With the beach off limits, we are now exploring all of the neighborhoods of the island during our daily walks.
Thankfully, as a real estate agent, checking out houses is my favorite pastime!
Today’s walk covered from downtown Avalon, and north to the inlet. Loved seeing the ocean at the turn around.
High winds , heavy rain, thunder storms, and now a tornado warning??
I had to check on a property during a break in the storms, and all seemed okay driving through Avalon and Stone Harbor.
Back home in time to watch the dark clouds roll in over the bay…
An early morning walk over a deserted bridge to catch the sunrise, while wearing our “Easter” jeans 😉
Wishing you a peaceful day…
Windy- yet better than yesterday. Grateful for the warm sun!
I had to venture out this morning for a doctor’s appointment.
A few observations:
It looks like fewer homes are occupied compared to the past 2 weeks. Year round residences make up a small percentage of property owners on the island, so we all tend to notice those “with lights on” during the off season. From a practical perspective, maybe it was time for some owners to return to their primary residence to tackle projects and/or be closer to family?
Almost all of the vehicles on the road were for contractors and landscape companies. That’s common for April either way!
Easter weekend will not include a sunrise service on the beach…or breakfast at Uncle Bill’s.
But I’m safe and healthy…and wishing the same for all of you, too.
Directive from the Governor of New Jersey:
BREAKING: I’m signing an Executive Order to further our aggressive efforts to enforce social distancing.
All non-essential construction across New Jersey will CEASE, indefinitely, effective 8:00 PM Friday.
Exceptions include projects at our hospitals and schools, in our transportation and public utility sector, the building of affordable housing, other individual housing sites that can adhere to strict limits on the number of workers on-site, and other limited instances.
The last sentence is important for local construction projects.
Builders will be required to restrict their sub-contractors and crews in order to comply with this order.
Emergency/essential repairs are also permitted.
As of today, all beaches in Avalon and Stone Harbor NJ are closed until early May. Access to the boardwalk in Avalon is also prohibited.
We walk the beach daily (and often twice a day), so this will be tough. Yet I understand that municipalities all along the coast are making these decisions to deter visitors and keep us all safe.
I can’t take credit for the beach “art” spotted this morning at Stone Harbor Point.
A nice message to see and share!
We are typically gearing up for the summer season by now.
Instead, we are talking with our rental property owners and summer tenants about the “what ifs” for summer of 2020.
Tenants arriving in May and early June are understandably the most unsettled. Their final rent payments are coming due, and there is so much uncertainty regarding the timeline.
Our best guess last week for even a partial return to normalcy, seems less realistic this week.
The take away from the phone and email conversations:
1) Property owners are realistic and want to do the right thing.
2) Tenants are hopeful that their summer vacation plans can stay in place.
3) Everyone understands that business is on a pause mode for the next several weeks.
In the meantime, I’m here (working from home of course) and will do what I can to help.
Stay safe and healthy!
Vision for Summer 2020?
Government officials are beginning to prepare us for the new normal. We will not be suddenly freed from our homes to resume our prior lives.
So what should we expect this summer at the shore?
My random thoughts:
Beach tag inspectors enforcing social distancing between family groups (will be challenging on the busier beaches).
Extra life guard stands so that guards can spread out.
Designer cloth masks to match bathing suits and beach cover ups (idea for the local surf shops!)
Restaurants with outdoor dining will be preferred- and should definitely incorporate air circulation for comfort, and to ward off those pesky gnats!
Families will be comfortable vacationing in properties where they can control the cleanliness. Homes with pools will become even more popular because the occupants can isolate and enjoy their time away.
We are fortunate that Avalon and Stone Harbor offer plenty of open spaces- allowing residents and visitors the opportunity to safely navigate a much needed break this summer.
Think positive 😎