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The RACC Newsletter

REA LT OR S® As so c ia t io n

o f C i t ru s Cou nty , In c .

Inside this issue:

Annual Awards Banquet 1

General Membership

meeting

2 –3

Florida Realtors Voice for

Real Estate

4

CopyRight 5

2014 Committee

Chairpersons

6

Florida Realtors

Education Foundation

7-8

Committee Request Forms 9-10

Volume X, Issue 1 January 2014

The REALTORS® Association of Citrus County, Inc. exists to inform, educate and uphold the high standards set

forth in the REALTOR® Code of Ethics enhancing our members professionalism and image while fostering cooperation among our members

and serving our communities. We provide education and leading-edge technology to better safeguard private property rights and promote

equal housing opportunities

Ocala cooperating

Key request form

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Education Flyers 12-15

Business Partners

Rpac Daytona 500

Sweepstakes

16

17

Passport

Legal advice

18

19-20

Fines & Warnings 21

Calendar 22

On the Move 23

MLS Stats &

Habitat for

Humanity

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After President Cheryl Lambert called the meeting to order, Rhonda Lestinsky of Nature Coast Bank delivered

the invocation and pledge. President Cheryl then introduced the Officers, Directors and Business Partners that

were in attendance.

This month we welcomed 4 new Realtors®:

Ernestine Brinager Landmark Realty

Kristen Fee RE/MAX Realty One

Eleanor Scarfone Realty Connect

Luke Whitehurst Century 21 JW Morton

Congrats and welcome to RACC!!

After enjoying a delicious meal catered by Joe’s Deli, Gitta Barth was awarded the RPAC Statesman Award

for contributing over $500 in 2013, thanks for your support Gitta!

We had lots of other winners that night too…Jean Cassese~ Landmark Realty won a $50 RaceTrac gift card,

Cheryl Lambert~ CHP Realty donated a huge Whitman’s Sampler Chocolates that Greg Younger~ Royal

Palms Realty won, John Maisel~ EXIT Realty Leaders won the share and share for $100…thanks for donating

your share back to the Family Resource Center and Cat Farrell~ Tropic Shores Realty drew for the Queen of

Hearts, she didn’t win but will receive her next membership meal for free.

Everyone enjoyed bringing toys and clothes for the Family Resource Center. The

Realtor® family delivered a van full of gifts and a check for $1159.00 to the Family

Resource Center. These gifts and money will make Christmas morning special for our

needy residents.

President Cheryl reminded everyone to register for the Installation and Awards

Banquet on January 11, 2014.

Congratulations Cheryl Lambert

Our Past-President and District 7 DVP has been asked to serve on the 2014 Housing Oppor-tunity Committee at the National Association of Realtors®. Cheryl’s passion for the industry, forward-looking vision for the association and a diverse set of experiences made her an ideal candidate for this committee. Cheryl will represent the association at the NAR Mid-Winter and

Annual meetings in Washington, D.C. and New Orleans in 2014.

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New Members Eleanor Scarfone~ Realty

Connect, Kristin Fee~ RE/MAX Realty One and

Ernestine Brinager~ Landmark Realty

Gitta Barth~ Coldwell Banker Investors Realty

received her RPAC Statesman Award from

President Cheryl Lambert

Cat Farrell~ Tropic Shores Realty did not

draw the Queen of Hearts, enjoy your free

meal at the next Membership Meeting Cat!

Members and guest enjoying a catered dinner

by Joe’s Deli.

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Products, Services & Events Video:

These informational videos showcase all your

dues dollars at work.

'Florida Realtor' Magazine:

It's "The Business Magazine of Florida Real Es-

tate" - a print publication keeping you informed

on the latest news, and products and services

available. As a Florida Realtors® member, the

magazine subscription is included in your dues.

Legal Services:

The phone call is free with the Florida Realtors®

Legal Hotline. You can call direct or send in a

legal question via email. Other legal services

include real estate business forms, the Legal Ac-

tion Fund, and Legal Center webinars.

REALTOR Benefits® Program:

NAR partners with top industry leaders and

passes the savings to Realtors nationwide. Check

out these offers for free and discounted prod-

ucts and services. You'll find deals for marketing

promotions, travel, insurance services, technolo-

gy and educational tools.

Florida Realtors Rewards:

We’ve struck a deal with different businesses

and organizations on your behalf. Check out

these discounted products and services.

Communications:

Daily, weekly monthly – look for news, business

tips and market updates at floridarealtors.org

and Florida Realtors® News. Do you prefer vid-

eo? Check out the Take 5 Series and learn from

Florida's Realtors who share their expertise.

These are just some of the member services pro-

duced by your Communications team.

Tech Services:

Technology and good business go hand in

hand. The free Tech Helpline, Form Simplicity,

MLS Advantage and IDX are at your finger-

tips. Free member websites - with lots of

functionality - are available at fl.living.net.

Education:

We believe that the more you learn, the

more you earn. That’s why we sponsor GRI

courses, continuing education classes, the an-

nual Convention & Trade Expo, and more.

Find online, webinar and IRL (in real life)

courses here.

Legislative:

In Tallahassee, the legislative Office of Pub-

lic Policy team works for you year-round.

Learn more about Florida Realtors PAC,

Great American Realtor Days, the yearly

legislative session and other initiatives to

protect your business interests.

Market Research:

The Industry and Data Analysis Department

(IDA) provides statistics and economic reports

that help members understand the real es-

tate business by the numbers – and position

Florida Realtors as the voice for real estate

in Florida. Services include a monthly Market

Watch video with Dr. John Tuccillo, the latest

monthly housing data - statewide and by

MSA, Price Index reports, and residential,

commercial and international industry re-

ports.

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A huge thank you goes out to Jacqui Watkins of John C Meyers SR. Locksmith for referring 3

new Business Partners to join RACC in 2013! For doing so, Jacqui will receive FREE 2014

Business Partner Dues.

Thanks so much and congrats Jacqui!!

REMINDER – DON’T USE IMAGES THAT ARE COPYRIGHT INFRINGMENTS

Mid Florida Regional MLS users are being contacted by Getty Images demanding payment and penalties for miss-use of their copyrighted images. We are finding that subscribers are uploading photos found on the Internet and posting the images to their listings. Without license and written approval to use these images, your agents are putting all members in danger of being sued for copyright infringement! I know that sounds crazy, but please think about all of the IDX sites, con-sumer portals, and MLS printouts/reports that display those images. Please check all listings in your firm and be certain that there are no potential copyright infringe-ments. Getty Images has contacted at least one agent regarding an image displaying on her IDX website (the listing is not even hers). But Getty is demanding payment for a license based on the fact that the listing agent uploaded an image that they were not authorized to use and that anyone having that image on their website is in violation. This is a national issue that is snowballing very quickly. The best way for you to protect your company and your agents is to be certain that there are no unlicensed images on listings entered into the MLS. To be honest, Getty has the ability to find their images online, and is becoming more aggressive about enforcement every day. MFR does not have the capability to monitor every photo loaded. Thank you for your help with this critical Issue! Please have any photos not taken by your company, your agents, or unlicensed images, removed from your listings ASAP – to reduce any liability that you and/or your agents might incur for displaying an unlicensed image. Many thanks for your attention and assistance, Merri Jo Cowen

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Please remember: Sharing of Lockbox Keys is not allowed, it carries up to a $500 fine and loss of your

Key privileges. You may share FOBS and ADAPTERS if showing property in other counties.

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BUSINESS PARTNERS

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Florida Realtors® Legal Hotline attorneys answer ques-

tions about real estate license law and related real prop-

erty issues. Attorneys also offer legal interpretations of

the Florida Realtors/Florida Bar contract and other

standard business forms and contracts.

What You Need: Have your Florida real estate license number or NRDS

number ready when calling the Legal Hotline. The

phone system only allows a limited amount of time to

key in the numbers. If you don’t have the numbers,

you’ll have to call back. Once connected, calls for an

attorney will be placed in queue. Calls regarding ethics,

MLS or procuring cause will be redirected to staff spe-

cializing in these areas.

Save time: Ask a question online Legal questions may now be emailed to the Legal Hot-

line. Members will receive a live callback from a Legal

Hotline attorney. Ask a question now. (login required) Who May Use This Service? Current Florida Realtors® members. If your license

number does not appear in our computer system, you

will not be able to speak with an attorney.

Local board/association attorneys, executive officers

and staff.

Private attorneys who represent a current member as

long as the member is also on the line for the call.

Cost: As a member service, there is no charge to access

the Legal Hotline. If you are calling from outside the

407 area code, you may incur a long-distance telephone

charge.

FAQs:

Q: I’m a new Realtor®, and I’m guessing that my ques-

tions are asked frequently. Is there another option for me

instead of calling the Legal Hotline?

A: Yes. Check out these legal FAQs in the “Ask an At-

torney” section of floridarealtors.org. Legal Hotline at-

torneys have compiled more than 100 questions and

Legal advice for Florida Realtors® members, a free benefit to all members, is just a phone call away at:

407.438.1409

Hours 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

answers in these categories:

Advertising

Appraisals

Broker Business

Brokerage Disclosure

Code of Ethics

Commercial Lien

Commissions

Complaints

Condominium

Contracts

Disclosure

Escrow

Fair Housing

Federal Law

Landlord/Tenant

License Law

Q: How are Legal Hotline calls processed?

A: Calls are taken in the order they are received.

You may have to wait “in line” for your call to

be answered. Last year, the Legal Hotline han-

dled more than 30,000 calls!

Q: My seller/buyer has asked me a legal ques-

tion. May I ask the Legal Hotline attorney for

the answer?

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A: No. The advice given on the Legal Hotline is intended only for use by the individual Florida Realtors

member. Parties to a transaction who have a specific question about their legal rights should consult their own

attorney.

Q: An agent with whom I am having a commission dispute called the Legal Hotline to ask for advice about

the dispute. May I also call the Legal Hotline for advice on the same dispute?

A: No. The rules of the Florida Bar prohibit the Legal Hotline attorneys from counseling more than one side

of a dispute.

Q: May I email a question to the Legal Hotline?

A: Yes. Legal questions may now be emailed to the Legal Hotline. Members will receive a live callback from

a Legal Hotline attorney. Ask a question now. (login required)

Q: Is the Legal Hotline a substitute for private counsel?

A: No. Members who require representation in lawsuits, the drafting of specific language or documents or res-

olution of problems going beyond the scope of real estate law should consult their own attorney.

Please have your real estate license number handy when you call.

You may speak with an attorney on various real estate topics including licensing, contracts and landlord/

tenant matters.

Save time: Ask a legal question online

Legal questions may now be emailed to the Legal Hotline. Members will receive a live callback from a Legal

Hotline attorney. Ask a question now. (login required)

Postal Stamps on the Rise Again

Daily Real Estate News | Friday, December 27, 2013

If your 2014 business plan includes sending handwritten thank-you cards or any other first-class mailings,

you may want to stock up on "Forever" stamps. The cost of first-class postage stamps is set to rise by 3

cents—to 49 cents from the current 46 cents—on Jan. 26.

However, the increase is expected to be temporary. The Postal Service says that the price jump will only be

in effect until it can make up the $2.8 billion in losses that it accrued during a large decrease in mail volume

it says were caused by the recession.

The post office had asked for the change to be permanent, but the Postal Regulatory Commission denied the

request and ordered the Postal Service to provide a plan for phasing out the increase in less than two years.

Source: “Postal Service Raises Price Again but Says It’s Not Forever,” The New York Times (Dec. 24,

2013)

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MLS WARNINGS AND FINES FOR December

In December the MLS issued the following to Participants and/or Subscribers: Warnings: Duplicate Listing (0) Wrong Category or Area (2) Pending and Closed (4) Lender owned (0) No Photo (1) Branded Virtual Tour (0) Lockbox Code in Listing (0) Name/Phone# (0) Sign in Photo (0) Alt Key (7) Fine: (0) Violation of the same offense will be subject to the following:

1st offense: Written Notice

2nd offense: $50.00 Fine

3rd offense: $100.00 Fine

Failure to submit contingent, pending and closed information within two (2) business days.

Failure to enter a photo. Note: The seller may request in writing a photograph of the property not be included.

Failure to enter a listing in the correct category.

Be sure to “like” us on

Facebook!

www.facebook.com/

Pending and closing w/ non member

If the pending/closing agent is not a member of RACC please use the following Hernando County Agent: Non Member Hernando ID 3503 Ocala Marion Agent: Non Member Ocala/Mar ID 1184

All other out are area agents: Non Member, Out of Area ID 3797

To find the correct agent, enter the word Non in the last name field for pending or

closing agent, click submit then select the right agent.

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January 2014

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Board Closed

2 3 4

5 6

MLS Board

of Managers

9:00am

7

8am

Orientation

9am Education

Committee

8

9am

Contract to

Close Class

9

8:30am

Board of

Directors

10 11

5:30pm

Installation

and Awards

Elk’s Lodge

Homosassa

12 13 14 1:00pm Ask

the Expert~

Legislative

update

John Sebree

15 16

1pm

Contract

Class 3HR

CE

17 18

19 20 21 22 Florida

Realtors®

Mid-Winter

Meeting

23

Florida

Realtors®

Mid-Winter

Meeting

24

Florida

Realtors®

Mid-Winter

Meeting

25

Florida

Realtors®

Mid-Winter

Meeting

26

Florida

Realtors®

Mid-Winter

Meeting

27 28

9am Tech

Talk~ Best

Apps

29 30

MLS

Bd Mgrs

9:00

31

iCE Class~

Advanced Com-

munication Skills

3HR CE 1-4pm

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0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr

Single Family

Condo

Mobile

Vacant

NOVEMBER and DECEMBER Residential and Vacant Land MLS Stats

These statistics were taken from the MLS on These statistics were taken from the MLS on

November 30 , 2013 December 31, 2013

RESIDENTIAL VACANT LAND RESIDENTIAL VACANT LAND

Active 1769 Active 1694 Active 1739 Active 1674

New 374 New 119 New 315 New 120

Closed 203 Closed 38 Closed 201 Closed 39

Pending 221 Pending 46 Pending 211 Pending 31

BOM 107 BOM 43 BOM 148 BOM 63

Expired 125 Expired 87 Expired 172 Expired 151

Withdrawn 60 Withdrawn 14 Withdrawn 59 Withdrawn 17

Chart displays

Closed listings