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
| 2018: | Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Aug. | Sept. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. |
This Weeks News 11/29/2018
MARKET STATS: 45 units were sold in Avalon and Stone Harbor
during the month of October, about even with last year, while the number of
active listings fell slightly to 238. The median sale price decreased to
$1,200,000, down from a year ago, but the number of current contracts
increased to 34. For a detailed look at the market, see the latest Long &
Foster Market Minute report:
View The
Latest Long & Foster Market Minute Report | Download/Print
PDF
Click above for the latest stats from Long & Foster's Market Minute report.
AVALON COUNCILMAN RICHARD DEAN submitted a letter of
resignation to the Avalon Borough Council, effective November 30th. Dean
has been a member of the Borough Council since 1987; he cited health issues
as the reason for his departure. Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi said "Dick
Dean has left a legacy of public service in the Borough of Avalon for which
the public will benefit for generations to come." Avalon Borough Council is
accepting letters of interest until December 5th from Avalon residents
interested in filling the remainder of Dean's term, which expires June 30th,
2019. Interested candidates will be interviewed by Council at a closed
session on December 12th.
160 LOCAL FAMILIES HOSTED Coast Guard recruits from Cape
May for the Thanksgiving holiday, thanks to Operation Fireside. Initiated 38
years ago, Operation Fireside allows recruits time off with host families,
allowing them to relax, eat a home-cooked meal, watch television, and call
family members at home.
AVALON RESCUE SQUAD purchased a new 2018 Ford E450 Horton
Ambulance, replacing a 14 year old model. The new $217,000 ambulance was
funded entirely through donations, and provides the latest safety features
for patients and crews.
CONGRATULATIONS KELSEY AND DAVID! Immediately after Mayor
Pagliughi and Santa lit Avalon's Christmas tree this past weekend, David
Schweizer and his girlfriend Kelsey got engaged! The couple is planning a
December 2019 wedding. Congratulations David and Kelsey!
KICK OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON this weekend in Avalon & Stone
Harbor! Thanksgiving leads right to Christmas here on the Island! See below
for details on holiday activities to help plan your weekend of fun!
While you're here for Thanksgiving squeeze in a walk on the
beach--you'll be glad you did!
FESTIVAL OF TREES begins Wednesday at 5pm, at the
Whitebrier. Bid on your favorite Christmas tree or wreath, fully decorated
and ready to take home! The bidding resumes Friday at 12 noon.
Details: Avalon's Festival of Trees
FESTIVE FRIDAY in Avalon: Throughout the business district
you'll find music, refreshments, face painting, a bounce house, kids'
karaoke, and lots more. Mayor Martin Pagliughi and Santa will light the
Christmas tree at 21st & Dune Drive at 5pm, and Santa will stay for pictures
afterward.
Full List of Activities: Avalon's Festive Friday
SNOW FEST SATURDAY brings more fun to Avalon! Check out the
Polar Bear Bungee Trampoline, Toboggan Slide, Pipeline Snowboard Rides, and
Frosty's Ferris Wheel Bounce House, along with many more activities plus
music all day!
More Info: Avalon's Snowfest Saturday
AN ISLAND HOLIDAY in Stone Harbor (Friday & Saturday): From
breakfast with Frosty and holiday movies to the Downtown Holiday Dash and
caroling under the 96th Street Clock, Stone Harbor is transformed into a
winter wonderland for this annual celebration. Santa will even be at the
firehouse Friday for pictures (at 5pm).
Full Schedule: Stone Harbor's Island Holiday
THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE caps off the weekend with fire
trucks from all over, decorated floats, and music, along with an appearance
from the guest of honor, Santa. At 6:30pm the parade will proceed north
along Third Avenue and turn onto 96th Street toward the beach. If you've
never seen it before you won't believe it!
Catch the Christmas Parade Saturday evening in Stone Harbor!
STOCKING STUFFERS from Avalon & Stone Harbor are always
welcome! Get a jump on your holiday shopping--consider holiday beach tags, a
box of fudge, or a gift certificate to a local shop or restaurant. Want to
make a big splash with your family this year? How about your very own shore
home? Check out our "shopping list" below. Your family will thank you--all
year long!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! From my family to yours, have a Happy
Thanksgiving!
FOR A FASCINATING VIEW of the Townsend's Inlet Bridge check
out the aerial video below. Shot by Remington & Vernick Engineers, the video
shows a bird's eye view of the ongoing repair project that will replace
several bridge spans on the Avalon side. In addition to cranes, barges, and
workers, there are some fascinating views of Avalon and Sea Isle City too!
The Townsend's Inlet Bridge is undergoing serious repair work. Watch
this drone video for a bird's eye view!
THANKSGIVING WEEKEND is just around the corner, with dozens
of holiday activities planned in Avalon and Stone Harbor!
Avalon's Festive Friday and Snowfest Saturday feature events and activities
along Dune Drive including music, horse & carriage rides, kids' karaoke,
tree lighting, and visits with Santa.
More Info: Thanksgiving Weekend in Avalon
Stone Harbor's Island Holiday celebration includes a pet parade, photos with
Santa, a Downtown Holiday Dash, and caroling under the 96th Street clock.
Capping off the weekend is the annual Christmas Parade along Third Avenue
and 96th Street Saturday evening.
More Info: Thanksgiving Weekend in Stone Harbor
LAST CHANCE FOR THE BEACH TAG RAFFLE! If you haven't
purchased a $10 raffle ticket for the complete set of Stone Harbor Beach
tags, call the Stone Harbor Museum at 609-368-7500, or stop by the Chamber
of Commerce. The complete 47-year set of tags includes the rare 1971
tag--the first issued by Stone Harbor. Tickets will be sold up until shortly
before the parade Thanksgiving weekend. You don't need to be present at the
drawing to win.
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: American Legion Post #331 in Stone
Harbor will award airline tickets to four active members stationed at the
United States Coast Guard Base in Cape May, so they may spend time at home
with family over the holidays. Service members and their families will
receive round trip airfare plus limousine service to and from the airport
courtesy of Avalon Limousine. This year's recipients will travel home to
California, Alaska, North Carolina, and Texas. The program is funded via
donations from individuals and businesses in the community. If you are
interested in participating in the 2019 program, contact James Fleischmann,
trustee of American Legion Post #331, at
jpfleischmann@gmail.com.
Members of the public are invited to the Stephen C. Ludlam American Legion
Post #331 Saturday, December 8th at 12 noon for the presentation of travel
arrangements to the service members and their families. The following day,
Sunday, December 9th, the Post will host a public three-hour open house at
1pm to honor veterans of the Korean War and World War II. The Post is
located at 11617 Second Avenue in Stone Harbor.
BIG STRIPED BASS are showing up in South Jersey. Stripers
from fifteen to fifty pounds have been weighed in from Long Beach Island to
Delaware Bay, with more being caught every day. Jetties, the surf, and
trolling have all produced catches.
HOLIDAY BEACH TAGS will be available beginning Friday,
November 23rd, in both Avalon & Stone Harbor. In Avalon, Holiday Beach Tags
may be purchased inside the Rescue Squad building at 31st and Dune Drive
Friday & Saturday, November 23rd & 24th, from 10am to 4pm, for $23. Stone
Harbor Holiday Beach Tags may be purchased for $23 at the Borough Hall on
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, November 23rd-25th, beginning at 10am each day
until 4pm Friday & Saturday, and 3pm Sunday. Tags are good for the entire
2019 season--and they make great stocking stuffers!
WIN A FULL SET of Stone Harbor Beach Tags! The Stone
Harbor Museum is raffling off a full set of Stone Harbor beach tags,
including the rare 1971 tag, the very first year tags were required. The set
of 47 tags is mounted and framed, ready for display. Recent tags typically
sell for a nominal sum, while early tags command a huge premium, and
assembling a complete set is exceptionally difficult. Proceeds from the
raffle will help the museum cover expenses. To purchase a $10 raffle ticket,
contact the museum at 609-368-7500 before they sell out. The winning ticket
will be drawn during the Stone Harbor Christmas Parade Thanksgiving Weekend.
MORE GAS MAINS will be installed in Avalon this winter, as
older mains are replaced. 50,000 feet of new mains will be installed, mostly
in the north end of the borough. Homeowners will be notified as work
progresses and lateral connections are made. Work is to be completed
(including patched streets) prior to the 2019 summer season, with final
paving to occur in the fall.
Boats fill the slips at Commodore Bay Marina in Avalon.
AVALON ACHIEVES AAA BOND RATING: Once again Avalon has
achieved a AAA bond rating from Standard & Poor's, having maintained that
rating for over a decade. The S&P rating was based on Avalon's strong
liquidity, institutional framework, and available fund balance. The AAA
rating helps save taxpayers money when the borough borrows for capital
projects.
MORE BALD EAGLES have been spotted along the Delaware Bay
according to an Atlantic City Press article as well as areas of Atlantic
County. Some were spotted behind Seven Mile Island last week. Bald eagles
have rebounded in recent years with 178 nesting pairs counted in 2017.
THE CAPE MAY MONARCH MONITORING PROJECT reported increased
numbers of monarchs at the end of October, after more modest counts earlier.
This year's counts have still been down compared to last year, though
prevailing winds during the migration season may have diverted monarchs
further west than usual. For an article on the monarch count, read more at
The Press of Atlantic City:
Cape May Monarch Numbers Solid This Year, But Lower Than 2017.
BUYING OR SELLING OUTSIDE THE AREA? If you are, I'd like to
refer you to a real estate professional that will provide you with the level
of attention and service that you expect and deserve! Let me put you in
touch with a professional in your home area--call or email me!
THE EAGLES HAVE LANDED! Not the Philadelphia Eagles...bald
eagles! This past week several bald eagles were spotted in the marsh behind
Seven Mile Island. Many have perched atop nests recently vacated by ospreys.
If you're out on the water or driving the Boulevards keep an eye open for
eagle sightings!
Treat yourself to a sunrise on the beach the next time you're in
town--it's a great way to start your day! Photo by Brian Reed.
A 132-FOOT FISHING PIER could be built on Sea Isle City's
bayfront according to plans unveiled at a recent city council meeting. The
pier would be constructed at Dealy Field near 60th Street, and would include
space for fishing, a kayak launch area, and an area for sitting and enjoying
the view and sunset. The city has applied for a county grant to fund the
$935,000 pier, and permits from the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection must also be obtained.
WINTERIZE NOW! It's that time again, as temperatures will
soon drop after this week's pleasant warm up. Outside showers, garden hoses,
and other outdoor water should be shut off and drained, and foundation vents
can be closed. If leaving your inside water on, set thermostats at 55
degrees to keep pipes warm. Call your plumber or contractor now, if you
haven't already, and get on their schedule. Need a plumber or contractor?
Call or email me!
SCENIC DRIVES YOU MUST TAKE: Car & Driver magazine posted
photos of beautiful drives in each of the 50 states. Stone Harbor appears on
the list (at #31) for a sunrise view over the Great Channel Bridge. Check
out that view (and the rest of them) right here:
Scenic Drives You Must Take in Each of the 50 States.
LOOKING TO TRY A NEW RESTAURANT? Check out Restaurant
Weekend in Cape May, Thursday through Sunday, November 1st through 4th.
Participating restaurants will offer an appetizer, entrée, and dessert for
$35 per person. For a list of restaurants visit
Cape May
Restaurant Weekend. A little bit further north, Somers Point Restaurant
Week takes place Friday through Sunday, November 2nd through 11th. Eighteen
restaurants will offer prix fixe menus, with two-course lunches for $12.18
and three-course dinners for $27.18. Check
Somers Point
Restaurant Week for participating restaurants.
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ends Sunday, November 4th. Turn those
clocks back an hour! Good news--in just a couple of months the days will
start getting longer again!
$295,000 & UP: No matter what your budget, there's
something for you on Seven Mile Island! The new listings hitting the market
this week include several under $1 million, plus a getaway condo for
$295,000. Look below and check them out--or call me to discuss your needs
and let me find the perfect place for you!