RISMedia Ranks Top 700 Brokers in 20th Annual Power Broker Report & Survey

ERA Key Realty Services is proud to announce that it has been named to RISMedia’s 20th Annual Power Broker Report & Survey. ERA Key Realty Services ranked 297 in closed transaction sides in the Power Broker Report, which identifies and ranks America’s largest residential real estate brokerage companies by transaction sides and sales volume.

The results of this year’s Power Broker Survey reflect the market downturn felt from coast to coast. Longer listing times, more cautious buyers and the mortgage meltdown resulted in fewer total transactions—2,322,210 in 2007 compared to 2,754,618 in 2006. Meanwhile, price appreciation continued its decline, resulting in lower total sales volume—$749,201,552,294 in 2007 compared to $855,755,959,352 in 2006.

To view the complete Power Broker Survey results, visit www.rismedia.com.

“Appearing in RISMedia’s 2008 Power Broker Report is more important than ever,” explains RISMedia President & CEO John Featherston. “By ranking the industry’s leading brokerages by sales dollar volume and transaction, we have been able to identify the leaders in real estate year after year. It’s a great promotion and recruitment tool and a great way to show consumers that the real estate industry is still open for business.

“Being among the top 700 brokers in the country is a sure way to gain the trust of speculative clients, differentiate your firm from the competition, and catch the eye of ambitious new recruits.”

ERA Key Realty Services has offices in Framingham, Franklin, Milford, Oxford, Spencer, Westboro, Whitinsville and Worcester. With sales of $400 million in 2007, it is among the top 10 residential real estate brokerage firms in Massachusetts and the top ERA Company in Massachusetts.

ERA Key Realty Service’s LaChance Attends Reception for “The Friends of the Framingham Heart Study”

FRAMINGHAM, MA - Pictured is local ERA Key Realty Services Realtor Karen LaChance CRS, GRI, participant and president of a group known as The Friends of the Framingham Heart Study and Secretary Michael O. Leavitt, at a reception prior to his remarks.
 Recently, the U. S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Michael Leavitt, came to the Sheraton Framingham Hotel to be the keynote speaker at an event hosted by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to honor the participants of the Framingham Heart Study.
 Three generations of residents have taken part in one of the nations most extensive and successful research studies funded by NHL&BI. The internationally recognized study is in its 60th year in 2008. The contributions of the FHS are well established. Because of this study, we understand the significant role that risk factors play in the development of heart disease – the #1 cause of death in the United States today. People now take action to lower their risk of heart disease, through steps like controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels and following a heart-healthy diet. Genetic information is now being made available to qualified researchers worldwide to bolster understanding of a broad range of health conditions.
 LaChance has been a sales associate with ERA Key Realty Services since 1990 and has been working in real estate for over 30 years.
  ERA Key Realty Services has offices in Framingham, Franklin, Milford, Oxford, Spencer, Westboro, Whitinsville and Worcester. With sales of $624 million in 2005, it is among the top 10 residential real estate brokerage firms in Massachusetts and the top ERA Company in Massachusetts.

A Key Realty Services in Oxford Holds Annual Winter Wonderland

The Oxford Office agents of ERA Key Realty Services held their first annual “Winter Wonderland” at their new location on 351 Main St. in Oxford. This charity event had two major focuses: Gifts for our Troops in Iraq (toiletries and snacks) and “Toys for Tots”.

Santa Claus and his “Real Estate Agent helpers” were warmed by the public support. Smiling parents and children were treated to cookies, drinks, and candies, and all were asked by Santa “what they want for Christmas”. After a picture session with Santa, agent Linda Hale walked the wide-eyed children from room to room to view our “Wonderland”, which consisted of three rooms decorated floor-to-ceiling with miniature town scenes, snow flakes, Christmas trees and lots of seasonal decorations. Before picking up their “Santa pictures”, all were treated to Christmas stories and holiday songs by ERA Key Administrator, Nancy Richards.

ERA Key agent Shirley Delano noted that “the smiles on the children’s faces and the knowledge that our Troops in Iraq and the “Toys for Tots” children will be cheered make this event and the hard work so worth it”. She further added: “We are making our Troops and their support an ongoing effort. We hope that the public will continue to support our Troops by stopping by our facility and dropping off packaged, non-perishable foods and basic supplies throughout the upcoming year”

Santa’s ERA Key helpers also included: Rose Ann Dennette, Stephanie Stuart, Cindie Tessier, Lynne Fanuef, Rob Farley, Tina Durski, Maggie Boynton, Barbara Hopkins, Diane Strzelecki, Laura Poulin, Susan Frieswick, Maribeth Marzeotti, Lori LaPlante, Sandi Grzyb and Les Lackey. Special Thanks go to our Sponsors: Tom Roque: Mortgage Button (Whitinsville), Jay Pope: Northpoint Mortgage (Sturbridge), and Sharon Dimopoulous: Hometown Bank (Oxford). And from the North Pole ( Northern Connecticut) Santa Claus: Dick Murphy.

ERA Key Realty Services is a locally owned franchisee of ERA. With 9 offices in Central Massachusetts and Metro West and 290 licensed agents is among the top 10 companies in ERA nationwide and one of the top 5 real estate companies in Massachusetts.

ERA Key Realty Services Welcomes Oxford Community Center Leaders

Oxford, MA – The Oxford office of ERA Key Realty Services recently welcomed the Oxford Community Center and their leaders to the office’s weekly sales meeting. President Jane Bania presented the Center’s history and goals, as well as introduced the Center’s program managers: Diane Castelo (Rentals), Ali Philips (After School Alliance), and Jackie Baldero (Fitness). Each manager talked about their passion, focused work, and future aspirations for support of the families and friends of the town of Oxford.

At the conclusion of the program, Oxford Office Manager Les Lackey, with Team Oxford’s real estate agents, officially joined the “Friends of the Oxford Community Center”. The Oxford team presented a donation collected by the agent’s fundraising efforts during their September 29th & 30th Grand Opening weekend, which had been held in conjunction with the recent dedication of the Norman J. LeBlanc Building at 351 Main Street.

ERA Key Realty Services is a locally owned franchisee of ERA. With 9 offices in Central Massachusetts and Metro West and 290 licensed agents is among the top 10 companies in ERA nationwide and one of the top 5 real estate companies in Massachusetts.

ERA Key Realty Services in Oxford holds “Trick of Treat” Night

Oxford, MA – ERA Key Realty Services’ agents held a well-attended “Halloween Trick or Treat” night at their new facility on 351 Main St. Oxford. The wonderful smiles on the costumed children and their proud parents’ faces made this a very special night.

ERA Key agents’ costumes included a ghost, witch, old queen, skeleton, and a faceless man. Joining them was a flying cow with her sidekick and a Pomeranian named Buster who was dressed up as a pumpkin! The facility, located in the newly renovated Neil LeBlanc Building (formerly the Oxford Middle School building), was decorated to delight the parents and put a tiny scare in the many trick-or-treater’s that enjoyed the evening’s festivities. Children went from room to room, collecting treats and toys from our costumed agents and affiliated service providers.

ERA Key’s agents also send a special thanks to Jay Pope, (North Point Mortgage), Joe Livingstone (All in One Chimney), Joe Hogan (Hogan Whiting Home Inspections), and Tom Roque (The Mortgage Button) for sponsoring rooms. Many of the decorations were provided by Michelle Perry. Thanks also to the Superintendent, Faculty and Administration of the Oxford Public Schools.

Special Recognition to participating Team Oxford Realtors: Shirley Delano, John Sauer, Rob Farley, Susan Frieswick, Linda Hale, Stephanie Stuart, Nancy Richards, Rose Ann Dennette, Cindie Tesser, Barbara Hopkins, Sheri Barrette, Sandi Grzyb, Laura Poulin and Diane Strzelecki.

ERA Key Realty Services, Oxford, promises an even more exciting Halloween in 2008! Mark it on your calendars.

ERA Key Realty Services is a locally owned franchisee of ERA. With 9 offices in Central Massachusetts and Metro West and 290 licensed agents is among the top 10 companies in ERA nationwide and one of the top 5 real estate companies in Massachusetts.

ERA REAL ESTATE PRESENTS MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION WITH A $2 MILLION DONATION

ERA® Commemorates Its 30-Year Relationship With The Muscular Dystrophy Association At The 2007 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon

PARSIPPANY, N.J., (Sept. 7, 2007) — ERA Franchise Systems LLC proudly celebrated the 30th anniversary of its partnership with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). As MDA’s only corporate sponsor from the real estate industry, ERA Real Estate presented MDA with a check for $2 million at the 2007 Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon on Labor Day.

P.J. Martin Smith, Senior Vice President of Marketing, ERA Franchise Systems LLC and MDA Vice President, says, “Nothing gives the people at ERA Real Estate greater satisfaction than helping MDA in its important work. This year’s donation is clear example our commitment to these wonderful children and families.”

The 30-year relationship has been so rewarding because the ERA® network of brokers and sales professionals feels a deep and genuine investment in the work of MDA. Through a variety of programs, individual offices can both sponsor their own fundraisers and participate in ERA nationwide programs such as “Home Grown Hero,” which allows them to invite individuals on their e-mail lists to contribute to the cause. The impact of these efforts has been felt in the communities across the country where ERA Real Estate has a presence.

From sponsoring MDA summer camps for children to raising funds for researching a cure, ERA Real Estate has helped in the fight against neuromuscular disease for over 30 years and the company and its franchise affiliates have raised over $30 million dollars in total for this great cause.

“Knowing that we have been able to make a difference in these families’ lives motivates us to continue enhancing our partnership in every way possible,” says Martin Smith.

Scarlett Ford-Marchman, Director of Program Development, Muscular Dystrophy Association, agreed, stating, “The relationship between ERA Real Estate and MDA has been extremely important in moving us closer to reaching our goals and helping the children and their families.” Ford-Marchman cites the MDA summer camp program as an example of how ERA Real Estate touches the lives of the children directly, saying, “The children who attend the MDA summer camps enjoy it so much–it’s a time when they can feel more like other children and form special friendships with each other.”

In the end, ERA Real Estate is only able to demonstrate as much support for MDA as its associates are willing to provide. A perfect representative of the company’s spirit of giving and community outreach is the ERA Real Estate 2007 Ed Bilinkas Memorial Award winner, Bruce Taylor, broker of ERA Key Realty, Milford, Mass. The Ed Bilinkas Memorial Award is given each year to an ERA company that through charitable efforts best captures the ERA Real Estate philosophy of giving back to the community. Taylor received the award on behalf of his team in recognition of their outstanding success in using a variety of innovative techniques to raise contributions for MDA and other causes.

Mike Seaver and Nelson Zide represented ERA Key Realty at the 2007 MDA telethon, but as much as Taylor’s team enjoyed participating in that event, they are not motivated by the honors they have earned. Rather, as Taylor says, “When you can see the appreciation in the faces of our programs’ local beneficiaries and the children, it just reminds you how much you get by giving.” He adds, “Charitable work has to come from the heart.”

Other ERA attendees of the telethon include the ERA International Open House winner, Jose S. Castelo of ERA Jose S. Castelo Real Estate in New Bedford, Mass., and the 2007 ERA MDA Day in May Award winner Bill Hurt of ERA Shields in Colorado Springs, Colo. These extraordinary goals could not have been achieved without their commitment and the support of ERA Real Estate’s other 38,000 team members.

ERA Real Estate is proud to have these individuals represent it during the telethon but even prouder that its programs have collectively been able to help MDA in communities across America. Ford-Marchman sums it up best, saying, “If it weren’t for the folks at ERA we simply couldn’t do what we do. The help they provide with fund-raising, public awareness, and direct involvement with our children is invaluable.”

About ERA Franchise Systems LLC
ERA Franchise Systems LCC is a global leader in the residential real estate industry with more than 30 years experience in developing consumer-oriented products and services. Since 1977, ERA Real Estate has teamed up with the Muscular Dystrophy Association in its fight against neuromuscular diseases, raising more than $30 million. The ERA network includes more than 38,000 brokers and sales associates and approximately 3,000 offices throughout the United States and 44 other countries and territories. Each office is independently owned and operated except offices owned and operated by NRT Incorporated. ERA Franchise Systems LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Corporation, the world’s largest real estate franchisor. ERA Franchise Systems LLC information is available at ERA.com.

Dennis McCurdy – Life Coach Visits Spencer Office of ERA Key

From Steve Hubbard, Spencer Office Manager, ERA Key Realty Services

The evening of Thursday, May 17, was the place to be in Spencer, as the agents of this office were treated to a special presentation by Dennis McCurdy, life coach and president of “Find A Way.”

McCurdy has been a self employed business man since the age of 23 and has since started 8 businesses involving real estate, insurance, building, taxes and investments and personal growth workshops. He is currently the owner of McCurdy Insurance group in Sturbridge Massachusetts. He is also the author of a soon to be published book titled “Find A Way” which promises to help individuals invigorate their lives and reach for their dreams.

At the meeting, McCurdy presented an interactive seminar about the power of positive thinking which examined the thoughts and mindsets responsible for our successes or failures. This was a lively, interactive format that was in many ways eye opening for the agents and is another example of the dedication of ERA Key towards a strong, ongoing program of training. Following this, an interactive discussion group about the Seller Security Plan was lead by owner Cheryl Taylor and special guest Lori Martin of our Whitinsville office.The Seller Security Plan is the exclusive ERA program whereby ERA pledges to sell your house or they will buy it. There has been great interest in the program by our agents, more and more sellers are turning towards this program, especially with the buyer’s market we find ourselves in.

Mass Housing Comes to Spencer!

From Steve Hubbard, Spencer Office Manager, ERA Key Realty Services

Thanks to the efforts of Paula Fisher of the Mortgage Button, Heather Putnam-Graham of Mass Housing came to a recent meeting of the Spencer ERA Key Realty Services office to talk with agents there about the benefits to buyers who go with the Mass Housing Lending programs. Mass Housing offers a number of mortgage products primarily geared towards first time buyers that offer very attractive rates and features. Paula Fisher is based out of the Spencer ERA Key office and works together with the Spencer office agents to help buyers become aware of and participate in their exceptional programs.

Who Wants to be Great?

From Steve Hubbard, Spencer Office Manager, ERA Key Realty Services

Pam Austin, Keith Audette and Gail Bassett of the ERA Key Spencer office, that’s who! All 3 are currently enrolled in the “100 Days To Greatness “ program being conducted in our Worcester office training center.

As part of a year long company initiative to help our agents become the best in our market area, ERA Key Realty Services has brought a new and improved “100 Days to Greatness” program to our agents. This program is an intensive learning event designed to give agents the tools they need to take their business up to the next level. It provides materials and instruction based upon the systems used by noted real estate trainer Brian Buffini and is geared towards agents at any stage in their career who have a desire to be the best that they can be. Agents completing this training consistently achieve a significant improvement in the amount of business they do.

ERA Key Realty Services attends Cartus Broker Network 2007 International Conference

Nation’s leading real state brokers gather for industry symposia, roundtables, and networking

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 24, 2007 – ERA Key Realty Services, along with approximately 600 other principal brokers, attended the Cartus Broker Network’s 2007 International Conference in Scottsdale, Ariz., on April 15-17.

The three-day event featured a wide variety of hands-on workshops designed to foster strategic growth and development.  ERA Key Realty Services was given the opportunity to interact and discuss a wide variety of relocation issues, while networking with other leading brokers and the Cartus Broker Network leadership team.

“This annual conference is an opportunity to examine the past year’s challenges and successes, identify emerging trends, and proactively take charge in communication plans to sustain momentum for growth and charting our future for success,” said Deborah Williams, senior vice president, Cartus Supply Chain Management. “Our Network members are leaders in their markets and represent many of the top firms in the real estate industry.”

Lori Kelleher, Relocation Director, ERA Key Realty Services commended the quality of the event in addition to the intrinsic value the conference offered. “I was truly impressed with the spectrum of topics the conference offered,” Kelleher said. “This conference was a great motivator for our relocation staff and addressed many of the challenges of today and potential ones of tomorrow, in a competitive marketplace.”

Cartus Broker Network is the nation’s leading real estate referral network consisting of more than 375 Principal and 600 Associate brokers that serve the clients and customers of Cartus.  Cartus Corporation is the premier provider of global mobility management and workforce development solutions serving the corporate, government and affinity markets. Through its industry-leading mobility management outsourcing, consulting, and intercultural and language training, Cartus helps the mobile workforces of organizations of all sizes achieve success worldwide. With more than 50 years of experience, Cartus helps clients achieve cost reductions and enhances service performance to accomplish their organizational objectives. Cartus is part of Realogy Corporation, the world’s leading real estate franchisor. Realogy has a diversified business model that also includes real estate brokerage, relocation and title services. Visit www.cartus.com and www.realogy.com for more information.

ERA Key Realty Services is a locally owned franchisee of ERA.  With 9 offices in Central Massachusetts and Metro West and 290 licensed agents is among the top 10 companies in ERA nationwide and one of the top 5 real estate companies in Massachusetts.

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