Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Good News for Buckeye State Grads!
From BusinessFirst:
Ohio is seeking to keep more natives in the Buckeye State after college with a new program that lightens the load for home-buying graduates.
The Ohio Housing Finance Agency on Monday opened up the Grants for Grads program, an initiative that gives any graduate of an Ohio high school a 2.5 percent break on the purchase price of a home within 18 months of graduating from college. Grads don’t receive the full benefit of the break, which helps with down-payment and closing costs, unless they stay in the house for at least five years.
The program got a final legislative OK as a part of the two-year budget Gov. Ted Strickland signed in July. Erin Biehl, a spokeswoman for the agency, said $1 million initially has been set aside for the program but officials hope it will eventually become self-sustaining.
The agency, which provides tax credits for housing developments, mortgages and down-payment assistance to buyers, will issue the grants in the form of zero-percent second mortgage loans to homebuyers who get a first mortgage through a lender affiliated with the agency within 18 months of receiving an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral or other postgraduate degree.
The aid comes in the form of a mortgage loan that’s forgivable after five years, Biehl said, because the agency is then able to track if borrowers move out of state. Those who leave Ohio before the five-year window is up are required to pay back part of the grant.
Strickland said in a release that the program is a way to “better position the state to meet the needs of future graduates as they make plans to build their personal and professional lives in Ohio after college.”
“Retaining educated and qualified graduates will also help to attract new jobs and prevent others from leaving the state,” Strickland said.
While the grant applies to Ohioans regardless of where they attended college, research indicates the risk of “brain drain” is high even for students who attend college in-state. A survey released this summer by the Washington, D.C.-based Thomas B. Fordham Institute think tank found that 51 percent of in-state students say they’ll look elsewhere for jobs after graduation. Of those surveyed, 60 percent said down-payment help would be an attractive incentive for staying in Ohio.
The agency has put income and purchase price restrictions on the program that vary from county to county. In Franklin County, for example, a one- or two-person family can’t participate if annual income is higher than $82,320, while the maximum purchase price for a new or existing home is $298,180. That would value the state’s incentive at up to $7,455.
For more information, go to: http://www.ohiohome.org/homebuyer/grantsforgrads.aspx.
Ohio is seeking to keep more natives in the Buckeye State after college with a new program that lightens the load for home-buying graduates.
The Ohio Housing Finance Agency on Monday opened up the Grants for Grads program, an initiative that gives any graduate of an Ohio high school a 2.5 percent break on the purchase price of a home within 18 months of graduating from college. Grads don’t receive the full benefit of the break, which helps with down-payment and closing costs, unless they stay in the house for at least five years.
The program got a final legislative OK as a part of the two-year budget Gov. Ted Strickland signed in July. Erin Biehl, a spokeswoman for the agency, said $1 million initially has been set aside for the program but officials hope it will eventually become self-sustaining.
The agency, which provides tax credits for housing developments, mortgages and down-payment assistance to buyers, will issue the grants in the form of zero-percent second mortgage loans to homebuyers who get a first mortgage through a lender affiliated with the agency within 18 months of receiving an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral or other postgraduate degree.
The aid comes in the form of a mortgage loan that’s forgivable after five years, Biehl said, because the agency is then able to track if borrowers move out of state. Those who leave Ohio before the five-year window is up are required to pay back part of the grant.
Strickland said in a release that the program is a way to “better position the state to meet the needs of future graduates as they make plans to build their personal and professional lives in Ohio after college.”
“Retaining educated and qualified graduates will also help to attract new jobs and prevent others from leaving the state,” Strickland said.
While the grant applies to Ohioans regardless of where they attended college, research indicates the risk of “brain drain” is high even for students who attend college in-state. A survey released this summer by the Washington, D.C.-based Thomas B. Fordham Institute think tank found that 51 percent of in-state students say they’ll look elsewhere for jobs after graduation. Of those surveyed, 60 percent said down-payment help would be an attractive incentive for staying in Ohio.
The agency has put income and purchase price restrictions on the program that vary from county to county. In Franklin County, for example, a one- or two-person family can’t participate if annual income is higher than $82,320, while the maximum purchase price for a new or existing home is $298,180. That would value the state’s incentive at up to $7,455.
For more information, go to: http://www.ohiohome.org/homebuyer/grantsforgrads.aspx.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Understanding The Demands of Today's Market
Rick DeLuca will be in Columbus, Ohio tomorrow morning! He'll be giving the real estate agents of Coldwell Banker advice on how to work smart, spend resources more wisely, reduce inventory and create buyer loyalty. If you don't plan to attend tomorrow, mark your calendar for the rest of our Elevation series coming up this fall: September 29th - The New Basics of Real Estate - David Knox
October 20th & 22nd - What's Mine is Mine - What's Yours is Negotiable - John Hamilton
December 7th & 8th - Mind Your Own Business...Designing A Personal Business Plan - Ed Hatch
Friday, September 18, 2009
Columbus Blue Jackets, Coldwell Banker Announce Renewal of Corporate Partnership
Columbus Blue Jackets, Coldwell Banker Announce Renewal of Corporate Partnership!
Click here to read the article posted by a Blue Jackets staff writer yesterday.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Coldwell Banker Agent Featured in BusinessFirst
This week’s edition of the Columbus BusinessFirst features an article on how the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit is working for both clients and sales associates. On the front page is a photo of Coldwell Banker King Thompson sales associate Kimberly Knight holding up a sold sign because not only has she worked with first-time home buyers because of the tax credit but she and her husband also bought their first home because of it! Below are links to the front page image of the paper and a link to the article.
http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/frontpage/
http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2009/08/17/story1.html
Our marketing department continually works with various newspapers and magazines in our market to pitch story ideas and building relationships that can give our company’s sales associates more exposure as “experts” in the real estate industry, thus becoming the “go-to” people that reporters go to for reactions to something happening in our community or because it's news that is “worthy” of assigning a reporter to it..
http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/frontpage/
http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2009/08/17/story1.html
Our marketing department continually works with various newspapers and magazines in our market to pitch story ideas and building relationships that can give our company’s sales associates more exposure as “experts” in the real estate industry, thus becoming the “go-to” people that reporters go to for reactions to something happening in our community or because it's news that is “worthy” of assigning a reporter to it..
Friday, July 10, 2009
Why Go Anywhere Else?
Did you know that Coldwell Banker offers continuing education classes at their branch and corporate offices? See below for a list of upcoming CE classes in Cincinnati and Columbus.
Cincinnati CE Classes
July 15th: Fair Housing: It's Good Business - (1pm-4pm) - Wyoming Office
July 22nd: Mold Issues in Real Estate - (1pm-4pm) - Anderson Office
August 5th: e-Pro Workshop - (10am-11:30am) - Union Centre Regional Office
August 5th: Generational Dynamics - (1pm-4pm) - Union Centre Regional Office
August 6th: Ethics: Creating a Higher Standard - (9am-12pm) - Hyde Park Office
August 12th: The Closing Process - (1pm-4pm) - Nathanael Greene Lodge
To register for any of these classes, contact Susan Trefilek at susan.trefilek@cbws.com or 513-686-7643
Columbus CE Classes
July 27th: e-Pro Workshop - (10am-11:30am) - Dublin Training Center
July 27th: Generational Dynamics - (1pm-4pm) - Dublin Training Center
August 6th: Self Protection in Real Estate - (9am-4pm) - Dublin Training Center
September 3rd: Today's Legal Issues (9am-12pm) - Dublin Training Center
September 11th: Ethics: Pathways to Professionalism (9am-12pm) - Dublin Training Center
September 11th: Is THAT Your Final Answer? A Negotiation Course (1pm-4pm) - Dublin Training Center
To register for any of these classes, contact Sarah Poston at sarah.poston@cboki.com or 614-923-2713
Cincinnati CE Classes
July 15th: Fair Housing: It's Good Business - (1pm-4pm) - Wyoming Office
July 22nd: Mold Issues in Real Estate - (1pm-4pm) - Anderson Office
August 5th: e-Pro Workshop - (10am-11:30am) - Union Centre Regional Office
August 5th: Generational Dynamics - (1pm-4pm) - Union Centre Regional Office
August 6th: Ethics: Creating a Higher Standard - (9am-12pm) - Hyde Park Office
August 12th: The Closing Process - (1pm-4pm) - Nathanael Greene Lodge
To register for any of these classes, contact Susan Trefilek at susan.trefilek@cbws.com or 513-686-7643
Columbus CE Classes
July 27th: e-Pro Workshop - (10am-11:30am) - Dublin Training Center
July 27th: Generational Dynamics - (1pm-4pm) - Dublin Training Center
August 6th: Self Protection in Real Estate - (9am-4pm) - Dublin Training Center
September 3rd: Today's Legal Issues (9am-12pm) - Dublin Training Center
September 11th: Ethics: Pathways to Professionalism (9am-12pm) - Dublin Training Center
September 11th: Is THAT Your Final Answer? A Negotiation Course (1pm-4pm) - Dublin Training Center
To register for any of these classes, contact Sarah Poston at sarah.poston@cboki.com or 614-923-2713
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Do you prospect daily?
It's interesting how quickly "status updates," "wall posts," and "friending" have become part of our vernacular. Facebook's user base has grown exponentially in recent months. The information on the Statistics page of Facebook is stagering: - More than 30 million people access Facebook through their mobile devices!
- More than 100 million users sign in to Facebook each day!
- The fastest growing demographic are users 35 years and older!
So are you taking advantage of this free, easy-to-use marketing strategy? Amy Chorew who writes The Digital Realtor Blog wrote a post a few weeks ago on how to use Facebook in your prospecting efforts.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Our Next Installment of Project Trusted Advisor!
Coldwell Banker has a two-day training class coming up in Columbus and Cincinnati in the month of June! See below for details:Selling homes in today's real estate climate requires new skills, new strategies and compelling dialogues. You're invited to attend these sessions and learn from the experts. Throughout their 35 years in real estate, Denise and Jay have developed a daring and innovative approach to selling real estate. Together, they have created a highly successful marketing strategy that repeatedly nets Sellers top dollar in all markets. If you want to experience an innovative way of thinking, achieve greater success and differentiate yourself from the competition...this program is for you.
Columbus
June 9-10th, 2009
9:30 - 4:00pm
Registration begins at 8:45am
Lunch included
(12 hours of ELECTIVE CE credit)
Bridgewater Banquet and Conference Center
10561 Sawmill Parkway, Powell, OH 43065
Cost: $45.00
(This fee will be reimbursed for associates attending both sessions in their entirety)
Seating may be limited to first 150 paid registrants.
If you wish to attend, please contact Sarah Poston at 614-923-2713 or email her at sarah.poston@kingthompson.com
Cincinnati
June 23-24th, 2009
9:30 - 4:00pm
Registration begins at 8:45am
Lunch included
(12 hours of ELECTIVE CE credit)
Receptions Conference Center
10681 Loveland Madeira Road, Loveland, OH
Cost: $45.00
(This fee will be reimbursed for associates attending both sessions in their entirety)
Seating may be limited to first 150 paid registrants.If you wish to attend, please contact Susan Trefilek at 513-677-9777 or email her at susan.trefilek@cbws.com
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Ok - What Have You Done Today?
Stuck in a rut? Frustrated? Read this post from The Realtor's Toolbox blog (written by Sean Carpenter) and then watch the video. Hopefully it will add a little motivation to your day!
http://therealtorstoolbox.blogspot.com/2009/05/okay-what-have-you-done-today.html
http://therealtorstoolbox.blogspot.com/2009/05/okay-what-have-you-done-today.html
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Talking Points
from Hyde Park Office by Kim
What are real estate professionals saying to homebuyers and sellers about current market conditions? The successful brokers and sales associates are talking about the strengths that exist in the market - not the negative media hype. Below are positive angles that appeared recently in the media and underscore why it is a good time to buy real estate.
Recent Quotes & Excerpts about the Positive Signs in the Real Estate Market:
"GALLUP POLL: American's See Buyer's Market in Housing"
"Seventy-one percent think now is a good time to buy a house"
http://www.gallup.com/poll/117586/Americans-Buyers-Market-Housing.aspx
PRINCETON, NJ--Plunging housing prices combined with historically low interest rates have persuaded 71% of Americans that now is a "good time" to buy a house--up 18 percentage points from a year ago and the highest level of housing-purchase optimism in four years.
The S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index shows that housing prices in 20 U.S. metropolitan areas were down 19% in January 2009 compared to a year ago. Accordingly, in an April 6-9 survey, Gallup finds that Americans outlook for home prices in their areas is slightly more pessimistic than it was a year ago. Fewer Americans now expect housing prices to increase over the next 12 months (22%) than did so in April 2008 (29%) and more expect them to stay the same or decrease (76% vs. 69%).
Consumers' housing-price expectations in 2008 and 2009 stand in sharp contrast to those of the three previous years, when at least half of Americans expected housing prices to increase and fewer than one in five expected them to decrease.
What are real estate professionals saying to homebuyers and sellers about current market conditions? The successful brokers and sales associates are talking about the strengths that exist in the market - not the negative media hype. Below are positive angles that appeared recently in the media and underscore why it is a good time to buy real estate.
Recent Quotes & Excerpts about the Positive Signs in the Real Estate Market:
"GALLUP POLL: American's See Buyer's Market in Housing"
"Seventy-one percent think now is a good time to buy a house"
http://www.gallup.com/poll/117586/Americans-Buyers-Market-Housing.aspx
PRINCETON, NJ--Plunging housing prices combined with historically low interest rates have persuaded 71% of Americans that now is a "good time" to buy a house--up 18 percentage points from a year ago and the highest level of housing-purchase optimism in four years.
The S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index shows that housing prices in 20 U.S. metropolitan areas were down 19% in January 2009 compared to a year ago. Accordingly, in an April 6-9 survey, Gallup finds that Americans outlook for home prices in their areas is slightly more pessimistic than it was a year ago. Fewer Americans now expect housing prices to increase over the next 12 months (22%) than did so in April 2008 (29%) and more expect them to stay the same or decrease (76% vs. 69%).
Consumers' housing-price expectations in 2008 and 2009 stand in sharp contrast to those of the three previous years, when at least half of Americans expected housing prices to increase and fewer than one in five expected them to decrease.
Fun in the sun!
The sales associates at Coldwell Banker West Shell know how to work hard and have fun too! Reposted from the Northeast office blog.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
A New Project Trusted Advisor Event
Power Pricing, Positioning and Presentations
Selling homes in today's real estate climate requires new skills, new strategies and compelling dialogues. You're invited to attend these sessions and learn from the experts.Throughout their 35 years in real estate, Denise Riordan and Jay Schweppe have developed a daring and innovative approach to selling real estate. Together, they have created a highly succesful marketing strategy that repeatedly nets Sellers top dollar in all markets. If you want to experience an innovative way of thinking, achieve greater success and differentiate yourself from the competition...this program is for you.
IN COLUMBUS:
June 9th & 10th, 2009
9:30am-4:00pm
Bridgewater Banquet & Conference Center
10561 Sawmill Parkway, Powell, OH 43065
IN CINCINNATI:
June 23rd & 24th, 2009
9:30am-4:00pm
Receptions Conference Center
10681 Loveland Madeira Road, Loveland, OH
10681 Loveland Madeira Road, Loveland, OH
Seating is limited to the first 150 paid registrants.
Reserve your spot today by submitting a course registration form to your branch manager.
Blogs To Read
Amy Chorew's recent posts on taking property photos and using video as a marketing tool are particularly enlightening. Read her posts on ActiveRain.com - The Digital Realtor.
Sean Carpenter, our Director of Training & Education, also has two new posts up about knowing where you're going in your career, making a plan and following it to get there.
So which blogs have interested you lately?
Sean Carpenter, our Director of Training & Education, also has two new posts up about knowing where you're going in your career, making a plan and following it to get there.
So which blogs have interested you lately?
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Facebook for Business!
Our next installment of Project Trusted Advisor:
Facebook for Business
A 3 hour Elective CE class
**Columbus Sessions**
Wednesday, May 13th
9am-12pm
OR
1pm-4pm
(The sessions will be exactly the same)
The Columbus Board of Realtors
2700 Airport Drive
Tuition: FREE!
Wednesday, May 13th
9am-12pm
OR
1pm-4pm
(The sessions will be exactly the same)
The Columbus Board of Realtors
2700 Airport Drive
Tuition: FREE!
To register, please e-mail sarah.poston@kingthompson.com
or call 614.923.2713
**Cincinnati/Tri-State Sessions**
Wednesday, May 21st
9am-12pm
OR
1pm-4pm
(The sessions will be exactly the same)
Indiana Wesleyan University
9286 Schulze Drive
West Chester, OH 45069
9286 Schulze Drive
West Chester, OH 45069
Tuition: FREE!
To register, please e-mail susan.trefilek@cbws.com
or call 513-677-9777
Join Dori Gehling, manager of the Coldwell Banker West Shell Montgomery office and a top-rated Facebook user to learn how to become today's "trusted advisor" for the consumer of tomorrow. You will leave with an understanding of how to grow your sphere selectively and exponentially and connect in a more meaningful way, let people get to know you in a fun, casual atmosphere and share information, resources and knowledge.
Fast Facts
- There are over 200 million Facebook users
- More than half log in to Facebook at least once a day
- If Facebook were a country, it would be the 6th largest
- Members age 35 - 49 are the fastest growing demographic
Seating is limited!! Register today!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Direct Deposit Now Available for Commissions!
This is excellent information regarding the new direct deposit option for commission checks! This blog was re-posted from the Ohio Indiana office's blog. Visit them here: http://ohioindianawestregional.blogspot.com/
Direct Deposit for Commission Checks is now available!
To setup your direct deposit, you must see your office administrator and ask them for the Direct Deposit application form. Fill out the form completely & sign it. A voided check containing bank routing information for the account needs to be attached to the application. Attach a deposit ticket if you are directing the funds to a savings account. Once completed, return the form to your OA. The application will be sent to corporate for processing. Please allow 10 business days for the application to be processed. Your commission checks will then be deposited directly into your checking or savings account on the morning you should have received the actual check. This is 3 business days after the closing is processed by the office staff. You will also receive a notification that your deposit has been made. You will receive a Non-Negotiable check stub confirming the processing of your payment.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long from the time I submit my request will direct deposit go into effect?
It takes approximately 10 business days to process the request.
How am I notified that deposit has been made?
You will still receive a Non-Negotiable check stub confirming processing of the payment.
How fast are commission payments deposited to my account?
Payments will post to your account on the same day that a live check would be delivered to your office. This is 3 business days after the closing is processed by your office staff.
What if I change bank accounts?
You must submit another direct deposit application form.
Can I have my funds deposited to more than one account?
Only one account can be used to deposit the funds.
What if I decide to discontinue direct deposit?
You must notify us in writing. It takes approximately 10 business days to process the request.
Direct Deposit for Commission Checks is now available!
To setup your direct deposit, you must see your office administrator and ask them for the Direct Deposit application form. Fill out the form completely & sign it. A voided check containing bank routing information for the account needs to be attached to the application. Attach a deposit ticket if you are directing the funds to a savings account. Once completed, return the form to your OA. The application will be sent to corporate for processing. Please allow 10 business days for the application to be processed. Your commission checks will then be deposited directly into your checking or savings account on the morning you should have received the actual check. This is 3 business days after the closing is processed by the office staff. You will also receive a notification that your deposit has been made. You will receive a Non-Negotiable check stub confirming the processing of your payment.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long from the time I submit my request will direct deposit go into effect?
It takes approximately 10 business days to process the request.
How am I notified that deposit has been made?
You will still receive a Non-Negotiable check stub confirming processing of the payment.
How fast are commission payments deposited to my account?
Payments will post to your account on the same day that a live check would be delivered to your office. This is 3 business days after the closing is processed by your office staff.
What if I change bank accounts?
You must submit another direct deposit application form.
Can I have my funds deposited to more than one account?
Only one account can be used to deposit the funds.
What if I decide to discontinue direct deposit?
You must notify us in writing. It takes approximately 10 business days to process the request.
Sue Price and the gang at the Northeast office in Cincinnati won the 2009 CBWS Spirit Award at our annual awards banquet. Great job Sue!
To read the Northeast office blog, visit http://thegreatnortheast.blogspot.com/
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