2023

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Current News: 02/23/2023

MARKET STATS: 13 properties sold in January 2023, down from last year, while the median sale price was up 14% over last year.  Despite an increase in the number of active listings to 105, which is up from last year, there are still fewer listings on the market now than there were in the late summer and early fall of 2022.  For a detailed look at the market, see the latest Long & Foster Market Minute report: READ MORE
 
OFFSHORE WIND POWER remains in the news as the NJ Board of Public Utilities ruled in favor of a petition from Ocean Wind, LLC for the right to route transmission cables beneath Ocean City beaches and streets, in order to connect with the power grid at Beesley's Point in Upper Township. That ruling came two days after NJ Governor Phil Murphy announced a plan to require that 100% of vehicles sold in NJ to be zero-emission by 2035.  Local concerns include the loss of local input and control on public decisions, as well as the lack of sufficient electrical infrastructure for charging of electric vehicles.  The Cape May County Herald recently reported that 455 EVs were registered in Cape May County as of last May, up from only 200 in 2018.  But Cape May County's population swells in the summertime, raising questions about the ability to charge large numbers of EVs during those months.
 
MEANWHILE, 30 MAYORS signed a letter calling for a moratorium on offshore wind work while the recent spate of whale deaths are sufficiently investigated.  While necropsies have reported no direct link between offshore work and the whale deaths, many remain unconvinced.  Congressman Jeff Van Drew, who has proposed legislation pausing offshore work until whale deaths are fully investigated, announced that he will hold a hearing in South Jersey March 16th to determine the best course of action moving forward.
 
STONE HARBOR'S NEW REQUIREMENTS for trash and recycling containers will go into effect May 1st.  New containers, from 32-gallons to 96-gallons, must be of the type to fit "lifters" on automated trash trucks, and can be purchased at local stores such as Ace, Home Depot, and Lowes.  For details and FAQs see this link:  READ MORE

UPCOMING EVENTS: Weekly Events:

Birding on the Barrier Islands, Stone Harbor Point Parking lot, Saturday, February 25th, 1pm. Register in advance at HTTP://njaudubon.org/event/birding-on-the-barrier-islands/

Atlantic City Boat Show, March 1-5. www.acboatshow.com

Shop-A-Holics Weekend, Seven Mile Beach Shopping Districts, Thursday-Sunday, March 9-12.

Pre-Shiver Party at Yacht Club of Stone Harbor, Friday, March 17th, 6pm.

Kegs & Eggs, Fred’s Tavern, 96th Street, Saturday, March 18th, 9am.

Stone Harbor Shiver Polar Plunge, 95th Street beach, Saturday, March 18th, 11:30am. Registration for Pre-Shiver Party, Polar Plunge and Kegs & Eggs: READ MORE
 
Easter Bunny Express, Cape May Seashore Lines, April 1st, 2nd, & 8th. www.SeashoreLines.org

Stone Harbor Job Fair, at participating businesses, Saturday, April 15th, 10am to 4pm. Stone Harbor job listings: READ MORE
 
Spring Ice Cream Express, Cape May Seashore Lines, Saturday, April 15th. READ MORE

Weekly Events:

Thursdays at Surfside, weekly concerts at Surfside Park, Avalon, Thursdays, 7pm, beginning June 29th

 

Current News: 02/16/2023

This seal pup—estimated to be four to five weeks old—was rescued from Avalon's 48th Street beach 
by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.  Photo from MMSC.

A BABY SEAL was rescued from Avalon's 48th Street beach on February 1st, according to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.  MMSC volunteers transported the 36lb. seal pup to their intensive care unit, where he is being fed and cared for.  After receiving supportive care and fluids plus treatment for a respiratory infection, the pup is now recovering and eating on his own.  Once strong enough he will be released into the wild.  MMSC reminds beachgoers to remain at least 150 feet from any seal; to report a stranding call the MMSC 24 hours a day at 609-266-0538.  If you'd like to donate to MMSC visit http://mmsc.org/ways-to-donate
 
HOME PRICES increased by 6.9% in 2022 according to a recent CoreLogic report.  After 121 months of consecutive appreciation, home prices declined by .4% in December and are expected to decline just .2% in January.  CoreLogic is projecting a 3.0% increase in home prices in 2023.  But I'll go a step further and say that among all the reasons listed by those who purchased shore homes years ago, appreciation ranks high but not at the top.  Instead, nearly everyone you ask will say "family memories," or "because we enjoy it!"  Appreciation is a nice bonus when it occurs—but you'll enjoy your shore house all the time! 
 
SUMMER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND!  Those looking for summer work will have many options to choose from.  Some examples of potential employers include Avalon Beach Patrol, the Wetlands Institute, Fred's Tavern, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, plus most restaurants and shops.  Stone Harbor's annual job fair takes place on April 15th; candidates may visit numerous participating employers in person that day.
 
"THURSDAYS AT SURFSIDE" JUST ANNOUNCED:  A summer's worth of entertainment has just been announced in Avalon, beginning June 29th.  Thursdays at Surfside features a new band each week with fantastic music line up.  Put Thursdays at Surfside on your calendar each week and get ready to rock your way through summer!

Current News: 02/09/2023

A look back at this time last year, with snow capping our dunes!

WE HAVEN'T HAD much snow yet this year, despite a couple of brief cold snaps.  But the ocean water temperature is down to about 42 degrees just off the beach.  That'll make for a pretty chilly dip in the ocean during the Stone Harbor Shiver Polar Plunge in March.  Think you can handle it?  Watch for more details coming up!
 
275 FAMILIES TOOK THEIR OWN PLUNGE last year by purchasing a shore property in our local market.  Just think about the happy memories they've already made, plus those still to come!  Another 32 families already have a property under contract—right now—for settlement this year.  How great would it be to add your name to that list?  With the recent reduction in mortgage rates, and more than 90 available properties from which to choose, why not make this your year?  Call or email me today to get started—and plan on making seashore memories in your own shore house in 2023!
 
DINERS, DRIVE INS, AND DIVES, the well-known Food Network show, ventured back to New Jersey to feature the Oyster Creek Restaurant in Galloway.  It's not the first time South Jersey shore restaurants were featured on TV, though—and some of them were much closer.  Quahogs Seafood Shack of Stone Harbor was previously featured on DDD, as were Piccini Wood Fired Pizza of Ocean City, Maui's Dog House of Wildwood, and George's Place of Cape May.  See this article spotlighting other South Jersey Shore area restaurants that have been featured on TV:  http://wfpg.com/new-ddd-spotlights-south-jersey-restaurants-seafood/

Supporting the Eagles, seashore style!  A huge Philadelphia Eagles logo was carved into the sand on Cape May's beach.  By the time our photographer got there, the wind had ruffled its feathers a bit!

"FLY EAGLES FLY!" is the official theme song of the Philadelphia Eagles, but "Go Birds!" is more commonly heard around here.  That simple, two-word phrase is heard regularly along the shore, as we wish our Eagles well!  Whether said among friends, offered as a greeting to strangers while we hold the door at WaWa, or as the closing words of a phone call, Eagles fans new and old are supporting their team in the big game.  Go Birds!

Weekly News 2/2/2023

AVALON'S BEACH REPLENISHMENT PROJECT is expected to begin about March 20th, and continue around the clock until about mid-April.  231,000 cubic yards of sand will be pumped onto beaches beginning at 9th Street and continuing southward to 18th Street.  Stone Harbor's beach replenishment will begin as Avalon's concludes, with 464,000 cubic yards of sand being pumped from 90th Street to 123rd Street.  Options exist for additional sand placement in each town, and exercising those options could lengthen the project. Weather and equipment could also affect the project's timing.  Look for euipment to mobilize in the area in early March.   THE GREAT CHANNEL BRIDGE, linking Stone Harbor with North Wildwood, is closed to traffic through February 9th, as barge mounted cranes will be driving pilings for a planned bridge fender replacement project.  Traffic will be detoured around the bridge via 96th Street, Route 9, and North Wildwood Boulevard. BE A VALENTINE for your favoirite zoo animal!  The Cape May County Park/Zoo has released their Be My Valentine Wish List of about a dozen items needed for their inhabitants.  You can buy a Valentine for a zoo animal and check the Zoo's Facebook page for a photo of that animal with your gift!  See their Facebook post  or shop their wish list at Amazon.com   HOW ABOUT a bayfront efficiency condo for $525,000?  How about a 2-bedroom beachblock condo for $699,000? See below for info on each—then call me to schedule a showing!

IT'S A DRONE!  Earlier this week you may have uttered that very phrase, as drones were used to install bird diverters on the powerlines along Stone Harbor Boulevard.  According to the Wetlands Institute's Facebook page, Fulcrum Air designed and built the devices, which "make powerlines more visible to birds and reduce or eliminate bird strikes."