A NORMAN ROCKWELL CHRISTMAS! Avalon and Stone Harbor kick off a very Norman Rockwell Christmas season with their Thanksgiving Weekend events, but even if you missed that weekend, both towns are still fully decorated and festive, and worth a visit! Holiday lights line the Dune Drive and 96th Street business districts, stores are open, many restaurants are open, and it’s a fun place to be!
IT’S COLD! Overnight lows were down in the 20s earlier this week…make sure your shore house is ready for extreme cold. Foundation vents should be closed to prevent frigid air from reaching pipes; inside, set your heat at 55-65 degrees to prevent freezing pipes. If you have waterlines inside kitchen or bath cabinets on exterior walls of the house, the cabinet doors can be opened to allow heated air to reach the pipes. Worried about your house? Call or email me if you need something checked!
Average 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, courtesy Freddie Mac & Kirk George, Wells Fargo.
MORTGAGE RATES change frequently (sometimes daily) but in recent months have drifted downward a bit. Putting it in perspective is this chart showing the average 30-year rate since 1972. Despite the increases a couple of years ago, current rates are still below average. “Marry the house and date the rate” may be good advice—if rates fall, you can refinance, meanwhile, you’ll be enjoying your shore property!
SHOP LOCAL! There’s no better way to support your favorite beach town and merchants… Send a little holiday love their way, and they’ll ship a little holiday love your way! Here are a few ideas:
- Show your love for The Wetlands Institute—they offer sweatshirts, books, ornaments, and more! https://tidepool-shop.myshopify.com/
- The Fudge Kitchen is offering holiday discounts, and they’ll ship anywhere! https://fudgekitchens.com/
- Stuff a few stockings with local beach tags! https://jersey-cape-tags.myshopify.com/collections/currentbeachtagsbadges
- Cape May Whale Watcher is offering 20% off ticket packs! https://capemaywhalewatcher.com/
- Wine Bar Local Thursday. 2-for-1 oysters, 25% off bottles of wine, and a rotating $25 bar plate. The Washington Inn, Thursday, December 11th, 3:30pm to 8:30pm.
- Tales Well Told: Seasonal Surprises. Performed by Michele LaRue. Avalon History Center, Saturday, December 13th, 2pm.
- Somm’s Table: Port & Pastries. Explore the world of Port Wines. The Washington Inn, Sunday, December 14th, 3pm to 4:30pm. https://www.washingtoninn.com/upcoming-events/somms-table-port-pastries
- Holiday Charcuterie: Build your own sample box to take home! Avalon Free Public Library, Friday, December 19th, 1pm. Registration required: call 609-967-7155.
- Icona Christmas Pop-Up. A joyfully decorated Avalon Brew Pub is ready to serve libations, seasonal cuisine, and craft brews. Through January 1st.
- The Santa Express: Ride with Santa aboard vintage railcars from Tuckahoe and Richland Stations. Daytime, nighttime, coach class, lounge car, and private family cars are available! Cape May Seashore Lines, through December 23rd. For schedules and tickets visit https://www.seashorelines.org/the-santa-express
- Let’s Catch Santa. Cape May Stage, through December 28th. https://capemaystage.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=413
- Christmas In Cape May. Cape May is beautifully decorated and transformed into a Dickens village for the holidays with garlands of fragrant greens and twinkling gaslights. Activities of all kinds are available, including trolley rides, tours, breakfast with Santa, lighthouse tours, and more. Now through January 4th.
- Happy Noon Year! Celebrate Noon Year’s Eve at the Avalon Free Public Library with a special family friendly dance party. Avalon Free Public Library, Wednesday, December 31st, 11am.
- Avalon’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks Celebration. A family friendly celebration begins at 3:30pm, followed by a dazzling fireworks display of the 35th Street beach at 5pm. Surfside Park, Wednesday, December 31st, 3:30pm.
386 24th Street, Upper, Avalon, $1,840,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 253480
Under Contract:
279 13th Street, C-6, Avalon, $1,250,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 242750
315 79th Street, 315, Avalon, $2,395,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 253437
Properties Sold:
700 Ocean Drive, D2, Avalon, $1,499,925, SOLD MLS#: 253118
384 41st Street, Avalon, $2,700,000, SOLD MLS#: 252887
