Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners Named Platinum Award Winner by Cartus Broker Network

(DANBURY, Conn., March 2016) – Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners has been named a Platinum Award winner by the Cartus Broker Network for its outstanding performance during the past year. The award was presented at the 2016 Cartus Broker Network International Conference March 8-11, 2016 at the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort and Spa, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Cartus Corporation is a worldwide leader in employee relocation solutions.

Platinum is the highest level of the Excellence Awards presented to principal brokers. Excellence Award recognition is based on performance results related to a wide variety of goals including customer service, cost management, and effective analysis and marketing of homes. Less than 35% percent of the Network’s principal brokers achieved Platinum level recognition for their performance in 2015.

“The Platinum Award has long represented extraordinary accomplishment,” said Gerald Pearce, Cartus executive vice president, Broker Services and Affinity Services. “To earn this distinction, a broker must have successfully demonstrated outstanding performance in the areas of attention to customer needs, understanding of local conditions, and execution of best business practices. I’m extremely proud to honor Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners, who has delivered on this goal by producing the very highest levels of results to both its customers and the Cartus Broker Network.”

“Receiving a Platinum Award is a high honor, and something that we worked for consistently throughout 2015,” said Connie Farmer Ray, President & CEO of Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners. “Our entire staff has put a committed effort into achieving the best results for Cartus, their clients and transferring employees, and our brokerage. I applaud them and thank them for their efforts.”

About Cartus Broker Network

The U.S. Cartus Broker Network includes 785 firms with nearly 3,000 offices and 111,000 agents. In 2015, the Cartus Broker Network in Canada was comprised of 343 firms with 582 offices and more than 11,200 agents.  In 2015, Cartus and the Cartus Broker Network closed sales of nearly 100,000 properties, representing sales volume of more than $28 billion, on behalf of Cartus clients and Network members.

About Cartus

For more than 60 years, Cartus has provided trusted guidance to organizations of all types and sizes that require global relocation solutions. Providing the full spectrum of relocation services, including language and intercultural training, Cartus serves more than half of the Fortune 50 and has moved employees into and out of 185 countries, providing the full spectrum of relocation services, including language and intercultural training. Cartus is part of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services. To find out how our greater experience, reach, and hands-on guidance can help your company, visit www.cartus.com; read our blog; or click www.realogy.com for more information.

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.

Savannah sustains rise in containerized trade Achieves record February

Savannah sustains rise in containerized trade Achieves record February March 21, 2016 The Port of Savannah moved 307,035 twenty-foot equivalent container units in February, a record. (Georgia Ports Authority / Stephen B. Morton) Savannah, Ga. - March 21, 2016 - Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Curtis Foltz reported 8 percent growth in containerized trade in February, compared to the same month a year ago. "Our container volume growth continues to exceed our expectations in light of last year's unprecedented cargo diversions from the West Coast," said Foltz. "Efficient access to market, proximity to major Southeast populations and GPA's ability to quickly expand on-terminal container capacity are a few of the reasons for Savannah's continued success." In February, Garden City Terminal moved 307,035 twenty-foot equivalent container units, an increase of 8.1 percent, or 22,998 TEUs compared to the same month in 2015. In contrast to 2014, GPA moved 23 percent more containerized cargo in February. Total freight for February equaled 2.67 million tons across all cargo sectors, an improvement of 3.9 percent, or 100,495 tons. It was the seventh highest monthly performance ever recorded. Of the total, containerized trade accounted for 2.18 million tons, up 8.7 percent, or 175,184 tons. GPA Board Chairman James Walters noted the Port of Savannah is the third busiest in the nation for the export of containerized goods, behind only Houston and Los Angeles. "Last year, Savannah moved nearly 11.8 million tons of containerized exports," Walters said. "One out of every 10 tons of containerized U.S. exports went through Georgia's ports." Walters added, "Georgia's deepwater ports in Savannah and Brunswick have become international cargo hubs, as well as excellent job generators for manufacturers throughout Georgia and the Southeast. Our ports support more than 369,000 jobs in Georgia, and more throughout this great country."

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’ Welcome George Poole to the St. Simons Island Office

Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners’ Welcome George Poole
to the St. Simons Island Office

George Poole has joined Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners as a REALTOR at the St. Simons Island Office located at 507 Ocean Blvd., Suite 102 where he specializes in New Home, Residential and Investment Properties in Georgia’s Golden Isles.  George loves Coldwell Banker’s Brand, he joins Platinum Partners from Coldwell Banker High Country Realty. 

George is a US Navy and US Army Veteran, a retired law enforcement officer and also a scuba diving instructor.  He currently is completing his BA in History at the American Military University. 

George Poole is ready to assist you in accomplishing all of your real estate!   He may be reached at 770-401-2277 or via email at   George.poole1@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.

5 Creative Ways to Improve Your Home’s Ambiance

By Mikkie Mills
When you first moved into your home, the walls may have been white with beige carpeting. Although this decor choice is classic for nearly every rental and brand-new home, you don't have to live with the neutral colors. In fact, there are simple ways to improve your home's ambiance with just a few creative changes. Take a look at these exciting ways to transform your home and customize your space with flair.
Try Vintage Furniture
Your home's ambiance isn't just dependent on paint color and flooring choices. In fact, it also depends on your decor selections. The furniture is a focal point of any living room. Purchasing brand new furniture limits your budget because of high costs, so you might be inclined to buy a basic beige couch. Think outside of the box, and shop around some vintage stores in your area. You can find upholstered chairs, love seats and other items for incredibly low prices. The fabrics that you'll encounter will be distinct too. Older items tend to have decades-old patterns that can improve a home's ambiance with one quick glance. As you narrow down your furniture selections, however, be sure to have the item cleaned before you take it home. Vintage furniture can have a lot of dust because of its age.
Decorate Your Glass
Your glass can also take on a decorative look when you try stained glass film. This cover for your windows should be used in strategic ways. Ideally, it should be used as an accent instead of a full-coverage decor option on every window. Select a window that has a high-traffic volume around it. Choose a stained glass film that has complementary colors to your interior. Clean the window and apply the film with strict attention to bubbles forming along the way. In many cases, the stained glass film comes with a tool that helps you smooth out these bubbles. When you carefully apply it, the film should last for many years. The sun shines through the colors and creates a dramatic effect across any room in the home.
Go Green with Indoor Plants
Although you could try artificial plants indoors, they still won't have the same effect as real plants. Add real plants to your home in nearly every room. There are so many varieties that work well in any shaded area that the choices are endless. Along with adding a distinct look, you also benefit from better air quality. Your home has certain pollutants that leech off of paints, woods and other materials. Plants are constantly absorbing carbon dioxide and expelling oxygen. During this process, the plants also absorb toxins that you're otherwise breathing in. Choose plants designed as shade-loving or indoor species, and give them a home that they'll love. Water them regularly and they should flourish.
Lighting Your Rooms with Flair
It's possible to make any room look fresh and inviting with the right lighting concept. Improve your home's ambiance with wall sconces along a hallway. You'll free up valuable floor space with lights hanging off of the walls. You may even use sconces along a living room wall as accent points. Many families are also starting to use glass doors inside their home because of the wonders they do for in-house lightning.
When you want to add a distinct decor point to your kitchen, look for drop-down lamps. These lamps hang from your ceiling and culminate with a subtle lampshade and bulb a few feet above your working surface. Add two or three of these lamps just above your kitchen island, for example. You'll always have enough light to cook by while adding a creative look to your home. In fact, you might want to connect the kitchen and dining room on a decorative scale with matching hanging lamps. All of these fixtures will draw attention and spark conversations among friends.
Shelve It
Improve your home's ambiance by increasing your storage space and making a decorative statement too. Add floating shelves under staircases or along living room walls. Use them to store books, but also add in quirky collectibles too. The shelves should appear functional and interesting simultaneously. If you keep a lot of collectibles in boxes within the garage, free up that space by placing them on display. You may have forgotten what's hidden out there.
When you add shelves to any wall, be careful about the chosen location. Each shelf should be carefully attached to the wood studs or beams inside the walls. Use a stud finder or hire a handyperson to install the shelves. You want them to be as sturdy as possible for all of the weight that they'll carry.
To realize your dream home, create a budget first. Look at the maximum cost that you can afford for your purchases, and try to stick with that amount. When you go shopping for materials, you can be more selective about your choices. With smart material purchases, you can buy more for your home's enhanced ambiance.
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.

Rocket Mortgage: Digging Deeper by Maria Patterson

If you’re one of the 111 million-plus people who watched Super Bowl 50 on Feb. 7 (or one of the millions more like me who was just in it for the snacks, commercials and half-time show), you probably saw the debut of the Quicken Loans Rocket Mortgage ad, which unwittingly unleashed a torrent of criticism in the Twitterverse. RISMedia’s latest webinar, however, revealed that there’s a lot more to Rocket Mortgage than meets the eye—and real estate professionals should take note. TWEET
Personally, I was surprised at the criticism, but that’s probably because I was privy to the inner workings of Rocket Mortgage while working on the cover story for the January issue of RISMedia’s Real Estate magazine. While many Super Bowl viewers saw Rocket Mortgage as a return to risky lending practices, it is actually designed to be a well-vetted, compliant, streamlined alternative to the traditional mortgage process.
To get to the heart of the matter, RISMedia took a look under the hood during its recent webinar, “Home Buying in the 21st Century: How Rocket Mortgage Can Help You and Your Clients.” The webinar was moderated by Verl Workman, founder and CEO of Workman Success Systems, and featured Regis Hadiaris, Rocket Mortgage product lead, and Tom Dempsey, director, Relocation and Business Development for Quicken Loans. RISMedia Executive Vice President Darryl MacPherson was also on hand to weigh in.
The webinar showcased Rocket Mortgage, which Quicken Loans heralds as the first complete, end-to-end, online mortgage experience. Rocket Mortgage is designed to avoid all the paperwork commonly associated with the mortgage process (yes, no more reams of bank statements and piles of pay stubs) and lead folks to mortgage approval and rate lock in a matter of minutes. In many scenarios, Rocket Mortgage is purported to shave off 7–10 days from the traditional 30-day closing process.
“Understanding that most REALTORS® have solid mortgage relationships that are already in place, this value proposition from Rocket Mortgage could be an excellent complement to a lending relationship,” said MacPherson. “This is a huge opportunity to stay compliant and streamline the mortgage process on behalf of the consumer.”
Too good to be true? How does it all work? Hadiaris took the audience through a live demo of Rocket Mortgage and answered many of the concerns real estate professionals have. Watch the webinar to hear the details first-hand. In the meantime, here are a few important takeaways:
Rocket Mortgage delivers an actual approval, not a pre-approval, for those who qualify. “Out there in the market, people are confused. They’re using a lot of mortgage calculators with assumptions,” said Hadiaris. “We said, no assumptions. Let’s get them actual approval so they don’t have this big burden of proof later in the process.”
To pull off an approval and rate lock, the Rocket Mortgage engine verifies employment and income information, credit history, and several other key gauges that lead to loan approval. “This doesn’t change the rigor of the underwriting process at all,” Hadiaris added. “We’ve just made it faster and more efficient.”
Such efficiency opens up a world of possibility for real estate professionals. “Imagine you can get a client approved at a showing or at an open house,” said Dempsey. “We all have stories of pre-approvals not working out. Now, with the person the client trusts most in the transaction—the real estate agent—they can sit at home and get approved, and know exactly what they qualify for.”
Workman raised a cautionary flag. “Real estate agents have a tendency to chase shiny objects. It’s important to know: Will this make me money? Will this save me time?”
Dempsey answered a definitive yes to both. “You can spend more time with buyers who qualify and quickly identify those that don’t,” he explained. “You don’t want to be wasting time chasing non-qualified clients, or find out 22 days into the process that something’s not going to work out.”
Rocket Mortgage is a potential solution for all those buyers on the sidelines. According to Hadiaris, Quicken Loans conducts volumes of market research to see what needs aren’t being met and how QL can fill the void.
“We built Rocket Mortgage because we saw that 60 percent of potential homebuyers were choosing not to participate,” he explained. “They were too intimidated to participate in a very confusing process. We saw this group sitting on the sidelines, heavily engaged in technology and heavily engaged in using mobile devices. They wanted to be able to use their phone and their desktop for mortgage, too, just like they do in other parts of their lives.”
Rocket Mortgage is not designed to eliminate the real estate agent. In fact, it’s designed to engage the real estate agent.
“A lot of folks are sitting on the sideline because they’re not comfortable calling a lender and giving them information,” said Dempsey, "whereas, most people are comfortable sharing information with a trusted real estate professional. [Real estate agents] can use this tool to sit down with them over the kitchen table in the privacy of their own home.”
The experience is completely online…if you want it to be. While mortgage approval can be obtained online with Rocket Mortgage, Quicken Loans professionals are there at the ready whenever live interaction is desired.
“We built this so that people can have as much control over the experience as they want,” said Hadiaris. “If they want to self-serve they can. If they want the help of our award –winning mortgage team at any point, they can have that too.”
“This is not intended to displace the mortgage banker,” he added. “There will always be people who would rather speak to a person.”
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.