Especially when buyers are looking for homes from a distance, there are always times when it may not be possible to view homes in person. You can still do a lot to find a home in the Berkshires by exploring the region using online tools.
1. Tour the Neighborhood Online
Google Maps Street View gives you a way to tour a neighborhood without getting in your car. When you go to Google Maps and enter an address, select Street View to get a virtual tour of all the streets where the Google Street View camera car has taken photos. These high-res images let you take your own virtual drive through the neighborhood. You can zoom in on images for an up-close look or digitally travel through a downtown area or navigate where the Google Street View camera car has driven.
2. Visit Cultural Amenities Online
From botanical gardens to theaters to restaurants, the Berkshires teems with cultural amenities that enhance quality of life for residents and visitors. When you can’t explore places in person—say, if you’re looking for a second home and you live in Boston—look for a digital way instead. For example, you can take a virtual tour of the Mahaiwe Peforming Arts Center in Great Barrington or explore the website for the Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge.
3. Investigate City and Town Websites
You can learn a lot about a Berkshire community by looking at the official government website for the town or city. Every town and city in the Berkshire County, whether large or small, has an official website that provides essential information about town services, departments, elected officials, and local government initiatives and programs. As you look for a home in the Berkshires, you’ll need to find out about everything from recycling to the property tax rate. Whether you can visit a home in person or not, it’s always a good practice to explore the official town, city, or county website.
4. Explore the Berkshires Official Travel Website
Of course, the Berkshires official travel website is aimed at visitors and tourists. When you’re looking for homes in the Berkshires, however, this site provides an excellent resource for exploring the region. This comprehensive site covers just about any outdoor activity you can do in the Berkshires. You can explore the region’s orchards, farms, and wineries as well as Berkshire arts and cultural offerings.
