A positive outcome from our rainy September weather? The gardens on the island will thrive well into the fall.
The mums are in full bloom and the goldenrod in the dunes is bright yellow.Â
Our “maritime forests” provide color as the leaves start to change. Walk through a dune path, or around one of the protected sanctuaries (74th Street, 114th Street, or 123rd Street). This time of year, you can be up close to nature without the crowds…or the bugs!
Temperatures already warming up to close to 70 degrees!Â
The annual Avalon Seafood Festival is underway at 30th Street and the beach (today and tomorrow). The Avalon Green Fair is next door inside the Avalon Community Hall (today).
It definitely looks like a beach day 🙂
Of course, our office is open all weekend if you have any questions regarding sales or rentals in Avalon / Stone Harbor.  ann@anndelaney.com
The Monarch butterflies have arrived…by the thousands!
According to an article in the Press of Atlantic City, the butterflies migrate from as far north as Canada, and will eventually winter in Mexico.
Two popular stop over locations- Cape May Point and Stone Harbor Point (the butterflies are attracted to the goldenrod in the dunes).
If you will be on the island this weekend, take a few minutes to walk along the clam shell path south of the 123rd Street parking lot. It’s an impressive sight!
For more information: http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/monarch-butterflies-return-to-cape-may-point-state-park-for/article_fa1e1604-efcd-11e0-93fe-001cc4c002e0.html
Picture taken last night at Stone Harbor point just before sunset. The clouds over the ocean turned an amazing pink color- it looked like a painting.
Nice weather predicted for Columbus Day weekend (wait…wasn’t it just Labor Day weekend?)
 The Avalon Seafood Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday at 30th Street and the beach (11am- 5pm)- always a popular event. And, shops and restaurants will be open in downtown Avalon and Stone Harbor.
File this under: “What do you do in the winter at the shore?”
For the first time, we have a beach permit to drive on the beach between now and early spring. Saturday after work, we bought hoagies from Wawa and enjoyed ocean front dining at Stone Harbor point ;) Very cool.
As tempting as it will be when the temperature really drops- we agreed that this can’t replace beach walks!
I was sitting on the beach for a few hours Friday afternoon as if it were a summer day…and just 2 days later, I need a hat for my morning beach walk ??
The  famous “ocean breeze” will become a “brisk wind”, and we will eventually have to wear real shoes 🙁
Thankfully, the ocean, beach, and bay provide ever changing views… encouraging us to bundle up and go outside.
Sale data for Avalon and Stone Harbor – past 30 days.
There were a total of 19 properties sold on the island last month. 3 in Stone Harbor; and 16 in Avalon. Prices ranged from $310,000 for a 2nd floor condo; to $12,417,380 for a custom ocean front home.
There were 4 condo/townhouse sales- with a median selling price of $692,000. One duplex (traditional up/down with 3 bedrooms on each floor) sold for $1,150,000.
There were 14 single family homes sold: ranging from a basic cottage over the 21st Street bridge for $550,000; to an 8,000 square foot custom home on the beach in south end Avalon for $12,417,380. The median selling price was $1,337,500.
If you have any questions regarding real estate in the Avalon, Stone Harbor area, please let me know. I appreciate your interest!   ann@anndelaney.com
Another Friday morning adventure. The sun returned (finally) and we drove up to Ocean City with our bikes.
I was surprised by the number of people riding, walking, and jogging along the boardwalk. The designated lanes for each activity helped!
Interesting to see the ocean front homes from this vantage point. Like other shore communities, Ocean City has experienced a major transformation with the size and style of the newer structures.
After riding the length of the boardwalk (with a stop mid-way for breakfast), we loaded up the bikes and drove the scenic way home through the south end of Ocean City, Strathmere, and Sea Isle City.
I have been a real estate agent in Avalon/Stone Harbor for MANY years. Â
As a salesperson, I have heard others in my industry refuse to tell their clients that they have a day off or take vacations. Â The agents worry that they will be viewed as lazy or unprofessional.
But don’t our clients take time off? Â In fact…that’s exactly what we are selling: down time with family and friends.
I split my 2 days off so that I am not out of the office for more than a day. I work every weekend. And I love to travel, but limit vacations to the off season.Â
So while it may look like I’m a beach bum :) based on postings here and on Twitter…I do my best to balance my professional responsibilities with the many perks of living year round at the shore.
See you on the beach!
SeaWorld at the Shore
Dolphins! I took this picture during my morning walk – watched the dolphins jump out of the water and ride a few waves.
Even better? I was surrounded by dolphins while kayaking in the ocean yesterday after work!  At first, I was able to paddle along side a few (the hot shots were racing me…I know). And then, I positioned the kayak in the path of on-coming “traffic”.  Several dolphins circled under and around my boat (I asked them nicely not to tip me over!)- what an experience 🙂
An incredible afternoon. Plus, I provided entertainment for those on the beach…with the dolphins, and my less than graceful dismount as I rode back to shore 😉