Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Author: ann

  • Beach Rituals

    Long time Avalon property owners stopped by our office the other day.  A few years back, they sold their home on the bay, and now return on regular basis to visit family… and have recently discovered “the beach”.

    The woman asked a question: “What’s up with the giant holes on the beach?”  She thought this must be a new trend (remember, they spent all of their family time on the bay).

    I assured her it’s a long standing tradition (at least in my family) to dig a hole at the high tide line to keep the kids occupied.  The “big boys” bring real shovels to the beach for the excavation work, and take great pride in the engineering details such as steps and retaining walls.  If timed correctly, the ocean rushes in and creates a sandy swimming pool just before it’s time to leave  😉

  • Shore Weather

    Stormy skies, but only off and on drizzle so far in Avalon and Stone Harbor.  Shoppers out in full force… downtown business owners must be happy!

     FYI-  This is my 1,000th blog post!   Thanks for reading along 🙂

  • Exceptional Avalon Buy!

    Price reduced!

    169 31st Street, Avalon, NJ

    Charming beach cottage features 3 bedrooms (plus bonus sleeping area in the attic/loft), 2 baths, central air, gas heat, main living area and a separate den, updated kitchen, hardwood floors, detached garage, outside shower, and nice yard.  Ideally located east of Dune Drive for convenient beach access.  Walk to downtown shops and restaurants, too!

    $739,000 furnished.  50′ X 110′ lot in a great residential neighborhood.

    For additional information: 

    http://www.powerplayrealty.com/sales/detail/248/169-31st-street  

     or   ann@anndelaney.com

    Thank you for your interest!

  • Mid-August Switch

    It happens every summer.  We are gliding through August and suddenly,we notice the signs.

    Darker in the mornings…cooler temperatures…the Tree Swallows gathering in the dunes and on the wires…amazing colors in the sky for sunrise and sunset.  A preview of fall??

    We are not ready to turn over our summer weather quite yet.  However, happy to enjoy the lower humidity and peaceful views as we approach Labor Day.

  • Cooler by a Mile…finally

    Ahhhh….

    We can finally turn off the air conditioning and open the windows after WEEKS of high temperatures.

    The strong north west breeze = cool, dry air.

    P.S. A seabreeze as of mid- afternoon…our favorite 🙂

    Beautiful this morning on the beach. 

    Rays of sunshine peeking out behind the clouds provided a dramatic backdrop over the ocean.

    Busy weekend ahead- the Home/Health Show at Avalon Elementary School on Saturday http://www.caperegional.com/  and a Seafood Fest at St. Mary’s Church- 95th and Third Avenue in Stone Harbor (lunch and dinner Saturday).

  • Driving in the Real World

    For years, I resisted buying a GPS for my car- for obvious reasons:  I live on a 7 mile long barrier island with numbered streets 😉

    But, then again, maybe that explains why I find the device so helpful when I’m out in the “real world”!

    A recent family visit in the mountains of North Carolina required a 3 hour drive from the Charlotte Airport- and I welcomed the confident woman’s voice providing instructions along the way.

    Glad to be back navigating Dune Drive!

  • Stormy Day

    A light mist turned in to a steady drizzle during my beach walk.

    Still dreary this morning…hopefully the sun returns later today for our vacationers.

    The tents are already in place on the 80th Street field for this weekend’s Arts & Crafts Show.   This is a BIG event…secure your parking spot early!

  • Summer SOLDS

    The summer months are traditionally slow for real estate closings at the shore.  That said, 19 sales  in Avalon and Stone Harbor NJ were recorded during the past 30 days: 1 commercial space, 8 condo/townhouse units, and 10 single family homes.  The overall median selling price was $725,000.

    The condo/townhouse units sold ranged from $350,000 for a 2 bedroom condo in Stone Harbor, to $1,350,000 for a newer bay front side by side in Avalon.  The median selling price was $627,500.

    The single family homes sold ranged from $370,000 for a “court” cottage in Stone Harbor, to $3,350,000 for a beach block home on an over-sized lot in Stone Harbor. The median selling price was $800,000.

    In addition, there are 34 properties sale pending, with settlement scheduled in the near future. The median list price of the properties under contract is $1,324,500.

    If you, or someone you know is interested in purchasing a property at the shore, I appreciate the opportunity to help!  ann@anndelaney.com

  • Construction in the Summer?

    Property owners and tenants often ask if there are restrictions regarding construction in the summer months.

    In the Borough of Avalon, construction is permitted 7 days a week, between 7am to 7pm.  Between May 15th and September 15th, no construction is permitted on Sundays. 

    Today, I saw 2 demolition projects underway, and numerous job sites like the one pictured above.  It’s a good sign for our local economy, yet can be frustrating for those in nearby homes.

  • Property Taxes

    There is a note on my calendar to pay 3rd quarter property taxes on August 1st.  

    Due to delays with the state,  municipal 2011/2012 tax bills have not been mailed.  An article in yesterday’s paper mentioned an automatic 25 day grace period (and the the hardship it causes local government waiting for cash flow).

    Avalon and Stone Harbor property owners should look for their municipal tax bill in the coming weeks.

    P.S.  Our tax bill arrived yesterday; and the grace period for payment is extended to September 9th.