Blue's Real Estate Blog

BLUE REALTY GMAC MERGES WITH ULTIMATE REAL ESTATE GROUP OF VERONA

2009-07-17T10:48:00.000-07:00

Blue Realty GMAC opened an Essex County office, merging with the Ultimate Real Estate Group, located at 59 Mount Prospect Avenue in Verona. Barbara Robinson, Broker of Record of the Ultimate Real Estate Group and Past President of the NJ Association of Realtors, will remain as Office Manager, and her sales staff are remaining as the newly formed Blue Realty GMAC office.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, president of Blue Realty GMAC, “We are very proud to have Barbara and her staff join our family of realtors. Barbara is a tremendous real estate resource with a brilliant real estate career spanning 30+ years in the New Jersey marketplace.”

According to Barbara Robinson, who is still very active and serves on statewide board of realtor committees, “I am thrilled to be a part of the Blue family, and to be able to offer our great value proposition to our agents. We share a high level of integrity and commitment to our industry and clients and I am very excited about our new affiliation.”

For more information about the new Verona office of Blue Realty GMAC, contact Barbara Robinson and her staff at the office directly at (973) 571-4112 or visit the office at 59 Mount Prospect Avenue in Verona. For more information about Blue Realty GMAC or to search for listings throughout New Jersey, log onto www.bluerealty.com

BLUE REALTY NAMED TO NATIONAL REAL ESTATE POWER BROKER LIST

2009-04-30T12:08:00.000-07:00

Riverdale – Blue Realty GMAC, with nine offices and over 200 licensed Realtors in New Jersey, has been named to the 2009 RISMedia National Real Estate Power Broker List, ranking 468 in the country in closed real estate transactions and 432 in dollar volume. The RISMedia National Power Broker List is released every year and contains the names of the top 600 Real Estate Brokerages in the country, ranked by sales units and volume.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, president of Blue Realty GMAC, “Being named to the RISMedia Power Broker List is a great achievement for our company, and a validation of all we have been doing these past few years, and will continue to do. Like everyone else, we find ourselves faced with the same challenges our peers do. Our response to these challenges, adding programs and tools that meet the times we are in, including our online real estate presence, superb E-Realty Information Generation platform, Market Value Predictor, and all our other great tools, and most importantly, the people in our company who are doing the work, have allowed us to thrive and grow in this challenging environment. I always say that a company is only as good as its people, and we are fortunate to have such wonderful people within our company providing great service to the public.”

Blumenkehl noted that while his company’s average sales price dropped to just under $275,000 statewide in 2008, pointing to a reduction of sales in the Elegant Homes market, their transaction volume jumped 20%, propelling the company to national rankings. Blumenkehl believes 2009 will mark a year of heightened production, particularly in the first time buyer markets, due in large part to the attractive interest rates and prices along with the tremendous incentives being offered, including an $8,000 credit to all first time buyers who buy before 12/01/09. “In the 31 years I have active in real estate, I can’t recall a time when everything was lined up so perfectly for the first time buyer. This is the greatest opportunity in history to be buying your home”.

For more information about Blue Realty GMAC or to search for real estate in your area, log onto the company website at www.bluerealty.com or call the company toll free at 1-800-936-SOLD/7653.

BLUE REALTY GMAC SALES INCREASE IN 2008

2009-04-03T11:07:00.000-07:00

Riverdale - In a year that brought bad news followed by even more bad news, at least one company found a way to grow their business in 2008.

Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services, largest independently owned Real Estate Brokerage firm in the New Jersey GMAC Real Estate network, increased its Residential Sales Volume in 2008, topping all previous office highs. According to Charles Blumenkehl, president of Blue Realty GMAC, “We are very proud of our tremendous achievement in our New Jersey offices. Our success in this very challenging environment is a testimonial to our most valuable asset, our people, and to the tools and support we provide them.”

Supporting his agents and company’s growth in 2008 were, according to Blumenkehl, a result of his company maintaining their highly effective business model, and creating programs designed to meet today’s challenges that lent themselves to the elements of the company’s model. Highly effective internet Consumer Relationship Management tools, upgrades in the print and online company marketing systems, introduction of the highly heralded Market Value Predictor, upgrades in the company coaching and support systems were just a few of the reasons Blumenkehl gave for his company’s achievement in 2008.

“Success,” Blumenkehl continued, “isn’t doing any one thing right. Rather, it’s doing a combination of things right, and surrounding yourself with the best associates you can. I have always said a company is only as good as the people within it, and we are very proud to have our family of Realtors who make us the great company we believe we are.”

Founded by Blumenkehl in 1983, Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services maintains 9 sales offices in central, northern and western New Jersey. For more information about Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate services, log onto the company web site at www.bluerealty.com or call the company directly at (800) 936-SOLD/7653.

BUYING FORECLOSURES NOT ONLY FOR INVESTORS

2009-04-02T08:48:00.000-07:00

Riverdale – Buying a foreclosure property may not be a homebuyer’s only hope of buying a home, but it may prove to be a great investment for the future if a buyer can find the right one. Today, buying foreclosures is not reserved for the investor, nor are banks necessarily interested in selling their properties strictly to investors. Owner occupants also have the opportunity to look at the foreclosed inventory in the areas they are looking, and see if the house they are looking for, with the things they want in it, happens to be listed for sale as a foreclosed property.

"We have all kinds of buyers looking at our foreclosed inventory, "says Charles Blumenkehl, president of Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services. " We work with buyers who want to buy for short term, long term and mid term investment, buyers who want to live in the home, buyers who are looking to buy something for a family member or help their children get started if the price is right and the rates stay low." Blumenkehl, who says his company represents over 2 dozen banks in the sale of their foreclosed properties, as well as the State of NJ Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency, said that many of the homes his company sells represent good values in today’s market, and as a result sell more rapidly than others may.

The process for buying a foreclosure property through a real estate agent is generally the same as a normal purchase. Buyers must verify their income, have good credit and be able to show they can make their mortgage payments. In many cases, in addition, the bank may want to see proof of the funds the buyer is using to purchase the foreclosed home in a bank account of the buyers, especially if the house cannot get a mortgage because of its condition.

Not all foreclosed properties are for all buyers. Some properties need work, others don't and still others may present unknowns that require a more sophisticated buyer. Most importantly, a buyer should work with an agent who is familiar with foreclosures, understands the banks and the players, and has a reputation for honesty. Blumenkehl continued, "Since we have the good fortune of having both experienced foreclosure agents who only work with bank properties and at the same time enjoy a network of offices throughout New Jersey that service all the local markets, we are able to offer our buyers and sellers the best of both worlds, providing them access to our hundreds of foreclosed properties currently on and coming to the market while offering them premier service and local market knowledge through our network of highly effective Realtors."

Short Sales or pre-foreclosures, allow potential buyers to bargain with the mortgage company. “Mortgage companies do short sales, the term used when banks allow property to be sold for less than the mortgage balance owed by the seller, when they don't want to keep them on their books,” said Blue Realty’s William Lawrence. "Often, a mortgage holder is willing to take a lower price for the home. For instance, it might sell a $200,000 home for $180,000 simply to get rid of it", Lawrence said. He also pointed out that while many banks and mortgage holders try to work with the buyer and borrower, there is no guarantee they will accept a short offer, and it may take the bank several months to get a response to an offer.

Home buyers should rely on professionals, such as real estate agents and home inspectors, to make informed purchases, said Keri Mason Roth, a partner at Atlanta-based law firm Morris Hardwick Schneider. These professionals can provide information on the neighborhood, tax history, and details about the property, such as lot size, footage or homeowners association dues.

In addition to the foreclosures that they deal with on a day to day basis, Blumenkehl points out that all Real Estate brokers have access to many other types of foreclosure deals available with financing. Through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, properties are available at good prices with as little as $100. Other programs available through the NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency for whom Blue Realty GMAC acts as exclusive Real Estate Broker and Asset Manager make buying a foreclosed home easier and more affordable than ever before.

To learn more about buying foreclosures or seeing foreclosed opportunities in the area, Blumenkehl invites you to visit the local office of Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services at 5 Newark Pompton Turnpike in Riverdale call the office at (800) 936-SOLD/7653 or log onto the company’s web site at www.bluerealty.com

MARKET VALUE PREDICTOR CREATES COMPETITION

2009-03-27T11:30:00.000-07:00

Riverdale – The Blue Realty Market Value Predictor, or MVP as its users call it, has created an immediate drop in the number of days on market for homes priced using the MVP model as compared to those which didn’t.

According to Timothy Waller, Vice President of Sales at Blue Realty’s Wayne, NJ office, “The MVP has helped my clients and me to identify the optimum marketing position for our home without any guesswork involved.”

Waller continued, “The Market Value Predictor takes into account current local market data and market trajectory, and can help determine the most probable selling price 30, 60 and 90 days from now.”

Since initiating the Market Value Predictor in September of 2008, Blue Realty has improved market time by over 60 days in most cases. According to William Lawrence, General Manager of Blue Realty,” MVP properties are selling in less than half the time of other listed properties.”

For more information about the Market Value Predictor and how you can make your home an MVP property, contact your local Blue Realty GMAC office at (800) 936-SOLD/7653 or log onto the company website at www.bluerealty.com.

Now is The Time!

2009-03-26T18:45:00.000-07:00

Invest in Real Estate now, let your Blue Realty representative help you find the home of your dreams. What you buy today will pay off in a few years, don't miss this opportunity! To find a great value in Wayne, Montville, West Milford, Dover, Allendale, Clinton, Howell, Jackson and their surrounding areas, contact a Blue Realty representative by logging onto www.bluerealty.com, by e-mail at info@bluerealty.com or by phone at 800-936-7653.

BLUE REALTY MARKET VALUE PREDICTOR TAKES THE GUESSWORK OUT OF HOME PRICING

2009-03-25T07:49:00.000-07:00

Riverdale – With so many realtors uncertain as to where to find the optimum marketing position for their listings today, Blue Realty GMAC has created a product which allows sellers to see the exact market trajectory of their home based on actual local data. By using the MVP, sellers know what their house will sell for today, 30, 60 and 90 days from now, and can make their moving plans with confidence. All Blue Realty GMAC Realtors are trained and equipped with the Market Value Predictor platform and will effectively engage their services, along with the Market Value Predictor, at no cost or obligation.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, president and founder of Blue Realty GMAC, “With the Market Value Predictor, we have created more ways for our clients and agents to engage technology resulting in a more successful marketing experience.”

Blumenkehl continued, “We see our MVP tool resulting in multimillion dollars in real estate sales, and we envision a time when all Realtors will use similar and accurate pricing tools to correctly advise their clients in any real estate climate.”

The Market Value Predictor uses active, pending and closed competing properties, actual average market time for closed properties in the specific area of the property, and then pinpoints the exact price and pricing channel for the subject home. In doing this, properties will sell at prices that exactly meet the market at the point they are listed for sale. Properties listed using the MVP have sold as much as 1000% quicker than competing properties on the market.

For more information about the Market Value Predictor or for a no cost, no obligation, confidential presentation of MVP, contact your local Blue Realty GMAC office at (800) 936-SOLD/7653 or email the company at mvp@bluerealty.com, or log onto the company website at www.bluerealty.com.

MARKET VALUE PREDICTOR ACHIEVES RESULTS

2009-01-02T09:12:00.000-08:00

Riverdale - Everyone agrees, today, pricing a home properly has more to do with its sale than anything. The challenges of knowing how much to sell or how much to pay for a home complicates many decisions, leading to lost opportunities and value. In response to today’s market, Blue Realty GMAC introduced the Blue Realty Market Value Predictor. The platform provides real estate clients with precise pricing for their real estate sale or purchase based on actual market statistics for the specific area the property is located in.

Blue Realty GMAC launched the product this fall, and the results were immediately outstanding. According to William Lawrence, General Manager of the company, “Our Market Value Predictor has assisted homeowners sell their homes much quicker and priced much more accurately than their market competition. Our values help sellers and buyers maximize their value opportunity while pinpointing the exact price they need to be at exactly that point of time in the market”.

Blue Realty GMAC focuses on providing a high quality service experience for all of its clients. The company portfolio of services includes a statewide footprint of real estate brokerage offices, mortgage company, title services and insurance services.

For more information about the Market Value Predictor and how you can make your home an MVP property, contact your local Blue Realty GMAC office at (800) 936-SOLD/7653 or log onto the company website at www.bluerealty.com.

FORECLOSURE ASSISTANCE OFFERED

2008-12-17T10:24:00.000-08:00

Riverdale – Blue Realty GMAC, Asset Manager for the State of New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency and Affordable Housing Manager for the State of New Jersey, is offering foreclosure assistance to NJ residents who are finding themselves challenged by the current economic environment impacting 1 out of 10 homeowners in New Jersey.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, president of Blue Realty GMAC, “Tens of thousands of homeowners across New Jersey are facing challenges that are outside of their control and threatening their family’s security. We understand that bad things can happen to good people, and we also understand the options available to homeowners in working out their individual dilemmas. We work with the homeowner to assist them in negotiating loss mitigations, deficiencies and other forms of loss mitigation that will allow them to maximize their benefit in working out their loans.”

Blumenkehl continued, “The recently enacted Hope For Homeowners Mortgage Program, the announcement by several major loan servicers to modify delinquent mortgage terms, incentives offered under the Bush bailout package to lenders offering new mortgages to parties in foreclosure, reducing balances to reflect current market values, and other emerging programs, provide homeowners with options they never had before, the ability to keep their homes, create new equity and be forgiven for prior debt, create a tremendous opportunity for us to assist homeowners in turning a bad situation into a good one. We will strive to use our deep roots, knowledge and resource in this area, to support our clients in sorting through their options and assist them in the disposition of their real estate needs.”

Blue Realty GMAC is the largest independently owned brokerage in the New Jersey GMAC network. For information about Blue Realty GMAC, including office locations and information about its mortgage, title and insurance agencies, log onto the company website at www.bluerealty.com, or call the company toll free at (800) 936-SOLD/7653. For more information about foreclosure assistance, log onto www.njforeclosureassistance.com.

BLUE COMMERCIAL OFFERS INFORMATION RESOURCE

2008-12-11T08:04:00.000-08:00

Riverdale - As a leading provider of real estate services in New Jersey, Blue Commercial Real Estate leverages the statewide footprint of Blue Realty GMAC on behalf of its clients, to provide a more complete picture of the “For Lease” & “For Sale” opportunities within the local markets surrounding Blue Commercial sales offices.

According to Jack Aquila, Vice President of Blue Commercial, “Blue Commercial Real Estate Services provides outstanding marketing services for commercial properties to a wide audience of buyers and tenants throughout the state. Our statewide footprint and resources allow our commercial agents to provide specialized services in a highly dynamic marketplace”.

For more information about Blue Commercial Real Estate Services, contact the company toll free at 888-890-4430 or logon to the company website at bluecommercial.com. For more information about Blue Realty GMAC logon to www.bluerealty.com.

INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN REAL ESTATE? LICENSING COURSES WILL BE OFFERED.

2008-11-26T09:59:00.000-08:00

If you are considering a career in real estate sales, Blue Realty GMAC by agreement with the American School of Business with several locations in New Jersey, is sponsoring a reduced tuition for the 75-hour salesperson-licensing course on the Fundamentals of Real Estate Sales.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, president of Blue Realty GMAC, “When I received my real estate license in 1977, it was an environment very similar to our current market environment. And, quite frankly, it was the best time to learn the business. I would encourage anyone who has ever thought of a career in real estate to enter the business now, at a time when you will learn and be rooted to prosper in the future”.

Those interested in becoming a licensed real estate agent will be able to take the state accredited course at any of the American School of Business locations across New Jersey to meet the state requirements for taking the salesperson’s licensing examination.

Students of the American School of Business sponsored by Blue Realty GMAC also have access to free professional counseling and assistance in preparing for the exam through Blue Realty GMAC.

Classes are being held at a number of locations beginning this month, and continuing throughout the year. The classes may be taken over a two-week course full time, 4 weeks half days, or 10 weeks at night or on the weekend. For information about these classes and continual training and education for real estate professionals after they obtain their license, and for the office and school nearest you, call toll free at (800) 936-SOLD(7653).

Founded in 1983, Blue Realty GMAC operates offices throughout New Jersey and is the largest independently owned GMAC brokerage in New Jersey.

For more information about obtaining a Real Estate license or about Blue Realty GMAC, call the company or log on to their website at www.bluerealty.com.

BLUE REALTY'S MARKET VALUE PREDICTOR MAKES ITS MARK

2008-11-25T09:03:00.000-08:00

Riverdale - In the two weeks since Blue Realty unveiled its revolutionary proprietary pricing platform, which they refer to as their Market Value Predictor, the company reports it has successfully listed and marketed over $10,000,000 in real estate using the platform, and that amount is growing quickly as more listings adjust their marketing position to conform to the market trajectory indicated by the Blue Realty Market Value Predictor.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, president of Blue Realty, “We are excited about the immediate and apparent success our Market Value Predictor has brought to our agents and clients. In an environment where many agencies are struggling to figure out where the best price is for their sellers, we can point to that price totally unemotionally, practically, and help our sellers maximize their marketing benefit while enabling their home to be one of those which will sell in this market, while other equally serious sellers and homes for sale remain on the market”.

Blumenkehl continued, “Provided you have a strong online and brick and mortar marketing program, and we have the best, pricing the home becomes the most important determinant in the successful sale of our homes. By using our Market Value Predictor, our sellers know what their house is worth today, 30, 60 and 90 days from now, and where we need to be to sell in their specific market. Even now, we take the guesswork out of selling”.

Blue Realty is one of the leading independently-owned real estate companies throughout New Jersey. For more information about the Market Value Predictor and how you can make your home an MVP property, contact your local Blue Realty GMAC office at 5 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Riverdale, call (800) 936-SOLD(7653) or logon to the company website at www.bluerealty.com.

TEST DRIVE A REAL ESTATE CAREER ONLINE

2008-11-24T08:07:00.000-08:00

If you are considering a career in real estate sales, Blue Realty GMAC offers you a way to gauge how much you would enjoy a career in real estate and how good you may be if you tried it. Called the Real Estate Simulator, this web-based technology allows potential Realtors to "test drive" a career in real estate in a manner that is fun and interactive.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, president of Blue Realty GMAC, "Using web-based technologies is critical to attract the young and tech-savvy generation that continue to shape the future of our Real Estate industry. The Real Estate Simulator is compelling for the new generation of agents because it allows them to test drive a career in Real Estate – before making the commitment." The Simulator is also used as a means of making a more accurate hiring decision on behalf of his company, says Blumenkehl. By accurately matching the critical skills and abilities required to succeed, Blue Realty GMAC is able to avoid lower new agent success and turnover rates experienced by many of its competitors.

Blumenkehl also announced that by agreement with the American School of Business with several locations throughout New Jersey, Blue Realty GMAC offers a reduced tuition for the 75-hour Salesperson-licensing course on the Fundamentals of Real Estate Sales for potential licensees.

Those interested in becoming licensed real estate agents can obtain information about these classes and continual training and education for real estate professionals by calling the local Blue Realty GMAC office at (800) 936-SOLD(7653). All company offices are open 7 days a week.

Founded in 1983, Blue Realty GMAC operates offices throughout New Jersey and is the largest independently owned GMAC brokerage in New Jersey. For more information about Blue Realty GMAC, call the company or logon to their website www.bluerealty.com.

BLUE REALTY OFFERS CONSUMERS ASSITANCE

2008-11-21T11:07:00.000-08:00

Riverdale - The New Jersey real estate market has a new driving force. This weekend, hundreds of house hunters setting out to look at homes for sale or rent will be armed with the latest listing and sales information, mortgage and payment information available through the Listing Alert feature on the company website at http://bluerealtynorth.com, a fully customized and interactive website which offers the most current information available in a real time environment. A quick visit to http://bluerealtynorth.com will provide all the tools and information a potential buyer or renter needs to locate available homes and plan a road trip to see them.

Sophisticated technology and a smart user interface are changing the way home seekers find houses, apartments, and lenders, as well as NJ Real Estate Agents and Brokers. By providing all the tools in one place, Blue Realty’s site gives everyone in the market for a home a one-source destination. Bluerealtynorth.com even helps with decision making, connecting the first time buyer with an agent who is most qualified to service their particular needs.

Bluerealty.com and its host of web sites is already a first choice destination for over 10,000 unique visitors a month looking for properties in northern New Jersey and around the state. Home buyers often start with a visit to the site because they expect, and get, comprehensive local New Jersey real estate resources and listings. According to William “Bill” Lawrence, General Manager of Blue Realty, "Our sites are a big hit with consumers throughout New Jersey. We give consumers what they want, on their terms and in their timeframe."

Www.bluerealty.com directs home seekers to the specific local market they choose, providing local listings and market knowledge and resources that are very useful tools in the home seeking and home buying process. With 9 offices serving northern, western and central New Jersey, Blue Realty keeps their sites up to date and current, providing real time information about the newest listings and changes in the market to the consumer often before most Realtors know."

Established in 1983 and celebrating their 25th year in the Real Estate business, Blue Realty is a full service Brokerage offering Real Estate brokerage, Mortgage, Title Insurance, Property & Casualty Insurance and Home Warranties through their affiliated companies. The company also operates 8 web sites including www.bluerealty.com, bluerealtynorth.com, bluerealtycentral.com, bluerealtywest.com, bluecommercial.com, njforeclosureasistance.com, bluerealtycareers.com and http://bluerealty.blogspot.com.

BLUE REALTY GMAC SERVICES HMFA

2008-11-20T07:29:00.000-08:00

Riverdale – The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) continues to maintain Blue Realty GMAC as co-exclusive Asset Manager in the Northern and Southern region of New Jersey. As the Asset Manager of the state since 1999, Blue Realty GMAC is responsible and sells the individual REO properties acquired by the HMFA through foreclosure in New Jersey.

“We are pleased to be the servicing Realtor in the current cycle in New Jersey. Our role focuses on the most active concentration of New Jersey state owned properties and continues to position GMAC Blue Realty as a leader in residential real estate and real estate asset disposition throughout New Jersey”.

Founded in 1983 and active in foreclosures since 1989, the company maintains offices in central, western and northern New Jersey, and has sold thousands of REO and foreclosed properties in that time. Blue Realty GMAC is the largest independently owned Real Estate Brokerage in the GMAC Network. In addition to its real estate brokerage, Blue Realty GMAC offers mortgage, title insurance and homeowner’s insurance services through its affiliated companies. For more information about the company, logon to www.bluerealty.com, or call the company toll free at (800) 936-SOLD/7653.

BLUE REALTY GMAC APPOINTED LOCAL MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE FOR LENDING TREE

2008-11-19T11:09:00.000-08:00

Riverdale - Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services has extended its marketing relationship with Lending Tree, an online lending marketplace matching thousands of real estate buyers and consumers with quality local service providers like Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services.

With access to over 60 million households through the Lending Tree affinity programs, Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate joins 24% of top 500 Real Estate firms in the country as quality local service providers for the thousands of home buyers generated through the network.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, president of Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services, “We embrace the model Lending Tree relies upon for its lead generation as the most effective means of driving meaningful internet interest to our listings”. Blumenkehl continued, “As a Quality Service Provider to the Lending Tree Real Estate Network, we will add another 1,000 or more qualified buyers to the over 15,000 buyers we expect to service in 2008 through the internet in New Jersey.

As part of the Lending Tree Network, Blue Realty GMAC is exclusive co-agent for high yield internet real estate networks including RealEstate.com, GetSmart.com, Domania.com, HomeLoanCenter.com, iNest.com, CondoDirect.com, HomeConnections.com, ImproveNet.com, ServiceMagic.com, Admission.com, ReserveAmerica.com, TheCampingClub.com, Ticketmaster.com, TicketWeb.com, Expedia.com, Hotels.com and HotWire.com.

With nine offices serving central, northern and western New Jersey, Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services is the largest independently owned Real Estate Brokerage in the New Jersey GMAC Real Estate Network. For more information about Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services, log on to the company’s website at www.bluerealty.com.

BLUE REALTY GMAC WEBSITE GENERATES BIG HITS WITH CONSUMERS

2008-11-18T07:11:00.000-08:00

Riverdale - A recent National Association of Realtors’ study showed that almost 90% of all potential homebuyers begin their search for a home online. Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services associates have a system to handle this increasingly important source of buyer inquiries. Recently upgraded, the Blue Realty online E-Realty Generators allow consumers to “plug into” a multimillion dollar investment in what Blue Realty GMAC believes is the most complete Real Estate internet marketing and information generation platform in the industry.

Because today’s more sophisticated consumers want real estate information in minutes rather than hours, Blue Realty GMAC employs a state-of-the-art contact center. Its highly-trained internet call center staff speaks with internet inquiries and instantly provides the customer with the information they need and will even transfer the inquiry to a “live”, local sales associate in real time.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, president and founder of Blue Realty GMAC, “There’s nothing like our Blue Realty E-Realty Generator to assist online buyers from getting the information and resources they need fast. Our Internet commitment generates internet inquiries from buyers on search engines, popular local websites, and strategic partnerships with such other national Real Estate companies, including Lending Tree, Service Magic and Home Gain.”

Blumenkehl continued, “Our own website, www.bluerealty.com, is one of the most viewed real estate sites in New Jersey, with over 100,000 new visitors a year viewing our properties. Included in our system is our innovative listing alert features allowing buyers to see new listings when they reach the market, at the same time Realtors find out. We truly have harnessed the industry’s most advanced use of technology to deliver prompt and efficient personal service to homebuyers and sellers.

Founded in 1983, Blue Realty GMAC is the largest, independently owned GMAC Brokerage in the New Jersey GMAC Real Estate Network. For more information about Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services and its E-Realty Generator Real Estate Search Engine, log onto www.bluerealty.com.

AOI FUDOSAN: WHERE EAST MEETS WEST

2008-11-17T10:51:00.000-08:00

If you’ve ever had to move because of a job-related transfer, then you have experienced firsthand the multitude of detail and preparation necessary for such a move, not to mention the emotional upheaval and physical wear and tear this relocation makes. Now imagine that your transfer brings you and your family to a different continent with a completely different culture, and you can only begin to imagine the multiple impact of this employment-related affect on your lives. Understanding the sensitive needs of such a move, 12 years ago Charles Blumenkehl, President of Blue Realty / GMAC, and Sumiko Ko Hwang, Vice President of International Relocation with the firm, created AOI FUDOSAN (pronounced AH-OH-EE, which means Blue Realty in Japanese) a division of Blue Realty / GMAC. AOI specializes entirely on Asian relocation, and has served major international corporations including Sharp, Sony, Panasonic and numerous other major bicoastal corporations in assisting the transfer of all levels of their employees, from mid-management to the CEO.

According to Blumenkehl, “We have created a unique and effective system that is sensitive to and understanding of the needs of the transferee and their family. We simplify the process through technology and the Internet before the family comes to the United States and combine their needs with an in-depth local knowledge and the full resources of GMAC Global Relocation behind it”. According to Sumiko Ko Hwang, “Mr. Blumenkehl and I share a high standard of quality service that allows us to provide the necessary services for the demanding area of international relocation. We provide the highest level of premier service and integrity to our clients and they appreciate it”.

The division provides relocation services in several dialects, including Japanese and Mandarin Chinese. AOI provides real estate, rental, corporate housing, temporary lodging and consultative services to companies and their employees around the world.

If you would like to request an international relocation package or have any questions regarding real estate, you may call Sumiko and her staff at (888)FUDOSAN or visit the division’s website at www.bluerealty.com and click on “About us”. The AOI Fudosan division of Blue Realty / GMAC is based out of the company’s Bergen County location at 385 Franklin Turnpike, Allendale, NJ and its services are available at all company locations.

ON BLUE REALTY GMAC WEBSITE, EVERYTHING JUST SEEMS TO CLICK

2008-11-14T07:55:00.000-08:00

Riverdale – It no longer requires a trip to a Realtor’s office or even a phone call to get complete consumer listing information about properties as they become for sale. Real Estate buyers and lookers can now sign up free to have that information and more online.

Studies show that more consumers than ever, almost 90% of Real Estate buyers, use the internet as an important resource in finding and choosing a home. Blue Realty GMAC provides those buyers with new listing alerts, existing properties for sale and rent, mortgage calculators and qualifiers and other valuable information easily accessible on their site to assist in the home buying process.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, president of Blue Realty GMAC, “As buyers’ online abilities continue to grow much of the home finding process does not require as much face-to-face interaction, at the outset, if a buyer prefers to work from the privacy of their computer and provided they have easy access to information. There’s no longer a reason why a buyer has to take a day off to find out what’s for sale or what they can qualify to buy.”

Blue Realty GMAC’s website is already well ahead of the pack. The site offers superior search capabilities, mortgage tools, area information and a variety of tools designed to streamline the home buying process.

To visit Blue Realty’s website, log on to www.bluerealtynorth.com.

BLUE REALTY GMAC SUPPORTS FIRST TIME HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT

2008-11-13T07:31:00.000-08:00

Riverdale – Starting April 9, 2008 and lasting until July 1, 2009, qualifying first time home buyers will receive a tax credit of up to $7500.00. The provision was made part of the Housing & Economic Recovery Act of 2008.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, president of Blue Realty GMAC, the largest independently owned GMAC real estate firm in New Jersey, “For aspiring first time home buyers who find fulfilling their dream of owning their home difficult to attain, this newly enacted initiative is an opportunity of a lifetime, not to be ignored”.

Blumenkehl continued, “But like so many opportunities, time is of the essence for buyers who want to take advantage of this outstanding opportunity”. He pointed out that only homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009 are eligible.

The tax credit, which is refunded to the home purchaser directly from their income tax payments or withholdings, works like an interest free loan and must be re-paid over a 15 year period. The amount of the tax credit is based on the tax filing status of the buyer and the home purchase price. For more information call your local Blue Realty GMAC office at (800) 936-SOLD(7653) or contact the IRS directly.

Blue Realty GMAC has nine offices serving most of New Jersey. For more information about Blue Realty GMAC or to search houses in your area, logon to www.bluerealty.com

BLUE REALTY GMAC ANNOUNCES MARKET VALUE PREDICTOR

2008-11-12T09:24:00.000-08:00

Riverdale - There is nothing more important in the successful sale of a home than the listing price. Not only is the determination of price based on past and pending sales of comparable properties, it is highly influenced by the trajectory of the market. In a challenging market that we are currently experiencing, sellers often make the mistake of overpricing their properties by looking backward instead of gauging where the market is going. An abundance of comparable inventory means overpriced listings do not get shown by REALTORS® and sellers then chase the market with a stream of price reductions thus prolonging the sales process.

To address this, Blue Realty GMAC has an exclusive tool called the Market Value Predictor that uses a variety of specific data from local markets to predict what a home should sell for today, three months from now, or six months from now. Blue Realty clients can now determine the ideal price range for their home and clearly understand the affect of pricing on a successful and timely sale.

Blue Realty GMAC has always strived to sell their clients’ homes in the shortest amount of time, for the highest possible price and with the least inconvenience to them. Now, with the Market Value Predictor, some of the guess work has been taken out of the process. Now MVP homes are truly priced to sell.

For more information about the Market Value Predictor and how you can make your home an MVP property, contact your local Blue Realty GMAC office at 5 Newark Pompton Turnpike in Riverdale, toll free at (800) 936-SOLD(7653) or log onto the company website at www.bluerealty.com.

BLUE REALTY GMAC REPORTS LARGE INCREASE IN HOME SALES

2008-11-07T07:06:00.000-08:00

Riverdale - Blue Realty GMAC, largest independently owned real estate brokerage in the New Jersey GMAC Real Estate network, announced that Homes Sales currently under contract and awaiting closing as of June 30, 2008, was up just over 50% is Dollar Volume while the actual number of homes in contract awaiting closing is up over 64%, compared to the same period last year.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, president of Blue Realty GMAC, “Throughout my 30+ years in Real Estate, I have always believed in the notion that God stopped making dirt a long time ago, but hasn’t stopped making people. In the short term, anything can happen, but in the long term, real estate only moves in one direction, up. Our increase in sales and marketing activity indicate to me a strengthening in the marketplace underlying our successful implementation of highly effective consumer-based features, strategies and services, designed to increase our local market share in the areas of our offices. We have seen the Affordability Index, the measuring stick for consumer homeownership affordability, reach its most attractive rates in many years, and the savvy consumers are taking advantage of the opportunities available while prices are leveled and interest rates are low.”

Blumenkehl continued, “I would recommend to anyone who can, to buy a home now, especially first time buyers. Rates are lower now than they were when I passed my real estate exam in 1976, and prices are at their most affordable level in years. We welcome the opportunity to assist consumers in exploring the outstanding real estate and mortgaging opportunities available to them at no cost or obligation.”

Blue Realty GMAC is no stranger to growth, even in the last few years. For 2007, Blue Realty GMAC was named #5 in the country in growth in sales volume and % increase over 2006 out of over 1300 offices nationally. Blue Realty GMAC was also named to the Rismedia Real Estate Companies to Watch in 2008 list in their 2008 Annual National Power Broker report. Established in 1983, the company offers a full service real estate experience to their clients, owning and operating 9 real estate offices, a mortgage company, title agency and insurance agency serving northern, central and western New Jersey, and is a member of the national GMAC Real Estate network.

For more information about Blue Realty GMAC, log onto the company website at www.bluerealty.com or call the company’s local office in Riverdale, located at 5 Newark Pompton Turnpike, at (973) 835-1400.

NEW TECHNOLOGY TACKLES CURRENT CRISIS IN REAL ESTATE SUCCESSION

2008-11-06T09:22:00.000-08:00

Riverdale - Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services is rolling out the Real Estate Simulator® to deal with the real estate industry’s changing demographics.

The Real Estate industry is experiencing its first succession planning emergency. According to Charles Blumenkehl, President and founder of Blue Realty GMAC, " The National Association of Realtors recently reported that the average age for Real Estate brokers and agents is in the mid-50’s.That means we need to find the next generation pretty quickly.”

Blumenkehl continued, “Using Web-based technologies is critical to attract the young and tech-savvy generation. Our Real Estate Sales Managers need ways to appeal to these potential agents. The Real Estate Simulator is compelling for the new generation of agents because it allows them to test drive a career in real estate – in a way that is fun and interactive. We are confident that by introducing the simulator we will see an increase in our ability to attract Generation X and Y candidates to our industry and company."

According to NAR, new Realtors today face several challenges:
1) New agents have little staying power – 50% of new real estate agents last one year on the job or less;
2) New agents don’t perform consistently – 25% of new real estate agents will sell only one house in their first year; and
3) New agents don’t have the right skills – only 15% of new agents have sales backgrounds.

“The needs of new recruits make it even more important to recruit widely and well. The Real Estate Simulator gives managers a better chance at hiring the right talent right off the bat,” says Blue Realty GMAC General Sales Manager William Lawrence. “It’s difficult to find good sales people when the pool of candidates is getting younger. But, because the simulator provides accurate feedback on the critical skills and abilities required to succeed in real estate, managers can make more informed hiring decisions.”

Blue Realty GMAC is the #1 independently owned Real Estate broker in the New Jersey GMAC Real Estate network. For more information about Blue Realty GMAC or to explore a career in Real Estate, contact Bill Lawrence at (800) 936-SOLD/7653 or log onto the company website at www.bluerealty.com.

REAL ESTATE INTERNET MARKETING PROVIDES RELIEF FOR REALTORS AND CONSUMERS

2008-10-24T07:28:00.000-07:00

Riverdale – Blue Realty GMAC has continued to enhance its E-Realty Generator web sites, generating millions of dollars in real estate sales.

Blue’s E-Realty Generators provide Blue agents and their clients with a step by step platform to generate meaningful interest in properties and streamline the home buying process. The Blue E-Realty Generator websites also provide a road map to finding the right property, and valuable home buying tools to assist in the process.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, President of Blue Realty GMAC, “buyers today go straight to the internet when they want to search for homes for sale. We meet them there, at their time and terms, with tools, information and an incubation platform that results in helping our buyers and sellers achieve their goals and dreams”.

Blue Realty GMAC provides their agents with E-Realty Generators at no cost to the agent or client. Agents and consumers have reported how beneficial the generators are to them, and buyers are flooding the generators for information.

To visit Blue Realty GMAC’s E-Realty Generator, simply log onto the company’s website at www.bluerealty.com, then click the portion of the New Jersey state map you wish to search in. You will be brought to the appropriate e-Realty Generator, where you can access all the available listings on the site for the areas you are searching.

Founded in 1983, Blue Realty GMAC is the #1 independently owned brokerage in the New Jersey GMAC Real Estate Network. The company operates nine offices in northern, central and western New Jersey, in addition to operating a mortgage company, title and insurance agency.

BLUE REALTY GMAC OFFERS INTERNET SOLUTION FOR TODAY’S REAL ESTATE CONSUMER

2008-10-23T08:28:00.000-07:00

Riverdale - Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate, #1 independently owned Real Estate Brokerage in the New Jersey GMAC network, has upgraded its award winning Real Estate site to offer the highest speed and most comprehensive area Real Estate search engine for its New Jersey consumers. The site also features Listing Alerts, providing real-time information to buyers and sellers about properties as they reach, leave or change in the real estate market, mortgage payment and qualification tools, seller reporting tools allowing sellers to see how many visitors they get, and other easy to use features that leads the company to believe it has the most effective and easiest to use real estate consumer search engine site on the market today.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, President of Blue Realty GMAC, "We have embraced the emergence of the internet and its inevitable impact on Real Estate consumers since we launched our first site in 1995. Over the past 13 years, we have worked hard to create what we think is the most effective consumer site available today. Our site will offer buyers and sellers virtually every tool and resource they need to simplify and monitor their real estate search and experience."
Blumenkehl continued, "We also recognize that the emergence of the generation X and Y, the 21-45 year old segment of our population that represents the first time buying market today, almost exclusively use the Internet as their source of choice for market information and knowledge. According to a recent survey by the National Association of Realtors, over 80% of all real estate buyers use the internet to choose their agent and buy their home. Our company is excited to meet this consumer trend, and will provide our real estate consumer with the best Internet resources and highest quality service experience available in the market today.

Blue Realty GMAC has 9 offices serving Central, Western and Northern New Jersey. The company has been named as a company to watch by Rismedia, leading Real Estate information provider, and #5 in year over year growth nationally by GMAC Real Estate Services. For more information about Blue Realty GMAC, call the company toll free at 800-936-SOLD(7653) or log onto the company web site at www.bluerealty.com

BLUE REALTY NAMED TO RISMEDIA REAL ESTATE COMPANIES TO WATCH IN 2008 LIST

2008-10-16T07:37:00.000-07:00

Riverdale - Blue Realty with 9 offices located throughout northern, central and western New Jersey, has been named to the prestigious 2008 Real Estate Companies to Watch by Rismedia, recognized leader in Real Estate Information for Real Estate agents, brokers and consumers. Blue Realty was named to the list as part of the 2008 Rismedia Power Broker Survey, identifying the top 700+ Real Estate brokers in the country for 2007.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, President of Blue Realty, "I am grateful to Rismedia for inclusion in their report, and am proud of our company’s achievement. To be named #25 on their list of Companies To Watch in 2008 further validates our focus on long standing principles of residential real estate that remain unchanged, while embracing and successfully responding to the changes in our market and our industry. Our compelling business plan, our great people and our deep resources will continue to propel Blue Realty to the forefront of the residential Real Estate landscape."

Blue Realty was established in 1983, and was also named earlier this year in the top 5 in the country by GMAC Real Estate for growth in units sold and Gross Dollar Volume in 2007 over the previous year. The company also owns and operates a Mortgage Company, Title Insurance Agency and Property and Casualty Insurance Agency as part of its services to its clients. For more information about Blue Realty, call (800) 936-SOLD(7653) or log onto the company web site at www.bluerealty.com.

RISMEDIA 2008 POWER BROKER REPORT RELEASED

2008-10-15T06:46:00.000-07:00

Rismedia`s Annual Power Broker Report & Survey, residential real estate industry`s most comprehensive report on the 700+ most successful brokerages in the United States, was released this past month, The report highlights the largest Real Estate Brokerage Firms nationally, ranked by units sold and gross dollar volume sales. The report highlighted information from 887 Brokerages across the country.

According to the report, the top Real Estate Brokers in the country experienced lower sales volume in both units, down over 432,000 units nationwide, and dollar volume, down more than $100 billion dollars. In 2007, Power Brokers were responsible for an average of 2,615 closings per year per company.

The overall consensus of the Real Estate Power Broker group was that the internet has been playing a much greater role in capturing sales volume than ever before, while signs of life continue to spring up in markets around the country.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, president of New Jersey based Blue Realty GMAC with local offices in northern New Jersey, named #25 on the 2008 Power Broker list of Companies to Watch in 2008, "We have been fortunate through this market transformation. Our positioning as a leader in the first time buyer and bank foreclosure markets has allowed us to avoid much of the market downturn experienced by many of our peers and competitors. And our investment into our E-Realty Internet Generators came at the exact time the market was calling for an online solution like ours to address the needs of today’s buyers".

Blumenkehl continued, "We are looking forward to continuing to apply our effective business plan and model and sticking to our plan for success every day. We are thrilled to provide our strategies to our buyers and sellers to help them maximize the opportunities that are available in today’s market."

Rismedia has long been considered a leader in Real Estate information and news, profiles and articles for Real Estate agents, brokers and consumers. Products and services offered by Rismedia include Real Estate Magazine, Power Team Report, Annual Power Broker Report and Survey, and licensed and syndicated content for Real Estate executives.

INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN REAL ESTATE? LICENSING COURSES WILL BE OFFERED

2008-10-14T07:13:00.000-07:00

If you are considering a career in real estate sales, Blue Realty GMAC by agreement with the American School of Business with several locations in New Jersey, is sponsoring a reduced tuition for the 75-hour salesperson-licensing course on the Fundamentals of Real Estate Sales.

Those interested in becoming a licensed real estate agent will be able to take the state accredited course at any of the American School of Business locations across New Jersey to meet the state requirements for taking the salesperson’s licensing examination.

Students of the American School of Business sponsored by Blue Realty GMAC also have access to free professional counseling and assistance in preparing for the exam through Blue Realty GMAC.

Classes are being held at a number of locations beginning this month, and continuing throughout the year. The classes may be taken over a two-week course full time, 4 weeks half days, or 10 weeks at night or on the weekend. For information about these classes and continual training and education for real estate professionals after they obtain their license, and for the office and school nearest you, call toll free at (800) 936-SOLD(7653).

Founded in 1983, Blue Realty GMAC operates offices throughout New Jersey and is the largest independently owned GMAC brokerage in New Jersey.

For more information about obtaining a Real Estate license or about Blue Realty GMAC, call the company or log on to their website at www.bluerealty.com.

BLUE REALTY GMAC IS VA FORECLOSURE PARTICIPATING BROKER

2008-10-10T07:09:00.000-07:00

Riverdale – Blue Realty GMAC, statewide Real Estate Brokerage firm, is a participating and cooperating Broker in the Department of Veterans Administration Home Sales Program. The program, administered by the Veterans Administration, offers VA-owned properties to Veterans and non-Veterans under a variety of terms.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, President of Blue Realty GMAC, “The Veterans Administration, through its Broker Home Sales Program, makes it possible for anyone who qualifies to take advantage of the opportunities available in the foreclosure market, which typically is only afforded to those investors with large cash sums available through them, with a very low cash investment. As a matter of fact, under the Veterans Home Loan and Property Rehabilitation Act of 1987, the Veterans Administration is authorized to lend purchasers more than the purchase price of the property for rehabilitation as set forth in their guidelines, and will discount the purchase prove even more for cash buyers and certain types of qualified buyers while at the same time the VA is liquidating their inventory of foreclosed and otherwise VA owned property.”

According to Blumenkehl, many of his associates have completed training on the Veterans Administration Home Sales Program and are excited about offering the program and VA inventory of homes to the public. For more information about how to buy a VA-owned home at special terms and preview of the VA inventory, the public is invited to call Blue Realty GMAC at (800) 936-SOLD(7653) or visit our office at 5 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Riverdale or log on to the company web site at www.bluerealty.com.

BLUE REALTY GMAC OFFERS FREE VA/FHA INFORMATION CENTER

2008-10-09T11:15:00.000-07:00

Riverdale – In a market bursting with opportunity for first time buyers, Blue Realty GMAC is offering an information center designed to enlighten homebuyers on how to buy a house with little or no money down, and capitalize on the current trends in the real estate market. By calling the company toll free at (800) 936-SOLD(7653), callers can discuss the nuts and bolts of Veterans Administration loans available to qualified purchasers with no down payment, Federal Housing Administration loans with down payments as low as 1½% and other various programs designed to make home buying easy for the first time purchasers.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, President of Blue Realty GMAC, “There is no question in my mind that those people who are buying their homes now will profit tremendously in the coming years when this market assumes its natural long term direction. And with home prices at reduced levels, many former renters find that with low down payments still available on most starter homes that the monthly payment is cheaper then renting!”

Blumenkehl continued, “Homeownership is and always will be an American dream which we at Blue Realty GMAC can make a reality for many would-be buyers who don’t realize how inexpensive it really is to buy a home today and what a great opportunity it is to buy now. We invite the public to call us and discover how to accomplish two American dreams, homeownership and long term financial security”.

The company offers, free with no obligation, valuable information on first time home buying. Blue Realty GMAC is the largest independently owned Real Estate broker in the New Jersey GMAC Network, and offers a full range of real estate services including Title, Insurance and Mortgage services. For more information about Blue Realty GMAC, call toll free at (800) 936-SOLD(7653) or log on to the company website at www.bluerealty.com.

BLUE REALTY GMAC OFFERS FREE ONLINE AUTOMATED HOMEFINDER SERVICES

2008-10-07T07:53:00.000-07:00

New Jersey – Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services, the largest independently owned GMAC realty firm in the New Jersey GMAC Network, is offering to the public a Free Online Automated Homefinder Service. The free service has gained wide acceptance and use by potential homebuyers and sellers throughout New Jersey. The automated Homefinder Service provides house hunters and sellers, regardless of who they buy or sell through, and at no cost or obligation, with their own Homefinder website giving the client access to thousands of local listings including new listings that are e-mailed to them in real time often before other area Realtors even know the property is for sale. The online service also provides access to Virtual Home Tours online, access to full home listing details, and helpful tools including mortgage payment calculators, mortgage prequalification and pre-approvals from actual lenders upon request, and a variety of services designed to streamline, organize and simplify the home buying process for the house hunter whether they are buying this week, this month, this year or at some unknown point in the future.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, President of Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services, “Our free online home finding service is a great tool that meets the user at their convenience, gives them exactly what they want, and keeps them updated as to the marketplace and their opportunities within the real estate and financing markets at all times”. Blumenkehl continued, “last year, over 8,000 potential home buyers in northern, western and central New Jersey contacted us for information about area properties for sale, and we are currently working with hundreds of those clients actively seeking homes right now, while thousands more are using our free service while they decide when they will be ready to start the actual home purchase process. Our agents are extremely excited being able to offer house hunters this free and most useful service, and through the use of the internet and amazing consumer tools and service look forward to helping make the home buying and selling process simpler than ever before.”

To view the Free Online Automated Homefinder Service, log onto www.bluerealtynorth.com. You can browse the site, or you can sign up for your own Homefinder site and services at no cost or obligation. If you have any questions about the use of the system or would like to speak to a Blue Realty GMAC Realtor directly, call their office anytime at (800) 936-SOLD(7653). Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services offers a full menu of one-stop shopping Real Estate Services including Real Estate, Mortgages, Title Insurance, Homeowners Insurance and Home Warranties. The company has real estate offices throughout New Jersey in central, northern and western New Jersey. For more information about Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services or for the office nearest you, log on to the company web site www.bluerealty.com.

Blue Realty GMAC #1 In Broker To Broker Referral

2008-10-02T11:09:00.000-07:00

Las Vegas – Blue Realty GMAC has earned the #1 ranking nationally in the GMAC Real Estate Network. Blue Realty GMAC achieved this distinction throughout the network, while maintaining a better than 20% success ratio in the conversion of those referrals to other areas of the country.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, President of Blue Realty GMAC, “We are very proud to be the leading company in GMAC in the area of broker to broker referrals. We are seeing 23%, or almost 1 out of 4 broker to broker referrals we send, close successfully. That is an outstanding closing ratio by industry standards and points to the quality and commitment of our agents, relocation director and the national GMAC broker to broker network”.

Blue Realty GMAC has offices throughout New Jersey and is the largest independently owned brokerage in the New Jersey GMAC Network. For more information about the company, log onto their website at www.bluerealty.com

Blue Realty GMAC Named Top In Relocation

2008-10-02T10:54:00.000-07:00

Las Vegas - Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services, the largest independently owned Real Estate Broker in the NJ GMAC Real Estate Network, was awarded Top Outgoing Referral Performance Award as the #1 Referrer of Real Estate properties through the GMAC Network in the country. The award was given to the company at the GMAC Experience 2008 National Convention in Las Vegas this past February.

According to Barbara Gregory, Relocation Director for Blue Realty GMAC, “I’m so happy we were able to achieve top status again. With so many quality brokers in our network, it really is an honor to be #1 amongst our fellow GMAC brokers from around the country”.

Charles Blumenkehl, President of Blue Realty GMAC, said, “Barbara and her staff are consummate professionals and sticklers for detail, exactly what you need in that arena. Our consistent award winning history with GMAC & Global Relocation are a credit to what Barbara has been able to assemble since she first came to Blue 7 years ago”.

Also celebrating their 25th year in business, Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services has eight offices in northern, central and western New Jersey. The company also offers title, mortgage and insurance services. For more information about Blue Realty GMAC or for your local office, call toll free (800) 936-SOLD(7653) or log onto the company website at www.bluerealty.com.

Blue Realty GMAC Named Top Five in Growth

2008-10-02T10:40:00.000-07:00

Las Vegas – Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services, largest independently owned broker in the New Jersey GMAC Network, received awards as one of the top five companies nationally in Sales Volume Growth and Percentage Increase Year Over Year. The company’s success was recognized at the GMAC Experience 2008 National Convention this February in Las Vegas.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, President of Blue Realty GMAC, “We are rightfully proud of our achievement in attaining meaningful growth while the rest of our markets were down 38%. To be amongst the top 5 Brokers in the country in growth is a tremendous validation of our outstanding people, our training and support systems and the overall effectiveness of our business plan”.

Blumenkehl continued, “Overall, I have always said a company is only as good as the people within it, and to achieve what we are doing in spite of the current environment tells you we have a lot of pretty great people and talent in our company”.

According to Johnny Elliot, Senior Vice President in charge of Operations for GMAC, “What Blue Realty GMAC has achieved is pretty spectacular. Most brokers are trying to find a way to survive this cycle, and Blue Realty GMAC has found the way to succeed. My hat’s off to them.”

Also celebrating their 25th year in business, Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services has eight offices in northern, central and western New Jersey. The company also offers title, mortgage and insurance services. For more information about Blue Realty GMAC or for your local office, call (800) 936-SOLD(7653) or log onto the company website at www.bluerealty.com.

FORECLOSED PROPERTIES MAY MAKE EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR 1ST TIME BUYERS

2008-03-10T06:56:00.000-07:00

New Jersey – Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services encourages first time buyers to explore the opportunities foreclosed properties offered for sale may afford them.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, President of Blue Realty GMAC, “Foreclosed properties offered for resale many times are in reasonable condition and are priced more aggressively so as to encourage a quicker sale, compared to occupied and listed properties offered for sale”.

“Additionally”, said Blumenkehl, “organizations like HUD (Housing and Urban Development), the VA (Veteran’s Administration), and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA), for whom we have been co-exclusive agent for since 1999, prefer the buyer to be an owner/occupant, and have developed special programs to encourage first-time and traditional buyers to look at their REO, or foreclosed, property inventory.”

To buy an REO, as with any property, Blumenkehl suggests that buyers begin by finding out how much mortgage they can afford. Then, develop a “wish list”, firming up the features you want in a home, and where you want it to be. Find a real estate broker who you think you will be comfortable with. Your agent should be familiar with the home buying opportunities available within the market you are looking, including REO properties listed for sale and mortgage and home-buying programs that are available. For instance, if you are buying a “fixer upper”, there are programs that can help finance the repairs.

When you make an offer on a home, it’s a good idea to make it subject to a home inspection conducted by an independent authorized inspector. Most REO properties are sold “As-is, What-is, Where-is”, but the buyer should look to a qualified eye so the buyer knows what “As-is” means. Blumenkehl encourages buyers throughout New Jersey interested in buying or seeing REO properties listed for sale to call any of his offices, and a qualified and trained Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Agent and a qualified mortgage consultant will be happy to help you at no cost or obligation. For more information about foreclosed properties or Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services, log on to the company’s website at www.bluerealty.com or call the company toll free at (800) 936-SOLD (7653).

BLUE REALTY GMAC CELEBRATES 25TH YEAR IN BUSINESS

2008-02-23T11:05:00.000-08:00

New Jersey - Blue Realty GMAC, the #1 independently owned Real Estate broker in the NJ GMAC network, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The winner of many awards over the years for its real estate innovations and business achievements, Blue Realty GMAC is consistently recognized as one of GMAC Real Estate’s top performing real estate companies and as a statewide leader in residential real estate brokerage.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, President of Blue Realty GMAC, “During the past 25 years, Blue Realty has established ourselves as one of New Jersey’s premier real estate visionary companies. We attribute our successes to our commitment to deliver a high level of consumer service and quality consumer experience along with the consistent ability, year after year, to provide results and opportunity for our clients and agents, and to having surrounded ourselves with quality agents and staff.”

Blue Realty GMAC was founded by Charles Blumenkehl in 1983 as a single office in Riverdale, in Morris County, with 5 desks and 402 square feet of office space. The company now operates 9 residential sales offices in central, western and northern NJ. The company has won many national awards, particularly in the areas of Real Estate training, technology and service. Their Jumpstart Coaching System, developed by Blumenkehl, was adopted for national use by GMAC Real Estate. Additionally, the company is exclusive agent for the State of NJ Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency, and a statewide leader in bank foreclosures, representing the interests of dozens of banks and lenders throughout NJ. Blue Realty GMAC is also Affordable Housing Manager for the State of NJ since 2005.

Financial strategy, integrity and strong leadership have hallmarked Blue Realty. The company has steadily increased its production almost every year since 1983. Even in 2007, while Real Estate market sales regionally were down 29%, Blue Realty posted an impressive gain in revenue and homes sold.

Blumenkehl and Blue Realty GMAC have been the recipients of several important industry and business awards including Outstanding Young Citizen in NJ in 1990, National Best of Show Awards for Real Estate Training Systems, Internet Marketing & Relocation, and the coveted Global Relocation Service Award. Blue Realty GMAC was honored by the NJ Nets in 2007 with the Aflac Business Award.

For more information about Blue Realty GMAC contact Career Development Director, Tim Jensen toll free at (800) 936-SOLD ext. 236 or log on to the company website at www.bluerealty.com.

BLUE REALTY GMAC HAS RECORD YEAR

2008-02-23T11:01:00.000-08:00

New Jersey - In these challenging times, when many real estate companies are uncertain of their strategies and future, at least one company seems to be on track and poised for continued growth and sustained success. Blue Realty GMAC, the largest independently owned Real Estate Brokerage in the New Jersey GMAC Network, said that 2007 was the company’s best year ever, outpacing 2005 and 2006.

“This is an outstanding achievement in our current environment”, said Charles Blumenkehl, President of Blue Realty GMAC. “With sales of homes down 29% in the region, we are thrilled with our results for the year.”

According to Blumenkehl, he attributed his company’s success in 2007 to “hard work and great service from our agents”, supported by strong training and coaching systems, an internet marketing platform Blumenkehl claims is the best on the market, and strong positioning, in the most robust areas of real estate, namely Relocation, First Time Buyer Marketing, REO and Affordable Housing.

Blue Realty GMAC is the largest independently owned Real Estate Brokerage in the NJ GMAC Network, with sales offices in Central, Western and Northern NJ.
For more information about Blue Realty GMAC, call toll free at (800) 936-SOLD or log on to the company website at www.bluerealty.com.

BLUE REALTY GMAC BLOGS DRIVE TRAFFIC TO LISTINGS

2007-12-21T10:05:00.000-08:00

(New Jersey) With the search for Real Estate information increasing every day on the internet, Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services has built several blogs, short for web logs, targeted at providing the consumer information about real estate trends, inventory and other items of interest for the specific subjects the blogs cover.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, President of Blue Realty GMAC, “The use of blogs as an information resource has doubled every six months since 2003. From a consumer and marketing perspective, blogs are a high result tool for community information, and put a face on our services, products and other issues which enhance our value to our consumers.”

According to Richard Nacht, inventor of industry best seller “Realty Blogging”, the benefits to using blogging as a tool include search engine marketing, direct communications, differentiation, relationship marketing, lead generation and brand positioning. According to Blumenkehl, his company continues to be positioned on the cutting edge of internet technology, and is successfully leveraging the internet as a resource to today’s savvy real estate consumer.

Blue Realty GMAC is the largest independently owned real estate brokerage in the NJ GMAC network. The company has 8 offices throughout central, western and northern NJ, and also offers mortgage, title and insurance services. For more information about Blue Realty GMAC and its affiliates, log onto the company website at www.bluerealty.com.

BLUE REALTY GMAC SUPPORTS LISTING AGGREGATORS

2007-12-19T18:23:00.000-08:00

New Jersey – Many feel that it is time for a new technology model in Real Estate. Buyers and sellers want to participate in simple to use services and search engines that provide for a comprehensive resource of pertinent local Real Estate information and available inventory in a real time environment.

According to Charles Blumenkehl, President of Blue Realty GMAC, “There are many different categories of Real Estate aggregator sites offering consumers access to Real Estate listing information on a national and regional basis.”

“While the undisputed leader in this category is currently Realtor.com, and all our listings are searchable there”, Blumenkehl continued, “There are now larger and more interesting aggregators like edgeio.com, trulia.com, zillow.com and others, that provide a rich resource to the consumer and a continued flow of interested traffic to our listings”.

Blue Realty GMAC is the largest independently owned real estate brokerage in the NJ GMAC network. The company has 8 offices throughout central, western and northern NJ, and also offers mortgage, title and insurance services. For more information about Blue Realty GMAC and its affiliates, log onto the company website at www.bluerealty.com.

Former Washington Brokerage joins Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services

2007-12-12T23:01:00.000-08:00

Clinton – Longtime Hunterdon and Warren County Real Estate Brokerage Realtors, Robert J. and Elaine Donnelly and Susan Komorowski, formerly owner-brokers at Remax Crossroads of Washington in Warren County have joined Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services, the largest independently owned Real Estate company in the New Jersey GMAC Network.

They will move to Blue Realty GMAC’s Clinton location at 19 Leigh Street in Clinton Township, which is managed by Maryanne Sheehy. According to Susan, “We are very excited to be part of the Blue Team. Blue Realty GMAC has excellent training, support and lead generation systems that will provide great opportunity for us.”

According to Charles Blumenkehl, President of Blue Realty GMAC, “Robert, Elaine and Susan built deep roots in the area with a reputation for integrity and excellence. We are honored to include Robert, Elaine and Susan and their former staff at Remax Crossroads as a part of our Real Estate family”.

Blumenkehl continued, “We look forward to serving the Hunterdon & Warren Real Estate Community, and leveraging our broadened statewide and Hunterdon County footprint of offices and agents to create greater service and opportunity for our clients and agents”.

For more information about Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services, log onto the company website at www.bluerealty.com

FRIENDSHIP PROPERTIES REALTY MERGES WITH BLUE REALTY GMAC

2007-12-04T15:42:00.000-08:00

Jackson – Longtime area builder, Ben Kirsch, President of Friendship Builders, Inc., has announced his company has merged its Real Estate Brokerage Company, Friendship Properties, with Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services, the largest independently owned Real Estate Brokerage in the New Jersey GMAC Real Estate Network.

The sales office will remain at its current location at 522 Harmony Road, Jackson and will be known as Friendship Properties, a Division of Blue Realty GMAC.

According to Ben Kirsch, “We are excited to have our properties represented by Blue Realty GMAC. Their statewide presence and local market knowledge, along with their excellent marketing know how, make them a great marketing partner for my organization.”

According to Charles Blumenkehl, President of Blue Realty GMAC, “Ben Kirsch and Friendship Builders have a long standing reputation as a builder of fine and elegant homes in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. We are honored to include Friendship Properties into our brokerage family and equally excited by the opportunity to represent the Friendship New Home Communities in Monmouth, Ocean and Burlington Counties.”

Currently, Friendship has four developments: The Gables at Freehold, with homes offered at $1,199,000, The Woods at Belaire, with homes starting at $599,900, New Hanover Estates with homes starting at $414,900, and will soon be breaking ground at Royal Oaks in Howell, with homes starting at $699,900.

Friendship Builders, Inc. has been building new homes in the area for over 25 years and has been honored and written about in industry publications. Founded in 1983, Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services is the largest independently owned brokerage in the NJ GMAC Real Estate Network. For more information about Blue Realty GMAC and Friendship Builders, Inc., log onto the company websites at www.bluerealty.com and www.friendshipproperties.com

Blue's Real Estate Blog: Blue Commercial Division to Market Historic Building in Clinton Township

2007-11-20T13:11:00.000-08:00

Blue's Real Estate Blog: Blue Commercial Division to Market Historic Building in Clinton Township

Blue's Real Estate Blog: Blue Realty GMAC to Market Commercial Property in Dover

2007-11-20T13:10:00.000-08:00

Blue's Real Estate Blog: Blue Realty GMAC to Market Commercial Property in Dover: " blue commercial, Blue Realty, blue realty gmac, business, commercial real estate, dover, GMAC, morris county, new jersey, real estate "

Blue Realty GMAC to Market Commercial Property in Dover

2007-11-20T12:48:00.000-08:00

Blue Realty GMAC Cramer REALTORS Division is proudly marketing a newly renovated commercial building for rent in the heart of Dover, New Jersey.

Situated across the street from the NJ Transit train station, this buildings prime location provides both an abundance of commuter and local visibility. Currently the second and third floors are available for rent. Each floor offers 3000 square feet of professional office space with elevator access and off-street parking.

The community of Dover is centered around a developed downtown area that is filled with many eateries. A vast percentage of these are owned and run by Hispanics of different countries, and feature their ethnic food.[9] Dover is a haven for all kinds of eating experiences, from sushi to pizza and coffee shops to renowned Irish and Italian food places. Every Sunday from April to December, there is a flea market downtown.

Roads and highways traveling in or near Dover include Interstate 80, Interstate 280, Interstate 287, U.S. Route 46, New Jersey Route 10 and New Jersey Route 15. The Dover exit off of Route 80 (Exit 35) is a popular stop for highway travelers, being that it is halfway between the Delaware Water Gap and New York City. The Rockaway Townsquare Mall, which is right off of the exit, offers a multitude of shopping centers, restaurants, sporting goods stores and entertainment venues.

Dover is also served by Morris County Metro routes 2 & 10 regularly as well as NJ Transit's Morristown Line and Montclair-Boonton Line at the Dover train station. Lakeland Bus Lines maintains a garage & terminal on Blackwell Street near the border with Rockaway Township and has regular service to Sparta, Mount Olive, Rockaway, Boonton, Montclair, Newark and New York City.

For further information regarding this property, contact Kelly Fritts, Vice President Cramer REALTORS Division, Blue Realty GMAC at 973-366-9797 or visit www.kfritts.bluerealtynorth.com.

Blue Commercial Division to Market High Profile Commercial Corner in Tinton Falls, New Jersey.

2007-11-12T21:21:00.000-08:00

Blue Commercial Division,a division of Blue Realty GMAC, largest independantly owned GMAC agency in New Jersey, is marketing a 3.27 acre corner commercial property in Tinton Falls, New Jersey.

A perfect retail/commercial site, this corner property is currently used as an auto dealership but may best be suited for retail-commercial use, situated on on a busy street with a traffic light. The site is street accessible from two sides and with lots available for three-sided street access. This site is highly visible from Shrewsbury Avenue.

For information about this property contact Jack Aquila, Vice President, Blue Commercial Agency, at 888-890-4430. Blue Commercial Division is a division of Blue Realty GMAC, founded in 1983. For more information about Blue Commercial Agency, log onto their company web site at http://bluecommercial.com/

Blue Commercial To Market Walnut Pond Site in Clinton Township

2007-11-10T08:43:00.000-08:00

Blue Commercial Division,a division of Blue Realty GMAC, largest independantly owned GMAC agency in New Jersey, has been retained to market the Walnut Pond Site in Clinton Township. The site consists of 3.1 acres of commercial property that is zoned Office/Business and has access from Route 31 North and Old Allerton Road. Routes 22 and 78 are minutes from the property with many services nearby.For information about this property contact Jack Aquila, Vice President, Blue Commercial Agency, at 888-890-4430. Blue Commercial Division is a division of Blue Realty GMAC, founded in 1983. For more information about Blue Commercial Agency, log onto their company web site at http://bluecommercial.com

Blue Commercial Division to Market Property in Historic Downtown Flemington

2007-11-09T19:10:00.000-08:00

Blue Commercial Division, a division of Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services, has been retained to market a century-old building located in the center of the historic town of Flemington, New Jersey within walking distance to extensive shopping areas, restaurants and historic sites. This unique residential section of Flemington is in the middle of the commercial district and is an ideal location for those who wish to be in the center of an activity area.

The house was built near the turn of the twentieth century and is perfect for someone interested in a restoration project to reflect the character of the surrounding vintage and historic homes, ultimately resulting in a home to be very proud of.

For more information about the property, contact Jack Aquila, Vice President, Blue Commercial Agency, at 888-890-4430. Blue Commercial Agency is a division of Blue Realty GMAC, founded in 1983 and the largest independently owned brokerage firm in the New Jersey GMAC Real Estate network. For more information about Blue Commercial Agency, log onto the company web site at http://www.bluecommercial.com/

Blue Commercial Division to Market Historic Building in Clinton Township

2007-11-05T21:18:00.000-08:00

Blue Commercial Agency, a division of Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services, has been chosen to market an historic structure located within the historic Village of Annandale, Clinton Township, New Jersey, The building was originally built for a local gentry's family who probably owned one of the "founding" business operations in the area. Today, it sits proudly on an elevated village corner as an immaculate office-use building that was recently completely restored with a detached building for additional office space potential. The building is suitable for a single business or multiple office suites within almost 5000SF of usable space and a large private parking lot. The building is ideally located on a main road near Routes 22, 31 and Interstate 78.

For more information about the properties, contact Jack Aquila, Vice President, Blue Commercial Agency, at 888-890-4430. Blue Commercial Agency is a division of Blue Realty GMAC, founded in 1983 and the largest independently owned brokerage firm in the New Jersey GMAC Real Estate network. For more information about Blue Commercial Agency, log onto the company web site at http://www.bluecommercial.com/

Blue Commercial Division To Market Clinton Office Building

2007-10-20T15:53:00.000-07:00

Blue Commercial Division, a division of Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services, is offerring for sale an Office + apartment opportunity in a prime location, with potential for a retail location in the heart of the historic Town of Clinton shopping district. The first floor is 1200 SF of office space and facilities with an added benefit of a residential second-floor rental under lease with private entrance. The building is in excellent move-in condition with numerous technology buildouts and stations.

For more information about the properties, contact Jack Aquila, Vice President, Blue Commercial Agency, at 888-890-4430. Blue Commercial Agency is a division of Blue Realty GMAC, founded in 1983 and the largest independently owned brokerage firm in the New Jersey GMAC Real Estate network. For more information about Blue Commercial Agency, log onto the company web site at http://www.bluecommercial.com/

Blue Commercial Agency Offering Commercial Lots

2007-10-14T17:17:00.000-07:00

Blue Commercial Agency, a division of Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services, is offering for sale several building lots on Route 12 in Kingwood Township, Hunterdon County for commercial, industrial and retail use. The lots range in size from three acres up to twenty-one acres and all have successful perks without any wetlands.
The land can be built to suit for land and building purchase or lease.

The surrounding region is undergoing substantial residential and commercial development and is a corridor between Flemington and Pennsylvania.

For more information about the properties, contact Jack Aquila, Vice President, Blue Commercial Agency, at 888-890-4430. Blue Commercial Agency is a division of Blue Realty GMAC, founded in 1983 and the largest independently owned brokerage firm in the New Jersey GMAC Real Estate network. For more information about Blue Commercial Agency, log onto the company web site at http://www.bluecommercial.com/

CRAMER REALTORS MERGES WITH BLUE REALTY GMAC

2007-10-08T20:47:00.000-07:00

Dover - Long time Dover Real Estate Brokerage Firm John Cramer Realtors has merged their brokerage office with Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services, the largest independently owned real estate company in the NJ GMAC Network.

The office will remain at its current address at 34 Sussex Street, Dover, across the street from Dover Town Hall, and will be known as Blue Realty GMAC / Cramer Realtors Division. Kelly Fritts, daughter of founder John Cramer, will remain with the office, which will be managed by Philip Blandine. According to Kelly, "We are very excited to be part of the Blue Team. Blue Realty GMAC has excellent training, support and lead generation systems that will provide great opportunity for myself and my agents."

According to Charles Blumenkehl, President of Blue Realty GMAC, "John Cramer built a company that is deep rooted in Dover Real Estate and has a reputation for integrity and excellence. We are honored to include John, his daughter Kelly, who continues to do a wonderful job maintaining the high standard Cramer Realtors has stood for through the years, and their staff as a part of our real estate family".

Blumenkehl continued, "We look forward to serving the Dover Real Estate Community, and leveraging our broadened statewide and Morris county footprint of offices to create greater service and opportunity for our clients and agents".

For more information about Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services, log onto the company website at www.bluerealty.com

BLUE REALTY GMAC OFFICE WINS TOP SERVICE AWARD

2007-09-28T18:31:00.000-07:00

(Montville) - Charles Blumenkehl, President of Blue Realty / GMAC announced that the Pinebrook Office of Blue Realty received a 100% Customer Satisfaction Rating (CSR) from its clients who bought and sold homes through the office. The GMAC Premier Service Program meets the challenges of today's demanding consumers by setting impressive service standards and providing a powerful service commitment, securing valid and meaningful feedback on the company's performance and providing assurance, action and accountability to its clients.

According to Blumenkehl, "More than just another marketing campaign, GMAC Real Estate Premier Service is a guiding philosophy and a customer satisfaction system that differentiates Blue Realty / GMAC Real Estate Professionals from our competition, and highlights our firm as the premier service provider in our industry. For our company to enjoy a 96% CSR is phenomenal, for our individual office to garner a 100% consumer approval rating, as the saying goes, is priceless."

All brokers and associates within the firm provide their clients with their pledge of service and role as Trusted Advisor, Skilled Negotiator and Expert Facilitator for their clients. By signing this pledge, Blue Realty / GMAC sales professionals make a powerful and personal statement to their clients. And with a GMAC client satisfaction rating of 96%, Blumenkehl believes the public is responding accordingly to the high level of service.

Blue Realty / GMAC has offices throughout New Jersey. For more information about the company or for the Blue Realty / GMAC office nearest you, log on to the company's website at www.bluerealty.com

GMAC EXPANDS ELEGANT HOMES MARKETING SYSTEM

2007-09-27T16:35:00.000-07:00

The GMAC Elegant Homes Marketing System provides a comprehensive upscale marketing program for luxury Real Estate. The system includes outstanding marketing components, multi media advertising and materials to support the GMAC Elegant Homes Division.

For 2007, GMAC has expanded its multi media coverage. Homes listed in the Elegant Homes Program will be marketed in the Dupont Registry, Wall Street Journal, Unique Homes Magazine, Elegant Homes Magazine and on internet sites including eleganthomes.com, dupontregistry.com, NYTIMES.COM, Luxuryrealestate.com, uniquehomes.com and google, the #1 search engine in the world. The property will also be marketed on www.gmacrealestate.com and www.bluerealty.com .

For more information on the Elegant Homes Multimedia Advertising Program, call Blue Realty GMAC Elegant Homes Marketing Director Barbara Gregory at 866-973-7356

Blue Commercial Division to Market Historic Stanhope House

2007-09-21T19:52:00.000-07:00

Blue Commercial Division, a division of Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services, largest independantly owned brokerage in the New Jersey GMAC network, has been chosen as exclusive agent in the marketing of the historical Stanhope House on Main Street in Stanhope.

The Stanhope House, circa 1790, began life as a private residence in a small quaint village in Northwest New Jersey. Beginning in the early Nineteenth Century the House was transformed on many occasions to include a Stagecoach stop on the Morris and Sussex Turnpike, a Boatman's hotel serving the employees of the Morris Canal, a Post Office, a General Store and a Roadhouse Tavern and Hotel...some say brothel! In the 20's and 30's the basement was used as a prohibition bar and one of it's most famous patrons was none other than Babe Ruth. In the mid 1960's, the House was once again transformed into the premier venue for the presentation of live musical performances. The House became widely known for presenting the finest musical artists in various genres to include bluegrass, rock, folk and America's indigenous musical art form, the blues.

Some of the great artists that have performed at the House and contributed to its lore include;

Muddy Waters
John Lee Hooker
Willie Dixon
James Cotton
Johnny "Clyde" Copeland
Buddy Guy
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Warren Haynes
Big Brother and the Holding Company
Paul Butterfield
Doc Watson
Bill Monroe
Steve Forbert
Albert King
Eddie Shaw
Son Seals
Dr. John
Bob Weir
Jay Geils
Richie Havens
Hot Tuna
Roger McGuinn
Sam & Dave

Today, ever mindful and respectful of its great and glorious tradition, the Stanhope House continues to present, in a most authentic environment, the finest in live musical performances. The philosophy of the House is quite simple..."the artist is the attraction... not the distraction!"

For more information about the Stanhope House, contact Jack Aquila of Blue Commercial Division at his office at 908-735-8866 or by email at info@bluerealty.com

Blue Commercial Division is a division of Blue Realty GMAC and represents commercial property owners throughout Northern Central and Western New Jersey. For more information about Blue Commercial Division, log onto to the company's website at www.bluecommercial.com . For more information abut Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services, log onto the company website at http://www.bluerealty.com/ .

BLUE COMMERCIAL COMPLETES SALE OF EAST ORANGE APARTMENTS IN EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY

2007-09-19T20:51:00.000-07:00

NEW JERSEY - Blue Commercial Agency, a Division of Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services, brokered a 26 unit garden apartment complex in East Orange, New Jersey for just under 1.3 million dollars ($1,300,000). Charles Blumenkehl, President of Blue Realty, remarked that Blue Realty has been in business since 1983, and relies on its network of investors, sellers and company-owned offices to provide quality service and inventory opportunities to its Commercial clients.

“With real estate affordability diminished for many urban buyers and financing rates still low, demand for rentals may result in higher returns to investors, “ according to Henning Holmgaard, director for Blue Commercial Agency. “We look forward to leveraging our statewide footprint and access to local knowledge and inventory to assist our clients”.

The three story, fully occupied building features a modern brick exterior and individual off-street parking. The buyer, a local investor plans significant renovations to the apartments. East Orange is located off of Route 280 and, is within 30-minutes of all the region’s major shopping and attractions and only 20 minutes from Manhattan.

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Blue Commercial Agency is a division of Blue Realty GMAC Real Estate Services, the largest independently owned brokerage in the New Jersey GMAC network. For more information about Blue Commercial Services, log onto www.bluecommercial.com or call the company at 888-890-4430. For more information about Blue Realty and its New Jersey office, log onto www.bluerealty.com

Blue Commercial Offers Commercial Real Estate Information Resource

2007-09-18T20:46:00.001-07:00

New Jersey - As a leading provider of Real Estate Services in New Jersey, Blue Commercial Division leverages the statewide footprint of Blue Realty GMAC on behalf of its clients to provide a more complete picture of the "For Lease" & "For Sale" opportunities within the local markets surrounding Blue Commercial sales offices.

According to Henning Holmgaard, Director of Blue Commercial Real Estate Services, "Listing properties for sale and lease with us is the best way to promote your commercial properties to a wide audience of buyers and tenants precisely when they are searching for opportunities in the market."

Charles Blumenkehl, President of Blue Realty GMAC, "We proactively search out and display the best market opportunities for our clients." As members of CoStar, the nation's leading provider of commercial real estate Information, LoopNet, #1 in online commercial activity and CIMLS, Blue Commercial Real Estate Services provides research, data and access to listings that ensures their clients see current market data.

For more information about Blue Commercial Real Estate Services, contact the company toll free at 888-890-4430 or log onto the company website at bluecommercial.com. For more information about Blue Realty GMAC, log onto www.bluerealty.com.

AOI FUDOSAN: Where East Meets West

2007-09-15T22:00:00.000-07:00

If you’ve ever had to move because of a job-related transfer, then you have experienced firsthand the multitude of detail and preparation needed for such a move, not to mention the emotional upheaval and physical wear and tear this relocation makes. Now imagine that your transfer brings you and your family to a different continent with a completely different culture, and you can only begin to imagine the multiple impact of this employment-related metamorphosis on your lives. Understanding the sensitive needs of such a move, in 1996 Charles Blumenkehl, President of Blue Realty / GMAC, and Sumiko Ko Hwang, Vice President of International Relocation with the firm, created AOI FUDOSAN (pronounced AH-OH-EE, which means Blue Realty in Japanese) a division of Blue Realty / GMAC. AOI specializes entirely on Japanese relocation, and has served major international corporations including Sharp, Sony, Panasonic and numerous other major bicoastal corporations in assisting the transfer of all levels of their employees, from mid-management to the CEO.According to Blumenkehl, "We have created a unique and effective system that is sensitive to and understanding of the needs of the transferee and their family. We simplify the process through technology and the Internet before the family comes to the United States and combine their needs with an in-depth local knowledge and the full resources of GMAC Global Relocation behind it". According to Sumiko Ko Hwang, "Mr. Blumenkehl and I share a high standard of quality service that allows us to provide the necessary services for the demanding area of international relocation. We provide the highest level of service and integrity to our clients and they appreciate it".The division provides relocation services in several dialects, including Japanese and Mandarin Chinese. AOI provides real estate, rental, corporate housing, temporary lodging and consultative services to companies and their employees around the world.If you would like to request an international relocation package or have any questions regarding real estate, you may call Sumiko and her staff at (888)FUDOSAN or visit the division’s website at www.bluerealty.com and click on "About us". The AOI Fudosan division of Blue Realty / GMAC is based out of the company’s Bergen County location at 385 Franklin Turnpike, Allendale, NJ and is available at all company locations.08/2007

Buy Investment Property - the Realtor 401k

2007-07-28T20:46:00.000-07:00

Since I can remember, I have always thought Real Estate was a great investment. I remember as a little kid, maybe 11 or 12, thinking why doesn't everyone buy as many houses as they can. Of course, as I got older, my vision became tempered with the constraints of investment and homebuying, but I never changed my opinion on Real Estate as the best investment since sliced bread.
If you are in the Real Estate business, you are best positioned to understand the value of a reasonable real estate investment, the numbers involved, and as a Realtor, it is to your benefit to learn understand the laws of tenancy, landlord rights, property management issues and investment analysis anyway so as to better understand your business and service your clients.
You also, as a Realtor, want to make sure that you provide for your future. The day will come that you will retire, and it would be nice to have equity put aside that will help you enjoy your life when that time comes. Many Realtors, I have found, are not that good at systematically saving in an IRA or something of that nature, given the unpredictability sometimes of the commisssion cash flow.
So, as a Realtor, it is incumbent upon you to buy property for your own portfolio as well. It doesn't have to be a lot, a big piece, an apartment complex or a warehouse. It can be a simple as a small one family that needs some paint or a small condo. Buy something. Start somewhere. Develop a small stake, or take a chance on leveraging a purchase with 100% financing if it is available in a respa compliant and statutorily compliant and disclosed fashion in your market. But do something. Rent it, deal with it, run it like a small hobby or side business, don't let it eat your time, and try to make sure it at least breaks even, or almost breaks even on the rent to expenses. You'll get a nice tax write-off to offset your (hopefully robust) 1099, you'll build up equity on the mortgage paydown, and in the long run, you will inevitably create a much greater equity in appreciation. If it shows positive cash flow you're even more ahead of the game. The appreciation will happen by itself without you having to make it appreciate, just keep the building in shape and be responsible. Other than that, all you have to do is list and sell houses while making a few extra deposits, writing a few extra checks and taking an extra 6-12 phone calls a year and you'll build substantial equity for the long term, better than any systematic savings plan I've ever seen.
It doesnt have to be a steal, or even a great deal. Anyone who bought property at market value, even if the closed on Black Monday October 19, 1987 when the Real Estate market in the northeast began its 30% depreciation in value nosedive through 1990, have houses now worth more than triple what they closed on that day, if they still own them.

National MLS

2007-07-28T20:43:00.000-07:00

Nationwide MLS
As soon as they started using computers to send MLS data, (probably about 1985, in my market) I began to think about the notion of how much better it would be if there were one MLS covering my state, as opposed to having to belong to a number of different MLS's, pay different (and seemingly redundant) fees to these organizations, and deal with the different paperwork, rules and regs, etc. For whatever reasons, the MLS's always seemed opposed to the concept, as best as I can tell. About 10 or so years ago, a group of 5 large brokers in NJ got together and created one MLS to encompass much of their collective markets. The local MLS's fought it tooth and nail, defending their 'independence' and asserting their 'regional authority". It was a little sticky for a while, you had several MLS's at that point that werre overlapping this main MLS that the large regional players had shifted their listings to, and we started paying, at least at the beginning of the process, more overlapping fees.
Eventually, though, many of the local MLS's had to give in and merge into the one larger MLS, since after the big houses moved their inventory there wasn't enough inventory (or fees) to sustain these local MLS's. And you know what? after they acquiesced, the MLS areas were larger, the fees went down, the fees for submitting listings were cut basically in half, the MLS's overall were better run, and the change (which didn't come easy) worked!
Given that, and I am sure there are other scenarios, wouldn't it be nice if at least each state, perhaps, or national sector, or even one national data base, could service the needs of its real estate community with that same result, namely more information to more Realtors leading to better client service, less fees and easier processing of MLS activities?