Western Massachusetts - Winter Family Activities

Winter Vacation Activities for the Family

Red Gate Farm, Buckland, MA

Fire and Ice!
Saturday, February 25, 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Super special night at the farm. Warm yourself by the bonfire after sledding down the hill under the lights. We will also have a grill and food for dinner, so bring your appetite. Cocoa and s'mores for dessert! You can bring your own sled or borrow one of ours!  All ages welcome. 

Discovery Center, Turners Falls, MA
February 24, 2012 > 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Fourth Friday Story Hour-Owls
Come listen to a wonderful story about Owls, and then stay for a craft activity. This is meant for our very young audience.

Historic Deerfield, Old Deerfield, MA
February 24 & 25, 2012 > 9:30am - 4:30pm
The Flynt Center of Early New England Life with current exhibitions and "The Museum's Attic" gallery. The whole family will enjoy learning about our early settlers.


Eric Carle Museum, Amherst, MA
February 24th > 10am - 5pm & 25th > 12am - 5pm
Your family will enjoy the museum for hours, touring the current exhibits; Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson and The Art of Eric Carle: The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse. 

Western Massachusetts Real Estate Market Looking Good!

No doom and gloom here! 

Let the sun shine!

Great article today on MassLive.com about our real estate market, Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont REALTORS share the optimism.

The median price of single-family homes sold in the Pioneer Valley fell by 10.6 percent in January.

In Hampshire County, sales fell 18.1 percent from 72 to 59 and the median price fell 6.8 percent from $236,000 to $220,000.

In Franklin County, sales fell 25.7 percent from 35 to 26 homes and the median price fell 11.9 percent from $162,000 to $142,750.

HERE IS THE SUNSHINE!
The Realtor Association said,  "Single-family sales under agreement ROSE 28.4 percent last month from 264 at the end of January 2011 to 339 at the end of last month".

The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS stated, "Confidence in the real estate market has gone up compared to the same time last year according to the January 2012 REALTOR® Market Index".

3-Points to Today's Real Estate Market



The Homes at Easthampton Meadow
See more information and photos

The Mass. Association of REALTORS recently noted:

3 major things you need to know about today's real estate market.

1. All Real Estate is Local (go to cbumr.com to see your local real estate)
2. Building Wealth (your personal wealth)
3. Timing (is now)

Check out the full article at marealtor.com and search for your next home at our website.

First-time Homebuyer Workshop

Rural Development, Inc. (RDI) will present a

four-session First-Time Homebuyer Workshop Series

beginning Monday, March 5th, 2012.

Their participating lender is  Greenfield Savings Bank.

Workshop to be held at:   282 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA.



Presenters include:

1. attorney
2. home inspector
3. lender
4. insurance professional
5. credit specialist
6. real estate professional

Participants must attend all workshops in the series to receive a certificate, which allows them access to many affordable mortgage products through MassHousing and other sources.

• Materials are provided.
• Cost for the series is $50 per household
• Space is limited and pre-registration is required
• Contact Pat Holloway to register (413) 863-9781 x100 or pholloway@fcrhra.org.