2015:

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Feb.

March

April

May

June

July

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This Weeks News 3/25/2015

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TWO MONTHS TO MEMORIAL DAY! Cold weather and grey skies are gradually giving way to sunshine and warmer temperatures. In just two short months, Memorial Day Weekend will be here to kick off the summer season!
 
AVALON'S NORTH END BEACHES have been on the minds of local officials. Avalon Borough Council has authorized the funding to support a north end beach fill project. The project is now out to bid, and a bid opening is scheduled on April 1, 2015. Upon the receipt of a successful bid, it will be the Borough's intent to quickly award a contract and have the beach fill project occur during Spring 2015 in advance of the heart of the summer tourism season. If awarded, the project will include a hydraulic dredge that would pump sand on the beach starting at 9th street and moving in a southerly direction 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Avalon has not had a hydraulic beach fill project since immediately following Hurricane Sandy. Mayor Pagliughi and Council continue to work on partnership arrangements regarding this beach fill.

 
In less than two months it'll be time to hang up your shoes and hit the beach!
 
COAST GUARD HELICOPTERS will be making more flights than usual along the Jersey Shore over the next six weeks according to the Associated Press. Instructors and new pilots will fly at least two flights almost every day; the pilots will eventually be responsible for air security in Washington, DC. 
 
SPRING PREPARATIONS--it's time to prepare vacation homes and rental properties for the summer season, if you haven't already done so! Landscaping, painting, pool openings, spring cleaning, and other maintenance work should be scheduled now. Need new carpeting or a new appliance?  Place your order now. If you need the names of reliable contractors and service providers, please call or email me!
 
THINKING ABOUT EASTER BRUNCH on the Island? If you'll be on the Island for Easter consider enjoying brunch at one of your favorite local restaurants! Here are three great options:
 
   The Reeds at Shelter Haven  |  The Golden Inn "Bed & Brunch" Family Package  |  Avalon Links

This Weeks News 3/18/2015

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MARKET STATS: The latest Long & Foster Market Minute report is out! Highlights from this month's report: the number of units sold and the median sale price both increased, while the number of active listings and the median "days on market" both decreased compared to last year--all strong signs for the local real estate market. View The Long & Foster Market Minute Report
  
 
Click above to view the latest Long & Foster Market Minute Report!
 
VACATION HOME BUYERS represent 9 to 13 percent of the overall real estate market, according to a recent article from Inman News. More than a third of all vacation homes are cash purchases, with vacation homes being a median distance of 180 miles from home. Most Avalon & Stone Harbor vacation home owners live less than 180 miles away, due to our proximity to major population centers. The Inman article is based on research presented in the National Association of Realtors' 2014 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey.
 
THIRTY-YEAR FIXED MORTGAGE RATES have inched up from an average of 3.75% to 3.86% after the release of a strong jobs report. 15-year rates moved up from 3.03% to an average of 3.10%. Despite the increases, rates still remain quite low. Take advantage of low rates now: refinance an existing loan or make a purchase and lock in low financing costs! For the names of reliable lenders, please call or email me!
 
SEALS ON THE BEACH! The Marine Mammal Stranding Center has had several calls about seals on the beaches, including Avalon, according to a recent Atlantic City Press article. Most are just taking a break in the sunshine, which the MMSC says is not uncommon at this time of year, but two were picked up for further evaluation. If you spot a seal on the beach stay at least 50 feet away, keep pets away, and call the MMSC immediately at 609-266-0538.
 
RECORD FOR NJ TOURISM: New Jersey enjoyed a record-breaking $42.1 billion in tourism expenditures during 2014, up 3.8 percent over 2013. Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno made the announcement at the 2015 New Jersey Conference on Tourism last week. Based on bookings and rental activity so far, it appears that 2015 will be a strong rental season in Avalon and Stone Harbor.

This Weeks News 3/11/2015

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69 PROPERTIES ARE UNDER CONTRACT in the local real estate market--and 69 families are eagerly anticipating their new shore home! With the worst of winter's bad weather behind us, things look good for local real estate sales in the coming weeks. Still driving the market: great mortgage rates, a good selection of properties, and still-reasonable prices. But don't wait--if you want to be enjoying your new shore property by the summer time, call me now to get started!
 
SPRING HAS SPRUNG! Well, almost! A couple of days in the mid-50s were absolutely delightful compared to the past couple of months. For those participating in Stone Harbor's "Shiver" coming up this weekend, though, ocean temperatures in the mid-30s should ensure that the "Shiver" lives up to its name!
   

"POPPED" PILINGS: The ice and frigid temperatures have disappeared, but some bayfront homeowners may be surprised to find pilings or docks damaged due to freezing seawater. Bubbler systems are usually installed to circulate water around pilings and docks, preventing it from freezing. But in their absence, seawater can freeze to pilings and other structures allowing the rising tide to lift them right out of the mud. If you need your pilings or docks repaired, call or email me for the names of reliable contractors!  The piling to the right was lifted out of the mud by several feet due to ice on the bay.

      
SPRUCE 'EM UP!  Rental property owners--the time is NOW to turn your attention toward getting your property ready for summer tenants! Need paint, carpet, appliances, or minor repairs? Don't wait till the last minute when contractors and vendors are swamped. Get your projects done early in order to provide paying guests the best product you can! If you need recommendations on contractors, call or email me.

RENTAL TIPS FOR PROPERTY OWNERS: With twenty years of experience in renting properties for my clients and myself, I've learned quite a bit about maximizing rental income for rental property owners. If you'd like me to send you my "Rental Tips for Property Owners" please email or call me!

This Weeks News 3/4/2015

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OPEN FOR BUSINESS: It's always a great sign of Spring when local shops and restaurants reopen their doors after the winter. The Pudgie Pelican Café reopened this week, and the Concord Café re-opens this weekend! Upcoming weekends will soon find property owners checking out their homes, preparing them for the summer season. The number of activities occurring on or around the Island is increasing, too! See below for some examples!
 
ANOTHER SLICE OF HISTORY: After hearing about the 1966 New York Times article mentioned last week, another Long & Foster friend unearthed a Philadelphia Inquirer article from May 5, 1985 describing Avalon as exuding class with "the charm of a small town." Some things never change! But some do, as the article also mentioned $5,000 full-season rentals, $2,500 weekly beachfront rentals, and the now-long-gone Sullivan's Department Store, where you could "pick up a new drill…while you're finishing your pancakes."
 

After a cold winter, who isn't ready for a warm summer sunrise?
 
SHOP-A-HOLICS WEEKEND runs from Friday evening, March 6th through Sunday, March 8th. Details are shown below. Stop by and visit dozens of participating vendors!
 
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME is almost here! This coming Sunday we'll "spring forward" by an hour, providing us an extra hour of precious daylight in the evening. 
 
STONE HARBOR'S BULK PICKUP is set for Monday, March 9; bulk items may be placed curbside up to 72 hours prior to pick up. Avalon's Bulk Pickup will occur in May.
 
AVALON'S FINANCES & BUDGET will be on the agenda at the upcoming Avalon Home & Landowners Association Meeting on Saturday, March 14th. The meeting will be held at the Avalon Senior Center at 10am.
 
VOLUNTEER AT THE WETLANDS! The Wetlands Institute is in need of volunteers at a variety of levels. Whether you can offer your services one time, or make a full time commitment, check out the opportunities available.