REALTOR® WEEKLY UPDATE
Weekly Update on PGPCNPREALTORS.com
March 5th, 2009
To view archive editions, please click HERE.
Breaking News!
Are you learning to deal with a changing Real Estate Market? Would you like to learn how to shift gears and create an Urgency to Buy, Generate Leads, and strategies for setting a Successful Selling Price? DO NOT MISS Top Rated speaker Nikki Ubaldini who will present “Tactics to Success in a Shifting Market” based on the best-selling book “Shift: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times”. Nikki is a highly rated speaker on the state and national level and has been recommended by many of our local members, so you do not want to miss this opportunity to hear from her. Class will be held on March 11th from 10am – 5pm and will include a Free Lunch provided by Home Watch Group of SWFL. Class is FREE to education passport members and $15.00 for non-passport members. To view the flyer with details, click HERE. RSVP to david-logan@comcast.net to register.
“Happy Hour” Social – March 24th 5:30pm at Mamma Nunzia in Punta Gorda. 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. RSVP to David-Logan@comcast.net. Click HERE for address and directions.
***NEW CLASS*** “How to Sell Florida Real Estate by Auction” April 16th 9am. Our very own Phillip Wilson will be presenting his 3 hour CE class. Real Estate Auctions are on the rise and you do not have to be an auctioneer to make money by selling by Auction! This course teaches how a person with a Real Estate License can make money by working in conjunction with a Auctioneer. It also teaches how a person with a Real Estate License can structure and conduct their own Auctions. REALTORS® can increase their income by taking advantage of listing and selling Real Estate by Auction. Phillip Wilson is a nationally recognized Auctioneer and award winning speaker on the State and National level as well as the 2008 Florida Association of REALTORS® Auction Committee Chairman. Class is FREE to education passport members and $15.00 for non-passport members. To reserve a seat email david-logan@comcast.net. Click HERE for more details or to print a flyer.
Last Week’s Winner
ED “Moe” Olson has won a $25 Publix Gift Card compliments of PuroClean 1st Restoration Solutions, the “Paramedics of Property Damage”, an IICRC Certified Company. For more information on PuroClean 1st Restoration Solutions, please contact Robin Lindecamp at 941-205-3131 or visit www.PuroClean1stRestoration.com
From the President’s Desk
Karen Rolland, President
My Fellow REALTORS®/Members,
I am very excited about our March 18th General Membership Meeting. The event will start off with a cookout from 11am to 12pm with the meeting beginning at noon. The cookout will provide you a great opportunity to mingle with your fellow REALTOR® and Business Partner members as well as enjoy some great FREE food. At the meeting we will be presented with some exciting news from REALTOR® Sam Hague of Venice who is also responsible for the area’s Toastmasters International. Mr. Hague is coordinating the formation of a Toastmasters Club which will be held right here at YOUR ASSOCIATION (see “Upcoming Events” below for Details). Toastmasters International will provide a great opportunity for our members to improve their speaking and presentation skills and provide a much needed professional development tool for everyone. We will also have representatives from Mid Florida Regional MLS to speak to us about Virtual Office Websites (VOWs) to help clear up any confusion and answer any questions which you may have regarding the issue of VOWs. RSVP is required so that we can plan for the food and drinks, please email Food is being provided by Scott Joiner of
Education Corner
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, 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 covers the benefits of taking the online e-PRO certification course as well as gives you up to date technology advise that you can put to use immediately. Click here to listen to a short message from Internet Crusade President Saul Klein, on why you should attend an e-PRO Workshop! This unique free seminar has limited seating, please click HERE to register today or call 866-377-6627. Refreshments provided by
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 9am – 12pm, click HERE for details. Click HERE for more from Nancy Riley on video. RSVP to david-logan@comcast.net
Risk Management - Join award winning instructor Steve David for this unique course (3 hour CE credit March 24th 1pm). Today’s market is full of risk for both the REALTOR® and the Broker, it is more important than ever to know where the dangers are and how to stay out of trouble. Risk Management is all about saving your career, your license and your money. Steve says “This isn't a bad market, it's a pro’s market”, so make sure you take the time to be a professional. Also, as a bonus, Steve will provide you with some of his expertise in dealing with lenders, including: e-mail contact information for possible REO business as well as teach you the inherent risks of REO, short sales and arms length transactions. You do not want to miss this chance to see one of the best real estate instructors in the country. Free to education passport members $20.00 for non-passport members. RSVP to david-logan@comcast.net, space is limited reserve your seat today! Refreshments sponsored by Mark Martella of the Martella Law Firm who can assist you in handling your legal challenges in a professional manner in the areas of business law, real estate, bankruptcy, association law and construction law.
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.
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 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. Would you like to share your story of survival or a tip on how you got out of a potentially bad situation? Please feel free to share your experiences on Andrew’s new blog which can be accessed by clicking HERE. Questions, stories, or comments can be left anonymously. The more we share, the more we all benefit.
Contrary to popular belief, REALTOR® safety is an issue for both Women and Men. In January 2001, Mike Emert, a Bellevue, Washington based real estate agent and a young family man, was brutally killed with a knife. Although Mike apparently put up a struggle, he died of multiple stab wounds in the home he was showing. Mike’s death shocked the citizens of the Northwest and galvanized the support of his co-workers and the entire real estate community. Mike’s tragic death inspired the formation of the Real Estate Safety Council. This non-profit group organized the production and distribution of this brochure, safety posters, and a website dedicated as a safety information resource. In addition, the Council is assisting the National Association of REALTORS in it’s efforts to produce a safety video that can be made available to all real estate professionals. The Real Estate Safety Council publishes the following Open House Precautions which can also be accessed below or by clicking HERE.
1. Upon entering a house for the first time, check all rooms and determine several “escape” routes.
2. Make sure all deadbolt locks are unlocked to facilitate a faster escape.
3. Make sure if you were to escape by back door that you could escape from the backyard. Frequently, high fences surround yards that contain swimming pools or hot tubs.
4. Place one of your business cards, with the date and time on the back, in a kitchen cupboard. Note on it if you were the first to arrive or if clients were waiting.
5. When prospects begin to arrive, jot down their car description, license number and physical description.
6. When showing the house, always walk behind the prospect. Direct them, don’t lead them. Say, for example, “the kitchen is on your left,” and gesture for them to go ahead of you.
7. Watch what the prospects are doing at all times. Do not become preoccupied with viewing the home.
8. Notify someone in your office, your answering service, a friend or a relative that you will be calling in every hour on the hour. And if you don’t call, they are to notify the police immediately.
9. Inform a neighbor that you will be showing the house and ask if he would keep an ear open for anything out of the ordinary.
10. Have someone from your office, a relative or friend stay with you.
Upcoming Events
General Membership Meeting - March 18th12pm You do not want to miss our very first General Membership Meeting with our 2009 Association President Karen Rolland! We will be cooking out with Hotdogs and Hamburgers, so come and enjoy free food, networking, and a very informative program. We will hear from REALTOR® Sam Hague of Venice who is also responsible for the area’s Toastmasters International. Sam is coordinating the formation of a Toastmasters Club which will be held right here at YOUR ASSOCIATION. We will also have representatives from Mid Florida Regional MLS to speak to us about VOW’sand help clear up any confusion and answer any questions which you may have regarding the issue of VOW’s. Show up between 11am and 12pm for a Free Cookout with the meeting beginning at noon. Food is provided by Scott Joiner of
Toastmasters Table Topics Challenge March 25th 6:00pm – 7:45pm Watch teams from Venice and Englewood compete in a JEOPARDY themed table topics challenge, and help us vote for the best responses. Come see what Toastmasters is all about, meet members from around the area and hear some exciting news on new clubs starting in Port Charlotte and North Port! Toastmasters is a non-profit organization developing public speaking and leadership skills through practice and feedback in local clubs since 1924. Come learn to conquer your fears, express your ideas and succeed! To RSVP please email sam.hague@comcast.net
REALTOR® “Town Hall” Meeting – April 23rd, 10am – 12pm. Join us for a morning of informative and timely presentations from some of our most influential local leaders. Find out what is going on and put your finger on the pulse of our area’s future. Presenters include: Howard Kunik Punta Gorda City Manager, Roger Baltz Charlotte County Administrator, Frank Desguin Charlotte County Property Appraiser, Steven Crowell North Port City Manager, and Maryann Mize of Charlotte State Bank. The session will also include time for a question and answer period. To RSVP and take advantage of this unique opportunity, email david-logan@comcast.net
“Come as you Were” Dance Party – April 25th 7pm, Do not miss this unique social event presented by your Association’s Special Events Committee to be held at the Punta Gorda Women’s Club. Food, Cash Bar, Prizes, DJ, and a lot of fun.$10 per person $15 per couple. Tickets can be purchased at the Association office or by emailing the Special Events Committee chairperson Bob “Fig” Newton.
Cinco de Mayo (that’s May 5th for those of us who do not speak Spanish). Stop by the Association headquarters for a couple “happy hours” of food, drink, and fun from 4pm – 6pm. Keep an eye out for more details.
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!
Where in the World is…
Mark Bowsher - Re/Max Palm Realty
Michael Neufeld - Re/Max Anchor Realty
Vadim Desyatnikov - Century 21 Almar
Michael Glastonbury - Deep Creek Realty
Salvador Perez - Weichert REALTORS® Southern Choice
Lorraine Anderson - Coldwell Banker Morris Realty
Mark Anderson - Coldwell Banker Morris 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.
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
Commission on Short Sales - Real estate commissions are now protected in some short-sale transactions. In response to Realtor concerns, Fannie Mae announced that "preforeclosure sales may not be conditioned upon a reduction of the total (real estate) commission," providing the total commission does not exceed 6 percent. The policy became effective March 1. For the full article, click HERE. For a copy of the full Announcement released by Fannie Mae on February 24th, click HERE.
Mortgage Interest Deduction - NAR, which generally supports the Obama administration's housing and stimulus plans, announced opposition to one budget proposal that would water down the mortgage interest tax deduction (MID) for thousands of higher-income families. To read the full story click HERE.
Business Tax Changes - The economic stimulus bill contains several tax provisions to help small businesses struggling in a tough economy. Some could be especially helpful to a real estate-related business, such as a shorter holding period for S-Corps' assets. For the full story, click HERE.
International News - Saying it would help boost the economy in Florida and other states, supporters are once again lobbying the federal government to establish a retirement visa that would allow foreigners to stay longer than six months at a time. FAR offered support for such a proposal back in 2006. To read the full article, click HERE.
RIGHT TOOLS, RIGHT NOW, RIGHT PRICE - NAR rolled out a "Right Tools, Right Now" program to help REALTORS® excel during today's challenging economic times. The association took many of its existing fee-based tools, put them in a single location, and offers them for free, at cost, or at significantly reduced pricing. The program includes publications, education, services, resources and tools. NAR plans to update and change content monthly. In March, for example, the program offers free downloads of research reports, including the 2008 NAR Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers; free downloads of NAR's "It's a Great Time to Buy!" brochure; a free March 12 Webinar on how to navigate short sales; and free registration for the Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist symposium in Naples, Fla., March 29-31. REALTOR.org membership login is required to access some products. "Right Tools, Right Now" is on Realtor.org by clicking HERE. © 2009 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
MLS TIP OF THE WEEK
In an effort to clear up any confusion regarding Virtual Office Websites (VOW’s), we ask that you review the following information regard the default settings for Existing Listings as well as New Listings. It is very important that all settings comply with the seller’s wishes.
System Defaults for Existing Listings - All active listings in the system prior to the changes on 2/10/09 have been defaulted as follows:
Internet=Y (This selection identifies whether or not the listing can be displayed on the Internet (not just VOW, but the entire internet, which includes Realtor.com, MyFloridaHomesMLS.com etc.)
Internet Display Seller Address=Y (unless previously noted as “no” for IDX - This selection identifies whether or not the seller’s address will be displayed on the Internet.)
IDX=whatever was entered in the field originally
Realtor.com =Y (This field identifies whether or not the seller will allow the listing to be displayed on Realtor.com.)
VOW AVM =N (This field identifies whether or not the seller will allow for any type of property valuation to be done/displayed in the VOW)
VOW Display Comments =N (This field identifies whether or not the seller allow commentary/blogging, etc. on their property inside the VOW)
System Defaults for New Listings - For new listings added to the system on or after 2/10/09,
The field defaults have all been set to “yes”, allowing changes in accordance with the seller’s wishes.
Which Listing Types will be Included in a Virtual Office Website Feed?
At this time, only residential properties (all types, including rentals) must be included in a VOW data feed. Remember to check your existing residential listings and compare the defaults with the seller(s) wishes.
In an effort to continually improve member satisfaction MID FLORIDA MLS is conducting a survey to ask your opinion about the organization and its services. This survey only takes a few minutes, but will help make a permanent impact on the future of YOUR MLS. To take this important survey click HERE.
Real Estate Trivia
This Week’s Question
Question: One of our Nation’s most popular cities, often referred to as the “Capital of the World”, is New York City. How much do you know
about housing in the “Big Apple”? Take the following fun quiz and see how you do.
Answer: Click HERE to begin the 10 question quiz (please note that it is from February 2003)
Last Week’s Question
Question: For more than a century, federal antitrust laws have existed as a way to promote competition and prevent monopolies in business. Because real estate brokers and salespeople frequently cooperate with one another in the sale of properties, they have numerous opportunities to engage in conduct that might be construed as violations of antitrust laws. Do you know the ins and outs of antitrust?
Answer: Take NAR’s antitrust Quiz and see how you do, click HERE to begin the 8 question quiz.