REALTOR® WEEKLY UPDATE
Weekly Update on PGPCNPREALTORS.com
February 5th, 2009
To view archive editions, please click HERE.
Breaking News!
Would you like Tickets to the Daytona 500? - All Major contributors to the 2009 Realtors Political Action Committee will receive tickets to the Daytona 500 along with access pre-race through one hour after the checkered flag at in the Superstretch Suite #513 (just above the Superstretch grandstands) Pre Race FANZONE access, Daytona 500 Experience admission, food and beverage included! Golden R’s, Crystal R’s; and NAR Presidents Circle Members are invited! RPAC is what stands between you and the constant threats to your business- a sales tax on your commission, higher taxes on your business and increasing the Real Estate Taxes. Contact Rosemary Mahoney, RPAC chair for details! rpac@rosemarymahoney.com
February Happy Hour Social - The Association’s Business Partner Committee invites you to come join the 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, have some wonderful food, expand your social network and increase your business opportunities. February 24th 5:30pm at My Father’s Place in North Port, please RSVP to David-Logan@comcast.net. Click HERE for address and directions. Keep an eye out for a new social event on the 4th Tuesday of each month.
It’s All About the Price – Will we ever see “once upon a time again” in real estate and lending? What (or who) really caused this global pandemic-economic crisis? Up until now, all of the actions from Washington DC, have been treating the symptoms. So when do we address the real problem of reduced prices? What can we do to stimulate prices? Are we there yet, or does this go on and on? You do not want to miss this unique opportunity to hear from an internationally recognized real estate expert Dr. Ted C. Jones. Please RSVP to David-Logan@comcast.net to reserve a seat today! February 12th 9am -11am, FREE!
Save the Date: JUNE 19th, 2009 – Please reserve Friday June 19th, 2009 for the Florida Association of REALTORS® District Conference and Trade Show which will be held at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center right here in PUNTA GORDA for the first time ever. This event will include FAR Districts 13 and 5, representing 11 local associations from Marco Island to Manatee County along with REALTORS® from around the State and Country. Keep an eye out for more details and do not miss the unbelievable opportunity right here in our back yard!
2009 Business Partner Trade Show –The 2009 Business Partner Trade on February 13th, 2009 has been canceled.
Last Week’s Winner!!
Sharon Ebert - $25 Publix Gift Card compliments of PuroClean 1st Restoration. PuroClean would like to remind the local REALTOR® community that they are a leader in property damage restoration by demonstrating a high degree of professionalism and compassion and like REALTORS® they operate under a strict Code of Ethics. You can visit them at www.PuroClean1stRestoration.com or call 941-205-3131.
Weekly Update Drawing
Please click HERE to be entered in a drawing to win a $25 Applebee’s Gift Card compliments of Bob Myers & Home Watch Group of SWFL.
Home Watch Group of Southwest Florida is a residential home watch company, and our main mission is to give our clients “peace of mind while they are away” from their vacation home or primary residence. We understand the value of our clients investment, and want to help them protect it through our home security, maintenance, and property concierge services. Weekly and bi weekly interior and exterior detailed inspections can help prevent serious damage caused by utilities, appliances, insects, or mildew. We service the Southwest Florida region, including Port Charlotte, Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda, North Port, Venice, Englewood, Rotonda. Please call for availability in your surrounding area. Allow us to protect your investment by choosing one of our scheduled weekly, twice a month or monthly plans for your vacation home, primary residence, or investment property. We’re licensed, bonded and insured and have 20 years experience in the construction industry. Our inspectors “Know What to Look For”.
From the President’s Desk
Karen Rolland, President
REALTORS®,
SELLING WATERFRONT? YOU NEED TO READ THIS! - We recently learned that there is a movement afoot to protect the habitat of the juvenile Smalltooth Sawfish. How does this impact you? The areas mapped out for the proposed protection run from Charlotte Harbor down to Marco Island and its impact could be the same as that proposed for the manatee protection a few years ago, namely land use protection that could seriously limit future dock building, dock repair, dredging, etc.
This action is in response to a lawsuit that was brought against NOAA back in 2003 and again in 2005. NOAA quietly scheduled public hearings in Naples and Fort Myers during January of this year with an original January 20 deadline for public comment. Public outcry has resulted in an extension of the period for public comment.
The purpose of the action is to protect the habitats in which the Smalltooth Sawfish live and grow. There are 3 parameters that would require protection:
1. Water areas less than 3 feet deep
2. Changes in the salinity of the water
3. Presence of red mangroves.
Public comment is being accepted until February 13th at 5:00 p.m. We strongly encourage you to voice your opinion if you want to protect our land use rights. To submit your comment electronically, please click HERE. You may also submit your comments via any one of the following methods:
Mail: Asst Regional Administrator
Protected Resources Division
NMFS, Southeast Regional Office
263 13th Ave S
St Petersburg, FL 33701
Fax: 727-824-5309 Attention: Shelley Norton
BE SURE TO INCLUDE THE Regulatory Information Number (RIN) 0648-AV74. To learn more about this issue, click HERE.
Education Corner
Need your 14 Hour License Renewal including CORE LAW? - Our Association will be hosting the 14 Hour License Renewal course on February 26th & 27th and August 26th & 27th 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 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***
FREE e-PRO SEMINAR March 10th 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 – March 16th, 2009. 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 March 16th, click HERE for details. Click HERE for more from Nancy Riley on video.
NEW CLASS - "Empowerment Techniques for the Changing Face of Crime" with nationally recognized safety expert Andrew Wooten - April 24th at 1:30pm - 3 Hours CE Credit. Don’t be a victim! This seminar is designed to teach you how to take a proactive approach to safety and to help keep you safe. The seminar is broken into eight modules and the topics covered include: Introduction to Safety; Safety at the Office; Safety at Property Showings, Safety at Open Houses, Personal Safety at Home, Safety; On the Road, Crime Awareness & Prevention and Identity Theft Awareness. RSVP to david-logan@comcast.net – class is FREE for Education Passport Members, $15.00 for non passport holders.
Transaction Desk – Are you interested in training for Transaction desk? Our Association is looking at options for Transaction Desk training and would like your input. Please email david-logan@comcast.net and let us know that you are interested, we will put together a contact list and keep you up-to-date on any future course offerings. Please include in the email what type of Transaction Desk training you are looking for, provide as much detail as possible. Also, let us know if you have had any experience with the online Transaction Desk webinars or other training, were these classes helpful or not? Again, please provide as much detail as possible. If you do not use Transaction Desk or know what it is, but would like details, please contact David Logan for more information. You can also obtain information on Transaction Desk by clicking HERE.
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.
REALTOR® Safety
As REALTORS® we are exposed to the possibility of physical danger on a regular basis. Over the next few weeks we will be brining you some real life stories from REALTORS® to keep you up to date on what to be on the lookout for. Also, mark your calendars for a 3 Hour CE Class "Empowerment Techniques for the Changing Face of Crime" with nationally recognized safety expert Andrew Wooten on April 24th at 1:30pm. For details see the course listings above.
“I was on floor duty in Punta Gorda, when I received a call to show a listing in Port Charlotte. The prospect was traveling from the north and could not come to the office prior to the showing. I called and confirmed that the homeowner would be available. I arrived at the home and after the time had passed, I called the prospect twice with no answer. I went to the door to explain to the homeowner that I could not make contact with the prospect and asked the 83 year old homeowner if I could see the house, since I was already there. After I entered, there was a knock at the door. The homeowner and I answered the door and we found three large men standing at the door asking for the homeowner's son. When her son walked outside to talk to the men a violent conflict broke out which resulted in a broken door and her son being wrestled and handcuffed. The homeowner called 911 and eventually the authorities arrived, with 3 vehicles, lights flashing and guns pulled. My car was blocked in the driveway the entire time and I was unable to leave the scene. After everything settled down, I was informed that the homeowner's son had an expired bail bond and the "prospect" was a bondsman who used me as a ploy to make sure that the homeowner and her son were at the residence. In the process my life and the life of the homeowner were put in danger, not to mention the loss of work time and productivity as well as fear and stress. Beware, this was in the middle of the day and was certainly a dangerous situation which could have resulted in physical harm. I made it very clear to the authorities and the bondsman that REALTORS® should not be used as bait in order to apprehend a fugitive.”
Where in the World is…
Michael Allgood – Murdock Realty
Jordan Stone – RE/MAX Anchor Realty
William Jurney – Horizon Realty
Women’s Council of REALTORS®
Meetings 1st Wednesday of each month 11:30am
Women’s Council will not have a regular meeting in March because we will be celebrating New Membership Orientation at the Association Office on Monday March 9TH at 9:00 am, all members are invited. This will be a time to network with our new members and educate them on all the benefits of Women’s Council. You do not want to miss this fun and exciting opportunity to support our new members! We have so many fantastic speakers at our monthly luncheons each of whom brings something to our members that they can use in their everyday business. Our next regular luncheon will be Wednesday, April 1st featuring Kay Keller who will be speaking on “Attracting New Business in a Lagging Economy”. We look forward to seeing everyone at our Membership Orientation in March. Please contact Linda Mazner with any questions or to RSVP.
WCR is pleased to present a “BINGO LUNCHEON” on Saturday February 21st starting promptly at 11 am. Come join WCR for lunch and BINGO at My Father’s Place Restaurant in North Port. $35.00 gets you lunch, beverage, 20 games of BINGO with a chance to win a $100.00 JACKPOT, along with an entry to win LOTS OF PRIZES. RSVP to Rose Apice at 255-0377 or rose.apice@stewart.com For directions, please click HERE.
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
Freddie Mac plans to let residents rent their homes after foreclosure - Families who lose their home in a foreclosure could continue to live in the home as renters, at least temporarily, under a plan Freddie Mac plans to announce today. Freddie will offer the same deal to renters in investment properties, which is similar to a program Fannie Mae recently introduced. Read the full story HERE.
Charlotte: Deals for commercial space are few and far between - It is quiet out there. That is how commercial real estate agents describe the market for warehouses, office and retail space in Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte and North Port. Only 12 commercial buildings totaling nearly 34,000 square feet have been leased in the past four months, while only five totaling 78,000 square feet have been sold. Read the full story HERE.
Commercial Outlook - The chief economist for CB Richard Ellis says the nation's commercial real estate downturn may linger. According to Ray Torto, Florida's office vacancy rate likely won't peak until 2012 at more than 25 percent. But, he added: "There is a lot of money on the sidelines" that could flood back into real estate and other sectors quickly if signs of a rebound are stronger than people expect. Read the full story HERE.
REAL ESTATE BROKER NAMED FLORIDA HOUSE SPEAKER - Rep. Larry Cretul (R-Ocala), a real estate broker, will assume the Florida House Speaker position vacated by Rep. Ray Sansom (R-Destin) - at least temporarily. Sansom resigned the top job in the Florida House today amidst a firestorm of media criticism for accepting a vice president position at Northwest Florida College shortly after the school received $30 million in public funding. Sansom has since left the position. Cretul represents Florida House District 22, which includes Levy, Alachua and Marion Counties. He serves as co-chair of the House Tourism and Trade Committee.
Sid Kitson “Full Steam Ahead on Babcock Ranch - Kitson insists that Babcock Ranch, located in Lee and Charlotte counties, is on course “full steam ahead” and the layoffs had nothing to do with any pressure from Morgan Stanley. “We’re just trying to be very thoughtful about the dollars that we’re spending,” Kitson says. “These are very difficult times, and we want to be certain that when this market does recover that we’re ready to go.” Read the full story HERE.
LET'S BE SOCIAL - Barry Libert and Rick Faulk, authors of "Barack Inc.: Winning Business Lessons Off the Obama Campaign," insist that businesses need to take advantage of social networking sites like Facebook and YouTube to boost sales. They point out that online social networking sites helped Obama raise $800 million during his presidential campaign. They note that social networking is an efficient way to reach out to scores of prospective customers, and company executives would be wise to designate someone within their firms to determine which forums and chat rooms are most popular. They add that adults now frequent these sites, with Pew Research indicating a four-fold jump in the number of adults with profiles on one or more social networking sites to 35 percent over the past four years. According to "World Wide Rave" author David Scott, "Nobody cares about your products except for you. . . . Find out what are your customers' problems and how can you use social networking to get them valuable information they want to consume."Source: Investor's Business Daily (01/29/09) P. A3; Linecker, Adelia Cellini © Copyright 2009 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688
MLS TIP OF THE WEEK
Have you Personalized your FREE WEBPAGES? – We have provide you the information to personalize your Free Web Pages that are provided through Mid Florida as well as the Florida Living Network. Just to give you a sample, we have put together a “before and after” display of a page on the Florida Living Network. Click HERE to see what your page looks like by default and how much better it can look after just five minutes of work. Remember, these pages already exist and people are already visiting them, the only question is what do potential customers see when they visit YOUR PAGE? Will they be impressed enough to contact you, or move on to someone else? To view and customize your page on the Florida Living Network, please visit http://fl.living.net/ and to update your profile through Mid Florida, please visit http://mfr.mlxchange.com/. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email Mary Tombs at mgitzen@comcast.net
Real Estate Trivia
This Week’s Question
Question: What Middle Eastern City has created unique massive, man-made islands off of their coast in order to host multi-million dollar homes, resorts, and estates? Properties on one of these resort communities name “The World” range from 15 – 40 Million Dollars each.
Answer: See next week’s edition of the REALTOR® Weekly Update.
Last Week’s Question
Question: The Real Estate and Financial Market challenges are not just impacting the real world, but also the virtual world. What is the name of the popular virtual world where millions of Avatars (virtual people) can buy, sell, and lease virtual real estate, some of which sells for thousands of REAL dollars?
Answer: Second Life is a virtual web environment where “Residents” create virtual people called Avatars. The economy of second life is based on the Linden Dollar which at current exchange rates is $261.00 L$ per $1.00 US$. Residents can purchase land at prices up to $1000.00 (US) and up to an additional $300 (US) per month in maintenance fees. Land is purchased through a land auction and yes, there are reports of “Virtual Foreclosures”. To learn more about Second Life, click HERE.