On January 30th we completed the following research about the Franklin County, Massachusetts real estate market.  Research was conducted through the Multiple Listing Service.

Single-family homes continue to sell throughout the county despite the cold weather. By clicking the link for Single Family Homes For Sale you will see homes on the market now!

All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. The owner of this blog and the Multiple Listing Service make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site.

Real Estate Tax Rates for Franklin County, Massachusetts in 2014 are listed below.  The information was compiled from the state website (www.mass.gov).  This information is helpful when purchasing your new home to approximate the cost of your real estate taxes.

Locate the town in the list below that you want to know what your approximate taxes would be.  The rate is then calculated per $1,000 of valuation.  Example:  In the town of Ashfield if you purchase a home for $200,000, multiply the cost x $16.16 per thousand  to equal $3,232.00.  Towns also vary with additional taxes fore services like a Fire District.

More information may also be obtained by going to the town website...... We have provided a link below for each town site.  Just click on the town you wish to review.

Realtor of the Year
Don Mailloux

Realtor of the Year Don Mailloux

CONGRATULATIONS!  to Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont 2014 Award Winners.  Thank your for making us the #1 Real Estate Company in Franklin County for the 20th year in a row!

Team of the Year
Mooney & Roberts

Team of the Year Mooney & Roberts

We have the Pioneer Valley covered with 4 convenient locations; South Deerfield, Shelburne Falls, Florence Northampton and Amherst, MA.  Contact one of our award winning agents today to see how Coldwell Banker delivers the most professional service available today.

Gold Award Winners:  Lisa Palumbo, Dave Ryan, Mike Packard, Phil Pless and Linda Webster.

Team Gold Award:  Gaylor & McGowan

Silver Award:  Carol Bolduc

Team Silver Award:  Paula & Rick Davitt

Bronze Award:  Maureen Borg, Gretchen O'Neil, Don Noble

 Phil Pless,  real estate agent with our Shelburne Falls Office, enjoys many hours on the Ashfield Trails.  In winter he may be found along the trails in Ashfield, MA on his cross-country skies or even his mountain bike.  Yes, mountain bike!  When you love the outdoors you will find a way to keep active all Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. 

The Ashfield Trails is a volunteer collaborative which for several years has been working to establish a community network of trails and footpaths in and around Ashfield.  Check out their Facebook Page for up-to-date information and photos about the trails.

The Ashfield Town Website host a page with contact information and maps available for public use.  Enjoy you hike along the Ashfield Trails Soon!  Keep an eye out for Phil.

Silver Crest Condominiums
Greenfield, Massachusetts

Silver Crest Condominiums Greenfield, Massachusetts

Could condo living be for you? For many condominium living can be an attractive alternative to a single family home.  Before you make the leap to condo living make sure to do your homework to see if it truly is the best choice for you. Here is a checklist of a few things you may want to consider before signing on the dotted line.

• Condominiums have monthly maintenance fees.
• Check with the condominium association to see what the annual increase in the monthly maintenance fee has been for the past few years.
• What is the percentage of residents are current with their monthly association payments. Look for about ninety-seven percent of the development's residents to be current with their monthly payments.
• What percentage of the association fees are dedicated to a reserve fund. A good number would be at least 10 percent of the association's annual budget.
• What are the condition of the condo's roof and major mechanical systems? When were they last replaced or repaired. When the condo requires big upgrades, costly "special assessment" fees are passed on to the homeowners.

Coldwell Banker | Community Realtors has some condominium options for you to consider.  Our agents are very knowledgeable about all the associations in the area providing your with association documents to help you decide if a specific condo is the right fit for you.

To search Franklin County Condominiums on the market click HERE.

To review Condominiums in Hampshire County click HERE.

18th Annual Chili Cook-Off

January 26th, 2014

Mohawk Park Family Campground Restaurant & Pub, 559 Tea Street, Charlemont, MA (Map)

-Enjoy live music with Zydeco -Sample a large variety of locally prepared chili's -Cast your vote for your favorite (prizes awarded) -50/50 Drawing -Drawing for $50.00 worth of MA lottery scratch tickets -Only $7.00 at the door Or If you would like to submit your Chili entry is FREE! Click HERE to leave Pre-Register message! All proceeds to benefit 2014 Charlemont Yankee Doodle Days. Sponsored by the Friends of the Charlemont Fairgrounds

Coldwell Banker | Community Realtors is the #1 Listing & Selling Real Estate Agency for 2013 in Franklin County, Massachusetts.

Yes, our company sold 318+ homes in 2013 with 157 properties in Franklin County.  These homes were either single-family, multi-family or condominiums throughout the county for 2013.  Our agents know Franklin County in and out as many live and work here.  You will find out agents in Greenfied, Heath, Ashfield, Shelburne Falls, Erving, South Deerfield, Montague,  and ready to show you homes in Northfield, Bernardston, Colrain, Buckland and Wendell, just to name a few.

Call us today, our agents look forward to serving you real estate needs.  As a Coldwell Banker affiliate we have local knowledge with nation reach!

You saved all your money for a down payment on a house and calculated the costs of the mortgage but wait just a minute...owning a home also comes with several hidden costs. Those costs can add up. So before you buy your home, here are additional home-related expenses you'll want to include in your budgeting:

Real Estate Taxes - Often your real estate taxes are included in your monthly mortgage payment but in some instances you may pay them directly. The amount of taxes you pay varies depending on the value of your home's and the tax rate in your community.

Private Mortgage Insurance - Your monthly mortgage payment may also include PMI (private mortgage insurance). Lenders typically charge a PMI if your loan exceeds 80 percent of the sales price.

Homeowners Insurance - Most banks require that you hold homeowners insurance. Homeowner's insurance protects from damage to the home from things like fire, theft or weather. Just because you have insurance doesn't mean there are no costs to you remember to set aside your deductible.

While owning a home does have hidden costs the gain of homeownership is always more than the cost.  Contact your Coldwell Banker Upton-Massamont Agent today for a detailed look at homeownership.

If you live in or are buying an older home you may be concerned about asbestos. Asbestos was banned in 1978 because of the health risks associated with it.

Asbestos fibers are dangerous when inhaled.  The microscopic fibers can become lodged in the respiratory system and lead to asbestosis or scarring of the respiratory tissues.

Asbestos was commonly used as a binder and fire retardant in many building products. It can typically be found in acoustical ceiling tiles; thermal insulation of boilers and pipes; steel fireproofing, cement asbestos siding and roofing; tile and sheet floor coverings.

Inspectors are most concerned with what is known as friable asbestos (easily crumbled or pulverized to powder) and often recommend it be removed. It should always be removed and disposed of by a qualified contractor. Contact the Environmental Protection Agency for an updated list of qualified testing and or mitigation contractors.