Western Mass Homes Lesley Lambert

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Spring is Here – That Means Open Season on Gardening in Western MA!

With the recent beautiful weather the spring flowers are a bit early, but they are in their glory. I always think every season is my favorite, but truthfully, I find spring the most exciting. As the first spring flowers appear my dreams of a lovely garden begin to flourish, too!

There are some great places to get flowers in Western Massachusetts, but my favorite is Meadow View in Southwick, MA. They have a huge selection, fair prices, beautiful gardens to use as inspiration and helpful staff.

If you want to check them out, they open on April 25th and be prepared for crowds…it is a popular spot! Here are some of my favorite flower pictures that I have taken around Western Massachusetts:

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day in Westfield, MA

Household Hazardous Waste Collection #6

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.

Here is the Thing

P question
P question (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I want to know why you are reading my blog (if you actually do).

I have been writing a blog for over five years now in one format or another and I get a great deal of enjoyment from it, but if I am only speaking to myself…well, why ever hit publish?

So I ask you (my one) reader what do you want to see from me?

Comments go here:

 

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Investment Properties in Western MA

Western Massachusetts
Western Massachusetts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Western Massachusetts’ investors take note: if you have been wondering when is the right time to invest, it very well may be RIGHT NOW.  Here is the facts:

* the market dropped and has been (in most parts of Western MA holding)

* the interest rates are at all time lows

* the foreclosure and short sale inventory is still there

These three facts combined equal opportunity.

If you are either an experience investor or are new to investing, you need to evaluate these opportunities and it may just be the exact right time for you to make a move.

I have a lifetime of experience in investment property.  My parents owned investment property for both rentals and flip properties and I worked with them as everything from cheap labor to management on their investments.   I learned in the trenches how to read a profit and loss statement and how to spot a property with lots of potential for resale with realistic repairs.

As a REALTOR in Western MA one of my favorite things to do is help my investor clients find the right properties for their investment portfolio.

If you are an investor in Western MA who is considering  making a new real estate investment, I hope you will consider me as your trusted advisor.

 

 

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Preparing Your Home For Sale: Wallpaper and Paint

9 turns 10 soon & wants her own room. Wallpape...
9 turns 10 soon & wants her own room. Wallpaper has got to go! (Photo credit: LesleyLambert)

This is the time of year that people in Western Massachusetts start thinking about putting their home on the real estate market. When they do, the smart ones invite their trusted REALTOR in to give advice on staging prior to listing the home.

I have been on many of these types of appointments in Western MA over the past couple of months and inevitably there is one main thing that needs to be addressed: paint.

Such a simple thing, paint, but not easy. It is messy and time consuming and hiring professionals can get pricey, but let me tell you something…you need to do it!

Even a home that is already fairly neutral will benefit from a fresh coat of paint, but most homes haven’t been painted in years or are decorated with colors that might turn off potential buyers.

Now, if you have wallpaper on the walls we have a whole other issue. Buyers HATE wallpaper. Yes, that expensive paper that you have loved is a deterrent to the sale of your home. No, the buyer can’t “just deal with it”. The buyer will buy a house without wallpaper and with a fresh coat of paint! The wallpaper needs to come down, the walls need a coat of neutral (but not cold) paint.

The last issue I encounter often is the paneled basement rec room. Most paneling is dark and while you might feel that lends to the coziness of the room, most people think it looks dated and cave-like. Removing the paneling is expensive, but this can get a coat of paint, too! Prep the paneling with a primer like Kilz and then paint with regular paint over that.

The next question is what color to paint. Here is some advice from an article on AOL Real Estate:

Repainting the Kitchen

In the kitchen it’s good to stay in the orange, red and yellow colors. It is said that they work because they’re food related, but remember to keep them soft and neutral.

Repainting the Bathroom

Paint should be light in these smaller spaces with pops of color brought in with accessories.  Creamy tans and warm beige tones work best.

Repainting the Bedroom

No bright colors here as this is the quiet sanctuary.  If a bath is attached, keep the colors in the same palette.

In general:

Remember that white is too stark and is a turn off to buyers.  Think warm and comforting while still being neutral.

If you are in Western Massachusetts and are wondering what you should do to get your home ready to sell, I am happy to help.  I offer staging and preparation tips at no obligation … just call me:  Lesley Lambert, Park Square Realty, 413-575-3611.

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