MEMBERS FIRST
NEWSLETTER
IN THIS ISSUE •
Realtors® Care Scholarships
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Latin Fusion
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MFRMLS Renewals
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Suitcase Drive
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Realtors® Care Committee
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Trade Mission Guide
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Women in Real Estate Conference (WIRE)
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Commitment to Excellence Program (C2EX)
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Professional Development Update
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Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Offerings
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May Class Schedule
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MAY 2019
SALE ENDS TODAY!
Limited time offer on our Certified International Property Specialist Designation (CIPS). Register by today to SAVE BIG! You must pre-register for the full 5-day institute or individual classes no later than June 19. You can register by visiting the Members Portal at OsceolaRealtors.com. To use an Education Voucher, please contact Membership Services. JUNE 24
GLOBAL REAL ESTATE: LOCAL MARKETS
JUNE 25
GLOBAL REAL ESTATE: TRANSACTION TOOLS
JUNE 26
EUROPE & INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE
Form Simplicity
JUNE 27
ASIA PACIFIC & INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE
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Affiliate Business Partners
JUNE 28
THE AMERICAS & INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE
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New Member Welcome
Latin Fusion June 6, 2019 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm 1105 Shady Lane, Kissimmee, FL 34744 Cost: $20 in advance | $25 at the door Your ticket includes: food and 2 drinks •
Silent Auction items include: gift baskets, gift cards, electronic items, just to name a few. For a limited time, if you join the Nifty 50 Club ($50) you will receive FREE admission, extra drink tickets, reserved seating, recognition at the event, and a complimentary gift when you arrive!
Contributions are not deductible for income tax purposes. Contributions to RPAC are voluntary and are used for political purposes. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal. The National Association of REALTORSÂŽ or any of its state associations or local boards will not favor or disfavor any member because of the amount contributed. 70% of each contribution is used by your state PAC to support state and local political candidates. Until your state reaches its RPAC goal, 30% of each contribution is sent to the National RPAC to support federal candidates and is charged against your limits under 2 U.S.C. 411a. After the state PAC reaches its RPAC goal it may elect to retain your entire contribution for use in supporting state and local candidates.
Investing in Our
Community
The REALTORS® Care Committee recently announced the winners for its annual scholarship. We were honored to award ten $500 scholarships to local high school seniors. Applicants were critiqued on various categories such as: GPA, community service hours, and a 250-word essay. In their essays, participants were asked to explain the value that REALTORS® professionals contribute to our community. The committee reviewed over 100 applications that offered many insightful viewpoints on the topic, but ultimately ten were chosen.
the importance of education. That’s why we partner with the Education Foundation to provide scholarships to deserving high school students.
TWIS LIZASUAIN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The 2019 OSCAR scholarship winners are Brandon Ceme, Faith-Christina Duncan, Raevyn Ellison, Matthew Eynon, Jed Glover, Chase Goerner, Breanna Heflin, Catherine Higareda, Winston Khan, and Abigail Kratochvil. Their exemplary essays, grades, and commitment to our community made a strong impression on our committee. It was a competitive process with more than 100 students applying. We have helped high school seniors fund their tuition through scholarships since 2011. These efforts have provided over $33,000 in financial assistance. Our members are deeply aware of
Renew your MLS
Membership
My Florida Regional MLS (MFRMLS) sent out their annual membership renewal invoices in April. Payments are due by 5pm on May 15. They accept charge card renewal payments for your MLS membership dues. The preferred method of payment is online by visiting www.MFRLogin.com. You may also send a check via US Mail to My Florida Regional MLS PO Box 740508, Atlanta, GA 303740508. Please note that the processing could take up to 2 weeks with this method. MFRMLS will mark the payment date on the date they receive the check. Payments received after the due date will incur a late fee. If you wish to not renew your membership, your broker must inactive you on DBPR and notify us. We will notify MFRMLS that your record has been deactivated. New members who are joining MFRMLS for the first time will be charged differently depending on your join date. We will process new member payments and submit them to MFRMLS on your behalf. Joining between 4/1 - 5/31/19 Joining between 6/1 - 5/31/20 Fees Include:
Fees Include:
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Annual Membership Fee
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Prorated Fee
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Sign up Fee
From join date until 5/31/20 ( Amount will be determined according to join date)
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Applicable Fees
REALTORS® Care Committee
SUITCASE For Foster DRIVE Kids
Accepting donations now through May 31 Our REALTORS® Care Committee is asking members to donate new suitcases for foster kids in our community. Carry-on or rolling duffle bags preferred. Please drop off your donation to our office, Monday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm or Tuesday through Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Carry-on or rolling duffle bags preferred Supporting the Guardian Ad Litem Program
REALTORS® Care Committee April has been another busy month for Realtors® Care Committee. On April 2, we welcomed McCormick Research (AKA Heavenly Hooves) at our monthly meeting. Their presentation was very moving! If you are looking for volunteer opportunities, they can always use a hand. During our meeting, we also viewed heart warming videos for “Give Kids the World” and plan on supporting this amazing organization in the near future. On April 26 several of us volunteered at the quarterly IDignity event. Their next event will be held on July 26. We ended April with our food drive for the Osceola Council on Aging’s food pantry. We’d like to thank all of our members who donated to this initiative. For the month of May, we are hosting our annual suitcase drive that supports the Guardian Ad Litem Program. Please bring your carry-on suitcase or duffle bags to the Association. We are accepting donations until May 31. Another volunteer opportunity will occur on May 28. We will be assisting the Second Harvest Food Bank with their food distribution at the St Cloud Civic Center. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to me at Sue@suevasquez.com.
SUE VASQUEZ
REALTORS® CARE COMMITTEE CHAIR
How to Prepare for a
Trade Mission
IMRAN MOHAMED Global Alliance Committee Member The Global Alliance Committee is embarking on our first Canadian Trade Mission on May 29. The number one reason a real estate agent will participate in a trade mission or undertake a business trip is because of their desire to increase income / sales. However, depending on the level of the visit, this goal may take some time to materialize. If you are fortunate enough to see these goals come to fruition you can use my guidelines to international business travel to help your next overseas business trip to be a successful one! Before: • Become a Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) Designee - As a CIPS myself, I highly recommend that agents do this certification course. It allows you to distinguish yourself in your niche market and is an invaluable marketing tool. It will certainly help garner the confidence from those that you will be meeting. • Learn The Culture. Spend time understanding the culture of the people you will be interacting with, especially if you are venturing into a new market area. Research some unique aspects of the culture, so you can converse on different topics. • Do your Research. Use social media platform (Linkedin, Facebook, etc) to read up on members of the delegation/group/ agents you will be meeting with. • Update Your Contact Information. If you have a website specifically for promoting your real estate business please review / update it so that it has current and relevant information. Also take the time to make sure your passport is valid and you have the required visas, etc. During: • Plan Ahead. Not all events or activities maybe worth attending. Agents should prioritize events based on their strategic importance. Certainly if you have the time, go to as many as you can since you never know when opportunity may strike. • Converse. Talk to as many people as you can; after all, you’ve spent your money to get there and one never knows when that connection can be struck. Remember that there is what I refer to as a hierarchy even with conversation. For example, don’t get into the minutia of real estate with the CEO of a large company, but certainly do so with the agents you meet. • Build Relationships. Building global relationships with agents is a bit different than building global relationships with affiliated professionals and still different with individuals / investors. This is primarily because the objectives of the parties involved are different. The investor/ individual is more concerned about your expertise, trust, integrity, and reliability. After: • Give Thanks. Send personal notes / cards to those you’ve met. Thank them for the time they spent with you, reflecting briefly on what you discussed and letting them know you’ll be following up. • Stay Connected. With their permission, send periodic updates / information on things they expressed interest in; email/text a picture you took with them at the function; add them to your constant contact list; periodically send information about new developments, foreign national lenders, etc; send them a greeting on their national holiday, cultural event (e.g. Eid, Divali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, New Years, etc.); and you can even send them tickets to their favorite sporting event, etc. To view my entire guide and read about my experiences when traveling, please visit http://bit.ly/ TradeMissionPreparation.
2010 OSCAR President, Veronica Malolos, CRB, a Commercial Realtor from NAI Realvest Orlando, was recently quoted in the March – April 2019 edition of NAR’s Realtor Magazine regarding Opportunity Zones. Veronica is the current Chair of OSCAR’s Commercial Alliance Task Force. Excerpt: O-Zone Considerations
VERONICA MALOLOS
COMMERCIAL ALLIANCE TASK FORCE CHAIR
Yormack advises counseling clients who may be excited by the prospect of investing in an opportunity fund to not let the tax benefits cloud their judgment about whether the investment makes sense. “No one should be doing a deal if it doesn’t stand up on its own,” he says. “Determining whether to invest in an opportunity zone should involve an examination of the factors that could impact the area’s future economic prospects”, says Veronica Malolos, a broker with NAI Realvest in Orlando, FL. These factors include zoning restrictions and the condition of public infrastructure such as roads and utilities. Investors should also take into account whether the local government is investing in services such as public safety and schools or plans to do so. “Opportunity funds are not for someone who doesn’t have the patience to do the research to be sure it’s truly an opportunity,” she says. “While opportunity zone investments can revitalize parts of the country that are behind the economic curve by attracting capital to areas that otherwise wouldn’t receive it, they can also pose negative consequences for communities”, says Malolos, who serves as Chairman of the Osceola County Planning Commission. Among her concerns is the possibility that existing residents of an opportunity zone find themselves unable to afford to stay as existing housing stock is displaced by newer and possibly more expensive inventory or redeveloped for nonresidential purposes. To read the entire article, visit https://magazine.realtor/commercial/feature/article/2019/02/getup-to-speed-on-o-zones.
The bar of professionalism within the real estate industry is being raised and you can help lead the way! Commitment to Excellence (C2EX) empowers you to enhance and showcase your highest level of professionalism. It gives you an advantage in an increasingly competitive market and shows consumers you’re committed to conducting business at the highest standard. The C2EX is an online resource that allows Realtors® to evaluate, learn, and promote their knowledge of
real estate. Participants are asked to take a questionnaire to assess their comprehension of different topics. Once the information is collected a learning course of 10 modules is created. Each participant’s experience is unique. The goal of this cutting edge program is to enable individuals to improve in areas where they lack knowledge or skills. By partaking in this resource, you are improving the industry as a whole. Be an advocate for the future of our industry. Be committed to excellence. Start today by visiting https://c2ex.realtor.
Professional Development UPDATE
MONA SOMERS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Jasmin Gonzalez, Education Specialist, and I have been in the new satellite classroom with many of you over the first month, 450+ in fact! We extend our appreciation to our April classroom course monitor volunteers: Jenny Martir, Ken Smith, Aralupe Maysonet, Lionel Thadieo, and Marge Eddy. Thank you all for adapting to our new temporary space and limited amenities. The Professional Development Task Force met last month, led by Chair and President-Elect Joe Johnson. You can be assured your continuous input and feedback into the development of the 2020 professional development offerings is important. Stay tuned for more information from Joe as we begin planning for next year’s calendar! We are dedicated to your success through professional development. Please know how grateful we are to meet you in the classroom, see you as a “repeat customer”, know your name, and get to know more about you and your needs. We understand the value of your time and the impact education can have in increasing positive outcomes for successful interactions and transactions. Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you.
Classroom Spotlight
7CE Members $179 Non-Members $199 Register: osceolarealtors.com
7
THINGS SUCCESSFUL AGENTS DO DIFFERENTLY: A PROVEN BUSINESS SYSTEM
INSTRUCTOR: GEE DUNSTEN Location: Satellite Classroom 2262 E. irlo bronson Memorial hwy Kissimmee, fl 34744
MAY 23 2019
8:00 AM TO 5:00PM
CRS
Succeeding in the Luxury Market 8CE May 24, 2019 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Satellite Classroom: 2262 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy Kissimmee, FL 34744 Instructor: Gee Dunsten
Members $179 Non-Members $199 Register: osceolarealtors.com
MAY CALENDAR
iCE Topic: Escrow Rules and Regulations: How to Stay Out of Trouble
REDEEM YOUR EDUCATION VOUCHERS BEFORE 12/31/19
5/02/2019
1:00 pm-4:00 pm
3CE
This class has been approved by DBPR to provide Ethics and Business Practices credit (3 hours EBP). This is not NAR Code of Ethics. This is a LIVE WEBINAR. This course is a part of the Florida REALTORSÂŽ Internet Continuing Education (iCE) program. Classes are located at the Association. Speakers broadcast from a studio in Orlando direct to our Association via the Internet. Course attendees can direct their questions to the instructor via text messaging.
MLS Basic (Spanish)
5/08/2019
9:00 am-12:00 pm
0CE
This class introduces you to the Matrix MLS system and shows you how to use it for your business. Learn about: personalizing your settings in Matrix; exploring market areas; searching by criteria and location; and managing the emails your contacts receive from you. REGISTER: MFRMLS.COM MLS Compliance 101 (Spanish)
5/08/2019
1:00 pm-2:15 pm
0CE
To ensure the integrity of listing information and to protect the cooperative nature of the MLS, rules and regulations are in place for how to enter listings and use MLS information. This class will walk you through the rules, to ensure the best possible MLS experience for all subscribers. REGISTER: MFRMLS.COM. MLS Adding & Editing Listings (Spanish)
5/08/2019
2:30 pm-3:45 pm
0CE
This class shows you how to enter listings into the MLS. Topics include: types of listings; required paperwork for entering a listing; key fields on the listing entry form; adding photos and attachments; listing remarks; sending listings to various portals and websites; and making changes to a listing. REGISTER: MFRMLS.COM
So You Think You Want to be a Commercial Real Estate Professional
5/10/2019
9:00 am-1:00 pm
4CE
This course is designed for today’s busy residential Realtor who may have an interest in expanding their services to include commercial real estate, as well as commercial agents just getting their feet wet. This program will acquaint you with the fundamentals of commercial real estate including the key differences between residential and non-residential real estate, identification of the players, types of commercial real estate and associated transactions. We will also discuss methods for valuation of commercial property and will review the document.
MLS Basic 5/15/2019 9:00 am-12:00 pm 0CE This class introduces you to the Matrix MLS system and shows you how to use it for your business. Learn about: personalizing your settings in Matrix; exploring market areas; searching by criteria and location; and managing the emails your contacts receive from you. REGISTER: MFRMLS.COM
MLS Compliance 101
5/15/2019
1:00 pm-2:15 pm
0CE
To ensure the integrity of listing information and to protect the cooperative nature of the MLS, rules and regulations are in place for how to enter listings and use MLS information. This class will walk you through the rules, to ensure the best possible MLS experience for all subscribers. REGISTER: MFRMLS.COM. MLS Adding & Editing Listings
5/15/2019
2:30 pm-3:45 pm
0CE
This class shows you how to enter listings into the MLS. Topics include: types of listings; required paperwork for entering a listing; key fields on the listing entry form; adding photos and attachments; listing remarks; sending listings to various portals and websites; and making changes to a listing. REGISTER: MFRMLS.COM
MLS Advantage 5/20/2019 9:00 am-11:00 am 2CE
This class will show how the members can supplement their income with MLSAdvantage. MLSAdvantage allows participating boards and members to share available MLS listings across the state of Florida. With a single search, members can find all listings that match your search parameters from participating MLS boards. Property listing information can be auto-populated from MLSAdvantage directly into contracts in Form Simplicity. This valuable search tool is available only to members of subscribing associations and MLSs.
Foundations of Form Simplicity
5/20/2019
12:00 pm-2:00 pm
2CE
This basic, introductory course, will help you save time and become more efficient. The course objectives are to find out what computer equipment as well as software requirements you need for the Form Simplicity program, learn the time saving configurations of the various components within the Form Simplicity program and to keep your profile current. Optimizing Your Workflow in Form Simplicity
5/20/2019
2:30 pm-4:30 pm
2CE
You’ve heard the saying, “from soup to nuts,” well, this course is the real estate equivalent of that saying. From the moment, you go on a listing appointment to the writing of a sales contract for a customer, the entire transaction can be handled with Form Simplicity.
Property Management for the Real Estate Practitioner (Spanish)
5/21/2019
1:00 pm-4:00 pm
3CE
Please note that this course will be taught in Spanish. This course was designed primarily for the residential real estate sales associate. There are instances in most sales associates’ career where they are asked to either manage or rent a home, apartment, or condominium unit. The material in this course will provide the basic knowledge of why a licensee is needed, what will be expected of them, the operation of a management office, the legal environment, and ideas on where they can obtain management clients and prospective tenants should they enjoy the management experience and choose to enhance that area of their business. Affordable Housing Solutions: What Every Realtor Should Know
5/22/2019
8:30 am-12:00 pm
3CE
This course is focused on Florida Housing’s Single Family programs, including a discussion of home financing alternatives through low-interest rate mortgages, down payment and closing costs assistance, and other programs. CRS 7 Things Successful Agents Do 5/23/2019 8:00 am-5:00 pm Differently: A Proven Business System This CRS course demonstrates those things that successful agents do different from the average agent. It gives specific strategies and marketing systems to move their business to the next stage of success both professionally and financially.
7CE
$179
CRS Succeeding in the Luxury Market
5/24/2019
8:00 am-5:00 pm
This CRS course is designed to assist real estate professionals in developing the market expertise and savvy customer service skills necessary for success in the luxury home market. The focus is on providing learners with a strategy for breaking into the luxury market and valuable tools to successfully compete.
8CE
$179
IMPORTANT: REGISTERING FOR CLASS Many of our classes, particularly CRP™ classes, fill quickly. We offer each CRP™ class two times during the year. Please check for the second date if the first date is full. Please enroll in any of the classes offered at the Association online on the Members Portal at www.osceolarealtors.com or by calling Membership Services. Due to construction near our office, we have moved our education classes to a Satellite Classroom located at 2262 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway Kissimmee, FL 34744 (only 0.5 miles down the road from our office). All other membership and committee activities will be held at our office on Shady Lane. Our office hours will also remain the same. The amenities are limited at the temporary location and we may be unable to provide beverages, but you may bring your own.
Register for classes and events in 3 easy steps!
Form Simplicity has launched its improved user interface and a new logo to Florida Realtors® members. The new user interface was designed to improve members’ transaction experiences; it is now easier to navigate the program. Form Simplicity is now also mobilefriendly, due to its new responsive web design, and it is compatible with all devices: desktop, laptops, tablets & smart phones. Visit the Members Portal to see our class offerings.
Affiliate Business Community A Clear Choice Title & Escrow A.C.F. Home Inspections, Inc. Adames Pest Solutions, Inc. ANB Inspection Services, Inc. Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group A-Z Team Title, LLC Bay Equity Home Loans Best Home Inspections of Florida, Inc. BPG Inspection, LLC Budget Professional Service Butler Mortgage Celebration Title Group Centennial Bank CenterState Bank of Florida, N.A. Chief Inspection Services Closer Look Inspections, Inc. Cross Country Mortgage Cunningham’s Inc. Double S Home Inspection Edward Lian Photography Esquire Home Inspection, LLC First American Home Warranty First American Title First International Title Frank’s Home Inspections LLC Freedom Mortgage Corporation Globe Home Protection Hamilton Group Funding Headquarters Home Warranty of America Homebridge Financial Services, Inc. Housemaster Home Inspections IFREC Real Estate Schools Inspect Central Florida
Laureate Title Law Office of Daniel Villazon Luis A Martin’s Home Inspections Maronda Homes Mattamy Homes Moneycorp, Inc. My Florida Mortgage Solutions New American Funding Old Republic Home Protection Oliver Title Law Olympus Insurance Company Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc Patricia L. Daugherty, Atty. At Law Photography by Skip Stowers Pillar To Post Prodigal Homes Inspection & Consulting Roland H. Acosta & Associates, P.A. Serenity Reserve, LLC Smart International Title, LLC Solano Home Inspections Inc. Stewart Title Company Suntrust Mortgage Systeco Pest Control The AlfaOmega Financial Group The Grove Resort & Water Park The Headquarters Building Trustco Bank Uniform Cottage ValueCast INC Varep Central Florida Chapter Victoria Real Estate Academy Wayne’s Home Inspections, LLC Widerman Malek PL ZAP Home Inspections, LLC
Affiliate Business Community
Edward Lian Photography
Welcome New
Members
Jose Aguilar Colina - La Rosa Realty, LLC
Itzaurimar Monserrate - Broker & Partners
Annette Aviles - Cerramar Realty Corp
Maria Montes - HomeStar Realty, LLC
Maria Babino - Agent Trust Realty Corporation
Maria Morales Santiago - Keller Williams Classic II
Kevin Bacenet - GR Realty Experts
Cariluis Oliveira Alfonzo - La Rosa Realty, LLC
David Baier - La Rosa Realty, LLC
Luis Olmedo Gonzalez - Roman’s Pro Realty, LLC
Jennifer Bellorin - Deconova International Realty
Zoraya Otero - La Rosa Realty, LLC
Amal Benkiran - C21 Blue Sky Realty Group
Laura Perez - Keller Williams Classic II
Ronnie Biegelaar - Homes of America Realty Group
Katia Resende - C21 Blue Sky Realty Group
Sulianny Bonilla - Radius Realty Group LLC
Ana Maria Rivas Marrero - Resource One Realty
Brendy Calderon - C21 Blue Sky Realty Group
Damaris Rivera Duran - G First Realty, LLC
Orlando Calderon - Premier Choice Realty & Management, LLC
Jesse Simmons - BHHS Results Realty
David Coba - International Palms Realty Inc Kevin Cook - La Rosa Realty, LLC Laura Erasun Grassi - Deconova International Realty Dante Escobar - Exit Realty Champions
Jorge Soares - Keller Williams Classic II Brenda Thomas - Weichert Realtors Hallmark Pro Liliec Velasquez - Agent Trust Realty Corporation Jose Vivas - Luxury Realty, Inc.
Carlos Ferrer Berdecia - HomeStar Realty, LLC
Alda Watlington - Better Homes & Gardens Fine Living
Riley Fertic - BHHS Results Realty
Tiffany Witter - Keller Williams at The Lakes
Gilberto Franqui - Property Outlet International Maria Garcia De Montenegro - Agent Trust Realty Corporation Juan Gonzalez Jimenez - One Team Realty Luz Gonzalez - Sweet Homes Realty, LLC Paul Govoni - G3 Brokers, LLC Eugenia Hernandez - BHHS Results Realty Jose Irizarry - G World Properties Lorena Lopez - Home Trust Realty Group Loyda Lozada Rios - DC Real Estate Services, LLC
AND AFFILIATES Thomas Bello - The AlfaOmega Financial Group Jeff Tretter – Closer Look Inspection Love Julia – Globe Home Inspection Ashley Bowers – A Clear Choice Title & Escrow of Osceola, LLC
Janet Luciano - La Rosa Realty, LLC
Aveyshla Jimenez - HouseMaster Home Inspections
Maria Manzanera - La Rosa Realty, LLC
Irving Filippetti – Valuecast Inc.
Christina Martinez - REMAX Premier Properties Luiz Mesquita - Weichert Realtors Hallmark Pro Carine Mondesir - Weichert Realtors Hallmark Pro