Company News and HighlightsSeptember 2008-March 2009
Howard Hanna partners with Realty One, achieves market dominance ............................. 3Howard Hanna Assurance .... 4Leadership appointments ...... 7
Howard Hanna goes “Back to the Future” for 2008 Awards CelebrationsHoward Hanna recognized its agents at two awards celebrations, held in Cleveland at the
State Theatre on February 17, and at the Hilton in Pittsburgh on February 23. In a challenging year, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services set a sales record in 2008, with 35,747 closed transactions and a residential volume of $6,131,087,488, according to Howard W. “Hoddy” Hanna III, Chairman, who gave similar remarks at both awards celebrations. He also expressed optimism for 2009. Hoddy says there is “pent-up demand for all segments of the buyer market, from first-time buyer to empty nester,” and predicts that 30-year financing rates will continue to hover around the 5% range all year. “This is, by far, the lowest rate in my 43 years of selling homes.” He also feels that the federal stimulus package will have a positive bearing, and that the quality and affordability of housing in our market areas is excellent. Highlights of the awards celebrations included an opening skit and dance routine performed by Jason Coll and Frog Prince Productions, located in Pittsburgh, as well as a rousing finale by our own Annie Hanna Cestra, Helen Hanna Casey, and David Lloyd, set to the tune of the ABBA hit “Mamma Mia.” Many sales associates were recognized for their 2008 achievements, including the Best of the Best and Very Best of the Best, all of whom received Gucci handbags for the women, and wallets and briefcases for the men. Also during the celebrations, Hoddy announced the grand total of the company’s efforts to raise money for the Children’s Free Care Fund. In 2008, the amount raised was an astounding $539,212. During the past 20 years, Howard Hanna has raised more than $5.5 million for children’s hospitals in their market areas through the tremendous efforts of their sales associates, staff and managers. At the Pittsburgh show, the winning ticket for the car raffle was drawn by Rachel Petrucelli, of the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation. Winning the 2009 Mini Cooper was Bob Fox, a sales associate in our
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Howard Hanna now #4, according to Real TrendsOn March 31, 2009, REAL Trends released the rankings of the nation’s top residential brokerage firms ranked by both
transaction sides and sales volume for calendar year 2008. The REAL Trends 500 Report will be released in its entirety at the annual REAL Trends Gathering of Eagles conference which is held during the first week of May. Ranking by closed transaction sides for 2008 - at the top of this years list once again is NRT a unit of Realogy and HomeServices of America in the second spot. Both of which are gigantic companies. Virginia based Long and Foster is third and HOWARD HANNA moved up from the #7 spot to #4 ! Ranking by volume for 2008 - Howard Hanna moved up to #7 from #14. As was expected nearly all of the top firms reported declines in unit sales and volumes. However of the more than 800 firms that reported, over 100 reported increases in unit sales.
Top right: Hoddy Hanna enters the stage dressed as a Rocket Man during the opening to the awards celebration. Below, right: Helen Hanna Casey and Annie Hanna Cestra end the celebration in style with their rendition of “Mamma Mia.”
Top Offices:Poland, Mt. Lebanon, Shadyside
Top Regional Offices:Mt. Lebanon, Erie Airport, New Castle, Shadyside, Fox Chapel, Camp Hill, Poland, Shaker Heights, Rocky River, Akron
Very Best of the Best:Adam Kaufman, Pepper PikeAngie Black, MentorAnn W. Hurley, BrecksvilleBarbara Wilson, MedinaBob Szarek, Rocky RiverCarol Hughes, SolonCathy LeSueur, Shaker HeightsChris Jurcisin, Cleveland HeightsCici Riley, Pepper PikeDarlene Hall, AkronDean Mickley, CantonDebbie Mottl, North RoyaltonDianne Hange, WoosterDonna Glazer, Pepper PikeErnie Cahoon, Cleveland HeightsGeorgia Murray, Gates MillsGlenn Franko, LakewoodGloria Hardington, Rocky RiverGreg Pernus, MentorGregg Wasilko, Rocky RiverHolly Ritchie, CanfieldJanis Ivory, Brunswick
Jennifer Herron, North OlmstedJohn DeSantis, MentorJudie Crockett, MentorKarin Vonderau, Bay VillageKaryl Morrison, HudsonLaurie Morgan Schrank, AkronLenny Vaccaro, Willoughby-
EastlakeLeslie Kaufman, Pepper PikeLinda Febus, MedinaLinda Matty, HudsonMargie DeMastry, MentorMary Lou McHenry, Shaker HeightsMichael Della Vella, Crocker RoadPaul Blumberg, Pepper PikePaul Paratto, Willoughby-EastlakePaula Owen, AkronSharon Woodson, CatawbaSonja Halstead-Potter, WadsworthTeresa Fiorentino, StowTomi Johnson, CatawbaVeena Bhupali, Pepper PikeJohnb Pinto, MortgageFred Vander Peet, MortgageBill Reilly, Crocker RoadRobin Caruso, MortgageEllie Connelly, ShadysideBob Fox, West SuburbanRenee Gatian, MorgantownDeborah Kane, East SuburbanMary Eve Kearns, Peters TownshipTerry Lloyd, Franklin ParkBill Matthews, CommercialBetty Moraca, SewickleyRoz Neiman, ShadysideVera Purcell, Mt. LebanonChuck Spirer, MortgageCindy Sunseri, Mt. LebanonMargel Szumigale, Erie SouthStephanie Veenis, Fox ChapelKen Walker, Harrisburg CommercialTrudy Ward, Fox Chapel
Best of the Best:Betsy Andrews, Cleveland
HeightsMaryann Bacharach, ShadysideAmy Bair, ShadysideAnnette Banks, Squirrel HillKathe Barge, SewickleyPeter Bauer, MortgageElaine Beck, HudsonMichele Belice, Mt. LebanonJackie Benner Bongiorno, Erie AirportLynne Bingham, Upper St. ClairJill Bolner, Squirrel HillMary Ann Brettell, CranberryDiane Brillman, ShadysideBobbie Burey, North OlmstedPatty Cappelli, Mt. LebanonBonnie Carlson, Pepper PikeJanice Carson, Pepper PikeJenny Chin, Shaker HeightsTeri Chmielewski, Shaker Heights
Eileen Clegg McKeon, Cleveland HeightsSusan Cogan, Chagrin FallsJohn Craighead, Rocky RiverSue Daniel, West SuburbanSusan Delaney, Shaker HeightsGary Dodson, Amherst/LorainNancy Donahue, ShadysideSheila Eaton, AkronSally Essreg, Shaker HeightsKatie Fenwick, AkronCarol Ferguson, SewickleySandy Ferko, Franklin ParkAileen Fitzgerald, Rocky RiverCaren Foy, New CastleLuAnn Fraicola, NorwinSharon Friedman, Pepper PikePeggy Garr, Pepper PikeSally Goodnow, Canton
Ann Greathouse, Squirrel HillJoyce Harmon, ButlerFaith Heinen, MentorSusan Hennenberg, Pepper PikeLisa Hensley, WeirtonChristina Higgins, Avon LakeLinda Homm, Avon LakeMary Ann Hubbard, MadisonBarb Hudak, AkronLori Hummel, CondominiumKerri Johnson, ElyriaNicole Johnston, ShadysideTammy Koleski, ElyriaLinda Krajnak, WashingtonAnn Kyner, AkronJanet Landfried, GreenvilleMarilyn Latine, AkronRoger LePage, MortgageDeb Levy, CranberryTom Locker, Crocker RoadMichele Lux, MortgageSusan Lynn, MurrysvilleDan Malloy, Avon LakeMaria McDonald, Rocky RiverKristine McGee, Pepper PikeAmy McMahon, Rocky RiverKelly Meade, ShadysideSally Messinger, Pepper PikeDonna Miller, Rocky RiverKaren Minnitte, North HillsRichard Misencik, Avon LakePat Modica, SolonAngie Molitoris, Mayfield VillageKathy Nerpouni, Chagrin FallsKathleen Novak, AuroraTom O’Dougherty, Rocky RiverLarry O’Malley, Rocky RiverKarl Owens, SewickleyMarie Pace, ShadysideDave Patai, MortgageBarbara Prentis, Northfield Center
Top left: South Hills sales associates Jan Morgan and Mary Ann Nau with manager Gretchen Herron and “Quasi” the robot. Top center: Mr. Hanna with Peters Township sales associate Mary Eve Kearns. Top right: Jennifer Herron, Helen Hanna Casey, Debra Applegarth and Donna Deagan during the “One Team, One Dream” awards in Ohio. Left: Hoddy and Poland manager Alicia Kosec, accepting the Top Office award in Ohio.
Award winners included:
In a move that has reverberated in real estate circles nationally and in northeastern Ohio, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services’ partnership with Realty One has resulted in a market
share of approximately 37% of the real estate market in the northeastern Ohio region. The company’s presence in Ohio doubles to over 60 office locations, with approximately 2,800 sales associates in 21 counties. Company wide, Howard Hanna has more than 5,200 sales associates and staff, and approximately 150 sales offices in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and West Virginia. “While other established companies in the region have been impacted by a tumultuous market due to economic change and population shift, our company continues to enjoy steady growth,” states Hoddy Hanna, Chairman, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. “When we entered the northeast Ohio market in 2003, we saw a region with tremendous potential in both business and quality of life. Our outlook has not changed. We are convinced this area shows a clear pattern of growth and vibrancy.”
“A new chapter in quality service to real estate consumers in this area has arrived,” notes Hoby Hanna, President, Howard Hanna, Ohio. “We are excited about the future and growth of our company and this region. Our investment here underscores a commitment to growth and a belief in opportunities that have emerged and are beginning to take hold.” Buyers and sellers are going to benefit from an expanded market presence that combines the finest in professionalism and marketing expertise. Our cultures are similar and our agents work closely together. We are combining leadership, knowledge and outstanding sales associates to create even greater service for sellers and buyers.
Howard Hanna/Realty One partnership resulting in market dominance
Top right: Hoby Hanna explains the company’s Mission Statement and Vision Points. Above left: Pepper Pike sales associates Sophie Brick, Bev Pollack, Adam Kaufman, Nancy Frederico and Donna Glazer.
Jean Reno, HudsonJim Robinson, LakewoodBonnie Rosenthal, GreensburgMarjorie Rule, Chagrin FallsLu Ryan, GreentreeBrian Salem, LakewoodLance Snyder, Fox ChapelChris Stanley, BrecksvilleBeth Starlin, WoosterMarge Stein, Peters TownshipDonna Stewart, MurrysvilleLea Varner, Northfield CenterRenee Vartorella, MacedoniaMelanie Vaszi, Avon LakeArt Volpe, StrongsvilleMillie Walker, Camp HillJan Warren, Madison
Susan Elaine White, AuroraGreg Willis, Crocker RoadBob Wilson, MortgageJohn Winder, HudsonLaurel Worley Heater, Chagrin Falls
Most Improved Office:Erie Airport, Avon Lake
Rookies of the Year:Alicia Philipps, Crocker RoadShari Probst, CantonNathan Victor, CantonChris Banham, Chagrin FallsJennifer Jablonski, Camp HillLisa Wilson, Franklin Park
Patti Noah, BeaverAngela Chorba, NorwinRon Sammons, Washington
One Team, One Dream Awards (sales associates):Donna Deagan, AkronDebra Applegarth, SolonSherry Ascher, Rocky RiverJennifer Herron, North OlmstedDebbie Smithula, MonroevilleVerna McCarl, Grove CityDenise Lewandowski, Kiski ValleyBob Fox, West SuburbanCarolyn Baldwin, Erie Airport
Millie Walker, Camp HillTerry Lloyd, Franklin Park
One Team, One Dream Awards (offices):Chagrin Falls, Murrysville
Top right: West Suburban sales associate Bob Fox wins the Mini Cooper during the PA celebration. Left: Duffy Hanna, Chagrin Falls sales associate Laurel Worley Heater, Barbara Reynolds and Fred Corsi during the Core Services Awards.Center: Kelly Hanna Riley, Anne F. Hanna Legacy Award winner and Fox Chapel sales associate Maggsie Sliger and Annie Hanna Engel.
Howard Hanna looking to jumpstart sales with incentives package
Howard Hanna has taken a lead role in the real estate industry with our Assurance Program – a package of benefits for Hanna home buyers - our own antidote in an
effort to calm perspective buyers in today’s economic climate - and as a supplement to the federal government’s current home buying stimulus program. Howard Hanna Mortgage Services has also joined in with a Worry-Free Home Buying program in which buyers, who use Howard Hanna Mortgage Services to purchase a home, may receive income protection of up to $1,500 per month for up to six months in the event of a job loss.
“Worry Free Home Buying” is a “win-win” for both buyers and sellers, according to Howard W. “Hoddy” Hanna, III, company Chairman and CEO. “For our sellers, our program makes their home more desirable – more saleable, and can actually generate a faster sale. For buyers, the new benefit enables them to purchase a home with increased confidence, providing an additional reason to buy now - at a time when mortgage interest rates are at historic lows, housing affordability is extremely high, and inventory is robust.”
Other features of Howard Hanna’s Assurance program are: The Apartment Dwellers Trade-In program which is looking for renters who find homes to buy but are involved in a lease situation. Howard Hanna will work with the landlord to see if someone can take over the remainder of the contract. ‘’Ideally, we want to find someone to sub-lease the space,’’ Hanna said. ‘’If we can’t find a person, we take over the lease. It’s a calculated risk.’’ The new Howard Hanna Assurance Program grew out of internal brainstorming in recent months. ‘’We’re trying to work out all of the objections people are having,’’ he added. ‘’We’re trying to be creative and innovative.’’ The company’s exclusive 100% Money Back Guarantee continues to give buyers
confidence to buy. Our program assures the value of the home being purchased. If the buyer of a guaranteed home listed by Howard Hanna isn’t satisfied within the first year, the company will buy it back at 100% of the purchase price, taking any worry about value out of the transaction. Howard Hanna Mortgage is continuing to offer their “Powerhouse Mortgage Program,” whereby qualified buyers have access to an abundance of secured funds - $125 million in mortgage money every month - coupled with the lowest interest rates in decades. “Our extensive line of credit means that those who can afford to buy a home need not worry about not getting a loan because of a credit slow down,” explained Hanna. Buyers who chose Howard Hanna to market their current home, can take advantage of the Buy Before You Sell program, exclusively offered through Howard Hanna Mortgage. This innovative program applies the equity in the current home toward the
down payment on the next home….allowing the client to buy with confidence, even before their current home is sold.
Howard Hanna’s One-Stop Shopping offers customers real estate, mortgage, title/closing and insurance services – all at any of Howard Hanna’s 145 offices. Customers can save time and money having everything related to the real estate transaction in one place.
The Retail Alliance Service Partners of Howard Hanna provide the best prices and priority service for everything associated with moving – new carpeting and carpet cleaning, decorating or staging services, moving companies and much more. First Time Home Buyers don’t forget! The $8,000 tax credit being offered by the Federal Government is only good on home sales closed by December 1, 2009. As Howard Hanna continues to believe in the strength of its markets, the company strives to provide a wide range of value-added consumer incentives to instill confidence in the minds of buyers, as well as heighten realization that now is a great time to buy. “Through our Assurance Programs, we offer a whole value package – all of the strengths of Howard Hanna to our buyers - and to our sellers. The size of our company allows us to offer these and other valuable extras that, when combined with historically low mortgage interest rates and the government’s tax credit, ensures that now is the absolute best time to purchase a home -- from first time buyers – to buyers needing a bigger house and more space – to buyers wanting to make the change to maintenance free living,” said Hoddy Hanna.
Helen Hanna Casey amongmost influential women in real estateThe real estate professional community has decided who the Top 25 Most Influential Women are. And what an incredible list of
powerful women this list represents, including our own Helen Hanna Casey, President of Residential Sales. When the 2008 edition of the Swanepoel TRENDS Report was published, the demographics that included women, youth and minorities were identified as key drivers in the future of the residential real estate brokerage industry. In the Trend titled “Shattered Glass” it was detailed how many women had reached leadership positions at national levels.
This trend lit the match to initiate a nationwide flame in search of the Top 100 Most Influential Women in leadership roles in the Real Estate Industry.
A blog post on ActiveRain by best selling author Stefan Swanepoel attracted over 11,000 views. Continued interest fanned the flames that soon expanded to other real estate social networks such as RealTown and Inman Community.
Though the survey was not billed as warranting scientific rigidity, the tremendous response rate and distribution of over 6,000 votes speaks to a strength in collective wisdom about the relative placement of the most influential women in the Top 100 list.
Helen was also featured on the April 2009 cover of “Smart Business” magazine and was included in a feature of “Women Who Excel: Six Leaders Whose Efforts Make a Difference.”
Cleveland Home Office to relocate downtownHoward Hanna Real Estate Services is solidifying its commitment to Cleveland,
as well as northeastern Ohio, by moving the headquarters of its 21-county Ohio operation to downtown Cleveland. The new location for the company’s home office in Ohio is 800 West St. Clair. Approximately 200 of the company’s employees, who had been at Howard Hanna’s office, along Rockside Road in Seven Hills, will now work at the West St. Clair address. This is the second downtown office that Howard Hanna has opened since it purchased Smythe, Cramer Co. in 2003. In 2005, Howard Hanna opened a sales office at 1903 West 25th Street, in Cleveland’s Ohio City area. “The decision to place our Ohio headquarters in the city solidifies our commitment to the region and Cleveland, which is one of the nation’s largest major urban centers,” stated Howard W. “Hoby” Hanna IV, President, Howard Hanna Ohio. Before we entered the Ohio market in 2003, we were impressed by the vitality of Cleveland as a World Class city that offers an outstanding quality of life and has an unlimited potential for business growth. That impression is not only lasting, it is deepened.”
Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson at a City of Cleveland press conference with
Hoddy and Hoby Hanna.
Howard Hanna’s season of caringAgain this year, the season of giving and caring was very special at Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, as the company’s sales
associates and staff gave back to the communities in which we conduct our business in a very meaningful way through the Children’s Free Care Fund. From the end of October through much of December, our offices hosted a variety of charitable events that offered something for everyone to raise funds to help children’s hospitals in their mission of care for all children. Events ranged from “Nights at the Races” to rodeo-style parties, to “all-you-can-eat $5 buffet luncheons, special presentations at Cleveland Playhouse, and everything in between. Activities included 50-50 raffles, silent auctions, delicious food and wonderful refreshment, as well as tickets for a drawing for a new 2009 Mini Cooper automobile. Unfortunately, for some children in northeastern Ohio, their biggest wish for the holiday season is to stay warm in the winter, and thanks to Howard Hanna, that wish came true again this past holiday season. As drop site sponsor for this year’s Coats for Kids Campaign, our company again teamed up with The Salvation Army, Cintas Dry Cleaning, WTAM Radio and WKYC-TV 3 to collect new or gently used coats for children in need. This is the 11th year in which our company has been part of the campaign, which ran until Mid-December. Last year, over 25,500 coats were collected. Our company collected over 12,000 coats.
Our web site ranks among best in nationA new study states that the web site of Howard Hanna is among the
Top-9 of 500 largest real estate brokerages in the United States. The study was from 1000 Watt Consulting and Real Trends, a leader in residential real estate market research and analysis. Judging was based upon design, usability, content, and tools and applications. “In an era of technology, where everyone is investing heavily to compete in cyber space, it’s a real honor to be regarded as one of our nation’s best when it comes to electronic marketing and communication,” said Hoby Hanna, President of Howard Hanna Ohio. “We plan to do whatever is necessary to ensure the continued growth and economic prosperity of our sales associates.”
Top Left: Hoby and Stacey Hanna, and their children Quint and Finn, attend the Cleveland Home Office Chow Chow Luncheon. Top Right: The Condominium Office Chow Chow. Bottom: The Green office held a “Night at the Races” Chow Chow Event.
Akron area offices participate in radiothonAs part of its campaign to help children’s hospitals
in their mission of care for all children, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services was on hand for the recent radiothon on behalf of Akron Children’s Hospital, hosted by WKDD radio personality Matt Patrick. In addition to answering phones to help with pledges for the radiothon on February 6, members of Howard Hanna’s Ohio South Regional offices presented a check for Akron Children’s Hospital for over $20,000. The funds were raised during the Children’s Free Care Fund campaign.
Vice President and South Regional Manager Bill Askin presents a check to WKDD radio host Matt Patrick.
Managerial appointmentsAs a result of its growth in Ohio, including the recent acquisition of Realty One, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services is
redefining the company’s northeastern Ohio sales regions into four major territories. The purpose of the restructuring is to facilitate Howard Hanna’s ability to quickly respond to the needs of the company’s sales associates and clients. “Establishing newly-defined territories will allow us to refine our now-expanded operations in order to continue as the strongest real estate company, while at the same time, meet individual needs of agents, sellers and buyers,” states Howard W. “Hoby” Hanna IV, President of Howard Hanna Ohio. “We will now enter the 2009 real estate season as a company that continues to provide quality individualized service.” Under the newly-defined territories, Melissa Crockett Willis, formerly Sales Manager in Mentor, is the Regional Manager of the newly-formed Northeast Region, which includes Ashtabula, Canfield, Chardon, Chesterland, Howland, Madison, Mentor, Poland and Willoughby/Eastlake. Elizabeth Stover Starrett continues as Regional Manager for the East Region offices of Aurora, Bainbridge, Chagrin Falls, Cleveland Heights, Gates Mills, Mayfield Heights, Pepper Pike, Shaker Heights and Solon. Bill Askin continues as Vice President of the South Region, which includes offices in Akron/Fairlawn, Brecksville, Brunswick, Canton, Hudson, Macedonia, Medina, North Royalton, Northfield Center, Southwest/Strongsville, Stow/Falls, Uniontown/Green, Wadsworth and Wooster. Dennis Hartzell, previously manager of the Crocker Road office, is the new West Region manager, overseeing offices in Amherst/Lorain, Avon Lake, Bay Village, Catawba, Cleveland City, Crocker Road, Elyria/North Ridgeville, Lakewood, North Olmsted and Rocky River. Other new appointments include: Christopher P. Higgins has been appointed to the position of Sales Manager of the Crocker Park office of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. During his 7-year tenure as manager, The Avon Lake office quadrupled in agent size to over 40 sales associates and climbed from ranking third in primary market share of business to ranking as the company’s Number One office in listings and sales in Lorain County. Yvonne Clark, previously manager of the Strongsville office, has been appointed to the position of Director of Professional Transitions to enhance corporate development. Jackie Cassara, formerly Chagrin Falls manager, is now the Director of Professional Development. Jim Axner, a top-producing finance manager with Howard Hanna Mortgage for approximately nine years, has been named Director of Mortgage Lending for the Ohio arm of the mortgage operation.
Bill Askin Jim Axner Jackie Cassara Yvonne Clark Melissa Crockett Willis
Chris Higgins Elizabeth Stover Starrett
New Retail Alliance PartnersAqua Guard Systems, Inc., in business for more than 21 years, has received the Better
Business Bureau 2008 for outstanding business ethics. They have been a Howard Hanna Retail Alliance Service Partner since 2005. Gillmore Security Systems, Inc., a residential and commercial security company located in Oakwood, OH, is the newest Retail Alliance Service Partner approved to serve all of Howard Hanna’s Ohio service areas. A family-owned business formed in 1970, they were one of the first security companies established in Northeast Ohio. Contact Ms. Chrys Hardy at (800) 899-8995 or email [email protected] to place referrals.
Sales associates honored by area REALTOR® BoardsThe mother-son team of Sue and Austin Daniel with our West Suburban office, won the #1 Real Estate Team in Beaver
County award by the Beaver County Association of REALTORS®. Sue and Austin sold more than $7.1 million last year and forged ahead as the #1 real estate sales team in all of Beaver County. Sue has been in the real estate business for many years and has been one of the top agents servicing Beaver County and Western Allegheny County, selling over $25 million during the past three years. Liz McPoland of our Butler office, was named the 2008 Butler County Association of REALTORS® “REALTOR of the Year”. Congratulations, Liz! Susan O’Neal, a sales associate in our Uniontown/Green office, is recipient of the 2008 Distinguished Service Award, presented by the Ohio Association of REALTORS®. In receiving this prestigious honor, Susan is recognized for her years of service as a real estate professional, as well as for her years of involvement within the real estate industry. Susan completed her second one-year term as President of the Akron Area Board of REALTORS® at the end of December. Jim West of our Stow office has been appointed to be Chairman of the 2009 Appraisal Committee for the Ohio Association of REALTORS®. Jim was the 2005 President of OAR, and in 2008 served as Chairman of the Large Board Forum for the National Association of REALTORS®, which meets twice a year to review progress of local real estate boards throughout the country in dealing with relevant, current real estate issues. Jim, a member of the 2008 Appraisal and Federal Housing committees of the NAR, has been re-appointed to those committees again in 2009.
Annual award banquets honor Hanna associatesWestmoreland County REALTORS® AssociationPerformance Plus awardees: DIAMOND LEVEL: Renee Braun, Jamie Cole, Cheryl Cook, Luann Fraicola and Don Myers from Norwin; Bonnie Rosenthal, Greensburg.PLATINUM LEVEL: Pam Knouse and Linda Miller, Greensburg; Jackie Silberman, Norwin.GOLD LEVEL: Joda Gutt and Elaine Kowalski, Norwin; Monique Thornley, Greensburg.Performance awardees:GOLD LEVEL: Deborah Stewart, Murrysville.DIAMOND LEVEL: Kristin Buckwalter, Murrysville; Rick Dutrow, Doreen King, and Susan Sharp, Greensburg; Susan Lynn and Pam Michalek, MurrysvillePLATINUM LEVEL: Jim Courtney and Tyler Thornton, Norwin; Ruth D’Ambrosio, Maria Lapiana, Donna Marrone, Stacey Oplinger, Dana Simpson and Danette Westervelt, Murrysville; Bernadette Deutsch and Robin Hauger, Greensburg.GOLD LEVEL: Linda Cerutti,
Michelle Moreno and Danielle Smith, Murrysville; Lori Husok, Norwin; Sandy Liprando, Greensburg.
Butler County Association of REALTORS® SAPPHIRE LEVEL: Sandy Bracken, Scot Cameron and Peter Sebock, Butler office.RUBY LEVEL: Stephen Gibson, Liz McPoland, Leslie Pfeifer and Bob Smith, Butler office.GOLD LEVEL: Marcia Maher, Butler office.DIAMOND LEVEL: Joyce Harmon, Butler office.
Beaver County Association of REALTORS®
Doris Yantos, Karen Hutman, Jan Razaire, Angie Peluso, Marcy Tarquinio, Patti Noah, Anna Marie Folmar, Chuch Casbourne, Bridget Wysocki, Cindy Rimbey, Mary Halama, Ruth Cattivera and Silvia Kazas.
REALTORS® Association of Metropolitan PittsburghOfficers and Board:Bebe English, Manager of our
Squirrel Hill office – President-Elect; Patty Cappelli of our Mt. Lebabon office – Board of Directors; Patrick Gray, Manager of our Sewicley office – Board of DirectorsAndiron Epiphanon Awards:Top 10% Winners – Residential Sales/VolumeAnnette Banks, Squirrel HillKathy Barge, SewickleyLynne Bingham, USCMia Kail-Bojalad, SewickleyJill Bolner, Squirrel HillMaureen Cavanaugh, USCEllie Connelly, ShadysideNancy Donahue, ShadysideCarroll Ferguson, SewickleyAnn Greathouse, Squirrel HillLori Hummel, CondoKelly Meade, ShadysideKaren Minnitte, North HillsBetty Moraca, SewickleyRoz Neiman, ShadysideMarge Stein, Peters Twp.Donna Stewart, MurrysvilleCindy Sunseri, Mt. LebanonStephanie Veenis, Fox ChapelTrudy Ward, Fox ChapelTop 10% Winners – Residential Sales/UnitsMilo Hindman, McKeesportTop Winner – Commercial
Sales/Volume & UnitsIn this category, Jay Phoebe of the Commercial Office was the lone winner!
Washington-Green Association of REALTORS®
DIAMOND: Mary Eve Kearns, Peters Twp.PLATINUM: Linda Krajnak, WashingtonRUBY: Dorothy Walsko, WashingtonGOLD: Mary Ellen Ulicny, Peters Twp., Barry Crumrine, Washington, Lisa Scott, Washington, Lorri Fortunato, Peters Twp., Joy Fischer, Washington, Debra Pilardi, Peters Twp.SILVER: Pam Bartolotto, Washington, Mary Dunbar, Peters Twp., Lorrie Tarby, Peters Twp., Dale Armitage, Peters Twp., Gary Pernisek, Peters Twp., Margaret Lehman, Washington, Donna Burns, Peters Twp., Charlotte Herron, WashingtonBRONZE: Charlotte Taylor, Washington, Ron Sammons, Washington, Linda Howard, Washington
Liz McPoland Susan O’NealSue Daniel Jim West
New construction notes Battery Park in Detroit Shoreway area, Ohio. 300+ unit neighborhood developed with walkable access to Edgewater Park and Lake Erie Beach front. Many different designs from flats to SF homes with City Skyline views. Prices starting in upper $100s-
400k. Contact Site Coordinator/ Agent: Scott Phillips at 216-849-8333 for more information.
Ehrman Farms, Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. 92 acres of dedicated green space.Packages start at $450,000. Contact Darlene Hunter at 412-276-5000.
Field Brook Farms in Wexford (Richland Twp.), Pennsylvania. With only 22 lots remaining, these executive residences are in demand. Contact Darlene Hunter at 412-276-5000.
The Fields of Fisher Farms, St. Clair Township, Ohio. Exceptional, new residential community with its first phase featuring 16 secluded home sites. Contact Joyce Mays of the Poland office at 330-383-5097.
Glencairn, Richfield Township, Ohio. Buyers can take advantage of a special $20,000 price break for purchasing one of the remaining fully improved single-family home sites in this nature-preserved community. For more information, contact Julie Buchagen or Debra Catalani at Howard Hanna’s Hudson office, at 330-659-0853.
Kirtland Tudor Estates, Willoughby, Ohio. Five distinctive, one-and-two-story plans ranging from 1,994 square feet to almost 5,200 square feet in the condominium development’s first phase.
Prices start at $570,000. For more information, contact Georgia Murray of Howard Hanna’s Gates Mills office. She can be reached at 440-423-3100.
Marbella at Chapel Harbor, O’Hard Township, Pennsylvania. Grand opening was held on Thursday evening, October 23rd, 2008. 53 condos ranging from one bedrooms to two-story New York style penthouses. Contact our Marbella Site Team - Lori Hummel or Lourdes Matamoros - at 412-963-6085.
Meadow Creek, Mantua, OH. Twenty-one lots priced from $50,000 to 96,500. Each lot is at least 2 acres. All the improvements have been made. Contact Jenny Chin at (216) 751-8550 for more information.
NevilleSide, located next to the community of Nevillewood, Pennsylvania, is a neighborhood of 78 luxury carriage homes which offer imaginative floor plans and maintenance-free living at its finest. The brand new Clubhouse, with gathering room, kitchen and fitness area, will compliment this distinctive neighborhood as will the swimming pool being built on the perimeter of the
Clubhouse. For more information on NevilleSide, please call Site Coordinator Rose Vaccarello at 724-693-2837.
One Fifty One First Side, downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 18-story hi-rise condominium building along Fort Pitt Boulevard overlooking the banks of the Monongahela River. For more information, please contact Howard Hanna’s Site Coordinator, Lourdes Matamoros or Site Agents Michael King and Bernie Kuhn at 412-586-5970.
The Meritage Group, developers of many prestigious new home communities throughout the greater Pittsburgh area since 1976, selected Howard Hanna as their marketing agency for The Isles at the Highlands in Plum Borough, Mallard Landing in Murrysville and Clearview Estates in Murrysville. The Isles at the Highlands, Plum Boro, Pennsylvania. A new home community featuring a
collection of 50 distinctive, patio homes, townhomes and carriage homes. Prices start at $204,750. Furnished models are available for touring. Mallard Landing, Murrysville, Pennsylvania. Featuring single-family, high-end, executive homes. Priced in the $500’s.
NevilleSide groundbreaking
Marbella
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Howard Hanna Corporate Headquarters • 119 Gamma Drive • Pittsburgh, PA 15238 • (412) 967-9000Howard Hanna Home Office • 4141 Rockside Rd. • Cleveland, OH 44131-8006 • (216) 447-4477
Howard Hanna Operations Center • 1 Franklin Park Corporate Center • Wexford, PA 15090 • (724) 934-3100
www.howardhanna.com
Clearview Estates, Murrysville, Pennsylvania. Eight custom home sites (only five remain for sale) in a serene meadow setting surrounded by trees. Prices begin at $400,000. For more information on any of the Meritage communities, please contact Site Coordinator Maureen Getty of Howard Hanna’s Murrysville office at 724-327-5161.
Rockport Square, Lakewood, Ohio. Award winning development with urban-inspired design features both 4-story townhomes with elevator options to future loft space flats in the next phase. Prices starting at $249,000. Contact Site Coordinator/
Agent John Corral at 216-702-0887 for more information.
Starkweather Place, Tremont, Ohio. Earth friendly, energy efficient, 1.5% reduced rate financing, 10k down payment assistance, 15 year tax abatement. Prices start at $199,000. Contact Carolyn Bentley at 216-470-1502 for more information.
Three PNC Plaza, downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Sales Center was unveiled on November 4, 2008. The Residences (luxury condominiums) are currently under construction in the new PNC building, a 23-story high rise that will be the largest environmentally friendly, mixed-use building in the United States, designated and constructed to meet LEED® standards under the U.S. Green Building Council. For more information, please contact Howard Hanna’s Sales Team – Erin Marton and Lori Hummel – at 412-355-0777.
BengrisezHomes., Inc. is building in Wicker Creek in Plain Twp., Ohio, Colonial Village in the City of Canton, Ohio and Heritage Glen in Lake Twp., Ohio, with prices from $199,900-$350,000 house & lot. Listing agent/ site coordinator is Sally Goodnow-Berardelli, 330-284-2098.
Starkweather Place
The Crockett Team ranked among “Best in Nation”The Crockett Team, which includes Judie, David and Todd Crockett of our Mentor office, has earned
national ranking in the Top 1% of more than 1.2 million REALTORS® in the United States in 2008. The Team is ranked 38th in the nation, in transactions for the year, according to The Real Estate Top 200, a national recognition sponsored, annually, by the Wall Street Journal, REAL Trends — a leading source of analysis about the residential real estate brokerage industry — and Lore Magazine, an industry publication. For the year, the Crockett Team recorded 328 transactions representing sellers or buyers. “This year represents more of a challenge,” noted David Crockett, “but our business is strong and we’re ahead of the market. Our marketing expertise and team effort certainly gives us an advantage when the market gets tougher. It’s really a good time to buy right now, and we’re telling everyone.” According to Lore Magazine, the business generated by this year’s Top 200 increased in spite of overwhelming media reporting of decreased real estate activity around the nation. Meanwhile, Steve Murray, Chief Editor of REAL Trends said, “in the most difficult market conditions of the last 30 years, the nation’s most productive real estate professionals had record years, and in many cases increase their sales of homes across the country.”
The power of HowardHanna.com!Rita Sumney, a sales associate in our Allegheny Valley office recently experienced the power of internet marketing. “On Friday
afternoon, I entered my new listing into the MLS. Without any signs or other advertising, my phone started ringing off the hook. We ended up having 10 showings scheduled for Saturday. Saturday afternoon I had three offers in my hands, and five more people who wanted to show it on Sunday. By Sunday evening, while presenting now four offers, I got calls that two more offers were being faxed and emailed to me. We got a total of six offers and WOW – what a bidding war! “My clients are very excited and will be signing the contract of their choice today. I know that the market is not as bad as the media is making it, but I never did expect this to happen right now. I can’t wait until a buyer or seller tells me that homes never get what they are asking for or over asking. I also can’t wait until a seller tries to tell me that Print advertising is a necessity. This is truly the POWER OF THE INTERNET!”
