Randy Leiser, Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2997 Dune Drive, PO Box 10, Avalon, NJ 08202
toll-free: 800-967-7796 x212  |  local: 609-967-3001  |  fax: 609-967-3057  |  e-mail: Randy@RandyLeiser.com
2020: Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.

This Weeks News 1/30/2020

Shells in Tidal Pool
Friends comparing shells found in a tidal pool on the beach, on a warm afternoon.
 
MAKE A DOWN PAYMENT, LET SOMEONE ELSE PAY YOUR MORTGAGE! Last week rates for 30-year fixed-rate jumbo mortgage loans (over $510,401) dropped to 3.5%. With many Island properties generating 3%, 4%, or even 5% of their value in gross rental income, it's a tremendous opportunity to purchase a shore property and use rental income to cover a huge portion of your ownership costs. Want to know more? Call or email me so we can discuss the specifics of your situation, and I'll show you properties that will generate great rental income to cover a big chunk of your ownership expenses!
 
SEALS ON THE BEACH! Seals have been spotted on local beaches at least twice in the past few days. While rare, seals do sometimes come ashore while avoiding predators or resting, and most will return to the water. If you come across a seal or other mammal keep your distance, and don't try to feed or move it. If you suspect it is injured or otherwise in distress, any sighting or stranding can be reported to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center by calling 609-266-0538 24 hours a day.
 
THE OCEAN IS FRIGID--somewhere around 38 degrees in the surf. Sound like a great time to take a dip? The upcoming Polar Bear Plunge takes place on Saturday, February 15th in Sea Isle City, and Stone Harbor hosts the Stone Harbor Shiver on Saturday, March 21st. If you're among the faint-hearted who prefer not to swim in frigid water, there are other fun activities associated with both events. More details to follow! 
 
STONE HARBOR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY will take delivery of a new Pierce pumper in the next few weeks. The new pumper features a short wheelbase for better maneuverability, along with the latest firefighting equipment.
 
DINING OUT IN NJ? One of the best new restaurants in New Jersey is Beachwood at the Dunes, according to a NJ Monthly list recently released. Located at 8600 Landis Avenue in Sea Isle City, Beachwood partners include Chris Glancey, designer Deanna Ebner, and chef Lucas Manteca, who is behind Quahog's Seafood Shack in Stone Harbor, and The Red Store in Cape May Point. Featuring everything from classic dishes to adventures on a plate, Manteca says "I just want to make awesome food." Beachwood at the Dunes will reopen for the summer season on April 3rd. Check out the rest of the 30 best new restaurants across New Jersey:
 
THE 30 BEST NEW RESTAURANTS (NJMONTHLY.COM)

 

This Weeks News 1/23/2020

Ice Forms Along Avalon Blvd.
A layer of ice formed along Avalon Boulevard earlier this week.  Sea Isle City is in the background.
 
THE FIRST ICE OF THE SEASON formed in shallow areas of the back bay early this week. As high tides receded, cold air temperatures during the overnight hours froze bay water at the edges of shallow creeks and ponds. Deeper areas of the bay have not seen any ice formation, as water temperatures are still in the upper 30s. Slightly warmer air temperatures are expected by the weekend, and into next week. 
 
MARKET STATS: Twenty seven properties were sold during the month of December, 2019, up 8% over December a year ago. Demand for properties remains strong but sales have been held back by lack of inventory--the number of active listings was 184 last month, down from 219 a year ago. For a detailed look at the market, see the latest Long & Foster Market Minute report.
 
VIEW THE LATEST LONG & FOSTER MARKET MINUTE REPORT  |  DOWNLOAD/PRINT PDF

Market Minute Report
 
THE STONE HARBOR POLICE DEPARTMENT has shifted its dispatching from Avalon to the Cape May County Communications Center. The SHPD expressed thanks to the Avalon Police Department for its dispatch services since 2014. The department also pointed out that although the location of dispatchers has changed, methods of contacting the SHPD have not: for emergencies, dial 9-1-1; for non-emergency police services, dial 609-368-2111; for records requests and other administrative functions, contact Police Administration at 609-368-1455.
 
AVALON changed construction regulations to ban exterior construction work on Saturdays during July and August; a ban on Sunday exterior work has been in place since last year. The ban on summertime weekend work is in response to numerous complaints in 2018 regarding noise and other issues related to construction, preventing people from enjoying their summer homes on the weekends. Demolition of homes is prohibited from July 1st through Labor Day, with exceptions only in the case of emergencies.
 
PRESIDENTIAL VISITS to Cape May County are fairly rare, thus Donald Trump's planned rally in Wildwood next week has garnered significant attention. Trump will visit the Wildwood Convention Center, which holds an estimated 7,000 people. Various reports estimate that close to 100,000 tickets were requested for the event, scheduled for January 28th. The Wildwoods have geared up for huge crowds: hotels report they are booked to capacity, many seasonal restaurants are expected to open for the event, and local school districts will be closed for the day. Numerous presidents have visited Atlantic City, and many have visited Cape May, but next week's rally will be the first time a president has visited Wildwood.

 

This Weeks News 1/16/2020

Flock of Sanderlings
After wading in the surf, a flock of sanderlings flies down the beach just over the wave tops, on a late fall day.
 
THE AVALON FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY will be a bit noisier than usual this week, as restroom renovations and carpet installation get underway. The projects are expected to last two to three weeks. The Avalon Library is a tremendous resource, and has received Library Journal's five-star award eleven times since 2009. The library is open seven days per week, year-round, except major holidays.
 
AN OVERNIGHT CLOSURE of the Avalon Boulevard Bridge took place earlier this week as repairs to the bridge's surface and structure continue. Traffic lanes alternate at most times, guided by temporary signals, but another overnight closure may be necessary next week. 
 
HARD TIMES: A FILM BY BILL DOUGHERTY. Longtime Stone Harbor resident Bill Dougherty recaps the difficulties of growing up during the depression this Saturday at 1pm at the Stone Harbor Museum. Continuing the Avalon History Museum's tradition of hosting winter talks on Saturdays, the Stone Harbor Museum is joining in and taking over the third Saturday of each month. 
 
WILDWOOD: TWO MAJOR EVENTS have been announced for the 2020 season. On June 6th & 7th the Wildwood Air Show will take place, featuring military demonstrations, aerobatics, and other displays. The Wildwood Airshow is free, and visible along the beach. Two weeks later the Barefoot Country Music Festival will take place on the beach June 19th through 21st, featuring 30 musical performers over three days.
 
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2020? How about a little beach time? Start browsing my 2020 Shore Rental Guide for ideas, then call or email me to book your vacation! Check out the Rental Guide here:

2020 LONG AND FOSTER AVALON AND STONE HARBOR, NJ RENTAL BROCHURE

 

This Weeks News 1/9/2020

Calm Ocean, Pleasant Beach
Thanks to calm winds earlier this week the ocean was calm and the beach pleasant (but nearly empty!)
 
AVALON ACHIEVES CLASS 3 FLOOD RATING, 35% SAVINGS: Avalon recently achieved a Class 3 rating in the Federal Emergency Management's Community Rating System based on its ongoing flood mitigation efforts. Avalon property owners will enjoy an estimated $1.6 million in cumulative flood insurance savings during 2020. Avalon is one of only 13 municipalities in the nation, and one of just two in New Jersey, to achieve a Class 3 rating.
 
STONE HARBOR KAYAKERS may apply for kayak storage permits again during the month of March. Proof of property ownership is required, and a maximum of two spaces per property will be awarded through a lottery. The 2020 fee will be $100 per space. 
 
CHRISTMAS TREES CAN HELP DUNES: Recycled Christmas trees were collected on the first Saturday of the new year at Island Beach State Park (in Ocean County), where they will be placed on the dune system to capture and retain blowing sand, helping to increase the size and stability of the dune system. 
 
DOG RESCUED FROM BENEATH DOCK: Avalon firefighters responded to a report of a drowning dog located in the bay behind 42nd Street on New Year's Eve Day. The dog was located beneath a dock and breathing in an air pocket. When the dog could not be retrieved from the dock, firefighters Bob Ferguson and Lisa Sasdelli entered the water and were able to save the dog. 
 
PRESIDENT TRUMP is slated to visit the Wildwood Convention Center on January 28th where he will hold a rally with Congressman Jeff Van Drew. Van Drew made news last month when he left the Democratic party to join the Republican party. At the Wildwood rally, Trump is expected to announce his support for Van Drew's reelection in 2020. 
 
OFF TO A GOOD START! The real estate market appears to have picked up in 2020 right where it left off in 2019 with several new purchase contracts written and several closings occurring, covering the entire price spectrum from $325,000 to over $5,000,000. See below for new listings, new contracts, and recently sold properties.
 
IS 2020 YOUR YEAR? Why not MAKE it your year? It's probably easier than you think! With a variety of properties available across a broad range of prices, there is something to match every budget. Rental income can help cover a huge percentage of ownership costs, too--let me show you how someone else can pay for YOUR shore purchase! Call or email me today, and make 2020 your year!