Sarasota Realtor Magazine - August 2009

AUGUST 2009

The

International

Ripple Effect Page 6

REACH THE REALTORS® OF SARASOTA Sarasota Realtor® Magazine provides the perfect opportunity for local businesses to bring their message to more than 3,000 members of the largest trade association in the Sarasota area.

Our four-color monthly publication is produced on high-gloss stock, and sent by direct mail to our membership. We also distribute the popular magazine at organization events, and post an electronic version on the public side of our web site, providing an even broader potential audience through the Internet.

Featuring a content-rich, comprehensive monthly synopsis of news, events and issues impacting the local real estate community, Sarasota Realtor® Magazine is widely read, and is a prime vehicle to give your business exposure to thousands of practicing Realtors® in your market.

Call 941.328.1168 to speak with Ray Porter, SAR Director of Communications, or email at ray@sarasotarealtors.com for more information about how you can start advertising today in Sarasota Realtor® Magazine.

Visit the 2009 Advertising SAR Realtor® Store Get 10 percent off the normal price for various items during August!

Rates

Contents

Sarasota Realtor® Volume 6, Issue 8 AUGUST 2009

Sarasota Association of Realtors®, Inc. 3590 South Tuttle Avenue Sarasota, Florida 34239 Phone: 941/923-2315 FAX: 941/923-0191 www.sarasotarealtors.com

2009 Officers

6

The Big Pond

In the modern global economy, the oceans have been reduced to veritable ponds and wireless communication has boosted international real estate commerce.

8

Board Nominees

SAR will elect the 2010 officers and board of directors on Sept. 16 at the annual meeting. Here’s a look at the nominees!

10 Clean Energy Act

What does the new federal Clean Energy and Security Act really mean for local real estate practitioners? Marc Mansfield and the NAR review the myths and realities.

12 TRIM Time!

Volume 6 • Issue 8 • AUGUST 2009

4

Proposed property taxes and non-ad valorem assessments will arrive in your mailboxes this month, and Bill Furst, Property Appraiser, provides a preview.

15 Sales Up, Prices Too!

The June SAR sales statistics were very encouraging, with overall sales topping the 600 level for only the second time in the last 26 months, and the median sales prices also rising.

President-Elect Erick Shumway RE/MAX Alliance Group Secretary David Clapp RE/MAX Alliance Group Treasurer Michael Bruno Prudential Palms Realty Immediate Past President Helen Sosso Prudential Palms Realty Chief Executive Officer Kathy Roberts Mission Statement The mission of the Sarasota Association of Realtors® is to advance members’ professionalism through delivery of education and resources while upholding the Realtors® Code of Ethics.

We are committed to be the leading advocate of real estate in the communities we serve by protecting private property rights and expanding relationships with individuals and organizations both locally and worldwide.

Sarasota Realtor® is published monthly by the Sarasota Association of Realtors® Inc. Editorial Staff Director of Communications Ray Porter Director of Member Services Dan Andrews Director of MLS Information Systems Jesse Sunday Director of Professional Development Catherine McCaskill

In every issue

Governmental Affairs Director Marc Mansfield

10- Governmental Affairs 12- Property Appraiser 14- Ethics in Action 15- Sales and Listing Statistics 18- CID Update 20- Education Programs 23- Broker Corner 26- Affiliate Focus 28- WCR News 30- Membership News 32- Calendar of Education/Events

AUGUST 2009

President William Geller Suncoast International Realty

Production Coastal Printing, Inc. Sarasota Realtor® Advertising: For information on advertising rates and deadlines, contact Ray Porter at 941/328-1168 or ray@sarasotarealtors.com.

Subscriptions: The annual dues of every member of the Sarasota Association of Realtors®, Inc., includes a one-year subscription to Sarasota Realtor® magazine.

A yearly subscription for Sarasota Realtor® magazine is available to non-members for $25, plus Florida sales tax.

Editorial ideas and manuscripts are welcomed. Byline articles and columns express the opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the policies or sentiments of the Sarasota Association of Realtors®, Inc. All submitted copy is subject to editing.

2009 Copyright© by the Sarasota Association of Realtors®, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

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Realtor® Day Bowling brings out ’70’s crowd

Realtor® Day Bowling at Sarasota Lanes was a major success, with more than 100 SAR members enjoying an afternoon of fun, recreation, networking and humor.

The Disco/Retro theme was a big hit, with many teams dressing up in the garb of their favorite ‘70’s personas from hippy to disco, Pink Floyd to the Bee Gees.

Walter Beer named SAR Affiliate of Month for August Walter Beer, Marketing Manager with Yoder Homes Remodeling, is the August “Affiliate of the Month.”

Beer is a Ringling College of Art and Design graduate in Computer Graphics with many years of experience in marketing computer software, and designing and installing wood floors. He is currently Marketing Manager for Yoder Homes, which specializes in home remodeling. He is a member of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and the Sarasota Association of Realtors®.

WALTER BEER Marketing Manager

YODER

HOMES

R E M O D E L I N G

You Can Trust Our Experience

Cell: 941.928.2091 Fax: 941.896.6795 Email: walter@yoder-homes.com CBC 1254094 Website: www .yoder-homes.com 6979 74th Street Circle E. • Bradenton , FL 34203 • 941.758.4028

EasyRealtySites to offer classes in September

EasyRealtySites, one of SAR’s Realtor® Benefit partners, is offering a new 3 CEU accredited class that teaches you how to organize, plan and run a successful real estate website that generates traffic and leads with no technical skills, and at no cost.

The first class is slated for Wednesday, Sept. 2 at SAR. Watch for details on the SAR web site (www.sarasotarealtors.com), and in your Weekly Update e-newsletter.

All SAR member benefits are featured on the front of our web site - www. sarasotarealtors.com www.sarasotarealtors.com

.

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

AUGUST 2009

5

Cover Story 6

The Ripple Effect

h

Foreign real estate dollars help spur local economy How much real estate commerce is generated by international clients in the Sarasota region, and the state of Florida as a whole?

The exact figure is hard to generate, considering the various methods available to buy and sell property, the lack of consistent reporting tools and rules, and the desire for privacy by some of those involved in the process.

But NAR Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun hopes to provide a close approximation of the statistics when he addresses the 3rd Annual Sarasota International Real Estate Congress as the keynote speaker on Friday, Sept. 25th. And judging from past statistics and local word of mouth reports, the total will be noteworthy, and demonstrate the strength and vibrancy of the international market, even during these times of global economic instability.

Registration is currently underway for the event, which is expected to attract visitors from throughout the state and across the nation to the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.

“Locally, we’ve seen the international real estate market go through the same peaks and troughs as the general real estate market over the past five years,” explained Pat Tan, agent with Prudential Palms Realty and a member of the SAR International Council. “But today, I’d say the percentage of international buyers has certainly gone up. We’re seeing strong sales to the Canadian and UK buyers, and a return of the German buyers, who were looking further south for a while.

We’re also seeing some new nationalities – particularly visitors from Austria and Norway – that we haven’t seen before.”

Tan noted the demographics of the international buyers has also shifted in the past five years – from an older, mainly retired population, to younger people with small children. This trend bodes well for the long term impact, bringing more youth to the local school system, and a shift in spending habits.

The “ripple effect” of foreign dollars flowing into the state and into local businesses is obviously growing,

AUGUST 2009

and will continue to provide a major source of new income and generate a healthier, more sustainable local economy in the years ahead.

“We’ve always been an attractive real estate market for Canadians and for buyers from the United Kingdom, but lately we’ve also seen growing interest among the German and French buyers,” said Janet Trefry, vice chair of SAR’s International Council and agent with RE/ MAX Alliance Group. “I think the foreign buying in our area will continue to grow, because we offer such a beautiful locale, and we aren’t as crowded as many other popular locations.”

Council Chair Werner Untrieser has been very busy this year helping to organize several trips to Europe, including SAR representation at the SIMA expo in Madrid, Spain, and FNAIM expo in Paris, France.

Another trip is planned in the fall to the UK, continuing the strong Sarasota presence overseas.

From previous NAR reports, we know that in 2007, a total of 5,418,830 non-immigrant aliens came into Florida. They included: • 4,477,131 temporary visitors for pleasure • 516,717 temporary visitors for business • 25,471 treaty traders and investors • 46,035 foreign students and dependant families • 90,314 temporary foreign workers, trainees and dependant families • 4,810 NAFTA professional workers and dependant families Obviously, many of these people were looking for rental housing, second homes, or commercial properties in Florida. The recent study, 2008 NAR Profile of International Home Buying Activity, showed that about 3 percent of all home sales nationwide involved foreign buyers. This figure climbs to over 9 percent of all

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

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home sales transactions in Florida, the state which has been the most popular destination of home buyers from abroad for many years.

The research indicates that international buying activity in the U.S. is widespread. NAR estimates that between 150,000 and 190,000 homes were sold to foreign nationals from May 2007 to May 2008. Recent foreign buyers purchased properties in every state and the District of Columbia. The most popular states where international buyers purchased homes are Florida, California and Texas. Arizona, New York, Washington and Nevada were also popular.

The typical international buyer purchased a single-family vacation home costing $297,400. An estimated 40 percent paid for their U.S. property with cash, compared with only 7 percent for all domestic buyers. The typical international owner stayed at his or her U.S. property for 2.6 months during the year, according to the NAR findings.

International buyers are distinct from domestic buyers, in that they tend to purchase more expensive properties, which cost an average of 36 percent more than the typical domestic buyer’s home purchase. In fact, more than 14 percent of properties sold to international buyers sold at higher than $750,000. Foreign buyers also show a greater preference for condos and townhouses compared to domestic buyers.

People from North America, Europe and Asia accounted for more than 85 percent of recent foreign home buying transactions. The top six countries of origin for foreign home buyers, in rank order, were Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, China, India and Germany. This year, Canada replaced Mexico as the country with the largest share of foreign buyers in the U.S. The percentage of Canadian buyers doubled from last year, from 11 percent to 23.5 percent.

In cooperation with FAR, NAR recently conducted a survey to determine the significance of international clients in this market area. Florida is an attractive

www.sarasotarealtors.com

location for home buyers, but to better is felt in many ways, especially economic understand the role of international and cultural. The foreign dollars spent clients, FAR requested Florida Realtors® here are churned into the local economy take part in the survey on Zoomerang, and produce valuable jobs and important which ended July 31st. Results are income for local residents. Without the pending. continuing and expanding foreign influx Although the Sarasota area may and investment, this area might have not experience such a high volume suffered even more during the recent of international transactions as in the national economic downturn. overall state of Florida, there are still International transactions are of enough foreigners arriving in Sarasota increasing importance. In calendar year daily to make a big impact on the overall 2007, the U.S. exported $1.15 trillion real estate industry. of goods and $500 billion of services; For every foreign visitor who makes Cont. on P. 27, See INTERNATIONAL a new home in Sarasota, the impact

Sarasota Association of Realtors®, International Real Estate Council

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Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

September 24

 

Transnational Referral Certification (TRC) Networking—Happy Hour



Keynote Speaker: Dr. Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist—”A Global, National and Local Look at The Economy”

September 25

Other topics, presented by a diverse group of authoritative international speakers, will include:      

State of Real Estate in Florida Understanding the International Buyer’s Needs and Preferences Sustainability and Green Issues in International Real Estate Connecting With Top Countries Doing Business With the West Coast of Florida The Changing Face of Immigration Financial Considerations for Foreign Buyers

AUGUST 2009

7

SAR nominees for 2010 Board of Directors The following individuals have been nominated by the SAR Nominating Committee to positions on the SAR Board of Directors for 2010. There will be a voice vote of the SAR membership at the annual meeting, set for Wednesday, Sept. 16. The location will be Troyer’s Dutch Heritage Restaurant, 3713 Bahia Vista Street, Sarasota.

2010 SAR President Erick Shumway, RE/MAX Alliance Erick H. Shumway is a secondgeneration Sarasota Realtor® with more than 30 years experience in the real estate profession.

Erick opened RE/MAX Suncoast Realty three years ago, on Clark Road near Interstate 75. The office merged with another RE/MAX office to form RE/ MAX Alliance.

Erick has seen many changes in the local real estate industry since he was introduced to the business by his father, Maurice Shumway. He has established valuable relationships with builders and developers, and his longtime local experience has given him the knowledge and understanding of the history and character of Sarasota.

Erick’s dexterity in both commercial and residential real estate transactions has served him well with his clientele, and has earned him numerous sales accolades over the years. He has been active in the Sarasota Association of Realtors®, and has served as a threeyear director, from 2005-07. He was Treasurer in 2008, serves as this year’s President-Elect, and is slated to begin his year as President in December 2009.

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AUGUST 2009

2010 SAR President-Elect Michael Bruno, Prudential Palms Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Michael Bruno spent 16 years as a retail executive in both department and discount store merchandising in Wisconsin and Connecticut. While in Connecticut, he obtained his real estate license, and shortly thereafter he relocated to Sarasota and joined the Sarasota Association of Realtors® in the spring of 1988.Mike has conducted training seminars for large and small manufacturers across the country on business development. He has served as the chairperson of the SAR Grievance and Professional Standards Committees, and has also served on the committee, as well as the RPAC and Nominating Committees for the Sarasota Association of Realtors®.

Mike is recognized as a consistent top producer and believes his enthusiasm and knowledge will contribute to his future work for the Association. He currently serves as Treasurer on the SAR Board and also serves on the FAR Board. He is a real estate agent with Prudential Palms Realty.

2010 SAR Treasurer Laura Benson, Prudential Palms Laura Benson was the SAR 2008 Realtor® of the Year, and last year led the SAR Public Policy Committee, while at the same time campaigning for election to the Florida Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

Legislature.

Laura is originally from Boston, Massachusetts, and works at Prudential Palms Realty. Her background runs the gamut of real estate - mortgage lending, construction management and real estate law. She has been an elected member of the Sarasota County School Board and stays politically active in the community. She has also served on the SAR Board of Directors.

Laura is a certified instructor for a state required real estate agent ethics course. She has also been appointed by the Florida Senate to a seat on the Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida, and is on the Board of Directors for FBLA/PBL and Take Stock in Children. She is a 25-year local resident, and she and her husband, Brian Meskil, along with their three children enjoy all aspects of the Sarasota community.

2010 SAR Secretary Roger M. Piro, Town & Country Roger M. Piro, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, moved to Sarasota in 1978.

Becoming a licensed salesman in 1994, Roger immediately joined the then Sarasota Board of Realtors® and began his involvement on many different committees. In 2003, Roger became a broker-associate.

Roger was previously with CENTURY 21 Advantage for 12 years.

He originally specialized in residential real estate, rising to and continuing as one of the company’s award-winning sales associates.

After being asked by his Broker, Roger agreed to step into a management position and managed www.sarasotarealtors.com

the Bee Ridge Road office for several years. During this time, Roger was involved with educating and mentoring many agents, leading them to more productive careers. It was also during this time when Roger’s leadership abilities became apparent.

Roger is a past chair of the SAR Grievance Committee, and also served on the Realtor-Attorney Committee. In past years he has served on the Membership Committee, the Professional Development Committee, the Realtor-Attorney Committee and the Grievance Committee of SAR. He is currently a member of the SAR board of directors.

SAR Immediate Past-President William Geller, Suncoast International Bill Geller has been a resident of Sarasota since 1980 and a Realtor® for more than 20 years. He is a Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), holds a Transnational Referral Certification, (TRC) and is currently a Broker Associate with Suncoast International Realty.

Bill currently serves as President of the Sarasota Association of Realtors®.

He previously served on the Board of Directors of the Florida Association of Realtors®, and is a member of the International Operations Committee, International Forum Committee and Business Trends & Technology Forum for FAR and 2002 International Steering Committee Chair for SAR. Bill is past-president and board member of the Brazil-Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, served as a three-term president of the Siesta Key Association and is past-president of the Rotary Club of Sarasota, Sunset. He currently volunteers as an instructor of www.sarasotarealtors.com

small business classes at the Women’s Resource Center, and involved with other local community organizations.

Prior to his real estate experience, Bill held staff positions at the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce including General Manager and Director of Membership. He brings management and organizational experience having worked with Fortune 500 companies and private ventures in Detroit and New York and North Carolina.

Originally from Detroit, he earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Detroit and attended the Institute for Organization Management at the University of Georgia. An avid runner, Bill has participated in several marathons both in the U.S. and in Europe and of course the Sarasota marathon for the past two years.

Three-Year Directors

Adam Chicoine, RE/ MAX Alliance Group, has served on the SAR Board of Directors for 2-1/2 years, and is currently vice-chair of the Professional Development Committee. He also served on the MLS Committee for three years.

A graduate of Rhode Island College

with a degree in Management and Accounting, Adam worked several years in Boston, MA. He moved to Sarasota in 1987, Adam worked as Controller for a local bank until starting his real estate career. He has been in real estate full time since 1997 and licensed since 1991. Adam also supports several other organizations in the community.

David P. Clapp, GRI, CDPE, RE/ MAX Alliance Grpup, has been a full time Realtor® since 1978, practicing for 21 years outside of Philadelphia PA, and now for an additional 10 years in Sarasota.

Dave’s real estate accomplishments include being the top producing agent in his office, Director of Training for Corporate Century 21 in PA, Licensed Real Estate Instructor, Licensed Appraiser, and Broker/Co-Owner of a Top Ranked Multi Office Firm in PA. While living in Pennsylvania, Dave was very active in his Association and MLS organizations. He served in various capacities for many years.

For both production and Association activities, Dave has been awarded Continued on P. 25, See NOMINEES

B E R L I N L A W

F I R M

Phone (941) 954-9991 Fax (941) 954-9992

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Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

AUGUST 2009

9

Governmental Affairs 10

American Clean Energy and Security Act passed by House of Representatives

t

By Marc Mansfield Governmental Affairs Director The U.S. House of Representatives approved the American Clean Energy and Security Act on June 26th.

The bill includes NAR supported provisions that Fact: The bill does not create a federal energy audit exempt existing homes and buildings from the bill’s or labeling requirement. As introduced, the original energy labeling program. NAR dropped its opposition bill would have required energy audits and labeling at to the overall bill when provisions that would have had the time of the sale. As approved, the bill: significant adverse impacts on the real estate industry - Does not create energy audit requirement for real were eliminated. Shown below is a legislative analysis property at the time of sale courtesy of NAR: As passed, the bill: - Exempts existing homes, multifamily and - Limits the energy labeling provisions to new commercial buildings from any federal energy labeling construction only. guidelines such as the existing federal Energy Star label - Prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency program from regulating carbon emissions from residential and - Leaves the decision entirely to state governments commercial buildings under the Clean Air Act. whether to pass a law to require labels, but prohibits - Eliminates an early proposal to bolster a private labeling during a transaction right of action Claim: The bill After passage of the American Clean Energy and so that citizens federalizes building codes. could sue over Security Act, NAR received many inquiries about Fact: The bill would minor climate the bill and NAR’s position on the bill. As a result create a national building risks under the code standard that of those questions NAR created a Myth and Fact Clean Air Act. improves upon building sheet on the bill.

That proposal is energy efficiency. States no longer in the would be given one (1) bill passed by the year to bring their state codes into compliance with House. the new national standards. If a state fails to do so, the - Provides property owners with significant financial federal government would set and enforce the state’s incentives, matching grants and the tools to make energy code. NAR supported committee amendments property improvements and reduce their energy to limit these provisions but unfortunately they were bill. A new proposed “Retrofit for Energy and voted down along party lines. If and when the Senate Environmental Performance” (REEP) program would takes up the bill, NAR will work to ensure onerous provide economic incentives to building owners that provisions are not imposed on real estate markets. increases with the level of improved performance in the Claim: NAR supports a “Cap and Tax bill.” retrofitted building.

Fact: NAR supported moving legislation to the - Establishes a multitude of green building incentives Senate that provides home owners with the resources for HUD housing, including a loan program for and tools they need to improve property and save renewable energy, block grants and credit for upgrades money on their energy bills, as reflected in the NAR in mortgage underwriting.

Legislative Analysis above.

After passage of the American Clean Energy and At the direction of the NAR Board of Directors Security Act, NAR received many inquiries about the and Land Use, Property Rights and Environment bill and NAR’s position on the bill. As a result of those Committee, NAR concentrated on the real estate questions NAR created a Myth and Fact sheet on the provisions in the bill. While there were many NAR bill which is shown below: supported changes to the House bill, NAR will Claim: The bill mandates energy audits and labeling continue working to address the remaining issues as the requirement before any home in America is sold. bill works through the legislative process.

AUGUST 2009

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

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Property Appraiser For more information, contact the Property Appraiser’s office at 941.861.8200.

12

It’s TRIM Time!

IT’S TRIM TIME!!

Notices of Proposed Property Taxes Notices of Proposed Property Taxes and Non‐Ad Valorem Assessments will be mailed in mid‐ August. and Non-Ad Valorem Assessments Our office and Tax Collector, Barbara Ford‐Coates’ office have joined willforces this year to send the 2009 Notices of Proposed Property Taxes, be mailed in mid-August (TRIM Notices), and Notices of Proposed Non‐Ad Valorem Assessments in

one mailing, saving Sarasota County taxpayers in excess of $80,000.

By Bill Furst, GRI, CRS, CIPS

Sarasota County Property Appraiser

The TRIM notice provides taxpayers with a comparison of the actual 2008 ad valorem taxes, market values, assessed values, exemptions, and Taxpayers may take one, two, or Thetaxable values to what is proposed for 2009. Each Taxing Authority is Sarasota County Property Appraiser’s office and Tax Collector all three of these steps to contest the listed along with the taxes they propose to assess, their contact Barbara Ford-Coates’ office have Property Appraiser’s determination information, and the dates, times and locations of their budget hearings. joined forces this year to send of market value and exemption the 2009 Notices of Proposed eligibility.

The Non‐Ad Valorem Notice lists the Levying Authorities along with their Property Taxes, (TRIM Notices), proposed assessments, the purpose of the assessments, contact and information, and the dates, times and places of their budget hearings.

Notices of Proposed Non1. Request an informal conference

Ad Valorem Assessments in one At press time our printer was still preparing the 2009 TRIM notice so mailing.

The partnership will save with the Property Appraiser to we’re including a TRIM map based on the 2008 notice for you to share Sarasota County taxpayers in excess discuss the correctness of your with your clients. Once the notices are mailed you will be able to view and of $80,000. property value or exemption status. copy them on the Property Appraiser’s website, www.SC‐PA.com The TRIM notice provides Call (941) 861-8200 or visit either

taxpayers with a comparison of of our offices: How to contest market values and exemption denials. the actual 2008 ad valorem taxes, - 2001 Adams Lane, Sarasota

market values, assessed values, - 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Ste Taxpayers may take one, two, or all three of these steps to contest the exemptions, and taxable values to 115, Venice.

Property Appraiser’s determination of market value and exemption what eligibility. is proposed for 2009.

Each Taxing Authority is listed 2. File a petition with the Value 1. the Request an informal conference with the Property Appraiser to along with taxes they propose Adjustment Board (VAB) no later to assess, theirdiscuss the correctness of your property value or exemption contact information, than 25 days after the TRIM status. Call (941) 861‐8200 or visit either of our offices. and the dates, times and locations Notice is mailed.

2001 Adams Lane, Sarasota of their budget hearings.

4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Ste 115, Venice.

Petition forms are available at The Non-Ad Valorem Notice

our offices or at the following lists the Levying Authorities along 2. File a petition with the Value Adjustment Board, (VAB).no later with their proposed assessments, websites: than 25 days after the TRIM Notice is mailed. the purpose Petition forms are available at our offices or at the following of the assessments, Property Appraiser: www.SC-PA. contact information, and the dates, com websites, times and places ofProperty Appraiser: www.SC‐PA.com their budget Clerk of the Value Adjustment hearings.

Clerk of the VAB: www.sarasotaclerk.com Board: www.sarasotaclerk.com Florida Department of Revenue: At press time our printer was still Florida Department of Revenue: www.myflorida.com/dor/property preparing the 2009 TRIM notice

so we’re including a TRIM map www.myflorida.com/dor/property 3.

File a civil action in Circuit Court. This can be done whether or based on the 2008 notice for you to share withnot a petition is filed or someone meets with an appraiser. If you your clients.

3. File a civil action in Circuit choose this route we suggest you contact a legal professional to Once the assist you in the process. notices are mailed, Court. This can be done whether

you will be able to view and copy them on the Property Appraiser’s website, www.SC-PA.com How to contest market values and exemption denials.

AUGUST 2009

or not a petition is filed or someone meets with an appraiser. If you choose this route we suggest you contact a legal professional to assist you in the process.

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

Preliminary Just (Market) Values for Sarasota County and Municipalities: 7/1/2009

2008 Sarasota Cnty: $73.0 billion 2009 Sarasota Cnty: $62.2 billion ‐14.7%

2008 City of Sarasota: $13.6 billion 2009 City of Sarasota: $11.9 billion ‐12.5%

2008 City of Venice: $4.7 billion 2009 City of Venice: $4.1 billion ‐12.7%

2008 Longboat Key: $4.8 billion 2009 Longboat Key: $4.2 billion ‐12.5%

2008 North Port: $5.2 billion 2009 North Port: $4.1 billion ‐21.1%

Save Our Homes Assessed Value Increase for 2009

Every year, as provided by §193.155(1) F.S., the assessed value of homestead property increases no more than 3% or the increase in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower. For 2009 the CPI is 0.1%! This represents the lowest rate since Save Our Homes took effect in 1995. For example if a homestead had an assessed value of $100,000 in 2008 the assessed value in 2009 will be $100,100. Of course, assessed value can never exceed market value. Thus, if the property’s 2009 market value drops below the 2008 assessed value, then the 2009 market and assessed value would be the same.

Visit our website, www.SC‐PA.com for more 2009 statistical information.

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Your Proposed Property Tax Notice (TRIM) Explanation Tax Bills Mailed in November by the Tax Collector’s Office.

Property ID A unique number identifying your property.

Taxing Authorities The government bodies authorized to levy taxes on the property; includes County, School Board, Municipalities, etc.

Public Hearing Dates Places, dates and times each taxing authority will hold its initial public hearing on its proposed budget and tax rates. Call the number on the notice if you have any questions about the proposed taxes.

Market Value The Property Appraiser’s determination of value as of January 1.

Considers the selling price of comparable properties, income derived from the property, the replacement cost of improvements and other factors such as location and condition.

Assessed Value Reflects the 3% assessment increase limitation that begins on the year after the homestead is first granted. For a nonhomestead property the value increase is limited to 10% for nonschool taxes.

Exemptions Shown for the current and prior tax years. If you are missing an exemption for which you applied, please contact the Property Appraiser’s Office immediately.

(941) 861-8200

Taxable Value The remainder of your Assessed Value minus your Exemptions.

The Taxable Value is multiplied by the Tax Rate set by the governing authorities to establish your annual property tax bill.

If you disagree with the Market Value set by the Property Appraiser’s Office or feel you should have qualified for an exemption not shown, please contact our office for an informal review. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may file a formal petition with the county’s Value Adjustment Board (VAB) before the deadline stated above.

Establishes Market Value of all properties as of January 1.

Call (941) 861‐8200 if you have a question about your value.

Adopts budgets to

be funded by taxes.

If you have a question about your tax rates, refer to the TRIM notice for contact & public hearing info.

Sends tax bills in November and collects taxes and assessments.

Call (941) 861‐8300, Option 3, if you have a question about your payment.

Ethics in Action 14

c

Realtor® allows home to sell below value Case #1-15: Obligation to Advise Client on Market Value (Originally Case #2-1. Revised and transferred to Article 7 as Case #7-19 May, 1988. Transferred to Article 1 November, 1994.)

Client A went from his hotel to Realtor® B’s office and advised that he formerly lived in the community, and had kept his home as an income property after he moved away. The house had been vacant for several months and he had decided to sell it.

He asked if Realtor® B could drive him to look at it.

As they inspected it, Client A stated that he would be happy to get $80,000 for it.

Realtor® B listed it at that price and after a few days it was sold to Buyer C. Six months later, Client A was in town again. Hoping to recover a box of old photographs he had left in the attic, he called on Buyer C, whom he had met at settlement. When he arrived he found that Buyer D then lived in the house.

He expressed some surprise that Buyer C had sold it so soon, and learned that Buyer D paid $140,000 for it.

Astonished, Client A then made some inquiries as to market values and learned that he had grossly under priced his house when listing it with Realtor® B. He went to the Board of Realtors® office and filed a complaint against Realtor® B charging him with unethical conduct in not having advised him as to the property’s fair market value.

At the hearing, Realtor® B’s defense was that he had not been asked to put a price on the house, but had accepted agency on the basis of a price set by the client; that the client had stated he “would be happy” to get $80,000 for it; that he was glad to get a listing that would move quickly in the market; that he had done nothing unethical since he had not bought it himself; AUGUST 2009

and that while he had honestly pointed out to the buyer that the house was a bargain, he had made no effort to induce relatives or business associates to buy it.

On questioning, he conceded that after looking at the house with Client A, he realized the property was being listed at about half its fair market value, but insisted that was his client’s business; that different owners have different reasons for selling and pricing their property, but acknowledged that Client A had not indicated that he needed a quick sale or that he would make any price concession.

The Hearing Panel pointed out that brokers have no hesitation in advising clients that properties are overpriced when this is the case, and they are obligated to be equally candid in providing their best judgment to clients when properties being offered for sale are obviously underpriced.

The panel concluded that in view of the wide discrepancy between the owner’s asking price and the property’s market value, which Realtor® B conceded was apparent to him, it was Realtor® B’s obligation as an agent to advise his client that the house was worth considerably more, especially since it was apparent that Client A had been away from the community for years and was out of touch with local values. The Hearing Panel found Realtor® B in violation of Article 1.

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

www.sarasotarealtors.com

Sales and prices up in Sarasota market

SAR statistics graphics, charts always appear on Pages 16-17 Home sales in the Sarasota real estate market rose above the 600 level for only the second time in 26 months in June 2009, while the median sale price rose for both single family and condos, once again demonstrating a market in the initial stages of recovery.

Inventory levels once again dropped markedly, and the months of home supply on the market (a key indicator) – the number of months it would theoretically take to sell all the current properties for sale – now stands at 9.97 months for single family homes and 16.1 months for condos. The figures were 14.3 months for single family homes and 19.0 months for condominiums in May 2009, and 15.2 months and 22.9 months in April 2009. The clear trend is toward the figure of 6 months, which indicates a market in balance (anything below 6 months indicates a return to a seller’s market).

The overall sales level of 610 included 449 single family homes and 161 condos, which bested last month’s total figure of 506 sales by 20.4 percent. June 2009 was also better than June 2008, which saw only 541 overall sales. The last time sales topped the 600 level was in May 2008, when sales hit 627. Prior to that, there were 653 sales in March 2007.

Pending sales also remained at very high levels, with 866 properties going under contract in June 2009. Pending sales have dropped off slightly from the 929 reported in May 2009 and the near record 981 pending sales reported in April 2009.

But the total of 866 was 50 percent higher than the 579 pending sales reported in June 2008, and pending sales have now exceeded the 500 level for the 18th consecutive month, and the 800 level for the fourth straight month. Generally, pendings trend downward during the summer months, the slower sales season.

The statistic is a strong indicator for the next two or three months of sales, when many of these pendings will become closed sales. Pending sales reflect contracts executed by buyers and sellers during the month.

“There has been very high interest in the federal $8,000 first-time home buyer credit, and this has helped spur the market,” noted 2009 SAR President Bill Geller. “The credit expires on Nov. 30, 2009, so local Realtors® should strongly urge their clients to get started in the process in order to close the sales before that date.”

Geller said in addition to the positive factor of the tax credit, the national recession and job market woes have held

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down what could have been a major surge in home sales. But despite the negatives in the national economy, the local real estate market continues to show signs of recovery.

“Our market was one of the national hot spots for the real estate boom in 2003-2005, so naturally we experienced a rough couple of years as the market moved toward more normal, realistic pricing,” explained Geller.

“But now, the community’s incredible amenities and the attractive real estate prices are taking center stage, and we’re seeing the recovery taking root here.”

The median sale price for single family homes stood at $190,000 in June 2009, up 22.6 percent from the $155,000 figure in May 2009. The median sales price for condominiums stood at $250,000 in June 2009, a whopping 38 percent higher than the $181,000 in May 2009. While prices have started to climb, they are still lower than June 2008, primarily due to the high number of short sales and foreclosures. Last June, the median sales prices were $250,000 for single family and $275,000 for condominiums.

The median price of all single family homes sold in the last 12 months was $180,000, compared to a median of $269,000 for the 12 months ending in July 2008. For condominiums sold in the last 12 months, the median sales price was $212,000, compared to last year’s figure of $340,000. * The inventory levels in the Sarasota real estate market in June 2009 continue to decline for both single family homes and condominium. There were 4,477 single family homes and 2,587 condos on the market in June 2009, compared to 5,380 single family homes and 2,488 condos the previous month.

The overall decline was from 7,868 to 7,064 properties – a 10 percent drop. *A 12-month rolling median price is not as susceptible to the volatility that can occur within any particular month, which sometimes results in drastic statistical swings up or down from one month to the next.

John Kiernan Phone

CERTIFIED GRADUATE REMODELER AGING-IN-PLACE SPECIALIST SELECTED TOP 50 IN AMERICA State Lic. # CBC040759

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

4007 39th Street East, Bradenton, FL 34208

941 748-1219 Cell

941 726-2318 Fax

941 745-2558

www.kiernanremodeling.com

AUGUST 2009

15

Sarasota MLSSM Statistics June 2009 Single Family Condo

Unit Sales 500 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Jun‐08

Jul‐08

Aug‐08

Sep‐08

Oct‐08

Nov‐08

Dec‐08

Jan‐09

Feb‐09

Mar‐09

Apr‐09 May‐09

Jun‐09

Single Family Condo

Median Sale Price $400,000 $350,000 $300,000 $250,000 $200,000 $150,000 $100,000 $50,000 $0 Jun‐08

Jul‐08

Aug‐08

Sep‐08

Oct‐08

Nov‐08 Dec‐08

Jan‐09

Feb‐09

Mar‐09 Apr‐09 May‐09

Jun‐09

Single Family

#Active

#Sold

%Sold

Average DOM

Median Sale Prices

Median Last 12 Months

Months Inventory

Pending Reported

%Pending

# New Listings

# Off Market

This Month

4477

449

9.97

162

$190,000

$180,000

9.97

641

21.1

642

384

This Month Last Year

9108

398

4.4

159

$250,000

$269,000

22.9

481

5.3

1124

523

5380

375

7.0

195

$155,000

$205,000

14.3

719

13.4

694

412

‐

2447

‐

174

$155,000

‐

‐

4607

‐

4882

‐

Oct 93.1 ‐

Nov 92.0 ‐

Dec 93.0 ‐

Last Month YTD

Jan 92.0 93.0

2008 2009

Single Family – Sale Price Vs. List Price % Rates Feb 92.0 93.1

Mar 93.2 92.5

Apr 93.3 92.4

May 92.0 93.2

Jun 93.0 93.8

Jul 93.0 ‐

Aug 92.0 ‐

Sept 93.1 ‐

Statistics were compiled on properties listed in the MLS by members of the Sarasota Association of Realtors® as of July 10th, including some listings in Manatee, Englewood, Venice, and other areas. Single-family statistics are tabulated using property styles of single-family, half duplex, and manufactured. Condo statistics include condo, co-op, townhouse, and villa. Sarasota Association of Realtors® Source: 16

AUGUST 2009

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

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Sarasota MLSSM Statistics June 2009 Single Family Condo

Inventory 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 Jun‐08

Jul‐08

Aug‐08 Sep‐08

Oct‐08 Nov‐08 Dec‐08

Jan‐09

Feb‐09 Mar‐09 Apr‐09 May‐09 Jun‐09 Single Family Condo

Pending Sales 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 Jun‐08

Jul‐08

Aug‐08

Sep‐08

Oct‐08

Nov‐08

Dec‐08

Jan‐09

Feb‐09

Mar‐09

Apr‐09 May‐09

Jun‐09

Condo

#Active

#Sold

%Sold

Average DOM

Median Sale Prices

Median Last 12 Months

Months of Inventory

Pending Reported

%Pending

# New Listings

# Off Market

2587

161

6.2

224

$250,000

$212,000

16.1

225

12.6

146

255

4765

143

3.0

178

$275,000

$340,000

33.3

150

3.1

420

215

2488

131

5.3

203

$181,000

$230,000

19.0

210

8.4

234

241

‐

730

‐

195

$200,000

‐

‐

1119

‐

2122

‐

Nov 91.0 ‐

Dec 91.0 ‐

This Month This Month Last Year Last Month YTD

Condo – Sale Price Vs. List Price % Rates

2008 2009

Jan 91.0 91.0

Feb 91.1 90.2

Mar 91.0 90.4

Apr 91.0 92.2

May 92.0 90.1

Jun 92.0 91.4

Jul 93.0 ‐

Aug 90.0 ‐

Sept 90.0 ‐

Oct 91.0 ‐

Median sales price is the middle value, where half of the homes sold for more, and half sold for less. Listings sold were closed transactions during the month, while pending sales account for contracts executed by buyers and sellers during the month, that may not have closed yet. DOM indicates the average number of days that sold properties were on the market before a contract was executed.

Sarasota Association of Realtors® MLS www.sarasotarealtors.com

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

AUGUST 2009

17

Commercial Investment Division 18

Commercial sector an economic backbone

Having a sound and well functioning commercial and multifamily real estate sector is critical to our country’s economic growth and development, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

In testimony on Capitol Hill before the Joint Economic Committee, NAR noted that commercial real estate supports more than 9 million jobs and services.

“In fact, as many as 6.5 million jobs that have been lost in the economic downturn have come from the office, industrial, retail and multifamily sector,” said NAR Treasurer Jim Helsel, a Realtor® who has specialized in commercial real estate for more than 34 years.

“The overall economic crisis in the financial market is directly impacting the fundamentals of the commercial real estate market, causing the worst liquidity challenge since the early 1990s,” Helsel said.

Commercial real estate generates billions of dollars in federal, state and local tax revenue, making it a vital engine to the nation’s economic growth and prosperity.

“Many of us in commercial real estate have been warning for some time that the liquidity crisis facing our industry has the potential to wreak havoc on the overall economy,” Helsel said. NAR has cautioned that the ramifications of a widespread collapse in the commercial real estate markets would exacerbate the Continued on P. 31, See COMMERCIAL

Tuesday, Aug. 18 Program: Terry Turner, Sarasota City Commissioner, City of Sarasota Budget; Sponsor - BB&T Tuesday, Sept. 21 Program: Benderson rowing development Thursday, Oct. 8 CID Golf & Reception at TPC Prestancia

Oct. 20 Program: Realtor/Attorney Committee Nov. 17 Program: Robbins Real Estate Wednesday, Dec. 16 CID Annual Holiday Breakfast (tentatively at Hyatt Sarasota) - Sponsor: Wachovia

CID programs and events for 2009

AUGUST 2009

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

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Commercial Investment Division Sarasota Association of REALTORS®

Golf & Reception at TPC Prestancia October 8, 2009 Golf:

Sign-in at 11:30 a.m.

Shotgun start at 12:30 p.m.

Box Lunch Included Cash Bar opens at 5:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m. Hors D’oeurvres & Raffle Prizes

Proceeds to benefit these CID Charities.

Detach & Return, with payment, to: CID, Sarasota Association of Realtors, 3590 S. Tuttle Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34239

Make your own foursome or we’ll place you.

Name

Phone

Enclosed is my check for $

Golf—Reception- $99 After 9/24: $110

Reception Only $35 After 9/24: $45

Total

made payable to the Commercial Investment Division.

Company Name:

Email: Mastercard

Credit Card No: Expiration Date:

Golf Only—$75 After 9/24: $85

Security Code:

VISA

Amex

Education Programs

Verizon offers free advice on smart phones Blackberry and Smart Phone Tips & Tricks Dates: Two sessions on Aug. 31 (1) 9 to 10 a.m.

(2) 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

(Q&A follows each session) Place: SAR Auditorium Cost: Free to SAR members; $10 others A team of Verizon company representatives will be presenting two seminars on the Blackberry and smart phones in late August at SAR. But you don’t have to be a Verizon customer to benefit—other cell phone customers can also take advantage of their expertise!

The discussion will be centered around what smart phones can do for you as a

professional real estate practitioner.

The team will cover the pros and cons of different brands, so even if you don’t have a smart phone yet but you are considering buying one, this seminar will help you choose the best phone for you.

You will be able to get your questions answered during the Q & A. Also, team members will be happy to give you individual attention.

We expect this free seminar to fill up quickly, so please register today at www.sarasotarealtors.com.

Continuing Education course slated in August

14-Hours Continuing Education for License Renewal Dates: Aug. 11 & 12 Times: 9 a.m. to Noon, 1 to 5 p.m.

Instructor: IFREC Cost: SAR Members $79; Non-members, $99 Core Law—9-Noon, Aug. Cost: $30 SAR Members; $50 Non-Members

The Institute of Florida Real Estate Careers, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, will provide the 14-hour license renewal course for SAR. Founded in 1983, the Institute of Florida Real Estate Careers, Inc.

(IFREC) is recognized as the leader in Florida real estate education.

This session provides the full 14-hours of continuing education needed for license renewal. The 14-hours CE includes 3 hours of Core Law. Or, you may opt to take Core Law only which consists of the first three hours of the 14 hours.

SAR members, please go to www.sarasotarealtors. com to register for the live course. Non-members, go to the education tab at the top of the home page (www. sarasotarealtors.com) to download a registration form that can be completed and faxed to SAR.

Bankruptcy seminar being planned for Sept. 30 Bankruptcy Seminar Date: Sept. 30 Times: 9 to 11 a.m.

Cost: SAR Members: $10; others, $20 The Realtor®-Attorney Joint Committee is developing a seminar that will bring Realtors® up to speed on the

20

AUGUST 2009

issues regarding bankruptcy in real estate sales.

Is it a good idea or not for an upside-down owner to file Chapter 7? Chapter 11? Chapter 13? This seminar is the fourth in a series on distressed properties presented by the Realtor®-Attorney Joint Committee, a joint committee of the Sarasota County Bar Association and the Sarasota Association of Realtors®.

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

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Gain expertise with MLXchange instruction Pre-registration is required for all MLXchange classes at www.mfrmls. com. All classes are hands-on in the SAR Technology Center (except for Entering and Updating). Registration is limited to 18. Please be sure that you will attend if you reserve a spot!

MLXchange Basic Aug. 3, 9 a.m. to Noon Aug. 18, 9 a.m. to Noon Learn the basic tools of MLXchange.

It does the work for you, emailing the listings that match your client’s criteria automatically through auto notification.

Learn the quick way to find a listing or view your inventory with one click right from the home page or create a professional CMA in less time than it takes to drive to work.

This is a mandatory session for all new users.

- Review the home page features - Add a new client from the search module, saving a search and setting prospecting notification features - Searching and viewing listings, using the map, showing road, aerial, hybrid, and locator features - Adding additional search criteria - Viewing/printing/emailing reports, images, virtual tours, tax, map, driving directions and MLS listing history - Customizing hotsheet configurations - Search Tax - Creating a professional CMA - Personalize user contact information

data - Rules and Regulations - Review the profile sheet - Entering a new listing, using tax auto pop, reviewing the fields that have specific entries in the Rules and Regulations - Adding images, attachments, open house information, Supra Key and ShowingTime - Inventory watch - easiest way to modify the listings

favorite area.

MLXchange Advanced Aug. 6, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Take MLXchange to the next level!

In this session you will learn how to customize a search & display screens, personal website links and setup & save advanced searches.

- Creating a custom template, adding fields, changing the display order - Foreclosure, fixer upper, and vacant listings with lockbox access Design Web Pages, Capture Leads - Customizing columns, adding/ Aug. 27, 9 a.m. to Noon removing fields, changing the column One of the most crucial components headers and changing the field sort in today’s real estate professional’s day-to- order day business is capturing and handling - Edit favorite reports, personalize leads along with time management. This home page resource link and setting course will teach you how to set up your defaults personal agent and client web pages, Entering and Updating Listings in contact management and scheduling Creating a Professional CMA MLXchange features that go hand-in-hand with a Aug. 6, 9 a.m. to Noon Aug. 3, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. successful real estate business.

Aug. 18, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

One of the most crucial components in This class is mandatory if you will today’s real estate professional’s day-tobe entering and updating your own day business is capturing and handling listings. You will be taught how to input iMapp - Interactive Tax leads along with time management. and modify listings, enter photos, and and Mailing Labels This course will teach you how to add attachments along with valuable Aug. 27, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

In this class you will learn how to use set up your personal agent and client tips and techniques. the tax search features of MLXchange, web pages, contact management and - Listing maintenance authorization access iMapp’s interactive maps, tax scheduling features that go handforms data, comparables, auto-valuations, and in-hand with a successful real estate - Explain the importance of accurate easily create mailing labels for your business. www.sarasotarealtors.com

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

AUGUST 2009

21

Grab the Seven Keys to Real Estate Success Dates: Sept. 8-Nov. 11, 2009 SAR Member Cost: $49.95 (entire series) or $10 per 3-hour session Non-SAR Members: $20 per session So, you’re back from summer vacation and ready to gear yourself up for the selling season.

The Professional Development Committee has prepared this backto-basics course with you in mind.

It’s just what all the experts have been saying that everyone needs to tackle this challenging market. Learn how you can get back on the ladder to real estate success!

This is a practical, hands-on course that will complement the more theoretical training received in license and post-license courses. The program is based on the time-tested “Real Estate Success Series” developed by the National Association of Realtors® and updated and customized for the Sarasota market by the Florida

1. Prospecting and Lead Generation—Wednesday, Sept. 9 2. Personal Marketing & Promotion—Monday, Sept. 21 3. The Professional: Goal Setting, Time Management, Successful Selling—Monday, Oct. 5 4. Property Inspection and CMAs—Wednesday, Oct. 21 5. Listing Presentation— Monday, Nov. 2 6. Marketing the Property and Servicing the Listing— Wednesday, Nov. 4 7. Buyers: Qualifying, Selecting and Demonstrating Property, Presenting Offers— Wednesday, Nov. 11 Association of Realtors® and the Sarasota Association of Realtors®.

Mark your calendar now! Classes will be held from 9 a.m. to Noon at the Sarasota Association of Realtors®:

Complete instructor details will be forthcoming on the SAR web site (www.sarasotarealtors.com). Please note - there will be no Continuing Education credits from these courses.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Dedication and hard work pay off!! We congratulate our members who recently completed the requirements for these National Association of Realtors® designation and certificate programs.

GRADUATE REALTOR® INSTITUTE (GRI) Lawrence P. Bauman Award Real Estate Services Jill D. Berg RE/MAX Alliance Group Angela C. Bryson Palm Realty Services Steven Dipsiner Blakeley and Associates Alexander T. Krumm RE/MAX Alliance Group Mag Mahoney Hunt Real Estate ERA Lisa A. Skirball Michael Saunders & Company

e-PRO CERTIFICATION (e-PRO)

Arnold DuFont Signature Sotheby’s Realty CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST (CRS)

Michael Moulton Michael Saunders & Company

Elizabeth Phillips Michael Saunders & Company 22

AUGUST 2009

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

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Last year, when Joy Tarbell reviewed a sales associate’s annual marketing plan, she did a double take. An essential component seemed to have been left out. “No direct mail?” she asked.

“Direct mail is what works for me,” says Tarbell, CRB, CRS®, broker-owner of Joy Tarbell Realty in North Conway, N.H. “It was hard to believe that someone could skip it and be successful.”

Hard to believe, but easy to confirm.

All of Tarbell’s sales associates record their leads through a back-office system designed specifically for real estate professionals. Tarbell quickly ran a source-of-business report to analyze the associate’s leads. “Sure enough, it didn’t make sense for him to do direct mail,” she says. His volume of closings from personal networking and referral strategies proved that his strategy was working.

There was a time when Tarbell would have had to guess to reach that conclusion. “When I started the company [in 1994], I didn’t have any methods for tracking results,” she says.

Today, using management software from Lucero Summit and metrics analysis tools from Terradatum, Tarbell can easily check the pulse of her business. She set up her system to generate several key reports each month. Her pet metric is a gross commission income report that tells her which practitioners are soaring and which are slumping.

A pending closings report lets her know what’s in the pipeline, while an agent rankings report shows how her associates stack up against their competition.

Duke Kuehn, who runs Pacific NW Consulting Services in Tacoma, Wash., can’t imagine running a real estate office or any other business without a commitment to tracking results through performance www.sarasotarealtors.com

metrics.

“These are like the instruments on your car dashboard,” says Kuehn, who specializes in helping commercial real estate companies become more profitable. “You can drive without any instruments, but you’d run into all sorts of problems.”

Yet, performance data—whether it comes from a speedometer or a spreadsheet—are useful only when acted upon. “Some people collect data because they think it’s cool, but the information just sits on a shelf,” Kuehn says. “You need to use it to improve performance and set goals.”

For your efforts to be worthwhile, you also must create benchmarks that put data into context. “You need points of comparison,” Kuehn says.

For example, if an associate converts one out of 20 cold calls into a listing, there’s no way for a broker to know if that’s good, bad, or average unless that number can be compared with the associate’s past performance or with that of other associates.

Choose Metrics That Matter With the array of technology available today, the ability to track results is not the problem. The real challenge is deciding what to track.

The difficulty of getting deals done in the current market motivated Scott Bader to find out how well his sales associates work with salespeople from competing offices. “If you make it easy for other people to sell your listing, that’s going to show up [in the bottom line],” says Bader, CRB, CRS®, broker-owner of Coldwell Banker Door County Horizons near Green Bay, Wis. He started tracking deals that his associates close in tandem with other practitioners using productivity software from Real Estate Real Easy and online tools from Coldwell Banker. He also monitors listings taken, listings sold, average sales

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

price, and average commission—data that helps his associates set goals. “If you want to make $50,000 a year, you need to know how many homes you’ll have to sell,” Bader said.

Verl Workman, a Salt Lake City broker and real estate consultant, has had success using business tracking software from Lone Wolf Real Estate Technologies to monitor associates’ progress on new leads. The system can automatically transfer leads from one salesperson to the next if the original salesperson isn’t following through. “One of the biggest problems brokers have today is they get all these leads, hand them off to agents, and never track them,” says Workman, cofounder of Pinnacle Quest Consulting. “If agents aren’t willing to enter the data in our system and track their work, they shouldn’t get the leads.”

Workman also suggests using visitor data from online listing platforms to track consumer interest in properties. Virtual tour provider Obeo records the number of people who tour each room of an online listing, providing a level of detail that “gives me more information to have an intelligent conservation with a client,” Workman says. He recently used such data to convince a seller to bump the buyer agent’s commission from 3 percent to 4 percent to spark more showings.

Keeping It Simple While performance metrics are an invaluable business tool, there is such a thing as excessive measuring. The power of today’s technology makes it tempting to go overboard. “You want to hit the sweet spot,” Kuehn says.

“You want to collect just the right amount of data.”

In the end, the tracking tool you choose isn’t as important as your attitude toward business metrics, Kuehn says. - Realtor® Magazine Online

AUGUST 2009

Broker Corner

Tracking what works makes a difference

23

Florida’s Quality of Life: ‘Home Sweet Home’

What does Florida have to offer? Pick up a travel brochure and some benefits are clear: Beautiful beaches. Miles of scenic parks and nature preserves. Oceans, rivers and lakes offering boating, fishing, swimming and other water recreation. A rich and varied history, which includes the city of St. Augustine, the oldest permanent European settlement in the mainland United States. Unique entertainment parks and other family-friendly attractions. Cultural activities that offer residents and visitors fine theater, music, dance and arts events.

Then there is Florida’s climate featuring an average annual high of 81 degrees Fahrenheit and an average annual low of 60 degrees, giving the Sunshine State its well-known nickname and reputation.

“Florida is a great place to live and I feel privileged to call it home,” said 2009 Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR) President Cynthia Shelton.

“There is so much to see, to experience and to enjoy in Florida, from the distinctive white sugar sand beaches of Destin in the north, to the family fun offered by Orlando’s theme parks and attractions, to the leisurely, laid-back lifestyle in the Keys. Whatever you like to do, you’ll find it here in Florida. We have visitors coming here from around the world to vacation in Florida. But they only get to sample what Florida offers for a brief time; when you’re lucky enough to be a Florida homeowner, there’s no end to the possibilities!”

State officials, Florida Realtors® and business recruiters agree: Florida’s unique quality of life is one of the state’s best assets. Enterprise Florida, a public-private partnership devoted to statewide economic development, notes on its Web site (http:// www.eflorida.com) many of the amenities found in the Sunshine State.

• Florida beaches were awarded more top 10 spots than any other state, including the No. 1 beach in the U.S., Caladesi Island State Park, on America’s Best Beaches list for 2008. This internationally recognized ranking by Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman (aka Dr. Beach) is based on 50 criteria including number of sunny days, sand softness, algae and pollution content, safety record, and more. Leatherman is a Ph.D. coastal scientist, professor of environmental studies and director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University in Miami.

• The state’s park system, one of the largest in the U.S., has 160 parks covering more than 700,000 acres and 100

24

AUGUST 2009

miles of Florida’s beaches.

• Seven of Relocate-America’s Top 100 Places to Live in 2008 were Florida cities, including one, Flagler Beach, which was named to the Top 10. These rankings attest to Florida’s high quality of life, and are based on a combination of economic data and feedback from people who live in each area.

• In many ways, Florida’s cost of living is below that of other states with similar economic growth and in-migration rates. For example, the state’s homeownership rate currently stands at about 70 percent, well above the national average.

And, with data from the Florida Association of Realtors showing that $187,800 was the statewide median price for an existing home at year-end 2008, housing prices compare well to other similar states.

• Noted for its outstanding statewide system of trails, Florida was named the Best Trails State in America, winning the biennial National Trails Award in this past November from the national nonprofit organization American Trails.

• Five Florida universities were named to the Best Values in Public Colleges list for 2009 by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. The schools are University of Florida, ranking No. 2 in the nation; New College of Florida, No. 8; Florida State University, No. 17; University of Central Florida, No. 42; and the University of South Florida, No. 75. Among other criteria, these rankings recognize schools with top academics and affordable costs. - FAR

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

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NOMINEES From Page 9

numerous accolades including the President’s Award, Chairman of the Year, Realtor® of the Year in 1993, to name just a few.

For the past number of years, Dave has been a Manager and the Director of Education with RE/MAX Alliance Group. Dave is currently a member of the SAR Executive Committee, serving as Secretary of the SAR Board of Directors. Additionally, Dave has served as a past Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Professional Development committee, and the Chairman of a sub committee that was responsible for developing SAR’s basic educational program called “14 Key Strategies for Real Estate Success”.

Bryan Guentner, CRS, ABR, ePro, RE/ MAX Platinum, has practiced real estate in Florida since 1986, and has been a licensed broker since 1988. He has served on the SAR Board of Directors since 2002, and is a current board member.

Bryan has also been active in several other local organizations, including the Sarasota County Historical Commission, the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Association of Realtors®, the National Association of Realtors®, the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, and others.

Married to Cheryl L. Guentner for 17 Years, Bryan has an 8-year-old son, Brandon, and 5-year-old daughter, Anna. He is an author of several published articles on real estate issues, and is a previous winner of the RE/ MAX Hall of Fame award.

Anthony Homer is a Commercial www.sarasotarealtors.com

Real Estate Associate and Property Manager with Hembree & Associates.

He specializes in commercial real estate sales, leasing and property management in the Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

Anthony is past Chair of Sarasota Young Realtors® and is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Commercial Investment Division of SAR. Anthony has also served as the moderator for many SAR events, including economic summits, and the fall political forums. Anthony grew up in Hong Kong and speaks, reads and writes Cantonese and Mandarin fluently. He is married to Coquina Homer and the father of two boys, Cole and Adam.

Christina Pitchford, Allen Real Estate, is an uncommon 5th generation Floridian, a 3rd generation Realtor® and Sarasota native.

She presently serves on the SAR Board.

It is precisely her positive attitude and unbridled commitment that allow her to understand the heart of each family or investor’s commercial and/or residential real estate goals in order to skillfully negotiate a happy ending for all parties involved.

Christina is also highly motivated regarding education and involvement with the Sarasota Association of Realtors®. So far she has become a Green Certified Real Estate Professional-Green Leadership (GCREP-GL), a certified e-PRO® Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

Internet Professional (e-PRO®) and a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM). Her commitment to SAR includes serving on the committee for the Sarasota Young Realtors® group, membership in the Green Realtor® Alliance of Sarasota and helping plan the inaugural trade mission tour of the United Kingdom in 2008.

Two-Year Director (to fill a vacancy) Mike Rosario, Rosebay Realty, was born in Puerto Rico and moved to New York City at an early age.

After attending Queens College, he began his professional career as an Employee Relations Consultant with Chemical Bank in their human resources office and ultimately attained the coveted position of Specialty recruiter.

In 1981, Mike joined People Express Airlines, where he moved rapidly up the ranks to the position of Team Manager, a Director level position in the People Express Hierarchy.

Mike opted for an early retirement and relocated to Sarasota, Florida where he opened RoseBay Real Estate, Inc. He has been the broker/owner of Rosebay Real Estate, Inc since 1989. Mike’s current and past affiliations include: Member of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce; Member of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce; Director of the Manatee County nursery schools; Director of the Manatee Association of Realtors®, where he was recently appointed Treasurer; Chair of the SAR Community Outreach Committee; Vice President of the Village of the Arts guild; and most recently he was appointed director of the East Bradenton Central Community Redevelopment agency.

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Affiliate Focus 26

How should you shoot real estate video?

By JEFF DEUITCH SAR Affiliate Member Video is rapidly becoming the most powerful medium for communication of visual content.

Video can provide a continuous and thorough documentary of properties and can include narration or other agent messages which allow the selling process to begin immediately. Additionally, real estate professionals can embed commercials about themselves in their web sites or even prepare personally narrated tours of their listings or featured properties.

However, some common problems exist when shooting real estate which can discourage agents from utilizing video. Additionally, raw footage does not have a professional feel and requires some editing. In this article we will discuss how to overcome these obstacles and optimize the power of video.

CAMCORDER USE: Shaky video results from manual handling of the camcorder while recording. This is exacerbated by operator movement, such as walking, while recording.

Shaky video is prevented by using a tripod. For panning across a room, or capturing a vertical floor to ceiling shot, a tripod with the pan/tilt head will be required. Consult a camera shop for available models. The sensation of moving though a property can be accomplished by zooming. However, zooming should be done slowly to prevent abruptness. Many camcorders have variable zoom speed that is adjusted in the camcorder’s menus or via changing finger pressure on the zoom control. Fast zooms definitely result in an uncomfortable effect and should be avoided.

If a “walk through” video is desired, then some rules for manually handling a camera should be observed.

The camcorder should not be positioned at eye level or held with one hand. This will result in poor control over camcorder steadiness.

For typical, small camcorders, hold with both hands near waist or chest level with the camcorder pressed against the body. A wide stance with one foot placed well in front of the other and the legs slightly bent should be used. Weight should be shifted toward the rear leg. For pans, keep the camera pointed straight ahead and rotate at the waist. For tilts, pivot the front

AUGUST 2009

of the camcorder up or down while keeping it pressed against the body, For filming while walking, keep the camcorder pointed straight ahead and walk slowly with legs bent. This allows the body to absorb vibration and the camcorder to stay relatively steady.

Changes in lighting during filming can cause abrupt brightness shifts in the video which can be dramatic and distracting. This is caused by the camcorder automatically adjusting exposure to accommodate the brightest object in the scene at the expense of darker objects.

This commonly occurs when a window enters the view of the camcorder. To prevent this, try to keep windows out of the picture. If unavoidable, disable the automatic exposure feature in the camera and set exposure manually while looking in the viewing screen.

Most camcorders have a backlight setting that can compensate for bright backgrounds. Some exposure problems can be fixed during the editing process, although it is best to prevent exposure related problems while filming. Knowing your camera settings and controls will result in much better video.

Experimentation and practice will help users overcome problems due to camera handling.

EDITING: Raw video footage will need to be edited to obtain a professional looking movie. A wide range of video editing products are available. All Windows computers have Windows Movie Maker preinstalled.

This program allows unwanted content to be removed and also allows individual clips to be joined with ornate transitions thereby giving a smooth, visually appealing result. This program also allows the user to insert titles, music, and narration. However, aftermarket programs provide much greater versatility and control over content and effects. They come in a wide variety of prices.

Footage is typically downloaded into a computer with a Firewire or USB cable. However, some camcorders utilize removable media, such as memory cards, which can be inserted directly into a computer. Many options exist.

Once editing is complete, a final movie is “rendered” by the editing program and saved on the hard drive.

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

Continued on P. 27, See VIDEO

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VIDEO

From Page 26

The file format for the rendered movie is selected by the user. If making a DVD, typically the mpeg-2 format is used which is a very high quality format with very large file size. For web video, the use of compression is required to make the file size manageable. The emerging favorite for web compression is the H.264 codec. H.264 can be used for QuickTime or Flash formats. However, if uploading to video sharing sites, minimal compression should be applied since additional compression will be applied automatically by the hosting site. Unfortunately, Windows Movie Maker only renders in the Window Media format and does not utilize H.264.

INTERNATIONAL From Page 7

and the U.S. imported $1.97 trillion of goods and $378 billion of services.

With the expansion of international trade, the flow of people across borders has also increased rapidly. Thus, the demand for real estate in both residential and commercial sectors in conjunction with international transactions has been on the rise.

A U.S. affiliate is a U.S. business enterprise that is owned 10 percent or more, directly or indirectly, by a foreign person.

As of 2002, there were a total of 118,588 U.S. affiliates of foreign companies in the nation. This increased by 12 percent compared to 5 years before.

In Florida alone, there are 7,015 companies in this category.

They contribute to the local real estate industry by purchasing or renting commercial real estate properties for their business.

Once uploaded, video sharing sites typically generate a web link which can be included in e-mails or web sites for accessing the video. Additionally, embed code is provided to allow the video to be inserted directly in a web page.

This article has covered some basic techniques used in producing, editing, and deploying video. With some practice, these techniques can be used to create professional videos that can be very powerful marketing tools for properties, agents, or real estate businesses. No other medium possesses as much potential for the real estate professional.

Jeff Deuitch owns and operates Impact Video Tours, a video production company in Palmetto, specializing in corporate and real estate video. Jeff can be reached at 941-531-2122 or by e-mail at jeff@vid-tours.com. Web site address: www.vid-tours.com In addition, the frequent flows of staff and their families from home countries create greater housing demand.

Other topics at the Sept. 24-25 International Real Estate Congress, presented by a diverse group of authoritative international speakers, will include: -The State of Real Estate in Florida -Understanding the International Buyer’s Needs and Preferences -Sustainability and Green Issues in International Real Estate -Connecting With Top Countries Doing Business With the West Coast of Florida -The Changing Face of Immigration -Financial Considerations for Foreign Buyers Major sponsors of the event include: Lennar Homes - Silver Sponsor; Neal Communities - Silver Sponsor; MoneyCorp - Silver Sponsor; Scarlatelli P.A. Bronze Sponsor; and Kerkering Barberio - Bronze Sponsor.

Sarasota Young Realtors® update 2009 schedule The following is the current 2009 schedule of events for the Sarasota Young Realtors®, subject to change.

Meetings begin at 4 P.M. at SAR on the following dates: Sept. 8, Oct. 13, Nov. 10 and Dec. 8.

Socials begin at 5:30 P.M. (3rd Quarter at Cork & The Bottleshop, 29 N. Boulevard of the Arts -St. Armand’s Circle, Sarasota - on the following dates: Aug. 19, Sept.

16, Oct. 21, Nov. 18 and Dec. 16.

Luncheons begin at Noon at SAR on the following dates: Sept. 25, Oct. 30 and Nov. (TBD)

www.sarasotarealtors.com

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

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WCR plans big fashion show Sept. 23

By Janice Litke 2009 WCR President Save the date for “Hot Style in the City”. The Women’s Council of Realtors® will be holding their annual fashion show and expo on Wednesday Sept.

23rd at Michael’s on East. Ways and Means Chair, Sharyl Smith (Bank of Commerce) and Fashion Show Committee Co-Chairs Gail Shane (Neal Communities) and Melia Favorite (American Family Financial) are over the top this year and promises to be the best show ever! Fashions will be provided by Saks Fifth Avenue and there will be a trunk show, expo tables from various boutiques, silent and Chinese auctions, a raffle, and much more fun in store for you.

This is the perfect opportunity to participate and promote your business. Tickets will be limited and Sponsorship opportunities are still available. This year, we are sharing a portion of the proceeds with the Junior Achievement a charity organization whose mission is to prepare young people to succeed in the world of work.

Contact Gail Shane, gshane@nealcommunities.com, Melia Favorite, Favoritemelia@americanfamilyfinancial. org, or Sharyl Smith ssmith@bankofcommercefl.com, for more information, but don’t delay – September will be here before you know it!

We are pleased to announce the release of our new WCR website. Our new site has been redesigned with a fresh new look and has been updated with information about our latest membership services. Additionally, our new site will provide support and information for our upcoming Program Meetings, committee meetings, fundraisers, membership mixers and more. LogIn at www.SarasotaWCR.com to update your member profile. For questions or more information contact Denise Leider at Denise@DLeider.com .

Don’t forget to get your FREE National Member Expertise Profile. To enhance your presence in the online WCR National Referral Center go to www.

WCR.org. Log in to the Member Center. Update your Member Expertise Profile with your real estate expertise, cities served, industry involvement and more.

These listings are used to determine a member’s area of expertise for referrals, speaking and interview opportunities, organizational appointments and more.

This is a great, FREE benefit of your WCR membership, so check it out today!

Leadership Academy will be held this month to train our incoming local and state chapter presidents.

Each year, it is amazing how our facilitators bring new perspectives to this training program—the attendees

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AUGUST 2009

are in for a real treat this year! For the first time, the incoming regional vice presidents will participate in the Academy to enhance their roles as support agents for the state chapter leadership, as well as the local chapter leadership team in those areas without a state chapter.

The goal is to create synergy throughout all levels of Women’s Council!

Our local chapter will be sending Karen Grant, our President-Elect, to this year’s leadership Academy.

While the primary focus of the academy is to prepare incoming State and Local Chapter Presidents-elect for their year ahead, they also are given the opportunity to build their businesses by networking with hundreds of WCR leaders from across the U.S. WCR will provide these leaders with the necessary tools to build an effective leadership team, communicate the value of WCR and develop and implement WCR branded programs, among other chapter management skills.

This exclusive training event is for State and Local Chapter Presidents-elect.

WCR members showed their spirit of participation at the Realtor® Day Bowling event. We brought out our tie dyed shirts, platform shoes, Afro Hairdos, and polyester leisure suits for this year’s theme “Disco”.

It’s hard to say if we had more fun bowling or getting dressed for the event! Check out our website to see photos from this event.

Ken Blanchard once said, “Leadership is love—loving your mission, loving your people and loving yourself enough that you get out of the way and let other’s shine!”

Achieving success first involves having a vision and developing a plan of action. After that is in place, you must focus on getting someone to buy into the plan and then generate enough excitement that several others naturally want to get involved. That’s what we are so successful at doing at every level within Women’s Council. If you’re not a member, we invite you to join us. If you’re already a member, remember to stay connected with other WCR members from across the country and experience the journey of your life!

Programs and Events Calendar 2009 Aug. 14 - Jack Wolf – “It’s Never To Late To Learn To Relate” & Elections Aug. 18-23 - WCR/FAR Annual Conference – Orlando Sept. 23 - Annual Fashion Show Oct. 9 - District Forum Nov. 15 -Emily Sperling, Community Relations Manager, EDC

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

www.sarasotarealtors.com

SAR Board responds to newspaper series

The recent onslaught of articles on “flipping” may have some of you wondering what SAR is doing about it. In short, we do not intend to reach out to the media, because we don’t wish to exacerbate the problem, and don’t, above all, want to sound defensive. Members and former members are being charged, and perhaps judged, on the pages of the newspaper. We do not want to rush to judgment, but prefer to let the legal system do its job and determine the consequences.

It is fair to say that the actions of a few did not create the bubble, though the articles make it appear that the behaviors of a few are the rule, rather than the exception.

Such articles do a terrible disservice, and we also know that such reporting causes more pressure on you and the professional reputation you strive to uphold. So we would like to keep some things in perspective, and hope that you can do the same.

• Flipping is the act of buying property at a discount and then selling it for a profit. In itself, it is not an illegal activity. Real estate investors have done it for years. Such activity should not be confused nor categorized with fraud for profit that often occurs in predatory flipping.

• Flipping, predatory or not, was not isolated to Sarasota. In 2007, Fannie Mae issued new guidelines to lenders, so it was obviously prevalent nationwide, though probably more concentrated in specific markets, such as Sarasota, that experienced rapid and unrealistic inflation

during the boom.

• During the boom, there were thousands of arm’s length transactions, many more than there were flipping schemes. So, while painful for all of us, most especially those innocently involved, the hundreds of transactions that allegedly involved flipping schemes are a small percentage.

• A flood of speculators and unseasoned investors created a false demand that resulted in unrealistic price increases – flipping schemes were only a part of the bubble that was created during the boom. Ordinary people sitting on the sidelines were watching others make profits from escalating home appreciation and decided to take the leap.

Many of them had never invested in real estate before.

But relaxed borrowing standards and low interest rates, combined with appreciation, made it seem like a very attractive investment at a time that the stock market was not doing as well.

None of this is to excuse anyone who has colluded with others to commit fraud for profit. But that is not the majority of the professionals that are members of SAR and other associations in the area. Continue to adhere to the Code of Ethics, to do what is right, with the best interest of your clients at heart. This, too, shall pass, and hopefully the lessons learned will not allow history to repeat itself.

- SAR Board of Directors

Florida’s climate is business-friendly: FAR

As the Sunshine State, Florida’s warm and sunny weather draws residents and visitors eager to experience all the state has to offer, including the many opportunities and strong support it provides for business and industry.

“Not only is Florida a great place to call home, it’s a great place to do business,” says Cynthia Shelton, 2009 President of the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR). “Our state has made it a priority to not only encourage new businesses and industries to come to Florida, but to provide the kind of supportive climate that entrepreneurs and businesses need to succeed and prosper. Florida is the fourth most populous state in the U.S., with a large and diverse population fueling innovation in industry and providing a creative and highly skilled workforce.”

www.sarasotarealtors.com

Enterprise Florida, a public-private partnership devoted to statewide economic development, notes Florida’s business strengths on its Web site (http://www.eflorida.com) along with a list of recent accolades the state has received: • Florida continues to be one of the best states for business, ranking No. 1 in the nation for workforce; among the top 10 in technology and innovation, and also in access to capital; and moving up to rank third overall in Chief Executive’s survey of the best places for jobs and business growth.

(Chief Executive, March 2009) • Four Florida metros, Orlando, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Cape CoralFort Myers and Jacksonville, are among the nation’s best places to start a small business. (Bizjournals, Feb 2009)

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

• Florida has the second highest number (tied with Washington) of leading metropolitan areas on the Milken Institute/Greenstreet Real Estate Partners Best Performing Cities 2008 - 2009 Largest Metros Index.

Florida consistently ranks among the top states in this annual report, which measures economic growth, job creation and technology growth.

(Milken Institute, September 2008) • Florida continues to gain ground among the nation’s top states for entrepreneurship, moving up to rank fourth overall in the 2008 Small Business Survival Index. Florida’s low tax rates have helped improve its rating from sixth in 2006 and fifth in 2007.

(Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, December 2008)

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Membership News

The Association is pleased to welcome new members!

Hunter, Dean, Keller Williams Realty Designated Realtors® Button, Jeffrey, Richardson Kleiber Walter Coddington, Quick, Quick Coddington P.A. Lic. Brk Grant, Michael, Florida Dream Team Realty Svcs Romer, Emily, Rossi & Company Inc.

New Members

Alley, Edwin, James M Hendrix Broker Beahm, Elizabeth, RE/MAX Alliance Group Blaikie, Kathleen, Dawn Cohen and Associates Brown, Steven, Founders Club Realty Company Calladine, Malcolm, Prudential Palms Realty Cunningham, Richard, Cunningham Prop Mgmt Corp.

Dovi, John, Century 21 Advantage Filipowski, Sharon, Wagner Realty Fischer, Larry, Coldwell Banker Res R E Flood, Thomas, Bosshardt Realty Services Inc. Garriques, Donna, Sandals Realty Grant, Duneska, Florida Dream Team Realty Svcs Hallock, Lisa, Sandals Realty Huber, Joyce, Coldwell Banker Res R E Knight, Timothy, ELITE Properties LLC Luciano, James, Interinvestments Realty Minor, Jamie, Peens Property Group Inc. Parratt-Twigg, Cynthia, Horizon Realty Sokol, Robert, Bosshardt Realty Services Inc. Souza, Ricardo, Prudential Palms Realty Stanek, Mary, Florida Sun Realty Corp.

Steinmetz, Richard, EXIT Creative Realty Sulton, Carole, Wagner Realty Unnerstall, Christopher, Realty Executives Solutions Wagner, Harold, Lakewood Ranch Realty LLC Watermann, Monica, Prudential Palms Realty

Now With

Abraham, Philip, Joe Wright & Associates LLC Alley, Edwin, James M Hendrix Broker Bechtel, Dottie, Key Realty Beeler, Charles, Prudential Palms Realty Bernstein, Bonnie, Dawn Cohen and Associates Bittar, Elias, Blakeley & Associates Realty Campbell, Courtney, Wedebrock Real Estate Co Collins, Jean, RE/MAX Alliance Group Corso, Ellen, Sandals Realty Crawford, Marsha, Engel & Voelkers Anna Maria Cutmore, Julie, Prudential Palms Realty Deichmann, Anja, Michael Saunders & Company DePastino, Marisa, Peens Property Group Inc. Ely, Richard, Keller Williams Lakewood Ranch Emery, Linda, Abbey Realty LLC Farrington, Laticia, EXIT Creative Realty Feeney, James, Prudential Palms Realty Feeney, Susan, Prudential Palms Realty Funk LLC, Troy, Keller Williams On The Water Garrabrant, Thomas, Cityscapes Int’l Realty LBK Garriques, Donna, Sandals Realty Granston, Jeff, Michael Saunders & Company Grens, Sharyn, Florida Sun Realty Corp Greve, Mike, Hunt Real Estate ERA Hackett, Barbara, Michael Saunders & Company Hall, Charles, Hunt Real Estate ERA

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AUGUST 2009

Kalnoky, Marika, Impulse Realty LLC Keyser, S. Brett, RE/MAX Alliance Group Kokorelis, Kara, Signature Sothebys Internat’l Lippert, Sally, Hook & Ladder Realty Inc. Lyons, Amelia, Keller Williams Lakewood Ranch Madden, Kimberly, Prudential Palms Realty Mahle, Julie, Suzanne Hill Realty Marin, Dora, Keller Williams Lakewood Ranch Martinez, Edward, Joe Wright & Associates LLC Massey, Eric, Michael Saunders & Company McGreevy PA, Brian, Allen Real Estate Services Inc. McLoughlin, Shawn, Horizon Realty Melendez, Julio, Prudential Palms Realty Migone, Michael, Signature Sothebys Internat’l Mills PA, Sherri, Michael Saunders & Company Morley, Bonnie, Michael Saunders & Company Plifka, Bill, Hunt Real Estate ERA Raskin, Toby, Dawn Cohen and Associates Reynolds, Greg, Prudential Palms Realty Scheckner, Geri, Sandals Realty Smith, Barbara, Harry Robbins Assoc. Inc. Starr, Anna Marie, RealtyOne Alliance Steiner, LoriAnn, RE/MAX Alliance Group Steinmetz, Richard, EXIT Creative Realty Tirey, Curtis, Joe Wright & Associates LLC Watermann, Monica, Prudential Palms Realty Wiedeman, Bonnie, Wagner Realty Wilde-Aldrich, Michelle Ann, Michael Saunders & Co.

New Affiliates

Impact Video Tours 824 35th Avenue Dr. West Palmetto, FL 34221 Phone Number: 941-531-2127 Representative: Jeff Deuitch

Specialty: Corporate and Real Estate Video Production. Our mission is to provide the highest quality video and multimedia products for real estate and real estate services.

National Carpet Cleaning 5428 Potter ST Sarasota, FL 34232 Phone Number: 941-377-3910 Representative: Wanda Smith

Specialty:Keeping your carpet clean is our business!

We offer great service for a fair price. We clean/ steam Carpet, upholstery Cleaning, Color Restoration, 24 hour Water Removal, Tile/Grout Cleaning and many other services. Customizing our service to your needs.

Safe & Sound Home Inspections PO Box 48228 Sarasota, FL 34230 Phone Number: 941-993-8793 Representative: Steven McCourt

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

www.sarasotarealtors.com

“What is alarming to real estate professionals is that banks have responded slowly and inadequately. The rate at which From Page 18 these troubled loans are being resolved has been sluggish so far,” said Helsel. NAR is actively advocating several proactive economic crisis and hinder an economic recovery. steps to enhance liquidity and to facilitate lending.

According to NAR, deteriorating property fundamentals, “We support several recent moves on the part of the declining property values, and a severe tightening of the federal government to strengthen the Term Asset-backed lending markets are all factors contributing to the current crisis. “A severe tightening of lending and the near extinction Loan Facility (TALF) by expanding the program to include CMBS and the extension of TALF loans to five-year terms,” of the commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) Helsel said. “But we strongly urge policymakers to extend market has severely impacted lending and liquidity,” Helsel the TALF program for another said. “In fact, in 2009 not NAR reported the number of distressed year or two to ensure that this a single CMBS has been commercial properties more than doubled from a important program remains in issued versus a record high place to support liquidity and year ago, with New York City, Las Vegas, Detroit, of $230 billion in CMBSs bring stability to the commercial issued in 2007.”

Dallas, and Boston among the list of hardest hit markets.” cities.

As credit markets have contracted, businesses have responded by slashing spending and jobs due in large part to “NAR stands ready to work with Congress, the financial the inability to secure financing. NAR reported the number regulators and the Obama administration in any way of distressed commercial properties more than doubled from possible to quickly find solutions to stabilize the commercial a year ago, with New York City, Las Vegas, Detroit, Dallas, real estate market and restore a strong marketplace,” said and Boston among the list of hardest hit cities.

Helsel.

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Specialty: Safe & Sound Home Inspections is the premier home inspection company in your area. We have been trusted by home buyers to help them make informed buying decisions. Our home inspections typically range from 2-3 hours long depending on the size of the house and you are invited to follow along with your inspector as they perform their inspection.

Savannah Preserve LLC 7905 ST. Simons ST University Park, FL 34201 Phone Number: 941-360-3838 Representative: Barbi D’Ambruoso

Specialty:Savannah Preserve at University Place is a gated, private intimate community of 90 newly completed Carriage Homes surrounded by natural preserves and water features.

Serv Pro of North Sarasota 6341 Porter Road Ste 14 Sarasota, FL 34240 Phone Number: 941-365-4614 Representative: Jeff Vermillion

Specialty:Founded in 1967, Servpro Industries, Inc. is a leading franchisor of cleanup and restoration services for fire, water, mold, and more. Disaster restoration, carpet, tile cleaning. SERVPRO’s works with major insurance companies, responding to property damage emergencies.

www.sarasotarealtors.com

Snoopy Home Inspector 5824 Bee Ridge Rd. # 444 Sarasota, FL 34238 Phone Number: 941-726-5623 Representative: Craig Slabach

Specialty: Home Inspector, Draftsman/Designer, and Energy Rater. “My goal is to be an honest and reliable source of knowledge for homebuyers, and sellers who wish to prepare their home for sale. The purchase of a home is a large investment, one which I hope to assist in an ethical and impartial manner, by being very snoopy.”

Steele Environmental Cons Inc. 8130 Coates Row Place University Park, FL 34201 Phone Number: 941-355-4395 Representative: Richard G Steele

Specialty: Buying Commercial or Industrial Properties?

Do Not CLOSE until you complete your Due Diligence.

Call Rick Steele for more info...

Yoder & Homes 6979 74th St. Cir East Bradenton, FL 34203 Phone Number:941-928-2091 Representative: Walter Beer

Specialty: Yoder Homes is a well-established residential and commercial remodeling company offering custom designs, complete home improvement and renovation projects, based in Sarasota, FL.

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID MANASOTA, FL PERMIT NO. 451

AUGUST 2009 S ARASOTA A SSOCIATION OF R EALTORS ® E DUCATION /E VENTS C ALENDAR Monday 3

9 a.m.

MLXchange Basic 1:30 p.m.

Entering & Updating Listings

Tuesday 4

8 a.m.

GRI 3

Wednesday 5

7:30 a.m.

Toastmasters 8 a.m.

GRI 3

Thursday 6

8 a.m.

Power Marketing (University Park CC) 9 a.m.

CMA 1:30 p.m.

Friday 7

9 a.m.

CID Commercial Marketplace

MLXchange Advanced

10

11

12

13

14

17

18

19

7:30 a.m.

Toastmasters

20 8 a.m.

Power Marketing (Knights of Columbus)

21

27

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3

4

9 a.m.– 4 p.m.

New Member Orientation & Code of Ethics

9 a.m.

9 a.m.

14 Hours Continuing 14 Hours Continuing Education & Core Law Education

8 a.m.

CID Membership 9 a.m.

MLXchange Basic 1:30 p.m.

Entering & Updating

8 a.m.

9 a.m.

Power Marketing CID Commercial (Knights of Columbus) Marketplace

9 a.m.

CID Commercial Marketplace (Offsite)

Listings

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Sept. 1

2

9 a.m., 10:30 a.m.

Blackberry /Smart Phone

8 a.m.

Power Marketing (Knights of Columbus) 9 a.m.

Design WEB Page 1:30 p.m. iMAPP

12 p.m.

8 a.m.

Easy Realty User Power Marketing Friendly Websites (University Park CC) 3 p.m.

Easy Realty Workshop

9 a.m.

CID Commercial Marketplace

9 a.m.

CID Commercial Marketplace

Note: All events/classes are at SAR, except where noted

Mid-Florida Regional MLS Training

The classes E & U (Entering & Updating), Tools, Design Web Pages, MLX Intro, MLX Advanced, iMAPP, Custom Reports and CMA are all Mid-Florida Regional MLS training classes offered at no cost to MLS participants. All classes (except E & U) are HANDS-ON in the SAR Tech Center. Please register for all MLS classes at the MFRMLS website: http://mfrmls.com. Click on “Training,” then “Quick Class Registration” and follow prompts.

Sarasota Association of Realtors®, Inc. 3590 S. Tuttle Ave. Sarasota, FL 34239

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