The Cape Cod & Islands Association of Realtors reported a 28.30% increase in homes under contract in Dec. 2011 as compared to Dec. 2010. That's really good news!

For the end of 2011, Cape Cod & Islands MLS is up .10% for under contract properties compared to 2010. That's not a big increase, but it's an increase nevertheless, certainly the direction we're happy about. Hopefully, the great results for December will augur well for activity in 2012. 

As I noted anecdotally in my last newsletter, there seemed to be a noticeable uptick in homes going under agreement. After the last newsletter, during the week between Christmas and New Year's, we were busy. And the year has started with some of the new listings going under agreement within two weeks, as noted above. 

Not looking at the staircase, just the first step...   

Click on the image or address link below for more information about the home, or look for other homes on the Property Search of my website.  

#21100957

 134 North Falmouth Highway, North Falmouth

Price reduced to $759,000

This might be the deal of the month. As I recall, the sellers paid in the $900's for this house. Unusual and very appealing, it was built in 1999 by an established local electrician for himself and his family. With over an acre of land, it's set back from the road, surrounded by rolling lawns, and abutting the bike path - barely visible. 

Architecturally, the turret and round mahogany porch are reminiscent of Victorian homes, and the open flow with generous rooms inside creates a pleasing "flow". With the comfort of central air, and antique stained glass and doors, the house belies its youth with charm and grace. 

The sellers have moved on, and at this asking price, are already taking a "hit". Someone is going to make an offer that the sellers will accept, and for sure, that buyer is going to be getting a wonderful house at a wonderful price. I'd like to help you or someone you know be that buyer - just give me a jingle!  

Those of you who know me well know that my Wednesday mornings are reserved for MLS tour. This is an outstanding chance for agents in town to view up to 12 new listings. We meet at the The Nimrod; agents organize it, and divvy up the tasks. By going every week, I'm able to be very current with the inventory, which is helpful for both my buyers and sellers. For buyers, I've seen the house and can talk about its plusses and minuses as they relate to the particular buyer. For sellers, I can do a much better job determining their price when I've seen all the competition.

I'm always surprised that only about 25-30 agents (out of almost 300 in Falmouth) attend on a regular basis, but I feel it's one of the most important things I do. I enjoy the camaraderie of my Realtor colleagues, and these good relationships come in handy when I'm scheduling showings, asking favors, and negotiating transactions. 

In addition, I co-chair the program committee. Once a month we are treated to a hot breakfast by a rotating group of lenders, and we have a speaker who gives us information about the town or the practice of real estate that we didn't already know and which is relevant to our work.

We organize the tour geographically, so that we tour new listings in each area of town once a month. This week we viewed homes in North and West Falmouth. Here's a sample:

Click on the image or address link below for more information about each home, or look for other homes on the Property Search of my website. 

#21200025

58 Weston Road, North Falmouth

$265,000

With 480 sq.ft., this could be the smallest house on the market in a long time. But it's also the least expensive home in desirable New Silver Beach. It has a lot of over 20,000 sq.ft., allowing for possible expansion, and the enclosed three-season porch does not appear to be included in the designated square footage. Two more advantages: it's at the end of a small road and abuts a salt marsh, and it is outside of the town sewer betterment assessment area. The sellers paid $302,000 for the home in 2007, so it truly is priced to sell.

#21200175

18 Pine Street, North Falmouth

$389,000

Look quickly, because this one is already under agreement! This is what I refer to above: "nice house, nice location, nice price, quick sale".

#21110642

 7 Quail Street, West Falmouth

$459,000

This 2,528 sq.ft. home, with 3 bedrooms and 3 baths, faces west with a distant view of Buzzards Bay. The view is even protected in the deed. The main bedroom is huge, the family room has a cathedral ceiling, and there is a new assessment that has increased to $452,000. There are two aspects to the house that are not so great: there is some noise from the highway, and the exterior of the house is just not that appealing. But mid-$400,000s in West Falmouth, with this square footage and a view, definitely has value.

#21110563

16 Ard Righ Road, North Falmouth

$550,000

Here is a fresh and beachy home that's a hop, skip, and a jump from the renowned Old Silver Beach. In great condition, with a fabulous new kitchen, it's 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and 1,752 efficient sq.ft. There are two bedrooms on the first floor and an airy main bedroom suite with office/den loft upstairs. This is a classic home for Old Silver Beach devotees (of which there are hundreds of thousands).

#21200397

59 Pequossett Avenue, North Falmouth

$1,250,000

Here's a wonderful choice either for people who love having guests or for two or more families to buy together. (Although this seems unconventional, two of my sales in 2011 were to two unrelated parties setting up housekeeping together - one purchase was a primary residence, one was a secondary residence. Just think of the financial feasibility!) This is a 5-bedroom, 3-bath, almost 3,000 sq.ft. home with a gorgeous walk-out lower level, heated, plumbed, and framed for - 4 more bedrooms and 3 more bathrooms! This is no ordinary basement: the ceilings are high; there are lots of full-sized windows, and even French doors to a brick patio.

The house was originally built in 1910 and has the most wonderful turn-of-the-century proportions and detail. The front porch is straight from "old-time beach house", and the beadboard in all the first and second-floor rooms is authentic. There's even a third floor with another living room, 2 bedrooms, and a bath. And just in case you were worried that it might need a new kitchen, it doesn't. Designed for serious meal prep and entertaining, the kitchen is fabulous. Pequossett Avenue is in the middle of the original North Falmouth Village. Although not on the water, the village location, amenities, and square footage support the asking price.  

Here's a "heads-up": A new listing is about to come on the market. It's on the water in the Winnepoc section of Wings Neck. 

A perfect early retirement or family home, this is a sprawling ranch with a gorgeous south-facing waterfront and - hurray - all the work has been done. It will be just over $1,000,000, a terrific condo alternative for those who just don't like condo living but do like the ease of one floor and something that will not need much in the way of maintenance for a while. 

And an unbelievable location! Wings Neck has beaches, boating, the Buzzards sailing school for kids, and an exclusive but highly convenient setting. 

Anyone who would like to see this as soon as it's on (next week), let me know. There are no other young ranches in great condition, tastefully done, on the water that I know of.

One of the Wings Neck Beaches