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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.

Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners’ Woiwode and Canfield Honored by SABOR

Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners’
Woiwode and Canfield Honored by SABOR

Alex Canfield

Tom Woiwode

The Savannah Board of REALTORS held its SAR Membership Meeting and Luncheon at Carey Hilliard’s on January 8, 2016.  This particular luncheon was to announce new leadership roles for 2016 which includes; Tom Woiwode, Managing Broker of the Savannah Offices, who was announced as member of the Savannah Multi-List Corporation Board and Alex Canfield, Associate Broker Savannah Area, who will serve as Secretary of the Savannah Multi-List Corporation. 

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.

A Foolproof Home Organizer Checklist - Featured Agent, Lori Brady

Lori Brady
Sales Associate, Realtor, ABR, GRI
Office Phone: (912) 352-1222
Cell Phone: (912) 484-2704

A Foolproof Home Organizer Checklist
By Barbara Pronin

If your New Year’s resolutions include keeping a tidier, more organized household, home and garden experts provide a home organization checklist designed to help keep you on target.

Engage the family by assigning daily and weekly chores to everyone who is at least five years old. Post your checklist where everyone can read it, and offer a weekly treat – perhaps a special dessert, a family outing, or a family movie night with popcorn – if everything on the list is accomplished:

Daily Chores – Completing these six basic tasks every day will help keep chaos at bay. Make the beds. Put away clutter. Sort the mail. Clean up as you cook. Wipe up spills while they’re fresh. Sweep the kitchen floor.

Weekly Routine – Doing these six chores once a week will keep your home neat, clean, and functioning. Empty trash cans. Change and launder bed linens and towels. Empty the hampers and do the family laundry. Clean tub, shower, toilets and sinks. Mop or vacuum every room. Wipe mirrors and dust light fixtures. Wipe all kitchen surfaces, including inside of microwave and toaster oven.

Every Four to Six Weeks – Clean out the refrigerator and freezer, dumping any foods or beverages past their prime and wiping down the shelves. Organize the pantry, tossing out expired items, especially flour and cereals. Clean the oven and the inside of the fridge.

Seasonal Chores – Four times a year, as the seasons change, you will feel like a champion housekeeper if you can remember to complete these tasks. Turn the mattresses, launder the pillows, and vacuum the mattress and box springs. Replace the baking soda that is keeping your fridge and freezer odor-free. Run a dust mop over the walls and ceilings. Sweep out the fireplace if need be.

Once Yearly – If you’ve pretty much been diligent for most of the year, the annual spring cleaning should be minimal. Dust hard-to-reach places like ceiling fans and window casings. Wash or dry clean curtains, window blinds, or drapes. Vacuum all upholstered furniture. Deep clean the rugs, carpets and floors.

Related: 12 Ways to Keep Your House Sparkling Clean Year-Round

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

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2016. 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.

2015 Tax Extenders Set to Have a Positive Impact on the Real Estate Industry :: Featured Agent, Michael Ascani

2015 Tax Extenders Set to Have a Positive Impact on the Real Estate Industry
By Keith Loria

Each December, close to 50 tax extenders—aptly-named extensions of tax breaks—come into play in Congress. Included in those that were passed in 2015 are several that stand to have a positive impact on those looking to enter the housing market this year. Not only did Congress and the Senate pass the $622 billion bill, but President Barack Obama is expected to put his signature on the extenders as well.

Michael Ascani
Realtor
Office Phone: (912) 352-1222
Home Phone: (912) 239-5159
Cell Phone: (912) 650-1664

One of the extenders concerns tax relief for mortgage debt forgiveness, protecting underwater homeowners from incurring a large tax bill on phantom income in connection with a workout or short sale.

Tom Salomone, president of the National Association of REALTORS®, notes that since 2007, this specific tax relief has strengthened individual communities and the broader economy as more distressed homeowners were offered the flexibility to responsibly address an underwater mortgage.

“These tax extenders offer critical support for consumers, homeowners, commercial property investors and small businesses alike,” Salomone says. “A strong economy requires certainty, and this proposal gives a healthy dose of it to millions of American taxpayers.”

The tax extenders deal offers an additional two years of protection covering tax years 2015 and 2016.

Also included in the bill is the permanent extension of a 15-year cost recovery period for the depreciation of qualified leasehold improvements. This is important as it ensures that a commonsense cost-recovery period remains in place permanently for improvements made to nonresidential commercial property.

Another real estate-related provision is the renewal of certain incentives to promote energy efficient commercial and multifamily buildings, including the extension of an expired tax credit that ranges between $1,000 - $2,000 for energy-efficient new homes for an additional two years.

The bill also includes changes to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, which is expected to ease restrictions on investment in commercial real estate.

One part of the bill that might not seem as though it’s aimed at those in the real estate industry, but will have a positive effect on the industry at large, is legislation that permanently extends rules allowing small- and mid-sized businesses to expense business equipment, rather than depreciate the equipment over several years. Salomone says this is important to REALTORS® who purchase new computers, copiers, cameras and even vehicles in the course of doing business.

“We’re grateful for the leadership shown on this important piece of legislation and look forward to continuing our work in support of homeownership,” Salomone says.

To read more about the bill, click here.

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

Connie Farmer Ray Awarded Prestigious Realtor Emeritus Status

Connie Farmer Ray, CEO and President of Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners, has been awarded Realtor Emeritus status, which is presented to those who have held membership in the National Association of Realtors (NAR) as a Realtor, Realtor-Associate or both for a cumulative period of 40 years of service and dedication.

“It is a terrific honor to be recognized with Realtor® Emeritus Status.  I am beyond grateful for the talented people I work with every day.  As REALTORS we believe in education and providing the highest professional and ethical standards.  I am thankful for every opportunity to employ these morals as well as help people achieve the American Dream of home ownership,” said Connie Farmer Ray, Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners CEO and President.  

A Savannah resident and first generation Georgia Realtor, Ray earned her real estate and never stopped growing from there!  Connie opened the doors to her first office in 1995 and further developed the award-winning Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners into a multi-office, premier residential real estate organization; which covers from South Carolina through Georgia.  

Connie’s business philosophy has been to give back to the communities; together with her company, they focus on philanthropy; giving back to over 100 community organizations last year. 

She is a Certified Residential Brokerage Manager, and has served with distinction in many leadership capacities including: President of the local Board of REALTORS, Chairman of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, President of the MLS of Savannah, Regional Director for the Georgia Association of REALTORS, Board Chairman of First National Bank, Board of Governors Member for Bethesda Home for Boys, Educational Properties Foundation Board of Armstrong Atlantic State University, Board of Directors for United Way of the Coastal Empire. 

Recently, Connie won the Philip M Heidt Award—This award is in recognition of outstanding professional and personal achievement of a full-time broker, owner or manager.  

Connie continues to be actively involved in various committees of the Board. Together with her husband, Dr. William S. Ray Jr., Connie continues her legacy; she has two children and six grandchildren.

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 Welcomes Mary Katherine Shearouse Alexander

Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Welcomes Mary Katherine Shearouse Alexander

Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Savannah Office warmly welcomes REALTOR® Mary Katherine Shearouse Alexander who will be concentrating on Residential Homes in the Savannah and Surrounding Areas.   Mary Katherine has a thorough knowledge of the area and the real estate buying process.  She says, “I want my clients to feel like my NUMBER 1 Priority!  My Word to my clients, “Trust in me and I will provide an informative process!””

Mary Katherine attended St Vincent’s Academy and Armstrong State University.  She is a personal trainer at the Island YMCA and volunteers weekly with "HUGS" Heads-Up Guidance Services.  She has worked in retail sales at Levy Jewelers and as a Nutrition Consultant and Supplement Sales Representative.  She has also owned and managed her own personal training company.  Mary Katherine, who is the niece of local Real Estate Attorney, Bill Shearouse (Weiner, Shearouse & Weitz), is a member of SABOR and active with the Chamber of Commerce.  Mary Katherine is also familiar with the St Simons Island / Brunswick areas – she used to work as a trainer for Anytime Fitness on St Simons Island.  

Mary Katherine says, “I was impressed with the detailed information I received from the Company.  I appreciate the footprint that Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners has on the local community.  I also know several sales associates whom currently work with Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners and value their recommendations!”

Mary Katherine Shearouse Alexander may be reached at mk.shearousealexander@coldwellbanker.com or at 912-217-9495.

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.