Alright, here is a real feel good column about giving back and real estate agents, particularly since there was a sardonic (I think) comment last week to this column about being very “glad to hear real estate agents are making money.”
The good stuff came from Tom MacNiven Senior Managing Director of Sales, East Hampton Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate: “While so many of our colleagues are worrying out loud about all the bad things that might happen we are focusing on the good things the are happening.
“Robin Kaplan and Josiane Fleming, named 2008’s number one Prudential Douglas Elliman’s Real Estate Team in the Hamptons at our awards ceremony, have announced that they will be ‘giving back’ in 2009.
“Robin and Josiane will donate One Dollar to charity for each agent who attends one of their broker open houses in 2009. That adds up! They will also donate three dollars each time one of their listings is shown. Even better news: the charities are local: The Retreat and Meals on Wheels.”
Hmmm! Imagine if all top brokers did the same. With the economy affecting local charities what a good thing that would be. Is anyone out there listening?
MacNiven said his “short sale pro” John Brady is closing a deal a week. “As part of his negotiations with lenders on a recent deal John was able to negotiate payment of the homeowner’s outstanding medical expenses as part of the deal.”
Though some complain about this very point, Tom also says, “Lona please continue your pattern of focusing on the good. And remember: Summer has not been cancelled,” which is a slogan Prudential is using on their East End adds.
Judi Riccardi formerly of the Corcoran Group Westhampton Beach has moved to Town & CountryWesthampton Beach. . .
The Corcoran Group held its annual awards ceremony on January 29 at The Elks Club inSouthampton. The top agents by office: Amagansett, Arlene Reckson; Bridgehampton, Ana O’Byrneand Susan Breitenbach; Cutchogue, Nicole LaBella; East Hampton, Elaine Stimmel and Gary DePersia; Sag Harbor, Mala Sander and Maureen Geary; Shelter Island, Peter McCracken; Southampton:, Shaunagh Byrne and Jennifer Mahoney; Westhampton Beach, Connie Walsh; Southold, Sheri Winter Clarry; Montauk, Janet Weimer.
Congratulations all.
Allegra Dioguardi, new to the area, but not the industry — (her late Mom was well known in the industry as Dorothy Chrystal, broker at Cook Pony Farm, (and for this columnist’s own real estate firm) comes to us as owner of Styled and Sold – a firm to help sellers get the best advantage for their property.
“Styled and Sold offers everything from affordable two hour owner occupied consultation, a ‘photo styling’ service for your listing photos to complete vacant home staging using rental furniture resources unique to Styled and Sold,” according to Dioguardi.
Good luck Allegra. A good name for fast selling! (Yes, well, look it up Bub . . . because East End Real Estate is a very strange business, but keep your eyes on the upsides. You’ll do better!)
