The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Berkshire Hathaway honors sales leaders for April
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, Realtors salutes sales associates for being the office leaders for the month of April 2018.
In the Jenkintown Home Marketing Center, the Connie Berg Team, led by Connie Berg and consisting of Vicki Klink, Leslie Porter, Grant Briskin, Jenna Koser, Kate Collins, Suzanne Gourley and Natalie Rich, has been recognized for listings. Licensed since 1982, Berg, ALHS, CNE, is a recipient of the Chairman’s Circle, Top of the Rock and Five Star Real Estate Agent Awards. She is a resident of Meadowbrook.
The Parkins/Yablonovitz Team, led by Jeffrey Parkins and Holly Yablonovitz, has been recognized for volume and units. Licensed since 2005, Parkins and Yablonovitz, CNE, SRES, ABR, are recipients of the Chairman’s Circle Award. They are five-year residents of Meadowbrook.
In the Collegeville office, Annemarie Wagner has been recognized for listings. Licensed since 1994, Wagner, CRS, is a recipient of the President’s Circle. She is an 11-year resident of Worcester.
Andrew Himes has been recognized for volume. Licensed since 2005, Himes, ABR, e-Pro, CRS, CNE, is the recipient of the Chairman’s Circle Award. He is a 13year resident of Collegeville.
The Megan Goldstein-Joe Dudek Team has been recognized for units. Licensed since 2001, Goldstein, SRS, is a 13-year resident of Limerick. Licensed since 1991, Dudek, associate broker, ABR, CSP, GRI, SRS, SRES, is a lifelong resident of Pottstown. They are recipients of the Chairman’s Circle Award.
Report details how homebuyers’ preferences have changed
What do people at different Annemarie Wagner ages and life stages look for in a home, and how do they view homeownership?
Long & Foster Real Estate, the nation’s No. 1 independent real estate brand by sales volume, and YouGov recently polled 2,218 U.S. adults to find out who is buying homes, who isn’t and why. As Long & Foster celebrates 50 years in business, the company wanted to see how attitudes about homeownership have evolved since its founding.
Some of the answers may surprise you.
When asked about the main reasons they purchased their first homes, Gen Xers and older said their No. 1 reason was they would rather pay a mortgage than rent (58 percent), while Millennials’ top reason was they desired the freedom to do what they wanted without a property owner’s approval (30 percent).
Even though their reasoning varies from previous generations, Millennials are buying and do want to buy homes. Fifty-five percent reported that they have already bought a home, and 20 percent have purchased two or more properties. Of the Millennials who have not purchased homes, 87 percent would like to buy a house in the future.
“Millennials want to purchase homes, but it’s not for the reasons you might think, and not for the same reasons previous generations said they made their firsthome purchases,” said Jeff Detwiler, president and CEO of The Long & Foster Companies, parent company of Long & Foster Real Estate. “They are less likely than their parents to view their home as an investment, but when they’re ready to buy, like the generations that came before them, they rely on a real estate agent’s help.”
The survey results also illustrate the changing role of the real estate agent, as buyers of all generations look to their Realtors for market knowledge, negotiation skills and contract expertise.
“There’s a huge opportunity for real estate agents to serve the growing number of Millennials who want to become homeowners,” said Larry “Boomer” Foster, president of Long & Foster Real Estate. “Attitudes and needs might change with a new generation of buyers, but the role of the trained real estate professional in promoting the interests of the client will remain in demand for a long time to come.”
Long & Foster Real Estate President Gary Scott added, “Long & Foster has been able to thrive through good economic times and tough ones because we’ve adapted to the marketplace. This study verifies our understanding of what buyers need from us today, so we can continue to help them on their journeys home for the next 50 years.”
Berkshire Hathaway welcomes sales associates
Linda Ostrowsky, sales leader of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, Realtors Blue Bell office, welcomes Anne McCausland and Peter Botak as sales associates.
“I joined BHHS Fox & Roach because of their solid foundation and reputation,” McCausland said.
An active member in her community, she resides in Harleysville with her husband, Dan, and their two children. She serves Montgomery, Eastern Berks and Bucks counties.
“I joined BHHS Fox & Roach because they offer an opportunity to successfully grow my business,” Botak said.
Formerly with Re/Max Real Estate, he has been licensed since 2014. A member of Suburban West Realtors, he serves Montgomery, Chester and Bucks counties.
Sue Walsh and Patrick Gallagher, sales leaders of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, Realtors Chestnut Hill office, welcome Hannah Cutler as a sales associate.
A graduate of the University of New Hampshire, Cutler is a member of the Philadelphia Board of Realtors. She resides in West Mt. Airy and has an adult son who is a Philadelphia firefighter. Cutler serves Philadelphia County.