MEMBERS FIRST
NEWSLETTER
IN THIS ISSUE •
Installation and Awards Ceremony
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President’s Message
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Member Renewals
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Annual Meeting
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RPAC Committee
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Global Alliance Committee Luncheon
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Christmas Angel Tree
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Osceola County Legislative Update
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Holiday Hours
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December Class Schedule
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Affiliate Business Partners
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New Member Welcome
December 2019
Be the Difference! Join us for our Annual Installation and Awards Ceremony, doors open at 5:45 pm. At this end-of-year celebration we will announce our annual awards, install our 2020 Board of Directors, and celebrate our members! We will also feature entertainment by Music Makers. Register online at bit.ly/ Installation-and-Awards or call us at 407-8460117 to reserve your spot. Sponsorship and Corporate tables are available. Please contact Nancy Hubbard for more details at nhubbard@osceola-realtors.com. We hope to see you there!
DANNY HERNANDEZ 2019 President
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
To start off, I’d like to thank our members for joining us at the Annual Meeting this past month. It was great to see everyone and learn from some leaders in our industry. I hope everyone had a chance to meet our affiliate sponsors who attended as well. As we wrap up the year, I’d like to invite our membership to a very special event we have coming up. We are going to break ground for the new Association office! We would love for our members to join us on January 3, 2020 at 10:00 am. The event takes place at the old Association office address, 1105 Shady Lane, Kissimmee, FL 34744. We have also invited members of the community to join us for this special occasion. The new building is projected to open in late 2020 and will be located at the same site as the old building. We will have a new address as well, 1105 Cross Prairie Parkway. It has been an honor and a priviledge to be your 2018 - 2019 President. I know Joe Johnson is going to do an amazing job as your 2020 President. You’ll still see me at Association events and committee meetings; you can’t get rid of me that easily! I look forward to seeing the great things our Association accomplishes in the next year, and I’m proud to have been part of this Board of Directors. Happy Holidays!
Renew Your Membership Now! You still have time to renew your membership with us! Renewing your membership with OSCAR will also renew your membership with the Florida RealtorsÂŽ (FR) and National Association of RealtorsÂŽ (NAR). As an extra benefit to our members, our office hours are extended from December 2 - 12, 2019. We will be open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday - Friday. We encourage our members to take advantage of our extended office hours to stop by and renew your membership with the Association or call us at (407) 846-0117. The deadline for renewals is Tuesday, December 31, 2019. We are offering a $100 education voucher to those who pay before Monday, December 16. This voucher can be applied to any Association class taken during 2020. To renew your membership, please visit the members portal at www. osceolarealtors.com. If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact us at 407-846-0117. Thank you for your membership! We look forward to working with you in 2020.
TWIS LIZASUAIN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Thank you to our members for joining us at our Annual Meeting
Congratulations to Janice Ruizzo and Belkis Garcia for winning our raffle prizes! Janice won a Supra Lockbox and Belkis won her Annual Membership!
Thank you to our featured speakers
Joe Ventrone
Merri Jo Cowen
Margy Grant
Doug Beals
National Association
Stellar MLS
Florida RealtorsÂŽ
Supra
of RealtorsÂŽ
Thank you to our affiliate sponsors who participated: Freedom Mortgage Corporation
MoneyCorp
Globe Home Protection
My Florida Mortgage Solutions
Hanover Family Builders
Roland H. Acosta & Associates, P.A.
Home Warranty of America
SBC-CPA
HouseMaster Home Inspection
Sihle Insurance
IFREC Real Estate Schools
Smart International Title
Integrity First Title LLC
Stewart Title Company
Maronda Homes
Two Men and a Truck
RPAC Committee As we wrap up 2019, we can reflect on the amazing year we had supporting the mission we set, and exceeding the hefty goal we had of $81,176. None of this would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the RPAC committee, our Vice-Chair, and the Association staff. It truly took everyone to plan, organize, donate, and sponsor each event and I couldn’t be more grateful for each of you. In addition, there is more great news coming out of Tallahassee. Governor DeSantis released his 2020 budget recommendations and there is plenty of good news included for Florida REALTORS®.
TINA CAMPBELL
RPAC COMMITTEE CHAIR
The total recommendation for the FY 2020-2021 budget is $91.4 billion which includes a variety of REALTOR® priorities, such as high levels of environmental funding and full funding for the housing trust funds.
Notable highlights of the governor’s budget recommendations • Environment and water issues: $625 million for environmental spending, which includes $322 million for Everglades restoration projects, $22 million to combat the harmful effects of algal blooms and red tide, $150 million for various water quality improvements, $50 million for beach nourishment and $50 million for springs restoration. • Housing trust funds: Full funding of the State and Local Government Housing Trust Funds, which would amount to $387 million for affordable housing projects. This includes $119.8 million for the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) Program and $267.2 million for the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Program. • Unlicensed activity: $500,000 to fund unlicensed activity enforcement relating to real estate. • Mapping: Authorization for the Division of Emergency Management to continue LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) mapping the state. Thank you to our membership who supported and attended events and efforts to achieve our goal and to spread the message of what RPAC means to our business. It’s been an honor and a pleasure to serve as our Association’s Chairperson of the REALTORS® Political Action Committee in 2019. Happy Holidays!
December 2019
How did you lead this year? For example, were you a mentor, a leader in the community or at the office? We’d love to hear your story. Tell your story at www.ThatsWhoWeR.realtor
GLOBAL ALLIANCE COMMITTEE Kelvis Melo GLOBAL ALLIANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR The Global Alliance Committee has had some exciting events this past year. As we look forward to 2020, make sure to mark your calendars for the first event the Global Alliance Committee is hosting. In late February, we are inviting our members to the Planes, Trains, and Automobiles Global Alliance Committee Luncheon. This event will feature speakers from the automotive, mass transport, and aviation industry. They’ll speak about the latest trends affecting our area and how you can use this information to grow your business. As we wind the year down and turn our focus to the holiday season, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly express my gratitude to the Global Alliance Committee members, our Chief Executive Officer Twis Lizasuain, OSCAR support staff and the Board of Directors for their support rendered throughout the year. It was an honor serving as your Global Alliance Committee Chair this year. I look forward to our continued growth in the coming year. Happy holidays to all our members!
SUE VASQUEZ REALTORSÂŽ CARE COMMITTEE CHAIR
It is hard to believe 2019 is coming to an end. I first want to say that it has been my pleasure to serve as your chair this year. We were able to accomplish so much and were able to help our community in many ways. Thank you to all who served on the committee and those of you who helped that weren’t committee members. Next year I know that Nicholas Shrouder will do an amazing job and I invite all members to get involved in this great committee. I plan to still participate in this and other committees. Wishing everyone the happiest of holidays.
Florida Legislative Update SEAN WHYARD GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COORDINATOR
FHA: No Longer a Conflict of Interest for Brokers Receiving Commissions on HUD REO Homes The FHA’s original policy prevented brokers with an ownership interest from receiving a commission on real estate – owned homes. The new position from the FHA will allow brokers to be paid commissions on all competitive sales irrespective of the individual/entity purchasing the HUD REO property. FHA will no longer require that the “Selling Broker Commission” field be filled with zero to proceed with the transaction.
Osceola County Legislative Update Osceola County has Decided on a Developer to Bring Four Hotels to the OHP/NeoCity Area Riviera Point Development Group will be developing a total of four new hotels within the Osceola Heritage Park and NeoCity locations. The three proposed hotels within Osceola Heritage Park will include 350 rooms and two parking garages. The NeoCity hotel is being described as a “boutiquestyle” hotel with a total of 200 rooms. The developer anticipates construction to begin in late 2020 with an estimated completion date of 2022. The Board of County Commissioners will need to approve the project before moving forward. Below is a master site plan for the entire development.
DECEMBER CALENDAR
MLS Basic (Spanish)
REDEEM YOUR EDUCATION VOUCHERS BEFORE 12/31/19
12/4/2019
9:00 am-12:00 pm
0CE
This class introduces you to the Matrix MLS system and shows you how to use it for your business. Learn about: personalizing your settings in Matrix; exploring market areas; searching by criteria and location; and managing the emails your contacts receive from you. REGISTER: STELLARMLS.COM
MLS Compliance (Spanish)
12/4/2019
1:00 pm-2:15 pm
0CE
To ensure the integrity of listing information and to protect the cooperative nature of the MLS, rules and regulations are in place for how to enter listings and use MLS information. This class will walk you through the rules, to ensure the best possible MLS experience for all subscribers. REGISTER: STELLARMLS.COM
MLS Adding and Editing Listings (Spanish)
12/4/2019
2:30 pm-3:45 pm
0CE
This class shows you how to enter listings into the MLS. Topics include: types of listings; required paperwork for entering a listing; key fields on the listing entry form; adding photos and attachments; listing remarks; sending listings to various portals and websites; and making changes to a listing. REGISTER: STELLARMLS.COM
iCE Topic: Who Owns That Property -
12/5/2019
1:00 pm-3:00 pm
2CE
A Guide to Wills, Trusts, and Probate Chances are if you haven’t experienced a seller who is getting a divorce, recently passed away, or has their ownership in a trust, you will soon. Florida is a retirement center for many throughout the world, so it’s common to run across many forms of ownership like some of the ones we will be discussing. In addition, circumstances arise for the need to sell a house in many divorce cases. But who really owns the house? And what rights do the survivors and spouses have? Let’s dive deeper and explore.
Code of Ethics
12/6/2019
9:00 am-12:00 pm
3CE
Mandatory ethics training requirements for new and continuing Realtor members was established by the National Association’s Board of Directors at the 1999 Annual Convention and went into effect for all active Realtor members January 1, 2001. The policy dictates that all active members must take a code of ethics class once every two years. The applicable dates are the same for all Realtors irrespective of when they join. The current cycle begins January 1, 2019 and ends December 31, 2020.
MLS Basic
12/11/2019
9:00 am-12:00 pm
0CE
This class introduces you to the Matrix MLS system and shows you how to use it for your business. Learn about: personalizing your settings in Matrix; exploring market areas; searching by criteria and location; and managing the emails your contacts receive from you. REGISTER: STELLARMLS.COM
December
Calendar MLS Compliance 101
12/11/2019
1:00 pm-2:15 pm
0CE
To ensure the integrity of listing information and to protect the cooperative nature of the MLS, rules and regulations are in place for how to enter listings and use MLS information. This class will walk you through the rules, to ensure the best possible MLS experience for all subscribers. REGISTER: STELLARMLS.COM
MLS Adding and Editing Listings 12/11/2019
2:30 pm-3:45 pm
0CE
This class shows you how to enter listings into the MLS. Topics include: types of listings; required paperwork for entering a listing; key fields on the listing entry form; adding photos and attachments; listing remarks; sending listings to various portals and websites; and making changes to a listing. REGISTER: STELLARMLS.COM
IMPORTANT: REGISTERING FOR CLASS
Many of our classes, particularly CRP™ classes, fill quickly. We offer each CRP™ class two times during the year. Please check for the second date if the first date is full. Please enroll in any of the classes offered at the Association online on the Members Portal at www.osceolarealtors.com or by calling Membership Services. All classes, membership, and committee activities will be held at our new (temporary) office at 184 NeoCity Way, Suite 400, Kissimmee, FL 34744. The amenities are limited at the temporary location and we may be unable to provide beverages, but you may bring your own.
IMPORTANT: CANCELING CLASSES
If you’ve signed up for a class with the Association and can no longer attend, please make sure to cancel ahead of time to avoid the $20 no show fee. You can cancel by emailing the Education Department at education@osceolarealtors.com or self-cancel on OSCAR Member Portal.
Affiliate Business Community A Clear Choice Title & Escrow A.C.F. Home Inspections, Inc. Adames Pest Solutions, Inc. ANB Inspection Services, Inc. Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group A-Z Team Title, LLC Bay Equity Home Loans BPG Inspection, LLC Budget Professional Services Butler Mortgage Brightway Insurance Celebration Title Group Centennial Bank CenterState Bank of Florida, N.A. Chief Inspection Services Closer Look Inspections, Inc. Cross Country Mortgage Cunningham’s Inc. Double S Home Inspection Edward Lian Photography Esquire Home Inspection, LLC First American Title Freedom Mortgage Corporation Globe Home Protection Hamilton Group Funding Hanover Family Builders Headquarters Home Warranty of America Homebridge Financial Services, Inc. Housemaster Home Inspections Howell International Tax IFREC Real Estate Schools Inspect Central Florida Integrity First Title K. Hovnanian Homes Land Title Professionals, LLC Law Office of Daniel Villazon
Luis A Martin’s Home Inspections Maronda Homes Mattamy Homes Moneycorp, Inc. My Florida Mortgage Solutions New American Funding Oliver Title Law Olympus Insurance Company Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. Patricia L. Daugherty, Atty. At Law Photography by Skip Stowers Pillar to Post Home Inspections Platinum Title of Central Florida Prodigal Homes Inspection & Consulting RBC Bank Reliable Building Inspections Roland H. Acosta & Associates, P.A. SBC–CPA Searl Home Inspections Sihle Insurance Group Smart International Title, LLC Solano Home Inspections Inc. Stewart Title Company SunTrust Mortgage The AlfaOmega Financial Group The Grove Resort & Water Park The Headquarters Building The Mortgage Firm TrustCo Bank Two Men and a Truck Uniform Cottage ValueCast, Inc. Varep Central Florida Chapter Wayne’s Home Inspections, LLC Widerman Malek PL Windsor at Celebration
Affiliate Business Community Gold Affiliate Sponsor
Edward Lian Photography
Bronze Affiliate Sponsor
Welcome New
Members Stanley Wilson - Arista Realty Group, LLC
Pastor Machado - La Rosa Realty Kissimmee
Ravindranath Persad - Property Outlet International
Bianca Malloy - Keller Williams Legacy Realty
Flavio Chimbo - La Rosa Realty Kissimmee
Milena Bardales - Property Outlet International
Yelixa Arenas Colmenares - Modern World Realty
Jack Khawam Chediak - Roman’s Pro Realty LLC
Dilenia Liriano - DGL Realty, LLC
Jesse Ennever - EXP Realty, LLC
Rafael Reyes Miranda - REMAX Premier Properties
Feidler Jean-Baptiste - La Rosa Realty Kissimmee
Jensen Mejias Del Valle - La Rosa Realty Lake Nona INC
Lourdes Garcia - Prestige Realty Professionals LLC
Emily Rodriguez - Keller Williams at The Lakes Althea Whittaker - Keller Williams Legacy Realty Valentin Sotomayor Machado - Keller Williams at The Lakes Carlos Moreno - Premium Properties Real Estate Services
Thomas Dennis - Watson Realty Corp. Jessieon Gillispie - Keller Williams at The Lakes Jeannette Medina - Athens Realty Professionals Inc Bertha E Felix - La Rosa Realty Kissimmee Giordan Mellado - La Rosa Realty Kissimmee Ruth Lopez - Premium Properties Real Estate Services
Geraldine Almanzar Gomez - Valor Realty LLC
Kevin Koszola - Century 21 Carioti
Marcos Ramirez - BHHS Results Realty
Grant Mc Bain - Keller Williams at The Lakes
Beth Moreno - Keller Williams Legacy Realty
Ingrid Desantiago - CIMA REALTY FLORIDA INC
Roch Patterson - Keller Williams at The Lakes
Aliety Fernandez Arencibia - Vanguard Group Realty LLC
Tassy Noel - Keller Williams Legacy Realty Kelly Garrido - The Property Pros Real Estate, Inc Kristy Bolingbroke - Celebrate Real Estate Judy Colon - The Firm RE Jesus Nessy - Agent Trust Realty Corporation Thaymi Barrera Troya - Watson Realty Corp Matthew McDonald - Better Homes & Gardens Fine Living Rafel Ramirez - Empire Network Realty Fernando Ferreira - La Rosa Realty Kissimmee Steven Fronk - Prestige Realty Professionals LLC Desi Contreras - 407Hub Real Estate LLC
Mayra Santos - Southern Dunes Realty Jose Mujica Tortolero - Sweet Homes Realty LLC Luzmar Diaz Clavijo - Keller Williams Legacy Realty Myrna Lorraine Lopez Cordero - Odry Vargas Realty Group LLC Fenrick Hunkins - Empire Network Realty Kristian Velez - Empire Network Realty Hersan Escorcia - BHHS Results Realty Ricky Hidalgo - Watson Realty Corp
AND AFFILIATES
Bradley Denton - OneRes International Realty Kayla Dixon - BHHS Results Realty
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Ellis Roe - K. Hovnanian Homes
Tito Freitas Pereyra - Trimarchi Realty CORP
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Jennifer Dell - Sihle Insurance Group
Christian Aubert - La Rosa Realty, LLC Yarieris Figueroa - Magnus Realty Group LLC Robert Camacho - Weichert Realtors Hallmark Pro