The afternoon sun highlights the edge of a dock.  Even in the winter, it’s beautiful out on the bay!

CHILLY OCEAN TEMPS!  Although our weather has warmed up significantly, ocean water temperatures move much more slowly and remain cold.  Surf temperatures off our beaches are currently around 37 degrees.  Last week’s rapid warm up caused low lying fog in the back bays, as relatively warm air hovered over cold water in the bay.  Stone Harbor’s annual “Shiver Polar Plunge” is just over a month away—perhaps surf temperatures will climb a bit by then!

MORTGAGE RATES…BELOW AVERAGE: Despite mortgage rate increases over the past couple of years, they’re still below their historical average according to a chart by Freddie Mac and provided by Wells Fargo.  Since the typical mortgage is held for far less than 30 years, some buyers opt for hybrid loan with even rates fixed for the initial three, five, or seven years of the loan’s life, planning to either pay off the loan in that time frame, refinance, or sell the property.  As the chart above indicates, rates fluctuate; don’t let mortgage rates keep you from achieving your goals.  Let’s talk and find a way to make them happen!

BROWSE OUR SEASHORE RENTALS!  Check out some of our featured rental properties in Avalon and Stone Harbor!  Review photos, descriptions, plus rates & availability.  You can also plug in your own specifications—dates, price ranges, etc.—and create your own customized list of options that match your criteria.  If you haven’t booked your vacation yet, take a look!  https://newsletter.lfvacations.com/campaigns/reports/viewCampaign.aspx?d=d&c=0AA7E0FE35A2CDC6&ID=C48901AAC1F8D33F2540EF23F30FEDED&temp=False&tx=0

REFERRALS, ANYONE?  If you need real estate services outside my market area, please let me know.  Chances are I know a professional in that area who can provide you with the high level of service you deserve.  With years of experience in the industry, I’ve met and worked with skilled professionals all over, and I’d like to formally refer you to one that you’ll be happy with!

TALK TO YOUR LANDSCAPER about mulch at your shore property.  New NJ fire code regulations prevent combustible (wood) mulch within 18 inches of a rental property, and local municipalities must enforce those regulations.

GO BIRDS!  The whole region is cheering for one last win for the Philadelphia Eagles!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

New Listings:

304 78th Street, East, Avalon, $1,875,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250292

247 109th Street, Stone Harbor, $1,995,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250263

1745 First Avenue, Avalon, $2,495,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250217

302 84th Street, South, Stone Harbor, $2,495,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250256

276 103rd Street, Stone Harbor, $4,295,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250265

153 76th Street, Avalon, $5,195,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250288

11605 Paradise Drive, Stone Harbor, $12,495,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250259

Under Contract:

265 102nd Street, B (front), Stone Harbor, $849,900, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 250209

700 Ocean Drive, B5, Avalon, $1,299,925, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 243468

1116 Stone Harbor Boulevard, 204, Stone Harbor Manor, $1,785,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 242978

34 W 13th Street, Avalon, $2,999,999, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 242635

2308 Ocean Drive, Avalon, $3,450,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 250192

190 76th Street, Avalon, $5,200,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 243459

150 64th Street, Avalon, $9,750,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 250146

Properties Sold:

2828 Avalon Avenue, C-5, Avalon, $850,000, SOLD MLS#: 243185

255 81st Street, 2, Stone Harbor, $1,315,000, SOLD MLS#: 242668

243 110th Street, Stone Harbor, $2,849,000, SOLD MLS#: 243298

2059 First Avenue, Avalon, $4,495,000, SOLD MLS#: 243117

During our multiple-week cold snap, areas of the bay froze.  We’ve finally seen daytime and overnight temperatures moderate, with highs above 40 degrees.

LANSCAPING MULCH is now part of the New Jersey Fire Code, which will regulate its placement in rental properties.  Combustible mulch products, including wood-based mulch, will be prohibited within 18 inches of any building, structure, deck, porch, or balcony of any building constructed of combustible material.  Non-combustible or fire resistant mulch is allowed.  The new regulation applies to all rental properties, and local municipalities must enforce the code beginning April 15, 2025.  Owner occupied one- and two-family homes are exempt, though the Borough of Avalon recommends that all property owners consider compliance, as the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department responds to multiple mulch fires each year, as wood-based mulch spontaneously combusts under the right conditions.  Rental property owners should make their landscapers aware of this new requirement, if they are not already.

MARKET STATS:  The number of units sold and the number of active listings increased slightly during December 2024 compared to a year earlier, while the number of new purchase contracts written remained the same.  For a detailed look at the market see the latest Long & Foster Market Minute report: https://marketminute.longandfoster.com/Market-Minute/NJ/Avalon-Stone-Harbor.htm

$50,000 IN ANNUAL RENTAL INCOME!  Have you ever thought about using rental income to help pay for your vacation home?  That’s a very simple strategy, and one that can help you maximize your return on a shore property.  Our vacation rental market remains strong, with very solid demand.  Depending upon what kind of property you ultimately purchase, generating $50,000, $100,000, or even $200,000 is possible.  Curious?  Let’s talk about the options and potential rental income of various properties!

LOOKING FOR A FUN VALENTINE ACTIVITY?  Try a ride on the Valentine’s Express aboard vintage railcars that used to bring passengers to the Jersey Shore daily.  Cape May Seashore Lines runs the trains from nearby Richland and Tuckahoe train stations.  It’s fun for all ages, especially train fans!  The trains run February 7^th (from Richland) and February 8^th (from Tuckahoe) and there are tickets available each day.  For details, schedules, and tickets visit www.seashorelines.org/home

UPCOMING EVENTS:

New Listings:

10305 First Avenue, Stone Harbor, $390,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250205

274 52nd Street, Avalon, $2,500,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250199

2308 Ocean Drive, Avalon, $3,450,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250192

4765 Fourth Avenue, Avalon, $5,200,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250201

4599 5th Avenue, Avalon, $5,995,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250154

Under Contract:

351 96th Street, 413, Stone Harbor, $1,150,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 243608

287 14th Street, 3, Avalon, $1,200,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 250195

1116 Stone Harbor Boulevard, 204, Stone Harbor Manor, $1,785,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 242978

Properties Sold:

274 64th Street, Avalon, $4,575,000, SOLD MLS#: 242113

Most of the snow is now gone, but Avalon Boardwalk is a very chilly place to be this week!

WOW, IT’S COLD!  Temperatures plummeted again this past weekend, and a bit more snow fell Sunday evening.  Early this week, daytime temps were in the 20s, with overnight lows in the teens.  It has warmed up just a bit since then, but it’s still cold!  Next Sunday and Monday we may see daytime highs around 40 for the first time in a while.

ICE COLD TEMPS, HOT MARKET!  Snow and cold weather haven’t affected our local real estate market:  In the first 17 days of the new year, 11 properties sold (settled) and 11 more properties were placed under contract.  Call or email me to schedule an appointment to view properties–and don’t let cold weather stop you!

STONE HARBOR PLAYGROUND SURVEY:  Stone Harbor’s 82nd Street Playground was closed a while ago due to safety concerns.  Stone Harbor wants to hear from those who will utilize the new playground in order to design it in such a way as to benefit as many people as possible.  Residents, homeowners, visitors, and the business community are invited to take a five-minute survey to provide valuable input on the new playground.  To participate, visit: https://stoneharbornj.org/community-invited-survey-for-82nd-street-playground-design-available/

OFF SEASON PAINTING:  Your shore property might not be top of mind during the winter season, but it’s a great time take care of some property improvements—including painting.  Whether you need to refresh your foyer or repaint your entire interior, take advantage of the winter months when you’re not using the property, and schedule some painting work.  Need a painter?  Call or email me for a recommendation!

GO BIRDS!  Congratulations to the Philadelphia Eagles on their victory last Sunday.  Here’s to another one this Sunday, fella!  Go Birds!

WHATEVER YOU NEED, please reach out!  I’m happy to help arrange a week’s vacation on the island for you, or find you the perfect place to call your own forever!  Let’s discuss your dreams, and then make them come true!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

New Listings:

260 21st Street, Avalon, $675,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250126

10509 2nd Avenue, West, Stone Harbor, $1,895,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250124

9102 3rd Avenue, Stone Harbor, $2,200,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250149

215 89th Street, Stone Harbor, $3,195,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250120

150 64th Street, Avalon, $9,750,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250146

Under Contract:

7800 Dune Drive, Concord Suites, Avalon, $409,900, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 243420

177 80th Street, 210, Avalon, $675,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 250027

276 13th Street, 276 13th, Avalon, $1,199,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 243198

259 24th Street, West, Avalon, $1,790,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 250060

399 20th Street, 399, Avalon, $3,995,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 243613

335 104th Street, Stone Harbor, $4,995,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 243631

188 33rd Street, Avalon, $4,995,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 243128

285 58th Street, Avalon, $5,745,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 250059

Properties Sold:

461 Avalon Boulevard, Avalon Manor, $825,000, SOLD MLS#: 243116

10009 Sunset Drive, Unit 3, Stone Harbor, $1,475,000, SOLD MLS#: 242526

2003 Dune Drive, 2003, Avalon, $1,700,000, SOLD MLS#: 242597

153 102nd Street, Stone Harbor, $4,080,000, SOLD MLS#: 241923

169 36th Street, Avalon, $4,295,000, SOLD MLS#: 242776

Sure it’s chilly now…but it won’t be long before we’re all ready to take a dip in the bay on a hot summer day!

CAPE MAY COUNTY was named the top luxury vacation home destination in the country by Pacaso.  Ranked based on a combination of factors including price growth, demand, and the proportion of vacation homes to primary residences, Cape May County beat other luxury destinations such as Florida’s Gulf County, Hawaii’s Maui County, and Rhode Island’s Newport County.  But perhaps the most important part of Pacaso’s report is a quote from the company’s founder, Austin Allison, referring to vacation homes: “These aren’t just weekend getaways anymore—they’re lifestyle investments for people looking to create endless cherished memories with friends and family.”  Ready to be a part of it?  Call or email me!

SPIKE THE SNAPPING TURTLE, well known as one of the turtles cared for by the Turtlesinger, has passed away at the age of 19.  Spike and the Turtlesinger—who sings and educates the public about turtles—are well known through many public appearances in Stone Harbor and throughout the county.  Most recently, turtles Gracie and Rocky rode in the Stone Harbor Christmas Parade Thanksgiving weekend.

“A COMPLETE UNKNOWN,” a recently released film about singer Bob Dylan, was partially filmed in Cape May.  Standing in for the famous seaside town of Newport, RI, several scenes in the movie show Cape May, including the recognizable Congress Hall, Washington Street Mall, Beach Avenue, and even the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.  Filmed in the spring of 2024, many Cape May buildings were temporarily lettered to reflect names of establishments in Newport in 1965, a key turning point in Dylan’s musical career.  The movie is still playing at the Harbor Square Theater in Stone Harbor through Thursday of this week, as well as at other area theaters.

WEEKEND WARM UP?  After an extended stretch of frigid weather, we had a brush with forty-degree daytime temperatures earlier this week, before temperatures dropped again.  Despite all the cold, we’ve had a good bit of sunshine.  This weekend we may finally see forty degrees again on Saturday, but with a chance of rain.

“GO BIRDS!”  It’s a phrase you’ll hear spoken between friends and passersby, in Wawas and restaurants, and offices and gas stations, as the entire region gets behind its favorite football team.  From the beaches to the city, people are rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles in this week’s playoff game.  Go Birds!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

New Listings:

260/264 21st Street, Avalon, $1,295,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250091

259 24th Street, West, Avalon, $1,790,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250060

6801 Ocean Drive, 6801, Avalon, $2,450,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250090

141 8th Street, Avalon, $2,899,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250083

82 W 9th Street, Avalon, $3,195,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250079

2988 1st Avenue, Avalon, $3,299,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250086

188 34th Street, Avalon, $5,195,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250073

Under Contract:

2828 Avalon Avenue, C-5, Avalon, $875,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 243185

432 Avalon Boulevard, Avalon Manor, $1,299,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 243445

2987 Dune Drive, 7, Avalon, $1,829,990, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 243438

Properties Sold:

293 87th Street, N, Stone Harbor, $2,350,000, SOLD MLS#: 242116

271 106th Street, Stone Harbor, $2,450,000, SOLD MLS#: 243313

8522 Sunset Drive, Stone Harbor, $4,000,000, SOLD MLS#: 232356

11901 2nd Avenue, Stone Harbor, $4,695,000, SOLD MLS#: 242430

More than six inches of snow fell on Monday.  By Tuesday morning sunshine and blue skies were back, but the snow remained!

SNOW AT THE BEACH!  Monday morning Avalon and Stone Harbor awoke to heavy snowfall, which continued all day.  By nightfall over six inches of fluffy white snow blanketed the beach and the rest of the island.  Public works crews plowed snow all day Monday and again Tuesday.  By mid-day Tuesday local roads were mostly clear, but with day time highs in the low thirties, and evening lows in the twenties, the piles of snow will be around for a while!

By early Monday the beach was covered with powdery snow!  Snow continued to fall most of the day.

NEED A POST-STORM CHECK of your house?  I’m happy to help.  If you need a quick drive by, or an interior check of your shore property, let me know.   If you need regularly scheduled winter property checks, I can recommend companies that provide formal winter watch services.

MARKET STATS:  29% more properties sold in November 2024 versus November 2023, while the median sale price decrease.  For a detailed look at the market see the latest Long & Foster Market Minute report:  https://marketminute.longandfoster.com/Market-Minute/NJ/Avalon-Stone-Harbor.htm

NEW YEAR, NEW SHORE HOME?  You love the shore, your family loves the shore…is this the year for you?  During 2024 over 200 families purchased a shore property in our local market; another 31 are scheduled to close on their shore property early this year.  With active listings beginning at $350,000 (for an efficiency condominium), there’s a way to make your dream of shore ownership a reality.  Let’s talk!  Call or email me today!

A FEW EXTRA MOMENTS of daylight make all the difference!  Sunset in Avalon is occurring about 4:52pm this week, as opposed to 4:36pm during the darkest days of December.  Longer days are a sign we’re on our way to another summer season!

135 DAYS until Memorial Day Weekend!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

New Listings:

177 80th Street, 210, Avalon, $675,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250027

2488 Avalon Avenue, Avalon, $907,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250041

351 96th Street, 413, Stone Harbor, $1,150,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 243608

10801 Second Avenue, Stone Harbor, $2,795,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250037

890 21st Street, Avalon, $2,995,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250005

273 60th Street, Avalon, $3,099,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 243587

2425 Harbor Avenue, 2425, Avalon, $3,750,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250028

397 20th Street, 397, Avalon, $3,995,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 243612

399 20th Street, 399, Avalon, $3,995,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 243613

243 87th Street, Stone Harbor, $4,749,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 243596

335 104th Street, Stone Harbor, $4,995,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 243631

10 92nd Street, 1, Stone Harbor, $5,500,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250003

151 37th Street, Avalon, $5,885,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 250046

Under Contract:

265 83rd Street, Stone Harbor, $3,200,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 243579

4033 Ocean Drive, Avalon, $3,795,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 242216

274 64th Street, Avalon, $4,850,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 242113

Properties Sold:

13 93rd Street, 5, Stone Harbor, $1,775,000, SOLD MLS#: 243022

310 79th Street, West, Avalon, $1,812,500, SOLD MLS#: 242991

244 32nd Street, East, Avalon, $1,870,000, SOLD MLS#: 242900

281 35th Street, 281, Avalon, $1,945,000, SOLD MLS#: 242891

281 71st Street, Avalon, $3,000,000, SOLD MLS#: 241972

248 41st Street, Avalon, $4,495,000, SOLD MLS#: 241500

PEACE & JOY to you & yours this holiday season!

A SINCERE THANK YOU for your business, referrals, and friendship in 2024!

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

THE AVALON/STONE HARBOR UPDATE will return the week of January 5th, 2025.

IF YOU’D LIKE TO GIVE YOUR FAMILY the ultimate gift and begin making seashore memories in 2025, 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:

1607 Ocean Drive, E, Avalon, $1,099,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 243557

270 101st Street, Stone Harbor, $2,900,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 243562

253 35th Street, Avalon, $3,189,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 243567

265 83rd Street, Stone Harbor, $3,200,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 243579

Under Contract:

423 104th Street, Stone Harbor, $6,199,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 243322

Properties Sold:

388 95th Street, Front, Stone Harbor, $1,325,000, SOLD MLS#: 243052

7899 Sunset Drive, W, Avalon, $1,750,000, SOLD MLS#: 242977

286 44th Street, Avalon, $3,029,000, SOLD MLS#: 242740

8307 Sunset Drive, Stone Harbor, $3,450,000, SOLD MLS#: 240284