I make it no secret that I am a huge fan of Western Massachusetts.  I have lived here my entire life and have no plans on leaving.  My work as a REALTOR takes me all over the Pioneer Valley and there are so many beautiful and wonderful places and things to do here!

I am grateful for a number of reasons, including:

#1- the changing beauty.  I love the seasons here and how pretty is is in different ways at different times of year.

#2- the proximity.  I love that I can get to Boston in two hours or New York City in three.  We can be at the mountains or the beach in an hour or so. 

#3- the affordable and safe lifestyle.

#4- the people!!!

Thanksgiving got me to thinking about why I am thankful to be here and now I would love for you to tell me:

1. Find the right representative
The experience and knowledge of a dedicated real estate professional can be priceless. A good Realtor® forms a powerful team with his or her clients that makes it possible for them to have a smooth, successful, stress-free sale.

2. Determine your needs/wants for the sale and for your new home
Selling your primary residence can be tricky because you have to simultaneously be thinking about where you would like to buy. First weigh your priorities – selling price is certainly important, but having a quick and efficient sale can often be worth accepting a slightly lower offer. Talk to your agent and make sure you’re comfortable with where your priorities are.

At the same time, you should be compiling a needs/wants list for the home you will buy. You will probably have to act fairly quickly when your house sells, so any amount of preparation you can do will serve you well.

3. Prepare your house for showing
Underprepared homes can be sales disasters. Your home will never get as much attention from potential buyers as when it is first listed, so clearing clutter, cleaning, making repairs, and putting your home’s best foot forward is essential. Don’t “open for business” until your home is ready to be seen as favorably as possible.

4. Find out what your local market looks like
Being realistic about your market is the key to a smooth sale. There is no substitute for a professional real estate representative when it comes to local market knowledge.

5. List away!
Lots of photos and online exposure are the key to getting a good response for your listing. Working with an agent who uses Point2 Agent software is a great step in the right direction. Now just “open” the house and sit back and wait for the flood of eager buyers!

If you are selling your home in Westfield, Southwick, Agawam, West Springfield or the surrounding Western Massachusetts towns, then I would love to interview for the position. My 21 years experience in Western Massachusetts real estate will help smooth your move.

The REALTOR Association of Pioneer Valley has just released some great news with the lastest sales statistics for October. The stats show an increase in the number of homes sold are up 9% in Hampden County.

October Single Family Sales for the entire Pioneer Valley show sales up 18.4% • Median price down 4.1%

The report for Hampden County Home Sales shows Sales up 9.0% · Median Price down 2.8%

Hampshire County Home Sales reports Sales up 31.4% · Median price up 3.2%

Franklin County Home Sales statistics are Sales up 71% · Median Price down 11.5%

What does this news actually MEAN to those considering selling a home in Western Massachusetts?

• Inventory is down 14% over last year
• The tax credit has been extended and expanded beyond just 1st time buyers to move up buyers as well
• Rates continue to remain at historic lows
• Sellers are seeing great prices and in some cases - multiple offers!

Now is a great time to sell your home and take advantage of all these once in a lifetime incentives! If you are considering a move in Western Massachusetts then contact Lesley Lambert of Park Square Realty in Westfield, MA.

My latest listing found me on Google by researching the term "short sale real estate agent in Western MA" and has been following my blog articles of short sale advice and education. 

While it is never a great thing to have to sell your home via short sale, I am honored that she valued my input enough to want guidance through this and I am thrilled that I may be able to help her through this difficult time. 

She tried to get several other agents to help her with getting informed and they gave her answers like: "short sales are too much work". 

While there is some truth to the fact that there can be extra work involved in selling a short sale, each one is different and they can go fairly smoothly.  They are also a reality of our market right now. 

I find great pleasure in helping sellers with their short sale situations for a few reasons:

#1- I was there and feel empathy for their level of stress.  I want to help that stress decrease.

#2- It is a hands on way for me to help the housing market recover and stop properties from foreclosing

#3- It is an avenue of business for me.

So, if you are a homeowner in Western Massachusetts who needs a real estate agent to help you make a short sale work, call me.  If you are a REALTOR in Western Massachusetts who doesn't want to work short sales: refer those clients to me, I will take good care of them!

Come to Westfield, MA on Saturday, September 26, 2009 for the 6th annual Colonial Harvest Day!

This fun downtown event will feature antique dealers, fiddlers, Fife & Drum Corps, colonial demonstrations and more! Stroll the leaf lined streets of Westfield and enjoy all the bounty and fun this wonderful city has to offer!

For more information visit the Westfield On Weekends page!