Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Avalon, New Jersey- News

  • Avalon Park- 74th Street

    playground-2.jpg  I drive by this park everyday- officially known as the Marion Armacost Memorial Park- but haven’t seen it up close for some time.  There is a large playground area suitable for young children, plus swings for the young at heart.  And bird watchers will appreciate the walkway to a platform viewing area.  A great walking destination if you live nearby.

  • Traffic Conditions

    detour.jpg  Oh, the difficulties of driving at the shore in February.  Detours on Ocean Drive by the 21st Street bridge, Dune Drive at 67th Street, one lane of the 96th Street bridge, and Third Avenue down by the Bird Sanctuary.  It makes for an exhausting commute.  Thank goodness we don’t have to deal with many cars as we weave our way through the island…that would be just too much to handle  😉

  • Tax Assessments

    Cape May County property owners recently received the annual green postcard stating the current tax assessment for their property. 

    If your property is located in Stone Harbor, the data is new for 2009.  Otherwise, it’s likely your assessment is the same as posted last year.  Each town is re-assessed at different times based on requirements from the county tax office.

    In average times, we like that our assessment stays the same each year as our property value increases.  Eventually, the town is required by law to reassess to bring the figures up to fair market value.

    Unfortunately, in the current market, the higher assessments stand out. 

    If you decide to challenge your assessment, you must provide data to support fair market value as of October 1, 2008 (settlements after 10/1/08 will not be considered).

    To obtain an application for an appeal, contact the Cape May County Tax Board (609) 465-1030.  Or, call your local tax assessor for more information.

    Link to Cape May County Board of Taxation web site:

    http://www.co.cape-may.nj.us/cit-e-access/webpage.cfm?TID=5&TPID=2836

  • 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.Â