Exclusive
Val Vasilef
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REAL | letter from the publisher
Blondie’s, Goldie’s and Bertha’s ReaLee…I
leave town for a month, Ed is now a BLONDE, and Elvis is on the cover?! And there’s more… In one month, my friend and Editor, has become some sort of, “Man about town.” Every night he’s out with this “pretty” blonde and that “frisky” blonde, dancing till dawn. I’m exhausted just hearing about it. Now he’s training with Val Vasilef, Mr. American (a.k.a. Elvis), and who better to get you into incredible shape? I am not saying the above mentioned is happening because of Mr. Bertha’s golden locks, and I don’t want to imply anything negative toward my fellow “fairhaired’s” when I point out the “moment’s” have been piling up since his transformation. For example: 1. Forgetting his phone (first time that’s happened in his whole wireless history) 2. Locking his key in the car, in front of the Police Station, and having to call the locksmith (who has since been added to speed dial) 3. Forgetting his phone (second time) 4. Spending the entire Florida, sunny, summer day at the beach, without applying any sunscreen he brought with him. Occupied with the flaxen bunny on his right, he fried like an egg. Sun poisoning a week later…three weeks now, still peeling. 5. Forgetting his phone (REPEATEDLY!) I can say from experience, whether you are natural or bottle, “Blonde’s have more fun.” It’s a cross we must bear. Still, before you try to duplicate a page from our dear Editor’s book, and cause a shortage of hair dye on the Suncoast, I suggest you be advised. Not everyone can pull off the essence that comes with being a Blondie, Goldie, or Bertha. Personally, I myself know not many can shut their entire head in a car door while saying goodbye to a hot guy (with dark hair), look good doing it, and have him find it cute. That takes talent…and Tylenol!
Lee Volpe
Thank You To Our New Sponsors In This Issue:
REAL Exclusive
Chef Paul Mattison, 11, The Oaks Club, 11, Turner Tree and Landscape, 24, SuperBodyBuilder.com, 24, TheWineToBuy.com, 25, Bank of America Home Loans, 25, Purmort & Martin, 31, Phantom 9 Super Boat Team, 33.
REAL Exclusive Properties
Deborah O’Mara/Tom Cinquegrano, Michael Saunders & Company, 9.
(for the out there somewhere Ed Bertha) Photo by Giovanni Lunardi, Hair by Shelia Venancia and Jack Nicholson impersonation by Ed Bertha, enjoy!
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DISCLAIMER – Last issue a column titled Porsche, Poodles, and Pliners ran. The editorial views expressed in that article were those of the author and endorsed as humor by REAL Exclusive Magazine. The article’s viewpoint is not that of Suncoast Porsche and REAL regrets any implications the article had for the dealership.
Lotus Southpointe www.lotussouthpointe.com
SOUTHPOINTE
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CONTENT Features November 2014 10 | REAL STYLE Fall Fashion Preview, By Rebecca Smith
12, 22| REAL CARES Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Benefiting Suncoast Charities for Children Pearls and Punches Featuring Suncoast Charities for Children
14 | REAL REALEE? Rewind, Phantom 9 Crash, By Lee Volpe
20 | REAL BEAUTY Sulfate Free Hair Shampoo, Is It Good For My Hair?, By Sheila Venancia
16, 17 | REAL NEWS Daniel Matusiak Joins Haute Living Real Estate Network St. Pete Chillounge Night Presents “Cirque Du Chill” Sarasota & Manatee Association Of Realtors To Merge Super Body Builder Awarded RUSSIAN BEAR/Vitol Distributorship MSC Foundation Awards Mid-Year Grants Patricia D’Arcy Laughlin Releases Sacrifice For A Kingdom
Val’s first attempt at Mr. America earned him eighth place out of fifty athletes. His goal was now within reach and the battleground set. The competition underway Val recounts, “The tension was so thick you couldn’t cut it with a chain saw.” VAL VASILEF page 26
26 | VAL VASILEF - COVER Rags to Riches, By Ed Bertha
32, 34 | REAL PERSPECTIVES Do The Rays Employ Wall Street Techniques To Over Achieve?, By William Henry, PhD
getREAL Exclusive.com 6 | REAL EXCLUSIVE | GetRealExclusive.com
More International Buyers Coming To U.S.A., By Patricia Tan
Š2014 Porsche Cars North America, Inc. Porsche recommends seat belt usage and observance of all traffic laws at all times.
Any resemblance to the car of your dreams is purely intentional. It wears its heritage proudly on its sleeves. And fenders. And roofline. Introducing the Porsche Macan Turbo. A 400-horsepower twin-turbo V6 that achieves 0-60 in 4.6 seconds. PDK double-clutch transmission and active all-wheel drive with Porsche Traction Management for maximum grip in varying driving conditions. All standard. The Macan Turbo is built around our defining belief that every drive should be unforgettable. And every car should be a sports car. Dream fulfillment begins with a test drive. Porsche. There is no substitute.
Any resemblance to the car of your dreams is purely intentional. The new 2015 Macan Turbo
It wears its heritage proudly on its sleeves. And fenders. And roofline. Introducing the Porsche Macan Turbo. A 400-horsepower twin-turbo V6 that achieves 0-60 in 4.6 seconds. PDK double-clutch transmission and active all-wheel drive with Porsche Traction Management for maximum grip in varying driving conditions. All standard. The Macan Turbo is built around our defining belief that every drive should be unforgettable. And every car should be a sports car. Dream fulfillment begins with a test drive. Porsche. There is no substitute.
The new 2015 Macan Turbo Suncoast Porsche 5005 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota FL 34231 (941) 923-1700 www.suncoast.porschedealer.com
Porsche recommends Suncoast Porsche 5005 S. Tamiami Trail Sarasota FL 34231 (941) 923-1700 www.suncoast.porschedealer.com
Porsche recommends
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Executive Publisher
Contributing Writers
Ed Bertha (941) 921.2117 EdBertha@GetRealExclusive.com
Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa Kacey C. Krznaric Lee Volpe
Cover & Masthead Photography
Subscriptions & Circulation
Giovanni Lunardi
Andrick & Associates
Photography
Printing
Giovanni Lunardi Chad Spencer Detlev von Kessel
Manatee Printers, Inc.
Creative Director & Design
REAL Exclusive Magazine, Inc.
Production
Christian Lunardi REAL Exclusive is produced monthly by REAL Exclusive Magazine, Inc. Principal office: 229 South Osprey Avenue, Suite 106, Sarasota, FL 34236. COPYRIGHT Š 2014 REAL EXCLUSIVE MAGAZINE. All content copyrighted. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials, REAL Exclusive Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. All listing information published in REAL Exclusive Magazine is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Contact agent or builder directly to verify listing information which is subject to change.
WEBSITE: www.GetRealExclusive.com RSS feeds, current and past issues, links to sponsors, an event calendar, unique editorial, a blog and additional information on the community at large. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Please call 941.921.2117, write 229 South Osprey Avenue, Suite 106, Sarasota, FL 34236 or visit www. GetRealExclusive.com, $24.95/year. ADVERTISING: Please call 941.921.2117, write 229 South Osprey Avenue, Suite 106, Sarasota, FL 34236 or visit www. GetRealExclusive.com. POSTMASTER: Please send notices on Form 3579 to Andrick & Associates, 4400 Independence Court, Sarasota, FL 34234. Standard mail paid in Sarasota, Florida.
REAL | style
“Real Style challenges you to Fall forward in style.”
FALL FASHION PREVIEW By Becca Smith
I
t’s time to FALL in love with the upcoming Fashions. In this REAL Style issue we preview the key pieces to buy for the season ahead. From the new shapes in jackets and skirts to the latest updates on trouser dressing, knits, and must-have shoes and bags. Let’s take look at eight Key pieces – essential wardrobe elements that will open doors this fall. 1.
2.
THE COAT - SPECIFICALLY, THE TEXTURED ONE. Rich tapestry and embroidered. The scarlet coat is also red-hot. Bring a flash of fun to fall’s sophisticated neutrals. Whether you choose a classic slim silhouette or an edgier oversize cut, the right red topper is destined to become a wardrobe staple. It’s also an easy way to update leather pants, and adding gold jewelry never hurts. THE MEGA KNIT, ROOMY EXTRA-LONG –SLEEVED SWEATERS. Nothing beats a cozy sweater, except when it’s knits from head to toe. The time is right to fill your closets with thick, slouchy sweaters. This fall the designers are putting knits on the runways. These chunky and slightly oversized cozy pieces are paired with miniskirts and winter-weather ready heeled boots to balance the proportions
and keep things just the right degree of flirty. If you are wishing for a bit of fast fashion off the runway try this fall fashion trend. 3.
GRAY IS CRUCIAL. The in-between neutral has taken over as the hue of the season. Black and white are always in style, but gray is making a play for the neutral of the moment. Invest in something – anything – in the color.
4.
THE SCARF, IDEALLY ONE THAT’S EXTRA-LONG AND MATCHING. Fall’s sweaters demand to be worn with a scarf.
5.
THE PANT IS THE HERO OF THIS SEASON’S STORY, PARTICULARLY THOSE OF THE STOVEPIPE VARIETY. Slim but not body-tight, which will pair handsomely with a roomy blazer. These pants are classics and will stay on the scene for years to come.
6.
THE BOOT, A 70S-INSPIRED LOW- AND CHUNKY-HEELED STYLE. Utility reigns in the footwear arena this fall. This boot, whether in understated neutrals or punky patent leather is just right for stomping around while still looking chic as all get-out.
10 | REAL EXCLUSIVE | GetRealExclusive.com
7.
THE HANDS FREE LONG-STRAPPED HANDBAG, A MUST FOR THE FALL SEASON. Although Luxe top -handle totes were seen on fall’s runways, the prize bags are the hands-free long-strapped styles. My favorite – the double-flap bag at Herm`es. In bright white leather, it’s the perfect combination with a dove-gray coat and retro boots.
8.
THE JEWELS THIS FALL ARE RINGS AND EARRINGS. With all the thick layers and scarves, accents are limited to the fingers and ears. For rings and earrings go big and colorful.
Real Style challenges you to Fall forward in style. The fab-fall-fashion door is open and the season awaits. Think fabulous, cozy and experience the best new fall looks.
Becca Smith Fashion Stylist/Image Consultant
Founder, We’ve Got Style (941) 893-5299 or (941) 223-6643 beccarealstyle@gmail.com www.wevegotstyle.biz
Paradise Found
on a Road Less Traveled
301 MacEwen Drive | Osprey 941.966.2161 | www.theoaksclub.com
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REAL | cares
Suncoast Superboat Grand Prix Benefiting Suncoast Charities for Children Photography by Ed Bertha
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The direct and indirect overall economic impact of the 2014 Suncoast Superboat Grand Prix was calculated at $17,228,300 (a 10.8% increase from 2013’s $15,549,300) and generated 15,900 room nights in area lodgings (up from 13,400 in 2013). 89.1% of out of county attendees surveyed said they visited the area due to the race and festival and not the July 4th holiday. A special thanks to Kelly Gotha and the crew of the super yacht, Algorythm, for a fun day! 13 | REAL EXCLUSIVE | GetRealExclusive.com
REAL | realee? AROUND THE CORNER WITH THE NEIMANNS, SURVIVING THE PHANTOM 9 CRASH ONE YEAR LATER By Lee Volpe
Many of you already know, and for those of you who don’t, I am a humor writer. Imagine my surprise when Ed Bertha approached me about doing the one year anniversary story of the Phantom 9 Offshore Racing crash during Sarasota’s 2013 Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix? ReaLee?! How a boat crash is funny I have no idea, but…never judge a book by its cover, or the story, before you’ve met its characters. I met the Niemanns on Dan Lawrence’s (The Hulk - throttles) yacht…in the head (bathroom) to be exact. Mark Niemann, Ed Bertha, and myself spent forty-five minutes talking about the sport of offshore racing, the crash, and safety precautions. Though it’s not football, I must say I was fascinated. I was also fascinated by the size of the bathroom, Dan was right, “Very spacious!” After the potty talk, and hearing Kim Niemann’s role, I decided I needed to sit down and get the scoop from these two…and preferably somewhere without a toilet as the room’s only seat. After this year’s 30th Annual Suncoast Super Boat Grand Prix Festival, that’s exactly what I did. “There is not really that much you can notice, no heads up, that something is going wrong,” Owner/Driver, Mark Neimann recalls. “The only thing I noticed is that we had a perfect day. It was a perfect race, the boat was perfectly balanced, it was really handling good. It was fast…We had a ten second lead on Sunprint for 2nd place - this is a really fast boat, so when you have a chance to beat this guy it tells you your boat is doing really well. The second lap we came down to the turn right in front of the beach. Kimmie was on the radio, she told me, ‘Guys, you got a good lead.’ I told my throttleman, Kurt, it looks like we’re doing pretty good.”
Around the corner with Mark… Phantom 9 got the swell from the shallow waters of the beach while coming around the corner. Making the left turn, the thirty foot vessel became airborne, coming back down on her port side (throttleman Kurt Jagel’s side) like an explosion, at eighty-seven to ninety miles per hour - with no steering! “It’s the greatest story,” Mark remembered. “In the air, it turned around one hundred and eighty 14 | REAL EXCLUSIVE | GetRealExclusive.com
The Neimanns, with their baby, the Phantom 9, ready to race and enjoying the ride
degrees, upside-down, and this is pretty much how we impacted in the water. At this moment, you’re just trying to hold onto something. You don’t really know what happened, it goes so quick, a split second. Then what I remember is the boat barrel rolled twice after the impact. I saw water, sky, water, sky, and then luckily, the boat came to a stop, right side up. That was the best part of it.” Only fifteen seconds after the crash, the first rescue boats approached as Mark and Kurt climbed on top of the boat to survey the damage and realized most of the Phantom 9 was missing. Mark went into the now exposed engine room, fiberglass everywhere, to try and disconnect the batteries; the wires were cooking. He tried to operate the head bilge pump which was useless since the boat was already hanging halfway in the water; there was no chance at keeping up with the water they were bringing into the boat.
The Phantom 9 was tugged out of the race course. Though she was significantly battered, her occupants were no more than bumped and bruised.
while the boat violently jerks and leaps. Like some of the seats you see in auto racing, they are a full-length chair with big head restrainers. “I like to have these in my boat, even though they hurt your visibility to what’s going on all around you. But we now have rearview cameras and all that kind of stuff, you can pretty much look straight on the monitor instead of trying to turn your head all around and look what’s going on behind you. I think that was a big, big safety issue for us. I shouldn’t say, ‘saved our lives’, but it was for sure a part of what made us walk away without even a single scratch.”
Years of racing professionally in Europe with stricter guidelines to adhere to and building boats for a big race team from northern Germany was invaluable training. Mark held positions such as team manager and technical advisor for the mechanic. “I got a lot of knowledge about safety in race boats because we tried different things.” Thanks to his years of experience, when the Phantom 9 was acquired, first rate safety provision and alterations were made. “When we got this boat, we Considering the temperature pretty much ripped everything out averages 130 degrees in the cock that was in there.” pit, most American teams are racing in T-shirts, shorts, and Some of the expensive, yet effective flip-flops. A big safety measure upgrades were installing reinforced Mark and Kurt regularly practice glass, new harnesses, and special is wearing lightweight, Kevlar high-performance racing seats, layered race suits to prevent cuts. made by Italian auto manufacturer “In Europe, they didn’t let you Momo, to help absorb brunt force race without a race suit. Another and keeping the body in place big point for Kurt and myself,
“...This is the closest thing to a baby we’ll ever have. So, we put everything we have into it, we really do, and we’re not rich people,…”
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REAL | realee?
“My boat’s not sinking! I guess I was in denial, I’m not sure because my side of the boat looked perfect...” was as we climbed out, there was all of this shredded fiberglass around us. I am pretty sure it prevented us from getting more cuts and injuries. I think it was a big improvement.” “So that’s pretty much the story from last year. This year we pretty much repeated the whole thing. Only difference is we didn’t completely trash the boat, we just damaged it.” Mark Neimann concluded.
Around the corner with Kim… Kim Neimann, Wife/Owner/ Team Manager, had just put the binoculars down when Mark was coming around the corner. Hearing the crowd screaming, she looked up, saw all the water, and started screaming herself, and it wasn’t pretty…or printable. However, it wasn’t because she saw her boat crash, it was because she thought the Phantom 9 spun out, and Mark is a professional, he never spins out. So she got on the radio and gave him hell, told him to get back in the race…in so many words. Once she saw the orange smoke, she knew they were out of the race. That was when her team started tapping her on the shoulder saying, “Your boat is sinking, your boat is sinking!” “My boat’s not sinking! I guess I was in denial, I’m not sure because my side of the boat looked perfect: I didn’t see the damage to Kurt’s side. I immediately got my crew together. We were on the rocks in front of the Lido Beach Resort, so we had to slowly make our way back over the rocks, and come back to the ramp. It wasn’t until thirty or forty minutes later that I got a phone call from Mark when he said, ‘the boat sank.” 16 | REAL EXCLUSIVE | GetRealExclusive.com
Until Mark called, Kim honestly didn’t believe anything bad had happened. She really thought they had just spun out. She didn’t think the boat was sinking because she never saw any damage. “Then I was in shock. I could see the nose of the boat sticking out of the water and at that point they were getting ready to start the second race, so all the big boats were there, loud with their engine’s going. I just went off like ‘ghetto girl’. I was screaming, and hollering, and yelling at everybody to get my boat out of the water, and to get everybody’s boat out of the way, so we could bring our boat in.”
so it broke both of our hearts…”, Kim confessed. Phantom 9 was taken to Mark’s building, Marker 1 Marine, and the Neimann’s went home.
The next morning, Kurt Jagel had to catch a flight and he wouldn’t get out of bed. The race organization wanted him to go to the hospital and make sure he didn’t have any internal injuries, so Kim took Kurt and Mark to the emergency room and got them both checked out. As Kim was leaving for the hospital, an ambulance showed up at her dear friend and next-door neighbor’s home, where her friend’s daughter soon emerged with the news, “She “…And the preacher came and died, she just died!” tried to calm me down, and I am like, ‘this is not the time.’” “It was rough. I just sat down on Jim Black, Racing Performance the hospital floor and cried, and Ministries (RPM), travels to all cried, and cried for a while. I didn’t the races, introducing the offshore care who saw me.” racing community to Christ, as well as providing support and Fundraisers were held and people counsel to Kim Neimann during helped them rebuild the boat. They her “ghetto fabulous” moment. rebuilt the engine and then two weeks before Clearwater, they blew Kim’s shock continued. She up the engine again. “I honestly eventually got to her husband cried worse. I felt like it was over when the boat was finally towed in. then. Everybody was a friend of Gasoline was still burning Mark’s mine, helping us rebuild after the eye’s and face from the water at crash, but when we blew the engine the crash site. While Kim and crew up I said, ‘That’s it, we cannot keep tossed Mark water bottles to rinse, taking this financial burden.’ I felt it took over two hours to get the more of a death when we did that boat back on the trailer. Neither than anything. You just couldn’t remember much more than a ask for anymore help. It’s a hobby, simple embrace; they were both people helped us, what do you do in shock and trying to take care of now?” the Phantom 9 and Mark’s irritated face. Approaching this year’s race, naturally there was some anxiety “We finally got it up and on the for Kim after last year. Almost trailer and over to the pit, and losing her husband, seeing the everyone was just coming to look Phantom 9, her “baby”, destroyed, at it. I was like, ‘just get it out of and the death of her friend, would here.’ It’s only normal to want to be enough for anyone to throw in come see a crashed race boat, but the towel and call it a day. Yet she’ll when it’s your race boat? She was tell you she knows the risks and she destroyed, she was completely knows the chances her husband destroyed. And you know, we don’t takes. In the four years that they’ve have kids. This is the closest thing participated in this sport, they’ve to a baby we’ll ever have. So, we watched several racers get killed, put everything we have into it, we and it’s always the big boats, never really do, and we’re not rich people, the small ones. Even though she believes their boat is a safe boat,
she also understands the chance Mark and Kim went to lunch, Mark takes out there racing; that is and Mark lit up a cigarette. “Oh a gamble they’re both aware of. crap, I didn’t know you smoked? As long as you don’t have kids, “I tell people now, don’t bother me I don’t date men with kids,” she before race time, don’t talk to me. told him. Within ninety days they I become really bitchy. People will had moved to Germany, but it was be like, ‘What’s going on?’, tapping too damn cold for the Floridian, me on the shoulders, and I’m like, so they moved back to Kim’s ‘When my husband’s on the water, hometown of sunny Sarasota, and y’all leave me alone, don’t talk to married sometime in-between. me.’ I watch every move they make; Happily married four years now I don’t take my eyes off of them.” this August, her initial thought of the union was, “What the hell, marry him.” You never know what’s “around the corner”, and the view may Kim works a full-time job as well sometimes be different, but as managing the race team. Trying Mark and Kim were on point to get sponsors, making calls, when discussing the many handling social media, including misconceptions and the behind “keyboard racers” (those who the scenes of being a team solely tell you how to race from their dependent on sponsors. computer), mailing T-shirts at eight o’clock in the morning - you Many people assume the Neimann’s name it, Kim’s on it. Very few are wealthy and race boats for a people realize how much personal living, which Kim Neimann finds money/savings, time, blood, funny. In discussion with the sweat, and tears go into this sport. Bravo Network to produce a reality However, one of the main reasons show about women in power boat the Phantom 9 Racing Team runs racing, Kim says, “We, my husband is Kim Neimann. Most see Mark and I, are not wealthy people. It driving and Kurt on the throttles… takes everything for us, if we didn’t and Kim, the pretty, blonde wife have sponsors…and my husband, in the background. Well, just ask regardless of what I want him to the poor ole preacher Jim Black do, will spend every last penny of Racing Performance Ministries we have so he can race. It is an (RPM), he could tell you, first hand, addiction and a passion, but it has that this woman is not “quietly” in caused many fights, many sleepless the background. Hallelujah! nights, slamming the doors…” We’re just hoping to have a chance Kim’s love for powerboat racing to do this as long as we can and happened later in life, but it was to enjoy it for as long as we can. immediate. “It’s a weird thing Mark Neimann to love, but really one of the only reasons my husband and To be a sponsor of the Phantom I survived this, because many 9 Racing Team contact Kim couples break up over it.” Thrill- Neimann at (941) 928.0193 or seekers by nature, Kim and Mark Phantom9Racing@aol.com. met through powerboat racing… and Facebook. “Mark and I met in Key West. We just happened to run into each other, spent twenty t minutes together, and I hopped a Post Crash flight thirty days later and went to Photos by Tom MacKnight Germany and met him. I didn’t Crash Sequence even know who he was.” Even Photos by Rodney Olson though she knew you don’t date Kim & Mark men in powerboat racing, she took Photo by Ed Bertha off to Germany anyway.
REAL | news DANIEL MATUSIAK JOINS HAUTE LIVING REAL ESTATE NETWORK The prestigious Haute Living Real Estate network announced the selection of Daniel Matusiak of Action Realty of Sarasota as the preferred luxury real estate professional for Casey Key, Bird Key and Sarasota in their network. The Haute Living Real Estate Network specializes in uniting top real estate professionals and creating the most prominent directory for luxury listings. The network’s website is an online destination for all real estate-related news, featuring daily blog posts on affluent markets and developments.
Daniel Matusiak (941) 504.7618 danielmatusiak1@gmail.com
Matusiak joins the likes of The Jills of Miami, Coldwell Banker’s top producing team in the world; Hot Listing Miami cast members David Pulley and Tomi Rose, Patricia Delinois, also of Hot Listing Miami, the founder of Nest Seekers International, Eddie Shapiro and many more top luxury real estate consultants around the globe. This impressive circle of leading real estate consultants presents the finest estates and over-the-top properties to affluent buyers and homeowners looking to purchase the best of the best in residential listings. Matusiak counts this as one of the top accomplishments of his 31-year-career in real estate.
ST. PETE CHILLOUNGE NIGHT PRESENTS “CIRQUE DU CHILL” Chillounge Night, the ultimate outdoor lounge party is teaming up with The Circus Arts Conservatory to bring Cirque du Chill - an epic and dynamic circus arts presentation to St. Pete’s Straub Park on November 22nd, 2014. Cirque du Chill will feature spectacular entertainment by world-renowned circus artists that will be unlike any Chillounge Night experience yet to date.
Chillounge Night
The evening will be full of surprises as guests engage in breathtaking entertainment that only the circus arts can provide. Expect the unexpected as acrobats perform extraordinary feats of balance and agility, aerialists soar and impress with their beauty and grace, a contortionist dramatically bends and flexes her body in mind boggling positions, a juggler impresses with their amazing dexterity, a high-flying daredevil defies death and a team of hand balancers dazzle and inspire with their incredible strength.
(941) 448.0995 www.chilloungenight.com
SARASOTA & MANATEE ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS TO MERGE The members of the Sarasota Association of Realtors (SAR) and Manatee Association of Realtors (MAR) voted to merge the two organizations. The new group will be called the Suncoast Realtor Association, pending the approval of the National Association of Realtors. The vote was held at the SAR Annual Meeting and a specially convened MAR meeting. The merger, which will take effect January 1, 2015, will combine the membership of both associations, which currently stands at around 5,250 Realtors and 489 business partners. The boards of directors of both associations will continue to serve out their terms through December 31, 2014. “The overwhelming approval for the merger indicates that this is a move whose time has come,” said SAR President Peter Crowley. “Our next Suncoast Realtor Association steps are to work together to begin a strategic planning process, prepare Peter Crowley SAR (941) 954.5454 a budget for 2015 and appoint volunteers to serve on committees,” said Sherry Grooms MAR (941) 758.7777 MAR President Sherry Grooms.
SUPER BODY BUILDER AWARDED RUSSIAN BEAR DISTRIBUTORSHIP Vitol Products, an international wholesaler providing the finest in muscle building and health products for over 34 years, announced the selection of Super Body Builder as a distributor for the firm’s product line. Vitol Products is dedicated to bringing people across the globe the best in fitness and health supplements.
Super Body Builder
Designed by Mr. America, Val Vasilef, Vitol Products supplements span body building, weight gain, energy, beauty, every day products. Valsilef shares, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Super Body Builder is owned and operated by Christine Vester. “I’m excited about the opportunity to represent Mr. America, Val Vasilef ’s, proven product line. These supplements and elixirs can change lives and they deliver fast results.” Super Body Builder will handle local direct distribution on the west coast of Florida as well as international fulfillment via www.SuperBodyBuilder.com.
(941) 840.3396 www.superbodybuilder.com
MSC FOUNDATION AWARDS MID-YEAR GRANTS The MSC Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Michael Saunders & Company, has awarded its 2014 mid-year charitable grants. Grants totaling $34,250 were accepted by leaders of 33 not-for-profit organizations.
Michael Saunders & Company (941) 953.7900 www.michaelsaunders.com
The grant recipients are: ALSO Youth, Big Brothers & Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota County, Community Haven, Crossroads AMI Kids, Englewood Incubation Center, Englewood Helping Hand, Englewood Meals on Wheels, Family Partnership Center, Family Promise of Sarasota, Feeding Empty Little Tummies, The Florida Center for Early Childhood, Florida Studio Theatre, Foundation for Dreams, Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County, Habitat for Humanity Sarasota, HOPE Family Services, The Island School, Jewish Family & Children’s Services of the Sun Coast, Just for Girls Academy, Manatee County Habitat for Humanity, Miracle League Manasota, Mothers Helping Mothers, More Too Life, Safe Place & Rape Crisis Center, Selah Freedom, Sertoma Club of Bradenton, Southeastern Guide Dogs, Teen Court of Sarasota, Turning Points Community Coalition on Homelessness, Venice Nokomis United Methodist Child Care Center, Women’s Sertoma Club of Venice and Yummy Stuff Club.
PATRICIA D’ARCY LAUGHLIN RELEASES SACRIFICE FOR A KINGDOM Introducing a new contemporary romance story by Patricia D’Arcy Laughlin, Sacrifice for a Kingdom. The saga begins with the warm sweetness of falling in love before becoming inflamed with passion, intrigue, and danger. Shocking secrets are progressively revealed, mysteries unraveled, loyalties divided. An extraordinary, adventurous, sensual tale that will provoke one’s every emotion of an enigmatic philanthropic beauty from the exotic island of Trinidad, a modern-day socially conscious European Prince, and the other mysterious loves, lives, and lies, that complicate their potentially idyllic life.
Sacrifice for a Kingdom info@sacrificeforakingdom.com www.sacrificeforakingdom.com
Dr. Larry Thompson, President, Ringling College shares “I found this novel written by Patricia D’Arcy Laughlin incredibly enjoyable. It is a wonderful, engaging and well-written story that captures the reader’s attention and holds it throughout. In short, it is very much an adult fairy tale that makes you think. I loved how the author so creatively fashioned this juxtaposition of thought.” Sacrifice for a Kingdom may be purchased at Amazon.com.
REAL | beauty SULFATE FREE HAIR SHAMPOO ??? IS IT GOOD FOR MY HAIR ??? By Sheila Venancia
Nevertheless, most people don’t know what they are, how they work, and if they’re safe. A sulfate is a chemical compound used as a detergent in many household and beauty products. Sulfates are so popular because they clean things that are not water-soluble (such as oils and other tough-to-remove substances). The two most common sulfates used for these applications are sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate. Both of these are used for their excellent cleaning properties, and because they aid the lathering affect desirable in many beauty products. While sulfates are excellent cleaning compounds (sometimes referred to as detergents or surfactants) and desirable industrial additives due to their minimal cost, the fact of the matter is they are not good for your hair. This is why there has been a considerable increase in sulfate free shampoo brands on the market. There are a few reasons these additives are best avoided: Damage: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are excellent cleaners. In fact, in higher concentrations these surfactants are quite effective at everything from cleaning engine grease to breaking down DNA in a lab. A sulfate free shampoo uses gentle, alternative detergents to gently remove oil and styling product residue from your tresses.
Sulfates are often used as an active ingredient in shampoo. As with shampoo’s, many body washes and cleansers also contain one or more types of sulfate as an active ingredients, typically listed just after the first ingredient – water. Clearly, sulfates are a Color-Fastness: If you’re like most large component of these products. people, you spend good money to get Until recently, the long term side-effect hair coloring at a salon. For that reason, of sulfate has not been talked about in you do everything you can to keep the the consumer community. Unless you color you love truer as long as you can. are shopping for sulfate free shampoo or Sulfates can do considerable damage to cleansers, you are nearly certain to see hair-color; they’re only doing their job, sulfates used. Placing emphasis on using after all. Sulfates are meant to clean away natural ingredients over chemicals (i.e. tough stains, and coloring happens to Sulfate, Paraben), manufacturers started be (if you think about it) just that! Most to market “Sulfate Free Shampoo”. There reputable salons will recommend that are too many choices now than ever and you switch to a sulfate free shampoo in it can get quite confusing if you are not order to get more durability out of your new hue. sure what you should look for. 20 | REAL EXCLUSIVE | GetRealExclusive.com
Irritation: Many people have at least some level of sensitivity to this type of cleaner. The stinging sensation of getting shampoo in your eyes is most likely caused by irritation by these cleaning agents. Just as with laundry detergent that causes reactions in sensitive populations, these cleaners can cause scalp dryness, itchiness, or irritation. Sticking with a sulfate free shampoo is the best way to keep the delicate skin of your scalp intact, which can in turn reduce the appearance of scalp problems such as dandruff. Safety: While sulfates themselves are not listed as a known carcinogen by any national or international health organization, there are components of these compounds that do have potentially carcinogenic properties. These detergents have trace amounts of dioxane 1,4, a known hazard to human health and likely cancer causing agent. It is safer to go with a sulfate free shampoo or cleanser in order to avoid contact with this undesirable and potentially hazardous compound. Choosing the Right Product for You As is the case with any product, your choice in sulfate free shampoo brands should cater to your individual needs. Choose a shampoo that is formulated to care for your specific type of hair – curly, color-treated, ethnic, and so forth. Ultimately, you and your hair will both be glad you did!
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Rags To Riches
If I Can Dream
1968 Elvis NBC-TV Special
Val’s father, Bob, was from Bulgaria. His mother, Anna, was from Russia. At 16 they ran from oppression to the states and established the good life. Raising four children the good life suddenly changed when Val’s father was severely injured, plunging the family into a life of poverty and a journey of hardship. Without income the Vasilefs were moved from their comfortable home and found themselves without electricity and running water. Pumpernickel bread spread with peanut butter, garnished with tomato and mayo, was consumed by the family like a gourmet meal. Determined to make the best of the situation Val’s mother assured the kids they would survive. Her first goal was to become self-sufficient and grow their own food. A shed on the property held shovels, axes and buckets, all weathered and splintered. Wondering what they would plant Val’s mother surprised everyone by producing packages of vegetable seeds. Planting the seeds became a contest of who could till a 100 foot row. Val won the blistered hand contest and thought the next day would be easy. Mom thought otherwise and assigned him to plant the seeds and then the water detail. Priming the pump, filling the bucket and carrying it back to the garden, little did Val know that this would be his introduction to strength training. “Initially it took quite an effort to pump the water. I had to use both hands and was puffing, out of breath filling one bucket at a time. Eventually I made it a game filling five buckets at a time. With my strength increasing I began pumping with one arm,” Val reminisces. Chopping wood, tending to the chickens, weeding the garden, life went on and Val continued to get stronger. One day Val and his brother decided to dig a swimming pool and dug for a week. Where did the water come from? The pump, bucket by bucket. Val the entrepreneur then arrived, selling flowers from the side of the road. Next, Val traded two days’ work for an old bicycle frame. Assembling a working bicycle he then hitched a wagon, took a block of ice and began selling shaved ice cones at the lake. As a young carpenter a developer inquired if he could handle 55 homes. A competition was set up to see who would win the job. By Ed Bertha Photography by Giovanni Lunard Design by Christian Lunardi Aquaintance by Christine Vester
50,000 spectators watch Val jerk 310 lbs. overhead 10 times
At age 17 Val’s team out worked (and out smarted) the “professionals” and Trio Contractors was formed. Success would fade just as quickly. At age 19 Val’s mother died from cancer and Trio Contractors was abruptly dissolved. There was no one of age to sign legal paperwork and the bank demanded full payment on their equipment. When the tow truck arrived and took Val’s Cadillac convertible his heart was broken. Everything he worked for was gone, and again he would need to start over. These life experiences growing up instilled a deep sense of appreciation and pride on what was accomplished, and yet to be. “As I look back, it influenced my way of thinking for years to come. Success is not given to you; you must live in reality and earn it,” he shares.
Fame and Fortune
1960 Elvis’ Golden Records Volume 3 Val’s journey to fame began by entering a novice competition where he won his weight class and
An incredible physique without resorting to drugs
Val winning Mr. America
best overall lifter. Bob Hoffman, Olympic lifting coach and publisher of Strength and Health Magazine was in attendance. Mentioning Val’s name in his magazine’s event coverage gave Val the inspiration to become a champion. “It was an honor to be noticed by such a powerful person in character and name who was known worldwide,” he states emphatically. Winning many first place awards Val felt unfulfilled. He then targeted professional bodybuilding and Olympic weightlifting. Again winning many events, Val decided to just concentrate on bodybuilding. The titles began to come. Mr. Camden County. Mr. South Jersey. Mr. New Jersey. Mr. East Coast. Mr. Atlas. Mr. Physical Fitness. But could he win the prestigious Mr. America title? Should he invest the time to chase this goal? Could he endure punishing his body training seven days a week? Would he manage the mental discipline training for this title would require? Digging deep down Val decided to go for it, but he would do it his way.
There would be no steroids, the shortcut to the top. He would stick to a regime of alternating training his upper body five hours a day and lower body four hours a day. With a laser focus Val was now training harder than ever, seven days a week. Val’s first attempt at Mr. America earned him eighth place out of fifty athletes. His goal was now within reach and the battleground set. The competition underway Val recounts, “The tension was so thick you couldn’t cut it with a chain saw.” Prejudging eliminated many competitors and Val made the cut. The lineup was ultimately reduced to five, and Val was a finalist. From Val’s book Journey to Mr. America I share, “It seemed forever before the master of ceremony announced the ‘Doctor/Air Force Captain’ for fifth place, fourth place went to the ‘Professor’, third place called was a ‘Minister’, the silence was deafening, seemed like an eternity when another ‘Doctor’ was called for second place. When the MC said, ‘Mr. America, Val Vasilef’ – it was the loudest mental explosion I have ever heard.”
Val now held the most prestigious bodybuilding title in the world and was the strongest man to ever do so. This was just the beginning of another chapter in Val’s life.
Got My Mojo Working
1970 Love Letters from Elvis Val needed to portray the title and notoriety into something much bigger. And he did, Val the entertainer and business mogul.
Val breaking a world record curling 150 1/2 lbs. with no shoulder swing
RUSSIAN BEAR
The personal appearances mounted. Fans lined up for autographs. He authored articles on bodybuilding. The magazines called for photo ops. Val graced the front cover of 21 magazines, including T.V. Guide, and 35 back covers, a record for any professional athlete. Between the crazed celebrity lifestyle Val formed a record company, Globial, where he recorded and released five songs. His first song was “What Ya Got Baby”. It was a hit and landed Val on TV in New York City for a live performance, the first of many television appearances. This rocket to fame temped Val but he didn’t succumb. It was time for another direction.
Val’s Russian Bear Magazine cover
Val’s first book and life story, Journey to Mr. America
Val then entered the realm of television where he launched Slim n’ Trim. The show was geared towards women who wanted to train in the privacy of their home. The viewers mounted and the show’s success lead to the opening of three health spas. But there was still more. Health was always of interest to Val and he decided to pursue it by taking courses in natural healing and nutrition. Four years later Val earned a Doctor of Naturopathy degree parlaying the degree into research in Gerontology (the aging process). Beyond experimenting with lab rats Val’s body itself became a lab subject.
Val Vasilef Val’s 2nd book, Choose Right Guy.. Live Wealthy
Val’s latest book, Twisted Love All books available at Amazon.com
Val studied and worked with antioxidants long before they became a buzz word. His work in retarding the aging process was widely published.
Clockwise: The magic elixir, Russian Bear; An accomplished pianist, Bella Vista often echos of magical music; “Baby wanta go for a ride?”.
Working with specialized nutrients propelled him into the world of natural supplements and the creation of the Vitol brand. Now he had to figure out how to compete against the national giants. “It can’t be done,” fueled Val’s passion to succeed. A series of personal appearances were scheduled, promoted and things grew from there. Vitol lead to Health is Wealth, a natural frozen food line. Focusing on business Val’s physique began to fade. He was now down to 175 pounds from his once muscular 215 pounds. “I watched in horror as my muscular body got skinnier, and my mass and density took a hike,” he says. “I tried to overcome my muscle loss by training harder. I frantically searched for info on bodybuilding products, hoping to stop my weight loss.” He tried many of the weight gain products on the market but none seemed to work.
The Moscow Circus billed Val’s Uncle John as “The Strongest Man in the World.” People called him “The Russian Bear” because of his fierce, raw power and awesome muscles. Val fell back on his research and international contacts and developed RUSSIAN BEAR. RUSSIAN BEAR is a completely natural product. It was designed for all levels of bodybuilders and professional athletes in all sports. With the RUSSIAN BEAR system Val’s weight soon climbed back to 215 pounds of hard muscle mass. Val Vasilef is now “The Russian Bear”. In a most endearing and authentic fashion, Val attributes much of his lifetime success and achievement to the loving values instilled by his dear mother. So what’s next for this Mr. America winner who holds over 80 bodybuilding, power and Olympic weightlifting awards?
30 | REAL EXCLUSIVE | GetRealExclusive.com
“The girls loved Choose Right Guy, Live Wealthy, so I just finished my third book, Twisted Love. I’m in the process of planning my fourth Elvis commercial, have a woman’s beauty product in the works and am working on a RUSSIAN BEAR calendar. I’m still into heavy lifting and not slowing down.” In closing I ask, “Why Elvis?” Val responds, “Elvis was an inspiration and role model. His life and aspirations were guided by his mother, whom he loved dearly. He was a very generous person, helping those in need. Last, his music was great and I love singing it!”
Val Vasilef Vitol Products RUSSIAN BEAR ValV@verizon.net www.VitolProducts.net
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REAL | perspectives DO THE RAYS EMPLOY WALL STREET TECHNIQUES TO OVER ACHIEVE? By William Henry, PhD
T
hree decades ago after graduating from the University of Florida, I decided to return to grad school and study business administration. I had become enthralled with the career of my mentor John Portman, an architect/real estate developer in Atlanta who combined design ability with business acumen. This combination of innovative design coupled with market acceptance resulted in changed city skylines. It is a potent combination.
that a forecaster can throw into the mix and ‘iterate’ with outcomes, the greater the accuracy of the predictions. I employed this system to help secure over $500 million worth of new construction volume for a large company between 1978 and 1980. Therefore I know how well it can work.
If the art of design excellence can be instilled with the “The Art of the Business Deal” as Donald Trump might say, much can be accomplished. Portman and Trump, along with Steve Wynn, have proven that they somehow understand what the public truly wants and the three are successful at delivering it. Steve Wynn of course is Mr. Las Vegas, the designer and owner of such casinos as the Mirage and the Wynn Hotels; and Trump’s work needs no description.
What does any of this have to do with baseball and The Ray’s success? In spite of one of the lowest payrolls in baseball the Rays compete favorably with the Yankees and Red Sox. You can term it ‘Money Ball’. Where did Ray’s owner Mr. Stuart Steinberg earn the money to purchase and sustain the Rays? According to reports, the answer is Wall Street. Do you think that Mr. Steinberg and operational manager, Mr. Andrew Freedman might be relying on Wall Street techniques to predict the success of certain players in THEIR system?
What Does Steve Wynn and Donald Trump Have in Common with the Past Chairman of the Federal Reserve Agency?
How Can These Techniques be Used in Predicting Player Success and Situational Strategies in Baseball Games?
It is important to remember that the Rays have a certain approach and brand. They rely on solid pitching, great defense, speed, and agility in tinkering with lineups depending on the team that they oppose. In the old days, the lumbering established Yankees fielded a lineup that hardly ever changed. Remember Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris? How could Manager Casey Stengal tell Maris or Mantle that they would not be hitting cleanup? Today the Rays employ ‘situational players’. You never know who is going to be hitting cleanup and for that matter, who will be in Joe Maddon’s lineup.
Both are really good at being able to predict market acceptance and performance. Interestingly, both attended the Wharton School of Business. I completed much of my courses at Wharton on the way to receiving a PhD. In doing so, I stumbled upon a discipline known as ‘Econometrics’. This is the discipline Wall Street uses to predict market performance. In actuality, the Fed employs it as well to predict economic upturns and downturns. In addition, investors use it to predict stock performance. A critical part of econometrics is conducting something called My guess is that the Rays are employing ‘regression analysis’, which relies on computer modeling techniques similar to ‘econometrics’ by inputting countless numbers of predictive programming. factors. Examples may be the ability of batters to hit right or left handed pitching; and/or Wall Street Forecasters Employ the pitching success of one hitter vs. certain Econometric Modeling to Predict Stock pitchers in critical situations. Market Performance and Why I Know it Mostly Works. Moreover in the Rays organization if a player The best explanation of this practice is that becomes too good and commands too much it entails taking certain predictive factors money, they become ‘overqualified’ and are and correlating them with outcomes. In the traded e.g. Carl Crawford. The problem for building industry an example would be the potential ‘suitors’ of team talent is that while correlation between low building vacancies so called ‘super stars’ may perform well for the and the demand for new construction. Rays, there is little guarantee that they can for The greater the number of predictive factors other teams. Certainly former Rays players 32 | REAL EXCLUSIVE | GetRealExclusive.com
have struggled to meet the expectations that their new higher salary level warrants. In other words, they don’t succeed because they are not ‘iterated’ well with the teams that over paid! Employing Econometric Modeling is no Guarantee of Success BUT! Please don’t construe the above approach as the only secret to businesses or business success. Accurate forecasting is only one ingredient. Good judgment by seasoned management, as well as innovation, count. Clint Eastwood’s movie about an aging player scout echoes this point. But these ‘Wall Street’ techniques may constitute the equalizer and even the winning edge- the difference maker in many games. The Rays are the Small Business Start Up That Can Produce a Better Product for as Little as 25% of the Cost of Competitors! I am personally glad that Major League Baseball has no salary cap and that you can watch kids with pimples beat the teams with established stars. The Rays are the small business guys that are ‘lean and mean’ and are churning out wins against the more established teams. This technique can help foster fair competition and result in an improved product for a much lower cost! This is more interesting to me than watching two teams that are more evenly matched in terms of payroll expense. The National Football League employs a salary cap so that the wealth is evenly distributed. This reminds me of Socialism. Why shouldn’t teams with high payrolls have the freedom to over pay for the Ray’s over priced cast offs? Isn’t that capitalism?
William “Bill” Henry RGA-Design LLC DreamScapes LLC (813) 226.2220 ext. 204 whenry@rga-design.com
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REAL | perspectives MORE INTERNATIONAL BUYERS COMING TO U.S.A. By Patricia Tan
I spend most of my time in Sarasota, where our real estate team lists and sells homes in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. A key factor that has contributed to our success over the years has been our focus on international buyers. Today, more than 70% of our business comes from transactions that involve someone from another country.
These are some of the findings of the National Association of Realtors: •
•
•
• I also spend some of my time traveling around Florida, teaching other Realtors how to build their global business, and this means I have to understand the impact that international real estate activities have on our nation, state and local markets. To that end, I just reviewed two recent reports, and thought I would share some of the highlights with you. The statistics quoted in this article come from the 2014 Profile of International Home Buying Activity report, published by the National Association of Realtors, and Buying In – An Analysis of International Homebuyers in Florida, published by Florida Tax Watch. Both reports were released in June this year. Patricia Tan Coldwell Banker Residential, Real Estate (941) 504.9232 Pat@PatriciaTan.com
Total international sales volume, across the nation, for the year April 2013 to March 2014 was approximately $92.2 billion, a 35 percent increase from the previous year’s $68.2 billion. This increased sales activity was partially due to growing affluence in China, Canada, India, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. Strength of the Chinese Yuan and British Pound particularly contributed to more activity from those countries. Florida was the state that attracted most international buyers, followed by California, Arizona, Texas, and New York. Together these states accounted for 55 percent of all international transactions. Canadians completed the most real estate transactions, but China accounted for the greatest sales volume. Typically Chinese buyers purchase more expensive homes.
•
Less than 1% of all Realtors each closed more than 11 transactions with foreigners in the year of the report.
•
59% of international clients found their Realtor by a referral from family, friends or a trusted partner in their home country. Only 19% identified their Realtor online.
To understand the impact overseas buyers have in Florida, the report by Florida Tax Watch provided this information: •
Since 2010 80% of all foreign purchases have been made with cash. This has provided a lot of liquidity to the market, which has benefited Florida homeowners, businesses, banks, and tax revenues.
34 | REAL EXCLUSIVE | GetRealExclusive.com
•
In Florida, homebuyers from Latin America and the Caribbean represented the largest group (32.1%), closely followed by Canada (29.6%) and Europe (26.6%)
•
The top countries to buy in our state were Canada, the U.K., Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, China, Columbia, France, Peru and Italy. Recently, purchases by British and German buyers have declined.
•
Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice area ranks 4th most popular in the state with international buyers (6.95%), after Miami-Miami Beach (26.2%), Orlando-Kissimmee (11.2%) and Fort Lauderdale (10.05%)
•
Canadians dominate in BradentonSarasota-Venice, representing 51% of all international buyers. British and German buyers represent 13% and 12% respectively.
But what of the future? Using the data and their own proprietary forecasting model, Florida Tax Watch predicts that between 2014 and 2016, Florida will see an estimated 60,369 international home sales, an average of 20,123 each year. Forecasts are not certain and circumstances can change. How well Florida’s international real estate market fares in the future will be influenced by many factors, including global events that have an effect on the whole world, and are beyond our direct control. There are, however, some things we can strive to change, which will have a significant impact on our market. The National Association of Realtors report cited the two biggest reasons why foreigners did not purchase here – cost of ownership/taxes/insurance and lack of inventory. Politicians and builders please take note!
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