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As my regular readers know, 2014 was a busy year for me. The spring market is usually our best, but I was fortunate that the momentum continued for me throughout the year. 

Because it's really impossible to predict which clients will proceed to closing, I make myself available to my clients 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, until they close. Without a crystal ball, I have no way of knowing what the next several months will bring, so I just work as much as I can while the work is there. 

The result is, except for a few family days off, I've been working 7 days a week since last spring. I didn't mind it, because my clients were wonderfully appreciative of my expertise and support. Working so much was enjoyable. 

But now I'm sold out! My sellers have sold, and my buyers have bought - and I am actively looking for new clients. As always, I welcome your referrals. Your friends become mine, and the circle widens.
My Curated Collection

Although this is the slowest time of year for homes coming on the market, we do have some new listings. Below is my curated selection of what's fresh and interesting:

#21410434
$324,900


Here's a tiny little upside-down house, on a tiny little lot. BUT - downtown! Adorable! And the lot abuts a vacant lot that will probably never be built upon because there seems to be no street frontage. More than meets the eye!

#21410564
$895,000
 
 
This is a smallish (1,828 s.f.), simple, and very sweet house. Relatively new, the house was built to function well - and it does, with three bedrooms and three baths, including a first-floor main bedroom suite. It's got central air; a good deck; and a nice, level yard. You can walk to the private, neighborhood Little Gansett Beach. A private beach in "the Hole" - pretty special! It IS a lot of money, though. Will be interesting to see if the lure of this location will bring the bucks.

#21410537
$799,000


Super south of Main Street location, much sought-after; and a very charming house at the end of a small, dead-end street. It's been renovated, added on to, fluffed and buffed, so with 3 bedrooms, 4 baths, and 2,652 s.f., this is probably a home that's priced on the money and won't last long on the market. 
 
#21410315
$729,000
 
 
In Wild Harbor Estates, with private beach, tennis, kayak, and canoe launch, and an off-the-beaten path location in North Falmouth, this exceptionally charming home has been renovated and decorated to exceed the expectations of the most demanding buyer. Take your own private house tour by clicking on the picture above. 

#21410644
$749,900


My oh my, this is one of the most charming homes I've seen in a long time! It's hard to describe adequately, but trust me when I say that this suits even yours truly, Ms. Fussy. Look at the pictures, see what I mean!

#21409920
$620,000


Fairway Pointe is a smallish (20 homes?) condo community within Ballymeade. The homes are 14 years old, so they're young to begin with; and this one has had many upgrades. The advantages are that it's got a good floor plan, nice views, and the Fairway Pointe swimming pool. The disadvantage is the stairs from the driveway or the garage into the house. But if you like a condo that's stylish and in a quiet location, with a community pool, there aren't other choices in town. When you deduct $200 a month that you would pay by joining a pool, the condo fee is equivalent to or less than any other in this price range.

#21410522
$795,000


I didn't intend to weight this newsletter with homes in the $600 and $700's, but it seems that many of the new listings are in this price range. This is a brand-new home, a hip-roof Colonial, with a lot of curb appeal. Inside it works; outside there's the neighborhood dock for your boat.

#21410392
$299,000
 
 
We started with a modest home for a modest price, and we'll end that way as well. This is a 2-bedroom, 2-bath, 1,056 s.f. unit at Falmouthport, in good condition. Of the four floor plans in Falmouthport, this is the one I like best: the cathedral ceiling in the very spacious living room/dining area is terrific; and I also appreciate that the two bedrooms are separated from each other by bathrooms and closets. So there's privacy in this unit that's usually hard to find in such limited space. The other aspect of this floor plan that I like is that it's an end unit, so there are nice views and great light. Every Falmouthport home has a private patio; and with the pool, clubhouse, tennis, and kayak launch, as well as the mile path through the woods - AND a reasonable condo fee - this is a place I recommend. 

I hope you've enjoyed your tour through some of our newest listings. The new year is here, time to start thinking about that beach house. Call me, would love to hear from you!
The Gift of Art / The Art of Giving


Every year, my gift-giving list grows longer, as I want to include everyone who helps me throughout the year. How fortunate I am to have "people"! A house cleaner, handyman, social media assistant, graphic designer, bookkeeper, hairdresser, massage therapist, trainer; then there's the trash collector and mail delivery person. And my clients, my wonderful clients! I spend a lot of time each year trying to think of the right gift for each person.

This year, I had a lightbulb moment as I was casting about for the perfect gift. As most of you know, I like taking pictures, and over the years, have printed hundreds that I liked for one reason or another. But no house could display more than a fraction, so they've been mostly packed away in my basement, giving no one any pleasure. I decided to offer my photos to each giftee, and let them choose if any "spoke" to them.

This turned out to be such fun! Not only did it mean that I saw everyone, but we looked at the photos and talked about where they were taken (and for the abstract images, what they were). The most interesting aspect to me is that everyone chose something different. Some I might have guessed, but most, not.

In some cases, a particular image was unexpectedly meaningful. One time this happened was when I brought some prints to my exercise class, and my trainer/friend looked at a shot I had of a double rainbow over West Falmouth harbor. She then shared a story that gave me goosebumps. Her friend's husband had died after saving her (his wife) from an undertow. My trainer and her friend had gone to dinner on the anniversary of the husband's passing, and were hanging out at the dock in West Falmouth afterwards. They were just strolling along, remembering, when my friend happened to look up and saw the double rainbow. For her friend, it was a manifestation of her husband's spirit; a deeply moving moment for them. (I can't help but wonder if I took that shot on the same afternoon....)

And the final bit of pleasure? I sort of forget that I've done this, and when I visit my friends, seeing my photos on their walls always startles me - in the best possible way. They look great! Everyone has hung them differently than I did, so even I am seeing them with fresh eyes. I'm thrilled that my pictures have come to life again, giving pleasure to my peeps, and their peeps, and who knows who else?
Here's Lauren, in her studio (Sarra in Hingham and Boston),
taking a shot to post on Instagram.
A Realtor's Time Off

Kripalu - Lenox MA
I took advantage of a slower schedule over the holidays and spent a couple of days at Kripalu in the Berkshires. It was a wonderful respite. I loved the opportunity for gentle yoga a couple of times a day; the views and surroundings were beautiful; the food was abundant and healthful; and the people I met were interesting.

When I left Kripalu, the lure of being close to the Clark Art Museum in Williamstown and Mass MoCA in North Adams was irresistible. The Monet/Kelly exhibit at the Clark - well, let's just say I don't think it's worth a six-hour round trip from Cape Cod. For me, the show was thin. You've probably seen a lot more Monets in other places, and the connection between the images - a bit of a stretch, I thought.

But the new addition and redesigned landscape are lovely and well worth experiencing if you're in the neighborhood. The collaboration between many designers is unexpectedly successful. The buildings and pavilions settle in to the surroundings appropriately, and enhance the experience of this lovely setting.

But 45 minutes was enough for me there! Onward to Mass MoCA, which always dazzles and delights me. It didn't disappoint. Because the scale of the buildings allows for large installations, the exhibits are always just amazing. If you'd like to take an armchair tour, come with me.

Mass MoCA
 
There's lots to look at as soon as you arrive at the museum. The sign at the top will grab your attention. (But my favorite view is backwards when you leave. Unfortunately, my camera had run out of juice, so I can't share that image here.) 

      
                            Arriving                                                               Reflection


View out the window


Teresita Fernandez is exhibiting some very different installations under the title, "As Above, So Below". The first are bits of raw graphite fragments attached to a white background, and each with a hand-drawn graphite "tail". The design is both micro and macro, lots to look at and think about. Last summer, I saw a similar concept at the Colby College Museum of Art that Maya Lin made with pushpins and their shadows, so it was interesting to see an expanded vision of the same idea.

     
           "Sfumato", Teresita Fernandez                                               Close-Up


Consisting of India ink drawings in gold chrome panels, these works have layers that appear and disappear, depending on the viewer's perspective. Just when you think you understand, you'll catch sight of your own reflection, and you become the "figure in the landscape". And then you disappear...

"Golden" series, Teresita Fernandez


This installation is fascinating from multiple points of view. It's one thing when you look up as a whole; it's another as a close-up; it's one more looking through the tubes and seeing the museum windows; and it's yet another looking down at the design. An installation of polycarbonate tubes, the colors graduate from amber to solid black and evoke a cloud cover from below, and a landscape from above. The light from gallery windows makes it change, and then change again. Fascinating!

     
                         "Black Sun"                                                          "Black Sun"


   
                "Black Sun"                              "Black Sun"                               "Black Sun"


In this work, "Plastic Fantastic" by Lee Boroson, you experience the concept as you walk through the passageways and arches, as well as seeing the balloons around you and their shadows on the floor. Negative space is not only seen, but experienced by the viewer. The plastic becomes and interprets a landscape, challenging the conventional notion of landscape, and underscoring the prevalence and significance of plastic.

                                                  "Plastic Fantastic", Lee Boroson


The concept and execution of this exhibit is astonishing! Look at the close-up to understand the detail of the artist's vision. 

     
                      Glass Beads #1                                                      Glass Beads #2

What is art? "In Transit" brings together four artists who make art out of the crates their works travel in. Think about the instantaneous transmission of visual images today, while the works themselves move slowly by land, air, and sea.

                                                      Between image and object:
                                                "Dance Dance Dance" by Dike Blair


This maze is another physical experience of art. You approach through a forest of white fabric balls, and then you enter the maze/labyrinth of diaphanous white fabrics that stretch all the way to the ceiling. An entirely new labyrinth experience, enveloping and delicate at the same time.

                                                                  Maze #1

             
                                 Maze #2                                                         Maze #3


So who would think that the release of a lot of ping pong balls would be the subject of a show in a major museum? It tickled my fancy, and engaged my thoughts around that perennial question again, what is art?

 Ping Pong Balls


Spending time with the LeWitt canvases is like visiting with an old friend. They're as good as ever, and well worth revisiting!

     
                        Sol LeWitt #1                                                         Sol LeWitt #2

     
                         Sol LeWitt #3                                                         Sol and Me
The Importance of the Team

The legal team: Stacey, Liz, and Angela (Missing: Lindsey, their paralegal)
A successful real estate transaction involves so much more than finding the right home for a buyer or the acceptance of an offer by a seller. 

As soon as the signatures are dry on an offer, the inspector, attorney, and lender are the critical team members upon whom the transaction depends.  

If you have the wrong team, you don't realize it until it's too late. There's no U-turn once you're on this road. 

I recommend various teams, all so completely reliable that I know my clients will get the best information, most favorable loan, problems will be solved, and we will proceed to a good closing. 

A recent client recognized the value of the team in her comments:

"Nadine was instrumental in finding us a beautiful summer home in East Falmouth. This is the third real estate transaction we've had with Nadine. She is always professional and available. She utilizes high-tech and low-tech methods to communicate, which is very helpful. She is in touch with a great group of resources, which made the buying process smooth. I would recommend Nadine to anyone buying or selling a home."

~ Kristy S.

And three team members expressed their appreciation, as well:

"If you want to list your home, you can use anyone. But if you want to sell it, use Nadine."

                 ~ Sarah Valentini, President, Radius Financial Group, LLC

"It is ALWAYS a pleasure working with you! Your knowledge, expertise, and easy-going way with clients make for an enjoyable and smooth transaction. You make my job a lot easier! Now, on to the next one!"

~ Stacey Curley, Esq., Cape Cod Title & Escrow, P.C.


"Thanks again for all of your help - it is an absolute pleasure working with you!"

~ Lindsay Carrick, Paralegal, Cape Cod Title & Escrow, P.C.

Not every agent understands the value of these referrals to the professionals who manage a transaction in process; the result can be costly in terms of unnecessary time, money, and stress. My referrals are vetted carefully. Together, we support our clients in the best possible way.
And now, a most happy, productive, and healthy new year for you and everyone you hold close!


Cordially,

Nadine

Nadine Krasnow
Falmouth Fine Properties
P.O. Box 664
Falmouth, MA  02541
(617)921-7552
nadine@falmouthfineproperties.com


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