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Press Releases
5/28/08
TROOP’S JEAN WARNKE LOVES WORKING
WITH SELLERS, TOP LISTING AWARD SHOWS
VENTURA, CA – Jean Warnke believes in presenting things in their best light. She also understands how that comes back to you in more referrals.
That, in part, explains why Warnke, a veteran real estate agent in the Ventura office of Troop Real Estate, Inc., was recently recognized by Bob Harrison, west Ventura County regional manager for Troop, as the top listing agent in the firm’s Ventura office for all of 2007.
“Jean is no novice when it comes to award winning results,” Harrison said. “A veteran of 13 years as a licensed Realtor, Jean has received many accolades from her long list of satisfied clients.”
Harrison added that Warnke came to Troop Real Estate in Ventura already a top producer and has continued her award winning ways. This includes previous recognition as top volume agent, top selling agent, President’s Club Elite, Captains Club, Colonels Club , and Troop’s coveted office “Agent of the Year” as voted by her peers for 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
It all goes back to Warnke’s passion for working with sellers.
“I just really like working with sellers. They’re stationary, so it gives you the opportunity to build trust, confidence and a reputation. In the process it demands that you be realistic with sellers and be a good negotiator,” Warnke, a six-year member of the Troop team, said.
Call Jean Warnke, the “Real Estate Doctor”, for all your real estate needs. She can be reached at (805) 218-0118.
5/6/08
TROOP SIMI VALLEY AGENTS MEG VOLK AND JAN MEEK
AWARD CLIENT $500 IN ‘SPRING GIVEAWAY’ PROMO
SIMI VALLEY, CA – Meg Volk and Jan Meek of Troop Real Estate, Inc.’s Simi Valley office are top producing agents who understand the value of keeping in touch with their clients.
So it’s no wonder that Rosie Rubin of Chatsworth, a former client, is the recent recipient of a $500 check from Troop as the winner of a “Spring Giveaway” promotion that was open to all clients, past and prospective, of agents in Troop’s Simi Valley and Moorpark offices.
Rubin’s entry was selected out of a drawing of responses to mailers distributed to residents throughout the area, as well as at seminars and open houses.
“Jan and I are fortunate enough to have been successful selling real estate, and we enjoy helping people fulfill their dreams of home ownership. But, it’s specially gratifying to be able to give something back to a past client,” Volk said.
Volk and Meek recently presented the $500 check to Rubin.
With 15 years experience, the team services an area from the Ventura coast into Los Angeles County, including Santa Clarita Valley. They can be reached at (805) 444-3135 or (818) 470-8820, or visit www.ContactMegaHouse.com.
4/21/08
A Fitness Industry Success at 19 Honed Skills
NATE MINKEL’S POSITIVE VISION, PASSION FOR SELLING
SPARK RAPID RISE TO TOP OF REAL ESTATE WORLD
OJAI, CA – Emerging from a highly successful run in the fitness industry, having opened his own fitness store at age 19 and operating one of the largest fitness equipment stores in Southern California (later sold to the world’s largest fitness chain), Nate Minkel still had a vision. Brian Troop shared it and gave him the green light to realize that vision.
The result is that in just an amazing two short years in the residential real estate profession, Minkel rose to be the number one agent companywide for the largest brokerage company in Ventura County.
Minkel, now 28, who was recently honored at Troop’s Annual Awards ceremony recognizing its top agents, racked up 15 listings totaling $12 million and 25 sales totaling $23 million in 2007 for a combined volume of $35 million.
“After initial conversations with Brian about becoming part of Troop, it was clear we saw eye-to-eye both professionally and personally. I told Brian I had a vision, and he let me run with it. Brian and I run ideas by one another, fine tune them and execute them. A prime example is the recent launching of Troop Home Auctions for which Brian and I are co-partners,” said Minkel, who specializes in the Ojai Valley, Ventura and Camarillo markets.
Commenting on his success in such a short time, Minkel attributes it to remaining positive at all times, with heavy doses of aggressive marketing, for which he was widely recognized as a fitness entrepreneur.
“Knowing what the competition is doing, staying positive and ignoring the negative media coverage is critical to success in a challenging market. In today’s market, property location, property condition, price and marketing are critical to selling real estate,” Minkel said.
He also says it’s a “humbling experience to be in the same category as such perennially strong Troop agents as Ray DeSilva, the Churchill Group, and Laura Means. This is particularly meaningful when you are part of the leading company in Ventura County,” said Minkel, who also earned top 10 production laurels companywide in 2006.
“Selling homes is my passion. You get to meet people from all over the world, and help them realize their dreams,” Minkel stated.
A lifetime Ventura County resident born and raised in the Ojai Valley, Minkel and his wife, Lisa, reside it Ojai.
4/14/08
TWO ‘SEACLIFF BEACH COLONY’ OCEAN VIEW HOMES OFFERED BY TROOP HOME AUCTIONS ON MAY 10
VENTURA, CA – Two oceanfront residential properties in the exclusive “Seacliff Beach Colony” between Ventura and Santa Barbara, with dramatic views of the Channel Islands will be featured during a public auction May 10 presented by Troop Home Auctions. Troop Home Auctions is a division of Troop Real Estate, Inc., Ventura County’s largest independent brokerage company.
Nate Minkel, director and partner of Troop Home Auctions, announced that the beachfront properties being offered during the auction are located at 5364 and 5368 Rincon Beach Park Dr.
The public is invited to the auction which begins at 1 p.m. for the first home, to be followed by the sale of the second residence. Cooperating brokers are welcomed, he added. To register for the auction, contact Minkel at (805) 794-9588 or visit TroopHomeAuctions.com.
Minkel explained that the May 10 event will be a “Reserve Price Auction” for both homes, meaning that the sellers have established an undisclosed price. Opening bid for the 5364 Rincon Beach Park Dr. property is $2.1 million, while the 5368 Rincon Beach Park Dr. property carries an opening bid of $2.5 million.
The former property is a two-story four-bedroom, three-bath home featuring 2290 square feet of space, with a two-car attached garage. The companion property is a two-story, four-bedroom, 3.5-bath home comprising 3011 square feet, plus a two-car attached garage. Both residences feature grand staircases and unobstructed views of the Channel Islands.
“The Colony is an oceanfront jewel and our auction offers two fabulous beachfront homes in a gated community of just 49 homes arranged on a cul-de-ac. The homes provide elegant sophistication and impressive ocean views,” Minkel said.
Minkel emphasized that Troop Home Auctions was created as an alternative way to “work with our clients to sell real estate, and provides an accelerated way to market homes.” He noted that the National Association of Auctioneers recently released 2007 statistics showing that real estate sales have climbed 32.7 percent 2003 to 2007 and over $16.9 billion in real estate was sold last year via the auction method.
Troop Home Auctions, Minkel said, specializes in marketing, negotiating and selling fine homes, estates, beach properties, vacant land and developer close out sales. He added that the division is not a discount or limited service company.
Minkel also addressed what he said was a common misconception about auctions.
“Many wealthy clients only buy and sell real estate through the auction method. Real estate auctions have been around for many years and are used regularly in many parts of he world. It’s just a relatively new concept in the Western United States. We have all seen dramatic changes in the real estate market and when we see changes we need to adapt our strategies to move forward,” Minkel stated.
4/8/08
Company President Sees 30% Increase in 2008
TROOP HONORS TOP ’07 PRODUCERS; NATE MINKEL OF OJAI OFFICE NUMBER ONE AGENT COMPANYWIDE
THOUSAND OAKS, CA – When a “Rocky Balboa” impersonator shadow-boxed onto the stage of the Sheer Forum Theatre at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza recently in a hooded robe, later revealing himself as real estate executive Brian Troop, it symbolized for Troop agents the confidence to overcome unprecedented odds in today’s challenging home selling market.
In doing so, Troop, president of Troop Real Estate, Inc., Ventura County’s largest residential brokerage, set the tone for the company’s 21st Annual Awards ceremony.
“2007 was a challenging year in our residential real estate market. Yet we brought 119 new agents aboard at Troop and launched several new ventures, including Troop Solutions, our Fractional Ownership Division, and Troop Home Auctions that have helped us to remain the number one brokerage company in Ventura Company. 2008 will be a better year, a year when we anticipate a 30 percent increase in sales and an increase in Troop’s market share,” Troop said.
With that positive vision, Troop honored the company’s top producing agents for 2007. Heading the list as the number one agent in all of Troop Real Estate last year, was Nate Minkel of the company’s Ojai office. Troop reported that after just two years in the business, Minkel registered 15 listings totaling $12 million and 25 sales totaling $23 million in 2007 for a combined volume of $35 million.
In accepting Troop’s highest production honor, Minkel said: “I am extremely honored. Brian (Troop) has given me the tools to excel, and Troop Real Estate is the best company going. I called Brian a few years ago to inquire about a real estate career. Brian was on his way to his parents 50th anniversary, yet he took the time to speak with me.
“Other companies wouldn’t give me the time of day. Being new to the business, I saw how successful Troop agents like Ray DeSilva and Laura Means conducted quality and positive marketing campaigns for their clients, and I wanted to emulate that. Our clients today are turning to us as go to professionals.”
While announcing Minkel’s singular honor, Troop also reported recipients of “President’s Club” and “President’s Elite Club” honors for Troop Real Estate for distinguished production. Recipients will be Troop’s guest for a trip to Maui.
Honored as “President’s Club” members were Mike Gratland, Jan Bigotti, and Suzan Kozman, Westlake office; Shirley Grieco and Toni Lake, Ventura; Eric Arnaud and Frank Denardo, Moorpark; Stan Rector, Simi/Big Sky; Andy Torres and Leah Theune, Simi Valley; Greg Bruno, Ken Grech, Jo Ann Poole, Karen Thompson, and Judy Lewicki, Simi/Wood Ranch; Robert Swanson, Deri Diprima, Laura Means, John Savarese, and Curt Sommers, Thousand Oaks; Christy Rueckert and Sharron Parker, Camarillo, Deborah Tyhurst, Channel Islands, and Tina Weinstein, Moorpark.
Garnering “President’s Club Elite” designation – Troop’s highest production status – are Mark Smith and Bryan Scott, Westlake; Karen Lindsey, Moorpark; Sandy Rutter, Channel Islands; Amy Gandel, Debbie Gates, and Alex Gandel, Simi Valley; Tina Hare, Simi/Wood Ranch; Ray DeSilva, Camarillo, and Nate Minkel, Ojai.
In a special category, Troop announced “Agents of the Year” for each Troop office, agents singled out by their peers for consistently offering advice and guidance to fellow agents, sharing marketing ideas and strategies. They are Jamison Malone and Tom Doonan, Simi/Big Sky; Judy Sheggrud and Steve Gray, Camarillo; Gabriela Hernandez, Channel Islands, Camille Morris, Oxnard; Jay Garcia and Mary Leyden, Moorpark; Nate Minkel, Ojai; Cindy Diaz-Telly, Santa Paula/Fillmore; Amy Gandel, Simi Valley, Francine Simmons, Thousand Oaks; Corina Thoresen, Ventura; Cheryl Clayton, Westlake; Eddy Milanes and Gregg Bruno, Simi/Wood Ranch, and Jeff Stern of CFC Mortgage, an affiliated Troop company.
In announcing other 2007 awards for CFC Mortgage, Troop cited loan officers achieving “President’s Club” and “President’s Club Elite” levels. Honored for the “President’s Club” were Anthony Schlotthauer, Chris Bunce and Jeff Baum. “President’s Elite Club” honoree was Darin Markarian, the top producer for CFC Mortgage companywide with $37 million in closed loan production in 2007 and 74 loans closed.
Additionally, Troop announced the “Rising Star” awards, recognizing agents in their first full year in real estate generating business right out of the gate. They are Brenda Haugen, Moorpark; Marc Farruggia, Simi Valley, Tracy Taggart, Westlake.
4/1/08
AGENTS STRIVE TO MINIMIZE FORECLOSURES
BUT SOME LENDERS CREATING OBSTACLES
VENTURA, CA – With homeowners losing their residences at record levels, real estate agents are working feverishly to bring sellers and buyers together to avoid foreclosures, but new attitudes and policies of some lenders are inadvertently aggravating the situation, according to an official of Ventura County’s largest independent real estate company.
Bob Harrision, West Ventura County regional manager for Troop Real Estate, Inc., said that two of the best options to avoiding foreclosure, and a path the federal government is encouraging among lenders and borrowers, are the so-called “workout”, or the “short sale”
“The workout allows homeowners to stay in their homes until the market turns. The “short sale” calls for the seller to instruct the Realtor to put their house on the market at the best price and sell it in the shortest possible time to potentially avoid a further decline in value.
“The challenge here is that the loan balance is typically greater than the house’s market value. But if the lender accepts this scenario, the seller is usually relieved of their mortgage,” said Harrison.
Harrison said the workout and the short sale are the preferable options, because foreclosure looms as the next option.
“What’s happening now is that everyone, led by real estate agents, is trying to alleviate the situation without a full government bail-out and avoid more foreclosures. The problems, however, are that some short sale lenders are creating an unusual time delay response to buyers’ offers, which then fall out from buyers losing motivation and observing further declines in the home pricing. Some responses have exceeded three months if at all.
“As hard working full-time professional agents face financial challenges of their own, some lenders are arbitrarily reducing traditional real estate commissions on many short sales. The result is that they are creating more incentive for foreclosures to occur. Lenders created the problem with questionable sub-prime loans; now they’re taking a pound of flesh from the people who are trying to help navigate the situation for consumers,” Harrison said.
Once the lender owns the property through the foreclosure process, Harrison continued, they have offered all the extra incentives any motivated seller would, including aggressive pricing and concessions. The irony, he added, is that lenders are usually taking less money on a foreclosure because of the down housing market than they would if they accepted a short sale.
“The entire issue has to do with timely approvals of short sales and reasonable incentives for real estate agents who are providing well-qualified buyers,” Harrison said.
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