September 19, 2024

A Small World

By ann

When traveling, it’s always fun to discover the Avalon or Stone Harbor connections.

We spent a week in the Lake Tahoe region right after Labor Day. And almost every day, talked with people who have family or personal ties to our 7 mile island!

One young man by the pool mentioned that he and his brothers had all been Avalon lifeguards. Because I had brought along my beach bag for this trip, I gave him one of my 2024 beach tags as a souvenir. He was thrilled. A really sweet encounter.

It’s a gift to see the enthusiasm for our special beach location – especially when we are visiting another beautiful spot. It never gets old!

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August 31, 2024

Tim Kerr Charities 7 Mile Run

By ann

Sunday 9/1 at 8:30am

Start/finish at the Avalon Community Hall.

TK Charities website for additional information.

Posted in Activities, Avalon, New Jersey- News, Life at the Shore | Comments closed
August 24, 2024

Sunday- Cedar Island Swim

By ann

Cheer on the participants (and the kayak support team!) as they circle Cedar Island for the 5K swim.

The race starts and ends at the Avalon Yacht Club. Swimmers head south along the main channel, east along Sunrise Drive/ 20th Street, and then north along Ocean Drive to Yacht Club Drive (7th Street) to the finish line.

Sunday, August 25th with a 1pm start time.

Wave hello if you see me in my red kayak 🙂

Posted in Activities, Avalon, New Jersey- News, Life at the Shore | Comments closed
August 11, 2024

Morning…and Evening Views!

By ann

Posted in Life at the Shore | Comments closed
August 8, 2024

Sheets and Towels at Rental Properties

By ann

In an effort to generate more rental activity for our property owners, Tim Kerr Sotheby’s added listings with open weeks to the VRBO website.

The VRBO fees charged on the landlord side are being paid by our agency and agents based on an expectation of attracting new business to our company.

And it worked! We have successfully converted most inquiries to leases, filling in otherwise vacant weeks.

A common question from our new VRBO customers is regarding the need to bring sheets and towels.

The regular airbnb or VRBO guest expects freshly made beds, and towels hanging in the bathrooms.

As property owners and rental agents, we have to acknowledge the changes in our industry if we expect to remain competitive in the vacation home market.

I am happy to discuss the benefits of coordinating with a local linen rental company for the 2025 season.

P.S. Earlier this week, a VRBO sourced tenant asked “will the rental property have shampoo, body wash, hand soap, or should we bring our own?” It’s not unusual for VRBO and aibnb properties to provide mini soaps and shampoo containers, as well as dish soap, laundry and dishwasher pods, etc.

We welcome this perspective to plan ahead with our rental owners.

Posted in Life at the Shore, Seashore Real Estate | Comments closed
August 5, 2024

Another Delaney in 2025

By ann

Coming soon…another grandson 👶 due in January.

Although he will be raised in the mountains of North Carolina, we are looking forward to plenty of beach visits!

Posted in Life at the Shore | Comments closed
July 30, 2024

Landlord Duties

By ann

A quick trip down south to provide some TLC to our rental property.

As I know from my experience handling vacation rentals in Avalon and Stone Harbor, regular owner visits are key to keeping up with maintenance items and overall cleanliness.

So, I will “spring clean” for a few days, and try to keep my sense of humor about what I discover as I organize!

P.S. I’m now a few days in and STILL trying to find everything 😉

Before…

And after!

Posted in Life at the Shore, Seashore Real Estate | Comments closed
July 16, 2024

Definitely “Cooler by a Mile”

By ann

Grateful for the comfortable sea breeze!

Posted in Life at the Shore | Comments closed
July 15, 2024

Summer Rentals

By ann

There have been a few news pieces regarding the 2024 rental season at the Jersey Shore.

The most recent: https://www.inquirer.com/newsletters/shore/jersey-shore-rentals-boardwalk-20240711.html

A few thoughts: Owners with repeat tenants who kept their price increases to a minimum are experiencing a solid rental season.

Property owners new to the rental market (or those with weeks not rented by January or February) have felt the shift in our market the most.

Adding amenities (that are ironically considered the norm in most other vacation rental markets) such as sheets and towels, some paper products, beach tags, beach equipments, etc. definitely helps. Being open to allowing a pet (with references) may also fill un-rented weeks.

The Jersey Shore rental environment has been slow to evolve. Look how long it took for change over cleaning to be included in the rent!

Yet we have to keep up with tenant expectations, and provide good value, in order to be competitive with other high end travel destinations.

Posted in Avalon, New Jersey- News, Life at the Shore, Seashore Real Estate, Stone Harbor, New Jersey- News | Comments closed
July 9, 2024

Parking Problems

By ann

During peak summer holidays, finding a parking spot on the island can be a challenge!

Unfortunately, tenants and owners who park on their yard beyond the designated driveway may be in for an unpleasant outcome.

Just because a home has a stone yard, it doesn’t mean it’s suitable for additional parking. Water and sewer lines run from the curb to the house just under the surface of the yard. The weight of a vehicle can damage these pipes, creating an expensive plumbing repair.

I noticed this truck on a yard over the weekend. Even when the street emptied out, the truck remained on the front yard!

Posted in Life at the Shore, Seashore Real Estate | Comments closed
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