Christian Real Estate Network Under Attack -- Press Release
For Immediate Release
VILLA PARK, CA (ANS) -- Justin Smith, co-founder of the Christian Real Estate Network of nearly 400 members, has reported that "hate mail" increased substantially in 2004.
The Network, which helps buyers and sellers locate Christian real estate agents and loan officers across North America, is accused of prejudicial activity by some, who argue that the network doesn't have the right to seek out Christians to do business with.
In a particular case, a real estate executive in Nevada accused the Network and its members of violating Fair Housing laws, and using discriminatory business practices.
Proponents on the other hand, see the beauty of being able to work with people who have similar values and who answer to a higher authority.
In a recent nationally syndicated article written by real estate columnist David Myers, he stated, "It would clearly be illegal if the agents and brokers who belong to the HisMove.com network refused to represent anyone but Christians. However, they're happy to represent people of every faith -- as well as those who don't believe at all."
Bart Smith, co-founder and CEO said that "It's almost crazy to think that someone would go through the process of buying or selling a home without utilizing the services of someone they can trust." He further said that, "the reason we started this network in the first place was because we found that there is a huge number of people that would prefer to use a Christian agent. Our critics clearly have a misunderstanding of the fair housing laws and how our business operates."
Despite all the bad press and angry emails, the staff at the Christian Real Estate Network has discovered that there is overwhelming need for their services. Justin Smith reported that the network received over 1,000 requests for real estate agents and loan officers in 2004, as compared to only a handful of "hate mail" correspondence.
You may visit the Christian Real Estate Network at www.Hismove.com or by calling 877-800-4300.
Using a Real Estate Agent is in your best interest
Average Sale prices in 2004
House sold for sale by owner: $145,000
House sold by Real Estate Agent: $175,000
The #'s speak for themselves... it is definately in your best interest to sell your house through a qualified real estate agent. Visit our website at: www.Hismove.com to find a Christian agent in your area.
Until Next Time...
What Home Improvements add the Most Value?
Certain Home Improvements are obviously better than others when it comes down to adding raw value to your home. Here are a few of the most popular renovations broken down...
Best Improvements:
Bathroom Remodel: Cost: 7k Added Value: 80 to 115%
Kitchen Remodel: Cost: 15k Added Value: 80 to 110%
Room Addition: Cost: 30k Added Value: 50 to 110%
Worst Improvements:
Building a Deck: Cost: 6k Added Value: 40 to 60%
Re-Paint Exterior: Cost: 1.5k Added Value: 40 to 60%
Converting Garage/Basement to Living Space: Cost: 10k Added Value: 25 to 40%
New Christian Appraiser Site
We want to Welcome you to a new service we have started here at the Christian Real Estate Network...
www.ChristianAppraisers.com is a place where you can find a
Christian Appraiser anywhere around the country. It has just launched, so we don't have too many people yet, but we have been receiving new members almost daily!
If you happen to know of any Christian appraisers around the country, please let them know about this service. Membership is currently FREE!
Until Next Time...
Refinancing your Current Mortgage
Our Loan Officers can also help you
Refinance your home.
Interest Rates are still pretty good despite the FED raising them by a quarter this past week. Chances are that if you have been in your house for 5+ years, you can get a better rate then when you first bought the house.
Fill out our
Refinancing form, and a loan officer will contact you to see if you can lower your mortgage payment, cash out, consolidate, or help you with whatever your need is.
Until Next Time...
What about Financing?
During our first year of business, we had so many requests for financing and no where to direct people...
That is when we created the
Christian Real Estate Network Financing Division. It is very similar to how we run the Real Estate Referral side. People need financing... we refer them to a
Christian Loan Officer in their area.
If you are thinking of buying a home in the near future and haven't talked to a loan officer yet, now might be a good time to get prequalified. We get many clients that are in a hurry to go look at houses, but have no idea what their price range is. This makes it really difficult for the agent to know what kind of houses he can show you.
So, if you are looking for an agent to buy a home and haven't thought about financing, when you fill out our buyer form, make sure you indicate that you want to be contacted by a Christian loan officer too. Alternatively, you can request a loan officer directly by filling out our "financing form".
Until Next Time...
I'm Ready to Buy or Sell - How does it work?
I was hoping you would ask that!
It is very simple...
If you or anyone you know is
looking to buy or sell a home, all you need to do is fill our one of our simple requests forms. You'll find them on our website:
www.Hismove.com or you can use the buttons on the right of the screen to jump directly to your destination.
From there, we collect some basic information regarding your needs... location, time frame, special requests, etc. Immediately after the form is submitted, we go to work in connecting you with our Christian Real Estate Agent for the area you requested. Your information is given to the agent, and they will contact you directly within 24 hrs.
Usually our customers are contacted by an agent within 1 hour of their originally inquiry.
That's it! From that point, you will be receiving the best service & care possible for you real estate needs. Did we already mention how good our agents are?? As you can tell, we like to brag about them.... ;)
Until Next Time...
Benefits of working with a Christian Real Estate Agent
Just ask yourself: do you really want an agent that has the mentality of a used car salesman? Does it make you feel comfortable to have someone pressuring you to make a decision that is bordering on unethical??
Does it really make that much of a Difference?
Don't get us wrong... There are many great agents out there, that will treat you and your family with respect and handle your transaction ethically.
But can you afford to take that chance with a perfect stranger?
Buying and selling real estate is a major decision and transaction for most people. Did you know that it ranks 2nd only behind a death in the family as the most stressful time of a person's life? It is extremely important that you work with someone that you can trust.
Whether you are a Christian or not, our agents know what you are going through and are there to help. Whatever your situation may be, you can count on the integrity and moral standards of each agent in our network. They will take you through the process and all the paperwork with your interests at heart, and even pray with you as the Lord leads.
Each agent is accountable to God first, and lives closely by that standard. This is why we believe that working with a
Christian Real Estate Agent is far superior than working with any other agent.
View our Testimonials here
Until next time...
Our Real Estate Agents: Only the Best of the Best
What is a Real Estate Referral?
A Referral in the real estate industry is like any other referral.
Person-1 does business with person-2 on a normal basis. Person-1 is very comfortable and confident in the services of person-2. So, when person-1 has a friend that is in need of the services of person-2, he immediately tells his friend about person-2, and makes a referral.
A Referral is the best kind of Business.
The
Christian Real Estate Network is based upon a system of referrals. We have a large group of Christian agents that we feel extremely comfortable referring to other people. Not only are they Christians that love the Lord, but they are professionals that are highly qualified and among the top producers in their markets.
We are confident that our agents will treat any buyers or sellers of real estate with the utmost honesty and integrity. In a future Blog, we will discuss the qualifications and requirements that each agent has to meet in order to be a member of our referral Network.
Until Next Time...
Christian Real Estate Network
We want to introduce you to a great service we have called the
Christian Real Estate Network
This
Free Real Estate Referral service allows people to find Christian Real Estate Agents anywhere around the country. Our philosophy, is that there are many people out there that would prefer to work with a
Christian Real Estate Agent. Buying or Selling a home can often be such a stressful ordeal for most people, it is important that you work with someone you can trust and rely on.
Over the next seven days, we will be examining some of the benefits of the Network we have created. Everyone at some point in their lives will probably have a need to buy or sell real estate. We want to make this process easier for everyone. Especially YOU!
Until Next Time...
The Christian Real Estate Network Team
