Why visit Northampton, Ma? 

Old world charm and unique arts and crafts is the perfect combination for this wonderful town. Weather you have interest in contemporary art of country style crafts, Northampton has something for everyone! Local artists boasting their creative art.  Please go to the directory for more information on local artists and writers.

Northampton also offers plenty to do for visitors as well as for the local residents.For information about the special events, please visit the calender of events.  There is always something to do in Northampton!

 Not only does this wonderful town offers a diversity in art, but also in food!! Enjoy the taste of many gourmet and home style cooking that is offered!  Bountiful is the word when it comes to food! For more information,. please visit the Northampton Restaurant guide.

Bozo of the month contest!

April's contest was - Foolish fences

In honor of April fool and for the month of April,we had foolish fences as our theme. there were many great entries and I must thank everyone who entered. I hope to see more entries in May's theme- Ugly houses!! Now on to the winners shall we?

3rd place and for 200 Active Rain points goes to Lindsey Hasford! great job on finding such a nice looking fence as long as no one walks either direction 40 feet, it should hold anything in!! Way to go on your entry~

2nd place for 400 Active Rain Points goes to Robert Machado for this really unique way to fence the grass from getting away. Congrats on the win and I hope to see you in May's contest as well!

And the BIG winner this month goes to~

Can you feel it? Are you ready?

1st place and for 800 Active Rain points goes to  Georgina Hunter!!! This is truly the worst fence I have ever seen!! Way to go on such a find and for bringing some humor into our lives. Well done and I hope to see your talent in May's contest as well!!

Congrats to all the winners and a BIG thank you for all who entered!! This is a really fun way to express those photos you have always talked about. I hope to see you all at May's contest- Ugly houses!! I am sure there is at least one ugly house that can be found and I look forward to seeing all of them!

Winners- please email me so I may forward your information for your points. Thank you!

How do you enter the contest you ask?

Simply reply to the contest blog and enter your photo! That's all there is to it. Please keep in mind that the address is not allowed, yet I encourage you to add a funny caption along with your photo!! Points will be given at the end of the month.

Welcome to another addition of the

Bozo of the month contest!

This month our contest shall be - Ugly homes

 I am sure in your daily travels you have seen some really ugly looking homes. Weather you are a Realtor, Inspector or Stager, we have all seen some truly horrible homes that could only be called ugly! This is the exterior/curb appeal of the home- not the kitchen or living room. This is the first impression as you drive on by.

 Here is your opportunity to earn points just because you have a great sense of humor and a camera with you at the right time! Although there is points involved, I encourage you to enter just for the fun of it! This is a perfect way to show off those photos you have in your shoe box or just sitting in a dusty computer folder!

How do you enter the contest you ask?

Simply reply to this blog entry and enter your photo! That's all there is to it. Please keep in mind that the address is not allowed, yet I encourage you to add a funny caption along with your photo!! Points will be given at the end of the month. Deadline for the contest is May 28th so don't delay!!

Active Rain points awards

• 1ST PLACE 800 ACTIVE RAIN POINTS
• 2ND PLACE 400 ACTIVE RAIN POINTS
• 3RD PLACE 200 ACTIVE RAIN POINTS

Proud to announce sale pending in 28 days! 

Cheaper than rent! This Chicopee 1 bedroom 700 square foot condo is perfect as a starter home or even for downsizing.

This one floor living is not only spacious, but is perfect as a starter home or for downsizing. Boasts closets galore! Never worry about storage or closet space in beuatiful, addorable condo! Kitchen has nice sunny-breakfast area overlooking the courtyard and plenty of cabinets for storage. Private patio area perfect for your outdoor enjoyment! The Association has encouraged and provided many nice updates to the community in the past few years and there is pride in ownership!

Enjoy your summer days swimming in the community inground pool or maybe a cooler evening playing tennis! Community room offers monthly events for residents as well as a hall rental for your own special occasions.  Association fee for this unit is $152.00 per month which includes use of all community amenities as well as master insurance, water, sewer and trash removal.

 Condo comes with 1 car garage. Quiet established community. Cheaper than rent and a perfect alternative. Motivated sellers say bring offers.

All this and so much more for $107,000!

Seller is offering a credit of $2,000 towards buyer's closing costs, prepaid and points!

Maureen Staccato 

Dynamic Home Team

Mobile:413-627-7699/Efax:413-747-4607

maureenstaccato@kw.com

Affordable 2 family home in the very desired location of

Easthampton, MA

Opportunity is knocking! Great starter home w/extra income. Sellers have given plenty of TLC over the years & PRIDE in ownership is in every nook & cranny. Roof, siding & windows replaced in 05(APO). Quaint 1st floor w/long term resident. (Rent is below market)

So much TLC in every room. Warm, neutral color Berber carpeting flows room to room. Bright & cheery freshly painted rooms. Dinning room offers built-in hutch for additional storage needs plus adds character!

Walk up attic adds additional space and room! Most of the work has been done. Just needs a little elbow grease and imagination to turn it into a large master bedroom or even a teen suite!

Enjoy the pride in home ownership! Additional income from first floor helps pay the morgage!

Unit #1-Below market rent
Rooms: 4	Bedrooms: 1	Full/Half Baths: 1/0	Fireplaces: 0	Levels: 1	Floor: 1	Rent: 500	Lease: Yes
Rooms: Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen
Appliances: Range, Refrigerator
Interior Features: Cable TV Available, Other (See Remarks)
Heating: Hot Water Baseboard, Gas
Cooling: None
Rent Includes: None
Unit #2- Vacant
Rooms: 6	Bedrooms: 2	Full/Half Baths: 1/0	Fireplaces: 0	Levels: 2	Floor: 2	Rent: 0	Lease: No
Rooms: Living Room, Dining Room, Kitchen, Other (See Remarks)
Appliances: Range, Refrigerator
Interior Features: Ceiling Fans, Walk-Up Attic, Cable TV Available, Other (See Remarks)
Heating: Hot Water Baseboard, Gas
Cooling: None
Rent Includes: None

All this and so much more! Asking Price: $197,000

For more information or schedule a showing for this fantastic home, please contact:

Maureen Staccato

Mobile:413-627-7699/Efax:413-747-4607

maureenstaccato@kw.com

A young couple called me one day to list their home. They were referred to me by a past client and they were in need of my help. I listed their home- not exactly the listing price I suggested. I knew the home was over priced because of the condition and I told them that if there was no calls for showings or offers within the first 3 weeks, then we needed to reduce. They did not want a lock box on the door- was affraid it would sctratch the door.( they have 8 children in a 4 bedroom home and they are worried about a rubber cover lock scrathing a door. The wife wanted to be present during showings. Bad idea in my book, however that is what they wanted.

2 weeks go by and they agree to reduce- but only $3,000. Not much of a dent but it was a start in the right direction. The wife wanted to know if that would help- I told her honestly they needed to come down about $15K to be more realistic.

Once a week we would talk and I would update her on the new homes that came on the real estate market and there was 2 showings, but nothing came out of it. I told her she needed to sit down with her husband and really discuss the proper reduction if they seriously wanted to sell. I told them I would give them 2 days to talk about it and I would be calling back.

2 days come and go and I call them to discuss the reduction. Phone is disconnected. This was later in the evening so I figured first thing in the morning I would go over there to talk to them. The next morning just as I am getting ready to go over to their home, I get a call from a neighbor- "I got your number off your sign and wanted to let you know that your prople moved out in the middle of the night yesterday."

They walked away from the home- instead of reducing the price they walked away. Even more so- I am unable to find them which means I have no way to get them to sign to cancel the listing and I do not have a key if they are still intending on selling!

What's my next move?

Well, for those who have read my previous blog called We don't talk to Realtors here is the update to blow your mind even more. I think the lenderis trying to kill this deal or there is something wrong with the people who are employed there.

The link is provided for those who didn't get the chance to read it before. The quick run down on it is it is a short sale, sent all the documents as always and after getting the run-around, the lender tells the owner/seller they do not talk and deal with Realtors.

She was told they would consult the Attorney about the short sale. Well- the Attorney calls me furious on Friday because she had sent the authorization form to the bank so they would speak to her. Now, it has been almost 2 weeks since this transpired and they are not returning her calls.

So what is the deal- they don't talk to Attorneys either? Are they trying to kill this deal? Who are they going to talk to and what the heck are we going to do if they will not talk to anyone? We are set to close on April 3oth- buyer has loan commitment and all inspections have been done including appraisal.

I am ready to pull my hair out and the words of the Attorney- "This is a nightmare!"

While I was interviewing this young FSBO  couple for the sale of their home. Most of the questions were asked by the husband. The wife sat there listening and responding with nods and such when she agreed with the answers I provided. Very nice couple in deed.

While we were wrapping up the real estate presentation, the wife finally spoke up and asked me if I would like something to drink. I told her a glass of water would be perfect. She walked into the kitchen.

While sitting there quietly, I commented to the husband, " Your wife sure is a quiet woman."

His response to me was, " She's not quiet, she just knows her place. This is man's business."

Needless to say, he did not notice his wife walking back to the table and my icy glass of water had found it's way to the top of his head. All I could do to keep from laughing was to clench my hands over my mouth.

She turned to me and remarked, "Ignore his stupid remarks. This is my home and I will decide on what's what."

I quickly made the excuse that I had to pick up my son. The husband sat there frozen and didn't say a word. The wife asked me to come back tomorrow to list the home.

What a unique experience that was!

I property manage a  co-op community as well as sell real estate. I have not come across this problem and not sure what would be the proper thing to do. let me explain so you can understand the gravity of the situation.

When I was hired, I met with the trustees to sign my hiring contract. The one thing that was not explained before hand that came up in the contract during our meeting is that they do not want me to involve my real estate in their community. I was not permitted to sell any of their co-ops because they felt it would be a conflict of interest. Being that I normally deal with co-ops, I didn't think it would be a problem. I specialize in single family homes and sometimes multi families. No problem.

Well low- and behold, a year later I have a buyer who is interested in a co-op that is in the community I manage. I have taken her out to see many places in the past month and now she has interest in this co-op. How should I work it so I do not breach my contract or not fulfill my duties to my client?

What would you do?

I have never heard of anything like this in my life and I am sure I never will (or at least hope I never hear it again). I am working on a short sale deal. I was referred the seller from another client and she was in need of a short sale. We met and went over my real estate marketing- no problem. She agreed with everything we discussed and we were on the same page. We all know how important that is.

6 days after the home was listed, we had an offer. She was pleased with the offer and so she accepted it. After signing the P&S and all other documents, I sent over the package by mail to the bank. it was 62 pages and I was not going to take the chance of it getting lost in the shuffle. I sent it with confirmation and of course all the financial as well as short sale documents were included. I sent over the Authorization Release form by fax so this way they would at the very least have that while the package was on the way.

5 days later I call the bank and they tell me they can not discuss anything because they did not receive the authorization form. I told them i faxed it and the gentleman went over the number to ensure I had the right number. It was the correct number so i sent it again. 3 days later I call the bank back and I was once again told they could not talk to me because the seller did not sign the form. I pulled out the form and yes she had clearly signed it. I told them AGAIN that I was sending by fax.

2 days later (I am not ready to pull my hair out) I call the bank again- they said they got the form and that they were unable to read the signature and do not believe it was signed. By this time I have already got confirmation from the post office that the package was delivered. i am furious and one thing is for sure- I made sure I got the name of everyone I talked to.

I call the seller and tell her that I need her to redo the form and sign it a little larger so this way they can read it. She tells me she will do it and she will fax it to me and then fax it to the bank as well. About an hour later the seller calls me and I could tell by her voice she was upset. She faxed the form over then called the bank to make sure they could read her signature. The person she spoke to told her that yes they could read it but it didn't matter because they will not talk to any Realtors. She asked at that point who they were going to talk to- she responded only to her Attorney.

Will not speak to the Realtor? First off- 

• I have never had that ever happen on any of my short sales.
• If the bank wants to renegotiate the sale price who are they going to contact the Attorney to do the negotiations?
• Why didn't they just tell me this themselves a week earlier than running me around for nothing?

Any experience or feedback to this?