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Headed to National Association of Realtors Conference
Tomorrow I will be hopping on a plane to head to Orlando, FL for the National Association of Realtors conference.
It is by no means my first real estate conference, but it is my first NAR National conference and I am very excited! Realtors from all over the world will be converging on Orlando for a week of networking, learning and maybe a bit of fun, too!
While it is certainly fun to head to Orlando during the first cold snap in Western MA, there is an important reason that I attend these types of events: to grow as a professional.
This is my 24th year in real estate and I think one of the main reasons I have lasted this long is because there is always something new to learn. I think that is exciting and I want to remain on the cutting edge of well trained real estate professionals.
It is a key part of my marketing plan for my clients that I regularly add more to my took kit. Each learning experience brings home a new tool to enhance the experience of my clients or to speed up the sale of a home. The other agents that I will be spending time with are the leaders in the industry from all over the country and they will gladly share their tips and expertise in exchange for some of mine.
I have no doubt that this will be an outstanding experience and I can’t wait to see what new techniques I can implement next week because of what I will learn!
Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Relief … Keep Housing Recovery on Track!
CALL FOR ACTION!
Congress will soon return to session and they will be discussing a housing issue that could affect almost one-quarter of all real estate transactions – the expiration of Mortgage Forgiveness Tax Relief.
Why is this so important?
Homeowners shouldn’t be forced to pay tax on money they’ve already lost with cash they never received – and never will receive.
~More than 20% of current homeowners with a mortgage owe more on their homes than the current fair market value.
~Transactions not completed by year-end could become taxable in 2013, despite a borrower’s reliance on this tax relief.
~The housing market, while recovering, is still fragile enough that this tax relief will be needed in 2013 and possibly beyond.
“Without action before the end of the year, millions of families who hold distressed properties could face a hefty tax bill for trying to modify their mortgage or to seek a short sale through their lender. Even those facing foreclosure will find themselves forced to pay a “foreclosure tax” if Congress doesn’t act. This is because the amount of debt forgiven by the lender would be considered “phantom income” to the borrower even though they never receive any payment from the lender. No taxpayer should be forced to pay tax on money they’ve already lost with cash they never received. We need no new obstacles that might throw the housing recovery off track.”
This quote is from the call to action at the National Association of REALTORS site. They have issued this brief to outline the issue:
If you agree that this tax relief should continue, please take a moment to send that message to your representatives here.
You turned your clocks back, but did you check your smoke detectors?
Daylight savings time has ended and the relentless reminders on all forms of media have gone, too. Did you know that it is recommended that you check your smoke alarms and change their batteries at the same time?
“Smoke alarms save lives. Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast and you need smoke alarms to give you time to get out.”
This advice is from The National Fire Protection Association, which is a great site giving advice and reminders about smoke detector safety. Here is a guideline of great reminders they provide:
Proud to be Top Agent at Park Square Realty
Park Square Realty in Westfield, MA announced their top producers for the third quarter of 2012 and I am proud to say that I am one of them!
I don’t like bragging, and I don’t want to be one of those real estate agents that can’t discuss anything except how awesome they are, but I am a goal oriented gal and it makes me happy when I meet one of my goals.
Also, it is visual proof to you, dear readers, that I can actual walk the walk after I talk the talk here on my blog. When I am not up at odd hours of the night writing blog posts for goodness knows who, I am an actual hard-working REALTOR who lists and sells homes in Western MA and is pretty darn good at it, too.
Well, when one goal is met, another moves into place. Now I am working on my 2013 goals and being top agent again is only one part of it. I will share more on that in a later post, but you can be part of my success.
Who do you know that might be in need of real estate assistance? Maybe you know someone struggling with a home that is worth less than they paid and they fear foreclosure?
Maybe you know someone that tried to sell their home and failed?
Maybe you know someone looking to buy investment property or flip a house?
Dig deep friends, my new goals are big and I am going to need all the help I can get!
Lesley Lambert, Park Square Realty, 413-575-3611
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