Page 8 - BusinessWest February 3, 2021

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Lesley Lambert (center, celebrating another sale) says prime properties can get dozens of offers quickly — and over the asking price.
Escaping the City
The lifestyle shifts driven by the pandemic aren’t the only factor driving demand, Vital-Basile said, noting that interest rates are still at historic lows, creeping below 3%.
“The rates are so low that a lot of people are realizing it’s much cheaper than renting,” she told BusinessWest, adding that sellers from the Hub find they can get much more living space for their money in the Pioneer Valley.
“We’ve had a lot of buyers from Boston. My last three sales were from Boston — cash buyers. A lot of people are realizing they don’t have to work at their company’s location any longer; a lot of compa- nies are letting them work from home. And this is a cheaper area — instead of a little condo for $700,000, you can get a good-sized house for $700,000.”
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Zeamer said she’s also seeing an increased desire for multi-gener- ational living experiences, which typically require a larger home than the buyer currently occupies. “They
might have older parents or grown
children, and they need more living space or in-law apartments.”
“People are working from home, and they’re realizing their home doesn’t work for their life .
But the main driver for more space
is simply the fact that families are
spending much more time at home.
“Because of the pandemic, they want
more space, and different types of
space,” Zeamer said. “Some people are
moving because they feel cooped up
in their existing homes; it’s too tight
with the kids being home and partners working remotely from home.”
”
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The pandemic has also generated a desire in some people to live more sustainably — to grow more food at home, for example, instead of relying totally on grocery stores, she noted. “They want to have a nice garden, and they’re thinking more about providing their own food sources.
“And I do think people are looking for more private outdoor space, where they can gather with their people, in their pod, without exposure from the neighbors,” she went on. “A lot of condos are coming on the market, perhaps because people in close living arrangements are look- ing to be more isolated.”
Lambert said the Berkshires and the Northampton/Easthampton area are both notable hotspots right now, but all of Western Mass., much like Cape Cod, is being seen as an attractive alternative to life in a metroplex.
“If they want to get out of their cities, it’s a good time, as a lot of
8 FEBRUARY 3, 2021
FEATURE
BusinessWest