My Sunday morning walks before work are usually the most entertaining:
I see the remnants of Saturday night parties littering porches and decks.
I marvel at the awkward parking locations.
I smile at the toddlers still in pajamas on the beach with their dad (hopefully allowing mom to sleep!)
Two weeks ago, there was a golf cart on the beach. Â Not a dune buggy- a regular street legal golf cart! Â It probably SEEMED like a good idea at 2am 😉
A beautiful beach day…followed by a wild evening of storms.
A local resident measured 4″ of rain in that short period of time last night- obviously more water than our street storm drains could accommodate. Â A frustrating mess for visitors and property owners.
Hopefully a calmer weekend for all!
I’m proud to support the Brendan Borek High Tides Memorial Fund- a wonderful local charity assisting families dealing with pediatric cancer.
To view the 2017 schedule of events: Brendan’s Fund web site
You can also purchase the popular Brendan Borek surf wear at the office/store: 2170 Dune Drive, Avalon NJ.
It’s been almost a full year since I hurt my back, and 7 months since surgery. Â Finally feeling strong enough to paddle around the bay!
So happy to see these views, again 🙂
Another motivation is to participate as a volunteer for the annual Cedar Island 5K Swim on August 27th. The swimmers certainly work harder than me, but it’s still a workout to kayak around Cedar Island as part of the support crew.
See you on the water!
And there is still time to book a vacation rental in Avalon or Stone Harbor NJ!
I am happy to help with your plans:
ann.delaney@timkerrsir.com  or 609-967-7950
Web site: Tim Kerr Sotheby’s International Realty
Thank you for your interest!
The life guards and beach cleaning crews are paid by the municipalities (not the State of New Jersey). Those costs are partially funded by beach tag sales by the way.
No beach closures in our area.
Avalon, Stone Harbor, and the surrounding shores towns are definitely open for business!
Which is more stressful- the Schuylkill Expressway at rush hour…or Dune Drive on 4th of July weekend?
Stay alert for:
The woman leaving the Sunday Farmer’s Market carrying her haul of bacon on a stick.
Bike riders juggling their oversized purchases from Hoy’s.
The late arrivals to Boot Camp at the 81st Street rec area.
Oh no…church is letting out!
The sudden car stops for family drop off at Uncle Bill’s.
The Tour de France trainees exceeding the 25 mph speed limit.
Whew…I found a parking spot near my office- I feel like I won the video game 😉
P.S. Â Monday 7/3/17- Today I drove on Ocean Drive to work- only hazards were the speedy turtles crossing the road!
Another active month for real estate sales in Avalon and Stone Harbor NJ.
A total of 31 properties SOLD (settlement) in June, with an overall median selling price of $1,595,000.
Of those sales, 11 were condominium/townhouse properties, ranging from an efficiency unit in Twin Gables (100th and First Avenue) for $338,000; to a bay front townhouse style unit at 34th and Ocean Drive for $1,475,000. Â The median selling price for all condo/townhouse units: $655,000.
The remaining 20 sales were single family properties, ranging from a cottage on the 200 block of 23rd Street for $710,000; to a custom bay front home at 99th and Sunrise Drive for $5,300,000. Â The median selling price for all single family homes: $2,050,000.
There are an additional 65 properties under contract with settlement scheduled in the near future. Â The median asking price for those sale pending: $1,550,000 (final selling numbers are posted after closing).
If you have questions regarding market values in Avalon or Stone Harbor, I am happy to help! Â ann.delaney@timkerrsir.com
Thank you for your continued interest.
Two opportunities to watch the fireworks this week:
Sunday July 2nd- 95th Street beach in Stone Harbor (new location and date)
Tuesday July 4th- 30th Street beach in Avalon
Island Life
I have written several posts about elevation along our 7 mile island;  mainly after hearing the common boast from a home owner that their property is on “the highest point of the island”.
Ironically, one of my tenants heard the opposite after the Friday night rain storm. Â A neighbor (not sure if he is an owner) said the area was the lowest point of the island (not true- but that’s a scary statement for a tenant to hear).
So when our phones start to beep with a weather warning, and the town blasts the flood siren, what should we do?
By the time we hear the “move your car to higher ground” message, some of the lower sections may already be experiencing moderate flooding.
Both Avalon and Stone Harbor distribute flood elevation maps to residents with our tax bills. Â The color coded areas show the low and high sections of our community.
Yet, visitors and newer property owners are not aware of the “higher ground” locations.
Some basics:
1) It may defy logic, but the blocks closer to the beach are typically “higher ground” (although the street in the beach block of 21st Street flooded Friday evening- so it’s not an exact science).
2) Many sections of Ocean Drive/Third Avenue will flood during a heavy rain event.
3) Dune Drive in the Avalon business district has experienced flooding in recent years.
4) The Stone Harbor business district is also vulnerable during storms- best to park closer to Second Avenue.
5) Water in the street may be combination of rain and salt water (from the bay)- damaging to cars either way.
6) Trucks or raised vehicles that are able to clear the water cause wakes that send flood waters into the ground level structures/businesses.
7) Parking a car in a driveway or parking lot is always preferred over street parking because the rain water will accumulate by the storm drains.
Thankfully, the water will drain quickly once a storm passes.
If you have any questions about a particular area of town, I am happy to provide information based on my experience.
Link to Borough of Avalon flood map: MAP