A couple of weeks ago, I was captive at a seven hour brokers' meeting at Cape Cod and Islands Association of Realtors. Not being accustomed to sitting still for so long, by hour five my attention began to wander. I know I've been really busy the last six months (and the market is really strong) so I became curious if it was just my business or everyone's that was so strong.

I took advantage of a restroom break and went into the MLS office to check out the stats. To my surprise and delight I discovered that I am the #1 agent in Falmouth for closed transactions! I'm thrilled, and profoundly appreciative that enough of you wanted to work with me to make this happen.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you so very much. This honor won't last long, but my commitment to my clients and killer work ethic are forever! Please stay in touch and think of me when you or your friends need a great agent. As you who have worked with me know, my standards are high and I get the job done.

I thank you again with appreciation and humility.

Now read on to see what I've been up to lately:

Some people swear by the information in market reports. I usually don't. I think they are a useful indicator of what's going on, but a nice house in a good location at a fair price is always going to sell. However, the current market is nuts! Here are February statistics:

Pending sales for Falmouth single family properties in February 2016 were up 144.4% over February 2015! At the same time, the inventory of homes for sale went down 24.2%. The conclusion is obvious: We are in what is probably the strongest Sellers' market in a very long time. This is great for Sellers but very difficult for Buyers as you can well imagine. In addition, it takes only a few weeks of a Sellers' market before prices start climbing.

Buyers need to be well-prepared with an iron-clad pre-qualification letter; a flexible schedule to see appropriate new listings as soon as they hit the market; and the ability to make a quick decision and the fortitude to stick with it through the ups and downs of the first few weeks of an accepted offer. People who lack even one of these probably won't get a house in this market. Then prices will go up, and they've missed an opportunity.

On the other hand, if you're a Seller, your timing couldn't be better. Call me! My listings are selling quickly, at or very close to full price, and often with multiple offers.

Hot New FFP Listing!

#21601353

4 Pond Road, Falmouth
$799,900

     Consistent with the market, this one came and went in one day. I met the Sellers when I listed a home across the pond last summer and we'd been talking since about listing their home. It's a sweet house in a very sweet spot! On the west side of Siders Pond, the frontage is special for kayaking, sailing your Sunfish and yes, even swimming - not to mention lollygagging in the hammock watching the sun sparkle off the wavelets.

     The location is coveted, with Main Street an easy walk in one direction, the bike path practically at the end of the street, and Surf Drive Beach just down the road.

    The house is vintage 1945, with both the charm and the challenges that go with that. I worried that Buyers would complain about the steam heat, the original kitchen and baths, or the lack of central air, but fortunately the few people who saw the house loved everything about it. One family personified the buyer qualities mentioned previously: they came, they saw, and they conquered. In other words - they were the first appointment, they made an immediate full price offer, and their paperwork was pristine. At the end of April, they will be the appreciative new owners of 4 Pond Road.

Come With Me to Work

     Friends of mine from college called me last week to talk about purchasing an investment property. Their reasoning was because returns are so skimpy in the stock market, that they'd have more upside potential from a rental home.

     I selected homes that are in desirable locations for tenants and that also have renovation potential. We had a good lunch, strapped on our running shoes and looked at six properties. These houses all had possibilities:

                                          #21509495

75 Lakeview Ave, Falmouth

$439,900

Lakeview is young, well-built, has central air and is downtown near the ferry parking lot. The possible downsides are that the house is next to the middle school and has a house very close to the rear of the property.

#21601310

23 Evangeline Road, Falmouth

$499,000

Evangeline Road is in a prime Quissett location for Woods Hole scientists, and the house is in the woods with lots of privacy. It's not been updated, but academics seem to care less about that than other tenants. A big plus is the quick bike ride to the private and gorgeous MBL Beach access.

#21600113

43 Cachalot Lane, Falmouth

$499,000

Cachalot has curb appeal! It's got 4 bedrooms and 2 baths - but is small and perfectly set up for roommates, with 2 bedrooms up and 2 down, and a family room on each level. Near Woodneck Beach, the bike path and downtown, you really can do your day by pedal. How cool is that?

#21600179

19 Narragansett Street, Maravista

$425,000

Narragansett is a comfortable home in great condition. Half a mile to Bristol Beach and with Little Pond just a few houses away, the house has everything good going for it - including a new sewer next year!

#21510895

131 Alcott Road, East Falmouth

$429,000

Alcott is in Great Harbors, one of the few communities in Falmouth that offers a clubhouse, swimming pool, and a dock. It's a fun, family vibe at a minimal annual cost. This house has been completely redone and feels much bigger than the 1100 square feet it's listed at.

#21511091

132 Sanddollar Circle, East Falmouth

$489,900

Sanddollar has had the benefit of a $200,000 makeover. It shows really well! Between the superior condition, ideal location within Great Harbors and easy maintenance this is a shoo-in for primary home, vacation home, or summer rentals.

My Pet Peeve

It drives me crazy when I see artwork hung not to its best advantage. Having recently moved and renovated - and removed many of the few walls that were there, I'm in the midst of figuring out where and how best to display my own photos. I'm making greater use of ledges than I have before and overlapping the photos on them. For whatever reason, this presentation is pleasing me these days.

Here's a great article from Houzz.com showing 14 creative formats that will appeal whether you're precise and orderly or clustered and eclectic. Each section describes the benefit, the wall space and the limitations of the arrangement.

Take a look; you may be inspired, and your whole environment will "lift".

They Say...

"Love Nadine!!! Thank you so much

for everything. I highly recommend Nadine - not only did she sell my house under tough times, she became my friend. Thanks again Nadine!!!

~ Mary McCarthy

Saved the Best for Last

Erin, my assistant, and her husband Dave welcomed baby Rachel Joy into the world a couple of weeks ago. Congratulations Mom and Dad! May you have a lifetime of joy with your Rachel Joy.

One of the never ending pleasures of living here is seeing our eye-popping

sunrises and sunsets. Recently, I blogged about this one at Old Silver Beach. If you're willing to share your sunrises and sets, send them along and I'll post them!

Meanwhile, opening day at Terry and Reggie Soares Flower Garden Nursery on Sandwich Road was March 20th, the first day of Spring. If you haven't been there yet, it's a treat not to be missed. Enjoy!

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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