On Monday, February 27^th, Alain Pinel Realtors (APR) brought together leaders of the real estate industry and over 1,200 of their agents in a collaborative learning environment for their 2012 IGNITE Conference at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis.

This one-day, company-sponsored event brought together the industry’s most innovative thinkers and highly successful players to address the current state and latest trends in the real estate industry and in the Bay Area.  Keynote speakers included real estate legend Brain Buffini, and Steve Harney, author of “Keeping Current Matters.™”

APR also unveiled a number of new marketing initiatives and tools at the event, including the launch of their fully redesigned and enhanced brokerage website, apr.com; the release of their new mobile platform for the iPhone, Android, and iPad; the introduction of the APR Academy, a brand new online learning platform; as well as a sneak peak at the firm’s newest ad campaign that includes the use of augmented reality.

The main conference was complemented by a segment of breakout sessions featuring some of the most popular speakers and topics in the real estate industry including, Being Mobile & Social in 2012, Understanding the Luxury Market, Generational Marketing, and The Distressed Property Market. This intimate learning environment was designed for promoting conversation and collaboration, with established speakers, including luxury consumer expert and President of Luxury Portfolio, Paul Boomsma; Head of Training for Trulia and Co-Founder of the Social Media Marketing Institute, Ginger Wilcox; and Co-Founder and CEO of Distressed Property Institute, Alex Charfen.

“IGNITE was the perfect theme for our company-wide conference. With 32 offices and nearly 1400 agents around the Bay Area, it is amazing to witness the energy and sparks that fly when all of your amazingly talented agents get together under one roof. The conference was designed to ignite the creativity and imagination of our agents by emphasizing the importance of education and innovation, and the need to keep current in an ever changing market,” said Rainy Hake, Alain Pinel Realtors Executive Vice President.

The Inman 100 report recognizes those who “who embody leadership, ingenuity, strength, conviction, power, persistence, perseverance and progress.”  It identifies and honors those whose words and actions can shape and move the real estate industry toward change.

Inman News accepted and reviewed hundreds of reader nominations via an open, online nominations process that concluded in early November. An Inman News in-house review and selection process, led by the Inman News editorial department, considered reader-selected nominees and also suggested additional individuals worthy of consideration.

For more information about the Inman 100 list, visit http://www.inman.com/inman100.

88 Culloden Park Road in San Rafael, a spectacular 1907 California Craftsman, has been listed by Stephanie Lamarre of the Alain Pinel Realtors Ross office. A stunning example of the Arts & Crafts movement, this architecturally significant home has been delightfully renovated and retrofitted, while still retaining the original redwood paneling, wainscoting, cabinetry, and abundant bookshelves.

Illuminated by over 100 windows, nearly all the rooms enjoy spectacular Mt. Tam and garden views. Highlights of this six bedroom, four bath shingle-style residence include a gorgeous great room with stone fireplace, formal dining room with abundant built-ins, stately library, dappled sunroom, and spacious master suite with adjacent study. With a three-car garage and separate guest quarters, this resort-like atmosphere is perfect for entertaining.  Set on a knoll, this private, gated estate is located in the Forbes historic district, a coveted enclave of architecturally prominent homes, set apart from the bustle, yet close enough to downtown for easy access to all of San Rafael’s amenities - including the Marin Academy, downtown restaurants and shops, and the acclaimed Rafael Film Center.

The home’s current owners, Put and Pari Livermore, are members of one of the Bay Area’s most prominent families. Put Livermore, one of the first environmental attorneys, founded the Trust for Public Land. He was also involved in politics and personally knew five U.S. presidents. Pari Livermore is a well-known matchmaker and philanthropist, and thanks to her, the home’s stone patios and abundant gardens have been the site of many a wedding and special event. Put Livermore’s mother, Caroline Livermore, was a pioneer conservationist who founded the Marin Art & Garden Center, saved Angel Island, and is credited with preserving much of West Marin as park land. The home’s earlier owners were Sherwood and Constance Coffin, who owned the home for many years, beginning shortly after they married in 1917. Sherwood Coffin was a partner in San Francisco’s Coffin-Redington wholesale drug firm.

Listed at $2,250,000, more information on the property (including stunning pictures of the interior) can be found at www.88CullodenPark.com.

Included in the list for Top 250 Agents by Sales Volume:

•  #2 – Mary Gullixson (Menlo Park)
• #47 – Kathy Bridgman  (Los Altos)
• #96 – Nicki Naylor (Sonoma)
• #122 – Judy Bogard-Tanigami (Los Altos)
• #158 – George Montanari (Los Gatos)
• #208 – Debbie Sharp (Burlingame)
• #221 – Sherry Bucolo (Palo Alto)

Included on the list of Top 250 Teams by Sales Volume:

•  #172 – Pat Cox, The Cox Team (Danville /Blackhawk)
• #185 – Caitlin and Gloria Darke (Menlo Park)
• #250 – Steve TenBroeck and Jeff Stricker (Los Altos)

Alain Pinel Realtors congratulates all of these agents on their remarkable achievement.  We pride ourselves on the exceptional quality of services we provide to our clients and are proud to have these agents represent us. Through their hard work and dedication, these agents have not only distinguished themselves as some of the best in the entire nation, but they have also helped APR remain among the highest ranked residential real estate firms in the nation.

The REAL Trends 1,000 (formerly 400) is an annual report featuring the top 250 residential sale agents and agent teams in four categories:  Individuals by Sales Volume, Individuals by Transaction Sides, Teams by Sales Volume, and Teams by Transaction Sides.

Built in 2003, this magnificent home is situated on approximately 1.3 acres with a resort-like backyard including an oversized pool and spa. Featuring rich hardwood flooring, soaring box-beamed ceilings and French doors, this home is pure luxury. In addition to the master suite (with a bathroom featuring limestone flooring and a jacuzzi tub that overlooks the beautiful yard), this home has three additional guest rooms with en suite baths. With a chef’s kitchen, butler’s pantry, and wine bar, the living space is perfectly suited for entertaining. There are plenty of other perks for everyday living including a magnificent study, spacious walk-in closets, a balcony, and a three-car detached garage. Congratulations again to Janise and the lucky buyers!

Wish you owned this property? To search current listings, check out www.apr.com

This exclusive residence was inspired by the owner’s many trips to Italy. The home is approximately 6,650 square feet and located on 1.28 acres in the Los Gatos Hills. It features 5 bedrooms, 7 baths and 2 powder rooms. A private gated road serves four properties and this residence. The home has an additional private gated entry. The furniture quality cabinetry throughout the home was hand crafted in Italy. Italian hand-forged artesian iron work and gates welcome you. Irrigated, fully landscaped grounds feature an abundant citrus orchard. The exquisite outdoor sanctuary has a salt water pool with a hydraulic pool cover adjacent to a cabana bath and shower. For informal “al fresco” dining there is an open air Ramada with a fully equipped kitchen adjacent to a hillside picnic area.

For current listings, search www.apr.com.

This beautiful Tuscan-inspired estate, built in 2007, is the epitome of luxury.  After crossing a stream on a private bridge, this property features a 5bd/4.5ba main residence that is framed by California oaks.  The main residence spans three levels and features countless amenities, including a theater, wine cellar, and a spacious central gathering area perfect for entertaining as well as everyday living. This stunning property also features an equally impressive 1bd/1ba guest house with a full kitchen, a 3-car detached garage, a large pool and spa. With a level lawn, redwood trees, and flagstone terraces – this is a picturesque California estate.

A stunning Tiburon home, reminiscent of a Mediterranean villa, has been listed for sale by notable Tiburon residents. Located at 3 Owlswood Road in Tiburon, this home is listed for $3.8 million with Valerie Castellana, of Alain Pinel Realtors Tiburon/Belvedere Office.

Boasting nearly 6,000+/- square feet of living space, this unique home offers a feeling of luxury, impressive architecture, quality finishes and exceptional details throughout. Situated on over a half acre, this home features breathtaking water views of Sausalito, Richardson Bay, and Mt. Tamalpais.

With features such as a wainscoted office, 14-seat home theater, grand-scale chef’s kitchen, expansive formal living room and dining area, spacious terraces,  large patio with pool, elevated spa, and cabana, this home is perfect for both indoor and outdoor entertaining. Environmentally friendly, this green home includes solar systems in place for heating the saltwater pool, as well as providing electricity to the home.

For more information visit 3owlswood.com or contact Valerie Castellana at 415.533.9211.

Congratulations Michi!

The property is the only double lot on the Pebble Beach Golf Links, and consists of approximately 2.5 acres, with over 375 feet of golf course frontage on the 12th hole. The site commands white water views and an ideal location near Carmel Beach and Carmel Gate, providing easy and quick access to the village. The land can be purchased as one, or separately, with each lot listed at $16 million and $14 million. Both lots have water rights and legal parcel maps.

For more information please contact the exclusive listing agents: Karen McDermott 408.314.2673 and Mary Gullixson 650.888.0860.