REAL ESTATE TECHNOLOGY, REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT
PRweb | June 05, 2023
Inside Real Estate, one of the fastest-growing independent real estate software companies and trusted technology partner to over 400,000 agents, teams, brokerages and top franchise brands, announced that CORE Home, the first-of-its-kind homeownership solution that puts real estate brokerages at the center of the lifetime consumer relationship, released new functionality and enhanced experiences for consumers, and is now widely available for brokerage clients.
“Real estate is more competitive than ever, and staying top-of-mind and delivering value post-close is more important than ever but rarely prioritized by agents. We all know the incredible value of generating consistent repeat and referral business, but the industry has had a difficult time solving for it,” says Grier Allen, Chief Strategy Officer of Inside Real Estate. “CORE Home solves this disconnect, acting as an extension of the agent, and enhancing the value that brokerages and their agents deliver at every stage of the homeownership process - not just the transaction process - to create coveted lifetime relationships.”
Completely branded for the brokerage, CORE Home uniquely allows brokerages to deliver a seamlessly connected experience throughout the entire homeownership lifecycle. The consumer-facing, one-stop resource, is tied to local, trusted expertise, and fully personalized to the homeowner’s specific home search and homeownership needs. The latest enhancements of CORE Home include:
My Search: An intuitive, addictive home search experience tailored to a client’s unique wants and needs.
My Home: Real-time alerts on home values, detailed local market data, and mortgages.
My Favorites: The ability to view saved searches and suggested homes while keeping the agent top-of-mind.
My Move: Valuable tools for buyers to view move progress, complete checklists, and receive service referrals.
My Transaction: Transaction checklists to keep buyers on task and closings on schedule.
My Maintenance: Home maintenance needs are tracked, and easily visible. Preferred service vendors can be requested in just a few clicks.
“CORE Home has given our agents the tools they need to easily stay relevant to their clients before, during, and long after the transaction has closed,” says Ron Snow, Broker & Owner of RE/MAX Associates. “The homeownership experience is not one-size-fits-all, and CORE Home taps into each layer of that unique journey exactly when the homeowner needs it. We are thrilled with the value and engagement CORE Home will continue to bring to our agents and clients alike!"
CORE Home is currently available to brokerages based on select criteria. For existing kvCORE brokerage clients, contact your Account Manager to learn more. For brokerages without kvCORE, visit insiderealestate.com/corehome to learn more about kvCORE and CORE Home.
About Inside Real Estate
Inside Real Estate is a fast-growing, independently-owned real estate software firm that serves as a trusted technology partner to over 400,000 top brokerages, agents, and teams. Their flagship product, kvCORE Platform, is the most modern and comprehensive solution in the industry known for delivering profitable growth at every level of a brokerage organization. Built on a modern, scalable, and flexible architecture, kvCORE enables every brokerage to create its own unique technology ecosystem through custom branding, robust integrations, and high-quality add-on solutions. Recent strategic acquisitions have expanded the company’s technology portfolio further, including BoomTown, Brokermint, and AmpStats solutions, which solidifies Inside Real Estate as the leading technology partner in the real estate industry. With an accomplished leadership team and its talented staff, Inside Real Estate brings the resources, scale, and vision to deliver ongoing innovation and success to their growing customer base. To learn more visit insiderealestate.com.
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REAL ESTATE TECHNOLOGY, REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT
PRnewswire | May 10, 2023
FirstClose, Inc., a leading fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, announced today that America First Credit Union selected its FirstClose Equity™ solution to provide members access to a digital end-to-end home equity product that delivers a best-in-class experience and dramatically cuts down loan application approval times.
Industry analysis shows U.S. homeowners with mortgages have seen their equity increase by a total of $1 trillion since the fourth quarter of 2021, a gain of 7.3% year over year. While home equity lending is experiencing rapid growth, it continues to be a friction-filled process driving demand for a solution.
America First is a Utah-based credit union with 120 branches across Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, and New Mexico, serving more than 1.3 million members, making it the 5th largest credit union in the country in terms of membership. Using FirstClose Equity, America First will be able to reduce the time to close from initial inquiry to as little as one week, versus the industry average of 45 to 60 days.
"Our focus is always on our members, and our partnership with FirstClose supports our goal of delivering the best member and processor experience possible," said Austin Coleman, Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending at America First Credit Union.
FirstClose Equity makes home equity a low-friction lending experience that consumers have come to expect. Consumers have one experience via a private labeled POS and borrower portal. The application process itself is extremely streamlined. With the member's consent, FirstClose Equity collects and verifies asset and employment information. Even the few pieces of information that the member is required to provide can be uploaded through the platform. The decisioning engine delivers a firm decision on CLTV and pricing in approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
"Because we absorb many of the fees for our members, efficiency at every stage of the origination process takes on greater importance, and automation on both sides of the transaction is key," said Coleman. "Through our integration with FirstClose, loan officers, underwriters, and processors never have to leave their LOS, which greatly increases our efficiency with home equity lending."
Founded in 2000, FirstClose offers lenders a user-friendly home equity technology solution to lend more efficiently, faster, and at scale. "We are thrilled to be trusted with such an important role of helping fulfill America First Credit Union's mission to provide their members with a simple and streamlined home equity experience," said Tedd Smith, Chief Executive Officer of FirstClose. "We are the category leader and are committed to advancing our technology so our customers, like America First, can focus on what matters most - their member's experience and improving their bottom line."
About America First Credit Union
Founded in 1939, and with a long-standing history of exceptional member service, America First Credit Union has become one of the largest, most stable, and most progressive credit unions in the country, and has remained a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative financial institution. Today, America First has 120 locations, and is the eighth largest credit union in assets in the United States with over $17 billion, and the fifth largest credit union in membership in America with more than 1.3 million members. For more information, visit americafirst.com.
About FirstClose
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, FirstClose, Inc. provides fintech solutions to HELOC and mortgage lenders nationwide. The company's mission is to increase profitability and reduce cost for mortgage lenders. FirstClose makes this possible through offering systems and relationships that enable lenders to assist the lender's borrowers more effectively, reduce closing costs, and ultimately shorten closing times. For more information, visit firstclose.com.
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MARKET OUTLOOK, REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT
PRweb | March 29, 2023
Global real estate brokerage The Agency proudly announces the launch of its first franchise office in Ontario’s York Region. The new locale, which will be known as The Agency York Region, is the firm’s 16th office in Canada, joining the brokerage’s growing network of more than 75 offices in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe. The York Region office will be led by industry veterans Katia and Steve Bailey, and Niusha Walker who will serve as Managing Partners, and Adolphe Khouri who will serve as Managing Director.
“Our brand new office in Ontario’s York Region is an exciting next chapter for The Agency as our brand continues to expand throughout sought-after regions in Canada,” said Mauricio Umansky, CEO and Founder of The Agency. “We’re delighted to partner again with Katia and Steve Bailey, as well as Niusha Walker and Adolphe Khouri, who are all well-respected leaders and innovators in our industry.”
The Agency has rapidly expanded its presence across the globe throughout the past year, making it one of the fastest-growing luxury boutique brokerages in the world. The Agency’s independent-owned brokerages are referred to and integrated as true global partners. Every Managing Partner, from both corporate or independently-owned offices, operates cohesively as one true global network. Rather than simply using brand likeness in their marketing, The Agency’s global partners enjoy the same access to leadership, marketing, public relations, training, tools, and technology as our corporate offices. In Q1 of 2023 alone, The Agency has launched seven new offices, including the new office in the York Region, with more on the horizon in the coming months.
“Our strategic expansion in Canada has been exceptional as we continue to seek like-minded partners who embody The Agency brand,” said Jim Ramsay, Executive Vice President of Franchise Sales at The Agency. “We’re thrilled to continue our work with Katia and Steve Bailey, as well as Niusha Walker and Adolphe Khouri as we debut our new office in the York Region, bringing our world-class offerings to buyers and sellers throughout the area.”
Katia Bailey serves as Broker of Record and Managing Partner of several of The Agency's Canadian offices including Waterloo Region, Oakville, Muskoka, Brantford, Toronto West, and now York Region, bringing a true passion for real estate and an authentic, people-forward approach to running the brokerage. Since launching her career in real estate operations and marketing over 17 years ago, she has successfully managed a team that has produced more than $1 billion in sales. Katia’s accessibility to her agents and their clients, expedient work ethic, keen attention to detail and love for the nuanced processes that take place behind the scenes of every transaction make her an essential resource. Katia’s passion lies in making genuine connections and creating and delivering cutting-edge and strategic marketing. As the former Operations Manager for The Bailey Team, she helped her husband and business partner, Steve Bailey, grow the team to more than 20 agents and multiple administrators. The Bailey Team ranked #9 in Canada and #21 in the world for RE/MAX before launching at The Agency, overseeing more than a billion in sales and thousands of transactions.
Steve Bailey, Broker and Managing Partner of multiple Agency offices, including Waterloo Region, Oakville, Muskoka, Brantford, Toronto West, and now York Region, is a seasoned real estate professional who has achieved more than $1 billion in sales over his decade-and-a-half-long career. Steve’s diligence, forthrightness and authenticity have made him an in-demand real estate advisor for clients throughout Canada. Prior to joining The Agency, Steve earned numerous awards for sales achievements and career excellence during his tenure at Re/MAX. A skilled communicator and world-aware market expert, Steve has a degree in Business from Wilfrid Laurier University. Though Steve has a broad-reaching knowledge of the local real estate landscape and can serve a range of clients, he is particularly passionate about luxury real estate and guiding clients through the sale of their homes.
“With each Agency office we open, we’re reminded of the brand’s dominance and the burgeoning demand for it throughout Canada - our new office in the York Region is no exception,” said Katia and Steve Bailey. “We’re looking forward to ushering in a new era of real estate to the area with The Agency’s groundbreaking offerings, blue-chip service, and incomparable marketing power.”
An award-winning real estate professional with nearly a decade of experience in property investing, Niusha Walker holds a vital leadership role at The Agency York Region, where she serves as Managing Partner. Specializing in assisting buyers, sellers, and investors within the Greater Toronto Area. Niusha adeptly provides highly personalized, white glove service to her clients while closing record-setting sales with poise and ease. In addition to achieving more than $40 million in sales in her first two years as an agent, Niusha has been presented with the Diamond Elite and Ruby Elite Awards from her previous brokerage, Engel & Völkers, which awarded agents who reached a specific gross commission income. Niusha is also a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist and Certified International Property Specialist. Raised in Richmond Hill, Ontario, which is located in the York Region, where she still resides, Niusha is deeply familiar with the area’s unique neighborhoods and stays up-to-date on its ever-evolving market trends. Among Niusha’s many talents are her meticulous attention to detail, her ability to use thoughtful cross-market strategies to showcase exceptional homes to exclusive audiences, and negotiating powerfully to best serve her clients.
“The Agency is making its mark across prominent destinations throughout Canada, and our office in the York Region will further differentiate the brand from other renowned brokerages in the area,” said Niusha Walker. “As a long-time resident of the York Region, I am thrilled to be leading a team in one of the most special markets in Ontario.”
As Managing Director of The Agency York Region, Adolphe Khouri effectively and compassionately mentors teammates and guides clients through every aspect of today’s real estate market, leading with enthusiasm and confidence rooted in more than nine years of extensive industry experience. A highly respected top producer, Adolphe was named a Rising Star by The Agency in 2020 and is co-founder of WA Monteiro Group, a real estate group within The Agency that he founded alongside his life partner Woodrow Monteiro. Adolphe is passionate about every aspect of the home buying and selling process. Known for his unflappable work ethic and professional demeanor, Adolphe first entered the real estate realm as a manager of a more than 75-unit luxury corporate rental building in Downtown Toronto. Raised in Windsor, Ontario, Adolphe attended the University of Windsor and graduated with a dual degree in sociology and communications studies.
With solid infrastructure, The Agency has a renowned brand that is featured on international television shows including Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and Buying Beverly Hills, which debuted on Netflix on November 4, 2022. The Agency has grown to more than 70 corporately owned and franchise offices across the globe, making it one of the fastest-growing luxury boutique brokerages in the world. Poised for further expansion with like-minded partners in strategic markets, The Agency is noted by The Financial Times as one of America’s Fastest Growing Companies and has ranked among Inc. 5000’s list of fastest-growing private companies in the country for six consecutive years. Recently, The Agency ranked 21st on the 2022 RealTrends 500 list, and led the top 50 firms in average sales price by sides with a $2.5 million average sales price. In August 2022, Inman named The Agency Luxury Brokerage of the year.
The Agency
The Agency is an agent-first, tech-driven boutique luxury global brokerage representing clients worldwide in a broad spectrum of classes, including residential, new development, resort real estate, luxury leasing and vacation rentals. Breaking away from the traditional brokerage model, The Agency takes a collaborative approach to the business, fostering a culture of partnership in which all clients and listings are represented in a collaborative environment. Agents and clients benefit from the shared resources and networks of the entire global team, including in-house creative, public relations and cutting-edge technology divisions. The Agency has closed more than $57 billion real estate transactions since 2011, comprising over 70 offices in ten countries, and counting, as one of the fastest-growing boutique, luxury real estate brands in the world. Watch The Agency on Buying Beverly Hills, a new real estate occu-soap highlighting the high-stakes world of luxury real estate in Los Angeles, currently streaming on Netflix.
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