Dear Cape Friends,
If you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been along for the ride for a while, welcome back. Each week I try to share Cape Cod real estate with a little common sense, a bit of humor, and just enough market insight to keep you ahead of the curve.
An old Cape-coddah was telling me last week that “winter on the cape builds char-ac-tah;” Maybe – but I think I’m fully developed at this point..🙄
Early signs of spring are starting to show - crocuses pushing through the soil, longer afternoon light, harbors slowly waking up. It’s almost like the Cape is about to take a deep breath.
Over in my backyard at Ryders Cove, every year, after any real storm, a couple of “skiffs” seem to always show up in my little section of water. For any neighbor reading this - note to self: When a sizable storm is predicted, tie your friggin skiff down accordingly, or bring it home. Unless, of course, you’d like to gift it to the “its free, its floating and its now mine” club.
And along with those early signs of spring comes another familiar ritual - homeowners beginning the process of waking their houses up after their winter slumber.
A few classic Cape Cod “spring wake-up” items include:
• Inspect the roof and cedar shingles after winter storms
• Clean gutters (now 80% pine needles and an occasional mouse with char-ac-tah)
• Check irrigation systems and outdoor showers
• a light rake-and-refresh of shell / gravel driveways - because your snow-plow guy was understandably not feeling it after 22 straight ours
• Begin repairing landscaping damage from winter wind and salt
And, in my case: locate the snow shovel I’ve owned for 25 years- broken, repaired 10 times, and presumed “thrown out” (it wasn’t). It was exactly where I left it, buried under snow, next to the stupid “roof rake” I bought during a moment of weakness. Official review: do not purchase! I might be revisiting that hardware store with Luca Brasi at my side…👀
Not surprisingly, right on cue this time of year is the Cape Cod real estate market is waking up too.
Each spring tends to bring a noticeable shift in activity across the Cape. Sellers who waited out the winter begin preparing their homes, while Buyers who have been quietly watching the market start scheduling showings again.
This year feels like it may be a particularly interesting one.
Inventory across much of Cape Cod remains historically tight, which means well-located homes continue to attract strong interest when they come to market. At the same time, many buyers who paused during the past year’s interest-rate uncertainty are beginning to re-engage and look more seriously again.
Spring is traditionally the season when the greatest number of new listings appear, and it often sets the tone for the rest of the year.
In other words, the weeks ahead can be an important window - both for homeowners who may be considering selling and for Buyers hoping to secure a place on the Cape before the summer season begins.
But one thing is certain: this is the time of year when the Cape begins to come alive again - in the gardens, along the shoreline, and in the real estate market (and yes... the Squire.🍺)
If you’re curious what this spring might mean for your home or your plans, I’m always happy to talk things through.
And if you happen to be around Friday morning, I’ll be back at Chatham Perk from 8:00- 9:00am. As always, coffee’s on me.
Spring is inching closer – you can smell it in the salt air!
See you around the elbow,
Paul
P.S. 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, please click here and revisit a few of my Pulitzer Prize–level past newsletters!