 Cape May County had a beautiful view of the total lunar eclipse that occurred overnight January 20th & 21st! LUNAR ECLIPSE! The total lunar eclipse that occurred Sunday night into early Monday morning was easily visible from Cape May County, and provided enjoyable sky watching despite frigid temperatures. Skies were clear Sunday evening, and for those willing to bundle up against overnight lows in the teens—and gusty winds that dropped wind chills to zero—the moon put on a show that lasted several hours from start to finish. The “Super Blood Wolf Moon” is so-named due to several factors: it’s a “supermoon,” because the moon is at its closest point to earth, and thus appears larger and brighter than usual; it’s a “blood” moon due to the red glow it takes on during the actual eclipse, thanks to refracted sunlight, similar to the red light we see during a sunrise or sunset; and a full moon in January is a “wolf” moon, said to be named by Native Americans, since wolves howl in hunger during the full moon in January. Other total or partial eclipses will be visible from various parts of the world over the next couple of years, but North America will not see another total eclipse until May 2021, followed by another in May 2022. MARKET STATS: 25 units were sold during the month of December, while the median sale price increased to $1,595,000, as the number of active listings fell to 214. For a detailed look at December’s market stats, see the latest Long & Foster Market Minute:  View The Latest Long & Foster Market Minute Report | Download/Print PDF FACTORS STILL DRIVING THE MARKET include strong demand for properties and low interest rates. Buyer demand continues, with 2018 seeing 412 sales in the local market, virtually matching 2017’s figure of 424. Interest rates, which despite recent fluctuations are still low by historical standards, make mortgages affordable. Strong rentals in recent years means rental income helps to pay your mortgage, too! ICE FORMED on portions of the back bays after several days of cold temperatures were followed by a blast of frigid air, along with lows in the teens and highs in the twenties. The ice that formed was only a thin layer in shallow areas, and not enough to threaten pilings or docks. A warm up in the latter part of this week is expected to melt any remaining ice. NO SMOKING ON BEACHES: A new law went into effect last week banning smoking on New Jersey beaches. The legislation was signed by Governor Phil Murphy last summer and applies to all public beaches in the state, although there is a provision in the law allowing municipalities to carve out designated smoking areas if they choose. TAKE A PLUNGE: Up for a pre-season plunge into the chilly ocean water? Mark your calendar for three chances to do it! The first is Sea Isle City’s Polar Bear Plunge on February 16th. Next up are the Stone Harbor Shiver and the Cape May St. Paddy’s Day Plunge, with both taking place on Saturday, March 16th. Don’t worry, the ocean water temperature is currently a refreshing 42 degrees! TAKE A PLUNGE OF A DIFFERENT SORT! Why not make 2019 your year and finally purchase your very own vacation home at the shore? With attractive interest rates, and rental income to help pay the mortgage, you may be surprised at how affordable it is! Let’s take a look at the numbers together and see if it works for you! SLACK TIDE BREWING COMPANY is collecting donations to benefit members of the Coast Guard community at the Cape May Training Center. Initially they were collecting food donations, but the response has been so overwhelming that the food bank at the base is over flowing and the surplus is being sent to other Coast Guard installations in New Jersey and Delaware. However, the need for cash (or check) donations remains. The cash (or check) is converted to gift cards which are distributed to Coast Guard families for the purchase of gasoline and other essential non-food items. The need is considerable. If you can donate, checks can be dropped off at the brewery at 1072 Route 83 in Clermont, Dennis Township, Wednesday through Sunday. For Slack Tide’s hours of operation please visit www.SlackTideBrewingCo.com UPCOMING EVENTS:
Featured Property: Just a couple blocks to Avalon’s beach, with a rental history of $75,000!  2118 First Avenue, Avalon, $1,649,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 183996 New Listings: 103 30th Street, Avalon, $615,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 185744 76 W. 28th Street, Avalon, $899,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 185670 161 22nd Street, Avalon, $1,495,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 185697 7888 Dune Drive, Avalon, $1,699,999, ACTIVE MLS#: 185665 258 89th Street, Stone Harbor, $2,625,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 185647 141 95th Street, Stone Harbor, $2,649,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 185704 158 36th Street, Avalon, $2,895,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 185715 7428 Ocean Drive, Avalon, $3,195,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 185720 2689 Avalon Avenue, Avalon, $3,395,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 185653 27 Flamingo Drive, Avalon, $3,495,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 185698 56 E. 17th Street, Avalon, $3,499,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 185662 139 108th Street, Stone Harbor, $3,795,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 185651 8 93rd Street, Stone Harbor, $4,295,000, ACTIVE MLS#: 185702 Properties Under Contract: 1114 Stone Harbor Boulevard, Stone Harbor Manor, $649,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 184732 378 83rd Street, Stone Harbor, $675,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 183290 247 22nd Street, Avalon, $725,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 185718 129 18th Street, Avalon, $1,425,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 185127 198 10th Street, Avalon, $1,949,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 184189 286 76th Street, Avalon, $2,150,000, UNDER CONTRACT MLS#: 184371 Properties Sold: 9501 Sunset Drive, Stone Harbor, $402,400, SOLD MLS#: 183794 545 22nd Street, Avalon, $675,000, SOLD MLS#: 185076 355 40th Street, Avalon, $707,500, SOLD MLS#: 184402 351 40th Street, Avalon, $707,500, SOLD MLS#: 184403 246 45th Street, Avalon, $1,300,000, SOLD MLS#: 184415 211 118th Street, Stone Harbor, $1,800,000, SOLD MLS#: 184562 |
Nancy M. Alexander - Stone Harbor and Avalon NJ Real Estate NancyAlexander.com
