We got what we often dream about-a White Christmas! Cape Cod homes look beautiful in the snow-especially since it has already90% melted. As we like to brag, we often tell prospective buyers that there are many winters that we can bike, play golf, even ride motorcycles through much of the winter on Cape Cod.

We are a retirement destination for those active retirees who want to be near enough to the children and grandchildren or nieces and nephews to attend their sports or school events or other activities without making an expensive trip on an airplane or having a long difficult drive. The retirees have their lives here, and can easily drive or join a group trip to Boston or New York City for broader cultural or city experiences, and yet be able to schedule times to be with their families when the situation arises.

The Sunbelt is attractive, but a couple of weeks or months there is often sufficient to feel like an escape from New England weather. Because Cape Cod weather is generally more mild than 'over the bridge' on the mainland of New England, we can more readily accept the short term inconveniences of winter here. Recently, I showed a listing to a couple from Upstate New York who were-get this-looking at a Cape Cod home for use in the Winter only. They love their mountains and outdoor activities in the Summer in the Adirondacks, but are tired of the snow that keeps them limited in the winter. It will be interesting to see how that works out for them.

Have a happy and healthy New Year.

Deb Schilling

A White Christmas in Cotuit

Yesterday I closed on a listing that was in East Falmouth-a cute Cape in a nice neighborhood of Ashumet Valley Estates. The economic stimulus has had a positive effect on real estate and in this case it helped both the Buyer and the Seller!

The Buyers-a lovely young couple who are schoolteachers bought the house, and will utilize the extended First Time Buyer Tax Credit. I suspect (they were not my clients) that they will reimburse themselves for expenses associated with the purchase, and maybe even buy some new items for the house.

The Sellers are moving out of state to new jobs, and their purchase is likely to be in time to qualify for the Tax credit for homeowners who are selling a home they have occupied as a primary residence and buying another.

Without these incentives, the transaction may not have come together-the house was listed by another agency earlier in the year, and little activity. I listed it in August, and it seemed like properties on Cape Cod in the 'First Time Homebuyer' range were really selling well. Also, we were seeing an uptick in Second Home Buyers purchasing on Cape Cape Cod. In fact, we had several interested parties from each category. A couple of offers were very low, and not able to be successfully negotiated, as the Buyers were reading Media reports of lack of activity and low list to selling price rations. With patience, and effective marketing, this house found its perfect Buyers in November, and may not have been able to sell prior to the original expiration of the Tax Credit.

We ended up with Happy Sellers and Happy Buyers for this Cape Cod home in Falmouth, and look forward to seeing continuing momentum in 2010-the signs are postive! ?For details on the Tax Credit click on the link below, or call for a hard copy, email or fax for details on this wonderful benefit.

tax_credit_indformation_sheet.pdf (71.34 kb)

Happy Holidays

Deb Schilling

Photo of Association beach on Ashumet Pond-if you own in this neighborhood, you would have rights to this find freahwater beach.

Do you go away even for short trips in the winter? Do you have a plan in place to protect your home from disaster? Here are a few tips to help prevent a freeze up or flood that could cost you thousands, render your home uninhabitable, and cause problems with renewal of your Homeowners Insurance.

Homeowners leave their Cape Cod homes unprotected for many reasons. Often it is as simple as only planning to be gone for a long weekend. Our fickle electrical supply can cause a furnace to go off and not reset, and if weather is exceptionally cold, a freeze up can happen in just a short time. Hydronic (hot water baseboard) heating systems are more vulnerable, too. Maintenance issues should be attended to in the Fall-before the cold, snow and ice hit hard.

For a helpful checklist, click on the link below, or email/call me and I will make this valuable FREE list available to you. Email deb@onestophomes.com or (508)428-2300 x 13.

Winterizing checklist for Cape Cod property owners.doc (1.74 mb)

 Winter scene at 904 Main Street, Cotuit-it never snows on Cape Cod, does it????