Blog

Mar 02 2010

How is the real estate market in Western Massachusetts?

“Hey, how’s the market lately?”

As a real estate agent in Westfield, Western Massachusetts, I get that question a lot. My answer changes, but lately the answer has been, “it is good!” to which I get a lot of surprised responses.

Well, I wouldn’t blow smoke…I have proof that Western Massachusetts real estate is improving!

Let me start with my own office’s numbers. Park Square Realty in Westfield and Agawam has the following to report:

Some statistics right from our Show Desk Tracking System-

Park Square Listings: First 2 Months of 2009… 345 Showings… 12 Pendings.

First 2 Months of 2010… 354 Showings… 44 Pendings.

Approximately the same amount of showings as last year at this time, but almost 4 times the amount of pendings.. THAT is a good sign!

Western Massachusetts buyers are serious right now and Park Square Realty’s listings are selling.

Not enough proof for you? Here is some good news from the Massachusetts Association of Realtors:

“The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR) reported today that the number of single-family homes put under agreement in February was up 16 percent over the same time last year, while condominiums were up 25 percent. February marks the eighth straight month that the number of both single-family homes and condominiums put under agreement had increased over the year before.”

Still not enough? How about a word from Warren Buffett?

“Within a year or so, residential housing problems should largely be behind us,” Buffett wrote Saturday in his annual letter to the shareholders of his Berkshire Hathaway.

If you are thinking of making a real estate decision, I am here to help and to educate!

Feb 19 2010

Now is The Time to Sell Your Home in Western Massachusetts!

I recently did a video explaining the home buyer tax credits and why they make it such an ideal time to buy a home in Western Massachusetts. Home sellers, you can benefit from this tax credit, too! The buyers are out in record numbers and we are seeing a lot of activity on well priced homes for sale. The buyers who haven’t found the right home, yet, will be excited to see fresh inventory hit the market. If you have been considering making a move, now might be the perfect time. In addition to the increased buyer activity, there is a repeat home buyer tax credit available, too! If you qualify (see this post) then you can get a $6,500 tax credit! You have to be under contract by April 30th so don’t delay!

Here is a video explaining why I think it is the right time to make a move in Western Massachusetts!

I have been involved in Western Massachusetts real estate for over 20 years and am a Realtor at Park Square Realty in Westfield, MA. Get in touch, I would love to help!

Feb 18 2010

What Does A High Tech Realtor Do?

A high tech realtor takes the marketing goodies that the internet has to offer and turns it into purposeful tools to get her listings in front of the most people possible. Exposure to a larger audience means a larger pool of potential buyers and potentially a faster sale for a higher price. I use the new media (internet marketing, social media sites, etc) to optimize the exposure for the homes I represent in Western Massachusetts. Using new media like customized web sites, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and others, I reach out through my computer to get in touch with buyers.

My New Media Marketing plan takes a traditional marketing plan that includes mailings, signage and print advertising and puts rocket boosters on it! ZOOM….your home is exposed to thousands of buyers!

For example my listings are marketed to a large arena of websites including:

Point2Homes.com Free Syndication
point2homes.com

GoogleBase Free Syndication (Beta)
maps.google.com

HotPads.com Free Syndication
hotpads.com

Yahoo! Classifieds Free Syndication (Beta)
realestate.yahoo.com

Cyberhomes.com Free Syndication (Beta)
cyberhomes.com

The Real Estate Book Free Syndication (Beta)
www.therealestatebook.com

SecondSpace Free Syndication
secondspace.com

FrontDoor Free Syndication (Beta)
www.frontdoor.com

Trulia Free Syndication (Beta)
trulia.com

Zillow Free Syndication (Beta)
www.zillow.com

Oodle Free Syndication (Beta)
oodle.com

Homescape Free Syndication (Beta)
www.homefinder.com

vast.com Free Syndication
www.vast.com

CLR Search Free Syndication
www.clrsearch.com

Clickable Directories, Inc. Free Syndication
clickablecitydirectory.com

HomeHippo Free Syndication

HouseLocator.com Free Syndication
www.houselocator.com

The Housing Pages Free Syndication
www.thehousingpages.com

Kazork Free Syndication
www.kazork.com

PropertyShark.com Free Syndication

HomesZ Free Syndication
www.homesz.com

Bilingual Marketing Group Free Syndication
www.vivareal.us

RepeatProperty.com Free Syndication
www.repeatproperty.com

campushomesonline.com Free Syndication (Beta)
www.campushomesonline.com

HomeAway Free Syndication (Beta)
HomeAwayRealEstate.com

kneedl Free Syndication
www.kneedl.com

Realty Showcase Free Syndication (Beta)
www.realtyshowcase.tv

Real Bird
www.realbird.com

Facebook
www.facebook.com/lesleylambert.realestate

You Tube
www.youtube.com/user/LesleyLambert

Park Square Realty
www.parksquarerealty.com

Masslive
www.masslive.com

Craigslist
www.craigslist.com

and this is just a partial list!

In addition my listings are featured with their own website. Visit the page for this listing to see for yourself. These sites feature video, lots of pictures, maps, flyers, open house information, contact information and details of the home. There is also a text code available for mobile phone users to obtain the information via text. Each home has a specialty sign rider with this information making it easy for buyers to view pictures, documents and other information on the property.

Another page that I host allows potential buyers to contact me by live chat! I take tons of pictures of my listings and every property has a video “virtual tour” posted so that buyers can preview the home before they make an appointment.

My listings are optimized for internet searches. Today’s buyers start at the internet. They may drive by a home and instead of calling the phone number on the sign, they will put the home’s address into Google. This is what they will see for one of my listings. Buyers from around the world can find listings this way, not just the local Western Massachusetts ones!

So, if you are considering listing your home in Western Massachusetts for sale, I hope you will let me visit to show you my plan in person. I enjoy being the High Tech Realtor with Old Fashioned Service for over 20 years in Westfield and surrounding Western MA towns!

Feb 17 2010

Why NOW is the Time to Buy Your First Home in Western Massachusetts!

In my video I explain to first time home buyers in Western Massachusetts why now is a great time to buy a home. There is this fantastic tri-fecta in place right now: first time home buyer tax credit + low interest rates + low home prices = great values!

I have been helping buyers and sellers with their real estate decisions in Western Massachusetts for over 20 years! If you are thinking of taking advantage of the first time home buyer tax credit, get in touch…I love to help! Don’t forget we have to have a home picked out and under contract by April 30, 2010! Be sure to check out my other posts that help to teach first time buyers about the process of buying their first home.

Feb 10 2010