Western Mass Homes Lesley Lambert

The TREW Show

TREW Show (The Real Estate Wrap Up): Down Payments, Bad Agents and Real Estate Sales Stats for Western MA

On the latest episode of the TREW Show, Nick and I discuss the trends for down payments on buying a home. We share the top ten most expensive states for a down payment on a home purchase. For example: the number one more expensive state for a down payment is New Jersey. Massachusetts was the tenth most expensive according to the study discussed.

We also share some warnings about how to choose the right REALTOR…how do you know if you are working with a bad agent and should you cut ties? We share five things to look out for in deciding who to work with.

Finally we share some 2011 real estate sales statistics for Westfield, MA where the median sales price went UP!; Ludlow, MA and Wilbraham, MA.

Click below to view the whole show and let me know how you think we are doing!

Presidential Candidate Opinions on Housing, Funny Real Estate Listings and Western MA Real Estate Market Updates: This week’s TREW show

This week on the TREW Show, Nick and I discussed the importance of finding out the Presidential candidate’s opinions on the housing recovery. Nick found an easy to follow graph that we recommend as your starting point for researching the candidate’s stance on this important aspect of economic growth.

I found a fabulous list by Ellen DeGeneres featuring some of the most amusing real estate advertisements I have seen. We share a couple of our favorites from her great finds.

Nick and I review the 2011 Real Estate market standings for several towns in Hampden County, Massachusetts including: Springfield and West Springfield. Learn if your home values increased or decreased and other important sales information by watching this:

6 Strategies for Underwater Mortgages

On the most recent episode of the TREW Show, my co-host Nick and I discussed 6 strategies for underwater mortgages.

The unfortunate by-product of this difficult economy is the fact that many people are underwater or upside down in their home mortgage. We describe the options and strategies:

1- Stay and pay
2- Refinance
3- Loan modification
4- Short Sale
5- Foreclosure
6- Bankruptcy

Selling Your Western MA Home During The Holidays

Many Western Massachusetts home owners ask this question at this time of year, “Should I sell my home during the holidays?”.

I hosted a poll on Facebook to get answers from the crowd as to whether they would sell their home during the holidays and also, whether they preferred simple or elaborate holiday decorations.

The answers were split as to whether they would or would not sell, but the decorations question was a resounding, SIMPLE!

My co-host Nick and I discussed the process of selling your home during the holidays on the most recent edition of TREW (The Real Estate Wrapup):

REALTOR.ORG has a wonderful Field Guide to Selling or Buying a Home During the Holidays with some extensive links to review if you are weighing this option.

Here are my pros and cons to selling your Western Massachusetts home during the holidays:

Pros:
buyers that are looking are motivated
less inventory
Buying is emotional , what better time of year to make people feel special in the home?

Cons:
entertaining schedules and showing schedules
Crowded decor
Snow/rain

If you are looking for some unique decorating ideas for your mantel or staircase there are some wonderful ideas to be found. I really liked the mantel decorations on this site and thought the staircase ideas offered in this video were unique.

Thank you to Marlene Goldstein, Kathy Rocco, Lisa Oden, Christine Pilch Mancini and Diane Guercio for their input to my Facebook poll…you ladies rock!

Antique Homes for Sale in Western MA and Beyond

exterior
Image by LesleyLambert via Flickr

I am a huge fan of historical and antique homes in Western Massachusetts and beyond.  I love visiting them, driving by them and representing them as a REALTOR.

On the latest edition of TREW (The Real Estate Wrapup) my co-host, Nick, and I discuss antique and historic homes.  The first segment was about two very different historic homes for sale.  One for $2 and the other for over four million dollars!

We went on to talk about the need for specialized marketing when selling an antique or historic home.  We both agreed that the advertising should tell the story of this home, not just the square footage and other normal details.

Financing can also be an issue with buying and selling a historic home in Western MA or anywhere.  We discussed some options that potential antique homebuyers might not have considered, but should.

Are you interested in historic and antique property, too?  Be sure to watch The Antique Home Edition of the TREW Show.

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta