RE/MAX Renews Approved Supplier Relationship with Obeo Through 2010

RISMEDIA, Dec. 20, 2007-Obeo, a provider of full-service residential real estate online marketing products, and RE/MAX International, Inc. announce a renewed commitment to providing state-of-the art technological tools and targeted solutions to the real estate industry.

Based in Denver, Colorado, RE/MAX International oversees a network of more than 120,000 agents in more than 65 countries. It will extend the title of RE/MAX Approved Supplier to Obeo through 2010 as it continues to offer the most innovative services to its members.

“I’m pleased that we’re able to renew our relationship with Obeo for another three years,” said Randy Morse, vice president for RE/MAX International, Inc. “The RE/MAX Approved Supplier program requires the participating companies to adhere to rigorous guidelines while providing superior products and customer service to our real estate agents. Obeo has passed the test with flying colors as evidenced by their significant growth in business with our network.”

Dave Linger, executive vice president and regional director of RE/MAX North Central, said, “We have had a very good relationship with Obeo for many years and I’m very happy to hear that they are renewing their relationship as an approved supplier of RE/MAX. They have a great product currently used by many of our agents and they continue to make enhancements, such as the new HomeSite product.”

Recently launched, HomeSite, according to the company, is a next-generation online marketing tool that allows real estate buyers to make significant virtual changes to a home’s appearance through the listing itself. HomeSite provides the listing agent with a dynamic and interactive property-listing marketing solution that features a high-definition, full-screen viewer plus the functionality of SpaceDesigner, a floor plan with drop-and-drag capabilities; and the consumer-engaging StyleDesigner, which allows buyers to virtually remodel the home.

“Obeo’s first-in-class marketing products provide RE/MAX associates with a veritable arsenal of competitive tools that further strengthen their ability to walk out the door with a listing,” said Jonathan Nicholas, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Obeo. “In fact, the agents who implement our tools tell us that as a result, they feel like they have an unfair competitive advantage in their local market.”

“Our tools empower an agent’s online strategy by helping buyers take psychological ownership of their listings,” said Obeo President Glade Jones.

“We are very excited to continue our relationship with RE/MAX as an approved supplier of a leading industry force in the United States. Together we can continue to offer the best tools and techniques to the real estate industry.”

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source: rismedia.com

If You Build It, They Will Come

RISMEDIA, Dec. 21, 2007-Oftentimes a great suggestion goes a long way. Just ask Lisa Stubblefield, a Realtor with Realty World Homes & Investments LLC in Austin, Texas. When her former broker, Jim Jackson at Capitol Area Realty, brought Web site design and hosting company Advanced Access in for a meeting, Stubblefield was sold.

“The person from Advanced Access answered my questions really well and promoted the software in a positive light. Everyone had a good feeling about the company through the image that the salesperson gave,” recalls Stubblefield. That first impression has not let her down.

Having left her job as a software engineer to move into the real estate business full-time, Stubblefield finds herself impressed with the quality of the customer service at Advanced Access.

Although she claims that she is “kind of picky” when it comes to computer people, everyone that she has come into contact with at Advanced Access has been wonderful.

“They have been very respectful from the beginning,” she says. “Everything from setting up my Web site to the first time I loaded a listing-my pictures were huge. Whenever I had a question or problem, they have gotten back to me quickly, which is important especially when I am working on my site as this is when I need an answer right away.”

Stubblefield says that the site is both user-friendly and intuitive, but the people at Advanced Access are there to give you as much or as little help as you need.

Although she has the advantage of being computer literate, Stubblefield says that “it was easy for me to go on the site and add things. I could do anything I wanted to do.”

“You have to have a Web site in this day and age,” says Stubblefield. And people have noticed her presence on the Web. Advanced Access allows her to offer her clients and prospective buyers all the information they need to find their dream home. Not only does her site include valuable information about the Austin area, such as homes that are available, mortgages, rates and school districts, but it also includes real estate news and information on both buying and selling a home.

Stubblefield admits that she hasn’t had a lot of time to do much with her Web site, but the great thing about working with Advanced Access is that it still looks professional. What it really comes down to is “having a professional looking Web site. One that will give people something.” Her clients have responded positively to the amount and variety of information that is available to them.

Stubblefield plans to continue to broaden the ways in which her Web site can work for her. Advanced Access is now an approved vendor with Realty World, something that Stubblefield is going to use to her advantage. “I plan to put my Web site on everything I do.” The marketing/networking educational seminars and trainings that she has attended have all pushed the same thing: “the Web is where it’s at!”

“I know I always start my search for things on the Internet. I never even pick up a phone book anymore, and I’m not the only one.”

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source: rismedia.com

Intero Adds Strategic Location to Serve the Bay Area Peninsula

RISMEDIA, Dec. 20, 2007-Intero Real Estate Services announced the opening of its newest office to serve the Peninsula. Conveniently located across from the Stanford Park Hotel on the El Camino Real, Intero Palo Alto/Menlo Park will be led by Vice President and Managing Officer Jeanne Spranzo, a 15-year veteran of real estate in Silicon Valley and former, nationwide top-producing agent.

The opening of Intero Palo Alto/Menlo Park is the company’s fourth location on the Peninsula. Intero also has offices in Burlingame, San Carlos and San Mateo. In total, Intero has more than 60 offices and 2,300 agents throughout the U.S. and Mexico.

“We are very excited about the opening of this office that will serve Southern San Mateo County,” said Gino Blefari, founder, president and CEO of Intero Real Estate Services. “With the success of our San Carlos office and strong presence we’re establishing with our San Mateo office mid-Peninsula, it only made sense to complete our coverage with a location in the Palo Alto/Menlo Park. Much of the credit for our growth and ability to open these offices goes to our agents and leadership team.”

According to the company, with the latest in technology and a custom-designed interior, Intero’s 8,000 square foot Palo Alto/Menlo Park office is one of the company’s showcase locations. It can accommodate dozens of agents, with more than 70 desks, eight private offices, and three conference rooms equipped with audio-visual technology and PCs with flat screen monitors. In addition, agents access Intero’s high-speed wireless network and color printers, copiers and scanners. The office also boasts in-house mortgage services with Bank of America, First Horizon and Intero Mortgage.

While the company says that many Bay Area brokerages are cutting back and even closing their doors, Spranzo says she is actively recruiting agents for her office.

“Gino has set a very high standard for this company,” she explains, “and so we’re looking for Realtors who have a lot of integrity, a positive mental attitude and real enthusiasm for real estate.” She goes on to say that Intero is unique in that the company puts agents first, helping individuals to develop their goals and a plan for success. Through Provizio, Intero’s proprietary training and education program, agents can sharpen their professional skills in sales and negotiation, client communication, presentation, lead generation and more.

“We can do all that,” continues Spranzo, “but we need people who are willing to learn and have a positive mental attitude in order to really make them successful.”

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source: rismedia.com

Prudential Landmark Realty Merges with Prudential California Realty in Oakland

RISMEDIA, Dec. 20, 2007-Prudential Landmark Realty has merged with Prudential California Realty in Oakland. The office is located at 4379 Piedmont Avenue.

Prudential Landmark Realty, a locally owned brokerage, joins Prudential California Realty’s network of 33 other East Bay offices. Landmark has been owned and operated since 1986 and affiliated with Prudential in 1989 by Phil Fair and Dennis Humes. The former owners have made a long-term commitment to affiliate with Prudential California Realty, and they and five other agents will remain in their existing office building on Piedmont Avenue.

“We are excited about merging with this company and adding these agents to our team,” said Kucirek. “Our goal in this changing market is to grow by merging with like-minded companies in our market areas, and this is an example of that,” added Kucirek. “We expect to grow very rapidly and will continue to look for opportunities to merge and acquire as the market continues on in its adjustment phase.”

Additionally, Prudential California Realty opened a storefront office on December 1st at 3900 Piedmont Avenue, down the street from Landmark. George Millirons, who manages the Piedmont and Montclair offices of the company, will manage and recruit new agents to the two new locations on Piedmont Avenue.

“These two new Oakland offices on Piedmont Avenue, combined with our Piedmont and Montclair offices, now provide us with a dominant presence in the Oakland market,” said Millirons. “Despite an overall slowdown the Bay Area, the Oakland market has remained strong, and we believe it will continue to grow in value.”

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source: rismedia.com

Regional Spotlight: Illinois Radon Disclosure Requirements Begin January 1

RISMEDIA, Dec. 20, 2007-When a buyer and seller sign a contract on residential real estate property in Illinois on or after January 1, 2008, the new Illinois Radon Awareness Act will apply to the sales transaction. According to the new law, the seller must supply the buyer with two documents before the buyer will become bound on a contract to purchase the property. The first is a pamphlet from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) entitled “Radon Testing Guidelines for Real Estate Transactions.” The second is a form to sign called “Disclosure of Information on Radon Hazards.”

According to IEMA, radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that comes from naturally occurring uranium in the soil and is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

“Realtors® are working to educate consumers about the new radon law which affects certain residential real estate sales transactions entered on or after January 1, 2008,” said Virginia “Ginger” Downs, president of the Chicago Association of Realtors®. “The law aims to boost radon awareness and does not require a radon test.”

To better familiarize Chicago-area Realtors® with the new law, the Chicago Association of Realtors is offering the course “Radon and Real Estate” on January 29, 2008.

“Educating our Realtors is always the first step toward educating our clients and consumers,” Ginger Downs said.

Although the new law does not require sellers to test for radon in the home or to reduce the concentration if elevated levels are found, the seller and buyer are free to negotiate whether further testing or remediation are necessary. In most cases, a seller will simply provide the two documents to the buyer before the contract takes effect.

The law only applies to residential properties with “not less than one nor more than four residential dwelling units.” There are some exemptions including residential real estate property transfers that result from the following:

- A court order
- Transfer to a mortgagor to a mortgagee after foreclosure
- To a fiduciary through an estate, guardianship, conservatorship or trust
- A transfer between co-workers
- A transfer from an estate according to provisions in a will, or to statue where there is no will
- Transfer to a spouse or other blood relation
- A relocation company who has taken the title, where the original seller has provided the required disclosures
- To or from a governmental body

In addition, since the law is not effective until January 1, 2008, it only applies to residential transactions entered on or after this date. If you have a contract pending that was signed prior to January 1, 2008, the law will not apply.

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source: rismedia.com