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Real Estate Reads Of The Week

October 18, 2013 By

Happy Friday!

Each Friday we share with you the must-read, real estate news of the week. We’ve got everything you need to know to stay on top of breaking industry news and trends.

Refill your coffee and get reading!

“The Stream Debuts In New York City Starring The CENTURY 21 Brand”

On Tuesday night in New York City and Wednesday night in Los Angeles the movie The Stream premiered starring the CENTURY 21 brand and our very own agent Rebecca Malek of CENTURY 21 Alliance. The film opens in 20 theaters across the country tonight. Continue reading to find the theater nearest you  .  .  .

“Real Estate Recovery Yields New Field of Opportunities”

This week RIS Media shared a recap of CENTURY 21 CEO Rick Davidson’s speech at the 2013 Real Estate CEO Exchange at New York City’s prestigious Yale Club. He remarked, “There’s no doubt that we’re in the midst of a market recovery, and it feels good to have the wind at our backs. However, as leaders, we need to constantly be thinking about what’s next by anticipating where the market’s headed.” Continue reading . . .

“Foursquare Opens Advertising to Small Businesses”

Agent Genius reported this week that Foursquare has added an advertising platform for small businesses. Are you already using Foursquare to promote your business? Will you proactively advertise to those checking in around your neighborhood? Continue reading . . .

“How To Use Fall Leaves To Your Lawn’s Advantage”

The website Houzz is not only great for home decorating inspiration, but they also provide helpful tips for homeowners. For example, did you know that fall leaves aren’t just meant to be raked into garbage bags? You can use leaves to boost your lawn’s nutrients and health. Continue reading . . .

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Irma Soltero-Sparks Of CENTURY 21 C. Watson Receives The Bette Dobkin Award

October 17, 2013 By

Over the holiday weekend, agent Irma Soltero-Sparks of CENTURY 21 C. Watson in Fresno, CA was honored with the Bette Dobkin Award from the California Association of Realtors. The award celebrates the passion of being a realtor helping families achieve affordable and sustainable homeownership through the Housing Affordability Fund.

We sat down with Irma to hear more about her career in real estate, her involvement with the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), and how she feels about being recognized in this way by her statewide association.

How did you first get involved in real estate?

I had a successful housecleaning business for 15 years and had decided I wanted to change careers so I began my search in our local newspaper.  I saw an ad that read Career Night which intrigued me.  I figured I’d be taking an aptitude test for job placement  I honestly did not know that CENTURY 21 was a real estate company. I almost walked out when they started talking about real estate, but couldn’t because I was sitting at the front of the room so I decided to stay.  Before the evening was over I was convinced, so I borrowed money the very next day to take the real estate course.

When did you join the CENTURY 21 System?

In 1997 when I passed the California real estate exam. I’ve chosen to stay with my CENTURY 21 family for 16 years.

Do you have a current area of specialty in real estate or in a specific market?

The past several years I’ve dedicated my real estate career to short sales, in which most clients were first time homeowners and non-English speaking.  Serving the underserved has been a passion of mine for many years as my parents had a very similar experience.  Because of our family size and our culture, it was difficult to rent, so my parents chose to buy a home, which is still in our family.

You were recently named to the NAHREP Top 250 list. How do you feel about that accomplishment?

I’m thrilled because this award reflects the many families that didn’t lose their homes to foreclosure and were able to successfully close on their short sales based on their personal hardship.  As a NAHREP member the benefits are many.   The education provided to us and the opportunity to meet with major bank representatives at local and national level enabled me to empower the Latino consumer with homeownership retention or foreclosure options.

What do you think is the biggest opportunity for Hispanic homebuyers in the coming year?

With the increase of Spanish speaking realtors across the country, I believe most Hispanic homebuyers will be given better counsel. That coupled with continued low interest rates and affordable home prices will have a huge impact on the Latino homebuyer. The fact that we are a growing population with our younger-aged adults seeking higher education and higher paying jobs will also give Latinos a better edge on buying homes for the first time for themselves and their parents.

This past Friday you were honored with the Bette Dobkin Award. Tell us what the award celebrates and how the winner is selected.

The Bette Dobkin award celebrates the passion of being a Realtor helping families achieve affordable and sustainable homeownership through the Housing Affordability Fund.  The California Association of Realtors selects a recipient from nominees from local associations across the state.  Bette Dobkin was a realtor in Humbloldt County for 33 years who was instrumental in helping distressed families with achieving homeownership through The Housing Affordability Fund.  Bette Dobkin lost her battle with cancer in 2008. Her efforts and achievements will not be forgotten.

How was the awards ceremony?

The event went really well. I felt like a princess. The Fresno Association of Realtors provided accommodations and my room was on the 11th floor overlooking the beach. It was a very special occasion for me and my family.  John Carey Sr., my broker, attended the event along with his family. He totally surprised me. I had no idea he was coming! I was so surprised to see him that I instantly broke out in a sweat! It’s the small things in life that make it worth living.

Congratulations again, Irma. For those interested in working with you, what is the best way for them to reach out to you?

My cell phone is always the best (559)270-8331 or email me at solterosparks@yahoo.com.

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The Stream Debuts In New York City Starring The CENTURY 21 Brand

October 16, 2013 By

Last night the CENTURY 21 team was on hand for the New York City premiere of Dreaming Tree Foundation‘s The Stream. The event took place at Regal Cinemas in Union Square in Manhattan and our very own agent, Rebecca Malek of CENTURY 21 Alliance, was getting the star treatment. Appropriately, Rebecca plays the real estate agent in the film.

Rebecca arrived to the theater and happily posed under the marquee showcasing The Stream.

Once inside the theater, each and every light box normally used to display posters of upcoming movies was taken over by The Stream poster.

Rebecca was interviewed on the carpet prior to the screening where she shared stories from the set, what it means to her to represent the brand in the movie and what it’s like being a real estate agent in today’s market.

She was joined for the evening by her family as well as her broker, Ron Clarke.

Also gracing the carpet was Gossip Girl star Kelly Rutherford, who plays the mother in the film.

The evening was a celebration of the hard work of the Dreaming Tree Foundation and all of the actors to create this film that is not only a wonderful family-friendly movie, but supports a good cause. The Stream supports the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

There is a second premiere this evening in Los Angeles and then the film goes wide to 20 theaters across the country this Friday October 18th.

Please check the list for a theater near you and bring your colleagues, clients, family and friends!

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The Stream: Tales From The Set With Rebecca Malek Of CENTURY 21 Alliance

October 9, 2013 By

Next Friday October 18th the CENTURY 21 brand and our very own Rebecca Malek of CENTURY 21 Alliance will hit the big screen in 20 theaters across the country in the movie The Stream. The film features Rainn Wilson, Mario Lopez, Kelly Rutherford and Christopher Gorham.

Today we sat down with Rebecca to learn more about her time on set and how she feels about representing the company in a Hollywood film.

C21: What was the filming experience like?

RM: The experience was very eye opening and exciting to see the production of a film from behind the scenes.

C21: What is your favorite memory from the set?

RM: My favorite memory was obviously shooting my scenes and taking direction from a real director and challenging myself to adapt to the character he had in mind for me. He surprised me by asking me to stay and participate in a second scene I was not scheduled for.

C21: How does it feel to represent the CENTURY 21 brand on screen?

RM: I feel very honored and privileged that CENTURY 21 chose me to be the face of the company in a Hollywood production.

To find out where the movie is playing in a theater near you, click here.

Now, a sneak preview of the movie courtesy of the film’s narrator, The Office star Rainn Wilson:

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Meet HomeFinder.com Agent Makeover Winner Penny Hansen Of CENTURY 21 Affiliated

October 8, 2013 By

Penny Hansen of CENTURY 21 Affiliated in Beloit, WI was ready for a refresh. Excited to revamp her style, she entered the HomeFinder.com Agent Makeover sweepstakes. Entries to the sweepstakes supported our philanthropic partner, Easter Seals.

Penny was selected as one of five winners of the contest. The grand prize included spending three days in Chicago learning from experts in the real estate field as well as a style overhaul. The experience delivered the winners new industry knowledge and tips, an invigorated personal style and the confidence needed to take their business to the next level.

HomeFinder.com interviewed Penny on the makeover experience. Read on to learn how she’s planning to take her local market by storm.

In general, what aspect of your business plan most needed a makeover?

Incorporating social media into my business, specifically Facebook and LinkedIn, and cultivating existing relationships via social media. Also, focusing on my time management and being more conscious about taking time off.

Is there one thing you can’t wait to hit the ground running on when you return home?

Having been in the business for 25 years, listing and selling is second nature. Now I need to introduce social media components to connect with clients.

What was the most valuable piece of marketing advice you took away from the makeover?

Developing and maintain a social media presence, and doing whatever it takes to stay active on these networks.

What was the most valuable piece of style advice you took away from the makeover?

Dress for success!

As a winner of the sweepstakes, if you had to share one piece of business makeover advice with your real estate colleagues, what would it be?

Embrace technology; take the time to learn, understand and implement it.  Also, set concrete goals and put them in writing. Lastly, don’t be afraid to venture out!

What was the most exciting part about your makeover? What aspects will you incorporate as part of your everyday routine?

The most exciting part was meeting one-on-one with the Mike Lindstrom (life coach) and Marki Lemons Ryhal (social media expert). I need to get more organized and hire an assistant to handle my administrative tasks so I can meet with more buyers and sellers. I was also encouraged to talk to my broker about an increase in commission share because of my production. The keynote speaker at dinner, Kelly White, encouraged us to “get comfortable being uncomfortable”, and make those dreaded prospecting calls first thing in the morning at least three times a week.

What was your favorite part of the trip and what was the most important thing you learned?

My favorite part was the exceptional treatment, I felt like a VIP. The most important thing I learned was to set goals and put them in writing. Also, I was given names of website developers who I can contact to build a new business website.

Continue to follow Penny’s success by connecting with her on Facebook and Twitter.

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Century 21 Real Estate Arrives In Theaters October 18th With The Stream

October 1, 2013 By

Back in February we shared with you the exciting news that the CENTURY 21 brand was headed to the movies. The brand, along with our very own Rebecca Malek of CENTURY 21 Alliance in Newton, PA, will star alongside Rainn Wilson, Mario Lopez, Kelly Rutherford and Christopher Gorham in the film The Stream.

Here is a sneak preview with commentary from the A list cast:

The Stream is a production from Dreaming Tree Foundation in collaboration with a group of over 200 teenagers from Boys & Girls Clubs of America. As you can see from the clip, the film is set in the 1980s and the story line involves the lead characters moving out of their current home with the help of who else? A CENTURY 21 agent!

The movie premieres in New York City on Tuesday October 15th and hits 20 theaters across the country on Friday October 18th.

This is where you come in!

Let’s work together to pack all 20 theaters to support the brand and Rebecca. Rally your family, your friends, your clients and your preferred vendors to fill those theater seats. If the film has a great opening weekend, its run may expand to more theaters, meaning more screen time for CENTURY 21 and our fabulous agent Rebecca.

Below is a list of participating theaters:

  1. New York:  UA Kaufman Astoria Cinemas 14 & RPX, 35-30 38th Street, Astoria, NY 11101
  2. New York: Regal New Roc Stadium 18 & IMAX, 33 Le Count Place, New Rochelle, NY 10801
  3. Chicago: Regal Round Lake Beach Stadium 18, 550 East Rollins Road, Round Lake Beach, IL 60073
  4. Chicago: Regal Cantera Stadium 17 & RPX, 28250 Diehl Road, Warrenville, IL 60555
  5. Chicago (city or north suburbs); TBA
  6. Philadelphia (PA): UA Riverview Plaza Stadium 17, 1400 S. Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19147
  7. Philadelphia (NJ):  UA Washington Township 14,121 Tuckahoe Road, Sewell, NJ 08080
  8. Philadelphia (DE): Regal Peoples Plaza Stadium 17,1100 Peoples Plaza, Newark, DE 19702
  9. Boston:  Regal Solomon Pond Stadium 15, 591 Donald Lynch Boulevard, Marlborough, MA 01752
  10. Los Angeles: Edwards Long Beach Stadium 26 & IMAX, 7501 Carson Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90808
  11. Orange County: Edwards Irvine Spectrum 21 IMAX & RPX, 65 Fortune Drive, Irvine, CA,92618
  12. Oakland: UA Emery Bay Stadium 10, 6330 Christie Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608
  13. San Diego: Regal Parkway Plaza Stadium 18 & IMAX, 405 Parkway Plaza, El Cajon, CA 92020
  14. Washington DC: Regal Majestic Stadium 20 & IMAX, 900 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20910
  15. Baltimore: UA Snowden Square Stadium 14, 9161 Commerce Center Drive, Columbia MD 21046
  16. Atlanta: Regal Hollywood Stadium 24 @ North I-85, 3265 NE Expressway Access Road, Chamblee GA 30341
  17. Atlanta: Regal Atlantic Station 16 IMAX & RPX, 261 19th Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30363
  18. Minneapolis: Regal Brooklyn Center Stadium 20, 6420 Camden Ave North, Minneapolis, MN 55430
  19. Denver: UA Colorado Mills Stadium 16 & IMAX,14500 West Colfax Avenue, Lakewood, CO 80401
  20. Dallas: UA Grand Prairie 10, 510 Westchester Parkway, Grand Prairie, TX 75052

Will you join us at the movies Friday October 18th?

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Century 21 Real Estate Launches Global Website

September 30, 2013 By

Century 21 Real Estate LLC today announced the launch of a new CENTURY 21® Global Website at century21global.com. The new site will provide consumers with one destination to search for CENTURY 21 property listings from anywhere in the world.

“Property transactions today are occurring from country to country and continent to continent,” said Rick Davidson, president and CEO, Century 21 Real Estate LLC. “Through the development and launch of our global website, CENTURY 21 has positioned its over 102,000 sales professionals to collaborate, connect and engage buyers, sellers and investors from around the globe so they may transact business confidently.”

The new century21global.com website features include:

  • Language, Currency and Unit Translation: Content has been translated into 16 languages: English, German, Russian, Japanese, and Korean, Dutch, and Turkish, two versions of Spanish, French and Portuguese, and three versions of Chinese. The site also translates currency and units of measurement based on the consumer’s preference.
  • Localized Content Pages: Each country will have localized content with useful information for foreign buyers to assist them in making informed decisions.
  • Interactive Map: An interactive map will provide international customers with a visual look at the breadth of the CENTURY 21 System and will show all of the available regions, offices and agent contact information.
  • Search Capabilities: Buyers can search for offices, agents, residential, commercial and land properties for sale and for rent. The search results can also be filtered by features like property type, and numbers of bedrooms and bathrooms to provide the precise listings that match the buyer’s needs.

“The launch of our global website shows our commitment to leveraging the size and breadth of our global sales organization for the benefit of consumers worldwide,” said Bev Thorne, chief marketing officer, Century 21 Real Estate LLC. “As the world grows smaller through enhanced connectivity and mobile technology, connecting with homebuyers and sellers on a global scale is easier than ever. Whether our customers are in San Jose or Shanghai, CENTURY 21 professionals will be able to assist them with all of their real estate needs.”

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Christine Hansen To Be Serve As Secretary Of Florida Association Of Realtors

September 27, 2013 By

Christine Hansen of CENTURY 21 Hansen Realty will begin her role as secretary of the Florida Association of Realtors in 2014. The Florida Association is one of the largest in the entire country. Read on to learn what Christine will be responsible for in her leadership position and her plan to one day serve as president.

C21: How did you first get into real estate?

CH: My mom was in the business. I got my license in 1987 and my broker’s license in 1989.

C21: What is your current role within your team?

CH: I am now the broker/owner of two CENTURY 21 offices – one is in the prestigious area of Coral Ridge and the other is located on the Galt Ocean Mile by luxury condos and the beach. I oversee the general management of the companies, but my favorite role is when I get to coach and strategically plan with agents on how they move to the next level and achieve great production.

C21: You were recently appointed to the board of the Florida Association of Realtors. Tell us about your new role and what it entails.

CH: I will be the secretary in 2014. It means that I will be part of the leadership team at Florida Realtors. I will attend all the executive meetings and be a liaison to some of the other committees that make up the membership. There are currently over 117,000 realtor members in our state. It is my intention to be president of the Florida Realtors if the members so chose. In order to accomplish this, I must also serve as treasurer, vice president and then president-elect. All the positions are by votes, except president-elect.

C21: How will this new position contribute to your role within the CENTURY 21 System?

CH: Being involved helps you establish relationships and brings awareness of the leadership quality within the brand. It also helps you stay on top of market conditions and changes going on within the industry. I will bring all of this knowledge back to my company to share with my team.

C21: If you could a piece of advice to young realtors starting out in the business, what would it be?

CH: Get a top quality education. Do the best job you can and don’t skip steps. Always be at your best and do your best. Do what you say you are going to do and treat everyone with respect. You will develop a reputation and others will want to do business with you.

C21: When you aren’t working, what do you like to do for fun?

CH: I love to travel. It’s my passion. I also love to scuba dive, but haven’t done that in a while. Lastly, I love to read.

C21: For those interested in getting in touch with you, what is the best way to reach out?

CH: You can reach me on my cell phone (954)817-4881 or email me at Christine.Hansen@Century21.com

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Real Estate Reads Of The Week

September 13, 2013 By

Good morning and happy Friday!

Each Friday we share with you the must-read, real estate news of the week. We’ve got everything you need to know to stay on top of breaking industry news and trends.

Grab your coffee and get reading!

“CENTURY 21 Sponsors USA Bobsled Team”

Announced at the CENTURY 21 Leadership conference in Miami, FL this week, Inman News reported, “Century 21 Real Estate LLC, continuing its sports-focused ‘Smarter. Bolder. Faster.’ marketing campaign, is now a sponsor of the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation (USBSF). A Century 21-branded bobsled, along with branding on all of the team’s sleds, team jackets and speed suits, will accompany the U.S. bobsled and skeleton teams during their participation in the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia from February 7 – 23.” Continue reading . . .

“First Time Homebuyer? 5 Items to Cross Off Your List”

Buying a home can be both exciting and overwhelming for the first-time homebuyer. If you’ve decided to take the plunge into homeownership and have already started the search process, make sure you’re not making some common first-time homebuyer mistakes. Your upcoming investment could end up being a bad decision if you overlook some important facts about homeownership and sign that contract before you’re really ready. AOL Real Estate offers five mistakes first time homebuyers need to avoid. Continue reading . . .

“Instagram Hits 150 Million Users – How Are You Marketing Your Business?”

This week Instagram announced they have grown to over 150 million users with over 60 percent of users snapping shots from outside of the U.S. Founded in March of 2010, the company has seen their most dramatic growth of late, acquiring 50 million users in the last six months alone. With roughly 60 million users in America, businesses have flocked to the simple tool to spread their message, host contests, expand their social network and influence, and give consumers a creative way of connecting with brands of all size. That’s a lot of prospective clients. Continue reading . . .

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CENTURY 21 Professionals Shine On NAHREP List Of Top 250 Agents

September 5, 2013 By

Each year NAHREP, the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, announces their list of the Top 250 Latino Real Estate Agents.  We are proud to announce that the CENTURY 21® brand had more professionals rank among the top 10% on the NAHREP Top 250 than any other national franchise brand.

In all, the CENTURY 21 brand had two of the top five Latino Real Estate Agents, five of the top 25 and 22 of the Top 250 nationwide.

“The Latino community continues to be a driving force in the housing industry,” said Carmen Mercado, Director of Diversity, Century 21 Real Estate LLC. “Our agents’ and brokers’ success within multi-cultural markets is a core focus for our brand and our strong presence in the NAHREP Top 250 is a testament to that commitment.”

Marty Rodriguez of CENTURY 21 Marty Rodriguez, Glendora, Calif., and Johnny Rojas of CENTURY 21 JR Gold Team Realty, Garfield, N.J., were named the No. 3 and  4, top-producing Latino residential real estate agents, respectively, in the United States. The award-winning CENTURY 21 Agents will be recognized at the NAHREP 2013 National Convention in Los Angeles, September 29-October 1.

“Marty, Johnny and the other CENTURY 21 Agents on the NAHREP top-producer list possess the skills required to effectively serve Hispanic home buyers and sellers,” said Rick Davidson, president and CEO, Century 21 Real Estate LLC. “Their understanding of Latino generational and cultural paradigms is a lesson in engagement from which all real estate professionals can learn.”

Three additional CENTURY 21 Agents also made the NAHREP Top 25:

13. Alicia Trevino, CENTURY 21 Alicia Trevino Realtors, Dallas, Texas

17. Ricardo Acevedo, CENTURY 21 King, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

22. JJ Lopez, CENTURY 21 Masters, Montebello, Calif.

We couldn’t be more proud of our CENTURY 21 System members and extend a big “Felicidades!” to each individual who made the list.

Syndicated via Century 21 Blog. Source: http://blog.century21.com/2013/09/century-21-professionals-shine-on-nahrep-list-of-top-250-agents/