Avalon & Stone Harbor Weekly Update 6/16/2016

AVALON’S BEACHES are now ready to go for the summer season after a major sand backpassing project was completed last weekend. 55,000 cubic yards of sand were scraped from the 32^nd to 38^th Street beaches and moved to north-end beaches to replenish them. Erosion from winter storms had moved the sand southward; the backpassing project returned it to its point of origin. Rather than put the project out for bid, the work was performed by the Avalon Department of Public Works, which rented heavy equipment for the job. A major beachfill project is anticipated prior to the 2017 season.

THE HEREFORD INLET LIGHTHOUSE MARITIME FESTIVAL takes place this Saturday & Sunday at 111 N. Central Avenue in North Wildwood. The festival will feature music, food, crafts, historians, and tours of the lighthouse, while celebrating South Jersey’s maritime history. The Hereford Inlet Lighthouse is still in operation, and its light is visible at night from many areas of Avalon & Stone Harbor.

OTHER MAJOR WEEKEND EVENTS include an Open House at Avalon’s Public Library, and Sea Isle City’s Skimmer Festival. For something a little different, try a “Full Moon Climb” at the Cape May Lighthouse on Monday evening, June 20^th!

$832 PER POUND! That’s what a prize-winning 212-pound mako shark was worth in the recent South Jersey Shark Tournament. The mako, caught by a crew of sport fishermen from New York, won $176,414 in prize money! Whether you’re looking to catch a big mako shark, or something a bit more modest, seek advice (and bait!) from local tackle shops, including Smuggler’s Cove in Stone Harbor, or Moran’s Dockside and Avalon Hodge Podge in Avalon.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION, detours, and delays are often part of getting to the Shore on busy summer weekends. But the next time you grumble about road construction slowing your trip, consider the early options for reaching your favorite Island…see below for a look at how everybody got here a hundred years ago!

The way visitors used to get to the Island! This view of 96^th Street, looking east, shows an early Stone Harbor Railroad train. Another rail line ran down the middle of Second Avenue (Dune Drive) from Avalon.

3.83 PERCENT! That’s the average rate for conforming loans of $417,000 and below. Jumbo loans over $417,000 are a bit less, averaging 3.81% according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association. It’s a fantastic time to take advantage of low rates, whether purchasing a shore home, or refinancing your primary residence. Whether you’re ready to get started with a purchase, or simply need a recommendation on a good mortgage lender, please call me!

NEXT WEEK, watch for our list of July 4^th events to enjoy!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Stone Harbor’s Chelsea Place Park, grand re-opening, 9:30AM, Friday, June 17
Avalon Performing Arts Council 29th Annual Art Show & Sale, opening night & preview from 7-9PM on Friday, June 17, show & sale from10AM-4PM on Saturday, June 18
Avalon Free Public Library Open House, games, crafts, food, face painting, more, 9AM-1PM, Saturday, June 18
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Maritime Festival, artists, crafters, authors, food, music, more, 111 N. Central Avenue, North Wildwood, 10AM-5PM on Saturday, June 18 & 10AM-4PM on Sunday, June 19
Avalon Historical Society Olde House Tour, 1-4PM, Saturday, June 18
Sea Isle City’s Skimmer Weekend, food, crafts, live music, family activities, more, Saturday & Sunday, June 18 & 19
Stone Harbor Farmers Market, 95th Street Water Tower Plaza, 8AM-12:30PM, Sunday, June 19
Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary Tour led by a Wetlands Institute docent, meet at the Egret Espy Path at 114th Street & 2nd Avenue, 10AM,Sunday, June 19
Cape May County Zoo Giraffe Day, giraffe related programs, activities & zookeeper talks, 10AM-3PM, Sunday, June 19
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Strawberry Festival, 6:30-8:30PM, Sunday, June 19
Cape May Lighthouse Full Moon Climb, 8-10PM, Monday, June 20
Avalon History Center Trivia Night, 7PM, Wednesday, June 22
Cape May County Zoo Night Out with the Critters, BBQ dinner & behind the scenes look at the animals, 5:30-8:30PM, Friday, June 24
Stone Harbor Farmers Market, 95th Street Water Tower Plaza, 8AM-12:30PM, Sunday, June 26
Stone Harbor Family Night, family fun, check out the fire trucks, more, Stone Harbor Firehouse, 7PM. Monday, June 27
Avalon’s Children’s Mini Event featuring ventriloquist Bob Conrad, Avalon Elementary School Gymnasium, 11AM, Tuesday, June 28
Avalon’s Big Beach Movie featuring Cinderella, 30th Street beach, dusk, Tuesday, June 28
On the Way to Cape May historic lecture, Avalon History Center, 7PM, Wednesday, June 29
Stone Harbor Movie Night on the Lawn featuring Open Season: Scared Silly, Stone Harbor Elementary School, 8PM, Wednesday, June 29
Thursdays on Dune Concert featuring 63rd Army Band, Veteran’s Plaza, 7PM, Thursday, June 30
Stone Harbor’s Tuesday at the Tower featuring the Mighty Parrot Band, 95th Street Water Tower Plaza, 7-8:30PM, Tuesday, July 5

Value Alerts:

This beautiful one owner, Brandywine custom built beach block home was just reduced and is move-in ready. Attached garage and room for a pool. Take a look at the photos!

45 E 11th St., Avalon, $2,295,000, MLS# 166564

Walk to town and the beach from your totally renovated Breakwater condo on 30th Street. When you are not on the beach, enjoy your new pool.

107 30th St., Avalon, $459,000, ACTIVE MLS# 170279

Build your dream house on this oversize 70 x 100 corner lot, just 2 blocks to the beach, in Stone Harbor’s quiet south-end.

235 118th St., Stone Harbor, $1,495,000, ACTIVE MLS# 170203

Enjoy your summers with ocean views in this beautiful 3-story south-end Avalon home. You will love the open second floor great room with its cathedral ceiling, light and views; this house looks like new!

6918 Dune Dr., Avalon, $2,095,000, ACTIVE MLS# 170034

Build your 4,500 sq. ft. dream Bayfront home on this empty 60′ x 155′ lot in Stone Harbor’s desirable South-end. This is a great location… Enjoy unlimited bay/wetlands/sunset views and walk just two blocks to the beach.

11825 Paradise Dr., Stone Harbor, $2,299,000, ACTIVE MLS #169905

Your brand new dream Bayfront home just came on the market! The design, landscaping, quality, and décor of this new home with a large pool by the bay, is simply extraordinary and amazing. It needs to be seen!

549 42nd St., Avalon, $4,595,000, MLS# 169425 – Under Contract

Enjoy one of Avalon’s most unique homes and the recently added pool on this oversize 80 x 110 corner lot. If you prefer to build your dream house, this lot will accommodate a 6,000 sq. ft. home.

4656 Dune Drive, Avalon, $1,395,000, ACTIVE MLS# 168490

Beautiful brand new Tom Welsh home with a pool in Stone Harbor. Lovely wall colors and stunning kitchen. Walk to the beach or the center of town.

249 88th St., Stone Harbor, $1,795,000, ACTIVE MLS# 163969 – Under Contract

Just reduced by $200K, this spectacular 6 bedroom home with a pool and wraparound porch sits on an oversize 70 x 110 lot. Beautiful decor, this property must be seen.

385 93rd St., Stone Harbor, $2,295,000, ACTIVE MLS# 165563

Just reduced by $400K, this home sits on an oversize beach block corner lot, it’s the 4th house from the beach. Utility poles and wires are being removed from this block to enhance your ocean view. This is an opportunity at $ 2.295m.

115 120th St., Stone Harbor, $2,195,000, ACTIVE MLS# 165421 – Under Contract

New Listings:

8300 Second Avenue, Stone Harbor, $599,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 170762

2438 Ocean Drive, Avalon, $1,369,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 170722

160 84th Street, Stone Harbor, $1,395,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 170684

261 83rd Street, Stone Harbor, $1,479,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 170711

238 47th Street, Avalon, $1,595,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 170678

46 W 22nd Street, Avalon, $1,699,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 170757

9801 First Ave, Stone Harbor, $1,895,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 170675

62 W 32nd Street, Avalon, $2,895,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 170741

Properties Sold:

3283 Dune Drive, Avalon, $235,000, SOLD MLS#: 170272