Online Advantage

Prudential Gouger O'Neal & Saunders Real Estate, a Prudential Financial Inc. affiliate, has added Online Seller Advantage to its cutting-edge platform of online buyer and seller support programs.

Online Seller Advantage, a Web-based program offered through an exclusive marketing agreement between Prudential Real Estate Affiliates Inc., (PREA) and Yahoo! Real Estate, gives home sellers who list with Prudential Gouger O'Neal & Saunders Real Estate the option to have their homes featured on the Yahoo! Real Estate site, which may be viewed by home seekers worldwide.

A 'See it at Yahoo! Real Estate' sign rider at the top of their yard sign directs drive-by home searchers to Yahoo! Real Estate for listing details and photos.

Sellers also receive daily e-mail updates keeping them abreast of market conditions by letting them know how many people have viewed their home online, how many are keeping their home in their portfolios for later viewing, how many plan to view it in person and how many other homes like theirs are currently on the market.

"The Internet is the first stop for 78 percent of home buyers today who are researching the purchase of a new home," said Kay Beran, president of Prudential Gouger, O'Neal & Saunders Real Estate. "Now, local residents and consumers worldwide can access detailed information on your property via the largest portal on the Internet."

Online Seller Advantage is the newest addition to the Prudential Real Estate Platform, through which consumers can access detailed information on homes listed anywhere in the U.S.
Consumers who visit Yahoo!, click on Real Estate and type in a city or zip code, migrate to the Web site of the Prudential Real Estate office Web site nearest to that area, where they may gain access to fresh and current listings information on all homes listed with the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

The platform currently has more than two million listings in all 50 states, and nearly one million registered users.

"Our sales professionals have been fully trained to maximize these exclusive buyer and seller tools, which offer buyers and sellers the great breadth of exposure only available via a giant Internet portal," Beran said.

Yahoo! reaches more than 62 percent of all Internet users, drawing 95 million unique visitors each month, including seven million real-estate-related search-ers and more than two million unique visitors to Yahoo! Real Estate.

Prudential Real Estate Affiliates Inc. consists of companies that are selected based upon outstanding performance records, high levels of customer service and shared business values.
Upon joining Prudential Real Estate Affiliates Inc., companies are provided with many benefits, including access to a free and private Web site that links sales professionals to a 24/7 resource, and increased media exposure through an advertising campaign that encompasses some of America's most watched networks and print media. Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., is also the largest real estate advertiser in The Wall Street Journal.

Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services is Prudential Financial's integrated real estate brokerage franchise and relocation services business. The real estate group markets franchises primarily to existing real estate companies.
As of Dec. 31, there were nearly 2,000 franchise offices and more than 64,000 sales professionals in the franchise network in the United States and Canada. All franchisees are independently owned and operated.

Prudential Financial's real estate group began offering franchises in 1988 and is now one of the largest real estate brokerage franchise networks in North America.
Prudential Financial companies, with $532 billion in total assets under management as of Dec. 31, serve individual and institutional customers worldwide and include the Prudential Insurance Co. of America, one of the largest life insurance companies in the United States.

These companies offer a variety of products and services, including life insurance, mutual funds, annuities, pension and retirement related services and administration, asset management, securities brokerage, banking and trust services, real estate brokerage franchises and relocation services.

Koubek, Sessoms Honored

Prudential Gouger O'Neal & Saunders has recognized Pat Koubek in the Southern Pines office and Frank Sessoms of the Pinehurst office as the top winners for residential gross commission income for the quarter that ended Sept. 30.

"Pat Koubek and Frank Sessoms have both done a tremendous job of providing superior customer service and timely real estate advice to their respective clients," said Kay Beran, president of Prudential Gouger O'Neal & Saunders Real Estate. "I am extremely proud of their ability to provide the most efficient home buying and selling experience possible."

Prudential Gouger O'Neal & Saunders, which is independently owned and operated, became an affiliate of the Prudential Real Estate Network in 1996.

Prudential Gouger O'Neal & Saunders was founded more than 40 years ago. Since that time, it has earned a host of honors, including the Prudential Real Estate prestigious Cornerstone Award in recognition of operational cxcellence.The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates Inc., consists of companies that are selected based upon outstanding performance records, high levels of customer service and shared business values. Upon joining The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates Inc., companies are provided with many benefits, including access to a free and private Web site that links sales professionals to a 24/7 resource, and increased media exposure through an advertising campaign that encompasses some of America's most watched networks and print media.

Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services is Prudential Financial's integrated real estate brokerage franchise and relocation services business. The real estate group markets franchises primarily to existing real estate companies. As of Dec. 31, 2006, there were more than 1,750 franchise offices and over 50,000 sales professionals in the franchise network in the U.S. and Canada.

All franchisees are independently owned and operated. Prudential Financial's real estate group began offering franchises in 1988 and is now one of the largest real estate brokerage franchise networks in North America.

Prudential Gouger O'Neal & Saunders Takes Part in Global Volunteer Day

Prudential Financial employees, clients, customers, friends and family members gave back to their communities through the company's 12th annual celebration of volunteerism last month.
As part of this year's Global Volunteer Day campaign, more than 32,000 volunteers completed 800 projects in more than 12 countries around the world.

More than 40 volunteers from the Southern Pines office of Prudential Gouger O'Neal & Saunders helped out at the Sandhills Moore Coalition for Human Care on Saturday, Oct. 6.
"Our Prudential Real Estate sales professionals want to give back to the community where we live and work," says Kay Beran, president, Prudential Gouger O'Neal & Saunders. "This commitment to bettering our community is very strong, and part of our company's culture."

Prudential's first Global Volunteer Day, formerly known as National Volunteer Day, was held on Oct. 28, 1995, with 5,000 employees participating in 100 projects. Since then, nearly a quarter of a million employees, clients, customers and friends have donated more than 1.1 million volunteer hours to 5,169 projects around the globe.

Volunteer projects will take place in numerous small towns to major U.S. cities and other countries.

"Global Volunteer Day is shaped by employee interest, and as a result, Global Volunteer Day is one of the most diverse and personally engaging corporate volunteerism programs in existence," Beran said.

Global Volunteer Day includes all forms of community service, from doing home repairs for an elderly neighbor to preparing meals at a shelter. Volunteer projects that meet selected criteria earn a $1,000 Challenge Grant provided by the Prudential Foundation for the partnering nonprofit organization. To date, 1,928 projects have earned Challenge Grants totaling more than $1.928 million given to partnering organizations.

FAQ's About 545 Bennett Street

Prudential Gouger O'Neal & Saunders is excited to announce the opening of reservations for the dynamic development of 545 Bennett Street.

Nestled in the heart of North Carolina’s Sandhills is a premier location that combines the latest luxuries of living and commerce with the picturesque village feel. Southern Pines, located in Moore County, features a wide range of community establishments… from entertainment locales and recreational activities to upscale boutiques and five-star restaurants. 545 Bennett will be the perfect place to live - close to shopping, recreation and business.

Spend your weekends experiencing the award winning golf courses or your week days exploring the historic, tree-lined streets enjoying fine dining and shopping. Navigate the beautiful natural area surrounding Southern Pines on horse back, play tennis or swim in one of the many prestigious country clubs or take golf lessons in the same town which has hosted dozens of professional golf tournaments.

We have information available for you in person and online - whatever way you wish to discover this unique lifestyle, we are here to help you.

1. What is the first step for selecting a unit in 545 Bennett?

Let us help you become acquainted with the details of this residential and commercial development. Once you have discovered what you are interested in - the selection process is easy.

The client will select the location of the unit they wish based on the developers plan. Information and Plans are available online at http://www.545bennett.com/. The site selection includes townhomes and the mixed-use units for commercial space, flats and penthouse offerings.

2. How are the site selections secured?
We will take reservations with a refundable deposit ($2,500) to secure the unit the client wants.

3. When will the construction start and how long will it take to finish?
As soon as we have 7 deposits, the construction will begin. We anticipate that the townhomes will take 6 - 8 months for the first group to be completed. Once the project has begun, we anticipate a complete build-out in 24 months.

4. When does the deposit become non-refundable?
At the time the purchaser makes a final decision on the unit, the deposit will be non refundable and will be used by the developer for the construction. Additional funds will be required for the final contract.

5. Where will the construction start in the development?
The developer has marked the first phase of townhomes to be constructed along Illinois Ave.

6. How will the Broad Street Mixed Use building be reserved and developed?
The Office/Professional, Commercial space fronting on Broad Street will be reserved in the same manner as the townhomes. There are two main commercial spaces - One investor can buy both commercial spaces or each can be sold individually. Each space can be sub-divided as noted on the plans and built-out as needed for the desired use. The developer will complete the shell for the purchaser, just as they will complete the residential spaces.

7. How are selections made for materials in the units?
A list of products and allowances will be provided for the purchaser to select from. These selections can be coordinated with our decorator or yours.

8. Where can I see more information about the development?
Our Southern Pines office of Prudential Gouger O’Neal & Saunders (105 W Illinois Ave, Corner Illinois and Broad St – immediately next to this project) will be the base office for the sales of the project. We have renderings, floorplans and the project drawings available. For online details and information log on to: http://www.545bennett.com/. We can also coordinate a meeting with the architects for this development - Robert and Lynn Anderson of Southern Pines.

You may contact us at:
Prudential Gouger O'Neal & Saunders Real Estate
Southern Pines Office
Broad St Plaza
105 W Illinois Ave. Southern Pines, NC 28387
Phone: 910-692-2635
Toll-Free: 1-800-672-2228
Fax: 910-692-9793
545 Bennett direct line: 910-691-2844


9. Are there reservation forms available to review?
Both Reservation forms and Contracts will be provided by the developer through Prudential Gouger O’Neal & Saunders. We have reservation forms available for review.

10. How are the units priced?

545 Bennett Street Unit Prices are set as $$ per heated sq feet and are estimates only at this time. Adjustments would be made for changes and upgrades as contracted by the purchaser. Please find the following introductory prices:

Townhouses: Located on the Bennett side of the development: $165 per sq ft.

Unit E- 2375 sf, heated, gross; 2 BR, Den, 3.5 ba; 1 car garage: $391,875
Unit F- 2755 '' ; 2 BR, Den, 3.5 ba; 2 car garage: $454,575
Unit G- 1925 " ; 2 BR, Den, 3.5 ba; 1 car garage: $317,625
Unit H- 3100 " ; 3 BR, 3.5 ba; 2 car garage: $511,500

All have stair-accessible roof terraces (ea. approx. 15% of total heated area), and balconies. E,F,H have elevator-accessible floors.
G has option to be built with or without elevator and price would be adjusted accordingly.

Flats (in the mixed-use building): Located on the Broad St side: $200 per sq ft.
Unit 201- 1400 sf, plus 290 sf loggia; 1 BR, 1.5 ba.: $280,000
Unit 202- 1250 sf, plus 300 sf balcony; 1 BR, 1.5 ba.: $250,000
Unit 203- 1380 sf, plus 250 sf loggia; 1 BR, 1.5 ba.: $276,000
Unit 204- 2100 sf, plus 250 sf loggia, 130 sf balcony; 3 BR, 2.5 ba.: $420,000
Unit 205- 2100 sf, plus 290 sf loggia, 130 sf balcony; 3 BR, 2.5 ba.: $420,000

Penthouses (in mixed-us building):Located on Broad St side: $300 pr sq ft.

4 units – second floor of mixed use bldg with 2 car garage and roof garden. SQ footage TBD.

Mixed Use Commercial:

Can be purchased in total or in two parts: $190 per sq ft.

SE section- approx. 4050 sf maximum leasable; can be subdivided.: $769,500
NW section- approx. 3700 sf maximum leasable; can be subdivided.: $703,000
$1,4472,500 for both sections

545 Bennett Street

Breaking Records

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Prudential Gouger O’Neal & Saunders Breaks Sales Records

Client-focused real estate firm adds new customer services and online tools to enhance its reputation as the area’s premier sales volume leader.

SOUTHERN PINES, NC – By shattering its own records set just last year, Prudential Gouger O’Neal & Saunders (PGOS) Real Estate has once more retained its unique status as the highest volume sales leader in the area.

PGOS is the oldest real estate firm in Pinehurst/Southern Pines area and has occupied the leadership position in the local market for more than 35 years. By focusing on customer service, the brokerage has maintained a dominant market share and continuously and consecutively earned its #1 rank. With 36 sales associates, PGOS closed over $142,000,000 of sales in 2006, setting a record for sales over the last several years and outperforming the nearest competitor by $20,000,000.

When asked to explain the company’s secret to success, PGOS President Kay Beran attributes their unprecedented track record to customer loyalty and a depth of professional experience.

“Our firm has a client base that has been with us for generations,” she says. “We are selling to the children of the families we began with years ago, and some of our agents are children of the agents who started with us many years ago.”

While making history and enjoying seniority in the country club and historical properties market, PGOS has also kept up with the times by adding innovative customer service features and high-tech REALTOR® tools and resources.

Three of the most recent programs are the Online Seller Advantage, The Yahoo Platform Advantage and the exclusive Prudential Buyer Advantage – a program that provides more than $1,000 in discounts to buyers for such things as mortgage closing costs, home warranties, and home improvement supply rebates.

Online Seller Advantage - available only to Prudential REALTORS® – is a proprietary service that allows listing sales professionals to collaborate online with sellers, enabling sellers to automatically receive real-time updates on the status of their properties for sale and trends in their local marketplace. The features go beyond virtual tours and other visual online listing enhancements to provide reliable, quick, accurate information in a user-friendly format for customers selling homes.

Through Online Advantage clients can stay informed regarding how often their Online property listing was viewed, how many viewers saved the property in their “favorite property” portfolio, and what new listings or price changes have occurred in the neighborhood. Alerts are also provided regarding changes in status – such as sold, pending, price reduced, or removed from the market – for competitive properties in the seller’s local area.

In addition, a special Yahoo! display can be attached to the featured property's yard sign with a unique "ID number." The ID number is designed to be inserted into the Yahoo search function and provides automatic display of the property on the web. With one click access the home of your choice!

PGOS plans to expand its use of new technologies and innovative professional partnerships, while focusing on the needs of individual clients in the local region as it has done for decades.

And while the “bursting bubble” in housing during 2006 created one of the most challenging years in recent memory for builders and Realtors across the USA, Beran and her colleagues at PGOS continued to shatter sales records. Beran predicts that 2007 will be even better as a healthy economy, controlled inflation, attractive interest rates, and tremendous demand from Baby Boomer buyers continues to fuel the Pinehurst/Southern Pines real estate market.


Prudential Gouger O’Neal & Saunders Real Estate is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. PGOS opened its doors in 1971 and has been affiliated with Prudential since 1995.