Cristina Callegari Kanellopoulos Blog

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Long Island Property Tax Grievance Forum

by Cristina Callegari

One of the chief complaints I receive from Buyers and Sellers alike regarding Long Island, NY (specifically Nassau County) is the hefty property taxes.

So, here's your chance to be heard!

Property Tax Grievance Forum:
Thursday, February 3, 2011
From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
East Meadow Public Library
1886 Front Street
East Meadow, NY

I hope to see you there!

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Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Keller Williams Realty Signs Deal with CitiMortgage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUSTIN, TEXAS (January 24, 2011)–Keller Williams Realty, Inc. announced today that it has entered into an agreement with CitiMortgage to create a customized mortgage services program for the company’s offices across the United States. This type of agreement is the first of its kind for Keller Williams Realty and CitiMortgage.

CitiMortgage will now offer Keller Williams Realty clients reduced fees on jumbo loans, and as a part of the SureStart Pre-Approval® program, will not charge a pre-approval fee for Keller Williams agent’s buyers. As a part of CitiMortgage’s commitment to exceptional service, they also offer all Keller Williams borrowers an On Time Closing Guarantee of $1,500.

“Our goal is to ensure that our associates have access to the best resources possible so they can focus on their main priority-their client. We are confident that with five million mortgage customers, CitiMortgage has the experience and expertise to support our Market Centers and associates at the highest level possible," said Anthony Azar, director of strategic business alliances at Keller Williams Realty.

CitiMortgage will also support Keller Williams Realty in its efforts to help associates win more business. In addition, Market Centers will have the opportunity for an in-house mortgage representative, as well as a dedicated support and fulfillment team for Keller Williams associates and their clients.

“CitiMortgage was looking for a national realtor partner and after reviewing Keller Williams business model and culture, we realized this was a perfect fit for both companies," said Fred Bolstad, managing director of National Sales for CitiMortgage. “CitiMortgage can provide the strong training and tools their agents need to succeed. Our service-oriented national lending platform can help their customers realize the dream of home ownership in a more efficient and effective way."

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Monday, January 17, 2011

New York State Discount Prescription Card

by Cristina Callegari

Every New Yorker is eligible to receive a prescription drug card to receive prescriptions at discount prices. This program is made possible by non-profit groups and pharmaceutical companies. The card is available to residents without regard to age, income, or health condition. The card may also be used by those with or without insurance coverage, and for Medicare Part D recipients to fill-in the Gap Period.

To get your free discount prescription card today go to http://www.newyorkrxcard.com/. There you will also find a list of participating pharmacies.

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Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Keller Williams Realty Welcomes One of Manhattan’s Top Teams!

Ilan Bracha to lead Keller Williams Manhattan in New York City

AUSTIN, TEXAS (January 4, 2011) — Keller Williams® Realty Inc. announced today that Ilan Bracha of the Bracha Group, former managing director and top ranked Prudential Douglas Elliman team, is now at the helm of the new Keller Williams Manhattan office. The top producing Bracha Group, winner of three of the company’s highest honors including #1 Group in Prudential Douglas Elliman for the past five years, projects to close over 200 transactions in 2010, with $200 million in sales volume. Bracha Group is also ranked #2 in the entire Prudential Real Estate Network nationwide. Also joining Keller Williams will be 18 members of Bracha’s team.

“Keller Williams Realty has weathered many changes by focusing on mindset and perseverance, which is exactly how I have driven my business to success in these times,” said Bracha. “I just clicked with the team at Keller Williams Realty-I knew it was the right move for us. The company believes as we do, that you put people before business. We envision our office growing stronger and larger with the support system they provide.”

In 2009, Bracha and his team were impacted by the industry downturn. It was then that they decided to go “back to the basics” by hitting the streets and working from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m. With this approach, his office went from number 69 back to number one in the Prudential Douglas Elliman system in six months, closing out the year in the top spot.

Bracha added, “In that time and in this market, I really fell in love with the business all over again. I am excited to join a company that has also seen the opportunity for growth and is seizing it.”

“We are thrilled to have Ilan and his team join the Keller Williams family, and we cannot express enough what an honor it is to have a business leader of this magnitude join us,” said Mark Willis, CEO of Keller Williams Realty. “We knew right off the bat we were going into business with a group that was incredibly passionate about the growth of their careers and the industry. We couldn’t ask for more.”

Bracha Group brings an experienced presence in the New York City market that KW agents all over the nation can utilize and benefit from through referral relationships.

Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, Bracha served as commander in the Israeli Army before traveling the world and moving to N.Y. in 1996. He worked at a boutique brokerage then quickly set off on his own, founding the Bracha Group. His focus is on residential and commercial real estate, with a specialty in luxury properties and new developments.
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About Keller Williams Realty, Inc.:
Founded in 1983, Keller Williams Realty Inc. is the third-largest real estate franchise operation in the United States, with 680 offices and more than 80,000 associates in the United States and Canada. The company, which began franchising in 1990, has an agent-centric culture that emphasizes access to leading-edge education and promotes an economic model that rewards associates as stakeholders and partners. The company also provides specialized agents in luxury homes and commercial real estate properties.

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HGTV Dream Home 2011

by Cristina Callegari

HGTV is at it again with another beautiful Dream Home that they are giving away to one lucky winner.

This year the Dream Home is in beautiful Stowe, Vermont, a ski community. According to HGTV.com you are allowed to enter the sweepstakes twice per day. Once on the HGTV website and once on FrontDoor.com.

To enter the sweepstakes click on the links above. To view photos of the house and do a Virtual Tour of the Interior check Click Here.

Good Luck to each of you!

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