2023 | Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Weekly News 1/26/2023
A ship passes on the horizon as visitors enjoy a winter beach walk.
Weekly News 1/19/2023
Avalon & Stone Harbor beaches will soon receive nearly 700,000 cubic
yards of sand in the upcoming replenishment project. US Army Corps
of Engineers photo.
$28 MILLION BEACH REPLENISHMENT CONTRACT AWARDED: The US Army
Corps of Engineers awarded a $28.8 million contract for the
replenishment of Avalon and Stone Harbor beaches. Sand will be
borrowed from Townsends Inlet and pumped onto the beaches, and then
graded to match the dune and beach profile. In Avalon, 231,000
cubic yards of new sand will be placed from 9th Street to 18th Street;
in Stone Harbor, 464,000 cubic yards of sand will be placed from
90th Street to 123rd Street. Options for additional sand exist in
both towns. Work is expected to begin in late February or early
March; look for equipment to be mobilized before work begins. 65%
of the project's cost will be covered by the federal government, 26% by
the state, and 9% by the municipalities. In addition to more room
on the beach for recreational use, the wider beaches, along with the
dune system, are critical for providing storm protection for the island
in the event of significant storms.
SEVEN DECEASED WHALES
found
along New Jersey beaches in the past month, including one in Strathmere,
two in Atlantic City, and one in Brigantine, have lead to questions
about why so many have died in such a short period of time.
According to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, there have been an
average of seven whale strandings annually in New Jersey, so seven in a
month is highly unusual. Pre-mortem vessel strikes are to blame
for at least some of the recent deaths, MMSC has said, but further
investitation is needed.
SKATING, ANYONE? Strap on your
ice skates and head to Icona Avalon's Ice Skating Rink! It's open
Friday's through Sundays, through March. Parents can grab a seat
on the couches around the synthetic ice rink to watch the kids, or after
the skating, head to the Veranda or Avalon Brew Pub to enjoy the full
menu plus seasonal additions! A daily pass with skates is $25.
NO EARTHQUAKE, JUST AN AIRPLANE: Last Friday afternoon a
persistent shaking of buildings felt throughout Cape May County lasted
about 10 seconds, and had most people thinking "earthquake." No
seismic activity was recorded, however, and on Saturday, the US Navy
said it was likely one of their aircraft going supersonic that caused
the rumbling. Supersonic flight is prohibited over land, but the
Navy often flies at supersonic speeds over the ocean. Sonic booms
are typically not heard (or felt) onshore, but in the wintertime,
conditions can allow for the rumbling to travel back to land.
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX: Prices have appreciated significantly over the
past several years. But have you considered achieving your dream
of shore ownership by thinking "outside the box?" For example,
have you ever wanted to have a property right on the beach, but can't
swing the price tag on Seven Mile Island? Consider this beautiful
oceanfront townhome in Sea Isle City! For $2,795,000 you get
six-bedrooms, and ocean views that stretch forever!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Author Talk: Mary Dixon Lebeau, “Secret Jersey Shore: A Guide
to the Weird, Wonderful, & Obscure.” Avalon Free Library,
Saturday, January 28th, 2pm.
Valentine’s Express, Cape May
Seashore Lines, Friday, February 10th & Saturday, February 11th.
See www.SeashoreLines.org for
info.
Avalon History Center Lecture: Stories of Slavery in New
Jersey. Avalon History Center, Saturday, February 11th, 1pm.
20th Anniversay Friend In Need Super Bash, Princeton Bar & Grill.
Silent auction, raffles, food, beverages, giveaways, music.
Sunday, February 12, 4:30pm. Tickets available at
https://www.friendinneednj.org/
Shop-A-Holics Weekend,
Seven Mile Beach Shopping Districts, Thursday-Sunday, March 9-12.
Stone Harbor Shiver, 95th Street beach, Saturday, March 18th.
This Weeks News 1/12/2023
Tracks in the sand—of all shapes & sizes! During the winter months
SUVs and pickup trucks are often used on the beach—with permits—for fishing.
Heavy equipment is used for beach maintenance and replenishment projects.
And, of course, those walking the beach for enjoyment leave foot prints!
BUYER'S LOOKING for properties are benefitting from
better market conditions. Multiple offers are far less common now;
there is less pressure for buyers to make a "no contingency" offer; there
are more homes to choose from than there were a year or two ago; and,
interest rates have eased somewhat in the past few months.
LOOKING TO MAKE your mortage even more affordable?
Many buyers have opted to use hybrid adjustable rate mortgages, such as
3/1-, 5/1-, and 7/1 ARMs. That type of adjustable rate mortgage offers
a fixed-rate for the first three, five, or seven years, typically a good bit
lower than a thirty-year fixed rate. After the initial fixed rate
period, the ARM rate can then adjust annually. Most mortgages are not
held anywhere near thirty years—in fact, most are held five to seven
years—so a hybrid ARM can be a wise move if you're planning to pay off the
mortgage early, or planning to refinance it within a certain time frame.
NAVAL AIR STATION WILDWOOD NEEDS HELP through the weekend!
NASW, home to many vintage aircraft, is asking for volunteers to help
through this weekend. Hangar #1's northside roof replacement has been
completed, and volunteers are needed to assist the museum staff in cleaning
the hangar in preparation for reopening. Tasks include power washing,
sweeping, moving aircraft and exhibits, and more. Volunteers are asked
to dress warm, and register here: HTTP://forms.gle/wjcCYrpUmxyXwqxaA
UNCLE BILL'S PANCAKE HOUSE IN AVALON is currently
undergoing renovation, for the first time in 20 years, and is currently
closed. Uncle Bill's in Stone Harbor is open daily from 7am to 1pm.
"PUT REALITY in your rear view mirror, and drive to the
beach house in your mind!" --Jimmy Buffet, on Radio Margaritaville.
Good idea, Jimmy!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
US Naval Air Station volunteer clean up project, through
Sunday, January 15th. Volunteer here:
HTTP://forms.gle/wjcCYrpUmxyXwqxaA
Avalon Floodplain Management Plan update meeting, Avalon
Borough Hall, Friday, January 13th, 2:30pm.
20th Anniversay Friend In Need Super Bash, Princeton Bar &
Grill. Silent auction, raffles, food, beverages, giveaways, music.
Sunday, February 12, 4:30pm. Tickets available at
HTTP://www.friendinneednj.org/
Shop-A-Holics Weekend, Seven Mile Beach Shopping Districts,
Thursday-Sunday, March 9-12.
Stone Harbor Shiver, 95th Street beach, Saturday, March
18th.
This Weeks News 1/4/2023
Avalon held its second annual New Year's Eve fireworks display on the beach,
adding bright lights to foggy weather! Photo courtesy of Avalon Public
Works Director Bill McCormick via Facebook.
HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your family! May the new
year bring you good health and much happiness!
FROM FRIGID TO SNOW, FOG, AND RAIN, and then a warm up to
nearly 60 degrees, the holiday season saw extremely varied weather
conditions. The fast, deep freeze that lasted a few days lead to
frozen pipes and the resulting water leaks as temperatures warmed up.
By New Year's Eve temperatures had moderated and damp, foggy conditions took
over.
OPERATION FIRESIDE resumed this holiday season as more than
200 recruits from Coast Guard Training Center Cape May were hosted by local
families on Christmas day, providing them a home cooked holiday meal in a
comfortable setting, and a break from their basic training duties on the
Coast Guard base. Thanksgiving's Operation Fireside was the first time
since the start of the pandemic that the 41-year-old program was held.
2023 REAL ESTATE MARKET: As the year begins there are
several factors affecting the real estate market. Here's what to
watch:
Interest rates: after a dramatic rise last year from the 3%
range to nearly 7%, rates have settled down a bit and now hover just over
6%. While higher rates have had a dampening effect on the mainland and
primary residence market, the effect is somewhat less in the Avalon/Stone
Harbor market, where buyers tend to be more affluent, and a high percentage
of our transactions are cash.
Inflation: it's on everyone's mind, and has significant
implications for the broader economy. But real estate is generally
seen as a hedge against inflation, and a good asset to hold when prices are
rising.
Buyer demand: thus far purchase demand has remained
steady.
Listing inventory: the listing crunch of a couple of years
ago has eased somewhat, and the number of active listings has increased.
The real estate market in general: with demand remaining
steady and a better supply of listings, we are easing toward a more balanced
market.
Your situation: whatever your real estate goals this year,
I'm ready to help you achieve them. Please call or email me to discuss
your situation!
12 EXTRA MINUTES OF SUNSHINE! Daylight time is increasing a
little bit each day, and just two weeks after the winter solstice, it's
already noticeable! We've already gained about 12 minutes of daylight
since then--a big help as January begins!
ADD A WEEK OF SUNSHINE to your life! Let me help you
find a vacation rental property! Summer 2023 is just around the
corner—let's find your rental property now! Email or call me!