Home  |  Relocation  |  Real Estate  |  Buyers  |  Sellers  |  Contact  |  Read Ken's Weekly Column!

Search for homes! Featured Listings! Town Information School Information The Norwottuck Realty Company Relocation Services Guide …Commitment to Community! Kenneth Lieberman Dave Hayes I. Community Information Introduction Your New Home in the Pioneer Valley Norwottuck Tour Counseling Sessions Community Connection Children’s Corner Education Religious Institutions Retirement Facilities Municipalities II. Fun and Recreation Parks & Recreational Destinations Cultural Attractions Entertainment Shopping Lodging & Accommodations Annual Events III. Making the Move Financing Assistance Spouse/Partner Employment Assistance Rental Assistance Selling Your Home Buying Your New Home Tax Considerations IV. Welcome to the Pioneer Valley! Map & General Information Welcome! INTRODUCTION Norwottuck Realty Company is the only full-service real estate company in the Pioneer Valley that is owned and operated by an attorney with over 20 years experience in real estate. Having Norwottuck Realty Company handle the purchase of your new home will alleviate the stress associated with both your job transfer and relocation, along with the normal stress of buying a home because your broker and attorney are in the same office. Our promise to you: Personal service by a team of long-time residents of the area. We know and love the Pioneer Valley. Trust us to show you around! Useful information regarding our beloved Pioneer Valley and its communities. Inside this packet you will find an abundance of data designed to educate you. Trust us to prepare you to make an informed decision! A comprehensive list of homes for you to choose from. We have an extensive electronic real estate library to access all homes in the area that fit your criteria for size, location, price, and any other factors critical to you. Trust us to find the home that is perfect for you! Pay no attorney closing fees. Attorney Ken Lieberman will review the Purchase and Sale Agreement, deed, title, and other closing related documents. In some cases, a power of attorney can be drafted if necessary. He will attend the closing at no additional cost to you. Trust us to represent your best interests at the closing! Top YOUR NEW HOME IN THE PIONEER VALLEY Since you are relocating due to your high level of professional skills and experience, you are likely to be used to searching the Internet for a variety of reasons. Our easy to use website allows you to search for properties online from the comfort of your current home, based on your criteria. You will receive daily updates from us as new properties come on the market to keep you on the cutting edge of what is available in your soon-to-be new community. If you need a realtor in your current area to assist you with pricing your home, we are happy to arrange that for you as well. We will quickly and systematically determine the major market players in your area, take them through a series of questions to determine their integrity, and have at least two of them contact you for a comparative market analysis, so you can then analyze the comparisons! Top NORWOTTUCK TOUR When relocating to a new area, it is very helpful to have your local realtor show you the “lay of the land”. You can rest assured that your Norwottuck Tour will provide you with a unique and enjoyable orientation to the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. Mount Norwottuck (the most recognizable peak of the Holyoke Range and our company’s namesake) stands as a beacon symbolizing the beauty and peacefulness of the upper Pioneer Valley we, and now you, call home. Allow us to personally escort you around the valley, and you’ll soon discover why the Pioneer Valley has been listed for 2005-2006 as one of the top 100 places to live by Money Magazine! Here are some featured stops on our Norwottuck Tour: Amherst College / Mead Art Museum UMass Amherst Atkins Farms Eric Carle Museum Hampshire Mall Yankee Candle Historic Deerfield Smith College and Downtown Northampton If religious community is important, a drive-by your desired place of worship Back to Norwottuck Realty Top COUNSELING SESSIONS Whether by phone, or here in our beautiful Amherst Crossing office, we at Norwottuck Realty Company will provide counseling for you, the transferee, with a simple questionnaire. This is designed to help us help you to find the property that best fits what you want, while taking into account the type and/or amount of house you can afford to buy based on your contract salary and other personal financial information. Top COMMUNITY CONNECTION – The Pioneer Valley We realize that connecting with your new community is extremely important to you as you begin your new job. To this end, we have compiled a large number of resources and organizations so that you can connect with the surrounding community at your own pace. You are moving to a dynamic region, so here’s a little background info followed by some useful websites to help you make the connection. The Pioneer Valley's "Five College Area" is aptly known as New England's "Knowledge Corridor." Five of the nation's most prestigious liberal arts schools are within mere minutes of one another. The University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Hampshire College, Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, and Amherst College dot this region of Western Massachusetts. Together, they form an incomparable consortium that is as rich in its cultural offerings as it is in its abundant academia. The 5-College Partnership allows students of any of these schools to take classes at any of the five in the system. The Pioneer Valley's "knowledge corridor" actually stretches all along the Connecticut River Valley and into the hills on either side from north of Springfield to just south of the Vermont border. The corridor flanks the Connecticut River as far east as the quaint little communities of Leverett, Montague, and Hadley and extends out west to places like Northampton, Deerfield, Whately, and out to the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains. Here along the Corridor, you will find Historic Deerfield, an outdoor museum whose homes showcase more than 20,000 objects used by pioneering families between 1650 and 1850. To the north, you'll meet up with the Mohawk Trail and its breathtaking views, and along the way, you'll encounter a slew of craft and antique shops, as well as some rather formidable white-water rafting venues. In the heart of the Five College Area lie the cultural riches of Northampton, a town endowed with fine ethnic restaurants and the most eclectic of art galleries. But while the area may be most famous for its cultural offerings and its forays into higher education, you'll also find it offers plenty of places to play in between your visiting all of its intellectual attractions. In fact, Routes 5 and 10 are both flanked by woods, hills, and waterways that practically beg you to come out and play. The pastoral setting surrounding Amherst offers the perfect setting to go hiking or fishing along the Norwottuck Rail Trail (both a walking and a biking trail) and Connecticut River. During the wintertime, the Quabbin Reservoir and Northfield Mountain Recreation Area challenge snow enthusiasts with alpine and Nordic trails alike, while up north, between Williamsburg and North Adams, you can witness all of the Pioneer Valley's beauty with a climb to the top of Mount Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts. HELPFUL COMMUNITY WEBSITES www.amherstarea.com www.lsse.org www.dailyhampshiregazette.com www.noho.com www.northamptonuncommon.com www.wmwebguide.com www.valleyvisitor.com www.old-deerfield.org www.hidden-hills.com www.fivecolleges.edu LOCAL CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE Amherst: www.amherstarea.com Northampton: www.northamptonuncommon.com Easthampton: www.easthamptonchamber.org Greenfield/Franklin County: www.co.franklin.ma.us Quaboag Valley: www.quaboag.com Springfield/Hampden County: www.myonlinechamber.com Holyoke: www.holycham.com Chicopee: www.chicopeechamber.org LOCAL NEWS AND INFORMATION www.dailyhampshiregazette.com www.recorder.com www.masslive.com www.wwlp.com www.wggb.com www.wfcr.org www.valleyvisitor.com/visit/vgattractions.html Top CHILDREN’S CORNER At Norwottuck Realty we are sensitive to the fact that not every professional relocating to the Pioneer Valley has children, but if you do have kids, this section is for you! Additional challenges arise when relocating with children. We understand how crucial it is for you to connect with the local community and to quickly make the transition for your children (and yourself) as smooth as possible. At Norwottuck Realty, we want to place an abundance of practical and useful information at your fingertips so you and your family can acclimate to your new neighborhood, town and region at your own pace. To facilitate your move to your new home and community, we have compiled information about day cares, playgroups, library activities, recreational activities, and more to give you a starting point from which to grow your family. CHILD CARE OPTIONS Westwind Daycare 400 Riverglade Drive Amherst, MA 413-256-0013 Top Hampshire-Franklin Children’s Day Care 59 Long Plain Rd. (Rt. 63) Leverett, MA 413-548-9674 Top Woodside Children’s Center At Amherst College 155 Woodside Avenue Amherst, MA 413-253-2604 Top Dolphin Daycare 33 Hawley Street Northampton, MA 582-0222 Top PLAYGROUPS The Arts Explorium 132 Main St. Williamsburg, MA 413-268-9048 Top KidSports Family Fun & Fitness Center of Hadley 317 Russell Street (Rt. 9) Hadley, MA 413-586-0633 www.kidsportshadley.com Top M & M After School Day Care Mark’s Meadow Elementary School Amherst, MA 413-549-8406 Top LIBRARY ACTIVITIES Jones Library 43 Amity Street Amherst, MA 01002 413-256-4090 www.joneslibrary.org/events.html www.joneslibrary.org/juv/programs.html Top Forbes Library 20 West Street Northampton, MA 01060 413-587-1011 www.forbeslibrary.org/events/events.shtml www.forbeslibrary.org/kids/kids.shtml Top South Hadley Library 27 Bardwell Street South Hadley, MA 01075 413-538-5045 www.shadleylib.org Top OTHER FAMILY ACTIVITIES Summer Camps www.hidden-hills.com/camps.html www.collaborative.org/afterschool/afterscl_summer.html www.masscamps.com/MassCampsCW.htm www.deerfield.edu/dasac Top Apple/ Berry Picking & Farmer’s Markets www.applejournal.com/ma03.htm www.noursefarms.com/pick_own.html www.massfarmersmarkets.org/markets/allmarkets/allmarkets.htm Top Seasonal Festivals & Community Fairs www.mafa.org/com.htm www.virtualcities.com/ons/ma/p/as/map71a11.htm Top Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory and Gardens 281 Greenfield Road South Deerfield, MA 01373 413-665-2805 www.magicwings.net Top Interskate 91 Hampshire Mall Hadley, MA 01035 413-586-2737 www.interskate91.com Top North Hadley Sugar Shack 181 River Drive Hadley, MA 01035 413-585-8820 www.northhadleysugarshack.com Top Flayvors of Cook Farm 129 South Maple Street Hadley, MA 01035 413-584-2224 www.cookfarm.com Top EDUCATION There are many factors that go into evaluating and ultimately selecting the school system in which you would like your children to be educated. Below are some key points to be aware of when making your choice, followed by a list of a number of schools in the Pioneer Valley. Also included is their contact information and websites. KEY POINTS Student-teacher ratios Percentage of students graduating Percentage of students moving on to college History of the school’s budget School accreditation Opportunities for exceptional students to foster growth and pursuit of gifted programs, advanced studies, or accelerated learning modules. Availability of special programs such as foreign language, music, art, etc. History of passing or rejecting Proposition 2 ½ overrides. PUBLIC SCHOOLS (K-12) Amherst-Pelham Regional School District www.arps.org Belchertown Schools www.belchertownps.org Easthampton Schools www.easthampton.k12.ma.us Hadley Schools www.hadleyschools.org Pioneer Valley Performing Arts School www.pvpa.org Gateway Regional School District www.grsd.org Northampton Schools www.nps.northampton.ma.us South Hadley Schools www.shschools.com Ware Schools www.ware.k12.ma.us Hampshire Regional High School www.hrhs.net HAMPSHIRE COUNTY SCHOOL INFO www.publicschoolreview.com/county_schools/stateid/MA/county/25015 FRANKLIN COUNTY SCHOOL INFO www.publicschoolreview.com/county_schools/stateid/MA/county/25011 PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOLS Deerfield Academy 7 Boyden Lane Deerfield, MA 01342 413-772-0241 www.deerfield.edu Top Northfield Mount-Hermon School 206 Main Street Northfield, MA 01360 413-498-3000 www.nmhschool.org Top The Williston Northampton School 19 Payson Avenue Easthampton, MA 01027 413-529-3000 www.williston.com Top OTHER PUBLIC & PRIVATE SCHOOLS The Hilltown Cooperative Charter School The Brassworks Building Route 9 Haydenville, MA 01039 413-268-3421 Top The Common School Amherst 521 South Pleasant Street Amherst, MA 01002 413-256-8989 www.commonschool.org Top Amherst Montessori School 27 Pomeroy Lane Amherst, MA 01002 413-253-3101 Top Northampton Montessori School 51 Bates Street Northampton, MA 01060 413-586-4538 Top Bement School Deerfield, MA 01342 413-774-7061 www.bement.org Top Clarke School for the Deaf Round Hill Road Northampton, MA 01060 413-584-3450 www.clarkeschool.org Top The Hartsbrook School …A Waldorf School 41 & 193 Bay Road Hadley, MA 01035 413-586-1908 413-584-3598 Top Smith Campus School Northampton, MA 01060 413-585-3270 www.smith.edu/sccs Top COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES THE FIVE COLLEGES University of Massachusetts at Amherst Amherst, MA 01003 413-545-0111 www.umass.edu Top Amherst College Amherst, MA 01002 413-542-2328 www.amherst.edu Top Hampshire College 893 West Street Amherst, MA 01002 413-549-4600 www.hampshire.edu Top Smith College Northampton, MA 01063 413-584-2700 www.smith.edu Top Mount Holyoke College 50 College Street South Hadley, MA 01075 www.mtholyoke.edu Top COMMUNITY COLLEGES Greenfield Community College 1 College Drive Greenfield, MA 01301 413-775-1000 www.gcc.mass.edu Top Holyoke Community College 303 Homestead Avenue Holyoke, MA 01040 413-538-7000 www.hcc.mass.edu Top Springfield Technical Community College 1 Armory Square Springfield, MA 01102 413-781-7822 www.stcc.edu Top OTHER WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS COLLEGES Western New England College 1215 Wilbraham Road Springfield, MA 01119 413-782-3111 www.wnec.edu Top Elms College 291 Springfield Street Chicopee, MA 01013 413-594-2761 www.elms.edu Top American International College 1000 State Street Springfield, MA 01109 800-242-3142 www.aic.edu Top Springfield College 263 Alden Street Springfield, MA 01109 413-748-3000 www.spfldcol.edu Top Bay Path College 588 Longmeadow Street Longmeadow, MA 01106 413-565-1000 www.baypath.edu Top Westfield State College 577 Western Avenue Westfield, MA 01086 413-572-5300 www.wsc.mass.edu Top RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS The Jewish Community of Amherst 742 Main Street Amherst, MA 01002 413-256-0160 www.j-c-a.org Top Hillel House 388 North Pleasant Street Amherst, MA 01002 413-549-1710 www.umasshillel.org Top Congregation B’Nai Israel 253 Prospect Street Northampton, MA 01060 413-584-3593 www.cbinorthampton.org Top Grace Episcopal Church 14 Boltwood Avenue Amherst, MA 01002 413-256-6754 www.gracechurchamherst.org Top The Unitarian Society of Northampton 220 Main Street Northampton, MA 01060 413-584-1390 www.uunorthampton.org Top Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst 121 North Pleasant Street Amherst, MA 01002 413-253-2848 http://users.crocker.com/~unitar Top Dwight Chapel 885 Federal Street Belchertown, MA 01007 413-256-8059 www.dwightchapel.org Top Hope Community Church 20 Gaylord Street Amherst, MA 01002 413-253-2522 Top First Congregational Church of Amherst 165 Main Street Amherst, MA 01002 413-253-3456 www.firstchurchamherst.org Top South Congregational Church 1066 South East Street Amherst, MA 01002 413-253-2977 www.southchurchamherst.org Top Islamic Society of Western Massachusetts 377 Amostown Road West Springfield, MA 01089 413-788-7546 www.masjidma.com Top Other Religious Institutions http://amherstma.areaconnect.com/churches.htm Top RETIREMENT & ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation Center 20 North Maple St. Hadley, MA 01035 413-584-5057 www.sunh.com Top Center for Extended Care at Amherst 150 University Drive Amherst, MA 01002 Phone: 413-256-8185 www.cecaa.com Top Arbors at Amherst 130 University Drive Amherst, MA 01002 Phone 413-548-6800 www.movetothearbors.com Top Applewood Village 1 Spencer Drive Amherst, MA 01002 (413) 253-9833 www.loomiscommunities.org Top Loomis Village 20 Bayon Drive South Hadley, MA 01075 (413) 532-5325 www.loomiscommunities.org Top Loomis House 298 Jarvis Avenue Holyoke, MA 01040 (413) 538-7551 www.loomiscommunities.org Top Florence Rest Home 29 N Main St Florence, MA 01062 (413) 584-2418 Top Rockridge Retirement Community 25 Coles Meadow Road Northampton, MA 01060 413-586-2902 Top The Lathrop Retirement Communities 1 Shallow Brook Drive Northampton, MA 01060 413-586-0006 www.lathrop.org Top MUNICIPALITIES Town of Amherst Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Avenue Amherst, MA 01002 Town Manager: 413-256-4004 Fax: 413-256-4006 www.amherstma.gov Top Town of Belchertown Lawrence Memorial Hall 2 Jabish Street Belchertown, MA 01007 Town Offices: 413-323-0403 Fax: 413-323-0411 www.belchertown.org Top Town of Deerfield Main Office 8 Conway Road South Deerfield, MA 01373 413-665-2130 www.town.deerfield.ma.us Top Town of Easthampton Municipal Building 56 Payson Avenue Easthampton, MA 01027 City Offices: 413-529-1470 Fax: 413-529-1488 www.easthamptonweb.com Top Town of Granby Town Hall, 250 State Street, Route 202 Granby, MA 01033 Town Offices: 413-467-7177 Fax: 413-467-2080 Email: kathykr@granbyma.org www.state.ma.us/cc/granby.html Top Town of Hadley Town Hall, 100 Middle Street Hadley, MA 01035 Town Offices: 413-586-0221 Fax: 413-586-5661 Email: admin@hadleyma.org www.hadleyma.org Top Town of Hatfield Town Hall, 59 Main Street Hatfield, MA 01038 Town Offices:413-247-9200 / 413-247-9211 Fax: 413-247-5029 www.townofhatfield.org Top Town of Leverett Town Hall 9 Montague Road Leverett, MA 01054 413-548-1035 townhall.leverett.ma.us Top Town of Montague One Avenue A Turners Falls, MA 01376 Tel: 413 863 3200 Fax: 413 863 3224 www.montague.net Top City of Northampton City Hall, 210 Main Street Northampton, MA 01060 Phone: 413-587-1224 Fax: 413-587-1264 www.northamptonma.gov Top Town of Pelham Rhodes Building 351 Amherst Road, R.R. 2 Pelham, MA 01002 Town Offices: 413-253-7129 Fax: 413-256-1061 www.state.ma.us/cc/pelham.html Top Town of Shutesbury Shutesbury Town Hall P. O. Box 264 1 Cooleyville Road Shutesbury, MA 01072 www.shutesbury.org Top Town of South Hadley Town Hall, 116 Main Street South Hadley, MA 01075 Town Hall: 413-538-5017 Fax: 413-538-7565 www.southhadley.org Top Town of Southampton Town Hall, East Street P.O. Box 397 Southampton, MA 01073 Town Hall: 413-527-8392 Fax: 413-527-8776 Email: southamptonbos@crocker.com www.town.southampton.ma.us Top Town of Sunderland 12 School Street Sunderland, MA 01375 413-665-1442 www.townofsunderland.us Top Town of Westhampton Town Hall, One South Road Westhampton, MA 01027 Town Hall: 413-527-0463 www.state.ma.us/cc/westhampton.html Top Town of Whately Town Hall 218 Chestnut Plain Road Whately, MA 01093 413-665-0054 www.mass.gov/cc/whately.html Top Town of Williamsburg Town Offices, 141 Main Street P.O. Box 447 Haydenville, MA 01039 Town Offices: 413-268-8400 Fax: 413-268-8409 www.burgy.org Top REGIONAL GOVERNMENT INFORMATION Franklin County Chamber of Commerce www.co.franklin.ma.us Top Franklin County Regional Council of Governments www.frcog.org Top Hampshire County Regional Council of Governments www.hampshirecog.org Top PARKS AND RECREATIONAL DESTINATIONS Almost at every turn, picturesque parks, forests, lakes and rivers abound here. Discover four seasons of fun ready and waiting for you in the Massachusetts Pioneer Valley! AMHERST Holyoke Range State Park Route 116, 413 586-0350 Notch Visitor Center, located on Route 116 in Amherst, is open daily. Displays and interpretive programs are available in season. The park's Friends group offers hikes and programs throughout the year. Top BELCHERTOWN MassWildlife McLaughlin Fish Hatchery Covey State Wildlife Management Area/CT Valley Wildlife District Office 90 East Street (off Route 9), 413-323-7632 One of the country's largest trout hatcheries open seven days a week. Wildlife area covers 1,400 acres and includes Swift River for catch and release fishing, stocked trout and pheasants, forests and fields with old roads and trails. Office open Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:00pm. 413-323-7632 The Quabbin Reservoir Route 9, 413-323-7221 One of the world’s largest, this reservoir’s 87 square-miles is home to bald eagles and other wildlife, and has abundant hiking, fishing, and boating opportunities. Learn about the area and reservoir at its Winsor Dam visitor center. www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/quabbin.htm Top HADLEY J.A. Skinner State Park Route 47, 413 586-0350 390-acre Skinner State Park on top of Mount Holyoke offers breathtaking views of the Connecticut River Valley. The summit is accessible by road from April through November, and by hiking trails year-round. The Summit House, a popular mountaintop hotel in the 1800's, is open for tours and programs on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Columbus Day, offering historical displays and special events. The park is named after Joseph Allen Skinner, a wealthy industrialist who donated the hotel and land to the state in 1940. Top HOLYOKE Holyoke Heritage State Park 221 Appleton St., 413 534-1723 The park's Visitors' Center features exhibits about paper manufacturing and Holyoke's industrial history. A slide show celebrates the city's rich blend of cultures and people. Special programs are offered year-round. The Children's Museum, the restored antique Holyoke Merry-Go-Round and the Volleyball Hall of Fame are also located within the park. Outside the Visitors' Center, relax and have a picnic in the beautifully landscaped park overlooking Holyoke's three water power canals and several of the mill buildings. The historic railroad is not running at present, but when in operation it takes passengers on a 10 mile route through Holyoke and the surrounding countryside. Top FLORENCE Look Memorial Park 300 North Main Street, 413-584-5457 A beautiful 157 acre Victorian park with picnic facilities, steamer train, zoo, mini-golf, bumper boats, pedal boats on Willow Lake, walking paths and the Pines Theater featuring outdoor summer concerts. Top NORTHAMPTON Norwottuck Rail Trail Connecticut River Greenway State Park, 413-586-8706 The trail runs from Northampton to Belchertown. It is one of two paved rail trials within the Massachusetts State Forests and Parks System, it follows a former railroad right of way for 10 miles. The trail is perfect for cyclists, skaters, walkers, runners and cross-country skiers of all ages and abilities. www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/nwrt.htm Top NORTHFIELD Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center 99 Millers Falls Road, 800-859-2960 A place for all seasons! 25 miles of trails for mountain biking, orienteering, hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Nearby camping, canoe rentals and upriver shuttle service make riverside picnicing a breeze. 60-passenger riverboat cruise, fish passage facilities, visitors center and free tours of power station. Top SHELBURNE FALLS The Bridge of Flowers Shelburne Falls, MA 01370 Every year visitors from around the world stroll across the Bridge of Flowers and enjoy the beauty of this unusual garden - the only one of its kind in the world. Last year more than 24,000 visitors signed the guest book. The Bridge of Flowers is meticulously tended by the Shelburne Falls Women's Club. Over 500 varieties of flowers, plants and shrubs. www.shelburnefalls.com Top SHUTESBURY Lake Wyola State Park 94 Lakeview Road, 413-367-0317 Within its 129 acres, Lake Wyola offers visitors the opportunity to swim, boat, fish, hike, picnic, skate, cross-country ski, sled, and snowshoe. Its 40-acre fresh-water lake boasts a boat ramp and is well stocked with trout. Top SOUTH DEERFIELD Mt. Sugarloaf State Reservation Route 116, 413-665-2928 Its pinnacle once the site of an 1800’s retreat, the 500-acre park’s picnic area and observation tower can be easily and quickly accessed by car. Great river and valley views, trails. Top CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS The Pioneer Valley’s cultural climate is rich with a full spectrum of arts activities. Symphonies, major pop, rock and jazz artists and live theater can be enjoyed year round. To offer you just a partial list: AMHERST Emily Dickinson Museum 214 and 280 Main Street in Amherst, (413) 542-8161. The Emily Dickinson Museum consists of two historic houses. The Homestead and The Evergreens, closely associated with the poet Emily Dickinson and members of her family. The Homestead was the poet’s birthplace and home. Emily Dickinson was born at the Homestead on December 10, 1830. Her quiet life here was infused with a creative energy that produced almost 1,800 poems. The Museum is open from March through mid-December for guided tours. Visit the website at www.dickinsonhomestead.com for more information. Top Mead Art Museum at Amherst College Intersection of Routes 116 and 9 in Amherst, (413) 542-2335. Museum houses some of the American masters and is open throughout the academic year, Monday - Friday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturdays & Sundays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. During the summer, the museum is open 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday - Sunday. Admission is free. Call for holiday schedules. Top Pratt Museum of Natural History Amherst College off of Routes 116 and 9 in Amherst, (413) 542-2165. Museum showcases fossils, minerals, and dinosaur tracks. Open Sept: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Summer: closed weekdays, open Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free; donations welcome. Top University Gallery UMass Amherst Fine Arts Center, Amherst, (413) 545-3670. Gallery uses contemporary art to offer unique perspective on current aesthetic, political, and social issues. Open during the academic year Tuesday - Friday 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Call for closings and installations and for "Jazz in July schedule". Admission is free. Top Amherst History Museum at the Strong House 67 Amity Street, Amherst, (413) 256-0678. Collections focus on local history and include decorative arts, textiles, tools, and household items from the 18th through early 20th centuries. Open mid-May, Wednesday and Saturday 12:30 to 3:30 or by appt. Admission is $3 for adults; $2 for seniors, students, and children; and fee for members of the Amherst Historical Society. Top Hampshire College Art Gallery Route 116, 4 miles south of Amherst Center, (413) 582-5544. Gallery showcases outdoor sculpture on a most pastoral college campus. The gallery is open during the academic year Monday - Friday 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Sundays 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Call for holiday schedules. Top National Yiddish Book Center 1021 West St., Amherst,(413)256-4900 A lively "cultural shtetl" featuring a book repository, theater, conference space and museum exhibitions. Top The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art 125 West Bay Rd. Amherst (413) 658-1100. Opened in November, 2002, the museum collects, presents, preserves, and interprets picture book art from around the world recognizing its importance as an art form. Top CHESTERFIELD Hilltown Community Development Corporation 387 Main Road, Chesterfield, MA 01012 10 rural communities in western Hampshire County offer arts, crafts, shopping, restaurants, outdoor recreation and scenic beauty. For accommodations, contact Hampshire Hills B&B Association at 888-414-7664. For Tourist Information/Things to Do, call 888-838-2474. For general information, call 413-296-4536. Top DEERFIELD Memorial Hall Museum Memorial Street, Deerfield, (413) 774-3768, ext. 10. Displayed in the old Deerfield Academy building (1798) is a wide variety of curious and beautiful American antiques -- quilts, dolls, furniture, portraits, and Native American artifacts. Museum opens daily May - October. Top Children's Museum at Indian House Memorial Main Street, Deerfield, (413) 774-3768, ext. 10. Museum offers a number of hands-on forays into history and is open during the summer and early fall. Site also marks the annual commemoration in February of the 1704 French and Indian attack on Deerfield. Top Historic Deerfield (outdoor museum) A collection of old houses along Deerfield's Main Street. Inside these homes, you'll find more than 20,000 objects -- furniture, ceramics, textiles, glass, and silver -- made or used in America between 1650 and 1850. History, storytelling, cider pressing, hay rides, a colonial style husking bee, and a demonstration of harvest cooking over an open hearth and early- America handcraft demonstrations are some activities. Museum houses and the museum Store are open daily throughout the year 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. For general information and tour reservations, call (413) 774-5581. Top NORTHAMPTON Smith College Museum of Art Route 9 in Northampton, (413) 585-2760, TTY (413) 585-2786. Museum is closed until early 2003 for renovation and expansion. Pieces by Picasso and his contemporaries make this museum a must visit. Top Center for the Arts in Northampton 17 New South Street, Northampton, (413) 584-7327. This premier gallery and performance space for western Massachusetts artists and arts organizations hosts more than 250 performances and gallery exhibitions each year. It also produces Northampton's First Night Festival. Top Lyman Plant House and Botanic Gardens Lyman Conservatory, Smith College, Northampton, (413) 585-2740. The Lyman Plant House and its adjoining botanical gardens contain plant species from all over the world. Open daily, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Top SOUTH DEERFIELD The Candle-Making Museum at Yankee Candle Routes 5 and 10, South Deerfield, (413) 665-2929, toll-free (877) 636-7707. Candle-makers dip beeswax and bayberry candles using methods practiced centuries ago. Free demonstrations are conducted throughout the day. Open daily 9:30 to 6 p.m. Free admission. Top SOUTH HADLEY Mount Holyoke College Art Museum Lower Lake Road, off of Route 116 in South Hadley, (413) 538-2245. Its exquisite, comprehensive collection of approximately 11,000 objects, displayed on a rotating basis, include American landscape paintings, Japanese prints, Egyptian amulets, pre-Columbian pottery, Italian medieval sculpture, English silver, European portraits, Indian sculpture, French drawings, Greek vases, Chinese scrolls, vintage photographs, and more. Also special exhibitions and gallery talks, lectures, and concerts are offered. Theme-based tours of the permanent collection are available for groups of 8 or more adults. Museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Call for closings on school holidays (mid-October, Thanksgiving, late December/early January, and mid-March). Top SPRINGFIELD Connecticut Valley Historical Museum On the quadrangle at State and Chestnut streets, Springfield, (413) 263-6800 or toll-free (800) 625-7738. Changing exhibitions depict the social history of the Connecticut River Valley. Genealogy and other holdings attract researchers from around the county. Call for hours and admission prices. Top George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum On the quadrangle at the intersection of State and Chestnut streets, Springfield, (413) 263-6800 or toll-free (800) 625-7738. Exceptional Asian decorative arts include extensive collection of Chinese clisone, Islamic rugs, and a Shinto shrine. Paintings by 19th-century American artists Church and Bierstadt. Call for hours and admission prices. Top Duryea Transportation Society Museum 25 Mill Street, Springfield, (413) 783-5624. Dedicated to the display of transportation-related items built or invented in Springfield and the Pioneer Valley. Featured items include a Duryea Automobile, an Indian Motorcycle, an American Bosch, a Fisk Tire, busses, trolleys, steamboats, and more. Top Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 1000 West Columbus Avenue, Springfield, MA 01105, Phone: (413) 781-6500. The game of basketball began in 1891. There are few sports that have a greater or richer history. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's mission preserves and promotes the game at all levels and serves as basketball's ultimate library of history. www.hoophall.com Top Volleyball Hall of Fame 444 Dwight Street, Holyoke, MA 01040, Phone: (413) 536-0926. In 1971, the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce established an ad hoc committee for the purpose of promoting Holyoke, Massachusetts, birthplace of volleyball, as the future home of the Volleyball Hall of Fame (VBHF). www.volleyhall.com Top Springfield Science Museum On the quadrangle at the corner of State and Chestnut streets, Springfield, (413) 263-6800 or toll-free (800) 625-7738. Children learn to have fun exploring science -- from the dinosaurs of prehistoric times to the current-day savannas of Africa. Learn about the earth in Mineral Hall or enjoy stargazing in the Planetarium. Also features an aquarium and live animal center. A museum shop is on site. Call for hours and admission prices. Top WESTHAMPTON Blacksmith Shop Museum North Road, Westhampton, (413) 527-1091. Museum houses tools, machinery, forges, anvils, and farm memorabilia. Open from Memorial Day through Columbus Day Top SOME POINTS IN BETWEEN Robert Cole Museum of Natural History Mount Tom State Reservation, Routes 5 and 141, (413) 527-4805. Top Joseph Allen Skinner Museum 35 Woodbridge Street, Route 116, (413) 538-7127. Top Wistariahurst Museum 238 Cabot Street, (413) 534-2216. This Elegant Beaux Arts mansion once served as the residence of silk manufacturer William Skinner (1874-1958). It features decorative arts, antique furniture, paintings, textiles, landscaped gardens, and dinosaur footprints. Tours are available. Open on Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays 1 to 5 p.m. Top ENTERTAINMENT The Pioneer Valley is home to an abundance of high-quality entertainment options, including fine dining, music, fine art, live theater, comedy, sports, movies…you name it! Below you will find some great websites, along with other information on the world of options that are calling you to have fun, enjoy life, and relax with family and friends. DINING www.valleydiningguide.com www.deliveryexpress.com Top MUSIC Iron Horse Music Hall 20 Center Street Northampton, MA 01060 413-584-0610 www.iheg.com Top Calvin Theatre 19 King Street Northampton, MA 01060 413-586-1039 www.iheg.com Top Springfield Symphony Hall 1 Columbus Center Springfield, MA 01103 413-788-7033 citystage.symphonyhall.com Top Pines Theatre at Look Park Route 9 Florence, MA 01062 413-586-8686 Top Porter Phelps Museum (summer concerts) Route 47 Hadley, MA 01035 413-586-7870 Top FINE ART & MUSEUMS Mead Art Museum at Amherst College Routes 9 & 116 Amherst, MA 01002 413-542-2335 www.amherst.edu/~mead Top The Pratt Museum of Natural History Amherst College Routes 9 & 116 Amherst, MA 01002 413-542-2165 www.amherst.edu/~pratt Top Smith College Museum of Art Elm Street at Bedford Terrace Northampton, MA 01063 413-585-2760 www.smith.edu/artmuseum Top University Gallery At the University of Massachusetts Amherst Fine Arts Center Amherst, MA 01003 413-545-3670 www.umass.edu/fac/universitygallery Top Mount Holyoke College Art Museum Lower Lake Road South Hadley, MA 01075 413-538-2245 www.mtholyoke.edu/go/artmuseum Top Northampton Center For The Arts 17 New South Street Northampton, MA 01060 413-584-7327 www.nohoarts.org Top Leverett Arts and Crafts Center 13 Montague Road Leverett, MA 01054 413-548-9070 www.leverettcrafts.org Top Paradise City Arts Festivals www.paradise-city.com/showlist.html Top More information, venues, and art festivals www.forbeslibrary.org/local/wmassarts.shtml Top LIVE THEATER / PLAYS / DANCE / PERFORMANCE Springfield Symphony Hall 1 Columbus Center Springfield, MA 01103 413-788-7033 citystage.symphonyhall.com Top The Majestic Theatre 131 Elm Street West Springfield, MA 01089 413-747-7797 www.majestictheater.com Top Hampshire Shakespeare Company “Shakespeare Under the Stars” series at Look Park in Florence (summers) Amherst, MA 01002 413-548-8118 www.hampshireshakespeare.org Top University of Massachusetts Fine Arts Center www.umass.edu/fac Top MOVIES Pleasant Street Theatre 27 Pleasant Street Northampton, MA 01060 413-586-0935 Top Academy of Music Theatre 274 Main Street Northampton, MA 01060 413-584-8435 Top Tower Theatres 19 College Street South Hadley, MA 01075 413-533-3456 Top Cinemark Theatres 367 Russell Street Hadley, MA 01035 413-587-4237 www.cinemark.com Top Northampton Film Festival Northampton, MA 01060 413-413-582-1832 www.niff.org Top COMEDY Hu Ke Lau Restaurant & Club 705 Memorial Drive Chicopee, MA 01013 413-593-5222 www.hukelau.com Top SPORTS www.sport-spot.com www.wmsportsjournal.com www.wwlp.com/sports www.wggb40.com/sports.shtml Top SHOPPING Thornes Marketplace 150 Main Street Northampton, MA 01060 413-584-5582 www.thornesmarketplace.com Top Hampshire Mall 367 Russell St. (Route 9) Hadley, MA 01035 413-586-5700 www.hampshiremall.com Top Holyoke Mall Holyoke Street Holyoke, MA 01040 413-536-1440 www.holyokemall.com Top Downtown Amherst www.amherstdowntown.com Top The Village Commons in South Hadley 23 College Street South Hadley, MA 01075 413-534-8222 Top SHOPPING ONLINE www.shopwesternmass.com Top LODGING & ACCOMMODATIONS HOTELS & MOTELS The Lord Jeffrey Inn 30 Boltwood Avenue Amherst, MA 01002 413-253-2576 www.lordjeffreyinn.com Top Norwottuck Hadley Inn 208 Russell Street Hadley, MA 01035 413-587-9866 www.hadleyinn.com Top Campus Center Hotel University of Massachusetts Campus Center Way Amherst, MA 01003 413-549-6000 Top Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites 400 Russell Street Hadley, MA 01035 413-582-0002 www.hampshirehospitality.com Top Hotel Northampton 36 King Street Northampton, MA 01060 413-584-3100 www.hotelnorthampton.com Top Deerfield Inn Main Street Deerfield, MA 01342 413-774-5587 www.deerfieldinn.com Top The Whately Inn 193 Chestnut Plain Road Whatley, MA 01093 413-665-3044 www.whatelyinn.com Top MORE LODGING IN WESTERN MASS www.hampshirehospitality.com Top BED & BREAKFASTS IN WESTERN MASS Allen House Victorian Inn Boston Magazine’s “Best Victorian” 599 Main Street Amherst, MA 01002 413-253-5000 www.allenhouse.com Top Black Walnut Inn 1184 North Pleasant Street Amherst, MA 01002 413-549-5149 www.blackwalnutinn.com Top MORE BED & BREAKFASTS IN WESTERN MASS www.bbonline.com/ma/region2.html Top ANNUAL EVENTS There are so many reasons to come together and celebrate the historic and cultural beauty of the Pioneer Valley. This area is abundant with intellectual and creative energy, and the listings below are but a sample of the many great annual events for you to enjoy, some spanning over 100 years: Brimfield Antique Show – May, July & September If you're looking for an antique item and cannot find it at the show or through one of the 5000+ dealers who come from the world-over to the show, chances are that you might have to live without it. Brimfield is a small town of 2,000 that balloons to over 30,000 on peak show days. There are crowds, yes, but there is a particularly festive, safe, and family-oriented atmosphere that can be enjoyed by all if you're prepared. And because the Show ranges over a distance approaching a mile, the crowds are not concentrated as you might expect. www.brimfieldshow.com Top Paradise City Arts Festival – May & October Paradise City, founded in 1995, produces award-winning shows of contemporary craft and fine art. Paradise City's shows are highly competitive, and showcase the works of some of America's most prominent craftsmen and artists. Paradise City, Inc., 30 Industrial Drive East, Northampton, MA 01060, toll free: 800.511.9725, office: 413.587.0772, fax: 413.587.0966 www.paradisecityarts.com Top Taste of Amherst - June June 17, 2005 - June 19, 2005 - 4:00-10:00 Join us for the annual Taste of Amherst on the Town Common. Great food, great music, and lots of fun! info@amherstarea.com Top The Old Deerfield Annual Craft Fairs – June & September The Old Deerfield Craft Fairs have been among the highest ranked shows in Massachusetts and New England by Sunshine Artist Magazine, for 25 years a major publication of the arts and crafts movement in the United States. The Christmas Sampler, Fall Craft Fair, and Summer Craft Fair were each recognized in the "Best Show" rankings, with the Sampler holding the #1 spot for Traditional Craft Fairs in New England. www.deerfield-craft.org Top Green River Festival in Greenfield, MA - July Beginning in 1986 as a balloon festival, this event has gained more popularity each year as more and more musical entertainment was incorporated. Presented by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, this celebration combines music on two stages, food, crafts, dancing, a wide array of kids activities and hot air balloon launches (weather permitting) for the Pioneer Valley's biggest outdoor event of the summer. This is the only music festival in Massachusetts that features hot air balloons and rides. www.greenriverfestival.com Top Jazz in July at UMass Amherst - July Some of the greatest names in the history of jazz music come together to teach, inspire and perform for the public every year in July for three Thursdays in a row. If you love music, this is a great way to spend time by yourself, with family or your sweetheart, out on the lawn by the UMass campus pond, under the stars – perfect! UMass Fine Arts Center Box Office (413) 545-2511 or (800) 999-UMASS Top Big Brothers / Big Sisters of Hampshire County Amherst Summer Craft Fair - July The Amherst Crafts on the Common Fair is held on the beautiful Amherst Town Common. This Craft Fair is among the best established and most well respected in New England. Local restaurants will provide food and there will also be music and entertainment! The fair is free to the public. Come join us just to shop, have some fun and find some great gifts! For more information, please call 413-253-2591 www.chd.org/bbbs Top The Big E - September New England's autumn tradition and the largest fair in the northeast. There's no better place to enjoy the sights, sounds and taste tempting aromas of the fall season than at The Big E. It's a New England extravaganza with free top name entertainment, major exhibits, The Big E Super Circus, the Avenue of States, dazzling thrill shows, New England history and agriculture, animals, rides, shopping, crafts, a daily parade and a Mardi Gras parade and foods from around the world for 17 glorious days during New England's most colorful season. 1305 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA 01089 413-737-2443, Info Line - 413-205-5115 www.thebige.com Top 3 County Fair - September The Three County Fair continues its 188 year old tradition of being the longest consecutive running agricultural fair in the country. This year features both live and simulcast thoroughbred horse racing, a Wild West Show, expanded midway, the New England Championship horse pull, two Demolition Derbies, a Polish festival with two bands and great Polish food, truck/tractor pull, agricultural exhibits and discounted rides. P.O. Box 305, Northampton, MA, Phone: (413) 584-2237 www.3countyfair.com Top Midnight Madness at UMass Amherst - October If you love college basketball, this is the place to get pumped up! Midnight Madness has festivities getting underway at 10:30 p.m. This will be the fans first chance to see the new and improved UMass basketball teams. Travis Ford leads the men's team into his first season with the Minutemen while Marnie Dacko returns for her fourth season with the Minutewomen. UMass, Curry Hicks Cage, (413) 545-1401 Top Conway Festival of the Hills - October Fine art, historical & wildlife rehabilitation exhibits, as well as photos and historical materials about Conway's agricultural history, baby barnyard, live music all day, big raffle. The Festival of the Hills is a Library of Congress Local Legacies Project and is part of the Library's permanent collection. Skillet toss, log splitting contests, hayrides, hay maze and ox cart rides for kids, 10K road race, duck race, parade. Lots of kids' activities, cider pressing, blacksmithing, ferret rescue, quilting, spinning, and origami, home made candy, baked goods, fried dough with maple cream, cookie decorating, pie tent, cider, chowder, Mexican, Chinese, Polish, Tibetan specialties. Contact: Bobbi Melville, P.O. Box 611, Conway, MA 01341 Telephone: (413) 369-4051 Top Apple Harvest Festival Crafts Fair - October Amherst Family Center presents the Apple Harvest Festival Craft Fair and Children's Festival on the Common. For more information, call 413-545-0865. Top Northampton Film Festival - November The NORTHAMPTON INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL (NIFF) is committed to establishing a northeast center for the exploration, examination, and celebration of independent filmmaking. NIFF showcases the works of filmmakers whose films demonstrate quality, innovation, and independence in both form and content. NIFF MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 179 Northampton, MA 01060 Phone 413-582-1832, Fax 413-341-3095 www.niff.org Top Big Brothers / Big Sisters of Hampshire County Northampton Winter Craft Fair - December This long standing, popular community event is perfect for holiday shopping. Featuring more than 80 local and regional artisans of all handmade arts and crafts, the Northampton Winter Craft Fair is one of New England's oldest and finest. For more information, please call 413-253-2591 www.chd.org/bbbs Top First Night Northampton New Year’s Celebration – December Our city's signature annual event - which attracts some 15,000 visitors from the surrounding counties and the cities of Hartford, Boston, and New York - a family-friendly array of entertainment options at twenty venues throughout downtown all day and all night until the wee hours of the morning! www.gazettenet.com/firstnight Top MORE EVENTS www.virtualcities.com/ons/ma/p/as/map71a11.htm Top FINANCING ASSISTANCE The President of Norwottuck Realty Company, Ken Lieberman, has longstanding ties and relationships with many of the movers and shakers in this region. Because of his unique position in the marketplace, we can help you arrange for mortgage financing and will help you to coordinate all aspects of the closing IN-HOUSE! As you know by now, when you buy or sell property through Norwottuck, you pay no attorney’s fees or title search fees. When it comes to closing a real estate purchase or sale, you cannot make it anymore seamless than choosing Norwottuck Realty Company to manage ALL aspects of your transaction. Your realtor and your attorney are under the same roof, and can get legal and technical questions answered quickly and with competence. Where else can you find that with a real estate company? Below are some local banks and financial institutions that have excellent real estate finance programs for your new purchase: Florence Savings Bank 385 College Street, Route 9 Amherst, MA 01002 413-253-0289 www.florencesavings.com Top People’s Savings Bank 56 Amity Street Amherst, MA 01002 413-259-1400 www.bankatpeoples.com Top Northampton Cooperative Bank 253 Triangle Street Amherst, MA 01002 413-549-6622 www.northamptoncoop.com Top Bank of Western Massachusetts 25 East Pleasant Street Amherst, MA 01002 413-549-6752 www.bankwmass.com Top TD Banknorth 243 Triangle Street Amherst, MA 01002 413-549-5112 www.tdbanknorth.com Top Bank of America 75 East Pleasant Street Amherst, MA 01002 800-841-4000 Top CREDIT UNIONS UMass Five College Federal Credit Union 200 Westgate Drive Hadley, MA 01035 413-256-5500 www.umassfive.org Top Freedom Credit Union 39 Carlon Drive Northampton, MA 01060 413-586-3590 www.freedom.coop Top Franklin First Federal Credit Union 424 State Road (at The Sugarloaf Shoppes) Whately, MA 01093 413-774-6700 www.franklinfirst.org Top SPOUSE/PARTNER EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE We realize that the adults in most couples or families BOTH participate in the workforce. Our goal is to help the spouse/partner explore the employment resources available in this area remotely from your current home, to help make the transition smoother for you. Visit these websites below for more information on employment opportunities in Western Massachusetts: www.gazettenet.com/classifieds www.masslive.com/jobs www.nohojobs.com www.jobsinma.com www.umass.edu/humres/empl_home.htm www.amherst.edu/~hr/jobs/index.html jobsearch.mtholyoke.edu www.hampshire.edu/cms/index.php?id=184 www.smith.edu/hr/career.php www.gcc.mass.edu/resources/career www.hcc.mass.edu/html/Working_at_HCC/Job_Openings/Job_Openings.htm www.monster.com Top TEMPORARY STAFFING AGENCIES www.jhstaffing.com jobsearch.kellycareernetwork.com/jobsearch.asp www.unitedpersonnel.com www.dbastaffing.com www.reliabletemps.com Top RENTAL ASSISTANCE If you discover that you will want or need temporary housing or rental quarters, the following companies are established in the Pioneer Valley as property managers who can assist you in locating a place to live while you look to buy your new home. Eagle Crest Property Management 73 Main Street Amherst, MA 01002 413-256-3442 www.eaglecrestmanagement.com Top Kendrick Property Management 79 South Pleasant Street Amherst, MA 01002 413-253-0285 Top North River Property Management Pleasant Street Northampton, MA 01060 413-586-4536 Top Robinson Real Estate 4 Conz Street Northampton, MA 01060 413-584-9011 www.robinsonre.com Top SELLING YOUR HOME First impressions are LASTING IMPRESSIONS. This is most true when it comes to selling your home. A little extra time put into important details will prepare your house properly to show to buyers so you can start receiving offers to purchase as quickly as possible. Here are some key points to address so that you can help achieve your goal of getting the best offer to sell your property in the shortest amount of time: CREATE A CLEAN AND INVITING ATMOSPHERE Clear all external and internal walkways, driveways, hallways, and staircases. Removing clutter creates the space to help new buyers envision their new life in their new home! Clean up the outside of your property by weeding gardens, trimming shrubs and lawns, repairing gutters and windows, and painting your home’s exterior. “Curb appeal” is exactly what you want to create the first time a buyer drives up to your house. Clean all appliances and major house systems, such as the refrigerator, oven/range, dishwasher, furnace, bathroom fixtures, washer and dryer, etc. All of these items make a NEW first impression each time the buyer walks through a different room in your house. Getting everything in order ahead of time will help increase the chances of a buyer saying “THIS IS THE HOUSE!” PERFORM OTHER BASIC MAINTENACE Oil squeaky doors Tighten hinges, doorknobs, and cabinet pulls Replace burned-out lights, both internal and external Repair leaking faucets and toilets Touch up peeling paint Perform other tasks as needed to present the home in its best light. SETTING THE STAGE FOR SHOWINGS The atmosphere buyers experience when they first walk into your home is critical to putting them in the mood to buy. Here are some suggestions to help create the proper ambiance: Turn on all lights in the house to brighten it as much as possible. Open all blinds, shades, drapes, and curtains. Keep any pets outdoors, if possible. Play quiet background music. Bake some fresh cookies an hour before to create a warm and inviting smell in the kitchen, and throughout the house. Be absent during showings. Light woodstove or fireplace, if applicable. Top BUYING YOUR NEW HOME Buying a home is a long term financial commitment with great personal and tax advantages. There are costly mistakes to avoid in the process. Using an attorney to review the complex paperwork involved in the purchase of a home can save you money. Financing, tax questions and contract issues can be explained to you in a straightforward manner. There are many steps and different stages of a home purchase where it is advantageous to get the right advice. The process of finding a home, making an offer, negotiating a fair price, drafting the purchase and sale agreement, arranging financing and executing the closing are ALL handled in-house for you by working with Norwottuck Realty Company. Through the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), you will have full access to ALL homes available in the communities in which you are interested. My knowledge of the communities in Hampshire and Franklin counties will be invaluable to you in terms of real estate law, schools, neighborhoods, local economy, and more. The first consideration in buying a house is the house itself. What do you want? Basic things to think about are: Location - Consider the area. Is it close to what you need? (Highway access? Schools? Parks? Stores? Church or Temple?) Is it the type of neighborhood you would be happy to live in? Is it convenient to where you work? Structure - Is the house well built? Will it accommodate the needs of your family? Are there enough bedrooms and bathrooms? Do you like the layout of the house? Resale - It's important to realize that the average time that people live in a house is only 5-7 years, which means that someday, you'll be likely to want to sell the house you are now considering buying. Does this house have good general appeal? Making an Offer When you have found a house that you want to buy, you begin by making an offer. When you make your initial offer, you will put down a deposit (generally $500.00) to show good faith. That check will not be deposited until your offer is accepted, at which point it is put into an escrow account. This deposit will count towards your down payment. Negotiation If you offer less than the asking price, three things can happen. First, the sellers may accept your offer. Second, the sellers may reject your offer entirely and not respond to you. (This can occur if you have insulted them with an offer that is significantly lower than the value they place on their home.) Third, and most commonly, they will make a counter-offer. From this point, you can walk away, accept their offer, or make them a counter offer. This process continues until you come to agreement or determine that you can't come to agreement. An Accepted Offer After your offer is accepted, you should hire a lawyer to negotiate the details of the Purchase and Sale Agreement. If you buy a property through Norwottuck Realty Company, Attorney Lieberman will represent you and the legal services associated with the closing are included in the commission. Top NORWOTTUCK REALTY COMPANY WILL HANDLE: Negotiation of the Purchase and Sale Agreement You will sign a Purchase and Sale Agreement (also known as the P&S) within 10 days of the acceptance of the offer. This document lays out in detail every aspect of the transaction. When you sign the P&S, you will make an additional deposit which will also be held in escrow and applied to your downpayment. Norwottuck Realty Company will help you negotiate the details of the P&S. Inspection Norwottuck Realty Company will arrange for a structural inspection of the house immediately after the signing the acceptance of the offer. It is prudent to have this inspection as early as you can and before the signing of the P&S, so that the seller is not holding a larger deposit. If the inspection reveals anything about the house that you are not pleased with, you can attempt to renegotiate with the seller or you can withdraw from the purchase and have all deposits returned to you. Financing You will apply for your mortgage. The bank processes your loan application. In addition to making sure that you are a good risk for a mortgage, they must determine that the house is a good risk. This means having an appraiser verify that the house is worth what you and the sellers have agreed upon. The process of approving and then writing a mortgage generally takes about four to six weeks. Attorney Lieberman of Norwottuck Realty Company has extensive knowledge of all aspects associated with mortgage financing and can assist its customers in determining their best financing option. Title Examination Attorney Lieberman will review the title to determine if the property is free and clear of liens and encumbrances. Closing Attorney Lieberman will attend the closing and review all paperwork the Buyer is required to sign. Title insurance is required by all lenders for the full amount of the mortgage to protect the bank against title defects. The buyer can also purchase an owner’s title insurance policy to protect the full value of their home. Attorney Lieberman will arrange for the purchase of title insurance. The bank and Attorney Lieberman will release the funds to the sellers, and when you're done at the bank, you are a homeowner! These things happen more or less simultaneously. Don't worry! Norwottuck Realty Company will be there to help! Normal Buyer’s expenses include: attorney's fee, including negotiations, drafting documents (INCLUDED IN COMMISSION) cost of the title examination (INCLUDED IN COMMISSION) recording fees for deed, mortgage, and municipal lien certificate miscellaneous expenses, such as certificate of municipal liens, plot plan, title insurance, bank application fee, points and other finance charges, if any of these are required Top TAX CONSIDERATIONS / DEDUCTIONS You may or may not have realized that some of your moving expenses may be tax deductible. Cost containment is important to prioritize when relocating, so any amount of money you can legitimately count as a tax write-off is worth the time to inform yourself of what is possible. For your convenience, we have placed the information and actual IRS forms on our website for easy downloading. You can read them online, print them, and use them as you wish. Please consult your CPA or tax advisor for more information regarding your specific circumstance. To save the forms to your hard drive, right-click on the links below, and select "Save Target As..." IRS Form 3903 IRS Publication 521 Top MAPS AND GENERAL INFORMATION maps.massgis.state.ma.us/censustown/pages/main.jsp www.mapquest.com www.superpages.com Top AND FINALLY…WELCOME! We hope that you find the Norwottuck Realty Relocation Services Guide helpful, and we hope we are given the opportunity and privilege to serve you as your Pioneer Valley realtors for your upcoming move/transfer, and in the future. Most importantly though, we hope you fall in love, as we have, with this beautiful, peaceful, dynamic and vibrant region of New England that is now your home. There is so much here waiting for you, we are anxious to share our joy and expertise with you. Travel safe! Sincerely, Ken Lieberman, President Norwottuck Realty Company 381 College Street Amherst, MA 01002 Ph: 413-259-1100 Fx: 413-259-1101 Cel: 413-687-4520 Email: info@norwottuckrealty.com Web: www.norwottuckrealty.com Top