ERA Titletown Headlines tag:www.eratitletown.com,2007:/blog/eraheadlines/5 2007-09-18T16:29:26Z ERA Titletown's news and updates forum Movable Type 3.2 Top Producers for August 2007 tag:www.eratitletown.com,2007:/blog/eraheadlines//5.378 2007-09-17T14:38:35Z 2007-09-18T16:29:26Z Brian Katsetos http://www.eratitletown.com GREEN BAY, WI – ERA Titletown, REALTORS has announced its top producers for August 2007.

Top Producers are recognized for having met and exceeded monthly sales goals set by ERA Titletown, REALTORS.

The following realtors have achieved Top Producer status for the month:

CRAIG FRANCOIS
AL STREI
LISA KAWULA
GREGG MARWEG
MICHELE REHN
JODY KEMPPAINEN
BARB RICHARDS
NANCI STEBER

]]> July Top Producers tag:www.eratitletown.com,2007:/blog/eraheadlines//5.377 2007-08-28T21:26:13Z 2007-08-28T21:27:12Z Brian Katsetos http://www.eratitletown.com GREEN BAY, WI – ERA Titletown, REALTORS has announced its top producers for July 2007.

Top Producers are recognized for having met and exceeded monthly sales goals set by ERA Titletown, REALTORS.

The following realtors have achieved Top Producer status for the month:

AL STREI
CRAIG FRANCOIS
RICK TURRIFF
SCOTT PARADISE
RYAN MAHER
LISA KAWULA
STEVE ROHR
ELAINE PASQUALUCCI
BRAD BONCHER
BILL JOHNSON

]]> ERA Titletown, REALTORS Part of Network Recognized by J.D. Power and Associates for Third Year in a Row tag:www.eratitletown.com,2006:/blog/eraheadlines//5.164 2006-10-10T13:58:39Z 2006-10-09T16:03:46Z GREEN BAY, WI – ERA Titletown, REALTORS in Green Bay, WI is part of the international global real estate network which was recently named the recipient of the 2006 J.D. Power and Associates Award for "Highest Overall Satisfaction For Repeat... Marketing Dept. GREEN BAY, WI – ERA Titletown, REALTORS in Green Bay, WI is part of the international global real estate network which was recently named the recipient of the 2006 J.D. Power and Associates Award for "Highest Overall Satisfaction For Repeat Home Sellers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms."

This marks the third year in a row ERA Real Estate has received an award from this prestigious organization. Last year, the company was the recipient of the 2005 J.D. Power and Associates Award for "Highest Overall Satisfaction For First Time Home Sellers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms." In 2004, ERA Real Estate received the award for "Highest Overall Satisfaction For First Time Home Buyers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms."

"Being recognized for customer satisfaction once again by a well-respected organization such as J.D. Power and Associates is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our sales associates and staff," said Susan Hamer, Managing Broker with ERA Titletown. "This award is a reflection of our promise to our customers to be 'Always There For You' throughout the homebuying and selling process."

Locally, ERA Titletown offers a host of products and services dedicated to meeting the needs of both sellers and buyers. To learn more about the programs and services they provide, call 1-877-372-1372 or visit www.ERATitletown.com.


ERA received the highest numerical score among national full service real estate firms for repeat home sellers in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Home Buyer/Seller Satisfaction StudySM. Study based on 3,709 total responses measuring real estate firms and measures opinions of homebuyers and sellers. Study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in April through May 2006. Your experiences may vary. Study conducted for Realogy Corporation by J.D. Power and Associates.

ERA Titletown, REALTORS (www.eratitletown.com) is the Green Bay area’s largest full-service real estate company, and the largest single real estate office in Wisconsin. Along with helping clients buy and sell residential and commercial real estate, ERA Titletown also offers mortgage, relocation and title/closing services. ERA Titletown, REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of ERA Franchise Systems, Inc.

About ERA Franchise Systems, Inc. - ERA Franchise Systems, Inc. is a global leader in the residential real estate industry with more than 30 years experience in developing consumer-oriented products and services. ERA Real Estate was recently named the recipient of the prestigious 2006 J.D. Power and Associates Award for "Highest Overall Satisfaction For Repeat Home Sellers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms." The ERA® network includes more than 38,700 brokers and sales associates and nearly 3,000 offices throughout the United States and 29 other countries and territories. Each office is independently owned and operated except offices owned and operated by NRT Incorporated. ERA Franchise Systems, Inc. is a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation (NYSE: H), the world's largest real estate franchisor. ERA® information is available to consumers at ERA.com.

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]]> 10 Tips for First-Time Homebuyers tag:www.eratitletown.com,2006:/blog/eraheadlines//5.159 2006-10-03T16:16:55Z 2006-10-03T16:31:33Z 1. Be picky, but don’t be unrealistic. There is no perfect home. 2. Do your homework before you start looking. Decide specifically what features you want in a home and which are most important to you. 3. Get your finances... Marketing Dept. 1. Be picky, but don’t be unrealistic. There is no perfect home.

2. Do your homework before you start looking. Decide specifically what features you want in a home and which are most important to you.

3. Get your finances in order. Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your downpayment and your closing costs.

4. Don’t wait to get a loan. Talk to a lender and get prequalified for a mortgage before you start looking.

5. Don’t ask too many people for opinions. It will drive you crazy. Select one or two people to turn to if you feel you need a second opinion.

6. Decide when you could move. When is your lease up? Are you allowed to sublet? How tight is the rental market in your area?

7. Think long-term. Are you looking for a starter house with the idea of moving up in a few years or do you hope to stay in this home longer? This decision may dictate what type of home you’ll buy as well as type of mortgage terms that suit you best.

8. Don’t let yourself be house poor. If you max yourself out to buy the biggest home you can afford, you’ll have no money left for maintenance or decoration or to save money for other financial goals.

9. Don’t be naïve. Insist on a home inspection and if possible get a warranty from the seller to cover defects within one year.

10. Get help. Consider hiring a REALTOR® as a buyer’s representative. Unlike a listing agent, whose first duty is to the seller, a buyer’s representative is working only for you. And often, buyer’s reps are paid out of the seller’s commission payment.

]]> Six Reasons to Use a Realtor tag:www.eratitletown.com,2006:/blog/eraheadlines//5.17 2006-08-20T14:25:57Z 2006-08-21T21:53:27Z Why pay a Realtor® a commission to sell your home? After all, more than 10% of homeowners attempt to handle the sale of a home themselves, a statistic that has held pretty steady over the years regardless of market conditions.... Marketing Dept. Why pay a Realtor® a commission to sell your home? After all, more than 10% of homeowners attempt to handle the sale of a home themselves, a statistic that has held pretty steady over the years regardless of market conditions. Before making a decision about whether to go it alone, it is important to have a realistic idea of what is involved in the biggest financial transaction most of us are likely to make.

]]> Why work with a Realtor®? Here are six reasons to consider:

Reason #1 - Realtors® know your market.
Realtors® are in a position to know what’s happening in the real estate market, not just in your state and your community, but in your neighborhood. As trained professionals who may have seen hundreds of homes similar to yours and know their features and selling prices, a professional is well qualified to set a price that can bring the maximum number of offers for your home.

Reason #2 - Realtors® sweat the details.
Accurate pricing, qualifying potential buyers, positioning advertising for maximum exposure, evaluating potential offers, negotiation and closing the sale are some of the basic skills needed to successfully sell your home. Then there are environmental, government and disclosure requirements that must be followed.

Reason #3 - Realtors® know marketing.
Marketing that attracts offers, not just lookers. A coordinated marketing campaign using the right combination of print advertising, direct mail and the Internet ensures your home receives maximum exposure. And an experienced Realtor® can advise you on cost-effective strategies for ensuring your home looks its best to potential buyers.

Reason #4 - Realtors® are pros at bringing buyers and sellers together.
A Realtor® may already have a buyer for your home! Successful Realtors® are continually replenishing their rosters of potential buyers, as well as networking with other real estate professionals who may have the perfect buyer for your home.

Reason #5 - Realtors® reduce stress.
Are you prepared to show your home in the middle of the day? Every weekend? Realtors® have the time to show your home whenever it is convenient for a potential buyer. It’s their job. And they are available to respond quickly and courteously to inquiries by phone call, email and fax. Think of a Realtor® as your personal home sales assistant.

Reason # 6 - Realtors® are experienced negotiators.
Realtors® can help avoid costly errors during the negotiation phase of a transaction. As experienced negotiators, they can help maintain objectivity during what can often be an emotional time for sellers and buyers. And the ability to deal successfully with any issues that crop up often calls for just the right combination of firmness and diplomacy.

Whether you are a seller or a buyer, perhaps the biggest benefit real estate professionals have to offer to you is their experience. They have made assisting buyers and sellers their business, so that you can get on with the business, and pleasure, of realizing your dream!

]]> Dressing Your House for Sales Success tag:www.eratitletown.com,2006:/blog/eraheadlines//5.121 2006-07-19T21:54:02Z 2006-08-21T21:56:37Z As important a landmark as buying a home is in people's lives, you'd be surprised at how much of it can turn on snap decisions. If you're selling a house you'll have to put careful thought into customers' first impressions,... Marketing Dept. As important a landmark as buying a home is in people's lives, you'd be surprised at how much of it can turn on snap decisions. If you're selling a house you'll have to put careful thought into customers' first impressions, because many sales will be made or lost before they reach the front door – or as soon as they walk through it.

First consider "curb appeal" – the feeling customers get from the upkeep of the house and grounds, and how comfortable this makes them imagining themselves as a resident. You want to do everything you can to make them see your house as their house, both outside and in.

A new paint job is an investment that will more than pay for itself, and neat landscaping – trimmed shrubs, new flowers – puts your prospective buyers in just the right frame of mind. Inside, kitchens and bathrooms should be in sparkling condition – these rooms are known to be what makes up many home-seekers' minds. Removal of odors like pet smells and smoke will lessen distractions for customers you want focusing on your home's possibilities, and clearing of clutter is crucial.

The fewer belongings you have crowding your rooms and closets, the bigger the home will appear, and the easier it will be for potential buyers to envision placing their own possessions there. Put some things in storage if you need to, or hold a garage sale to help cut down on some of the build-up you were going to clear out for moving anyway (just hold it before buyers can see the piles on your lawn or the cars lined up on an otherwise peaceful street). For buyers picturing themselves in your home, it's also good to present the house in as general taste as possible – personal memorabilia, collectibles, and eccentric wall colors and furnishings should go out with the clutter. Repainting rooms in a neutral white also helps convey the sense of spaciousness.

Clean windows, fresh flowers, and other small details with big impact – they're what you want to remember. From major improvements which guarantee a return on your investment, to subtle touches that tip the scales in your favor, the features of a house that we often take for granted can be the ones that determine your homeselling success. According to the National Association of Realtors®, curb appeal alone accounts for half of all home sales.

A little effort now saves you a lengthy process later. First impressions will expedite the sale, and securing the services of a qualified Realtor® will make it all the surer. An ERA Titletown real estate professional can guide you in all the above matters and more, from supplying a checklist of presentation tips, to recommending affordable painting contractors from his or her industry connections, to helping you rearrange the furniture. Whatever it takes, we can give you confidence that, for some buyer soon, the showing of your home will be love at first sight.

]]> First Time Homebuyers - No time like the first time tag:www.eratitletown.com,2006:/blog/eraheadlines//5.47 2006-06-28T22:02:00Z 2006-08-02T22:31:35Z If you are contemplating the purchase of your first home, congratulations! As you probably know, buying a home is one of the biggest financial commitments you can make. It is also a process filled with emotion, and a touch of... Marketing Dept. If you are contemplating the purchase of your first home, congratulations! As you probably know, buying a home is one of the biggest financial commitments you can make. It is also a process filled with emotion, and a touch of anxiety. To help keep you sleeping soundly, here are answers to three big questions that concern many potential first-time homeowners.

]]> Question #1: How do I decide what to look for in a home?

It’s easier than you think. Sit yourself down and list what’s important to you in a home. The purchase of every home involves making tradeoffs, so be sure to prioritize your list.

One element is architectural style. Do you prefer a Colonial, a Cape Cod or a modern look? An important factor to consider is living space. How much room do you need right now, and to meet anticipated needs?

Make a list of features that must be a part of your home. Perhaps that Olympic-size pool and tennis court can be put off for another day, but you may absolutely need an eat-in kitchen NOW! It’s all a matter of your taste and personal style.


Question #2: Where should I begin the search?

That old real estate adage about “location, location, location” aside, choosing where to live is usually determined by your personal circumstances and desires. Do you have a particular community, or even a particular block, in mind?

What is it about the location of your new home that is most important to you? Do you prefer an urban, suburban or rural setting? Consider proximity to work, schools, shopping, entertainment and houses of worship. Once you’ve narrowed your list of potential candidates, the Internet can be an excellent tool for learning what a particular community has to offer.


Question #3: How can I find financing that makes sense for me?

Despite a rise in prices in recent years, homes have seldom been more affordable. Interest rates are lower than we’ve seen in decades. Innovative financing plans are available to fit a broad range of needs.

Still, the last thing you want to do is start out in your first home saddled with an uncomfortable level of debt. Seeking the advice of a professional who can give you the lowdown on financing options that match your qualifications is a big step in the right direction.

Once you’ve narrowed your search, talk to a real estate professional that serves the community you’d like to call home. ERA® Titletown associates are trained to guide you through your purchase every step of the way. Our Web site, ERA.com, reaches around the globe to bring up-to-date listings directly to you. Castle Mortgage, our in-house mortgage company, offers loan programs expressly designed to meet the needs of qualified first-time homebuyers.

The path to finding your first home is sure to be full of twists and turns. Once you’re armed with the answers to the big questions, the search can be fulfilling, and even fun!

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