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
2016: Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.

This Weeks News 3/24/2016


MARKET STATS: The number of active listings in Avalon & Stone Harbor stands at 293, down 17% from a year ago. The average sold-to-list price ratio is 96.1%, up slightly from last year. In the over-$1-million category, the average sale price rose to $1,675,000 in February, up 13% over last year.
 
View The Latest Long & Foster Market Minute and LuxInsight Reports
 
HOUSE PORTRAITS are a fantastic way to display your pride of ownership of a seashore property! Lisa Cunningham captures the character of your shore home in her pastels--what a great piece to display in your home or office! Visit Lisa Cunningham Fine Art to check out her work. You can also contact Lisa at lisa@lisacunninghamfineart.com.

Lisa Cunningham Home Portrait
 
13 YEAR OLD SANDERLING! The Wetlands Institute shared this fun fact: last fall a sanderling was spotted at Stone Harbor Point. The bird wore a band around its leg containing a code. After submitting the code, Wetlands staff learned that the sanderling was at least 13.5 years old--the oldest ever found! Wetlands staff point out that shorebirds need to rest and forage for food undisturbed; avoid disturbing birds on the beach and follow signage at all times.
 
SPRING CLEANUP TIME: If you need to dispose of unwanted bulk household items, take advantage of upcoming bulk pickup dates in Avalon and Stone Harbor. In Avalon bulk items can be placed curbside from April 29th to May 8th (pick up will occur on May 9th.) In Stone Harbor, pick up will occur on Monday, May 16th; items may be placed curbside up to 72 hours prior.
 
THE AVALON/STONE HARBOR UPDATE will return the week of April 4th. Happy Easter to you & your family!

This Weeks News 3/17/2016


AVALON'S BEACH TAG BOOTH will be open on weekends beginning March 25th, from 10am to 4pm. Stop by 30th Street & Avalon Avenue to purchase your tags for the summer!
 
OCEAN DRIVE MARATHON: The 18th Annual Ocean Drive Marathon will be held on Sunday, March 20th. Runners will begin in Cape May at 9am and proceed north on Ocean Drive to the finish in Sea Isle City. Please be careful driving in the vicinity of participants!
 
Avalon Fishing Pier
A crane sits on the Avalon Fishing Pier, which is being extended further into the ocean.
 
FERRY RIDERSHIP UP: The Cape May-Lewes Ferry has reported increases in the number of vehicles and passengers transported during 2015. The number of vehicles carried increased about 4% to 266,149, while the number of passengers carried rose about 5% to 782,241. This month may be the perfect time to try a ferry ride if you've never done it--through March 31st you can book a special discounted fare for your vehicle, driver, and all passengers. Click here for details:

"The More the Ferrier" Special March Fare Promotion
 
SUMMER FLOUNDER REGULATIONS have been released for the 2016 season, which will open on May 21st. Anglers will be allowed five fish at least 18 inches in length, except for the Delaware Bay, where anglers will be allowed four fish at least 17 inches in length. The season will close on September 25th.
 
STONE HARBOR'S TAX RATE will remain unchanged based on a budget introduced at a recent council meeting. On April 5th a public meeting will be held featuring an in-depth budget presentation. 
 
IS THIS YOUR YEAR? If you've always dreamed of purchasing a property at the shore, why not make 2016 your year? Interest rates remain low--take advantage of low borrowing costs and good rental returns, and make your dreams come true!
 
HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY! Whether you're Irish or not, enjoy the day!

I'M PLEASED AND PROUD to have been named to Long & Foster's Silver Team for sales performance. Thank you for your business and referrals! As always I sincerely appreciate it!

This Weeks News 3/10/2016


$43.4 BILLION! That was the total tourism revenue generated in New Jersey in 2015, according to a recent Associated Press article. The figure was up more than 3 percent over the prior year. The shore accounted for almost half of total tourism spending in the state, and was helped by good weather and lower gasoline prices. Hopefully we'll see long stretches of good weather again this year--along with still-low prices at the pump, it ought to mean good things for Avalon & Stone Harbor.
 
THE STONE HARBOR SHIVER occurs Saturday in Stone Harbor. A recent taste of warm weather has taken the chill out of the air, but the ocean is still plenty cold! The event actually begins Friday evening with a pre-registration party at the Yacht Club featuring food, music, and an auction. Saturday will begin with Kegs 'n Eggs at Fred's Tavern, followed by a parade at noon down 96th Street toward the ocean. An after-party will take place at Fred's. Interested in registering? See the Upcoming Events list below for a link.
 
AVALON KAYAKERS interested in utilizing Avalon's Kayak Park during the 2016 season should complete a registration form by March 31st.  Please click here for details and the registration form:
 
2016 Avalon Kayak Park Registration Procedures

Stone Harbor Library
Taking shape: Stone Harbor's new library, under construction at 96th Street & Second Avenue, is transforming the look of that intersection.
 
SPRING AHEAD this weekend! Thanks to daylight savings time we get to enjoy an extra hour of daylight in the evening. Don't forget to change your clocks late Saturday night!
 
ANNUAL SPRING DUNE GRASS PLANTING will occur in Avalon on Saturday, April 16th. Volunteers are asked to meet at Avalon Community Hall at 8:30am for coffee and donuts, and a planting demonstration. At 9am Avalon Borough vehicles will take all volunteers to their planting sites. Lunch will be served at Community Hall at noon, followed by additional planting from 1pm to 3pm, if not completed during the morning session.  The borough would like to have a count of participants in advance--please call Sue Keen at (609) 967-5924 or Chuck McDonnell at (609) 967-3066 by April 1st.

This Weeks News 3/3/2016


AVALON'S BOROUGH COUNCIL formally introduced a budget with no tax increase.  Council will make a full budget presentation at the March 23rd council meeting. According to Mayor Martin Pagliughi, "Avalon is in a position to continue to pay down debt, finance virtually every capital improvement project without extra borrowing, and improve the level of services provided to our community while not increasing the municipal tax rate." That's certainly good news to all Avalon property owners!
 
NOW ACCEPTING DISCOVER! Long & Foster now accepts Discover cards, in addition to American Express, Visa, and MasterCard for vacation rentals.  It's just one more way we make it convenient to book your vacation through our office!
 
NEARLY 600 PAIRS of ospreys live throughout New Jersey, according to a survey recently released by the Conserve Wildlife Foundation.  The figure is up about 10 percent since 2009, and up dramatically from the estimated 50 pairs that inhabited the state in the 1970s, thanks to environmental efforts. Osprey nests are producing an average of 1.75 chicks per nest, more than enough to sustain the population. The back bays of Avalon and Stone Harbor are home to a high concentration of osprey nests.
 
Stone Harbor Railroad
The way it was...the Stone Harbor Railroad once connected 96th Street with Cape May Court House. Above, a "railbus" style locomotive crosses the 96th Street Bridge headed into Stone Harbor.
 
SHOP-A-HOLICS WEEKEND is planned at The Princeton and The Whitebrier from March 3rd to 6th. A variety of Avalon stores will also participate this year, and many will run specials. The annual event will benefit the Play With Jack Foundation, which raises funds to fight cancer in memory of Jack Cremin. For more details on the event click here: Calling All Shop-A-Holics.
 
REOPENING THIS WEEKEND are the Concord Café, The Pudgie Pelican, and Marabella's Restaurant!  With just over two weeks 'til the official start of spring, each week brings a little bit more activity to the Island!
 
PLAN AHEAD to meet the Easter Bunny! Catch him aboard the Cape May Lewes Ferry on Saturday, March 26th at 9am or 10:30am!  Click here for more information: Breakfast With The Easter Bunny. If you'd rather ride the rails with the Easter Bunny that same day, catch him aboard the Cape May Seashore Lines Easter Bunny Express, departing from nearby Tuckahoe. For information click here: The Easter Bunny Express.

A NOTE FROM HOME:  On March 3rd, 12 years ago...Sheri and I were overjoyed to welcome our son Paul into the world! As he turns 12 we can’t help but be proud of the fine young man he’s become.

Happy Birthday Paul
Paul on the beach with brother Dan, sister Grace, and of course, Splash!