Allison Lahey Cape Cod MA Realtor

Heritage Museums and Gardens, Sandwich, MA Now is the time to vist!!! There are thousands of plants in full bloom on this 100 acres parcel. The famous Dexter Rhododendrons bloom late May into early June. This is the largest public garden in Southern New England. Don't miss the amazing exhibits: J.K. Lilly, III Antique Automobile Museum; American History Museum; Art Museum; the Old East Windmill; and, more!!

Looking for a home in Sandwich, MA? Curious about home prices in Sandwich, MA? Check out my easy to use PROPERTY FINDER for properties in Sandwich or elsewhere on Cape Cod.

Cape Cod to Nantucket Boat Race - this weekend!

The 40th Annual Figawi Race from Cape Cod to Nantucket is tomorrow!! The Figawi (Fig-aw-ee) Boat Race is one of the premier yachting regattas on the East Coast. The Competition features 27 sail boats and 25 motor boats in 13 classes, with starting times staggered; slower boats go first.

All boats begin from Hyannis Harbor and race to Nantucket Harbor (Massachusetts). The race begins at 10 a.m. Saturday from the Hyannisport breakwater. Sunday is a lay day with the awards festivities and other activities. The Reverse Figawi is sailed from Nantucket to Hyannis beginning at 10 a.m. Monday.

If you are in town and want to watch the fleet's departure, you should head to the Hyannisport jetty, Kalmus and Veterans beaches in Hyannis, or any roads overlooking the water in Hyannisport. You didn't hear this from me, but....the views from the Hyannisport Golf Course are pretty spectacular. Shhh!

The Figawi has become a tradition and often a reunion that brings people back year after year. And, this weekend the weather looks amazing! The Race festivities began last weekend with the annual Figawi Charity Ball in Hyannis. This event raises money for Cape Cod area charities. In its 25 years, the Ball has raised more than $3 million!

I plan on cycling over with my camera and I'll be sure to post an update next. Have a wonderful weekend and remember to thank a soldier - past or present - for their service to our country.

Commercial condo unit on Plant Road in Hyannis MA. Business Space for Lease. Unit is 1,000 square feet, with an office in the front, bathroom, air conditioning, heat and parking. Rent is $800 per month plus utilities. Unit has plenty of storage and is conveniently located to Route 132. If interested, please call Alliso Lahey at 508-737-7477 or email Allison at allison.lahey@virtualhomes.com

Here are a few home design and remodeling trends that are proving popular this year. Homeowners are reviving their living spaces and buyers are looking for the following features.

LED or CFL (Compact Fluorescent) Lighting
Homeowners are moving away from incandescent fixtures toward more energy-efficient choices such as LED and CFL bulbs.

High Quality Synthetic Materials for Home Exterior
Synthetic materials such as Hardie Plank siding and PVC trim pieces mimic the look of natural materials like wood, but are much more durable and better able to withstand climate changes.

Large Format Bathroom Tiles
Smaller square tiles are being replaced with tiles measuring 12" x 12" or larger, as well as non-square shapes (12" x 18"), producing flooring and walls that showcase more tile and fewer grout lines.

Multiple Finishes on Kitchen Cabinetry
Complimentary multiple stains and a mix of painted and stained finishes on cabinetry enables homeowners to escape the look and feel of a "cookie cutter" kitchen where all surfaces match.

Screened Porches
Homeowners are extending their living areas with screened porches that allow them to enjoy the outdoors throughout the year without the nuisance of insects.

"Furniture-Like" Detailing in Kitchens
Varied cabinet and counter heights, distressed finishes, and furniture-style toe kicks provide visual interest and help eliminate the "component" look of many kitchen cabinet designs.

Heated Bathroom Flooring
Heated mats underneath bathroom flooring tiles provide radiant heat that is proven to keep homeowners warmer than forced-air heating systems, helping to save on energy costs.

Kitchen Cabinet Accessories
With drawer inserts for cutlery, spices or dividers, homeowners are making better use of every available space within their kitchens

The Massachusetts Association of Realtors always has great advice for realtors and homeowners alike. The information they provide on financing a home purchase is a great reminder of the rules that should be followed in the largest purchase most of us will ever make.

Financing Your Home Purchase
Although housing affordability is becoming increasingly difficult for many, you may be surprised to discover you have more disposable income than you at first thought. Once you've decided to buy a home, consider these tips to prepare for your purchase.

Know What You Can Afford
There are more cost calculations to home ownership than making the monthly mortgage payment such as taxes, insurance, utility bills, maintenance, and association fees if you buy a condominium. By getting pre-approved for a mortgage you will truly know how much house you can afford.

Know and Understand the Home Buying Process
Consider a home buyer counseling to educate you in the complexities of the home buying process, budgeting and your responsibilities as a homeowner.

Know Your Credit Score
Lenders are willing to take less risk than in prior years and could require good-to-great credit to get a loan and you can't assume you have good credit; you need to know your credit score. It's also very helpful to know what determines your credit score. You can learn a lot from myFico.com, a website provided by Fair Isaac, the company that invented the FICO score.

Mortgage Shop
Do some comparison shopping for lenders. Interest rates and loan availability can vary widely from market to market, and from year to year. If you are a first-time buyer, government agencies like Mass Housing offer below-market interest rates for qualified buyers.

Work with a REALTOR®
Working with a real estate professional, is a very good way to get the most house for your money. REALTORS® truly understand the local housing market. They handle hundreds, if not thousands, of real estate transactions over the course of their careers, and can counsel buyers through this complex home buying process.