The unfortunate by-product of this difficult economy is the fact that many people are underwater or upside down in their home mortgage. We describe the options and strategies:

1- Stay and pay
2- Refinance
3- Loan modification
4- Short Sale
5- Foreclosure
6- Bankruptcy

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There are some standard answers that most people know:
–fresh neutral paint
–minimal clutter
–clean, neat and tidy

But, did you know that you should pack up your personal photos? Or that your kitchen counter should be completely clear? Did you remember the basement, garage, closets and outdoor spaces?

I have created a board on Pinterest that I think will help home owners in Western MA who are preparing to sell their home. On this board I have pictures that set examples of how a home should look when it is for sale. I will continue to add to the board on a regular basis, so feel free to check it often!

STAGING YOUR WESTERN MA HOME FOR SALE…click that link to see what an experienced Western MA REALTOR suggests. Hey it is free advice, who doesn’t love that?

If you would like me to visit your Western MA home and assist you in person, please don’t hesitate to call: Lesley Lambert, Park Square Realty 413-575-3611

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

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

If I don’t sell your home in 60 days or less I will reduce my commission!

Park Square Realty of Westfield, MA is announcing their 60 day guaranteed home sale program.

Take a peek at this video with Ted Cassell, Broker/Owner of Park Square Realty and let me know if you are considering selling your Western MA home!

Lesley Lambert/REALTOR
Park Square Realty, 44 Elm Street, Westfield, MA
413-575-3611
lesleylambert@parksquarerealty.com

Park Square Realty in Westfield, MA is a small locally owned company that knows how to get homes in the Westfield area SOLD. As one of the real estate agents in the Westfield office it makes me proud that we are so far ahead of the competition, especially when you know that our team is about 50 agents.

Park Square Realty has closed 144 transactions. The next two offices below us have closed 107 and 58 transactions.

What does that tell the home owner in Westfield, MA?

If you want your home sold, we have a far better chance of accomplishing your goal than our competition does. Success speaks.

If you are considering selling your home in Westfield, MA or Western Massachusetts, I hope you will let me interview for the job.

Lesley Lambert, REALTOR, Park Square Realty, Westfield. 413-575-3611 or lesleylambert@parksquarerealty.com

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 LesleyLambert via Flickr

It is important that you properly prepare your Western Massachusetts home for the winter months.

Let It Snow!

Winterizing your home

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.

• Disconnect hoses 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.

• Schedule a furnace tune-up. 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.

• 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.

Spending a weekend or two on maintenance can prevent costly repairs and alert you to developing problems.

SAVING ENERGY, SAVING MONEY!

Put lamps in the corners: Did you know you can switch to a lower wattage bulb in a lamp or lower its dimmer switch and not lose a noticeable amount of light?

Give your water heater a blanket: Just like you pile on extra layers in the winter, your hot water heater can use some extra insulation too. A fiberglass insulation blanket is a simple addition that can cut heat loss and save 4% to 9% on the average water-heating bill.

Turn off the burner before you’re done cooking:

Use the dishwasher: If you think doing your dishes by hand is greener than powering up the dishwasher, you’re wrong. Dishwashers use about 1/3 as much hot water

Related articles

• Nine Energy and Money Saving Tips for Western MA (westernmahomes.net)