A View Like No Other! Incredible Setting - Located in Leyden, Ma

This classic cedar shingled house has privacy and view that are increasingly hard to find.  The house sits at the end of a quarter mile driveway through the woods to the highest point of land where you only hear the magical sounds of nature. The 130 degree horizon sweeps around from the Berkshire foothills, to Mt. Greylock near Williamstown,  and up to Mt. Haystack in Vermont.  The house was built in1996 under an architect's creative eye, with the outside entirely weather resistant cedar, and the interior the warm honey tones of gently aging pine. The floor to ceiling glass in the living room/dining room brings in the huge skies, sunsets and dramatic weather of all seasons. Exposed beams, wood floors and a Vermont Castings wood stove create a sense of timeless warmth. The property consists of 8.9 acres abuts conservation land and has a stone walled terrace, deck, porch and workshop/shed.  It is the perfect getaway for all seasons. $339,000

Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont Realtors Adopt a Dog Campaign

Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont is teaming up with Coldwell Banker's "Adopt a Dog" national campaign. Help us get the word out about adopting a pet from area shelters. Like Mooney & Roberts facebook page and keep informed about stories and events that will be happening. Dogs are family and help make a house a home! If you haven't seen the Coldwell Banker commercial, here it is for you to enjoy!

Affordable and Attractive Ranch For Sale in Shelburne, Mass

This affordable and attractive ranch style home was built in 2012 and located in one of Shelburne's finest areas.   The welcoming interior is light and bright and features an open kitchen, dining and living area with double patio doors that lead to a deck.  It has a great kitchen with plenty of cabinets and countertop space, 2 bedrooms, full bath and all the appliances including washer and dryer are included.  If you need additional living space, the walk out basement can easily be finished to create large area that is perfect for a family room or office area.  This home offers low maintenance living, the interior is handicap accessible and it comes with a high efficiency Veismann boiler.  It has 3.92 wooded acres and located less than 10 minutes from Greenfield and Shelburne Falls.  This one is move in ready, call today for a showing appointment. $179,900

Do Your Homework Before You Buy a Home!

7 Steps to Take Before You Buy a Home

By: G. M. Filisko

By doing your homework before you buy, you’ll feel more content about your new home.

Most potential homebuyers are a smidge daunted by the fact that they’re about to agree to a hefty mortgage that they’ll be paying for the next few decades. The best way to relieve that anxiety is to be confident you’re purchasing the best home at a price you can afford with the most favorable financing. These seven steps will help you make smart decisions about your biggest purchase.

1.  Decide how much home you can afford.

Generally, you can afford a home priced two to three times your gross income. Remember to consider costs every homeowner must cover: property taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, and community association fees, if applicable, as well as costs specific to your family, such as day care if you plan to have children.

2.  Develop your home wish list.

Be honest about which features you must have and which you’d like to have. Handicap accessibility for an aging parent or special needs child is a must. Granite countertops and stainless steel appliances are in the bonus category. Come up with your top five must-haves and top five wants to help you focus your search and make a logical, rather than emotional, choice when home shopping.

3.  Select where you want to live.

Make a list of your top five community priorities, such as commute time, schools, and recreational facilities. Ask your REALTOR® to help you identify three to four target neighborhoods based on your priorities.

4.  Start saving.

Have you saved enough money to qualify for a mortgage and cover your downpayment? Ideally, you should have 20% of the purchase price set aside for a downpayment, but some lenders allow as little as 5% down. A small downpayment preserves your savings for emergencies.

However, the lower your downpayment, the higher the loan amount you’ll need to qualify for, and if you still qualify, the higher your monthly payment. Your downpayment size can also influence your interest rate and the type of loan you can get.

Finally, if your downpayment is less than 20%, you’ll be required to purchase private mortgage insurance. Depending on the size of your loan, PMI can add hundreds to your monthly payment. Check with your state and local government for mortgage and downpayment assistance programs for first-time buyers.

5.  Ask about all the costs before you sign.

A downpayment is just one homebuying cost. Your REALTOR® can tell you what other costs buyers commonly pay in your area -- including home inspections, attorneys’ fees, and transfer fees of 2% to 7% of the home price. Tally up the extras you’ll also want to buy after you move-in, such as window coverings and patio furniture for your new yard.

6.  Get your credit in order.

A credit report details your borrowing history, including any late payments and bad debts, and typically includes a credit score. Lenders lean heavily on your credit report and credit score in determining whether, how much, and at what interest rate to lend for a home. The minimum credit score you can have to qualify for a loan depends on many factors, including the size of your downpayment. Talk to a REALTOR® or lender about your particular circumstance.

You’re entitled to free copies of your credit reports annually from the major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Order and then pore over them to ensure the information is accurate, and try to correct any errors before you buy. If your credit score isn’t up to snuff, the easiest ways to improve it are to pay every bill on time and pay down high credit card debt.

7.  Get prequalified.

Meet with a lender to get a prequalification letter that says how much house you’re qualified to buy. Start gathering the paperwork your lender says it needs. Most want to see W-2 forms verifying your employment and income, copies of pay stubs, and two to four months of banking statements.

If you’re self-employed, you’ll need your current profit and loss statement, a current balance sheet, and personal and business income tax returns for the previous two years.

Consider your financing options. The longer the loan, the smaller your monthly payment. Fixed-rate mortgages offer payment certainty; an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) offers a lower monthly payment. However, an adjustable-rate mortgage may adjust dramatically. Be sure to calculate your affordability at both the lowest and highest possible ARM rate.

Read more: http://members.houselogic.com/articles/7-steps-take-you-buy-home/preview/#ixzz3OehauJaT
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Impressive Post and Beam Home - Perfect Getaway or Year Round Home - Hawley, Ma

This impressive post & beam home has been completely renovated and must be seen in person to appreciate all that it has to offer. The owners added an amazing great room and fabulous master bedroom constructed from oversized hand-hewn timbers. The beautiful renovated kitchen is open to the dining and great room area w/ cathedral ceilings, wood floors, & a handsome stone fireplace w/gas insert. The spacious master bedroom has cathedral ceilings and a large walk-in closet. In addition there is a full bath w/walk-in tiled shower, awesome hot tub room, front porch, large back deck, 2 car garage w/work shop & a pole barn. You will love sitting on the custom built pavilion that overlooks the surrounding 6+ open acres that is perfect for raising animals & gardening. There is enough acreage & frontage for potential building lot. This ideal country home is located near Berkshire East Ski Area, ziplines, alpine slide, whitewater rafting, fishing, & more! Less than 15 minutes to Shelburne Falls. $389,000

Buy 2 lots being Sold as 1 in Bernardston, Ma

This 3.9 acre parcel includes 2 lots being sold as one!  The seller has made it easy for you to get started.  This property is perc tested, surveyed, partially cleared, stumped and has an approved driveway design.  Build your dream home on the plateau and enjoy lovely countryside setting overlooking farmland and mountain views.  Located near Fall River, Kringle Candle and the Farm Table Restaurant.  Conveniently located to nearby I-91, Route 10 and Vermont. $69,900

Affordable getaway for sale in Mohawk Beach Estates Heath, Mass

Looking for a vacation place that offers swimming, fishing, and lots of summertime fun?  Check out this cape style getaway located in Mohawk Beach Estates.  It has kitchen with stove and refrigerator, large living area with woodstove hookup, 3 bedrooms and a large wrap around deck.  There are wood floors, unique wooden spiral staircase and a pass title 5 septic system.   This property is located near many four season recreational activities. $65,000

64 Important Numbers Every Homeowner Should Know! Check it out!

Coldwell Banker posted this information and I think it is extremely helpful.   You can check out 64 important numbers every homeowner should know at the This Old House website!  Click here for details.

Check out the new Coldwell Banker TV ad - #HomeRocks

Coldwell Banker marketing team gets it right every year.  This new commercial which premiers the night of the Grammys, shows what home is all about.  Real estate agents make the dream of homeownership a reality.  Love my job.   #homerocks

8 Tips for Finding Your First Home

The following post comes from Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty, Inc. agent, Kim Knapp. Kim is an experienced agent in Northern Florida and has a great team who has worked with countless first-time home buyers.

Here are her 8 tips to help make finding that first home go as smoothly as possible:

1. Research before you look.

Decide what features you most want to have in a home, what neighborhoods you prefer, and how much you’d be willing to spend each month for housing.

2. Be realistic.

It’s OK to be picky, but don’t be unrealistic with your expectations. There’s no such thing as a perfect home. Use your list of priorities as a guide to evaluate each property.

3. Get your finances in order.

Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your down payment and closing costs. Then, talk to a lender and get prequalified for a mortgage. This will save you the heartache later of falling in love with a house you can’t afford.

4. Don’t ask too many people for opinions.

It will drive you crazy. Select one or two people to turn to if you feel you need a second opinion, but be ready to make the final decision on your own. You will be the one that will be ultimately living in the home and paying the mortgage payment.

5. Decide your moving timeline.

When is your lease up? Are you allowed to sublet? How tight is the rental market in your area? All of these factors will help you determine when you should move.

6. Think long term.

Are you looking for a starter house with plans to move up in a few years, or do you hope to stay in this home for a longer period? This decision may dictate what type of home you’ll buy as well as the type of mortgage terms that will best suit you.

7. Insist on a home inspection.

If possible, get a warranty from the seller to cover defects for one year.

8. Get help from a REALTOR®.

Hire a real estate professional who specializes in buyer representation. Unlike a listing agent, whose first duty is to the seller, a buyer’s representative is working only for you. Buyer’s reps are usually paid out of the seller’s commission payment.

Coldwell Banker First Time Home Buyer Week - Great Tips and Videos

According the National Association of Realtors, nearly a third of real estate home buyers this year will be entering the housing market for the first time. As a first time buyer, you’ll soon find out that there’s so many roads that need to be navigated before moving into that first home.

That’s why at Coldwell Banker Real Estate we’re dedicating this entire week to helping the first time home buyer as they venture into the world of home ownership. Throughout the week on this blog as well as on the Coldwell Banker Facebook and Twitter profiles, we’ll only be sharing content that’s geared toward first time home buyers.

While we’re producing all new content this week, the first time home buyer has been the focus of a number of posts we’ve already written. One of our most popular, and useful ones, is on 5 Tips for Saving for a Down Payment to help first time home buyers prepare financially for the big move.

Moving from the financial side of things to the emotional, Coldwell Banker Real Estate also conducted a study on the emotional impact of buying a home with your spouse and even consulted famed psychotherapist  Dr. Robi Ludwig, to help provide some insight.

Also, there’s a tendency as a first time home buyer to jump on that first property that catches your eye, but there’s really value in shopping around. Here’s our post titled, Why First Time Home Buyers Should Shop Around.

The most provocative question posed in real estate this year came from one of our writers who was debating whether to enter the real estate market in 2013. The question she asked was: Is the F Word Stopping You from Becoming a First Time Home Buyer?

And finally, I wanted to share a lesson that I learned upon buying my first home and how I came to believe in working with a real estate professional.

We hope first time home buyers will find all the content being shared this week useful to their initial home shopping experience. But for those who’ve been through the process before, we want to hear from you and have you share what you wish you knew when you were a first time home buyer.

Join the conversation throughout First Time Home Buyer Week by following the hashtag #FirstHome and of course we welcome your opinions, insights and questions in the comments.

Here’s to making 2013 the year you experience the joy of home ownership for the first time.

Antique Cape on 12 Acres, Heath, Mass

Move in and live comfortably while you complete the renovations in this Antique Cape on 12 acres.  It has a newer concrete block foundation, hot water baseboard heating system, wood floors, and updated full bath.  The eat-in kitchen has a cathedral ceiling and brick floors.   The second floor is unfinished with plenty of room for additional bedrooms.  The existing septic is designed to accommodate a 4 bedroom home.  Needs roof, siding, windows and more.  Open land, stream, pleasant views! $150,000

Greenfield, Ma Starter Home - Renovated Throughout $129,900

This perfect starter home has been renovated top to bottom and is ready for immediate occupancy.  Located in Greenfield and conveniently sited near the down town. Bright and cheerful rooms throughout featuring a wonderful new kitchen, first floor laundry with half bath, dining room, living room,  4 bedrooms, 2 full baths, lower level study or office area and family room.  New flooring including hardwood floors, tile, wall to wall carpet, and attractive laminate.  Fresh coat of paint, new trim, doors and electrical.  The list goes on!  Easy to show.   Check out the visual tour at: http://www.visualtour.com/show.asp?t=2722649&prt=10003

Coldwell Banker President talks about Housing Market

Listen to Budge Huskey, President of Coldwell Banker talk about the latest indication that the housing market is improving.  I agree with his comments and can add that it is very similar to what is going on in this area of Western Massachusetts.