(November 14, 2006) — Kelli Grant of Keller Williams High Desert Realty has successfully completed the REALTOR e-PRO course to become one of a select few real estate professionals to earn the prestigious certification offered through the National Association of REALTORS.®

The REALTOR e-PRO certification course is an educational program unlike any other professional certification or designation course available, comprehensive and interactive. It is specifically designed to provide real estate professionals with the technology tools needed to assist consumers in the purchase or sale of a home.

With more than 70% of consumers beginning their real estate research on the Internet, e-PRO certified agents have the experience and expertise to meet the demands of today’s buyer and seller.

“The real estate industry has undergone a fundamental change over the past several years,” said Kelli Grant of Keller Williams High Desert Realty. “A majority of consumers are taking the time to conduct their own research prior to contacting an agent. In turn, real estate professionals must be knowledgeable of how technology can assist them in serving the needs of the buying and selling public.”

The exclusive REALTOR e-PRO certification course is presented entirely online and certifies real estate agents and brokers as Internet professionals. Because of its innovative design, students are able to complete the course at their own pace, when and where they want, via any Internet connection. The course is designed to help REALTORS stay at the leading edge of technology and identify, evaluate and implement new Internet business models.

Once completed, the e-PRO certified real estate professional joins the ranks of a special community of highly skilled and continuously trained professionals who provide high quality and innovative online-based real estate services. Consumers can identify the e-PRO through the exclusive e-PRO Internet Professional logo.

Both the content and the delivery platform were created by San Diego-based technology company InternetCrusade®. The course instructs participants in the professional use of e-mail, the development of an interactive Web site, and the use of online research tools. Graduates use the skills they’ve acquired to provide clients information on properties for sale, local communities, and the local real estate market.

For more information, e-mail Kelli Grant at Kelli@ScottsdaleHomesForLife.com or call 602-799-5420. www.ScottsdaleHomesForLife.com

1. People who look at property during the holidays are serious buyers and are more ready to make a decision.

2. Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from during the holidays, so the property has less competition.

3. Houses “show better” when decorated for the holidays with the wonderful lights and festive colors associated with the season.

4. Buyers are more emotional during the holidays and often base their decision on the warmth and good feelings they receive when viewing the home.

5. Buyers have more time to look for a house during the holidays because they have designated time off from work to purchase a home.

6. Many people want to buy before the end of the year for financial and tax reasons.

7. January is traditionally the month for transfers. Transferees can’t wait until the spring to buy. These buyers need a home now and houses must be on the market to capture these buyers.

8. Sellers can restrict showings during personal family events and still take advantage of their homes being spruced up and decorated “show ready” property.

9. Sellers can sell now – but specify a delayed closing or extended occupancy until early next year if it is agreeable within the negotiations of the contract.

10. By selling now sellers have the opportunity to buy during the spring – when more properties are on the market.

Provided by Sandy Falck at Concierge Title, Inc.

Since Golf Digest ranked Scottsdale, Arizona #1 in the west region in its special report, “America’s Greatest Golf-Home Towns,” luxury home sales just may pick up again according to the study conducted below, of which living on or near a golf course ranked #2.

ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST / SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY REPORT FINDS LUXURY HOMEOWNERS ARE LOOKING TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL RESIDENCES IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS

NEW YORK and PARSIPPANY, N.J. (October 24, 2006) — In its latest consumer-trend study, Architectural Digest has united with Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. to find that affluent homeowners are planning to acquire additional residences in the near future.

The study, “Seeking a Luxury Lifestyle,” discovers that one in three Architectural Digest subscribers (36%) intend to acquire a secondary/additional home in the next two years. The study further reveals:

• Of those Architectural Digest subscribers who already own three or more homes, 49% percent plan to acquire an additional home within two years;

• Of those who already own a second home, 35% plan to acquire a third home within two years; and

• In an indication that young affluent consumers are in the market for second homes, 44% of those under age 45 stated that they may acquire a second home in the near future.

Although geography is the primary driver when it comes to searching for a secondary residence, lifestyle amenities are becoming increasingly critical. Approximately one in three (32%) of the Architectural Digest subscribers measured know the characteristics and amenities they desire and would search in a number of geographic locations to find the home that matches what they want, rather than looking purely by location.

Subscribers with household incomes under $400,000 (38%) are more likely than their wealthier counterparts to indicate they would search in a number of locations to find the house that meets their amenity checklist.

The study finds that waterfront property (75%) is the most sought-after amenity when buying a secondary residence. Surprisingly, gourmet kitchens (10%) and swimming pool (5%) were among the least significant amenities:

• Oceanfront/waterfront: 75%
• On/near golf courses: 48%
• Near aquatic activities: 45%
• In-home fitness center: 34%
• Media room/home theater: 32%
• On/near ski slopes: 28%
• Wine cellar: 18%
• Gourmet/large kitchen: 10%
• Large backyard: 5%
• Pool: 5%

Regional differences were found mostly among respondents from New York and California. Some differences of note from the study:

• New York metro area subscribers are most drawn to waterfront/oceanfront property, while Californians found this of less interest;

• Californians tend to be less interested in golf courses than other subscribers, and more drawn to in-home fitness centers;

• And New York metro area subscribers are least interested in ski slopes, while Californians are most likely to search for proximity to the slopes.

“Architectural Digest readers seek a lifestyle full of life’s indulgences and luxuries,” said Amy Churgin, vice president and publisher, Architectural Digest. “From this research, we confirm that the homes of our readers, complete with sought-after amenities, such as media rooms and wine cellars, reflect their passions and personal style.”

Michael R. Good, president & CEO of Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc., explained, “The survey, ‘Seeking a Luxury Lifestyle,’ provides Sotheby’s International Realty brokers and the entire marketplace with invaluable insight into the latest trends in real estate. Home amenities play an increasingly important role in home purchasing, which is why we specifically designed sothebysrealty.com to ensure that clients can search for homes based upon these unique preferences.”

Architectural Digest magazine commissioned Global Strategy Group, a leading strategic research and communications firm specializing in identifying the underlying factors that influence consumer and voter attitudes and behavior, to conduct the “Seeking a Luxury Lifestyle” study.

Research Methodology
Global Strategy Group conducted a nationwide mail survey among Architectural Digest subscribers with a household income of $100,000+ and a home valued at $500,000+ on behalf of Condé Nast Publications. The survey was conducted between June 6th and August 14th, 2006. The margin of error on the sample of 450 is +/-4.6%; the margin of error for sub-groups is larger.

Learn the secret of attracting health, wealth and happiness!

Below is only another reminder to get referrals from people you know when it comes to getting money to buy the biggest asset that you own! Your Realtor always has a few lenders that he/she works with that are reliable and trustworthy. Usually, we have lenders that specialize in specific areas and we can connect you with the appropriate lender for your situation.

And, please know that realtors do not get “kick-backs” from lenders, it’s illegal. We simply have established solid working relationships with lenders that we can trust to get the job done right and on time, while providing outstanding client care and follow up.

LendingTree Sued in Nationwide Class Action Announces Teuton, Loewy & Parker LLP
Wednesday October 11, 8:58 pm ET

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ — The law firm of Teuton, Loewy & Parker LLP announced today that it filed a nationwide class action against LendingTree, LLC and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Home Loan Center, Inc., on behalf of consumers. The class alleges that LendingTree, LLC and Home Loan Center, Inc., which does business as “LendingTree Loans,” have engaged in unfair business practices and false advertising. The complaint was filed in Orange County Superior Court on October 11, 2006.

LendingTree’s familiar slogan is: “When banks compete, you win.” With this slogan, LendingTree styles itself as an online lending exchange that connects borrowers to a network of lenders that allegedly “compete” for the borrowers’ business. The lawsuit alleges, however, that in thousands and thousands of cases there is no such competition at all; rather, LendingTree uses its LendingTree.com website and false advertising to generate leads for its wholly-owned, direct-lending division, Home Loan Center, Inc.

Specifically, the lawsuit alleges that LendingTree’s website attracts over 70,000 potential borrowers per month by touting LendingTree as a loan origination service that is not a lender, and claiming that LendingTree’s “origination” service allows lenders to compete for borrowers’ business. The lawsuit further alleges that LendingTree secretly diverts many LendingTree.com leads to its subsidiary, where unsuspecting borrowers are sold loans at inflated prices based on the materially false representation that “competition” has occurred among lenders.

According to the lawsuit, borrowers are deceived into believing that they need not shop for a better loan rate because LendingTree has already done the shopping for them through use of its lender “network.” In truth, the lawsuit alleges, LendingTree uses the “when banks compete, you win” slogan as a gimmick to attract unwary borrowers and sell them loans through the company’s direct-lending division at inflated prices and without any such competition.

The class action seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, millions of dollars in compensatory and punitive damages, restitution, and attorneys’ fees.

A related lawsuit was filed on September 15, 2006 by Fadel Lawandy, a former mid-level executive of LendingTree who was fired for alleged “insubordination” after he complained about LendingTree’s business practices.

If you have any information about this matter, you may email Teuton, Loewy & Parker LLP at LendingTreeinfo@tlpfirm.com

Mark C. Teuton, Esq.
TEUTON, LOEWY & PARKER LLP
3121 Michelson Drive, Suite 250, Irvine, CA 92612
Tel: (949) 442-7100
Fax: (949) 442-7105
www.tlpfirm.com

Teuton, Loewy & Parker LLP (”TLP”) is a Southern California law firm. TLP is actively engaged in complex litigation, including class actions brought on behalf of consumers and employees. TLP’s capabilities in these fields are based upon the talents and extensive experience of its attorneys, who have litigated class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country.

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Source: Teuton, Loewy & Parker LLP