Cape Cod Market conditions for late 2011

Our Cape Cod market continues to show strength in the last 2 quarters, as Buyers overcame concerns about economy and snapped up the best available properties. Cape Cod sales volume in 2011 is down about 10% compared to 2010 and median price dropped 2% for the same period. This is reasonable for the current situation, and is good considering 2010 sales were buoyed by the government tax incentives. 2011 has had no artificial buying stimuli, so the sales this year have been truly free market.

Many Buyers and Sellers recognize that the ‘bottom’ is here-especially when calculating the cost to purchase-with interest rates at historic lows. The Second home/vacation buyers seem to be aware of this and have made a significant contribution to real estate sales this year. We have seen significant interest in beach properties, village properties in Cotuit, Osterville Centerville, and Marstons Mills

Pricing and preparing a home for sale has never been more crucial-Buyers will buy the ‘good’ properties-priced well and prepped for showing. Sellers realize that condition sells and pricing to the market is key to success.

Consumer confidence appears to be growing slowly, and this will likely increase the desire to make the investments that have been postponed due to uncertainty and negative news.

2012 should be a year of gradual improvement in the Cape Cod real estate market, as interest rates should remain low and prices for properties will have hit bottom and may start to rise by Mid Year as demand reduces the inventory backlog. We don’t expect prices to rise much in the next year, but more desirable locations and appropriately marketed properties could exceed this modest expectation.z

Until you can return to the Cape (or even better buy your vacation home here) enjoy this scene overlooking Nauset Marsh from Fort Hill area of Cape Cod National Seashore on a glorious November day

Who would think about shopping at the Library. Well, here on Cape Cod you certainly can. From Silent Auctions (I have bid on several things I would love to have for gifts), to giving the gift of unlimited access to the FREE library services by signing someone up for a Library Card. Did you know that libraries now allow you to 'download' NEW books and lots of other STUFF for FREE, using your new E-reader (hint, hint Santa)? If you are interested to know more about the communities I serve selling Cape Cod Real Estate, OR like more information about Living here on Cape Cod (especially in the Off season-plenty to do!!!), just call or email me

Deborah Schilling
Selling Cape Cod Real Estate 1 Yard at a time!

A great time was had by all at the Annual Taste of Marstons Mills benefit for the Marstons Mills Library Enjoy the photos and great article from the Barnstable Patriot http://www.barnstablepatriot.com/home2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22817&Itemid=30

I am President of the Board of Trustees for the Marstons Mills Public Library, and as a former librarian (another life!), I keep my connection with this wonderful, friendly and beloved library by helping on the Board and donating to it.

Libraries on Cape Cod are unique, in that most of them started as small private libraries, and later became the libraries for their communities. In the Town of Barnstable, our 7 libraries (Marstons Mills, Cotuit, Centerville, Osterville, West Barnstable, Barnstable and Hyannis) really serve as learning and social centers for our small villages. Funding is particularly difficult in these times of tight budgets, and so having a lot of fun and great food while raising money at the Taste of Marstons Mills shows the true colors (and culinary capabilities) of the library supporters.

Schools and libraries are critical to a strong community, and I invite anyone to come to Marstons Mills and enjoy the hospitality and warmth you receive when you visit the Marstons Mills Public Library. Marstons Mills is a great village, and one you might enjoy making your home on Cape Cod

I just read an article published as a result of a survey done to determine housing needs and wants of Buyers 55+ years. What is tops on their list from this survey? Easy home maintenace and repair! Not organized social activities.

To meet this need, I have a reliable and professional team of support persons in the Trades and Professional Services that will fit the bill. Owning a home on Cape Cod need not be stressful. I will connect you with my Preferred Professionals, and assure you that these contractors and and service people will deliver on what they promise. These are not the typical, much maligned Cape Cod Contractors. They will show up, perform a professional service and charge a fair price. I do not recommend anyone that I can vouch for, and I look for reliability, responsiveness, competitive pricing and integrity. Any referrals I make reflect on my Cape Cod Real Estate business, and a poor referral from me will damage my reputation more than I care to imagine.

If you are concerned about buying on Cape Cod, as a mature buyer, a senior citizen, or just a busy professional who wants an enjoyable experience with a second home or permanent home on Cape Cod, please contact me to represent you in the purchase of this property. If you know someone who has had a negative experience owning here on Cape Cod, I would be pleased to share my Preferred Professionals on Cape Cod with them, too.

To read the full text of the survey results done by National Association of Home Builders and MetLife Mature Market Institute, click this link

http://rismedia.com/2010-01-26/mature-market-home-buyers-look-beyond-buildings-desire-services/

Would you rather be Golfing on Cape Cod at the Town owned Marstons Mills Golf Course, watching an incredible sunset from a Cape Beach OR cleaning gutters, repainting the house, raking leaves, or supervising a contractor you cannot trust to do the Job you hired him/her for?!

Call me for the best Preferred Professionals on Cape Cod!

May you find Fair Winds and Following Seas every day

Deb

Deborah Schilling