JANUARY 2024
MEMBERS FIRST
NEWSLETTER
As we ring in the new year,
We have always been, and will
we are thrilled to officially
continue to be, dedicated to
begin the festivities in honor
our members’ personal and
of our association’s 100th
financial success. This legacy
• President’s Message
anniversary. This historic
would not have been possible
• 2024 Board of Directors
milestone represents a century without the generous support
• Sponsorship Opportunities
of outstanding achievements,
of our members – so we extend
including educating our
our sincere gratitude to each
community on the importance
and every one of you.
IN THIS ISSUE • Thank you for your membership
• 2024 Committee Welcome • Florida Realtors Mid-Winter Meetings • 2024 NAR Benefits
of homeownership,
• November Market Statistics advocating for property rights, providing continuing • January Class Calendar • Vital Industry Partner Directory • Welcome New Members
education opportunities to our members, and supporting their professional journeys.
Join us throughout the year as we celebrate YOU, our members, at all of our centennial events.
Happy New Year!
(407) 846-0117 | 1105 CROSS PRAIRIE PKWY, KISSIMMEE, FL 34744 | OSCEOLAREALTORS.ORG
President’s Message
Welcome a new century for Osceola REALTORS®. Welcome to new opportunities to serve our customers, our clients, and our community. As we proudly celebrate our past century of service and accomplishment we also look forward to the opportunities and challenges that are to come. We will not shrink from those challenges. Instead, we will engage them with confidence and energy. As members, you all may rely on the steadfast commitment of your Board of Directors, your CEO, and your truly amazing staff to continue providing you with the great range of benefits, activities, and services that you have come to expect from Osceola Realtors.
James K. Lowe
2024 PRESIDENT
In this coming year, you may hear others try to disparage or diminish what you do as a Realtor. Or you may hear others attempting to deride our Association. Do not shrink away, do not remain silent. Instead remind those detractors of all the time, effort, and energy that you put into the practice of your profession. Do remind those detractors of the amazing empowerment you bring by the opening of access to homeownership for all members of our community. Stand up proudly for the service and contributions that you and your association deliver every day. You truly do “light the path” – so let your light shine brightly. Thank you so much for the opportunity to serve you as your President in 2024. Know that I will do my best to serve you and our community. Servimus.
2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CEO MESSAGE Happy New Year! Thank you for renewing your 2024 Membership! Whether you have been a member for several years or are new to us this year, I would like to personally thank you for trusting our Association with your membership. We are excited to help you grow your business! We believe that education is a key component in your success! As we begin the new year, the Association would like to share our updated cancellation policy that will go into effect on January 1, 2024. Please review this policy and feel free to save it to your records for reference.
TWIS LIZASUAIN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
2024 Cancellation Policy By registering for this class you acknowledge the No-Show Fee Policy which requires you to have a valid credit card on file or provide a $20 cash deposit with the Association. Members who do not abide by the policy will not be allowed in the class. Failure to cancel IN WRITING by emailing education@osceola-realtors.com will result in a $20 No-Show Fee being automatically deducted from your credit card or loss of the $20 cash deposit immediately following the class. If your credit card is declined, your account will be locked and suspended until the No-Show Fee is paid. I would also like to thank all of those who attended our 2023 Awards & Installation Ceremony. We had a wonderful evening recognizing our 2023 Award Recipients and installing our 2024 Board of Directors. We look forward to their leadership and seeing all that they accomplish this centennial year!
Welcome New VIPs Daniella Blackburn Abigail Libunao Stellar MLS
Sponsorship Opportunities
Do you know any businesses that would benefit from joining our Association? We are looking for companies that provide products or services to the real estate industry. As part of our membership, Vital Industry Partners (VIPs) receive many benefits including: • Free Advertisement. Our VIP roster is included on our website and our monthly newsletter. Both of these platforms put your contact information into the hands of every member a part of the Association. Additional paid advertisements are also available. • Sponsorship Opportunities. VIPs are given the opportunity to sponsor educational classes, luncheons, and events. Sponsorships include logo placement on all promotional materials, social media marketing, recognition during the event/class, and the ability to distribute promotional material regarding your company.
• Relationship Building. VIPs may join certain committees as a non-voting member to assist with Association activities, give back to our community, and build relationships with our members. Being involved in the Association activities will lead to an increase of our members recognition of your company. To apply as a Vital Industry Partner member, please visit www. osceolarealtors.org/vital-industry-partners, call 407-846-0117, or email Nancy Hubbard at nhubbard@osceola-realtors.com for more information. Becoming a VIP is an excellent opportunity to get your company’s name out to individuals that can directly benefit from your products and/or services.
2024 Committees Much of the success of projects and programs in our Association are due to the hard work of our members within our committees. Thank you to everyone who answered the call for applying and joining one of our commitees. Please help us welcome the incoming Chairs of the 2024 Committees, their new committee members, and those members continuing their service.
Florida Realtors® Mid-Winter Meetings
What: 2024 Florida Real Estate Trends When: Friday, January 19, 2024 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Where: Hyatt Regency Orlando, Room Florida A/B (in person) and Zoom Video Conferencing Working in today’s market brings unique challenges. Now more than ever, buyers and sellers are looking to their real estate professionals to navigate them through a changing market. Prepare for 2024 with the latest insights into employment, migration, and Fed policy trends and how they affect your clients. Come hear from thought leaders across industries to dive into these challenges and what they mean for Florida going forward. As always, the event will launch with Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor and Sean Snaith, director of the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Forecasting, who will share the latest trends and economic projections for Florida’s economy and housing market. Plus, this year’s event features a panel discussion focusing on Florida’s population growth, migration and how higher housing costs are affecting
Register Now: FloridaRealtors.Org/ MidWinter
2024 NAR Member Benefits Guide REALTORS® INSURANCE PLACE NAR’s REALTORS® Insurance Place is an exclusive insurance shopping site. It provides plans for you and your family, including exclusive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage, plus life insurance, telemedicine and a variety of wellness solutions – all with benefits for NAR members. Here you will find plans for all stages of life, and even an offering that extends to your pets. Within REALTORS® Insurance Place, NAR members can obtain quotes, compare plans, and purchase directly online. All offers are from top-rated carriers. For questions and assistance please call 1-877-267-3752.
Marketing Resources Back At You is an easy, reliable, and powerful social media marketing solution focused on developing the best real estate software for brokerages and agents. An exclusive NAR SocialBAY Starter Plan, to make it simple and affordable for you to get started. Plus, member savings on additional products and enterprise plans for brokers. For access to all of the program benefits, and to ensure you receive the special pricing for NAR members, enroll at https://info.backatyou. com/nar/.
Educational Tools
NAR Members receive a benefit of $100 off the 100 Days to Greatness Program. Brokers can offer 100 Days to Greatness as a companion program to their onboarding processes to help give agents a strong foundation in their business. For personal assistance, call 800-376-6158. Secure your spot! Visit buffiniandcompany.com/100DaysNAR to sign up and create an account. Make sure to have your NRDS number handy (NAR Membership ID number). You will be notified when your program kit is mailed to you and when access to the online course is live. Mentors and Facilitators: If you’re a broker-owner interested in leading your agents through the program and want to participate as a program mentor or facilitator, visit buffiniandcompany.com/ Certified100DaysNAR for complete program details and pricing.
Travel & Automotive A one-stop-shop for all NAR member travel needs, with exclusive access to discounted rates on hotels, rental cars, resorts, and more. The NAR Travel Club saves you time and money on all your travel bookings.
Save up to 35% off base rates on every rental, plus skip the lines with Avis Preferred™.
Save up to 35% off base rates on rentals and still get quality service without big prices.
Save up to 25% off base rates at participating locations worldwide. Plus, enjoy premier travel perks by joining Hertz Gold Plus Rewards®.
NAR Realtor® Resource Store YOUR ONE STOP SHOP FOR EDUCATIONAL TOOLS AND RESOURCES TO BOOST YOUR BUSINESS! GET FREE & DISCOUNTED PRODUCTS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE RIGHT TOOLS RIGHT NOW PROGRAM
For A Full List of Benefits: nar.realtor/realtor-benefits-program
All Properties Market Statistics
Check out more market statistics on our website! Visit: osceolarealtors.org/statistics/
JANUARY CLASS CALENDAR
REDEEM YOUR EDUCATION VOUCHERS BEFORE 12/31/24
Stellar MLS Basic Classroom Only - Daniella Blackburn
1/8/2024
10:00 am-12:00 pm
0CE
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 Classroom Only - Daniella Blackburn
1/8/2024
1:00 pm-2:15 pm
0CE
This required class for new subscribers reviews the MLS comprehensive Rules & Regulations to ensure that all users have access to the best data possible. Stellar MLS Adding & Editing Classroom Only - Daniella Blackburn
1/8/2024
2:30 pm-3:45 pm
0CE
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. REALTOR® Professionalism & Follow-Thru - Zoom Only - Cynthia DeLuca
1/9/2024
9:00 am-1:00 pm
4CE
Whether you are brand new to real estate or a veteran. If you want to grow your business to unprecedented heights then you need to be savvy in interpersonal communication. This course will provide a guide on how to influence prospects and win in every crucial conversation. Understanding Buyer Broker 1/11/2024 9:00 am-12:00 pm Agreements and How to Implement Them - Classroom Only - Zola Szerences
3CE
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. Foundations of Form Simplicity ZOOM Only - Kaz Cisowski
1/12/2024
9:00 am-11:00 am
2CE
After taking this class students will be able to: identify the computer equipment necessary to run the Form Simplicity program, learn time saving configurations within the Form Simplicity program, keep your personal profile updated, set up email notification, create an email signature and import contacts. Mastering the Real Estate Agent’s Role 1/16/2024 in the Appraisal Process - Classroom Only - Kim Bell
9:00 am-12:00 pm
3CE
The appraisal process can get confusing, and you may have several questions. Take this course and learn how to better serve your clients. Core Law: Minimize the Legal Risk ZOOM Only - Chuck Bonamer
1/23/2024
9:00 am-12:00 pm
3CE
Understanding real estate law is part of every real estate licensee’s business. The more a licensee knows, the better he or she can work with customers and safeguard them from legal complications. This material will provide a “red flag notice” of when participants are potentially going into a danger zone—the unlicensed practice of law.
Code of Ethics ZOOM Only - Reese Stewart
1/24/2024
9:00 am-12:00 pm
3CE
Mandatory ethics training requirements for new and continuing Realtor members was established by the National Association’s Board of Directors. The policy dictates that all active members must take a code of ethics class once every three years. The applicable dates are the same for all Realtors irrespective of when they join. The current cycle began January 1, 2022 and ends December 31, 2024. An Introduction to Real Estate Finance - Classroom Only - Grant Simon
1/26/2024
9:00 am-12:00 pm
3CE
This course will put participants on the fast track to knowing how to increase their customer’s buying power, provide necessary finance suggestions, and move those hard to sell houses. Realtors who want to not only survive, but thrive, must adapt financially to today’s market. This is the course to show them how! Be the Change - Fair Housing & You Classroom Only - Neil Bridgers
1/30/2024
9:00 am-11:00 am
2CE
The purpose of this class is to provide real estate professionals working in todays diverse real estate environment with the knowledge and information they need to understand the importance of fair housing laws and insure they are responsibly practicing real estate in a nondiscriminatory fashion. Six Layer Strategy 1/30/2024 for Effective Social Media Content - Classroom Only - Neil Bridgers
12:00 pm-2:00 pm
2CE
The impact of the tech industry has affected nearly every sector of our lives. This includes the way you communicate with consumers about your business. Your communication needs to be current and readily available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Choosing & Writing a Successful Contract- Zoom Only - Cynthia DeLuca
1/31/2024
8:30 am-4:30 pm
7CE
The purpose of this Education program is to assist you in competently preparing a purchase and sale contract for residential real estate. When we are finished with this workshop, you will have a completed contract along with every rider. This course is part of OSCAR’s exclusive Certified Real Estate Professional (CRP) Certification.
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 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 NorthPoint Mortgage, LLC Notary Hive Old Republic Home Protection On Point Inspections LLC Orange Fresh Cleaning Services Orlando Pool Inspections Osceola County Property Appraiser 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. SouthState Bank Stellar MLS Stewart Title Company Systeco Services, Inc. The V-Benefits Group Two Men and a Truck ValueCast, Inc. Widerman Malek PL Women’s Council of Realtors®
VITAL INDUSTRY PARTNERS
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Nayely Perez Cruz-La Rosa Realty Lake Nona INC
Annelis Ortiz Rios-Keller Williams Advantage III
Jeremy Stout-Iron Valley Real Estate Osceol
Vanessa Mccoy-EXP Realty, LLC
Odette Bartley-Weichert Realtors Hallmark Pro
Eliana Mastrantuono-Keller Williams Realty at The Lakes
Martha Irisvette Serrano-Agent Trust Realty Corporation
Gary Hines-Weichert Realtors Hallmark Pro
Helevy De Los Santos-Orlandos Finest Realty LLC
Alejandra Polar-Keller Williams Legacy Realty
Yessenia Peralta Frias-La Rosa Realty, LLC
Jessica Jimenez Santiago-Florida Realty Investments
Bibiana Martinez Castro-Fortex Realty Inc
Joseph Gonzalez Aldarondo-EXP Realty, LLC
Dayerlys Hernandez-Premier Home Solutions Realty
Amy Gale-Keller Williams Realty at The Lakes
Alana Hudson-The Property Pros Real Estate, Inc
Ronald Rodriguez-Athens Realty Professionals In
Yurelis Stalhuth-Fortex Realty Inc
Rafael Sanchez-Wealthy Realty, LLC
Lisa Smith-Keller Williams Realty at The Lakes
Sophia Anderson-La Rosa Realty, LLC
Adrianna Mathura-Keller Williams Realty at The Lakes
Heily Martinez-Property Outlet International
William Priddy-Keller Williams Legacy Realty
Mimose Malet-LPT Realty
Erika Narvaez-LPT Realty
Christopher Redmond-First International Real Estate Corp
Ludmila Rodrigues Azeredo Pessoa-La Rosa Realty Kissimmee
Rayfraniel Perez Ponce De Leon-Keller Williams Advantage III
Raquel Melendez-LPT Realty
Susette Martinez Placeres-La Rosa Realty Kissimmee
Eva Ortiz-EXP Realty, LLC
Kerrol Greenland-Royal Realty Real Estate, LLC
Johanna Orellana-LPT Realty
Cesar Augusto Lugo-Caissa Realty Investment Inc
Ashley Mayorga-Royal Realty Real Estate, LLC
Julia Kalaf-The Property Pros Real Estate, Inc
Engelberth Delgado-La Rosa Realty Kissimmee
Ivett Cedeno-Keller Williams Realty at The Lakes
Lounjie Dayoute-Keller Williams Legacy Realty
Andrea Contreras-Agent Trust Realty Corporation
Mirella Vega-Keller Williams Realty at The Lakes
Nelly Poleo-La Rosa Realty Kissimmee
Evelyn Perez-The Firm RE
Carmen Cadena Coronel-HomeTrust Realty Group
Oliver Davids-TonyDavidsHomes.Com, LLC
Mileidy Carrillo Velazquez-Agent Trust Realty Corporation
Daniel Blanchard Louis-Keller Williams Realty at The Lakes
Emanuel Mercado Rexach-BHHS Results Realty
Jarell Vernon-Century 21 Carioti
Nerilitza Almodovar-LPT Realty
Zoila Marte-La Rosa Realty Kissimmee
Weenshella Rene-LPT Realty
Lucilidis Requena Brazon-Agent Trust Realty Corporation
Maria Ochoa Rondon-La Rosa Realty Lake Nona INC
Washington Mosquera-LA Realty Services LLC