Thinking about planning a Cape Cod Vacation? Think Spring! When you think of taking a Cape Cod vacation you think of summer, right? You have good reason to – our beaches, seafood, shopping and people are some of the best in the country! We love having you here during the height of the season, but experienced tourists and locals alike know that the spring can be one of the best times to come and visit. Here are some reasons why: 1.) Smaller Crowds Ask anyone that visits us here on Cape Cod what the most frustrating part of their trip is and they almost always answer traffic, especially coming on and off the Cape…UGH!! Everyone has their own theories on how to avoid it but let’s face it in the middle of August it is unavoidable. Well, getting around Cape Cod in the spring is a piece of cake, and even better is that by the first weekend in May, almost all restaurants, resorts and attractions are open. If you want to spend an extra weekend with your special someone or the family, May and early June are great times to do it! 2.) Spring Festivals There’s way more to Cape Cod than beaches! Everybody knows about our summer traditions like huge fourth of July fireworks and celebrations, Carnival Week in Provincetown, concerts at the Cape Cod Melody Tent and catching the stars of tomorrow at the Cape Cod Baseball League games. But did you know that there are awesome festivals in the spring as well? Events like the Toast of Harwich, the Chatham Spring Fling and the Figawi Charity Ball and race all happen in May. At the Toast of Harwich you can sample food from Harwich’s best restaurants, sample wines from around the world and listen to live music. The Chatham Spring Fling is a similar event, but with a uniquely Chatham feel. The Cape Rep Theatre also starts it’s spring schedule so why not make one of the first weekends in May a cultural and culinary adventure? Going to these events will make you feel like a local, and you get to experience something you can’t do in the summer! 3.) It’s a Great Time to Run, Bike or Hike. The spring is a great time to be outside – especially on Cape Cod. If you’re a fitness enthusiast, it simply can’t be beat. In May, it’s usually warm enough to run or bike outdoors in shorts, but cool enough that you won’t risk getting heatstroke or dehydrated. Plan a trip to come down and take some time exploring the Cape’s great biking, hiking and running trails. Many runners and bicyclists make the mistake of thinking that Cape Cod is endlessly flat. On the contrary, we actually have some of the hilliest terrain in the region, and biking the National Seashore’s trails (especially in the Provincelands in Provincetown) can prove to be a challenging endeavor. May also plays host to several road races. Plan an “active vacation” around spending a weekend exploring Cape Cod’s trails or a road race, and spend dinnertime enjoying a restaurant serving local, organic food from one of our many farms. 4.) You Can Get Up Close with Nature Here on Cape Cod, we’re equally closely tied to the land and sea. Without the cranberry bogs that dot the Cape, and Truro’s little known history with turnips, the earliest Native American and English settlers would never have stayed around to give us the region we have now. The spring is an important time for the whales, a time during which some return to the region and when others leave. The endangered North Atlantic right whale leaves the waters around Cape Cod the first weekend in May every year, making it a great time to come down, book a trip on a whale watch and catch these majestic creatures. However this year the whales are on the move a bit early and up to 85 have been spotted in the Bay already this year! It is a great time to get up close with some of the most amazing creatures on earth. Other attractions, like botanical gardens such as the Pilgrim Monument and Museum in Provincetown and the Heritage Museum and Gardens in Sandwich are just now starting to open their doors meaning you can wander through, climb to the top and enjoy the views with no crowds! 5.) The Deals are Great It’s easy to take a Cape Cod vacation on a budget in the springtime. Many resorts don’t start charging peak season rates until Memorial Day, meaning you can get a great value on your stay if you come in the Spring! . Even a lot of regular vacationers don’t know that a good number of their favorite restaurants from the canal to Provincetown stay open year round, and that almost all of them have off-season menus, pricing and specials. Visiting in the Spring, you blend the best of both worlds – some of the nice weather you look forward to in the summer, with the value you’d get if you visited in the winter. ]]>
Why You Should Choose an Independent Real Estate Office
1 When you search for real estate in a specific geographic area, you want to be sure that the Realtor that you are contacting knows the area, knows the specific properties, the amenities etc. You don’t want to be passed from office to office in order to get the requested information. You want the information quickly and may want to jump on the chance to see a desired property before it is gone! Contacting an independent local Realtor just makes sense, in essence you are cutting out the middle man. The Realty Guild is an organization that supports and promotes the independent brokerages. The Realty Guild was established in 1987 by a small group of independent broker/owners as a forum through which to share ideas. Today the Realty Guild has more than 50 offices with 700 agents covering more than 200 communities in Massachusetts. Through the Realty Guild, members are able to keep their independence yet tap into the power that a larger entity can offer. The members of the Realty Guild must be Realtors (members of the National Association of Realtors), and must be approved by the membership as a whole. There is only one member per town, other than in large cities such as Boston.2 [video poster="https://capecodproperties.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Foran-RE-m4v-image.jpg" width="1280" height="720" m4v="https://capecodproperties.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Foran-RE.m4v"][/video] Foran Realty is a proud member of the Realty Guild. Foran Realty Inc. was established in July of 2005 fulfilling the need to bring the “local personal touch” of real estate agencies of the past back to Cape Cod. Foran Realty, Inc. was established with a primary focus on providing outstanding customer service and a pleasant buying and/or selling experience for our all of our valued clients. They realize that a satisfied customer is what it takes to consummate a sale. Foran Realty Inc. truly offers the highest level of customer service ever to be experienced on a local level. Their objective is to redefine the real estate buying and selling experience on Cape Cod. 3 Whether you are looking to buy a home or sell your home, contact Foran Realty Inc. today. They look forward to hearing from you and working to make your real estate dreams come true! 1 https://www.thebalance.com/independent-brokerages-franchises-technology-2867371 2 http://www.realtyguild.com/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3279 3 https://capecodproperties.com/why-foran-realty/]]>
Customer Satisfaction
manner, and customizing the responses based on each customer’s needs. Now we know that it doesn’t sound too complicated, however you would be surprised! It’s not as easy as it seems. Here are my top five tips on how to provide excellent customer service:
- Hire the right people for your real estate agency
- Show empathy
- Offer speedy response
- Provide easy accessibility
- Ask your customers and then listen to them
First Night Celebrations
First Night Sandwich Outdoor Venues are free and accessible to the general public and include the parade, exhibits, ice sculptures, storefront and street performances such as jugglers and clowns. Indoor venues are by admission only with the purchase of a First Night Sandwich Button. Buttons cost $10 for adults and $6 for children (3 to 12 years-old). They are available from now until noon Saturday, December 31 at the following locations: Beth’s Café & Bakery, Cafe Chew, Cape Cod 5, Dan’l Webster Inn, Heart of Stone, Sandwich Public Library, Splash Stationers, Stop & Shop – Route 6A, Stop & Shop – Quaker Meeting House Road, and Titcomb’s Book Store. Beginning at 3 PM on Saturday, December 31 buttons can be purchased at Sandwich Town Hall. First Night Chatham First Night Chatham is a family-friendly, alcohol free, town-wide celebration of the arts with over 70 performances and events. There are so many things happening in Chatham that the schedule is actually 2 pages long!! Click here for the full schedule of events. December 31st, 2016 will be First Night Chatham’s 26th New Year’s Eve celebration. It’s a full day of fun and entertainment, starting with the Town Photo at the Chatham Lighthouse at Noon, and culminating with Fireworks at Oyster Pond as the Countdown Cod takes us to the stroke of midnight. Adult Buttons are $20, Kids buttons are $5 and 2 and under are free! First Light Provincetown From the 7th night of Hannukah celebration at the Canteen Holiday Market to Drag Bingo, fireworks, Sound of Music sing alongs and everything in between….Provincetown is the place to be this New Years! Fireworks from MacMillan Wharf at Dusk on New Years Day promise to be an amazing show and free parking in town that weekend makes it an even more desirable destination! Whatever your destination is for the New Years Celebrations all of us at Foran Realty wish you a Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year!
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Must See Dennis Properties
13 Highland Rd. East Dennis Never before offered this custom built 5 bedroom 3 bath home is Located on Sesuit Neck, East Dennis. It is set on a hill with spectacular views of Sesuit Harbor. The eat in kitchen is perfect for entertaining. The living room and guest bedroom each offer cathedral ceilings and access to the expansive deck. The lower level offers 3 additional bedrooms and a full bath. The huge ensuite master suite is located in its own wing on the second floor and offers two large closets, one of which is a walk in, as well as a secondary vanity area. The adjacent home office/Den boasts a fireplace, wet bar and cathedral ceilings. Take in breathtaking views from the Widow’s Walk. Forced hot air gas heat along with electric baseboard. Central AC and newer solar panels are among the many amenities. Includes a 2 Car Garage, Outdoor cedar shower and for the golf area Practice Putting and chipping area! Walk to Harborview Beach, Dennis Yacht Club and Sesuit Harbor. Spoil yourself! 59 Indian Field Dr. Dennis First time offered this Magnificent Custom build 4 bedroom 4 bath Colonial will melt your heart the moment you step inside. Gleaming hardwood floors throughout. Gorgeous eat in kitchen with Thermador appliances and soapstone counters. Both the living room with a gas fireplace and the dining room offer crown molding with paneled wainscoting. Large front to back family room with gas fireplace is the perfect place for entertaining. Beautiful second floor ensuite master offers walk in closet, tiled shower and whirlpool tub. Finished bonus rooms in the basement are perfect for entertainment, exercise and workshop. Additional full bath located in basement. Attached 2 car heated garage. Too many amenities to list include Whole House Generator, irrigation system, alarm system, 2 HVAC systems, Central Air, Outdoor Shower, Private Yard. A must see. Buyers and Buyer Agents to confirm all information contained herein. This is a Colonial style home and features 8 total rooms, 4 full baths, 2 bedrooms, 0.61 Acres, and is currently available for $879,900. 57 Hope Ln. Dennis One of the oldest residences in Dennis Village, this south-facing spacious antique modified salt box offers 3 BRs/2.5 BAs plus detached 3 bay garage and licensed 1 BR/1 BA apt. Nestled on a 1.95 ac parcel, with irrigation system, close walking distance to Dennis Playhouse,Cinema & museum, (3) restaurants & takeout services, shops, ice cream havens, several Cape Cod Bay beaches, post office, and other popular venues. Kitchen wing added (1732) and current owners added master BR suite (1969) to match architecture of main house. Both outside and interior, the house gives the feeling of a vintage inn from earlier centuries. For many who have admired this wonderful property over the years, the 200+ yr old Elm Tree majestically shades the entrance from Hope Lane and this tree has its own historical recognition. For information on these or any other Dennis properties please call the office today! ]]>
Thanksgiving History
assortment of religious separatists seeking a new home where they could freely practice their faith and other individuals lured by the promise of prosperity and land ownership in the New World. After a treacherous and uncomfortable crossing that lasted 66 days, they dropped anchor near the tip of Cape Cod, far north of their intended destination at the mouth of the Hudson River. One month later, the Mayflower crossed Massachusetts Bay, where the Pilgrims, as they are now commonly known, began the work of establishing a village at Plymouth. Throughout that first brutal winter, most of the colonists remained on board the ship, where they suffered from exposure, scurvy and outbreaks of contagious disease. Only half of the Mayflower’s original passengers and crew lived to see their first New England spring. In March, the remaining settlers moved ashore, where they received an astonishing visit from an Abenaki Indian who greeted them in English. Several days later, he returned with another Native American, Squanto, a member of the Pawtuxet tribe who had been kidnapped by an English sea captain and sold into slavery before escaping to London and returning to his homeland on an exploratory expedition. Squanto taught the Pilgrims, weakened by malnutrition and illness, how to cultivate corn, extract sap from maple trees, catch fish in the rivers and avoid poisonous plants. He also helped the settlers forge an alliance with the Wampanoag, a local tribe, which would endure for more than 50 years and tragically remains one of the sole examples of harmony between European colonists and Native Americans. In November 1621, after the Pilgrims’ first corn harvest proved successful, Governor William Bradford organized a celebratory feast and invited a group of the fledgling colony’s Native American allies, including the Wampanoag chief Massasoit. Now remembered as American’s “first Thanksgiving”—although the Pilgrims themselves may not have used the term at the time—the festival lasted for three days. While no record exists of the historic banquet’s exact menu, the Pilgrim chronicler Edward Winslow wrote in his journal that Governor Bradford sent four men on a “fowling” mission in preparation for the event, and that the Wampanoag guests arrived bearing five deer. Historians have suggested that many of the dishes were likely prepared using traditional Native American spices and cooking methods. Because the Pilgrims had no oven and the Mayflower’s sugar supply had dwindled by the fall of 1621, the meal did not feature pies, cakes or other desserts, which have become a hallmark of contemporary celebrations. Pilgrims held their second Thanksgiving celebration in 1623 to mark the end of a long drought that had threatened the year’s harvest and prompted Governor Bradford to call for a religious fast. Days of fasting and thanksgiving on an annual or occasional basis became common practice in other New England settlements as well. During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress designated one or more days of thanksgiving a year, and in 1789 George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation by the national government of the United States; in it, he called upon Americans to express their gratitude for the happy conclusion to the country’s war of independence and the successful ratification of the U.S. Constitution. His successors John Adams and James Madison also designated days of thanks during their presidencies. In 1817, New York became the first of several states to officially adopt an annual Thanksgiving holiday; each celebrated it on a different day, however, and the American South remained largely unfamiliar with the tradition. In 1827, the noted magazine editor and prolific writer Sarah Josepha Hale—author, among countless other things, of the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb”—launched a campaign to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. For 36 years, she published numerous editorials and sent scores of letters to governors, senators, presidents and other politicians. Abraham Lincoln finally heeded her request in 1863, at the height of the Civil War, in a proclamation entreating all Americans to ask God to “commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife” and to “heal the wounds of the nation.” He scheduled Thanksgiving for the final Thursday in November, and it was celebrated on that day every year until 1939, when Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday up a week in an attempt to spur retail sales during the Great Depression. Roosevelt’s plan, known derisively as Franksgiving, was met with passionate opposition, and in 1941 the president reluctantly signed a bill making Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday in November. Whether it is your first Thanksgiving or your sixty first…all of us at Foran Realty would like to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving! http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving]]>
Holiday Season 2016
Kick off the season on the night before Thanksgiving with the lighting of the Pilgrim Monument. The 2016 lighting ceremony will take place on November 23, 2016 from 5-7pm at the Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum(PMPM) and honor Coast Guard Station Provincetown. Officer in Charge James Zerinskas will ‘’flip the switch” at approximately 6 p.m. Last year almost 1,500 people came to this iconic event to witness the Monument festooned with more than 3,100 “landing lights” which shine nightly through January 6 of the following year. Admission is free, and light refreshments and entertainment are provided. November 26th brings about the lighting of the Lobster Pot Christmas Tree in Lopes Square, Provincetown. This ”tree” is assembled every year by Julian Popko and his family. Made up of 112 lobster pots, red bows and plastic lobsters, the lobster pot tree stands 2 stories tall and will be lit with 3,400 lights. During the ceremony the last 2 pots with 58 lobster buoys attached are lifted by crane and placed on the top of the “tree” as the spectators count down. This event has become very popular with both locals and visitors and is a fun way to ring in the holiday season! The Dennis Christmas Stroll will be held on December 11th from 12:00 – 3:30. Stop by the local businesses to enjoy some complimentary hot chocolate and receive a gift of your own! There will also be additional parking available for those taking the “stroll”! Take a horse drawn ride down Rte 28 or a trolley ride that will stop at the Playhouse. Take advantage of the festive atmosphere and the specials being offered by so many of the local businesses. The season will culminate with some of the most popular First Night celebrations outside of Boston. This year join us in Sandwich, Chatham or Provincetown! First Light Provincetown will stretch the celebration into a fun-filled weekend! Highlights will include live performances and the New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge. For events in your area visit your local Chamber of Commerce’s website. For a Cape wide schedule visit the Cape Cod Chamber’s website at http://www.capecodchamber.org/christmas-cape-cod.]]>
Dana-Farber Fundraiser Silent Auction is Live!
http://dana-farbergreatwhitegalaagainstcancer.weebly.com/ We have a handful of tickets left, if you are interested in attending this Friday, please email pforan@foranrealty.com or call Pat at 774-836-0182 ASAP. These are extra seats we opened up due to the overwhelming response we have had, they are not expected to last long. Thank you once again for your support! ]]>
The Latest in Real Estate Technology
Iphones, Ipads or Android devices! If you have questions or want a tour of the home for sale, press the “Contact” feature to call or email a Foran Realty and Cape Cod Properties representative that can assist you. Visit the App Store or Google Play today to download your copy of the app! We look forward to your feedback!]]>
Are You Ready To Rent Your Home?
Getting your Home Ready to Rent
- Keep careful records.Rental income is taxable, but many of the expenses you will incur as you prepare your rental are tax deductible. Keep detailed records of the money and time you spend getting your home ready to rent so that you can maximize your deductions at tax time.
- Apply for a rental permit.Permits are not necessary in all areas, especially for short-term rentals, but many cities are responding to the growth of new rental trends by creating new forms of regulation. If a permit is required in your area, give yourself plenty of time to get through the application process before your first guests arrive. Remember that permitting and inspection fees, like all other expenses you incur while preparing your rental property, are tax deductible so be sure to keep careful records.
- Acquire landlord insurance.Call your local insurance agent and ask if your current homeowner’s policy will cover the kind of rental situation you will be offering. Many policies will cover the occasional short-term rental, but for more long-term arrangements, you may need special coverage.
- Prepare your home to rent, inside and out.Make sure that all appliances work, that furniture is comfortable and in good repair, and that everything is clean and neat. Ensure that safety equipment like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers are in good working order and are clearly accessible. Remove all precious personal belongings to a secure location, such as a storage unit or primary home. Do the same with all toiletries and anything else you wouldn’t want a stranger snooping through. Put clean linens on all of the beds (if you are planning on supplying linens), and make sure that bathrooms are stocked with clean towels, soap dispensers are full, etc. The requirements for safety equipment in rental properties vary widely by region. Smoke detectors are the bare minimum in most places. You will be informed of further requirements through the permitting process. Unless you are going for a very high-end rental, do not furnish your rental with extremely expensive furniture, linens, towels, etc. These items are likely to get damaged or disappear. Look for items of decent quality that are not too expensive but are still comfortable.
- Hire a reputable cleaning service.Some property owners are able to minimize costs by performing rental clean-outs on their own, but this can be a very time-consuming and difficult process, so it might be better worth your time to hire a professional service. If you do, be sure to do some research first and hire a reputable company that is licensed and insured. Get personal recommendations from your rental agent, other property owners, or look for a service with excellent online recommendations.
- Hire a landscaping service.As with cleaning, some property owners take on landscaping chores themselves, but you may be better off hiring a landscaping service to take care of routine lawn maintenance and care. Landscaping services, like cleaning services and other maintenance costs are all tax deductible, and a well-maintained yard is more likely to get good reviews and repeat renters.
- Create a system for providing a key or entry instructions to your guests. This is something that can be handled by your rental agent should you choose to use one. The check in and checkout instructions will be detailed with the lease and any inquiries etc. can be directed to the rental agent and their office, freeing you up to enjoy your time!
- Create a welcome book or informational packet to give to renters when they arrive.Include information about the home and the local area. Providing information on local attractions and dining options, as well as emergency contact information is an option that guests love. Leaving a welcome gift like a fruit basket or bottle of wine is another great way to welcome guests and keep them coming back year after year.