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THE LATEST HAPPENINGS
ALL THE BERKSHIRE REAL STATE NEWS THAT IS FIT TO TYPE
MORTGAGE RATE AT RECORD LOW OF 3.84%
Tuesday, May 08, 2012, 8:23 PM - buying
"Mortage rates are continuing to plumb record lows, as signs of slowing economic growth raised doubts about the strength of the economic recovery" ... MORE FROM THE WALL STREET JOURNAL HERE
SMITHSONIAN TRAVEL'S 20 BEST SMALL TOWNS IN AMERICA- GREAT BARRINGTON IS #1!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 10:39 AM - buying
In Green Homebuilding news ...
Monday, March 19, 2012, 11:08 PM - buying
USGBC
Certifies Greenfab's 1300 Series Home as LEED® Platinum, to make it the first
modular green home to receive this recognition in the State of Washington.
Platinum Certification endorses Greenfab's new model to be healthy, energy
efficient, and resource friendly. Greenfab is proud to announce that their homes,
like this one, are now available nationwide.
Seattle,
WA (PRWEB) March 06, 2012
Today,
Greenfab was awarded LEED Platinum certification by USGBC for achievement in green
homebuilding and design. LEED for Homes is a green home certification program
that rewards homes that are designed and built to be energy- and
resource-efficient and more healthy and durable for the occupants. LEED
certified homes complete a technically rigorous process that often includes a
home energy rating (HERS) and onsite inspections to verify that the home is
built to be energy and water efficient, environmentally sound, and a healthier
place to live.
Greenfab's
prefabricated, modular home is the first to be certified LEED Platinum in the
State of Washington. The home is part of Greenfab’s 1300 Series, now available
nationwide from Greenfab. Green, prefabricated, modular homes may have
substantially lower utility bills and may qualify for advantageous financing,
lower insurance rates and government incentives. Greenfab homes are not only
healthier and stronger but are also completed 50% faster than traditional homes
built on-site. Through their commitment to green homebuilding, Greenfab is
helping to keep homeownership affordable.
“Our goal
is to offer healthy, sustainable homes in a wide enough range of prices so that
as many people as possible can afford them,” says Greenfab founder Johnny
Hatsfield. “Right now, there aren’t a lot of moderately‐priced
green options for people, and everyone deserves to live in a
healthy home.”
Specific
information about the home located in the Jackson Place neighborhood of
Seattle, the 1,870 square foot Greenfab home consists of three bedrooms and
focuses heavily on reducing energy use by incorporating double-glazed windows
with a U-value of .35, R-26 exterior walls, which are 35 percent better than
code (R-17), Energy Star rated appliances, energy recovery ventilation, heat
pump electric heating, backup radiant electric heat, and a GE hybrid heat pump
water heater. A digital monitoring system collects and measures realtime data
about weather, energy and water use, and provides constant feedback to
troubleshoot and monitor performance through an interactive iPad/iPhone based
application. Necessary wiring for solar panels in the roof has also been
installed and approved for future use.
Water
conservation strategies include a series of three, 300 gallon storage basins
that filter and treat grey water from showers, bathroom sinks and the washing
machine. A rain garden infiltrates overflow from the grey water treatment
system to recharge ground water. A 1,400 gallon above ground water storage
cistern captures rainwater for on-site irrigation and toilet flushing. Low-flow
plumbing fixtures and dual-flush toilets contribute to a significant reduction
in water usage.
Clean
indoor air circulates throughout because all of materials used to construct the
home were stored and assembled in a controlled factory environment, meaning
that there is no risk of mold or mildew. Traditional construction methods will
store building materials outdoors and cause them to be susceptible to rain and
damp weather, and thus mold. The controlled environment in which our homes are
built also prevents dust and dirt from contaminating ductwork, which can cause
long-term indoor air quality problems. All materials, including paints,
finishes and adhesives are low or no VOC (volatile organic compounds), and
formaldehyde-free.
As part
of Greenfab’s 1300 Series, this home is now available to homebuyers nationwide
from Greenfab, at a starting price of $112,200 ($85 square foot). Upgrades
include a full basement with a garage, bathroom and flex-room that can be added
to increase the home to 1,870 square feet.
Watch a
Time Lapse Video of the install HERE.
About Greenfab:
Founded
in January 2009, Greenfab sells green, prefabricated, modular homes at an
affordable starting price with a personalized, turn-key service that takes the
headache out of building a new home. Greenfab realizes that many families have
needs that are in conflict with limited budgets, health problems and
environmental concerns. Greenfab exists to provide a solution to
these problems.
Contact:
Johnny Hartsfield, Greenfab / johnny(at)greenfab(dot)com / 1.877.846.4445 /
206.818.0665 (c)
# # #
For the original version on PRWeb click HERE
IN HOUSING MARKET NEWS
Saturday, March 10, 2012, 5:43 AM - buying
Click HERE to read why Capitol Economics expects the Housing Market crisis to end in 2012
TIM AND JEN COVERED IN THE BERKSHIRE RECORD
Friday, January 06, 2012, 12:43 PM - buying
Spotlight Realtors
FEATURE
Tim Lovett
& Jen Harvey-Montano
COMPANY: BERKSHIRE PROPERTY AGENTS By Allison Sheardy
allison@berkshirerecord.net
Although real estate is not his first career, Berkshire Property Agents co- founder and real estate agent Tim Lovett calls it his true passion. For his business partner and co-founder Jen Harvey- Montano (who is also a real estate broker), real estate is her one and only calling. “We have a mutual house obsession,” she said. “We’d both go to open houses as children.”
Lovett chimed in, “My favorite magazines as a child were real estate guides.” Lovett began his professional career as an advertising producer, a profession that took him from New York to Tokyo to Europe. After 25 years as a producer, he found himself being persuaded by friends to get his real estate license. “I had a weekend house here, and friends that had a real estate agency,” he explained. The friends noted his enthusiasm for the business and urged him to get his license. What originally began as more of a hobby than anything quickly took off into a full-fledged real estate career.
Both Lovett and Harvey-Montano grew up in the Berkshires. They met while Lovett was getting his real estate license; Harvey- Montano received hers a few years later. They began their careers at separate agen- cies. “We were competitive, for fun,” Lovett said.Harvey-Montano added, “We always knew we’d work together some day. ”That day came four years ago, when the timing was right for both parties. They purchased and gutted a building, intending to turn it into offices, when another opportunity came up. Their current location (12 Railroad St.) became available, and Harvey-Montano knew they had to buy it. “I just knew we had to do it,” she explained. “Once it was in my head, I couldn’t let it go.”
Lovett was originally against it, considering that they were already working on renovating a property, until a coffee meeting with his good friend, Karen Allen. She, too, wanted to purchase the space on Railroad St., and split it into two spaces – one for her fiber-arts shop and the other, inevitably, for the Berkshire Property Agents offices.
Lovett and Harvey-Montano joked that the office was originally furnished with furniture from home and a couple laptops. “It just happened so quickly,” Harvey- Montano said. “We opened our doors with 17 listings.” They ended up renovating the first space they purchased into a three family home and selling it.
The duo originally intended to open a small real estate boutique, but within a few months they already had six associates and over 70 listings. “We just never realized there would be such a need,” Lovett said. He added, “Some of our very close friends who we love and respect came to work with us right away.”
Berkshire Property Agents is now com- prised of 11 associates. “We all work very closely together...it’s like a family.” Lovett and Harvey-Montano added that each of their associates come from a different background and specialty, each contributing different skills to the company.
Of the way they run their business, Lovett said, “We wanted to do it differently than we’d seen it done before – more modern.” Harvey-Montano added, “We wanted it to be more approachable, especially to the generation that’s buying and selling now.”
Lovett added, “We both lived in New York, were both top producers in South County. With our combined contacts, experiences, friends, and family, we really have a wide range.”
Harvey –Montano explained that in their second year, the company outsold the other agencies in the area. Furthermore, last year they were the top sellers dollar for dollar. “We just see ourselves getting better and better,” she said.
“We wanted to do the best job we could do for our buyers and sellers, and create a comfortable environment,” Lovett said. He added that the office is a place where kids and dogs are welcome, and that the public can often be found at the office 8 pm eating ice cream from SoCo or waiting on a pizza from Baba Louie’s. He continued, “People just come in, drink their coffee, and talk about real es- tate, or sit on the couch and read through the real estate guides we’ve set out.”
The agents made a thoughtful effort to make their offices stand out from others. “We didn’t want it to look like an insurance agency,” Lovett said. The office itself has a fun artsy vibe. That vibe continues on the agency’s Website. “It’s a unique Web site. We spent a long time developing it,” Lovett continued.
Lovett noted that while right now it takes longer to sell a house, and that negotiations can be brutal, “Our goal is to make it a positive experience for every-body – in the end, buying and selling a house is a happy thing.
Harvey-Montano added that a chal-lenging market also pushes them to be more creative. The agents put the current real estate market in a positive light. “We work 24/7, especially in this kind of market, “Lovett said. “It challenges us to try and always do better.”“We’re really lucky to work in real es-tate where we do,” Lovett concluded. “Our competition is strong, and it pushes us. It is tough competition – they’re all smart. We’re very spoiled in South County – all the agencies get along.”
WHY IT'S TIME TO BUY A VACATION HOUSE, ACCORDING TO THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Sunday, July 31, 2011, 10:30 PM - buying
According to the Wall Street Journal, vacation home prices are starting to creek up. Now may be the best time to buy one in recent history. Read why, HERE
TIME TO BUY A HOUSE SO SAYS THE WALL STREET JOURNAL!
Wednesday, June 08, 2011, 3:36 AM - buying
All markers now point to the fact that it's a great time to buy a house. Prices are bottoming, money from the bank is cheap, and there is lots of inventory to choose from. Read what the wall street Journal has to say about it HERE.
BERKSHIRE HOME SALES SHOW POSITIVE GROWTH
Sunday, May 29, 2011, 9:59 AM - buying
Home Sweet Homes: Second Home Markets Rise
Report Written: April 19, 2011, Sandra J. Carroll, CEO, Berkshire County Board of REALTORS
Despite economic challenges over the past year, consumers continue to invest in 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 in the U.S. rose 7.9 percent to 553,000 last year, up from 513,000 in 2008.
Half of vacation homes purchased last year were in the South, 21 percent in the West, 17 percent in the Midwest and 12 percent in the Northeast. Since our region is widely known as a cultural mecca of museums, historic sites, music, dance and art venues set amid spectacular scenic hills, dotted with
mountain streams and lakes and boasting outstanding year-round outdoor activities – this is a first and second homeowner’s dream spot!
Berkshire County residential sales in the first quarter of 2011 show a stable market in the prime second home areas. In Great Barrington, for example, inventory is the same as the first quarter of last year, yet the number of days a property is on the market dropped and the number of homes sold rose. According to the Berkshire County Multiple Listing Service, which monitors sales transacted by Realtors®, the total residential dollar volume transacted in Great Barrington this quarter rose almost 50% from levels in 2010, with $5.6 million in residential sales between January and March of 2011.
Year-to-date single family home sales in Stockbridge and West Stockbridge also reflect this same positive momentum, excluding a few very big sales in West Stockbridge and Sandisfield transacted so far this year. If we remove those big-sale anomalies from the statistics, the number of homes on the market is level or down from the 1st quarter last year, and sales are still rising at a modest pace.
Overall in Berkshire County, inventory is slightly down in the first quarter of 2011 compared with 2010 (-6%), which indicates the market is not flooded with excess inventory. The number of days a home is on the market for sale before an accepted offer is down (-25%), although some closings are taking longer to complete than last year. The number of residential properties sold during the quarter is up from the first quarter in 2010 by (+15%), sales volume is up (+21%), yet median sales prices vary widely from town to town. While each town has individual market strengths and weaknesses, countywide indicators are positive for the spring market.
As Wall Street stabilizes, we find Main Street following suit. Those that purchase appreciate the value of homeownership – as vacation retreats, investment properties and excellent ways for to diversify their 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. Vacation-home owners prefer close proximity to areas they spend recreational time or to natural attractions.
The typical vacation-home buyer in 2009 was 46 years old, earned a median household income of $87,500 and purchased a property that was a median of 348 miles from his or her primary home; about one-third of vacation homes purchased were within 100 miles of the primary residence.
Nationwide, investment homes sales accounted for 17 percent of the overall market in 2009, down from 21 percent in 2008. It is thought that demand for second homes will likely increase over the next decade as 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.
Real Estate Sales In Review: A look back at 2010 and a look forward to 2011
Report Written: January 25, 2011, Sandra J. Carroll, CEO, Berkshire County Board of REALTORS
According to the Multiple Listing Service database used by Berkshire Realtors, 2010 residential sales outpaced sales in 2009. The total dollar volume recorded was 18% higher than the previous year, up to $242,075,781 countywide. The number of units sold was up 6% to 876 single family homes. This increase, coupled with a slight increase in median sale price is a positive sign for our housing market. When looking at residential sales in a month-by-month comparison, they consistently exceeded the previous year. This indicates that the market continued to improve, even after the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax benefit expired.
These market improvements were not excessive, so the forecast that our housing recovery will span several years is probable, and indicates we’ve clearly turned in the right direction.
In central Berkshire, news of an influx of well paying jobs may help our growth be a bit more robust than previously hoped. This good news could also help invigorate the multifamily market and encourage sales and rehabs of quality rental stock to help ease this new housing demand. The multifamily market has been down considerably after its all time high in 2005. Then, Realtors transacted $37,103,755 annually, down to only $11,111,000 in 2010. We also show the number of multifamily units sold down from 219 units in 2005, to 92 in 2010. The job market could offer a much needed boost for the multifamily investment market, for those wishing to create quality rental housing to meet emerging housing needs.
In southern Berkshire, we’ve seen a resurgence of sales of high-end homes, and attribute that to strengthening economic factors in the major cities, thereby encouraging the vacation and second home markets to restart after a period of falling values and sales. This resurgence bodes well for a slow and steady improvement in that market niche as well.
Currently, the Berkshire residential market has 15 months of inventory based on recent sale rates. A balanced housing inventory is typically at around 7 months (unless in a unique category, as some south county homes would be considered), so we do have room for growth. We also expect to see the traditional increase in properties coming on the market for the spring season, so inventory could increase a bit over the next few months, further increasing supply in the hopes of attracting greater demand.
Overall, condo sales remained fairly level over the previous year, transacting about 16 million in sales, yet jumped in the number of units sold to 71, up from 55 units sold in 2009. This reflects a decrease in the median sale price to $230,712, down from the high in 2009 of $306,731 median value of sold units. It should be noted that the primary decrease was reflected in the southern Berkshire condo market. Central condos sales outpaced those in 2009 by a rate of 23.6%.
You can clearly see, in every market throughout the county, areas of moving sales, growth and activity that surpassed the previous year. Some markets are moving more quickly than others, but overall, the revitalization has begun to take hold, good news about job expansion has further stabilized the market and we expect 2011 to continue on this same steady path.
HOW TO SHOW A HOUSE
Sunday, April 24, 2011, 11:23 AM - buying
Click on the video link for a hysterical parody of both showing and looking at houses for sale.
BPA TOP SELLING AGENCY IN THREE SHORT YEARS!
Sunday, April 24, 2011, 2:40 PM - buying
It's official... the sales numbers are in... BERKSHIRE PROPERTY AGENTS is proud to have sold more properties in 2010 than any other real estate agency in the Southern Berkshires.
Despite predictions of gloom and doom in the national real estate market, the market here in the Berkshires is healthy. Prices have stabilized, and our office is busy showing AND SELLING properties. Mortgage rates are still around 5%, although the U.S. Economic Outlook predicts they will be around 5.40% by the end of the year. Now is an excellent time to invest in the Berkshires.
