The 2012 Borough of Avalon Information and Recreation Guides are now available.
This new publication provides detailed information on trash/recycling, beach and bay access, recreation programs, and events.
Stop by our office and pick up a copy for your shore house!
Power Play Realty  2821 Dune Drive, Avalon or 609-967-7950
Do you know a buyer for this home?
Custom side by side townhouse with the “feel” of a single family. Three levels of living provide a nice balance of space and privacy.
4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 3 sun decks, and a real back yard!
Walk everywhere- nice neighborhood with the convenience of downtown shops and restaurants nearby.
Hardwood floors, 3 zone gas heat and central air, granite counter-tops, separate utility room, awning for the main deck, and outdoor storage. Attractively furnished and ready for immediate use. $719,000.
For additional information and interior photos: http://www.powerplayrealty.com/sales/detail/262/2148-harbor-avenue
Thank you for your interest! ann@anndelaney.com
The beaches along our seven mile island are in great shape for the fast approaching season. In Stone Harbor (picture taken Tuesday after work- LOVE the late day shadows – 114th Street looking north ): newly planted dune grass and improved beach paths in many locations.  And, markers recently installed for the spaces leased for Hobie Cats south of 122nd Street.  Overall, good dune structure and wide beaches await.
In Avalon (picture taken yesterday- 21st Street looking south): beach fill project is complete; providing wide, groomed beaches in our northend. The mid-island and southend beach are likewise in excellent condition.
If you need even more encouragment to come to the beach: yesterday I spotted at least 10 dolphins feeding near the 9th Street jetty in Avalon. Always excited to see my kayaking buddies for the first time each year!
Today is the 50th anniversary of the Storm of ’62, a brutal Nor’easter that caused extensive damage along the Jersey shore.
My grandparents and several aunts/uncles already lived in Avalon full time, and my parents moved down the following year.Â
Over the years, I’ve heard numerous stories about the ’62 storm- from descriptions of fishing cottages washed away; to owners bragging about their well built, still standing homes.
When you live on a barrier island, storms and weather become part of your existence.  Residents know the flooding patterns based on tides and wind direction. And, we are in awe when Mother Nature puts on a good show.
For every beautiful location, there is an associated, natural risk. As a real estate agent, I know it’s important to share my experiences, and put the risk in perspective.  The island is my place of business…and my home.
I continue to be impressed with the market stats. Consistent improvement month after month.
In the past 30 days, a total of 19 properties sold and settled in Avalon and Stone Harbor, NJ.
Condo/Townhouse Units:Â Â 9 sold, with a median selling price of $530,000.
Single Family Homes:Â 8 sold, with a median selling price of $1,625,000.
Commercial: 2 sold (the Avalon Anchorage Marina on 21st Street and the bay side building where Polly’s Place is located on 97th Street). A median selling price of $1,933,000.
In addition, there are 48 properties “Under Contract” with settlement scheduled to occur in the near future. The median listing price for those sale pending is $844,500 (a mix of condos/townhomes and single family homes).
P.S. I revised the numbers after new postings on our MLS- 2 solds and 1 under contract! Current as of 5pm on 2/27/12.
If you are interested in a shore purchase, or selling your current island home, I appreciate the opportunity to help!  ann@anndelaney.com
Stone Harbor is actively planting dune grass on the restored dunes between 92nd and 111th Streets. The grass holds the sand in place and allows the dunes to build up naturally over time.
I watched the crew yesterday: one man operated a  power tool to dig the holes, while others followed behind with stalks of grass. Very efficient system.
My own personal experience of planting dune grass is a bit different. In the late 1960s, a local man established a plan for regular dune grass plantings in Avalon.  Mr. Fenton Groff lived near the beach in the south end, and understood the value of preserving the dunes.
The students at Avalon Elementary participated…with the lure of free hot dogs! We worked for 3 or 4 hours on Saturday morning, and then returned to the school cafeteria (cold and very sandy) for lunch. No fancy motorized tools way back then- we were armed with shovels and encouraged to aim for a straight line.Â
Like so many events of my childhood, dune grass plantings are a fun memory- and definitely unique to life at the shore!
Real estate agents all along the New Jersey coast are optimistic for 2012 after a busy start to the new year.
In Avalon and Stone Harbor, there are currently 37 properties sale pending with settlements scheduled over the next few months.
Breaking down the numbers: 12 of the 37 are condo/townhouse units, ranging from $439,000 (asking price) for a 3 bedroom condo on 79th Street; to $1,350,000 for a large bay front side by side. The median asking price for pending condo/townhouse units is $644,950.
As typical in our market, the majority of pending sales are single family homes (23 in this case). They range from $699,999 for a basic cottage on 31st Street; to $3,295,000 for a bay front home on Flamingo Drive.  The median asking price for pending single family homes is $1,299,000.
Also pending: 1 commercial parcel in Avalon, and 1 duplex in Stone Harbor.
Sellers are realistic and buyers are confident; the right balance as our market continues to recover.
2/14/12 P.S. Setting appointments for a Thursday showing, and 2 of the homes I planned to show are now under contract. Also heard that there were 3 offers on a well priced duplex in Stone Harbor- pushing the final selling price just over asking. So happy to see this activity!
When I posted this picture last week on Twitter, I thought the beach equipment was positioned by the Avalon fishing pier as a staging area.
Today, I heard the details. Turns out, in order to redistribute the sand from the south end of the island to the north end, the large trucks faced a major height obstacle: the fishing pier.
The contractor solved the problem by digging out a section between the pilings, allowing the dump trucks to clear the bottom of the pier. And because the ocean naturally washes sand back in the hole, the area has to be maintained daily during the beach restoration process.
There are sections of beach closed during this project. However, you can safely observe from a nearby beach path.  And who doesn’t enjoy watching an over-sized Tonka truck speeding along the water’s edge?!
A short video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FALLhMVnvZg&list=UUU6fmwEHluNBeqiKwi4H67g&index=1&feature=plcp
Our 2012 rental season is off to a great start. Tenants are booking early to secure just the right spot for their shore vacation.
If you or your friends are considering a summer rental on the island, now is the ideal time to review the options: http://www.powerplayrealty.com/rentals
Or, contact me with your requirements, and I will forward my suggestions.
An experienced agent KNOWS the property, location, and owner…and can provide additional feedback to make sure it’s a good fit.
Thanks…I appreciate the business! ann@anndelaney.com