Irish Roots

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  

 Belfast, Northern Ireland–  my husband was disappointed - Delaney’s restaurant didn’t sell logo t-shirts. The owner said that’s “an American thing”!

On my father’s side: my grandmother was born in County Clare in the Republic of Ireland, and my grandfather grew up near Ballymena and the Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland.  A real mixed marriage!

They met and married in Philadelphia, and vacationed in Stone Harbor each summer while raising 6 children.  In the 1950s, my grandparents built a year round home in Avalon.  A family business brought the sons and daughters (some with spouses and young children) from Philadelphia to Avalon shortly thereafter.

After visiting the beautiful windswept coast of Northern Ireland, I can totally understand my grandfather’s love of the shore.  Sand in our shoes… and salt air in our lungs 😉

Sláinte!

Pictures from our 2008 trip to Northern Ireland.

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Speaking of March colors…

Wow…such a beautiful sunrise sky this morning.  Shades of pink, orange, purple, red, and yellow.

MarchColors

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Wearing of the Green?

Not quite yet.  The dune grass is still a golden brown.  Will be turning bright green soon!

dunes

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Sunday Sights

Hat and gloves for me…and a wet suit for the early morning surfer!

SundayMarchSundaySunrise

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Opening Soon…

A welcome “sign of the season”!

Many shops and restaurants are ready for summer 2015, and opening for long weekends.

Happy to see the island return to life 🙂

96thStreet

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Beach Time!

BeachMarch

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Renovate/Elevate, or Build New?

Construction code in Avalon and Stone Harbor: “If you improve or reconstruct for more than 50% of the value of your building, you must meet the construction requirements for a new building by elevating your structure so that the elevated floor is one foot above base flood elevation.” 

The required elevation varies by location – blocks closer to the beach tend to haves a higher elevation than those near the bay.

An elevation certificate is required with a building permit.

Owners of non-conforming structures can weigh the pros/cons of the cost to elevate versus eventually tearing down and building new.

ElevatedHouse

 

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Shore Work Perks

I had to drop off documents to another real estate office, go to the bank, and check a house.  I just “happened” to have walking shoes in my car…allowing for a quick detour to the beach 😉

Beautiful day!

MondayWalk

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Perspective

Just returned from a vacation on Kiawah Island, SC (near Charleston).  Like so many Avalon and Stone Harbor visitors, we are repeat tenants.  Returning to a familiar location is easy- you know the area and can immediate transition to “vacation mode”.

Renting in other beach communities provides an opportunity to experience the business from the other side of the counter…always a worthwhile perspective.

A few observations from this rental:

We selected a condo that had been recently renovated.  Tenants are naturally drawn to newer amenities and furnishings.

I appreciated that the kitchen supplies were in good shape- no one wants to use a rusty cookie sheet or an old frying pan.

There was a detailed welcome book with local information and services.  And, a laminated card under each TV remote with instructions, and the Wi-fi log in.

Only a few minor deficiencies:  No coffee mugs (only the small coffee cups that come with a set of dishes); and no table lamps (over head lighting throughout)- which made reading at night difficult.  Certainly nothing to ruin the week- but I did share my suggestions with the rental agency.

If I can help with your summer rental in Avalon or Stone Harbor, please let me know!

kiawahpath

 

 

 

 

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Life on the Bay

Spend the summer on the water in Stone Harbor NJ!

Move in ready Cape style home with 4 bedrooms, and 2 full baths.  Lovingly maintained as a summer home by the current owners.  Spacious bayside living with a wall of sliding glass doors to take advantage of the amazing views!  Plenty of room to entertain, with a covered deck and an over the water dock.

Click HERE for more details and pictures.

Thank you for your interest and referrals!

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