Dear Cape Friends,
I came across something this week that genuinely made me laugh out loud.
But before we start - if you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been with me for a while, welcome back! Each week I share Cape Cod real estate with a side of humor, common sense, and a splash of salt air.
I recently stumbled upon a letter written by a Realtor sometime in the 1950s. It reads like it was lifted straight out of Leave It to Beaver - earnest, confident, wildly polite, and absolutely certain of itself. The “atomic age of homeownership.” Wall-to-wall shag carpeting (eww...). A refrigerator big enough for three hams and a Jell-O salad. A bank that requires little more than a handshake, a smile, and proof you’re not a communist (wait - is that politically incorrect?)
Click here to read (Old document-worth it, though) = 1950's LETTER
What struck me, though, wasn’t just how dated (and hilarious) the language sounds today. It was how familiar the intent felt. Strip away the slang, the cultural references, and the certainty that the moon will never be reached - and you’re left with something timeless: a professional trying to guide someone through one of the biggest decisions of their life.
Which got me thinkin about the true responsibility of a Realtor, and how easy it is for that to get lost in today’s noise.
Somewhere between marketing, social media, and constant “inacurate-but- confident commentary," the job itself can start to look like it’s about speed, volume, or closing at all costs. In reality, the responsibility is much simpler -and much heavier- than that.
On the Seller side, a Realtor’s real responsibility is to tell the truth about pricing, even when it’s uncomfortable. To protect long-term value, not chase short-term excitement. To interpret the market - not just forward listings or echo false optimism.
But that responsibility doesn’t stop there.
On the Buy side, the obligation is just as real - maybe more so. It means helping Buyers understand risk, not just “win” a house. Knowing when to push, and when to say, “Let’s walk.” Protecting clients from overpaying emotionally. And always thinking beyond closing day - resale, liquidity, and whether a property truly makes sense.
Whether I’m advising a Seller or representing a Buyer, the responsibility is the same: protect the client first - even if that means slowing things down.
Reading that old letter made me smile. The tone is funny. But the underlying responsibility - the duty to guide, to advise honestly, and to put the client first hasn’t changed in seventy years. Only the tools and the language have.
Good real estate advice should NEVER be purely transactional. Sometimes it leads to perspective, patience, or even a pause. All of those are wins – at least in my book. (and btw, that "book" has been shaped by two excetional "old guard" Realtors - Chet Crabtree & Bob Wilkinson)
If you’d like a calm, no-pressure check-in about where your Cape Cod property fits into this broader landscape, I’m always happy to offer perspective. And if you’re around Friday morning, I'll be at the Chatham Perk from 8:00–9:00 a.m. - the very BEST coffee on Cape Cod, bar none. Remember, its on me!
See you around the elbow,
Paul
P.S. If you ever want a thoughtful conversation about what this evolving market means for your home, I’m always here - just common sense and a local perspective. And if you’re starting to think about buying or selling, PaulBorde.com is a good place to browse listings, catch past newsletters, and stay current on the market (and - if I may say so - revisit a few of my Pulitzer Prize–level past newsletters).