Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Month: October 2010

  • Driving Hazards

    Well, yes, I was the only car on the road this morning.  Yet, defensive driving skills were needed to avoid 3 separate rolling trash cans!

    Part time Avalon residents often place their trash cans at the curb when leaving town Sunday afternoon.  High winds (common in the off season) topple the cans…and then the sea gulls arrive for a feast!

    A better option?  The Borough of Avalon provides a courtesy trash/recycling collection area at the 15th Street facility (just off Dune Drive).   Open Monday through Friday 7:30am to 3pm; and on Sunday, from 12 noon to 5pm.

  • Fall Activities

    My “commute” home from work includes bay views as I drive along Ocean Drive. 

    If the tide is high, and the water calm, I commit to kayaking before pulling in my driveway.

    And with earlier sunsets, I have to hurry.  There is a great deal of (self imposed) pressure to take advantage of the nice weather and remaining daylight!

  • Philadelphia Inquirer article

    Good article today about shore real estate in the Business section of the Philadelphia Inquirer (I would link the article, but the pop up ads drive me crazy).

    An interesting quote: “In Avalon and Stone Harbor, home to some of the Shore’s most expensive dwellings, prices rose 59.3% between 2000 and 2010.  They have fallen 18.8% since 2006’s second quarter…”

    The bottom line is that residential real estate (including seashore real estate) is a solid long term investment.   

    For a vacation home purchase- pick a great location, and spend only what you can afford to carry.  Rental income will help with the expenses, but will not pay the mortgage.  It’s a lifestyle decision.  Will your family enjoy time at property?  Will the home be a gathering spot for your grown children?  Will this provide the needed escape from the real world?

    I feel so fortunate to be part of the dream – helping hundreds of buyers/sellers/tenants on our seven mile island over the years.  This is my home as well as my business, and  I appreciate the real “value” of our real estate!

  • The Wild Shore

    After October 1st, our island towns turn completely WILD! 

    Parking restrictions end, and meters are pulled.  2 traffic lights return to blinking signals.  Right on red is permitted at the 96th Street intersection.  Vehicles with permits can drive on the beach; and leashed dogs can walk on the beach.

    Enjoy the weekend  🙂