BCAR In the News

BCAR's First Annual "Tech Fest"

Local Politicians Meet with BCAR Brokers

BCAR Announces a New Board

BCAR 2008 Changing of the Guard

By JED WEISBERGER

Courier Times

         The honor, Lower Bucks County realtor Bob Ramagli admitted, came as quite a surprise.

         “I had no idea,’’ said Ramagli, named Realtor of the Year by the Bucks County Association of Realtors at the organization’s annual holiday luncheon and installation at the Cock “N” Bull Restaurant in Lahaska recently. “This won’t change my life a lot, but it certainly makes it a little sweeter.’’

          Ramagli, who founded Ramagli GMAC Real Estate in 1994, has watched his business grow to four office locations – Bensalem,  Bristol Borough, Fairless Hills and Yardley – does a lot more directing than selling these days. Yet, he was 4,000-member strong organization’s selection as their best of 2007.

           “Over the years, the honor doesn’t have all that much to do with how many transactions you have and what you sell,’’ Ramagli explained. “It’s really a mixture of what you do in business, in the community and with the realtors at large.

           “I’ve been active as a director with both our association and the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors and enjoy my work, so I’m pleased to be recognized with the honor.’’

            His honor was bestowed not only for his years of service and dedication to the real estate industry, but also for his many years of volunteerism to many charities and causes involving the Bucks County community.

            Ramagli, in his 23 years with his firm, has seen the ebbs and flows of the housing market in Lower Bucks County.

           “I’d say I’ve been through three major ups and downs,’’ he said. “I think, especially compared to a lot of areas that are seeing a downturn, our area is still doung quite well.

          “The difference, especially for first-time buyers, is it’s a lot tougher to get a mortgage now than it was even two years ago. The credit standards are stringent at present.’’

           Ramagli shared the day at Lahaska with Quakertown’s Tom Skiffington, who was sworn in as the 68th president of the BCAR. He succeeded Trappe’s Ted Laskowski, the owner of 1st Patriot Realty, as the organization’s chief executive, whose term as president was marked with new and innovative marketing approaches.

           Sworn in by former Congressman Michael Fitzpatrick, Skiffington brings impressive credentials to his position. The broker/owner of RE/MAX in Perkasie, the 42-year-old Skiffington is a member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame, holder of a Lifetime Achievement Award and a member of RE/Max’s chairman’s club and platinum club.

           He averages 150-170 transactions on an annual basis.

           “What I’m pleased about is our market seems to be holding its own quite well,’’ said Skiffington. “Houses in Bucks County are on the market for an average of 90-120 days.

           “Some people got spoiled with what we had the last few years with some properties selling in a week. They forget the period we went through in 1991-92, when the average house took eight months to sell.’’

            Skiffington, who oversees eight offices from Perkasie to Quakertown, has some definite goals he would like to meet during his year at the helm of the BCAR.

            “First, we need to complete the Habitat for Humanity house we are building in Upper Bucks County,’’ he said. “We will need about $40,000 to accomplish that, and we will be working with both our organization and members of the community to raise those funds.’’

            He also is looking to bolster the relationship between the county’s realtors and the municipalities in which they transact business.

            “We want to work with the various municipalities in a closer fashion,’’ Skiffington said. “We will better know what all their ordinances are and what impact they have on the business we do.’’

            He also plans to explore ways to make realtor education easier.

            “I’d like to put together a system that will allow our members to access material they need over the internet in their offices, or even at home if we can do it.’’

             Skiffington also wants to put together a system of video conferencing for meetings, saving travel time, and is working on a new electronic lock-box system for area realtors.

             He feels comfortable in his leadership role.

             “I’ve worked with the board of our organization for several years, and I feel we can get a lot of things done in 2008.’’

             The BCAR also honored Harriet Goldstein of U.S. Inspect, an area firm that schedules and performs the required inspection of properties bought and sold, as its Affiliate of the Year. Goldstein earned this first-ever honor for her volunteer efforts within the organization.

             Ninth District Realtors representative Bette Mctamney swore in the newest board members, including Andy Donohue, RE/MAX Centre, Todd Polinchock, Keller Williams, Elise Haferl-Lykins C21 Advantage Gold, Jim Dietrich, RE/MAX 440, Chuck Cosgrove, Prudential Fox and Roach and Maggie Pollich of Prudential Fox and Roach.

           As an association, the BCAR is entering its 78th year and is the second-largest among realtors in Pennsylvania.