Yes, 2022 was challenging. Â Our real estate market was in a frenzy, and prices likely peaked in June or July. Â With the stock market and interest rates traveling in opposite directions by late summer, buyers had to reevaluate their borrowing and buying options.
Thankfully, the market felt more settled by the end of the year, and we expect 2023 will continue with a more normal seashore market.
Looking forward to a productive new year!
Santa– the life size plywood cut out version- has been an important part of Christmas for as long as I can remember.
Santa began his life of service in the early 1960s at my parents’ first house in Avalon. He was surrounded by big, multi-colored bulbs on the newly planted shrubs. Inside that modest Golden Home rancher, 4 little girls hung their stockings on a cardboard fireplace with a plug in red bulb that magically turned the metal wheel to create “fire†.
In the 1970s, Santa moved with our family 5 blocks south in Avalon to a larger, 2 story home with a real wood fireplace. The colorful exterior lights were eventually replaced with more subtle white bulbs, but the spot light literally remained on Santa.
In the off season, Santa hung proudly on the garage wall- watching us all come and go. Those little girls grew up and moved out, bringing back grandchildren for days on the beach. In the 1980s, my young sons were fascinated by Santa, and maybe a bit intimidated based on our attempts to use him for improved behavior!
When my parents downsized to a townhouse in the early 1990s, my father asked if I wanted Santa for our home. Of course, I was thrilled- and Santa didn’t complain as he was forced to leave Avalon and move “off shoreâ€.
Santa loyally followed us on each move- knowing that he would be given a prominent position (with a flood light) at Christmas.  Years later, he gratefully moved back to the island to become a Stone Harbor resident!
Now coasting past his mid-50s, Santa was showing signs of wear (aren’t we all).
For several years, I thought about arranging a touch up, but it just didn’t feel right.  Thankfully, our niece offered her artistic talents - a perfect fit!
So the newly refreshed Santa is back in his designated spot in front of our home- ready to face another 50+ years by the beach 😎
We LIVE here.
We WORK here.
We SELL and RENT properties here.
The full time agents and staff of Tim Kerr Sotheby’s are THE local experts in Avalon and Stone Harbor NJ!
Visit our website to view sale and rental properties:Â Tim Kerr Sotheby’s website
I have a lifetime of experience on the island; 40+ years in the industry; and 20 years associated with Tim Kerr and his agency.
Thank you for the opportunity to help you and your friends with all of your real estate needs!
ann.delaney@tksir.com
Calm wind and warm sun made for a nice walk before work.
And we were able to check on the 95th Street Christmas tree for the status of beach ornaments. Â Loved the addition of a bathing suit top!
Back home, and back in work.
Hope you were able to follow along on Twitter- it was an amazing journey!
In December of 2019, we took a “once in a lifetime” trip to Kenya. Â Planning our amazing safari adventure began 2 years prior, and required plenty of preparation.
Vaccinations, malaria pills, and just in case antibiotics were needed.  Clothes were sprayed with Permethrin to repel insects. Lists of foods considered safe to eat were reviewed.
We returned home just before Christmas of that year with exciting stories; and frankly proud of ourselves for staying healthy the entire time by following the guidelines.
And then came 2020…
Of course we worried about infection and illness while traveling in Africa. Â Yet never anticipated the fear from Covid just a few months later.
Fast forward to summer of 2021. Â After a particularly hectic work day, I scrolled through the web site of our travel company. Â The agent was hosting a safari again in 2022!
We decided that our “once in a lifetime” event deserved a repeat.
Visas, passports, meds, and our Covid vaccination cards are ready to go!  Will post pictures on Twitter: @anndelaneybeach
Thanksgiving is the new Christmas (at least here on the 7 mile island!)
Family friendly events are scheduled for both Friday and Saturday: 96th Street area in Stone Harbor, and along Dune Drive in the Avalon business district.
Santa will make guest appearances in 2 separate parades: Avalon early Friday evening, and in Stone Harbor on Saturday night.
Merry, merry!
Tenant observations:
We rented a condo last week in South Carolina to accommodate a family vacation.
Even after a long career of managing rental properties in Avalon and Stone Harbor, I still gain important perspective from each experience as a tenant.
For instance, our son and his family arrived Saturday evening hoping to watch the end of the World Series. Â There was a small, handwritten note to log on to YouTube to operate the televisions (no cable). Â I scrolled through while they were unloading their car, and could only find the game on a Japanese channel! Â I gave up after a few minutes.
Our young grandsons were sharing the bedroom with twin beds. Â There were cloth mattress pads on those beds, but no plastic wraps underneath- not practical for a kids’ bedroom (or any bedroom for that matter).
The unit had been attractively renovated- including the appliances. Â Odd that there was no ice maker (just one ice cube tray in the freezer).
Although none were major issues, it made me realize that tenant expectations play a key role in the overall opinion of a rental home.
Landlord Observation:
During that same week, we handled landlord duties in our place across the street. Â These working visits allow me to empathize with fellow rental property owners. Â Yet by the time we are walking out the door (dragging the Swiffer behind!) I feel a sense of pride for our efforts to please the incoming guests.
Winter Beach Walks
Rewarded for bundling up for a walk before work this morning!