Western Massachusetts Repeat Home Buyers:

If you are considering making a move to reap the reward of the $6,500 tax credit, working with me can raise your credit up to $7,100! The federal housing tax credit guidelines for existing home owners allows for up to $6,500 for buyers who are under contract to purchase by April 31, 2010 and who close on the property prior to July 1, 2010.

What is the definition of a move-up or repeat home buyer?

The law defines a tax credit qualified move-up home buyer (“long-time resident”) as a person who has owned and resided in the same home for at least five consecutive years of the eight years prior to the purchase date. For married taxpayers, the law tests the homeownership history of both the home buyer and his/her spouse. That is, both spouses must qualify as long-time residents, with at least five years of principal residency for each. Repeat home buyers do not have to purchase a home that is more expensive than their previous home to qualify for the tax credit.

Make your move with me and I can add $600 to the overall credit!

The Park Square Realty Corporate Advantage Program is a one stop shopping system with the extra advantage of a credit at closing...win-win! You will get: A personal home buying consultant. Realtor/real estate agent Lesley Lambert A personal home mortgage consultant ... our in-house Wells Fargo representative A personal attorney chosen from our list of partners A credit at closing! Whether you are a home buyer who is moving up or moving down, these credits are available to you through April 30, 2010. Don't lose out on this opportunity....the clock is running down! Western Massachusetts home buyers, contact Lesley Lambert at Park Square Realty in Westfield, MA

Whether you are selling your home this winter or not it is important that you take a few minutes to perform some seasonal maintenance.  Winters in Western Massachusetts and other cold climates can do damage to property that hasn't been looked after.

These ten tips will ensure that your home stays in tip top shape!

#1- Safety First!  Check that your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors have batteries and are functioning properly.

#2- It's f-f-freezing!  Insulate pipes in basements, crawl spaces and attics. These exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. Remember: the more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.

#3- Have you changed your furnace filter?  If you have a forced warm air system, you need to either upgrade to a high grade filter that is intended for several months, or change the filter every month or two.  A clogged filter will reduce your furnace efficiency and can even prevent it from working at all!

#4- If your heating system has a whole house humidifier, it should be cleaned regularly.  Mold and bacteria can build up in there and will be pushed out in the air by the furnace.

#5-  Firewood should never be kept against a home.  It is a fire hazard and also attracts infesting bugs, which will make for long term problems.

#6- Put stormwindows on to save on heating costs.  Keep warm air in and cold out!

#7-  The dryer needs some attention, too!  Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper and space under the dryer

#8- Check that the weather stripping around doors is intact, and not brittle. Replace if necessary.

#9-  Check electric outlets for drafts.  If you feel cold air purchase foam insulation kits that are installed between the wall and the plate.

#10- Prepare for Blackouts - winter brings heavy snow that can knock out power and telephone lines, so be prepared. Stock up on emergency items such as candles, flashlights, batteries, etc. Have these items where they can easily be accessible.

 

 

With a few little tasks you can ensure the value, warmth and safety of your home are kept at a premium!

APRIL 30, 2010

That is when the home buyer tax credit expires.  No kidding.  No rumors of extensions.

GONE.

If you are a first time homebuyer, you must close on your new home by April 30, 2010 to collect up to $8,000 in tax benefits.

Other buyers who may qualify for the "Step Up" Home buyer credit must be in contract by April 30, 2010 with a closing no later than July 1, 2010 to collect up to $6,500.  My blog post on the tax credit extension has a complete guideline for your review.

 

Flash-Toys

The clock is running out on your chance to buy a new home while the prices are at historic lows, the rates are still very good

AND you will get a tax credit!

 

 

Don't delay: make an appointment to see this well maintained, updated ranch in desirable Shaker Heights, Westfield, MA! Recently updated kitchen with lovely cabinets and solid countertops, updated bath, refinished wood floors, fireplace, finished basement, inground pool and so much more!

For more information you can: Text 287FALLEY to 368266

The rush of the holidays is over and the real estate market is heating up.  Buyers are contacting me daily and the energy in the Western Massachusetts housing market is GOOD!  What a difference a year makes: this time last year was the slowest I have ever been in real estate....I am glad things are moving in a positive direction for all of us!

The revised tax credit is part of what is stimulating buyers to get motivated early on in the year. 

I wanted to take a moment to make sure that you have current and accurate information about the new Home Buyer Tax Credit.

I always love working with first time home buyers.  There is a blush to the whole process, an excitement and energy that you don't get with anyone except people buying their first home. 

With the tax credits being offered, many people are taking advantage of the timing and credits to get into a new home and it has been my honor to help many of them purchase homes in Westfield, Holyoke, Springfield and surrounding communities. 

Below is a slide show of my most recent buyers who purchased a lovely home in Holyoke.  The transaction was very nice and the seller even threw them a party prior to the closing so that they could meet all of the neighbors and see pictures of the home over the years.  In all my years selling real estate I have never seen this done:  it was simply lovely.

There are many people hoping to take advantage of the first time and step up buyer tax credit extensions, I can help you be in your new home before the credit expires!

I am so appreciative of the people who choose me to help them buy and sell their homes. 

 

 

This blog is an homage to my mom: Sheila Ryan Weber, the best REALTOR ever. 

My mom started her real estate career in about 1982 in Western Massachusetts after being an X-ray technician and then wedding consultant for years.  The reason for real estate?  My sister and I were competitive dancers and she needed to find a way to fund our expensive hobby.  A good friend of hers ran a real estate office and convinced my mom that she would be a natural for the business. That is the kind of lady she is: my sister and I had a need and she was going to figure out a solution.

Fast forward a few years and mom is a top selling agent....fast forward a few more and she is managing an office....fast forward a few more years and mom owns her own office...fast forward a few more years and I am managing her office.  Thus, my career was born.

Now, to be truthful, because my mom will tell on me if I am not: I never wanted to be a real estate agent.  In fact, I think when I was young it was my #1 on the DON'T list. So mom and I busted our bums to put me through college and get an English Degree with a PR/Communications specialty.  But life is funny and things really do work out for all the right reasons and now I can't imagine working that corporate desk job I once thought would be better.

Today I recieved my award for 20 years as  REALTOR in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts.  I am very proud of this span and proud of all of my accomplishments in the field.

My mom is retired now (and deservedly so), but a day like today can't help but spark so many memories of our time together in the field.  So for my mom, in honor of my two decades as a real estate professional in Western Massachusetts, here is my top ten reasons (in no particular order) why I love real estate:

#1-flexibility

#2- variety...I love helping people and the one thing that is for certain is it is never the same day twice.

#3- ability to help others

#4- multiple opportunities within the field

I have worked in almost every capacity in the field over the last two decades. I have been an agent, publicist, manager, trainer, speaker, TV host, office coordinator, writer, home retention specialist and social media teacher in the real estate industry. This variety sure does make the years fly by and also makes me a very well rounded real estate professional.

#5- control over my career...OK, it has it's days, but this job is never dull.

#6- meeting new people & helping them

#7- perfect job for a mom

#8- utilizes my diverse skill base

#9- family tradition/pride

#10- exciting

Here I am getting my 20 year pin as I am in my 21st year of real estate and I owe it all to my mom.

 

THANKS MOM!

 

Recently a client hired me to help her with selling her home as a short sale and in our discussions she revealed to me that several other agents were unwilling (or unable) to help her.  I wrote a blog expressing my dismay that instead of referring her to someone who would help, they simply said "I don't do short sales".

This was frustrating for this client, but it brought to my attention the fact that most real estate agents either do not understand the short sale process or are completely negative about working on them.  I was stunned enough to write this short sale help blog.

I won't fluff on this: short sales ARE hard. 

That being said, they are also a reality of this real estate market and working with homeowners to successfully close a short sale makes me feel fulfilled in helping the economic recovery, even if it is just one Western Massachusetts house at a time.

If you are in a situation that you think a short sale is the best option to solve there are a few things to keep in mind:

#1- Sadly most lenders will not start a short sale packet until you are behind in at least one payment. 

#2- You MUST be open and upfront with your real estate agent about the situation and the status of your mortgage.  If you are days away from foreclosure it will be a much different job than when you are behind one or two months mortgage payments.

#3- Communicate with your lender.  Answer their calls (I know that is one of hardest things) and keep them up to date with what you are doing.

#4- Hire an agent with the experience, empathy and determination required to work a successful short sale.

#5- Remember that all short sales are different.  There is no rule book or standard: each home is handled on a case by case basis.

There are many reasons that people in Western Massachusetts land in a distressed home sale position. Not the least of these are divorce, death or changes in income. There is no reason for home owners to feel that they are alone, there is help out there. For the full story on why I am empathetic with homeowners in a distressed sale position read my blog about my own home selling experience.

If you are a buyer then there is a different set of issues.  The appeal of a short sale or foreclosure property is usually price. The buyer needs to remember that there is a different cost involved in buying these types of home:  time.  It will often take double the time to close a short sale or foreclosure that it does a traditional home sale.  There are also many agents out there that don't want the homebuyer to look at short sales or foreclosures because they don't want to take on the extra work and risk involved in these sales.  I look at these sales as a perfect facilitation and another way that real estate agents can help the economy.

Sometimes the biggest concern for buyers is the fact that these homes are listed in "as is" condition. For more information on whether "as-is" really means "as-is" in a foreclosure purchase see this blog I wrote for people buying a foreclosure home.

If you are looking at a short sale home as a buyer, things may be getting a bit easier in the future.  We real estate professionals are hopeful that the government and lenders are able to come up with a way to make it easier to buy a short sale home.

My point is that there is a place for short sales as both sellers and buyers and that there are realtors out there that are willing and able to help.  If you are looking to sell your Western Massachusetts home and need short sales advice please do not hesitate to contact me for a confidential and totally obligation free consultation.  I will review your situation and try to help you organize a game plan to solve your situation. 

If you are a buyer looking at foreclosures and short sales as a way to get into a home for less money then I would love to do a free home buyer consultation with you to discuss your goals and how we can best approach buying your new home.

I am here for you.

 

Interesting Western Massachusetts Quadrant Statistic... Over the past 12 months, out of all companies, Park Square Realty has the highest priced listing sold in both Westfield and Southwick.

Westfield - 29 Camelot Lane $ 685,000 Lesley Lambert (Westfield Office)

Southwick - 29 Ranch Club Drive $ 760,000 Gail Butler (Westfield Office)

Of COURSE I am thrilled to have this Westfield sale, but the reason wasn't because of the sale price.  I loved selling this home because it was the home of a best friend of mine who has bought and sold every piece of real estate over the last two decades with my mother (mentor/retired broker) and myself.

This sale was a testament to a few things in my mind:

#1- the power of working with people you know and trust.  She trusts my real estate advice without fail and we have had many successful moves together.

#2- the importance of being in touch with your sphere and being available to them as an agent.  The first home she bought would have fit six times into the sale listed above.  We built equity together.  My focus has never been on the price of what she is buying or selling, but rather expressing gratitude for her repeat loyalty.

#3- the need for professionalism.  When she and I are together we are as close as family and very relaxed.  When I am her REALTOR the relationship is different.  I am professional and hard working and treat her with the special level respect that clients deserve.

Over the last two decades I have heard agent after agent express that they dislike working with friends and family because of the stress involved.  While I will admit that I have had stressful moments in some of these situations, most of the time everything goes great because I keep the above three things in mind.

I am so grateful to this friend for both her lifelong friendship and her loyalty to me as her REALTOR.  I hope to never lose sight of the importance of caring for my friends, family and clients in the appropriate way...it has served me well this far. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I make it no secret that I am a huge fan of Western Massachusetts.  I have lived here my entire life and have no plans on leaving.  My work as a REALTOR takes me all over the Pioneer Valley and there are so many beautiful and wonderful places and things to do here!

I am grateful for a number of reasons, including:

#1- the changing beauty.  I love the seasons here and how pretty is is in different ways at different times of year.

#2- the proximity.  I love that I can get to Boston in two hours or New York City in three.  We can be at the mountains or the beach in an hour or so. 

#3- the affordable and safe lifestyle.

#4- the people!!!

Thanksgiving got me to thinking about why I am thankful to be here and now I would love for you to tell me: