During this difficult economic time, it is important for all of us to remember how much our donations mean to the charities or non profits we choose to support. Late last year and earlier this year, the slow down in the Cape Cod Real estate market made it difficult for me to keep up with my charitable giving. I have had the good fortune to have had a 2009 that by the end of the year will not be 'off' that much from 2008!

I have selected a new organization to support-The Cape Cod United Way. They have traditionally supported a wide variety of programs and organizations locally. I invite you to explore their mission and share in supporting it. Connect with them at www.uwcapecod.org and view the Giving or Volunteering opportunities at www.uwcapecod.org/pdf/broforwebsite.pdf . As a small businessperson, I elected to commit to giving through the Rising Tide program. My name was featured in an article in the November 2009 edition of the periodical Cape and Plymouth Business as a participant in this new program. To read the article about the United Way Cape Cod, connect to

Rising Tide article Cape & Business Nov 09.pdf (1.32 mb)

I have also been a long time fan of Libraries in the Town of Barnstable. As I lived in Marstons Mills for 20 years and my Real Estate office has always been in Marstons Mills. I also support the Marstons Mills Public Library at www.mmpl.org It is a fine small library with a local feel, which is true for the other 6 libraries in our Town.

I also feel we have a treasure in Talk Radio with our local NPR radio station with is WCAI. I enjoy the wide ranging topics and interviews-from politics to nature and personalities on a local Cape Cod level. Learn more about the programming or listen online at www.cainan.org

I have made a commitment to be a Sustainer by a regular monthly commitment pledge to PBS WCAI Radio.

I believe that I owe a lot to Cape Cod for my success and the joy that every day reminds me how lucky I am to live in such a wonderful place! Whether you are here already and need to change your living situation, plan to move here by buying a second home, or retire here by buying a retirement home, I would be pleased to help you with a no obligation consultation to help you in your decision process.

Deb

The recently extended HomeBuyer Tax Credit is poised to help us continue our strong gains in activity this Fall. Great opportunity for first time buyers, AND current Homeowners to take advantage of this Tax Credit to buy a home on Cape Cod!

This information sheet provides an overview of the Tax credit provisions

Here is a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) regarding how the Homebuyer Tax Credit actually might work in the "Real World"supplied by Laurie Hayes, VP Mortgage Banking at Eastern Bank, here in Marstons Mills. I think it puts it into an understandable context!

I was recently interviewed for Our Town Blog posted on the RE/MAX New England website, and responded to the following questions about My Town, Barnstable Massachusetts, and its seven villages: Barnstable, West Barnstable, Hyannis, Centerville, Marstons Mills, Cotuit, and Osterville.

To view the video:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxzr6bVCAp4#watch-main-area

Barnstable (Mid Cape): We spoke with Deborah Schilling of RE/MAX Classic in Marstons Mills

1. What is the median price of a Single Family home?

Median price of SF home is now (based on YTD stats from CCIAOR MLS for Town of Barnstable)   is $235,000-very affordable compared to several years ago when it was above $350,000 median.

2. What is the public transportation system like?

The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority, has recently been provided with additional funding from the government. They are hiring more drivers and adding more equipment. Public transportation as a rule is very limited, as our geography is so spread out. We have several major bus lines going to Boston, airports, Providence, and connecting to New York City.  Also a very busy airport in Hyannis, with connections to islands and Boston. Hyannis also has frequent ferry service to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, where there are commuters to the islands for daily work. Bicycle trails are sparse.

3. What is access to major highways?

Access to major highways:  Route 6 connects directly to Route 3, and from most of Barnstable is a little over an hour to Boston on a good traffic day, and maybe an hour and a half on a bad day. This excludes the weekend tourist traffic, whic
h can add significantly more time, but it quite possible to work ‘around’ with some local knowledge.

4. How are the school systems in the area?

Schools in Barnstable are well regarded and offer a variety from public school, to Charter school, private and private religious schools. Barnstable has the largest Town school population on the Cape.

5. Who is this area attractive to?

The Cape is attractive to a wide variety of residents, but has always been a mecca for retirees, and those looking to retire in the near future, as our climate is less severe as a rule than the rest of New England. Tempered by the sea, we usually get less snow and severe cold than inland or more northern New England, so it is often that Golf can be played year round!  Because the prices of Real Estate on the Cape have been higher than the suburbs of Boston, buyers look to move to the Cape to downsize and reduce the investment in their homes by moving to the Cape full time, and selling the family home near the city. Most of our buyers come from within 90-100 miles of the Cape, and started out as vacationers or visitors and got ‘hooked’ on our lifestyle and slower pace.

Because Barnstable has lots of Open Space, protected by Town and private acquisition, it is a place to be active-walking, biking, horseback riding, boating of all sizes and types, swimming (fresh and salt), yet is strong in the cultural end, too. We have a Conservatory of Art and Music, Cape Cod Community College, several excellent art museums, local theater groups, so we attract a wide variety of physical and intellectual residents.

6. Total population?

Approximately 50,000 year round, and tripling in the summer to about 150,000.

7. Average age of population?

42.

Deb’s Five Faves about Barnstable:

1. Best Coffee Spot: Cotuit Grocery and Fresh Market, Cotuit.

2. Best Breakfast Spot: The Mills Restaurant, Marstons Mills

3. Best Chinese Food Restaurant: The Golden Fountain, Hyannis.

4. Best Walk: Osterville village-quiet and safe and beautiful

5. Best Pizza: Pizza 1, Subs 2, Marstons Mills and Pizza Wave, Marstons Mills.

For more information on Barnstable contact Deborah Schilling:

RE/MAX Classic

167 Lovells Lane

Marstons Mills, MA 02648

(508)428-2300 x13

deb@onestophomes.com