Move will combine experience, regional expertise with resources of financial giant.

Scottsdale, AZ -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/06/2014 -- Echo Farrell, owner and broker of Farrell Fine Homes, announced her real estate firm has joined forces with the home division of financial giant Berkshire Hathaway.

The transition will allow Farrell to continue to offer her clients a high level of service, while providing unprecedented opportunity to reach domestic and international buyers through the Berkshire Hathaway Home Services network.

"In my mind, this opportunity allows Farrell Fine Homes to take the things at which we are already very adept – client service, knowledge of the Phoenix-Scottsdale area, industry experience – and combine it with the unmatched support of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services," said Echo Farrell.

Farrell Fine Homes has served the full-scale real estate needs of home buyers and sellers in the Valley of the Sun for more than 10 years. Farrell will combine her extensive background with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services' growing national brokerage network. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services has more than 28,000 agents and 750 offices covering most of the United States.

According to Mark Stark, CEO/owner, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Nevada and Arizona Properties, the addition of Farrell's real estate services strengthens his company's ability to provide tremendous service and expertise.

"Farrell Fine Homes has earned a stellar reputation in the Phoenix-Scottsdale real estate market," said Stark. "Echo and her team are the kind of experienced, customer-focused professionals we want to work with. We are excited to welcome her to the team."

Though the Phoenix area was impacted by the recession, in recent years the sun-splashed region has seen the return of strong residential and business growth. Earlier this year, Forbes magazine ranked Arizona as the number one state for expected job growth, beating out Texas for the top spot. Forbes also ranked Phoenix the third fastest-growing city in America for 2014.

Dawn Seagren, Branch Manager, will work closely with Farrell to continue expanding her client base in the Valley.

"The Berkshire Hathaway name is synonymous with success, service and trust," said Seagren. "This makes us a perfect match for Echo and her team. I am confident this is a terrific move that will prove beneficial for Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Echo Farrell and real estate buyers and sellers throughout the Valley of the Sun."

In joining Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Farrell will gain access to the brand's robust technology suite, business consultation services, professional education and more.

About Echo Farrell
Echo Farrell is a designated broker and REALTOR specializing in the Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek and Phoenix areas. She has well over a decade of experience helping home buyers and sellers realize their real estate dreams.

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Recent studies indicate home values, buyer desire both on the rise

Scottsdale, AZ -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/01/2013 -- Home values in the Valley of the Sun are up 30 percent since April 2012, according to the latest housing report from Arizona State University. While the housing market recovers, in concert with the local economy, home values are still 20 percent below their peak in 2006.

Mike Orr, director of the Center for Real Estate Theory and Practice at ASU's W.P. Carey School of Business says the housing market is healthy and getting healthier.

"Given the balance between supply and population growth in Phoenix, home prices are unlikely to fall below today's level," he said. "More likely, they will continue to climb for a long time, though at a more gentle pace."

For current renters and other prospective buyers interested in Valley real estate including the Phoenix real estate market, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Fountain Hills, this is likely the optimal time to look for a new home.

According to real estate expert Echo Farrell, owner and broker of Farrell Fine Homes, home buyers and investors should take advantage of the Valley home market sooner rather than later.

"The uncertainty that has hovered over the Phoenix/Scottsdale economy is definitely lifting," she said. "Our once-sizzling real estate market is heating up again, but this time at a sustainable pace. Combine that with interest rates that are still at historic lows, and those who buy now are getting in at a great time."

Another recent study, this one by mortgage giant Fannie May, indicates 9 out of 10 renters nationwide are interested in soon becoming homeowners. Farrell indicates this number could be even higher in the Phoenix area.

"This is a desirable and undervalued market," she shared. "I have clients who move here from California or Canada or back east, and they are always amazed at how much home they can get for a their money here. Not just large homes, but beautiful homes in desirable neighborhoods."

That unique affordability may be a short-term phenomenon as values continue to rise and the region's historic growth re-accelerates.

Farrell stresses that the timing may be especially fortuitous for first-time homebuyers.

"For those renters wanting to settle down and invest in a home, getting pre-approved for a loan is an important first step," she said. "An FHA loan is a great way to get your foot in the door. Even if you don't have a large down payment or are working through some credit issues, the Valley of the Sun still has some appealing homes at great prices."

When asked why the Phoenix and Scottsdale real estate market is so appealing, Farrell replies with a familiar refrain.

"It's the lifestyle here," she said. "sunshine, shopping, swimming pools, outdoor activities – it can be like living in a resort year-around. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?"

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Certified Distressed Property Experts Start New Web site

Scottsdale, AZ -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/20/2009 -- As a result of the current severe economic downturn, distressed properties and overwhelmed homeowners are an all too common reality. Throughout the Phoenix area, homeowners of distressed properties owe more than their homes are worth.

Fortunately, for struggling Arizona homeowners, Certified Distressed Property Experts (CDPE) and Farrell Fine Homes (http://www.farrellfinehomes.com) team members Echo Farrell and Karen Warren have started a new informational Web site, http://www.noforeclosureforus.com, and are ready to help homeowners avoid foreclosure.

According to Echo Farrell, experienced Scottsdale Realtor and owner of Farrell Fine Homes, too many homeowners feel resigned to let their homes fall into foreclosure, when a short sale or other solutions could reduce damage to their credit ratings.

"Unfortunately, here in Arizona there are a lot of homeowners struggling under the weight of an unwieldy mortgage," said Farrell. "Every day they see or hear about another home being foreclosed on. Maybe it is one of their neighbors, or a close friend or relative. These homeowners figure foreclosure and years of its negative impacts are their fate. For these individuals, there is good news. There may be better solutions, and we can help find those solutions."

For many, the idea of a short sale is a stressful, agonizing one. However, because Farrell and Warren are Certified Distressed Property Experts with years of experience in Arizona real estate, they can help their valued clients experience the many advantages of a short sale in a way that is fairly painless. According to Farrell, visitors to the new http://www.noforeclosureforus.com Web site will find helpful resources, forms and a possible path back to financial stability.

"When homeowners contact us, either directly or through our Web site, they'll find friendly, understanding people who know how to help," she said. "We can help sell their homes, get rid of the burden of their bad mortgages, minimize any remaining balances, limit any impact on their credit ratings and help them understand the short sale process."

Those wishing to learn more about avoiding foreclosure through the short sale process, should visit noforeclosureforus.com or call (480) 607-9990. Or, if you are interested in learning more about Arizona's home market, or wishing to purchase or sell a home, please visit http://www.farrellfinehomes.com.

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Arizona’s real estate industry has had its share of challenges recently, but long-time valley resident and realtor Echo Farrell believes that difficult times bring great opportunities and recently launched Farrell Fine Homes Realty.

Scottsdale, AZ -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/28/2008 -- Arizona's real estate industry has had its share of challenges recently, but long-time valley resident and realtor Echo Farrell believes that difficult times bring great opportunities and recently launched Farrell Fine Homes Realty.

"With the decrease in home prices over the past year, the Valley now has a wide range of homes that are a terrific bargain," said Farrell. "We are working with a variety of clients – first-time home buyers, local residents moving up, investors and second home buyers – to make the most of these great values while they last. There's too much promise and growth here for home prices to stay low."

"At Farrell Fine Homes we have the philosophy that one size certainly does not fit all. Each client has a different background, different needs and a different perspective" said Farrell. "Our agents are trained to go the extra mile and we continue to provide a high level of customer service long after the close of escrow".

Prior to her real estate career, Farrell was a director with the Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau and her knowledge of the Valley and attractions is a great asset in finding that perfect location for her buyers. "From Fountain Hills to Litchfield Park, We know just about every nook and neighborhood in central Arizona," said Farrell, and we always find a great fit for our buyers."

Farrell's bureau experience also is a real plus for sellers. "I honed my marketing skills selling our city as a top destination," said Farrell. "I now apply those skills to successfully selling homes –no matter what the market condition."

For more information on Farrell Fine Homes Realty, visit http://www.farrellfinehomes.com

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Echo Farrell Rolls Out the Red, White and Blue Carpet for International Customers

Scottsdale, AZ -- (ReleaseWire) -- 05/14/2007 -- Buying a new home can be a difficult process for anyone. When that new home is also in a new country, the potential for stress and confusion can increase significantly. Fortunately, for international clients looking to purchase real estate in the greater Phoenix area, Scottsdale Realtor Echo Farrell has the right formula to make the move to America as easy as apple pie.

Recognizing that each real estate client has different needs and a different background, Farrell – who recently joined the Keller Williams Realty team – gladly provides her international clients with extra attention and service.

"We serve a lot of international clients, including many from Canada, who are looking to move to Phoenix, Scottsdale or Paradise Valley and purchase a new home, a vacation spot or an investment property," said Farrell. "For most of these clients, the weather, golf courses, mountains and affordability of Arizona are very appealing. However, moving to a new country can be daunting. We make sure our clients are comfortable. We answer all their questions, do some hand-holding and let them move at their own pace."

While Farrell works hard to minimize any culture shock for her international real estate clients, she also helps smooth out the clerical issues that accompany a move to a new country. According to Win Day, a satisfied real estate client who moved to Scottsdale from Edmonton, Canada, Farrell's energy, enthusiasm and expertise helped turn a potentially intense process into an enjoyable one.

"We initially came to the Phoenix and Scottsdale area on a fact-finding mission to see the kind of neighborhoods and properties that were available," Day said. "Echo listened very carefully to what we were looking for and showed us a number of properties – including the one we bought. We had been concerned, coming from Canada where mortgages, taxes and the purchase process were a bit different. We knew we would have to ask a lot of questions. Echo was extremely knowledgeable and patient. She walked us through the process, and when we found our perfect home, she was as excited for us as we were."

Those who would like to learn more about the Arizona's home market, or who are interested in buying or selling a home, can visit Echo's full-service website at www.azsonorahomes.com or contact Echo Farrell directly at 480-948-3338 or echo@azsonorahomes.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Echo Farrell’s new web site complements her one-on-one client service

Scottsdale, AZ -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/25/2007 -- A growing client base deserves a user-friendly, full-service web site. At least this is the philosophy of Echo Farrell, a licensed Realtor who specializes in the Scottsdale, Phoenix and Paradise Valley areas, and recently unveiled her redesigned web site – www.azsonorahomes.com.

Complete with a Sonoran Desert-inspired design and streamlined layout, the revamped web site places helpful information and software at the fingertips of users. In addition to being able to search featured home listings and learn about the Scottsdale and Phoenix areas, visitors to azsonorahomes.com can also receive an estimate of their home's value, check out reports on area schools or scan the MLS system.

"We've added several new features to make the web site more comprehensive," said Farrell, who recently joined the Keller Williams team. "But while we've added a lot of substance to it, we've also made it easier to navigate. The result is a clean, simple layout that offers our clients tremendous resources as they work through the process of buying or selling a home."

In addition to providing clients with essential tools to facilitate their real estate buying or selling experience, the web site also houses a wealth of information about what to do and where to live in the Scottsdale and Phoenix area. This includes access to Arizona Edge, Farrell's quarterly e-newsletter filled with helpful real estate tips and trends.

According to Farrell, the revamped, feature-filled azsonorahomes.com is just one of many elements that help her and the Farrell Group stand out from other Realtors in the booming Greater Phoenix area.

"I come from a tourism background, specifically as director with the Phoenix Convention Bureau, so I bring a lot of experience and knowledge about this area and about client service," she said. "I feel like when my clients move to Scottsdale or elsewhere in the Phoenix area, they aren't just purchasing a home, they're buying a new lifestyle. There aren't many bigger or more impactful decisions in life. Having a Realtor you can talk to and trust can turn a stressful process into a smooth, enjoyable one."

Those wishing to learn more about Arizona's home market, or wishing to purchase or sell a home, can visit Echo's full-service web site at www.azsonorahomes.com or contact Echo Farrell directly at 480-948-3338 or echo@azsonorahomes.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Echo Farrell brings area knowledge and customer focus to new team

Scottsdale, AZ -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/25/2007 -- Echo Farrell, a licensed Realtor who specializes in the Scottsdale, Phoenix and Paradise Valley areas, has joined the Keller Williams Realty team.

Farrell announced the move recently on her newly redesigned full-service Web site – azsonorahomes.com. By combining her knowledge of the Greater Phoenix area and more than 20 years of marketing experience with the proven support system of Keller Williams, Farrell feels the move will be a 'win-win-win' for her, Keller Williams Realty, and, most important, her real estate clients.

"Ultimately, this is a move that makes sense for everyone," Farrell said. "The incredible support of Keller Williams – the administrative assistance, the marketing resources, the ongoing educational opportunities – will enable me to spend even more time and effort working on behalf of my clients."

While Farrell is new to the Keller Williams team, she is certainly not new to the expanding Scottsdale Real Estate business. As one of the leading Realtors in the region, she has utilized her mastery of contact negotiations and unwavering customer focus to make her clients' real estate dreams come true for nearly a decade. Though her team may be changing, Farrell is very clear that her customer approach will not.

"My clients can expect the same energetic, driven and friendly Echo," she says smiling. "My number one goal is to help my clients purchase and/or sell their homes, and to do so in a process that is smooth, profitable and as stress-free as possible. None of this will ever change. In fact, my affiliation with Keller Williams will afford me even more time to help my clients."

Those wishing to learn more about Arizona's home market, or wishing to purchase or sell a home, can visit Echo's full-service web site at www.azsonorahomes.com or contact Echo Farrell directly at 480-948-3338 or echo@azsonorahomes.com

Keller Williams Realty Inc. is the fourth largest real estate franchise operation in North America, with nearly 600 offices and 72,000 associates in the United States and Canada.

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Scottsdale Real Estate Forecast for 2007 Points to Strong Year

Scottsdale, AZ -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/07/2007 -- The real estate market for Scottsdale and the rest of the Greater Phoenix area is expected to pick up steam in 2007 and 2008 according to the latest forecast by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (NAR).

None of the allure of Scottsdale and the rest of the Valley has subsided. If anything it has strengthened

Citing continued economic and population growth, as well as lower-than-expected mortgage interest rates, the forecast predicts increases in Valley home values.

These trends are already playing out with local Realtors. According to Echo Farrell of AZ Sonora Homes, an experienced Realtor who specializes in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Paradise Valley and Fountain Hills, the market is already showing signs of a strong resurgence.

"What we're seeing right now in Scottsdale and the Greater Phoenix area is that the real estate market is healthy and getting stronger every day," says Farrell. "It was pretty clear to anyone who follows the economic and housing trends in this area that any downturn was going to be temporary. I see it every day in the rising number of sales and inquiries we're getting. Homebuyer confidence has improved dramatically."

In contrast to the volatile, spiking nature of the real estate market of the last few years, the Scottsdale and Greater Phoenix market of 2007 is expected to see steady increases in home sales and values according to the NAR forecast.

Rapid growth makes the Phoenix area unique to the rest of the country. The Phoenix area is projected to continue experiencing population growth three times the national average, with roughly 400 people moving to the Valley each day. Such growth, combined with a strong job market and competitive cost of living, will continue to make Scottsdale, Phoenix and surrounding cities hot markets for real estate buyers and sellers, according to Farrell.

"None of the allure of Scottsdale and the rest of the Valley has subsided. If anything it has strengthened," points out Farrell. "The weather, the economy, the resort-like lifestyle…these are the things that make the Valley of the Sun so appealing for new residents. These are the elements that will ultimately keep our real estate market consistently strong."

Those wishing to learn more about Arizona's home market, or wishing to purchase or sell a home, can contact Echo Farrell at http://www.azsonorahomes.com/contact.html or by phone at (480) 607-9990.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Scottsdale, AZ -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/15/2006 -- The Scottsdale real estate market for large, ornate, luxurious homes continues to surge in Arizona's Valley of the Sun. Whether these luxury homes be new builds featuring spacious lots, multiple pools and the latest technological touches or classic stately manors featuring old southwest charm, homes in Scottsdale with seven- and even eight-figure price tags are selling at a brisk pace throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area.

When they move here, they see homes with similar prices that feature wide-open spaces, panoramic views, walk-in wine cellars and high-tech video viewing rooms. Over time these homes are proving to be not only great places to live, but outstanding investments as well.

According to sales data from the Information Market, in 2000, 440 luxury homes with a price tag of $1 million or were sold in the Phoenix area. By contrast, through early October of 2006, more than 2,000 such homes had sold. The trend also holds with homes costing $5 million or more -- in 2000 four such sales took place. Through early October of 2006 that number was 32.

Such numbers don't come as a surprise to the Arizona Realtors such as Echo Farrell of 1st USA Realty Executives in Scottsdale, (http://www.azsonorahomes.com) who specializes in the Scottsdale luxury home market. Farrell, who has helped her clients sell numerous luxury homes, sees the local market elements and the appeal which make such luxury home sales possible.

"The strength of the luxury home market in Scottsdale reflects all the things the Greater Phoenix area has going for it right now," Farrell said. "We have a strong economy with new, better paying jobs. We have the gorgeous weather, some of the country's best shopping and golf, and many beautifully unique luxury homes that accentuate the aesthetic qualities of the Sonoran Desert. These elements add up to a lot of appeal for clients with high-end tastes."

While million-dollar homes are popping up throughout the state, the bulk of such luxury home sales occur in Farrell's areas of expertise, the lush environs of North Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. There, those looking for unique architecture and stunning desert and mountain views, can experience fine living for considerably less than elsewhere in the western United States.

"Many of my clients come from California where a million dollars buys a home that is nice, but far from spectacular," Farrell said. "When they move here, they see homes with similar prices that feature wide-open spaces, panoramic views, walk-in wine cellars and high-tech video viewing rooms. Over time these homes are proving to be not only great places to live, but outstanding investments as well."

Those wishing to learn more about Arizona's luxury home market and in particular luxury homes in Scottsdale, or wishing to purchase or sell a high-end home, can contact Scottsdale Realtor Echo Farrell at 480-607-9990 or visit her site at http://www.azsonorahomes.com.

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