Thursday, June 25, 2015

Testimonials

Kristopher Fuller

10 months ago

I have known Frances Bell for several years and have worked with her in various business groups. She always brings her unique insight and perspective through her education, experience and background. She is very warm and personable, always greeting people with a smile and willing to go out of her way to help others. She is a very well respected member of our community and I have recommended her services to family, friends and colleagues numerous times.

Charlene Cross

2 months ago

Frances is conscientious and caring person and this shines through in her business ethics. She treats you like a true friend.

Gal Bates

2 months ago

Working with Frances was wonderful. She was very outgoing, had a great personality, and seemed to truly care about the community. A complete pleasure.

Kelsie Griggs

7 months ago

Frances Bell is a true renegade for those she is assisting. She always has the clients best interest in mind and puts forth her drive and stamina to help them get the best possible outcome. Her drive to follow through on projects can be seen by her many successes.

Nicole Rensilli

11 months ago

Working with Frances was a great experience. She found me a property that fulfilled all of my needs in a timely and proficient manner. Her positive outlook made the entire process a pleasant one. She is excellent at what she does.

Marie Wilkins

10 months ago

I have know Frances for a few years now. She is a very caring and genuine person and very passionate about any undertaking she brings on. When she's assisting a client in buying or selling a home she does so with a genuine desire to help and a competitive edge. Anyone using her services for Real Estate transactions is lucky to have Frances on their side.

Jamie Roth

a year ago

Frances Bell has been a powerful and truly positive professional connection. Her creative ideas, calm approach, and positive demeanor puts one at ease. She sees projects through with enthusiasm and tenacity, always creating an atmosphere of fun throughout the process.

Bonnie Jacobs

a year ago

Working with Frances was a pleasure. I found her to be extremely dedicated to her community causes. Not only did she exhibit a tenacious work ethic with me, but she was just an all around nice person to be around. I really enjoyed her smile, quick wit, and optimistic enjoyment of life.

Mae Yates

3 months ago

THANKS Frances!! I couldn’t have gotten through it without you.

“Having known Frances for years, her character and work ethics are exceptional, making her the right choice for any real estate need. Her passion toward the real estate industry drives her to be the very best. It is safe to assume that every deal she does is followed thru with perfection to completion, and then some. She is a true renegade. ”

Bob Tuck @ Mr Appliance
Servicing Southern Sarasota, Charlotte, DeSoto, Southern Lee And

Collier Counties More Than 25 Years.

I was impressed with Frances when she even personally supported our Kid's Day at my Chiropractor's office. Then, it was a tough time with the market as things were in the process of crashing, but I was certainly happy with the work you did for me!

Dawn Pistorius ~ Client in Big Pine Key FL

Realtor @ Bridgeway Realty Utah

I met Frances through the Charlotte DeSoto Building Association a few years ago. We both belong to other organizations in common and also take business classes together. I find Frances to be extremely dedicated to her community causes and she is tenacious in working for her clients. I really enjoy her smile, quick wit and optimistic enjoyment of life.

Carole Ponzio

Owner @ Design Solutions!

I met Frances Bell several years ago at a Chamber of Commerce function.

Frances is very outgoing, has a great personality and truly cares about our community. She makes it a point to attend various chamber and other networking functions which would allow her to grow her business as well as help others via referrals.

Frances is a true asset to our community! I always look forward to seeing her smiling face and would highly recommend her for her abilities and expertise!

Kathy Burnam

Marketing Director @ Fishermen's Village

Frances Bell has been a powerful and truly positive professional connection. Her creative ideas, calm approach and positive demeanor puts one at ease. She sees projects through with enthusiasm and tenacity, always creating an atmosphere of fun throughout the process. I highly recommend Frances as a Realtor. I believe she will assist Buyer and Seller alike in successfully fulfilling their needs in a timely, proficient, and excellent manner.

Megan A Guynn

Pipedream Plumbing of SW FL, Inc.

I have known Frances for quite a few years. Our interaction has been both a Business and Social level. I have worked with Frances on numerous Charity projects and find her to be a caring and conscientious person. Her empathy for those less fortunate knows no bounds. When she starts a project she carries it to fruition and with her knowledge of the computer has been a god send to many fund raising projects. I am glad to call her “Friend” and feel that all her Business clients must feel the same way.
Linda Wilson @ Wilson Realty

I have had the pleasure of knowing Frances Bell for over three years. I know her to be someone who is sincere, genuine and a caring person. I have seen this demonstrated during her involvement with numerous charitable events she is involved with. As a business professional, Frances is hardworking, creative and intensely follows through on any project she undertakes. These are strengths of her personality that serve her clients well when they either have a property to sell or hire her to help locate their next home. Anyone who has Frances “on their team” will have a competitive advantage!

Ed Hill

The Census Builder

We have known each other for several years working together on numerous committees, non-profit fundraisers, civic associations, and business groups. I want to sincerely thank you for your integrity, dedication and professionalism in everything you do. The unique insight and perspective you bring through your education, experience, and background is highly valued. Frances, you are very warm and personable, always greeting people with a smile and willing to go out of your way to help others and share ideas. As a very well respected member of our community I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you and/or your services to my family, friends and colleagues. Thanks again for all that you are and all that you do.

TJ Thornberry

2014 Charlotte Cty Chamber President & Thornberry Custom Builders

Keller Williams Realty Expands into Indonesia, Southern Africa

PRESS RELEASE

Keller Williams Realty, Inc. Announces Expansion into Indonesia, Southern Africa

AUSTIN, TX (September 20, 2012) - Keller Williams Realty, Inc., the second largest real estate company in the United States, announced today at its annual Mega Camp event that its continuing international franchise expansion now includes Indonesia and the Southern Africa region. Mega Camp, held in Austin, TX, boasts more than 11,000 registrations across three major sessions (Mega Technology Camp, Mega Agent Camp, and Mega Leadership Camp) featuring interviews and panels with industry experts and top producing agents.

KW Worldwide President, Chris Heller, announced the signing of the company's latest overseas master franchisees. "We are always looking for the right people to foster and grow the Keller Williams Realty mission, vision and culture. When we find the right leadership, our goal is to leverage our proven models, systems, and trainings to serve our international communities at the highest level," said Heller.

Southern Africa Franchisees Sign On with KW

"We welcome aboard our partners in Indonesia and the Southern Africa region, which includes South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, and Mozambique. We are excited to see them experience the same momentum and growth we have seen in North America."

Preparations for the newest international market centers are already underway and are located in Pretoria, South Africa and Jakarta, Indonesia. "We are extremely excited and cannot wait for our opportunity to offer the South African real estate industry the Keller Williams value proposition," said master franchisor, Johan Gouws." We simply cannot carry on in the South African real estate industry the way things are now. Keller Williams is the company of change for us; the company for agents, by agents. Over the past year [my master franchising partner, Niel Cronje] and myself have become very fond of our Keller Williams friends and their value system of 'God, family, then business.'"

"This is not just another international brand," added Cronje. "This a real American company with a uniquely nontraditional, interdependent model that is growing globally. This is the most innovative real estate brand in the world, the one that is committed to building 'careers worth having, businesses worth owning, and lives worth living,' and the only brand that is truly for the agents. We can certainly see that the Keller Williams culture will sit very well with our market."

Gouws has over 30 years of experience in the South African real estate market including overseeing gated developments and land acquisition for commercial and residential developments in Pretoria. Cronje also brings extensive business experience to the team with over 21 years of experience in both national and international real estate, as well as setting up and running his own profitable franchise operation. "The missing link in my business," he pointed out, "was Keller Williams."

Tertius Zitzke, CEO and owner of AccTech Systems, is the partner responsible for managing the technology and will be integrating the South African and Keller Williams systems. Completing the master franchise team is real estate industry icon Stefan Swanepoel, the New York Times Best-Selling Author of Surviving Your Serengeti: 7 Skills to Master Business & Life and renowned inspirational speaker on topics including leadership, personal development, technology, and annual real estate trends.

The two new KW Worldwide teams, led by Gouws, Cronje, Zitzke, and Swanepoel in the Southern Africa region and Tony Eddy in Indonesia, join nearly 77,000 associates and 675 offices in the United States and Canada, where the company has been franchising since 1991.

KW Signs Franchise Agreement in Indonesia

"We are proud to be joining a company with such a strong system of beliefs and policy of putting real estate agents first," said Eddy. "We are excited to see how we'll thrive in the Indonesian market with the support of our new Keller Williams partners."

Eddy, Chairman and CEO of Tony Eddy & Associates (TEA), has more than 14 years in the real estate project marketing consulting business, covering the Jakarta and Bali markets. Eddy received his MBA in Finance, Investment & Banking as well as his MSc in Real Estate and Urban Economics from University of Wisconsin - Madison, and is a former Real Estate Credit Manager with Citibank - Jakarta. Eddy is also a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the first and only CIPS residing in Indonesia, and a member of the Indonesian Association of Real Estate Brokers (AREBI), where he serves as President for Bali Chapter.

In 2010, Keller Williams Realty CEO Mark Willis announced the expansion of Keller Williams Realty beyond North America and earlier this year, the company awarded its first overseas franchise in Vietnam. Negotiations with potential franchisees in several other countries continue as Keller Williams Realty intends to add 50,000 associates worldwide over the next 10 years.

"We've been asked why we've chosen worldwide expansion in the current market, and the answer is simple: momentum! Our proven models and systems allow our associates and offices to succeed in any real estate market," said Willis. "As we continue to see years of unprecedented growth and technological innovation, expanding our opportunities abroad signifies the next logical step towards our growth as a company."

About Keller Williams Realty, Inc.: Founded in 1983, Keller Williams Realty, Inc. is the second-largest real estate franchise operation in the United States, with 675 offices and almost 77,000 associates across the globe. The company, which began franchising in 1990, has an agent-centric culture that emphasizes access to leading-edge education and promotes an economic model that rewards associates as stakeholders and partners. The company also provides specialized agents in luxury homes and commercial real estate properties. For more information, or to search for homes for sale, visit Keller Williams Realty online at (www.kw.com). Information about Keller Williams Realty's international expansion can be found at (www.kwworldwide.com).

Keller Williams Realty Expands into Austria, Germany, and Switzerland

PRESS RELEASE

Keller Williams Realty Expands into Austria, Germany, and Switzerland

AUSTIN, TX (April 15, 2013) - Keller Williams Realty, Inc., the largest real estate company by agent count in the United States, is continuing its international expansion by launching a new region serving Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.

"Despite their sophistication, the German, Swiss and Austrian real estate markets all lack companies with a clear commitment to professional services and their associates," said Rauert Peters, the master franchisee who is leading the new venture. "Keller Williams has clearly shown its commitment to a high level of agent education by remaining a company 'by agents, for agents.'"

Peters brings a strong international business background and cross-cultural skills to the new venture. Born and raised in Germany, Peters received a master's degree in International Relations and Business from San Francisco State University. Prior to joining Keller Williams Realty, he spearheaded U.S. expansion for a major European real estate company as COO and CEO.

"We are constantly looking for the right people to foster and spread the Keller Williams Realty mission, vision, and culture around the world," said Chris Heller, president of Keller Williams Worldwide. "We are excited about the opportunity to work with Rauert and his team to serve international clients at the highest level."

In 2010, Keller Williams Realty CEO Mark Willis announced the expansion of Keller Williams Realty beyond North America. Since then, the company has awarded franchise agreements in Vietnam, Indonesia, Southern Africa, and Turkey. The company plans to become the worldwide leader in agent count, transactions, and volume.

"Keller Williams has been incredibly successful in the USA and Canada," Peters said. "We look forward to the proven systems and models delivering game-changing results in the German-speaking regions of Europe and beyond."

About Keller Williams Realty, Inc.:
Keller Williams Realty Inc. is the largest real estate franchise company in the United States, with approximately 700 offices and 80,000 associates around the world. The company has grown exponentially since the opening of the first Keller Williams Realty office in 1983, and continues to cultivate an agent-centric, education-based, technology-driven culture that rewards associates as stakeholders. The company also provides specialized agents in luxury homes and commercial real estate properties. For more information or to search for homes for sale visit Keller Williams Realty online at (www.kw.com). For more information about KW Worldwide, please visitwww.kwworldwide.org.

Keller Williams Realty Expands into Turkey

PRESS RELEASE

Keller Williams Realty Expands into Turkey

AUSTIN, TX (April 22, 2013) - Keller Williams Realty, Inc., the largest real estate company by agent count in the United States, is continuing its international expansion by launching a new region serving Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

"All of the education and tools that Keller Williams provides will set a new standard for the whole Turkish real estate market," said Erol Emre, the master franchisee who is leading the new venture. "This is training. This is education. It's detailed, extensive, and very well structured. It will be a game changer for our market."

In addition to degrees from Middlesex University and Harvard Business School, Emre brings a strong international business background and cross-cultural skills to the new venture. Prior to joining Keller Williams Realty, he helped found Platin Real Estate, which primarily focused on the Istanbul real estate market, promoting exclusive high-end properties. The team was recognized numerous times as the highest income-generating Century21 office in Turkey.

"We are constantly looking for the right people to foster and spread the Keller Williams Realty mission, vision, and culture around the world," said Chris Heller, president of Keller Williams Worldwide. "We are excited about the opportunity to work with Emre and his team to serve Turkish sales associates and clients at the highest level."

In 2010, Keller Williams Realty CEO Mark Willis announced the expansion of Keller Williams Realty beyond North America. Since then, the company has awarded franchise agreements in Vietnam, Indonesia, Southern Africa, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. The company plans to become the worldwide leader in agent count, transactions, and volume.

"We are so pleased to join Keller Williams," Emre said. "This company has such a unique culture focused on the agents and the people. It's a huge difference compared with the traditional models where everything is done to benefit the brand. This really attracted me from the first day because we have wanted to be part of a company like this for a long time."

Keller Williams Realty Announces Plans to Expand into Middle East

PRESS RELEASE

Keller Williams Realty Announces Plans to Expand into Middle East
North America's largest real estate franchise partners with IFA Hotels & Resorts in Dubai

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (April 14, 2014)- Building on their success growing Keller Williams real estate offices in the United States and South Africa, a group of business leaders has announced plans to open a new Keller Williams region based in Dubai. The venture is being led by a team that includes Operating Principal Werner Burger, Regional Director Piaras Moriarty and CEO Zhann Jochinke.

"We're excited to bring the proven models and systems of Keller Williams to real estate agents and clients in Dubai," Burger said. "Keller Williams is the real estate industry's leader in training and technology and Dubai is one of the fastest-growing, most dynamic real estate markets in the world. In many ways, the Middle East is still in the startup phase when it comes to selling real estate. Keller Williams, with its agent-centric principles, will revolutionize the market, just as it has in the United States and Canada."

Keller Williams, which is the largest real estate franchise in North America with more than 97,000 associates, announced the plans during its annual convention. The Austin, Texas-based company started expanding beyond North America two years ago, and has awarded master franchise agreements covering dozens of coutries, including Austria, Germany, Indonesia, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK and Vietnam. After a record-breaking year for growth, productivity and profitability, the company is on pace to become the largest real estate franchise by agent count, transactions and volume all across the world.

"We are constantly looking for the right business leaders to share the Keller Williams mission, vision and culture around the world," said Chris Heller, president of Keller Williams Worldwide. "We are excited by the opportunity to work with Werner and his talented team to help real estate professionals in the Middle East grow their business and serve clients at the very highest level."

Burger brings to KW Dubai more than two decades of experience in real estate management and development. He serves as CEO of IFA Hotels & Resorts (IFA HR) for the Middle East and Africa and as the operating principal for Keller Williams market centers in Zimbali and the Western Cape. KW Dubai will build on the successful partnership between IFA HR and Keller Williams in South Africa. Last fall, they joined forces to sell out a 400 million Rand development in KwaZulu-Natal within hours of the sales office opening.

"KW Dubai is a great strategic fit linking Africa and the Middle East," Burger said. "We're seeing increased client movement between the regions and anticipate strong cross-selling and marketing opportunities. From my experience leading IFA HR's global expansion and sales and marketing, I firmly believe that the Keller Williams model is going to change the world of real estate in the Middle East. Keller Williams and IFA HR are a perfect match in terms of culture and strategy. We're both growth-oriented and committed to being the market leader in everything that we do."

Jochinke, who is originally from Australia, joins KW Dubai from New York City, where he has been instrumental in growing the Keller Williams Manhattan office by almost 300 associates since 2011.

"With the best business model and the best training in the real estate industry, Keller Williams is transforming the real estate business around the globe," Jochinke said. "We look forward to opening new offices, welcoming new associates to our family and helping to fulfill the Keller Williams mission of building careers worth having, businesses worth owning and lives worth living."

Piaras Moriarty, who will also hold dual roles with IFA Hotels & Resorts and Keller Williams Dubai, is exploring opportunities to grow the franchise beyond Dubai.

"Dubai's extraordinary growth and strong economic outlook make it an ideal fit for the most innovative real estate model in the business," Moriarty said. "We expect KW Dubai to emulate the same trajectory of success achieved in every country the company has entered to date. Our longterm goal is to roll out KW franchises across the Middle East through strategic partnerships in key markets and to transform the manner in which real estate is sold."

About Keller Williams Realty, Inc.:
Keller Williams Realty, Inc. is the largest real estate franchise company in North America, with approximately 700 offices and 98,000 associates in more than a dozen countries around the world. The company has grown exponentially since the opening of the first Keller Williams Realty office in 1983, and continues to cultivate an agent-centric, education-based, technology-driven culture that rewards associates as stakeholders. The company also provides specialized agents in luxury homes and commercial real estate properties. For more information or to search for homes for sale visit Keller Williams Realty online at (www.kw.com). For more information about KWWorldwide, please visit kwworldwide.com.

About IFA Hotels & Resorts:
IFA Hotels & Resorts (IFA HR) develops, licenses, operates and manages luxury residential, hotel and resort projects for international investors and owners across emerging markets. The company has dozens of projects throughout the Middle East, Europe, Africa, North America and the Indian Ocean. Each of the company's operational assets is managed by its wholly owned subsidiary, Dubai-based IFA Hotel Investments. As the largest foreign investor on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah, IFA HR is an established market leader in development and sales. Listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange, IFA HR has a market capitalization of approximately US $1 billion. The company's main shareholder is Kuwait-based International Financial Advisors. For more information, visit (www.ifahotelsresorts.com) or (www.ifahi.com).

Keller Williams Realty Expands Into Mexico

PRESS RELEASE

Keller Williams Realty Announces Plans to Expand into Middle East
North America's largest real estate franchise partners with IFA Hotels & Resorts in Dubai

Jochinke, who is originally from Australia, joins KW Dubai from New York City, where he has been instrumental in growing the Keller Williams Manhattan office by almost 300 associates since 2011.

Piaras Moriarty, who will also hold dual roles with IFA Hotels & Resorts and Keller Williams Dubai, is exploring opportunities to grow the franchise beyond Dubai.

Keller Williams Realty Expands into Spain

PRESS RELEASE

Keller Williams Realty Expands into Spain
World's largest real estate franchise by agent count expands presence in Europe

MARBELLA, SPAIN (9 February 2015) — Keller Williams, the world's largest real estate franchise by agent count, announced that it has awarded a region serving Spain to a group of business leaders led by Leonardo Cromstedt. Cromstedt and his Málaga-based team of 10 agents have transitioned to Keller Williams, forming one of the strongest Keller Williams market centers in Europe.

"What attracted us to Keller Williams is the company's culture," Cromstedt said. "We are honored to promote and represent Keller Williams in Spain because the company's values perfectly match our personal values. The Keller Williams models and systems are designed to help agents develop their careers with the most advanced real estate training, coaching at the highest level and leading-edge technology – all of which are orchestrated to achieve maximum productivity. Keller Williams offices are true centers of training and coaching to serve agents who want to be the best in their local market."

Cromstedt brings to the new venture more than 27 years of experience as a real estate agent, broker and owner. With a background in marketing and management, he has built Eralia into one of the most recognized real estate businesses in the Costa del Sol.

Cromstedt's team includes Alicia Cromstedt, a lawyer with advanced degrees in urban planning and taxation, who will serve as regional director. Alfonso Lacruz will be the regional operations manager. Lacruz is an engineer with advanced degrees from MIT and more than 15 years of experience in real estate.

"We are constantly looking for the right business leaders to share the Keller Williams mission, vision and culture around the world," said Keller Williams CEO Chris Heller. "We are excited by the opportunity to work with Leonardo and his talented team to help real estate professionals in Spain to grow their business and serve clients at the very highest level."

Cromstedt is passionate about training and education. He has earned numerous real estate certifications and specializations, presented at dozens of international conferences and studied with some of the top coaches in business. He intends to make training a focus of KW Spain.

"The Keller Williams models and training systems are designed to teach agents to do their job right, offering customers what they need whether they are buying or selling a property," Cromstedt said. "Professional service and local expertise are what customers expect from their agents. Keller Williams has developed its business models and systems to teach agents what to do, how to do it, when to do it and – most important – why to do it. Keller Williams market centers in Spain will be the place agents want to be."

Keller Williams, which is home to more than 112,000 associates around the world, announced the plans during its Family Reunion convention in Florida. The U.S.-based company started expanding beyond North America in 2012, and has awarded regions covering dozens of countries, including Costa Rica, Dubai, Indonesia, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa, Turkey, the UK and Vietnam. The company is growing rapidly. In 2013, the number of associates outside of North America more than doubled and the number of market centers or offices more than tripled. After a series of record-setting years for agent growth, productivity and profitability, the company is on its way to becoming the worldwide leader in closed transactions and sales volume.

"Keller Williams is committed to helping agents succeed in their local markets," Keller Williams President John Davis said. "It's what agents do in their local markets that builds their businesses and makes them the real estate expert of choice. And that means more opportunities for agents and, more importantly, more opportunities for their families. We're excited to welcome KW Spain to our growing international family."

To explore opportunities to join the KW Spain team, visit kwworldwide.com/kw-spain.

About Keller Williams Realty, Inc.:

Keller Williams Realty, Inc. is the largest real estate franchise by agent count in the world, with approximately 700 offices and 120,000 associates in more than a dozen countries around the world. In 2015, Keller Williams was named the No. 1 training organization across all industries in the world by Training magazine. The company has grown exponentially since the opening of the first Keller Williams Realty office in 1983, and continues to cultivate an agent-centric, education-based, technology-driven culture that rewards associates as stakeholders. The company also provides specialized agents in luxury homes, commercial and farm and ranch properties. For more information or to search for homes for sale visit Keller Williams Realty online at (www.kw.com). For more information about KWWorldwide, please visit kwworldwide.com.

Press Release - Keller Williams Realty Expands into Spain