Iowa Realty, HomeServices of Iowa Announce Leadership Changes

West Des Moines, IA—Iowa Realty and HomeServices of Iowa announced major leadership changes as part of an ongoing succession plan. Kim Bakey, formerly senior vice president, chief financial officer of HomeServices of Iowa, has been named chief executive officer of HomeServices of Iowa. Brennan Buckley, formerly senior vice president and general manager for Iowa Realty, has been promoted to president of Iowa Realty. Mike Knapp, formerly president and CEO of HomeServices of Iowa is assuming the role of Chairman Emeritus. These changes are effective immediately.

“Kim and Brennan are proven leaders,” said Mike Knapp, Chairman Emeritus of HomeServices of Iowa. “They’ve both played a critical role in helping evolve our organization into what it is today, and they’re the perfect team to lead us through the next phase of our growth.”

As chief executive officer, Bakey will help oversee all aspects of HomeServices of Iowa’s extensive operating companies, including Iowa Realty, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices First Realty, Midland Title and Escrow, Iowa Title and Iowa Realty Insurance Agency. “I’m excited at the opportunity to help lead the state’s most complete one-stop solution for all aspects of home ownership,” said Kim Bakey, CEO of HomeServices of Iowa. “The agents and employees of our companies are the best at what they do, and we look forward to building upon our presence as the market leader.”

Bakey has been with HomeServices of Iowa for 22 years, beginning as vice president of finance and working her way through the financial and operational areas of the company. She also serves on the board of directors of Blank Children’s Hospital and the West Des Moines Student Scholarship Fund. She and her husband Tom have three adult daughters.

As president of Iowa Realty, Buckley will help oversee the state’s largest real estate company, including its 15 offices and nearly 1,000 agents in Central Iowa, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, as well as Iowa Realty’s statewide franchise network in more than 40 other communities. “I’m both humbled and excited to lead Iowa’s largest real estate company,” said Brennan Buckley, president of Iowa Realty. “Our foundation is strong, our vision is clear, and we look forward to many more years of serving the needs of buyers and sellers across this great state.”

Buckley has been with Iowa Realty for 10 years, beginning as vice president of marketing and most recently served as the company’s general manager. He’s also president-elect of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Council in West Des Moines, and serves on the boards of the Des Moines Area Association of Realtors and The Greenlee School of Journalism at Iowa State University. Brennan and his wife Sarah have two children in middle school.

In his role as Chairman Emeritus of HomeServices of Iowa, Knapp will provide leadership support to Bakey, Buckley and the entire organization. Knapp began his career at Iowa Realty in 1972 as a sales associate, and has served in virtually every leadership role in the organization. “I’m looking forward to this next chapter of my career, and I’m very excited with the leadership team we have in place to carry the organization into the future,” said Knapp. “We’ve had great years behind us, and we’ll have even greater years ahead.”

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About Iowa Realty
With offices in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, plus a statewide affiliate network of 42 independently owned and operated real estate firms, Iowa Realty is the state’s largest real estate broker. Iowa Realty is a division of HomeServices of Iowa, and is part of the second largest real estate brokerage operation in the country.

About HomeServices of Iowa
HomeServices of Iowa is the leader in all aspects of home ownership, including brokerage, mortgage, title and closing. It’s made up of several operating companies, including Iowa Realty, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices First Realty, Midland Title and Escrow, Iowa Title and Iowa Realty Insurance Agency. HomeServices of Iowa is a division of HomeServices of America Inc. – an affiliate of Berkshire Hathaway.

HomeServices of America, Inc. Announces Acquisition of Allie Beth Allman & Associates

Minneapolis, Minn. (November 11, 2015) – HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, today announced the acquisition of Allie Beth Allman & Associates, a recognized leader within the Dallas luxury real estate market. Terms were not disclosed.

Headquartered in Dallas, Allie Beth Allman & Associates serves the Dallas–Ft. Worth metropolitan area and surrounding communities with 335 sales associates. Since 2007, Allie Beth Allman & Associates has consistently ranked in the top-five market share in Dallas County by sales volume and in 2014 closed nearly 2,100 units and $1.5 billion of volume.

Founded in 2003, Allie Beth Allman & Associates is recognized as the highest-grossing, single office residential real estate firm in Dallas, and the name is synonymous with exclusive estates, high-profile clientele, and superior customer service. Allie Beth Allman, founder and chief executive officer, is among the most influential leaders in North Dallas and is known for her industry expertise and leadership, as well as her extensive civic and philanthropic contributions. Allman, together with her executive and sales management team, will continue to lead the firm’s growth initiatives and manage day-to-day operations.

The acquisition represents HomeServices’ entry into Texas and the Dallas–Ft. Worth region. With this transaction, HomeServices has nearly 26,500 real estate professionals operating in 480 offices across 27 states. In 2015, the company’s associates will facilitate over $77 billion in residential real estate sales and more than 220,000 transactions.

“Allie Beth Allman & Associates is a strong company with an exceptional reputation in a growth market,” said Ron Peltier, HomeServices’ chairman and CEO. “This transaction aligns with our vision of acquiring distinguished companies in leading markets that share our core values.”

“We are proud to be part of HomeServices of America,” said Allman. “We are joining an organization known for its strength and stability; one that is consistent with our high standards of service, integrity and community involvement, making this a win/win for our clients and our agents.”

“We are excited to be in Dallas and are looking forward to having Allie Beth and her team join the HomeServices family,” Peltier said.

NAR’s Realtors Property Resource® Executes Definitive Agreement with UPSTREAM™, Begins Development

WASHINGTON (November 5, 2015) — The National Association of Realtors® and its wholly owned subsidiary, Realtors Property Resource®, have signed a technology agreement with UPSTREAM™, a revolutionary industry-owned and controlled data management company, to develop UPSTREAM™’s cross-industry, state-of-the-art platform for real estate data entry, collection and distribution for real estate brokers.

UPSTREAM™ will create a single entry point for brokers of all sizes to manage property data—including its distribution to multiple listing services, publishers and vendors—saving time, effort and expense and ensuring more accurate, consistent data. The goal of UPSTREAM™ is to create a resource for brokerage firms of all sizes and models to provide a better consumer experience for today’s home buyers and sellers and enable brokers to more easily manage where and how their listing information is displayed as well as the terms for the licensing and use of that property data. These benefits – efficiency, control, risk management and customer experience – all represent a major step forward in the real estate data space.

“As leaders in organized real estate, NAR and RPR have looked forward to the opportunity to work with the brokerage industry for many years on an initiative that truly can be thought of as ‘game changing,’” said NAR President Chris Polychron, executive broker with 1st Choice Realty in Hot Springs, Arkansas. “This initiative will be done in full collaboration with the real estate brokerage and franchise community to deliver a high-value benefit to companies of all sizes nationwide, ultimately benefitting NAR’s one million-plus members.”

“UPSTREAM™ is not a multiple listing service, or a service that interfaces with the public in any way,” said Robert Moline, chairman of the UpstreamRE, LLC Board of Managers. “The platform is designed as a true neutral technology, giving no advantage to those companies involved with the initial vision, but rather, extending its value proposition to agents in all brokerage firms, franchises and networks. Partnering with NAR for the financial backing and RPR for its impressive technology and data capabilities is a win-win for UPSTREAM™ and the industry.”

            Formed by a broad-based coalition of brokerages, brokerage networks, and national franchisors representing real estate companies of all sizes and business models, the UPSTREAM™ platform will be designed to follow industry standards, ensuring the quality of and accessibility of data across the industry.  It will also manage the distribution of information through a rules-based engine to support the specific requirements of all participating brokers. The RPR platform will be the framework for the development and implementation of the UPSTREAM™ platform.

The agreement between UPSTREAM™ and RPR officially launches the initiative that has been a hot topic of conversation since the May 2015, decision by NAR’s Board of Directors to allocate significant resources to fund UPSTREAM™’s technology build and initial deployment through NAR’s RPR division.

“NAR’s investment in the RPR technology platform has created the largest and most comprehensive database in the industry. This, along with RPR’s integrated member servicing operations over the past five years put NAR and RPR in the perfect position to develop and support the UPSTREAM™ platform,” said RPR CEO Dale Ross. “This initiative was driven by the industry to create a new and innovative way to enter, collect and distribute data at the brokerage level. RPR looks forward to working with NAR and UPSTREAM™ to successfully execute the project.”

Since no vendor or regional cooperative of industry institutions would be able to develop a solution that would deliver the scope and depth of equal benefits to all agents and brokers that UPSTREAM™ has created with this cross-industry coalition, NAR’s investment ensures the success of the UPSTREAM™ mission and an effective solution for everyone who deals with real estate data.

UPSTREAM™ is in the process of hiring an owner’s representative to work directly with RPR while simultaneously conducting a search for a CEO to head the company. Beta testing is slated to begin in the second quarter of 2016, and following this extensive process in multiple markets, UPSTREAM™ will be made available to all brokerages nationwide that choose to participate.

UPSTREAM’s board met October 28, 2015, and voted to approve the current agreement, which was negotiated jointly by UPSTREAMTM, RPR and NAR leadership over the preceding months. UPSTREAM™’s board will continue to provide strategic oversight for the project while RPR will be responsible for development, implementation, operations, training and support RPR, NAR and UPSTREAM™ will all provide marketing and communications for the project, since each works with various constituencies.

According to UPSTREAM™ and NAR/RPR leadership, this is a historic moment uniting common interests in a large and fragmented industry. UPSTREAM™ has responsibility for governance of the new enterprise, NAR is providing initial funding, RPR is developing the technology and a broad coalition of brokers are working together to dramatically enhance the data experience of industry practitioners and the consumers they serve.

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 UPSTREAM™ is a new data management company created by and for the industry and consumers to provide a central point of entry and repository for real estate property data, with the goal of improving efficiency, providing broker/agent control over data which they have generated and for which they are responsible, and enhancing the consumer’s experience by delivering more accurate, timely and consistent property information throughout the country. The UPSTREAM™ board of managers includes representatives of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Century 21, Coldwell-Banker, ERA, Keller Williams, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, The Realty Alliance, RE/MAX, and non-affiliated brokerages.  For more information about UPSTREAM™ or to contribute to the enterprise, contact craig.cheatham@therealtyalliance.com.

The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing over 1.1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. For more information, visit https://www.realtor.org.

Realtors Property Resource® (RPR), a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Association of REALTORS®, is an exclusive online real estate database providing Realtors® with the analytical power to help their clients make better informed decisions while increasing efficiency in the marketplace. For more information about RPR®, visit https://blog.narRPR.com.

Eagle Vision Realty (formerly Coldwell Banker Vision) of Elk River, Minn. Joins Edina Realty

Edina, Minn.— November 2, 2015 – Edina Realty, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, announced that Eagle Vision Realty (formerly Coldwell Banker Vision) of Elk River is joining the company, adding 32 agents and the Elk River location to its ranks. Edina Realty is the largest full service residential real estate brokerage in Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

Located at 231 Main Street, Eagle Vision Realty has been serving residents in the north metro area for 21 years. It joins Edina Realty, which is celebrating 60 years in the business with 15 consecutive years leading the market in sales.

“We’re really excited about this addition,” said Greg Mason, president and CEO of Edina Realty Home Services. “Eagle Vision agents have a reputation for offering great service to their clients, and we feel they’ll be a good fit with Edina Realty and our traditions of honesty, integrity and commitment. The loyal clients of Eagle Vision Realty will find the same talented agents at the same location – but with a different name and added products and tools,” said Mason.

Eagle Vision Realty has been owned and operated by Mark and Deb Urista of Elk River for 21 years.

“We’re happy to be able to offer our clients and our agents all of the technology and tools that are available at Edina Realty,” said Mark Urista, broker/owner of Eagle Vision Realty. “And we look forward to providing even more products and services for buyers and sellers,” he added. Urista will continue in a management role at the Edina Realty Elk River location.

The Eagle Vision Realty office will become Edina Realty beginning Nov. 2. Customers can still reach their agents at 763-241-0155. They can also find them by visiting www.edinarealty.com/elkriver.

For more information on the Edina Realty Elk River office and the current state of the real estate market, visit edinarealty.com or call Edina Realty Customer Care at 952-928-5563.

Edina Realty is a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate and a wholly-owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc. It is one of the nation’s largest real estate companies with approximately 60 real estate offices and 2,300 REALTORS® throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Edina Realty’s family of companies includes Edina Realty, Edina Realty Title, and Edina Realty Mortgage. Edina Realty closed nearly 29,000 real estate transactions and more than $6.9 billion in sales volume in 2014. For more information, visit www.edinarealty.com, m.edinarealty.com, or find us on Facebook: facebook.com/EdinaRealty; and Twitter: Twitter.com/Edina_Realty.

HomeServices of America, Inc. Announces Acquisition of Wisconsin-based First Weber Realtors®

Minneapolis, Minn. (July 28, 2015) – HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, today announced the acquisition of First Weber Realtors®, Wisconsin’s leading residential real estate brokerage firm, and its subsidiary Priority Title Corporation together with ownership interests in eight regional title operations in Wisconsin. Terms were not disclosed.

HomeServices of America Announces Formation of Regional Brokerage

MINNEAPOLIS (January 20, 2015) – HomeServices of America, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, today announced the consolidation of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate (based in Seattle, WA) and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate (based in Portland, OR), creating a regional Pacific Northwest brokerage. Jason Waugh, current president and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in Portland will assume the role of president and CEO of the combined companies, effective immediately. Mike Gain, a 38-year real estate veteran and current president and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in Seattle has been named Chairman Emeritus where he will play an integral role in BHHS Northwest Real Estate’s success focusing on acquisition and expansion strategies and opportunities.

The merger unites the two companies, creating an organization with more than 725 real estate professionals providing residential and commercial clients in the Seattle and Portland metropolitan areas, as well as Central Oregon, the Yamhill County wine region and Oregon’s coastal communities with extraordinary strength and resources to help them buy and sell their homes. In 2014, the combined firm closed nearly $2.2 billion in sales volume.

“This merger creates a regional powerhouse within the Pacific Northwest,” said Waugh. “We are combining two organizations, each with immensely talented agents, sales managers and employees and a shared commitment to delivering an exceptional real estate experience into a company that will be unmatched in their ability to serve the real estate needs of new and existing clients.”

“I am extremely proud of everyone at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate and what we have accomplished,” said Gain. “Bringing these two companies together creates a tremendous amount of growth potential and I am looking forward to driving these opportunities in my new role within the company.”

“Mike and Jason have done an outstanding job in positioning Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate for continued growth and success,” said Ron Peltier, chairman and CEO of HomeServices. “Combining the operations of these companies brings together two great organizations and reinforces our commitment to expanding our footprint in the Pacific Northwest.”

About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate (Portland)

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate (Portland) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc and has nearly 350 sales associates serving the Portland metropolitan area, Southwest Washington—including Vancouver and Longview, Central Oregon and the Oregon coast. For more information, visit https://www.bhhsnw.com/

About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate (Seattle)

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate (Seattle) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc and serves the Seattle metropolitan area, and King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties with nearly 400 sales associates in seven offices. For more information, visit https://www.bhhsnwrealestate.com/

About HomeServices of America

HomeServices of America, Inc. is the nation’s second-largest residential real estate brokerage company and, through its operating companies, is one of the largest providers of integrated real estate services. HomeServices of America is the majority owner of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Prudential Real Estate and Real Living Real Estate franchise networks. HomeServices is owned by Berkshire Hathaway Energy, a consolidated subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. HomeServices’ operating companies offer integrated real estate services, including brokerage services, mortgage originations, title and closing services, property and casualty insurance, home warranties, and other homeownership services. HomeServices Relocation, LLC is the full-service relocation arm of HomeServices of America, which provides every aspect of domestic and international relocation to corporations around the world. HomeServices operates under the following residential real estate brands: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties; Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty; Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices First Realty; Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, Realtors®; Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties; Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Kansas City Realty; Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties; Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate (Portland); Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate (Seattle); Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group; Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices York Simpson Underwood Realty; Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Yost & Little; Carol Jones Realtors®; CBSHOME Real Estate; Champion Realty Inc.; Edina Realty; EWM Realtors ®; Guarantee Real Estate; Harry Norman, Realtors®; HOME Real Estate; Huff Realty; Intero Real Estate Services; Iowa Realty; Long Companies; RealtySouth; Rector-Hayden Realtors®; ReeceNichols; Roberts Brothers Inc.; Semonin Realtors®; and Woods Bros. Realty.

HomeServices of America Leaders Recognized with Industry Honors

MINNEAPOLIS (January 15, 2015) – HomeServices of America, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, today congratulated executives from across its brokerage and franchise companies for being named to the 2014 Swanepoel Power 200 list.

The Swanepoel Power 200 is a comprehensive roster of leading CEOs and senior executives whose leadership and experience drive the industry and their organizations.

“The individuals on this list have distinguished themselves by their influence within the real estate industry,” said Ron Peltier, chairman and CEO of HomeServices. “Their contribution to HomeServices and our collective success is an ongoing source of pride for the entire organization.”

The HomeServices’ executives recognized on the 2014 Swanepoel Power 200 list are:

  • Candace Adams—president and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties
  • Gino Blefari—president and CEO, HSF Affiliates
  • David Cabot—president and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
  • Jon Coile—president and CEO, Champion Realty
  • Bradley J. DeVries—regional president & CEO, Huff Realty
  • Joan Docktor—president, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, Realtors®
  • Dan Forsman—president and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties
  • Lawrence Flick, IV—president and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, Realtors®
  • Mike Knapp—president and CEO, Iowa Realty
  • Rosey Koberlein—president and CEO, Long Companies
  • Earl Lee—SVP special projects, HSF Affiliates
  • Robert McAdams, Jr. —president, Real Living Real Estate
  • Robert Moline—president and COO, HomeServices of America
  • Greg Mason—president and CEO, Edina Realty Home Services
  • Nancy Nagy—chief executive officer, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group
  • Dan Parmer—president and CEO, Harry Norman REALTORS®
  • Ron Peltier—chairman and CEO, HomeServices of America
  • Stephen Phillips—chief operating officer, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
  • Ron Shuffield—president and CEO, EWM REALTORS®
  • Tom Tognoli—president and CEO, Intero Real Estate Services
  • Joe Valenti—president and CEO, CBSHOME Real Estate
  • Linda Vaughan—president and CEO, ReeceNichols

HomeServices of America Announces Leadership Changes for RealtySouth

MINNEAPOLIS (January 07, 2015) – HomeServices of America, a Berkshire  Hathaway affiliate, today announced that effective immediately, Richard Grimes has assumed the role of chief executive officer of RealtySouth; Jim Dye has been promoted to senior vice president and general sales manager; and Ty Dodge, former president and CEO of RealtySouth, has been named Chairman Emeritus of the company.

RealtySouth is one of Alabama’s largest real estate companies with 16 real estate offices throughout Birmingham, Huntsville, Orange Beach, Auburn and Tuscaloosa. In 2013, RealtySouth handled nearly 7,300 transactions and nearly $1.7 billion in sales volume.

Grimes began his real estate career as a Realtor® in 1992 and in 1998 joined First Real Estate as executive vice president and co-owner. In 2002, when First Real Estate merged with RealtySouth, Grimes led the new home sales division as regional vice president, directing land development projects and builder relationship programs. In 2009, Grimes was named senior vice president of RealtySouth. Grimes’ real estate experience, his negotiation skills and ability to foster relationships has enabled him to deliver the growth and profitability instrumental to RealtySouth’s continued success.

With more than 35 years of experience in real estate brokerage sales and as senior vice president of RealtySouth since 1998, Dye has been involved in nearly every aspect of real estate and brings extensive industry knowledge and management experience. As vice president and general sales manager, Dye has responsibility for the overall growth and profitability of the brokerage division of the business and will provide guidance and direction to the company’s 16 sales offices and nearly 760 Realtors®.

Dodge began his real estate career in 1978 as a sales associate and the next 20 years, held multiple executive leadership positions with Johnson-Rast & Hays Company, Inc. He joined RealtySouth in 1998 and has served as president and CEO since 2008. Under Dodge’s leadership, the company has grown to become one of the largest real estate companies in Alabama. Dodge, a long-time resident of the area, is widely recognized for his community involvement and leadership and is active in the real estate industry on both the state and national levels. In 1971, Dodge retired from the U.S. Army as a Captain, having served in Vietnam where he received three Bronze Stars; a Purple Heart; and a Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross.

“Ty and I have worked together for many years, and I have learned a tremendous amount from him,” said Grimes. “He has built a team of immensely talented agents, sales managers and employees. I look forward to leading RealtySouth to its next stage of growth and performance, supported by Jim and our exceptional management team.”

“I am proud of everyone at RealtySouth and what we have achieved,” said Dodge. “With Richard and Jim at the helm, I’m confident that RealtySouth will continue to grow and prosper, serving consumers, our associates and staff better than ever before. Their experience and vision ensure a very bright future for the company.”

“Ty’s leadership helped guide RealtySouth to its position as one of the foremost real estate companies in the country,” said Ron Peltier, chairman and CEO of HomeServices. “On behalf of all of HomeServices, we thank him for his innumerable contributions and we wish him well as he enters this new chapter of his life. Richard is a dedicated leader with a firm grasp of the real estate industry and we look forward to continuing to work with him in the months and years to come.”

National Association of REALTORS® Selects Nancy Nagy of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group to Serve on Board of Directors

CHICAGO, IL – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group’s Chief Executive Officer Nancy Nagy has been selected to serve on the National Association of Realtors® Board of Directors in 2015. Nagy was chosen to serve as one of the 75 large real estate firm representatives.

“We are very pleased that Nancy has been selected to serve on NAR’s Board of Directors. This is an important time for real estate, and we are glad that Nancy will have the opportunity to actively participate in shaping our industry as a leader within the NAR organization,” said Ron Peltier, chairman and CEO of HomeServices of America, Inc.

“It is such an honor to have been selected as one of the Board of Directors for the National Association of REALTORS®. I feel very grateful for this opportunity. As our business is changing, it is crucial that we are part of shaping that future,” said Nancy Nagy.

The National Association of REALTORS® is America’s largest trade association and has 1 million members that include institutes, societies and councils that are involved with commercial and residential real estate.

About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group, a full-service real estate company, has nearly 1,500 real estate professionals and staff serving customers throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and surrounding communities. Formed from the merger between two legendary Chicago real estate brokerages – Prudential Rubloff Properties and Koenig & Strey – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group inherits a solid reputation built from decades of helping people throughout the greater Chicago area buy and sell real estate. Visit KoenigRubloff.com.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties Introduces Local Home Value Estimates For Consumers

ATLANTA, GA (October 7, 2014) – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia properties introduced a new feature that allows consumers to enter an address to “click and see” local home value estimates on over 1200 company and agent websites.  The estimates are free and do not require registration.  The company is also introducing a new market trends report called Market Watch (based on MLS data) and a new Interactive AVM (Automated Valuation Model) report which is the same report used by lenders to estimate home values for mortgages.  Visit BHHSGeorgia.com to see a local home value.

These new and innovative solutions are provided in partnership with Reliance Network and Collateral Analytics.  Reliance Network specializes in integrated technology solutions for the real estate industry.  Collateral Analytics develops analytic products and tools to support financial institutions, retail and institutional investors and real property capital market activities.

Home values estimates have become popular on national real estate websites like Zillow.com, Trulia.com and Realtor.com.  The accuracy of these estimates is very mixed as the data is primarily based on tax records.  The home value estimates provided by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties are powered by Collateral Analytics which has been rated as one of the most accurate sources by the lending industry.  This report shows a value estimate, value range plus other data from tax records such as last sale price and date, comparable properties and local market trends.

The Market Watch report includes local MLS data for a more accurate perspective of local market trends.  If a property was sold yesterday, it would be reflected in this report as opposed to reports based on tax records which may take weeks or months to update.  The next release will add the option to draw a local area using a polygon tool.  Consumers will be able to narrow their report to micro-local areas such as a subdivision.   To view a Market Watch report, consumers can register for a free My Home Finder account.  Only member brokerages and their registered clients can get access to local MLS data.

The new Interactive AVM (Automated Valuation Model) report is the same report used by lenders to estimate home values for mortgage loans.  The I-AVM allows the agent to adjust comps and other factors for a more accurate value estimate.  This powerful tool can combine MLS data, tax records and the unique insight from the local agent.  The I-AVM is only available from your local Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties agent.

“It is clear that consumers want to see home value estimates and we are pleased to be the first brokerage in Metro Atlanta to provide these innovative new solutions,” said Dan Forsman, president & CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties.  “Real estate is local.  We have the advantage of proprietary MLS data, exclusive analytics tools and unique insight from our 1200 local experts.  These powerful new tools will bring significant advantages that benefit our clients and our agents.  And we are just getting started!  Look for more exciting announcements very soon.”

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties is also announcing their plans for additional new releases in late 2014 and early 2015.  Version 2 is expected to include multiple value estimates including a Zestimate from Zillow.com, a consumer calculator that allows consumers to adjust their values and a historical value trends chart that shows changing value estimates over time.  Version 3 is expected to display home values on a map to more easily navigate and view values in local communities.