February 2020
MEMBERS FIRST
NEWSLETTER IN THIS ISSUE •
Inman Benefit
•
President’s Message
•
Time Capsule
•
Google Chrome Update
•
RPAC Committee
•
Realtors® Care Committee
•
Global Alliance Committee Luncheon
•
Legislative Update
•
That’s Who We R
•
2020 Census
•
Freedom Mortgage
•
February Class Schedule
•
Affiliate Business Partners
•
New Member Welcome
We Love Our Members!
Member benefit! Stay up-to-date on industry news, market trends and the latest innovations in real estate with your subscription to Inman! Your FREE account is courtesy of Osceola County Association of REALTORS®. Our members should receive a “Welcome to Inman” email with a link to create a new account. Click on the link in the welcome message and sign up with the same email address and create a password. If needed, you may have to reset your password to login. Your Subscription Benefits Include: • Breaking news stories • In-depth analysis of technology & trends • Tips and tools for building great referral networks • Expert interviews on industry, market changes, and the future of real estate • Access to live video streams • Special monthly reports • Access to community of global professionals • Weekly insider newsletter, The Wrap
194 NEOCITY WAY, SUITE 400, KISSIMMEE, FL 34744
Joe Johnson 2020 President PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE We’re kicking off February with our first major event GARD, Great American Realtor® Days, in Tallahassee. Thousands of Realtors® from across the state of Florida were in attendance. During this event, members of our Association were able to engage with local and state legislators to discuss real estate-related topics that affect our industry and the community. Those who attended this event were put in a position where they could advocate for buyers and sellers to ensure they benefit from changes in legislation as well. We represent our community, and this is a unique opportunity to shed some light on issues at the local and state level. Some of the important legislative issues we brought to the attention of state legislators were clean water, the business rent tax and several others. We had 12 members at the event representing Osceola County and the Association. We met with District 42 Representative Mike La Rosa, District 43 Representative John Cortes, District 30 Representative Josie Tomkow and Senator Victor Torres, Jr. If you haven’t had the chance to attend in the past, we highly encourage our members to participate next year!
OSCAR Time Capsule As we continue our new building project, we have some exciting news to share with our members! When the original building on Shady Lane was first constructed in 1985, the members of the Association created a time capsule so future generations could find it and get a glimpse of how the Association ran back then. Recently, the time capsule was found during construction of our new building! We’ve featured below the items they encapsulated for us to see.
TWIS LIZASUAIN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Some of the items in the time capsule included: The Osceola News Gazette with the Realtor® News section dating back to 1985, home magazines, a Disney World Vacation Club brochure, house listings from January 1985, a map of Kissimmee and St. Cloud, pins from NAR, business cards from Disney, a roster of members from 1985, and a letter from the Board of Directors featured below.
In January of 1985, the Osceola County Board of Realtors® (currently OSCAR) had a total of: • 451 members • 89 Realtors® • 362 Realtor®-Associates • 30 Affiliate members In three and a half years, the Board outgrew three office spaces. Florida Association Realtors® (currently Florida Realtors®) had over 65,000 members, and was number two in size with California Association being number one. National Association of Realtors® (NAR) had 660,000 members.
Update:
Google Chrome Cookie Changes Google will be releasing an update to its Chrome browser, Tuesday, February 4. The browser update promises to deliver a more secure online experience, but may cause changes to certain websites. This update will change the way cookies are saved and used for websites you may regularly visit. Cookies are personal information (like your password and login) stored on your web browser to resume your session on a website. The key change is certain sites will not save your personal information and the website you’re visiting will not resume your previous session. Not all websites will be impacted by this new update, but certain pages may be impacted. Clareity is also taking steps to ensure their applications work with these changes. The following web links have more detailed information on the change and impact: https://blog.chromium.org/2019/10/developers-get-ready-for-new.html https://web.dev/samesite-cookies-explained/ https://help.salesforce.com/articleView?id=000351874&language=en_ US&mode=1&type=1 https://www.componentspace.com/Forums/10511/SAMLCookie-SameSite-Mode-None
RPAC Committee Justin Shrouder RPAC Committee Chair As the new decade begins, the Realtor® Political Action Committee (RPAC) is actively making plans to reach our 2020 contribution goal of $92,708 and 21 Major Investors. Fundraising efforts start with our new member orientations where new OSCAR members are educated on the benefits of being a contributor to the Florida PAC. The Florida Realtors® Mid-Winter Business Meetings provided us with our first fundraising opportunity. Our donation of multiple items to the Florida Realtor® PAC Winter Auction raised $5,427 toward our goal. Future fundraising events in the planning stages include a golf tournament, a “day at the range”, and more! Stay tuned to learn how you can get involved in the Florida PAC and be a contributor to those who fight for our industry.
Realtors® Care Committee Nicholas Shrouder Realtors® Care Committee Chair The Realtors® Care Committee has been off to a great start in 2020! Continuing with our Monday route for Osceola Council on Aging’s Meals on Wheels, this weekly opportunity allows our Realtors® to get out into the community. It is a treat each and every week to see the smile on the recipients’ faces. Additionally, on Thursday, January 16, eleven of our members worked alongside a number of community groups to assist with the Second Harvest Food Bank ‘Drop’. This event took place at the St. Cloud Civic Center, where we provided more than 40,000lbs of food to Osceola County families in need. Event coordinator, Bill Nagy, spoke highly of our members by saying “Your group was phenomenal. Today, thanks to people like our Realtors®, it was over the top. Best yet. A hard-working group of great folks.” As the year continues, we look forward to giving back and serving our community.
Global Alliance Committee Angel Ortiz Global Alliance Committee Chair The Global Alliance Committee originally formed in 2009 as the “Hispanic Network” with about 5-6 committee members. The name was changed to the “International Committee” and grew to 7-10 members. In 2013, we changed the name again to Global Alliance Committee and started to align more with our organization’s strategic plan. Due to the enthusiasm and energy of the members, the committee more than doubled in size and activities. Since then, we’ve won 5 Platinum National Association of Realtors® Awards and our first Diamond Award with over 36 members on the committee. We could not have achieved this without the Leadership of our Board of Directors, Committee Chairs and CoChairs. As we strive to keep our Diamond Status, we will continue to help eduate and open new horizons for our membership! It is with much gratitude that I serve once more as Chair of this committee while keeping the engines going full steam ahead to bigger and better things to come.
Planes, Trains, & Automobiles Knowledge is Power...Having it in Advance is Game Changing! Hosted by the
Moderated by Racquel Asa, Traffic Reporter and Anchor at WFTV News
OSCAR Members: $20 Non-Members: $35
Featured Speakers:
Global Alliance Committee February 25, 2020 11:00 am - 1:30 pm
Falcon’s Fire Golf Club 3200 Seralago Blvd, Kissimmee, FL 34746
Phil Brown CEO of Greater Orlando Aviation Authority
Michael Cegelis Executive VP of Infrastructure Development of Brightline Trains
Host Sponsor: Corporate Sponsors:
Joe Moye CEO of Beep, Autonomous Vehicle Solutions
Florida Legislative Update Sean Whyard Government Affairs Coordinator
Session is Underway in Tallahassee Here’s What Florida Realtors® is Fighting For
1. Water Quality and Environmental Funding: Governor DeSantis has already prioritized the need to fight blue/green algae and red tide. Last year’s budget included a record amount for water quality funding. Florida Realtors® is advocating for continued water quality and environmental funding. 2. Fully fund the Sadowski Housing Trust Fund: These local housing trust fund dollars help thousands of families realize the dream of homeownership. Down payment and closing cost assistance are an essential component to the Sadowski Trust Fund. Florida Realtors® will continue to advocate for these trust funds to be used exclusively for housing purposes. 3. Reduce the Business Rent Tax: On January 1, 2020, Florida’s sales tax rate charged on business rent became 5.5%. For three years in a row, the BRT has been reduced. Florida Realtors® continues to fight for further reductions in the BRT, focusing on commercial real estate and the businesses that rent these spaces. 4. Protecting Private Property Rights: Property owners should have the ability to rent their home out for however long they desire. Florida Realtors® believes this is a fundamental right of property owners. Florida Realtors® continues to lead the way in this fight to protect private property rights.
Osceola Count y Legislative Update Osceola County Purchases 82-acres near Poinciana Sun-Rail Station
Osceola County agreed to pay $8,900,000 for an 82-acre parcel in Poinciana from Avatar Properties, Inc. According to county officials, the property will be utilized for mixed-use development with an affordable housing component. The county hopes to stimulate economic development around the Poinciana Sun Rail Station.
In the News: “That’s Who We R,” NAR’s national advertising campaign, helps consumers understand that REALTORS® are real estate experts in their local communities, who abide by NAR’s Code of Ethics and fight for real estate dreams and property rights. In 2020, the campaign ads rally consumers to “Look for the R” for reassurance, resources, and reliable guidance on their path to property ownership.
CENTER FOR REALTOR® DEVELOPMENT
FEBRUARY PROMOTIONS
To register for Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) Designation Course, visit: http://bit.ly/2GWJhtb To register for Certified Real Estate Team Specialist (C-RETS) Certification Courses, visit: http://bit.ly/2OoFqt0 This offer is valid from February 1 through February 29. All courses and bundles expire one year from date of purchase.
How the 2020 Census will invite everyone to respond Every household will have the option of responding online, by mail, or by phone. Nearly every household will receive an invitation to participate
in the 2020 Census from either a postal worker or a census worker.
95% of households will receive their census invitation in the mail.
Almost 5% of households
will receive their census invitation when a census taker drops it off. In these areas, the majority of households may not receive mail at their home’s physical location (like households that use PO boxes or areas recently affected by natural disasters).
Less than 1% of households
will be counted in person by a census taker, instead of being invited to respond on their own. We do this in very remote areas like parts of northern Maine, remote Alaska, and in select American Indian areas that ask to be counted in person.
(This is separate from our follow-up efforts; census takers will visit all households that were invited to respond on their own and haven’t.)
Note: We have special procedures to count people who don’t live in households, such as students living in university housing or people experiencing homelessness.
How the 2020 Census will invite everyone to respond What to Expect in the Mail When it’s time to respond, most households will receive an invitation in the mail. Every household will have the option of responding online, by mail, or by phone. Depending on how likely your area is to respond online, you’ll receive either an invitation encouraging you to respond online or an invitation along with a paper questionnaire.
Letter Invitation
Letter Invitation and Paper Questionnaire
• Most areas of the country are likely to respond online, so most households will receive a letter asking you to go online to complete the census questionnaire (or to respond by phone).
• Areas that are less likely to respond online will receive a paper questionnaire along with their invitation. The invitation will also include information about how to respond online or by phone.
• We plan on working with the U.S. Postal Service to stagger the delivery of these invitations over several days. This way we can spread out the number of users responding online, and we’ll be able to serve you better if you need help over the phone.
WHAT WE WILL SEND IN THE MAIL On or between
You’ll receive:
March 12–20
An invitation to respond online to the 2020 Census. (Some households will also receive paper questionnaires.)
March 16–24
A reminder letter.
If you haven’t responded yet: March 26–April 3
A reminder postcard.
April 8–16
A reminder letter and paper questionnaire.
April 20–27
A final reminder postcard before we follow up in person.
We understand you might miss our initial letter in the mail. • Every household that hasn’t already responded will receive reminders and will eventually receive a paper questionnaire. • It doesn’t matter which initial invitation you get or how you get it—we will follow up in person with all households that don’t respond.
Quality service and experience you can rely on!
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Hiram Camacho
Sales Manager | NMLS# 355242
m: 407-433-2221 o: 407-487-2592 hiram.camacho@freedommortgage.com freedommortgage.com/hiram-camacho
Hiram Camacho
Sales Manager | NMLS# 355242
m: 407-433-2221 o: 407-487-2592
For all of your mortgage needs - The Home Team of Freedom Mortgage hiram.camacho@freedommortgage.com freedommortgage.com/hiram-camacho
2813 South Hiawassee Road, #202, Orlando, FL 32835 | Branch NMLS # 1234567
For all of your mortgage needs - The Home Team of Freedom Mortgage
Information is intended for use by real estate professionals only not consumers. Freedom Mortgage is not affiliated with the U.S. government, HUD, FHA, VA, or any other government agencies. Freedom Mortgage Corporation, NMLS# 2767 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org), 907 Pleasant Valley Avenue, Suite 3, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054, 800-220-3333, is licensed in 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. For complete licensing information, visit www.freedommortgage.com/state-licensing. Equal Housing Opportunity 2813 South Hiawassee Road, #202, Orlando, FL 32835 | Branch NMLS # 1234567 © 2018 Freedom Mortgage Corporation. All rights reserved.
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Information is intended for use by real estate professionals only not consumers. Freedom Mortgage is not affiliated with the U.S. government, HUD, FHA, VA, or any other government agencies. Freedom Mortgage Corporation, NMLS# 2767 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org), 907 Pleasant Valley Avenue, Suite 3, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054, 800-220-3333, is licensed in 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. For complete licensing information, visit www.freedommortgage.com/state-licensing. Equal Housing Opportunity © 2018 Freedom Mortgage Corporation. All rights reserved.
RT989(0219)
February Calendar
GRI 102 Goal Setting
REDEEM YOUR EDUCATION VOUCHERS BEFORE 12/31/2020
2/27-28, 2020
8:00 am-5:00 pm
Standards of Practice (Course 1): GRI 101, 102, and 103 are each a 15-hour course with a 1.5-hour exam approved for 8 hours of continuing education specialty credit or 15 hours of sales associate post licensing credit per module. Module GRI 101 carries 3 hours of Core Law credit, 3 hours of Ethics & Business Practices credit and meets the NAR Code of Ethics requirement.
14CE
$129
IMPORTANT: REGISTERING FOR CLASS Many of our classes, particularly CRP™ classes, fill quickly. We offer each CRP™ class two times during the year. Please check for the second date if the first date is full. Please enroll in any of the classes offered at the Association online on the Members Portal at www.osceolarealtors. com or by calling Membership Services.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: As many of you are aware, classes, membership and committee activities are being held at our new (temporary) office located at 194 NeoCity Way, Suite 400, Kissimmee, FL 34744. Please be aware that there are multiple buildings on site, the parking lot is larger so you may walk further, you will be required to check in with security on the first floor and, our office is on the fourth floor which may require a wait time for the elevator. Therefore, it may take a little longer to arrive at class. Please plan accordingly. We are encouraging all participants to arrive at least 30 minutes before class time. Class will start promptly at the scheduled time and those who arrive late will not be guaranteed entry once class starts. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
AFFILIATE BUSINESS COMMUNITY A Clear Choice Title & Escrow A.C.F. Home Inspections, Inc. Adames Pest Solutions, Inc. Advertising Mania ANB Inspection Services, Inc. ARB Home Inspections, Inc. Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group A-Z Team Title, LLC Bay Equity Home Loans BPG Inspection, LLC Brightway Insurance Budget Professional Services Butler Mortgage Celebration Title Group Centennial Bank CenterState Bank of Florida, N.A. Chief Inspection Services Closer Look Inspections, Inc. Cross Country Mortgage Cunningham’s Inc. Double S Home Inspection Edward Lian Photography Esquire Home Inspection, LLC First American Title Freedom Mortgage Corporation Globe Home Protection Hamilton Group Funding Hanover Family Builders Home Warranty of America Homebridge Financial Services, Inc. Housemaster Home Inspections Howell International Tax IFREC Real Estate Schools Inspect Central Florida Integrity First Title Jet Realty Commercial Brokerage & Appraisals K. Hovnanian Homes Land Title Professionals, LLC
Law Office of Daniel Villazon Luis A Martin’s Home Inspections Maronda Homes Mattamy Homes Moneycorp, Inc. My Florida Mortgage Solutions New American Funding Oliver Title Law Olympus Insurance Company Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. Patricia L. Daugherty, Atty. At Law Photography by Skip Stowers Pillar to Post Home Inspections Platinum Title of Central Florida Prodigal Homes Inspection & Consulting RBC Bank Reach Reliable Building Inspections RiteStart Home Inspections, Inc. Roland H. Acosta & Associates, P.A. SBC–CPA Sihle Insurance Group Smart International Title, LLC Solano Home Inspections Inc. Stewart Title Company SunTrust Mortgage Systeco The AlfaOmega Financial Group The Grove Resort & Water Park The Mortgage Firm TrustCo Bank Two Men and a Truck Uniform Cottage ValueCast, Inc. Varep Central Florida Chapter Wayne’s Home Inspections, LLC Widerman Malek PL Windsor at Celebration
AFFILIATE BUSINESS COMMUNITY Gold Affiliate Sponsor
Edward Lian Photography
Bronze Affiliate Sponsor
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Robert Fraser – Agent Trust Realty Corporation
Cilia Miles – MCO Realty
Lavinash Basdeo – Preferred Real Estate Brokers
Caralina Fernandez – La Rosa Realty Kissimmee
Jorge Jose Sanchez Nunez – MD3 Homes LLC
Adriana Silva – Century 21 Carioti
Angel Escalona Bolivar – MBT Realty LLC
Lucy Lara Stelling – Vanguard Group Realty LLC
Gabriel Ospina – EXP Realty, LLC
Goldberg Mayol – La Rosa Realty Lake Nona INC
Alberto Ruiz – Empire Network Realty
Victoria Merida – Agent Trust Realty Corporation
Evan Crawford – International Florida Properties Inc
Graciela Este Vegas – RES Real Estate Solutions, LLC
Justin Keller – Keller Williams at The Lakes
Samuele Carta – WF Realty Corp.
Aura Perez – My Florida Real Estate Group LLC
Victor Arroyo Lopez – Roman’s Pro Realty LLC
David Werber – Century 21 Carioti
Linda Mclean – Weichert Realtors Hallmark Pro
Angela Tejada – La Rosa Realty, LLC
Alberto Silva – Watson Realty Corp
Rosa Melendez – La Rosa Realty Lake Nona INC
Orialys Ramirez – Century 21 Homes Realty
Mayling Marrero – Keller Williams Advantage III
Jenivette Maldonado – La Rosa Realty, LLC
Niurka Cesart Lopez – Empire Network Realty
Allisha Riley – Keller Williams Legacy Realty
Carolina Ruiz Barrios – La Rosa Realty Premier LLC
Carlos Camacho Vasquez – Realstock Elite Properties
Alexandra Gomez Godoy – La Rosa Realty Internacional LLC
Michael Fernandini – Amerivest Realty
Grace Peck – BHHS Results Realty
Guanhua Zhang – Keller Wiliams Legacy Realty
John Rodriguez – La Rosa Realty, LLC Paola Marengo – 407Hub Real Estate LLC Jennifer Doyle – Keller Williams Legacy Realty Jose H Vasquez – Realstock Elite Properties Douglas Edwards – BHHS Results Realty Jorge Escobell – MDO Realty LLC Antonio Sanchez Altomare – MD3 Homes LLC Nesreen Lababidi – The Firm RE Clifford Desir – 407Hub Real Estate LLC Ricardo Santiago – AmeriTeam Realty Inc. Maria Hernandez – Lifestyle International Realty Kristal Ramos Gutierrez – EXP Realty, LLC Sonia Diaz Roman – Zarzuela Realty, LLC Irma Lobaton – 407Hub Real Estate LLC Ayda Ramirez – Evista Resources Realty Inc
Andreia Lucas Pires Barbosa – Century 21 Carioti Monica Valenzuela – Gilvan Realty Corp. Mentha Antoine – Century 21 Carioti
AND AFFILIATES Amy Buehler - Land Title Professionals, LLC. Andrew Braun - ARB Home Inspections, Inc. Andrea Braun - ARB Home Inspections, Inc. Luis Martinez - RiteStart Home Inspections, Inc. Jorge Melendez - RiteStart Home Inspections, Inc. Abner Ortiz - RiteStart Home Inspections, Inc. Dan Peele - Jet Realty Commercial Brokerage & Appraisals