Various

I have been searching for a memorable way to contact my sphere of influence here in Westfield, MA  and current clients for a few weeks now.  I wanted to make a gesture that would stand out from the crowd (and all of the other real estate agents)  and let them know that I was thinking of them and am grateful for their business and friendship.

After much consideration, I decided that I would skip the Holiday/Christmas card mailing this year and instead I would send Thanksgiving cards.

I ordered this cute card:

from www.123print.com and had it personalized “With gratitude for your business and friendship, Lesley Lambert, Park Square Realty“for a very affordable price.  They are good quality, nice paper stock and I think people will get a kick out of them.  Everyone sends the holiday card and I think that mine could get lost in the multitudes of adorable kid pictures.  However, how many people get Thanksgiving cards?  They are bound to remember that I sent it! 

Lesley Lambert, The Real Estate Natural at Park Square Realty

www.therealestaenatural.com

Is this the sign that you want buyers to see? 

If your listing has expired with one or more REALTORS and you still want or need to sell then you need to be very careful with your next agent or the impression that the public will get is just that….STILL for sale.  Long term listings can cause a property to have a stigma within the public eye, one that can keep the right buyer from even looking at the home.

So, how do you choose the right agent to take your move to the finish line?  Here are a few suggestions:

*Look for the agents that are using new and non-traditional marketing.  Someone with a creative use of marketing will be more likely to see something new and exciting in your home.

*Research local agents on the internet.  Look at their websites, their blogs, their online presence will tell you a lot about who they are and how they work.

*Find an agent who is able to help stage (or can connect you with a stager) the property for re-marketing as part of the refresh.

*Ask the agent if they will hold a broker’s open house after the home has been refreshed.  The fastest way to change the perception of the home is to convince the area brokers and agents.

Is your Western Massachusetts home recently expired?  Call me today to schedule an appointment for me to do my “Expired Listing Checklist” with you.  Very often I can pinpoint the exact reason that a home hasn’t sold.

Lesley Lambert, Park Square Realty, 413-575-3611

www.therealestatenatural.com

I have worked in real estate for a long time.  When I began my career “Wham” was still a band and not the sound of the market falling and I could still afford a 2 coffee a day habit.  Twenty years ago when I started in real estate the business was different and so was I…way, way different.

Well, as the saying goes, that was then and THIS is now.  I am going to say something that you won’t believe.  You will think I am making this stuff up, but…I will say it anyways because I am a brassy girl with a big mouth.  NOW ISN’T SO FRIGGIN BAD PEOPLE!

Ok, I feel better now that I got that off my chest.  But, seriously.  In 1989, when I was hitting my one year anniversary in the real estate business the mortgage interest rate fluxuated from 9.6% to 10.9+%.  The unemployment rate was hovering around 5%. 

 Times were not easy, we were all pinched and worried, but at no time in my recollection did things become so “dramatic” as they are now. 

What changed?  Well, since this is my blog, I guess I am entitled to my opinion:

THE MEDIA.  Scarey stuff on the boob tube, but do you want these schmucks dictating your life?

Now, I won’t tell you things are all sunshine and cinnamon right now.  They aren’t. Times are hard and the market is volitile at best, I see reality like everyone else.  BUT…

Look at the convergence of the facts for real estate buyers right now:  low low low interest rates (my first home was a VA purchase at 9% and I thought that was good!), the home values have hit the valley and are due for a mild bounce and in the Western Massachusetts market things have quieted down and tabled. 

It is very feasible that you could “wait for things to get better” only to find out that the rates have gone up, values are still the same and you just spent a year living somewhere you didn’t like all to save not one penny.

Don’t let me tell you what to do, either.  That makes us both schmucks.  Do some research.  Do some soul searching.  Take a leap of faith or take a breather.  Whatever you decide, do it because you decided it was right…don’t let the shock jocks rule your world.  We didn’t in 1989 and I think we were better for it!

 

CONSISTENCY   (5 Years)   #1 for LISTINGS SOLD 

   2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 Combined   

 West Springfield, Agawam/Feeding Hills, Southwick & Westfield  

Market Share – All Firms
Report Run: 10/24/2008 4:38:38 AM Property Type(s): SF, CC, MF, LD, CI, BU, RN, MH Start Date: 01/01/04 End Date: 10/24/08 Towns: Agawam, Southwick, West Springfield, Westfield
…  Office ………………………………………………………………………………………….. Listings Sold………………………………….                1 Park Square Realty – Westfield, MA 01085                                                         853                                                                                                  2 Coldwell Banker Residential – Waltham, MA 02451                                            745                                                                                                 3 Carlson GMAC REal Estate – Beverly, MA 01915                                              693                                                                                                 4 Keller Williams Realty – Longmeadow, MA 01106                                              473                                                                                                     5 Century 21 A-1 Nolan Realty – West Springfield, MA 01089                              241

This is why I work with Park Square Realty….RESULTS! 

If you want results, call Lesley Lambert, The Real Estate Natural at  413-575-3611  or visit www.therealestatenatural.com