Thank you to L&F’s Jennifer Gensemer for capturing this magnificent rainbow over the 99th Street beach earlier this week.  What a great reminder that difficult roads do lead to beautiful places!

REOPENING PLANS DISCUSSED:  In addition to NJ Governor Murphy’s recently released six-point plan for reopening the state, many local leaders in Atlantic and Cape May Counties are working on a bipartisan plan featuring reopening strategies to present to the governor.  Balancing the health and safety of the public while responsibly reopening businesses is the goal.  With lower numbers of cases in the southern portion of the state, and the unique needs of seasonal businesses at the shore, they hope the governor will consider their plan.

SYSCO FOODS has generously donated 17 pallets of fresh vegetables and fruit to the Cape May County Zoo since the food could not be utilized by restaurants.  After determining which foods could be used for the animals, several remaining pallets of fresh foods were donated to local food pantries.  Thank you to Sysco for the donation, and to the Cape May County Zoo for ensuring that all the food was put to good use!

The Bridgeman family has bathed their three Stone Harbor motels in blue in honor of first responders and health care workers.

THREE STONE HARBOR MOTELS, including the Colonial Lodge, the Seaward, and the Stone Harbor Inn, have been bathed in blue light in honor of first responders and health care workers.  Pat and Laurie Bridgeman, long-time owners of the motels, have family on the front lines.  Their son Brendan is a volunteer firefighter with the Stone Harbor Fire Company, and Brendan’s wife, Kate, is a nurse at Cape Regional Medical Center.  The Bridgeman’s oldest son, Patrick, works as a pharmacist at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick.

CONSIDERING SELLING?  We offer a proactive and personal marketing plan for your home that allows us to creatively promote your home through digitally targeted social media and email campaigns.  Call or email me and we’ll discuss your goals and formulate a plan to make them happen!

THINKING ABOUT BUYING?  We’re taking responsible measures to assist our clients and I would love discuss how we can safely and successfully achieve your goals.  I’m available!

LOOK AT WHAT’S UNDER CONTRACT; LOOK AT WHAT’S SOLD.  See all the market activity below?  Yes, properties are selling.  Perhaps the best reason offered by a buyer that I’ve heard to date: “When this is all over, there is no place I’d rather be with my family than at the shore!”

A LITTLE BIT OF THE SHORE:  No matter where you are right now, you’ll enjoy this four-minute aerial video of Avalon’s beaches and other island scenes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Mo3PUXRAfQ
New Listings:

4718 Ocean Dr., Avalon, $5,995,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 201372

Properties Under Contract:

375 21st Street, Avalon, $1,225,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 200948

230 117th Street, Stone Harbor, $1,569,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 188420

219 19th Street, Avalon, $2,450,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 201337

Properties Sold:

663 21st Street, Unit A, Avalon, $705,000, SOLD MLS#: 200500

10009 Sunset Drive, Stone Harbor, $799,000, SOLD MLS#: 200511

261 58th Street, Avalon, $1,800,000, SOLD MLS#: 189716

10529 Third Avenue, Stone Harbor, $4,227,500, SOLD MLS#: 189563

A dolphin swims in Townsend’s Inlet at sunrise last week. The dolphin was feeding on fish as the sun climbed above the horizon.

MARKET STATS:  The number of properties sold in March was up a bit over February, but down slightly from a year ago.  The number of active listings increased in March, but was still down compared to last year.  For a detailed look at the market see the latest Long & Foster Market Minute report:

View The Latest Long & Foster Market Minute Report  |  Download/Print PDF

A BAD FIRE SEVERELY DAMAGED A STONE HARBOR HOME in the 200-block of 118th Street last week.  Stone Harbor Fire Department responded along with mutual aid from several area departments and brought the blaze under control.  Damage was sustained to the exterior of an adjacent house due to radiant heat.

This Stone Harbor home suffered heavy fire damage last week.  The home to the right suffered exterior damage.

HOW DID A NEW YORK FERRY BOAT WIND UP IN WILDWOOD…THEN CAPE MAY?  Wildwood Video Archives presents the fascinating tale of how a New York Central Railroad ferry boat, which plied the waters of the Hudson River for decades, later wound up becoming a tourist attraction in Wildwood, before winding up at the bottom of Cape May Harbor with a restaurant built atop it.  Enjoy the fun, seven-minute story here: https://youtu.be/cg2tkm71hYs

HELP WANTED!  Instead of holding its traditional in-person job fair, the Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce has distributed a list of businesses looking for summer help.  If you or someone you know is looking for summer employment, contact one or more of these businesses now:

Bad Kitty: kelly@badkitty.com/856-534-2734
Nemo’s Pizza: application at www.Nemosstoneharbor.com; send to nemospizza1@gmail.com, attention Angela.  (Year round employment available too.)
Shades of Stone Harbor: send resume to shadesemployment@gmail.com or call Scott at 609-602-6733
Global Pursuit: 609-368-5556
Bread & Cheese Cupboard: CarrieMTodd@gmail.com
RiGi’s Amusement Center: GMacconi@aol.com/215-704-3533
Clarke’s Sunset Market: forward resumes to cclarkejr@comcast.net or lucy.fiorillo@comcast.net
Donna’s Place: Peg29parr@icloud.com
CLUB 18: club18miniaturegolf@gmail.com
Surfside Fitness: application available at www.trainwithcheryl.com

AVALON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL HOAGIE & PLANT SALE has been cancelled.  If you’d like to consider donating to the Avalon Fire Department via PayPal visit www.AvalonFireDept.com, then click the Store & Raffles link.

THE GARDEN CLUB OF STONE HARBOR’S annual Plant Sale is here!  Plants will be delivered to your local address between May 8th and May 16th.  Order forms can be obtained by sending a request to sh08247@yahoo.com.
New Listings:

40 N. Inlet Drive, Avalon, $1,325,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 201320

214 47th Street, Avalon, $1,795,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 201347

219 19th Street, Avalon, $2,450,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 201337

Properties Under Contract:

151 95th Street, #5, Stone Harbor, $525,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 200481

230 117th Street, Stone Harbor, $1,569,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 188420

153 106th Street, Stone Harbor, $1,795,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 201246

158 99th Street, Stone Harbor, $2,795,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 190632

31 Heron Drive, Avalon, $4,200,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 201040

Properties Sold:

9501 Sunset Drive, Unit 15, Stone Harbor, $635,000, SOLD MLS#: 200864

229 81st Street, #1, Stone Harbor, $882,000, SOLD MLS#: 190623

1210 Ocean Drive, Avalon, $1,270,000, SOLD MLS#: 189111

2488 Avalon Avenue, Avalon, $2,050,000, SOLD MLS#: 200697

121 17th Street, Avalon, $2,655,000, SOLD MLS#: 200182

7688 Sunset Drive, Avalon, $3,450,000, SOLD MLS#: 190611

I hope all is well with you and your family.

Hopefully the current situation of the Country will change and we will be back to normal in the near future.

Below are links to the Boroughs of Avalon and Stone Harbor websites and their Covid-19 Updates for your review.

Borough of Avalon:

BOROUGH OF AVALON WEBSITE

APRIL 6, 2020 – MAYOR ISSUES SECOND EXECUTIVE ORDER

APRIL 1, 2020 – COUNTY OFFICIALS STRESS COMPLIANCE WITH STAY-AT-HOME ORDER

MARCH 30, 2020 – DIRECTIVE FROM MAYOR PAGLIUGHI – SHORT TERM RENTALS, VISITATION

Borough of Stone Harbor:

BOROUGH OF STONE HARBOR WEBSITE

APRIL 8, 2020 – CLOSURE OF BEACHES, PUBLIC PARKS AND MUNICIPAL MARINA/BOAT RAMP

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me if I can help in any other way.

After heavy winds and rain passed through, clouds dissipated as the sun began to shine.

HEAVY WINDS AND RAIN swept across Cape May County on Monday.  In many areas trees, limbs, utility poles, and wires were felled while deck furniture, trash cans, and other lightweight objects were blown around.  Outages occurred in some areas but power was restored quickly in most locations.

NEED A PROPERTY CHECK?  I know you can’t get here now, but I’m happy to do a drive-by check of your house.  Just email or call me!

THE AVALON BOULEVARD BRIDGE will close to all traffic from 7pm Thursday until 5am Friday as new concrete is installed on the bridge surface.  This is the final stage of construction during this phase of the project.   The next phase of the project is expected to take place after the summer season.

COAST GUARD RESCUE:  A sailor aboard a 25-foot sailboat was rescued by the US Coast Guard Friday evening about 200 miles from Cape May.  The crew of a passing tanker spotted black smoke and relayed a distress call to the Coast Guard via satellite phone.  The sailboat had experienced an electrical fire and was taking on water in heavy seas.

A PORTRAIT OF YOUR SHORE HOUSE–there’s no better way to create a lasting legacy for generations to come…make this the year to commission your custom house portrait painting with Lisa Cunningham!  Lisa can capture the essence of your shore home and preserve it forever.  Check out more samples and arrange for your free consultation through her website at www.LisaCunninghamFineArt.com!

WHATEVER YOU NEED, from a virtual property showing to summer rental questions to a property check, I’m here for you.  Call or email and I’ll be happy to help!

New Listings:

3349 Ocean Drive, Avalon, $999,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 201293 

Properties Sold:

351 96th Street, #304, Stone Harbor, $620,000, SOLD MLS#: 200826

9501 Sunset Drive, Unit 11, Stone Harbor, $681,000, SOLD MLS#: 200585

254 12th Street, Avalon, $1,625,000, SOLD MLS#: 189341

251 45th Street, Avalon, $1,935,000, SOLD MLS#: 190637

53 W. 25th Street, Avalon, $2,390,000, SOLD MLS#: 200379

221 56th Street, Avalon, $2,700,000, SOLD MLS#: 190883

238 75th Street, Avalon, $2,775,000, SOLD MLS#: 189199

76 W. 19th Street, Avalon, $3,200,000, SOLD MLS#: 189196

174 86th Street, Stone Harbor, $3,225,000, SOLD MLS#: 186966

We’re all dreaming of the day when this same scene along Avalon’s bayfront will be filled with people swimming, kayaking, and boating!

LOCAL MAYORS from Cape May County towns have closed local beaches and cancelled all community events, in reponse to guidelines issued by NJ Governor Phil Murphy, the CDC, and President Trump.  Avalon & Stone Harbor beaches were formally closed earlier this week.  Local officials, businesses, residents, and property owners are united in following all protocols in order to lessen the overall impact of the pandemic.  Each day that passes gets us one day closer to normal!

THE CAPE MAY COUNTY CHIEFS OF POLICE ASSOCIATION donated over 100 lunches to doctors, nurses, and staff at Cape Regional Medical Center and the area’s Urgent Care Centers.  The meals were ordered from local eateries who are still serving take out food.  Thank you Chiefs, for supporting our front line medical workers and local eateries!

96TH STREET BRIDGE repairs were authorized by the Cape May County Bridge Commission on an emergency basis, to address problems with the 90-year old bascule (drawbridge) span.  Repairs will be conducted during overnight hours, and the bridge will close from 7pm to 6am, but is expected to remain open during daytime hours.  In the interim, the bridge’s weight limit has been reduced to 15 tons and the speed limit restricted to 30mph to reduce impact on structural supports.

AT THE SHORE, VIRTUALLY: If you’re missing the shore, take advantage of virtual visits during this time!  For example, take a virtual video tour of the Cape May Lighthouse here, and enjoy a view of both its interior, and a view of the beaches and Atlantic Ocean that it towers above!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5_D_s9P0kA&feature=youtu.be

VIRTUAL PROPERTY SHOWINGS:  With so many working from home during the pandemic, we have found that our website views and inquiries have increased during this time.  Interested in learning more about a particular property?  I’ll be glad to answer any questions you may have, and happy to arrange a “virtual showing”.  Using live video via a variety of apps, you can examine a property inside and out, including the views and surrounding neighborhood, from the comfort of your own home!  Call or email me and we’ll schedule it at a time that’s good for you!

REAL ESTATE WILL BOOM:  An opinion piece that appeared on FoxBusiness.com says that real estate should boom once the pandemic subsides.  Both the economy and real estate market were fundamentally sound prior to the pandemic, and once the coronavirus threat is gone, demand for homes should continue, the article says.

LOW INTEREST RATES are likely to help–rates for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are still around 3.5%, extending buying power for mortgaged purchases.

OUR FRIENDS WITH THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS are offering some help to kids young and old.  While they’re not playing basketball games and are at home like the rest of us, they’ve shared a series of great videos on everything from excercise to music to motivation.  Their videos combine well-crafted messages with great video clips featuring the famous Globetrotter athleticism.

Check out these Harlem Globetrotter videos here:  https://www.harlemglobetrotters.com/athome

I’M HERE AND AVAILABLE TO HELP.  Call or email me!

New Listings:

153 106th Street, Stone Harbor, $1,795,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 201246

198 76th Street, Avalon, $2,598,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 201270

275 85th Street, Stone Harbor, $2,649,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 201259

Properties Sold:

1326 First Avenue, Avalon, $1,580,000, SOLD MLS#: 189760

387 24th Street, Avalon, $3,500,000, SOLD MLS#: 190271

182 58th Street, Avalon, $4,400,000, SOLD MLS#: 189251

First comes the rain…then the rainbow!

MAYORS OF AVALON, STONE HARBOR, and other shore towns issued a joint statement earlier this week requesting that everyone follow the social distancing/shelter-in-place guidelines issued by state and federal authorities.  Most local beaches and boardwalks are closed, and events have been cancelled.

WE’RE OPEN FOR BUSINESS, VIRTUALLY.  From property showings to paperwork to closings, technology allows us to perform important functions while following proper guidelines:

Showings are handled via live video feeds; purchase agreements and other documents are prepared and sent electronically, and signed electronically or via scanning and emailing; inspections are performed by inspectors who document their findings via photos or written reports; mortgage applications and processing are done remotely; closings are handled by title companies either remotely, or by various “drive through” methods to eliminate contact.  Business goes on!

CASHLESS TOLLING has been implemented by the Cape May County Bridge Commission.  EZPass was installed previously on all Ocean Drive bridges, and is still operational; for those transiting Ocean Drive bridges without EZPass, the same equipment will photograph your license plate so that drivers can be billed the regular cash rate via mail.  As long as the bill is paid within 30 days no fees or penalties are applied.

REPAIR WORK ON AVALON’S NORTH END JETTY continues, but damage to the jetty was found to be more extensive than first thought.  The five month project was expected to be completed prior to Memorial Day, but Avalon will have to decide whether to continue work into mid-June, or suspend work and resume at a later date.  The jetty was damaged by wave action during Winter Storm Jonas in 2016.

REMOTE LEARNING has replaced school buses during these past few weeks.  Here are some great ways to entertain and educate the kids (or anyone!)

https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/03/live-zoo-cams-free-abc-mouse-scholastic-the-ultimate-guide-oto-free-resources-for-remote-learning-during-coronavirus.html

I’M HERE, AND READY TO HELP!  Whether you’re ready to discuss your next real estate move, or you need help with something at your shore property, please call or email me.  I’m here, and ready to help!

ELTON JOHN shared some wise words as he hosted a concert Sunday evening from his home, and they seem quite fitting: “Once we get through these tough times, better days lie ahead.”  Just like getting through the rain to get to the rainbow!

New Listings:

9816 Second Avenue, Unit 11, Stone Harbor, $319,900, ACTIVE MLS#: 201218

8626 Sunset Drive, Stone Harbor, $1,548,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 201215

132 38th Street, Avalon, $3,999,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 201236

Properties Under Contract:

779 Stone Harbor Boulevard, Stone Harbor Manor, $309,500, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 201177

351 96th Street, #304, Stone Harbor, $665,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 200826

325 80th Street, #16, Stone Harbor, $835,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 201110

4385 Fourth Avenue, Avalon, $3,995,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 189829

Properties Sold:

754 Sunrise Drive, Avalon, $855,000, SOLD MLS#: 190530

2314 Dune Drive, Avalon, $922,000, SOLD MLS#: 189509

308 76th Street, Avalon, $2,225,000, SOLD MLS#: 189266

226 117th Street, Stone Harbor, $2,737,500, SOLD MLS#: 188971

11 E. 11th Street, Avalon, $2,850,000, SOLD MLS#: 189074

4603 Fifth Avenue, Avalon, $3,637,500, SOLD MLS#: 200654