You know we're getting close to the season when the clocks spring forward! Spring is on its way with warmer weather and longer daylight hours. The first signs of spring are the flowers and leaves budding, birds are chattering and butterflies are migrating. You know it's spring the first time you can drive with your car window down ... oh what a feeling!

Only 72 days until Memorial Day Weekend season kickoff.

Here's hoping you find a four-leaf clover!

 

Seasonal Beach Tags
Avalon has beach tags on sale pre-season prices though Mary 10th. Stop by or mail to the Avalon Tax Collector's office in Borough Hall. Click here for more info.

Stone Harbor has seasonal beach tags and free Veteran beach tags for purchase and pick up at the beach tag office, 95th St and the Beach. Pre-season prices are available until May 31st. Click here for more info.

Seven Mile Island Lab Kickoff
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with the State of New Jersey and the Wetlands Institute announce the launch of the Seven Mile Island Living Laboratory. This project will benefit the island by improving dredging and marsh restoration and much more. The lab will provide innovative research, knowledge sharing and practical application. The marshes provide a vital habitat for wildlife and protection of the barrier island communities. The living lab will provide a forum to advance technical knowledge as well as develop innovative tools and technology to support the environment.

The laboratory extends between the inlet boundaries of Seven Mile Island, and includes existing and historic dredged material placement sites, confined disposal facilities, federal and state channels including the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway, extensive tidal marshes, a mixture of sandy and muddy sediments and, most important, a rich historic dataset to build upon. The Living Lab activities and working group meetings kick off next month. Source: Cape May County Herald

Avlon Jitney Fairs
Avalon Borough Council introduced an ordinance to change the fare per person per trip to $3 for the 2019 season. This ordinance eliminates higher fees for late night passengers. The jitney service will run Thursdays through Sundays. Between the 4th of July through Labor Day, the jitney service will be available daily.

Market Trend Update for February
Spring begins next week! The anticipated improvement in weather and the changing of the clocks will continue to fuel an already active selling market. Our "spring" selling season has taken off!

Sales are ahead for the second month of the year by 13% with Avalon continuing to dominate the market with a 79% market share and a 57% increase in homes place under contract. Single homes in Avalon had the greatest increase with 80% more homes placed under agreement than a year ago. Avalon condo sales are slightly off (by 1 sale) while sales of townhomes are ahead 400% - all it takes is inventory! Stone Harbor has not enjoyed the same pace with a 42% decrease in overall sales for the month.

The Ferguson Dechert sales team participated in the three highest sales for the month - $5.8 MM for an Avalon Bayfront and $3.75 MM on Avalon' s beach block (list price) and $4.25 MM for an Avalon oceanfront. Avalon's beach block came alive in February with five sales where inventory is plentiful - especially in the south end of town. Last year, February 2018, Ferguson Dechert sold the highest sale of the year- $10,500,000 for a double oceanfront lot.

For the month of February 2019, the Ferguson Dechert team sold more Seven Mile Island homes than the combined sales of the next four agencies for a 40% market share. In Avalon, the team has a 43% market share.

Inventory has begun to grow - slowly and in limited numbers and property styles. The result is increased sales as evidenced by the activity in Avalon. Four townhomes list for sale- four townhomes sell - and sell within days of listing.

Of the 145 single homes for sale island wide, 30 are priced between $1.2 - $2.0 million; 21 of these homes in Avalon. Homes priced from $2.0 -$3.0 MM are 46 in number; 28 of these homes are in Avalon. 23 homes priced in the $3.0 - $4.0 MM range are in Avalon with 10 in Stone Harbor. The balance of 35 homes are priced from $4.0 - $8.9; 9 in Stone Harbor and 26 in Avalon. Inventory levels tell the story of the disparity in sales between the two communities.

Beach block homes number 34 island wide with a range of price from $1.8 to $7,950 million, while Bayfront homes number 23 ranging in price from $1.950 to $7.5 million. Oceanfront homes number 15 priced from $3,750 - $8,999 MM.

Sales to date in the $1.0 - $2.0 million range are 38% of the sales to date while only 21% of our inventory is in this price range, a 3.75 month's supply. Sales to date in the $2.0 - $3.0 million range are 17% of the total while 32% of our inventory sits in this price range, a 5.4 month's supply. Home sales priced $3.0 - $4.0 million are 12% of the total sales today while the inventory level sits at 23% of total homes for sale, a 6.6 month's supply on hand.

Accurately pricing your home for sale is critical. If the last similar home sold for $1.5 million your list price is not $1.6 in the next month. The market does not appreciate $100,000 in one month. Some sellers are becoming blinded by the growth of the market, over pricing occurs and the home sits. The home seller who applies the current market trend to their list price sees a faster sale and at times multiple offers can drive the price over asking.

Preparing the home for sale will result in a faster sale. The use of home stagers can make the difference between a sale and a home sitting. While staging may not obtain a higher price, staging will help to get the home sold if done properly. A fresh paint palette, some fresh décor and editing/purging can make all the difference in the way your home is received by prospective buyers.

I am looking forward to another amazing and productive year. We are off to a fantastic start. If I can assist in any way please give me a call or email. Have a wonderful spring. Hope to see you this summer, if not before.

THIS MONTH'S MARKET TRENDS

Only 72 Days until Memorial Day Weekend!
Call to make your plans to come to Seven Mile Island!
Call us today 609-967-0289.

• March 15^th - Zumba Gold, Stone Harbor Recreation, 11 am - 12 pm
• March 15^th - Mahjong & Cards, Stone Harbor Recreation, 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
• March 16^th - Stone Harbor Shiiver Polar Plunge, Fred's Tavern, 10 am - 3 pm
• March 16^th - Kids Activity: Winter Sowing, Avalon Free Public Library, 10 am - 11:30 am
• March 16^th - Creative Writing, Avalon Free Public Library, 10 am - 12 pm
• March 16^th - Drop In Tech Workshop, Avalon Free Public Library, 1 pm - 2:30 pm
• March 18^th - Knitting, Avalon Free Public Library, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
• March 18^th - Self Defense, Avalon Free Public Library, 5 pm - 6 pm
• March 18^th - Art House Film Night - Faces Places, Avalon Free Public Library, 5:45 - 7:15 pm
• March 19^th - Story Time, Avalon Free Public Library, 10 am - 10:45 am
• March 19^th - Low Sit Cardio for Seniors, Stone Harbor Rec Center , 11 am - 12 pm
• March 20^th - Troubleshooting iPad, Avalon Free Public Library, 10 - 11 am
• March 20^th - Job and Career Acceleartion, Avalon Free Public Library, 1 - 2 pm
• March 20^th - Romance Book Club, Avalon Free Public Library, 6 - 7:30 pm
• March 20^th - Senior Fun Day, American Legion, 1 pm
• March 21^st - Story Time, Avalon Free Public Library, 10 am - 10:45 am
• March 21^st - Tea Time, Avalon History Center, 11 am
• March 21^st - Low Sit Cardio for Seniors, Stone Harbor Rec Center , 11 am - 12 pm
• March 22^nd - Zumba Gold, Stone Harbor Recreation, 11 am - 12 pm
• March 22^nd - Mahjong & Cards, Stone Harbor Recreation, 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
• March 23^rd - NJ Makers Day, Avalon Free Public Library 10 am - 4 pm
• March 23^rd - Genealogy, Avalon Free Public Library, 10 am - 12 pm
• March 23^rd - Therapy Gardening, Avalon Free Public Library 1 - 3 pm
• March 25^th - Knitting, Avalon Free Public Library, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
• March 25^th - Self Defense, Avalon Free Public Library, 5 pm - 6 pm
• March 25^th - Scrabble, Avalon Free Public Library, 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm
• March 25^th - Drop In Tech Workshop, Avalon Free Public Library, 6 pm - 7:30 pm
• March 26^th - Story Time, Avalon Free Public Library, 10 am - 10:45 am
• March 26^th - Low Sit Cardio for Seniors, Stone Harbor Rec Center , 11 am - 12 pm
• March 27^th - Newspapers, Avalon Free Public Library, 10 am - 11 am
• March 27^th - Senior Fun Day, American Legion, 1 pm
• March 28^th - Story Time, Avalon Free Public Library, 10 am - 10:45 am
• March 28^th - Award Season Film: The Favourite, Avalon Free Public Library, 6 pm - 8 pm
• March 28^th - Mystery Book Club, Avalon Free Public Library, 6 pm - 7:30 pm
• March 28^th - Low Sit Cardio for Seniors, Stone Harbor Rec Center , 11 am - 12 pm
• March 29^th - Art - Make Your Own Fascinator, Avalon Free Public Library, 11 am - 12 pm
• March 29^th - Zumba Gold, Stone Harbor Recreation, 11 am - 12 pm
• March 29^th - Mahjong & Cards, Stone Harbor Recreation, 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
• April 1^st - Matinee - Won't You Be My Neighbor, Avalon Free Public Library, 1 pm - 2:30 pm
• April 1^st - Knitting, Avalon Free Public Library, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
• April 1^st - Board Game Club, Avalon Free Public Library, 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm
• April 2^nd - Story Time, Avalon Free Public Library, 10 am - 10:45 am
• April 2^nd - Crypto currency Lecture, Avalon Free Public Library, 10 am - 11 am
• April 2^nd - Low Sit Cardio for Seniors, Stone Harbor Rec Center , 11 am - 12 pm
• April 3rd - Photoshop Demo, Avalon Free Public Library, 4 pm - 5 pm
• April 3rd - Social Media Lecture, Avalon Free Public Library, 5 pm - 6 pm
• April 3rd - History book Club, Avalon Free Public Library, 6 pm - 7:30 pm
• April 4^th - Story Time, Avalon Free Public Library, 10 am - 10:45 am
• April 4^th - Creative Writing, Avalon Free Public Library, 4 pm - 6 pm
• April 4^th - Low Sit Cardio for Seniors, Stone Harbor Rec Center , 11 am - 12 pm
• April 5^th - Zumba Gold, Stone Harbor Recreation, 11 am - 12 pm
• April 5^th - Mahjong & Cards, Stone Harbor Recreation, 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
• April 6^th - The Underground Railroad in Cape May , Avalon Free Public Library, 1 pm - 2 pm
• April 8^th - Knitting, Avalon Free Public Library, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
• April 8^th - Scrabble, Avalon Free Public Library, 5:45 pm - 7:45 pm
• April 8^th - Drop In Tech Workshop, Avalon Free Public Library, 6 pm - 7:30 pm
• April 9^th - Story Time, Avalon Free Public Library, 10 am - 10:45 am
• April 9^th - Film: If Beale Street Could Talk, Avalon Free Public Library, 6 pm - 8 pm
• April 9^th - Low Sit Cardio for Seniors, Stone Harbor Rec Center , 11 am - 12 pm
• April 10^th - Senior Fun Day, American Legion, 1 pm
• April 10^th - Drop In Tech Workshop, Avalon Free Public Library, 10 am - 11:30 am
• April 10^th - Baking with Chef Linda Schwartz, Avalon Free Public Library, 10 am - 11 am
• April 10^th - Italian Culture, Avalon Free Public Library, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
• April 10^th - Book Club, Avalon Free Public Library, 6 pm - 7:30 pm
• April 11^th - Story Time, Avalon Free Public Library, 10 am - 10:45 am
• April 11^th - Film: If Beale Street Could Talk, Avalon Free Public Library, 6 pm - 8 pm
• April 11^th - Low Sit Cardio for Seniors, Stone Harbor Rec Center , 11 am - 12 pm
• April 12^th - Zumba Gold, Stone Harbor Recreation, 11 am - 12 pm
• April 12^th - Mahjong & Cards, Stone Harbor Recreation, 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
• April 12^th - Genealogy - Heritage Quest, Avalon Free Public Library, 1 pm - 3 pm
• April 13^th - Afternoon Tea, Avalon Free Public Library, 1 pm - 3 pm
• April 13^th - Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce Job Fair, Coffee Talk, 10 am - 2 pm
• April 13^th - Easter Egg Hunt, Stone Harbor Firehouse, 12 pm - 2 pm
• April 15^th - Knitting, Avalon Free Public Library, 3:30 - 4:30 pm