Annie Hart Cool's... The Coolest Realtor on Cape Cod

Century 21 Shoreland Real Estate- Cape Cod

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:06:01 -0800

Our mission is to optimize the home purchase or home sale experience for our clients and to professionally serve within our community.

Vision:Our vision is to employ industry best practices, personal accountability and professional standards in a competency culture to provide real estate services to our clients as trusted advisors and Realtors.

By building an operating environment that fosters teamwork, innovation and a passion for excellence, our team at Century 21 Shoreland delivers superior individualized service to optimize the client experience.

We achieve our vision by helping our clients realize their dreams of home ownership and establishing life long personal and professional relationships with honesty, loyalty and trust.

If you know of someone who would appreciate the level of service we provide, please contact us.

Areas of Expertise

Together with my synergistic team, we are able to professionally serve our clients as Trusted Advisors and Realtors in the following areas:

Primary Home Ownership Second Home Ownership

Sales of Primary & Second Homes First Time Home Buyers

Commercial Real Estate Luxury Homes

Vacation Real Estate Investment Properties

1031 Tax Exchange Rentals-Summer & Year Round

Bank Owned Properties Short Sales

Home & Equity Loss Prevention Real Estate Risk Mitigation

247 Central Ave, Cape Cod Water Front... Luxurious

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 06:16:51 -0800

Tuscan-like patio's extends around this Contemporary water side home with paths snaking down to the water where boating and swimming have been the norm for home owners. Classic Contemporary with optimized water views from the living area of the home and master bedroom. Floor to ceiling windows with no need for curtains bring the outside in and scream PRIVACY! Lovely hardwood floors, gas fireplace and top shelf cooks kitchen. First floor living possible! Walk out basement with opportunity to make a recreation room or Media center. Master Suite has walk in closet with window for natural light, large master bath with soaking whirlpool tub... watch the tides change from hi to low from this lovely master. 4 bedrooms but these owners use one of the rooms for a den/playroom.247 Central Ave, Cape Cod... Check this Link out!~

77 Coonamessett Circle- Cape Cod Privacy with great Amenities

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 06:00:53 -0800

Privacy abounds! Contemporary ranch on private lot in Lochstead. Open floor plan with fireplace, over sized windows, screened in porch which brings the out side in. Master suite with master bath. One car garage attached with car door opener. Extra storage shed behind garage. Air conditioned...private back yard. Recessed lighting, stainless appliances, easy floor plan. Eat in Kitchen and Dining room. Surprising space in this first floor living ranch. Private, quiet and close to Route 151. House positioned between Falmouth and Mashpee, easy for commuters, quick access to Mashpee Commons. Pool, tennis courts, Coonamessett pond, (swimming and boating). Great community close to everything or your own quiet isolation. You choose.

The Power of the "Check List"...Listing, closing, buying...

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 05:48:34 -0800

I don't know about you...but when I have 10 deals going at the same time the Check List... keeps me on track and moving forward. My internal computer is not what it used to be ...so a friendly reminder on paper and in my sellers/buyers file...keeps me organized and heading toward a successful close. I even share my check list with the sellers/buyers and invite them to help me with the process. This way... if I haven't checked the check list...I am not the only one paying attention.

CHECK LIST FOR SELLING YOUR PROPERTY

SELLER'S RESPONSIBILIES

________New Deed preparation

________Title V Certificate of Compliance

________Smoke Detector Inspection (schedule at your local Fire Department)

This certificate of compliance is required at the closing.

________ Schedule final water reading/final water bill amount

Schedule gas, electricity final readings.

If you heat with oil, have your oil tank topped off

________Picture Identification (e.g. Driver's License) Bring with you to closing.

________Social Security Number (tax I D number)

________Certificate of Occupancy and Certificate of Compliance (for new construction)

Must have 2 weeks before closing.

________Copy of Tax Bill and paid receipt for most recent tax period

________Name of Bank where mortgage is being held and phone number, account #

and name on account and give to the lawyer

_______ "Certificate of no assessment" from the Association in which your property is

located. This states that you have paid your Association dues in full prior to

transferring the property.

Every area is different. But maybe a check list is all you need to move you to a successful close.

Realtors meet the most interesting people...some touch us...

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 05:40:07 -0800

A gift of my job is the wonderful people who I am likely to meet. I was referred to a man named Pat through my accountant. She warned me that he was in his late 80's, had been "through" a couple of other Realtors and was best described as cantankerous. Dear Pat.

He had reasons to be cantankerous. His younger wife was leaving him, divorcing in fact because she didn't sign on for "old age". The house he had built, enjoyed and was comforted by had to be sold as part of the settlement. He had been a "money man" all his life. Wall Street thrilled him. He spoke to me often of the Bull and The Bear and would quiz me on occasion as to which market we were in on any given day.

He was Italian at birth. He stood all of 5 feet. He had a limp in his left side from a bad hip. He would say ... "too much time on the planet, I guess". Because of his mobility he had rigged a system from the top floor (raised ranch) to the bottom floor of a paint bucket on a pulley to cart needed items up and down the stairs. He once offered me a ride which I willingly declined.

He would call on the phone and yell. Sometimes in his native language about the lack of showings, the infrequency of ads, the terrible photos... and then he would call back and say ..."Bubbles, I am an ass. You know I love you."

And I did. I did know he loved me.

He had a boat he loved and took care of like it was his child. Teak oil and polish in the spring after the shrink wrap was removed. It was a sad day when a young neighbor came and pulled it out of his drive way. I was there, to steady him and to salute the "old girl" as she left. He may have shed a tear but would not have let me see it. He said..."Damn my brothers for making me sell it. Damn them for thinking I am too old to be out on the open sea. Damn, Damn, Damn." He was the oldest of several boys....now old men themselves. I said a little prayer... "Bless them for making him sell it... Bless them."

He owned a restaurant for years and loved to ‘hold court'. He sold it when his young wife wanted out of the business. "Biggest mistake I ever made" he would say ... and I wondered if he meant the young wife (now divorcing him) or the selling of the restaurant. The Restaurant was his retirement job. He was a remarkable cook.

I would arrive to his home for a showing and the scent of clove or basil or coriander would be overpowering. A plate wrapped in saran wrap sitting on the chopping block table with a note: "Bubbles, I know you are trying to lose weight but you must try this... and besides, there is more of you to love."

The clients would think "how cute, the old man has a girlfriend".

He invited me shooting one day. How could I refuse? We went to Centerville down some dirt road to a club set with different ranges of paper people with rings around their torso. He took from his trunk 15 boxes of guns. Each gun had a story. Each had its own personal meaning. I used to love to shoot. As a girl I would earn badges in Girl Scouts for various talents with guns... I was a country girl. Pat handed me a pistol that felt so good in my hand. It is hard to explain. Like a pen that writes well or a leather wallet that makes you happy when you touch it. This gun fit. This Parabellum-Pistole was easy to shoot, very little kick and truly my favorite. Soon the men at the shooting range came over to review Pat's cache of guns and learn more about the woman with the pistol. With a beam in his eye he said "Bubbles is using a 1908 Luger I took off a German who was trying to steal your freedom boys. I was 18 and at war." He wouldn't let anyone else hold it that day. Just me. He told of the other guns he had and where they had come from like a grandfather raving about his grand children. I was glad I had on sun glasses so he couldn't see my tears.

A man at the end of his life.

He moved into an Assisted Living facility before the house was sold. So I would go on Thursday night when he held "Casino Night" for his peers. All 5 feet of him dressed in a vest with a straw hat, white shirt and red arm band.... Pat was running the show like a charlatan selling snake oil. He always had a full house and always had crazy gifts for the winners...Like dinner in his apartment, homemade stew, cookies for a week. I did note most of the players were women...which didn't hurt his ego one bit.

His brother has a home on the water in Falmouth and he called to invite me to a St Patrick's Day feast. I said but Pat you are Italian... and he said..."Bubbles, both countries start with an "I", come to dinner I want you to meet my daughters." Like every other meal he'd ever indulged me in... the Corned Beef was delightful. The home made wine a treat and meeting his grown (older than me) daughters a trip. His eldest daughter pulled me in the kitchen and told me to stop "leading him on". I laughed. She was hurt. I invited Pat to explain our relationship and he said... "I'd rather not". I decided a battle not worth fighting.

I learned that day of the wounds of his family. I learned of the distance between him and his girls. The miles of unspoken hurt. He was not an easy man. We never know the sins of our parents. Do we?

My husband never met Pat. But loved the food I would bring home to him from Pat's Kitchen. My husband went to battle for me when he thought I was being yelled at too much by the "little Italian" and loved that Pat called me Bubbles. My husband saw my treatment of Pat the same as my treatment of all my trusted clients. And I think, was a smidge jealous that I got to shoot a Luger.

The house sold finally. Pat's brother the attorney called and yelled. I yelled back. Pat called and yelled. I yelled back. His ex wife called and said ...do you see why I left him? I agreed. The house closed. The money was deposited and I got the call...

"Bubbles, will you come for dinner?"

He made me the most amazing beef I have ever had. He sat me on the couch with a TV tray, his home made wine and a meal I will never forget. He brought out the photos and paintings of a younger man who was Gary Grant gorgeous, although still 5 foot tall. He told me of his first wife and apologized for his daughter's behavior. He spoke of his ‘philandering" as a young man and his propensity to flirt (no secret there). He was proud to announce he had put in a bocce court at the assisted living residence and had been getting people out of their wheel chairs to play. He felt more alive there with people around then he did in the old house. Opera played in the background and he would stop and explain what Verdi meant by the passage being sung. His eyes closed his face toward the sky his wine glass moving with the cadence of the music as he told me of the tragic love or funny mischief in the song. He was a character. A true character.

He was a curmudgeon. He was cantankerous. He was a flirt. He had a temper. He was opinionated and stubborn. He had "time on Planet".

When I was riding my bike through Tuscany with my friend Alyse, my husband called me to tell me Pat had died. I would miss the funeral.

My husband, with out my asking, took the day off from work to represent me at the church. When he emailed me of the event he said Pat would have liked to have had me there. My husband was shook by the awful things said about Pat by his daughter from the pulpit. So this story, this recollection is my eulogy. To a man I will never forget.

With much love....Bubbles.

Falmouth Rotary sends Shelter to Haiti

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 07:43:29 -0800

WOW. Sometimes you just have to say it...WOW!

When the Haiti Earthquake rocked our world, literally. The World responded. The Falmouth Rotary made headlines by taking a Shelter Boxand holding a 24 hour vigil on the Common in downtown Falmouth. Brave Rotarian's and Young Professionals slept in the tent 'City' while the temperatures sunk to 12 degrees. The goal was to raise enough money to send as many Shelter Boxes to Haiti as possible from our small Cape Cod Community.

That effort raised 8,000 dollars which meant 8 shelter boxeswould be sent from Falmouth Rotary to Haiti which translates into 80 people would have shelter and supplies from the Shelter Boxes.

Well, the local 4th grade class decided to join in the effort and held a book sale with all proceeds to go to the Shelter Box effort. Unbelievable. The Falmouth Rotary supported with some of our members purchasing books, installing a shelter box at the book sale and showing up to help with the press for the event.

Those 4th Graders raised over $2,000 dollars to add to the Falmouth Rotary's efforts. Amazing.

Two more boxes... off to Haiti... Over 30,000 boxes to date have gone from USA via Rotary International to Haiti to provide much needed Shelter. Thank you 4th Graders!

Real Estate and the Broken Neck!

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:57:29 -0800

Sure we all have on some occasion have thought Real Estate is a pain in the neck...but I have taken this to new heights. Having always had a flare for the dramatic, in early fall I managed to break my neck. It's true! Not selling houses, not falling down some basement stairs, not by being in a car wreck no... I chose an easier softer way to change my life...YOGA! Upward dog can really screw you up if you have lived an "extreme life" and have degenerating discs! Yes it is true.

So after major surgery and the installation of a mechanical neck and three cadaver discs (thank you donors) I have my head securely on my shoulders attached by titanium. Aside from the inconvenience of setting off every metal detector for the rest of my life... And let me tell you... all the other agents, buyers, sellers and attorneys know when I have arrived at the registry of deeds because... all the alarms go off. Now, I think I mentioned I have a flair for the dramatic...but these kinds of entrances I could have lived without!

I have not yet received permission to fly but I am certain my air travel from here on in will be equally noisey and raise suspicion. oh, yippee.

So Real Estate and the new neck. I was given permission to go back to work part time and handed the keys to my car on February 1st. I thought, a nice slow reentry into the business would be great...

But with glee and anticipation... I have 9 listings 4 contracts and three offers pending! Hello it is day 22 of my reentry. The Real Estate Gods are challenging the NEW NECK!

So things I can not yet do... Don't ask me to check the spot on the ceiling ...I can't look up. Don't ask me to duck going into the basement... that won't be happening for at least 6 months. Oh, you need your smoke detector changed out... Honey, I can't even look up to see you smoke detector.

Did you need me to carry the sign? Sorry... can't lift anything more than 3 pounds...Gravity is my biggest Nemesis... at the end of the day, even titanium is heavy.

Neurosurgeon says by June I should be able to dance, by August I may be able to play tennis...but my sky diving and skiing days are over.

So when I say Real Estate is a pain in the neck... I am not even kidding. The other consolation: The rest of me will droop but the neck will always be erect. (Is that a good thing?)

Promote yourself, you never know when you will get the call....

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 07:35:39 -0800

I got the call on my cell phone, a number I didn't recognize? The man on the other line said..." Is this the "Coolest" Realtor on Cape Cod". But of course... I replied. He said he had met me 11 years ago at a local networking event and had kept my card. 11 years... I thought, wow... I must have made an impression?

He and his family have been living in Georgia for the last 7 years but had held on to their Cape Cod Home for summer fun. Now, with his job ending, he needed to sell the Cape Cod home so that he could protect his family while looking for a new job in a declining job market. He and his wife were sad but resolved with the need to move on.

He fed exed me a key... The house is magnificent. I will honestly say... the only house in 12 years of real estate I would have considered putting my house on the market to purchase for myself. Of course, it was a bit of a mess as they had left in a hurry to get back to Georgia after Labor day... They said they would fly up and clean it! I said that is silly... I can get people to do it for little money...certainly less than the plane fare...

The property was on the market 2 days, with 35 showing and 6 competing offers... The sellers are psyched, the buyer is over the moon excited and the closing date is set..

Oh, yeah, I am the "Coolest" realtor on Cape Cod.... But in retrospect... this will always be the house that got away... maybe when I am ready to sell... it will be back on the market!

The Power of Keeping in Touch....

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 07:15:26 -0800

Six years after I sold this sweet little Cape with large yard and one car garage, I got the call. My clients had since had 2 small boys and needed to move closer to grand parents for love and support. Could I sell their house?

In 7 days we had this sweet piece of Cape Cod under contract with a closing date that works for my sellers. Of course I can sell your house! The post cards, the phone calls, the Christmas rememberences... The welcome new baby gifts... paid off.

You see... this house is out of my area. If you can say I have an area... I like to think that where ever my car can take me I can sell a house. But the sellers thought they maybe should go with a local real estate professional. Yet the years of my keeping in touch ... of letting them know I was their Realtor for life... made them call me first.

Keep in touch. Invest in the "care and feeding " of your clients... they will reward you with thier business!

"Can I help by removing your Late Charge?" Credit Card Fraud

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:21:52 -0700

Warning. My husband got a call from LOWES credit services saying that our bill was late in payment and if he would pay with a different credit card the woman on the other end of the phone would be happy to excuse the late fee.

My husband, now thinking that I had been remiss in paying the bill, started asking questions about the bill. He decided he would not pay the bill with his credit card but call the bank about the automatic payment. He still was not sure I had paid the bill.

Sure enough, $1000 had been sent on the 4th to Lowes. When He called Lowe's back to follow up... they said no one will ever call you from this company and ask for a credit card payment on a credit card. This is a scam to get your credit card number for extortion and identity fraud.

I am glad he was suspect even of me and my timely payment of our debt because it saved us a boat load of trouble. Beware! Scammers are everywhere!

I listed a squirrel today!

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:45:39 -0700

Today I had an appointment to list a home in Hyannis at 11:30. Our first meeting. Complete strangers, she and I. Brought together by her attorney.

When I arrived no one answered the door. I walked around the house... thinking that the elderly woman may still be sleeping... When I got back to the front door... she was there... waiting. Hunched from age and illness she attempted to open the door... I let my self in and told her to take her time backing away from the door. Aside from the lovely entrance into an open floor plan ranch with sky lights and lovely antiques... I couldn't help but notice the smell of decay. Flys darted back and forth between the home owner and I like they were playing space hockey.
I asked "what is that smell?"
She replied "poor dear, got stuck in the fireplace and died'
Naturally, "when? and what are your plans for the "poor dear"?" I asked.

My eyes now watering, my breathing altered and my mind now on to her health. I opened the slider with screen to the porch...to which she replied "close the screen, dear you don't want the bugs to come in..." Quite right, I replied...I want the flys to go out tho.... let's just leave it open for a few minutes, shall we?

This can't be good for her? She says she can't smell it because of all the medicine she is on but the flys she agrees, are annoying. Huh...?

Sean was the 5th "wildlife removal specialist" I called out of the phone book who had the time and the empathy. He will be there at 6pm to remove the "poor dear" and do a fly treatment. (Whatever that means?) Then to call the Sweep, because Prevention is what it is all about, right?
Sandwich Chimney sweep will be there Friday to put a cap on the chimney so no more "poor dear's" get stuck.

To the home owner... I wasn't just her Real Estate Professional but Super Woman. I went to Home Depot for Fly strips and Moth Balls... went into the home and found her sleeping soundly in her recliner with the TV loud and the clicker about to fall from her lap onto the floor. I hung the fly strips... and said a quiet good bye while she slept... I left Saint Joseph on her kitchen table. She needs out of this house.

I called her brother (92 years of age) to let him know the status of the "poor dear" as he had attempted to get the varmint out of the chimney over the weekend. Ever grateful, he said "I am glad she is in good hands."

So I listed a Squirrel today. Because Today... you wouldn't have noticed the hardwood, the sky lights, corner lot or finished basement...

Today ...all you would have noticed was the "poor dear" squirrel.

AARP 5 Top Places to Retire....Boston at the Top of the List....

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:42:42 -0700

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

Lifestyle vibe: Historically genteel, especially in Beacon Hill
Fitness fix: Strolling on the Boston Common
Retirees love: Abundance of culture and restaurants
Retirees hate: High housing costs
Median housing price: $402,200
Average temperature: 29°F (January) and 74°F (July)

AARP's Sarah Mahoney wrote a great article on 5 Great Places to Live. Boston made the list. Sure, Boston is not Cape Cod but we are so close...Why not venture south and find your Retirement Home by the Shore? Loads of inventory, great prices, wonderful mortgage options. Come to Cape Cod.

Ready for the MOVE? Here are some things to Remember!

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:24:56 -0700

I always forget something when I am planning a trip, a party or a move... I find that check lists are the way to go if you want to make sure all your bases are covered. So are you about to change addresses ...here are a few things that need to be considered.

Send Change of Address To:
	Post Office: give forwarding address.
	Charge accounts, credit cards.
	Subscriptions: requires several weeks notice.
	Friends and relatives.
	Bank: transfer funds, arrange check-cashing in new city.
	Insurance: Notify new location for coverage: Life, health, fire, auto.
	Automobile registrations: transfer of car title registration if necessary; also driver's license; city windshield sticker; motor club membership.
	Utility Companies: gas, light, water, telephone, perhaps fuel; get refund of any deposits made; arrange in new town for immediate service.
	Route men: laundry, paper boy, milk man; changeover services.
	School records: ask for copies or transfer of children's records.
	Medical, dental, prescription histories: ask doctor and dentist for referrals; transfer needed prescriptions; eyeglasses, x-rays.
	Church, club, civic organizations: transfer memberships; get letter of introduction.
	Pets: ask about any regulations for licenses, vaccinations, tags, etc.

Why Pre Qualify? Buying a Home and Getting a Mortgage...

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:15:01 -0700

It's a good idea to get prequalified for your mortgage before shopping for a Cape Cod home. Prequalification involves supplying a lender with basic information regarding your debt, income and assets. From this information, lenders can get an idea of the mortgage amount for which you qualify, and it can usually be done at no cost.

Being prequalified can help you narrow the range of homes in which you are interested, as it's another way of knowing what you can afford. It can also help you act fast if a home you're interested in has a lot of interest. Prequalification shows you are a serious shopper, and your offer will be taken more seriously than an offer from someone who has not spoken with a lender.

The initial pre-qualification stage also allows you to discuss with your lender any goals or needs you may have regarding your mortgage. He or she can then explain your mortgage options and recommend the type that might be best suited to your particular requirements.

Diagnose your Financial Health before starting the Home search. This will allow you to move forward without disappointment when buying your Cape Cod Home.

Celebrate the 4th in Style...Falmouth Rocks the Skies with Great Fireworks

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:02:01 -0700

So when you raise your American Flag to celebrate the 4th of July... I hope you are enjoying the Falmouth Fire Works in Falmouth Mass... this Cape Cod treat has been well attended and supported for years. Recently Named on to the top annula Fireworks Celebrations. Just one more reason to live in Falmouth and consider your summer Residence in this amazing village of Cape Cod.

Travel & Leisure has named Falmouth's annual fireworks display as one of the 10 best in the country. The patriotic fireworks show is watched by 50,000 people each summer and was chosen because of the musical choreography and the quality of fireworks, said Dutch Drolette, chairman of the Falmouth Fireworks Committee.

"To be in the top 10 is quite an honor," Drolette said yesterday. "Our fireworks are programmed so tight with the music, so when the red rockets are glaring you really get red rockets."

Falmouth is ranked among some heavy hitters and perennial pyrotechnic favorites.

30th Annual Arts & Crafts Street Fair

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:52:50 -0700

Wonderfully Fun day planned on Main STreet in Falmouth on July 9th. Wildly well attended and popular. Just another reason to Move to Falmouth and take in all The Cape has to offer...

Here is the rest of the details....Come, enjoy and buy your Summer House.

Main Street, Main Street, Falmouth Village. 10:00a.m. - 6:00p.m.
Falmouth Village Association 508-548-9888
Falmouthvillageassociation@gmail.com

Description:The 30th Annual Professional
Falmouth Village
Arts and Crafts Street Festival
WED. JULY 9TH
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Location: Main Street, Falmouth Village

Come join us for the Annual Falmouth Village Arts and Crafts Street Festival, where historic Cape Cod provides the setting for traditional arts and crafts.

Considered the most popular one-day show on Cape Cod, more than 40,000 people attended last year's festival. Purchase hand-made products from hundreds of displays while taking advantage of the restaurants, shopping in the beautiful setting of historic downtown Falmouth. Don't miss this once-a-year opportunity to shop for unique hand-crafted pieces that you simply can't get anywhere else.

Sponsored by The Falmouth Village Association.

Rain date is the following day*
The decision to call off the show due to inclement weather will be decided the morning of the 9th.

Great Contemporary in wonderful Area on Cape Cod

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:39:33 -0700

Lovely Lochstead! Contemporary free-standing oversized ranch-style home, on nearly 2/3 acre. Open floor plan and beautiful Armstrong Brazilin Cherry Laminate floors welcome you to this 1st floor living floor plan. The fireplace/mantle is highlighted with beaded panels of stained pineTile in Kitchen and foyer. New gas heating and A/C units, wide crown molding throughout, new quartz countertops in kitchen equipped with all new S/S appliances, windows are Vinyl-clad Andersen - Casement type, sliders, comfortable screened porch, attached garage and excellent attic storage. Back Yard has lawn, planting beds, garden shed and has dog/child fence with 2 gates

First Floor Living close to Jenkins Pond, Cape Cod Paradise

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:29:53 -0700

Cape Cod Paradise. Ranch with easy first floor living. This is perfect for the Cape Cod enthusiast or the soon to be transplanted Cape Codder. $389,000.

Walk to Jenkin's Pond from this oversized ranch with two car garage. Central fire place easy floor plan, Oversized windows, high ceilings, pergo flooring, Kitchen with breakfast bar and family room leading to deck with fenced in back yard. Dog Kennel attached to the house. Extra drive way for friends and family. Air conditioned, unfinished expansive basement and dead end street. Ceiling fans,dining room and privacy.

Opportunity is Knocking, hello... open the door to the Cape Cod Winery!

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:20:21 -0700

Opportunity to own a ranch,on a farm with a barn and acres of Vineyard. Be a Winery or bring back the horses? Enjoy the privacy of the land and of the Conservation which now abutts the property. The land alone just appraised for $900,000. Wake in the Vineyard. Also valid in law apartment over the garage. Planted,to date, are the grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Pinot Grigio, together with Seyval and Vidal. Wine,Grapes and your own Vineyard here on Cape Cod..This fully operational Vineyard is a unique property here in Falmouth. An opportunity to live in and have a home based profitable business. There's a lot to see and to discuss..

$1,728,000 Down $500,000. Great time to get into owning a profitable buisness and have a place to live...In law apartment, established business, Tourism Trade has not yet been capitolized on.

Fabulous Cape Retreat in Falmouth on Cape Cod

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:10:59 -0700

Wonderful open Cape with cathedraled living room and fireplace, dining room with sliders to deck that overlooks manicured gardens. Oversized yard. Hardwood recently installed. Tiled baths. This story book home offers many upgrades, new sky lights, new floors, new appliances, new fireplace sleeve and waterproofing ready for gas insert. Enjoy the land with gardens and room for a touch foot ball game... Large shed for beach toys and much more. Great starter home ...with room to grow.

$269,000 with half acre of land and beautiful Gardens. Close to beaches and Mashpee Commons with Main Brand Stores and luxury shopping. This is a wonderful opportunity for the first time home buyer or the 2nd home Cape enthusiast.

Falmouth Air Park... Live in Luxury and house your Plane!

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:19:48 -0700

Wonderful Contemporary Cape in Private Setting at Falmouth Air Park. Custom designed for entertaining, Cape Cod luxury and personal enjoyment. Red Oak flooring, Kitchen furniture grade solid cherry cabinets with inset beaded doors custom brass pulls and granite 2 level island counter with soap stone Farmers sink, Thermador gas Cooktop with tumble stone back splash. Mahogany decks on both levels, Media room with 6 leather seats, Triad speaker system, Para sound 7.1 Sound System, 100 inch Stewart Screen. Heated Hangar( 40'x 12' door) for plane or car collection, workshop and more. (40 x 36) with 240/120 volt outlets and potting area for the gardener in the family... Deep sink and spigot. Master Suite on first floor with walk in closet, built in storage, master bath with multi jet shower and 9 jet therapeutic tub, Tile floor, sky light. Gorgeous!Wonderful opportunity for the private plane owner or the Collector of Cars or Antiques. Large Hangar for easy storage or display. Cooks Kitchen, entertaining floor plan, media room with bells and whistles. Custom Cape with farmers porch and martini deck! Taxi up to your own private hangar.

Taking the mystery out of getting a Mortgage...

Sun, 10 May 2009 09:34:36 -0700

This is addressed to my new first time home buyers who have been worrying about the mortgage process... there is not a lot of mystery to it...but you do have some homework to take care of before you can apply for a mortgage. Time to get organized ... and HAVE YOUR PAPERWORK READY:

W2 (2 YEARS) AND ONE MONTHS PAY STUBS.

LANDLORD NAME /ADDRESS-PAST TWO YEARS

EMPLOYER NAME AND ADDRESS- 2 YEAR HISTORY

If you have a PURCHASE AND SALES AGREEMENT, they will need it...

COPY OF DEED

BANK STATEMENT- LASTEST 3 MONTHS. ALL ACCOUNTS AND PASSBOOKS

NAME AND ADDRESS/ ACCOUNT # , MONTHLY PAYMENT BALANCE FOR ALL OPEN MORTGAGE, AUTO, PERSONAL, STUDENT, AND CREDIT CARD LOANS.

CHECK FOR APPRAISAL AND CREDIT FEES

SELF EMPLOYED- LAST TWO YEARS TAX RETURNS WITH ALL SCHEDULES, YEAR TO DATE PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENT.

Contacts make Contracts...Keep in touch!

Sat, 09 May 2009 07:29:26 -0700

This week I wrote Mother's Day Cards to many women who I have worked with in the last 10 years. Why Not? I am certain my cards were unexpected. I know from the response they were well received. Even the women who are not Mother's by Biology were thrilled to hear from me and to be acknowledged.

You see, I am not a Mother. I believe Mother's Day is for Women everywhere. Women MOTHER others all the time. I sent a card to a Client who is a former NUN and she said... "you are so right, I have been a Mother to thousands".

So Celebrate Women on Mother's Day. I heard from one woman called and said she is considering moving and would like me to come look at her house to list. She enjoyed the card.

Contacts mean Contracts. Reach out. Let your people know you are still in Real Estate. Sometimes a hand written note ....goes a long way!

The power of the Pre-list package

Fri, 08 May 2009 20:15:45 -0700

I have found that pre listing packages and a request for information prior to the actual appointment engages the home owner and starts our partnership out on the right foot. I usually include information about my company and me. I also ask for them to prepare some home work items prior to our appt.

1. Gas and electric bills for the past 12 months;

2. Any warranties and guarantees that you have of any items that you plan to leave in the house;

3. A copy of the floor plan if you have one;

4. A survey or plat of the property if you have one;

5. An extra front door key;

7. A list of people that may be interested in buying the property.

Enclosed you will find some additional information about my company

Cape Associates Century 21 and me.

I have found that inviting the sellers in to the process immediately sets me apart from my competition. Sellers want to be involved in the process... Invite them in!

Mistakes Buyers Almost Make...

Fri, 08 May 2009 19:57:30 -0700

1. Too Low an Offer

You would be surprised at how many dream homes are lost because of the buyer's inability to move a little on price, terms, or concessions. Remember that $5000 in today's loan market increases your monthly investment $35.82 per month - the cost of an average dinner out and hardly a price worthy of giving up a lifetime of satisfaction. Follow your professional advice if you really want the property!

2. Not Using a Real Estate Professional

Lenders, Abstract/Title, Inspectors, and Facilitators are all important members of the purchasing process. They must be the best and they must work together. Remember, your agent is the best coach in assembling the team!

3. Bypassing a Professional Inspection

Your real estate agent can point out obvious defects; the appraiser, whether FHA, VA or Conventional can also point out some defects. Therefore, we recommend a professional inspection (structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, etc.), who puts on the overalls and crawls below, in and above your future investment to write up a complete report.

4. Not understanding Needs, Wants, and Dreams

Write down your minimum needs, then the "what would be nice" items, then the "in my dreams" items. A great agent always fulfills your need without exceeding your financial capabilities, and usually surprises you with many of your wants and dreams.

5. Match Financing toYour Ownership

When counseling with your agent regarding your purchase, your financing terms have to be consistent with your ownership. For instance, if you are not going to stay in the property long, then get a variable resistant financing so you have the lowest interest rate during your time of ownership, plus an assumable loan (probably) when you sell. Long Term ownership? Go for a fixed loan so you can lock in a market rate for 30 years.