From Sap to Sugar!

YES! It is the time of year when we see the maple tree taps and head to our local sugarhouses and this year will be no exception.  Your whole family will enjoy this outing from the rural settings to the pancakes and syrup.  Here is a list of some local sugarhouses with websites providing directions and menu's, check them out.

South Face Farm Sugarhouse
Ashfield, MA  website


Williams Sugarhouse
Deerfield, MA  website


High Hopes Sugarhouse
Worthington, MA  website

Pentathlon in West County

Saturday, March 31, 2012


The 1st annul Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon features many of the best outdoor adventures in our area.  The town of Charlemont, MA offers the perfect setting for a Pentathlon with Berkshire East Ski slopes, Deerfield River and the winding roads of West County.
    The 5 Events

1. 10K train run
2. 23 miles of road biking
3. 5 miles of kayaking
4. a mile to the top mountain
5. downhill ski to the finish

Complete information on their website.  Sign up your team or mark you calendar to attend this exciting outdoor team event.

Top Producers Awarded

Award Season in Full-Swing

 

We start our award season this year with the company level awards.  Christine Aubrey, Broker/Owner treated us to a lovely dinner at Alina's Restorante in South Deerfield on February 20^th.  The evening was a wonderful social gathering enjoyed by all.  Congratulations to the following:

 

REALTOR of the Year

Don Mailloux

 

Gold Awards

Mike Packard

Lisa Palumbo

 

Silver Awards

Wanda Mooney

Phil Pless

Gaylor & McGowan

 

Bronze Awards

Maureen Borg (not pictured)

Linda Webster 

Local Market Watch-Looking Good!

MAR (Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®) and the NAR (National Association of REALTORS®) released reports this week expressing confidence in the real estate market.  I pulled some data from our local Multiple Listing Service and my small snap-shot does make me confident our spring market is looking good.

In January 2012 Franklin County (single family/condos) closed properties were down slightly (14.6%) over January 2011, while there was an increase in properties that went under agreement (25.7%).  Hampshire County is showing the same type of movement with closed (single family/condos) properties down in January 2012 (19.8%) with an increase in properties that went under agreement (31.7%).

I took a look at the average sale price for this January over last January and found Franklin County’s average sale price decreased by 14.6% and Hampshire County was down by 19.8%. It may have taken the year to get there but prices are down.

Although recovery is down the road, the increase in properties under agreement in our real estate market shows promise for a good spring.  The better than expected weather this winter have buyers looking.  Yes, this may be your best time to find your new home; great prices, low interest rates and plenty of homes to choose from.

Everyone at Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont REALTORS® looks forward to assisting you with your real estate needs.  Stop by, give us a call or go to our website to see why we are the leading agency in Western Massachusetts.

Related Articles:

JanuaryREALTOR® Market Index Continues Positive Trend to Start Year

Massachusetts Pending Home Sales Up Again in January

Existing-Home Sales Rise Again in January, Inventory Down