REALTOR® WEEKLY UPDATE
Weekly Update on PGPCNPREALTORS.com
May 14th, 2009
To view archive editions, please click HERE.
Breaking News!
REALTOR® District Conference – June 19th 2009 9am – 4:30pm. Featuring keynote speaker Dr. Paul Bishop, NAR’s Managing Director of Real Estate Research; Cynthia Shelton, President of the Florida Association of REALTORS® and Michael Shelton, President of the Florida Chapter of CCIM. Legislative updates provided by John Sebree, FAR’s Vice President of Public Policy and legal updates from Randy Schwartz, FAR’s General Legal Counsel. Commercial Roundtable moderated by our very own Maryann Mize and featuring commercial real estate experts Cynthia and Michael Shelton. Trade show featuring local, state, and national vendors as well as hands on technology and wireless communication options. Education classes and breakout sessions will address many of the hot topics of the day, including Chinese Drywall, technology, short sales, legislative issues and much more. Prizes and Giveaways, including a Netbook Mini-Laptop and a Blackberry Storm (courtesy of our local Wireless Zone stores) as well as much more. Download the conference flyer and registration form by clicking HERE, or email DistrictConference@gmail.com for more information. Click HERE to pay online with PayPal. In honor of the year 2009 member registration is only $20.09 and trade show booths for our Business Partners are only $75.00. Please feel free to email or call the Association at 941-629-8261 with any questions.
Know Your Contracts – May 18th, 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 May 18th 9am – 12pm, click HERE for details. Click HERE for more from Nancy Riley on video. RSVP to david-logan@comcast.net
Marketing and Technology Real Estate Series: Survival Guide 2009 REALTOR.com® has scheduled its free seminar to be held here at OUR ASSOCIATION on June 4th 9am -1pm. In early 2005, REALTOR.com® seminars were launched to help real estate professionals take advantage of changes in home seller and buyer behavior. This seminar helps REALTORS® to better understand how these trends affect the real estate industry so they can plan their business strategies and improve overall productivity and results. The Workshop has received extremely positive feedback, and since inception these events have been held over 400 times in cities coast-to-coast. As a special bonus, this seminar will also include practical information on which smart phones are best suited for real estate as well as what to look for in a digital camera and a free continental breakfast. Visit the Workshop website www.realestateseries.com to register or view the flyer HERE for additional information.
NEW REALTOR® Benefits – Health Insurance & Credit Union:
REALTOR® Core Health Insurance Program – NAR is pleased to introduce REALTORS® Core Health Insurance (RCHI). RCHI offers affordable, guaranteed-acceptance, Limited Medical insurance plans exclusively for NAR members aged 18-65. Click HERE for details.
REALTORS® Federal Credit Union – Open for business at www.realtorsfcu.org. Recognizing the special financial services needs of REALTORS®, NAR created a credit union specifically for REALTORS®. Committed to improving the quality of life for members and the greater community, REALTORS® FCU is the first completely virtual credit union and serves one of the credit union industry’s largest fields of membership.
Welcome new business partners
From the President’s Desk
Karen Rolland, President
Live from Washington DC
My Fellow REALTORS®/Members,
What a thrill, to be here representing our Association at the National Association of REALTORS® Mid Year Meetings! At the end of the week, I will be sending you a full update as to what went on, but for now I want you to know that everyone here is sending the same basic message…we are nearing the end of the recession and prices are starting to level off. The $8000 credit is working and the results are being seen across the country. Everyone realizes that more needs to be done, particularly in the areas of bank reform and the handling of short sales and foreclosures. Our voice is being heard and we (the real estate industry) are being recognized as the ultimate solution to solving the crisis. We need to level out the prices, get rid of the short sales/foreclosures, and get back to the basics in lending and real estate.
If you haven’t made your contribution to RPAC this year, PLEASE contact the Association and DO IT! We need to keep up the momentum with the powers that be, but we can’t do it without continuing to put pressure on our legislators and convince them that we DO need bank reform and their support. If short sales and foreclosures continue to take 3-6 months to close, we can’t get the inventory down fast enough to make the difference we need to make to get our economy back on track. Your RPAC dollars go towards promoting the actions that we ALL need to stay in business so I hope you will support it. If you already do, THANK YOU!
P.S. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your President this year!
Education Corner
International Seminar - Expand your Business into the Global Market Place – May 21st 9am 3 Hours CE Credit. Learn how the Win and Serve the growing numbers of International Clientele who want to Buy or Sell Property in Florida. Presented by Mr. Tony Macaluso, winner of the International Instructor of the Year Award; the only instructor to win this National Association of REALTORS® coveted award twice. Course is presented in conjunction with the Association’s International Committee. You do not want to miss the opportunity to hear from Tony about the opportunities for international sales. RSVP to David-Logan@comcast.net , course is free to Education Passport Members and $20.00 for Non-Passport Members.
***NEW CLASS*** - “Short Sales” & “FHA Update” – Join 2 time NAR Speaker of the Year Tony Macaluso for these two 90 minute seminars on May 21st from 1pm – 4:15. You do not want to miss a chance to hear the latest on Short Sales and FHA Lending. This is a unique opportunity that you do not want to miss. Free to Education Passport members and $20 for Non-Passport Members. RSVP to David-Logan@comcast.net , course is free to Education Passport Members and $20.00 for Non-Passport Members. Tony will also be doing a very unique International Seminar on the morning of May 21st (see above)
Unlock the Power of Microsoft Office - Our very popular Microsoft Classes will resume in May. Class topics include “Email Marketing and Contact Management with Outlook”, “Upgrading your Presentation with PowerPoint”, and “Design and Marketing with Word and Publisher”. All classes are taught by our very own Microsoft certified instructor Mary Tombs. Visit our Education Calendar for dates and times or email David-Logan@comcast.net to RSVP or with any questions. All classes are “hand on” and space is limited. Classes are FREE to Education Passport Members and $15 for Non-Passport Members.
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.
Where in the World Is…..
The following agents can now be found at…
Jeffrey Russell – Adam’s Homes Realty
Linda Pitchell – Century 21 Almar & Associates
UPCOMING EVENTS
“Happy Hour” Social is Back in Punta Gorda! – May 26th 5:30pm at River City Grill. 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.
Market Watch
Governor Crist Meets with REALTORS® - Gov. Crist met with 10 Realtors from around the state in mid-April to discuss the real estate market and ways the Legislature can help Realtors do business more efficiently and effectively. To watch the four minute video, click HERE.
REALTOR Benefits® - Lowe’s is pleased to announce new additions to the FREE Marketing tools available to NAR. Take advantage of personalized 10% off e-coupons that can be sent directly to your client’s inbox, absolutely free! Or choose to send out a Lowe’s 10% off direct mail coupon (now available in Spanish)! These and other great tools, including monthly e-newsletters featuring useful articles, tips and offers from Lowe’s are available to you at www.LowesRealtorBenefits.com.
Get the 2009 Home Buyer Tax Credit Basics, Now! - Get buyers off the fence by educating them about the 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, including which purchasers and properties qualify, and for how much. Find out exactly what you need to know to avoid a missed opportunity for you and your clients. For more information, click HERE.
Troubled homeowners - know they should call their lender if they hit a bad patch and have trouble paying their mortgage. However, a call to a financial counselor willing to look at a family's finances and offer a plan toward stability is just as important - but who do you trust with all the scam foreclosure schemes out there? There are several legit programs, most of them government-backed. HUD's Housing Counseling Program hosts a list of approved counselors online HERE. Counselors can guide homeowners to appropriate aid programs. Those include: Hope for Homeowners ( www.hud.gov/hopeforhomeowners or 800-225-5342) and Hope Now (www.hopenow.com or 888-995-4673). © 2009 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
MLS TIP OF THE WEEK
MongoFAX TIP - Is there a way to exclude the Email Cover Page™ from the PDF? Normally, all pages are included in the PDF file since it is often desired to have the recipient use the same Email Cover Page™ to MongoFAX back a signed reply. For those who do not want the Email Cover Page™ to be included in the PDF email attachment, they should enter noecp@mongonet.net in the CC field. This directs MongoFAX to exclude the Email Cover Page™ from the encapsulated document. For more FAQ’s and Answers on MongoFax services and features, click HERE.
Real Estate Trivia
This Week’s Question
Question: In February 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which granted an $8,000 tax credit to qualified first-time buyers purchasing a residence that year. With this credit, you can help first-time home buyers get off the fence and buy a house. Before you start sharing this perk with your clients, though, make sure you know enough about it to answer their questions. Take this quiz to test yourself.
Answer: Click HERE to take the NAR 2009 FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT Quiz
Last Week’s Question
Question: Can you identify the most expensive or least expensive real estate markets in the World? What countries or cities have the highest rental yields or sales prices?
Answer: Click HERE to see what real estate prices are around the world (please note that prices are in US $/square meter, divide by 10 to get approximate price per square foot)