Don’t miss this event in September! Diane Dulcie, Chair-Elect for the FSU Family Connection Board of Directors, wrote a great article on Florida State University’s Dedman School of Hospitality, its history, purpose and reputation.  The Dedman School is hosting a special event in Tallahassee, FL beginning September 8th- 12th. Thanks Diane! Looking forward to you filling my seat as Chair of Family Connection at FSU this next year and more articles that will keep us in touch with great events at Florida State University!

The details on a Taste of FSU Hospitality ~ Dedman School’s “2010 Wine & Food Festival”. This event will surely be a crowd-pleaser and a great way to network with students and faculty of this wonderful school.

Here’s Diane Dulcie’s post:

A Taste of FSU Hospitality – Dedman School’s “2010 Wine & Food Festival”

By Diane Dulcie, Family Connection Advisory Council

Students at the Dedman School of Hospitality at the Florida State University are gearing up for their 2^nd annual “North Florida Wine & Food Festival” to be held September 8 ^th – 12^th at the University Center Club. Active preparations for this overwhelmingly popular student-led event have been in place for months. The noble efforts of these hard-working students to put on a first class event, provides funds to benefit the Dedman School programs. The week of hospitality will consist of dinner series, speakers, outings, and a grand wine and food tasting event showcasing more than 200 fine wines and delicacies from 25 area restaurants. It’s a ‘no miss’ event for anyone planning to be in the Tallahassee area in early September. For more information and to purchase advance tickets, visit www.winefoodfest.com

The Florida State University’s hospitality management program at the Dedman School of Hospitality was established in 1947 to meet the demand for hotel and restaurant industry executives. Students earn a highly versatile hospitality management degree through a rigorous and relevant curriculum. This curriculum is designed to meet high achievement standards in general education, and acquire not only the specialized knowledge needed for their hospitality industry careers, but also the basic functions, objectives, and management tools common to executive roles.

In June of 2009, the Dedman School began to operate as its own program through an organizational re-structuring. It is now an independent, industry-specific school. While still administered by the College of Business, it operates independently with its own funding, admission criteria, curriculum and graduation requirements.  This change was imperative in order for the Dedman School to double its enrollment, thereby generating sufficient tuition revenues to become self-sustaining in light of severe budget cuts it faced. This now allows more students to earn a hospitality degree from one of the best programs in the country!

The Dedman School of Hospitality is nationally and internationally recognized as one of the best, with an innovative, world-renowned faculty and nationally ranked facilities. It is located in University Center-B, where resources provide for the specialized academic/training objectives established. In addition to classrooms, this state-of-the-art facility provides teaching kitchens, a technology center, a publication resource center, and a placement center. The building also contains an affiliated 35,000 square-foot, professionally managed city club that provides students with real-world food and beverage experience in elegant surroundings. One of the most rewarding benefits of an education in hospitality management at the Florida State University is a personal, intimate, congenial climate where students can develop to their fullest potential. This has remained a chief attraction throughout the years. All of the school’s energies and resources are devoted exclusively to preparing each student for a professional career. The requirement of practical, on-the-job experience, where the student applies classroom knowledge to the workplace, prepares the graduate for the operational challenges of industry.

With a plethora of industry partners based in Florida, the nation’s No. 1 spot for tourism and hospitality, Dedman students receive training and guidance from industry professionals with unparalleled tourism and corporate experience. Many firms visit the Dedman school each year to interview students for entry-level management positions. The school boasts a nearly 100% placement rate, and graduates enjoy top managerial and ownership positions in hotels, resorts, restaurants, clubs, and other facets of the hospitality, tourism and golf industries.

For more information about the hospitality management major, contact the Dedman School, UCB 4100, (850) 644-4787, or visit www.cob.fsu.edu/dsh

For More Information on the FSU Family Connection visit: http://family.fsu.edu/

Check out Videos | Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy, Inc.

Please vote NO on Amendment 4. This Amendment will destroy all housing economic recovery in the State of Florida. This should have NEVER gotten this far and will overturn our entire governmental process. Please take a moment to review this video.

Where:
Times of Operation: Leon County Courthouse – 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Northeast Library, Woodville Community Library, and Ft. Braden – 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
When:
Dates of Operation: Monday, August 9th to Friday, August 13th and Sunday, August 15th to Saturday, August 21st.

The Link: EARLY VOTING

As Governmental Affairs Chair for the Tallahassee Board of Realtors, I had the opportunity to hear many candidates, (the ones that showed up for our screenings), and their views on matters relating to job creation in Tallahassee, budget concerns, growth and development issues, sustainability plans, education, consolidation, Amendment 4 and more. I’ve made my decisions, based on this and the past history of incumbents. Tallahassee is in for a BIG change this year!

Research your candidates and the issues, and GET OUT and VOTE! We can’t change anything if we don’t vote!

Don’t miss your chance to vote early, beat the crowds and devote more time to helping your candidates get elected!

Every now and then we are asked to do things that sometimes make you a little nervous, sometimes get you outside your box, and you even wonder how you will find the time. Selling real estate is full time…believe me. This is a busy, busy season gratefully. However, when asked to give a presentation, via webinar, to the Florida Realtors CCIM group, I was a little more than concerned. Afterall, I’m not a CCIM member or a commercial agent. Sure, I’ve had a few small commercial transactions in 8 years, but nothing to write home about!  However, I accepted the challenge because in reality, social networking and building relationships is the same in ANY business, and that is the message. It is about building relationships and this is one more opportunity for me to share that message.

As you can imagine if you know me, I began the task of researching commercial agents, websites, schmoozing with the who’s who in commercial social media networks. Quickly I realized, my talk would be dead on. It would be very  similar to other presentations for beginners in the real estate social media arena. There was not much difference in the marketing, or lack thereof, with commercial agents as with residential specialists. Lots of people dabbling around in Facebook, a microbial number on Twitter and thankfully a growing number on LinkedIn. Amont the dozens I researched and spoke with, very few realtors or commercial offices had a concise social media and marketing business strategy and even fewer integrating these sites into their business webpage or blog.

I really wasn’t going to write a post about this, but I was notified today that my Powerpoint presentation, “Turn your Social Media Presentations Into Face for Face Meetings,”  that I shared on Slideshare.net was featured on the front of the real estate page. Maybe more people are interested than not. In any case, I owe it to the many people that helped me along into the abyss of social media and internet marketing to give back, so that is what I try to do. Sure, classes and knowledge of how to implement social media tools, use technology are great, but it is the relationships that come from these, the connections that lead to the face to face meetings, business opportunities, building professional credibility and networking that bring all of this into perspective in growing a real estate referral business.

Many thanks to all the people that responded to that webinar, now accessible on Florida Realtors Get Connected Business Webinar Library. Even more thanks to all the folks who I learned so much from, many of who will be attending the Real Estate BarCamp in Orlando on August 25th.

The City of Tallahassee owns it’s utility company, currently an adversarial and contentious point of discussion. It’s an item that is coming up again and again, among many other items in the political candidate interviews and forums leading to the August 2010 primary

The high cost of  in Tallahassee has certainly affected the ability for buyers to purchase homes. High utility rates in Tallahassee must be considered when purchasing homes. Working within a buyers budget and making sure home-buyers know the utility history of a property should be part of the research done prior to making an offer. It is part of the due diligence that Realtors incorporate into their responsibilities to their customers. For now, the City of Tallahassee has offered rebates for energy efficient home improvements. If you have an old appliance, check with the City and see if you qualify for a rebate before you make a purchase!  If you are doing home improvements, call me for a list of licensed contractors who can help you make improvements that are legal, permitted and in proper compliance with local building codes and neighborhood restrictions.

Tallahassee offers huge rebates for heat pump water heaters

Aug 5, 2010 3:11 PM, BY ROBERT P. MADER Of CONTRACTOR’s staff

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. — Imagine being able to offer customers a heat pump water heater for little more than the price of your labor. That’s what contractors here are doing since the city-owned utility doubled its energy efficiency rebates through Sept. 30, 2010. The City of Tallahassee Utilities is offering a $1,200 rebate until the end of September to consumers who replace a standard electric water heater with a heat pump water heater. The units must be Energy Star rated, so water heaters such as Rheem’s HP-50 and HP-40 and GE’s GeoSpring water heater will comply. Moreover, the water heaters qualify for a federal energy tax credit of up to $480, so the equipment itself is essentially free to the homeowner.

Rheem is heavily promoting the incentives to its dealers. With an estimated retail price of $1,599 for its heat pump water heater, the combination of Tallahassee utility incentives and the federal tax credits, which run through Dec. 31, means the homeowner will make $81 on the equipment.

Laura Butler, Rheem Water Heating marketing communications manager, pointed out that the estimated labor costs of approximately $300-$700 also qualify for a federal energy rebate, bringing the installed cost down to about $490. Moreover, because the equipment is more efficient, the heat pump water heater will have an operating cost of approximately $270 a year, $317 a year less than a standard electric water heater. The heat pump water heater also carries a 10-year warranty.

“This is a great opportunity for Tallahassee homeowners to lower their water heating bills while installing an Energy Star-certified hybrid water heater at an exceptionally affordable price through the various federal and local incentives — but without making any sacrifices in comfort and convenience for their families,” said Peter Reynolds, Rheem Water Heating general manager.

To see the entire article

One of the best attributes of the network of people in real estate is that they are loyal. Loyal to their customers, loyal to the industry and loyal to those  with whom that they do business. One of the ways I accomplish this is by networking with other Realtors who refer business to me and conversely, allowing me to get to know who I would make outgoing real estate referrals to as well. Face to face connections, social media connections and industry leadership participation are just a few ways to accomplish a viable, reliable real estate referral network.
I am constantly reviewing and altering my business model. Picking up creative methods of marketing, utilizing the latest in technology and social media venues keeps me on my toes and reaching the customers I need to be successful and to sell properties for my customers.  Did you know Realtors have an Ethical responsibility to constantly educate themselves? Yes, it is specifically stated in The National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics!

I’ve been fortunate enough to organize a Real Estate BarCamp in Orlando the day before the Florida Realtors Conference along with a leadership team at Florida Realtors. This is a really important, FREE event for Florida Real estate agents and brokers, staff, etc.  It is a chance for them to ask the questions and get the REAL answers from others in the industry or in businesses that support the industry and who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise. Attendees will have an opportunity to hear over 30 sessions over 30 subject matters!.. maybe more!

Lesley Lambert, a Massachusetts Broker said,  as with all un-conference camps, “The law of two feet” applies.  If  you don’t like the session you are in, simply walk down the hall to  another one that suits you better! I have learned more at BarCamps and PodCamps than I could have learned in a year of college courses.”  I feel the same way. There is a lot of information to process and much to learn, and venues such as Real Estae BarCamp is just one of them. Keeping current, utilizing tools that help me connect to customers is as rewarding as it is a necessity. Sellers demand more exposure for their listings, buyers are searching more using tools that we did not have available several years ago. My job as a Realtor is to give buyers those resources and my reward is selling them their next home or investment property.

Susie Blackmon, Chris Griffiths Bonita Springs, FL  and Debbie Kirkland, Tallahassee, FL had this to say about REBarCamps and what they garnished from their involvement over the years.

Ask me about my marketing plan for sellers. Ask me how I use technology to sell homes and to reach buyers of all ages. I will be happy to share it with you. Connect with me via the social media icons to the right!

Chris Brown, Orlando Mortgage Pro puts it in simple terms.. and this should alert some folks who are sitting on the fence pondering the question on whether or not to purchase now or later.
Chris equates it like this:
Numbers speak! “If you are waiting for prices to fall, here is something to think about… ”
A $250,000 house today at an interest rate of 4.375% = a monthly payment of $1248.21 PI!
That same monthly payment at an interest rate of 5.375% would only = a $222,906 loan amount.
In other words, the house would have to go down over 10% [$27,094] before the payment would be the same (at a higher int rate).
As a Realtor, my take on this is the reverse:
If you can afford a payment of $1248.21, you qualify for a purchase price of $250,000 at an interest rate of 4.375.
If the interest rate rises one point, to 5.375, the purchase price of the home you can now afford just dropped to $222,906!
$27,904 is a lot of money to walk away from if you buying a home.
If I were a home-buyer I’d think twice about waiting. Home prices in Tallahassee, FL are low, and interest rates right now are at a 40 year low. Consider a purchase now before rates rise. Rates below 5% or 6% will not last.

The answer is, “YES!” Don’t wait to hear the words, “I am sorry, that home is under contract already.”  Work with a Realtor so that when you drive by a home, you know if it is for sale or not or if it is in your price range. If you have a Realtor, you have a direct connection to real-time housing inventory, pocket listings, and sales statistics. You will also have daily emails on listings that fit your specific search criteria. If it’s not on your list, chances are, it is not within those criteria you will set with your Realtor.

The fact that you are looking 6 months in advance is a smart thing to do! Seeing what is on the market is a great way to start your home search. Go ahead and “Make the Committment“. It’s never too early to assemble your team of your Realtor, loan officer or mortgage broker, closing company, etc.

As I mentioned, working ahead of time 4 – 6 months is exactly what buyers need to do. Here are some practical steps to prepare you for finding your next home:

• See a lender. Ask for a recommendation! Begin the loan prequalification process. Make an appointment with a lender to sit and get a list together of all the things you need for a loan application. Talk to them about your present financial position, what needs to be improved, what you have to work with, what you want in a monthly payment, etc. Talk and learn about the different type loans available to you and the current interest rates. Get on their mailing list for updates on mortgage rates! (they send them to realtors, so ask to get on that list!)
• Choose your Realtor (Me, I hope!) Make an appointment early. At this appointment ask what you can expect your realtor to do for you, establish the best way to communicate while working together, tell your Realtor everything about why you are looking, what your are looking for, when you need to move. Now is not the time to be secretive! (Although this is confidential and respectful.)  Your Realtor is your negotiator and needs to know these things in order to negotiate the best deal for you! Ask questions ~ none are too ridiculous. This should be a fun time for you, so I will make it that way!
• Begin your home search now – Look at listings that your Realtor send to you, designed according to your specifications and needs. View Tallahassee homes for sale on this website. Begin researching schools, neighborhoods, drive in your favorite spots at different times of day, evening, weekends. No one can give you an effective description of a neighborhood like you can get from your own experiences. Research properties that you like. Look at the taxes, the utility rates, the structure, the age of systems. (Seller’s Property Disclosures are available for most all properties in the MLS- Multiple Listing Service). Give your Realtor feedback so they can tailor your search to your likes and dislikes. You’ll love Tallahassee!
• Plan for your offer even now. Review a Contract for Sale and Purchase with your Realtor. Review the Buyer’s Disclosures and Property disclosures. Discuss which title company you want to use and how much funds are available to you for a Good Faith Deposit. Be prepared to write an offer after you find the home you love, review the disclosures, discuss the comparable sales and active listings, obtain a good faith estimate of closing costs and monies needed to close.
• Keep in touch with me after you talk with you lender, let me know who you choose. Let them know we are working together and then you have your team all assembled!
• Let’s make an appointment ~ Let me know what is convenient for you and your family and I will work around your schedules.

From here it’s the negotiating, the offer, the closing and the follow-up. I’m with you all the way!

If you are relocating and need a Realtor in another city, please contact me for a Realtor referral, I can help you find the right agent wherever you are moving.