Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Life at the Shore

  • Tide Changes / Real Estate

    I plan my walk around the tide schedule (for enough hard sand on the beach)- and it occured to me this morning that the real estate market is similar to the constantly changing tide- we just have to work (or walk) around it.

    We are finally hearing some positive news related to the banking/ real estate industry- and consumers are watching for good opportunites with interest rates and home prices.

    And, just as we can count on the returning tide, the mild weather is only a few months away…and we will be enjoying the environment that is unique to the seashore. 

    No need to fear the change of tide. Just take an alternate path that leads to the same destination!

  • Weather perspective

    I was whining yesterday- it was cold and rainy- typical dreary winter day.  I was able to walk the beach early- but it wasn’t pleasant.  Then, I talked with our son who lives in the mountains of Colorado.  They had blizzard conditions and the roads were closed (still closed today!). 

    The sun is back out today…and it is a balmy 40 degrees…so no more complaints (at least for a day or two).

    Stay warm…and Happy New Year!

  • Stormy Sunday

    northeaststorm.jpg

    High tide along the Stone Harbor beach.  Good day to take off from work, bundle up for a long walk (not cold…but very windy!), and then hang around to read the paper with Christmas music on in the background.  Maybe the Eagles’ game will be worthwhile, too?!! 

  • Christmas Shopping in Stone Harbor

    Take advantage of the slower pace and personal service offered by the local shops.  Most are open on weekends- and some are open every day.  These are a few of my favorite:

    Seashore ACE has everything – from decorations to gifts.  Hoy’s 5 & 10 is great for children’s gifts.  Bellanova has unique woman’s clothing. Fudge Kitchen will mail their delicious gifts anywhere. I always find high quality men’s shirts on sale in Global Pursuit (and sometimes a nice sweater for me!). Pete Smith’s for the teenagers on your list. Ocean Galleries for fine art. I purchased a new bicycle from Harbor Bikes this year- very fair prices.  Wet Suit World has items for all water sports enthusiasts- not just surfing. Barrie Shoes for slippers (and maybe a new pair of sneakers for you). The Paisley Christmas Shoppe will personalize an ornament for a special gift. You are sure to find the perfect item in Frog and Toad- especially for the women on your list.  Terry Ivory Jewelry- I’m glad my husband discovered this store!

    Happy Shopping….

     

  • Sweat, Tears, and the Sea

    Saw this on a sign at the Frog and Toad- a gift shop on 95th and Third Avenue in Stone Harbor: 

     The cure for anything is salt water – sweat, tears, or the sea.  ~Isak Dinesen

    I agree!

  • The Color of Winter

    At the shore, the color of winter is gray.  The sand, ocean, winter gulls, jetty rocks, and sky are all a different hue of gray.  Today, Mother Nature provided a snow shower during my walk on the beach- blurring the lines between the  damp sand, ocean, and horizon even more.

    I just purchased a new winter jacket in a bright color (okay…it was on sale so I compromised on the slightly loud color). I am doing my part to add color to the winter months!

    See you on the beach 🙂

    winter.jpg

  • Time to Buy Yet?

    December is a challenging month in the seashore real estate market.  Traveling to Avalon and Stone Harbor to see homes often conflicts with family events and holiday shopping.

    So why look now?  Interest rates have fallen below 6%; there are a variety of properties to see; and sellers are more reaslistic. 

    Another possitive indicator: a few builders are back in the market purchasing in prime locations for future projects.

    We are not unrealisitic.  The down turn in the early 1990’s caused our prices to remain level for several years. But a vacation home at the beach is not your typical “investment”- the personal use has huge value.  And, history assures us that we will once again see tremendous property appreciation along the coast.

    I’m here when you are ready! 

    ann@anndelaney.com

  • Altitude is for the Birds

    I live at sea level, happily breathing in moist salt air year round.  In order to visit our youngest son, we have to fly to Denver (elevation 5600), and then drive up a mountain pass to Winter Park (elevation 9000).  That’s almost 2 miles straight up from the beach!

    I had never heard of altitude sickness before 1st traveling to Colorado- not a common problem along the east coast.  But I now know more about it than most…because it’s an issue each time I visit.

    Not sure why people actually live in this environment- no ocean nearby, the temperature is below zero on a regular basis, you need a hat and gloves even in the summer, and the humidity level is so low (the famous “dry cold”) that your nose bleeds and skin peels.

    The scenery is beautiful, and the sun shines more there than here…yet, it’s still hard for me to understand the appeal.

    But, Colorado is the home of our son and his family (including our new grandson- just 3 weeks old), so I am determined to find a solution.

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  • It’s a small world…

    While waiting at the gate at CDG/Paris Airport for a flight home, I started talking with 2 women about our experiences during our vacation in France.  Ironically, the one woman’s daughter owns a home in Avalon, and we have mutual friends.  So funny…

    It seems like everywhere I travel, I see someone that I know, or meet someone with a connection to Avalon or Stone Harbor.  Our small 7 mile island has an expansive adoring audience!

  • Home Exchange/ Travel

    http://www.homeexchange.com/       If you enjoy traveling, and prefer to stay in a home rather than a hotel, you will find this web site interesting.

    It’s a great concept- especially for those of us with a house at the shore.

    The key is to find “like minded” exchangers.  I am fussy (okay, obsessive) about my home- and thankfully, there are other owners out there who live in interesting places and appreciate that quirk!

    My husband and I just completed our first exchange- with 5 additional trips planned over the next 2 years.  We are traveling to locations from our wish list, and a few others that weren’t even on our radar until a request arrived.

    An exciting way to see the world!