2015:

Jan.

Feb.

March

April

May

June

July

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Sept.

Oct.

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Dec.

This Weeks News 5/27/2015

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GREAT WEEKEND, GREAT WEATHER! The Memorial Day Weekend proved to be a fantastic start to the summer season, getting a big boost from Mother Nature as she served up three beautiful days in a row! Local merchants and restaurant owners expressed their happiness with weekend crowds. Monday night's northbound traffic on local roads serves as evidence of just how many people were on the Island for the weekend!
  

Memorial Day Parades are an annual tradition! Thanks to those who waved to us as Truck 6414, my 1971 American LaFrance, rolled by!
 
MORTGAGE RATES remain extremely attractive for those purchasing a vacation home. Thirty-year fixed rates are about 3.75%--a fantastic way to lock in low borrowing costs for three decades! Combine low rates with rental income and potential appreciation...it's a fantastic time to consider the purchase of a shore home! Call or email me if you'd like to discuss your situation and goals--I'll listen and help you find the perfect place!
 
THE TOWNSEND'S INLET BRIDGE remains closed to traffic as repairs continue. The bridge was expected to be in service over the Memorial Day Weekend but necessary repair work could not be completed in time. The bridge is expected to reopen in the next two to three weeks.
 

The Townsend's Inlet Bridge remained out of service over the weekend. It's expected to open to vehicle traffic in two to three weeks.
 
BOATERS, make sure you have a New Jersey Boating Safety Certificate, required for anyone operating a power vessel or personal watercraft. If you don't have one, a Boating Safety class is being offered at the United States Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May on the following Saturdays: May 30th, June 27th, and July 25th. The course fee is $56. To register, email or call Theresa Appenzeller at tappenzeller@comcast.net or (609) 898-0442.

This Weeks News 5/20/2015

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MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND is here, and with it comes the kickoff of the summer season! Ready for some beach time? Weekend forecasts are calling for temperatures in the 60s and 70s, with little chance of rain until Monday--a perfect way to start the summer!
 
SALES UP, INVENTORY DOWN! During the month of April the number of sales increased to 33, up from 20 last April, while the number of active listings decreased to 334, down 22% from last April. Thinking about selling? It's a great time to do so!  See the latest Long & Foster Market Minute report for full market stats: Long and Foster Market Minute Report.

Sales have increased and active listings have decreased. Click above for a full market report!
 
AVALON BEACH UPDATE: For the latest on Avalon's beaches, beach patrol, and upcoming beach replenishment, read more: Avalon Prepares Beaches For Memorial Day Weekend.
 
TURTLE CROSSING! It's that time of year again, when diamondback terrapins cross local roads to lay eggs on higher ground. If you are inclined to stop and help a terrapin, first make sure you are not putting yourself or other motorists at risk, then carefully help the terrapin cross in the direction it was going. For more tips on helping terrapins, including what to do if you should encounter an injured terrapin, check this Helpful Page From The Wetlands Institute.
 
CATCH THE PARADES ON MONDAY! Celebrate the holiday in traditional fashion with Memorial Day parades and ceremonies in Avalon and Stone Harbor on Monday, May 25th. In Avalon, the parade begins at 9am at 32nd and Dune Drive and proceeds north to Veteran's Plaza, where a ceremony will follow the parade. In Stone Harbor, a ceremony will be held at 11am at the firehouse, with the parade to begin at 12 noon on 96th Street.

This Weeks News 5/13/2015

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76 PROPERTIES ARE UNDER CONTRACT in the local market according to the Cape May County MLS. That means that 76 families are looking forward to closing on their new shore property! How about you? Are you ready? There is still time to purchase your very own shore home and enjoy the summer season! Call or email me today to get started!
  
 
Here's a cool video to get you in the mood for summer! This was shot in the surf off Avalon's beaches!
 
STONE HARBOR DREDGING UPDATE:  Stone Harbor will be soliciting bids for the dredging of its back bay waterways. Up to 179,000 cubic yards of material may be removed from the waterways over a two year period. Because of logistical constraints and environmental restrictions, dredging will occur from September to December of 2015 and again in 2016. Bayfront property owners will be able to participate in the project to have their boatslips deepened. More details will be available in the coming months-keep an eye on my newsletter!
 
THE TOWNSEND'S INLET BRIDGE remains closed to vehicular traffic due to ongoing maintenance and repairs. However, the bridge is expected to be open Memorial Day Weekend, but will close again afterward for more work, and then reopen the following weekend. New Jersey Transit has informed the Borough of Avalon that it will resume bus service from Avalon to Sea Isle City on June 20th.
 
PRE-SEASON RENTAL PROPERTY CHECKLIST: as you make final preparations for the summer season, don't forget these essential items to help generate maximum rental income with minimum hassle:

-a full spring cleaning before your first tenant, and changeover cleanings scheduled in  between tenants.

-turn on and test all utilities, appliances, etc.

-ensure that your cable television and wireless internet are working; provide your WiFi  password to me if you haven't yet done so.

-make sure that you've obtained a rental license and posted it in your property.

-provide trash cans, cleaning supplies, and any helpful instructions for your tenants.

  
Email me if you'd like a copy of my "Rental Tips for Maximizing Rental Income" and I'll send it right out to you! It contains dozens of tips that will help you get the most out of your rental property!

THE AVALON LIONS CLUB will run a Seaside Safari Scavenger Hunt throughout the summer, beginning on May 23. A new game will begin every week, with an Apple iPad Mini to be awarded weekly, and a $2,000 grand prize at the end of the season. Visit Hoy's 5&10 for a $20 game book and play while you're here on vacation! 

This Weeks News 5/6/2015

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IT'S STARTING TO FEEL LIKE SUMMER on the Island!  Restaurants are opening, property owners are in the midst of preparing for the season, and each weekend brings a larger crop of visitors! Lawns are green, flowers and trees are blooming, and most days a gentle breeze blows. Recent daytime temperatures in the mid-80s sure help, too! The ocean is still playing catch-up: surf temperatures are still in the 50s but Gulf Stream water offshore is in the mid-70s. Those gentle sea breezes will help move that warmer water toward the beach.
 

Ready to find your very own "Happy Place?"  Call or email me!
 
BUY YOUR BEACH TAGS NOW at reduced pre-season prices! Details from Avalon & Stone Harbor borough websites follow:

AVALON: 2015 seasonal beach tags may be purchased on weekends at the Beach Tag Booth at Community Hall through May 23rd for $22.00 Seasonal beach tags can also be ordered through the mail this Spring. Please send a stamped, self-addressed envelope, along with a check, to: Avalon Tax Office/Beach Tags, 3100 Dune Drive, Avalon, NJ 08202. Make your check payable to: Borough of Avalon. Please indicate how many seasonal beach tags you are ordering at the $22.00 pre-season price. You will be mailed a receipt from the tax office. During your next visit to Avalon, redeem your receipt for the number of beach tags that you ordered. Actual beach tags are not sent through the mail. Weekly and daily tags cannot be ordered through the mail.
 
STONE HARBOR: 2015 seasonal beach tags are available for purchase through May 31st at $22.00 per tag Monday through Friday at Stone Harbor Borough Hall between 8:30am-4:00pm and Saturdays and Sundays at the Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center between 10:00am-3:00pm. Beach tags may be purchased via check or cash only; no mail orders will be accepted.  

Effective June 1st, the cost of a season tag will rise to $27 in both towns. Avalon and Stone Harbor will honor each other's tags as they have in the past.
 
SUMMER REMINDERS: With the summer season rapidly approaching it's time for some friendly "summer reminders:"
 
    - 'no turn on red' is back in effect at marked intersections
    - motorists must stop for pedestrians in crosswalks
    - observe parking regulations and parking meters
 
AVALON'S WINE AND SPIRITS FESTIVAL takes place Friday, May 8th at Avalon Community Hall, from 6:30pm to 9pm. Sample more than 200 wines, flavored vodkas, scotch, and bourbon, as well as hors d'oeuvres from local restaurants. Tickets are $40 and may be purchased at Fred's Avalon Liquor Store or at Visit Avalon, NJ.