Greater Tampa REALTOR® News - May 2016

Requested Delivery By: May 5, 2016

MAY 2016 T H E O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E G R E AT E R TA M PA A S S O C I AT I O N O F R E A LT O R S ®

PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL Permit No. 2397

GTAR Supports TBX Projects The Tampa Bay Express (TBX) is a system of new lanes that will give drivers a choice of paying a toll in order to enjoy a better commute.

comprising almost 3.5 billion dollars of interstate improvements. Most occur in Hillsborough County for internal benefits and enhanced connectivity with surrounding counties. It is much more than the new “express lanes” along I-275 and I-4 attracting most of

BY MICHAEL L. PETERSON, ESQ. the media attention. TamGTAR Governmental pa’s choke point interchangAffairs Counsel es at I-275/I-4 downtown and I-275/SR 60/Airport at You’ve likely read media Westshore would be signifireports about the Florida cantly restructured along Department of Transporta- with better Pinellas access tion’s (FDOT) Tampa Bay via a new Howard FranklaExpress Projects (“TBX”) nd Bridge span and Gate-

way area improvements.

Yet, despite opposition claims, this is not just another road project at the expense of future transit options.

The I-275/I-4 express lanes will be free for HART’s express bus ambitions connecting downtown Tampa west to the airport and Pinellas Gateway area, north to park n' ride lots near Bearss Ave., or east to Plant City lots. Plus, a fixedrail envelope is provided in the medians of I-4, I-275 between downtown Tampa and the Howard Frankland Bridge, and the bridge’s new

span accommodates the rail option to Pinellas Gateway.

These short and long term transit options under TBX make FDOT’s intermodal center sites in downtown Tampa and Westshore viable transit feeders for other local transit services.

FDOT should also be recognized as the primary financial backer for Hillsborough’s overall “premium transit” study, including their lead on possible use of CSX rail corridors for commuter rail as they achieved around Orlando.

TRANSPORTATION, Page 3

The Supra system provides our agents with choices

CODE OF ETHICS

The 3 Steps to Success

While luck and good fortune help those become successful, a much more deliberate set of qualities will help you become a success.

Page 2

GTAR moves closer to goal

The 4th Annual RPAC Extravaganza brought the Tampa Bay community together. Page 4

Questions? We have answers

Can I deduct my commission from my tenant's inital rental deposit? Page 9

One of our most popular housing programs is back and packed with even more information. Page 13

Welcome New Staff Members

need is at your fingertips.

The use of smart phones improves communication, saves time, and increases productivity. This same technology opens lockboxes! Over 60% of GTAR’s members use their phone for their lockbox access.

The ActiveKEY is also available to you and also provides real-time communication of access to the listing keys. The built-in screen makes it easy to use and interact with the lockbox.

pg.6

IN THIS EDITION

Lunch & Learn is back and better!

The Supra lockbox system gives you choices in key devices and provides options for wireless, cellular updates Almost 16,000 lockboxes were exchanged by GTAR members during the April Exchange Event. On average the time from start to finish was a mere 24 minutes! Thank you for all that participated in the exchange.

As a reminder, agents are able to choose from a wide selection of compatible key devices, including a number of smartphones - which most of you carry around every day! Best of all, with the smartphone everything you

MAY 2016

GTAR welcomes Amanda Ingram as the Professional Development Associate and Reggie Lopez as the RAMCO/CRM Architect.

Page 18

Candid Camera April 2016. Page 16

continued on Page 5

• EDUCATION

pg.11

• AFFILIATES

pg.12

• MLS STATISTICS

pg.14

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May 2016

Greater Tampa REALTOR® News

ABOUT GTAR

The Greater Tampa Association of REALTORS®, Inc. (GTAR) is the largest Tampa Bay-based professional association of real estate brokers and sales associates conducting business throughout the Bay. GTAR provides educational programs, ethical guidance and other services that enable licensed real estate professionals to help people buy and sell homes in the Greater Tampa area.

For more information, please visit www.gtar.org

2016 OFFICERS

President Andy Joe Scaglione.....(813) 968-4996 President-Elect Joe Perez..........................(813) 264-7754 Vice President Mari Colgan..................... (813) 685-4936 Treasurer Sandra Streit...................(813) 343-8001 Secretary Norma Cohen................. (813) 992-5845 Immediate Past President Barbara Jordan...............(813) 962-0631 Chief Executive Officer Dennis MacDonald......... (813) 879-7010

2016 DIRECTORS

Diane Acken................... (813) 299-4758 Alma Alexander................(813) 727-1201 Ashley Christie................(813) 504-8812 Diana Englehart...............(813) 748-2165 Zoe Green...................... (813) 259-0000 Dan Hazy.......................... (813) 545-7372 Mary McCall....................(813) 294-4425 Jodi McKeithan.............. (813) 597-9670 Brad Monroe...................(813) 309-4488 Jack Rodriguez...............(813) 877-6388 Tom Scaglione............... (813) 310-8200 Francine Villa..................(813) 598-0844

REPRODUCTION

The Greater Tampa REALTOR® News is published monthly for members of GTAR in the interest of informing, promoting, and improving the real estate industry. With the exception of articles and materials from other publications reprinted in this newspaper, members and affiliate members of GTAR are hereby authorized to reproduce articles appearing in this newspaper, provided each such reproduction gives the following credit:

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The 3 Not So Secret Steps to Success Whether searching for success in your business life or your personal life, there are only three traits you need to master in order to become a success.

1

The number one trait successful people share is that they have highly specialized knowledge about their particular trade, field, and industry. In order to get ahead in your business life, you need to start using your head.

Success is something that is earned over a period of time. To stay relevant, useful, and productive for the long term, you need understand the ins and outs of your industry. You need to know what is working today, and where your industry is going in the future.

You need to understand the history of your industry. How did it get started? What worked for those early pioneers? What were some major setbacks in the beginning? What are the legal limitations governing my industry? Study the companies that have been around for over 100 years, and see what brand new companies are doing to gain an edge over the competition. The more you invest in your knowledge of your industry, the better suited you will be to be a success.

2

INGRATIATE YOURSELF WITH YOUR SUPERIORS

Second only to knowledge when looking to achieve success is experience. As a younger or newer professional, you won’t have the experience that your superiors will have working in your field. That is why it is important to learn from those who have been there before to glean insight that you would otherwise not be able to learn.

THE REALTOR® MARK

REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark which may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics.

For advertising information/sales, contact Mike Utaegbulam, Director of Communications at news@GTAR.net Advertising products or services herein shall not be construed to be a promotion, approval, or endorsement of those products or services by GTAR. All advertising is subject to the approval of the GTAR Board of Directors/Chief Executive Officer.

DISCLAIMER

Articles contained in this publication express the opinion of the author and not necessarily the opinion of GTAR.

HEADQUARTER INFO

Greater Tampa Association of REALTORS® 2918 W. Kennedy Blvd.

Tampa, FL 33609 (813) 879-7010

STAY CONNECTED Find GTAR on the following social media outlets to stay connected with the latest news and events.

facebook.com/TampaGTAR twitter.com/TampaGTAR linkedin.com/company/gtar

BY NICO HOHMAN Young Professional's Network Vice Chair

LEARN AS MUCH ABOUT YOUR INDUSTRY AS POSSIBLE

Reprinted from Greater Tampa REALTOR® News, Greater Tampa Association of REALTORS®.

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

www.GTAR.org

Whether you decide to create an informal or formal mentorship with an industry leader, the useful tips, shortcuts, and list of things to avoid that come from having a mentor are invaluable on your path to success.

Having a superior who will also be your ally or your spokesperson is another key benefit to ingratiating yourself with your superiors. When it comes time to opening doors or making introductions, your advocates and personal champions are the ones who will gladly make those connections happen.

It has been said you are the average of the five people with whom you spend your time. Why not spend your time with those who already are successful in your industry? The more you invest in your knowledge of your industry, the better suited you will be to be a success.

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DO MORE THAN WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU Hard work is not a virtue to be extolled simply for hard work’s sake. Working hard on its own is not enough to give you success.

If someone requests something from you, accomplish that task as quickly and as perfectly as possible. Then, provide one or two unique and useful additions to the request.

Others will appreciate the care you put into their request.

The more work you accomplish that is outside of your specified scope of duties, the more work will be given to you. As more work is given to you, you will gain more responsibility. And as you gain more responsibility, you become a more valuable commodity to your industry. Then, as you grow as a valuable commodity, success will surely follow.

While there are certainly no shortcuts on the path to success, there are only a few steps that you need to master in order to become a successful person. If you learn as much about your industry as possible, ingratiate yourself with your superiors, and do more than what is expected of you, you are guaranteed a shot at success.

www.GTAR.org

Transportation

foster connections between communities on opposite sides of these interstates, From Page 1 and making areas under None of these billions Department of Transporta- overpass lanes amenities of dollars comes from any tion planned to invest in the instead of unsafe eyesores. new local taxes or fees as Tampa Bay area to alleviate Regardless, much of what discussed in the unrelated traffic congestion along key the opposing neighbors Go Hillsborough effort. stretches of I-4 and I-275 want (other than no TBX) These are federal and state will be distributed to other monies we already pay as transportation districts gas taxes, and finally, it is throughout the state.” our turn to get a large share GTAR’s Governmental as we’ve seen South Florida Affairs Committee and and Orlando obtain before Board of Directors came to us. These monies can’t be the same conclusions. So converted to local transit has most other real estate, funding as opponents may business and economic wish. They come from development associations earmarks for interstate throughout Tampa Bay. and regional projects That is not to say legitimate lies within the purview of controlled by Tallahassee concerns have not been local officials; not the FDOT. and Washington, D.C. raised by abutting neighborCalls for more local What our local officials do hoods in Seminole Heights, transit service, “walkabilcontrol is whether we lose Tampa Heights and Ybor ity”, bike paths and road them. Port Tampa Bay’s City. The original construc- improvements in these letter of support concluded: tion of these interstates did communities are what Go “The proposed Tampa Bay disrupt those communities Hillsborough is about, with Express project will be a and recovery has been slow. Tampa’s officials primarily critical link to both the It did not help that federal deciding what gets funded continued enhancement of and state transportation in these areas. Calls for the region’s transportation policy focused more on more community planning network and ability of Port minimizing expenses than in these neighborhoods Tampa Bay’s shareholders mitigating impacts on their is fine, but that doesn’t and customers to move neighbors.

Fortunately, mean TBX’s local and cargo efficiently to market. . that has changed favorably regional benefits should . . If the Tampa Bay Express in recent years and FDOT be jeopardized waiting for project is not approved by is proposing many mitiga- such efforts. Consider the the Hillsborough County tion techniques to enhance planned widening of these Metropolitan Planning existing and new lanes with stretches of I-275 and I-4 Organization (MPO), the aesthetic, noise, and safety has been on the books for $3.5 billion that Florida improvements. They seek to over two decades! FDOT

Greater Tampa REALTOR® News

May 2016

3

has been purchasing properties for these widenings for years. Yet, some want to portray this as a surprising new threat? All that has really changed is using tolled express lanes means these projects can be funded sooner rather than later,

fronts and embracing the regional movement aspects of TBX doesn’t mean local efforts for more transit and “complete streets” are then abandoned.

Our MPO officials should vote to keep the TBX projects moving as one piece

and coordinated together as a package instead of piecemeal over decades.

The additional lanes, whether tolled express lanes or not, are inevitable as Hillsborough County alone expects another 600,000 residents by 2035.

That probably means another million or more when adding our abutting counties and their many Tampa commuters. Freight and tourist traffic will grow as well. Such growth pressures are undeniable and ignored at our peril.

This can’t be about more road improvements verses more transit services. We need more capacity on all

of the larger transportation puzzle we’ve yet to solve for a better Tampa Bay. We need your help delivering that message to the MPO Board before or during their public hearing on this subject June 22nd, 6:00 pm, County Center 2nd Floor Auditorium, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, Florida. I urge you to send an e-mail to the MPO Board asking they support the TBX projects via MPO@plancom. org. You can also learn more about TBX by visiting FDOT’s site at www.tampabayexpress.com. Your voice matters as part of GTAR’s “Voice For Real Estate”!

2016

Do You Know a Good Neighbor?

ENTRY

DEADLINE

MAY 13

Winners of REALTOR® Magazine’s Good Neighbor Award receive a $10,000 grant for their charity.

To nominate a REALTOR®, go to realtor.org/gna or call 800-874-6500.

REALTOR® Nancy Hines has improved people’s lives by co-founding a nonprofit that helps women with ovarian cancer.

Nancy is a Good Neighbor.

R E A LT O R ® M A G A Z I N E ’ S

GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARDS

REALTOR® Magazine thanks Good Neighbor Awards program sponsors realtor.com® and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.

Primary Sponsor

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May 2016

Greater Tampa REALTOR® News

www.GTAR.org

REALTORS PAC ®

Extravaganza pushes GTAR even closer to their 2016 RPAC Goal

C ASSO IATION PA O M A

4TH ANNUAL

TORS AL RE

GREAT ER

The chili competition drew seven entrants, and a panel of local politicians, Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Bob Henriquez, Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner; House of Representative Janet Cruz; Aide to Tampa City Councilman Guido Maniscalco Carrie Henriquez; House of Representative Ed Narain; and the popular University Club Chef Brian Clayton.

The Chili Cook-Off trophy was awarded to Tiffany Obenreder with State Insurance Online, with a separate award given to Sarah Hepburn for best table presentation. Special thanks to the other cook-off

participants: Karen MacCormick with RE/MAX Dynamic, Jeanette Yates with Weichert REALTORS®/ Yates & Associates, Sarah Hepburn with GTAR, April Gayle Gausman with the Women's Council of REALTORS, and Norm Stepano with The Mortgage Firm.

RPAC is here to serve the interests of our membership. RPAC works for you by fighting issues that affect REALTORS® and homeowners an supporting candidates because of their views on property ownership and property rights.

To contribute to Florida REALTORS® PAC, please visit www.gtar.org/FLPAC

(from l-r) Alma Alexander, Connie Johnson and Mari Colgan

F

T

On April 14, GTAR held it's annual fundraising extravaganza for RPAC – featuring a chili cook-off and live auction. With over 125 people in attendance, the RPAC committee was able to reach their event goal of $18,000. All proceeds will go towards the Association's 2016 goal of $163,260.

GTAR was able to attract event sponsorships from a handful of companies within or related to the industry, including MyFloridaREALTORS®, Caliber Home Loans, Barmes Enterprises, Florida Title Pros, and American Bancshares Mortgage.

LIVE AUCTION & CHILI COOK-OFF

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS AND GIFT DONORS

HABANERO SPONSOR

CASH PRIZE DRAWING SPONSOR

CHILI COOK OFF PRIZE SPONSOR

Caliber Home Loans

Barmes Enterprises

CAYENNE SPONSOR

BEST CHILI DÉCOR SPONSOR

Florida Title Pros

American Bancshares Mortgage

DONORS Traci Lynn Jewelry

Uno de 50

Alma Alexander

American Home Shield

David Weekley Homes

Laure Taylor

Majesty Title

Spano & Woody, P.A. dba Higher Ground Title Services

Barbara Jordan

Buckhorn Springs Golf & Country Club

The Resort & Club at Little Harbor

Apollo Beach Golf Club

The Loews Don Cesar

Cardinal Roofing & Solar Technologies

Florida Title Pros

Gerardo Luna Photography

Scepter Golf Club/ Clublink

Florida Golf Trail - Tampa

Third Federal Credit Savings & Loan

Sun Bar Tanning Saloon

Fidelity National Title

Lowry Park Zoo

Laura Izzo

Mary McCall Brenda Rabbitt Mari Colgan Matt Bross Ellie Lambert Cody Conklin Teresa Morning Jack Rodriguez

www.GTAR.org

Greater Tampa REALTOR® News

Benefits of electronic lockboxes

$163,260

May 2016

5

continued from Page 1

Electronic lockboxes can only be opened with an electronic key or authorized smartphone app and a valid PIN. Only authorized agents can show homes. A record of each access is documented in the lockbox and automatically delivered to a secure database. With the Supra iBox, showing hours can be customized separately for weekdays, Saturdays, and Sunday. Plus, you’ll be able to know (and let your seller know) who was in and when.

Electronic lockboxes assist in the sale of homes. By providing agents convenient, authorized, and documented access to properties, homes will get the necessary exposure and sell faster.

Current amount invested

$127,601.8

It’s all about the Key! Choose the eKEY app for your smartphone or tablet, or choose the ActiveKEY®. All of the Supra key devices are easy to use since messages appear on the screen guiding you through the steps.

Once keys are updated, they stay updated throughout the day so you can open lockboxes even if you aren’t in cell coverage.

The ActiveKEY gives you freedom of wireless, cellular updates. The eKEY Basic application lets you change access times and shackle codes on your lockboxes and track your lockbox inventory and lockbox settings. The eKEY Professional application does all of that and also lets you store MLS info on your smartphone, search listings, create buyer profiles, view showing activity, and more. Save time and money and enhance your professional image!

As of April 20, 2016 To contribute to Florida REALTORS® PAC, please visit

www.gtar.org/FLPAC Choose "Greater Tampa Assn" for the Contribution Board/Association field.

2016 RPAC MAJOR INVESTORS

Your Supra key transmits data via the Internet to Supra’s wireless information network, giving decision-making advantages only real-time information can provide.

SupraWEB Agent Website Provides Tools to Empower Agents The SupraWEB agent website at www.supraekey.com is your tool. You can use it to: • m anage your lockbox inventory - assign the listing ID or address to • s et up your showing notifications so you can receive a text or email when one of your lockboxes is opened

Seven more benefits of the new lockboxes 1. Compatibility with ActiveKEY as well as many smartphones and tablets gives more choices 2. “Touch and release” key container makes it easy to open 3. Larger key container holds a ring of keys, fobs, and gate cards 4. Shackle removes completely for easy placement on properties 5. Long-life lithium batteries 6. Program three different access hour settings for better customer service 7. C all Before Showing (CBS) feature allows you to program additional code into the iBox for times you want ensure you are called before a showing

• e mail a custom showing report that includes listing agent’s photo • u pload listing photos to easily identify properties at a glance in SupraWEB Andy Joe Scaglione Platinum R

Connie Johnson Golden R President's Circle

• s end feedback to a listing agent after you show a property • m anage your Supra key billing information

Take advantage of technology Don Walden Jack Rodriguez Sterling R Continued Sterling R Continued

When equipped with real-time data, you can respond to clients with speed and confidence and negotiate faster sales.

• K now right away when showings happen • L et a homeowner (maybe a busy mom with three young children) know exactly when their showing started so they have an idea on when they can return to the house.

Barbara Jordan Crystal R Continued

Brad Monroe Sterling R Continued

Susanna Madden Mary McCall Sterling R Continued Sterling R Continued

• C onnect with a showing agent after receiving a showing notice to see what they liked about the listing — before they go on to the next showing. Remind them to check out certain features, answer any questions, and provide any information on possible offers coming in on the property that might help a buyer make a decision more quickly in a market where properties are moving.

• T rack activity on a property and send reports to sellers • K now what is going on in vacant homes, giving the homeowner peace of mind.

• P rovide better communication to your clients

Dennis MacDonald Sterling R

• H ave more time to do other things like focus on prospecting

Having trouble opening your lockbox with the eKey? Visit www.gtar/ekeyVideo for a video tutorial.

(Courtesy of the San Francisco Association of REALTORS®)

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Greater Tampa REALTOR® News

www.GTAR.org

CODE OF ETHICS

ARTICLE 6

The Code of Ethics is a detailed document that spells out the professional responsibilities that every REALTOR® has voluntarily agreed to abide by.

REALTORS® shall not accept any commission, rebate, or profit on expenditures made for their client, without the client’s knowledge and consent.

When recommending real estate products or services (e.g., homeowner’s insurance, warranty programs, mortgage financing, title insurance, etc.), REALTORS® shall disclose to the client or customer to whom the recommendation is made any financial benefits or fees, other than real estate referral fees, the REALTOR® or REALTOR®’s firm may receive as a direct result of such recommendation. (Amended 1/99)

supplies at retail prices.

REALTOR® A’s practice came to the attention of Owner B who filed a complaint with the local Board of REALTORS®, charging REALTOR® A with unethical conduct in violation of Article 6 of the Code of Ethics.

In questioning during the hearing called by the Board’s Professional Standards Committee, REALTOR® A’s defense was that the prices at which he billed these supplies to his client were no higher than the prices which Owner B had been paying prior to putting the property under REALTOR® A’s management.

It was clearly established STANDARD OF that no disclosure of this profit or supplies used in PRACTICE #6-1 REALTORS® shall not property management had recommend or suggest to a been made, and also that in client or a customer the use proposing the management of services of another orga- contract, REALTOR® A had nization or business entity held out to Owner B the in which they have a direct inducement of attainable interest without disclosing economies in operation. such interest at the time REALTOR® A was found of the recommendation or by the Hearing Panel to suggestion. (Amended 5/88) be in violation of Article 6 Case Interpretation #6-1: Profit on Supplies Used in Property Management (Reaffirmed Case #16-1 May, 1988. Transferred to Article 6 November, 1994.)

REALTOR® A, a property manager, bought at wholesale prices, janitorial supplies used in cleaning and maintenance of an office building which he managed for his client, Owner B. In his statements to Owner B, he billed these

Case Interpretation #6-2: Manager’s Use of Client’s Property for Vending Machines

(Reaffirmed Case #16-2 May, 1988. Transferred to Article 6 November, 1994)

REALTOR® A managed Client B’s large apartment building, and made an arrangement under which coin operated vending machines were placed in the basement of the building.

Six months after the

machines were installed, Client B noticed them and raised a question to the propriety of REALTOR® A’s action in installing them, and deriving revenue from them, without Client B’s knowledge and consent.

REALTOR® A’s response was that he had considered the machines a service to the tenants which in no way affected Client B’s interests.

He told Client B that he did derive a small amount of revenue from them, which had not been remitted to Client B because he felt that this revenue compensated him for his time and effort in arranging for installa-

tion of the machines and maintaining contact with the firm that operated them. He suggested that if Client B was unhappy he could seek a formal ruling by submitting the matter to the Professional Standards Committee of the Board of REALTORS®.

Accordingly, Client B did just that. At a hearing on the matter it was established that REALTOR® A had not consulted his client at the time he authorized installation of the machines; that revenue derived from operation of the machines had been retained by REALTOR® A;

and that Client B had been furnished no information whatever in the matter until he observed the machines in his own periodic inspection of the building.

It was the conclusion of the Hearing Panel that, whether or not the presence of the machines was a service for the tenants, the giving of authority for their installation was in effect a rental of the space they occupied; and that, in the absence of any disclosure to the owner, REALTOR® A was in violation of Article 6 of the Code of Ethics.

CODE, Page 13

More ways to target potential buyers.

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REALTORS® shall not accept any commission, rebate, or profit on expenditures made for their client, without the client’s knowledge and consent.

PR65890

Call 813-259-7846 to learn more about benefits you’ll receive as a GTAR member!

www.GTAR.org

have it

Greater Tampa REALTOR® News

May 2016

all!

At WaterGrass, you will enjoy the lifestyle you deserve, where luxury awaits everyone in a neighborhood unlike any other. An all-embracing community where homeowners share such resort-style amenities as a children’s splash zone, junior-Olympic pool and a state-of-the-art fitness center. A magical oasis whose thoughtful conservation offers serenity and beauty with an abundance of open spaces and parks.

Whether you’re looking for a villa from the upper $100s or the custom home of your dreams for over $1 million, you’re at home in the luxury you deserve at WaterGrass.

Villas from the upper $100’s • Single Family Homes from the $230’s to over $1 Million

813-907-0101 | CROWN-WATERGRASS.COM | I-75 to exit 279 (SR 54). East 2.6 miles, Left on Curley Road, WaterGrass is ahead on the right.

Arthur Rutenberg Homes (813) 948-2504 | Bakerfield Luxury Homes (813) 364-4155 | Ryland Homes (813) 388-2933 | D.R. Horton (813) 388-6831 | Standard Pacific Homes (813) 994-1911 Homes within WaterGrass are constructed and sold by builders not affiliated with Crown Community Development. Future development of WaterGrass may or may not occur as shown on illustrations, depictions or maps.

Aurther Rutenberg Homes #CCG 1509234, Bakerfield Luxury Homes #CGC 1520881, DR Horton CBC 039052, Ryland Homes CBC 1253657, Standard Pacific Homes CGC 1506304

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Greater Tampa REALTOR® News

www.GTAR.org

AFFORDABLE HOUSING Lunch & Learn is back for 2016!

REALTORS® can attend to learn about the special affordable home ownership programs, network, and share information with other real estate professionals The Affordable Housing Task Force will hold its annual Lunch n’ Learn on May 18 from 8:30AM to 3 PM in GTAR’s Auditorium.

The speakers will cover topics such as Section 8 Housing, how to buy with Section Rental vouchers and what inspectors look for when you place housing properties on their list.

The Hillsborough County Code Enforcement will speak about recent viola-

tions, and how to correct and repeat inspection of them. A Real Estate attorney will speak about recent court cases and give tips on lawsuit prevention.

Finally, information will be provided to help your sellers and buyers. Solita's House, a nonprofit HUD Counseling Agency, will speak about its homeownership classes that are part of the first time home buyers program. These

classes help the buyer learn about the responsibilities of homeownership and what they need to do in order to qualify for a loan.

There will also be a panel of experts that know where to find the special funds and how to layer them to receive as much help as possible for low- to mid-income households. Don't miss out on the essentials provided in this educational program, and REALTORS® that pre-

viously attended this program can also learn more.

Register online at www. gtar.org. Looking forward to seeing you there!

BY JO EASTON Affordable Housing Task Force Chair

PANELISTS

Housing Code Enforcement: Bob Sheehan & John Gibson Tampa Section 8 Rentals: Kenneth Gray Legal Updates: Michael Boutzoukas, Attorney State Bond Program: Sue Denihan GTAR CARE Foundation: Robert Paredes FHA 203K Program: Andy Wood VA Program: Brandy Novak

NAR awards GTAR with two program grants A $5,000 Housing Opportunity Grant received from the National Association of REALTORS® will fund a special housing event in the City of Tampa’s Sulphur Springs area, where high crime, poverty, foreclosures, and a lack of basic resources have plagued the neighborhood. This event, entitled, "Building Community Through Homeownership", is scheduled for September 17, 2016 and will benefit the community-at-large.

The proposed program will be lead by the Association's Affordable Housing Task Force and will provide information and workshops on the Steps to Homeowners program, Fair Housing Laws, and current homeownership opportunities.

Housing experts will present educational workshops on establishing credit, credit repair, budgeting, the First-Time Home Buyers Programs with Down Payment Assistance, Property Maintenance, and landlord-tenant responsibilities. To break the language barrier, Spanish-speaking presenters will be sought. This event will be both educational and fun for families, so in addition to the workshops, the program will also include children’s activities, food, and door prizes. Service

providers, non-profit organizations, housing -related businesses and government agencies will be invited to provide information NAR’s Commercial Innovative Division awarded $2,000 for GTAR’s Commercial Ambassadors Program (CAP) Next Generation. This is a practical and educational certificate program is designed for residential and junior commercial REALTORS®.

Experienced commercial practitioners will share their knowledge, experience, and business savvy in a mentorship program. The purpose of CAP Next Generation is three-fold: (1) Help to determine if commercial real estate should be pursued by the REALTOR®; (2) Prepare the next generation of successful commercial REALTORS®; and, (3) Provide risk management tools and tips to prevent business losses created by naïve and inexperienced REALTORS®.

In response to the demand for commercial education from new agents, residential REALTORS® and junior commercial agents will revamp its initial CAP from lessons learned while maintaining the successful aspects of the 2014/2015 CAP. CAP III objectives include: a) Provide the educational

and practical tools that generally apply to commercial transactions; and b) Introduce areas of specialization.

Over the next nine months CAP III will consist of three brand new activities and three from earlier CAP that proved effective: (1) Identify at least one Realtor

association to mentor in implementing their own CAP; (2) Legal Commercial Update will be featured on a monthly basis by a reputable local commercial attorney on a pro bono basis; (3) Coordinate at least two offsite trainings of commercial sites that will serve as real

life case studies; (4) Offer at least three classroom trainings using the circle training/team concept.

For more information on the grants and new programs, contact Rebecca Lopez, GTAR's Director of Professional Development, at Rebecca@gtar.net.

PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS! PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS!

Greater Tampa REALTOR® News, the official publication of GTAR, is produced twelve (12) times a year and distributed to more than 8,900 REALTORS® and affiliate business partners throughout the Tampa Bay area. Don’t miss this opportunity to market your company’s message to an engaged audience.

www.gtar.org/advertising

www.GTAR.org

Q&A Can I deduct my commission from my tenant's inital rental deposit?

QUESTION: I represent a tenant who recently signed a lease, but hasn’t yet moved into the premises. As the tenant’s broker, I received the first month’s rent, last month’s rent and security deposit described in the lease. May I deduct my commission from these funds and then deliver the balance to the landlord’s broker?

ANSWER: Possibly, although we highly recommend that you receive clear written instruction to do so. The tenant owes the landlord funds described in the lease, which may include a deposit and advance rent. The landlord owes the landlord’s broker the commission described in the exclusive right to lease (listing) agreement, and the landlord’s broker owes the tenant’s broker the offer of compensation described in the MLS. When brokers deduct their commission, they’re typically taking a shortcut from the way the money should flow, based on intertwining contracts.

The information and materials in this column are provided by Florida REALTORS® for general informational purposes only and are not intended to be legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed. Nothing in this column is intended to substitute for the advice of an attorney, especially an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.

Greater Tampa REALTOR® News

May 2016

9

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Kenneth Abraham

Calvin Forehand

Raymond Lee

Terrell Russell

Marlon Amayadiaz

Jonathan Fox

Anissa Lee

Adlin Sanchez

Marilyn Andreatta

Guy Frankenfield

Janet Logemann

Alysia Santos

Winston Aspinall

Aizianette Franklin

Daily Lopez

Victoria Savariyar

Danielle Atherton Bonner

Larry Frederick

Tyler Loyd

Lanika Schaefer

Brody Beauford

Mabel Fredman

Wendy Martin

Emily Schichtl

Linda Bessignano

Tetiana Gapych

Gisela Martinez

Jill Schwartz

Rakesh Bhalla

Yaremi Garcia

Mary Mashke

Luz Scotti

Sabrina Boergerding

Elizabeth Garcia

Melissa Massengale

Walter Serpa

Robert Bowe

Rebekah Gellert

William Matos

Angela Settlemyre

Raquel Brevard

Colin Gill

Yamika McGee-Kleinschmidt

Randy Seunarine

Sheryl Brewer

Susan Gilleland

Roseline McGill

Ariella Shaw

Jessica Bridges

Brenda Goldsmith

Amanda McLawhorn

Cheryl Sheive

Stara Brown

Michael Goodman

Juan Medina

Jeanie Shireling

Enaia Bullard

Edward Goyanes

Joel Meeks

Thomas Shultz

Steven Burk

Lisa Grabenhorst Rees

Tripti Mehta

Deborah Sierra

Michelle Butchkoski

Jeremiah Greene

Julie Melsopp

Jeffrey Sikorske

Katie Cafaro

Neril Griffith

Lindsay Mitchell

Elena Silva

Sarah Calandro

John Grygiel

Jake Moore

Gino Simone Jr

Miranda Carpenter

Melissa Gunn

Lynsay Moore

Rhett Simpson

Joseph Carpenter

James Gunther

Kristin Mora

Christine Smith

Reggeniqua Chambers

Brittany Harper

Nadesna Moran

Richard Smith

Haley Cisar

Heather Harrelson

Alberto Morillo

Duskie Smith

John Clarkin

Joshua Harris

Frankie Morrow

Wade Sparling

Jorge Claudio

Stacy Harrison

Roger Mourant Jr

Charles Steadham

Sharena Clemmons

Samantha Hatton

Scott Mueller

Jie Su

Elizabeth Collet

Vivian Hernandez

Jennifer Mujica

Kwai Sum

Heather Cook

Michael Herres

Kimberly Nash-Lawley

Jill Teske

Deborah Coyle

Charles Hewitt

Marina Navia

Claudia Thalji

Tameria Crenshaw

Austin Holmes

Douglas Oglesby

Augustine Thomas

Joan Cristinzio

William Howell

Elizabeth Olson

Nik-kia Thomas

Justin Dargahi

Rebecca Hunt

Christopher Padulo

Lauren Tummel

Juan De La Garza

Peter Iliopoulos

Jeremy Parker

Jeffery Tutt

Tanga Dedrick

Alexandra Isaza

Aaron Patrinostro

Chad Tyler

Juan DeLaGarza

Jill Jacobson

Sara Peacock

Nancy Uribe

Michael Denson

Marcia Jacon

Daniel Perez

Yuly Vazquez-Enriquez

Frank Diaz

Jose Jimenez Molina

Javier Perez

Marisela Velasquez

Michelle DiGiore

Lori Johnson

Roosevelt Pickett

Tracy Walker

Joseph DiRenzo

Edward Johnson

Vianney Piedrahita Ramirez

Brett Watkins

James Donahue

Marcus Johnson

Dayana Pinto

Marcia Watson

Jonathan Drago

Jimica Jones

Ashley Plumstead

Linda White

William Driver

Michele Jones

Denise Prebich

Liza Whiteman

Colette Duke

Kyle Jones

Rogel Prieto

Amy Williams

Desirae Dunn

Nazly Kadkhodaei

Jing Qian

Breanne Williams

Jason Eames

Claudine Kappaz

Deborah Quinn Williams

Nicole Willliams

James Engelmann

Kip Keebler

Kristine Rikli

Julia Wright

John Evans

Milouska Kennis

Annabelle Riles

Xiaojian Yang

Joseph Fairbert

Karen Ketner

Carlos Rivas

Kay Young

Bianca Fallico

Susan Kittel

Jennifer Rivera Judge

Horacio Yturriaga

Michael Faust

Deborah Knowles

Catherine Robarts

Nayibe Zambrano Hernandez

Albert Ferianc

David Kushner

Sarah Roberts

Gregory Fields

Mario Ladino

Emily Rodriguez

Tyan Flannery

Lissney Larena Diaz

Stephanie Rosh

Charles Ford

Erika Leak

Karen Rothers

NEW BROKERS Clayton Kennedy

Special thanks to our March 29, 2016 and April 8, 2016 Orientation Sponsors

10

May 2016

Greater Tampa REALTOR® News

www.GTAR.org

CALENDAR MAY 2016 MONDAY, MAY 2 I nternational Council Spring Meet n' Greet 4:30PM - 6:30PM

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4

CRS: Generate More Leads 9:00AM - 4:00PM EALTORS® Commercial Alliance Committee R 10:30AM - 12:00PM CF Charity Bingo R 7:00PM - 11:00PM

THURSDAY, MAY 5 ffiliates Golf Tournament A 8:30PM - 3:30PM REALTOR®/Attorney Committee 9:30AM - 11:00AM ffer Accepted/Slingshot Marketing Series O 10:00AM - 12:00PM

G TAR Board/Committee Meetings E ducational Opportunities M LS Computer Classes TUESDAY, MAY 10

EALTORS® Political Actions Committee (RPAC) R 10:45AM - 12:15PM

MONDAY, MAY 9 ppraisal Task Force A 10:00AM - 11:30AM echnology Committee T 10:00AM - 12:00PM

Licensing/Renewal Class Special Events

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18

oung Professionals Network Committee Y 10:00AM - 11:00AM

inance Committee F 1:30PM - 3:00PM

ode of Ethics C 1:00PM - 4:00PM

dding/Editing Listings A 3:00PM - 4:30PM

echnology User Group T 5:30PM - 7:30PM

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11

THURSDAY, MAY 19 earching, Reports & Contact Management S 9:00AM - 12:00PM

ffordable Housing Committee (AHC) A 9:30AM - 11:00AM

Contract Class 9:30AM - 12:00PM

ffiliates/Business Partner Meeting A 10:00AM - 11:30AM

rievance Committee G 9:30AM - 1:00PM

air Housing Committee F 11:00AM - 12:30PM

he Mobile Agent T 1:00PM - 3:00PM

THURSDAY, MAY 12

The Do's and Don'ts of Managing Section 8 Rentals 10:00AM - 2:00PM

FRIDAY, MAY 13 ew Member Orientation N 8:00AM - 1:00PM

FRIDAY, MAY 6 overnmental Affairs Committee G 9:30AM - 11:30AM

Orientation

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18

Lunch & Learn: Affordable Housing 9:00AM - 3:00PM

arty with a Purpose P 4:30PM - 7:30PM

FRIDAY, MAY 20 rofessional Development Committee (PDC) P 10:00AM - 11:30AM

MONDAY, MAY 23 I nternational Meet & Greet 9:30AM - 1:00PM

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25

LS Basic M 9:00AM - 12:00PM

orm Simplicity F 9:30AM - 12:30PM

egal Lounge L 9:30AM - 11:00AM

EALTOR® Commercial Alliance Training R ALL DAY

ompliance 101 C 1:00PM - 2:30PM

THURSDAY, MAY 26 ew Member Orientation N 8:00AM - 1:00PM

I nternational Council 3:00PM - 4:30PM

Join us as we expel misconceptions concerning the Assisted Housing Program and learn about the process which will create less confusion and better efficiency.

THE DO'S AND DON'TS OF MANAGING MAY 12, 2016 • 10:00AM - 2:00PM Featuring Guest Speaker Kenneth Gray, Landlord Liaison with the Tampa Housing SECTION 8 RENTALS Authority. Continental Breakfast and Lunch will be provided.

JUNE 2016 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1 EALTORS® Commercial Alliance Committee R 10:30AM - 12:00PM he Deal Room/Commercial Pitch T 1:00PM - 2:30PM

THURSDAY, JUNE 9 ommunications Committee C 9:30AM - 11:00AM roperty Managers Task Force P 10:00AM - 11:00AM lorida REALTORS®: Meet the Candidates F ALL DAY

FRIDAY, JUNE 10 THURSDAY, JUNE 2 eneral Membership Meeting G 9:30AM - 11:30AM REALTOR®/Attorney Committee 1:00PM - 2:30PM

FRIDAY, JUNE 3 overnmental Affairs Committee G 9:30AM - 11:30AM EALTORS® Political Actions Committee (RPAC) R 10:45AM - 12:15PM

ew Member Orientation N 8:00AM - 1:00PM

MONDAY, JUNE 13 ppraisal Task Force A 10:00AM - 11:30AM echnology Committee T 10:00AM - 12:00PM I nternational Council 3:00PM - 4:30PM

ode of Ethics C 1:00PM - 4:00PM

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8 ffordable Housing Committee (AHC) A 9:30AM - 11:00AM ffiliates/Business Partner Meeting A 10:00AM - 11:30AM air Housing Committee F 11:00AM - 12:30PM inance Committee F 1:30PM - 3:00PM

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15 egal Lounge L 9:30AM - 11:00AM

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15 dvanced Matrix A 9:00AM - 12:00PM iMapp 1:00PM - 3:00PM

THURSDAY, JUNE 16 rievance Committee G 9:30AM - 1:00PM

FRIDAY, JUNE 17 rofessional Development Committee (PDC) P 10:00AM - 11:30AM

MONDAY, JUNE 20 TUESDAY, JUNE 14

TUESDAY, JUNE 7

LEARN MORE

LS Basic M 9:00AM - 12:00PM oung Professionals Network Committee Y 10:00AM - 11:00AM ompliance 101 C 1:00PM - 2:30PM dding/Editing Listings A 3:00PM - 4:30PM echnology User Group T 5:30PM - 7:30PM

oard of Directors Meeting B 9:30AM - 1:00PM

TUESDAY, JUNE 21 LS Basic M 9:00AM - 12:00PM HA 203(k) F 9:30AM - 12:30PM

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29 EALTORS® Commercial Alliance Committee R 10:30AM - 12:00PM

www.GTAR.org

May 2016

Greater Tampa REALTOR® News

11

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES LUNCH&LEARN AFFORDABLE HOUSING One of the most popular housing programs is back!

FORM SIMPLICITY Free training at GTAR Simplify your transactions process and save time.

Learn about the special affordable home ownership programs, network with real estate professionals and share information - ALL IN ONE PLACE! Our presenters will provide you with the basics on how to utilize the various affordable housing programs, such as FHA 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance, Rent-to-Own, and the Florida Bond Program.

Panelists include: • Housing Code Enforcement: Bob Sheehan, John Gibson • Tampa Section 8: Rentals Kenneth Gray • Legal Updates: Michael Boutzoukas, Attorney • State Bond Program: Sue Denihan • GTAR CARE Foundation: Robert Paredes • FHA 203K Program: Andy Wood • VA Program: Brandy Novak

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

GTAR AUDITORIUM

Form Simplicity is a web-based, real estate transaction tool that is easy to learn, easy to use and includes powerful features.

This powerful tool is an included member benefit, provided by Florida REALTORS®. Form Simplicity simplifies your business transactions and saves you time.

Learn how to use Form Simplicity and be able to: • Electronically fill out Real Estate paperwork in a web-based application.

• Create, edit, and manage paperless transactions.

• Print, Email, Fax, Collaborate via Form Simplicity.

• Save time with digital signatures.

• Archive and store long term electronic paperwork for compliance.

IMPORTANT:

We suggest you bring your own device - just be sure to have it cleared by Tech Helpline PRIOR to class by calling 407-487-1450.

• Earn 3CE.

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

GTAR AUDITORIUM

FREE for members, $10 for non-members

Free training for members GTRN DISPLAY

The Do’s & Don’ts of

MANAGING SECTION 8 RENTALS

INTEGRITY. PROFESSIONALISM. SHAPING OUR FUTURE

CODE OF

ETHICS If you became a REALTOR® before January 1, 2013, you are required to complete the NAR Code of Ethics course before December 31, 2016

Section 8 is a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) assistance program for low income families that grants housing payment assistance to families based on their ability to pay for housing expenses.

In order to be approved and accept a Section 8 tenant, your rental property must meet HUD inspection guidelines which will verify that the property is in livable condition and that all utilities are in working order.

Guest Speaker: Kenneth Gray, Landlord Liaison, Tampa Housing Authority

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2016 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

GTAR AUDITORIUM Continental Breakfast and Lunch will be provided.

FREE for everyone

3 WAYS to Complete the Code of Ethics Training • ONLINE: Visit www.realtor.org/code-of-ethics/training.

Send completion certificate to COE@GTAR.net • DVD: For 25 or more members, GTAR will provide the training videos for your office.

• IN-PERSON: Attend an in-person training at GTAR. Register online at www.GTAR.org.

Next in-person training:

JUNE 7, 2016

1:00PM - 4:00PM

REGISTER ONLINE AT www.GTAR.org

12

May 2016

Greater Tampa REALTOR® News

www.GTAR.org

AFFILIATES

GTAR's Affiliate Business Partners Appreciate the Recent Changes

It’s been a year of changes, not only for GTAR itself but also for the Affiliate Business Partners Program.

Our fearless leader, Francine Villa with American Bancshares Mortgage, has been evaluating our sign up process and overall presence within the Realtor Association. Lots of behind the scenes changes and updates have been

happening to get us on the cutting edge as Affiliates.

We even went to paperless sign-ups for the 14th annual golf tournament and it was a huge success!

We are loving the small and very clever changes that have been happening around the building as well. The card wall on the first floor is a beautiful way to promote yourself as an

Affiliate and we are all so grateful for this small gesture to show us that we are appreciated by the Realtors.

Also having the rooms labeled and the Wi-Fi sign up posted in each room are simple and yet so very helpful for everyone. The new lighting, and fresh look of the television as you walk in give the warmth of an open house. The new CEO has

made many smiles throughout the building and the overall feel of the building is more positive than before! Thanks everyone!

We Affiliate Business Partners work hard at GTAR to support the REALTOR® Care Foundation, who is working hard to help first time homebuyers, what a great TEAM!

BY BRIDGET JENKINS WILSON Affiliates Business Partners Vice-Chair

More changes are coming soon at GTAR! Stay tuned.

Getting to Know your Affiliate Business Partner Our May Affiliate Business Partner spotlight is Kevin Maxfield of Sudath Relocation Systems (1-800-288-2808 ext 1614).

"With a background in customer service, I strive to go above and beyond to make sure my customers are completely satisfied. I’m committed to making every move as worry-free as possible for my customer. I understand the importance of taking the time with every customer to explain the move process so they are comfortable and know their belongings are in good hands. I make it my motto to never over-promise, but always overdeliver.

We have been established since 1919, operating in 18 locations throughout the United States. I moved to the Sunshine state after graduating from the University of Cincinnati. I love water sports, especially kiteboarding, and taking my boat out with friends and family. When I’m not on the water, you can find me at the course practicing my golf swing."

GTAR’S AFFILIATE BUSINESS PARTNERS

PARTY with a

PURPOSE Come and network for a great cause!

Enjoy drinks and appetizers while networking with local REALTORS® in the Tampa Bay Area.

This is a free event that is open to all real estate professionals, with all proceeds going to a our charity, the REALTORS® Care Foundation!

STAY TUNED! COMING SOON AT THE END OF MAY Complimentary event for members and affiliate business partners.

Welcome to our Newest Affiliate Business Partners Steve Barker Reltco, Inc. Christopher Hall Citru Solution Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Mercedes Gonzalez-Hale Hale Law

Audi Spiridakos Homeside Financial Jose R. Gutierrez Absolute Home Mortgage Bryan Lovell VanDyk Mortgage

Janalee Jones Homeowners Financial Group Erin Bass Erin Bass Law Cherry Jillian Cherry Family Chiropractic Richard Green MidFlorida Credit Union

www.GTAR.org

MY FLORIDA REGIONAL MLS CALENDAR

Greater Tampa REALTOR® News

Code From Page 6

MLS BASIC (3 HOURS) MAY 18 • 9AM-12PM

This class will teach both new and returning agents the basic functionality in Fusion including search, printing and emailing. You will also learn about additional resources and member benefits provided

by My Florida Regional MLS, and more. This is a mandatory class for all new members to be completed within 60 days of joining.

COMPLIANCE 101 (1.5 HOURS) MAY 18 • 1PM-2:30PM

A mandatory class for all new members to be completed within 60 days of joining. Learn about the My Florida Regional MLS Rules and Regulations and the compliance procedure for accuracy of Listing Data, along with additional educational materials available on MFRMLSUniversity.com

ADDING & EDITING LISTINGS (1.5 HOURS) MAY 18 • 3PM-4:30PM

This class is mandatory if you will be adding and modifying listings in the MLS. Learn how to input and modify listings, enter photos, and add attachments along with valuable tips and techniques. Class is available through live webinars at MFRMLSUniversity. com or at any Association.

MLS SEARCHES, REPORTS, AND CONTACT MANAGEMENT (3 HOURS) MAY 19 • 9AM-12PM

This class provides a detailed overview of how to conduct various searches in Matrix. Topics include performing quick and detailed searches, utilizing map-based searches, adding additional fields to search forms, and conducting speed bar searches. In addition, this class will cover the information linked to listing reports through the external products such as Realist, iMapp, Data Coop, Down Payment Resource, the Market Conditions Report, etc. A comprehensive overview on how to set up and manage auto emails will then be given, along with how to use concierge mode, how the customer portal works, and how agents can track customers’ portal activity. This class will give you a great overview of how to search in Matrix and get the most of out of your search results!

REALIST (1.5 HOURS) MAY 19 • 1PM-2:30PM

The real estate profession is becoming increasingly mobile, and it is becoming critical for agents to be able to conduct business from any device. This class reviews the mobile tools that My Florida Regional MLS offers its customers. This class will explore all of the functions of the My MLS App. The class will also show how to use the Showing Time mobile app and the Loc Box feature of Transaction Desk.

Women’s Council of REALTORS®

Business Resource Meeting “Business Partner/Affiliate Appreciation and Chinese Auction” Please plan to attend to show your appreciation for all that our Affiliate members do for our organization!

Please bring Chinese Auction items to the meeting!

Thursday, May 19, 2016 11:00 a.m. - 145 p.m.

Maggiano's Little Italy

203 Westshore Plaza • Tampa, FL 33609

Cost: $25.

Register online at www.WCRTampa.com

Case Interpretation #6-3: Advertising Real Estate-Related Products and Services

(Adopted November, 2006)

REALTOR® X, a principal broker in the firm XY&Z, prided himself on his state of the art website that he used both to publicize his firm and to serve the firm’s clients and customers electronically.

REALTOR® X maintained positive business relationships with providers of real estate-related products and services including financial institutions, title insurance companies, home inspectors, mortgage brokers, insurance agencies, appraisers, exterminators, decorators, landscapers, moving companies, and others. Given the volume of business REALTOR® X’s firm handled, several of these companies advertised on the XY&Z home page and some of them, including the Third National Bank, included links to their own websites.

Buyer B, who had earlier entered into an exclusive buyer representation agreement with XY&Z, received frequent, automated reports from REALTOR® X about new properties coming onto the market. Hoping to purchase a home in the near future, he took advantage of REALTOR® X’s rich website to familiarize himself with the real estate-related products and services advertised there. Hoping to expedite his purchase experience by pre-qualifying for a mortgage loan, Buyer B went to REALTOR® X’s website and clicked on the Third National Bank’s link.

Once at the bank’s website,

he found a mortgage to his liking, completed the on-line application process, and learned in a matter of days that he was qualified for a mortgage loan.

In the meantime, Buyer B’s property search, guided both by REALTOR® X personally and through periodic updates from REALTOR® X’s website, proved fruitful. REALTOR® X and Buyer B visited a new listing on Hickory Street several times. Buyer B decided it met his needs and made an offer which was accepted by the seller.

A few weeks after the closing, Buyer B hosted a housewarming attended by his friend D, a website designer who had, coincidentally, been instrumental in developing REALTOR® X’s website. Buyer B told D how helpful the information from REALTOR® X’s website had been. “You know, don’t you, that each time a visitor to REALTOR® X’s website clicks on some of those links, REALTOR® X is paid a fee?”, asked D. “I didn’t know that,” said Buyer B, “I thought the links were to products and services REALTOR® X was recommending.”

Buyer B filed an ethics complaint against REALTOR® X alleging a violation of Article 6 for having

May 2016

13

recommended real estate products and services without disclosing the financial benefit or fee that REALTOR® X would receive for making the recommendation. At the hearing, REALTOR® X defended himself and his website, indicating that the advertisements for real estate-related products and services on his website were simply that, advertisements, and not recommendations or endorsements.

He acknowledged that he collected a fee each time a visitor to his website clicked on certain links, regardless of whether the visitor chose to do business with the “linked to” entity or not. “In some instances I do recommend products and services to clients and to customers.

In some instances I receive a financial benefit; in others I don’t. But in any instance where I recommend a real estate-related product or service, I go out of my way to make it absolutely clear I am making a recommendation, and I spell out the basis for my recommendation. I also disclose, as required by the Code, the financial benefit or fee that I might receive.

Those advertisements on my website are simply that, advertisements, no different than classified ads run in the local newspaper.”

The hearing panel agreed with REALTOR® X’s rationale, concluding that the mere presence of real estate-related advertisements on REALTOR® X’s website did not constitute a “recommendation” or “endorsement” of those products or services, and that the “click through” fee that REALTOR® X earned when visitors to his website linked to certain advertisers’ sites was not the type of financial benefit or fee that must be disclosed under Article 6.

14

May 2016

Greater Tampa REALTOR® News

www.GTAR.org

MLS STATISTICS

MARCH 2016

Monthly Market Detail - March 2016 Single Family Homes Hillsborough County

Monthly Market Detail - March 2016 Single Family Homes Hillsborough County

465

-12.0% 10.2%

Average Sale Price

$255,327

$232,788

9.7%

$414.4 Million

$366.6 Million

13.0%

97.0%

95.6%

1.5%

Median Time to Contract

39 Days

53 Days

-26.4%

Median Time to Sale

84 Days

101 Days

-16.8%

New Pending Sales

1,637

1,699

-3.6%

New Listings

2,321

2,053

13.1%

Pending Inventory

2,487

2,663

-6.6%

Inventory (Active Listings)

5,098

5,454

-6.5%

Months Supply of Inventory

3.4

4.0

-15.0%

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater MSA

Economists' note : Closed Sales are one of the simplest—yet most important—indicators for the residential real estate market. When comparing Closed Sales across markets of differentSummary sizes,Statistics we recommend comparing the percent changes in sales rather than the Salesare number of sales. Closed Sales (and many other market Closed metrics) affected by seasonal cycles, so actual trends are more Paid accurately in Cash represented by year-over-year changes (i.e. comparing a month's sales Medianrather Sale Price to the amount of sales in the same month in the previous year), than changes from one month to the next.

Closed Sales

March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 March 2016 September 2015

1,623 1,296 1,015 1,522 1,214 1,516 March 2015 1,499

August 2015 4,156 July 2015 June 2015 1,295 May 2015 April 2015 $187,000

1,646 3,988 1,783 1,869 1,479 1,586 $169,000 1,639 1,575 $212,471

March 2015 $231,065

Average Sale Price Dollar Volume 2014

96.3%

94.7%

1.7%

1,500

Median Percent of Original List Price Received

1,000

Median Time to Contract

37 Days

54 Days

-31.5%

Median Time to Sale

80 Days

98 Days

-18.4%

500

NewJ Pending J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D F M ASales M J J A S O N D J3,747 F M A M J J A3,993 S O N D J F -6.2% M 5,402

New Listings

5,050

7.0%

Produced by Florida REALTORS® with data provided by Florida's multiple listing services. Statistics for each month compiled from MLS feeds on the 15th day of the following month.

5,544 Pending Data released on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Historical data revised on Friday, February 26, 2016.

DollarInventory Volume revised on April 15,2016.

Next data release is 5,787 Friday, May 20, 2016.-4.2% Inventory (Active Listings)

13,085

14,571

-10.2%

Months Supply of Inventory

3.4

4.2

-19.0%

Closed Sales

Monthly Market Detail - March 2016 The number of sales transactions which closed during Townhouses the month and Condos Hillsborough County

Economists' note : Closed Sales are one of the simplest—yet most important—indicators for the residential real estate market. When comparing Closed Sales across markets of differentSummary sizes,Statistics we recommend comparing the percent changes in sales rather than the number of sales. Closed Sales (and many other market Closed metrics) are Sales affected by seasonal cycles, so actual trends are more accurately Paid in Cash represented by year-over-year changes (i.e. comparing a month's sales to the amount of sales in the same month in the previous year), Medianrather Sale Price than changes from one month to the next.

Average Sale Price

2012

2013

Dollar Volume

4,000

March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 March 2016 August 2015 July 2015 433 June 2015 207 May 2015

4,156 3,287 2,710 3,900 3,056 3,765 3,827 March 2015 4,031 4,467 483 4,646 250 4,041

April 2015 $138,000 March 2015 $162,899

4,057 $118,790 3,988 $145,727

4.2% 4.9% 7.4% 2.3% 0.3% 4.3% Percent Change 11.3% Year-over-Year 13.4% 27.5% -10.4% 27.6% -17.2% 12.7% 19.8% 16.2% 26.1% 11.8%

$70.5 Million

2015 $70.4 Million

0.2%

96.6%

94.4%

2.3%

2014

3,000

Median Percent of Original List Price Received

2,000

Median Time to Contract

24 Days

55 Days

-56.4%

Median Time to Sale

68 Days

100 Days

-32.0%

1,000 0

576

602

-4.3%

Produced by Florida REALTORS® with data provided by Florida's multiple listing services. Statistics for each month compiled from MLS feeds on the 15th day of the following month.

Data released on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Historical data revised on Friday, February 26, 2016. Dollar Volume revised on April 15,2016. Next data release is Friday, May 20, 2016.

703

764

-8.0%

Inventory (Active Listings)

1,166

1,335

-12.7%

Months Supply of Inventory

2.7

3.3

-18.2%

Pending Inventory

Closed Sales

Month

Monthly Distressed Market - March 2016 The number of sales transactions which closed during Single Family Homes the month Hillsborough County

March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 Economists' note : Closed Sales are one of the simplest—yet most October 2015 important—indicators for the residential real estate market. When September 2015 comparing Closed Sales across markets of different sizes, we March 2016 August 2015 recommend comparing the percent changes in sales rather than the number of sales. Closed Sales (and many other market metrics)Closed are Sales July 2015 1,434 affected by seasonal cycles, so actual trends are more accurately June 2015 Traditional represented by year-over-year changes (i.e. comparing a month's Median sales Sale Price May 2015 $218,000 to the amount of sales in the same month in the previous year), rather April 2015 than changes from one month to the next.

Closed Sales March 2015 139

Closed Sales

600

2012

Foreclosure/REO 2013

500

2014 Median Sale Price Closed Sales

400

$145,000 50

Closed Sales

Percent Change Year-over-Year

433 340 332 472 382 425 4912015 March 443 499 1,192 527 441 $211,030 483 483 311

-10.4% -10.1% 11.4% 8.5% 13.4% -2.5% Percent Change 24.9% Year-over-Year 2.3% 5.3% 20.3% 20.0% 2.6% 3.3% 27.1% 24.5% -55.3%

2015 $128,834

Median Sale Price

200

72

-30.6%

$135,000

$135,650

-0.5%

100 0

J F M A M J 2012 J A S O N D J F M A M J 2013 J A S O N D J F M A M J J2014 A S O N D J F M A M J J 2015 A S O N D J F M

Traditional

Foreclosure/REO

Short Sale

Produced by100% Florida REALTORS® with data provided by Florida's multiple listing services. Statistics for each month compiled from MLS feeds on the 15th day of the following month.

Data released on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Historical data revised on Friday, February 26, 2016. Dollar Volume revised on April 15,2016. Next data release is Friday, May 20, 2016.

90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30%

20% 10%

0%

2013

2014

Percent of Closed Sales Paid in Cash

Percent Change Year-over-Year

25.2% 26.9% 29.2% 27.1% 27.1% 25.8% Cash Sales 26.6% 1,295 29.8% 1,196 27.9% 991 26.4% 1,245 27.7% 1,115 28.6% 1,273 29.5% 1,291 2015 1,374 1,515 1,535 1,419 1,397 1,479

-14.6% -24.2% -22.3% -10.0% -17.9% -22.1% Percent Change -18.2% Year-over-Year -12.4% -4.8% -11.2% -2.1% -9.7% -13.2% -11.1% -14.2% -6.0% -21.0% -8.0% -21.1% -4.5% 2.5% 22.3% 15.6% -2.4% -1.1% 6.1%

2015

J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M

Data released on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Historical data revised on Friday, February 26, 2016. Dollar Volume revised on April 15,2016. Next data release is Friday, May 20, 2016.

1,000 500 0

J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M

Cash Sales as a Percentage of Closed Sales

Month

Monthly Market Detail - March 2016 The percentage of Closed Sales during the month Townhouses Condos which wereand Cash Sales Hillsborough County Economists' Cash Salesnote :

This statistic is simply another way of viewing Cash Sales. The remaining percentages of Closed Sales (i.e. those not

The of Closed Sales during in which paidnumber fully in cash) each month involved somethe sortmonth of financing, such as mortgages, owner/seller financing, assumed loans, etc. buyers exclusively paid in cash

Economists' note : Cash Sales can be a useful indicator of the extent to 2013Why? Investors are which investors are2012 participating in the market.

60% far more likely to have the funds to purchase a home available up front, 50% whereas the typical homebuyer requires a mortgage or some other 40% form of financing. There are, of course, many possible exceptions, so 30% this statistic should be interpreted with care.

20% 10%

0% 400

March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 Month September 2015 August 2015 March 2016 July 2015 February 2016 June 2015 January 2016 May 2015 December 2015 April 2015 November 2015 March 2015 October 2015 September 2015 2014 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015

Percent of Closed Sales Paid in Cash

Percent Change Year-over-Year

31.2% 36.4% 36.6% 31.9% 36.5% 33.8% 33.7% Cash Sales 34.1% 207 33.9% 164 33.0% 168 35.1% 201 34.4% 187 37.1% 194 238 2015 211 245 261 231 258 250

-15.9% -15.3% -15.9% -13.3% -6.2% -11.7% Percent Change -14.2% Year-over-Year -9.5% -17.2% -4.2% -23.4% -9.6% -2.9% -13.3% -10.7% -17.5% 8.1% -15.9% -17.4% 3.9% -5.4% -1.6% 15.0% 3.6% 16.2% 4.2%

J F M A M J2012 J A S O N D J F M A M J2013 J A S O N D J F M A M J2014 J A S O N D J F M A M J2015 J A S O N D J F M

Produced by Florida 300 REALTORS® with data provided by Florida's multiple listing services. Statistics for each month compiled from MLS feeds on the 15th day of the following month.

Data released on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Historical data revised on Friday, February 26, 2016. Dollar Volume revised on April 15,2016. Next data release is Friday, May 20, 2016.

200 100 0

J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M

Cash Sales as a Percentage of Closed Sales

Percent of Closed Sales Paid in Cash

Percent Change Year-over-Year

47.8% 48.2% 50.6% 42.6% 49.0% 45.6% 48.5% March 2015 47.6% 49.1% 345 49.5% 52.4% $145,000 53.4% 51.8% 116

-7.7% -14.8% -12.9% -17.6% -4.5% -15.4% Percent Change -16.8% Year-over-Year -7.6% -6.5% 5.8% -4.3% 1.0% 3.4% -8.6% -16.3% -57.8%

$79,000

2015 $81,000

-2.5%

19

22

-13.6%

$65,000

$60,000

8.3%

Month

Monthly Distressed Market - March 2016 The percentage of Closed Sales during the month Townhouses Condos which wereand Cash Sales Hillsborough County

March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 March 2016 Economists' note : This statistic is simply another way of viewing August 2015 Cash Sales. The remaining percentages of Closed Sales (i.e. those not July 2015 365 Closed Sales paid fully in cash) each month involved some sort of financing, such as June 2015 mortgages, owner/seller financing, assumed loans,Traditional etc.

May 2015 $150,000 Median Sale Price April 2015 49 Closed Sales March 2015 80%

2012

Foreclosure/REO 2013

60%

Median Sale2014 Price Closed Sales

Short Sale

40%

Median Sale Price

20% 0%

2012

2013

2014

2015

J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M

Traditional

Foreclosure/REO

Short Sale

Produced by100% Florida REALTORS® with data provided by Florida's multiple listing services. Statistics for each month compiled from MLS feeds on the 15th day of the following month.

Data released on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Historical data revised on Friday, February 26, 2016. Dollar Volume revised on April 15,2016. Next data release is Friday, May 20, 2016.

90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20%

10%

10% 0%

J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M

$250,000

$160,000 $140,000

$200,000

$120,000

ce

ce

2012

March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 Month September 2015 March 2016 August 2015 February July 20152016 January 2016 June 2015 December May 2015 2015 November April 2015 2015 October2015 2015 March September 2015 2014 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015

Produced by1,500 Florida REALTORS® with data provided by Florida's multiple listing services. Statistics for each month compiled from MLS feeds on the 15th day of the following month.

20% 0%

Economists' note : Cash Sales can be a useful indicator of the extent to which investors are2012 participating in the market.

Why? Investors are 2013 far60% more likely to have the funds to purchase a home available up front, 50% whereas the typical homebuyer requires a mortgage or some other 40% of financing. There are, of course, many possible exceptions, so form 30% this statistic should be interpreted with care.

2,000

Closed Sales

Closed Sales

This statistic is simply another way of viewing Cash Sales. The remaining percentages of Closed Sales (i.e. those not

The number of Closed Sales during the month in which paid fully in cash) each month involved some sort of financing, such as buyers exclusively paid in cash mortgages, owner/seller financing, assumed loans, etc.

12.5%

Short Sale

300

2015

Month

Cash Salesnote : Economists'

J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D F M ASales M J J A S O N D J 453 F M A M J J A478 S O N D J F -5.2% M NewJ Pending

New Listings

-12.0% -20.4% -18.7% -9.6% -19.2% -15.9% -11.0% 8.4% 20.3% 9.6% -2.2% -5.6% -1.3%

J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M

Monthly Market Detail - March 2016 The percentage of Closed Sales during the month Single Family Homes which were Cash Sales Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater MSA

Cash Sales

Closed Sales

5,000

Closed Sales

409 348 296 413 329 391 398 491 498 493 439 468 465

200

Cash Sales as a Percentage of Closed Sales

Percent Change Year-over-Year

Month

2014

Percent Change Year-over-Year

400

Pct. of Closed Sales Paid in Cash

0

2013

Cash Sales

600

0

25.0% 8.8% 13.3%

2012

800

3.0% 5.3% 5.0% 0.4% -1.6% 7.8% Percent Change 8.9% Year-over-Year 13.6% 4.2% 22.9% 26.3% -12.4% 14.2% 10.7% 19.5%

$847.3 Million 2015

March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015

Economists' note : Cash Sales can be a useful indicator of the extent to which investors are participating in the market. Why? Investors are far more likely to have the funds to purchase a home available up front, whereas the typical homebuyer requires a mortgage or some other form of financing. There are, of course, many possible exceptions, so this statistic should be interpreted with care.

Percent Change Year-over-Year

$960.3 Million

Month

The number of Closed Sales during the month in which buyers exclusively paid in cash

Pct. of Closed Sales Paid in Cash

The number of sales transactions which closed during Single Family Homes the month

Month

Cash Sales

Cash Sales

3.0%

$187,000

Closed Sales Monthly Market Detail - March 2016

Closed Sales

1,575

409

Median Percent of Original List Price Received

2,000

1,623

$206,000

Dollar Volume

2013

Percent Change Year-over-Year

Median Sale Price

Paid in Cash

2012

March 2015

Cash Sales

Closed Sales

March 2016

Pct. of Closed Sales Paid in Cash

Summary Statistics

J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M

www.GTAR.org

Greater Tampa REALTOR® News

May 2016

15

LOCAL TRENDS Tampa Bay home prices continue to rise Median single-family home prices are up across the nation, including locally, but a continuing tight inventory limited the number of sales in March.

BY YVETTE C. HAMMETT, Tampa Tribune Staff The statewide median price for an existing house last month was $209,500, up 10.3 percent from last year, Florida REALTORS® Industry Data and Analysis department reported.

Sales were down 0.6 percent.

Across the Tampa metro area, the median sale price rose 10.7 percent to $187,000.

The median sale price for condos/townhouses was up 8.7 percent to $125,000, the report states.

Sales in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-C le ar water Metropolitan Statistical Area were up 4.2 percent.

The news was better in Pinellas County where the median sale price for a single family house rose to $200,000 in March, 14.3 percent higher than in March 2015. Sales were up 4.5 percent.

Hillsborough County came in with a median sale price of $206,000 in March, up 10.2 percent over a year ago. Sales for single family homes were up 3 percent in March.

The median home sales price nationally was $222,700 in March, a 5.7 percent increase from a year ago, the National Association of REALTORS® reported. U.S. home sales recovered in March, too, after a February slump, kicking off a solid start to the spring buying season with strong gains in the Northeast and Midwest.

The National Association of REALTORS® reported sales of existing homes rose 5.1 percent last month despite tight inventory. The increase follows a steep 7.3 percent decline in February sales, possibly reflecting the volatility in the stock market.

“Many Florida home-

owners have been able to rebuild home equity due to strong price growth, but that can also pose a challenge for first-time buyers and move-up buyers,” said 2016 Florida REALTORS® President Matey H. Veissi, when the monthly report was released Wednesday. “However,

new listings rose in March, which is good news for potential buyers,” said Veissi, with Veissi & Associates in Miami. “New listings for existing single family homes rose 5.6 percent compared to a year ago while new listings for townhouse-condo properties were up 2.6 percent.

Again last month, sellers received more of their original asking price at the closing table, at 95.8 percent of their original list price, while those selling townhouses and condos in Florida received a median of 94.5 percent of the asking price.

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16

May 2016

Greater Tampa REALTOR速 News

www.GTAR.org

CANDID CAMERA

RPAC Major Investor Step-up event at the Yankees vs. Twins game

4TH ANNUAL

RPAC EXTRAVAGANZA

GTAR Leadership meets with Congresswoman Kathy Castor

APRIL 14, 2016

CHILI COOK-OFF WINNER

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www.GTAR.org

Greater Tampa REALTOR® News

May 2016

17

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18

May 2016

Greater Tampa REALTOR® News

www.GTAR.org

REALTORS® Give Homebuyers Leg Up in Competitive Spring Market With demand exceeding supply in markets across the U.S., homebuyers may be facing an uphill battle to find the perfect home this spring. Total housing inventory at the end of February was 1.88 million existing homes available for sale, 1.1 percent lower than last year and at a 4.4 month supply at the current sales pace, which is below the roughly six month supply level needed for a balanced market between buyers and sellers.

In competitive markets like this, it is important that homebuyers work with a REALTOR®. REALTORS® who have the National

Association of REALTORS®’ Accredited Buyer’s Representative® designation are specialized practitioners focused on working directly with buyer-clients and helping them through the challenges of finding the right home in a seller’s market.

“When there is more demand than inventory homes sell quickly, prices rise and bidding wars can start,” said NAR President Tom Salomone, broker-owner of Real Estate II Inc. in Coral Springs, Florida. “A REALTOR® with an ABR® designation is a home buyer’s upper hand; they understand local markets and can negotiate on behalf

of

their buyer-clients.”

Adds Salomone, “Buying a home is often one of the biggest decisions of a person’s life, and having a REALTOR® in their corner is the ultimate advantage.

They are there to guide consumers through the complexities of this life-changing transaction.”

NAR’s 2015 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers asked recent homebuyers what they look for when deciding on a real estate agent; 53 percent said they were looking for someone who could help them find the right home to purchase, and 12 percent said they wanted someone who can

help them negotiate the terms of sale. The report also found that homebuyers look at a median of 10 houses before deciding on one to purchase, and the typical search lasts for 10 weeks.

“Having a real estate expert with specific knowledge of the local market and purchase process can mean the difference between a homebuyer getting that 10th house and having to search for another,” said Salomone.

In 2016, the ABR® designation celebrates its 20th anniversary, with over 28,000 ABR® designees.

REALTORS® with the designation are experienced real estate agents who have

completed advanced training in representing the specific needs of buyers during a real estate transaction and have unique, up-to-date insights on the best way to approach their local market.

The designation is awarded by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NAR and the world’s largest association of real estate professionals focusing specifically on representing the real estate buyer.

To find out more about the ABR® designation and the homebuying process, consumers can visit rebac.net/home-buying.

Copyright NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Reprinted with permission.

Please Welcome our New Staff Members Your team at GTAR is growing to better serve your interests

GTAR welcomes Amanda Ingram as our Professional Development Associate. After Amanda completed her bachelor’s degree at Florida State University, she taught high school English with the School District of Hillsborough County for 13 years. Amanda then worked at Hillsborough Community College as a Learning Resource Specialist while earning her M.A. in Adult Education AMANDA INGRAM and Human Resource Development at USF. Professional She is an active member of several profesDevelopment Associate sional associations, including the American Society for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE), the American Society of Training & Development (ASTD), and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD). She is a lifelong resident of South Tampa where she currently resides with her husband, her many parrots, and her beloved pot-bellied pig, Gizmo.

GTAR also welcomes Reggie Lopez as our RAMCO/CRM Architect. Reggie is a new resident of Tampa, spending the last year in the New York City area, and previously in West Palm Beach since 2003. His entire career has been in the Real Estate industry; in associations, he has specialized in membership, SUPRA, MLS, IDX, and most importantly Reggie is a RAMCO guru. He led REGGIE LOPEZ the REALTORS® Association of the Palm RAMCO/CRM Beaches RAMCOconversion with Dan PeArchitect rez and was vital in its successful implementation. Reggie will be working with our entire staff to get everyone up to speed on RAMCO before the live date. He is excellent at providing one-on-one support, a master of creating workflows, and designing custom backend RAMCO integrations. Reggie aims to simplify the lives of his colleagues’ day-to-day operations and build GTAR’s member system.

JUNE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Global & National Economic Trends and their impact on Tampa Bay

Thursday, June 2, 2016 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

This meeting includes the election of three members to serve on the 2016 Nominating Committee.

Guest Speaker David Ide, Chief Investment Officer & Economist, USAmeriBank As chief investment officer and economist for USAmeriBank, a $3.7 billion bank with operations throughout the Tampa Bay Area and Alabama, David Ide brings more than 25 years of experience as a financial executive to the role. His extensive experience includes analyzing risk and managing bank investment portfolios, developing and executing balance sheet strategies and monitoring local and national economic conditions. David received bachelor’s degrees in economics and history from Northwestern University and a Master of Business Administration in finance from Washington University. David is a member of the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute and the National Association for Business Economics.

David’s professional background includes positions at Cole Taylor Bank (Chicago, IL), LaSalle Bank/ABN-AMRO (Chicago, IL), Boatmen’s Bank (St. Louis, MO), and Edward Jones (St. Louis, MO).

Lastly, David has been happily married for over 28 years, which is somewhat surprising since he is an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan while his wife prefers the Chicago Cubs. They have three grown sons (two are Cardinals fans, and one can go either way depending on his proximity to his Mom or his Dad).

Register online at www.gtar.org

ATTENTION BROKERS! www.GTAR.org

Greater Tampa REALTOR® News

May 2016

19

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Single-Family Homes in Wesley Chapel/New Tampa from the $300’s to the $700’s Broker must accompany client during client’s initial visit to this community. Both the client and Broker must execute the Developer’s Registration Form on the initial visit. Broker must also execute the Developer’s Broker Participation Agreement. The Ridge at Wiregrass is being developed and sold by Pasco County Associates II, LLLP. *$2,500 paid upfront when all contingencies are met.

Broker bonus commission subject to change without notice. See your sales associate for details. Equal Housing Opportunity. ©2016 9600-009 2-10-16

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May 2016

Greater Tampa REALTOR® News

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More inventory means

MORE COMMISSIONS! Hundreds of new homes in over 30 communities

It’s a win-win for Realtors!

41

Briar Oaks

County Line Road

ay Suncoast Parkw

Verandahs Town Estates

54 d Blv ity Trin

W S

Wesley Chapel

Connerton

Wiregrass Ranch

Polk

54 Union Park

56 Concord Station

98

301

Hidden Oaks

Sleepy Hill Rd

Trinity Lakes

Bearss 589

Pinellas

Bruce B. Downs

275

New Tampa 75

Tampa

Veterans Expy

Clearwater

4 39

Hillsborough 4

Lakeland

92

Chelsea Oaks

La Collina

60

570

Plant City

75 41

275

98

Brandon

Lumsden Rd

92 Preserve at Riverview Fern Hill

St. Petersburg

Summerfield

Waterset

Sereno

Hawks Landing

37 Enclave at Boyette

Waterleaf R d

672

Shady Creek Ayersworth

Hawks Point

Cypress Creek

Ruskin

Riverbend West

Big Bend Rd

South Fork

Belmont

Glen Cove

Apollo Beach

1

60

Boyette Rd Ba Ballentrae Riverview w rvie ive -R lm

Tampa Bay

Sunshine Skyway Bridge

E

52

Land O’ Lakes

41

301

San Antonio

Pasco

52

N

75

Lakeside

19

Little Rd

With brand-new homes becoming available every week, it’s no surprise that Lennar has the largest inventory of move-in ready homes in Tampa Bay. As a Realtor, you won’t find an easier selling process than Lennar’s, because we promise one price and Everything’s Included®. From our unmatched homebuilding process that incorporates the latest features in luxury, technology and efficiency, to our New Home Consultant Team and our affiliated companies that can make the closing process seamless. There are no surprises and no hidden costs, making every sale hasslefree for you and your client.

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Vista Palms

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View all available inventory at LennarTampa.com Pictures are conceptual in nature and are merely an artist’s rendition. These pictures are solely for illustrative purposes and should never be relied upon. All maps are not to scale and are for relative location purposes only. Contact a Loan Officer or a Lennar New Home Consultant for details. Lennar Homes, LLC (“Lennar”) and Universal American Mortgage Company, LLC (“UAMC”) have business relationships with each other. Lennar and UAMC are, directly or indirectly, wholly owned by Lennar Corporation. You are NOT required to use UAMC as a condition for purchase of a Lennar home or a home from any of Lennar’s affiliated homebuilders. You are free to shop around to determine that you are receiving the best services and the best rate for these services. For additional information please visit their websites at www.UAMC.com and www.Lennar.com. UAMC’s loan process is a voluntary program and participation is not required in order to purchase a home from Lennar Homes, LLC. Requesting a loan prequalification and making a loan application do not constitute a loan approval or otherwise indicate that a consumer has or will qualify for a loan from UAMC or any other lender. Financing is not guaranteed and not all consumers will qualify to purchase a Lennar home. Please see your New Home Consultant and home purchase agreement for actual features designated as an Everything’s Included® feature, additional information, disclosures, and disclaimers relating to your home and its features. While supplies last. Void Where Prohibited By Law. Universal American Mortgage Company, LLC - Mortgage Lender/Servicer License #MLD549, NMLS # 1058. +The information from Builder 100 is used or reprinted with permission from Hanley Wood Media, Inc. Lennar, the Lennar logo, Everything’s Included, the Everything’s Included logo, Knowology and the Knowology logo, UAMC, Universal American Mortgage Company and the UAMC logo are service marks of Lennar Corporation and/or its subsidiaries. Copyright © 2016 Lennar Corporation and Universal American Mortgage Company, LLC. All rights reserved. CGC1518166. (4/16)

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