Long Realty is pleased to announce the following real estate professionals who have joined the company during the months May and Juneat the following Long Realty Franchise Offices:
ARIZONA PROPERTIES: Christina Denton, Michele DePlance, Kelly Thornburg
LONG REALTY MARSH PARTNERS: Jeff Beaudoin, Cherie Malkoff, Joe Thompson
LONG REALTY THE FOX GROUP: Sharif Hoque
LONG REALTY THUNDERBIRD: Richard Baxter
LONG REALTY TUBAC: Marty Durkin, Moreau Durkin, Sue Grousd, Erika Lopez
LONG REALTY WEST VALLEY SUN CITY WEST: Bob File, Deb File, Dave Jones, John Koepke, Julie Koepke
NW TUCSON RENTALS: Sonia Garcia
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.
Rosey Koberlein, CEO of Long Companies, speaks with Inside Tucson Business real estate reporter Roger Yocum about the current state of the Tucson residential real estate market going into the summer months.
The home-buyer tax credit program is about to end, but record-low interest rates make it a great time to buy a house in Tucson.
Long Realty is pleased to announce the following real estate professionals who have joined the company during the months of May and June at the following Long Realty Branch Offices:
DOVE MOUNTAIN: Renee Abbett, Tom Stockdale, Russ Gladden, Luis Ybarra
FOOTHILLS: Erin "Tuesday" Drago, Sarah Williams
GREEN VALLEY: David Hart Messick
HOUGHTON/SE: Heather Means, Lewis Mitchell
ORO VALLEY: Jennifer Nunn, Claudia Chandler, Greg Hill
PALOMA VILLAGE: Summer Hocking, Melissa Walker, Pete Torrez
RIVER/CAMPBELL: Janet Thuringer
SAHUARITA: Karen Keough, Tom Lane
SIERRA VISTA: Mandy Gold
TANQUE VERDE: Regina Dowson, Judy Nagle
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.
Rosey sat down with Roger to discuss life after the home buyer tax credit expiration, today’s record low interest rates, and her prediction for Southern Arizona’s real estate future.
Long Realty is pleased to announce the following Real Estate Professional Accolades:
RACHEL B. - LONG REALTY COMPANY
Leading from the firm’s Central office, Rachel B. once again parlays her experience and hard work on behalf of her buyers and sellers into another multimillion-dollar sales year. Specializing in income properties and unique homes in the Armory Park and University area, Rachel earns a seat in the 2010 President’s Club.
GAYE CATTILINI, ABR - LONG REALTY COMPANY
Arriving in Green Valley years ago, Gaye Cattilini discovered a vibrate community and began her impressive career in real estate. Now an Accredited Buyer Representative and a noted specialist in the area, it is no surprise to see Cattilini rise to the top with a seat in the firm’s exclusive President’s Club for 2010.
VANESSA FLETCHER, ALHS, SFR - LONG REALTY COMPANY
Vanessa Fletcher is a proud native Tucsonan who leads the way in the Oro Valley, Saddlebrooke and Catalina areas, as a luxury home sales specialist and Short Sale & Foreclosure Resource. With more than 8 years’ experience behind her, Fletcher is honored with a prized seat in the firm’s acclaimed 2010 President’s Club.
JOAN GREEN, CRS - LONG REALTY COMPANY
Senior Associate and Certified Residential Specialist Joan Green has provided outstanding realty sales and relocation services to a long line of buyers and sellers during her 27 years in the business. Green, also a respected associate broker with the firm, celebrates a well deserved promotion to the eminent 2010 President’s Club.
BERGIE HARZHEIM, GRI - LONG REALTY COMPANY
With her international business experience, plus fluency in German and Spanish, Bergie Harzheim has always enjoyed an edge in the real estate world. Meeting and beating the challenges of today’s market, Harzheim, also a Graduate REALTOR Institute member, claims a seat in the firm’s distinctive President’s Club for 2010.
ED HENNE, ABR - LONG REALTY COMPANY
Few have the wide and depth of experience in real estate than Ed Henne, a long time commercial property and new construction specialist. Henne, also an Accredited Buyer Representative, chalks up another multimillion-dollar sales year to qualify for a seat in the firm’s distinguished President’s Club for 2010.
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.
1. Housing Affordability Still at Record High Levels!
Each month the National Association of Realtors issues its “Housing Affordability Index,” which measures the ability of the average family to afford the average home.
In March 2010 the national affordability index was 170.6. This means that if a family with the median income of $60,498 wanted to purchase a median-priced existing single-family home at $170,700 (with a 20% down payment of $34,140), they would have 170.6% of the qualifying income needed to purchase that home.
2. Interest Rates Are at Historic Lows
In the 1990s rates were higher than 10 percent. This look back through time makes it easy to see that today’s mortgage rates are relatively low. Take the first step toward a home purchase and contact me for a credit-checked PriorityBuyer® preapproval to see exactly how much you can borrow with today’s interest rates.2
3. Tax Advantages of Homeownership
Whether you’re a first-time buyer, up-sizing, or down-sizing, most homeowners can take tax breaks annually.3
• Interest paid on a home mortgage is almost always tax deductible
• Property taxes are deductible for most homeowners. Plus, for most homeowners, there are no capital gains taxes when a primary residence is sold
4. Inventory of foreclosure and short sale properties
Also called real-estate owned or REO, lender-mediated, lenderowned, or non-traditional, these properties may appeal to bargain hunters looking for that hidden gem.
5. Inventory of homes overall is at an 8-month supply nationally.4It is a buyer’s market!
More sellers than buyers in the marketplace can mean more choices and more bargaining power for buyers.
Contact us today for a complimentary, no-obligation home financing consultation.
1. Rates provided by the Federal Reserve Board.
2. A PriorityBuyer® preapproval decision is based on our preliminary review of credit information only and is not a commitment to lend. We will be able to offer a loan commitment upon verification of application information, satisfying all underwriting requirements and conditions, and providing an acceptable property, appraisal, and title report.
Long Realty is pleased to announce the following Real Estate Professional Accolades:
RICARDO COPPEL, ABR, ASR, GRI - LONG REALTY COMPANY
Leading the Coppel Team from the firm’s River/Campbell office, associate broker Ricardo Coppel soars to a top plateau once again in his impressive career. An Accredited Buyer and Seller Representative, and Graduate REALTOR Institute member, the hard-working Coppel secures a seat in the 2010 President’s Club.
LAWRENCE GRABELL - LONG REALTY COMPANY
Buyers and sellers know that they can count on multimillion-dollar producer Lawrence Grabell’s more than 28 years of experience to help get the job done. A Foothills area expert who really knows the Tucson market, Grabell earns a well deserved promotion to the firm’s exclusive President’s Club for 2010.
DIDI HOLMES, ABR, CRS, GRI - LONG REALTY COMPANY
Selling diamonds in the desert for more than 15 years and annually posting multimillion-dollar totals, Didi Holmes rises to the President’s Club for 2010. Such success is not surprising, given Holmes’ professional status as an Accredited Buyer Representative, Certified Residential Specialist and Graduate REALTOR Institute member.
SANDRA KINAS, ABR, GRI - LONG REALTY COMPANY
Few know the in’s-and-out’s of the market in the Catalina and Saddlebrooke areas better then Sandra Kinas, a consistent multimillion-dollar producer. An Accredited Buyer Representative and Graduate REALTOR Institute member, Kinas celebrates a valuable promotion to the firm’s distinguished 2010 President’s Club.
SARAH LEY, ABR, CRS - LONG REALTY COMPANY
Sarah Ley brings her exciting talents in marketing, business acumen and negotiations to the forefront to serve to her many buyers and sellers each year. Always successful, Ley, an Accredited Buyer Representative, Certified Residential Specialist and new construction pro, takes a seat in the acclaimed 2010 President’s Club.
PAM RUGGEROLI, ABR, CRS, GRI - LONG REALTY COMPANY
A statewide leader in real estate practices and a stellar, multimillion-dollar producer, associate broker Pam Ruggeroli captures a seat in the firm’s President’s Club for 2010. Ruggeroli holds the prized designations of Accredited Buyer Representative, Certified Residential Specialist and Graduate REALTOR Institute member.
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 Company is pleased to announce Tucson business broker Denise Yardy has joined the Long Realty franchise group.
Formerly affiliated with Sunbelt, a Tucson business brokerage firm, Yardy will continue to build her business representing buyers and sellers of Tucson-area businesses under the Long Realty brand as Long Realty – Business Brokerage.
“Adding Business Brokerage to our full service real estate company model is an opportunity that I am very excited to announce,” said Rosey Koberlein, CEO of Long Companies.
“With Denise as the leader of this franchise operation, we are assured that our consumers will be represented in their business acquisitions or transfers with the same high level of expertise and professionalism that Long Realty is known for. Our sales associates will now be able to extend this new service to their clientele completing the circle of a full service real estate company. Denise has many outstanding relationships in this community and is known for her high caliber of service to her very loyal client base. We are excited to have her on our team,” Koberlein said.
Yardy is a well-respected Tucson business broker who has built an impressive business during her 11-year career of business brokerage and consulting. She currently holds the Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) and Business Broker Specialist (BBS) designations, and was recently voted “Business Broker of the Year” in 2009 by the Southern Chapter of the Arizona Business Brokers Association.
“The opportunity to continue my business growth with Long Realty Company will bring so many additional benefits to my clients,” said Yardy. “The local, statewide and national networks along with Long Realty’s impressive Tucson market position will allow me to bring my clients a much more complete service.”
Long Realty – Business Brokerage will operate out of the Long Realty corporate office, 900 E. River Road, and is a part of Long Realty’s growing presence as an Arizona real estate leader – with a footprint in Arizona that now includes a total of 39 offices with more than 1,400 agents.
Long Companies is comprised of Long Realty Company, Long Mortgage Company, Long Title Agency and Long Insurance Group – all working together to create a full range of real estate services and products. Based in Tucson, Long Realty Company is the leading real estate brokerage company operating in southern Arizona. It offers an unparalleled level of award‐winning residential and commercial real estate services through a network of more than 1,400 licensed real estate associates in more than 39 offices, including 23 affiliate realty and property management companies that are independently owned and operated throughout Arizona and into Mexico. Long Realty Company, a part of HomeServices of America, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, has been helping generations of Arizonans achieve their dreams of homeownership since 1926. For more information, visit www.LongRealty.com. The latest releases and announcements for Long Companies can be found in the Long Realty Newsroom, available at www.LongRealtyNewsroom.com.
Jerome King, Executive Director and Designated Broker of Long Realty, gets a touch-up while preparing to film the third episode of ‘Housing Matters’ - Long Realty’s online video talk show.
Jerome stopped by to discuss the newsworthy topic of short sales and foreclosures.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — The fastest growing large county in the United States is not in a trendy Sun Belt state. It’s in Illinois, a member in good standing of the Rust Belt.
Kendall County, Ill., a far-flung suburb of Chicago, grew nearly 100% in the last nine years, according to a recent report by the U.S. Census Bureau. The county went from a population of 54,563 on April 1, 2000, to an estimated 104,821 last July 1.
The more than 300-square-mile county is still 60% devoted to agriculture, but when the housing boom was at its height, that farmland was disappearing rapidly and sold for as much as $75,000 an acre.The county has been transitioning from an agricultural area to a bedroom community — albeit one far from the main job center. "It’s a wonderful place to live with excellent schools and a very low crime rate," said Anne Vickery, a member of the Kendall County Board. "But you’re going to have to travel to get to Chicago."
"We had a lot of rich farmers from selling off land and a lot who wished they had sold," Vickery said.
Land prices have come down in the bust to more like $12,000 an acre today.
Of course, with the boom comes the bust: The county has has the highest foreclosure rate in the state, according to RealtyTrac, the online marketer of foreclosed homes.
In May, Kendall homeowners endured 79 bank repossessions and a total of 280 foreclosure filings, according to RealtyTrac, the online marketer of foreclosed properties. That represented one of every 124 households, the highest foreclosure rate in Illinois.
The county’s biggest employer is Caterpillar, but most of the highest earners work elsewhere. Many of them moved to Kendall because of lower home prices. Today, buyers can easily find newer, large homes on the market with five bedrooms and three baths, a two-car garage on a large lot for under $350,000.
"People came here because they could get more for less," said Vickery.
Since the national economy soured, the county’s population growth has slowed, to 3.3% from July 1 2008 to July 1 2009, less than half its average annual growth rate of 7.5% since 2000.
Job losses have piled up, too. The official unemployment rate hit 11% in April from from 9.8% 12 months earlier. That’s more than a percentage point above the national average and slightly more than that of the Chicago metro area, which stood at 10.7%.
Other fast growers
Most of the fastest growing counties are, like Kendall, relatively distant from the city centers of major metropolitan areas. These are areas where many workers were willing to move because they offered big new homes on large lots for comparatively reasonable prices.
The second fastest grower, for example, Pinal County, Ariz., where the population grew 90% between April 1, 2000, and July 1, 2009, lies about 40 miles south of Phoenix. When developers started to run short on large tracts closer to the city, they bought up acreage there.
The third fastest grower during the 2000s, Rockwall, Texas (89%), is an outer-ring Dallas suburb. Loudon County, Va. (78%), is well outside Washington D.C.’s beltway. Flagler County, Fla., (84%) is about 60 miles away from the nearest major metro area, Jacksonville.
Other fast growers include Forsyth County and Paulding County, both in Georgia; Lincoln County, S.D.; Williamson County, Texas; and Douglas County Colo.
The population increase calculations are more than an idle exercise in data collecting. Once the actual census count is completed this year, these counties will be in line for big jumps in government money, pointed out Census Bureau Director Robert Groves.
"Census numbers govern the distribution of more than $400 billion in federal funds each year and serve as the baseline for future post-census population estimates," he said.
To read the original article (with video), click here.
