Cape Cod Cottage Perched Precariously on the Edge of an Ocean Cliff Sells for Less Than Half Its $239K Asking Price

A. Cape Cod Located just yards from the edge of an eroding ocean cliff, the cottage changed hands for the bargain price of $100,000; less than two months after its launch at a price of more than double that amount.

Ownership 153 Brownell Road inside Eastham, MAIt went on the market in September for $239,000 and immediately caught the attention of house hunters, who were captivated and awestruck. proximity to the edge of a rapidly collapsing cliff.

On the surface, this deal might seem like a dream for anyone looking for the perfect beachfront home, and to some extent it is, especially considering the median listing price in Eastham is $869,500 as of September 2025.

But ownership of the property comes with a controversial ticking clock as the house threatens to fall victim to coastal erosion.

listing agent Jack Sullivanrelated to William Raveis Real Estate – Harwich Harborhe had previously revealed the true extent of this risk in an interview. Realtor.com®He admitted that the approximately 60 meters of land separating the house from the cliff edge had disappeared into the water in the five years since it was last sold.

“When the seller bought the property there was 75 meters in front of the house and now it was 16 meters from the house to the edge of the cliff,” he explained.

But he insisted the buyer would have about eight years to enjoy the home if There were no significant weather problems.

“It’s priced just below appraised value,” Sullivan said. “The house itself is wonderful. It’s a shame. The seller lived there full time for five years, so if the weather stays calm you could stay another year or eight.”

But the increasing threat of the property collapsing into the ocean did not deter potential buyers; even the opposite. A few days after listing the home, Sullivan announced that he had received two solid offers, both from “current or retired builders.”

Known as the “Outermost House”, the grey-tiled residence was described as offering the buyer the chance to “live with the ocean as your nearest neighbour”.

The cozy cottage, offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, was built in 1956 and was sold in its current condition. It has only 972 square meters of living space. But the modernized interior features laminate floors, radiant heat and a wood-burning stove.

There’s also “a room where you can relax, garden, or sip your morning coffee and listen to the sights and sounds of the sea,” according to the listing.

It’s currently unclear who purchased the property or whether they plan to make any significant structural changes to extend the life of the residence, which boasts incredible ocean views and unrivaled proximity to the beach.

Either way, the seller took a huge hit on the home he bought five years ago for $450,000.

Meanwhile, the owner of the neighboring property faces a similarly bleak picture when it comes to selling his home. 157 Brownell Roadit was first listed in October for $199,000. A few weeks later the price dropped to just $99,000.

Even if it’s a seller David MootOnce he gets that full claim, he also faces a huge loss on his investment because he bought the house for $395,000 less than it was two years ago.

At that time, he explained his decision to purchase a house with such a short shelf life, and although he knew that buying a house only 25 meters away from the cliffs was risky, he explained that he wanted to take advantage of this house’s proximity to the ocean, even if only for a short time.

“Life is too short and I said to myself: ‘Let’s see what happens,'” he said Bloomberg.

It may well be that the decision to offer such a significant discount is related to pressure from local municipal governments to make updates to the property that officials say will reduce the risk of the house collapsing off the cliff.

according to Provincetown IndependentEastham’s board of health and conservation commission accused Moot of failing to respond to repeated notices to “take steps to ensure the structure does not endanger the public.”

The main issues at hand involve the home’s septic system and the leach field. Officials believe the risk of exposure to the cliff face is serious, especially after a severe winter storm in December 2024 causes the cliff to erode further.

A letter sent to Moot by local authorities on December 13, 2024, and seen by the Independent, urged him to take swift action.

“We urgently request that you take action now. Taking no action will be costly and cause significant environmental impacts and will render your property uninhabitable in the absence of sewer or water,” the letter reads.

Despite these warnings, officials say Moot took no action to update the property.

As a result of this inaction, he was fined $300 per day, according to the outlet.

“We advised him on many different scenarios he could do in the short term,” Eastham Chief Medical Officer said. Hillary Greenberg-Lemos He reportedly told the board at a meeting in April. “The longer he waits, the more dangerous the situation will become.”

But Moot hit back at authorities, insisting that any issues with the property’s security be reported to the previous owners.

“There were things that were hidden from me as a new buyer,” he told the Independent. “Apparently everything happened to me, but these problems should have been resolved by the previous owners.”

He said he also attempted to relocate the property’s leak site, but was unable to carry out the project because officials did not respond to his requests for assistance.

The listing of his residence points out the risks involved in the home, advising interested parties “not to walk on the property without permission” while also noting that there are extraordinary conditions that the buyer must meet when taking over ownership of the home.

“According to the town of Eastham, the well and seepage field need to be relocated,” it says. “Preservation requires a plan designed for a deconstruction protocol on file. Buyers are responsible for complying with all conditions for closing.”

Still, the listing notes the many benefits of living so close to the ocean and encourages potential buyers to “imagine being so far East that you’re one of the first to see the sunrise every morning.”

In contrast, the listing of the neighboring house noted the many updates it had made in the five years since it was last sold, including several “eco-conscious” renovations.

“This home is environmentally conscious and turnkey,” he said, before listing several improvements: solar panel installation in 2022; Addition of new insulation, flooring, radiant heat and charging station in 2021; septic system overhaul in 2020; and improvements will be made to the well in 2025.