WHITE SHARK HOUSE - Newsletter February 2024 by WhiteShark

WHITE SHARK

FEBRUARY 2024

CLAM

F E B R U A R Y H O M E M A I N T E N A N C E

CHOWDER

2 cups cubed potatoes 1 cup diced carrots 1 cup diced celery 1 cup minced onion 3 (6.5 ounce) cans minced clams (or fresh), drained with juice reserved water to cover ¾ cup butter ¾ cup all-purpose flour 1 quart half-and-half cream 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 ½ teaspoons salt ground black pepper to taste Directions 1. Place potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion into a large skillet; pour in clam juice and add enough water to cover. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until vegetables are tender. 2. Meanwhile, melt butter in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth. Whisk in cream and stir constantly until thick and smooth. Stir in vegetable mixture with any juices until just heated through. 3. Stir in clams just before serving. If they cook too much they get tough. When clams are heated through, stir in vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Courtesy @ ALLRECIPES.COM

Inspect and clean the dryer vent. Cleaning the duct that connects the back of your dryer to the outside vent won’t only improve the unit’s efficiency, it can prevent a house fire caused by lint buildup. Vacuum refrigerator coils. One little-known fact about your refrigerator is that cleaning the condenser coils located in the back or bottom of the appliance will save energy and keep it in prime working condition. Clean your kitchen exhaust fans. Exhaust fans help remove steam and odors when you’re cooking. They should be cleaned monthly to avoid grease buildup.

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#1: YOU HAVE LITTLE LEFTOVER ONCE BILLS ARE PAID The definition of retirement has changed drastically over the years. Now more than ever before, retirees are maintaining an active lifestyle that includes hobbies, exercise, and continued learning – and these all cost a bit of money.

#2: YOUR HOME HAS FEATURES THAT MAKE AGING IN PLACE DIFFICULT Depending on your layout, there may be some home features you’re unable to modify that still pose a threat to your safety and make aging in place difficult. Features like several flights of stairs, narrow doorways, or high-maintenance landscaping can all be safety hazards.

WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO DOWNSIZE YOUR HOME?

#3: YOU WANT TO TURN HOME EQUITY INTO RETIREMENT INCOME If your plan is to rely on home equity for income in retirement years, such as selling to use the equity, now may be the right time to downsize.

#4: ROOMS GO UNUSED If any of the rooms that were once used are now rarely opened, it doesn’t make sense to pay to heat, cool, and light them. Saving money on utilities and property taxes are just a couple more reasons to think about downsizing your home.

#5: MAINTAINING YOUR HOME IS BECOMING DIFFICULT If you’ve reached the stage where chores seem impossible, it’s time to go smaller. And it’s better to make this decision sooner, rather than later. If household chores begin to pile up and if they impact the condition of your home, you may see a decrease in property value when it comes time to sell.

SERVING CAPE COD AND THE SOUTH SHORE

508-415-1295 Kate.Conway@KW.com WhiteSharkHomes.com

OF MOUNTAINS, MOGULS, AND. . . FIRN GLIDERS? by Kate Conway

FACT: I can’t ski. Well, alright - let me define that statement a little better: I tried skiing once, in early spring, at Gunstock in New Hampshire many years ago. To say I had one speed was an understatement - I basically flew down the mountain like a tossed octopus on ice, unable to stop. Laughable though it was, for the life of me, I couldn’t do the “pizza” shape with my skis to slow down, let alone keep them parallel. Thus, the simple undeniable fact was etched in the snow rammed up my back: I can’t ski. Then, a couple years later, I gave birth to a boy, who, FIFTEEN years later, would mutiny and decide he wanted to snowboard and get the family back on the mountain. At first I waved goodbye and wished him well and stayed toasty in my home on the Cape. But then, through much coaxing, I started investigating other ways to hit the slopes - a way to traverse the mountain with shorter skis, reminiscenct of of my days rollerskating. Low and behold there exists such gear: Skiboards and Snowskates. Some maniac clearly had me in mind when designing these for the slopes.

The author’s son, Finn, at Smugglers Notch in northern Vermont on a Snowboard. Photo courtesy of Hannah Salamone

Believe it or not Skiboards (literally much shorter skis which can be used with or without poles) have known as Firn Gliders in the 1940s and used by mountaineers as a way to get around quickly. But it wasn’t until an Austrian company took them mainstream in the 1990s (and the X Games embraced the shorter skis) that their popularity soared. But then, like so many unique ideas, they fell out of style . . . until recently, when it was realized that horrible skiers, such as myself, may

Photo Courtesy of ODRSkis.com

been around for a LONG time. They were originally

actually be decent rollerskaters, and thus, the love of them was reborn.

SKATES ON THE SLOPES? Some facts about Skiboards: They usually are 75 to 110 cm long They can be used with snowboard boots or ski boots. Poles are optional They come in a variety of styles Some are wider, more reminiscent of mini snowboards. They are professed to be EASIER for idiots like me.

Alongside the skiboards, a newer boot/blade came out in recent years. Called Skiskates, these are literally skiboots with a smooth underside and like their namesake, you SKATE down the mountain. Be warned however, as not EVERY mountain allows them, so check with your destination before heading up with these unique skates (shown above).

BUT

.WHERE

HAS

ALL

THE

SNOW

GONE?

asking,

You

may

“when

this

New England, with her fickle storms and wild

uncoordinated Realtor going to hit the slopes

temperature swings, means that finding snow

with her new short skis?” The truth is, we, like so

now-a-days equates to a longer trek from

many others, have found ourselves trying to

Cape Cod.

chase the snow. Checking snow reports to ensure there is actually snow on a skislope has

Wachusett Mountain Ski Resort in Princeton

become an absolute must before heading out.

Massachusetts is the highest peak in the state

In what can only be attributed to climate

- at only an hour and a half from the Cape

change, many ski resorts throughout the world

Cod Canal, it has been touted for years as

are facing far shorter seasons due to warmer

“Mountain Skiing minutes away.” But even it

weather. While here on Cape Cod we feel the

has struggled for snow in recent years, relying

climate shift through more storms and rising

heavily on manmade flakes when it can.

ocean levels, the mountains see it in the reverse - not more snow, but rather less.

HIT

THE

SLOPES

My family plans to hit the slopes this Such drops in snow totals have lead many ski

weekend, and (if we are lucky) Blue Hills Ski

resorts to operate on a thin budget, forcing the

area will have some snow. A small mountain

use of more snowmaking when possible. Other

only 45 minutes from the Cape, I figure my

resorts are looking towards a future with less

chances of being maimed or flattening

snow and thus becoming more of a hiking /

someone else while pinwheeling down the

biking destination.

bunny slope with my “easy short skis” will be minimized.

Since 1973, snowfall has lessened year after year world-wide. According to CNN, “Once the

Here’s to hoping it is cold enough for snow

world’s highest ski resort at over 17,000 feet

making and mother nature lends a hand.

(5,180 meters), Bolivia’s Chacaltaya now sits

Otherwise we will be trekking further north

abandoned after a glacier melted away. And a

where the mountains are steeper and the

small ski area in Le Sambuy, France, recently

audience much broader when I face-plant

closed for good because of a lack of snow.”

into a snow bank.

GAS VS. ELECTRIC OVEN: HOW TO CHOOSE

MARKET UPDATE JANUARY 2024 - MLS PIN BARNSTABLE COUNTY

CHOOSE A GAS OVEN IF YOU PREFER: Using Multiple Cooking Techniques: Gas ovens and ranges offer greater versatility in cooking methods. You can grill or char on the open flame in addition to the typical methods of searing, boiling, broiling, and roasting. Stirfrying and sautéing are also ideal methods for use with a gas range since gas gives you the direct high heat needed.

$652,500 MEDIAN SOLD PRICE

$11,500,000

Faster Pre-Heating: Gas heats up quicker compared to electricity, which means less time waiting on the oven or range to reach the right temperature. Adjusting the Temperature Quickly: Gas makes it easier to adjust a temperature up or down. This allows you to crank up the heat or turn it down quickly, so you achieve optimal cooking results. This includes a quick cooldown as soon as you turn the flames off.

HIGHEST SALE

114 # OF PROPERTIES SOLD

46 AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET

Energy-Efficiency: Cooking with gas is more energy-efficient since gas heat uses less energy to heat than electricity.

CHOOSE AN ELECTRIC OVEN IF YOU PREFER: Cooking With a Variety of Pots & Pans Sizes: An electric cooktop has various sizes of burners, which means you can use a mix of smaller and larger-sized pots. Easier Cleanup: The smooth top of an electric range is easier to wipe down when cleaning versus gas grates, which require you to fully remove them in order to clean them. A Drier Heat: Electric ovens produce drier heat compared to gas, which enhances browning or crispness in your food. Precise Temperature Control: With an electric oven, you have greater control over the temperature setting compared to a gas flame.

Purchase Rates | Conforming Loans January 26, 2024 15 yr fixed no points

15 yr fixed

30 yr fixed

no closing costs

no points

30 yr fixed

no closing cost

Interest Rate

5.50%

5.99%

6.25%

6.50%

Fully Indexed Rate

Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

5.593%

6.087%

6.310%

6.561%

Purchase Price

$850,000

Down Payment Percentage

25%

Down Payment Amount

$212,500

Total Loan Amount

$637,500

Loan Term (months)

180

360

Closing Costs

$5,581.1

$0.00

$5,581.1

$0.00

Principal & Interest Payment

3 $5,208.91

$5,376.1

$4,029.4

$3,925.2

Rates available as of 01/26/2024 and are subject to change. Above payments do not include taxes or insurance; your payment will be greater. Rates quoted assuming taxes escrowed for owner- occupied properties and a FICO score of 780 or greater. For no closing cost loans, this is offering a credit towards closing0costs of $5,581.13. Prepaids and other property based fees may still be due at closing. Please contact your Leader Bank loan officer for more information. Rates quoted for both 30 year fixed options are also subject to agreement to sign up for automatic payments from Leader Bank checking account; otherwise, interest rates and APR will be 0.25% higher without such agreement and corresponding payments will be higher.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about these rates or eligibility criteria for these products! We look forward to helping you find the right lending solution for your needs.

Meryl Watson Loan Officer | MLO# 423227 508-274-2136 mwatson@leaderbank.com Lauren Robert Loan Officer | MLO# 1045433 508-269-6282 lauren.robert@leaderbank.com w w w.leader bank .com 13 Steeple Street, Suite 201, Mashpee, MA 02649

Lender NMLS# 449250. All loans subject to credit approval. Terms and conditions may apply.

Purchase Rates | Jumbo Loans January 26, 2024 5/6 ARM*

7/6 ARM*

10/6 ARM* no points

30 yr fixed no points

no points

Interest Rate

6.125%

6.375% 6.50%

6.625%

Fully Indexed Rate

8.375%

8.375% 8.125%

Annual Percentage Rate (APR)

7.477%

7.352% 7.073%

6.663%

Purchase Price

$2,066,667

$2,066,667 $2,066,667

Down Payment Percentage

25%

25% 25%

$2,066,66 7

Down Payment Amount

$516,667

$516,667 $516,667

25%

Total Loan Amount

$1,550,000

$1,550,000 $1,550,000

$516,667

Loan Term (months)

360 (60 / 300)

360 (84 / 276)180

Closing Costs

$7,999.25

$7,999.25 $7,999.25

Principal & Interest Payment

$9,669.98 (84 months)$9,797.05 (120 months) $9,417.96 (60 months) $11,507.62 (300 months) $11,438.07 (276 months)$11,093.52 (240 months)

$1,550,00 0 360 $7,999.25 $9,924.82

Rates available as of 01/26/2024 and are subject to change. Above payments do not include taxes or insurance; your payment will be greater. Rates quoted assuming taxes escrowed for owner- occupied properties and a FICO score of 780 or greater. For all adjustable rate loans, the fully indexed rate and APR are calculated using applicable indexed rate as of 01/26/2024 and proposed margin. Because the applicable indexed rate may increase over time, the APR, fully indexed rate and the corresponding estimated payments may also increase. *Adjustable rate mortgage. after the fixed interest period of 120 months for the 10/6 ARM; 84 months for the 7/6 ARM; and 60 months for the 5/6 ARM, the rate will adjust every 6 months to a rate equal to (a) the indexed rate of the 30-day average and (b) a margin of 2.75%. These adjustments are subject to an initial adjustment cap 2% - 5% over the initial rate, a subsequent cap of 1% -2% over the most recent rate, and a lifetime cap of 5-6% over the initial rate. Please contact your Leader Bank loan officer for more information.

Lender NMLS# 449250. All loans subject to credit approval. Terms and conditions may apply.

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