Luxury Real Estate

By Janice Ridge

Don’t miss the opportunity to advertise in the August 1 issue of The Wall Street Journal! Here’s what other LuxuryRealEstate.com members are saying about the results from advertising in the Journal:

I received two calls from my ad in Luxury Real Estate’s June 27th Wall Street Journal ad. They were both within one week of when the ad ran. One from Arizona and one from Northern California. Both are genuinely interested and are planning to come down to visit.
Trudy Stambook, Centre City Properties
San Diego, CA

Editor’s Note:
As the Director of Membership at LuxuryRealEstate.com, and herself a licensed REALTOR®, Janice Ridge is devoted to coordinating the efforts of all of the LuxuryRealEstate.com Membership and Account Managers, so that each of our members is given superior service. Print is definitely not dead, and it’s actually a very useful way to reach target audiences. Plus, every Wall Street Journal ad we run is also posted online so it’s doubly useful. Check it out!

By Jean-Yves Piton

Today’s real estate marketplace is most definitely more technology-driven worldwide. This fact became even more evident during the Technology Roundtable held at the 6th Annual Luxury Real Estate Spring Retreat in San Diego. Top brokers in the luxury real estate industry are now seeking for more tools to become more productive and effective vis-à-vis their top competitors.

Here is an example: You never stepped into the agency today. You have already received many text messages from prospective buyers you need to follow up with this morning. Your property buyers located your ads on LuxuryRealEstate.com. They were able to view both photos and virtual tours of the properties they saw and liked. They also connected with you a few times via LiveChat on your PDA.

You have already called your clients back and all of your appointments are scheduled on your PDA phone. You are bringing along with you both your laptop and a data card to ensure you are able to share all the needed electronic documents, in case you need them. You have completed numerous successful property visits today. You are calling your 1-800 line to check any voicemails left at the office by any possible home buyers. Luckily, your Bluetooth headset allows you to do so while driving your car to another property.

You beat traffic since you are guided by your GPS. Before your client arrives, you have plenty of time to check the latest industry news on the LuxuryRealEstate.com Webzine, read blog entries on the LuxuryRealEstate.com Blog and educate consumers about market news on your blog. Time to see if you have received any signed contracts via your efax in your email inbox. While at it, you might as well update your customer database regarding today’s activities and before you forget.

Does this sound familiar?

Clearly, in order to gain a competitive edge and increase sales, it is critical to embrace new technologies in the new real-estate era.


Editor’s Note:
Jean-Yves Piton is the Global Services Membership Manager for LuxuryRealEstate.com. He assists Bente Madtsen, the Director of Global Services, in expanding the LuxuryRealEstate.com brand into even more countries around the world. Indeed, technology is bringing us new capabilities and expectations. We need to react quicker, think faster and be ready to meet clients’ changing needs. This is a time of incredible challenges and opportunities. The picture above is from www.dougbelshaw.com/tag/meetings.

By Robert Lockard

On Saturday, April 25, 2008, my younger brother and I decided to make a rare visit to our local movie theater to watch a film we both felt a great desire to see. That movie was “Expelled,” a documentary starring and co-written by the great actor and economist Ben Stein. In addition to starring in this movie, Mr. Stein actually had some incredible insights that he shared on the current luxury real estate market at the 6th Annual Luxury Real Estate Spring Retreat in San Diego two weeks ago. He is an incredibly brilliant man in a variety of fields.

I really enjoyed this movie. It brings up so many interesting points that I’ve often considered. It basically encourages us to keep an open mind and not close our hearts to true concepts, even if they present new challenges. I highly recommend this film to everyone who would like a balanced perspective on life.

One key idea I took away from this film has to do with something said at the Spring Retreat, which Staci Colville quoted in her April 24, 2008 blog entry. Patricia Hoferkamp, President and CEO of Burgdorff, Realtors ERA, led a breakout session entitled “A Culture of Service." During this session, she said, “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”

How interesting. Selfishness is not as effective as we might think when it comes to being successful. Caring for those who are weaker than us is quite preferable to our consciences than taking advantage of them.

I find it ironic that we live in a society bombarded with the idea of “survival of the fittest” being the rule, and yet we go to great lengths to help our weak and lift up the downtrodden.

For example, yesterday morning I was on the bus going to work and at one stop, a woman in a wheelchair was waiting at the front of a long line of people waiting to get on the bus. I don’t think that she was the first to arrive, but no one cried foul when she went straight to the front of the line.

The bus driver lowered a lift so that the woman could roll onto it and then be lifted into the bus. The process took more than a minute. Then the bus driver, who was elderly, slowly rolled up five seats so that they would not be available for regular bus riders to use in order to make room for a single wheelchair. The bus driver took a few minutes to properly strap the woman in. She had trouble with the seatbelt and I was sitting nearby so I was able to get it loose for her and help a little.

While all of this was taking place, the people outside the bus patiently waited in the cold morning air, waiting to enter the warm bus and get to their destinations.

None of this was selfish. The scene was filled with inconvenience for dozens of people to offer this bit of kindness and convenience to one person. Despite the seeming injustice of this all, there is actually nothing unjust about it. There is something profoundly right about it.


Editor’s Note:
Robert Lockard is the Public Relations & Media Specialist with LuxuryRealEstate.com. I am Robert. I create all of LuxuryRealEstate.com’s newsletters, write the editorials in LuxuryRealEstate.com Magazine and much more. Yesterday was my birthday and I started writing this blog then. I love kindness. I hope that we will all have soft hearts and be able to accept truth. Be sure to check out Ben Stein’s movie “Expelled”! The photo above is copyright of Ilya's Photography.

By Staci Colville

I received the following two reviews from Diane Dopson and Nancy Hardie of Diane Dopson Properties. These two members joined us from Austin, Texas. Here is what they had to say about the 6th Annual Spring Retreat:

Nancy: “It was a wonderful experience to network with top agents all over the U.S. Everyone was very interested in sharing ideas and marketing ideas and opportunities to refer clients when they are moving to a different city. The weather was ‘California Perfect’ and the hotel was a 5-Star, without a doubt.”

Diane: This conference was one of the best ever, with lots of upbeat, positive comments, great topics and discussions and lots of valuable information. The hotel was one of the most beautiful I have ever stayed in!

I had the pleasure of meeting these two spectacular ladies in person and I must say what a treat it was! They have some beautiful listings on their website www.dianedopson.com. The picture above is of one of their beautiful listings.

Thanks, Diane and Nancy, for joining us!


Editor’s Note:
Staci Colville is an Account Manager with LuxuryRealEstate.com. She helps members take advantage of the various services of LuxuryRealEstate.com. I’d also like to thank these wonderful members for their kind comments. It’s so wonderful to hear such positive feedback about our event. Be sure to sign up for our next exciting networking opportunity, the 13th Annual Luxury Real Estate Fall Conference in October.

By Joey Pauley

Like everyone who attended the 6th Annual Luxury Real Estate Spring Retreat, I am still buzzing about from the conference last week. Buzzing, inspired, catching up – the whole gamut of after-conference thoughts.

Willis Allen Real Estate gave us a property tour in which I had the privilege to discuss the homes with Patricia Choi. Pat had some wonderful insights into the potential buyers of these homes. I felt as if I was talking to the Horatio Caine (CSI: Miami) of Luxury Real Estate. She could gain key insights into the buyers for these homes the instant she walked in the door. There is no wonder she is the Queen of Real Estate in Oahu.

Special thanks to Derek Overbey, Scott Lawrence, and David Abernathy for their help in Technology Roundtable Discussion. The only thing that would have made me happier was if Steve Eckhardt of Cornerstone Properties & Investments, Inc. was able to make it. Not only do I consider Steve a friend, but I think his voice would have resonated with the other brokers in the office.

There were other members who were notably missing. You know who you are. You better not miss Philadelphia (my home town) or I will take it as a personal insult.


Editor’s Note:
As a Technical Account Manager with LuxuryRealEstate.com, Joey Pauley helps members with their Web and technology needs. He does a phenomenal job in all of his projects, as you can see by visiting the many websites he has helped design. “In West Philadelphia, born and raised…” The fact that Joey is from Philadelphia reminded me of Will Smith singing the theme song of his TV show “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” Anyway, this Spring Retreat was a great opportunity to learn from these amazing technology experts and many others. Don’t miss the 13th Annual Fall Conference!

By Staci Colville

I wanted to write today first about the buzz of our Spring Retreat in San Diego and, second, about a breakout session that was a true Oprah AH HA moment for me.

First, the conference. WOW… what a great success! As a LuxuryRealEstate.com Account Manager and a first-time conference attendee, I was most excited to get to meet our wonderful members face to face, hear about your markets, brainstorm and see what I can do to help. My expectations were surpassed and I must say I am still having post-conference blues. What a wonderful way to start my day to see all your smiling and energetic faces, willing to share and learn and laugh. It was truly one of the top 5 events of my life.

What impressed me the most was the positive energy that flowed throughout the conference. The constant theme was “the glass is half full.” Yes, we might be in a difficult market, but there was no gloom or doom. It was all about “What can we do to better ourselves in a tough time?” Love it!

I truly felt like we were a worldwide network, holding hands globally and saying we are all in this together and we are all here to help. The strategies and ideas I gained as an Account Manager were invaluable.

All I can say to my dear members who were unable to attend is: You missed it and we missed you!

My AH HA moment came in a fabulous breakout session, led by the President and CEO of Burgdorff, Realtors ERA, Patricia Hoferkamp. She was also joined by Wayne Markovich, Burgdorff’s Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing, and my new, dear friend, Karen Foley, Burgdorff's Marketing Manager.

Patricia’s breakout session was entitled “A Culture of Service: Creating a Real Estate Experience” and it was VERY well-received at the conference. The one statement she made that really stuck out in my mind and that I have now posted on my desk is, “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” These words have inspired me to be a better Account Manager, mother and friend. It was truly one of the highlights of the conference for me and, in my humble opinion, her presentation is book-worthy. Simply fabulous, Patricia… Nice shot!

I bet many of you that didn’t attend the conference are wondering about my reference to this mantra, Nice Shot. Our lustrous leader and founder John Brian Losh spoke of his golf game with friends and how he was perhaps not the next Tiger Woods. He pointed out that even though he may not be the best golfer, it sure made him feel good to hear the words “Nice shot!” after he preformed well. We all deserve to hear those words and perhaps should say them much more often. To all of our members who attended and contributed to the best and most energetic conference we have had, the pleasure was mine in meeting you all and… NICE SHOT!


Editor’s Note:
Staci Colville is an Account Manager with LuxuryRealEstate.com. She helps members take advantage of the various services of LuxuryRealEstate.com. I enjoy hearing positive messages because if all we hear are negative ones then we can easily forget all of the good that is happening around us. I’m so pleased that Patricia Hoferkamp’s presentation was well-received and effective. Let us all show how much we care and who we truly are when challenges come.

By Kelly Comegys

This was my first event with Luxury Real Estate and I am more than impressed! I didn’t really know what to expect, but it is safe to say I was blown away. The professionalism of the staff at Luxury Real Estate is noteworthy, as well as its attendees. I found that everyone was eager to hear about the new development, La Amada, in Playa Mujeres, Mexico. I cannot think of a better way to spread the word amongst industry professionals than through networking with Luxury Real Estate affiliates. I plan to attend every event moving forward. Thanks again.

Best,

Kelly Comegys
Master Broker
La Amada Residences
T +1 (786) 316 3006
www.laamada.com

Editor’s Note:
Kelly Comegys is the Master Broker of La Amada Residences in Playa Mujeres, Mexico. She is also one of our fantastic sponsors at the successful 6th Annual Luxury Real Estate Spring Retreat in San Diego last week. We’re so grateful for all of the exciting words people have been sharing with us. Ben Stein was positively electrifying and all of the messages were very useful for the attendees. Let’s keep moving forward!

By Jennifer Schuyler

The early buzz on the 6th Annual Luxury Real Estate Spring Retreat, just outside San Diego, has been flowing since the morning of Friday, April 18. Broker/Owner Bob Nathan of RH Nathan & Company, LLC, located in Scottsdale, Ariz., and a frequent attendee of the membership conferences, said this was the “Best of all the LuxuryRealEstate.com conferences to date.”

Mr. Nathan raved about the keynote speaker, economist and actor Ben Stein, stating Mr. Stein was “spot-on and delivered an incredible presentation.” We had no doubt Mr. Stein would captivate his audience! The excitement continued from various attendees regarding the useful and timely content of the variety of breakout sessions that ranged from Marketing, Technology and Referrals to positioning and capturing buyers and international investors in a challenging market.

Also a huge hit was the location itself. Mr. Nathan continued his accolades by letting me know the resort location, The Grand Del Mar located in Del Mar, Calif. “was the most incredible resort I have ever visited.” LuxuryRealEstate.com has three membership conferences annually; two domestic and one in an international locale. The LuxuryRealEstate.com conferences are always held in five-star hotels or resorts for our membership – the Best of the Best.

What more could you ask for than surf, sand & Stein?


Editor’s Note:
Jennifer Schuyler is the Senior Membership Manager with LuxuryRealEstate.com. She has a remarkable history of meeting and exceeding luxury brokers’ marketing needs. Indeed, what more could you ask? We’ve been hearing nothing but positive remarks from our members who were positively energized by their participation in the Spring Retreat. Wonderful!

By John Brian Losh

John Brian Losh sums up the 2008 Luxury Real Estate Spring Retreat at the Grand Del Mar in San Diego.

By Robert Lockard

Here are some quick snippets of all of the wonderful praise being heaped upon LuxuryRealEstate.com for its recent Spring Retreat in San Diego, which ended today:

Jim Walberg and Ann Marie Nugent are the Brokers/Owners of The Bay Area Team, the most-successful team at Keller Williams Realty-Danville. They told LuxuryRealEstate.com CEO/Publisher John Brian Losh, “Hey, Brian! Thank you for your commitment to the vision you have regarding Luxury Real Estate being the brand of excellence throughout the world of real estate. Your Spring conference has been the best use of our time in years as we continue to grow and expand our real-estate company.” They closed by saying, “Nice shot!” to reference a phrase Mr. Losh used at the conference.

Derek Overbey, the Vice President of Marketing for Intero Real Estate, wrote in an email, “I had a great time at the conference and enjoyed [everything]."

Bob and Carla Nathan, Broker/Owners of R.H. Nathan & Company, LLC, are regular attendees of LuxuryRealEstate.com conferences. They told Jennifer Schuyler, LuxuryRealEstate.com’s Senior Membership Manager, in a phone call, “The conference was incredible! It went off without a hitch. Ben Stein was beyond fantastic. He was spot-on and highly entertaining.”

They also went on to praise the Technology Advisory Panel for their useful insights, as well as the Referral Roundtable Discussion and the other Breakout Sessions and discussions. “The content and variety of topics were well-balanced and timely,” they added.


Editor’s Note:
Robert Lockard is the Public Relations & Media Specialist with LuxuryRealEstate.com. I am Robert. I create all of LuxuryRealEstate.com’s newsletters, write the editorials in LuxuryRealEstate.com Magazine and much more. What a wonderful event. I am so pleased that experts from around the world were able to meet and find solutions together.