Sachar Uses Creativity in Real Estate, Independent Films

NORTH CAPE MAY — The walls of Jonathan Sachar’s real estate office are adorned with posters from motion pictures he has either produced or appeared in as an actor.
The name of his office, Cape Star Realty, reflects the many hats he has worn in his 43 years as an attorney, real estate developer, salesman, actor, writer and film producer.
Independent films he produced include Tooth and Nail, The Killing Jar and Just Add Water featuring Justin Long and Danny DeVito.
Sachar starred in Cosmic Radio.
Why open in real estate office when the housing market is in the dumpster and the national economy seems headed in the same direction?
“It’s never a bad time to do what you believe in,” said Sachar. “It’s been up and down before, but this is the worst I’ve ever seen it.”
He said homes under $400,000 were still selling in North Cape May, Villas and Town Bank while the market between $800,000 and $1 million has crawled to a stop. Sachar said most buyers are from out of town seeking second homes.
Homes that were selling for $500,000 to $600,000 two years ago are now selling for $350,000 to $400,000. He said a few lenders are still writing mortgages.
More collateral is required than in the past, he said.
Sachar has been a licensed real estate salesperson since 1984.
His office is located in the nearly vacant Breakwater Plaza, a shopping center he owns and is refurbishing. He reconsidered earlier plans to demolish the center and build 56 town homes.
Sachar said he believes Lower Township’s year round population is large enough to support Breakwater Plaza as a viable shopping center. Rents will be affordable for tenants, considerably less than retail space in Rio Grande, he said.
Four years ago, Sachar made a switch full time into film production.
“Real estate is in by blood, so I wanted to find a way to merge both interests,” he said.
Sachar does two to three films a year giving him down time between productions.
He said he owns a lot of real estate in the area giving him the opportunity to list his properties with his own company helping to launch his real estate office quickly.
Sachar continues to write and produce films. He will come up with an idea for a film and hire a writer, work with a director and write the script, make the film and then sell it.
He said the independent film business is similar to real estate, finding a piece of land or an under utilized structure, coming up with a plan for the property, building it and then selling it.
“That’s what I do with films,” said Sachar. “They are both a creative process for me.”
He said after submitting a script and contracting actors, film brokers will offer a price for a film like an appraisal. Films are sold worldwide but American comedies may not do well overseas, said Sachar.
He said in a recession or depression, the entertainment business has always been strong.
Contact Fichter at (609) 886-8600 Ext 30 or at: jfichter@cmcherald.com