FIABCI Celebrates Successful Fall Conference

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Christina Lodar, International Sales Director for Unique Homes Luxury Media, recently attended FIABCI-USA’s Annual VIP Luncheon at the United Nations in New York. The luncheon celebrated the International Real Estate Federation’s, or FIABCI’s, Special Consultative Status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Over 130 leading international real estate professionals from around the world and representatives from the UN were in attendance. Lodar partook in an unparalleled opportunity to network and do business on a truly global level.

Robert M. White Jr., founder and president of Real Capital Analytics, delivered a presentation on the global outlook for commercial properties and currencies. White noted that 10 percent of U.S. buyers in 2007 were foreign, and 70 percent of European buyers are global buyers with the number of global buyers in the U.S. on the increase. As this happens, the whole world is competing for the same buyers. “These statistics are invaluable when trying to market U.S. properties to foreign buyers. It also shows that we need to start thinking outside of American boundaries and attract Europeans and Asians to the U.S. real estate market,” explained Lodar.

FIABCI-USA members from across the country welcomed FIABCI World President, Luis Correa of Colombia, during the recent national meeting in New York, N.Y. Members participated in the association’s governance and shared business tips. Tyler Clay, current President of FIABCI-USA, cited some highlights from the conference in an email to members. He noted:

” –Congratulations to new young member, Laura Farrell, of Lisa James Otto Country Properties! Laura won the Jim Wray Memorial Marketing Award for her presentation during the Networking Lunch & Marketing Session.

” –More than 20 new members received their pins during our Welcome Session and shared their experiences and expertise during the New Member Orientation Breakfast.

” –Past World President, Sheldon Good, offered tools and tips on ways the FIABCI Prix d’Excellence property awards program can help your business.

” –Danielle Grossenbacher, who has recruited 18 new members for teams, talked about how to use the Team Plan to grow membership in your local area.

” –Eugenia Foxworth led a discussion on marketing tips. The group stressed keeping in touch with clients and prospects to benefit from referrals and selecting the people you choose to work with.

” –Dagmar Sands and Kathryn Hunt chaired a lively discussion and brainstorming session of the Luxury Property Forum. The group is looking into developing a template for use by members in marketing themselves and their luxury listings.

” –Congratulations to Wayne Carroll and Greer Lee who were elected as our 2009-2010 President-Elect and Treasurer, respectively.”

FIABCI also recognized the Long Island Board of Realtors recently at a cocktail reception hosted by Shlomi Reuveni, executive vice president of Brown Harris Stevens Select, who provided an impressive venue in the former Tiffany’s Building at 15 Union Square in New York City. Special mention to FIABCI-USA’s New York Chapter President Michael Rossi of Elegran Real Estate and Development Services and to Joanne Dowds, who also served as hosts at the New York reception, providing live entertainment with a jazz ensemble.

LIBOR was cited for its philanthropic activities on a global basis and for its “We’re More Than Realtors” campaign. FIABCI serves as special consultant with NGO status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations Organization (ECOSOC) and through this relationship has a strong philanthropic commitment to help others throughout the world. FIABCI recognized LIBOR for this same commitment to global philanthropy. In addition to its domestic charity, LIBOR recently contributed $5,000 to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to assist in the ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts in China following the devastating earthquake that hit Sichuan Province, a mountainous region in Western China on May 12, 2008. The quake, which registered more than 7.9 on the Richter scale is responsible for the deaths of nearly 70,000 people and the destruction of thousands of homes, as well as, numerous businesses and schools.

GMAC Real Estate In New Hands

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Came across this release last week:

BROOKFIELD RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY SERVICES ACQUIRES GMAC HOME SERVICES LLC

Acquisition represents important expansion into US market
Toronto, September 23, 2008 – Brookfield Residential Property Services (“BRPS”), a division
of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (“Brookfield”), announced today that it has entered into an
agreement to purchase GMAC Home Services LLC, a recognized leader in global relocation,
real estate franchising and brokerage and home financing services, from GMAC Residential
Holding Company LLC and Residential Capital LLC. The transaction is expected to close in the
fourth quarter.

“Brookfield is a leading provider of residential property services in Canada,” stated Chairman
George Myhal. “Notwithstanding the recent market turmoil, this acquisition represents an
important opportunity for us to expand in the U.S. market for residential property services and
we believe we are well-positioned to grow our market share once this difficult period of
adjustment is behind us.” In Canada, Brookfield provides executive relocation services, home
appraisals and property brokerage services under the Royal LePage, La Capitale, Johnston &
Daniel and Centract brand names.

The GMAC Home Services’ business units that are part of this acquisition include: GMAC
Global Relocation Services, GMAC Real Estate and GMAC Home Services Mortgage.
“This transaction will combine GMAC Home Services’ global operations with our businesses, to
create a platform for long-term North American and international growth,” said Graham Badun,
Managing Partner and CEO of BRPS. “GMAC Home Services offers its award winning services
through locations in forty seven states, Europe and Asia. This acquisition is evidence of our
belief in the long-term opportunities for growth in the U.S. residential property services market.”
Following the acquisition, BRPS will have one of the largest relocation companies in the world
and its Realtor® network will be almost 30,000 strong, based out of 1,500 locations across
North America.

“The purchase of GMAC Home Services by Brookfield allows us to join a globally recognized
and respected real estate and relocation services organization,” said John Bearden, President
and CEO, GMAC Home Services. “This move will enhance the ability of two world-class
organizations to pursue opportunities on a global scale. Given that both organizations have
similar industry expertise and strong commitments to client service, we expect to quickly
achieve the full potential represented by this transaction.”

10 Places In America To See Before You Die

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I came across Andrew Harper’s list of 10 places in America to see before you die recently, and thought it was worth a post.  He focuses mostly on off-the-beaten-path places here, which is what makes the list so interesting.  It’s not really real estate related, although you can certainly find luxury homes in each of these 10 areas on UniqueHomes.com.

LuxuryLifestyle.com Partners With The Luxury Institute

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LuxuryLifestyle.com, a Web site offering the affluent access to the latest in luxury goods and services the world over, recently announced its partnership with the Luxury Institute, the independent and impartial ratings and research entity that claims to be the voice of the high net-worth consumer.

LuxuryLifestyle.com has partnered with Luxury Institute so that the brands and services within the LuxuryLifestyle.com network may collect the most up-to-date data about their target demographic and strategically create business opportunities to continually serve their clients’ needs and desires.

First Real Estate Social Networking Site Launched

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GPDLink.com recently launched the first-ever social networking site specifically for real estate professionals. Think Linked-in, but just for the real estate industry. The site provides an open environment where people can network with others in the same business, while listing and/or searching resources for jobs and freelance labor, news and industry research. “The goal is to bring all the professionals around the globe together. In addition to deal-making and capital-raising services, we will have a strong labor-finding and company/ services database. Washington has been slow to act on US real estate problems – putting tons of skilled labor into the market. So, we are adding tools that will permit firms to find and hire that labor on either a temporary or permanent basis,” said Bryan Shaffer, IRETO Chairman. “Over the last 5 years I have traveled to almost every real estate market around the globe and developed extended relationships there. With GPDLink, professionals can develop the same relationships without leaving their office computers,” Shaffer added.

Olympic Medalist Now Selling Real Estate In Australia

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LuxuryRealEstate.com also reports that Olympic Medalist Ashley Callus has joined Coldwell Banker Australia along the Gold Coast. The brief article, which can be read here, includes a link to a 60 Minutes segment in which Callus declares his real estate ambitions.

Telluride Expert Has Good News For Buyers, Not-So-Good News For Sellers

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George Harvey of Telluride Properties has an article posted at LuxuryRealEstate.com about his market and the advantages for those looking to buy right now.  His data is interesting, and really makes sense.  Check it out here.

The Latest In Home Furnishings

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The World Market Center in Las Vegas recently hosted its summer home furnishings market, displaying the very latest industry trends.  At www.lasvegasmarket.com you can view a great video compilation of the market called Style File, hosted by Tym DeSanto of HGTV Design Star.  Tym discusses the trend toward warm tones, reclaimed woods, handcrafted looks and distressed, yet upscale finishes.  Discover the new “Sundance style” and take a look at the newest in entertainment centers.

Sales Up In California As Buyers Take Advantage Of Sharp Price Declines

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The AP reported yesterday that California home sales in August were up significantly from August 2007, as median home prices dropped more than 35 percent. The drastic price reductions in California (largely due to foreclosures) are attracting buyers.

Who’s Who In Luxury Real Estate Announces Award Nominees

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LuxuryRealEstate.com will crown 18 winners at its Annual Awards Dinner Oct. 13 at the Ritz-Carlton in Philadelphia during its 13th annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference. The list of nominees is as follows:

 

Best Brand Integration

Alain Pinel Realtors

Ezra International Realty

John Daugherty Realtors

Slifer Smith and Frampton Real Estate

Turnquist Partners Realtors, Inc.

Waterfront Properties and Club Communities

Best Overall Marketing Package

Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty

Harry Norman, Realtors

Hill & Company

John Daugherty Realtors

Pacific Union GMAC Real Estate

Peaks Real Estate/Sotheby’s International Realty

Rimontgó

Telluride Properties

Most Innovative Marketing Technique

Hill & Company

John Daugherty Realtors

Lawrence Realty

Real Living, Inc.

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty

Waterfront Properties and Club Communities

Best Web Site – Design

Ezra International Realty

Hill & Company

John Daugherty Realtors

Keller Williams Realty

Lang Realty

McGuire Real Estate

Oakville Properties

RE/MAX Elite Realty

Real Living, Inc.

Rimontgó

Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty

Slifer Smith and Frampton Real Estate

TerraCognita

Vision Real Estate

Best Web Site – Innovation

Chase International

Choi International

Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty

Ezra International Realty

Hill & Company

John Daugherty Realtors

Lawrence Realty

RE/MAX Elite Realty

Rimontgó

Most Outbound Referrals

Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty

Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty

Main Street Realty International

Best Print Marketing

Beacham & Company, Realtors

Harry Norman, Realtors

Hill & Company

John Daugherty Realtors

Rimontgó

Slifer Smith and Frampton Real Estate

Best Industry Networking

Alain Pinel Realtors

Arizona Best Real Estate

John Daugherty Realtors

Perry & Company

Stribling and Associates, Ltd.

Waterfront Properties and Club Communities

Billionaires Club

Audrey Ross – Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell, Inc. Realtors®

Bob Melvin – Gasparilla Properties, Inc.

Cathy Jones Coburn – Slifer Smith and Frampton Real Estate

Dolly Lenz – Prudential Douglas Elliman

Elizabeth Stribling – Stribling and Associates, Ltd.

Kathy Iverson – Slifer Smith and Frampton Real Estate

Michael Saunders – Michael Saunders & Company

Patricia Choi – Choi International

Patricia Petersen – Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty

Shari Chase – Chase International

Most Transactions in 2007 – Individual

Eleanor Farnsworth – Prudential Gardner

Highest $ Volume in 2007 – Company

Slifer Smith and Frampton Real Estate

Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales, LLC

Highest $ Volume in 2007 – Individual

Bob Melvin – Gasparilla Properties, Inc.

Harma Hartouni – Keller Williams Realty – Studio City

Jacky Teplitzky – Prudential Douglas Elliman

Patricia Choi – Choi International

Outstanding Rookie

Ambra Bisconti – Coldwell Banker Beverly Hills North

Kelly Reark – Gasparilla Properties, Inc.

Michael Marquette – Marquette Turner Luxury Homes

Mike Hammonds – Turnquist Partners Realtors, Inc.

Most Valued Partner

duPont Registry

Unique Homes

Wall Street Journal

Best New Community

City Center Las Vegas

Four Seasons Residences, Bora Bora

Lake Club

Las Villas de Mexico

Ritz-Carlton Residences Paradise Valley

Seasons at Sandpoint

Biggest Sale in 2007

Audrey Ross – Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell, Inc. Realtors®

Heather Lemon – Slifer Smith and Frampton Real Estate

Tom Smyth – St. Barth Properties Sotheby’s International Realty

Extraordinary Philanthropist

Anna K. Pennington-Boucher – Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty

Diane Turton – Diane Turton, Realtors

Harry Norman, Realtors

Jim Walberg – Caribbean Islands Realty

John Daugherty – John Daugherty Realtors

Pacific Union GMAC Real Estate

Staige Davis – Lion & Davis

Tim Murray – Alain Pinel Realtors

Lifetime Achievement Award

As previously announced, Lois Schneider, founder and president of Lois Schneider Realtor in Summit, N.J. will be honored.

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