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.  

July 28, 2011


VACATION HOMES--TIME TO BUY:  "If you have the money and plan on staying put for the long term, now may be a good time to buy," according to a July 23rd Wall Street Journal Article.  Reduced prices and years of pent up demand have lifted interest in vacation homes in markets across the country, including Aspen, CO, The Hamptons, NY, and Hilton Head, SC.  In the local market, 139 properties sold in the first six months of the year, up 44% over the 96 sold in the first six months of 2010.
 
TRAFFIC SIGNALS on the Garden State Parkway will be here at least one more year.  The project to replace the three traffic signals at Exits 9, 10, and 11 with overpasses has been delayed until the fall of 2012.  Funding for the project is in place, but federal permits for wetlands mitigation have not been obtained.  The New Jersey Turnpike Authority has submitted several plans already, but each has been deemed unacceptable.  Wetlands destroyed by the project must be recreated in another area.
 
THE UNVEILING of New Jersey's first public electric vehicle charging station has been rescheduled to Friday, August 5 at 11am. Stop by and see the charging station at the corner of 30th & Dune Drive. To learn more about having a charging station installed in your home town, contact David Soens of U-Go Stations!
U-Go Stations, Avalon NJ David Soens   |   Phone: 609-972-1505

U-Go Stations  |  818 Market Street, 13th Floor  |  Philadelphia, PA 19103 

SEA ISLE CITY AND STRATHMERE BEACHES will be replenished in a joint beach fill project to be conducted this fall.  Local municipalities will fund the full $9 million price tag, then will be reimbursed by the federal government for 75% of the project's cost.  A similar joint beach fill was conducted this past spring in Avalon & Stone Harbor.
 
HIGH HEEL RACE!  Support the Melanie Finley Ovarian Cancer Foundation at the second annual High Heel Race in Avalon on Sunday, July 31.  There will be female, male, and team events, including a 50 yard dash in high heels.  Avalon Real Estate Agency is a sponsor, and we'd appreciate your help too!  Visit www.mfocf.org for details.
 
GLOBETROTTERS--COMING SOON!  Catch the entertaining Harlem Globetrotters when they visit the Wildwood Convention Center August 10-13.  As a friend of Avalon Real Estate we're pleased to offer you a discount on tickets!  View the Harlem Globetrotters Schedule and pick the game of your choice.  Enter the code HOMES in the promotions box on the Ticketmaster page for $5 off each ticket (valid for tickets priced at $20, $25 and $30).

July 21, 2011

 
HOT, HOT, HOT!  With temperatures predicted to be in the upper 90s for the next few days, the only relief in sight is a swim in the ocean or a dip in the bay.  The water is about 70 degrees and feels very refreshing.  Keep your fingers crossed for an afternoon sea breeze!
 
CHARGE IT: the first municipal public electric vehicle charging station in New Jersey has been installed in Avalon at 30th & Dune Drive, catty-corner from our office.  Electric vehicle owners may park in the space and use their credit card to pay to recharge their vehicle.  David Soens of U-Go Stations was instrumental in establishing the public-private partnership with the Borough of Avalon.  U-Go installed and will maintain the charging station free of charge, and the borough will get a percentage of revenues generated.  Says Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi, "Avalon is proud once again to be on the cutting edge of new technology that promotes a greener environment."  The public is invited to attend an unveiling ceremony on Friday, July 29 at 11am.
 
Vehicle Charging Station Avalon NJ
 
A $1.5 MILLION LIGHTHOUSE restoration has transformed the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse back to its appearance in 1874.  Old photographs were used to rediscover architectural details lost to time, and the lighthouse now appears as it did when new.  The lighthouse averages 30,000 visitors per year, and its rotating beacon is still used as an aid to navigation, and is visible 13 miles out to sea.
 
SALTWATER FISHERMEN need to register with the state before casting a line.  Sign up is quick, easy, and free and you'll be able to print your registration card immediately.  Carry the card with you while fishing, or face fines.  Visit the NJDEP-NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program to register.
 
A FEW RENTALS are still available!  If you haven't secured your 2011 summer rental yet, give me a call! If you can be flexible on your dates and requirements, we can help you out.  Visit my Rental Section, or contact me or MaryAnn to get started!

July 14, 2011


THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER ran an article on Shore Real Estate.  Paul Leiser, co-owner of Avalon Real Estate Agency, was quoted in the article.
 
GIVE 'EM A BRAKE!  A reminder to those who drive local roads--keep an eye out for turtles crossing, especially in areas not protected by special turtle fences.  Diamondback terrapins often try to cross roadways in order to reach higher ground to lay eggs.  Turtle fences installed by volunteers from the Wetlands Institute have helped reduce turtle crossing and fatalities but if you see a turtle crossing the road, please give 'em a brake! 

For more on efforts to protect the diamondback terrapins, see this Press of Atlantic City article.

AM I COVERED?  If you haven't spoken to your insurance agent in a while, it's probably a good idea to do so to ensure you have proper coverage.  Check your coverage amounts for your house, contents, and liability and make sure your coverage level is appropriate.  For the names of reliable insurance agents, please call or email me!

THIS WEEK'S hot weather brought on by land breezes has actually cooled the ocean water temperature.  Hot land breezes move warm surface water offshore, allowing cooler water to take its place, and surf temperatures have dropped to the upper sixties.  Seabreezes are expected Thursday and Friday and will likely push the warm surface water back to shore, raising surf temperatures once again.
 
GlobetrottersON THE COURT or on the boardwalk, the Harlem Globetrotters can sure handle a basketball... or two or three!  Take a look as one of the Globetrotters performs some ball handling magic on the Wildwood Boardwalk. Better yet, see the Globetrotters in person when they visit the Wildwood Convention Center August 10-13.  As a friend of Avalon Real Estate, we're pleased to offer a discount on tickets.  View the Harlem Globetrotters 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).   

FIFTY FREEBIES!  Back by popular demand is my list of Fifty Freebies at the Shore!  I've compiled a list of more than fifty great activities to enjoy while you're here, without opening your wallet.  If you'd like a copy of the list, contact me!

July 7, 2011


MARKET STATS: During the first half of 2011, 137 properties sold in the local market, a 42% increase over the 96 properties sold during the first half of 2010.  The average sale price was $1,354,019, up 10.6% over last year's average price of $1,223,967.  The median price fell 11.1% however, from $1,055,000 last year to $937,500 this year.  An additional 32 properties are currently under contract.
 
WARM OCEAN WATER has boosted early beach tag sales in most Cape May County beach towns.  Avalon's tag sales were up 9% over last year and Sea Isle City's increased by 6%.  Stone Harbor showed the only decrease as tag sales declined by 3%.  The numbers are not final as tag sales will continue throughout the season.
 
FIREWORKS are a Fourth of July staple, and this year was no exception.  Both Avalon and Stone Harbor put on fantastic displays just off the beach.  The fireworks are visible from dozens of other locations across the island as evidenced by this view across the bay:

Fireworks
 
MOTHER NATURE often puts on her own display in the form of thunderstorms.  Though the holiday weekend was relatively free of thunderstorms, at least one passed quickly over South Jersey:

Lightning
 
TWO LANES were open for eastbound traffic on the Avalon Boulevard Bridge, including a dedicated left turn lane.  The two lanes helped handle the enormous traffic volume normally encountered on a holiday weekend, and delays were significantly reduced.  Construction on the bridge continues, but two eastbound and one westbound lane will remain open for the remainder of the summer, except for temporary lane restrictions for material deliveries.
 
HIGH HEEL RACE: Support the Melanie Finley Ovarian Cancer Foundation at the second annual High Heel Race in Avalon on Sunday, July 31.  There will be female, male, and team events, including a 50 yard dash in high heels.  Visit www.mfocf.org for details.