Archive for May, 2010

NRT LLC Ranked First Nationally for 13th Straight Year

Saturday, May 22nd, 2010

I am proud to announce, that once again, we are number 1. NRT LLC, the parent company of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, is ranked as the top residential real estate brokerage firm in the United States, according to the REAL Trends 500 annual survey. View the survey at: http://www.realtrends.com/rt500-rankings.

 

Ranked by closed sales volume and closed transaction sides for 2009, this marks the 13th consecutive year NRT LLC has earned the top spot in both categories nationwide. The success of our company is due to the dedication of our real estate professionals to provide the highest level of service to each and every client. Also, we provide them with the best tools in the industry to market your home to the right audience.

 

Let Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage assist you in finding your next home or investment. Visit www.OCViewOnline.com to find an agent and browse our fine properties for sale. In addition, don’t forget to ask about the California Homebuyer Buyer Tax Credit on the purchase of new or existing homes between May 1, 2010 and July 31, 2010.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Announces
2010 YTD Top 50 Agents in Orange County

Saturday, May 15th, 2010

It is my pleasure to announce the current Top 50 agents for Coldwell Banker Orange County. Based on the 2010 year-to-date gross commission income, these rankings highlight the best of the best among our Orange County real estate professionals. I would like to personally congratulate and commend these agents for their unwavering dedication and professionalism in helping bring together buyers and sellers, continually upholding the ideals of integrity, quality service and customer care upon which our business is built.

Nancy Barfield
Tony Bartos
Kathy Beilstein
Debi Bibb
Greg Bingham
Chris Brigandi
John Campbell
Tim Carr
Steve Celotto
Evan Corkett
Winston Covington
Steve Diamond
Lyleen Ewing
Ron Felsot
Jason Godoy
Sharon Grimes
Scott Gunther
Teri Hardke
Gary Hesselgesser
Steve High
Melinda Jones
Jack Katangian
Jerry LaMott
Mac Mackenzie
Ray McAfoose
John McMonigle
Susan Miller
Janet Panichi
Matt Perry
Conrad Peterson
Keith Randle
Marilyn Read
Kay Roberts
Vaughn Safford
Heather Saito
Fara Salamat
Susan Scanlan
Bill Schonlau
Tim Smith
Jerry Snyder
Sue Stanton
Julie Stevens
Josef Szigeti
Elizabeth Thamer
Jerry Thomas
Leslie Thompson
Michelle Ultimo
Brett Wyland
Boker Yaruss
Richard Yates

Each and every one of our Coldwell Banker sales associates is a vital asset to our business and to the Orange County real estate community. I thank all of our valued associates for the hard work and determination they have demonstrated in the face of a challenging real estate market. When you are looking to buy or sell a home, choose Orange County’s premiere residential real estate brokerage. Visit wwwOCViewOnline.com today to meet one of our many knowledgeable and professional sales associates.

With Home Sales Rising, Now’s the Time to Buy

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

According to real estate information service MDA DataQuick, filed Notices of Default declined 4.2 percent during the first three months of the year from the fourth quarter of 2009 and a 40.2 percent drop from the record level seen a year ago.1 With home prices stabilizing and starting to gradually increase in many markets,
this is a great time to buy a home before all of the bargains disappear.

Other good news includes the fact that according to the National Association of Realtors®, existing-home sales rose 6.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.35 million units in March from 5.01 million in February. That was also about 16 percent higher than in March 2009.2 Locally, the median price paid for an Orange County home was $432,000 last month, up 12.2 percent from $385,000 in March 2009.3

Add in the California Tax Credit and there has rarely been a better time to buy real estate. Contact your experienced and knowledgeable Coldwell Banker agent for the most current market information and to find out about the exciting opportunities for home ownership. You may also visit www.OCViewOnline.com to search for your next dream home.

1. Inman News. “Dropoff in California Foreclosures.” April 22, 2010. www.inman.com.
2. Armour, S. (2010, April 22). “Existing-home sales rise 6.8% in March; tax credit less help?” www.usatoday.com.
3. DQNews.com. “More Incremental Gains for Southland Real Estate Market.” April 13, 2010. www.dqnews.com.

With Home Sales Rising, Now’s the Time to Buy

Saturday, May 8th, 2010

 

According to real estate information service MDA DataQuick, filed Notices of Default declined 4.2 percent during the first three months of the year from the fourth quarter of 2009 and a 40.2 percent drop from the record level seen a year ago.1 With home prices stabilizing and starting to gradually increase in many markets, this is a great time to buy a home before all of the bargains disappear.

 

Other good news includes the fact that according to the National Association of Realtors®, existing-home sales rose 6.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.35 million units in March from 5.01 million in February. That was also about 16 percent higher than in March 2009.2 Locally, the median price paid for an Orange County home was $432,000 last month, up 12.2 percent from $385,000 in March 2009.3

 

Add in the California Tax Credit and there has rarely been a better time to buy real estate. Contact your experienced and knowledgeable Coldwell Banker agent for the most current market information and to find out about the exciting opportunities for home ownership. You may also visit www.OCViewOnline.com to search for your next dream home.

 

 

1 Inman News. “Dropoff in California Foreclosures.” April 22, 2010. http://www.inman.com/.

 

2 Armour, S. (2010, April 22). “Existing-home sales rise 6.8% in March; tax credit less help?” http://www.usatoday.com/.

 

3 DQNews.com. “More Incremental Gains for Southland Real Estate Market.” April 13, 2010. www.dqnews.com.

 

 

 

Honing In On Housing with Richard Smith

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

Watch Realogy CEO Richard Smith appearing on CNBC along with Yale economics professor Robert Shiller as they discuss whether the housing market will continue its rebound.


National Buyer Bonus Sales Event Launched

Saturday, May 1st, 2010

I am pleased to announce the launch of the Buyer Bonus Sales Event—a national promotion intended to build on the momentum of the soon-to-expire federal homebuyer tax credit.

In a recent survey of Coldwell Banker real estate professionals, nearly half indicated that they had worked with home buyers who would have missed out on the home buyer tax credit in November of last year had it not been extended. In addition, while 34 percent cite the current tax credit extension – expiring April 30 – as the primary reason their customers are still searching for a home, 28 percent said that they feel the limitations of this credit will prohibit some buyers from taking advantage of the credit.

That is why on May 1, 2010, immediately following the expiration of this government initiative, home sellers participating in the Coldwell Banker Buyer Bonus Sales Event will offer a credit of 3 percent – up to $10,000 – when part of an accepted offer off their home’s purchase price to buyers who sign a contract before July 31, 2010. There is no deadline for a closing date.

“The federal government did its part to encourage millions of Americans to achieve their dream of home ownership with the help of the home buyer tax credit,” said Jim Gillespie, President and Chief Executive Officer for Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. “As the credit expires, Coldwell Banker real estate is encouraging buyers who haven’t found a home yet to continue looking, while bringing a new audience of home buyers who were unable to qualify for the tax credit into the market. We are confident that this private sector solution will represent a significant step toward continued recovery of the housing market.”

“The Buyer Bonus Sales Event will allow participating Coldwell Banker home sellers to essentially extend the benefits of the credit,” said Gillespie. “Without restrictions such as household income caps, the Coldwell Banker Buyer Bonus Sales Event allows for greater participation for all homebuyers. And our sellers have a unique opportunity to allow their home to stand out from the competition in their marketplace.”

To find a participating property or to find out how your home can participate in the event, please visit www.OCViewOnline.com or contact your local Coldwell Banker agent.

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