The last sunset of 2025!

HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and your family!  Wishing you the very best in 2026!

CASHLESS TOLLS: The Atlantic City Expressway tolls are now cashless.  Motorists may pay tolls via E-ZPass, or via toll-by-plate.  New overhead toll readers have been installed at 11 locations along the Expressway, and the traditional toll plaza will eventually be removed.  Reducing congestion at the toll plaza is expected to be a major benefit of the new cashless tolling system.

THE TOWNSEND’S INLET BRIDGE will close during overnight hours beginning Monday, January 12th.  A contractor will be installing new pilings beneath the bridge from 8pm to 5am, Monday through Thursday nights, as part of the bridge fender replacement program.  During the closures, which are expected to last until January 26th, motorists may use Route 9 or the Garden State Parkway when travelling between Avalon and Sea Isle City.

254 FAMILIES TOOK THE PLUNGE IN 2025, buying their very own shore property right here in our local market!  Market activity has continued, and 26 more properties are currently under contract for settlement in 2026.

IS THIS YOUR YEAR?  If you’re ready to take the plunge yourself, let’s talk!

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

New Listings:

700 First Avenue, 305, Avalon, $1,299,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 260005

2023 Dune Drive, 2023, Avalon, $1,670,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 260011

211 23rd Street, Avalon, $3,795,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 260008

Under Contract:

25 Seabreeze Lane, Avalon Manor, $1,650,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 253454

150 64th Street, Avalon, $9,250,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 250146

Properties Sold:

9 Seabreeze Lane, Avalon Manor, $1,999,999, SOLD MLS#: 251851

154 98th Street, Stone Harbor, $3,093,750, SOLD MLS#: 252869

PEACE & JOY to you & yours this holiday season!

A SINCERE THANK YOU for your business, referrals, and friendship in 2025!

IF YOU’RE ON THE ISLAND for the holidays, be sure to catch the New Year’s Eve fireworks on the beach in Avalon! (Details are below!)

THE AVALON/STONE HARBOR UPDATE will return the week of January 5th, 2026.

IF YOU’D LIKE TO GIVE YOUR FAMILY the ultimate gift and begin making seashore memories in 2026, contact me anytime!

FROM MY FAMILY TO YOURS, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  Best wishes for health and happiness in the New Year!

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

New Listings:

256 42nd Street, Avalon, $2,900,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 253542

Under Contract:

1838 First Avenue, Avalon, $2,495,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 253530

Properties Sold:

304 78th Street, East, Avalon, $1,795,000, SOLD MLS#: 250292

Avalon and Stone Harbor woke up to snow this past weekend, and temperatures were cold enough that it stuck around for quite a while.  Above, a Christmas tree on Avalon’s 30th Street beach is covered with snow and decorations.

THE WETLANDS INSTITUTE has posted an article describing the ongoing marsh restoration efforts in local back bay areas, including adjacent to the Institute.  Appearing in Seven Mile Times and written by Wetlands Institute director Dr. Lenore Tedesco, the article describes the ongoing work of the Seven Mile Innovation Lab, a joint partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, and the The Wetlands Institute.  Using clean dredge materials, the elevation of the marsh has been raised to help combat sea level rise and keep the marsh resilient in the future.  Read more here:  https://wetlandsinstitute.org/about-us/articles-publications/?

WORRIED ABOUT YOUR PIPES during freezing weather?  Avalon has introduced an app that allows you to monitor water consumption while you’re away from your shore house.  Notifications can be set to alert you to water usage which could indicate a broken or leaking pipe.  Check out the app at avalon.my360-app.com.  Have your water bill handy to set up access to the app.

CONSIDER A GIFT to one of your favorite organizations this holiday season.  While lots of worthy organizations are deserving of your support, here a few local ones to consider:

GIVE THE GIFT OF SEASHORE MEMORIES!  Nothing brings the family together like a week at the shore!  If you’re ready to book your family vacation—and lock in a week’s worth of seashore memories—call or email me!  Want to make it permanent?  Let’s discuss your real estate goals and find the perfect seashore retreat to call your own!  I’ll throw in the big red bow!

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

New Listings:

7800 Dune Drive, #205, Avalon, $430,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 253527

Properties Sold:

1116 Stone Harbor Boulevard, Unit 101, Stone Harbor Manor, $1,525,000, SOLD MLS#: 252865

10425 Corinthian Drive, Stone Harbor, $4,925,000, SOLD MLS#: 252994

The Santa Express is in full swing!  For many, it’s an annual tradition to ride the rails with Santa, aboard some of the same vintage rail cars that used to carry passengers back and forth between Philadelphia and the shore!  See my events list below for details!

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 96^th 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:

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

New Listings:

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

Avalon’s Festive Friday & Snowfest Saturday and Stone Harbor’s A Coastal Christmas produced smiles all around! Photo provided by Borough of Avalon Facebook page.

SANTA & MRS. CLAUS made appearances and visited with children last weekend.  Tree lightings, music, family activities, and parades added to the festive atmosphere.  Local shops and restaurants were open, and the business districts of Avalon and Stone Harbor were quite busy!  If you’ve never been on Seven Mile Island for the Thanksgiving Weekend, it’s something you have to do!

On Thanksgiving Day hundreds of Coast Guard recruits from Training Center Cape May were hosted by local families.  As host families arrived, recruits, above, waited until called by their company commanders for pick up.  Want to host a couple of recruits on Christmas Day?  See below for info!

HOST A COASTIE!  Did you know that the Coast Guard’s “Training Center Cape May” is where all of the nation’s newly enlisted Coast Guard personnel are trained?  At any given time, there are hundreds of Coast Guard recruits being trained in Cape May—and they need a place to call home for the holiday.  On Thanksgiving Day, over 600 recruits were hosted by local families as part of Operation Fireside, giving the recruits their first chance to relax, unwind, and enjoy a home cooked meal for the first time since arriving in Cape May.  Hosting a pair of recruits (or as many as you can fit!) is a truly rewarding experience, and truly appreciated by the recruits, their families around the country, and by the Coast Guard!  Host families within 50 miles or 60 minutes of Cape May are still needed for Christmas Day.  Interested?  The American Red Cross organizes Operation Fireside.  Send an email to opfiresidenj@redcross.org and request an application!

SHOP LOCAL: So many of our great local merchants remain open and ready to serve you during the holidays.  Put a little summer in your Christmas shopping, and support local businesses while doing your holiday shopping!

Here are some ideas:

TOYS FOR TOTS:  Brighten the holiday of a local child in need–consider donating a new, unwrapped toy for our Toys for Tots drive.  Your donation can make a real difference in a child’s holiday.  Our Avalon office is a drop off location—simply stop by and drop off your toy!

GIVE THE GIFT OF SEASHORE MEMORIES!  Want to give your family memories that will last a lifetime?  Spend a week at the shore with them!  Want to make it permanent?  Buy your very own shore property!  Call or email me to get started!

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

New Listings:

315 79th Street, 315, Avalon, $2,395,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 253437

Under Contract:

128 16th Street, Avalon, $2,995,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 252964

245 57th Street, Avalon, $7,995,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 252781

Properties Sold:

297 24th Street, 297, Avalon, $2,150,000, SOLD MLS#: 251352

IT’S A HUGE WEEKEND in Avalon & Stone Harbor!  After family celebrations on Thursday, turn out for the Turkey Trot and the rest of Avalon’s Festive Friday lineup.  All along Dune Drive there will be shopping, music, activities for families and kids, and plenty of fun to be had!  And c’mon back again for Snowfest Saturday!  Not to be outdone, Stone Harbor presents A Coastal Christmas with a tree lighting, pet parade, kids crafts, and a huge Christmas parade Saturday night!  See below for details!

TOYS FOR TOTS:  Please consider supporting our Toys for Tots drive by dropping off a new, unwrapped toy at our Avalon office!  Toys will be collected through the first week of December.   Help brighten the holiday of a child!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from my family to yours!

UPCOMING EVENTS: 

New Listings:

253 35th Street, WEST, Avalon, $3,475,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 253415

859 Dune Drive, Avalon, $3,595,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 253381

11104 2nd Avenue, Stone Harbor, $3,995,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 253395

10 E 14th Street, Avalon, $4,099,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 253413

137 111th Street, Stone Harbor, $4,295,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 253396

179 32nd Street, Avalon, $4,945,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 253412

8600 Second Avenue, Stone Harbor, $5,295,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 253406

Under Contract:

6772 Ocean Drive, 6772, Avalon, $3,425,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 251569

9619 Seng Place, Stone Harbor, $3,950,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 252791

10425 Corinthian Drive, Stone Harbor, $4,999,999, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 252994

Properties Sold:

351 96th Street, 209, Stone Harbor, $890,000, SOLD MLS#: 251442

3009 Dune Drive, Avalon, $999,000, SOLD MLS#: 252015

2778 Dune Drive, D, Avalon, $1,450,000, SOLD MLS#: 252145

294 86th Street, Stone Harbor, $2,900,000, SOLD MLS#: 252292

338 99th Street, Stone Harbor, $3,450,000, SOLD MLS#: 252485