March 13, 2015 BrevardElite.com
Links & Content
In This Issue: March Training Calendar Origins of St. Patrick’s Day Basics of Home Repair Requests Short Sale - 7 Things Buyers Need to Know What to Order When Dining Out Home of the Week Leprechauns: How Much Do You Know? Darren Hardy: Ditch the To-Do List Small Bedroom Ideas #1 in Brevard County Over $1 Billion Sold RE/MAX Total Volume Top 10 Individuals YTD Top 10 Teams YTD Awards Recognition How to Use A Pull Up Bar Pinterest “Weekend Special” Birthdays & Anniversaries Property Management Division Supporting Staff
Website Links: Training Center RE/MAX Mainstreet Paperless Pipeline ShowingTime RE/MAX University The ABOVE Magazine
Page 4 7 9 11 13 14 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32-33 34 35 36 37
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*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
Brand Transfer & Storage 1731 Cogswell St. Rockledge, FL 32955 321.632.5020 Ext. 102 www.brandtransfer.com
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March Training Calendar
“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 25 at the Melbourne Office Training Room 9:00 AM
“Boot Camp – Open House” March 30 at the Cocoa Beach Office Noon
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
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
The Origins of St. Patrick's Day St. Patrick's Day celebrates the Roman Catholic feast day of the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick died on March 17, 461. But did you know that he wasn't even Irish? History: Patrick's birthname was Maewyn. He was born in Roman Britain. He was kidnapped into slavery and brought to Ireland. He escaped to a monastery in Gaul (France) and converted to Christianity. He went back to Ireland in 432 as a missionary. While Christianity had already taken hold in the country, tradition has it that Patrick confronted the Druids at Tara and abolished their pagan rites, making Christianity more widespread. Patrick became a bishop. After his death, was named Ireland's patron saint. Celebrations in Ireland were understated though. When the Irish emigrated to the U.S., they created the bigger celebrations and parades known today. Eighteenth century Irish soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War held the first St. Patrick Day parades. The celebrations became a way for the Irish to connect with their roots after they moved to America. Facts: The shamrock: According to legend St. Patrick used the three leaf clover (or shamrock) to explain the Trinity. Dyeing the river green: The practice of dyeing the river green started in Chicago in 1962, when city officials decided to dye a portion of the Chicago River green. Corn beef and cabbage: This is an Irish American dish. Irish Americans were so poor they could not afford certain meals. On St. Patrick's Day, the best meal they could afford was beef and cabbage. It became a staple for the holiday.
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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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Basics of Home Repair Requests for Home Buyers A home inspection report will highlight a list of home repair issues needing attention before you complete the purchase transaction. Regardless of whether the house you want to buy is a new construction or decades old, you will always need to make a request for repairs. Repairs can run the gamut from major plumbing or electrical issues to minor tile chips or floor scratches. Keep in mind that it is unlikely that the sellers will repair the tens (or hundreds) of line items on your fix-it wish list. Therefore, it is important for a buyer to have clear and reasonable expectations when making home repair requests. Leverage Home Repair in Your Favor Let them hear it from a pro: hire a professional, experienced home inspector to fully inspect the home you have your eye on. Aside from determining whether the house is in good enough shape for you to invest your hard earned money in it, having an official inspection report will give you an edge at the negotiation table. Telling the seller you want the porch repaired because it feels shaky will not hold weight unless a professional home inspector submits a report about the porch’s structural damage. Each Home Repair is Not Equal to the Next If the home repair is relatively minor in cost or a non-safety issue, it may not be worth making an issue over it. Valid buyer repair requests are generally significant issues uncovered by a thorough home inspection. Any items obvious when you initially look at the house—like cracked sidewalks or peeling paint—should be stipulated in the purchase offer and not requested as a home repair later in the process. Common Home Repair Requests •Here are some items commonly found on buyers’ home repair lists, although sellers may or may not be willing to fix them: •Upgrading ungrounded electrical wiring if the house was built before the 1960s •Replacing old-style galvanized water pipes or any leaking pipes •Making roof repairs •Changing disintegrating sewer pipes •Upgrading heating/cooling systems and water heaters Required Home Repair Items Items a seller must fix are these: •Any water penetration issues, such as a wet basement or moldy walls •Local code safety violations, such as missing handrails or an unstable deck In addition, any repairs listed on the appraisal report must be fixed. >>>Read more BrevardElite.com
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www.rdibella.metlife.com 321.610.9934 321.255.1480 rdibella@metlife.com BrevardElite.com
7 Things Buyers Need to Know Before Buying a Short Sale 1. Brace for a wild ride Imagine that every bank is like the bank in the Harry Potter novels — operated by goblins with a dragon and an actual roller coaster in the back. Your offer could get stabbed with a basilisk fang, or just sit on a manager’s desk in perpetuity; better to assume the bank will reject it. Assume you will never hear anything ever again. Don’t start mentally moving in. Keep looking at other houses. When your offer does get accepted, you will be pleasantly surprised. 2. Get busy waiting It takes somewhere between a few months and the entirety of existence for a short sale to be either rejected or accepted. Real money is on the line, and all stakeholders need time to do their due diligence. Get used to uncertainty and waiting. Don’t call your agent every three hours asking if she has news. (Actually, don’t do that to anyone.) You’re playing the long game, so just take it easy — sometimes for more than a year. You should continue to look at other houses. You can always pull your offer and with no hurt feelings. Remember, it’s not binding until it is. 3. Get busy being busy Be ready to get your act together quickly if your offer is accepted by everyone. For me, Bank One accepted with a letter that was good until a certain date. It seemed like plenty of time, but Bank Two dragged its feet something fierce. When Bank Two did accept the offer, I had only a short window of time to get the house inspected, liquefy assets, and move money around for a down payment in time to close before Bank One’s letter of acceptance expired. It was bananas. I strongly considered walking away several times, but I’m glad I didn’t. Be ready to feel overwhelmed when things get really real. 4. Be ready to work (or spend money) It’s very clear that at some point the previous owner knew he wasn’t going to get any money out of the sale and put both of his middle fingers up to even basic maintenance. He allowed his pet to let loose on the carpet. I found a TV and a weight bench in the bushes behind the house … and then the bushes turned out to be old Christmas trees. Neglect is unfortunately common in short sales, and chances are better than great that the seller will never pay for any pending repairs. Expect to have to put work or money into your short sale. 5. Set your sights low to set your sights high My house was and will be an aesthete’s wonderland: a beautiful midcentury modern home with high ceilings, giant windows, and an open layout in a neighborhood I love. If it were in better shape when I bought it, it would have been out of my price range. Look past the surface stuff (but don’t ignore it) and maybe plan to live on foraged berries for a few years while you renovate. >>>Read more BrevardElite.com
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What to Order When Dining Out: Best & Worst Restaurant Choices for Dieters APPETIZERS/STARTERS Skip It: Bread and Chip Baskets Turn a blind eye to the free carbs on the table. Not only are they loaded with empty calories, but they're also typically served with fatty condiments, like butter, oil, or guacamole. You could easily consume 500 calories and 20g fat before you even place your order! If your tablemates are on board, tell your server you'll pass on the basket. Slurp It: Broth-Based Soup - A study out of Penn State has shown that eating low-calorie soup before a meal could reduce your total calories by about 20 percent! The soup fills you up and keeps you from overeating when your entrﾃｩe arrives. So kick off your meal with a broth-based soup, like chicken noodle or minestrone. Spear It: Side Salads - Pass on the croutons, cheese, and creamy dressing (sorry, Caesar). Request light dressing on the side; then dip your fork into it, don't drown your salad in it! Sea It: Shrimp & More - Look for shrimp cocktail, ceviche (raw fish marinated in citrus), and steamed mussels or clams. All of these are low in calories and very filling... Protein power!
ENTRﾃ右S: The Dos and Don'ts of Salads Restaurant salads typically fall into the "food faker" category: They seem inherently healthy, but they often contain around 1,000 calories! Special ordering can really save you here. Avoid candied nuts, dried fruit, fried protein, crispy toppings, and fatty cheeses; indulge in fresh veggies, cut fruit, and grilled protein (like chicken or shrimp). And a restaurant serving of regular dressing can easily have 450 calories and 40g fat! Even light kinds can have more calories and fat than you might think, so always get the dressing on the side. Then DDP: dip, don't pour! Protein Pros and Cons - Your best bet is chicken breast or fish, prepared grilled or baked. A petite filet steak is also a good option. The trick is to ask questions. Is the chicken breast breaded? Does the fish come in a sauce? Is the steak topped with butter? Dishes with sauces aren't necessarily off-limits. But ask for the sauce on the side so you can control the amount -- and steer clear of anything cream-based or buttery. Side Story - Starchy sides like rice and pasta are high in carbs and calories. Ask your server for a double serving of vegetables instead. A side of veggies is usually 50 calories or less (as long as they aren't oily or buttery), while a side of rice or noodles typically has about 300 calories. >>>Read more BrevardElite.com
4059 Orion Way Rockledge, FL Listed by Jennifer McCoy 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
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.
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denell.brevardelite@gmail.com
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Veteran-owned company Established 2000 Happyhomeinspection.com
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Website: www.smartzip.com BrevardElite.com
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Dick Blodin 321-544-1317 Email: rblodin@cfl.rr.com www.CloudViewAerial.com
Give us a call today! 321-698-5370 Florida License # HI 8266 Melbourne & Surrounding Areas BrevardElite.com
Leprechauns - How much do you know? The early leprechaun wore red not green There are no female leprechauns The Leprechauns are shoe makers Leprechauns aren’t just native to Ireland Leprechauns are a protected species under European law Portland, Oregon has the nation’s only dedicated leprechaun colony
‘The Little People’ helped Sean Connery get the part of James Bond The leprechaun wasn’t always Notre Dame’s mascot; the Irish Terrier was first The earliest leprechaun legend: Dekker’s 1604 Comedy ‘The Honest Whore’
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Contact: Kelly Cox 321.751.8711 Pillartopost.com
• Leader in our industry in home inspections • Comprehensive & Accurate Reports
Ditch the ‘To-Do’ Lists
To get your Daily Dose of Darren's Motivational Medicine, click the following link to register: http://www.darrendaily.com
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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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Small Bedroom Ideas: 5 Ways to Get More Storage Maximize under the bed — and hide it Feng Shui experts will probably cringe at the idea of putting stuff under the bed, but it's simply one of the smartest and easies ways to add a whole area of storage to your sleep space. If you don't currently have any storage, you've got several options: 1.) Buy a new storage bed 2.) DIY an under-the-bed storage solution 3.) Raise your current bed and add storage containers (and consider buying or DIYing them black or gray so that they aren't so blindingly "storage container-y" or adding a bed skirt to hide). 2. Organize your dresser like a pro We can't stress enough the use of great folding and drawer dividers. Taking the time to properly store the clothing you've got in your dresser right now could grab you more storage space today. But also consider other more extreme storage methods, like vacuum packing out-of-season clothing (I know some people hate them, but I'm a huge fan for keeping my winter clothes from being too bulky). 3. Find unused space in your closet How well is your closet organized? Are you milking every inch of storage space that you could in there? If you don't own your home, you might be hesitant to drill lots of holes for more shelves, but even renters have access to more clothing rods, over-the door hangers and other super storage tools. 4. Use double duty furniture in your bedroom, too Small storage cabinets instead of a table, a floating drawer instead of just a shelf — even your nightstand can double as extra storage if you let it. It's true, small bedroom spaces probably means less space for a nightstand and other furniture, but instead of something streamlined, try to fit some storage in a spot if you can 5. Splurge on a wardrobe wall It's not the cheapest option, and might even seem crazy if you've got a really small bedroom floor plan to begin with, but installing shallow wardrobes along a whole wall will create a cozy feel to the entire room while It adds storage, rather than feel bulky like a big piece of furniture solo might feel. Installed in a light color could help fight the claustrophobic feel. BrevardElite.com
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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
2015 Awards Recognition
Mary Gowenlock
Silvia Mozer
Andy Barclay
Jennifer McCoy & Bobby Freeman BrevardElite.com
The Pull Up Exercise: How to Use a Pull Up Bar How to Do a Pull Up 1. The pull up bar should be at a height that requires you to jump up to grab it; your feet should hang free. Stand below the bar with your feet shoulder width apart. 2. Jump up and grip the bar with an overhand grip. 3. Bend your knees and cross your ankles for a balanced position. 4. Pull yourself up so your chin is level with the bar. 5. Lower yourself so your elbows are straight. 6. Repeat the movement without touching the floor. If you can't do one full pull up yet, there are several ways to build up your strength so you can start doing pull ups. Machine Assisted Pull Up Begin by using a pull up assist machine. You'll have to go to a gym for this, but it's a good ways to start developing the strength required for the pull up. Human Assistance Have a trainer, coach or spotter "assist" you. Keep your knees bent and ankles crossed. Your partner will provide a gentle lift while gripping the tops of your feet. This small assist helps offset your weight as you pull up. Static Pull Ups Use a box or step to lift yourself into the pull up "finish" position and hold your chin at bar level for as long as you can. This will build your upper body strength over time. Slowly transition into the negative pull up exercise (see below) over several weeks. Negative Pull Ups Use a box or step to lift yourself into the pull up "finish" position and hold your chin at bar level for several seconds. Slowly lower yourself in a controlled motion, stopping and holding at several points along the way. When you get to the bottom, repeat the process. Half Pull Ups Stand on a box or bench that allows your elbows to bend about 90 degrees as you grip the bar. Starting your pull up from this position requires far less strength than starting with a fully extended elbows. Complete a few pull ups this way first, then lower the box and straighten your elbows over time for a more difficult pull up. Jumping Pull Ups Stand on a box or bench that allows your elbows to bend slightly as you grip the bar. Bend you knees until your elbows are fully extended, then "jump" up to the pull up "finish" position with your chin level with the bar. Slowly lower yourself back to the box and repeat. Over time, you will gain strength until you can attempt other pull up variations.
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Can the weekend ‘special sale’ model work for real estate? Presidents Day home-sale special brought unexpected results.
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Tom Hall – 03/05 Toni Jones – 03/11 Bobbi Dyer – 03/16 Breanne Brown – 03/19 Connie Trincali – 03/21 Dee Dee Sheffield – 03/23 Edwin Normandia – 03/23 Kristi Spencer – 03/29 Natalie Stroh – 03/29
Cheryl Kennedy – 1 year Denell Hastings – 2 Years Jason McDaniels – 2 years Suzi Granger – 4 years Bruce Kwitny – 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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Thank you for your support and referrals!
8921 Lake Dr. #502 Cape Canaveral, FL listing by Sal Burke
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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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