The Wounded Warriors were on the bike path this morning, with loud and fervent appreciation from people at every cross street. I didn’t know what to expect, if there would be hundreds of them, or if they would be on motorcycles roaring through. But there were only about 50-75 participants, some with obvious effects of their service, on adapted or regular non-motorized bikes. They were awesome! I was happy to cheer them on, and they were happy to be appreciated. An unanticipated moment of patriotic pride on a gorgeous first day of autumn…I didn’t have my phone with me, but here’s a link. Click Here.
Trade-Offs, Part 1
I often say that every home – even the most expensive – comes with trade-offs. Here are some current examples:
#21606219
32 Jeffrey Lane, Falmouth
$279,000
Not a tiny house, but a small house – 908 s.f. The bedrooms are decent-sized, the closets are good, the house is younger (1994) and nicely built and maintained, the lot is 12,000 s.f., and there’s a good buffer of trees in back. The street is a nice cul-de-sac of similar homes. For under $300K, it’s probably the nicest house in town. Trade-off? No garage.
#21605721
5 Roberta Jean Circle, Falmouth
$369,900
Here’s a cute, 1,296 s.f. ranch with 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, a one-car garage, central air, hardwood floors, gas heat, irrigation, and a private yard that’s just the right size. And it’s in great condition! The trade-off? It’s a corner lot, and one of the streets is Old Meetinghouse, which gets quite a bit of traffic. But this is on the garage side of the house, so it’s invisible, and even the sound is buffered by the garage. I was not aware of the traffic when I was inside the home. So maybe this is an easy trade-off. The home is certainly well-priced, and offers good value.
#21606539
21 Pine Street, Falmouth
$539,900
This is a young, 3-bedroom, 3-bath, 1,799 s.f. condo that’s nicely built and in a nice location. It has that much-wanted first-floor bedroom suite, as well as 2 bedrooms and a loft upstairs. The living-dining area is a little tight as a result of the first-floor garage. The trade-off for this unit is that the location within the complex is such that views are of the street or the house to the rear.
Income Producers
Coincidentally, this week I’ve also seen a few homes that offer solid income potential. Each is a little different, but here they are:
#21606888
25 Wohelo Drive, North Falmouth
$448,000
This is a younger split entry in North Hill, a favorite family neighborhood. The lower level is an illegal apartment currently lived in by an older parent. It would probably rent for $1000-1200 a month. The downside is that it is open to the rest of the house, and the house itself needs some sprucing up. This would be ideal as an in-law, or separate quarters for someone connected with the owners.
#21606746
28 Heather Lane, North Falmouth
$459,900
Also in North Hill, this is a 2,306 s.f. Colonial with a completely separate first-floor apartment, currently occupied by an active single woman in her 60’s who would like to stay. She pays $1200 a month rent, so this house will appeal to anyone who wants to reduce living expenses substantially while still retaining privacy and having comfortable spaces of one’s own. I picture this as a second-home owner, here on weekends. What a great opportunity!
#21605156
49 Silver Beach Avenue, North Falmouth
$549,000
Here’s your grandparents’ beach house, complete with natural wood beadboard, narrow staircase and hallways, vintage kitchen and baths, and entry through the sunporch that runs the length of the front of the house. No central air, but New Silver Beach is a quick walk, and the house generated $20,000 from one July 1 – September 1 rental this summer. That’s a pretty good return on investment, one that’s hard to match with most investments!
High, Low, and In Between – Part 2
This is Part 2 of my top picks of some great homes that have recently come on the market.
$695,000
This New Silver Beach gem has bedrooms and bathrooms on all three floors, making it super comfortable for family and friends. There are second-floor views, it’s only a block to the beach, and it has a huge double lot – rare in this neighborhood. This hits all the buttons.
#21604430
161 Alder Lane, Falmouth
$695,000
An interesting comp for Silver Beach Ave. above because it’s the same price and the same general area of town, this home is in Wild Harbor Estates. Like New Silver Beach, there’s a lovely sandy private beach, place for your kayaks and canoes, and tennis. This house is quite dated, however, and has a floor plan that had me wondering how I would make it work better. If you want to have some fun, click on the house and look at the pink bathroom.
High, Low, and In Between – Part 1
There are some eye-popping, really expensive homes that have recently come on the market, and I’m including my top picks here.
But you know I like to address all price ranges, so from lowest to highest price range, here we go.
#21604707
49 Dove Hill Road, Falmouth
$550,000
There’s not much for sale currently in North/West Falmouth in the $500’s, a very popular price range. This one fits the bill. It’s a spacious (2,352 s.f.) Colonial with 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, and lots of upgrades on a nice side street. The unique feature is a main bedroom suite over the garage, which would work really well for some people and not at all for others.
#21604579
14 Hidden Village Road, Falmouth
$599,000
Also in West Falmouth, this is a good house that gets most of the job done. The first floor has been redone because of a broken water pipe last year. The limitations for some buyers are no first-floor bedroom suite and no garage, but because it’s on a half acre, both of these might be possible. The question is setbacks from a vernal pool and the septic system. Under the circumstances, the asking price seems a bit high.
$600,000
This house has common ownership to five dappled acres right behind the house and a path to a simply beautiful, almost 500-foot-long sandy beach on Ashumet Pond. The house is just right at 1,778 s.f., and it does have a first-floor bedroom suite and an attached garage. But really, the best thing about it is that spectacular pond. I was there last week on a hot Saturday, and there were only two people on the beach and no one boating on the pond. A secluded, secret spot!