Gary Carpenter

"Increased Profits at Keller Williams Greater Omaha Market Center"

Gang, this is a great blog post by "The KCM Blog"! As the CEO of Keller Williams Greater Omaha, I agree with most of what they are predicting. Each month I compare our company's numbers to the local board's and for the past 3 months we have experienced an awesome trend in contracts written.   April +56.7%, May +133.3%, June +141.3% and we are up +52.9% for the year thus far. I am very optimistic that this trend will continue even going into the slower selling months! While other markets are not experiencing these types of increases, our agents are enjoying the increased business.  Since we cap our agents on how much they have to pay into the company, they are also enjoying increased PROFITS!

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Making predictions can be the ‘kiss-of-death’ for a blog. Even if we get four out of five correct (80%), there are those in the industry who will kill us on the one we got wrong. We believe strongly that when making a real estate decision for you and your family you must look forward and take into consideration how the housing market may change.

For this reason, we are willing to take on the possible wrath of our counterparts by sticking out our necks and predicting these will be the major real estate news stories from now until the end of the year.

Interest Rates Rise

Many, including us, have been surprised that rates have not risen already. However, the next several months are going to see three distinct changes that will propel rates upward.

1. As the government starts to leave the mortgage market, private industry will step in. Private industry demands a higher rate of return on their investments. Mortgages will be no different. Studies have shown that 30 year mortgage rates could increase by 1 to 3% over the current rate.
2. In many higher priced markets, rolling back Conforming Loan Limits means that rates for the mortgages on these properties will resort back to the rates on private jumbo loans. The FHFA informed us that last year, the difference between mortgage rates for jumbo loans and jumbo-conforming mortgages has varied between about ½ and ¾ of a percentage point.
3. As the economy gets better (and we believe it will), the pressure to keep rates low to stimulate growth will abate.

Some Loan Requirements Tighten but More Can Now Get a Loan

Lending institutions have already started to introduce stricter mortgage guidelines. Whether the Quality Residential Mortgage (QRM) requirements are instituted as originally proposed or eased somewhat, there is no doubt that guidelines will continue to tighten as we work through the year. However, we believe the private sector will again start introducing alternative mortgage financing but at a greater expense to the consumer. You WILL be able to get a mortgage. It will just cost you more.

Housing Sales Increase

Contracted sales have shown consistent improvement over the last six months and we feel this will continue and actually begin gaining even greater momentum. We believe there is a ‘pent-up’ buying demand caused by the volatility of the market over the last several years. When interest rates start to move upward and alternative financing becomes more available, these buyers will start to jump off the fence. We believe there will be a major upswing in sales over the next six months.

Distressed Properties Increase Markedly 

More people are paying their mortgage on time and that is great news for housing in the long term. However, the numbers of distressed properties currently in the foreclosure process is still very swollen. These properties will begin coming to the market in the second half of the year as short sales and foreclosures. The numbers will be staggering in some areas.

Prices Continue to Soften in Most Markets 

The current housing inventory for sale and the distressed properties about to come on the market will vastly outnumber the increased supply of purchasers we will see over the next six months. There will be more houses for sale then there will be buyers purchasing them. That oversupply will continue to put downward pressure on prices through the rest of this year and into 2012.

You now know what we believe will take place in real estate between now and the end of the year.

 

Keller Williams Realty Dominates REAL Trends 500 Survey

Keller Williams Realty Dominates REAL Trends 500 Survey
2nd largest real estate franchise in U.S. continues to show growth

 

AUSTIN, TEXAS (April 13, 2011) — On the heels of announcing its position as the second-largest real estate franchise in the United States by agent count, Keller Williams Realty continues to post positive growth and strong presence in industry rankings. 

 

The company’s brokerages dominated the recently released REAL Trends 500, an annual industry ranking published by REAL Trends, Inc., a leading source of analysis and information on the residential brokerage and housing industry.Keller Williams brokerages represented 24 percent (199 offices) of the top 500 brokerages ranked by closed transactions and 28 percent (138 offices) of the top 500 brokerages ranked by closed volume. The number of brokers ranked on the list surpassed all other major franchise players – with twice the number of brokers represented (by closed transactions) and almost three times the number of brokers represented (by closed volume) compared to Coldwell Banker, currently the largest real estate company in the U.S. by agent count.

 

“These rankings serve as proof to the entire industry that we’re not just growing in agent count, the productivity of our already successful associates and offices is rising higher as well," said Mark Willis, CEO of Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

 

“We recognize that the success of our brokers and our associates on these rankings is a direct result of the quality of people we’re in business with," added Mary Tennant, president and COO of Keller Williams Realty, Inc. “Time and time again, we’re reminded how resilient and positive our leaders and associates are in today’s real estate market."

 

In March of this year, the company announced that it had surpassed Century 21 as the second largest real estate franchise in agent count in the United States.

 

Along with growth in numbers, the company received many accolades in 2010 including:

·         Entrepreneur magazine, No. 1 ranked real estate franchise on the 31^st Annual Franchise 500 list

·         J.D. Power and Associates, highest in overall satisfaction ratings from home buyers among the largest full-service real estate firms for the third year in a row

·         Inman News, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board Gary Keller named one of the 100 Most Influential Leaders in Real Estate

·         Training Magazine, highest ranking real estate franchise on the annual Training Top 125, #47 Overall

 

For more details, the full report is available on the REAL Trends Website: http://www.realtrends.com/products/rt500.

 

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About Keller Williams Realty, Inc.:

Founded in 1983, Keller Williams Realty Inc. is the second-largest real estate franchise operation in the United States, with 701 offices and almost 80,000 associates in the United States and Canada. The company, which began franchising in 1990, has an agent-centric culture that emphasizes access to leading-edge education and promotes an economic model that rewards associates as stakeholders and partners. The company also provides specialized agents in luxury homes and commercial real estate properties. For more information, or to search for homes for sale visit Keller Williams Realty online at (www.kw.com). Information about Keller Williams Realty’s international expansion can be found at (www.kwworldwide.com).

Pastor’s Advice for Better Marriage: More Sex

I would Love to get your comments on the 7 days of Sex Challenge. Is it a Good idea or not?

GRAPEVINE, Tex. — And on the seventh day, there was no rest for married couples. A week after the Rev. Ed Young challenged husbands and wives among his flock of 20,000 to strengthen their unions through Seven Days of Sex, his advice was — keep it going.

Mr. Young, an author, a television host and the pastor of the evangelical Fellowship Church, issued his call for a week of “congregational copulation” among married couples on Nov. 16, while pacing in front of a large bed. Sometimes he reclined on the paisley coverlet while flipping through a Bible, emphasizing his point that it is time for the church to put God back in the bed.

“Today we’re beginning this sexperiment, seven days of sex,” he said, with his characteristic mix of humor, showmanship and Scripture. “How to move from whining about the economy to whoopee!”

On Sunday parishioners at the Grapevine branch watched a prerecorded sermon from Mr. Young and his wife, Lisa, on jumbo screens over a candlelit stage. “I know there’s been a lot of love going around this week, among the married couples,” one of the church musicians said, strumming on a guitar before a crowd of about 3,000.

Mrs. Young, dressed in knee-high black boots and jeans, said that after a week of having sex every day, or close to it, “some of us are smiling.” For others grappling with infidelities, addictions to pornography or other bitter hurts, “there’s been some pain; hopefully there’s been some forgiveness, too.”

Mr. Young advised the couples to “keep on doing what you’ve been doing this week. We should try to double up the amount of intimacy we have in marriage. And when I say intimacy, I don’t mean holding hands in the park or a back rub.”

Mr. Young, known simply as Ed to his parishioners, and his wife, both 47, have been married for 26 years and have four children, including twins. They have firsthand experience with some of the barriers to an intimate sex life in marriage, including careers, exhaustion, outside commitments, and “kids,” a word that Mr. Young told church members stands for “keeping intimacy at a distance successfully.”

But if you make the time to have sex, it will bring you closer to your spouse and to God, he has said. You will perform better at work, leave a loving legacy for your children to follow and may even prevent an extramarital affair.

“If you’ve said, ‘I do,’ do it,” he said. As for single people, “I don’t know, try eating chocolate cake,” he said.

The sex-starved marriage has been the topic of at least two recent books, “365 Nights” and “Just Do It.” But Mr. Young’s call from the pulpit gave the discussion an added charge.

It should not, in his view. This is not a gimmick or a publicity stunt, Mr. Young says. Just look at the sensuousness of the Song of Solomon, or Genesis: “two shall become one flesh,” or Corinthians: “do not deprive each other of sexual relations.”

“For some reason the church has not talked about it, but we need to,” he said, speaking by telephone Friday night on his way to South Africa for a mission trip. There is no shame in marital sex, he added, “God thought it up, it was his idea.”

Those who attend Fellowship’s location here or one of several satellite churches in the Dallas area and one in Miami are used to Mr. Young’s provocative style. (The real “f word” in the marital boudoir, he says, is “forgiveness.”) But the sex challenge was a bit much for some of his church members, who sat with arms crossed in uncomfortable silence, he recalls, while many in the audience gave him an enthusiastic applause.

One parishioner, Rob Hulsey, 25, said his Baptist relatives raised their eyebrows about it, but he summed up the reaction of many husbands at Fellowship Church when he first heard about the sex challenge — “Yay!”

A week later, he and his wife, who are expecting a baby and have two older children, could not stop holding hands during the sermon. His wife, Madeline Hulsey, 32, said she was just as thrilled to spend a week focusing on her husband. Usually, “we start to kiss, and it’s knock knock knock, Mom!” she said.

Others found that, like smiling when you are not particularly happy, having sex when they did not feel like it improved their mood. Just eight months into their marriage, Amy and Cody Waddell had not been very amorous since Cody admitted he had had an affair.

“Intimacy has been a struggle for us, working through all that,” Ms. Waddell said. “This week really brought us back together, physically and emotionally.”

It is not always easy to devote time for your spouse, Pastor Young admitted. Just three days into the sex challenge he said he was so tired after getting up before dawn to talk about the importance of having more sex in marriage that he crashed on the bed around 8 p.m. on Tuesday night.

Mrs. Young tried to shake him awake, telling her husband, “Come on, it’s the sex challenge.” But Mr. Young murmured, “Let’s just double up tomorrow,” and went back to sleep.

10 States With Ridiculously Low Unemployment -- And Why

Provided by the Business Insider:

 
Every U.S. state experienced job losses during the recent downturn, but thanks to the right mix of industries, natural resources, and skilled workers, some states have a far lower unemployment rate than the 9.5% national average.

Want to crack the jobs problem? Let's start by studying these sources of American strength...

First, a broad look at America's situation

Unemployment Rate: 9.5%

The economy: Agriculture (1.2% of GDP), Industry (21.9% of GDP), Services (76.9% of GDP)

Education: 27.5% of the adult population has a Bachelor's degree or higher.

Now, the Top 10 States For Jobs

1. North Dakota: Powered by agriculture and commodities

Unemployment Rate: 3.6%

Lower Than America's Unemployment Rate By: 5.9%

Major Industries Driving The State's Economy: Agriculture, petroleum, food processing, and tourism dominate the nation's most job-friendly state.

Education: 25.7% of the adult population has a Bachelor's degree or higher. (Lower than average)

2. South Dakota: Gets a big boost from government, but also has services and agriculture

Unemployment Rate: 4.4%

Lower Than America's Unemployment Rate By: 5.1%

Major Industries Driving The State's Economy: The service sector (especially retail, health, and finance firms) dominates South Dakota's economy, although government-related enterprises also form a large chunk of the GDP. Ellsworth Air Force Base is the second-largest single employer here. Agriculture also contributes heavily to the economy, but its influence is waning.

Education: 25.0% of the adult population has a Bachelor's degree or higher. (Lower than average)

3. Nebraska: An agricultural and transport hub, with some diversity as well

Unemployment Rate: 4.7%

Lower Than America's Unemployment Rate By: 4.8%

Major Industries Driving The State's Economy: Another state reliant on its agricultural sector, Nebraska also specializes in freight transport, telecommunications, manufacturing, information technology, and transportation. And, not to mention, it has the nation's third-wealthiest person amidst its GDP rank.

Education: 27.5% of the adult population has a Bachelor's degree or higher. (Average)

4. New Hampshire: Powered by agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and a highly educated population

Unemployment Rate: 5.8%

Lower Than America's Unemployment Rate By: 3.7%

Major Industries Driving The State's Economy: Another agricultural heavyweight (dairy products, cattle, and apples dominate on the list of products), New Hampshire also produces machinery, electric equipment, rubber, and plastic products. Due to its famous ski slopes, the state is also a tourist hub come winter. New Hampshire also doesn't have a state income or sales tax and boasts one of the nation's highest median salaries.

Education: 32.5% of the adult population has a Bachelor's degree or higher. (Higher than average)

5. Vermont: Driven by agriculture and industries utilizing the state's highly educated population

Unemployment Rate: 6.0%

Lower Than America's Unemployment Rate By: 3.5%

Major Industries Driving The State's Economy: Farming (especially dairy production and logging) is the bread and butter of Vermont's economy, although manufacturing, insurance, tourism, and quarrying are also major players. Vermont's housing is also quite affordable, as the state ranks 17th in mortgage affordability nationwide.

Education: 33.6% of the adult population has a Bachelor's degree or higher. (Higher than average)

6. Hawaii: A tourism magnet with a large population of affluent Americans

Unemployment Rate: 6.3%

Lower Than America's Unemployment Rate By: 3.2%

Major Industries Driving The State's Economy: Tourism dominates this tax-heavy state while food and apparel exports play more minor roles (given the distance of the islands from all other land source). Also, rich folks apparently love to camp out in Hawaii as much as they might like Florida (the state had the highest percentage of millionaires in the general population).

Education: 29.2% of the adult population has a Bachelor's degree or higher. (Higher than average)

7. Kansas: Powered by agriculture, energy, and aerospace

Unemployment Rate: 6.5%

Lower Than America's Unemployment Rate By: 3.0%

Major Industries Driving The State's Economy: Kansas isn't the land of Dorothy anymore, although it is still a major grain producer and retains its agricultural roots. These days, the state is also a major oil and natural gas producer and is also a hub of the aerospace industry.

% of adult population with a Bachelor's degree or more: 28.8% (Higher than average)

8. Wyoming: Riding commodities, tourism, and perhaps its tax policies. Doing well despite low levels of education.

Unemployment Rate: 6.7%

Lower Than America's Unemployment Rate By: 2.8%

Major Industries Driving The State's Economy: Mineral extraction, agriculture, and tourism drive Wyoming's largely rural economy. The tourism industry alone accounts for over $2 billion of the state's annual revenue. The state is also known for its unusual tax policies -- no individual or corporate income tax and only a 4% sales tax on select items.

Education: 23.4% of the adult population has a Bachelor's degree or higher. (Lower than average)

9. Minnesota: A state with manufacturing, raw materials, and high education

Unemployment Rate: 6.8%

Lower Than America's Unemployment Rate By: 2.7%

Major Industries Driving The State's Economy: Again, the theme here is diversity. Minnesota's economy is home to a variety of firms in the finished products, services, and raw materials sectors and 33 of the nation's top 1000 publicly-traded firms have headquarters in the state.

Education: 31.0% of the adult population has a Bachelor's degree or higher. (Higher than average)

10. Iowa: Outperforming with a diverse economy plus agriculture

Unemployment Rate: 6.8%

Lower Than America's Unemployment Rate By: 2.7%

Major Industries Driving The State's Economy: While commonly perceived as an agricultural hub, Iowa actually boasts a surprisingly diverse economy with jobs in the manufacturing, biotech, finance, insurance, and government services -- all of which contribute to a strong hiring market. The S&P gave the state a Triple-A rating in 2009 (only one of nine to hold the position then).

Education: 24.3% of the adult population has a Bachelor's degree or higher. (Lower than average)

Other popular Yahoo! stories:

Keller Williams offers 'stimulus program' to sweeten deal for potential buyers

Keller Williams Omaha Sellers can take advantage of this great opportunity as well! Contact your KW agent as soon as possible!

In the wake of July’s dismal sales numbers for existing homes, some sellers are reaching into their pockets to sweeten the deal for potential buyers.

Knowing last month’s figures would be ugly because of the expiration of the government tax credit, Keller Williams is launching its own “stimulus program.”

David Conderman, said it’s an alternative to clients repeatedly dropping the sales price.

“We’re going to our sellers and asking them to contribute up to two points of closing costs in order to buy inerest rates down,” said Conderman. “That way, purchasers will be able to get below a 4% interest rate.”

As an example, a buyer could put 10% ($45,000) down on the purchase of a $450,000 home. If the seller then contributes two points ($8,100) on the remaining loan, the rate could lower from 4.25% to 3.75%. According to Keller Williams, that interest rate difference could save $44,698 in tax and cost savings over the life of a 30-year fixed loan.

Inside the Woodlands neighborhood in Leawood, Mark Chapman is offering the financing incentive for his home, which is being listed at $395,000.

His family added appliances and granite countertops to the kitchen, new carpet in nearly every room, and replaced the fence in the backyard. Chapman hopes the offer of purchasing points for a buyer will help someone get off the fence and make an offer.

“We feel like that money would be well spent to attract savvy buyers,” Chapman said. “If you can save a half-percent off your mortgage for 30 years, that can mean thousands of dollars.”

He has extra motivation to sell fast, considering he bought his family’s next house and plans to close at the end of the month. Chapman said the bargain prices and current interest rates were too good to pass up, even if he might be owning two homes for an unknown period of time.

"How to set a Goal by my Mentor Floyd Wickman"

Hey gang! This is a great blog post by real estate icon Floyd Wickman. We are over 1/2 way through the year and I constantly hear people say "Wow, this month went by fast", or "Man, where did the summer go?", and "Christmas will be here before we know it".  As a constant optimist, I am always asking my agents what is your "Big Why"?  Why are you doing what you are doing?  My agents that follow the steps pointed out by Floyd in his latest blog post never wonder where the time has gone but rather where the time will take them.  Each day brings them closer to their "Big Why", their goal. I would love to hear your comments about what you do to hit your short and long term goals.

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE

I just set a new 5 year goal for myself.  Some may think it silly to be setting a 5 year goal at age 69.  What 
might be even sillier is that I have no doubt but that I will achieve it. 

On one hand I am humbled and blessed to think of all that I have achieved, and overcome, throughout my life. On the other hand, I believe there are some very specific ingredients that worked for me and will continue to work as I strive to achieve my next goal.  I share them with the hope that someone reading this can use these ingredients to achieve his or her goal, regardless of age.

1.  WORK HARD.  Nothing will ever replace hard work as a major force in taking one toward the goal.  Asking ones self "what can I accomplish during my workday?" rather than "what can I get out of doing during my workday?" is one noticeable difference between an achiever and a wanna-be.  Remember, if you wish to leave your footprints on the sands of time...wear work-shoes!

2. STRONG CORE VALUES.  Those traits that best describe a person and his or her ethics, guidelines or promises can often predict the outcome of ones efforts toward achieving the goal can be reduced to concise and clear core values.  A person needs only to look back upon a successful period of his life to discover his core values.  What traits obviously contributed to the successful outcome?  How would others describe the 'work ethics' or conspicuous characteristics he demonstrated. 

To help the reader understand what I mean by Core Values, I give you mine.  To Always...

...Live by the Get-by-Giving Philosophy.

...Make my clients number one goal, my number one goal.

...Live up to my standards despite temptations to lower them.

...Be willing to work toward a common good.

...Do what I say I will do.  Sometimes more, just never less.

Each person should ask themselves this question.  "Are my core values such that, if I adhere to them, I have the best chance to achieve my goal?

3. HOME-COURT ADVANTAGE.  This is a term my 'big brother' Zig has reminded me often of throughout the years.  Simply put, he says we cannot succeed to our full potential without the people in our life rooting for us.  Encouraging us to be our best.  Whether its our spouses, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers or just our closest friends, our odds of success soar when they are cheering us on and giving us our space to grow.  How do you get this?  You get by giving.  By encouraging the people closest to us; giving to our families the love and attention they want and need; and, putting their needs high on our 'to do' lists, we dramatically increase our odds of having that 'home court advantage". 

 Linda and I have been married for 46 years and I can tell you,  beyond the shadow of a doubt, without her encouragement, belief and support, I could never have achieved the success I have.  No one does it alone.  In my book "letters to Linda" www.floydwickman.com we share the 15 principles that has given each of us the 'Home Court Advantage'.

4.  TRUST GOD.  Believe that God wants the best for you.  Believe that He has a purpose for you to fulfill.  Believe that He is there in the toughest of times.  Believe that He wouldn't have given you the dreams you have if you weren't able to accomplish them.

Hope this helps.  Oh, by the way, my 5 year goal is to Speak to 100 separate 'general' audiences (other than real estate groups) on or before October 20th 2015.  Wish me success.

Love,

Floyd

I just set a new 5 year goal for myself.  Some may think it silly to be setting a 5 year goal at age 69.  What 
might be even sillier is that I have no doubt but that I will achieve it. 

On one hand I am humbled and blessed to think of all that I have achieved, and overcome, throughout my life. On the other hand, I believe there are some very specific ingredients that worked for me and will continue to work as I strive to achieve my next goal.  I share them with the hope that someone reading this can use these ingredients to achieve his or her goal, regardless of age.

1.  WORK HARD.  Nothing will ever replace hard work as a major force in taking one toward the goal.  Asking ones self "what can I accomplish during my workday?" rather than "what can I get out of doing during my workday?" is one noticeable difference between an achiever and a wanna-be.  Remember, if you wish to leave your footprints on the sands of time...wear work-shoes!

2. STRONG CORE VALUES.  Those traits that best describe a person and his or her ethics, guidelines or promises can often predict the outcome of ones efforts toward achieving the goal can be reduced to concise and clear core values.  A person needs only to look back upon a successful period of his life to discover his core values.  What traits obviously contributed to the successful outcome?  How would others describe the 'work ethics' or conspicuous characteristics he demonstrated. 

To help the reader understand what I mean by Core Values, I give you mine.  To Always...

...Live by the Get-by-Giving Philosophy.

...Make my clients number one goal, my number one goal.

...Live up to my standards despite temptations to lower them.

...Be willing to work toward a common good.

...Do what I say I will do.  Sometimes more, just never less.

Each person should ask themselves this question.  "Are my core values such that, if I adhere to them, I have the best chance to achieve my goal?

3. HOME-COURT ADVANTAGE.  This is a term my 'big brother' Zig has reminded me often of throughout the years.  Simply put, he says we cannot succeed to our full potential without the people in our life rooting for us.  Encouraging us to be our best.  Whether its our spouses, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers or just our closest friends, our odds of success soar when they are cheering us on and giving us our space to grow.  How do you get this?  You get by giving.  By encouraging the people closest to us; giving to our families the love and attention they want and need; and, putting their needs high on our 'to do' lists, we dramatically increase our odds of having that 'home court advantage". 

 Linda and I have been married for 46 years and I can tell you,  beyond the shadow of a doubt, without her encouragement, belief and support, I could never have achieved the success I have.  No one does it alone.  In my book "letters to Linda" www.floydwickman.com we share the 15 principles that has given each of us the 'Home Court Advantage'.

4.  TRUST GOD.  Believe that God wants the best for you.  Believe that He has a purpose for you to fulfill.  Believe that He is there in the toughest of times.  Believe that He wouldn't have given you the dreams you have if you weren't able to accomplish them.

Hope this helps.  Oh, by the way, my 5 year goal is to Speak to 100 separate 'general' audiences (other than real estate groups) on or before October 20th 2015.  Wish me success.

Love,

Floyd

Keller Williams Realty Named Highest Ranked in Home Buyer Satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates for Third Straight Year

This is amazing 3 years in a row! How could not at least want to check out a company that is able to accomplish this on a National level.   AUSTIN, TEXAS (July 30, 2010) —According to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Home Buyer/Seller StudySM, 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 3rd 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 31st 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.
Download printable version	For more information: Amber Presley 512/327-3070 Email

Keller Williams Red Day 2010

What is RED Day?

RED (Renew, Energize and Donate) Day is a Keller Williams Realty service initiative dedicated to improving our local communities. All Keller Williams Realty associates in the United States and Canada were asked to donate their time on May 13, 2010 to renew and energize aspects of their local communities. Because of her constant commitment to the culture of our company, this day has been dedicated in honor of our Vice Chairman, Mo Anderson.

Keller Williams' "RED DAY" was a huge success in Omaha, NE. Our associates, family members, and affiliates came together in an effort to help in our community. This year's project was the clean-up of Hanscom Park, one of Omaha's most historic parks.  We pulled weeds, trimmed bushes, picked up trash, laid mulch and rock, painted picnic tables, and cleaned up the pool area, tennis courts, and pavillion.

Special thanks to "The Neighborhood Center", the "City of Omaha", James Ferguson with State Farm, and all our associates and family members that participated.