Charming Antique Cape on 10 Acres located in Charlemont, Mass

Enchanted renovated antique cape is tucked away in a picturesque and secluded setting among 10 beautiful acres with frontage along the Mill Brook.  This lovely home is warm and inviting and has all the charm you would want in an older home.   Features include a country style kitchen with dining and sitting area, formal dining room, studio/office, large family room with fireplace and 4 bedrooms.  The attached barn was converted to additional living space creating a fabulous master suite or guest quarters.   In addition there are 3 barns, orchard, and open meadow providing the perfect situation for raising animals and gardening.  This property is conveniently located 5 minutes to Route 2, 15 minutes from the Village of Shelburne Falls and less than an hour from Tanglewood and MassMoca.  Near plenty of recreational activities including downhill skiing, white water rafting, ziplines, fishing, hiking and more!  Call today for more information and a showing appointment! $395,000

For more information and additional photos - visit www.MooneyandRoberts.com

Distressed Sales Continue to Fall!

In line with the broad decline in foreclosure inventory, distressed sales continue to make up for a smaller share of overall residential sales. Approximately 12 percent of respondents who reported a sale in the August REALTORS® Confidence Index Survey sold a distressed property, substantially down from levels seen a few years ago.

For the past 12 months, properties in “above average” condition have been discounted by an average of 10-11 percent, while properties in “below average” condition were discounted at an average of 15-20 percent.

This information is provided by Scholastica (gay) Corporation. RESEARCH ECONOMIST

Open Houses this Sunday 9/29 in the Village of Shelburne Falls and Colrain!

Open Houses Sunday September 29th

OPEN SUNDAY 12 TO 3
434 Main Road (Route 112), Colrain

Custom designed and built by Noble Home, is this eco-friendly, super insulated, river front home located less than 5 minutes from the charming Village of Shelburne Falls.    As you enter the home you will discover the expansion of the interior with a 24ft glass wall with picturesque views of the open meadow and beautiful tree line.   There is a 20 x 28 great room with kitchen, dining and living area.  The kitchen and bath have custom pine cabinetry with concrete countertops.  In addition there are three bedrooms, 1 ½ baths, and propane radiant heat.   The designer used local non-toxic materials and it offers low maintenance living.  The surrounding 2.9 acres is mostly open and is the perfect landscape to have your own gardens or animals.  You can walk to your own beach area that is located along the North River.   You must tour the interior to get the real feel of what this healthy home has to offer.  $340,000 Directions:  Short distance from Shelburne Town Line on Right 

OPEN SUNDAY 11 TO 1
27 Williams Street, Shelburne Falls

You will fall in love with this Cape style home that is located in the heart of Shelburne Falls.   It is tastefully decorated & beautifully maintained.  This delightful home has a courtyard area with lovely flowers, outdoor fireplace, deck, pool & front porch! Warm and inviting interior features open kitchen, dining and family room area; formal dining room; living room w/fireplace; office or sitting area; 3 bedrooms; 2 full baths; wood floors; attractive woodwork and built-ins. Must See! $235,000

Directions:  Buckland Side - State Street to Williams Street - up hill first house on left.

OPEN SUNDAY 2 TO 4
14-16 Maple Street, Shelburne Falls

SELLER WILL PAY 1% OF SALE PRICE TO BUYER'S AGENT - Motivated Seller! This large 2-family home is in a prime location and not far from downtown Village of Shelburne Falls. Main house features a large kitchen w/pantry, dining room, living room, 3 bdrms & 2 full baths.  The second floor has a wonderful apartment w/kitchen & pantry, living room, bedroom, office or den.   Comes w/ corner cabinet, hardwood floors, and nice woodwork.  There are 2 fabulous porches that overlook large yard & attached 2 car garage with storage! $249,000 


Directions:Bridge Street to Maple Street - house on left 

It's Movie Time in Charlemont, Ma

CHARLEMONT — Hollywood came knocking — literally — on selectmen’s meeting room door as TV and film actor Jordan Marder and his movie crew sought the town’s permission to begin filming “Then There Was” in Charlemont on Tuesday morning.

The independent film is about how the lives of people in a small New England town are changed by a global blackout and the subsequent ungluing of society. And it looks like the name of this fictionalized town will be “Charlemont.” “Then There Was” will be filmed in town through Oct. 13. The production crew will be based at the now-closed Otters Restaurant.

Besides filming at Marder’s Charlemont home, and at a private residence in Rowe, some scenes will be shot in the town center, Carl Lucas, the film’s line producer, told selectmen. “It’s an 18-day schedule for a very small movie,” said Lucas. “‘The Judge?’” he said, referring to the Warner Bros. film shot in the region this summer, “We could make 200 movies with that budget.” Nonetheless, despite his film’s relatively small budget, Marder noted “We’re going to spend about $75,000 right here in Charlemont, for hotels, food and gas,” said Marder. “And we’re going to put everybody in the movie.” “We’d love you guys to come out and be in the movie,” Marder told the selectmen. “We’re going to stage a town meeting scene in Otters.” When board Chairman David Cummings asked, “What will we be called?” Marder said he would love to use the town’s real name. “I don’t see why not,” said Selectman Beth Bandy. Among the scenes to be filmed in town center is a gas station scene, with a queue of motorists eager to fill their gas tanks before there’s a gasoline shortage. One scene will be filmed at A.L. Avery & Sons General Store on a Sunday, (when the store is normally closed). Also, the closed Country Store next to Town Hall will be the setting for a shoot-out involving two bandits, who break out of jail and are on the run.“There will be some minor gunfire,” Lucas explained. “They’ll be blanks, in a controlled and safe environment. We’ll have a medic on site, to make sure everyone is safe.” The shoot-out scene is scheduled for Oct. 3, for a couple of hours. Because the film is set during a blackout, the filmmakers plan to work during daylight hours, when street lights and other lighting is off. Marder, who grew up in Charlemont, appeared in “LA Confidential.” He has also had guest appearances on many episodic television shows including “Jag,” “The X-Files,” “The Shield,” “24” and “Ringer.” Besides Marder, the following Hollywood actors have been cast to play the lead characters: Mark Valley from “Boston Legal;” Ronny Gene Blevins of the “The Dark Knight Rises;” Abraham Benrubi of “ER” and the movie “Twister;” and Costas Mandylor, known for “The Saw” movies. The director will be Louis Mandylor, Costas’ brother. Louis Mandylor is perhaps best known for his role in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.”

Marder’s production company, Charlemont Pictures, is to pay a permit fee of $25 per day for the days of filming in a public area. The company will also pay for police to direct traffic when necessary.

Lucas asked Police Sgt. Jared Bellows if one of the town’s cruisers could be used for one or two scenes in the film. Bellows said only a town officer would be able to drive the cruiser, for liability reasons; however, he said he would consider letting an actor sit in the driver’s seat — as long as the actor wasn’t driving. The filmmakers said they would work with that.

Lucas said one scene will involve the Mohawk Trail Regional School. Selectmen told him he would need to speak to Buckland town officials about any scenes there.

Extras are still needed for this independent feature film. Anyone working as an extra will get his or her name on the film credits. To apply send an email to:

thentherewascasting@gmail.com

By DIANE BRONCACCIO Recorder Staff

Perfect Countryside Retreat on 25 acres in Heath, Ma

Perfect countryside retreat all on 25 acres and includes a rustic style log cabin with charming guest cottage, log bunkhouse, and a fabulous post and beam barn with 2 car garage. This property is well maintained and surrounded by natural landscape of mixed woods, open meadow and nice lawn area. The cabin has a good size kitchen that is open to the dining and living area with fireplace, wood floors and cathedral ceiling. There is a partially finished basement with wood-stove and knotty pine walls. The guest house is sweet as can be with living area with fireplace, sleeping area and electric heat. The oversized post and beam barn/2-car garage is perfect for those who need a workshop. It is well built and has electricity and a large second floor that can be used for most anything. This property is located near many recreational activities including hiking, hunting, fishing, skiing, snowmobiling and so much more. Call today for a showing appointment. $275,000

Check out the Visual Tour:

Attractive Contemporary on 9 Acres conveniently located in Colrain, Ma

Attractive contemporary style home has a bright and open interior with lots of windows and a fabulous wrap-around porch.  It comes with 9.4 beautiful acres with enough open land that is perfect for a few animals and gardens.  If you love to cook and entertain, check out the kitchen that has a large center island, high ceilings and is open to the dining and living area.   The first floor features the master bedroom with private full bath and laundry and second bedroom with full bath.  The second floor has a large bedroom with access to a deck that overlooks the backyard.  In addition this home has a 1 car garage, walkout basement, generator, central vac, and propane radiant heat.  This house is in a great location and is only 20 minutes to Greenfield and not far from the Village of Shelburne Falls.   It is ready for immediate occupancy and easy to show. $235,000

Check out the visual tour!

Solid 3-Family Home in Greenfield, Ma

Live in this 3-family home and let the tenants pay for most of your living expenses!  Perfect long  term investment property conveniently located near Turners Falls and downtown Greenfield.  The owners have done a lot of work to this property.  The first floor apartment has a newer master suite and the third floor apartment has a de-lead certificate, newer kitchen and bath, freshly painted, and new carpeting.  In addition the electrical and plumbing has been updated and all the windows have been replaced.  It has a newer shed, nice porches and plenty of parking.   Rare to find a 3-family in this good of condition.  Call today for a 

showing appointment. $199,000

For more photos - check out the visual tour:

Bone Frog Challenge at Berkshire East Ski Area - September 14th & 15th

The Bone Frog Challenge is at Berkshire East Ski Area this weekend! Navy Seals competing in a 36 obstacle course!!  It sounds like a lot of fun to watch.  

There is at least 36 military-style obstacles spread out over 9-12 miles, the course will test everyone and leave no one unscathed. We attempt to place an obstacle every 1/4-mile; your running ability alone will not carry the day. You must be functionally fit to succeed here. You will get muddy. You will get beat up. You will be exhausted. But you will finish.

For more information visit Berkshire East or Bone Frog Challenge site!

Shelburne Falls Art Walk - September 14, 2013 - 4:00 to 7:00

SHELBURNE FALLS ART WALK is happening this evening, September 14, 2013 from 4:00 to 7:00.  

Perfect night to walk around the charming Village of Shelburne Falls and enjoy the galleries, shops, and restaurants.  You can get started early on holiday shopping and meet the artists, see special exhibits, and appreciate the wide range of art that Shelburne Falls is known for.    Don't forget to check out the Bridge of Flowers!

Time for the Franklin County Fair

This weekend is the 165th Annual Franklin County Fair will be held at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Greenfield, Ma from September 5-8, 2013.  There is entire weekend filled with lots of fun including rides, demolition derby, music, competitions, fabulous fair food, exhibits and so much more.

Click here for more information about the fair's hours and schedule of events. 

First Time Home Buyer Class - Greenfield Community College

Thinking About Buying Your First House?

Rural Development, Inc. (RDI) will present a four-session

First-Time Homebuyer Workshop Series

beginning Monday, September  9, 2013. 

Florence Savings Bank

will be the presenter

These sessions will take place as follows:

Monday & Tuesday September 9, 10, 16 & 17, 2013

6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at Greenfield Community College

Main campus, Greenfield, Ma 01301

Presenters include an attorney, home inspector, lender, insurance professional, credit specialist, and a 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.

The cost for the series is $50 per household.

Space is limited.  Pre-registration is required.

Contact Pat Holloway to register (413) 863-9781, x 100 or pholloway@fcrhra.org