In the News:

For Chris Nelson, the path to success in real estate is paved with hard work, marketing skills, and a strong belief in customer service.  He does what it takes to get the job done, whether it’s pursuing ongoing training opportunities, utilizing the latest in technology, or drawing upon his marketing skills to best promote his clients’ properties.  Straightforward and friendly, Chris is in the business to succeed. 

Chris, who grew up in Ventura County, says that he has “lived in nearly every city in the county.”  He studied Business Management at Ventura College before joining Wells Fargo Bank, where he gained experience in mortgage loans.  He later worked in sales and management at area health clubs, and most recently, a marketing project for a prominent local medical center which gave him invaluable marketing and advertising experience.

The move to real estate came after a personal transaction that didn’t meet up to Chris’s expectations.  “I thought about how the whole process could have been a better experience, and I realized that I had the skills and the desire to make that happen,” he says.  “With a background in management, sales and marketing, I found the opportunity to market my own services both interesting and exciting.”  The ability to be in complete control of his own time and business success was another draw, so Chris decided to earn his real estate license.

After passing the exam, Chris interviewed several offices before deciding to join Troop Real Estate.  “Troop seemed to have the best program for helping me kick start my business, and offered training beyond the basics that would help me to make a successful career for myself in real estate,” he explains. 

Chris points to an 11-part training course, which assists REALTORS® with everything from contracts, to marketing, to negotiation skills, as one way that Troop Realty supports its sales associates.  The workshop, available to all Troop agents, is an ongoing opportunity for sales associates to learn or keep up with the many facets of their business.  Online daily coaching sessions, he says, have been another valuable tool to help him remain focused and improve his transactions.  And the office meetings, which boast a huge turnout, are informative sessions where Chris and his colleagues learn about the newest developments from the National Association of REALTORS® as well as the California Association of REALTORS®.

“Our management team supports Troop REALTORS® through difficult aspects of transactions, as well as by answering questions and encouraging us,” adds Chris.  “At every level, they’re a great resource for the office’s sales associates, helping us to best serve our clients.”

Chris, who specializes in residential properties, says that he enjoys the opportunity to work with individuals and help them to accomplish their goals, “whether it’s selling a property for a good profit, or helping them find the perfect place to live.”  He works throughout Ventura County, including Camarillo, Oxnard and Ventura, as well as Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Moorpark.

As a lifelong resident of Ventura County, Chris is able to offer his clients an in-depth knowledge of the communities within the region.  “I’m able to compare areas, and find what’s best going to suit an individual client’s needs,” he notes.  Colleagues have also tapped into Chris’ knowledge, and utilize him as a resource when they have questions on area neighborhoods.

Chris, who currently lives in Camarillo with wife Shari and their nine year-old son Joshua, enjoys spending time with family and friends, working out and playing sports.  He sees a bright future for himself in real estate, and says that he plans to continue to work with Troop Real Estate.  “I want to make each year more productive than the last, to grow my business regardless of where the market goes,” he reveals.  “Working with Troop will give me the opportunity to focus on my business and my clients, and I’m looking forward to seeing just how far I can go.”

12/13/06

ENHANCED TROOP STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2007 EYES MAXIMUM CLIENT, AGENT SUCCESS IN SALE PROCESS

SIMI VALLEY, CA – Striving to maximize opportunities for its agents and clients throughout Ventura County based on projections for the 2007 real estate market, Troop Real Estate, Inc. announces  “an intensified strategic plan that accents seller and buyer satisfaction”  with the transaction process.

“In analyzing what sellers need in today’s real estate climate to insure the highest sales prices for their homes with the least amount of transaction stress,  Troop’s management team has ratcheted up to an even more aggressive marketing campaign than is currently in place.

This includes a host of state-of-the-art ways in which the agent can promote the seller’s property, while providing buyers a better understanding of the buying process,” said Laura Lee Anthony, general manager for Troop.

Anthony listed a range of Troop programs aimed specifically at advancing the success of its agents and clients. They include printdepartment.com, a web–based, on demand print and mail marketing service, and Troop.comTV, an award-winning cable TV program that has showcased over 2000 homes for sale and is the only real estate TV series in the region.

In another program designed to increase agent and clients opportunities, company President Brian Troop this week announced (Dec. 11)  Troop’s alliance with Emerging Markets of North America, Inc., which he said will “greatly expand opportunities for agents and investors to diversify their portfolios to other parts of California and the West.”

Scottsdale, AZ-based Emerging Markets of North America provides programs geared toward working with agents and investors for the purchase of condominiums in emerging markets, including Arizona and the Las Vegas, NV area.  Emerging Markets indentifies pre-leased condo projects for acquisition, provides on-site management, and establishes guaranteed rents”, Troop said.

Other key initiatives integral to Troop’s expanded marketing program for the New Year include a variety of customer “giveaway” programs.  This includes big ticket gifts such as trips, appliances and vehicles.

Citing the success of its in-house mediation service in helping buyers and sellers work through escrow issues, thus avoiding potential legal action, Troop managers will maintain and expand that program in 2007.

Anthony noted that Troop’s comprehensive advertising program, central to the company’s volume leadership position in Ventura County, will continue in such diversified media as the Ventura County Star, Daily News, the Acorn, Su Casa, Homes and Land, Caravan Express, and Luxury Real Estate.com.

Enhancing this is the company’s Relocation and Corporate Division which focuses on introducing buyers and sellers, and expansion and re-configuration of Troop’s commercial division to take advantage of equity build-up among clients.

Troop’s coverage of the marketplace, said Anthony, was also advanced last year with the opening of new offices in Ojai and at Big Sky/Simi Valley.  This brings the company’s office network to 15.

Anthony concluded that Troop will continue to be a leader in giving back to the communities it serves.  This includes a variety of local charities, as well as countywide efforts such as its annual Thanksgiving “Turkey-A-Thon” , which this year provided holiday meals for over 7000 needy people.

Established in 1987, Troop Real Estate, Inc. is Ventura County’s largest brokerage and has perennially been a leader in the county’s residential market for the number and dollar volume of listings sold.  The company, with approximately 650 seasoned sales professionals, provides the full range of residential, property management, REO, commercial, financial, new homes, escrow, estate homes and relocation services.

Troop offices are located in Simi Valley, Simi/Wood Ranch, Big Sky Ranch/Simi,  Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Moorpark, Camarillo, Channel Islands, Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Malibu, Ojai and Bakersfield.

12/11/06

TROOP EXPANDS COMMERCIAL DIVISION; PARLAYS STRENGTH OF 16-OFFICE NETWORK 

SANTA PAULA, CA – Leveraging the strength of its 16-office network and 650 agents in Ventura County and environs, Troop Real Estate, Inc. announces the expansion and re-configuration of its commercial real estate division into a team concept bridging East and West Ventura County, announces Scott Dunbar, manager of the division.

Dunbar said 10 agents with an aggregate of 175 years of experience in commercial real estate now comprise the bolstered Troop division.

“We have identified those Troop agents who already possess significant experience with commercial properties.  We are taking advantage of their background and referral capabilities,” Dunbar said.

 Dunbar noted that a major impetus for the strengthened Troop commercial group is the opportunity to work with clients who have built substantial equity in the real estate market.

“With fixed rates continuing as low as six percent, now could be a great time for many to parlay that equity into commercial properties,” Dunbar said.

In announcing Troop’s new commercial division, Dunbar listed the group’s marketing team, all top producing agents in the business.  In addition to Dunbar, the group features John Savarese of Troop’s Ventura office; Sean Morris of the Santa Paula office; Troy Markas, Westlake office; Tony Hershman, Moorpark; Joe Ahearn, Camarillo; Mike Miller, Big Sky Ranch; Matthew Ghafouri, Ventura; Gina Martinez, east county property management office, and Linda Lee, east county commercial office.

Dunbar has over 30 years experience as an owner of various agricultural businesses in Ventura County and San Joaquin Valley.  He is a licensed real estate broker with the GRI designation and accredited land consultant designee.

Established in 1987, Troop Real Estate, Inc. is reportedly Ventura County’s largest brokerage and has perennially been a leader in the county’s residential market for the number and dollar volume of listings sold.  The company, with approximately 650 seasoned sales professionals, provides the full range of residential, property management, REO, commercial, financial, new homes, escrow, estate homes and relocation services.

Troop offices are located in Simi Valley, Simi/Wood Ranch, Big Sky Ranch/Simi, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Moorpark, Camarillo, Channel Islands, Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Malibu, Ojai and Bakersfield.

11/28/06

TROOP ‘FAMILY’ PROVIDES THANKSGIVING DINNERS FOR OVER 7000 OF VENTURA COUNTY’S NEEDY

SIMI VALLEY, CA – Thanksgiving’s traditional warmth was felt by over 7000 needy individuals throughout Ventura County who might not have otherwise enjoyed it thanks to Troop Real Estate, Inc. and its agents who distributed turkey dinners with all the trimmings during its 8th Annual “Turkey-A-Thon”, announces Alex Gandel, project coordinator.

Gandel reports that over 1400 turkey dinners (each feeding a family of five) were presented Nov. 20 at Troop distribution points in Simi Valley, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, and Oxnard.  The Troop project was made possible through the cooperation of Care and Share in Simi Valley, Mana in Thousand Oaks, the Food Pantry in Moorpark, and Food Share in West County.

Making a significant contribution to the program were Troop’s own agents and affiliates who contributed $28,000 toward the program, Gandel said.

“Our program reaches out to more people every year, and that’s the goal.  Every volunteer from our company has touched at least one person who they don’t even know.  Giving thanks is what this holiday is all about, and sharing it with those in need,”  Gandel said.

 This year’s “Turkey-A-Thon” was particularly special for Gandel.  ‘”I couldn’t be quite as active as last year because I had a car accident and lost my father in a short span of time.  To watch my colleagues step in and take care of all these folks in need is extraordinary,”  Gandel said.

Commenting on Troop’s Thanksgiving program, John Garcia, agency relations coordinator for Food Share who worked with Troop’s West County offices where over 500 meals were distributed, said: “This is a great example of what a business does to give back to the community.  Troop puts their money where their mouth is,” Garcia said.

Troop’s Thanksgiving food drive presented needy individuals with a 14-pound turkey, stuffing, a five-pound bag of potatoes, green beans, cream of mushroom soup, Durkee onions, and fresh rolls.

Jisela Ramirez, family development worker for Rio First Five Ventura County, which aids children and families in the Rio community and who received 100 meals from the Troop program in Oxnard, said:  “This is the third year we have done this with Troop, and it really helps us out.”

Emilio Mora, manager of Troop’s Oxnard office, explained Troop’s inspiration for such a worthy cause:  “This is what Troop has been all about from the beginning – giving back to the community.  It’s about giving to people in need and giving thanks; it’s all about the people,” Mora said.

Established in 1987, Troop Real Estate, Inc. is reportedly Ventura County’s largest brokerage and has perennially been a leader in the county’s residential market for the number and dollar volume of listings sold.  The company, with approximately 650 seasoned sales professionals, provides the full range of residential, property management, REO, commercial, financial, new homes, escrow, estate homes and relocation services.

Troop offices are located in Simi Valley, Simi/Wood Ranch, Big Sky Ranch/Simi,  Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Moorpark, Camarillo, Channel Islands, Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Malibu, Ojai and Bakersfield.

11/17/06

TROOP PROVIDES AGENTS WITH ‘ON DEMAND’ ONLINE MARKETING TOOLS THROUGH PrintDepartment.com

 “PrintDepartment.com has a stellar reputation in the real estate industry for providing efficient, effective design and marketing tools that agents can quickly and easily use to target specific demographic and geographic segments.  In today’s competitive environment, these kinds of resources are invaluable to our real estate agents,” said Brian Troop.

As part of the affiliation, PrintDepartment.com developed a customized and secure URL address whereby Troop sales agents can select from corporate-design templates or upload their own custom-designed materials.  Once agents click the “send’ button, the print job is sent directly to PrintDepartment.com, which handles all the printing, bundling and customized mailing for each order.  Agents can create postcards, flyers, brochures, promotional items and newsletters for a single mailing or for an extended, strategic marketing plan.

“PrintDepartment.com worked very closely with us to customize the product to meet our specifc needs.  They also provided training, and it’s one of the most user-friendly systems I’ve ever seen.  It will be great for our new agents, as well as our seasoned pros,” said Anthony.

She pointed out that key features of PrintDepartment.com’s system include fast turnaround (24-hour delivery of property flyers to agents), immediate proofs, easy online ordering; choices from hundreds of designs, high quality paper stocks, hands-free mailing, the ability to plan for a month or year in advance, and the ability of agents to track all orders.

Established in 1987, Troop Real Estate, Inc. is reportedly Ventura County’s largest brokerage and has perennially been a leader in the county’s residential market for the number and dollar volume of listings sold.  The company, with approximately 650 seasoned sales professionals, provides the full range of residential, property management, REO, commercial, financial, new homes, escrow, estate homes and relocation services.

Troop offices are located in Simi Valley, Simi/Wood Ranch, Big Sky Ranch/Simi,  Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Moorpark, Camarillo, Channel Islands, Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Malibu, Ojai and Bakersfield.