A cold, wet day on the ferry to and from the Vineyard – dark, roiling swells, everything gray-green, no horizon or land in the distance. Not the kind of picture you usually see of the Vineyard!
House Swap 101
Swapping homes is a delicate and somewhat difficult process, not for the faint of heart or sloppy of habit. We each spent a lot of time clearing away a lot of our own personal stuff to make room for the guests. This itself took the better part of two days for me.
In addition, we were using each other’s car, and since my inspection sticker was going to expire Nov. 30, part of my prep included getting a new sticker. But big surprise, the car got a big “R” (for “rejected”) instead of a new sticker, because my old license plate was apparently no longer sufficiently visible. Who knew? But this required another half day – a half day I hadn’t planned on – of going to the Registry to order new plates, and returning to the inspection station to re-inspect and get a new sticker.
In real estate, clients’ needs and strict deadlines can’t be rescheduled because the agent is unavailable, so organizing to take care of clients and their transactions in absentia was another time-consuming and sometimes murky task. Fortunately, both Sissy and I were able to continue to work remotely, although three mornings my phone rang way too early with calls from people who had no idea I was away or that HI is five hours behind Cape Cod.
The key to a successful house swap really depends on both parties being flexible, generous, and hospitable, which luckily, we were. We each derived as much pleasure from the others enjoying our home and town as we did from the time we were spending in a new home and town. It’s remarkable to me that two strangers, along with their families, could so easily and happily share each others’ lives in this most essential way. But we did, and all of us are thankful for the random set of circumstances that brought us together.
We’re already planning the next swap!
Tale of Two Realtors®
Last year, I was quoted in a national CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) magazine about re-starting a real estate career in a very different location from the prior one. An agent from HI, Sissy Sosner, read the article and emailed me with some questions. We emailed back and forth a few times, and at the end of one message, she mentioned that she might be on the Cape in a few months, as they were going to look at the Riverview School for their son.
Fast forward, and indeed, they did visit, and we had a chance to spend a few hours together – the proverbial ‘busman’s holiday” as I gave them the grand tour of the charms of Falmouth and a sample of homes for sale and recently sold. As we were saying good-by, Sissy suggested that if her son did attend Riverview, that maybe I’d be interested in swapping homes over the Thanksgiving vacation. “Oh yes, sure, great idea!” I said, not dreaming that it might happen.
But it did, and we’ve each just returned to our own homes after spending a fabulous week in the other’s home. For Sissy and her family, they took to the Cape Cod life like they’d always been here, using the bike path almost daily to go to the beach, for lattes at Coffee O on Main St., going to yoga every day at The Yoga Collaborative, and exploring Woods Hole. Not having “bridge phobia” as some of us do, they also went to a Celtics game, and to dinner at The Daily Catch and Toro, not too shabby!
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My family and I spent the week as typical tourists, since none of us had been to HI before. The house was on Oahu, so that’s where we spent most of our time, driving up and down the coasts and stopping at dramatic parks, beaches and old-time villages. We also spent a day at Pearl Harbor, which was an experience unlike any other and well worth doing. Our visit to The Polynesian Cultural Center gave us a deeper understanding of the cultural history of the Hawaiian Islands, along with experiencing a traditional luau.
Saturday morning Sissy’s parents took us for dim sum at their favorite neighborhood restaurant. Timmy, her dad, orchestrated the menu. I don’t know which was more delicious, her very special parents and friend or the food. (I was so engaged with both that I forgot to take even one picture!) The last day I flew to the Big Island, and spent the day in Volcanoes National Park, seeing the lava fields and still active volcanoes. It was like a whale watch – so much better in person than in pictures!
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We met in the Honolulu airport as they were returning home and I was leaving for home for the key exchange. I was almost late for my plane, as we kept telling each “just one more thing” about our respective experiences.
Come With Me to Work (1 of 3)
Come with me on a virtual tour of some of the homes I’ve been showing lately. As always, click on the address or the picture for additional photos.
#21716839
28 Upshur Drive, North Falmouth
$399,000
If the budget is limited and privacy is a goal, this would be a good candidate. It’s a 3 bedroom, 2 bath Cape with around 1,500 square feet of living space on a half acre. It’s on the end of a cul-de-sac, and once inside the house, you don’t see any other homes. There’s no garage, and the house needs updating, but it’s not bad for under $400,000 in North Falmouth.
#21716638
23 Old Main Road, North Falmouth
$439,000
Twenty-three Old Main is a good comp for 28 Upshur – same North Falmouth location, same 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, similarly generous lot. And in original condition. This one has more visibility on the road, although the backyard is private. I think many buyers would want to knock out walls to create a better flow. Once you start doing that, you may as well look at the next house.
#21716860
51 Horseshoe Lane, North Falmouth
$654,900
Here’s a gut renovation that has produced a bright and spacious ranch in desirable Grey Rocks. Everything is new: windows, roof, floors, HVAC, septic, kitchen, and baths. And it’s got an attached 2 car garage; also a generous lot. The challenge with this one is that the ranch next door, also renovated, but with substantially more interior square feet recently sold for less than this asking price.
The Best Lobster Roll Ever
Summer’s not summer without lobster rolls, right? Despite the calendar saying fall, I’d like to share my recipe for a yummy lobster roll. This is a lighter take on the classic, I think you’ll like it:
4 1 1/4- 1 1/2-lb live lobsters
3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt
1/3 cup thinly sliced scallions
1/4 cup finely chopped peeled celery
1/4 cup celery leaves
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
4 Tbsp (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
3 garlic cloves, smashed
6 hot dog buns, perferably top-split
Lemon wedges
- Prepare a gas grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-high heat.
- Plunge 2 lobsters headfirst into a large pot of the salted boiling water; cook, partially covered, over medium-high heat, 8 minutes (for 1 1/4-lb lobsters) to 9 minutes (for 1 1/2-lb lobsters). Transfer with tongs to an ice bath; let stand until cooled. Return water to a boil and cook and cool remaining 2 lobsters. Remove meat; coarsely chop (this take time!).
- Whisk together lemon juice, oil, and 1/2 tsp salt in a large bowl. Whisk in scallions, celery, celery leaves, and parsley, then add lobster and gently toss. Add more salt to taste.
- Melt butter with garlic in a small saucepan over low heat, mashing garlic with a spoon.
- Brush inside of buns with garlic butter. Grill, buttered side down, until golden, about 1 minute. Fill buns with lobster. Serve with lemon wedges. Be happy! (Serves 6)
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