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Updated: February 26, 2009, 3:13 pm	Share    Print    Email

Southampton - Alright, here is a real feel good column about giving back and real estate agents, particularly since there was a sardonic (I think) comment last week to this column about being very "glad to hear real estate agents are making money."

The good stuff came from Tom MacNiven, senior managing director of sales at East Hampton Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate: "While so many of our colleagues are worrying out loud about all the bad things that might happen, we are focusing on the good things that are happening."

Property courtesy of Prudential Douglas Elliman.

Some Good Things
Robin Kaplan and Josiane Fleming, named 2008's number one Prudential Douglas Elliman's real estate team in the Hamptons at the awards ceremony, have announced that they will be 'giving back' in 2009. Robin and Josiane will donate $1 to charity for each agent who attends one of their broker open houses in 2009. That adds up! They will also donate $3 each time one of their listings is shown. Even better news - the charities are The Retreat and Meals on Wheels, two very local concerns.

Hmmm! Imagine if all top brokers did the same, with budget problems affecting local charities what a good thing that would be. Is anyone out there listening?

As to short sales, MacNiven suggests his "short sale pro John Brady who is closing a deal a week. As part of his negotiations with lenders on a recent deal John was able to negotiate payment of the homeowner's outstanding medical expenses as part of the deal." According to MacNiven, Brady is on his way to Colombia "to meet a client at the American Embassy to get a signed and witnessed power of attorney for a closing scheduled next week."

Though some complain about this very point, Tom also says, "Lona please continue your pattern of focusing on the good. And remember, summer has not been canceled," which is a slogan Prudential is using on their East End advertising. An announcement from same firm advised that Judi Riccardi, formerly of the Corcoran Group Westhampton Beach, has moved to Town & Country Westhampton Beach. They are proud to have her aboard and welcome her to their force.

Note: Got two complaints about the data on the top priced 10 sales in 2008 Town & Country collected and sent out in a press release reported here last week. We did write T & C to reference their source.

Annual Awards
The Corcoran Group held its annual awards ceremony on Jan. 29 at The Elks Club in Southampton. And the winners include: Top Agents by office: Amagansett - Arlene Reckson; Bridgehampton - Ana O'Byrne, Susan Breitenbach; Cutchogue - Nicole LaBella; East Hampton, Elaine Stimmel, Gary DePersia; Sag Harbor - Mala Sander, Maureen Geary; Shelter Island - Peter McCracken; Southampton - Shaunagh Byrne, Jennifer Mahoney; Westhampton Beach - Connie Walsh, Southold - Sheri Winter Clarry: Montauk - Janet Weimer.

Daniel Rila was named Cocoran's Employee of The Year and Suzanne Kassar was selected as the East End Rookie of the Year. The Top Sales Agent distinction (by sales volume) was awarded to Gary DePersia and the team of Cee Scott Brown and Jack Pearson was awarded Top Team (by sales volume) along with Evan Kulman and Gene Stilwell of the Saatchi team. Top Exclusive Listing Agent this year is Susan Breitenbach. Top Rental Agent (by units) is Gary DePersia while the Highest Rental Price designation went to Ross Salt. Geoff Hull was awarded the Highest Sale Price award. Congratulations all.

Property courtesy of Sotheby's International

New Enterprises
Allegra Dioguardi, new to the area, but not the industry (her late Mom, Dorothy Chrystal, was well known in the industry as a broker at Pony Farm, Cook/Pony Farm/Corcoran - all one firm three different names - and for this columnist's own real estate firm) comes to us as owner of Styled and Sold - a firm to help sellers get the best advantage for their property.

According to their marketing materials, Styled and Sold offers everything from affordable two hour owner occupied consultation, a 'photo styling' service for your listing photos and home staging services optimizing rental furniture resources.

"The listings that are seeing the most sales and rental activity are the ones that show well," they maintain. "Did you know 87 percent of home shoppers begin their search on the Internet? How your listing appears to potential buyers before they even set foot in the door is crucial. It may seem counter-intuitive to invest money preparing a home for sale when it is in fact the wisest thing to do to sell faster and net higher profits. Statistical data confirms that homes that are properly merchandised sell faster and for more money than homes that are not. Before you reduce the price, invest a fraction of that in making your home more marketable."

Good luck Allegra. A good name for fast selling!

East End real estate is a very strange business, but keep your eyes on the upside. You'll do better!

For more information, click here.