January 21, 2010

Fishing on the Cape

Posted to Scott Cash

Cape Cod is one of the best places to fish along the East Coast. And it’s no secret why: it has more then 360 freshwater ponds and sports a coastline loaded with jetties, inlets, tidal rivers, and flats. It lies just west of the very fertile Stellwagen Bank and is along the migration routes for stripers and blues moving from southern water to the Gulf of Maine. In short it’s a great place to catch fish.

Fishing has a rich history on the Cape. The majority of the large homes and estates that line the main roads of the Cape almost certainly belonged at one time fishing or whaling captains who prospered greatly from the sea. Of course it wasn’t always an ocean of opportunity. Stay tuned for more on the Cape’s fishing history.

Posted By: Scott Cash


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January 20, 2010

Buying a house and choosing where to retire to on Cape Cod MA

Posted to Melanie Cauchon

Cape Cod has been for a long time a destination for future retirees and it still is attracting more every year.

Some choose Cape Cod for its laid back life style or its nicer weather (with much less snow than any of the big cities in the states that surround it).

Some love its incredible views and the multitude of outdoor activities to pick from every day: walking, golfing, kayaking, fishing, bicycling, in-line skating, running, bird watching, going to the beach, boating and the list goes on…

Living on Cape Cod gives a total new definition of what retirement can be.

As a Realtor on Cape Cod, I meet a lot of clients who are looking for a house to retire to in a few years. But they often do not really know what town is best for them.

So I usually ask them to make a list of the activities they like or plan on doing when they retire. Then we compare it with what each town offers.

Golfing is a good example. Some towns have no public golf courses, some have 2, and some have private ones…

Once we narrow it down to 1 or 2 towns, then I suggest making a list of what you want and do not want, but in the following 3 categories:

1-“Must Have” in the house : (keep in mind that these are usually fields that will be entered in the computer for the search. For example: saying MUST HAVE 3 Bedrooms will eliminate every house with 2 bedrooms only, even if it has a bonus room or office etc. So having too many criteria in the MUST HAVE section might narrow down your choices fast). You should also rank the items by priority here.

2-“Would be NICE TO HAVE” : (but it is not a deal breaker if the house does not have it) Here you can elaborate, list everything you like. It could be something that you can add on also. For example, if you want a garage, but do not mind adding one on a house that does not have it.

3- “Absolutely do not like/ want” : This can be a style of house you do not like, something you do not want to be near… it can also be a limitation . For example, if you have trouble with stairs or slopes, then it would tell me to look for a ranch on a flat lot. Again, think of the computer search. It has to be an ABSOLUTE no because I will program my search to exclude all listings that have what you list in this section.

Now, if you think you are ready to start looking for your next house on Cape Cod, the 1st thing to do is to call me, Melanie Cauchon, at 508-776-5378. You can also visit my website at www.melaniecauchon.com.

I also have great listing if you are thinking of retiring near the town, the beaches and the golf courses. Take a look at this great property at 18 Randolph Lane in Harwich. If you want to see more of it, you can also take a video tour by clicking here.

Let me know if this house has all the items of your “MUST HAVE” list!

Posted By: Melanie Cauchon


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November 30, 2009

REAL ESTATE & HOUSING DATA in Massachusetts shows big improvement in October 2009

Posted to Melanie Cauchon

If you have been waiting to buy Real Estate in Massachusetts , you might want to consider making a move soon. The Massachusetts Association of Realtors (MAR) just published their statistics for October 2009 and things are definitely turning around. MAR reported on November 24th ,2009 that:

To get help with your real estate needs and access all available properties for sales by clicking here or call Melanie Cauchon, Realtor, at 508-534-5570.

Posted By: Melanie Cauchon


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November 23, 2009

Cape Cod Real Estate has become more affordable and buyers are getting good deals on Cape Cod!

Posted to Melanie Cauchon

According to a recent report from the National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo, ‘’housing is at its most affordable in years!‘ ’ and ‘’The typical U.S. family earning the nation’s median income of $64,000 a year could afford to buy 70.1 percent of all homes sold in the United States during the third quarter.’’

Though most of Cape Cod in Massachusetts has not been hit as hard and other regions of the country with the foreclosure crisis, the prices of homes have become more affordable here too. For example, in the Town of Dennis, MA alone, the multiple listing service (MLS) shows 42 Single Family houses with 2 or 3 bedrooms sold from June 1st to November 1st 2009 under $270,000, compared to only 14 in the same period in 2005. Though we are seeing more houses in need of work and distress sales, there are a lot of opportunities on Cape Cod now for someone willing to do a little work or sprucing up on a property they buy. Here is a chart showing the comparison for some other towns of Cape Cod:

Affordability Comparison Chart for Cape Cod, MA

If you want to see more statistics or know where to start looking for your next home on Cape Cod, click here or call me, Melanie Cauchon your Cape Cod Realtor at 508-776-5378. I can give you access to every property on the mls for free and to unlimited statistics to help you make the right choices in your real estate purchase. Talk to you soon!

Posted By: Melanie Cauchon


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November 04, 2009

REAL ESTATE HOME BUYER tax credit for more than 1st time buyers maybe?

Posted to Melanie Cauchon

I just read in the Realtor Magazine that lawmakers in the Senate have tentatively agreed to extend the existing $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers and also offer a new $6,500 credit for some existing homeowners. If you think you qualify and want to get the most out of this program (because they will reduce the credit after the spring), do not wait and start your real estate search here. Or call me, Melanie Cauchon at 508-534-5570 and I will guide you through the process and help you make the deadline to get your credit.

Posted By: Melanie Cauchon


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October 29, 2009

REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE : Sales activity at highest level in more than two years!

Posted to Melanie Cauchon

I was reading the National Association of Realtors (NAR) statistics and it said:

(Click on quote for more information)

So if you feel it is time for you to buy or sell, call Melanie Cauchon at 508-776-5378 or visit my website at www.melaniecauchon.com and I will get right to work. My team can help you buy and sell anywhere in the world!

Posted By: Melanie Cauchon


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September 25, 2009

Cape Cod Real Estate getting better and better!

Posted to Melanie Cauchon

Real Estate is booming on Cape Cod as 2nd home buyers, primary home buyers and 1st time buyers are grabbing the best houses within days of those coming on the market! Anything under $250,000 if clean and needing no work is selling in no time. Up to $300,000, homes with garages and updates are still very much in demand. New kitchens and new baths, open floor plans are very hot with buyers. Which is why I made this video tour blog of my new listing at 2 Harth Ln in Yarmouth. I want to be sure you get a chance to see it asap! This house features 3BR, 1 ½ bath (both updated), newly refinished hardwood floors in all bedrooms and living room and newer tile floor in the kitchen and dining area. Perfect for any season with a fireplace for the winter and new ceiling fans in every room for the summer. Add to this an oversized garage with room for a car and a motorcycle or any of your toys!

And the “pièce de résistance” : a brand new kitchen with gorgeous new cabinets with recessed lighting, an island, new countertops, new appliances, a newer bay window in the front and a newer Anderson slider to the back deck and private yard! You can see all the details about this property including open house schedule and a video tour here. Or just call me, Melanie Cauchon, Realtor, at 508-776-5378.

Posted By: Melanie Cauchon


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September 21, 2009

Cape Cod real estate for sale at $149,900 ?!?

Posted to Melanie Cauchon

Yes this is right. If you are looking for a year round 2BR condo or Cape Cod getaway, you can now get it under $150,000! The Gardens is a small condo complex on Cape Cod near scenic historic 6A and the great Cape Cod north side beaches and it is near everything you need. I just listed a renovated 2BR unit there for $149,900! It offers great year round energy efficiency with all new thermal replacement windows and doors, has newer pergo floors & carpeting, a new bathroom and it is expandable! And unlike what you may think, it is NOT A short sale and NOT bank owned. It is just an affordable 2BR year round condo to be purchased in a nice & easy regular transaction from a motivated seller!

And there is more: In this Cape Cod 6A side small complex, every owner has its own yard (but the association takes care of it), can have a pet & can enjoy a gorgeous association pool. Being a ranch style duplex condo, you only share 1 wall with the neighbor: No one above or below! Its in unit laundry hook up is a plus, along with its attached shed & attic storage. It really feels like a little house!

If you wish to get a preview of the property, all you need is to do is Click Here or call me at 508-534-5570. You are closer than you think to owning your own place on the Cape Cod!

Posted By: Melanie Cauchon


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August 31, 2009

Business Week is now saying : “Now Is the Time to Buy in Real Estate”

Posted to Melanie Cauchon

I came across this article that will reassure a lot of people. The Business Week wrote: “Now Is the Time to Buy in Real Estate”. It is no news to me, since some of my clients have already started looking for Cape Cod Real Estate or even found a “good deal” on a house that they closed on with an incredible interest rate this year! But for those who like to wait to see what happens before jumping in, this may be the sign you were waiting for. You can read the full article by clicking here.

To start looking for Real Estate on Cape Cod, primary homes or vacation homes, foreclosure properties, investment properties, etc. please visit my web site or call me directly at 508-776-5378.

I look forward to find that great house for you!

Posted by:Melanie Cauchon


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August 06, 2009

Buyers Shouldn't Wait on Falling Prices

Posted to Melanie Cauchon

I came across an interesting article from the Wall Street Journal telling why waiting for prices to fall may not be wise. Anybody who says they will wait for prices to come down should watch interest rates and do the math!

Did you know that on your monthly payments, you would need a 10% reduction in price to offset an increase of 1% in interest rate now?

To look for houses now, click here, or call Melanie Cauchon your Cape Cod Realtor anytime at 508-534-5570.

Click here to read the entire article.

Posted By: Melanie Cauchon


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July 23, 2009

Mayflower Beach: One of the best Cape Cod Beaches North of 6A

Posted to Melanie Cauchon

Have you been looking for a house for sale near the Northside beaches of Dennis? Or maybe an investment property for sale? Or just a year-round home only one block from the beach you will walk to, to have your morning coffee, your feet in the sand, watching the sunrise, for the next 30 summers?

If you have not discovered Mayflower Beach in Dennis village on Cape Cod, now may be a good time. Mostly because I just listed this exquisite property, all on one floor and ready to move in, just a few steps away from Mayflower Beach! Equipped with a new efficient furnace, newer roof and windows, it could be your year-round beach retreat. It is being offered fully furnished and has a great rental history. It is in such a good location that it rents with minimum advertising required. Check it out on my website: www.melaniecauchon.com. Or you can call me at 508-776-5378. To view 4 Wades Way, click here.

Posted By: Melanie Cauchon


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May 08, 2009

Real Estate Bargains Galore: When waiting for a Bargain can be Self Defeating

Posted to

The real estate market on Cape Cod is currently flooded with incredibly low priced homes – which as a real estate agent, I must say, it is quite exciting. First time homebuyers are now able to find properties that are easily affordable within their own community.

The challenge is the majority of these bargains are distressed properties such as bank owned (REO) and short sales. I know the terms can be confusing so let me explain a bit more about the dynamics of it. Foreclosed property is considered a distressed property because for some reason, the owners of the property have been unable to keep up with the mortgage payments and the bank has given notice that the property will be “foreclosed” on and sold at auction. If the property is not sold at auction it becomes a REO, Real Estate Owned by the lender, also known as a “bank owned.”

A Short Sale is a distressed property being offered for sale by the homeowner, but at a much lower selling price than what they actually owe their lender. The seller’s lender is accepting a discounted payoff to release an existing mortgage. This situation may have come about because the seller may be in default in payments and is attempting to avoid going through the foreclosure procedure, or has already been notified by the bank that foreclosure proceedings have begun. This can also occur when the seller may have lost a considerable amount of equity in the property’s value and has come to an agreement with the bank to settle out the mortgage by selling the property at a considerable discount.

Read the complete article >
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April 14, 2009

IT'S TIME TO DUST OFF YOUR GOLF CLUBS

Posted to Beverly Comeau

With warmer days upon us, many golfers have dusted off their golf clubs and headed to the driving ranges- a sure sign of spring. My one experience with golf taught me never to try again.

My friends tell me there is an excellent pro at nearby Holly Ridge- maybe someday… There’s a lot going on at Holly Ridge, one of Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play”- here’s the link to their newsletter - www.hollyridgegolf.com - sign up now to win a month of golf free.

And if you’d like to be able to play a round without driving to get there, consider this home at 60 Holly Ridge Dr, Sandwich, MA, a Colonial featuring sun-filled living space, three bedrooms, private master bath, wood floors throughout, two car garage and views of The Ridge Club Golf Course.

To check out the courses that are open now, go to www.golfcapecod.com- the Golf Destination of New England.

To check out homes near golf, go to www.BeverlyComeau.com.

HAPPY GOLFING!

Posted By: Beverly Comeau


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April 13, 2009

Buyers for Cape Cod properties have officially woken up from their hibernation!

Posted to Melanie Cauchon

As April arrived with its nicer weather, so did the second home buyers on Cape Cod!

In the last 10 days, I showed houses on at least 6 of them, including 4 days split with morning showings to one client and afternoon with another! There is a good inventory of great deals out there.

I get the calls from my buyer clients and they want to see a lot of houses in one visit to the Cape. Looking at 8-12 houses in 3-4 hours is not unusual anymore. But we do a lot of work together on the phone and online before they come down. I send them updates and they visit my Web site daily for new listings, price changes, to see what is selling. We are also watching for interest rate changes. I have even done previews with video tours that I emailed to a client in Switzerland before she flew here! My days are now filled with phone calls & emails for planning visits, house showings, CMA preparation and marketing planning of new listings! My multitasking skills are being challenged to never attempted before performance levels! I am loving it!

I also have some great listings coming up soon, some near Mayflower Beach in Dennis, some in Harwich, some in East Dennis, so don’t forget to keep an eye on my web site: www.melaniecauchon.com. Or you can sign up and request listings sent to you automatically. Or just call me directly at 508-534-5570.

I am telling you, it is official: Buyers who were hibernating just woke up! No wonder why: Rates are under 5 percent for 30 year fixed, prices have leveled down and there are many great deals out there. It is the best world for buyers!

Let’s get started on your home search, call me at 508-534-5570.

Melanie Cauchon, Your Cape Cod Realtor

Posted By: Melanie Cauchon


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April 13, 2009

Buyers for Cape Cod properties have officially woken up from their hibernation!

Posted to

As April arrived with its nicer weather, so did the second home buyers on Cape Cod!

In the last 10 days, I showed houses on at least 6 of them, including 4 days split with morning showings to one client and afternoon with another! There is a good inventory of great deals out there.

I get the calls from my buyer clients and they want to see a lot of houses in one visit to the Cape. Looking at 8-12 houses in 3-4 hours is not unusual anymore. But we do a lot of work together on the phone and online before they come down. I send them updates and they visit my Web site daily for new listings, price changes, to see what is selling. We are also watching for interest rate changes. I have even done previews with video tours that I emailed to a client in Switzerland before she flew here! My days are now filled with phone calls & emails for planning visits, house showings, CMA preparation and marketing planning of new listings! My multitasking skills are being challenged to never attempted before performance levels! I am loving it!

I also have some great listings coming up soon, some near Mayflower Beach in Dennis, some in Harwich, some in East Dennis, so don’t forget to keep an eye on my web site: www.melaniecauchon.com. Or you can sign up and request listings sent to you automatically. Or just call me directly at 508-534-5570.

I am telling you, it is official: Buyers who were hibernating just woke up! No wonder why: Rates are under 5 percent for 30 year fixed, prices have leveled down and there are many great deals out there. It is the best world for buyers!

Let’s get started on your home search, call me at 508-534-5570.

Melanie Cauchon, Your Cape Cod Realtor

Posted By: Melanie Cauchon


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