MARKET STATS: 9 property sales occurred during June 2024, including numerous high-end sales that pushed the median sale price to $4,900,000.  20 properties were placed under contract for future settlement.  For a detailed look at the market see the latest Long & Foster Market Minute report here: https://marketminute.longandfoster.com/Market-Minute/NJ/Avalon-Stone-Harbor.htm

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN TO AVALON BEACH PATROL, this time for winning the David J. Kerr Memorial Lifeguard Races held at Avalon’s 35^th Street beach.  This was the 40^th Anniversary of the event, making the win extra special for Avalon Beach Patrol members.

FORMER AVALON MAYOR MARTIN PAGLIUGHI has retired from his position as Director of the Cape May County Office of Emergency Management earlier this year, and was replaced this month by Chris Leusner.  Pagliughi had held the position since prior to Superstorm Sandy occurred in 2012.

SANTA’S STONE HARBOR VACATION continues through Thursday, July 25th.  Santa will be visiting downtown Stone Harbor making appearances and talking with children.   Maybe you’ll catch him on your way to your favorite shop or restaurant!

GOTTA DO IT:  On the water cruises!  There are a variety of ways to get out and enjoy some time on the water, even if you’re not a fisherman or sailor yourself.  Here are some great options:

UPCOMING EVENTS:

WEEKLY EVENTS:

New Listings:

7800 Dune Drive, 231, Avalon, $430,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 242143

2048 Ocean Drive, 2042 N, Avalon, $2,600,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 242102

293 87th Street, N, Stone Harbor, $2,695,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 242116

65 W 17th Street, Avalon, $3,795,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 242104

399 20th Street, 399, Avalon, $4,195,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 242081

93 W 13th Street, Avalon, $4,950,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 242091

274 64th Street, Avalon, $5,099,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 242113

6212 Dune Drive, Avalon, $5,695,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 242071

211 121st Street, Stone Harbor, $6,995,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 242121

Under Contract:

177 80th Street, 304, Avalon, $699,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241161

311 42nd Street, Avalon, $2,995,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 240117

613 Sunrise Drive, 613, Avalon, $3,495,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241953

585 7th Street, Avalon, $3,999,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 242112

301 84th Street, Stone Harbor, $5,395,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241348

Properties Sold:

1178 1st Avenue, Avalon, $2,537,500, SOLD MLS#: 241803

Sunrise is a great reason to get up early—but other things can be seen in the pre-dawn sky.  Shown above is a SpaceX rocket​ shortly after being launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida.  The rocket was carrying 20 Starlink satellites, and was visible from most of Seven Mile Island.

AVALON BEACH PATROL won the Cape May County Lifeguard Championships earlier this week, posting 29 points versus second place Ocean City’s 24 points.  Avalon Beach Patrol will host the 40^th Annual David J. Kerr Memorial Lifeguard Race Friday evening (July 19th) at 6:15pm on the 35^th Street beach.  If you’re here, check it out!

HAZY, HOT, & HUMID!  A strong southwesterly flow of warm air brought hazy, hot, and humid conditions to our area.  Temperatures and humidity levels increased each morning—until afternoon seabreezes took over, helping to cool things down.  Ocean water temperatures remain chilly for this time of year, and the hot and humid conditions have lead to frequent patchy fog.

GOTTA DO IT: Summer concerts at the shore!  There’s nothing quite like good music by the beach, with a salty breeze rustling your hair.  There are several great (and free!) ways to enjoy good music while you’re here!

In Avalon, the Thursday Nights at Surfside Park summer concert series features the B-Street Band (A Tribute to The Boss) on Thursday, July 18th.

In Stone Harbor, catch the Tuesdays at the Tower concert series featuring Pure Jerry: A Tribute to The Grateful Dead on Tuesday, July 23rd.

Another fun option is the Wednesday Night Concert Series at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal.  The free concerts are staged on the lawn next to the Cape May Canal and Delaware Bay, with a view of passing boats as well as arriving and departing ferries.  On Wednesday, July 24^th, Legacy is featured at 5:30pm.

SELLING IN THE FALL?  Let’s talk now!  If you’re considering selling your property in the fall, let’s discuss your plans now.  Fall may seem like it’s a long way off, but it’ll be here soon.  By discussing your plans now, we can formulate our strategy together

UPCOMING EVENTS:

New Listings:280 36th Street, Avalon, $4,550,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241984

150 64th Street, Avalon, $10,500,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 242027

Under Contract:

242 29th Street, East, Avalon, $1,699,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 240190

1528 Dune Drive, Avalon, $2,500,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241956

2188 Harbor Ave, Avalon, $2,750,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241454

A boat passes under the Avalon Boulevard Bridge on a sunny summer afternoon, under puffy white clouds.

THE JULY 4TH WEEKEND was a great success by all measures!  Hot, sunny weather brought great crowds to town, and our beaches, waterways, restaurants, and shops were filled with visitors enjoying the holiday weekend.  The weather cooperated all weekend, with the exception of some patchy fog at certain times.  Although the island was a bit less busy on Monday morning, it’s clear that summer is in full swing!

HAVE YOU NOTICED THE FOG?  We’ve had lots of warm, sunny days, but many of them have started—or ended—with foggy conditions on or around the water.  Conditions have been ideal for the formation of fog: warm and humid air, cool ocean water, and light winds.  Generally sunshine helps to “burn off” the fog.  A change to cooler, dryer conditions will prevent the formation of fog altogether.

BALLOONS AND PLASTIC BAGS are the enemies of sea life.  Despite a plastic bag ban in New Jersey, and rising public awareness, spotting bags and balloons in the ocean is still common.  Foil balloons tend to float for days or weeks before eventually sinking, while traditional balloons sink sooner.  Both types of balloons, and all plastic bags, are a threat to sea life via entanglement.  Sea turtles also mistake plastic bags for food—jellyfish are part of a sea turtle’s diet and look remarkably similar to plastic bags.  Ingesting a plastic bag, or becoming entangled in a balloon, can be fatal to sea turtles, birds, and other marine life.  If you make use of plastic bags, take care to make sure they don’t blow away and wind up in the water; and if you enjoy balloons, please don’t release them into the air, as they’ll eventually wind up in the ocean.

THERE’S STILL TIME to purchase your own shore home and enjoy the rest of the summer here!  Ready to begin your search?  Let’s talk—call or email me!  If you’re not quite ready to make it permanent, but need a week at the beach, I can help with that, too!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

New Listings:

1528 Dune Drive, Avalon, $2,500,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241956

141 8th Street, Avalon, $2,995,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241963

8302 Sunset Drive, Stone Harbor, $2,999,990, ACTIVE MLS#: 241940

8314 Sunset Drive, Stone Harbor, $2,999,990, ACTIVE MLS#: 241941

613 Sunrise Drive, 613, Avalon, $3,495,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241953

281 71st Street, Avalon, $3,500,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241972

8306 Sunset Drive, #2, Stone Harbor, $4,299,990, ACTIVE MLS#: 241942

8310 Sunset Drive, 8310, Stone Harbor, $4,299,990, ACTIVE MLS#: 241943

280 36th Street, Avalon, $4,550,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241984

274 106th Street, Stone Harbor, $5,950,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241939

102 116th Street, Stone Harbor, $9,999,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241985

Under Contract:

477 Avalon Boulevard, Avalon Manor, Avalon Manor, $225,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241744

1719 Ocean Drive, 7, Avalon, $1,150,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241456

234 84th Street, Unit A (Front), Stone Harbor, $1,599,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241999

166 99th Street, Stone Harbor, $2,700,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241968

1178 1st Avenue, Avalon, $2,849,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241803

153 24th Street, Avalon, $3,395,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241859

Properties Sold:

7800 Dune Drive, 122, Avalon, $395,000, SOLD MLS#: 240442

317 83rd Street, 4, Stone Harbor, $889,000, SOLD MLS#: 240940

3011 Dune Drive, 6, Avalon, $1,195,000, SOLD MLS#: 240786

Fireworks and Old Glory will both fly high over Seven Mile Island this week!  See below for Independence Day celebrations in both Avalon & Stone Harbor.

THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND is sure to be both busy and fun!  Hit the beach, go fishing, meet up with friends, or try a new restaurant.  And on the 4th, be sure to take part in the many Independence Day celebrations occurring on the island.  See the list of events below!

WISHING YOU and your family a Happy July 4th!  Whether your taking a walk on the beach with a loved one, enjoying a barbeque on the deck, or dining out, I hope you have a chance to reflect on our freedoms and all that we enjoy.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

 

WEEKLY EVENTS:

New Listings:

7888 Dune Drive, 110, Avalon, $475,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241895

234 84th Street, Unit B (North), Stone Harbor, $1,599,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241903

2 2nd Drive, Stone Harbor Manor, $1,950,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241873

26 W 17th Street, Avalon, $3,295,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241915

156 29th Street, Avalon, $3,499,900, ACTIVE MLS#: 241887

178 37th Street, Avalon, $3,895,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241896

807 21st Street, 807, Avalon, $4,400,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241927

805 21st Street, 805, Avalon, $4,400,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241929

234 121 Street, Stone Harbor, $4,495,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241921

153 102nd Street, Stone Harbor, $4,549,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241923

242 36th Street, Avalon, $4,699,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241880

1819 Dune Drive, Avalon, $4,995,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241913

273 52nd Street, Avalon, $5,395,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241904

4808 Ocean Drive, Avalon, $8,795,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241905

4209 Bayberry Road, Avalon, $8,950,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241906

Under Contract:

9613 Seng Place, Stone Harbor, $2,429,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241874

216 110th Street, Stone Harbor, $2,498,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241845

40 N Inlet Drive, Avalon, $4,795,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241294

197 63rd Street, Avalon, $5,995,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 232860

4318 Fifth Avenue, Avalon, $11,995,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 232777

Properties Sold:

1710 Avalon Avenue, Avalon, $3,900,000, SOLD MLS#: 241204

86 W 23rd Street, Avalon, $4,950,000, SOLD MLS#: 231915

9301 1st Avenue, Stone Harbor, $6,505,000, SOLD MLS#: 241257

Sun’s up, lines are out! 

AVALON’S BEACH PROJECT is concluding this week.  All beach paths are open and north end beaches have been replenished with sand borrowed from an area of beach just south of the Avalon Fishing Pier.  When sand backpassing work concludes the contractor will demobilize all equipment on the beach.  Avalon’s newly replenished beach will provide protection to the northern end of the island in the event of storms.  It also provides a beautiful, wide beach to enjoy during the summer!

SUMMER IS IN FULL SWING!  It’s been hot & sunny, and afternoon sea breezes have been a welcome addition to help cool things off.  Beaches are the most popular spot on the island, but the business districts are busy, restaurants and shops are full, and it feels like summer!

MARKET STATS: The number of units sold during May 2024 decreased compared to a year earlier, but the number of newly written purchase contracts increased.  The median sale price was $2,750,000, down just slightly.  For a detailed look at the market see the latest Long & Foster Market Minute report here: https://marketminute.longandfoster.com/Market-Minute/NJ/Avalon-Stone-Harbor.htm

KIDS ON BICYCLES, grandparents walking to the beach, turtles crossing the road, teenagers on skateboards…they’re all great reasons to slow down while you’re here on the island!  Make it a little safer for them—and you—by​ slowing down behind the wheel.  Remember, you’re on island time!

GO SAILING!  If you’ve never sailed before, there’s nothing like it!  Gliding along under wind power alone is a mesmerizing experience, with no engine noise to mask the sound of the wind and the gurgling of water.  There are two great ways to experience the magic of sailing:  First, the A.J. Meerwald, New Jersey’s tall ship, will be offering public sailing trips through July 7th, from the Cape May Ferry Terminal.  These two-hour sails provide the chance to experience the operation of a one-hundred-year-old sailing ship.  If you’re adventurous, the crew may even offer you the chance to participate in hauling lines or setting sails!  See my events list below for A.J. Meerwald tickets.  Second, if you’d like to be even closer to the water in a small sailboat, consider sailing lessons at either Point Sailing School or the Ocean City Sailing Foundation.  With programs ranging from two-hour introductory sailing lessons to week-long camps, there are a number of ways to experience gliding along under wind power alone.  Visit https://pointsailingschool.com/ or http://www.ocnjsailingfoundation.org/home.html for details on the programs.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Stone Harbor’s fireworks follow at dusk at 82^nd Street.Weekly Activities:

New Listings:2488 Avalon Avenue, Unit 2, Avalon, $907,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241857

263 103rd Street, East, Stone Harbor, $2,375,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241817

216 110th Street, Stone Harbor, $2,498,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241845

242 83rd Street, Stone Harbor, $2,750,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241853

1178 1st Avenue, Avalon, $2,849,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241803

10115 Third Avenue, Stone Harbor, $2,895,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241816

153 24th Street, Avalon, $3,395,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241859

271 70th Street, Avalon, $6,499,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241836

115 117th Street, Stone Harbor, $6,595,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241813

11605 Paradise Drive, Stone Harbor, $12,995,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241854

Under Contract:

275 92nd Street, East, Stone Harbor, $1,749,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241432

245 57th Street, Avalon, $4,295,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241415

121 27th Street, Avalon, $4,495,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 240559

Properties Sold:

7888 Dune Drive, 326, Avalon, $536,000, SOLD MLS#: 241096

128 19th Street, Avalon, $3,740,000, SOLD MLS#: 232518

169 27th Street, Avalon, $4,125,000, SOLD MLS#: 240497

Fun out on the water is a big part of summer!  Here a water skier is towed through Avalon’s back bay.  In the background is 24^th Street.

AVALON BEACH UPDATE: As of the most recent update issued by the borough early this week, all Avalon beach paths are now open, thanks to overnight work for the sand backpassing project.  Mayor McCorriston last week adjusted the work schedule to the overnight hours from 2am to 10am, in the interest of both public safety and efficiency.  Beach work resumed in the predawn hours Monday morning, and headlights on construction vehicles could be seen navigating the beach in the dark.  According to the borough, approximately 50% more sand is able to be moved during the overnight hours, compared to daytime work.  Work is suspended daily at 10am when lifeguards come on duty, and will be suspended on weekends.

THE 2024 TAYLOR SWIFT COLLECTION debuted at the Stone Harbor Museum last week.  Taylor spent her childhood years vacationing in Stone Harbor with her family, and played live at Coffee Talk and the now-gone Henny’s Restaurant.  According to the Museum the collection includes photos of Swift as a child in Stone Harbor (provided by her family), four Midnights vinyls which put together create a clock display, a Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour concert film poster, a Taylor Swift-inspired Peter Max poster, and a Midnights-themed guitar autographed by Taylor.  Taylor’s father Scott Swift was an EMT with Stone Harbor Volunteer Fire Company.  The museum is located at 9410 Second Avenue, and is open Monday through Sunday, 9am to 12 noon.

RAISING THE WETLANDS: Dredge material from a future IntraCoastal Waterway dredging project will be used to raise the level of wetlands between Seven Mile Island and Cape May Court House.  A fall dredging project is expected to help deepen the ICW behind Avalon and Stone Harbor this fall, and dredge material will be added in a thin layer to existing wetland areas to help raise their elevation.  Rising sea levels threaten the health of wetlands if they are not able to build up fast enough; adding a thin layer of dredge material enables them to cope with higher sea levels and flourish in the future.

TEEMING WITH LIFE!  Check out nature surrounding Seven Mile Island, and you’ll be delighted to see it teeming with life everywhere you look.  Ospreys are in their nests, the marsh grass is bright green, dolphins are often seen just beyond the surf, turtles are laying eggs, egrets search tide pools for food, and fish—from stripers to tuna—are being caught all around.  What a magnificent display to see and enjoy!​

MARRY THE HOUSE, DATE THE RATE:  Are you holding off purchasing a shore home because of interest rates?  After years of being spoiled by extremely low interest rates, today’s “average” interest rates may seem high in comparison.  But in reality, rates move on a regular basis, and they dipped a bit again last month.  Your mortgage rate doesn’t have to be permanent. Why not buy a shore house, enjoy it, and plan to refinance if rates drift lower?  Let’s discuss ways to make your shore purchase affordable!  Call or email me!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

New Listings:

477 Avalon Boulevard, Avalon Manor, Avalon Manor, $225,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241744

9501 Sunset Drive, 7, Stone Harbor, $1,024,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241719

250 104th Street, Stone Harbor, $3,995,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241725

19 Flamingo Drive, Avalon, $11,995,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 241751

Under Contract:

7888 Dune Drive, 326, Avalon, $550,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241096

599 22nd Street, 599, Avalon, $1,895,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241525

2507 Dune Drive, 2507, Avalon, $1,975,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241063

714 Sunrise Drive, Avalon, $2,699,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 240470

218 72nd Street, Avalon, $2,895,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241730

211 26th Street, 211, Avalon, $2,899,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241323

222 108th Street, Stone Harbor, $2,899,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 240024

5863 Dune Drive, Avalon, $3,695,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 241768