A McPhee Associates of Cape Cod Quarterly Newsletter | |
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Greetings!
Winter has certainly made its presence known on Cape Cod this year. In late January, a blast of Arctic air brought bitterly cold temperatures to Massachusetts. In response, our Property Management team took proactive measures, including turning off the water at client homes and opening cabinet doors to prevent freezing pipes. During routine house checks, we continue to turn water on and off to ensure proper water flow and check for any potential issues at homes we oversee. Our priority is to stay ahead of the weather and protect client homes from unexpected challenges.
With winter still in full swing, we’re keeping a close eye on upcoming weather conditions and will keep our clients informed. In the meantime, our team is here to help you prepare for the changing seasons with answers to some frequently asked spring home maintenance questions. See below.
Since our last newsletter, we’ve been busy. We’re excited to share that a few of our projects have been spotlighted in the press. We’ve also started several new building and remodeling projects while continuing to make progress on ongoing ones, including a phased renovation of a Harwich Port home, which you can read more about below.
In this edition, we’re also sharing insights on the best kitchen appliance brands for 2025, highlighting some local architects we enjoy working with, and exploring the benefits of net-zero homes. Plus, we’re featuring a couple of our favorite local vendors and a fun, historic spot where you can catch a movie.
As we look ahead, if you’re thinking about a new project, we’d love to hear about it! Feel free to reach out—we’re always happy to chat and see how we can help bring your vision to life.
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter and for your continued support.
Stay warm and take care,
Sincerely,
Rob McPhee
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FAQ - Spring Home Maintenance | |
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With spring just around the corner, our Property Management team wanted to share answers to a few common questions about home maintenance tasks to tackle this coming season.
1. How often should I have my air ducts cleaned?
Answer: Every 3-5 years but only if your air ducts have visible mold growth, are infested with vermin, are clogged with dust and debris or if someone in your household suffers from allergies or unexplained symptoms or illnesses. Note: Not every HVAC vendor provides duct cleaning services. Learn more about the EPA’s recommendations for air duct cleaning.
2. How often should I have my septic tank pumped?
Answer: This will vary depending on how often the home is used. A good rule of thumb is a septic system should be pumped at least once every three years, according to Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
3. Why does my water have a sulfuric (rotten eggs) smell when I turn it back on in the spring?
Answer: This is because of gas buildup in the pipes due to inactivity over the winter. For our Property Management clients who request their water to be turned off in the winter to protect against pipe freeze, we advise allowing us to turn the water on during our regular inspections (and then off again) and exercise the system to avoid this from happening.
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Before-and-After Home Repair
Spring is an ideal time to take care of smaller exterior maintenance items before they become bigger issues down the road. Recently, our Property Management team replaced this corner board and rake trim that showed signs of rot. To complete the project, we'll follow up with a fresh coat of paint.
If you’re in need of home repair services, feel free to reach out to Dan Skinner and our Property Management team at pm@mcpheeassociatesinc.com.
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NOTE TO OUR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CLIENTS - Spring Services
Our Property Management team will begin scheduling our spring services soon, which could include everything from washing windows and reactivating outdoor showers and irrigation systems to re-installing window and door screens and setting up patio furniture. If you are a Property Management client and have questions about the tasks you’ve requested, please reach out to Dan Skinner and our Property Management team at pm@mcpheeassociatesinc.com.
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Instead of renovating an entire house at once, some clients will opt to remodel their home in phases. Take the project Timeless Remodel on Saquatucket Bluffs in Harwich Port for example. Right now, we’re transforming the first-floor primary bath and upgrading the deck. But in earlier renovation phases, as seen here, we’ve revamped the kitchen, living room, dining area, and powder room; upgraded interior casings and moldings; updated the home’s façade; and remodeled the second floor into two separate bedroom suites.
Check out the results of earlier renovation phases for this thoughtfully designed project. We can’t wait to see the new primary bath and redesigned deck space once they are complete.
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An inside view of a home we demolished earlier this month to make way for the construction of a new seven-bedroom home overlooking Nantucket Sound in Harwich Port.
{Architect: Peter Zimmerman Architects}
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Masonry work is currently underway for an outdoor kitchen in Harwich Port, with a protective tent in place to shield the site from winter weather. | | |
In our fall newsletter, we featured the architectural designs for this new three-bedroom home in Eastham. Just a few months later, what was once only foundation footings has transformed into the framework of a house. | | |
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In our summer newsletter, we showed the early framing stages of another three-bedroom home we are building in Eastham. Here it is today with exterior work almost complete.
{Architect: Peter McDonald}.
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A kitchen with a breathtaking view of the bay is receiving an updated look, complete with cabinets, countertops, flooring, and lighting fixtures, all designed to create a fresh, inviting atmosphere. | | |
As part of the renovation of a West Dennis home, our team is giving this dining room fireplace a fresh, new look. | | |
For this newsletter edition, we are highlighting two new homes designed by our team – an adapted colonial and a traditional Cape. | |
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Adapted Colonial with views of Hyannis Harbor
This two-story colonial was designed to capture views of Hyannis Harbor. Along with enjoying the picturesque harbor scenery, the clients have a longstanding family tradition of watching the town’s annual Fourth of July fireworks over Lewis Bay together. To maximize harbor views, our team designed a rooftop widow’s walk and a second-floor deck that connects to a large family room via an expansive 16-foot-wide slider. The large family room, built for entertaining, will have a wet bar and ample space to host family and friends.
The approximately 4,200-square-foot home will have four-bedrooms on the second floor and a luxurious primary suite on the first floor (far right), which will feature cathedral ceilings and a shed dormer for an added "wow" factor that adds plenty of natural light.
For additional curb appeal, stone veneer will adorn the foundation walls, complemented by flared shingles above. The formal entry will include a flared beautiful copper roof, and the covered side porch entry will display decorative brackets that mirror the graceful curves of the main entry.
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Three-bedroom Traditional Cape in Chatham
Our team designed a two-story, 2,800-square-foot traditional Cape to replace a 600-square-foot, two-bedroom ranch in Chatham. Due to the lot's constraints, all three bedrooms of the new home will be located on the second floor, including the spacious primary suite, which will have its own private balcony.
The main floor is designed for both functionality and flow with a central staircase, a welcoming family room, and an open-concept kitchen and dining area that's ideal for gatherings. Additional highlights include a powder room, a dual-purpose mudroom and laundry area as well as a sunroom with skylights to bathe the space in natural light.
The home’s exterior blends classic New England elements, such as a covered front porch with a gently sloped roof, a Nantucket dormer, and a timeless fieldstone chimney, creating a design that’s as inviting as it is enduring.
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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, but you can view our Windward East gallery of completed homes at the link above.
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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Sea Oaks Splendor Cover Feature | | |
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We’re excited to announce that a recent construction project we designed and built in the Windward East neighborhood captured the cover of the fall/winter issue of At Home on Cape Cod magazine. Cover photo by Amber Jane Barricman Photography
This issue also features an insightful interview with our founder, Bob McPhee, and his son, Rob McPhee, the company president, about how the business began more than 50 years ago and the changes they’ve witnessed in the building industry over that time.
You can read both stories here.
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Harborside Home Refresh Featured in Cape Cod & The Islands | | |
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Best Kitchen Appliance Brands in 2025
Discover the top kitchen appliance brands we trust and recommend based on our firsthand experience in custom home building and remodeling.
Keep reading
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Best Cape Cod Architects for Custom Homes & Remodeling
In addition to offering our own architectural design services, we've collaborated with top-tier firms whose exceptional work we highly recommend. See a list of our trusted collaborators.
Keep reading
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Net Zero Homes: What Are They and How to Design/Build Them
Learn more about the benefits of net-zero homes and the design/build tips for constructing your own sustainable dream home.
Keep reading
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REAL ESTATE MARKET NEWS - 2024 Year in Review
The Cape Cod and Islands Association of REALTORS®, Inc. has released its 2024 report on Cape Cod’s housing market, offering a detailed look at single-family and condominium sales in Barnstable County.
According to the annual report, over the past year, new listings, pending sales, and closed sales have all risen. At the same time, median and average sales prices continue their steady climb, signaling there is still strong demand for Cape housing.
However, there are indications that the market may be cooling slightly. Homes and condos are spending more time on the market compared to last year, and sellers are receiving a smaller percentage of their original asking price. In 2024, sellers received an average of 96.7% of their initial listing price—the second consecutive year of decline in this metric.
What lies ahead for Cape Cod’s housing market in 2025? Will the recent uptick in listings and sales activity persist? Will home prices continue their upward trajectory?
For the full report, and a closer look at the inventory supply and sales data for individual towns, click here.
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KAM Appliances has been a family-owned business since the 1970s, just like us. Known for friendly and knowledgeable customer service, they take the time to answer questions and help customers find the right appliances to fit their needs and budget. They also have a Service & Parts department that offers support and repairs to ensure appliances run smoothly for years to come. If you are in the market for new kitchen or laundry appliances, stop by one of their three showroom locations: Hanover, Nantucket or Hyannis.
Visit website
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For over 60 years, Nauset Lantern has handcrafted historically-inspired lighting and nautical lanterns on Cape Cod, a tradition now carried forward by owners Christopher and Kelly Berardi. Made from copper, brass, or pewter, each lantern is meticulously crafted in-house and engraved with a unique serial number—an homage to Nauset Lantern founder Arie Oppelaar. Their work was even featured on HGTV’s Houses with History in 2023. You can explore their lighting collection online or order a custom lantern designed just for you.
Visit website
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Along with the many shopping and dining opportunities along Main Street in Chatham, you’ll find the historic Chatham Orpheum Theatre. Originally opened in 1916, the theatre was restored and reopened over a decade ago and now shows a diverse mix of films -- from contemporary blockbusters to indie gems and documentaries.
Next time you’re in downtown Chatham, stop by the Orpheum, grab a drink at the bar and a slice of Pizza Shark pizza before heading to your movie seat to enjoy the show.
Visit website
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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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