Sarasota Realtor Magazine - December 2008

DECEMBER 2008

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Contents

Sarasota Realtor® Volume 5, Issue 12 DECEMBER 2008

Sarasota Association of Realtors®, Inc. 3590 South Tuttle Avenue Sarasota, Florida 34239 Phone: 941/923-2315 FAX: 941/923-0191 www.sarasotarealtors.com

2008 Officers

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And the Winners Are ...

Many SAR members go above and beyond the call of duty in service to the Association, their fellow members, and the community, and each year we recognize four of these special people.

10 Resolutions for 2009 Marc Mansfield, Governmental Affairs Director, highlights the types of New Year’s resolutions that can prove beneficial to our individual members, the community, and the Association.

SAR has completed a task force review of our statistical report, and starting this month you’ll be seeing an improved presentation of our monthly numbers.

26 Competing With Big Guys Volume 5 • Issue 12 • DECEMBER 2008

President-Elect William Geller Suncoast International Realty Secretary Michael Bruno Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, Inc. Treasurer Erick Shumway RE/MAX Gulfstream Realty Immediate Past President Joe Hembree Hembree and Associates, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Kathy Roberts

16 New Statistics

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President Helen Sosso Prudential Palms Realty

How do smaller Brokers handle the competitive world of real estate

when facing the major players in town?

Mission Statement The mission of the Sarasota Association of Realtors® is to advance members’ professionalism through delivery of education and resources while upholding the Realtors® Code of Ethics.

We are committed to be the leading advocate of real estate in the communities we serve by protecting private property rights and expanding relationships with individuals and organizations both locally and worldwide.

Sarasota Realtor® is published monthly by the Sarasota Association of Realtors® Inc. Editorial Staff

28 WCR Plans Ahead The WCR Installation of Officers and Directors will be held on Dec. 4 at Marina Jacks, and the new year will be filled with even bigger and better things.

Director of Communications Ray Porter Director of Member Services Dan Andrews Director of MLS Information Systems Jesse Sunday Director of Professional Development Catherine McCaskill

In every issue

Governmental Aff airs Director Marc Mansfield

10- Governmental Affairs 14- Ethics in Action 16- Sales & Listing Statistics 18- CID Update 20- Education Programs 26- Broker Corner 28- WCR News 30- Membership News 31- International Real Estate 32- Calendar of Events

Production Coastal Printing, Inc. Sarasota Realtor® Advertising: For information on advertising rates and deadlines, contact Ray Porter at 941/328-1168 or ray@sarasotarealtors.com.

Subscriptions: The annual dues of every member of the Sarasota Association of Realtors®, Inc., includes a one-year subscription to Sarasota Realtor® magazine.

A yearly subscription for Sarasota Realtor® magazine is available to non-members for $25, plus Florida sales tax.

Editorial ideas and manuscripts are welcomed. Byline articles and columns express the opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the policies or sentiments of the Sarasota Association of Realtors®, Inc. All submitted copy is subject to editing.

2008 Copyright© by the Sarasota Association of Realtors®, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

DECEMBER 2008

Sarasota Realtor Magazine

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December 2008 Dues Billing Notice

Christina Pitchford-Perez (center) was honored as the 2008 FAR Newcomer of the Year for her involvement in many SAR committees, groups and events throughout the year.

She is pictured with SAR CEO Kathy Roberts (left) and SAR President-Elect Bill Geller.

SAR member wins major FAR award Congratulations to Christina Pitchford Perez, FAR’s 2008 Newcomer Award winner, and a member of the Sarasota Association of Realtors®.

The Newcomer Award recognizes an outstanding individual who entered the Realtor® profession within the past three years, and, during that time, made notable contributions to the local and state associations, as well as to his or her community.

Christina is a founding member and the 2008 vice chair of the Sarasota Young Realtors® group, established by the Sarasota Association of Realtors in 2007 to identify and foster future leaders.

She is also a founding member of the Green Realtors® Alliance of Sarasota, which created and hosted a successful trade expo this year to introduce green and sustainable real estate related products to Realtors®, clients and potential clients in the community.

Pitchford Perez helped plan a trade mission to the United Kingdom last year with the association’s International Committee, worked with the Mid-Florida Regional MLS Review Team, and assisted many of the local association’s committees behind-the-scenes. She volunteers for numerous community groups as well, including the Children’s Miracle Network, the PTA, United Cerebral Palsy, the local public library system, Mote Marine Laboratory and Sarasota’s Empty Bowl Project.

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IMPORTANT DUES INFORMATION – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY When and Where are dues invoices sent?

Individual dues invoices are now available @ http:// www.sarasotarealtors.com (under MY SAR ACCOUNT at top of the page), where they can be viewed, printed, and paid.

What is on this dues billing?

- Annual dues: Local, State, National, CID (if applicable), Suncoast CIX (if applicable), and voluntary RPAC. Due Dates, Late Fees, and Suspension of Services - Due: December 15, 2008; Past Due: January 15, 2009, 5:01 p.m.

- $50 late fee assessment on open balances a/o January 15, 2009, 5:01 p.m.

- Members with open balances a/o 5:01 p.m. on January 15, 2009 will be subject to suspension of all Realtor® services, including MFRMLS and Supra.

Payment Methods: ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS ONLY!!!

Two payment options: 1.

Deduct directly from your checking account via: - Debit card (MC,V) – the easiest way to have the payment deducted from your checking account.

- Electronic check – use same information as on your check.

2.

Credit card (MasterCard, Visa, or American Express).

Instructions for all payments Pay online through our safe, always-available internet site - go to www.sarasotarealtors.com - click on MY SAR ACCOUNT at top of page - under My Services, click on “Pay/View Bill Online” - online charges will appear on your bank and credit card statements as “Realtor Association/MLS” OR Come to the SAR offices and use our computer in the library which is programmed to open directly into the log-in screen and has easy instructions located at the workstation for your use.

Sarasota Realtor Magazine

DECEMBER 2008

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Cover Story

Heart and Soul

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SAR award winners epitomize leadership, dedication The Sarasota Association of Realtors® is a large, diverse organization, comprised of thousands of real estate brokers and agents, affiliate members from a wide assortment of related businesses, staff, leadership and business and community contacts.

At the heart of the Association is a smaller group of highly dedicated, motivated and energized individuals who go the extra mile, seek out challenges and endeavor to make things happen. Every year, the SAR Nominating Committee reviews submittals and selects only four people who represent this spirit of achievement and volunteerism.

Laura Benson – 2008 Realtor® of the Year The 2008 Realtor® of the Year is Laura Benson, who this year led the SAR Public Policy Committee, while at the same time campaigning for election to the Florida Legislature. While Laura was defeated in her election bid, she was a big winner in her efforts on behalf of the SAR. The Realtor® of the Year award is based on the members’ lifetime contributions to SAR, FAR, NAR, service in the community and business accomplishments. Although total contributions may be considered, activities over the past three years receive priority consideration.

Laura is originally from Boston, Massachusetts, and works at Prudential Palms Realty. Her background runs the gamut of real estate - mortgage lending, construction management and real estate law. She has been an elected member of the Sarasota County School Board and stays politically active in the community. She has also served on the SAR Board of Directors.

Laura is a certified instructor for an NAR-required real estate agent ethics course. She has also been appointed by the Florida Senate to a seat on the Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida, and is on the Board of Directors for FBLA/PBL and Take Stock in Children. She is a 25-year local resident, and she and her husband, Brian Meskil, along with their three children enjoy all aspects of the Sarasota community.

In her nominations, Laura was cited for her enthusiasm, devotion to the community and SAR, and her knowledge of real estate and politics. She is currently an SARPAAT Trustee, and has served as an FAR director. She has also served on Professional Standards, Professional Development and the Grievance Committee of SAR.

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Michael Saunders – 2008 Humanitarian Award The recipient of the Humanitarian Award is honored for a significant contribution as a volunteer for an organization or project in the community. Michael Saunders, both individually and through her large local real estate brokerage, has consistently and strongly supported numerous local organizations and charities, including: The American Cancer Society; The Argus Foundation; Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota; Charlotte Local Education Foundation Child Protection Center; The Dyslexia Foundation; Downtown Partnership of Sarasota; The Education Foundation of Sarasota; First Step of Sarasota, Inc.; Florida Studio Theater; The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools; Girls, Inc. of Sarasota; Greater Sarasota; Chamber of Commerce; H. Lee Moffitt Breast Cancer Awareness; Habitat for Humanity; Junior Achievement; The League of Women Voters; Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; Manatee County Schools Foundation; March of Dimes; Marjorie G. Kinnan Elementary School; The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens; Mote Marine Laboratory; Muscular Dystrophy Association; Multiple Sclerosis Foundation; Pasco Education Foundation; Pinellas County Education Foundation; Port Charlotte High School; Sarasota Reading Festival; Sarasota Season of Sculpture; Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer; Women’s Resource Center of Manatee; and YMCA Renaissance Ranch.

Giving back to the community has always been synonymous with the name Michael Saunders, and through her strength of character she has engrained this sense of generosity and caring in all of her hundreds of associates. She has also served on many boards including those of Mote Marine Laboratory, The Argus Foundation, The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, The Education Foundation of Sarasota County, Sarasota Winefest, Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Tampa Bay Partnership, and The John & Mable Ringling Museum.

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Andrew Vac – 2008 Meritorious Service Award Andrew Vac was the Realtor® selected for this honor for his long and valued service to the Sarasota Association of Realtors® and to his fellow Realtors®. He has been a member whose service has been both consistent and valuable for many, many years, and his dedication to personal professional development has also been commendable.

Andrew has served on SAR’s Facility Task Force, Professional Standards, the Nominating Commirttee, Sales and Marketing Committee, and Professional Standards. He also acts as a grievance mediator, and has always promoted the importance and professionalism of SAR. Since becoming a Realtor® in 1987, Andrew has consistently maintained a multi-million dollar sales volume, increasing his production annually. But beyond his personal business achievements, Andrew has been highly involved in the SAR Orientation Program for many years. A Dale Carnegie Instructor and with his motivational seminars, he has assisted thousands of individuals in leading a more productive, fulfilling and successful life.

Locally, Andrew is involved with the community, as past President of the St. Armand’s Resident Association and past President of the Sarasota Association of Realtors®. He also serves as a Director on the Boards of many local and state charities and community organizations. Andrew believes in giving back to his community that has supported him since relocating to Florida in 1980, and feels his connection with these groups has established another source of important and affluent clientele.

Peter Crowley – 2008 President’s Award Peter Crowley, broker with the RE/MAX Alliance Group, was selected by SAR President Helen Sosso as recipient of the 2008 President’s Award. The President’s Award is personally chosen by the SAR President, and represents the person the President feels most embodies the Realtor® spirit and has contributed and supported the President and President’s goals for the past year.

This award was based primarily on Peter’s work involving the five southwest Florida real estate associations joining up with the Mid-Florida Regional MLS. He was instrumental in helping to achieve the long-standing dream of regionalization of the MLS systems of Sarasota’s neighboring real estate associations.

Peter was selected as the representative of the five boards in their negotiations to join and contract with the existing Mid-Florida Regional MLS system. In his role, he was deeply involved in the process that finally led to the completed agreement, which allows SAR members to now enjoy access to a regional database of property listings, while paying fees comparable to the cost of the old Sarasota MLS service.

He currently serves as the SAR representative on the MFRMLS Board of directors.

Join the SAR in honoring these outstanding award winners on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. at the SAR Installation Banquet at Michael’s On East.

Final approval granted to DOJ-NAR settlement U.S. Federal District Court Judge Matthew F. Kennelly on Nov.18 gave final approval to the settlement announced earlier this year between NAR and the U.S. Department of Justice over the display of MLS listings on brokers’ virtual office Web sites.

The final judgment, which affirms the favorable provisions agreed to by NAR and DOJ on May 27, preserves the MLS as a means of broker-to-broker cooperation. “This compromise will ensure that MLSs are used for what they were originally intended, to help real estate professionals find buyers for people who want to sell their homes,” says NAR General Counsel Laurie Janik.

Under the final settlement, all MLSs must adopt the 2008 VOW Policy without modification and amend certain sections of their Model VOW Rules. Associations and MLSs will also be required to make changes to their bylaws. MLS executives

will be asked to complete and send to NAR by Feb. 15, 2009, a form certifying that the changes were made.

Complete details on these actions are available at this time on Realtor.org and will be included in a package to AEs and MLS executives from NAR Legal Affairs sent by regular mail next week. Among the resources to look for, online and in next week’s letter, are a cover letter from NAR General Counsel Laurie Janik and copies of the final modified VOW Policy and Model VOW Rules.

“In addition to adopting the new policy, bylaw provision and rules, it is important that the MLS act consistently with the policy and rules and enforce the rules in a uniform and even-handed manner,” says Janik. “It is also important that the MLS not adopt any other policy or practice that governs brokers in their operation of VOWs.”

NAR: ForSaleByOwner.com statement misleading A press release issued Nov. 12 by ForSaleByOwner.com contained inaccuracies and misleading statements about its ability to place unlisted for-saleby-owner information on REALTOR. com, the official Web site of the National Association of Realtors®.

REALTOR.com is operated by Move Inc. NAR and REALTOR.com are setting the record straight with the following clarifications: • The settlement agreement between NAR and the Department of Justice made no provision to allow unlisted

properties, such as “for-sale-by-owner,” to be posted on REALTOR.com.

• ForSaleByOwner.com does not in any way enable home sellers to advertise their home on REALTOR.com without broker representation. Every property on REALTOR.com must be listed by a licensed real estate broker.

• REALTOR.com has not authorized ForSaleByOwner.com to resell REALTOR.com’s Showcase Listings Enhancement package.

• There is no relationship between ForSaleByOwner.com and REALTOR. com.

• There are no unrepresented homes on REALTOR.com—every property on REALTOR.com must be listed by a licensed real estate broker, and unrepresented properties would not qualify to be submitted to a REALTOR®owned and operated MLS. REALTOR.com has asked ForSaleByOwner.com to issue a retraction. ForSaleByOwner.com did not discuss in advance the statements in their press release with REALTOR. com nor did they request or receive permission to use the REALTOR.com name in their press release. —NAR

Short sales and the Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Prevention Act clarified Does Florida’s new Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Prevention Act (F.S. 501.1377) prohibit real estate licensees from being involved in short sales? According to Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum in a letter to FAR President Chuck Bonfiglio, the answer is no, provided the only compensation sought by the licensees is the commission on the sale. The new law, which took effect Oct. 1, 2008, seeks to protect homeowners who face the threat of foreclosure from individuals who would prey on them.

McCollum’s interpretation is based on the following scenario: A licensee secures a listing agreement on a home for sale, ascertains that the fair market value of the home is

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less than the loan amount, and lists the property at the lower amount. If a buyer agrees to pay less than the loan amount, the licensee then asks the lender to accept the lesser amount in order to avoid foreclosure.

“As long as there is no upfront or other fee for the negotiating service other than the normal real estate fee charged for the sale of the property, that activity [participating in a short sale] would not appear to fall under the provisions of F.S. 501.1377,” according to McCollum.

Questions? Contact FAR’s Legal Hotline at (407) 438.1409.

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President-Elect Barack Obama (shown at the pre-election rally at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota) and his new administration will inherit the housing and economic downturn, and NAR is asking for consideration of their plan.

Realtors® tell Congress increased housing demand will stabilize the market In a statement to the House Financial Services Committee in late November, the National Association of Realtors® recommended a four-point plan to stimulate home sales and stabilize housing valuations.

You can take action by visiting the following web page: h t t p : / / t a k e a c t i o n . re a l t o r a c t i o n c e n t e r. c o m / campaign/4pointplan “The only way to overcome today’s economic turmoil is to motivate and encourage worried or cautious housing consumers to enter the marketplace,” said NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth.

“Stabilizing the housing market will lead to a quicker and greater economic recovery. Our goal is to ensure there is a

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healthy market and sufficient capital to support mortgage lending to qualified borrowers.”

NAR developed the plan for consideration by the current lameduck session of Congress, and for the 111th Congress and the new administration. The four-point plan’s principles are consumer-driven to help foster a housing recovery to support an economic rebound. The plan calls for eliminating the repayment of the first-time home buyer tax credit that was passed in the February stimulus bill, and to expand the tax credit to include all home buyers. The plan also recommends making the increased FHA and conventional loan limits permanent to stimulate home sales and stabilize prices. In addition, the plan urges that the Troubled Asset Relief Program be put back on track by targeting the funds

Sarasota Realtor Magazine

for mortgage relief through a mortgage interest rate buy-down. Finally, the plan recommends finalizing legislation to prohibit banks from entering into the business of real estate brokerage and property management.

“The federal government must ensure there is sufficient capital to support mortgage lending not only in strong markets but also in tumultuous ones,” said McMillan. “Realtors® are frustrated with the current mortgage lending environment that places a variety of barriers on families who wish to buy a home, impeding sales and price stabilization. We look forward to working with the Congress and the new administration to transition out of current instabilities and move toward strong and stable financial and housing markets.”

DECEMBER 2008

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Governmental Affairs 10

New Year’s Resolutions can make political discourse more enjoyable

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By Marc Mansfield, Governmental Affairs Director

The election season is officially finished. No more political commercials, phone calls or visits to your door.

We can all breathe a sigh of relief. The holiday season is fast approaching and our minds begin to wander just a little from work related issues and more toward the challenge of how to pay for all those gifts we will purchase in the upcoming weeks.

Once we have that figured out (which generally means paying off the credit cards in January -ouch!), we then briefly review the past year and move forward planning for the upcoming new year.

• Personal Accountability – I wish people would accept responsibility for their actions rather than conveniently blame someone else for their troubles.

Building successful and vibrant communities is a huge challenge. We need solutions to a complex set of challenges which require leadership, community participation, cooperation and, most importantly, compromise.

• Economic Growth and Development – High unemployment numbers, lower tax revenues and a shrinking economy. 2008 has not been a banner year for our local area.

Building successful and vibrant communities is a huge challenge. We need solutions to a complex set of challenges which require leadership, community participation, cooperation and, most importantly, compromise.

Creating well paying jobs and providing an opportunity for our children should be a given.

• Social Interaction – We spend far more time with folks that agree with us rather than spending much more time with those that disagree with us. We could all learn and benefit from those discussions.

That of course requires those dreaded resolutions that for the most part, once stated, are never re-visited!

So, in the spirit of the holiday season I leave you with my 2009 New Year Resolutions in no particular order of importance or significance:

• Great Volunteers – Many thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who have served SAR in some capacity during 2008 and thanks in advance to those who will serve in 2009.

We couldn’t do it without you!

• Intergovernmental Relations – I wish for better relations between the county and municipalities during 2009. There are serious economic and fiscal challenges facing our area.

Elected officials should start working together to solve these problems. That requires leadership and checking egos at the door.

The end of 2008 is fast approaching. Take a moment to celebrate your successes and reflect upon your failures, and let’s all vow to make 2009 an even better year.

May you and your families all have a happy and safe holiday season.

DECEMBER 2008

Sarasota Realtor Magazine

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The end of 2008 is fast approaching. Take a moment to celebrate your successes and reflect upon your failures, and let’s all vow to make 2009 an even better year.

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Sarasota Realtor Magazine

DECEMBER 2008

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The Commercial Investment Division (CID) of SAR collected more than $12,500 in profits from the CID Annual Golf and Dinner at The Ranch event this year, and contributed all of the money to two local organizations Construction Technology Careers, and JOY (Joining Our Youth). At top, CID board members, led by 2008 President Dan McLeroy, present a $6,250 check to Tish Fitzgerald, representing JOY, while below Dan presents a check in the same amount to Kristey Richardson, CTC Coordinator. See More CID news on pages 18-19.

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Sarasota Realtor Magazine

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Surge of Support for Veterans helps wounded warriors It all started on June 27, 2008 when SAR’s Community Outreach Committee held a “Surge of Support” forum at the Hilton Garden Inn. Actually, it all started months earlier, when the committee first began meeting in early 2008 and began to formulate the campaign in support of veterans.

The event served as the “formal” kickoff for a very successful fundraising campaign to benefit wounded warriors (injured soldiers returning from both Iraq and Afghanistan) and military veterans.

SAR and the committee appreciates all of the individuals who attended the event in support of our military as well as those who contributed funds at the weekly Power Marketing Meetings and through the SAR website.

Thanks to your donations and a match of funds by the SAR Board of Directors, SOS raised close to $12,000.

With this money, the SAR Community Outreach Committee has elected to make contributions to five separate projects that the group believes will benefit these brave men and women: 1. The purchase of a Wii video game system along with a large screen television to be donated to the James A. Haley VA Medical Center physical therapy department.

2. A financial contribution representing a six month sponsorship to the Adaptive Golf Association – a nonprofit organization that assists in the development and implementation of rehabilitative and therapeutic golf-based programs.

3. A financial contribution for the purchase of new furniture for the community room at The Haley House, an off-site residence for family members who are visiting their sons/daughters, husbands/wives, or mothers/fathers who are patients at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center.

4. Two donations to the James A. Haley VA Medical Center to contribute toward their Veterans Day BBQ and sponsor their Holiday dinner in December.

5. The purchase and distribution of holiday gifts – more than 400 Tervis Tumblers with the inscription: Happy Holidays! We appreciate you!

Sarasota Association of Realtors – SOS 2008 The 2008 SAR Community Outreach Committee consisted of:Gigi Silverberg, Sandy McCourtney, Sue Kirk, Debbie Wolfinger and Cindi Jackson.

Defense Department marks Warrior Care Month The U.S. Defense Department observed November as Warrior Care Month, and officials asked wounded, ill and injured service members and their families to respond to a survey designed to assess the programs and services they receive.

Two Military Health System questionnaires, one for service members and another for their family members, solicited feedback about satisfaction with the care and services provided.

All responses to the online surveys are anonymous to encourage honest assessments, officials said.

The questionnaires are part of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates’ focus on providing the best care possible for wounded warriors and their families.

“I take the issue of wounded warriors personally,” Gates told wounded warriors and families of wounded and fallen troops who attended last month’s Wounded Warriors Family Summit.

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“I will repeat here the pledge I made to myself, to Congress and to countless moms and dads, husbands and wives,” Gates told the group. “Other than winning the wars we are in, my highest priority is providing the best possible care for those who are wounded in combat.”

With that goal in mind, Gates directed Defense Department leaders to review all programs affecting wounded, ill or injured servicemembers and their families to identify best practices that can be more broadly applied.

Support for wounded warriors and their families has improved continually since the beginning of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

“Yet we know there is still more that can be done,” he said. “Each individual and each family has specific needs, and our goal is always to provide services which meet or exceed the expectation of those we serve.”

Sarasota Realtor Magazine

He encouraged wounded warriors and their families to respond to the survey to help Military Health System leaders get a clearer picture of where they stand in meeting their needs and expectations.

The questionnaires are posted at: w w w. h e a l t h . m i l / Pa g e s / Pa g e . aspx!ID+18.

Gates assured participants in the first Wounded Warriors Family Summit their concerns – expressed directly or through the survey -- won’t fall through the cracks with the upcoming change of administration. He promised to “continue to press forward with a sense of urgency” to provide top-level care and support for wounded warriors in a way that lays groundwork for the next administration’s leaders to build on.

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Ethics in Action 14

Realtor® wasn’t at fault for taking client away from fellow agent

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Realtor® A, on his way to his office, noticed the deteriorated condition of a “For Sale” sign posted on an unimproved site bearing the name of Realtor® B. He remembered that Realtor® B’s “For Sale” sign had been on that site for a considerable period of time.

Realtor® A decided to call Realtor® B to determine the status of the property. In response to several questions, one of which was, “Do you have an exclusive listing on that property?” Realtor® B replied that he was not obligated to disclose the nature, status, or the type of listing.

After considerable conversation, Realtor® A stated his intention to contact the property owners for this information, citing Standard of Practice 16-4 as the basis for his action. Realtor® B warned Realtor® A not to “cross his sign” and refused to discuss the matter further.

A few days later, Realtor® B had a telephone conversation with the property owners and learned of their decision to list their property with Realtor® A when their current listing with Realtor® B expired the following week. Realtor® B filed a complaint against Realtor® A with the Board, stating that Realtor® A’s actions in contacting his client had been inconsistent with Realtor® B’s agency.

The Grievance Committee reviewed the complaint and the response to the complaint filed by Realtor® B. The case was referred to the Secretary to schedule a hearing by a Hearing Panel of the Board’s Professional Standards Committee.

During the hearing, Realtor® B repeated his complaint and his conversation with Realtor® A. He also advised the Hearing Panel of his telephone conversation with the property owners and of their decision, as a result of Realtor® A’s direct contact, not to relist the property with him, Realtor® B. “Not only did Realtor® A fail to respect my agency with the property owners by contacting them directly,” said Realtor® B, “but he violated Article 16 by taking the opportunity to relist the property away from me!”

Realtor® A defended his actions by stating that he had requested information on the nature and status of the listing from Realtor® B, as required by Article 16, and

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that Realtor® B had refused to divulge the information; and that he had contacted the property owners only after this refusal, citing as his authority the principle established in Standard of Practice 16-4.

“The sellers were happy to discuss listing their property with me, once I described the services my firm could offer,” said Realtor® A. “They said they hadn’t had an interested customer since the first week of their listing with Realtor® B.” After giving careful consideration to all of the evidence and testimony, the Hearing Panel concluded that Realtor® A’s actions had not been inconsistent with the agency of Realtor® B. The panel advised that Realtor® B’s refusal to disclose the nature and status of his listing had freed Realtor® A to contact the property owners.

The Hearing Panel’s decision noted that Article 16 requires a Realtor® to respect the agency of another Realtor®. But, in order to respect the listing broker’s agency, the Realtor® must be able to determine if a listing really exists. If the listing broker refuses to disclose the existence, type, and duration of his listing, Standard of Practice 16-4 recognizes the Realtor®’s right to contact the seller directly to get that information.

Once the Realtor® secures information on the type and duration of the listing, Standard of Practice 16-4 also permits him to discuss the terms of a future listing or to enter into a listing that becomes effective upon the expiration of the current listing. The panel’s decision also indicated that Realtor® B could have barred Realtor® A’s contact with the sellers by simply providing him with information on the nature and status of the listing.

The panel found Realtor® A not in violation of Article 16 of the Code of Ethics. - Case #16-10: Refusal to Disclose Nature and Expiration Date of Listing (Originally Case #9-20. Revised and transferred to Article 21 as Case #21-16 May, 1988. Transferred to Article 16 November, 1994.)

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Higher pending sales forecast busier season New SAR statistics graphics, charts appear on Pages 16-17 in this issue Pending sales remained above the 500 level once again in October, forecasting a stronger market for the winter real estate season in the Sarasota area. Pending sales reflect contracts executed by buyers and sellers, and current numbers indicate more closings likely in the upcoming months – a positive sign. In October 2008, 549 properties were reported pending, compared to only 446 in the same month last year.

Single family unit sales were also higher in October 2008 than in October 2007, while only a little lower than September 2008. There were 306 single family homes sold in October this year, compared to only 264 in October 2007, an increase of 16 percent. Condominium sales were weaker in October 2008, with 63 sales reported, compared to 120 in October 2007.

Another important market tracker – the absorption rate of properties on the market - is lower than last year at this time and has been steadily declining with decreasing inventories since May.

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Absorption rate is the number of months it would take to sell the entire remaining listed inventory in a particular category, based upon the sales for that particular month. For October 2008, the absorption rate for single family homes stood at 18.2 months, compared to 18.3 months in September 2008, and 31.7 months in October 2007.

For condominiums, the absorption rate was 28.7 months in October 2008, compared to 33.5 months in September 2008, and 45.1 months in October 2007.

The single-family median sales price for the 12-month period ending October 2008 was $257,000. This compares to $310,000 for the same 12-month period ending October 2007.

For condominiums, the 12-month rolling median sale price was $320,000 at the end of October 2008, and $357,000 for the 12 months ending October 2007, down about 10 percent.

“The strong pending sales in our market indicate that we should expect

Sarasota Realtor Magazine

the winter season to remain stable and stronger than the late summer and early fall,” said Helen Sosso, 2008 SAR President. “We are obviously living in historic times, particularly in respect to our national economy. But people continue to look at real estate as a safer place for their investment dollars in relation to other common investments.

The stock market has obviously tumbled, and other commodities, like oil, have seen their values cut in half in only a few short months. Real estate has weathered the storm much better, and there are incredible values in our market right now. Families seeking a home as a future investment and a great place to live are still looking at Sarasota.”

The current local market continues to demonstrate statistically that we have a great selection of more affordably priced housing for buyers to purchase.

In addition, declining inventory levels normally indicate the market is returning to a more historical balance, which eventually leads to normal, long-term price appreciation.

DECEMBER 2008

15

Sarasota MLSSM Statistics October 2008 Single Family Condominium

Unit Sales 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 OctͲ07

NovͲ07

DecͲ07

JanͲ08

FebͲ08

MarͲ08

AprͲ08

MayͲ08

JunͲ08

JulͲ08

AugͲ08

SepͲ08

OctͲ08

AugͲ08

SepͲ08

OctͲ08

Single Family

Median Sale Price

Condominium

$400,000 $350,000 $300,000 $250,000 $200,000 $150,000 $150 000 $100,000 $50,000 $0 OctͲ07

NovͲ07 DecͲ07

JanͲ08

FebͲ08 MarͲ08 AprͲ08 MayͲ08 JunͲ08

JulͲ08

Single Family

#Active

#Sold

%Sold

Average DOM

Median Sale Prices

Median Last 12 Months

Months Inventory

Pending Reported

%Pending

# New Listings

# Off Market

This Month

6435

306

5.5

164

$172,450

$257,000

18.2

457

7.1

962

527

This Month Last Year

8384

264

3.1

152

$291,250

$310,000

31.7

329

3.9

1545

984

6594

360

5.5

160

$201,250

$265,000

18.3

483

7.3

955

975

Ͳ

3928

Ͳ

163

$240,000

Ͳ

Ͳ

4476

Ͳ

12517

Ͳ

Nov 90.7 Ͳ

Dec 93.0 Ͳ

Last Month YTD

2007 2008

Jan 90.9 92.0

Single Family – Sale Price Vs. List Price % Rates Feb 89.9 92.0

Mar 93.1 93.2

Apr 93.2 93.3

May 92.3 92.0

Jun 92.2 93.0

Jul 93.3 93.0

Aug 93.4 92.0

Sept 92.4 93.1

Oct 93.2 93.1

Statistics were compiled on properties listed in the MLS by members of the Sarasota Association of Realtors as of November 10, including some listings in Manatee, Englewood, Venice, and other areas. Single-family statistics are tabulated using property styles of single-family, half duplex, and manufactured. Condo statistics include condo, co-op, townhouse, and villa.

16

DECEMBER 2008

Sarasota Realtor Magazine

www.sarasotarealtors.com

Sarasota MLSSM Statistics October 2008 Single Family Condo

Inventory 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 Oct 07

Nov 07

Dec 07

Jan 08

Feb 08

Mar 08

Apr 08

May 08

Jun 08

Jul 08

Aug 08

Sep 08

Oct 08

AugͲ08

SepͲ08

OctͲ08

Single Family Condominium

Pending Sales 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 OctͲ07

NovͲ07

DecͲ07

JanͲ08

FebͲ08

MarͲ08

AprͲ08

MayͲ08

JunͲ08

JulͲ08

Condominium

This Month This Month Last Year Last Month YTD

2007 2008

#Active

#Sold

%Sold

Avg DOM

Median Sale Prices

Median Last 12 Months

Months Inventory

Pending Reported

%Pending

# New Listings

# Off Market

2407

63

3.5

215

$349,000

$320,000

28.7

92

3.8

329

289

5414

120

2.2

227

$252,500

$357,000

45.1

117

2.2

674

549

2509

78

3.1

198

$190,000

$260,000

33.5

101

4.0

287

333

Ͳ

1033

Ͳ

205

$336,000

Ͳ

Ͳ

1090

Ͳ

3569

Ͳ

Oct 92.4 91.0

Nov 89.5 Ͳ

Dec 91.0 Ͳ

Jan 92.5 91.0

Condo – Sale Price Vs. List Price % Rates Feb 93.8 91.1

Mar 94.2 91.0

Apr 97.1 91.0

May 92.2 92.0

Jun 94.4 92.0

Jul 93.1 93.0

Aug 91.5 90.0

Sept 91.3 90.0

Median sales price is the middle value, where half of the homes sold for more, and half sold for less. Listings sold were closed transactions during the month, while pending sales account for contracts executed by buyers and sellers during the month, that may not have closed yet. DOM indicates the average number of days that sold properties were on the market before a contract was executed. www.sarasotarealtors.com

Sarasota Realtor Magazine

DECEMBER 2008

17

Commercial Investment Division 18

Commercial real estate sectors disrupted by credit squeeze, economy The disruption in the capital markets means many commercial real estate transactions have been cancelled or postponed, while the weak economy has eroded otherwise healthy market fundamentals, according to a commercial market update and forecast presented at the 2008 Realtors Conference & Expo here. Lawrence Yun, National Association of Realtors (NAR) chief economist, said commercial fundamentals have shifted.

“With the exception of the multifamily sector, the loss of jobs is reducing demand in commercial real estate to the point where many markets can expect rents to weaken,” Yun said. “Vacancy rates are trending up, but the completion of new commercial space will decline in response to lower demand.”

Yun said the credit crisis has hit the commercial real estate market harder than the residential sector. “Even sound transactions in healthy markets to buyers with good credit were curtailed,” he said. “Credit has started to loosen somewhat, but we have long way to go to get back to normal. In addition, commercial debt rollover is now facing much higher interest rate costs.”

In some cases, economic conditions led to properties becoming undervalued. “Although many people value commercial real estate in diversifying their portfolios, it’s important to consult with a Realtor specializing in commercial real estate to learn about options and opportunities in a given area,” said Yun. Doug Duncan, chief economist at Fannie Mae, said the over-leverage of financial firms led to the unraveling of credit on Wall Street. “Central banks around the world are cooperating as never before to stabilize the credit markets,” he said. “Since the beginning of this year, 1.3 million U.S. jobs have been lost. Initially it was confined to the real estate and real estate finance sectors, but it’s broadened recently – we’ve lost a half million jobs in just the past two months.”

Duncan said an economic recovery depends on a housing recovery. “Everything depends on the structure of the economic stimulus,” he said. “Mortgage spreads over Treasuries rose from 1.5 percentage points to 2.25 percentage points. In addition, when the commercial paper market stopped, all short-term financing evaporated. We need to be able to securitize loans.”

Duncan said commercial mortgage-backed securities have a chance of coming back faster than residential mortgage securities because there is a feedback loop.

“Due to ratings based on performance, there is an

DECEMBER 2008

incentive to produce well,” Duncan said.

As a result of these challenges, transaction volume in commercial real estate fell 70 percent from the second quarter of 2007 to the second quarter of 2008.

Yun’s forecast for four major commercial sectors analyzes quarterly data in the office, industrial, retail and multifamily markets. Torto Wheaton Research provided historic data.

Office market The loss of jobs is reducing the demand for office space. Office vacancy rates are projected to rise to 14.4 percent in the second quarter of 2009 from 12.9 percent in the second quarter of this year. Annual rent growth in the office sector is likely to be 3.2 percent this year, but it should decline 0.4 percent in 2009; rent grew 8.0 percent last year.

Net absorption of office space in 57 markets tracked, which includes the leasing of new space coming on the market as well as space in existing properties, is expected to be 14.7 million square feet this year and 10.9 million in 2009, contrasted with 57.3 million square feet last year.

Industrial market Healthy exports have been offsetting lower demand for industrial space from the economic slowdown, but uncertainty in the current environment could weaken overseas demand, even with the relative weakness of the dollar, which has been a primary support of export activity. However, American goods remain attractive to overseas buyers.

Vacancy rates in the industrial sector are forecast to rise to 10.8 percent in the second quarter of 2009 from 9.9 percent in the second quarter of this year. Annual rent growth will probably be 1.1 percent this year and 1.0 percent in 2009; it rose 3.6 percent last year.

Net absorption of industrial space in 58 markets tracked is anticipated to be a negative 16.7 million square feet this year, then reversing to grow to 35.3 million in 2009; net absorption totaled 120.3 million last year. A clear pattern of building to suit specific needs remains, leaving many obsolete structures unoccupied.

Retail market Consumer spending will continue to tighten for the foreseeable future, with further dampening of the retail market.

Sarasota Realtor Magazine

www.sarasotarealtors.com

CID membership approves 2009 Officers, Board The CID membership approved the 2009 nominees for the CID officers and board of directors at the Nov. 18 general membership meeting.

The following nominees will assume office after their installation on Dec. 11 at the SAR Installation Banquet: 2009 CID President: Jag Grewal 2009 CID President-Elect: Lee DeLieto, Jr. 2009 CID Vice-President: Rachel Neves 2009 CID Treasurer: Linda Emery

2009 CID Secretary: Tim Mapp 2009 CID Immediate Past President: Dan McLeroy Board of Directors: Eric Massey (3 years); and Anthony Homer (3 years).

Continuing on the board will be: Michael Blaikie (1 year); Ken Hoskinson (1 year); Ken Hughes (2 years); David Altwies (2 years); Additional positions will be available for CID members to participate on committees during 2009.

The CID will hold the annual Holiday Breakfast on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at the Lido Beach Resort, with recognition of the CID Commercial Realtor of the Year Joe Hembree planned.

Vacancy rates in the retail sector should be 10.4 percent in the second quarter of 2009, up from 9.7 percent in the second quarter of this year. Average retail rent is projected to grow 1.2 percent in 2008 before contracting 0.9 percent in 2009; rent grew 3.2 percent last year.

Net absorption of retail space in 53 tracked markets is likely to shrink by 2.6 million square feet this year before increasing by 2.8 million in 2009; last year 11.1 million square feet were absorbed.

Multifamily market The outlook for the apartment rental market – multifamily

www.sarasotarealtors.com

housing – continues to stay fairly positive as many potential first-time homebuyers remain on the sidelines.

Multifamily vacancy rates are expected to rise to 5.9 percent in the second quarter of 2009 from 5.4 percent in the second quarter of this year. Average rent is forecast to grow 3.9 percent in 2008 and 4.0 percent next year, compared with a 3.1 percent gain in 2007.

Multifamily net absorption is estimated at 61,400 units in 59 tracked metro areas this year and 188,200 in 2009, in contrast with 234,400 last year.-FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Sarasota Realtor Magazine

DECEMBER 2008

19

Education Programs

DECEMBER 2008 EDUCATION CALENDAR Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

1 MLX Intro

2

3 REO Certification

4 REO Certification

5 MLX Advanced

8 Orientation Code of Ethics Tools

9 MLX Intro E&U

10 Red Flags on the Waterfront CMA Custom Reports

11 iMAPP Design Web Pages

12 MLX Intro MLX Advanced

15 Code of Ethics

16

17 Code of Ethics

18

19

22

23

24 25 SAR Closed at Noon SAR Closed

26

29

30

31 1 SAR Closed at Noon SAR Closed

2

x x x x x

REO Certification Seminar, Dec. 3-4, 9-5 with Cathy McDaniel, $149 (SAR members) $179 (others) Orientation & Code of Ethics, Dec. 8, 9-12 & 1-4; free to members (FULL) Red Flags on the Waterfront, Dec. 10, 9-12 with David Levin Code of Ethics Quadrennial, Dec. 15, 9-12 w/Chuck Bonamer; 3 hours CE; $10 members (FULL) Code of Ethics Quadrennial, Dec. 17, 9-12 w/ Laura Benson; $10 members ($20 others) Mid-Florida Regional MLS Training: The classes E & U (Entering & Updating), Tools, Design Web Pages, MLX Intro, MLX Advanced, iMAPP, Custom Reports, CMA, are all Mid Florida Regional MLS training classes offered at no cost to MLS participants. All classes (except E & U) are hands-on in the Tech Center. Please register for all MLS classes at the MFRMLS website: http://mfrmls.com. Click on “Training,” then “quick class registration” and follow prompts.

FINAL Code of Ethics Reminder: All Realtors (members of the National Association of Realtors) will have to show proof of completion of the Code of Ethics during the time period 1/1/05 to 12/31/08. Membership will be suspended Dec. 31, 2008 and terminated Feb. 28 if the course has not been completed. A free online course is available at http://rodomino.realtor.org/mempolweb.nsf/pages/coetraining. The course can be completed in

20

DECEMBER 2008

Sarasota Realtor Magazine

www.sarasotarealtors.com

Marketing With Microsoft Office course set Date Wednesday, January 14, 2009 Times: 8:30-5:00 p.m.

Instructor: Pat Zaby, CRS Location: SAR Auditorium Cost: SAR Members: $99; Non-SAR members: $129 Run your business with the most powerful and popular software products in the world. The advantages include seamless integration, flawless synchronization with all PDAs, and Internet capabilities.

This newly designed class will help you unlock the power of Microsoft Office to run your business. Create postcards, printed presentations, and flyers in Word, convincing presentations in PowerPoint, financial information in Excel, and manage your email and contacts through Outlook.

The detailed, step-by-step workbook illustrating all of the procedures taught in the class, will help you and your team members shorten your marketing time so you can spend more time with buyers and sellers.

• Maximize the effectiveness of e-mail by utilizing more features.

ePRO Workshop Dates: January 6, 2009 Times: 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Instructor: Tony Martinez Location: SAR Auditorium Cost: Free to SAR Members Consumers are catching on to the value of an e-PRO certification! Join the dynamic group of Realtors who are flourishing in the e-PRO community. This workshop offers tips and tricks for reaching customers online, but basically gives you a snapshot of the technology certification which is taken online. Attendance at the workshop gives you a $25 discount on the online course. Check out the designation which is being promoted on the #1 consumer real estate website, www.realtor.com!

Registration is requested at: http://ePROworkshop.InternetCrusade.com or call toll free 1-866-377-6627.

Run A Successful Consumer-Friendly Web Site Date: January 7, 2009 Times: Noon to 3 p.m.

Instructor: EasyRealtySites Location: SAR Auditorium Cost: Free to SAR Members Credits: 3 hrs. CE

www.sarasotarealtors.com

• Maintain your customer database in Outlook along with their e-mail correspondence.

• Establish recurring contacts for birthdays and anniversaries.

• Create a prospecting system a year in advance.

• Provide financial information worksheets for buyers and sellers to make better decisions.

• Maintain a single calendar and address list on both their computer and PDA. • Reduce your marketing costs with the HTML mail features of Word and Excel.

• Transfer your database to Outlook without retyping the names.

• Identify more time in your week to work with buyers and sellers.

• Develop multimedia presentations for buyers and sellers, and a pre-listing package.

Tuition includes a step-by-step workbook. Pat Zaby is one of the best-known and effective instructors in the real estate application field. Visit his website at www.patzaby.com.

One time only for free, new SAR partner EasyRealtySites will offer its popular 3 CE class on how to run a successful consumer friendly website. Learn everything you need to know about how to have a successful website including: - How to plan, organize and run your website - Creating a good consumer user experience - Proper design and content - Offering services and generating leads - Building traffic to your site - Free or paid promotion/advertising options - Excelling on search engines with your free listing - How to optimize your site yourself for free - How to re-register your site yourself for free - Building your reciprocal link network - Search engine pay per click (PPC) ads - Web rings, link networks, Google maps and more!

Announcing 2009 GRI Course 1 in Sarasota Dates: February 23-25, March 2-4, 2009 Times: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (varies) Credits: 45 hours salesmen’s post-license credit 14 hours continuing education credit NAR Code of Ethics Requirement for 2012 Cost: SAR Members by 2/9/09: $325 Non Members by 2/9/09: $350 After 2/9/09: Add $25 Continued on P. 22, See EDUCATION

Sarasota Realtor Magazine

DECEMBER 2008

21

Education Programs EDUCATION From Page 21 Set yourself apart. Earn the designation that makes a difference and increases your income.

• According to the data in the 2003 National Association of REALTORS® Profile nineteen percent of all REALTORS® have earned the GRI designation.

• According to the member survey conducted in 2003 by the National Association of REALTORS®, REALTORS®with a designation earned over $33,200 more annually than nondesignees.

• Expand your network of real estate professionals through course contacts to generate more leads and referrals In today’s competitive business environment you need more than just motivation and initiative to succeed, you need the advantage of the education you receive in the GRI program.

This GRI series is offered by FAR through its Florida Realtor Institute. All the instructors have been carefully screened for their knowledge of the subjects as well as for their teaching techniques—they’re the best real estate teachers in the state. Instructors for the Sarasota course are: Grant Simon (Finance); Steve David (Law and Contacts to Contracts); Dick Fryer (Professional Standards); Ira Glatkin (Tax I); Ric Giumenta (Business Planning and Fair Housing).

But don’t wait too long to sign up for GRI Course 1! SAR is the only Realtor Association in the vicinity that’s offering any of the courses in 2009 and we expect the course to fill up quickly.

In a hurry? Don’t wait in line, go online! GRI Course I is now available online through a special Florida Association of Realtors website: www.fargri.com. Online convenience places the course at your fingertips, whenever you want it, and offers the same license renewal menu of credits that the live version does.

CRS 202: Sales Strategies for Residential Specialists Dates: March 10-11, 2009 Times: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Instructor: Frank Serio, CRS, CRB Location: SAR Auditorium Cost: SAR Members: $300 (by March 25) $329 (after March 25) Non-SAR Members: $325 (by March 25) $354 (after March 25) In this market, do you think you could use a course on working with buyers? Top sales associates enjoy a competitive advantage because they understand what motivates and influences their customers. Sales Strategies gives students the inside track to win over prospective buyers by teaching

22

DECEMBER 2008

them the necessary strategies that make their sales quick and efficient. Students will learn how to work with today’s new buyer through counseling, salesmanship and negotiation.

These effective strategies will give agents customers for life.

This course counts as one Core course towards earning the CRS designation.

- Course Content: - Understand buyer motivation - Eliminating sales resistance - Creating trust and loyalty from buyers - Negotiating skills - Course Topics: - Customer Service - Sales - Negotiation For full details on earning the CRS designation, go to www. crs.com.

Real Estate in Your IRA? Dates: January 28, 2009 Times: to Noon Instructor: Jack M. Callahan, J.D., CFP™ Location: SAR Auditorium Cost: SAR Members: $10; Non-SAR members: $20 Tap into over $4 Trillion in Retirement Funds!!

Would you like the freedom to self-direct your IRA into commercial property, rentals, rehabs and raw land? Would you like to gain more business by helping your clients invest their retirement funds into real estate?

With a self-directed IRA, you and your clients will have the freedom to invest in what you know best, REAL ESTATE! “Self-directed” simply means that an individual has complete control over selecting and directing retirement investments— YOU are in charge of finding appropriate and attractive investments on your own.

Unlock your IRA and invest in what you know! With a selfdirected plan, you have a world of choices. This course will provide you with the basics of self-directed retirement plans:

Sarasota Realtor Magazine

www.sarasotarealtors.com

CONGRATULATIONS! Dedication and hard work pay off!! We congratulate our members who recently completed the requirements for the National Association of Realtors designation and certificate programs Graduate Realtor Institute, (GRI), Resort & Second Home Property Specialist (RSPS), and Transnational Referral Certification (TRC).

Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council ACCREDITED BUYER REPRESENTATIVE (ABR) Heidi Cox

RE/MAX Alliance Group

GRADUATE REALTOR INSTITUE (GRI) Barbara Gahry

Michael Saunders & Company

RESORT AND SECOND HOME PROPERTY SPECIALIST (RSPS) Dawn Cohen Linda Starcher

Peens Property Group RE/MAX Alliance Group

TRANSNATIONAL REFERRAL CERTIFICATION (TRC) David Altwies Kathleen Andrews Alan Atchley Steven Bailey Linda Barchard Michel Bergier Tamara Berryman Andrew Bers Helen Biggar Kym Biggar Charing Bostic Deke Brinkman Pamela Charron Brandy Coffey Theresa Couch Lynn Cuzack Shirley Dabringhaus Gary Dale Ronald Flynn Joseph Foster Hector Gomez Karen Grant Gail Grimley Louise Hamel Frank Harris Charlotte Hedge Vickie Hinkle Maureen Horn Kenneth Ipox Sandra Keith Carolyn Kenney Joan Koplin Charles Kratz Catherine Lamphier Peter Laughlin Larry Mason Mary Mastro www.sarasotarealtors.com

Exit Realty Gulf Coast Horizon Realty Atchley International Realty Premier Properties of SW Florida Coldwell Banker Residential RE Keller Williams Lakewood Ranch Tamara M Berryman, LLC Prudential Palms Realty Keller Williams Lakewood Ranch Keller Williams Lakewood Ranch Century 21 Advantage Michael Saunders & Company Prudential Palms Realty Coffey & Company Realty Peens Property Group Inc. Prudential Palms Realty Sunset Realty RE/MAX Premier Services Prudential Palm Realty Michael Saunders & Company RE/MAX Alliance Group RE/MAX Tropical Sands Rooks Morris Real Estate Prudential Palms Realty Exit Creative Realty Signature Sotheby’s Int’l Realty Florida New Homes Realty Inc Prudential Palms Realty Prudential Palms Realty Lighthouse Realty Michael Saunders & Company Coldwell Banker Residential RE RE/MAX Platinum Michael Saunders & Company Signature Sotheby’s Int’l Realty Estate Brokers of Florida Inc Keller Williams Lakewood Ranch

Cindy Migone Linda A Page Joan Parkinson Maryellen Paterson William Peoples James Piro Gail Pruette Robert Pruette Sally Rackey Rod Rawlings Shirley Razick Jane Rees Linda Remley Jo Rutstein Vidar Satre Dorathea Sandland Geri Scheckner Stephanie Shaw Gigi Silverberg Monica Slater Marina Slater Alfredda Smith-Hurst Denby Smothers Inna Snyder Robin Marie Speronis Diane Otis Stirling Lisa Sullivan David Swenson Betsie Taber Karen Talbot Roberta Tengerdy Joseph Vermeren Nancy von Lazar Martha Warren Marie Watts William Weed Ruediger Weiss Sylvia Zimmerman Linda Zuffa

Sarasota Realtor Magazine

Signature Sotheby’s International Prudential Palms Realty Michael Saunders & Company Michael Saunders & Company GolfStyle Realty Piro & Associates Coldwell Banker Residential RE Coldwell Banker Residential RE Hembree & Associates RE/MAX Alliance Group Prudential Palms Realty Michael Saunders & Company Hunt Florida Real Estate Premier Properties of SW Florida Exit Creative Realty RE/MAX Alliance Group Weichert Realtors Downtown Premier Properties of SW Florida Rooks Morris Real Estate Michael Saunders & Company Sunset Realty Keller Williams Realty Michael Saunders & Company Coldwell Banker Residential RE Zen Real Estate Michael Saunders & Company Prudential Palms Realty Exit Creative Realty Keller Williams Lakewood Ranch Premier Properties of SW Florida Signature Sotheby’s Int’l Realty Longboat Realty Prudential Palms Realty Hunt Florida Real Estate Signature Investment Properties Michael Saunders & Company Charity & Weiss Int’l Realty Prudential Palms Realty Weichert Realtors On The Circle DECEMBER 2008

23

Quadrennial Code of Ethics Requirements for Realtors® Every Realtor® must attend the NAR Mandatory Quadrennial Code of Ethics Training by December 31, 2008. Realtors® who do not meet the requirement will have their Realtor® membership SUSPENDED on January 1, 2009. This is a nationwide requirement for all Realtors®.

What does this mean? During suspension, no Realtor® services, including MLS, will be available to you. After two months of suspension, your membership will be TERMINATED if the requirement is not met.

Over 1,200 SAR members need to attend the NAR Mandatory Quadrennial Ethics Training by Dec. 31, 2008. Are you one of them?

Don't delay and risk suspension! Follow these easy steps to ensure you meet the requirements and maintain your membership as a Realtor®.

STEP ONE: Determining if you need the training If you have successfully completed one of the following since January 1, 2005 then you have satisfied the Members Code of Ethics training requirements: • A Code of Ethics refresher class (online or in the classroom) • The Professional Standards class in the GRI 1 track • The Code of Ethics New Member Orientation Program To determine if need to take the training, or to verify that your record accurately reflects a course you have already taken, please click on "Education History" in your SAR membership account (where you pay your dues) at www.sarasotarealtors.com. Your record should show a “Code of Ethics” (or COE followed by the year) taken after 01/01/05.

Need help verifying your status? For step-by-step instructions on verifying your status, just give Carolyn or Catherine in the Education Department a call at 328-1157 or 328-1167.

1. If you have fulfilled the requirement by taking an approved course through another association or company and it does not appear on your record, please fax the documentation to Education Department at 941.923.0191 so that your record can be updated.

2. If you have recently taken the NAR online course, please allow up to two weeks for your status to show as "Completed."

STEP TWO: Fulfilling the Ethics requirement If you have determined that you need to take the Code of Ethics refresher class, you can: • Take NAR’s free online Quadrennial Ethics class. Go to NAR’s home page, www.realtor.org . Scroll down and look for the countdown ticker in the lower right. Please note: No CE credit hours are available when taking the course via NAR's online course.

• Take an online course through SAR’s website and earn three or four hours continuing education credit as well as the Ethics requirement for $15 or $20. Go to www.sarasotarealtors.com, click on the “Education” tab, then choose “Continuing Education Online.” Please provide documentation of completion to the Education Department.

• Take the next and final classroom session at SAR on Dec. 17, 2008 with Laura Benson.

Register NOW as the course will fill up quickly. The cost is $10.

• Offices can pick up a 2½ hour DVD from SAR to present a course in their office, and the broker can then certify a list of agents who have completed the course and provide it to SAR. DVD copies are limited.

Don't delay! Fulfill your requirement today! As a reminder, Realtors® who do not fulfill their ethics requirements by the December 31, 2008 deadline are subject to suspension by SAR!

24

DECEMBER 2008

Sarasota Realtor Magazine

www.sarasotarealtors.com

Plan Your SAR Education Calendar for 2009 - CRS 202: Sales Strategies for Residential Now is the time to make plans for 2009, and ensure you schedule classes to further your real Specialists estate education. Additional designations can bring March 10-11, 2009 not only more expertise, but more clients.

- Certified International Property Specialist Here is a list of just some of the classes available in (CIPS) 2009 at the Sarasota Association of Realtors: March 23-24, 2009 - 14 Hours Continuing Education - NAR’s Green Designation (Core Course) February 17-18, 2009; August 11-12, 2009 April 21-22, 2009 - GRI 1 - GRI 2- May 27-29 & June 2-3, 2009 February 23-25 & March 2-4, 2009 - GRI 3 - July 27-29 & August 4-5

‘Red Flags on the Waterfront’ seminar coming Dec. 10 Date: Wednesday, Dec.10 Time: 9 to 11 a.m.

Place: SAR Auditorium Instructor: David M. Levin, Esq. Cost: $10 (SAR members) $20 (Nonmembers)

• Base Flood Elevation (BFE) • Elevation Certificates • Legal vs. Illegal Conforming & Nonconforming • 50 Percent Rule • Dock Permitting • Riparian Rights & Submerged Lands Issues • Red Flag Identification • Real Estate Transactions • Disclosure • Liability for Buyers, Sellers, & Realtors

If you sell coastal properties, and if you’re a member of SAR, you almost certainly need to know this information backwards and forwards: Storm Impact on Real Property • Storm Surge / Flooding • Erosion/Scouring of land • Wind Effects Regulations/Codes • Federal – FEMA • State – DEP • Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) • Local – Setback Lines Insurance – National Flood Insurance • Zone Designations • News & Update

David Levin is a real estate attorney with the prestigious Icard Merrill law firm. His practice is limited to environmental and waterfront property law. He has outstanding credentials including an LLM Degree in Ocean and Coastal Law from the University of Miami School of Law. Building Codes/Restrictions/Limits • A & V Zone Property

Register at www.sarastoarealtors.com.

Green Designation Elective Course Online The Green Designation Residential course provides real estate professionals with information about green building principles.

The course is now available online by visiting www. realtor.org/education NAR’s Green Designation Residential Elective Course provides real estate professionals with knowledge and awareness of green building principles applied in residences so that they can guide buyer-clients in purchasing and retrofitting green homes as well as help sellers by listing and marketing green properties.

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Sarasota Realtor Magazine

DECEMBER 2008

25

Broker Corner 26

Niche players: Competing with big guys

By Robert Freedman REALTOR® Magazine

because it’s one of the values that Nordby believes sets their brokerage apart from others.

Every sales associate he brings on board must come with a list of 50 contacts, and every associate new to the business must partner with a mentor to complete a 90-day training period. “The mentors aren’t there just to answer questions,” says Scott. “They go with trainees on listing appointments, help set up inspections, participate in closings, help fill out paperwork, and guide the new associates through their first CMAs.” The result is that most of his new sales pros are able to get at least three completed transactions under their belt in the first 90 days, which he says is crucial if they’re to avoid leaving the field before they have a chance to build their business.

For the Nordbys, the company’s consistency has meant continued growth despite the downturn. Scott says Innovative Real Estate Group is on track to close $90 million in sales this year, up from about $70 million in each of the last two years.

“When consumers work with our associates, they know they’ll get certain things every time—an interior decorator, color fliers, ads in the home magazine, postcards to surrounding neighborhoods, a home highlights card,” says Scott.

Similarly, the Nordbys’ sales associates know there will be business planning every year, accountability meetings every quarter, and two sales meetings a month, among other support activities. “You have to be systematic to succeed,” he says.

It’s hard for soapbox derby fans not to know about the annual Northern Maine Soapbox Derby.

Held in the tiny hamlet of Houlton, Maine, the race’s notoriety has grown because of the ubiquity of its videos on YouTube, videos that get thousands of viewings thanks to the handiwork of real estate pro Andrew Mooers.

He’s a real estate broker who has kept his two-person operation competitive with larger rivals by mastering Internet marketing to consistently showcase his name in cyberspace.

Creating the soapbox videos puts his brokerage in front of a demographic that he thinks is a prime candidate for relocation to his state: child-oriented families. Mooers also has managed to get his Web site top positioning on major search engines in searches for Northern Maine real estate.

“I’m fascinated by search engine optimization,” says Mooers, a 30-year industry veteran whose brokerage handles about 100 transactions a year.

Other brokers of small operations have their own secrets for staying competitive against larger rivals, but they all share a steadiness in their approach, persistence, and an attention to detail that translate into a consistent, and satisfying, experience for their clients.

It’s imperative that you leverage consistency as a major tool to build your core identity, advises real estate Unchanging Colors management consultant Bob Corcoran in Swansea, Ill. Anyone who shops for a home in downtown Little “Whatever you’re doing right, do more of it than your Rock, Ark., or just west of the city center knows what competitor,” he says. many of the For Sale signs look like; they’re blue with a Guaranteed, Every Time brightly colored rainbow.

Scott and Lora Nordby have grown Innovative Real That’s because Janet Jones Real Estate has been Estate Group in Denver to almost 40 sales associates since 2003 by rolling out highly structured client specializing in the same market areas, working from services, such as a guaranteed marketing program, and the same office, and using the same blue logo with the by making sure their associates offer it every time they colorful rainbow since the company launched in 1980.

Janet Jones’ familiar locale and strong branding have work with a client. helped the brokerage weather the arrival of several larger “Everything we do, we do consistently,” says Scott rivals, including national franchisor Keller Williams and Nordby, GRI. “We are very big on systems.” regional giant Crye-Leike, says company sales manager One of the popular features of Innovative Real Estate’s Brock Whisenhunt, CRB, CRS®. guaranteed marketing plan is mandatory home staging “If you come into town, you see our yard signs by one of four interior decorators Nordby’s Denver everywhere,” he says. “It becomes clear we’re the company has on retainer. company to do business with.”

“We don’t put a house on the market until it’s staged,” Whisenhunt says it never crossed the company’s mind says Scott, who manages the company with wife Lora. to start offering mortgage finance, title, insurance, and Consistency is the watchword for the company, other services when Memphis-based Crye-Leike entered

DECEMBER 2008

Sarasota Realtor Magazine

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Little Rock about three years ago, bringing that kind of onestop shopping with it.

We have a very competitive mortgage finance and title business in the city, so there’s no gap that a smaller brokerage has to fill,” says Whisenhunt.

What the company offers instead is what Whisenhunt calls an intense focus on the sales associate. It offers professional training every year, requires all its associates to work at the office rather than from home, and creates a can-do mindset about getting every deal to the closing table, no matter the roadblocks.

“It’s our culture to work through deals harder than the typical company,” says Whisenhunt, “whether that’s working through repairs or finding the financing. It’s not our way to allow a deal to fall apart.”

One result of its associate policies is long tenures among its sales force. Many of its real estate pros have been with the company 25 years or more. Whisenhunt can’t recall more than one or two instances when an associate left to join another brokerage. “Our associates can’t wait to come to the office,” he says.

The brokerage benefits from the strong tenure. More than a third of its 35 associates close $6 million to $8 million a year, and the rest close about $4 million annually. One associate closes about $30 million a year and just brought on an assistant.

Whisenhunt says his company’s 35 associates last year captured about a third of the city’s luxury market (defined in the market as $1 million and above) and a fifth of the $200,000 to $500,000 market.

Staying the Course Henry Bland takes an unconventional approach to his brokerage: Most of his 16 sales associates are part-timers.

That’s how it’s been since his father launched H.C. Bland Realty Co. in Columbus, Ohio, in the mid-1980s. And that’s how it is now — a fact that’s proving to be a boon in today’s

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slow times.

“The fact that my associates have always had other sources of income has probably helped us survive the downturn as well as we have,” says Bland.

Brokers tend to split on whether part-timers are a plus or a minus for the industry. Because part-timers have been a part of his business for so long, Bland has been able to groom his associates into a highly professional sales force. “For some of our clients, our associates are the only agents their families have ever known,” he says.

One part-timer who works mainly with investors has consistently closed some 20 deals a year, although last year her volume fell as many of her non-owner-occupant buyers left the market.

When they’re not selling real estate, his part-timers are out and about in the community, as teachers, church officers, and community volunteers, keeping the company’s name visible, especially on the east side of the city where most of them live.

The result: His company has been closing 70 transactions a year steadily, even in the two years since the market cooled.

Urgent, Every Time Management consultant Corcoran says brokerages too often fall down on consistency — and by that he means they let their associates fall down on consistency.

In mid-March, for example, he made 11 sign calls on a Saturday to sales associates with listings in the $700,000 range in his market; not a single associate called him back during the weekend. “It’s pathetic, because whoever calls back first in real estate wins,” he says.

By not acting with a sense of urgency when they have a potential buyer calling, associates are handing business to their competitors. Ultimately, the fault lies with the broker.

It’s the broker who sets the culture and must put in place systems that make it a matter of course that associates consistently call back within 15 minutes, says Corcoran.

Sarasota Realtor Magazine

DECEMBER 2008

27

Women’s Council of Realtors® wrapping up a successful year

p

By Cari Faanes-Blakey, 2008 WCR President

President-Elect Janice Litke and her installation committee are preparing for the installation of the 2009 line officers on Thursday, Dec. 4 at Marina Jacks.

For a change of pace, it will be an evening event and music and dancing will follow. Tickets will be limited so be sure to RSVP to Gail Shane at gshane@ nealcommunities.com or 941-713-8008 to ensure your spot at this not-to-be missed event.

The final 2008 Governing Board meeting will be Friday Dec. 12 as a late afternoon meeting followed by “afterglow”. Please contact me for time and directions.

The 2009 Governing Board will begin meeting in January.

November was a very busy month for the local chapter.

The NAR/WCR conference in Orlando was the 5th to the 9th. Women’s Council is all about networking and this was an excellent opportunity for our local members to meet and network with Women’s Council members from all over the country. Jon Gordon, author of ” The Energy Bus” was the keynote speaker for the General Assembly and our members also enjoyed presentations from Lance Armstrong, Joseph Scarborough, Amy Chorew, and Robert Morris as well as a wonderful concert from Lionel Richie. 2009 President Becky Hill from Texas was installed as President and we look forward to her year of leadership.

November also saw the annual awards event. Gail Shane of Neal Communities is the 2008 Member of the year. Norm Mallard of Hughes Exterminators is the Affiliate of the Year, Denise Leider of Leider Realty LLC is Business Woman of the Year, Leslie Lauritano of

Regions Mortgage is Humanitarian of the Year.

Other awards included: Sharyl Smith of The Bank of Commerce, Honor Circle; Gail Grimley of RooksMorris Real Estate, Extra Effort; Melia Favorite of American Family Financial, Rising Star; Kristin Poolman of WaMu, Outstanding Support; Cathleen Acosta of Stewart Title, President’s Award; Theresa Morrow of Keller Williams Gulf Coast, Outstanding Commitment; and Michelle Crabtree of Michael Saunders, Founder’s Award.

The Sarasota Women’s Council appreciates our 2008 Program Sponsors. Silver Level: Bank of America Robin Fagin; and Neal Communities. Bronze Level: Alliance Appraisal Associates, Inc.; The Founders Club; Leider Realty Group, LLC; Oswald, Trippe and Company, Inc.; and Sarasota Coastal Credit Union.

And our state sponsors: Platinum Sponsors: EXIT Realty Florida, HomeTeam Inspection Service, North American Title Company, State Farm Insurance, Wells Fargo Home Mtg. Gold Sponsors: Bank of America, Florida Real Estate Team, Stewart Title Guaranty, The Real Estate Book, Washington Mutual Bank. Silver Sponsors: Anderson Auctions, Attorneys’ Title Insurance Fund, Inc., Bright House Networks, Hughes Exterminators, Kenyon Real Estate Referral & Relocation, Harper & Pinzino Island Realty, Taylor, Bean and Whitaker Mortgage Company, Third Federal Savings and Loan

Line officers

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Cari Faanes-Blakey President Rooks Morris Real Estate Cell: 941-539-5117 CariFaanes@verizon.net

Theresa Morrow Vice President of Membership Keller Williams Gulf Coast Phone: 941-737-7676 TheresaMorrow@TheresaMorrow. com

Karen Grant Recording Secretary RE/MAX Tropical Sands 941-349-3460 karenlgrant@comcast.net

Janice Litke President-Elect Prudential Palms Cell: 727-403-1814 JaniceLitke@hotmail.com

Mary Conklin Treasurer RE/MAX Alliance Group Cell: 941-504-4292 mcconklin@comcast.net

Sherry Bittner Corresponding Secretary American Family Financial Cell: 941-504-1445 sherryb@verizon.net

DECEMBER 2008

Sarasota Realtor Magazine

www.sarasotarealtors.com

Prepare for buyers, sellers in world market As real estate markets across the world become increasingly globalized, Realtors® and their counterparts in other countries are poised to help international consumers take advantage of homeownership and real estate investment opportunities in the U.S. and abroad.

“Realtors® are a trusted source of real estate information, and our profession is increasingly crossing borders,” said National Association of Realtors® President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth. “The world’s economy is in the midst of a massive wave of globalization, and real estate is no exception. The current economic slowdown is likely to be followed by new international growth opportunities.”

Despite the recent strengthening in the dollar, many foreign currencies are still relatively stronger than they were 10 years ago. U.S. homes are, therefore, more affordable than they were a decade ago for buyers from countries like the United Kingdom, Brazil and many European nations. NAR Chief

Economist Lawrence Yun estimates that the level of foreign buyers purchasing U.S. homes might double from the present level of 3 percent of all U.S. home purchases to as much as 6 percent over the next decade.

“American real estate is still relatively cheap for many international buyers,” said Yun. “When newly affluent international consumers think about how to spend their wealth, they know that owning a home in the United States remains a powerful success symbol around the world.”

To help Realtors® gain insights for their clients into this dynamic international environment, NAR is developing a Web-based media library devoted to international real estate that will be launched in 2009. The library will include information gleaned from leading real estate experts in countries all over the world.

For example, the economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China account for about one-quarter of the world gross domestic product and are generating about 80 million new middle-class consumers every year. Many of these

newly affluent consumers will constitute an important new customer base of buyers for U.S. real estate in the years to come.

International real estate purchases will also be driven by the aging of the baby boomer generation. “As the baby boomers begin to seek retirement homes, the more affluent among them will look to purchase in the American Sunbelt. They will be joined by similar boomers from Europe and other countries, including Russia,” Yun said.

Hugo Moguel, a broker in Belize City and president of the Association of Real Estate Brokers of Belize, sees a similar trend in his country. “Belize is attracting new investors from regions including Europe, Asia and even Russia,” Moguel said. Belize offers good opportunities for foreign investors, especially as the country begins to develop entities similar to real estate investment trusts (REITs), which will attract investors from overseas.

For more information about NAR’s international research and market tools, visit www.realtor.org/international.

Advertiser Alert Did you know you can now get your business advertisement in the pages of Sarasota Realtor® Magazine for a lot less?

How much less?

How about only $75 for a Business Card size ad? Sell a used car, old electronics, used computers or monitors, or promote your business!

You can also take advantage of a 10 percent member discount!

See Page 3 for the complete rate sheet.

Call 328-1168 TODAY! www.sarasotarealtors.com

Sarasota Realtor Magazine

DECEMBER 2008

29

Membership News

The Association is pleased to welcome new members!

Designated Realtors® Green, Judy, Signature Sothebys International Hamblin, Fred, Banyan Real Estate LLC Lupson, Jayne, WEICHERT Realtors On The Circle Rogers, Angus, Brisas Del Mar Realty Inc. Rosenblum, Harry, Harry K Rosenblum, R E Broker Smith, Philip, Philip Smith R E Broker Sutherland, John, John Sutherland Gen Appraiser Vold, Andrew, Prudential Florida Realty

New Members Cummings, Alberta, Cityscapes Int’l Realty Group Del Medico, Jayne, Beckmann Properties Drake, Amy, Michael Saunders & Company Eckstein, Anna, EXIT Creative Realty Einhorn, William, Coldwell Banker Res R E Guenther, Patricia, Premier Properties of SW FL Hirschman, Wendy, Coldwell Banker Res R E Kedzierski, Dennis, Coldwell Banker Res R E Kohout, Michal, Horizon Realty Lake, Russell, Coldwell Banker Res R E Maggs, Richard, Michael Saunders & Company Martinez, Luz Marina, Century 21 Advantage May, Pamela, Premier Properties of SW FL Ross, Randall, Prudential Palms Realty Schanley, Robert, Richard W Bass Associates Inc. Smith, Lisa, Prudential Palms Realty Young, Margaret, Sarasota Beach Rentals

Now With Agnello, Robert, Michael Saunders & Company Amero, Albert, Realty Executives Solutions Arcand, Roberta, RE/MAX Alliance Group Besio, Peter, Prudential Palms Realty Brady, Laura, Concierge Auctions LLC Brennan, Vincent, Waterside Realty LLC Brinkley, Judy, Michael Saunders & Company Cail, Andy, Michael Saunders & Company Cail, Tom, Michael Saunders & Company Cann, Joyce, Florida Global Realty LLC Carr, Maralyn, Michael Saunders & Company Chaffee PA, Debra, Prudential Palms Realty Charron, Pamela, Prudential Palms Realty Church, Stephanie, Michael Saunders & Company Clamage, Georgina, Michael Saunders & Company Clarke, Mary, Horizon Realty Collins, Paul, Michael Saunders & Company Crisp, Candria, Prudential Palms Realty Culverwell, Robert, Prudential Palms Realty Dial, John, Research Realty Services LLC DiPinto, Rene, Coldwell Banker Res R E DiPinto III, Patrick, Coldwell Banker Res R E Eash, Joey, WEICHERT Realtors On The Circle Eastman PA, Terry, Kleiber DeVito Real Estate Group

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DECEMBER 2008

Esses, Ellen Laura, Prudential Palms Realty Finkelstein, David, Cityscapes Int’l Realty Group Foley, Roxanne, WEICHERT Realtors On The Circle Frapiccini, Ken, Keller Williams Lakewood Ranch Gamble, Darlene, Concierge Auctions LLC Girimont, Teri, Stringer Management Inc. Glasgow, Joe, Cityscapes Int’l Realty LBK Gold, Carole, Horizon Realty Grande, Jason, Michael Saunders & Company Granston, Jeff, Michael Saunders & Company Greco, Cindy, Prudential Palms Realty Hackett, Barbara, Prudential Palms Realty Haggerty, Edward, Michael Saunders & Company Hammond, Bonnie, Prudential Palms Realty Hellhake, Mary, Michael Saunders & Company Huff, Janet, Prudential Palms Realty Hugill, Kassandra, Concierge Auctions LLC Ipox, Kenneth, Prudential Palms Realty Kaufman, Yolanda, Michael Saunders & Company Kirk, Susan, Property Connections LaFrance, Danette, WEICHERT Realtors On The Circle Leffel, Nell, Michael Saunders & Company Lopez, Jose, Coldwell Banker Res R E Lynn, Wendy, Keller Williams Lakewood Ranch Mace, Richard, Prudential Palms Realty Marten, Audrey, Prudential Palms Realty Marx, Lisa Bradley, Michael Saunders & Company Mattison, Stuart, Concierge Auctions LLC McCarthy, Midge, RE/MAX Platinum Realty McConnell, Oliver, Prudential Palms Realty Messeroux, Jean, Steve Pfaff ’s R E Services Inc. Nay, Tom, Moynihan Realty Group Inc. Oyler, Denise, RoseBay Real Estate Inc. Pippin, Valentina, RealtyOne Alliance Pittman PA, Troy, Cityscapes Int’l Realty Group Potts, Gregory, RealtyOne Alliance Quinn, Ellen, Prudential Palms Realty Rain, Kristina, Michael Saunders & Company Reed, Gabriel, Allison James Estates & Homes Rivera, Rigo, Cityscapes Int’l Realty LBK Roettele, Dorothy, Prudential Palms Realty Scheckner, Geri, WEICHERT Realtors On The Circle Schmitt, James, Allison James Estates & Homes Schulz, Matthew, Concierge Auctions LLC Serbu, Mariana, WEICHERT Realtors On The Circle Sokolov, Sergei, Michael Saunders & Company Stilts, Christina, Coppola Realty Group Straw, Sharon, Michael Saunders & Company Streck, Thomas, MDM Realty Services LLC Terris, Gordon, Andrews & Associates Realty Ulysse, Jean Marc, Allison James Estates & Homes Weigel, Blair, WEICHERT Realtors On The Circle

Continued on P. 31, see MEMBERSHIP

Sarasota Realtor Magazine

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Access new NAR international business tool Real Estate Connections is the first global online community for real estate professionals, featuring blogs, forums, a directory, and more.

The tool is available through the web site: http://realestateconnections.tv The exclusive tool for real estate brokers, agents and developers, is an incredible resource for practitioners of international real estate, and features country profiles, videos, news, events, blogs and connections to many communities involved in international real estate.

The site offers free registrations for eligible members..

As an example of the content, the current site features a profile of Panama. It notes renting and selling prices for offices have increased and empty offices rates have fallen .

Currently it is estimated that there are around 800.000 square meters of built offices in Panamá City.

More than a half of these offices are located in baking areas, finance centers, or at southern zones or by the Panamá bay..

New Affiliate Member Savannah’s Elite Service 6579 S. Tamiami Tr. Suite 223 Sarasota, FL 34231 Phone Number: 941-924-3970 Representative: Robert Schmidt

Specialty: Savannah’s Elite Concierge Service is proud to introduce itself to you as a new service that will change your life for the better. A Full 5-Star Elite Conciege Services. Conciege Hot Line, with Vendor Discounts, Airport Pickup/Dropoff, Home Maintenance, and Much More.

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Sarasota Realtor Magazine

DECEMBER 2008

International Real Estate

The 2008 SAR International Real Estate Congress was held at the Hyatt in Sarasota, and was once again a rousing success, attracting more than 150 participants from around the state, nation and world. Next year’s event is already in the planning stages, and promises to be even bigger and better.

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MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

1 9:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

New Members 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Intro to MLXchange HANDS ON 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

MLX Advanced HANDS ON

2 8:30 a.m.

CID Holiday Breakfast, Lido Beach Resort

THURSDAY

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID MANASOTA, FL PERMIT NO. 451

Mon. Dec. 1, 2008 through Fri. Jan. 9, 2009 FRIDAY

3

4

7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

WCR Toastmasters 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

REO Certification Course 9:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

New Members

8:00 a.m.

MLS Zone 1, University Park CC 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

REO Certification Course

5 9:00 a.m.

New Members

Please Note: Mid-Florida Regional MLS training classes are available throughout the month!

9:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

New Members 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Mongo FAX Tools 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

New Member Orientation 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Code of Ethics Training

9

Entering and Updating Listings

16

9:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

New Members 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Code of Ethics w/3 Hrs. CE

17 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

WCR Toastmasters 9:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

New Members 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.

Code of Ethics 5:00 p.m.

SYR Holiday Social at Clayton’s Siesta Grille

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23

9:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

New Members

11 8:00 a.m.

MLS Zone 2, Pine Shores CC 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. iMAPP HANDS ON 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Design Web Pages HANDS ON 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Installation Banquet- Michaels on East

9:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

New Members 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

‘Red Flags on Waterfront’ 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Creating a CMA HANDS ON 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Creating Custom Reports HANDS ON

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Intro to MLXchange HANDS ON 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

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10

9:00 a.m.

New Members 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Intro to MLXchange HANDS ON 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

MLX Advanced HANDS ON

18 8:00 a.m.

MLS Zone 3, Pine Shores CC 10:00 a.m.

Photographer

SAR Closed at Noon, Christmas Eve

19 9:00 a.m.

New Members

24 9:00 a.m.

New Members

12

25 SAR Closed Christmas Holiday

26 9:00 a.m.

New Members

For more info on Educational Programs, please see pages 20-25

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30

9:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

New Members

5 9:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

New Members 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

31 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

WCR Toastmasters 9:00 a.m.

New Members SAR Closed at Noon, New Year’s Eve

6 8:30 a.m.

CID Board Meeting

7 9:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

New Members 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Intro to MLXChange HANDS ON

Design Web Pages HANDS ON

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Entering & Updating Listings

1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Mongo FAX/Tools HANDS ON

Jan. 1 SAR Closed New Year’s Day

2 9:00 a.m.

New Members

Sarasota Association of Realtors®, Inc. 3590 S. Tuttle Ave. Sarasota, FL 34239

8

MFRMLS Training: 8 8:00 a.m.

MLS Zone 1, University Park CC 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. iMAPP HANDS ON 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Creating Custom Reports HANDS ON

9 9:00 a.m.

New Members

Regular MLS system training have resumed, with classes conducted by the Mid-Florida Regional MLS. Watch for times and dates in the magazine, on the web site, and in the Weekly Update digital newsletter!