"You will all be confronted with opportunity. You must take advantage of it. Because if you don't take advantage of your opportunity, you'll never realize your dreams."-English restauranteur and television personality Marco Pierre White.
Meghan Carroll can relate to White's take since the Wall Township realtor was at a career crossroads a decade ago. Carroll's therapist encouraged the Clemson University alum to move in another direction.
"My therapist pushed me to go into real estate," Carroll said. 'Why don't you try real estate?"
Opportunity knocked and Carroll embraced a new role with Re/Max. "I've been doing this for ten years and it's the longest I've ever been at a job and I absolutely love it," Carroll said.
Sometimes it's not easy to see how a particular skill set can help jumpstart a new career. But Carroll's therapist connected the dots noting that her customer service and web design experience would come in handy in the world of real estate.
It also helps that Carroll knows Monmouth County well so she has a deep understanding of the local market. Carroll emphasizes location so buyers and renters discover their ideal shore home. Carroll knows it's not just about the beach but it's also about shops, restaurants and clubs.
The Baltimore native spent half of her time in Monmouth County and the other half in South Carolina. That explains her mellifluous Southern accent and charm. Her father was a horse trainer who spent considerable time at Monmouth Park. "My father worked with thoroughbreds," Carroll said. "I would go to the public schools here and private schools in South Carolina. My mom would stay down South. And then we would spent the summers in New Jersey and we bounced around but primarily in Eatontown. I always loved it here."
After graduating with an education degree, Carroll decided not to teach. "The starting salary for a teacher was $20,000 a year in 2001," Carroll said. "I was turned off by the administration part."
Carroll, 46, pursued other options for 13 years in Asheville, North Carolina. Carroll ended up back in the Garden State. "I love it here," Carroll said. "There's no place like it. There's so much to do here."
Carroll enjoys the vibrant Asbury Park scene. "It's a unique and special place," Carroll said. "I love living in this area. There is just so much to experience."
Carroll is a fan of Kim Marie's Eat and Drink Away on Kingsley Street. The establishment is a cozy Irish pub with terrific pub fare. Another favorite is R Bar on Main street, which is a New Orleans style establishment that serves up Cajun style dishes such as crawfish pasta and gumbo.
"There are so many great restaurants in Asbury Park," Carroll said. "It's such an amazing place for dining out."
Carroll enjoys shopping in town as well. Carla Gizzi at the Beach, which is housed in Convention Hall, is often frequented by Carroll. Rebel Supply is a favorite. The same goes for the charming Foolish Ginger on Cookman Avenue. The former features vintage-inspired jewelry and clothing.
The latter offers an artsy boutique with a fun and eclectic mix of merchandise from clothing and accessories to housewares.
The altruistic Carroll devotes considerable time with her rescue dogs. She stays in shape courtesy of Peloton workouts and works on her cardiovascular health via running and walking in Asbury Park.
But Carroll's primary focus is finding perfect property for her clients. "I love what I do," Carroll said. "It took a few years but I found my calling and I want to help find the right home for my clients."
Meghan Carroll, Realtor Associate, 27 Beach Rd STE 4, Monmouth Beach, NJ
732-508-7042
Much has changed in the world of Asbury Park real estate. A quarter century ago properties could be purchased for a song. However, much has changed. Asbury Park was named the Best Small Beach Town in the US by Travel + Leisure in 2025 courtesy of the inviting mile-long sandy beach, iconic musical history and vibrant, artistic community. Budget Travel Magazine dubbed Asbury Park one of the coolest small towns in America. So no wonder so many folks want to move in. The first thing someone interested in the area should do while considering property is to look to an experienced realtor.