Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Activities

  • Something for Everyone

    sunocean.jpg  Real estate- in the right location- is a solid long term investment.  Unlike stocks and bonds- a home offers tangible benefits.  And now there are more afordable options than ever!  In Avalon and Stone Harbor, single family cottages are available as low as $525,000; and condominiums start at $325,000.

    So, when a buyer is hesitant to move forward- I’m confused.  If a seashore home is within your means- why wait?   In my 25+ years of selling real estate, I’ve never had a buyer tell me they regretted their purchase.  In fact, most come back to me in 5 or 10 years to do it again  🙂

    P.S. Picture taken this morning as I walked along the beach- keeping pace with a dolphin just beyond the 1st break of waves- with a cool breeze off the water. The winds are steady from the south east- a perfect day…

  • Ah Ha or Ha Ha Moments

    Oprah may have her “ah ha” moments, but the little “ha ha” moments are what make my day.  Here’s 2 from this morning:

    beacham.jpg  I notice this on Sunday mornings- families who stake out their spot on the beach and leave their things there over-night.  Don’t they worry about high tide?  The beach cleaners manage to maneuver around the items…and their Saturday castles are still intact. 

    http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20080608

    This is an article from today’s Philadelphia Inquirer about the boundary lines between North and South Jersey.  It’s funny because the criteria is so true. 

    If an area has allegiance to Philadephia (Eagles, Tastykakes, and scrapple!) – it’s South Jersey; if there is a New York base- it’s North Jersey.  And we consider the whole “Central Jersey” classification a veiled attempt by North Jersey towns to work their way in to our part of the state! 

    Read my post from June 7, 2007 for more “local” thoughts  🙂

  • Come On Down!

    lifeguards.jpg  Escape the heat this weekend, and enjoy the cool sea breeze at the shore!  Today was my 1st full “beach day”, including a long walk to the Windrift for lunch on the upper deck.  Perfect… 

  • Tour of Homes

    2 oppportunities to walk through special homes along the Seven Mile Beach:

    This Saturday, 6/7, the Garden Club of Stone Harbor- Annual Home Tour (609) 368-5692 for tickets.

    Next Saturday, 6/14, The Historical Society Tour- contact the Avalon Museum (609) 967-0090 for tickets.

  • Islandman Triathlon

    Tim and Midge Kerr are once again hosting the Avalon Islandman Triathlon on Sunday, June 29th.  This is a sanctioned, closed course event and volunteers are needed to prevent vehicles and/or pedestrians from passing through First Avenue and Avalon Avenue during the bike race. 

    The riders make 3 passes on First Avenue and Avalon Avenue- and coverage is needed on all blocks from 28th Street north to 10th Street.  The kid’s race starts at 9:30am- with the bike portion on Avalon Avenue only.
    This will be a commitment of 2.5 hours- starting at 7:30am that morning.    T-shirts for the volunteers will be available in advance of the race.  Additional instructions will also be provided .
    The triathlon is an exciting event for the community- with proceeds donated to local charities/organizations.  For more information about the race:  www.lin-mark.com  or
    If you are able to help, please let me know your street preference and T-shirt size.
    Thanks…looking forward to seeing you at the race! 

  • That’s Better!

    fishing.jpg  The regular “fisherwomen” are back in their southend spot (they caught something as I walked by!); and the surfers were out in force at “Nun’s Beach” to take advantage of the waves…a beautiful morning.

    This is part of an e-mail I received yesterday from one of my recent buyers: The kids loved the place so much Ann, Luke must have thanked me at least 5 times for getting us a beach house!!! Claire ran in the first night after she saw the lights in Avalon and said, “mom look- it is the most beautiful thing I ever saw- I love this town”!! 

    That made my day.  The best part of my job is sharing my enthusiasm for the island.  A house or condo just happens to come along with a positive lifestyle decision.  And I feel privileged to help with the process!

  • Resistance Training

    stormy.jpg Started my morning walk with the steady wind at my back…the sun breaking through the mist over the ocean.  The humidity level is up, creating even more resistance when I turned around for my walk back home.

    We expect a few storms later this afternoon, but  overall, a good weekend at the shore!

  • Unofficial Rules of the Shore

    memorialday.jpg 1) Respect an ample boundary line when selecting your spot on the beach.  The shade from your umbrella shouldn’t be over your neighbor’s chair.  2) Check the wind direction before shaking out a towel…or lighting a cigarette (ideally- don’t do either when others are around). 3) If you walk your dog on the beach, understand that other joggers/walkers don’t want to be chased or jumped on (I often hear “he’s just being friendly”).

    Off the Beach- 1) Don’t park in front of a neighbor’s house and leave the space in front of your house open.  Shore residents are very possessive of their parking spots. 2) My father was proud of his little seashore lawn- a rare amenitiy on an island of stone yards.  We were taught not to walk on the grass (except the back yard).  That habit has carried over to my little patch of grass- and I feel the same way about the beautiful center islands.  They are often used as mini-parks for dog walkers and children- much to the dismay of the hard working Garden Club members.

    All common sense, right?  Then I won’t even talk about riding the wrong way in the bike lane!   Happy Summer  🙂

  • Weekend

    memdaymorning.jpg Great weekend…a bit windy on the beach, but we managed!  A successful start of the 2008 summer season.

  • Memorial Day Traditions

    Enjoyed my 1st creme-filled donut of the season…still warm after my walk back from Kohler’s to the office.  I know it has zero nutritional value…but it’s a long standing summer tradition.

    Looking forward to the Symphony by the Sea this evening at Avalon Elementary School.  This event is sponsored by the Avalon Performing Arts Council and the Avalon Free Library.

    On Monday, there will be a parade and Memorial Day Ceremony at Veteran’s Plaza on 21st Street in Avalon.  In Stone Harbor watch the parade on 96th Street at noon, followed by an open house at the American Legion building on 117th Street.