MORTGAGE NOTES: Despite a recent increase,
interest rates remain very reasonable in a historical context, with
thirty-year fixed rates running about 4.5%. New "qualified mortgage" lending
guidelines will go into effect in 2014, including greater scrutiny of
borrowers and their ability to repay loans. Many mortgage lenders tightened
their review of borrowers long ago, as they began anticipating the new
rules. Also, many lenders will continue to offer "portfolio" loans for
strong borrowers whose loans don't fit the "qualified mortgage" guidelines,
but whose loans still make sense. Whether you're buying or refinancing,
please call or email me for the names of reliable mortgage lenders!
SNOW AND COLD WEATHER have already visited the
Island, but will give way to a brief warm up this weekend. Temperatures are
expected to rise into the sixties Saturday and Sunday, before dipping again
next week. While the mini-warm up might be enjoyable, the ocean water
temperature remains a very chilly 45 degrees.
A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES: Want to give your
family an unforgettable gift? Their very own shore home will result in
family memories that last a lifetime! Call or email me and I'll begin the
search for your perfect shore retreat!
SANTA VISITS: The Avalon Fire Department
escorted Santa through town the evening of Wednesday, December 18th. Stone
Harbor Fire Company will be hosting Santa at the Stone Harbor Elementary
School Thursday, December 19th at 6pm.
An Avalon Beach Patrol boat navigates a sea of
Christmas lights along Dune Drive!
Stone Harbor's 96th Street is decked out for the
holidays!
THANK YOU for your business and referrals in
2013; I sincerely appreciate it!
FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS, best wishes for a
Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy,
prosperous 2014.
THE AVALON/STONE HARBOR UPDATE will return the
week of January 6th, 2014.
VISIT THE JERSEY SHORE IN 2014, says the
Huffington Post. The Jersey Shore was named one of the top ten U.S.
destinations to visit in 2014,
with Huffington Post citing beaches, dunes, fishing, and shopping as some of
the reasons. Also making the list were Yosemite National Park, Las
Vegas, Nevada, and Lana'i, Hawaii. If you don't already have your vacation
booked, or you're considering buying your very own shore retreat, please
call me at (800) 967-7796 x212.
STONE HARBOR COUNCIL has approved a conceptual
plan for "Stone Harbor Freedom Park," to be located at 96th Street and Seng
Place (near the firehouse.) A focal point of the new park will be a section
of I-beam from the site of the World Trade Center. The park will be across
the street from the new library, which will be built on the former bank site
that was recently cleared.
OH, THOSE LIGHTS! If you're on the Island
during the holidays, be sure to stop by the business districts in Avalon and
Stone Harbor for amazing light displays. Lights line Dune Drive for the
length of the business district, and the same is true along 96th Street.
It's a mesmerizing sight. While you're in town visit a local restaurant or
merchant to pick up a gift for that special someone.
MORE "SHORE" GIFTS: For those who would like
to give a little slice of the shore as a holiday gift, consider "adopting" a
diamondback terrapin or horseshoe crab! By contributing as little as $10 to
the Wetlands Institute you can adopt a hatchling turtle or clutch of
horseshoe crab eggs! Higher contribution levels are available too.
Learn More
TOYS FOR TOTS: Thanks to all the Long & Foster
friends who contributed to our Toys for Tots campaign. We've assembled quite
an array of toys beneath our tree! The toys will be collected by Toys for
Tots, brightening the holiday of children who might otherwise not receive
gifts. If you'd like to make a donation there's still time! Stop by our
office by December 20th to drop off a new, unwrapped toy. Toys for Tots
informed us there's a great need for toys for kids ages 4 through 12.
The Toys for Tots box in our office overflows with
toys!
SANTA RIDES THE RAILS this holiday season
aboard the Cape May Seashore Lines "Santa Express". Enjoy a ride aboard
historic passenger equipment pulled by vintage diesel locomotives running
between nearby Tuckahoe and Richland Village. You'll enjoy watching South
Jersey scenery pass by out the window, but the kids will have their eyes
focused on Santa, who will visit with all the kids aboard the train. Trains
run on Saturdays and Sundays, December 14th, 15th, 21st, and 22nd, as well
as the evenings of Thursday, December 12th and 19th, Tuesday, December 17th,
and Monday, December 23rd. Trains do sell out so get your tickets early.
It's a ride to remember!
Read More About The Santa Express
Polar Express? No, it's the Cape May Seashore Lines
"Santa Express" at Tuckahoe Station!
AVERAGE SALE PRICES increased slightly in the third quarter of 2013,
while the number of units sold in Avalon & Stone Harbor was virtually even
with the third quarter of last year.
CLICK
HERE for a comprehensive report on Cape May County's real estate market
during the third quarter.
IT'S ALWAYS A BIG HIT,
and this year was no exception! Thanksgiving weekend saw the Island
buzzing with visitors and activities, as both Avalon and Stone
Harbor kicked off the holiday season. From iceless ice skating and
tree lightings to visits with Santa and Saturday night's Christmas
Parade, a good time was had by all! If you missed the parade, watch
this video, recorded by a parade watcher on 96th Street! Truck 6414,
my 1971 American LaFrance, appears at 10:20. Thanks to all who waved
to us! |
|
View Parade Video |
THE M/V CAPE MAY is being dismantled and sold
for scrap, as reported in the Atlantic City Press. The "Cape May" carried
vehicles and passengers for the Cape May-Lewes Ferry for more than twenty
years, having been built in 1985 and renovated in 1998. Despite being the
newest hull in the fleet it was too costly to operate, and sat idle in
recent years. Various items from the ferry are available for purchase. Visit
WWW.GOODBUYFERRY.COM
to view a variety of items for sale.
A RARE SNOW OWL was photographed at Stone
Harbor Point, and
CAN BE SEEN HERE. Lenore Tedesco, Director of the Wetlands Institute,
shared the photo with the Borough of Stone Harbor.
This late fall sunset displayed dramatic colors, as
seen from Stone Harbor Boulevard. The North Wildwood Boulevard Bridge
can be seen in the distance.
NEED LOCAL GIFT IDEAS? How about an Avalon or
Stone Harbor Holiday Beach tag? The Fudge Kitchen will ship a pound of
fudge directly to your gift recipient. Johnson's Popcorn, Uncle Bill's
pancake mix, or Mallon's sticky buns can also be shipped for a real taste of
Seven Mile Island!
TOYS FOR TOTS: Our annual Toys for Tots drive
is underway, and a nice pile of toys has already appeared in our lobby. Want
to help brighten the holiday of a child? Drop off a toy at our office in the
next two weeks, and we'll add it to those already under the tree!