Category Archives: Coldwell Banker

Coldwellbanker.com Revamps Properties Section

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Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC today announced a relaunch of the Properties Real Estate Search section of coldwellbanker.com to respond to the growing percentage (38%) of visitors using non-traditional search options on the site. Non-traditional searches include mobile phone sites and apps, as well as unique search functions such as keyword, lifestyle, affordability and BlueScape®.

This newly enhanced section of the website combines various real estate search options and tools available on coldwellbanker.com into one location to help consumers explore and acquire information for their home search.

From local community amenities to an affordability radar, informational videos to direct access to agents, this unique search section now provides consumers with more than a dozen ways to search, gather information and find the right home and community for their lifestyle.  Visitors will also gain access to download mobile tools including apps for the iPhone, Android and iPad for searching on-the-go.

“With nearly 40% percent of all searches on our website now being conducted in non-traditional ways, we continue to provide visitors with search alternatives and resources to access during the home buying process,” said Michael Fischer, chief marketing officer, Coldwell Banker Real Estate. “The days of only offering bed/bath search functionality are over.  Consumers want and need more options, and allowing them to search for homes as they see fit is critical.”

The following search options and tools are available on the new Properties Real Estate Search section:

  • Lifestyle Search*: From public transportation to wide open spaces, restaurants to trendy neighborhoods, those who are focused on location, location, location can rate which lifestyle characteristics are important to them.
  • Affordability Radar*: For the budget conscious, this tool enables users to identify upfront if a home on coldwellbanker.com fits within their budget based on their household income, monthly debts, available funds and loan terms.
  • BlueScape®: Built for dreamers and designed for home buyers, BlueScape allows consumers to experience the home searching process in an entirely non-traditional way, by rating abstract images with thumbs up or thumbs down. The BlueScape technology serves up listings that match each individual’s inherent preferences.
  • Coldwell Banker On Location®: Honing in on video as the future of real estate, Coldwell Banker’s branded YouTube channel provides thousands of videos, including community videos, virtual tours and agent videos.
  • Home Listing Report: The Coldwell Banker Home Listing Report allows site visitors to compare the average home price listing for a four-bedroom, two-full-bathroom home in more than 2,300 markets so they can see how each area stacks up in affordability.
  • Mobile Apps and Mobile Sites: Users can download the mobile app that fits their needs to search for a home anywhere, anytime from their iPhone, Android, iPad or other handheld device.
  • Luxury Properties: Those in search of the most extraordinary properties in the world can begin their search here.
  • International Property Search: Global home buyers can find a property overseas by searching coldwellbanker.com listings in 50 countries.
  • Vacation and Second Homes: Home buyers who want to hit the slopes, lounge on the beach or chill in a villa can identify the perfect home-away-from-home.
  • New Homes: If finding a new construction home is a priority, home buyers can narrow down their search with the New Homes area.
  • Agent and Office Search: Coldwell Banker has an expansive network of agents and brokers who can help home buyers and sellers make smarter real estate decisions. This feature allows site visitors to begin their search by choosing a trusted agent or office first, who will help guide them through the process.

Coldwell Banker’s On Location YouTube Channel Helping Reinvent Home Search

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As with any industry, new technologies are changing the way we do business. The Coldwell Banker name is known for innovations in new media and developing creative customer service technologies. So there was no surprise when we were the first to fully harness the power of video in real estate listings, news and information through the Coldwell Banker On LocationSM YouTube channel.

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Research shows that 73% of people are more likely to work with a real estate agent that uses video. That being said, only 12% of agents are using video to enhance their listings or promote properties.

Michael Fischer, Coldwell Banker’s chief marketing officer, believes that with the explosion of online video viewing, consumers have come to expect a video-based experience and believes that Coldwell Banker can differentiate itself by delivering that experience to clients and potential clients.

On Location makes video the entry to the home search experience, with information about neighborhood, schools, etc. in a supporting role. In the 2+ years since On Location’s launch it has gained over 3 million visitors and had over 100K videos uploaded. A companion iPad app has recently been introduced as well.

Check out our Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Youtube channel, CBSeasideRealty, and find out what we’ve been up to.

Coldwell Banker Home Listing Report

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The Home Listing Report (HLR) serves as a “snapshot” of local real estate markets across the country. It provides the average listing prices for four-bedroom, two-bathroom homes in more than 2,300 North American markets that appeared on coldwellbanker.com between September 2010 and March 2011. The infographic below allows you the ability to compare home values in more than 2,300 real estate markets.

Click image for infographic

“REAL ESTATE IS LOCAL!” said Jim Gillespie, CEO of Coldwell Banker. “So when Coldwell Banker issued our annual Home Listing Report (HLR), we kept that in mind.”

Newport Beach, Ca topped this list as most expensive, with a four-bedroom, 2-bath listing for $2.5 Million, while Niagara Falls, New York came in as most affordable, with a listing price of $61,000. For most people, $2.5 million is out of the price range, but  1,545 markets had average listing prices of less than $300,000 for a four-bedroom, two-bath home.

“At the end of the day, the housing market is about buying a particular house, on a particular street, in a particular neighborhood.  It’s hyper-local, and I’m so proud that our trusted agents can help buyers going through this process understand what’s going on in any given market,” Gillespie said.

The full report, complete with market rankings and an automated formula to find out comparable prices for your home in other U.S. and Canadian markets, is available on http://hlr.coldwellbanker.com.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Expands to Elizabeth City

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KITTY HAWK, NC (June 10, 2011)- Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty (CBSR) has purchased the Elizabeth City office of Coldwell Banker Professional, Realtors, becoming the premier real estate company to service the Northeast region of North Carolina.

With the purchase of Coldwell Banker Professional, Realtor’s Elizabeth City office, Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty will expand into the Elizabeth City market. CBSR is excited about the opportunity to be a part of this dynamic and growing market.

“It has always been my vision to provide real estate services to the Northeast region of North Carolina in its entirety,” said Gordon Jones, president and founder of Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty. “The purchase of the Elizabeth City office will allow us to expand into the entire Albemarle region.”

There will be great synergy between the two offices because of CBSR’s many connections to the Elizabeth City area and existing clients.  CBSR’s agents have well established relationships with Outer Banks vacation homeowners from the Elizabeth City area. Having an office close by will strengthen the lines of communication and open new opportunities to service the entire Albemarle region. The six agents of the Elizabeth City office will join the current 35 agents of the Kitty Hawk office, under the name Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty.

The Elizabeth City office of Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty is located at 918-C Halstead Blvd. and services eight counties including Camden and Pasquotank.  The office has been in operation for four years. Agents include Pam Evans, Terri Faison, Dianne Harris, Dillas Lorentz, Tina Nixon, Deb Richards and Dee Sprouse.  To contact office, please call (252) 384-0566.

The area now serviced by Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty includes the 12 counties of Northeast North Carolina: Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hertford, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell and Washington.

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty
Founded in Kitty Hawk, NC in 1990, Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty is a dynamic full service real estate company, servicing the entire Albemarle region. More than 50 licensed agents provide both residential and commercial buying/selling assistance in Northeast North Carolina. Offices located in Kitty Hawk and Elizabeth City, NC. More information can be found on the Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty website at www.ColdwellBankerOBX.com.

Clear Capital Sees Signs of Market Stability

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DSnews.com reports, “Clear Capital: Stability Ahead as Distressed Property Prices Rise.”

Clear Capital, a provider of data for real estate assest valuation, sees signs of market stability moving into the summer months.

According to their report, the median price paid for distressed properties has started to rise, a sign that the REO market is seeing increasing activity.

The “uptick is distressed sale prices, combined with the upcoming summer buying season, could stabilize home prices,” according to the Clear Capital report.

This report comes one month after the realization of an official double-dip in nationwide home prices. Clear Capital says, “quarter-over-quarter home prices are showing signs of improvement as the deep winter lows were replaced by more stable spring prices… prices are stabilizing as the typically stronger summer buying season approaches.”

To read more on the Clear Capital report, visit www.dsnews.com.

If you are looking for more information about the REO market on the Outer Banks or in Northeast North Carolina, contact one of our agents at www.coldwellbankerobx.com.

Americans Say Home Ownership is Still a Great Investment

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In an article recently posted to REALTORMag, 75% of Americans say that “owning a home is the best long-term investment they can make and is worth the risk of ups and downs in the housing market,” according to a survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders.

Regardless of their current housing situation, the survey conducted suggests many Americans are still hopeful about home ownership.

“Eighty-one percent of those who own their homes outright, 76 percent with mortgages, 67 percent of renters, and 65 percent who have underwater mortgages cited home ownership as the ‘best long-term investment.’”

With such negative news surrounding the current real estate market, it is encouraging to know that 73% of those surveyed who do not own a home said that it is their goal to eventually by one.

Whether underwater on the home or even renting, Americans still realize home ownership as the “American Dream”.

For more information about the real estate market on the Outer Banks and Northeast North Carolina, contact one of our agents at www.coldwellbankerobx.com.

Technology Giant Google Touts Real Estate Giant Coldwell Banker!

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Coldwell Banker Real Estate, the undisputed leader in real estate innovation, continues to get recognition from the biggest players in business and technology – today, it’s Google once again!

Coldwell Banker is currently one of the first companies to work with Google on a new form of advertising that incorporates video into ads on tablet devices.

A Google press release was distributed this morning about the ads that mention Coldwell Banker – AND – Coldwell Banker was featured, along with current movie blockbuster Thor, in a demo video.

Click HERE to see the video (the Coldwell Banker segment of the video begins around the 30 second mark) and click HERE to read an article about the ads that refers to Coldwell Banker as a “real estate giant.”

Coldwell Banker Real Estate Ranked as Fastest-Growing Real Estate Franchise System by Entrepreneur Magazine

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Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty

Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty

Brand Also Recognized as One of Top 100 Overall Franchises

PARSIPPANY, N.J. – April 25, 2011 – Entrepreneur Magazine recently ranked Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC as the fastest-growing franchise among real estate companies for 2011 and the No. 14 fastest growing franchise in all business categories. Coldwell Banker Real Estate also was ranked No. 75 in the Entrepreneur 2011 Global Top Franchises list and No. 90 in the publication’s 32nd annual U.S. Franchise 500® rankings.

“In the midst of a challenging market, we are proud of our expansion and recognition as an ever-growing franchise,” said Budge Huskey, president and chief operating officer for Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. “We’re always moving, and that means forging new relationships and gaining presence in new markets, while empowering our existing franchisees and their sales associates with the tools they need to continue to succeed.”

Among these tools is the recently released Coldwell Banker Managing Broker Academy, an online learning portal for managers and brokers. The newest tool provides videos, podcasts and social learning aids focusing on long-term educational planning and timely educational tools.

Additional training and ongoing support Coldwell Banker offers offices and agents includes:

  • Intensive multi-day introductory training sessions offered at Coldwell Banker’s headquarters and franchisee offices
  • Diverse classes and continuing education programs  available in person or online
  • National and local advertising, including television, online and mobile
  • Management conferences and regional training events
  • Field operation evaluations
  • Grand opening support
  • Weekly newsletters

Entrepreneur’s 32nd Annual Franchise 500® report is based on its own proprietary rankings formula using financial and statistical data from July 2008 through July 2010.  For more information on the rankings visit: http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/franchise500/about.html

For additional information on Coldwell Banker visit the Franchising Opportunities section of www.coldwellbanker.com.

About Coldwell Banker®

Since 1906, the Coldwell Banker® organization has been a premier provider of full-service residential and commercial real estate. Coldwell Banker is the oldest national real estate brand in the United States and today has a network of nearly 90,000 sales agents working in approximately 3,300 offices in 50 countries and territories. The Coldwell Banker brand is known for creating innovative consumer services as recently seen by being the first national real estate brand to augment its web site www.coldwellbanker.com for smart phones, the first to create a iPhone application and the first to fully harness the power of video in real estate listings, news and information through its Coldwell Banker On LocationSM YouTube channel.  The Coldwell Banker system is a leader in specialty markets such as resort, new homes and luxury properties through its Coldwell Banker Previews International® marketing program. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.  Each office is independently owned and operated.

Coldwell Banker Honored by the Webby Awards

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COLDWELL BANKER REAL ESTATE LLC RECEIVES 2011 WEBBY AWARDS
“OFFICIAL HONOREE” DISTINCTION

Only National Real Estate Brand Honored in Website Real Estate Category
PARSIPPANY, N.J. (April 15, 2011) – The Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC website, coldwellbanker.com, has been named a 2011 Official Honoree of The Webby Awards, the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet. The website, developed in partnership with FD kinesis and Bootstrap Software, was recognized as the only national real estate brand in the Website Real Estate category.

In its 15th year, the Webby Awards is now well-established as one of the Internet’s most respected symbols of success, receiving nearly 10,000 entries from 60 countries worldwide.

“We work tirelessly on coldwellbanker.com to keep it an intuitive, informative and enjoyable experience for everyone, and we believe that by providing the right kinds of tools and technology, our consumers can make smarter decisions,” says Helen Galasso, vice president of platform development and eBusiness, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.  “We’re proud of this distinction because it is recognition of our longstanding tradition of innovation and leadership within the real estate industry.”

\Winners were chosen by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences, a global organization whose members include director Darren Aronofsky, Martha Stewart, Huffington Post Media Group President Arianna Huffington, Twitter Co-Founder Biz Stone, musician David Bowie, and Internet co-creator Vint Cerf, Virgin Group Chairman Richard Branson, and R/GA Chairman and CEO Bob Greenberg.

Winners in the website category were selected based on the following criteria: content, structure and navigation, visual design, functionality, interactivity and overall experience.

Highlights of the Coldwell Banker website include:

  • BlueScapesm — Unique from other real estate search platforms, BlueScape is an entirely visually-driven way to help “dreamers” find just that – the home of their dreams.  Instead of limiting search options to zip code or the number of bedrooms, users begin the search by rating abstract images with a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” from landscape scenery to images of snow mobiles and taxi cabs. At any time, they can submit a query and the BlueScapesm technology will identify homes that are a good fit.
  • Lifestyle Search – Using an intuitive tool bar, consumers can weigh lifestyle factors such as “fun and trendy” against mass transit options, art and music, and even access to golf courses nearby.
  • Affordability Radar — In any search, a consumer can set budget parameters through the radar on the properties that are shown.  Based on the person’s current monthly expenses, the radar will display the estimated monthly cost of each property, and how it fits into that person’s current expenses each month.

About the Webby Awards

Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by the New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including websites, interactive advertising, online film and video, and mobile websites. Established in 1996, the 15th Annual Webby Awards received nearly 10,000 entries from all 50 states and over 60 countries worldwide. The Webby Awards is presented by The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Sponsors and Partners of The Webby Awards include: Microsoft Expression; AOL; YouTube; Pepsi; Aquent; Yahoo!; HP; Sony Electronics; .CO; Corbis Images; Rackspace Hosting; Motorola; Southwest Airlines; East Media; IDG; PricewaterhouseCoopers; 2advanced.Net; Museum of the Moving Image; Behance; Business Insider; Time Out New York; paidContent and The Guardian.

Willey Earns Coldwell Banker Previews International Specialist Designation

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Hugh "Scooter" Willey

Hugh "Scooter" Willey

Program Certifies Coldwell Banker Sales Associates To Work With Luxury Properties
Hugh “Scooter” Willey, of Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty, has earned the Coldwell Banker Previews International Property Specialist designation, according to Gordon Jones, President of Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty. To date, only eight percent of more than 97,000 Coldwell Banker sales associates have been awarded this designation.

Coldwell Banker Previews International is a comprehensive marketing effort designed specifically for marketing luxury residential properties to affluent buyers worldwide. Through the success of this initiative, Coldwell Banker Previews International is a world leader in the marketing of luxury homes.

“In addition to a demanding performance criteria based on successfully selling luxury properties, Hugh had to complete a prescribed certification course to earn the Previews Property Specialist designation,” said Jones. “The course covers topics such as developing detailed market analysis for sellers of luxury homes and how to make use of Previews resources to implement specialized marketing plans that will expose exceptional properties to affluent buyers on a worldwide basis.”

Willey has been affiliated with Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty for four years.  He is an award-winning Sales Associate who has earned many honors, including the 2009 Agent of the Year – Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty Nags Head office.  He’s also won the Outstanding Performance Awards and Agent of the Month multiple times.

Scooter is located in the Nags Head office and can be reached at hugh@seasiderealty.com or 252.489.8491.

Founded in Kitty Hawk, NC in 1990, Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty has office locations in Kitty Hawk and Nags Head, NC. More than 50 licensed agents provide both residential and commercial buying/selling assistance in Northeastern North Carolina.