Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Avalon, New Jersey- News

  • Summer Rentals

    The majority of our summer tenants (and property owners for that matter) live within a 2 to 3 hour driving radius.  We are all experiencing similar cold weather conditions, so thinking about the beach helps us to cope!

    Prospective tenants are actively searching on line (and sometimes in person) for their ideal summer vacation house.  After a quiet fall, it’s great to have some business.

    The 2009 rental season may be a bit bumpy- and likely, we will have more last minute rental requests than ever before. 

    emptybeach.jpg But, I’m confident that the beach will be full!

  • More Snow at the Shore

    It doesn’t last (that’s what we like best)- but it’s pretty for a few hours.

    82ndstpath.jpg   82ndst.jpg  The beach side promenade between 80th and 83rd Streets (major renovations underway at the Windrift, by the way- the 2 inside bar areas from what I could see).

  • Avalon- Beach Replenishment

    9thstbeach.jpg  More good news- the Borough of Avalon has received funding commitments for beach replenishment in the north end of Avalon.  The project will be out for bid in February, with a completion date later this spring.  Sand will be trucked in (rather than dredged) and spread on the beaches between 9th and 18th Streets.

    9thstjetty.jpg  The beach at 9th Street adjacent to the 8th Street jetty- not very crowded this time of year…especially at 25 degrees (wind chill 14 degrees) and snow flurries.  Think summer!

  • 2008 Market Stats

    The 2008 Market Stats for Stone Harbor, Avalon, and Sea Isle City are available on the Power Play Realty web site:

    http://www.powerplayrealty.com/pages/market-statistics-updated-avalon-stone-harbor-sea-isle-nj

    Quick summary- The total number of units sold peaked in 2005; the average sale price peaked in 2006.  Townhouse/condominium sale values have remained fairly level due to the more reasonable price range.  Single family home values have dropped between 15- 25% depending on the location.  In 2008, new construction accounted for 20% of Stone Harbor sales, and 10% of Avalon sales. Most area builders switched their focus from building for spec to private building contracts. 

    The local architects and builders are also reporting more requests for renovation projects versus new construction. 

  • New Year’s Eve at the Shore

    newyearsurfers.jpg  The man on the right was giving the man on the left a surfing lesson this morning!  These were not kids- I’m guessing that both qualify for an AARP card. They said the water was “just right”.  The wife of the man taking the lesson thought July would have been better option.  🙂

    newyears.jpg  As predicted, the winds are picking up (an understatement) and the temperatures are dropping.  Owners are arriving for the long weekend- the business districts in Avalon and Stone Harbor are very active- always good to see.

    Happy New Year! 

  • That’s Better

    sunrise.jpg  The power of the sun is amazing (I guess that’s why the snowbirds head to Florida this time of year). The temperatures are cool today, but the warm sun reflecting off of the ocean made it just right for my walk.

    Hopefully the weather will be reasonable for New Year’s weekend.  Several local restaurants will be open (not just WaWa), and on New Year’s Day (Thursday), the Stone Harbor 96th Street shops will be open for their popular annual sale.  Hope to see you around town!

     

  • Dashing Through the Sand

    december.jpg  Need to work off a few Christmas cookies?  If you will be in the Avalon, NJ area Saturday, 12/27 (tomorrow), sign up for Dashing Through the Sand 2008: a 5K fun run and 2 mile walk.

    Registration opens at 7am at the Avalon Community Hall (30th and Avalon Avenue); race starts at 9am.

    Proceeds benefit The Craig Kenneth Lozier Memorial Scholarship fund.  UPDATE- The race was a great success.  Over $5000 raised for the scholarship. 

  • Seashore Santa

      santa2.jpg  Santa– the lifesize painted, cut out version- has been an important part of Christmas for as long as I can remember. 

    Santa began his life of service in the early 1960’s at my parents’ first house in Avalon.  He was surrounded by big, multi-colored bulbs on the newly planted shrubs.  Inside that modest rancher, 4 little girls hung their stockings on a cardboard fireplace with a plug in red bulb that magically turned the metal wheel to create “fire” .

    In the 1970’s, Santa moved with our family 5 blocks south in Avalon to a larger, 2 story home with a real wood fireplace.  The colorful exterior lights were eventually replaced with more subtle white bulbs, but the spot light literally remained on Santa.

    In the off season, Santa hung proudly on the garage wall- watching us all come and go.  Those little girls grew up and moved out, bringing back grandchildren for days on the beach.  In the 1980’s, my young sons were fascinated by Santa, and maybe a bit intimidated based on our attempts to use him for improved behavior!

    When my parents downsized to a townhouse in the early 1990’s, my father asked if I wanted Santa for our home.  I was of course thrilled- and Santa didn’t complain as he was forced to leave Avalon and move “off shore”. 

    Santa loyally followed us on each move- knowing that he would be given a prominent position (with a flood light) at Christmas.   A few years ago, he gratefully moved back to the island to become a Stone Harbor resident! 

    Now approaching 50 years old, Santa is showing some signs of wear (aren’t we all).  I thought about asking an artist to do a “touch up”, but it just doesn’t seem right.   It’s good to remember that so much time has passed- it helps us to celebrate the journey. 

    Merry Christmas!

  • Stone Harbor Realty Owners Association

    http://www.stoneharborroa.com/

    SHROA a citizen’s group of Stone Harbor property owners (a combination of summer and year round home owners) created to keep all taxpayers informed of local issues and events. 

    Avalon has a similar organization: The Avalon Home and Land Owners Association  http://www.ahloa.com/

  • Not for the Faint of Heart

    A summer home owner recently said to me “I don’t know how you live down there in the winter”.  I laughed, and gave my usual list of benefits of seashore living.

    But I have to admit – I do not like the wind.   Last night, the sustained roar of the 20 to 30 mph west wind was accented by the freight train sound of the 50 mph gusts.  I expected our roof to blow off any minute. 

    watertower2.jpg  Our roof stayed put, but the huge tarp on the 13th Street water tower in Avalon did not survive.  It was in shreds this morning around the scaffolding  🙁