Sales of single family homes in Franklin County remained the same and median price increased 8.9% in November 2019 compared to November 2018. The sales were down 1.4% in Hampden County and 24.1% in Hampshire County. Median price was up in both Hampden and Hampshire [...]

Now through December 31st, Salmon Falls Gallery in Shelburne Falls is hosting 16 different glass artists, all who are part of the Vermont Glass Guild. Their works fill the 2 featured exhibit spaces and cover an array of techniques including hot (furnace-worked), lamp (torch or flame-worked), warm (fused/slumped), as well as samples of [...]

Sales of single family homes in Franklin County were down 4.8% and median price up 2.3% in October 2019 compared to October 2018. The sales were up 5.2% in Hampden County and 45.6% in Hampshire County. Median price was up in both Hampden and Hampshire [...]

This Thanksgiving, I feel especially grateful for my community and fellow businesses in the area. Tomorrow, 86% of Americans plan to hit the corporate stores for Black Friday shopping. I ask you to instead consider supporting local businesses in the area to do your holiday shopping. Tomorrow, Friday, November 29, Shelburne Falls is hosting Moonlight Magic, an annual holiday kick-off event. The downtown shops will remain open later and local vendors will set up tents on Bridge Street, displaying  beautiful hand-crafted items for sale. 

Then, Saturday, November 30, is Small Business Saturday. This national event which occurs the day after Black Friday, promotes shopping at your local small businesses. Help your local economy by spending your money at your neighborhood stores and other stores in Franklin County for your holiday shopping. You can find a list of local businesses at shelburnefalls.com and franklincc.org. We are so fortunate to live in an area of talented artisans and craftspeople. Take advantage and do your holiday shopping with them!

Happy Thanksgiving, Franklin County!

(Source: finder.com)

Thanksgiving isn’t far away, which here in Franklin County means it’s almost time for Moonlight Magic! Moonlight Magic is the annual kick-off event to the holiday season, which occurs every year in Shelburne Falls on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Bridge Street and Deerfield Ave close down to traffic, allowing pedestrians to wander freely through the town, browsing stores and pop-up vendor tents. This is a great opportunity to buy unique, hand-crafted gifts for the family from local vendors rather than spending hours at a chaotic mall.

Moonlight Magic is also about spreading holiday cheer. The village will be beautifully decorated with garlands and lights. Luminaria will line the streets, illuminating pathways towards significant places participating in Moonlight Magic events. Say hi to Santa and Mrs. Claus amongst other characters in the Parade of Lights, which starts on Conway Street and then continues down Bridge Street. Then enjoy other various local performers and musicians around the village. 

This year’s Moonlight Magic is happening Friday, November 29, 2019 from 4 to 9 pm.

For more information about Moonlight Magic, visit www.shelburnefalls.com. 

Your home is still listed for sale. You might be thinking it is best to take it off the market and re-list in the spring. However if you are serious about selling, rethink removing it from the market for the following 4 reasons.

1.  If you remove your home from the market, you will have less competition on the market place, which means buyers will have less to pick from. You actually might sell at a higher price in the winter than if you wait until spring when you'll have greater competition.

2.   The winter months are the best time for buyers to make a purchase. They normally have more time to look around before the spring, when life gets busy with kids getting out of school and summer vacations being planned.

3.  Buyers want to already be in their new home in winter so they can enjoy the start of the spring and summer season.

4.  Bad weather is no longer an issue for buyers like it used to be in the past, traveling to view different homes. Nine out of ten homebuyers search for their homes online at their workplaces, on their smart phones, and from the comfort of their homes after dark.

I have sold many of my listings during the winter. My sellers were glad they listened to my advice about keeping their homes on the market. Don’t let the winter season discourage you from trying to sell your home.  

Happy Winter Selling!

Colrain, Massachusetts is a beautiful town in northern Franklin County, just below the Vermont line. The town draws many artists who seek inspiration from its natural beauty. There are so many artists, in fact that each year they all come together to host Crafts of Colrain Open Studio Tour. Grab a map and a friend and take a tour around [...]

For 25 years, CiderDays has been a Franklin County staple event of all things apple. Every first weekend in November, events pop up all over the area to appreciate and learn more about ciders, cidermaking, and orchards. There are cider tastings, workshops, and tours, hosted by various orchards, cideries, and other cider professionals. This year, CiderDays will be held November 1-3. Some of the events are free; others require tickets purchased in advance, such as the Cider Salon. 

The Cider Salons will once again be held in the large tent in Unity Park, Turners Falls. Sponsored by the United States Association of Cider Makers, the Salons will feature over 130 ciders from a range of producers around North America and Europe. Buy your tickets in advance for either Round 1 or Round 2 and enjoy the opportunity to sample ciders from near and far.

Some events will be happening throughout the weekend and you can drop in anytime to check them out. Check out an art exhibit at the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls, 25 Years of CiderDays, which will display historic cider presses and images honoring cider producers. While you’re in Turners Falls, you can also stop by the official Cider Days Bookstore at Two Birds on Avenue for books about orchards and cider and even some author signings. Several tasting rooms will have their doors open to the public throughout the weekend, including West County Cider in Shelburne, Bear Swamp Orchard and Cidery in Ashfield, Headwater Cider in Hawley, and more. 

See the full list of tastings and other events happening throughout the weekend here and find everything you need to know about CiderDays at CiderDays.org

Happy CiderDays! 

Sales of single family homes in Franklin County were down 12.7% and median price up 15% in September 2019 compared to September 2018. The sales were up 3.3% in Hampden County and 33% in Hampshire County. Median price was up in both Hampden and Hampshire [...]

Celebrate a decade of fall fun at the Great Falls Festival aka PumpkinFest on Saturday, October 19. This fall-themed festival will be held on Avenue A in Turners Falls from 2-9 pm and is great for all ages. 

Bring your own carved pumpkin to display or decorate one there! Hang out at the beer garden and drink some local craft beers and pair it with food from various food vendors. You’ll also want to bring your dancing shoes because there will be musical bands and performances all event long. See the full lineup below: