Western Mass Homes Lesley Lambert

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My 20 Year REALTOR pin: Thanks Mom!

This blog is an homage to my mom: Sheila Ryan Weber, the best REALTOR ever. 

My mom started her real estate career in about 1982 in Western Massachusetts after being an X-ray technician and then wedding consultant for years.  The reason for real estate?  My sister and I were competitive dancers and she needed to find a way to fund our expensive hobby.  A good friend of hers ran a real estate office and convinced my mom that she would be a natural for the business. That is the kind of lady she is: my sister and I had a need and she was going to figure out a solution.

Fast forward a few years and mom is a top selling agent….fast forward a few more and she is managing an office….fast forward a few more years and mom owns her own office…fast forward a few more years and I am managing her office.  Thus, my career was born.

Now, to be truthful, because my mom will tell on me if I am not: I never wanted to be a real estate agent.  In fact, I think when I was young it was my #1 on the DON’T list. So mom and I busted our bums to put me through college and get an English Degree with a PR/Communications specialty.  But life is funny and things really do work out for all the right reasons and now I can’t imagine working that corporate desk job I once thought would be better.

Today I recieved my award for 20 years as  REALTOR in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts.  I am very proud of this span and proud of all of my accomplishments in the field.

My mom is retired now (and deservedly so), but a day like today can’t help but spark so many memories of our time together in the field.  So for my mom, in honor of my two decades as a real estate professional in Western Massachusetts, here is my top ten reasons (in no particular order) why I love real estate:

#1-flexibility

#2- variety…I love helping people and the one thing that is for certain is it is never the same day twice.

#3- ability to help others

#4- multiple opportunities within the field

I have worked in almost every capacity in the field over the last two decades. I have been an agent, publicist, manager, trainer, speaker, TV host, office coordinator, writer, home retention specialist and social media teacher in the real estate industry. This variety sure does make the years fly by and also makes me a very well rounded real estate professional.

#5- control over my career…OK, it has it’s days, but this job is never dull.

#6- meeting new people & helping them

#7- perfect job for a mom

#8- utilizes my diverse skill base

#9- family tradition/pride

#10- exciting

Here I am getting my 20 year pin as I am in my 21st year of real estate and I owe it all to my mom.

Lesley Lambert's 20 year REALTOR pin

 

THANKS MOM!

 

Short Sales and Foreclosures Aren’t Easy, But I Am Here To Help in Western Massachusetts

Recently a client hired me to help her with selling her home as a short sale and in our discussions she revealed to me that several other agents were unwilling (or unable) to help her.  I wrote a blog expressing my dismay that instead of referring her to someone who would help, they simply said “I don’t do short sales”.

Short Sale

This was frustrating for this client, but it brought to my attention the fact that most real estate agents either do not understand the short sale process or are completely negative about working on them.  I was stunned enough to write this short sale help blog.

I won’t fluff on this: short sales ARE hard. 

That being said, they are also a reality of this real estate market and working with homeowners to successfully close a short sale makes me feel fulfilled in helping the economic recovery, even if it is just one Western Massachusetts house at a time.

If you are in a situation that you think a short sale is the best option to solve there are a few things to keep in mind:

#1- Sadly most lenders will not start a short sale packet until you are behind in at least one payment. 

#2- You MUST be open and upfront with your real estate agent about the situation and the status of your mortgage.  If you are days away from foreclosure it will be a much different job than when you are behind one or two months mortgage payments.

#3- Communicate with your lender.  Answer their calls (I know that is one of hardest things) and keep them up to date with what you are doing.

#4- Hire an agent with the experience, empathy and determination required to work a successful short sale.

#5- Remember that all short sales are different.  There is no rule book or standard: each home is handled on a case by case basis.

There are many reasons that people in Western Massachusetts land in a distressed home sale position. Not the least of these are divorce, death or changes in income. There is no reason for home owners to feel that they are alone, there is help out there. For the full story on why I am empathetic with homeowners in a distressed sale position read my blog about my own home selling experience.

If you are a buyer then there is a different set of issues.  The appeal of a short sale or foreclosure property is usually price. The buyer needs to remember that there is a different cost involved in buying these types of home:  time.  It will often take double the time to close a short sale or foreclosure that it does a traditional home sale.  There are also many agents out there that don’t want the homebuyer to look at short sales or foreclosures because they don’t want to take on the extra work and risk involved in these sales.  I look at these sales as a perfect facilitation and another way that real estate agents can help the economy.

Sometimes the biggest concern for buyers is the fact that these homes are listed in “as is” condition. For more information on whether “as-is” really means “as-is” in a foreclosure purchase see this blog I wrote for people buying a foreclosure home.

If you are looking at a short sale home as a buyer, things may be getting a bit easier in the future.  We real estate professionals are hopeful that the government and lenders are able to come up with a way to make it easier to buy a short sale home.

My point is that there is a place for short sales as both sellers and buyers and that there are realtors out there that are willing and able to help.  If you are looking to sell your Western Massachusetts home and need short sales advice please do not hesitate to contact me for a confidential and totally obligation free consultation.  I will review your situation and try to help you organize a game plan to solve your situation. 

If you are a buyer looking at foreclosures and short sales as a way to get into a home for less money then I would love to do a free home buyer consultation with you to discuss your goals and how we can best approach buying your new home.

I am here for you.

 

Westfield and Southwick, MA Real Estate News from Park Square Realty

Interesting Western Massachusetts Quadrant Statistic… Over the past 12 months, out of all companies, Park Square Realty has the highest priced listing sold in both Westfield and Southwick.

Westfield – 29 Camelot Lane $ 685,000 Lesley Lambert (Westfield Office)

Southwick – 29 Ranch Club Drive $ 760,000 Gail Butler (Westfield Office)

Of COURSE I am thrilled to have this Westfield sale, but the reason wasn’t because of the sale price.  I loved selling this home because it was the home of a best friend of mine who has bought and sold every piece of real estate over the last two decades with my mother (mentor/retired broker) and myself.

This sale was a testament to a few things in my mind:

#1- the power of working with people you know and trust.  She trusts my real estate advice without fail and we have had many successful moves together.

#2- the importance of being in touch with your sphere and being available to them as an agent.  The first home she bought would have fit six times into the sale listed above.  We built equity together.  My focus has never been on the price of what she is buying or selling, but rather expressing gratitude for her repeat loyalty.

3D Realty Handshake

#3- the need for professionalism.  When she and I are together we are as close as family and very relaxed.  When I am her REALTOR the relationship is different.  I am professional and hard working and treat her with the special level respect that clients deserve.

Over the last two decades I have heard agent after agent express that they dislike working with friends and family because of the stress involved.  While I will admit that I have had stressful moments in some of these situations, most of the time everything goes great because I keep the above three things in mind.

I am so grateful to this friend for both her lifelong friendship and her loyalty to me as her REALTOR.  I hope to never lose sight of the importance of caring for my friends, family and clients in the appropriate way…it has served me well this far. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short Sales May be Getting Easier

I am hearing rumors that the short sale process is going to be streamlined. With the proposed changes the short sale process will be expedited and home retention options will improve.

To read more visit this story at Agent Genius.

If you need help with a distressed situation like a short sale then I hope you will contact me. I have the experience, patience and empathy to help you move on with your life.

Western Massachusetts: Why are you Thankful to live here?

I make it no secret that I am a huge fan of Western Massachusetts.  I have lived here my entire life and have no plans on leaving.  My work as a REALTOR takes me all over the Pioneer Valley and there are so many beautiful and wonderful places and things to do here!

I am grateful for a number of reasons, including:

#1- the changing beauty.  I love the seasons here and how pretty is is in different ways at different times of year.

#2- the proximity.  I love that I can get to Boston in two hours or New York City in three.  We can be at the mountains or the beach in an hour or so. 

#3- the affordable and safe lifestyle.

#4- the people!!!

Thanksgiving got me to thinking about why I am thankful to be here and now I would love for you to tell me: