MARCH 2022
Published on the last Saturday of every month by The Berkshire Eagle.
Find us on
Weekend Edition | Saturday & Sunday, February 26-27, 2022 | Book of Homes
Celebrating over 33 years of service to our valued clients! 48 Housatonic St., Lenox • 413-637-4200 www.berkshirehouses.com • info@berkshirehouses.com
LAKEFRONT PONTOOSUC!
Pittsfield - This year round waterfront property awaits you with sun rises on a welcoming deck overlooking the water or relax inside by the cozy stone fireplace. A unique four bedroom, one and a half bath home accented with wood floors, gas heat, great views, a patio, two-car garage and basement that provide ample storage. The second floor offers room for expansion. A patio provides more room for lingering in the calming atmosphere of waterfront living. Enjoy the benefits of nature, the soft lap of waves, and brilliant moonlight, the chance to venture onto the lake in personal watercraft or swim in the inviting water that borders the property. Fish, venture onto the lake in boats or other watercraft, entertain or simply sit and gaze out at the surrounding water and mountains. $699,900/R3073
The Berkshire Eagle | BerkshireEagle.com
DEVELOPER’S TAKE NOTE!
2
SAVOY
Looking to create a compound in the Berkshires? A subdivision? Or just escape from it all? This parcel of land comprises 130 plus acres on a quiet country road in rural Savoy! Over 2000 feet of road frontage with acreage on both sides of the street - the opportunities abound in many directions. The 1870s old homestead has been used for summer seasons only (no heating system) but easy to open and close. One hundred plus acres of recently timbered and wooded acreage on the ‘’left side’’ while the ‘’right side’’ is another 30 plus acres of open manicured, level lawns and paths abutting state forest! First time offered and a must see opportunity! $575,000/R3055
48 Housatonic St., Lenox • 413-637-4200 www.berkshirehouses.com info@berkshirehouses.com NE
W
IC PR
E!
RICHMOND
Privately set raised ranch on 17 wooded acres that abut protected land. Generously sized rooms, wood floors, and great outdoor spaces. Sun filled fireplaced living room with seasonal western views. Expansive kitchen has access to the dining room, media room/office, laundry, stairs to garage, and directly to the screened porch and back deck. Owner’s suite with sitting room, two large walk-in closets, coffee/wet bar, private deck. Bath features double sink vanity, separate WC, double shower, and with space for a luxurious, deep soaking tub. The three secondary bedrooms are on the opposite side of the house, with wood floors, closet space, and built-ins. Lower level includes very sizable finished room with built-ins and large window, 3/4 bath, and add’l laundry with set tub. Unfinished work areas with great natural light for the artist or crafter. Oversized 2-car garage. Short drive to Berkshire attractions! $525,000/R3079
NORTH ADAMS
Conveniently located home within walking distance to hospital, downtown and Mass MOCA, and all the cultural activities North Adams has to offer. This 4 bedroom home provides plenty of living space for a growing family or Air BnB. In need of some updating and your own decorating touch! $134,900/R3064
Book of Homes | Weekend Edition | Saturday & Sunday, February 26-27, 2022
Celebrating over 33 years of service to our valued clients!
MULTI-FAMILY!
SHEFFIELD
PITTSFIELD
Great Investment Property! 6-family with 3 efficiency units, 2 one bedroom and 1 three bedroom. Many improvements. Gas heat. Convenient location to downtown Pittsfield and the public transportation. $269,000/R3078
PITTSFIELD
2 Family Flat. Fixer Upper. 1st floor needs to be renovated. Second floor finished and occupied. $99,000/R3074
Do you want to see your property featured here? Give us a call today for a complimentary overview of the market, a step-by-step plan for having your home market-ready!
Broker/Owners:
Pam Roberts, CBR, CIPS, CRB, CRS, ePro, GRI, SRES 441-9681 Tiffany Roberts, ABR, CBR, e-PRO 822-5369
Broker Associates:
Barbara K. Greenfeld, ABR, C-CREC, CRS, Green, RSPS, SRES 441-5986 Anne Meczywor, CBR, CRS, MRP, RSPS, SRES 446-2179 Bonnie Parsons, GREEN® 617-719-4387
Realtor Associates:
Marie Bourassa, PSA, SES, SRES 212-6174 Nicholas Sereda, SRES, 441-0694
Jane Kavanau 281-6903 Molly Thomas 441-3899
Mark Parsons 822-4169 Brian Wright 822-3830
The Berkshire Eagle | BerkshireEagle.com
Must see! This “tiny home” was just ahead of its time! Sweet and petite home on a scenic level one acre lot in the Southern Berkshires. Open living room/dining area, kitchen, one bedroom, one full bath all on one level. Separate barn/garage. Replacement windows. Make no mistake, this property needs updating, but will be well worth the effort. BEING SOLD AS IS. Is this your manageable-sized home? Your Berkshire retreat? An investment? $90,000/R3062
3
Weekend Edition | Saturday & Sunday, February 26-27, 2022 | Book of Homes
Celebrating over 33 years of service to our valued clients!
48 Housatonic St., Lenox • 413-637-4200 www.berkshirehouses.com info@berkshirehouses.com CONDO LIVING IN THE BERKSHIRES PITTSFIELD
“To Be Built” Last available lot on Cherry Hill Drive in Berkshire Country Meadows!! Select finishes to your own personal taste. Contemporary one-level open living plan with great rm featuring hardwood flrs and gas fireplace. Spacious primary bedroom suite; two add’l bedrooms and a full bath. Large screened porch, attached two-car garage. Natural gas, central a/c. Close to the association’s pool, tennis and clubhouse! Minutes to boating on Pontoosuc Lake, skiing at Jiminy or Bousquet and all area cultural attractions! $659,900/C3050.
The Berkshire Eagle | BerkshireEagle.com
THINKING OF BUILDING?
4
LEE
95 acres of panoramic views boast this spectacular, one-of-a-kind, undeveloped property located in the heart of the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. Conveniently located off I-90, a main artery between Boston and New York, this property has unlimited potential for those seeking a vibrant cultural area nestled in all things natural. From a tranquil brook to ample locations for privacy and views from each potential building point, the apex of this property offers breathtaking vistas that go on for miles and miles. Open areas of land and dense wooded spots give this property a diverse range of options for developers. Located within minutes of Tanglewood and, for those itching for the outdoors, Goose Pond and the Appalachian Trail are nearby. $985,000/L3003
OTHER LAND OPTIONS FOR YOUR OWN CUSTOM HOME! LENOX
Build your dream home on a culde-sac in Lenox! Paved road with underground utilities, town water/ sewer, natural gas. Two lots – 1.8 acres $199,000 and .62 acres $199,000/L2970/L2971
maryblair54@gmail.com
Mary Laurin Blair & Tony Blair
We are full time agents serving Sellers & Buyers throughout western Ma.
The Blair Team! 413-441-6648
PENDING!
Question: Why does it seem like a house sits forever once it goes under contract? Answer: It typically takes 6 weeks for a property to get to ‘Closing’. The Lender needs to process their paperwork, complete an appraisal, (is the property worth what the Buyer(s) and Seller(s) agreed upon for a purchase price). The attorneys need to do the same thing, which includes a ‘title search’, which means, is all of the past paperwork, deeds, ownership in order, are all liens paid off. Does it need to go thru probate? The Buyers may have an inspection, and negotiating the results between the Buyer(s) and Seller(s) can take a couple of weeks. Repairs may have to be made, which can add to the time. So, it can be an involved and cumbersome process.
The Berkshire Eagle | BerkshireEagle.com
Pittsfield Duplex $165,000.
Book of Homes | Weekend Edition | Saturday & Sunday, February 26-27, 2022
127 Elm St. Pittsfield, MA
5
Weekend Edition | Saturday & Sunday, February 26-27, 2022 | Book of Homes
We are delighted
with Morrison'ss Home Improvement Impr " We asked the company to do a major expansion of our screened porch so that it more than doubled in size and functioned as a three-season room. The final product came out even better than we had anticipated. Our thanks to Steve Morrison and everyone involved in bringing this project to completion. This threeseason room will give our family many years of pleasure and has added value to our home." — ANDY LIPPS AND EVA SEREGHY
The Berkshire Eagle | BerkshireEagle.com
See complete testimonial and additional photos of this project at www.morrisonshomeimprovement.com
Locally Owned, Operated and at Home in The Berkshires since 1992
After
Before
OFFERING A FULL ARRAY OF INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR REMODELING SERVICES
VOTED BEST OF THE BERKSHIRES
ST C
BBE S
6
ONNT R A C T OR
YEARS
IN A ROW
Visit Our Sho Showroom in The Heart of The Berkshires!
25 PITTSFIELD ROAD, (ROUTE 7) LENOX, MA • (413) 442-3001 FULLY LICENSED AND INSURED: MA HIC. #131832 / MA CSL #CS-051405
6
WWW.MORRISONSHOMEIMPROVEMENT.COM
!
MHIS Proudly Supports
Ellen Kushi 684-1653
Gus Schnopp
Andrew Schnopp 446-3163
H Professional Service H Seller Representation H Buyer Representation H Free Market Evaluation H Call the Professionals of Dalton Town & Country today to list your home or speak to one of our Buyer agents. You can also get on our automated email list for listing sheets. R T DE EN UN EEM R AG
Dalton PineCrest Estates
8 room, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home with first floor master bedroom suite, open floor plan, cathedral ceiling great room with fireplace, formal dining room, kitchen with breakfast nook, first floor laundry, two car garage.
Adams
Large 4-family located on main road, updated apartments, newer roof, replacement windows, vinyl sided, plenty of parking, large back yard, fully rented, $199,900 Call Charles at 413-358-5524
LOTS FOR SALE
D OL
Dalton
S
PineCrest Estates, large lot, 3.2 acres $94,900 with distant views.
Dalton
Ranch house centrally located with replacement windows, vinyl siding, newer roof, solar panels, wood, tile, and carper floors, forced hot water oil heat, completely updated kitchen and bath, front and side porches and back deck, extra large yard, $209,900
Call Charles at 413-358-5524
Three smaller lots, $65,000 also available. .80 Acre lot, $34,900 Call Charles at 413-358-5524
Full Service Local, Long Distance Residential and Commercial Moving
Dalton PineCrest Estates
This refined family home consists of 4 bedrooms, a master bedroom suite with master bath, along with two family baths. The great room features a vaulted ceiling and a fireplace. Cathedral ceiling enhances the dining room, plus it has a breakfast nook, and a 2 car garage.
Call Charles at 413-358-5524
LD O S Pittsfield
Property consist of three homes with a total of 10 units, two 4-units and one 2-unit, sold for $600,000, basically an investment property. Call Charles at 413-358-5524
Dalton Town & Country 413-684-2001
Cut your advertising costs in half...
Single Item or Entire Contents of Home
Single Item or Entire Contents of Home Specialty Items Including: Pianos • Safes • Medical Equipment
Specialty Items Including: Commercial and •Residential ClimateEquipment Controlled Storage Pianos Safes • Medical
Thank You ToClimate AllControlled Of Our Commercial and Residential Storage
Celebrating 40Essential Years in Heroes! Business!
allwaysmoving1977@gmail.com
Every year, manufacturers make available over $33 billion for merchants to use in co-branded advertising initiatives. Most of this money is unused.
BUT WE KNOW HOW TO PRODUCE IT FOR YOU! Call the Berkshire Eagle. We offer the area’s most advanced and successful co-op advertising service. We will research your co-op opportunities and help cut your advertising costs in half! CALL US TODAY TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN CUT YOUR ADVERTISING COSTS IN HALF!
413-496-6324
The Berkshire Eagle | BerkshireEagle.com
! P O O C WITH
Full Service Local, Long Distance Residential and Commercial Moving
Book of Homes | Weekend Edition | Saturday & Sunday, February 26-27, 2022
Charles Kulas 358-5524
7
Weekend Edition | Saturday & Sunday, February 26-27, 2022 | Book of Homes
Spring Forward With A Field Of Experts “2021 saw a real shift towards customers preferring to work with a highly qualified real estate agent that can manage the transaction through a team of experts.” - Forbes Brenda Richardson. (2021, December 13). Experts Predict What The Housing Market Will Look Like in 2022 [Forbes]. Retrieved from
Boots on the ground and wonderful client relationships have been our heritage, but never has it been so important than now to have a professional agent to guide and coordinate all aspects of your home sale.
The Berkshire Eagle | BerkshireEagle.com
If you’re considering listing, place your trust in our Tradition of Excellence.
8
Stone House Properties Annual Scholarships Now Available • Contact the Guidance Counselors for Applications Chatham High School • Monument Mountain Regional High School • Wahconah Regional High School • Lee High School
(413) 528-4211 35 RAILROAD STREET, GREAT BARRINGTON, MA 01230 (413) 232-4253 38 MAIN STREET, WEST STOCKBRIDGE, MA 01266 (518) 392-0332 6 MAIN STREET, CHATHAM, NY 12037 STONEHOUSEPROPERTIES.COM
Book of Homes | Weekend Edition | Saturday & Sunday, February 26-27, 2022
The Berkshire Eagle | BerkshireEagle.com
9
Weekend Edition | Saturday & Sunday, February 26-27, 2022 | Book of Homes The Berkshire Eagle | BerkshireEagle.com 10
KITCHENS DONE RIGHT Thinking about redoing your kitchen, but don’t want to spend a small fortune? We offer affordable solutions for updating your kitchen. Kitchens and financing for every budget The widest selection of styles and colors Fast installation, 3–5 days for most kitchens
DESIGN CONSULTATION AT-HOME OR ONLINE.
877-404-7738
Find the perfect door style for your kitchen!
58 Years of
Quality Service &
Customer Satisfaction
by LaFrance Inc.
The Berkshire Eagle | BerkshireEagle.com
POOLS & SPAS
Book of Homes | Weekend Edition | Saturday & Sunday, February 26-27, 2022
Dive into Summer!
499-2702 • 760 Cheshire Rd., Lanesboro, MA (1 mile north of Berkshire Mall) 11
Weekend Edition | Saturday & Sunday, February 26-27, 2022 | Book of Homes
FINALLY...Walk-In Showers Affordable for EVERYONE! INSTALLED in as little as
ONE DAY
SAVE UP TO
The Berkshire Eagle | BerkshireEagle.com
Affordable for Everyone Done Right the First Time Lifetime Warranty
12
$1400
ON YOUR NEW BATH OR SHOWER
Get the bath of your dreams in as little as
ONE DAY!
413.340.5065
yankeehome.com
Expires 2/28/22. Not valid on previous sale or estimate. May not be combine with any other offer. Some restrictions apply. Some products may not qualify for this special offer. $1400 off applies to full replacements of a completed bath or shower. Financing offer subject to approval with third party lender. Interest free loans will be charged interest from the purchase date if the purchase balance is not paid within the term. Other programs available. MA #160584 CT #HIC.0673924 RI #33382
Lynn has answers.
After the closing…OH NO! by Lynn Arseneau
Q
Dear Lynn, I’m thinking about buying a house but I don’t qualify for a mortgage high enough to buy a single-family home that I would like. If I buy a two-family it would help to have the rent to help me pay the mortgage. The two-families I’ve seen in my price range are not what I think I can afford. Any thoughts? John Bellingham
A
Q
Hi Lynn, I have a question about the value of my home and the assessed amount that the city values it at. I follow real estate sales and find that the sale prices are lower or higher that the assessment. Sometimes the difference is quite a lot. How do I figure this out? Jack Millhouse (no pun intended)
A
Dear Jack, Lots of people wonder about this very thing, all of the time. So, let’s say your house is assessed at $200,000. That is the number that the city or town uses to calculate your real estate taxes. This is not “market value.” Market value is what a buyer is willing and able to pay for your property. Imagine that something big happens in Berkshire County such as a manufacturing company opens a plant and will be employing 3000 people within the year. Excitement! They are bringing in 1000 people from their headquarters and they will need homes to buy. More excitement! What do you think will happen to the real estate market? Yup, prices will go up and houses will sell! As a matter of fact YOU list your home for $300,000 and it sells for $300,000, how great is that? Now, during that year the assessment of $200,000 is still in effect until the city or town re-evaluates. So when your buyer looked at your house and saw the assessment of $200,000 and a list price of $300,000 (that they paid you), in this fast and healthy market, what is the house worth? Right! $300,000. Sweet! The same thing happens when the real estate market is down. The assessment stays the same until re-evaluation but the homes may be selling for less .
Q
Dear Lynn, We closed on a home 10 days ago when there was snow on the ground.
Lynn Arseneau, CBR, GRI, ABR, CRS, is affiliated with Signature Associates in Pittsfield, MA For more info, visit LynnMovesYou.com or HomesInTheBerkshires.com
We had warmer than usual weather and we now have water in the basement. The repair will be costly and we wondered if the seller has any responsibly to pay for the repair. When we looked at the home, we were told there has never been water in the basement according to the seller. What do we do? No Name in the Berkshires Dear No Name, You may be able to discover that this is a new issue or something you’re sure has happened while the seller owned the home. Look through your home inspection report and any other disclosures you may have received to see if you were made aware of this before you bought. You may find something like a suggestion to keep gutters free of debris to avoid water infiltration.
A
Should you decide that this is not a new defect, refer to your purchase and sale agreement for information regarding disputes. The contract should detail how disputes may be dealt with. Hopefully, your issue can be resolved by meeting with the parties involved. Some contracts call for disputes to be mediated before they are either resolved through arbitration or in court. In any event, you should contact a knowledgeable real estate attorney for answers to any questions regarding who’s responsible for defects disclosed after closing.
?
If you have a question, email: Lynn@LynnMovesYou.com or call
413-822-2132
The Berkshire Eagle | BerkshireEagle.com
Dear John, Oh my, I’ve never written a “Dear John” letter before! Ok, seriously let’s address your concerns. Good news! When you are buying a multifamily, most lenders will add 75% of the rental income to your qualifying income, therefore allowing you to afford more than if you were to pursue a single-family. If the multi-family you’re buying will be occupied by you then, you can obtain a loan with as little as 3.5% down. However, if you are buying it as an investment (non-owner occupied) you may have to put 20% – 25% down.
I’ve been a Realtor for 36 years. People frequently ask for my advice and opinions, and by sharing those questions and answers with you, I hope to offer some helpful information
Book of Homes | Weekend Edition | Saturday & Sunday, February 26-27, 2022
You’ve Got Questions?
13
Weekend Edition | Saturday & Sunday, February 26-27, 2022 | Book of Homes The Berkshire Eagle | BerkshireEagle.com 14
Your Basement Waterproofing Experts The area’s only basement waterproofing company certified to perform epoxy injections Certified
Mike Stewart
Insured
413.770.2691 • berkshireconcreterepair.com Cracks repaired by epoxy injection and backed by a 15 year transferable warranty. • Sump Pumps • Drainage Systems • All Things Waterproofing! • Flatwork • Decorative Concrete • Epoxy Floors • Repair & Restoration 30 years experience thousands of satisfied customers. Residential, commercial and industrial.
NEW METAL ROOF Guaranteed to Last a Lifetime! LIMITED TIME OFFER
60 off %
YOUR INSTALLATION
+
STRONG AS STEEL WITH THE ATTRACTIVE LOOK OF VARIOUS ROOF STYLES
TAKE AN ADDITIONAL
10 off %
Install for Military, Health Workers and First Responders
Limited time offer. Expires 3.31.22
Warranty- Limited Lifetime. Transferable to 1 subsequent owner from original purchaser. Terms and conditions apply. Hail up to 2.5”, Appearance of the surface coating beyond normal wear and tear.
DIMENSIONAL SHINGLES
WOODEN SHAKE
SPANISH TILE
Call today to schedule your
FREE ESTIMATE
1-855-560-0331 Made in the USA
The Berkshire Eagle | BerkshireEagle.com
Choose from 3 styles with multiple color options:
From Dimensional Shingles to classic styles reminiscent of Cedar Shake and Spanish Tile, an architectural roofing system by Erie Metal Roofs can enhance the beauty of your home while protecting your family and property for a lifetime.
Book of Homes | Weekend Edition | Saturday & Sunday, February 26-27, 2022
Upgrade Your Home with a
New orders only. Does not include material costs. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Minimum purchase required. Other restrictions may apply. This is an advertisement placed on behalf of Erie Construction Mid-West, Inc (“Erie”). Offer terms and conditions may apply and the offer may not be available in your area. Offer expires March 31, 2022. If you call the number provided, you consent to being contacted by telephone, SMS text message, email, pre-recorded messages by Erie or its affiliates and service providers using automated technologies notwithstanding if you are on a DO NOT CALL list or register. Please review our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use on homeservicescompliance.com. All rights reserved.
15
Weekend Edition | Saturday & Sunday, February 26-27, 2022 | Book of Homes The Berkshire Eagle | BerkshireEagle.com 16
We Are Hiring NEW And Experienced Agents! Join Our Team Today!
AssociAtes inc. ReAl estAte
Lynn Arseneau Associate CBR, ABR,GRI,CRS Cell 413-822-2132
Mark Harris Associate USN - Retired Cell 413-770-3092
Deb DiMassimo Broker/Associate ABR, SFR Cell 413-822-9317
Penney Cardonnel Broker/Owner, CBR 413-822-2385
Michele Purcell Associate Cell: 413-441-2879
Toni Marie Gage Broker/Owner 413-822-5444
Lynn Penna Associate Cell: 413-822-0514
127 Elm St., Pittsfield Phone (413) 443-3441
Mary Blair Associate Cell 413-441-6648
Tony Blair Broker/Associate Cell 413-441-6648
HeatherLindhardt Associate Cell 413-345-6222
Welcome to the team Heather Lindhardt Heather was raised in the lush green mountains of Vermont. After graduating Burr and Burton Seminary, she flew from the nest and landed in the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts where she fell in love with the area as well as her husband, James. She has held various positions in the customer service industry, and these were the places in which she first got a taste for what it was like working with and helping people. Equipped with spirit and a strong desire to serve people’s needs, she established herself in the local market by starting her own small business Precision Home Care. Heather resides in Lanesborough with her husband James and their three children Aiden, Davyn, and Peighton. Heather embarked on her new venture as a real estate agent in 2021 at Berkshire Hathaway in Eastern Mass. She is now joining us at Signature Associates Inc.
413-345-6222
D PEN
I NG
Dalton NE Farmhouse $
289,900
S-1156 Call Michele Purcell
SO
LD
Pittsfield Ranch S-1150
$
269,900
Call Michele Purcell
D PEN
I NG
Pittsfield Multi- Family
165,000
$
S-1154 Call Mary & Tony Blair
D PEN
I NG
Pittsfield Multi- Family $
184,900
S-1153 Call Michele Percell
D PEN
I NG
Pittsfield Ranch
269,000
$ S-1155 Call Mark Harris or Lynn Arseneau
SO
LD
Pittsfield Multi-Family
350,000
$ S-1151 Call Penny Cardonnel or Mark Harris