Dear Cape Friends,
If you’re new here - welcome. Each week I share Cape Cod real estate with a side of humor, common sense, and a splash of salt air.
I’ve been spending time lately working on my personal 2026 business and financial plan - stepping back, stress-testing assumptions, and clarifying goals. It’s the same kind of review many people do with their investment portfolios in an uncertain world.
That got me thinking about something we often overlook - and I’ll be honest, it still makes me scratch my head a bit.
For many Cape Cod homeowners, their home is their single largest financial asset - yet it’s often the one most likely to go years without a fresh, thoughtful review. I’ve always found that a bit surprising, especially since this is something a trusted local Realtor (ahem…) can usually do at no cost and with no obligation.
Here on Cape Cod, the real estate market has shifted into a more measured, selective phase. That doesn’t mean values are falling off a cliff. It does mean that precision matters more than it used to.
Many homeowners ask, “Didn’t I already get a CMA a year or two ago?” That’s a fair question - and the answer is: it’s perfectly okay (and often smart) to do it again. Better yet, some people realize they’ve never had one done at all.
I’ll admit - bringing this up can feel a bit like scheduling a proctology exam.
No one looks forward to it… but it’s responsible, it’s informative, and afterward you’re usually very glad you paid attention.
Does anyone remember the old Chevy Chase movie Fletch, there’s that infamous exam scene where he yells “MOON RIVERRR!” at THE critical moment - pure comedy, but the message still holds: ignoring important things doesn’t make them less important.
I say that with a smile - and mostly because I sometimes wonder if we’re all really paying attention to the asset that matters most. 😄
( Heres the scene from the 1974 film Fletch. A Classic - Fletch Moon River Movie Scene
A Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) isn’t a permanent label. It’s a snapshot in time. And in a market like ours - where seasonality, inventory, buyer behavior, and even interest rates can shift quickly - last year’s number may no longer tell the full story.
A fresh valuation isn’t about selling.
It’s about understanding where you stand today, so future decisions - whenever they come - are informed rather than reactive.
Here on Cape Cod especially, value is shaped by details outsiders often miss - from micro-location and neighborhood behavior, to seasonal demand, town-by-town inventory, and condition issues like septic, flood zones, and renovation relevance.
If you’d like a fresh, no-pressure look at where your home sits today - even if you’ve had a CMA done before - just reply to this email or send me a quick note. Happy to take a look.
If you’re starting to think about buying or selling, PaulBorde.com is always a good place to browse listings, catch past newsletters, and stay current on the market (and - if I may say so - revisit a few Pulitzer Prize–level past updates).
And if you’re around Friday morning, please swing by Chatham Perk for the best coffee in town. I’ll be there - and remember, as always… it’s on me.
See you around the elbow,
Paul