Lynne Blake Named Local Realtor of the Year

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Lynne Blake

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Lynne Blake, of RCI Real Estate in Williamstown and North Adams, has been chosen the 2005 Berkshire County Realtor of the Year.

Blake is being honored for her commitment to civic-minded leadership in both the Realtor organization and in the Berkshire community. Recipients of this award are nominated and selected by Realtor colleagues throughout Berkshire County.

Blake is most recognized among her peers for her commitment to volunteer service in the leadership of the Realtor organization. She has served since 1995 on the Board of Directors, starting her tenure as a Realtor representative for Northern Berkshire, as Northern Berkshire Council President and in varying leadership roles that lead to her election to the 2005 Presidential position.

She has served with distinction on the Multiple Listing Service Board of Directors as well as on the Finance, Professional Standards, Good Neighbor, Community Service, Orientation and Berkshire Newcomer Magazine Committees in the last year alone. Most recently, Blake was appointed to serve as the Berkshire Realtor representative on the Massachusetts Realtors Board of Directors in Boston.

In her service on the state level, Lynne has been active in meeting with Berkshire legislators on Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., advocating for private property rights. Through RCI Real Estate, Blake speaks with high school students about the values of a good financial future, homeownership and the importance of maintaining good credit.

In the Northern Berkshire community, Blake is supporting member of the Friends of North Adams Library and the North Adams Historical Society. She is a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of the USA where she was presented with the "Thanks Badge," the highest award bestowed upon an adult member. She is a member of the Williamstown and Berkshire Chambers of Commerce.

Blake primarily works out of the RCI Real Estate Williamstown branch on Main Street and makes her home in North Adams with her husband, Ed. They have two grown children and one granddaughter.

As the 2005 Berkshire County Realtor of the Year, Blake will now be competing for the Massachusetts Realtor of the Year title at the Massachusetts Awards Ceremony in September. The following Realtor members from Berkshire County have brought home this state award four times since its inception; the late Ester Quinn (1986), Nancy Kalodner (1988), Debbie Dwyer (1998) and Sherry Street (2001).

The Berkshire County Board of Realtor serves more than 500 real estate professionals throughout the county in their mission to fulfill the American dream of homeownership for our citizens. Services include the compilation of property data, advanced education, professional standards services, and legal, environmental and market information. To find out more about the association go to www.BerkshireRealtors.com.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Friday Front Porch Feature: A Cozy Place to Be

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Are you looking for a move-in ready home close to the downtown area? Then this just might be the house you're looking for.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 193 Cold Spring Road.

This 1950 single-family has four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The house is 2,184 square feet on a little less than an acre of land. The price is $469,900.

The house not only comes with a 3.5-car basement garage but also a detached two-car garage with additional storage space above. The house includes the kitchen appliances like the dishwasher, range, and refrigerator, and has a fireplace, screened porch, and back deck. The home is also generator-ready.

We spoke to Suzette Lyons with Burnham and Gold Real Estate, which has the listing.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

Lyons: Location, location, location!! This property is a short distance from downtown Spring Street. It's nestled conveniently away from the road and provides substantial privacy. Plus, the home has a well-maintained exterior and interior.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home? 

What a gem! The workmanship is lovely and shows the home has been loved. There is an abundance of space with four bedrooms for family or work/home office space.

The opportunities are endless.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history? 

The home was built in the mid-1950s by the owner of Yeadon Farm Dairy on the edge of the farm, now the Thornliebank/Buxton Hill neighborhood, with lumber cut from the property.

Along with thick plaster walls and ceilings on the first floor, quality craftsmanship is abundant throughout.

The house has been owned by the same family who built it and the grandson has made every effort to match the original design and style with all of the renovations, including custom-milled natural woodwork for the private second-floor primary bedroom suite. Family pride in ownership is evident in every space of this well-constructed and maintained house now waiting for a new family to call it "home."

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for? 

This home appeals to many buyers. There are four bedrooms sufficient for a full-time family, singles or second homeowners. Opportunity for in-law suite. Also, ample room for a home/office business. Lots of storage space with 3 1/2 garages and additional storage space above the oversized two-car garage.

Are there any standout design features? 

Lots of personal touches with natural woodwork throughout, freshly painted light colors to maximize natural light, new flooring in several rooms. Spacious four-season room for relaxing or home/office use. Also, offers a beautiful primary suite on the second floor.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space? 

A peaceful retreat in the woods. Cozy up to the fireplace on winter nights, enjoy the morning coffee on the back porch or the four-season sunroom. Spend the afternoon gardening in your beautiful yard and connecting with nature. A pet-friendly home offering a fenced yard and durable flooring. A family friendly home directly on the school bus routes.

How would you describe the atmosphere or feel of this home? 

The home has a welcoming feel with natural elements offering a place of comfort and belonging.

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

 
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