News

What Do You Think of the Zillow-Trulia Merger?

You've probably heard by now that Zillow purchased Trulia in a $3.5 billion deal, and it's left many wondering what the effect on the real estate market will be. The Puget Sound Business Journal reports that real estate agencies in the Pacific Northwest agree that it won't be bad for business. The article reads, "[t]here are literally hundreds of real estate aggregating websites out there, said Dean Jones, owner and CEO of Realogics Sotheby's International Realty. Because there are so many places for people to find listings, he expects the expanded Zillow to take a cautious approach to raising its prices because agents could easily advertise elsewhere."

Image Courtesy of RSIR

With the Zillow/Trulia company set to control up to 70% of online real estate listings, it will be interesting to see how this merger plays out in the coming months.

The Collection Magazine is Here!

Introducing the new 2014 edition of The Collection Magazine – it has arrived!  The 100-page custom publication produced exclusively by Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty, features editorial articles on Beijing Sotheby’s International Realty, Millennial trends and a showcase of RSIR brokers and their unique listings – it’s the best of Northwest living!  I invite you to experience the extraordinary today.  It’s a Collection truly unlike any other. Read the magazine now.

US & Chinese Real Estate Organizations Agree to Form Permanent Select Committee

Ashley Breunich from Realogics Sotheby's International Realty reports that, "At the conclusion of a five-day Trade Mission to China, the International Real Estate Federation – U.S. Chapter (FIABCI-USA) and the China Institute of Real Estate Appraisers & Agents (CIREA) agreed to form a Permanent Select Committee on doing business between the United States and China. A group of nine real estate professionals from across the US completed a Trade Mission to China on July 6, 2014. The mission included attending CIREA’s annual real estate agents conference, visits to some of the largest real estate brokerages in Beijing and attending an elective course for FIABCI’s International Real Estate Consultant (FIREC) designation.

Capital flows from China to the US continue to grow. The FIABCI-USA delegation was headed by President Edward Alford from South Hadley, MA. “I am extremely honored to have led this group of high-caliber real estate professionals to Beijing and was overwhelmed by the gracious hospitality of our CIREA hosts. I felt it necessary to assure our hosts that we were interested in mutual cooperation over the long term and welcomed the opportunity to formalize our intent through the formation of a select committee.” The residential market in China is currently undergoing a 30% contraction in sales and there is great concern about how this will affect the overall economy.

Image Courtesy of RSIR

In addition to President Alford, the FIABCI-USA delegation included President Elect Ruth Kruger from Aspen, CO; Treasurer Maire Rosol from Park City, UT; Vice-PresidentElizabeth Davidson from Kirkland, WA; Nancy & Peter Suvarnamani from Chicago; Dano Sayles from Hawaii, John Krolick from Incline Village, NV; and Secretary General Bill Endsley from Chicago. The delegation enjoyed sightseeing trips around Beijing and numerous sumptuous Chinese meals with potential new partners and the staff of Beijing Orient US-China Consulting Co., Ltd. which facilitated the Trade Mission.

FIABCI has welcomed over 150 real estate professionals from China as members over the last year and expects to grow significantly as additional groups of Chinese professionals complete FIREC training courses in doing business abroad, ethics, negotiation, financing and valuation. FIABCI provides access and opportunity for real estate professionals in more than 60 countries interested in completing cross border transactions.

The International Real Estate Federation – US Chapter (FIABCI-USA) is a multi-discipline, networking organization for all professionals associated with real estate transactions. The group provides information, connections and concierge services to help individuals, companies and associations expand their global networks. With members in more than 50 countries and World, Regional and National Congresses throughout the year, FIABCI is global, local and connected and can provide access to the highest caliber real estate professional anywhere in the world. FIABCI also enjoys Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

For more information about FIABCI-USA, click here."

Dean Jones Appointed As Director of Network Development: United States for Newly Announced Beijing Sotheby's International Realty

May 14, 2014 (BEIJING, CHINA) – Executives of Beijing Sotheby’s International Realty, the first affiliate of the global realty network to open in Mainland China, has appointed Dean Jones of Seattle-based Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty as its Director of Network Development for the United States.  In this capacity Jones will join other Beijing-based international sales team members to cultivate referral networks throughout the US and will operate from the firms new Asia Desk within the Eastside Flagship Branch Office and Connoisseurs of Life Showroom located at 15 Lake Street in downtown Kirkland.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Dean Jones from this strategic US gateway marketplace as we build out our network opportunities in North America,” said Kevin Corbett, CEO of Beijing Sotheby’s International Realty. “We remain grateful for his introduction to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, LLC and we share his vision to build a US referral pipeline into Mainland China.”

Both Corbett and Jones will attend private ceremonies being held in Beijing this week acknowledging the commencement of Beijing Sotheby’s International Realty.  The team is also sponsoring the much-anticipated Beijing Luxury Property Show being held at the Legendale Hotel on May 16-18, of which the Beijing affiliate is a gala host and featured exhibitor.  These events are expected to draw more than 5,000 highly-qualified homebuyers and members of global media whereas only 80 exhibitors will be present.  For more information visit:  http://beijing.lps-china.com/en

“This appointment and our active participation in events like the Beijing Luxury Property Show have been in development since I first visited China two years ago to explore trends with foreign buyer demand,” says Jones. “We are excited to highlight US lifestyle and investment opportunities while showcasing Pacific Northwest  real estate at this pivotal time in the global industry.”

Jones refers to recent decisions by the Canadian government to cancel their popular foreign direct investor program whereas prospective immigrants could secure residency in Canada in exchange for interest-free loans to the government.  That abrupt cancellation effectively returned more than 60,000 applications, mostly from wealthy Chinese nationals, compelling them to seek out alternatives for immigration into North America including the EB-5 program by the USCIS.  Meanwhile pundits suggest a rebounding US housing market is gaining favor over the record-high US stock market as investors seek a higher propensity for capital appreciation in real estate and prefer the political and economic stability of the US. ”

“American real estate has become a new asset class and increasingly, a preferred financial safe harbor with less volatility than stocks and greater returns than bonds,” adds Jones. “Our properties are viewed as a relative bargain compared to domestic China such as Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.  This trend has been prevalent for decades in markets like Vancouver, BC, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York City.  More recently a spillover effect of demand has arrived to alternative and emerging markets like the Seattle/Bellevue metro area.  It helps too that we now have numerous direct flights into China, an international culture and a rise of foreign direct investment as many overseas interests discover our booming market fundamentals.”

KOMO TV Says Downtown Seattle is Moving North

In an article outlining the recent increase in residential construction just north of Downtown Seattle in communities such as northern Belltown and the Seattle Center, Lindsay Cohen from KOMO TV turned to Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty’s Owner and President Dean Jones for insight.

“I think we’re seeing this neighborhood being targeted by developers because the CBD has become so expensive to develop and arriving later in this current development cycle suggests building within smaller building envelopes,” said Jones.  “The zoning in this neighborhood surrounding Seattle Center is much lower so we’re talking about more boutique communities where the developer can get into the city, get vertical quickly and be out to market in some cases before other high-rise projects are completed, even if they are under construction today.”