Don't be fooled: Today really is April Fools' Day (or All Fools' Day). April Fools' Day grew popular in the 1700s, and still thrives today. Even businesses have participated in the fun, creating complicated hoaxes and trick stories. Watch out for pranks and have a fun day!     04/01/2017

Foreclosures in Barnstable MA - October 2016I often receive inquiries about foreclosures on Cape Cod. Unfortunately for investors, there aren't as many as one might think, because property is usually able to sell before it forecloses. Even as a short sale, property can usually be sold before it gets foreclosed on. (Keep in mind that there is a Town of Barnstable and the County is also Barnstable, which is Cape Cod.)In the town of Barnstable this month, from October 1, 2016 and October 21, 2016 there have been eleven properties that had an Order of Notice recorded. The order of notice is the first recorded step in the foreclosure process. This is the formal public notice that a borrower has not kept the payments current and that the lender is planning to foreclose.Once this is recorded, ... 10/22/2016

A Barnstable MA home buyer should receive a brochure, Home Inspectors Facts for Consumers Sheet, at the time of the signing of the first written contract to purchase from the Seller or Seller's agent. Since MA Home Inspector licensing in 2001, a consumer must have a signed exclusive buyer's agent agreement with a Real Estate Broker or Salesperson before the Real Estate Broker or Salesperson can refer a home inspector. Without a signed exclusive buyer's agent agreement, the Real Estate Broker or Salesperson may only refer the buyer to the list of all MA Home Inspectors from the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Home Inspectors. Finding your Barnstable MA Home Inspector from the list of all MA home inspectors can be quite a challenge. An internet search for "Barnstable MA Home Inspec... 10/16/2013

4 bedroom Home For Sale on Cape Cod, Marstons MillsMLS #21201273 43 Cranberry Ridge Rd, Marstons Mills, MADestination Realty Group, 508-503-4435 info@MyDestinationRealty.com4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, 2172sf $329,900.00 Located only 15 minutes or less to Sagamore Bridge, Beaches, Mashpee Commons, Sandwich and much more. This expanded 4 bedroom home for Sale on Cape Cod, Marstons Mills is ideal for year round living or a summer retreat. Deeded rights to Long Pond, which is in the neighborhood, offers a large beach and plenty of parking.  Paddle board, canoe or kayak your way to a healthy lifestyle just around the corner from your spacious 4 bedroom home for Sale on Cape Cod, Marstons Mills. Nicely set back from the road this 4 bedroom home for Sale on Cape Cod, Marstons Mills offers a large... 03/13/2012

A Barnstable MA home buyer should receive a brochure, Home Inspectors Facts for Consumers Sheet, at the time of the signing of the first written contract to purchase. A standard home inspection in Massachusetts is a visual examination of the physical structure and major interior systems of a residential building consisting of one to four dwelling units. It should be understood that there are certain risks inherent in the purchase of property and a home inspection is inherently limited in its scope and depth. The information gained from home inspection conforming to the Massachusetts Home Inspector Standards of Practice may reduce some of those risks, but the home inspection is not intended to provide the client with protection from all of the risks involved. Visit the Barnstable MA Home... 01/15/2012

http://www.bainmortgage.com/MortgageMarketWeekInReview Newsletter-December 5th, 2011 Provided by Dana Bain Dana BainPremiere Mortgage Services11 Malvern Hill RoadSterling, MA 01564Phone: (978) 422-2311Fax: (978) 422-2313E-Mail: dana@bainmortgage.com     Market CommentMortgage bond prices ended slightly higher last week, which pushed mortgage interest rates lower. Stocks were stronger as the DOW surged higher by 291 points Monday and 490 points Wednesday. The Fed stepped in to help the EU deal with their debt crisis through some liquidity moves along with the Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank, and the Swiss National Bank. The moves generally helped equities across the globe. Mortgage bonds traded in a choppy but ti... 12/05/2011

Summertime is officially here! Sandy Neck - West Bar in Barnstable MA sunscreen - check beach towels - check sunglasses - check boat ready (bait, ice, gas) - check fishing poles - check beach grill - check food - check camera - check I'm ready for the season. Time to make some memories! Copyright© by Judy Jennings - All rights reserved. Summertime is officially here! 06/22/2011

Sandy Neck in Barnstable MA...Where Time Didn't Stop, But Sure Slowed DownAmong my very earliest childhood recollections were summer vacations with my family at our camp on Sandy Neck in Barnstable MA on Cape Cod. Probably most of you recognize Cape Cod as the arm-like extension of the southeastern portion of Massachusetts that forms Cape Cod Bay. Sandy Neck in Barnstable MA is an unusual sandy peninsula created by wave action about 4,000 years ago and forms an important barrier system that protects Barnstable Harbor and the marsh ecosystems. Sandy Neck is a little over six miles long and in places, a half mile wide. Clustered at the southeastern portion of the peninsula is a village of summer cottages and camps built by mostly average people who had found this paradise and longed for a... 05/22/2011

Barnstable MA Community Profile & History of Barnstable, Massachusetts The larger town of Barnstable, which includes the namesake village, is one of Cape Cod's oldest and most storied communities. Named an All-America City in 2007, the community is a major hub for commerce, trade, and transportation in the Cape Cod region. In the summer months, thousands of tourists flock to the many shops of downtown Hyannis along with the beaches, botanical gardens, museums and historical sites scattered throughout the town's seven villages which include Hyannis, Centerville, Osterville, Marstons Mills, Cotuit, Barnstable Village, West Barnstable and Cummaquid.  First explored by Bartholemew Gosnold as early as 1602, the town was settled by the Pilgrims in 1636 and incorporated in 1639. Named for Bar... 02/17/2011

Smart buyers purchasing Real estate on Cape Cod know that their window of opportunity is almost over. If you purchase now most closings will happen in April or May 2011. This gives the new owners just enough time to work on the property before the season officially starts and the salt water beaches beckon you to relax. Historically the most anxious sellers list and sell  in the winter months because they MUST sell. But be aware that sometimes the owners will readjust the price in the Spring, 5%-!0%  upward, due to supply and demand. In the last few weeks several properties that had been sitting around in the Hyannis Waterfront District have recently gone "pending" meaning that buyers, investors and first timers are smartly snapping these properties up! Just around the corner are the upc... 02/14/2011

Open Houses on Mid & Upper Cape this Weekend! COTUIT: 116 Old Kings RoadSunday, Sept 26, 10:00a-11:30a Directions/Map It     Additional property details COTUIT: 1036 Main StreetSunday, Sept 26, 11:00a-1:00p Directions/Map It     Additional property details COTUIT: 1194 Main StreetSunday, Sept 26, 11:00a-1:00p Directions/Map It     Additional property details COTUIT: 1109 Main StreetSunday, Sept 26, 11:00a-1:00p Directions/Map It     COTUIT: 39 Forest Hills RoadSunday, Sept 26, 1:00p-3:00p Directions/Map It     Additional property details COTUIT: 33 Oyster PlaceSunday, Sept 26, 11:00a-2:00p Directions/Map It     Additional property details COTUIT: 557 Cotuit Bay DriveSunday, Sept 26, 2:00p-4:00p Directions/Map It     Additional property details Robert Paul Properties | PO Box 622 | Oster... 09/25/2010

Steve and David, the owners of Coachlight Carpets in the Centerville Shopping Center have a way for you to win new carpet for a bedroom! They are collecting non perishable food items at their location in the Centerville Shopping Center. For each item brought in, the donor will receive a "ticket for a chance to win a new carpet for their own bedroom, no matter how large the room," according to a promotion in the Cape Cod times today. (see page A5) Steve says that what he wants to do is get sons, daughters and grandchildren involved in giving. He feels that the more one gives to others, the more one has a positive self image.  There is also the possibility of winning a Toys R Us gift certificate. Good luck to Coachlight Carpets, Steve, David, and all the other givers! 09/16/2010

Barnstable MA Short Sales - Pre-foreclosure Purchase As a home buyer looking for value in the purchase of real estate you may consider a Barnstable MA short sale as a viable option. Buying a short sale is a difficult and often a frustrating process and should not be confused with a foreclosure. To have success, hire experienced professionals that understand all aspects of the transaction. Utilize the services of Realtors, attorneys, accountants, mortgage lenders and home inspectors as they all provide expert advice. ABarnstable Short Sale Defined Homeowners that have financial hardships may pursue a short sale prior to foreclosure. The property value is less than the outstanding liens on the property (mortgages and insurance premiums) and the homeowner does not have sufficient resources... 09/06/2010

Even the sharks love it!!  This blog is provided by Laurie Bailey-Gates, a Realtor with Virtual Homes Real Estate. Laurie can be reached via email at Laurie.baileygates@virtualhomes.com or by phone at 508-265-6722.    If you are thinking of buying or selling your home, contact me today! I will provide you with service, trust and the most advanced technology for today's market.  For a FREE no obligation home search tool sign up at my home search site. 08/27/2010

Have You Heard? Mortgage Forgiveness May Be Coming. There is an article on Reuters today that covers the basics. The thing I find interesting is the veiled way that the financial companies are describing it. Three companies are quoted in the article, found here.  In each of the quotes, what is implied but not stated, is that they are anticipating governmental action to cause mortgages to be "forgiven" up to a point. The forgiveness would not be for complete mortgages, but for a portion of the principle, especially that amount that has the property "upside down."  If that happens, investors in mortgage backed securities would experience losses that would have to be written off, absorbed, or ? It is going to be an interesting fall. 08/16/2010

The Trend in Mortgage Rates on July 1, 2010 - Improving, or...? Here are some of the events affecting mortgage rates today: What Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) Are Doing Today: The price of the FNMA 30-Year 4.0% MBS coupon opened at 101.25 this morning - the same as yesterday's close. At 9:30 AM, the 4.0% MBS coupon was trading at 101.16 - down 3/32 from its opening. Remember, on mortgage backed securities (MBSs), as the price goes down, the yield goes up - and so do mortgage rates. I expect that mortgage rates will be up to 0.125 points worse in price this morning as compared to yesterday. Price Trend in Mortgage Backed Securities: The chart below shows the price trend of the FNMA 30-Year 4.0% coupon over the past 30 days from 6-1-2010 to 7-1-2010: Economic Reports, News, and Events ... 07/01/2010

The Trend in Home Sales in Barnstable MA - Improving, or...?Home prices in Barnstable are on the rise! They've increased by 24.8% since May of 2009. The current average listing price of homes for sale in Barnstable MA is $662,787, down 9.2% from a week ago. Compare this to the current median sales price of $420,000 - where half of sales are above this amount and half below it.Below is a chart of the trend of median prices of homes for sale in Barnstable MA over the past 5 years through May 2010: Barnstable Recently Sold Homes The same pattern holds true for the number of sales: Barnstable Recently Sold Homes So what does all this mean? Well, if you're looking for a home in the town of Barnstable, you better not mess around too much. Sales and prices are climbing.Lowball offers won't cut... 07/01/2010

The average sales price for homes sold in the Town of Barnstable in 2006 was $576,991 and has slipped to $361,092 in 2009. This blog is provided by Laurie Bailey-Gates, a Realtor with Virtual Homes Real Estate. Laurie can be reached via email at Laurie.baileygates@virtualhomes.com or by phone at 508-265-6722. If you are thinking of buying or selling your home, contact me today! I will provide you with service, trust and the most advanced technology for today's market. For a FREE no obligation home search tool sign up at my home search site. 06/12/2010

  The number of homes sold in 2009 in the Town of Barnstable was 599 homes.  This was up from the number sold in 2006 which was  590 homes.  The median sales price for a home sold in 2006 was $369,000.  The median price of a home sold in 2009 was down to  $270,000.  This blog is provided by Laurie Bailey-Gates, a Realtor with Virtual Homes Real Estate. Laurie can be reached via email at Laurie.baileygates@virtualhomes.com or by phone at 508-265-6722.  If you are thinking of buying or selling your home, contact me today! I will provide you with service, trust and the most advanced technology for today's market.  For a FREE no obligation home search tool sign up at my home search site.           06/12/2010

The average days on market for homes in the town of Barnstable peaked in 2008 with 146 days on market.  The average days on market has been reduced to 131 days on market in 2009.  It appears that the market may have turned the corner in 2009.  This blog is provided by Laurie Bailey-Gates, a Realtor with Virtual Homes Real Estate. Laurie can be reached via email at Laurie.baileygates@virtualhomes.com or by phone at 508-265-6722.  If you are thinking of buying or selling your home, contact me today! I will provide you with service, trust and the most advanced technology for today's market.  For a FREE no obligation home search tool sign up at my home search site.       06/12/2010