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Mar 11 2013

PodCamp Western MA 5? How can this be my FIFTH?

Podcamp WesternMA 021 - Copy — Podcamp WesternMA 021 – Copy (Photo credit: LesleyLambert)

In several weeks I will attend my favorite social media event of the year:

PodCamp Western MA.

I am stunned to contemplate that it is my fifth time attending this event, it seems incredible that It can be so many years since my first.

Here is a list of my previous experiences:

Whether you take the time to read all of these posts or not, I hope you will appreciate my fervor for this event is not exclusive. There are so many other people that I have met and befriended who feel the same way, which is really the greatest part of the function.

Podcamp WesternMA 025 (Photo credit: LesleyLambert)

If you have never been to an un-conference event before, then you owe it to yourself to make this your first. If you have, then you owe it to yourself AND all the other attendees to come and share! These events are only as good as the people who show up and decide to open up their expertise and learning with others who crave the same learning.

Some of my favorite moments at PodCamps have been totally spontaneous and exciting because of the unplanned nature of the sessions. We won’t spend much time laboring over slide shows (although there may be some), but you can bet that we will have a lot of question and answers and open circle discussions. There will be laughter, eye-opening learning and networking of the very best kind.

We are blessed here in Western Massachusetts to have this simmering little hot bed of technology lovers (geeks) who really love to get out in the late winter and share, share, share!

SIGN UP FOR PODCAMP 5 HERE

Don’t miss out on what is truly the most special social media event of the year! You can follow the fun on Twitter with the hashtag #pcwm5. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention to you kind readers that PodCamp Western MA was a pivotal event for me since the start. I met two friends who ended up being very close friends and associates at the first event, not to mention Morriss (my boyfriend of going on 4 years) and so many special friends. I can’t wait to see who I will meet this year (hopefully YOU!).

Don’t forget to add a sign up for the after party at Slainte’ in Holyoke which is sponsored by YOURS TRULY, Julianne Krutka and Ted Cassell of Park Square Realty!

@pcwm begins! Yay PodCamp! (Photo credit: LesleyLambert)

Mar 07 2013

Could it be true? Is the Western MA real estate market heating up? I think so.

Snow day. #weather #instaweather #instaweather... — Snow day. (Photo credit: LesleyLambert)

This year has started out busier than any I can

remember in recent history.

Typically January and February are pretty slow in Western MA home sales as people avoid the nasty weather, but not in 2013! Agents all around Western MA and even the entire country are sharing with me that they are out there running like they can’t remember in recent history.

Well priced listings in desirable areas aren’t lasting very long before getting reasonable and realistic offers, sometimes even multiple offers in a bidding war. Last weekend THREE of my listings had accepted offers and another is expected tomorrow to make four homes for sale under contract in one week.

All of this is great, but there is another side to the situation: not enough inventory. Simply put, we don’t have enough homes on the market to satisfy the buyers who are shopping.

Waiting for Spring

Many home sellers in Western MA think that they should wait for “spring” before they list their home. I have heard so many times that the homeowner feels the home will show better with spring blooms or they feel that there are more buyers in the spring. Here is my answer…don’t wait. Firstly, we have buyers whose wants are not being met RIGHT NOW and secondly, if you follow the logic that all other home sellers are using then you end up with more competition for the same buyers.

Your best chance of getting top dollar for your Western MA home may be right now, BEFORE spring and more importantly, BEFORE all those other homes join the party. There are more buyers with less homes available NOW.

Taught Facebook for Real Estate today — (Photo credit: LesleyLambert)

If you are considering putting your Western MA home on the market, I would love to interview for the position of your REALTOR. Give me, Lesley Lambert of Park Square Realty, an opportunity to show you how I differentiate not only myself, but my homes for sale in this real estate market. I am not your “traditional” agent, but rather an agent with 25 years of solid professionalism and experience. Pair that with my love of technology and internet marketing and you really have something to consider.

Don’t Miss Your Best Opportunity!

Don’t wait for spring to get your Western MA home on the market. Let’s get together and get you moving!

Mar 07 2013

Abouthom.es Girls: Lesley on Spring and Motivation

Thursdays are my turn to chat with the Abouthom.es Girls and today I chatted about the course I am taking, Brian Buffini’s Peak Producers, spring and finding motivation. My friend, Lisa Oden, asked me about when we plant seeds in Western MA and as I watched her video and glanced out of the window, I saw snow falling.

What you may not know is that Lisa is from Georgia and has been complaining about the cold….hmmmm.

This morning started with my Peak Producers training class at Park Square Realty. I am really enjoying this class because it is helping me to get back to some basics, get organized and get motivated. My friend Claire started us off with a “top of the mornin to ya” and we all gave a shout out to the good life.

Part of Buffini’s reminders are to visit clients and friends and I had already made up some cute little garden gifts that I want to deliver before my friend Lisa asked about spring. Watch my short video to see my little present and if you live in Western MA and want me to deliver a gift (and maybe have some lunch?) give me a shout out and I will make it happen!

Feb 25 2013

The Abouthom.es Girls are BACK!

Years ago my good friend, Diane Guercio, and I had a video channel on YouTube, the Abouthom.es Girls, where we would send each other videos each week. The format was casual, but informative and most of all REAL. To keep things interesting, we made some rules about the videos: no longer than 3 minutes in length, have to respond if a question or topic was brought forward, must post by midnight on our assigned day and have to end the video with “peace out homescouts”.

We volleyed succesfully for a long time, but changes happened and we stopped doing our videos. In discussion with some other dear friends, it came out that we all shared the desire to do more video, but weren’t for one reason or another. We decided that we would re-start the Abouthom.es Girls channel to hold each other accountable and get going on video. Here is my video introducing the new talent:

I am excited to have Diane Haley Brooks, Amy Cesario, Debbie Kirkland, Lisa Oden and Chris Griffith join Diane Guercio and I in this endeavor. We hope to enchant, educate and entertain you as we discuss real estate with our own fabulous flair!

PEACE OUT HOMESCOUTS!

Feb 21 2013

Navigating a Short Sale…What to Do When Your Western MA Home is Worth Less Than You Owe

There are many reasons that you may be considering the option of a short sale for your Western MA home. Whether you are in danger of foreclosure or need to sell due to divorce or relocation a short sale may be your best alternative. This process can be complicated and should not be done without professional assistance. It is critical that you fully understand the process and have an experienced short sale specialist to guide you.

The following handout will give you an overview to start navigating the short sale process. If you are considering a short sale on your Western MA home, please call me for a confidential consultation. I am here to help you get through this.

Navigating Short Sales: What to Do When the Sale Price Leaves You Short from Lesley Lambert

Considering a short sale? Get in touch with me…I can help!

Contact Me Today!

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