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

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.