H. Pearce Real Estate Company Receives “Woman Business Enterprise” Certification

North Haven (June 2011) – Barbara L. Pearce, President of H. Pearce Real Estate Company, is pleased to announce that H. Pearce Real Estate Company has received the "Woman Business Enterprise" Certification (WBE) from the Women Presidents' Educational Organization - New York Certification Committee (WPEO-NY) on behalf of Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). "I am thrilled to earn this certification because it adds further credibility to our work," said Barbara Pearce. "I am excited to see the opportunities that it will grant H. Pearce."

WBENC issues a Gold Standard, national certification to women owned businesses to ensure a qualified database of WBENC Certified Women Business Enterprises (WBEs). WBENC Certification verifies that the business is 51 percent owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a woman or women. Nearly 800 of the Fortune 1000 Corporations require that a woman-owned business be WBENC certified before providing access to their supplier diversity programs. Many major national corporations, including WBENC National Corporate Members, and federal, state and local government entities actively seeking to conduct business with a woman/women owned business(es) look to Women's Business Enterprise National Council to identify them. In addition to being afforded myriad business opportunities, WBENC Certified WBEs also have access to mentoring, education and capacity development. There are over 10,000 WBENC certified women-owned businesses nationwide.

The H. Pearce Company is a full-service real estate company with five residential and two commercial offices. It was founded in 1958 and remains one of the largest independently owned and operated real estate companies in the Greater New Haven region. Its leader, Barbara L. Pearce, President and CEO, lives by the principal that companies have a responsibility to give back to the communities in which they live and work. To that end, she has served on the boards of many non-profits and local organizations, including the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, Long Wharf Theatre, the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, the United Way of Greater New Haven, and the Hospital of Saint Raphael. She founded Women Organizing Women Political Action Committee (WOW-PAC), of which she is the current President. She has also served on the Connecticut Real Estate Commission.

H. Pearce Company's offerings include Pearce Plus Relocation, a full-service relocation company with national and international capabilities. Pearce Plus Relocation serves the needs of corporations, universities, and hospitals throughout the region. In addition, Pearce Plus Senior Services offers full relocation services to seniors who are moving from their family homes to retirement communities. H. Pearce also offers insurance, mortgage, and appraisal products to its residential and commercial clients through its additional subsidiaries: Pearce Financial, Pearce Insurance, and Pearce Appraisal Services. As a member of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, the H. Pearce Company has the capability of providing real estate and relocation services worldwide. The Leading Real Estate Companies of the World is a network of the top independent Real Estate Companies throughout the country. The cumulative sales volume of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World is larger than any other national real estate franchise organization.

"Receiving the Woman Business Enterprise Certification will, once again, offer Pearce more opportunities to further expand our reach, to better serve large commercial clients and raise the level of products we offer to our clients. This is a very important certification,” said Barbara Pearce. "Women owned businesses are a growing segment of the economy and we are very proud to have earned this designation."

Founded in 1997, the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is the largest third-party certifier of businesses owned controlled, and operated by women in the United States. The Women Presidents' Educational Organization (WPEO) was founded in 1998 and functions as a regional partner organization (RPO) of the WBENC. The WPEO issues the nationally recognized certification to qualifying women-owned businesses in New York, Northern New Jersey, Southern Connecticut, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

Barbara Pearce can be contacted at 203.281.3400, ext. 304 or by email: blp@hpearce.com. To learn more about H. Pearce Company, Realtors, go to www.hpearce.com.

Maureen Campbell Attends Relocation Directors Council® Conference

North Haven (June 2011) – Barbara L. Pearce, President of H. Pearce Real Estate Company, parent company of Pearce Plus, is pleased to announce that Maureen Campbell, President of Pearce Plus, recently attended the spring conference of the Relocation Directors Council® (RDC) in Las Vegas, NV. Campbell sits on the board of the Relocation Directors Council, serving on its executive committee.

This year’s conference theme was “Seeds For Success: Strategic Planting.” Over 90 relocation professionals from across the country gathered in Las Vegas to address concerns facing today’s mobile workforce. Keynote speaker, Jim Klonaris of Franklin Covey, offered insights on how best to execute strategies to assist members to grow their business.

Additional speakers examined the need for creative solutions to the declining real estate values, the prolonged recession, high unemployment numbers, and reluctance to relocate. Representatives from the corporate, relocation management, and real estate sectors addressed the current market environment, policy trends and shared creative solutions.

In addition, an afternoon of Learning Zones focused on compelling issues for relocation and real estate professionals in today’s challenging economic times. Attendees interacted with corporate and relocation management representatives at the organization’s dinner at Caesars Palace, celebrating the ongoing success of the RDC.

The Relocation Directors Council® sets the standard of excellence for real estate relocation professionals. Its Corporate and Relocation Management Company Advisory Councils work in conjunction with the Board of Directors to promote the highest ethical and performance standards in the industry. Its membership is comprised of 250 relocation professionals, representing over 5,000 real estate offices and 215,000 sales associates nationwide. RDC® affiliates have become the trusted source for up-to-date market information, best practices, industry specific education, and extraordinary relocation service. As members of Worldwide ERC®, RDC® member services span the globe.

To learn more about RDC or to locate an RDC member, visit their website at www.relocationdirectorscouncil.com.

Maureen Campbell can be contacted at 203.281.9315 or by email: mcampbell@hpearce.com.

Pearce Plus, LLC is a full-service relocation company working with corporations throughout the country. In addition, Pearce Plus Senior Services offers relocation services to seniors who are moving from their family homes into retirement communities. To learn more about Pearce Plus, LLC, visit their website at www.pearceplus.com.

Congratulations: 20 Years of Service

Congratulations Joyce Ellen: Rookie of the Year

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Keynote Speaker at the H. Pearce Company Annual Meeting

North Haven (June 2011) – Pearce Real Estate President and CEO Barbara L. Pearce is pleased to announce that Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, US. Representative for Connecticut’s 3rd district was H. Pearce Company’s keynote speaker at its annual meeting. “We were honored to welcome Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro to our annual meeting,” said Barbara Pearce. “She has accomplished so much on both the state and national level and contributed so much to our community. She exemplifies true citizenship.” The annual meeting took place on April 28th at the New Haven Lawn Club.

The annual meeting opened with a slideshow that celebrated Herb Pearce’s accomplishments throughout his life. Herb Pearce, the company’s founder, sadly passed away on April 18th. Barbara Pearce thanked everyone for their thoughtfulness and encouraged H. Pearce agents to go forward and succeed, to make Herb proud.

She then presented the company awards. Linda Teixeira-Ohr, Wallingford Regional office, and Virginia Vinci, Rocky Hill Commercial office, received awards celebrating their 20 years of service. The 20 members of The 2010 Chairman’s Circle also received their awards and Joyce Ellen of the Wallingford Regional office received her Rookie of the Year award.

The Honorable Rosa DeLauro gave a special thanks to Barbara Pearce for her invitation to speak at the meeting and shared kind words about Herb Pearce. She described the H. Pearce Company as being a “fixture” in Greater New Haven since 1958, saying, “Pearce has consistently given back and supported the community on every level.”

DeLauro shared critical issues surrounding the real estate recovery and solicited feedback from the audience, who shared their experiences and concerns. DeLauro discussed Congress’ interest in capping or removing the mortgage interest deduction, which would be detrimental to the financial survival of homeowners. According to DeLauro, it has been predicted that a decline of at least 17% in home values would result if the mortgage interest deduction is removed. She stressed that foreclosures drive the house prices down, affecting everyone, and that there are more foreclosures now than ever before. She shared that, on average, Americans borrowed 97% of their home value and that lenders are being incredibly difficult. DeLauro noted that the market and lending have to get back in line, but in a way that will not unduly undermine the biggest nest egg that most Americans have –their homes.

However, she also discussed the benefits of homeownership in spite of the difficult real estate market. She said that though rising home values have not made up for the deficit and there is still much work to be done, “[we should not] give up on the American Dream!” DeLauro urged everyone to get involved and speak to their representatives. “It is necessary to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac,” said DeLauro, “…It’s time to help American families get back on their feet.”

Agents had many questions for the Congresswoman. She spent time answering each one and provided suggestions. Questions were asked about the double tax on sellers’ conveyance tax, the 1% tax on buyers, reintroducing tax credit, making one’s voice heard, short sales, loan modification program (HAMP) issues, and the Dodd-Frank legislation.