AVALON- If you've always dreamed of owning a home by the shore, real estate experts want you to know that dream is closer to becoming a reality than you may think.

Here in Avalon, real estate experts say if you're in the market for a year round or vacation home at the shore, the signs are everywhere, signaling now is the best time to buy. "At the shore it's a great time right now, I mean we've got interest rates at record lows, housing affordability is great, index is great and there's also a great selection. A lot of nice inventory out in market there...there's a good selection of property for people to look at today," said Allan Dechert, Broker at Ferguson Dechert Real Estate in Avalon.

Not to mention your dream home is more attainable than ever, thanks to the federal tax credit.

Under the worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009, a qualifying first time homebuyer can get a tax credit of up to $8 thousand dollars and qualified repeat home buyers can receive $6,500 dollars. "Its really a great deal, really helping people to get into a first time homebuyer."

Realtors say buying a home near the shore can be a huge moneymaker. You can rent it out for several weeks during the summer to help pay down the mortgage. "The rental income helps to offset the cost for sure…that's something we get a lot of people now looking, they're going to buy, they're going to rent it some, they're going to use it a lot in the off season and they get some rental income, nice tax write off, dealing with a second home, it's a great time, it really is."

But the clock is ticking. The tax credit deadline for reaching an agreement is April 30th and June 30th for closing on the home.

And at Ferguson Dechert, they're optimistic because they say the market is showing signs of recovery. "We're real optimistic it's going to be a real nice year. We're hoping we've turned a corner and we’re starting to come back.”

For more information on buying a home or the federal tax credit, log onto the New Jersey Association of Realtors site at www.realstory.com