Keller Williams Realty Named Highest Ranked in Home Buyer Satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates for Third Straight Year
AUSTIN, TEXAS (July 30, 2010) -According to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Home Buyer/Seller Study^SM, Keller Williams Realty, Inc., the third largest real estate company in the United States, has received the highest overall satisfaction ratings from home buyers among the largest full-service real estate firms for the third year in a row. The company also ranked second among home sellers in the study for the second year in a row.   "We are incredibly proud of our associates for earning this distinction and want to thank them for their commitment to their clients and communities," said Mark Willis, CEO of Keller Williams Realty. "We see this honor as demonstration of our company philosophy that it is the agent's brand that matters most and no amount of money spent on advertising can replace the influence and reputations our agents have in their local communities. Our associates have earned this on their own, by building relationships in their communities."   The study was produced by J.D. Power and Associates to measure home buyers and sellers customer satisfaction. The results of the home-buying experience were determined by three factors including the buyer's experience with their agent, the real estate office and a variety of additional services. Keller Williams Realty performed particularly well in the agent and office factors. And, overall satisfaction of buyers for the industry was up over last year.   Additionally, the study noted that the importance of real estate agents has increased substantially in the past year, with buyers and sellers relying on the negotiating skills of their chosen agent and help in navigating the market.   "It is thrilling to see our firm, once again, get public recognition for its incredible focus on customer satisfaction from such a prestigious group. Our associates continually demonstrate that it is possible to deliver the highest level of customer service in one of the toughest real estate markets on record," said Mary Tennant, president and COO of Keller Williams Realty. "We feel incredibly fortunate to be in business with them, and want to congratulate them on their hard work and dedication."   In the past year, Keller Williams Realty has continued to grow despite the well-publicized turmoil in the real estate industry. In addition to becoming the 3^rd largest real estate company in the U.S., surpassing RE/MAX®, Keller Williams Realty was ranked as the No. 1 real estate franchise on the 31^st Annual Franchise 500 list by Entrepreneur magazine and was voted the Most Recognizable Brand of Real Estate Franchises and the Trendsetter of the year for 2009 in an industry-wide survey for the Swanepoel TRENDS Report.  It si such a great experience to be a part of the wonderful growing business.  Please contact me if you would like more information on how to become a member of the Keller William Family.

CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS OF ATLANTIC CITY-UNITED UPDATE

 The Civic Associations were invited by the CRDA to participate in a Focus Group to determine if there was an interest for the creation of an "Arts District" in Atlantic City.  I had the opportunity to sit in on 2 of the Focus Groups and I also attended the Public Meeting at Carnige Hall on the creation of such a district.  Over the years there has been discussion with various groups to create a Performing Arts District in Atlantic City.  The CRDA contracted with a company, Artspace, to do a feasibility study to see if in fact there is enough interest among artists and groups associated with the arts to create and support such a district.  Artspace has been in business for over 25 years and has a great track record in building new communities from scratch or refurbishing existing buildings.  You can learn more about this non-profit company by visiting www.artspace.org. Through the Focus Groups the CRDA found out there is a large "Arts Group" in and around Atlantic City consisting of many individuals and scattered groups such as the Atlantic City Ballet, Martin Wilson Jr Art Center and many others.  By developing a Performing Art Center there would be live/work space, galleries, restaurants, festivals, etc. all concentrated in one neighborhood.  They determined that a concept such as this works and thrives in a neighborhood, rather than scattered throughout a City in various rehabbed buildings.  I spoke up at the meetings voicing my opinion that"Ducktown" is the perfect neighborhood to support an Arts District.  There have been rumors that the Historical Museum & the Art Museum may need to be relocated off of Garden Pier.  The new parking garage to be constructed at Fairmount & Mississippi Aves will have retail space on the ground floor, supposedly dedicated to businesses and non profits connected to the arts to support Dante Hall.  There was also talk at these Focus Groups as to keeping the History of Atlantic City alive. Ducktown was the home of the Italian Settlers of this great City and is rich with history. It is the perfect neighborhood for the creation of a Performing Arts District with Boardwalk Hall as the anchor of Ducktown, St Michaels Church, the heart of Ducktown and Dante Hall as the beginning of the creation of the Arts District.  With the support of the Italian Restaurants, Angeloni's, Angelo's, The White House and the famous not so Italian Restaurant  owned and now operated by the 3^rd generation of Dougherty's, Doc's Oyster House.  As home of our Italian Bakeries Formica's & Rando's and may other long time businesses, Ducktown is a natural neighborhood to become the Atlantic City Performing Arts District. Creating this Artists Haven would also encourage some of the merchants who have relocated from Ducktown to return home with their butcher shops, Italian Food Markets and even a seasonal open air fresh produce market.  This is a very exciting project, started with the investment in creating Dante Hall, the remodeling of Boardwalk Hall, the widening of Mississippi Avenue, the expansion of The Walk and now the construction of a state of the Art Parking Garage.  The Arts, Ducktown & Atlantic City, "Perfect Together."  Let's make it happen.

I am  looking forward to your comments on this exciting development in Atlantic City.

 ATLANTIC CITY SKYS WILL BE FILLED WITH THE THRILL OF FIREWORKS THIS 4TH OF JULY

On Friday, July 2nd, The Boardwalk Casinos will sponsor a spectacular Fireworks show out over the Atlantic Ocean. It has been several years since this spectacular fireworks display has been seen from the Beach & Boardwalk.  On Sunday, the 4th, The Borgata & Harrah's will once again sponsor Fireworks on the Bay between their 2 properties.  Atlantic City is the place to be in the summer, Beach, Boardwalk & Fireworks. The only thing better than visiting Atlantic City in the summer is living here year round. Visit Realtor.com and see the fabulous home I have listed at 515 Barrett ave, Atlantic City, NJ  It is waterfront living with a front row seat to the Borgata & Harrah's Fireworks Display.

The President is expected to sign the Tax Credit Home Buyer Bill today.  This will extend the tax credit of up to $8,000 for First Time Home Buyers.  A single person making under $75,000 a year and a married couple making under 150,000 a year will qualify for the full credit.  Those exceeding the limit will qualify for a phase out determined by their income. To qualify you must close on the property that you are purchasing prior to April 30, 2010. It has been my experience that several of my clients had waited to the last minute to identify the home that they wished to purchase and would therefore miss the deadline of November 30, 2009.  Now they have the opportunity to move forward under less stress.  If you are a First Time Home Buyer or know of anyone who is, it takes at least 2 months to get to closing once a property is under contract so now is the time to look for that perfect home. If you have owned a home in the past you can still qualify as a First Time Home Buyer if not have not owned a home for the last 3 years.  

Also included in the new bill is a tax credit for those who are selling their home and have lived in it as their primary residence consecutively for the last 5 of the previous 8 years and as a single person you make less than $125,000 a year and a married couple must make under $225,000 a year. Those who exceed the income limits will be subject to a phase out determined by their income. To qualify you must also have the new property under contract by April 30, 2010 but unlike the First Time Buyer Program, you have until July 1, 2010 to close. This change addresses the issues we encountered in the First Time Buyers Program. Now present home owners have the opportunity to sell a starter home and move up to their dream home while taking advantage of the markets adjustment to affordable pricing and more importantly the lowest interest rates we have seen in the last 46 years.(See Attachment)  Home owners who now find themselves in a home that is too large for their needs can feel comfortable selling the larger home and downsizing to a maintainence free home.  

Please contact me to answer any of your questions and please feel free to forward this information to anyone you know who is considering buying or selling a property.  I am available to assist you in all of you Real Estate needs.

 Hope you enjoyed the infiormation in this months newsletter.  Please feel free to send me your comments & questions.   

Fall is here and we welcome the season with updates on market conditions, tax tips, info on winterizing your home, and a great pumpkin recipe you'll want to try out. As always, I invite you to check out some of the area's best properties and find out what homes are selling for in your neighborhood.

You'll also find tons of new features on the AtlanticShoreLiving.com website and again we have another great photo contest. Send us your photos! Check out this month's winner which was submitted via Twitter... submitting photos has never been easier! 

If you like what you see... please feel free to forward it to your friends!