Strawberry Fun Facts Pg. 13
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Links & Content
In This Issue: Page How to Hang A Wall Mount TV 3 February Training Calendar 4 Agent Development 5 #1 in Brevard County 8 Over $1 Billion Sold 9 RE/MAX Total Volume 10 Darren Hardy – Are You An Askhole? 11 Strawberry Fun Facts 13 5 Most-Loved Listing Photos 15 Lock-Box Violation Warning 16 Home of the Week 18 When Real Estate Agents Should Let A Buyer Go 21 When Your Laundry Room Appliances Break 22 Buying A Home After A Breakup 27 Top 10 Individuals YTD 28 Top 10 Teams YTD 29 Pinterest 32-33 Awards Recognition 34 Birthdays & Anniversaries 35 Property Management Division 36 Supporting Staff 37 Website Links: Happy National Training Center Strawberry Day! RE/MAX Mainstreet Paperless Pipeline ShowingTime RE/MAX University The ABOVE Magazine BrevardElite.com
*AUTO *HOME *LIFE *BUSINESS www.SuntreeInsurance.com
Paul McDonough
3199 Suntree Blvd., Suite 2 Rockledge, FL 32955 Phone: 622.5333 Fax: 622.5336
Vynn Pechart
Hanging a TV Mount Safety tips Before you get started make sure that you understand local building and fire codes. If you're routing cables inside your walls, use models that are rated for in-wall installations. Don't route your TV's power cable through your wall it's not rated for safe in-wall installation. If you want to keep that cable hidden, you'll need to hire an electrician to install a recessed AC outlet on the wall behind your TV. Make sure the area behind your wall is clear before cutting (using the techniques discussed in our in-wall wiring guide). If you drill through a fire block, patch it with comparable material. If you drill holes between floors, seal them with fire-resistant caulk per National Electric Code standards. Turn off the power in areas you'll be drilling or cutting to avoid electric shock. Before you connect your A/V cables to your TV, make sure both your TV and the source components are unplugged.
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February/March Training Calendar “Do’s and Don’ts When Submitting An Offer for A HUD Home” March 4 at the Melbourne Office Training Room With Scott Case 12:00 - 1:00 PM (A light lunch will be provided by Suntree Insurance)
“FSBO Boot Camp - Everything You Need to Know” March 10 at the Melbourne Office Training Room 9:00 AM (A light lunch will be provided by Cloud View Aerial Imagery)
“Reviewing the HUD Closing Statement and Creating A NET Sheet for YOUR clients” March 17 at the Melbourne Office Training Room With Prestige Title 9:00 AM (a light breakfast will be provided)
“Boot Camp – Open House” March 24 at the Melbourne Office Training Room 9:00 AM
“Boot Camp – Open House” March 30 at the Cocoa Beach Office Noon Please RSVP Susan Lewis at: Susan.BrevardElite@gmail.com BrevardElite.com
Take your business to new heights with
Agent Development Schedule your one-on-one 30 minute consultation with Susan Lewis please call 321-775-8110 Susan will be placing an emphasis on consulting, training and accountability.
"Our first consultation focused on developing my action plan for areas I want to improve on for 2015. We covered Farming, FSBO's, Personal Marketing Promotions and effectively using Social Media so I'm not wasting my time. We picked up where we left off in our follow up session and reviewed progress on activities. We also talked scripts/dialogues for "problem" customers. My mindset is in action mode and Susan is helping me stay accountable towards my goals." ~ Barb Mihalik
"Our meeting with Susan was well worth the time we spent with her. She opened our eyes to the simple things that we knew we should be doing, but just don't ever seem to find the time to get it done. She gave us some great ideas that we plan on implementing into our 2015 business plan. Thank you Susan for the great one-on-one time!" ~ Lou Ann Janke
We promised to never stop looking at ways to improve as a company no matter how successful we become. BrevardElite.com
Feb. 26 - Mar. 9, 2015 BrevardElite.com
Prestige Title
Prestige Title of Brevard has the knowledge, experience, and resources to get your real estate transaction closed. So whether you’re a buyer, seller, mortgage broker, lending institution, or real estate professional we want to be your preferred title insurance provider of choice!
5120 N. Highway US 1, Suite 102 Palm Shores, FL Phone: 321.242.7660 Fax: 321.242.1675
Tiffany Fortenberry 321.288.8931 Shawn Fortenberry www.prestigeclosings.com 321.302.0031 BrevardElite.com
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Let’s find out… Are you looking for new ideas to improve your success? Okay, good, nothing wrong with that. I’m glad you are here. But, what did you do with the last 151 DarrenDailys I gave you? Did you implement those? Have you applied, improved on and mastered those ideas? Are you coming here this morning standing on the shoulders of those applied ideas, now hungry for the next idea to level up your success further? If not, then maybe, just maybe you ARE an askhole. You don’t need another idea when you didn’t do anything with the last one I gave you.
Action for today: Instead of giving you a new idea, here’s what I suggest you do: Go back over the last four weeks, thus 20 ideas, and pick one to actually ACT on today. Look, I understand, we all get busy. We all intend to do something and then sh!t happens. I get it, happens to me too. That is why I am suggesting you take this time to go back and collect up what you might have left behind. Now bring it forth into the present and DO something with it. This is important because seeking more advice, input and ideas and feeling satisfied with the “seeking” and forgetting the doing can become a disease with a bad reputation - yeah, it makes you an askhole. You don’t want that, and I don’t want that. So DO it today, okay? Go back and find ONE idea you didn’t apply or master that you will do today. P.S. BTW, the only thing worse than an askhole is Someone who doesn't even ask, that just makes them what- yeah, an a**hole!
To get your Daily Dose of Darren's Motivational Medicine, click the following link to register: http://www.darrendaily.com BrevardElite.com
Agents when using ShowingTime services please remember any instructions you want the showing agent to know, need to be placed in the ‘showing agent’ section. Why?, you ask. They cannot not give any access information out until after the appointment is confirmed. After it’s confirmed, the showing agent gets confirmation by text, email, or instant auto call which will provide information entered into the access section as well as the showing agent notes section. Notes do not go in the ‘appointment staff’ section.
Brand Transfer & Storage 1731 Cogswell St. Rockledge, FL 32955 321.632.5020 Ext. 102 www.brandtransfer.com
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Strawberry Fun Facts Strawberries are the only fruit that wear their seeds on the outside. The average berry is adorned with some 200 of them. Strawberries aren’t true berries, like blueberries or even grapes. Technically, a berry has its seeds on the inside. They are members of the rose family. The strawberry plant is a perennial. This means if you plant one now, it will come back next year and the following and the year after that. It may not bear fruit immediately, but once it does, it will remain productive for about five years. Americans eat an average of 3.5 pounds of fresh strawberries each per year. It’s closer to five pounds if you count frozen ones. Native Americans ate strawberries long before European settlers arrived. As spring’s first fruit, they were a treat, eaten freshly picked or baked into cornbread. The ancient Romans thought strawberries had medicinal powers. They used them to treat everything from depression to fainting to fever, kidney stones, bad breath and sore throats. Strawberries are believed to help reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. They are low in calories and high in vitamins C, B6, K, fiber, folic acid, potassium and amino acids. Strawberries contain high levels of nitrate. This has been shown to increase blood and oxygen flow to the muscles. Research suggests that people who load up on strawberries before exercising have greater endurance and burn more calories. California produces some 80% of the strawberries in the U.S. They grow about 2 billion pounds of the heart-shaped fruits per year. To store fresh strawberries, wash them and cut the stem away. However, if you plan to keep them in the fridge for a few days, wait until before you eat them to clean them. Rinsing them speeds up spoiling.
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Kim Osman Insurance Group, Inc. 474 N Harbor City Blvd, Suite 4 Melbourne, Fl 32935
Call Today! 321.549.0678
Pete Osman
posman1@kimosmanins.com
Find out why It's Always A Great Day at the Kim Osman Agency
Kim Osman
kosman1@kimosmanins.com
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5 Most-Loved Listing Photos and Best Practices for Capturing Them 1. Uncover the Killer Kitchen Buyers won’t get the full impact of your listing’s awesome kitchen if your seller’s stuff is in the way. Here are three steps to taking great photos that uncover a property’s killer kitchen: Get the sellers inspired– Before your clients start shifting, prepping, and selfstaging, encourage them to take a watch a home design show or thumb through a home fashion magazine. Declutter– Step 2 is all about clearing out the unnecessary junk. The best rule of thumb here is: if you wouldn’t see it on a home décor show, then it needs to go. Highlight high-end items– When it comes time to capture the shot, make sure you capture close ups or shots that highlight interesting features like custom back splashes, high-end appliances, and other details. 2. Flaunt Your Fantastic Front-Shots The research says the front of the home is the number two shot that helps it sell, but snapping a drive-by shot won’t get you the offers you need. To get high-quality shots that generate the right interest Shoot in season– no one wants to see snow on the ground if it’s sun-shiny outside. Snap when the light is behind you– One great classic tip is to use the sun as your natural flash. Always shoot with it over your shoulder. 3. Make Them Marvel at the Master If you browse through Trulia listings, you’ll quickly find out that there are master bedrooms and then there are MASTER bedrooms. Here are two tips for making sure your photos capture the Master feel: Angle for success – When capturing the master bedroom, take your pictures from corners to really show off the room’s dimensions. Also be sure that your angles don’t crop out great windows, built-ins, or other sellable features like crown molding. Pull out the Tripod – Master bedrooms are full of straight lines. That means a shaky or tilted camera can easily ruin these photos. If you have a tripod, use it. 4. Bathe the Head Bath in Style Bathrooms are a great place to focus on when trying to add a luxury feel to your listings online. Paying attention to these small details can go a long way. Here are a few bathroom photo recommendations from street savvy agents like you. >>>Click to read full article
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Lockbox Access Violation Warning Notice to All Members: Unfortunately, we are experiencing an increase in reported violations of members NOT following the showing instructions in the MLS listing. In some cases, Members are using their lockbox key to access properties and walking in on homeowners unannounced and uninvited. Not only could this be a reportable police situation (breaking and entering) but it could also place you and your buyers at risk for their lives. Safety should always be your number one concern. Imagine, being at home and hearing someone enter your property uninvited...protecting your family and/or possessions are the first thing that enters your mind... The MLS Committee deals with many types of MLS Rule Violations but one of the most serious is members using lockbox keys to access properties without proper permission. Lockbox access to properties is a privilege and you must comply with the showing instructions listed in the MLS. Just because a property is on lockbox and/or visibly vacant does not grant permission to enter the property using your lockbox key. Also, we've had an increase report of members using "other REALTORS" lockbox keys to access properties. Please realize the 1st offense for this violation is a $500 fine to both REALTORS, the one who loaned their key out and the member who borrowed the key. Second offense is permanent revocation of your lockbox key privileges. The message you should take from this notice: -Always following the showing instructions in the MLS -If you are out showing property, discover a listing that you may have overlooked in your research that your buyers want to see and it's on lockbox...look for the showing instructions in the MLS or Call the Listing Office for permission before you use your lockbox key or make an appointment. -Never "loan" your lockbox key out to another agent, friend or client -Never "borrow" your fellow agents MLS Key, under any circumstance There is no such thing as an "Office Lockbox Key" We hope that you will take this notice seriously and always follow the showing instructions in the MLS. We thank you for your membership and if you would like to review the current MLS rules and regulations click on this link: MLS Rules and Regulations BrevardElite.com
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"I can't balance a blimp, but I can help you balance your portfolio" Bob DiBella, CLTC Financial Services Representative Registered Representative Investment Advisor Representative
www.rdibella.metlife.com 321.610.9934 321.255.1480 rdibella@metlife.com BrevardElite.com
593 NE Americana Blvd, Palm Bay, FL listing by Candace Jansen with RE/MAX Elite
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Important FICO credit score changes coming soon! There are new changes in how FICO scores are calculated. I’m happy to let everyone know that these changes are for the better! It’s often very difficult to understand how someone’s credit score is determined. Many factors are used to calculate a credit score; these include late payments, collections (medical and non-medical), foreclosures, judgments, short sales, number of inquiries, amount of credit outstanding compared to the amount of credit available, number of trade lines, length of time credit has been reported, etc. One of the main issues that consumers have is with collections, especially medical bills. Here is a summary of the new FICO changes: •Unpaid medical collections will have virtually no reduction in credit score. •Consumers who currently have unpaid medical collections should see their score go up by 25 points under the new system. •All collections which are paid off will no longer reduce the consumer’s credit score substantially (often times paid collections will now have no negative effect on their score). This is good news for consumers who want to buy a home but have not been able to because of unpaid medical collections or paid off collections. The end result will be more consumers will be able to purchase a home and get better interest rates and terms (the higher the credit score the lower the rate). Keep in mind that lenders will still carefully review the entire credit report, not just the score. If the collections are unpaid and a substantial amount (over $5,000) that could still be an issue in qualifying for a home loan. Each customer’s situation will be different-even though their score will be higher with the new rules they will still need to meet loan program guidelines (especially on FHA and VA). The FICO score changes will not occur overnight, but over the next few months these changes will improve consumer’s credit scores. For more information please go to www.fico.com. If you have any buyers that you’ve been working with and they “just missed” being able to qualify because their credit score did not quite meet loan program guidelines may now be eligible very soon. Please contact Dyer Mortgage Group with any questions. We would be happy to review these changes with your clients and assist them with getting pre-approved for a mortgage. Thank you for choosing the Dyer Mortgage Group.
Bobbie Dyer Division President 321-215-4419 bdyer@dyermtg.com
www.dyermortgagegroup.com BrevardElite.com
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When real estate agents should let a buyer go was demanding, and I When real estate agents should let a buyer go Sometimes it's best to cut your losses and get out This is the story of how I fired a buyer, then six months later, the buyer came back to me — but it didn’t unfold the way you may think. This story has a technology twist. In 13 years of practicing real estate, I had never told a buyer to find another agent, but this person was ruining my life. I’m sure many (if not all) Realtors have thought about firing a buyer who was driving them crazy, but how many Realtors have actually let the buyer go, along with the potential to making upwards of $30,000? Let’s face it: That’s a lot of money. It’s equal to three or four sales of averagepriced homes, and I spent six months with this client showing homes and writing up offers, only for contract cancellations left and right. I was doing everything right and still getting nowhere. I went to an extreme. Why? Because the client
don’t like to disappoint people. I sent letters to about 100 homeowners asking if they wanted to sell their properties and took this client to see homes at inconvenient times, usually around 7 p.m. I was bending over backward to please someone who ultimately could not be pleased no matter what the circumstances. You know those buyers who tell you what they want, and because there’s low inventory and it isn’t available in your market (or because it doesn’t exist), they feel there’s something out there that you must be missing. This is because they are always right. There must be a secret list of homes we’re not sharing with them. They just can’t fathom that what they want doesn’t exist in their targeted price range, and their expectations might be wildly unrealistic. Set expectations so you can communicate clearly. One thing I learned from this experience was that I
should set expectations upfront. I had been setting the expectation of low inventory with my client, but I failed to set expectations on when and how I would be communicating. I don’t know about you, but some clients text me questions at 11 p.m. I couldn’t figure out if this client was expecting a response that late or just couldn’t wait to get out the question, which was usually something that needed to be answered through a phone conversation because the question was complex or I needed to do some research. Set boundaries — so you can have a life! Every time I saw a text from the client, my stomach would turn and I would instantly get anxiety. It became a burden on my home life, my relationship and mental health. This person clearly had no boundaries or respect for other people’s time. I turn my phone off from 9 p.m. until 9 a.m. Unless you are on my favorites list in my phone, it won’t >>>>Read more BrevardElite.com
Contact: Kelly Cox 321.751.8711 Pillartopost.com • Leader in our industry in home inspections • Comprehensive & Accurate Reports
Home Matters: When your laundry room appliances break down or don’t work properly, it’s a hassle for the whole household. Learn about some things you can do to maintain and troubleshoot your laundry room appliances.
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IHOP will be celebrating its 10th Annual National Pancake Day on Tuesday, March 3 from 7 am – 10 pm. If you are not familiar with this event, this is how it works: Guests can visit any IHOP to enjoy a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes in exchange for a voluntary donation to CMN Hospitals. As you can imagine, this is a VERY busy day for IHOP restaurants and any help we can offer is greatly appreciated. We are looking for volunteers to join us at any of our 3 Brevard locations; Palm Bay, Cocoa Beach and Titusville, to greet their patrons and thank them as they make donations. This is also a great opportunity to engage with the local community. If you would like to volunteer please contact Susan Lewis at: susan.brevardelite@gmail.com
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Are YOU Overwhelmed, Overburdened, Maxed out, Bogged down, or just plain ole tuckered out?
The Elite Transaction Management Department can help!! An agent averages 19 hours of their time on a transaction from contract to closing. We are giving you back most of that time, so that you can focus on activities that drive in more income for your business! We have established exclusive pricing for these services and you only pay at closing.
$200 for 1 side or $250 for both! Providing the processing, organizing and communications you need to manage your transactions with accuracy, speed and the highest level of professionalism.
For more information contact:
Denell Hastings 321.775.8178
denell.brevardelite@gmail.com
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Give us a call today! 321-698-5370 Florida License # HI 8266 Melbourne & Surrounding Areas BrevardElite.com
Buying a Home After a Breakup 5 guiding principles to make the transition a little bit easier 1. Trust the process The best way to connect with your real estate agent is to be honest and comfortable sharing your true emotions. Let him or her become a real partner in your success. 2. Create your own story Everyone’s experience is different. Just because it took two years for a friend to Find a home after a divorce doesn’t mean it will be that way for you. 3. Relax and stay calm! Your home is out there! It may not be perfect at first, but it will be when you add your personal touch. 4. Don’t put too much emphasis on size If you have less square footage than you were used to, it’s a chance to live better with less. Leave the physical and emotional clutter behind. 5. Remember the journey Everything you’ve been through has brought you to this new place and space that belongs to you!
>>>Read more
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Congratulations to Our Top 10 Individuals YTD as of December 2014
#1 Silvia Mozer $16,159,471 64 Transactions
#2 Karen Osiniak $11,126,653 35 Transactions
#4 Pat Murphey $7,781,100 35 Transactions
#5 Sue Tillman $4,497,450 26 Transactions
#7 Theresa Friend $4,071,100 22 Transactions
#8 Peggy Penridge $4,040,165 24 Transactions
#3 Steve Vitani $11,111,607 34 Transactions
#6 Bruce Kwitny $4,330,700 28 Transactions
#9 Melinda Corns #10 Connie Trincali $3,385,400 $3,733,240 20 Transactions 17 Transactions BrevardElite.com
Congratulations to Our Top Teams YTD as of December 2014
#1 McCoy-Freeman Group $27,414,210 109 Transactions
#4 Joy Frankel Team $15,517,572 80 Transactions
#7 Brevard Real Estate Team $11,807,650 49 Transactions
#2 Platinum Realty Group $25,370,568 146 Transactions
#5 Barclay Group $12,524,000 48 Transactions
#8 321 Team $9,688,064 52 Transactions
#3 Coastal Estate Team $23,939,860 74 Transactions
#6 Kuhns Realty Group $12,261,865 66 Transactions
#9 Romano Team $8,186,819 29 Transactions
#10 Central Florida Team $3,987,118 35 Transactions BrevardElite.com
Veteran-owned company Established 2000 Happyhomeinspection.com
Work Smarter. Smart-Targeting focuses you on the homes most likely to sell.
Website: www.smartzip.com BrevardElite.com
We at H.I.P. Construction are dedicated to creating an organizational culture that encourages honesty, integrity, and professionalism by adopting and enforcing the following practices: 1.
Emphasize, through staff training, that the organization expects its employees to be honest, have a sense of integrity, and behave professionally. Convey these same expectations to vendors, consultants, volunteers, and anyone else who performs paid or unpaid work for the organization.
2.
Explicitly require "honesty, integrity, and professionalism" in all job descriptions, staff contracts, volunteer policies, performance evaluations, and labor agreements.
3.
Inform employees, contractors, and the general public of established policies, procedures, and expectations regarding honesty, integrity, and professionalism.
4.
Commend and reinforce behavior that exemplifies high ethical expectations.
5.
Never tolerate dishonest, corrupt, or unprincipled behavior in the workplace, regardless of job type or level of authority.
Get started with your FREE estimate today! 321.775.8212
jason@trusthip.com
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Wondering what to do with that leftover Valentines (or any holiday) candy??
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Candy Cane Cheesecake Ingredients: Crust 2 cups oreo cookie crumbs 1/2 cup crushed candy canes 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup butter, melted Cheesecake 1 1/2 lb. cream cheese 1 1/2 tbsp. peppermint schnapps 1/2 tbsp. orange juice 1/2 tbsp. vanilla extract 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 cup sugar 4 eggs 2 tbsp. sour cream 1/4 cup half and half 1 cup crushed candy canes Instructions: Crust Combine all ingredients and mix well. Butter two 8 inch cake (spring form) pans. Divide crumb mixture between the two pans, making 1/2 inch crust. Cheesecake Beat cream cheese, schnapps, concentrate, vanilla, cream, and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add remaining ingredients and beat well until blended. Fill both prepared pans with cheesecake batter. Place pans in water bath of boiling water and bake at 325 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Cool on rack and chill overnight.
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2015 Awards Recognition
Silvia Mozer
Andy Barclay
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Neal Spurlock – 02/11 Avto Surmava - 02/17 Sally Contess – 02/17 Candace Jansen – 02/20 Patty Teachman – 02/24 Mary Maniscalco – 02/27 Carol Burke – 02/27
Anniversaries Susie Graham – 1 year Ron Wallen– 1 year Theresa Friend– 3 Years Christine Cornwell– 4 years Patty Teachman – 4 years Jennifer McCoy- 8 years Nikki McCoy-Freeman – 8 years Bobby Freeman – 8 years BrevardElite.com
Our Property Management Division Your clients can fill out their credit application and pay online. It’s easy and menu driven. If you have any questions please call Sheryl at 321-863-7824 (cell) or 321-775-8122 (office).
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Click Here to see 321rentals.net
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Thank you for your support and referrals!
6411 Borasco Dr. # 117 Melbourne, FL listing by Patty Teachman
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Wishing you a fantastic Friday on behalf of your RE/MAX Elite Family!
321.752.5858 BrevardElite.com Your Supporting Staff
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