March 2021
MEMBERS FIRST
NEWSLETTER
REGISTER NOW FOR GARD!
IN THIS ISSUE • Great American Realtor Days • Brokers’ Zone • PAWSCARS • RPAC Committee • Commercial Alliance Task Force • Realtors® Care Committee • Global Alliance Committee • March NAR Benefits • That’s Who We R • January Market Statistics • March Class Calendar • Vital Industry Partner Directory • Welcome New Members
Spring is here! I’m so excited the birds are chirping and the flowers are blooming. We have GARD coming up on March 15 through 17. For some of you that don’t know it stands for Great American Realtor® Days. This will be the first time ever that it will be virtual. This is an event that if you’ve never attended, you must
see! During this event, thousands of Realtors® go to Tallahassee and let the state representatives know what Realtors® are advocating for homeowner rights. This is where we let our state representatives know where we stand on certain bills. So be part of this great event and register today. (Cont. on Page 2)
(407) 846-0117 | 1105 CROSS PRAIRIE PKWY, KISSIMMEE, FL 34744 | OSCEOLAREALTORS.ORG
President’s Message
DONNIE MARTINEZ 2021 PRESIDENT
I guarantee you will enjoy GARD and we look forward to seeing a great attendance from our OSCAR members! We also have two global virtual education classes coming up this month. On March 11 we have Converting Today’s Tourist into Tomorrow’s Buyer and Getting Results with Canadian Buyers and Sellers. We have classes available for CE credit so register today before they get filled up. For our Irish Realtors®, St. Patrick’s Day is March 17. Don’t forget to wear your green so you won’t get a pinch. Remember, we all need the luck of the Irish. Have a great month, and I look forward to seeing you all at our upcoming virtual events!
- Donnie Martinez 2021 President
NEW! Brokers’
Zone
ALEXANDRA ARENA-GIl OSCEOLA BROKERS COMMITTEE CHAIR
Broker-owners wear many hats in managing their companies—large and small. As a broker, you need to learn strategies for growing and maintaining a successful, ethical, and resilient real estate business from content created for brokers. Our new section Brokers’ Zone in the Members First monthly newsletter is designed to give you the tools you’ll need. Do you have a safety plan in place: If not, here are four safety steps brokers can take for their agents: 1. Use NAR’s REALTOR® Safety Month presentation for your office training program. 2. Create a company policy that requires all new and potential clients to show identification before they’re shown a property. Download NAR’s agent information, agent itinerary, and prospect ID forms and adapt them for use in your offices. Learn more tips on using safety forms. 3. Create a customized Office Safety Action Plan and review it on a regular basis with agents and staff. This includes a checklist of basic safety procedures that agents should follow. 4. Regularly share NAR safety survey data and infographics with agents during sales meeting to create an open dialog about safety. Sharable content includes: The Member Safety Report, safety flyers, videos, and more. Resources can be found at https://www.nar.realtor/brokers/safety-resources-for-brokers.
OSCAR’s First Annual PAWSCARS
We’d like to announce our first annual, PAWSCARS! Members can nominate their pets in several different categories in hopes of winning a prestigous PAWSCAR. The categories include: Cutest Pet, Best Dressed, Coolest Business/Brokerage Mascot, Best Smile, and Looks Most Like Owner To enter, you must fill out the award submission form with a picture of your pet and provide the entry fee. Fill out the submission form at: bit.ly/PAWSCARS. Listed on the form are the dimension requirements for the photo submission. You can nominate your pet in one of the categories for a $25 entry fee and $10 for any additional category. Submit your entry form by March 15 to participate and win an award at our Tailgate Party, scheduled for Friday, April 23, 2021. All proceeds from this event benefit RPAC. We hope to see your pet in the upcoming PAWSCARS!
CEO Message
TWIS LIZASUAIN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Welcome New VIPs
Committee
Lisa Bennett
Coming off of a super-successful 2020, RPAC is geared up for another amazing year. We have a very ambitious goal of $109,162.04 at hand, but with the support of our members, it is a very attainable goal. We have a number of exciting events planned including our Rick Blodgett annual golf tournament, auctions, Ryan Thomas a pet photo contest, parking lot tailgate party, karaoke night, and the auctioning off of a front row parking space at our beautiful new building! We look forward To donate your Fair Share to reaching our goal, while to RPAC, please contact ‘Defending the American us at 407-846-0117 or Dream’ as we work together NICHOLAS SHROUDER membership@osceola- as an association in 2021. RPAC COMMITTEE CHAIR realtors.com.
Commercial Alliance Task Force
TERESA REILLY-O’DOHERTY COMMERCIAL ALLIANCE TASK FORCE CHAIR A commercial real estate agent's job is to assist in the lease, management or sales of property, and to advise clients of their best courses of action when deciding how to invest in or improve real property or a commercial asset. Dealing with corporations is very different than dealing with individuals in residential real estate. The Commercial Alliance Task Force is working to provide OSCAR members with more education and tools toward gaining achievement in the commercial field. On March 10, 2021, NAR will hold its virtual Real Estate Forecast Summit: Commercial Update event, which will provide an outlook on the changing commercial real estate market. A recording of the event will be made available to REALTORS® as a value-added resource to be used in discussing and strategizing about the market with clients. Registered attendees will receive an email with a link to the recording as soon as it is available. The recording will also be posted on nar. realtor and on NAR’s Research social media account pages. Presentation slides from the forecast summit will also be available after the event.
Realtors® Care Committee March for Meals
JUSTIN SHROUDER REALTORS® CARE COMMITTEE CHAIR
The Realtors® Care Committee is continuing to plan for a year full of community involvement. While maintaining our weekly participation in our Meals on Wheels route, we are also stretching and training in preparation for the March for Meals 5K Fun Run/Walk. Our subcommittee has been hard at work choosing award recipients for the Education Foundation’s scholarship program. We are always looking for new opportunities to get involved in our community, so if you know of ways to help contribute throughout Osceola County, we welcome your suggestions. Come get involved with us – you don’t have to be a member of the committee to make a difference in our community!
Global Alliance Committee The 2021 Global Alliance Committee is excited to bring you some great events throughout the coming year. We have a few Global classes that are coming up in March and April which are FREE to all members! In May, we are planning a Virtual Canadian Trade Mission, which will feature many great speakers and an abundance of helpful CHRISTINA DAUGHERTY information. We are also working on several GLOBAL ALLIANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR events like a Happy Hour, showcasing one of our local communities, a Virtual Symposium, and a Halloween Wine Down event where you will be encouraged to dress up and have fun! We invite our members to join us for these upcoming events and get involved in Global. Come have fun and grow your business!
March NAR Member Benefits Guide Lenovo Offer
Lenovo is a global technology leader, engineering innovative business class computing and software solutions for home or home office. Take advantage of exceptional everyday deals up to 45% off on select computing technologies, including Lenovo’s awardwinning ThinkPad® notebooks; highly acclaimed Yoga convertible laptops; Smart Displays, accessories and more. Shop at www.lenovo.com/NAR or call 800-426-7235 ext 4827. Sale ends March 14. Offers are valid while supplies last. Note: When ordering online be sure to select “Create account” before you shop. Because these discounts are just for NAR members, you will need to create a username and password to view exclusive offers. Sign-up is fast and easy. Visit the Lenovo website frequently, as promotions change; often with deeper discounts while supplies last. Free ground shipping is available on all web orders.
Pet Insurance
The ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance program, has pet insurnace options available through REALTORS® Insurance Place. They offers special rates for NAR members. Create a plan that’s right for you and your pet. There are two plans from which to choose, providing varying levels of coverage for cats and dogs. Both plans provide great, competitive rates. Premium rates depend on the coverage chosen, geographic location, and the species, breed, and age of covered pet(s). NAR members receive 10% off the base rate of the policy premium for one insured pet and an additional discount for two or more pets. Visit the vet, specialist, or emergency clinic of your choice and pay your bill. Submit claims online, by mail, fax, or through the ASPCA® Pet Health Insurance app. Reimbursements will be mailed or directly deposited into your bank account. To get started visit www.realtorsinsuranceplace.com/pet or call 1-877-267-3752.
For A Full List of Benefits: nar.realtor/realtor-benefits-program
2021 That’s Who We R Campaign The National Association of Realtors® unveiled the newest iteration of its successful "That's Who We R" national branding campaign. Created in partnership with Havas Chicago, the series of television spots emphasize the positive impact Realtors® have on their clients and the communities they serve. The campaign advances NAR's advertising strategy to further distinguish Realtors® – members of the National Association of Realtors® and guided by the association's Code of Ethics – from non-member agents and listing apps. Visit ThatsWhoWeR.realtor for more information on NAR’s “That’s Who We R” national advertising campaign.
Good Neighbor Award Nominations The National Association of REALTORS® seeks nominations for the 22nd annual Good Neighbor Awards, which recognizes REALTORS® who’ve made an extraordinary impact on their communities through volunteer work. Five winners will be announced in the November/ December issue of REALTOR® magazine and honored during the 2021 REALTORS® Conference & Expo. The winners will receive a $10,000 grant for their community cause and national publicity. Five honorable mentions will receive $2,500 grants. Applications are due on May 7, 2021.
All Properties Market Statistics
Check out more market statistics on our website! Visit: osceolarealtors.org/statistics/
Additional Education Opportunities CENTER FOR REALTOR® DEVELOPMENT
MARCH PROMOTIONS
Sale Price: $117.60-$588.00 (regularly $147.00-$735.00)
Sale Price: $116.00 (regularly 145.00)
These online courses leading to these official NAR credentials will be on sale for 20% off all month long in March. To enrich your learning, the Course of the Month is Calculating Value for Investment and Rental Properties (CCIM), 20% off the regular price.
MARCH CLASS CALENDAR
REDEEM YOUR EDUCATION VOUCHERS BEFORE 12/31/21
Market Like a Rock Star on a Roadie Budget 3/2/2021
9:00 am-12:00 pm
3CE
Today’s consumers have access to more information & tools & are more mobile than ever before which has changed them in many ways. One of the biggest changes is how consumers are affected by marketing and make their business decisions as they are inundated with marketing messages. So for a REALTOR® to succeed the need to adapt and change their marketing techniques & by making promotions more targeted, personal & visual & leveraging newer platforms including video & social media.
Become a Social Media Super Star in Just
3/2/2021
1:00 pm-5:00 pm
4CE
Minutes a Day Whether you are new or well versed to the world of social media & looking for a way to take it to the next level, this course teaches you why social media has become a force in business, how you can find & connect with potential clients online and more. And more importantly how to generate online success in under 15 Minutes a Day! Plus a behind the scenes tour of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Plus, YouTube, Pinterest & More
Code of Ethics
3/4/2021
1:00 pm-4:00 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 began January 1, 2019 and ends December 31, 2021.
Code of Ethics - Spanish
3/5/2021
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 began January 1, 2019 and ends December 31, 2021.
Core Law - Spanish
3/5/2021
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. Buying and selling property requires a lot of legal paperwork. Today, more than ever, it’s important to know the laws governing the practice of real estate. This material will provide a “red flag notice” of when participants are potentially going into a danger zone—the unlicensed practice of law.
Analyzing Commercial Investment Property 3/9/2021
9:30 am-12:30 pm
3CE
What’s the best deal? The one that accomplishes the objective(s) of an individual. This entry level course on analyzing commercial investment property will help you define your clients motivation to generate wealth by investing in real estate. Many of the techniques learned in this course are applicable to your own desire to hedge against inflation, have positive cash flow and build your personal estate for future generations.
Core Law
3/10/2021
9:00 am-12:00 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. Buying and selling property requires a lot of legal paperwork. Today, more than ever, it’s important to know the laws governing the practice of real estate. This material will provide a “red flag notice” of when participants are potentially going into a danger zone—the unlicensed practice of law.
Getting Results with Canadian Buyers & Sellers 3/11/2021
9:00 am-10:30 am
0CE
Canadians, whether buying or selling Florida homes, represent a significant part of Florida’s real estate market. What are some of the secrets to success when working with our neighbors from north of the border? This seminar will explore key elements of Canadian culture, how they impact our relationship with Canadian clients, and how Canadians approach real estate transactions and their relationship with real estate professionals. Students will be provided with resources to help identify and overcome potential pitfalls when working on a cross border transaction.
Converting Today’s Tourist Into
3/11/2021
11:00 am-12:30 pm
0CE
Tomorrow’s Buyer Tourism plays an important role in our local, State and national economies. This seminar examines the contribution tourists makes to the real estate market and recommends tools and resources agents should use when working with tourists. Participants learn how to evaluate tourism trends and modify their business plan to capitalize on those trends. They will discuss key factors that influence and motivate a tourist to consider buying a vacation home, things they can do to accelerate that process, and potential problems that may occur as a transaction moves towards closing.
Step It Up A Guide for Brokers
3/17/2021
1:00 pm-5:00 pm
4CE
Wouldn’t it be great if you could imagine a brokerage where associates are calling you and asking to come work for you, instead of you having to spend countless hours recruiting? Brokerages face bigger challenges than ever. With commission splits shrinking, managing expenses, offering the latest and greatest technology and so many more challenges, it can be hard to keep a profitable company going.
Ins and Outs of Successful Contracts
3/19/2021
9:00 am-12:00 pm
3CE
Contracts can be exciting! Learn the real ins and outs from one of the top Brokers in Florida. Complete a contract right at outset, and assure yourself of profitable closings for all concerned. Arms-length, short sale REO, your Instructor does them successfully every day. You will as well!
A Guide to Managing Short Term Rents
3/23/2021
8:30 am-12:30 pm
4CE
Florida is a destination for many vacation travelers. With more than a million condominiums in Florida, plus the vast amount of destination locations, short term renting is popular. Property management is a common niche for many real estate practitioners; however, short term renting is its own niche, and it is important to understand the laws, regulations and day to day operations and requirements. For the real estate licensee, following the guidelines means staying out of trouble.
Handling the Real Estate Transaction, The
3/25/2021
9:00 am-12:00 pm
Vacant Land Contracts This course will discuss the nuances of buying or selling vacant land. We will touch on the differences between vacant land and other real property and discuss how to properly prepare a vacant land contract. The class will go into due diligence, construction and other issues related to vacant land property. Whether you are interested in learning about new residential construction or multifamily/ commercial construction, this class will teach you all you need to know about vacant land properties.
3CE
Success Series - Preparation & Presentation 3/26/2021
10:00 am-12:00 pm
2CE
Want to learn how to increase listings? Take this course and learn skills involved in preparing for and delivering the listing presentation. This course will help you sharpen your preparation and presentation skills, you’ll find yourself securing more listings easier than you have before.
Success Series - Answering Objections
3/26/2021
1:00 pm-3:00 pm
2CE
You hear objections all the time, and they can be tough, right? But if you can answer them confidently, the close comes faster and easier. Take this course and learn how to improve your skills in answering objections in the listing and selling process.
Creating a Service Driven Property
3/30/2021
9:00 am-12:00 pm
3CE
Management Operation Join our instructor as she takes you through the creation and day to day operations of their own property management offices. Learn to create multiple sources of income streams from full property services. This course includes the conceptual and legal aspects, marketing techniques to attract clients, tenant issues, insurance recommendation, accounting requirements, staffing and financial planning. Whether you intend to add property management as a compliment to your brokerage and sales activities, or manage thousands of units, you’ll find solid, real-world ideas from this power-packed course.
Use RPR to Impress Buyers and Sellers
3/31/2021
9:00 am-12:00 pm
3CE
Show Realtors how to effectively use key components of the RPR platform in order to impress buyers and sellers and get more deals. Learn how to set up your RPR account with your personal information, use the search function on RPR to find properties for home buyers and investors, understand the RPR mobile app.
ALL CLASSES HELD VIA PLEASE CHECK YOUR INBOX/SPAM/JUNK FOLDER FOR CLASS REMINDERS AND MESSAGES REGARDING THE CLASS. IMPORTANT: REGISTERING FOR CLASS These courses are available at no charge to OSCAR Members. Nonmembers must pay $35. If you have any questions, please contact our Education Department at education@osceola-realtors.com.
VITAL INDUSTRY PARTNERS 2020 Inspection Solutions A&P Inspection Solutions LLC A Clear Choice Title & Escrow A.C.F. Home Inspections, Inc. Acosta, Moore & Shrader, PLLC Advertising Mania Americas Homes Inc. ANB Inspection Services, Inc. ARB Home Inspections, Inc. Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group A-Z Team Title, LLC BPG Inspection, LLC Budget Professional Services Butler Mortgage Celebration Title Group Champion Bin Cleaning, LLC Chief Inspection Services Choice Home Warranty Closer Look Inspections, Inc. Cunningham’s Inc. Cutco Closing Gifts Double S Home Inspection First American Title Frank’s Home Inspection, LLC Gold Coast Schools Hamilton Group Funding Hanover Family Builders Homebridge Financial Services, Inc. Housemaster Home Inspections Infill Consulting Integrity First Title Land Title Professionals, LLC Luis A Martin’s Home Inspections Moneycorp, Inc. My Florida Mortgage Solutions New American Funding Nu World Title, LLC
Oliver Title Law Osceola County Property Appraiser 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 Positive Edge Real Estate Academy of Learning Prodigal Homes Inspection & Consulting Pro-Master Home Inspection RBC Bank Real Estate Photography Specialists Reliable Building Inspections RiteStart Home Inspections, Inc. SBC–CPA Seibane Doyle, PLLC Smart International Title, LLC Snap Air Photo Solano Home Inspections Inc. South State Bank Stewart Title Company Systeco Services, Inc. The AlfaOmega Financial Group The Grove Resort & Water Park TREI - The Real Estate Institute TrustCo Bank Two Men and a Truck ValueCast, Inc. Victoria Real Estate Academy Wayne’s Home Inspections, LLC Widerman Malek PL
VITAL INDUSTRY PARTNERS
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Milagros Ortiz - Watson Realty Corp
Damercy Belen De Aza - Orca Homes, LLC
Jenny Herring - Homes of America Realty Group,
Annalie Marquez - G World Properties
Manny Lopez - Keller Williams Legacy Realty
Sandra Bogota - La Rosa Realty Internacional LLC
Andy Quintero - Watson Realty Corp
Laurent Parot - Keller Williams at The Lakes
Ashley Straub - Keller Williams at The Lakes
Michael Chewning - Keller Williams Advantage III
Patricia Lopez - Watson Realty Corp
Liliana De Los Santos - La Rosa Realty Kissimmee
Michelle Schutte - Coldwell Banker Realty
Anushka Montes - La Rosa Realty Kissimmee
Cassidy Morales - Keller Williams Legacy Realty
Kirandeep Aujla - Keller Williams at The Lakes
Farisha Mohamed - IM Global Realty LLC
Aisha Briceno - Property Source Group LLC
Aphrodita Olivo Castellano - Vital Realty Group Inc
Monica Sanchez - Agent Trust Realty Corporation
Carlos Camacho - The Property Pros Real Estate, Inc
Amaryllis Rivera - Sapphire Realty LLC
Crystal Withers - Keller Williams Advantage III
Macarena Lopez - Better Homes & Gardens Fine Living
Damaris Rivera Rios - Keller Williams Legacy Realty
Gyomara Ramos - NewMark Investment Group
Melissa Gonzalez - La Rosa Realty Kissimmee
Jessica Montaner Fuentes - Keller Williams Legacy Realty
Isabelle Saman - Keller Williams at The Lakes
Marlyn Mercado - La Rosa Realty Lake Nona INC
Carlos Barreto - Watson Realty Corp
Yamitza Santiago - One Team Realty
Erica Arias - Weichert Realtors Hallmark Pro
Christian Demorizi - Watson Realty Corp
Cindy Maldonado Torres - G World Properties
Daniel Paz Sarner - La Rosa Realty Internacional LLC
Mary McKenney - Robert Slack LLC
Elizettina Parra - Agent Trust Realty Corporation
Nagelly Infante Uzcategui - La Rosa Realty Lake Nona INC
Grant Norman - Top Agency Realty INC
Jorge Caraballo - DC Real Estate Services, LLC
Amanda Baggs - Weichert Realtors Hallmark Pro
Amaris Delapena - 1st Florida Real Estate Group
Kaydian Williams - La Rosa Realty, LLC
Amber Gray - EXP Realty LLC
Andrice Julien - Young Real Estate
Ivelisse Rivera - HomeTrust Realty Group
Carlos Lopez Santiago - EXP Realty LLC
Sasha Arias - Keller Williams Legacy Realty
Ashley Rivera - The Landrua Group Real Estate Inc
Ginseng Quevedo - Watson Realty Corp.
Yuscimid Hernandez - 123 Realty Group LLC
Jennifer Beshears - EXP Realty LLC
Julianna Solis Medina - The Landrua Group Real Estate Inc
Genesis Santiago Jr. - Weichert Realtors Hallmark Pro
Sandra Reyes - La Rosa Realty Lake Nona INC