D

Kevin Jonas: A Home of His Own?

He’s engaged! (Photo from People Mag.) Which means Kevin Jonas is going to need a home castle of his own, maybe even in tony Vaquero,  where he lives with his parents and brothers. I heard he was asking agents how much a house like his parents’ would set him back.

And I was wondering,  gee, why is Kevin so anxious to get out of the house?

Now we know.

The Jonas family is said to be very happy with the quality of their home, built by Calais Custom Homes. Coincidentally, Calais is wrapping a stunning $6.5 million spec home in the Creeks of Preston Hollow. Wonder if Kevin plans to house his bride and all the little (future) Jonasettes  in security-conscious Vaquero?

But even a bride can’t keep the teenagers out of his pool. Golfers at Vaquero (sixth hole) were treated to the giggling cacophony of four tweens who had snuck into the Jonas family pool the other day — alas, no one was home.

Audio: Sawbuck/A.H. Belo Conference Call

As promised, we have at the bottom of this post the 29 minute long press conference call where Candy and I ask Dave Ellett (vice president for A. H. Belo Corporation and president/GM of Belo Interactive Media), Guy Wolcott (CEO of Sawbuck Realty), Steve Barnes (co-founder of Sawbuck), and Chewy Redding (product manager for Belo Interactive Media) questions about the A.H. Belo/Sawbuck Realty online real estate partnership.

Just to warn you the quality of the audio ain’t great. Due to some extenuating circumstances I was participating via my iPhone on speaker phone setting so my recorder could pick up the conversation. If it sounds like I’m shouting in your ears I sincerely apologize.

If you want the quick summary of the A.H. Belo/Sawbuck deal here it is:

- A.H. Belo has invested $2 million in Sawbuck Realty.

- Sawbuck’s site will become the new face of the “Home Center” portion of The Dallas Morning News Web site.

- Clients who contact Sawbuck Realty to enquire about a home for sale will eventually be put in touch with a local “partner” agent who will show them the home and represent them as the buyer’s agent.

- If a home is sold via a lead from Sawbuck, Sawbuck will take 30 percent off the top of the 3 percent buyer’s agent  commission.

- A.H. Belo will not directly receive proceeeds from these commissions, but they do have a stake in the company.

- Partner agents will be determined based on experience and other criteria set by Sawbuck. (I’ve heard five years experience and and at least 50 sales over the last five years.)

- A.H. Belo will continue to pursue traditional forms of ad revenue from real estate agents and brokerages. Good luck with that.

Click here to play the conference call