If you live around here, you couldn't have helped being infected with football fever this season, even if (like me) you're not a football fan.

It occurred to me over the last few months that there were similarities between doing well as a pro football team, as a Realtor/ business owner, and as an ordinary person going down the road of life.

Here's what I observed:

Maneuver through the defense.
Be quick and unexpected.
Recognize and take the opportunities.
Play hard and play to win.
Never take a win for granted.
Be quick and unexpected.
Cherish your team.
Respect the competition.
Train, train, and then train some more.
Eat healthfully, rest sufficiently.
The better my clients do, the better I do.

Like real estate, football is complex with a lot of moving parts. Putting them together in a meaningful way, keeping your eye on the goal, and staying focused for a successful conclusion - well, it works, in football, in real estate, and in life.

Except when it doesn't. Sometimes despite your best efforts, the ball doesn't go through the goalposts, either literally or metaphorically. Then there's next year, the next transaction, and life does indeed go on...

Even though the Pats are no longer competing for the Superbowl, I'm still thinking about what makes them so good. An article in Sunday's Globe magazine, "The Right Lesson" by Karen Lock Kelp, made a few points that hit the mark. She says, "Even when they're losing, especially when they're losing, the Patriots do not give up. Period."

In my own inelegant way, I often remark that I'm like the proverbial dog with a bone. Same thing, never give up until the job is done.

She also says, "...all of us, we take a drubbing. We get up and try again, and again....We love what we do, and we do our job."

Simple as that. Just doing the job, in the best possible way. If you're a fan, thank you! If you're a team member, I couldn't do it without you. Deeply appreciative of both.

Onward!

Come With Me to Work

Here are some of the homes that I've been showing in the last couple of months:

#21502570

7 Joshua Lane, Falmouth

$429,000

FLIP THIS HOUSE! This is hands down, the best deal in town. Asking only $429,000, the home has a terrific floor plan, 2,311 s.f. (3 bedrooms, 3 baths), and a first floor owners' suite; super nice neighborhood with dock and tennis, and with this being by far the least expensive home; and a lovely spacious yard. This meets every criterion to be the perfect "flip". So tempting! I can't do it myself, but I surely would love to help one of my clients make a chunk of change and have the fun and pride of doing a successful flip. Call me!

#21511148

37 Equestrian Lane, East Falmouth

$595,000

Ballymeade has had a lot of buzz in the last year or so. It was sold to Troon Development, an international golf course developer. In the last year, the clubhouse and gym have been renovated, the Cape Grille is open, and the driving range is reconfigured. Membership structure has also been revamped so there are more options - and more affordable options - available. Ballymeade residents are pretty enthusiastic about the changes. This is one of the least expensive homes for sale within the community, and in my opinion, it offers a lot for the money. There are 3 bedrooms, 4 baths, and 2,241 s.f. Each bedroom has its own bath, a really great feature, and the owners' suite is the entire upstairs, very grand. In addition, there's a finished basement, so it's a lot of very nice house for the money.

#21504031

80 County Road, #2, North Falmouth

$639,000

This is a new construction condo in the heart of North Falmouth Village. With 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, and 2,286 s.f., this Megansett Shores condo has great style, reminiscent of older New England homes and with all the bells and whistles that you'd expect in 2016. It's in an intimate village setting, one block from the bike path and less than a mile to the highway. The limitation that I see is that this unit has no first-floor owners' suite, although other units being built do.

#21510544

9 Darylane, North Falmouth

$699,000

Here's your classic 1960 contemporary ranch, with all that the term means: it's a true Mid-Century Modern, with a cathedral ceiling and lots of glass across the back, overlooking the acre lot to Rands Canal. But it also has a kitchen most of us wouldn't like, and a huge red brick chimney straight ahead as soon as you come in. If you've ever seen a revamped Mid-Century Modern house, they're really terrific. But it takes vision, money, and time to make it happen. At this asking price, I feel this is a worthwhile project, as it would sell over $1 million once it's done.

#21510573

850 West Falmouth Highway #1, West Falmouth
$744,900

Huge! Ginormous! Bigger than any you've ever seen! This 4-bedroom, 4-bath condo is actually about 8,000 - yes, you read that right - 8,000 s.f., so the price per square foot is eensy compared to any other homes or condos. I don't know what the story is behind this, because it is so much larger than anything else there or anyplace else, but it provides a huge (lol) opportunity for a buyer. It could also be divided into two not-equal units, but one would still be huge and ginormous. It's new construction and has lovely detail, with columns, moldings, hardwood floors, a gourmet kitchen, and luxurious baths. This is unique, and definitely worth considering.

Hot New FFP Listings!

The spring season seems to have started, without the usual prior seasonal slowdown. We are busy. My autumn listings are mostly all under agreement, and I have two terrific homes fresh to the market:

#21600518

45 Morris Street, East Falmouth

$699,000

This Maravista charmer is at the end of a street, and although it's not actually waterfront (the waterfront land is a "leg" owned by a neighbor), there are no homes or structures between the house and Perch Pond. This pond is one of my favorites for kayaking, and from this house, you can go out your door and into the boat. Perch Pond empties into Great Bay, which goes into Vineyard Sound, so depending on your preference, you can go near or far. Also, if SUP (stand-up paddling) is your passion, this is the perfect place. I often see Devin from up the road SUPing on the pond.

The house is as good as the setting! Completely renovated in 2007, and with additional upgrades since, it looks and acts like a young, charming home. The floor plan is open, the rooms are really spacious (living-dining is 30 x 19), kitchen and baths are young and in excellent taste, and it has a first floor owners' suite, as well as three more bedrooms and two baths upstairs. The young family is relocating to Florida for a new job, and is sad to leave this well-loved home.

#21600676

597 West Falmouth Highway, #11, West Falmouth

$729,000

This is one of the first resales in West Wind, a four-year-old condo community in the heart of West Falmouth Village. Charming on the outside, and exceptional on the inside, it's not possible to find this level of detail (shiplap, high ceilings, lovely trim, and the best kitchen and baths) and construction anywhere except West Wind Cottages. This owner likes the floor plan so much, with the first floor owner's suite and second bedroom and loft upstairs, that she's building a slightly larger version for her new house. The upgrades she's made, with Hunter Douglas plantation shutters and window treatments, custom closet, landscaping, etc., make this the ideal new home in an outstanding location.

The Decisive Moment

In photography, the "decisive moment" is a key concept. Part of it is being in the right place at the right time, and another part of it is recognizing that you're in the right place at the right time. Take a look at some of my own images from the last few weeks - decisive moments, for sure.

Turkey Patrol on Main Street, Falmouth

The turkeys continue to be in charge of Main Street, even though the "alpha" turkey has reportedly been removed from the flock.

Wings Neck Lighthouse

Recognize this lighthouse? It's the same one in this newsletter header above. Sunsets there are really nice!

Old Silver Beach - First Snowfall, Jan. 5, 2016

Sunrise, sunset... Not the sunrises so much, but the sunsets do get me out the door, looking for the moment. Here I was, taking pictures of the reflection of the sunset over the water and on the first fresh snowfall of the year. Those pictures were pretty good, but when I turned to leave and saw my reflection on the wall, I knew that was the image I wanted.

Paying Attention

We walk in and out of the Main Library all the time, but have you ever stopped to read the donation bricks? Some of them are funny, some are heartwarming. Read on...

They Say...

"We can't speak highly enough of our experience with Nadine Krasnow. Throughout the house-buying process, Nadine has been there every step of the way. She has always answered every call or email no matter what time of day or night it was.

Her professionalism, knowledge, and hard work ethic are much respected and appreciated. We never felt that she was just trying to sell us a house, but that she was a mentor to answer our questions and help us to make the best decision.

Once we purchased our new home, Nadine went above and beyond by providing us with the basic essentials for moving into our new home as our furnishings had yet to be delivered. We now consider Nadine a friend and would highly recommend her to anyone that is searching for a new home. Thanks again to Nadine and Falmouth Fine Properties for being such a pleasure to work with."

~ Susan Montgomery & Ed Gadbois