E Real Estate Exec Las Vegas Press Releases

Habitat for Humanity Founder, Millard Fuller, Dead at 74

Habitat for Humanity is deeply saddened by the death of Millard Fuller, the visionary whose ideas and tireless work created Habitat for Humanity.

Mr. Fuller led Habitat from its founding in 1976 until his separation from the organization and his founding of the Fuller Center for Housing in 2005. He died early today, Feb. 3, following a brief illness. He was 74.

“Millard Fuller was a force of nature who turned a simple idea into an international organization that has helped more than 300,000 families move from deplorable housing into simple, decent homes they helped build and can afford to buy and live in,” said Jonathan Reckford, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity International. “The entire Habitat family mourns the loss of our founder, a true giant in the affordable housing movement. Our prayers are with the entire Fuller family.”

"Millard Fuller's vision created a model for developing affordable housing that is successful around the world," said Guy Amato, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas. "We extend our deepest sympathies to the Fuller family the world-wide community of supporters, volunteers and staff he brought together to eliminate poverty housing in the world."

The idea for Habitat for Humanity was born at Koinonia Farm, a Christian farming community founded in 1942 in rural southwest Georgia to be a “demonstration plot for the Kingdom of God.” Millard and Linda Fuller made their way to that demonstration plot in 1965.

By the time Millard Fuller turned 29, he had earned his first million dollars as an entrepreneur and attorney. But as his finances flourished, his health and marriage crumbled. To save their marriage, the Fullers decided to begin anew. They sold all that they owned, gave the money to the poor and in their searching, landed at Koinonia where they began soaking up the teachings of farmer, theologian and community founder Clarence Jordan.

In time, Jordan and Fuller launched a program of “partnership housing,” building simple houses in partnership with rural neighbors who were too poor to qualify for conventional home loans. The first house was dedicated in 1969 and others soon followed. In 1973, the Fullers took the concept of partnership housing to Africa. Within a few years, simple concrete-block homes were replacing unhealthy mud-and-thatch homes … and Millard Fuller had a bold idea: If partnership housing could improve lives in Georgia and Zaire, why not the rest of the world?

In 1976, the Fullers returned to the United States and launched Habitat for Humanity International. By the organization’s 25th anniversary, tens of thousands of people were volunteering with Habitat and more than 500,000 people were living in Habitat homes.

Millard Fuller was a prolific writer, authoring 10 books. He had received more than 50 honorary degrees and in 1996 received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. In presenting the medal, President Bill Clinton said, “Millard Fuller has done as much to make the dream of homeownership a reality in our country and throughout the world as any living person.” Jack Kemp, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and former HFHI board member agreed, adding, “When I’m asked about housing success stories from our inner cities, the first group that comes to mind is Habitat for Humanity.”

Among numerous other awards, Fuller was named to the National Housing Hall of Fame and had received the World Changer Award, the World Methodist Peace Award, the Norman Vincent Peale Award, the John W. Gardner Leadership Award and the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award.

“Millard Fuller’s drive and relentless commitment to affordable housing captured people’s imagination and changed lives around the world,” said J. Ronald Terwilliger, chair of Habitat for Humanity’s International Board of Directors. “His inspiration lives on in Habitat’s work and through its employees, volunteers, partner families and supporters. We extend our sincere condolences to the Fuller family and are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers.”
About Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas Established in Clark County, Nevada in 1991, Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas has completed 64 homes. Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas is a not-for-profit organization that builds decent, affordable housing with the help of volunteer labor and donated time and materials and funds. Each home is sold at no profit and with a no-interest mortgage to local working families who otherwise might be forced to live in substandard housing. Families contribute "sweat equity" by helping in the construction of their own homes. Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas 1401 N. Decatur Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89108 702-638-6477

www.habitalasvegas.org

Mayor Oscar Goodman to speak at LVHCA’s Feb. 27 breakfast

Who: Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman.

What: Mayor Goodman will talk about the future of downtown Las Vegas and the impact that high-rise developments have on the city.

The event is open to the public. The cost is $10 for members and $30 for non-members who RSVP in advance. The price increases by $10 at the door. Those interested can RSVP on www.lvhca.com or by calling Patty Fournier at 216-0445.

When: Friday, Feb. 27.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. The program begins at 8:30 a.m.

Where: Cili Restaurant at Bali Hai Golf Club, at 5160 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

MEDIA: Please call Mandi McCary at 967-2222 to attend or cover the event.

About the LVHCA
The LVHCA was founded in 2006. Its mission is to provide accurate information and education about condominium and mixed-use developments in Las Vegas. Charter members of the LVHCA include Panorama Towers, Sky Las Vegas, Allure, Juhl, Boca Raton and affiliate RMI Management, LLC. LVHCA is a leading source for accurate information and education regarding condominium and mixed-use developments in Las Vegas for REALTORS®, developers, media and consumers. For more information, visit www.lvhca.com.

Rob’s Real Estate Report – December 2008 Findings

:::REO distress sales accounted for a full 87% of all sales in the Las Vegas region, with sold REO’s up 25% and Short Sales up 14%; Sales for Single Family Homes also climbed 14% in December - up from a 6 month low in November – and average days on market plunged by more than 50% to under 90 days - the lowest since May 2008:::

The below monthly Las Vegas Real Estate Market Report is brought to you by The Jenson Group luxury realty’s CEO Robert Jenson, who is available for interview/comment. Data in this report covers total Las Vegas and Henderson real estate activity for December 2008*, also providing comparable statistics for the month prior as well as key findings.

Single Family Residences (SFRs) Under $1 Million:

Number of Listings on Market: 21,138 (1.8% decrease from month prior)
Quantity Sold: 2,178 (14% increase over month prior)
Average Sales Price:$207,186 (4.6% decrease from month prior)
Number of Foreclosures on Market 1st of Month: 9,234 (4.5% increase over month prior)
Number of Foreclosures Closed: 1,643 (14.4% increase over month prior)
Number of Short Sales on Market 1st of Month: 7,145 (3.7% decrease from month prior)
Number of Short Sales Closed: 245 (25% increase over month prior)

Luxury SFRs Over $1 Million:

Number of Listings on Market: 850 (5.6% decrease from month prior)
Quantity Sold: 5 (55% decrease from month prior)
Average Sales Price: $1,871,116 (7% increase over month prior)
Number of Listings over $3 Million on Market: 186 (2.2% increase over month prior)
Number of Closings over $3 Million: 0 (no change from month prior)
Number of Foreclosures on Market: 1st of Month 21 (5% increase over month prior)
Number of Foreclosures Closed: 2 (50% decrease from month prior)
Number of Short Sales on Market 1st of Month: 23 (21% decrease from month prior)
Number of Short Sales Closed: 0 (no change from month prior)

Condominiums Over $1 Million:

Number of Listings on Market: 172 (3% increase over month prior)
Quantity Sold: 1 (1 unit increase over month prior)
Sales Price: $1,105,000 (29% decrease from last sales)
Price per Sq.Ft.: 667 (comparison data unavailable)
Number of Foreclosures on Market 1st of Month: 0 (no change over month prior)
Number of Foreclosures Closed: 0 (no change over month prior)
Number of Short Sales on Market 1st of Month: 1 (no change over month prior)
Number of Short Sales Closed: 0 (no change over month prior)

Miscellaneous:

Total Number of SFRs Sold: 2,184 (14% increase over month prior)
Total Number of Foreclosures Closed: 1,645 (14% increase over month prior)
Total Number of Short Sales Closed: 245 (25% increase over month prior)

Key Findings:

Lower interest rates and a drop in the average sales price under $208,000 for homes <$1MM is attracting more buyers to the Las Vegas market.
While November was the weakest month in the last half of 2008, December showed a strong improvement in what is traditionally slow time of year. Indeed, December showed improvements in several key stats: Fewer listings, more sales, reduction in days on market, higher sales price per sq.ft., and a decline in monthly supply.
Single Family Homes under $1 million are at the lowest number of listings since June ’08, with overall SFH sales at all price points having climbed 14% in December - up from a 6 month low in November.
Strong increases in sold REO’s (up 25%) and Short Sales (up 14%) were enough to push an increasing inventory of distress sales markedly down, with REOs accounting for a full 87% of all sales in the region.
Also in December, average days on market dropped by more than 50% to under 90 days - the lowest since May ’08

*Data as of January 1st, 2009; Does not include new home builder sales

Women’s Council of Realtors®

Press Release
Las Vegas, NV
January 9th, 2009

February 3rd Meeting

Women’s Council of Realtors® Las Vegas Chapter is proud to announce its very special February 3rd 2009 luncheon meeting is to be held at The Springs Preserve. Designed to be an event to empower and inspire, Women’s Council of Realtor’s® is also thrilled to announce its guest speaker of the day is International Speaker and Author, Aimmee Kodachian Riley. Aimmee’s message of survival against all odds, strength, learning and finally success is the focus of her book Tears of Hope, and will be the featured topic of the meeting. You can visit Aimmee’s website at www.livingmotivated.com

Women’s’ Council of Realtors® Las Vegas Chapter is a membership organization for Realtors® and affiliated businesses, but guest attendance is encouraged. A lunch buffet will be catered by Wolfgang Puck Catering and is sure to be delicious. After the meeting, attendees will have the opportunity to meet the Speaker and have their books signed if they wish; books will be available for purchase. Guests may also walk thru the gardens on the Spring’s property free of charge and any special exhibit is available to view for a reduced fee of $5.00 while at this event.

Not just your normal business motivated Speaker, and being at Springs Preserve is not your typical meeting or group environment either. Spacious and aesthetically gorgeous, the Preserve is an inspiring venue space, indoors and out. It’s worth taking the time to enjoy a peaceful stroll thru the grounds after the meeting’s message to absorb the beauty of the day.

What: Women’s Council of Realtors® Special Meeting
When: Tuesday February 3rd, 2009 11am for networking / 11:30-1:00 Lunch & Program
Where: Spring’s Preserve located at 333 S. Valley View Blvd. between US 95 and Alta Drive in Las Vegas.
Cost: Members with RSVP $30.00/ Non Members with RSVP $40.00
How: Please RSVP to 702-562-6926 or via website @ www.wcrlv.org by January 20th, 2009.
Map: www.springspreserve.org

For more information:
Please call or email Melodie Miller, Chair of Events @ 702-525-2525 or publisher@readsuccess.com

GLVAR statistics show 2008 ending with home prices declining
and home sales soaring

Local housing statistics released Thursday by the Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS® (GLVAR) show 2008 ending with another surge in monthly home sales, even with December being a traditionally slow month for home buying.

For the fourth straight month, GLVAR statistics showed a dramatic increase in the number of local homes sold last month compared to one year ago. In December, GLVAR reported sales increasing 184.2 percent for homes and 172.5 percent for condominiums and townhomes, compared to December 2007. December home and condo/townhome sales were also up 14.4 and 16.1 percent from November.
Keeping with another recent trend, GLVAR reported that the median price of homes being sold in Southern Nevada continued to decline in December, dropping to levels not seen since 2003.
“We’re encouraged to see home sales here in Southern Nevada increasing at such a dramatic rate as we work through a challenging time in the local and national economy and in our housing market,” said GLVAR President and local REALTOR® Sue Naumann. “Traditionally, December is a slow time of year in real estate because of the holidays and colder weather. Still, our GLVAR statistics for December showed a huge increase in the number of homes being sold here. This shows that buyers are realizing that this is a great time to buy a home.”
Naumann stopped short of predicting when local home prices may rebound, but she continued to emphasize that this buyer’s market presents historic opportunities that “can’t last much longer.”
She added that bank-owned properties continue to shape statistics on the local housing market, with more than three out of four homes being sold in Southern Nevada now owned by lenders.
This month’s GLVAR statistics include activity through the end of December. The association distributes such statistics each month based on data collected through its Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which does not necessarily account for newly constructed homes sold by local builders or for sale by owners. This month’s highlights include:

• The total number of local single-family homes sold in December was 2,498, up 14.4 percent from 2,183 in November, and up 184.2 percent from 879 sales in December of 2007.

Click Here for GLVAR Housing Stats PDF's

• GLVAR tracked 455 local condo and townhome sales in December, up 16.1 percent from 392 sales in November. That’s up 172.5 percent from 167 units sold last December.

• The median price of a single-family home sold in the Las Vegas area decreased by 5.9 percent during the month, from $186,000 in November to $175,000 in December. That’s down 32.7 percent from December of 2007.

• For condos and townhomes, the median sales price decreased 0.9 percent from $90,750 in November to $89,900 in December. That’s down 51.4 percent from December of 2007.

• The number of local homes listed for sale through December decreased by 2.7 percent for single-family homes, with 22,144 listed for sale in December compared to 22,770 listed for sale in November. That inventory of homes is up 0.6 percent from December 2007.

• The number of condos and townhomes listed for sale decreased slightly, down 1.3 percent from 5,573 in November to 5,501 in December. That’s also 0.1 percent fewer listings than last December.

• Naumann said that local real estate transactions tracked through the MLS during December totaled more than $510 million worth of local single-family home sales, up 0.7 percent from more than $507 million in sales during November, and up 82.0 percent from last December. Nearly $52 million in local condo and townhome properties were sold during December, compared to nearly $41 million in November. That’s an increase of 26.4 percent for the month and an increase of 28.0 percent from December 2007.
• Through December, 67.0 percent of all single-family homes and 63.1 percent of all condos and townhomes sold within 60 days. In November, 67.8 percent of all single-family homes and 56.7 percent of all condos and townhomes sold within 60 days.
To arrange interviews with GLVAR experts, please call George McCabe at (702) 967-2222.

About the GLVAR
GLVAR was founded in 1947 and provides its more than 14,000 local members with education, training and political representation. The local representative of the National Association of REALTORS®, GLVAR is the largest professional organization in Southern Nevada. Each GLVAR member receives the highest level of professional training and must abide by a strict code of ethics. For more information, visit www.lasvegasrealtor.com.

SHIFT Seminar Empowers Real Estate Agents
with Proven Tactics for Success in Tough Times

Las Vegas, NV – Keller Williams Realty, Inc., is pleased to announce an evening seminar based on Gary Keller’s newest book, SHIFT: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times. This instructive seminar is coming to Las Vegas, at The Four Seasons, on November 11, from 4:00-9:00

Gary Keller is a self-made multimillionaire and founder of Keller Williams Realty, the fourth-largest and fastest-growing real estate franchise system in North America. SHIFT, written by Keller and coauthors Dave Jenks and Jay Papasan, is drawn from the experiences of hundreds of top performing agents and outlines 12 tactics to surviving and thriving during a market shift.

During the seminar, Gary Keller will share the tactics for achieving success in any real estate market, and cover a range of topics including ‘Re-Margin Your Business – Expense Management‘; ‘Price Ahead of the Market – Seller Pricing Strategies‘; ‘Create Urgency – Overcoming Buyer Reluctance‘; and ‘Master the Market of the Moment – Short Sales, Foreclosures, and REO’s‘. In addition, attendees will learn how to jump-start their businesses through the same proven fundamentals tools for long-term success.

“The SHIFT is unlike any other seminar out there, in that it was built specifically for this market with tactics to use throughout your career. In addition, it was based on the experiences of hundreds of successful real-life agents from all walks of life and from all over North America, so the tactics are applicable to everyone,” states Keller Williams Regional Director Tom Drainey. As Gary Keller says, “SHIFT isn’t about teaching agents how to have a good week or year; it’s about showing them how to have a great career.” On that note, he emphasizes that SHIFT is not just for Keller Williams agents; it’s for any agent, from any company who is willing to commit to mastery to build our real estate industry to the highest professional standard.

The authors are also the real estate experts behind national bestsellers The Millionaire Real Estate Agent and The Millionaire Real Estate Investor, which, as part of The Millionaire Real Estate Series, have sold more than 1 million copies worldwide. For more information, contact Julie Brown at Keller Williams Realty Las Vegas at 702-212-1980.

About Gary Keller:
Gary Keller is a self-made multimillionaire and founder and chairman of the board of Keller Williams® Realty Inc. He has 25 years of industry and investing experience, and his first two books, The Millionaire Real Estate Agent and The Millionaire Real Estate Investor both enjoyed multiple weeks as national bestsellers, as did a third book, FLIP: How To Find, Fix, and Sell Houses For Profit, on which he collaborated.

About Keller Williams Realty Inc.:
Founded in 1983, Keller Williams Realty Inc. is the fourth-largest real estate franchise operation in North America, with more than 690 offices and 73,000 associates in the United States and Canada. The company, which began franchising in 1990, has an agent-centric culture that emphasizes access to leading-edge education and promotes an economic model that rewards associates as stakeholders and partners. For more information, visit Keller Williams Realty online at (www.kw.com).

Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS? dedicates its
12th Habitat for Humanity home for a local family on Monday, December 1st.

Who: The Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS? (GLVAR), in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas, Inc., will dedicate its 12th new home for a working local family. GLVAR and Habitat for Humanity representatives will attend, along with homeowners Salvador and Maria Villaseñor, who are moving into the new home with their children, Maria, 13, and Ramón, 6.

What: Led by 2007 GLVAR President Devin Reiss, GLVAR and Habitat for Humanity volunteers worked together to build and fund this house over the past two years. The Villasenors contributed hundreds of hours of “sweat equity” to help build their brand new home, and homes for others. The GLVAR raised and donated $50,000 to fund the project through its annual golf tournament and a silent auction held during its annual installation gala.

When: The house-warming ceremony begins at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 24.

Where: The new home is located at 2325 Comstock Drive in North Las Vegas, near Martin Luther King Boulevard and Carey Avenue.

About the GLVAR
GLVAR was founded in 1947 and provides its nearly 14,500 local members with education, training and political representation. GLVAR, the local representative of the National Association of REALTORS®, is a professional trade organization for REALTORS® in Southern Nevada. Each GLVAR member receives the highest level of professional training and must abide by a strict code of ethics. For more information about GLVAR, visit its Web site at www.lasvegasrealtor.com.

About Habitat for Humanity
Established in Clark County in 1991, Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas is a not-for-profit organization that builds simple, decent, affordable housing with the help of volunteer labor and donated time, materials and funds. Each home is sold at no profit and with a no-interest mortgage to local working families who otherwise might be forced to live in substandard housing. These families contribute "sweat equity" by helping in the construction of their own homes. For more information, visit www.habitatlasvegas.org.

SHIFT Seminar Empowers Real Estate Agents
with Proven Tactics for Success in Tough Times

GLVAR steps up to help Whitney Elementary School students as REALTORS® deliver shoes, socks, food and more on Nov. 13

Who: The Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS® (GLVAR) and its members are helping the staff and needy students of Whitney Elementary School.

What: GLVAR members are visiting the school Nov. 13 to deliver hundreds of pairs of new shoes and socks they’re donating to needy students. GLVAR has been donating food and other items to the school for months after meeting Principal Sherrie Gahn, touring the school and realizing that its students have an ongoing need for food, clothing and other support. GLVAR members are encouraging others to join them in helping Whitney Elementary School and its students –during the holiday season and year-round.

When: Thursday, Nov. 13, at 10:30 a.m.

Where: Whitney Elementary School, 5005 Keenan Avenue, just south of Tropicana Avenue and east of Boulder Highway. From Boulder Highway, head east on Missouri Avenue, right on Dodd Street and left on Keenan Avenue. The event will take place in the school’s cafeteria. Enter the school through the main entrance and check in at the office.

About the GLVAR

GLVAR was founded in 1947 and provides its nearly 14,500 local members with education, training and political representation. GLVAR, the local representative of the National Association of REALTORS®, is a professional trade organization for REALTORS® in Southern Nevada. Each GLVAR member receives the highest level of professional training and must abide by a strict code of ethics. For more information about GLVAR, visit its Web site at www.lasvegasrealtor.com.

About Whitney Elementary School

· Of the nearly 600 students at the school, many are homeless, about 58 percent are Hispanic and 85 percent qualify for free or reduced school lunch programs.

· Each school day, students who need food to take home are offered a bag of basic, non-perishable food provided by private donors. Students often decide among themselves who needs it most.

· On average, about 250 children per day go home with food from the school. For many of these students, if they don't get food from the school, they won’t have anything at home to eat.

· Existing public and nonprofit programs can't meet the daily needs of these students. So, Principal Gahn and other school officials do what they can personally and find local donors willing to help feed, clothe and care for these students.

· For more information on Whitney Elementary School, contact Principal Sherrie Gahn at 799-7790 or gahns@interact.ccsd.net.

The Power of Technology CE Class and Technology Fair was held by The Women's Council of REALTORS® at the Wild Horse Golf Club in Henderson on March 31st. National instructor Amy Chorew conducted a compelling and informative CE course on how to use technology to enhance attendees' real estate businesses. Vendors included a variety of technology service providers from the Las Vegas area who offered valuable information to attendees, as well as giveaways that included everything from gift baskets to iPhones. For information on upcoming meetings and events, visit the Web site at www.wcrlv.org.

Web	www.erealestateexec.com

E-mail Us