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
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This Weeks News 5/31/2018
SEVEN MILE RESTAURANT WEEK begins Monday, June 4th and
runs through Sunday, June 10th. Over 50 restaurants are participating this
year, and you'll find everything from breakfast & lunch specials to $30.18
three-course dinners on their menus. It's a great way to try out a new
place, or revisit an old favorite!
View The List Of Restaurant Week Participants
The US Coast Guard cruises through Townsend's Inlet on a routine patrol
prior to Memorial Day Weekend. Just a few days later boats, waverunners, and
all sorts of pleasure craft filled local waters.
TURTLE TIME! It's time for diamondback terrapins to begin
seeking higher ground upon which to lay their eggs. That often means turtles
crossing local roadways which, unfortunately, leads to road kills. Many
local roadways are lined with turtle barriers to prevent turtles from
crossing, but turtles can still appear on road surfaces. Keep an eye open
for turtles, and "give 'em a brake!" If you are inclined to stop and help a
turtle across the road, please ensure your own safety by checking for
traffic, and then help the turtle cross in the same direction it was headed.
WHAT A SOUVENIR! Looking for the ultimate beach keepsake
from Stone Harbor? How about your very own lifeguard stand? The Stone Harbor
Beach Patrol has recently purchased aluminum lifeguard stands to replace
older, heavier wooden models. If you'd like one of those wooden lifeguard
stands as the ultimate souvenir, check
Government Surplus
Auctions. The wooden stands are being auctioned off on the government
surplus auction site (the auctions currently run through June 1st). Whether
that lifeguard stand costs you $50 or $500, it's sure to spark some
memories--and some interesting conversations with your neighbors!
A WHALE OF A FLOUNDER! A 7.3 pound, 23-inch flounder was
weighed in at Grassy Sound Marina in North Wildwood this past weekend,
according to the Atlantic City Press. That's a great early-season
catch--flounder season opened last Friday, and by most accounts is off to a
very strong start. Most fishermen are reporting catching keepers that easily
exceed this year's 18-inch minimum size.
BEACH ACCESS, RAMP LOCATIONS, SURF CHAIRS, AND MORE: If
you're visiting Cape May County and need a ramp or surf chair to access the
beach, this guide to Cape May County beach accessibility will be helpful:
Cape May County Beach Accessibility Guide (PDF). Parking options,
restroom facilities, and contact phone numbers are also listed for each
town.
THE UNOFFICIAL BEGINNING OF SUMMER is finally upon us!
After a long winter who isn't ready to kick off the summer season? The
Island is ready for an influx of visitors: shops and restaurants are open,
the beaches are open, and a weekend of fun awaits! On Monday, May 28th both
Avalon and Stone Harbor will hold parades and Memorial Day observances.
Whether you're walking the beach or barbequing with friends, take a moment
to remember the veterans that have made it all possible.
MARKET STATS: Sales ticked up in the month of April,
although they're down from a year ago, due to a shrinking inventory of
listings. The number of active listings is down 17% from a year ago. For a
detailed update on the market see the latest
Long & Foster
Market Minute (PDF).
Click above for the latest Long & Foster Market Minute!
ABOUT 30,000 CUBIC YARDS of sand will have been placed on
Avalon's north-end beaches by the time a sand backpassing project concludes
this week. Sand from a sandbar just south of 32nd Street will be transported
to north-end beaches to replenish them after erosion occurred during late
winter nor'easters. (No dry beach sand had to be used for this project.)
This is the Borough's sixth sand backpassing project, which have proven to
be an effective way to rebuild beaches in between more expensive hydraulic
dredging projects.
THEY'RE FIFTY POUNDS LIGHTER! Stone Harbor Beach Patrol is
trying out a new aluminum version of its traditional lifeguard stands. The
lighter weight will make it easier on lifeguards, who adjust the position of
their stands several times on a typical shift due to tide changes. In
addition to the weight savings, the new stands are believed to be more
durable than wooden versions.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, check out Avalon's expanded bike
path. Newly striped lanes on borough streets mark the path--check it out
when you're in town, or have a look at this map:
Avalon's Expanded Bicycle Path - AvalonBoro.net
FLOUNDER SEASON also kicks off this Friday, May 25th. For
bait, tackle, and fishing advice visit Smuggler's Cove in Stone Harbor, or
check with Avalon Hodge Podge or Moran's Dockside in Avalon. If you'd like
to rent your own boat and take the kids fishing, Smuggler's Cove has boats
available for daily rental.
A FEVERISH PACE has taken over many aspects of the
Island as contractors work to finish projects in time for Memorial Day
Weekend. Work continues on many of the Island's roadways, bridges, and other
infrastructure, though large-scale projects will be halted at times of peak
traffic. Contractors, landscapers, and other service providers are working
diligently to finish construction work, repairs, and other jobs before the
start of the busy summer season. If you aren't already on your contractor's
schedule you're probably out of luck for Memorial Day--but call now and get
projects scheduled rather than waiting any longer. Need a recommendation for
repairs or other services? Call me!
Ready for the season: row upon row of lifeguard stands are ready to be
placed on beaches for the summer season!
FOR A DETAILED UPDATE on Stone Harbor's beaches after
spring nor'easters, take a look at this comprehensive report:
Borough Of Stone Harbor - Special Spring 2018 Storm Report (PDF). Even
if you don't read the entire report, you'll enjoy seeing the cover
photograph, an aerial photo which shows Stone Harbor from a unique
perspective.
AREA CODE OVERLAY: A new "640" area code will be overlaid
in the "609" area code later this summer. Those with "609" area codes will
not have to change their numbers, but they will have to dial "1" plus the
area code, plus the seven-digit phone number in order to make a call, even
locally.
OUR GUEST SERVICES DEPARTMENT is gearing up for another
busy summer. Kevin, Paul, and Ed will once again be assisting our clients
seven days per week during the season. They can often handle small problems
on the spot, or if they can't, they'll dispatch a property owner's preferred
vendor in order to solve problems quickly while minimizing inconvenience to
our guests and property owners. Our Guest Services department is one more
way we provide top notch service to our clients!
JUST ONE MORE WEEK! The Memorial Day Weekend is almost upon
us! Will you be here for the unofficial start of the summer season? Walk the
beach, shop in town, enjoy a fine meal, and catch the Memorial Day parades &
services in Avalon & Stone Harbor. See below for a list of other events to
add to your to-do list!
WHERE DO ALL THOSE BEACH TAGS COME FROM? Sure, they wind
up pinned to your swim suit or beach bag--but did you ever wonder where
shore towns get all those tags? A recent NJ.com article says they come from
Jersey Cape Training and Opportunity Center, in Cape May Court House. The
facility produces 15,000 to 20,000 tags per day--and more than three million
per year--while providing employment opportunities in a vocational
rehabilitation center.
NJ.com - Is Your Town's Beach Badge Boring? This Guy Doesn't Want It To Be.
Patrons enjoy cocktails and a view of the bay at The Reeds at Shelter
Haven on a summer evening.
"A WHALE OF A FERRY RIDE!" That's how the Cape May-Lewes
Ferry described a recent trip...watch this three second video clip on
Facebook and you'll see why! From whales to dolphins to large ships to
beautiful sunsets, a ride on the Ferry is an experience you won't forget!
Cape May - Lewes Ferry Video: One Whale Of A Ferry Ride
BULK TRASH collection is here in both Avalon and Stone
Harbor. In Avalon, bulk items may be placed curbside through Sunday, May
13th for collection on Monday, May 14th. In Stone Harbor, bulk items may be
placed curbside up to 72 hours prior to collection on Monday, May 14th.
Construction debris is not collected and should not be placed at the curb.
GREAT RENTALS remain available, especially if you are
flexible with your dates and price range. If you'd like to make it permanent
and buy your own vacation home, or even collect rental income to help pay
for it, call me and we'll get started!
Browse My 2018 Rental Guide
SAVE THE DATE! Seven Mile Restaurant Week takes place June
4th through 10th. Keep an eye out for details on dining specials that will
be available that week.
THIS WEEKEND brings more activities to enjoy, including
wine tasting, hoagie and plant sales, a borough-wide yard sale, a big band
dance, and a jazz concert. See below for details, then c'mon down to enjoy a
beautiful spring weekend at the beach!
BEST BEACHES IN NEW JERSEY: Four of the seven Best Beaches
in New Jersey are located in Cape May County according to US News! The
ranking puts Avalon at number two on the list, just behind Cape May. Ocean
City follows at number three, with Wildwood at number six. The ranking was
based on factors such as accessibility, amenities, and cleanliness.
Check Out The List: 7 Best Beaches in New Jersey
Take a ride with the dolphins, courtesy of Nik Pattantyus! While on his
paddleboard just off the beach last week, Nik captured great footage of
several dolphins swimming along next to him!
IT FEELS LIKE SPRING! With daytime highs near 80 degrees
this week, it finally feels like spring! We've traded cool rainy days for
warm sunshine, blossoming trees and blooming flowers!
SPRING EVENTS are getting underway. If you've been looking
forward to enjoying some great weekend activities along with the spring
weather, now is the time! Check out some of the great activities coming up:
- Stone Harbor: the Spring
Tide Festival & Boat Show takes place Saturday, May 5th in Stone Harbor,
along with a Sidewalk Sale. Enjoy food, music, artwork, photography and
a cold beer.
- Cape May: the
Coast Guard Community Festival takes place in Cape May on Saturday &
Sunday, May 5th & 6th, and includes tours, demonstrations, family
activities, food and more.
- Avalon: Spring Kickoff
Weekend (May 11 & 12) includes the Wine & Spirits Festival on Friday,
May 11, and the annual Borough-Wide Yard Sale on Saturday, May 12th.
Also Saturday will be Avalon's free paper shredding event and the Avalon
Police Department's annual bicycle auction, as well as the Avalon
Volunteer Fire Department hoagie sale and plant sale. Saturday at 7pm
enjoy a Big Band Dance at Community Hall.
- Wildwood: the Spring Boardwalk Classic Car Show takes place Friday, May 11th through Sunday, May 13th. Hundreds of classic cars and trucks are expected, and they'll parade down the boardwalk at 3pm each day.
NO TURN ON RED! Stone Harbor reminds drivers that it's "No turn on red," effective May 1st. Parking meters are now in effect, too.
RENTAL INCOME is a great way to help pay for your vacation home purchase! Did you know that you can rent your vacation home for two weeks, tax free? Or, rent it as much as you want and use rental income to offset your mortgage and other expenses. How about a one-bedroom condo in Avalon for $269,000, producing over $16,000 in rental income? Or a five bedroom home with a pool for $1,879,000, capable of producing about $80,000 in rental income? Whatever your purchase budget, let rental income cover part of your purchase cost! Always consult with your tax adviser for complete tax implications; consult with me to find the best property for your needs!