A McPhee Associates of Cape Cod Quarterly Newsletter | |
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Greetings!
It’s that time of year when the Cape slows down and residents prepare for the holidays and winter months ahead. I know not all of you are on the Cape during the winter, or many of you enjoy the holidays here in anticipation of a warmer destination after the new year. Whatever time you plan to spend on Cape Cod, the shoulder season still has ways enjoy the area. We have updated our Top Things to Do Off Season blog (link below) with some of those very things.
If you are a Property Management client, our PM Team is busy winterizing homes and preparing for scheduled inside work. As a reminder, please be sure to let Ali or Dan know if you are planning to spend the Thanksgiving holiday at your home so they can plan accordingly.
On a separate note, I recently returned from a Builder Roundtable in Florida. Twice a year, a group of non-competing peers in the industry, from around the country, come together. We bring in speakers and educators and use this time to brainstorm and share insights on our business. I always return full of ideas and motivation, which I try to harness to implement in the future.
What I find interesting about these meetings is that the building industry and real estate market in each region represented is unique – climate considerations, demographics, types of housing, regulations, etc. Although, we do share common challenges nationwide related to materials volatility, labor, and interest rates.
Here on the Cape, we have our own set of challenges with local zoning and new energy code requirements. However, we are working through them and are still very busy with inquiries coming in for both renovations and new construction. We have hired some new team members to help keep up with the demand. The real estate market is cooling slightly (details below), but it doesn’t seem to be affecting the demand for home improvement.
With that, I would also like to share that we received 3 BRICC Awards in October at the BRICC Awards Gala held by the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod. This event happens every other year and it is an honor to be recognized for our work. We also earned our first PRISM Award from BRAGB (Builders and Remodelers of Greater Boston), which we are thrilled about. See more about the award-winning projects in this issue.
As we approach the holidays, I can’t help but appreciate our business, our clients, our team, and all the effort everyone puts into their jobs. Building and renovating homes that bring ideas and dreams to life (and win awards!) is truly gratifying. But, knowing that generations of families come together to celebrate the holidays this time of year in the space we created is, as they say, priceless.
In closing, I want to thank you for your continued confidence in McPhee Associates and I wish you all a warm and abundant Thanksgiving holiday with those dearest to you.
Sincerely,
Rob McPhee
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We photographed two homes recently that have been added to our Portfolio. The first, Mill Point Seascape, is a custom new build. The second, Classic Cape Reimagined, is a full home remodel and large addition. Both were done in collaboration with architect Patrick Ahearn.
Mill Point Seascape is just steps from Mill Point Beach in West Harwich. It is a traditional Cape Cod home with classic architectural features like various style dormers, white cedar shingle siding, and red cedar shingle roof. A cupola, antique copper lanterns, and authentic hinged shutters and doors painted in Admiralty (PPG Paints), add to the coastal flair.
A patio with a pool and hot tub is thoughtfully designed into the back yard and sheltered for privacy.
(The front photo of each home includes a 'guest prop' of a stylish car, which is a signature Patrick Ahearn photo addition.)
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Classic Cape Reimagined was a full home renovation and addition project to a 1950 traditional Cape Cod house that overlooks Little Pleasant Bay in East Orleans. The intent was to update and renovate the home into a summer family home with a garage and in-law living space.
The combined house and addition blend beautifully with an intentional classic and historic look – achieved with white cedar shingles, antique slate-style roofing, traditional 6-pane windows and authentic hinged shutters in a timeless Essex green. A white board and batten façade with black accents gives the classic house a hint of contemporary.
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A recent progress photo of this new construction home on the Bass River in Dennis is designed to be reminiscent of a Sea Captain's house. Shown is the front entrance of the main house with recently installed black hinged shutters. | |  |
A side view of the same house – the section with the water and sunset views – is designed with multiple windows, a small balcony, and two rooms that will step out to an expansive patio. This home is designed and built by McPhee Associates. | | |
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The interior photo shown above was taken informally just before the owners moved into this waterfront Harwich Port home. The home features exquisite custom cabinetry and trim throughout.
Architect: Patrick Ahearn
Interior Design: Digs Design Company
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A pantry in the same Harwich Port home is a continuation of the custom cabinets, shown here with a mesh grille pattern above and brushed gold hardware. A mahogany counter surface matches the overhang on the kitchen island.
Architect: Patrick Ahearn
Interior Design: Digs Design Company
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Out in Eastham, things are progressing with this shingle style home near the Bay. Shown above is a view of the developing covered back porch. The masonry and foundation of the built-in hot tub and pool by Environmental Pools is in the foreground.
Architect: Peter McDonald
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Off to the right side of the same Eastham home, this photo shows another angle of the pool with the construction of the pool cabana behind, which will have a garage below. Ponderosa Landscaping has been busy on the landscaping.
Architect: Peter McDonald
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This is how it starts. Below are two home designs created by our talented in-house architectural design team. We work closely with the client, as well as the towns, to customize each home so it is well suited for the location, the lot, and the needs of the family. | |
Shown below is the front elevation design of a Cape Cod-style home that is now under construction. The location of this new construction home is in a flood zone near Lewis Bay in Yarmouth. It is replacing an older Ranch that was at risk of flooding. The new home is designed as a raised Cape that complies with new flood zone regulations. The classic Cape design with a Nantucket dormer, wraparound porch, and plenty of water view windows, is designed to last for years to come. | |
A view of the construction from a kayak on Lewis Bay. | | |
A closer view shows the design and details coming to life. | | |
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The architectural designs below are of a Gambrel home about to start construction on a wooded residential lot in Brewster that's close to Matt's Landing Beach. The lot has been cleared and the ground broken.
It is an exemplary design of a traditional New England coastal home with shingle siding, angled roof lines and a covered front porch. The first image shows the front elevation with a sunroom on the far right. The second image is the right elevation with a side entrance/mudroom connected to a side load garage. We can wait to see this one go up!
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Follow us on social media to see progress photos and more McPhee projects. | |
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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.
Windward East has sold out and we hope to share gallery photos of more of the newer homes in the coming months. To see our Windward East gallery of completed homes so far, click here.
In Windward Village, there are just two lots remaining for custom-built homes: Lot 1 and Lot 5. Visit Windward Village for more details.
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Shown below is both the home design and recent progress photo of Lot 9 in Windward Village. This design offers one level living with the classic style of a Cape. The walk-out lower level is planned for the future to include a finished family room, guest bedroom and full bath. | |
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It was a night of celebration. McPhee Associates was honored to receive three BRICC Awards at the 2023 BRICC Awards Gala, held by the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod (HBRACC). The Gala is a big night of recognition for the home building industry. This year, we were called to the stage three times – for two Gold awards and one Silver award.
Pictured below are (left to right): Jon, Laura, Ali, Kendra, Lindsey, Perry, Sue, Cathy and Rob McPhee. We sponsored the 'photo booth' where Lindsey, Ali, Laura and Kendra posed for a snapshot (lower right).
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A few weeks after the 2023 BRICC Awards Gala, the Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston (BRAGB) held their annual PRISM Award ceremony. The PRISM Awards recognize the finest projects and outstanding achievements of professionals in the home building industry of the Greater Boston area.
McPhee Associates won a Silver Award for Best Historical Renovation over $1M for Coastal Farmhouse Revival. This is the first PRISM Award we have earned and we are thrilled. We thank the homeowners for their contribution to this amazing transformation and recognition.
Learn More
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Buzzards Bay Overlook of Falmouth, a custom home built by McPhee Associates, got some attention this year. It was featured in Cape & Islands Design Guide over the summer, won a Gold BRICC award for Bathroom Design, and most recently was featured in Falmouth Living magazine with a generous 10-page photo spread and write up. This home was designed by architect, John Dvorsack and the photography by Dan Cutrona.
Learn more
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In early September, the McPhee team and their guests enjoyed an evening aboard the Lobster Roll Dinner Cruise out of Sesuit Harbor in Dennis. It was the perfect night – great company, good food and a killer sunset. | | |
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Best Things to Do on Cape Cod During the Off Season
Updated for 2023 ... Cape Cod is a cherished summer destination for many. However, the off season, including the winter, has its own unique appeal for those who live here year round. Here are some things that keep the locals busy during the off season.
Keep reading
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Award-Winning Coastal Farmhouse Renovation
A home renovation project in the Old King's Highway Historic District of Dennis recently earned accolades for McPhee Associates. Learn more about the renovation process of this award-winning farmhouse.
Keep reading
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10 Amazing Cape Cod Mudrooms
After a day at the beach or a trip to the market, the mudroom is the place to drop the bags and lose the shoes. In this blog, we’ve hand picked ten of our favorite mudrooms from recent custom home build or remodel projects.
Keep reading
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Irrigation and plumbing winterization
The clocks are set back and the cold weather has arrived. In addition to Fall clean ups and other scheduled services, our Team is currently in irrigation and exterior plumbing winterization mode.
If you are scheduled for these services with Property Management, we've either finished the work or will be getting to it soon. Otherwise, make sure your irrigation and plumbing is scheduled for winterization. It's getting cold quickly.
Check those gutters and downspouts!
Many homes experience clogged gutters and dry wells 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 dry well might be blocked.
More seasonal tips:
- Store deck and patio furniture
- Make sure all windows are closed and locked
- 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
Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule
McPhee Associates will be closed on Thursday, November 23rd and Friday, November 24th to celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. We will resume normal business hours on Monday, November 27th.
Please let us know if you are planning to spend the Thanksgiving holiday at your home so we can plan accordingly. Contact Ali Spillane or Dan Skinner with your plans.
Your home means everything.
Let us help you protect it.
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REAL ESTATE MARKET NEWS
Below are the year-to-date (January to September) real estate data highlights for Cape Cod (Barnstable County), in comparison to the same period last year.
In this issue, we're providing hyper-local data for Dennis, Brewster and Harwich as a comparison to the whole county. You will see that Sale Prices are starting to come down in Dennis and Brewster but still on the rise in Harwich. Overall, it's a sign that things are starting to cool off.
Real Estate Report Highlights for all of Barnstable County (YTD)
(January to September 2023 in comparison to same 9 month period in 2022)
- Closed Home Sales: 2105 (-16%)
- Median Sales Price: $715,000 (+3.6%)
- Cumulative Days on the Market: 38 (+35.7%)
- New Listings: 2539 (-19.8.1%)
See full report
Highlights for Dennis (YTD)
(January to September 2023 in comparison to same 9 month period in 2022)
- Closed Home Sales: 140 (-34.9%)
- Median Sales Price: $635,000 (-0.5%)
- Cumulative Days on the Market: 34 (+3%)
- New Listings: 216 (-16.91%)
See full report
Highlights for Brewster (YTD)
(January to September 2023 in comparison to same 9 month period in 2022)
- Closed Home Sales: 85 (-17.5%)
- Median Sales Price: $750,000 (-3.8%)
- Cumulative Days on the Market: 35 (+59.1%)
- New Listings: 100 (-20%)
See full report
Highlights for Harwich (YTD)
(January to September 2023 in comparison to same 9 month period in 2022)
- Closed Home Sales: 127 (-10.6%)
- Median Sales Price: $740,000 (+5.2%)
- Cumulative Days on the Market: 29 (+45%)
- New Listings: 164 (-3%)
See full report
(Note: All highlights are Single Family home sales only.)
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Cape Cod & The Islands magazine is a locally owned, independent magazine that highlights the people, places, and experiences that make life in the region unique. It feature stories about local talent, businesses and non-profits – with features in home design, art, food, travel and community. The magazine itself is a work of art, with stunning photography and original art printed on 100-percent recycled fiber paper. Gift idea: Support local business with a subscription for a friend or neighbor.
Visit website
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Located in Orleans on Route 6A, Las Chidas is a new Taco + Bar featuring SoCal inspired food. Think gourmet tacos, farm fresh ingredients, artistic ambiance and over 40 labels of tequila. Choose your tequila and the bartender will create your mix! They also have one of the best mocktail selections around, including a Cucumber Elderflower Fizz with muddled cucumber and elderflower syrup. Open 7 days a week year round, this is the perfect go to for casual dining any night of the week.
Visit website
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The holiday season has arrived and you'll find some kind of festive stroll or tree lighting ceremony in most of the villages across Cape Cod. Our favorites include the Chatham Christmas by the Sea Stroll, the Christmas in Harwich Weekend Festival, and the Holly Folly in Provincetown. For a real treat, take one of the running ferries out of Hyannis to Nantucket for their Christmas Stroll the first weekend of December, which is a weekend full of holiday delight and small town charm. See our latest blog for more holiday happenings.
Visit blog
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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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