Avalon and Stone Harbor NJ Weekly Update May 25th, 2017

MARKET STATS:  Strong demand led to 42 sales in the month of April, up 31% over last April according to the latest Market Minute report from Long & Foster.  Available inventory has continued to decline as sales have whittled down the number of active listings.  For a look at this month’s report, click here:  http://marketminute.longandfoster.com/Market-Minute/NJ/Avalon-Stone-Harbor.pdf

Click above for the latest Long & Foster Market Minute report!

BEACH PROJECT ADVANCING: last week beach replenishment operations ended on Avalon’s north-end beaches, and the project transitioned to its final phase in southern Avalon and northern Stone Harbor.  During this part of the project a submerged pipeline will carry sand pumped from Townsend’s Inlet beneath the ocean, before returning to a landing zone on the 84^th Street beach.  About 305,000 cubic yards of sand will be added to beaches from 77^th Street to 84^th Street.  As work progresses, sections of beach will be closed during pumping, which will take place 24 hours a day, stopping only in the event of weather or mechanical issues.  The beach project is ahead of schedule, though a mechanical failure aboard the dredge Texas slowed progress earlier this week.

LAST CHANCE TO SAVE on season beach tag purchases!  Buy your season beach tags by May 31^st and save $5 each.  On June 1^st the cost of a season tag rises from $23 to $28 in Avalon and Stone Harbor.  In Avalon, tags can be purchased at the beach tag booth at Community Hall at 30^th Street & the beach.  In Stone Harbor they can be purchased at the beach tag office at 95^th Street & the beach.

THE TOWNSEND’S INLET BRIDGE will not open to vehicular traffic Memorial Day Weekend, as was once hoped.  Repairing the underwater bridge support structure has proved difficult in the challenging conditions of Townsend’s Inlet, including deep, swift moving water.  Rock rip rap, placed underwater during a 1962 repair to the bridge, had to be removed to gain access, before a trio of steel piles can be driven into place and fastened to the structure.  Work is being conducted from floating platforms adjacent to the bridge.

IT’S TURTLE TIME AGAIN!  Soon diamondback terrapins will be seeking higher ground to lay eggs, and that means they’re often seen on local roads.  Give ‘em a brake!  Slow down and avoid hitting turtles crossing the road.  If you wish to help a turtle, be sure to move it across the road in the same direction it was travelling, and be sure to stay safe by checking for traffic before entering the roadway!

THE BLUE ANGELS will be in Millville Saturday & Sunday for the Millville Wheels & Wings Airshow.  The high performance jet team is part of a full line up that includes other military aircraft, aerobatic planes, and skydivers.  The gates open at 9am each day.  For info and tickets, visit www.MillvilleAirShow.com

THANK A VETERAN FOR THEIR SERVICE THIS WEEKEND!  As you enjoy a walk on the beach, an afternoon on the deck, or a barbecue with family, take a moment to remember the veterans who made it possible!

UPCOMING EVENTS:     

• Stone Harbor Beach Opening Ceremony, 95^th Street & the beach, 9:30AM, Friday, May 26
• Stone Harbor Library Grand Opening, 9516 Second Avenue, 11AM, Friday, May 26
• Annual Turtle Trot 5K Run & 2 Mile Fun Walk, 95^th Street & First Avenue, 6:45AM registration, 8AM race, 8:05AM fun walk, Sunday, May 28
• Stone Harbor’s Farmers Market, 95^th Street & Water Tower Plaza, 8AM-12:30PM, Sunday, May 28
• Matthew Mullen Memorial 5K Beach Run/Walk, 30^th Street Beach, 8:30AM, Sunday, May 28
• Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary Guided Tour, meet at Egret Espy Path at 114^th Street & Second Avenue, 10-11AM, Sunday, May 28
• Avalon Memorial Day Parade, 32^nd Street & Dune Drive kick off at 9AM, proceeds north along Dune Drive to Veteran’s Plaza at 21^st & Dune Drive for ceremony of remembrance at 9:30AM, visit www.avalonboro.net for info, Monday, May 29
• Memorial Service for Fallen Heroes, Stone Harbor Firehouse, 11AM, Monday, May 29
• 7 Mile Island American Legion Post Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony, parade starts at 96^th Street Bridge, down 96^th Street to Women’s Civic Club at the Beach for a remembrance ceremony, Noon-1PM, Monday, May 29
• American Legion Post #331 Memorial Day Open House, 11617 Second Avenue, 1PM, Monday, May 29
• Stone Harbor Garden Club Annual Tour of Homes, call 609-313-2460 for tickets,  12:30-4PM, Saturday, June 3
• APAC concert featuring ‘The British Invasion Years,’ visit www.avalonperformingarts.org for details, Avalon Community Hall, 6:30PM, Saturday, June 3
• Stone Harbor’s Farmers Market, 95^th Street & Water Tower Plaza, 8AM-12:30PM, Sunday, June 4
• 7 Mile Restaurant Week, island wide specials at many restaurants, visit www.visitavalonnj.com for details, Monday, June 5 through Sunday, June 11
• Stone Harbor Property Owners Association General Membership Meeting, Harbor Square Theater in Stone Harbor, social at 8AM, meeting at 8:30AM, Saturday, June 10
• Avalon Garden Club Flower Show, Avalon Community Hall, Noon-4PM, Saturday, June 10
• NFIP Flood Insurance Seminar, bring your flood elevation certificate for a free review, Stone Harbor Library, www.stoneharborbeach.com  for info, 1-3PM, Saturday, June 17
• St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Strawberry Festival, 95^th Street & Third Avenue, 6PM-8PM, Sunday, June 18

New Listings:

5 & 10 Seabass Lane, Avalon Manor, $238,900, ACTIVE MLS#: 176349

296 65th Street, Avalon, $520,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176301

212 110th Street, Stone Harbor, $625,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176297

601 Dune Drive, Avalon, $659,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176397

225 55th Street, Avalon, $1,400,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176415

299 46th Street, Avalon, $1,595,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176371

348 95th Street, Stone Harbor, $1,695,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176307

76 W 33rd Street, Avalon, $2,099,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176296

3268 First Avenue, Avalon, $2,399,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176390
  

Properties Sold:

7929 Dune Drive, Unit 107, Avalon, $279,000, SOLD MLS#: 171885

223 35th Street, Avalon, $980,000, SOLD MLS#: 175486

2422 Fourth Avenue, Avalon, $999,000, SOLD MLS#: 175200

171 35th Street, Avalon, $1,250,000, SOLD MLS#: 171528

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Nancy M. Alexander - Stone Harbor and Avalon NJ Real Estate NancyAlexander.com

Making Your Home More Energy-Efficient

Your home is your place to rest, play, and spend time with your family. It should be a place of comfort, and this comfort need not come at a high cost. Many homes, however, waste a lot of energy in ways that can be prevented. Here are five ways to make your home more energy-efficient.
Replace or Weatherize All Windows
Windows are one of the biggest sources of heat gain and heat loss in a home. Both heat gain and heat loss rob you of comfort and keep your energy bills higher than they have to be, whether during the summer or winter months.
Windows rank high on the list because of air leakage around the frame and the heat that transfers through windowpanes. Old single-pane windows provide little protection against heat transference. If you replace these windows with energy-efficient windows you should see immediate savings and improved climate control in your home.
When choosing windows, consider the frame and not just glass. Frame material and frame design matters. Hinged windows allow less air leakage than sliding, single-hung or double-hung do. Avoid metal because these conduct heat. Choose insulated vinyl frames or insulated fiberglass frames for the most efficiency and durability.

Pay attention to glass efficiency ratings such as the U-factor and the solar heat gain coefficient. The right windows to choose depend largely upon regional climate. If you live in an area with hot summers and mild winters, you want glass that blocks out as much solar heat gain as possible.
Low-emissivity coatings on windowpanes reduce heat conduction through the glass, which benefits you by keeping hot air inside in winter and hot air outside in summer. There are other coatings and tints available, but you should still look for the Energy Star label. Only products that have met strict requirements by the EPA qualify for this special certification.

Seal the Home's Thermal Envelope
Air leakage through your home's exterior is another source of energy waste. Air infiltration makes your heating and cooling system work harder to maintain climate control. In order to find all of the hidden leaks, schedule an energy audit with an HVAC company. Until you do, seal the noticeable leaks. These can usually be found in the following areas:

• Around window frames and doors
• Beneath baseboards
• Around flues and chimneys

When sealing leaks in most areas, you can use caulk, weather-stripping or expandable spray foam insulation. Another method to control air leaks is to replace poorly fitting doors or other features and to use hardware with a type that creates a better seal. One example is barn door hardware. This kind of hardware can create a better air seal in some cases because the door slides into place instead of swinging open. This creates fewer opportunities for gaps between the door and the frame.

Upgrade Your Home HVAC System
If your home's HVAC system is older than ten years, consider replacing it with a new energy-efficient system that is Energy Star certified. Improvements in design make these systems far more energy-efficient than any in the past. If they are sized correctly and installed correctly, you should see lower bills and improved comfort and improved air quality.

Upgrade Insulation
Most homes have only the minimum required insulation. Older homes might even fall far short of the minimum simply because the insulation has become too wet, or it has become compressed or it has shifted.
Adding insulation to the attic will have the largest effects. It doesn't matter which kind of insulation you use as much as it matters that it is properly installed, with no gaps, and that you use the recommended quantity for your region.
Adding insulation to exterior walls doesn't have to be a big remodeling project. Much of the time, it can be blown into walls by a contractor.

Use a Programmable Thermostat
These thermostats make a home more energy efficient in the following ways:

• You won't have to remember to set the temperature lower or higher before you run out of the house each the morning, because you can program the thermostat to do it for you each day.
• You can program different energy-saving temperature settings for special occasions, such as vacations, and you can still come home to a comfortable house.
• Some new thermostats even allow you to check them remotely, sparing you from worrying about whether the home is getting too hot or cold while you are away.

By implementing these ideas, you have little to lose and a lot to gain in terms of comfort and savings. If it feels overwhelming or it is hard on your budget to make all of these changes at once, try to do them in steps. Each time you take even one step towards more energy efficiency, you will start saving money on energy bills.


Written by Realty Times Staff

Nancy M. Alexander - Stone Harbor and Avalon NJ Real Estate NancyAlexander.com

How To Improve The Value Of Your Home In 5 Easy Steps

What increases the value of one home might not increase the value of another. A resort-style pool and outdoor kitchen in Wyoming might not hold as much value for buyers as the same resort-style pool and outdoor kitchen added to a home in South Florida. What works and what doesn't is dependent upon the current market conditions in your area, what buyers in your area want, and the overall feel of your neighborhood. It's not to say you cannot add something no one else has, but you have to add the right thing.
Building a 4,000-square foot addition to your 1,200-square foot home in a neighborhood that consists of all small starter homes is not a wise home improvement. If you're looking to add some value to your home, try one of these five easy steps that almost always adds value no matter where your home is located.

Start Outside
What's the first thing buyers see when they drive up to your home? Your lawn and front door, and they make more of an impression than you might imagine. If your lawn is a mess, your door needs some paint, and your house is dirty, the first thing you do is get it all cleaned up. You're not going to spend thousands on elaborate landscaping, but you might be surprised just how much of a difference a freshly mowed lawn and some brand-new mulch in the flower beds make.

Move it Indoors
Paint is everything in a home. You can have your home any color you want but if you choose to sell and want to increase the value of your home, you're going to add value by adding a nice, neutral paint color to every wall. No more personal colors in bedrooms, no more accent walls, and no more old, dirty paint. Even if your paint is only a few years old, you will make a big difference in the overall value with a fresh coat.

Upgrade the Fixtures
Next is the fixtures. It's time for new door knobs, light fixtures, and faucets in the kitchen and bath. Cabinet and drawer pulls are also important, and every one of these very small details makes a very large difference. You can upgrade these for next to nothing while seeing a significant improvement on the value of your home.

Fix Any Small Issues
If you want to add value to your home, it's time to fix the small issues. If you have a leaking faucet, get it fixed. If the air conditioner makes a funny noise when it runs, call the home warranty company and ask them to come out and take a look. If it's broken, they'll replace it. If it's fixable, you just got rid of that pesky noise and increased the overall value of your home in the eyes of buyers. Small issues are some of the biggest issues. Repair any little dings or holes in the walls, fix any broken baseboards, and repair anything that's not quite perfect. These little things add up substantially.

Clean it Up
Finally, it's time to clean your house. Hire a professional to come in and clean every single nook and cranny. You're not tidying up for dinner guests anymore. You're cleaning cabinets, drawers, walls, floorboards, ground, baseboards, trim, and everything in between. You might not think a home that's clean is worth more, but you'd be surprised. If your sparkling clean house is for sale for the same price as another house down the street that's almost identical but isn't spotless and has a lower asking price, people will want your home. Even if it's more money, it's less work for them and it's cleaner.

A house is an investment, and that's why it's imperative you do what you can to increase the value of your home without spending much money. It's not always expensive upgrades and renovations that add a few extra dollars to the overall cost of your home. Sometimes it's small, easily forgettable details that make the biggest difference to a buyer.

Written by Damien Justus


Nancy M. Alexander - Stone Harbor and Avalon NJ Real Estate NancyAlexander.com

Avalon and Stone Harbor NJ Weekly Update May 18th, 2017

GET ‘EM READY!  With Memorial Day Weekend just around the corner, it’s time to make final preparations for getting rental properties ready for the season.  Take a moment and make a checklist of items.  Here’s a list of general items: spring cleaning;  air conditioning tested/serviced; cable & Wi-Fi service on; outside shower turned on; barbecue grill ready with full propane tank; landscape/lawn service established; pool maintenance service arranged; windows cleaned & awnings installed; outside furniture on deck/patio; changeover cleanings scheduled.  Your property’s unique needs should be addressed as well.  Also, make sure you’ve obtained the proper rental license.  Need help with a particular issue?  Please call or email me!

Sunset at Townsend’s Inlet!  The southern tip of Sea Isle City (on the right in this photo) is a delightful place to walk in the evening.

WEATHER AND A MECHANICAL ISSUE delayed beach replenishment work in Avalon this past weekend.  A broken anchor line forced the dredge “Texas” to depart Townsend’s Inlet for Cape May late Thursday night.  The Texas was planning to leave Townsend’s Inlet at noon Friday anyway, due to high winds and seas associated with last weekend’s rainstorm.  The Texas was due back in Townsend’s Inlet on Monday afternoon.  As of last week, about 830,000 cubic yards of sand had been placed on the beach, with 100,000 cubic yards remaining in this phase of the project, before transitioning to the final phase covering southern Avalon and northern Stone Harbor.

HENNY’S RESTAURANT: Demolition of the iconic Henny’s began Monday, and crews have made quick progress, removing the landmark structure one dumpster-full at a time.  The site will be utilized by The Reeds at Shelter Haven for 22 additional hotel rooms and a spa.

COAST GUARD VESSEL Tamaroa was finally sunk last week to become an artificial reef about 26 miles from Cape May.  Originally serving the Navy in World War II as the Zuni, the vessel also served the Coast Guard for decades, and made now-famous rescues during the 1991 “Perfect Storm”, of book and movie fame.  After reaching its final destination, holes were cut in the side of the ship and water was pumped in, until it gradually receded beneath the surface.  Marine life is expected to begin congregating and growing on the sunken hull within months, and the site will eventually become a destination for sport fishermen.

MEMORIAL DAY PARADES and ceremonies are planned in both Avalon & Stone Harbor.   Avalon’s parade steps off at 9am from 32^nd & Dune, proceeding north toward Veteran’s Plaza where a ceremony will occur about 9:30am.  Stone Harbor’s parade will begin at 12 noon and proceed eastward along 96^th Street to the Women’s Civic Club, where a ceremony is planned.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Avalon Historical Society Photography Contest and Exhibit, visit www.avalonhistorycenter.org for info, photos will be on display throughout the month, contest runs now through the month of May
• Bishop McHugh’s 17^th Annual Golf Tournament, Stone Harbor Golf Club, www.bishopmchugh.com for info, 11AM, Friday, May 19
• Stone Harbor Garden Club Community Yard Sale, Women’s Civic Club on 96^th Street, 8AM-2PM, Saturday, May 20
• Mayor’s Cup Bocce Tournament and Avalon Borough’s 125^th Anniversary Celebration, www.avalonrecreation.org for info, ceremony at 9:30AM, Mayor’s Cup and activities at 10AM, Saturday, May 20
• Wetlands Institute Spring Shorebird & Horseshoe Crab Festival, www.wetlandsinstitute.org for info, 9:30AM-4:30PM, Saturday & Sunday, May 20 & 21
• Cape May Traditional Jazz Society Presents Midiri Brothers Traditional Jazz, proceeds donated to the Food Bank of Southern Jersey, VFW Post #386, 419 Congress Street, Cape May, 2-4PM, Sunday, May 21
• Avalon Garden Club Fashion Show & Luncheon, Avalon Yacht Club, 11:30AM, Wednesday, May 24
• Stone Harbor Beach Opening Ceremony, 95^th Street & the beach, 9:30AM, Friday, May 26
• Stone Harbor Library Grand Opening, 9516 Second Avenue, 11AM, Friday, May 26
• 15^th Annual Turtle Trot 5K Run & 2 Mile Fun Walk, 95^th Street & First Avenue, 6:45AM registration, 8AM race, 8:05AM fun walk, Sunday, May 28
• Stone Harbor’s Farmers Market, 95^th Street & Water Tower Plaza, 8AM-12:30PM, Sunday, May 28
• Matthew Mullen Memorial 5K Beach Run/Walk, 30^th Street Beach, 8:30AM, Sunday, May 28
• Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary Guided Tour, meet at Egret Espy Path at 114^th Street & Second Avenue, 10-11AM, Sunday, May 28
• Avalon Memorial Day Parade, 32^nd Street & Dune Drive kick off at 9AM, proceeds north along Dune Drive to Veteran’s Plaza at 21^st & Dune Drive for ceremony of remembrance at 9:30AM, visit www.avalonboro.net for info, Monday, May 29
• Memorial Service for Fallen Heroes, Stone Harbor Firehouse, 11AM, Monday, May 29
• 7 Mile Island American Legion Post Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony, parade starts at 96^th Street Bridge, down 96^th Street to Women’s Civic Club at the Beach for a remembrance ceremony, Noon-1PM, Monday, May 29
• American Legion Post #331 Memorial Day Open House, 11617 Second Avenue, 1PM, Monday, May 29
• Stone Harbor Annual Tour of Homes, call 609-313-2460 for tickets,  12:30-4PM, Saturday, June 3
• Stone Harbor Property Owners Association General Membership Meeting, Harbor Square Theater in Stone Harbor, 8:30AM, Saturday, June 10
• NFIP Flood Insurance Seminar, bring your flood elevation certificate for a free review, Stone Harbor Library, www.stoneharborbeach.com  for info, 1-3PM, Saturday, June 17
• St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Strawberry Festival, 95^th Street & Third Avenue, 6PM-8PM, Sunday, June 18

Featured Property:

Check out this three bedroom townhouse, an easy walk to Avalon’s Sport Fishing Center!


289 14th Street, Avalon, $599,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 173521


New Listings:

440 21st Street, Avalon, $509,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176282

76 W. 28th Street, Avalon, $559,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176207

39 Stone Court, Stone Harbor, $600,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176199

10824 Sunset Drive, Stone Harbor, $799,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176214

8 Seabreeze Lane, Avalon Manor, $885,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176205

276 85th Street, Stone Harbor, $1,025,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176189

242 36th Street, Avalon, $1,099,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176231

8626 Sunset Drive, Stone Harbor, $1,100,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176272

1558 Ocean Drive, Avalon, $1,199,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176193

5748 Dune Drive, Avalon, $3,196,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176195

7429 Sunset Drive, Avalon, $3,299,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176255

6998 Dune Drive, Avalon, $3,495,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176222
  

Properties Sold:

10912 Third Avenue, First Floor, Stone Harbor, $372,000, SOLD MLS#: 170290

677 21st Street, 2nd Floor, Avalon, $450,000, SOLD MLS#: 173772

8931 Second Avenue, Stone Harbor, $529,000, SOLD MLS#: 175384

214 32nd Street, Avalon, $680,000, SOLD MLS#: 172375

3470 Dune Drive, Avalon, $860,000, SOLD MLS#: 174393

1100 Ocean Drive, Avalon, $999,000, SOLD MLS#: 171096

328 83rd Street, Stone Harbor, $1,150,000, SOLD MLS#: 174305

6718 Dune Drive, Avalon, $3,310,000, SOLD MLS#: 174559

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Nancy M. Alexander - Stone Harbor and Avalon NJ Real Estate NancyAlexander.com

Protect Your Digital Self While Traveling

Whether you’re traveling for a weekend, a week, or making a big move, protecting your digital property while on-the-go is essential for feeling safe and secure.

To help, TravelInsurance.com has compiled a list of digital travel security recommendations:

Backup Your Documents. Scan or take pictures of your travel documents, including your passport, airline tickets, hotel reservations and insurance papers on your phone in case the originals are lost or stolen.

Sanitize your Devices. Before leaving home, remove all non-essential personal information from your computer, phone and other devices. Make sure to set a strong password on your computer and mobile devices and look into possibly having the devices automatically wiped after a large number of incorrect password entries.

Assume Your Data Is Not Secure. Anyone can gather your data without much difficulty. Some countries monitor data and emails, while airports and hotels are generally public or semi-public internet hubs. Use a virtual private network (VPN) to ensure your privacy and to access websites that might be blocked by local internet providers. A VPN is a private and secure internet network that you can reach via any internet connection. Never submit sensitive payment information on websites if the browser shows "http" instead of "https." Also, turn on two factor authentication on all of your email, banking and credit card accounts as an added measure of security (provided that you can receive text messages at your destination)

Download Apps. There are a variety of apps that can help keep you informed and secure while on the road. The State Department's Smart Traveler app is available free of charge from both iTunes and the Google Play store. It's a great source of information about specific countries, travel advisories and warnings.

Don't Fry Your Devices. Make sure that you have the right adapters. Check the tech specs of your devices and the electrical standards of your travel destinations.

Source: TravelInsurance.com


Nancy M. Alexander - Stone Harbor and Avalon NJ Real Estate NancyAlexander.com

5 Ways to Make Your Facebook Page Beat Facebook's Algorithm

By Patty McNease, Director of Marketing for Homes.com

As a real estate agent, conducting business on your personal Facebook profile limits the opportunities to market your business; creating a Facebook Business Page allows you to open doors to reach your target market without hassle. With that said, Facebook Business Pages are more competitive than ever.

Since 2014, businesses have seen a steady decline in organic reach for content posted on their business pages, dropping from reaching an average of 16 percent of fans in 2012 to 6.5 percent of fans in 2014 to about 2 percent of fans in 2016. Trends suggest that organic reach will continue falling—a prediction that is confirmed by Brian Bolland, former VP of Advertising Technology for Facebook. He gave two reasons why Facebook's organic reach is on the decline:
"The first reason involves a simple fact: More and more content is being created and shared every day." An average news feed could contain more than 1,500 posts when the user logs on; this is too much information for one person.
"The second reason involves how Facebook's News Feed works. Rather than showing people all possible content, News Feed is designed to show each person on Facebook the content that's most relevant to them. Of the 1,500-plus stories a person might see whenever they log onto Facebook, News Feed displays approximately 300. To choose which stories to show, News Feed ranks each possible story (from more to less important) by looking at thousands of factors relative to each person."

Hearing this information might sound troubling; however, there are ways around Facebook's algorithmic logic that real estate professionals can implement to see a rise in their organic reach.

1. Ask Your Fans for a Favor
Facebook's algorithm restricts content overflow on users' news feeds, but that leaves you asking yourself, "Didn't my fans choose to like my page to see my updates?" There are two ways that you can ask your fans to bypass the algorithm:
Remind your fans that they don't have to wait to see your content on their news feed; they can go on your page frequently to see your latest posts. To find your page, they can either type your page's name in the search bar or they can click on "Pages" to access a full list of the pages they've liked. Facebook recognizes which pages users visit and shows more content from those pages because the algorithm reads visiting as an indication that the user wants to see more of this content.
You can also ask fans to change the settings for how they view your page's posts. From your page, visitors can click on the "Following" tab under your cover photo and set the "In Your News Feed" to "See First." This will show your posts first on the fan's news feed, ensuring that no matter when they log onto their Facebook profile, they will see your posts.

2. Post Engaging Content
There's no doubt that Facebook prefers content that users engage with. The more engagement Facebook sees within your post, the higher-ranking Facebook's algorithm gives it, resulting in a larger organic reach for that post. To encourage engagement, post content relevant to your business—this is the type of content fans are expecting to see from you. In addition, don't be afraid to ask your fans to "please like and share" after your post.

A great way to gain engagement on Facebook is by using videos. According to Social Media Today, videos shared on Facebook have a 135 percent higher chance of organic reach than a photo post. Some video topics that are popular in real estate are walk-through videos of your properties and community videos which showcase your expertise in your area, your community, and as a real estate agent.

3. Create Facebook Live Videos
Live videos are popular on social media, with users watching three times more live broadcasts than traditional Facebook videos. As an added bonus, every time you go live, fans get a notification telling them your page just started a live video. This is a great way to remind fans you're here and help your post surface on their news feed. Have fun with live videos and make sure they last long enough for fans to watch and comment. So, the next time you're about to hand your clients the keys to their new home, "Go Live!"

4. Target Your Posts
The ability to target audiences based on location, interest, behavior, and demographics isn't limited to paid advertisements; you can target a specific audience through your regular posts, too. For instance, you might have a property located in Dallas, Texas. You don't need fans located in Houston to see this post; the interaction you receive from Houston residents will be minimal because it does not relate to them. Treat every post as if it was a paid ad by focusing on quality, rather than quantity, to ensure they rank well within Facebook's algorithm.

5. Invest in Facebook Ads
Not many of you want to hear this, but Facebook isn't just a social media platform; it's a business. By seeing Facebook as a business, you will begin to understand why its algorithm has changed, organic reach has declined, and why you sometimes have to pay to get in front of your audience. Looking at the trend of declining organic reach over the past couple of years, it's also likely that organic reach will eventually hit zero, making this a great time to become an expert on Facebook paid ads.

As mentioned above, with paid ads, you can target audiences by their behaviors (e.g., "most likely to move"), their interests (e.g., "real estate"), and their demographics and location. Facebook Ads allow you to find your perfect target audience: active buyers and sellers in your area.

For a step-by-step walkthrough on creating your Facebook Real Estate Ads, check out these related articles:
Facebook Ads Made Easy – Part 2: Campaign Creation
Facebook Ads Made Easy – Part 3: Audience, Placement and Budget
Facebook Ads Made Easy – Part 4: Creating Ads and Reviewing Your Insights

If keeping up with your social strategy is too much for you, let us help! Homes.com Social Fuel takes care of your social strategy by providing you with everything from account setup, post creation, and Facebook Ad management. We will even manage your online reputation and monitor how your business ranks in search results so you can focus on selling real estate.

For more information, please visit connect.homes.com.


Nancy M. Alexander - Stone Harbor and Avalon NJ Real Estate NancyAlexander.com

The Best Is Yet to Come for Homebuyers

By Suzanne De Vita

It's a seller's market out there, and for homebuyers, the struggle this spring is real: few affordable options, and price growth that just won't quit.

Another issue's working against them, too: timing.

According to a recent analysis by Zillow, the best time for buyers isn't spring, but summer—the end of summer, that is. Why? There's more supply as the season winds down, specifically in August, and sellers who weren't so lucky earlier on become anxious to unload, cutting prices before the weather changes and the school year starts.

In the analysis, August had more listings than any other month (8,000 more in L.A., for instance), and saw the highest share of listings with lowered prices. Comparing reductions over the spring and summer months:

"In such a competitive housing market, it's easy for buyers to get frustrated when they are putting in multiple offers without success," says Dr. Svenja Gudell, chief economist at Zillow. "Buyers who start their home search in the spring may still be looking months later—but for those who can wait it out, the end of summer will bring more favorable conditions. Homes that may have been overpriced earlier in the year are more likely to have a price reduction, and those listings passed over in earlier months may look better with a fresh perspective."

For more information, please visit www.zillow.com.


Nancy M. Alexander - Stone Harbor and Avalon NJ Real Estate NancyAlexander.com

Avalon and Stone Harbor NJ Weekly Update May 11th, 2017

640,000 CUBIC YARDS of sand have been added to Avalon’s north-end beaches, according to a recent update on the beach replenishment project.  About 300,000 cubic yards remain to be added during this phase of the project.  After that, work will shift to the south-end of Avalon and north-end of Stone Harbor for the project’s final portion.  The project is expected to conclude about June 20^th, subject to weather and mechanical delays.

Blue skies and gentle breezes made for a great beach day earlier this week.  There’s more great weather ahead!

THIS WEEKEND brings an array of activities to the Island to help jump start your summer season.  In Avalon you’ll find the Wine & Spirits Festival, a Borough-Wide Yard Sale, and flower and hoagie sales at the Fire Department.  Stone Harbor adds the Garden Club’s Plant and Bake Sale as well as the Wetlands Institute’s Native Plant Sale.  See our list of upcoming events below for more!
 
THE TOWNSEND’S INLET BRIDGE is still undergoing repairs.  The bridge contractor has been working to restore traffic flow, but instead of reopening for Memorial Day Weekend, traffic on the bridge may be limited to one lane.  The emergency repair work began after an April underwater inspection revealed a crack in the bridge structure.
 
HENNY’S TO BE DEMOLISHED: The building that housed Henny’s Restaurant is slated to be torn down the week of May 15^th.  Henny’s closed in 2008, after operating its Third Avenue location since the 1930s.  Third Avenue from 96^th Street to 97^th Street will be closed to through traffic, and parking restrictions will be in place, to ensure safety during the demolition process.  Stay tuned for more on the future of the site!
 
STREET OPENING MORATORIUMS currently exist in Avalon and Stone Harbor to prevent newly paved streets from being “opened” for new utility connections for a period of five years after paving.  Stone Harbor is considering increasing the moratorium period to seven or ten years, in order to extend the lifespan of newly paved streets.  The Cape May County Herald reported that seven years seemed to be the more likely choice.  Read the Herald article here:
http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/government/article_1aaf3cb6-3197-11e7-a906-9ffbbba40756.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share
 
HOUSE PORTRAITS by Lisa Cunningham capture the essence of your home, allowing you to display your pride & joy!  They also make a special gift for any homeowner!  Check out her work at www.lisacunninghamfineart.com or email Lisa at lisa@lisacunninghamfineart.com

Blue skies and gentle breezes made for a great beach day earlier this week.  There’s more great weather ahead!

BLACK BEAR LACROSSE returns to Avalon again this year with a camp from July 3^rd to July 7^th.  From fundamentals to advanced training, campers ages 4 through 14 will receive daily instruction while scrimmaging and participating in contests.  Check out the camp at:  https://blackbearlax.com/events/avalon-1-nj-week-one-boys-july-3-july-7-2/
 
UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Avalon Historical Society Photography Contest and Exhibit, visit www.avalonhistorycenter.org for info, photos will be on display throughout the month, contest runs now through the month of May
• Avalon’s Bulk Pick-up, items to curb now through May 14 with pick-up on Monday, May 15
• Avalon Wine & Spirits Festival, 200 wines & spirits, hors d’oeuvres by island restaurants, silent auction, music, go to www.visitavalonnj.com for info, Avalon’s Community Hall, 6:30PM, Friday, May 12
• Avalon’s paper shredding day, Firehouse hoagie & flower sale, Bicycle auction, Lions Club yard sale, www.avalonboro.net for info, Saturday, May 13
• Avalon Yard Sale, map pickup at 8AM at Avalon Community Hall, Saturday, May 13
• Stone Harbor Garden Club Plant and Bake Sale, 95^th Street Water Tower Plaza, 8AM-1PM, Saturday, May 13
• Cops and Coffee Event with the Avalon police, Pudgie Pelican Restaurant, 9AM, Saturday, May 13
• Wetlands Institute Native Plant Sale, 9:30AM-4:30PM, Saturday & Sunday, May 13 & 14
• Stone Harbor’s Bulk Pick-up, items to curb up to 72 hours prior to pick up on Monday, May 15
• Bishop McHugh’s 17^th Annual Golf Tournament, Stone Harbor Golf Club, www.bishopmchugh.com for info, 11AM, Friday, May 19
• Stone Harbor Garden Club Community Yard Sale, Women’s Civic Club on 96^th Street, 8AM-2PM, Saturday, May 20
• Mayor’s Cup Bocce Tournament and Avalon Borough’s 125^th Anniversary Celebration, www.avalonrecreation.org for info, ceremony at 9:30AM, Mayor’s Cup and activities at 10AM, Saturday, May 20
• Wetlands Institute Spring Shorebird & Horseshoe Crab Festival, www.wetlandsinstitute.org for info, 9:30AM-4:30PM, Saturday & Sunday, May 20 & 21
• Cape May Traditional Jazz Society Presents Midiri Brothers Traditional Jazz, proceeds donated to the Food Bank of Southern Jersey, VFW Post #386, 419 Congress Street, Cape May, 2-4PM, Sunday, May 21
• Avalon Garden Club Fashion Show & Luncheon, Avalon Yacht Club, 11:30AM, Wednesday, May 24
• Stone Harbor Beach Opening Ceremony, 95^th Street & the beach, 9:30AM, Friday, May 26
• 15^th Annual Turtle Trot 5K & 2 Mile Fun Walk, 95^th Street & First Avenue, 6:45AM registration, 8AM race, 8:05AM fun walk, Sunday, May 28
• Stone Harbor’s Farmers Market, 95^th Street & Water Tower Plaza, 8AM-12:30PM, Sunday, May 28
• Stone Harbor Property Owners Association General Membership Meeting, Harbor Square Theater in Stone Harbor, 9AM, Saturday, June 10
• NFIP Flood Insurance Seminar, bring your flood elevation certificate for a free review, Stone Harbor Library, www.stoneharborbeach.com  for info, 1-3PM, Saturday, June 17

 

Featured Property:
Great unit with a pool, just steps to the beach, all at an unbelievable price!


7929 Dune Drive, Unit 102, Avalon, $279,990, ACTIVE MLS#: 170802


New Listings:
 
7888 Dune Drive, Unit 103, Avalon, $349,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176070

7888 Dune Drive, Unit 101, Avalon, $369,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176069

2828 Avalon Avenue, #1, Avalon, $449,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176140

31 Seabreeze Lane, Avalon Manor, $500,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176052

208 99th Street, Stone Harbor, $574,900, ACTIVE MLS#: 176016

43 Marine Way, Avalon, $879,900, ACTIVE MLS#: 176019

989 First Avenue, Avalon, $1,435,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176044

2658 Avalon Avenue, Avalon, $1,495,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176167

65 W 24th Street, Avalon, $1,500,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176030

49 Seabreeze Lane, Avalon Manor, $1,675,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176057

118 87th Street, Stone Harbor, $1,799,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176031

31, 33, 41, & 45 Seabreeze Lane, Avalon Manor, $1,800,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176056

203 118th Street, Stone Harbor, $3,995,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 176102
  

Properties Sold:
 
535 Old Avalon Boulevard, Avalon Manor, $129,000, SOLD MLS#: 175288

66 E. 20th Street, Avalon, $622,000, SOLD MLS#: 175295

3249 Ocean Drive, North Side, Avalon, $720,000, SOLD MLS#: 174521

1249 Avalon Avenue, Avalon, $1,400,000, SOLD MLS#: 172969

395 93rd Street, Stone Harbor, $1,575,000, SOLD MLS#: 175231

286 69th Street, Avalon, $1,585,000, SOLD MLS#: 172443

10607 Third Avenue, Stone Harbor, $2,325,000, SOLD MLS#: 174951

137 105th Street, Stone Harbor, $3,100,000, SOLD MLS#: 174640



Nancy M. Alexander - Stone Harbor and Avalon NJ Real Estate NancyAlexander.com