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ERA Team VP Real Estate & Vacation Rentals Raises Over $16,000 for ALS Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hannah Raynor, Hannah.Raynor@teamvp.com

(Chautauqua, NY) – The 13th Annual Agents of Hope Golf Tournament, hosted by ERA Team VP Real Estate & Vacation Rentals and sponsored by The Post-Journal, raised more than $16,000 for the ALS Association, a record high.

The event, held at Chautauqua Golf Club on August 24, has raised over $130,000 to date for the cause. Broker/Owner of ERA Team VP Real Estate & Vacation Rentals, Bill Soffel, has been affected by ALS in several ways which have ultimately driven his commitment to finding a cure, including the passing of his grandmother and the spouse of a long-time employee. Bill is also a current member of The Association’s National Board of Trustees.

“This cause is so important to me, my family, and our team of staff and agents. The support we receive from the community every year is astounding and essential. It really illustrates to the local families battling this debilitating disease that they are not alone in this fight,” said Soffel. “We can’t thank the community enough for their continued support of this tournament and our cause.”

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, causes progressive destruction of the motor nerve cells that contract muscles and inevitably ends in paralysis and death. There is no cure for the disease.

The ALS Association is the only national not-for-profit health organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS. ALSA covers all the bases — research, patient and community services, public education, and advocacy — in providing help and hope to those facing the disease.

The ALS Association (National Office and the Upstate New York Chapter) operates under a shared mission: to help people living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and to leave no stone unturned in search of a cure.

For more information about The ALS Association, specifically the Upstate New York Chapter, please visit http://webuny.alsa.org. 

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Realogy : ERA REAL ESTATE NAMES ERA TEAM VP REAL ESTATE WINNER OF GENE FRANCIS MEMORIAL AWARD FOR TOP ALL-AROUND COMPANY

Brokerage receives brand’s highest honor exemplifying excellence and integrity across the real estate network

MADISON, N.J. (March 21, 2022) – ERA ^® Real Estate, a global franchising leader within the Realogy family of brands, has named ERA Team VP Real Estate based in Chautauqua, N.Y., as the winner of its Gene Francis Memorial Award for Top All-Around Company.

The award, named after ERA Real Estate co-founder Gene Francis, is the highest honor given to an ERA^® affiliated company and reflects the qualities most respected throughout the global ERA system and the real estate industry. Known for his forward-thinking business acumen and philanthropic spirit, Francis established a defining culture of service to which all ERA companies aspire. Factored into the award selection are high customer satisfaction ratings, strong brand engagement and use of the ERA brand resources and company growth.

Serving their clients and communities for over 25 years, ERA Team VP Real Estate specializes in residential and resort properties, vacation rentals, property management and real estate development. Headquartered in Chautauqua, N.Y, and home to 82 agents, the company has eight offices and covers Western New York’s South Tier, and Northwest, Penn.

William “Bill” Soffel started the company in 1990 and joined the ERA network in 2004. Under Bill’s leadership, ERA Team VP Real Estate has achieved Top Affiliate status over the years, which is given to the top 20 companies in units and volume. The company has also been a three-time finalist for the Gene Francis Memorial Award for Top All-Around Company. Additionally, the company has been a finalist for the Jim Jackson Memorial Award 1^st in Service Agent and a two-time finalist for Office Coordinator of the Year.

ERA Team VP Real Estate finished 2021 in the Top 15 among the ERA network of brokerages of similar size, with more than $290 million in sales volume and 1,584 transactions, an increase of 49 percent and 21 percent, respectively, in the last year alone.

With a focus on providing each client a personalized service experience, the company successfully leverages ERA’s innovative technology and programs to help agents develop meaningful and long-lasting customer relationships. This philosophy has been a driving force behind the company’s high customer satisfaction ratings and agent productivity.

Bill and his team at ERA Team VP Real Estate also have a passion for being good corporate citizens and giving back to the communities they serve. For the last 12 years, the company has hosted the Annual Agents of Hope Golf Tournament, raising over $100,000 for the ALS Association, the ALS Division of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and local families affected by ALS. Additionally, the company has hosted the Bags & Brews event, which gives back to the local Roswell Cancer Institute, Back the Blue 5K Race in support of the local Bradford City Police Department and Habitat for Humanity in Chautauqua, N.Y. All these organizations and local community efforts are near and dear to hearts of the team members and agents that make up Team ERA VP Real Estate.

“ERA Team VP Real Estate is a shining example of ERA’s continued commitment to service, performance and growth,” said Sherry Chris, President and CEO of ERA Real Estate. “We are thankful to Bill for ensuring that the indomitable spirit of Gene Francis remains at the forefront of the way his company works with the communities it serves. The company’s leadership, agents and staff embody the ERA culture of collaboration and commitment to being the best at what they do and having fun while doing it. We are honored to stand alongside this incredible company as they continue to uphold the highest standards of performance.”

“We are honored by this astounding recognition and overjoyed to be able to continue the amazing legacy set by Gene Francis,” said Bill Soffel, broker/owner, ERA Team VP Real Estate. “At ERA Team VP Real Estate, we have a passion for building relationships and changing lives through the power of homeownership. Our team of affiliated agents demonstrates professionalism in all aspects of their businesses. We strive to create an environment driven by ERA’s collaborative culture and support systems designed to prioritize the success of our agents. The efforts of our agents, staff and leadership are paramount to company’s growth. We are thrilled to receive the ERA network’s highest achievement.”

About ERA Real Estate ERA ®Real Estate knows that real estate is as local as it gets. We believe that our core business values of collaboration, innovation, diversity and growth are needed more than ever. As a global leader in the residential real estate industry for nearly 50 years, ERA features a powerful network of like-minded entrepreneurs supported by the brand’s game-changing technology, products and powerful lead generation.

The ERA Real Estate network includes more than 39,000 affiliated brokers and independent sales associates and approximately 2,350 offices throughout the United States and 33 other countries and territories. ERA Franchise Systems LLC (www.ERA.com) which operates the ERA Real Estate system, is a subsidiary of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global provider of real estate services. ERA Real Estate information is available at www.ExploreERA.com.

Media Contacts:

Marie VanAssendelft
973-407-2209
Marie.vanassendelft@teamera.com

Randi Rispoli
973-407-5241
Randi.rispoli@teamera.com

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Thinking About Buying or Selling on Your Own? Think Again.

You’ve heard it time and time again; the current real estate market is hot and its a great time for homeowners to consider to cashing in and selling their home if they haven’t already taken the leap. Buyers are also taking advantage of the record low interest rates despite the competitive conditions created by low inventory. This has created a fast moving market with many moving pieces to consider when partaking in the transaction process. Some home buyers and sellers make the choice to attempt to fly solo on their transaction to avoid paying a commission to a real estate agent, but many find out the hard way that now is not the time to go that route.

According to the National Association of Realtors, “FSBOs accounted for 8% of home sales in 2020. The typical FSBO home sold for $217,900 compared to $295,000 for agent-assisted home sales.” That’s nearly an $80,000 difference; much more than the owner would have paid their agent in commission had they listed and sold with an agent.

ERA Team VP Real Estate Agents also have some insight regarding the topic. According to Jerod Zahn, top producing Licensed Real Estate Agent with ERA Team VP, “Most sellers are purely thinking profit. They’re number one complaint is paying commission. They have a hard time grasping that when offering their property for sale to only their ‘private market’ they’re missing out on an opportunity to offer to the entire world. The small traffic they produce from minimal marketing will miss thousands of qualified home buyers.”

Denise Whipp, ERA Team VP’s Director of Agent Support and Associate R.E. Broker also notes, “Stories of how much people and making on their properties with multiple offers does make it sound easy but it’s actually even harder to navigate the process under these crazy market conditions. Pricing is harder, the handling of multiple offer, buyers having remorse, etc. makes things difficult. You shouldn’t go it alone! Agents are more valuable than ever!”

Deryle Pinney, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson with ERA Team VP, adds, “Real Real Estate agents have access to the most up to date information & availability of properties & have a legal obligation to be fair & honest where many websites do not.

When discussing whether a home buyer or seller should use an agent or not, Tonya Studley, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson with ERA Team VP simply asks if the buyer or seller has experience in all of these areas: inspections, negotiations, appraisals, closing details, warranty, disclosures, escrow, contract contingencies, mortgages, surveys, repairs, and much more. If not, then the answer is pretty easy!

In summary, here are the top reasons to use an agent in today’s market, whether you’re buying or selling:

If you’re interested in learning more about the real estate market in your area, or thinking about buying or selling a home, visit www.erateamvp.com.

What Does it Mean to be in a ‘Seller’s Market’?

According to the National Association of Realtors the inventory of homes for sale in our nation is still very low, while the demand of buyers continues to climb. The current housing inventory is sitting at just a 2 month supply, while a typical, “neutral” threshold is a 6 month supply. What does this mean for you if you’re thinking about selling? It means that due to the astonishingly low inventory and increase in competition amongst those looking to purchase, buyers must step up their game when it comes to submitting offers, putting more money in the pockets of home sellers.

In addition to the already high demand of buyers, mortgage interest rates are at an all time low – making it even more affordable and attainable for them to make their purchase dreams come to life. This makes the pool of buyers seeking a home even larger, while market inventory has continued stay low.

Overall, this has lead homes to appreciate, allowing sellers to get top dollar for their property in today’s competitive market. With the increase in competition, its common to see multiple offers, bidding wars and cash deals when possible. Therefore, now more than ever, its crucial to team up with an experienced real estate agent to help navigate this process, whether you’re looking to buy or sell! For more information about ERA Team VP or to connect with an agent, head to www.erateamvp.com.

Overcome your home selling fears

Remember when you learned how to use the jungle gym rings in grade school? If you wanted to get anywhere, you had to build up enough courage, motion, and strength to let go… and trust you would be able to grab onto the next ring, getting you one move closer to your goal!

Buying and selling a home can be a lot like learning how to get across the jungle gym. You might miss your next ring, but you won’t get better if you don’t try again. You might dangle for a bit, until you have the right help come along and give you a nudge in the right direction. You might, however, get it the first time and ‘nail the landing’!

The Repair Dilemma:

Sellers have never been more fearful to try their luck at the real estate ‘jungle gym’, and here are three major reasons why:

We understand that putting your homes best ‘foot forward’ is to ensure it is looking its absolute best when a potential buyers walk through! Also, people don’t want to put a lot of money into fixing up their home just to turn around and sell it again… Especially knowing what kind-of a market their walking into! Let’s review a couple of different approaches that could be taken.

Sell as is: If you are at peace with selling your home as is, then do it! Fix the basic items (replace lightbulbs, repair screens that may be ripped, tighten hinges on cupboard doors, etc.) and make sure your home looks cared for. Potential buyers will still see the love you have given your home even though you might not want to splurge to have that big deck put on for someone else to enjoy. Also, if you’re looking for a few affordable and fun projects, check out 5 easy ways to upgrade your home.

Pick your investment: While you might not be interested in fixing every little item, you might want to invest in the most important ones. If you have spoken with a real estate agent…, they know what to look for. They will be able to advise you on what will have the biggest impact on your home’s sale price. The greatest agents will have terrific advice that will not break the bank but will get your house ready for the market!

The Market:

In the housing market, the seller and the buyer are, in many cases, the same person – the existing homeowner. To buy a new home, you must sell the home you already own, and then find a home you like better. With the market being as tight as it is in today’s housing market, the risk of selling, if others do not, prevents many existing homeowners from selling. The result? Prices are further bid up by competition for the increasingly short supply.

Sellers also think their home might not be worth as much as what they need in order to buy a home in a market like this. This is the ‘nudge part’ of the jungle gym analogy. The hesitation is understandable, but that is why relying on a great support system, for example, the agents at ERA Team VP Real Estate will give you the nudge in the right direction. With a free CMA [Comparative Market Analysis], these professional and knowledgeable agents can help capture the value of your home, which in this market will likely sell for more than you would expect! For a free valuation of your home, contact one of these qualified agents in your area.

The complexity of the process is overwhelming:

There is no doubt that this process is complex….and at times overwhelming! From the beginning of packing up your house, going through the emotions of excitement and sadness to the elatedness of finding your dream home and looking forward to moving in… it is a lot to process, a lot to do, and a lot to keep organized! The right Real Estate Agent is key to eliminating stress and complexity while providing peace of mind throughout the entire process. Finding an agent who recognizes the value of your home, who communicates well and genuinely cares for your needs is crucial in making an overwhelming process a walk in the park.

5 Easy Upgrades!

The amount of time a home spends on the market before going under contract is an indicator of how competitive the housing market is. Currently, homes are spending an average of 32 days on the market. The longer homes spend on the market, the more control homebuyers have in this ‘game of roulette’.

Here are five easy ways to keep your house out of the seller’s limbo by adding perceived value (and actual value) to your home.

Upgrade your Mailbox

It may seem like a silly thing, or something you might not even notice anymore when you drive into your driveway. But a weathered or outdated mailbox can be an eyesore for the potential homebuyer, especially when wanting to make a great first impression. It is also one of the easiest home improvements you can do!

Paint your Home Inside and Out

Remember the time your kids insisted on bright purple or orange when painting their room? While that’s fitting for your family, a potential homebuyer might not have the same appreciation for those energetic colors, and it could distract them from seeing the true potential a room has to offer. Help buyers envision themselves in your home by painting rooms a neutral color.

In a similar vein, if your house has always been known as the “pink” house on the street even though it was originally red, painting the exterior will also help with potential buyers. Painting the exterior of your home can be pricey, when done by professionals, the process has a very quick turnaround time, and the result will be sure to leave a lasting impression on potential buyers.

Clean, Declutter and Stage your Home

People touring your home like to look not just at the larger rooms, but also poke around in closets or nooks and crannies to make sure their stuff will fit. If your closets are overflowing with the winter jackets, or you have too many pieces of furniture in a room-your home may not be ready to show off the qualities that make it truly unique. Nothing turns potential buyers off more than an unkept and cluttered home.

Fence in your backyard

Sixty-seven percent of U.S. households, or about 85 million families, own a pet, according to the 2019-2020 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA).  Over half of potential buyers coming to tour your home find a fence necessary, and the other 33% find it to be an extra perk, so it is a win-win!

Reinvent Interior Doors

During all these other updates you’re working on, don’t forget to give those creaky, non-lockable doors a little TLC too. You know, the ones that are warped and stick to their frame from temperature changes. It’s amazing what a difference installing new doors in your home can make, and it’s even more amazing when you choose a beautiful doorknob style to complete the look! 

Happy Homesteading!

ERA Team VP Real Estate Launches Commercial Division

Jamestown, NY – ERA Team VP Real Estate, the leading residential and vacation properties brokerage in the Southern Tier of Western New York and Northwest Pennsylvania, has announced the addition of a Commercial Real Estate Division to be based in downtown Jamestown, NY.

According to ERA Team VP Broker/Owner William Soffel, “Over the past few years, we have been presented with more and more opportunities to represent commercial real estate transactions, and felt the timing was now right to diversify our offerings into the commercial arena. Our entire team is looking forward to this opportunity, and we are especially excited about basing our commercial division in Jamestown and being a part of all the positive energy that continues to build downtown.”

Michael McVinney, Associate Broker, has been named the ERA Team VP Commercial Division Team Leader, and will oversee the division’s daily operations, sales efforts, and growth opportunities. Prior to joining ERA, Mike gained commercial real estate experience with CBRE in Erie, Pa., and LRES in Jamestown. Joining Mike on the commercial team are licensed sales associates Ted Bodgan, Heather Lynn, Amanda Saddler, Taylor Scott, and Tom Wight.

“The commercial division addition of ERA Team VP is an exciting endeavor, and we are all thrilled to be a part of this new opportunity,” commented Michael McVinney, Associate Broker and ERA Team VP Commercial Division Team Leader. “With ERA’s main focus on innovation and technology, we are excited to be even more visible and accessible to our communities and the commercial real estate market.”

For more information about ERA Team VP Real Estate  and Vacation Rentals  and the real estate/vacation rental  market in the Southern Tier of Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania visit  www.erateamvp.com  or call  their main office at 716.413.0200.

ERA Team VP Real Estate Agent Awards

ERA Team VP Real Estate of western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania recently presented awards for 2012 production at their annual Agent Awards Luncheon held in Ellicottville, New York. Sales associates were recognized from all office locations, which include Chautauqua, Lakewood, Bemus Point, Fredonia, Ellicottville and Cuba in New York and Warren and Bradford in Pennsylvania.

Sales Associates received awards for their 2012 sales production and total number of closed transactions in comparison to their ERA Team VP Real Estate colleagues. The following sales associates were recognized for their achievements.

Karen Goodell was #1 in sales production and tied for #3 in closed transactions in the Chautauqua Office, while she ranked #2 in sales production for the entire firm, which includes all office locations. Jane Grice was #2 in both sales production and closed transactions for the Chautauqua Office, while she ranked #3 in sales production and #4 in closed transactions for the entire firm. Dale Sandberg was #1 in closed transactions and #3 in sales production in the Chautauqua Office, while he ranked #2 in closed transactions and #5 in sales production for the entire firm. Wayne Weaver tied for #3 in closed transactions for the Chautauqua Office.

Stacy Stalter was #1 in both sales production and closed transactions for the Fredonia Office. William and Judy Anderson were #2 in sales production and #3 in closed transactions for the Fredonia Office. Heidi Seddon was #3 in sales production and #2 in closed transactions for the Fredonia Office.

Cathy Pritchard was #1 in sales production and #3 in closed transactions in the Ellicottville Office, while she ranked #1 in sales production and #5 in closed transactions for the entire firm, which includes all office locations. Tina Dillon was #1 in closed transactions and #2 in sales production in the Ellicottville Office, while she ranked #1 in closed transactions and #4 in sales production for the entire firm. Ciji Riley was #2 in closed transactions in the Ellicottville Office, while she ranked #3 in closed transactions for the entire firm. Melanie Pritchard was #3 in sales production in the Ellicottville Office.

Paul Conklin was #1 in both sales production and closed transactions for the Cuba Office. Linda Simons was #2 in sales production and #3 in closed transactions for the Cuba Office. Bill Shuler was #3 in sales production and #2 in closed transactions for the Cuba Office.

Joe Whipp was #1 in both sales production and closed transactions for the Warren, Pennsylvania Office. Stephanie Mathyer was #2 in sales production for the Warren Office. John McGarry was #3 in sales production and #2 in closed transactions for the Warren Office. Lori Nuhfer was #3 in closed transactions for the Warren Office.

Jim Anderson was #1 in both sales production and closed transactions for the Bradford Office. Tammy Bizzak was #2 in sales production for the Bradford Office. Fred Pysher was #3 in sales production and #2 in closed transactions for the Bradford Office. Mark Goebl was #3 in closed transactions for the Bradford Office.

The ERA Team VP Real Estate Rookie of the Year Award was received by Debbie Rowe, the highest producing agent new to ERA Team VP Real Estate in 2012. Dale Sandberg and Ciji Riley were also recognized as the ERA Team VP Most Improved Agents for 2012. Dale’s 2012 sales production was a 127% increase over his 2011 sales production. Ciji’s 2012 sales production was a 292% increase over her 2011 sales production.

“Through their dedication, these professionals lead our local real estate market by providing each client the most comprehensive products and services,” remarked Bill Soffel, Broker/CEO of ERA Team VP Real Estate. “Our top producers truly embody the ERA core values of innovation, collaboration and superior service and exemplify ERA Team VP’s commitment to hard work and customer satisfaction.”

Since joining ERA in 2004, ERA Team VP has seen significant growth, both as a result of the agents’ use of ERA systems and tools, and through a series of mergers/acquisitions.

For more information about ERA Team VP Real Estate and the real estate market in the Southern Tier of Western New York visit www.erateamvp.com or call one of the main Western New York office locations: (716) 789-2600 Chautauqua; (716) 672-7990 Fredonia; (716) 699-4800 Ellicottville; (585) 968-2113 Cuba.

ERA Team VP Real Estate Expands Ranks Ted Bogdan & Debbie Rowe Join Firm Focused on Growth

[CHAUTAUQUA, NY] (07/12/2012) — ERA Team VP Real Estate recently announced the addition of Ted Bogdan & Debbie Rowe to its team of real estate sales professionals serving consumers in the Chautauqua County area and Southern Tier of Western New York.

Ted began his real estate career in 1994 when he purchased a gas station in Jamestown, NY. He has spent twenty-five years in the Retail and Petroleum Distribution business, holding positions from Salesman to Company President. Ted has negotiated Leases and Transactions with Fortune 500 Companies, McDonald’s Corp. and Exxon Mobil.

Ted has been involved in many aspects of his community including serving as a member of the Chautauqua County Planning Board, the Board of Directors and several committees with Lutheran Social Services, Inc., the Church Council of Holy Trinity Church, Former Director of Empire State Petroleum Distributors Assoc., Former Advisory Director of Pennzoil Products Company and Owner/President of Bogdan Properties, Inc.

Ted holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He resides in Jamestown, NY with his wife Tracy and two children, Will and Becca.

Debbie Rowe joins ERA Team VP Real Estate with over 5 years of real estate experience. She is a full-time Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker specializing in Chautauqua Institution and the surrounding area. In 2010 and 2011 Debbie Rowe earned the Silver Presidential Award from the Chautauqua County Board of Realtors for $2+ Million in sales each year.

Debbie is a member of the Chautauqua Fire Department Auxiliary. She holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Gannon University. Debbie resides in Mayville, NY with her husband Dave.

“In today’s market, growth is the only option, and attracting top talent is a surefire way to achieve that goal,” said Bill Soffel, Broker/Owner. “We are thrilled to have professionals of Ted and Debbie’s caliber join our firm.”

“Unwavering commitment to clients has been critical to my success, and ERA Team VP’s culture of collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing combined with its reputation for superior service will not only enhance my career, it will enhance the experience of my clients as well,” said Bogdan.

Debbie Rowe stated, “As part of ERA Team VP Real Estate, I can combine state-of-the-art tools and high standards of service to meet my clients’ real estate needs. Benefiting from top training and national resources, I am ready and eager to help anyone who may be thinking of buying or selling a home in the near future. My new skills will enable me to better serve my clients. My benefits will be my clients’ benefits!”

As a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson with ERA Team VP Real Estate, Ted Bogdan, as well as Debbie Rowe, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker, will be able to offer homebuyers and sellers, as well as commercial clients, a wide variety of innovative and market-relevant products and services. These services include the ERA^® Sellers Security^® Plan and the ERA^® Gold Star Property program, as well as robust online marketing programs, extensive listings distribution partners, and related services including mortgage, title and home warranty.

For more information about ERA Team VP Real Estate and the real estate market in the Southern Tier of Western New York visit www.myteamvp.com. Call Ted Bogdan at (716) 665-1369; Debbie Rowe at (716) 640-6507; or one of the main office locations: (716) 789-2600 Chautauqua; (716) 699-4800 Ellicottville; (585) 968-2113 Cuba.

ERA Team VP Real Estate Honored with National Awards

Chautauqua, NY / Ellicottville, NY (Grassroots Newswire) 4/17/2012 – 16 members of ERA Team VP Real Estate attended the 2012 ERA^® International Business Conference (March 14-17, 2012) in New Orleans, La. While in attendance at the International Business Conference local real estate broker Bill Soffel was recognized as one of the nation’s top ERA^®brokers by global real estate leader ERA Franchise Systems LLC. Soffel accepted the President’s Circle designation for superior performance on behalf of ERA Team VP Real Estate.

The President’s Circle is an elite group of ERA companies across the nation that rank among the Top 50 (“Gold Level”), Top 100 (“Silver Level”), or Top 200 (“Bronze Level”) in either number of residential sales completed or total amount of completed sales in the ERA network. These companies set the standard for both ERA Real Estate and the industry as a whole. ERA Team VP Real Estate was named to the Gold Level.

“This is an excellent example, for our brokers and the entire real estate industry, of what can be accomplished through innovative thinking and close attention to customers’ needs, regardless of market conditions,” said Charlie Young, president and chief executive officer, ERA Franchise Systems LLC. “Bill’s achievement is a testament to his unwavering commitment to ERA’s core values of innovation, collaboration and superior service as well as his impressive business acumen and deep knowledge of this market – all of which are invaluable assets to homebuyers and sellers in Western New York.”

Individual Associates of ERA Team VP Real Estate were honored as well. Tina Dillon and Cathy Pritchard of ERA Team VP Real Estate in Ellicottville, NY were each awarded a Leaders’ Circle designation by ERA Franchise Systems LLC. This designation recognizes the ERA network’s top producers for excellence in real estate sales.

To qualify for the Leaders’ Circle designation, ERA sales associates or selling-brokers must have achieved 65 total closed units or $200,000 in adjusted gross commission (AGC) in 2011.

Jane Grice and Karen Goodell of ERA Team VP Real Estate in Chautauqua, NY as well as Melanie Pritchard and Amy DeTine of ERA Team VP Real Estate in Ellicottville, NY were each awarded a Beyond Excellence designation by ERA Franchise Systems LLC. This designation also recognizes the ERA network’s top producers for excellence in real estate sales.

To qualify for the Beyond Excellence designation, ERA sales associates or selling-brokers must have achieved 45 total closed units or $100,000 in adjusted gross commission (AGC) in 2011.

“An unparalleled commitment to service has clearly contributed to the successes of both Jane Grice and Karen Goodell and I am pleased to congratulate each of them on this impressive accomplishment,” said Charlie Young, president and chief executive officer of ERA Franchise Systems LLC.

ERA Team VP Real Estate’s Office Coordinator, Anne Walters, was also honored during the ERA International Business Conference. Anne was named a top 3 finalist for the ERA Office Coordinator of the Year Award by ERA Franchise Systems LLC, in recognition of her local and national contributions. Bill Soffel, Broker/Owner of ERA Team VP Real Estate, nominated Anne Walters for this award because of the role she has played in the company’s success. “Anne has been with my organization since 2002, and has been instrumental in the successful coordination of our real estate sales division as we have navigated through both good and poor market conditions, through the rapid changes within the real estate industry, and most importantly, through all of the change and growth that is part and parcel to the transition from an independent company to a franchise company,” said Soffel.

Since joining ERA in 2004, ERA Team VP has seen significant growth, both as a result of the agents’ use of ERA systems and tools, and through a series of mergers/acquisitions.

For more information about ERA Team VP Real Estate and the real estate market in the Southern Tier of Western New York visit www.myteamvp.com or call one of the main office locations: (716) 789-2600 Chautauqua; (716) 699-4800 Ellicottville; (585) 968-2113 Cuba.