Did you know that a staged property usually sells for more money and in less time than an unstaged property? In a recent article by House Logic, “81 Staging Tips That Helps Buyers Fall in Love,” an example of this is shown with two condo listings. Both units were in the same complex and were the same size and layout. One of the units was staged and the other was not. The staged unit sold for $30,000 more than the unstaged one. While staging your home does not guarantee you more money, putting that extra effort in before showing your home can go a long way.

The article continues on to share some helpful tips to prepare each room of your house for showing. Here are some tips that I found to be most important:

1. Depersonalize your home.

It is important that buyers can envision themselves living there. Remove family portraits, refrigerator decorations, and other memorabilia around the home. Instead, hang interesting artwork on the walls or set out a tea set or a board game in the living room so that buyers see what life would be like in your home.

2. Declutter.

This can be a great way to start packing up the house! Clear all countertops, tables, and other surfaces, leaving only one or two decorative items such as a vase. Take away a few pieces of furniture, especially in the living room. Clean out the cupboards, leaving only one matching set of dishes and a few glasses. Clean and organize the pantry. The goal is to make the rooms feel larger and to show the full potential for storage areas such as cabinets and closets.

3. Scrub.

Deep clean your entire home or hire a cleaning service to do it for you. Be sure to remove all dirt and grime from walls, backsplashes, and cabinets, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms. If you have a pet, remove all pet hair, stains, and odors. Make your home so clean it shines!

4. Repair and Refresh.

Replace any old tiling or use paint instead. Fix leaky faucets or running toilets. Fill in nicks or holes in walls and add a fresh coat of paint. Replace any broken or torn window screens and any damaged or aging hardwood floors.

5. Don’t forget about the exterior!

Most buyers drive by houses first before setting up showing appointments. Make sure that their first impression is a positive one. Mow the lawn, trim the shrubs and trees. Power-wash the outside of your home, driveway, and porch. Store any yard equipment or toys out of sight, but leave out something welcoming such as porch furniture or a hammock. Revive the grass with fresh sod or new seed. Brighten up the yard with colorful flowers. Then take a step back and look- make sure things look clean!

Then on the day of showing, add some seasonal touches, such as sizzling cinnamon in the fall or flowers during the spring and summer. Tidy up whatever else may be lingering and then take off while potential buyers admire your beautiful, clean home.

As an accredited staging professional, I have received specific training in staging homes. I work with all my clients to make sure their home is staged properly before it hits the market. 

Read the full article on House Logic.

More tips by me for making a positive first impression.

 

 

As a former board member of the Greater Shelburne Falls Area Business Association (GSFABA) and a resident of the hilltowns, I love to support this association. The work they do benefits the hilltowns of West Franklin County, by boosting tourism, exposing businesses, and working together with the towns to make it a great place to live.

That is why I am excited that this Saturday, April 7, GSFABA will host their 22nd Annual Auction. Attend the auction and bid on exciting items donated by local businesses such as getaways, glass by Josh Simpson, and bike passes to Berkshire East’s Thunder Mountain Park. There will also be a variety of local food and beverage gift baskets and restaurant gift certificates.

The evening starts at 6 pm at the Shelburne-Buckland Community Center with a silent auction, followed by an exciting live auction. Plus, enjoy live music and local food, beer and wine while you bid.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. The proceeds from the auction will go towards GSFABA’s non-profit subsidiary, West County Arts & Culture, which supports the region’s creative economy. Contact Angela Varilly at 413-775-8281 for more information or visit shelburnefalls.com.

 

What a difference a year can make.  Inventory is at an all time low and average sales price is on the rise.

Franklin County sales were up 36.4% and the median price went up by 45.8% in February, 2018 compared to February, 2017.  The sales and median price also increased in both Hampshire and Hampden County. 

Inventory of single family homes fell in Pioneer Valley 31.1 percent from 1,668 single family listings at the end of February 2017, to 1,149 single family listings at the end of February 2018.  

The average days on market dropped 26.6% from 114 days in February 2017 to 84 days in February 2018. Listings which are pending (under agreement to sell) are up 17.2 percent from 361 in February 2017 to 423 in February 2018.

The following reports are provided by the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Come take a look at this well maintained and charming 2 family home with views of the Deerfield River and Village of Shelburne Falls. It is an easy walk to downtown where you have access to the many benefits this wonderful village has to offer. There are fabulous restaurants and cafes, pharmacy, library, banks, two markets, artisan galleries and the famous Bridge of Flowers and glacial potholes. This home is perfect for a owner occupy, potential vacation rental or home based business. The first floor has a large kitchen with breakfast bar, living room, full bathroom, 2 bedrooms, and mudroom. The second floor has a kitchen, living room, 2 bedrooms, and full bath. In addition it has gas heat, wood floors, and separate utilities. There is a fabulous front porch and patio in the backyard that is ideal for BBQ's. The sellers have renovated the apartments and made several updates since they took ownership in 2004. 

View the full listing!

Contact Wanda today for details or to set up a showing appointment: (413) 768-9848 or Wanda@WandaMooney.com.

 

Solid built Cape style home situated on 15 acres with a large front deck that overlooks seasonal hillside views! Whether you are looking for a starter home or getaway place this is ready for you to move in and enjoy just in time for the summer season. It has a great floor plan with room for expansion. There is a good size kitchen that is open to the dining and living area, 3 bedrooms and 1 full bath. There is a spacious walk up attic that could easily be finished for additional living space. In addition there is a a full walk out basement that is perfect for storage or workshop, hardwood floors, propane heat, and cedar siding. Located near plenty of popular recreational activities including Berkshire East Ski Resort, white water rafting, fly fishing, mountain bike trails, and so much more. It is near Shelburne Falls, 1/2 hour to Mount Snow, and not far from the Berkshires.

View the full listing!

Call Wanda today for details and to set up a showing appointment at 413-768-9848

Spring is just around the corner, which for homeowners means time for spring cleaning. Before you start scrubbing, building, or make changes to your home, head over to the North West New England Home Show this weekend, March 17 and 18. Local businesses and contractors will be there for you to give advice and new ideas for your home and garden this year. Get inspired and motivated for your spring cleaning by attending the home show.

All of the exhibitors are local businesses, including Classic Kitchens, A.R. Sandri, and Yankee Home Improvements. There will also be a number of green and solar companies, including Pioneer Valley Squared, Greening Greenfield, and Valley Solar. Some of the exhibitors will offer workshops throughout the weekend. Norwex will present Chemical Crashers, a workshop on how to clean your home without harsh chemicals, only water. PV Squared will talk about Going Solar in Mass for Homes & Businesses, how to save money and have your solar project pay for itself. Click here for more details and to view the full list of workshops.

Admission to the North West New England Home Show is free! The show will happen at the Franklin County Technical School Gymnasium in Turners Falls. The show runs Saturday, March 17 from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, March 18 from 10:30 am to 5 pm. Visit their website for more information: homeshow.recorder.com

It’s March! For New Englanders, this means sugaring season is upon us. One of my personal favorite places to visit in Franklin County for delicious maple syrup is Davenport Maple Farm Restaurant. I highly recommend taking a scenic drive there on the weekends to enjoy their homemade breakfast or lunch.

Fresh Maple Syrup

When you visit the restaurant, you can see the sap evaporation process first hand. Their sap comes from over 3,500 taps on their property. Once the sap is made into maple syrup, they use the syrup to make maple spread, maple covered nuts, maple sugar candies, maple lollipops, maple granulated sugar, and more. Of course you can also buy the pure maple syrup to take home or sit down for breakfast and enjoy it atop pancakes, waffles, or french toast.

Family-Owned and Operated

The farm dates back 200 years and has been in the Davenport family since 1913. Davenport Maple Farm was founded by Russell and Martha Davenport.  Today the farm is run by Norm and Lisa Davenport and their daughter Meagan and her husband Nate own and operate the restaurant business. 

Located down scenic Tower Road in Shelburne, the restaurant is now open every Saturday and Sunday 8 am to 3 pm through the end of April. So head over to Shelburne soon for delicious Davenport Maple Syrup.

Check out their website or follow them on Facebook!

 

 

Recently, I had the opportunity to tour Greenspace CoWork, Greenfield’s first co-working space. I was very impressed with the style and feel of this space, one which seems to me would allow someone to focus and work all day. Located on the third floor of Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center in downtown Greenfield, Greenspace offers memberships for use of their open work environment, free WiFi, and free coffee. Its members are people in a variety of careers, who desire a secure place to work independently, while having the ability to interact with other professionals and meet with clients in a presentable space.

Jeremy Goldsher and Jeff Sauser opened the space in February of this year, with open tables, couches, and a kitchenette. They kept the industrial style of the building, preserving the 170-year old wood floors and brick walls, and adding decor that embellishes that style. Goldsher and Sauser received a $100,000 collaborative Workspace Program grant from Mass Development, which they will use to add a conference room, private office pods, and soundproof phone booths.

So if you are looking to get out of your home office or that crowded coffee shop and into a clean, quiet, open space, then take a free tour of Greenspace CoWork. Memberships cost $150 a month, or $125 a month with a 6-month commitment. You can also purchase a one-day membership whenever you want for only $20. Visit their website for more information: greenspacecowork.com

 

Franklin County sales were up 27.0% and the median price was down 2.1% in January, 2018 compared to January, 2017.  The sales and median price went up in Hampshire and Hampden County. 

Inventory fell 32.6 percent from 1,725 single family listings at the end of January 2017, to 1,162 single family listings at the end of January 2018.  

The average days on market dropped 11.3% from 94 days in January 2017 to 83 days in January 2018. Listings which are pending (under agreement to sell) are up 8.9 percent from 360 in January 2017 to 392 in January 2018.

The following reports are provided by the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley.

 

 

This Friday, March 2nd and Saturday, March 3rd, check out the 39th Annual Pottery Seconds and More Sale! Purchase beautiful, hand-crafted items at low prices. Meet the talented artists behind the pottery. Enjoy performances by Artspace Strings for Kids students. Plus, you could win a door prize donated by one of the artists!

The Pottery Seconds and More Sale, which supports Artspace Community Arts Center’s programs will be held at the Greenfield Community College Dining Commons, 1 College Drive, Greenfield, MA. Entry is $2 on Friday and free on Saturday.

Visit www.artspacegreenfield.com for more information!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Artspace

Artspace’s mission is to encourage and nurture the appreciation of and participation in the arts by offering programs and instruction, and by advocating the importance of the arts in education and in the community.