NAR Reports Short Sales Initiative

A new program called the Home Affordable Foreclosure Avoidance Program (HAFA) takes effect on or before April 5, 2010. According to NAR “The purpose of the program is to help homeowners, who are unable to retain their homes under the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), avoid foreclosure through a short sale or a deed in lieu of foreclosure. HAFA includes uniform procedures, standards forms, and deadlines. This program has the potential to revolutionize short sales, but its success will depend on the implementation by servicers and cooperation by investors and subordinate lien holders. Fannie and Freddie are tweaking the rules for their own programs—their variations are expected soon." Information about short sales, including HAFA, is available on
http://www.realtor.org/realtors/basics_short_sales?wt.mc_id=rd0041

AE Search Well Underway!

AE Search Task Force Chair, Jose Alvarez, reports that they have reviewed over 200 resumes from local and out of state applicants. They have narrowed down the choice to 6 qualified candidates. Interviews have been held and the Task Force confidently reports that the final candidates have shown excellence in the interview process.

I personally look forward to the AE Search Task Force’s recommendation to the Board of Directors at the upcoming meeting on February 24, 2010. Our association is grateful to Chairman Jose Alvarez, Treasurer Jerry Kelley, President-Elect Tim Weisheyer, Vice-President Renee Clark, Director Kemp Howland and Past President Hope Andrews for the many volunteer hours spent on the search for the best possible candidate for the permanent Association Executive position.

Very special thanks to Past President and REALTOR of the Year, Mike Levine, for going above and beyond the call of duty coordinating efforts in this very important process!

OSCAR Now a REBAC Licensed Course Provider

Interim AE, Manny Malolos, reports that OSCAR is now a REBAC licensed Course Provider. REBAC stands for “Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council” and was acquired by NAR in 1996. It is reportedly the largest of NAR’s Institutes, Societies, and Councils.

According to NAR “REBAC-licensed course providers enjoy the best of both worlds—they deliver top-notch real estate education opportunities to their current and prospective members while also earning an exceptional source of non-dues revenue. Over 30 courses are available through the REBAC delivery system.”

The Knowledge Services Committee will be charged with reviewing the education offerings and recommending the most relevant classes that we will offer at OSCAR.

Special thanks to Mr. Malolos for his diligence in delivering this great benefit to the members of our Association.

Haiti Relief Donations Update

Comptroller, Bob St. Gordon, reports that aside from the $1,000 already donated to the NAR Haiti Relief Fund, OSCAR has collected and donated another $800+ from the recent online drive.

I encourage everyone to continue to give to this cause. The need for Haiti is high and every penny donated will help rebuild its nation. If you would like to participate in this humanitarian effort through your local REALTOR family, you may do so by using your member login on the OSCAR website www.osceolarealtors.org (contributions). Thank you!

BOD Re-Addresses Conflict of Interest

At my request, the OSCAR Board of Directors re-addressed the conflict of interest issue during the January 2010 meeting. The issue involves the fact that my husband, Manny Malolos, is the current Interim Association Executive. To protect the membership from possible risks, the BOD voted to allow the Treasurer, Jerry Kelley, to take over all financial responsibilities from the President. The BOD also voted to allow President-Elect, Tim Weisheyer, to have direct supervision of the Interim AE.

Manny Malolos was hired by the BOD prior to the news that I had to step up to the 2010 OSCAR President position. Manny has an extensive business and management background, having retired at age forty-three as the Country Manager (Philippines) of Sandvik AB, a Multi-National Engineering and Specialty Steel company with 30% global market share during his employment.

Manny is on a limited contract with OSCAR while the AE Search Committee is tasked with hiring a permanent AE.

$200 Foreclosure Registration Ordinance Update

City manager, Mark Durbin, and City Commissioner (and OSCAR Past President) Cheryl Grieb were in attendance at this week’s Tuesday morning OSCAR meetings at the association main room. Our Public Policy Committee coordinated a presentation from FPRC, the third party company which proposed a $200 Foreclosure Registration Ordinance. This ordinance was supposed to have had its second reading on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010.

The room was packed with concerned Realtors. In attendance were the top three Osceola REO Brokers/Agents Tim St. Gordon (Florida Realty Results), Linda Goodwin (Goodwin Realty) and Dorothy Buse (Coldwell Banker Ackley Realty). Most other Realtors in the room either list or sell REO properties.

The discussion was robust and resulted in a request for continuance on the issue. The Kissimmee City Commissioners voted on the continuance to further study the issue, with the help of Osceola Realtors. I was in attendance at that evening’s City Commissioners meeting in the Kissimmee City Hall with OSCAR’s Public Policy Committee, headed by Chair and President-Elect, Tim Weisheyer. I addressed Mayor Swan and the City Commissioners and thanked them for the opportunity for our Realtors to voice their concerns regarding this issue.

The City manager has requested an OSCAR Task Force to work with commissioners to further study this issue.

OSCAR IN GREAT FINANCIAL SHAPE

During the last BOD meeting, Treasurer Jerry Kelley and Comptroller Bob St. Gordon, reported that OSCAR generated annual revenue in excess of $150,000 as of November 2009. In the midst of difficult financial times our 2009 Board of Directors, with the leadership of Past President Jose Alvarez, did a great job in keeping our organization financially sound. We thank them and the staff for their diligence, hard work and fiscal responsibility.

OSCAR BOD Endorses Past President Jose Alvarez

OSCAR BOD Endorses Past President Jose Alvarez as Candidate for FR 2011 District 12 VP

We are pleased to announce that immediate past-president Jose Alvarez was one of fifteen individuals selected for the 2010 Florida Realtors Leadership Academy. Mr. Alvarez joins past-president and OSCAR 2009 REALTOR® of the Year Mike Levine, both chosen from twenty-two applicants from all over the state of Florida.

During the recent Florida REALTORS® Mid-Winter meetings, Mr. Alvarez announced his candidacy for the Florida Realtors 2011 District 12 Vice-President position. OSCAR member Steve Moreira is the current District 12 Vice-President. The OSCAR Board of Directors voted recently to endorse Mr. Alvarez’ candidacy.

We wish him all the best in this endeavor.

Susie Graves Appointed to OSCAR Board of Directors

At the January 2010 meeting the BOD ratified the appointment of Susie Graves as the newest Director. Susie has served on the OSCAR Knowledge Services Committee for 4 years and was co-chair in the last 2 years. She is currently the Chair for the New Member Welcome Committee and has been an OSCAR member for 7 years. She is a Broker-Associate at Coldwell Banker Ackley Realty.

She has also served as a board member for the local Rotary Club, the American Cancer Society, and the Center for The Arts. Susie has served for fifteen years as an Elder of the St. Cloud Presbyterian Church. She held the positions of Controller and Associate Director for the Council On Aging. Susie received a Bachelors Degree in Accounting from UCF.

Susie was sworn in last week by Florida Realtors 2009 District 12 Vice-President, Hope Andrews. Congratulations, Susie!

All fifteen seats on the OSCAR Board of Directors are now filled, and we look forward to a fruitful and stable 2010.