New Listing - Solar Heated Contemporary With Pool

Time to go Green? This custom-built ocean-side contemporary has lots of great features that need to be seen. An open kitchen/dining area with a wood/coal stove, large living room, 3 large upstairs bedrooms, and partially finished basement. A 2 story glass and cedar solarium provides a significant source of heat. The kitchen has newer stainless appliances and a sub-zero fridge. Newer well, septic, and roof. Wrap this around a large deck and a wonderful swimming pool.

The location is ideal for access to the North Eastham commercial area, as well as ocean side beaches. The Cape Cod Rail Trail bike path is across the street.

 
Priced at $459K. Go to http://35appleway.robertsheldon.com/ for more info and photos. Go here for a Virtual Tour.

Another Mid-Week Storm - Really?

The weatherman is promising another mid-week storm this Tuesday into Wednesday. So far, the Outer Cape, including Eastham, has largely dodged these bullets. I'm sure glad that we have been spared the deep snowfalls of the I-95 corridor, including metro-Boston. Check out the map, below.

PS. I wish I was kidding!

Na - Na - Na - - - - Na - Hey Jude

Just because I lived through the 60's....

Used with permission from http://www.xkcd.com/.

New Estate Tax Law - A Portability Provision

The new tax laws are upon us, including new rules and rates for inheritances for the wealthy. Somewhat of a surprise is a new 'portability provision' which allows carry-over of one spouse's 'unused' inheritance exclusion to be used by the surviving spouse. The new $5M personal exclusion can become a $10M exclusion for the surviving spouse. Read about this new provision and it's implication, at the Fidelity Viewpoints website. 

The subject of estate taxes is one that needs to be addressed with your attorney and tax accountant. The new higher exclusion ($5M vs $3.5M in 2009) and the new portability provision are useful, but only these 'trained professionals' can lead you through this difficult minefield.

Nauset Newcomers

Nauset Newcomers is an organization designed to help new residents of Outer Cape Cod get acquainted with life on the peninsula, meeting others, and doing things together. Founded 34 years ago, they have over 1000 members, mostly from Wellfleet, Eastham, Orleans and Brewster. The many activities include such things as golf, bridge, dining out, and travel. The group also helps others through Community Service opportunities.

Their meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month from September through May at the Wellfleet Cinemas, on the Eastham/Wellfleet town line. Check out their website at http://www.nausetnewcomers.org/.

Turkey Attacks Truck - On Cape Cod

This is a dumb video about an even dumber turkey that seems to be attacking a postal truck in Centerville, on Cape Cod. I first saw this video on a national TV news show this afternoon. The video is credited to the Cape Cod Times.

Mid-Week Snow Storm - Only 3 to 4 Inches

While the rest of the northeast got pummelled, Eastham received only about 3 to 4 inches of snow. Works for me!  The weatherman is telling us about another snowstorm coming our way, in another 9 - 10 days. We can hardly wait!

Eastham's Rental Tax for 2011

I went to the Town Clerk's office at the Eastham town hall a few weeks ago to ask about rental taxes for the 2011 rental season. (Background - see my 5/4/2010 blog entry) The Town Clerk told me that the tax has not yet been approved by the State legislature and, therefore, was very unlikely to take effect for the 2011 season. She also indicated that they, currently, have no plan to collect the taxes for 2011. I also spoke to an Eastham rental agent about this. She said that all rents have been established and many rental weeks have been reserved, making collecting additional taxes nearly impossible. My hope is that this tax can again be on the Town Meeting warrant and voted down, this time.

It's Deja Vu - Midweek Snow Again!

It seems like we are on a bi-weekly snowstorm routine. This time it's coming tonight, into tomorrow and into Thursday. Check out the snowfall chart, below. Last time, the Outer Cape didn't get too much snow. Let's hope!

Complete Eastham 2010 Sales Data

The Eastham sales data for 2010 reveals some very interesting observations. Go to my website's 2010 Sales page for the details.

What we saw was that the number of sales was up 31% from 2009, and the average home sale price was down 5.4%. But (and importantly) the median was up 3.3%. These stats show that we've fairly well 'recovered' from the 2009 sales slump, caused by the economic uncertainty of late 2008 through 2009.

This information, along with details about inventory, is from my February 2011 newsletter. Download a copy of my February newsletter, Here.