ReView July 2010

July 2010

Why Vote No on Amendment 4?

What is the Official Position of Florida Realtors®?

By Veronica Malolos The Florida REALTORS® (FR) together with the Florida Home Builders Association, the Florida Land Council, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and other key business groups formed the Floridians for Smarter Growth (FSG) to triumph over Amendment 4. According to FR, “FSG has partnered with business and community leaders throughout Florida to build a strong state-wide coalition and grassroots network”. ®

As a local Osceola REALTOR how can you contribute to this campaign? Utilize your membership in Florida REALTORS® to help understand the details of Amendment 4, make presentations to other groups that you may be involved with and communicate within your individual office and even to your families and friends. Go to www.FloridaRealtors.org , on the left side of the page; click to Legislative and from that list, and click to Top Initiatives. Not only can your download the video and place it on your personal and company website, but you can easily send it via email. Florida Realtors utilize a variety of coalition partners like FSG which states that, “Amendment 4 is one of the greatest threats to Florida's economy and quality-of-life. This “Vote on Everything” amendment would force Florida voters—not the representatives they elected—to decide thousands of changes to local government comprehensive plans each year at the ballot box”.

In fact, over 135 organizations are opposing Amendment 4 for a variety of reasons. These organizations include: the Florida Chamber of Commerce, 1,000 Friends of Florida, the Florida American Planning Association, the Florida League of Cities, the Florida State Council of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, and the Florida Health Care Association. To date, your OSCAR Board of Directors has taken an official stand AGAINST Amendment 4.

The Osceola County Association of REALTORS® supports the Florida REALTORS® initiatives.

Osceola REALTORS®, I URGE YOU TO VOTE “NO” ON AMENDMENT 4!

Talking Points for REALTORS® developed by Floridians for Smarter Growth (FSG): 1. Amendment 4 will leave Florida in a permanent recession.

2. Amendment 4 has already failed miserably in one small, Florida town.

3. Amendment 4 will turn our planning process into a political process, boosting the influence of special interest groups and sidelining ordinary citizens.

4. Amendment 4 will lead to extraordinary costs, disruption and disorder at the ballot box.

5. Amendment 4 is opposed by a broad and diverse coalition.

Shelly Kiker Account Executive 321 443 6901 Cell skiker@masontitle.com 866 326 2097 Fax

1101 Miranda Ln, Ste 113 Kissimmee, FL 34741 407 343 7406 Office www.masontitle.com

Sujeil Gerena Closer/Office Manager sgerena@masontitle.com 866 321 4722 Fax

We are your Short Sale Specialist and will help you from Listing to Closing!

Call us today and ask us how we will make it easier for you to do what you do best

List and Sell!

2

July 2010

A NEW member benefit offered through NAR's REALTOR Benefits® Program The National Association of REALTORS® is pleased to introduce REALTORS® Core Health Insurance (RCHI) – an affordable and guaranteed-acceptance limited medical indemnity insurance program designed exclusively for REALTORS® under 65.

Protect yourself and your family from unexpected illnesses or accidents. A simple accident like a broken bone or torn muscle can cost thousands of dollars. The unexpected does happen and if it does you will be thankful that you purchased an exclusive REALTORS® Core Health Insurance plan.

Here are some examples of common medical costs:

WHO BENEFITS?

Simply put, RCHI provides coverage for your healthcare needs – helping to provide basic benefits at an affordable cost.

Guaranteed-acceptance – No medical questions/exams required

Low cost – Plans start as low as $70.69 per month

Freedom to choose any provider

Benefits include: doctor office visits, wellness visits, emergency room benefits, surgery benefits, and more!

For those coping with an urgent need, next-day coverage**** is available.

Underwritten by: United States Fire Insurance Company Rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company (2009 Edition)

July 2010

NAR Members who can benefit from an RCHI plan include those who:

Do not have health insurance.

Have applied for individual Major Medical health insurance and have been declined or quoted expensive insurance rates.

Have health insurance with high deductibles or out-of-pocket expenses.

Members who have Major Medical insurance should contact an RCHI representative to see if one of the RCHI plans could supplement their existing coverage and decrease overall out of pocket expenses.

Have a pre-existing condition that makes traditional insurance coverage expensive or difficult to obtain, but that may be covered by RCHI.**

3

TECHNOLOGY OMMITTEE Update UPDATE TechnologyCCommittee Using the FUN Technology to Capture Leads Kemp Howland, GRI, SFR OSCAR Technology Committee Do you have all the leads you need? Is your buyer and seller pipeline full? Do you know who will be listing with you, or buying from you during the next 18 months?

Not too long ago it was a simple task to fill the pipeline with buyers or sellers. Just crank up the farming equipment (postcards, door hangers, cold calls, etc.) and the customers would just about crawl out of the woodwork.

Today things are different. You have a website. You have reports that buyers can download. You have BPO's and market analytics for sellers. You have your finger on the pulse of the local market. You are a veritable fountain of real estate information. So, where are your customers? ®

The problem today is that those Realtors who managed to stay in the business while their colleagues went back to their "real jobs", all have web sites, and reports, and BPO's and market analytics. Never before have Realtors® all looked so much alike to the buying and selling public. In the mind of today's real estate customer, we are all the same.

Now, you and I both know that there is a world of difference between us. You have your niche, I have mine. You may prefer to work with young buyers, while I like working with older homeowners. You may be a mortgage or first-time homebuyer expert, while others are more comfortable with older sellers.

Unless we find a way to get our individual advantages across to the buyers out there, they will continue to see us as all the same. So what can we do to stand out? ®

Savvy, successful Realtors in many parts of the country are turning to technology to differentiate them from their fellow practitioners. But it's not computers or databases that are helping these top producers stand out. It is the clever use of audio and video technology driving customers to their doors.

advantage. When people watch your video or listen to your podcast, they begin to feel a familiarity with you that just does not happen with a postcard or a newsletter. Viewers and listeners to your web-based broadcasting will be able to see and hear how you work and how you are able to help them achieve what they want.

A sincere and heartfelt video or audio broadcast can propel you way out in front of your competition. You can talk about a neighborhood, town, lifestyle or anything you think will help prospective buyers and sellers. You can explain how your customers benefit from your expertise. Moreover, you can let your personality shine for everyone to see.

So, why not put some fresh batteries in your camcorder or voice recorder, and make yourself stand out from the crowd? I bet when people start calling you, they will be friendlier and more open to your suggestions. Why? Because your web-based broadcast will make them feel like they already know you. The truth is, everyone wishes they had a friend in the real estate business. With internet broadcasting, that friend can be you.

Kemp Howland is a career-long member of OSCAR. His company, Howland International, helps real estate professionals understand and implement web-based video and audio technology.

ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP President .....................Veronica Malolos President-Elect ..................Tim Weisheyer Vice President........................Renee Clark Treasurer.............................Gerald Kelley Secretary .............................Kim Goodwin Past President ........................Jose Alvarez

Any Realtor® with a decent video camera can be a star on the internet. Realtors® with the ability to create a clear, static-free audio file can have his or her own internet radio broadcast. Creating a distinct internet presence is as simple as getting in front of a camera or microphone, and telling people how you do business, and how they will benefit from working with you.

Directors Andrey Bustamante Daisy Cid David Courtney David DeLoach Karen Dierickx

Realtors® who introduce themselves to prospective customers using internet broadcasting have a big

Legal Counsel ..................Danny Villazon

Susan Graves Richard Knapp Angel Ortiz Denise Sacks

4

July 2010

PROFESSIONAL TANDARDSCorner CORNER Professional SStandards Antitrust Per Se

By Robert St. Gordon, Controller Professional Standards Coordinator The penalties for violating antitrust are very severe. For criminal violations, fines can reach $1 million and three to ten years in prison. For civil violations, a person who has suffered a loss may recover treble damages (triple the actual loss) plus attorney's fees and costs. Court injunctions may apply as well.

Compliance with Antitrust laws doesn't involve a lot of expense and rigorous documentation. It does require that you and your company's salespeople and employees have a clear understanding of the law, sensitivity to potential problem areas, and a consistent commitment to avoiding circumstances that might imply violations.

Courts have labeled certain restraints of trade to be so plainly anti-competitive that they have been deemed illegal per se.

That is, per se violations can be determined illegal on their face. Thus, if a court determines the act is a per se violation, the defendant may not be able to claim the restraint of trade to be reasonable. Additionally, a potential per se violator may not even be able to present a defense as to whether the act was damaging, whether it restrained trade or not.

Such defendants are only left with a determination as to whether they committed the offense or not.

The United States Supreme Court has, in the past, determined activities such as price fixing, geographic market division, group boycotts, and tying arrangements to be illegal per se regardless of the reasonableness of such actions.

Price Fixing is an agreement and or discussion among competitors to sell the same product or service at the same price. An example of potential price fixing would be when two or more competitor real estate brokers discuss or agree to only list and sell real estate at a certain commission rate. The fact that two or more brokers charge the same commission does not necessarily mean an antitrust violation occurred, as long as each competitor set their prices independently.

To Avoid Price Fixing, consider establishing your company's fees, commissions, listing terms, and business models independently and without any such discussion with competitors. Avoid even informal conversations regarding prices/commissions, where you have no intention of actually setting prices as these discussions could be misinterpreted as the basis of a price fixing agreement. You may additionally want to consider documenting the analysis of market conditions, costs and income to justify your company's prices or fees. Such documentation should allow a better defense against inferences of conspiracy when competitors services and prices are the same or similar to yours. When discussing fees, commissions with consumers, you should be able to

July 2010

clearly convey that you price your services independently.

Geographic Market Division occurs when two or more competitors agree to stay out of each other's way and reduce competition in the agreed-upon territories. Other competitor agreements to divide the market by price range, type of property, or some other form of segmentation could be considered anti-competitive because they conspire to establish dominance in a particular market. This isn't the same as an individual's or an individual company's practice of specializing in certain properties such as historic buildings or custom-built housing. The key here seems to be competitor agreement.

To Avoid Geographic and other Market Divisions, document your individual decisions to focus on certain property types with marketing and demographic studies. Do not conspire with other competitors to only work within a designated geographical area.

Avoid discussions with competitors regarding your business model and market area.

Group Boycotts occur when two or more businesses agree not to do business with a particular party.

A potential example would include two or more brokerages that have discussed or agreed to refuse to cooperate, or to cooperate on less favorable terms with another brokerage firm.

Another form of boycott could occur if two or more companies discussed or agreed not to use a particular service provider. The intent is usually to reduce completion or to force the party to abandon certain practices.

To Avoid Group Boycotts, consider independently make your decisions on whether to do business with other businesses based on your company's own judgments, goals, and experiences. Consider documenting such decisions. Avoid agreements or discussions which imply a boycott or not utilizing another business.

Tying Arrangements are the practice of making the sale of one good or service conditional (tied) upon the purchase of a second distinctive good or service.

A potential example would be a real estate broker, who owns a title company, and will not provide real estate brokerage services unless the consumer also utilizes the services of the title company in that transaction. This could be considered a tying arrangement.

To Avoid Tying Arrangements consider not tying one service to another and provide lists of those businesses providing other services in a real estate transaction. Consider not leading or coercing a Continued page 9

5

DEARDear OSCAR Oscar Carol K. Platt, CRB Association Executive ae@osceola-realtors.com Chris Florence Communications/Technology Director communications@osceola-realtors.com

Dear Oscar, I have known you for many years. You and I never did get along very well. You always acted in school like you knew everything. So, now you even do a little silly article in our local OSCAR REVIEW magazine that you make out, like always, that you still know everything. I only read them to try to find a mistake that you will do, so that I can tell everybody about how you goofed up.

What makes you think that you know a lot about real estate?

Bob St. Gordon Controller accounts@osceola-realtors.com

Nasty Ned

Anneris Rivera Membership and Educational Administrative Services memberservices@osceola-realtors.com

Dear Nasty;

Yessica Colon Membership and Event Services membership@osceola-realtors.com Eli Perez Leader and member Services membership@osceola-realtors.com

ASSOCIATION OFFICE 1105 Shady Lane Kissimmee, Florida 34744 www.osceolarealtors.org communications@osceola-realtors.com 407.846.0117 • 407.846.0217 fax

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS In order to share the wealth of information contained in this newsletter in an efficient manner, please submit your articles via e-mail or fax by the 10th of the month. Please clearly indicate that submission is for the Osceola ReVIEW. Articles: communications@osceola-realtors.com Advertising: accounts@osceola-realtors.com For advertising inquiries please contact Bob St. Gordon at the Association Office. Your advertising defrays the cost of publishing. Thank you for your support.

Yes sir, I see that you haven't changed a bit since your childhood days. It seems like you would have learned by now that you cannot raise yourself by pushing down on someone else! And after saying that, I will say that I will not talk badly about you because then I would be “reaching down” and lowering myself to do so.

Your question above asked, “what makes you think that you know a lot about real estate?” Made me think about how much time I’ve spent with my fellow Realtors® studying, watching webinars, attending classes, and reading our three magazines, FLORIDA REALTOR®, THE NATIONAL REALTOR® and the OSCEOLA COUNTY REVIEW to keep up with our ever-changing real estate market. Then, I share experiences with my fellow REALTORS® and help them in every way possible to research the changes. I also listen to my fellow REALTORS® to learn from them!

I have learned mostly by being a member of each and every committee offered by our association as well as chairman of different committees on the state level. I have found that attending MLS MARKETING meetings every Tuesday morning has been a great help, not only to my fellow REALTORS®, but I learn a lot from our weekly speakers. I believe that the more information and knowledge that I can share with my fellow REALTORS® will make it easier for us both to do what we are in this business for….make a living, serve our buyers and sellers, and help our communities in many ways.

Always your Friend OSCAR

The Osceola ReVIEW is published exclusively for the Association by Osceola Press Kissimmee, Florida 407.933.1820 • 407.933.1835 fax graphics@osceolapress.com Disclaimer: The Osceola ReVIEW is published for the members and affiliates of Osceola County Association of REALTORS®, Inc. by Osceola Press as a courtesy. Osceola Press nor the Association assume any responsibility for article content or advertising message as submitted for inclusion in the newsletter. Advertising and articles are not endorsed by the Association, nor is there any implied warranty by the Association or its staff.

6

July 2010

All classes will be held at the Association (unless noted otherwise) To register for any classes please visit the Association website www.osceolarealtors.org, click on “Member Login� link, enter your username and password and then click on the Education Calendar. If you have any questions, please call the Association at (407) 8460117.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are registered and unable to attend, please call the Association to cancel within 24 hours of the class, or you will incur a $20 cancellation fee. If you are late for the class you will also incur a $20 late fee. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

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

Brokerage Relationships Disclosures Thursday, July 15, 2010 Time: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Instructor: Chuck Bonamer Location: Association Classroom, 1105 Shady Lane, Kissimmee, FL 34744 Description: This fast moving course provides a resource manual, examples, case studies, and all the forms necessary to practice safe agency.

Cost: Free CE Credit: 4 CE Hours

Code of Ethics Thursday, July 22, 2010 Time: 9:00 pm - 12:00 pm & 1:00pm - 4:00pm Instructor: Dick Fryer Location: Association Classroom, 1105 Shady Lane, Kissimmee, FL 34744 Description: This class provides an update on the Code of Ethics and other Professional Standards issues. This course also fulfills the NAR membership requirement.

Cost: Free CE Credit: 3 CE Hours

Green for Real Estate Professionals Certification Thursday, July 29, 2010 Time: 9:00 pm - 12:00 pm Instructor: Alexandra Arena-Gil Description: Learn what is necessary for you to become GREEN knowledgeable and receive a certificate awarding you the GCREP certification.

Goal Setting Thursday, August 5, 2010 Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Instructor: Cynthia DeLuca Location: Association Classroom, 1105 Shady Lane, Kissimmee, FL 34744 Description: Identify what a goal is, list the key elements of a goal, determine statistical information regarding sale price, calculate average commission earned and know what your time is worth at the income level you want to earn.

Cost: Free CE Credit: 3 CE Hours

Core Law Thursday, August 12, 2010 Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm & 1:00pm - 4:00pm Instructor: Ric Giumenta Location: Association Classroom, 1105 Shady Lane, Kissimmee, FL 34744 Description: Learn to verify your knowledge of and discuss the latest new laws affecting the real estate industry. Discussion regarding current laws and expiration dates and changes.

Cost: Free CE Credit: 3 CE Hours

7

July 2010

Going Green May Reduce Your Taxes IRS Tax Tip 2010-66 When you invest in energy-efficient products, you may be saving money on both your energy bills and your tax return. The Internal Revenue Service wants you to know about these six energy-related tax credits created or expanded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

1. Residential Energy Property Credit This tax credit is for homeowners who make qualified energy efficient improvements to their existing homes. This credit is 30 percent of the cost of all qualifying improvements. The maximum credit is $1,500 for improvements placed in service in 2009 and 2010 combined. The credit applies to improvements such as adding insulation, energy efficient exterior windows and energy-efficient heating and air conditioning systems.

2. Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit This tax credit will help individual taxpayers pay for qualified residential alternative energy equipment, such as solar hot water heaters, solar electricity equipment, geothermal heat pumps and wind turbines installed on or in connection with their home located in the United States and qualified fuel cell propoerty installed on or in connection with their main home located in the United States. The credit, which runs through 2016, is 30 percent of the cost of qualified property. ARRA removes some of the previously imposed annual maximum dollar limits.

3. Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Credit ARRA modifies this credit for qualified plug-in electric drive vehicles purchased after Dec. 31, 2009.

The minimum amount of the credit for qualified plug-in electric drive vehicles, which runs through 2014, is $2,500 and the credit tops out at $7,500, depending on the battery capacity. ARRA phases out the credit for each manufacturer after they sell 200,000 vehicles.

the vehicle, up to a maximum credit of $2,500 for purchases made after Feb. 17, 2009, and before Jan. 1, 2012.

5. Credit for Conversion Kits This credit is equal to 10 percent of the cost of converting a vehicle to a qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicle that is placed in service after Feb. 17, 2009. The maximum credit, which runs through 2011, is $4,000.

6. Treatment of Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit as a Personal Credit Allowed Against AMT Starting in 2009, ARRA allows the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit, including the tax credit for purchasing hybrid vehicles, to be applied against the Alternative Minimum Tax. Prior to the new law, the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit could not be used to offset the AMT. This means the credit could not be taken if a taxpayer owed AMT or was reduced for some taxpayers who did not owe AMT.

LEADERSHIP MEETINGS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Wednesday, July 28, 2010, at 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

4. Plug-in Electric Vehicle Credit This is a special tax credit for two types of plug-in vehicles — certain low-speed electric vehicles and two- or three-wheeled vehicles. The amount of the credit is 10 percent of the cost of

8

July 2010

Antitrust from pg 5

client to use a particular third party for service in a transaction.

Saving Water Outdoors Water Conservation Tips: • Do not leave sprinklers unattended. Use a kitchen timer to remind yourself to turn sprinklers off.

• Water slowly to reduce runoff and to allow deep penetration.

• Observe the watering schedule for your address.

• Dig out water-loving weeds and cultivate soil often.

• Use a rain barrel to collect rainwater.

Rainwater is free and is better for your plants because it doesn't contain hard minerals.

• Do not hose down your driveway or sidewalk. Use a broom to clean leaves and other debris from these areas.

• Use a shutoff nozzle on your hose that can be adjusted down to a fine spray so that water flows only as needed. When finished, turn it off at the spigot instead of at the nozzle to avoid leaks. A garden hose without a shutoff nozzle can pour out 530 gallons of water in an hour.

• Avoid purchasing recreational water toys that require a constant stream of water.

• Consider using a commercial car wash that recycles water. If you wash your own car, park on the grass, use a bucket of soapy water and use a hose with a shutoff nozzle.

• Avoid the installation of ornamental water features (such as fountains) unless the water is recycled.

• If you have a swimming pool, consider a new water-saving pool filter.

• Cover your spa or pool to reduce evaporation.

Antitrust issues can arise at Associations and other Meetings. Realtor® Associations are groups of competitors who come together to promote common business interests. As such, they are vulnerable to allegations of agreements by members to use identical business practices are illegal conspiracies. Remain alert to discussions at meetings relating to commission rates, pricing structures, listing policies, business models, or marketing practices of other brokers, businesses. A member who merely sits in a meeting while others engage in an illegal discussion may render themselves liable, even though they did not actively participate in the discussion. Mere attendance at such discussions may be enough to imply acquiescence in the conspiracy, making the passive person just as liable as those who actively engaged in the discussion. If you're in a meeting or even a social setting, and the conversation turns antitrust, you should consider leaving the area immediately.

It would also probably be wise to make it known that the possibility of an antitrust violation is the reason you are leaving.

Other related questionable activities are covered in part by the Realtor's Code of Ethics. Violators of the Code of Ethics can be, in part, fined up to $5,000 and/or suspended from membership.

Article 3 of the Code of Ethics states in part that Realtors shall cooperate with other brokers except when cooperation is not in the client's best interest.

The obligation to cooperate does not include the obligation to share commissions, fees, or to otherwise compensate another broker. Article 15 of the Code of Ethics states in part that Realtors shall not knowingly or recklessly make false or misleading statements about competitors, their businesses, or their business practices.

If you have any questions regarding antitrust violations, please consult with an attorney or contact the Florida Realtors Legal Hotline at 407438-1409, or go online at FloridaRealtors.org.

Article Sources/Excerpts from: 2010 Antitrust presentation to Osceola Assn. of Realtors Leadership-by Margy Grant, Florida Realtors® Association; “Real Estate Brokerage”, Cyr, Sobeck and McAdams, 5th edition, Dearborn Financial Publishing, 1999-as found on the National Assn. of Realtors® Magazine Online; “Antitrust” Allen Sakai, Washington Realtor, October 1992-as found on the National Assn. of Realtors® Magazine Online; “Disclosure and Antitrust Issues in Real Estate” Norm Willoughby, 2009-02-10, Illinois Assn. of Realtors; “Per Se Antitrust Actions in the Real Estate Brokerage Business”, James Kimmons, About.com Guide; “Antitrust Compliance Guidelines for the American Wind Energy Association” online; “Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the National Association of Realtors®” effective 01/01/2010.

9

July 2010

SELLING: GREEN Selling: GOING Going Green

By G.M. Filisko

ECO-SAVVY SELLING The environmental movement has reached a “tipping point,” says Bonnie Cox, ABR®, CRS®, a broker at RE/MAX Masters in Englewood, Colo. “It used to be that when you saw a hybrid car, you thought, 'Greenie!'” she recalls. Now, however, Cox is seeing more and more consumers bring environmental wish lists into the homebuying process, “not just because they'll save on their fuel bills but because they believe it's better for their family,” she says. That means smart real estate professionals should educate themselves about resource-efficient building materials.

When working with sellers, explain simple actions that can reduce energy and water waste, thus appealing to buyers' wallets and environmental hearts. With buyers, you can note high-efficiency products in homes they're considering and point out material enhancements that would make potential purchases more environmentally friendly.

Put homes in the best 'green' light.

When sellers are considering listing, it's your job to recommend improvements that may make the home more marketable.

Increasingly, that includes ways to boost energy efficiency. The quickest and easiest upgrades, says Cox, are caulking and weather-stripping windows. “That may seem insignificant,” she says, “but buyers are becoming more aware of energy efficiency, and you can mention those upgrades in your marketing pieces.”

Also important but more expensive are appliance upgrades, says Bill Westel, a practitioner at EcoSteward Realty in Asheville, N.C. He recommends that sellers look up the brand and model numbers of their appliances at www.energystar.gov to see whether the appliances meet the federal government's Energy Star efficiency standards. “If they have an energy-hog appliance, it may be to their benefit to replace it,” he says.

Westel also recommends that sellers call their local utility company for an energy audit of home features, including the furnace, the water heater, and major appliances. It typically costs about $100,

FOR SALE

but audit results can be used as a marketing tool if the sellers get a positive report or implement recommendations as a result. Private firms offer more comprehensive energy audits for about $75 per hour in his area, says Westel. “An hour is usually all it takes to walk through the house and tell sellers what they can do to improve the home's energy efficiency. Do they have enough insulation? Are there leaks in the house frame or envelope, or are there drafts they can seal?”

When Westel is working with energy-conscious buyers, he recommends they have the audit done if the sellers haven't done so already.

Don Shea, a sales associate at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Evanston, IL, says owners of older homes often ignore the benefits of insulating their attics. At a recent home inspection, he says, the inspector recommended that the buyers increase the attic insulation to help the home retain heat, something the sellers could easily have done and touted as a sales feature.

Another improvement that boosts energy efficiency, says Shea, is installing dual-zone heating and air-conditioning systems, with separate thermostats for each zone. Such systems allow homeowners to save energy by fully heating only the first floor during the winter—and letting the warm air naturally rise to the second floor — and fully cooling only the upper stories during summer nights. “That's the type of improvement that pays off for sellers,” says Shea, “because it increases energy savings, and somebody like an inspector will point out to buyers how smart the system is.”

Shea recommends alerting sellers to those ideas early so that they'll have time to prove they've reduced their home's energy consumption. For instance, if in September, sellers say they're planning to list in the spring, recommend they make upgrades quickly so that winter heating bills will reflect the improvements. “On one listing, we pulled several years' utility bills so that the sellers could demonstrate

10

July 2010

that the insulation they put in the attic helped reduce energy use,” says Shea. “Although energy costs had gone up, their heating bill had stayed the same.”

Help buyers envision a greener home. Buyers are also increasingly retrofitting new purchases with materials that are more environmentally friendly.

Landscaping is a good example, Cox says. Trees and tall shrubs can shelter a home from wind and sun.

“Having planted huge shrubs at my own property,” she says, “I can see that the life of the windows is being extended by being shaded. They aren't getting the heat of the sun, and the wood isn't aging as a result.”

Drip irrigation systems, which conserve water by using underground trenches to deliver it directly to plant roots, are also growing in popularity.

home, the owners recycled old wood pallets into flooring. Another couple is doing “the mother of all environmental retrofits,” he says. They're removing their home's fiberboard insulation ducts, on which dirt can accumulate, and replacing them with metal ducts to improve indoor air quality.

They're also removing the carpeting, which can release fumes, and replacing it with wood floors.

Although they haven't made a final decision, says Westel, the homeowners are considering re-milling wood from old barns to create the new floors.

They're also putting new siding on the home, using hearty plank, a product made from recycled cement that looks like wood.

Shea says he's selling units in a green building under construction in his area that'll feature Energy Star appliances; low-emission carpets, stains, and paints; and hookups for electric cars in each garage space. “As a society, we're only on the verge of recognizing what's energy efficient,” he says. “But we're starting to see builders and architects get into it. The pieces are starting to come together.”

As for the inside of homes, Westel says he's seeing more buyers use recycled wood for flooring. In one

11

July 2010

Scenes from: The St. Cloud Greater Osceola Chamber of Commerce

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

12

July 2010

THE G OODWIN The GoodwinSTATION Station Linda Goodwin-Nichols was recently honored for 22 years of service as the West 192 Redevelopment District Advisory Board which started with her chair of the Kissimmee Osceola County Chamber of Commerce's Beautification Committee. Linda's dedication to her community as a REALTOR® member of Osceola County Association of REALTORS® is a shining example for all of us.

The city recognized her by naming 2 bus stations, with her details highlighting her service, located near the Vineland Road and State Road 535 intersection.

"The chamber had done a project in downtown Kissimmee in the early ‘70s," she said. "The West 192 Resort Area Council had been created and we began looking at a roadway that was not safe, not lighted and was just ugly."

"We got a $5,000 grant for a study of 192 from the western end all the way to Nova Road, east of St. Cloud," she recalled.

"The county told us that 75 percent of the property owners on 192 would have to agree to tax themselves in order to fund the work," GoodwinNichols said. "I think we ended up with over 80 percent of the owners going along with the idea."

"I didn't think I would live to see it finished," she admitted.

Linda Goodwin-Nichols, center, was joined by family members recently to cut the ribbon on two bus shelters on West US Highway 192, named in her honor .

"I have no plans to run for public office again," she said. "I am on the Community Vision Board, a director on the Kissimmee Chamber Board and a board member at Park Place Behavioral Health Care.

"My husband and I travel with friends three or four times a year and we have a trip coming up with our family to Key West and Mexico."

"Two of my daughters are on the office staff now, but I still spend 14 hours a day with the business."

We all here at the association applaud her dedication and wish her the very best for her many years of self-less service to our community.

13

July 2010

Advertising/Publications

Construction/Repair/Renovations

Osceola News Gazette

A Better Choice Pools

Paula Stark 108 Church St Kissimmee, FL 34741 Office: 407-846-7600 Fax: 407-846-8516 Email: pstark@osceolanewsgazette.com Website: www.aroundosceola.com

Michael Evans 3213 13th Street Saint Cloud, FL 34769 Office: 407-414-7379 Fax: 407-870-9978 Email: m_abcpools@yahoo.com Website: www.abetterchoicepools.com

Orlando Sentinel

Franks Air Conditioning Inc.

Laura Kohler 633 North Orange Avenue Orlando, Florida 32803 Office: 407-420-6126 Fax: 407-420-5201 Email: lkohler@orlandosentinel.com Website: www.orlandosentinel.com

Dean Bullock 800 Armstrong Blvd Kissimmee, FL 34741 Office: 407-870-7755 Fax: 407-846-1312 Email: dean@franksac.com Website: www.franksac.com

The Real Estate Book Tammy Birchler 2305 NewPoint Parkway Lawrenceville, GA 30043 Office: 407-702-4761 Fax: 407-581-1491 Email: tbirchler@treb.com Website: www.realestatebook.com

The Real Estate Book Doreen McGauvran 2305 NewPoint Parkway Lawrenceville, GA 30043 Office: 407-310-7443 Fax: 407-581-1491 Email: dmcgauvran@treb.com Website: www.realestatebook.com

Attorneys Charles P. Castellon, PA Law Firm Charles Castellon 12934 Deertrace Ave Suite A Orlando, FL 32837 Office: 407-851-0201 Fax: 407-847-5618 Email: ccastellon@centralflattorney.com

Law Office of Daniel Villazon Daniel Villazon, P.A. 1420 Celebration Blvd., Suite 200 Celebration, FL 34747 Office: 407-483-0041 Email: dvillazon@yahoo.com Website: frecattorney.com/

Engineering, Surveying, Planning Hanson, Walter & Associates, Inc. Diane Salisbury 400 Emmett St. Kissimmee, FL 34741 Office: 407-847-9433 Fax: 407-847-2499 Email: dsalisbury@hansonwalter.com

Entertainment Services Elegant Entertainment DJ Services Joe Marolis 7812 Fern Leaf Drive Orlando, FL 32836 Office: 407-414-6239 Email: joem15@earthlink.net Website: www.elegantentertainment.org

Financial Services and Institutions Equilliance Mortgage Nancy Knapp 4417 13th Street, Suite 101 Saint Cloud, FL 34769 Office: 321-624-1560 Fax: 407-957-6892 Email: nancy@nancyknapp.net

Farm Credit Regina Thomas P.O. Box 8009 Lakeland, FL 33802 Office: 863-682-4117 Fax: 863-688-9364 Email: rthomas@farmcreditcfl.com Website: farmcreditcfl.com/

MortgageOne Financial Services John Smoley 1637 E Vine St Ste D Kissimmee, FL 34744 Office: 407-870-9090 Fax: 407-870-2809 Email: john@m1fs.com Website: www.m1fs.com/

MortgageOne Financial Services Graham Aistrop 1637 E Vine St Ste D Kissimmee, FL 34744 Office: 407-870-9090 Fax: 407-870-2809 Email: graham@m1fs.com Website: www.m1fs.com/

Qubty Financial Group Sami D. Qubty 7680 Universal Blvd., Suite 405 Orlando, FL 32819 Office: 407-370-3030 Fax: 407-370-2040 Email: squbty@qubtyfinancialgroup.com Website: www.qubtyfinancialgroup.com

Qubty Financial Group David Qubty 7680 Universal Blvd., Suite 405 Orlando, FL 0 Office: 407-370-3030 Fax: 407-370-2040 Email: squbty@qubtyfinancialgroup.com Website: www.qubtyfinancialgroup.com

Trustco Bank Sarah Near 1525 East Osceola Parkway Kissimmee, FL 34746 Office: 407-932-0398 Fax: 932-0719 Email: GC-573@TRUSTCOBANK.COM Website: trustcobank.com/

Home Builders - Developers DR Horton, Inc. Nelson Garcia 2520 T G Lee Boulevard Orlando, FL 32824 Office: 407-556-2100 Fax: 407-556-2106 Email: ndgarcia@drhorton.com Website: www.drhorton.com/

14

July 2010

ICI Homes

Budget Services, Inc.

Allison Pope 3400 W. Osceola Parkway Kissimmee, FL 34741 Office: 321-219-0304 Fax: 407-943-1904 Email: apope@icihomes.com Website: www.icihomes.com/HomeBuilder/

Ed Hogan 3617 Crosley Ave. Saint Cloud, FL 34772 Office: 407-892-8811 Fax: 407-892-8516 Email: budgettermite@earthlink.net Website: www.budgetservicesfl.com

KB Home

Chief Inspection Services, Inc.

Elle Voorhees 9102 South Park Center Loop, #100 Orlando, FL 32819 Office: 407-587-3403 Fax: 407-587-2386 Email: elandry@kbhome.com Website: www.kbhome.com/

Jeff Clair P.O. Box 700937 Saint Cloud, FL 34770 Office: 407-383-7241 Fax: 407-891-7410 Email: jclair@chiefinspections.com Website: chiefinspections.com/

Maronda Homes Olga Ortega 955 Keller Rd., Suite 1500 Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 Office: 407-846-4397 Fax: 407-846-4398 Email: oortega@maronda.com Website: maronda.com

Maronda Homes Inc Of Florida Jordan Keathley 955 Keller Rd., Suite 1500 Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 Office: 407-475-9112 Fax: 407-475-9115 Email: keathley@maronda.com Website: maronda.com

Home Warranty 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty Tony Fletcher P.O. Box 701857 Saint Cloud, FL 34770 Office: 321-437-8765 Email: tonyf@cfl.rr.com Website: www.2-10.com

Inspection Services Amerispec Home Inspection Services Mike Woodard P.O. Box 233 Eagle Lake, FL 33839 Office: 863-401-3692 Fax: 863-294-7773 Email: mwoodard@amerispec.net

Envirotect Building & Termite Steve Rohal P.O. Box 450206 Kissimmee, FL 34746 Office: 407-460-4450 Email: reliablepest@cfl.rr.com

Wind Mitigation Inspections Randy Cooper 5 Wisconsin Ave Saint Cloud, FL 34769 Office: 407-892-9661 Fax: 407-892-9661 Email: compurvc@aol.com

Real Estate Schools/Education Giumenta School of Real Estate Ric Giumenta 4871 NW Palm Coast Pkwy#2 Palm Coast, FL 32137 Office: 386-246-3131 Fax: 386-246-3162 Email: ric@ricgiumenta.com

IFREC Real Estate Schools Robin Pickett 5029 Edgewater Dr Orlando, FL 32810 Office: 407-644-7277 Fax: 407-647-5227 Email: robin@ifrec.com Website: ifrec.com/

MCT Real Estate & Mortgage School Maria ThurdeKoos 4301 Vineland Road Suite E6 Orlando, FL 32811 Office: 407-236-0120 Email: mctschools@mctgroup.us Website: www.mctrealty.com/

Title/Escrow/Insurance Services A-Z Team Title, LLC Bernard S. Edwards 102 Park Place Blvd.

Kissimmee, FL 34743 Office: 407-932-0529 Fax: 407-932-1587 Email: bernie@azteamtitle.com Website: azteamtitle.com/

Allstate Insurance Kristy Bolin 2785 Wrights Rd., Suite 1113 Oviedo, FL 32765 Office: 407-657-5867 Fax: 407-657-5961 Email: bolininsurance@gmail.com

First American Title Cara Brown 1101 Miranda Lane, Suite 101 Kissimmee, FL 34741 Office: 321-624-4212 Fax: 866-621-6816 Email: carbrown@firstam.com Website: firstam.com/

First American Title Paul Peterzell 1101 Miranda Lane, Suite 101 Kissimmee, FL 34741 Office: 407-273-1955 Fax: 866-621-6816 Email: ppeterzell@firstam.com Website: firstam.com/

Health Insurance Store, Inc. Wes Fischer 1007 E. Vine Street Kissimmee, FL 34744 Office: 407-932-0023 Fax: 407-932-0068 Email: wes@4insurancestore.com Website: www.4insurancestore.com/

Mason Title & Escrow Company Shelly Kiker 1101 Miranda Lane Suite 122 Kissimmee, FL 34741 Office: 321-443-6901 Email: skiker@masontitle.com Website: www.masontitle.com/

Osceola Title Insurance Agency Marianne Conerly 109 North Beaumont Ave. Kissimmee, FL 34741 Office: 407-847-4077 Fax: 407-847-4393 Email: mc@osceolatitleins.com

15

July 2010

Prominent Title Insurance Agency Betty M. Dobbie 827 Cypress Parkway Kissimmee, FL 34759 Office: 407-343-1560 Fax: 407-343-1561 Email: bdobbie@prominenttitle.com Website: www.prominenttitle.com

Real Estate Closing Solutions Heidi Foster 7575 Dr. Phillips Blvd #140 Orlando, FL 32819 Office: 407-615-8550 Fax: 407-615-8555 Email: hfoster@recsfl.com Website: recsfl.com/

Southeast Professional Title, Inc. Yaritza Logrono 2699 Lee Rd Ste 120 Winter Park, FL 32789 Office: 407-539-0781 Fax: 407-537-3416 Email: ylogrono@southeastprofessionaltitle.com Website: www.southeastprofessionaltitle.com

Stewart Approved Title, Inc. Becky Sheive 1201 Emmett St. Kissimmee, FL 34741 Office: 407-846-7477 Fax: 407-846-6573 Email: bsheive@stewart.com Website: www.stewart.com

A NICHOL ’S WORTH A Nichol’s WorthOFofINFORMATION Information

By Nick Nichols NEW LAWS EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST If you missed this in the Orlando Sentinel June 27th, the 2 following changes were printed.

The following new laws take effect July 01, 2010.

(1) (HB109) SHORT SALES CHANGES: Lowers the amount of state taxes residents pay when they sell their homes through short sales, when the sale price is less than the outstanding debt. The state will not collect taxes on the cancelled debt, or the difference between the sale price and what is owed on the house.

IMPACT: Short sales have become common due to the sharp decline in real estate values.

(2) SB1196 RENTERS CHANGES: Homeowner associations can evict a renter if their landlord isn't paying the condo or association fees.

IMPACT: Many condo owners, particularly investment owners, are in foreclosure and not paying association fees, but still collecting rent checks from their tenants. This law could put renters on the hook to pay the fees or face eviction.

Stewart Approved Title, Inc. Jolene Sheive 1201 Emmett St. Kissimmee, FL 34741 Office: 407-846-7477 Fax: 407-846-6573 Email: jsheive@stewart.com Website: www.stewart.com

Stewart Approved Title, Inc. Rayelynne Woeste 1401 Budinger Ave. Saint Cloud, FL 34769 Office: 407-957-9000 Fax: 407-957-8055 Email: rwoeste@stewart.com Website: www.stewart.com

Solar Energy

Web Design & Marketing

Allsolar Service Company, Inc.

Howland International, Inc.

David Bessette 1507 Damon Ave. Kissimmee, FL 34744 Office: 407-846-7830 Fax: 407-847-5013 Email: Dbessette1@cfl.rr.com Website: www.allsolarflorida.com

Kemp Howland 355 Falling Waters Drive Kissimmee, FL 34759 Office: 407-222-4847 Email: kemp.howland@gmail.com Website: www.seminaronsite.com

Stationary/Printing

Total Title Solutions

St. Cloud Stationers

Tina Johnson 8 Broadway St Ste 225 Kissimmee, FL 34741 Office: 407-847-0412 Fax: 407-847-0429 Email: tina@a1landtitle.com Website: www.totaltitlesolutionsinc.com

Bill Coughtry 423 13th Street Saint Cloud, FL 34769 Office: 407-892-1319 Fax: 407-891-0695 Email: scstationers@netzero.net Website: www.scstationers.com

16

July 2010

MFRMLS MFRMLSUPDATE Update

By Tim Weisheyer and Jose Alvarez

President's Report – Aaron Chandler •Carlos Fuentes appointed as the Executive Committee Liaison to the soon to be formed CIE Committee •Encouraged everyone to participate in the FR “Help a Soldier Call Home” promotion •Reviewed 2010-11 Committees, adjustments made Immediate Past President Report – Carlos Fuentes •MFCRE growing slowly, but not enough members from various Associations/Boards to start a CIE Committee •Staff will contact AEs for representatives •First meeting planned in early August Treasurer's Report – Steve Amburgey •Assistant accounts will be billed the $15 security assessment on existing accounts in September, new accounts beginning in September 2010 •Approval for Capital and other expenses up to $150k

Policy Committee – Sally Cinquanti •“Seller Paid Buyer Closing Costs” will be a required field •Member request denied fro exemption from requirement to place listings that cannot be shown as temporary off market •Member request denied for rule requiring photos to reflect actual status of property •No exceptions to be made to recent rule clarification that short sales cannot remain active under the right of first refusal rules •Member suspended for non-payment of annual fees who return within 90 days will pay all fees, late fee and reactivation fee •Members suspended for non-payment of annual fee who return after 90 days will be required to re-apply for MFRMLS membership and pay all pro-rated fees through remainder of the year MCAT – Brad Monroe •Off-market/rented rental properties will not be included in IDX feeds •When new fields for residential, rental and commercial are added to system, approval to include in IDX feeds given •Pending listings not to be added to consumer website CEO Report – Merri Jo Cowen •Approval of up to $29,100 to host three broker forums on the current data licensing/revenue share options on the table.

St. Cloud Mayor Donna Hart addresses participants at the June 8th MLS Marketing Meeting Speaking candidly and entertaining questions, St. Cloud Mayor Donna Hart, outlined the “State of St. Cloud” to interested REALTORS® on Tuesday morning. Beginning with statistics that surprised some attendees, she noted that the city limits were now 19 sq. miles, the average resident's age is 37.3 years old and the average resident's income is $5074,000. Mayor reiterated her conviction that it's important to “build the infrastructure prior to bringing development” and announced that, while the St. Cloud Lakefront plant is being dismantled, which should improve property values in that area, the Southside plant is currently serving 45,000 with a capacity of 60,000. She also warned that water will continue to be a long term issue because after 2013, there will be no more ground water extraction permits.

St. Cloud is also proud of it's accomplishments including:

The

Community Redevelopment District's website, www.stcloud.org/cra. This district is funded at approximately $754,000 and will be focusing on the municipal downtown in the immediate future.

st

The July 1 formal application review of the Green

City Initiative.

The projected completion of the St. Cloud High

School Renovation for September 2010.

The UCF Business Incubator which is seeking up

to 20 new businesses.

An average St. Cloud home property tax of $350

per year.

Susan Graves, a Director for OSCAR, thanked Mayor Hart for improving the St. Cloud lakefront, thereby making it more attractive and inviting to walk. The Mayor also explained the methods for variable water and sewer fees toward conservation efforts in questioning by Nick Nichols.

Both Mark Baker and Dale Settles, who monitor the City of St. Cloud's municipal meetings and issues for OSCAR's public policy efforts, were in attendance, as well.

President Elect Tim Weisheyer inquired about increased involvement of OSCAR members on St. Cloud's various boards and committee's whereby the Mayor encouraged that effort so, City of St. Cloud resident REALTORS® , you are wanted and needed to provide leadership in your community!

17

July 2010

AE P ERSPECTIVE AE Perspective 2010 Mid-Year Update

By Carol K. Platt, CRB One of the many aspects of working for membership associations as your executive is the opportunity to work with leadership. OSCAR's Board of Director's has been quite busy conducting the “business of the association” by setting policies for both long and short term association success. I wanted to share with you the highlights of their actions as a semiannual report to the membership.

Since January your Board of Directors has:

Appointed Susie Graves to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors.

Instituted a “no cash” policy, limiting at a preapproved $50 per day per member for emergency purposes, for the protection and risk reduction of the association.

Approved OSCAR as a REBAC licensed educational certification provider (which has already resulted in two sold out SFR classes and over 100 certifications for our members).

Approved a transition to Rapattoni Net Magic membership services database (scheduled for October) to enhance and advanced 24/7 membership access, ease and accuracy of service)

Approved for membership vote updates and changes to OSCAR's By Laws in compliance with the National Association of REALTORS® and Florida REALTORS®.

Approved instituting a policy of two signatures on all association checks.

Established a minimum reserve in compliance with recommended financial security standards.

Established a statutory investment policy for safety and security of reserve funds.

Ratified the 2010 Committee Chairs, Vice-Chairs and committee members appointed by President Veronica Malolos.

Approved financial support request for the District XII Florida REALTOR® candidate “meet and greet”.

Approved President Elect Tim Weisheyer and Past President Jose Alvarez as OSCAR's Mid-Florida Regional MLS Directors.

A p p r o v e d N A R M i d -W i n t e r M e e t i n g representation by President Veronica Malolos, President Elect Tim Weisheyer, Past President NAR Leadership Academy Graduate Hope Andrews and Florida REALTORS® Leadership Academy Graduate Mike Levine.

Approved a Leadership Scholarship Fund for OSCAR applicants (requests made 90 days in advance) to Florida REALTORS® and National Association of REALTORS® Leadership Events.

Approved a request from the public policy committee and Bob Caldwell, Florida REALTORS® District XII RPAC Trustee to allocate RPAC issue funds toward defeating the anti-property rights Amendment 4 ballot measure.

Approved the creation of a Leadership Academy Task Force to establish criteria for a Leadership Academy Training Program at OSCAR.

Approved purchasing additional statistical data from Terradatum.

Reviewed and approved the 2009 Audit performed

by LarsonAllen, LLC.

Approved new technology hardware and software expenditures to replace obsolete equipment and enhance and improve service capabilities.

Accepted with regret the resignation of director, Kemp Howland.

Approved a reciprocal agreement to commercial members in good standing; thus not charging more than one MLS Service Fee to any OSCAR Member.

Approved the March 19th, 2010 MFRMLS BOD By Law Changes.

Ratified association REALTOR® and Affiliate members in compliance with policy.

Appointed Karen Dierickx to fill the vacancy on the Board of Directors.

Approved Carol Platt, AE and President Elect Tim Weisheyer to attend the 2011 NAR Leadership Summit and Government Affairs training.

Jaime Andrey Bustamante

18

July 2010

Approved the creation of a lock-box task force to examine lockbox access including membership costs and availability, including a review of the SUPRA association contract.

Approved a request of the OSCAR Foundation for dissolution of the Foundation (per audit and legal advice) and appropriation of the remaining funds to President Veronica Malolos' Charity of Choice, the Red Cross.

Recommended the candidacy of Andrew Barbar for 2011 Florida REALTORS® Treasurer and Steven David for 2011 Florida REALTORS® Secretar y. Note*Dean Asher, r unning unopposed for 2011 Florida REALTORS® Vice President was recommended by OSCAR in 2009, as well as, Jose Alvarez for 2011 Florida REALTORS® District XII Vice President.

Public Policy Statements Adopted:

Commissioners not to create a new ordinance.

This ordinance would require all future purchasers, mortgagees, occupiers, and users of residential property located within the Aircraft Noise Zone to disclose noise impacts.

The Osceola County Association of REALTORS® recognizes the damage created to private property rights, the economic health and the real estate market of the state of Florida, and the Central Florida Community that we serve, therefore, the passage of Amendment 4 to the Florida constitution is detrimental to our state, our region and our industry and hereby passes this resolution in opposition of the passage of this Amendment.

For those of you who have read to the ending of this report, I promise you another update on a Quarterly basis! As you can see, your leadership is engaged and very active on your behalf.

The Osceola County Association of REALTOR®s request the Osceola County Board of

The Numbers Do Not Lie While I was reviewing an example of portfolio investment stress tests from a financial analyst in Charlotte, North Carolina, I became, once again, proud of the real estate industry. A few OSCAR Realtors have suffered the backlash of a consumer who suffered a loss when buying at the top of the market. Losses in an anomaly market are not indicative of the investment strength and wealth building purchases of the real estate that you sell.

Gold! Wear that REALTOR® pin, red and blue, with pride!

Looking at the All REIT (Real Estate Investment Trusts) TR index, investors purchasing recently have experienced significant gains and over a ten year period, real estate investment is second only to

Data as of 6/25/10

1-Week

Y-T-D

1-Year

3-Year

5-Year

10-Year

Standard & Poor's 500 (Domestic Stocks) DJ Global ex US (Foreign Stocks) 10-year Treasury Note (Yield Only) Gold (per ounce) DJ-UBS Commodity Index DJ Equity All REIT TR Index

-3.6% -2.0 3.1 -0.2 0.2 -3.0

-3.4% -8.6 N/A 13.6 -7.5 11.7

17.0% 13.9 3.6 33.8 3.1 65.9

- 10.4% -11.7 5.1 24.4 -8.9 -6.7

-2.0% 1.9 3.9 23.3 -4.2 1.7

-3.0% 0.4 6.1 16.0 2.1 10.6

Notes: S&P 500, DJ Global ex US, Gold, DJ-UBS Commodity Index returns exclude reinvested dividends (gold does not pay a dividend) and the three-, five-, and 10-year returns are annualized; the DJ Equity All REIT TR Index does include reinvested dividends and the three-, five-, and 10-year returns are annualized; and the 10-year Treasury Note is simply the yield at the close of the day on each of the historical time periods.

Sources: Yahoo! Finance, Barron's, djindexes.com, London Bullion Market Association.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Indices are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly. N/A means not applicable or not available.

19

July 2010

YOUR MOMMA ’S RRules ULES Your Momma’s

By David A. Bagwell, Author Your Momma's Rules... to keep other people from getting you and your association into antitrust trouble.

1. Who's Throwing the Party? When you were 15, your momma wouldn't let you go to a party unless the right group sponsored it (like a church of school, or somebody's parents). You couldn't just say "Momma, a few couples are getting together in the woods." Same deal here; your momma was right. Don't go to any meetings unless there is a clear and proper sponsor and it is the right kind of officially recognized body that is properly constituted, broadly-based, and well-run.

Otherwise, you may get in more trouble than you can handle.

2. 'What's Up?' Your momma wanted to know "what kind of party is it?" She was right; there is a difference between drinking and skating, and she wanted to know what was going on. Same deal here.

What is going on? If they don't send you a written agenda in advance, you really shouldn't go. (It is not an "agenda" if all it says is "(1) old business, (2) new business, (3) other, "or anything like that.)

3. Chaperones. When you were 15, your momma wouldn't let you go unless a chaperone was going. A lawyer is kind of like a chaperone; they tend to spot any developing troublemakers and throw them out of the party. If no lawyer is going to be there to chaperone, it is a sign the party might get too wild, and maybe you shouldn't go.

4. Stay Out of the Bushes. Your momma knew that if you left the party, you were more likely to get in trouble. She was right. Don't go to "rump sessions" before, during or after meetings; the natural human temptation is to talk business there, and your business is best discussed openly in the proper forum. It is okay to have lunch with a friend or two, but don't let it turn into a "rump session" (hard to define but we all know it when we see it; so see it before it is too late.)

5. No Select Groups. Remember how it hurt your feelings when some people got invited to the party buy you didn't? Same deal here. If they don't invite the whole class, don't go. Especially don't go if they call it something stupid like "let's get the 'big three' together." Thant kind of talk will just get you in trouble; don't go.

6. Don't Get Taken in By Sweet Words. Your momma told you they would talk sweet to you; don't get taken in. She was right. It would be simple if you could spot antitrust trouble just by seeing an

evil looking guy in a cloak and silk hat and a waxed mustache who whispered "Psst! Let's conspire!"

They don't do that. People sometimes unknowingly fall into conspiracies, pulled in by other niceseeming people who say "let's get on the same wavelength," or "let's sort it out before the meeting," or "let's sort it out before the meeting," or "let's get our story straight." If they whisper to you lie that, they are the Devil. Don't be tempted. Don't go. It can only get you in trouble. Your "story" is open and honorable and firmly-based on correct data, and your story is already "straight". The only time you need to be on the "same wavelength" as anybody else is when you both tune in to the religious channel on your separate radios.

7. Don't Let Them Spike the Punch. Your momma suspected that some boy might try to spike the punch, and she told the chaperone to keep a lookout. She was right; same deal here. Watch out that no narrow interest tries to rig the meeting or the system unfairly in favor of its company or its narrow interest; like a spiked punch at a Junior high party, it can only lead to trouble. (Also, don't let anybody do the minutes on company stationery; it makes it look like their company was "in charge," which is probably unfair.)

8. Appearances Count. Your momma knew that if you slipped off to the woods from a party, people would assume the worst, even if you only held hands. She was right. Pay attention to how things might look to somebody else. Some people always assume the worst, and start a bunch of gossip.

Don't be grist for the gossip. Make sure you behave and look like you are behaving. For instance, don't sit in the corner whispering with your competitors, even about football or movies. (At this point in your life, it won't be a gossip who will spread the scandal; it will be some lawyer trying to make you look bad to a jury, so he can personally make a lot of money.

Strike a blow for liberty; behave and look like you behave and keep all the lawyers poor.)

9. If the Party Turns Wild, Leave. Your momma told you to leave if it got wild. She was right. If the other people at your meeting start talking about or doing bad stuff, get up and walk out. (It may be unpleasant then, but it beats going to jail or getting sued.)

10.Call Your Momma if You're Not Sure. your momma gave you a dime (or a quarter or a nickel, depending on how old you are) to call her if you needed advice or help. She was right; same deal here. If you can't get your momma, call your lawyer. david@bagwellesq.com

20

July 2010

YOUR Your OSCEOLA Osceola The City of Kissimmee, Florida The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program is a partnership of the University of Central Florida, Osceola County, and the City of Kissimmee. The facility will offer support services to help start-up companies accelerate their growth and generate jobs. The facility will be located at The City Centre, 111 E. Monument Ave. The city and county are each making matching contributions totaling $405,000 spread over three years.

Additionally, onetime payments are being made by the city for $57,000 and $183,000 from the redevelopment agency for the facility's build out. The University of Central Florida will manage the incubator. The new 8,000square-foot facility will be built on the fourth floor of the City Centre, and will be open in September with office and administration space for promising enterprises selected to join the UCF Business Incubation Program.

Since its founding in 1999, the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program has helped more than 140 emerging companies (including nearly 100 current clients) create more than $800 million in annual revenue and more than 1,600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000.

For more information call 407-882-1577, or email Gordon Hogan, the Director of Operations for the UCF Business Incubation Program at ghogan@mail.ucf.edu

The Villages of Poinciana Osceola County Commissioners June 7 agreed to join with Avatar Properties in requesting more than $55.3 million in a federal grant to fund construction of the proposed Poinciana Parkway. The 10-mile road, which would cost as much as $174.7 million to acquire right of way, to engineer, and build, would run through parts of Osceola and Polk counties.

The roadway would begin at Marigold Avenue and Cypress Parkway in Poinciana and run northwest to County Road 54 and U.S. Highway 17-92 in Polk County, connecting to Interstate 4. The parkway would be the first leg of a route going from the St. Cloud area to Poinciana and then to I-4, with the proposed Southport Connector going around the southern end of Lake Tohopekaliga as another leg of that. The Southport Connector would allow traffic from Poinciana to get to Florida's Turnpike to go north to Orlando or south to Miami without first having to go through Kissimmee via U.S. Highway 192.

The purchase of 10 acres for the first phase of the Poinciana Medical Center was announced June 1 at a town hall meeting in Poinciana. Dan Miller, President of West Florida Division of the Hospital Corporation of America, made the announcement at the meeting. Miller said that in the first phase of the project the Hospital Corporation of America, or HCA, would build a medical office building comprised of offices for doctors, a free-standing emergency room, a laboratory (drawing station) and a radiology department and it would be about six to eight months before construction begins, with the building expected to be completed by late 2011.

Submitted by: Robert Loos, Broker

21

July 2010

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES Global Perspectives Globalization is a real thing that was nothing more than a dream some fifty years ago. What with the invention of the internet and the personal computer we can do business all over the world regardless of who or where we are. Social networks have arrived on the scene within the last ten years or so and at first it seemed a fad that would not last.

It was a fluke that Myspace caught on the way it did and AOL instant messenger sort of pioneered the ease of communication across oceans and continents. Now we have something called Facebook, which started as the college version of Myspace.

Real Estate Agents have a real opportunity to leverage these FREE marketing/networking tools in their businesses.

Facebook has certainly created many opportunities to network with people all over the world not just socially but professionally. Regardless of who you are Facebook and other social networks allow you access to people all over the world. Global networking is now a reality for the average Joe Realtor.

NAR jumped on board with the social network movement by creating a few crash courses online

for REALTORS速. If you would like to get up to speed on what social networks are all about and how they work you can visit these resources: w w w. r e a l t o r. o r g / f i e l d g u i d e , w w w. r e a l t o r. o r g / s o c i a l m e d i a m a g , & www.realtor.org/socnetguide.

If you are more interested in global network sites out there here is a list of the 10 that NAR recommends to take a peek at.

Facebook in my opinion is still a very dominating force in the social world along with Twitter. In the end you must decide for yourself on which medium you prefer and leverage it as much as you can in your business. I guarantee you will be glad you did.

22

July 2010

SUN.

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SAT.

1

2

3

9

10

16

17

Monthly Planner

OSCAR Staff in Rapattoni Training Session 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

4 Independence Day

5 ASSOCIATION CLOSED ALL DAY

11

12

OSCAR Toastmasters Club 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

Affiliates Council Meeting 9:45 am - 10:45 am

July 2010

19

20

Candidate Screenings 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

MLS Marketing Meeting 8:30 am - 9:30 am

OSCAR Toastmasters Club 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

Property Management Committee Meeting 9:45 am

26 OSCAR Toastmasters Club 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

2 Public Policy Meeting 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm OSCAR Toastmasters Club 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

8

9 OSCAR Toastmasters Club 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

15

16

14 New Member Welcome 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

15 Brokerage Relationships Disclosures 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

OSCAR Staff in Rapattoni Training Session 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

MLS - Using MLXchange to Effectively Manage Time and Contacts 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

21

Code of Ethics 22 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

23

24

Candidate Screenings 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Code of Ethics 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

GRI 3 with ORRA

27 MLS Marketing Meeting 8:30 am - 9:30 am

28 Executive Committee Meeting 8:00 am - 9:00 am

3 MLS Marketing Meeting and Public Policy Update 8:30 am - 9:30 am

11 New Member Welcome 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

17

18

Property Mgmt. Council 9:45 am - 10:45 am

24

OSCAR Toastmasters Club 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

30

31

5

6

7

12

13

14

Goal Setting 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

MLS- Entering & Updating Listings 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

MLS Marketing Meeting 8:30 am - 9:30 am

OSCAR Toastmasters Club 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

29

Green for Realtors Certification Alexandra Arena-Gil, MCT Real Estate School 9:00 am - 12:00 pm OSCAR Auditorium

4 MLXchange Basic 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

10

MLS Marketing Meeting 8:30 am - 9:30 am

23

WCR Meeting 9:00 am - 11:00 am

GRI 3 with ORRA

MLS - Creating a Professional CMA 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Short Sale Class 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

22

8

OSCAR Staff in Rapattoni Training Session 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Hispanic Network Meeting Board of Directors 9:30 am - 10:30 am 9:00 am - 10:30 am

1

Monthly Planner

13 MLS Marketing Meeting 8:30 am - 9:30 am

25

7

MLXchange Basic 9:00 am - 12:00 pm MLS- Entering & Updating Listings 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Public Policy Committee Mtg. 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

18

August 2010

6

Core Law 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Core Law 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

19

Women’s Council of Realtors® 9:00 am - 11:00 am

20

21

27

28

Risk Management Class 1:00 pm -6:30 pm

Executive Committee Meeting 8:00 am - 9:00 am

25

26

Board of Directors 9:00 am - 10:30 am FAR Convention & Trade Expo - Orlando

29

MLS Basic (Español) 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

30

Entering/Updating Listings in MLXchange (Español) 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

31 MLS Marketing Meeting 8:30 am - 9:30 am

OSCAR Toastmasters Club 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm

23

July 2010

PRSRT STD. US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #3172 ORLANDO, FL

NEW AFFILIATE OFFICES Final Negotiation, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rebecca Sheive Magaly Acevedo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Realty Group USA, LLC 1201 Emmett Street • Kissimmee, Florida 34741 Arleen Allende. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Watson Realty Corp.

Office: 407-846-0978 • Fax: 407-846-6573 Keating/Schlitt, PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Campiglia Emma C. Bernal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Watson Realty Corp.

250 E. Colonial Drive • Orlando, FL 32824

Giselle E. Betancourt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Direct Sell, Inc. Jesus Caraballo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Watson Realty Corp.

Laura A. Christie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Direct Sell, Inc. Jane Crompton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hunters Creek Realty LLC Nigel Crosbie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Direct Sell, Inc. E. Michael Downs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zip Realty, Inc. Peter J Hawkins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hunters Creek Realty LLC Choong Im . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Home Run Real Estate, Inc. Joseph La Rosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Villa Direct Realty LLC Rose Marsi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Luxury Realty Group of Florida Jose Rohena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6T9 Realty Village Charity H. Vickers. . . . . . . . . . . . . Lifestyles Home Sales, Inc. Thomas A. Webster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zip Realty, Inc.

24

July 2010