Western Mass Homes Lesley Lambert

Lesley Lambert

The Circumstance of Short Sales and Foreclosures

Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. - George Bernard Shaw

Going through distress in home ownership is one of the most stressful things a person can endure. Whether you are attempting a short sale, entering foreclosure or have already suffered a foreclosure on your Western Massachusetts home, these events do not define you.

These events are pivotal, yes, but they are also circumstantial and will run their course and be complete. It is your reactions and decisions made from these circumstances that will define who you are, not the event itself.

Circumstances are things that are very often beyond our control and can be defined very simply as “what is”. We needn’t be victims to these circumstances or even stay stuck in the circumstance unless we choose that.

George Bernard Shaw said, “People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can’t find them, make them.” Smart man that Bernard Shaw…we are all in charge of our destiny, why not be in charge of circumstances, too?

If you are in a situation where you think you may need some help with a short sale in Western Massachusetts to avoid foreclosure, be proactive. Don’t make excuses, don’t hide from the reality. Face it head on and decide what your future will be. Take those circumstances and shake them up and find something that you can look forward to at the end of this circumstance.

For me, I looked forward to being able to manage my bills again, which a smaller home in Western Massachusetts would allow. I also looked forward to less home and land to take care of, thereby freeing up some time to enjoy. I had to move to a much smaller condominium when I sold my house, but it was mine to decorate as I pleased and create a nest for my daughters and I.

You can move beyond this circumstance and I can help you, if you like. Just reach out and ask.

photo courtesy of jeff mcneill on flickr.com

Win an iPad, Help a Child

I have long been a fan and supporter of Mothers Fighting for Others, a charitable organization founded by an amazingly generous woman, Rocky Turner.

Mothers Fighting For Others provides orphaned girls in Africa with a loving and nurturing environment and a quality education, so they can learn, thrive and achieve their highest potential.

This powerful letter from Rocky explains how she came to found this organization and why she feels so strongly that it is important. “I want them to feel loved. I want them to feel safe and secure. I want them to go to school and grow up to be great women. What I want for them is what their Mothers would have wanted. That is it. It’s that simple,” says Rocky.

iPad with on display keyboard
Image via Wikipedia

MFFO is raising money with a Virtual Fundraiser, a raffle with the much coveted iPad as the prize. Tickets are $25 each and only 200 will be sold…not bad odds AND you get to help improve the life of a child in Africa that needs so much that can be given so easily from us.

I hope you will consider buying a ticket, thank you for reading this post.

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Veterans Day Tribute

Patriotic Old Worn Waving American Flag, Ragged Old Flag, Stars & Stripes, Old Glory, Red White & Blue, Blowing in the Wind
This is to the Veterans in Western Massachusetts and beyond and to their families for all that they have given to preserve our great country.  The members of the military in Western Massachusetts are a strong and proud group and we are proud to have you in our community.

My children and I thank each and every one of you for protecting our freedoms, our shores, our families.  Your gifts do not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

God Bless You.

My Mobile Office Went Down Today: aka my Subaru blew up

Subaru of America
Image via Wikipedia

Today I am reminded of how linked my days as a REALTOR in Western Massachusetts are to my vehicle…

Yesterday my car spewed boiling hot anti-freeze onto my foot, which can’t be good.  Now mind you, it is a newer car (2008 Subaru) which I purchased for it’s reputation as being reliable and safe transportation.  I decided to take on the larger car payment for a new car in exchange for the peace of mind that not needing regular repairs can give.  Well, as I drove with my scalded foot and the toxic stench from the anti-freeze mist, I can tell you I wasn’t feeling the peace of mind…what I was feeling was much closer to pissed off.

My mom’s husband and my boyfriend researched the symptoms and it seemed that a very rare issue with the heat core had literally sprung open on my foot.  Being so new and low in miles, I was keeping myself calmed with the thought that a warranty would kick in to take care of the issue.  I am so cute when I am naive.

I had called the local dealership to inquire about the warranty and they told me I needed to come in for a service check to look into the issue.  So this morning I drove my toxic and bubbly Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (insert SH for ever CH and you get a better line) to the dealer in West Springfield, MA.

Problem number one: they failed to log my appointment, name or anything about the call that I made the day before.

Problem number two: the service representative kept walking away and making random phone calls without talking to me or letting me know what he was working on.  Finally he calls Subaru America and is told that I am, in fact, out of warranty.

Problem number three: he asks me if I want a quote for the repair, to which I respond in the affirmative.  No mechanic looks at my car, in fact, no one investigated anything outside of my diagnosis.  I am not a mechanic, what if I am wrong?  This issue doesn’t deter our fine customer (dis)service representative who gives me a quote DOUBLE that of what I researched.

Problem number four: DOUBLE?  Really?

So I leave, of course, and just a few miles down the road the car overheats and starts to steam in earnest.  The car and I were at about the same temperature at this point, so I pull over for us both to cool off.  As I sit waiting for Morriss (my boyfriend) to rescue us both, I decide that I will take this time to call Subaru America and state my dissatisfaction with the circumstance.  Throughout this whole visit, my good friend Jeff had been advising me and encouraging me to ask more questions and pursue the issue to the end…I took his advice.

I am greeted by Meghan who clearly payed WAY MORE attention at customer service class than the bonehead at the dealership.  Meghan listens to my story with empathy, asks if I am in a safe location or need any help and then assures me that she is following up on the issue and will be in touch before the close of the day.

Next phone call is to a mechanic at a private shop that I trust who quotes me a price that is more than half what the dealer quoted….can you say scalping boys and girls?  I thought you could!  This mechanic also asks if he can, get a load of this, actually look at the car to determine if my guess is correct before ordering parts.

Within two hours of speaking with Meghan, she has left me a message stating that Subaru America cannot use a warranty to help me out, but will assist me with partial repair cost reimbursement.

So, what I will share with you is this:

I hate the local Subaru dealership and will NEVER EVER use them for so much as an oil change BUT,

I remain a happy Subaru owner as I feel that the company stood by their product and was determined to regain my trust, loyalty and business in a tangible and responsive way.

Meanwhile, I was unable to do several tasks that I needed to do today including reading a water meter for a closing next week.  A reliable car is a must have for a busy real estate agent in Western Massachusetts.   Lucky for my clients and I, my iPhone was working just fine, so I ran business without too many hitches today, even with the car troubles.  My mobile office (aka my car) is schedule for repair next week, when I will be reminded yet again how much I use it and need it to function as a REALTOR.

Thank you Morriss and Jim, and Jeff and Meghan, and my mom and Chris Allen of Allen Afforable Auto Repair in Southwick, MA who will get my business because he is ethical and reliable.

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Why Should You Hire Lesley Lambert, REALTOR in Westfield, MA?

In the course of real estate over the last few years, the short sale has become a normal part of my work as a REALTOR in Western Massachusetts. I have personal experience with the stress that a distressed sale can cause and have endeavored to do all I can to help others get out of their situation and move on with their lives.

As such, I have worked with many Western Massachusetts home sellers who need to sell with a short sale and that is how I met Janine. She called me after her previous listing expired. She had tried to sell her home in Chicopee, MA for enough to pay off the mortgage due, but current market conditions didn’t prove that sales price and after some research she realized she needed to try a short sale. Her real estate agent wouldn’t take the listing as a short sale, nor would the next agent she asked. She turned to Google and found me. I was happy to help her and while it wasn’t necessarily easy, together we got her Chicopee house sold and Janine was able to move on to the next chapter in her life.

I am grateful for the business, not only because I was able to sell the house, but I sold it to a lovely young couple who are just starting their lives and are thrilled with their first home. The greatest joy in this situation, however, is knowing that I was able to help a home owner in distress when no one else would and that she feels I did a good job for her.

I will let her words speak:

“Lesley (Lambert) is an outstanding real estate agent. She is a go-getter! I would recommend Park Square Realty to anyone buying or selling” –Janine Provost

Thank you Janine and I hope this new start brings only the best to you and yours!

If you own a home in Western Massachusetts and need short sale help or advice, I am only a phone call away. Please know that there are people out here who want to help! Lesley Lambert, Park Square Realty, Westfield, MA 413.575.3611