Did you stay up to watch the rocket launch last night? Â It was WAY past my bedtime…but worth it. Â I expected just a small moving light- similar to our sightings of the International Space Station. Â So I was shocked when this low flying rocket rose up behind the houses across the street, slowly crossed the sky, and then faded over the ocean. Â It was an amazing sight!
Up early this morning for the sunrise and a beach walk before work. Â Yes…a unique life 🙂
Earlier in the week, a sunset walk led to the “free bridge” at the end of Stone Harbor. I’ve kayaked UNDER this bridge, but never walked completely OVER.
As we approached the bridge tender’s hut, a man stepped out to say hello.  He explained that the bridge is manned every day from 6am to 10pm; through October.  Yet, because that section of the channel needs dredging, very few large boats travel  by. The bridge tender said he has opened the bridge just 3 times this season during his shifts.
We chatted again for a few minutes on our walk back…I think he was so happy for the company!
A real “Beach Cottage”, yet functional for today’s buyer. Â Popular south end Avalon location! Â Walk to recreation and restaurants. 50′ X 100′ lot. Â 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. 2 separate living areas. Â Sun deck, a private screened in porch, and outside shower. Central air and gas heat.
$832,000 furnished. Â Click here for the MLS Link
Thank you for your interest! Â ann@anndelaney.com
Beautiful, calm morning on the bay.
FAQ regarding kayaking:  1) Yes, I ALWAYS wear a life vest  2) Yes, I have my phone in a dry box (so I can take pictures and Tweet…of course!)  3) Yes, I stay near the docks in the off season.
In season, I like to venture away from the basins. Â Ironically, if you look at some of the back bay areas at low tide, you will see that I am often paddling in fairly shallow water. Â If I ever run into trouble, I can literally climb out of my kayak and walk along the mud!
New on the sale market today: Â 241 44th Street, Avalon
Great location! Â 44th Street is a beach path street (a beautiful walk through the dune path to a wide, guarded beach). Â Well maintained home with 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths, and a huge screened in porch. Gas heat and central air. Â 50′ X 110′ lot. Â $915,000 furnished.
For more details, click on the MLS Link
Please share with friends looking to purchase in Avalon. Â I appreciate your interest and referrals! Â ann@anndelaney.com
Didn’t hear a final head count- but estimating that there were over 1,000 participants in today’s race.
P.S. Tim Kerr confirmed that there were over 1100 runners!
For race results, a link will be posted on the Tim Kerr Charities web site: Â http://timkerrcharities.org/2012/
I was breaking a sweat during the last 1/2 hour of registration…and that was inside the Community Hall 😉
We continue to see strong buyer activity for properties in Avalon and Stone Harbor, NJ:
During the past 30 days, a total of 25 properties sold (settlement), with the median selling price of $797,000.
Residential (single family) homes make up the majority of the sales.  There were 13 homes sold, ranging from $640,000 for an older 1.5 story home on Harbor Avenue in Avalon with nice bay, wetlands views; to $3,750,000 for a new, 4,000+square foot custom home located on an oversized lot in Stone Harbor.  The median selling price was $1,795,000.
9 condo/townhouse units sold, ranging from an efficiency unit at the Beachcomber Motel/Condo for $165,000; to a newer 2 level unit located above Complete Interiors on Dune Drive for $755,000. Â The median selling price for condo/townhouse units was $587,500.
2 multi-family properties in Stone Harbor sold, both for basically land value. Â One on 100th Street for $750,000; and the other on the corner of 104th and Second Avenue for $1,100,000.
1 vacant lot sold on 41st and Ocean Drive for $600,000 (although several of the residential sales were also technically “land value” sales).
In addition, there are 86 properties sale pending, with settlements scheduled within the next few months.  The median list price for all properties sale pending is $1,092,000 (final selling prices not posted until after settlement).
Please contact me if you have any questions regarding real estate values on the island. Â Thanks! Â ann@anndelaney.com
Because I work weekends, I am not scheduled in the office on Fridays. Â Yet, working/living in a shore town requires flexibility.
Yesterday started with a beach walk and breakfast at Uncle Bill’s. Â Then 2 quick appointments with property owners. Hurried back to my house to meet family and head down to the beach. Â On the beach, a few calls, emails, and texts. Then over to the bay to kayak at high tide. Â At 6:30pm, drove back to the office to meet a last minute tenant renting for the weekend (apologized to the tenant for my kayaking hair!).
Can’t complain…I know how lucky I am to have daily access to the water!
After spending some time searching through the revised FEMA maps, a few observations:
1) The elevations are much more conservative than stated on the preliminary maps released in December. Â In many locations near or on the bay, the homes built in 2013 sit higher than will be required from this point forward.
2) Most sections are classified as AE zone.
3) There are new “Special X” zones in locations of higher ground elevation (mostly close to Dune Drive/Second Avenue, and toward the beach). Â Not certain if this will result in lower flood insurance premiums for those locations.
4) Still searching for any homes classified as V-zone. Â On the preliminary maps, there were large sections on and near the bay classified as V-zone, requiring new construction and renovations to conform to higher elevations and breakaway walls around the pilings (instead of the typical block foundation crawl space).
If you look up your shore property on the FEMA Maps (click here), you will see both the estimated “curb” elevation (ground level), and the required Base Flood Elevation. Â A Flood Elevation Certificate for your property will provide the exact figures for the curb elevation.
If you are planning to build new or substantially renovate (more than 50% of the structure value), these elevations will apply. Â For example, if your curb is 5 feet, and the Base Elevation requirement is 8 feet: building permits will require the first living level to be approximately 2 feet over the base flood elevation; therefore, 5 feet off the ground. Â If your curb elevation is higher (many locations are 8 to 9 feet) the structure can be lower to the ground.
For specifics, talk with a surveyor and/or the building official for your community.
Shore Hikes?
Explore the other side of Stone Harbor Point. Â The hike is “challenging”…but not for the typical reasons.
First- only make this trek at low tide. Â Do not wear flip flops. Wait for a breezy day or after the cool weather arrives. Â Why? Â Water, mud, and bugs respectively 😉
Start at the street end off of Third Avenue at 122nd Street. Â There is a path on the right hand side that crosses the marsh and then winds around to the left to the two bird look out platforms. Â Then on to the clam shell driveway that leads to the beach or back to the 123rd Street parking lot.