Jersey Shore summer rentals off to a slow start

State of play: The majority of southern Jersey Shore towns have more inventory available compared to the same time last year, per the Business Journal.

• While asking prices are up over last year, the slowdown in summer booking rentals has pushed some owners to lower them.

What they're saying: "A lot of renters are pulling back at the current price point," Tara Hargenrader, who runs the rental booking website Renting Wildwood, tells the outlet.

• "The demand is there, but the travelers are clearly more price-conscious this year."

💰 Reality check: Renting at the beach during the peak summer season is still pricy and out of reach for most.

• Case in point: The average daily rate for a June rental in the Wildwoods is nearly $366, per the outlet.
• In Ocean City, it'll cost you at least $400 a night and $500 in Margate, the Business Journal found.

The intrigue: Some Jersey Shore businesses and property owners are concerned that tourism from Canada could slump this year over President Trump's tariffs and trade war, per FOX29.

Between the lines: The sky-high costs at the Jersey Shore — from rental units to pizza to beach chairs — have been turning off vacationers post-pandemic.

• Many are looking for more bang for their buck — think Europe and the mountains.

The bottom line: Homeowners may need to cut their prices further to fill their beach houses with renters this summer, per the Business Journal.