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Lesley's Life
Look Ma- I am in REALTOR Magazine!
It is no secret that I am a big fan of all things social media and technology in real estate. Using location-based applications is no exception. I have been using applications like Brightkite, Foursquare and Gowalla for a couple of years now in Western MA and have spent a lot of time thinking about how I can utilize them to help with exposure in the local Western MA real estate market.
Last summer I wrote a post on this topic for Agent Genius magazine geared toward sharing some of my thoughts on how location based applications like Foursquare can be used in a marketing and branding sense to expose real estate agents to a new market.
I was beyond flattered when REALTOR Magazine emailed me and asked if they could use some of my post as a quote in an upcoming article on the same subject. Yesterday my broker presented me with the magazine and when I saw the article I was even MORE excited because I shared space in the story with Todd Carpenter, NAR’s social media manager. Todd and I have had the opportunity to meet a few times and I am so honored to be quoted in the same story!
If you want to take a look at the REALTOR Magazine story, click here. I am so proud to see my quote followed up by says Lesley Lambert, a sales associate with Park Square Realty in Westfield, Mass!
If you are interested in learning more about social media, technology or location-based applications you can contact me. If you want a REALTOR who is using new media techniques to help her clients achieve their home-ownership dreams then definitely contact me!
Park Square Realty Awards Breakfast
Today was the Park Square Realty Awards Breakfast at Tucker’s Restaurant in Southwick, MA. Agents from both the Westfield, MA and Feeding Hills, MA Park Square Realty offices were honored with awards for production, loyalty and some special awards for all kinds of amusing reasons.
One of the reasons that I like working for Park Square Realty is that in addition to being a group of high producing, hard working professionals – we know how to have fun, too!
I was proud to have met my 2010 goal and to have placed in the Platinum Circle and top 5 agents in the company. I also received a loyalty award for five years of working for Park Square Realty.
I made this video to share with you so you can glimpse the inside of Park Square Realty…there is a reason we are number one in our area!
Homeownership is Emotional : a REALTOR’s take on Miranda Lambert’s “The House that Built Me”
In reading a recent REALTOR Magazine I saw the interview with Tom Douglas who wrote the lyrics to Miranda Lambert’s hit “The House That Built Me”. I am not much of a country music fan, so this song had gone under my radar, but his answers in the interview intrigued me to go find the song and give it a listen.
You conceived of the song during the housing boom times, but it wasn’t released until 2010. Did the dramatic changes in the market affect the song’s meaning in any way?
Douglas: A house is not simply four walls or a financial investment. It becomes your heart. It’s still the dream for most people, regardless of whether the real estate industry is booming. Having our own home is what we aspire to, whether it’s a trailer or a mansion on a hill.
Home ownership is so emotional and Douglas gets it right when he points out that it isn’t four walls. We all bond with our homes for different reasons. People often choose a house because it “feels like home”. Over the course of my 23 years as a real estate professional in Western MA, I have seen this time and time again. For reasons unknown to me, one house speaks to the buyer and gives them that “warm and fuzzy” feeling that tells them they want this to be home.
I grew up in Southwick and Westfield, MA and still drive by my childhood homes to catch a glimpse of my youthful memories. It is amazing how imagining my homes at certain points in my life is evocative of so many emotions. When I drive by I see the lilacs that my grandfather planted and the pool I loved to swim in. I see the lawn I mowed each week as a teenager and the spot where I parked my car. I remember the family room that hosted so many slumber parties and my lavender bedroom with the most expensive carpeting in the house. Just thinking of these spaces brings back a rush of memories and my mind’s eye can see things the way they were.
As Miranda Lambert sings her song, I realize that we all share those attachments to our homes and I am humbled to be part of the process that puts people into their home.
Here is the video for Miranda Lambert’s “The House that Built Me”…enjoy!
On Friendship, Social Media and the Power in Numbers – For Clint Miller
The last two days have been sad for me as I heard that my friend Clint Miller is struggling with cancer and is in ICU. The outpouring of love and support for him on the internet has been amazing. We are using the hashtag #weloveclint on Twitter and there is a prayer group on Facebook.
A fundraising webpage was created for Clint and his family and today our friend Ken Cook is dedicating his radio show to support Clint.
Clint and I met through Twitter and formed a wonderful friendship. He has brought laughter, love, support, caring and kindness to me over the years. I share some thoughts here…please listen:
Clint was a huge supporter and inspiration when I first started blogging. He would give me amazing feedback and it is largely because of his encouragement that I found my voice in blogging. Clint worries about others and he does something about it. He calls, he messages, he comments, he engages and shares himself with so many.
Though we have yet to meet in person, Clint Miller is counted amongst my closest friends and I have spent the last two days sending him healing light, prayers and lots and lots of love. Clint is a fighter who has overcome amazing hurdles and remained positive and good. I know that later he will look on this as another obstacle he overcame. Please join me in praying for his speedy recovery from aggressive cancer. He gives so much and now it is our turn to give to Clint. There is power in social media, there is power in friendship and there is even more power when friends bond together in large numbers for the same cause.
Clint, get well and know that you are loved. I love you and so many others share that feeling.
