Friday, February 22, 2019

My March 2019 Eastham Newsletter Is Available Now

My March 2019 newsletter is available to download. This issue has my Eastham market report through January, 2019. Also in this newsletter is the second part of my year-end report, which covers Eastham's neighboring towns. This issue marks 16 years that I've put out a monthly Eastham real estate newsletter. Also, 2 bayside new listings, and Video newsletter #16.  

This newsletter has been published every month for 16 years. My goal, with this newsletter, is to provide accurate sales and market information for the Eastham housing marketplace, to add commentary and opinion (as appropriate), and to keep it interesting. Download your copy of my March 2019 newsletter now.

Friday, February 15, 2019

Eastham Vacation Home Rentals and Taxes

We saw this train coming. I've been against this new tax since it reared its ugly head a few years ago. On January 1st a new short term rental tax went into effect for rentals after July 1st. For the Town of Eastham, the breakdown will be as follows:
  • 5.7% to the state
  • 4% to Eastham via the state. This is the same rate as hotels and B&Bs currently pay. Municipalities can raise the rate as high as 6%, but Eastham has no current plan to do so. Raising the rate beyond the 4% would require approval at Town Meeting.
  • 2.75% to Eastham via a state water commission. For appropriate waste water/water quality projects.
  • Note - the law provides for an additional 3% tax for more than 1 rental in each town. Eastham is not imposing this part of the law.
  • Total – 12.45%
Since this is state-wide, it applies to every town in the state. There are a few other pertinent facts. ...
  • Short term - any rental of 31 days or less
  • Home exempt if rented less than 14 days per year
  • Rental homes must be registered in a new State database
  • Moneys to be collected by the party that collects the rent (rental agencies, internet rental companies, etc)
  • Homes must have $1M liability insurance coverage
The Town has nicely put up a web-page that covers this new law...HERE.

How will it affect rentals in Eastham? Certainly, the cost to a summer tenant will go up dramatically, but will it reduce the number of summer rentals? I think not. I travel a bit and stay in hotels. When I book a room I care about what I pay. But when I check out I simply pay the taxes. They aren't negotiable. Since all of Massachusetts is subject to these taxes, I don't feel that there will be any long-term reduction is short term rentals. My sympathy goes out to all the individual rental owners and those Mom and Pop rental companies that now have to sort out how they will comply with this new law. Ugh!

Eastham New Listing - Brand New 3 Bedroom Cape

EASTHAM - New Listing - Looking for a brand-new 3 bedroom 2.5 bath home with all the newest amenities? Check out this contemporary Cape-style home with this stainless and hard-surface kitchen, high ceilings, hardwood floors, central AC, gas forced-air heat, true first-floor master, large trex-deck, and an outdoor shower - all convenient to Eastham's wonderful Bay (and ocean) beaches. It doesn't get much better than this! Dream Here!

More information can be found at http://725MassasoitRd.RobertSheldon.com. Be sure to watch the 3-D Virtual Tour ... Here. Dream Here!

Tuesday, February 05, 2019

New Listing - 3 Bedroom Bayside Ranch - Short Walk to Kingsbury Beach

EASTHAM - New Listing -  Looking for a simple 3 bedroom ranch get-away, close to Kingsbury Beach? - This is for you! The owners have used this modest home as a place to recoup and heal for many years. This home sits on a level, nicely private, half acre, with a larger front yard, on a quiet sand road. The beach is just a short walk down Kingsbury. In need of some TLC this home can be the beginning of family traditions for your family. 

More information can be found at http://50GardenLane.RobertSheldon.com. Be sure to watch the video Virtual Tour ... Here. Dream Here!

Saturday, February 02, 2019

Eastham Real Estate - February 1st Snapshot

Here is the February 1st, 2019,  snapshot of the Eastham real estate market (single family homes). We had 7 sales for January, down 12 from December, but actually about normal for a January. January of 2018 (last year) was 18 sales. Inventory levels are in our winter 'slump', at 56 (up 1 from January 1st). As the winter begins, the number of active Buyers slows dramatically, as you'd expect. (Click on table to enlarge it for easier reading).