Gorgeous New Listing in Quivet Neck

41 Stillman Kelley Rd.

Turkey Day is upon us, and the market has picked up considerably since the election. You read here that it would. Now the MAR (Massachusetts Association of Realtors) reports that sales are up, “On Tuesday, November 25, 2008 MAR reported that single-family home sales were up 6.6 percent in October compared to the same time last year. This is the second straight month of year-over-year increases in monthly home sales in 2008.” Savvy buyers are feeling more confident and are making their move. Sellers are weighing their risk/benefit analyses and going for moderate gains and good bargains on the next purchase. Forclosure filings have decreased. All of this bodes well and points to an upswing toward the end of 2009 but in the meanwhile Cape Cod real estate is Alive and Well!

If you’d like to know more about this stunning five bedroom handcrafted home near Sea Street beach in East Dennis link to its page on Realtor.com.

A blessed Thanksgiving to all.

Spirit of Community Giving for 2009

HAC Holiday Card

As the ground freezes and snow dusts the ground, I begin to plan my real estate business for 2009. As noted in the Boston Globe recently, we need to give more, not less, in these uncertain times whether that is time or money. I give my time to the Dennis Arts and Culture Council and the Smith College Club of the Cape and Islands. In 2009 I will donate 2% of my net commissions to the Housing Action Corporation a group that works in many ways to help prevent homelessness and assist those already homeless. This problem is more prevalent on the Cape than you may realize. The image above is from their holiday card, visit the website to see where you can purchase them. I hope that you can contribute in some way where you are, and on the Cape if you visit or live here. There are many ways to help, contact me, I have a directory of non-profits who would love to hear from you. Happy Thanksgiving!

Fallen Comrade

I am sorry to report the loss of a fellow Realtor and former colleague, Bill Keane. Bill had a magical outlook and way about him and I always looked forward to his pronouncements at sales meetings. Even his earring twinkled. He leaves a family.

The only sale reported today in Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Orleans or Yarmouth was on Cove Road in South Dennis for $ 1,893,000.00. This home was not on the market very long and is not ocean front. There were 16 price reductions in the same towns, and 9 new listings.

If you are new to the Cape and unsure of which town you would like to settle in, the Cape Cod Times website has a communities page for each town, and each town individually has a website with everything from beach information to “transfer station” (dump) rules. It’s a great resource. As well, the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce is a great site. As always, your professional Realtor will be a wealth of knowledge about the communities s/he works in.

I had the opportunity to tour the new IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) world headquarters building in Yarmouth Port today. It’s a fantastic, green facility that in a strange way melds its modernity with its Cape environment. It is LEED Gold certified, built on a former brownfield, and the organization employs 150 people on the Cape. If you are into green architecture check it out. If you are into animal welfare check it out, too.

A Banner Day: I Won Big and I Voted

Today I was priviledged to vote in the 1828 Carleton Hall in our Village Center. A tiny meeting house, I wonder how many-mostly men- have gone before me to cast their votes (for other men.) The day was warm and the colors golden, a spectacular New England Election Day. Then on the way home I got behind a giant SUV from New Jersey with a large poster for The Other Guy blocking the back window. It broke the spell. Their vision was obscured in every way, all the way back to the Jersey Turnpike.

One of my favorite local haunts, particularly at this time of year and in the winter is the Scargo Cafe in Dennis Village. Last Fall and this, they held a scratch ticket giveaway. When you come in in October you get a ticket. When you come back in November, the server scratches the ticket and you win $5.00 or more in gift certificates. Last year I won $100.00, pretty cool. When I went in for lunch yesterday I won $ 1000.00!! Much more cool! That will keep us un Guiness and filet mignon for a few meals! It’s a great spot for locals and visitors alike, and very welcoming of my four year old.

As for real estate, today is understandably quiet as we all remained glued to our choice of media source. Tomorrow I’d like to see offers flying and homes listed as we all get about the business of recovery.