All places of famously blazing sunsets. Here’s Chapoquoit Beach in West Falmouth last night. The dogs are great, but it’s the sweethearts standing motionless in the maelstrom around them that drew my attention.
Both Ends of the Price Spectrum
Recently I spent some time with prospects who live in a spectacular reproduction Cape directly on the ocean in East Sandwich. Their home is on the market, and they’ve been looking for their next nest in Harwichport and Barnstable Village, places they’re familiar with.
They like the idea of being able to walk to village amenities, and approached me because of my Westwind Cottages listings in West Falmouth Village. They also want to downsize somewhat.
There aren’t many homes currently for sale that are close to a village. After looking at the two for sale in Westwind, we looked at what’s available within a mile of Main Street. There are four between $600,000 and $1,100,000: 373 Walker, 166 Siders Pond, 102 Fresh River Lane, and 19 Clinton. Each one comes with some important trade-off, whether it’s a large flood insurance premium (Walker and Fresh River), or needing a lot of work (Siders Pond), or on a busy street (Clinton).
They were enthusiastic about Westwind because of the charm, detail, quality of construction, and proximity to the market, cafe, bike path, and beach. They just need that buyer for their Sandwich home!
At the other end of the price spectrum, I was out with a young couple and their three kids looking for their first home. Their decision will be based on price – what’s the most spacious home in a good neighborhood setting for under $350? This is what we saw:
#21608129
280 Riverbay Way, Falmouthport
$350,000
This 1,950 s.f., 3-bedroom, 3-bath condo in Falmouthport offers a lot of comfortable space on 3 levels and is directly on the river. No garage, and a smallish kitchen, but the pool might be a more than acceptable trade-off. It’s in good condition, too.
#21608120
17 Weatherglass Lane, Falmouth
$369,000
In Davisville, and with access to Green Pond at the end of the street, this is a pretty cute house in great condition. But small – only 1,080 s.f., with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. The lot is good-sized, if the buyer wanted to build an addition, and the woods behind the house are appealing for a family with kids.
#21608947
27 Candace Way, Falmouth
$339,000
Another very cute house, this one also smallish, with 1,112 s.f., 3 bedrooms, and 2 baths. But it’s been renovated, so it’s fresh, bright, and very attractive. In a tucked-away neighborhood off Brick Kiln, this is either a plus or a minus, depending on the buyer.
Wings Neck Rental Available
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]
The owners of the wonderful home I rented by the lighthouse on Wings Neck called to let me know the house is becoming available again. If I could live in two places at the same time, I’d jump on it.
It’s a wonderful, young home in a spectacular setting at the very tip of Wings Neck. (The photo of the lighthouse on the header above is one I took during my time there. Dramatic!)
Spread the word, and call me if you or someone you know wants to see it! It’s a fabulous 3-bedroom, 2-bath home for $2,100 a month in a million-dollar neighborhood with one of the most sensational views on Cape Cod. Opportunities like this don’t come up very often. I loved living there![/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
Trade-Offs, Part 2
#21606308
581 Locustfield Road, East Falmouth
$569,000
This is a charming home, one I describe as a “sophisticated farmhouse”. What’s that? A simple home, with exposed beams and nice detail; an updated kitchen and bathrooms; an unusual floor plan that includes entry through a screened porch; and orientation to the 2 acres of grounds with heated pool and hot tub. What’s not to like? Probably the sound of traffic going by, which included the rumble of lots of construction trucks the day I was there. But also, there’s no garage or central air, and the house is set sideways on the lot, without much curb appeal. This all would be an acceptable trade-off at a lower price, but I feel there are better choices in this price range.
#21605527
80 Eel River Road, Falmouth
$2,595,000
Going to the other end of the price spectrum, here’s a good example of an expensive house that still has trade-offs. The good: It’s young, built in 2011, so has a super floor plan, nice detail, fabulous kitchen and baths, and lovely expansive views of the water from the living spaces and the decks and patio that run the entire length of the house. The trade-offs: The next-door house is really close. In addition, the bedrooms are, well let’s just say, not large. Not small, but smaller than what we usually see in this price range. Also, there are three bedrooms in the main house, and the other two are part of a suite over the (3-car) garage. This could be good, or not, depending on the buyer.
#21605646
223-217 Meadow Neck Road, East Falmouth
$5,295,000
This is among the most expensive homes currently on the market, and the reason is obvious: It’s two homes, on two separate waterfront lots. One home is young, large, gracious, on two acres and with a lovely sandy beach on Waquoit Bay. The day I visited, there were a couple of clamdiggers in front. The other home is a small guest house, very cute, clean and comfortable on its own acre and with an in-ground pool. This smaller home would probably sell in the million-dollar range (although the listing agent estimated $1,800,000). Either way, is the other home and property then in the $4,000,000 range? We’ll see, but seems high to me. There is no dock and Waquoit Bay is shallow. In my experience, it’s the boaters who spend the bucks on expensive waterfront properties, and this one wouldn’t be conducive to keeping the boat at home. At least, if the boat is bigger than a kayak or a dinghy!
All In A Week’s Work
I spent a good part of this past week with a couple from Florida, here to buy a summer home. Much to the woman’s surprise, they flew home today with the most charming house just off Sippewissett solidly under agreement to them, and with the inspection accomplished as well.
How’d we do this? To begin with, they’ve been online for what seemed to be 18 hours a day for at least the last month. After basic familiarization with neighborhoods and prices, it stopped being productive, because you really just have to put your feet on the ground and see the neighborhoods; assess your reaction; evaluate your priorities (in this case, kayaking vs. biking; away from town vs. being near downtown); and figure out what trade-offs you’re willing to make. Because there are always trade-offs!
The first day, we looked at 20 homes, either by drive-bys or going inside. It was an exhausting day, but by the next day, there were only a few homes that made the short list to see again. Here are some:
#21606802
211 Great Bay Street, Falmouth
$975,000
What a sweet house, so “beachy” and with glorious views! But on the second day, surrounding homes not consistent with the quality and value of this one took it off the list.
#21605741
55 Seashell Lane, Falmouth
$900,000
This house is so similar to mine that I’m positive it was designed by Walter Yarosh, the same Falmouth architect who designed my house. (He was busy in the 90’s; I keep seeing variations on the theme.) This one is still original, but because I’ve just done a major renovation that included reconfiguring some spaces, it was easy for me to help my buyers envision what the house could be. The setting, directly on Great Pond and facing west; and with a neighborhood dock, is superb. But in the end, the prospect of managing a project of this scope long distance also took this one off the list.
#21607478
11 Place Road, Falmouth
$650,000
This is the one that rose to the top. The location is superb in every way, with a neighborhood trail to the bike path; a short half mile to glorious Woodneck Beach; and less than a mile to the activities and pleasures of Main Street, Highfield Hall, and Beebe Woods. The price was fair, and because the buyers had seen so many homes, they had a solid sense of value and understood that. The space was just right, not too big but not too small. The trade-off is that yes, it does need a new kitchen and the addition of central air. The buyers would have loved to have found a house that had these already, but they have a contractor they trust, and once the work is done, they’ll have a wonderful Cape house (with a spectacular kitchen!) in exactly the spot they wanted. A great week!