Drink Lots of Water when House-hunting

Yesterday, I was the agent on duty at Prudential Sawicki in Amherst. Our top agent came in and she just leaned against the receptionist's counter with her head in her hands. Another agent quickly got her a chair and a drink of water. I got her car keys and got her something to eat from her back seat. She sat in that chair, right in the office doorway, for quite a while.

I haven't yet set the stage. What I haven't yet explained, is that until this morning, western Massachusetts, and all of the North East for that matter, has been undergoing almost 100 degree heat. Yes, a heat wage just came and went from the Quabbin region.

That's why our best agent entered the office yesterday in the condition she did. She hadn't drunk enough. And in the heat we had, one couldn't drink enough water. It didn't seem like I could drink too much. The office was cold as the air conditioning was cranked up so high. But when coming and going from roasting hot car to the great outdoors or an un-air conditioned property, the heat is overwhelming! Lesson learned: Drink lots of water.

Pride gas in Hadley

Beware of add-on amounts at the pump! I filled up my gas tank this morning at Pride in Hadley. The pump had 5 cents on it before I even started pumping. I went into the office and she credited the amount to me. Then I started over and it did it again! The clerk gave me a credit and said she'd tell the manager. But beware! Check the amount before pumping your gas.

Ticks

I was talking with an older gentleman the other day. We were both rowing away at the gym. We got to talking about hiking. He said he likes to hike the trails above Laurel Lake, north of Erving. He also likes to hike the Quabbin Reservoir, gate 27. He said last time he hiked gate 27 he had eight ticks on his clothing.

Ticks cause lime disease. So always check yourself, head-to-toe, when you return from the great outdoors.

Looks like today is going to be another scorcher, so find a body of water and get out there!

49 Greenfield Road, Montague Home For Sale

Are you looking for a three-bedroom, one-bath 1880's farmhouse with two acres for $150,000? Then check out 49 Greenfield Road, Montague, Massachusetts! I showed this antique farmhouse to a customer this morning. The home is right on the busy street, the acreage is up a steep hillside, there is a sewerage treatment facility nearby. The property boasts a one-car garage, a front porch, views of the Connecticut River, and is livable in the short-term. But come winter, if you want livable heating bills, lots of ceiling insulation will be a necessity. There is room to add an upstairs bathroom. Imagine the views from a future hillside treehouse! The views from the upstairs windows are great. If you have the ability to add the tons and tons of elbow-grease and sweat equity necessary to make this classic charmer everything a modern family needs, then check this one out!

9 Edgewood Terrace, Hadley Open House

Come to my open house at 9 Edgewood Terrace, in Hadley tomorrow (Sunday), between 1pm and 3pm. This open house will be the first showing of this newly-listed cul-de-sac property. I'm told this home will receive an offer to purchase during this open house. So don't miss out! See you tomorrow.

264 Harkness Road, Amherst Open House Today

Come to my open house today at 264 Harkness Road, Amherst. This home is accessible from both MA-9 and Pelham Road/Main St. This home has huge classrooms (3), multiple bathrooms, three-car garage, three acres in a very desirable location. The home is in need up updating, but could be lived in as is. Also, there are several outbuildings and paved parking areas. This property might be considered for application for multi-family or lot sub-division. Current use is non-profit. See you between 1pm and 3pm!

290 West Street, Amherst Showing

Are you interested in a four-bedroom, one-bath cape in Amherst, on bus route, with .92 acres for $219,000? Then consider 290 West Street, Amherst, Massachusetts! I showed this home to a customer this morning. This home is located on MA-116, just 1.6 miles from the heart of downtown Amherst. There is road noise from the highway. And there is a little water in the basement. And the roof has lack of venting issues. And the one-bathroom would be an issue for some buyers. And the entire home is in need of updating. But you could live in it while you bring this 1952 home up to 2008 standards. And renting this home would be easy, as it is close to town, a big plus for those of us suffering with today's gas prices.

Professional Associations

Professional Associations keep their members trained in the latest and greatest tips, honest, in-line ethically and up-to-date in their field. Professional Associations also provide an outlet for the state to regulate/praise/sanction the profession's members, when appropriate. For example, realtors are required to attend ethics courses every four years. Every two years realtors are required to complete four hours of continuing education classes, such as the GRI class.

Today and tomorrow I'm attending at GRI class in Springfield, Massachusetts. GRI is a realtor's training course offered by the Massachusetts Association of Realtors. To obtain this professional designation, I'll attend six such courses over the next many months.

Professional real estate consultants, like me, are members of many professional and business associations. For example, I am a member of the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley, the Massachusetts Association of Realtors, the National Association of Realtors and the Amherst Chamber of Commerce.

Bald Eagles at the Quabbin

The lead story in the Greenfield Recorder newspaper Governor Patrick Bands Bald Eagle Chicks on an Island in the Quabbin Reservoir. The Quabbin has more than a few pairs of bald eagles. The state has something like 40 pairs. I've seen one at the Pelham overlook on MA-202.

Apparently our Massachusetts Governor took 11 boats, filled with various reporters et al, to one of the 60 Quabbin reservoir islands, to do state and federal banding of bald eagle chicks. The tone of the article lead me to believe the governor has never seen the Quabbin before. As a resident of the north Quabbin, I'm shocked! Who wouldn't make the effort to tour this area?

Neighborhood Pride

What is neighborhood pride? Neighborhood pride is what others see, or don't see, when they drive through your neighborhood. For example, I was driving through the main street in Orange this morning. I saw unmowed front lawns, untrimmed weeks along the roadway. I saw a barn in serious need of paint. In other words, I saw a neighborhood without as much neighborhood pride as it could have had.

Why should you care? 1. Home prices are higher in neighborhoods with lots of consistent neighborhood pride 2. Studies prove that crime is lower in neighborhoods without graffitti, broken windows, or other signs of community neglect 3. Visitors feel more comfortable shopping/buying/eating/walking/driving/living in neighborhoods with neighborhood pride.

As a realtor, if I feel unsafe in a neighborhood, I will not take customers to that neighborhood. I will not discriminate or redline or do anything that violates my professional code of ethics. But if I fear for my safely, I will say so to my customer.

So what can you do today to imprive the pride in your neighborhood? Cut your lawn, trim the weeds at the curb, paint your exterior as needed, do that deferred maintenance you've been putting off. That will improve your property. That's a start. Then continue that by asking your neighbor to do the same. Those two things can start a wave of community pride. Beyond that, go help that elderly neighbor do some of the things they are not physically able to do anymore. Often it is the disabled and aged who are the least able to keep up with neighborhood pride obligations.

Amherst

Location, location, location. That's how any realtor describes an in-town Amherst property that is located in a decent neighborhood. Why? Because that's where "it" is to be for most buyers in the Pioneer Valley, here's why. Amherst has two colleges (UMass and Amherst), a thriving downtown, lots of community activities at the colleges and in the town common, lots of great restaurants, coffee houses and bars. Amherst also has great public transportation of all types (pizza delivery, busses, taxis, bicycle trails) There are museums, an arts theatre, and most anything else young and old desire. So where do people want to live? Preferably within walking distance (or at least public transportation distance) from downtown Amherst!

When I get calls from buyers, usually they insist on living within 15 minutes of Amherst. So, what is a savy buyer to do? Pay the extra and buy in Amherst!

But what if a buyer can't afford a single-family home in Amherst? Then buy further out, like in Belchertown. Belchertown will provide much more home for the thousands less money initial investment. But if suburban living isn't your thing, go for a condo or townhome in Amherst or Northampton.