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The rush of the holidays is over and the real estate market is heating up.  Buyers are contacting me daily and the energy in the Western Massachusetts housing market is GOOD!  What a difference a year makes: this time last year was the slowest I have ever been in real estate….I am glad things are moving in a positive direction for all of us!

The revised tax credit is part of what is stimulating buyers to get motivated early on in the year. 

I wanted to take a moment to make sure that you have current and accurate information about the new Home Buyer Tax Credit.

I always love working with first time home buyers.  There is a blush to the whole process, an excitement and energy that you don’t get with anyone except people buying their first home. 

With the tax credits being offered, many people are taking advantage of the timing and credits to get into a new home and it has been my honor to help many of them purchase homes in Westfield, Holyoke, Springfield and surrounding communities. 

Below is a slide show of my most recent buyers who purchased a lovely home in Holyoke.  The transaction was very nice and the seller even threw them a party prior to the closing so that they could meet all of the neighbors and see pictures of the home over the years.  In all my years selling real estate I have never seen this done:  it was simply lovely.

There are many people hoping to take advantage of the first time and step up buyer tax credit extensions, I can help you be in your new home before the credit expires!

I am so appreciative of the people who choose me to help them buy and sell their homes. 

 

 

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.

 

THANKS MOM!

 

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.

#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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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: