Page 7 - BusinessWest January 24, 2022

of revenue, or more, having employees work from home?’” As a result, buyers have flocked to Western Mass. — and
other attractive regions of the U.S. when it comes to quality of life — and the existing housing stock is not sufficient to meet demand.
“We see a lot of people moving here from all over — from
Amy (left) and Nancy Hamel say they’ve never seen home prices where they are now, sometimes selling close to $100,000 over the asking price.
New York, or from out west, Arizona, New Mexico. People are picking a place on a map, and Amherst is definitely a top place for people to come to,” she explained. “So prices are going up more than I could have ever imagined. Money is coming in from all over the place.”
“When it comes from high-home-value regions like Cali- fornia, where a half-million doesn’t seem as expensive for a home, that drives up prices for locals, for whom that is an intimidating chunk of change,” Amy said. “What they’re pay-
“A lot of people are saying it’s been the best year for Realtors. Not really, unless you’re a top listing agent. Working on the buying-agent side has been very frustrating.”
ing beyond the asking price is unlike anything I’ve seen in my 15 years.
“A lot of people are saying it’s been the best year for Real- tors,” she went on. “Not really, unless you’re a top listing agent. Working on the buying-agent side has been very frustrating. I’ve had a lot of buyers put in many, many different offers before they found something, and still I have a lot of buyers laboring because they’re being outbid. And it’s not like they haven’t put in strong offers.”
Nancy noted that her daughter lost out on $14 million in offers last year. “She just got outbid — by people with cash, people offering $50,000 over asking price and still not getting it.”
She took one buyer from California on a virtual tour over FaceTime, who made an offer immediately, and well over ask-
BUSINESS TRANSITIONS:
SUCCESSION PLANNING AND EXIT STRATEGIES
Bulkley Richardson invites you to a series of webinars focused on business transitions with an in-depth look at your options. Every successful business owner will eventually transition
to new ownership. Join our attorneys who have guided hundreds of clients through these transitions, along with an insider’s perspective from local business owners.
Session 1 – Sale to Third Party – February 1 Session 2 – Sale to ESOP – March 3
Session 3 – Family Succession Planning – April 5 Session 4 – Preparing for a Transition – May 3
All sessions will be held at 12pm via Zoom and registration is required.
Visit Bulkley.com/exit-strategies to register. ATTORNEYS AT LAW
BETTER REPRESENTATION
Welcome them back to...
Better Than Ever.
We offer fully customized and transformative:
Show your employees and customers that you’re back to business with a new, fresh, clean and brand-centric environment.
Architectural & Window Films • Wall Coverings Feature Walls • Dimensional Logos & Icons Architectural Signage
31 Benton Drive • East Longmeadow, MA • 413.525.2244 • gographix.com
BusinessWest FEATURE JANUARY 24, 2022 7