For a little needed motivation!

We just want to let all of our RMNSA Agents know that we are behind them 100%.  When things get tough, the tough get going!  Let’s show ‘em how tough we are.

Secretary Donovan Meets with RE/MAX Chairman Liniger RE/MAX: Recommends Procedures to Streamline Short Sales

San Antonio, TX – September 18, 2009- RE/MAX Chairman and Co-Founder Dave Liniger met with Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan on Friday. They had a conversation on a variety of topics related to the current state of the real estate market, but focused primarily on recommendations for streamlining the Short Sale process. “We feel strongly that if Short Sale transactions can become more like normal real estate transactions, we can make significant headway in reducing the number of vacant and foreclosed homes on the market,” Liniger said. “Because most homeowners aren’t aware that they have this option and loan servicers haven’t made it a priority, we feel that the federal government should facilitate an effective national initiative.” Also present at the meeting, held in Secretary Donovan’s office, were FHA Commissioner Dave Stevens and Laurie Maggiano of the Treasury Department’s Chief of Homeowner Preservation Office. Accompanying Dave Liniger to Washington was RE/MAX Senior Vice President, Mike Ryan. A Short Sale can occur when a lender allows a homeowner to sell a home for a price that is less than what is owed on the mortgage, if the homeowner is experiencing a financial difficulty that would make monthly mortgage payments a significant burden. Unfortunately, nearly 70% of homeowners facing foreclosure never list their home for sale, even though a Short Sale has many benefits over a foreclosure. RE/MAX has made assisting such families a high priority and has undertaken a comprehensive, targeted agent training program. In March, Liniger set a goal of having 7,500 RE/MAX Sales Associates earn the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation by the end of the year. The actual number has already passed 7,000 and represents 62% of all CDPE agents in the United States. Surveys show that after earning a CDPE designation, agents are twice as likely to be able to keep families in their homes. With the CDPE designation, agents are also able to cut the time in half that it takes to close a Short Sale. The average CDPE agent closes about 10 Short Sale transactions a year. “Many real estate agents are unprepared or unwilling to take on a Short Sale client because of the intricacies involved; however, a Short Sale is often the best solution to the client’s problem. Homeowners facing foreclosure would be well-advised to seek out a real estate professional with experience in this procedure.” RE/MAX North-San Antonio General Manager, Roger Rowan states. “A Certified Distresssed Property Expert (CDPE) designee who has taken the time to learn the in’s and out’s of dealing with lenders, mortgage insurers and owners of distressed property would be a good person for homeowners to consult when they find themselves in this situation.” RE/MAX North-San Antonio Agents James Rodgers, 210-323.1423, and Jimmy Stewart, 210.601.6805 are both CDPE Designees and are happy to educate and help sellers here locally. The real estate market will not recover until the number of foreclosures is reduced and home prices start to rebound. An efficient Short Sale process can have a significant impact on foreclosures, which remain at record high levels. RE/MAX hopes that a standardized, national Short Sale process will soon be in place to promote a lasting housing recovery. For more information on RE/MAX visit www.RMNSA.com.

Cathy Cole Earns Prestigious ALHS Designation

Cathy Cole

Congratulations to Cathy Cole at our Helotes office. She has just earned the prestigious Accredited Luxury Home Specialist (ALHS) Designation. This intensive, two day course, explores national luxury housing, specialized luxury buyer and seller needs, development and delivery of unique high level services, representation issues, liability and risk management, builder services, personal marketing, and much more.

“We’re Almost There!” RE/MAX Strives Toward $100 Million Contribution Goal

When a tough economic period descends and individuals and corporations tighten their belts, some of the hardest hit areas are the non profits and charitable institutions that suffer from lack of donations. Their support often decreases while the need for support does not. In the real estate industry, we are examining our efficiency and adapting to market changes, but we certainly aren’t giving up our community support. RE/MAX has kicked off one of the most ambitious charity campaigns in real estate history. The “$100 Million” campaign began in the second quarter of 2009 and is raising the bar for the company’s endeavor to support Children’s Miracle Network, the national non profit alliance of children’s hospitals providing healthcare regardless of the patients’ ability to pay. With contributions exceeding $93 million since 1992, it’s the goal of RE/MAX to maximize their global contribution to the $100 million mark. Incorporating support of CMN and other charities into their business model, RE/MAX has been innovative in finding ways to increase funds to local children’s healthcare. Over half of all RE/MAX offices in Texas are participants in the RE/MAX Miracle Office program, whereby every agent makes an annual contribution to Children’s Miracle Network, or donates a portion of their commission from each transaction on behalf of their client. RE/MAX Sales Associates are unique in that a majority of the donations received by Children’s Miracle Network from RE/MAX are the direct result of Associates’ hard work rather than solicited from customers. Founded in 1983, Children’s Miracle Network generates health care funds and awareness programs to benefit children. The nonprofit organization’s 170 participating hospitals across North America help 17 million children annually. In 2008, RE/MAX agents in North America raised over $8 million alone for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. “Support of the community is an intrinsic part of our offices’ business philosophy and we are delighted that RE/MAX International has thrown down the gauntlet and challenged all RE/MAX offices to meet this goal in community service,” says RE/MAX of Texas CEO Richard Filip. Earlier this year, Filip gratefully accepted on behalf of all Texas REMAX offices the 2009 CMN ‘Miracle Region’ award bestowed by the RE/MAX International. “Our business is more than just about buying and selling homes. It’s about helping to create communities and supporting the families that make up those communities. Now more than ever, when economic hardships are forcing cut backs on charitable contributions across the country, it’s time for those with the means to step up to the plate and give back. We feel privileged to be able to assist patients across Texas in any way we can.” RE/MAX North-San Antonio Agents are, and have always been, a driving force in the charitable contributions donated by the RE/MAX of Texas San Antonio Council to Christus Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital. This year is no different! Team Thomas, of our North-Central office, have already hosted the RE/MAX Long Drive Championship Qualifier Event at the Hawk Golf Club earlier this year and raised over $600!! For more information on how to get involved, please contact Rita McKay at 210.698.3253.

Hughes Custom Villas 2009 Summit Award Winner

RE/MAX North-San Antonio is proud to announce, Hughes Custom Villas is the recipient of the Best Product Design – $300,001-$400,000 category for the Greater San Antonio Builders Association’s 2009 Summit Awards.

The Summit Awards are the Association’s premier annual event recognizing the outstanding achievements of its Builder and Associate members.

The Greater San Antonio Builders Association’s 1000+ Associate and Builder members compete for the celebrated awards in 100 categories in the areas of Promotional, Product and Personal Achievement. Judges from across the country score each entry, narrowing the field to one winner for each category. The Association recognizes excellence of achievement in marketing, advertising and product with a golden eagle Summit Award for the winner.

Hughes Custom Villas is an elite series of Hughes homes offered in Cantera Village.This private, upscale neighborhood is conveniently located at De Zavala and Vance Jackson, providing close proximity to Valero, UTSA, Huebner Oaks, La Cantera and The Rim. “Hughes is building an A+ product in an A+ location! The attention to detail in these properties is above most others in this price range. Come by, you won’t be disappointed,” said Marilyn Smith with RE/MAX North-San Antonio, who markets Hughes’ Cantera Village.

For more information on Hughes Cutsom Villas, and the entire Hughes product line, visit www.HughesCustomVillas.com or contact Marilyn Smith at 210.287.4893.

Marq Hughes, 2009 Summit Award Winner

Sandi Yarbrough joins us at the Hardy Oak Office

RE/MAX North-San Antonio welcomes Sandi Yarbrough to their North Central location. Seven of Sandi’s 10 years in San Antonio have been spent in Stone Oak where she lives, volunteers, and co-owns Stoneoakinfo.com, the community website for the Stone Oak/North San Antonio area. Sandi holds a B.B.A in Marketing, but also has a music background. She has been a soloist in San Antonio, Austin, Ft.Worth, Arlington, and Wichita, Kansas, and has been a member of the San Antonio Choral Society. Sandi has been a private voice teacher for 15 years, and leads a youth choir at her church. She enjoys playing tennis, watching movies, and spending time with her husband, Greg, and their 3 teenage children. Sandi is thrilled to be part of RE/MAX North-SA and is looking forward to helping others find a place to call “home.”

Sandi can be reached at 210643.8778 or at SandiYarbrough@remax.net

Financial University Approved for MCE

Great News! Madge Rashell, with HomeTrust Mortgage, just received word from the Texas Real Estate Commission that her “Financial University” classes, that we RMNSA agents have had the luck of attending in the past, have been approved for MCE credit. 6 classes, 2 hrs. each!! More details to come.
Congratulations, Madge!

Welcome, Jimmy Stewart, CDPE

RE/MAX North-San Antonio is proud to announce Jimmy Stewart has joined their Interstate 10 office.  Stewart’s real estate career began in 1975 while he was a student at The University of Texas. He earned his real estate license, became a REALTOR, and started selling houses part-time to pay his way through school. Clients will benefit from his 40 years experience in sales, management, customer service, and negotiation. With most of that experience outside of the real estate industry paired with his MBA in Marketing, Stewart brings new marketing ideas to real estate backed by the experienced professionals at RE/MAX North-San Antonio.

Stewart is a family man.  Married since 1972, he and his wife are blessed with 3 beautiful daughters and 3 incredible grandchildren…twin grandsons and a granddaughter. They have lived in San Antonio since 1984 and know the area well.

Stewart recently was awarded a designation as a Certified Distressed Property Expert or CDPE. A CDPE is trained to help homeowners avoid foreclosure by trying to facilitate another alternative, including but not limited to a short sale.

Jimmy can be reached at 210.601.6805 or at JimmyStewart@remax.net

Welcome New Agent, Sally Bancroft to Hardy Oak Location!

RE/MAX North San Antonio is proud to announce Sally Bancroft has joined their team. Sally, a San Antonio native, and her husband of 19 years, Charlie, have two wonderful daughters and two adorable dogs.  The Bancroft clan enjoys sharing family dinners, traveling, hiking, cooking and fishing.

Prior to becoming a licensed real estate agent, Sally enjoyed a challenging teaching career in the Houston area.  A dedicated life-long learner, Sally earned a B.S. in Marine Science from Texas A&M University and an M.S. in Education from the University of Houston.  Her commitment to teaching and love of learning allows Sally to provide an outstanding, client-centered service, with a focus on consumer education and effective communication.

Sally can be reached at 210.347.9121 or SallyBancroft@remax.net.

SallyBancroft@remax.net

RE/MAX North San Antonio is proud to announce Sally Bancroft has joined their team. Sally, a San Antonio native, and her husband of 19 years, Charlie, have two wonderful daughters and two adorable dogs.  The Bancroft clan enjoys sharing family dinners, traveling, hiking, cooking and fishing.

Prior to becoming a licensed real estate agent, Sally enjoyed a challenging teaching career in the Houston area.  A dedicated life-long learner, Sally earned a B.S. in Marine Science from Texas A&M University and an M.S. in Education from the University of Houston.  Her commitment to teaching and love of learning allows Sally to provide an outstanding, client-centered service, with a focus on consumer education and effective communication.

Sally can be reached at 210.347.9121 or SallyBancroft@remax.net.

2009 San Antonio Housing Forecast

San Antonio continues to be the bright spot in the Nation.  See PowerPoint presentations from the 2009 Housing Forecast below - in PDF format* •  The Downtown Market* - Lisa Schmidt – Downtown Living Specialist, Phyllis Browning Company  •  The San Antonio Market* - Bob Gardner – CEO, Legacy Mutual Mortgage  •  TheTexas Market* - Dr. Mark Dotzour – Chief Economist, Research Director, Texas Real Estate Research Center  •  The National Market* - Paul Bishop, Ph.D. - Managing Director, Real Estate Research, National Association of REALTORS®