lesley lambert: Good News for Homeowners in Westfield, MA! - 11/18/08 10:07 AM
 

As I meet with clients these days the #1 question is "What about all the news about the plummeting home values?"  It is with pleasure and certainty that I am able to reassure people with real estate in Westfield, MA that the news isn't as bad for us as it is for people in other areas of the country.
Here are the stats:
Westfield, MA Average Sales Price in 2008 = $225,560
Westfield, MA Average Sales Price in 2005 = $241,015
Percentage of downward change from 2005 to 2008 = 6.4%
That's right...while other areas in our country are suffering … (0 comments)

lesley lambert: Standing Out In the Crowd and Giving Thanks! - 11/18/08 08:43 AM
I have been searching for a memorable way to contact my sphere of influence here in Westfield, MA  and current clients for a few weeks now.  I wanted to make a gesture that would stand out from the crowd (and all of the other real estate agents)  and let them know that I was thinking of them and am grateful for their business and friendship.
After much consideration, I decided that I would skip the Holiday/Christmas card mailing this year and instead I would send Thanksgiving cards.
I ordered this cute card:

from www.123print.com and had it personalized "With gratitude … (2 comments)

lesley lambert: Merchant Circle.com gave me a bump on Google! - 11/17/08 09:59 AM

I have recently been doing a lot of research and testing with SEO and trying to gain ownership of area search phrases, such as "realtor, Westfield, MA"   I am a total newbie, but I have been spending a lot of time educating myself here on activerain. 
While searching for my company's name, Park Square Realty, I came across www.merchantcircle.com and decided to try adding myself to their directory. 
I created a profile for myself in Westfield, Massachusetts and within one day I had another listing on the first page of google...too easy!
Visit my profile to see how it works...we can add … (40 comments)

lesley lambert: Did Your House Fail To Sell? Expired Listing Rejuvenation! - 11/13/08 12:40 PM
Is this the sign that you want buyers to see? 
If your listing has expired with one or more REALTORS and you still want or need to sell then you need to be very careful with your next agent or the impression that the public will get is just that....STILL for sale.  Long term listings can cause a property to have a stigma within the public eye, one that can keep the right buyer from even looking at the home.
So, how do you choose the right agent to take your move to the finish line?  Here are a few suggestions:
… (18 comments)

lesley lambert: Now isn't so bad. I mean it... - 10/29/08 10:21 PM
I have worked in real estate for a long time.  When I began my career "Wham" was still a band and not the sound of the market falling and I could still afford a 2 coffee a day habit.  Twenty years ago when I started in real estate the business was different and so was I...way, way different.
Well, as the saying goes, that was then and THIS is now.  I am going to say something that you won't believe.  You will think I am making this stuff up, but...I will say it anyways because I am a brassy girl with … (1 comments)

lesley lambert: Consistency: Park Square Realty, Westfield, MA #1! - 10/29/08 09:49 AM


CONSISTENCY   (5 Years)   #1 for LISTINGS SOLD 
   2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 Combined   
 West Springfield, Agawam/Feeding Hills, Southwick & Westfield  

This is why I work with Park Square Realty....RESULTS! 
If you want results, call Lesley Lambert, The Real Estate Natural at  413-575-3611  or visit www.therealestatenatural.com
… (0 comments)

lesley lambert: Stony Hill Condos, 419 Southwick Rd, Westfield, MA Sales Report - 10/08/08 09:57 AM


STONY HILL CONDOMINIUMS, WESTFIELD, MA  
  I thought you might be curious to know what the market activity has been in our development over the past year. If you or someone you know is thinking of making a move, I can provide the professional help needed.  Just call 575-3611.
The following report will show you all of the activity since October 2007.
 
The information in this listing was gathered from third party sources including the seller and public records. MLS Property Information Network and its subscribers disclaim any and all representations or warranties as to the accuracy … (0 comments)

lesley lambert: Westfield, Agawam, West Springfield and Southwick, MA Property Sales Report - 10/07/08 08:14 PM
Here is some very interesting research about this quadrant in Western Massachusetts.  This shows the trend in sales over the last decade.  The best part about this report is that it demonstrates that this area has been sheltered from the huge downward adjustment in home values that other areas have experienced. 
Yes, the market has changed dramatically since the peak in 2005, but the biggest difference is how many houses are being sold, not the actual values.  Great news for people in W. MA who have some equity in their homes!

… (2 comments)

lesley lambert: Paint it and Pack it Up! One REALTOR'S advice on getting your home SOLD! - 10/02/08 01:07 PM
I am just back from a series of three broker's open houses.  Each REALTOR was looking for us to send honest feedback to their motivated homeowner.  For two out of three of the homes, the feedback was the same:  clean it up!


 
Even after 20 years in real estate, I am still surprised at how many REALTORS and homeowners do not take the initiative to stage the home for sale.  Here is what I tell my homeowners:
1- You are moving anyways, so start packing EVERYTHING you don't use on a day to day basis.  Then tuck away … (2 comments)

lesley lambert: REO/BPO/CMA/MLS/CRS/UAG/PCG....WTF, Translation PLEASE! - 10/01/08 12:44 PM
I have just taken steps to re-enter the world of REO and BPO work.  I was having a discussion with a friend, filling her in on my newest ventures and she stopped me with, "Hold on!  I am feeling like you speak a foreign language...what the heck are you saying?"

This market has brought our business to the foreground of the media and I think we often take for granted that "laymen" understand our lingo.  We abbreviate everything and as my friend pointed out to me, sometimes we are speaking jibberish to the normal person. 
In the effort to clear … (0 comments)

lesley lambert: My new website! - 09/04/08 08:45 PM
Well, I think it came out well and I am excited to start advertising and sharing! 
Please visit www.therealestatenatural.com
I used www.point2agent.com and my only issue is that I need to make my logo larger and can't find a way to do so. 
Let me know your feedback, suggestions and flat out free advice, I am open for business!


… (2 comments)

lesley lambert: Antique Afficionadoes, Flea Market Fans & Junkers Unite! - 09/03/08 01:15 PM
Brimfield Fair Hits Town September 3-7, 2008

Be sure to set aside some time to drive to Brimfield and scour the territory for your favorite knick knacks, furniture or garden pieces.  This show is world reknown as being THE place to find unique and well-priced antique pieces. 
I have been attending regularly for years and have purchased all types of things including: vintage clothing, a marble topped bureau that I turned into a bathroom sink, a wrought iron garden arbor, loads of small collectibles! 
Some advice if you have never attended:  wear sneakers (dusty, rocky paths), bring a wagon or … (1 comments)

lesley lambert: Thank You W. MA Real Estate Attorney Nyles Courchesne! - 09/02/08 12:51 PM
 Thank you to AR Member, Attorney Nyles Courchesne
http://activerain.com/nyleslaw

If you are looking for a real estate attorney in the Western Massachusetts area, look no further!  I have used Atty. Courchesne for several personal transactions over the last year, as well as referring clients and he is unfailingly professional. 
My last personal transaction was the very difficult purchase of my condominium.  It was filled with snags, right up until the last moment prior to close, but Nyles and his paralegal team never lost their composure and brought me to a successful closing.
Nyles, I hope you see this because I … (3 comments)

lesley lambert: 433 Holyoke Road, Westfield, MA 01085 - 08/29/08 08:30 AM
MLS #70809637
433 Holyoke Road, Westfield, MA 01085
$174,500

Surrounded by protected land, this private country home is updated and affordable! Newer roof, replacement windows, septic. Bedrooms are a good size. Kitchen, bath and enclosed porch recently refreshed, some new flooring - neutral bright decor. Great storage, convenient location - super value!
Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=433+Holyoke+Westfield+MA+01085
Full listing: http://www.parksquarerealty.com/listings_ps.html
Call Lesley Lambert at Park Square Realty  413-575-3611 
… (3 comments)

lesley lambert: Logoease....Really Easy and Really FREE! - 07/10/08 06:28 AM
***thanks to Tasia Fauntleroy for her post which included a tip to this site, see her blog at: http://activerain.com/blogsview/581862/Free-That-s-the***
So on the advice of  fellow ActiveRainer, I went to several freebie sites to see what they had to offer.  Since joining AR, the freebies have been one of my favorite things to share and learn about.  I have been an internet freebie Queen since 1990! 
The site that I played with last night was www.logoease.com  It is a site that allows you to create your own logos FOR FREE!  Here is mine:

It was a ton of fun to mess … (14 comments)

lesley lambert: Thank You Gift Idea for Clients, Not Free But Affordable! - 07/09/08 10:57 PM
I have been using VistaPrint for years for business cards, but recently they added a lot of new products and I decided to give them a try.  I started by designing a T-shirt that I bring to my new listings as a thank you gift. 

I leave that at the house along with the feature sheets, a stack of cards and a post-it notes:

I also had a baseball cap made up, which I intended to wear myself, but the first day I had it on one of my best friends snatched it from me and I won't ever … (18 comments)

lesley lambert: American Lifstyle Magazine....Just Joined Up, Anyone Tried This? - 07/03/08 09:47 AM

My business partner, Jeremie and I just joined this marketing company to send free subscriptions of this magazine to our clients and business partners.  While not free to us, it seems like a nice way of keeping your information in front of people in a low key and accessible way.
I like the look of the magazine and think it is the type of publication that people would keep on their coffee table, etc.  I also like the idea that once you have created your list of contacts, you "own" them and a competitor cannot send to the same company/person/location.
… (0 comments)

lesley lambert: Twitter, Plurk, Utterz, Ping.fm Holy Networking Batman! - 06/30/08 10:55 AM
So, I find Active Rain and I make a slow start here.  Then Active Rain sends me running all over the internet researching, learning, creating.  I think I am getting along just fine, then I learn about Twitter.  Once again, I make a slow start there and don't really know what I am doing, but keep doing it anyways.  Now I am let to all of these other options, and I am here to confess MY TOTAL CONFUSION!
 
Ok, so is there anywhere that I can post that will go all of these places?  Is that what Ping.fm does?  I … (10 comments)

lesley lambert: Grandmothers' Garden Annual Garden Tour, Westfield, MA - 06/27/08 10:34 AM

Westfield, MA is the home of this downtown gem of a historic garden.  Restored through the fundraising, hard work and dedication of concerned citizens (like myself), the garden is a joy.  For more information on the history of the garden click here: http://www.grandmothersgarden.org/history.htm
As a continuing fundraising effort the Friends of Grandmothers' Garden hosts an annual garden tour which is always a huge hit. Be certain to save some time to enjoy all of these lovely gardens!

The Tenth Annual Grandmothers' Garden Tour will be held Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29, 2008. This year's tour, "Garden Treasures",A 10th … (1 comments)

lesley lambert: Cell Signs Marketing Listings to the Smart Phone User - 06/27/08 10:05 AM

I found this company through Active Rain and did some research then decided to try them out.  You add a sign rider with texting information and when a potential buyer texts they can request a showing, request a phone call, view interior photos and even have a feature sheet emailed to them.
Once a buyer has used the system, you get a message with their information.  There is also a nice report for each property on their website. 
I don't have any hard statistics on this, yet, because it is so new for me, but I think it could be … (6 comments)