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
2020: Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.

This Weeks News 7/30/2020

July Sunset
Getting that perfect shot! Grace (age 11) leans outboard to capture the perfect July sunset!
 
BUSY FALL SEASON EXPECTED: Many business owners are anticipating a busy fall season here at the shore. With schools, colleges, sports, businesses and so many other things operating virtually or on delayed reopening schedules, shore crowds are not expected to disappear when Labor Day rolls around. Employees and students who are able to work virtually can do so from their shore homes, and then enjoy the fall season at the shore when not on the clock. With an enhanced fall season likely, local businesses hope to recapture some of the business lost during the early part of the summer season. 
 
WHALES & DOLPHINS continue to appear in good numbers just off local beaches, as they follow schools of fish as their food source. For an "up close and personal" view of a whale just off Sea Isle, check out this video posted by Seven Mile Times:

SEVEN MILE TIMES FACEBOOK - SEA ISLE CITY WHALE VIDEO 
 
GET OUT ON THE WATER! Time on the water is a great way to enhance your visit to the shore! Here's another way to get out on the water: relaxing, peaceful scenes are yours to be enjoyed when you participate in a guided Kayak Tour or Salt Marsh Safari tour with The Wetlands Institute.
 
SCHEDULES & PRICING: THE WETLANDS INSTITUTE "ON THE WATER" PROGRAMS 
 
"ALL YA GOTTA DO IS FIND ‘EM!" That's easier said than done when fishing offshore for tuna, but it's the general consensus after several weeks of good tuna fishing reports. Some boats don't find them, but many do. Those that do are usually rewarded with catches of Yellowfin, Bluefin, or Bigeye tuna. Many catches of "schoolie" tuna are in the 30- to 50-pound range, but occasionally large ones top 200 pounds. 
 
AVALON'S 8TH STREET JETTY is expected to reopen at the end of this week after undergoing structural repairs. The jetty protects Avalon's north end from storms, but suffered damage during Winter Storm Jonas a few years ago. When work at the site is complete, the jetty will be reopened to fisherman again, including new rod holders installed along its length. 

 

This Weeks News 7/23/2020

Market Minute
VIEW THE LATEST LONG & FOSTER MARKET MINUTE REPORT  |  DOWNLOAD/PRINT PDF
 
MARKET STATS: Incredible market strength continued through June (and right into July). During the month of June, the number of properties sold increased over last year, as did the median price. The number of active listings continued to fall, along with the average number of days on market. For full details check out the latest Long & Foster Market Minute report above.
 
GET OUT ON THE WATER! Sure, we all love the beach! But there's so much more to enjoy here, and getting out on the water is a great way to experience a different aspect of life on the island--even if you don't own a boat! Consider a private cruise aboard "Pursuit of Hoppiness," with Captain Doug Hopkins. Doug offers 2-, 3-, 4-, and 6-hour cruises in local waters. Whether you want to tour the Avalon-Stone Harbor bayfront, see wildlife in the IntraCoastal Waterway, or visit a waterfront restaurant, Doug offers a cruise to fit your needs. Contact Doug at 239-269-8006 or DOUG.PURSUITOFHOPPINESSCHARTERS@GMAIL.COM.

Pursuit of Hoppiness Charters
 
AVALON FIRE DEPARTMENT'S 11TH ANNUAL 50/50 RAFFLE drawing will be held September 8th at The Princeton. A $100 donation gets you a shot at multiple drawings including six $500 prizes, a $2,000 prize, and a $10,000 grand prize! You don't need to be present to win.

50/50 RAFFLE DETAILS - AVALON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
 
THE COMET NEOWISE is still visible and our area's low terrain offers some good vantage points for catching a glimpse of it. It's visible shortly after sunset, and appears in the northwestern sky beneath the big dipper, with its tail pointing away from the sun. If the surrounding area is dark enough, it can be seen with the naked eye, or with binoculars or a telescope for a magnified view. Local beaches, west-facing docks, and roadways offer a variety of viewing options. The comet is also visible in the early morning hours before sunrise, in an easterly direction. Get your last looks now--the comet is rapidly fading from view, and won't be visible from Earth for another 6,800 years!
 
WHALE AT THE BEACH! Earlier this week a sizable whale was spotted multiple times just off our beaches, just beyond the surf. In just a couple of hours the whale had made appearances at several beaches between 96th Street and Stone Harbor Point, and was swimming with a pod of dolphins, to the delight of beachgoers!

 

This Weeks News 7/16/2020

Fishing on the Bay
A peaceful evening on the bay, passing on a family tradition, one cousin to another.
 
WHAT'S DRIVING THE MARKET? Our local real estate market has shown its strength yet again, with 132 properties currently under contract. What has been driving the market? Several important factors:
IS THIS THE RIGHT TIME FOR YOU? Whether you're ready to buy or sell, let's discuss your unique situation and formulate a plan to achieve your goals. Call or email me today!
 
PEOPLE PEOPLE HELPS RISTORANTE LUCIANO! People People, located at 9810 Third Avenue in Stone Harbor, has allowed Ristorante Luciano (9820 Third Avenue) to utilize their outdoor space in order to provide garden seating for outdoor dining. What a great example of neighbors helping neighbors during unusual and difficult times! Ristorante Luciano is now open for outdoor dining in addition to take out! Be sure to visit People People before or after you dine! Many other restaurants are offering outdoor dining too, including (but not limited to) The Watering Hull, Fred's Tavern, Jay's On Third, and Chill. In Avalon, Polpo, Cafe Loren, The Diving Horse, The Princeton, Sylvester's, and numerous others are offering outdoor dining. Give them a try!
 
GET OUT ON THE WATER! Aside from the beach, there is no better way to enjoy life at the shore than being out on the water! Even if you don't own a boat, there are many great ways to get out on the water, and we'll highlight several of them in the coming weeks. Here's a look at two great options: the Miss Avalon and the Avalon Lady. The Miss Avalon departs twice daily for ocean fishing, while the Avalon Lady specializes in back bay fishing. If fishing is not your thing, the Miss Avalon offers evening dolphin & nature cruises twice weekly, allowing you to enjoy views of Avalon only available from the water. Visit MISS AVALON FISHING & CRUISING for details and schedules.
 
AVALON'S BEACHES will be closed nightly from 9pm to 4am, and the boardwalk will be closed from 11pm to 4am, per an executive order from Mayor Martin Pagliughi. The closures are designed to prevent groups of minors from gathering at these locations while violating local and state orders requiring social distancing and the wearing of masks.
 
SHIPWRECK LECTURE: with an estimated three thousand shipwrecks off the New Jersey coast, there's plenty to learn about! The Avalon History Center invites you to join Professor Stephen Nagiewicz for a virtual discussion of the sunken mysteries lying off the beach on Tuesday, July 21st, at 6pm. Register via the HISTORY CENTER'S FACEBOOK PAGE.

 

This Weeks News 7/9/2020

Delaware Bay Sunset
Joe Ruyak captured this beautiful, peaceful scene along the Delaware Bay. What a great spot to enjoy a magnificent sunset!
 
JULY 4TH WEEKEND was a great one here on the island. Good beach weather helped, and residents and visitors alike enjoyed swimming, surfing, fishing and boating, and other outdoor activities, along with family barbeques or outdoor dining.  
 
MONDAY'S WEATHER began with typical hazy, hot, and humid summer conditions, followed by an afternoon seabreeze.  Suddenly, severe weather warnings were broadcast locally and via media, as multiple approaching thunderstorms caused a very strong southerly wind to fill in. After a brief period the wind went calm, then abruptly shifted to the north, blowing with even more force than before. As thunder and lightning approached, severe winds blew loose objects like deck chairs, umbrellas, and paddleboards. Stone Harbor's kayak racks at the Municipal Marina were blown over. A video of a brief water spout just off the beach is here: 

A WATERSPOUT SPINS RIGHT OFF THE STONE HARBOR BEACH
 
WHALE ENCOUNTERS: Numerous whale sightings have been reported by boaters this year, and some have been seen very close to shore. Some offshore fisherman had a surprise encounter with a whale that bumped their 26-foot boat as it surfaced. Here's a video clip:  

FISHERMEN HAVE WILD BRUSH WITH HUMPBACK WHALES OFF THE N.J. COAST
 

KEEP WATCHING FOR TURTLES! As they near the end of their annual egg laying, turtles continue to cross local roads to reach high ground. Give 'em a brake! If you're inclined to help a turtle across the road, always move it in the same direction it was crossing. Please make sure it's safe to do so, and never put yourself at risk!

THANKS FOR 28 GREAT YEARS, JACQUI! After 28 years of faithful service, Jacqui Arnold has retired from her spot at the reception desk in our Avalon office, completing her last shift on Monday. During her tenure, Jacqui greeted thousands of clients on the phone and in person, coordinated rental check-ins each week of the summer, and helped our office run smoothly in so many ways! We miss Jacqui already, but wish her the very best as she enjoys the next chapter in her life! Thanks, Jacqui!
 
Jacqui  Retired
After 28 years at our office, Jacqui counted down her last few minutes earlier this week. Congratulations, Jacqui! We'll miss you!
   
LAST MINUTE GETAWAY? OR PERMANENT ESCAPE? Either way, I'm here to help!  Whether you need a week at the beach, or a more permanent escape, we've got something for you.  Call or email me with your needs, and I'll help find you the right place!  

 

This Weeks News 7/2/2020

Rainbow over Seven Mile Beach
Last Saturday evening a fast-moving thunderstorm moved across Seven Mile Beach. A few minutes later a beautiful rainbow revealed itself!
 
THE WETLANDS INSTITUTE announced its reopening earlier this week, with daily hours of 9:30am to 4:30pm expected for the rest of the summer. The Wetlands Institute plays a huge role in researching and educating the public on our coastal ecosystem, and maintains a variety of summer programs including salt marsh tours, dune and beach walks, and kayak tours. They also offer a series of live cam views on their website, including a close-up view of an osprey nest outside the building. Check out the live cams and the rest of The Wetlands Institute programs here:

THE WETLANDS INSTITUTE
 
BEACH TAGS will be required in Avalon beginning Friday, and they're already required in Stone Harbor. Still need to get your tags? Daily, weekly, and seasonal tags can be purchased at the Beach Tag Booth at 30th & the beach (Avalon) and 95th & the beach (Stone Harbor) from 10am to 4pm.
 
PENDING TRANSACTIONS JUMPED by a record 44% in May after declining in March and April according to the National Association of Realtors. Locally, 101 properties were under contract pending settlement at the time of this writing! Buyer demand remains strong, fueled by low interest rates, however inventory of available properties remains limited.
 
TIME TO GET INVOLVED? Perhaps a week at the beach isn't quite enough? There's never been a better time to make the shore a permanent part of your life! There's no better way to escape the stress of everyday life--and make lifetime family memories while doing it! If you act now you could be enjoying the latter half of the summer in your very own place...call or email me today!
 
INDOOR DINING had been scheduled to resume this week but was abruptly postponed indefinitely by NJ Governor Murphy earlier this week. Meanwhile, virtually every restaurant on the island is offering takeout and/or outdoor dining, so don't miss out on your favorite places.
 
JULY 4TH FIREWORKS were cancelled in Avalon and Stone Harbor due to Covid-19 concerns, but if you'd like a taste of patriotic music to celebrate Independence Day, listen to the Bay Atlantic Symphony courtesy of the Borough of Avalon! The symphony will not be performing live, but a selection of songs is available for listening on the Borough of Avalon website:

A TASTE OF JULY 4TH FROM OUR FRIENDS AT THE BAY ATLANTIC SYMPHONY
 
WISHING YOU A HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! May you spend it with family and friends celebrating all that makes our nation great!