Weekend Events-Markets & Fair Time

Fair Website

3 County Fair 
Northampton

Massachusetts

Gate opens Friday - Monday.

Bridge Street, Northampton 

Admission is Free to $10, depending on age.  

This year events; Monster trucks, Demo Derbies, Rockwell Amusements, Midway, Animal Exhibits, antique engine and tractor show, music on several stages, horse and oxen pull..... and so much more family fun. Check out their website for schedule. Have fun!

FARMERS MARKETS

Cisa Website

As we come into the fall, be sure to visit your local Farmer's Markets. Cisa has a great website with a list of times and places throughout the valley where you can purchase your fresh produce and support our local farmers.

Massachusetts Real Estate Market Levels?

The Boston Globe reported, Massachusetts home sale market is up for the first time in 6 month.  The article written by Erin Ailworth uses sources like Banker & Tradesmen (The Warren Group) and the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS to report on the state of our real estate market.  Cory Hopkins of the Warren Group stated in the article, “Maybe [the median price] has found its level a bit and people can be more confident that what they’re buying won’t dramatically decrease in value,’’.  All encouraging news for Massachusetts homeowners.  Read More . . . 

Shelburne Falls - Bridge Dinner 2011

SHELBURNE FALLS
2011 BRIDGE DINNER
Pictured above is Carol Bolduc and Wanda Mooney, both agents in our Shelburne Falls Office.  Anyone who was on the Bridge for dinner Sunday evening experienced a wonderful time with great atmosphere, food and service.  

Thanks SFABA for this wonderful event!

AGENT OF THE WEEK - The Tarr Team

Jimmy & Betsy Tarr
(413) 586-8355
tarrs@cbumr.com

The Tarrs believe that being a team means they are always available to serve their clients.  “We love what we do and it shows in our commitment to our clients”, said Betsy Tarr.

Jim & Betsy Tarr have been married for 36 years and live in Hatfield, Massachusetts.  They enjoy spending time with their 2 daughters and 3 granddaughters.  Jimmy and Betsy also enjoy cooking, gardening and taking walks with their dog, Willow.

Jimmy attended the University of Massachusetts earning a degree in Economics and Betsy attended Lesley College earning an Elementary Education degree.  After college they found themselves in Oregon working as part of a reforestation cooperative.  Later they accepted a position as project manager for a large forestry company in North Carolina. The last 20 years they have owned and operated their own catering company here in the valley.

The Tarrs have mastered the team concept while earning a reputation for honesty, integrity, hard work and dedication.  Bringing these qualities to real estate, along with their commitment for customer service and knowledge of the local markets, they make buying or selling a positive experience.

Community service is important to Jimmy and Betsy volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, Western MA Food Bank and Dakin Animal Shelter.   The Tarr’s golden retriever, Willow, is a therapy dog and they enjoy going to the Meekins Library in Williamsburg for the “Children Read to Dogs” reading program. Investing time in the local REALTOR Association of Pioneer Valley has become a consistent goal of the Tarr Team, serving on the Community Service Committee since 2009. 

After 6 years real estate, the Tarr Team now enters Award Winners to their resume.  Jimmy & Betsy have received the Bronze award from the RAPV for the last 2 years.  The list of awards continues with several from Coldwell Banker and the company.

In closing, Jimmy shared, “It gives us great satisfaction to help clients realize their dream, and guide them through the home buying or selling process as easily as possible.”  This statement was not a surprise; it is plain to see the Tarr Team enjoy helping people.  To our benefit they have acquired the tools and skills to make that happen.

This Week in Real Estate News

This week real estate headlines focused on July sales.  The article linked below offers good information about who most active buyers are and points out some of the causes for transaction failure.  If you are wondering if you should be searching for real estate, the article below will give you an in depth look into today’s climate.

"Existing-home sales declined in July from an upwardly revised June pace but are notably higher than a year ago, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Monthly gains in the Northeast and Midwest were offset by declines in the West and South.  Read more . . . 

Weekend Events

94th Heath Fair! 

August 19, 20, 21, 2011

Heath, Massachusetts

Complete Information at www.heathfair.org

Join us for an old fashioned fair with fun for everyone! 

EXHIBITS • GAMES FOR KIDS • SPEAKERS • DEMONSTRATIONS

FIREWORKS • PARADES • PULLS and so much more!

Saturday, August 20th 2011 (rain date Sunday 21st)

12-5 pm at 275 Jackson Street, Belchertown, Massachusetts

FREE and open to all!

Fun family event with local artisans, live music, hayrides,

chili cook off, farm tours and more.

Special for the kids: treasure hunt, playground equipment and farm animals.

Complete information at Stone Soup Farm-Chilifest

Coming Soon!

FRANKLIN LAND TRUST 

D2R2 BIKE RIDE

August 27th, 2011

More information and registration at: 

http://www.franklinlandtrust.org/randonnee.html

The Deerfield Dirt-Road Randonnee was conceived in the 1990's as just a favorite dirt-road loop in the hilltowns of Franklin County, Massachusetts.  Since its birth as an organized event in 2005, many have hailed D2R2 as the hardest, most beautiful, most fun, most traffic-free, most unique, and overall best ride that they have ever done.  However, D2R2 will continue to maintain its original character as just a bike ride.  

                     Franklin Land Trust's D2R2 Bike Ride: wwlp.com

Agent of the Week - Phil Pless

Phil Pless, CRB, CRS, GRI
Shelburne Falls Office
(413) 625-6366 x104
www.PhilPless.com

PHIL PLESS SHARES A GREAT LOVE FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE AREA
"Western Massachusetts is a wonderful place to live, explore and raise families. The unique mix of natural beauty, recreation and cultural abundance makes our area unique", Phil states.  


Phil's love of the area began over 30 years ago when he came to Western, MA after receiving a B.A. from George Washington University in Washington, DC. He makes his home in Ashfield, Massachusetts where he lives with his wife, Linda for 27+ years. He has raised 2 sons, both in college now. 


Knowledge of real estate practices is as important to Phil as knowledge of the area. Phil worked to complete the requirements to receive CRB, CRS, and GRI designations. With education and love for the area Phil is proud to serve his clients and help find the right property for them, specializing in country properties in the Western Franklin and Hampshire County hill towns.


"I have sold millions of dollars and thousands of acres over the years," said Phil. He consistently wins awards for his sales performance from the RAPV, Coldwell Banker and the company. In 1978 Phil received much deserved recognition as the "REALTOR of the Year", with the Franklin-Hampshire County Association of REALTORS, for his dedication to the real estate industry and service.


Phil enjoys giving back professionally and to the community,  presently serving on the Scholarship and the Professional Standard Committees with the REALTOR Association of Pioneer Valley.  In Ashfield he spends time helping with Ashfield Trails, so much enjoyed by the community and others.

Phil outside the Shelburne Falls
Office enjoying the "Bridge of
Flowers Race".

As you get to know Phil you will see he experiences the beauty of this area on a daily basis whether he is showing property to his clients or enjoying his favorite hobbies of mountain biking, skiing, trail building and gardening.  "I am thrilled to work with a great team of dedicated REALTORS," Phil said and the feeling is mutual among his peers.  If you are looking to purchase property in the area, you won't go wrong with the experience, knowledge and love of the area Phil has to offer.

Greenfield, Massachusetts Snapshot

GREENFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS

AREA SNAPSHOT

The City of Greenfield is a residential community located at the cross roads of Interstate 91, Route 2 and the famous Mohawk Trail in Western Massachusetts. 
Here a are a list of links that will help you get to know Greenfield:

Official Greenfield Website 

Mass.gov Information on Greenfield

Helpful Greenfield Phone Numbers

Greenfield Community College

Greenfield Private & Public Elementary Schools & High School

Local Newspaper

Real Estate Snapshot for the Greenfield, MA Market

Property Type	Active Listings	Average List Price	Lowest List Price	Highest List Price	Days on Market
Single Family	101	$225,945	$56,000	$849,000	194.5
Multi-Family	11	$221,300	$95,000	$380,000	335.55
Condominium	25	$186,408	$115,000	$284,500	421.84
Land	13	$86,992	$54,900	$159,500	182.38

The property listing data and information, or the images, set forth herein were provided to MLS Property Information Network, Inc. from third party sources, including sellers, lessors and public records, and were compiled by MLS Property Information Network, Inc. The property listing data and information, and the images, are for the personal, non-commercial use of consumers having a good faith interest in purchasing or leasing listed properties of the type displayed to them and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties which such consumers may have a good faith interest in purchasing or leasing. MLS Property Information Network, Inc. and it's subscribers disclaim any and all representations and warranties as to the accuracy of the property listing data and information, or as to the accuracy of any of the images, set forth herein. Coldwell Banker Upton Massamont Realtors will be pleased to show you this or any other property.

Thursday Concert at Energy Park

THE COOP CONCERT 2011 SUMMER SERIES continues on Thursday evening at Energy Park in Greenfield with performances from 6-8 by Sue Kranz, Daniel Hales, The Frost Heaves and Green River String Band. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs, food, and drinks, and enjoy music from Franklin County's finest! FREE!

Agent of the Week - Don Mailloux

Don Mailloux, GRI
www.donmailloux.com
(413) 665-3770 x104

TOPS IN HIS FIELD
Don Mailloux, a life long resident of Erving, Massachusetts, has been serving Franklin and Hampshire county residents for 21 years. Helping people on the move is one of Don's passions and "Listing and selling your home can be one of the most stressful times of your life", says Don.  His knowledge in the process is just what you need during this stressful time.  


Growing up in a small town where family, friends and working hard were the cornerstone, Don learned to appreciate how fortunate he was to be raised here. He said, "The quality of life is what kept us in the area".  Being a Dad, Don has enjoyed raising his children in an area where there are so many opportunities for them to excel.


Graduating from Mahar Regional High School Don excelled as a student and a leader, playing baseball and soccer all 4 years of high school, serving as captain of both sports his senior year. To this day, Don enjoys the team atmosphere as he spends his free time in the summer playing softball and in the fall/winter season he enjoys bowling and card games.    


After high school Don moved on the Greenfield Community College earning an Associates Degree in Business. He put his skill to work when he chose a real estate career, joining Upton & May Real Estate in 1990. Since 1995 he has been winning awards and hasn't stopped.  He has been the #1 Sales Agent in Franklin County 12 of the last 14 years and when you combine Franklin & Hampshire counties he has been in the top 10 for the last 14 years, many of them in the top 5.  Don has also been a Gold Award winner for many years with the RAPV (REALTOR Association of Pioneer Valley) and since becoming affiliated with Coldwell Banker he has been the #1 Agent for sales in Massachusetts for most of them.


As proud of the awards as Don is, he lights up when he talks about serving the community. Over the years he has devoted countless hours to supporting organizations like the Turners Falls Athletic Boosters, Deerfield Lions Club, Shutzenvine in Montague, the Elks club and many others. Again and again you will see Don as the hard working, hometown guy that gets the job done.


"Listing and selling real estate is what I am good at and I enjoy the people I have met along the way.  Making decisions in times like this are even more difficult than ever before and sharing my knowledge with anyone who needs it is what I like to do", Don shared.  If you are looking for a hometown friend to help you through the stressful process of buying or selling Don is tops in the field.

Featured Agent-Christine Aubrey

Christine's best advice today:  "Take advantage of today's interest rates, the great house prices and inventory.  If you try to catch the market at the best moment, it will elude you.  Sellers who feel they may be getting less than a year from now?  It's all relative.  You may get less, but you will also buy for less.  When your house value goes up, so will the one you want to purchase."

Christine Aubrey, owner/broker of Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont REALTORS, feels the same about the Pioneer Valley as many of us who have the privilege to live here. "The Pioneer Valley is a very special place", said Christine,  "I came to college here and never left". Christine graduated Cum Laude in 1977 with a B.A. in English from the University of Massachusetts. She made the town of Hatfield her home for 30 years while raising her 2 children. Her daughter, Alison lives in New York City working in the public health field and her son Brian and his wife live in the area and Brian works for Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont REALTORS.

Christine enjoys walking, hiking, kayaking, skiing, traveling and listening to live music whenever she can. The Pioneer Valley has the natural beauty and opportunity for all her hobbies.  

Professionally Christine Aubrey is a force to be reckoned with, starting as a teacher at Turners Falls High School.  She moved on to real estate, opening Upton & May Real Estate in 1988 with former teacher/general contractor Steve Upton in South Deerfield.  In 1993 she merged the company with Massamont Real Estate acquiring an office in Shelburne Falls and becoming Upton-Massamont REALTORS.  She became sole owner of the company in 2001 and opened a third office in Florence.  In 2006 the company became an affiliate of Coldwell Banker to bring a higher level of services and technology to their clients.

Along the way, Christine continued her real estate education earning ABR, CRB, and SRES designations. She also served the real estate industry supporting our local association, the REALTOR Association of Pioneer Valley, on several committees and as secretary on the Board of Directors.  She also served at the state level with the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS.

Christine also finds it important to invest in the community, serving on the Board of Directors of the Northampton Chamber of Commerce and the Rockbridge Abundant Life Community. 

These days Christine can be found listing and selling real estate throughout the valley. "Working with buyers and sellers can be incredibly rewarding and I have established many long term friendships with my clients", said Christine.  The rest of her days are spent among one of her three offices where she enjoys overseeing her company and where she is the force that drives the company forward with technology and providing the best service in the Pioneer Valley.