RE/MAX Elite Weekly Office Newsletter

Office News Big Decision:

DIY or Hire a Contractor?

Pg 9

Featured Agent: Karen Osiniak pg 22

Manage Your

Online Rep

One World.

One RE/MAX. pg 13

Pg 7

News and Business – Building Ideas What MOVES You? BrevardElite.com May 16, 2014

BrevardElite.com

Links & Content Website Links: Training Center RE/MAX Mainstreet Paperless Pipeline ShowingTime RE/MAX University The ABOVE Magazine

Did you know?

The automatic popup bread toaster was patented before the bread slicing machine.

People sliced their own bread for the toaster for almost a decade before sliced bread was sold.

In This Issue: Events RE/MAX Webinars Article: 4 Biggest Photo Mistakes Weekly Trivia Article: Manage Your Online Rep Article: Get Ready for Beach Season Article: DIY or Hire a Contractor Article: Renters want to Own Article: Google Hangouts Article: One World. One RE/MAX Featured Agent Found on Pinterest Birthdays & Anniversaries Awards Supporting Staff

Please remember to book

Page 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 16 17 19 20 22

your

conference rooms before your appointments!

Contact Dawn Dorr dd.brevardelite@gmail.com if you have questions or concerns

BrevardElite.com

Events

Just Married

Top Producer Training Monday 5/19 @ Noon Suntree Training Room Contact: candace.brevardelite@gmail.com

Refresher Training Each Wednesday 9-10am Contact: susan.brevardelite@gmail.com

Congratulations Karey Carlton

HAPPY HOME INSPECTIONS happyhomeinspection.com Veteran-owned company Established 2000

Please give us call 321-302-1120 BrevardElite.com

Events FRIDAY, MAY 16, 5 PM The City of Cocoa presents movie fun in the park. Food trucks and live entertainment beginning at 5 PM and “Rise of the Guardians� starts at 8 p.m.

Enjoy a family movie and remember to bring your blankets and lawn chairs.

Click Here for More Information

Office will be closed for

Memorial Day

5/26 Showing Service will be Open

Brevard Alzheimer's 21st Annual BBQ and Car Drawing Saturday, 5 pm at Wickham Park, Melbourne Tickets: $25 each / 6 for $100 Includes BBQ Dinner, Beer/Soda, Dessert and Raffle Ticket More Info: www.alzbbq.com BrevardElite.com

6450 N. Wickham Rd, Suite 106 Melbourne, FL 32940 Phone: 321.242.7660 Fax: 321.242.1675 www.prestigeclosings.com

Tiffany Fortenberry 321.288.8931 Shawn Fortenberry 321.302.0031

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!

BrevardElite.com

The 4 Biggest Listing Photo Mistakes

Even when the market is hot and homes are selling fast, you’ve got to make sure your listing sets itself apart from competing homes in order to get the best deal. Pictures move the masses and if you’re not careful, they can move prospective buyers away from your listings online.

Check out these four buyer photo turn-offs to avoid and tips for making sure your listings are getting the right attention online!

Turn-Off #1: The Lonely Listing Photo The number one way to turn off web-surfing and mobile buyers is featuring only one or no listing photo.

Serious buyers need photos to develop a bond with a property and evaluate whether or not they could see themselves living there. The more photos you have online the more time a prospect will spend viewing and connecting with your listing.

Read More >>

Brand Transfer & Storage 1731 Cogswell Street Rockledge, FL 32955

321.632.5020 Ext. 102 www.brandtransfer.com

Refer a Friend and get a $25 Credit on Future Rent or Merchandise

Phone: (321) 433-3341 www.storesmart.org BrevardElite.com

Weekly Trivia Contest Answer the trivia question correctly and you could be our next winner!

Winner of the gift card this week: John Gaydar – Dyer Mortgage Several former US presidents were cheerleaders in College – George W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, Dwight D. Eisenhower & Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

This Week’s Question: Do you suffer from Nomophobia? Please explain why or why not.

Winner will be announced in next week’s newsletter & will win an extra special gift certificate!

Send your answers to: dd.brevardelite@gmail.com

Your Florida RE/MAX Team is bringing nationally renowned speaker and real estate coach, Travis Robertson, to Florida!

Learn how to grow your business 40% in 12 months with Travis' Real Estate Playbook!

June 18th 1-3pm Orlando Loews Royal Pacific BrevardElite.com

Manage Your Online Rep Should you turn to a reputation management company to oversee what's being posted about you online?

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey

"I can't balance a blimp, but I can help you balance your portfolio" With so many companies trying to establish themselves as the repository of customer reviews, naturally others are springing up to offer reputation management services. These businesses offer to help clients maintain a clean image online, using search-engine optimization to bury any negative comments posted on websites such as Facebook, Angie’s List, and Yelp.

Companies may claim they can push down disparaging remarks about you, but beware of strategies involving the use of writers who post fake glowing comments about you. Last fall, the New York state attorney general fined 19 SEO companies more than $350,000 for posting fake business reviews, saying the firms violated state laws against false advertising and deceptive business practices.

Bob DiBella, CLTC Financial Services Representative Registered Representative Investment Advisor Representative

www.rdibella.metlife.com 321.610.9934 321.255.1480 rdibella@metlife.com

Continue >> BrevardElite.com

8 Personal Fitness Tools to Get You Ready for Beach Season If you're planning to hit the beach this summer, now is the time to start working out. That could mean losing weight, bulking up or just supercharging the fitness goals you've been working on all winter long.

But if you're just getting

started, or picking up after giving up on a past resolution, you'll want to pick a fitness program that will stick. After all, you only have so much time and energy each day — you'll want to be as efficient as possible.

A personalized fitness program will cater to your body's unique needs. There are lots of exercises that can be done at home or on your own, and many don't require an expensive personal trainer. Alternatively, group fitness classes or wandering through the gym for an hour can sometimes make you feel like you're working out, but without the desired results.

Read More>>

Save Up to 10% promo code: REMAXELITE

866-556-9595 Visit Our RE/MAX Elite Exclusive Site at pods.com/remaxelite BrevardElite.com

Big Decision: DIY or Hire a Contractor?

You've made up your mind: The kitchen – or some other area of your home – needs a makeover.

Now the question is, should you do the work yourself or hire a contractor?

When you answer these 17 questions from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, you'll have a good idea if you should tackle a home remodeling project yourself, or if you should ask for professional help.

Be honest: Do your skills meet the level of quality needed for this project? Have you read the

installation instructions? What will you do if something goes wrong? These are just some of the important questions that you should ask yourself before embarking on a remodeling job.

Need inspiration? NARI has an award-winning series of before and after photos of home remodeling projects – plus remodeling resources.

Read More >>

BrevardElite.com

Young Renters Say They Want to Own, But...

Most younger renters think owning is a more sensible housing choice for financial reasons, according to Fannie Mae’s new National Housing Survey. Seventy-six percent of young renters, defined in this study as between 18 and 39, think owning makes more sense because they’re protected against rent increases, and owning can be a good investment over the long-term.

“However, a large majority of young renters have remained pessimistic over the last few years about their ability to get a mortgage; in contrast, younger owners have grown more optimistic,” says Sarah Shahdad, strategic planning analyst at Fannie Mae. “Demographic differences between younger renters and younger owners may explain part of the gap in attitudes.”

Younger owners are more likely to fall in the higher end of the age range, earn more, and be

employed full-time compared with younger renters, Shahdad notes.

“The widening of that same gap during the last few years suggests that confidence in one’s ability to get a mortgage is growing primarily among those who have already met financial requirements,” she notes.

“Our results suggest that many young renters may continue to rent longer due to insufficient financial capability and/or preparation, despite the majority’s preference for owning.”

Read More >>

Contact: Kelly Cox 321.751.8711 Pillartopost.com *Leader in our industry in home inspections BrevardElite.com

Gchat Is Starting to Look Much More Like Google Hangouts Some Gmail users noticed a big change to the Gchat feature on Tuesday, which now looks like a lot more like Google's voice and video chat service, Hangouts.

The biggest visual update to Gchat is the inclusion of bubbled profile pictures next to each contact's name. These images are pulled in from the user's Google+ social network.

Google has incrementally been making Gchat an extension of its Hangouts — and now, it closely resembles it, too.

Read More >>

877.390.6630 www.CirclePix.com

BrevardElite.com

Elite Transaction Management It has been said that 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!

Denell Hastings 321.775.8178 denell.brevardelite@gmail.com

We have established exclusive pricing for these service and you only pay at closing.

Contact Denell Hastings for more info!

321.775.8212 jason@trusthip.com

Kim Osman kosman1@kimosmanins.com

Pete Osman posman1@kimosmanins.com

Call Today!

321.549.0678

Get started with your FREE estimate today!

Find out why It's Always A Great Day at the Kim Osman Agency BrevardElite.com

One World. One RE/MAX. Across the globe, RE/MAX associates are finding personal and professional success by serving their clients better than their competitors, capitalizing on their RE/MAX competitive advantages and collaborating with their colleagues around the world.

Top producers from Switzerland, Argentina and Malta share their experiences and triumphs

By Katharine Davis, Barbara Hall and Deborah Kearns

SWITZERLAND Changing the Market in Switzerland

Patrick Kim & Elizabeth Zihlmann

Not long after RE/MAX Switzerland was founded in 1999, Patrick Kim became the first Broker/Owner to invest in the brand. Now, 14 years later, he and partner Elisabeth Zihlmann co-own 10 brokerages, including the newly opened RE/MAX Exclusive in Basel.

“When I first started, competitors laughed at me,” Kim recalls. “They told me it was an American company and I didn’t need it. But I saw the opportunity to grow a good brand and change the market.”

Today, Kim and Zihlmann are proud to say those same competitors are now taking cues from RE/MAX.

Read More Here >>

Work Smarter.

SmartTargeting focuses you on the homes most likely to sell.

View the Website >> BrevardElite.com

Home Warranty Free to Your Clients!!

Condo financing now available with 5% down!

Did you know that condo financing is now readily available? The amount the buyer will be able to finance depends on several factors. The most important factor will be regarding the financial status of the Home Owner’s Association.

If the HOA is in good financial shape the buyer will probably be able to obtain financing with 5% down (owner occupied) or 10% down (second home). If you have a buyer who would like to purchase a condo please contact us so we can verify the condo eligibility. In addition if you have a listing and you’d like to know what financing options the buyer will have we can research the condo for you and let you know if there will be any challenges with a buyer obtaining financing.

Most HOA’s are in much better shape than they were a few years ago; the couple of things that can prevent a buyer from getting a 95% loan include: 1. More than 15% of the units being delinquent by 30 days or more.

2. Pending litigation.

3. Insufficient cash reserves maintained by the HOA. If the condo does not qualify (according to Fannie Mae’s guidelines) we also offer a “streamlined” condo approval. This allows a buyer to obtain condo financing even if the HOA does not meet Fannie Mae’s guidelines. The buyer can obtain 75% loan to value financing if it is owner occupied, or 70% loan to value if it is a 2nd home.

Please contact one of our loan officers for assistance with any condominium that you are either listing or showing a buyer. We will be happy to assist you!

BrevardElite.com

Our Property Management Division Your clients can fill out their credit application and pay online. It is easy and menu driven. If you have any questions please call Sheryl at 321-863-7824 cell or 321-775-8122 - office and she will be happy to tell you all about it.

Welcome Maria Morse – Newest Property Manager

Tony Fletcher Account Executive tfletcher@ahslink.com 800.735.4663 "I have had to use my AHS warranty a few times this past year. It has been so easy to contact you, and the service workers who come to my home are friendly and very helpful.

They have gone above and beyond to teach me about the systems in my new home, and how to keep them working properly." ~Shannon C.2

Click Here to see 321rentals.net Thank you for your support and referrals! Be the best you can be each day!

Paul McDonough

3199 Suntree Blvd., Suite 2 Rockledge, FL 32955 Phone: 622.5333 Fax: 622.5336

Vynn Perchart

*AUTO *HOME *LIFE *BUSINESS www.SuntreeInsurance.com BrevardElite.com

Q: What do you like most about Brevard County?

A: Although Brevard County, especially the Melbourne area, has grown quite a bit since I moved here in December 1986, it is still small enough to make you feel at home, but at the same time offers a lot to everyone who is considering moving to the area. The beach community is not commercialized like Daytona and Miami, but is a nice place to take the family. The growth in the local area and in the County will even offer more to families moving to the area and provide more opportunity for RE/MAX Elite to service them.

Q: What feature(s) would be a must in your dream home?

This Week’s Featured Agent Karen Osiniak kosiniak@cfl.rr.com Q: Why did you choose to be a Real Estate agent with RE/MAX Elite?

A: I wanted to remain with the RE/MAX family and I had heard a lot of great things about RE/MAX Elite. After I met with Justin and Susan, I confirmed that information and I was hooked. What a professional office. There is amazing support, opportunities for volunteering in the community , and an upbeat attitude by the entire team at all times. What a happy place to work!!! The support we receive from Justin and our support team is just unbelievable.

A: I would love a home in a small town with a mountain view, and a waterfront home here Location, Location, Location.

Q: What should we know about you?

A: I love my work, I have great work ethics, which I learned from my Dad at a very early age, I have a passion to travel, and best of all I am married to the BEST husband in the world for 29 years.

Q: What was your favorite childhood memory?

A: Watching and learning about football with my Dad. Q: Tell us about your volunteer experience.

A: I had had a lot of volunteer experience. I was very involved for 15 years in Exchange Club and the Yellow Umbrella which helps the prevention of child abuse, and now I am involved for the last 13 years Cancer Care Foundation, currently serving my 4th year as President. We help local residents fighting cancer that have no insurance or are under insured with there rent, utilities, and or medications.

BrevardElite.com

Found on Pinterest Summer Grilling Recipes: Shrimp Tacos with Peach Salsa Shrimp: • 9 jumbo shrimp (allow 3 shrimp per taco, so adjust this quantity accordingly) • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning • 1 teaspoon garlic salt • 1/2 teaspoon pepper • 1 tablespoon lime juice Salsa: • 2 peaches, chopped • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, chopped • 1/4 red onion, minced • 1/2 jalapeño, minced • 1 tablespoon lime juice • salt and pepper to taste • corn tortillas • sliced avocado

Directions Chop the peaches and other mix-ins and toss together in a bowl. Toss the shrimp in the seasonings and lime juice and carefully put them on the skewers — you can also use two parallel-aligned skewers to make flipping the shrimp easier if you’d like. Heat the grill to medium heat and grill the shrimp for 3 minutes, turn, and then again on the other side for another 2 minutes. Shrimp can be very easily overcooked, so you’re looking for that justpink look and they’re done. When you flip the shrimp, also set the tortillas on the grill for those last 2 minutes to warm them up. The slide the shrimp off the skewers (I did three per tortilla) and add a few hearty spoonfuls of salsa and a few slices of refreshing avocado.

Done!

Want your listings pinned to our account?

Contact dd.brevardelite@gmail.com

Check us out on: BrevardElite.com

Found on Pinterest

Holds phones, cards, keys, and more! | FlipBelt Want your listings pinned to our account? Contact dd.brevardelite@gmail.com

Check us out on: BrevardElite.com

Monthly Birthday Celebration Luncheon will be held on Thursday May 15 @ Noon in the Training Room

Lisi Ross – 12th Bree Fary – 14th Suzi Granger – 17th

John Haley – 4 Years Sal Burke – 1 Year Karen Osiniak – 1 Year

Pat Murphey – 21st Tiffany Flom – 29th John Murphy – 30th

Jeanne Hanson – 7 Years Jennifer Gaudy – 4 Years BrevardElite.com

2014 Awards Recognition

Silvia Mozer

Andy Barclay

Bobby Freeman & Jennifer McCoy

Bridget Sentz & Carolyn Smith

Lindsay Sanger BrevardElite.com

2014 Awards Recognition

Pat Murphey

Joy Frankel

Steve Romano Karen Biamonte

Steve Vitani

Marilyn Pinkerman

Grace Vista Mary Gowenlock

Barbara Lyn

Brad Kuhns

Kerry Ramage

Karen Osiniak

Melinda Corns BrevardElite.com

321.752.5858 BrevardElite.com Your Supporting Staff

Justin

Tiffany

Lisi

Susie

Susan

Cheryl

Dawn D

Natia

Candace

Dawn L

Ronda

Tami

Sheryl

Avto BrevardElite.com