I started working with Scott and Marlee toward the end of the winter. Their mission was clear. They live full-time just outside of Boston and they wanted a Cape house as an escape for themselves and to host short-term rentals when they weren't using it. I walked them through what it takes to set up a short-term rental and the best areas to start the search. Very early on in our conversations, I got the impression that they had what it takes and knew what they were doing.
I met Scott for an open house and on a very rare occasion, they got the first house that they looked at! We had walked through our checklist and this home checked all the boxes. The things I look for in a rental property are similar to looking at any listing. This home was pretty straightforward. It was clean and well maintained. Like many cottages on the Cape, it was just outdated! From the furniture to the decorations to the paint colors. This young couple had the foresight to look past all that and see the gleaming hardwood floors, great outdoor space, and a lot of potential. The location was there. They just had to bring it up to date with some modern style.
The offer was accepted and the timetable was set. NOW WHAT?! The transaction moved smoothly and they had to get a very outdated house ready for the summer.
After the closing, I passed on some local resources to start the transformation. I could see very early that they were tackling most of it themselves and they didn't waste any time. About 2 weeks after closing I got a notification that a contact had started a new Instagram page. ( @thehavencapecod ) "Modern Yarmouth rental coming soon". I was shocked at the before and after pictures they were posting. Not only how fast they had worked, but also the style they had gone with. "Knowing your audience" is the number one rule in marketing. The modern coastal design they chose is perfect for those looking for a vacation on Cape Cod.
I saw the posts and transformation throughout the spring and then the listing was ready.
I wanted to share this story to show that finding the right house and making it yours is possible with hard work. You may have to look past some old decor and outdated furniture, but even in a challenging housing market, you can have your dream home.
Follow Scott and Marlee's house on Instagram @thehavencapecod
Check out the Airbnb listing here to book your stay
4th of July 2022 Cape Cod
