Office News
Pinterest pg. 20
Playing Offense in Your Business pg. 7
Home of the Week pg. 33
Meet Susan Lewis, our VP of Operations pg. 9 August 29, 2014 BrevardElite.com
Links & Content Website Links: Training Center RE/MAX Mainstreet Paperless Pipeline ShowingTime RE/MAX University The ABOVE Magazine
In This Issue: Win Big With an Open House Playing Offense in Your Business Featured Agent Welcome Dario Nunez Elite Transaction Management Pinterest FICO Score Changes Coming Soon Mortgage applications on the rise Awards Recognition Top 10 YTD Individuals Top Teams TYD What’s going on Home of the Week Birthdays & Anniversaries Property Management Division
Page 6 7 9 12 17 20-21 22 24 25-27 28 29 30-31 33 34 35
Congratulations to Suzi and Rick Granger on the birth of their fist grandson Liam Granger. Liam arrived on Tuesday August 26th at 1:08 AM weighing in at 7 pounds, 10 ounces.
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Legend has it Ethiopian shepherds first noticed the effects of caffeine when they saw their goats appearing to become frisky and ‘dance’ after eating coffee berries.
Originally coffee was EATEN. African tribes mixed coffee berries with fat which formed edible energy balls. In 1675, the King of England banned coffee houses, claiming they where places where people met to conspire against him
All coffee in the world grows in the Bean Belt (the area between The Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn). Hawaii is the only state in the US that grows coffee.
Coffee beans are green. They are roasted only for a few minutes; until they double in size. Coffee is grown on trees. The bean is a seed inside a bright red berry.
Coffee is the second most traded commodity on earth. Oil is the first. A Belgian man living in Guatemala by the name of George Washington invented instant coffee in 1906. The term “cup of Joe” comes from American Servicemen (GI Joes) in WWII being seen as big coffee drinkers. BrevardElite.com
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!
6450 N. Wickham Rd, Suite 106 Melbourne, FL 32940 Phone: 321.242.7660 Fax: 321.242.1675
Tiffany Fortenberry 321.288.8931 Shawn Fortenberry 321.302.0031
www.prestigeclosings.com
Refer a Friend and get a $25 Credit on Future Rent or Merchandise
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
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How to Win Big While Putting on an Open House
PLAY
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4 Tips for Playing Offense in Your Business Joshua Smith’s real estate career has been on the fast track from the beginning. A dynamic Team Leader with RE/MAX Professionals in Surprise, Ariz., Smith is a RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement Award recipient who’s been working hard on his systems for nine years. Generous with his insights into successful strategies, Smith offers tips for agents on You Tube, his blog and his Facebook page. He’s even been the featured guest on real estate webcasts. Here are his top four favorite tips for growing your business. 1. Cultivate your most valuable asset: your name The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that only 11 percent of buyers rehire their agent a few years later. Why? Usually it’s because the buyers have forgotten their agent’s name or don’t know how to reach him or her. To succeed, you have to include past clients in your sphere of influence. How to do it: Foster a relationship that lasts long after the closing. Don’t just put past clients on a mailing list; pick up the phone and call clients on a quarterly Basis to check in and ask about their families. Making it Personal builds a strong sphere of influence that Generates repeat business. 2. Play offense 100 percent of the time Too many agents send out postcards or buy advertising, then wait for something to happen. In my view, waiting for advertising to pay off is playing defense. How to do it: Playing offense is prospecting. Host mega open houses, go after FSBOs and expired listings, court prospects and keep in touch with past clients. You have to go out there and create opportunities instead of waiting for them to come to you. JOSHUA SMITH 3. Follow up to follow through Learn how to turn a prospective client into a client. Accept that it can take 15 attempts before communication is established. Understand that the person isn’t necessarily rejecting you; he or she is just not ready. How to do it: Develop a system to identify and nurture contacts, and follow it every single day. My recommended system is to respond to every lead within five minutes, if at all possible. Then follow up every day for five days in a row, and every 72 hours until communication happens. After you get a response, make a judgment call on how often to contact your prospective client based on his or her needs and situation. I recommend agents set aside time every day to do their follow-ups according to this schedule -– or whatever schedule they devise that works. Those who are unwilling to regularly court their contacts and their former clients simply won’t grow. 4. Host open houses that people will notice In my experience, about 80 percent of the people who visit open houses aren’t working with a Realtor yet. There’s no better way to introduce yourself to prospective clients than at a well-done open house. How to do it: My team’s open houses are eye-catching events that we advertise in advance with fliers and videos. We celebrate the big event with balloons and a giant flag to draw in a crowd. And I personally invite neighbors and prospective buyers. I signal that this is no ordinary open house, and I’m no ordinary agent. A good open house for my team results in at least one closed sale.
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Contact: Kelly Cox 321.751.8711 Pillartopost.com
• Leader in our industry in home inspections • Comprehensive & Accurate Reports
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Q: Tell us about your favorite experience with one of your clients. A. When I was a Realtor, my husband and I were able to assist a couple buying their first home. The buyers came to an open house we were holding and they told my husband; “We are just looking because we know we will never be able to afford buying a home.” On the day of their closing, I do not know who was more excited and tearful…the Buyers or my husband and I. Moments like this are priceless! Q: Have you traveled outside the United States? A. I have visited St Thomas, St John, London, Milan and Venice. I can’t wait to go back to Italy! I love the cuisine, the art and the breathtaking views.
Susan Lewis, VP of Operations
Q: What is your favorite sport? A. Soccer! I do not play, but I love watching the games on TV and specially my son’s school and comp games. It’s amazing the strength and stamina this sport requires.
Q: Tell us about your favorite charity or volunteer experience. A. I enjoy participating in anything I can at Our Saviour’s Catholic Community. The most special volunteering work is when we open our Parish Center to the homeless during the winter. They get a chance to have a hot meal, a warm and safe place to sleep along with some winter clothes and snacks to take with them the next morning. You realize how many blessings you have when you see homeless families with small children coming to our shelter. Once, I met a young couple and the wife was pregnant. Due to lack of employment, they were living in their van. The wife kept drinking milk which it was a delight for her since they could not afford it and she was concerned about her baby. Q:What is the most surprising item on your bucket list? A: I want to learn a third language, probably Italian, to learn to play the piano and to spend time traveling through the Mediterranean Sea. Q: Favorite quote or saying: A: Do not lose track of what really matters in life. We worry about so many little things that we do not see the BIG picture and the many blessings we have in our lives.
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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
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RE/MAX Elite Clients Can Save Up to 10% promo code: REMAXELITE 866-556-9595
Visit Our RE/MAX Elite Exclusive Site pods.com/remaxelite
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Welcome to The RE/MAX Elite family
Dario Rincon Nunez, Realtor 321-890-9456 DarioR@remax.net Dario was an Architectural Fabricator Structural Welder and a Computer Numeric Code (CNC) Programmer for many years before deciding to become a full time real estate agent in 2013. Dario is originally from Columbia and he is fluent in Spanish. He is very familiar and experienced with the South end of the county. Dario also has a passion for music. He is a Pianist at Calvary Chapel Melbourne Praise Band. BrevardElite.com
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
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Nicole is our newest Client Care Manager. She will be working in our Palm Bay office on Tuesdays. She moved to Melbourne from New Jersey. She is previous Air Force. She has travel around the world. Her favorite color is yellow. Welcome aboard Nicole! Nicole Cooper
Weekly Coaching! Each Wednesday 9-10am RE/MAX Elite agents do not forget we meet every Wednesday at 9:00 am to brainstorm in ways to make your business soar! If you want to join our coaching sessions, just contact Susan Lewis at susan.brevardelite@gmail.com BrevardElite.com
Dick Blondin 321-544-1317
www.cloudviewaerial.com rblondin@cfl.rr.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 BrevardElite.com
Elite Transaction Management Department 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
Wednesday Sept. 10th BrevardElite.com
Tony Fletcher Account Executive tfletcher@ahslink.com 800.735.4663 Sell faster - Homes with an AHS Home Protection Plan sold an average of 10.73 days faster than those without a home warranty. Don't get shocked by faulty wiring, power surges and a big electrical repair bill. Protect your budget from unexpected expenses with an American Home Shield Warranty. Call 888-650-8816 today for a free quote or online If your covered home system components or appliances break down, we'll get the repair or replacement done right and done fast. Don't wait. Buy online now. What is an American Home Shield速 Home Warranty? It's a one-year, renewable service contract from an award-winning company* that covers the repair or replacement of home system components and appliances, which frequently break down over time. Learn more or buy online now.
Life happens. Have a plan.
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Brand Transfer and Storage is a family-owned and operated moving and storage business, proudly serving Brevard County since 1971. Wherever you are moving, our team of experienced, well-trained professionals are working for you. We also provide the finest in storage with our clean, modern, containerized warehouse with more than adequate space and ventilation.
Brand Transfer & Storage 1731 Cogswell St. Rockledge, FL 32955
321.632.5020 Ext. 102
www.brandtransfer.com
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Pinterest Chia seeds, Goji Berries, Kale, Camu-Camu, Cacao Powder, Maca, Wheatgrass, Coconut Oil, Avocados, Grass fed Whey, & Hemp Protein Powder BrevardElite.com
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 bdyer@dyermtg.com www.dyermortgagegroup.com
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HAPPY HOME INSPECTIONS happyhomeinspection.com Veteran-owned company Established 2000
Please give us a call 321-302-1120
Give us a call today! 321-698-5370 Florida License # HI 8266 Melbourne & Surrounding Areas
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Mortgage applications rise 2.8% after weeks of low interest rates Refinance share continues to grow hitting 56% Mortgage applications increased 2.8% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending August 22, 2014. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 2.8% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 2% compared with the previous week. The Refinance Index increased 3% from the previous week. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index increased 3% from one week earlier. The unadjusted Purchase Index increased 1% compared with the previous week and was 11% lower than the same week one year ago. The refinance share of mortgage activity increased to 56% of total applications, the highest level since March 2014, from 55% the previous week. The adjustable-rate mortgage share of activity remained unchanged at 8.0% of total applications.
The average contract interest rate for 30year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($417,000 or less) decreased to 4.28% from 4.29%, with points decreasing to 0.25 from 0.26 (including the origination fee) for 80% loan-to-value ratio loans. The effective rate increased from last week. The average contract interest rate for 30year fixed-rate mortgages backed by the FHA decreased to 3.98%, the lowest since June 2013, from 3.99%, with points increasing to 0.13 from 0.03 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate increased from last week. The average contract interest rate for 30year fixed-rate mortgages backed by the FHA decreased to 3.98%, the lowest since June 2013, from 3.99%, with points increasing to 0.13 from 0.03 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate increased from last week. The average contract interest rate for 15year fixed-rate mortgages increased to 3.47% from 3.44%, with points increasing to 0.34 from 0.30 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate increased from last week. BrevardElite.com
2014 Awards Recognition
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2014 Awards Recognition
Karen Osiniak
Jeanne Hanson
Barbara Lyn
Pat Murphey Karen Biamonte
Bobby Freeman & Jennifer McCoy
Steve Vitani
Bridget Sentz & Carolyn Smith
Brad Kuhns
Andy Barclay Marilyn Pinkerman
Joy Frankel
Steve Romano
Mary Gowenlock BrevardElite.com
2014 Awards Recognition
Kerry Ramage
Linda Weir-Reiss
Barb Mihalik
June Mogavero
Melinda Corns
Scott Case
Peggy Penridge
Lou Ann Janke
Theresa Friend
Patty Teachman
Gloria Williams
Dee Dee Sheffield
Suzi Granger
Sue Tillman BrevardElite.com
Congratulations to Our Top 10 Individuals YTD as of July 2014
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Congratulations to Our Top Teams YTD as of July 2014
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What’s going on!! The 28th Annual NKF Rich Salick Pro-Am Surf Festival August 29- September 1, 2014 Cocoa Beach Pier This festival is the largest charitable surfing festival in the world and has been attended by thousands including world class surfers for the past 28 years. Started by two professional surfers, the National Kidney Foundation of Florida supports programs in patient services, public and professional education, and organ donation. The weekend-long event hosts amateur and professional surfing contests, bikini contests, booths, and a silent auction.
Cold-Blooded Weekend August 30 – September 1, 2014 Brevard Zoo, 8225 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne 10 a.m. Join the Brevard Zoo as they host their annual Labor Day three-day weekend event celebrating the world of cold-blooded animals. Free with general admission.
Taylor Park Playground Build September 1, 2014 8:00 am - concludes at 12 p.m. Taylor Park in Cocoa Village The City of Cocoa received a grant from KaBOOM! in the amount of $20,000 to help rebuild the 15-year old playground equipment located at Taylor Park in Cocoa Village. The community is invited to volunteer and help build the playground. Contact Samantha Senger at 321.433.8685 or SSenger@cocoafl.org for more information BrevardElite.com
Monthly Membership Luncheon Wednesday, September 3, 2014 Life Care Center of Palm Bay 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Join us for the Greater Palm Bay Chamber’s Monthly Membership Luncheon. Click here to register. Register by 5:00 pm 09/02/14
Wednesday Friendsday Tabletop Wednesday, September 3, 2014 International Palms Resort and Conference Center 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The Space Coast’s largest monthly Networking Event! Presented by the Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce Click here to register Melbourne Chamber Business Breakfast Thursday, September 4, 2014 Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront 7 a.m. Join the Melbourne Chamber for a monthly membership breakfast. Register here First Friday Art Walk Friday, September 5, 2014 Eau Gallie Arts District 6:30 p.m. Join the Eau Gallie Arts District the first Friday of every month for their Art Walk. Galleries, shops, boutiques, museums and restaurants remain open late. Free. Contact (321) 574 – 2737 for more information or visit EauGallieArts.com BrevardElite.com
Bob DiBella, CLTC Financial Services Representative Registered Representative Investment Advisor Representative
"I can't balance a blimp, but I can help you balance your portfolio"
www.rdibella.metlife.com 321.610.9934 321.255.1480 rdibella@metlife.com
Cash purchases disappearing from home sales All-cash sales made up 37.9% of the single-family property sales in the second quarter of 2014, a fall from 42% in the first quarter, which marked a three-year high for cash sales. But cash sales in the second quarter of 2014 were still above 2013’s second quarter, when 35.7% of all sales were in cash, according to the Q2 2014 U.S. Institutional Investor While the cash sales decline is & Cash Sales. Report from RealtyTrac. moderate, the share of those sales from institutional investors, entities that purchase at least 10 properties in a calendar year, fell in the second quarter to 4.7%, which marks the lowest level since the first quarter of 2012. “The flurry of purchases by institutional investors and other cash buyers that kicked off two years ago when U.S. home prices hit bottom >>>read more
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Home of the Week
2391 Canterbury Ln Melbourne, FL
Contact Suzi Granger with RE/MAX Elite
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Kerry Ramage – 8/1 Erika Brown – 8/4 Susan Lewis – 8/6 Christine Galzerano – 8/8 Bobby Freeman – 8/10 Barb Mihalik – 8/17 Jerry Hinds – 8/19 Bruce Kwitny – 8/27 Kim Osman – 8/31
.Mary Gowenlock – 1 yr. Ronda Chandler – 1 yr. Scott Sarver – 1 yr. Karey Carlton – 3 yrs.
Pat Murphy – 3 yrs. Scott Case – 3 yrs. The Kuhns Group – 3 yrs Liz Flom – 4 yrs. June Mogavero – 5 yrs. 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). 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: 369 Montecito Dr. Satellite Beach , 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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