Yes, we occasionally see snow on the beach!
Author Archives: ann
November 10, 2025
Market Stats, Avalon & Stone Harbor
Avalon
Total Sales this Month 11
Under 1M 2
Under 2M 2
Under 3M 3
Under 4M 1
Under 5M 0
Under 6M 1
Over 7M 2
Total Last Month 21
Total Last Year Same Month 20
Stone Harbor
Total Sales This Month 5
Under 1M 0
Under 2M 2
Under 3M 1
Under 4M 0
Under 5M 2
Over 5M 0
Total Last Month 6
Total Last Year Same Month 13
Current Inventory:
88 Total For Sale
35 in Stone Harbor
53 in Avalon
Inventory Break Down:
55 single family homes (even)
27 multi-family/condo/town homes (down 1)
6 lots (down 3)
Comparison With Last Month’s Inventory 92
Comparison With Inventory Same Time Last Year 126
Summary- overall, sale inventory is low…and buyer interest remains strong!
Posted in Avalon, New Jersey- News, Seashore Real Estate, Stone Harbor, New Jersey- News Comments closed
October 28, 2025
Avalon Ocean Front home for sale
New on the market today!
Avalon OCEAN FRONT opportunity! Prime residential location nestled along a wide protective dune. The 180 degree views are exceptional, and will improve with the higher elevation of a new build.
The 10′ X 60′ deeded driveway provides exclusive access to the full size lot measuring 50′ X 110′.
Posted in Avalon, New Jersey- News, Life at the Shore, Seashore Real Estate Comments closed
October 14, 2025
Storm Re-cap
The water has drained, and all roads are dry 🙂
It was a soggy few days with moderate to major bayside tidal flooding in the usual locations throughout the island.
The beaches also took a hit with erosion. As is common from a Nor’easter, the north end of the island experienced the most damage.
Both municipalities are busy today cleaning up the debris left behind, and blocking off the affected beach paths for safety reasons.
Overall, we were fortunate…and ready for the sun to return!
Posted in Avalon, New Jersey- News, Life at the Shore, Stone Harbor, New Jersey- News Comments closed
October 9, 2025
Prepare for Weather
An October storm isn’t necessarily more powerful than a winter weather system.
It’s concerning because most shore homes are not “buttoned up” for the off season.
A few days ago, I was out in my kayak on the back bay. Today, I needed several layers to stay warm for my walk before work!
It’s time to be practical: secure outdoor furniture, trash cans, and the grill. Make sure your windows and storm doors are latched closed (likewise with the outside shower door). Winterize your outdoor faucets and disconnect the hoses. Set your house thermostats so that the heat will kick on when the temperatures inevitably drop.
And then…enjoy a walk on the beach 🙂
Posted in Life at the Shore, Seashore Real Estate Comments closed
September 22, 2025
Avalon Beach Block Condo
New on the sale market!
Completely updated 1st floor condominium in the popular Merrimac building. Exceptional location with easy access to the on-site pool, a wide beach, recreation and numerous restaurants.
MLS link for 177 80th Street, unit 104
Questions? Contact me: ann.delaney@tksir.com or 609-967-7950
Posted in Avalon, New Jersey- News, Seashore Real Estate Comments closed
September 15, 2025
The Rental “Business”
My perspective of the vacation rental business is shaped by:
- Actively managing rental properties in Avalon and Stone Harbor for 46 years
- Vacationing with my family in rental homes in a variety of locations
- Personally owning vacation rental units. Currently, in a beach community in South Carolina.
The biggest challenge for short term rentals is cleanliness. Change over cleaners do not have the time to tackle everything, and those normal wear and tear items eventually become a source for complaints.
My husband and I make the effort to personally deep clean every few months. This includes ceiling fans, return vents, under beds, inside the kitchen cabinets/drawers, appliances, bathroom vanities, bedding, blinds, porch furniture, etc.
A grungy shower curtain liner leaves a bad first impression. Likewise, anything broken or chipped.
The detailed cleaning allows us to create a list of items needing repair or replacement. We would rather find the defect and resolve the issue prior to the next guest. This is a “business”, and therefore we look at our amenities from the eyes of our guests. Money spent on updates and replacement items is to be expected.
So to my fellow rental property owners- I understand the frustrations! This pile of sand was from sweeping the kitchen floor on the day of our arrival- after the cleaning service! Yet by the time we left yesterday, I could see the results of our hard work, and expect that the next tenants will notice, too.
Posted in Life at the Shore, Seashore Real Estate Comments closed
August 28, 2025
Changing Seasons
The island has a different vibe at the end of August.
It’s cooler in the mornings. Quieter in the evenings. Fewer people are walking on the beach.
Those of us who work in tourist related businesses have mixed feelings. We welcome the slower pace, and look forward to the opportunity to enjoy the perks of living by the beach. Yet, there’s still a sense of melancholy.
We say goodbye to our summer friends and neighbors. We look at the calendar and realize there’s a limited time to visit our favorite seasonal restaurants. There’s an urgency to get out on our bike while the weather is so nice!
September is peaceful and often referred to as “the best month at the shore”.
And meanwhile, we also look forward to Memorial Day weekend 2026 🙂
Posted in Life at the Shore Comments closed
July 10, 2025
Last Minute Rentals Available
Share the news…we have a nice variety of properties with prime weeks still available for vacation rentals.
Tim Kerr Sotheby’s International Realty
I handle rentals in Avalon and Stone Harbor specifically, and am happy to answer any questions.
Thanks!
ann.delaney@tksir.com
Posted in Life at the Shore, Seashore Real Estate Comments closed
The Real Seashore Santa
Originally posted Christmas 2008.
The blog post and Santa were both updated in 2018!
Santa– the life size plywood cut out version- has been an important part of Christmas for as long as I can remember.
Santa began his life of service in the early 1960s at my parents’ first house in Avalon. He was surrounded by big, multi-colored bulbs on the newly planted shrubs. Inside that modest Golden Home rancher, 4 little girls hung their stockings on a cardboard fireplace with a plug in red bulb that magically turned the metal wheel to create “fire”!
In the 1970s, Santa moved with our family 5 blocks south in Avalon to a larger, 2 story home with a real wood fireplace. The colorful exterior lights were eventually replaced with more subtle white bulbs, but the spot light literally remained on Santa.
In the off season, Santa hung proudly on the garage wall- watching us all come and go. Those little girls grew up and moved out, bringing back grandchildren for days on the beach. In the 1980s, my young sons were fascinated by Santa, and maybe a bit intimidated based on our attempts to use him for improved behavior!
When my parents downsized to a townhouse in the early 1990s, my father asked if I wanted Santa for our home. Of course, I was thrilled- and Santa didn’t complain as he was forced to leave Avalon and move “off shore”.
Santa loyally followed us on each move- knowing that he would be given a prominent position (with a flood light) at Christmas. Years later, he gratefully moved back to the island to become a Stone Harbor resident!
Now coasting past his mid-50s, Santa was showing signs of wear (aren’t we all).
For several years, I thought about arranging a touch up, but it just didn’t feel right. Thankfully, our niece offered her artistic talents – a perfect fit!
So the newly refreshed Santa is back in his designated spot in front of our home- ready to face another 50+ years by the beach ????
2024 Update- We sold our Stone Harbor home, so Santa moved with us to Avalon while we wait for our new townhome to be built. Time marches on…and Santa tags along!
2025 Update- Santa has officially relocated to a local golf course!! We are all adapting to our new environment and view 🙂