My clients, Dan and Ania, had seen a home for sale in Westfield, MA that they offered on, but we couldn’t not come to agreeable terms. After a few days, I heard from Dan who said that he wanted to buy the home, but we had to get it closed in a week because he wanted to surprise his wife on their anniversary which was February 1.

It took a lot of hustling on our part, but we were able to get the home closed in time and then Dan started planning the reveal of the surprise.

Ania had noticed that the property had gone under agreement on the computer and had been commenting about it. In order to get her to the house for the reveal, Dan told her that there was an issue with the deal in place and we had to hurry up and meet to put an offer in. Meanwhile, he spent the day (Ania was at work) moving furniture and personal items so that they could spend that night in their new home.

We arrived early and Dan put up “Happy Anniversary” decorations while his mother, brother and I got our cameras ready to capture the reaction…I will let my video tell you about that part of this story:

A sweet addition to this story is that this home was the home of Albert Ferst, who is well known and loved in Westfield for his philanthropy and sweetness to his wife Amelia. It is a wonderful thing to see another family carry the romantic torch into the next generation of this home’s story.

It was a rare thrill to be part of this sweet home purchase and I wish Dan, Ania and their family many years of happiness in their new home. I am so glad that they let me help them make this dream happen and look forward to seeing them settle into their new home!

As we move into a new year I enjoy taking a look at what happened in the towns of Western MA where I work as a REALTOR.  I especially like finding out what the highest and lowest home sales were in those towns.  I guess I am a woman of extremes!

Today I was taking a peek at my hometown, Southwick, MA 01077.

Here is a glimpse of the lowest home sale in Southwick…a bank owned cottage in the Congamond Lake area needing what appears to be total rehabilitation:

At the other end of the spectrum we have a huge custom Colonial on the grounds of The Ranch Golf course:

If you are a homeowner in Southwick wondering what your home is worth or a home buyer considering making Southwick your hometown, please click the link below or give me a call!

Westfield, MA Homes for Sale Search All Homes For Sale Agawam, MA Homes for Sale West Springfield, MA Homes for Sale Free List of Foreclosed Homes For Sale What is your home worth? Homes Close to Where You Work

Lesley Lambert Park Square Realty 4135753611 realestate.lesleylambert@gmail.com

Live Close to Where You Work! As we become ever more concious of being "green" or "eco-friendly" many of us are trying to shorten our commute.  I, for one, moved closer to where I work years ago and have regained so many hours each week as well as saving gas and the environment!  Moving closer to where you work can reduce your spending, your stress level and your impact on the environment….everyone wins! If you are like me and want to move closer to your job in Western Massachusetts then I can help!

Find Homes In Western MA Close to Where You Work

Westfield, MA Homes for Sale Search All Homes For Sale Agawam, MA Homes for Sale West Springfield, MA Homes for Sale Free List of Foreclosed Homes For Sale What is your home worth? Homes Close to Where You Work Lesley Lambert Park Square Realty 4135753611 realestate.lesleylambert@gmail.com

photo credit

This New Year’s Eve, throw out the Resolution and get on board with ACTION!
Every year we question each other, “Have any resolutions?”. Well…I say resolutions are for sissies and the real stuff gets done when we get off our duffs and leap into action.

I wouldn’t tell you that action is where it is at unless I had an action plan myself. So, I will go first…feel free to share yours with me, also!

• I have already started to get my “files” in order and onto the cloud so that I can be more efficient in more places.
• I love all things online, but I have begun to send good ole fashioned snail mail style notes. If you didn’t get one from me and want one, let me know!
• Real Estate is stressful. I bet your career is, too. About three months ago I began a regular work out regime that is helping me to feel better, look better and reduce my stress!
• I have a new mantra. I want to share it with you: “Any day that I have more than I need, in any way, is a day of abundance.” As a single mom, sometimes I worry about making ends meet, but I do it. I will continue to say this mantra (over and over and over) and want you to remind me if you see me worrying.

Of course, I am also poised to put into action a fabulous marketing plan to get your home sold or light up my negotiating skills to help you buy a home. Maybe it is holiday nostalgia, but I am on an action plan to make 2012 the most outstanding year, yet. Anyone care to join me? After all, ACTION is where it is at and resolutions are for sissies!

Happy New Year from your favorite Western Massachusetts REALTOR,
Lesley

photo credit

I hosted a poll on Facebook to get answers from the crowd as to whether they would sell their home during the holidays and also, whether they preferred simple or elaborate holiday decorations.

The answers were split as to whether they would or would not sell, but the decorations question was a resounding, SIMPLE!

My co-host Nick and I discussed the process of selling your home during the holidays on the most recent edition of TREW (The Real Estate Wrapup):

REALTOR.ORG has a wonderful Field Guide to Selling or Buying a Home During the Holidays with some extensive links to review if you are weighing this option.

Here are my pros and cons to selling your Western Massachusetts home during the holidays:

Pros:
buyers that are looking are motivated
less inventory
Buying is emotional , what better time of year to make people feel special in the home?

Cons:
entertaining schedules and showing schedules
Crowded decor
Snow/rain

If you are looking for some unique decorating ideas for your mantel or staircase there are some wonderful ideas to be found. I really liked the mantel decorations on this site and thought the staircase ideas offered in this video were unique.

Thank you to Marlene Goldstein, Kathy Rocco, Lisa Oden, Christine Pilch Mancini and Diane Guercio for their input to my Facebook poll…you ladies rock!

Here is the article:

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

The economy is creating a strange situation.  On the one hand, people are in tight spaces and are being forced to face reality and leave their homes via distressed sales like a Short Sale or Foreclosure.

On the other hand, home prices in Western Massachusetts have hit what many consider the bottom and interest rates are the lowest we are likely to to see in our lifetime.  This creates a great buying environment, especially for investors and first time buyers.

Here are some interesting facts that were brought up at the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS state conference earlier this fall…

- They just raised the “Right to Cure” in Massachusetts…. It’s a minimum of 150 days before and bank/lender can start foreclosure proceedings… (This is due to the volume of foreclosures)

- 1 out of every 3 properties in Massachusetts are distressed…

- 34% of all sales (2010) were first time home buyers…

- 13% of all sales are short sales …

- 27% of all sales are foreclosed properties.

- 22% of all sales are investment properties.

- 35% of all sales are cash sales.

If you are a homeowner in Western MA that needs help with a distressed sale, I have the experience it takes to get your home sold and help you move on with your life.

If you are a home buyer in Western MA, I can help you to find the best opportunity for you no matter if you are a first time buyer, investment buyer or move up buyer.

Contact me, Lesley Lambert of Park Square Realty at 413-575-3611 or use the contact me button to the left of this post.

Related articles

• Foreclosure Properties for sale in Westfield, MA 01085 (westernmahomes.net)
• Why NOW is the right time to sell your Western MA Home (westernmahomes.net)
• FREE Short Sale Seminar in Western MA (westernmahomes.net)

Image by LesleyLambert via Flickr

Fall & Winter Seasonal Maintenance Guide — Northeast

From HouseLogic By: Karin Beuerlein

If you live in the Northeast, here are maintenance jobs you should complete every fall and winter to prevent costly repairs and keep your home in top condition.

As cold weather approaches in the Northeast, it’s important to prepare your home for freezing temperatures, ice, and snow, says Steve Gladstone of Stonehollow Home Inspections in Stamford, Conn.

Key maintenance tasks to perform

• Clean your gutters. Leaving debris in your gutters is an invitation for trouble. Not only can it freeze and damage the gutters themselves, but it also can force freezing water up under your shingles and damage the roof. Gladstone says that many homes in the Northeast now have covered gutter systems, which fools many homeowners into thinking gutter cleaning is unnecessary. “Gutter covers keep leaves out,” he says, “but not fine organic material or grit from the roof.” It’s important to remove the covers and clean just as you would regular gutters.

• Clean and put away lawn and garden equipment. Do a visual inspection of the yard to identify anything lying around — garden tools, hoses and nozzles, patio furniture and accessories — that might be damaged by snow and ice and should be brought in for the winter.

Run your lawn mower until the gas tank is empty; if you leave gas in the tank over the winter, it can degrade and lose some of its combustion ability. Worse, gas can react with the air in the tank and oxidize, forming deposits that affect the machine’s performance; worse still, moisture can condense inside the tank and cause rust that blocks the fuel lines.

If you know you’re going to leave gas in the tank over the winter, add a stabilizer to the last gallon you put in (mix it in the gas can, not the mower tank, so that you get the mixing ratio correct).

• Disconnect hoses and winterize lawn irrigation systems. Leaving water in any exterior hoses or pipes can cause them to freeze and burst. If your exterior faucets aren’t self-draining, be sure to turn off the water manually at the shutoff valve inside the house so water doesn’t stand in the wall pipes.

If you have a lawn irrigation system, it’s important to make sure all the water has drained from the system before the first freeze. Depending on the type of system you’ve installed, this may require the assistance of a professional. A pro charges $50 to $150 to winterize an irrigation system.

• Schedule a furnace tune-up. Follow your HVAC professional as he works and ask questions about what he’s doing, says Gladstone. The technician should be working his way through a checklist of items such as inspecting filters, checking the chimney exhaust, and examining the blower and fuel connections. Expect to pay $50 to $100 for a furnace tune-up.

• Replace wicks and air filters in your humidifier. If you use a portable humidifier in winter to mitigate the drying effects of heating, start the season with fresh wicks—the small filters that absorb moisture from the reservoir; a fan directed at the wick dispenses the moisture into the air. Also check air filters, if your unit contains them (consult your owner’s manual). Replace wicks again in two to three months for a cost of about $15. It’s an absolute must to clean the humidifier every few weeks during winter to keep it free of mold, bacteria, and mineral deposits. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions.

However, Gladstone points out that “most homes are too wet.” Humidifiers may contribute to excess moisture that encourages the growth of mold and mildew. Use a humidifier only if necessary, and choose a single-room model so that you can check easily to see if the unit needs cleaning.

• Protect your air conditioning unit. If your outdoor air conditioning unit is located under trees or under the drip line of the house where icicles and snow may fall, give it a little protection by placing a sheet of plywood over the top and draping a dropcloth over it. However, don’t create a fully enclosed space, as that can trap moisture and offer winter protection for rodents.

• Close your storm windows. It’s a simple step, but an easy one to forget. Make sure the windows are shut properly so that the outer pane is up and the inner pane is down; this keeps rain and other forms of precipitation out.

• Insulate pull-down staircases for attics. The openings that accommodate pull-down staircases can cause significant heat loss during winter. You can purchase an insulated cover for the opening, or for about $30 you can make a foam box yourself with duct tape, weatherstripping, and a piece of 2-inch-thick polystyrene foam; 2-inch foam has an insulating value of about R-10. “This simple step will pay for itself many times over,” Gladstone says.

Spending a weekend or two on maintenance can prevent costly repairs and alert you to developing problems. Visit the links listed below for more detailed information on completing tasks or repairs yourself.

Related articles

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• Storm Aftermath…Westfield, MA Cleanup and Recovery From October Blizzard (westernmahomes.net)
• FREE Short Sale Seminar in Western MA (westernmahomes.net)