C
ape Cod cottage at 153 Brownell Road, Eastham, sold for $100 000—less than two months after a $239 000 listing—despite its precarious position on a rapidly eroding bluff. The 972‑sq‑ft, 1956‑built gray‑shingled home sits just 16 ft from the cliff edge, a drop from the 75 ft margin it had when the previous owner bought it for $450 000 five years ago. Listing agent Jack Sullivan of William Raveis Real Estate noted that the bluff has lost nearly 60 ft in the past five years, leaving the house with an estimated eight‑year window of safety if weather remains mild. Yet the property’s appeal lies in its panoramic Atlantic views and the promise of living with the ocean as a neighbor. Two offers from builders arrived within days of the listing, and the sale price reflects a steep discount from Eastham’s median price of $869,500 (Sept 2025).

    The neighboring 157 Brownell Road, originally listed at $199 000 in October, was cut to $99 000 a few weeks later. Owner David Moot, who purchased the home for $395 000 less than two years ago, faces a similar erosion threat—just 25 ft from the bluff. He admitted to Bloomberg that he accepted the risk for a short‑term ocean experience. Local authorities, including the Eastham Board of Health and Conservation Commission, have warned that the property’s septic system and leaching field are at severe risk of exposure after a December 2024 storm intensified erosion. A December 13 letter demanded immediate action, threatening fines of $300 per day for non‑compliance. Moot argues that prior owners concealed issues and that he has attempted to relocate the leaching field without official support.

    Both listings highlight the tension between coastal allure and environmental hazard. 153 Brownell Road’s listing emphasizes its “eco‑conscious, turnkey” upgrades—solar panels (2022), new insulation, flooring, radiant heat, charging station (2021), septic overhaul (2020), and well upgrades (2025). 157 Brownell Road’s description urges buyers to imagine early sunrise views but warns that the well and leach field must be relocated and an engineered deconstruction plan filed before closing. Despite the risks, the properties remain attractive for those willing to accept the potential loss of their investment in exchange for immediate ocean proximity.