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.
Today’s topic: Pre-Winter Home Prep, also known as the seasonal thrill ride of doing 63 things outside while negotiating with the wind.
Because winter on Cape Cod doesn’t arrive - it materializes, walks into your yard, checks your level of preparedness, raises an eyebrow, and whispers: Hey moron, you should’ve started earlier.
So before frost takes over your driveway, here is your Cape Cod Winter Readiness Checklist:
Exterior Armor (Wind, Water & Regret Prevention)
• Remove & drain hoses
• Shut off & insulate exterior spigots
• Clean gutters, aim downspouts away from the house
• Check roof shingles for anything flappy or questionable
• Trim branches that look like future insurance claims
• Secure or store outdoor furniture (your chairs will end up in Pleasant Bay!)
Water, Ice & Freeze-y Things
• Blow out irrigation
• Flag septic + sprinkler heads before snow hides them forever
• Know your interior water shut-off like it’s your Social Security number
Salt Wind, Mice & Cape Cod Wildlife Diplomacy
• Install storm windows
• Replace weather stripping
• Seal gaps – Mice breach like special ops – swift, silent and strategic
Optional but highly recommended:
Drop everything and immediately adopt a Jack Russell Terrier. Nan and I have two - Stanley & Lilly. There is no creature (big or small, foolish or brave) that survives their perimeter patrol. NET NET: They hunt. They kill. They repeat. Zero mice. 5 stars.
Safety (Because Consequences Are Real)
• Smoke + CO detectors (fresh batteries)
• Fire extinguishers checked
• Generator tested + fueled
Fireplace (My Personal Winter Love Language)
• Firewood - hardwood, softwood, fragrant choices galore
• Firestarters - fatwood is firestarter royalty! Timeless. Dependable.
• Tools, kindling, and yes… open the flue (rookie move, but we’ve all done it)
NOW. LET’S TALK GEAR.
Anyone who knows me knows this truth: I don’t just like gear - I live for GEAR.
• Snow shovels that don’t weigh 400 lbs
• Ice melt / salt stash (buy early… trust me)
• Division 1 level boots
• Jackets that laugh at 20-mph wind
• Hats, gloves, headlamps (don’t pretend you don’t need one)
• Snow blower - non-negotiable
My personal favorite apparel brands:
Kuhl • Arc’teryx • Patagonia • Carhartt
(Barbour gets an honorable mention - arguably the least functional jacket of all time, yet I own one and love it with irrational pride.)
Outdoor Sports (Cape Cod Winter Edition)
• Paddle tennis for frosty court glory
• Cross-country skiing for living your best L.L. Bean ad
• Snowshoes for looking rugged, reflective, and intentional
If it zips, snaps, clips, straps, floats, or claims to be weatherproof…
I want it.
I own it.
I will absolutely discuss it with you.
And if you’re starting to think about buying or selling, PaulBorde.com is always a great resource to browse listings, catch past newsletters, and stay current on the market (and- if I may say so -read some Pulitzer Prize–level past updates).
If you’re around Friday morning, please swing by Chatham Perk for the very best coffee in town. I’ll be there - And remember, as always, it’s on me…
Best,
