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
October 27, 2011

"THAT WAS AWESOME!"
 A boat ride along Avalon's beach last Sunday afternoon turned into a stunning show as dozens of dolphins swam by.  The dolphins jumped, splashed, and smacked their tails on the surface of the water as they swam by the boat, moving southward along the beach.  My three kids enjoyed watching, and my seven year old aptly summed up the feeling of all of us by saying "that was awesome!" 
   
FISHERMEN'S ENERGY of Cape May hopes to break ground soon on an offshore wind farm 2.5 miles off the Atlantic City beach.  The company is still waiting for final approvals before the project can begin.  Fishermen's Energy hopes to be the first to build an offshore wind farm in the United States, though builders in other states are working on plans for wind farms, too.  At least two other New Jersey-based offshore wind farms are in the planning stages as well.
 
AVALON received an award from the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce due to numerous environmental initiatives over the past 12 months.  The Borough received the "Environmental Conservation Award" during the chamber's annual dinner meeting.  Some recent borough initiatives include a water conservation experiment on three traffic islands along Dune Drive, the Green Fair, turtle fencing along Avalon Boulevard, and the installation of an electric vehicle charging station on Dune Drive.
 
STONE HARBOR received an A+ Stable bond rating from Standard & Poor's Rating Services for its 2011 General Obligation bonds.  Among the factors contributing to the rating were the borough's stable tax base, high property values, and strong financial position.
 
KING TIDES:  the alignment of the earth, moon, and sun will cause "perigean spring tides," also known as "king tides."  The more common spring tides occur during the new moon and full moon, when the sun and moon align.  But as the moon reaches its perigee, which is its closest point to earth, the tidal effect is exaggerated, causing king tides.  Predicted high tide levels this week are expected to be 5.8 feet, as compared to a typical high tide of about 5.0 feet.  As always, wind direction and strength, and rain, can affect the actual tide level.

October 20, 2011

KAY LEAHY
of Avalon Real Estate was approached to do a segment for HGTV "HOUSE HUNTERS".  Her clients, who currently own a large home in Avalon wanted to downsize and were in the market to purchase a smaller home.  They wanted to be near or on the Beachblock for under $1,000,000.   The episode was filmed in April and three potential properties were considered.  They did purchase a property and have since remodeled the house. The episode of "House Hunters" is scheduled to air Tuesday, October 25th at 10PM eastern standard time on HGTV.
 
Surfside Fitness - Avalon, NJSURFSIDE FITNESS has opened its doors at 21st Street and Dune Drive in Avalon. Surfside will be open year-round offering a full service fitness facility plus classes including Yoga, TRX, Bodyblast, ZUMBA, Beach Boot Camp, and more.

Visit www.trainwithcheryl.com for more information.
 

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER ran a front page article containing their analysis of shore home values over the past several years.  Paul Leiser, co-owner and vice president of Avalon Real Estate Agency, was quoted in the article. View Article
 
DRIVE-THROUGH FLU SHOT CLINIC:  Cape May County's popular drive-through flu shot clinic will take place Saturday, October 23 from 9am to 3pm.  The free clinic is open to residents, who should bring a completed consent form with them.  The forms are available at www.cmchealth.net, and are also in several newspapers this week.
 
CONGRATULATIONS TO PUDGIE PELICAN CAFE, winner of the Avalon Seafood Festival Chowder Contest on held on October 9th.  In second place was Sylvester's Fish Market and Restaurant, with Bobby D's Rock'n Chair in third place.

October 13, 2011


MARKET STATS:
through the first three quarters of the year, the number of sales in the local market is up 35.3% to 203, versus 150 during the first three quarters of last year.  The average sale price is up 8.1% to $1,335,207 versus $1,234,499 last year.  The median sale price declined 9.6% to $915,000, versus $1,012,500 last year.
 
NEW LIBRARY: construction will begin soon on a new beachfront library in Stone Harbor.  County Freeholders awarded a $5.3 million contract for the construction of the new 13,500 square foot library at 95th Street and the beach.  Work is expected to begin by the end of the year, with a planned completion date of December, 2012 or January, 2013.  The 37-foot high structure will feature outdoor decks and windows with an ocean view.
 
"WHAT A GREAT WEEKEND!"  That's the verdict on the Columbus Day Weekend.  Beautiful weather made for great beach days, good fishing, and perfect conditions for walking, jogging, and bicycling. Restaurants and shops reported good crowds, too.
 
INTEREST RATES continue to hover near record lows.  If you'd like to refinance, call me for the names of reliable lenders.  If you'd like to buy a place at the shore, call me to get started!
 
MONARCH BUTTERFLIES have been seen all over Cape May County the past several days, as they migrate southward toward Mexico.  The monarch shown below chose Avalon's dunes for a brief rest.

Monarch Butterflies in Avalon, NJ
Photo courtesy Robert D. Ross

October 6, 2011

PROPERTY TAX BILLS
in Avalon decreased slightly in 2011 to an average of $4,944, down 9% from last year's average property tax bill.  Stone Harbor's average property tax bill increased only slightly to $5,745, up 2% over last year.
 
"TEARDOWNS" in Stone Harbor are likely to exceed those recorded last year.  Through October 3 of this year, 14 demolitions had taken place, as compared to 15 all of last year.
 
SUNSHINE IS BACK!  After an unusually rainy period in September, clear, sunny skies have returned to the area, providing us with the magnificent fall weather we've come to expect!  Take advantage of the weather and plan a day trip or weekend getaway to the Island!  Walk the beach, shop, dine, take some family photos.
 
AVALON'S GREEN FAIR returns for the third time this Saturday, October 8.  The event will be held from 10am to 3pm at Community Hall and is free.  More than 20 exhibitors representing a variety of topics will be present.  Curious about energy audits, solar energy, water conservation, and other topics?  Get your questions answered at the Green Fair!