Harsch Associates Launches Interactive Web Site

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Harsch Associates has completed the launch of a third-generation Web site featuring user-friendly features such as Google mapping, free registration to access all listings, a separate rental section, a blog on current topics of interest and its latest innovation, live videos and slideshows.

The www.harschrealestate.com has been receiving more than 4,000 hits a month, said Paul Harsch.

"We've had tremendous response from our newest venture, the live videos," said Harsch. "Our sellers are really pleased and we have had other inquiries from potential sellers who have heard about our new program. People realize the tremendous impact the Internet has had on our lives in every respect and real estate has been a chief beneficiary."

There are four properties currently featured with videos; a fifth sold within the first few weeks and more are in process.

"We now have almost 300 registered members to our site who receive instant notification of new listings meeting their search criteria," said Harsch. "And our first four live videos have had over 500 viewings in just the first two months of being live."

He continued, "Sellers want and need their properties marketed in the most effective, comprehensive and creative means possible and that's precisely why we invested so much into upgrading and maintaining what some have told us is the best Web site they have seen in the Berkshires and in many other regions too.” 

The Harsch Associates says the site is easy to use and the agency has a firm no-contact policy for those who register unless they request a contact.

"Our desire and goal is to be there with vital information useful to the public," said Harsch. "In this day and age of information offered conveniently and quickly, we hope to have added some valuable pieces of the puzzle for our real estate clients and friends." 

Besides the Web site, Harsch Associates has added a new billboard at the entrance to Stop & Shop and launched a direct-mail campaign.

Carolyn Umlauf, a top associate with Harsch said, "We believe that in this very challenging market, a proactive Realtor has a duty to his or her clients to use all reasonable means possible to effectively draw traffic and interest to their inventory."

That will lead to quicker sales at better prices, said Umlauf. "I am grateful to be associated with the Harsch firm because of the commitment here to spare no expense in doing the best we can for our clients." 

For further information, contact Harsch Associates at 1-413-458-5000.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Williamstown Planning Board Narrowing in on Subdivision Bylaw Changes

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Planning Board late last month discussed specific features of what it plans to pass as a new subdivision control bylaw this year.
 
The board long has discussed the complex set of regulations as being out of date and cumbersome to both potential developers and the board itself, which has needed to hear requests for waivers of outdated rules for the handful of residential subdivisions that have been proposed in town in recent years.
 
This spring, the town engaged consultants from Northampton's Dodson and Flinker Landscape Architecture and Planning to go through the existing bylaw, compare it to more contemporary regulations in other communities and help craft a revised bylaw.
 
Unlike the zoning bylaw, where amendments require approval of town meeting, the subdivision control bylaw is a creation of the Planning Board, which can make changes on its own after a public hearing process it hopes to complete this year.
 
At a special Planning Board meeting on May 26, Dillon Sussman of Dodson and Flinker and his colleagues walked the board through a dozen different decision points that the board must resolve — either by leaving the bylaw as is or making a change — and offered suggestions based on best practices.
 
All of the issues are technical and ranged from the fundamental, like how the bylaw will define types of subdivisions, to the highly specific, like what turning radii will be required in new streets that are constructed to serve planned developments.
 
One example of a topic that came up in the recent approval of a four-home subdivision off Summer Street is stormwater management.
 
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