Sarasota Realtor Magazine - March 2012

MARCH 2012

The Official Monthly Publication of the Sarasota Association of Realtors速

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Contents

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine Volume 9, Issue 3 MARCH 2012

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

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A Collective Voice

SAR has joined the National Association of Realtors®

in this year’s added emphasis on the role of the real estate

industry in advocacy and community outreach.

10 Federal Priorities

Governmental Affairs Director Marc Mansfield examines the priorities of NAR when it comes to federal issues impacting real estate in 2012 and beyond.

12 Seeking Accuracy

By making it easier for taxpayers to file timely returns,

Property Appraiser Bill Furst is now receiving more detailed,

accurate information on Tangible Personal Property.

Volume 9 • Issue 3 •MARCH 2012

15 Pending Sales Soar

January saw a 38 percent leap in the number of pending sales

reported by SAR members - a clear sign of recent strong activity in the market, and of higher sales ahead.

20 Short Course

In every issue 12- Property Appraiser 15- Sales and Listing Statistics 18- Commercial Investment Division Visit SAR on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SarasotaRealtors See a few of the photos this month on Page 24!

29- Global Business Council

Treasurer Peter Crowley RE/MAX Alliance Group Immediate Past President Michael Bruno Michael Saunders & Company Chief Executive Officer Kathy Roberts 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 Director of Communications Ray Porter

Director of Information Technology Jesse Sunday Director of Professional Development Catherine McCaskill Governmental Affairs Director Marc Mansfield

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 welcome. 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.

2012 Copyright© by the Sarasota Association of Realtors®, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

30- Membership

MARCH 2012

Secretary Stafford Starcher RE/MAX Alliance Group

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

32- Calendar of Events/Education 4

President-Elect Roger Piro Town & Country Realty

Production Coastal Printing, Inc.

10- Governmental Affairs

24- On the SAR Scene

President Laura Benson Michael Saunders & Company

Director of Membership and Administrative Services Dan Andrews

Get the scoop on how to handle distressed property sales by taking the March 21st ‘Short Sales and Foreclosure Specialist’ course offered at SAR! You’ll get a valuable certification!

20- Education Programs

2012 SAR Officers

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

www.sarasotarealtors.com

SAR Quarterly Meeting slated March 26th

This month, SAR will hold the 2012 First Quarter Membership Luncheon on Monday, March 26th beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, 4780 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota. The cost of the luncheon is $13.50, and members should visit www.sarasotarealtors.com and click on the My SAR Account link at the top to register.

The program includes specuial guest speaker Karl Ekhart, NAR Political Representative, who will be discussing Legislative Priorities and Congressional Updates.

In addition, four Realtor® Emeritus members will be honored for a cumulative period of 40 years in one or more Associations of Realtors. See Page 14 if you believe you are eligible for this honor. Deadline for submitting the required paperwork is March 28th.

Honorees will include: Lindel “Chip” Waterman III; Margot Robinson; Charles J. Palmeri; and Robert J. Norwine.

KNOW YOUR OPTIONS Short Sales Foreclosures Bankruptcy

Thank you to SAR sponsors SAR would like to extend our thanks to the SAR Holiday Luncheon and Installation sponsors: Platinum (My Florida Regional MLS; Silver (Hembree & Assoc., RE/MAX Alliance, Sperry Van Ness, Michael Saunders & Company, Lakewood Ranch, Zillow and Supra); Bronze (Premier Inspections, Harris Bank, Neal Communities); and London Bay Homes, Corporate Sponsor.

Ed Thomas: SAR Affiliate of Month

Ed Thomas is the SAR Affiliate of the Month for March 2012.

The owner of Environmental Toxic Mold Research & Inspection, Ed has enjoyed working in the Sarasota area since 2008, having relocated here from Philadelphia, Pa. Ed was certified in Mold Inspection and Remediation in 2003

by CAL Environmental Services, Inc. He is certified as an Environmental Inspector, Environmental Consultant and Mold Specialist by the Environmental Assessment Ed Thomas Association.

Ed is also licensed by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation for the State of Florida.

A member of the National Association of Mold Professionals (NAMP), the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors (NORMI), the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Angie’s List, Ed is a valued SAR affiliate.

Ed Thomas is available to provide air quality testing in homes and commercial properties. He can be reached at 941-7795178 or by email at edwardfungi1@aol.com.

You can also visit his website at www.etmrservices.com.

Call 941-366-1300 For A

FREE CONSULTATION Jefferson F. Riddell, Esq. (Board Certified Real Estate Attorney) Cynthia A. Riddell, Esq.

Riddell Law Group R L G

3400 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida www.rlglawfirm.com The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.

Before you decide, ask us to send you free, written information about our qualifications and experience.

Cover Story

A Collective Voice Together, we can make a positive difference in the nation

T

Taking the reins in 2012, SAR President Laura Benson stressed the importance of Realtor® advocacy, and noted, “Our members are more than sales people and managers - they are advocates for everyone who wants to meet their housing and business needs.”

Members of SAR should strive every day to be advocates for positive change in the personal lives of their neighbors, and in the collective life of the Sarasota community, Benson said.

Part of this advocacy involves participation in government circles. The Sarasota Association of Realtors®, Florida Realtors® and the National Association of Realtors® are all striving this year to help Realtors® be more influential at all levels of government. SAR, along with our partner entities at the state and national levels, is sharing our expertise about the industry and advocating for the rights of the nation’s home owners.

This is an important and necessary expansion of existing advocacy efforts. Part of this expansion involved a dues increase to support a major new public advocacy program: These additional funds are allowing Realtors® to strengthen and leverage their collective voice in support of sound public policy on property rights and home owner issues in their communities, and create and sustain an environment in which their businesses can grow.

In May 2011, NAR Directors from around the country approved this bold new initiative to increase the advocacy and community outreach power of the organization on the national, state, and local level.

The real estate industry is facing monumental issues—in Congress, in the regulatory agencies that govern mortgage financing, in the statehouses dealing with critical budget crises and declining property tax revenues, and in municipalities and counties. All of these issues impact the ability of Realtors® to do business and serve clients.

NAR is now providing direct funding and grants to help state and local associations including SAR:

• Mobilize Realtors® and property owners on key local, state, and national issues • Implement RPAC fundraising initiatives.

• Tap into advocacy campaign support services and tools, such as a national voter registration database, to help target messages, and consulting services to help associations maximize their political impact.

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MARCH 2012

• Make independent expenditures on behalf of candidates, at all levels of government, who support the Realtor® Party agenda. Fellow members will decide how those funds are spent.

• Conduct housing opportunity, smart growth and diversity classes and programs to maximize Realtor® community involvement and outreach.

NAR dues money cannot be used for a direct contribution to a candidate, but the money may be used to independently support a candidate’s campaign. This is commonly referred to as an Independent Expenditure campaign. Again, members at the state and local level will determine which candidates receive Independent Expenditure funding.

As a local example, SAR’s board, on the recommendation of the Sarasota Association of Realtors® Political Action Advisory Trustees (SARPAAT), decided last fall to endorse Paul Caragiulo for a seat on the Sarasota City Commission. SAR felt he was more supportive of real estate issues and local business than his opponent, and he wound up winning by 14 votes.

His campaign was supported through independent expenditures initiated by SAR, which likely helped bring him the narrow victory.

For a full list of these available tools, funding opportunities, and support services currently available for state and local associations to enhance your advocacy activities, visit MyREALTORParty. com.

Why is this so important now?

Home ownership and private property rights are under attack. Policies being proposed today threaten to transform, for generations, Americans’ ability to buy property.

Imagine a world without the mortgage interest deduction. Imagine a world where the flow of mortgage capital is unstable. Imagine a world where buyers have to come up with a minimum 20% down payment or can no longer get a 30-year loan.

And this isn’t just about home ownership. Around the country, governments are seeking ways to close revenue shortfalls. The real estate community needs the resources to fight proposals that would impose new taxes on the real estate businesses and its customers and make it even harder for our members to earn a living in real estate.

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

Continued on P. 8, See VOICE

www.sarasotarealtors.com

My Realtor Party

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VOICE

that is, personal contributions — can be used for direct contributions to congressional candidates or federal parties, so your RPAC checks remain critical. We need our voice to remain strong.

From Page 6 With the economy trying to bounce back from the hard knocks of the last few years, it’s more important than ever that Realtors® speak up and ensure that public policies, and our elected and appointed officials, support the recovery of the housing market and the economy as a whole.

It’s also a great time for our members to step up their community outreach efforts, as we have done in the past few years. Better communities make stronger real estate markets.

So, what does all this mean for you, the individual Sarasota real estate professional?

Increased advocacy efforts will protect your profitability and your future. Every day, the organized real estate industry is advocating for you on issues that impact your business, such as tax treatment of your income. We’re also fighting for policies that benefit your clients, such as preservation of the mortgage interest deduction.

You need to be able to run your business without excessive government intervention. Home ownership has to be a viable option for our children and their children. For investors, real estate has to be viewed as an advantageous place to put their money. Without those things, Realtors® won’t be in business.

A 2010 Supreme Court decision that gave companies the green light to spend corporate dollars on political advocacy has made it more expensive than ever to communicate.

Unfortunately, no one can predict when federal, state, and local governments and regulatory agencies initiate issues that can deeply harm our industry. We also can’t change the fact that the Supreme Court changed the rules.

Realtors® have a great track record in the public policy arena. We’re used to winning—but the corporate flow of money into advocacy has already begun to diminish our effectiveness. There’s no one else, frankly, who will stand up for our industry and our customers, as Realtors® have been doing for the past 100 years.

RPAC is a voluntary program, and it’s still vitally important. RPAC provides the personal, “hard” dollars we use to make direct contributions to national, state, and local candidates. It will work in tandem with the new initiative, which includes more resources for state and local RPAC fundraising initiatives. Remember: the Federal Election Commission still requires that only “hard” dollars —

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MARCH 2012

NAR advocates on behalf of homeowners as well as Realtors®.

However, much of NAR’s political advocacy work has been focused primarily on the national level. The funding, programs, and services that are part of this expanded effort will strengthen the impact of Realtors® on the state and local levels.

In recent years, requests to NAR’s Issues Mobilization Program for support for state and local issue campaigns have doubled, indicating a clear need for increased advocacy support at these levels.

Three things have recently become quite apparent: • The political landscape has changed and Realtor® organizations are confronting serious challenges now.

Unfortunately, NAR couldn’t wait for a better economy to step up the game.

• NAR will be putting a considerably greater percentage of its resources toward advocacy. But remember that NAR has been engaged in these activities — state and local mobilization efforts and independent expenditure campaigns—for many years.

In recent years, as demand for these services has picked up, NAR has been funding some of this effort from reserves, and that couldn’t go on indefinitely — particularly given the need to amplify the message today.

• RPAC alone isn’t enough. As successful as NAR has been at meeting RPAC goals over the years, given the level of money collected from voluntary contributions — and federal and state rules that limit how to use those direct contributions —RPAC alone can’t level the playing field with opponents who can tap corporate money for their political advocacy efforts.

The real estate industry is at a critical tipping point and we all need to act now. Just as your business has had to change to adapt to market forces, we need to change to adapt to the new public policy arena.

Think of the issues you are dealing with today. If we don’t adapt, we can’t play. And we need to win these issues.

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

www.sarasotarealtors.com

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Governmental Affairs 10

What are NAR’s federal priorities in 2012?

By Marc Mansfield Governmental Affairs Director

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The National Association of Realtors® recently released their federal legislative priorities for the upcoming year.

Shown below is a brief summary of each issue. For more detailed information please visit www.realtor.org and search for “2012 Federal Public Policy Priorities.”

Taxation

Mortgage Interest Deduction: NAR opposes any changes that would limit or undermine current law which includes a deduction for interest paid on debt secured by a first or second home.

Cancellation of Mortgage Debt: NAR supports further extension of this law which is set to expire on December 31, 2012.

Capital Gains-Exclusion on Sale of Residence: NAR opposes any changes that would reduce or limit the capital gains exemption ($250,000/$500,000) on the sale of a home.

Real Estate Finance

Government Sponsored Enterprises: NAR recommends that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac be restructured in a manner that ensures consumers have a reliable source of mortgage funding in all types of markets under all types of conditions. The restructured entities should be explicitly backed by the government, have no shareholders and be subject to tighter regulations on product, revenue generation and usage and retained portfolios in order to accomplish their mission and protect the taxpayer.

Credit Policies: NAR believes that regulators and the broader lending community needs to focus on providing mortgage financing to qualified homebuyers and investors as well as homeowners wanting to take advantage of historically low interest rates.

Short Sales: NAR continues to push the lending community to expedite short sales and is working with

MARCH 2012

Congress to get legislation passed to make the short sale process more efficient. NAR supports H.R. 1498 which requires servicers to decide whether to approve a short sale within 45 days of completion of the file.

Property Insurance

For the past several years, Congress has been approving short-term extensions of the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) authority to issue flood insurance policies while they continue to debate long-term fiscal reforms to the program. NAR is urging Congress to work on a 5 year NFIP authorization bill.

Appraisal Issues

Over the last 18-36 months, a host of rules, regulations and laws have been announced to further protect appraiser independence. NAR strongly supports the independence of appraisers and the appraisal process. Additionally, NAR opposes the use of indemnification clauses by Appraisal Management Companies (AMCs) which places pressure on the appraiser, compromises their independence and has a negative effect on the quality of appraisal reports.

NAR will also pursue legislative and regulatory efforts to require AMCs to retain competent and qualified appraisers.

Commercial Issues

More than $1.2 trillion in commercial real estate loans will come due over the next few years and many of these deals will have trouble getting financing. NAR supports protecting and enhancing the flow of capital to commercial real estate. NAR believes Congress and the federal government should consider legislation and regulation aimed at improving commercial real estate markets including: (1) accelerated depreciation, (2) increasing the cap on credit union member business lending (MBL), (3) additional banking agency guidance related to term extensions, (4) creation of mortgage insurance program for performing commercial loans, (5) improving credit availability for small businesses and (6) creation of a U.S. covered bond market.

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

www.sarasotarealtors.com

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Property Appraiser

NEW FEATURES AVAILABLE TO TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXPAYERS FOR 2012.

In July of 2010 I shared the importance that tangible personal property taxpayers play in the process of creating an accurate and comprehensive property tax roll.

Finding, identifying, listing and valuing all tangible personal property (TPP), remains a difficult task. However, by making it easier for taxpayers to file timely returns we are now receiving more detailed, accurate information on the quantity and value of TPP in Sarasota County.

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For more information, contact the Property Appraiser’s office at 941.861.8200.

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New features are available to tangible personal property taxpayers for 2012

By Bill Furst, GRI, CRS, CRB

In the past two years this office has made major strides in Sarasota County streamlining and simplifying the process for filing returns and Property Appraiser requests The latest results of those efforts are In for Julyextensions. of 2010, I shared the importance that tangible personal available to existing TPPplay taxpayers and first filers. property taxpayers in the process of time creating an accurate and comprehensive property tax roll.

For theFinding, first time, TPP accounts filevaluing their DR-405 returns identifying, listingcan and all tangible personal online!

Accounts thatremains filed a return in the year been property (TPP), a difficult task.previous However, by have making it easier mailed an individually assigned user name and password.

Using for taxpayers to file timely returns we are now receiving more detailed, thoseaccurate uniqueinformation identifiers the of those accounts are in now on holders the quantity and value of TPP Sarasota able County. to complete the entire filing process online. To be considered timely In filed electronic date or the postmark thethe past two yearssubmission this office has made major strides on in the TPP return must be later thanthe April 1st. for filing returns and requests streamlining andnosimplifying process for extensions. The latest results of those efforts are available to existing TPP taxpayers first time For those accounts and needing a bit filers. more time to compile their For theafirst time,for TPP accounts can file their DR-405 returns information, request a 30 day extension may be filed online. online!

Accounts that filed a return in the previous year have The deadline for those requests, either electronic or on paper, isbeen mailed an individually assigned the end of business on March 31st. user name and password. Using those unique identifiers the holders of those accounts are now able to complete the entire filing process online. To be considered timely filed First time filers can download the forms and schedules they need the electronic submission date or the postmark on the TPP return must frombe our In April subsequent years they too will be able to file nowebsite. later than 1st. online.

For those accounts needing a bit more time to compile their information, a request for a 30 day extension may be filed online. The Downloadable about filing an return orend of deadline forforms, those information requests, either electronic or online on paper, is the an extension request, and general information about Tangible business on March 31st.

Personal Property are available on our website at www.SC-PA.com.

First time filers can download the forms and schedules they need from our website. In subsequent years they too will be able to file To qualify online.for the $25,000 exemption on TPP a taxpayer must file an initial, timely, return.

Accounts whoseabout just values areonline $25,000 or or Downloadable forms, information filing an return less are granted a waiver from filing a return in subsequent years. an extension request, and general information about Tangible Personal Waived accounts are notified by mail of their filing status. It is the Property are available on our website at www.SC-PA.com. responsibility of the to file a returnon inTPP any year in which To qualify for taxpayer the $25,000 exemption a taxpayer must file the just value of their TPP is greater than $25,000. an initial, timely, return. Accounts whose just values are $25,000 or less are granted a waiver from filing a return in subsequent years.

Remember, avoid possible penalties, possession Waived to accounts are notified by mailanyone of their in filing status. Itofis the responsibility thehas taxpayer to file a return in any year in which the TPP on January 1, of who a proprietorship, partnership, just valueisofa self-employed their TPP is greater $25,000. or leases, corporation, agentthan or contractor, lends or rents property, must file anpenalties, annual return a waiverof TPP Remember, to avoid possible anyoneunless in possession on January 1, who has a proprietorship, partnership, corporation, is has been granted. a self-employed agent or contractor, or leases, lends or rents property, must file an annual return unless a waiver has been granted.

MARCH 2012

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

Statutes Governing Tangible Personal Property §192.001(11)(d) F.S. Tangible Personal Property means all goods, chattels, and other articles of value.

Inventory and household goods are expressly excluded from this definition. §192.032(2) F.S. All Tangible Personal Property physically present on January 1 of each year shall be assessed. §193.052(3) F.S. A return for Tangible Personal Property shall be filed in each county which is the situs of such property. §193.062(1) F.S. Annual Tangible Personal Property returns shall be filed by April 1 of each year. §193.063 F.S. The property appraiser shall grant a 30 day extension for filing. The request for extension must be made prior to the April 1 filing deadline. §193.074 F.S. All returns shall be deemed confidential in the hands of the property appraiser. §196.183 F.S. Each Tangible Personal Property tax return is eligible for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of up to $25,000 of assessed value. This section does not apply in any year a taxpayer fails to timely file a return that is not waived.

For more information on Tangible Personal Property taxes, online filing, exemptions, filing for an extension, or downloading a DR-405, go to www.SC-PA.com NEED A SPEAKER FOR YOUR MEETING? BILL FURST WILL COME AND TALK WITH YOUR GROUP AND ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. To set up an appointment call our office at (941) 861-8200.

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Are you a Realtor® Emeritus?

Any person who has held membership in the National Association as a Realtor®, for a cumulative period of 40 years in one or more Associations of Realtors® is eligible for Realtor® Emeritus status.

Upon approval by the Board of Directors of the National Association of Realtors®, no further payment of dues is necessary to the National Association, Florida Association and My Florida Regional MLS starting in the next billing year following approval. The waiver covers NAR dues, NAR Public Awareness Campaign assessment, FAR dues, FAR Issues Advocacy assessment and My Florida Regional MLS fees.

An Online NAR Certification is necessary to begin the approval process for a Realtor® Emeritus candidate, which is to be filled out by the Sarasota Association of Realtors®.

Any available documentation that would provide reasonable

substantiation of 40 years’ membership should be submitted to SAR. SAR must be in receipt of all supporting documentation for approval by March 28, 2012. Please mail, email or fax your name, the dates, and names of all Realtor® Associations you belonged to with supporting documentation to:

SAR-Membership Dept.

ATTN: Daniel Andrews, 3590 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota, FL 34239 Direct: 941-328-1152 Fax to: (941) 923-0191 email: dan@sarasotarealtors.com

What does the rest of 2012 hold for real estate?

By Robert Freedman, Nichole Odijk DeMario Realtor® Magazine

Slowly, a recovery seems to be taking hold. “More jobs, rising rents, a rising stock market, and continuing high affordability conditions” are combining to get more people into the market, says NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. On the commercial side, all the major sectors are seeing improving fundamentals, and more positive trends are expected in 2012. Against that backdrop, we asked some of you to tell us what you expected to be your best source of business this year.

Residential

With prices expected to rise slightly in both existing- and new-home sales in 2012, buyers may not get quite the same bargain they got last year. Still, conditions remain favorable for buyers, and NAR is forecasting a 5 percent increase in existinghome sales over 2011. Here are three pockets of opportunity.

1. International investment. With U.S. real estate values down, a favorable currency exchange rate, and the promise of a stable place to invest while Europe deals with debt crises in Greece, Spain, Italy, and other countries, foreign buyers continue to stream steadily to the United States.

“People [are trying] to move their cash somewhere safer,” says Brian Block, broker-associate with RE/MAX Allegiance in Arlington and McLean, Va. Elaine Murphy Carlson, a broker-associate with RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty in Palos Verdes Peninsula, Calif., says foreign investors who stayed away during the darkest days of the financial crisis are coming back.

Indeed, NAR’s 2011 Profile of International Home Buying Activity shows foreign households bought $82 billion worth of residential real estate last year, up from $66 billion in 2010.

Block says the investors he works with are professionally successful individuals with cash available. “They will buy when they see a good deal,” he says. He has gained investor business by demonstrating a solid knowledge of the market and finding networking opportunities, from local Chamber of Commerce meetings to regular real estate industry functions.

2. Distressed inventory in centrally located neighborhoods.

Affordable housing in inner-ring suburbs or center city areas may be real estate’s sweet spot in 2012, Block says, because buyers today aren’t looking just for bargains, they’re looking for convenience and lifestyle amenities.

A 2011 survey of U.S. adults conducted for NAR by research firm Belden Russonello & Stewart seems to support Block’s assertion. Nearly six in ten adults (58 percent) said they’d prefer to live in a neighborhood with a mix of houses and stores and other businesses within an easy walk.

Block says he has seen first-hand the shift among both firsttimers and retirees toward smaller, close-to-the-city homes in walkable neighborhoods. He reaches out to potential clients by using social media and blogging to talk about issues like lengthy commutes.

3. Rentals. Rising rental rates in many markets are making home ownership a more appealing option, especially for those seeking to buy distressed property. But many households aren’t Continued on P. 26, See 2012

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MARCH 2012

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

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Pending sales spike in January 2012; prices also rise

T

The new year started with a 38 percent jump in pending sales from the previous month, as reported by members of the Sarasota Association of Realtors® - a strong indicator for a successful 2012 season for real estate agents and firms.

In January 2012, a total of 963 contracts were signed for property transactions. The breakdown was 723 single family homes and 240 condominiums. Pending sales are a major indicator for the next two or three months of closed sales, as the statistic reflects current buyer activity. Local agents are reporting a high volume of showings, heavy foot traffic at open houses, and numerous cases of multiple offers for homes.

While actual closings declined in January from December, the lull is typical due to the holidays which tend to redirect the attention of potential buyers for a few weeks. Sales ended the month at 513, with 365 single family homes and 148 condos changing hands. This compared to 644 in December 2011, and 537 last January 2011. This pattern of a January decline has repeated for several years. In January 2011, sales dipped to 537 after 681 sales in December 2010. The previous year, January 2010 sales slowed to 506 after hitting 648 in December 2009.

“There has been a clear trend in recent years of a January drop in overall closed sales, but we are very encouraged by the pending sales numbers,” said SAR President Laura Benson.

“Many of these transactions will close in the next few months, so I’m hoping for a big February through May for our local real estate market. In the past few years, March has seen a huge sales surge that has continued through the early summer months. From what we’re hearing from our members, and the actual pending sales figures, it appears we’ll be repeating the pattern in 2012.”

Median sale prices were also up for both single family homes and condos in January, with condos seeing a 20 percent leap from December’s $150,000 to $180,000. Last January, condo prices were at $142,500, about 26 percent lower than this year.

For single family homes, prices have remained fairly stable for several months and rose slightly to $162,000 in January from last month’s figure of $160,000. In January 2011, single family homes sold for a median price of $138,700 – more than 17 percent lower than this year.

“The median sales price rise from last year is very striking, and probably has a lot to do with the lower inventory of available properties and the improved national economic picture,” explained Benson. “Our primary feeder markets in the northeast are starting to see improved buyer incomes and purchasing power. This also drives local sales, and competition can trigger price appreciation.”

The inventory for January stood at 4,711, and last year at this time it was 6,047. This 22 percent drop means the law of supply and demand will likely start to take hold in the Sarasota market, pushing asking prices higher.

www.sarasotarealtors.com

“The (Realtor.com) report said we are leading America’s housing sector towards a general recovery.

That’s fantastic news.”

- SAR President Laura Benson

The inventory hit a 10-year low of 4,408 in August 2011, and has remained at or close to this low level since then. As the inventory has slid, the months of inventory has also dropped.

The figure now stands at 8.3 months for single family homes (compared to 10.2 months in January 2011) and 11.3 months for condos (compared to 14.1 months last January). A figure of 6 months is considered equilibrium between a buyer’s and a seller’s market.

Distressed property sales continued to represent a higher percentage than normal in the local market. In January 2012, distressed sales (bank-owned properties and short sales) stood at 40 percent of the total (207 out of 513). This figure was slightly lower than the 41.6 percent in December 2011, and the 41.7 percent in the fourth quarter, and still far below the market high of over 50 percent in the second quarter of 2010.

“We were recently ranked number five in the Realtor.com top ten list of Turnaround Towns in the United States,” noted Benson. “That was very exciting, as the study measured factors like year-over-year median price appreciation, inventory reduction levels, and the improving unemployment rate. The report said we are leading America’s housing sector towards a general recovery. That’s fantastic news!

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

MARCH 2012

15

Sarasota MLSSM Statistics - January 2012 Single Family Condo

Unit Sales 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 Jan‐11

Feb‐11

Mar‐11

Apr‐11 May‐11

Jun‐11

Jul‐11

Aug‐11

Sep‐11

Oct‐11

Nov‐11

Dec‐11

Jan‐12

Single Family

Median Sale Price

Condo

$250,000 $200,000 $150,000 $100,000 $50,000 $0 Jan‐11

Feb‐11

Mar‐11

Apr‐11 May‐11

Jun‐11

Jul‐11

Aug‐11

Sep‐11

Oct‐11

Nov‐11

Dec‐11

Jan‐12

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

3,037

365

12.0

171

$162,000

$158,000

8.3

723

23.8

835

131

This Month Last Year

3,920

384

9.8

179

$138,700

$161,000

10.2

749

19.1

882

146

2,974

471

15.8

192

$160,000

$155,925

6.3

504

16.9

588

162

-

365

-

171

$162,000

-

-

723

-

835

-

Oct 95.1 -

Nov 95.3 -

Dec 94.8 -

Last Month YTD

Single Family – Sale Price Vs. List Price % Rates 2011 2012

Jan 94.5 95.4

Feb 94.1 -

Mar 94.7 -

Apr 94.1 -

May 94.2 -

Jun 94.3 -

Jul 94.1 -

Aug 94.5 -

Sept 95.2 -

Statistics were compiled on properties listed in the MLS by members of the Sarasota Association of Realtors® as of Feb. 10th, 2012, including some listings in Manatee, Englewood, Venice, and other areas. Single-family statistics are tabulated using property styles of single-family and villa. Condo statistics include condo, co-op, and townhouse.

Source: Sarasota Association of Realtors® 16

MARCH 2012

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

www.sarasotarealtors.com

Sarasota MLSSM Statistics - January 2012 Single Family Condo

Inventory 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0 Jan‐11

Feb‐11 Mar‐11 Apr‐11 May‐11 Jun‐11

Jul‐11

Aug‐11 Sep‐11

Oct‐11 Nov‐11 Dec‐11

Jan‐12

Single Family Condo

Pending Sales 1000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 Jan‐11

Feb‐11

Mar‐11

Apr‐11 May‐11

Jun‐11

Jul‐11

Aug‐11

Sep‐11

Oct‐11

Nov‐11

Dec‐11

Jan‐12

Condo This Month This Month Last Year Last Month YTD

#Active

#Sold

%Sold

Average DOM

Median Sale Prices

Median Last 12 Months

Months of Inventory

Pending Reported

%Pending

# New Listings

# Off Market

1,674

148

8.8

212

$180,000

$159,000

11.3

240

14.3

364

156

2,152

153

7.1

204

$142,500

$162,500

14.1

264

12.3

357

118

1,593

173

10.8

212

$150,000

$156,600

9.2

190

11.9

247

241

-

148

-

212

$180,000

-

-

240

-

364

-

Oct 93.2 -

Nov 93.6 -

Dec 92.7 -

Condo – Sale Price Vs. List Price % Rates 2011 2012

Jan 93.4 93.1

Feb 91.2 -

Mar 92.2 -

Apr 93.4 -

May 94.5 -

Jun 94.2 -

Jul 92.5 -

Aug 93.1 -

Sept 92.8 -

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. Pending sales are sales where an offer has been accepted during the month, but the sale has not yet closed. Even though some pending sales never close, pending sales are an indicator of current buyer activity. DOM indicates the average number of days that sold properties were on the market before a contract was executed.

Sarasota Association of Realtors® MLS www.sarasotarealtors.com

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

MARCH 2012

17

Commercial Investment Division

Can optimism be misunderstood?

By Brad Lindberg CID President Words can be powerful when spoken, but when they’re spoken by perceived authoritative figures, they can move markets, create hysteria, or instill confidence. Those who are in a position of power know this and should choose their words carefully so as not to inadvertently leave the wrong impression or create a negative effect.

The last few years of the real estate market crisis has created an environment of cynicism that spills over to those who sell, invest or make their living talking about it. The natural character trait of real estate sales professionals is enthusiastic optimism. Why not? Who wants to hang around someone who speaks of doom and gloom all of the time?

For the last couple of years, none of us wanted to believe that property values were going to continue to erode. All of the economists at the time said that the economy wasn’t out of the woods yet. That was when the DOW was hovering around the 9500 mark. The experts were predicting that the market could slip to 6000 over the next few months. “Sell now and get into gold” was what many of the brokers suggested.

Here we are eighteen months later and the DOW is now pushing 13,000. Highly trained experts never predicted we would be where we are today. Now they

are saying,“It’s a bubble… get out now before you lose again”. Is that doom and gloom, or just good common sense?

For all of us who fashion ourselves as real estate experts, we have to remember our words can influence the market if not carefully chosen. If we are wrong, our reputations will be tarnished.

Our unchecked optimism can be misunderstood if we don’t back our optimism with facts that substantiate our claims.

Let’s be perfectly clear. “Optimism” by definition is a tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and expect the most favorable outcome.

Our goal in life is to present the positive and strive for success. Even in difficult times, the glass should be looked at as half full, as opposed to half empty.

Mark Twain once said, “If you don’t read the newspaper, you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper, you are misinformed.”

So, when we are out carrying the banner of “optimism” always remember - there is responsibility that goes with the words we choose to speak. We should never make statements without the caveat that our optimism is based on facts ... or our optimism can be or will be misunderstood.

CID slates meetings for March 2012 CID General Membership Meeting - Tuesday, March 20th, 8:30 a.m. – Off site meeting at Magnolia Green III, located in the Lakewood Ranch Corporate Park just south of University Parkway on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. The meeting sponsor is Lakewood Ranch Commercial, and the topic is “First Quarter Market Update.”

Commercial Marketplace Sessions - Friday, March 2nd, 9 a.m. – SAR Auditorium - Friday, March 9th, 9 a.m. – SAR Auditorium - Friday, March 16th, 9 a.m. – Manatee Association of Realtors®, 10920 Technology Terrace, Lakewood Ranch, FL - Friday, March 23rd, 9 a.m. – SAR Auditorium - Friday, March 30th, 9 a.m. – SAR Auditorium

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MARCH 2012

Susan Goldstein: Michael Saunders & Company (1 year 2012) Sarah Olesen: Michael Saunders & Company (1 year 2012) Tony Veldkamp: Sperry Van Ness (2 years - 2013) Bob Milhoan: Hembree & Assoc. (2 years - 2013) Peter Skokos: Norton Hammersley (3 years - 2014) Kevin Robbins - Harry Robbins Associates (3 years - 2014)

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

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Directors:

President: Brad Lindberg, Sperry Van Ness President-Elect: Linda Emery, Sperry Van Ness Vice-President: Tim Mapp, Mapp Realty Secretary: Dave Roth, RE/MAX Alliance Treasurer: Lori Hellstrom, Osprey Real Estate Services Past President: Anthony Homer, LWR Commercial

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2012 CID Officers & Directors Officers:

ST SA FR

www.sarasotarealtors.com

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Education Programs

How does economic development impact you?

Title: Economic Development 101 Date: March 7, 9 to 11 a.m Location: SAR Auditorium Cost: Free to SAR Members; others $10 Want to learn about tools that can help your clients’ businesses succeed? Attend this important workshop hosted by the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County. Topics will include: local and state incentives, start-up resources, expansion and relocation

Seminar: Things That Make Your Broker Go ‘Ouch!’

Title: Things That Make Your Broker Go “OUCH!” Date: March 14, Noon to 1:30 p.m.

Location: SAR Auditorium Cost: Free to SAR & SCBA Members; others $10 The Realtor®-Attorney Joint Committee is putting together this seminar which will dwell on some of the most frequent legal and ethical mistakes that Realtors®

make. You will learn how to stay out of trouble with your broker and with the Florida Real Estate Commission.

Darla Furst, Chairman of the Florida Real Estate Commission, and Sylvia Golden-Norris, SAR’s attorney, will give lively presentations—this will not be boring, we promise! If we receive a sponsor, lunch will be provided. Stay posted!

Gain valuable insights on distressed sales Title: Short Sales & Foreclosure Specialist (SFR) Course Date: March 21, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: SAR Auditorium Cost: $99 SAR Members; $119 Non-Members; After March 7, add $25; Instructor:Terry Watson Designed for real estate professionals at all experience levels, the NAR Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource Certification, or SFR for short, gives you a framework for understanding how to: • Direct distressed sellers to finance, tax and legal professionals • Training on both the buyer and seller side of short sale and foreclosure transactions • Free webinars that you can download anytime, anywhere • Access to SFR logo and marketing materials • Differentiation as an SFR at www.realtor.com and www.realtor.org.

Becoming SFR Certified

The path to pursuing the SFR certification is straightforward: 1. Be a member in good standing of the National Association of REALTORS 2. Complete a qualifying core course (this one or CRS 111)

20

services, rapid permitting, funding sources, examples of successful projects and much more.

This presentation is part of the ongoing “Emerging Leaders” program which develops leaders for the local, state and national associations of Realtors®. However, every Realtor® ought to know about what’s going on in Sarasota County, so you are invited to take a seat and listen in.

MARCH 2012

3. Complete three 1-hour webinars (free at www. realtorSFR.org) 4. Download application from www.realtorSFR.org 5. Submit application with $175 application fee to SFR@realtors.org.

Find more information at www.realtorSFR.org.

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

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SAR School of Real Estate offering Pre- and Post-License Education Spread the word! New careers in real estate can now be nurtured at the brand-new Sarasota Association of Realtors® School of Real Estate (SARSRE).

Classes are held nights and weekends in Conference Room A in the SAR Education Building.

Permit holder and instructor for the SAR School of Real Estate is Michael W. Davenport. He is multi-licensed in Florida and has a distinguished resume that includes over 40 years of sales and management experience.

Students who enroll in SARSRE courses will be exposed to the next step in their professional careers after licensure and will be well prepared to join the Realtor® organization.

SAR will blend the pre-license courses with current offerings of postlicense for salespeople and brokers which also lead to the Graduate, Realtor® Institute (GRI) designation.

2012 Course Schedule

Sales Associate Pre-License Course Code is SA-2 Tuition: On or before March 29: $339 (includes manual and materials) After March 29: $364 Class limited to 20 students Tuesday & Thursday Evenings 5:0010:00 AND Saturdays 8:30-1:30 Review: May 19, 8:30-10 End of Course Exam: May 19, 10-1 Instructor: Michael W. Davenport Broker Pre-License Course Code is BK1 Dates: March 1-March 31 Tuition: $420 SAR Members: 10% discount Class limited to 15 students Tuesdays & Thursdays 5 to10 p.m.

AND Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

EXCEPT March 1 (3 to 10 p.m. and March 3, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Review: March 31, 8-10 a.m.

End of Course Exam: March 31, 10-1 Instructor: Michael W. Davenport

www.sarasotarealtors.com

30 Hours Broker Post-License GRI Course 2: Essential Real Estate Techniques Dates: April 23-May 3 Tuition: On or before April 9: $265 (includes manual and materials) After April. 9: $290 Course dates: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday--Jan. 23-25, AND Tuesday, Wednesday May 1 & 2, 9-4 each day End of Course Exam: Thursday, May 3, 10-1 (Course also carries 11 hours continuing education credit for license renewal for sales associates and brokers) Instructors: Lou Ludwig, Steve David, Ira Zlatkin, Chuck Bonamer Course provider: Florida Realtors® School of Real Estate

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

30 Hours Broker Post-License GRI Course 3: Real Estate Specialties Dates: July 23 - Aug. 1 Tuition: On or before July 9: $265 (includes manual and materials) After July 9: $290 End of Course Exam: Wednesday, Aug. 1 (Course also carries 11 hours continuing education credit for license renewal for sales associates and brokers) Instructors: Jorge Cantero, Lou Ludwig, Pat Reass Course provider: Florida Realtors® School of Real Estate More courses to come - watch for updates at www.sarasotarealtors.com/ SARschool

MARCH 2012

21

Realtor.com continues Have you renewed? to grow and mature REALTOR.com® extensively grew its consumer audience in 2011 and continues to be the place where serious home buyers and sellers invest significant time. Did you know: • REALTOR.com® has highly engaged visitors in the most popular market areas all over the country, including Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia • On average, during the fourth quarter of 2011, over 25 million visitors from the top 20 metros viewed over 485 million page views - that’s over 20 pages for each visitor • Year-over-year visitors grew by 20% and visit growth was 15% More than 860 MLSs nationwide send the most accurate and up-to-date listing data available.

REALTOR.com® continues to be the standard for data accuracy, freshness and completeness.

Home ownership matters and having consumers consistently reminded of the REALTOR® brand helps to reinforce this message. More important facts: • 237,435,000 visitors to the site during 2011 and the majority group of visitors stayed between 10 & 30 minutes • The award winning REALTOR.com® mobile apps, comprehensive inventory and commitment to data accuracy directly compliment the REALTOR® brand Mobile usage has continued to build over the last few years (almost 7 million mobile devices were activated on Christmas day alone!) – and mobile usage on REALTOR.com® exploded in 2011.

Mobile usage on REALTOR.com® has grown from minimal a year ago, to over 35% of total REALTOR.com® traffic.

For much more about the REALTOR.com success story, and how you can benefit from this great business tool, visit www. realtor.com today, or visit the Apple App store or Android App store and download the application for your smartphone.

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) reports that nearly two-thirds of licensed real estate professionals with licenses expiring at the end of March 2012 have yet to complete the renewal process. With less than a month until the deadline, this fact is alarming.

According to Florida Statute 475.182, all licensees must complete the required post-licensing or continuing education and submit a renewal application and fee on or before the date of expiration. Any license that is not renewed at the end of the license period shall automatically revert to involuntary inactive status. At that time, practice of real estate by licensees with an involuntary inactive license is illegal.

Licensees can go online to www.myfloridalicense.com to verify continuing education credits, as well as submit their renewal application online. Once all education requirements are met and the application has been received, the license will renew automatically the next business day.

ALSO: Since March 31st falls on a Saturday, licensees will have until the next business day (April 2nd) to pay their fees, HOWEVER their education MUST be completed by MARCH 30th at MIDNIGHT.

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MARCH 2012

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

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Get the advantage with MLXchange education

Pre-registration is required for all MLXchange classes at www.mfrmls. com. All classes are hands-on in the SAR Technology Center (except for Entering and Updating). Registration is limited to 18. Please be sure that you will attend if you reserve a spot!

If you need to cancel, please call MFRMLS at 800.686.7451 (not the Sarasota Association of Realtors®).

MLXchange Basic March 5 or March 19, 9 a.m. to Noon Mandatory session for all new users.

Learn the basic tools of MLXchange.

It does the work for you, emailing the listings that match your client’s criteria automatically through auto notification. Learn the quick way to find a listing or view your inventory with one click right from the home page or create a professional CMA in less time than it takes to drive to work.

- Review the home page features - Add a new client from the search Entering and Updating Listings in MLXchange March 5 or March 19, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Mandatory class if you will be entering and updating your own listings. You will be taught how to input and modify listings, enter photos, and add attachments along with valuable tips and techniques.

- Listing maintenance authorization forms - Explain the importance of accurate data - Rules and Regulations - Review the profile sheet

www.sarasotarealtors.com

MLXchange Advanced March 14, 9 a.m. to Noon Take MLXchange to the next level!

In this session you will learn how to customize a search & display screens, personal website links and setup & save advanced searches.

- Creating a custom template, adding fields, changing the display order - Foreclosure, fixer upper, and vacant listings with lockbox access - Customizing columns, adding/ removing fields, changing the column headers and changing the field sort order - Editing favorite reports iMapp - Interactive Tax and Mailing Labels March 14, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

In this class you will learn how to use the tax search features of MLXchange, access iMapp’s interactive maps, tax data, comparables, auto-valuations, and easily create mailing labels for your favorite area.

- MLXchange tax search, using map and field searches, printing mailing labels - iMapp tax search, viewing parcel, GIS, MLS listings, zoom levels, street, aerial and flood zones - Measuring tool, pan and save map - Creating, viewing and downloading mailing labels - Illustrate the link to the tax appraiser website - Viewing and modifying the criteria for comparable properties - MLS and foreclosure searches Creating Professional CMAs March 28, 9 a.m. to Noon.

This class is designed to teach you the skills needed to create a comprehensive Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

CMA. You will learn how to import properties that are listed outside of the MLS, into your CMA along with valuable tips and techniques for creating a professional CMA. • Create a new seller or buyer CMA • Importing subject property from MLS or tax search and entering additional information about the subject property • Adding MLS and tax comparables • Adjustments, pricing, net sheet, selecting pages, and viewing report • Edit and remove reports • Emailing, saving, and printing CMA • Customizing a personal CMA and setting it as the default Design Web Pages and Capture Leads March 28, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

One of the most crucial components in today’s real estate professional’s day-today business is capturing and handling leads along with time management.

This course will teach you how to set up your personal agent and client web pages, contact management and scheduling features that go handin-hand with a successful real estate business.

• Changing the site style, domain name, search engine tools and redirecting web sites • Designing the web page content, adding featured properties • Illustrating the property search • Lead capture shows in today’s summary and schedule • Reviewing schedule, adding/editing appointments, tasks, adding notes and reminders • Plans manager, copying and modifying the action plan • Emailing the client private webpage • Customizing email templates MARCH 2012

23

On the SAR Scene

Making the SAR Scene in 2012!

The SAR New Member Orientation in February 2012 saw 27 new members welcomed to the ranks of SAR.

Visit SAR on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SarasotaRealtors

Photos by Jesse Sunday

Above, John Scherden and Roxanne Foley are shown at the January “Business After Hours” event.

Also at the January “Business After Hours” event were (left to right): Erin McWhorter, Brittany Ganson, Mike Rosario and Jody Walker.

24

MARCH 2012

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

www.sarasotarealtors.com

Event: Realtor® Quest Toronto, Canada May 2, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

May 3, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Cost: $200 per time slot To participate, please contact Catherine McCaskill at 941-328-1167 or email her at Catherine@sarasotarealtors.com.

More Canadians purchase real estate in Florida, particularly on the west coast, than any other nationality. This is your chance to connect with 7,000 Realtors® at Realtor® Quest, Canada’s largest Realtor® trade show and conference. Maximize your marketing potential in the Canadian market, business to business, with Realtors® around the Toronto area.

The event is set for May 2-3 in Toronto, Canada.

Once again, SAR has reserved a booth and is making time slots available to SAR Global Business Council members who want to expand their network in this hot market. Only nine spots are available, so don’t delay – register today.

The deadline for payment is either March 18 or whenever all spots are sold, whichever occurs first.

Each participant can purchase only one slot prior to the payment deadline.

The cost of a two-hour slot (for one person or two) is only $200. Slots at the end of each day are 90 minutes and cost $150 (if you draw one of these slots, your credit card will be refunded the

$50). Slots will be randomly assigned by drawing to those who enter by the deadline. There will be an additional cost of $40 per person for the show pass which gives access to lunch and snacks on both days.

Participants will be responsible for setting up and breaking down the exhibit booth.

There are many business networking opportunities when you are not working the booth. The booth number reserved for SAR this year is 121—a very good location right at the entrance to the show. The show has more than 250 exhibits to visit, and there are multiple education sessions and receptions.

No refunds will be possible after the drawing has occurred, but substitutions are allowed.

The Panama Canal is where the action is heading

Construction on the $5.25 billion Panama Canal expansion has started, with an anticipated 2014 completion date.

www.sarasotarealtors.com

Title: Global Business Council Hosts Robert McMillan, “Overview of the Panama Canal” Date: March 15, 3:30 p.m.

Location: SAR Auditorium Cost: Free to Global Business Council members; Others $10; Register at www.sarasotarealtors.com Many Sarasota and Manatee Realtors® are aware that the area economy may be affected positively by the expansion of the Panama Canal. Robert McMillan, a former chairman of the Panama Canal Commission’s Board of Directors, explains how.

He has had a distinguished career at the national level.

In addition, he co-hosted PBS’s “Face-Off ” for over 14 years and is a frequent political commentary over cable TV on MSNBC, CNN and Fox. Members will also receive an update on participation in international trade shows and conferences. If you would like to join the Global Business Council, please contact Catherine at 941-328-1167.

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

MARCH 2012

Global Business Council

Realtor® Quest can give you a world of contacts

25

SAR volunteers needed for new Habitat project The SAR Community Outreach Committee is continuing the partnership with Habitat for Humanity in 2012. The group has chosen a new home rehabilitation project at 5812 Countrywood Drive, and work starts on Saturday, March 3rd.

The first work day will involve demolition work, and volunteers are needed NOW. Visit the web site, www. sarasotahabitat.com and select the Volunteer Up button to sign up to work at the site.

SAR has once again provided a $25,000 grant from the SAR Affordable Housing Fund for use in the rehabilitation project.

The home rehabilitation project furthers several SAR strategic goals, and helps continue the successful community partnership with Habitat for Humanity in 2012.

Come out and join the crew!

John Tuccillo, Chief Economist for Florida Realtors®, spoke at the Sarasota Association of Realtors® on Feb. 21 on the subject, “Challenges and Opportunities: A Commentary on Florida and the Global Economy.” The lively discussion at the SAR Global Business Council meeting reiterated the importance of the growing international market to the lives of local Sarasota Realtors®. Tuccillo emphasized the need to “think globally” and grab investment opportunities as real estate values revert to their historical trends.

2012

From Page 14 financially ready to buy, either because of credit dings or the continuing overly tight credit restrictions of lenders. Others are waiting to make sure home prices have bottomed out.

That’s why many real estate companies have shifted their business model to include rental and property management.

Bill Bloomberg, broker-owner of Distinctive Rental Homes in Eden Prairie, Minn., opened his business in 2011 with high-end rentals as his central focus, providing assistance to both renters and owners who choose to rent rather than sell their property.

Bloomberg, who has nine years of experience working in conventional real estate sales, says helping owners find tenants is a great way to retain clients who might otherwise have turned to another real estate professional.

“If a listing isn’t selling, it’s usually because of price.

However, most owners are going to try to switch to another agent first to see if that will make a difference,” Bloomberg says. “Presenting an option such as renting can prevent that from happening.”

26

MARCH 2012

And when owners opt to rent their property rather than sell it, they may be providing a unique opportunity, helping renters get one foot into a neighborhood that’s currently beyond their buying power, says Gina Chirico, sales associate with Lattimer Realty in Fairfield, N.J. To attract rentals and tenants, Bloomberg says, he keeps up with sites that renters frequent such as Craigs List and syndication sites such as ListHub, Postlets, and vFlyer. He also relies on referrals, listings bringing other listings, and basic cold calling.

“As long as wages go down, traditional homes sales will suffer,” Bloomberg says. “People say I’m pessimistic, but understanding how the economy works has helped me make the adjustments I needed to make it in my business.”

Another plus, he says: Rentals are less stressful than sales.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg recognizes that today’s renters could well become buyers of the future. The majority of renters (63 percent) say they are at least somewhat likely to purchase a home in the future.

Among them, young adults (age 18 to 24) have the strongest aspirations for home ownership, according to an NAR survey of 3,793 adults conducted by Harris Interactive and released in January 2011.

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

www.sarasotarealtors.com

By Pamela Dittmer Realtor® Magazine

If you want to increase your office’s sales figures, the obvious solution is to prospect harder for new business.

But, that’s the wrong approach, some industry pros say.

It’s better to give outstanding service to the clients you have. Word will spread, and business will come to you.

For many real estate practitioners, creating a customer service mentality is an enormous shift.

Jennifer Allan-Hagedorn, a Pensacola Beach, Fla.–based speaker, trainer, and author of the “Selling With Soul” books and training series and a former top producer. defines customer service as getting up every morning, looking at your client list, and asking: What can I do today to make that deal close? “If you take great care of your current clients, they’ll take great care of you for years to come,” she says.

Across the country, broker-owners have developed a variety of successful customer advocacy programs and procedures for their offices. Some methodically follow checklists, timelines, and spreadsheets. Others create individual care plans for each client. Still others have expanded their service offerings and expertise. They embrace technology, but it doesn’t replace the personal touch.

Personalized Service Platinum Properties International in Coral Gables, Fla., promises clients “concierge service to complement your South Florida lifestyle.” To that end, Vice President and Co-Broker-Owner Melissa Rubin, ABR, has gotten art appraisals, driven newly relocated buyers to get drivers’ licenses and open bank accounts, helped a client’s daughter get an internship, and found a new home for an orphaned dog.

“Customer service means understanding your ¬client’s lifestyle,” she says. “It’s not about real estate. It’s about impacting their lives.”

Rubin structures her days with customer service tasks first. She trains her associates to do the same and encourages them to hire assistants, even part-time, to handle some of the paperwork. Her mantra is “call the client before the client calls you.”

Exceed Expectations It’s not enough to meet client expectations—you have to exceed them, says Hollace McKinley, CRS, GRI, broker-owner of Exit Realty 1st Choice in Smyrna, Tenn. His multipronged customer service program combines high tech and high touch.

As an example, to ward off sellers’ common complaint—whether real or imagined—that they never hear from their broker, his clients get feedback at three regular times: weekly automated feedback on phone www.sarasotarealtors.com

calls and Web site hits; real-time automated feedback whenever the house is shown; and personal calls at least monthly. Each listing is given a dedicated toll-free telephone number and URL. “Most buyers and sellers today are very Internetsavvy,” he says. “They want to know we’re taking full advantage to market their home.”

Service as Corporate Culture Commitment to customer service is built into the national corporate culture of Real Living Real -Estate.

Nine years ago the Oak Brook, Ill.–based franchisor (then known as GMAC Real Estate) rolled out Premier Service, a proprietary process ¬designed to create consistent, measurable, and mar¬ketable experiences for buyers and sellers.

It includes such components as written expectations and service standards at the beginning of a relationship and an independently conducted survey at the conclusion of a transaction.

The company provides training, presentation and marketing materials, and national recognition awards to individuals and offices with the highest ratings each year. About 60 percent of Real Living’s 450 brokerages have ¬adopted the process.

“The program is about holding ourselves accountable to customer service standards,” says Jeff Gutowsky, Real Living’s vice president of marketing. “If you’re not getting feedback from your client, there’s no way you can improve. Only clients who are highly satisfied go out of their way to make referrals.”

Be Different In 2005 Basel Tarabein, GRI, of Rolling Meadows, Ill., was tired of competing against the same salespeople using the same strategies for the same houses, and hoping he would be chosen. He wanted to stand out, so he expanded his RE/MAX At Home operation. He built a 26,000-square-foot real estate mall that houses his office as well as a home design and construction services showroom, mortgage broker, attorney, and title and property management companies.

“It’s one-stop shopping, everything that has to do with real estate under one roof so the customer doesn’t have to go to so many places,” he says.

Tarabein’s clients are not obligated to use any of the related services, but about 85 percent hire at least one, he says.

“The way we sell real estate today is 100 percent different than we did in 2005 and prior,” he says. “We are fighting for a smaller number of transactions. To win the battle, we have to reinvent ourselves and create other services that add value to the consumer.

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

MARCH 2012

Broker Corner

It pays to offer exceptional customer service

27

WCR wins National Retention Contest!

The Mega Sarasota Chapter of WCR won the National Retention Contest announced February 2012.

Hard work and dedication pay off in all we do in the world of Sarasota real estate. You may not think your efforts are paying off - long hours, demanding buyers, your own bank account dwindling while your buyers say, "Thank you, but I am not quite ready to purchase YET." New agents and Top Producers alike have the same feelings when they hear discouraging words. The only degree of separation between you and success is the motivation to keep going when all seems lost. I was at least 10 years into my own real estate career when I was able to stop worrying about tomorrow and just focus on what I am doing today. I no longer worry about what everyone else is doing, I just concentrate on me,

2012 WeD JaN

18 FrI FeB

10 FrI Mar

9

FrI apr

WCR Program Meeting Dates

Finding the UP in the Downturn Location: University Park Country Club Speaker: Fawn Germer

Ringling Museum of Art

Location: University Park Country Club Speaker: Ringling Museum of Art

Technology Presentation

Location: University Park Country Club Speaker: Steve Richman

FREC Presentation

13

Location: University Park Country Club Speakers: Darla Furst & Juanita Watkins

FrI MaY

Past President’s Luncheon

11 FrI JUN

15

my work ethic and my clients.

You will see the payoff in every other facet of your life, I promise.

We are so lucky to have a fantastic WCR Membership team. Each one of them - Mary Hellhake, Peter Salefsky and Kristina Talkie - stepped up when I asked them to win the National Retention Contest. They each put their reservations aside, put their business in full throttle while at the same time winning a tough contest through relentless telephone calls to our valued members. They never got discouraged - they just went to work.

When I say you can do what you set your mind to, I mean it, because I see the miracles of perseverance every single day in some small significant way. Want to be a winner? Join the winning team of Sarasota WCR, we know how to work to win!

Location: Polo Grill, Lakewood Ranch Joint Event with Manatee WCR

Joint Meeting with SAR Location: TBD Speaker: TBD

SaraSota Chapter

Maximize Your Membership.

FrI JUL

RPAC Presentation

13

Location: Sarasota Yacht Club Speaker: Helen Moore & Jack Graecen

WeD aUG

Sarasota Historical Presentation

15

WeD Sept

12

FrI oCt

Location: Sarasota Yacht Club Speaker: Sarasota Historical Society

Fashion Show Location: Polo Grill, Lakewood Ranch

Business Development

12

Location: Michael’s On East Speaker: TBD

WeD NoV

Insurance

14

FrI DeC

14

Location: Michael’s On East Speaker: Ron Regan

Incoming President’s Installation Location: Sarasota Yacht Club

REGISTER FOR ANY OF THESE EVENTS by e-mailing Linda Witt at MzWitt@aol.com

2012 Leadership Team

28

Marianne LeBar President Michael Saunders & Company Cell: 941-650-0337 mariannelebar@michaelsaunders.com

Peter Salefsky Vice-President Membership Michael Saunders & Company Cell: 941-544-0763 maryhellhake@michaelsaunders.com

Sherri Spanos Recording Secretary Lakewood Ranch Communities Phone: 941-907-6000 sherri.spanos@lakewoodranch.com

Mary Hellhake President-Elect Michael Saunders & Company Cell: 941-544-0763 maryhellhake@michaelsaunders.com

Carrie Starr Rummery Treasurer Starr Title Insurance Phone: 941-365-7827 carrie@starrtitle.net

Linda McConnell Corresponding Secretary FBC Mortgage LLC Phone: 941-504-0823 lmcconnel@fbchomeloans.com

MARCH 2012

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

www.sarasotarealtors.com

EXIT 22

More Money For You. More Savings For Your Clients.

NEAL

REALTOR

Rewards

Club Membership Earned With One Sale!

44Th Avenue

There will be a monthly drawing for a $500 Gift Card. Entries will be based upon office visits where Realtor accompanies a Prospect to one of our Model Centers. All Realtors are eligible for this program (not just Rewards Club Members).

For info contact Gail Shane, Realtor Liaison, 941.713.8008 Manatee Avenue

Malachite Dr

State Road 70 Thornhill Ct

Ravelston

64

Greystone St

EXIT 220

PLUS!

First sale at 3% co-broke, normal terms, Realtor receives a complimentary Neal Rewards Club Card.

Second sale = 3.5% Commission. Third Sale = 4% Commission. Fourth Sale = 4% Commission PLUS $1,000 Bonus. Fifth and Subsequent Sales = 4% Commission PLUS $2,000 Bonus. PLUS there are benefits for the Realtors’ Customer: At point of contract, the Realtor may present their Rewards Club Card to a Neal Sales Associate and receive $500 toward the purchase of any one option for their customer.

Club membership term is for 12 months, beginning on the date of the first sale and ending on the last day of the 12th month thereafter.

Valderrama Way

nealcommunities.com/realtors

Membership News

The Association is pleased to welcome new members!

Designated Realtors®

Abraham, Philip: Ashton Lakes Realty Inc. Block, Hilde: Florida Dream International RE ONeil, Eugene: Florida 1 Realty Services LLC Schindeler, Curtis: Schindeler Realty Trust Group Wingate, Amy: City Keys Realty LLC

New Members

Anzellini, Carmen: Keller Williams Lakewood Ranch Applegate, Julia: Atchley International Realty Bajtalova, Veronika: Mapp Realty & Investment Co. Barrows, Derek: Coldwell Banker Res R E Becker, Jamie: Coldwell Banker Res R E Beiler, John: White Sands Realty Group Inc. Bell, Camille: Beckmann Properties Bhame, William: Florida Dream Team Realty Svcs Capo, Miguel: Buyer Rebates Realty Crofut, Rashelle: Sperry Van Ness Commercial Daniel, Linda: Keller Williams Lakewood Ranch DeBellevue, Ann: Michael Saunders & Company Donnelly, Kandace: Keller Williams Lakewood Ranch Gardner, Alain: Coldwell Banker Res R E Gardner, Audria: Allen Real Estate Services Inc. Garrison, William: RE/MAX Alliance Group Gesell-Hirschman, Jamey: Dwell Real Estate Hameed, Melanie: ELITE Properties LLC Hayes, Marilyn: City Keys Realty LLC Hellhake, Mary: Michael Saunders & Company Henderson, Mark: Kelly Gettel & Company PLLC Herbst, Kathy: Michael Saunders & Company Ilsink, Radinka: Atchley International Realty Kaplan, Clifford: Atchley International Realty Krashchenko, Stella: Coldwell Banker Res R E Leffel, Nell: Michael Saunders & Company Martin, Heather: Eslinger Realty Inc. May, Barbara: Michael Saunders & Company McCullough, Kevin: Market America Realty & Invest Mei, Denise: Surfside Properties Mejias, Fernando: DeFreest & Associates Inc. Mitchell, George: Coldwell Banker Res R E Moore, E Georgie: Horizon Realty International Newcomer, Derek: One Stop Realty of Sarasota O’Donnell, Elizabeth: Bosshardt Realty Services LLC Shakura, Lidiya: Malone Property Group LLC Shea, Jacqueline: Amtrade Realty International Van Gundy, Suzanne: Capital Real Estate Enterprise Van Zandycke, Michele: Coldwell Banker Res R E Viquerat, Cedric: Coldwell Banker Wallace, Bret: Sandals Realty of Sarasota Wingardh, Peggy: Peens Property Group Inc. Wolfinger, Deborah: Rosebay International, Inc.

Now With ...

Alexander, Susan: Coldwell Banker Res R E Barrantes, Luis: SRQ International Realty LLC Bartys, Peter: Sperry Van Ness Commercial Behbahani, Mehasti: Key Solutions Real Estate Grp Blaikie, Kathleen: Exit King Realty Brissette, Edith: Stringer Management Inc. Cenovova, Lenka: Christopher A Pelletier Broker D’Agostino, Margaret: Keller Williams On The Water Fauroat, Linette: Exit King Realty Fusco-Sullivan, Sabrina: Dwell Real Estate Gesell-Hirschman, Jamey: Dwell Real Estate Gonzales, Valeri: SRQ International Realty LLC Gruber, Tonna: Signature Sothebys Internat’l Haga, Elizabeth: Key Realty Hellstrom, Evelyn: Coldwell Banker Res R E Hirschman, James: Dwell Real Estate Kirshner, Annette: Exit King Realty LeRoy, Alexis: Keller Williams Lakewood Ranch Lord, Diana: Moynihan Realty Group Inc. Malave, Andres: Beachside Resorts Inc. Morea, Sharon: Exit King Realty Patterson, Jennifer: Florida 1 Realty Services LLC Redfoot, Kelly: Christopher A Pelletier Broker 30

MARCH 2012

Schweitzer, Randall: Key Realty Sheeler, Jill: Horizon Realty International Shepard, David: Ascendia Real Estate Slovin, Michael: United Real Estate Straw, Sharon: Dwell Real Estate Thomas, Debra: Neal Communities Realty Inc. Valenti, JoAnne: Coldwell Banker Res R E Van Der Putten, Damien: Realty Executives Solutions Woods, Jonathan: Sarasota Bay Real Estate P.A.

New Affiliates A Catered Affair

6060 Casti Court #104 Sarasota, FL 34231 Phone Number: 941-924-2621 Representative: Tiffany Steffes Specialty: A Catered Affair has set the standard for excellence in Sarasota, for 20 years. We provide premier catering and event planning for private and corporate clients in Sarasota and its surrounding areas.

It is our passion to make your event the best you have ever attended. Our company brings artistic flair and passion to every function we cater. With our seasoned commitment to excellence, we strive to bring you the most exceptional food and service possible.

Email: tiffany@sarasotaaffair.com

Bistro Figliulo

2157 Siesta Drive Sarasota, FL 34239 Phone Number: 941-376-1375 Representative: Nicholas P Figlow Specialty: We are excited to have you as our guest and our family welcomes you to Figliulo’s Bistro where it’s all about good food, family and friends? Great Italian Food, Pizza, Pasta. Great Dinner Menus: Open TuesdaySaturday 5:00-9:00pm-Takeout or Dine In. Beer & Wine Bar . Owner/Proprietor Nick Figlow Email: bistroemail@aol.com

Brown & Brown Inc.

1819 Main Street Ste 510 Sarasota, FL 34236 Phone Number: 941-893-2284 Representative: Jody Walker Specialty: Our mission at Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc. - Sarasota is to service our clients’ insurance needs with the same degree of concern that they have for their business. We strive to bring together the quality products and services of our insurance carriers, along with our agency services, to minimize our clients’ exposure to risk. The tremendous volume of business we generate for insurance companies gives us great market access and leverage. We offer experience, skill, and innovation in arranging our client’s business insurance needs whether it be casualty, property, commercial, workers’ comp, employee benefits, or personal insurance.

Email: jwalker@bbsarasota.com

Cadence Bank N.A.

8592 Potter Park Drive #200 Sarasota, FL 34238 Phone Number: 941-923-0500 Representative: Richard Anthony Hull Specialty: Cadence Bank is dedicated to unparalleled customer service delivered by people who care, where each customer receives the kind of responsive, personalized attention they deserve. Cadence Bank is committed to meeting the commercial/residential banking needs of the local communities in which it operates by providing quality products and financial solutions tailored to suit local needs, delivered through experienced and knowledgeable bankers, and supported by a highly experienced and accomplished management team and Boards of Directors committed to the growth of their communities.

Email: rich.hull@cadencebank.com

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

www.sarasotarealtors.com

Canada Med Services

Sarasota, FL 34233 Phone Number: 941-927-3600 Representative: Jessica Bringas Specialty: Canada Med Services/Discount Prescription Sourcing is a solution to a problem that many Americans face each day.

Like a complicated puzzle, the prospect of trying to figure out how to work through different types of insurance is a struggle for many. Whether it is individual, benefits through your employer, or government funded, all of our customers find that at some point they have to pay out of pocket. This is where the true challenge of putting the pieces together comes in – how to pay for something you must have to keep your health, without breaking the bank. The sourcing service provided by DPS is a cost saving solution that helps keep money in your pocket and affords you the ability to continue to purchase your needed prescribed medications. Savings up to 75%.

Email: jessicavnuncio@gmail.com

DwellGreen of Sarasota

3149 Wilkinson Road Sarasota, FL 34231 Phone Number: 941-921-6315 Representative: Kevin Drelich Specialty: DwellGreen provides essential home performance and improvement solutions with the tools, experts, and plan to help you create your ideally perfect home, while saving you money. Guaranteed. With more than 100 years of combined professional experience in building science, construction, and technology, DwellGreen has developed the DwellGreen Process.

The DwellGreen Process consists of five significant steps – Consult, Evaluate, Plan, Monitor and Follow Up. Email: kdrelich@dwellgreen.com

First America Bank

1307 S. Tamiami Trail Osprey, FL 34229 Phone Number: 941-918-4070 Representative: Hank Goldsby Specialty: First America Bank is proud to be locally owned and operated. Our goal is to build strong relationships with our customers and be the premier community bank in Manatee and Sarasota Counties. We continue to be a strong local community bank that is Safe, Solid and Secure. We have a wide range of products for Commercial Lending, Residential Lending and Consumer Lending, to serve our community. We offer FREE personal and business checking accounts, FREE internet banking with bill pay and the best customer service any bank can offer.

Email: hank.goldsby@firstamericabank.com

First Eastern Mortgage

14504 Whitemoss Terrrace Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 Phone Number: 941-351-5264 Representative: Marianne Jerzyk Specialty: With over 25 years of helping people finance their dreams, I have become a highly respected source for many peoples’ financing needs. My ability to persevere has always been a key factor in my success. I have a deep commitment to help my customers through the mortgage process. Bottom line…. my goal is to help you save money while achieving the American Dream…. buying your home! From Conventional Loans, Construction, FHA, VA and loans for people who have credit issues, at First Eastern Mortgage, we have programs to suit your needs and your monthly income.

Email: mariannej@firsteastern.com

Koontz & Associates, PL

1819 Main Street Suite 215 Sarasota, FL 34236 Phone Number: 941-225-2615 Representative: Jo Ann M Koontz Specialty: I practice primarily in the areas of real estate, business organizations, and taxation. I bring an understanding

www.sarasotarealtors.com

of tax and business to my practice of law and counsel my clients with practical knowledge and legal expertise to help them achieve their business and financial goals. I represent clients in a wide variety of business and real estate matters, including commercial and residential real estate transactions, 1031 exchanges, S corporation, partnership and LLC formation and reorganizations and the tax implications of business and real estate transactions, including purchases and sales of assets and equity interests.

Email: joann@koontzassociates.com

Marina Jacks

2 Marina Plaza Sarasota, FL 34236 Phone Number: 941-365-4232 Representative: Tom Delong Specialty: Marina Jack introduces unparalleled dining in a spectacular facility. Theater seating offers panoramic views over the marina, downtown, Sarasota Bay, Big Pass and out to the Gulf of Mexico. Menus incorporating the best of Marina Jack favorites along with the most current fresh seafood dishes are offered daily for lunch and dinner. The dining room features breathtaking architecture, a stunning lounge area, saltwater aquarium and dramatic use of fiber optic lighting. An openair raw bar adjacent to the Deep Six Lounge adds to the excitement, offering casual dining and cocktails dockside.

Email: thomasdelong@usa.net

Mr. Bug Termite & Pest Service

622 Raymur Street North Port, FL 34286 Phone Number: 941-426-5864 Representative: David McCall Specialty: Mr. Bugs Termite & Pest Services has been providing pest control solutions for over 25 years. In that time we have built a relationship of honesty and trust with our customers.

We strive to provide solutions geared towards results and saving families money. At Mr. Bugs, we have earned our reputation not just for how we treat pests, but for how we treat our customers. While our services and methods have continued to change over the past 25 years, our values have not.

Email: mrbugspest@gmail.com

Paradise/Viking Culinary

Viking Culinary Center Sarasota, FL 34236 Phone Number: 941-961-0227 Representative: Barbara Zdziarski Specialty: Paradise Homes is a division of Extreme Remodelers of Sarasota, LLC, a versatile, fully turn-key firm offering “single source construction.” The innovative concept of “single source construction” allows clients to view and select all products required for new construction in one convenient location, and offers extensive price savings from Paradise’s exclusive product partnerships. Thus, allowing their direct vendor relationship savings to be passed on to the customer. In addition, another division of Extreme Remodelers is Viking’s Lakewood Ranch Culinary Center showcases Viking’s full line of major appliances, while its gourmet retail area offers a selection of countertop appliances, cutlery, cookware, cooking tools and Culinary School. Enjoy the experience of working with some of Sarasota’s most experienced culinary experts in hands-on cooking classes and demonstrations.

Email: bzdzi@verizon.net

Smarthouse Integration LLC

1801 N. Lake Shore Drive Sarasota, FL 34231 Phone Number: 941-404-4470 Representative: Mark VandenBroek Specialty: From Complete Home Automation Systems to Energy Saving “GREEN” Products, Security Lighting, Design, Shades, Energy Management, Home Theater, All House Music and Many More Services-We Bring it ALL Together!

Email:mark@smarthouseintegration.com

Sarasota Realtor® Magazine

MARCH 2012

31

E DUCATION & E VENTS C ALENDAR Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Feb. 27

28

29

March 1

2

5

6

7

8

9

12

13

14

15

16

19

20

21

22

23

5 p.m.

Party on the Porch

8 a.m.

Power Marketing (SAR) 10 a.m.

Photographer 5 p.m.

Broker Pre-License Course

28

29

30

9 a.m.

Basic MLXchange 1:30 p.m.

Entering & Updating

9 a.m.

Basic MLXchange 1:30 p.m.

Entering & Updating

9 a.m.

New Member Orientation 1 p.m.

Code of Ethics

9 a.m.

Basic MLXchange 1:30 p.m.

Entering & Updating

26

11:30 a.m.

SAR Membership Luncheon (Girl Scouts HQ)

8:30 a.m.

CLHMS 9 a.m. iMapp 1:30 p.m.

Advanced MLX 5 p.m.

Affiliate Networking (Gecko’s)

5 p.m.

Broker Pre-License Course

5 p.m.

Broker Pre-License Course

8:30 a.m.

CID Membership 5 p.m.

Broker Pre-License Course

27

5 p.m.

Broker Pre-License 5 p.m.

Affiliate After Hours Networking (Gecko’s)

8:30 a.m.

CLHMS

7:30 a.m.

Toastmasters 9 a.m.

Emerging Leaders: Economic Development Commission Seminar

9 a.m.

MLX Advanced 12 p.m.

RAJC Seminar 1:30 p.m. iMapp 5 p.m.

Broker RE License Course

7:30 a.m.

Toastmasters 8:30 a.m.

Short Sale Certification (location TBA)

9 a.m.

MLXchange CMA 1:30 p.m.

MLXchange Design Web Page

8 a.m.

Power Marketing (University Park CC) 3:30 p.m.

Broker Pre-License Course

8 a.m.

Power Marketing (SAR) 5 p.m.

Broker Pre-License Course

8 a.m.

Power Marketing (SAR) 3:30 p.m.

GBC Seminar 5 p.m.

Broker Pre-License Course

8 a.m.

Power Marketing (SAR) 5 p.m.

Broker Pre-License Course

9 a.m.

CID Commercial Marketplace

9 a.m.

CID Commercial Marketplace

9 a.m.

CID Commercial Marketplace (offsite)

9 a.m.

CID Commercial Marketplace

9 a.m.

CID Commercial Marketplace

Note: All events/classes are at SAR, except where noted

My Florida Regional MLS Training

The classes E & U (Entering & Updating), Tools, Design Web Pages, MLX Intro, MLX Advanced, iMAPP, Custom Reports and CMA are all My Florida Regional MLS training classes offered at no cost to MLS participants. All classes (except E & U) are HANDS-ON in the SAR Tech Center. Please register for all MLS classes at the MFRMLS website: http://mfrmls.com. Click on Education and Training.

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

Monday

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

MARCH 2012

16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Jan‐11

Feb‐11 Mar‐11 Apr‐11 May‐11 Jun‐11

Jul‐11

Aug‐11

Days on Market 300

Sep‐11

Oct‐11

Nov‐11 Dec‐11

Jan‐12

Single Family Condo

250 200 150 100 50 0 Jan‐11

Feb‐11

Mar‐11

Apr‐11 May‐11

Jun‐11

Jul‐11

Aug‐11

Sep‐11

Oct‐11

Nov‐11

Dec‐11

Jan‐12

Single Family

Sales Volume

Condo

$180,000,000 $160,000,000 $140,000,000 $120,000,000 $100,000,000 $80,000,000 $60,000,000 $40,000,000 $20,000,000 $0 Jan‐11 Feb‐11 Mar‐11 Apr‐11 May‐11 Jun‐11

Jul‐11 Aug‐11 Sep‐11 Oct‐11 Nov‐11 Dec‐11 Jan‐12 Single Family Condo

New Listings 1,000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0

Sarasota Association of Realtors® MLS

Jan‐11

Feb‐11 Mar‐11

Apr‐11 May‐11 Jun‐11

Jul‐11

Aug‐11

Sep‐11

Oct‐11

Nov‐11

Dec‐11

Jan‐12

The Xtra Pages - Digital Version Only

Single Family Condo

Months of Inventory

Fourth Quarter 2011 Report Single Family Sales ‐ By Quarter

REO

Short

Market

1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 2009‐Q2

2009‐Q3

2009‐Q4

2010‐Q1

2010‐Q2*

2010‐Q3

2010‐Q4

2011‐Q1

2011‐Q2

2011‐Q3

2011‐Q4

* Homebuyer Tax Credit In Effect

Condo Sales ‐ By Quarter

REO

Short

Market

600 500 400 300 200 100 0 2009‐Q2

2009‐Q3

2009‐Q4

2010‐Q1

2010‐Q2*

2010‐Q3

2010‐Q4

2011‐Q1

2011‐Q2

2011‐Q3

2011‐Q4

* Homebuyer Tax Credit In Effect

Single Family Median Sale Price

REO

Short

Market

$300,000 $250,000 $200,000 $150,000 $100,000 $50,000 $0 2009‐2ndQ

2009‐3rdQ

2009‐4thQ

2010‐Q1

2010‐Q2

2010‐Q3

2010‐Q4

Condo Median Sale Price

2011‐Q1

REO

2011‐Q2

Short

2011‐Q3

2011‐Q4

Market

$350,000 $300,000 $250,000 $200,000 $150,000

Source: Sarasota Association of Realtors®

$100,000 $50,000 $0 2009‐2ndQ

2009‐3rdQ

2009‐4thQ

2010‐Q1

2010‐Q2

2010‐Q3

2010‐Q4

2011‐Q1

2011‐Q2

2011‐Q3

2011‐Q4

Single Family Condo

REO Sales ‐ By Quarter 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 2009‐Q2

2009‐Q3

2009‐Q4

2010‐Q1

2010‐Q2* 2010‐Q3 * Homebuyer Tax Credit In Effect

2010‐Q4

2009‐Q4

2010‐Q1 2010‐Q2* 2010‐Q3

2011‐Q3

2011‐Q4

Condo

400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 2009‐Q3

2011‐Q2

Single Family

Short Sales ‐ By Quarter

2009‐Q2

2011‐Q1

2010‐Q4

2011‐Q1

2011‐Q2

2011‐Q3

2011‐Q4

* Homebuyer Tax Credit In Effect Single Family Condo

Market Sales ‐ By Quarter 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 2009‐Q2

2009‐Q3

2009‐Q4

2010‐Q1 2010‐Q2* 2010‐Q3

2010‐Q4

2011‐Q1

2011‐Q2

2011‐Q3

2011‐Q4

* Homebuyer Tax Credit In Effect

Source: Sarasota Association of Realtors®

Annual Sales ‐ 2000 to 2011 Single Family Single Family

Condo

Total

11267 10562 9697 8224

8167 7603

7,596 7036

6533

6,841

6 504 6,504

6739

6358

6042

5,603

5,183

4,940 4,353

4,349 3 671 3,671

3,193 2,184

2,096

5820

3 721 3,721

2,564 2,005

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

5,938

4,626 3,922 ,

2,120

2006

2007

2,137

2,286

2010

2011

1,556

1,194

2000

5,466

2008

2009

Annual Median Sale Price ‐ 2000 to 2011 Single Family

Condo

$351,000

$342,000 $336,250

$272,500 $305,000

$226,000 $172,500

$303,000

$210,000 $163,000 $156,800

$230,000

$191,000

$142,000

$173,000

$132,300

2000

$301,225

$225,000

$191,000

$320,000

$160,000

$145,000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

$163,000

2010

$155,925

2011