For Sale - Meticulously Maintained, Energy Efficiency, Multi Level Contemporary - Conway, Mass

This custom designed magnificent multi level Contemporary style home is all about energy efficiency, sun filled rooms, and upscale materials. It is perfectly sited to take advantage of the fabulous solar access with views of the lovely gardens and natural landscape. The owners live and work full time in their 3,000 sqft home and use less than 650 gallons of oil, their electrical bill is minimal and have high speed internet. It has a great kitchen w/fabulous center island, dining room, living room w/gas fireplace, master suite w/large bathroom & walk-in closet, third floor office or studio, family room in basement, screened in porch, sparkling cherry floors and the list goes on. The secluded 5.7 acre setting is part of the Pumpkin Hollow neighborhood.  It is conveniently located near town’s new recreation area, swimming pool, & center. Less than 15 minutes from I-91 and Shelburne Falls, 30 minutes to Northampton/Greenfield and not far from the Berkshires.  Must be seen to appreciate. $595,000

4-Unit Apartment Building in Shelburne Falls!

If you have interest in owning an apartment building, this is a great way to start.  Live in one unit and have the income from the other 3 apartments subsidize your mortgage and housing expenses.   The location is perfect for those who want to be near the charming downtown of the Village of Shelburne Falls.  The apartments are in very good condition and offer nice kitchens and baths, spacious rooms and some have porches!  There is also a nice backyard with room for gardens. This building also makes an excellent long term investment for those who want to own real estate in Shelburne Falls.   Come take a look! $259,000

Real Estate For Sale - Franklin County, Mass

If you are interested in buying a home in the Franklin County area, we have several on the market that you should check out.  You can also visit our website at www.mooneyandroberts.com for our complete list of homes, land and commercial properties that are on the market!

Beautiful Antique Colonial in Shelburne - $375,000


Charming Shelburne Falls Antique Cape - Near the Downtown - Tastefully Decorated - $249,000



Striking Log Home in Ashfield - $359,000



Commercial Building in Colrain - $65,000



Perfect Getaway - Heath - Mohawk Estates Community - $99,000



Stately Victorian - Well Maintained - Gorgeous Woodwork - $210,000

Thinking of selling your home? Cards might be in your favor!

Great time to sell?  

This article explains why it is a good time to sell.  It offers tips to get your house ready.  Real estate is local and I suggest to contact your local agent to get a clear picture on the market in your area.  

Selling you home? Cards are in your favor

If you are thinking of buying or selling, give Cathy Roberts or Wanda Mooney a call!  We are very busy meeting with people and the spring market has begun!  We would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss the process of buying or selling.

Wanda Mooney 413-337-8344

wanda@mooneyandroberts.com

Cathy Roberts 413-522-3023

cathy@mooneyandroberts.com

Status of Foreclosures on Single Family Homes

This pie chart clearly shows where we stand as far as the foreclosure market.   National statistics indicate that foreclosure sales will account for 20% of the sales over the next two years.   We are not out of the woods yet, but doing much better than previous years.   This information came from an article posted on Forbes.com titled "Have All The Bad Loans Already Been Foreclosed?"   A great read if you have interest in learning more about the status of foreclosures.

Pioneer Valley Single Family Homes - Interesting Stats!

KEY POINTS

Pioneer Valley Single-Family Homes

Inventory – Rose 6.7 percent from 2,488 single family listings at the end of the 1st Quarter 2011 to 2,655 single family listings at the end of the 1^st Quarter 2012.


Days on Market - The average days on market rose 7 percent from 157 to 168.


An Eight Year View - The median price decreased 14.5 percent from $187,700 at the end of the 1^st Quarter 2005 to $163,900 at the end of the 1^st Quarter 2012.


Mortgage Rates -  30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.99 percent with an average 0.7 points for  the week ending March 29, 2012.  Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.86 percent with an average 0.7 points. (source: FreddieMac.com)


Listings Under Agreement   -  Single family listing which are under agreement rose 31.3 percent from 886 at the end of the 1st Quarter 2011 to 1,163 at the end of the 1st quarter 2012.


This information is provided by the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley

Your Real Log Homes Representative for Franklin County, Mass

I recently partnered with Brooks and Linda Carswell from Grist Mill Country Homes and became the Real Log Home sales representative for Franklin County, Mass.   

In 1984, my husband, John and I purchased our Real Log Home from Brooks.  After all these years, Brooks and I reconnected on another real estate matter.  I always wanted to be a representative for Real Log Homes and ironically they needed someone for this area.  I have sold many log homes and the thought of helping people achieve the dream of owning a Real Log Home is something I always wanted to do.  I not only have the resources of available land for sale, I understand construction, site planning and have a network of engineers and contractors that I work with.  

As you listen to this video, Brooks will explain why Real Log Homes is the premier log home company in the area.  If you have any interest in receiving a catalog and learning more about log homes, don't hesitate to give me a call or send email.    413-337-8344 - wanda@wandamooney.com  Visit Brooks and Linda's website at www.GristMillCountryHomes.com.

Top 5 Reasons to Buy a Home in 2012

The American dream of homeownership is a very feasible aspiration for 2012.

There are many benefits of owning a home.  Yet some first-time buyers are skeptical of purchasing with the uncertainty surrounding the housing market.  The uncertainty many reference when speaking about the housing market involves a specific date when home values will increase. Since no one can pinpoint this date, the word uncertainty (when paired with the housing market) often reveals a negative connotation.
There are some factors we can be certain about in this housing market such as home values rebounding.  This is true; the housing market often moves in cycles.

It’s safe to assume that many Americans harbored the same uncertainty during the George H. W. Bush administration in the early 1990s when the national homeownership rate fell from its previous historic high of 64.4 percent in 1980 to a low of 64.1 percent in 1991.

In the 1960s Lyndon Johnson illustrated a correlation between homeownership and accountability by stating “owning a home can increase responsibility and stake out a man’s place in his community…The man who owns a home has something to be proud of and reason to protect and preserve it.”

This statement is still true more than 50 years later.  There are many reasons to take pride in homeownership such as:

• Appreciation – Buying a home now (at the current rates) can almost ensure your home’s appreciation in the future.  Mortgage rates are near historic lows and home prices in many parts of the country are down.  This is the perfect recipe for home appreciation.  Additionally, many foreclosed homes are available for a fraction of the original cost.  This can translate to a higher profit if you decide to sell once the market rebounds.

• Property Tax Deductions – For income tax purposes, real estate property taxes for a vacation home and first home are fully deductible.  The IRS (Publication 530) provides detailed tax information for first-time buyers that may answer many questions about what deductions homeowners are eligible for.

• Preferential Tax Treatment – If you own your home for more than a year and receive more profit than the allowable exclusion after the sale of your home, the profit will be considered a capital asset.  Capital assets are given preferential tax treatment.

• Equity Building – Many factors such as credit qualification, loan flexibility, and annual percentage rate (APR) contribute to the final decision of what type of mortgage loan best fits your goals.  Yet, a new trend being used by some homeowners is to actually add money to their monthly payment to decrease the principal balance of their loans at a much faster pace.  This trend is called equity building.  Equity builders usually select a home loan with a lower interest rate (and a shorter term loan such as a 15-year fixed) to help build equity faster.  This rapid payment process allows borrowers to:

• Pay off the principal balance faster
• Lock in near-record-low interest rates
• Shorten the length of their home loan
• Own their home faster
• Pay substantially less mortgage interest

Equity building is a beneficial trend that’s becoming more and more popular with fiscally responsible homeowners.  Also, home equity is the largest single source of household wealth for most Americans.

• Pride – Homeownership offers many benefits to many different types of people.  For some homeowners, playing your music as loud as you want and painting the walls the color of your choice is a perk.  For me, homeownership will permit me to build an NBA regulation size basketball court on my own property.  For my coworker Joel Jarvi, home ownership may allow him to build the indoor slide of his dreams.  No matter who you are, homeownership is a purchase, commitment, and journey that’s sure to bring you pride.

Furthermore, when the uncertainty surrounding the housing market fades and the market rebounds, homeownership may in fact transform that pride to profit through a home sale.

by Jonathan Slappey on January 6, 2012 in Home Buying

Jonathan Slappey is a writer for Quicken Loans, a company whose clients believe it’s Engineered to Amaze.  Interested in being Amazed by us? Read trusted reviews at our review site.

Listen before you Paint!