REALTOR® WEEKLY UPDATE
Weekly Update on PGPCNPREALTORS.com
December 18th, 2008 To view archive editions, please click HERE.
Breaking News!
If you have not already done so, you have only 13 more days to complete your Quadrennial Ethics requirement. All REALTORS® must take NAR Code of Ethics between January 1st 2005 and December 31st 2008. Please keep in mind that this Ethics Requirement is not necessarily included in your 14 hour license renewal class, it depends on where you took your 14 hour class. All 14 hour classes at our Association include the Ethics requirement. You can still take the on-line version of the course by clicking HERE. If you have any problems accessing the on-line version or have any additional questions, please email David Logan. If you would like to see if you have taken the required course already click HERE, once you login, click “Change your information in the National REALTOR Database System (NRDS)”, then click “View my Education Record”. If you do not see an ethics class since 2005 then you will need to take one prior to the December 31st deadline.
Need your 14 Hour License Renewal? - Our Association will be hosting the 14 Hour License Renewal course on February 26th & 27th and August 26th & 27th this year. This course will meet your 14 hour license requirement including CORE LAW and QUADRENNIAL ETHICS. Course can be taken in full or each class al la carte. Classes will be FREE to anyone who signs up for the Education Passport with their dues. Non Passport holders will pay $15 per class or $60 for the entire 14 hour course. Please email David-Logan@comcast.net to reserve a space today. ***Remember that January 1st 2009 begins a new Ethics Cycle, all 14 hour courses held at our Association will include the new required Ethics course, don’t wait until the last minute, get your ethics requirement out of the way***
2009 Social Events – The Association Business Partner Committee invites you to come join the Association's Members and Business Partners for a time of Networking Fun. Enjoy FREE APPETIZERS, DRAWINGS, DOOR PRIZES, and SOCIALIZING. Do not miss out on the opportunity to mingle with fellow REALTORS and Business Partners. Expand your social network and increase your business opportunities. January 27th 5:30pm at Visani’s, please RSVP to David-Logan@comcast.net. Keep an eye out for a social event on the 4th Tuesday of each month.
MLXChange 5.0 On Tuesday, January 13th 2009, Mid Florida will be upgrading MLXchange to version 5.0. This version will host new features that include improved report editor functionality, multiple map search capabilities, enhancements to the Inventory Watch and ease in finding member and office information, amongst other enhancements. Click here to review the new features and functionality in MLXchange 5.0»
Last Week’s Winner!!
"AJ" Alicia J Riedel - $20 Gift Card to River City Grill, please email or call (766-1411) to receive your prize compliments of Kevin Graham and West Coast Agencies West Coast would like to thank the local REALTOR® community for their support over the years. Remember, you can't win unless you enter and it only takes a few seconds. See below for this week's drawing compliments of Lambert & O'Neill, Inc, if you win it could really help improve your holiday dining experience!!
Please click HERE to be entered in a drawing to win a $25 Carrabbas Gift Card compliments of Lambert & O’Neill. Lambert & O'Neill is a local Builder/Remodeler, with years of experience in Residential and Commercial, New and Remodeling Construction. They also specialize in Hurricane Shutter/Impact Window Protection, Mold Remediation with Clearance Certification, and Waterproofing for the aftermarket. They are a Registered Certifying Agent and Members of the Florida Green Building Coalition, emphasizing the practice of energy conservation as they build their final product.
Many of our Association Members are clients of Lambert & O'Neill both before and after Charley. Lambert & O'Neill restored the PG/PC/NP Realtors Association, Inc. building and was the Contractor for the 2007 renovation of facilities on the building. The company has placed strong emphasis on a need by our Realtors to prepare distressed and incomplete properties for the marketplace. Uncompromising quality, on time delivery, and attention to detail in all their projects has earned them the successful reputation they enjoy. Visit them at www.lambertandoneill.com or call toll free 877-463-1640. No project is too small for their interest.
From the President’s Desk
Bill Dryburgh, President
REALTORS®,
Your Association and I have been going over all parts of the budget to make sure that we can meet your needs for next year. One item that has a high cost associated with it is the Gulf Coast MLS Alliance. As much as I hate to say this, we are dropping the Alliance as of January 1st, 2009. I hope this action will not cause too much trouble for you in the future.
Also I am sure you saw yesterday that the Federal Reserve did lower the Prime Rate to just 1/4 and everyone is saying that the 30 year fixed will come down to as low as 4 1/2%. That should be great news for all of us who have buyers that need a loan.
I can only hope that this Christmas season is the best ever and that it brings you much Joy and Happiness. Merry Christmas!
Education Corner
Know your Contracts - Do you know what each paragraph in a sales contract means? "Your knowledge of the contract protects the buyers, the sellers and you," says Nancy J. Riley, a Realtor for more than 30 years, 2007 FAR president and a member of the state's Taxation & Budget Reform Commission. She says “If you're not clear about a contract, talk with your broker or take classes through your local association”. The next Contract Class is available locally on January 26th, click HERE for details. Click HERE for more from Nancy Riley on video.
Making the most of your Mid-Florida Membership? Sign up for additional FREE training and unlock the tools to help you succeed! See the list of FREE Mid-Florida educational opportunities. Courses include “Design Web Page”, “iMapp: interactive tax and mailing labels”, “Tools: MongoFax, RatePlug, ShowingTime and MLX Wireless ”, “Creating a Professional CMA”, and “MLXChange Advanced”. Most classes are HANDS ON with laptops provided. This additional training is included in your Mid Florida membership, so do not miss out on these opportunities. Click HERE for class schedule, additional details and to reserve a seat. There are still spaces available for December classes; sign up soon seating is limited.
Visit the Education Calendar for full course offering and details.
Welcome New Members
Helen Bollerman
Sue Downs
Barry Dyble
Christopher Frohlich
Carolyn Hawkins
Pam Kilmer
Louis Normand
Joe Nunez
Cynthia O’Hara
Robert Orr
Jerry Overmyer
Peter River
MJ Shetron
Cedric Stubbs
Mark Volpi
Maureen Winsor
Stacey Wood
Karolina Zwiercan
Business Partners
Our Association is blessed to have an amazing variety of Business Partners who help us serve our clients every day. Our business partner’s also work very hard to help sponsor various Association events which provide everyone with a better experience. When was the last time you contacted one of your Business Partners to find out what is going on in their industry? There is no better resource for your business than Your Business Partners. We would like to welcome the following new Business Partners:
Robin Lindecamp - PuroClean Restoration Solutions
John Savage - Davi & Valenti Movers
Lon & Rebekah McCracken - Gulfside Mortgage Services
Nancy Milback - Appraisal Specialist of SWFL
Tony Williams - Apex Lending
Charles Yelton - Best Home Inspection & Construction
See the Business Partner page on our website to contact one of our partners today.
Where in the World is……
Dick Woodhull Coldwell Banker Sunstar Realty
Women’s Council of REALTORS®
Meetings 1st Wednesday of each month 11:30am
We look forward to seeing everyone at our next meeting at the Association headquarters on Wednesday, January 7th at 11:30am where our speaker will be Kay Stephan, a nationally known speaker on Business Etiquette. Please contact Linda Mazner with any questions or to RSVP.
Don’t miss the Caravan.
A Caravan is a great opportunity to showcase your listing, network with fellow Realtors®, get pricing opinions, and have a good time. No listing to show…just come along for the ride!
Punta Gorda Caravan – 1st Thursday every month – 8:15am – **Please note that the January Caravan will be held on January 8th due to the New Year’s Holiday** Home Choice Real Estate - 6101 Duncan Rd. To have your listing included contact Mike no later than noon on the Tuesday prior to the caravan.
Port Charlotte Caravan – 3rd Thursday every month – 8:15am - PGPCNP Association Office **Please note that due to upcoming events and holidays, this caravan will be meeting the 2nd Thursday until 2009** E-mail Karen Martin two days prior to the caravan date to have your listing included. Listings can also be faxed to Karen at 941-743-9023.
Market Watch
SIGNS OF A REBOUND? Sales are picking up in markets where prices are deflated, but the business is different than it was before the bubble burst, observers say. The housing market in deflated states - like Arizona, California, Florida and Nebraska - show signs of a rebound. Analysts say that prices have fallen to the point that those with average salaries can afford to buy once again. "The buyers are returning," says Lawrence Yun, National Association of Realtors (NAR) chief economist. "And in such a strong way that, now, we are hearing in some cases there is multiple bidding, which hints that maybe pricing is reaching a bottom point. But inventory remains high." Source: The Christian Science Monitor, Ben Arnoldy (12/16/08) © Copyright 2008 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688
USDA Loans - Real estate agents scrambling for a new way to move buyers into homes could tap an obscure home-loan program offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It requires no money down, and builders are using it to offer deals like "$500 moves you in." However, the program may run out of funding soon unless Congress acts. Read the full story HERE
Help for Renters of Foreclosed Properties- Fannie Mae said Monday it's finalizing a plan to help renters stay in their homes even if their landlord enters foreclosure. The mortgage giant says renters who can make their monthly payments could be offered a new lease or given cash to help move to a new home. Read the full story HERE
Success Stories: Career staying power - Industry veterans have seen it all, double-digit interest rates, homes languishing on the market and bidding wars. Find out how they succeeded against all odds by tending to time-tested basics like building reputation, referrals and knowledge. Click HERE to read their tips for success.
HOUSING RECOVERY BY SPRING? Financial mogul Sam Zell, beleaguered owner of the Tribune Co. that declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week, told an Israeli business conference Sunday that the U.S. real estate market will be in recovery by spring 2009. Zell pointed out that the U.S. population is growing, and with fewer than 600,000 building starts in 2008, a million fewer than any of the last 10 years, demand for housing will rise. Zell blamed the current crisis - at least in part - on ill-considered decisions. "We are living through our first Blackberry recession where, literally, information is instantly disseminated around the world and people, in effect, respond to it, perhaps, often without any particular caution or attention," he said. Source: Reuters News, Ori Lewis (12/14/2008) © Copyright 2008 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688
MLS TIP OF THE WEEK
Did you know that you can enter a listing in For Sale and For Rent/Lease? For the Rent/Lease Listing Parcel number enter the street address, do not get the Tax info to auto fill, just enter the information in manually. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Gitzen
Real Estate Trivia
This Week’s Question
Question: Who had more internet searches, Barak Obama or Brittany Spears? Were there more news stories on Iraq or Patrick Swayze? How much do you remember about 2008? News, Politics, Olympics, Economy, etc… See Yahoo’s Top 10 lists of 2008 to remind you what happened in this hectic year.
Answers: Click HERE to see the entire 2008 year in review.
Last Week’s Question
Question: How much do you know about foreclosures? This interactive quiz clears up popular misconceptions and helps you gain a more complete understanding of foreclosure Click HERE to see if you can answer all 10 questions correct on NAR’s foreclosure quiz.
Answers: Take the quiz and see how you do.