William Willard – Realtor

Keller Williams Realty Now #1 Real Estate Company in the United States by Agent Count
Company also announces franchise expansion into Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Turkey

DALLAS, TEXAS (February 17, 2013) — Keller Williams Realty, Inc. announced today that it is the largest real estate franchise company by agent count in the United States, with approximately 80,000 associates. In recent years, Keller Williams Realty has posted record growth numbers, surpassing RE/MAX, Century 21, and now Coldwell Banker to secure the industry’s top position. The news, based on publically available information as of February 6, 2013, was announced in front of more than 10,000 Keller Williams associates during the company’s annual convention in Dallas, Texas.

During his standing-room-only, annual State of the Company address, CEO Mark Willis made the announcement, stating, “Keller Williams associates: We are one family. We have one destiny. We share one thing…We are America’s #1 real estate company by agent count!”

Willis also reported strong productivity gains by Keller Williams associates in 2012. Year over year, per-agent units increased 23 percent, closed volume was up 31 percent, and gross commission income rose 28 percent. Moreover, a record 91 percent of the company’s offices were profitable for the year. The company also announced its final profit share total for the year, which added up to more than $55 million in profits distributed to Keller Williams associates – an increase of 44 percent over the previous year.

Keller Williams Realty President Mary Tennant updated attendees on the company’s charitable 501(c)(3) entity, KW Cares, which in 2012 awarded $2.7 million in grants to associates and their families in need.

And finally, Keller Williams Worldwide President Chris Heller announced plans to expand into two new regions: (1) Germany, Austria, and Switzerland; and (2) Turkey. The company previously announced global franchise agreements in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Southern Africa. Heller also extended a big welcome to more than 70 international guests who were visiting from 18 countries.

“One of the keys to Keller Williams Realty’s phenomenal success has been our ability to grow organically – from agent to agent, from market center to market center, from country to country – earning our reputation one person at a time,” Heller said.

Willis’ presentation was followed by a 30th anniversary party. The No. 1 announcement and celebration capped a remarkable year for the Austin, TX-based company:
J.D. Power and Associates ranked Keller Williams “Highest in Customer Satisfaction” among both home buyers and home sellers.*
Keller Williams was ranked No. 9 on America’s Top 150 Workplaces – the only national real estate company on the list.
And in April, Keller Williams co-founder and bestselling author Gary Keller will publish his latest book, The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results.

Willis thanked associates and implored them to “Never back down” from their new position as the largest real estate company in the United States: “Let’s celebrate tonight, but watch out, competition. Tomorrow we’re going to be working harder than we’ve ever worked before. The real prize we’re pursuing is to be #1 in agent count and transactions and volume all across the world!”

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*Disclaimer: Keller Williams received the highest numerical score among full service real estate firms for home buyers and home sellers in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Home Buyer/Seller StudySM. Study based on 2,994 total evaluations measuring five firms and measures opinions of individuals who bought or sold a home between March 2011 and April 2012. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed March-May 2012. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com

About Keller Williams Realty, Inc.:
Keller Williams Realty Inc. is the largest real estate franchise company in the United States, with approximately 700 offices and 80,000 associates around the world. The company has grown exponentially since the opening of the first Keller Williams Realty office in 1983, and continues to cultivate an agent-centric, education-based, technology-driven culture that rewards associates as stakeholders. The company also provides specialized agents in luxury homes and commercial real estate properties. For more information or to search for homes for sale visit Keller Williams Realty online at (www.kw.com). For more information about KWWorldwide, please visit (www.kwworldwide.com).

There was a great article in the globe and mail that dealt extensively with the current challenges that real estate investors have when finding mortgages.  You can read the article by clicking here.

 DOG DAYS OF SUMMER NOT HAMPERING HOME SALES IN KITCHENER-WATERLOO

KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (August 3, 2012) –– There were a total of 534 home sales through the Multiple Listing System (MLS®) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) in July, compared to 520 sales the same month a year ago, an increase of 2.7 percent.

July’s residential sales included 345 detached homes (down 2.8 percent), 42 semi-detached (up 16.7 percent), 31 townhouses (on par), and 108 condominium units (up 14.9 percent).

“While the summer has been a real scorcher so far, we continue to see steady consumer demand through the month of July”, says Sara Hill, president of KWAR. “On a year-to-date basis, the number of residential transactions is neck and neck with last year’s results.”

Last month’s sales bring the total number of residential sales year-to-date to 3,998, an increase of 0.7 percent compared to 2011.

The average sale price of all residential sales in July was $303,896, a 0.6 percent increase over the average sale price recorded in July 2011. Single detached properties sold for an average price of $346,894, a 1.6 percent increase relative to one year ago.

Reflecting the increased number of semis and condos that were purchased in July, the strongest price gains were seen in semi-detached homes and condos, with the average price of a semi increasing 7.7 percent to $242,642, and condominium sale prices increasing 7.3 percent to $212,884 compared to the same period last year.

“Overall in July, we experienced the slow but steady pace of sales that is very typical of the summer months. That being said, I am pleased by the increase of semi and condo sales last month”, adds Hill. “It tells me that the entry level buyers and downsizers are still moving nicely.”

The KWAR cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing long term trends, but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold. Those requiring specific information on property values should contact a local REALTOR.

Definitions:

K-W Only= MLS® transactions through the KWAR within the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo. All Area= K-W Only plus the townships of Woolwich, Wellesley, Wilmot and any out-of-jurisdiction sales sold through KWAR.The use of average price information can be useful in establishing long term trends, but does not indicate actual prices in centres comprised of widely divergent neighbourhoods or account for price differential between geographic areas. Statistical information contained in this report includes all housing types. Those requiring specific information on property values should contact a REALTOR®.

One of the most common questions that I get from both buyers and sellers is whether they should go with a fixed or variable mortgage in the next few years.

I found this very brief video from the Globe and Mail that outlines the thought process that will help you make the right decision.

If you have any questions please call me.  I have some valuable resources that I can provide you with to help you discover your best plan of action.