With Summer on Cape Cod slowly making it's self at home, I thought I would share this. Turn off all background noise and distractions and play. enjoy...
Monday, June 16, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
REPORT OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2008
While Barnstable County Register of Deeds, John F. Meade, reports that the volume of real estate sales in April 2008 was down 5.4% from April 2007 volume and the total value of sales was down 13.3% from the previous year, and the median individual property sale value was down 7.4% from the previous year, Chatham continues to stand out from the rest of Cape Cod and the nation. The 1st quarter of this year shows the number of properties sold in all of Chatham increased by only one sale (47 during the 1st quarter of 2007 to 48 during the 1st quarter of 2008). A modest increase, but an increase none the less...
The value of properties sold in Chatham (including all Chatham villages) increased from $34.7M in the 1st quarter of 2007 to $51.7M during the 1st quarter of 2008. Where do you read that there has been a 49% percent increase in dollar volue of real estate sales? It doesn't stop there. The average sale price of a property sold in Chatham increased nearly $300,000 from $738,400 in the 1st quarter of 2007 to $1,077,100 in the 1st quarter of 2008, a 46% increase.
The 1st quarter (2008) brought the median price for a property sold in Chatham from $605,000 in the first quarter of 2007 to $687,500. What does all this mean? There is not all bad news in real estate! Chatham... always a wise choice.
The value of properties sold in Chatham (including all Chatham villages) increased from $34.7M in the 1st quarter of 2007 to $51.7M during the 1st quarter of 2008. Where do you read that there has been a 49% percent increase in dollar volue of real estate sales? It doesn't stop there. The average sale price of a property sold in Chatham increased nearly $300,000 from $738,400 in the 1st quarter of 2007 to $1,077,100 in the 1st quarter of 2008, a 46% increase.
The 1st quarter (2008) brought the median price for a property sold in Chatham from $605,000 in the first quarter of 2007 to $687,500. What does all this mean? There is not all bad news in real estate! Chatham... always a wise choice.
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Tuesday, April 15, 2008
To Preserve Home Equity Help Your Neighbor
The following is an article from the Wall Street Journal. I am including it here only because in these times of uncertainty, one thing we can all do is look out for one another.
"With falling house prices in the news every day, many homeowners are asking: What's the best way to preserve my home's equity?
Unfortunately, unless you can quietly buy your neighbor's house before it becomes a short sale, or convince vulture capitalists to purchase all the foreclosures in your neighborhood, there's little you can do to protect property against today's main drags on home prices.
But you're not powerless in this crisis. Just as it's important to keep up personal appearances when you're feeling depressed, it's also vital to keep your house looking spiffy in an economic downturn. It may seem like throwing good money after bad to keep the house repaired and the yard groomed when home prices in your area are sinking. But it's actually a wise business decision, since a sparkling house has an uplifting impact on buyers, appraisers and real estate agents.
While this isn't the time to install unnecessary, expensive upgrades like a hot tub or home theater, you definitely should tackle any maintenance issues that may have been deferred, like overgrown shrubs, leaky roofs or dented siding. Focus on curb appeal, and get professional assistance if the job is too big to do yourself.
But don't just care for your home; care for the community. If you know that someone on your block is in financial trouble, consider getting the neighbors together and lending a helping hand, perhaps by mowing the yard or helping with minor painting and repairs. If your neighbor's place has already gone back to the lender, find out who owns it and make sure that the company keeps on top of maintenance. If it doesn't (lenders are becoming overwhelmed by foreclosures in some places, and some yards are getting scraggly), perhaps you could still make a pass with the lawn mower or plant some flowers in the yard -- with the lender's permission, of course.
I know it seems bizarre: Why help the people who are the most responsible for blighting the neighborhood and bringing down home values? The answer is that communities are only as attractive as their ugliest properties -- so it is in everyone's self-interest to pretty them up."
reprinted from The Wall Street Journal, April 10, 2008 12:53 p.m.
"With falling house prices in the news every day, many homeowners are asking: What's the best way to preserve my home's equity?
Unfortunately, unless you can quietly buy your neighbor's house before it becomes a short sale, or convince vulture capitalists to purchase all the foreclosures in your neighborhood, there's little you can do to protect property against today's main drags on home prices.
But you're not powerless in this crisis. Just as it's important to keep up personal appearances when you're feeling depressed, it's also vital to keep your house looking spiffy in an economic downturn. It may seem like throwing good money after bad to keep the house repaired and the yard groomed when home prices in your area are sinking. But it's actually a wise business decision, since a sparkling house has an uplifting impact on buyers, appraisers and real estate agents.
While this isn't the time to install unnecessary, expensive upgrades like a hot tub or home theater, you definitely should tackle any maintenance issues that may have been deferred, like overgrown shrubs, leaky roofs or dented siding. Focus on curb appeal, and get professional assistance if the job is too big to do yourself.
But don't just care for your home; care for the community. If you know that someone on your block is in financial trouble, consider getting the neighbors together and lending a helping hand, perhaps by mowing the yard or helping with minor painting and repairs. If your neighbor's place has already gone back to the lender, find out who owns it and make sure that the company keeps on top of maintenance. If it doesn't (lenders are becoming overwhelmed by foreclosures in some places, and some yards are getting scraggly), perhaps you could still make a pass with the lawn mower or plant some flowers in the yard -- with the lender's permission, of course.
I know it seems bizarre: Why help the people who are the most responsible for blighting the neighborhood and bringing down home values? The answer is that communities are only as attractive as their ugliest properties -- so it is in everyone's self-interest to pretty them up."
reprinted from The Wall Street Journal, April 10, 2008 12:53 p.m.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Bans Persist on Solar Panels and Wind Energy
THIS IS ACCEPTABLE
THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE
Dennis Massachusetts Board of Selectmen, in their infinite wisdom, have banned windmills from any location in town except the worse possible spot as asscessed by the U.S. Coast Guard Wind Energy Site Survey of Cape Cod, the town landfill. This ban was conveniently done just prior to the Town of Dennis Alternative Energy Advisory Committee's town survey for possible sites. And of course, the site survey of the land fill failed. Not only did it fail, but if it did pass, the town would side with any objection from abbutters that the windmills were "unsightly". Meanwhile home heating oil is $3.89 a gallon, natural gas is expected to rise 40%, and Cape Cod has nearly the highest rate for electricity in the nation. If a homeowner wanted to install solar panels on their home and lives in the "Historical District" they are most likely out of luck. That person can't even paint their home without approval. Meanwhile...Neighborhood covenants that ban solar panels are a “growing concern and trend,” says Monique Hanis, a spokeswoman for the Solar Energy Industries Association.
A half-dozen states, including Arizona, New Jersey and Florida, have passed measures that prevent community associations from banning solar panels.
"Solar access" laws have met with opposition from community associations, which generally reject solar panels because they are unattractive. Associations object to outside interference with their ability to make decisions affecting neighborhood peace and property values.
"We, as a policy, want to make sure that associations are able to dictate how they are running their communities, which is why people join associations, so they have that kind of insurance [about] how things are going to be operating," said Paul Hanscom, executive director of the Community Associations Institute of Minnesota.
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune (03/26/2008)
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Chatham Easter Egg Hunt 2008
The 1st Annual John C. Ricotta & Associates Easter Egg Hunt Was a HUGE Success!!
Thank you all for coming and Everyone that lent a hand to pull it all together. It was so much fun. Nearly 3000 eggs, the Easter Bunny, so many smiling faces!
Thank you all! Happy Easter Everyone. See you next year!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
ON THE CAPE REAL ESTATE NEWS
Real estate prices continued to drop in February, but Barnstable County Register of Deeds, John F. Meade, reports that the volume of real estate sales in February 2008 was up 12.6% from February 2007 volume and the total value of sales was up 17.6% from the previous year.
The trends of the Nation don't neccessarily reflect the market on the Cape. Yes, our gas prices are out of sight, our food prices are out of sight as well, but Real Estate purchases on Cape Cod are still a wise investment for those who can afford it.
It isn't easy to live here or afford a home to live in. But it can be done. I work two full time jobs. One as a REALTOR and one as a web developer. I also teach classes at Cape Cod Community College. It isn't easy, but for those of us willing to make sacrifices to live where everyone wants to come and forget their troubles back home or get closer to family, it is worth it. I work and meet with wonderful people everyday who know the value of life here on the Cape. It truly is another world.
The trends of the Nation don't neccessarily reflect the market on the Cape. Yes, our gas prices are out of sight, our food prices are out of sight as well, but Real Estate purchases on Cape Cod are still a wise investment for those who can afford it.
It isn't easy to live here or afford a home to live in. But it can be done. I work two full time jobs. One as a REALTOR and one as a web developer. I also teach classes at Cape Cod Community College. It isn't easy, but for those of us willing to make sacrifices to live where everyone wants to come and forget their troubles back home or get closer to family, it is worth it. I work and meet with wonderful people everyday who know the value of life here on the Cape. It truly is another world.
Chatham Easter Egg Hunt
1st Annual John C. Ricotta & Associates Easter Egg Hunt
Please join us for our Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt!! OVER 1,400 eggs will be hidden
Saturday, March, 22, 2008 At 11:00 a.m. Kendrick Harvest Way!
Click Here for Event Poster
Please join us for our Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt!! OVER 1,400 eggs will be hidden
Saturday, March, 22, 2008 At 11:00 a.m. Kendrick Harvest Way!
Click Here for Event Poster
Thursday, March 6, 2008
OPEN HOUSES in CHATHAM, CAPE COD
Spring is nearly here! Daffodils are popping through...Spring on Cape Cod...promising to be one of the most beautiful in years!
Cape Cod Real Estate Updates: Please join me for a day filled with open houses this coming weekend, March 8th & 9th. The first is a new home in Chatham's Kendrick Village built by Eastward Companies . This home's back yard offers a delightful Cape Cod setting as it overlooks a working Cranberry Bog. Home is just a short stroll to Chatham's quaint seaside village. Exceptional craftsmanship in this 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath farmhouse. Bonus room over the garage and loft on the second floor for all your extra company. Over 3,000 s.f. of living space with expert attention paid to every detail! The second new Chatham home for sale is Nearly Complete! Eastward Companies presents another exquisite work in progress. This Kendrick Village development overlooks a working cranberry bog and is only a short stroll to Chatham's quaint seaside village. Please call us for a detailed explanation of all this home will offer. When completed there will be over 3,000 square feet of living space with expert attention paid to every little detail. 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and a bonus room over the garage.
Property prices down, sales volume up, buyers are making their move
Real estate prices continued to drop in February, but Barnstable County Register of Deeds, John F. Meade, reports that the volume of real estate sales in February 2008 was up 12.6% from February 2007 volume and the total value of sales was up 17.6% from the previous year. The median individual property sale value was down 3.3% from the previous year. There was a 1.2% decrease in the volume of mortgage activity from February 2007 levels.
Year to Date:
Volume of Sales is up 0.5%;
Total Value of Sales is up 25.7%;
Individual Sales Value is down 7.1%;
Mortgage Volume is down 17.6%.
Register Meade reports that there were 410 deeds recorded at the Barnstable Registry of Deeds in February 2008 with stated sales values above $50,000.00 representing a stated value of $201,343,729.00 in county-wide real estate sales. Based on all property sales valued above $50,000.00, the median sale price of property in Barnstable County in January was $327,500.00.
There were 1,470 mortgages recorded with values above $50,000.00 in Jan uary with a total value of $512,279,287.00. The median mortgage amount, commercial, residential or other, was $250,000.00.
By way of comparison, in February 2007, there were 364 deeds recorded at the Barnstable Registry of Deeds with stated sales values above $50,000.00 representing a stated value of $171,231,276.00 in county-wide real estate sales.
Click here to check for updates to Cape Cod Real Estate.
Cape Cod Real Estate Updates: Please join me for a day filled with open houses this coming weekend, March 8th & 9th. The first is a new home in Chatham's Kendrick Village built by Eastward Companies . This home's back yard offers a delightful Cape Cod setting as it overlooks a working Cranberry Bog. Home is just a short stroll to Chatham's quaint seaside village. Exceptional craftsmanship in this 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath farmhouse. Bonus room over the garage and loft on the second floor for all your extra company. Over 3,000 s.f. of living space with expert attention paid to every detail! The second new Chatham home for sale is Nearly Complete! Eastward Companies presents another exquisite work in progress. This Kendrick Village development overlooks a working cranberry bog and is only a short stroll to Chatham's quaint seaside village. Please call us for a detailed explanation of all this home will offer. When completed there will be over 3,000 square feet of living space with expert attention paid to every little detail. 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and a bonus room over the garage.
Property prices down, sales volume up, buyers are making their move
Real estate prices continued to drop in February, but Barnstable County Register of Deeds, John F. Meade, reports that the volume of real estate sales in February 2008 was up 12.6% from February 2007 volume and the total value of sales was up 17.6% from the previous year. The median individual property sale value was down 3.3% from the previous year. There was a 1.2% decrease in the volume of mortgage activity from February 2007 levels.
Year to Date:
Volume of Sales is up 0.5%;
Total Value of Sales is up 25.7%;
Individual Sales Value is down 7.1%;
Mortgage Volume is down 17.6%.
Register Meade reports that there were 410 deeds recorded at the Barnstable Registry of Deeds in February 2008 with stated sales values above $50,000.00 representing a stated value of $201,343,729.00 in county-wide real estate sales. Based on all property sales valued above $50,000.00, the median sale price of property in Barnstable County in January was $327,500.00.
There were 1,470 mortgages recorded with values above $50,000.00 in Jan uary with a total value of $512,279,287.00. The median mortgage amount, commercial, residential or other, was $250,000.00.
By way of comparison, in February 2007, there were 364 deeds recorded at the Barnstable Registry of Deeds with stated sales values above $50,000.00 representing a stated value of $171,231,276.00 in county-wide real estate sales.
Click here to check for updates to Cape Cod Real Estate.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
REPORT OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2008
VOLUME, VALUE DIP!
Barnstable County Register of Deeds, John F. Meade, reports that the volume of real estate sales in Jan uary 2008 was down 9.7% from Jan uary 2007 volume and the total value of sales was up 32.5% from the previous year. The median individual property sale value was down 7.7% from the previous year. There was a 31.7% increase in the volume of mortgage activity from January 2007 levels.
Register Meade reports that there were 392 deeds recorded at the Barnstable Registry of Deeds in Jan uary 2008 with stated sales values above $50,000.00 representing a stated value of $267,843,468.00 in county-wide real estate sales.
Based on all property sales valued above $50,000.00, the median sale price of property in Barnstable County in Jan uary was $323,000.00.
There were 1,190 mortgages recorded with values above $50,000.00 in Jan uary with a total value of $575,409,014.00. The median mortgage amount, commercial, residential or other, was $235,200.00.
By way of comparison, in Jan uary 2007, there were 434 deeds recorded at the Barnstable Registry of Deeds in Jan uary 2007 with stated sales values above $50,000.00 representing a stated value of $202,142,877.00 in county-wide real estate sales.
Based on all property sales valued above $50,000.00, the median sale price of property in Barnstable County in Jan uary was $350,000.00. There were 1,742 mortgages recorded with values above $50,000.00 in Jan uary with a total value of $529,490,678.00. The median mortgage amount, commercial, residential or other, was $230,000.00.
REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY THROUGH JANUARY 2008 AS COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD IN 2007.
2008 sales volume: 3922007 sales volume: 434
2008 total sales value: $267,843,468.002007 total sales value: $202,142,877.00
2008 median sales price: $323,000.002007 median sales price: $350,000.00
2008 mortgage volume: 1,1902007 mortgage volume: 1,742
2008 total mortgage value: $575,409,014.002007 total mortgage value: $529,490,678.00
2008 median mortgage amount: $235,200.002007 median mortgage amount: $230,000.00
Barnstable County Register of Deeds, John F. Meade, reports that the volume of real estate sales in Jan uary 2008 was down 9.7% from Jan uary 2007 volume and the total value of sales was up 32.5% from the previous year. The median individual property sale value was down 7.7% from the previous year. There was a 31.7% increase in the volume of mortgage activity from January 2007 levels.
Register Meade reports that there were 392 deeds recorded at the Barnstable Registry of Deeds in Jan uary 2008 with stated sales values above $50,000.00 representing a stated value of $267,843,468.00 in county-wide real estate sales.
Based on all property sales valued above $50,000.00, the median sale price of property in Barnstable County in Jan uary was $323,000.00.
There were 1,190 mortgages recorded with values above $50,000.00 in Jan uary with a total value of $575,409,014.00. The median mortgage amount, commercial, residential or other, was $235,200.00.
By way of comparison, in Jan uary 2007, there were 434 deeds recorded at the Barnstable Registry of Deeds in Jan uary 2007 with stated sales values above $50,000.00 representing a stated value of $202,142,877.00 in county-wide real estate sales.
Based on all property sales valued above $50,000.00, the median sale price of property in Barnstable County in Jan uary was $350,000.00. There were 1,742 mortgages recorded with values above $50,000.00 in Jan uary with a total value of $529,490,678.00. The median mortgage amount, commercial, residential or other, was $230,000.00.
REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY THROUGH JANUARY 2008 AS COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD IN 2007.
2008 sales volume: 3922007 sales volume: 434
2008 total sales value: $267,843,468.002007 total sales value: $202,142,877.00
2008 median sales price: $323,000.002007 median sales price: $350,000.00
2008 mortgage volume: 1,1902007 mortgage volume: 1,742
2008 total mortgage value: $575,409,014.002007 total mortgage value: $529,490,678.00
2008 median mortgage amount: $235,200.002007 median mortgage amount: $230,000.00
Monday, January 14, 2008
Special Announcement
It is my great pleasure to inform you that I have been asked to join Chatham Cape Cod's Luxury Real Estate Company, John C. Ricotta & Associates. Based in Chatham, Cape Cod, MA, John C. Ricotta & Associates, Inc. is a boutique real estate firm focused on premier waterfront properties throughout Cape Cod. We specialize in the sale and seasonal rental of salt waterfront and water view real estate in Chatham, Orleans, Mid & Lower Cape Cod. John C. Ricotta & Associates guarantees you a superior experience through our team approach, drawing on the extensive experience and specific in-depth market knowledge of all of our Realtors.
New to the Chatham market is almost an acre of land in a sought after North Chatham location with seasonal bog views and a distant glimmer of Pleasant Bay. Currently there is a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home on the land set on almost an acre of land in an area of exquisite homes. The house needs TLC and the landscape needs grooming, but there is huge potential for the property! The house could be renovated or the buyer could demolish and start anew. The seller is motivated and offers are encouraged.
New to the Chatham market is almost an acre of land in a sought after North Chatham location with seasonal bog views and a distant glimmer of Pleasant Bay. Currently there is a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home on the land set on almost an acre of land in an area of exquisite homes. The house needs TLC and the landscape needs grooming, but there is huge potential for the property! The house could be renovated or the buyer could demolish and start anew. The seller is motivated and offers are encouraged.
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