Dear Cape Friends,
If you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been along for the ride, welcome back.
Well… Fall apparently got the memo..
This week officially marks the beginning of Fall - and right on cue, Mother Nature seems determined to make sure we know it.
We’ve got some good old-fashioned Cape Cod weather brewing for the weekend: northeast winds, rain, rough seas and the kind of weather that makes staying inside suddenly sound pretty damn good. Actually, “rough” might be underselling it. The marine forecast is calling for northeast winds of 30-40 knots, gusts up to 50, and seas building to 12–16 feet offshore. Hmmm..
In other words, Mother Nature apparently has weekend plans.
And with hurricane season very much upon us, it got me thinking about something we don’t talk about nearly enough in real estate:
How does a house behave when the weather isn’t beautiful?
Because anyone can fall in love with a Cape house on a sunny July afternoon. The hydrangeas are blooming. Pleasant Bay is sparkling. The windows are open. But give me a northeast wind whipping off the Atlantic and a few inches of rain, and I can learn a whole lot more about that house.
Questions to consider: Where does the water go? How does the property drain? How old is the roof? Are there trees hanging over the house? Is there a generator? What’s the elevation? Is the property in a flood zone? And, particularly with waterfront and water-view homes, what have years of wind, water and storms been doing to the land around it?
These aren’t necessarily reasons not to buy a house. Quite the opposite. They’re reasons to understand the house you’re buying.
Capt. Obvious will point out that living on the Cape comes with a trade-off or two. Salt air isn't particularly kind to much of anything. Northeast winds can howl. Trees come down. Power goes out. And occasionally the Atlantic reminds us that she was here long before we were.
But that’s also part of living here, right..?
A Love Affair with the Cape
The same water that can be so majestic on a beautiful summer day can get your heart racing when the weather turns. Yet it’s the very water we swim in, fish in, boat on and sit beside with a cup of coffee.
Like a good woman, you take care of the Cape, and you learn to respect her. You learn her moods. You give her room when she needs it. The beautiful days make you fall for her. The stormy ones remind you why you never stop loving her.
So as we head into the first weekend of fall, maybe take a walk around the house. Check the gutters. Look at the trees. Make sure the generator starts. Secure anything that might decide it wants to visit the neighbor. And don’t forget to bring in the stupid cushions.
And, of course, there are the other nor’easter essentials.
A gentle blaze crackling in the fireplace. Plenty of seasoned firewood stacked and ready. The ingredients for a Dark ’n Stormy or two (or 5?). Good chili on the stove. And a comfortable, cozy place in front of the flat-ski for a great Saturday of college football.
Or… you could always head to the Squire and mix it up with 25 bachelorette parties and lax bros wearing UT lids backwards while firing through Miller Lites.
Wait.
That actually sounds kinda fun…
Texas at Tennessee. Circa 12 Noon- The Squire is sounding better by the second
Now, THAT my friends, is storm preparedness. LFG…!
One more thing for my fellow weather and water salty dogs: right on the cover page of my website (lower left-hand corner) - I have a US Harbors link with local tides and weather forecasts. I use it myself, and it’s a great resource to have bookmarked, especially when the Cape starts getting a little testy. And my pal Jordan Steele at the Weather Channel might even give me a thumbs up to this – but I digress..
Anyhow, time to batten down the hatches and enjoy the show. Because there is something pretty spectacular about the Cape when she gets a little feisty.
Just maybe leave the Whaler tied up this weekend. 😂
Song of the Week: Cleaning Windows - Vanny Mo. Somehow, this one just feels right as we gear up for a good old fashioned Cape storm rolling in. It will surely be playing on Saturday at the Squid.
“Well, take my time, I’ll see you when my love grows, Dont let it slide..”
If you’re around Friday morning, I’ll be holding court at Chatham Perk from 8:00–9:00 AM. Feel free to stop by the very BEST coffee house in Chatham and say hello - As always, the coffee is on me!
Stay safe out there, Cape Friends.
P.S. If you're thinking about buying, selling, or simply keeping tabs on the market here on the elbow- or if you know someone who is - PaulBorde.com is a great place to start. You'll find listings, market updates, past NEWSLETTERS, and enough reading material to get you through at least one rainy Cape Cod weekend.
A few of the articles came dangerously close to Pulitzer Prize consideration.
(Editor's Note: This statement has not been independently verified.) 😄