Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Stone Harbor, New Jersey- News

  • Treasure Hunting

    Save the date:  bulk trash pick up is scheduled in Avalon and Stone Harbor for Monday, May 11th.  Homeowners are permitted to put items to the curb the weekend prior.

    Two ways to enjoy this event- 1) sitting in your house watching others make their selections (fun to guess what they will take); or 2) going out and searching for treasures yourself (best at dark so your neighbors can’t see you!).   This is an earth friendly event- fewer items for the landfill by the time the trucks drive around for the final collection.

    I will clean out our storage space…to make room for the “new to us” bicycles that are bound to find their way to our home   🙂

  • 2nd Bird Watching Post

    birding The Borough of Stone Harbor reported the construction of 2 new bird watching platforms at the point.  The first one is easy to find- follow the driveway path off the 123rd Street parking lot.  It’s basically a nice sun deck positioned on top of a dune- with exceptional views of  the ocean, bay, wetlands, and birds (the official purpose of the site).  

    The 2nd, smaller platform is harder to find.  Two choices: from the 1st platform, follow the  crushed shell path west (toward the bridge) and look on your right.  This one sits lower and closer to the marsh.  Or, for a more interesting walk (at low tide only), follow the path at the end of Third Avenue- south of 122nd Street.  The bay side of the point gives you a completely different perspective of the end of the island.  The path will bring you around to the 2nd platform, and then you can continue your walk around to the beach side.

    Tip- take advantage of the spring weather for the marsh walk.  Once the warm weather arrives, so will the bugs 🙂

  • Highest Part of the Island

    I’ve commented on this before-  selling real estate on the island for 25+ years, I can’t tell you how many home owners proclaim that their property is located “on the highest part of the island”.   I’ve even heard my husband make the claim when talking with neighbors!

    Well, the Borough of Stone Harbor provides supporting data – a color coded brochure  mailed to each property owner (and available on their web site):

    http://www.stone-harbor.nj.us/elevation.asp

    The green sections are the “highest points” in Stone Harbor.  Most are along the beach/ dunes, and in the south end past the Bird Sanctuary.  The white areas are next, and cover most of the blocks between First and Second Avenues.  The blocks between Second and Third Avenues are a mixture of white and yellow elevations.  In my experience, the yellow areas will see standing water in the street during a heavy rain storm/high tide combination.  The bayside of town is mostly orange, with sections of pink (the lowest elevation).  These areas will flood during severe storms.  Residents are told to move their cars to avoid salt water damage. Flooding may be limited to the street and just over the sidewalk- but potential buyers in those areas should be aware of the situation.

    When you live in a beautiful community surrounded by water, understanding the lay of the land is just part of the deal 🙂

  • Beach Tags

    stoneharborbeachtag  Avalon and Stone Harbor beach tags are available for pre-season order through each municipality.  Tags are reciprocal between the two towns, and the cost is the same as last year- $19 if purchased prior to May 31st. 

    For more information:

    http://www.avalonboro.org/  

     http://www.stone-harbor.nj.us/

  • Stone Harbor Point

    http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/209/story/429784.html

    Article in today’s Atlantic City Press regarding  wildlife at the point.   I haven’t seen the snowy owl yet…will keep looking!

  • Market Stats

    pavillion-2  January 1st through today:   49 properties posted as sold or under contract in the Cape May County Multiple Listing Service for Avalon and Stone Harbor.   16 of those are the converted condos  at 79th and Dune Drive called Ocean View (selling $350,000 to $400,000 range).  The highest price for a sale pending is $5 million.  The  average is $1,085,000.

    Interest rates continue to be in the 5% range for conforming loans; 6% for loans over $417,000.   Just like the “old days”,  lenders want to see income to qualify for the loan,  and good credit- what a concept!

    If you are interested in purchasing a summer home, send me an e-mail with your wish list.   You might be pleasantly surprised with the options available.

    I appreciate the opportunity to help  🙂

  • Open for Business

    The locals and seasonal residents appreciate the additional dining options on the weekends:  Marabella’s in Stone Harbor has been open the past few weekends; The Concord Cafe will be open as of March 27th, and The Windrift (newly renovated) will be open next weekend.   Peeked in the windows of Henny’s-  the carpet has been ripped up and the restaurant is empty- heard a rumor last fall that an Avalon restaurant will be moving in this summer.    P.S.  Just read a post on Jen Miller’s Blog confirming that Black Fish from Avalon will be moving to the Henny’s location- grand opening on May 8th.

    http://thelatestdish.wordpress.com/2009/03/11/chef-chip-roman-to-open-blackfish-stone-harbor/

    Open for Business– a sign of spring at the shore!

  • For the Birds

    birdpath1  New for 2009- walking paths through the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary- 2 paths are  in place with access off Third Avenue at 114th Street.  Another path will be added on Second Avenue this spring.

    birdplatform  And, check out the view from the new bird watching platform built next to the dunes at Stone Harbor Point (access from the 123rd Street parking lot).   360 degree views of the ocean, inlet, wetlands, and the bay- impressive.  Oh…and I guess you can look at the birds, too!

    Exceptional weather this weekend- great excuse to visit the shore!

  • Traffic Conditions

    detour.jpg  Oh, the difficulties of driving at the shore in February.  Detours on Ocean Drive by the 21st Street bridge, Dune Drive at 67th Street, one lane of the 96th Street bridge, and Third Avenue down by the Bird Sanctuary.  It makes for an exhausting commute.  Thank goodness we don’t have to deal with many cars as we weave our way through the island…that would be just too much to handle  😉

  • Tax Assessments

    Cape May County property owners recently received the annual green postcard stating the current tax assessment for their property. 

    If your property is located in Stone Harbor, the data is new for 2009.  Otherwise, it’s likely your assessment is the same as posted last year.  Each town is re-assessed at different times based on requirements from the county tax office.

    In average times, we like that our assessment stays the same each year as our property value increases.  Eventually, the town is required by law to reassess to bring the figures up to fair market value.

    Unfortunately, in the current market, the higher assessments stand out. 

    If you decide to challenge your assessment, you must provide data to support fair market value as of October 1, 2008 (settlements after 10/1/08 will not be considered).

    To obtain an application for an appeal, contact the Cape May County Tax Board (609) 465-1030.  Or, call your local tax assessor for more information.

    Link to Cape May County Board of Taxation web site:

    http://www.co.cape-may.nj.us/cit-e-access/webpage.cfm?TID=5&TPID=2836