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A tax credit available to selected home buyers included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
BATTLE CREEK, MI – On April 1st, Prudential Preferred, REALTORS® will complete its acquisition of Joy Brown Realty (119 E. Columbia Ave., Battle Creek). Joy Brown, broker/owner of Joy Brown Realty and long-time area resident, will be joining Prudential Preferred as a real estate sales agent at its 820 Capital Ave, S.W. location and will be joined by a number of experienced agents. According to Ms. Brown, “Prudential Preferred, REALTORS® was the right fit for my team and I look forward to being able to provide the services and tools that Prudential offers to all of my clients and customers.”
Prudential Preferred, REALTORS® leads the Metropolitan Battle Creek Area in sales and the addition of the Joy Brown team of agents will only enhance their position as the leader in Battle Creek area real estate. According to Steven Fase, President and CEO of Prudential Preferred, “Joy Brown represents a long time presence in Battle Creek that has been marked by community involvement and success in real estate sales. Her presence in the market has made all of us stronger and better as a result of her dedication to the industry. I am enormously proud to have Joy Brown as a member of our team of professionals.”
According to Paul Ressler, Prudential Preferred’s Battle Creek manager, “This is great news for the Battle Creek area. This merger will help us grow in a market that is facing many challenges. By adding Joy Brown’s team of first-class professionals, we will create an even stronger office poised to meet the needs of home buyers and sellers both today and as the market grows in the years to come.”
Prudential Preferred, REALTORS® is an area-owned and locally operated member of the Prudential Real Estate network. It was founded in 1953 and has become one of Michigan’s largest real estate firms. The company’s West Michigan Offices are located in Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Portage, Plainwell, Richland, Three Rivers, South Haven, Grand Rapids, Rockford and Howard City. Prudential Preferred recently extended its service area by acquiring offices in the Charlevoix, Beaver Island, Boyne City, Petoskey, Harbor Springs and Gaylord areas in Northern Michigan, which formed Prudential Preferred Properties Network. Prudential Preferred, REALTORS® and Prudential Preferred Properties Network, when combined, is the largest Prudential franchise in the Great Lakes region with a sales team of over 400 agents and 19 offices. Its website, www.pprmi.com, offers more than 25,000 Michigan listings as well as professional virtual tours.
Questions regarding the Joy Brown Realtors acquisition can be directed to Kathy King, regional manager for Prudential Preferred, REALTORS®, at (269) 488-0144 or kathyking@pprmi.com.
KALAMAZOO, MI- Prudential Preferred, REALTORS® today announced the roll-out of a new type of Property Management Service. The announcement was made by the company’s President and CEO, Steven Fase, who stated that “…the burgeoning single family rental market has created a demand from homeowners who wish to contract for services to oversee their residences. Some homeowners want to hold on to their home, yet not occupy it, while waiting for a more favorable selling market. There are also those who do not have to sell and want to retain their property as income producing. Others may just need someone to serve as a caretaker of their property, for a portion of the year. The newly expanded service offered by Prudential Preferred, REALTORS®, satisfies an unmet need in our local market and complements our business model of being The Home Ownership Company™”.
Vicki Okuniewski, a REALTOR® with the firm has been appointed to the newly created position of Property Manager. In making the selection, Mr. Fase noted that Vicki’s more than 30 years of property management and leasing experience has made her particularly well suited for this assignment. The new Property Management Service will operate out of the company’s Stadium Drive office, in Kalamazoo.
Homeowners will have the option of selecting from a dual menu of services providing full service property management and complete leasing and tenant management to meet their needs on a short or long-term basis. A no obligation consultation will be offered to determine the client’s requirements. The Leasing Option would offer selected services to property owners, some of whom may choose to do much of the property management themselves. The Property Management Option would be full service including a dedicated 24-hour response line for tenant inquiries, maintenance requests and emergencies. These services are offered to owners of single-family homes and residential buildings containing up to four units. The company’s goal is to take the worry out of maintaining property.
Prudential Preferred is a family owned and locally operated member of the Prudential Real Estate network. It began as a small business over 50 years ago and has become one of Michigan’s largest real estate firms. The company’s West Michigan Offices include Kalamazoo, Portage, Plainwell, Richland, Three Rivers, South Haven, Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, Rockford and Howard City. Prudential Preferred recently extended their service area by acquiring eight offices in the Charlevoix, Beaver Island, Boyne, Petoskey and Harbor Springs areas in Northern Michigan. This acquisition formed Prudential Preferred Properties Network (PPPN), a Northern Michigan division. In December of 2007, Real Estate Professionals of Gaylord, Michigan joined (PPPN), creating one of the largest real estate companies in Northern Michigan. Prudential Preferred, REALTORS® and Prudential Preferred Properties Network combined, is the largest Prudential franchise in the Great Lakes region with a sales team of over 420 agents and operating 19 offices.
For more information on this story, contact Prudential Preferred, REALTORS®, 6312 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009, or call (269)-488-0144.
Prudential Preferred Expands Its Already Sizeable Presence in Northern Michigan
Gaylord, Mich. - On December 10th, Real Estate Professionals of Gaylord (REP) joined Prudential Preferred Properties Network (PPPN) of Charlevoix,Boyne City and Petoskey. The Gaylord office located at 715 S Wisconsin Ave., and its seven agents will join with the over 65 agents and seven offices of PPPN. The move will create one of the largest real estate companies in Northern Michigan. Combined, PPPN and Prudential Preferred, REALTORS®, which operates in West Michigan, will be the largest Prudential franchise in the Great Lakes with a sales team of over 420 agents and 19 offices.
“This is an exciting opportunity for all of us,” according to Prudential Preferred broker Steve Fase. “There is a natural tie-in to our Northern Michigan Offices, as it will support the many agents who also work in the Gaylord / Otsego County and Mackinaw markets. It will also further the opportunities for all of our agents to take advantage of Prudential’s quality reputation and expand services to clients desiring second home and vacation properties.” Rik Lobenherz, president of PPPN, added that “the principles, staff, and agents at REP have the qualities, experience, and professionalism we look for in any expansion of our network.” Dave Morris, Real Estate Professionals broker/co-owner, believes that “joining Prudential Preferred will be enormously beneficial for our clients. Buyers looking for property in Northern Michigan will have more choices, and sellers will have access to the advanced marketing and technology tools that Prudential offers. This is a great group of people and we’re looking forward to growing together.”
Prudential Preferred Properties Network and Prudential Preferred, REALTORS® are independently owned and operated members of the Prudential Real Estate network with a 50-year history of real estate sales. It is the only real estate company to span from the Michigan-Indiana border to the Straits of Mackinac. Along with its presence throughout Northern Michigan, it has offices in Grand Rapids, Rockford, Howard City, Kalamazoo, Portage, Battle Creek,Richland, Plainwell, Three Rivers and South Haven. Find out more and view over 25,000 Michigan properties at www.pprmi.com.
The Gaylord office can be reached at (989) 732-9555.
Merger Creates Only Real Estate Firm Serving Both Northern and Southwestern Michigan
Charlevoix, Mich. - On December 5, 2006, Vacation Properties Network and Boyne Realty of Emmet and Charlevoix counties announced its merger with Prudential Preferred, REALTORS® (PPR) of West Michigan. The seven northern offices, with over 70 agents, will operate as Prudential Preferred Properties Network (PPPN). PPR will continue to operate in West Michigan under its existing name. Combined, PPR and PPPN will be the largest Prudential franchise in the Great Lakes with a sales team of over 420 agents and 19 offices.
“This is a culmination of four years of discussions and planning between VPN/Boyne and Prudential Preferred, REALTORS®,” explains Steve Fase, President and owner of Prudential Preferred. ”We have been looking to establish a presence in northern Michigan, and there was no better way than to join forces with the area’s leader. This is one of the country’s most beautiful areas, and we are thrilled to link up with VPN/Boyne’s outstanding team of real estate professionals. There are also many opportunities for referrals between both of our regions.” According to Rik Lobenherz, President and owner of VPN and Boyne Realty, “Both Steve and I are equally excited about the dynamics of this new partnership. Prudential Preferred, REALTORS® is on the cutting edge of technology and systems to help us better serve our customers and clients and to continue to grow and thrive. We are taking the best of what we can offer, and the best of what they can offer, and creating a more effective way to support our agents and be more productive for our clients.” The merger creates the only real estate company to span from the Michigan-Indiana border to the Straits of Mackinac.
Prudential Preferred, REALTORS® is an independently owned and area-operated member of the Prudential Real Estate network with a 50-year history of real estate sales. Along with Prudential Preferred Properties Network’s presence throughout northern Michigan, it has offices in Grand Rapids, Rockford, Howard City, Kalamazoo, Portage,Battle Creek, Richland, Plainwell, Three Rivers and South Haven. Find out more and view over 20,000 Michigan properties at www.pprmi.com.
PPPN management can be contacted at either (231) 547-9905 in Charlevoix or (231) 526-9800 in Harbor Springs.
Merger with South Haven Real Estate Combines Local Expertise with Regional Strength
South Haven, Mich – In April, Prudential Preferred, REALTORS® completed its acquisition of South Haven Real Estate to become one of the area’s largest real estate firms. Former co-owner of South Haven Real Estate, Jim Sweat, will remain at the location during the next few months, after which he will be joining his wife Marci, also a former co-owner, in Florida. According to Mr. Sweat, “We are excited about bringing a company to town that has the resources and philosophy to serve our clients the way they deserve. After all, many of them are our friends and family.”
Residents of the South Haven area will now be able to take advantage of Prudential Preferred’s powerful services that help connect buyers and sellers and better manage real estate transactions. Some of these include Internet home listings through partners such as Yahoo.com, Mlive.com, Woodtv.com and Prudential Preferred’s own website, PPRMI.com. In addition, when listing a home with Prudential, sellers have the option of uploading a professionally photographed virtual tour of their home, which are now used by 79% of all home buyers. There are also the postcards that Prudential Preferred mails out for each one of its listings. According to Prudential Preferred’s CEO Steve Fase, “No other company in the area offers the level of client service that our agents can. Our regional strength combined with the local expertise of our South Haven sales professionals puts us in a great position for further growth and delivery of value to lakeshore residents.”
Prudential Preferred, REALTORS®, southwest Michigan’s largest real estate firm, has long recognized the South Haven area for its many outstanding properties, both on Lake Michigan as well as on its many charming streets. Several of Prudential’s existing agents have been active in the South Haven area for years. According to Mr. Fase, “There is a natural tie-in to the Lakeshore, and this expanded presence will support the many agents who have worked in both the South Haven and Kalamazoo markets. It will further the opportunities for all of our agents to take advantage of the Prudential’s brand recognition and to expand services to clients desiring second home and vacation properties.” When asked why he chose to acquire South Haven Real Estate, Fase responded as follows: “We’re a growth-oriented company. With Jim and Marci’s reputation for outstanding service, combined with their location in the heart of South Haven, it was an opportunity too great to pass up.”
Prudential Preferred, REALTORS® is an independently-owned and area-operated member of the Prudential Real Estate network. It is Southwest Michigan’s largest real estate firm and has over 350 licensed real estate professionals. The company operates 13 offices, its service area includes all 18 West Michigan counties, and it specializes in residential as well as many other aspects of real estate.
Note: The South Haven office can be reached at 246 Broadway Ave, South Haven, MI 49090, (269) 639-9998.
Area REALTORS® Will Participate in Prudential’s Global Volunteer Day on October 1st
Kalamazoo, Mich. (September 26, 2005) – Prudential Preferred, REALTORS® recently announced the creation of the Prudential Preferred, REALTORS® Foundation (PPRF). The Foundation’s mission is to enhance the communities within the company’s service area through volunteering and charitable giving. The focus of its efforts will be on housing and community-related causes.
On Saturday, October 1st, the PPRF will participate in Prudential’s Global Volunteer Day at various locations throughout greater Kalamazoo and southwest Michigan. These locations include the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, at which PPRF members will be painting and cleaning. In addition, there will be PPRF members participating in similar activities at the Housing Resources family shelter. Within the Battle Creek area, PPRF members will be assisting the Battle Creek Food Bank and Charitable Union with their hurricane relief efforts.
The PPRF formally established its charitable fund with a $5,000 check donated by Steve Fase, the owner of Prudential Preferred, REALTORS®, which opened an account with the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. According to PPRF chairperson, Susan Pyke, “This fund will receive donations from agents and staff throughout our company, which will benefit all of our service areas.” Because it is an endowed fund, accrued interest will be distributed to various charitable organizations, while the principal will remain untouched. The Kalamazoo Community Foundation will be acting as the fund manager, and it will work closely with other community foundations in Grand Rapids, Battle Creek and Three Rivers to distribute resources.
Greater community involvement is especially important for the real estate industry, and foundations such as the PPRF have been in existence for many years. According to Ms. Pyke, “We’ve seen foundations such as ours start from little more than an idea and grow into very generous community members. Our aim is to benefit our fellow citizens in a meaningful way, and there is every reason to believe that together we can achieve this goal. In light of Hurricane Katrina, we feel especially compelled to lend a hand to those in need.”
Anyone interested in the Prudential Preferred, REALTORS® Foundation can find out more at: www.pprmi.com/extra3.htm. Currently, the PPRF is accepting applications for volunteer projects for 2006.
Prudential Preferred, REALTORS® is one of West Michigan’s largest real estate companies and ranks among the nation’s 150 most productive real estate firms. Its team of over 325 highly skilled real estate agents is assisted by administrative assistants, accountants, marketing specialists, and relocation professionals. The company operates 12 offices, and its service area includes all 18 West Michigan counties.
