Based on overall island activity, and our rental business, it feels like it’s been “summer” since April!
I think we all have a seasonal check list…at least in our heads.
There are new restaurants to try; and nearby areas to explore by bike or on foot. Â Our kayaks and paddle boards deserve some time on the water; and our stack of beach books wait patiently for a quiet afternoon under an umbrella.
Thankfully, there’s plenty of “summer” ahead.
Practical tips to avoid damage from the storm:
1) High winds will relocate deck and patio furniture, as well as trash cans! Â Close and tie shut umbrellas, secure deck furniture , and place cushions inside.
2) Store bikes and beach chairs…and any other possible flying objects.
3) Some streets on the island are slow to drain after heavy rain. Â Thankfully, no tidal flooding is expected with this storm. Â But as a precaution, vehicles are safer in a driveway or a parking lot rather than at the curb. Â Check with a neighbor for their experience on a specific block.
Last summer, cleaning services reported  that homes had “heavy use”.  It made sense because tenants were cooking and entertaining at the properties due to pandemic restrictions.
So far this season, cleaners are once again struggling to complete all of their tasks between the change over time of 10am to 2pm.
The issue? An increased number of newer homes in our inventory. Â And while perfect for extended family gatherings, that’s more square footage to clean.
If tenants fail to leave the property “cleaning ready”, Â the crews quickly get behind schedule for the day.
4pm check in is the norm in many other vacation towns. Â We may need to transition in the coming years – especially for the 5 and 6 bedroom homes.
In the meantime, we ask tenants to remove anything they bring in to the home: food, trash, and sand! Â This includes sweeping the deck and garage (mainly because the cleaning services don’t check those areas).
Owners are encouraged to provide basic cleaning supplies to help with this process, too.
Request from Midge Kerr (Race Coordinator):
Sorry for the short notice, we have had some late openings for volunteers on our bike course for this Saturday’s upcoming charity event, Islandman and Islandkids Triathlons.
We need to keep the cyclist safe while they are  riding their bikes and limit vehicle and pedestrian crossing in front of them until there is a gap and it is safe to allow them to cross.
Time commitment is from 7:20- 9:45am and you are assigned a street somewhere along Avalon Avenue and First Avenue.
Volunteers get a tee shirt to wear during the event, and a large heavy duty event beach tote bag!
Bike Course Marshals can check in and get their race gear Friday from 5-7pm, inside Community Hall, 3001 Avalon Avenue.
This way, race day Saturday, volunteers could go directly to their assigned streets and avoid all the athletes checking in at the hall.
If that is not an option, volunteers can still come race day from 5:30-7am and check in at the volunteer table inside the hall.
Bike course coverage is critical to the safety and success of our event in our community. Marshals must be at least 18 years of age.Â
Here is the link to sign up as a BIKE COURSE MARSHAL and sign the volunteer waiver online.
(All other volunteer positions are filled, so please do not sign up for one of them.)
https://runsignup.com/Volunteer/Register/31126?regToken=5689004132&raceId=31126
Any assistance you could provide would be greatly appreciated; all are welcome.
Thank you very much-
Midge Kerr
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Proper disposal of trash and recycling is an ongoing challenge with the summer rental properties.
Tenants produce a higher volume of trash and recycling than home owners (more take out, and beverages consumed!)
And to add to the dilemma, Stone Harbor is unable to transition to the normal twice a week summer pick up schedule due to staff shortages.
Solution? Â Property owners need extra trash and recycling cans, and understand that there’s a cost to occasionally hire someone to haul away the excess.
The cleaners are unable to take on this added task, and the incoming tenants need space for their trash/recycling.
Thinking of my father today. He worked 6 days a week, so Sundays were a sacred day…at the beach.
My dad was blessed with hardy Irish skin that turned dark brown in the summer months. Suntan lotion (we didn’t call it sunscreen back then) and the giant yellow umbrella with the lethal metal pole were for the rest of us who just freckled and burned.
My mother laughs when describing all of the equipment hauled to the beach, along with 4 little girls: a large playpen (even heavier than the massive umbrella), beach chairs, buckets, coolers, etc.  Plus, my father’s fishing gear. At a certain age, my sisters and I were permitted to walk back to the house to retrieve more food and beer for the grown ups (wrapping the beer in foil to trick the lifeguards??)
The Sunday tradition continued with the next generation. My sons enjoyed beach days with “Pop Pop” and followed the rules at the end of the day:
1) “Call” your turn for the outside shower.
2) Hang bathing suits/towels on the line. All beach items were thoroughly rinsed, set in the sun to dry, and of course, neatly stored by night fall.
Even though we grew up by the beach, sand was NEVER permitted in the house!
Long beach days are an ongoing family tradition. My father’s rules are now enforced at my house (I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown the day this picture was taken…I am my father’s daughter!)
The love of the beach…and family time together.
Thanks Dad.
During a recent move, one of my sisters found so many great old photos from the dark ages (our childhood in the 1960s!)
This one is appropriate for Father’s Day (3 daughters with one more yet to be born). Â I’m the one in the middle with the goofy hat…oh wait…
The real estate agent in me has to point out the background: Â 51st Street in Avalon NJ looking toward the bay- so few houses!
Last Saturday, we had the opportunity to witness the busy change over day in South Carolina.
Funny to observe how the routine is so similar to our weekly life here in Avalon and Stone Harbor!
Tenants were up early to pack up their cars. With the larger homes, there’s inevidble chaos as family members search for their belongings and discuss who is responsible for what task.
The proper disposal of trash and recycling is a common dilemma. Â There were a few bags left out at the curb (not inside a can) and within hours, animals made a mess of the contents.
In our building, tenants in the unit below left their fishing gear on the landing. Â Inside the bucket, a previously live crab was really starting to smell!
When neighbors express frustration about rental properties, Â I understand (as a rental agent, landlord, AND neighbor!)
While the majority are respectful, the few careless tenants leave a bad impression with the surrounding property owners.
Visit the TK Charities web site for information regarding the various races scheduled for 2021.
Volunteers always needed, too!
Shore Real Estate Market
I read this quote by a real estate agent in South Carolina. Â Ironically, the statement also applies to the Avalon and Stone Harbor market:
“We are seeing some sellers take advantage of increased values, however, many homes remain unlisted due to the lack of available replacement properties for would-be-sellers. Buyer fatigue is being felt across the area with highly competitive multiple offer situations the norm for most price points.”
If there is an increase of sale inventory this fall, our market should settle down a bit. Â I don’t believe we will experience a drop in values as much as a leveling off.
I’ve managed several cycles of shore real estate during my long career…and I’m here to help you navigate through!
ann.delaney@timkerrsir.com  609-967-7950
Thank you for your business and referrals!