2008 - june - osceola review

is

ReVIEW

June 2008

Osceola ReVIEW June 2008

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Offers, incentives and seller contributions are subject to certain terms, conditions and restrictions which include use of designated lenders, title companies and closing agents. Offer good for a limited time only. Developer may change home design, materials, features, amenities, method of construction, prices, and promotions at any time. Developer also reserves the right to withdraw any offer without notice. Availability subject to change. Ownership of a home will require the payment of additional fees, including association assessments and mandatory club dues. Association assessments and mandatory club dues are subject to change from time to time. Please review all documents carefully to determine fees associated with home ownership. Golf facilities are privately owned and operated and membership and additional fees for golf required. Purchase of a home does not grant any use of or access to the golf club or golf facilities. Offers are product and community specific and may not be combined. See your sales person for details. Values on special offers are approximate. Pursuant to the Fair Housing Act, housing in Solivita® is intended for occupancy by at least one person 55 years of age or better per home, although the occupants of a limited number of the homes may be younger, but no one under 18 years of age may be in permanent residence. Avatar New Homes of Florida Contractor No. CQ 1005469. Copyright © 2007 Avatar Properties Inc. All rights reserved. Avatar Properties Inc., 900 Town Center Drive, Poinciana, Florida 34759. 9163.1207 QB# 1224

Commission is based on Total Purchase Price less incentives and applicable discounts, if any. Valid only for new prospects registered after November 15, 2007. Purchaser must execute the Purchase and Sale Agreement, Cooperating Broker Agreement and Purchasers may be required to close within 30 days of the contract date. Avatar reserves the right to change or withdraw any offer at any time. Subject to the terms of the Cooperating Broker program the complete terms of which are included in the Cooperating Broker Agreement, which must be signed by the Broker at the time of the purchase and sale agreement is entered into with the Purchaser. Associate must register the Purchaser prior to the first contact with the Seller, must be a lead not already registered and must be procuring cause of the sale. Broker must be a licensed real estate broker in the state of Florida and the Sales Associate must be a licensed real estate broker or sales associate in the state of Florida and a designated agent of Broker at the time of sale and the time of closing. Commission is deemed earned and paid at time of closing.

AvatarHomes.com900 Town Center Drive, Poinciana, FL 34759

June 2008 Osceola ReVIEW

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By Hope Andrews

The month of June is recognized as “National Homeownership Month” and it is the perfect opportunity to remind our members that we must continue to actively promote the “Now is the

Time to Buy” campaign in our community and at-large and educate the consumer about our historically low interest rates, large selection of inventory, and prices that are reachable for investors, first time homebuyers, and basically anyone who is looking to purchase a home.

Now, I would like to take this opportunity to give our members a mid-year Association update:

• NEW ONLINE “GREEN” OSCEOLA REVIEW MAGAZINE – The Association is pleased to offer our members the opportunity to receive the Osceola ReVIEW magazine as a monthly email attachment. This will help to reduce paper use and help maintain a healthy environment. You can make the choice whether to get the magazine as an email attachment or view it each month on our website as an interactive document! On the homepage, you will be able to flip through the pages and click through any link or URL address. It is also an exciting way to advertise your company! If you would like to get the magazine as an email attachment only, please email our Director of Communications, Gwen Dukes at [email protected] and she will be more than happy to accommodate your request.

• FLAT SCREEN TECHNOLOGY FOR THE CLASSROOM – The Board of Directors approved the purchase of a LCD Flat Screen to enhance the education experience of or new and existing members. Did you know that in the first quarter of the year over 780 members registered for more than 28

offerings hosted by the Association? One of our major initiatives in the Designing Future Business Plan was to provide exceptional education on a wide range of topics for the membership.

• COMMERCIAL LISTINGS TO GO TO NAR CIE – Osceola will begin sending all commercial listings that are entered into the MFRMLS System to the National Association of REALTORS® new Commercial Information Exchange (CIE), this will allow world wide exposure to these listings.

• CYBERHOMES PARTNERS WITH YAHOO - Currently your active listings are being sent to Cyberhomes.com to gain exposure to a large audience in a partnership with Fidelity National Real Estate Solutions and now the listing information will be distributed to Yahoo. The leads generated from the Cyberhomes.com website and Yahoo are directed back to the listing agents/brokers at NO FEE. I encourage all brokers to contact our CEO, David Bennett to find out how they can participate with Cyberhomes at no charge. It’s a service provided to you as a member of the Association.

• JOB BANK – Did you know that the Association has a job board on the Association website for brokers and agent to advertise administrative position? This new feature will save you time and money when looking an administrative position for your team or firm and is absolutely free of charge.

• UNITED NETWORKS OF AMERICA (UNA) – We now have some relief for your medical expenses and it a program that is at NO COST to our members and their families. The UNA Prescription Drug card is just what the doctor ordered, a saving on prescriptions. That’s right simply go the Osceola website www.osceolarealtors.org and click on the UNA graphic on the right

President’s Perspective

Continued on Page 5.


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By David B. Bennett, CAE

SPOTLIGHT ON GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

The Association would like to encourage all of our members to get politically involved at

the local level of government. The Association’s Public Policy Committee, of which Randy Hillman is the Chairperson, is endeavoring to tackle issues that have an impact on real estate and your livelihood as a REALTOR®.

The Osceola County Association of REALTORS® supports candidates based on where they stand on key industry related issues. Building power and influence in our community requires our membership to be involved at all levels of government.

The Public Policy Committee has appointed committee members to be identified as Liaison Team Members for the following:

• City of Kissimmee•Renee Clark•Cheryl Grieb•Rosebud Kinkead•Robert Loos•Martin Nichols

• City of St. Cloud•Mark Baker•Dale Settles

• Celebration

• Poinciana•Tim Weisheyer•Robert Loos

• Four Corners•Sean Ferguson

• Osceola County•Daisy Lopez-Cid•Carol Ann Burnette

•Martha E. Parra•Cheryl Grieb

• Osceola County School Board•Tim Weisheyer•Sean Ferguson•Jenny Morrison•Martin Nichols

Some recent areas of involvement that the Committee has undertaken are:

•City and County Budget/Finances•Lake Toho Development•Property Taxes•Commuter Rail•CRA Master Plan•Lynx Bus transfer station in Kissimmee•St. Cloud Preserve apartment community

We are keeping our eyes open on some other community issues that we plan to delve into such as:

•Kissimmee Lakefront Redevelopment•Destiny Development at Yeehaw Junction•Osceola School Board Superintendent•Access Osceola Channel•Economic Development

I hope this gives you a clearer picture of what your Association and in particular, the Public Policy Committee, is doing to make sure REALTORS® are involved and giving them a voice to our esteemed members of local and state government.

If you would like to participate, please call the Association at 407-846-0117. ■

CEO Perspective

897 Towne Center DrivePoinciana, Florida 34759Ph: (407) 343-1560Cell: (786) 316-9270Fax: (407) [email protected]

Betty M. DobbiePresident


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Terri Carroll, REALTOR® Community Volunteer

The Association would like to pay special tribute to Terri Carroll for her notable contri-butions to the Osceola community and the Association. Terri is a Sales Associate with Steve Fusilier and Company, Inc. She was recently recognized, as a member of the St. Cloud Greater Chamber of Commerce, at the Quarterly Luncheon and received two awards: Ambassador of the Quarter and Volunteer of the Quarter.

She has amassed many hours of volunteer time in the Osceola community and has ac-tively participated in several charity events over the last several years: RELAY FOR LIFE - St. Cloud, Angling Against Cancer; she is a committee member of all Chamber events such as St Cloud Life, St Patrick’s Day Pa-rade, Politics in the Barn, July 4th celebra-tion, Annual Banquet, Fall Festival, and the Holiday Parade; and she is an ambassador (2008 co-chair), who visits and greets new members as they join the Chamber.

Terri has been a member of the Association since 2002. She is serving as the 2008 New Member Welcome Committee Chair-person for the Association. She is also an active member of the Women’s Council of REALTORS® (WCR).

Being a REALTOR® is

about building relationships and helping people when needed.

REALTORS®Making A Difference hand side of the screen and sign up, it’s that

simple!

MFRMLS UPDATES:

• MFRMLS FINANCE COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT - The Board approved the appointment of Veronica Malolos to serve on the MFRMLS Finance Committee. This committee is charged with monitoring of the Association owned MLS which serves over 35,000 participants and has an 8 million dollar budget

• Seller’s Concessions on Sold Listings - MLS has added an optional free form field to allow the seller’s concession information that would be displayed in the Broker Sold Report. The implementation of this new field has been referred to staff.

• 55+ Communities - MLS has added a new field labeled “Special Community Restrictions” be added to the Community Features drop down option to be used for 55+ community identification among other restrictions.

I hope that this information illustrates to you that your Association is dedicated to its members and the Osceola community. Let’s make the rest of 2008 great! ■

President’s Perspective. Continued from Page 3.


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National Homeownership Month – Are you currently renting? Thinking about becoming a first-time homeowner? June has been declared National Homeownership Month. A time where nationwide focus is given to help individuals and families recognize the dream of homeownership. This year commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the historic 1968 Fair Housing Act. On April 11, 1968 President Lyndon Johnson urged congress to approve the Fair Housing Act just one week following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a tribute to Dr. King’s legacy and commitment to civil rights. One of the Act’s central objectives was to prevent discrimination based on race in the sales or rental of housing. This historic Act has since empowered people from all races and ethnicities to pursue the dream of equal access to housing.

In 2002 President George W. Bush enhanced our nation’s commitment to equal housing opportunities for all by designating June as National Homeownership Month, with the goal of increasing minority homeownership in America by 5.5 million by the end of the decade.

The Osceola ReVIEW magazine is going “green” and you get to make the choice! You can opt to receive the magazine in email form, or you can view it on our website as an interactive document. On the web,

you will be able to flip the pages and click through any link addresses. It will also be a great way to advertise! Please email Gwen Dukes at [email protected] only if want to receive the

ReVIEW electronically or if you don’t want the hardcopy or email and would prefer to view it on our website.

897 Towne Center DrivePoinciana, Florida 34759Ph: (407) 343-1560Cell: (786) 316-9270Fax: (407) [email protected]

Betty M. DobbiePresident

R e a l t o r s ®

Real Knowledge Real Service Real Value

Our Association is one-thousand percent behind this important na-tionwide initiative. As REALTORS® unlocking doors to homeownership is our business, and National Hom-eownership Month is a good time to raise awareness about the impor-tant social, economic and personal benefits of this cornerstone of the American Dream.


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Education CornerAll classes will be held at the Association (unless noted otherwise)

To register for any classes please visit the Association website www.osceolarealtors.org, click on “Online Member Services” button, enter your username and password and then click on the Education Calendar. If you have any questions, please call the Association at (407) 846-0117.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are registered and unable to attend, please call the Association to cancel, or you will incur a $20 cancellation fee. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

MLS Training Classes There is one MLXchange Training class held each month. This is a mandatory class for new members. Even if you have already taken this class, you are invited to attend as a refresher course at any time.

ROADMAP TO CLOSINGThursday, June 5, 2008 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.Instructor: Cynthia DeLucaLocation: Osceola County Association of REALTORS® Classroom

Description: This course provides help and options to agents for their clients in regards to failed inspections and other problems they may encounter during a closing.

Cost: FreeCE Credit: 4 hours

QUADRENNIAL CODE OF ETHICS (2 SESSIONS – PICK ONE)Thursday, June 19, 2008 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon/1:00 – 4:00 p.m.Instructor: Dick FryerLocation: Osceola County Association of REALTORS® Classroom

Description: All REALTORS® must fulfill the NAR Ethics Training once every four years. This session will help you handle difficult situations with proper ethical behavior.


GOAL SETTINGThursday, June 26, 2008 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 NoonInstructor: Cynthia DeLucaLocation: Osceola County Association of REALTORS® Classroom

Description: This course is designed to help the real estate agent set attainable goals for their career. You will go through the process of setting real career related goals.


GRI COURSE 3September 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9, 2008Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Location: Osceola County Association of REALTORS® Classroom

Description: Do your negotiating and counseling skills need sharpening? Have you considered expanding your business into property management? Are you current on the tax implications of buying and selling residential property? These are just a few of the time topics that are covered in GRI 3. The GRI designation – Graduate, REALTOR® Institute – is the nation’s #1 real estate designation. It is earned through state associations whose REALTOR® Institute courses of study meet the standards established by the National Association of REALTORS®. The designation is available only to members of NAR.

Cost: On or before August 15, 2008 Members: $272.50 Non-Members $292.50

After August 15, 2008 Members: $292.50 Non-Members: $312.50

CE Credit: Approved for 30-hours Broker Post licensing <or> 11-hours specialty CE credit.

Register online at: www.osceolarealtors.org. Click on blue button “Online Member Services”. Enter your username and password, and click on the Education Calendar.


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have seen them otherwise.

What have you got to lose? Visit www.alamode.com or call 1-800-ALAMODE for more

information.

***Ask about the Osceola REALTORS® discount***

Today, REALTORS® work hard to provide fair access to affordable housing and homeowner-ship year-round. By commemorating Fair Housing Month in April and National Homeown-ership Month in June, it marks the time for REALTORS® and our Association to take extra time out to focus on the education of our members, as well as consumers. By spending time on areas like homeownership counseling, new FHA and conforming loan limit pro-grams, avoiding predatory lending pitfalls, workforce housing initiatives, diversity and smart growth initiatives, REALTORS® and consumers alike gain knowledge and become closer to achieving the ultimate goal of equal housing access for all.

Visit the National Association of REALTORS® website at www.realtor.org to learn more about these programs that support homeownership and strong communities:

• Housing Opportunities• Diversity• Smart Growth• Fair Housing

There are easier ways to get

EXPOSURE

With XSites and XSellerate, your listings will get maximum exposure. And it all happens

automatically.

From automatically generated listing blogs, to “Just Listed” postcards and e-mail campaigns,

your listings will reach all of your current contacts. With instant publishing to Google Base®,

Oodle®, Trulia®, and many others, your listings will be broadcast to millions who would never

have seen them otherwise.

What have you got to lose? Visit www.alamode.com or call 1-800-ALAMODE for more

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***Ask about the Osceola REALTORS® discount***


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Here are just a few good reasons why Now is the Time to Buy a Home:

• Pride of Ownership - Pride of ownership is the number one reason why people yearn to own their home. It means you can paint the walls any color you desire, turn up the volume on your CD player, attach permanent fixtures and decorate your home accord-ing to your own taste. Home ownership gives you and your family a sense of stability and security. It’s making an investment in your future.

• Appreciation - Although real estate moves in cycles, sometimes up, sometimes down, over the years, real estate has consistently appreciated. The Office of Federal Hous-ing Enterprise Oversight tracks the movements of single family home values across the country. Its House Price Index breaks down the changes by region and metropolitan area. Many people view their home investment as a hedge against inflation.

• Homestead Exemption – Amendment 1 was recently passed in the State of Florida that doubles the Homestead Exemption. An additional exemption of $25,000 applied to the value between $50,000 and $75,000.

• Portability – Effective immediately, homeowners may transfer up to $500,000 of their Save Our Homes cap. If their new homestead is more valuable than the old homestead, a taxpayer can transfer up to $500,000 of the entire old CAP dollar amount. If a taxpay-er downsizes, the percentage of protection will transfer to the new homestead. Start-ing from 2007, property owners who sell their homestead, have up to 2 years to transfer the CAP to a new homestead.

• Mortgage Interest Deductions - Home ownership is a superb tax shelter and our tax rates favor homeowners. As long as your mortgage balance is smaller than the price of your home, mortgage interest is fully deductible on your tax return. Interest is the larg-est component of your mortgage payment.

• Property Tax Deductions - IRS Publication 530 contains tax information for first-time home buyers. Real estate property taxes paid for a first home and a vacation home are fully deductible for income tax purposes.

• Capital Gain Exclusion - As long as you have lived in your home for two of the past five years, you can exclude up to $250,000 for an individual or $500,000 for a married cou-ple of profit from capital gains. You do not have to buy a replacement home or move up. There is no age restriction, and the “over-55” rule does not apply. You can exclude the above thresholds from taxes every 24 months, which means you could sell every two years and pocket your profit--subject to limitation--free from taxation.



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David B. Bennett, CAE, Chief Executive [email protected]

Gwen Dukes, Director of [email protected]

Jeri Peyton, Executive [email protected]

Michelle Smith, Director of Knowledge [email protected]

Bob St. Gordon, [email protected]

Stephanie Escurra-Hendricks, Member Services [email protected]

Anneris Rivera, Member Services [email protected]

AssociAtion office1105 Shady LaneKissimmee, Florida 34744www.osceolarealtors.orgEmail: [email protected] • 407.846.0217 fax

newsletter submissionsIn order to share the wealth of information contained in this newsletter in an efficient manner, please submit your articles via e-mail or fax by the 10th of the month. Please clearly indicate that submission is for the Osceola ReVIEW.

Editor-in-Chief: Gwen DukesArticles: [email protected]: [email protected] advertising inquiries please contact Bob St. Gordon at the Association Office. Your advertising defrays the cost of publishing. Thank you for your support.

The Osceola ReVIEW is published exclusively for the Association by PIP Printing & Document

Services Kissimmee, Florida 407.847.5565•407.847.2698fax

[email protected]

Disclaimer: The Osceola ReVIEW is published for the members and affiliates of Osceola County Association of Realtors®, Inc. by Pip Printing and Document Services as a courtesy. Pip nor the Association assume any responsibility for article content or advertising message as submitted for inclusion in the newsletter. Advertising and articles are not endorsed by Association, nor is there any implied warranty by the Association or its staff.

Association Staff

PresidentHope Andrews

President-ElectSean Ferguson

Vice-PresidentMarie Collins

SecretaryLen Goffredo

TreasurerMinetta Garay

Past PresidentJack Frey

DirectorsRiva AlexanderJose AlvarezAndrey BustamanteDavid DeLoach

Cheryl GriebKemp HowlandJerry KelleyRosebud KinkeadRichard KnappVeronica MalolosDenise Sacks

Legal CounselDanny Villazon

Association LeadershipAssociAtion LeAdership

• Equity Loans - Consumers who carry credit card balances cannot deduct the interest paid, which can cost as much as 18% to 22%. Equity loan interest is often much less and it is deductible. For many home owners, it makes sense to pay off this kind of debt with a home equity loan. Consumers can borrow against a home’s equity for a variety of reasons such as home improvement, college, medical or starting a new business. Some state laws restrict home equity loans.

10 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Professional: 1. Education & Experience 2. Agents are Buffers against “looky loos” 3. Neighborhood Knowledge 4. Price Guidance 5. Market Conditions Information 6. Professional Networking that Enables you to

Make a Wise Selection 7. Negotiation Skills and Confidence 8. Handles the Volumes of Paperwork 9. Answers Questions After Closing 10. Develop Relationships for Future Business

Here are just a few… Continued from Page 7.


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EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGWEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2008

AT 8:00 A.M.

BOARD OF DIRECTORSWEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2008

AT 9:00 A.M.

LEADERSHIP MEETINGS

Concerned about your existing mortgage? – If you have clients or know friends or family who are in danger of facing foreclosure and need immediate help, call 888-895-HOPE or visit www.995hope.org. Homeowner’s HOPE™, a counseling service provided by the Homeownership Preservation Foundation, can work with the homeowner to find a solution.


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Knowledge Services NewsBy Michelle Smith, Director of Knowledge Services

CLASS REGISTRATION

Over the past couple of months, several classes have had to be cancelled due to lack of registrations. If we do not have at least 20 people registered for a Continuing Education class on the Tuesday before the class, the class will be cancelled. After the class is cancelled, people contact the Association to inquire about the class….. You may be asking yourself, “What does this have to do with me?” Well, if everyone who is interested in attending a class, registers online, then I will be able to see the demand for the class beforehand. It is much easier to regis-ter for a class and cancel if necessary, than to not register at all and have the class cancelled.

We typically have many members that show up for a class and say that they registered for the class but their name is not on the Sign-In Sheet. Please make sure that you go all the way through the process until you see a page that says “Print your receipt”. It is not until you see this page that you are registered.

The steps for registering for a class online are listed below. Please note that I am always here to assist you, just give me a call or drop me an email.

All registrations for educational classes go through the website. Please follow the steps be-low to register:

1. Go to www.osceolarealtors.org

2. Click on “On Line Member Services”

3. Enter your log on ID (this is your NRDS/MLS ID)

4. Enter your password

5. Click on “Education Calendar”

6. Register for all the classes you would like

DID YOU KNOW?

Occasionally, the Association receives many in-quiries regarding the questions below. Here are some answers to the most frequently asked ques-tions concerning the education requirements that are mandated by both the State of Florida Real Estate Commission and the National Asso-ciation of REALTORS®.

Question: Can I take “specialty” continuing education courses until they add up to 45 or 60 hours to fulfill the post-licensing require-ments for sales associates or brokers?Answer: No. Post-license courses for brokers and sales associates are specifically approved for that purpose and designed to build on knowl-edge acquired during the pre-licensing educa-tion courses. A sales associate or broker’s license is provisional until completing the post-license education requirement.

Question: Can I take a correspondence course to fulfill the post-licensing requirements for brokers or sales associates?Answer: All real estate pre/post licensure and continuing education courses are offered on-line. For a complete list of approved real estate schools please visit: http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/re/publications/re_schools.pdf.

Question: If I fail the salesperson’s post-li-cense course exam, can I re-take the exam?Answer: Yes. Students failing a post-licensing education examination must wait at least 30 days but no more than one year from the date of the original examination to retake the examina-tion. Only one retake is permitted. Otherwise, students who fail the end of course post-licens-ing examination must repeat the course before being eligible to again take the course examina-tion.

Question: If I miss a post-licensing session due to illness, can I make up the session?Answer: Yes. Make-up classes may not extend more than 30 days beyond the scheduled end of course examination without approval of the



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Commission. Make-up classes must be the classes missed by the student and must consist of the original Commission-prescribed course material.

Question: What happens if I do not complete the sales associate’s person’s 45-hour post-li-cense education requirement before the expi-ration of my initial sales associate’s license?Answer: Your license becomes void, and you have to retake the pre-license course, pass its exam, and retake the state exam. In short, you have to start from scratch.

Question: What happens if I do not complete the broker’s 60-hour post-license education requirement before the expiration of my ini-tial broker’s license?Answer: Your license reverts to a sales associ-ate’s license.

Question: What are the continuing-education requirements for an active or inactive broker licensee?Answer: You must take a minimum of 14 hours of commission-approved classroom instruction during each license renewal period (excluding the first renewal period of your current license when 60 hours of post-license education is required.) Three of the 14 required hours must consist of the commission-prescribed Core Law. The other 11 hours may consist of “specialty” course on real estate practices approved by the Commission. A licensee who takes the 3-hour Core Law course in each year of the renewal period shall be allowed a total of 6 hours toward the 14-hour requirement. In that case, the “specialty” course hours need to-tal only 8 hours.

Question: Can I take correspondence courses to fulfill the 14-hour continuing education re-quirement?Answer: Yes. A FREC-approved equivalent cor-respondence course or other FREC-approved forms of distance learning may substitute for the live instruction.

Question: What are the continuing education requirements for an active or inactive sales as-sociate’s licensee?

Answer: A minimum of 14 hours of commis-sion-approved classroom instruction during each license renewal period (excluding the first renewal period of your current license when 45-hours of post-license education is required). Three of the 14 required hours must consist of the FREC-prescribed Core Law courses. The oth-er 11 hours may consist of “specialty” courses on real estate practices approved by FREC. A li-censee who takes the 3-hour Core Law course in each year of the renewal period is allowed a total of 6 hours toward the 14-hour requirement. In such even, the “specialty” course hours need to-tal only 8 hours.

Question: Tell me something I probably don’t know?Answer: A licensee can earn 3 of the required 11 continuing education hours in the “specialty” area by attending a FREC meeting where disci-plinary cases are considered. Licensee must at-tend the entire day of hearings to earn the credit. Seven days advance notice must be given to the Education Section of the Division of Real Estate so attendance may be monitored.

Question: What do I need to know about li-cense reactivation?Answer: If you hold an involuntarily inactive license, make sure you complete the reactivation education within two years of the first day you failed to hold a valid and active license. After the second year, the broker’s or sales associate’s right to reactivate automatically expires. If the time elapsed is less than one year, the reactiva-tion requirement can be fulfilled by satisfactorily completing 14 hours of continuing education as describedinRule61J2-3.009.Iftimeelapsedismore than 12 months but less than 24 months, the requirement is 28 hours of prescribed class-room hours of the prerequisite course for licen-sure as a salesperson. The subjects emphasized are real estate law and license law, and a 70% grade on the quiz is required to pass.

I hope that these topics have been of some as-sistance to you, but remember I am always here to assist you in your educational needs. Just give meacallat(407)846-0117,ext.109,orsendmean email at [email protected]. ■

Knowledge Services News. Continued from .


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By Randy Hillman

NO MAGIC IN QUIT CLAIM DEEDS

For reasons that are not clear to me many people have come to the conclusion that

the Quit Claim Deed or as it is incorrectly called sometimes, Quick Claim Deed, has some kind of magical powers in transferring property. In reality, it is the worse way to receive a transfer of property.

Most property is transferred by Warranty Deed. The FAR/BAR Contract provides that in most cir-cumstances transfer will be by warranty deed. A deed is only signed by the owners/sellers of prop-erty. It is not signed by the buyer. When a seller executes a warranty deed, he is warranting that he

is the owner of the property, and he has the right to transfer the property. A seller who executes a quit claim deed is not representing he owns the property. He is only represents that, if it owns it, he is transferring it to the named buyer or grantee.

If a seller transfers property by warranty deed, and does not own the property, he could be sued for damages because he is warranting he owns the property. A Seller who signs a quit claim deed cannot be sued because he is not even represent-ing that he owns the property.

Of course, most buyers do not have to rely on the representations of sellers as to ownership of property. They obtain title insurance which pro-tects them should the seller not have the right to transfer the property.

Over the last several years, many people have decided transferring property is something they can do themselves. They obtain forms off the internet or from office supply stores, complete the forms, and then have them recorded.

Legal Ease

Texas Hold ‘Em TournamentThere will be professional poker dealers for each tournament date!

Tournament dates are: June 7th, July 19th, Aug 9th at the Association with the grand finale being held during the RPAC Auction on Saturday, September 6, 2008, the day of the auction.

The maximum number of people per tournament date that can play is 48 per tournament date. Anyone can play in the tournament and the entry fee is $60 per tournament date (or $150 for all 3). There will be 6 winners each night that are guaranteed a seat in the finals’ competition on September 6th.

There will be beer, wine and finger foods.

You must register online to attend this event at: www.osceolarealtors.org. Then click on Online Member Services then to 2008 Texas Hold “Em Event.



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407-931-2889 phone 322 N. John Young Parkway407-931-2852 fax Suite 1e-mail:[email protected] Kissimmee, FL 34741

OUT OUT

I’m Todd Davis, CEO of LifeLock®, and my Social Security number is 457-55-5462.* I give it just to prove how safe your identity can be with LifeLock. All of us, no matter how careful, can become victims of identity theft. In fact, every three seconds another identity is stolen.

If you worry about identity theft, then it’s time you got to know LifeLock. LifeLock provides proactive identity theft protection. We’re so confident, we back our clients with a $1 million total service guarantee.

Get peace of mind with proactive identity theft protection.

* Do not share your Social Security number or personal information unnecessarily.













10% OFF FOr OSCEOLA rEALTOrS®

How to Enroll:1. Simply visit LIFELOCK.COM and click “Enroll Now” or call 800-LIFELOCK (543-3562).2. Use promotion code OBC10 to take advantage of this special offer.

The Florida Statutes are very specific about re-quirements for a deed to be valid. Deeds need to show the marital status of the parties, and may need to indicate that the property is not homestead. These requirements are not known to most people who are trying to save attorney fees by completing the deeds themselves. Many times failing to correctly fill out a deed results in title problems that end up costing more time, money and aggravation than can be imagined.

The Clerk of Court, who in most counties han-dles the recording of deeds, will not tell you when there is a problem with the deed that is being recorded. However, the Department of Revenue does audit recorded documents to in-sure the proper recording taxes are paid. They are looking for transfers where only the mini-mum documentary stamps are paid. Indeed, individuals who are preparing deeds for them-selves many times try to save money by repre-senting that there was no money paid at the time

of transfer. However, if there is a mortgage on the property, documentary stamps are due based on the amount of that mortgage.

Although preparing and recording a deed may seem like a simple mater, doing it wrong may create problems that can become very expensive to fix. ■

Legal Ease. Continued from Page 14.


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Full Service Marketing For YOUR Listings...

Congratulations to the followingagents whose personal website on

HomesAndLand.com received the most views

in March 2008:~ Robert Anarumo ~ 1441 views~ Matthew Allen ~ 1092 views ~ Abdul Aitboukil ~ 875 views~ Jeri Anarumo ~ 584 views

~ Karen Orriss-Ross ~ 511 views

For advertising information, Joye Trawick,

407.719.2424 HomesAndLandOrlandoResort.comHomesAndLandOrlandoResort.com

Think BIG. Think Homes & Land.

H&LMarch/AprilOscad 4/30/08 10:00 AM Page 11. Eliminate monthly mortgage payment2. Receive extra monthly income3. Eliminate credit card debt4. Receive a cash lump sum or line of credit5. Enjoy life a bit more

Five ways a Reverse Mortgagecan improve your quality of life

For homeowners 62 or OlderFor your free Reverse Mortgage Handbook, call Sharon Prymas: (407) [email protected]

Sharon Prymas, CSA

Consult Tax Advisor. ® 2007 Registered trade/service marks are property of Financial Freedom Senior FundingCorporation, a Subsidiary of IndyMac Bank, F.S.B. © 2007 Financial Freedom Senior Funding Corporation

Harvest Lending Company“Envision Your Possibilities”

Primary, Second Home or Investment PropertyRefinances (Lower Monthly Payments, Debt Consolidation, Home Improvements)Commercial Lending (Low LTVs, Flexible Terms)Foreign NationalSpecializing in Manufactured and Mobile Home FinancingHome Equity Line of CreditSe Habla Espanol

600 N. Thacker AveSuite D-59 Kissimmee, FL 34741 Office: (321) 284-4719 Fax:(407) 994-2932

Harvest Lending Company is a first-rate mortgage brokerage that is committed to handling your personal and or commercial business expeditiously , with no detail

overlooked. Please give us the opportunity to service your residential commercial, lot loans, construction-to-permanent financing needs. Should you need an alternative to

traditional lending we also represent private money lenders.

Theresa CarterBusiness Consultant

North American Title Co.2295 S. Hiawassee RoadSuite 313Orlando, Florida 32835(407) 523-1667FAX (407) 523-1668Cell (407) [email protected]

The National Association of REALTORS® Senior Economist Lawrence Yun says, “Buyers today need to have a tradi-tional view that housing as a long-term investment is an added benefit to their shelter expense. If so, that investment generally will build a nice nest egg over time, especially if they use a traditional mortgage instrument that reduces debt.”


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we want to extend our sincere appreciation

to our Sponsors!Premier Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

Titanium Sponsor

A.

B.

C.

D.

Silver Sponsor


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Sun. Monday TueSday WedneSday ThurSday Friday SaT.

June 2008 Monthly Planner

Broker Series- Module 7, 8 & 92:00pm-4:00pm

MLS Marketing/Network & Knowledge

8:30am-10:00am

Affiliate Meeting10:00am-11:00am


8:30am-10:00am

OBC Meeting1:00pm-2:00pm


8:30am-10:00am

Creating Custom Reports on MLS1:00pm-3:00pm

MLS Designer Tools10:00am-12:00noon

New Member Welcome

9:00am-11:00am

Introduction to MLXchange

9:00am-12:00noon

Listing Maintenance1:00pm-3:30pm


8:30am-10:00am

RPAC Auction

Committee Meeting10:00am-11:30am

Property Management Meeting

Rentalhomes.comPresentation

12:00noon-2:00pm Lunch Provided RSVP Required!

Code of Ethics1:00pm-4:00pm

Code of Ethics 9:00am-12:00noon

Young ProfessionalsNetwork

Location: TBD6:30pm

Public Policy Committee Meeting

3:00pm-4:00pm

Roadmap to a Successful Closing9:00am-1:00pm

4 CE hrs.

RPACTexas Hold

Em Tournament At the Association

6:00pm

Board of Directors9:00am-10:00am

Executive Committee

8:00am-9:00am

Goal Setting9:00am-12:00noon

3 CE hrs.


JULY 2008

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MAY 2008

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Broker Cooperation Welcome. ©2008 KB Home (KBH). Payment of Broker Co-op requires Broker to accompany and register buyer on first visit and comply with Broker Co-op Agreement. See Built to Order™ options and upgrades offered at KB Home Studio. All options/upgrades require additional charges, may require ordering at predetermined stages of construction and are subject to change/discontinuation anytime by KB Home. KB Home is not a custom homebuilder. Photo shows upgraded landscaping/options and may not represent community’s lowest-priced homes. See sales representative for details. Equal housing opportunity. CBC051212 ORL-72771

KBHOME ADJOB # ___________________

DIVISION ________________

DETAIL __________________

CAMPAIGN ______________

COLOR/BW ______________

LIVE ____________________

TRIM ___________________

BLEED __________________

PROOF # ________________

DUE TO DIV ______________

RUN DATE _______________

DUE TO VENDOR __________

XXXXX 0601

ORLANDO

OSCAR

BTO

4 COLOR

3.6875" X 4.9375"

3.6875" X 4.9375"

NA

2

4/01

6/01

5/10–5PM

TRAFFIC SIGNOFFSARTIST ______________________________

PROOF/LEGAL ________________________

REP/MNGR __________________________

CREATIVE ____________________________

PDF UPLOADED TO ____________________

MARKETING FINAL ____________________

PROD/CREATIVE FINAL _________________

SHIPPED JOB _________________________

888-KB-HOMES kbhome.com

The home your clients want. Built just the way they want it.

Arbor Ridge

Built to Order™ is built around your clients.

Their individual style. Their way of life. And, most of all, their budget.

It’s an experience that ensures they’ll have a home they truly love.

pick an ideal floor plan • create great living spacesselect interior/exterior design features

pay only for what they love

®

®

For information on all Orlando-, Daytona- and Lakeland-area KB Home communities, call (407) 587-3580.

XXXXX 0601 Oscar.indd 1 6/6/08 9:26:32 AM

Send your information and photo to Gwen Dukes at [email protected].

OK, so maybe we can’t make yOu famOus or turn you into a celebrity, but we can get you noticed and provide the recognition you deserve within the community.

Have you won a recent award or been honored for your charitable work? If so, let us know and we will feature you in our “realtOrs® making a Difference” section of our Association magazine the Osceola ReVIEW and the Osceola News Gazette.

1201 Emmett Street • Kissimmee, FL 34741407-931-1343 phone • 407-931-1415 fax











OUT OUT1201 Emmett Street • Kissimmee, FL 34741407-931-1343 phone • 407-931-1415 fax











OUT OUT

As America becomes more diverse, the top goal of immigrants is to own their own home. REALTORS® can help buyers of any cultural background achieve the American dream of homeownership. Knowing how to work effectively with diverse populations can help you build business success in today’s multicultural real estate market.


1105 Shady Lane • Kissimmee, FL 34744

20

WELCOME NEW MEMBERSLuis Arteaga .......................................CAC International Realty

William Borgemeister ........................Coldwell Banker Feltrim

Maria Castro .................................. Prudential Sapphire Realty

Tennille Cortese ............................. Paradise Home Realty, LLC

Maria Cristancho ....................................... Luxury Realty, Inc.

Iluminado Cruz ......................................... Watson Realty Corp.

Chadwick Donnally ........................ Sunshine Quest Realty, Inc.

Yadira Fernandez .......................Exit Real Estate Professionals

Kelly Freeman ...........................Coldwell Banker Ackley Realty

Kris Korapati .....................American Realty Group of USA, LLC

Shyam Kotwal .............................. First Choice Real Estate, LLC

Joshua Kriegler ............. Appraisal Specialists of Central Florida

Yadira Lopez .................................. Sunshine Quest Realty, Inc.

Dianna Mashburn .................................... Watson Realty Corp.

Natalia Mesa .................................Direct Realty Solutions, LLC

Tania Moreno .......................................Sky Land Realty Group

Rene Ojito .......................................REMAX Premier Properties

Juan Paradas .............................................. 6T9 Realty Village

Victor Perez ....................................................365 Realty, LLC

Marilyn Rankin ....................................... Sunshine Real Estate

Penny Reis ...................................... MLS By Owner Realty, Inc.

Carlos Richiez .......................................................... CJ Realty

Jose Rodriguez ................................ Coldwell Banker Solomon

Patricia Sarfert .............................. Paradise Home Realty, LLC

Fabio Serna ............................................. Watson Realty Corp.

Cheryl Straub .............................Assist 2 Sell Advantage Realty

NEW AFFILIATE OFFICESBUTLER MORTGAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . BARBARA BOWLING1012 W. Emmett St., Ste. B * Kissimmee, FL 34741Phone: (407) 931-3800 * Fax: (407) 931-3801

BUY-YOUR-SIDE HOME INSPECTIONS. . . . . TOMMY JOYNES6301 Lake Road * St. Cloud, FL 34771Phone: (407) 892-0911

PROMINENT TITLE INSURANCE AGENCY, INC . BETTY DOBBIE897 Towne Center Drive * Poinciana, FL 34759Phone: (407) 343-1560 * Fax: (407) 343-1561

QUBTY FINANCIAL GROUP. . . . . . . . . . . . DAVID QUBTY7800 W. Sand Lake Road, #206 * Orlando, FL 32819Phone: (407) 370-3030 * Fax: (407) 370-2040

WORLD FINANCIAL MORTGAGE GROUP . . . . TODD KOZLOSKI6750 Turkey Lake Rd., Suite 1 * Orlando, FL 32819Phone: (407) 345-4730 * Fax: (407) 345-4731

NEW REAL ESTATE OFFICES6T9 REALTY VILLAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JUAN PARADAS13574 Village Park Drive * Orlando, FL 32837Phone: (407) 506-0463 * Fax: (407) 859-6621

AMERICAN REALTY GROUP OF USA, LLC . . . KRIS KORAPATI12701 S. John Young Parkway * Orlando, FL 32837Phone: (407) 965-5040 * Fax: (407) 888-4716

FIRST CHOICE REAL ESTATE, LLC . . . . . . . . SHYAM KOTWAL13574 Village Park Drive * Orlando, FL 32837Phone: (407) 855-0809 * Fax: (407) 888-4719

MLS BY OWNER REALTY, INC . . . . . . . . . . . .PENNY REIS4700 Millenia Blvd., Suite 175 * Orlando, FL 32839Phone: (407) 854-5576

PARADISE HOME REALTY, LLC . . . . . . . . PATRICIA SARFERT811 W. Garden Street * Pensacola, FL 32501Phone: (850) 477-5615 * Fax: (850) 475-2744

SUNSHINE REAL ESTATE . . . . . . . . . . . MARILYN RANKIN438 Pinewood Circle * Davenport, FL 33896Phone: (863) 353-1598 * Fax: (337) 893-8245

2008 - june - osceola review

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