Los Gatos Realtor Carol Abela Joins Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, the leading provider of real estate services in the Bay Area, announced today that Carol Abela has joined the company as a sales associate in its Los Gatos office.

Prior to joining Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Abela was with Alain Pinel Realtors for nine years.  He is a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) and in addition to traditional sales, specializes in short sale property transactions in the Los Gatos, Saratoga and Cambrian areas.

“This is an exciting time in my career,” said Abela.  “There is a great team of agents in the Los Gatos office of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, led by an excellent manager, Doug Evans.  I’m looking forward to joining the team and expanding my business.”

“We are so excited to have Carol join our team,” said Doug Evans, manager of the company’s Los Gatos office.  “He has spent nearly a decade working in Silicon Valley real estate and is extraordinarily knowledgeable about the local market.  He is a great addition to our office and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Outside of real estate, Abela is actively involved with the Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, including volunteering on the committee for the organization’s annual golf tournament that raised $250,000 last year.  Originally from Malta, Abela has lived in Los Gatos for 26 years.  He and his wife have one son and a shih tzu named Charlie.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Los Gatos is located at 410 N. Santa Cruz Ave. and can be reached at 408.355.1500.  Abela may be reached directly at 408.499.3998 and via e-mail at Carol.Abela@cbnorcal.com.

Peninsula Home Stagers Exhibit Work in Design Contest Held by Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in San Mateo

 

Before

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage announced that it is holding a design contest for local Peninsula area home stagers.  Over the next year, six local staging companies will be invited to stage the lobby of the San Mateo El Camino office located at 430 North El Camino Real.

 The office was recently remodeled after Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage purchased Cashin Company Realtors.  As part of the revitalization, Manager Peter Aiello created the design contest to help introduce local home stagers to the public, prospective sellers and the office’s real estate agents.  The lobby will be re-staged every two months and the public is invited to visit and cast their vote for their favorite staging company based on functionality, colors, comfort, originality/creativity, general appearance, and quality of furnishings and accessories.

After

“Our design contest is a wonderful way to gain exposure for some extremely talented home stagers,” said Aiello. 

“Staging has gained a lot of attention over the past several years, especially once sellers learned the importance of making their home look its best.  Sometimes it takes a little extra to make a home stand out in the neighborhood and get it sold.  Not only does this contest show how effective staging can be, but our office has never looked better.”

The lobby’s current display was created by Kerry Roth of Décor Staging in Redwood Shores.  Inspired by a spring garden, Roth brought in floral arrangements by Ah Sam Floral, a free-standing drapery holder, and a hand-tufted wool carpet designed to help create a warm and inviting space.

 

After

Other stagers who will be displaying their work include Lisa Silverman of Decorator Guru, Vivian Chen of OneTwoSix Design, Cindy Lin of Staged4More, Karen Brorsen of Karen

 

Brorsen Staging and Fran Bunch of Finishing Touches.  Peninsula area stagers who are interested in participating should contact Aiello at 650.403.6231.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s San Mateo El Camino office is located at 430 North El Camino Real and may be reached at 650.343.3700.

North Lake Tahoe Luxury Home Prices Jump in First Quarter, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Reports

Luxury home prices in the North Lake Tahoe and Truckee region moved sharply higher in the first quarter of 2011 as sales eased, according to Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Northern California’s leading luxury real estate services company. 

The median sale price of million-dollar homes soared 44.5 percent year over year to $1,875,000. The median price was also 25 percent higher from the fourth quarter of 2010, the company found.

Prices moved higher last quarter as sales dipped. A total of 15 homes sold for more than $1 million during the quarter from January through March, down from 24 luxury sales during the same period a year ago and 34 during the final quarter of 2010.

Other key market indictors showed improvement. Luxury homes sold in an average of 205 days, down from 322 days a year ago and 232 days the previous quarter. And the number of $2 million-plus properties that sold climbed to six from four a year ago.

The figures were derived from Multiple Listing Service data of all homes sold in the region for more than $1 million during the most recent quarter.

“Although sales did decline in the first quarter it was encouraging that prices have firmed up and moved sharply higher,” said Michael Lombardi, manager of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in the North Lake Tahoe-Truckee region.

“The North Lake Tahoe and Truckee markets had such strong gains from late 2009 through all of last year that it probably isn’t surprising that we’re seeing a bit of a breather in terms of sales,” he said. “But I think second home buyers and year-round residents are still seeing good value in the market. It will be interesting to see how that translates as we move into the spring and summer seasons.”

Some key findings from the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage luxury report for the latest quarter:

• The most expensive sale in Truckee-Tahoe region was a seven-bedroom, seven-bath 8,800-square-foot Tahoe City property that sold for $6.3 million;
• Truckee again boasted the most million-dollar sales four, followed by Tahoe City with three, and Olympic Valley and Carnelian Bay with two each;
• Sellers received an average of 91 percent of their asking price, up from 89 percent the previous quarter but down from 92 percent a year ago.

The North Tahoe Luxury–Truckee Housing Report is a quarterly report by Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, a specialist in high-end real estate sales. Through its internationally renowned Coldwell Banker Previews® program, the company is recognized around the world for its expertise in the luxury housing market. 

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage serves the North Lake Tahoe-Truckee area with six offices: 531 North Lake Tahoe Blvd. in Tahoe City, 475 North Lake Tahoe Blvd. in Tahoe City, 12068 Donner Pass Road in Truckee, 10095 Dorchester Drive in Glenshire, 6921 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe Vista, and 2095 West Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City. For more information, please call 530.581.7779.

Amy Lind Joins Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage as Sales Associate in Sacramento Fair Oaks Office

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, the leading provider of real estate services in Northern California, announced today that Amy Lind has joined the company as a sales associate in its Fair Oaks office.  In her new position, Lind will specialize in residential sales in Sacramento. 

“Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage has been rapidly growing in the Sacramento region, and we need high caliber agents to help us meet the increasing needs of our clients,” said Clay Sigg, manager of the company’s Sacramento Fair Oaks office.  “Amy is bright, energetic and works tremendously hard to meet and exceed the expectations of homebuyers and sellers.  We welcome her to Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.”

Prior to joining Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Lind worked at BridalMart as an assistant manager for six years.  She was responsible for computer-generated price tags, merchandising, sales, merchandise transfers, fashion shows and mannequins.

Lind is an active member of her church and is second counselor for the young women’s program.

Lind recently completed an intensive training program through Allied Real Estate School which emphasized the principles and techniques of real estate.    

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Fair Oaks is located at 5034 Sunrise Boulevard and can be reached at 916.966.8200.  Lind may be reached directly at 916.896.9210 and via e-mail at Amy.Lind@cbnorcal.com.

Andy Knuth Named Sales Associate for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Livermore

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, the leading provider of real estate services in Northern California, announced today that Andy Knuth has joined the company as a sales associate in its Livermore office.  In his new position, Knuth will specialize in residential sales in Alameda, Contra Costa and San Joaquin Counties. 

“Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage has been rapidly growing in Northern California and we need high caliber agents to help us meet the increasing needs of our clients,” said Mike Riley, manager of the company’s Livermore office.  “Andy is bright and energetic, and he works tremendously hard to meet and exceed the expectations of home buyers and sellers.  We welcome him to Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.”

Prior to joining Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Knuth worked at AT&T in San Ramon as a technical sales associate within the data equipment and integration departments.  His responsibilities included the design and sales of data IP solutions to meet the business needs of commercial and enterprise companies within the San Francisco Bay Area.

Knuth earned his bachelor’s degrees in commercial recreation administration and physical geography from California State University, Chico.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Livermore is located at 2470 First Street, Suite 204 and can be reached at 925.371.2100.  Knuth may be reached directly at 925.984.3262 and via e-mail at andy@andyknuthhomes.com.   Additional information can be found at www.AndyKnuthHomes.com  or  www.camoves.com\andy.knuth.

Marin Luxury Home Sales and Prices Soar in March, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Reports

Luxury home sales and prices in Marin County surged higher in March from both the previous month and year ago levels as the high-end market continued its strong turnaround in the new year, according Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, the region’s leading provider of luxury real estate services. 

A total of 62 homes sold for more than $1 million in Marin County last month, up 55 percent from a year ago and more than double the 29 sales in February. While homes sales typically rise from February to March, last month’s sharp gain was much higher than normal.

March’s sales total was the most of any month since last June. By comparison, the 62 luxury homes that changed hands last month was more than five times the 12 properties that sold in February 2009, right before the stock market bottomed out.

The median sale price for a million-dollar property also spiked last month to $1,580,000, up 20 percent from the $1,317,500 level a year ago and up 14.5 percent from the median price in February of $1,380,000.

Other metrics also indicated that the luxury market is gaining momentum. A total of 18 multi-million-dollar homes ($2 million and up) sold in March, more than double the number from February and up sharply from 10 sales last March. Homes sold on average in 106 days of being listed, down from 205 days in February but up slightly from 101 days a year ago.

The figures were derived from Multiple Listing Service data of all homes sold in Marin County for more than $1 million last month.

“The high-end housing market really has been strengthening here in Marin County and other parts of the Bay as this year progresses,” said Rick Turley, president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. “More affluent buyers are coming off the sidelines and into the market as they see some very good investment opportunities.”

Turley said the luxury market is often the first to recover from a housing downturn because well-healed buyers have the means to invest quickly when they see a turnaround forming, sometimes with all cash.

“The so-called smart money has been moving back into the luxury market over the past year or so, and it will be interesting to see if that leads the way for a solid recovery in the rest of the housing market,” he said.

Some key findings from this month’s Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage luxury report:

• The most expensive sale in Marin County last month was a four-bedroom, five-bath 5,176-square foot home in Kentfield that sold for $5,725,000;
• Mill Valley boasted the most million-dollar sales with 17, followed by Tiburon with nine, San Rafael and Kentfield with seven each, and Belvedere with six;
• Sellers received on average 94.7 percent of their asking price, up from 93.11 percent the previous month but down from 95.24 percent a year ago.

The Marin County Luxury Home Report is a monthly report by Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, a specialist in high-end real estate sales. Through its internationally renowned Coldwell Banker Previews® program, the company is recognized around the world for its expertise in the luxury housing market. 

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage serves Marin County with six offices: 83 Beach Road in Belvedere; 350 Bon Air Ct., Suite 100, in Greenbrae; 500 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in Greenbrae; 36 Tiburon Blvd. in Mill Valley; 1737 Grant Avenue, Novato; and 1 Harbor Drive, Suite 110, in Sausalito. For more information, please call 925-275-3085.

Joy M. Liu Named to Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage International President’s Elite

Joy M. Liu of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s Coldwell Banker San Francisco Lombard office has earned status in the company’s International President’s Elite, a prestigious honor bestowed upon the top Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage sales associates worldwide.

“It is with great pride that we honor Joy with the International President’s Elite designation,” said Rick Turley, president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.  “Joy’s ability to go above and beyond, and to surpass her clients’ expectations, has helped her achieve this prestigious award.  We are very privileged to have her as a member of the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage team.”

Liu is a second generation realtor teamed with her father, Harvey Liu, and has been working in real estate since 2006.  Prior to real estate, Liu worked for 14 years in advertising where she gained her expertise in marketing, product positioning, and target marketing and negotiations skills. 

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s San Francisco Lombard office is located at 1801 Lombard Street and can be reached at 415.447.8800.  Liu may be reached directly at 415.902.6367 or Joy.Liu@camoves.com.

Veteran Realtor Team The Traverse Warren Group Joins Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Elk Grove

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, the leading provider of real estate services in Northern California, announced today that Marc Traverse and Alison Traverse Warren, known as The Traverse Warren Group, have joined the company’s office in Elk Grove.  In their new position, Traverse and Warren will continue specializing in residential sales in the greater Sacramento and Elk Grove areas. 

Prior to joining Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Traverse and Warren had been working as a team at Lyon Real Estate for more than five years.  Traverse, a 27-year veteran of Sacramento real estate, spent nearly his entire career at the company.  He has specialized in relocating employees of large corporations to the Sacramento area for 17 years, and has earned the Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), Council of Residential Specialist (CRS), and Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) designations.  He is a lifetime member of the Sacramento Association of Realtors’ Masters Club and has closed more than $300 million in sales over his career, one house at a time.

Traverse Warren began her real estate career in 2006, joining her father’s already successful business and expanding it to further cover the greater Sacramento area.  For the past two years, she was named Trooper of the Year and ranked in the top 10 percent of agents with Lyon Real Estate. 

“Marc and I are excited to make the move to Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage,” said Traverse Warren.  “We’re looking forward to offering our clients access to the latest marketing and technology tools.  With the support of the company, we have the opportunity to better assist our buyers and sellers in accomplishing their real estate goals.”      

“We are thrilled to welcome Marc and Alison to our office,” said Jeff Talani, manager of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Elk Grove.  “They have a unique approach to real estate – focusing on their clients instead of the transaction.  As a father-daughter team, they clearly value relationships and always put their buyers and sellers first.  As a result, they develop strong connections and build relationships that go beyond business and in to friendship.” 

Beyond real estate, Traverse and Warren are active in the local community.  Traverse has worked with the Elk Grove Rotary and Elk Grove Food Bank Services, and Warren has volunteered for the Sacramento SPCA for the past six years.  She has also been active with competitive cheerleading for 16 years, is a certified coach with University Cheer Force and a professional judge for United Spirit Association camps.

Originally from New York, Traverse and Warren are both longtime residents of Elk Grove. 

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Elk Grove is located at 9025 Laguna Springs Dr, Suite #100 and can be reached at 916.684.8180.  Traverse may be reached directly at 916.802.4141 and via email at Marc.Traverse@cbnorcal.com.  Traverse Warren may be reached directly at 916.690.6960 and via email at Alison.Warren@cbnorcal.com.

Luxury Home Sales in Silicon Valley Surge 24% in March, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Reports

Million-dollar home sales in Silicon Valley surged 24 percent in March from a year ago as the South Bay’s luxury market continued its strong turnaround in the new year, according Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, the region’s leading provider of luxury real estate services. 

A total of 215 homes sold for more than $1 million in Santa Clara County last month, up from 173 during the same period a year ago. Additionally, high-end sales more than doubled from February’s level of 101 properties. Although sales typically rise from February to March, the jump last month was far more than normal.

March’s sales total was the most of any month since last summer, when 221 properties changed hands in August. By comparison, the 215 homes sold in March was more than four times the 51 luxury properties that sold in February 2009, right before the stock market bottomed out.

The median sale price last month reached $1.4 million, up 3.2 percent from February and up fractionally from March 2010.

Other metrics also indicated that the luxury market is gaining momentum. A total of 36 multi-million-dollar homes ($2 million and up) sold in March, double the number from February and up from 28 last March. And homes sold on average in just 51 days of being listed for sale, down from 63 days in February and 53 a year ago.

The figures were derived from Multiple Listing Service data of all homes sold in Santa Clara County for more than $1 million last month.

“The high-end housing market really has been strengthening here in Silicon Valley and other parts of the Bay as this year progresses,” said Rick Turley, president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. “More affluent buyers are coming off the sidelines and into the market as they see some very good investment opportunities.”

Turley said the luxury market is often the first to recover from a housing downturn because well-healed buyers have the means to invest quickly when they see a turnaround forming, sometimes with all cash.

“The so-called smart money has been moving back into the luxury market over the past year or so, and it will be interesting to see if that leads the way for a solid recovery in the rest of the housing market,” he said.

Some key findings from this month’s Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage luxury report:

• The most expensive sale in Santa Clara County last month was a nine-bedroom, 13-bath 10,980-square foot property in Los Altos that sold for $6,860,000;
• Palo Alto boasted the most million-dollar sales with 44, followed by Los Altos with 41, San Jose with 39, Los Gatos with 25, and Saratoga with 13;
• It took an average of 51 days to sell a million-dollar home in the county, down from 53 days a year ago and 63 days the previous month;
• Sellers received 98 percent of their asking price on average compared to 99 percent the previous month and a year ago.

The Santa Clara County Million-Dollar Home Report is a monthly report by Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, a specialist in high-end real estate sales. Through its internationally renowned Coldwell Banker Previews® program, the company is recognized around the world for its expertise in the luxury housing market. 

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage serves Santa Clara County with 21 offices from Palo Alto to Hollister. For more information, please call 925-275-3085.

Coldwell Banker Del Monte Realty Honors Three Carmel Realtors Among Highest Producers in Northern California

Coldwell Banker Del Monte Realty Carmel by the Sea office

Coldwell Banker Del Monte Realty, the leading provider of real estate services on the Monterey Peninsula, announced today that three of its top-producing Carmel Realtors have ranked in the top 1 percent of the company’s agents in Northern California for 2010 sales. 

Earning the coveted honor were Realtors Tim Allen of the company’s Carmel-by-the-Sea office, and Ben Heinrich (The Heinrich Team) and Lucie Campos of the company’s Carmel Rancho office.  In reaching the top 1 percent level, the agents outpaced more than 3,600 sales associates in Northern California.

“We are a company of leaders and the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage top 1 percent is our most prestigious designation,” said Rick Turley, president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.  “I am extremely proud of the determination and drive that Tim, Ben and Lucie have distributed in order to rise to the top of such a talented group of real estate professionals.”

Among the highest producing agents in Northern California, Allen was ranked 3rd, Heinrich 29th, and Campos 37th.  Additionally, the agents will proudly carry the title of Coldwell Banker International President’s Premier or Premier Team – the highest honors within the organization.

Coldwell Banker Del Monte’s Carmel-by-the-Sea office is located at Junipero near 5th and can be reached at 831.626.2221.  The office incorporates a team of 35 real estate professionals. The Carmel Rancho office is located at 3775 Via Nona Marie and can be reached at 831.626.2222.  The office incorporates a team of more than 75 real estate professionals. Both offices are led by Manager Rita Lewis.