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.
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.
PLEASE FORWARD this page to a friend,
coworker, or neighbor that loves Avalon or Stone Harbor!
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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!
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!
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!