December 12, 2021

An Early Christmas at the Beach

By ann

An Avalon beach house was the perfect setting for our family gathering yesterday.

The weather wasn’t perfect, so “Santa” had to move inside for group pictures 😉

MomMom and many of her grandchildren and great grandchildren were on hand.

And the Delaneys from Stone Harbor and beyond enjoyed a fun visit ❤️

Merry, merry 🎄

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Posted in Life at the Shore | Comments closed
December 10, 2021

2021 to 2022

By ann

Does anyone else hesitate when writing the date?

Wasn’t it JUST 2000, and we were uncertain of the correct pronunciation?  Two Thousand; two thousand and one, etc.

And are we finally comfortable using the abbreviated version:  Twenty, twenty one?  It only took me 20 years to adapt 😉

With the transition to 2022, I’ve been thinking about major events that pushed me to change.

Not long after 9/11, I realized that the agency and the management position I held were no longer a good fit.  I missed the “sales” part of real estate, and needed a different office environment.

I’m grateful that I could join my friends one block away. Now 19 years and counting, working at Tim Kerr Sotheby’s (with occasional visits from little helpers!)

For the past 2 years, all of us have navigated the uncertainties of the pandemic.   A rental condo that we purchased in 2019 has become a safe escape with my new “work from home” skills.  I doubt we would be spending as much time there under ordinary circumstances.  I’m grateful for the change of perspective.

For 2022, I will continue to look for the positive experiences that shape our lives.

Wishing you the same…

Boys

 

 

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November 30, 2021

Shop Local

By ann

PXL_20211128_214604191Several shop owners mentioned how pleased they were with the Thanksgiving weekend.

Business was booming islandwide!

The downtown streets are attractively decorated to boost your holiday mood.

Several restaurants remain open (some for long weekends).

And be sure to stroll around after 5pm to see the lights- it’s really beautiful!

 

 

Posted in Avalon, New Jersey- News, Stone Harbor, New Jersey- News | Comments closed
November 20, 2021

Zoning of the “Court” Properties

By ann

WeberCourtThere are 4 alley way streets in Stone Harbor, commonly referred to as “the Courts”.

Bower Court, Weber Court, and Stone Court are located between 108th and 111th Streets; and Linden Lane is situated between 84th and 85th Streets.

Charming bungalows line the streets, all built on parcels only slightly larger than the structures.

WAY back in the day, my father’s family rented the summer cottage at C-19 Weber Court:  (click here for the past blog post).  

 

When the proposed zoning changes were discussed in July, I wrote the following letter to the Mayor and Borough Council:

Hello all.  Thank you for considering my thoughts regarding the proposed ordinance change for Court properties.

My husband and I purchased a cottage on Weber Court in 1997.  We were excited for our 536 square foot “project” and followed the guidelines as we completely renovated over the next few years.
 
We understood that the 2nd level space had to remain attic storage for fire safety reasons, and worked within the existing walls to update. 
 
The consistency and limitations of the zoning have been essential to maintain the look and value of the quaint cottages (as observed during my 40 years as a full time real estate agent on the island).
 
After 5 years of ownership, we sold our Weber Court cottage and purchased our current location nearby.
A comment I heard from someone who supports the zoning change: “Court owners should have the right to expand”.  
 
If  that’s the case, what is the purpose of zoning?  As property owners, we are all guided by limitations for square footage, height, or number of dwelling units in a particular location.
 
Property values are directly related to the zoning.  A Court owner pays less than someone purchasing an undersized lot on a numbered street.  And in turn, someone purchasing an undersized lot pays less than a buyer of a full size lot.  
Although I understand that the proposed changes are restrictive and will only apply to a limited number of Court property owners, I disagree with the premise of the change – especially because there will always be those owners who try to push the boundaries!
 
Thank you for your time.
 
Sincerely,
Ann Delaney
Posted in Life at the Shore, Seashore Real Estate, Stone Harbor, New Jersey- News | Comments closed
November 11, 2021

Thanksgiving Weekend- island style

By ann

After you finish up your turkey dinner…it’s time for Christmas 😉

There’s a full schedule of events in Avalon and Stone Harbor for the holiday weekend:

Avalon Chamber of Commerce:    https://www.visitavalonnj.com/thanksgiving-weekend-2021

Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce:  https://stoneharborchamber.com/events

The highlight of the weekend is the parade on Saturday night (starting at 6:30pm on 108th and Third Avenue, heading north to 96th Street).

Stop by our Avalon office on Friday 11/26- we will be handing out t-shirts from the 2021 TK Charities events!

Christmas

Posted in Activities, Avalon, New Jersey- News, Life at the Shore, Stone Harbor, New Jersey- News | Comments closed
November 8, 2021

Over the river, through the woods…and to the beach!

By ann

Last week, we traveled to the mountains of North Carolina, and then over to the beach in South Carolina to hang out with our grandsons and their parents ❤️

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October 29, 2021

Happy Halloween!

By ann

Do you see the pumpkin face??

Halloween

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October 21, 2021

The Travel Version of Comfort Food

By ann

As we slowly merge back on to the travel lane, I find that many of us are looking for the “comfort food” equivalent for our vacations.

A familiar setting with positive past experiences feels less stressful.

This common outlook certainly explains the boom with our 2022 summer rentals!

Hanging out at the beach with family/friends is easy and relatively low key.

In January, my sisters and I will fly to Naples, Florida to celebrate milestone birthdays.  We will return to the neighborhood where we rented homes in the past, spend our days at the same nearby beach, and visit all of our favorite restaurants.   Nothing fancy or super adventurous…which sounds perfect to me right now!

Beach

 

 

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October 19, 2021

Fall at the beach

By ann

Monarch butterflies…Goldenrod blooming in the dunes…marsh grass turning yellow…all very shore specific signs of fall!

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October 10, 2021

Flood Insurance and Elevation

By ann

This information is relevant with anticipated changes to the federal flood insurance program.  Homes currently “grandfathered” because they met the elevation code when built in the 80s and 90s, may now be rated differently.

 Post from February 2020:

The regulations regarding elevation play a major role with an owner’s plan to either renovate or build new.

A Flood Elevation Certificate is needed to determine the official elevation of both the land and the first floor living area.  For example, “curb” elevations on the island range from 5 feet above sea level to just over 12 feet.   The island may seem flat, but the subtle inclines exist!

Obviously a home with a lower curb elevation will need to be higher off the ground to meet code.

Now back to the charming beach cottages.  A lender will require flood insurance which is calcuated on the elevation.  If the home meets code, the annual premium will be approximately $900.  If the structure sits too low, the premium could be as high as $5500.

When a major renovation is planned, the municipality will require the structure to be brought up to code.

At this point, a property owner can compare the cost of lifting/renovating their home, or building new.

If the lot is undersized and/or the structure is larger than would be permitted today, lifting may be the best option to retain livable square footage.

If you have any questions regarding local real estate, I am here to help!  609-967-7950

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Posted in Seashore Real Estate | Comments closed
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