Westfield, MA

Are you a first time homebuyer who is confused about the tax credit changes? Perhaps you are considering becoming a first time homebuyer and you want to understand how the first time home buyer tax credit will help you? Let me help to explain it to you...

There are a few key items that I think are important:

#1- The tax credit is increased by $500 since 2008 and does not require repayment as the old credit does.

#2- Any first time home buyer is eligible. A person is considered a first time buyer if he/she has not had any ownership interest in a home in the three years previous to the day of the 2009 purchase.

#3-The full $8,000 is applied to any home purchase over $80,000. Purchases under that will recieve 10% of the purchase price.

#4- Income restrictions are $75,000 for an individual and $150,000 for a married couple filing jointly.

Watch the video below for some other information on what the first time home buyer tax credit can do for you!

If you are a first time home buyer in Westfield, MA or Western MA and are looking for an agent that can educate and guide you through this important step, look no further! I love working with first time home buyers. Be sure to view my other first time homebuyer videos:

Western MA First Time Home Buyers Start Here!

You Found The Right Home, Now What?

Western MA First Time Home Buyers Tutorial: Inspections

Western MA First Time Home Buyers Tutorial: Inspections the Seller Does

Lesley Lambert, The Real Estate Natural at Park Square Realty, Westfield, MA

413-575-3611

I am very excited to be attending PodCamp in Holyoke, MA this Saturday, March 28th. What in the world is a PodCamp and why would I want to go you ask? Well...

"PodCamp WesternMass is a community-based ‘unconference’ modeled after a popular meeting concept in new media. Forrester Research predicts that spending on interactive technologies will grow to $61 billion by 2012, and that social media will drive emerging channels to $10.6 billion. PodCamp WesternMass is designed for anyone interested in the online world to share ideas, hear from industry experts, and participate in discussions."

This quote is from the internet press release for the event, scheduled to run from 9am-5pm.

As a REALTOR in Westfield and working in Western MA, I have been very interested in the growth of social media over the last year. I am active in Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and utilize the web to promote myself and my listings. I am hoping to learn new concepts that will help me to promote my blog, personal website and the homeowner help website that I am developing.

This event brings groundbreaking opportunities to the businesses and individuals in Western MA...don't miss out!

If you are ready to register, be sure to visit the registration page to save a spot! See you there!!!

So you have started looking for your first home in Westfield or Western MA or perhaps you already found the house you love and are moving into the purchasing phase.

This next video in my First Time Home Buyer's series will focus on the inspection process.   I already discussed your inspections and now we will cover the inspections that the seller is responsible for.

I am located in Westfield, MA and will be discussing our common practice, laws and regulations.  If you live outside of this area, some details may differ, so be sure to consult a local REALTOR.

Buying your first home in Westfield and Western MA is exciting and it is even more fun when you are educated!

If you are looking for an agent in Westfield, please call me at 413-575-3611 or email therealestatenatural@yahoo.com!

So you have started looking for your first home in Westfield or Western MA or perhaps you already found the house you love and are moving into the purchasing phase.

This next video in my First Time Home Buyer's series will focus on the inspection process. I am located in Westfield, MA and will be discussing our common practice, laws and regulations. If you live outside of this area, some details may differ, so be sure to consult a local REALTOR.

Buying your first home in Westfield and Western MA is exciting and it is even more fun when you are educated!

If you are looking for an agent in Westfield, please call me at 413-575-3611 or email therealestatenatural@yahoo.com!

Here in my hometown of Westfield, MA we have a large population of squirrels, and many of them are black.

When people come to visit they are often amazed by these rare little rodents and inquire about their origins.

Photo by Stan Freeman/The Republican

This excerpt from Stanley Park's website explains how these cute little critters landed in Westfield, MA:

"A Westfield phenomenon since the late 1940's, the black squirrels now populate most areas of the city and have moved into surrounding communities. Because they are not indigenous to Western Massachusetts, the presence of the squirrels has led to a rather large collection of stories and tall tales as to how they got here, when, and perhaps most important, why? They were a gift to Frank Stanley Beveridge, the founder of The Stanley Park of Westfield, Inc. and Stanhome Inc., from former Stanhome Inc., sales manager's, Hubert L. Worell and Alvah (Al) Elzerman. In 1948, Worell and Elserman brought the squirrels from Michigan to Westfield, Massachusetts when they were to attend a conference here at Stanhome Inc., or known at that time as Stanley Home Products. The first arrivals were kept in cages and did not adapt well to their new environment; they failed to reproduce and eventually died. Undaunted, Worell and Elserman tried again, this time bringing six squirrels, allowing them to roam free in the confines of the park. The squirrels found their new surroundings and their freedom to their liking, and were soon an established tenant of Westfield. Now black squirrels are to be found all over the Pioneer Valley and are numerous especially in the park."

Masslive.com featured an interesting story about the black squirrels today, which was the spark to write this blog. It always amazes me how every region has something special that we treat as common and forget is unique. Westfield is blessed by having a wonderful park like Stanley Park. When I am not busy helping people with buying or selling a home, it is a favorite destination with my daughters.

The wikipedia definition of the black squirrels tells about the various locations that they are known to thrive and also mentions our beautiful Stanley Park, Westfield, MA. The population of the black squirrels extends into about 60 communities in Western Massachusetts at this point.

These unique animals have spurred a retail business spoofing on the Black Dog items from Martha's Vineyard. You can buy any number of products sporting the Black Squirrel at this site.

If you are interested in the biology of the black squirrel, this report has all the statistics you are looking for.

While searching google for more information for this blog, I discovered that there is another Stanley Park in Vancouver with black squirrels....what an odd coincidence! Here is a photo of their squirrel.

If you are looking to move to Westfield, MA: home of the adorable black squirrel, be sure to get in touch with:

Lesley Lambert, The Real Estate Natural at Park Square Realty