Weekly News - January 2023

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

2024

Jan

Feb

News 1/25/2024

A few inches of snow fell last Friday, and cold temperatures meant it remained on the beach for a couple of days. Saturday, shown above, the beach was still snow covered and the Avalon Fishing Pier was backlit by brilliant sunshine and blue skies. In the foreground, recently planted sprigs of dune grass peak up above the snow. .

IN THE NEWS:

SNOW HAS GIVEN WAY to warmer temperatures, with daily highs expected to climb each day this week. After a frigid weekend with icy winds, daytime highs climbed above freezing on Tuesday, melting most of the remaining snow. Above-average highs in the fifties at the end of the week are expected to bring rain showers, too.

MARKET STATS: The number of active listings remains about the same as a year ago (at 110 listings). The number of sales in December 2023 was 10, down by one versus December 2022, while the median sale price was $2,627,500, up slightly over last year. For a detailed look at the market see the latest Long & Foster Market Minute report: Read More

SEALS ON THE BEACH: Keep your distance. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center asks anyone who spots a seal on the beach to keep people and pets at least 150 feet away. Seals are often spotted in local waters, and if they're on the beach, they're resting after swimming or diving for food. They should never be forced back into the water—an exhausted seal could drown. Instead, let them rest undisturbed on the beach. If you believe a seal to be in distress, contact the Marine Mammal Stranding Center at (609) 266-0538.

CAPE MAY BREWING COMPANY has launched a new brew for the new year...Cape May Light. According to the brewery's release, "just as the Cape May Lighthouse guides ships, our brew, Cape May Light, will guide your taste buds through the crisp and clean flavors of this light lager." Cape May Brewing Company's tasting room is located near the Cape May County Airport at 1250 Hornet Road in Rio Grande, and opens at noon daily.

SUMMER WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT! Make sure you're ready! Let's schedule your personal tour of the stunning new units at 29th & Dune, in Avalon. Make it a summer to remember!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Ice Skating in Avalon! ICONA Avalon, Friday & Saturday, 12pm-8pm, Sunday, 12pm-6pm, through February.

Roller Skating in Cape May, Cape May Convention Hall, Fridays, 4pm to 6pm; Saturdays, 6:30pm to 8:30pm; Sundays 1pm to 3pm and 4pm to 6pm, throughout January.

Dance Toning, Avalon Community Hall, Mondays, 9am.

Sit and Be Fit, Avalon Community Hall, Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, 11:15am.

Chair Yoga, 39th Street Tennis Building, Tuesdays, 10am.

Sit and Be Fit, 81st Street Recreation Center, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11am.

Move and Groove, 81st Street Basketball Pavillion, Wednesdays, 11am.

HIIT Fitness Class, 81st Street Basketball Pavillion, Thursdays, 4:15pm.

Stone Harbor Shiver Weekend, Friday, March 15th to Saturday, March 16th. Details TBA.

Stone Harbor Job Fair, Saturday, April 6th.

News 1/18/2024

Flashback to January, 2018!
Six years ago, huge snow piles were made in the parking lot at 30th Street & the beach,
as Avalon Public Works worked diligently to clear roads of accumulated snow.

IN THE NEWS:

A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW fell Monday evening into Tuesday, leaving a thin layer of white over Avalon & Stone Harbor for the first time in a long while. By the early morning hours relatively warm temperatures along the coast had turned the precipitation to rain, melting away most of the snow by daylight. Predicted daily high temperatures are expected to be in the 30s until next Tuesday, with lows in the 20s Friday & Saturday nights.

A SAND BACKPASSING PROJECT is planned for later this spring in Avalon. Following last year's successful hydraulic beach replenishment, winter storm activity has resulted in some erosion or the borough's north-end beaches. A backpassing project—the moving of sand from one area of the beach to another by trucks and heavy equipment—will help restore north end beaches, and serve as a supplement to hydraulic beach fills, which normally occur on three-year cycles.

MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS SURGED by 9.9% last week according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Mortgage rates have fallen from their recent peak, spurring both purchase demand and mortgage applications. If you are considering a purchase, take advantage of the recent reduction in rates. Call or email me today!

PREPARE YOUR RENTAL PROPERTY: The off season is the best (and often, the only) time to schedule projects at your rental property. If you're in need of interior painting, carpet cleaning, HVAC service or tune up, or similar projects, now is a great time to call your contractor and have the work done. Ordering new furniture (one piece, a room's worth, or a whole house full) is a great way to update and enhance your interior. Replacing older TVs with newer and larger flat screens, which have improved display quality at amazingly affordable prices, is another way to improve a rental property. Take advantage of the next couple of months and make a few upgrades to improve your property, and its rental return.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Salt Marsh Stories. Video presentation on the impact of salt marshes on 7 Mile Island, followed by discussion and Q&A. Avalon History Center, 215 39th Street, Saturday, January 20th, 1pm.

Ice Skating in Avalon! ICONA Avalon, Friday & Saturday, 12pm-8pm, Sunday, 12pm-6pm, through February.

Stone Harbor Shiver, Saturday, March 16th. Details TBA.

Roller Skating in Cape May, Cape May Convention Hall, Fridays, 4pm to 6pm; Saturdays, 6:30pm to 8:30pm; Sundays 1pm to 3pm and 4pm to 6pm, throughout January.

Dance Toning, Avalon Community Hall, Mondays, 9am.

Sit and Be Fit, Avalon Community Hall, Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, 11:15am.

Chair Yoga, 39th Street Tennis Building, Tuesdays, 10am.

Sit and Be Fit, 81st Street Recreation Center, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11am.

Move and Groove, 81st Street Basketball Pavillion, Wednesdays, 11am.

HIIT Fitness Class, 81st Street Basketball Pavillion, Thursdays, 4:15pm.

News 1/11/2024

Keep an eye out for eagles around the island, as they stalk their pray.

IN THE NEWS:

2024 MARKET OFF TO STRONG START: Six properties went to closing during the first week of the new year, with an additional five placed under contract. The recent drop in interest rates is helping to drive the market, along with continuing demand for shore homes. See below for the properties that closed, those placed under contract, plus this week's new listings.

BOATS IN JANUARY? Except for a few diehards, most boats are out of the water in January. But an indoor boat show is a great way to get a jump on summer boating. 4,500 people attended last weekend's Wildwood Fishing & Boating Expo at the Wildwood Convention Center, according to the Atlantic City Press. About 70 boats were on display in a 45,000 square foot section of the Convention Center, along with 76 fishing and boating related vendors, displaying rods & reels, fishing tackle, and boating products and services. Several boating and fishing seminars were offered as well. At least ten boats were sold during the first day of the show.

ATLANTIC CITY EXPRESSWAY TOLLS have increased for 2024. At the main toll plaza, the cash toll increased fifteen cents to $4.70, and the EZPass toll increased to $3.01. The various other tolls increased similarly. Routes 322, 55, 50, 49, and 47 remain popular toll-free alternatives for reaching 7 Mile Island.

IF YOU NEED A WEEK AT THE BEACH IN 2024—or if you want to make it permanent and purchase your own shore property—please let me know! Either way, let's find you the perfect beach getaway! Call or email me today!

A SAD NOTE FROM HOME: I'm deeply saddened to announce that my mom, Nancy Leiser, passed away last week. My brother, Mark, and I were blessed to have had the best mom we could possibly ask for, and my Dad, Paul, treasured every moment of their 56 years of marriage. She welcomed Sheri, and my sister-in-law, Susan, into the family with open arms. Her favorite role was that of being Nanny to her four grandchildren, Paul, Dan, Grace, and Evan. She will be dearly missed by our entire family.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Salt Marsh Stories. Video presentation on the impact of salt marshes on 7 Mile Island, followed by discussion and Q&A. Avalon History Center, 215 39th Street, Saturday, January 20th, 1pm.

Ice Skating in Avalon! ICONA Avalon, Friday & Saturday, 12pm-8pm, Sunday, 12pm-6pm, through February.

Dance Toning, Avalon Community Hall, Mondays, 9am.

Sit and Be Fit, Avalon Community Hall, Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, 11:15am.

Chair Yoga, 39th Street Tennis Building, Tuesdays, 10am.

Sit and Be Fit, 81st Street Recreation Center, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11am.

Move and Groove, 81st Street Basketball Pavillion, Wednesdays, 11am.

HIIT Fitness Class, 81st Street Basketball Pavillion, Thursdays, 4:15pm.

News 1/5/2024

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Wishing you and your family a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2024! Avalon helped kick start New Year's Eve celebrations on Seven Mile Island with fireworks over the beach. What a great way to ring in the New Year!

IN THE NEWS:

AVALON 7TH GRADER CHARLOTTE KOSMIN was the winner of the 2024 Avalon beach tag contest. Charlotte's design will adorn Avalon's 2024 beach tags. Mayor John McCorristin presented Charlotte a plaque, a canvas replica of her work, and the very first 2024 Avalon beach tag with serial number 000001. Nice work, Charlotte!

INTEREST RATES have decreased about a point over the past several weeks, after several months of climbing. Currently, both jumbo and conventional 30-year fixed rates are hovering around 6.5%, down from nearly 8% a short while ago.

DURING 2023, 195 FAMILIES purchased a shore property in our local market. Some are getaway condos, some are huge beachfront homes, some are rental properties. But they've all achieved their goal of ownership at the shore! What about you? Is 2024 your year? Let's discuss the market, your goals, and your timeframe—and then let's make your goal of ownership at the shore happen! Call or email me today!