Every holiday season the First Team® Family of Companies joins in supporting an Orange County, CA charity with donations from employees at their Costa Mesa, CA headquarters. This year, the Salvation Army’s Adopt-A-Family program gave First Team® and its employees the perfect opportunity to be involved on a more personal level.
Social workers, working in tandem with the Salvation Army, nominated a multitude of “most-in-need” families, which they are in regular contact with. Eight departments, at First Team® headquarters, each took on one medium-sized family with two to three children. Each family supplied a list of things they need, which was passed along to the department who adopted them.
“The Adopt-A-Family program is a great way for First Team to give back to those in most need, throughout the communities we serve,” says Ondar Tarlow, Vice-President of Marketing and Public Relations. “Participating employees really enjoyed learning about the families they were helping.”
“Items ranged from blankets, shoes, and warm clothing to a new bicycle for a nine year old boy,“ said Suzanne Brown, Technical Asset Manager at First Team Real Estate. “Winter jackets was a big one everyone’s list, and we tried to get each of the children at least one new outfit.”
Cameron Merage, First Team® Founder, President and CEO, gives his thanks to everyone at First Team® Real Estate, Hallmark Escrow® Co.,Inc., Coast Cities Escrow®, Western Resources Title®, and Bankers Funding® who participated. Well-known for his own philanthropy throughout the year, Mr. Merage says he’s “proud and honored to work with such wonderful people, who really understand the community and how to support it through philanthropic donations, and why it’s so important to try and make positive changes in people’s lives.”
If you would also like to participate in the Salvation Army’s Adopt-A-Family program, you can call them at (714) 832-7100 or visit www.salvationarmyoc.org for more information. Other worthy charities the First Team® Family of Companies have worked with include Orange County Rescue Mission and Olive Crest homes for abused children. They can be contacted at www.rescuemission.org or www.olivecrest.org.
Media Contact:
Weeda Lutfi 714-557-0771 x 218
weedalutfi@firstteam.com
Fannie Mae last week announced its First Look initiative, which provides owner occupants and public entities an advantage in purchasing Fannie-Mae owned foreclosed properties. With First Look, only offers from owner occupants and buyers using public funds are considered during the first 15 days a property is on the market. Offers from investors will be considered only after the first 15 days have passed.
In addition to First Look, buyers using Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds from the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds from HUD, local housing trust funds, or charitable foundation funds also may qualify for additional benefits, including:
• Deposit waivers
• A reserved contract period, and
• Extra time for closing
According to Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), “Individual homebuyers using public funds to purchase a Fannie Mae-owned property do not have to meet the full 5% earnest money/deposit requirement. Deposits can be as low as $500.”
For home search, go to www.firstteam.com
Why does Fannie Mae have properties for sale?
Fannie Mae works with all of its partners to help homeowners prevent and avoid foreclosure; however, sometimes it is unavoidable. When foreclosures occur on mortgages in which Fannie Mae is the investor, our goal is to sell properties in a timely manner in order to minimize the impact on the community.
What kinds of properties are available in the Fannie Mae HomePath database?
Fannie Mae’s HomePath database includes only properties that are owned by Fannie Mae. There is a wide selection of homes, including single-family homes, condominiums, and town houses—located in a variety of neighborhoods. The number, types and the sales prices of the homes that are offered for sale may vary substantially. Many of these homes are relatively new; however, older homes are offered in some areas. Some homes may require repairs.
How is buying a home owned or managed by Fannie Mae different from other home purchases?
Usually, when you buy a home, you deal with a seller who lives in the home. Fannie Mae has acquired these properties through foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure, or forfeiture.
When buying a Fannie Mae-owned home, you should know the condition of the property, as explained in more detail below, the cost of any needed repairs, and the steps in the loan qualification and closing process before you enter into a purchase and sales agreement.
Has Fannie Mae fixed everything in the house?
Fannie Mae may make some repairs to properties to increase their marketability; however, the buyer should be aware that other repairs may be needed. Fannie Mae sells each property “as is,” which means that the buyer accepts the property “as is.” Fannie Mae is not responsible for fixing any problems after settlement.
Even if the house has fresh paint, brand new carpet, new appliances, perhaps even a new roof or siding, it doesn’t mean everything in the house is new, or even works.
Fannie Mae does not warrant or guarantee any work that may have been done on the property, whether as part of its efforts to sell the home or pursuant to conditions in the purchase contract. Where a home warranty is available, you may wish to buy it at your own expense.
You should also consider hiring a qualified professional to inspect the property, whether it has been repaired or not. Hiring a home inspector is a recommended practice, no matter what type of home you buy.
What can you tell me about this house?
If Fannie Mae knows of any hazards on properties we own or market, we disclose this information through our real estate listing agents. However, we may not have been informed by the previous owner of all hazards. We encourage you to have the property inspected by a professional before you buy.
What type of sales contract does Fannie Mae use?
Fannie Mae uses a state-specific real estate purchase contract and a real estate purchase addendum for our properties. If there is anything in the document you don’t understand or aren’t comfortable with, you may want to contact a real estate attorney, the real estate sales professional who has listed the property, or any real estate professional of your choice to review these documents with you.
Do I have to use Fannie Mae’s selected title, settlement, or escrow companies?
No. You may designate the title, settlement, or escrow company of your choice, subject to the terms of the contract.
Will Fannie Mae accept an offer contingent on the sale of my house?
No, Fannie Mae will not accept offers contingent on the sale of your current home. Other types of contingencies will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Why does Fannie Mae require a lender’s prequalification statement before negotiating a home purchase offer?
Fannie Mae wants to be sure that prospective buyers will be able to complete the sales transaction, including obtaining financing when needed. Prequalification allows you to see how much house you can afford and the mortgage amount you may be able to qualify for before you make an offer on a home. It also helps you focus on homes in an affordable price range.
A loan prequalification doesn’t mean your loan is approved. You must apply for a loan separately, after you are prequalified and your purchase offer is accepted.
Does Fannie Mae provide special financing?
Special financing is available on many properties through HomePath® Mortgage and HomePath® Renovation Mortgage. Click here for more information.
Can I buy a house directly from Fannie Mae without going through a real estate sales professional?
No. Fannie Mae depends on the expertise of local real estate sales professionals and accepts offers only through our real estate listing agents. You may work with any real estate sales professional to submit an offer to the real estate agent who has listed the property.
What happens if Fannie Mae gets more than one offer?
All interested parties may be asked to submit their best offer in writing though the listing agent no later than a specified date and time. Fannie Mae may accept or provide a counteroffer that we determine to be in our best interest. Fannie Mae is not obligated to accept any offer submitted.
Field-tested and Successful Campaign Now Expanded Company-wide
First Team agents now have an exclusive opportunity to become “designated luxury specialists” for multi-million dollar residential properties throughout Southern California. Initially focusing on the Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, CA areas, the company’s exclusive “Live Beautifully” program is now being expanded beyond those regions. Select First Team agents were invited to participate in the luxury certification, which officially launched on Friday, Oct. 30, 2009 at the Philharmonic Society of Orange County Design House of Distinction, according to the First Team Estates Director, Debbie Lewandowski.
“The value of this luxury-focused program is proven. Its testing and development in the First Team Estates division in the Newport Beach and Laguna Beach coastal area over the past several years was greatly responsible for the 2009 TRENDGRAPHIX report, that verified First Team sold more homes, worth $1 million and up, than any other independent real estate company in Orange County, CA,” Shefali Mody, Estates Operations Officer, said.
“Now it’s open to any First Team agent who aspires to work the luxury market, from the coast to the desert to North Orange County and beyond,” she explained.
The certification includes specialized training and access to proprietary tools, deluxe marketing resources, and strategies that have been central to the First Team Estates luxury division, including the ‘Live Beautifully’ marketing campaign integrated with The NEW Rules of Luxury Real Estates client service standards. Mody said that, among other things, the certification allows agents to “become part of a powerful network that is vital in luxury real estate,” such as the partnership First Team has with Luxury Portfolio, a division of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, a global association of companies dealing in high-end properties.
“We are redefining the luxury market and raising client service standards to a whole new level. Today’s sophisticated homeowner and buyer are more than ever, looking for innovative and meaningful value added services, relevant to marketing luxury real estate. Our ‘Live Beautifully’ campaign, supported by The NEW Rules of Luxury Real Estate, Luxury Portfolio, and talented agents, combine to form the foundation for our continued success,” said Cameron Merage, CEO & Founder of First Team.
The choice of the Philharmonic Society’s Design House of Distinction was especially fitting for the program’s launch. James Magni, Design Director of the Philharmonic Design House, along with prominent builder John Finton of Finton Construction and renowned luxury designers Laurie B. Haefele and David Phoenix, took part in a panel that discussed luxury design trends of the future to over 140 top-producing First Team agents who attended the event.
The Design House of Distinction is an annual project presented by California Homes Magazine in partnership with the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, featuring a spectacular home where each room displays the work of a celebrated interior designer known for work in luxury homes.
This year’s home, dubbed “Casa California” and located in the exclusive enclave of Shady Canyon in Orange County, CA was built by Finton Construction, internationally respected as a luxury homebuilder, and designed by architect John Henderson of Spectrum Architecture. Funds from tours of the home benefit youth orchestra programs of the Philharmonic Society.
For more information about First Team’s Live Beautifully certified luxury specialist designation, contact Mody directly at (714) 557-0771 x 201 or email her at shefalimody@firstteam.com.
COSTA MESA, Calif. November 12, 2009 – In one of the most significant developments for real estate marketing in years, the partnering of top tier real estate brokerages including First Team® Real Estate, Southern California’s largest independent real estate company, and Oodle, the fastest growing online classified network in the U.S., promises to pioneer new frontiers in commerce opened by social networking venues like Facebook and MySpace.
The announcement that Oodle and First Team would be joining forces to reap the property marketing potential, presented by Facebook’s 300-plus million active users and MySpace’s 125 million users, will continue to be shared during the National Association of Realtors 2009 Convention, held Nov. 13 – 16 in San Diego, CA.
Oodle, known for its innovation in online classified advertising, has powered Facebook Marketplace since early 2009. When Oodle began exploring the idea of developing a self-service classifieds platform for real estate brokers and agents that would allow them to more easily get listings on Facebook and MySpace, it turned to a few select partners that have long been recognized as innovators in real estate sales and those with superior reporting and analytical resources such as First Team Real Estate.
“We’re thrilled to start providing our clients with Oodle’s valuable new tools and give their properties increased exposure across the most powerful social networks, said Cameron Merage, CEO and Founder of First Team Real Estate.”
The value of using social networking sites as a venue for classified advertising in categories such as “furniture” and “rentals” has proved extremely effective on Facebook because people could instantly share their finds, opinions, and insights with friends and business associates.
Merage expects over time the same benefits will apply to real estate listings, with the added advantage of capturing a world-wide audience and maximizing the exposure of First Team Real Estate’s listings for the benefit of its clients and agents. “Social media has emerged with huge potential to fuel word-of-mouth referrals in the housing market as a single comment has the potential to influence thousands,” said Craig Donato, CEO of Oodle.
“This is another ‘First Team first’ – a major partnership with social network online property classifieds,” Ondar Tarlow, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, said. “First Team’s ‘The NEW Rules of Real Estate®’ are well-known in Southern California as a service standard and brand promise, which we have faithfully upheld to benefit our clients and agents. Our new venture with Oodle helps to further expand our online listing syndication strategy which is another step in line with maximizing demand for our client’s property listings – a critical need in today’s diverse and dynamic marketplace.”
The choice of First Team® Real Estate makes perfect sense when looking back at the business histories of both Oodle and First Team. Both have earned reputations as innovators in their industries.
As other real estate companies have seen their market share drop in an ailing real estate climate, First Team has expanded. Industry professionals generally attribute it to the company’s aggressive pursuit of advances in proprietary technology, marketing tools and well trained and committed real estate agents.
MEDIA CONTACT:
WeedaLutfi@firstteam.com
OndarTarlow@firstteam.com
First Team Real Estate Public Relations, +1-714-557-0771
“Here at First Team Real Estate, we agreed that the terms of the original credit program were positive from its inception, so naturally, we were eager to learn about the recent adjustments made to keep it in succession. The extension of the program and passing of the bill has been highly anticipated by our company since it offers buyers a ‘move up’ program to take advantage of and brings a completely new potential to home buying. That is why we are more than proud to announce our role in its passage. As the Chair of the Business Issues Committee, real estate brokers and I collaborated alongside other committees to strengthen NAR’s position, allowing its acceptance into Congress. Additionally, as a participant in the Broker Assisted ‘letter & phone call’ program, First Team is able to take credit for helping to generate over 500 letters and calls to California’s House Representatives to vote in favor of the legislation.”
Bill Plattos, Executive VP First Team Real Estate
Media Contact:
WeedaLutfi@firstteam.com
OndarTarlow@firstteam.com
First Team Real Estate Public Relations, +1-714-557-0771
First Team Estates Listing Rated one of the Coolest Beach Homes.
A magnificent soft contemporary home listed by Luxury Portfolio member First Team Estates recently came in at #6 on Top Ten Real Estate Deals’ list of Top 10 Coolest Beach Homes.
Situated above the white sand beaches of Laguna Beach and near the renowned Montage Resort, the amazing luxury home is filled with captivating views of ocean and sky through wall to wall glass windows and a glass ceiling. Private stairs lead down to the peaceful beach.
Reading more details and viewing pictures of this fine home leave no doubt as to why it appears on the list of coolest beach homes – see more on Luxury Portfolio.
First Team Real Estate® ranked number 1 for Total Sales in Units Market Share in Orange County
TrendGraphix, Inc. Top Brokers Report, published September 2009.*:
With market unit sales of 5,158 over the last 12 months, First Team Real Estate® dominated its 2nd ranked competitor by 2,973 more in total sales, once again positioning First Team as the real estate leader in Orange County, CA. Additionally, according to TrendGraphix Top Broker, the Costa Mesa, CA based company ranked number one in most listings units and sales in the market, with the highest average listing price sold as well as the highest buyer sales amongst competitors in Orange County, CA.
RISMedia’s 2009 Power Broker Survey ranked First Team as the leading independent real estate company in Southern California. Real Data Strategies, Inc., recently reported that First Team sold more homes in Orange County than any other brokerage in the decade 1998 to 2008, and Trendgraphix Inc. reports showed early this year that in 2008, the company sold more homes over $1 million than any other independent Southern California brokerage, solidifying First Team’s Estates brand as the luxury leader in the region.
* TrendGraphix, Inc. Top Brokers Report. All reports are published September 2009, based on data available at the end of August 09. All reports presented are based on data supplied by the Orange County, Orange Coast, Pacific West, Downey, Rancho SE AOR, Laguna BOR, and Desert AOR or their MLSs.
YouTube™ Channel Super-Charges Exposure for First Team® Real Estate Property Listings
YouTube™ Channel Super-Charges Exposure for First Team® Real Estate Property Listings
COSTA MESA, Calif. – YouTube™ video style tours of First Team® Real Estate properties are giving First Team listings a multidimensional exposure boost for its clients and agents, according to Cameron Merage, CEO, First Team Real Estate.
The more than 1,000 YouTube tours consist of a video-style file that is posted on the First Team designated YouTube channel the leading Southern California real estate broker website, FirstTeam.com and the luxury division’s FirstTeamEstates.com
The YouTube connection super-charges the listings in several ways, said Merage. When posted on the traffic-heavy, top website YouTube, a video-associated property climbs high on search engines for better visibility – which works to maximize property listing presence on the web. This moves our seller client service to an even higher level.
“In addition, YouTube has valuable extras, such as giving people options to post comments or share homes of interest through Facebook, Twitter, and a multitude of other social media venues. It exponentially increases the potential distribution of First Team property listings across the web,” Ondar Tarlow, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, explained.
The feature works best when users go directly to the designated channel or official website, http://www.YouTube.com/FirstTeamProperties.
Tarlow described the interface as a textbook application of Rule #2 of the company’s The NEW Rules of Real Estate®. The rule requires maximizing demand and exposing properties to the most buyers to help sellers succeed quickly with the sale of their home, keeping in mind research that shows over 87 percent of real estate buyers search for their next home online.
“The property video style tours are 100 percent free to our real estate agents as well as clients, and ultimately drive traffic to all of our listings,” Tarlow said. “We’re pleased that we can say no other broker in our region is doing this. We’re adding to our roster of distinct advantages that have made First Team a successful industry leader from the start.”
For more information or to get your own booklet copy of The NEW Rules of Real Estate, “Strategies for savvy homebuyers and sellers,” visit FirstTeam.com. To go directly to First Team’s YouTube videos, visit YouTube.com/FirstTeamProperties.
YouTube™ is a registered trademark of Google, Inc. First Team® Real Estate is not affiliated with YouTube™ or Google, Inc. © 2009 First Team® Real Estate. All rights reserved.
CONTACT:
WeedaLutfi@firstteam.com
OndarTarlow@firstteam.com
First Team Real Estate Public Relations, +1-714-557-0771
A stable, successful, socially engaged business is as invaluable to its community as it is appreciated, as was amply demonstrated when some of Orange County’s best-known civic dignitaries gathered at First Team Real Estate’s Anaheim Hills branch to celebrate that office’s 20th anniversary.
The event focused around a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the office’s new membership in the Orange Chamber of Commerce, whose CEO and Ambassadors were in attendance.
According to Branch Manager Jennifer Berman, the Aug. 4th affair signified the degree to which the office is involved with the neighborhoods it serves. Because First Team is a locally owned, non-franchised organization, selling more homes in Southern California over the last decade than any other brokerage, it dedicates all of its resources to local markets.
Berman’s office received a Certificate of Congressional Recognition for its “outstanding work for 20 years to build and work with the community,” said U.S. Representative and 9th term Congressman, Ed Royce as he presented Berman with a commemorative plaque.
Paula Neal Reza, Director of Development for Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, also spoke at the event. She described First Team as one of the non-profit organization’s “very generous corporate partners” whose contributions help it fulfill its mission of “ending substandard housing.”
Berman, who formerly worked the luxury real estate market in Beverly Hills, sees such involvement with the community as a vital component for the success of her agents. She added that among her goals as a manager is to help agents stay informed and involved in how local and national government policies affect area homeowners.
“I have a unique office in that it has so many well-established agents,” said Berman. “Some have been here for the entire 20 years since we opened, right at this very location. Other agents have left for a few years to work for our competitors, and come back because of First Team’s involvement in the community and its tremendous in-house resources.”
Berman is herself one such resource: she is nationally known for her expertise in using internet technologies in the real estate industry and for showing agents how to use social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and Linked In to increase their business.
A more formal celebration of the office’s 20th anniversary will be held Sept. 17 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. First Team’s Anaheim Hills office, distinguished by its upscale consulting and work areas and technological resources, is at 5500 East Santa Ana Canyon Road in Suite 150.
For information, call (714) 974-9191 or contact Jennifer Berman at 714-481-3091, www.jenniferberman.net.
OC Metro Mag ranks First Team Estates $18 million Laguna Beach, CA listing #6 on Top 10 Coolest Beach Homes list.
Listed by First Team Estates® John Stanaland, 3 Camel Point Drive in Laguna Beach, ranked No. 6, is an “elegant, contemporary home rising above white sandy beaches,” says Top Ten.
A stone’s throw from the areas renown Montage Resort, resting above white sandy beaches on a private oceanfront street, this soft contemporary home is truly a magnificent work of art. Mesmerizing tableau of varying panoramas is experienced through a remarkable glass ceiling and wall to wall glass windows on the main level. Private stairs lead to the shores of the beach below where you can enjoy peaceful walks along the gently lapping waves or bask in the warm So. Cal. weather. For more information call John Stanaland at 949.689.9047 or e-mail at johnstanaland@cox.net.
First Team Real Estate
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