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Memo to home sellers: This is not your father’s housing market…

Harsch Associates Berkshire Real Estate — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:34:37 +0000

This is not your father's housing market... attracting buyers

Today’s buyer-take-all Berkshire County property bonanza is a boon for fence-sitters and buyers with great credit and deep pockets. But Williamstown MA home sellers are steeling themselves to new realities that include paying (rather than making) money at the closing table, providing extras to sweeten the deal, and spending more time and cash making the home camera-ready.

For Williamstown or Berkshire County MA home sellers who have never been through the process before, it’s a different world. One where the value of the house isn’t measured in the profit made on the sale, but by the enjoyment the owners had from living in the home.

Here are seven things experienced Berkshire County home sellers would tell you, if they could.

Price it realistically from the start

“Your largest number of showings will occur in the first two to three weeks,” says Mark Ramsey, broker with the Ramsey Group/Keller Williams Realty in Charlotte, N.C. One reason: “The (multiple listing service) systems and the Internet tend to drive the majority of showings,” he says. Many Berkshire County Real Estate Agents and buyers are plugged in electronically. So the minute something new pops up that meets their criteria, they want to see it.

Take advantage of that sweet spot by pricing your Williamstown house competitively right out of the gate.

When first-time sellers James and Emily Foltz put their Oklahoma City home on the market last summer, their agent gave them a comprehensive list of the initial asking prices of nearby homes like theirs, along with the final selling prices. “Some varied by $30,000,” says James Foltz.

It gave them an X-ray of their market.

How you style the price is important. The Foltzes first marketed their home for $155,000. But lowering it to $150,000 meant the listing appeared within the computer search parameters that buyers commonly used in that price range, Foltz says.

The result: A few weeks after the price change, they had a winning offer.

Be prepared to lose some money

Want to sit with a Williamstown house that won’t move? Be the first-time Williamstown seller who insists you can get the appraised value, the tax assessor’s estimate or whatever you paid a few years ago.

“It seems like there’s no relationship between your assessed value, taxable value and the actual market value of our house,” says Pat Vredevoogd Combs, past president of the National Association of Realtors and vice president of Coldwell Banker AJS Schmidt in Grand Rapids, Mich. “There doesn’t seem to be any correlation.”

The truth is that your Williamstown MA house is worth what buyers are willing to pay. No more. “This is a true economic market that Adam Smith would have loved — totally based on supply and demand,” Combs says. That means sellers should be prepared to lose some money or hang onto the home until the price rises. Economic predictors seem to be leaning toward the market improving in 2014 with the caveat that the economy improves also. Jobs are needed to bring buyers.

“We did end up taking a loss,” says Foltz, who wrote a check for $3,000 at the closing table. The good news is that the couple sold their home in less than two months.

Beware the agent who promises big profits, Combs says. That person may just be after your business. “Don’t go with anyone who doesn’t use comps,” she says. And study sales prices, not asking prices, for real estate. Your neighbor or friends are not the sources to rely on when choosing a price for your Williamstown Home. When choosing an agent represent you choose one who will discuss the market honestly and give you sales prices—- not the comparative listing prices. And one who will quote you how many days a property was on the market before it sold and how deep the discount of the listing price was at the final closing.

Promotion, promotion, promotion

One question to ask yourself and pose as you interview agents: How will you reach the home’s target market? And also “who is the target market and where do you think the buyer will come from?”

“You have to consider who your most likely Williamstown real estate buyers are for what property you’re selling and cater to that group of people,” Ramsey says.

Targeting 20-somethings who live on their smartphones? You need to effectively access the networks your buyers are tapping to find their next home. One big trend: QR (or “quick response”) bar codes that allow smartphone users to access property information electronically, he says.

The typical starter home can also appeal to downsizing empty nesters, says Ramsey. To serve their needs, you might also want to have a phone number that instantly reaches someone who can provide details and answer questions, he says.

And don’t neglect the modern version of curb appeal: using lots of photos on real estate listings’ websites. However you market your house, you need a good number of clear, well-lit, professional-quality pictures that show your house at its best. Ask to see the agency’s website and talk to the person who markets through the Williamstown or Berkshire County Real Estate website and how they determine if your home is being seen, how many hits the home’s page will receive and how will the agency monitor those and tailor their marketing increase those hits.

Throw in extras

When the Foltzes were getting ready to move, they knew that they probably wouldn’t be able to take their top-of-the-line gas clothes dryer. “It’s not a typical thing in a lot of houses,” says Foltz.

So they offered to sell the washer/dryer set, as well as a few other items that would be difficult to move, like the two wall-mounted, flat-screen TVs.

While the couple hopedÂ these perksÂ would bring a little extra money to the table, it didn’t work out that way. But it did sweeten the pot for the buyer, who agreed to buy at full price if the Foltzes included those items.

Since taking them would have netted them additional headaches, their “extras” became a good selling point.

Clear the clutter

Keeping your house clean is important in every sale. But first-timers are likely selling smaller houses. Clutter can mean the difference between cozy and cramped.

Clearing the clutter is “something we spent two to three weeks doing before we brought anyone in,” says Foltz. While they believed their home would show better furnished, they also wanted to pare down all the nonessential pieces. And they stored the “leftovers” in the garage.

Before they put it on the market, the Foltzes asked their agent’s opinion. “We told him we’re willing to do whatever you want,” Foltz says. The agent’s recommendation: Get rid of the bedroom dresser to make the room feel more spacious.

Kitchen and bathroom countertops are another hot spot that many sellers forget to clear. The same chaos that represents your normal routine makes your house seem messy, disorganized and uninviting to buyers.

However, you don’t want to remove all traces of human existence, says Combs. “Decluttering is good. But I’m not a big fan of taking all of your personal stuff out.” Mementos and photos make a house feel like a home, she says. “Don’t neutralize it so that it’s sterile.”

Appeal to lazy buyers

Most buyers are lazy.

The last thing a new homeowner wants is another ‘to-do’ list, Ramsey says. So get the home move-in ready before it hits the market so the buyer can start fresh easily.

That means making all the repairs and replacements that you would demand if you were buying the house today. If you have to walk single file up the walkway, trim the bushes. If the garage door is dented, have that fixed or replaced, Ramsey says. “If you go into a room and say, ‘Hmm, I wonder if this carpet is dirty enough to replace?’ You have your answer,” he says.

First-time sellers are likely selling smaller, starter homes which are popular with first-time buyers and empty-nesters, Ramsey says. Neither group is likely to want to spend weekends tackling the jobs that you avoided.

“From a presentation standpoint, you want them to feel it’s turnkey — ready to go,” Ramsey says. “Because your competition is doing that. In this market, it’s not just a price war but a beauty contest at the same time.”

Put upgrade money where it counts

If you’re looking to spend some money to make your house memorable, ask someone who knows what will improve the market value, says Combs.

She remembers one $90,000 starter home that the owners wanted to stand out from the pack. They did a very expensive kitchen upgrade with lots of high-dollar extras. Unfortunately, it was an older home “in a market that was never going to be above $90,000,” Combs says. “So the money they put in, they lost.”

Conversely, the Foltzes followed their agent’s recommendation to paint their stylish blue kitchen tanÂ – to match the walls of the adjacent open living room and attract more buyers.

“The cheapest thing you can do for a house with the biggest bang for the buck is to paint and replace carpet,” says Ramsey. His recommendation:Â soft neutrals, which are easy on the eyes and have mass appeal.

Fresh carpet and that new-paint smell are also buyer-bait.

“I have never, ever seen a buyer get emotionally attached to a carpet-allowance sign,” says Ramsey. “What they fall in love with is the new carpet in the house.”

Article Courtesy of Bankrate.com

Dana Dratch is a freelance writer based in Atlanta.

Harsch Real Estate Friends Find It Faster

Harsch Associates Berkshire Real Estate — Sun, 22 May 2011 19:37:57 +0000

We have some Berkshires Advice. Go North! There is GOLD in those hills! Northern Berkshire County is a golden treasure chest of great home buys!

Friends Find It Faster- Click to Like

Summer in the Berkshires

“Go North” was once the resounding cry of the Alaskan Gold Rush days. Gold was to be found in the Alaskan Mountains. The same is true of our Northern Berkshire properties and towns. When you are willing to drive just a little farther you find some of the best Home buys in the Berkshires. North Adams Real Estate, Williamstown Real Estate and Adams Real Estate along with Hancock and Lanesborough Real Estate offers some of the most affordable and some for the most enjoyable locations in New England.

Find your PEACE of the Berkshires here in the northern part of Berkshire County MA along with one of the most beautiful and serene environments in New England. To get our latest news and laugh at our office dog telling about his work day visit our Facebook page by clicking the Icon.

Do you want to buy a home but feel you just can’t right now? Do you have a home that has been for sale way too long? Then take a short minute and read our blog on how to achieve the goal of buying a home in a great market or selling your home for the best price. Read more….

We offer three more virtual tours this week. Our tours feature commercial property and homes in North Adams. Take a moment, sit back and relax and watch with us as we walk through some very affordable business opportunities and home getaways in the Berkshires.

Are you an entrepreneur who sees opportunity everywhere? Do you need a great place to start a business whether a net business or professional services?

North Adams is a thriving community where MASS MOCA and MCLA along with Berkshire Community College and Northern Berkshire Healthcare reside.

We have a great Victorian circa 1901 Home that is now a Berkshire commercial property available for a great price. Take a Virtual Tour Now.

Are you just starting out and want your own North Adams home? You are unique and your decorating personality is just as unique. Your comfort zone should most certainly be your home and we have several great starter homes where you can begin the journey to creating your own “take a breath, you are home” story. Come to Massachusetts Ave, North Adams

Are you looking for summer Berkshire home to escape the heat and humidity? Want to come home to the Berkshire County MA mountains for the summertime where the living is easy and you can go to a different cultural event every night or weekend all summer long and come home to relax by your pool in the evenings for less than $330,000? Then tour this home Swimming Pool, Deck and more delights!

Do you want lots of room for lots of family or just the herd of pets you love and care for? Then this North Adams MA home is your dream come true for a very UNBELIEVABLE price! Previsit this great buy

We hope you have enjoyed your Northern Berkshire properties tours and will call us at 413-458-5000 to make offers or make appointments to view other properties in the Northern Berkshires. Shop our full service website and save some favorite homes. We look forward to providing you with exceptional service!

35 years of Excellent Service in the Berkshires

Best Regards!

The Harsch Team of Real Estate Agents

3 Magic Words to Sell or Buy the Home you Want

Harsch Associates Berkshire Real Estate — Fri, 06 May 2011 19:37:04 +0000

Make an Offer- I'll Consider it- 3 Magic Words

Is there a rule of thumb in the Berkshire Real Estate market for how much below the asking pricea potential buyer should initially offer for a listing? 10 percent below? 20 percent below?

This seems like an easy question, but unfortunately quick fix answers will not work in the Williamstown MA real estate market. The magic words to begin the process of negotiation are “make an offer.” The truth is that there will be number of factors at play you are not aware of , no matter where in Berkshire County or Williamstown MA the home is located, no matter who the seller is and no matter who the buyer is. Getting to the bargaining table is a poker game in the beginning. Throwing down your cards and walking away means you lose without a doubt. Staying in the game means you may sell your home or buy the one you want for a great price.

For a seller the three magic words are “I’ll Consider it.” Consideration is the beginning of negotiation. Negotiation is a poker game taken to the highest level. Taking a hard line on any offer is unwise as another offer may not appears for many years. A Williamstown MA seller is competing with thousands of homes suddenly available in the Berkshires. Historically during the period of 2004-2007 Berkshire County and Williamstown Real Estate were undoubtedly HOT second home housing markets and Western MA, Berkshire County was the place to be for executives, stockbrokers, and those in the upper income brackets who lived in New York or Boston and summered in the Berkshires. The Stock Market was hot, the Real Estate Bubble was growing, fixing and flipping properties was a viable career option for college graduates in mid 2000′s. Wages and bonuses were high and America was coasting along a financial pinnacle path that has since become unsustainable.

The vital and most important thing to remember is that the simple rules of supply and demand usually prevail. If it’s an attractive Williamstown MA property at a a below market price, there will be competition for the property. Competition is the Williamstown Ma Home Seller’s BBF (best friend forever). Pricing a minimum of 10% lower than your neighbors means your property will get rapid attention and probably sell quickly and you will get closer to the initial asking price.

A new home to the Williamstown MA housing market with a price 10% below its Comparative Market Value ( new=on the market for less than two weeks) is likely to get multiple offers if it is attractive and the sellers are willing to entertain any and all offers. Keep in mind we stated “entertain” which does not mean accept. This is not the time to take offense at low and outrageous offers. It is the time to use the three magic words “I’ll consider it.”

If the Williamstown MA property has been on the market at the same price for two months or longer, the uninformed buyer’s agent will most likely recommend that an offer of 3-5% below the asking price be offerred. We recommend to our buyers they consider offering 8 to 10% below asking not unusual for a market where thousands of Berkshire Properties are for sale. Even if the property is great often we can spend a few hours crunching numbers and recent sales after which we can show hard data supporting a much lower price. Keep in mind this is the advice a buyer’s agent is giving to their client. You as a seller now have an insider’s peak into how the offer process works.

This is the point in the transaction process when the seller’s agent and the seller will be called upon to use all their negotiating and social skills to reel in the buyer to get to the negotiating table. This is the time for a level head and cool poker face and a willingness to “consider it.” Keep in mind “consider it” does not mean acceptanceof a ridiculous offer. “Consider it’ means only that “you will think about it and get back to the potential buyer and their agent”. Think carefully about what you are willing to give to the buyer in lieu of lowering the price and what you can give to the buyer to make the property worth more to the buyer. Using a skilled seller representative will be the vital key at this point in the process. You are fishing for a buyer and you will need all the skill you and your agent possess to land a qualified buyer and then get them to the closing table.

The worst thing that can happen is the buyer will say no to your first counter offer. The best that can happen is the buyer will negotiate further up than he or she would have liked and you’ll increase your selling margin. Either way the chances of a sale increase the more negotiating skills the seller’s agent has. The take away from this conversation if you remember nothing else is to repeat the three magic words before you respond to any offer for your property “I’ll consider it.” And for any buyer the magic words remain “make an offer.”

buyingwilliamstown.com |Buyers Rule in 2011

Harsch Associates Berkshire Real Estate — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 22:58:46 +0000

Buying a Williamstown Home

Buyers Rule in 2011. No doubt about it. So you are considering buying a home in Williamstown? Would you like to know what we have found in looking back over years of analytics about buyers in the Berkshires?

Who is looking for a home in Williamstown? Why does Harsch Associates attract more buyers and what are the two most common questions they ask first? We will be adding charts, data and more information that buyers need to know and that sellers should know. Keep checking back this week as we add new info everyday.

What are the three largest cities with buyers looking for Berkshire Homes? According to our analytics of over 1,000,000 hits on our Website the cities are : New York City, Chicopee MA (home of a large server for all of Massachusetts) and Williamstown MA. The 5 top states sending real estate web searchers to Williamstown are Massachusetts, NY, CT, NJ, and CA.

We will be adding more information about where your next buyer will most likely come from all week long. Check back often.

Home Newsletter April 2011-House-onality Quizzes

Harsch Associates Berkshire Real Estate — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:10:36 +0000

Home Newsletter free at local businesses in Williamstown

Harsch Associates Berkshire Real Estate is and has been your Source for Solutions, Service, and Stability in the Berkshires for 35 years.

Welcome Home to Harsch!

Love personality quizzes??? You will absolutely adore the 10 House-onality Quizzes we gathered to help you find the perfect home. Share our blog page with your friends and then laugh together as you share the results…. House-onality quizzes

Spring is here! March Madness is upon the Berkshires and here at Harsch Associates we are beginning a new feature- Video Blogs with Tips, Topics and Takes on Real Estate in the Berkshires.

Quick and to the point face to face info you can use today. We call it “In A Real Estate Minute.”

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of FSBO (for sale by owner) . Should you try it? read more

Want to watch the video blog instead of reading the story about For Sale By Owner, then watch more

Did you know that there are actually FOUR different prices you can put on your home depending on what the appraiser says? read more

Want to watch the video blog instead of reading about the Four Different pricing strategies? Then watch more

Spring is the most active time for listing your property on the market. We offer 7 fast tips on getting the attention of buyers NOW! read more

Want to watch the video that shares top tips from home appraisers on how to get the attention of buyers? Then watch more

Welcome to Spring and Mud Season in the Berkshires. We are here to sell your Berkshire Home or represent you as a buyer when you purchase your Berkshire Home. Call us and let us share the unique features we can offer YOU. 413-458-5000

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Berkshire Real Estate Agent Facilitation Brokerage |What is it?

Harsch Associates Berkshire Real Estate — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 21:37:20 +0000

Anyone in Williamstown or Berkshire County who expects to collect a fee for selling real estate in Massachusetts MUST be Licensed in Massachusetts. A large percentage of real estate licensees are members of the National Association of Realtors (registered trademark), the trade organization of the profession. Only members of the National Association of Realtors and the state and local Boards may participate in Multiple Listing Service and the Information Data Exchange.

Licensees must assist the public in one of the following ways in Massachusetts: Buyer Agency, Seller Agency, or Facilitation. It is very common for clients to sign a working agreement with a licensed real estate agent and under law, licensed real estate agents must provide a disclosure form to members of the public with whom then intend to work upon first meeting to discuss a property or upon first meeting to discuss creating a working relationship.

Agents or those real estate licensees procurred as Buyer’s agents or Seller’s Agents have a duty of ABSOLUTE faith to the lawful instructions of their Principals (similar to employer in some ways). The licensee must follow strictly the guidance of the client and advocate only for the client’s interests above and beyond all others. Creating an agency relationship with a licensee also creates what is called vicarious liability for the principal (you the client). You are responsible by virtue of creating an agency relationship for what your Real Estate Agent does on your behalf. Should your agent inadvertently state a false fact or otherwise perform a misdeed in the transaction then you are responsible for the resulting liability. You may also be responsible for other agents if your own agent assigns “showings” to another agent in the firm during the time you have agreed to agency representation. You should read and understand fully any document your agent asks you to sign. If you are unsure of the liability involved consult with your attorney before signing an agreement.

Facilitation brokerage does not create an “Agency” relationship and thus removes the risk of vicarious liability from the client. In the facilitation brokerage agreement the Real Estate Agent has a duty to treat both parties (buyer and seller) fairly and equally providing complete disclosure to both parties involved in a real estate transaction. The information provided to both parties allows the clients to make decisions based on full and equal disclosure. The real estate agent acting as a facilitator has the same legal obligation to the client in regards to trustworthiness, accountability for all funds, and full disclosure of known facts as any other licensee in the State of Massachusetts.

The majority of buyers and sellers want competent assistance with what is a relatively complex transaction of considerable financial importance in their lives. A seller wants to sell their property for the best price and a buyer wants to buy a property for the best price. Both the buyer and seller are working toward the same goal. A facilitation agreement allows full disclosure to both parties of the same information, requires that the facilitator be neutral in the transaction, and that every effort is made to bring all parties to the closing table in a mutually agreed upon and satisfying price for both seller and buyer. No adversarial activity is required or encouraged in a facilitation transaction, in fact the goal of facilitation is closing the deal with EVERYONE content that the best outcome has been achieved.

10 Personality Quizzes | Which house personality are you?

Harsch Associates Berkshire Real Estate — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 21:32:26 +0000

House-onality and Personality- Take the Quiz

Harsch Real Estate of Williamstown MA gives you links to help you find your House Personality with online Quizzes. With so many Berkshire homes and decorating themes to choose from the average Williamstown or Great Barrington home buyer can become overwhelmed. How can you decide which Berkshire County house will fit your personality best? We went online to check out a few quizzes which will get you started in the right direction. Happy House-onality Hunting!

This quiz allows you to draw a house and then provides you with an analysis of your personality. Artistic skills aside you can learn alot about what you want and desire in life by doing this simple drawing quiz and then save it and compare it with what your friends drew. Draw a house

Are you or your kids into Harry Potter? You may not have a magic hat to help you find that perfect home so maybe this quiz will point you in the right direction. Take the Which Hogwarts House are you quiz and find out where you belong at Hogwarts Academy. Don’t worry they have no final score that indicates you are a muggle. Go for it!

Do you want to know about what your choice of home says about your relationships? You and your significant other live and love together everyday. Wouldn’t you love to know what your lifestyle says about the home you choose. Find out now! You can take this quiz.

What is your color personality? Are you a spring, summer, fall or winter or a multi-season color person. Why waste time on the fuschia ombre mushroom color if you actually would be more satisfied with chocolate mocha brownie beige. If you want to refine your color choices before you paint or decorate, take this quiz from House Beautiful.

Designing woman or man? You have a flair for making a statement don’t you? We thought so. Take a home decorating personality quiz at this site to learn your Design Personality.

THE Royal Wedding of this century is coming up. We are all awaiting the extravaganza with delight and curiousity! Where will the prince and princess live? Heck, where would you live best if you were one of the Royalty? Which Royal Palace is your Dream HOME? You can get the answer by taking the Palace quiz.

We all have a passion and vision about what we will accomplish in life and where we will live in order to accomplish our goals. Ideally we all would nest in a home that projected who we are and what we believe in. So why don’t we? Well maybe we just don’t know what our ideal nest looks like. What is your IDEAL Dream House? You can find out now by taking this quiz.

What is your personality? Zany, serious or impulsively joyous, you name it and we can find it. Personality and Home can be a statement of what you are passionate about. House plus personality gives you your Houseonality profile. Take this quiz before you home shop.

Do it yourself. Lowes, Home Depot and countless online UTube instructional videos want us to “Do It Yourself.” What is your “Do It Yourself” personality? Take the DIY quiz to decide whether to build that deck by yourself or NOT.

Fashion week is coming up in Paris and New York. The world would be boring and so much duller without the fashion mavens who direct our hemlines and color choices. Which Fashion House (Dior, Gucci or Betsey Johnson) suits your personality? Take the Fashion House quiz to up your fashionable quotient.

Now you have ten different personality and house-onality results. Ready to begin your search for Berkshire Real Estate? Give us a call and we will match you with the home your desire. 413-458-5000 Harsch Associates Berkshire Real Estate.

Homes Sweet Berkshire Homes- Buying a Second Home

Harsch Associates Berkshire Real Estate — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 20:33:05 +0000

Second Home in the Berkshires

Home Sweet Berkshire Country Homes

Despite economic challenges over the past year, consumers continue to invest in Berkshire and Southern Vermont second home properties. Many Americans purchase second homes either as vacation retreats or investment properties. According to the National Association of Realtors^®2010 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey, vacation-home sales rose 7.9 percent to 553,000 last year (2009), up from 513,000 in 2008.

Prices also rose. The median price of a vacation home was $169,000 in 2009, compared with $150,000 in 2008. Paul Harsch (Broker and President) of Harsch Associates Berkshire Real Estate says “Berkshire second home purchases are typically influenced by lifestyle or financial considerations. Clients who shop the real estate offerings in the Berkshires are typically well educated and looking for both cultural activities and recreational activities within a few minutes of their second home.”

Consumers continue to appreciate the value of homeownership – so much that many of them own second homes, either as vacation retreats or investment properties. In addition, many second-home buyers want to diversify their financial portfolios.

There are approximately 7.9 million vacation homes and 41.1 million investment properties in the U.S. compared with 75.0 million owner-occupied homes. Vacation homes are in every state, with the most popular locations by the water or in the mountains.

Berkshire County in Western MA and Southern Vermont offer many of these highly desirable locations in abundance. Vacation-home owners prefer close proximity to areas where they spend recreational time or to natural attractions such as National Parks, rivers and lakes. Berkshire County and Southern Vermont are known for their premier snow skiing resorts, hiking trails, cultural attractions, educational institutions, rafting and white water rafting, biking trails, canoing, motor boating lakes and many other recreational activities.

Half of the vacation homes purchased in 2009 were in the South with about 13% being in the North East including the New England States.

The typical Berkshire vacation-home buyer in 2009 is 46 years old, earns a median household income of $87,500 and purchases a Berkshire property that is on a two-three hour drive from his or her primary home; about one-third of vacation homes purchased were within 100 miles of the primary residence.

Investment homes sales accounted for 17 percent of the overall market in 2009, down from 21 percent in 2008. The median investment home sold for $105,000 in 2009, which is 2.8 percent below 2008. Most investors purchased a home that was fairly close to their primary residence – about 24 miles. These investment homes most often are rental properties used for income and depreciation.

Demand for second homes will likely increase over the next decade . About 40.1 million people in the U.S. are ages 50-59, which are some of the prime years for buying a second home. If you’re thinking about buying a vacation home in the Berkshires our Harsch Associates Berkshires Realtors^® live and work here. We can provide you with valuable insight into the Berkshire County and Southern Vermont second home market.

Source: National Associates of Realtors^®

Berkshire Vintage Perfection. Adaptive Reuse Condominiums

Harsch Associates Berkshire Real Estate — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 21:30:34 +0000

Adaptive Reuse is a process that adapts buildings for new uses while retaining their historic features. The simplest example of architectural adaptive reuse is the antique barn resurrected as a unique and stunning new residential home. Initially architects and structural engineers evaluate foundations, beams, columns and flooring to determine the stability of the building. Once it is determined that the fundamental structure is sound the process of renovation begins.

The trend of adaptive reuse has caught on with a passion in larger metropolitan areas such as Boston, New York, Chicago and Atlanta. An outstanding example is Chicago Soldier Field, the Chicago Bears’ historic stadium. The ability to reuse this site and adapt it to the requirements of a modern professional football stadium is impressive. The Power House is a fine example of adaptive reuse of a turn of the century steam plant located in Long Island City, New York. Massachusetts boasts many adaptive reuse projects including Old City Hall, The Apartments at Coolidge School in Watertown, MA, and The Atlas Lofts.

The last two adaptive reuse projects are part of the Mitchell Properties LLC portfolio of adaptive reuse projects. Their newest project coming online in 2010 is located in Williamstown MA. Cable Mills Condominiums will be a community located in the Berkshires with stunning views of river, mountains and Williamstown. A short two minute walk to the Taconic Golf Club, the Village center and Williams College are a few of the amenities that will make this development truly unique. Berkshire Living Urban Style describes Cable Mills Condominiums. The condominium residences comprise the style of the Boston Loft with the visual and sensual beauty of the Berkshires.

Harsch Associates Real Estate a well know Berkshire Real Estate Brokerage firm is now taking reservations for Cable Mills Condominiums. Whether a second home, a primary home, or an investment in the Berkshires you will appreciate the easy lifestyle that Cable Mills Condominiums offers.

Harsch Associates Exclusive Broker for Cable Mills Condominiums

Berkshire Condo. Own? Rent? Both? Yes you can.

Harsch Associates Berkshire Real Estate — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 21:13:39 +0000

Renting out your Berkshire condominium is a great way to earn some extra money in this economy, but it is a big decision. We want to prepare you to make the best decision possible with a few tips on finding and retaining the PERFECT tenants.

Charge an application fee. This will quickly weed out those who are just wasting your time by looking at every condominium for rent on the market. If you want to encourage application fees offer to deduct the fee from the first month’s rent.
Verify your potential tenant’s employment. Ask to see last month’s pay stubs. Also consider if the amount your potential tenant is making per month will actually cover the estimated costs of paying the rent on the condominium.

To ensure that your property will be cared for and bills will be paid on time set written rules. You may have rules that say a person who is not included in the lease may not stay at the property more than a certain number of days. You may or may not allow pets, and remember whatever rules you set must be enforced because if one rule is ignored there is a good chance that the tenant will attempt to get away with violating more rules.

Screening and qualifying tenants will make your life much easier on the back end of the lease. Good lease rules make for good relationships and a well kept piece of property.