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
2017: Jan. Feb. March April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec.

This Weeks News 6/29/2017


JULY 4TH WEEKEND is always a big one at the beach, and this year many are making a four-day weekend of it. Two big fireworks shows are planned this year. Stone Harbor will put on its fireworks display Sunday, July 2nd at the 96th Street beach at dusk. Avalon's fireworks display will take place on Tuesday, July 4th on the 30th Street beach at dusk. Numerous other activities are planned all weekend, with some beginning as early as Thursday evening. See below for a list of events!
 
TURTLE TIME! Yes, it's still the season for diamondback terrapin turtles to cross local roads as they seek higher ground on which to lay eggs. Turtle barriers along some roadways help reduce the number of turtles killed by vehicles, but numerous deaths still occur. Volunteers are often able to harvest unhatched eggs, incubate them, and then release the baby turtles once they are large enough to survive in the wild. You can help out by slowing down and avoiding turtles crossing the road. If you stop to help a turtle across the road, carefully move it in the direction it was going, and be sure to watch out for other vehicle traffic.
 
Turtle in a crab trap.
Turtles are everywhere at this time of year--including kids' crab traps! This one stopped to snack on a bunker, commonly used as bait for crabs. The turtle was immediately released unharmed.
 
GOOD FISHING REPORTS continue to come in. Flounder continue to be caught in large numbers in the bays and inlets, with many sizable keepers being reported. Offshore tuna action has started with yellowfin tuna being caught in the canyons and some inshore lumps. Surf fishermen have also reported good action on beaches and jetties.
 
LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS had a busy Sunday afternoon. A car fire broke out in Avalon on 19th Street, destroying the car and damaging an adjacent home. In Wildwood Crest a Bayfront home caught fire, and flames spread to the home next door. Both fires sent plumes of black smoke into the air, and were visible up and down the beach.
 
ROCKY THE SIBERIAN TIGER was euthanized last weekend at the Cape May County Zoo, at age 16. Rocky was born in 2001 and sent to the Cape May County Zoo and became a media favorite, appearing on morning television shows and in the New York Times. In 2014 he battled cancer and multiple surgeries, but it was the failure of his hips and hind legs recently that led to his demise. Rocky was among the most recognizable animals at the Cape May County Zoo, having been a resident his entire life. There are dozens of other magnificent animals at the Zoo--one of Cape May County's treasures! The Zoo is free; a donation is requested.
 
IMAGINE HOW MUCH FUN IT WOULD BE to have your own place at the shore! Make memories--every weekend! If you're ready to begin your search for the perfect shore home, call or email me today. Whether you're looking for a getaway condo, a rental property, or your own palace on the beach, I'll listen to your needs and help you find the right place!

This Weeks News 6/22/2017


MARKET STATS: Sales remain strong in the local market, with steady demand and reduced inventory of homes for sale. 188 properties sold through the first five months of the year, up from 139 during the first five months of last year. This year's average sale price is $1,568,464, up 20.0% over last year. This year's median sale price is $1,157,500, up 5.2%.
 
Ocean with Dunes
Summer's here! Are you ready?
 
EXPENSIVE--BUT WORTH IT! Avalon and Stone Harbor both made NJ.com's list of the 20 New Jersey towns with the highest percentage of million dollar homes. Per the article, Avalon has 2,771 homes (51.9% of its properties) assessed at $1 million or more. Stone Harbor has 1,667 homes (57.4% of its properties) assessed at $1 million or more.

View The Full List: 20 N.J. Towns With The Highest Percentage Of Million Dollar Homes
 
THE 96TH STREET BRIDGE REPAIRS have been completed, meaning no more overnight closures. The completion of the $700,000 project allows the bridge to carry a full 40 tons; the bridge had been restricted to 15 tons during repair work.
 
OCEAN DRIVE STRIPING: Portions of Ocean Drive in Avalon will be restriped this month, including 7th Street to 28th Street, and 62nd Street to 80th Street. The striping work is weather dependent and will only take a few hours; no long term lane closures will be necessary.
 
BEACH VOLLEYBALL, ANYONE? Avalon's 30th Street beach now features two volleyball nets. Stop by and play whenever they're open!
 
BEACH MOVIES are back again this year, beginning Tuesday, June 27th in Avalon, on the 30th Street beach, with a showing of the animated movie “Sing”. Other upcoming showings include Star Wars Rogue One, Secret Life of Pets, Jaws, and Jurassic World.
 
THE STONE HARBOR FARMER'S MARKET is back every Sunday through Labor Day, under the water tower at 95th & Second Avenue. More than 30 vendors are at the market from 8am to 12:30pm each Sunday; stop by and check out their offerings!
 
IMPRESSIVE FISHING REPORTS continue, with limits regularly being reached. Some of the more exceptional flounder catches include a 25-inch, 5.5 pounder weighed in at Strathmere's Whale Creek Marina, and a 22-inch, 3.76-pounder weighed in at Avalon Hodge Podge. Offshore action is beginning to pick up with reports of tuna in the canyons and other offshore locations.

This Weeks News 6/15/2017


IT FEELS LIKE SUMMER! After cool weather much of the spring, a recent spike in temperatures has it feeling like summer again. Temperatures were in the 90s several days this week, but are expected to fall back to the 70s for the weekend. In case you're wondering, the ocean water temperature is already a delightful 70 degrees!
 
IS THE BRIDGE OPEN YET? Maybe by July 4th! The Townsend's Inlet Bridge has been closed to vehicular traffic while undergoing emergency repairs since a crack in its structure was discovered during an April inspection. Residents and visitors on both sides of the bridge are anxious for it to reopen. After weeks of repair work from aboard a barge stationed next to the bridge, officials say they are hoping to have the bridge reopened by the July 4th weekend if things go as planned. Having the bridge open helps businesses and visitors in Avalon and Sea Isle City by saving a twenty-minute ride "the long way around!"
 
HABITAT ReSTORE OPEN IN CMCH: Habitat for Humanity opened its ReStore in Cape May Court House last week at 20 Court House-South Dennis Road, offering building materials and household items for resale. The store is open Monday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm. If you have gently used household items in good condition, consider donating them to the store for resale. Items may be donated to the store during business hours, or a free pick up service is offered for larger items. Call 609-463-0244 or visit Habitat for Humanity Cape May County for details.
 
Egret in Avalon
Looking for lunch...an egret makes his way toward a small pond in the marsh behind Avalon.
 
AVALON HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S Photography Competition winners and other entries will be on display at the Avalon History Center through Tuesday, June 27th. Stop by the History Center to view not only the photography, but the Avalon artifacts in the museum's collection. For info on the Avalon Historical Society's upcoming Olde House Tour, plus a talk on railroads in Avalon, see the event list below!
 
MAKE A SUMMER BUCKET LIST! What's on your "I wanna do it!" list this summer? Perhaps you want to catch a sunrise on the beach? Catch a fish with your grandchild? Climb to the top of the Cape May Lighthouse? Whatever is on your Summer Bucket List, set aside some time and make a point of doing it!

This Weeks News 6/8/2017


7 MILE RESTAURANT WEEK runs through Sunday, June 11th. Enjoy the last few days of the promotion-try a new restaurant or visit an old favorite! Check out your options:

Participating Restaurants - 7 Mile Island Restaurant Week
 
A 537-POUND mako shark was weighed in at Canyon Club Marina in Cape May last weekend. Another Wildwood-based boat landed a 293-pound thresher shark.  That's some good fishing, just in time for the South Jersey Shark Tournament, which begins Thursday the 8th and runs through Saturday. 
 
BOATERS IN NEW JERSEY are required to have a boating safety certificate in their possession while operating a vessel in New Jersey waters. Find a boating safety class near you:

US Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Safety Class Finder
 
Sunrise on the Beach
Sunrise along the beach: golden light reflects off the surf and sand.
 
RESIDENT'S DAY: Cape May County residents can take advantage of free admission to several attractions in Cape May on Sunday, June 11th, thanks to the Mid Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities Community Day, sponsored by Sturdy Savings Bank. Proof of residency gets you free admission to the Cape May Lighthouse, the World War II lookout tower, the Emlen Physick Estate, or a trolley tour through historic Cape May. Bring one of the following to prove your residency: driver's license, voter registration card, passport, or a utility bill. Children under age 18 need not prove residency, but must be accompanied by an eligible adult.
 
NEED A FUN, educational camp for your child this summer? Check out the variety of programs offered by the Wetlands Institute. Kids from 4 through 13 can attend various camps and learn about fish, mammals, shore birds, weather, and habitats, with programs for older kids including field trips and beach days. Programs run weekly in July and August.

Learn More - Wetlands Institute Summer Nature Program

This Weeks News 6/1/2017


7 MILE RESTAURANT WEEK comes to Avalon & Stone Harbor Monday, June 5th through Sunday, June 11th. Nearly 50 local restaurants will offer breakfast & lunch specials, and three-course dinners for $30.17. It's a perfect opportunity to try that new place you've heard about, or return to an old favorite!   
 
Participating Restaurants - 7 Mile Island Restaurant Week
 
AVALON LIFEGUARD TEST: Avalon will hold its annual lifeguard tests on Saturday, June 3rd and Saturday, June 10th at 10am on the 32nd Street beach. Do you have what it takes?

Test Information & Other Requirements - Avalon Beach Patrol Lifeguard Tests
 
THE MONTH OF JUNE brings out the best of the shore, but with smaller crowds! As the weather gets nicer and the ocean warms up, you'll have fun on the beach, fishing, or playing golf, and you'll be able to get a table at your favorite restaurant, too! If you can, spend some time here on the Island before the peak of the season!
 
Avalon Water Tower - Blue Sky Summer
Blue skies and puffy white clouds make it feel like summer!
 
FLOOD INSURANCE REVIEW: If you need to take a look at your flood insurance coverage, be sure to attend a free seminar at the Stone Harbor Library from 1-3pm on Saturday, June 17th. From the latest regulations to foundation vents, David Sonner from Land and Sea Services Flood Mitigation and Sam Wierman from Ide Insurance Agency will cover a variety of topics.  Be sure to bring your flood elevation certificate for a free review.

More Information and RSVP - NFIP Flood Insurance Seminar
 
MARY LEE has a friend! Mary Lee, a 16-foot great white shark, was tagged off Massachusetts several years ago, and has frequented the waters off the Jersey coast many times since. But recently a second tagged great white named Cisco, who measures just under 9 feet in length, was located in the waters off Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Both sharks' travels have been documented on Facebook, as well as by traditional media. While following their whereabouts is fascinating, they are both many miles offshore, and thus, far away from beachgoers. 
 
DID YOU KNOW that Long & Foster clients benefit from an array of one-stop services, including mortgages, title insurance, and homeowner's insurance? Whether you need to refinance your mortgage or update your insurance coverage, let me put you in touch with an expert. Of course, if you're ready to buy, sell, or rent, please call me!