WCR Review April—August, 2016

Pumping Up Our Programs! Since January 2016, 8 new realtor members have joined the Greater Palm Beach County Chapter, nearly 10 new Strategic Partners have come on board and our yearly and meeting sponsorships just keep coming in! There is a buzz about the Women’ss Council of Realtors (WCR), and I think it has a lot to do with our programs. Of course, the leadership team currently in place is phenomenal and our attendance is very strong at business resource meetings and fundraising events, but people are reaching out to us to get involved because they see all that WCR has to offer. When I came in as local chapter President, and even last year as I planned for my year, I knew that providing programs of value that would not only educate, but also boost members’ business, was the key to our growth and success. From “Diving into Designations” to “What’s Happening in

Your Backyard” to our “All Star Line up,” members are getting valuable information from our business resource meetings that will help them grow, help them better serve their customers and help them to

up,” we utilized many strategic partners to provide insight on inspections, on title, on mortgages, on moving, on legal issues and on design tips. It was such a successful meeting and many joined. We are taking our programs to the next level and really focusing on what our members want and need from the industry. I am very excited for our upcoming Past PresSpri Luncheon and can’t ident Spring wait to hear what all the past presidents have to say! Learning from those that have come before in an integral part of any business and there’s no doubt that these lovely there ladies, and men, will shed light on leadership, involvement, and the strong referral business that the stand out in the industry. Women Women’s Council provides. Let’s Knowledge is power. New, fresh, keep it up! hot topics that keep realtors and -Jessica Rosato strategic partners alike current, are critical. And we are always looking to our strategic partners to provide that resource. In our “All Star Line

2016 FLORIDA/LOCAL STRATEGIC BUSINESS PARTNERS: Diamond: Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Florida’s Power House Inspection Services Group Platinum: Northeast Florida Association of Realtors©; Orlando Regional Realtor© Association, Two Men and A Truck Silver: HouseMaster Home Inspections; HughesArrow Exterminators-Nader’s Pest; Raider’s Movement Mortgage, Nan Harper-Past State President-Island Women’s Council of Realtors© Naples-on-the-Gulf Chapter, Scott and Gia Arvin-Matchmaker Realty, Nancy and Tony Macaluso-Portside Properties Inc. Bronze: Angela Territo Coaching & Leader’s Choice Seminars, Arrowsmith Realty, Women’s Council of Realtors© Bonita Springs/Estero Chapter; Women’s Council of Realtors© Jacksonville Chapter; Orlando Regional Chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors©; Ric and Honora Giumenta-Giumenta School of Real Estate, Paige Brewer-The Daytona Real Estate Paige, The Legends of Real Estate East Coast, Third Federal Savings and Loan, USA Home Inspections, Women’s Council of Realtors© Stuart-Martin County Chapter; Bob and Maryellen Castellano-Realtors© Stuart-Martin County, Women’s Council of Realtors Osceola Chapter, Platinum: We Insure-McEvers Olson Insurance Group, Kim McEvers; Silver International Realty, Christel Silver Gold: L&S Insurance, Lee Gorodetsky; Two Men and a Truck, Janelle Dowley Silver: Apex Insurance Agency, Paul Jacques; Lydia Crystal, Transaction Coordinator.

Women’s Council of REALTORS, Greater Palm Beach County Chapter WCR Review

April-August, 2016

Lord & Taylor fashion show a success

Vol. 13 No. 2—April-August, 2016 WCR Governing Board 2016 President - Jessica M. Rosato 561-777-3463 - [email protected] President Elect - Cathy Lewis 561-302-9866 - [email protected] V P Membership - Debra Shapiro 954-633-2720 - [email protected] Secretary - Janelle Dowley [email protected] Treasurer - Mike Swartz 561-371-5615 - [email protected] Immediate Past President - Christel Silver 561-929-5799—[email protected]

Standing Committee Chairs/Past Pres. Advisory Bylaws/Parliamentarian - Lydia Crystal [email protected] Education/Programs - Doris Behrens [email protected] Finance/Budget - Mike Owen 561-213-2070 - [email protected]

Special Committees Audit - Kim McEvers [email protected] Blue Diamond Circle/Sunshine - Sue Ann Paine 561-254-0627 - [email protected] Fashion Show - Nita Summers [email protected] Fundraising / Ways and Means - Bri White 954-328-6265 - [email protected] Newsletter - Betsy Owen [email protected] Nominating - Christel Silver 561-929-5799—[email protected] Ways and Means - Bri White [email protected] WEB LINKS WCR.com WCRfl.com Wcrpalmbeach.com

Thursday, August 11th the members of WCR of the Palm Beaches sponsored their third annual Fashion Show. The show was held at Lord and Taylor in Mizner Park. The highlight of the event was our very own members showing off this year’s finest fashions! Jessica Rosato, Janelle Dowley, Mike Owen, Kim McEvers, Lydia Crystal and Cathy Lewis strutted down the runway showing off Lord & Taylor’s best apparel. The show also included a clothing demonstration from Lord and Taylor’s designer John Chandler. Bobbi Brown featured their cosmetics and did a makeover in front of our very eyes! Sponsors of

the show were present and shared Information about their businesses: Third Federal Savings and Loan, Gold Coast Title, Greg Downs with Caliber Home Loans, Win Home Inspection, Cort, Lord and Taylor, Waypoint Property Inspection. The event was enjoyed by our members, their guests and even some passing by shoppers shared in the excitement. Along with great food there were raffle prizes and a goodie bag with a discount card that was put to good use during the shopping spree that took place after the event. Cochairs Nita Summers and Debra Shapiro along with the committee: Liz Woody, Cathy Lewis, Michael Schwartz and Kim McEvers once again pulled off a fabulous night. The WCR Fashion show has become a sought after event that many look forward to each year.

-Nita Summers

WCR Friday Noon Toastmasters: Mission Of the Club: The mission of a Toastmasters club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth. Meetings; Every Friday at 12 noon to 1pm at Train Station at 747 S Dixie Hwy, Boca Raton, FL 33432 (corner of Dixie Hwy and Camino Real)

Lydia Crystal

Due dates for copy in the W CR Review are February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15. Please type all articles in Times New Roman in word and include a head shot

The Mission of the Women’s Council of Realtors® We are a network of successful Realtors® advancing women as professionals and leaders in business, the industry, and the communities we serve.

Women’s Council of REALTORS, Greater Palm Beach County Chapter WCR Review

April-August, 2016

WCR FASHION SHOW AT LORD & TAYLOR

Our Vision: Through our influence as successful business professionals, women will effect positive change in the profession and in the broader community. Women’s Council of REALTORS, Greater Palm Beach County Chapter WCR Review

April-August, 2016

WCR FASHION SHOW AT LORD & TAYLOR

Women’s Council of REALTORS, Greater Palm Beach County Chapter WCR Review

April-August, 2016

Ready to Trade-In Your Home? Perhaps You Should Remodel Instead! Delray Beach, FL – Each year, millions of Americans move into the home of their dreams. As time goes by, families expand, kids grow older, and suddenly that home isn't quite so perfect anymore. Or perhaps you still love your home, but you really want a gourmet kitchen and a larger master bedroom. Should you start looking for a new house? Or would it be better to stay where you are and remodel instead? Both options involve a significant investment of time and money, so it's important to take your time and make an informed decision. You'll also want to be sure to consider both the financial and the emotional sides of the equation. Let's begin by examining the financial factors involved. Moving: A good local real estate agent should be able to assist you with estimates on these numbers. How much will it cost to purchase a home that will meet your needs? How much could you sell your existing home for? Don't forget to subtract the agent's commission from this total. What will it cost to move? According to real estate consultant and best-selling author of Remodel or Move, Dan Fritschen, a typical move costs 10% of the value of your home. How much will your property taxes increase as a result of the move? Remodeling: What projects do you want to have done and how much will they cost? An architect or general contractor will be able to assist you with these figures. How much will the improvements add to the value of your home, also known as the "payback"? A local real estate agent can assist with this as well.

little more space, and your home will be perfect. Of course only you know what is truly important for your happiness, so try to use these questions as a starting point. Create a list of the pros and cons of each scenario and leave it someplace accessible, so that you and your spouse can add to it as you think of additional factors. You may also want to consider attending open houses and visiting new housing developments to see what is available and how your home compares. Once you've completed your list and your financial assessment, it's time to draw some conclusions. Are the numbers and the emotional factors pointing you in a clear direction? If you're still feeling unsure and would like some additional assistance, you may want to read Dan Fritschen's book, Remodel or Move, or visit his website at www.remodelormove.com. Both contain a calculator that will assist you with the difficult task of quantifying the ramifications of your decision. In addition, you can learn tips to assist you with the next step, after you've determined what it will be.

If you choose to remodel, then you'll need to have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish before finalizing any details with the contractor or architect. One of the most expensive things you can do is change the project midIf the decision about whether to renovate or move were stream. purely a financial one, then it would be quite easy to look If you decide to move, then there are low-cost improveat the numbers and come to the right conclusion. Howevments you can make to your existing home that will help it er, there are also emotional factors that come into play, to sell more quickly. The kitchen and the bathrooms proand they have a value as well. Let's consider some examvide the biggest return on investment in this area. ples. Whether you decide to remodel or buy a new home, it's Reasons you may want to move: If you relocate to a new important to ensure that you have proper financing in neighborhood, your children could attend superior place prior to moving forward. If you decide to purchase a schools. You would like to reduce your commute or have home, a mortgage originator will help you to determine better access to local amenities, such as restaurants and how much you can afford, as well as which loan package shopping. You're not particularly fond of your current works best with your overall financial plan. In the case of neighborhood. Your yard is too small, and you cannot exremodeling, you should meet with a mortgage professionpand it. al before any construction takes place. Otherwise you may Reasons you may want to stay and remodel: You're hapseverely limit the type of financing options available to py wit your location. It's convenient, you love your neighyou. bors, and the schools are either excellent or are not a factor. You love the layout of your home. All you need is a -Michael Schwartz Women’s Council of REALTORS, Greater Palm Beach County Chapter WCR Review

April-August, 2016

Flood Insurance Outside Flood Zone Prior to claims occurring, the attitude is...well, that is why we have insurance to cover it. However, in speaking with these clients after a major leak, their attitude has changed. Once they go through the ordeal of having to move out of the home for a couple of weeks and drying out the home, then getting the repair work scheduled and completed, the response was, well... maybe we could have been more proactive to prevent such a disruption to our lives. How? First and foremost, make sure you have a regular service contract for the AC unit. Many older units do not have a condensate sensor that will shut off the unit should the line get clogged Get the facts, over 20% of floods occur outside and start overflowing through your ceiling. Regular servicing can prevent leaks and keep the coils of flood zones from freezing up. Mortgage Clause changes Make sure the hot water heater is not beyond it’s Be sure if you refinance or if your mortgage is useful life. Often if you wait to replace the hot sold to a servicing company or bank that you nowater heater until it dies, it may not be the coils tify your insurance agent asap. Often the insurthat fail, it may actually leak everywhere. The ance company does not know of the change, and hard water here in South Florida shortens the life they bill the renewal to the old lender; and it does of tank hot water heaters by as much as 1/3 of not get paid. The policy cancels, and the hometheir useful life. Water softening units can also owner wonders why it did not get paid. prolong the life of hot water heaters. Don’t let a Please make sure to let your insurance company leaking, failing unit be the indicator it needs to be know, it may save you from having force placed replaced. insurance. When it does become time to replace an AC air Hot water heaters and AC handler units in- handler or hot water heater, consider moving it to a lower elevation or to the garage if possible. stalled inside the home There is an additional expense; but, since you We have seen several clients recently with are replacing the unit anyway, it may not be claims of leaking hot water units installed in the much more to move the unit and the hookups. home or AC handler units mounted in the attic -Kim McEvers causing significant amounts of water damage. As Sunshine Committee Chair, I send out cards to those WCR members in need of cheering up, with either a Get Well or Sympathy card. Please share with me anyone you hear of who may need a card or some help.

—Sue Ann Paine Women’s Council of REALTORS, Greater Palm Beach County Chapter WCR Review

April-August, 2016

New member, Shannon Hardwick, receives new member pin from President Jessica

To our newest members: Vincenza Antonacci Deborah Ginsburg Shannon Hardwick Kim Muller Jean Ordonez Rochelle Poss Claudia Santacoloma Dawn Schwartz To our newest strategic partners: Melainey Gunning

Women’s Council of REALTORS, Greater Palm Beach County Chapter WCR Review

April-August, 2016

LOCAL STRATEGIC PARTNER APPLICATION 2016 Promote your Business & Partner with WCR Greater Palm Beach

Date: _________________________ INFORMATION ABOUT YOU Name: _______________________________________________________________________ Company Name: ________________________________________________________________ Company Address: ______________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: _________________________________________________________________ Home Address: ________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: _________________________________________________________________ Mobile Phone: _________________________________________________________________ Office Phone: __________________________________________________________________ Email: ________________________________________________________________________ Fax: _________________________________________________________________________ Website Address: ______________________________________________________________ Birthday Month/Day: ___________________________________________________________ -Please pay online or make a $200 check payable to: WCR Greater Palm Beach County Chapter -And return your application with check to: Greater Palm Beach County WCR Chapter Attn.: Jessica Rosato 900 East Atlantic Avenue Suite 18 Delray Beach, FL 33483 “Affiliate of the Month” is also available for $250. Including only the month you are sponsoring, you would receive a 5-minute speaking opportunity at one of our business resource meetings, distribution of marketing materials at each seat at the meeting and at the partner table, and company logo on agenda, evaluation, meeting flyer and on all social media and WCR Facebook page.

Women’s Council of REALTORS, Greater Palm Beach County Chapter WCR Review

April-August, 2016

Greater Palm Beach County Chapter

Strategic Partnership Agreement Please email the completed form with copy of check to: [email protected] Partner information: Company Name:_______________________________________________________________________ Your Name:________________________________________

Title:_____________________________

Company Phone:____________________________________

Your direct line:____________________

Email:_____________________________________________

Website:__________________________

We wish to participate at the following ANNUAL LEVEL and understand that payment is required at signing. Starting date:__________________________ _____ Platinum Partner $1,000 Choose 3 months

Ending date:_________________________________

_____ Gold Partner $600 choose 2 months

______ Silver Partner $300 choose 1 month

My “preferred” Months to speak are checked below: ___ Jan __ Feb ___ March ___ April ___ May ___ June ___ July __ Aug ___Sept__ Oct ___Nov ___Dec For Affiliate Members only: We wish to participate as Affiliate member of the month $150 ___ Jan __ Feb ___ March ___ April ___ May ___ June ___ July __ Aug ___Sept__ Oct ___Nov ___Dec

By signing the Partner Agreement with WCR Greater Palm Beach County Chapter, my company and I agree to make our payment in advance to allow enough time for marketing and exposure for our partnership. Please make check payable to WCR Palm Beach and mail to P.O.Box 8312, Delray Beach, FL 33482-8312

Signature________________________________________________ Date___________________ Company Name____________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address_____________________________________________________________________

Please email the artwork for the logo to [email protected]

Women’s Council of REALTORS, Greater Palm Beach County Chapter WCR Review

April-August, 2016

Greater Palm Beach County Chapter

Strategic Partnership Opportunities Annual Partnership: Partner’s Year begins upon execution of Partnership Agreement and receipt of monies for a period of 12 months. Platinum Partner - $1,000.00 Local placement of homepage and on Links & Sponsors page of WCR Greater Palm Beach County Chapter website linking to Partner’s website and Facebook Page Logo placement on all Chapter Events and Business Resource Meeting marketing Materials THREE 5 Minutes opportunities to address WCR Greater Palm Beach County Chapter Members at monthly Business Resource Meeting THREE free admissions to Business Resource Meetings in the month the Partner is speaking Distribution of marketing materials at each chair / or advertising table in the same month Distribution of marketing materials at each Chapter special event Recognition at each meeting or special event Recognition in programs and Flyers of all events

Gold Partner - $600.00 Local placement of homepage and on Links & Sponsors page of WCR Greater Palm Beach County Chapter website linking to Partner’s website and Facebook Page Logo placement on all Chapter Events and Business Resource Meeting marketing Materials TWO 5 Minutes opportunities to address WCR Greater Palm Beach County Chapter Members at monthly Business Resource Meeting TWO free admissions to Business Resource Meetings in the month the Partner is speaking Distribution of marketing materials at each chair / or advertising table in the same month Distribution of marketing materials at each Chapter special event Recognition at each meeting or special event Recognition in programs and Flyers of all events

Silver Partner- $300.00 Local placement of homepage and on Links & Sponsors page of WCR Greater Palm Beach County Chapter website linking to Partner’s website and Facebook Page Logo placement on all Chapter Events and Business Resource Meeting marketing Materials ONE 5 Minutes opportunity to address WCR Greater Palm Beach County Chapter Members at monthly Business Resource Meeting ONE free admission to Business Resource Meetings in the month the Partner is speaking Distribution of marketing materials at each chair / or advertising table in the same month Distribution of marketing materials at each Chapter special event Recognition at each meeting or special event Recognition in programs and Flyers of all events Women’s Council of REALTORS, Greater Palm Beach County Chapter WCR Review

April-August, 2016

Women’s Council of Realtors ® Values: The Power of Relationships—Success in business today is achieved through positive, productive relationships. The Women’s Council of Realtors® provides an environment of collaboration in which members can form, build and maximize relationships for business and personal success. When members share their time, talent, and experience, the entire industry is advanced. Leadership-To continue to grow and be successful, every business, industry and community must have leaders who can see change that is needed, organize resources, and engage the hearts and minds of those around them. Through the Women’s Council of Realtors®, members develop and

apply new found leadership skills and Involvement—Active participation qualities across all areas of their per- increases membership value. Particisonal and professional lives. pation in the Women’s Council of Realtors® is the opportunity to conProfessional Credibility—members of tribute to change, and to be changed, the Women’s Council of Realtors® are personally, and professionally. career professionals. We operate based on a shared value system of Success—Success in business brings integrity, respect, consistency, and a credibility, influence and greater opcommitment to excellence and con- portunity. Wealth creation through tinuous development. business success also leads to longterm financial security, greater indeDiversity—The Council member netpendence, and more quality of life work is enriched through the celebrachoices. tion of and active outreach to the full diversity of our industry. At the same Influence—Positive change will come time, the strength of the organization from the greater inclusion of womlies in what unites us all - our shared en’s perspectives in positions of influence in the real estate industry and in values. the broader community.

WCR’s Long Term Goals In order to fulfill our mission and realize our vision, the Women’s Council of Realtors sets the following goals: 

To be the source of education and business tools focused on the needs of women Realtors® entrepreneurs at all stages of development.

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To be a dynamic, accessible and diverse network, linking resources and member expertise to drive business success.

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To be sought after by other organizations as a source of leadership development and the business woman’s perspective.

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To be a network of strong chapters that consistently deliver value and provide a collaborative, trusted, welcoming environment in which members can achieve their business goals.

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To be a magnet for career-focused Realtors® with diverse backgrounds and a high level of professionalism.

To identify, build, support and promote strong leaders in business, the industry, and the broader  To be a strong organization with the resources community. and infrastructure necessary to fulfill our mission and realize our vision.  To showcase and promote the achievement and impact of women in real estate. Women’s Council of REALTORS, Greater Palm Beach County Chapter WCR Review

April-August, 2016