Category: Life at the Shore

Another busy rental change over day.

When I walked early this morning, I passed several families packing up their vehicles…looking very sad.  On the beach, another family was taking pictures by the street number sign to commemorate their stay.

As I drove to work, the cleaning crews were already stalking properties- ready to start their hectic day as soon as possible.  They have such a short window of  time to complete their many change over cleanings.

The new tenants are excited to start their vacation, and arrive on the island early.  We encourage them to eat breakfast, shop, etc. to allow the cleaners time through the property.  If the cleaners see a car in the driveway, they think the previous tenant hasn’t checked out and will move on to their next job.  The cleaners need full access to the property (and the parking) before the new tenant moves in.

Check in starts in the early afternoon.  The rental offices continue to trouble shoot issues brought to our attention as the tenants turn in the keys…as well as the new items discovered by the incoming tenant.  We appreciate the responsive vendors helping us with the inevitable repairs!

By day’s end, we hope that everyone is situated and happy to start their week at the shore.

And like Ground Hog Day…we will do it all again next Saturday 😉

Recently, a few family members were talking about how many times they moved.  While counting off my moves, I also thought about the actual distance covered.

So, with some stats from Google Maps…

When I was 2 years old, my parents moved to Avalon, NJ.  We lived in a simple rancher on 51st Street.  As my sisters and I grew, the demand for space (and bathrooms) became apparent, and a new family home was built on 56th Street. A tramatic 5 blocks south– yet we were excited for more room.

My next move was to 68th Street in Sea Isle City- my aunt owned a duplex, and allowed “the newlyweds”  to stay for the winter.

Then, our first “real” home…all the way on the other side of Cape May County: Reeds Beach Road (don’t worry, I had never heard of it either!)   We rented the cottage for one year, and then purchased.  So proud to be official home owners at such a young age…even IF we were now (gasp) 12 miles from Avalon.

Although we were near the water (the Delaware Bay), Reeds Beach was not our dream location.  The biggest issue? Bugs.  The Mosquito Commission building was around the corner, and I swear they were breeding new varieties in our neighborhood!

The next house was located 3.4 miles east (yes, the right direction).  Another modest home, with more neighbors and fewer bugs; and on a quiet cul-de-sac.  Ideal for our 2 young sons.

Years later, we built a new home close by- heading east by another mile.  More space, and amenities (including an outside shower – a unique feature for a house OFF the island).

And, in 2004, we closed the circle (literally) and moved 6.9 miles- and back on the island 🙂

This was my early morning view.  Ahhhh…

Then, off to Comcast to exchange cable boxes likely zapped during yesterday’s lightning storm (I tweeted that the “high security” acrylic shield is down- you can actually talk to the helpful employees face to face!)

With those tenants happy- off to another house to check on an issue with Verizon- phone and Internet not working.  On hold for a LONG time, with the frustrating outcome of a service call scheduled for Friday.  Fortunately, tenants understand that there is nothing more we can do.

Back to the office to contact a handyman for minor repairs for 2 other properties. And, calling/e-mailing owners about issues brought to our attention by their tenants, and then working with the appropriate vendors to address.

In the meantime, our company rental program is down (computer guy working on it now).

I think I may need an afternoon ice cream cone 😉