2020:

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This Weeks News 10/29/2020

The southern end of Stone Harbor Point projects well into Hereford Inlet. Here, fisherman try their luck in the inlet as birds fly overhead.
 
REAL ESTATE SALES TOPPED $735 MILLION in the local market through October 15th of this year, up from $550 million during the same period last year. Low interest rates continue to be a factor, along with increased demand as buyers seek "close to home" locations where they can vacation or work remotely. This year's average closing price is $2,036,000 with a median price of $1,600,000, both up from last year's figures of $1,793,000 and $1,550,000 respectively. Seven Mile Island real estate continues to offer something for everyone, with small condominiums beginning around $300,000 through eight-figure beachfront mansions.
 
THE 96th STREET BRIDGE will be inspected this week, along with the Ocean Drive Bridge linking Stone Harbor to Nummy Island on the way to North Wildwood. Bridges will be reduced to one alternating lane of traffic while inspections are being conducted. Inspections will take place during the daytime hours and will conclude by 3:30pm on Friday, October 30th. Meanwhile, repair work on the Avalon Boulevard Bridge continues, as does the alternating traffic pattern there.
 
WITH A CHILL IN THE AIR it feels like fall! Daytime highs are expected in the 50s over the weekend, but will climb back into the 60s again soon. The crisp air often brings with it the smell of woodsmoke as many fireplaces are being enjoyed for the first time since last spring!
 
TWO SHIPS NAMED 'CAPE MAY' have served the US Military: The SS Cape May (T-AKR-5063) is a steam powered heavy-lift carrier, according to WWW.WATCHTHETRAMCARPLEASE.COM, and was built in 1971 for commercial use, then later turned over to the Maritime Administration. She remains in ready reserve status in the event heavy transport service is required. The USS Cape May County (LST-521) was a landing ship built for the US Navy during World War II; she was the only US Naval vessel to bear the name according to WWW.WATCHTHETRAMCARPLEASE.COM, and participated in the Normandy invasion in June 1944. Locally, a non-military 'Cape May' was a fixture in local waters for decades. The M/V Cape May was built for the Cape May-Lewes Ferry in 1985, refurbished in 1998, and sold in 2013, after crossing the Delaware Bay in daily ferry service for 28 years.
 
SCHEDULE YOUR WINTERIZATION, if you haven't already. Call your plumber to have outdoor water lines shut off and drained. Most homes remain operational during the winter, but the heat should be set at 55 to 60 degrees to protect against freezing pipes. For more detailed info on preparing your home for winter consult with your plumber or contractor.  Need a recommendation? Call or email me!

 

This Weeks News 10/22/2020

VIEW THE LATEST LONG & FOSTER MARKET MINUTE REPORT  |  DOWNLOAD/PRINT PDF
  
SALES UP, PRICES UP! Strong demand in the local real estate market has continued to drive sales while pushing prices up. 63 properties sold during the month of September, with a median price of $2,152,500. The number of active listings, and the number of "days on market" both fell versus last year. For a detailed look at the market see the latest Long & Foster Market Minute report above.
 
A WALL STREET JOURNAL ARTICLE noted the strength of the vacation home market "as the pandemic leads more Americans to seek places to work or relax within driving distance of home." According to the article, second homes account for a larger share of mortgages at 5.3% of all loan locks during the week ended October 9th, up from 3.9% at the beginning of the year.  Check out the rest of the article here:
 
VACATION HOME DEMAND SOARS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
 
EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH TIDES that occurred this week are referred to as "king tides," and are formed because the earth and moon are closer than normal. When aligned with the sun, the combination causes extremely high tidal fluctuations. Normal tides lead to about five feet of change in the water level, twice daily, but during the recent king tides tidal movement of as much as seven feet were observed. As the alignment of the earth, moon, and sun changed, our daily tides have returned to normal levels. 
 
DUNE GRASS PLANTING--THIS WEEKEND! Volunteers are needed for dune grass planting in Avalon on Saturday, October 24th. Volunteers should report outside Community Hall at 8:30am for a brief planting demonstration (please wear a mask); special planting tools will be provided. Lunch will be available for pick up at Community Hall after planting. Please RSVP to Chuck McDonnell at 609-967-3066 or Sue Keen at 609-967-5924. In the event of rain, planting will occur on Sunday, October 25th.
 
BEACH SWEEPS also occur in Stone Harbor and Avalon on Saturday, October 24th, from 9am to 12:30pm. Volunteers in each town will walk the beaches collecting trash, and are asked to meet at the 95th Street beach in Stone Harbor, or the 32nd Street beach in Avalon. All volunteers are asked to register in advance at this link:

CLEAN OCEAN ACTION FALL 2020 BEACH SWEEPS
 
SAVE THE DATE: THANKSGIVING WEEKEND! An annual favorite, the Thanksgiving Weekend celebration will take place in both Avalon & Stone Harbor. Some changes will be made due to Covid, but there will be plenty of fun to go around. Save the date--Thanksgiving occurs on November 26th. Watch my newsletter for activities and events planned for Friday & Saturday, November 27th & 28th!

 

This Weeks News 10/15/2020

Zipping across the water in a small boat before a fall sunset!
 
CONGRATULATIONS TO SADIE BOLTON of Avalon Yacht Club for her 15th place finish in the 2020 Optimist Atlantic Coast Championship! Sadie competed against a fleet of 114 boats hosted by the Larchmont (NY) Yacht Club during the weekend of October 2nd to capture 15th place among Optimist Dinghies. Sadie was also awarded second place for girls in the regatta. Sail on, Sadie!
 
HAVE YOU BEEN STUCK IN TRAFFIC waiting for your travel lane to open on the Avalon Boulevard Bridge? A recent adjustment to the timing of the traffic lights controlling traffic flow is expected to help by allowing more vehicles to clear during each light cycle. The adjustment is expected to reduce backups during peak travel times, such as Friday afternoons when more eastbound vehicles are headed toward Avalon.

PAID FIREFIGHTER POSITIONS could be added in Stone Harbor if a new ordinance receives final approval in November. The high cost of living in resort towns has made staffing volunteer fire departments difficult in recent years. Stone Harbor currently has a stipend program, but even that hasn't prevented staffing issues. The new ordinance was introduced October 6th, and the second reading and public comment are expected November 3rd.
 
DON'T FORGET: WIND FARM OPEN HOUSE! Ørsted is hosting three virtual open houses to present information on its Ocean Wind project. The first occurs on October 20th.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION: OCEAN WIND VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE
 
CENSUS DEADLINE EXTENDED: if you haven't yet completed a 2020 Census form for your vacation home, you have a bit more time--the deadline has been extended to October 31st. Visit UNITED STATES CENSUS 2020, and then enter the Census ID or the address of your secondary property. Enter "0" for the number of people living at the property, and hit "Next." When a "soft error" occurs, click Next again. Select "No" when asked to confirm that no one lives at the property, and confirm the reason (such as "Seasonal"). Your completed Census form ensures the most accurate counting possible, which determines congressional representation, funding allocations, and more.
 
PROPERTY OWNERS, IF YOUR CONTRACTOR NEEDS A KEY, please notify me in advance so that we can be prepared. Due to Covid we want to check with you before providing a key to a contractor or vendor; notifying us in advance will speed the process when your service provider stops at our office to get the key. Email, call, or text me to let me know ahead of time!

 

This Weeks News 10/8/2020

Clear skies in Avalon & Stone Harbor made the beach a perfect location from which to watch an Antares rocket launch last Friday evening. Four thirty-second exposures show the trajectory of the rocket as it made its way into orbit. The launch took place at NASA's Wallops Island, Virginia flight facility, about 100 miles south of the Avalon Fishing Pier. On Monday the rocket delivered its 8,000-pound cargo to the International Space Station--about 250 miles above Earth!
 
OUR FALL WEATHER HAS BEEN GLORIOUS! Daytime temperatures in the 70s have combined with gentle breezes and plenty of sunshine to make near-perfect days. Evening temperatures ranged from cool to chilly--perfect for open-window sleeping or even a fireplace!
 
BEACH MOVIES ARE BACK this October, with a pair of family movies on the schedule this month. On Sunday, October 11th, catch The Addams Family, followed by Ghostbusters on Saturday, October 17th. Movies begin at 7pm on the 30th Street beach. Bring your beach chair or blanket, and dress warmly!
 
IT'S TIME FOR DUNE GRASS PLANTING AGAIN! Avalon is seeking volunteers to help plant dune grass to protect and preserve the dune system, which are instrumental in protecting the island during storms. Volunteers should report outside Avalon Community Hall at 8:30am on Saturday, October 24th (please wear a mask). A brief planting demonstration will be provided. Please RSVP to Chuck McDonnell at 609-967-3066 or Sue Keen at 609-967-5924 to sign up. In the event of rain, the planting will be postponed to Sunday, October 25th.
 
JUST HOW BUSY are the islands this fall, compared to a typical season? This anecdote from a Sea Isle restaurant tells the story...according to an employee, the number of weeknight dinners served is three to four times higher than normal weeknights. While that's still nowhere near as busy as a summer evening, local merchants are glad to have the extra traffic at this time of year, which helps to make up for revenue lost in the spring. Many restaurants and shops hope to stay open as long as they remain busy!
 
OCEAN WIND VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSES will be provided by Ørsted, the firm handling the Ocean Wind project. Register for one of three virtual open houses, held on October 20th (1pm), October 21st (6pm), and October 24th (10am), and learn about the environmental, technical, and economic aspects of wind farms from the experts themselves.
 
REGISTRATION INFORMATION: OCEAN WIND VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE
 
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This Weeks News 10/1/2020

Personal watercraft zip across the surface of the bay, on an August day. This photograph was taken from the recently opened pedestrian walkway on the Garden State Parkway bridge over Great Egg Harbor Bay.
 
OUTDOOR DINING may be one of the best things to come from 2020. Although we've all welcomed the return of indoor dining, especially as cooler weather approaches, most have reported enjoying outdoor summer dining in places where it wasn't previously offered. In some cases, restaurants were able to make use of public space to add outdoor tables, while in other cases neighboring businesses allowed restaurants to expand into previously unused areas. Municipalities are expected to review outdoor dining--both the benefits, as well as any issues identified--during the winter and will likely consider adopting permanent rules moving forward.  
 
FIRE DEPARTMENT EXPANSION CONSIDERED: A 6,400 square foot addition to the Avalon Fire Department was discussed at last week's council meeting. The proposed two-story addition would house additional water rescue equipment plus personnel space on the second floor.  
 
MISSING SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE FALL ACTIVITIES? With most large events having been cancelled, you may be looking for some other activities to enjoy while in Avalon & Stone Harbor.
 
Here are some ideas:
 
-Cape May County Zoo. Perhaps the best kept secret in Cape May County, the Zoo is open daily and features animals of all types. Also located at the Zoo is Tree to Tree Adventure Park, featuring aerial activities such as ziplining, nets, swings, and more.
 
-US Naval Air Station Wildwood Museum is open daily, featuring a collection of vintage aircraft and exhibits, housed inside a World War II era hangar.
 
-Go for a sunrise walk on the beach. Sunrise occurs later now than it does in early summer, so it's a bit easier to catch!
 
-Dine outside at your favorite restaurant again before it gets too cold!
 
-Ride the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. Make a reservation to take your car on board to explore the other side of the Delaware Bay. Or, book as a foot passenger for $18 round trip.  It's a great way to see the Delaware Bay (and maybe some whales or dolphins, or a sunset!)
 
-Catch a sunset at Avalon Bay Park Marina on the pier over the water at 53rd Street, or from the pier at 83rd Street in Stone Harbor.
 
-The Wetlands Institute is open on Saturdays and Sundays, and offers a great way to explore and connect with local wildlife!
 
MORTGAGE RATES ARE ABOUT 2.75% for 30-year fixed rate loans, after dipping last week. It's still a great time to either refinance your existing property or to purchase a new one. Either way you'll lock in extremely low financing costs for the duration of your ownership. Need a mortgage referral? Call or email me and I'll refer you to experience, capable mortgage lenders you can trust!