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Business & Tech

Real Estate Agents See Early Increase in 2012 Renters

Business has been up so far this year for Ocean City real estate agents.

With January of 2012 being one of the warmest in history, it's no surprise that the island has been a bit busier than usual this winter. Not only have some businesses that normally remain shuttered been open a few extra days than normal, but local real estate agents have also seen an increase in both rentals and sales since the new year.

On Saturday, some realty offices saw a flurry of activity early in the morning, according to Ocean City Board of Realtors President Maria Marinelli. By the afternoon, she said, walk-in traffic was slower, but many open houses around the city were well attended.

"Definitely a strong weekend, one that we haven't seen in years," she said.

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Prudential rental manager Mary Louise Bowdler said that during the past four or five years business has remained good, but that from 2009 to 2011 more renters were booking their vacations later in the year.

This year, however, Bowdler, who has worked in realty for 30 years, said that already not only are more renters coming down during the winter months, but that many of the summer rentals are already being taken, especially on the busiest weekends.

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"Years ago people were booked by February," she said, adding that in recent years she saw a lot of "late bookings" and "last minute rentals."

But this year, according to Bowdler, "people are planning ahead."

Although most of her customers have been calling and booking over the internet, some people are still taking the trip down to check rentals out in person, she said.

Cathy Lepore of Monihan Realty said that President's Day weekend is generally a busy time and that this year she has also seen an increase in both renters and buyers.

"The nice weather has been drawing people in," she said.

At Ocean City Realty, rental manager Linda Taylor said on Saturday that she also did not see many walk-ins, which she attributed to the possible storm that could hit on Sunday. But, she also said that business has been up so far this year.

"Ocean City is Ocean City and people are always going to come," she said.

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