Its G.A.R.D time again! The Association is attending the Great American REALTOR ®  Days ("GARD") in Tallahassee on March 19th. As in previous years, we have chartered a bus for individuals who wish to attend.
 
The bus seating is limited... so if you would like to attend, please click on the button below for additional information and the required registration form. The first 50 RALSC members (REALTORS ® or Affiliates) who register (and ride the bus) will receive a FREE registration!  
The SOLD OUT Annual Awards Gala is just a few days away! The Top Producers of 2018 will be honored at Bella Collina in Montverde on March 8th from 7pm-10pm.

A fun-filled cocktail reception to include: valet parking, heavy hors d'oeuvres, live band, dancing, photos, rolled cigars, candy buffet, cocktails, awards, door prizes. Bar available (Bella Collina is a cashless facility. They only accept credit/debit cards!)

And its going to be a "Roaring 20's - Great Gatsby" theme !
Not required... but join in the fun and dress in the theme of the night!
MFRMLS classes at RALSC
MFRMLS training classes are usually offered at the Association twice a month.

Typically, the basic classes (Basic, Compliance 101, Adding & Editing) are held at the beginning of each month. And various advanced classes ( Advanced Matrix, Transaction Desk, Marketing Tools, CMA Tools, etc .) are taught at the end of each month. Coming up in March:


March 7th:
9:00am: Basic
1:00pm: Compliance 101
2:30pm: Adding & Editing


March 28th:
9:00am: Working with Buyers in MLS
1:00pm: HomeSnap & MLS App
To register or cancel an MLS class, click the button below.
Matrix Enhancements Coming Soon
Enhancements to Matrix are on the way! Included in this  “nice-to- have”  lineup are:
·          Improved search results features.
·          Customer Portal updates.
·          Responsive News pop-up window with new print option.
·          And more!
Lake & Sumter Style - REALTOR ® Issue
Have you seen the February edition of Lake & Sumter Style Magazine? The cover features our 2018 REALTOR ® of the Year, Kim Ducharme-Levensohn! And you may recognize some other names and faces throughout this edition! Take a look! Click below for the entire online version .
Annual Picnic
The Annual Picnic will take place April 26th from 4pm-7pm at Hickory Point Park in Tavares .

Be watching for additional information in the near future... but mark your calendars for April 26th!
American Legion Breaks Ground for New Post
On January 25th, Eileen Scates, of Scates Realty & Investment Properties, attended the ground breaking ceremony for the new American Legion Post in Clermont. The original building was destroyed by fire over four years ago.

Eileen is the President of the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 55, in Clermont. Thank you for your dedication Eileen!

The full article is below.
Have one of your agents or co-workers been honored or received an award, etc? If you would like to have them mentioned in our newsletter, please send the information to scott@ralsc.org.
New Forms Available
The Association has a new " MLS Listing Transfer form" to be used when listing are transferred from one Broker office to another. The form is noted below and is also located on our website for future use.
Below is newly released information on completing and submitting an Owner’s Waiver of MLS Entry through Transaction Desk using Authentisign for electronic signatures. The article contains a link to a downloadable How To Guide , as well as a short video tutorial. There is also a Matrix News alert for our customers that links out to the article.
Education & Events
Below are classes and events coming up in March
Core Law
March 5th
Code of Ethics
March 5th
"Fresh Friday"
March 8th
Awards Gala
March 8th
SOLD OUT!
G.A.R.D.
March 19th
Foundations for Success
March 26th & 27th
New NAR Ad Campaign
Did you know NAR has new national ad campaign, “ That’s Who We R® .” It was just launched on February 25 and sends a powerful message that will resonate with both consumers and REALTORS ® . It sets REALTORS® apart from non-members and demonstrates the consultative service that REALTORS® deliver—which no listing app can match. Stories that exemplify the REALTOR® experience are a central theme to the campaign.
RALSC Membership
REALTORS ® on the Move

Did an agent recently change offices? Where did he/she go?

To see which REALTORS® were on the move in February, click the button below.
New RALSC Members

We have provided a list of the new RALSC members for February 2019.

If you see any of these members in your office, or out-and-about when conducting business, be sure to welcome them!

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
Listing "Harbor Hills" in the MLS
It has come to our attention some members are not correctly entering amenities within the MLS for Harbor Hills, located in Lady Lake.

As you may be aware, this community does not have a community pool inclusive of the home's selling price. The pool and all the other features of the community are covered by a fee the homeowner must pay as a separate membership.

When inputting a listing under the Community tab there is a field called "Amenities w/ Addnl Fees". This is where you can enter the extra items such as the pool. You may want to use this verbiage in your listings:

" Note the use of Country Club, marina, swimming pool, boat docks, tennis courts and other recreational facilities require a separate membership. Please contact Harbor Hills Country Club for further information at 352-753-7000 ."
REALTORS® Statistics
How did this months statistics compare to last month? Or last year's statistics compare to this years? Take a look at our website, which includes current statistics from MFRMLS , NAR and FL REALTORS® . We place the information online once the latest statistical information has been released to the public.

Click below for the latest statistics
Fla.’s housing market: Median prices, inventory up in Jan.
 
ORLANDO, Fla. – Feb. 21, 2019 – Florida's housing market reported more new listings, higher median prices and increased inventory (active listings) in January compared to a year ago, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. However, uncertainty over mortgage interest rates, the stock market and the federal government's shutdown may have affected home sales, which were lower than the level of sales a year ago. Sales of single-family homes statewide totaled 15,526 last month, down 6.2 percent compared to January 2018.

Full article below:
NAR: Pending home sales jump 4.6% in January
 
WASHINGTON – Feb. 27, 2019 – Pending home sales rebounded strongly in January, according to the National Association of Realtors ® (NAR). All four major regions saw month-to-month growth last month, including the largest surge in the South, an area that includes Florida.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, increased 4.6 percent to 103.2 in January, up from 98.7 in December. Year-over-year contract signings, however, declined 2.3 percent, making January the thirteenth straight month of annual decreases.

Full article below:
New Real Estate Offices
Berkshire Hathaway Hometeam-Villages
Robert Kennedy
13940 US Hwy 441
The Villages, FL 32159
352-622-9700
Dan Snyder Realty Services Inc.
Dan Snyder
5718 Windsong Oak Drive
Leesburg, FL 34748
321-286-7571
Holding Golden Real Estate
Alberto J Tse
6220 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Ste 182
Orlando, FL 32839
407-850-0067

Kreidel Realty Group LLC
Ashton Kreidel
1213 W. Miller Street #5
Fruitland Park, FL 34731
352-702-2678
Watson Realty Corp
George Brown
1390 N Hancock Road
Clermont FL 34711
352-243-1342

New Affiliates
"Do Business with the Individuals that support Your Industry"
Below are the newest Affiliate Members who joined in February

Florida Building Inspectorz
Larry "Darrell" Turner
210 Donna St.
Tavares, FL 32778


Movement Mortgage
Jennifer Micklos
2220 Cluster Oak Drive Suite F
Clermont FL 34711
407-203-7153

PCS Home Inspections
John Waldrop
13108 Glenview Lane
Grand Island FL 32735
352-602-9819
Tom's Tax Service
Thomas Karim
2468 US Hwy 441/27, Ste 403
Fruitland Park, FL 34731
352-753-1040
March Monthly Door Prize
Presented by
Mary Lightcap
HouseMaster Home Inspection

A door prize consisting of a ponytail palm and a $25.00 Lowe's gift card!

Thank you Mary!
Drop your business card each time you visit RALSC for a chance to win the monthly door prize. The drawing takes place at 5:00 p.m. on the last day of each month.
REALTORS® Association of Lake & Sumter Counties, Inc.
3001 State Road 19 South, Tavares, Florida 32778
PHONE: (352) 343-3003
FAX: (352) 343-7876
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