BrokerIPTV Real Estate News and Videos

The Denver Board Of Realtor, Realtor Roundtable of Excellence Awards, Top Producer - Sides Completed - Carolyn Andrews, RE/MAX Alliance.

BrokerIPTV : Welcome to Broker IPTV and we are honored today to have Carolyn Andrews from RE/MAX Alliance, and Carolyn was the individual to have most transactions, award winner of the million dollar roundtable  (The Realtor Roundtable of Excellence Awards) for the Denver Board of Realtors. So, once again congratulations.

Carolyn Andrews: Thank you.

BrokerIPTV : And why don't we just start off, once you tell us a little bit about yourself, you have got that accent, so you must be Australian.

Carolyn Andrews: I was born in England. I moved to the US 28 years ago, and I have been a broker 25 of those years. <more>

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BrokerIPTV: We are talking with Maritt Ellis today, Sales and Marketing Manager for MacKenzie House and welcome to the show. Glad you are here.

Maritt Ellis: Thank you so much Dan. 

BrokerIPTV: Tell me what consumers want because you are a builder and that is the topic of this segment. What consumers want? What do they tell you? 

Maritt Ellis: They tell me... they tell our company that they want efficiency. They want comfortable homes. They are looking for a neighborhood, a sense of community when they are shopping for their home. So, they are going to be looking for parks, walking trails, things of that nature. They also want to see efficiency in their homes, so I think that is a huge trend going into the future, home efficiency and energy efficiency.

BrokerIPTV: Yeah, that is true. Does MacKenzie House solicit feedback from other Realtors when they are getting ready to come up with a new design or a new plan or a new community?

Maritt Ellis: We definitely appreciate any feedback from Realtors; for example, we just recently changed one of our floor plans based on Realtor and homeowner feedback; so, we definitely appreciate it. They are the ones that know what buyers want and they have the experience. So, we have done focus groups and we have talked to Realtors; so, yes.

BrokerIPTV: And it is a little bit more than I guess since you specialize in senior living and we all know that the seniors want a main floor mapping, right? Tell me a little bit more on that.

Maritt Ellis: Yes, yes. They are looking for open floor plans. They do not want to have to maintain a huge yard, so some of the common things you can think of for sure.

BrokerIPTV: How does MacKenzie House reach out to Realtors to get them to help sell your product?

Maritt Ellis: Interesting question. We recently had a raffle. We raffled off two opening day tickets to the Rockies season opener. So, that was hugely successful. We had about five calls a week, which is good in this market from Realtors and it was strictly for brokers. So, they were excited to put their card in the box and tour the homes. So, they just had to preview or show the home. We of course entertain any opportunity to speak to Realtors, which we have done a lot of and we also do the flyers, we do the pizzas, we do the Duffy rolls, you name it, we try and get in front of Realtors.

BrokerIPTV: All right. What is the signature of a MacKenzie Home? Is there one special feature?

Maritt Ellis: I think there is right now in our town home, product line in both Missouri and in Colorado. We have an open floor plan. We have got a column coming from the skylight that brings a lot of natural light down to the first floor, which is really needed and then if you look at the back of the town home, you have a spiral staircase that takes you up to the fourth floor, rooftop deck, which is amazing. So, on both town home product lines you have the spiral staircase.

BrokerIPTV: Maritt, thanks very much. Good information. Appreciate you being here.

Maritt Ellis: Thank you. Thank you for having me.

BrokerIPTV: Appreciate you being here. 

Maritt Ellis: Thank you for having me.

Broker IPTV: Today we are talking with Heather Ehret Faircloth form Fuller Towne and Country Properties. Heather thanks to be with us.


Heather Ehret Faircloth: My pleasure.


Broker IPTV: What areas of Town are you working, what are your farm areas what neighborhoods do you like?


Heather Ehret Faircloth: Well, I have lived in Hilltop for nine years, so I would say that's my area of expertise, I know that area in and out, and Denver Country Club and North Country Club, it is pretty much metro Denver. I was grown up in Downtown area.


Broker IPTV: Yeah and what's happen say in the Hilltop area, I mean where are those little neighborhoods and niches doing?


Heather Ehret Faircloth: Hilltop has a lot going on, there is lot a good stuff going on in that, they have got homes getting scraped to bigger homes being built, but also now big movement to really restore and keep that older character homes and that we are original to the neighborhood and you are within walking distance to Cherry Creek, which is outstanding, you got Lowry, which is going on, just east of you, so if you can't make it down the down Cherry Creek. You do not want deal parking down there, you can get to Lowry and then also it's going on at 9^th and Colorado with all the hospitals leaving, is really positive as well for an area that is traditionally been called Mayfair or Montclair, but now people are starting it to call it Hilltop again, because of what is going on 9^th and Colorado.


Broker IPTV: How is business is been for you and in those areas.


Heather Ehret Faircloth: For me it's been really good and I feel bad saying it, but it is been really good. It is a great time to buy and I love to work with buyers and I wanted see will that would drive people around all day and talk, go eat. So, I absolutely love it, because that's the market for who we like to deal with. So to my sellers, I see, if you bought wise and it always location, location, location and you are probably going to do well enough on your property and then so much better on that buying and that you are still ahead. So, I think it's a great time to been involved in it. I think it is also good. It's shaking out the people that really like the business. There where lot of people that were in it, because they thought it was easy and they make a quick buck, but the people that are really staying in it now are the professionals.


Broker IPTV: What are your clients looking for?


Heather Ehret Faircloth: My clients right now are looking for value, because of the market. They are looking for something that they feel like, they are going to get value on in whatever they do to it, they are going to be able, some people call their 401K, Heather, my house going to be my 401K. So, they are looking for value and something that they feel like it is going to appreciate over time.


Broker IPTV: Is there an area that you are working or thought to buy right now?


Heather Ehret Faircloth: Well, Hilltop is always hot. I mean it is just location great. I really like the Mayfair area. I really think that the developers are hopping from Lowry over Monaco and they are hopping from Hilltop over sixth and it's all good going on 9^th and so I worked with the couple of young couples that were really thinking Wash Park, which is always a fantastic, place to be, but Mayfair really for value wise and must going to happen with it over a time, I think it is the hot area.


Broker IPTV: Heather thanks for being with us, good talking with you.


Heather Ehret Faircloth: Thank you.

IPTV January 2008 NewsReel

Denver is 1 of Only 12 of the nations 50 Metropolitan areas have a high risk of price declines, according to the PMI Mortgage Insurance companys Winter 2008 Market Risk index. This index is based on the 3rd quarter Office of Federal Housing Oversight data, and ranks the 50 largest metropolitan areas according to the likelihood in price declines. 12 of these metropolitan areas have a 1% or less risk of price declines. Areas that had the highest price run-ups in recent years are at highest risk of price deterioration.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jan/16/metro-area-home-values-likely-hold/

If you lost a home to foreclosure last year or paid mortgage insurance premiums, there is some good news. Congress enacted laws in late 2007 to allow deduction of some mortgage insurance premiums. This could amount to a tax break of up to $350. The foreclosure tax break applies to all taxpayers who were granted forgiveness of mortgage debt. Previously, this amount was fully taxable and could have run into the tens of thousands of dollars.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8U6GH5O0.htm

On the subprime mortgage crisis front, Bank of America has announced a deal where they will buy the troubled Countrywide Financial for $4.1 billion dollars. This will make Bank of America the nations largest mortgage lender and will provide much needed relief to the largest independent mortgage banker. While this acquisition is a major step in solving the mortgage meltdown, more failures and acquisitions are anticipated in the coming months.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22606833

Consumer Confidence showed a slight increase in December, according to the Conference Board. Consumers also believe that there will be more jobs in the future and that their personal incomes will be higher in the coming months. While these are bright spots, overall consumer sentiment seems to point to a slowing of the economy. The Conference Board developed and reports monthly on consumer confidence, as well as the Leading Economic Indicators report, which is expected at the end of January.

http://www.conference-board.org/economics/consumerconfidence.cfm

First American Corporation, one of the largest national title insurers, announced plans to spin off its financial services business. It also announced a 4th quarter loss, due mainly to costs from the California wildfires. They also announced plans to aggressively manage employee costs, and are looking to move processing jobs to counties like India and the Phillipines. Chief Financial Officer Frank MacMahon said that up to 40% of their workforce may be moved offshore.

http://www.reuters.com/article/bankingFinancial/idUSBNG6641820080115

In Technology news, Google has announced plans for expanding its offerings for the IPhone. Google introduced access to mail, calendars, search, and Google Reader last month and unveiled additional enhancements that allow better navigation and easier user interface, using the iPhone touch screen. Google gadgets are now available for the iPhone as well. Google is moving forward with the Android mobile platform, and phones using this platform are expected later this year.

http://www.internetnews.com/wireless/article.php/3721541

A 40 hour laptop battery? Researcher at Stanford Universitys Department of Materials Science and Engineering have found a way to give rechargeable lithium ion batteries as much as 10 times more charge. These batteries are used from everything from iPods to laptops. A patent has been filed for the technology and negotiations are ongoing with battery manufacturers. Yi Cui, assistant professor, states,

Barbara Lambert-Denver Board of Realtors Protecting Realtor And Consumer Rights

BrokerIPTV : Today we are talking with Barbara Lambert, CEO of the Denver Board of Realtors. Welcome, thanks for being with us, nice to have you.

Barbara Lambert: Thank you.

BrokerIPTV : One of the things you doing. I did not realizes until I actually got into the business to get started is that you work for us. I mean you protect realtor's rights, you lobby and you are involved in legislation. So, tell what are really some hot button issues I should know about here?

Barbara Lambert: Well, I glad that you recognized as your trade association, we do help you in protecting you and your ability not only to earn of living, but to practice your trade in a very non-litigious environment and so we do a great deal of lobbying not only at the national level, but at the state and local level. In that pursuit, zoning issues, sign ordinances, contract issues and things. I think we do an excellent job of protecting your rights.

BrokerIPTV : What is the deep DBR stand, do they have a position on things like contract changes or the fact that we have got new seller property disclosures and we are having to a water addendum now and things of that nature?

Barbara Lambert: Well, I know it is seems a very owner. I can I here people talk about, when the contract was one page, but today the contract is many pages and the best part of that, those individuals who are drafting those contracts are part of the real estate commission in the forms group and those people are long realtors, practicing real estate attorneys, people who are looking out for your best interest. To create an environment again whereby you can do business and the consumer is also protected through this process.

BrokerIPTV : How do you feel about the change in the foreclosure law coming down in 2008?

Barbara Lambert: Well, the changes in the foreclosure laws obviously, the Presidents announcement yesterday and his efforts to help the consumer, but I think more importantly, related to foreclosure issues. The realtor organization in the state of Colorado, has contributed almost $100,000 to the foreclosure hotline and in a meeting just the other day, I learned that of the five every four people who call, that hotline, get the kind of help they need to prevent a foreclosure on their home. Those are startling statics when more than 80,000 people have calls that hotline. So, I think that a lot of good things to been done, not only by your association, but I think by the government both at the state and local level.

BrokerIPTV : Finally, People I should know in resources I should know at the Denver Board?

Barbara Lambert: Well I would say that anyone you call at the Denver Board can help you. I work with the phenomenal group of people. Those colleagues that I have under my employment are there to serve you and help you get the answers that you need to your questions and we have a phenomenal Board of Directors that lead our organization and I think removing forward and doing some very wonderful thing that benefit our members.

BrokerIPTV : Barbara, thank you very much, it is a pleasure speaking with you.