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Habitat for Humanity ReStores Cape Cod with Retail Furnishings

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Are you buying or selling a Cape Cod home? Are you downsizing, expanding, rehabing, furnishing a vacation home, or simply relocating to a new village on the Cape? Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod has opened ReStore, a 3500 square foot showroom featuring new and used household goods at affordable prices. Part surplus warehouse, part…
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Cape Cod Moving & Storage

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It’s not often you get something for nothing these days. I can happily report I did just that yesterday. Thanks to the very accommodating and extremely friendly folks at Cape Cod Moving & Storage in Bourne, I scored a car load of used moving boxes along with a few extra packing goodies.That made the boxes…
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Daylight Savings Time Reminder

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After our mild winter on Cape Cod, the daffodils and crocus are far ahead of schedule and spring truly isn’t too far off. Daylight savings time starts Sunday, March 11, so don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour. Also, it’s time to check the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.…
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School Choice a Consideration of Homebuyers

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A report by the National Association of Realtors profiling the wants and needs of buyers and sellers indicates that school quality is considered a priority by 27% of all buyers. Proximity to schools is listed as a deciding factor by 21% of buyers. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education offers consumer information on Massachusetts…
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Cleaning Up After Irene

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Spared a direct hit from Irene, the Cape still suffered much wind damage including downed power lines and the uprooting and limbing of trees. Wide-spread damage means much of the Cape is still experiencing power outages. If you plan to check into a summer rental (yes, it is still summer!), it is advisable to call…
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Consumer Caution Urged Regarding Online Rentals

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Despite consumer education and widespread warnings, online scams involving rental properties continue to flourish. The old adage “if it sounds too good to be true” should raise the antenna of a prospective tenant. Many of these scams target renters for year round properties but may also involve summer and seasonal rentals. A classified ad placed…
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Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program

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$1 billion worth of emergency mortgage assistance has been made available for qualified homeowners who are unemployed or underemployed due to the economy and at risk of foreclosure. HUD has developed the program (EHLP) via the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. For eligible homeowners, funds are available for 0% loans for past-due…
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Expecting Irene

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Mostly, those of us lucky enough to live on the Cape realize our stature as year-round residents means we must bear with whatever visitors drift our way each summer on the incoming tide. But even the worst company that might darken your doorstep, leave a sideboard full of dishes, and loads of linens in their…
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Cape Cod Sun and Fun

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A summer rental tenant phoned the Steele Associates Real Estate office the other day with a plaintive query. “Is there anything to do on Cape Cod besides go to the beach?” It’s hard to imagine not wanting to simply lounge away your vacation days on our beautiful beaches–but if you’ve become just a little restless…
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Homeowners’ Heating Oil Regulations

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If you heat your home with oil, or are buying or selling a property that does, you should be aware of the new Massachusetts heating oil regulations that went into effect as of September 30, 2011. While the upgrade is a relatively small expenditure (estimated to be $150 – $350 including labor, parts, and local…
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