DECEMBER 2023
MEMBERS FIRST
NEWSLETTER President’s Message
2023 began with the real estate market enjoying the tail end of the pandemic boom. Looming on the horizon, however, was the threat of the Feds determined to do whatever it takes to keep inflation in check. They acted quickly and harshly. The resulting slowing effects on our market have been undeniable and many pending sales fell through because buyers could not qualify. We also saw a pullback from both US and foreign investors.
Imran Mohamed
2023 PRESIDENT
As we near the end of 2023, we are seeing the lowering of mortgage rates and with this we expect to see buyers / investors trickle back into the market. Lower rates may cause the prices to rise and since all real estate is local, different areas will be impacted differently.
3. For the third time, we maintained our Global Diamond Award from NAR. 4. We kept our education classes free for all our members. 5. We had one of the largest registrations and attendance at our Annual Business Meeting. In 2023 the term AI - Artificial Intelligence became 6. Elevated our Association’s standing at the local, state, and National levels. a household name and Realtors were grabbing 7. Signed our first Memorandum of Understanding with at every opportunity to understand how this Mexico. technology will transform the industry and their 8. In the coming days we will be setting up a Strategic individual business. Planning Task force that will be charged with determining how best we as an association will deal with the changes and Undoubtedly, the legal ramifications from those turbulence impacting our industry and our profession. lawsuits and others in the pipeline, as well as 9. We have kept your association on a strong and solid changes resulting from AI and other technologies financial footing.
At the National level we saw our industry and our profession embroiled in some major lawsuits with the DOJ as well as sexual harassment acquisitions against NAR’s President - Kenny Parcel.
will transform what we look like as an industry and will definitely change how we operate professionally.
From a local perspective, your dedicated Board of Directors has kept our Association in an enviable position. Here are just some of the highlights of our accomplishments in 2023:
As my Presidency comes to an end, I’d like to thank you all for the confidence placed in me to lead this association at the highest level and I hope you all benefited from our efforts to MOTIVATE, EDUCATE and ELEVATE our membership and our Association.
I enjoyed serving you all and working with my 1. We exceeded our RPAC goals; raising nearly $200,000 with Board of Directors, Committee Chairs, and our more than a 54%-member participation while also exceeding dynamic and talented CEO, Twis Lizasuain.
our major investor goal - earning Florida Realtors Triple I do hope that I’ve left our Association stronger, Crown award. 2. We have done the groundwork to start our own Real Estate better and a little bit closer to perfection. School -The Real Estate and Learning Center also known as The REAL Center which is expected to open at the end of 1st I wish you and your families Happy Holidays and all the best for 2024! quarter 2024.
(407) 846-0117 | 1105 CROSS PRAIRIE PKWY, KISSIMMEE, FL 34744 | OSCEOLAREALTORS.ORG
GREAT AMERICAN REALTOR® DAYS (GARD) 2024 Everyone wants to be heard, and Great American Realtor® Days is your chance for YOUR opinions to make a difference in the real estate business in Florida. It’s your chance to stand up for your profession and homeowners across the state.
CEO Message
Held annually in the state Capitol, Great American Realtor Days, also known as, GARD, gives you the opportunity to travel to Tallahassee and shake hands and meet face-to-face with lawmakers before they weigh decisions that will impact how you do business. Registration is now open for the Great American REALTOR® Days (GARD) scheduled for January 9 - 11, 2024 at the State Capitol. For only $375, you can attend as a representative for OSCAR. Cost includes registration, transportation, a 2-night hotel stay (double occupancy), a legislative luncheon, a president’s dinner, visits to the capitol, and admission to the Florida Realtors Block Party. Space is limited. Call 407.846.0117 or email tlizasuain@osceolarealtors.com to reserve your spot and make a difference on Florida legislation!
TWIS LIZASUAIN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Let’s Rally In Tally!
EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH FLORIDA LEGISLATORS
IN THIS ISSUE • President’s Message • Great American Realtor® Days (GARD) • RPAC Committee • REALTORS® Care Commmittee • NAR Benefit • Welcome New VIPs • October Market Statistics • December Class Calendar • Vital Industry Partner Directory • Welcome New Members
GREAT AMERICAN REALTOR® DAYS
Committee Thank you to our RPAC committee and our members for their generous investments in our profession and homeownership rights. Your contributions allowed us to meet and exceed our 2023 RPAC goals! Great work, everyone!
JOE JOHNSON RPAC COMMITTEE CHAIR
Did you know that you can make an investment to the Realtors® Political Action Committee when you renew your membership for 2024?
It’s simple! When you log in to the members portal on our website to renew you will see an investment of $30 already built into your invoice. If you would like to adjust or increase that amount, please click the edit it button located next to the amount. If you have any issues, please reach out to our membership department at 407-846-0117. To learn more about becoming a major investor please visit, www.osceolarealtors.org/invest-in-rpac. As we wrap up the year, I want to personally thank all of the committee members for their efforts, the members for their support, and President Imran Mohamed for allowing me the opportunity to serve you this year.
REALTORS® CARE Committee PAULA BUI REALTORS® CARE COMMITTEE CHAIR In 2023, your REALTORS® Care Committee continued its time-honored tradition of delivering Meals on Wheels for the Osceola Council on Aging to local seniors in need. This project continues to allow us to serve as ambassadors of our profession and experience first-hand the joy of giving back to our community. Of course, many other highlights of service should be noted, such as when members of the committee served as volunteers at the Town of Celebration Marathon and Half Marathon to raise funds for scholarships for high school seniors in Osceola County. In March, we had a blast at the Osceola Council on Aging’s 5K. Runners and walkers of all ages adorned in their green attire came out for this great cause. But, perhaps the greatest honor for me this year was delivering Meals for Moms on Mother’s Day for the Osceola Council on Aging. Because no mom should feel alone or forgotten on Mother’s Day! Furthermore, we can stand the heat and it showed on the day after July 4 when our members gathered together in 90-degree temperatures to ‘Clean Up Florida Waters’ in three locations in Osceola County. Lastly, from community service in action through various initiatives, to raising money or collecting donations for our Toiletry Drive benefitting Clarita’s House Outreach Ministry, Inc. to help make the future brighter for the homeless and underprivileged individuals and families, it has been a fulfilling year abundant with gratitude for the opportunity to serve our community. Thank you for the distinct honor and the opportunity to serve as chairperson for a committee that champions causes for our community and serves as #GoodNeighbors.
December Member Benefits Guide Major Medical Open Enrollment is Nov. 1 - Jan. 15, 2024 —Enroll Now! Major Medical Open Enrollment is traditionally the annual period during which anyone may enroll in a new major medical health insurance plan, or may make changes to their current coverage/plan. Since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), no one can be refused coverage for having pre-existing conditions. This Major Medical Health Insurance Exchange provides NAR members with access to qualified (ACA) major medical insurance plans. Here, you can research health insurance information, obtain quotes, compare plans, and purchase directly online. All of the insurance plans offered in the Major Medical Health Insurance Exchange are Affordable Care Act qualified plans from top-rated insurance carriers. For more information, please visit: realtorsinsuranceplace.com
Welcome New VIPs Shawn Beck On Demand Home Inspections
Hassan Mostafa Trustco Bank
Becoming a VIP is an excellent opporunity to get your company’s name out to indviduals that can directly benefit from your prodcuts and/ or services. To learn more about becoming a VIP, contact Nancy Hubbard at nhubbard@osceola-realtors.com
2024 MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
All Properties Market Statistics
Check out more market statistics on our website! Visit: osceolarealtors.org/statistics/
Florida Realtors® Mid-Winter Business Meetings | January 18 - 21, 2024
DECEMBER CLASS CALENDAR
REDEEM YOUR EDUCATION VOUCHERS BEFORE 12/31/23
Stellar MLS Basic (Spanish) 12/4/2023 10:00 am-12:00 pm 0CE Classroom Only This required class teaches every new Stellar MLS subscriber the basics of how to use the Matrix MLS System to power their real estate business. Stellar MLS Compliance 101 (Spanish) 12/4/2023 1:00 pm-2:15 pm Classroom Only This required class for new subscribers reviews the MLS comprehensive Rules & Regulations to ensure that all users have access to the best data possible.
0CE
Stellar MLS Adding & Editing (Spanish) 12/4/2023 2:30 pm-3:45 pm 0CE Classroom Only This class is mandatory for agents who will be adding and modifying listings in the MLS. We will walk through the process of gathering listing data, entering listings into the MLS systems, adding photos and attachments, and modifying listings. Affordable Housing Solutions: 12/5/23 9:30 am - 12:30 pm 3CE What Every Real Estate Professional Should Know! - ZOOM Only - Mark T. Pease This course provides an overview of Florida’s Housing Homebuyer Loan Programs that provide affordable home financing alternatives through low-interest mortgage rates, down payment, and closing cost assistance. Understanding Buyer Broker 12/7/2023 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm 3CE Agreements and How to Implement Them - Classroom Only - Zola Szerences Learn important information on understanding buyer-broker agreements and how to implement them. Find out how to ask buyers to commit to an agent and stay loyal. New Year, New Financial Strategies: 12/13/2023 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm 0CE Risk Management & the Year Ahead - Classroom Only - Nic Daniels & Brian Wiley If you missed ways to maximize your deductions for 2023, don’t fret. Let’s focus on what we can do in 2024 to make sure you stay as efficient as possible. Brian and Nic will give ideas on what you can do in the new year to make the most out of your money. Property Management 12/14/23 9:00 am - 12:00 pm 3CE for the RE practitioner - Zoom Only - Socrate Exantus This course is for the REALTOR® who wants or needs to know enough about Property Management to get by whether to manage a property or two now or as an introduction to property management if they are considering possible investment down the road. Offered as a three or a four CE hour course, this class will prepare the student for those times when they must act as a property manager.
VITAL INDUSTRY PARTNERS
2020 Inspection Solutions A Clear Choice Title & Escrow A.C.F. Home Inspections, Inc. Acosta, Moore & Shrader, PLLC Accurate Ozone Solutions Adrian Colon Home Inspection American Ad Specialties, Inc. Americas Homes Inc. ANB Inspection Services, Inc. ARB Home Inspections, Inc. At Your Service Inspection LLC Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group A-Z Team Title, LLC Budget Professional Services Butler Mortgage Celebration Title Group Centennial Bank Chief Inspection Services Choice Home Warranty Closer Look Inspections, Inc. CMG Home Loans Collaborative Wealth Lake Nona Cunningham’s Inc. Cutco Closing Gifts David Allen Productions Double S Home Inspection Factual Films Farmers Insurance Florida TitlePros, LLC Frank’s Home Inspection, LLC
Gold Coast Schools Harding Bell International Home Warranty, Inc. HouseMaster Home Inspections Infill Consulting JONI Home Inspection Services JVC Home Inspections Land Title Professionals, LLC LG Quality Home Inspections LightHouse Taxes, LLC loanDepot Luis A Martin’s Home Inspections Magnolia Title Florida Max Protection Group LLC Mutual of Omaha Mortgage My Florida Mortgage Solutions Navy Federal Credit Union Notary Hive Old Republic Home Protection On Demand Home Inspections On Point Inspections LLC Orange Fresh Cleaning Services Orlando Pool Inspections Osceola County Property Appraiser Patricia L. Daugherty, Atty. At Law Photography by Skip Stowers Pillar to Post Home Inspectors
Pro-Master Home Inspection Regions Bank RiteStart Home Inspections, Inc. SBS Inspections, LLC See You, Ledger! LLC Smart International Title SnapHouss - Orlando Solano Home Inspections Inc. Stellar MLS Stewart Title Company Systeco Services, Inc. The V-Benefits Group Trustco Bank Two Men and a Truck ValueCast, Inc. Widerman Malek PL Women’s Council of Realtors®
VITAL INDUSTRY PARTNERS
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Adam Aboulfath - BHHS Results Realty Darcy Aguilera - Century 21 Wolf’s Crossing Realty Bentley Anderson - Keller Williams Realty at The Lakes Jose Araujo - La Rosa Realty Kissimmee Amy Berland - Corcoran Connect LLC Elyse Bisbal - EXP Realty, LLC
Javier Hidalgo Petit - La Rosa Realty Internacional L Indira Hondoy Calero - Naim Real Estate LLC Przemyslaw Lipinski - La Rosa Realty Kissimmee Maria Lopez - Keller Williams Realty at The Lakes
Lake Nona INC Nicholas Scavone - Royal Realty Real Estate, LLC Stacey Shirazi - La Rosa Realty, LLC Jose Solano - Fusion Florida Realty LLC Steven Starling - The Firm RE Diane Torres - Keller Williams Realty at The Lakes
Susana Botero - Exit Realty 4Corners
Rosemarie Luna Garcia - La Rosa Realty Internacional L
Maylings Brown-Modeste - Keller Williams Advantage III
Daniela Del Valle Mata Guevara - My Realty Group, LLC.
Maria Caceres Rondon - La Rosa Realty Kissimmee
Jose Matute Gomez - LPT Realty
Carolina Velasquez Estrada - Charles Rutenberg Realty Orlan
Hilda Mercuro - Keller Williams Advantage III
Hector Villalon - Agent Trust Realty Corporation
Edgar Montalvo Mendez - Fortex Realty Inc
Michelle Wall - V Properties Inc
Nicholas Morrison - EXP Realty, LLC
John Weber - La Rosa Realty, LLC
Carlos Murillo - La Rosa Realty Kissimmee
Cameron Wilke-Flowers - Keller Williams Realty at The Lakes
Jose Cadenas - Agent Trust Realty Corporation Shannon Casey - Florida In Motion Realty Inc Deiber Castellanos - Exit Realty 4Corners Sonnia Cobos - La Rosa Realty, LLC Waldemar Crespo Rivera - HomeTrust Realty Group Maritza Cruz - Empire Network Realty Mileidy Davila Aguilar - Watson Realty Corp Remulus Della Valle - Weichert Realtors Hallmark Pro Elizabeth Dodge - Century 21 Four Corners Realty Merbis Duran Rodriguez - Empire Network Realty Wilson Espinal - La Rosa Realty Kissimmee Myrtha Ferace - LPT Realty Rafael Fernandez - Agent Trust Realty Corporation Jorge Figueroa Ayala - LPT Realty
Kadir Olav - Realty Hub Catherine Padilla Martinez - LPT Realty Cindy Parra - EXP Realty, LLC Jacqueline Perez Martinez - Valstar Realty LLC Raymond Peters - Royal Realty Real Estate, LLC James Pinckney - IAD Florida LLC Yaquelin Pou - La Rosa Realty Kissimmee Jonathan Quinones - Century 21 Carioti Juan Rivera Diaz - EXP Realty, LLC Chrisangel Rodriguez - LPT Realty Kathleen Rodriguez - Turnkey Homes Real Estate Corp Sandra Rosario - WC Realty LLC
Karla Freeman - Better Homes & Gardens
Franklin Rubio - Agent Trust Realty Corporation
Jesus Garcia - Keller Williams Advantage III
Luis Ruiz - Naim Real Estate LLC
Monica Garcia - Agent Trust Realty Corp.
Irene Salazar Fuentes - Agent Trust Realty Corporation
Katty Gonzalez - Premier Home Solutions Realty Sidney Graybill - Lifestyle International Realty
Marianyela Salazar SiFontes - Athens Realty Professionals In Orlando Santiago Perez - La Rosa Realty
Luis Torres - WC Realty LLC Angel Valentin - EXP Realty, LLC