By David Madden

NORTH WILDWOOD, N.J. (CBS) — You’ve heard it time and again: “Now’s the time to buy that vacation home!”

Well, if we’re talking “down the shore,” that statement might just be true.

The real estate market remains weak, and interest rates are low. The difference now, according to Island Realty Group president Joe Zarroli, is what properties are selling for these days.

(Joe Zarroli. Photo provided)

“Now we’re more down to where they should be, which is about 2005 levels,” Zarroli (right) tells KYW Newsradio.  “So a property that was selling for, let’s say, 588 (thousand dollars) in 2008, you can realistically purchase in the 350-325 range.”

But not everywhere.  Some locales, like Ocean City and Sea Isle City, have stayed pretty constant, he says.

Bargains can be found, however, in Brigantine, Atlantic City, and the Wildwoods, where developers are looking to unload properties.  Look for foreclosures and short sales.

Zarroli expects the trend to continue as long as those loan rates don’t change much.