Avalon and Stone Harbor NJ Weekly Update May 31st, 2018 #RealEstate #NJ

SEVEN MILE RESTAURANT WEEK begins Monday, June 4^th and runs through Sunday, June 10^th.  Over 50 restaurants are participating this year, and you’ll find everything from breakfast & lunch specials to $30.18 three-course dinners on their menus.  It’s a great way to try out a new place, or revisit an old favorite!  For a list of participating restaurants click here: https://www.visitavalonnj.com/where-to-dine/restaurant-week-menus
 

The US Coast Guard cruises through Townsend’s Inlet on a routine patrol prior to Memorial Day Weekend.  Just a few days later boats, waverunners, and all sorts of pleasure craft filled local waters.

TURTLE TIME!  It’s time for diamondback terrapins to begin seeking higher ground upon which to lay their eggs.  That often means turtles crossing local roadways which, unfortunately, leads to road kills.  Many local roadways are lined with turtle barriers to prevent turtles from crossing, but turtles can still appear on road surfaces.  Keep an eye open for turtles, and “give ‘em a brake!”  If you are inclined to stop and help a turtle across the road, please ensure your own safety by checking for traffic, and then help the turtle cross in the same direction it was headed.

WHAT A SOUVENIR!  Looking for the ultimate beach keepsake from Stone Harbor?  How about your very own lifeguard stand?  The Stone Harbor Beach Patrol has recently purchased aluminum lifeguard stands to replace older, heavier wooden models.  If you’d like one of those wooden lifeguard stands as the ultimate souvenir, check www.GovDeals.com.  The wooden stands are being auctioned off on the government surplus auction site (the auctions currently run through June 1^st).  Whether that lifeguard stand costs you $50 or $500, it’s sure to spark some memories—and some interesting conversations with your neighbors!

A WHALE OF A FLOUNDER!  A 7.3 pound, 23-inch flounder was weighed in at Grassy Sound Marina in North Wildwood this past weekend, according to the Atlantic City Press.  That’s a great early-season catch—flounder season opened last Friday, and by most accounts is off to a very strong start.  Most fishermen are reporting catching keepers that easily exceed this year’s 18-inch minimum size.

BEACH ACCESS, RAMP LOCATIONS, SURF CHAIRS, AND MORE:  If you’re visiting Cape May County and need a ramp or surf chair to access the beach, this guide to Cape May County beach accessibility will be helpful:  http://capemaycountynj.gov/DocumentCenter/View/76/Cape-May-County-Beach-Accessibility-Guide-PDF  Parking options, restroom facilities, and contact phone numbers are also listed for each town. 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Avalon Free Public Library’s ‘Libraries Rock!’ Kid’s Reading Program, prizes every week, NOW through Friday, August 17
• Stone Harbor Garden Club House Tour, visit www.shnj.org/gardenclub for info, 12:30-4PM, Saturday, June 2
• Avalon Performing Arts Concert featuring The Duprees & DJ Lou Costello, Avalon Community Hall, doors open at 6:30PM, music & dancing at 7:30PM, Saturday, June 2
• Stone Harbor Farmer’s Market, 95^th Street Water Tower Plaza, 8AM-12:30PM, Sunday, June 3
• Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary tour, meet at Egret Espy Trail at 114^th Street & Second Avenue entrance, 10AM, Sunday, June 3
• 7 Mile Restaurant Week, island-wide, https://www.visitavalonnj.com/where-to-dine/restaurant-week-menus for info, Monday, June 4-Sunday, June 10
• Stone Harbor Property Owners Association Members Meeting, Harbor Square Theater, Saturday June 9
• Cape May County Zoo’s 40^th Anniversary Celebration, music, bounce house, crafts, rides, talks, more, 10AM-2PM, Saturday, June 9
• Avalon Garden Club Flower Show, Avalon Community Hall, visit https://avalongardenclub.org/ for info, Noon-4PM, Saturday, June 9
• Stone Harbor’s Farmer’s Market, 95^th Street Water Tower Plaza, 8AM-12:30PM, Sunday, June 10
• Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary tour, meet at Egret Espy Trail at 114^th Street & Second Avenue entrance, 10AM, Sunday, June 10
• Cape May Traditional Jazz Society Presents Midiri Brothers Traditional Jazz, VFW Post #386 at 419 Congress Street in Cape May, proceeds benefit ‘Food Bank of Southern Jersey’, 2-4PM, Sunday, June 10
• Movie Night at the Stone Harbor Library, PG rated Paddington 2, 5:30-7:30PM, Thursday, June 14
• Avalon Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, Avalon Community Hall, 8-11AM, Saturday, June 16
• Avalon Historical Society Olde House Tour, visit www.AvalonHistoryCenter.org for info, 1-4PM, Saturday, June 16
• Big Band Dance featuring Swingadelic, Avalon Community Hall, 7PM, Saturday, June 16
• Stone Harbor’s Farmer’s Market, 95^th Street Water Tower Plaza, 8AM-12:30PM, Sunday, June 17
• Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary tour, meet at Egret Espy Trail at 114^th Street & Second Avenue entrance, 10AM, Sunday, June 17
• St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Strawberry Festival, 6-8PM, Sunday, June 17
• Avalon History Trivia Night, Avalon History Center, visit www.avalonhistorycenter.org for info, 6PM, Tuesday, June 19
• Avalon Performing Arts Council Art Show: Celebrating Three Decades of Art, Avalon Elementary School, 10AM-4PM, Saturday, June 23
• Stone Harbor Family Night, fun for all, Stone Harbor Fire House, 7PM, Monday, June 25

  
Featured Property:

Exceptional in every regard!  This three story oceanfront home sits on a 120’ wide lot in Avalon’s south end!



176 61st Street, Avalon, $9,975,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 177248


New Listings:

2355 Ocean Drive, Avalon, $1,650,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 182116

99 W. 23rd Street, Avalon, $2,235,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 182162

24 21st, Avalon, $2,495,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 182161

7548 Sunset Drive, Avalon, $3,999,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 182148


Properties Under Contract:

7800 Dune Drive, Avalon, $269,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 180634

696 21st Street, Avalon, $697,500, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 180920

280 27th Street, East Unit, Avalon, $789,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 176560

2335 Ocean Drive, Avalon, $799,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 180506

249 29th Street, Avalon, $1,049,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 182039

148 15th Street, Avalon, $1,095,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 179220

2219 Avalon Avenue, Avalon, $2,095,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 181880

236 19th Street, Avalon, $2,299,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 181709

235 122nd Street, Stone Harbor, $2,995,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 182049

9201 First Avenue, Stone Harbor, $4,248,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 180042

10601 Golden Gate Drive, Stone Harbor, $4,495,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 181757

312 114th Street, Stone Harbor, $5,995,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 181762


Properties Sold:

212 33rd Street, Avalon, $470,000, SOLD MLS#: 179902

10726 Third Avenue, Stone Harbor, $555,000, SOLD MLS#: 179566

1322 Ocean Drive, Avalon, $722,500, SOLD MLS#: 180963

700 Ocean Drive, F5, Avalon, $735,000, SOLD MLS#: 181437

9923 Corinthian Drive, Stone Harbor, $770,000, SOLD MLS#: 181084

144 15th Street, Avalon, $825,000, SOLD MLS#: 179800

409 22nd Street, Avalon, $825,000, SOLD MLS#: 176996

7830 Ocean Drive, Avalon, $850,000, SOLD MLS#: 181581

261 44th Street, Avalon, $1,200,000, SOLD MLS#: 181945

6998 Dune Drive, Avalon, $3,300,000, SOLD MLS#: 176222

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

Top 10 Most Expensive Mistakes You’re Making on Your Home

By Cary Teller

Homes cost a lot of money to maintain. But are you spending extra money unnecessarily on upkeep? Here are 10 of the most expensive mistakes you could be making in your home.

1. Using Traditional Light bulbs

If you still have incandescent light bulbs in your home, you could be throwing a lot of money away every month on inflated electric bills. Over its life span, an incandescent bulb can use $180 worth of electricity. A CFL will only use $41 worth of electricity over the same time period. Even better is the LED bulb, which only uses $30 per bulb. Think what replacing every light bulb in your home could do to your home's bottom line.

2. Ignoring a Leaky Faucet

A leaky faucet that drips one drop per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year, which is enough water to take more than 180 showers. Some of us live in areas where water is plentiful, but for those of us in areas plagued with drought, this could be costing you a fortune. Fix or replace your leaky faucet and save a ton on your water bill.

3. Using the Wrong Air Filter Size

We all sometimes forget to change out the air filters for our HVAC systems or accidentally buy the wrong size. But using the wrong filter or a dirty filter can increase your power bill and cause expensive problems for your furnace down the road. Use the correct filters for your system, and set a reminder to change them after the recommended amount of time. You won't regret it.

4. Not Customizing Temperature

Invest in a customizable thermostat. If you're away at the office all day, you can program your heater to shift down a few degrees while you're gone and then shift back up shortly before you return home. Heating or cooling an empty home wastes a lot of money in energy costs.

5. Not Adjusting Air Vents Properly

Is one room in your home hot, while the others are cold? Oftentimes homeowners will crank up the air conditioning in the whole house to combat hot temperatures in one area. Instead, adjust air vents to direct the flow of air more evenly throughout your entire home. Professionals will come regulate this to ensure that your entire home is receiving the same amount of air conditioning or heating.

6.Over Watering Lawn

Many homeowners have their sprinkler systems programmed to come on in the early morning hours for optimum lawn health. This can become a problem, however, if you're never around to see what you're actually watering. A broken sprinkler head could be causing a fountain, or the trajectory of your sprinkler may be directed at a fence instead of your lawn. Periodically run your sprinklers during the day so you can see how they are performing when you're not around.

7. Water Heater Temperature Set Too High

Unless you have a tankless water heater, your water heater is keeping the water in its tank hot 24/7. If you don't keep an eye on the temperature as each season changes, you may be paying too much to heat your water. Decrease the temperature in the summer, and bump it back up when winter comes.

8. Leaky Windows and Doors

Leaky windows and doors are great places for cold, winter winds to enter your home. Many homeowners simply ignore them and crank up their heaters. Caulk leaky windows and put rubber seal around doors to keep winter winds out and warmth in.

9. Paying a Handyman

Don't pay a handyman for a job that is simple enough to do yourself. If you're unsure of how to do something, look up video tutorials online. Doing simple tasks yourself can save you a lot of money.

10. Ignoring Curled Shingles

It may be easy to ignore problems on your roof, but it will only lead to bigger problems later. If you see any possible issues with your roof, repair them as soon as possible, as this will save you significant costs later.

Use these 10 tips to cut maintenance costs on your home today.

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

Avalon and Stone Harbor NJ Weekly Update May 24th, 2018 #RealEstate

THE UNOFFICIAL BEGINNING OF SUMMER is finally upon us!  After a long winter who isn’t ready to kick off the summer season?  The Island is ready for an influx of visitors: shops and restaurants are open, the beaches are open, and a weekend of fun awaits!  On Monday, May 28^th both Avalon and Stone Harbor will hold parades and Memorial Day observances.    Whether you’re walking the beach or barbequing with friends, take a moment to remember the veterans that have made it all possible.

MARKET STATS:  Sales ticked up in the month of April, although they’re down from a year ago, due to a shrinking inventory of listings.  The number of active listings is down 17% from a year ago.  For a detailed update on the market see the latest Long & Foster Market Minute here:  http://marketminute.longandfoster.com/Market-Minute/NJ/Avalon-Stone-Harbor.pdf



Click above for the latest Long & Foster Market Minute!

 
ABOUT 30,000 CUBIC YARDS of sand will have been placed on Avalon’s north-end beaches by the time a sand backpassing project concludes this week.  Sand from a sandbar just south of 32^nd Street will be transported to north-end beaches to replenish them after erosion occurred during late winter nor’easters.  (No dry beach sand had to be used for this project.)  This is the Borough’s sixth sand backpassing project, which have proven to be an effective way to rebuild beaches in between more expensive hydraulic dredging projects.

THEY’RE FIFTY POUNDS LIGHTER!  Stone Harbor Beach Patrol is trying out a new aluminum version of its traditional lifeguard stands.  The lighter weight will make it easier on lifeguards, who adjust the position of their stands several times on a typical shift due to tide changes.  In addition to the weight savings, the new stands are believed to be more durable than wooden versions.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, check out Avalon’s expanded bike path.  Newly striped lanes on borough streets mark the path—check it out when you’re in town, or have a look at this map:
https://avalonboro.net/avalons-expanded-bicycle-path-to-be-constructed-starting-wednesday-april-11th/

FLOUNDER SEASON also kicks off this Friday, May 25^th.  For bait, tackle, and fishing advice visit Smuggler’s Cove in Stone Harbor, or check with Avalon Hodge Podge or Moran’s Dockside in Avalon.  If you’d like to rent your own boat and take the kids fishing, Smuggler’s Cove has boats available for daily rental.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Avalon Free Public Library’s ‘Libraries Rock!’ Kid’s Reading Program, prizes every week, begins Friday, May 25 through Friday, August 17
• War at the Shore Touch Football Tournament, Stone Harbor Recreation Fields, 9AM-5PM, Saturday, May 26
• Stone Harbor Beach Opening Ceremony, SH’s Beach Patrol, Police, Fire, Rescue & Office of Emergency Management personnel will compete in a series of challenges for a chance to officially ‘unlock’ the beaches for the season, 95^th Street Beach, Noon, Saturday, May 26
• 19^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 27
• Stone Harbor’s Farmer's Market, 95^th Street Water Tower Plaza, 8AM-12:30PM, Sunday, May 27
• Matthew Mullin Memorial 5K Beach Run/Walk, 30^th Street Beach, 8:30AM, Sunday, May 27
• Avalon’s Memorial Day Parade, starts at 32^nd Street & Dune Drive to Veteran’s Plaza at 21^st & Dune, 9AM, Monday, May 28
• Memorial Service for Fallen Heroes, Stone Harbor Firehouse, 11AM, Monday, May 28
• 7 Mile Island American Legion Parade & Ceremony, Parade will begin at Noon & proceed down 96^th Street to the Women’s Civic Club for the Ceremony, Monday, May 28
• 7 Mile Island American Legion Open House, 11617 Second Avenue, 1PM, Monday, May 28
• Full Moon Climb, Cape May Lighthouse, 8-10PM, Tuesday, May 29
• Stone Harbor Garden Club House Tour, visit www.shnj.org/gardenclub for info, 12:30-4PM, Saturday, June 2
• Avalon Performing Arts Concert featuring The Duprees & DJ Lou Costello, Avalon Community Hall, doors open at 6:30PM, music & dancing at 7:30PM, Saturday, June 2
• Stone Harbor’s Farmer’s Market, 95^th Street Water Tower Plaza, 8AM-12:30PM, Sunday, June 3
• Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary tour, meet at Egret Espy Trail at 114^th Street & Second Avenue entrance, 10AM, Sunday, June 3
• Cape May County Zoo 40^th Anniversary Celebration, music, bounce house, crafts, rides, talks, more, 10AM-2PM, Saturday, June 9
• 7 Mile Restaurant Week, island-wide, www.visitavalonnj.com  for info, Monday, June 4-Sunday, June 10
• Avalon Garden Club Flower Show, Avalon Community Hall, visit Noon-4PM, Saturday, June 9
• Stone Harbor’s Farmer’s Market, 95^th Street Water Tower Plaza, 8AM-12:30PM, Sunday, June 10
• Cape May Traditional Jazz Society Presents Midiri Brothers Traditional Jazz, VFW Post #386 at 419 Congress Street in Cape May, proceeds benefit ‘Food Bank of Southern Jersey’, 2-4PM, Sunday, June 10
• Movie Night at the Stone Harbor Library, PG rated Paddington 2, 5:30-7:30PM, Thursday, June 14
• Big Band Dance featuring Swingadelic, Avalon Community Hall, 7PM, Saturday, June16

  
Featured Property:



235 99th Street, Stone Harbor, $474,900, ACTIVE MLS#: 180163


New Listings:

7888 Dune Drive, Avalon, $199,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 182072

7888 Dune Drive, Avalon, $359,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 182073

8201 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, $650,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 182041

259 20th Street, Avalon, $747,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 181982

279 27th Street, Avalon, $869,900, ACTIVE MLS#: 181992

247 87th Street, Stone Harbor, $895,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 182071

249 29th Street, Avalon, $1,049,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 182039

6337 Heron Cove, Avalon, $1,595,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 182055

10307 Second Avenue, Stone Harbor, $2,299,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 182038

348 86th Street, Stone Harbor, $2,650,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 182016

349 89th Street, Stone Harbor, $2,750,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 182002

235 122nd Street, Stone Harbor, $2,995,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 182049


Properties Under Contract:

30 Meadowview Lane, Avalon Manor, $370,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 171271

700 First Avenue, #418, Avalon, $599,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 179416

221 110th Street, Stone Harbor, $899,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 179983

2601 Ocean Drive, Avalon, $929,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 181141

144 15th Street, Avalon, $949,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 179800

261 44th Street, Avalon, $1,150,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 181945

4101 Ocean Drive, Avalon, $1,875,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 181136

92 E. 12th Street, Avalon, $3,950,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 182001
  

Properties Sold:

3319 Ocean Drive, Avalon, $346,000, SOLD MLS#: 179694

151 95th St., Unit 5, Stone Harbor, $437,500, SOLD MLS#: 180212

1114 Stone Harbor Blvd., Stone Harbor Manor, $450,000, SOLD MLS#: 171783

2778 Dune Drive, Avalon, $600,000, SOLD MLS#: 179918

2019 Dune Drive, Avalon, $821,500, SOLD MLS#: 180255

181 90th Street, Stone Harbor, $995,000, SOLD MLS#: 179889

4868 Ocean Drive, Avalon, $2,250,000, SOLD MLS#: 182060

9 98th Street, Stone Harbor, $2,400,000, SOLD MLS#: 177558

222 70th Street, Avalon, $2,837,500, SOLD MLS#: 178267

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

National Moving Month: 7 Tips for a Stress-Free Move

By Brentnie Daggett

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 40 million Americans—one in nine people—move each year. While the majority of these movers are in their 20s, people of all ages can be found relocating around this time of year.

Moving is such a prevalent activity for Americans during spring that the entirety of May is dedicated to this trend. This is when the nation starts to see a major uptick in relocations; however, if the thought of moving homes makes you start to sweat, you're not alone. In fact, some studies have shown that moving is more stressful than wedding planning or divorce.

Don't despair! There are ways to keep moving day tolerable and prevent raising your blood pressure. Planning ahead and organizing can go a long way to keeping things under control.

To acknowledge National Moving Month, and the related stress of this major undertaking, check out this handy infographic to keep the teeth-grinding to a minimum:

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

How Long Do You Need to Work for That Down Payment?

Although some renters may currently be locked out of the housing market, 2015 data from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) shows more than 80 percent of renters do dream of one day becoming a homeowner. The top hurdle for many? That pesky down payment. While some first-time buyers are able to score down payment rates of as little as 5 percent, most are expected to sock away at least 20 percent, which can be difficult, especially in cities where the cost of living is high. So how long do most people have to hustle to save enough nickels for their down payment?

New data from SmartAsset looks at just that—examining and ranking the cities where the average workers need to save the longest to afford a down payment.

To reach their findings, the company studied the 50 largest cities in the country, noting how many years it would take to afford a 20 percent down payment on the median home in each city if workers earning the median income were able to save 20 percent of their salary annually.

Results in some states are not surprising. California claimed six of the top eight cities where adequately saving is most difficult.

Renters in Texas, on the other hand, have it easier. Average residents of Fort Worth, San Antonio, Arlington and El Paso would need to save for less than three years to stash the down payment on an average home.

The following infographic runs down the top 15 cities where it will take renters the longest to save up for that down payment:

For full data, visit SmartAsset.com.

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

Avalon and Stone Harbor NJ Weekly Update May 17, 2018 #RealEstate

A FEVERISH PACE has taken over many aspects of the Island as contractors work to finish projects in time for Memorial Day Weekend.  Work continues on many of the Island’s roadways, bridges, and other infrastructure, though large-scale projects will be halted at times of peak traffic.   Contractors, landscapers, and other service providers are working diligently to finish construction work, repairs, and other jobs before the start of the busy summer season.  If you aren’t already on your contractor’s schedule you’re probably out of luck for Memorial Day—but call now and get projects scheduled rather than waiting any longer.  Need a recommendation for repairs or other services?  Call me!



Ready for the season: row upon row of lifeguard stands are ready to be placed on beaches for the summer season!

 
FOR A DETAILED UPDATE on Stone Harbor’s beaches after spring nor’easters, take a look at this comprehensive report:  http://stoneharbornj.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/SH_2018_March-storms_report.pdf  Even if you don’t read the entire report, you’ll enjoy seeing the cover photograph, an aerial photo which shows Stone Harbor from a unique perspective.

AREA CODE OVERLAY:  A new “640” area code will be overlaid in the “609” area code later this summer.  Those with “609” area codes will not have to change their numbers, but they will have to dial “1” plus the area code, plus the seven-digit phone number in order to make a call, even locally.

OUR GUEST SERVICES DEPARTMENT is gearing up for another busy summer.  Kevin, Paul, and Ed will once again be assisting our clients seven days per week during the season.  They can often handle small problems on the spot, or if they can’t, they’ll dispatch a property owner’s preferred vendor in order to solve problems quickly while minimizing inconvenience to our guests and property owners.  Our Guest Services department is one more way we provide top notch service to our clients!

JUST ONE MORE WEEK!  The Memorial Day Weekend is almost upon us!  Will you be here for the unofficial start of the summer season?  Walk the beach, shop in town, enjoy a fine meal, and catch the Memorial Day parades & services in Avalon & Stone Harbor.  See below for a list of other events to add to your to-do list!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• Stone Harbor Garden Club Community Yard Sale, 96^th Street Women’s Civic Club, 8AM-2PM, Saturday, May 19
• Mayor’s Cup Bocce Tournament, 39^th Street Park, 10AM, Saturday, May 19
• Spring Shorebird & Horseshoe Crab Festival, The Wetlands Institute, 9:30AM-4:30PM, Saturday & Sunday, May 19 & 20
• Avalon Free Public Library’s ‘Libraries Rock!’ Kid’s Reading Program, prizes every week, begins Friday, May 25 through Friday, August 17
• War at the Shore Touch Football Tournament, Stone Harbor Recreation Fields, 9AM-5PM, Saturday, May 26
• Stone Harbor Beach Opening Ceremony, SH’s Beach Patrol, Police, Fire, Rescue & Office of Emergency Management personnel will compete in a series of challenges for a chance to officially ‘unlock’ the beaches for the season, 95^th Street Beach, Noon, Saturday, May 26
• 19^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 27
• Stone Harbor’s Farmer's Market, 95^th Street Water Tower Plaza, 8AM-12:30PM, Sunday, May 27
• Matthew Mullin Memorial 5K Beach Run/Walk, 30^th Street Beach, 8:30AM, Sunday, May 27
• Avalon’s Memorial Day Parade, starts at 32^nd Street & Dune Drive to Veteran’s Plaza at 21^st & Dune, 9AM, Monday, May 28
• Memorial Service for Fallen Heroes, Stone Harbor Firehouse, 11AM, Monday, May 28
• 7 Mile Island American Legion Parade & Ceremony, Stone Harbor. Parade will begin at Noon & proceed down 96^th Street to the Women’s Civic Club for the Ceremony, Monday, May 28
• 7 Mile Island American Legion Open House, 11617 Second Avenue, 1PM, Monday, May 28
• Full Moon Climb, Cape May Lighthouse, 8-10PM, Tuesday, May 29
• Avalon Performing Arts Concert featuring The Duprees & DJ Lou Costello, Avalon Community Hall, doors open at 6:30PM, music & dancing at 7:30PM, Saturday, June 2
• Stone Harbor Garden Club House Tour, 12:30-4PM, Saturday, June 2
• Stone Harbor’s Farmer’s Market, 95^th Street Water Tower Plaza, 8AM-12:30PM, Sunday, June 3
• 7 Mile Restaurant Week, island-wide, https://www.visitavalonnj.com/where-to-dine/restaurant-week-menus for participating restaurants, Monday, June 4-Sunday, June 10
• Avalon Garden Club Flower Show, Avalon Community Hall, noon-4PM, Saturday, June 9
• Cape May Traditional Jazz Society Presents Midiri Brothers Traditional Jazz, VFW Post #386 at 419 Congress Street in Cape May, proceeds benefit ‘Food Bank of Southern Jersey’, 2-4PM, Sunday, June 10

Featured Property:

Close to town as well as one of the Island’s best beaches, this 3-bedroom townhouse features a large living area plus a third floor loft for additional space!



3470 Dune Drive, Avalon, $879,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 179457


New Listings:

235 99th Street, Stone Harbor, $399,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 181824

76 W. 28th Street, Avalon, $649,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 181946

629 Avalon, Avalon Manor, $790,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 181923

714 Sunrise Drive, Avalon, $1,125,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 181976

261 44th Street, Avalon, $1,150,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 181945

164 94th Street, East Unit, Stone Harbor, $1,199,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 181959

260 105th Street, Stone Harbor, $1,995,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 181868

2219 Avalon Avenue, Avalon, $2,095,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 181878

204 37th Street, Avalon, $2,300,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 181826

271 85th Street, Stone Harbor, $2,495,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 181869

127 84th Street, Stone Harbor, $2,690,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 181881

282 70th Street, Avalon, $2,775,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 181838

115 116th Street, Stone Harbor, $3,195,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 181956

6 Pelican Drive, Avalon, $5,750,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 181922


Properties Under Contract:

700 First Avenue, Avalon, $559,777, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 180662

700 First Ave., Avalon, $599,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 181480

179 114th Street, Stone Harbor, $2,000,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 181816

69 Pelican Drive, Avalon, $2,799,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 181320

535 42nd Street, Avalon, $2,895,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 179807
  

Properties Sold:

418 Old Avalon Boulevard, Avalon Manor, $220,000, SOLD MLS#: 173236

8001 Second Avenue, Stone Harbor, $480,000, SOLD MLS#: 180923

1116 Stone Harbor Blvd., #303, Stone Harbor Manor, $795,000, SOLD MLS#: 179707

3589 Ocean Drive, Avalon, $1,900,000, SOLD MLS#: 177021

158 30th Street, Avalon, $2,000,000, SOLD MLS#: 178558

813 Sunrise Drive, Avalon, $2,700,000, SOLD MLS#: 166648

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

Sellers: Clutter-Free Tips That Can Make Your Home Look More Appealing

Tidying up your home for your open house or a buyer’s showing can make all the difference when it comes to selling your home. Yet, sometimes sellers neglect to do this even though it will help increase their chances of getting an offer.

A little bit of tidying up, organizing and showcasing your home’s best features can help shorten the amount of time your home is on the market.

Here are some hot clutter-free tips that can make your home look more appealing and–an added benefit–easier for you to live in, too.

The kitchen is an area that tends to get cluttered easily. Even if the countertops are cleared off, inside the cabinets often lies a cluttered mess. Those crammed cabinets are not appealing to buyers. They often see the disarray and think there’s less room for their own items than there really is because they can’t see behind the clutter.

Star Hansen, a professional organizer, says cans create the most clutter. She recommends using soup can racks to store them. They’re inexpensive and they store three times as many cans. Spice racks are a great way to clear the clutter out and make it look clutter-free.

Hansen also shows how to use storage solutions like airtight containers, hanging baskets, shelf dividers to separate food items, and how to use chalkboard and magnetic paint.

Painting the inside of your cabinet with magnetic paint allows you to hang light-weight items like aprons, towels, or recipes inside your utility cabinets. Using chalkboard paint, you can write notes inside your cabinet about which supplies you need to purchase.

Using airtight containers to store pastas, grains, and other food works well in the cabinet to conserve space because they’re stackable. Hansen also recommends using a label maker to mark all the food sections.

Grouping food together in categories such as ingredients or prepared food and then placing those items in boxes allows you to easily grab what you need without having to move 15 items just to get to the one you need.

The key to this type of clutter-free reorganization is to make sure it’s portable. Since you’re selling your home, you likely don’t want to spend the money installing professional systems that will remain with the home when you move.

Fortunately, there are wonderful products on the market that help you organize without having to drill or glue them into your cabinets. These shelving products look good and, when all the items are placed inside the shelves or under-shelving hanging baskets, you’ve created the illusion of more cabinet space–a plus for all buyers.

So where do you look for these products? Without even leaving your home, companies like Rubbermaid, make it simple to view a wide selection as well as see some creative options for organizing your pantry. Many of the products are under $20 and well worth the price to reduce the headache of searching through a crammed pantry or over-stuffed cabinet. One of my favorites is the Corner Helper Shelf: it holds up to 10 pounds and allows you to stack food items below it.


The best part of doing this type of reorganization is that when you move, the inside of the cabinets look great for buyers and you’ll be able easily pack up and take all this work with you to your new home.


Written by Realty Times Staff



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

Saying 'I Do' To Your House Before Your Spouse: Here's What You Need to Know

A home of your own complete with a white picket fence, the realization of the "American Dream." If you're unmarried, though, you might feel this dream is out of your reach. After all, aren't wedding bells supposed to proceed house hunting? Well, according to recent stats, there are many couples who are reversing the order of things and opting for home ownership before marriage.

Stats on Home Ownership Before Marriage
According to a study by NAR, one in four couples, between the ages of 18 and 34 years-of-age bought a house together prior to marriage. Another poll performed by MONEY discovered that 40% of millennials feel it is a good idea to put home ownership before marriage. Perhaps, you agree and would like to realize the American dream of homeownership before saying "I Do." Read the helpful tips listed below for turning your dream of home ownership into a reality:

Learn Your Credit Scores:
While married couples are often viewed as a single unit, you have the advantage as an unmarried couple to decide which person best fits the home buyer profile. This of course means, which of you has the best credit score and the most assets. You can choose to cosign or own your home jointly if you prefer. Keep in mind, though, that if one of you has a less than stellar credit rating, it could reduce the amount of money you qualify to borrow.

Title Your Home Properly:
There are three main options you can use to title your home as an unmarried couple. They are as follows:

1.Sole Owner: This means one of you is the sole owner, 100% responsible for the debt. The other is not listed on the title at all, thus they have no rights or responsibly regarding the property.

2.Tenants in Common: This means that both of you own the property but in differing amounts. For examples, one partner might own 60%, while the other has 40% ownership. Keep in mind this will prevent your home from transferring in its entirety to a surviving partner should one of you pass away. Instead, the living partner will simply retain their percentage of ownership. To get around this, partners can "Will" their percentage to the other partner to transfer upon their death.

3.Joint Tenant: This gives you equal ownership of the property. If one of you should die, the property will automatically be awarded to the living partner.

Understand That the Debt is Permanent:
If you choose to enter into a joint tenancy arrangement and your relationship ends, you are still both 100% responsible for the outstanding debt. Although you might not want to think about the "what if scenarios," it's important for you to choose a home you can afford to pay for on your own. This will also come in handy if your partner becomes ill or loses their job and is unable to contribute financially.

Create a Legal Agreement:
Yes, technically, if you own the property jointly you are already both legally bound to the property. However, this agreement is slightly different. Seek out the help of a lawyer to create a binding agreement that outlines who will be responsible for what aspects of the property. For example, figure out and specify who pays the rent, the taxes, repairs on the home, etc. This will prevent a lot of heartache down the road by getting expectations out in the open from the beginning.

Understand Buying a Home Isn't Easy:
You'll need to be sure and examine the importance of loan qualification, home inspections, and timing when it comes to buying a home for the first time.

Know the Expenses Doesn't Stop at The Purchase Price:
Home ownership is a grand adventure. One that also comes with many unexpected expenses. Just take a look at the true cost of repairs on HomeAdvisor.com for an idea of what you could be facing. However, by in large, the benefits of homeownership far outweigh the problems.


We wish you and your partner happy house hunting as you face this new adventure of home ownership head on!


Written by Brandie Parton




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