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 🙂
 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. 
 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.
 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.
 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!
 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 😉
 But, I’m confident that the beach will be full!