Springfield, MA

This photo was taken at The Big E in Springfield, MA the other night. Anyone want to date themselves and say they remember one of these coming around their neighborhood back in the day? =)

If you are ever looking for a Buyer's Agent or Seller's Agent in Worcester County, Hampden County, or anywhere in Central Mass, please don't hesitate to contact me, Kathleen Cooper at kathleencooper@jckcrealty.com . Please make sure to visit my website at http://www.MassachusettsHomeLocator.com and find everything you need from market snapshots, Buyer and Seller information, property searches, my blog and more!

kathleencooper@jckcrealty.com , cooperagents@charter.net , 508-523-8632 www.activerain.com/jckcrealty, www.JCKCRealty.com, www.CentralMAListings.com, http://www.realtor.com, www.MassachusettsHomeLocator.com, http://www.facebook.com, www.trulia.com, www.myspace.com/kfcooper, http://jckcrealty.postlets.com/ , www.loopnet.com, http://twitter.com/jckcrealty

I am proud to be a full time real estate professional and Massachusetts Realtor. I am happy for the opportunity to work with you in the purchase or sale of your next home! Contact me today!

Contact Kathleen Cooper, JCKC Realty, Realtor, Sturbridge, MA (Worcester and Hampden Counties and All Of Central Massachusetts).

Sturbridge Realtor, Realtor in Sturbridge, Worcester County Realtor, Worcester County Real Estate, Buy a Home, Buyer Specialist, Buyer Agency, Sell a Home, Worcester County, Sturbridge, MA, SRES

Being this is day #50, it's only fitting that the Baseketball Hall of Fame, celebrating it's 50th anniversary this very year, be in this spot. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame was first in a small building on the campus of Springfield College where the game was first introduced. The first baseketball game was played on December 21st in 1891. James Naismith, a physical education teacher, introduced this game to a class of 18 men. The original Hall of Fame was opened in February 17, 1968

Who is your team? Boston Celtics...Orlando Magic...Dallas Mavericks? No matter your team, if you're a fan of basketball, you'll be sure to enjoy the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA. They are open Mondays-Thursdays from 10AM-4PM and Fridays-Saturdays from 10AM-5PM.

Springfield MA Real Estate For Sale

Buying a home may be the most important investment an individual or family makes in their lifetime. It is important to know the process and to be aware of the industry professionals who can assist you. The two primary advisers will be Realtors and mortgage lenders. You must understand how much you can afford and what your budget will allow. If you are a first-time home buyer, you may qualify for a tax credit ($8000 in 2009) and could be eligible for special financing programs. To take advantage of this program, you must close on the property you purchase by December 1, 2009.

Mortgage Financing - A Loan for Your Home

Most home buyers borrow the money to purchase property by obtaining a mortgage through a lender. The lender may be a bank, mortgage banker, credit union or a private investor. The most common types of loans are conventional and government insured (FHA and VA). It is advisable to obtain a "credit approval" from a lender prior to actively looking at property so that you understand the price range you can afford.

The Real Estate Agent's Role in the Process

As a consumer in the home buying process, you have options for representation from a real estate agent. In Massachusetts you may hire a buyer's agent or work through a facilitator. A buyer agent is a licensee who acts on behalf of a buyer or tenant in the purchase, exchange, rental, or lease of real estate. A facilitator is an individual licensee who assists one or more parties during all or a portion of a real estate transaction without being an agent or advocate for the interests of any party to such transaction.

Finding Your First Home in Springfield, MA

There are a variety of on-line tools and services that will assist you in finding the perfect home. The Massachusetts home search is easy with "quick search" options to search for MA homes for sale and real estate. Let us assist you in finding the property that meets your needs. Virtual Homes real estate agents can assist you in your search for the perfect home.

Massachusetts Multiple Listing Service- Search the MLS for all MA property listings. Go to MA MLS.

Massachusetts Foreclosures and Bank Owned Homes - Register to receive MA foreclosure (bank-owned) listings and short sale opportunities.

MA Home Search Service - Home search is a web-based real estate software tool (MLSpulse) that keeps you continually informed of your local real estate market.

Springfield, MA entry level homes can be found at Springfield MA Affordable Homes for Sale. At this map based search, click on affordable homes under popular searches.

Home Inspection - In-depth View of the Property

A home inspection gives the buyer more detailed information about the overall condition of the home prior to purchase. In a home inspection, a qualified inspector takes an in-depth, unbiased look at your potential new home to advise you on the condition and necessary repairs.

Legal - Obtaining Title and Possession

In most areas of Massachusetts, both the buyer and seller have an attorney represent them. An attorney representing your interests will review the Purchase and Sales agreement, research the title and coordinate the closing. They review or prepare the HUD-1 settlement statement, schedule the closing, record the documents and distribute the funds. Once the paperwork is signed and the seller receives his funds, they will give you the keys to your new home.

Virtual Homes Real Estate is your portal for all you're Massachusetts real estate needs, (603-732-1800).

Expert Credit Repair in Springfield MA

National Credit Fixers: 330 Roberts Street 4th Floor East Hartford CT 06108 phone: 860-282-6181 www.nationalcreditfixers.com National Credit Fixers boasts of 12 years experience repairing low FICO scores. Whether your credit has been damaged by a foreclosure, bankruptcy, slow credit, collections, judgments, repossessions, etc. we can help. We are the experts in credit restoration and credit repair.

National Credit Fixers can legally remove negative items off of your credit reports and help you qualify for the best rates possible! Information contained in your credit file must be reported according to a law called the Fair Credit Reporting Act (F.C.R.A.). If the information isn't accurate or verifiable then it must be deleted.

This means your FICO scores will go up as a result. Do yourself a favor and come see us if you don't qualify for a loan, or if the rates you do qualify for are just too high.

Don't let bad credit prevent you from getting you the best rate you deserve! We offer expert credit repair at an affordable price.

FACT: 79% of all Americans have errors in their credit reports which can cost thousands of dollars in unnecessarily high interest rates. Are you one of them?

Here is our track record for 2008:

Average FICO score increase in 6 months: 50 points

Score increase in 35 days

10 points or more 93%

20 points or more 71%

50 points or more 20%

100 points or more 10%

Score increase in 90 days

10 points or more 97%

20 points or more 82%

50 points or more 35%

100 points or more 20%

:)

Matt Listro

Toll Free: 888-NCFIXER (623-4937)

Toll Free Fax: 888-FAX-4020 (329-4020)

Local: 860-282-6181

330 Roberts Street 4^th Floor

East Hartford, CT 06108

www.nationalcreditfixers.com

Nothing, unless you are Lesley Lambert and happen to be showing 13 houses in Springfield, MA to your new first time home buyer client!

Never let it be said that being a real estate agent isn't a constant adventure!

So, my day started out with meeting my new buyer client for the first time and doing a buyer agency counseling session. After that we loaded up into my car and started out on our three hour journey.

The first home was normal enough. Lock box where it belongs, house was ok...we moved on.

The second home was confirmed with the homeowner to let us in. We find the street and my buyer points to a house with a sign and says "there it is". I park, we head to the door and knock. No answer. I try the REALTOR to see if I can use the lock box and can't get in touch with him. As I am getting on the phone with the listing office my buyer informs me that we are at the wrong house. Color me dippy...I never checked the house number, sheesh. With a laugh we make our way to the correct home which the buyer didn't like.

We zig zag across Springfield (my showing order got messed up by the listing Realtors time requirements) and go to our next home which isn't plowed or shoveled out. After stomping through the foot of snow we discover that it is also not the right home. Ah, the joys of showing REO listings in the winter in Western Massachusetts.

Next stop was almost not a stop as we slid sideways down the ice encrusted hill leading to the home. We can't go inside this one because the agent hasn't called me back in four days with the lock box combo...of course, they love this one, so we have to re-schedule.

Moving along we use my GPS to find the next stop, only the road has been barricaded with barrels and chains. We decide to park and walk vs. trying to find our way around. This home is a treasure! It is a large Craftsman home with a different inlaid floor pattern in each room, beamed ceilings, gorgeous built in features and wood galore. The MBR has a bath AND a fireplace and we are all falling in love, until....we go into the bedroom with icicles on the ceiling. This is a bank owned "where is, as is" listing and these buyers are not ready for that kind of project.

NEXT!

A series of homes that are just not quite right follow as we continue to loop around town. We pass the same landmark a few times and I start making "Look Kids! Big Ben!" jokes a la the movie European Vacation.

We eventually land at our last home which looks adorable from the road and has a large lot. The driveway has totally iced over and the three of us are literally skating to the back door to access the lock box. After a few axles and triple loops we get inside the house, which is quaint. This home is somehow been frozen in time, including the amenities which include this lovely AM/FM toilet paper dispenser. I have been showing homes for 20years and I must admit, I have never seen this before!

At the end of the day, we had shared a lot of laughs and seen a lot of interesting things. I know more about these new buyers and what they are looking for in a home and we will be going out for more adventures next weekend!

If you know someone who is looking to buy a home in Western MA and would like to make it an adventure...have them call

Lesley Lambert, The Real Estate Natural at Park Square Realty!