A McPhee Associates of Cape Cod Quarterly Newsletter |
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Greetings to all. Spring is officially here and I have to say, this is a great time to be on Cape Cod. The busy summer months haven’t quite hit, but the Cape is beginning to “reenergize” with seasonal businesses reopening, Brewster in Bloom happening this weekend, golfers on the tee, and outdoor projects underway.
With Earth Day just passing, some of the content in this newsletter is timely. You will see that our recent blogs focus on energy efficiency in homes and making smart choices when building new or renovating.
While I believe there are benefits to building green or adding energy-efficient solutions -- especially in older homes -- it is still important to consider the cost vs. the savings and/or the long-term environmental impact. With all the solutions and new technologies out there -- from smart thermostats to solar panels -- it’s hard to know which companies and products will serve you best. These blogs dig into this and provide resources and products to learn more about.
On a similar subject, you may have noticed in local town news that water bans are in effect, and in some towns they are stricter than ever. Read more about this, along with links to the updates in Mid Cape towns, in our Property Management update.
On the business side of things, we are still facing supply and labor shortages. As you are probably aware, this is not just on Cape Cod but throughout the country. There are improvements on the horizon, but due to months -- even years now -- of these shortages, we are still scheduling out further than we have ever had to.
I know I have said it before but we encourage all of our clients to plan ahead and please be prepared for unforeseen scheduling setbacks. Again, thank you for your continued patience, support and understanding during these challenging times.
Happy Spring!
Sincerely,
Rob McPhee
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WINDWARD EAST & WINDWARD VILLAGE
Located in 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, seven custom homes have been built and six homes are currently under construction. To see our Windward East gallery of completed homes, click here.
There are currently four lots still available in Windward Village for custom-built homes, and the Model Home (below) is under construction.
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The design of the Model Home offers an exceptional floor plan that features an open concept living space, office, main level primary suite, and a full walk-out lower level. Take a look
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The Model Home is now under construction on Lot 8 and is scheduled for a late 2022 delivery. One other home site has broken ground and is under construction in Windward Village. |
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REAL ESTATE SALES
Did you know that McPhee Associates offers a full range of real estate services? We have licensed Massachusetts real estate brokers on our team who are highly experienced in both buyer and seller residential home sales.
If you are considering a home sale or a new home purchase, we would be honored to represent you as your trusted advisor and partner in your next real estate transaction.
McPhee Associates Realty is excited to currently offer the following two beautiful homes for sale. For more information, contact Sean Kilmain.
Contact Sean Kilmain at 508-385-2704
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3 Surrey Lane, Dennis (Windward)
(Under Contract)
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33 Tanglewood Dr., West Yarmouth
Just Listed!
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Shown below is an example of a detached garage design that our architectural design team is working on. It is designed to compliment our client's existing home (pictured below) and reflect its architectural character. The proposed building is a carriage house-style garage with a heated loft and full bath above.
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This new construction home in West Harwich is nearing completion. Shown here is a covered side porch with harbor glimpses. Architectural design: Patrick Ahearn Architect.
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Another view of the same West Harwich new build shows the back patio with detailed trim, sky light and outdoor wood-burning fireplace. This patio will overlook a built-in pool in the back yard. |
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A stunning new build overlooking a Cape Cod harbor on a clear, early Spring day. Architect: SV Design
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An interior view of the same harbor home shows progress being made on the stone fireplace in the family room. |
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We've got the blues. Cobalt blue garage doors against natural shingles offer a quintessential nautical pop in this new build by McPhee Associates. |
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Blue tones, greys and natural wood cabinets are still trending in many McPhee new construction homes like this one in Chatham. |
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These two photos of recent McPhee full renovations in Dennis Village show outdoor living space at its finest.👌 (Photography: Amber Jane Barricman) |
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Follow us on social media to see progress photos and more McPhee projects. |
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Cape Cod homes: transitioning to energy-efficient solutions |
Many homes on Cape Cod – from cottages to condos – were built as summer residences. As a result, a lot these homes cannot withstand cold winter months. They may have minimal insulation, no heat, or electric baseboard that racks up sky-high bills.
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Net Zero homes: what are they and how to design and build one? |
Net-zero is more than just a buzzword when it comes to home building – net zero homes are powering the future of the U.S. housing market. They not only provide Cape Cod homeowners with net-zero energy costs, they are a significant step towards a carbon-free future.
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What are the best energy saving solutions for your home? |
If you are building a new home, remodeling an existing home, or making home improvements, it is the perfect opportunity to make some smart choices.
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McPhee Associates Makes Top Five!
McPhee Associates is one of the five MOST NOMINATED Builders on Cape Cod for the upcoming 2022 Cape Cod's Best Choice Awards.
Voting opens May 10th. We would greatly appreciate your vote for McPhee Associates when the polls open. We will be sure remind you 😊
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McPhee Associates was spotlighted in a special 50th Anniversary spread in Cape Cod Home's 2022 Annual Guide, which highlights recent BRICC award recipients. Rob shares some memories of the early McPhee years. Thank you Cape Cod Home for the feature!
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Town Water Restrictions for 2022
Mandatory restrictions on outdoor watering are being implemented and enforced for the spring and summer, and in some towns they are stricter than ever. Most restrictions occur on a given schedule like odd and even days, house numbers or specific days of the week.
In Chatham, there is full ban on watering including watering established lawns, shrubs, or flower gardens; washing vehicles and other outdoor surfaces; and topping off of swimming pools or hot tubs. Fines for second and third offenses are $100 and $200 respectively.
There are exceptions. For example, in Dennis, water restrictions do no apply to vegetable gardens for human consumption, and in most towns watering new lawns and plants is allowed during an establishment period.
IMPORTANT: If you are not occupying your home during the restrictions, make sure your irrigation is set accordingly and know that it can shift week to week depending on the town schedule of odd and even days. Below are links to the water departments in mid-cape towns.
Property Management Check-List
Spring is officially here and as the weather gets warmer many of you are returning or spending more time at your home. A general recommendation from our Property Management Team is to do a full walk around your home and make note of anything that may need attention.
Some things to check for include:
- Small trees or branches that are down;
- Siding and shingles for rot;
- Woodpecker holes in the siding;
- Overgrown shrubs or bushes encroaching on the house;
- Holes in the ground near porches or decks for burrowing animals;
- Inside, signs of rodents (droppings under the sink);
- Water damage spots in ceiling or walls;
- Water leaks under sinks.
We are currently performing our routine spring checks and scheduled maintenance. If there is anything you may need, please contact the Property Management Team so we can get you on the schedule.
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REAL ESTATE MARKET NEWS
The latest report from Cape Cod & Islands Association of Realtors (CCIAOR) includes Barnstable County real estate market updates for the first quarter (January to March 2022). The biggest news, which was not unexpected, is the decline in home sales. The total number of residential real estate sales fell by 22% for the first quarter compared to the 1st quarter of 2021. There is simply very little inventory.
Consequently, the median sales price increased and a record number of Cape Cod homes sold above asking price. More than 53% of the properties that closed in March went for above list price, making March 2022 one of the highest months seen throughout this historic run on Cape Cod real estate for homes closing above list price.
Q1 Highlights for Barnstable County (compared to Q1 2021):
- Median Sales Price: $650,000 (increased +10.2%)
- Closed Home Sales: 663 (decreased -22.5%)
- New Listings: 766 (decreased -11.3%)
- Days on the Market: 35 (decreased -52.1%)
(Stats shown above are for Single Family Homes only, not condominiums or land.)
What can we expect in the coming months?
In addition to interest rates rising above 5%, there are new mortgage rules in place with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Effective April 1, 2022, the upfront fees for mortgage loans on second homes increases between 1.125% and 3.875%. Fees will vary based on the loan-to-value ratio.
So, with interest rates rising and new rules on second home loans in place, we may see a rise in cash sales. However, there are only so many buyers with all cash options. National forecasters are predicting that later this year there will be, at most a housing bubble, but more likely a modest adjustment due buyer hesitancy and rising rates.
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Chapin's Bayside Restaurant in Dennis reopened on April 14th and is ready for the season! This A-list classic eatery serves up traditional Cape Cod seafood, locally-sourced burgers, tacos, and other American favorites. They also offer catering. Enjoy live music on Thursdays through Sundays with some local talent.
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The Annual Cape Cod Jazz Festival at the Wequassett Resort & Golf Club in Harwich is back for its 18th season. Spread out weekly over the summer, each performance is set under stars and can be enjoyed with dinner, drinks and dancing. The 2022 lineup hasn't been announced yet, but rumor has it there will be some returns from last year.
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Established in 1959, The Nauset Lantern Shop in Orleans offers handcrafted lanterns & lighting fixtures in copper, brass and pewter. They are reproductions of early American, colonial, onion and nautical marine style lighting. On any new home or remodel, a quality crafted lantern or light makes an exceptional statement.
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Edible Cape Cod
Since 2004, Edible Cape Cod has helped shape the local food movement on Cape Cod. As a free, local magazine and a resourceful website, its mission is “celebrating the abundance of local foods, season by season”. Stories and features enlighten us about all those who make the local food movement here on Cape Cod stronger than ever.
Edible Cape Cod has recently published the 2022 List of Farmers' Markets for the season. You can find a local market on Cape every day of the week this year!
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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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