Everybody is getting ready for the summer season—even the US Coast Guard!  Charged with maintenance of the aids to navigation in our coastal waterways, the US Coast Guard routinely inspects the condition and location of buoys, day markers, and lights on the water.  Whether boating on a clear, sunny day, or navigating buoy to buoy during a storm at night, navigational markers are important to everyone out on the water.  

In The News:

SETTING THE STAGE!  Our first big summer weekend is upon us!  Memorial Day Weekend traditionally brings big crowds, eager to enjoy the beaches, activities, and restaurants on the island, kicking off the summer season.  If the forecast holds, we should be enjoying temperatures near 70 and partly sunny skies most of the weekend!
 
3-5% TOURISM GROWTH EXPECTED:  County Tourism Director Diane Wieland predicted tourisim growth of 3-5% for Cape May County (Cape May County Herald, May 19th).  Wieland was speaking to members of the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce, and reported that 80% of Americans are planning vacations in 2025, up 7% from earlier.  About 12 million are expected to visit the Jersey Cape this summer!
 
RENTAL PROPERTIES - GET 'EM READY!  For many rental property owners, the three-day weekend represents the last chance to make final preparations for the summer rental season.  It's a great time to make sure everything is ready: all utilities should be on; all appliances should be checked; pools should be open and running; summer landscaping service should be established; pest and weed control services should be scheduled.  Most importantly: examine your rental property as if you've never seen it before...is it clean? Is there enough silverware? Does a room need to be painted? Is there anything that should be improved or updated?  Now is the time!  Often, spending just a little bit of money offers great return, resulting is happy, repeat tenants!  Need help in evaluating your rental property?  Call or email me and I can provide you with a list of recommendations specific to your property.
 
WHAT'S ON YOUR SUMMER BUCKET LIST?  That's right—it's time to make your annual Summer Bucket List!  How about a sunrise walk on the beach?  Maybe have dinner with an old friend you haven't seen in 30 years? Teach your grandchild how to fish?  Whatever it is, put it on your list, and make time for it this summer!
 
PAUSING TO REMEMBER:  Take time this weekend to remember and honor those who gave their lives, while protecting ours.  Enjoy your time; remember those who can't be with us.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Stone Harbor Beach Opening Ceremony & Color Fun Run. Saturday, May 24th, 10am. (Registration for Fun Run begins at 9am.) 
 
Turtle Trot 5k sponsored by the Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Sunday, May 25th, 8am-10am.     View details. 
 
Stone Harbor Farmer’s Market.  Every Sunday from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day.  Water Tower Plaza, Sundays, 8am to 12:30pm. 
 
Somm’s Table: Iconic Espana.  Four wines paired with four canapes created by Executive Chef Vincent Celeste.  Washington Inn & Wine Bar, Sunday, May 25th, 3pm to 4:30pm.  For details or reservations

Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony - Avalon.  Begins at 32nd & Dune Drive at 9am and proceeds north to Veterans Plaza at 21st Street.  Ceremony to follow at Veterans Plaza.  In the event of rain, the parade is cancelled and the ceremony occurs inside Avalon Community Hall at 9am. 
 
Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony - Stone Harbor.  SHFD Memorial ceremony at Freedom Park on 96th Street, adjacent to the firehouse at 10am.  Parade begins at 11am on 96th Street and proceeds toward the beach.  11:30am ceremony at the Women’s Civic Club at the beach.  11:30am ceremony at American Legion Post 331 at 117th Street. 
 
Art & Authors on Dune.  Explore fine art and connect with talented authors along Dune Drive.  Saturday, May 31st, 9am to 3pm. View Details
 
Cape May Restaurant Week, June 1st to June 8th.   For details and participating restaurants,

Stone Harbor Restaurant Week, June 8th to 15th. 
 
Kid’s Day at the Stone Harbor Museum.  June 11th, 9am to 12pm. 
 
Local Thursday at the Wine Bar.  Rotating bar plate specials, 2-for-1 oysters, and 25% off wines by the bottle.  The Washington Inn, Thursdays, 4pm to 8pm, through mid-June.

recent LISTINGS:

351 96th Street, 209, Stone Harbor, $975,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 251442


712 Sunrise Drive, Avalon, $2,450,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 251427


367 21st Street, Avalon, $2,495,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 251470


520 21st Street, Avalon, $3,395,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 251439


158 38th Street, Avalon, $6,495,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 251464


8331 First Avenue, Stone Harbor, $7,945,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 251436

PROPERTIES UNDER CONTRACT:

280 28th Street, East, Avalon, $1,498,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 250668


1708 Ocean Drive, Unit 6, Avalon, $1,599,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 242334


267 35th Street, West, Avalon, $1,999,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 250517


1100 Ocean Drive, 312, Avalon, $2,195,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 243535


407 20th Street, 407 20th, Avalon, $3,595,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 223248


176 24th Street, Avalon, $3,795,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 250596


805 21st Street, 805, Avalon, $4,300,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241929


1889 Avalon Avenue, Avalon, $4,495,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 250305


159 19th Street, Avalon, $4,995,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 250403


102 116th Street, Stone Harbor, $8,990,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241985

PROPERTIES sold:

7888 Dune Drive, 213, Avalon, $465,000, SOLD MLS#: 250887


2754 First Avenue, Avalon, $2,825,000, SOLD MLS#: 243049


19 Heron Drive, Avalon, $7,000,000, SOLD MLS#: 250695


2 84th Street, Stone Harbor, $7,300,000, SOLD MLS#: 241639

Randy Leiser, Long & Foster Real Estate 2997 Dune Drive PO Box 10 Avalon, NJ 08202   Toll-Free: 800-967-7796   Local: 609-967-3001 Email: Randy@randyLeiser.com Website: www.RandyLeiser.com Search: Property Listings   Vacation Rentals               AVALON/STONE HARBOR UPDATE ON FACEBOOK! Like me on Facebook for the very latest on Avalon & Stone Harbor! You will find timely updates as they occur, insight on the market, plus Island photographs and more! While you are there, send a slice of Avalon and Stone Harbor to your Facebook friends by hitting the Share button!