2015:

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This Weeks News 4/29/2015

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MORE THAN 80 PERCENT of vacation home buyers and investment property buyers reported that now is a good time to purchase real estate, according to the National Association of Realtors 2015 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey. The survey also reported that vacation home purchases represent 21 percent of all home purchases, up significantly over the last several years. In the Avalon/Stone Harbor market, purchasing now will allow you to enjoy your new vacation home this summer! Call or email me and we'll work together to find the perfect vacation property!
 
AVALON'S BEACHFILL PROJECT is expected to begin about June 9th, after Great Lakes Dredge & Dock completes a project in nearby Strathmere. Avalon's north-end beaches will see 700,000 cubic yards of sand added, with an expected completion date of June 29th. Sections of beach will be closed in the immediate vicinity of the work, while other areas will remain open. In the end, new, wide beaches will be available for beachgoers to enjoy, while providing protection to Avalon's north-end property owners.
 
SHOREBIRD AND HORSESHOE CRAB FESTIVAL: The Wetlands Institute has announced the 3rd Annual Spring Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Festival set for May 16 and 17, 2015. Come join The Wetlands Institute for a festival that celebrates an amazing spectacle of nature - the shorebird migration and horseshoe crab spawning season. Guests of all ages can enjoy shorebird banding demonstrations and volunteer participation, back-bay kayaking tours, back-bay birding and wildlife boat tours, reTURN the Favor horseshoe crab rescue walks, a horseshoe crab spawning survey, horseshoe crab teaching tank and aquaculture tours, horseshoe crab themed children's activities, guided shorebird viewing walks, and more! For a full schedule of activities and pre-registration information, visit The Wetlands Institute Annual Spring Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Festival
 

The upcoming Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Festival at The Wetlands Institute will feature demonstrations, tours, and other activities.
 
TAKE IT TO LEVEL2: What's next in shore design and construction? One of the area's most respected and prolific architects Mark Asher has teamed with a new company, Level2 Homes, to create a novel approach which anticipates emerging demand and hopes to establish a new look and experience for the next wave of new construction here on the island. Check it out here and let me know what you think:  Level2 Homes
 
WHAT'S ON YOUR SUMMER BUCKET LIST? In less than a month the summer season will be underway...what's on your Summer Bucket List?  Be sure to set aside some family time this summer and enjoy a new activity, try a new restaurant, or watch a sunrise over the ocean...you'll be glad you did! 

CONGRATS DAD!  My Dad, Paul Leiser, was named a winner in Long & Foster’s recent sales competition. As part of the award Long & Foster made a donation to The Wetlands Institute, the recipient of Dad's choosing. Long & Foster’s Avalon, N.J. Office Gives Back to Area Nonprofits

This Weeks News 4/22/2015

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MARKET STATS:  Highlights from this month's report: The average "days on market" is down by 13% versus a year ago, while the number of active listings is down by 20%. The number of properties under contract is up 83% versus last year, rising from 23 to 42.

To view the full report click here:  Long & Foster Market Minute Report

 
Click above for the latest Long & Foster Market Minute report!
 
COAST GUARD COMMUNITY FESTIVAL: Cape May County was recently designated a "Coast Guard Community" and is one of only two in the nation. A Coast Guard Community Festival May 8th-10th, to be held at the Coast Guard's Training Center in Cape May, will include special events, tours of Coast Guard boats, various exhibits, and children's activities. The event will kick off with a Proclamation Ceremony at 5:30pm Friday, May 8th, and will continue throughout the weekend. The public is enthusiastically invited! Visit Coast Guard Community for more details.
 
RECREATIONAL FISHING FORUM:  Challenges facing recreational fishing and its importance to Cape May County will be discussed at a forum on Tuesday, April 28th at Greate Bay Country Club, from 5:30 to 9:00pm. Guests include Vicki Clark of the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce, as well as representatives from the Marine Fisheries Administration and the marine industry. The forum is open to the public; cost is $10, plus a cash bar. According to statistics from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, New Jersey ranked 5th among the top ten coastal states with over $643 million in retail sales and nearly 10,000 jobs related to saltwater fishing in 2006.
 
OUR OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND was a success by all measures. This past weekend our office hosted 49 open houses and had more than 250 guests attend--and at least three purchase offers resulted! Our open house program is just one more way we go the extra mile for our clients!
 
34 DAYS TILL MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND! In just over a month we'll be enjoying the start of our summer season here on the Island! 

This Weeks News 4/15/2015

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OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND, APRIL 18TH & 19TH! This weekend Long & Foster will host dozens of open houses from 12pm to 3pm Saturday & Sunday. What a great way to tour a variety of homes in a short period of time! For a list of open houses email or call me, stop by our office to pick one up, or simply look for our signs across the Island!
 
BEACH FILL PROJECT IN AVALON: Avalon Borough Council awarded a contract for a major north-end beach fill project this spring. The $6.3 million project will put approximately 700,000 cubic yards of sand on north-end beaches before the July 4th weekend.

View More Details On The Avalon Beach Fill Project
 
 
Sign of the season: rows of freshly painted lifeguard stands are ready for the summer season in Stone Harbor.
 
VACATION HOME SALES UP, THANKS TO BOOMERS: An Atlantic City Press article reported that 1.1 million vacation homes were sold last year, up by 57% over 2013. Baby boomers are largely responsible for the increase, as they buy vacation homes to use and retire to. Vacation home sales represented 21% of all home purchases in 2014 according to the National Association of Realtors.
 
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR DUNE GRASS PLANTING & BEACH SWEEP: Avalon's Dune Grass planting will take place on Saturday, April 18th; volunteers are asked to report to Avalon Community Hall at 8:30am. The following Saturday, April 25th, Stone Harbor will conduct a beach sweep; volunteers are asked to meet at the 95th Street beach entrance at 9am that day. Both of these worthy efforts protect and beautify our Island!

THERE’S STILL TIME to complete the purchase of your shore property before the summer season begins! If you've always dreamed of your own place at the beach, you may be surprised at how affordable it can be, thanks to low interest rates, reasonable purchase prices, and good rental returns. Interested? Call me! No pressure, no obligation--we'll just discuss your situation and goals and find a way to make it work for you!

This Weeks News 4/1/2015

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LONG & FOSTER'S OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND is scheduled for April 18th & 19th. Take advantage of dozens of open houses in Avalon & Stone Harbor!  Whatever your budget you're bound to see something you'll like! Watch for more details soon!

AVALON'S 2015 INFORMATION & RECREATION GUIDE is now available online. Inside you'll find information on beaches, trash & recycling, sports & recreational camps & activities, and more. Check it out here: 2015 Information & Recreation Guide
 
SPRING CLEAN UP! It's time for annual clean up around the house--and time to mark your calendar for bulk pick-up dates on the Island. Stone Harbor's bulk pick-up will occur on May 4th; place items curbside up to 72 hours in advance. Avalon's bulk pick-up will occur on May 11th; place items curbside from May 1st through May 10th. 

STONE HARBOR POINT recently underwent a restoration project designed to improve the habitat of coastal birds and resistance to future storms. More than 50,000 cubic yards of sand were moved to elevate bird habitat areas above spring tide elevations, and an existing dune was enhanced to improve storm resistance. This summer be sure to take a stroll around Stone Harbor Point--it's a wonderfully relaxing place to be, with views in every direction!

SUMMER JOBS AVAILABLE! If you or someone you know needs a summer job, here are a couple of options to explore: 

  Think you have what it takes to be a member of the Avalon Beach Patrol? Click here for an application.

  If you'd rather patrol the sand, check out the application for beach tag inspectors.

You may also wish to visit the Stone Harbor Job Fair hosted by Coffee Talk, at 299 97th Street, on Saturday, April 11th from 11am-3pm.

HAPPY EASTER to you and your family! The Avalon/Stone Harbor Update will return the week
of April 13th.