Press Release | 11-18-09
EMPIRE REALTY ASSOCIATES WELCOMES REALTOR®, PEGGE TRAIL

DANVILLE – Empire Realty Associates is excited to announce that REALTOR®, Pegge Trail, has joined the Danville office.

Pegge began her Real Estate career in 1990, establishing herself first as a member of an all broker firm and then subsequently as a broker-owner of Iron Horse Realty. She was part of a dynamic team that specialized in assisting countless buyers and sellers through the comprehensive process of fine property transactions throughout our market areas. She has a solid real estate background and has successfully navigated several niches while specializing in equestrian ranches and probate transactions. She has stayed focused on continuing to improve her skills throughout her career, ultimately becoming a Certified Residential Specialist, a member of the Council of Real Estate Specialists (CRS), a Certified Foreclosure Specialist (CFS) and a Seniors Residential Specialist (SRES).

“Pegge brings extensive industry and local market expertise. She has established herself in the local Danville market and surrounding areas and maintains a solid track record. We welcome Pegge to the Empire Realty family and look forward to much shared success.” says Hank Perry, President of Empire Realty Associates.

Pegge has focused a majority of her real estate sales activities in Danville and surrounding areas. For more information please contact her at PTrail@EmpireRA.com or at 925-217-5033. 

Press Release | 11-17-09
EMPIRE REALTY ASSOCIATES HOSTS A ONE WARM COAT DRIVE

DANVILLE & WALNUT CREEK – Empire Realty Associates is participating in a One Warm Coat drive.  They will be collecting gently used coats, jackets, and sweatshirts now until January 15^th at both the Danville and Walnut Creek offices.

The goal is to provide any person in need with a warm coat, free of charge. The dream is that One Warm Coat will become part of the American lifestyle. When a coat is no longer needed, people will think of One Warm Coat and donate their gently used items.  More than 1 million coats have been collected and distributed since 1992. Empire is excited to contribute to this important cause because it allows them to give back and support their local communities.

“I am really proud to be a part of One Warm Coat.  It is such a worthy cause and I encourage people to check their closets to see what gently used coats, jackets, and sweatshirts they can donate.  I support our community and will do whatever I can to help people in need.” says REALTOR®, Julie Sullivan.

Please support One Warm Coat and bring your coats to 380 Diablo Road, Danville or to 1261 Locust Street, Walnut Creek.  The offices are open Monday through Friday between 8:30am – 5pm.  They will be collecting until January 15^th.

For more information, please contact Julie Sullivan at 925.200.3411 or at julie@julie-sullivan.com.

Press Release | 11-12-09
EMPIRE REALTY ASSOCIATES PARTICIPATES IN THE ADOPT AN ANGEL PROGRAM FOR THE EIGHTH YEAR

DANVILLE—Linda and Frank Cookson, Partners and Suzanne Masella, REALTOR® at Empire Realty Associates are directing the efforts of both the Danville and Walnut Creek offices, as they participate in the Adopt-An-Angel Program. This annual gift drive, sponsored by the Contra Costa County Volunteer and Emergency Services, collects new, wrapped gifts for foster children ranging from infancy to 18 years old. The Cookson’s have participated in this program for thirteen years and Empire Realty has participated since the Company was founded in 2002.

The Adopt-An-Angel Program, through its generous volunteers and supporters, helps bring joy to so many children in need and to the foster parents who nurture them. Each year they have provided over 2,000 gifts to children.  Gift requests from the children have ranged from the latest toy, to a warm jacket, to bedding.

“The Adopt-an-Angel Program is enthusiastically supported by our agents and staff every year,” states Linda Cookson. “Many of our agents and staff choose “Angels” with similar ages of their own children and involve their children in the gift purchase. It’s a meaningful way to teach our children about the importance of lending a helping hand to those less fortunate and is a reminder to be grateful for all our many blessings. Frank and I are honored to participate in this annual event.”

This year, more than ever, they need the support of the community.  There are more children in foster care and fewer foster parents have the resources to provide for the children.  A small, concerted effort by many can go such a long way to bring a smile to brighten a child’s face. Thanks to this program, the community, and the agents and staff of Empire Realty Associates, there will be a little more joy this holiday season.

For more information about the Adopt-An-Angel Program, please contact Linda and Frank Cookson at Linda@LindaCookson.com or at (925) 217-5028.

Press Release | 11-5-09
EMPIRE REALTY ASSOCIATES WELCOMES REALTOR® MOJI HAKIMI TO THEIR DANVILLE OFFICE

DANVILLE – Empire Realty is proud to announce REALTOR® Moji Hakimi is joining their Danville office. Moji joins his wife, Empire Realty Partner and top producing agent, Floria Hakimi. Moji brings to Empire 20 years experience in the high tech industry specializing in customer service and customer relations. His experience includes working and managing 40 people in manufacturing hard drive as well as working with customers on one on one basis.

Moji loves to work with people and having a strong technical and analytical background will certainly be an added value to the clients that he and Floria work with.

Moji says, “I have watched my wife Floria for over 20 years excel at this business, and now in the economy that we are in, I see a real opportunity to sharpen our skills and become better and stronger for our clients. Owning a home is the ‘American Dream’ and I am proud to be in an industry that helps to achieve this dream,”

“Moji is extremely patient and steadfast. He puts people at ease. Our skill sets complement each other. I am really excited to be working with him! I know he brings a tremendous amount of value to our clientele,” says Floria Hakimi.

Floria and Moji work with buyers and sellers throughout the Diablo and Tri-Valley areas. For more information, visit www.FloriaHakimi.com

Press Release | 11-4-09
EMPIRE REALTY ASSOCIATES WELCOMES REALTOR® JILL FUSARI TO THEIR DANVILLE OFFICE

DANVILLE - Jill Fusari, an established leader in residential real estate in Contra Costa, has joined Empire Realty Associates in Danville.  A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, Jill immersed herself in business upon obtaining her degree in Social Sciences, first working with Williams-Sonoma as a buyer, and subsequently with her family business.  An elite athlete and competitive swimmer, Jill swam for the highly ranked NCAA Golden Bears swim team as a nationally ranked swimmer while she was a student at CAL.  She attributes her solid track record in real estate during the past five years to many of the experiences and trials she had at the prestigious Berkeley campus, both in the academic arena and in the competitive swimming field.  
 
“As a property specialist, I specialize in Alamo, Danville, San Ramon, and Blackhawk Real Estate. I live in Alamo with my husband and two children, and am firmly rooted in my community and what it has to offer those that live here. I have always placed high expectations on myself, and I am continually inspired to perform at the best of my ability.  One of my greatest accomplishments is the sophisticated concierge approach I developed while caring for my customers for the 16 years I spent in the Restaurant Equipment Industry.  Pride in the family business translated into providing my clients with the highest level of professionalism, informed counseling, skilled negotiating, and follow up that often exceeded their expectations. I am proud to extend my professional brand to include the concierge approach that Empire Realty Associates offers. Partnering with one of the most vibrant and elite real estate teams in the Greater Bay Area elevates the level of service I provide to all of my clients. It is my top priority to provide unparalleled expertise, service, and results that will earn your trust and referrals.” – Jill Fusari

Jill works with buyers and sellers throughout the Diablo and Tri-Valley areas. For more information, contact Jill at (925) 817-7818 or JFusari@EmpireRA.com

Press Release | 11-2-09
EMPIRE REALTY ASSOCIATES CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD JUDI KEENHOLTZ  ATTENDS LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

WALNUT CREEK – Empire Realty Associates Chairman of the Board Judi Keenholtz attended Brainstormers, an exclusive members-only leadership conference October 27-29 in Las Vegas Nevada. Featured speakers included well-known thought leaders and social media gurus such as: Marc Davison (from 1000 Watt Consulting) and Thad Wong (from @Properties). Judi is the Membership Chairman for Brainstormers.

Formed in 1955, Brainstormers is an organization whose members are owners or chief executive officers of independent, multi-office, primarily residential real estate companies located throughout the United States. Members meet in a non-competitive environment to compare, share, and explore proved methods or innovative concepts to improve individual brokerages, internal operations, or marketing strategies.

 “In today’s changing world, I find being a member of Brainstormers particularly beneficial to Empire Realty. The value of Brainstormers is the open exchange of ideas that help all members focus on the consumer, evaluate businesses strategy, and establish trusted personal and business relationships nationwide,” says Keenholtz.

Empire Realty works with buyers and sellers throughout the East Bay. For more information please contact Judi at JKeenholtz@EmpireRA.com or at 925.465.2000 or www.judikeenholtz.com

Press Release | 11-2-09
EMPIRE REALTY ASSOCIATES OFFERS EXCLUSIVE HOLIDAY PASS TO BAY AREA’S LARGEST JEWELRY SELECTION

DANVILLE – Empire Realty Associates is offering an exclusive holiday passport to 888 Brannan (formerly known as the Giftcenter and Jewelrymart).  The holiday passport will allow you and two guests to shop for wholesale jewelry, fashion accessories, apparel and gifts during special holiday times. 

888 Brannan has the largest selection of diamonds and jewelry and are located in historic South of Market.  Being a wholesale and by appointment facility, 888 Brannan is not open to the public.  The passport is required if anyone from the public would like to shop during their special holiday hours.

For an exclusive holiday pass, please contact Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, at 925.217.5004 or at KLance@EmpireRA.com. (QTY is limited)

Press Release | 10-30-09
EMPIRE REALTORS SANDI MITCHELL AND BRIAN WILLINGHAM FORM NEW PARTNERSHIP IN LAMORINDA AREA

WALNUT CREEK – Empire Realty Associates REALTOR® Brian Willingham and Empire Realty Associates Partner Sandi Mitchell, are proud to announce that they have partnered to bring their real estate sales experience to the Lamorinda market. Combined, Sandi and Brian have over 30 years of local real estate knowledge and expertise.

Sandi is the current President of the Lafayette Rotary Club & Board member of the Lafayette Chamber. Sandi has made her home in Lafayette & conducted her real estate business there since 1981.

"With such deep roots and knowledge of the area, we are excited to offer Lamorinda homeowners the benefit of this new relationship. Also, I am thrilled to have this young man working with me to marry my 'years of experience' and combining his 'new generation' of talents which I believe provides a strong team covering a broad spectrum of talents!" said Sandi Mitchell.

Brian is a resident of Orinda and has been in real estate for six years. Brian says, "I am excited about the opportunity to partner with Sandi and most importantly, excited to offer Lamorinda homeowners the benefits of this new relationship."

Brian and Sandi both realize that this ever changing real estate market requires a proactive and an innovative approach to serve their past, present and future clients. By partnering together, they will be able to provide topnotch, professional real estate services to the diverse residents of Lamorinda.

For more information please contact Sandi at 925.451.8308 or Brian at 925.366.3276 or visit them at www.sandimitchell.com


Press Release | 10-27-09
EMPIRE REALTY ASSOCIATES WELCOMES REALTOR®, MARY BONHAM

DANVILLE – Empire Realty Associates is excited to announce REALTOR®, Mary Bonham, has joined the Danville office. 

Mary is a 15 year veteran of real estate.  Her professional experience includes commercial real estate sales and marketing, residential and commercial zoning law, and residential real estate sales and marketing.  Her residential real estate path has been very productive and busy and has built her solid reputation among other REALTORS®.
“Mary brings enormous energy and community involvement to Empire, along with a solid track record in business and sales. She also has extensive knowledge in many of Contra Costa’s finest neighborhoods. We welcome Mary to the Empire family and look forward to much shared success” says Hank Perry, President of Empire Realty Associates.

Mary is a 14 year resident of Alamo, where she lives in Whitegate with her husband Rob, and their 11-year old son Wiley.  She exudes a warm and positive energy and Empire is proud to welcome her to the office.

Mary has focused her real estate sales activities in Walnut Creek, Alamo, and Danville, and her knowledge and abilities often take her into many other of Contra Costa’s fine communities to assist both buyers and sellers.  Please contact Mary at MBonham@EmpireRA.com or at 925.997.1787.

Join the Conversation! Follow us on: