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Links & Content In This Issue: Page Home Builder Confidence at 9 Year High 6 6 Pricing Mistakes Sellers Can Avoid 9 Elite Transaction Management Dept. 11 Pre-Foreclosure listings: Wild Goose Chase 13 RE/MAX - Special Announcement 15 Top 10 Individuals YTD 18 Top 10 Teams YTD 19 Ugly Sweater Contest 20 Silver Bells – Who Knew‌? 21 Featured Home 22 Home Dangers 27 Pinterest 28-29 Awards Recognition 31-33 Birthdays & Anniversaries 34 Property Management Division 35 Supporting Staff 36 Website Links: Training Center RE/MAX Mainstreet Paperless Pipeline ShowingTime RE/MAX University The ABOVE Magazine
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Give us a call today! 321-698-5370 Florida License # HI 8266 Melbourne & Surrounding Areas BrevardElite.com
Hanukkah facts you might not know Hanukkah celebrates the victory of the Maccabees or Israelites over the Greek-Syrian ruler, Antiochus. Outside of Israel, a dreidel has the Hebrew letters "nun," "gimel," "hay," and "shin" on its four sides. These letters stand for "Nes gadol haya sham," which means, "A great miracle happened there," referring to Israel.
A dreidel is a foursided top that has a Hebrew letter on each side.
During Hanukkah, families eat latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiot (jelly donuts), to celebrate the miracle of the Festival of Lights.
In ancient times, oil was used in the menorah. Over time, candles were substituted for the oil. The lighting of the menorah, known in Hebrew as the hanukiya, is the most important Hanukkah tradition.
In Hebrew, Hanukkah means "dedication."
Each night of Hanukkah, an additional candle is placed in the Menorah from right to left. The world’s largest Hanukkah menorah—at 32 feet high—can be found during the Festival of Lights in New York City's Central Park.
Eating dairy products, especially cheese, is another Hanukkah tradition. This is done in memory of the Jewish heroine Judith, who according to legend saved her village from Syrian attackers. Judith fed wine and cheese to the Syrian general Holofernes until he became so drunk that he fell to the ground. She then seized his sword and cut off his head. BrevardElite.com
Prestige Title
Stop by our NEW location at:
5120 N. Highway US 1, Suite 102 Palm Shores, FL 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
Homebuilder Confidence in U.S. Hovers Around Nine-Year High
Confidence among U.S. homebuilders hovered in December close to a nine-year high, indicating the residential real estate recovery continues to make progress. >>>Read more
Contact: Kelly Cox 321.751.8711 Pillartopost.com
• Leader in our industry in home inspections • Comprehensive & Accurate Reports
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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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*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
Tony Fletcher Account Executive American Home Shield 321 480 7562 tfletcher@ahslink.com
Sell faster - Homes with an AHS Home Protection Plan sold an average of 10.73 days faster than those without a home warranty. BrevardElite.com
RE/MAX Housing Blog 6 Pricing Mistakes Every Seller Can Avoid
If you’re getting ready to sell your home, you want to get the most money for your investment, right? One of the key factors that will sell your home is price, and having a sound pricing strategy is a must if you want to find the right buyer. Here are six common pricing mistakes all sellers should avoid. 1. Overpricing from the start – You might think your home is the best on the block and should command a price relative to the value you see. Wrong. You have to appeal to the value homebuyers see. Overpricing your home at the onset could leave out strong potential buyers, especially if recent sales and other factors in your neighborhood don’t justify your listing price. You also run the risk of needing multiple price reductions, which keep your home on the market that much longer. 2. Leaving out potential buyers in online searches – Entering a price range is the first search parameter most homebuyers use to narrow down their options. If a buyer’s price range is, say, $250,000 to $300,000, they won’t see your home if it’s listed at $305,000. It might make sense to list it right at $300,000 so that you capture potential buyers in the ranges above and below. Ultimately, this is up to you and your agent, but the range your home's price falls into is certainly worth thinking about – especially if you're teetering between price ranges anyway. 3. Not considering recently sold properties – To arrive at a listing price that will generate buyer interest, you can’t base your price solely on the prices of other homes in your area that are listed for sale. You also need to consider recent sales in your neighborhood and the final sale prices. An experienced agent can provide you with information on recent sales to help you see the bigger picture. 4. Getting too creative with your asking price – Make it easy for buyers and pick round numbers. Listing a home for $512,477, for example, will give potential buyers pause about your intentions and divert attention from your property to you, as the seller. Maybe it's best to save the creative juices for the property description. 5. Not being open to negotiation – The quickest way to kill a sale is to dig in your heels on asking price before the for-sale sign even goes in the yard. Negotiation is a two-way street, and if you refuse to budge on pricing or other conditions, you might be in for very bumpy (and long) ride. Ask yourself: Is it more important to get full asking price, or can you make a few concessions to find common ground that will ensure a closed sale? 6. Ignoring your agent’s insights – The best route to the right price starts with picking a great agent and then listening to his or her advice. Your agent will look at your situation from all angles – your home's features, the local market, recent sales and more – to help you make an informed decision about pricing.
Kim Osman Insurance Group, Inc. 474 N Harbor City Blvd, Suite 4 Melbourne, Fl 32935
Call Today! 321.549.0678
Kim Osman
kosman1@kimosmanins.com
Find out why It's Always A Great Day at the Kim Osman Agency
Pete Osman
posman1@kimosmanins.com
Coaching! RE/MAX Elite agents we will NOT be having our weekly coaching sessions in the month of December. Susan is available to all our Elite Agents on Wednesday mornings for a one-on-one. She has been training with RE/MAX Corporate on Awesome Sales Consulting Business Plans that greatly benefit individual agents as well as teams.
If you’d like more information contact Susan Lewis at: susan.brevardelite@gmail.com BrevardElite.com
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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Brand Transfer & Storage 1731 Cogswell St. Rockledge, FL 32955 321.632.5020 Ext. 102 www.brandtransfer.com
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Pre-foreclosure listings are wild goose chases for clients Hardly a week goes by that I don’t have a buyer contact me to inquire about a home listed in “preforeclosure” on Zillow or RealtyTrac. I believe websites that promote preforeclosure listings are doing a huge disservice because buyers are confusing what is available inventory and what is not. In fact, the entire process of buying a foreclosure gets confused, too. I think these sites do try to define terms correctly, but for whatever reason the message is getting lost. The problem is that listings do not start with Zillow, RealtyTrac or even Realtor.com! The source of all listing data begins with the local MLS. If the MLS does not have the listing, then the property is not for sale – not even a bank-owned home, because banks also list homes through the MLS. But buyers don’t always understand that, and so they waste a lot of time thinking about properties that are not on the market. Recently, I had a buyer actually ask me when we could go by and see the inside of a pre-foreclosure property that he found on Zillow; the property allegedly was supposed to be sold on the auction block within a few weeks. I politely told him we could not view the inside because the house was not for sale, and whether or not Zillow had it noted as a pre-foreclosure, the owner would not be remotely happy if we
walked up on his front stoop to ask if we could see the house – his home – before he lost it! Furthermore, over the years I have seen homes in the pre-foreclosure process that never get foreclosed on. Many times the mortgage gets paid up to date, or at least within the two most recent payments due, and the property emerges from the foreclosure process. I have seen this happen eight or 10 times over a period of two to three years on a single property that was legitimately on the Zillow and RealtyTrac list of pre-foreclosure homes but was never actually foreclosed on! This wastes a buyer’s time and can waste your time, too. The percentage of homes that actually make it out the door as foreclosure listings, and months to years later to the open market as a bank REO, is quite low. >>>Read more BrevardElite.com
Help your clients move their home, not their junk! 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and RE/MAX® have put together a special offer for RE/MAX Affiliates just like you! For every $5.00 you spend, you can give the gift of $50.00 worth of junk removal to your clients. •Help your clients ease the stress of moving •The more you buy, the more you save •Always professional, courteous service
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RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “RE/MAX”) (NYSE: RMAX), today announced that Margaret Kelly has decided to retire from her position as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and resign from the Board of Directors. The RE/MAX Board of Directors elected Dave Liniger, Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder, to the position of CEO. The changes are effective December 31, 2014. “I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of the RE/MAX team over the last 28 years and honored to have led the company for the last nine years,” said Ms. Kelly. “RE/MAX has grown into one of the largest real estate franchise networks in the world due to the perseverance and commitment of our brokers and agents, who are passionate about helping their clients achieve their real estate goals. I’m proud of our many accomplishments and I’m confident that Dave and the RE/MAX team will continue to grow our network, our business and our brand into the future.” Mr. Liniger said, “We owe Margaret our deepest gratitude for the contributions she has made over the last three decades. Her leadership during her tenure as CEO allowed us to emerge from the recent financial crisis as a stronger company and led us through an initial public offering. Due to Margaret’s management, our business is performing exceptionally well and we’re positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead.” The Company also announced that the Board of Directors elected Karri Callahan as acting Chief Financial Officer, effective December 31, 2014; Ms. Kelly had been the acting Chief Financial Officer. As previously announced, Dave Metzger, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, is on a temporary leave of absence due to the illness of a family member. Richard Covey, Lead Director of the Board of Directors, said, “The Board would like to thank Margaret for her years of dedication, which helped make RE/MAX the industry leader it is today. Dave has a keen understanding of our markets and a proven record of growing our company profitably. The Board has the utmost confidence that he and the management team will continue our strong momentum and execution of our strategic plan without interruption. The continuity we have in this transition allows RE/MAX to proceed on its current path of profitable and sustainable growth.”
"I can't balance a blimp, but I can help you balance your portfolio" 800+ Standard & Climate Controlled Storage Units in a wide range of sizes 24/7 gate access & Sophisticated Security System
Phone: (321) 433-3341 www.storesmart.org
www.rdibella.metlife.com 321.610.9934 321.255.1480 rdibella@metlife.com
Bob DiBella, CLTC Refer a Friend and get a $25 Credit on Future Rent or Merchandise
Financial Services Representative Registered Representative Investment Advisor Representative BrevardElite.com
HAPPY HOME INSPECTIONS Please give us a call 321-302-1120
Veteran-owned company Established 2000 Happyhomeinspection.com
Work Smarter.
SmartTargeting focuses you on the homes most likely to sell.
Website: www.smartzip.com BrevardElite.com
Congratulations to Our Top 10 Individuals YTD as of November 2014
#1 Silvia Mozer $15,127,471 60 Transactions
#2 Karen Osiniak $10,912,653 33 Transactions
#3 Steve Vitani $10,698,267 32 Transactions
#4 Pat Murphey $7,781,100 35 Transactions
#5 Sue Tillman $4,325,450 25 Transactions
#6 Theresa Friend $3,957,100 21 Transactions
#7 Bruce Kwitny $3,867,150 24 Transactions
#8 Peggy Penridge $3,807,165 22 Transactions
#9 Melinda Corns $3,567,990 15 Transactions
#10 Dee Dee $3,231,500 9 Transactions BrevardElite.com
Congratulations to Our Top Teams YTD as of November 2014
#1 McCoy-Freeman Group $25,815,710 101 Transactions
#4 Joy Frankel Team $14,282,272 72 Transactions
#7 321 Team $8,955,164 49 Transactions
#2 Platinum Realty Group $22,780,064 123 Transactions
#5 Barclay Group $12,104,000 47 Transactions
#8 Romano Team $7,796,919 28 Transactions
#3 Coastal Estate Team $21,417,860 69 Transactions
#6 Kuhns Realty Group $10,713,410 58 Transactions
#9 Central Florida Team $3,124,018 30 Transactions
#10 B & B Elite Group $1,845,300 13 Transactions
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McCoy-Freeman Group, RE/MAX Elite and SpaceCoastDaily.com presents their first annual “Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest.” Enter today to win the bragging rights to the title of “Best Ugly Christmas Sweater Owner,” as well as cash prizes. Simply submit a photo of yourself wearing your Best Ugly Christmas Sweater with “Ugly Christmas Sweater” in the subject line to mccoyfreemangroup@gmail.com by 12 midnight on Dec. 22. A panel of Ugly Sweater experts will select the top 20 finalists, and those images will be posted to the Space Coast Daily’s Facebook page and website for viewers to comment and vote on. Winners will be announced on Christmas Eve. Categories include “Ugliest Sweater,” “Still Pretty Ugly” and “Just Too Pretty.” The first place “Ugliest Sweater” winner will receive a $100 VISA gift card; Second place “Still Pretty Ugly” will receive a $50 VISA gift card; and third place “Just Too Pretty” will receive a $25 VISA gift card. Just as important, each winner will be presented a prestigious ribbon that can be worn proudly on their Best Ugly Christmas Sweater. Contest Rules: You must be in the photo wearing the sweater. A photo submission of just the sweater itself will not be accepted
LEFT TO RIGHT: Jennifer McCoy, Justin Brown, Nikki & Bobby Freeman with RE/MAX Elite wearing their Best Ugly Sweaterd designed by Olivia Brown Wondrely sold on Etsy – Christmas Sweaters. (SpaceCoastDaily.com image)
Who doesn’t love “Silver Bells”. It was originally penned “Tinkle Bell”. However co-composer Jay Livingston’s wife, Lynne Gordon enlightened Jay that to tinkle meant to urinate. Hence the name change. It must have worked, since first airing in 1951 “Silver Bells” has sold over 140 million copies. From All of us at RE/MAX Elite – We wish you a Merry Christmas….May your Silver Bells always Tinkle.
inmanNEWS.com
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931 NE Sierra Place, Palm Bay, FL listing by Diane Calleja with RE/MAX Elite
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Does your buyer need to close by December 31, 2014? Dyer Mortgage Group can help. Plus a FREE 1 year home warranty or appraisal! If you have a buyer that needs to close by the end of the year please call the Dyer Mortgage Group for assistance! We can close your buyer by 12/31/14 if they apply by Monday, December 8, 2014. In addition to closing quickly we are offering a special promotion for all new applications. Starting on 12/1/14 Dyer Mortgage Group will pay for either a 1 year home warranty on behalf of the agent or we will pay for the appraisal ($425.00 lender credit at closing). All loan applications received by December 31, 2014 that close by February 28, 2015 will have their choice of a FREE home warranty or a FREE appraisal! Dyer Mortgage Group offers a loan program for nearly every buyer: *FHA, VA, Conventional or Jumbo *VA Jumbo up to $1,500,000 (minimal down payment) *Credit scores as low as 580 *Condominium financing (very little HOA documentation option available) *FHA or Conventional Construction-Permanent loans *Owner Occupied, Second/Vacation Home, or Investors *Jumbo Financing with 10% down and no mortgage insurance option *Customized loan programs to meet your buyer’s individual needs *Free consultations and fast pre-approval letters upon request *7 day a week service Local service from application to closing-our entire team is in Brevard County. Please call one of our experienced loan officers today. Bobbie Dyer Division President 321-215-4419 bdyer@dyermtg.com
www.dyermortgagegroup.com BrevardElite.com
Welcome to the Platinum Club
Joy Frankel!
Joy has qualified for the 2014 RE/MAX Platinum Club Award. In 2013, less than 10% of the RE/MAX network achieved this prestigious award. Joy has earned the Platinum Club Award 7 years in a row. Her clients rave about her knowledge and expertise in multi-generation neighborhoods, new construction as well as luxury homes in Viera, Suntree, Baytree and Melbourne. www.JoyFrankel.com * (321) 775-8034
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Space Coast Lightfest Central Florida Council Boy Scouts of America Presents Hayrides Through the Lights At The Space Coast Lightfest We are pleased to bring you new and improved Hayrides through the lights. The hayride is a great family-friendly way to see the lights. Special time with Santa in his grotto, free hot chocolate, also new this year, we will provide blankets for the cold nights!!! Private hayrides are available. Book yours in advance. For more information contact Shelby Richardson at 321-795-3372 or shelbyrichardson78@yahoo.com
Hayrides will be available every Thursday & Friday during December 2014 Wickham Park 2785 Leisure Way Melbourne, FL Hayrides are $5.00 per rider Children under 2 years are free Rides Run from 6:30 PM until 10:00 PM
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Register NOW!!
Register Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino Special Room Rate of $209 ($20 discount resort fee will apply). Rooms at the discount rate are based on availability and may sell out.
Click here to make reservations .
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas offers unmatched luxury, fine dining, renowned entertainment, personal service, and gaming excitement. BrevardElite.com
Home Danger Zones Cooktops Statistics show that 40 percent of fires start in the kitchen, and many of those are a result of the cooktop or stovetop. Prevent issues and fires in the kitchen by storing combustibles away from the gas or electric burners (paper towels, pot holders, etc.). Also, it's always a good idea not to leave burners unattended when in use, especially when boiling water or heating oils. Washing Machines Old hoses have the capability of bursting, which can result in a torrent of water gushing into your laundry room or area, and any low placed electrical outlets could be impacted by water leaks. Replace any old hoses with braided steel hoses, which can be found at any home improvement store or website. Also, check hoses regularly for any leaks or loose connections. Dryers Dryers also have the potential to start fires in the home. Lint can build up inside the dryer cabinet, where the heating element is housed, causing a fire. Clean the lint trap each time you use the dryer, and brush or vacuum buildup around the lint filter every couple of months. Dryer maintenance is also important – have the cabinet cleaned out every two years to prevent potential buildups that could cause a fire. Pipes In the fall and winter when temperatures drop, pipes can freeze and crack. A pipe with an 1/8 of an inch crack can leak up to 250 gallons of water per day. Pipes should be insulated to prevent cracking, and before the temperature drops turn off the water supply to outdoor spigots and leave taps open to relieve any internal pressure buildups that could wreak havoc on your home. Fireplaces Fireplaces are more prone for use in the winter months in those regions where the cold temperatures set in. Creosote buildup can cause chimney fires, where sparks fly out and ignite rugs and furniture. For avid chimney users, have your chimney swept once a year, and remember to keep the screen closed when not using the fireplace. It's also important to have your chimney damper or flue open before lighting a fire and when it's in use. Electrical Wiring Bad wiring in a home can short out and potentially start a fire, and a lot of times you won't be able to see direct issues with electrical wires. Signs to look for are frequent blown fuses, flickering lights, or feeling a tingling sensation when a wall switch or appliance is touched. If you have a home that is more than 40 years old, consider replacing the wiring and updating the electrical systems. BrevardElite.com
Beautifully Unique Menorahs
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RE/MAX Elite Clients Can Save Up to 10% promo code: REMAXELITE Visit Our RE/MAX Elite Exclusive 866-556-9595 Site pods.com/remaxelite
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CALL TODAY, INSTALLED TOMORROW 1-877-542-2972
www.protectyourhomepartners.com/partner/remax-elite BrevardElite.com
2014 Awards Recognition
Steve Vitani
Joy Frankel
Andy Barclay
Silvia Mozer
Jennifer McCoy & Bobby Freeman
Bridget Sentz
Carolyn Smith
Karen Osiniak
BrevardElite.com
2014 Awards Recognition
Pat Murphey
Lou Ann Janke
Barbara Lyn
Peggy Penridge
Kerry Ramage
Steve Romano
Mary Gowenlock
Melinda Corns
Jean Hanson Theresa Friend
Bruce Kwitny
Marilyn Pinkerman
Brad Kuhns
John Murphy
Karen Biamonte
June Mogavero
Sue Tillman
BrevardElite.com
2014 Awards Recognition
Connie Trincali
Bree Fary
Diane Calleja
Barb Mihalik
Suzi Granger
Patty Teachman
Sheryl Jones
Scott Case
Dee Dee Sheffield
David Dicioccio
Gloria Williams
Ron Wallen
BrevardElite.com
Liz Cooper – 12/05 Dawn Rogers – 12/11 Diane Calleja – 12/12 Heather Holliday – 12/18 Sharon Natale – 12/18 Marilyn Pinkerman – 12/24 Gloria Williams – 12/29 Liz Flom – 12/29 Zach Spurlock – 12/29 Ken Rupport 12/30
Happy
Anniversary Barbara Lyn – 2 years Marilyn Pinkerman – 2 years Karen Biamonte – 5 years
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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). She will be happy to tell you all about it.
Click Here to see 321rentals.net Thank you for your support and referrals! Be the best you can be each day! This weeks featured Rental: 500 Inverness Ave., Melbourne , Rockledge, FL
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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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Tiffany
Lisi
Susie
Susan
Cheryl
Candace
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Dawn L
Ronda
Sheryl
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