NORTH POCONO – Kathy Skillman, Realtor® with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates has been ranked #4 in the Top 10 Wikiteers for 2009.  Wendy Forsythe, VP Network Services at Corporate Headquarters in Parsippany, NJ, made this announcement.

The Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Sales Wiki is an interactive, online encyclopedia of sales tips, dialogs and helpful hints to help real estate agents strengthen their skills and close more business.  It also acts as an internal andintra-ternal networking tool for all Better Homes and Gardens Realtors® coast to coast. BHG Agents access the Wiki from the Greenhouse, an on line domain reserved for BHG Agents managers and owners.

In 2009 Realtors®, Managers and Owners alike, across the system contributed to the Wiki sharing their tips and dialogs with others.  Skillman, of the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates North Pocono office contributed this tip: “Presenting an Offer in Person” which won her the #4 spot in the Top 10 Wiki contributors for 2009.

The #1 spot was won by Gary Nobile of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Ventura Barnett located in San Jose, California.  Nobile is a frequent contributor to the Wiki.  His entry, Closing a Buyer at a Showing won him high honors in the top ten.

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates operate five (5) offices throughout northeast Pennsylvania.  All offices are open 7 days a week. They can be visited on line at www.wilkins1.com.

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Bushkill– Amna Khawaja has joined Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Wilkins & Associates and will be working out of their Bushkill office, announces the company’s SVP/GM, Dominick J. Sacci.

Amna graduated from the Pocono Real Estate Academy in 2007. She will specialize in residential and first time home buyers. Amna has a Bachelors in Psych and Journalism.

Khawaja is originally from Pakistan and has lived in the Poconos for the last 6 years. She enjoys spending time with her two children in East Stroudsburg.

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Bushkill –Audrey C. Jones has joined Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Wilkins & Associates and will be working out of their Bushkill office, announces the company’s SVP/GM, Dominick J. Sacci.

Audrey graduated from the Pocono Real Estate Academy in 2006, and has additional education from the Mechanics Institute in construction technology and methodology. Along with pursuing a career in the real estate industry, she will also remain employed at R.K.R. Hess Associates in Stroudsburg.

Jones originates from Brooklyn, NY, and has been living in the Poconos for the last twelve years. She was recruited by the company’s Senior Vice President, Dominick Sacci, and will focus on first time home buyers and relocations.

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Bushkill -  Does that sound unusual to you…well it doesn’t to Bill Warnagiris, Realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates.  Not when he uses Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and their new “Wells Fargo Rapid Track Program”.

Bill had the pleasure of working with buyer, Tom Perkins in the purchase of 1313 Beach Street, Locust Lake in Pocono Pines, Pennsylvania.  Because it was a foreclosure and getting ready to go to auction, Bill had no other choice but to make sure that they could close it on January 29^th.  That was January 13^th,  He went to Sonia Wolbert, Loan Specialist at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, and told her of the tight time parameter that he had.

Sonia took the mortgage application on January 15^th and on Monday, January 18^th Mr. Perkins had a loan commitment.  Said Sonia Wolbert ,”The Wells Fargo Rapid Track Program can close conventional loans in 10 days and FHA in 15 days for the right buyer.  Mr. Perkins was the right buyer!”

Said Waranagiris, “I was really worried that Wells Fargo couldn’t do it, but I’ve got to be honest with you…they did it and they did it with time to spare.  Everyone was ready to close on the 27^th, two days before the required deadline.”

But Wells Fargo wasn’t the only one who had to hustle, so did Pennsylvania First Settlement Services.  They needed to have title and the closing package ready in what was 10 days.  When the order got to Craig Roberts, President of PA1st, he didn’t let any grass grow under his feet.  He got right on it.  “I know we had to perform; Bill is one of our Realtor Friends and he’s what our business is all about…making it happen.” said Roberts.

PA1st is a member of the Better Homes and Gardens Wilkins & Associates Independent Family of Home Buying Services.

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates tout their Independent Family of Home Buying Services and this is an excellent example of where partners in the home buying business work together.  The Perkins closing was held at Pennsylvania First Settlement Services, a member of the Family.  Warnagiris used Pennsylvania First because of their great working relationship with Wells Fargo.  “Everything went absolutely seamlessly when we got to closing at Pennsylvania First.  In fact, it was the new HUD and the new GFE.  I think it was one of the first that PA1st did.” said Warnagiris.

Tom Wilkins, CEO and founder of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates couldn’t agree more.  “Our average closing is 40 days from contract to closing date when our buyers use all the Independent Family services.  All our partners are so well versed with the paperwork, procedures, policies, and know how the other person’s company operates which is one of the main reasons it runs so smoothly.”  “In this particular transaction, to do it in 15 days…well, what can I say!” stated Wilkins.  “Each member is also well versed in cross-selling the other services–it makes a difference.” said Wilkins.

When a buyer buys through Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates Independent Family, they have the opportunity to use Pennsylvania First for their settlement services, Global Home USA for the home warranties, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and their various programs for all types of buyers, “Get-Connected” an affordable utility hook-up and NEPA Management Associates if any maintenance work needs to be done on the home, post closing. 

The Independent Family was started by Wilkins and Roberts in 2001 and has been an important part of their business ever since.  “Craig and I wanted to combine buyer services and make the home buying experience one that our valued buyers don’t forget.” said Wilkins.  “It’s an important part of their lives and satisfied Realtors send PA1st a lot of new buyers; I like that!”  said Roberts.

If you are looking for a good Realtor, Bill Warnagiris can be reached at the Bushkill office at (570) 588-3440 or online at william.warnagiris@bhgrealestate.com.  If you need a mortgage, call Sonia Wolbert who’s available at (570) 424-1107 or online at onia.wolbert@wellsfargo.com.

In closing, chucked Wolbert, “We could have closed sooner, if I really had to, but 15 days was good enough to get this blog.”

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West End– Thomas Waslowski has joined Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Wilkins & Associates and will be working out of their Brodheadsville office, announces the company’s SVP/GM, Dominick J. Sacci.

Tom graduated from the Pocono Real Estate Academy in November. He has additional education from the Niagara College of Applied Arts & Technology. Tom has spent the prior 16 years working in the luggage and leather goods industry in retail management.

Waslowski is originally from Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada and has lived in the Poconos for the last 10 years. He enjoys spending time outdoors golfing, hunting, cycling, gardening, and hiking.

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