REALTOR® WEEKLY UPDATE

Weekly Update on PGPCNPREALTORS.com

January 8th, 2009

To view archive editions, click HERE.

Breaking News!

General Membership Meeting – RSVP TODAY – Wednesday, January 14^th 12pm sponsored by Adams Homes. Click HERE for details, including our guest speakers Dr. David Gayler of the Charlotte County Public Schools and Lisa Harr who is a certified instructor for NAR’s new GREEN REALTOR® DESIGNATION. Also, we will have the Secure Shredding mobile document destruction truck for you to drop off up to 100lbs of documents to shred.

Free Seminar - "Wall Street, Washington, Real Estate and the Economy" – February 12^th 9am-11am - This timely and important seminar, sponsored by Stewart Title, will feature Nationally Recognized Speaker and Economist Dr. Ted Jones, Chief Economist of Stewart Title. Dr. Jones is the Director of Investor Relations for Stewart Information Services Corporation and Senior Vice President-Chief Economist for Stewart Title Guaranty Company.  He addresses the information needs of stockholders, conducts on-going research and supports economic and financial analysis for the company and its customers. Prior to joining Stewart he served as chief economist at Texas A&M University’s Real Estate Center, the nation’s largest publicly funded real estate research group.  Before that, he authored and taught the valuation and appraisal section of the Bachelor of Commerce in Valuation and Property Management at Lincoln College, University of Canterbury near Christchurch, New Zealand.  You do not want to miss this unique opportunity to hear from an internationally recognized real estate expert. Please RSVP to David-Logan@comcast.net to reserve a seat today!

Last Week’s Winner!!

Terri Anderson   - $20 Gift Card to BIN 82, please email or call (258-3055) to receive your prize compliments of Marcia Cullinan and National Bank of SW Florida. National Bank of SW Florida would like to thank the local REALTOR® community for their support over the years and wish everyone the best in 2009. Remember, you can't win unless you enter and it only takes a few seconds. See below for this week's drawing compliments of Dawn Cash and Debbie Guzman of All Phase Insurance, who doesn’t enjoy a FREE MEAL?

Weekly Update Drawing

Business Sponsor: Dawn Cash and Debbie Guzman – All Phase Insurance

Please click HERE to enter for a chance to win a $25 gift card to Outback Steakhouse compliments of Dawn Cash and Debbie Guzman of All Phase Insurance.  All Phase Insurance provides “Insurance for ALL PHASES of your life”, including Homeowners, Auto, Life, Health, and Commercial. Dawn and Debbie represent 30 years of LOCAL insurance experience and they know how to help you find the product that you need along with exceptional LOCAL service. Please call Dawn or Debbie at 941-235-2265 or stop by their office at 2265 Tamiami Trail, just south of Eyeglass World. Happy 2009 from All Phase Insurance, we look forward to helping you make this year a success!

From the President’s Desk

Bill Dryburgh, President

REALTORS®,
I look forward to seeing you all at our January 14^th General Membership Meeting where we will hear from Charlotte County Public School Superintendent Dr. David Gayler. Dr. Gayler will help provide you with a wealth of information on our school system as well as dispel some of the misconceptions that may exist. It is important that as ambassadors of our community and advocates for our clients, we are empowered with accurate facts about one of our community’s most valuable resources, our Public Schools. Dr. Gayler will also take questions as well as give you the opportunity to express your support and constructive concerns. We are also excited to have one of the very first presentations in the state regarding NAR’s new GREEN DESIGNATION, this will be a opportunity for you to discover what this program is all about and see if you are interested in learning more. Also, don’t forget to bring your documents to shred, it is not every day that you can drop 100lbs in a matter of seconds as well as help prevent important and sensitive documents from falling into the wrong hands or becoming the victim of identity theft. This will be a very exciting meeting and a great way to start off 2009 on the right path. I hope that you all had a great New Year so far and I look forward to more excitement in the coming months. Have fun and sell more in 2009.

Education Corner

Need your 14 Hour License Renewal including CORE LAW? - Our Association will be hosting the 14 Hour License Renewal course on February 26^th & 27th and August 26^th & 27^th this year. This 4 session course will meet your 14 hour license requirement including CORE LAW and QUADRENNIAL ETHICS. Course can be taken in full or each session 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 session or $60 for the entire 14 hour course. Please email David-Logan@comcast.net to reserve a space today. ***Remember that January 1^st 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***

FREE e-PRO SEMINAR March 10^th 1pm - Have you ever been interested in a REALTOR® designation, but had questions or just want more information? Here is the perfect chance for you to check out the details in a relaxed setting. Our Association will be hosting a free 90 minute e-PRO workshop led by Mike Barnett, Vice-President of Technology for InternetCrusade®, where you can learn about the e-PRO designation, ask questions, and learn everything you need to know to put you on the path to e-PRO success. The e-PRO Workshop is free to attendees and covers the benefits of taking the online e-PRO certification course. It will also cover many beneficial technology tips you can apply right away. e-PRO is the only online technology certification course offered by the National Association of REALTORS and it’s NAR's fastest growing certification course. This is a no-obligation free seminar. At the e-PRO Workshop, attendees will also receive a $25 gift certificate to be used for enrolling into the online e-PRO course. All existing e-PROs (and those currently enrolled in the course) who attend and bring a guest will receive an e-PRO pin ($25 value). e-PRO is recognized for elective credit in the designation requirements for CRS, ABR, and CIPS designations. This unique opportunity has limited seating, please click HERE to register today or call 866-377-6627.

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 26^th, 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.

Nationally renowned “Mastering Real Estate Marketing and Technology Workshop” is coming to Sarasota - Learn why top producing agents across America are hailing the Workshop as “The best real estate seminar they’ve ever attended.” Max Pigman, National Speaker and Vice-President of REALTOR.com^® will condense a lifetime of no nonsense, high impact real estate knowledge into one of the most valuable 3 hours of your real estate career for FREE. Click HERE for details.

Visit the Education Calendar for full course offering and details.

Congratulations

The following members have earned the prestigious GRI REALTOR® Designation, please help congratulate:

Welcome New Business Partners

Women’s Council of REALTORS®

Meetings 1st Wednesday of each month 11:30am

Support WCR and have a chance to WIN IT BIG! Join us on a trip to the Seminole Casino on Saturday, January 31^st. Enjoy Blackjack, Live Poker, and Vegas Style Slots. $20 will get you a seat on the comfortable charter bus along with $5.00 in free play. Bus departs at 9am and returns at approximately 6:30pm. Please call Rose at 941-255-0377 for details or to sign up for this unique event. We look forward to seeing everyone at our next meeting at the Association headquarters on Wednesday, February 4^th at 11:30am. 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 – 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. 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

CITIZENS PROPERTY INSURANCE CHANGES - A state panel on Tuesday recommended boosting Citizens Property Insurance Corp.'s annual premiums by a statewide average up to 10 percent each year starting in 2010. The Florida Legislature formed the task force to explore ways to return state-backed Citizens to an insurer of last resort for Florida property owners. The panel also approved a controversial recommendation: prohibiting Citizens from insuring new homes and condominiums near the coast. Read the full story HERE

NEW CONDO DISCLOSURE 2009 LAW TAKES EFFECT JANUARY 1st - Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, condo buyers are entitled to receive from sellers (who are not developers) a disclosure developed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) which details the rights and responsibilities of condominium boards and unit owners, voting rights, meeting notices and other governance matters. The disclosure, known as the Condominium Governance Form, is now available in PDF form from the DBPR Web site: http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/lsc/LSCMHCondominiumForms.html

New MLXCHANGE 5.0 Roll Out - Don’t forget on Tuesday, January 13, we will be upgrading MLXchange to version 5.0.  This new 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. To review the new features and functionality, click HERE

Don’t Forget to take Advantage of your REALTOR® Benefits – The REALTOR® benefits program can help you provide a value to your clients as well as build your business. One of these benefits is the Lowe’s REALTOR® Benefits Program which Marketing to your clients is easy! From one central location — your Lowe’sRealtorBenefits Home Page — you can type in your client's contact information and choose from a variety of options. Send FREE direct mail to your buyers and sellers with valuable Lowe's offers. Order Lowe's gift cards as closing gifts and save 5%. Offer your clients helpful homeowner tips and bi-annual project starter coupons with our Monthly "Inside Out" e-Newsletter. All of the products are personalized with your information, so take advantage of the opportunity to team up with Lowes and help your buyers and sellers. If you have any questions, you can contact Mike Huffman at the Lowe’s in North Port at 941-257-2200 Ext. # 222 

MLS TIP OF THE WEEK

Search the MLS by P AREA (P101, P102, etc…) – Your Association has developed the ability to search the MLS by P-Areas. These 33 pre-built searches can be easily accessed as part of your search filtering process and are ready for you to use. You can define areas such as Deep Creek, Burnt Store Isles, Burnt Store Marina, etc…without having to click on the map and draw the area. Remember that the new MLS roll out will include the ability to select multiple search options in the same field. Please click HERE for detailed instructions on how to perform this very simple function directly from your MLS. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Gitzen

Please click HERE to visit Mid Florida’s website to view this month’s MLS News Headlines. This page is full of practical MLS tips which will help you to optimize your business and work smarter. Reading this page on a regular basis will keep you up-to-date on your MLS and help you get the most out of your Mid Florida Membership.

Real Estate Trivia

This Week’s Question

Question: At our January 14^th General Membership Meeting we will be hearing from Lisa Harr about NAR’s new GREEN DESIGNATION. So this week’s questions is: How Green is your family’s home?

Answer: Take the Green Home Quiz by clicking HERE.

Last Week’s Question

Question: Can you Match the New Year’s Food Tradition with the Country/Region of Origin?

Answer: