U.S. HOME SALES are up 1.7% through the first
eleven months of the year according to the National Association of Realtors,
but the Avalon/Stone Harbor market has experienced a marked increase in
activity this year versus last year. Through December 1 of this year,
251 properties have sold versus 199 during the same period last year, a gain
of 26.1%.
This year's average sale price was $1,277,299, up 4.6% over last year's
average sale price of $1,220,502. This year's median price was
$889,862, down 6.3% from last year's median price of $950,000.
In Sea Isle City 180 properties sold through December 1 versus 168 during
the same period last year, up 7.1%. This year's average price was
$614,035, down 6.7% from last year's average of $658,687. This year's
median price was $585,000, down 3.3% from last year's median of $605,000.
OVER 160 TOYS were donated to Toys for Tots by
the Avalon Real Estate Agency family. Thanks to all who contributed
and helped brighten the holiday of a child!
Toys for Tots picked up this pile of toys shortly
after this picture was taken. A few days later they picked up a second
pile of toys as big as the first!
A SMALL BEACH FILL project is being planned in
Avalon. Sand back-passing will replenish the beaches from 18th Street
to 24th Street. Back-passing involves moving sand from one beach to
another via excavators and off-road dump trucks. The "borrow" zone
will include the beaches from 60th to 71st Streets. Due to permitting
and piping plover restrictions, the beach work must be completed by March
14, 2012.
Sea Isle City is awaiting its own beach fill project via dredging. A
dredge has already arrived in the area and will begin work in January.
LOCAL POST OFFICES will remain open despite
cutbacks by the Postal Service. However, post offices in Avalon and
Stone Harbor will have their hours cut by one hour per day. Avalon's
post office will close from 1pm to 2pm each day and Stone Harbor's post
office will close from noon to 1pm. The closings offer a way to save
money during hours of low usage by the public.
COMING DOWN to look at some properties over
the holidays? Please call or email me ahead of time and I'll be ready
for you when you arrive!
THE AVALON/STONE HARBOR UPDATE will return the
week of January 2, 2012.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you & yours! Warm
wishes for a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year! Thank you for a
wonderful year--I sincerely appreciate your business and referrals, and look
forward to working with you in 2012!
SHELTER HAVEN SITE: Work is expected to begin shortly on the vacant
lot at 96th Street and Third Avenue, where a new resort complex is to be
constructed. Minor changes to an earlier plan were approved, and
construction could begin in February.
1706 RITTENHOUSE SQUARE: members of the
Avalon Real Estate Agency team were invited to view the stunning condominium
units and captivating views of Philadelphia during a private session at 1706
Rittenhouse Square earlier this month. Unique features of the building
include an automated parking system that stores your car when you're
finished with it, then delivers it to you when you request it,
and full-floor condominium units, with gorgeous city and skyline views in
all directions.
The developers of 1706 Rittenhouse Square reached out to our team after
noting that so many of their unit owners have vacation homes on Seven Mile
Beach. A handful of units are left, from $4 million and up. Interested?
Call me and I'll arrange a private showing for you!
BEACH TAGS make great stocking stuffers!
Stone Harbor is offering limited edition Holiday Beach Tags good for the
2012 summer season for $21. Tags must be purchased at Borough Hall Monday
through Friday from 9am-4pm.
Avalon also has Holiday Beach Tags good for the 2012 season for $21. Tags
must be purchased at Borough Hall Monday through Friday from 9am-4pm.
TOYS FOR TOTS: want to brighten the holiday of
a child? Stop by Avalon Real Estate Agency and drop off a new, unwrapped
toy. We're an official Toys for Tots participant, and we'll see that your
toy makes it into the hands of a child who needs one. Our office has
already collected and delivered 79 toys--and 75 more are waiting under the
tree in our lobby!
I'LL BUY THE BIG RED BOW! Give your family
the ultimate holiday gift this season--a place at the shore! Whether you're
looking for a place to rent for a week or your very own shore home, you'll
make your family very happy. I'll throw in the big red bow!
BIG HITS! Avalon's Festive Friday and
Stone Harbor's Island Holiday were both quite successful, with large crowds
enjoying unseasonably warm weather. Avalon's ice skating rink on Dune
Drive was a huge hit, as was Stone Harbor's parade.
Ice skating on Dune Drive! The skating rink
was so popular its operation was extended two hours.
WE ALL KNOW tourism is a big part of the
economy in Cape May County. How big? Tourism accounted for a
whopping $5.3 billion in 2010, according to Diane Wieland, director of Cape
May County's Department of Tourism. Tourism spending is broken down
into the following categories: accommodations, $2.9 billion; food, $1.1
billion; entertainment, $454 million; retail, $841 million. Of special
note to property owners, "rental income" grew to a record $1.7 billion in
2010.
TOYS FOR TOTS: Avalon Real Estate Agency will
once again collect Toys for Tots to help brighten the holiday season of less
fortunate children. If you'd like to contribute a new, unwrapped toy,
please stop by our office during business hours!
SHOP LOCALLY and support your favorite Seven
Mile Beach merchants. Whether you need a box of fudge, holiday gifts
and decorations, clothing, or hardware, you'll find it right here on your
next visit to the Island. Visit your favorite merchants the next time
you're in town.
AVALON'S BIG BAND CONCERT/DANCE series will
continue in 2012. Avalon's Department of Recreation has lined up 12
different bands to perform throughout the 2012 calendar year. The
final 2011 performance will take place Saturday, December 10 at 8pm.
The first 2012 performance will be January 14th.
CATCH THE SANTA EXPRESS! The favorite
Cape May Seashore Lines holiday train has returned to nearby Tuckahoe and
will run round trips to Richland Village through December 23. Santa
Claus visits with each child on the trip, accompanied by Mrs. Claus and
three elves. The ride aboard 1950s vintage railroad equipment from the
Pennsylvania Railroad and Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines is a delight
for the whole family. Visit
www.CapeMaySeashoreLines.org for schedule and fare information.
Truck 6414, my antique fire truck, rolls by during
the Stone Harbor Christmas Parade. On board the truck are my daughter
Grace (seated on my mother-in-law's lap), Paul Leiser (standing), my son
Paul (standing) and my son Dan (waving from the jump seat). I'm the
big kid driving.