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Better Homes and Gardens participated in “Giving Day” on March 10.

Our offices were tasked with choosing a project in which everyone could participate, and each office partnered with a local community organization for that day

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) March 31, 2012

Twenty-six San Francisco, Berkeley and Sonoma Valley real estate offices and numerous real estate agents within the Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie network, including its joint ventures with Highland Partners, Wine Country Group and Tri-Valley Realty, recently donated time and resources to complete designated projects for some 21 charities in their local communities for the company’s third annual “Giving Day” on March 10.

“Our offices were tasked with choosing a project in which everyone could participate, and each office partnered with a local community organization for that day,” said Kathy Ollerton, Director of Charities and Training for Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie. “We are pleased to say that we had hundreds of sales agents and staff give more than 2,000 hours of service to those in need.”

The company’s real estate agents and their families contributed to local San Francisco, Berkeley and Sonoma Valley area organizations, such as Abode Homeless Shelter, Chaparral House, Blue Star Moms, Children’s Village, Quinn Cottages, SF County Parks and many others.

“With nearly 100-percent participation from our office, agents contributed money, brought painting equipment and supplies and met early Saturday morning at the Sebastopol Area Senior Center. Our goal was to paint the facade of the building and the reception area. By the time our group finished, the building looked as good as new. On Monday, clients were greeted with a clean, brightly painted lobby and reception area,” Timothy Hedges, broker of the Sebastopol office, said.

Rich Wilks is a broker with the Sacramento-Midtown office that built new flowerbeds and gardens to enhance the living environment at Quinn Cottages, a transitional housing community. He applauded the residents who work to help themselves and improve their situation. In honor of them, the real estate agents wanted to give them something they could be proud of.

“All of our offices and agents were totally engaged in this endeavor: they carefully chose organizations that are close to their hearts, and truly made a difference in their communities. We really appreciate the commitment of these great real estate agents and employees,” Ollerton said.

For more information about the event, the charities or any of Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie’s services, call 925-924-4751 view the real estate company on the web at http://www.bhghome.com or visit 2200 Union St. in San Francisco.

About Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate

Mason-McDuffie Real Estate started in 1887 and in 2010, the company was named the 17th largest real estate services firm in the nation, and the number one in the San Francisco East Bay area. Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate is independently owned and operated and includes joint ventures with partners Highland Partners in Piedmont, Wine Country Group in the North Bay, and Tri-Valley Realty in Pleasanton-Hopyard and Ruby Hill. The organization is comprised of more than 1,200 sales professionals in 26 offices.

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Article source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/real-estate/east-bay/prweb9354887.htm

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) December 02, 2011

San Francisco home sales and prices softened slightly in the third quarter of 2011 compared with the previous quarter and same period one year ago as potential entry-level and mid-level homebuyers awaited better economic news and everyone adjusted to the notion that a “flat” real estate market characterized by modest ups and downs may be “the new normal,” says San Francisco real estate company Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate

Across the City of San Francisco, 593 existing, single-family detached homes changed hands during the third quarter of 2011, down from 665 homes sold in the second quarter and up slightly from 577 homes sold a year ago according to an analysis of MLS data by the research division of Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate. San Francisco’s real estate median sales price, meanwhile, declined to $833,372, down 5 percent from the second quarter and 8 percent lower than one year ago. Short sale and REO transactions accounted for as many as one-third of existing home sales for the quarter.

According to Mark Kelaidis, Regional Manager of Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate, “Looking ahead, expect home sales and median prices to seesaw as market conditions and buyer perceptions change in the months ahead.” Yet to be determined is the impact of the recent reduction in Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA loan limits from a maximum of $729,750 to $625,500. Beginning October 1, loans that fall above this lower “conforming” amount will require the buyer to obtain a jumbo loan, which may be subject to a slightly higher interest rate and pricing.

For more information about San Francisco, Berkeley, or Sonoma Valley real estate, call Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate at (925) 924-4617 or visit them online at www.bhghome.com. Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie is located at 2200 Union St. San Francisco, CA 94123.

About Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate

Their heritage began with the founding of Mason-McDuffie Real Estate in 1887. In 2009, the company was named the 19th largest real estate services firm in the nation and number one San Francisco’s East Bay. The company provides comprehensive solutions to home buyers and sellers and handled more than 7,300 transactions in 2010, generating $2.9 billion in sales. Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate is independently owned and operated and includes joint ventures with partners JF Finnegan Realtors, Highland Partners in Piedmont and Montclair, Wine Country Group in the North Bay, and Tri-Valley Realty in Pleasanton-Hopyard and Ruby Hill. The organization is comprised of more than 1,800 real estate agents in 37 offices.

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prwebreal-estate/san-francisco/prweb9009058.htm

Article source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/12/02/prweb9009058.DTL

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) October 26, 2011

On October 6, Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie San Francisco Real Estate hosted a delegation of Russian real estate agents who traveled to the San Francisco Bay Area to learn about how real estate is transacted in the United States. The delegation is participating in the Effective Management Program hosted by the Lamorinda Sunrise Club, Lafayette, Orinda and Walnut Creek Rotary Clubs.

Ed Krafchow, CEO and chairman of BHG Mason-McDuffie spoke about how real estate exchanges hands in the United States, from title insurance to mortgage, and also discussed the health of the market. The delegates learned about Mason-McDuffie’s leading edge technology platform from CIO Dave Wilson, the company’s marketing approach and toolset from VP of New Media and Agent Resources Cathy Harrington, and the company’s growth strategy from David Gardner, president of Network Partners. EVP Keith Robinson spoke about company structure and operations.

“There is empirical evidence that no country has ever experienced democracy without strong homeownership. The American dream is damaged but still very alive. Homeownership in America is still a sought-after commodity and will emerge from this depressed economic environment stronger than ever. Realtors help people complete the American Dream,” says Krafchow on homeownership in the US.

For more information on Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate and Berkeley Real Estate Agents, call (925) 924-4617 or visit them online at www.bhghome.com. Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie is located at 2200 Union Street, San Francisco, CA 94123.

About Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate

Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate began with the founding of Mason-McDuffie Real Estate in 1887. In 2010, the company was named the 17th largest real estate services firm in the nation, and number one in the San Francisco East Bay. The company provides comprehensive solutions to home buyers and sellers in the San Francisco, Berkeley and Sonoma Valley areas, and handled more than 7,300 transactions in 2010, generating $2.9 billion in sales. BHG Mason-McDuffie Sonoma Valley Real Estate office is independently owned and operated and includes joint ventures with partners J F Finnegan Realtors, Highland Partners in Piedmont and Montclair, Wine Country Group Realtors in the North Bay, and Tri-Valley Realty in Pleasanton-Hopyard and Ruby Hill. The organization is comprised of more than 2,000 sales professionals in 40 offices.

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prwebreal-estate/san-francisco/prweb8910419.htm

Article source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/10/26/prweb8910419.DTL

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) October 07, 2011

The Sonoma Valley real estate three former Santa Rosa and Petaluma offices of Pacific Union have merged with the Wine Country Group by Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. The merger of these highly experienced and qualified real estate firms brings a new level of service to real estate clients in San Francisco, Berkeley and the Sonoma Valley.

Owned by Coralee Barkela and Suzanne Drace since 2006, the San Francisco real estate Pacific Union offices in Santa Rosa and Petaluma have a total of 37 agents. Ms. Barkela will remain with the company as a top producing agent, and Ms. Drace will remain as the branch manager of both offices.

“Six months ago, Wine Country Group was formed in order to give buyers and sellers a high end choice,” says Dougan Jones, managing partner. “Wine Country Group has quietly and steadily attracted top agents to better serve our clients.”

Since February of this year, Wine Country Group has grown to 11 offices and 219 real estate agents. Seven offices and 180 agents were added to the company when Frank Howard Allen Sebastopol was merged with the Wine Country Group by Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate in June. The company’s network now consists of 40 offices and 2,000 real estate agents throughout Northern California and Northern Nevada.

The Wine Country Group’s offices are in Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Sonoma, Healdsburg, Sebastopol, Cloverdale, Bodega Bay, Glen Ellen, Napa and St. Helena. The firm expects to continue to grow its footprint in other Sonoma and Napa County market areas.

For further information about San Francisco, Berkeley and Sonoma real estate agents, contact Cathy Harrington at 925-525-0946 or winecountrygroup.com.

About Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate

The company’s heritage began with the founding of Mason-McDuffie Real Estate in 1887. In 2009, the company was named the 19th largest real estate services firm in the nation, and tops in the San Francisco East Bay. The company provides comprehensive solutions to home buyers and sellers, and handled more than 7,300 transactions in 2010, generating $2.9 billion in sales. Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate is independently owned and operated and includes joint ventures with partners J F Finnegan Realtors, Highland Partners in Piedmont and Montclair, Wine Country Group Realtors in the North Bay, and Tri-Valley Realty in Pleasanton-Hopyard and Ruby Hill. The organization is comprised of more than 2,000 sales professionals in 40 offices.

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prwebreal-estate/sonoma-valley/prweb8860079.htm

Article source: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/10/07/prweb8860079.DTL

The new owners of the Gehricke Road ranch are Michael and Xochi Birch of San Francisco, who founded Bebo.com in 2005. They sold their share of the site to AOL in 2008 for $595 million.

The estate had been listed for $19.5 million. The parties didn’t disclose the sale price, which was found in county property records filed last week.

It was owned by Sonoma plastic surgeon Dr. John Emery and his wife Deborah. It includes a home, two private lakes, 30 acres of vineyards and an equestrian center.

“The views are jaw-dropping,” said Linda Yenni of Blakeslee Crain Yenni Wine Realty International, who handled the sale.

The hillside estate also boasts a winery building and hospitality center, but wines are not made there now. Emery Estate wines are produced at an offsite facility, and the Emerys’ wine brand was not included in the sale.

Sales of Bay Area homes for $1 million or more grew 25 percent last year, as affluent buyers found bargains at the high end of the market, according to real estate analysts.

“It’s a lot more active than people think,” Yenni said.

The Emerys bought the Sonoma estate in 1994 and raised Arabian horses there. They also developed the vineyards and lakes.

Canadian-born John Emery, a 1964 Olympic gold medalist in bobsled racing, opened a cosmetic surgery practice in San Francisco in 1968.

Deborah Emery was an Oakland Raiderette cheerleader, fashion model and actress who won the California title in the Mrs. United States Pageant in 1992.

The couple moved to Sonoma in the 1980s. Since then, they’ve been active in Sonoma Valley causes, including the Boys Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley.

The Birches, who have a $29 million mansion in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood, were attracted by the estate’s serene mountain setting, Yenni said.

English-born Michael Birch started several Internet companies before he and his wife founded Bebo.com in San Francisco in 2005. The social networking site grew quickly and was snapped up by AOL three years later.

But AOL failed to popularize Bebo, which was overshadowed by Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites. AOL sold Bebo to private investors last year for less than $10 million. Its new owners redesigned the website in February.

The Birches couldn’t be reached for comment.

News researcher Teresa Meikle contributed to this report.

Article source: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20110406/BUSINESS/110409683?Title=Sonoma-estate-sold-for-13-6-million