This week is the mid-year panels for the National Association of REALTORS and there are a lot discussions happening. The week isn’t JUST about discussions, however, it is about action and pro-action, too. Tomorrow, May 17, 2012 is the REALTOR rallyl in Washington DC.

I can’t be in DC, but there is a virtual rally, too and I am a firm believer in the value of home ownership for more reasons than the fact I am a REALTOR.

My parents brought me up in a small town in Western MA, Southwick Massachusetts. They chose Southwick, MA for the proximity to Springfield, MA and Hartford, MA which resolved both familial and work obligations. Their first home was purchased when I was about a year old for $16,000. We lived there, on Sefton Drive in Southwick, until about 1979 when my parents built a new home. We move “all the way across town” to Mort Vining Road, Southwick, MA. What a change! We went from a neighborhood (even though a very suburban one) to the true country. Barely paved road; cows; sheep and horses along the road and no cable tv.

As my parents grew, so did their real estate portfolio. They bought investments to keep (like the house my mom still lives in) and others to flip. I learned about flipping properties about two decades before it became popular. I was a kid, a teenager, but I painted, weeded, carried, sanded and did whatever labor needed to be done to help our family with our American Dream. I worked alongside my mom as an assistant folding newsletters and licking (yeah we had to lick em) stamps from 1982-1988. In 1988 I took the real estate license course and became a REALTOR, myself.

After college I wanted to move out. My mom offered me discounted rent in her multi-family in exchange for management duties. I took over the building operations from soup to nuts and I can tell you that I went nuts in that soup, but I learned lessons that no college degree can teach. I always knew the value of a dollar and the feel of a hard day’s work (one of my first jobs was tobacco in Southwick) but this was different. This was an adult responsibility.

Post graduation in 1992, there were no jobs in my degree (English PR and Communications) and I went to work once again for my mom at her real estate office in Westfield, MA.

Next up was my own home ownership. I have since owned several properties, both personal and investment and I credit my parents for the wonderful education….it has paid dividends that my college education (while amazing) never could.

Why do I share this?

Because…I believe. I believe in home ownership. I believe in Western Massachusetts. I believe that you do, too.

The following video is a national interview of the National Association of REALTOR’S financial guru, Lawrence Yun. He echoes thoughts that I have daily:

Paraphrasing NAR :

Home buyers need to stay within their means when purchasing a home. YES

The lenders are overreacting to the point where even a well qualified buyer can’t get a mortgage. YES

The pendulum has swung to overly stringent requirements in lending. YES

Cash buyers are helping to move the economy, but are preventing 1st time buyers needing a mortgage from getting the affordable homes. YES

This is a bi-partisan AMERICAN issue. YES

Home ownership truly matters. YES

Watch the video to see and hear what Lawrence Yun has to say. Comment below to let me know what YOU have to say…you already know what I have to say.

 

Price Reduced!

 

• Home
• Photos
• Local
• Schools

 

 

 

Courtesy:

Lesley Lambert

Park Square Realty

413-575-3611

realestate.lesleylambert@gmail.com

 

 

855 Main Street

Agawam, MA 01001

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms : 2 (1 full, 1 half)

List Price: $235,900

Living Area Approx :
1956

 

 

Everything is remodeled, updated & new—–except the charm and character that has always graced this stately home. Nothing needed, move in & start your family’s next chapter. Close to schools, highways, stores. Large open floor plan, Huge kitchen, lovely yard.

 

 

Feature List:

MLS#: 71372786

Lot Size: 0.35

BathsFull: 1

BathsHalf: 1

TotalRooms: 8

Type: Detached

FamilyRoomPresent: Yes

KitchenPresent: Yes

MasterBedroomArea: Balcony – Exterior

LivingRoomArea: Fireplace, Ceiling Fan(s), Open Floor Plan, Remodeled

DiningroomDescription: Ceiling Fan(s), Open Floor Plan, Remodeled

FamilyRoomDescription: Ceiling Fan(s), French Doors, Open Floor Plan, Remodeled

KitchenArea: Ceiling Fan(s), Countertops – Upgraded, Breakfast Bar / Nook, Cabinets – Upgraded, Remodeled

BasementDescription: Full, Interior Access

HeatingFeatures: Hot Water Baseboard,Gas

CoolingFeatures: Wall AC

IntFeatures: Hot Water — Natural Gas., Ceiling Fan(s)

ExtFeatures: Balcony, Patio, Porch

Exterior: Wood

Roof: Slate

LotDescription: Fenced/Enclosed

Zoning: RA2

UtilitiesPresent: 220 Volts, Circuit Breakers

ParcelAccess: Public

BasementPresent: Yes

FireplacePresent: 1

DiningRoomPresent: Yes

LaundryRoomPresent: Yes

AdrDisplay: Address display

ParkingFeatures: Off-Street, Parking Space(s): 4

LivingRoomPresent: Yes

MasterBedroomPresent: Yes

 

 

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53 Westwood Drive, Westfield, MA May 20, 2012 1 pm – 2:30 pm

 

Beautiful Ranch for Sale in Westfield, MA

 

• Home
• Photos
• Local
• Schools

 

 

 

Courtesy:

Lesley Lambert

Park Square Realty

413-575-3611

realestate.lesleylambert@gmail.com

 

 

53 Westwood Drive

Westfield, MA 01085

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms : 2 (2 full)

List Price: $255,000

Living Area Approx :
2518

 

 

Your family needs space to enjoy and entertain & this home has it! Large open floor plan. Living Room w/fireplace,  huge 500 square foot great room flooded w/sunshine, large finished media room in the basement with 2nd fireplace for cozy movie nights with the family. Everything is modern, light & bright. MBR w/hw floors and full bath. Gorgeous lot w/lush lawn & landscaping.  Close to Westfield State University and Stanley Park.

 

 

Feature List:

MLS#: 71375863

PropertyType: Single-Family Home

Lot Size: 0.35

Lot Size: 0.35 acres

Stories: 1 story with basement

Heating: Hot Water

Exterior Walls: Siding (Alum/Vinyl)

Roof: Asphalt

Construction: Concrete

Basement: Partial Basement

Style: Ranch/Rambler

County: Hampden

 

 

Schedule a Showing/Request Info

Search All Homes For Sale

Free List of Foreclosed Homes For Sale

What is your home worth?

Homes Close to Where You Work

 

L2L

Properties represented by Lesley Lambert of Park Square Realty

Nick and I also share the top real estate mobile apps…now go hit play!

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22 Bray Park Drive, Holyoke, MA 01040 house for sale by Lesley Lambert of Park Square Realty

What do you do?

If you own a home in Westfield, Agawam, Southwick, West Springfield, Chicopee or other parts of Western Massachusetts and you need help deciding if a short sale is the right solution for you, then you should watch this:

When considering what is the right answer for your Western MA real estate and trying to decide if a short sale in Western MA is the best route, please know that there is help. Visit WWW.SHORTSALEMYHO.ME and I will be in touch for a FREE, no obligation short sale consultation.

I have already had several conflicts rise up for this weekend, work vs. family.  I am going to have to stand by my kids no matter what, but I am glad.

I am glad for the business, of course. but honestly…if work comes up against family, family wins.  I am glad to share that fact with my clients because if they don’t understand that, then we aren’t really a good match.

I also need my clients to help with weekends like this…my daughters’ have a dance competition.  You may wonder how a customer or client could help with  a dance competition.  Well, quite honestly, I need to work to pay the entry fees for said dance.

So the attitude of gratitude is not a platitude, but rather a latitude of thankfulness that my clients understand what my children need best.

That moment of Dr. Seuss was brought to you by the letter Y.  Y? Because we like you!

Yes, I understand how many youthful commercial memorical metaphors I just mixed.

OK…back to gratitude.

My daughters are so talented.  They are amazing performers and dancers and I am so excited to share a love for dance and the stage with them.  They take the dance world experience to new levels for me…my eldest with her gorgeous voice and vocal solos and my youngest with her tumbling.  I never did either on a stage and am so proud of their fearless nature and gifts.

They are gifted in so many other ways, too.  They both dance, they both sing and they are both so smart.  The eldest is also showing amazing artistic talents.  She has been published as a poet and her art is the featured picture in this story.  We go to Mass MoCA every year and I swear this could be on display there!

My gratitude doesn’t end there, although I thank God every day for two healthy, talented, smart and capable daughters.

I am also grateful for a man who loves me so well.  I don’t want to make my readers nauseous, but today is a special day…the third anniversary of the best first date ever.  I met my boyfriend, Morriss, on Twitter over three years ago.  He turned my world upside down and taught me so many things.  As for all of you it isn’t always easy, but let me tell you…I wouldn’t want it any other way.  Morriss is an amazingly talented man.  He is musical, thoughtful, dedicated and sweet.  Take a look at this video from our five monthaversary:

In closing I am grateful for so many things, including the career that allows me to help other families with their dreams at the same time as I help mine.  What a wonderful life!  Being a real estate agent in Western Massachusetts allows me to provide for my family and to help others with their dreams.  Thank you for choosing to work with me.

Thank you to my children (Sean, Shaun and Ry) and Morriss for putting up with my crazy schedule…that is not the smallest gratitude!

For a life filled with arts, family, love, houses, fun, excitement, adventure, support and GRATITUDE…I thank all of you.