Long Realty is pleased to announce the following Real Estate Professional Accolades:

DAMION ALEXANDER, ABR, CRS, GRI - LONG REALTY COMPANY

Damion Alexander is an experienced Foothills area and relocation specialist, posting multimillion dollar sales totals each year. For 2010, Alexander, also an Accredited Buyer Representative, Certified Residential Specialist and Graduate REALTOR Institute member, earns a promotion to the firm’s acclaimed President’s Club.

KAREN ASHURST, ABR, CRS - LONG REALTY COMPANY

Karen Ashurst has more than 15 year’s experience helping buyers and sellers meet their unique real estate goals. An Accredited Buyer Representative, Certified Residential Specialist and golf property expert, the hard working Ashurst joins fellow top producers in the firm’s exclusive President’s Club for 2010.

ANNA MARIE DELGADO, ABR, GRI - LONG REALTY COMPANY

A talented real estate professional and multimillion-dollar producer, Anna Marie Delgado soars to the top, earning a valuable seat among fellow elite in the firm’s 2010 President’s Club. Always ahead of the curve, Delgado also boasts the designations of Accredited Buyer Representative and Graduate REALTOR Institute member.

BILL & SUE GROTH, GRI - LONG REALTY COMPANY

Bill and Sue Groth are one of Tucson’s most outstanding husband and wife realty teams, specializing in land and active adult communities in the southwest area. Bill, a highly experienced associate broker, and Sue celebrate a well deserved promotion to the firm’s distinguished President’s Club for 2010.

RUSS GLADDEN, GRI - LONG REALTY COMPANY

Due to the range and scope of his expanding real estate business, Russ Gladden announces his return to Long Realty Company’s exciting Dove Mountain office. Gladden, a Graduate REALTOR Institute member, gains unparalleled technical support and world wide marketing reach to achieve success for his buyers and sellers.

JOSH WAGGONER, ABR, CLHMS - LONG REALTY COMPANY

Josh Waggoner is a well regarded Accredited Buyer Representative and a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, annually pushing past the multimillion-dollar sales plateau. As a result of his hard work and remarkable success, Waggoner steps into the spotlight to take a seat in the eminent 2010 President’s Club. 

Are you considering a new career?

For over 80 years Long Realty has been helping its sales associates achieve success. Due to our expansion and growth we are seeking candidates who have the desire to become successful sales associates. To find out more about becoming a Real Estate professional or to learn more about the career opportunities visit www.TheSmarterWayToSell.com. 

By taking our 8 Minute Online Career Assessment you will gain insight into your personality type as it relates to a real estate sales career. There is no obligation for you, however you can indicate as part of the assessment if you wish to be contacted to find out more about getting licensed and about Long Realty. This is fun, fast and surprisingly accurate profile. A written report will be e-mailed directly to you instantly.

Long Realty is pleased to announce the following Real Estate Professional Accolades:

PAMELA AMANNA, GRI, SFR - LONG REALTY COMPANY

Pamela Amanna sets the pace from her River/Campbell office, chalking up two impressive achievements so far this year. A Graduate REALTOR Institute member specializing in new construction and general resales, Amanna earns the designation of Short Sale & Foreclosure Resource and a seat in the 2010 Executive Club.

JOHN & MEGAN BILLINGS - LONG REALTY COMPANY

Meeting and beating the challenges of today’s realty market, John and Megan Billings gain a well-deserved promotion to the firm’s exclusive President’s Club for 2010. John, an associate broker, and Megan focus their business on golf properties, new construction and resale homes in the Oro Valley and Northwest areas of Tucson.

DORINA DENNERLEIN, GRI & SHARON KOCH, GRI - LONG REALTY COMPANY

For more than 20 years, Dorina Dennerlein and Sharon Koch have combined their talents and expertise to impress buyers and sellers alike. Both Graduate REALTOR Institute members, relocation specialists and multimillion-dollar producers, Dorina and Sharon rise to the top again to claim a seat in the firm’s notable 2010 President’s Club.

JAMESON GRAY - LONG REALTY COMPANY

Jameson Gray is an adobe property specialist who focuses his growing business on joining buyers with homes of substance and character throughout Tucson. An experienced associate broker and consistent multimillion-dollar seller, the hard-working Gray enjoys a promotion to the firm’s distinguished 2010 President’s Club.

KAREN B. SMITH, e-PRO, SFR - LONG REALTY COMPANY

While others may struggle in today’s real estate market, Karen B. Smith continues to learn and grow as a professional. A Foothills area specialist, Smith secures the renown professional designations of Short Sale & Foreclosure Resource and e-PRO Internet technology and marketing specialist.

JEFFREY ZIMET, ABR, ASR, CRS - LONG REALTY COMPANY

Associate broker Jeffrey Zimet has led the way in Tucson real estate as an elite sales professional almost since his beginning in 1988. Zimet, an Accredited Buyer and Seller Representative and a Certified Residential Specialist, parlays his most recent multimillion-dollar sales year into a prized seat in the firm’s 2010 President’s Club.  

Are you considering a new career?

For over 80 years Long Realty has been helping its sales associates achieve success. Due to our expansion and growth we are seeking candidates who have the desire to become successful sales associates. To find out more about becoming a Real Estate professional or to learn more about the career opportunities visit www.TheSmarterWayToSell.com. 

By taking our 8 Minute Online Career Assessment you will gain insight into your personality type as it relates to a real estate sales career. There is no obligation for you, however you can indicate as part of the assessment if you wish to be contacted to find out more about getting licensed and about Long Realty. This is fun, fast and surprisingly accurate profile. A written report will be e-mailed directly to you instantly.

(TUCSON, AZ) Long Realty has announced the launch of the Short Sale Resource Group (SSRG), an initiative designed to keep agents informed on the latest short sale-related information, announcements, policy changes, and regulation updates. This is yet another way Long Realty is taking the industry lead to help their real estate professionals work smarter and provide the highest level of service to buyers and sellers.

(TUCSON, AZ.) Long Companies is pleased to welcome experienced agent Mike McGuire back to the Long Realty team.

Long Realty was recently featured in a case study by Telligent, a community software company, for its program "Long Connects" - an online community for Long Realty agents and employees:

Long Realty Uses Collaboration and Community Software to Increase Agent Productivity

Since 1926, Long Realty has built a solid reputation of having knowledgeable and experienced agents helping people throughout Arizona buy and sell real estate. As a part of HomeServices of America, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, Tucson-based Long Realty a leading real estate company in Arizona. With 38 office locations and more than 1,400 agents, Long Realty had already developed a culture of working together to share information, but they were still encountering difficulties in collaboration and real-time knowledge sharing.

Challenge

Long Realty needed a secure place for agents and employees to collaborate

Long Realty was faced with the challenge of connecting a large number of agents who work remotely and often from onsite locations. In order to support the complete, and sometimes complex, sales cycle involving numerous parties, Long Realty needed a safe harbor where agents could connect and engage from anywhere – in a way that is easy to use, implement and administer. In addition, Long Realty wanted a knowledge database for training and a way to better communicate organizational values to agents.

Solution

Long Realty leveraged Telligent Community to connect agents in remote locations

Built on Telligent Community, Long Connects is an in-house agent-centric online community that increases agent interaction. An upgrade from the antiquated electronic bulletin board system they previously had in place, Long Connects provides an easy-to-use and focused safe haven where agents can “talk shop.” Users can add formatting, photos and rich media, share forms and documents in media galleries, and watch training videos. Agents can customize their profile pages, connect with other agents, and join groups. Forum discussions include open house dialogue, marketing, technology tips, buyer and seller related activity and short sales; and new groups are added by administrators based on feedback. The ability for new agents to connect and share knowledge with experienced agents allows for mentoring opportunities. Executive-level blogs provide guidance and offer real estate perspectives.

Long Connects chose Telligent Community for its flexibility, intuitive user experience and platform capabilities. Additionally, the platform’s integration with the organization’s internal database through single sign-on technology allow for minimal monitoring or training.

Results

Long Connects is an innovative collaboration tool and the key differentiator for Long Realty

Long Realty agents have quickly embraced Long Connects as the main source of information and collaboration. The progressive company is an innovative and early adopter of online community technology in their everyday activities. Additionally, Long Connects is a unique tool and is used when recruiting new agents.

• In the first month, more than 50 percent of Long agents logged into Long Connects.

• 75 percent of Long Realty’s agent base uses Long Connects, including 40 percent unique monthly usage.

• Approximately 400 Long agents use Facebook, but more than twice that number use Long Connects.

• In the first three months of Long Connects, there were 1,500 forum posts, 37,600 post views and 72,000 total page views.

• Long Realty uses Long Connects as a key recruiting tool for new agents.

• Real-time collaboration enhances the sales process. Long Realty agents are now able to connect and initiate sales before properties are even listed.

About Telligent

Telligent is an enterprise collaboration and community software company. The company’s fully integrated platform and portfolio of applications transform how organizations listen to, engage and measure interaction with customers, partners and employees. Telligent powers collaboration for many of the world’s largest brands, including Dell, Microsoft, Electronic Arts and Reader’s Digest. For more information, visit telligent.com.

Long Realty is pleased to announce the following Real Estate Professional Accolades:

EDIE BEHR - LONG REALTY COMPANY

A true native Arizonan who knows the local real estate territory like few others, Edie Behr celebrates her most recent multimillion-dollar sales year. A foothills area and relocation specialist, the hard working Behr rises to the top to earn a seat in the firm’s exclusive President’s Club for 2010.

CHRISTINE HAWLEY, GRI - LONG REALTY COMPANY

Christine Hawley is an experienced associate broker who sets the pace in the firm’s Casas Adobes office. A consistent multimillion-dollar producer and a well regarded Graduate REALTOR Institute member, Hawley joins with her real estate partner, Linda Rebling, to take a seat in the impressive President’s Club for 2010.

BARBARA MCGILL, CRS, GRI, SFR - LONG REALTY COMPANY

Barbara McGill leads the way from the firm’s Tanque Verde Complex, earning the status of million dollar producer and her newest professional designation of Short Sale & Foreclosure Resource. Additionally, McGill, a Certified Residential Specialist and Graduate REALTOR Institute member, takes a seat in the 2010 Executive Club.

LINDA REBLING, ABR, GRI - LONG REALTY COMPANY

As a result of her most recent multimillion-dollar sales year, Linda Rebling joins with her real estate partner, Christine Hawley, to claim a seat in the 2010 President’s Club. An outstanding realty professional, Rebling also boasts the designations of Accredited Buyer Representative and Graduate REALTOR Institute member.

SHARON SEGAL, CRS, ABR - LONG REALTY COMPANY

An acclaimed real estate professional since 1984, Sharon Segal soars to the elite level of President’s Club for 2010. Segal, a proven Accredited Buyer Representative and Certified Residential Specialist, also provides skilled relocation, sales and referral services to personnel of some of Tucson’s top employers.

ROGER SCHUBERT - LONG REALTY COMPANY

Few know the in’s and out’s of the many neighborhoods that comprise the foothills area than the respected sales associate, Roger Schubert. After chalking up another multimillion-dollar sales year and earning praise from his many buyers and sellers alike, Schubert gains a well deserved promotion to the firm’s 2010 President’s Club. 

Are you considering a new career?

For over 80 years Long Realty has been helping its sales associates achieve success. Due to our expansion and growth we are seeking candidates who have the desire to become successful sales associates. To find out more about becoming a Real Estate professional or to learn more about the career opportunities visit www.TheSmarterWayToSell.com. 

By taking our 8 Minute Online Career Assessment you will gain insight into your personality type as it relates to a real estate sales career. There is no obligation for you, however you can indicate as part of the assessment if you wish to be contacted to find out more about getting licensed and about Long Realty. This is fun, fast and surprisingly accurate profile. A written report will be e-mailed directly to you instantly.

Long Realty is pleased to announce the following Real Estate Professional Accolades:

LAURIE KAYE - LONG REALTY COMPANY

With her more than 15 years’ experience in the business, few know the in’s-and-out’s of Tucson’s Foothill-area neighborhoods better than top producer Laurie Kaye. Specializing in new construction and luxury style homes, Kaye earns a well deserved promotion to the firm’s eminent President’s Club for 2010.

RITA GEE-MOELLER - LONG REALTY COMPANY

Raising the standard from the firm’s exciting Central office, Rita Gee-Moeller prides herself on her many long lasting relationships with buyers and sellers, resulting from her high caliber of service, expertise and commitment. Not surprisingly, Rita celebrates a prized seat among fellow elite associates in the President’s Club for 2010.

JUDY ROEDEL, SRES - LONG REALTY COMPANY

Judy Roedel leads the way in the Saddlebrooke and northwest areas of the city, sharing her knowledge and expertise in resort style communities and active adult living. A proven Senior Real Estate Specialist and multimillion-dollar producer, Roedel claims a seat in the firm’s exclusive 2010 President’s Club.

DAVE SIEVERDING - LONG REALTY COMPANY

Saddlebrooke, Oro Valley, Rancho Vistoso and Catalina are growing northwest areas of Metro-Tucson, known well by talented associate Dave Sieverding. Always ahead of the curve in today’s market, the hard working Sieverding steps into the bright spotlight of success and takes a seat in the firm’s impressive 2010 President’s Club.

TERESA SULLIVAN - LONG REALTY COMPANY

Green Valley specialist and multimillion-dollar seller Teresa Sullivan enjoys accolades and praise from peers and satisfied clients alike. Taking on the challenges of today’s realty market and meeting them, Sullivan, an active adult community and new home specialist, secures a seat in the respected President’s Club for 2010.

GENE THIEL, CRS, GRI - LONG REALTY COMPANY

Associate broker Gene Thiel sets the pace from the firm’s Central office, as a sales leader, respected realty trainer and mentor to others. A Certified Residential Specialist, Graduate REALTOR Institute member and proven income property specialist, Thiel joins the firm’s best in the acclaimed 2010 President’s Club. 

Are you considering a new career?

For over 80 years Long Realty has been helping its sales associates achieve success. Due to our expansion and growth we are seeking candidates who have the desire to become successful sales associates. To find out more about becoming a Real Estate professional or to learn more about the career opportunities visit www.TheSmarterWayToSell.com. 

By taking our 8 Minute Online Career Assessment you will gain insight into your personality type as it relates to a real estate sales career. There is no obligation for you, however you can indicate as part of the assessment if you wish to be contacted to find out more about getting licensed and about Long Realty. This is fun, fast and surprisingly accurate profile. A written report will be e-mailed directly to you instantly.

This month’s episode of Housing Matters features Jerome King, Designated Broker for Long Realty Company, speaking about Short Sales and Foreclosures.

Housing Matters was created in an effort to provide viewers with easy-to-understand information on Arizona’s housing market from a variety of knowledgeable guests.

AARP: 5 Best Places to Take It Easy

Much has been said in praise of the simple life—words that give us a lot to think about as we consider how and where we may want to spend the rest of our days. In Walden, Henry David Thoreau wrote of his two-year experiment with living in a woodland cabin, “As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness.”

Much earlier, Leonardo da Vinci said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” But closer to our own time Albert Einstein remarked, “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.”

We’re with Einstein, at least when it comes to identifying places where a simple life can most easily be attained. Working with Best Places guru Bert Sperling, we defined criteria for just what it may take. We screened more than 300 metropolitan areas in the U.S. for characteristics including stable home values, low unemployment and cost of living, minimal traffic congestion, availability of cultural activities, outdoor recreation opportunities, and more—17 traits in all that contribute to a no-hassle, low-key lifestyle. Here are our top five picks.

Tucson, Arizona

Vibe: Latin culture embraces Native American spirit, cowboy grit, and Sunbelt growth
Population: 525,500
Median housing price: $155,500
Average commute: 24 minutes
Average number of sunny days: 286 per year
Most relaxing way to spend an afternoon: Enjoying the cool breezes and plentiful hiking in the Santa Catalina Mountains, just north of town
Simple fun for less than $10: Drinking a beer at the Hotel Congress, where famous criminal John Dillinger was nabbed back in 1934
Who knew?: The saguaro cacti that grow all over Tucson have an average life span of 150 years.

It’s hard to pin down residents on what exactly is so mesmerizing about this desert town, just an hour north of the Mexican border. Maybe it’s the beautiful wilderness that rings the city, including about 1.8 million acres of the Coronado National Forest, with its 12 different mountain ranges. Or maybe it’s the sweet smell of pan dulce that drifts from the Mexican bakeries. Or maybe it’s the unique way the city’s Mexican, Native American, and frontier roots have mingled to create a mosaic all its own. "This atmosphere just doesn’t exist anywhere else—the people, the natural beauty, the cultural mix," says Elizabeth Rodriguez Miller, 55, who retired last year from her job as assistant city manager. "I feel lucky to live in a place where people can move so graciously from one culture to another." She and her husband, Marc, 57, also like the buzz of downtown—with its plentiful restaurants (a favorite is Casa Vicente), funky Fourth Avenue arts district, and world-renowned annual Mariachi Conference. And for simple pleasures, there’s incomparable hiking and camping.

To view the original article, or to see the other cities on the list, click here.