Pleasanton, CA – May 10, 2012 – Ellen Osmundson has been named Director of Diversity for Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate, it was announced today by Ed Krafchow, CEO and Chairman of the company. This newly established role is believed to be the first of its kind for a residential real estate brokerage company.
“As a Bay Area based company, it’s important that we effectively serve the international community in their goal to buy real estate here,” said Krafchow. “Ellen brings a unique set of talents to our company that will strengthen our collective ability to work with foreign buyers and thus increase our global business.”
In her new role, Ellen will provide training on diversity to ensure that agents in the company are equipped to serve clients from all cultures. In June 2012, Ellen will attend the trade mission jointly organized by AREAA (Asian Real Estate Association of America) and the China Real Estate Association (CREA) to establish professional real estate relationships between the two countries. Forty-one representatives from the AREAA will visit Beijing, Hangzhou and Shenzhen.
“International buyers have strong buying power, and they are growing in numbers, especially here in the San Francisco Bay Area,” said Osmundson. “But they need the guidance and counsel of a professional REALTOR so they can make educated decisions based on information on the market, schools, daily shopping, transportation and the community.”
Foreigners spent $82 billion buying up U.S. homes in the 12 months ending in March 2011, up 24% from 2010, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). That represents 8% of total U.S. sales. Overall, about 1 out of every 10 homes sold in California and Texas is sold to a foreigner. In Florida, 1 in 3 homes are sold to a foreigner.
Ellen brings more than 16 years as a REALTOR to this position. She is a former columnist on real estate for Sing Tao Real Estate Guide and the author of American Home Ownership: The Chinese American Dream. Her language skills in Chinese - Mandarin and Cantonese - have helped her Chinese speaking clients from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong understand the transaction process in the United States.
Ellen has been a resident of Walnut Creek for 19 years. She is the founding chair for the CCAR Diversity Committee. She is a member of a number of industry organizations, including: Asian Real Estate Association of America, Chinese Real Estate Association of America, National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, Women's Council of Realtors and the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce, to name a few.
Ellen can be reached at the Walnut Creek-Riviera branch of Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate at 925-890-4276 or Ellen.osmundson@bhghome.com.
About Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate
Our heritage began with the founding of Mason-McDuffie Real Estate in 1887. In 2010, the company was named the 17th largest real estate services firm in the nation (RIS Media), and Number One in the San Francisco East Bay (SF Business Times). The company provides comprehensive solutions to home buyers and sellers, and handled 7,790 transactions in 2011, generating $2.94 billion in sales. Better Homes and Gardens Mason-McDuffie Real Estate is independently owned and operated and includes joint ventures with partners Highland Partners in Piedmont and Montclair, Wine Country Group Realtors in the North Bay, and Tri-Valley Realty in Pleasanton-Hopyard and Ruby Hill. The organization is comprised of more than 1,400 sales professionals in 26 offices. For more information, go to www.bhghome.com