You are currently browsing the monthly archive for February 2018.
Looking to foster investment opportunities between real estate stakeholders in the Philippines and the U.S., the Filipino American Real Estate Professional Association Silicon Valley (FAREPA SV) chapter is organizing a trade mission to the Philippines on June 16-29. The trade mission will take participants to Manila, the country’s capital, to the island of Palawan, which has the best beaches in the world, and to Vigan, a city known for its preserved Spanish colonial and Asian architecture.
“This is an opportunity of a lifetime to learn about real estate opportunities in the Philippines, whose economy is thriving, develop partnerships with builders and developers, and see our beautiful country, especially Palawan, which is a hidden piece of paradise twice named ‘The Best Island In The World’ in Travel + Leisure magazine’s World’s Best Awards, and Vigan, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the few towns left in the Philippines whose old structures have mostly remained intact,” said FAREPA SV co-president Tess Crescini, who also serves as chair of the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) Global Business Council.
In each destination the trade mission will provide real estate professionals the opportunity to partner with real estate builders and developers that are building the hottest developments around the country. The itinerary also will include the opportunity to attend the Philippine Economic Zone Authority’s First Global Ecozone Convergence & EXPO on June 18-19, of which the Chamber of Real Estate & Builders’ Associations, Inc. (CREBA) is an organizer. SILVAR is the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Ambassador to the Philippines and CREBA is its partner association there. SILVAR, CREBA and NAR President Liaison to the Philippines Jennifer Tasto are helping coordinate FAREPA’s trade mission.
FAREPA is expanding globally. The real estate association’s vision for the trade mission is to form marketing partnerships with top developers and local brokers and get to know the newest thriving areas and latest development amenities. Filipino-American baby boomers and Gen Xers are finding retirement in the Philippines desirable now due to low costs, improving health care, infrastructure, and a booming economy, said FAREPA trade mission committee chair Robert Balina.
“Becoming the go-to experts with marketing partnerships with top Philippine developers and brokers, U.S. clients can list their properties with us and we can help them purchase their retirement home, second home, or cash flow investment properties there,” said Balina.
Cost of the trade mission based on double occupancy is $3,075 all inclusive. The price includes round trip airfare via Philippine Airlines from San Francisco to Manila and back, two domestic flights, 11-night hotel stay, daily breakfast, lunch tour packages, airport transportation, and an option for an open-ended return flight. A non-refundable deposit is due by March 16, 2018. Full payment is due by May 1, 2018.
For more details, visit http://farepa.org/manila-trade-mission, or the SILVAR website at http://www.silvar.org, or contact Crescini at tess@heritagehi.com or (408) 781-0949; Balina at robert@synergizerealty.com or (408) 750-6425; or Wilma Baltar at wilmabaltar@kw.com or (408) 781-5300.
Feng Shui Master Y.C. Sun
Gong hei fat choy! Prominent astrologer and feng shui master Y.C. Sun recently shared his forecast for 2018, the Year of the Earth Dog, with members of the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS®. This is going to be a year of highs and lows, said Sun.
Protectionism will be on the rise this year, a “classic pullback and comeback story,” said Sun. There will be violent ground movement – earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, mudslides, rebuilding of aging infrastructure like roads, levees, bridges rails, and in line with dry earth, there will be drought, flooding, fire, traffic and accidents.
The year will also be characterized by market volatility, economic and political chaos, but expect a comeback by Labor Day, said Sun. The country’s GDP will rise to 4 percent by year-end, but there will be lots of chaos before that.
Be careful in April, particularly April 5 through May 4. It is going to be a bad and disaster-ridden month because the karma between the month of the Fire Dragon and Year of the Earth Dog will be in big conflict.
The President was born in the Year of the Fire Dog. The fire dog does not get along with the earth dog, so expect him to face a lot of trouble and challenges in health and in politics this year. He will encounter chaotic issues in March, in the second half of April, two weeks in June, and in October.
As for real estate, Sun said business will be good, but will slow down. It will be tough to be a real estate agent because of so much competition due to the housing shortage and low affordability. Dallas, San Antonio, Stockton, Las Vegas, Orlando, Colorado Springs, Salt Lake City, Charlotte, Tulsa, Nashville, Houston, Tampa will be the top U.S. markets this year. In the Bay Area, top markets are San Jose, South San Francisco, Daly City, San Bruno, Hayward, Concord, Vallejo, Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa.
As for feng shui and the home, Sun said good locations are the center (happiness, celebration, always keep the middle of your home clean, free from clutter), southeast (money/fame), south (best energy for writing, studying, research), northwest (tender loving care, family values, promotes romance), southwest (change, travel, relocation). “Bad” locations are the north (disaster, misfortune), northeast (arguments), east (decline of energy, loss of money, robbery), west (sickness).
If your house faces any of these “bad” locations, Sun suggests placing six copper coins under a mat or placing a copper bell by the entrance. You can also add a peace lily. For homes that face east, add a large glass of water or blue decoration. For homes that face northeast, add a red decoration.
The feng shui master’s advice for the Year of the Earth Dog: “Time for meeting real people to get connected, getting in shape, eating healthier food, spending less time on social media/games, learning a new skill, be kind, be proactive, or becoming the barking dogs (that) seldom bite!”
Top left to right: 2017 REALTOR® of the Year Chris Isaacson; Affiliate of the Year Darrell Monda; Spirit of SILVAR Leannah Hunt. Bottom left to right: 2017 C.A.R. Region 9 Chair Chris Isaacson; 2017 President Denise Welsh was presented with her own gavel, a thank you for her service; President’s Award Susan Tilling.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® Installation Dinner on Jan. 25, SILVAR 2017 President Denise Welsh and Executive Officer Paul Cardus presented the 2017 Appreciation Awards to recognize certain members for their valuable contributions to the Association last year.
Welsh first thanked her fellow board members and committee chairs for their support last year, and said it was a privilege to serve the membership of SILVAR as president. Recognized for their outstanding contributions were:
2017 REALTOR® of the Year: Chris Isaacson (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)
Welsh said Chris Isaacson has been a REALTOR® for slightly over a decade and in that time he has achieved so much for the Association in many different roles, from serving on the district council, as 2015 president of SILVAR, a California Association of REALTORS®® (C.A.R.) Region 9 director, 2017 SILVAR Region 9 chair, and National Association of REALTORS®® (NAR) director.
Welsh described Isaacson as a quiet and effective leader. Working on issues ranging from political to financial, Isaacson has shared his vision and expertise with the Association and its members. “Through his strong, calm leadership, and with an unflappable demeanor, he has strengthened and grown our Association,” said Welsh. Isaacson was also recognized for his leadership and excellent work on behalf of SILVAR and members as 2017 SILVAR Region 9 Chair.
2017 Affiliate of the Year: Darrell Monda (TourFactory)
Welsh said Monda, a longtime affiliate of SILVAR, “has proven to be a dedicated workhorse and a great proponent of our Association.” His firm provides essential state-of-the-art services to SILVAR’s REALTOR® members. Welsh recognized Monda’s professional support for all programs across the Association, from tour meetings, to the CIPS (Certified International Property Specialist) Institute, to the bocce ball tournament in Los Gatos.
“His generosity of spirit and willingness to roll up his sleeves and help where needed enhances the image of our Association and our REALTOR® and affiliated professional members,” said Welsh.
Spirit of SILVAR: Leannah Hunt (Sereno Group)
Leannah Hunt is a REALTOR® who reflects the Association’s commitment to supporting and contributing to the communities it serves and is one of the leaders in real estate in Silicon Valley. Welsh said Hunt “has worked on the frontlines and behind the scenes for the success of the Association.”
Welsh praised Hunt’s efforts to give back to the community by being active in an array of political and civic causes, serving on numerous boards.
“She is generous with her financial support as she is with her time. She is the REALTOR® face in her community,” said Welsh.
President’s Award: Susan Tilling (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)
The President’s Award is presented at the discretion of the president to an individual whose service to the Association is worthy of special thanks and recognition. Susan Tilling has devoted many years of her time acting as a representative at C.A.R. and is a C.A.R. Director for Life.
Upon presenting this award to Tilling, Welsh said, “We are often asked why we get involved and volunteer. We are trying to find our ‘why.’ There are people who are involved out of a deep conviction that the time spent, the purpose of the organization, provides enough motivation for them to donate their time to the cause.
Welsh said Tilling “embodies the values and principles that drive so many of us to dig in and get involved with organized real estate, to fight for property rights and the ability of every man to achieve the American Dream. It is our ‘Why.'”
SILVAR’s 2018 leadership team.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® 2018 leadership was installed Jan. 25 at Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club. California Association of Realtors 2013 president Don Faught administered the oath of office to SILVAR’s 2018 president, Bill Moody, and the 2018 officers and board directors. C.A.R. 2005 president Jim Hamilton served as master of ceremonies.
SILVAR’s 2018 officers include Moody, a REALTOR® with the Referral Realty, Cupertino; Alan Barbic, a REALTOR® with Sereno Group, Los Gatos, president-elect; and Phyllis Carmichael, a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Los Altos, treasurer.
Joining SILVAR’s lead officers are Denise Welsh (Alain Pinel Realtors), past president; Karen Trolan (Alain Pinel Realtors), Region 9 chair; Leannah Hunt (Sereno Group), National Association of Realtors director; district chairs Jasmine Lee (Intero Real Estate Services), Menlo Park-Atherton District; Penelope Huang (Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty), Palo Alto District; David Casas (Intero Real Estate Services), Los Altos-Mountain View District; Jeff Bell (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage), Cupertino-Sunnyvale District; Ryan Nunnally (Keller Williams Bay Area Estates), Los Gatos-Saratoga District; and Mark Burns (Referral Realty), Joanne Fraser (Alain Pinel Realtors), Katherine Frey (Katherine Frey Real Estate), Mary Kay Groth (Sereno Group), Lynn Wilson Roberts (Alain Pinel Realtors), and Mark Wong (Alain Pinel Realtors), directors At-large.
Moody is a native of Silicon Valley and a U.S. veteran, having served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968. He is a graduate of the former Ellwood P. Cubberley High School in Palo Alto and San Jose State. Moody has served as chair of SILVAR’s Cupertino-Sunnyvale District and as a California Association of Realtors Region 9 director.
In his address to members and guests, Moody said he spent 25 years in high tech sales before getting his license 15 years ago. Quoting the late Steve Jobs, Moody said, “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”
Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® says ... 