Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Seashore Real Estate

  • Ocean Front Sales

    Interesting trend…

    Since January, six ocean front homes have sold (settled or posted under contract) on the island. Five of the six properties are located in Stone Harbor.

    Three have settled:  an older upside down style on 17th Street in Avalon situated on a 60′ X 110′ lot sold for $3,800,000; a 75′ X 110 lot on 99th Street with an older contemporary home sold for $3,875,000; and an updated upside down style home with a pool, situated on a 90′ X 100′ lot on 110th Street sold for $6,600,000

    Three are sale pending: a newer home on a “flag” lot on 90th Street listed for $3,300,000; an upside down style built in 1994 with a pool, on a 60′ X 110′ lot on 118th Street listed for $4,995,000; and an older upside down style home on a 80′ X 90′ lot listed for $6,200,000  (final selling prices are not available until settlement).

  • Life at the Beach

    This view made me smile as I walked along the beach last evening.  It was a bright spot after a few days of rainy weather.

    The sun has returned today- with a comfortable, dry breeze. 

    On tap for this weekend: Avalon Yard Sale (owners throughout the town will be participating), flower (and hoagie) sales to benefit both the Avalon Fire Department and Stone Harbor Garden Club. More restaurants and shops opening for the season this weekend, too.  Hey, did I mention Kohler’s Bakery will be open Saturday and Sunday??  Taking extra long walks in anticipation of a cream donut 😉

  • New House with a Pool

    Looking to spend the summer in Avalon, NJ?

    This beautiful home was completed in September 2010, and features numerous upgrades.

    Upside down style and an open floor plan ideal for entertaining at the shore.  Inlet views from the front deck, and a heated salt water pool in the private back yard.

    $1,450,000 mostly furnished.

    Additional information and pictures available on our web site.  Please contact me with any questions ann@anndelaney.com   I appreciate your interest.

  • There’s Still Time…

    Excellent value- a 3 bedroom/2 bath first floor condo located just 1/2 block to the beach!

    $539,900 furnished, and with instant rental income.

    Pictures and additional information available on our web site for 55 32nd Street, Unit 1, Avalon NJ.

    Please contact me with any questions ann@anndelaney.com   I appreciate the opportunity to help.

  • Year Round Residents

    Down The Shore author Jen Miller posted an article last week on NewsWorks, New Jersey:  Declining Barrier Island Population.  An interesting read that hits “close to home”. 

    Disclaimer: observations are based on my life experiences as both a resident, and a real estate agent. 

    While it may seem obvious to focus on the high cost of housing, the job market is also a real factor. 

    Think about the people you know living on the island year round:  they are most likely local business owners, real estate agents…or retired.  The need for other professions is limited.

    When I attended Avalon Elementary in the late 1960s/early 1970s, our family was considered small with just 4 children.  It was not unusual to see 6 or more siblings in the school.  And, one family even contributed 10 kids to the cause! 

    Those “kids” left the area for higher education, and moved to a location best suited for their career.  In recent years,  families (who stayed or moved here) have fewer children to attend the elementary schools.

    As Jen concluded in the article, the barrier island schools and governments have no choice but to face the changing demographic.  Shared services is a realistic solution…especially for communities occupying the same island of “sand”.

  • Avalon & Stone Harbor NJ Real Estate

    Looking to buy or rent in Avalon or  Stone Harbor?

    The Power Play Realty web site makes it easy.  No pop up boxes or registration required.  Just search…and dream!

    For sales: http://www.powerplayrealty.com/sales

    For summer rentals: http://www.powerplayrealty.com/rentals

    For a complete MLS search for all of Cape May County: http://www.powerplayrealty.com/sales/mls_search

    And be sure to contact me for more specific information.  I appreciate the opportunity to help. ann@anndelaney.com

  • Beach House Stats

    It’s an ideal day to focus on the summer.  And our recent sale activity confirms that many families are excited to become shore property owners by Memorial Day!

    In the past 30 days:

    21 single family homes SOLD in Avalon and Stone Harbor, NJ- ranging from a low of $537,500 for a basic rancher in the 200 block of 20th Street; to $2,275,000 for a 1993 built upside down style home on the beach block of 74th Street.  The median selling price was $1,100,000.

    9 condo/townhouse units SOLD– ranging from $367,500 for a 2 bedroom unit located above a restaurant in Avalon; to $822,500 for a 2010 built side by side townhouse style condo on 29th Street.  The median selling price was $650,000.

    2 duplex properties SOLD in Stone Harbor (1 building with 2 dwelling units); the median selling price was $722,500.

    1 commercial property SOLD– a former art studio/shop on the corner of 109th Street and Third Avenue in Stone Harbor- sold for $545,000.

    1 vacant lot SOLD– corner of 17th and Avalon Avenue, Avalon for $999,000.

    And,there are an additional 64 properties sale pending with settlement scheduled for the near future.  The median list price for all properties sale pending is $1,097,000.

    I am happy to provide more specific data regarding real estate values in the area.  ann@anndelaney.com

    Thank you for your interest!

  • Exterior Cleaning Tip

    This is not meant as a product endorsement…just a helpful tip for a common problem with the newer shore homes.

    Vinyl Azek products are very popular as an alternative to exterior wood trim.  Yet with our damp environment, the vinyl is still subject to mildew- especially on the rough cut side of the piece.

    We use Spray Nine (sold in the local hardware store), and it effectively cleans and kills the mildew, without bleaching the adjacent siding. 

    So, now for my crazy homeowner confession: I was out spraying the trim and deck railing early this morning before the rain.  This way the cleaner had time to soak before the “power washing” of our rain storm!

  • How Many People Live Here?

    Interesting census figures detailing the year round population on the island:

                            Avalon            Stone Harbor

    1930                343                  363

    1940                313                  383

    1950                428                  670

    1960                695                  834

    1970                1,283               1,089

    1980                2,162               1,187

    1990                1,809               1,025

    2000                2,143               1,128

    2010                1,334               866

    Observations: 

    The decline in year round residents between 1980 and 1990; and again 2000 to 2010 is tied to the real estate boom in the middle of both decades.  Year round residents were able to “cash out” and purchase homes off of the island for much less. 

    And, interesting to note that the population in Stone Harbor was greater than Avalon until the 1970s.  One reason could be that there were still large tracts of open land in Avalon.  The bay front lagoon area (Pelican Drive, etc.) and the streets behind the high dunes weren’t developed until the 1960s and 70s.

    Data from the U.S Census Bureau report published in The Press of Atlantic City 4/15/12

  • Interest Rates

    I am reviewing the weekly mortgage rate sheets this morning- incredible!

    For 30 year fixed rate loans less than $417,000, an interest rate of 3.875% is published by several major lenders.  For “jumbo loans” (above $417,000), the 30 year fixed rates range from 4.25% to 4.5% (capped at $750,000).  For higher mortgage amounts, adjustable rate loans in the 3.125% range are available.

    If you are thinking about refinancing or buying new, I am happy to provide names of local mortgage lenders.  And, of course…help with the purchase if buying in Avalon or Stone Harbor !