Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Month: January 2011

  • Back to Reality

    Aloha!  Back to work after a wonderful 12 day vacation (those of us who live at the shore take vacations in the off season…and of course there HAS to be a beach!)

    We visited the islands of Maui and Lanai in Hawaii. Both are beautiful and unique.  A quick comparison: if Maui is Avalon/Stone Harbor in the summer; Lanai is our seven mile island in the off season.

    Hawaii’s tourist industry is not back 100%, but based on the crowds in restaurants and other activities, people are willing to spend money on vacation.  A good sign for our tourist driven area, too.

  • January Thaw

    Warmer temperatures at the shore this weekend.

    In fact, all of the snow has finally melted from the beach!

    I am leaving tomorrow for another island…one with even warmer temperatures.  Time for my “January thaw”  🙂

  • 2005 to 2010 Comparison

    Overview of real estate stats for Avalon and Stone Harbor, NJ:

    Avalon – Number of sales and average SOLD price for single family homes

    2005       159           $2,132,769

    2006       106           $2,383,793

    2007         92            $2,034,541

    2008       100            $1,837,592

    2009         85             $1,384,278

    2010         87             $1,488,340

    Stone Harbor– Number of sales and average SOLD price for single family homes

    2005       80           $2,120,535

     2006       43            $2,260,221

     2007       59            $1,905,067

     2008       42            $2,166,062

     2009       39            $1,633,447

     2010       38            $1,708,893

    Information compiled from the Cape May County Multiple Listing Service.  To request a copy of the full report (including condo/townhouse sales), send me an e-mail  ann@anndelaney.com

  • Winter Humidity

    A shift in wind direction this morning.  

    Two clues of a south east breeze: you can hear the waves breaking in the ocean several blocks away; and the moisture level in the air increases.

    The slightly warmer temperatures are off set by the dampness.  Thankfully, the sun has arrived to make for a beautiful January day!  Enjoy the weekend.

  • Avalon, NJ- Beach Update

    Good news:  the beaches in the north end of Avalon are holding their own. 

    The dunes and beach paths constructed last year are in intact. 

    Top picture was taken this morning- looking north toward the 9th Street jetty.

    The not so good news:  beach erosion has effected a 5 block stretch of Avalon’s beach.  The section between 19th to 23rd Streets is currently not accessible from beach paths.

    The Borough of Avalon is committed to safe beach access and will make every effort to repair the damaged beach entrances prior to the summer season.

    P.S.  If you collect sea glass, I found several “prize” pieces along the high tide line in the north end.

  • January Stats

    The weather and holidays didn’t deter 21 buyers from completing their seashore purchase during the past 30 days.

    Of the 21 properties SOLD, 17 were in Avalon; 4 in Stone Harbor.  The sold prices ranged from $382,500 for a tear down duplex in a commercial zone in Avalon; to $4,800,000 for a tear down ocean front in the south end of Stone Harbor.  The median selling price was $920,000.

    Of those sold: 15  single family homes; 5 condo/townhouse units; and 1 vacant lot.  There are an additional 23 properties sale pending with settlement scheduled to take place in the near future.

    If you have any questions about current real estate values in Avalon or Stone Harbor, please let me know  ann@anndelaney.com

    I appreciate the opportunity to help!

  • Snow Fencing

    So that’s why we call it snow fencing…

    Thankfully, only a light coating of snow last night. 

    The roads are already clear after bright morning sun and slightly warmer temperatures.

  • Snow on Shells?

    More seashore snow expected tomorrow. 

    Plan your day accordingly :) 

    For predicted local snow totals: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/phi/StormTotalSnow/index.php

    I will post pictures and updates on http://twitter.com/anndelaneybeach

  • Ode to Sisters

     This post was originally published in January 2010.  The “girls” are another year older…and wiser??

    I’m one of 4 sisters, born within a 6 year span.  A fine example of the rhythm method at work!

    We were fortunate to be raised at the beach – our summer friends would ask if we had classes on the beach instead of inside a school?  We made elaborate forts in the dunes (sorry- that was wrong) and the back bay was our swimming hole.

    We learned early on that a beach day is never considered a waste of time – and have passed along our love for the shore to the next generation.

    As we face the 1/2 century mark together (gulp), the beach has been our constant.  It’s our place to talk, laugh, walk ,and eat snacks without guilt.  And, it’s the place that holds our best family memories.  

    A sentimental thought for the January birthday girls…plus the oldest one in the lead since May  😉

  • Feeling Cold?

    Planning time at the beach will help!   We are actively working with property owners and tenants to reserve vacation weeks for summer 2011.

    Visit our web site to preview properties for sale and rent:  http://www.powerplayrealty.com/

    Or send me your “wish list”, and I will provide a more specific list of options:  ann@anndelaney.com