lesley lambert

Sep 05 2013

FHA Changes Regulations – May Allow Those Involved with Foreclosure to Become Homeowners Within One Year

Logo of the Federal Housing Administration. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The FHA recently announced “Back to Work – Extenuating Circumstances” which may allow those who had been involved in a short sale or foreclosure the ability to get an FHA mortgage loan as soon as one year after the event.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

In addition to meeting all FHA mortgage criteria, applicants will also have to demonstrate that they experienced an economic event that was the circumstance that caused the reduction in income. Additionally they will have to participate in specialized housing counseling and be able to demonstrate that their situation has improved and income is steady.

This is good news for people in Western MA who may have been involved in a foreclosure or short sale that was caused by a loss of work, illness, divorce or other severe circumstances.

These changes were spelled out in HUD’s Mortgagee Letter 2013-26 which you can view here.

If you live in Western MA and have been involved in foreclosure or short sale and are interested in becoming a homeowner again, please get in touch! Lesley Lambert, Park Square Realty, 413-575-3611

Jun 26 2013

Lesley Lambert, REALTOR with Park Square Realty in Westfield, MA Named one of Banker & Tradesmen’s “Women of FIRE”

Nothing but blue skies (Photo credit: LesleyLambert)

I am so humbled and excited to share with you that I was named one of 15 recipients of Banker & Tradesmen’s “Women of FIRE” (Finance, Insurance and Real Estate).

From the Banker & Tradesmen webpage:

“Banker & Tradesman has named its 2013 Women of FIRE honorees, an annual award recognizing the key female players in the local FIRE (Finance, Insurance and Real Estate) sector. The third annual Women of FIRE award celebrates the best and the brightest women in the Massachusetts FIRE industry. With the help of Banker & Tradesman readers, a group of judges sorted through dozens of nominations and chose 15 brilliant, innovative leaders to be named this year’s Women of FIRE.

“We searched for the best of the best – those women who are making a difference through innovation, hard work, team-building, philanthropy, mentoring or leadership – and these women demonstrate these exemplary qualities,” said Timothy M. Warren Jr., CEO of The Warren Group, publisher of Banker & Tradesman.”

Banker & Tradesmen Women of FIRE (Finance, Insurance & Real Estate) from Lesley Lambert

Special HUGE thank you to my good friend Jaclyn Stevenson of Winstanley for nominating me!

I am very excited to be included in such a prestigious group of women from around the state and look forward to meeting them through this process.

Lesley Lambert, REALTOR, Park Square Realty covering the Pioneer Valley and Western Massachusetts real estate for 24 years!

Jun 06 2013

Watch out for ordinary wear and tear on your Western MA home

Coming on the market this week! #Southwick #we... — Coming on the market this week! #Southwick #westernma (Photo credit: LesleyLambert)

Did you know that there are over 144 million homes in the United States and Canada and that the median age is 36 years?

Odds are if you live in Massachusetts, your home may be much older than that! When is the last time you performed regular preventative maintenance to your Western MA home?

You should expect some natural deterioration or wear and tear on your property and you will want to budget appropriately so that you can maintain your home and protect the value. Insurance policies may not cover damage caused by a lack of maintenance, so homeowners should be prepared by understanding the normal lifespan of their home’s components.

The following slides will explain the life expectancy of things like roofs, windows, flooring, plumbing, appliances and decks. There is also a checklist of preventative maintenance for homeowners to follow.

Prevent costly home repairs to your Western MA home from Lesley Lambert

If you are looking to buy or sell your Western MA home, please give me a call! Lesley Lambert, Park Square Realty 413-575-3611

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May 17 2013

Lesley Lambert on her favorite park in Westfield, MA : Grandmothers’ Garden

This week the Abouthomes Girls assignment was to discuss our favorite local park. Westfield, MA is blessed with many beautiful parks and public spaces, but my favorite park is Grandmothers’ Garden on Smith Avenue in Westfield, MA.

I hope you will be able to join us for the garden gala weekend June 14-16, 2013! You can get your tickets here.

Apr 30 2013

Happy National Dance Week from Your Dancing REALTOR in Western MA!

Lesley Lambert: Tap dancing REALTOR (Photo credit: LesleyLambert)

The week of April 29, 2013 marks the beginning of National Dance Week.

I have been dancing my whole life and dance is a huge part of who I am. Dance has been a hobby, sport, job, creative outlet, family bonding and friendship building experience for me. Most all, dance has been my outlet.

I am so grateful to have dance in my life now and love sharing the joy of dance with my daughters and my students at New England Dance Centers. I appreciate spending time with these kids and really enjoy that they crave my experience and input. There is something so wonderful about sharing a passion with the next generation. It is very empowering to know that what I teach these young people will impact and help to shape who they become.

Dance is also a large part of why I am such a good (if I do say so myself) real estate agent for my clients and customers in Western MA. Dance taught me to set goals and take steps towards achieving those goals, dance taught me that determination and spirit will lead to success, dance gave me the strength and confidence to back up my thoughts, dance gave me the ability to gracefully accept constructive criticism

Dance pictures (Photo credit: LesleyLambert)

and dance gave me a quiet space inside to help find answers to questions. These are leadership skills that I may not have learned, or learned as well, another way.

So, while I am a full time (60 to 80 hours a week is full time, right?) REALTOR, a job that I truly love, I am glad to still have dance in my life. Some people spend their “down time” at the gym or playing poker or doing crafts. I spend mine at the dance studio with my daughters.

Below are some videos I have created about dance. There is one very short (and pretty crappy quality) video of me tap dancing and there is a video I made for the Abouthom.es Girls talking about why I love dance (in which I tap dance again).

If you want a REALTOR who learned important leadership skills at an early age and who loves dance, but never gives a song and dance in her real estate work then call Lesley Lambert, Dancing REALTOR at Park Square Realty in Westfield, MA.