Coldwell Banker Teams Up with Local Shelters for “Homes for Dogs National Pet Adoption Weekend”

Coldwell Banker Teams Up with Local Shelters for
“Homes for Dogs National Pet Adoption Weekend”

 

Adoption Event Will Help Coldwell Banker Reach Goal of
Finding Homes for 20,000 Adoptable Dogs this Year

 

(July, 2015) – Coldwell Banker is teaming up with numerous shelters throughout Georgia and South Carolina to participate in the first-ever Homes for Dogs National Pet Adoption Weekend. This nationwide event is part of the “Homes for Dogs Project,” a national campaign hosted by Adopt-a-Pet.com and Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, which aims to find homes for 20,000 adoptable dogs in 2015.

 

To help reach this goal, local Coldwell Banker^® offices across the United States, along with shelters and rescue groups in the Adopt-a-Pet.com network, are joining forces for one of the largest adoption events of the year.  Numerous shelters in your area will be hosting their event on Saturday, August 1^st and Sunday, August 2^nd. 

 

“Dogs have and always will be such as integral part of our homes,” said Connie Farmer Ray, CEO & Owner of Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners.  “From the moment they greet us at the front door, they are our constant companions. We are proud to be a part of this outstanding campaign.”

 

“We are so thrilled to continue working with Coldwell Banker to help adoptable pets find loving homes,” said Abbie Moore, Executive Director of Adopt-a-Pet.com. “We hope that this nationwide event will truly make an impact on communities across the country.”

 

Coldwell Banker launched the “Homes for Dogs Project” earlier this year with the brand’s national television commercial, “Home’s Best Friend,” which aired on the 87th Academy Awards on February 22, 2015. For information about how you can get involved with the Homes for Dogs National Pet Adoption Weekend, please visit http://www.adoptapet.com/homesfordogs.

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For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111. Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Real Estate Service in Georgia and South Carolina.

Department of Defense Issues Final Military Lending Act Rule:: Featured Agent - Charles Ash

Charles Ash
Military Market Specialist,ABR
Savannah Office
(912) 484-5625

Department of Defense Issues Final Military Lending Act Rule

After nearly three years of study, the Department of Defense issued the final Military Lending Act (MLA) rule.

The MLA better protects our service men and women from predatory credit practices by expanding financial protections provided to service members, and helping ensure military families receive the consumer protections they deserve. These actions build on the president’s announcement during a speech at the Pittsburgh chapter of the VFW of a voluntary partnership with financial lenders across the country to help deliver important financial and home loan-related protections to our military community.

"With this action, the department takes an important stand against companies that can prey on our men and women in uniform. This new rule addresses a range of credit products that previously escaped the scope of the regulation, compromising the financial readiness of our troops. Today, with our regulatory and enforcement partners, we stand united in support of our service members and their families," says Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work.

This rule applies the protections of the Military Lending Act to all forms of payday loans, vehicle title loans, refund anticipation loans, deposit advance loans, installment loans, unsecured open-end lines of credit, and credit cards. The implementing regulation provides several significant protections extended to active duty service members and their families, including:

• A 36 percent Annual Percentage Rate limit. This cap, which is referred to as the Military Annual Percentage Rate or MAPR, covers all interest and fees associated with the loan. This limit now includes charges for most ancillary “add-on” products such as credit default insurance and debt suspension plans.
• The MLA prohibits creditors from requiring service members to: submit to mandatory arbitration and onerous legal notice requirements; waive their rights under the service members’ Civil Relief Act; provide a payroll allotment as a condition of obtaining credit (other than from relief societies); be able to refinance a payday loan; or be able to secure credit using a post-dated check, access to a bank account (other than at an interest rate of less than 36 percent MAPR), or a car title (other than with a bank, savings association or credit union).
• The changes to definitions of credit in the final rule bring any closed or open-end loan within the scope of the regulation, except for loans secured by real estate or a purchase-money loan, including a loan to finance the purchase of a vehicle.

The process and the rule considered carefully input from many sources, and takes a balanced approach that preserves access to credit and allows for effective industry compliance. To assist industry in complying with the MLA, the new rule will go into effect Oct. 1, 2015, and have a staggered compliance dates.

This rule will help protect all active duty service members and their families from committing to loans with excessive fees and charges. Additionally, service members will still have access to no-interest loans, grants, and scholarships from the four military relief societies, and not all credit products will be affected by the regulation; notably residential mortgages and purchase-money loans (to buy items like cars) are excluded from the MLA’s definition of “consumer credit.”

Congress passed the Military Lending Act (MLA) in 2006 with bipartisan support to provide specific protections for active duty service members and their dependents in consumer credit transactions. The MLA caps the interest rate on covered loans to active duty service members at 36 percent; requires disclosures to alert service members to their rights; and, it prohibits creditors from requiring a service member to submit to arbitration in the event of a dispute, among many other protections. Congress took these steps to protect service members and their families from predatory lending which negatively impacts military readiness and can make transitioning from the military service significantly more challenging.

The department asked the public for their perspective on changing the existing rule in June 2013, and published the proposed rule in the Federal Register for public comment Sept. 29, 2014.

In developing this rule, the department consulted with the Federal Trade Commission, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Treasury Department to develop the responsible protections found in the revised rule that preserve access to credit for service members and their families and protect their financial future.

For more information, visit www.defense.gov.

For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111 .

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2015. All rights reserved.

For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111. Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Real Estate Service in Georgia and South Carolina.

Decked Out: Create a Unique, Versatile Slide Wire Canopy:: Featured Agent, Paul Armitage

Decked Out: Create a Unique, Versatile Slide Wire Canopy
By John Voket

We're wrapping our mid-summer series highlighting a few different perspectives depending on whether you're just thinking about building a deck, you're ready to take that deck to 'the next level,' or just refurbishing.
We turned to SugarHouse Awning in Salt Lake City, Utah to learn how slide wire cable canopies can serve as the perfect solution for managing the amount of sunlight or shade that enters your patio area - and in some cases can be installed as an afternoon DIY project.
This movable canopy is great in the event you decide to shade your patio for a period of time - you can fully extend the cable canopy to completely cover a particular area. And if you change your mind later, simply retract the canopy and let in the desired amount of sunlight.

Paul Armitage
Richmond Hill
Sales Associate, Agent, Realtor
(912) 655-1674

If you’re in the market for a Slide Wire Cable Canopy, they can be installed onto existing wood or steel patio framework, or built custom with a design that specifically matches your patio.
A typical SugarHouse Awning slide wire cable canopy includes:

• Acrylic or mesh fabric, custom designed or installed to existing structure
• Material made from name-brand outdoor fabrics such as Sunbrella, Dickson, Awntex, and Textilene
• Fabric panels that slide back and forth easily to offer shade as needed
• Optional security straps to keep panels retracted in heavy wind
• Fabric panels that attach with slide-on clips to allow for easy cleaning and storage
• Pull sticks to help reach overhead fabric panels
• Optional spreader bars to create a more uniform billowed look
• Adjustable turn-buckles to keep cables taught

At infinitycanopy.com in Los Angeles, plucky DIY-ers can order custom made sets of five or six panels (@ $500 / $600) and hang their own in a choice of nine colors and two materials. Infinity also offers either mesh or canvas.
The company's Sunbrella Canvas blocks 100 percent of sun rays with an 'Openness Factor' of 0 percent. The material is breathable, resistant against mold, water, fading, and can protect against rain.
While Infinity's Phifertex Plus Mesh will allow some light with an 'Openness Factor' of 7.5 percent, it is resistant to fire, mold and fading. However, the 100 percent vinyl coated polyester mesh canopies are not intended to protect against rain.
Here's to many seasons of enjoyment when you and your guests 'hit the deck!'


For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111 .

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2015. All rights reserved.

For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111. Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Real Estate Service in Georgia and South Carolina.

Maria Jennings has joined Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners as a Broker Associate at the St. Simons Island Office

Maria Jennings has joined Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners as a Broker Associate at the St. Simons Island office located at 507 Ocean Blvd., Suite 102.  Maria specializes in first-time homebuyers, vacation homes, investment properties including 1031 exchanges.  

Maria loves real estate. Her goal is for clients to, “…feel completely satisfied in knowing that their REALTOR is protecting their interest.   I want my clients to feel that I listen and understand their needs, explain the real estate procedures thoroughly, guide them efficiently, and provide the ultimate customer experience utilizing the latest in real estate technology.”  Maria has been a REALTOR since 2000. She is licensed in both North Carolina and Georgia. Maria recently was a marketing director for a local real estate company.  Some of her past and present community activities include; Board of Directors for R.E.A.C.H, Board of Directors for Latino Outreach, Habitat for Humanity, member of National Association of REALTORS and member of Golden Isles Board of REALTORS.

Maria leverages her marketing knowledge in various social media platforms and other online platforms which allow her clients to have a leading edge in today’s marketplace.  She joins Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners because, “…we have three convenient market locations in the Golden Isles and I love the Coldwell Banker Brand, tools and reputation!”  Maria also speaks Spanish. Maria may be reached at 912.222.0185 or via email at   maria.jennings@coldwellbanker.com. 

For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111. Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Real Estate Service in Georgia and South Carolina.

Deck Decisions: Stain Vs. Acrylic, Which Is Right For You? - feature agent: Kristin Acree

Deck Decisions: Stain Vs. Acrylic, Which Is Right For You?

Kristin Acree
Sales Associate

Office: Savannah Office

Office Phone: (912) 352-1222

Mobile Phone: (828) 413-0219

By John Voket

In certain parts of the country, clear weather periods in July and August are prime time for deck building, resurfacing and renovations. So we're continuing our mid-summer series highlighting a few different perspectives depending on whether you're just thinking about building a deck, you're ready to take that deck to 'the next level,' or just refurbishing.
Debbie Zimmer at the Paint Quality Institute says in years past, many homeowners used oil-based or “alkyd” deck stains, but these products have some major shortcomings: for one, they soon become very brittle; and second, they absorb the sun’s harmful UV rays. As a result, oil-based coatings quickly degrade, wear away, and must often be re-applied as often as once a year.
Fortunately, she says, technology has come to the rescue, and manufacturers now offer some far better options in the form of water-based 100-percent acrylic deck coatings. If you like the idea of stretching out the staining cycle on your outdoor deck, then a water-based 100-percent acrylic coating is the way to go.
Zimmer says you can choose from three popular options, each one offering some specific advantages:

• Semi-transparent acrylic stains are lightly pigmented coatings that permit you to either maintain, or change, the color of your wood or composite without hiding its grain or texture. These coatings are water-repellant and contain special ingredients to keep mildew in check. Semi-transparent coatings typically last about 18 months.
• Solid color acrylic stains -- sometimes referred to as opaque stains -- have more pigment than semi-transparent products, so their color tends to obscure the grain of the wood. At the same time, that added pigment provides extra UV protection and better durability, so solid color stains last longer, typically, three to five years.
• Wood restoration acrylic coatings are the product of choice for severely weathered and some habitually neglected decks. These are basically super-thick acrylic coatings that actually fill in and conceal cracks and crevices up to ¼-inch deep. Plus, these coatings create a slip-resistant finish that resists future cracking and peeling.

To learn more about acrylic deck coatings, including information on surface preparation and application techniques, visit the Paint Quality Institute website at www.paintquality.com.



For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111 .

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2015. All rights reserved.

For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111. Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Real Estate Service in Georgia and South Carolina.

8 Cheap and Easy Kitchen Facelifts - featured agent Alicia Ackman

8 Cheap and Easy Kitchen Facelift 
By Barbara Pronin

Alicia Ackman
Sales Associate, E-PRO, CRS, CPR, NYC, WI

Office: Brunswick Office

Office Phone: (912) 267-0054

Mobile Phone: (912) 223-1272

If there’s not enough money in the budget to remodel your kitchen, Lowe’s home designers suggest you browse the aisles of your home store for ideas and give the room a whole new look with a few cheap and easy makeover options.

• Paint the walls – Paint covers a multitude of sins and freshens up even the dullest kitchen. If you make one change to your kitchen, paint it – and opt for a color different from the old one.
• Transform the cabinets – Use a brush or roller to paint wooden cabinets or, if you’re a bit braver, apply new wood or vinyl veneers to change the look of laminated cabinets.
• Switch out the hardware – Shiny new cabinet and drawer pulls can make a huge difference to your kitchen – and there are literally hundreds of styles  to choose from.
• Replace appliance hardware - Spiff up your old stove and oven with new knobs. You can also change out those pans under your stove’s burners for a cleaner look overall.
• Get a shiny new sink – Choices include stainless steel, enamel-coated cast iron, and composites – as well as single bowl or double bowl, top mount or under mount models.
• Change the faucet – For a fun and inexpensive modification, get a new fixture. A spray attachment can come in handy, as can a faucet with a built-in soap dispenser.
• Alter the lighting – A blend of overhead, natural and under-cabinet lighting can make the kitchen glow. You’ll finally be able to see what you’re cooking. You might also want to add a dimmer switch to your new lighting for times when you want the room a little mellower.
• Add some simple new décor – To give your kitchen a new look – say, farmhouse, rustic or modern – buy some framed prints to hang on the walls – and add small design touches such as glass canisters, a cookie jar you love, and/or vase or pitcher of flowers. Complete the look and color scheme with new kitchen towels and potholders.

For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111 .

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2015. All rights reserved.

For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111. Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Real Estate Service in Georgia and South Carolina.

Georgia-Kay McCollum Joins Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners’ Sales Team

Georgia-Kay McCollum Joins Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners’ Sales Team

Georgia-Kay McCollum
Kingsland Office
Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners

Georgia-Kay McCollum has joined Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners as REALTOR with the Coldwell Banker Platinum Partner’s office at 1951 Commerce Drive, Suite A, Kingsland, GA 31548. 

Georgia-Kay looks forward to aligning herself with a Company which reflects her goals of community service (Georgia-Kay is a Member of the Camden Board of REALTORS Community Service Committee).  She says, “I like the professionalism which Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners exemplifies and look forward to working as a Team Member of the Kingsland Office!” Georgia-Kay is also a proud graduate of the University of Georgia. 

Georgia-Kay McCollum may be reached at 912-540-7100 or via email at GeorgiaKay.McCollum@coldwellbanker.com.

 

Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners, established in 1995, is a full-service real estate firm with more than 100 sales agents strategically dispersed among its office locations stretching from Beaufort, South Carolina, through the greater Savannah area to St. Simons Island, Georgia. The company was founded by Connie Farmer Ray, president and CEO of Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners. In addition to listing and selling residential real estate, Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners’ other divisions include commercial real estate, property management, relocation services and a publishing/media division. The company’s corporate offices are located at 6349 Abercorn St., Savannah, Georgia. For more information visit their Web site at www.MyCbpp.com or call 800.505.8111.

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For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111. Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Real Estate Service in Georgia and South Carolina.

Nicole Readdick Joins Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Kingsland Office

Nicole Readdick
Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners
Kingsland Office

Nicole Readdick has joined Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners as an Associate Broker with the firm’s new Kingsland office located at 1951 Commerce Drive, Suite A, Kingsland, GA 31548.  Nicole specializes in new construction and selling residential properties and joins the company with a wealth of experience, background and passion.  She joins Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners because of the, “…exceptional marketing assistance I will be able to share with my clients.”

Nicole graduated from Brenau University with a BBA in Marketing & Business Management.  She has been a REALTOR in Georgia for the past 10 years and is also a Certified Residential Specialist and holds her Loss Mitigation Certification.   Nicole says, "I look forward to helping my clients feel like they made the best decisions possible with the most honest and straightforward information available.”  She is passionate about volunteering on the Board with the Salvation Army of St. Marys.  Nicole also enjoys spending time with her husband Trevor and their adopted family of Rottweiler Emma and two cats, Marilyn and Monroe. 

Nicole Readdick may be reached at 912-552-0680 or via email at nicole.readdick@coldwellbanker.com.

 For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111. Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Real Estate Service in Georgia and South Carolina. 

COLDWELL BANKER PLATINUM PARTNERS MOVES TO NEW LOCATION -- RICHMOND HILL

COLDWELL BANKER PLATINUM PARTNERS MOVES TO NEW LOCATION

 

Richmond Hill, GA – Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners has moved its real estate operation to a new expanded office space at 10384 Ford Avenue, HWY 144.  From their new location, Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners sales associates will continue to serve the Richmond Hill and Savannah area markets.

 

Connie Farmer Ray will continue as the company's president and owner, Tom Woiwode will continue as the Sales Manager, and Kelli Weis will serve as Team Leader.  “We offer the best in tools, continuous training and resources in each of our office locations, so our agents can look to our Coldwell Banker® brand for resources that they will need to succeed.  We team together to create not only an unsurpassed local network here in the Savannah areas, but a global family to help provide top-notch service to any buyer or seller,” said Connie Farmer Ray. 

 

The office may be reached at, 912-756-9727 or online at www.mycbpp.com.

 

For more information, please contact me at Announcements@mycbpp.com or toll free at 800.505.8111. Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Real Estate Service in Georgia and South Carolina.