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.  

June 30, 2011


AVALON has achieved an impressive AA+ bond rating by Standard and Poors, an improvement over its last rating of Aa2.  Mayor Martin Pagliughi says the borough earned the rating because "Avalon excels at managing its finances...and constantly looks at various ways to save money."  Avalon's rating is now higher than those earned by Aspen, Colorado and Newport, Rhode Island, and equal to those of Palm Beach, Florida and Malibu, California.
 
ACCESS TO BEACHES for those with disabilities can be a challenge.  A brochure titled "A Guide to Accessing Cape May County's Beaches and Surf Chairs for People with Disabilities" is available from the county.  The brochure lists beach access points and surf chair locations, as well as parking and restroom information.  View the Brochure (PDF)
 
THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS will bring their dazzling basketball talent to Cape May County this summer!  The world-famous Globetrotters will play four games at the Wildwood Convention Center from August 10-13.  As a friend of Avalon Real Estate Agency 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 on the Ticketmaster page for $5 off each ticket (valid for tickets priced at $20, $25 and $30).
 
LIGHT'S OUT: The Cape May Lighthouse has been dark lately because of a failed part.  The light itself works but the motor that rotates it is in need of a part that must be custom made due to the age of the lighthouse.  The lighthouse has been inoperative only for a few brief periods in its 152 year history, but remains open daily to the public.  Climbing the 199 steps to the top yields one of the best views in Cape May County!

LOST AT SEA?  There's an app for that!  The Boat Owner's Association of the United States (BoatUS) has created a smart phone application that pinpoints the location of a boater in need of a tow.  The app allows the tow company to find a disabled boat calling for help, even if the boater can't provide a precise description of his or her location.  BoatUS stresses that the app is for non-emergency situations, and that marine VHF radios should be used in emergencies. 

MORTGAGE RATES remain unbelievably low!  With 30 year fixed rates at 4.5% for loans up to $417,000, and 4.75% for loans over $417,000, it's a great opportunity to buy and lock in incredibly low financing costs.  If you're ready to buy, please call me.  If you need to refinance your current property, call me for the names of reputable lenders.

June 23, 2011


BAY-ATLANTIC SYMPHONY will return to Avalon for a free concert Sunday, July 3 at 7pm at Avalon's Community Hall.  Enjoy patriotic music followed by a huge fireworks display on the beach!
 
THANKS TO WARM WEATHER, ocean temperatures are already in the mid-70s, making it feel like July or August.  Shore merchants are also thankful for the warm weather, which has provided an early-season boost to business.
 
STONE HARBOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL has graduated its 100th class of eight graders--and it will be the school's last.  As part of a consolidation program, Stone Harbor will host grades K through 4 while Avalon will host grades 5 through 8.  The two schools will share a board with representatives from each town, and will be able to offer students more programs while keeping costs under control.
 
OUTTA HERE: Contractors are removing the piping and equipment associated with the recent beach replenishment project that first improved Avalon's beach and then Stone Harbor's, with all traces of the project expected to be removed from Stone Harbor by Friday, June 24.  If you haven't already, check out the new beaches--they're huge!
 
PSST!  WANNA BUY A LIGHTHOUSE?  Just kidding, of course, but three Delaware Bay lighthouses are being made available for free to state agencies or other non-profit entities willing to maintain them for historic, educational, or recreational purposes.  Brandywine Shoal Light, Miah Maul Shoal Light, and Ship John Shoal Light have been determined to be of no further use to the US Coast Guard.  The lighthouses, which are only accessible by boat, will be offered separately to qualifying entities.  If no takers are found, the lighthouses may be auctioned.
 
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June 16, 2011


CAN YOU FEEL IT?  The season is here!  After a great Memorial Day Weekend and the usual lull right afterward, the Island has come alive with activity.  Schools are letting out and more families arrive daily.  Whether you're in the coffee shop, walking the business district, or on the beach, you can feel the excitement of summer!
 
BEACH REPLENISHMENT is nearing completion in Stone Harbor as crews proceed northward. Whether you're interested in the beach, heavy equipment, or simply enjoy seeing something different, it's worth a trip to watch the operation.  If you can't make it before the operation concludes in the next week or so, check out this video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIQDPR3ZeS0
 
BRIDGES are a big topic in Cape May County, since dozens of them link the barrier islands with the mainland and carry traffic over other waterways.  The latest bridge news from the county includes the removal of the drawbridge portion of the Beesleys Point Bridge, which connects Upper Township with Somers Point.  That bridge has been closed since 2004 due to structural problems; removal of the drawbridge would allow the unrestricted passage of boats on Great Egg Harbor Bay.

The 96th Street Bridge in Stone Harbor will receive $1 million in electrical and structural repairs this year.  That bridge carries hundreds of cars into and out of Stone Harbor each day, and its movable span opens frequently for boat traffic. 
 
JANUARY 2013 is the expected start date of the Parkway overpass project, if all goes according to plan.  The three traffic lights at Exits 9, 10, and 11 will be removed and replaced by overpasses separating high speed traffic from local routes.  All three exits will be done as part of the same project, limiting the length of the project to two years, as opposed to six.
 
THANK YOU to Karin Parker of Blooms Florist in Cape May Court House, who generously provides fresh flowers in Avalon Real Estate Agency's lobby each weekend as our tenants check in to their vacation rentals.  If you need flowers for any occasion, please call Karin at (609) 465-1662.
 
THERE'S STILL TIME!  Whether you need to find a place to rent for a week, or want to find a place to call your own, there's still time to do it!  Visit www.RandyLeiser.com or call me at (800) 967-7796 x212 to get started!

June 9, 2011

GROWING INDICATIONS:
  Smart Money Magazine says that "there are growing indications that it is a good time to buy."  Smart Money cited low mortgage rates, which are at 50-year lows, and housing affordability, which according to Moody's Analytics, is 20.9% better than the 15 year average through 2010.
 
FIRST IN THE WATER: NJ Governor Chris Christie said he believes New Jersey will be "first in the water" with an offshore wind farm, beating other coastal states.  In April, Fisherman's Energy, based in Cape May, acquired the first NJ-DEP permit for the construction of six wind turbines off the coast of Atlantic City.  At least two other groups are interested in building offshore wind farms helping the state to meet its goal of making 22.5% of its energy renewable.
 
HOW CAN WE HELP?  Please let me know what you need!  Looking for an in-depth analysis of a specific market segment?  Ready to see some properties?  Do you need a recommendation on a contractor?  Let me know and I'll be glad to help!
 
RENTALS HAVE BEEN STRONG this year but there are still some nice weeks available.  If you haven't finalized your plans for the summer now is the time.  Check Our Rental Section, or contact me or MaryAnn (mam@avalonrealty.com) to secure your rental!
 
HOT, HOT, HOT!  That's the call for the rest of the week with temperatures expected in the 90s.  The weekend should bring some relief, with temperatures expected in the 70s and 80s.  If that's not enough, a dip in the ocean ought to do it for you!

June 2, 2011


OFF WITH A BANG!  By all accounts the Memorial Day Weekend was a success on the Island.  It was warm, sunny, and dry which meant good crowds for the beaches, shops, and restaurants.  Said one local merchant, "We'll take it!"
 
THE DREDGE that pumped sand onto Avalon's beaches is now situated off Hereford Inlet pumping sand onto Stone Harbor's beaches.  Stone Harbor's beaches remain open during the pumping, except for the immediate work area.  The pumping is expected to last three weeks, and will move 1-2 blocks per day.
 
KYW-1060 RADIO interviewed Avalon Real Estate Agency's Vice President and Co-Owner, Paul Leiser, regarding the improving state of the shore real estate market.  Those of you who live and work in the Philadelphia area may have heard the report on the air.
 
RENTAL PROPERTY OWNERS: Get your properties ready!  Take advantage of the brief quiet spell after Memorial Day to prepare your property for the rest of the summer.  Have your spring cleaning completed, touch up the paint, make sure the grill is hooked up, etc.  Your tenants expect and appreciate your efforts to deliver a clean, comfortable property!  If you need help or suggestions for preparing your property, please call or email me.
 
ONCE AGAIN, Avalon is at the forefront of emergency planning.  The borough recently signed an agreement to provide a mainland  storm shelter in Deerfield Township, Cumberland County.  In the event of a major hurricane or storm event, Avalon residents and visitors would be sheltered high above barrier island flood waters.  Those with residences elsewhere would be encouraged to travel home, while those who could not make it home safely would stay at the shelter, complete with cots, generators, and other supplies.
 
TURTLE TIME!  You may have seen long lengths of corrugated piping installed on either side of Avalon Boulevard.  The piping provides a safety barrier for diamondback terrapin turtles, who tend to cross roads during nesting season.  The piping appears to be quite effective at keeping turtles off the road, but use caution, especially in areas where the piping hasn't been installed yet.  Protective barriers are being installed along sections of Stone Harbor Boulevard, too.
 
JUST AROUND THE CORNER!  We're blessed to have fantastic shops, restaurants, and events right here on Seven Mile Island.  But we're also fortunate to have lots of great resources just a short drive away.  If you're looking to add a little variety to your vacation, enjoy a world class meal in Cape May, take in a show or try your luck at a casino in Atlantic City, or ride the amusements in Ocean City or Wildwood.  Then, of course, you can return to the tranquility of Avalon & Stone Harbor!