James M. Kinney, president of Rubloff Residential Properties, has been elected president of the Council of Residential Brokerage Managers, an esteemed branch of the National Association of Realtors.

The Council, which has nearly 7,000 members worldwide, confers the Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB) designation and is the governing body of the most prestigious real estate network for brokers, owners and managers in the nation.

Read the full article here.

Kate Santo, relocation coordinator at Rubloff and frequent contributor to Rublogg, was recently interview by Multi-Housing News. Kate tells MHN Online News Editor Anuradha Kher about what it is to be a relocation coordinator and the challenges she faces in relocation within multi-housing.

Read the interview here.

This time of year two of my obsessions come together in synergistic perfection: sweets and home design. Introducing this years most fabulous gingerbread houses!

Jennifer Chait of OffBeatHomes complies an annual list. Check out the site for more photos and for a not-your-grandmother’s template and recipe — perfect for you to modify and personalize.

If a golden pagoda complete with gummy dragon is too ambitious for you, start with a basic Mod Ranch design and work your way to an architectural masterpiece.

Need more inspiration? Here is Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water rendered in gingerbread.

(Photo courtesy of www.seriouseats.com)

from UrbanLuxHomes.com

Call me cynical, but during the last two years our friends in the press have seemed all too willing to predict that the sky is falling when it comes to the economy and especially real estate. Today there appeared an article, like a spring flower pushing itself hopefully up through the snow, who’s headline boldly stated “It May Be Time To Buy a House” in the New York Times no less! Since most of our economic woes are self-inflicted psychological wounds, it was especially heartening to see the first flush of a recovery in press opinion. If The New York Times says it, it must be true, right? Maybe we have turned a corner of sorts.

The article advises that with inventories of new and used homes high and with unprecedented low mortgage rates, first time buyers have a unique opportunity to cash in and get a home. As the reporter Ron Lieber states:

“Housing prices have fallen drastically from their peak levels in many areas of the country. Rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are already close to 5.5 percent, and this week there were suggestions that the federal government might try to drive them down to 4.5 percent, a truly incredible figure to be able to lock in for three decades.”

For the full article…

Click on the link below on why Rubloff’s managing broker for the Lincoln Park office, Darlene Little, is an exceptional leader and expert educator.

http://www.chicagoagentmagazine.com/issue/article.asp?id=23&article=2058

NEWS RELEASE NEWS RELEASE NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release Contact: John D’Ambrogio

12/08/2008 (312) 849-4052

RUBLOFF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES

ATTENDS RELOCATION RETREAT

John D’Ambrogio, of Rubloff, attended a retreat at the Water Color Inn & Resort at Santa Rosa Beach in early November entitled “A Sandy Feet Retreat.” Leading real estate companies from across the country attended the three day session. Their main goal was to brainstorm, share ideas about the real estate industry, relocation trends and how it affects our business in today’s real estate market.

All leaders in the real estate industry, they discussed the various aspects of relocation regarding building relationships around the globe, service levels when working with corporate clients and shared ideas to further increase the effectiveness of their relocation services divisions. Speakers included Bud George, Director of Education and Training for Bob Parks Realty, Dawn Moliterno, President and CEO, Walton Area Chamber of Commerce, Mel Ponder with Vision 3000 Walton County Visitors & Tourist Development Council.

John D’Ambrogio, CRP and Director of Relocation Services Rubloff stated: “It is always beneficial when leaders within the industry gather with their peers to exchange ideas regarding industry challenges and operational efficiencies. The companies who attended this retreat are all established and proven leaders in our industry and join Rubloff in their ongoing commitment to excellence.”

Rubloff is a full-service real estate company with 7 residential sales offices located throughout Chicago and Michigan. Rubloff is recognized as one of the top real estate companies in the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World™ Network. They have an office located at 980 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 900 in downtown Chicago and their web-site is www.rubloff.com.

The first snow of the season fell around my Chicago home on Monday and along with the icy temperatures accompanying it, ushered in the unofficial start of winter.  While Windy City winters can be biting, the crisp air helps conjure images of enjoyment on the ski slopes or warming by the fire in the company of loved ones. The signs of the season also encouraged me to research luxury winter homes.  From  Lake Tahoe  to Vermont in the United States, British Columbia in Canada, and other locales around the globe, there are a wide variety of mountain homes catering to every lifestyle.  One residence that caught my eye combines the amenities desired in a luxury mountain home with a great history.  The former home of American President Gerald Ford in Beaver Creek, Colorado retains its historical significance, though it has been completely renovated. More details on the home, currently listed at $14,900,000, can be found here .

The rest is here:
Presidential Luxury Winter Home