Old Silver Beach, Winter 2015

What a winter, one we'll be talking about for the rest of our lives! At the beginning of all the snowstorms, I was feeling like everyone else, oppressed and possibly even a little depressed. But somewhere along the way, something changed. I got used to this new world and way of life, and I kind of liked it.

The land and landscape were very beautiful, and with fresh snow every other day, it was white and pretty a good part of the time. There was so much to see and marvel at: snow falling softly and steadily, how MUCH there was, familiar bushes and fences that disappeared, and then - the ocean froze. Once before, in the early 2000's, I was living on Wings Neck during a particularly cold winter, and I watched Buzzards Bay freeze. I never knew that when wavelets changed from moving to not moving, they froze as wavelets.

But this winter, everything froze, Vineyard Sound and Buzzards Bay, and for weeks. Buzzards Bay is still frozen, and there are actual ice floes floating around in the distance where the ocean has defrosted. The Coast Guard broke the ice day after day, to keep the ferries between Woods Hole and the Vineyard going. But the rest of it? Kids went out onto the frozen ocean, played games, ice skated for goodness' sake - on the ocean!! Looked back at land while standing on the ocean...

For sure, just as my generation still talks about what they did during the Blizzard of '78 (which, in my case, included walking on a shutdown Route 128 and dragging a sled to the grocery store every day to get a rationed gallon of milk), kids will talk about the experience of the Winter of 2015 for the rest of their lives.

Falmouth Homes Pop!

So you'd think that the real estate market would take a little vacation, wouldn't you? And maybe it did, for a few weeks. But the most extraordinary thing is, the market's hot!

Once the road crews got through the first couple of storms, they got the routine down, and our roads and even sidewalks were navigable. I stayed home only two days during the entire snow blitz, and my clients were tooling around with me, making offers.

But so were everyone else's clients, it seems! I really didn't expect that every house my buyers made offers on would have other offers as well. Every time I showed a house, there were other showings just before or after mine, on a Monday afternoon at 4:30 or a Thursday morning at 10:00. I was in disbelief. What, there are other buyers out there, during the week, during or just after another snowstorm? But this happened all winter. So - you're hearing it here first - our market has turned from a Buyer's to a Seller's during this winter of weather to remember. Totally unpredictable!

For this newsletter, I've selected waterfront or waterview properties from all the homes I've been showing. These kinds of views are always mesmerizing, but covered with snow, they've been especially beautiful. Come with me and see!

Waterview Condos

#21501438

182 Bayfront Way, Unit 31-3, East Falmouth

$449,000

Falmouthport was built in the 1970's and is a good-sized complex, with 210 units. The surroundings are woodsy, and there's a lovely salt water inlet that goes out to the ocean - and also a pool, tennis courts, and a clubhouse. This particular unit is on three levels, all with wide water views. It's been tastefully renovated, and so will be a pleasure for a new owner to move into. With 1,343 sf (which does not include the finished lower level), the asking price of $449,000 is just about right for a waterfront unit. Condo fees are reasonable and stable here; for this unit, it's $431 a month. But the buyer has to be okay with not having a garage, as there are no garages in Falmouthport.

#21407719

60 Landfall, Unit 60, Quissett (Falmouth)

$535,000

#21405160

24 Landfall, Unit 34, Quissett (Falmouth)

$539,000

Treetops is a late 1970's condo complex just off Woods Hole Road. Sited at the top of Oyster Pond, and facing south down the length of the pond to Vineyard Sound, or west across the pond, the views are particularly lovely. The units are three floors, and all have sliders or large windows showcasing these views.

With only 62 units in total, this is an intimate neighborhood, but it still offers the pool, clubhouse, and tennis courts that are desired by many condo owners. In addition, Treetops has a private beach on Vineyard Sound, and although it's not on the property, it's only about a 10-minute walk, 5-minute bike ride, or 2-minute drive.

During the height of the market, Treetops units were sought after, and sold for more than the current prices. With the downturn and the passing of time (so that original units began to look dated); and with a new small private wind turbine across the street at the Woods Hole Research Center, values declined a bit. Some homes still sell in the $600's, but the two I'm featuring today are in the low 500's, a very good value. These two units show well, are immaculate, well-maintained, and even though not spiffily HGTV-worthy, are neutral and easy to move into as is. But they are on three levels, too much for some potential Buyers.

#21410008

26 Gang Way, Unit 26, Falmouth Heights

$599,990

The Boatyard is directly on Falmouth Harbor, so the vibe is much buzzier than either Treetops or Falmouthport. Lots of boats going in and out, including The Island Queen, and only a few minutes to downtown or Falmouth Heights Beach. This is an efficient full-time home, or a good part-time home, with just enough space (1,768 sf, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths) for everything you need, but not any extra. The waterview in this unit is narrow, between buildings, and the second bedroom is in the lower level. Higher price, downtown, less square footage, and lesser view. Trade-offs! These units also are a flight of stairs up from the garage.

#21501500

24 Nantucket Avenue, Unit 24A, Falmouth

$614,000

We were the first ones to see this young condo. It came on the market in the morning, and we saw it just hours later. One block from Falmouth Heights Beach, and only 13 years young, the floor plan (1,886 sf, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths) and finishes will appeal to those who want something newer. Like The Boatyard, these units have a central location that is very appealing. Without a first-floor main bedroom suite, however, and with a flight of stairs to enter, this unit will probably not appeal to the empty-nester coddling knees.

Waterview Homes

#21500920

3 Providence Street, Maravista (Falmouth)

$579,900

Wow, talk about views! This small (1,200 sf, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths) ranch is ON Little Pond, with unobstructed views not only up and down the pond, but across it to Vineyard Sound. With its south and west orientation, the light in the house is irresistible. And those sunsets - man, they don't disappoint! In addition, there's now an oyster farm at the town end of the pond. I lived on Little Pond for many years, and there were few pleasures as delightful as paddling the pond, seeing what there was to see.

This house is pleasant, and in good shape, but an energetic buyer with some vision could make it dramatic. If the buyer has a mortgage, flood insurance will be required. Currently, it's about $3,500 a year, not horrible. The bonus? Sewer connection has been approved, and will be happening in a couple of years. The cost to the new owner will be about $500 a year for 20 years. Not a high price to pay for a great benefit.

#21401691

60 Fresh River Lane, Falmouth

$699,900

This one kind of stole my heart. A sweet ranch, in wonderful condition, with generous open living, dining, and kitchen spaces, and with a cathedral ceiling in the living room. There's wonderful indoor space that opens through two sets of triple sliders to a large mahogany deck, small yard, and Fresh River right outside your door. Put in your kayak, or sit on the deck and be delighted with the antics of the birds and ducks. And if you want the beach, Surf Drive is only 2/10 of a mile away. This is the epitome of "beach house"! A little pricey, but I'd encourage a lower offer.

#21302361

11 Wampum Road, East Falmouth

$825,000

This has been on for a while, and I don't know why I haven't shown it before. I was very taken with it when I showed it yesterday. The setting is among tall pines, and it's directly on Mares Pond. The kayak was still at the shoreline, waiting to take some lucky person fishing. The house is unconventional, and as welcoming as any home I've ever seen. Every room has direct views of the pond. The living room, dining room, and kitchen are open to one another, so there's light, views, and cross ventilation throughout. The neighborhood is diverse, with some smaller homes. Some buyers might not like that. But once you arrive, this house is in a world of its own. Captivating!

#21500671

136 Racing Beach Avenue, Falmouth

$879,000

#21410810

174 Sippewissett Road, Sippewissett (Falmouth)

$889,000

I've described these two homes before, when they were on the market in the fall. I liked them then, and I like them now.

136 Racing Beach Ave. is a "Deck House" type of house, small but in a particularly beautiful setting of perfect privacy overlooking the marsh and only two houses from Racing Beach. It's a lot of money for not a lot of square feet (1,800, with 3 bedrooms and 3 baths), but the neighborhood supports the price and the setting surrounding the acre and a half seals the deal. Anyone could live happily ever after!

174 Sippewissett is a mid-century post and beam of exceptional quality, with soaring ceilings and lots of glass and decks facing Buzzards Bay. Access to private Beccles Beach goes with this house - that alone is worth buying the house for - but there's tennis as well, and a neighborhood of similarly valued homes. With 2,620 sf and 4 bedrooms/4 baths, it's a comfortable home - but a lot of steps.

Upper Cape Camera Club Show:
"Focus on Cape Cod"

I was tickled to win first place in both categories I entered in a recent Upper Cape Camera Club competition.

You saw it here first. The image above, a picture I took of the Wings Neck Lighthouse during the year I lived just three houses away from it, was honored with a first place. The category was "Cape Cod Icon". I took the picture with film, and have done very little tweaking to it - a small crop, and a slight intensification of the sky. Other than that, this is what the sunset really looked like. It still takes my breath away, and that's why I use it as my FFP header. It says "Cape Cod" to me more than any other picture I've taken.

This is a shot of the iconic restaurant in Provincetown. The competition category was "Essence of Cape Cod". I thought that both a lobster pot and the Lobster Pot restaurant captured the category, and I've always liked this image. The close cropping and the neon make it dramatic, I think. Most viewers are familiar with the sign, but we "see" it anew when looking at the photo.

All the photographs that placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in this competition are being shown at the Byway Barber & Massage next to Coffee O at Queen's Buyway. There are many beautiful Cape Cod images, so even if you think going to a barber shop for an art show is a little unusual, I think you'll enjoy these. The exhibit is on display during March and April, Tuesdays - Fridays, 10am - 5pm and Saturdays 9am - 2pm. There will be an Artists' Reception on March 27 from 6-7:30pm. (I won't be there because I'll be out of town.)

Winter 2015 is melting away. Like many things in life, there were trade-offs: too much snow, but incredible beauty. I'm sure that you, like me, are looking forward to the seasons ahead with just a bit more appreciation than usual. Go, daffodils!

Cordially,

Nadine

Nadine Krasnow

Falmouth Fine Properties

P.O. Box 664

Falmouth, MA 02541

(617) 921-7552

nadine@falmouthfineproperties.com

www.falmouthfineproperties.com

Good times, good friends & a great Cape Cod life!

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