 4
County: 24 – Worcester
Bathrooms: 3 Full
Year built: 2011
Water: Public Water Service
Construction: Frame, Stick Built
Sewer: Public Sewer
Square Feet: 2,651 sq. ft. 
Subdivision: N/A

School information

Elementary: Ocean City
Middle: Stephen Decatur 
High: Stephen Decatur 

Interior features

Appliances: Dishwasher, Disposal, Dryer, Microwave, Range – Gas, Refrig. Ice Maker, Refrigerator/Freezer, Washer
Cooling: Central Air Conditioning
Heating: Forced Air – Elect, Forced Air – Gas, Heat Pump
Basement: Crawl Space
Attic: Walk-In
Doors/Windows: Insulated Windows, Screens, Storm Doors, Storm Windows 

Exterior lot/features

Parking: Off Street
Patio: 3-Season Room, Decks, Porch
Roof: Architectural Shingle 
Exterior Features: CATV, Garage Door Openers: 1, Insulated Windows, Off Street Parking, Screens, Storm Doors, Storm Windows
Community Ammenities: Assigned Parking, Boat Ramp, Docks, Fitness Center, Game Room, Golf Course, Outdoor Pool, Outdoor Tennis

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