We have six excellent open houses this weekend.  If you are interested in any of these homes or to learn more about any other open houses on the Cape, contact us today.

 

Saturday 10-12 | 56 Clear Brook Road, West Yarmouth 

This excellent starter, retirement or vacation home is conveniently located with easy access to shopping, beaches, and amenities. It is very well maintained and offers a nice floor plan with two bedrooms, granite counters, wood floors, newer windows, newer roof, Hardie plank siding, Azek trim, air conditioning, top of the line heating system including on-demand hot water, Generac generator, a large half acre private yard, garage and full basement. Bring your colors and love this sweet surprise that awaits you.

 

Saturday 10-12 | 17 Mayflower Lane, South Yarmouth 

Fall in love with this sun-filled South Yarmouth charmer. Grab some appetizers from the cathedraled kitchen, then step outside and sip a drink on the lush patio. Cooling off? Warm up by the gas stove in the front-to-back living room. Stretch your legs with a peaceful stroll down to one of two beaches on lovely Long Pond. Flexible 5-room floor plan, super convenient location, newer roof and boiler...welcome home.

 

 

Saturday 10-12 | 9 River Road, West Dennis 

Bring your beach balls...This Cape Cod year-round getaway with proven rental history is turnkey ready for fun with plenty of room for outdoor games. It is being sold furnished along with the booked rentals. It is nestled on a cul-de-sac and features wood floors, three bedrooms, living room with cozy fireplace, nice sized eat-in kitchen, enclosed porch, wonderful deck for barbecues, and large storage shed. The location offers easy access to warm Nantucket Sound beaches, shopping, kayaking on the Swan River, and bicycling on the Cape Cod rail trail. It is well kept, has a newer furnace, a whole house fan, passing Title V septic system, and washer and dryer. This is a true gem.

Saturday 1-3 | 1685 Hyannis Road, Barnstable Village 

Been a while since you've been swept off your feet? The wait is over when you see this magical estate on 1.67 acres including a renovated main house with a guest cottage to boot. Gardeners can delight at the darling greenhouse and extant gardens, while industrious agrarian hearts have plenty of room for expansion. And when rain or cold drive you inside from your verdant paradise relish the opportunity to enjoy the indoors. Be greeted by the modern kitchen, the perfect compliment to its vaulted ceiling and wide floor boards of the main house. With a floor plan that balances open and private like no other you will settle into this Barnstable Village paradise like reclining in your favorite chair.

Saturday 1-3 | 9 Osborn Snow Drive, East Dennis

Enjoy the summer in style with this unmatched luxury home. 250 acres of scenic Crowes Pasture Conservation Area are just out your back door with panoramic views of the best vista around. Entertain guests and friends with a gracious deck just off the gourmet kitchen, charming outdoor sitting areas with gas fireplace, and still room for outdoor games in the yard. Have clients coming for a long weekend? Provide them the privacy they deserve with a guest suite including a private deck. Invite those guests to bask at one of the close Dennis beaches, Sea Street or Cold Storage, just a jaunt away.

Sunday 1-3 | 438 Main Street, Osterville

Set yourself apart from the ordinary. This unique & refined home is to be enjoyed in summer and year long. Just minutes to Fancy's Market, library, post office, galleries, coffee & brunch; or to Dowses Beach for sunny walk or cooling dip; or launch a kayak down East Bay to Centerville River. This home is tastefully renovated with versatile floor plan ideal for entertaining. The heart of the home features a family room/kitchen combination that spills onto the large gracious sun room, deck & patio. The living room with lovely bay window is set apart allowing for intimate chats. 2 of the bedrooms each have private baths. There is additional large sleeping areas with half bath for visitors. The home is air conditioned throughout. Plenty of parking for guests. This is what life is all about.

May Review: Last month was characterized by the Spring market frenzy.  While 399 closed single family homes may not seem like much of a frenzy, compared to the January-April dearth, it was.  Overall though, sales and inventory are down compared to this time last year, which we believe says more about the unusually busy 2017 market leaving us with lower inventory to start 2018.  Conditions still favor sellers and buyers are encouraged to have strong offers (excellent financing and few contingencies) placed early to be considered.  We are encouraged to see an increase in new listings which is helping to rebuild the inventory here in Barnstable County.  Experts are also considering the idea that the current market conditions (higher prices and fewer days on market) are more sustainable than originally expected due to improved lending practices to more qualified borrowers.

Featured Search: Cute Mid-Cape Cottages for less than $350,000	What's New in Barnstable County?  Find out here

Recent Market Summary

	March	April	May
Closed Sales	255	329	399
Inventory	1,584	1,755	1,924
Median Sales Price	$415,000	$399,000	$429,000
Avg Days on Market	137	108	114
Avg % of Original Price	95%	96%	95%

 

We have six excellent open houses this weekend.  If you are interested in any of these homes or to learn more about any other open houses on the Cape, contact us today.

Saturday 10-12 | 9 River Road, West Dennis

Bring your beach balls...This Cape Cod year-round getaway with proven rental history is turnkey ready for fun with plenty of room for outdoor games. It is being sold furnished along with the booked rentals. It is nestled on a cul-de-sac and features wood floors, three bedrooms, living room with cozy fireplace, nice sized eat-in kitchen, enclosed porch, wonderful deck for barbecues, and large storage shed. The location offers easy access to warm Nantucket Sound beaches, shopping, kayaking on the Swan River, and bicycling on the Cape Cod rail trail. It is well kept, has a newer furnace, a whole house fan, and washer and dryer. This is a true gem.

 

Saturday 10-12 | 17 Mayflower Lane, South Yarmouth

Fall in love with this sun-filled South Yarmouth charmer. Grab some appetizers from the cathedraled kitchen, then step outside and sip a drink on the lush patio. Cooling off? Warm up by the gas stove in the front-to-back living room. Stretch your legs with a peaceful stroll down to one of two beaches on lovely Long Pond. Flexible 5-room floor plan, super convenient location, newer roof and boiler...welcome home.

 

 

 

Saturday 1-3 | 1685 Hyannis Road, Barnstable Village

Two homes on one lot! This 1.67 acre estate consists of a tastefully renovated gracious main house plus guest cottage in a verdant setting. Situated in Barnstable Village and less than a mile from Millway beach this property is currently unmatched, yet still has room for expansion. How about a tennis court, swimming pool, or bocce ball court? The possibilities are endless. The main house boasts a gourmet kitchen, beautiful hearth with an elegant custom mantle, gleaming wood floors, renovated baths with river-stone tile, butler's pantry converted into a dignified office, nooks and crannies galore. The detached one bedroom guest cottage with its beautiful floors and window wrapped den, along with the main house, make this versatile property perfect for large gatherings and summer soirees.

Your imagination will delight when you encounter the outdoor fire pit, travertine patio, gardens, green house and fruit trees. All of these are just a minute to coffee shops, restaurants, post office, galleries, and village market. The renovations undertaken since 2003 include new kitchen, baths, windows, furnace, hot water heaters, roof, painted interior and exterior, to name a few. The landscaping is beautiful and allows for simplicity or formality. This is a one of a kind property to be proud of and love.

Saturday 1-3 | 9 Osborn Snow Drive, East Dennis

Enjoy bird watching in spring and fireworks over Cape Cod Bay on the 4th of July from the spacious custom crafted home. The setting has character that is un-matched with expansive views of Quivet Neck, lush grounds, and easy access to Crowes Pasture, Cold Storage and Sea Street Beaches--a most sought after location in East Dennis. The home's flow is inviting and gracious with three gas fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, and sparkling floors. There are outstanding entertainment areas from gourmet kitchen, outdoor brick oven, and large deck to gracious dining room. For work-at-home folks the private office cannot be beat. This is a one-of-a-kind lovely home that offers more than the ordinary.

Sunday 1-3 | 438 Main Street, Osterville

Set yourself apart from the ordinary. This unique & refined home is to be enjoyed in summer and year long. Just minutes to Fancy's Market, library, post office, galleries, coffee & brunch; or to Dowses Beach for sunny walk or cooling dip; or launch a kayak down East Bay to Centerville River. This home is tastefully renovated with versatile floor plan ideal for entertaining. The heart of the home features a family room/kitchen combination that spills onto the large gracious sun room, deck & patio. The living room with lovely bay window is set apart allowing for intimate chats. 2 of the bedrooms each have private baths. There is additional large sleeping areas with half bath for visitors. The home is air conditioned throughout. Plenty of parking for guests. This is what life is all about.

Sunday 1-3 | 56 Clear Brook Road, West Yarmouth

This excellent starter, retirement or vacation home is conveniently located with easy access to shopping, beaches, and amenities. It is very well maintained and offers a nice floor plan with two bedrooms, granite counters, wood floors, newer windows, newer roof, Hardie plank siding, Azek trim, air conditioning, top of the line heating system including on-demand hot water, Generac generator, a large half acre private yard, garage and full basement. Bring your colors and love this sweet surprise that awaits you.

We have three excellent open houses this memorial day weekend.  If you are interested in any of these homes or to learn more about any other open houses on the Cape, contact us today.

 

Saturday 1-3 | 9 Osborn Snow Drive, East Dennis | $1,895,000

Enjoy bird watching in spring and fireworks over Cape Cod Bay on the 4th of July from the spacious custom crafted home. The setting has character that is un-matched with expansive views of Quivet Neck, lush grounds, and easy access to Crowes Pasture, Cold Storage and Sea Street Beaches--a most sought after location in East Dennis. The home's flow is inviting and gracious with three gas fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, and sparkling floors. There are outstanding entertainment areas from gourmet kitchen, outdoor brick oven, and large deck to gracious dining room. For work-at-home folks the private office cannot be beat. This is a one-of-a-kind lovely home that offers more than the ordinary.

Saturday 1-3 | 1685 Hyannis Rd, Barnstable Village | $949,000

Two homes on one lot! This 1.67 acre estate consists of a tastefully renovated gracious main house plus guest cottage in a verdant setting. Situated in Barnstable Village and less than a mile from Millway Beach this property is currently unmatched, yet still has room for expansion. How about a tennis court, swimming pool, or bocce ball court? The possibilities are endless. The main house boasts a gourmet kitchen, beautiful hearth with an elegant custom mantle, gleaming wood floors, renovated baths with river-stone tile, butler's pantry converted into a dignified office, nooks and crannies galore. The detached one bedroom guest cottage with its beautiful floors and window wrapped den, along with the main house, make this versatile property perfect for large gatherings and summer soirees. Your imagination will delight when you encounter the outdoor fire pit, travertine patio, gardens, green house and fruit trees. All of these are just a minute to coffee shops, restaurants, post office, galleries, and village market. The renovations undertaken since 2003 include new kitchen, baths, windows, furnace, hot water heaters, roof, painted interior and exterior, to name a few. The landscaping is beautiful and allows for simplicity or formality. This is a one of a kind property to be proud of and love.

Monday 10-12 | 438 Main St, Osterville | $629,000

Set yourself apart from the ordinary. This unique & refined home is to be enjoyed in summer and year long. Just minutes to Fancy's Market, library, post office, galleries, coffee & brunch; or to Dowses Beach for sunny walk or cooling dip; or launch a kayak down East Bay to Centerville River. This home is tastefully renovated with versatile floor plan ideal for entertaining. The heart of the home features a family room/kitchen combination that spills onto the large gracious sun room, deck & patio. The living room with lovely bay window is set apart allowing for intimate chats. 2 of the bedrooms each have private baths. There is additional large sleeping areas with half bath for visitors. The home is air conditioned throughout. Plenty of parking for guests. This is what life is all about.

We have four excellent open houses this weekend and predictions of fair weather so don't miss out.  If you are interested in any of these homes or to learn more about any other open houses on the Cape, contact us today.

Sunday 1-3 | 9 Osborn Snow Drive, East Dennis | $1,895,000 | Sweeping Views

Enjoy bird watching in spring and fireworks over Cape Cod Bay on the 4th of July from the spacious custom crafted home. The setting has character that is un-matched with expansive views of Quivet Neck, lush grounds, and easy access to Crowes Pasture, Cold Storage and Sea Street Beaches--a most sought after location in East Dennis. The home's flow is inviting and gracious with three gas fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, and sparkling floors. There are outstanding entertainment areas from gourmet kitchen, outdoor brick oven, and large deck to gracious dining room. For work-at-home folks the private office cannot be beat. This is a one-of-a-kind lovely home that offers more than the ordinary.

 

Sunday 10-12 | 1685 Hyannis Rd, Barnstable Village | $949,000 | House & Cottage

Two homes on one lot! This 1.67 acre estate consists of a tastefully renovated gracious main house plus guest cottage in a verdant setting. Situated in Barnstable Village and less than a mile from Millway beach this property is currently unmatched, yet still has room for expansion. How about a tennis court, swimming pool, or bocce ball court? The possibilities are endless. The main house boasts a gourmet kitchen, beautiful hearth with an elegant custom mantle, gleaming wood floors, renovated baths with river-stone tile, butler's pantry converted into a dignified office, nooks and crannies galore. The detached one bedroom guest cottage with its beautiful floors and window wrapped den, along with the main house, make this versatile property perfect for large gatherings and summer soirees. Your imagination will delight when you encounter the outdoor fire pit, travertine patio, gardens, green house and fruit trees. All of these are just a minute to coffee shops, restaurants, post office, galleries, and village market. The renovations undertaken since 2003 include new kitchen, baths, windows, furnace, hot water heaters, roof, painted interior and exterior, to name a few. The landscaping is beautiful and allows for simplicity or formality. This is a one of a kind property to be proud of and love.

Saturday 1-3 | 438 Main St, Osterville | $629,000 | Singular Layout

Set yourself apart from the ordinary. This unique & refined home is to be enjoyed in summer and year long. Just minutes to Fancy's Market, library, post office, galleries, coffee & brunch; or to Dowses Beach for sunny walk or cooling dip; or launch a kayak down East Bay to Centerville River. This home is tastefully renovated with versatile floor plan ideal for entertaining. The heart of the home features a family room/kitchen combination that spills onto the large gracious sun room, deck & patio. The living room with lovely bay window is set apart allowing for intimate chats. 2 of the bedrooms each have private baths. There is additional large sleeping areas with half bath for visitors. The home is air conditioned throughout. Plenty of parking for guests. This is what life is all about.

Saturday 10-12 | 56 Clear Brook Rd, West Yarmouth | Extra Large Lot

This excellent starter, retirement or vacation home is conveniently located with easy access to shopping, beaches, and amenities. It is very well maintained and offers a nice floor plan with two bedrooms, granite counters, wood floors, newer windows, newer roof, Hardie plank siding, Azek trim, air conditioning, top of the line heating system including on-demand hot water, Generac generator, a large half acre private yard, garage and full basement. Bring your colors and love this sweet surprise that awaits you.

Spring makes us love the Cape for a lot of different reasons, not the least of which is the warming weather and water.  Warmer water means that we no longer need to worry about hypothermia when participating in one of the best Cape Cod activities, shellfishing.  Each town has unique regulations and areas that are open and closed depending on the season.  Check out the listings below for more details in your town.  We also provide one or two suggestions of our favorite places but we suggest you find your own!

Town information	Our Favorite Spot (but check for seasonal closures)
Bourne	Buttermilk Bay
Sandwich	Mill Creek
Falmouth	Waquoit Bay
Mashpee	Great River south of the landing
Barnstable	Scudder Lane or West Bay
Yarmouth	Gray's Beach
Dennis	Cove Rd (West Dennis Side)
Brewster	Ellis Landing
Harwich	Wychmere Harbor
Chatham	Mill Creek or Oyster Pond
Orleans	Little Pleasant Bay
Eastham	Boat Meadow Creek
Wellfleet	Indian Neck or Chipman's Cove
Truro	Pamet River
Provincetown	West of the Breakwater

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo courtesy of C. Dannhauser

We have four excellent open houses this weekend and predictions of fair weather so don't miss out.  If you are interested in any of these homes or to learn more about any other open houses on the Cape, contact us today.

Unmatched |  9 Osborn Snow Drive, East Dennis | Sunday 1-3

Location is everything and this home has it all - expansive views of Quivet Neck conservation land as far as Cape Cod Bay, lush grounds that set the tone for the Cape Cod lifestyle and all only a stroll to Cold Storage and Sea Street Beaches. The gracious interiors cover 6600 square feet which include separate living quarters and a large private office that makes this home ideal for a professional home office. Every inch was custom crafted with low maintenance in mind. Boasting a fabulous chef's kitchen and oversized deck, entertaining is a breeze. Delight your clients with delicious treats prepared in the brick oven while enjoying the sweeping views and wine on the deck or by the fire pits. This special place features 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, sparkling wood, tile, vaulted ceilings, This is truly private and in an exceptional neighborhood. Bring your personal touches.

House with Guest Cottage |  1685 Hyannis Rd, Barnstable Village | Saturday 12-2pm

Two homes on one lot! This 1.67 acre estate consists of a tastefully renovated gracious main house plus guest cottage in a verdant setting. Situated in Barnstable Village and less than a mile from Millway beach this property is currently unmatched, yet still has room for expansion. How about a tennis court, swimming pool, or bocce ball court? The possibilities are endless. The main house boasts a gourmet kitchen, beautiful hearth with an elegant custom mantle, gleaming wood floors, renovated baths with river-stone tile, butler's pantry converted into a dignified office, nooks and crannies galore. The detached one bedroom guest cottage with its beautiful floors and window wrapped den, along with the main house, make this versatile property perfect for large gatherings and summer soirees.

 

Price Reduced! |  438 Main St, Osterville | Saturday 1-3

Set yourself apart from the ordinary. This unique & refined home is to be enjoyed in summer and year long. Just minutes to Fancy's Market, library, post office, galleries, coffee & brunch; or to Dowses Beach for sunny walk or cooling dip; or launch a kayak down East Bay to Centerville River. This home is tastefully renovated with versatile floor plan ideal for entertaining. The heart of the home features a family room/kitchen combination that spills onto the large gracious sun room, deck & patio. The living room with lovely bay window is set apart allowing for intimate chats. Two bedrooms each have private baths. There is an additional large sleeping area with half bath for visitors. The home is air conditioned throughout. Plenty of parking for guests. Take part in what life is all about.

 

Brand New to Market | 9 River Road, West Dennis | Saturday 1-3

Bring your beach balls...This Cape Cod year-round getaway with proven rental history is turnkey ready for fun with plenty of room for outdoor games. It is being sold furnished along with the booked rentals. It is nestled on a cul-de-sac and features wood floors, three bedrooms, living room with cozy fireplace, nice sized eat-in kitchen, enclosed porch, wonderful deck for barbecues, and large storage shed. The location offers easy access to warm Nantucket Sound beaches, shopping, kayaking on the Swan River, and bicycling on the Cape Cod rail trail. It is well kept, has a newer furnace, a whole house fan, and washer and dryer. This is a true gem.

Welcome back to this installment of 'Ask Agnes'.  Here we'll talk about finding a home and review an offer to purchase real estate.

"Ok Agnes, I have spoken to a reputable local bank and am pre-qualified for a purchase price of $400,000 and have a few neighborhoods in mind.  I also know I want a 3 bedroom house."

"Great, with those parameters I can keep a keen eye out for new properties that may fit your needs.  If you are interested you can do some hunting yourself by registering and saving searches on our website so that you can be notified when new properties appear.  Finding the perfect house requires an open mind and patience.  It also helps if you consider finding a great house that you can turn into a perfect house.  Finally always look a little outside of your search parameters.  For example, if you are qualified for a $400,000 purchase price, consider looking from $325,000-425,000.  Love 3 bedrooms?  Maybe 2 or 4 with better floor plans are just as suitable."

"Agnes, I have found the perfect home! What do I do now?"

"Well, before getting too excited let's let cooler heads prevail.  Are you sure you can afford the home?  Is it a good match for your needs? Is everyone on board?  If so then let's get going!  Buyers indicate their interest in a home by extending an 'Offer to Purchase Real Estate' (an offer) via real estate agents, to the owner.  Commonly offers are contingent on a number of items; home inspections, financing, review of condominium documents, passing Title V reports etc....  It is always prudent to add these contingencies now since a submitted offer, once signed, is a legally binding contract."

"What is a passing Title V report?"

"Well that's a '5', not a 'vee', but these are reports certifying that a septic system has passed a required inspection.  Because of the prevalence of septic systems on the Cape as well as the price of replacing one, this is generally written in black and white up front.  Check out our page on home-ownership for more information on septic systems and other useful info.

"What are all of these other items on the offer?"

"Well let's have a look at this example at right.  In order to keep things simple we are using standard time frames and amounts but it is important to keep in mind that these are always variable and it is rare that a closing will go through without a change to the original agreement at some point.

    "To begin the offer identifies the relevant parties, buyer(s) and seller(s) as well as the property address and the real estate agent used to introduce the buyers to the property.  Fairly standard stuff here. 

    "The purchase price identifies the total amount being offered to the seller by the buyer.  In this example, $350,000.  Offers are also accompanied by an initial earnest money deposit (line i) demonstrating the good faith and sincerity of the buyer.  This amount depends on the price of the property but $500 or $1000 is typical, although we have seen others.  When the Purchase and Sale (P&S) agreement is signed an additional deposit is expected usually bringing the total to 5% of the purchase price (line ii).  Still with me?"

"Makes sense so far"

"Great.  The next section limits the amount of time an offer lasts, usually 24 hours.  We drew up this example on May 1 so May 2 is when it would expire.  In the event an offer is rejected or expires and the parties do not wish to negotiate further, all earnest money is returned.  Frequently negotiations take longer than 24 hours and, as is customary on the Cape, negotiations in good faith can continue past the deadline.  However, it is always prudent to have things in writing.

"The next few sections identify a timeline for events, all of which change and are different depending on the needs of the parties. Generally speaking a purchase and sale agreement is set for signing two weeks after the offer, the closing is then set for 30 days after that. 

"Contingencies are important to understand.  In brief these are points that must be satisfied before a closing can occur.  If a mortgage will be used and our buyers are well qualified, pre-approved and using a reputable local bank we set the mortgage commitment for 1 week before closing (or we can set a later closing date if other factors necessitate more time, like estate sales).  We also stipulate the same day as the purchase and sale agreement for applying for a mortgage since many lenders require the P&S to truly begin the application process in detail.  Inspections are also conducted before a P&S and, can sometimes trigger renegotiation of certain points, or ideally, nothing serious is found.  Finally and very importantly is section 9, 'Additional Terms'.  Here is where the buyer can stipulate anything else they may wish to be a part of a sale.  For example homes that are a part of associations often have rules and regulations as well as financial statements associated with them, buyers should absolutely request to see these and may even consider having a lawyer review them before moving forward.  In our example the buyers want a passing Title V certificate for 3 bedroom system (it is important to specify the size of the system as they sometimes do not match the number of rooms in the house)."

"Wow thanks Agnes, that is a lot of information and I think I'll spend some time looking over this document."

Feel free to contact us with questions about buying (or selling) on the Cape and stay tuned as our next installment will finish this series on buying and selling on Cape Cod.

 

We have three excellent open houses this weekend and, with the first prediction of clear skies in some time, will be a great weekend to get out and preview your dream home!

New Price |  9 Osborn Snow Drive, East Dennis | Sunday 1-3

Location is everything and this home has it all - expansive views of Quivet Neck conservation land as far as Cape Cod Bay, lush grounds that set the tone for the Cape Cod lifestyle and all only a stroll to Cold Storage and Sea Street Beaches. The gracious interiors cover 6600 square feet which include separate living quarters and a large private office that makes this home ideal for a professional home office. Every inch was custom crafted with low maintenance in mind. Boasting a fabulous chef's kitchen and oversized deck, entertaining is a breeze. Delight your clients with delicious treats prepared in the brick oven while enjoying the sweeping views and wine on the deck or by the fire pits. This special place features 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, sparkling wood, tile, vaulted ceilings, This is truly private and in an exceptional neighborhood. Bring your personal touches.

 

Brand new to market |  1685 Hyannis Rd, Barnstable Village | Saturday 1-3pm

Two homes on one lot! Charm best describes the tastefully renovated gracious antique main house on a 1.67 acre estate setting smack dab in Barnstable Village less than a mile from Millway beach with lovely three bedrooms, three baths. The detached one bedroom guest cottage along with the main house makes this versatile property perfect for large gatherings & summer soirees. Your imagination will explode when you encounter the outdoor fire pit, travertine patio, gardens, greenhouse and fruit trees. All this just a minute to coffee shops, restaurants, post office, galleries, and village market. Step inside the main house to find sparkling floors, gourmet kitchen, nooks and crannies at every turn. Send guests to the cottage with its beautiful floors, window wrapped den and enjoy your space. This is a sensational property with room for expansion. How about a tennis court, swimming pool, or bocce ball court? The possibilities are endless. The renovations undertaken since 2003 included new kitchen, baths, windows, furnace, hot water heaters, roof, painted interior and exterior, to name a few. The landscaping is beautiful and allows for simplicity or formality. This is one of a kind property to be proud of and to love.

 

New Price |  438 Main St, Osterville | Saturday 10-12

Set yourself apart from the ordinary. This unique & refined home is to be enjoyed in summer and year long. Just minutes to Fancy's Market, library, post office, galleries, coffee & brunch; or to Dowses Beach for sunny walk or cooling dip; or launch a kayak down East Bay to Centerville River. This home is tastefully renovated with versatile floor plan ideal for entertaining. The heart of the home features a family room/kitchen combination that spills onto the large gracious sun room, deck & patio. The living room with lovely bay window is set apart allowing for intimate chats. Two bedrooms each have private baths. There is an additional large sleeping area with half bath for visitors. The home is air conditioned throughout. Plenty of parking for guests. Take part in what life is all about.

 

If you are interested in any of these homes or to learn more about any other open houses on the Cape, contact us today.

After examining the process of selling on Cape Cod, it is now time for a buyer's perspective.  For more information on selling your home, start at Part 1 of the series here.

"OK Agnes, I am ready to buy a home on the Cape...uummmm...help?"

"That's wonderful news!  Owning a home is a dream many people want to realize and we take great pride in helping them do it.  I'll approach from the perspective of first-time homebuyers and hit relevant points for all buyers along the way."

"Got it."

"The first thing you should do is learn how much you can spend on a home.  Most people finance (get a mortgage) for real estate transactions and even if you will be buying in cash you still need to set your limits.  In the case of financing, talk to a local bank or mortgage broker who will lead you through the process of getting pre-qualified.  In short a bank evaluates your total income, liabilities and assets to help you decide how much home you can afford.  You should always do this before you even think about looking for houses for two reasons (really the same reason but with two points).  First, don't waste your time dreaming of gold-plated faucets and kids playing on the dock by looking at $900,000 waterfront homes if you won't be able to afford one.  And, just as crucially, don't waste your time looking at $200,000 homes thinking that is all you can afford when, in reality, you could qualify for a $350,000 purchase price.  Over the years we have seen both situations and with rates as low as they are these days, people are often surprised at how much they can actually afford.  When you have an idea of a reasonable price range you and your realtor can move to the next steps."

"OK.  I talked to a bank and qualify for a $350,000 purchase price. How do we get started?"

"Well this is an exciting point in your search for a home.  And we proceed in a lot of different ways depending on the client.  Some people are very engaged in the search and spend a lot of time driving around to find appealing neighborhoods, as well as looking online for homes of interest.  A great place to start is on our website. By signing up you can save searches and your favorite homes (check out the screen grab at left) as well as get in touch with us for an in-person viewing of listings you find interesting.  Other clients are very hands off and prefer a more curated approach in which we, as agents, present properties we think are a good match.  It is important to have a good conversation with your agent early in the process so that you are both clear on which style you prefer. We love working with both types of clients (and everything in between) and take pride in that 88% of our business comes from repeat customers or referrals from past clients."

"I've started looking, but holy cow there is a lot out there."

"First, start with locations.  If you currently live and work in Brewster why not start by searching for homes there?  Then you can narrow price range and refine the search (i.e. including garages or minimum number of bedrooms) to suit your needs.  Also you can use our 'What's New' search to keep an eye out for anything that pops up on the market that you may like but otherwise doesn't match your criteria (like a house on the Dennis and Harwich line that is two minutes from Brewster, but is otherwise exactly what you want).

Well thanks Agnes, you have given us a lot to think about and hope that some of these suggestions for buyers are useful to our readers too.  Feel free to contact us with questions about buying (or selling) on the Cape and stay tuned as our next installment will go into finding your dream home and getting an offer accepted.