A McPhee Associates of Cape Cod Quarterly Newsletter |
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Greetings!
The Fall weather has been beautiful here on the Cape, despite the rain that was greatly missed over the summer. It’s that time of year again when things start to slow down outside and we get ready for the colder months. In this issue you’ll find some tips from our Property Management team on getting your home ready for the winter.
Speaking of weather, Hurricane Ian is a reminder of how vulnerable we can be to extreme weather, regardless of location. For any of you who were personally affected by Ian, we hope that you and any of your family members or neighbors are okay and able to recover any loss.
Extreme weather conditions like heat waves, coastal flooding, high winds and freezing temperatures are all forces we experience to some extent on Cape Cod. From a builder’s perspective, building and renovating homes that are resilient and more energy efficient is becoming the norm, not an option. When considering the expense of building more resilient homes or updating older systems, we have to ask ourselves, “can we afford not to?” High insurance rates, rising energy costs and the expense of potential damage are becoming huge incentives. Our Project Spotlight section shows one example of a design by our architectural design team for a home located in a flood zone.
In the field, our team is as busy as ever and we are still booking pretty far out. As we have mentioned before, it behooves anyone considering work at their properties to plan ahead. The entire process—from pre-construction through construction—continues to take longer than what we had experienced before the pandemic. We’ve added a few new team members (introduced below), as well as some new construction crew members, so we are doing well on the labor front.
The real estate market is definitely cooling off on Cape Cod. You will see in our real estate market report below that home sales continue to decline. Sold home prices are still rising compared to this time last year, but at about half the rate they were last year compared to 2020. It’s the same supply and demand dynamic—very little inventory with persistent demand.
While new inquiries continue to come in, we have noticed a slight decline recently compared to the heavy demand over the past couple of years. A little breathing room will do everyone some good. Many of our new inquiries are referrals or past clients. We are grateful for the consideration and trust placed upon us.
Finally, I want to personally thank any of you who cast a vote for McPhee Associates in the 2022 Cape Cod Best of the Best Awards. With your help, we won! We were named Best Home Builder and a Finalist in Best Home Repair/Remodeling. This was the first time we were nominated and the first time we won.
I wish you all a relaxing and rejuvenating Fall season!
Sincerely,
Rob McPhee
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WINDWARD EAST & WINDWARD VILLAGE
Located on the north side of East Dennis, Windward East and Windward Village are exclusive McPhee Associates neighborhoods. The homes in both neighborhoods are set on pristine, wooded lots and are protected by special covenants that ensure new homes are designed and built to be compatible with Cape Cod and New England styles.
In Windward East, eight custom homes have been built and five homes are currently under construction. To see our Windward East gallery of completed homes, click here.
In Windward Village, there are now just two lots available for custom-built homes, as well the custom-built Model Home (below), which is nearing completion.
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Lot 3 - Construction of this single-level custom home in Windward Village is progressing nicely. The well-designed floor plan includes an office, large mudroom and laundry, primary suite, and two additional bedrooms.
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Lot 2 - Only two lots remain (Lots #1 and #2) for sale for building a McPhee custom home in Windward Village. Both wooded lots are just steps from miles of walking/biking trails along Setucket Road in Dennis. Learn more
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The details of the wrap-around front porch on the Model Home are revealed. The shutters and the front door (with a four window block and dental shelf) are painted in a stately Benjamin Moore Charcoal Slate. |
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Eddie and Bo from White Wood Kitchens pause for a snapshot as they unload and deliver the quality custom cabinets for the lower level bar, kitchen and other rooms of the Model Home.
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The solid wood trim is installed on the fireplace surround with the mantel, built-in shelves and space for a flat screen TV—all to be painted in a semi-gloss white. Coming soon: cozy fire and Patriots games. |
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The lower level invites the light in with two walls of sliders that step out to a patio overlooking the private, wooded back yard. A bar, two bedrooms and a full bath are also on this level. See the functional floor plan.
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The following designs were created by our in-house architectural design team for two Cape Cod home projects—one in Brewster and one in West Yarmouth.
BREWSTER: The proposed designs shown below are the front and rear elevations for a major expansion and renovation of a modest Ranch (pictured). The home sits on a slope so incorporated into the designs are a side-load, two-car garage on the main level, and a third garage bay on the walk-out lower level.
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WEST YARMOUTH: This design is for a two level Cape-style home slated to replace a Ranch home (pictured) that is located in a flood zone near Lewis Bay. This flood-resilient raised home design shows a covered front porch with the primary suite on the left, and additional bedrooms on a new second level.
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This new construction home in Windward East was designed by McPhee Associates with a thoughtful floor plan that includes all the living space needed on one level. |
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A side view of the same home captures the side-load, 3-car garage with the roof adorned with a copper fish weathervane on a McPhee signature cupola (common to most Windward East homes). |
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This recent kitchen renovation by McPhee is finished with two-tone cabinetry and Cambria Notting Hill quartz counters with organic burgundy veins. The pendants are a minimalist matte white and burnished brass that cast a soft light over the island space.
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A Wolf cooktop and range hood and polished nickel pot filler center nicely within the custom-built stained oak cabinets and hood cover. (Look closely to see a spot lit starburst pattern in the hood.) Kitchen Design by Plymouth Rock Kitchens.
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And here we have the projects that are complete and ready to show! Below photographer Dan Cutrona hones in on the dining and kitchen area of a magnificent new construction home in Falmouth. We've named it Buzzards Bay Overlook.
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Below, photographer Amber Jane Barricman captures the dining and living room space graced with a stunning ocean backdrop. This full renovation project in Harwich Port is called Simplicity on the Sound.
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Follow us on social media to see progress photos and more McPhee projects. |
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NEW AND CHANGING POSITIONS |
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Ali Spillane
Ali has been with McPhee Associates as Administrative Assistant and Permitting Coordinator since 2016. She recently accepted the new role of Property Management Services & Permitting Coordinator.
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Dan Skinner
Dan brings his management experience, as well as a task-oriented, customer-service skill set to McPhee as Property Management Services Coordinator.
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Lindsey Kelley
Lindsey brings her extensive education, as well as two and a half years of previous administration work to McPhee Associates as Administrative Assistant.
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On a gusty but warm afternoon in September, the McPhee team (and some guests) took the afternoon off to unwind with good company and good food aboard the Lobster Roll from Sesuit Harbor in Dennis.🦞 |
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Stunning Before and After Home Renovations |
A home renovation comes with many benefits. It not only elevates aesthetic, but it enhances property value, lowers energy costs, and gives a home a new lease on life. Learn more about some recent McPhee renovations with some amazing before and after photos.
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Inspiring Home Architectural Details with Photo Examples |
Many intricate details work together to create an overall beautiful and highly functional aesthetic of the home. Here we explore some integral exterior and interior architectural details—with examples from McPhee projects—common to coastal communities like Cape Cod.
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How to Choose a Custom Home Builder |
Are you building your home from the ground up? If so, we recommend careful planning and research when choosing a custom home builder. Here we outline some preliminary steps and considerations that will help match your needs with the right home builder.
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SEASONAL CHECK-IN
The colder weather is creeping in and our Property Management team has started irrigation winterizations. Exterior winterizations of summer cottages, outdoor showers, spigots and foot washes are scheduled to begin in November. We will contact you if a repair is needed.
Check those gutters and downspouts!
Many homes experience clogged gutters and drywells before their seasonal fall clean out. Believe it or not, as rain water backs up, these small blockages can cause water to make its way over fascia board or a foundation wall and into your home. Not good.
Checking your gutters and downspouts and keeping them clear can save you from future emergencies and the headaches that come with them. Please call us to schedule a house check if you think your downspout or drywell might be blocked.
More seasonal tips:
Make sure all windows are closed.
Service the central humidifier as needed.
Turn off the dehumidifier.
Turn on and set the heat temperature
(consider installing a programmable thermostat).
Check back-up batteries in smoke alarms.
Check your fireplace.
Service your generator as needed.
Check for signs of water leaks after heavy rain.
Be prepared for extreme weather events.
Your home means everything.
Let us help you protect it.
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McPhee Associates Named Best Home Builder
Thank you for your votes! McPhee Associates of Cape Cod was named Best Home Builder in the Home and Home Services category at the 2022 Cape Cod’s Best of the Best awards gala held at the Sea Crest Hotel in Falmouth in August. McPhee Associates was also named a Best Home Repair/Remodeling Finalist in the same category. (Rob McPhee and Jon Phillips pictured.)
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Cape Cod Home
Summer 2022
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At Home on Cape cod
Fall/Winter 2022
Our renovated farmhouse project— Coastal Farmhouse Revival—was featured again. This time in At Home Magazine, published by Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod (HBRACC). This renovated farmhouse was also part of the well-attended Autumn House Tour in Dennis.
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REAL ESTATE MARKET NEWS
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) September report, existing-home sales throughout the country slipped 1.5% from August and 23.8% from the same time last year (September 2021). However, the median existing-home sales price was up 8.4% from one year ago. Obviously statistics will vary from region to region.
On Cape Cod, home sales are also down. The market has now seen a 20.7% decline in sales year over year for 2022. These numbers were to be expected as many buyers moved up their timelines in 2020 and 2021 to purchase properties during the height of the pandemic. With inventory depleted and new listings not coming on at a rapid pace, there is simply less out there than prior to 2020.
Having said that, home prices are still rising, although the pace has slowed. Last year at this time prices were rising at 30% year over year. The median sales price for January through July of this year, 2022, is up to 13.7%, or half of the increase we saw last year.
September Highlights for Barnstable County (compared to September 2021):
- Median Sales Price: $675,000 (+7.9%)
- Closed Home Sales: 333 (-20.7%)
- New Listings: 372 (-19.1%)
- Cumulative Days on the Market: 24 (+4.2%)
Year-to-Date (YTD) Highlights for Barnstable County (compared to YTD 2021):
- Median Sales Price: $689,950 (+13.7%)
- Closed Home Sales: 2,481 (-19.7%)
- New Listings: 3,164 (-14%)
- Cumulative Days on the Market: 28 (-34.9%)
(Highlights are for Single Family Homes, not condominiums or land.)
What can we expect in the coming months?
There is no doubt the market is cooling. Although, it's hard to predict what the housing market on Cape Cod will do in the coming months as it is still a high demand location. Inventory will likely remain low as homeowners hold on to their properties, therefore demand will continue to dictate price.
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On December 3rd, The Cape Playhouse in Dennis will host an afternoon of illumination and holiday cheer as they light the 32 historic lamp posts that grace the property. The history of these lamp posts dates back to 1930 when the original kerosene lamps were illuminated each evening at dusk. They have since been converted to electric and will be dressed in full greenery regalia for the public to enjoy through January 6th as a drive through or stroll along.
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Located in Brewster, Eat Cake for Breakfast has become an iconic Cape Cod bakery known for decadent pastries including the melt-in-your-mouth croissants. The owner and pastry chef is trained in classic French Pastry, although she stays true to her American roots creating pastries every foodie can enjoy. The scrumptious pies are perfect for the holidays. Flavors this year are Pear Cranberry Crumb in November and Chocolate Cream in December. Yum.
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Details Interiors in Harwich Port is a home décor boutique offering a wide array of furnishings— from furniture to one-of-a-kind throws and pillows. It's owned and operated by interior designer Carole King, who has provided design services to clients of McPhee and has a knack for transforming their visions and dreams into reality. Stop by the Harwich Port shop to browse the collection or consider Carole for your next interior design project.
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At McPhee, we truly believe that our clients are the heart of our business. Our goal is to consistently provide the best service possible, and in doing so, we would love to receive feedback from our clients.
We would be incredibly grateful if you would take a moment to leave us a Google review. This will help us let others learn of the value of our service.
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WE LOVE TO SHARE OUR WORK |
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