CAPE COD - It looks as though 2012 was a busy year for Barnstable real estate: "The number of deeds recorded during 2012 was 6,977, compared with 5,650 in 2011. The total sales value for all the transactions last year was $3.1 billion, compared with $2.3 billion in 2011. The number of foreclosures fell last year to 398 from 488 in 2011. There were 15 last month compared with 29 in December 2011." [Cape Cod Times]
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EDGARTOWN - The Edgartown Lighthouse is no longer critical to the U.S. Coast Guard and so it could have ended up on eBay (sort of). Alas, Edgartown selectmen have decided to apply for stewardship of the cast-iron lighthouse. "Through the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act, decommissioned lighthouses are offered at little or no cost to eligible state and local governments, nonprofit organizations and historic preservation groups. If no eligible group comes forward, the lighthouse is auctioned off." [Vineyard Gazette]