REALTOR® WEEKLY UPDATE
Weekly Update on PGPCNPREALTORS.com
March 19th, 2009
To view archive editions, click HERE.
Breaking News!
“Happy Hour” Social – March 24th5:30pm 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.
“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.
From the President’s Desk
Karen Rolland, President
My Fellow REALTORS®/Members,
Did you miss our General Membership Meeting yesterday? If so then you did not get the chance to see the debut of Mid Florida’s new visual marketing tool. Steve Weinberg of RealBiz360.com demonstrated this powerful tool to a room full of members who were excited to learn that this service is AVAILABLE NOW at a 75% discount from the normal price because Mid Florida was able to leverage the “strength-in-numbers” concept work to our advantage. If you would like more information on this tool including instructions and webinars, please click HERE. We were also pleased to welcome the CEO of Mid Florida Merri Jo Cowen who not only addressed our general membership regarding the issue of VOWs, but also took more than an hour to meet with our MLS Board and User Group members. Please know that your request and recommendations are being heard and passed on to Mid Florida who is working hard to make our MLS better all the time.
I also would like to announce that the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is now accepting recommendations for committee service in 2010! Do you know someone that you would like to nominate for a NAR committee? By the way, you can submit your own name if you want to serve! All recommendations must be submitted before May 26th and you can access the details along with the required documents by clicking HERE. The best way to learn more about the REALTOR® profession and help to promote positive change in our industry is to get involved on the local, State, and National level. I hope to see many of our members recommended and serving on National committees. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your President this year.
Education Corner
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 provided 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.
“How to Sell Florida Real Estate by Auction” April 16th9am. 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. Refreshments provided by Jim and Jean Green of Bank of America. You can email them at James.M.Green@bankofamerica.com or MJ.Green@bankofamerica.com.
"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. Refreshments provided by Bob Myers of Home Watch Group of SWFL or email bob@homewatchgroupswfl.com.
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.
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 bringing 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.
As a real estate professional, you can find yourself in some pretty compromising situations. We’ve got the scoop on how to stay safe and sell. Last fall, Andrea Lard, a broker with 1228 Home in Tampa, received a call from a man claiming to be a former National Football League (NFL) player who was relocating to the area and opening a gym. After making an appointment to meet him at the gym, Lard did some quick online research and couldn’t find an NFL player with the same name. “Red flags went up all around, so I asked another [sales associate] to go with me to the appointment,” Lard says. “When we arrived at the gym, the man introduced himself with another name. When I asked him about this, he got very defensive and asked why I had brought my ‘body guard.’ I said I wasn’t comfortable working with him and left.” For the rest of the story, click HERE. From Florida Realtor Magazine, April 2007 | by Richard Westlund | page 22
Welcome New Members
The following new members have been accepted into our Association and completed their orientation this past week, please help us welcome:
Fred Boland III of Coldwell Banker Residential
Douglas Boyle of Weichert REALTORS® Southern Choice
Jessica Coleman of Century 21 Aztec
Karen Crotteau of KPC Real Estate
Karen Engberg of Midwest Investment Realty Corp
Dennis Gardner of Allison James Estates and Homes
Mark Leduc of Exit Realty Foundations
Sharon McKissick-Perez of Bud Trayner Realty
Timothy Meakins of Coldwell Banker Sunstar
Barbara Pignataro of Gulf Access Homes
Linda Pitchell of Your Home Realty Group
Suzanne RochefortForish of Century 21 Almar
George Starsmeare of Re/Max Anchor
Maksim Timshin of Sun Realty
Kevin Weise of LocateHomes.com
Ann Whiteley of SunState Realty
Upcoming Events
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
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!
Women’s Council of REALTORS®
Meetings 1st Wednesday of each month 11:30am
The Women’s Council of REALTORS® would like to welcome the following new WCR members:
Maureen Duso of RE/Max Palm
Donna French of Century 21 Almar
Sharon Ebert of Century 21 Almar
Robin Lindecamp of PuroClean 1st Restoration
Kelli Geddeis of Re/Max Palm
Ann G. Whiteley of SunState Realty
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”. Also we are excited to have our WCR District Vice President, Donna Guido, in attendance, this will be a great opportunity to meet a member of our State’s WCR leadership team. Please contact Linda Mazner with any questions or to RSVP.
Market Watch
Drywall from China - which tests show emits sulfur gases that corrode copper coils and electrical and plumbing components, could be causing problems in tens of thousands of homes in Florida and elsewhere, according to attorneys who have filed lawsuits on behalf of Florida homeowners. Florida regulators and the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission are investigating. To read the full story, click HERE.
Commercial Real Estate - The current economic climate is offering new challenges for shopping center landlords and tenants, with both sides of the retail sector trying to survive. Many are taking a partnership approach in dealing with today's market and are working through rent relief requests as a team To read the full story click HERE.
Play 20 questions with sellers - What's the key to a successful listing presentation? It's not just the answers you give - it's the questions you ask. Experienced professionals prepare a list of questions to ask before even agreeing to a listing appointment. Asking questions like "Why do you want to sell?" and "Who else are you interviewing?" can help you determine a seller's motivation, while showing that you are organized, thorough and effective. And remember: The sales associate who knows the most about the seller usually wins the business. Get a list of 20 questions.
LOOKING FOR TECH BARGAINS - Real estate agents with limited technology budgets should consider free or inexpensive software applications. Those looking for a cheaper alternative to Microsoft Office can use OpenOffice.org 's word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation programs at no cost; and Mac users have access to iWork's suite of similar applications for just $79. For as little as $3.95 per month, meanwhile, agents can use the Jott app for Blackberrys, iPhones, and desktop computers to send e-mails and text messages via phone. They do not have to pay anything for three users to share documents, video, and property information via PBwiki 2.0; and uploading 40 megabytes worth of photos and digital images of business cards and receipts per month also is free. Other apps for agents to consider include GIMP, which is a free tool to enhance photos; and Livemocha, which is a free site using self-guided lessons and online tutorials to teach users a new language. Source: Realtor (03/09) Vol. 42, No. 3, P. 16; Evans, Mariwyn © Copyright 2009 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688
MLS TIP OF THE WEEK
Are you a "secret agent?" You could be, if you've recently changed your contact information on your marketing materials but forgot to update it within MLXchange. If other agents are unable to get hold of you, you could lose a deal. Don't be "missing in action." Double-check your contact information by clicking on "Settings" in the upper right hand corner of MLXchange, then choose "Personalize", then choose "Contact Information." Please be sure to verify all of your contact information including address, phone numbers and your website address. If you need to make any changes to this information, please also relay these changes to your local association/board. This is to ensure that your membership records are up-to-date and your information is updated on the MLXchange reports.
See the list of FREE Mid-Florida educational opportunities. Courses include “iMapp: interactive tax and mailing labels”,“Design Web Page”, “Tools: MongoFax, RatePlug, ShowingTime and MLX Wireless ”, “Creating a Professional CMA”, and “MLXChange Advanced”. Classes are HANDS ON with laptops provided and are held right here at your association. 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.
Real Estate Trivia
This Week’s Question
Question: As a real estate practitioner, you’re faced with potentially risky situations every day. Meeting new clients, showing homes, and even walking to your car at night can be dangerous. It’s essential that you make safe decisions and know how to react when confronted with trouble. How Safe Are You?
Answer: Take NAR’s REALTOR® safety quiz by clicking HERE. Do not forget to sign up for the REALTOR® safety class on April 24th at 1:30pm. Email David-Logan@comcast.net to reserve your space.
Last Week’s Question
Question: Many celebrity homes are easily recognizable, but how much do you know about the vacation/investment homes of the rich and famous? Check out Forbes’ list of Celebrity Second Homes including photos and descriptions by clicking HERE.