Map showing area codes for region with Massachusetts in blue and A/C 413 in red. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

413 is our phone prefix in Western MA and when I was young my mom  would ask where we were going, I would reply “The 413!”.  I love it here, there are so many towns with amazing history, culture, oddities and stories.

Tonight on Twitter Mark Fitzpatrick (@mrkfitzpat) shared what may be my favorite YouTube video ever…a hip hop music video homage to Western Massachusetts.  I bring you: 413 (music video) by DrWestchesterson:

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day in Westfield, MA will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at the Twiss Street Transfer Station from 9a.m.-12noon

Items that you can bring:
Pesticides, Herbicides, Mothballs, Solvents, Thinners,Adhesives, Lighter fuel, Transmission Fluid, Waste fuels, Gasoline, Kerosene, De greasers, Carburetor Cleaner, Brake Fluid, Car Wax, Flea Powder, Hobby and Artist Supplies, Fiberglass Resins, Household Cleaners, Photo Chemicals, Chemistry sets, Furniture, Floor and metal polish, spot removers, dry cleaning solvents, pool chemicals, aerosol cans, compressed gas cylinders (20lbs only) paints, stains and varnishes with an oil base.

You CANNOT bring:
Ammunition, fireworks, explosives, infectious or biological waste, prescription medicine, syringes, pental brand wood preservatives, commercial or industrial waste, asbestos, smoke detectors, pesticides containing 2-4-5-T, Silvex, radioactive wastes, paints stains and varnishes of water base.

Latex (water based) paints do not need to be handled as hazardous waste. You can dry these and dispose of them in the regular trash.

This program is for Westfield, MA residents only.

I have shared before that I grew up in Southwick, MA.  In retrospect it was a great childhood with wonderful friends and a safe, old fashioned, country surrounding.  Even so, I distinctly remember saying several times in my teen years, “Get me out of here. Anywhere but here.”

I now know that that is a totally normal thing for teenagers and that most of us felt the same, regardless of where we grew up.  I never went very far, but now I am so glad that I didn’t.  Gathering with friends from Southwick makes me so happy.  We have connections and understandings of each other because of our experience in a small town that we would never have shared in another place.

Being there with my friend on her special occasion and all of our friends and especially my sister made me so glad that I am still here in Western MA. We may not all still live in Southwick, MA, but we share a history that creates a legacy that cannot be replicated.

Life in a small town like Southwick, MA may not be as glamorous or cosmopolitan as we thought we wanted, but it does foster a lifetime of support and a legacy of love.

Related articles

• You Know You’re From Southwick If… (westernmahomes.net)
• The Highest and Lowest Home Sales in Southwick, MA for 2011 (westernmahomes.net)

In the recent market tumult, those who are considering making a move in Southwick, MA will want to know what is going on in the real estate market.

The following information covers the changes in the market such as the median listing price, days on market and more.

If you are a homeowner in Southwick, MA who is considering selling your home, I would be happy to help you discover the proper fair market value.  Home buyers who are looking to purchase a home in Southwick, MA, I can help you to find your perfect next home.

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

Related articles

• The Highest and Lowest Home Sales in Southwick, MA for 2011 (westernmahomes.net)
• You Know You’re From Southwick If… (westernmahomes.net)

Westfield First (Photo credit: LesleyLambert)

Downtown Westfield, MA is up and coming and I am thrilled to be able to work there and support the exciting new businesses that are popping up.

The construction is wrapping up, new businesses are setting up shop and it is Spring…come take a walk through Downtown Westfield, MA! Can’t get here in person? Here is a virtual walk…

Related articles

• Paddy’s Irish Pub- Downtown Westfield (westernmahomes.net)
• The High and Low in Westfield, MA 2011 Home Sales (westernmahomes.net)
• Park Square Realty’s 60 Guaranteed Sale Program (westernmahomes.net)
• Owning a home in Western MA may now be cheaper than renting (westernmahomes.net)

Map showing the counties typically considered to make up Western Massachusetts (dark green). Worcester County is considered to be either western or central Massachusetts (light green). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Over the past few weeks the economic outlook for real estate has improved in Western Massachusetts. As a real estate agent in Western Massachusetts for the past 23 years, I have seen a lot of change in the local real estate market. Park Square Realty has noticed a few key elements that will impact the real estate market in Western MA this Spring.

Mortgage rates have been at a lifetime low, but they won’t last forever. Over the past week the rates have been creeping up and it is probably time to ask your lender about a “rate lock” and start seriously hunting for your new home.

Rising interest rates could spur more activity in home sales in Western Massachusetts. As a home buyer this means you want to get out there quickly and get your dream home before the competition grows. If you are a home seller in Western MA then you want to get your house on the market now to try to be there when the buyers show up.

This January and February have been the best two months in winter home sales in the past five years.

Let’s hope these economic indicators are a sign of improvement in Western Massachusetts real estate!

If you are looking to buy a home in Western MA or sell your Western MA home, I will help you make it happen!

Find out How Much Your Home is Worth…Click Here!

Search All 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

Find your Dream home!

Search All 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

Related articles

• Real Estate in Western MA is up by almost 200% according to Park Square Realty (westernmahomes.net)
• Park Square Realty Showing Large Growth in Real Estate Activity in Western MA (westernmahomes.net)
• Why You Should Hire Lesley Lambert, REALTOR in Western MA (westernmahomes.net)
• Why It Matters if Your Western MA Real Estate Agent is Tech Savvy (westernmahomes.net)

Showings on Park Square Listings and Pending Sales of Park Square Listings.

First 80 days of 2011 compared to the First 80 days of 2012..

January 2011 to March 20th 2011: 264 Showings 31 Pendings (PKSQ Listings)

January 2012 to March 20th 2012: 540 Showings 58 Pendings (PKSQ Listings)
These are amazing statistics….

Showings on our listings have more than doubled from last year = (204.5%)

Pending sales of our listings have almost doubled from last year = (187.1%)

Activity at Park Square has basically doubled during the first 80 days of 2012..

Created by Sharon Killips Alexander last week, the group has blossomed in a speedy fashion and has been entertaining thousands of us who were raised in the town of Southwick, MA.

Here is a small selection of the posts:

“Kimberly Kulik Hutton
if you had to wake up at 4:00AM on Sat. and Sun. to go to work at Mrs Murphy’s Donut Shop”

“Karen Topor
If you walked around the neighborhood and had a special call to all your friends to see if they were out. You knew they could come out and meet up if they called back to you.”

“Sharon Killips Alexander
Just a thought – So grateful that I grew up without advance video games, cell phones and the technology of today. We formed friendships that have lasted almost lifetimes, you used your imagination, got your filthy playing OUTSIDE…I think growing up the way I did formed a more well rounded person.”

“Thomas J Inserra
you know your from southwick if you remember getting chicken at…Jones grocery….”

“Thomas J Inserra
you know your from southwick if you remember getting chicken at…Jones grocery….”

“Peter Coppa
you know your from southwick if you live away and you say your first job was working on tobacco and you get a puzzled look!!! Shade tobacco????? Barns!!!!”

These are just a small sampling of the amusing posts on this group page. If you are from Southwick, MA, as I am, and want to share in the fun, be sure to visit the You know you’re from Southwick if…Facebook page!