I Am MOVE SAFE ™ Certified

I Am MOVE SAFE ™ Certified

I am Move Safe certified by HomeLight, a real estate referral company. What's important to you is that I am able (and willing) to take you through the entire Buying or Selling process without any face-to-face meetings. Certainly not the preferred scenario but very necessary in this time of Coronavirus.

For Sellers, it means that we would meet online (Zoom or Facetime), sign documents online (ZipLogix or DocuSign), prepare the property for photos (and virtual tours) and for sale, all without you actually having to be present. After the accepted offer, I would manage the Buyer's home inspection, the septic and water testing, and the smoke/CO inspection. Over the last few years I've sold a few homes this way, having never had a face-to-face meeting with the Sellers.

For Buyers, much the same way, but the shopping experience would be via photos and virtual tours. I would do video walkthroughs, take measurements, manage the home inspection, work with the attorneys, etc.

For both Buyers and Sellers - my job is to get it done, smoothly, and with no surprises. Call me.

My 2014 Eastham Sales - A Pretty Good Year!

This past year was a pretty good year for selling real estate in Eastham.

As reported earlier, there were 129 sales of single family homes, 10 condo sales, and 8 parcels of residential land. Download my February newsletter (link on left) for details and commentary on Eastham's real estate market.

I had a part (either a Buyer's or Seller's agent, or both) of 19 of those sales. Check out a map of my 2014 Outer Cape sales. As you can see, Eastham is my 'home turf'. 

August's Preliminary Real Estate Sales Report

August's sales were up a tad (only 1) from last month, but still on a pace that's significantly below last year. This year's sales lag 2010 by 16%, year-to-date. The details....  

• There were 9 homes sold in Eastham in August, up 1 from July's 8 
• Total sales were roughly $4.8M - the average home sale price was $531K
• The median sale price in August was $424K.
• There are currently 116 active single family listings in Eastham, with an average list price of $547K and a medium price of $449K. The average days-on-market is currently 199 days. 

For more details, graphs, and commentary, subscribe to my monthly Eastham newsletter. I've been publishing this newsletter for almost 9 years. Check out my sample newsletter, Here.

My September Eastham Real Estate Newsletter Is Available Now!

Part 2 of my mid-year 2011 report is available in my September Eastham real estate newsletter, now available! This issue has the results for Eastham's neighbors (Orleans, Wellfleet, et al) through the end of July.  Additionally, you'll find articles on Eastham Windmill Weekend, a new postage stamp featuring an Edward Hopper painting, and a new listing. This newsletter has been published every month for over 8 years. My aim, with my newsletter, is to provide accurate sales and market information about the Eastham housing marketplace, to add commentary and opinion (as appropriate), and to keep it interesting.

If you'd like to download a copy, go to http://newsletters.robertsheldon.com/

My August Eastham Real Estate Newsletter Is Available Now!

Cheese!

My mid-year 2011 report is available in my August Eastham real estate newsletter, now available! This issue has the results for Eastham through the end of June, your FICO score, a new Cape Cod smartphone 'app', as well as a new listing. This newsletter has been published every month for over 8 years. My aim, with my newsletter, is to provide accurate sales and market information about the Eastham housing marketplace, to add commentary and opinion (as appropriate), and to keep it interesting.

If you'd like to download a copy, go to http://newsletters.robertsheldon.com/.

7 Tips for First Time Home Buyers

A friend of mine asked me to provide some basic advice to her son as he began the search for his first home. Here are the 7 points that I felt he should remember as he started 'the hunt'.

1. Get your own agent. Don't use the agent you meet at an open house. They represent the sellers, not you. You want a ‘Buyer’s Rep’ (an ABR), someone who will look after your interests. Typically, you want the busiest agent in the office. They have the best ‘systems’ in place for a smooth sale.
2. Get a home inspection from a state licensed home inspector – money well spent!
3. As much as your budget will allow – pick by location – it’s the one thing that money can’t change
4. Be patient – there are plenty of homes available.
5. Don't take on more debt than you can afford. Don’t do an interest-only loan; they are deadly when the principle kicks in.
6. Take advantage of any state-sponsored first-time home-buyer programs. However, be sure to read the fine-print.
7. Be aware that most short-sales and foreclosures are not bargains. Here is one place where having your own Buyers' agent is valuable. 

My June Eastham Real Estate Newsletter Is Available Now

My June Eastham real estate newsletter is available. This issue has the Eastham results through April, a discussion of Eastham's new rental tax, and two new listings. So far, the market seems to be improving, both in terms of sales volume and sales prices.

Download your copy of my June 2010 newsletter ..Here.

Would you like to subscribe to my monthly newsletter? Simply .. Click Here.

Home Buying Triage - Your First Level of Defense

Every home is different. Every home has it's secrets, some more ugly than others. As part of the 'buying process' you need to do the first level of home inspection when you are viewing homes. HGTV's FrontDoor website has an article that lists the 10 'red flags' for homebuyers. It's only after you've considered these red flags and picked the 'perfect home' that you should hire a professional home inspector for a thorough inspection.

As your Buyer's agent, I recommend a home inspection to all my buyer clients. I consider it to be vital to ensuring a minimum of surprises. I hate surprises.

I'm Now A Member of the Eastham Chamber of Commerce

I've decided to join the Eastham Chamber of Commerce. It's about time! The Chamber offers services and directories for use by Eastham visitors, residents, as well as Chamber members. Check out the Chamber's website.

Top 10 Strategies In Choosing A Real Estate Agent

How do you go about choosing a real estate agent? HGTV's FrontDoor online website ran a article detailing 10 strategies in picking an agent. Check it out..Here! Needless to say, I think I'm the obvious choice. Call me at 508-237-9545. Here's a few important 'strategies' ...

1. Does he/she have a Blog?
2. Is he comfortable with technology?
3. Is he local?
4. Can he provide testimonials?
5. Is this his full-time job?

...plus several 'others'. Check them out