APRIL 2022
MEMBERS FIRST
NEWSLETTER
April is Fair Housing
Newsday’s Peabody Award-
Month! This month, we
winning investigation, “ Long
commemorate the Fair
Island Divided.” Bill Dedman,
Housing Act with events and
Pulitzer Prize Winner and New
• Welcome New VIPs
education that shine a light
York Times #1 Bestselling
• RPAC Committee
on housing discrimination
author, will discuss his
• Realtors® Care Committee
and segregation. We are
3-year investigation into
• Global Alliance Committee
excited to announce a
residential brokerage firms
• Commercial Alliance Comm.
special opportunity for
that uncovered shocking
our members to help stay
allegations of racial
informed and educated on
segregation through illegal
• April Class Calendar
housing discrimination.
steering of customers.
• Vital Industry Partner Directory
We invite you to join us on
Please register for this eye-
• Welcome New Members
April 27 at 1 PM for a guided
opening class at
virtual presentation on
OsceolaRealtors.Org/Divided
IN THIS ISSUE • Fair Housing Month • Legislative Priorites
• NAR Benefit • February Market Statistics
(407) 846-0117 | 1105 CROSS PRAIRIE PKWY, KISSIMMEE, FL 34744 | OSCEOLAREALTORS.ORG
FAIR HOUSING MONTH
2022 Legislative Priorities Here is what Florida Realtors watched during the 2022 legislative session: •
•
Hometown Hero Housing Program This legislation would create the Hometown Hero Housing Program (HHHP), a new zerointerest revolving loan program that provides down payment and closing cost assistance to front-line and emergency workers. Condominium Reforms We are urging lawmakers to seek solutions that provide greater transparency regarding the official records of community associations. Prospective buyers should have the information necessary to make informed decisions about their purchases.
•
Rising Property Insurance Costs Florida property insurance costs continue to rise. We are urging lawmakers to explore solutions to Florida’s insurance problems and to support legislation that balances the need for property insurance relief with measures that ensure Florida’s insurance industry remains healthy and competitive.
•
Business Rent Tax We are asking lawmakers to support Senate Bill 1558 and House Bill 6093. These bills would eliminate this burdensome tax and give Florida businesses the financial resources needed to grow their companies and enrich their communities.
STOP AND THINK. APRIL IS
FAIR HOUSING
MONTH
Did you know that you can monitor the progress of all of the 2022 real estate-related bills on https://www.floridarealtors.org/advocacy/legislative-session/bill-tracker?
Let’s Make Fair Housing History this April! Fair Housing Month is observed each April to commemorate the landmark 1968 Fair Housing Act in which U.S. law was established that prohibited discrimination in housing. Discrimination in the real estate industry is real and ongoing. You, as community leaders, have the opportunity to be a part of the transformative solution, providing equal service to all.
CEO Message
Fair Housing Month is a great time to affirm you’re helping to build thriving, inclusive communities. Fair housing impacts all NAR members, all markets, and all neighborhoods. Check yourself. Educate yourself. Hold yourself accountable. Because That’s Who We R®.
TWIS LIZASUAIN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Visit nar.realtor/FHM to access tools to help you prevent discrimination in real estate.
RPAC Gifts: FREE Gift with any $25 fair share contribution FREE Gift with any $99 or more contribution
Committee
GLADYS THAYER RPAC COMMITTEE CHAIR
Welcome New VIPs Sara Cannon Positive Energy & Security LLC Bronze Vital Industry Partner
Gennie Esteves Magnolia Title Florida
Jose Colon Max Protection Group LLC
Jose Rivera My Florida Mortgage Solutions
Thank you to everyone who participated in our 2nd Annual PAWSCARS contest! The RPAC committee is continually working to meet our 2022 RPAC goal.
#OsceolaRealtorsCare #RealtorsAreGoodNeighbors
The recent approval by the Florida legislature to fund $100 million for the Hometown Hero Housing Program is an example of one of the initiatives your investment supports. This program will help pay closing costs and down payments for nurses, first responders, and teachers. Don’t forget, on April 19, 2022, our investor appreciation reception and silent auction, “Diamonds & Denim,” will be held at Osceola Heritage Park from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This invite-only event recognizes RPAC investors who contributed $99.00 or more in 2021. To attend next year’s event, please consider increasing your contribution! We would love to see you there!
Global Alliance Commitee
Global Alliance Committee is excited to announce our upcoming events and we hope to see you there.
•
May 13, 2022 - Latin Fest in collaboration with RPAC Committee
•
June - Virtual Happy Hour with AREAA Global
Upcoming International Real Estate Events Around the Globe:
KYMBAT IGLIKOVA GLOBAL ALLIANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR
REALTORS® CARE Committee
•
May 6-8, 2022 A Place in the Sun, London
•
May 18-19, 2022 Realtor Quest, Toronto
•
November 11-14, 2022 NAR Annual Conference, Orlando, FL
Recent events in Eastern Europe took the entire world by surprise. Our thoughts and prayers are with our colleagues, their families and people of Ukraine. NAR President Leslie Rouda Smith has announced that Second Century Ventures—which operates REACH UK, an international real estate tech program supporting the European property marketplace—is mobilizing to provide relief to those affected by the war in Ukraine. For anyone wishing to help, below is the list of organizations helping people in the affected area: •
International Committee of the Red Cross ( icrc.org)
•
UNICEF (www.unicefusa.org)
•
Doctors Without Borders (https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/)
CARA BRITAIN REALTORS® CARE COMMITTEE CHAIR
Thank you to everyone who participated in Osceola Council on Aging’s Annual March for Meals 5K! What a great way to raise money for such an important cause. The Realtors Care Committee has continued our ongoing service project by delivering Meals on Wheels every week. It’s been such a joy to greet the elderly and homebound members of our community on Monday mornings by providing nutritious food, a warm smile and pleasant conversation.
If you are interested in getting involved, we have two exciting opportunities this month! We are hosting a cooler drive for the Osceola Council on Aging’s Meals on Wheels program. They need 62-quart Coleman coolers for their deliveries. Secondly, we are once again proud to partner with Two Men and a Truck for their Movers for Moms® donation collection for Mother’s Day. The much-needed items will benefit Help Now and local families. If you are interested in donating, please see corresponding flyers to scan our QR codes for quick and easy shopping!
April Member Benefits Guide
Commercial Alliance Committee TERESA REILLY-O’DOHERTY COMMERCIAL ALLIANCE COMMMITTEE CHAIR Last month’s CCIM Breakfast event at NeoCity was very successful! During
Explore the world with NAR Travel Club! NAR Members can enjoy a best-in-class travel platform with free access to full-service travel booking capabilities including hotel, resort, car, and air. NAR members and their families have access to fullservice travel booking capabilities, including hotel, resort, car and air. Other perks include an optimized booking engine, discounted inventory at more than 600,000 hotels and resorts worldwide and competitive pricing. NAR members can create a free account at nar.realtor/ NARtravelclub. Premium memberships are also available for $9.95 a month and offer members additional savings on travel and an expanded suite of products, including event tickets, shopping and cruises. To learn more and take advantage of this offer visit: https://www.nartravelclub.com
the sold-out event, attendees received an update on Osceola’s growth from speakers Commissioner Cheryl Grieb, Osceola County Manager Don Fisher; St. Cloud’s Economic Development and Projects Manager, Antranette Forbes; St. Cloud’s Strategic Initiatives Analyst, Abismael Abreu; and City of Kissimmee’s Development Services Director, Craig Holland. I encourage all our members to participate in future events such as the Commercial Alliance Connections Summit on June 2 at 9:30 am in the OSCAR classroom. Various speakers will be discussing legal and banking issues that take place in the commercial industry.
LATIN FEST
All Properties Market Statistics
Check out more market statistics on our website! Visit: osceolarealtors.org/statistics/
APRIL CLASS CALENDAR
REDEEM YOUR EDUCATION VOUCHERS BEFORE 12/31/22
Preparing & Navigating a 4/5/2022 Listing Contract - Virtual Only - Cynthia DeLuca
1:00 pm-5:00 pm
4/6/2022
1:00 pm-3:00 pm
4CE
2CE
This course will address municipal objectives and regulations, market and site characteristics, projected financial feasibility and careful considerations involved in contract drafting. Are You Grandfathered In? 4/7/2022 9:30 am - 11:30 am A Guide to Zoning, Non-Conforming Use & More - Virtual Only - Jennifer Warner
2CE
This course explores how zoning affects our sellers when they choose to sell, how this will affect the buyers who purchase the property, and how we can protect ourselves from potential liability with disclosures and verifications. Through the Looking Glass 4/7/2022 Guide to Future Land Use - Virtual Only - Jennifer Warner
1:30 pm-3:30 pm
2CE
Understanding how future land-use decisions are made can set you apart as a Realtor who is both a local market expert and effectively engaged in the local community. This course explores several tools that govern both current and future land use and how these will affect buyers and sellers. To Team or Not to Team? 4/11/2022 That is the Question - Hybrid Class - Andrew Fletcher
1:00 pm-4:00 pm
3CE
Maybe you have a team that works in your brokerage or you’ve co-brokered a transaction with a team. But, what exactly does it mean to work on a team, or start a team? What are the benefits and disadvantages? How to Make the Most of Your 4/12/2022 Property Management Business - Hybrid Class - Rebecca Panosso
1:00 pm-5:00 pm
4CE
This course was designed for the determined property manager to take advantage of everything the market has to offer and grow their business. It will provide tips on how to increase profit by adding income and decreasing expenses. Students will learn how to maximize their time and resources, as well as lower their vacancy rates. Code of Ethics Hybrid Class - Beverly Pindling
4/13/2022
8:30 am - 11:30 am
3CE
All active Realtor members must take a code of ethics class sometime between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2024. This class meets the NAR mandated requirement for completion of Code of Ethics.
Core Law
Hybrid Class - Beverly Pindling
4/13/2022
1:00 pm-4:00 pm
3CE
Understanding real estate law is part of every real estate licensee’s business. The more a licensee knows, the better he or she can work with customers and safeguard them from legal complications. This class will provide a “red flag notice” of when participants are potentially going into a danger zone. State of the Housing Market, 4/14/2022 Future Homebuyer Trends and Business Solutions
10:30 am - 11:30 am
4/18/2022
1:00 pm-5:00 pm
4CE
This course will teach you the things you need to know to jump your listing business up to the next level. We will show agents proven, highly effective, low-pressure means of getting your paperwork signed and leaving your customer with a smile on their face when your deal is done.
This course will discuss the various types of listing contracts, the difference between them, and some other options to guarantee compensation while working to effectuate a sale of a property. Commercial Real Estate Hybrid Class - Nishad Khan
The Ace Lister: How To Get The Listing - Virtual Only - Josh Cadillac
0CE
Hybrid Class - Monica La Crue & James Hall Join Freddie Mac for this webinar as they cover the latest economic market trends, changing home buyer demographics and practical business solutions that will help grow your business in 2022. This course is a Florida Realtors Webinar that will be shown in our classroom at our association, as well as through zoom.
Communication Skills for REALTORS® In-Person Only - Adiany Goffredo
4/19/2022
1:00 pm-4:00 pm
3CE
This course will help students develop the most professional and effective business style possible by fine-tuning how they communicate with others in their roles as Realtors. This seminar uses interactive, hands-on, and realistic scenarios and techniques to engage participants in a learn by doing environment. REALTOR® Professionalism and Follow Thru - Virtual Only - Cynthia DeLuca
4/20/2022
1:00 pm-5:00 pm
4CE
This course will provide a guide on how to influence prospects and win in every crucial conversation. The “hard skills” – how to write a contract, conduct listing presentations, and marketing are easy skills to master. It’s the “soft skills” or “people skills” that can trip you up if you’re not careful. Creating a Service Driven 4/21/2022 Property Management Operation - Virtual Only - Cynthia DeLuca
1:00 pm-4:00 pm
3CE
This course includes the conceptual and legal aspects, marketing techniques to attract clients, tenant issues, insurance recommendations, accounting requirements, staffing, and financial planning. Whether you intend to add property management as a complement to your brokerage and sales activities, or manage thousands of units, you will find solid, real-world ideas from this power-packed course. Pricing in a Competitive Market Hybrid Class - Patricia Sherman
4/25/2022
1:00 pm-5:00 pm
4CE
This course covers how an agent can learn to price properties in a competitive or changing market. The students are introduced to the concepts of appraisal versus a CMA, and the general descriptions of each, as well as the legal obligations that an agent has in Florida with respect to a CMA, when it can be done, what disclaimers apply, etc. Stats in a Flash In-Person Only - Angela Territo
4/26/2022
9:00 am-1:00 pm
4CE
This course will help them look at how their peers use numbers and the Industry Data and Analysis housing market reports in their business. There will be discussions about trends in the data and also talk about ways the tables and/or graphs could be set up to portray the information differently. They will learn how they can give clients an accurate picture of the market. Lessons Learned From Long Island Divided - Virtual Only - Bill Dedman
4/27/2022
1:00 pm-3:00 pm
0CE
Join Pulitzer Prize Winner and New York Times #1 Bestselling Author Bill Dedman as he discusses his 3-year investigation into residential brokerage firms that uncovered shocking allegations of racial segregation through illegal steering of customers. His findings shook up the real estate industry. Brokers and agents will learn how the tests were conducted, what was the major finding, how to avoid steering, and what new training is available. You won’t want to miss this eye-opening class. iCE Master Your Market With Sun Stats - Virtual Only - Jennifer Warner
4/28/2022
9:30 am-11:30 am
2CE
Learn how to use data only available to Florida Realtors members in your day-to-day business to win the confidence of your clients, including basic statistical concepts in the context of residential real estate and how to draw conclusions about the market. Commercial Core Law Hybrid Class - Roman Petra
4/29/2022
9:00 am-12:00 pm
3CE
The Florida Legislature passes and amends real estate laws and rules each year. Many of these changes can be daunting and overwhelming. Commercial Core Law will assist Realtors® by focusing on changes to state and federal real estate license law, highlighting both laws and rules. The course will give a brief overview of commercial transactions vs. residential; discuss commercial real estate agreements; and discuss legal issues unique to commercial transactions.
VITAL INDUSTRY PARTNERS
2020 Inspection Solutions 407 Inspections Inc. A&P Inspection Solutions LLC A Clear Choice Title & Escrow A.C.F. Home Inspections, Inc. Acosta, Moore & Shrader, PLLC American Ad Specialties, Inc. Americas Homes Inc. ANB Inspection Services, Inc. Anchor Bay Financial ARB Home Inspections, Inc. Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group A-Z Team Title, LLC BPG Inspection, LLC Budget Professional Services Butler Mortgage Cardinal Financial Celebration Title Group Chief Inspection Services Choice Home Warranty Closer Look Inspections, Inc. Cunningham’s Inc. Cutco Closing Gifts Dirk Webb and Friends Double S Home Inspection Farmers Insurance First American Title First American Home Warranty Frank’s Home Inspection, LLC Gold Coast Schools Hanover Family Builders
Harding Bell International Home Inspectors Group Home Warranty of America Homebridge Financial Services, Inc. Housemaster Home Inspections Infill Consulting Integrity First Title Land Title Professionals, LLC Luis A Martin’s Home Inspections Magnolia Title Florida Max Protection Group LLC Moneycorp, Inc. My Florida Mortgage Solutions NorthPoint Mortgage, Inc. Old Republic Home Protection Osceola County Property Appraiser Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. Patricia L. Daugherty, Atty. At Law Photography by Skip Stowers Pillar to Post Home Inspectors Positive Edge Real Estate Academy of Learning Pro-Master Home Inspection Quality Title and Escrow RBC Bank USA
VITAL INDUSTRY PARTNERS
Real Estate Photography Specialists Reliable Building Inspections, Inc. RiteStart Home Inspections, Inc. SBC–CPA Seibane Doyle, PLLC Smart International Title Solano Home Inspections Inc. SouthState Bank Stewart Title Company Synovus Bank Systeco Services, Inc. The Grove Resort & Water Park TrustCo Bank Two Men and a Truck ValueCast, Inc. Wayne’s Home Inspections, LLC Widerman Malek PL
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Karren Aloyan - Keller Williams at The Lakes
Juan Melo - EXP Realty LLC
Cesar Arteaga - More Homes LLC
Veronica Montero - EXP Realty LLC
Jorge Avila - Watson Realty Corp.
Maria
Genesis Blanco - EXP Realty LLC
Genesis Nieto - EXP Realty LLC
Alvaro Campos - Century 21 Four Corners Realty
Maria
Melody Carmenate - La Rosa Realty Kissimmee
Marisol Osorio - EXP Realty LLC
Jose Carrasco Brunelle - EXP Realty LLC
Daniela Patino Loaiza - EXP Realty LLC
Alberto Carril - G World Kissimmee
Sonia Petit - Premium International Realty
Ana Castillo - Century 21 Four Corners Realty
Jessy Pino Araque - Agent Trust Realty Corporation
Fiorella Cedeno - Rental and Realty Group
Monique Polk - EXP Realty LLC
Omayra Collins - EXP Realty LLC
Militza Quinones - Global Properties Realty & Inv
Ana Coss - Keller Williams Legacy Realty
Maria Quintero Pulgar - Agent Trust Realty Corporation
Courtney Cramblit - EXP Realty LLC
Neyda Ramirez - La Rosa Realty Kissimmee
Dwight Dixon - La Rosa Realty, LLC
Lorena Remmell - EXP Realty LLC
Jessica Enck - Dorn Lane Realty
Giuliana Ricci Blanco - EXP Realty LLC
Sulaksma Falla - EXP Realty LLC
Yasmin Rivera Velez - EXP Realty LLC
Rafael Garcia - EXP Realty LLC
Melissa Rivera - EXP Realty LLC
Sarah Ghazaleh - EXP Realty LLC
Juan Rodriguez Cenci - More Homes LLC
Minerva Gonzalez Martell - EXP Realty LLC
Kidaisha Rodriguez Damiani - EXP Realty LLC
Marta Gonzalez - Avanti Way Realty LLC
Edgard Rodriguez - La Rosa Realty Internacional LLC
Dylan Grason - Keller Williams Advantage III
Jessica Rodriguez - EXP Realty LLC
Svitlana Gulko - Amerivest Realty
Elleni Ruales - EXP Realty LLC
Nina Heredia - Changing Latitudes Real Estate Services
Grace Saint-Cyr - AmeriTeam Realty Inc
Eric Holt - Arista Realty Group, LLC
Adymar Santiago - EXP Realty LLC
Jason
Silma Santiago - The Rental & Sales Gallery LLC
Jacdedt - Cosanti Realty LLC
Montes - Watson Realty Corp Oropeza Bacalao - La Rosa Realty Lake Nona INC
Nelson Jimenez - EXP Realty LLC
Pascale Simonis - Keller Williams Legacy Realty
Zoe Kaisen - Concierge Properties
Richard Sochuk Ortiz - Keller Williams Realty at The
Johanna Lampe Torres - La Rosa Realty Orlando LLC
Livinton Suarez - EXP Realty LLC
Maria
Agathe Thermidor - Keller Williams Realty at The Lakes
Loayza Jimenez - Fortex Realty Inc
German Lopez Navarrete - Preferred Real Estate Brokers
Mykyta Tikhonov - EXP Realty LLC
Edwin Lopez - Century 21 Four Corners Realty
Chris Tran - LoKation
Kennia Lozada Rivera - Odry Vargas Realty Group LLC
Fabiola Urbina Diaz - Top Agency Realty INC
Lisette Maldonado - Global Properties Realty & Inv Mario Marchese Acevedo - Century 21 Carioti
Kimberly Urbina - EXP Realty LLC
Perla Marino - Homes Unlimited Real Estate Co
Adriana WilliamsEXP Realty LLC