REALTOR® WEEKLY UPDATE

 October 23rd, 2008   To view archive editions click HERE

Did you download your certificate for FREE ADMISSION TO NAR’S EXPO in Orlando? Have you purchased your tickets to our HALLOWEEN BASH BENEFIT PARTY? If not, see the Upcoming Events section below for details and don't miss out!!
 
Breaking News!
Your Association website has teamed up with the IRS to provide you with a REAL ESTATE TAX CENTER located on the association website. This is a one stop web location to quickly find tax tips and documents pertaining to Real Estate Professionals. This information was provided directly from the IRS and should be a great benefit to you as we enter into tax season. You can find this in the MEMBERS section of our website or click www.pgpcnprealtors.com/tax-center.aspx
 
You only have 69 more days to complete your Quadrennial Ethics requirement. All REALTORS® must take NAR Code of Ethics between January 1st 2005 and December 31st 2008. Your Association is hosting classes on October 29th and November 13th. Please email David Logan to reserve a space. Course also qualifies for 3 CE credits.
 
Last Week’s Winner!!
Maura Riou- $20 Gas Card compliments of Lambert & O'Neill, Inc. Please email or visit the Association office to pick up your prize! Remember, you can't win unless you enter and it only takes a few seconds. See below for this week's drawing.
 
Business Sponsor – Brian Chapman State Farm Insurance 941-625-9998
Brian Chapman State Farm Insurance Agency has been insuring Charlotte County families and businesses for 24 years. Brian and his teams’ mission is helping people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. They are able to accomplish this goal by using the wide range of services offered by State Farm, whether it’s insuring your auto, home, life or assisting with Financial Services; Brian and his team are able to help you every step of the way. If you would like Brian or one of his team members to assist you in your insurance or financial needs; you may contact them at 941-625-9998. Please click HERE to be entered in a drawing to win a $25 Gift Certificate to Carrabba’s compliments of Brian Chapman State Farm Insurance.
 
From the President’s Desk
Bill Dryburgh, President
We have been working on a number of items to make your job easier and help you get sales in this tight market. When you come to the general membership meeting on October 31st you will see a report from our web provider that shows the hits on our web site and where the hits are from, it's eye catching.
On another note the Nominating Committees role is to select one person for each expiring term on the Board of Directors; therefore, once again this year’s Committee interviewed all of the candidates who submitted applications for terms expiring in your Association. They have selected the candidate most qualified to serve in each position based on their knowledge of the issues, experience, and leadership ability. Many have criticized over the years there is only one candidate from which to choose. At election time every year you are informed how to submit a petition candidate and it is up to the membership to submit a petition candidate. This year we have petition candidates for all of the expiring terms, which is great; however, the petition candidates are not now serving on committees and are not up to speed on the issues facing the Association. At a time when we have so many issues affecting our Association, now is not the time to have inexperienced board members attempting to lead and make unqualified decisions.
 
I am asking you to send a message that you want the most qualified and knowledgeable representatives serving our Association. With this in mind, please mark your ballot for Bob Gray, President Elect; Carol Cairns, Secretary; Dave Powell, Treasurer; Sue Ann Myer, Director.
 
Thank you all for your continued support and don’t forget our next general membership meeting October 31 at noon. RSVP via email by clicking HERE.
Education Corner
New Class: "Don't get Blogged Down" Nov 12th 1pm-5pm. Nationally recognized blogging experts Joeann Fossland and Frances Flynn Thorsen will help guide you through the blogosphere. Learn how to use blogging and a suite of social networking tools to leverage your expertise and online presence. Develop a blog business plan and promote your blog on/offline. You do not want to miss this unique opportunity. Presented in conjunction with W.C.R and sponsored by Lambert & O'Neill, Stewart Title, and Charlotte State Bank.
 
Short Sale Essentials: 4 CE CREDITS. "Short Sale Essentials" is the ONLY course on the subject approved by FAR at this time.This is a comprehensive, inclusive, REALTOR® to REALTOR® instruction NOT a teaser to buy expensive CD's and manuals.  Taught to the highest standards of the Instructor Training Institute, this interactive workshop will prepare you to be successful in the "Short Sale" arena and avoid the many liabilities along the way. Email David Logan to register for this important class.
 
Tax Deferred Strategies OTHER than 1031 Exchange – 3 CE Credits $15: Highly rated NEW CE class. Defer capital gains tax without a TIC, 1031 or Triple Net Lease and receive an income stream for life! Don’t worry about Failed 1031’s again with the 1031 Rescue. November 11th 2pm E-mail David Logan to sign up for this unique opportunity. Click HERE for more details.
 
International Seminar - FREE – Learn how to better serve International Clients with “Understanding FIRPTA" by local FARR LAW FIRM attorney Dorothy Korszen and "Immigration Issues” presented by International Attorney Donna Scarlatelli. November 3rd, 9am – Noon. Click HERE for more details.
 
Unlock the power of Microsoft Office. Classes on Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher are taught by our very own Microsoft certified instructor Mary Gitzen. Visit the Education Calendar for details.
 
Contract Class: Learn the "why's" of Contract Law; Comparison and Contrasts of the FAR-9 and FAR/BAR Contracts; Step by Step instruction in Completing Contact Forms. Instructor: Bill Perrault. November 20th 9am – 2pm
 
Making the most of your Mid-Florida Membership? Sign up for additional training and unlock the tools to help you succeed! See the list of FREE Mid-Florida educational opportunities. Courses include “Design Web Page”, “iMapp”, “Tools”, “MLXChange Advanced”, etc. Many classes are HANDS ON with laptops provided. Sign up soon, space is limited.
 
Visit the Education Calendar for full course offering and details.
 
Check your CE credits online: Visit Florida’s DBPR website to check the status of your CE credits.
REALTORS®, did you know you have access to an entire FREE library of print and audio books? Please visit Realtor.org to download FREE print and audio books on topics such as: Leadership, Public Speaking; Sales; Foreign Language; Travel, etc. You can even download FREE audio books by Barak Obama, John McCain, Joe Biden, and Sara Palin. Once again the books and audio books are FREE and available 24 hours a day and can even be transferred to your iPod, a CD or other portable device. Please contact david-logan@comcast.net if you have any questions. Use Realtor.org to get more value out of your NAR membership!
Congratulations
Please help us congratulate Phil Wilson who was recognized at the 2008 FAR convention for chairing the 2008 FAR Auction Committee. Please click HERE to see pictures of Phil with his award.
 
Business Partners
Local Lenders are ready to lend! The national news is filled with stories about the credit crisis and financial meltdown, but local lenders are ready to help your clients finance their purchases. We are privileged to have over 23 business partners in the banking/mortgage industry, please click HERE to find a business partner and call them today. Never make the mistake of letting NATIONAL news take charge of your LOCAL business. Contact a business partner to get the full story and let them help grow your business. Remember, we are all in this TOGETHER!
 
Where in the World is……
Cary Saffran                           Re/Max Anchor
Richard Hendrickson              Century 21 Almar
Mark Volpi                              Century 21 Aztec
Upcoming EventsIt’s a Graveyard Bash!!!
Image by Cool Text: Logo and Button Generator - Create Your Own
Halloween Party to benefit the Senior Scholarship Fund
            Saturday,October 25th 6:30pm – 10:00pm – PGPCNP Association Auditorium
            Tickets $15/each$25/couple available at the Association Office. Call 629-8261.
            Lite Fare…Cash Bar…Dancing
 
General Membership Meeting: October 31 at noon *FREE*. Lou Albert will explain to us what the 700 billion dollar bail out means to us on the local level, it's something you do not want to miss! Also, Frank Desquin will bring us up to date on the Property Appraiser's Office, so lets all be there and if nothing else get to know each other and enjoy lunch....A FREE LUNCH!! Click HERE to RSVP.
 
2008 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in Orlando, Florida! Nov 7-10th
All Florida REALTORS® are entitled to FREE ADMISSION TO NAR’S EXPO ($25 value). Download the following VIP INVITATION to take advantage of this free offer. Expo features: Unlimited opportunities to shop, compare, and save on the best tools on the market. More than 600 exhibitors and the opportunity to talk directly with product experts. Second home and resort properties around the world from nearly 100 exhibitors. Win $1,000 in daily drawings or a new Cadillac CTS!
Women’s Council of REALTORS®
Meetings 1st Wednesday of each month 11:30am
Next meeting Wednesday November, 5th 11:30am – Mark Martella of the Martella Law Firm will speak on how to structure your business – what are the pros and cons of various corporate structures for real estate professionals? Guests Welcome, please RSVP to Sharon Neuhofer to take advantage of this opportunity.
 
Bowling with WCR – November 1st 6pm – 8pm Treasure Lanes. Click HERE for more information and sponsorship opportunities. Contact Rose or Odette for additional information.
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.
Legislative Update
Health Insurance - Florida has picked six insurers, including United Healthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, to provide no-frills health insurance plans for nearly 4 million Floridians now without coverage. Residents uninsured for at least six months could be able to buy a policy under the "Cover Florida" program sometime in early 2009. Read the full article HERE
International - Residents of foreign countries are interested in the U.S. presidential race, and politics may come up in conversation with your international clients. But experts say it's better to avoid political discussions as graciously as possible - they can jeopardize a business relationship. Read the full story HERE.
More Stories:
MLS Tips of the Week
MLXChange Advanced Search Options: Did you know you can filter your searches using the advanced search options to make sure you are only getting the properties you want. Click HERE to view a quick reference guide and make sure you are WORKING SMARTER not HARDER.
Real Estate Trivia
This Weeks’s Question
 
Question: Can you locate the Wealthiest and Poorest places in Florida (per-capita income)?
Answer: See next week’s edition of PG-PC-NP Weekly Update!