Lesley Lambert (413-575-3611) Real Estate Agent,Realtor,Westfield, MA,

Yes, you read that correctly and it is super simple!

Step One: Buy your home using a Park Square Realty agent (ME!)

Step Two: Finance your mortgage with Wells Fargo

Step Three: Close with a partnering attorney

Step Four: Collect $600 in credits at your closing!

All buyers are eligible, not limited to first time homebuyers and this credit is good through the end of 2009!

Advantages abound in this program: not only do you get a terrific REALTOR, but a proven mortgage officer and local attorney working on your behalf.

We know that all homebuyers, not just first time homebuyers, are needing a little extra help right now.

Call me today if you are interested in this fantastic program!

Lesley Lambert, Park Square Realty, 413-575-3611

This week I posed this question on my Facebook page:

What do you look for in your REALTOR? Be specific: internet savvy, traditional advertising, contact, etc

I got some excellent answers and they seemed to follow a very common thread. I found it interesting that many of us agents spend a lot of time trying to brand ourselves as being the neighborhood expert, internet specialist, new construction specialist, etc., yet most people answering my question never mentioned a specialty as being important.

Christine Pilch (@christinepilch) said she wants Honesty and integrity.

Angust Brewer: Honesty, knowledge, professionalism, integrity, efficiency.

Joe Campoleita (@campo524) gave a wealth of info: First, and to me most trusted, would be a personal recommendation from someone I know. Next might be to use the local papers to see who has listings I like in places I would want to live. I would use the internet the same way. Go on local RE firms sites to see what/where they have listings. Now for internet it would probably sway me if the website had a "rating" section in which clients would give a rating and write something about their experience. In-depth market knowledge is important...once I "meet" the agent my expectation is they can effectively discern my needs (both known and unknown...meaning the client might not really understand their needs) and match those needs to what the market has available. Needs based sales and marketing.

Erica Mulinare gave a "funny" (not really) accounting of what happened to her parents: How about someone who doesn't bring a bottle of wine to a showing and drink it while sitting in the owner's chaise lounge while the prospective buyers, the realtor's friends, are walking around the house. ...happened to my parents... they didn't think it was really too big a deal becuase the people bought the house, but I wouldn't be happy at all! (hehe).

While I do spend a significant amount of my marketing time on the internet, and tout myself as being a tech savvy REALTOR (google my name), I try to always keep customer service at the forefront. After these answers I realize that all the other efforts that I make as an agent might set me apart in a a branding or niche sense, but at the end of the day my clients want honesty, integrity, knowledge and professionalism.

I can do that!

In fact, I have been doing that for 21 years in the Western Massachusetts Real Estate field!

Have something to add? Share with us so I can learn from you, too!

My newest article is up at Agent Genius Magazine where I am a featured writer on the topic of homeowners in distress. I find that many agents fail to empathize properly with homeowners going through a troubled time and worse than that: fail to HELP.

Take a look at my article which explains my thoughts as to the reasons for foreclosures and how I think each of us can help many people avoid the worst.

We are in a unique position to stop foreclosure before it happens if we are informed, concerned and involved!

If you or someone you know is in a situation due to: divorce, lost job, illness or injury, subprime mortgage, sinking home values or for any other reason: visit my site: Westfield Home Help. This site is designed to show homeowners in the Westfield, MA and surrounding areas that they aren't alone and there is help available.

The clock is ticking on the time left to take advantage of your first time homebuyer tax credit!

I have had many young buyers ask me if I really think now is the right time for them to purchase a home. The answer is YES and not only because I would love to help them. I would say yes to these young people even if I wasn't involved in the real estate industry and this is why:

#1- The tax credit. I had a buyer purchase a home in Springfield, MA, file an amended tax return and get her $8,000 within two weeks after closing!

#2- Home prices. It seems to be unanimous that home values have tabled in the Western Massachusetts area. Buyers can enjoy the benefit of the 5-9% deflation in home values since 2005. Values have tabled and are expected to start gaining in certain areas.

#3- Interest rates. While they have been fluctuating over the past few weeks, an FHA mortgage remains a great option for almost all first time homebuyers.

For more information on buying your first home see my series of informational videos that cover the process from shopping to inspections and beyond. If you have questions about the tax credit, buying your first home or real estate in general, please feel free to contact me anytime!

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