September Network Newsletter Volume 12 by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty

THE NETWORK ISSUE #12 - SEPTEMBER 2020

BERKS H I R E H AT H AWAY H O ME S E RVI CE S F LO R I DA N E T WO R K RE ALT Y N E WS L E T T E R

WEBINAR IN A BOX

WELCOME!

CONTENT SUCCESS STORIES

TOPS IN THE CO.

WHAT'S YOUR STORY?

Company Calendar & Anniversaries

Tips from our Partners

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

To the Team

MARKETING

Must be present virtually or in person on October 13 to win.

Pumpkin Patch Cash

It’s Not a TRICK, this is Your TREAT!

Featuring the August Top Agents & Teams

HELPFUL TIPS

$250

TeamBuilder Contest!

WELCOME

Missy Boyle & Staci Spanos Gibson

TEAMBUILDER

Blessings in a Backpack

Christy’s note & Quote

CORE SERVICES CORNER

HUMOR & SOCIAL MEDIA

A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Monthly Marketing Update

Safety & Tech Tips

Humor and Social Media

Quote:

Note from Christy

“You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Rewind to September 8, 2019. Take a minute to think about what you were doing exactly 12 months ago. Maybe you were on vacation, planning a trip or heading back to work after a wonderful getaway. Maybe you were fired up to attend the Jags game at TIAA Bank Field or a concert at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Maybe you were simply heading to dinner with friends at your favorite restaurant. No question that the world and our own lives were very different a year ago today. Over the last couple of weeks, I have been reaching out to people purposefully. It seems that it is easy to get mired down in our virtual world and forget the importance of the personal connection. One of the lessons I have learned and appreciated during this pandemic is the renewed and powerful connection with more people, more frequently and with much more intention. Let me summarize a few of the conversations in August 2020. 1. A good friend is preparing to take their first child to college. He shared with me the detailed move-in protocol and the hybrid learning approach with both in-person and virtual classes. Parent orientation would occur via Zoom instead of in person meetings and parties that would normally accompany the first days of college won’t happen. The good news is that the university is open. It's interesting how our perspective changes. Would we have thought, 12 months ago, that heading to college would be in question and much more complex and uncertain than ever before? 2. I spoke to the owner of a gym. He shared with me that their business is off 40%, and I asked him what he thought would happen in the fall. With so many families choosing virtual or limited in-person learning (and parents having to work and teach), as well as many people continuing to work from home, he believes business will remain down 40%. 3. I spoke with a teacher who is young and fit and has been very cautious throughout COVID. She shared that she is scared to go back into the classroom because she fears getting sick and passing it on to her parents. She is also afraid that if she refuses to go back into the classroom there will not be a virtual teaching spot available and she will lose her job and be unable to make her mortgage and other essential payments. I know each of us has these very same conversations every day. Each of the examples above simply highlight our new world.

I think the good news is maybe, just maybe, on September 8, 2019, we took certain basic things for granted that we now appreciate much more. I know that's true for me. So what has really changed? What do we truly appreciate and not take for granted? What have we learned to do without? What do we miss the most? What lies ahead that we cannot wait to return to the way it was? What are we truly grateful for?

Are we growing in gratitude? What exactly does that mean? Each of us needs to define it for ourselves. I encourage you to answer the questions above and then take 15 minutes to focus on what growing in gratitude means to you. Is it simply being grateful for more things? Or is it how we show our gratitude? If we are grateful for the people and relationships in our lives, have you told them? Do me one favor this week. Call 5 people that you are grateful to have in your life and let them know. Just think if our team of 430 Realtors and 60 employees each make 5 gratitude calls this week, there will be 2,450 people who receive a call just to say “thank you for being in my life.” Then think if those calls inspired the recipients to make 5 gratitude calls of their own. That number is 12,250. I think you get the message. Much Love, President and CEO

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I had a listing in Neptune Beach and the sellers were about two weeks from being ready to go live on MLS. I posted it on Buyside with an exterior picture and detail about the property. Literally within 5 minutes of pushing it out on Buyside Staci Spanos called me and said she may have someone who is interested. MISSY BOYLE realtor® I met her at the property the next day and we were beaches under contract in 24 hours. Cash with a 2 week closing. I didn't have to pay for professional photos or marketing because of it! Needless to say, I am a fan of Buyside! It works! Going forward I will tell this story to sellers. Having the ability to market a property before it goes live in MLS is a huge advantage in this market!

I AM UNABLE TO QUIT AS I AM CURRENTLY TOO

L. E. G. I. T. September is going to be LEGIT! Local Expertise + Global Insight = Trust Register for our webinar series beginning with the Companywide Business Meeting on Tuesday, September 15! Don’t miss out on a wealth of information to help you build your business and plan for a successful 2021!

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STACI SPANOS GIBSON

realtor®

beaches

TOPS IN THE COMPANY TOP AGENTS IN THE COMPANY - AUGUST 2020

top lister Zack Williams avondale

top sales Joy Gunter beaches

TOP TEAMS IN THE COMPANY - AUGUST 2020

tops in listings tops in transactions Mike & Cindy Rigdon and Combs Jones

top transactions Stefanie Bernstein

st. augustine/murabella

avondale

st. augustine/murabella

tops in tops in sales production Rigdon and Combs Rigdon and Combs st. augustine/murabella

top producer Julia Fattahi beaches

st. augustine/murabella

TOP OFFICE AWARD WINNERS - AUGUST 2020 SAN MARCO/SAN JOSE listings: Beth Chesak sales: Anita Vining transactions: Anita Vining top producer: Anita Vining MANDARIN/ST. JOHNS listings: Shonda Campanaro sales: Marcus Genson transactions: Shonda Campanaro top producer: Charlie Hillyer BEACHES/ICW/SOUTHSIDE listings: Annette Boender sales: Joy Gunter transactions: Joy Gunter top producer: Julia Fattahi ST. AUGUSTINE/MURABELLA listings: Mimi Wahlmann sales: Stefanie Bernstein transactions: Stefanie Bernstein top producer: Stacey Scanlan -5-

AVONDALE/ORTEGA listings: Zack Williams sales: Allison Steilberg transactions: Allison Steilberg top producer: Allison Steilberg PONTE VEDRA/NOCATEE listings: Cheryl Dolan sales: Cheryl Dolan transactions: Cheryl Dolan top producer: Elizabeth Hudgins FLEMING ISLAND/ORANGE PARK listings: Sarah Rothstein sales: Kathy Davenport transactions: Sarah Rothstein top producer: Sarah Rothstein

TEAM!

$250

Pumpkin Patch Cash Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Not a TRICK, this is Your TREAT! Must be present virtually or in person on October 13 to win. A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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TO THE TEAM

COREE MCGINTY

NICCI SOUCY

RYAN BIGOS

beaches

st. augustine

JESSICA COPE

ANDRE BARNES

TERRY ALVARADO

san marco

fleming island

KRISTEN GAVAZZI

ALEX SHEPHERD

st. augustine

AMY ALLOWAYS st. augustine

ponte vedra

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ponte vedra

san marco

EVENTS and ACTIVITIES

DESCRIPTIONS & DETAILS ON THE EVENTS LISTED HERE CAN BE FOUND ON AE UNDER COMPANY CALENDAR

-SEPTEMBER- -OCTOBERTHURSDAY 17TH

MONDAY 21ST

TUESDAY 22ND

Rising StarBusiness Building Activities

Rising StarBuyer Consultation and Process

Office Sales Meeting

Rising StarSeller Consultation 1

Rising StarSeller Consultation 2

MONDAY 28TH

TUESDAY 29TH

WEDNESDAY 30TH

THURSDAY 1ST

MONDAY 5TH

Rising StarMarket Evaluation

Office Sales Meeting

Rising StarPurchase and Sale Agreement

Rising StarContract to Close

Rising StarOrientation

TUESDAY 6TH

WEDNESDAY 7TH

THURSDAY 8TH

MONDAY 12TH

TUESDAY 13TH

Office Sales Meeting

Rising StarBusiness Planning

Rising StarVital Focus

Rising StarTools and Technology

Office Sales Meeting

MONDAY 19TH

TUESDAY 20TH

WEDNESDAY 21ST

Rising StarBuyer Consultation and Process

Companywide Business Meeting

Rising StarSeller Consultation 1

WEDNESDAY 14TH THURSDAY 15TH Rising StarBusiness Building Activities

Rising StarIncome Producing Activities

WEDNESDAY 23RD THURSDAY 24TH

SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

TEAM MEMBER

OFFICE

# YEARS

SHAMEKA WILCOX

SAN MARCO

AL COPERTINO

GTS

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CORE SERVICES NEWS F N P M * PROS PERIT Y H O ME MO R TGAGE , L LC * G T S * R E F E R R A L

Just a friendly reminder…..

We can all agree that nobody enjoys pouring through the

mound of paperwork that it takes to officially close on a home right?

The sheer volume of documents can test the boundaries of a person’s hand strength and patience and ultimately stands in the way of the real prize of walking out the door with keys in their hand and the excitement of owning their new home! Prosperity Home Mortgage (PHM) would like to improve that experience for you and your clients by introducing Rapid Close! Rapid Close allows clients to electronically sign almost all of their lending documents BEFORE closing, leaving only a few critical signatures that need to happen at the table. That means closings can happen in a matter of minutes, not hours, and get everyone to their goal of enjoying their new home faster! Talk to your local Mortgage Consultant to find out more about the Rapid Close process and how it can help you and your clients.

Here are some questions that we often get regarding surveys: 1. When is a new survey required? Typically speaking, if there have been material alterations to the property since the last survey was conducted, a new survey is required. Even if there have been no alterations by the Seller, it’s probably in the best interests of Buyers to have a new survey completed in order to ensure that the neighboring parcels have not constructed anything that may encroach on the Property. 2. Why do surveys take so long to turnaround? Most of the time, the weather is what causes most delays in getting the survey completed on time. Surveyors cannot do their jobs while it is thundering and lightning since they are carrying large, tall, metal equipment. However, making sure the surveyor has access to the property is another reason that surveys can be delayed. If the surveyor cannot access the property during the scheduled time, they will have to try at another time, thus delaying the survey. We have also recently seen that there have been delays due to the sheer volume of work that the surveyors are being requested to complete. 3. How often do flood elevation certificates change? Flood elevation certificates are used to determine flood insurance rates. The data that is commonly used to determine flood elevation is not updated often. However, flood maps are updated by counties on a pretty regular basis. The elevation of a property shouldn’t change, but the base flood level elevation for a property may change because sea levels change.

If you have a client who is relocating to or from Northeast Florida as a result of their job, please register the customer name with Relocation so that we know you have a relationship with this customer in case we get a referral from a relocation management company, another brokerage, or an affinity program. How do you register a customer? Simply go to AE, click on “Resources” which is on the top right, and then “Relocation Resources”, and then “customer registration”….just three simple clicks. Thank you!

Must a Florida property management company have a real estate broker's license? YES. Key components of property management (renting and leasing) are considered a real estate activity under existing Florida real estate licensing laws. A property manager needs a broker's or real estate license if he or she is paid by commission and is handling rentals and leases for others. A license is not required for managing personally owned properties. There is not a "Property Manager" license or certificate. Are there any exceptions to the requirement that a Florida property manager have a broker's license? YES. For example, if a property owner employs someone to manage their property, and that employee is paid a salary, as opposed to being paid a commission or on a transactional basis, a broker's license is not required. -9-

Creative Services

MONTHLY MARKETING UPDATE

September 2020

THIRD QUARTER POSTCARD! Enjoy 50 company-paid postcards to send to your sphere of influence! The eCard and social media image are also available to share. Click here for detailed instructions on when and where to access and how to order these materials: • Postcard – Order in Xpressdocs via AE* • Social Media Image – Access on www.FloridaNetworkRealty.com/SocialMediaImages • eCard – Access in the Marketing Resource Center

JOIN OUR TEAM AND MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE! The Dreams Come True 5k and 1 Mile Fun Run will be virtual this year! #TeamBHHSFNR has designated October 10th as our race day. Join our team or make a donation today by visiting www.FloridaNetworkDreamers.com.

SEPTEMBER AUTOFLOW LINEUP eCard

Dreams Come True Arrived Early-September

Local Friends Postcard European Street Café Arriving Mid-September Kevin M. Waugaman

Interested in an in-depth valuation report? Visit: Valuations.FloridaNetworkRealty.com/KWaugaman

Arriving Late-September FOLD

REAL ESTATE

Compliments of:

Where the Locals Meet to Eat!

And where, for a limited time – you can treat a friend for FREE! Managing Broker 904.123.4567 Kevin.Waugaman@FloridaNetworkRealty.com KWaugaman.FloridaNetworkRealty.com

Regional Newsletter

Insider

Kevin M. Waugaman

JUST HOW STRONG IS THE HOUSING Managing RECOVERY? Broker 904.123.4567 The residential real estate market has definitely Kevin.Waugaman@FloridaNetworkRealty.com been the shining light in this country’s current KWaugaman.FloridaNetworkRealty.com economic situation. All-time low mortgage rates coupledInterested with a new appreciation of what a Visit: home in an in-depth valuation report? truly means has caused the housing market to push Valuations.FloridaNetworkRealty.com/KWaugaman forward through this major health crisis. Let’s look at two measures that explain the resilience of the real estate market.

Today, Americans are moving for a variety of different reasons. The current health crisis has truly re-shaped our lifestyles and our needs. Spending extra time where we currently live is enabling many families to re-evaluate what homeownership means and what they find most important in a home.

Compliments of

ACCORDING TO ZILLOW: In 2020, homes went from the place people returned to after work, school, hitting the gym or vacationing, to the place where families do all of the

Ashleyabove. Agent For those who now spend the majority of their hours at home, there's a growing

wish list® of what they'd change about their homes, if possible. REALTORS 904-000-000 With a new perspective on homeownership, here are some of the top reasons people are reconsidering where they live and making moves this year.

2. Virtual Schooling: With school about to restart this fall, many districts are beginning the new academic year online. Education Week is tracking the reopening plans of schools across the country, and as of August 21, 21 of the 25 largest school districts are choosing remote learning as their back-toschool instructional model, affecting over 4.5 million students. With a need for a dedicated learning space, it may be time to find a larger home to provide your children with the same kind of quiet room to focus on their schoolwork, just like you likely need for your office work.

We are partnering with European Street Cafe to share this delicious offer with you! European Street Cafe has been a staple in the local community for 40 years. And for a limited time, you’re invited to enjoy a FREE entrée when you purchase an entrée of equal or greater value with two drinks. I am grateful to have clients like you! Connect with me today! Your FOREVER Agent. Your FOREVER Brand. Ashley Agent REALTOR®

3. A Home Gym: Staying healthy and active is a top priority for many Americans. With various levels of concern around the safety of returning to health clubs across the country, dreams of space for a home gym are growing stronger. The Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans explains: For many in quarantine, a significant decrease in activity is more than a vanity issue – it’s a mental health issue. Having room to maintain a healthy lifestyle at home – mentally and physically – may prompt you to consider a new place to live that includes space for at-home workouts. 4. Outdoor Space: Especially for those living in an apartment or a small townhouse, this is a new priority for many as well. Zillow also notes the Your Office Address benefits of being able to use123 yard space throughout the year:

Your City, FL 00000

People want more space in their next home, and one way to get it is by turning part of the backyard into a functional room, ‘an outdoor space for play as well as entertaining or cooking.' You may, however, not have the extra square footage today to have these designated areas – indoor or out. Moving May Be Your Best OptionIf you're clamoring for extra space to accommodate your family's changing needs, making a move may be your best bet, especially while you can take advantage of today's low mortgage rates. Low rates are making homes more affordable than they have been in years. According to Black Knight: Buying power for those shopping for a home is up 10% year over year, with home buyers able to afford nearly $32,000 more home than they could have 1 year ago while keeping their monthly payment the same. It's a great time to get more home for your money, just when you need the extra space. Bottom Line: People are moving for a variety of different reasons today, and many families' needs have changed throughout the year. If you've been trying to decide if now is the time to buy a new home, let's connect to discuss your needs.

Purchase Mortgages

The number of buyers getting a mortgage to purchase a home is a strong indicator of the strength of a housing market. Below is a graph of the week-over-week percent change in that number, as reported by the Mortgage Bankers’ Association

The number dropped dramatically in March and mid-April when the economy FOLD was shut down in response to COVID. It increased substantially from later in April through the middle of June. The strong increase in May and June was the result of the pent-up demand from earlier in the spring along with the normal business that would have been done during that time.

A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates, LLC.

Mr. and Mrs. John Doe 1234 Address Lane Jacksonville, Florida 31234

NORTHEAS

JUST HO

Pending Contracts

Like purchase mortgages, pending contracts are also a powerful ACCORDING TO ZILLOW: In 2020, homes went from the place people returned to after indicator of the strength of the real estate market. Zillow reports work, school, hitting the gym or vacationing, to the place where families do all of the each week on the percent change in the number of homes going into above. For those who now spend the majority of their hours at home, there's a growing contract. Here’s a graph of their data: wish list of what they'd change about their homes, if possible.

The graph With a new perspective on homeownership, here are some of the top reasons people are mirrors the reconsidering where they live and making moves this year. one above, 1. Working from Home: Remote work is becoming the new norm in 2020, and it's continuing on longer than most initially expected. Many in the showing workforce today are discovering they don't need to live close to the office anymore, and they can get more for their money if they move a little further a drop in outside the city limits. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors (NAR) notes:

early spring

With the sizable shift in remote work, current homeowners are looking for larger homes and this will lead to a secondary level of demand even into followed 2021. If you've tried to convert your guest room or your room into a home office with minimal success, it may be time to find a larger home. The bydining a strong reality is, your current house may not be optimally designed for this kind of space, making remote work and continued productivity very challenging.

recovery in

and are beginning the new academic year online. Education Week is tracking the 2. Virtual Schooling: With school about to restart thislate fall, spring many districts reopening plans of schools across the country, and asearly of August 21, 21 of the 25 largest school districts are choosing remote learning as their back-tosummer. school instructional model, affecting over 4.5 million students. Then, in July, it With a need for a dedicated learning space, it may be time to find a larger home to provide your children with the same kind of quiet room to focus on a consistent level of That level, for purchase their schoolwork, justdeals. like you likely needlike for the yourone office work.

Purchase

The number of buyers getting strong indicator of the strength of the week-over-week percen by the Mortgage

mortgages, is well ahead of the level seen last year. The last 3. A revealed Home Gym: Staying healthy and were active16.9% is a top prioritythan for many report that pending deals greater the Americans. With various levels of concern around the safety of returning to health clubs across the country, dreams of space for a home gym are growing stronger. The Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans same time last year.earlier in the spring along with the normal explains: business that would have been done during that time. For many in quarantine, a significant decrease in activity is more than a vanity issue – it’s a mental health issue. Since July, the market has remained consistent on a weekly Having room to maintain a healthy lifestyle at home – mentally and physically – may prompt you to consider a new place to live that includes space for basis, but still reflects a double-digit increase from the levels Bottom Line: Both indicators prove the housing market at-home workouts. one year ago. The August 12 report shows a whopping 22% recovered quickly from the early setback caused by the shelter4. Outdoor Space: Especially for that thoseAmericans living in an have apartment or a the small townhouse, this is a new priority for many as well. Zillow also notes the increase over last year. in-home orders. They also show realized benefits of being able to use yard space throughout the year: importance of their homes during this time and are buying more houses than they did priorinto thenext pandemic. People want more space their home, and one way to get it is by turning part of the backyard into a functional room, ‘an outdoor space for play Source: Keeping Current Matters

904-000-0000 Ashley.Agent@FloridaNetworkRealty.com AAgent.FloridaNetworkRealty.com TO REDEEM: Valid all day Saturday and Sunday, and after 2PM Monday through Friday. Dine-in only. Not valid with any other offer. For locations, please visit: EuropeanStreet.com. Duplication of this coupon constitutes fraud. Offer expires 12/31/2020.

Insid

The St

MAILING ADDRESS

The Top Reasons People Are Moving This Year

1. Working from Home: Remote work is becoming the new norm in 2020, and it's continuing on longer than most initially expected. Many in the workforce today are discovering they don't need to live close to the office anymore, and they can get more for their money if they move a little further outside the city limits. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors (NAR) notes: With the sizable shift in remote work, current homeowners are looking for larger homes and this will lead to a secondary level of demand even into 2021. If you've tried to convert your guest room or your dining room into a home office with minimal success, it may be time to find a larger home. The reality is, your current house may not be optimally designed for this kind of space, making remote work and continued productivity very challenging.

REAL

N O R T H E A S T F L O R I D A U P D A T E - S P ECompliments CIAL ED of:I T I O N

The Top Reasons People Are Moving This Year

FOLD

The State of the Housing Market

MAILING ADDRESS Mr. and Mrs. John Doe 1234 Address Lane Jacksonville, Florida 31234

Kevin M. Waugaman Managing Broker 333 Village Main Street, Suite 670 Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082 904.123.4567

as well as entertaining or cooking.'

You may, however, not have the extra square footage today to have these designated areas – indoor or out. Moving May Be Your Best OptionIf you're clamoring for extra space to accommodate your family's changing needs, making a move may be your best mortgage rates. Low rates are making homes more affordable than they have been in years. According to Black Knight:

© 2020 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices bet, especially while youlisted can advantage today's low symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity. Information not verified or guaranteed. If your home is currently withtake a Broker, this is not intended as a of solicitation

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Buying power for those shopping for a home is up 10% year over year, with home buyers able to afford nearly $32,000 more home than they could have 1 year ago while keeping their monthly payment the same. It's a great time to get more home for your money, just when you need the extra space. Bottom Line: People are moving for a variety of different reasons today, and many families' needs have changed throughout the year. If you've been trying to decide if now is the time to buy a new home, let's connect to discuss your needs.

substantially from later in Ap The strong increase in May an pent-up demand from earlier normal business that would h

Since July, the market has re basis, but still reflects a dou one year ago. The August 12 increase over last year.

For more information about AutoFlow or to join, please contact: AutoFlow@FloridaNetworkRealty.com Custom marketing? Please visit: www.AgentMarketingForm.com -10-

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CODE OF ETHICS TRAINING TOOL

National Association of REALTORS® now offers a new tool to check on your NAR Code of Ethics status. It’s easy to use and it will tell you if you have completed the required NAR Code of Ethics for current cycles. Please use this link to check on your Code of Ethics status for NAR: NEW TRAINING SELECTION TOOL. Try it, you will like it!

Always listen to your gut and trust your instincts.

Stay alert and always let the client walk first into each room.

Carry a self-defense weapon. Know your options and know the rules.

Tell co-workers and family where you are at all times.

Use technology and tools to prioritize safety.

Educate yourself through training and self-defense classes.

Create a safety plan.

Source: Homelight.com; December 30, 2019; article by Iona Brannon

CLICK HERE TO REVIEW THE COMPLETE ARTICLE -11-

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Florida Network PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

ÂŠ2020 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity. Information not verified or guaranteed. If your home is currently listed with a Broker, this is not intended as a solicitation.