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
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This Weeks News 5/25/2017


MARKET STATS: Strong demand led to 42 sales in the month of April, up 31% over last April according to the latest Market Minute report from Long & Foster. Available inventory has continued to decline as sales have whittled down the number of active listings.
 
  View the April 2017 Long & Foster Market Minute Report
Market Minute Report
Click above for the latest Long & Foster Market Minute report!
 
BEACH PROJECT ADVANCING: last week beach replenishment operations ended on Avalon's north-end beaches, and the project transitioned to its final phase in southern Avalon and northern Stone Harbor. During this part of the project a submerged pipeline will carry sand pumped from Townsend's Inlet beneath the ocean, before returning to a landing zone on the 84th Street beach. About 305,000 cubic yards of sand will be added to beaches from 77th Street to 84th Street. As work progresses, sections of beach will be closed during pumping, which will take place 24 hours a day, stopping only in the event of weather or mechanical issues. The beach project is ahead of schedule, though a mechanical failure aboard the dredge Texas slowed progress earlier this week.
 
LAST CHANCE TO SAVE on season beach tag purchases! Buy your season beach tags by May 31st and save $5 each. On June 1st the cost of a season tag rises from $23 to $28 in Avalon and Stone Harbor. In Avalon, tags can be purchased at the beach tag booth at Community Hall at 30th Street & the beach. In Stone Harbor they can be purchased at the beach tag office at 95th Street & the beach.
 
THE TOWNSEND'S INLET BRIDGE will not open to vehicular traffic Memorial Day Weekend, as was once hoped. Repairing the underwater bridge support structure has proved difficult in the challenging conditions of Townsend's Inlet, including deep, swift moving water. Rock rip rap, placed underwater during a 1962 repair to the bridge, had to be removed to gain access, before a trio of steel piles can be driven into place and fastened to the structure. Work is being conducted from floating platforms adjacent to the bridge.
 
IT'S TURTLE TIME AGAIN! Soon diamondback terrapins will be seeking higher ground to lay eggs, and that means they're often seen on local roads. Give 'em a brake! Slow down and avoid hitting turtles crossing the road. If you wish to help a turtle, be sure to move it across the road in the same direction it was travelling, and be sure to stay safe by checking for traffic before entering the roadway!
 
THE BLUE ANGELS will be in Millville Saturday & Sunday for the Millville Wheels & Wings Airshow. The high performance jet team is part of a full line up that includes other military aircraft, aerobatic planes, and skydivers. The gates open at 9am each day. Info and Tickets - Millville Wheels & Wings Airshow
 
THANK A VETERAN FOR THEIR SERVICE THIS WEEKEND! As you enjoy a walk on the beach, an afternoon on the deck, or a barbecue with family, take a moment to remember the veterans who made it possible!

This Weeks News 5/18/2017


GET 'EM READY! With Memorial Day Weekend just around the corner, it's time to make final preparations for getting rental properties ready for the season. Take a moment and make a checklist of items. Here's a list of general items: spring cleaning; air conditioning tested/serviced; cable & Wi-Fi service on; outside shower turned on; barbecue grill ready with full propane tank; landscape/lawn service established; pool maintenance service arranged; windows cleaned & awnings installed; outside furniture on deck/patio; changeover cleanings scheduled. Your property's unique needs should be addressed as well. Also, make sure you've obtained the proper rental license. Need help with a particular issue? Please call or email me!
 
Sunset at Townsend's Inlet
Sunset at Townsend's Inlet! The southern tip of Sea Isle City (on the right in this photo) is a delightful place to walk in the evening.
 
WEATHER AND A MECHANICAL ISSUE delayed beach replenishment work in Avalon this past weekend. A broken anchor line forced the dredge "Texas" to depart Townsend's Inlet for Cape May late Thursday night. The Texas was planning to leave Townsend's Inlet at noon Friday anyway, due to high winds and seas associated with last weekend's rainstorm. The Texas was due back in Townsend's Inlet on Monday afternoon. As of last week, about 830,000 cubic yards of sand had been placed on the beach, with 100,000 cubic yards remaining in this phase of the project, before transitioning to the final phase covering southern Avalon and northern Stone Harbor.
 
HENNY'S RESTAURANT: Demolition of the iconic Henny's began Monday, and crews have made quick progress, removing the landmark structure one dumpster-full at a time. The site will be utilized by The Reeds at Shelter Haven for 22 additional hotel rooms and a spa.
 
COAST GUARD VESSEL Tamaroa was finally sunk last week to become an artificial reef about 26 miles from Cape May. Originally serving the Navy in World War II as the Zuni, the vessel also served the Coast Guard for decades, and made now-famous rescues during the 1991 "Perfect Storm", of book and movie fame. After reaching its final destination, holes were cut in the side of the ship and water was pumped in, until it gradually receded beneath the surface. Marine life is expected to begin congregating and growing on the sunken hull within months, and the site will eventually become a destination for sport fishermen.
 
MEMORIAL DAY PARADES and ceremonies are planned in both Avalon & Stone Harbor. Avalon's parade steps off at 9am from 32nd & Dune, proceeding north toward Veteran's Plaza where a ceremony will occur about 9:30am. Stone Harbor's parade will begin at 12 noon and proceed eastward along 96th Street to the Women's Civic Club, where a ceremony is planned.

This Weeks News 5/11/2017


640,000 CUBIC YARDS of sand have been added to Avalon's north-end beaches, according to a recent update on the beach replenishment project. About 300,000 cubic yards remain to be added during this phase of the project. After that, work will shift to the south-end of Avalon and north-end of Stone Harbor for the project's final portion. The project is expected to conclude about June 20th, subject to weather and mechanical delays.
 
Great Beach Day
Blue skies and gentle breezes made for a great beach day earlier this week. There's more great weather ahead!
 
THIS WEEKEND brings an array of activities to the Island to help jump start your summer season. In Avalon you'll find the Wine & Spirits Festival, a Borough-Wide Yard Sale, and flower and hoagie sales at the Fire Department. Stone Harbor adds the Garden Club's Plant and Bake Sale as well as the Wetlands Institute's Native Plant Sale. See our list of upcoming events below for more!
 
THE TOWNSEND'S INLET BRIDGE is still undergoing repairs. The bridge contractor has been working to restore traffic flow, but instead of reopening for Memorial Day Weekend, traffic on the bridge may be limited to one lane. The emergency repair work began after an April underwater inspection revealed a crack in the bridge structure.
 
HENNY'S TO BE DEMOLISHED: The building that housed Henny's Restaurant is slated to be torn down the week of May 15th. Henny's closed in 2008, after operating its Third Avenue location since the 1930s. Third Avenue from 96th Street to 97th Street will be closed to through traffic, and parking restrictions will be in place, to ensure safety during the demolition process. Stay tuned for more on the future of the site!
 
STREET OPENING MORATORIUMS currently exist in Avalon and Stone Harbor to prevent newly paved streets from being "opened" for new utility connections for a period of five years after paving. Stone Harbor is considering increasing the moratorium period to seven or ten years, in order to extend the lifespan of newly paved streets. The Cape May County Herald reported that seven years seemed to be the more likely choice. Read the full article: Transparency Goal for Council Discussed by Borough Officials.
 
HOUSE PORTRAITS by Lisa Cunningham capture the essence of your home, allowing you to display your pride & joy! They also make a special gift for any homeowner! Check out her work at Lisa Cunningham Fine Art or email Lisa at lisa@lisacunninghamfineart.com
 
Lisa Cunningham Artwork
An example of Lisa Cunningham's great work!
 
BLACK BEAR LACROSSE returns to Avalon again this year with a camp from July 3rd to July 7th. From fundamentals to advanced training, campers ages 4 through 14 will receive daily instruction while scrimmaging and participating in contests. Learn More - Black Bear Lacrosse Summer Camp.

This Weeks News 5/4/2017


BEACH REPLENISHMENT WORK resumed last weekend as the dredge Texas returned from Cape May and began pumping sand onto Avalon's north-end beaches. The Texas underwent maintenance work and completed a small project while in Cape May. Now that it's back in Avalon, it is expected to operate around the clock until beach work is completed, stopping only for unsafe weather conditions or mechanical issues. The current phase of the project is expected to be completed about May 20th. The final phase will entail pumping sand through a submerged pipe onto beaches in Avalon's hotel district and Stone Harbor's north end. That portion of the project is expected to conclude about June 20th.
 
BRIDGE UPDATES: 150-foot pipe piles will be installed to support the Townsend's Inlet Bridge. Three piles will be placed underwater at each end of one of the bridge support piers, then welded and bolted to the support structure. Officials hope to have the bridge open to vehicular traffic by Memorial Day Weekend.

Repair of the 96th Street Bridge is also underway, with overnight closures expected from 10pm to 5am, Sunday through Thursday nights until Memorial Day Weekend. From Memorial Day Weekend until June 9th, bridge closures will be restricted to Monday through Thursday nights. Lane closures are possible, too. The project is expected to be finished by June 9th; if it is not, work will be deferred until the fall.
 
BIG BLUEFISH, AND LOTS OF THEM! That's the word among local fishermen who have caught numerous bluefish of good size in the back bays and in the surf. The Atlantic City Press reported that Tammie of Avalon Hodge Podge has weighed bluefish over eight pounds, and one that was over nine pounds.
 
Avalon NJ Beach Replenishment
A plume of water and sand land on Avalon's beach during replenishment operations.
 
LOCALS RIDE FREE on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Sunday, May 7th! A photo ID with a local zip code will save you the $18 round-trip foot passenger fare. The ferry ride across the mouth of Delaware Bay and back is delightful--on any given trip you're likely to see ships, boats, dolphins, or a sunset. To book, visit Cape May-Lewes Ferry by Saturday, and use the code "Tourism".
 
THE BEST MEMORIES are made on shore vacations! Why not make it permanent? If you'd like to find the perfect shore home, let's get started! Call or email me--I'll listen to your needs and help you find the ideal place for your family to enjoy!