Partners 'Deliver' Toys for Tots!

Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners’ sales agents and staff from throughout the region spent November and December of 2010 gathering toys for children in need. The astounding result was nearly 1,500 gifts collected and provided to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. The Company has collected for Toys for Tots for many years now.

“We are delighted with the continuous tremendous response from our agents, staff, and other residents throughout the area who contribute to our toy drive. The opportunity to help children have a merrier Christmas was extremely rewarding for all of us,” said Connie Farmer Ray, Broker / CEO of Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners.

All the toys from each of the Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners’ offices from around the region were collected, loaded and dropped at a central location for sorting. From there, the toys were distributed back out to children throughout the region from South Carolina’s Low Country through Savannah to the Golden Isles of Georgia. A heartfelt “Thank You” to everyone who helped to make a difference in so many children’s lives this Christmas.

Coldwell Banker wins LACP Award

PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Dec. 7, 2010 – The League of American Communications Professionals has named coldwellbanker.com a recipient of this year’s Gold Top 100 Spotlight Award in the Online Organizational Website category. Top 100 awards were given to the highest-scoring entries regardless of competition class.

The website was judged on a 100-point scale factoring first impression, overall narrative, overall visual design creativity, message clarity and perceived relevance. The coldwellbanker.com site received an aggregate score of 96. The site was awarded maximum points in the overall narrative and overall visual design segments.

In June, Coldwell Banker Real Estate rolled out a new version of coldwellbanker.com, which was produced in collaboration with FD kinesis.

“Innovation is one of the key pillars to our success at Coldwell Banker,” said Helen Galasso, vice president for platform development/ebusiness at Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. “This wholly re-thought and re-designed version of our site features optimizations that enhance the experience of searching for and finding a home online, which is so critical to today’s consumer.”

The 2010 Spotlight Awards Global Communications Competition drew a near record-setting number of submissions from a broad range of industries and organizational sizes. The Coldwell Banker website was selected from more than 1,100 entries representing nearly one dozen countries.

Tips for an easy and efficient move

After a closing is said and done, most buyers are eager to move into their new home. What some are guilty of is becoming overly excited and failing to properly plan for their move. By taking some time to think your move through, you can ensure a smooth and efficient process so your family can begin to settle in as soon as possible.

"Getting multiple moving estimates from moving companies is recommended before choosing which one you will go with," says Connie Ray, President/Owner of Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners. Try to avoid phone or Internet estimates. Furthermore, get recommendations from your friends, family or trusted real estate professional. Have the company come to your home and see the task at hand so that your estimates can be more accurate. "Many new buyers make the mistake of randomly choosing a moving service because they're anxious to get moved into their new home. Take some time to make your decision," says Ray.

The moving business can be quite complex, so don't be afraid to ask your moving company any questions you may have regarding the process. Read all of the documents provided to you, but ask for clarification if something doesn't make sense. If the carrier hesitates to calm your concerns, consider another carrier.

When you move may also make a difference in service. "June to September is a busy season for movers and moving companies," says Ray. If you must move between those months, aim for mid-week and/or mid-month--the end of the month can get hectic and service may falter.

Be reachable by phone in order to facilitate communication. "Your mover may have specific questions to ask you at any given time. To make sure the process runs smoothly and as quick as possible, make sure they know how to reach you," says Ray. In addition, ask the company for your driver's name, ID and truck number. You want to know how to contact someone who is responsible for all of your personal belongings.

By properly screening a moving company and planning your move with them, you can be sure that your family and belongings are relocated with ease.

Caravan for Charity!

Over 20 Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners teamed with 5 local Builders to “Caravan for a Charity” with one goal in mind, to raise money for local charities like Hugs for Haleigh and Toys for Tots. The concept, initially developed by the Company earlier this year to raise funds for the American Cancer Society, is to caravan (or tour) the communities of builders who were willing to donate to the Company’s chosen Charities. The Builders, which included Sunburst Properties of Savannah, Lamar Smith Signature Homes, Fred Williams New Homes Sales, Inc, DR Horton, Beazer Homes, Fred Williams, and The Fairways at Savannah Quarters, LLC, all pledged to donate monies to the touring Partners in support of Hugs for Haleigh and Toys for Tots. The “Caravan for a Charity” kicked off at 9:30 am on Thursday, December 9th with the REALTORS departing from the Company’s Pooler Office. Agents then set off to tour seven individual neighborhoods. At each community, Builders offered drawings /give-aways, even offered food. One special drawing was held in the beginning of the tour for those Agents who brought in extra Toys for Tots.
Hugs for Haleigh is a company-generated program founded in effort to assist with medical costs for fellow Realtor, Libby Jordan and her family in support their 9-year old granddaughter, Haleigh, who is suffering from ASL and recently underwent a Liver Transplant.
With the combined efforts, over $1300 dollars were raised for donation to Hugs for Haleigh and Toys for Tots.

Welcome Brad!

Brad Davis has joined Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners as a REALTOR at the St. Simons Island Office located at 507 Ocean Blvd., Suite 102. Brad looks forward to helping families who are looking to upgrade their homes while simplifying the buying and selling processes. He joins Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners because, “of the firm’s steady growing market share; and I believe CBPP is poised to become the leading firm in Glynn County in the next five years.”

Brad strives to exemplify, “how easy and simple the home buying process can be if you choose the right sales associate.” He earned his BBA from the University of Georgia and has a background in accounting and customer service. He is also active on the Board of REALTORS and is looking forward to joining several civic organizations and charities over the next few months. Brad and his wife, Angie, reside in St Simons Island and are expecting a baby in June. Brad Davis may be reached at 912.536.9753 or via email at brad.davis4@coldwellbanker.com.

Joan' and Don's boat received the "The People's Choice"

Way to go!
Rich and Pam Tritschler -The Grinch and Max
Dawn Vosbury - A Whoo
Cheryl Kercia - CB Mortgage

1st Place in Brunswick Parade - Fourth Year Straight!

Congratulations to the Brunswick & St Simons Island Partners for winning 1st Place in the Brunswick Parade for the fourth year straight!