The monthly condo fee is often a stumbling block for buyers considering the purchase of their first condo. In the current market, where the high inventory of single family homes has lowered prices so that buyers have the option of choosing between a condo and a house, they tend to see the condo fee as a "savings" if they buy the house. This could not be futher from the truth. Everything that is included in the condo fee is usually an expense that they would have with a single family home or they would have to do the work themselves. Using FalmouthPort, a well-run, mature waterfront condo community in Falmouth, MA as an example, the monthly fee includes the following: exterior building maintenance, roof and septic system management, landscaping, lawn mowing, snow plowing, show shoveling,... 07/09/2008

Here are the statistics for condo sales in Falmouth, MA on Cape Cod. I would be curious to know how these compare with sales in your community. There are 55 units on the market today (July 5, 2008). We have been averaging 3.7 sales per month for the past six months. Our absorption rate (the amount of time that it would take for all condos presently on the market to be sold) is now at 15.3 months. A balanced market is around 5 months. This is down from 18 months in May. Condominiums are selling for 82.3% of their original list price. Condominiums are selling for 90.62% of the list price at the time of sale. Here are some statistics by price range:                               0-299,000        300,000-399,000         400,000-499,000          500,000+  Listings                       15   ... 07/06/2008

The sun was shining so much that everyone who could get burned - did.  The cloudless sky was filled only with ospreys going to and from a nearby pond to catch fish for their ospreyettes, and an inadvertent flyby of some jet fighters on their way to Otis.  Today is 6/7/8 and my second daughter has graduated high school.  The speakers were positive, outward focused and contentious with their time.  The night before I attended the "awards ceremony" where scholarships were presented.  This small community provided almost $310,000 for kids to continue their education in college!  The amounts ranged from $100 to a $30,000 four year scholarship!  I was not only proud of my daughter and the awards she earned, but I was provided a non-partisan, apolitical look into the generosity of this great c... 06/07/2008

A sure sign that summer is coming is when the community calendar on the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce's website starts to fill up. In addition to the fact that Falmouth has more miles of shoreline than any other town on Cape Cod, the wide variety of daily activities and special events make it an incredible place to vacation or own property. Check the following link to see the schedule as it stands today: http://www.falmouthchamber.com/more/calendar/local It won't be long before this pastoral scene at Old Silver Beach in North Falmouth is once again playing host to people from far and wide who come to enjoy Falmouth's beautiful sandy beaches. 05/19/2008

Well, despite forecasts of rain all day, the sun shone.  I was able to mow the yard, and fix a swing for the kids, and work on the dock, and then watch the Celtics and Red Sox win. Falmouth is an interesting location.  So often the forecasters predict bad weather and then the storm moves to the north of the Cape Cod Canal or South of Martha's Vineyard.  We have nice weather more often than not - even when they say it won't be. 05/18/2008

There are 60 units on the market today (May 12, 2008). We have been averaging 3.3 sales per month for the past six months. Our absorption rate (the amount of time that it would take for all condos presently on the market to be sold) is now at 18 months. Since a balanced market is around 5 months, this strongly favors buyers. Condominiums are selling for 86.7% of their original list price. Condominiums are selling for 92.14% of the list price at the time of sale. Buyers are more demanding the longer a unit is on the market.  Here are some statistics by price range:                               0-299,000        300,000-399,000         400,000-499,000            500,000+ Listings                       19                        18                               10                         1... 05/12/2008

There are just over 1900 properties in the pre-foreclosure stages on Cape Cod on May 6, 2008.  This is only a small fraction of real estate on Cape Cod.  There are some 140,000 homes on the Cape.  Less than half of those homes are second homes.  Some communities have more than 50% vacation home or investment status, but when averaged, most homes on Cape Cod are owner occupied. Falmouth is the second largest town on Cape Cod.  Falmouth's year round economy and miles of shoreline provide both year-round and summer usability.  There are many year round restaurants, hotels, and coastal entertainments, and there are year round businesses whether you are a "Hole-ie" in Woods Hole doing scientific research or fishing in Nantucket Sound for sport or income.  Falmouth has many "villages":  Falmo... 05/07/2008

This week I have received over 50 emails from lead generating website owners who think they have a new idea.  None of them wants to help Cape Cod Real Estate WebSite.  They only want me to "join" their wonderful, best of, completely the best, new idea.  (This one BIG reason I founded REindex 8 years ago to provide a free place to listing agents/brokers to get THEIR EXISTING website found without lead generation.) So I have started forwarding these lead generator emails to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission)as spam.  (You can forward any email you think is spam to the FTC and they'll file it in their spam files. What they do with it after that, I have no idea, but maybe if they get enough about one spammer, they'll go after the spammer.)But I also had a new idea!  Some of the spam I get h... 05/01/2008

For a few years we have designated agents by the term ASR in my Falmouth real estate office.  This is a tongue in cheek description of those who Actually Sell Realestate.  There are so many that just answer the phone, or get one listing a year, or one buyer a year.When we talk to an agent we don't know, we ask them how long they have been doing real estate.  Those we have already done deals with are automatic ASRs.  Others we work with, understanding we may have some "extra" duties.Some non-ASRs get huffy when I ask about their experience, but it is in the sellers or buyers interest to know what their level of business experience is.  Maybe I'm alone in this perspective, but I see a lot of posts about inexperienced agents. 04/28/2008

I am lurnen to tawk like dthe people heeyah ahn cape cahd, aftah almost twenee yeyahs.  I had an agent ask me recently, "Howmanypichyus?"  It was all run together and said so fast that I had to pause to play it back in my memory.  I asked, "What was that? I don't hear as fast as you speak."  The response was the same, "Howmanypichyus?"  I had to confess that I didn't understand what was being said.  Then the response was as if I was the one with the poor communication skills, " How.....many......pichyahs?"  "OOOOOooooo! Are you asking me how many pictures I have of the property?" I querried.  "Yeah"  "Well we always put more than one in the listing, and there are more on our website if you need more."  "Oh, yeah, I dint (spelled as pronounced) see dthose.  Sahree,"  and then they hung u... 04/22/2008

I am going to the Century21 International Convention in Orlando from Thursday night through Saturday and came to Florida a few days early to visit friends in Naples. The stories in the newspaper about the local market make me feel right at home:Agents are seeing a great deal of activityHomes under $300,000 are sellingSingle property home sales were up in January 2008 over 2007Sellers (most sellers anyway) have come to the realization that if they want to move their property they will have to move their priceIt's a great time to purchaseSince both areas have strong second home markets, it's not too surprising that I would see similarities. It's actually reassuring, however, since the national real estate statistics (sales down 0.4 percent and median price down 4.6%) continue to be negati... 02/28/2008

Ok, so I am not the best when it comes to keeping track of where my marketing dollar goes.   I am an emotional purchaser of marketing stuff and ads.   Would love to be more calculating, more interested in demographic and just plain more concious of whether my advertising dollar is going to reap returns...but I am not there yet.   I am a "do gooder" by nature.   Non-profit, save the world social worker type who fell into real estate by accident and a high desire to decorate other peoples homes... Who knew I would be so successful...even tho I spend my money hap hazardly.   So I invested last year in a alumni magazine for my high School which is 70 miles from CApe Cod because the sales lady was persuasive.   They needed the money to put together a magazine that extolled the promise and ex... 02/19/2008

There is a lot to like about Falmouth, MA, but tonight I appreciate one aspect of living in this seaside community on the upper part of Cape Cod.Yes, it's easy to like Falmouth because it has more miles of coastline that any other town on the Cape, it has great beaches, a vibrant business community, a rich arts scene, or an outstanding school system. But the aspect of Falmouth that I am appreciating at the moment is its location on the upper Cape and its proximity to off-Cape cities like Boston and Providence. An evening in either city is just over an hour away. It's great be able to enjoy the "big-time" amenities that can only be found in large cities, and then escape the hustle and bustle by driving over the bridge and returning home.A few years ago the Chamber of Commerce launched a ... 02/18/2008

Blue Shutters Condo: A cozy Cape Cod year-round retreat for discerning buyers who want a maintenance free vacation home. The 19'x18' great room features a beamed ceiling, 12' wide floor boards, and looks out onto a new mahogany deck and fenced in yard. The state-of-the-art kitchen has all new cabinets and appliances with granite counter tops. The bedroom has a private bath with skylight. Only 64 miles from Boston and under 2 miles to Old Silver Beach. A great retreat under $300,000!View this home at www.224northfalmouth.com   02/17/2008

Falmouth's premier waterfront condominium community is home to this artistically-appointed, 1920 square foot townhome. The first floor features an eat-in kitchen, a raised dining area, and a fireplaced living room with built-in bar. The second floor has two large bedrooms, each with a full bath, and closets complete with organizational systems. The nicely finished basement has a family room, bonus room for summer guests, and a third full bath. The entire unit is wired for sound. The private brick patio off the living room is the perfect place for summer cookouts. All this is just a short walk to the pool, tennis courts, association dock, and the walking trail along Great Pond.View this condo at www.209vineyardgate.com    02/17/2008

Anyone looking for a first home or a great summer escape should take a look at this ready-to-move-in 2BR, 2 bath town home. Located in a 4 unit cluster on almost an acre of land, this unit features a large private deck, full cellar, attic storage, a back yard with lots ot trees and open space. Each bedroom has a walk-in closet.Lots of open spaceIn a 4-plex on almost one acre of landFreshly paintedReady to move inConvenient to Falmouth Village Short drive to all Falmouth beachesJust $264,900View it at www.20bwoodview.com       02/17/2008

An open floor plan, large rooms, high-end finishes, a large yard, and a quiet street make this beautiful colonial a great home. Outside light filters in through wooden shutters and reflects briliantly off the sparkling hardwood floors. The dream kitchen features an island with space for stools. Built in 2004, this house has been lightly used and is ready to move in.Three large bedroomsOversized master suite with walk-in closetCentral ACSee it at www.26cornhillroad.com  02/17/2008

Just Reduced this adorable ranch to $259,000.  2 Bedroom 1 bath on 1/2 acre lot.  Also an alternative to Condo living without the Condo fees!  This is a perfect house for starter home or retirement home.  One floor living with great backyard for family cookouts.  Close to Bourne Bridge and easy access to major highway, beaches and 4 public golf courses with 2 miles.  A great getaway, virtually maintenance free.  Visit my website to view pictures.http://www.andreabarberrealtor.com/  02/11/2008

             Falmouth Single Family Home Sales from Cape Cod's Multiple Listing Service Complied 2/1/08January, 2008December, 2007 January, 2007Houses sold              20  26              31Lowest price$263,950 $152,000$190,000Highest Price$2,800,000 $1,100,000$2,055,00Average Sale Price         $547,258                     $497,812$485,000Avg. Days On Market179 18595% sale price / list price 94.2793.4493.33%    # On The Market                             389                                    430                                     414 On average, sellers reduced their original list prices by 8% to get their properties sold. (Down from 12% last month) 5 sales of the 20 were for the full list price ( 1 went over list)   103 new listings 57 came under agreement104 price reductions  02/09/2008

Thinking of buying a waterfront on Cape Cod.  Visit the all new waterfront only website.  Browse all waterfront listings by town. http://Cape-Cod-Waterfront-Homes.comCape Cod Waterfront Homes for SaleCape Cod Waterfront Vacation HomesCape Cod Waterfront Lisitngs 01/24/2008