April 29, 2012

Avalon & Stone Harbor NJ Real Estate

By ann

Looking to buy or rent in Avalon or  Stone Harbor?

The Power Play Realty web site makes it easy.  No pop up boxes or registration required.  Just search…and dream!

For sales: http://www.powerplayrealty.com/sales

For summer rentals: http://www.powerplayrealty.com/rentals

For a complete MLS search for all of Cape May County: http://www.powerplayrealty.com/sales/mls_search

And be sure to contact me for more specific information.  I appreciate the opportunity to help. ann@anndelaney.com

Posted in Seashore Real Estate | Comments closed
April 28, 2012

What’s the Difference?

By ann

Modest signs are located on 80th Street welcoming visitors to Avalon as they head north…and to  Stone Harbor going south.

During a closing yesterday, we were discussing the subtle differences between the 2 communities that share a 7 mile island.

The buyers vacationed in Avalon for many years before purchasing a condo in Stone Harbor.

In Avalon: it’s Dune Drive and Ocean Drive, Avalon Freeze, The Fishing Pier Grill, Paper Peddler, and Avalon Coffee.

In Stone Harbor: it’s Second Avenue and Third Avenue, Springer’s, Bud’s Market, Fred’s Tavern, and Coffee Talk.

Thankfully, both towns have a Hoy’s and Uncle Bill’s to call their own 😉

Posted in Avalon, New Jersey- News, Life at the Shore, Stone Harbor, New Jersey- News | Comments closed
April 24, 2012

Turning Green

By ann

New color on the dunes.  Amazing that those green stalks looked like brown sticks just a few weeks ago.

Path off of the 123rd Street parking lot to Stone Harbor point (see yesterday’s post about nature walks).

Posted in Life at the Shore | Comments closed
April 23, 2012

Best Nature Walks

By ann

Have you walked through the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary lately?  This is a great time of year (read: before the bugs arrive) to check out the paths that wind through the 21 acres of maritime forest, salt water wetlands, and fresh water ponds.  Access the various paths from both Second Avenue and Third Avenue near 114th Street.

Another must do in early spring (before the gnats arrive) and at low tide is a walk around the wetlands side of Stone Harbor Point.  Park at the end of Third Avenue past 122nd Street and look for the path on the right hand side.  The path winds around to the left and leads to the 2 raised look out platforms.   

And, any time of the year, walk along the 9th Street jetty in Avalon.   Look for sea otters near the rocks, and dolphins in the inlet.  Back in December, I even saw a whale passing through (well, just the spout in the distance…but still exciting for Avalon).  

See my December post: whale watching

Posted in Activities, Life at the Shore | Comments closed
April 22, 2012

Beach House Stats

By ann

It’s an ideal day to focus on the summer.  And our recent sale activity confirms that many families are excited to become shore property owners by Memorial Day!

In the past 30 days:

21 single family homes SOLD in Avalon and Stone Harbor, NJ- ranging from a low of $537,500 for a basic rancher in the 200 block of 20th Street; to $2,275,000 for a 1993 built upside down style home on the beach block of 74th Street.  The median selling price was $1,100,000.

9 condo/townhouse units SOLD– ranging from $367,500 for a 2 bedroom unit located above a restaurant in Avalon; to $822,500 for a 2010 built side by side townhouse style condo on 29th Street.  The median selling price was $650,000.

2 duplex properties SOLD in Stone Harbor (1 building with 2 dwelling units); the median selling price was $722,500.

1 commercial property SOLD– a former art studio/shop on the corner of 109th Street and Third Avenue in Stone Harbor- sold for $545,000.

1 vacant lot SOLD– corner of 17th and Avalon Avenue, Avalon for $999,000.

And,there are an additional 64 properties sale pending with settlement scheduled for the near future.  The median list price for all properties sale pending is $1,097,000.

I am happy to provide more specific data regarding real estate values in the area.  ann@anndelaney.com

Thank you for your interest!

Posted in Seashore Real Estate | Comments closed
April 22, 2012

Exterior Cleaning Tip

By ann

This is not meant as a product endorsement…just a helpful tip for a common problem with the newer shore homes.

Vinyl Azek products are very popular as an alternative to exterior wood trim.  Yet with our damp environment, the vinyl is still subject to mildew- especially on the rough cut side of the piece.

We use Spray Nine (sold in the local hardware store), and it effectively cleans and kills the mildew, without bleaching the adjacent siding. 

So, now for my crazy homeowner confession: I was out spraying the trim and deck railing early this morning before the rain.  This way the cleaner had time to soak before the “power washing” of our rain storm!

Posted in Life at the Shore, Seashore Real Estate | Comments closed
April 21, 2012

Different Views

By ann

I am in awe each time I walk over the dune path to the beach; and greeted with a different view.  My Friday view:

Versus my view early this morning:

And, happy to see evidence of others enjoying the view!

Posted in Life at the Shore | Comments closed
April 21, 2012

Bay Views

By ann

As I was driving home from work the other day, I noticed that the conditions were perfect for back bay kayaking.  This was my view before sunset on Thursday evening…one of the benefits of living on an island!

After morning clouds, the sun is out and quickly warming our seashore temperatures.  Have a great weekend.

Posted in Activities, Life at the Shore | Comments closed
April 17, 2012

Island Differences

By ann

A few of my local sunrise pictures remind me of my sunset pictures from Hawaii.

Before we traveled to Hawaii, I had a vision of “Hawaii” as a whole-  not understanding that the individual islands are so different and offer unique environments.

The same can be said for the “Jersey shore”.  Cross each bridge connecting the barrier islands,  and notice the differences in architecture, commercial development, green scape, and overall vibe.   Our personal preferences determine our favorite beach community.

And like the islands of Hawaii, there is certainly something for everyone along the New Jersey coast.  Of course, I am partial to Avalon and Stone Harbor 🙂

Posted in Avalon, New Jersey- News, Life at the Shore, Stone Harbor, New Jersey- News | Comments closed
April 15, 2012

How Many People Live Here?

By ann

Interesting census figures detailing the year round population on the island:

                        Avalon            Stone Harbor

1930                343                  363

1940                313                  383

1950                428                  670

1960                695                  834

1970                1,283               1,089

1980                2,162               1,187

1990                1,809               1,025

2000                2,143               1,128

2010                1,334               866

Observations: 

The decline in year round residents between 1980 and 1990; and again 2000 to 2010 is tied to the real estate boom in the middle of both decades.  Year round residents were able to “cash out” and purchase homes off of the island for much less. 

And, interesting to note that the population in Stone Harbor was greater than Avalon until the 1970s.  One reason could be that there were still large tracts of open land in Avalon.  The bay front lagoon area (Pelican Drive, etc.) and the streets behind the high dunes weren’t developed until the 1960s and 70s.

Data from the U.S Census Bureau report published in The Press of Atlantic City 4/15/12

Posted in Life at the Shore, Seashore Real Estate | Comments closed
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