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
2023 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

News 11/30/2023


Last weekend's fun culminated with the huge parade Saturday night!  Music, firetrucks, and floats all spread holiday cheer, and Santa was welcomed to town!  

AVALON & STONE HARBOR kicked off the holiday season with a weekend-long celebration beginning the day after Thanksgiving.  Many homeowners and visitors—and especially excited children!--participated in tree lighting ceremonies, enjoyed music, food, and drink, plus a huge variety of holiday-oriented activities for kids.  Santa made several appearances, and was the guest of honor in Saturday night's parade, arriving aboard Stone Harbor's fireboat!
 
MARKET STATS:  During the month of October 2023 the number of units sold declined, while inventory remained tight and the median sale price increased.  Buyers are still buying, but fewer sellers are choosing to sell!  For a detailed look at the market, see the latest Long & Foster Market Minute Report:  http://marketminute.longandfoster.com/Market-Minute/NJ/Avalon-Stone-Harbor.htm
 
WINTER PROJECTS: NOW'S THE TIME to begin them.  Plan ahead and begin early, while you're not using or renting your shore property.  Whether you're considering floor refinishing or carpet replacement, a kitchen or bathroom upgrade, painting, or other work, take advantage of the off season.  Need a contractor recommendation?  Call or email me!
 


STONE HARBOR & AVALON HOLIDAY BEACH TAGS AVAILABLE!  Stone Harbor joined Avalon and unveiled its annual Holiday Beach Tag this past weekend.  Both Avalon & Stone Harbor Holiday Beach Tags are available for online purchase and can be shipped!  The tags are manufactured locally for Avalon & Stone Harbor by Jersey Cape Tags.  Purchase tags here:
http://jersey-cape-tags.myshopify.com/collections/currentbeachtagsbadges

UPCOMING EVENTS:

The Santa Express!  Take a ride aboard vintage rail equipment—with a special visit from Santa!  Three dozen scheduled trains depart from Tuckahoe Station and Richland Station, now through December 23rd.  Visit http://the-santa-express.com/ for train schedules and tickets.
 
Cape May Stage presents: A Tuna Christmas.  Now through December 30th.  Info and tickets: http://capemaystage.org/
 
Sit and Be Fit.  Avalon Community Hall, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 11:15am-12:15pm (free & open to the public.)
 
New Years Eve Fireworks at Surfside Park, Avalon.  Sunday, December 31, at dusk.

 

 

News 11/16/2023


A beautiful view of the Avalon Fishing Pier on a sunny but cool November day.   

A MORTGAGE RATE DIP is a welcome change after many months of rising interest rates.  Meanwhile NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun recently reported that home values continued to rise in 80% of markets nationwide during the third quarter.  If you've been thinking about a purchase, take advantage of the mortgage rate dip—call or email me today!
 
2024 RENTALS are already booking!  If you'd like to secure your 2024 vacation, let me know your preferred dates and other requirements so we can begin looking for the perfect rental property.  Rental property owners: we need your rates, if you haven't provided them already!
 
LAST CHANCE TO WINTERIZE!  If you haven't had your outdoor water systems winterized, it's time to do so.  Although we've not had a hard frost on the island yet, nighttime temperatures could reach the mid-30s over the weekend.  Call your plumber, landscaper, or contractor now.  Don't know who to call?  I'm happy to provide recommendations if you need them. 

STOP BY AND SEE ME THANKSGIVING WEEKEND!  I'll be hosting an open house at the brand new luxury townhomes at 29th & Dune in Avalon!  Plus, drop your name in my beach bucket for a chance to win a set of Avalon Holiday Beach Tags—good for the entire 2024 season! I'll be at 29th & Dune Friday & Saturday, November 24th & 25th, from 11am to 2pm.  I look forward to seeing you there!
 
 
THANKSGIVING WEEKEND brings a host of holiday-themed activities, from tree lightings to music to Santa.   The business districts in both Avalon and Stone Harbor will be decorated and buzzing with the holiday spirit.  Avalon's Festive Friday & Snowfest Saturday bring an array of things for children and families to enjoy, as does Stone Harbor's "A Christmas Story" theme.  The fun begins with Avalon's Turkey Trot Friday morning, and concludes with Stone Harbor's Christmas Parade Saturday night.  See below for more details!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Thanksgiving Weekend!  Avalon’s Festive Friday and Snowfest Saturday, and Stone Harbor’s “A Christmas Story” are on the calendar for Thanksgiving Weekend!
 
Turkey Trot 5K Run/1.5 Mile Walk, 30th & Avalon Avenue, Friday, November 25th. 5K Run starts at 10am, 1.5 Mile Walk starts at 10:05am. Registration & Bib Pickup, 8am-9:30am, 30th & Avalon Avenue ($35), or sign up online: Read More
 
FESTIVE FRIDAY (Avalon):
 
10am: Story Time with Mrs. Clause. Avalon Free Public Library.
 
11am-4pm: Dozens of activities along Dune Drive, including glitter tattoos, character photos, facepainting, music, refreshments & treats, balloons, & more.
 
5pm: Santa and Mayor McCorristin arrive at Veteran’s Plaza.
 
5pm: Tree Lightng at Veteran’s Plaza
 
6:30pm: Christmas Movie on the 30th Street Beach: “The Polar Express.”
 
SNOWFEST SATURDAY (Avalon):
 
11am-4pm: Dozens of activities along Dune Drive, including Candyland Bounce House; Polar Bear Bungee Trampoline; Jack Frost’s Mini Tea Cups; Milestone Mania; Polar Exreme Obstacle Course; 24’ “Mount Avalon” Rock Wall; Candy Cane Kiddie Swings; Family Photos with Santa in 
his Sleigh at 21st & Dune Drive; Holiday Hits by The Corner Boys & Co. at 26th-27th & Dune Drive; Live Ice Sculpting at 21st & Dune Drive; Cozy Stations at 26th-27th & Dune Drive
 
Avalon Volunteer Fire Department 110th Anniversary.  Dedication of Fire House, Open House, Building & Truck Tours.  Ribbon Cutting at 10am, Saturday, November 25th.
 
A CHRISTMAS STORY (Stone Harbor):  Friday & Saturday, downtown Stone Harbor.  Includes Holiday Market & Carousel; Scavenger Hunt; Winter Wonderland Festival of Trees; Stone Harbor Museum Open House; Tree Lighting; Hospitality Night; Downtown Holiday Dash; Christmas Parade.
 
Island Holiday Hospitality Night (Stone Harbor). Shop for the holidays & enjoy complimentary sips & bites.  Friday, November 24th, 6pm to 9pm.
 

 
Stone Harbor Christmas Parade.  Third Avenue to 96th Street, to Second Avenue.  Saturday, November 25th, 6:30pm.
 
The Santa Express!  Take a ride aboard vintage rail equipment—with a special visit from Santa!  Three dozen scheduled trains depart from Tuckahoe Station and Richland Station beginning Saturday, November 25th.  Visit http://the-santa-express.com/ for train schedules and tickets.

 

News 11/9/2023


  This beautiful fall sunset was captured by Mac Groce.  Thanks for sharing it with us, Mac!


OFFSHORE WIND FARM UPDATE:  Last week the Danish firm Orsted announced it was terminating its Ocean Wind 1 and Ocean Wind 2 projects off the Southern New Jersey coast.  The company cited changing factors including "high inflation, rising interest rates, and supply chain bottenecks."  The Ocean Wind projects were the closest to Cape May County's beaches and would have been visible from Avalon and Stone Harbor.  More than two dozen remaining offshore wind lease sites stretch from South Jersey to Nantucket.  The Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind project, located ten miles off Atlantic County beaches, could begin producing power in 2028, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
 
"BEACH TO BAY" is the name of Cape May Brewing Company's newest craft beer.  Featuring hints of citrus, spice, and pine, Cape May Brewing Company says their new Double IPA craft brew is an ideal choice for summer days or cool fall nights.  Cape May Brewing Company's tasting room is located at 1250 Hornet Road at the Cape May Airport, and their craft beers can be found in local bars and restaurants.  Cape May County is home to several craft breweries, plus a half dozen wineries.
 
MANDATORY LIFE JACKETS: A new rule in New Jersey requires all persons aboard boats under 26 feet long to wear US Coast Guard-approved life jackets while the vessel is in motion, during the cold water months from November 1st to May 1st. All rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards are included in the new rule as well.  Persons inside a vessel's cabin are exempt.  The goal of the rule, accoriding to the NJ State Marine Police, is to prevent hypothermia deaths while decreasing risk to first responders during winter search and rescue operations.

AVALON HOLIDAY BEACH TAGS are available now!  Holiday tags are an annual tradition, and make great stocking stuffers!  Jersey Cape Tags, the company that manufactures Avalons holiday and regular season tags, is offering Holiday tags for online purchase. 

Purchase Beach Tags


Listings
        
Upcoming Events:   


Listings   

News 11/2/2023


Blue skies and a gentle breeze on a warm day...perfect conditions for sailing in October!  

IT WAS GLORIOUS this past week!  We were treated to several days of warm sunshine, clear skies, and gentle breezes—a real October treat after a number of rainy, windy weekends.  The unseasonably warm weather came to an end Monday afternoon as a cold front came through, dropping daytime highs into the 50s, making it feel like fall.  By the weekend we could be back into the 60s again


THINGS THAT AREN'T THERE ANY MORE:  Those who enter Cape May County via the Garden State Parkway bridge over Great Egg Harbor Bay will notice a huge change in the view on their next trip.  The iconic BL England Generating Station stands no more; the smoke stack was demolished last Thursday.  In a matter of seconds the tower fell to the ground amid a cloud of dust.  The large cooling tower and the main structure of the plant had been previously removed.  The former plant is seen above in this October 2016 view.
 
HELP FIRST RESPONDERS find you in the event of an emergency at your house—make sure your house numbers are clearly visible from the street!  House numbers should be large, and of an easy-to-read font, and easily seen from the street.  Make sure flowers, shrubbery, or other landscaping are not obscuring them!
 
FERRY HOSTS 50,000,000TH PASSENGER!  That's not a typo!  Passenger number 50,000,000 sailed aboard the Cape May-Lewes Ferry earlier this month, crossing from Cape May to Delaware.  Zach Kaltenbach and his family are regular ferry passengers crossing the Bay regularly to visit Zach's parents in Cape May.  The Kaltenbachs were given free passage to celebrate 50,000,000 passengers having sailed aboard the ferry since 1964.  
 
RENTAL INCOME can help pay for YOUR shore home!  Did you know you can rent your shore home for two weeks, TAX FREE?  If you'd like to discuss using rental income to help pay for your shore home, please call or email me!
 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Cape May Restaurant Weekend, November 2-5.  For a list of participating restaurants. Read More
 
History Center Lecture: Gettysburg—One Woman’s War.  Avalon History Center, 250 39th Street, Saturday, November 4th, 1pm.
 
Vintage Music Concert: The Moon, Stars, & You.  Avalon Free Public Library, Saturday, November 4th, 2pm.
 
Plan Ahead: Thanksgiving Weekend!  Avalon’s Festive Friday and Snowfest Saturday, and Stone Harbor’s Island Holiday are on the calendar for Thanksgiving Weekend.  Details to follow!
 
Veteran’s Express, Cape May Seashore Lines.  Veteran’s ride free with three guests!  Richland Village Train Station, Saturday, November 11th, 11:11am and 1:11pm.  Read More