Flood insurance is extended. Lots of opportunities in commercial investment in smaller markets. Home sales slow as inventories remain a problem. More agents are in the business. Fewer international investors are buying U.S. homes. The upcoming iOi Summit promises competitive advantage.  Watch the video below for a quick explanation of each of these issues:

The second quarter MarketWatch report has been released.  Berkshire Board of REALTORS CEO, Sandy Carroll, provides a quick overview in this short video:     View here to see the report in its entirety.

NAR’s Voice for Real Estate Update:  Competition in residential real estate has never been greater, speakers at a federal panel on the issue said. The video covers that as well as the impact of the bank deregulation bill enacted into law last month and how stepped-up ethics enforcement will affect members. Also covered are home …

There is good news to be found in the Berkshire County Real Estate 2018 1st Quarter Market Watch.  First quarter real estate sales were up 18% in the dollar volume of sales transacted, compared to the first quarter of last year. Realtor-assisted sales generated over $80 million dollars in the first quarter of 2018, compared …

Get Ready – We’ve got an AWESOME event in the works… we are still working on the details, but we want you to save the date now for SEPTEMBER 20^th!  We are happy to share that have planned a major Berkshire Realtors’ 2018 Housing Summit at the Colonial Theater in Pittsfield to offer an opportunity for legislators, town leaders, housing practitioners and the general public to get the latest information on our market, exchange ideas to overcome challenges and build relationships to support a healthy housing market and ultimately a healthy Berkshire economy.

We are still in the planning stages for the detailed agenda but are hoping to secure an AMAZING keynote speaker for this event.  It’s important now, because we know that every successful region has dynamic and diverse neighborhoods with a mix of housing opportunities, legislation that supports a well-balanced housing market, and protection of private property rights for all.  And we need to work together with committed individuals at this crossroad.  Our Housing Summit will:

• Update and inform the housing community about the current housing state of affairs;
• Engage participants with different viewpoints in positive conversations;
• Provide targeted information on barriers to housing production or housing in general;
• Advise policy makers and housing providers about necessary local changes; and
• Promote opportunities for action to help our Berkshire housing market.

Community Stakeholders to Be Invited:

• Legislators on the local, state and national levels.
• MA Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, MA Office of HUD
• Town Managers, Councils, and Local Housing Authorities and Trusts
• Regional Housing Authorities, Boards and Associations.
• Massachusetts Association of REALTORS, MassHousing, MA Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association’s
• Real Estate Professionals, Area Builders & Lenders and Interested Members of the General Public

If you have suggestions or input, please send Sandy@BerkshireRealtors.org a message and she will make sure the Government Affairs or Leadership working on the details see it!

Do you have a First Time Home Buyer who is thinking about purchasing a home with a special First Time Home Buyer Mortgage who still needs to attend the required First Time Home Buyer Education course?  Berkshire Fund, Inc is offering a First Time Home Buyer Workshop to introduce buyers to the home buying process. …

Staff has updated the 2018 property tax rates for cities and towns in Berkshire County.  A quick reference copy and historical rates can be found on our Property Tax Page).  FYI, as noted, Otis and Peru don’t have their rate approved yet. You can also download the 2018 Property Tax Rates PDF now.

There is good news to be found in the Berkshire County Real Estate 2017 Year End Market Watch Report. Year-to-date sales reflect positive market momentum. The dollar volume of real estate sales is up 13% and the number of transactions sold is up 8%. The number of residential homes, multi-family homes, land parcels, condos and …

The third quarter market watch hit a few snags, so we’re hoping to bounce back with a timely year end review… and reporting of sales is the most important step.  Please get a jump start before turning off for the holiday and report anything through to the end of the year – Thank you!

The National Association of REALTORS published an article last week in which experts got together to discuss the challenges to home ownership and some bright spots, as well.  Click to read the article in its entirety.