real estate - benefits - foreclosure - banks - florida realtors - public policy
magazine 1ST QUARTER JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH 2015
Osceola ReView
How Article Writing Can Boost Your Business PAGE07
& HAS THE IRS GARNISHED YOUR WAGES OR BANK ACCOUNT?
& CRIMINAL MINDS
PAGE14
3D Listings
2013 Awards From Every & Installation
Angle Luncheon
Highlights PAGE24
PAGE22
WELCOMECONTENTS
002
WELCOME/ CONTENTS JAN, FEB, MAR 2015 news 4 5 7 8 12 13 14 20 22
24
OSCAR Announcements & Benefits First Quarter AE Message How Article Writing Can Boost Your Business The Lowdown on Lockbox Access Streamlined Client Procedures for Offshore Account Holders IRS Non-Collectible Status Has the IRS Garnished Your Wages? Your Bank Account? Crock-pots For Homeless Families Living in Hotels and Motels Criminal Minds
technology 3D Listings From Every Angle
events
10 January, February, March 2015 Calendar 15 New OSCAR Members 16 Photos from the 2014 Award & 2015 Installation Luncheon 18 2014 Award Winners 19 Welcome to the 2015 Board of Directors
local trends
28
Market Dynamics
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Creating Connections and Expanding Opportunities in the New Year It’s a New Year and are you ready to make it a prosperous one? You’ve started doing the personal resolutions you’ve made, but don’t forget making new resolutions in your business plan too. Be sure to include and use the many values for your success that your Osceola Association provides to its members. We’re here to help you make 2015 your best year ever. One of the most amazing Past Presidents in US history, Theodore Roosevelt, once said “every man owes a part of his time and money to the business or industry in which he is engaged. No man has a moral right to withhold his support from an organization that is striving to improve 2015 OSCAR President, Karen Dierickx conditions within his sphere” With this said I ask you be committed to making OSCAR more extraordinary in its and its member’s high quality professional development. Your leadership team and advocates are everyday providing meaningful and relevant opportunities for you. It’s up to you now to join in and make it matter more. Put your dues, ideas and leadership to work. Out of OSCAR’s Leadership Retreat and part of my Presidential goals are “Creating Connections” and “Expanding Opportunities” for our Members. Our continuing intent is value and growth opportunities and having you share OSCAR’s vision and values. A few of our strategic goals are Communicating with Members, Promoting and Developing New Leadership, and Educating Members on how OSCAR works for them. Are you ready to volunteer and make it all happen? Let us know, join in and please don’t be the silent agent.
magazine contact Published by Osceola County Association of REALTORS®, 1105 Shady Lane, Kissimmee, FL 34744
advocates team
ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE/EDITOR: Carol Platt, CRB, e-Pro T 4078460117 E ae@osceola-realtors.com
SOCIAL MEDIA & MEMBERSHIP SERVICES: Nannette Cherry, nan@osceola-realtors.com
WEB MASTER: Chris Florence, CCIM, e-Pro webmaster@osceola-realtors.com
contributing writers
COMMUNICATIONS: Nannette Cherry nan@osceola-realtors.com
Interested in contributing to our quarterly publication?! We would love to hear from you. We require that all works be original, meaning written by you, and do not allow promotion of your business.
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES COORDINATOR: Eli Perez, e-Pro eli@osceola-realtors.com AE ASSISTANT - PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Kim Wagar, e-Pro, AHWD kim@osceola-realtors.com AE ASSISTANT - EVENTS: Christina Barnhardt, e-Pro christina@osceola-realtors.com MEMBERSHIP SERVICES: Ally Vallecillo, e-Pro ally@osceola-realtors.com MEMBERSHIP SERVICES: Yohanna Cruz, e-Pro yohanna@osceola-realtors.com
advertising
distribution
Digital or printed media packs available on request. HEAD OF SALES: Chris Florence, CCIM, e-Pro webmaster@osceola-realtors.com
The ReView is printed quarterly. To subscribe contact our subscriptions team below.
ACCOUNTS: Bob St. Gordon, e-Pro bob@osceola-realtors.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER: Nannette Cherry, e-Pro communications@osceola-realtors.com
www.Osceolarealtors.org
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OSCAR Announcements & Benefits
OSCAR IS INVOLVED
IN THE COMMUNITY OSCAR continues to reach out to the community and help in every way it can! In the past few months, our Community Involvement Committee has spearheaded an effort to collect crock-pots for disadvantaged families living in hotels and motels in Osceola County (see page 20). Their efforts allow families facing hard times to enjoy a healthy meal together and bring some sense of normalcy back into their lives. Through its partnership with Osceola County Human Services Department, OSCAR is helping these families get back on their feet. OSCAR’s Community Involvement Committee also oversaw several other efforts to make our community a better place: A drive to collect gifts for foster kids in Osceola County, and a Youth Basketball Tournament to raise funds for the Boys and Girls Club. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped us contribute to such worthy causes.
Member Testimonials
“I am loving the fantastic SRS Class with Instructor Marcie Roggow; her energy and enthusiasm is quite delightful. Thank you OSCAR for always keeping us on the cutting edge. I highly recommend this coarse to anyone who is looking to expand their business.” - Jeanette Montalvo “You are the best association in Florida!” - Oscar Morales “I wanted to take a minute and let you know about my experience getting a replacement e-key. When I called, the lady that helped me couldn’t have been nicer. I stopped in later to get the key and was very impressed with how efficient and professionally I was treated. I wish I could remember this lady’s name. But know that she made a positive difference in my day. That’s why I love our association, you give outstanding service.” - Les Sessoms
Your Member Benefits Have you visited REcampus online? The Osceola County Association of REALTORS® has partnered with REcampus to bring you the highest quality real estate-related products available. Our textbooks are all designed with special learning features tailored to adult learners, and are easily accessed through this convenient website. Our textbooks are written by real estate industry experts who are active in today’s real estate law, practices, and principles…and because knowledge of state laws and regulations requires local expertise, our writers come from across the country. Visit https://portal.recampus.com/re/OCAOR to learn more!
Mark Your Calendars: Sue Vasquez presents a check for the Boys & Girls Club
We Want to Hear From You! Tell us your OSCAR Success Stories! We want to hear from our members about how classes, labs, and networking events are helping you gain your competitive edge and grow your success! Email your stories to communications@osceola-realtors.com.
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OSCAR
1ST QUARTER ASSOCIATION
EXECUTIVE MESSAGE
OSCAR PREPARES PROFESSIONALS FOR THE FUTURE MEDIA CONTACT: Carol Platt
PHONE: 407-846-0117
After recently attending the Osceola County Expressway Authority and the East Central Florida Corridor Task Force meetings, I could not help but think about the future of Osceola County and it’s connectivity with our surrounding Central Florida footprint. Osceola’s projected population for 2025 is 615,000 and the regional vision “How shall we Grow?” is answered within the four themes of Conservation, Countryside, Centers and Corridors. The future of the real estate professional is inextricably tied to future patterns and trends within the county and it’s our goal, in advocacy for our members, to offer benefits and training to assist our members to be prepared to meet the demands of the future. As our leadership answers the question for OSCAR of “How shall we Grow?” the discussion always leads back to “by being relevant to our members.” For the fifth consecutive year OSCAR has Conserved it’s resources to provide a fiscally sound, stable and trustworthy professional association to our members with no dues increase, regardless of
2015
EMAIL: ae@osceola-realtors.com
some increased operational costs. We know that your success has a bottom line and we’ve worked hard to help you meet it through cost control. In Osceola County, our natural resources and “Countryside” is a lifestyle sales feature for residential and commercial interests alike. At OSCAR, we strive to make your lifestyle here productive and positive through creative networking events, relevant committee activities, excellence in communication and service and optimum learning and engaging environments within our new audiovisual and comfort classroom and meeting settings. Your accessibility is important to us. Not only do we have almost 24/7 access through technology, but we have enhanced our Center location to provide improved, shaded parking and ease of ingress and egress. Our short distance from the intersection of Highway 192 and the Florida Turnpike provides easy transit from all points throughout our Central Florida/Osceola Footprint – from Celebration to Hunters Creek/Loop to Lake Nona to Kenansville! However, the path
Association Executive, Carol Platt
to your success is not just found in transit to our front door. We seek to be your best Corridor, for brokers, agents and staff, to your real estate career destination. Our professional development classes are filled with the energy and excitement of the future. As your advocates, we enjoy watching your success in writing contracts that lead to closings, garnering greater international market share through knowledge and expertise and calculating the ROI on your soon to be first commercial property deal. In 2015, chart your own course and let us help you build the road to get there. We may be starting a new year together, but one thing hasn’t changed – If it’s important to you, it’s important to us!
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Marketing Tips
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HOW ARTICLE
WRITING CAN BOOST YOUR BUSINESS
MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Florence
BLOG: abrandaid.com/blog-marketing-strategies
Whether your business has been going for years or if you’re just getting started, article writing can help you attract more customers. Creating quality articles can bring about success in the area of authority marketing, and can help you to build a trust with your customers that will keep your reputation positive. Article Writing Makes You an “Expert” When you are constantly blogging and providing vital information to your customers, you will soon be seen as an expert in your field. So, not only will patrons visit your website to make purchases, they will head over to the blog to find out what you have to say about practical issues related to your products. For instance, if you run an online bakery, you may want to write a blog article on ways to keep your baked goods from sticking to the pan or cookie sheet as helpful advice for your customers. This provides helpful pointers and shows your customers that your company is especially skilled in your niche. The relatable tone you use in your blog can also result in faithful blog readers and customers. If everyone on your small business team has a different task, allow each team member to showcase their abilities by creating a blog entry. If you have a computer software company, ask your children and teens department to put
EMAIL: chris@abrandaid.com
together a list of ideal software programs that are easy for young people to use. The internet security professionals on your team can also create a blog entry on how parents can keep their children safe while their teens and tweens are online. When the people who are working for your small business feel as though they are working as a team, the morale for the business is boosted and the team is much more likely to market your company in a favorable way. Authority Marketing Prompts You to Be More Knowledgeable If you’re maintaining a blog that further explains the products and services you offer, you’re exhibiting authority marketing. This is especially the case if you write a new blog entry daily or weekly, and you’re constantly providing customers with statistics and interesting facts that have to do to with your line of work. Perhaps most importantly, blogging helps you to stay on top of the latest trends and software associated with your business, so you can in turn share this information with your clients. The more knowledgeable you are about your company and niche, the better equipped you are to provide stellar customer service–and this is bound to keep customers coming back.
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Professional Standards
The Lowdown on Lockbox Access MEDIA CONTACT: Bruce Aydt
EMAIL: ethics@realtor.org
Question: A buyer’s agent scheduled an inspection of an occupied home and the lockbox recorded entry to the home with the agent’s code. I learned later that she was not in attendance with the buyer and inspector. Is it a violation of the Code of Ethics for an agent to allow an inspector and a buyer into the house by themselves? Isn’t this the same thing as giving the combination to a buyer to let them go through a property alone? Answer: Unauthorized access is a violation of the Code of Ethics, but what constitutes unauthorized access depends on the listing agent’s agreement with the property owner. Standard of Practice 1-16 applies to listing brokers and agents. “REALTORS® shall not access or use, or permit or enable others to access or use, listed or managed property on terms or conditions other than those authorized by the owner or seller.” Unauthorized access by cooperating brokers is covered by Standard of Practice 3-9. “REALTORS® shall not provide access to listed property on terms other than those established by the owner or the listing broker.” So what is “unauthorized access?” Most listing agreements provide that the owner authorizes the use
of the lockbox system under that system’s rules. If the inspector is a member of the lockbox system, then the inspector is authorized to enter the property for the purposes allowed under the lockbox rules. Most lockbox rules permit entry to a listed property with an authorized lockbox for several reasons, including inspection of the property. However, if inspectors are not permitted to access lockboxes, then the buyer’s agent has violated both the lockbox rules and the Code of Ethics by permitting access by the inspector and buyer without the buyer’s agent’s presence. If the lockbox was a combination variety and the listing agent gave the buyer’s agent the combination for the buyer’s agent’s needs in showing and inspections, the buyer’s agent would not have authorization to give the combination to the inspector and buyer, and would be in violation of the Code under Article 3 and Standard of Practice 3-9 Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online (http:// realtormag.realtor.org), November 2013 with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2013. All rights reserved.
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EVENTS THIS JAN/FEB/MAR
SEMINAR
REGISTRATION CONTACT Kim Wagar
EMAIL aeassistant@ osceola-realtors.com
JANUARY 5TH
JANUARY 13TH & 14TH
Toastmasters
GRI Module 102: Starting Your Business - 2 Day Course
TIME: 5:30PM - 6:30PM JANUARY 6TH
MLS Learn & Earn
3 CE’s TIME: 9:00AM - 12:00PM INSTRUCTOR: Cynthia DeLuca COST: Free for Members
11 CE’s TIME: 7:30AM - 5:30PM INSTRUCTOR: Cynthia DeLuca COST: $129 for Members $149 for Non-Members LUNCH PROVIDED LOCATION: Del Webb Clubhouse, 500 Del Webb Blvd, Davenport, FL., 33837
$35 for Non-Members
JANUARY 19TH
TIME: 9:00AM - 10:00AM JANUARY 7TH
Goal Setting
Real World Negotiating
4 CE’s TIME: 9:00AM - 12:00PM INSTRUCTOR: Cynthia DeLuca COST: Free for Members $35 for Non-Members JANUARY 8TH
iMapp Training
3 CE’s TIME: 10:00AM - 12:00PM & AGAIN AT: 1:30PM - 3:30PM INSTRUCTOR: Kaz Cisowski COST: Free for Members $35 for Non-Members JANUARY 9TH
Tech Lab Day
TIME: 9:00AM - 4:00PM JANUARY 12TH
Toastmasters
TIME: 5:30PM - 6:30PM
New Member Welcome
TIME: 9:00AM - 12:30PM
New Member Ethics & Quadrennial Code of Ethics Video No CE’s TIME: 1:00PM - 4:00PM
Toastmasters
TIME: 5:30PM - 6:30PM JANUARY 20TH
Choosing &
Writing a Successful Contract 7 CE’s TIME: 8:30AM - 4:30PM INSTRUCTOR: Steven David COST: Free for Members $129 for Non-Members JANUARY 26TH
Toastmasters
TIME: 5:30PM - 6:30PM JANUARY 26TH
MLS Realist
TIME: 9:00AM - 12:00PM
MLS ComplianceTIME: 1:00PM - 2:30PM
MLS Adding & Modifying Listings TIME: 3:00PM - 4:30PM JANUARY 28TH
MLS Realist
TIME: 9:00AM - 12:00PM
MLS Matrix Quick & Simple CMAs TIME: 12:00PM - 1:00PM
MLS Portal/ Website Design in Matrix TIME: 1:30PM - 3:30PM JANUARY 29TH
Effective Risk Reduction
3CE’s TIME: 9:00AM - 12:00PM INSTRUCTOR: Cynthia DeLuca COST: Free to Members, $59 for non-members
REALTOR® Professionalism & Follow-thru
4 CE’s TIME: 1:00PM - 5:00PM INSTRUCTOR: Cynthia DeLuca COST: Free to Members, $69 for Non-members JANUARY 30TH
Stats in a Flash (iCE)
CALL 407.846.0117 Unless otherwise noted FEBRUARY 2ND
Toastmasters
TIME: 5:30PM - 6:30PM FEBRUARY 4TH
REALTORS® Essential Technology Toolbox 4 CE’s TIME: 9:00AM - 1:00PM INSTRUCTOR: Richard Fryer COST: Free to Members, $35 for Non-members FEBRUARY 9TH
MLS Basic
TIME: 9:00AM - 12:00PM
MLS Compliance TIME: 1:00PM - 2:30PM
MLS Adding & Modifying Listings TIME: 3:00PM - 4:30PM
Toastmasters
TIME: 5:30PM - 6:30PM FEBRUARY 10TH
Core Law
3 CE’s TIME: 9:00AM - 12:00PM INSTRUCTOR: Richard Fryer COST: Free for Members and $35 for Non-Members
Code of Ethics
3 CE’s TIME: 1:00PM - 4:00PM INSTRUCTOR: Pat Reass COST: Free for Members and $35 for Non-Members
4 CE’s TIME: 9:00AM - 1:00PM INSTRUCTOR: Stephanie White COST: Free to Members, $35 for Non-members
Classes are free to members unless otherwise noted.
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FEBRUARY 11TH
CIPS Institute Global Real Estate: Local Markets
7 CE’s TIME: 8:00AM - 5:00PM INSTRUCTOR: David Wyant COST: $119 for Members & Nonmembers for an Individual Class. All five CIPS Institute classes are $479 for Members and Non-members. FEBRUARY 12TH
CIPS Institute Day 2 Global Real Estate: Transaction Tools 7 CE’s TIME: 8:00AM - 5:00PM INSTRUCTOR: David Wyant COST: $119 for Members & Nonmembers for an Individual Class. All five CIPS Institute classes are $479 for Members and Non-members. FEBRUARY 13TH
CIPS Institute Day 3 Asia/Pacific & International Real Estate 7 CE’s TIME: 8:00AM - 5:00PM INSTRUCTOR: David Wyant COST: $119 for Members & Nonmembers for an Individual Class. All five CIPS Institute classes are $479 for Members and Non-members. FEBRUARY 16TH
CIPS Institute Day 4 Europe and International Real Estate 7 CE’s TIME: 8:00AM - 5:00PM INSTRUCTOR: David Wyant COST: $119 for Members & Nonmembers for an Individual Class. All five CIPS Institute classes are $479 for Members and Non-members.
Toastmasters
TIME: 5:30PM - 6:30PM
FEBRUARY 17TH
MARCH 2ND
CIPS Institute Day 5 The Americas and International Real Estate
Toastmasters
7 CE’s TIME: 8:00AM - 5:00PM INSTRUCTOR: David Wyant COST: $119 for Members & Nonmembers for an Individual Class. All five CIPS Institute classes are $479 for Members and Non-members.
TIME: 5:30PM - 6:30PM MARCH 4TH & 5TH
GRI Module 103: 2 Day Course
FEBRUARY 23RD
11 CE’s TIME: 7:30AM - 5:30PM INSTRUCTOR: TBD COST: $129 for Members $149 for Non-Members LUNCH PROVIDED LOCATION: TBD
Toastmasters
MARCH 9TH
TIME: 5:30PM - 6:30PM FEBRUARY 24TH
Demystifying the Appraisal Process
3 CE’s TIME: 9:00AM - 12:00PM INSTRUCTOR: Pat Reass COST: Free for Members and $35 for Non-Members
Preparing & Navigating the Listing Contract
4 CE’s TIME: 1:00PM - 5:00PM INSTRUCTOR: Cynthia DeLuca COST: Free for Members $35 for Non-Members
New Member Welcome TIME: 9:00AM - 12:30PM
New Member Ethics & Quadrennial Code of Ethics Video
REALTOR® Professionalism & Follow-thru
4 CE’s TIME: 1:00PM - 5:00PM INSTRUCTOR: Jason Jakus COST: Free to Members, $69 for Non-members
TIME: 9:00AM - 12:00PM
MLS Compliance TIME: 1:00PM - 2:30PM
MLS Adding & Modifying Listings TIME: 3:00PM - 4:30PM
Toastmasters
TIME: 5:30PM - 6:30PM MARCH 18TH
USDA 101
MARCH 23RD
Core Law
Toastmasters
Code of Ethics
INSTRUCTOR: Jason Jakus COST: Free to Members, $59 for non-members
MLS Basic
MARCH 10TH
TIME: 5:30PM - 6:30PM
MLS Training: TBA
3CE’s TIME: 9:00AM - 12:00PM
MARCH 16TH
Toastmasters
FEBRUARY 25TH
Effective Risk Reduction
4 CE’s TIME: 1:00PM - 5:00PM INSTRUCTOR: Cynthia DeLuca COST: Free for Members $35 for Non-Members
3 CE’s TIME: 9:00AM - 12:00PM INSTRUCTOR: Sean Stephens COST: Free for Members and $35 for Non-Members
No CE’s TIME: 1:00PM - 4:00PM
3 CE’s TIME: 9:00AM - 12:00PM INSTRUCTOR: Richard Fryer COST: Free to Members, $35 for Non-members
FEBRUARY 26TH
Preparing & Navigating the Listing Contract
3 CE’s TIME: 1:00PM - 4:00PM INSTRUCTOR: Richard Fryer COST: Free to Members, $35 for Non-members MARCH 11TH
Choosing & Writing a Successful Contract 7 CE’s TIME: 8:30AM - 4:30PM INSTRUCTOR: Cynthia DeLuca COST: Free for Members $129 for Non-Members
TIME: 5:30PM - 6:30PM MARCH 24TH
At Home With Diversity (AHWD) Certification Course 7 CE’s TIME: 8:30AM - 5:00PM INSTRUCTOR: David Wyant COST: $99 for Members and Non-members LUNCH PROVIDED MARCH 25TH
iMapp Training
3 CE’s TIME: 10:00AM - 12:00PM & AGAIN AT: 1:30PM - 3:30PM INSTRUCTOR: Kaz Cisowski COST: Free for Members $35 for Non-Members
MARCH 12TH
Demystifying the Appraisal Process
3 CE’s TIME: 9:00AM - 12:00PM INSTRUCTOR: Pat Reass COST: Free for Members and $35 for Non-Members
MARCH 30TH
MLS Training: TBA
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Tax Corner
STREAMLINED CLIENT
PROCEDURES FOR OFFSHORE
ACCOUNT HOLDERS
MEDIA CONTACT: Peter Pappas
EMAIL: ppappas@pappaslaw.com
WEB: www.pappastax.com
In June 2014 the IRS established a new program for U.S. taxpayers with offshore bank accounts. This is an excellent opportunity for delinquent taxpayers to come forward voluntarily, avoid significant penalties and, most of all, avoid criminal tax charges. Streamlined domestic offshore procedures: The alternative to the 2014 OVDI/OVDP U.S. residents who meet certain requirements may use the Streamlined Domestic Offshore Compliance Program to correct their previously filed returns for unreported income and disclose their foreign bank accounts. Participants must pay the tax due on their unreported income in the past three years, plus interest and an offshore penalty equal to 5 percent of the maximum annual aggregate balance of their unreported foreign accounts in the last six years. Streamlined domestic offshore procedure: The qualification requirements To qualify under the new Streamlined Domestic Offshore Compliance Program the taxpayer must meet the following eligibility requirements: Peter Pappas, Tax Attorney
1. You failed to meet the nonresidency requirements for the Foreign Domestic Offshore Procedure.
1. Prepare and file amended income tax returns.
2. You have filed all required U.S. tax returns for each of the last three years.
2. Submit full payment with interest of amended income tax return balance due.
3. You failed to report income from a foreign financial asset and pay tax on that income. 4. Your failure to pay tax on your foreign income and report your foreign assets must have resulted from nonwillful conduct. Streamlined domestic offshore procedure: Submission requirements The new streamlined OVDP/OVDI program is far simpler and less burdensome than the standard voluntary disclosure program.
3. Complete and file Certification of Non Willfulness Statement. 4. Submit full payment of 5 percent offshore bank account penalty. In addition to mailing all the documents listed above to the designated address in Austin, you must also file all delinquent FBARs (now known as FinCen form 114) for the past six years. These must be filed online through the FinCen website.
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IRS
NON-COLLECTIBLE STATUS:
WHAT IT MEANS AND DO YOU QUALIFY? MEDIA CONTACT: Peter Pappas
EMAIL: ppappas@pappaslaw.com
IRS Non-Collectible Status: What it means and do you qualify? When you owe money to the IRS and cannot pay it in full there are generally 3 non-bankruptcy options available to you: 1. Make a settlement offer known as an Offer in Compromise; 2. Request an installment payment plan; and 3. Request that your account be placed in non-collectible status.
Non-collectible status The IRS does not want to waste its valuable resources in pursuing collection from taxpayers who clearly cannot pay their debts in full. For this reason if you are able to prove that you have no equity in your assets and that you do not have any surplus income after paying your monthly necessary living expenses, the IRS will place your delinquent account in what is known as “non-collectible status.” The IRS code for this status is “53” and, therefore, it is sometimes called 53 status. Full financial disclosure required
WEB: www.pappastax.com
IRS Financial Statements must be provided along with bank records and other financial information proving your inability to pay.
The IRS does not
want to waste its valuable
resources in
pursuing collection from taxpayers who clearly cannot pay their debts in
It is not uncommon to full. have a taxpayer remain in non-collectible status until the statute of limitations on collections runs out.
Non-Collectible status does not mean the debt is written off Non-collectible status is not the same as a write-off of the debt. The tax debt remains on the books and the IRS will monitor the taxpayer’s subsequently filed tax returns to determine if there is any positive change in the taxpayer’s ability to pay the tax debt. Non-collectible status merely means that the IRS has determined that enforced collection action would be fruitless at this time. It does not mean that your tax debt has gone away and it does not preclude the IRS from filing a federal tax lien against you.
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Tax Corner
HAS THE IRS GARNISHED
YOUR WAGES?
YOUR BANK ACCOUNT? MEDIA CONTACT: Peter Pappas
EMAIL: ppappas@pappaslaw.com
When the IRS engages in enforced collection of a tax debt it almost always begins with an IRS wage garnishment or an IRS bank levy. The Notice of Wage Levy The IRS will serve what is known as a Notice of Levy (the “IRS Levy”) on all of the taxpayer’s known financial institutions and employers. A Wage Levy takes effect immediately upon receipt and the taxpayer’s employer must pay over to the IRS the proper IRS levy amount on each payday the levy remains in effect. Generally, a bank must freeze your account for 21 days from the date of the Wage Levy before it is required to turn over the funds to the IRS. This gives the taxpayer, the bank and the IRS an opportunity to resolve the matter before the taxpayer’s funds are lost. IRS Wage and Bank Levies are a Last Resort The IRS usually will not resort to the issuance of
WEB: www.pappastax.com
bank levies and wage garnishments until after it has made several attempts to contact the taxpayer and resolve the matter amicably through the use of an IRS collection alternative such as voluntary payment, an installment payment plan or an IRS settlement (“Offer in Compromise”). Taxpayers often wait until the IRS has begun enforced collection and has issued an IRS wage levy, an IRS bank levy or both to see our tax counsel. We regularly help taxpayers get their IRS wage levies released; however, it is often a difficult job because the IRS, having been ignored by the taxpayer prior to our engagement, is now in no mood to make concessions to the taxpayer. Advice and Recommendation If you have gotten any kind of collection notice from the IRS it is wise to call a tax professional to discuss the potential consequences of IRS action. The earlier you address your IRS tax problems the better your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome.
SUCCESS!
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GLOBAL ALLIANCE WINS BIG! Our Global Alliance Committee has raised the bar for excellence again! This past year, they were awarded the Platinum Level of Achievement Award - the highest honor - by NAR! We couldn’t be more proud! Keep up the good work!
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST
MEMBERS!
New members from our October New Member Orientation. New members from our December New Member Orientation.
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Award & Installation Luncheon
Former OSCAR Presidents line up to pass the gavel to our incoming 2015 President, Karen Dierickx.
On December 4th, we convened at the Royal St. Cloud Country Club to celebrate a year of achievements and welcome new leadership who will lead us into another successful year. Our Award and Installation Luncheon was a smash hit, drawing a large attendance.
Your OSCAR staff, ready to be at your service!
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Member Sue Vasquez enjoys a refreshing beverage as the festivities get under way.
So many members donated crock-pots for our drive to benefit local homeless individuals and families in the area who are living out of hotels. Thanks guys! Read more on pages 20-21.
2015 Board President, Karen Dierickx being sworn in.
One lucky guest per table received the beautiful tree centerpieces (shown above) placed on the tables. Pictured to the right, members check the bottom of their chairs to see if they have the winning ticket!
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CONGRATULATIONS 2014 AWARD
WINNERS: Affiliate Member of the Year: Leslie Zimmerly
Affiliate Office of the Year:
Star of the Year, Jason Daugherty
Aubrey Kahn Firm Foundation Home Inspections
Rising Affiliate Star of the Year: Victor Salgado of Wild Palms Productions
Emeritus Winners:
This award is for any person who has held membership in the National Association as a REALTOR® , REALTOR® Association, or a combination of both, for a cumulative period of 40 years in one or more Associations of REALTORS®.
Linda Goodwin Nichols Jo Ann Cumbie Truette Wyman Esperanza Wyman
Real Estate Office of the Year: Jeff Perry Berkshire Hathaway
Emeritus Winners: Linda Goodman, Truette Wyman, Esperanza Wyman, Jo Ann Cumbie
REALTOR® Rising Star of the Year: Joe Johnson
Star of the Year: Jason Daugherty
REALTOR® of the Year: Wanda Linscott
REALTOR® of the Year, Wanda Linscott
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WELCOME 2015
LEADERSHP!
Your 2015 Board of Directors: President: Karen Dierickx, President-elect: Jeff Perry, Secretary: Becky Chirillo, Treasurer: Jerry Kelley, Immediate Past-President: Daisy Cid, Directors: Jason Daugherty, Joe Johnson, Maria Flores Garcia, Marge Eddy, Tim Weisheyer, Patrice DeNike, Angel Ortiz, Dave Courtney, Wanda Linscott
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CROCK-POTS
FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES LIVING IN HOTELS AND MOTELS MEDIA CONTACT: Veronica Malolos
Since starting this crock-pot drive a couple of months ago, I have often been asked the questions “why crockpots for the homeless? How can they use them; where will they plug them in?” It is important to understand the distinction between the Chronic Homeless and the Transitional Homeless and the staggering numbers that are attributed to each of them. According to the Osceola County Human Services Department, there are at least 300 Chronic homeless who are also usually suffering from mental illness, physical disabilities and/or drug dependence. These are the ones living in the streets, under bridges, in tents and camps most of whom, unfortunately, are US Veterans. The Transitional Homeless are the children and families who, by life-changing events such as job or economic loss, abuse, illness, death or divorce of a parent, etc., find themselves “couch surfing” (moving from one friend or family home to another) or living in hotels and motels that rent on a weekly basis. According to the published report “The State of Homelessness in Osceola County”, in 2013 there were 3,650 children + 1,216 parent/guardian adults that are considered homeless. That is a total of 4,866 transitional homeless which is up by 54% from 2012. This is not counting any teens or small children who are not in the school system. This number is not only staggering, it is heart breaking. As a participant of “Impact Homelessness” (a collaboration of the private sector, non-profits and government entities whose goal is to deal with local homelessness issues) I came upon the story of a church in Seminole County who started a crock-pot drive for their homeless families. I thought “what a great idea!” since we all know that portable cook tops pose a fire hazard in hotel rooms which is why they are not allowed.
EMAIL: Veronica.Malolos@gmail.com
I am guessing most of these families have to eat out and spend their limited amount of money on fast food that may also be unhealthy for the kids. Crock-pots give them an option to prepare “home” slow-cooked meals overnight or even during the course of the day which works well when having to balance 2-3 jobs, other family responsibilities, and not having a kitchen to cook in. I am very proud to say that through the Community Involvement Committee of OSCAR and the support of the Board of Directors and Staff, we have collected and distributed many crock-pots to homeless families in transition with the help of the Osceola County Human Services Department. OSCAR has included the crock-pot drive as part of their Awards and Installation Luncheon this past December. WCR (Women’s Council of REALTORS®) Osceola has also been a very big part of the drive’s success having collected and still continuing to collect crock-pots. Recently, CFCAR (the Central Florida Commercial Association of Realtors) had a crock-pot drive of their own and collected 23 crock-pots in one event. ORRA is also getting ready to start their own crock-pot drive. Together with 2014 Florida Realtors President Sherri Meadows’ homelessness initiatives, this crock-pot drive is one patch in the quilt we are all creating to help our communities. It is my personal goal to keep this drive going past 2014. I hope you will take the time to read some of the letters written by the families who received the crock-pots. This is living proof that however small the contribution, we can make an impact on peoples’ lives. Always stand proud to be a REALTOR®. I know I am. Together we can make a real difference. NOTE: The crock-pot drive is ongoing and we welcome any contribution of new, boxed crock-pots.
REVIEWOSCAR
My name is Carol Marshall, and I am a single parent to 3 kids. We were living in a hotel due to financial problems when I first heard about the program. I was very excited that you offered such a program like this one. Because of this program I feel like me and my kids’ life has changed. I wasn’t always able to provide for my kids because there wasn’t enough money. But I am so thankful to God for this program. It has changed our lives and I will always be grateful. We are on our way to new and different beginnings because of this program. - Carol Marshall I am absolutely blessed and thankful for having found this program. It has helped and had such a huge impact in my life. I was evicted from my apartment June 17th, a couple of days before my birthday, and for the past 5 months I’ve been homeless trying to figure out what to do. I’m up here by myself, and from what I was getting from places I thought could help me was that they normally deal with woman with kids. So I am so grateful that a program for anyone who needs help came my way. I support Osceola County Association of REALTORS® for supporting me. It means so much! I was to the point where I was sleeping in my car, so there is not enough thanks in the world to show my gratitutde. - Brittany Walker I was placed in this program in August of this year. The program has benefitted myself and my 3 children tremendously. My children and I are no longer staying in hotels or driving over an hour to get to work and school. My children are now in a stable environment and I am grateful for the help I have received while in this program. - Nadia Wynter My family and I are grateful for the help they gave us. Hope they can continue helping families. Our family, thanks to your support, was able to stablize and have a safe home and that’s worth a lot. Thanks and keep working with love and dedication! God bless you! - Hudy M Bunde This program allowed my family to start over and get into an apartment. People say ‘Home is where the heart is’. I say, “I have a home, and my heart is smiling whenever I say ‘home’”. Thank you! - Aishah Brown This program allowed my family to live again, to be able to call our place a “home”, to be able to breathe fresh air again. I thank you guys so much everyday I walk out of my home, we are able to turn the keys, not use a card for a hotel room. And I am glad to have my child in her own room where she can run around and be free. Thank you, guys! - Fatima McCleese
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CRIMINAL MINDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Patrice DeNike
EMAIL: DeNikeHomes@gmail.com
Sarah Ann Walker and Beverly Carter shared a lot in common. Both successful realtors who probably had a daily routine just like ours. Except when Sarah and Beverly went to work one day and they never returned home. Sarah was stabbed 27 times while doing an open house in a new housing development in McKinney Texas. Beverly went to meet a customer this past October at a vacant home and was kidnapped and murdered. When the suspect in her murder asked why Beverly, his response was “She was a rich broker and she worked alone�.
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There are many stories about the victimization of realtors. One study states that between 1982 and 2000, 206 agents were murdered on the job. It is a profession where we meet strangers on a daily basis, with knowing little more than a name. A St. Pete realtor received a call from a man who stated he was a DEA agent who was relocating to Florida. After spending 4 hours showing homes he asked to see the first home again. When back at the first location he brandished a 12” hunting knife and indicated he had a gun. After the attack he took her purse and car. The numbers are on the increase for sexual assault and robbery for agents. I spent 23 years in a law enforcement career. My first 10 years as a correctional officer I had the opportunity to study and observe the criminal mindset. I had the opportunity through interviews and casual conversation with inmates on why they would choose their victims. Criminals prefer sites that are likely to serve up few witnesses and little chance of being caught. Location is a key factor in street crime, particularly in cases of sexual assault. So what can we do to prevent victimization and reduce the opportunity? I studied my own routines as a realtor and practice some easy strategies to ensure my safety and safety of my customers. Open Houses- there is always “safety in numbers” consider doing an open house with an associate. Check the neighborhood for registered sex offenders/sex predators at offender.fdle.state.fl.us Have a plan of escape in the event that you begin to feel uncomfortable with someone. Check that all windows and doors are locked when leaving Listing appointment-gather as much information on the seller as possible. Check public records, familiarize yourself with the neighborhood. Always let someone know where you are going and who you are meeting.
Meeting a buyer- Meet at your office when possible. Ask for some type of identification and state it is office policy. Have them drive their own vehicle. Avoid picking up strangers at hotels and airports.
Remember, the customer
probably knows
more about you
than you know
about them just by
googling your
name on social
media
Remember, the customer probably knows a lot more about you than you know about them just by googling your name or checking social media. If you are working in your office alone at night, do not answer the door. Better to not acknowledge you are alone in the business. Don’t be distracted when walking to and from your car or at the gas pump. Let the phone go to voicemail or check that text after entering your vehicle and locking the door. Most criminals look for someone who is distracted which creates an easy target. HAVE A PLAN! REHEARSE SCENARIOS IN YOUR MIND AND HOW YOU WOULD REACT. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS PRACTICE AND TRAIN MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY FOR POTENTIAL THREATENING SITUATIONS to ensure their survival. So should we! We want to go home to our loved ones at the end of the day. Trust your God-given instinct. Never ignore a “feeling” that danger maybe lurking. If something doesn’t feel safe, it’s probably not. Better to risk losing the sale than losing your life.
Patrice DeNike retired in 2004 as a Bureau Chief at the Osceola Sheriff’s Office. During her career she was designated as a Crime Prevention Practitioner through the Florida Attorney General’s Office. She conducted many programs on personal safety, residential and commercial security and helped develop school safety policy and procedures for the Osceola County School Board. She was also a member of the Central Florida Homeland Security Task Force and trained at FEMA”S Emergency Management Institute.
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Tech Tips
3-D LISTINGS FROM EVERY ANGLE
MEDIA CONTACT: Graham Wood
EMAIL: gwood@realtors.org
Technological advances are promising consumers a more in-person, lifelike view of a home without ever having to step foot inside — through the use of 3-D listing tools. Companies such as Oculus Rift — which is now endeavoring to offer virtual tours of college campuses to prospective students — 3D Property Tours, and Matterport all offer ways to capture 3-D images of homes and put them together to create a virtual property walk-through. Matterport has gained particular notoriety, offering the $4,500 Matterport Pro 3D Camera, a cloud-based service where you can upload your images to be automatically configured into a 3-D model, and a portal that allows you to store and share your 3-D models with clients. Real estate brokerage Redfin announced a partnership with Matterport in August, becoming the first national brokerage to implement the 3-D technology. Over time, Redfin plans to convert all of its active listings — starting with those in its hometown of Seattle — to 3-D models using Matterport. Each Redfin listing page has a player uploaded on it that users can click to see the 3-D tour (3-D glasses are not required). Matterport was also the star of the Realogy FWD innovation summit in June. “Buyers are always looking for more information, and there’s only so much we can give them with informational fact sheets and 2-D photos,” says Bree AlRashid, managing broker of Redfin’s Seattle operation. “It’s great that [Matterport] allows us to give them more information. It’s a big differentiator from other agents and brokerages, and it’s just plain cool.” Here’s how it works: The Matterport camera sits on a tripod and spins around in a full circle, scanning a room and collecting the data to display in 3-D. Several “sweeps,” or scans, from different locations in a room may be necessary in order to capture the full image (you will need to scan in front of and behind a piece of furniture so the 3-D rendering can capture the entirety of the room). Once you’ve got all your scans, upload them to Matterport’s cloud server, where the images are formed into a 3-D model of the home. But there’s more to it than just the capture phase. Here are some things to keep in mind when capturing and marketing 3-D listing data.
Whom to Target With 3-D Imagery International or out-of-town buyers: Seattle has been experiencing an influx of wealthy foreign buyers lately, and the 3-D listing data is most helpful for clients who cannot be physically present to tour a home, AlRashid says. But for any market with a high volume of international buying activity, 3-D imagery will likely take hold in the future. “We’re a port city with a lot of international commerce, and we’re a city that is heavily recruiting for international business,” Al-Rashid says of Seattle. “The 3-D listings give them an opportunity to see from afar exactly what they would see if they were here. One of our first 3-D listings was sold to an international buyer.” Sellers concerned with privacy: Brandon Doyle, ABR, a salesperson with RE/MAX Results in Maple Grove, Minn., who has been using Matterport for several months, explains to sellers that 3-D tours will cut down on the foot traffic through their homes and attract more buyers who are ready to make offers. “With 3-D listings, buyers get a better sense of the home’s proportions, and it gives them a better idea of what they will see when they tour the home in person,” Doyle says. “It helps them make a decision earlier in the process, so those who do actually come to the home are more serious buyers.” Renters: It’s sometimes difficult to get reliable access to rentals, Al-Rashid says. Landlords are not always available, and home owners who are renting space in their home can be even harder to track down. 3-D rental tours can cut down on the number of times you have to request access to a property, making it easier on both the prospective renter and the landlord or owner. Practical Tips in the Field When you are out at a home, scanning images with a 3-D camera, there are some useful tips to make the work easier. Have a sturdy tripod. Because the camera spins around during scanning, an unstable tripod can mess with the quality of the image and threaten the safety of the camera. “You don’t want any wiggling,” Al-Rashid says, “or you could end up with a $4,500 camera on the floor.”
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Follow the likely path of a buyer. As you’re scanning rooms, move through the home along the path that a buyer would take if they were touring the home in person, Doyle says. “Start at the front entryway, work around each room, and put the tripod in a part of the room that the person would likely want to stand in and look at the room,” Doyle says. “I do the corners of the room, the middle of the room, and the focal point of the room.” Watch the height of your tripod. “Your tripod should be set up at eye level,” Al-Rashid says. “That’s naturally where people want to look. Don’t set it up at, say, three feet high, where it might feel like you’re touring a home from the perspective of a child.” Al-Rashid experimented with tripod height during a mock tour of her own home, setting the height shorter than eye level. “It wasn’t a great perspective, but I did find things under furniture that I hadn’t seen in a while!” she jokes. Stage to perfection. Once you’ve scanned a room, the image can’t be edited (though you can delete a scan and take another one). That’s why it’s critical that the home be staged as though a buyer were actually touring it before you begin scanning 3-D images. “Buyers are going to see everything,” Doyle says. Make sure all lights are on and all doors are open for a seamless walkthrough, Al-Rashid adds. Also, “get all pets, humans, and extraneous things out of the way,” she says. Don’t scan too much. Though it will take multiple scans of a room to catch the entirety of it in one 3-D image, don’t go overboard. “I don’t want to take so many scans of a room that it creates a choppy rhythm when looking at the virtual tour. Knowing something about buyer behavior, I just use my gut feeling on how many scans it will take to capture the feel of a room,” Al-Rashid says. Property Considerations New construction: 3-D tours work great for new communities where there’s a completed model of a home. A completed model is a blueprint for what buyers can expect from other homes in the community, but once it’s sold, he can’t keep touring it, Doyle says. Having a 3-D model of a completed home allows him to keep showing the property long after it’s sold, and it gives the buyers insight into other homes that are poised to hit the market. Be careful with multilevel homes: When moving up stairs, you have to be mindful that the top of the last image you scanned must match the bottom of the next image to keep a rendering from looking choppy. Doyle says he scans an image every third step to ensure there are no gaps in the final 3-D rendering. Open-floor plans: “Hallways and tight spaces don’t
visualize well in 3-D format,” says Seth Price, vice president of sales and marketing at online real estate marketing firm Placester. That’s because 3-D imagery is designed to show the depth of a space, which won’t come across well with small spaces. Wide-open spaces, however, will look much better in 3-D, though they require more scans to capture the totality of the room. When walking through a home that has an open kitchen/ living room layout, for instance, make sure to take scans from either end so that the depth of the layout will be apparent in the 3-D rendering. Don’t Jump In Too Quickly Though 3-D imagery is finding its place in real estate as a hot new marketing tactic, Price cautions real estate pros against going all-in before they’re ready. “The 3-D revolution hasn’t quite made it to mainstream yet, with the exception of Google Earth and Street View,” Price says. “And those are still relative novelties being pushed further and further to the background of Google’s other products. That’s not to say that 3-D video technology doesn’t have a place in real estate; it just shouldn’t be the lynchpin of one’s content marketing strategy.” Price suggests these “building blocks” of a marketing strategy should be in place before focusing on 3-D technology: • • • • • • •
A mobile-friendly website Blog content that answers your prospects’ questions Search optimization that aligns your site and content with the way customers are searching online Profiles on all the social platforms that matter to your consumers Customer testimonials on all relevant real estate and review sites (such as Google and Yelp) A system to follow up with online leads Creating a business plan and sticking to it
“Once those things are in play, you can start contemplating adding other content types, of which 3-D video would be an option,” Price says. “The truth is that the 3-D tech is still relatively young, not super userfriendly, and best practices — including best vendors — are still to be determined. The most important thing is to provide a good user experience. Many 3-D offerings haven’t yet delivered a UX that will please, rather than confuse, Web viewers.” Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online (http:// realtormag.realtor.org), September 2014 with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2014. All rights reserved.
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MARKET
OSCEOLA COUNTY
DYNAMICS 2 years (monthly) - 11.1.12 to 11.30.14 KEY INFORMATION CONSTRUCTION TYPE All
OSCEOLA SFH DISTRESSED VS. TOTAL SALES UNITS SOLD
BEDROOMS All
BATHROOMS All
PROPERTY TYPES Residential (Single Family Home)
LOT SIZE All SQ FT All
THIS DATA IS DEPENDENT UPON TIMELINESS OF SALES AND TOTALITY OF INFORMATION REPORTED BY PARTICIPANTS. THE DATA REFLECTS ONLY THE SALES PUBLISHED THROUGH THE MID-FLORIDA REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE (MFRMLS) AND DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL SALES IN REPORTED AREAS. NEITHER THE ASSOCIATION NOR THE MFRMLS IS IN ANY WAY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS ACCURACY. DATA: TOTAL SALES = ALL MFRMLS OSCEOLA SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING (SFH) & PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD). (SFH), (PUD)-REO/BANK OWNED/SHORT SALE FROM SPECIAL SALE PROVISION. AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET IS: DAYS TO CLOSED
SUPPLY & DEMAND NUMBER OF UNITS (FS) Monthly Change -4.07 Monthly % -.14 Total Change -97.66 Total % Change -3.47
FOR SALE -3.5%
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MONTH’S SUPPLY OF INVENTORY (SOLD CALCULATION) Monthly Change -.04 Monthly % -0.57 Total Change -0.91 Total % Change -13.65
MSI SALE -13.7%
MEDIAN PRICE (SOLD) LOW, HIGH, AVERAGE, MEDIAN Monthly Change 1.644.66 Monthly % 1.24 Total Change 39,471.76 Total % Change 29.88
FOR SALE 29.9%
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PROFESSIONAL
AFFILIATES ADVERTISING/ PUBLICATIONS Guide To Homes, Inc. Rhonda Rogers 7810 Gall Blvd # 309 Zephyrhills, FL 33541 T 813-928-1885 guidetohomes@gmail.com The Osceola Gazette Matt Plocha 108 Church St. Kissimmee, FL 34741 T 407-846-7600 ext107 F 407-846-8516 mplocha@osceolanewsgazette.com osceolanewsgazette.com The Real Estate Book Michael Martin 261 Specialty Point Sanford, FL 32771 T 407-878-1238 orlandorebook@gmail.com
AGENT MARKETING SERVICES BrandAid Chris Florence 7354 Bent Grass Drive Winter Haven, FL 33884 T 863-557-7953 chris@brandaid.com www.abrandaid.com
ATTORNEYS CPCLaw Charles Castellon 14129 Town Loop Blvd, Suite 200 Orlando, FL 32837 T 407-851-0201 F 407-851-9411 ccastellon@centralflattorney.com
The Law Office of Charles E. “Gene” Moore, JR., P. Gene Moore 8 Broadway Avenue, Suite 109 Kissimmee, FL 34741 gmoore545@yahoo.com T 407-460-1370 F 407-264-8278 gmoore545@yahoo.com Law Office of Daniel Villazon, P.A. 1420 Celebration Blvd. Celebration, FL 34747 T 407-483-0041 dvillazon@yahoo.com frecattorney.com The Pappas Group Peter Pappas 4798 New Broad Street Suite #210 Orlando, FL 32814 T 407-648-2555 F 407-264-6580 ppappas@pappaslaw.com www.pappastax.com
The Pappas Group Julie Pappas 4798 New Broad Street Suite #210 Orlando, FL 32814 T 407-648-2555 F 407-264-6580 jpappas@pappaslaw.com Quinones & Oliver, P.L. Leslie Zimmerly 11513 Lake Underhill Rd, Ste A Orlando, FL 32825 T 407-249-5050 F 407-249-5008 leslie@QFPO.com www.QFPO.com Roland H. Acosta & Associates Roland H. Acosta 399 Carolina Avenue, Suite 210 Winter Park, FL 32789 T 407-644-2531 F 407-628-9289 racosta@acostaatlaw.com Sanchez Law Group Desiree Sanchez 605 E. Robinson St, Ste 650 Orlando, FL 32801 T 407-236-0502 F 407-236-0444 dsanchez@cfllawgroup.com www.cfllawgroup.com
CONSTRUCTION/ REPAIR/RENOVATIONS Linscott Plumbing Services Wayne Linscott 2009 Jaffa Dr. St. Cloud, FL 34771 T 407-891-1700 linscottplbg@aol.com
FINANCIAL SERVICES/ INSTITUTIONS 1st Alliance Lending Dan Biron 4460 Lower Park Rd. Orlando, FL 32819 T 407-749-6857 F 860-724-2964 dbiron@1agroup.com www.1stAllianceLending.com BB&T Glen Spears 255 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801 T 407-241-3557 F 407-563-4024 gspears@bbandt.com
BB&T Edwin Oquendo 2710 N. Orange Blossom Trail Kissimmee, FL 34744 T 407-401-3950 F 407-870-9895 eoquendo@bbandt.com BB&T Katerine Navas 2710 N. Orange Blossom Trail Kissimmee, FL 34744 T 407-452-0598 F 407-870-9865 knavas@bbandt.com
BB&T Denitza Guenova 7208 W Sand Lake Rd. Orlando, FL 32819 T 321-354-9601 F 407-345-5240 dguenova@bbandt.com Butler Mortgage Barbara Bowling 1012 W. Emmett Street, Suite B Kissimmee, FL 34741 T 407-931-3800 F 407-931-3801 bblowling@butlermortgage.com Butler Mortgage Harry Urban 1012 W. Emmett St, Ste B Kissimmee, FL 34741 T 407-931-3800 F 407-931-3801 hurban@butlermortgage.com Centerstate Bank of Florida, N.A. Scott Johnson 920 North John Young Pkwy Kissimmee, FL 34746 T 407-847-3800 F 407-847-8482 sjohnson@centerstatebank.com Currencies Direct International Chris Doran 4700 Millenia Blvd., Ste. 175 Orlando, FL 32839 T 407-900-2174 chris.d@currenciesdirect.com www.currenciesdirect.com Financial Education Services Olga Castano 2611 Oak Run Blvd Kissimmee, FL 34744 T 407-346-3194 olgacastarealtor@yahoo.com www.financialfreedom4u.us Guaranteed Rate Ivan Duarte 7125 Turner Rd, Suite 101 Rockledge, FL 32955 T 321-609-0789 ivanduate@guaranteedrate.com www.guaranteedrate.com/ivanduarte Moneycorp Kelly Cutchin 7380 W Sand Lake Rd, Ste 410 Orlando, FL 32819 T 407-352-5890 F 407-352-5893 kelly.cutchin@moneycorp.com www.moneycorp.com/usa Movement Mortgage Jason Parris 66 Riley Rd, Ste B2 Celebration, FL 34747 T 407-764-7344 F 804-477-1463 jason.parris@movementmortgage.com www.movementmortgage.com/ jason.parris
RP Funding Scott Johnson 2700 Westhall Ln, Ste 120 Maitland, FL 32751 T 321-397-4189 F 888-851-7348 Scott.Johnson@rpfunding.com www.rpfunding.com
RP Funding Jon Woods 2700 Westhall Ln, Ste 120 Maitland, FL 32751 T 321-397-4189 F 888-851-7348 Jon.woods@rpfunding.com www.rpfunding.com
Qubty Financial Group
David Qubty 7680 Universal Blvd., Suite 405 Orlando, FL 32819-8998 T 407-370-3030 F 407-370-2040 dqubty@qubtyfinancialgroup.com
Qubty Financial Group
Sami D. Qubty 7680 Universal Blvd., Suite 405 Orlando, FL 32819-8998 T 407-370-3030 F 407-370-2040 dqubty@qubtyfinancialgroup.com Trustco Bank Sarah Near 1525 East Osceola Pkwy Kissimmee, FL 34746 T 407-932-0398 F 407-932-0719 snear@branch.trustcobank.com trustcobank.com
Waterstone Mortgage Adriana Lopez Pardo 2699 Lee Rd. Ste 480 WinterPark, FL 32789 T 407-645-6386 F 407-628-2609 alopezpardo@ waterstonemortgage.com www.waterstone-fl.com Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Cliff Frohn One Home Campus Des Moines, IO, 50328 T 515-213-6500 F 515-213-6102 mlsmemberships@wellsfargo.com wellsfargo.com
HOME WARRANTY 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty Cameron Foster 1900 Jake Street, Suite 109 Orlando, FL 32814 T 407-473-1972 cfoster@2-10.com First American Home Warranty Corp Bobby Jo Justice 3239 Lorimar Lane St Cloud, FL 34772 T 407-902-5237 bjustice@firstam.com Home Warranty of America Tammy Birchler PO Box 850 Lincolnshire, IL, 60069 T 888-492-7357 ext. 424 tbichler@hwahomewarranty.com
OSCARAFFILIATES
031 INSPECTION SERVICES ACF Home Inspections, Inc. Luis Figueroa 509 S. Chickasaw Trail #18 Orlando, FL 32825 T 407-466-8921 F 407-381-5556 acfinspection@aol.com acfhomeinspections.com Budget Services, Inc. Ed Hogan 3617 Crosley Avenue St Cloud, FL 34772 T 407-892-8811 F 407-892-8516 budgettermite@earthlink.net budgetservicesfl.com
Firm Foundation Home Inspections, Inc. Aubrey Kahn 2200 Sylvan Court Kissimmee, FL 34746 T 321-624-0254 akahn.firmfoundations@gmail.com tophomeinspection.com Housemaster Home Inspections Colin Williams 527 Brack Street Kissimmee, FL 34744 T 407-343-4677 F 407-947-5354 cawilliams@housemaster.com osceola.housemaster.com M.T. Buildings Home Inspection,LLC Michael Taaffe 2307 Boggy Creek Rd, #129 Kissimmee, FL 34744 T 407-873-3663 Michael_mtbuildings@yahoo.com www.FloridaMold.weebly.com Pilar Home Inspection Peter Boorman 106 Haversham Way Davenport, FL 33897 T 407-729-2579 peter.pilarhi@gmail.com www.pilarhomeinspectors.com Pillar to Post Sam Grasso 8200 Lynch Dr. Orlando, FL 32835 T 407-512-5995 F 407-512-6707 sam.grasso@pillartopost.com www.pillartopost.com/samgrasso
Wayne Home Inspections Wayne C. Glover 1533 Trumbull Street Kissimmee, FL 34744 T 407-935-1127 F 407-935-1483 wayne.glover@netzero.net wayneshomeinspection.com
REAL ESTATE SCHOOLS/ EDUCATION IFREC Real Estate Schools Richard Fryer 5029 Edgewater Drive Orlando, FL 32810 T 407-644-7277 F 407-647-5227 robin@ifrec.com Victoria Real Estate Academy Ana Malavet 1507 Fortune Retail Court Kissimmee, FL 34744 T 321-746-6393 exito@vrealestateacademy.com www.vrealestateacademy.com
REALTOR速 SERVICES Creating Wealth USA, LLC August Byllot P.O. Box 470654 Celebration, FL 34747 T 863-255-5858 augie@creatingwealthusa.com creatingwealthusa.com
TITLE/ESCROW/ INSURANCE SERVICES A-Z Team Title, LLC Bernard S. Edwards 102 Park Place Blvd. Kissimmee, FL 34743 T 407-932-0529 F 407-932-1587 bernie@azteamtitle.com American Latin Title Maria de Fatima De Assuneao 13574 Village Park Dr. ,Ste 135 Orlando, FL 32837 T 407-363-7704 F 407-363-7706 Fatima@americanlatintitle.com www.americanlatintitle.com Artesian Title Olga Barclay 6735 Conroy Rd, Suite 315 Orlando, FL 32835 T 321-948-0644 Olga@artesiantitle.com ArtesianTitle.com Fidelity National Title of Florida Amanda Meyer 1390 Hope Road, Suite 400 Maitland, FL 32751 T 407-551--5030 F 407-875-1010 amanda.meyer@fnf.com www.fidelityeastflorida.com First American Title David Counselman 1101 Miranda Lane, Suite 101 Kissimmee, FL 34741 T 407-516-9327 F 866-722-5957 wcounselman@firstam.com www.firstam.com First International Title Bobbi Jo Justice 1101 Miranda Lane, Suite 105 Kissimmee, FL 34741 T 321-624-2472 F 407-350-5966 bobbijo.justice@firstintitle.com www.firstintitle.com Final Negotiations, LLC. Rhonda Owen 1201 Emmet Street Kissimmee, FL 34741 T 407-846-0978 rowen@stewart.com HIG Insurance Group Chase Herbig 890 E. State Road 434 Longwood, FL 32750 T 407-920-1115 F 407-260-0216 chase@hhig.com www.callhig.com Infinity Title Group Samantha Andrade 714 John Young Pkwy Kissimmee, FL 34741 T 407-201-6420 F 321-250-7865 samantha@infinitytitlegroup.com
Integrity First Title Betty M. Dobbie 908 Mabbette Street Kissimmee, FL 34741 T 407-846-4500 F 407-846-4533 bdobbie@integrityft.com
Newcastle Title Services Tammy Lynn Dietz 12 S Clyde Avenue Kissimee, FL 34741 T 407-518-1008 F 407-218-5057 tammy@newcastletitleservices.com www.newcastletitleservices.com New York Life J.T. Shim 495 Keller Rd, Suite 150 Maitland, FL 32751 T 407-999-0291, ext 583 F 407-648-8292 jshim01@ft.newyorklife.com www.NewYorkLife.com New York Life Lindsey Rourke 495 Keller Rd, Suite 150 Maitland, FL 32751 T 407-999-0291, ext 587 F 407-648-8292 lrourke@ft.newyorklife.com www.NewYorkLife.com New York Life Cheddy W Matthews 495 Keller Rd, Suite 150 Maitland, FL 32751 T 407-999-0291, ext 314 F 407-648-8292 cwmatthews.@ft.newyorklife.com www.NewYorkLife.com Paragon Title Group Tina Johnson 1222 Ingram Street Kissimmee, FL 34744 T 407-847-0412 F 407-847-0429 docs@paragontitlegroup.com Quality Title & Escrow LLC Lisa Bennett 1801 Lee Road, Suite 205 Winter Park, FL 32789 T 321-304-3906 F 321-304-3009 lisa@qtefl.com Quality Title & Escrow LLC Juanita Figueroa 715 Mabbette St. Kissimmee, FL 34741 T 407-483-8861 F 407-483-8869 juanita@qtefl.com www.qtefl.com Stewart Title Company Rhonda Owen 1201 Emmett Street Kissimmee, FL 34741 T 407-846-7477 / F 407-846-6573 rowen@stewart.com Stewart Title Company Becky Sheive 1201 Emmett Street Kissimmee, FL 34741 T 407-846-7477 / F 407-846-6573 bsheive@stewart.com Stewart Title Company Rayelynne Ketchum 1201 Emmett Street Kissimmee, FL 34741 T 407-957-9000 F 407-957-8055 rwoeste@stewart.com
OTHER SERVICES Arnotts Furniture & Auction Gallery James Arnott 9230 W. Irlo Bronson Hwy Clermont, FL 34714 T 407-401-9893 auctionsbyjames@yahoo.com www.auction.smugmug.com Concordia Studios Kemp Howland 355 Falling Waters Dr Poinciana, FL 34759 T 407-222-4847 F 407-705-2562 Kemp.Howland@gmail.com concordiastudios.com Fanatical Cleaning Services Adriana Restrepo 239 Glowing Peace Ln Orlando, FL 32824 trpc19@yahoo.com HDM Pools Hector Munoz 709 Del Ray Dr Kissimmee, FL 34758 T 407-346-8769 hector@HDMpools.com www.HDMpools.com The Health Insurance Store Flor Santana 1007 E. Vine St Kissimmee, FL 34744 T 407-738-3677 myflhealthinsuranceagent@gmail.com
Heritage Park Inn Mary Rivera 2050 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy Kissimmee, FL 34741 T 407-846-4545 F 407-923-2268 maryriv65@gmail.com Mr. ReKey Lock smith Daniel Lewis 1014 Webster Ave Orlando, FL 32804 T 407-207-0272 F 866-204-1717 Daniel@rekey.com www.rekey.com Punta Cana Restaurant Tito Arias 2050 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy Kissimmee, FL 34744 T 407-935-9020 puntacanaresta@aol.com Systeco Pest Control Cesar Vergara 25800 N. CR 426 Oviedo, FL 32765 T 407-832-9124 admin@systeco.com www.systecom.com Unidos Supermarket Jose Toribio 1200 Simspon Rd Kissimmee, FL 347414 T 407-962-0028 F 407-962-0020 VST Services, Inc. Steven Tavariez 830 N. John Young Pkwy Kissimmee, FL 34741 T 407-569-8899 F 407-483-7428 steven@vstservices.com www.vstservicesinc.com Wild Palms Productions Victor Salgado 2420 Cypress Trace Circle Orlando, FL 328254 T 321-948-3512 wildpalmsproductions@gmail.com
wildpalmspro.com
PRSRT STD U S POSTAGE PAID MID-FL FL PERMIT NO. 581
Osceola County Association of REALTORS® 1105 Shady Lane • Kissimmee, FL 34744
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WELCOME NEW
MEMBERS
Carlos Eduardo Acosta Imbiriba - Luxury Realty, Inc. Cody Jacob Adkins - Weichert Realtors Hallmark Pro Heather Adrian - Watson Realty Corp Ray Al-Malt - Lababidi Realty Group Vivianne Almeida - Drim Properties Nicola Dolores Ansons - Watson Realty Corp. Joshua Arango - Robles Realty International, LLC Francy Arias - Weichert Realtors Hallmark Pro Fernando Arruda - Vitoria Realty Gregoria Ayala Ramirez - Multi Choice Realty LLC Angel Luis Bacenet - V Properties Inc Nicholas Anthony Ballengee - Re/Max Market Place Sami Belmabkhout - Watson Realty Corp. Alexandra Benetti - Century 21 Metro Lifestyles Monica Bola - Davis Real Estate Group Carlos Guillermo Bonilla Fuentes - BHHS Results Realty Kemron Butler - Sunstar Realty LLC Angela Camacho - Profiles International Realty Julio E Camacho - Prestige Realty Professionals LLC Elena Carrillo Andre - Luxury Realty, Inc. JoAnn Castro - BHHS Results Realty Rodrigo Coca Cerveira - Drim Properties Subhaschandra Chauhan - Realstock Realty Francisco Chavez - Coldwell Banker Ackley Realty Mariano Chiappe - Luxury Realty, Inc Michael Danganan - Florida Spirit Real Estate Ser Maritza Diaz - Century 21 Metro Lifestyles Brenda Lee Dones - Exel Realty Corp. Yassine El Horra - BHHS Results Realty Camilo Gaitan - La Rosa Realty LLC Ricardo Ignacio Garcia - Keller Williams Advantage III Michelle May Geberth - Davis Real Estate Group Mauricio Gomez - La Rosa Realty LLC Johanna Thereza Gonzalez - Ameriteam Realty, Inc Manuel Gonzalez - Keller Williams Advantage III Ramon Benigno Gonzalez - Florida Realty Team Of Central Olga Gordasevych - Watson Realty Corp Susan D Graves - Keller Williams at The Lakes Blanche Delia Greaux - Realstock Realty Andrew Griesemer - Keller Williams at The Lakes Iwan Griffiths - Exit Realty Champions Jamie Hall - REMAX PIONEER Patricia Hanson - Fusilier Realty Group Sandra Hoyos Linton - Broker & Partners Hilburn Hunkins - Empire Network Realty Inc. Michelle Meira Johnson - Sunstar Realty LLC Keith Kalina - Weichert Realtors Hallmark Pro Robert Earl Kenon, II - BHHS Results Realty Kevin Sean Kirby - Tom Real Estate Christie Michelle Klammer - DeNike Realty and Property Management LLC Juan Kuykendall - REMAX PIONEER Renaud Lambert - Watson Realty Corp Michael LaPointe - Keller Williams at The Lakes Meta Learas - Better Homes & Gardens Fine Living Jessica Colabella Leffew - Davis Real Estate Group Hillary Hui Li - Coldwell Banker Ackley Realty Wei Liu - Sunshine Florida Realty, Inc Joshua Longbrake - Champions Realty And Investment Inc Javin Lopez - BHHS Results Realty Lorena Martinez - Luxury Realty, Inc Judith Mattos - La Rosa Realty LLC Carina Melo - Coldwell Banker Ackley Realty Alexandra Mercado - La Rosa Realty LLC Victor Molina - Watson Realty Corp Judy Montana - Homestead Realty Inc. Kimkesia Morgan - Weichert Realtors Hallmark Pro Samuel Nieves Montanez - Robles Realty International, LLC Brian L Ocasio - La Rosa Realty LLC Vivian Judith Ortiz - Century 21 All Homes & Propert
Kristin Parsons - Latitude 28 Real Estate Broker Marcos Vinicius Peres - Palm Blue Realty LLC Alejandro Quiel, Jr - Keller Williams at The Lakes Oscar Antonio Reyes Herrera - Invest Realty Group, LLC Lindsey Rich - Coldwell Banker Ackley Realty Brent Wade Richards - Transcontinental Realty Group Christi Rivera - Coldwell Banker Solomon Kavin Rodriguez - Century 21 Team Feltrim Yaisha Jennic Romero - Empire Network Realty Inc. Christian Rosa - Keller Williams Classic II Realty Roger Fernando Ruiz - La Rosa Realty LLC Cindy Vanessa Santander Narvaez - La Rosa Realty LLC Hector Santos - Century 21 Metro Lifestyles Jonathan Sorensen - Exit Realty Champions Rosa U Suarez - Professional Property Mgmt Adarsh Kumar Taggar - Keller Williams at The Lakes Chanchal Tandon - Century 21 Team Feltrim Robert Tibbetts - OneRes International Realty Laura A Titterington - Keller Williams at The Lakes Mark Titterington - Keller Williams at The Lakes Noel Trujillo - Premium Properties Real Estate Services Valentina Vakhova - Professional Real Estate Team Tania Yudith Valdes - Transcontinental Realty Group Solmarie Velez - Keller Williams Classic II Realty Gabriel Velez - Keller Williams Classic II Realty Janet Lynne Whittington - Keller Williams Classic II Realty Ting Wu - Multi Choice Realty LLC
AFFILIATE
OFFICES
1st Alliance Lending Artesian Title M.T. Buildings Home Inspection, LLC New York Life VST Services, Inc.