How to Navigate a Bidding War in the LBI Real Estate Market
- Nathan Colmer
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
LBI Real Estate Market Bidding War
The LBI real estate market remains competitive, especially in segments where inventory is scarce and demand is strong. Whether you’re a buyer aiming to secure your dream beach home or a seller looking to maximize value, understanding how bidding wars unfold—and how to position yourself strategically—can make all the difference. Below is practical guidance tailored to Long Beach Island’s unique dynamics to help you understand LBI real estate market bidding wars.
By: Nathan Colmer | LBI Real Estate Agent | The Van Dyk Group
Cell: 609-290-4293 | Office: 800-222-0131 | ncolmer@vandykgroup.com
Practical Guidance for LBI Real Estate Market Buyers
1) Segment the Island by Strategy
Not all neighborhoods behave the same in a bidding war. Here’s how to approach each:
Teardown Targets (North End, Spray Beach, The Dunes, Loveladies): Arrive pre‑approved and inspection‑ready. Lots with buildable depth, views, or proximity to beach access often list at land value and move fast. Escalation clauses remain relevant here—be prepared to act decisively.
Move‑In Ready Single‑Family Homes (Interior Blocks): Review days on market and price history. If a listing is 2+ weeks old and has little activity, negotiate credits (rate buydown, closing costs) rather than a headline price cut. LBI real estate market trends suggest sellers are more receptive to concessions than to price reductions.
Condos/Townhomes: Scrutinize HOA budgets, insurance, and assessments. Higher carrying costs can temper competition and improve your leverage in negotiations.
2) Use Concessions Strategically
Concessions are increasingly common. Request rate buydowns, repair credits, or closing‑cost assistance where warranted. These often improve cash flow more than a modest price reduction—and sellers nationwide are using them to bridge affordability gaps.
3) Time Your Offers Around Listing Velocity
The first 7–10 days determine whether a listing will attract multiple offers.
If you love a property with heavy early traffic and market‑accurate pricing, act decisively.
If velocity is tepid, shift to a negotiation stance and incorporate protective contingencies.
Practical Guidance for LBI Sellers
1) Price With Precision—Not Yesterday’s Headlines
Anchor your price to today’s sold comps and adjust for micro‑location, elevation, and renovation scope. The goal: attract two or more serious buyers in week one. That’s how you create your own bidding war in 2026. Overpricing invites weeks on market and concessions later.
2) Lead With Presentation
Professional staging, photography, and copywriting are no longer optional. Listings that present a clean, move‑in value proposition earn faster showings and stronger terms; those that don’t often trade only after credits or price cuts.
3) Understand Where You Will See Competition
If your property is a teardown in a prime spot, or a turn‑key home on a scarce lot type (oceanfront, bayfront with dock depth, corner with views), plan for higher traffic and consider pricing at market (not above) to invite multiple offers. Local recaps show buyers still pounce on these segments.
4) Offer Structure Can Beat Price
In a market where concessions are common, structuring credits (e.g., for rate buydowns) can help maintain your headline sale price while solving the buyer’s affordability challenge—often a better outcome than chasing the market with serial price reductions.
Where Activity Is Concentrated in the LBI Real Estate Market
To understand where bidding wars are most likely, here’s a heat map of total activity by town for the week of Dec 28, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026:
Key Insights:
Long Beach Township leads with 16 total activities (8 new actives, 1 closing, 1 pending, plus expired listings).
Beach Haven, Ship Bottom, and Surf City each recorded 4 activities, reflecting balanced movement between actives and closings.
Harvey Cedars saw 2 activities, including one new active listing.
This visual makes it clear: Long Beach Township dominates new inventory and pending activity, making it the hottest segment for competitive offers.
Bidding Wars in the Long Beach Island Real Estate Market
Bidding wars on Long Beach Island aren’t just about price—they’re about timing, structure, and strategy. Buyers should segment the island, leverage concessions, and act decisively when velocity is high. Sellers should price with precision, lead with presentation, and understand where competition will concentrate. Bidding wars are nothing to fear, and with an understanding of the LBI real estate market and bidding wars, you can achieve success in the market.
Ready to explore the latest listings or request a custom market analysis? Start at https://www.BuyLBI.com for community guides, MLS search tools, and expert resources to help you win in the LBI real estate market.
If you are looking to buy, sell, or invest in the LBI real estate market, contact me, Nathan Colmer, for expert guidance backed by years of local experience, deep market insight, and a proven track record in helping clients navigate LBI's unique market. My experience extends over 20 years of selling homes on Long Beach Island, with a special focus on second homes and investment properties. In addition to representing buyers and sellers, I personally invest in the LBI real estate market and can share my firsthand knowledge of this investment strategy. Whether you are searching for a vacation home, planning a wise investment, or ready to list your property, I can offer you personalized strategies and unmatched knowledge to help you succeed.
By: Nathan Colmer | LBI Real Estate Agent | The Van Dyk Group
Cell: 609-290-4293 | Office: 800-222-0131 | ncolmer@vandykgroup.com