Vote Now to Save Boston’s Architectural History!

American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation have partnered to give a Boston property a grant: and you choose the grantee. Vote online for your favorite landmark. The frontrunner is the Paragon Carousel in Nantasket Beach, between Boston and Cape Cod. Included is the Louisa May Alcott house, a personal favorite. Vote Early and Often!

Why your vote counts
American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation have selected twenty-five places of historic, cultural and aesthetic significance in Greater Boston as participants for the 2009 Partners in Preservation program.

From April 14 – May 17, 2009, you have the opportunity to cast one vote each day online for the historic places that you care about. At the end of the voting period, the site with the most votes is guaranteed funding for their requested project (maximum amount of $100,000 per site) from a total of $1 million that American Express will give away to support the preservation of historic places in Greater Boston.

Your votes also will help American Express, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and an Advisory Committee comprised of Greater Boston community leaders determine how best to distribute the rest of the $1 million in preservation grants. The voting results, along with each historic place’s preservation and monetary needs, will be considered.

Partners in Preservation encourages you to learn more about the 25 eligible historic places below and to vote early and often from April 14 – May 17, 2009.

I’ll Go Out on a Limb: the “bottom” has been reached on the Cape for sales volume

The Friday Market Update (my own, not something official) of the CCIAOR MLS shows that the number of new listings Cape-wide has reached relative equilibrium with the number of sales. For the past 7 days, there were 162 new listings (some may have been listed previously but are considered “new” after a break) and 149 homes under agreement or sold (note:single family only. The condo market has tanked.) Nearly as many homes left the market as entered it. This will mean some stabilization of prices, but as rates are so low and inventory is shrinking or stable, look for a shoring up of prices, too. Sellers should sell, buyers should buy: not a pitch, an economic reality.

I’ve Gone Green: NAR’s Green Designation. I’m one of the first on Cape Cod/ 30 in MA

Since my earlier blog on the Green designation, I have been awarded the tiitle. Watch this space for information on buying, selling and living green.

TERMS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Compostable – Organic material with the ability to break down to a toxin-free soil that enriches plant growth. When aiming to use compostable material in a personal garden area, avoid oils and harmful wastes, like meat, bones, and fatty foods.
Light Pollution – A form of sky pollution caused by excessive use of artificial light, which can cause negative effects on health and well-being. This form of pollution originates from industry and is a result of little conservation of energy over time.
Insulation-Compatible Air-Tight Recessed Lighting (IC-AT) – Lighting that eliminates the heat producing chimney effect of conventional incandescent lighting due to the air-tight installation. Unlike other recessed lights, they can be safely wrapped in insulation, conserving energy.
– NAR’s Green REsource Council

Down it Goes: $1,200,000 for $ 860,000

Mayflower Sandcastle Contest

Dennis beaches, Luscombe Lane. Across from Mayflower Beach. This property was seriously overpriced, and sold for a more reasonable $ 860,000. The view is blocked by the house across the street. Welcome to the neighborhood, folks!

When is the time to make your move?

It’s been crazy busy here on the Cape, with 15-20 properties entering the market daily on the mid-Cape, and as many pendings and solds. I’m doing great! The time is right now, exactly. Rates+inventory+mediated prices means NOW for both buyers and sellers. Don’t ya just love a bargain?!