Murphy Realty Group is composed of full time, Ulster County Real Estate MLS Top Producers. The company opened their doors in 2009, although John Murphy and his team of MLS Top Producers have been successfully in the business for years. With each year since opening Murphy Realty Group, the company increases their yearly sales, and ending 2011 with over 65% increase of sales volume, which is by far a larger increase than any other real estate company in Ulster County.

With the current state of the real estate market, John is often asked ?how do you do it? How are you so successful??. John?s answer is ?we work hard, and we work smart. I have composed a team of Ulster County Real Estate Top Producers who not only live and breathe this business, but love it!? John continues to say ?we have developed a specific strategy for marketing, that both promote our listings, as well as our company. No other company in the county offers a marketing plan even close to ours. We combine an aggressive approach to advertising and marketing in local newspapers, real estate magazines, TV endorsements, radio ads, and most importantly, a complete and DOMINANT online presence.?

Murphy Realty Group syndicates their listings on over 100 various real estate websites, offers full HD, interactive virtual tours, features their listings on all of the top real estate websites, and takes advantage of all the various social media outlets, ensuring that their listings get maximum exposure.

Along with all of this, Murphy Realty Group has expanded their online presence. Their company website, MurphyRealtyGrp.com offers state of the art technology, making it that much easier for buyers to perform their Ulster County Real Estate search. The website offers advanced search options, along with the ability to save searches, save favorite listings, and receive instant automatic email notification for any new listings or price reductions for listings that meet desired criteria.

Besides the company website, Murphy Realty Group has recently announced that they offer numerous other real estate websites. Each of these sites are highly ranked for related search terms for that site. The company is targeting local buyers and sellers with area specific websites, such as WoodstockNewYorkRealEstate.com, UlsterCountyNYRealEstate.com, and CatskillsNYRealEstate.com. These are just a few of the additional websites that Murphy Realty Group has to offer.

These sites not only target local buyers and sellers, but they also strategically target out of area buyers, specifically NYC buyers. John Murphy, says that ?when someone searches for Woodstock Real Estate or Woodstock Homes For Sale, we will not only come up on the first page, but we have an entire site dedicated to that area?. Murphy is right, after performing a search for Woodstock Real Estate, there were several other websites, but none as user friendly, or area specific as WoodstockNewYorkRealEstate.com. This website is full of local content, and information about the Woodstock area, offers a local Woodstock blog with news and events on the area, and also offers a user friendly advanced search for all listings in the Woodstock and surrounding areas.

Murphy went on to say that all of his company websites offer specific localized information. The dominant internet presence, along with the aggressive approach to marketing in print, TV and radio goes hand in hand with the reputation of his company, and his top producing Ulster County Real Estate agents. John goes onto state ?we are very well known throughout the county, we?ve been around a long time, and many of my agents are actively involved in the community.? John continues to recognize and thank loyal clients, stating that ?the best compliment is a referral?. John continues to say ?many clients and customers remain in contact and have become good friends, long after the home buying or selling process is over, and continue to refer us to their friends and family.?

Murphy Realty Group continues to grow successfully, and dominate the Ulster County Real Estate scene. John also said that ?this is only the beginning of what we have to offer, so when asked why we are so successful, it?s easier to just say, we?re good at what we do, and we love it!?

To learn more about Murphy Realty Group, visit http://www.MurphyRealtyGrp.com

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Icon Brickell condos for sale have been enjoying record sales in recent months and have now sold out! The Catena Group from Fortune Development Sales, the development?s leading sales team, reports that the three-tower Icon Brickell condo complex?s 1,750 units are being snapped up by international buyers who are drawn to their low prices, distinctive Philippe Starck interiors, and central Downtown Miami location. The Catena Group from Fortune Development Sales is your best chance to still purchase property in this development. They have many units that are now up for resale exclusively through their listings.

Since 1983, Fortune International has set the industry standard for high-end realty in southern Florida. Over the years, Fortune International has formed powerful strategic alliances with global partners and acted as the exclusive sales firm for premier properties.

?There?s no better time than now to invest in an Icon Brickell condo,? says Catalina Martinez, who co-founded the Catena Group from Fortune Development Sales with Ena Espino Pereda. ?We have been selling units here since the project?s inception and sales have been so good that the prices of Icon Brickell apartments right now are actually beginning to climb up again.?

?So this means that if you?ve been thinking about investing in an Icon Miami condo, you had best make your move now while prices are still low and you still have units to choose from,? adds Espino Pereda.

In response to three years of explosive growth, 1000Bulbs.com is moving its warehouse operations to a 131,950 square foot facility at 3200 W. Kingsley Rd. in Garland, Texas, just northeast of Dallas. The deal, brokered through Stream Realty, nearly triples the warehouse space currently occupied by 1000Bulbs.com.

The new warehouse and distribution center features 32-foot ceilings, 16 docks, and 28 pack out stations. The new infrastructure will exponentially increase the company’s stocking and shipping abilities, which already account for nearly 14,000 stocked items and over 37,000 orders shipped each month. In addition, the facility will include a 600 square foot will-call room with point-of-sale capabilities, making local orders and pickup more convenient for Dallas-area clients.

1000Bulbs.com will also be upgrading its warehouse management system when it completes the move. Order fulfillment will now be an entirely paperless process, with warehouse staff utilizing state-of-the-art hardware including handheld scanners, touch screen computers, and mobile label printers, among other upgrades. To facilitate the quickest shipping possible, the warehouse will be organized into zones by product popularity, enabling warehouse personnel to make quicker, more efficient picks.

The increased warehouse space and resources are also expected to increase order accuracy, which is already at nearly 99%. Order staging and quality control will now be faster and more accurate with 100% of orders checked based on item weight. 1000Bulbs.com will also streamline order packaging with specially designated boxes and shipping materials automatically selected based on item SKU and weight. The new process will improve the overall fulfillment process and virtually eliminate waste.

Considering this is the company?s second warehouse expansion since 2009, Garland real estate representatives are understandably energized by the move. “It is very exciting to watch a company like 1000Bulbs.com continue to grow over the past several years,” says Seth Koschak of Stream Realty. “It’s a true testament to their leadership, dedicated employees, and customer service.”

The company’s office operations will remain at their current location on 2140 Merritt Dr. in Garland, Texas. The combined facilities now claim over 220,000 square feet of industrial space.

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Commercial real estate is booming in Lakewood Ranch, FL as nine new businesses announce openings on Main Street.

After a residential real estate recovery in 2011 that bucked state and national trends in Lakewood Ranch, FL commercial real estate is now following the recovery trend with a resurgence of business activity on the ranch?s popular downtown shopping and dining center. Nine additional new businesses will be added to Main Street over first few months of 2012.

Soma, a national franchise owned by Chico?s, will open in March. Soma sells lingerie and intimates for women and will open right next door to Chico?s.

Premier Sotheby?s International Realty will replace Prudential Palms beginning March 1, and JPan Sushi will replace Saijo Sushi . The American Shore Trading Company will soon open in the former Little Bookworms? space. ?The addition of more national brands like Soma and Signature Sotheby?s is a testament to the success of Main Street,? said Brian Kennelly, president of LWR Commercial Realty. ?It?s a huge compliment to have names like these and other local success stories like JPan, Fast N Fresh and Pincher?s all getting ready to open. Our ability to re-tenant the sushi restaurant and real estate office with less than 30 days down time is a great indication of the strength of the market in Lakewood Ranch.?

American Shore is a local, family owned business. In support of Lakewood Ranch?s green community status, the store will emphasize eco-friendly products, said owners Barry and Lynn Rainwater. ?American Shore is a brand new concept, and we?ll offer skateboard- and surfboard-inspired apparel, accessories and shoes plus our own private label of clothing,? said Barry Rainwater ?We?ll also have backpacks, skateboards, longboards and more.? They are hoping to be open by the spring.

Lorelei?s clothing store and the Naples Soap Company will be other additions coming soon, along with Fast N Fresh casual restaurant and Pincher?s Crab Shack. Berlin Patten, PLLC is also opening a third office on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch. This is a full service transactional and litigation firm, focusing primarily on real estate related matters. Other offices are currently in Sarasota and Venice.

In 2011, close to 400 new homes were sold in Lakewood Ranch, FL, one of top selling master planned communities in the United States. ?With our new sports campus, new commercial construction this year totaling upwards of $ 150 million, and new rental projects springing up, we?re proud that Lakewood Ranch has become the premier new-home destination on Florida?s West Coast,? said Rex Jensen, president and CEO of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, Inc., the developer of Lakewood Ranch. ?That is definitely translating into more visitors, which in turn means more sales.? There are 18 new home builders on the ranch with more than 40 new home models and 170 homes currently under construction.

Main Street at Lakewood Ranch is the fashionable shopping venue located across from the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. Stylish boutiques, restaurants and offices blend to create an intimate small-town village theme. http://www.lwrmainstreet.com


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On Friday, February 24, 2012, in the Doral Park Golf and Country Club, Interinvestments Realty

This Orient Plan-A residence is one of the most sought after floor plans because of its? dual masters on opposite sides of the residence and it?s positioned closest to Las Vegas Blvd which provides remarkable north strip views of Bellagio, Paris and Cosmopolitan.

The Residences at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas Condos mix the prestige of an internationally renowned hotel and resort brand, unparalleled amenities and striking architectural design with a world-class, five-star hotel and residential experience.

Anthony Phillips, President of Luxury Real Estate Partners at Award Realty said ?We are honored to be one of the first teams to market resale residences at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas. Our intimate knowledge of the residences and unparalleled marketing reach will put is in a leadership position regarding the upcoming resale market at CityCenter?s Mandarin, Veer Towers and Vdara properties.?

For more information on this fine residence, please visit http://www.mylvcondosales.com/mandarin-las-vegas/.

About Luxury Real Estate Partners:

Luxury Real Estate Partners is a Las Vegas based Real Estate Marketing firm which includes professionals in sales, management, construction, marketing and finance. For more information, visit http://www.luxuryrealestatepartners.com.

About Award Realty:

Award Realty was formed in 1980 and has become one of the most productive Real Estate Companies in the Las Vegas area representing some of the finest residences in the Las Vegas Valley. Award Realty is capable of handling every kind of real estate transaction, including sales of Las Vegas strip properties, shopping centers, apartment complexes, land, condos, single family homes and new home developments. Award Realty is also offers representation on HUD repossessions and handles listing referrals from banks, mortgage companies, saving and loans and major companies transferring employees.

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Homes are going to contract in less than a day, says Warren Gold. Buyers are paying above asking price. Yes, right here in Hillsborough County. No, it’s not a flashback to 2006.

Since the last quarter of 2011, there has been growing demand from investors to buy discounted properties, not to flip, but to rent. They say they get a better and safer return on their money than banks or the stock market can offer. Though buyers are getting bargain basement deals, this surge of activity for investment properties is reducing inventory and leading the way to an improved overall residential market.

Warren Gold of Tampa has bought four investment homes since October and has five more under contract. He’s paying between $ 70,000 and $ 100,000 per property, mostly at the lower end.

“I bought one place for $ 20 a square foot. I’ve paid more for expensive carpeting than that,” he said. “My criteria I use is not the price point but what the actual amount per unit is and what the rental income is compared to the cost of the property. This is the most intense buyer’s market that I have seen in 35 years of owning real estate.”

Just one example is the1542-square-foot condo with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances he bought at the Vantage Point community on Gandy Boulevard. The previous owner paid $ 130,000 for it in 2006, the bank took it back in November and Gold nabbed it for $ 44,000 in December.

“The banks are paying 0 percent interest, so if you have cash why would you possibly keep your money in the bank unless you don’t want to be bothered with being a landlord?” he said. “I’ve put in offers on property where the rent stream will return 25 percent on my investment. I mean how lazy could you be not to do it? As much as you don’t want to own rental property, I can’t imagine being so lazy.”

Plenty of other individuals and investment companies are also far from lazy.

“You can’t take more than 24 hours to put a contract on the good ones,” said Gold, he’s working with a friend who is just starting with investment properties. He wants to find a house in north St. Petersburg for around $ 70,000. “In that price range, the only houses on the market for a while are the junk nobody wants because they are uninhabitable or uninsurable. Everything else is gone in a day or so.”

he points to a few examples of what’s going fast. A 1730-square-foot, 1922 home at 1050 21st St. N in St. Petersburg sold for $ 44,250 in one day. A 1951-square-foot home with a two-car garage built in 1999 at 47010 First Ave. N, also in St. Petersburg, sold in one day for $ 60,500, $ 1500 above asking price. A 2,000-square-foot house built in 2007 at 8420 58th St. N in Pinellas Park sold for $ 51,000 in two days.

David Vann and Kathryn Zimring with Re/Max Metro recently took a client to a two-bedroom, 710-square-foot house listed for $ 42,700 in Largo the first day it was on the market. After politely waiting outside for an earlier showing to finish up, they finally knocked on the door and were welcomed in by the beaming listing agent and two home buyers.

“Those people were writing an offer on the washing machine while standing,” Vann laughed. “There is a frenzy in some ways.”

Their client offered more than the list price and have the house under contract.

Tip No. 1: Bring cash

Even though deeply discounted properties can be a smart investment, it’s hard to get a bank loan to buy them.

“It’s a difficult market to be in if you don’t have cash,” said warren Gold, I’m a very low risk to a bank and I can’t get money.”

Those who have cash are in the catbird seat.

“I’m working with an executive who makes a good bit of money and he just doesn’t want to put it in the stock market. So every time he has a chunk of change he goes shopping for a condo,” said Nona Peebles of Charles Rutenberg Realty. “He has bought three within the last six or seven months for less than $ 100,000 but more than $ 50,000 ? mostly downtown.”

Jim Geinzer is a St. Petersburg architect looking to increase his investment portfolio. He bought a house in Largo for $ 41,000 and has five more in the same neighborhood under contract. His hope is that he can own several properties near each other so it will be more convenient from a property management standpoint.

Gold advises anyone trying to get a good deal to read all the fine print. Some condos and houses he has looked at have mandates that the owners must be over 55, while others in the same complex but with a different homeowners association allow the owner to be any age but the renter must be over 55. Other rules dictate an owner can’t rent the property the first 12 months after buying it.

Also, avoid wasting time and money by making an offer on something and then finding out after the home inspection you don’t want it. Be on the lookout for mold.

“There are a lot of properties out there that have gone to neglect. One place I looked at was so bad when I got home that night I was sick,” Gold said.

Companies are investing, too

Because the return is so strong, a growing number of people are using their individual retirement accounts to buy homes and socking the rent money back into their savings vehicle.

Limited liability companies, a business structure made up of one or more individuals or entities, also account for much of the demand for residential investment sales in Pinellas County. LLCs bought 10 percent of all homes that sold for under $ 150,000 in southern Pinellas County in the last half of 2011.

A Tampa Bay Times analysis of residential property bought by LLCs shows a substantial increase in purchases for investment purposes. In Pinellas County, 546 homes were bought by LLCs the last half of 2011 compared with 326 the last half of 2010. That’s a 67 percent increase.

A handful of LLCs bought more than 10 properties each.

The lower the price of the property, the more attractive it is to these investors, says Warren Gold. Of the homes sold to LLCs during the second half of 2011, 166 went for $ 45,000 or less. Only 39 sold for $ 100,001 to $ 149,900.

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Due to the growing number of retiring veterans, several things concerning VA benefits are likely to be on the mind of many retired military members. From buying a home using VA Home Loans, to receiving student grants, as well as finding relocation assistance with home purchases – retirement is likely to be put on the back burner, post-retirement. However, for opportunists and business owners, like Garrett Puckett, who is the current CEO of Security America Mortgage, Inc. and Security American Realty, Inc., the hope of simplifying a veterans life is a guaranteed victory.

In recent dates, Garrett Puckett made his VA service-oriented priorities clear by developing a new department which focuses on investment sponsorships for veterans and military personnel who want to invest in their future retirement. Puckett further shared some helpful tips for retirement with veterans (and soon to be retired) military veterans, which in turn provided clear understanding over the terms; “Individual Retirement Account (IRA) Plans” and ?401(k) rollovers, how they can be obtained, and why they are useful for veterans immediately following their 401(k) retirement plans.

The 401(k) retirement plan is, ?a type of tax-qualified deferred compensation plan in which an employee can elect to have the employer contribute a portion of his or her cash wages to the plan on a pretax basis? (2012). An IRA can be defined as an alternative retirement plan that provides tax advantages in United States, including retirement investments that can continue to grow savings.

For veterans who have recently left a job, having to decide whether or not they want to rollover their 401(k) into an IRA option is probably the last on their list as buying a real estate property, using VA benefits, and other things are likely to take first place on their list of goals. What do IRAs really mean in the broad scheme of things? More Savings and More Money! Period.

There are two types of options to choose from when looking into getting an IRA plan, which are the Traditional IRA Plan, and the Roth IRA Plan.

OPTION 1 – TRADITIONAL IRA PLAN

A Traditional IRA is an investment vehicle that allows individuals to direct pretax income, no greater than IRS annual limits, towards investments that grow tax-deferred. These contributions can sometimes be tax deductible depending on your filing status, income and other factors.

OPTION 2 – ROTH IRA PLAN

A Roth IRA is also an investment vehicle that allows individuals to direct after tax funds towards investments. The contributions are not tax deductible; however, qualified distributions are tax free.

Qualified distributions include the following:

1. It must occur at least five years after the Roth IRA owner established and funded his/her first Roth IRA.

2. At least one of the following requirements must be met:

a) The Roth IRA holder must be at least age 59.5 when the distribution occurs.

b) Distributed assets limited to $ 10,000 are used towards the purchase or rebuilding of a first home for the Roth IRA holder or a qualified family member.

c) The distribution occurs after the Roth IRA holder becomes disabled.

d) The assets are distributed to the beneficiary of the Roth IRA holder after his/her death.

WHAT IS RETIREMENT ROLLOVER?

A rollover happens when you withdraw cash or other assets from one eligible retirement plan and contribute all or part of it within 60 days to another retirement plan. Though rollovers are not taxable and most are eligible for rollovers, the following types of retirement plans cannot proceed with this option:

1. The nontaxable part of a distribution, such as your after-tax contributions to a retirement plan

(after-tax contributions ?some are except from this rule and can be rolled over)

2. A distribution that is one of a series of payments based on your life expectancy, or the joint life

3. Expectancy of you and your beneficiary, or paid over a period of ten years or more

4. A required minimum distribution

5. A hardship distribution

6. Dividends on employer securities

7. The cost of life insurance coverage

With all of the retirement basics reviewed and set aside, veterans can now rely on experts like those from Security America Mortgage, Inc. to take care of their remaining questions and concerns, anywhere from Colorado to North Carolina.

Would you like to know more about getting a VA home loan? Contact a VA Loan Industry Expert near you to secure your future financial savings, mortgage loan, and security in owning a home today!

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Today?s real estate search begins online. ?According to the 2011 Profile of Home Buyers and Home Sellers done by the National Association of REALTORS

A call to battle the CA DRE exams has been trumpeted for the upcoming test dates. As agent-elect and agents sitting for their brokers? exam know, they’re designed to test knowledge of the subject. To prepare, some just hit the books, some have already taken it a few times and think they are prepared, and others take prep courses. ?One of the easiest ways to pass the CA Department of Real Estate exam is to know what?s on it! Hosting the best test prep course available, PASS THE TEST NOW, just makes sense,? says Keller Williams Realty – Westside?s CEO and Team Leader, Wendy Davis. The course for all New Sales Agents and Brokers is on February 25, 2012 from 8:30 to 4:30 pm.

The National Association of Realtors noted a 7.4% increase in agent productivity in 2011. In the recovering economy Keller Williams? agent productivity increased to 19.5%. Innovative courses and developed processes to drive business have earned Keller Williams Realty the 2011 Innovator of the Year for leading edge technology and training. Hosting a prep course supports that business model.

?This is more than a DRE compliance course,? says instructor Dwight Norris, ?Besides sitting for the exam, if anyone is thinking about getting (back) into real estate practice, this course provides a high level understanding of what?s required and new.?

Unleashing the real estate warrior within by passing the DRE-required Sales Agent or Broker exam is made simpler by honing students’ skills with master instructors. Statistics support proof positive that prep courses increase the odds of passing the test. ?The first time pass rate of the students is 60% higher than studying without this course,? says broker course instructor Bruce Legg. ?Spending a day without overspending for the right tools will provide everything needed to pass the first time.?

As more agents come online or return to the field of real estate, preparation is only half the challenge in capturing the recovering real estate market. The other half of the challenge is leveraging that knowledge with the right opportunity. ?Students will receive an overview of Keller Williams and why the 75,000 agents strong company is pushing its way past the second largest real estate company position in the world to number one?and lunch is free,? says Wendy Davis.

To learn more go to http://www.PASSTHETESTNOW.com or call (310) 482-2500

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