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NAR Calls for Applications to Its 2023 Volunteering Works Grant and Mentoring
CHICAGO (February 15, 2023) – The National Association of Realtors® is now accepting applications for its Volunteering Works grant and mentoring program. The program, funded by Wells Fargo Home Lending, matches mentors with Realtors® who have demonstrated a commitment to public service and are looking to enhance their charitable efforts. "Mentoring is not just about sharing knowledge, it's about investing in the future," said NAR President Kenny Parcell, a Realtor® from Spanish Fork, Utah, and broker-owner of Equity Real Estate Utah. "It is our goal to empower and inspire the next generation of leaders. The Volunteering Works program provides mentorship and guidance to Realtors® so they can make a lasting impact on the communities they serve through their nonprofit work." All Realtors® involved in charitable efforts with growth potential are encouraged to apply. Five Volunteering Works recipients will be awarded a $1,000 grant to help improve their community programs. Recipients will also receive a year of one-on-one mentoring from a member of NAR's Good Neighbor Society, which is comprised of past Good Neighbor Awards recipients. The Volunteering Works program is made possible thanks to the generous support of Wells Fargo Home Lending. "We proudly support Volunteering Works, which recognizes and mentors Realtors® who are looking to deepen their impact in their communities," said Sue Barber, national sales manager for Wells Fargo Home Lending. "There are many individuals and communities that are underserved, and we applaud the efforts of those looking to change that. It is our honor to recognize and salute the outstanding work being done by this rising cohort of leaders." The deadline to apply is March 30, 2023. Applicants must be NAR members. For a Volunteering Works entry form, visit nar.realtor/gna and click on the "Volunteering Works Application" button.
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NAR Calls on Realtors Who Give Back to Apply for the 2023 Good Neighbor Awards
CHICAGO (February 2, 2023) – The National Association of Realtors® announced today that it is accepting applications for the 2023 Good Neighbor Awards. The program recognizes Realtors® who have made an extraordinary impact in their communities through volunteer service. Five winners will each receive a $10,000 grant for their nonprofit organization and be recognized in November during NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience, in Anaheim, California. Five honorable mentions will also each receive a $2,500 grant. "The Good Neighbor Awards program is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our members who give back to their communities," said NAR President Kenny Parcell, a Realtor® from Spanish Fork, Utah, and broker-owner of Equity Real Estate Utah. "We are proud to recognize and support these outstanding individuals as they work tirelessly to improve the lives of those around them." A recent NAR report found that roughly two out of three Realtors® – 66% – volunteered monthly, spending an average of eight hours volunteering each month. Since 2000, the Good Neighbor Awards program has donated $1.4 million to Realtor®-led nonprofits around the country. The awards program is supported by primary sponsor, Realtor.com®, and receives additional support from the Center for REALTOR® Development. "As a sponsor of the Good Neighbor Awards and Fair Housing Champions program, Realtor.com® shares a commitment with NAR to give back to the communities we serve," said Realtor.com® Chief Marketing Officer Mickey Neuberger. "At Realtor.com®, 'to each their home' isn't just a tagline; it's a core value that informs our experience and extends to issues like equal access to housing and community building. We are inspired by all the Realtors® who give their time and energy to improve the lives of others." Good Neighbor Award entries must be received by April 19, 2023. To be eligible, nominees must be an NAR member in good standing and should have made a significant impact as a volunteer for a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Nominees are chosen for the award based on their community impact through volunteer work. For additional details, judging criteria and to apply, visit nar.realtor/gna or call 800-874-6500. About NAR The National Association of Realtors® is America's largest trade association, representing more than 1.5 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. The term Realtor® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. About Realtor.com® Realtor.com® is an open real estate marketplace built for everyone. Realtor.com® pioneered the world of digital real estate more than 25 years ago. Today, through its website and mobile apps, Realtor.com® is a trusted guide for consumers, empowering more people to find their way home by breaking down barriers, helping them make the right connections, and creating confidence through expert insights and guidance. For professionals, Realtor.com® is a trusted partner for business growth, offering consumer connections and branding solutions that help them succeed in today's on-demand world. Realtor.com® is operated by News Corp [Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA] [ASX: NWS, NWSLV] subsidiary Move, Inc. For more information, visit Realtor.com. About The Center for REALTOR® Development The Center for REALTOR® Development (CRD) is NAR's home for exceptional education. With 10 designations and certifications, 11 learning pathways, over 100 microcourses, and an award-winning podcast, there is a learning experience for every real estate professional. Sharpen your skills and boost your business by investing in yourself. Get started at https://crd.realtor/.
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BoomTown Announces Winners of 3rd Annual Give Back Awards
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NAR's Volunteering Works Program Announces 2022 Mentoring Recipients
CHICAGO (December 14, 2022) – The National Association of Realtors® and the Good Neighbor Society have announced the recipients of the 14th annual Volunteering Works grants and mentoring program. The program matches Realtors® who work on small-scale charitable efforts with mentors who can help them improve and expand their impact. The five Volunteering Works recipients will receive a $1,000 seed grant and a year of one-on-one mentoring from a member of the Good Neighbor Society. This group is made up of past recipients of NAR's annual Good Neighbor Awards, the highest honor the association awards to Realtors® involved in community service. "This year's Volunteering Works recipients are truly an inspiration. They have dedicated their energy towards giving back to their communities and making a positive impact on the lives of others," said NAR President Kenny Parcell, a Realtor® from Spanish Fork, Utah, and broker-owner of Equity Real Estate Utah. "I am proud they are taking the next step in their volunteering journey with this program. Their selfless commitment to serving others is a shining example of what it means to be a Realtor®." Pictured: Tisha B. Janigan, Yvette Jones-Swanson, Janice Robertson, Lana Homnick-Lee, and Debby Flower. 2022 Volunteering Works Grant and Mentoring Recipients Debra Flower, Valley Realty Co., LLC, Elmwood Park, New Jersey Debby Flower is a volunteer leader with the Military Assistance Pantry, a program of the Great Falls Rotary Foundation that serves 99 veterans and their families. The food pantry has evolved into a resource center, helping veterans with clothing, medical equipment, housing and employment. Flower will receive guidance from 2020 Good Neighbor Award winner Christina Sauger, who will bring new ideas to boost fundraising and help implement a strategic plan. Tisha B. Janigan, She Is Hope Realty, Encino, California In 2021, Tisha B. Janigan founded She Is Hope LA, an organization devoted to building bridges, inspiring confidence and providing educational support for single mothers and their families. Janigan will receive guidance from 2008 Good Neighbor Award winner Lei Barry, who will help Janigan identify housing grants and expand her services. Lana Homnick-Lee, USVI Sotheby's International Realty, Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands After fostering more than 200 cats, Lana Homnick-Lee founded R.E.A.L. Cruzan Cats in 2016. The rescue organization promotes the humane treatment of cats on the island of St. Croix through rescue, education and adoption. Homnick-Lee will receive guidance from 2020 Good Neighbor Debra Griggs, who will help Homnick-Lee expand fundraising, boost volunteer participation and increase social media exposure. Yvette Jones-Swanson, Real People Realty, Mokena, Illinois Army veteran Yvette Jones-Swanson founded 100 Pretty Purses for Female Veterans, a nonprofit that provides gift cards, toiletries and other gifts to show respect and connect women who have served our country with resources they need to overcome challenges. Jones-Swanson will receive guidance from 2021 Good Neighbor Sharon Chambers-Gordon, who will help with strategic planning and leadership development. Janice Robertson, Real Estate Partners, Chattanooga, Tennessee Launched from her dining room in 2014, Janice Robertson formed the Snack Pack Ministry, through which hundreds of volunteers assemble meal bags that are provided to more than 2,700 food-insecure children every weekend. Robertson will receive guidance from 2021 Good Neighbor Award winner Bob Bell, who will help raise awareness and expand the program's reach. Volunteering Works recipients were selected based on devotion to their communities through volunteer endeavors and the potential for their good works to be expanded or improved with the help of an expert mentor. The Volunteering Works program is made possible thanks to the generous support of Wells Fargo Home Lending. "Congratulations to all of this year's Volunteering Works mentoring recipients," said Sue Barber, national sales manager for Wells Fargo Home Lending. "We are once again proud to be the sponsor of this great mentoring program, celebrating Realtors® who have made a difference in their communities and want to do more. "At Wells Fargo, we share their passion to make the places we live and work in better for all and hope the grant for their charitable organizations can help further their work. These Realtors® are inspirational, and the mentorship they'll receive from the Good Neighbor Society is invaluable." Wells Fargo & Company is a leading financial services company that has approximately $1.9 trillion in assets, proudly serves one in three U.S. households and more than 10% of small businesses in the U.S., and is a leading middle market banking provider in the U.S. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 41 on Fortune's 2022 rankings of America's largest corporations. In the communities we serve, the company focuses its social impact on building a sustainable, inclusive future for all by supporting housing affordability, small business growth, financial health, and a low-carbon economy. News, insights, and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories. The National Association of Realtors® is America's largest trade association, representing more than 1.5 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. The term Realtor® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
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BoomTown Announces Third Annual Give Back Awards, Now Accepting Nominations
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National Association of Realtors Honors 2022 Good Neighbor Awards Finalists
WASHINGTON (September 1, 2022) -- The National Association of Realtors has selected 10 Realtors as finalists for its 2022 Good Neighbor Awards, which honor NAR members who make an extraordinary difference in their communities through volunteer work. This is the 23rd year the Good Neighbor Awards program has recognized Realtor volunteers who donate time, money and passion to enrich the lives of people in their communities. "This year's Good Neighbor finalists have gone above and beyond to help build stronger communities and improve the lives of people across this country," said NAR President Leslie Rouda Smith, a Realtor® from Plano, Texas, and a broker associate at Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate in Dallas. "Their determination and selfless commitment embody everything that we strive for as Realtors® and as compassionate members of our community. I'm proud of this group for devoting hundreds of hours of their personal time to these important causes." Five winners will receive a $10,000 grant and national media exposure for their charity, including a feature in the fall issue of REALTOR® Magazine. The winners will also be honored in November during NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience, in Orlando, Florida. Five honorable mentions will receive $2,500 grants. Beginning today, the public can vote for their favorite of the 10 Good Neighbor finalists. The top three vote-getters will be recognized as Web Choice Favorites, with the winner taking home $2,500, and the second and third place finishers each receiving $1,250, funded by Realtor.com®. Cast your vote at realtor.com/goodneighbor between September 1 and October 3. Both the winners, as determined by judges, and the Web Choice Favorites will be announced on October 6. The 10 NAR Good Neighbor Awards finalists are as follows: Jennifer Barnes, Keller Williams Realty Peachtree Road, Brookhaven, Georgia In 2020, Jennifer Barnes thought she would feed people for just a few weeks until the COVID-19-induced shutdowns ended. That experience opened her eyes to an underlying vulnerability in her affluent Atlanta-area neighborhood that extended well beyond food. The nonprofit she founded, Solidarity Sandy Springs, inspires more than 2,600 volunteers to provide wide-ranging community services for thousands of families, including free eye exams and glasses, flu vaccines, job fairs, back-to-school backpacks, and more. Barnes has also distributed nearly one million pounds of food to about 46,000 shoppers. nar.realtor/gna/jennifer-barnes Dennis Curtin, Legacy Investments, Kansas City, Missouri Dennis Curtin founded Mimi's Pantry to offer a more positive food pantry experience to people in need. The state-of-the-art, 6,000-square-foot facility welcomes shoppers to browse the aisles and choose their food, just as they would in a grocery store. The nonprofit invested in commercial refrigeration equipment and offers fresh meat, produce and milk. It also has a play area and library for kids and is building a greenhouse, an orchard of fruit trees and berry bushes this fall. In three years, it has served 50,000 individuals. nar.realtor/gna/dennis-curtin Jim Edmonds, Emerald Isle Properties, Kilauea, Hawaii As the Hawaiian island of Kauai may at any time have only a handful of homes for sale under $1 million, Permanently Affordable Living (PAL) Kaua'i founder Jim Edmonds partners with nonprofits to build and convert affordable housing for service and farm workers within walking distance to their workplaces. Edmonds navigates the complex challenges of poor infrastructure and resource scarcity through innovative, cost-saving solutions like solar energy, edible landscaping, shared electric vehicles, and shared bicycles. nar.realtor/gna/jim-edmonds Heather Griesser LaPierre, RE/MAX Preferred Newtown Square, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania To address food insecurity in her neighborhood and around the world, Heather Griesser LaPierre founded Kids Against Hunger Philadelphia. She rallies hundreds of volunteers each month to pack nutritious, ready-to-make pasta- and rice-based meals, involving local entities like churches, scout troops and police officers. In 2021, she decided to double production to 350,000 meals a month in order to ensure children who depended on school lunches were fed. This effort was even more impressive considering COVID-19 restrictions had forced her to manage with a fraction of the normal volunteer force. nar.realtor/gna/heather-griesser-lapierre Tamara "Tami" Hicks, Century 21 Signature Real Estate, Ames, Iowa As a Realtor®, Tami Hicks would see sellers throw out perfectly good furniture that they didn't need because they didn't know what to do with it. Hicks gathered a few friends and co-founded Overflow Thrift Store, a nonprofit that recycles and resells home furnishings and clothing. Now boasting two locations, the thrift stores' proceeds are distributed monthly to 10 nonprofit organizations. It also partners with eight additional community agencies to provide clients with free shopping vouchers for furniture and housewares. Since 2014, Overflow Thrift Store has resold more than 1 million items, recycled 325 tons of clothing that otherwise may have gone into landfills and donated $512,000 to nonprofit organizations. nar.realtor/gna/tami-hicks Lisa Hoeve, Coldwell Banker Woodland Schmidt, Holland, Michigan As a foster parent herself, Lisa Hoeve understands the stressful circumstances that arise when a child is placed in a new home, often with strangers, on short notice and carrying none of their own belongings. Hoeve created Hope Pkgs to ease the transition for the children and to support the foster parents striving to ensure these children are as comfortable as possible. She works through child service agencies in Michigan to provide "First Night Bags" with gender- and age-appropriate new pajamas, socks, underwear, blankets, toiletries and stuffed animals. Since 2015, she has served more than 4,200 children. nar.realtor/gna/lisa-hoeve Debbie McCabe, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, REALTORS®, and the Trident Group, Devon, Pennsylvania Most of us don't know what it feels like to sleep on the streets in the winter, but Debbie McCabe does. Each year, she leads a team of people who voluntarily sleep in cardboard boxes to raise money to help youth experiencing homelessness. For more than 10 years, McCabe has been a volunteer leader for the 76-bed Covenant House Pennsylvania. The transitional housing and services it provides build a bridge to hope for young people overcoming homelessness and who have been a victim of human trafficking. McCabe helped the facility safely keep its doors open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at the height of the pandemic. nar.realtor/gna/debbie-mccabe Debbie Miller, Webpro Realty, Lakeland, Florida Debbie Miller had been a devoted volunteer for KidsPACK for many years, helping provide weekend food to kids who might not otherwise have had enough to eat. When COVID-19 hit and demand spiked, the organization found that vendors could no longer supply the bulk food it needed. As inventory dwindled, Miller took to social media, starting a Facebook page and convincing hundreds of new people to donate Chef Boyardee provisions using Amazon. The organization was able to support 140 new children from this effort alone. Today, it feeds 3,000 kids from 80 area schools on weekends. nar.realtor/gna/debbie-miller Kathy Opperman, Long & Foster Collegeville, Collegeville, Pennsylvania Kathy Opperman knows a little support can make all the difference when managing grief or loss. She founded Pillars of Light and Love, which offers a multitude of programs and support groups including grief support, help with anxiety, healthy coping skills training, anti-bullying and self-confidence building, and several youth empowerment programs. They have offered over 800 free workshops and support groups. Their mission is to build confidence, self-esteem and resilience so adults and youth can overcome the stresses of life. nar.realtor/gna/kathy-opperman MaliVai Washington, Diamond Life Real Estate, Jacksonville Beach, Florida For 26 years, MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation founder Mal Washington has been breaking the cycle of poverty through a vibrant after-school mentoring program. Originally rooted in his beloved sport of tennis, MWYF now serves 500 kids annually through a comprehensive youth development program of academic tutoring, leadership skills, financial training and fitness. He is proud of the 100% high school graduation rate within the program as the surrounding neighborhood's dropout rate is 20%. nar.realtor/gna/malivai-washington NAR's Good Neighbor Awards is supported by primary sponsor Realtor.com® as well as the Center for REALTOR® Development. "The Good Neighbor Award finalists are a remarkable group of individuals," said Realtor.com® CMO Mickey Neuberger. "Their work shows that volunteers are truly improving our communities and making them a better place, and Realtor.com is so pleased to be able to recognize them for their efforts." Nominees were judged on their personal contribution of time as well as financial and material contributions to benefit their cause. Realtor.com® is an open real estate marketplace built for everyone. Realtor.com®(link is external) pioneered the world of digital real estate more than 25 years ago. Today, through its website and mobile apps, Realtor.com® is a trusted guide for consumers, empowering more people to find their way home by breaking down barriers, helping them make the right connections, and creating confidence through expert insights and guidance. For professionals, Realtor.com® is a trusted partner for empowered growth, offering consumer connections and branding solutions that help them succeed in today's on-demand world. Realtor.com® is operated by News Corp [Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA] [ASX: NWS, NWSLV] subsidiary Move, Inc. For more information, visit Realtor.com. The Center for REALTOR®Development (CRD) is a wholly owned subsidiary of NAR, and the home of high-quality education. With 10+ credentials, learning pathways, over 100 microcourses, and an award-winning podcast, there is a learning experience for every real estate professional. Sharpen your skills and boost your business by investing in yourself. Get started at crd.realtor. The National Association of Realtors® is America's largest trade association, representing more than 1.5 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
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NAR Calls on Realtors Who Give Back to Apply for the 2022 Good Neighbor Awards
CHICAGO (February 1, 2022) -- The National Association of Realtors announced today that it is accepting applications for the 2022 Good Neighbor Awards. The program recognizes Realtors® who have made an extraordinary impact in their communities through volunteer service. Five winners will each receive a $10,000 grant for their nonprofit organization and will be recognized at the November 2022 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in Orlando, earning travel expenses to the event and considerable media exposure for their causes. Five honorable mentions will also each receive a $2,500 grant. "During a time when so many are in need, it is encouraging to see Realtors® across the country continuing to give back through volunteerism," said NAR President Leslie Rouda Smith, a Realtor® from Plano, Texas, and a broker associate at Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate in Dallas. "With Realtors® volunteering at nearly three times the rate of the general population, the Good Neighbor Awards shines a light on the amazing efforts that NAR members put forth to help their neighbors and better their communities." Since 2000, the Good Neighbor Awards program has donated $1.4 million to Realtor®-led nonprofits around the country. The awards program is supported by primary sponsor realtor.com® and receives additional support from the Center for REALTOR® Development. "For 25 years, realtor.com® has been a partner to Realtors®, so we know they are generous by nature and care about their local community," said realtor.com® CMO Mickey Neuberger. "We take great pride in our involvement with the Good Neighbor Awards and shining a light on the Realtor® volunteers who have risen to the challenge of meeting the needs of others during exceptional times." 2021 Good Neighbor Award Winner Bob Bell, who feeds 10,000 low-income school children each week, says the exposure earned from his award has given his nonprofit a degree of credibility that they had never experienced. "The grant has allowed us to feed many more children," Bell said. "The visibility has also brought us more supporters and the national exposure has inspired Realtors® across the nation to contemplate how they can address childhood hunger in their local areas." Good Neighbor Award entries must be received by May 2, 2022. To be eligible, nominees must be NAR members in good standing and should have made a significant impact as a volunteer for a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Nominees are chosen for the award based on their personal impact on their community through volunteer work. For additional details, judging criteria and to download the online nomination form, call 800-874-6500 or visit nar.realtor/gna.
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BoomTown Announces Winners of 2nd Annual Give Back Awards
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NAR Good Neighbor Award Finalists Honored for Strengthening Their Communities
WASHINGTON (September 2, 2021) -- For the 22nd consecutive year, the National Association of Realtors is honoring 10 finalists for its 2021 Good Neighbor Awards Program. This award honors Realtors® who have made significant, tangible volunteer contributions in their communities to improve the lives of their neighbors in need. "Despite the many challenges navigating COVID-19 restrictions and running a nonprofit during the pandemic, these Realtors® were there to help their communities at a time their contributions were needed most," said NAR President Charlie Oppler. "I am so proud to honor this year's Good Neighbor Award finalists for continuing the Realtor® tradition of giving back and making a difference." Beginning today, the public can vote for their favorite of the 10 Good Neighbor finalists. The top three finalists will be recognized as Web Choice Favorites and take home an additional donation of $2,500, $1,250 and $1,250, respectively. Cast your vote at realtor.com/goodneighbor between September 2 and October 1. Both the winners, as determined by judges, and the Web Choice Favorites will be announced on October 6. The five winners will receive a $10,000 grant and national media exposure for their charity, including a feature in the fall issue of REALTOR® Magazine. The winners will be honored during the 2021 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in San Diego, Calif. Five honorable mentions will receive $2,500 grants: The 10 NAR Good Neighbor Awards finalists are as follows: Dawn M. Adams, The Palmetto Real Estate Company, Aiken, S.C. Since 2011, Adams has been helping to rescue and rehabilitate victims of human trafficking both in the U.S. and internationally. As a board member with Abolish Slavery Coalition (AbolishSlavery.org), Adams organizes multi-agency task forces that help locate those who were kidnapped, while helping rescued victims begin the process of restoring normalcy in their lives. Bob Bell, Mile Hi Property, Denver, Colo. Every Friday, Bell and hundreds of volunteers meet to pack and deliver weekend meals for 10,000 at-risk children scattered across 72 Denver-area schools. By eliminating overhead and relying on his dedicated volunteers, Bell has turned Food for Thought into a powerhouse, with 497,205 backpacks of food delivered to date, the equivalent of almost 4 million meals. Sharon Chambers-Gordon, Windermere Professional Partners, Tacoma, Wash. Founder of Raising Girls, a nonprofit that helps low-income young women boost their confidence and self-esteem, Chambers-Gordon and her volunteer team donate menstrual hygiene products to tweens and teens who might otherwise skip school and sports because of embarrassment or financial constraints. Chris Cockerham, F.C. Tucker/Bloomington REALTOR®, Bloomington, Ind. Cockerham helps combat homelessness by taking advantage of his expertise and contacts in the real estate industry. He has spent more than a year helping New Hope for Families find a new permanent location, which doubled its shelter capacity and raised $1.2 million, in large part from local REALTORS®. Sydney Ealy, Brooks & Davis Real Estate, Houston, Texas In 2014, Ealy founded TWST4Girls, a nonprofit organization that offers a variety of educational programs and one-on-one mentoring for low-income girls. The opportunities are designed to help girls aged 11-17 boost self-esteem, learn important life skills, and start on a path toward higher education. Brent Gieseke, Exit Realty Professionals, Kansas City, Mo. Gieseke wears many hats as a volunteer serving the needs of refugee families. Since 2018, he's helped acquire and renovate homes, called "Blessing Houses," while teens from refugee families work at his side to learn job and life skills designed to help in their acclimation to life in America. Kibe Lucas, KW The Kibe Lucas Team, Wasilla, Alaska For 20 years, Lucas has been a passionate board member for the Children's Place, a nonprofit that offers hope to families impacted by child abuse and neglect. He has leveraged his real estate experience to secure land for a new headquarters, raise half a million dollars, and recruit countless supporters to promote the well-being of more than 4,000 American children. Denny and Linda Ellsworth-Moore, Coldwell Banker Hubbell BriarWood-Delta, Lansing, Mich. Since 2004, Denny Moore and Linda Ellsworth-Moore have volunteered with Child and Family Charities, a nonprofit that supports children in need. The couple has raised $345,000 and collects donations of bikes, school supplies, clothing, and holiday gifts, with special emphasis on bikes for foster children. Christina Sauger, Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc., Clearwater, Fla. Sauger founded The Harbor Dish, a nonprofit that provides healthy meals and companionship to anyone regardless of their ability to pay. The mobile program includes hosting large-scale community dinners on a pay-what-you-can model, and delivers hot meals to seniors, foster children, domestic violence survivors and others in need. Raymond Siddell, Keller Williams Legacy Group, Cedar Rapids, Iowa Siddell mobilized his community's emergency response after a violent derecho damaged 90% of the homes and buildings in his hometown. During his efforts he discovered an underlying food insecurity in the region, leading him to create Together We Achieve. This now permanent food pantry has distributed 1.2 million pounds of food to local residents in one year. NAR's Good Neighbor Awards is supported by primary sponsor realtor.com®, plus Chase and The Center for REALTOR® Development. "Volunteers help bring and hold communities together, especially during challenging times like those we continue to face today," said realtor.com® CMO Mickey Neuberger. "The Good Neighbor Awards finalists exemplify that spirit of volunteerism, and we are proud to celebrate and recognize the impact these changemakers have had and the lives they've touched." Nominees were judged on their personal contribution of time as well as financial and material contributions to benefit their cause. Realtor.com® makes buying, selling and living in homes easier and more rewarding for everyone. realtor.com® pioneered the world of digital real estate 20 years ago, and today through its website and mobile apps is a trusted source for the information, tools and professional expertise that help people move confidently through every step of their home journey. Using proprietary data science and machine learning technology, realtor.com® pairs buyers and sellers to the right local agent in their market, helping take the guesswork out of buying and selling a home. For professionals, realtor.com® is a trusted partner, providing connections to transaction-ready consumers and branding solutions that help them succeed in today's on-demand world. Realtor.com® is operated by News Corp [Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA] [ASX: NWS, NWSLV] subsidiary Move, Inc. under a perpetual license from the National Association of REALTORS®. Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading global financial services firm with assets of $3.7 trillion and operations worldwide. Chase serves more than 60 million American households with a broad range of financial services, including personal banking, credit cards, mortgages, auto financing, investment advice, small business loans and payment processing. Customers can choose how and where they want to bank: More than 4,700 branches in 44 states and the District of Columbia, 16,000 ATMs, mobile, online and by phone. For more information, go to chase.com. The Center for REALTOR® Development (CRD) is NAR's home for learning. With 10 designations and certifications, 11 learning pathways, over 100 microcourses, and an award-winning podcast, there is a learning experience for every real estate professional. Sharpen your skills and boost your business by investing in yourself. Get started at learning.realtor. The National Association of Realtors® is America's largest trade association, representing more than 1.5 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
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BoomTown Announces Give Back Awards, Nominations Open
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VirtualTourCafe Awarded Best of Houzz 2018
With over 40 Million Monthly Unique Users, Best of Houzz winners like VirtualTourCafe represent some of the most talented and customer-focused professionals in our industry PLEASANTON, CALIF. (FEBRUARY 01, 2018) -- VirtualTourCafe, a national real estate virtual tour service, has won "Best Of Customer Service" on Houzz®, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. The best-in-class real estate virtual tour service was chosen by the more than 40 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than one million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals. The Best Of Houzz is awarded annually in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. Design award winners' work was the most popular among the more than 40 million monthly users on Houzz. Customer Service honors are based on several factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2017. Architecture and interior design photographers whose images were most popular are recognized with the Photography award. A "Best Of Houzz 2018" badge will appear on winners' profiles, as a sign of their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz. "Customer service is our number one priority, so to be recognized by Houzz and our clients in this way is a great honor to our team, and validation that we are on the right track! Our values as a company come from a place of respect and love for each other, our employees, our customers, shareholders and the community. Our policy is to do what is right for the customer, employee, vendor or person with whom we come in contact. Doing the right thing should always come first. This is part of our company value statement and we are proud to have received this recognition!" – Tim Denbo, President/CEO VirtualTourCafe "The Houzz community selected a phenomenal group of Best of Houzz 2018 award winners, so this year's recipients should be very proud," said Liza Hausman, Vice President of Industry Marketing at Houzz. "Best of Houzz winners represent some of the most talented and customer-focused professionals in our industry, and we are extremely pleased to give them both this recognition and a platform on which to showcase their expertise." Follow VirtualTourCafe on Houzz. About VirtualTourCafe VirtualTourCafe is a best-in-class online real estate virtual tour and marketing service to help real estate agents, brokers and associations create automated virtual tours, print flyers and videos for their listings, providing more exposure and faster sales for their customers. Headquartered in Pleasanton, CA, VirtualTourCafe also has offices in Los Angeles, CA. For more information, visit VirtualTourCafe.com. About Houzz Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish – online or from a mobile device. From decorating a small room to building a custom home and everything in between, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community empowered by technology, Houzz is the easiest way for people to find inspiration, get advice, buy products and hire the professionals they need to help turn their ideas into reality. Headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, Houzz also has international offices in London, Berlin, Sydney, Moscow, Tel Aviv and Tokyo. Houzz and the Houzz logo are registered trademarks of Houzz Inc. worldwide. For more information, visit houzz.com.
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Redfin Expands 1% Listing Fee to 18 Additional Markets, Now Reaching 80 Percent of Redfin Customers Across 25 Markets Total
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Responsive Relationship, Effective Marketing Crucial for Home Buyer-Seller Satisfaction, J.D. Power Finds
Century 21 Ranks Highest among First-Time Home Buyers and Sellers for Fourth Consecutive Year COSTA MESA, Calif., Aug. 1, 2017 — Realtors who invest time and effort in their relationship with home buyers and those who effectively market on behalf of sellers earn the highest levels of customer satisfaction, according to the J.D. Power 2017 Home Buyer/Seller Satisfaction Study, released today. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), current home sales reflect the best quarterly existing sales pace in a decade and are poised to climb 3.5% in 2017,1 a strong indicator that now is the time to capitalize on the market, especially with first-time buyers. The study, now in its 10th year, measures satisfaction with the nation's largest real estate companies among customers in four segments: first-time buyers; repeat buyers; first-time sellers; and repeat sellers. Overall satisfaction is measured across four factors of the home-buying experience: agent/salesperson; real estate office; closing process; and variety of additional services. In the home-selling experience, the same four factors are evaluated plus a fifth factor, marketing. Satisfaction is measured on a 1,000-point scale. "With the real estate market remaining strong, it is more important than ever that agents, buyers and sellers focus on the trade basics, especially for first-timers," said Greg Truex,senior director of the at-home practice at J.D. Power. "When agents remain transparent, informative and responsive, they can greatly impact customer satisfaction and increase agent reputation and recommendations." Following are some key findings of the study: Updated and consistent marketing strategies are key: An agent's relationship with a buyer is the most important factor in determining customer satisfaction. For sellers, marketing of the home is the most important factor, as it is the most visible way for the seller to gauge the agent's support. First-time buyers are most impressed: Overall satisfaction with real estate companies is higher among first-time buyers, compared with satisfaction among repeat buyers or sellers. The average overall satisfaction score among first-time home buyers is 857, and is slightly lower (842) among first-time home sellers. Hand-holding is worth it: Satisfaction is strongly influenced by the amount of time agents invest in keeping customers informed vs. when they are not kept informed. Among first-time buyers and sellers, satisfaction is 117 points higher among buyers (874 vs. 757, respectively) and 93 points higher among sellers (859 vs. 766, respectively). Among repeat buyers and sellers, satisfaction is 210 points higher among buyers and 192 points higher among sellers when they receive a timely response to questions and concerns vs. when they do not (870 vs. 660 and 862 vs. 670, respectively). Word-of-mouth is still vital: First-time home buyers and sellers report good reputation and recommendations from friends, family and colleagues as the two main reasons for selecting a real estate company. More than one-third (35%) of first-time buyers and 44% of first-time sellers indicate they chose their real estate company based on its reputation, while 24% of first-time buyers and 17% of first-time sellers made their selections based on recommendations. First-Time Home-Buyer Satisfaction Ranking Century 21 (867) ranks highest for a fourth consecutive year and performs particularly well in the agent/salesperson, closing process and variety of additional services factors. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (862) ranks second and performs particularly well in the real estate office factor. Repeat Home-Buyer Satisfaction Ranking Keller Williams (863) ranks highest and performs particularly well in the closing process, real estate office and variety of additional services factors. Coldwell Banker (857) ranks second. First-Time Home-Seller Satisfaction Ranking Century 21 (859) ranks highest for a fourth consecutive year and performs particularly well in all five factors in the segment. Repeat Home-Seller Satisfaction Ranking Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (858) ranks highest and performs particularly well in the agent/salesperson, marketing and closing process factors. Century 21 (846) ranks second and performs particularly well in variety of additional services. The 2017 Home Buyer/Seller Satisfaction Study includes 5,117 evaluations from 4,170 customers who bought and/or sold a home between March 2016 and April 2017. The study was fielded in March-April 2017. For more information about the J.D. Power Home Buyer/Seller Satisfaction Study, click here. J.D. Power is a global leader in consumer insights, advisory services and data and analytics. These capabilities enable J.D. Power to help its clients drive customer satisfaction, growth and profitability. Established in 1968, J.D. Power is headquartered in Costa Mesa, Calif., and has offices serving North/South America, Asia Pacific and Europe. J.D. Power is a portfolio company of XIO Group, a global alternative investments and private equity firm headquartered in London, and is led by its four founders: Athene Li, Joseph Pacini, Murphy Qiao and Carsten Geyer.
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Moxi Works and MoveEasy Team Up
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Want to Create Videos, But Don't Have the Hardware?
No video camera? No problem! Create original videos with your own photos, clips or just an idea More than 35 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute, and with the motto of "Broadcast Yourself", it's hard to believe that anyone is left out of the YouTube experience. But the truth is, sites like YouTube do largely leave out people who don't have a video camera. That's changing with the beta launch of youtube.com/create, where anyone can use video creation sites Xtranormal, Stupeflix and GoAnimate to make personal videos or animations and post them directly to YouTube. Create original animations Creating animation can be pretty hard and often requires expensive software, but GoAnimate and Xtranormal Movie Maker let you create animated videos with just a text storyline. In minutes, you can make two bears discuss fiction-writing, or create your own cooking show parody. Use your own photos, clips and music to create dynamic videos Stupeflix lets you pull together your own images, clips and even maps into a dynamic video slideshow. You can tell a personal story or even make a jazzy promo for your craft company. Start creating! So give it a test drive. Here are some ideas: Create an educational video Reenact a scene from your favorite movie or play Create a digital 2010 year book, or a 2011 graduation video This is still early and we look forward to adding more sites, so check them out and give us some feedback in the comments section below. We look forward to seeing what you come up with! Stanley Wang, Software Engineer, recently watched "First Test on This...GoAnimate App on YouTube" and Shenaz Zack, Product Manager, recently watched "IT'S FRIDAY! (v2)" (created using Xtranormal Movie Maker) To try these out for yourself, visit www.youtube.com/create and click on each title to learn more, watch a tutorial and see video examples. You can make an original creation in minutes--and it's free (though some sites have premium services which you can access from their sites directly).
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MLS Listings Now Available Through IDX's iPhone App
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Tungle Expands Executive Team
Montreal, Canada—Feb. 3, 2010 Tungle Corp., the company that is pioneering the online scheduling industry, today announced the expansion of its management team with the appointments of Jonathan Levitt as vice president of Marketing, and Richard Zeidel as vice president of Alliances. With 30 percent month-to-month growth in the user base and the number of meetings scheduled using the Tungle.me scheduling application growing exponentially, these appointments will be responsible for driving even more aggressive growth in 2010. “Since we launched Tungle.me last year, we have focused our efforts on creating a product that solves a true market need while delivering a superior user experience,” said Marc Gingras, chief executive officer and founder of Tungle Corp. “2010 is the year where Tungle will become a household name with business professionals around the world. Jonathan and Richard will play a crucial role in making this happen.” Levitt brings more than 15 years of experience specializing in helping diverse brands better understand their audiences and leverage technology and data to build better customer experiences and create brand equity. He has counselled firms of all sizes, including leading global players such as Bank of America, Verizon, Dell, Proctor & Gamble, Ford and Reebok. As a proponent of conversation marketing, Levitt is a prolific and sought-after speaker, blogger and writer who has been featured in several industry publications including 1to1Magazine, ClickZ, DM News and MediaPost. Jonathan Levitt on Linkedin > Zeidel, a digital marketer and agent of change for more than 15 years, is a seasoned sales executive who has strategized with Fortune 500 organizations to design high-impact, measurable digital campaigns. Zeidel brings to Tungle a deep understanding of how to leverage technology to meet client objectives, as well as his experience working with well established brands including The New York Times, The Economist, CBS, NBC and Fox Digital. Richard Zeidel on LinkedIn > Tungle’s free Tungle.me scheduling application makes it easy for professionals to schedule meetings across organizations, calendar systems and time zones by eliminating costly double bookings and the endless back and forth of finding a time to meet. As a result, Tungle.me drastically improves productivity and efficiency. The company released general availability of Tungle in April 2009 and has since released its flagship feature Tungle.me personal scheduling page as well as an iPhone application and Lotus Notes integration. 2009 also saw the announcement of key partnerships including Xing, Ning and IBM. About Tungle: Tungle Corp.’s Tungle.me makes scheduling meetings easy—across organizations, calendar systems and time zones—by eliminating the multiple emails, phone calls and double bookings that typically come with finding a time to meet. Tungle.me synchronizes with leading online calendar systems including Outlook, Google Calendar, Apple iCal, Entourage for Mac, and Lotus Notes (Beta), and does not require visitors to sign in or register to schedule meetings. Tungle.me supports scheduling meetings on-the-go with Tungle.me for iPhone, which is available for free download in the App Store. Founded in 2006, the Montreal based company is venture-backed by investors Commonwealth Capital Ventures, JLA Ventures, and Desjardins Venture Capital. Media & Industry Analysts Contact: Erin Lariviere, for Tungle [email protected] +1-514-678-9181 x.220
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SentriLock Releases BlackBerry Card Utility
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