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Michele Lerner is a respected and established real estate reporter with two decades of experience. Her work can be seen regularly in the “Friday Home Guide” of The Washington Times, Urban Land magazine, the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts’ Real Estate Portfolio magazine and on Bankrate.com. She writes regularly for Realtor association magazines in Virginia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Florida. Her daily blog on residential real estate can be found on Examiner.com.

Thank you Michele for taking the time to answer some questions for us!  To start, please tell us about the latest project you've worked on.

My first book, Homebuying - Tough Times, First Time, Any Time: Smart Ways to Make a Sound Investment, combines interviews with real estate industry professionals and financial planners from around the country who shared with me their understanding of what it takes in this current economic climate to make a smart decision about buying a home.

After twenty years of accumulating knowledge about preparing financially for buying a home, finding a good real estate agent and understanding the nuances of insurance, home inspections, taxes and legal aspects of homeownership, I wanted to share this expertise with potential buyers. First-time buyers are always a little scared of taking on such a big responsibility, but in these times it can be even more frightening. This step-by-step guide serves as a reference book to help consumers through the process.

Do you also do speaking engagements, or seminars?

Yes. I speak to real estate agents to help them understand what first-time homebuyers need; I will also be working on a series of first-time homebuyer seminars.

What kind of other works have you had published?

I have had more than 5,000 articles published in newspapers and magazines over the past twenty years. The majority of these articles have been written for consumers about issues related to real estate and personal finance.

Is there any aspect to your profession that gets you in touch with your readers directly?

When working on this book and on my articles I frequently interview people in the midst of buying or selling a home; handling a short sale or foreclosure or trying to refinance a mortgage. Talking with "real people" gives me insight into the information they are looking for.

Who inspires you on a personal or business level?

I am inspired most by families have worked hard and made sacrifices in order to save money and buy a home. These are the people I want to help the most with solid advice that will help them make a smart decision. During the financial crisis the focus of media attention often shifted to people who had scammed the system and bought homes they couldn't afford, but I prefer to focus on the families that live within their means and understand that the value of buying a home isn't just financial, but also emotional.

What type of work is the most rewarding or satisfying for you?

While I write articles for a variety of audiences including real estate agents and developers, my heart is really in writing for consumers. I am most satisfied when I know I have explained a complex concept in an understandable way, cutting through legal or financial language to get to the facts that consumers really need to understand.

What can you recommend for writers who are just getting started and are trying to make a name for themselves?

I have been a freelance writer for 20 years and I recommend that new writers do exactly as I did: write as well as you can, ask as many questions as you can to make sure you understand your subject and always, always meet every deadline. Persistance pays off.

How did you get started as a writer?

I was a stay-at-home mother and my local newspaper placed an ad for someone interested in writing for their "Home and Design" page, no experience required. While I had always loved writing, I had never before been paid to write. I was lucky enough to work with a wonderful editor who honed my skills into a good newspaper style, then pursued other clients over time through word of mouth and searching for related publications.

Which is your favorite book/work published? Is there a favorite?

HOMEBUYING: Tough Times, First Time, Any Time (because it is my first!)

What does a typical work day look like for you?

I start early every day with a long walk to wake up and clear my head, then work on my computer from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with about a fifteen-minute break for lunch. I am able to shift between interviewing and writing, which helps me move along faster and keep me from getting burnt out by working on only one thing. I often work on two or three articles at a time, which also keeps me interested. When I was writing my book I would set aside a day or so to work only on the book, cramming my regular work into other days.

I am very protective of my evenings and weekends, trying to keep them free of work, although I did have to work on a few Saturdays and evenings when writing and editing my book. This separation of evenings and days seems very important to me because I work at home.

Have you ever had a mentor, or someone who sparked your passion for writing?

I have had several editors who have functioned as mentors, both by working with me to improve my writing and editing and encouraging me to continue expanding my work with other publications and topics.

Who is your favorite writer/author?

Jane Austen

Finally, a most important question: what was the last song you sang out loud when you were by yourself?  :)

Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" (Really!)

Thank you Michele! We wish you great success with your upcoming first book Homebuying - Tough Times, First Time, Any Time!