Randy Leiser, Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2997 Dune Drive, PO Box 10, Avalon, NJ 08202
toll-free: 800-967-7796 x212  |  local: 609-967-3001  |  fax: 609-967-3057  |  e-mail: Randy@RandyLeiser.com
2011: Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.  

August 25, 2011


SHAKY GROUND:  Tuesday's earthquake centered in Virginia shook towns throughout New Jersey, and the barrier islands were no exception.  The 5.9 magnitude earthquake caused the ground to shake and buildings to vibrate for about 10-15 seconds.  No damage or injuries were reported in our area.
 
HURRICANE IRENE is making her way toward the United States, and depending upon the storm's track, could make a big impact in New Jersey.  Residents and visitors are advised to watch the weather forecast carefully, secure all outdoor furniture, boats, and other items, and be aware of potential flooding.  If advised by authorities to leave the island, please do so promptly.
 
CLEAR & DRY: despite the approach of Irene, the weather on the Island has been magnificent, with clear blue skies, puffy white clouds, and cool, dry air.  Humidity is expected to increase as the weekend draws near.
 
THE MID-ATLANTIC $500,000 fishing tournament has returned to Cape May again this week for the 21st year.  More than 100 boats paid a $6,000 entry fee to chase fish, and prizes of as much as $100,000 for the largest fish.  Additional side bets, called Calcuttas, take the total prize money to $1.56 million.  Catches are weighed daily at the Canyon Club Marina.
 
"FEDERAL MONEY" was cited by state Senator Jeff Van Drew as the reason the project to remove traffic lights along the Garden State Parkway has recently stalled.  About $20 million of the project's $100 million cost is coming from the federal government, and because of that, wetlands disturbed by the project must now be "mitigated" by creating an equivalent area of new wetlands elsewhere.  Van Drew expressed frustration that the Army Corp of Engineers and the State Department of Environmental Protection are in a bureaucratic deadlock over the issue.
 
SEVEN MILE BEACH Realtors played in a charity softball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Ball Girls and the Philadelphia Flyers Skate Girls on Sunday.  The game and after-party were organized by John Allison of the Golden Inn.  Former Phillies pitcher Ricky Bottalico umpired the game.  A great time was had by all, as the Realtors edged out a victory over the Ball Girls/Skate Girls!

Charity Softball Game
Ricky Bottalico, far left umpired the game; Avalon Real Estate Agency participants included
Randy Leiser, center, and Rick Ogen, far right.


August 18, 2011


DOLPHINS IN THE BAY!  On rare occasions the porpoises so commonly seen in the ocean will enter the back bays.  A pair of them were spotted in Stone Harbor's back bay Thursday morning.  The dolphins entered Pleasure Bay, between Corinthian Drive and Golden Gate Drive, two times before heading into the Intracoastal Water Way.  The presence of dolphins is a sign that there are schools of bait fish in the area, soon to become a meal for the dolphins.     
 
LOCAL ARTIST Stan Sperlak will have two of his paintings hang in the US Embassy in Uzbekistan.  One painting features a sunset over Delaware Bay and the other features an Avalon beach scene.  The paintings were selected by Ambassador George Kroll, and will hang in the embassy for two years.  Mr. Sperlak resides in Cape May Court House.
 
WHO HAS the most beautiful house in Sea Isle City?  We're going to find out on Sunday, September 18 when a winner of the "Beautification Award" is selected.  Properties may be nominated by their owners or neighbors; application forms can be obtained at Sea Isle City Hall, or at www.seaislecitynj.us (under the "quick links/downloadable forms" tab.)
 
REST STOP FARM MARKET:  The Cape May County rest stop on the Garden State Parkway has been without food service for nearly two years.  That will soon change as a farm market and several food vendors are expected to open on the site from Thursday to Sunday through September 18.  If successful the program could be extended through the Columbus Day weekend, and could operate full time next summer.
 
THE ISLANDS have been noticeably quieter this week with peak summer time crowds behind us.  But we've got a lot of great summer time fun left!  If you haven't been here already, come on down!  Enjoy warm ocean water and delightful seabreezes, shopping, dining, and more!

August 11, 2011


AVALON LIFEGUARDS won the Dave Kerr Memorial Lifeguard Races this past Sunday.  Avalon's team was followed by Sea Isle City (2nd), North Wildwood (3rd), and Wildwood Crest (4th).  Stone Harbor was tied for fifth place with Ventnor.
 
LAST CHANCE to catch the Harlem Globetrotters while they're at the Wildwood Convention Center! The Globetrotters play evening games through Saturday, August 13.  As a friend of Avalon Real Estate, we're offering you a discount on tickets.  View the Schedule and pick the game of your choice.  Enter the code HOMES on the Ticketmaster page for $5 off each ticket (valid for tickets priced at $20, $25 and $30).
 
THE BEESLEY'S POINT BRIDGE, which carried Route 9 over Great Egg Harbor Bay for 83 years, will soon be partly removed.  The bridge span has structural problems and was closed several years ago.  The drawbridge span, which has been left in the open position, will be removed for safety reasons.  Officials say that at some point in the future, the rest of the bridge structure will need to be removed.
 
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?  If you can't, blame the crowd.  Slower 3G and 4G connections can be blamed on limited capacity and higher summertime demand according to an AT&T spokeswoman.  AT&T has added a mobile cell site in Ocean City, and Sprint has plans to increase capacity in South Jersey.  T-Mobile and Verizon are increasing capacity, too.  A Verizon spokesman said that for the first time, 3G data service usage has surpassed voice call usage, taxing the existing system.
 
NEW JERSEY'S TALL SHIP, the AJ Meerwald, has returned to Cape May Harbor for its 15th season.  The Meerwald will sail from Cape May through September 2nd, with public sails at 1:30 and 5pm most days.  Tickets range from $15 to $45 depending upon the time of day and type of sail.  Visit www.bayshorediscovery.org or call 856-785-2060 for reservations.

August 4, 2011

THE OCEAN TEMPERATURE
reached 83 degrees this past weekend, the highest ocean temperature recorded in the region in 10 years.  July's extreme heat and weather patterns favorable for warm surface water have led to above average ocean temperatures almost all season.  The average surf temperature at this time of year is 72 degrees.  Offshore winds can cool the surf temperature dramatically by blowing warm surface water offshore, causing upwelling of cooler bottom water--that may happen as the next cold front approaches the area.
 
MARKET STATS: from January 1 through July 31 the local market saw 158 properties sell, up 52% over the same period last year.  This year's average sale price was $1,277,927, up 3.4% over last year, while the median price was $869,750, down 14%.  The large drop in the median price resulted from an increased number of sales in the sub-$1 million category of the market: last year through July 31, 52 properties sold under $1,000,000; this year 93 were sold under $1,000,000.
 
THANK YOU, BLOOMS!  Our guests checking in to rental properties have enjoyed fresh flower arrangements in our lobby provided each week by Karin Parker of Blooms in Cape May Court House.  Need flowers?  Call Blooms at (609) 465-1662.
 
SEE THE PHILLIE PHANATIC in Sea Isle City on August 10.  The popular Philadelphia baseball mascot will hold a "meet-and-greet" at Gillian's Funland Amusement Park at 42nd Place and the bay between 6 and 7pm.  There's no charge to meet the Phanatic.
 
PLEASE PASS MY NAME along to a friend, neighbor or coworker who wants to buy, sell, or rent!  I will take great care of anyone you refer to me, and appreciate each and every referral.