For a decade or so, this spectacularly-situated antique "summer cottage" (of the rare substantial sort) sat un-renovated above a beautiful, white-sand beach. You'd drive past, jaw dropping just a little at the sheer potential of this gem, and there was a hand scrawled sign on the garage with a price so extremely high, you just kept driving. It seemed this house was always 'for sale.' It was way beyond my means and too costly for anyone else, it seemed. Knowing I could never afford it, I suggested to her (now on speaking terms) how the tiny titan might wrangle some tax advantage by moving in full time for a couple years, saving her large gain. Never did I imagine I could figure out how to own this house at her astronomical price. But the Boston RE market was surging; we sold our JP condo, cashed in my self employment Keogh plan+IRA, and bought it in its shockingly rough condition - barely heated, not insulated state, with homosote dropped-ceilings hiding the gorgeous original 1914 framing. She stayed until the December closing, where we were welcomed by 3” of snow indoors on the window sills.
Every year has seen a transfusion of green love… carefully upgrading this incredible, authentic Cape Cod "cottage" in a way that maintains its old charm. Year after year, better and better. We are grateful for the families who have come (and many to return) supporting the gradual transformation. This trust and support lets us pour the funds back into House by the Sea a bit more incredible each year.
We hope to see you, too, very soon.