Plans for the weekend?  Be sure to participate in the “moonlight tour” of the nature trails through the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary. The FREE guided tour starts at 7pm on the Second Avenue side of the sanctuary (114th Street)- and will be held both Saturday and Sunday evening (weather permitting).
Participants are encouraged to bring flash lights and wear appropriate footwear.
Noticed a mixed message on my front porch this morning – flip flops and a snow/ice scraper for the car.Â
We are ready for anything!
P.S. This is the last “treasure hunting” weekend on the island for 2010. Stone Harbor bulk trash pick up is on Monday.
In the last 30 days, 25 properties in Avalon and Stone Harbor SOLD (settlement); with an additional 36 sale pending and due to settle in the near future.
The overall median selling price was $995,000. The low was a 1st floor duplex/condo in Avalon for $425,000; the high was a custom bay front home on 42nd Street in Avalon for $4,200,000.Â
There were 8 condo/townhouse units sold- with a median selling price of $625,000. The median selling price of the 16 single family homes was $1,637,500. And 1 duplex sold for $710,000.
Currently in Avalon and Stone Harbor, there are 619 properties total on the active sale market (some duplication if a property fits in more than 1 category). 341 are single family homes; 187 are condo/townhouse units, 29are multi-unit properties; and 25 vacant lots (a common classification for a “tear down”- property may not actually be an empty lot). The remaining 37 are commercial properties.
You don’t have to be a serious “birder” to appreciate Stone Harbor Point.
Follow the clam shell driveway from the 123rd Street parking lot to the sand pathways. The large body of (tidal) water is a popular gathering spot for various marsh wildlife.
Be sure to catch a colorful fall sunset from one of the look out platforms. Bonus: with the cooler weather…no bugs!
The brilliant colors of the leaves in the Avalon high dunes and Stone Harbor bird sanctuary. Clouds tinted red and yellow at sunset.  And cooler temperatures…as of today!
A Children’s Halloween Party will be held Saturday in the Avalon Community Hall at 1pm.
Trick or Treat takes place on the island Sunday night between 5pm and 8pm.  Have a good weekend!
During the past 30 days, 20 properties SOLD on the island; with an additional 46 sale pending (settlement in the near future).
The sold properties ranged from $310,000 for a hotel/condo on 79th Street, to $2,815,000 for a large custom home on 65th Street. There were 16 sales in Avalon, and 4 in Stone Harbor. 11 were single family homes; 9 condo/townhouse units. 4 beach block; 3 bay front. The median selling price was $1,277,500.
Of of 46 sale pending, 16 are in Stone Harbor; 30 in Avalon. The median list price is $957,500.
Join your Avalon and Stone Harbor neighbors for the 25th Annual Fall Beach Sweep this Saturday, October 23rd.
Enjoy a morning walk along the sand while contributing to a clean environment. Volunteers will meet at 9am on 30th Street in Avalon, and on 95th Street in Stone Harbor. For more information: http://www.cleanoceanaction.org/
The ever changing landscape of Stone Harbor point.Â
From the parking lot on 123rd Street, you can walk along several miles of beach…practically to North Wildwood!
Beautiful weather for a long walk on the beach, and the many Columbus Day weekend events.
 
Looks like the weather will cooperate for the free events scheduled for Columbus Day weekend.
In Avalon, The Green Fair will be held in the Community Hall on Saturday, October 9th from 10am to 3pm.  In the open lot next door (29th Street), the annual Seafood Festival will take place both Saturday and Sunday- 11am to 5pm.Â
The Art & Music Festival will take over 96th Street in Stone Harbor, Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 5pm. The local art galleries will join in with special exhibits for the weekend, too.
Good article today about shore real estate in the Business section of the Philadelphia Inquirer (I would link the article, but the pop up ads drive me crazy).
An interesting quote: “In Avalon and Stone Harbor, home to some of the Shore’s most expensive dwellings, prices rose 59.3% between 2000 and 2010. They have fallen 18.8% since 2006’s second quarter…”
The bottom line is that residential real estate (including seashore real estate) is a solid long term investment.  Â
For a vacation home purchase- pick a great location, and spend only what you can afford to carry. Rental income will help with the expenses, but will not pay the mortgage. It’s a lifestyle decision.  Will your family enjoy time at property?  Will the home be a gathering spot for your grown children? Will this provide the needed escape from the real world?
I feel so fortunate to be part of the dream – helping hundreds of buyers/sellers/tenants on our seven mile island over the years.  This is my home as well as my business, and I appreciate the real “value” of our real estate!