Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Life at the Shore

  • The Real Seashore Santa

    Originally posted Christmas 2008.  

    The blog post and Santa were both updated in 2018!

    Santa– the life size plywood 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 1960s at my parents’ first house in Avalon.  He was surrounded by big, multi-colored bulbs on the newly planted shrubs.  Inside that modest Golden Home 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 1970s, 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 1980s, 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 1990s, my father asked if I wanted Santa for our home.  Of course, I was 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.   Years later, he gratefully moved back to the island to become a Stone Harbor resident!

    Now coasting past his mid-50s, Santa was showing signs of wear (aren’t we all).

    For several years, I thought about arranging a touch up, but it just didn’t feel right.   Thankfully, our niece offered her artistic talents – a perfect fit!

    So the newly refreshed Santa is back in his designated spot in front of our home- ready to face another 50+ years by the beach ????

    _________________________________________________________________________________________

    2024 Update- We sold our home, so Santa moved with us to Avalon while we wait for our new townhome to be built. Time marches on…and Santa tags along!

  • New on the Sale Market

    Pristine rancher located just minutes from the Avalon NJ beaches. An ideal spot for a seasonal or full time home.

    3 bedrooms, 2 baths, plus an office. 2 car garage. Fenced yard, and plenty of privacy.

    $799,000 attractively furnished.

    For more details: MLS link

  • Tim Kerr Charities 7 Mile Run

    Sunday 9/1 at 8:30am

    Start/finish at the Avalon Community Hall.

    TK Charities website for additional information.

  • Sunday- Cedar Island Swim

    Cheer on the participants (and the kayak support team!) as they circle Cedar Island for the 5K swim.

    The race starts and ends at the Avalon Yacht Club. Swimmers head south along the main channel, east along Sunrise Drive/ 20th Street, and then north along Ocean Drive to Yacht Club Drive (7th Street) to the finish line.

    Sunday, August 25th with a 1pm start time.

    Wave hello if you see me in my red kayak 🙂

  • Morning…and Evening Views!

  • Sheets and Towels at Rental Properties

    In an effort to generate more rental activity for our property owners, Tim Kerr Sotheby’s added listings with open weeks to the VRBO website.

    The VRBO fees charged on the landlord side are being paid by our agency and agents based on an expectation of attracting new business to our company.

    And it worked! We have successfully converted most inquiries to leases, filling in otherwise vacant weeks.

    A common question from our new VRBO customers is regarding the need to bring sheets and towels.

    The regular airbnb or VRBO guest expects freshly made beds, and towels hanging in the bathrooms.

    As property owners and rental agents, we have to acknowledge the changes in our industry if we expect to remain competitive in the vacation home market.

    I am happy to discuss the benefits of coordinating with a local linen rental company for the 2025 season.

    P.S. Earlier this week, a VRBO sourced tenant asked “will the rental property have shampoo, body wash, hand soap, or should we bring our own?” It’s not unusual for VRBO and aibnb properties to provide mini soaps and shampoo containers, as well as dish soap, laundry and dishwasher pods, etc.

    We welcome this perspective to plan ahead with our rental owners.

  • Another Delaney in 2025

    Coming soon…another grandson 👶 due in January.

    Although he will be raised in the mountains of North Carolina, we are looking forward to plenty of beach visits!

  • Landlord Duties

    A quick trip down south to provide some TLC to our rental property.

    As I know from my experience handling vacation rentals in Avalon and Stone Harbor, regular owner visits are key to keeping up with maintenance items and overall cleanliness.

    So, I will “spring clean” for a few days, and try to keep my sense of humor about what I discover as I organize!

    P.S. I’m now a few days in and STILL trying to find everything 😉

    Before…

    And after!

  • Definitely “Cooler by a Mile”

    Grateful for the comfortable sea breeze!

  • Summer Rentals

    There have been a few news pieces regarding the 2024 rental season at the Jersey Shore.

    The most recent: https://www.inquirer.com/newsletters/shore/jersey-shore-rentals-boardwalk-20240711.html

    A few thoughts: Owners with repeat tenants who kept their price increases to a minimum are experiencing a solid rental season.

    Property owners new to the rental market (or those with weeks not rented by January or February) have felt the shift in our market the most.

    Adding amenities (that are ironically considered the norm in most other vacation rental markets) such as sheets and towels, some paper products, beach tags, beach equipments, etc. definitely helps. Being open to allowing a pet (with references) may also fill un-rented weeks.

    The Jersey Shore rental environment has been slow to evolve. Look how long it took for change over cleaning to be included in the rent!

    Yet we have to keep up with tenant expectations, and provide good value, in order to be competitive with other high end travel destinations.