Going International…

January 24, 2012 By janethoward Leave a Comment

This past Friday, I attended a course “Going Mobile for Global” and there’s never been a better time to learn more about foreign investors. In the fall of 2011, Savannah, Georgia was unanimously approved for a World Trade Center to be located on Hutchinson Island. With this approval, Savannah will join 330 other cities including Atlanta with such a center for international business. The center is expected to develop in phases, initially focusing on helping companies increase their revenues through global expansion and bringing foreign investment into the region for small and medium-sized companies.

As a Realtor in the Savannah market, gearing up for what could be endless possibilities for foreign investments in our beloved southern city, is essential to providing the best possible service. In 2011, obtaining the “Certified International Property Specialist” designation proves to have been the right choice for me considering Savannah’s future. This designation provides me with the knowledge, research, network and tools to globalize my business just for this occasion!

If you were considering making that move to Savannah, now is the time and prepare for the international flare our city will offer its’ residents in the upcoming year!

Janet Howard, ABR, CIPS
Associate Broker
Konter Realty Company

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Did you know?

December 12, 2011 By janethoward Leave a Comment

Despite all of the doom and gloom in the news about real estate, I bet there is one thing most Savannahians didn’t know.  To date, out of the 4,125 real estate transactions in the Realtor database, Savannah and the low country had 20 sales of properties of a million dollars or more.  Unbelievable you say, well it’s true.  With an average 402 “active days on the market” (the amount of time a property has been listed for sale), buyers still came out to spend their money in 2011.

With this ever changing market, buyers are still interested in buying with rates still at historic lows.  Though this price range hardly makes up a large percentage of the sales for the low country, it does make a person wonder, do they know something we don’t? Is now actually the “right” time to spend that kind of money?  Whatever the case may be, I’m excited to see we have this type of activity in the coastal empire.

If you’re wondering where these purchases took place, fifteen of the sales were on the islands (including Isle of Hope, Skidaway, Talahi, Tybee, Whitemarsh, Wilmington Island) with three in Historic Savannah and one in the area of Vernonburg. *All numbers deemed accurate but subject to information provided by Savannah Multi-List.

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2012 Leadership Orientation for WCR

November 1, 2011 By janethoward Leave a Comment

Earlier this month the upcoming officers and committee members for the Savannah Chapter of Women’s Council of Realtors traveled to Atlanta for the Leadership Orientation.  At this meeting members are able to meet with State Officers and other chapter members to gain valuable insight on how to provide an exceptional plan for the upcoming year.  It’s always a treat to see everyone and brainstorm on how to provide members with more value for their membership.

After the meeting, our group discussed great ideas on what we plan to bring to Savannah in 2012.  As the incoming President for Savannah’s Chapter, I feel we have a terrific group of women that are dedicated to making 2012 memorable.  If you are not familiar with the Women’s Council of Realtors organization, the time is now!  With the challenging times of the economy and just down right frustrating obstacles in the way of the real estate industry, these members work together to provide a terrific support system, ideas on how to improve your business and most importantly, expose yourself to other professionals in this industry locally, statewide and nationally.  For more information on becoming a member, a business partner, or a sponsor, call me today at 912.210.0511.

*Pictured from left to right:  Melissa Stanford, Lauren Fowler, Deena Comacho, Janet Howard, Julie Kelly-Jones, Dianne Kessler, Jackie Riley and Ann Ellis.

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OPEN HOUSE, SUNDAY OCTOBER 30th 1pm-3pm

October 30, 2011 By janethoward Leave a Comment

Don’t miss your chance to stop in and see the value this home brings to your buyers!  This lovely home features new roof, new HVAC, Pergo flooring, large fenced yard and so much more!  Qualifies for VA, FHA or a conventional loan, whichever direction your buyer would take!  Stop in today, Sunday, October 30th from 1pm-3pm at 307 Stacie Court, Savannah, Georgia  31406.  Currently listed at $98,500.00

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Congratulations are definitely in order!

September 8, 2011 By janethoward Leave a Comment

Leadership Savannah Class Announced for the 2011 – 2012 Program

The following people have been selected to participate in the 2011 – 2012 Leadership Savannah Program:

Drew Ambos                                                     Ambos Seafoods, LLC

Jason Buelterman                                           Savannah Chatham County Public School System

Frances Carter                                                 Union Mission, Inc.

C. J. Chance                                                     Hussey, Gay, Bell, & DeYoung

Cynthia Creighton-Jones                              Cape Creations Catering, Inc

Jack Dibrell                                                      Ft. Stewart and Hunter AAF Garrison Command

Deborah Dickson                                            Edward Jones Investments

Rena Douse                                                      J.C.Lewis Primary Health Care Center

Jerry Flemming                                               City of Savannah

Austin Hill                                                        Austin Hill Realty, LLC

Mary Anne Hogan                                           St. Vincent’s Academy

Janet Howard                                             Konter Realty Company

Robert Hughes                                                  Brannen, Searcy & Smith, LLP

Robyn Iannone                                                 Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce

Gequetta Jenkins                                            Savannah Chatham County Public School System

D Michelle Jervey                                            Satori Construction

Kacey Kennickell                                              The Kennickell Group

Trip Kennickell                                                  The Kennickell Group

Megan Kerley                                                    Hospice Savannah, Inc.

Adam Kirk                                                          Hunter Maclean

Shannon Lancaster                                          Lady Lancaster

Cindy Landolt                                                    City of Savannah

Terry Lemmons                                                 Wells Fargo Insurance Services

Heath Lloyd                                                        City of Savannah

Spencer Luke                                                      Westview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Ronald McGee                                                   Georgia Power

Jason E. McMillan                                             BB&T

Carl Miller                                                            Georgia African American Male Leadership Institute

Chase Mouchet                                                    Alpha FInancial Management

Jenny O’Sako                                                      Seacrest Partners

Terri ONeil                                                          Historic Savannah Foundation

Susannah Pedigo                                               Inglesby, Falligant, Horne, Courington & Chisholm

Gary Sanchez                                                     Atlanta Gas Light

Matthew Schivera                                             J.T. Turner Construction Co., Inc.

Ryan Sewell                                                        Bernard Williams & Co

Rob Sparks                                                          Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Howard E. Spiva                                                Spiva Law Group

Bettina Tate                                                       Savannah Chatham County Public School System

Jackie Teel                                                          Metropolitan Planning Commission

Vin Thomas                                                        TMX Finance LLC (TitleMax)

Nikki Troxclair                                                   Georgia Institute of Technology—Savannah

Brad Whitfield                                                   Deemer Dana & Froehle LLP

Kelly York                                                            The Savannah Bank

Leadership Savannah began in 1961 for the purpose of informing future leaders in the Savannah area of issues confronting the community on a variety of subjects. Subjects such as government, economic
development, education, taxes, urban problems and coastal environment are examined in an atmosphere of concerned communication among the young leaders.  This unique program provides the opportunity for its participants to develop an
awareness of community successes and problems as well as the knowledge to help meet the challenge of the future.

Leadership Savannah seeks to inspire individual leadership growth by providing the learning experiences that lead to a better understanding of our community and preparation for meeting the challenges of
the present and future. Leadership Savannah will support the continued development, expansion and operation of Leadership programs and provide a forum for exchange of community information, resources and viewpoints.

By the end of the one year program, the participants should have:

·               A better understanding of themselves and their individual leadership styles

·               Improved leaderships skills

·               Deeper knowledge of the Savannah community and how it fits in the regional, state, national and global economy

·               Identified the major challenges facing Savannah

·               Built relationships with other class members and existing community leaders

·               Used their leadership skills to provide service to Step Up, Savannah’s Anti-poverty Initiative (www.stepupsavannah.org) or another community challenge

·               Developed a deep commitment to making the Savannah community a better place to live and work

Graduates of Leadership Savannah, the second oldest such organization in the country, have helped build one of the most effective leadership training programs in existence today. Program improvements over the
years have resulted in positive and significant accomplishments by our graduates in this community and in the state of Georgia.

For more information on Leadership Savannah, please contact Margaret Mary Russell at 912.644.6432 or MRussell@SavannahChamber.com or visit www.leadershipsavannah.org.

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Are you ready for Irene?

August 22, 2011 By janethoward Leave a Comment

In the beginning of June we start to hear all about the hurricane season, the predictions and checklists.  Let’s be honest, we’ve listened and then went about our busy lives since we feel a little invincible on this Georgia coast.  It’s been since 1979 when we experienced a Category 1 hurricane and most Georgians haven’t thought twice about it.  Heck, some of you weren’t even born yet!

Well, here we are in 2011 and the possibility of “Irene”.  We’ve got a week to watch her, study her movements, predict her path but it’s time to really focus on our preparedness.  As some of you go about your busy lives oblivious to “Irene”, there will be some who can’t stop watching the news to see what destruction she might leave.  As property owners, we do have an obligation to pay attention and secure our homes as best we can for our safety and for our neighbors.  Here is a link for the 2011 Hurricane Survival Guide for you and your family published by the Savannah Morning News.  Download it, print it, read it and most importantly, use it.  http://display.savannahnow.com/SS/Page.aspx?ptype=SS_TILE&secid=102960&pagenum=1&facing=false

Here’s to keeping our fingers crossed for an easterly turn….

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Reader's Choice Award Winner!

May 31, 2011 By janethoward Leave a Comment

Imagine my surprise to see the Sunday paper this past week to discover all of the great winners from the Savannah Morning News Reader’s Choice!  This was the first ever awards by SMN and the turn out was terrific!  There were over 180 categories for readers to vote and lots of great nominees to choose from.  My name was fortunate enough to get thrown into the hat for “Best Real Estate Agent” and wow, what an honor!

Thank you Savannah Morning News and all of those who voted!

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Howard earns CIPS Designation

May 17, 2011 By janethoward Leave a Comment

 

NEWS RELEASE

 Janet Howard

Achieves Membership in GLOBAL Real Estate Network

 Savannah, Georgia, May 17, 2011

Janet Howard of Konter Realty Company was awarded the esteemed Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation and joins a worldwide network of elite global real estate practitioners with expertise in working with international clients as well as serving the growing multicultural population in the United States.  The CIPS Designation is awarded by the National Association of REALTORS®, the world’s largest trade association representing over 1,000,000 REALTORS® in the United States. Howard will be formally recognized at the organization’s REALTORS® Conference & Expo in November.

 Members of the CIPS Network are crucial players in today’s global real estate market.  The CIPS designation recognizes members who have achieved the necessary training and experience to work successfully with international clients and properties.  To earn the CIPS designation, REALTORS® complete rigorous coursework devoted to learning cultural differences and international business practices.  Designees must also prove achievement in international real estate transactions.  Janet Howard joins a distinguished society of over 2,000 real estate professionals throughout the world who have earned the CIPS designation and the only CIPS designee in the Savannah area.  Howard has been licensed since 2006 and is an Associate Broker with Konter Realty Company licensed in Georgia and South Carolina.  You can contact Janet Howard at Konter Realty Company at 912.354.9314.

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Washington, DC and Women's Council of Realtors

May 16, 2011 By janethoward 1 Comment

WCR Midyear Awards Banquet

The past couple of days if anyone has been following me on Twitter, knows I had the awesome opportunity to visit our nation’s capitol.  The National Association of Realtors held their midyear legislative meetings while Women’s Council of Realtors also featured terrific programs for Chapter growth.  A particular program I attended was incredibly inspiring as it put our current economic situation in perspective for me.  Whereas we watch the news and feel as though we’re in doomsday, the reality is our numbers in sales are where they were in the 1990′s.  We’re just spoiled from the bubble that inflated through the early 2000′s and think the sky is falling because the numbers aren’t there.  Funny, eh?  There was nothing that indicated during this presentation that our real estate industry has fallen below where the numbers were a decade or two ago or more importantly, that conditions always change. What goes down, must come up, right?  I could hear the Realtors in the room sit back and say, hmmm…so it’s not so bad?  Amazing how just a preception can wreak havoc on one’s mindset for an industry.

Being in Washington also gave me the opportunity to meet some astonishing Realtors.  These women AND men were willing to share successes, failures and ideas to anyone that would listen.  For me, this is heaven!  Where else can you get such great ways to create new business or take care of the business you have, even better!?  Folks like Sasha Lopez from Phoenix, Arizona listened (over the one of the best chicken tinga sandwiches I’ve ever had), to a situation I recently experienced in a transaction and gave terrific advice.  She talked about how the brokerage she just became partner in has seen enormous exposure because of her determination to socialize in her community! Fantastic, I say!  A broker out of Jacksonville, Florida, Audrey Lackie took the time to speak to a table of Realtors and explain how Women’s Council help her succeed in her business and personal goals.  We all know how powerful “testimonials” are so I felt right at home with this organization as I am also looking for those same successes in my business and personal growth.

The trip was terrific to allow this chance to be a part of something bigger than Savannah when it comes to real estate.  I am grateful to the members of the Savannah Chapter of Women’s Council of Realtors that support each other and support their officers to learn such knowledge to bring back and share.  If you’ve ever considered being a part of a group, this one will be the right choice for you.

In closing, it’s important to mention if you haven’t visited our nation’s capitol, do it!  The architecture is incredible, the history is mind blowing and most of all, it reminds us how patriotic and wonderful this country is.  The responsibility is a big one, but teach our children the history and beliefs our country was founded on.  Our future depends on it.

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Did you know?

May 11, 2011 By janethoward Leave a Comment

The quaint town of Port Wentworth has always been, well, quaint to those who’ve been around awhile.  But there are details about where the city got it’s name I never knew.  For example, Port Wentworth was named after the “Lady Wentworth of England,”  or wait, was it after G.W. Wentworth, President of Great Eastern Lumber Company. This seems to be up for debate among local history buffs.

The town’s  history began with the first settlers of the Trust Colony of Georgia which amazingly provided the foundation on how well the city developed over the years.  During the early years, Port Wentworth hosted some pretty high profile citizens such as Major General Nathanael Greene, Lieutenant Governor John Graham, Eli Whitney and George Washington, to name a few!  It’s even mentioned in the history books that General William Sherman left his mark when he burned down the infamous Mulberry Grove Plantation house in 1864.

Some of the major industries that function in Port Wentworth today are lumber yards, railroad, sugar refinery, and brick kilns that produce that beautiful, “Savannah Gray Brick”.  And along with those industries, roughly 5,000 people call Port Wentworth home and so can you!  Please visit the listing for 171 Fox Glen Court to learn how affordable living can be in such a beautiful, small community! 

Lake Shore Community located in Port Wentworth is a wonderful neighborhood offering amenities such as a clubhouse, fitness center, community pool and more!  It’s location is prime to various employers such as Gulfstream, Georgia Ports Authority and more at an affordable price.  This lovely home built by Rande Duke Construction features 3 bedrooms and 3 full baths and priced at $164,000.00.

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