Yesterday was a perfect beach day…and the start of a long weekend family gathering.Â
The construction of a serious sand castle was on the list of things to do.  The 20 something nephews handled layout and design (their engineering background helps), and they permitted some cosmetic upgrades from other family members eager to help!
Enjoy the weekend 🙂
New on the sale market: 590- 24th Street, Avalon. 180 degrees of amazing bay and wetlands views (looking east, south, and west). You really have to see this house to appreciate the unique location. Reduced to $999,000 as of 5/25/10.Â
A great value for a spacious 3 level single family builder’s home. Updated kitchen and master bath. 2 gas fireplaces, huge garage area, and a “man cave” (with a hot tub) adjacent to the garage.
 More details on the link: http://www.powerplayrealty.com/sales/detail/240
For more information:Â ann@anndelaney.com
My newest real estate gadget- a Flip video camera to post location shots on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/anndelaneybeach
With a clearning sky, I decided to experiment this morning. Thought a weekday would be best (fewer cars on the street)- however, I didn’t factor in the extra sound effects: lawn mowers, power washers, and construction noise! We are in the final count down to Memorial Day weekend, and there are workers all over the island completing their winter projects.
Will use the added music feature on the computer program before I post the finished product :)Â Â Â Â UPDATE: I posted 4 new videos (the neighborhoods of 3 sale properties and the 96th Street bridge going up…just for fun).Â
A positive sign for the local real estate market- the stats have remained consistent from month to month with the number of SOLD and SALE PENDING properties on the island.
In the past 30 days, 23 properties SOLD; and an additional 26 are Sale Pending with settlement scheduled in the near future. The SOLD properties ranged from an undersized vacant lot in Stone Harbor for $350,000, to a custom home in the beach block of Avalon for $5,150,000. The median selling price was $1,175,000.
15 sales were in Avalon; 8 in Stone Harbor.  12 were single family homes; 7 condo/townhouse units, 2 vacant lots, 1 duplex, 1 commercial property (Bud’s Market on 83rd and Third Avenue).
If you would like a detailed list of SOLD properties in your Avalon or Stone Harbor neighborhood, please let me know: ann@anndelaney.com
 A good day to think about summer and warmer days ahead.
The sun is expected to return later this week- good timing, because my extended family will be in town. We are celebrating a college graduation, an engagement, and a few birthdays. Plus, it’s a great excuse for our Colorado family members to come for a visit :)  Nana and Papa are ready!
Well, technically I do.  Yet I know I’m really selling access to a unique and ever changing environment.
Every morning, I am genuinely in awe of my view as I walk over the beach path- what a great way to start the day!
There are plenty of options for a “beach house”- from a small condo or cottage, to a large, custom home. Realistic prices and low interest rates are great incentives, too!
If you know anyone looking for a beach house (to buy or rent), I appreciate the opportunity to help! ann@anndelaney.com
I’ve noticed a definite increase of dogs with summer homes at the shore. And the local municipalities have eased the beach walking restrictions to accommodate this trend.Â
However, 2 basic rules still apply:Â pick up after your pet, and the dog must ALWAYS be on a leash.
I am not a dog owner, but as a mother, I can relate to the emotions. Letting an unleashed dog run up to a stranger walking along the beach is the equivalent of a mom saying “Isn’t my baby cute…do you want to hold him?” In that case, the stranger can politely say no. But with a dog, it’s not that simple.
Watching the Dog Whisperer has helped. I avoid eye contact with the charging dog, keep my pace, and hope for the best. My Cesar Millan skills worked this morning with an energetic black lab. Yet in the past, I have been chased, jumped on (knocking my iPod to the ground), growled at, etc. A reasonable request to leash the dog is often answered with “don’t worry, he won’t hurt you”.
Okay- that’s my rant for the summer. See you on the beach!
Fresh salt air, a comfortable breeze, bright sunshine, and the beach Zamboni (yes, I watched the Flyer’s game) keeping  me company on my early morning walk!
Now, off to work. Enjoy the weekend 🙂
The view from the water’s edge toward the 101st Street pavilion in Stone Harbor has changed…for the better.  The huge, rusty outfall pipe has been removed (along with others in that immediate area). What a difference. The beach looks so much bigger.
No sneakers today for my beach walk- time to toughen up my feet.  This was a big deal when we were young… we wouldn’t even wear flip flops back and forth to the beach!Â
Cars are arriving on the island. Expecting a busy weekend.
Back to Typical May
Excited to see the new addition to our beach this morning…a lifeguard stand! Another sign of summer 🙂