Well, that was an adventure!
Beautiful blue skies have returned after a crazy day of high winds and tornado warnings.
We are still dealing with scattered power outages and hearing from tenants as they report (mostly minor) damage.
Pool companies and handymen are in high demand to assist with the clean up!
In the meantime, Â life guards are keeping swimmers out of the water until calm seas return tomorrow.
Even a moderate storm is concerning in peak summer season.
Decks and patios are full of furniture. Â Umbrellas and awnings are in use.
Tenants are not fully aware of the strength of high winds, and/or the locations typically prone to flooding.
If you have any questions regarding your shore location and any risks associated, I am happy to answer to the best of my ability.
ann.delaney@timkerrsir.com
Stay dry, and watch the storm from our Avalon beach cam! Â
The phrase “when this is all over” feels abstract.
In the meantime, restaurant owners have been super creative with outdoor venues and dining options. Â If only they could control the fickle summer weather!
While enjoying an early morning breakfast on the Avalon boardwalk, listening to the ocean in the distance, I commented to our Fishin’ Pier Grille waitress  that I hope THIS part can remain.  She said she hears it all the time!
Recently I was reminded of the incredible losses owners are experiencing when I walked inside a local restaurant to use the restroom. Â Too see rows of tables, booths, and the bar area completely empty was stunning.
We will continue to support the local businesses that adhere to proper safety guidelines.
P.S. Â When talking with friends and co-workers about going out to eat, the first question we ask each other is “did it feel safe” rather than “how was your meal”- our new normal!
The best place to find some extra space!
Beautiful morning with a comfortable sea breeze!
Every venture out for a meal needs a strategy:Â picking the right time of day to avoid both crowds and extreme heat, selecting the best seat for social distancing, and then evaluating the establishment’s commitment to safety guidelines.
So far, it’s been a mixed bag. The lack of enforcement regarding masks (for patrons entering, and the servers) has been my main concern.
The restaurants that follow the guidelines will see a shout-out on Twitter.
Unfortunately, those with lax standards won’t earn a repeat visit. It’s just not worth the risk.
Business owners have an enormous amount of responsibility and stress this summer – and policing their customers and workers is one more annoying task. I get it (and see it in our business as well).
Yet the stakes are too high for all of us to look the other way.
Hopefully I will be able to post about more positive dining experiences in the months ahead.
Tenants are calling with questions and legitimate concerns. Â Yet they still want to come.
Booking activity remains strong. Â Yet potential tenants ask us to clarify the cancellation policy.
Unfortunately, the cancellations for Covid related issues WILL continue throughout the summer.
We have new business from tenants who have not vacationed here before. Â Often they are booking weeks recently cancelled by a nervous tenant.
Once here, tenants are grateful to be at the beach and with their family. Â They tell us it’s a much needed escape.
Summer of 2020 continues to be an unsettled time for our rental business!
To view rental inventory (and our new Beach Cam!) visit our web site: Â https://www.timkerrsir.com
Eerie on the beach this morning.
Update From Avalon and Stone Harbor
How’s the summer? Â Good question!
1) Sales are booming.  Certainly not what I expected  back in March.
Mortgage money is reasonable, and regular visitors to the area realize a beach house provides the ideal change of scenery for their family. Â These are not impulse buys- the circumstances are the deciding factor for a buyer to move forward with a long planned dream.
2) Occupancy should remain high through the fall. Remote working and schooling have provided property owners and tenants with flexibility.  I expect island businesses to stay open well past the typical season (subject to keeping their workforce).
3) Vacation Rentals- another plot twist to this summer.  In the spring, we had legitimate concerns about the viability of our rental season.  And as expected, a fair amount of  tenants cancelled (and we are still experiencing cancellations for various reasons).  The surprise was the high demand for last minute vacations (often for multiple weeks).  Thankfully, we’ve been able to fill most of the cancellations quickly.
4) Mask wearing- as the weeks go by, more people are adhering to the mask requirements. It’s not perfect, and I am still frustrated at the push back against such a reasonable request. Seeing young children wearing masks is heartbreaking, yet kudos to the parents for establishing the routine.
An unusual summer for sure!