Blog contributions are provided exclusively from Luxury Real Estate members throughout the world.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Patricia Choi – Choi International
The list of nominees are….
Best Brand Integration
Gulf Coast International Properties
Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty
Best Industry Networking
Diane Turton – Diane Turton, Realtors
Ann Chiasson - Sea to Sky Premier Properties
Bob Nathan – Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty
Jim Walberg – Keller Williams Danville
Tim Murray – Alain Pinel Realtors
Bonnie Smith – Exclusive Mountain Retreats Real Estate
Liane (Li) Read – Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring)
Rollie Jordan – Kentwood Company
Antonio & Jose Ribes – Rimontgo
Karen Bigos – Towne Realty Group, LLC
Best New Community
Devonshire House
One Hanson Place
Best Overall Marketing Package
Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty
Slifer, Smith & Frampton Real Estate
Hammond Residential Real Estate, LLC
Best Print Marketing
Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty
Shawn Elliott Luxury Homes & Estates
Hammond Residential Real Estate, LLC
Best Website Design
Hammond Residential Real Estate, LLC
Best Website Innovation
Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty
Billionaire’s Club
Elizabeth Stribling - Stribling & Associates
Vicki & Bill Mitchell - Carmel Realty
Glennis Beacham - Beacham & Company, REALTORS
Patricia Choi - Choi International
Extraordinary Philanthropist
Jack Cotton – Sotheby’s International Realty
Travis Reed – Harry Norman, Realtors
Jim Walberg – Keller Williams Danville
Saul Cohen – Hammond Residential Real Estate, LLC
Most Impressive Listing
Diane Turton – Diane Turton, Realtors
Dixi Applegate - Slifer, Smith & Frampton Real Estate
Manyee Lui - Macdonald Realty Group Inc.
Elizabeth Stribling - Stribling & Associates
Brian Hazen - Mason Morse Real Estate
Kelly Drum – Drum Realty
Peter Butler – Carmel Realty Company
Lynn Brown Knoop – Carmel Realty Company
Most Innovative Marketing Technique
Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty
Jack Cotton – Sotheby’s International Realty
Shawn Elliott Luxury Homes & Estate
Luxury Real Estate New Zealand
Outstanding Rookie
Courtney Jones – Carmel Realty Company
Outstanding Social Media Savvy
Courtesy of Mark Moffa of Unique Homes
There’s been much talk lately about social networking and the need for agents to be present and active in the social media world. To that end, the most popular social networking site not named Facebook or Twitter just announced a significant development for Realtors.
LinkedIn’s first and only real estate app launched, allowing agents to promote listings for free on their LinkedIn profile. It’s been developed by a company called Rofo, which may be new to residential agents but is a player in the online commercial real estate world. I spoke with Rofo Co-founder Alan Bernier at Inman Real Estate Connect in San Francisco a few weeks ago about the app. He was obviously excited about the deal, and rightfully so. Unlike Facebook, LinkedIn has been highly selective with the apps it allows on its platform — Rofo is now only one of 16.
It turns out that out of LinkedIn’s 70 million members, more than 1 million are associated with real estate in some way. Bernier saw the opportunity to introduce his brand to residential agents and LinkedIn saw the chance to provide a noteworthy segment of its members with a service that can help them better utilize the site.
And that’s really the point here. Amid all the talk about the need for agents to be out there in the social media world, here’s an easy, free and concrete way to do just that. Now, of course, Rofo is looking to make money on this. The free listings are only good for 30 days — if you want your listings to stay on LinkedIn indefinitely, you will have to pay a small monthly fee. But these are the things agents need to be thinking about.
For online article click here
SEATTLE, WA - (May 2009) - The 7th Annual Luxury Real Estate Spring Retreat was recently held Sunday, April 26th to Wednesday, April 29th, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas. Keynote Speakers were Mary Whipple, 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist, and Peter Tongue, Metaphysics and Management Consulting Expert.
The Conference was hosted by John Brian Losh, Chairman and CEO of Luxury Real Estate, (LuxuryRealEstate.com and Who’s Who of Luxury Real Estate), a membership-driven luxury brokerage assemblage based in Seattle, Washington. The network includes the most prominent global luxury brokers and meets three times each year, nationally and internationally, to discuss current real estate trends.
The recent conference in Las Vegas covered multiple topics of great interest to those who serve the high net-worth demographic. An ongoing theme, covered at each of the conferences, is the state of the luxury market around the world. In addition, discussions focused on coping with Short Sales and Foreclosures, expanding real estate business through social networking, and being creative and fearless in a down market.
The highlight of the event was a Black Tie Dinner and Awards Presentation, honoring the career of Shari Chase with the Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious award is given twice annually to the Luxury Real Estate member who has set an example for the real estate industry and displayed excellence throughout their career. “Known for high-profile properties and clientele, her firm continues as one of the industry’s pacesetters,” states John Brian Losh. “What others talk about – Chase does.”
About LuxuryRealEstate.com
LuxuryRealEstate.com is the most-viewed luxury real estate specific website in the world. The Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate network includes 1,500 of the world’s finest real estate companies with properties in 98 countries. Participation is strictly invitation-only by CEO/Publisher John Brian Losh. In Ultimate Homes’ 2008 issue, the network represented more than twice the number of top 1,000 most-expensive properties in the country than any other network. The Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate network is governed by the Board of Regents.
By Jim Walberg of Caribbean Islands Realty
The Four Seasons was the venue where Jim Walberg participated in the 7th Annual Luxury Real Estate Spring Conference as a panel member of Effective Social Networking & Blogging Tools For Realtors.
Imagine being with some of the brightest and best minds in real estate for three days! Well, that is what the Luxury Real Estate’s Spring conference was like this past week. The sharing of best practices with such a high caliber of professionals and business owners is an enviable experience for any Realtor. I was not only privileged to be a delegate at this conference, I also gathered some incredible business ideas that will continue to improve the customer experience for our clients, and grow our business in this shifting markets.
The featured presentation was the panel on how to use internet tools to dramatically expand your real estate business by increasing your lead generation results - the Strategies & Tactics of Top Real Estate Professionals regarding social networking, blogging, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Victor Lund from the WAV Group was the moderator. Jon Larrance from Perry & Company, Bruce Hiatt from Luxury Realty Group and me from The Bay Area Team, were the panelist. The interaction with the audience demonstrated that it was THE topic that they wanted to explore most in the 2009 world of social networking.
In addition to the various breakout sessions during the conference, one of the keynote speakers was Mary Whipple, the Olympic Gold Medalist from the 2008 Games was the featured presenter before lunch. It was an inspiring presentation about the steps required for the U.S. women’s eight rowing team to prepare and win the gold metal. She translated the attributes to accomplish such a feat to what it takes to have a successful real estate Brokerage.
Tuesday night was the elegant black tie evening honoring Shari Chase, founder and president of Chase International, with the LRE Lifetime Achievement Award presented by John Brian Losh. The impact Shari has made by growing eight real estate offices in the Tahoe, Reno, and now London, has created a result of over a billion dollars of real estate sales through her company. At this evenings elegant evening I had the pleasure of sharing dinner with Jose Ribes from Spain, and with Bente Matdsen from Luxury Real Estate.
The closing session of the conference featured Peter Tongue as the keynote speaker. The subject of his presentation was Heart-Centered Real Estate. Peter’s message was focused on tapping into the acknowledgement of higher energies that attract good things into their lives - embracing abundance, awareness and positive energy. It was another example of how Luxury Real Estate always delivers quality member services.
By Brian Langhorst
We have over 200 members from around the world joining us for the 13th Annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! The dates are October 12th through 14th at the historic Ritz-Carlton Hotel. We have members coming in from all across the United States and Canada, as well as Spain, Mexico, Australia, Argentina and Thailand! We very much hope you will join us as well! There are great room rates still available at the Ritz-Carlton.
Please contact me at 206.695.4846 or BLanghorst (at) LuxuryRealEstate.com to learn more about this industry-leading referral and networking event.
See you in Philly!
Editor’s Note:
Brian Langhorst is Luxury Real Estate‘s Membership Manager. He meets members’ unique needs through the dynamic services LuxuryRealEstate.com provides. Holy cow! Two blog entries about the Fall Conference on the same day. We must be getting close to that event. Be sure to save your spot soon.
By Michael Marquette
From his blog: Australian Real Estate Agent in Final Four for International Real Estate Award
Australian Michael Marquette, founder of Marquette Turner Luxury Homes, is one of only two non-American Award Nominees at the 13th Annual Luxury Real Estate Conference to be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA on Saturday, October 11th through Tuesday, October 14th, 2008!
One of only four international real estate agents nominated in the category of Outstanding Rookie, Michael Marquette will be joined at the award’s conference at the Ritz-Carlton by fellow agency founder Simon Turner.
The Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate network is the most prestigious luxury real estate organization in the world, and its website LuxuryRealEstate.com is the most-viewed luxury real estate portal in the world. The invitation-only industry peak body is made up of almost 6,000 offices worldwide.
Marquette comments that “It is such an honour to have been initially invited to be a part of the exclusive Who’s Who, so to have been nominated for an award is truly humbling.”
He continues, “As an Australian, I’m very proud to have been recognized. With around 120,000 luxury real estate agents in 65 countries, the Who’s Who is an amazing network and I’m thrilled and excited that our hard work has been noticed. What this nomination also demonstrates is what Simon Turner and myself have long believed, that Australian real estate deserves a forward-thinking, savvy luxury agency to showcase some of the stunning properties that our country has to offer to a worldwide audience.”
Furthermore, “The launch of our company and its success and recognition in just 18 months is testament to the belief of our clients and others important to us in what Marquette Turner Luxury Homes has to offer, and we look forward to further cementing our place in the market.”
Other top real estate industry awards to be awarded during the conference include the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Billionaires Club, Extraordinary Philanthropist, and the Biggest Sale in 2007.
Michael Marquette & Simon Turner are very much looking forward to meeting and learning from some of the world’s leading agents and the most influential people in real estate worldwide.
For more information, please contact Michael Marquette at +61 433 170 170 or via email michael (at) Marquetteturner.com.au.
Editor’s Note:
As he mentioned above, Michael Marquette is the co-Founder and Director of Marquette Turner Luxury Homes, a member of Luxury Real Estate in East Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Founded on Australia Day 2007 by Marquette and Simon Turner, Marquette Turner is a property consultancy company covering the Australian states of New South Wales and Victoria. Marquette has a background in medicine and a large retail and wholesale business. It is so wonderful to hear the excitement and enthusiasm of these luxury experts about attending our conference and benefiting from the networking opportunities there. Marquette and Turner are busily establishing themselves as the go-to guys in their market. Last week, Turner was invited to a prestigious event celebrating the first A-380 aircraft in Australia. Keep up the great work!
By Cynthia Naumes
New York was fantastic! I’ve been kicking the idea around to go to New York after I declined to join my boyfriend in Boston for one of his conferences. Each time I heard commercials about “saying goodbye” to the coliseum I felt a strong sense of sadness.
The last time I was in New York the Yankees were away and it has been on my “bucket list” to get there to see a game. It was now or never so at 1 o’clock on Saturday I booked a flight to New York, went online and bought a game ticket, then proceeded to get a hotel the miles from the stadium. By 5:30 I was on a plane arriving at 8 o’clock the next morning. It was a blast. I hooked up with two police officers, a luxury home builder and his wife from Scottsdale, a purse sergeant – born and raised in the Bronx – and his girlfriend a travel agent and a couple other people.
The two officers and I hung out, then met back up with the group (amazingly, because there were so many people) in line and the builder had four extra free tickets... up from the third base FOUR ROWS UP!!!! Oh my gosh, it was amazing.
No stadium chair. But great memories!
Editor’s Note:
Cynthia Naumes is a Real Estate Broker with RE/MAX Realty Group, a member of Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate in Medford, Ore. She specializes in marketing luxury properties and rural ranches and farms in Southern Oregon. What an exciting trip! New York City is quite a special location because of its rich American history. If you would like to come and see this vibrant city with a group of fellow luxury brokers, Luxury Real Estate is offering a Post-Conference Networking Trip to New York City immediately after the 13th Annual Fall Conference in Philadelphia. Be sure to check it out! It’s sad to see the end of an era as Yankee Stadium will soon be demolished and replaced. What a great idea to put together a bucket list and do the things we are afraid of doing because we think there’s no time or they’re too difficult. I try to live my life so that I am prepared to die at any moment because I know that I have treated others with kindness and honesty and I am on the right path leading to constant improvement. I do as much good as possible so that I won’t have regrets about failing to do the most important things in life.
By Robert Lockard
Rosita Sarnoff, the Executive Vice President of Stribling & Associates, Ltd., recently shared some great activities her company is planning for Luxury Real Estate members who are attending the Post-Conference Networking Trip to New York City from Oct. 14-16, 2008. This Networking Trip will begin right after the 13th Annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference in Philadelphia.
From 3-7 p.m. on Oct. 15, Rosita said that Luxury Real Estate members will enjoy tours of magnificent luxury properties and a cocktail dinner in a $38 million Penthouse and at the newly renovated Plaza Hotel. “We’re going to give them a terrific afternoon,” Rosita said.
The afternoon will begin in a full-floor condominium overlooking Central Park that was recently offered on the market by Stribling & Associates. It includes 4,400 square feet of living space, four bedrooms, 4.5 baths, a personal gym and library. After spending some time in that luxury home, they’ll head next door to the world-renowned Plaza Hotel. They’ll be given a grand tour of the hotel, eventually finding their way to the Rose Club restaurant, where they’ll enjoy gourmet food.
By the way, the Plaza Hotel was recently redesigned so that it now includes both hotel rooms and hotel condominiums. I wrote an article about hotel condos in the winter 2008 issue of LuxuryRealEstate.com Magazine. Check it out if you’d like to know more about those interesting properties.
Only one Luxury Real Estate member from each geographic area will be able to attend this Networking Trip and reservations are sure to go fast, so be sure to sign up today! Brokers and agents will be able to speak freely and build relationships they otherwise might miss out on at both the Fall Conference and Post-Conference Networking Trip. We look forward to seeing you there.
Editor’s Note:
Robert Lockard is the Public Relations & Media Specialist with LuxuryRealEstate.com. I am Robert. I create all of Luxury Real Estate's newsletters, write the editorials in LuxuryRealEstate.com Magazine and much more. Stribling & Associates is a member of the Board of Regents, an exclusive group of brokers that leads the Luxury Real Estate network. The photo of the Plaza Hotel is from www.flickr.com/photos/oquendo/2463578547 and it is the copyright of Oquendo.
By Yvonne Harvey
LuxuryRealEstate.com is planning a post-conference networking trip to New York for those attending the 13th Annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference, October 11-14, 2008. This trip is not just any networking trip … oh no. We have added some great entertainment!
Of my years in event planning, one of my most memorable trips was to New York City. Since the group I was taking included sports advertisers and die-hard Seattle Mariners fans, we went to Yankee Stadium to see the Mariners womp the Yankees! Hopefully there aren’t too many Yankee fans out there! 
I decided in their trip package to add a Broadway musical … Tarzan. I got everyone together to go to the play, and I felt it was like pulling teeth from some of these sports fanatics to go to a musical. It never came to mind that it may not be cool to see a musical! So picture this, as we are leaving the play, I have all these people saying this was the highlight of the whole trip! Well hello! I’m guessing it’s cool now!
That’s why it wasn’t even a second thought … I had to add a Broadway musical into the post trip to New York, October 14-16, 2008. The play is Billy Elliot and it is getting RAVE reviews! An unprecedented smash in the West End, where it has won 9 Best Musical awards, broken U.K. box office records and continues to sell out nightly. Among the creative team is the music legend Elton John. You will not want to miss this play!
To confirm your participation, please contact Luxury Real Estate at 1.800.488.4066. Join us!
Editor’s Note:
Yvonne Harvey is the Events Coordinator for Luxury Real Estate. So when you come and enjoy the wonderful presentations, discussions and networking opportunities at Luxury Real Estate conferences, you know who to thank. You definitely don’t want to miss out on the Fall Conference or the networking trip.
By Michael Edlund
The Luxury Lounge is an exciting project we’ve been busy working on over here at Luxury Real Estate.
The Luxury Lounge is a gated social-networking community for professionals within the LuxuryRealEstate.com affiliate network to make connections with quality peers all over the world. Initially, you will be able to search and connect to people, send private messages and write public comments to others, write and comment on blog posts and discuss topics in forums.
We’ve also implemented online purchasing of Luxury Real Estate conference tickets and the Luxury Lounge will over time grow in to a hub for everything related to Luxury Real Estate. From managing your listings and exposure on LuxuryRealEstate.com to tracking your leads and much more. Rain or shine, noon or midnight. In the lounge, luxury professionals can utilize the full power of their Luxury Real Estate affiliation at the time and convenience of their choosing.
We have already started sending out invitations to a limited number of members, but will expand their reach over the coming weeks to the whole LuxuryRealEstate.com network. When you see an email with the subject “Invitation to Luxury Real Estate’s VIP Lounge” you know what it is all about. It is about embracing and empowering your interaction with the global Luxury Real Estate network.
Thank you for your participation!
Editor’s Note:
Michael Edlund is the Director of Technology with LuxuryRealEstate.com. He is in charge of all of LuxuryRealEstate.com’s Web projects, including website creation, software updates and implementation, and much more. Big changes are afoot here at Luxury Real Estate. The Luxury Real Estate Blog is gaining in popularity on Google, Yahoo and MSN searches, and now the Luxury Lounge is gaining momentum! With the rise of social-networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Naymz, many people are starting to see the possibilities opened up through them. This is a great chance to build relationships in creative ways online. Happy networking!
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