Real Estate with Heart: New D.C.-Area Agent?s ?Giving Back 10? Program Boosts Charitable Causes with Each Transaction

Washington, DC (PRWEB) February 13, 2008 -- Real estate agent Gregory Nelson is shaking things up in today?s largely doom-and-gloom market, by pioneering a program that allows clients to give to their favorite charity and at the same time distinguishes his business in a saturated marketplace.

Nelson?s new ?Giving Back 10? (http://www.givingback10.com/) program pledges that 10 percent of his commission on a home sale or purchase will go to the charitable organization of his client?s choice. Nelson and his brokerage company, Eden Properties (http://www.edenproperties.net/Home), give the money directly to the organization once the sale is complete.

?It?s a simple concept, and one that makes me feel good about being in the real estate business,? says Nelson, a corporate marketing veteran who has developed mutually beneficial marketing partnerships for companies such as Carlson Hospitality, USAirways and Nextel.

His inspiration for ?Giving Back 10? came while fundraising for the Washington Humane Society?s walk -- seeing and experiencing what it takes from volunteers, marketing partners and the organization itself to mount a major fundraising effort.

?As a new agent, I was looking for a way to distinguish my services from thousands of other agents out there,? Nelson says. ?I had already planned to leverage my hospitality and service industry experience. It became clear that there was also a way to draw on my partner marketing background by working with nonprofit organizations in a way that could generate revenue for them, and at the same time demonstrate my commitment to the greater Washington, D.C., community.?

While Nelson?s clients can choose any charity for ?Giving Back 10,? (http://www.givingback10.com/) Nelson has developed strategic partnerships with organizations including the Washington Humane Society, for which Nelson produces co-branded marketing materials that highlight the organization?s mission as well as the charitable donation associated with his services.

Recently, Nelson directed a donation to the PEN/Faulkner Foundation after closing a transaction in which he represented the purchaser. The gift was directed to the foundation?s ?Writers in Schools? program, which brings locally and nationally known writers to public schools in the District. ?'Giving Back 10? is such a wonderful initiative,? says Jessica Neely, executive director of PEN/Faulkner. ?We are grateful for the contribution from Eden Properties, as it helps us further our mission to encourage a love of reading.?

Jim Abdo, chief executive officer of Abdo Development, currently has a residential property in the District listed with Nelson. ?Greg?s extremely thorough on the service end, which is what real estate representation should be about,? Abdo says. ?Furthermore, he?s making his business about more than just a commission. He?s committed to giving in a meaningful way to charitable organizations, including those that are important to me.?

Nelson is working on additional partnerships and aims to one day license the concept to brokerages nationwide. ?The program is great for newer agents, who want to differentiate their services through social responsibility?, he says. ?It set you apart in the marketplace, and it?s a way to let clients know that you honor the business relationship and their community. ?Giving Back 10? shows real estate has heart and soul.?

Contact:     

Greg Nelson

Eden Properties

(202) 669-2896

www.givingback10.com/

Eden Ellis

Eden Properties

(202) 364-3640

www.edenproperties.net/Home

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