February 2009 Newsletter

President’s Message:

Our Sponsors:

B.E.A.R. Team Notes: Lenore Bennett (C.O.O.): Well we are on our way to a mighty fine 2009 and with that I am looking for anyone interested in being on the Relay for Life BEAR Cares Team in Estero. We need to have a good number of participants. We need to have people setup our booth, man the booth, walkers throughout the night and a booth teardown. Please, if you are interested in helping in anyway on March 27 - March 28, please contact me at 9926771 ext. 311 or [email protected]

To: Members From: Joe Pavich, President (239) 495-9968 [email protected] Here we are at the beginning of the 2009 season, I have put my crystal ball in the shop. It has been overworked for the last few years. Let’s be positive! It seems like there are more showings, it is going to be important to educate our sellers to price their properties in line with today’s market. What THEY want for their home or what they OWE should not dictate it’s market value. I know that our snow birds, who are looking to buy, will shop the market January and February and will buy on their way out of town, before Easter (April 12, 2009). Take time to educate yourself through the educational classes offered at B.E.A.R. FHA Financing, Short Sales, and Basic Business Planning, should be at the top of your agenda! Also, we are working with District 5 (Bonita Springs/Estero, Cape Coral, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Naples and Sanibel/Captiva) so that you will have the opportunity of attending Designation Courses, that will help you grow your business and are conveniently located to you. In conclusion, be positive, sometimes you have to ignore the headlines! We live in paradise, Happy Selling!!!

Cassie Jones (MLS): MLS Alliance will be adding

Radon & Mold Professionals Council-Certified Indoor Environmentalists / Certified Residential Mold Inspectors Board-awarded by the American Indoor Air Quality Council / FL DOH Certified

Radon Test: $110 ($10 trip charge for: Cape Coral, Marco Island & Sanibel Island)

Mold Test: $250 (Home Inspector type mold test, 1 inside sample & 1 outdoor sample @ $125 each) Detailed Mold Inspection with Infrared available

www.radonmoldhelp.com Office: (239) 498-4619

CEO’s Message: To: Members From: Bill Barnes, CEO (239) 992-6771 ext. 308 [email protected]

Our 2009 year is off to a great start, we have 18 committees and every B.E.A.R. member has qualifications to be on a committee. You will make contacts, learn more about your favorite topics (ex: technology) and prepare yourself for leadership in 2010. The committee chairperson will be calling you, so get ready to join a winning team in 2009!

You won’t want to miss our next WCR meeting at Grandezza on 02/13!!! Ted Jones, a nationally known speaker, will be giving an Economic Forecast. Make reservations today at: www.wcrbonitaestero.com JOIN WCR TODAY!!!

YOUR BUSINESS CARD HERE!!! Advertise in our monthly newsletter for only $100 a month!!! Pay by the month, not by the year! Call Emily today (239) 992-6771 ext. 313

search fields for Short Sale, Foreclosure, and Auction searches very soon. The scheduled time for this change to take place is before the end of January 2009. If you have any questions, please contact me at (239) 992-6771 ext. 312 or [email protected]

Emily Fleming (Education): I have available, here at B.E.A.R., a 2009 Education Calendar with all of our upcoming classes and a 2009 District 5 (Bonita Springs/ Estero, Cape Coral, Ft. Myers and the Beaches, Marco Island, Naples, and Sanibel/Captiva) Designation Calendar. Please stop by anytime to pick up your copy! The key to making more money in 2009, as a REALTOR®, is to be as educated as possible. Make it a part of your busy schedule to stay on top of all of today’s current market changes and attend classes here at the Board. Contact me anytime if you have any questions or comments: (239) 992-6771 ext. 313 or at [email protected]

Bonita-Estero Market Pulse : March 24 @ 3 Oaks Conference Center (Call Gabbie O’Boyle at: 992-2943) Relay for Life: March 27, 6:00pm - March 28, 12:00pm Call Emily or Lenore to find out how you can be a part of this event Movies in the Park: Feb. 7 (Shrek 1) and Mar. 7 (NeverEnding Story), 7pm Riverside Park in Bonita Springs GRI (Graduate Realtor Course) 1: May 19-21 & 26-27 GRI (Graduate Realtor Course) 3: July 16-17 & 20-22 Our Board Breakfast Dates for 2009 are as follows: Mar. 20, Apr. 17, May 22, Jun. 19, Jul. 17, Aug. 28, Sep. 18, Oct. 16, and Nov. 20 5 O’Clock Somewhere will be the last Wednesday of every month at the Trianon Hotel (Bonita Bay) Broker Roundtable Dates for 2009 are as follows: Feb. 25, May 28, Aug. 12 and Nov. 11

Gisela Gonzalez (Membership/Realtor® Store): If you have any Supra Grey Boxes (AEII) that you purchased through B.E.A.R. they are going to be obsolete after March 1, 2009. You will have the opportunity to exchange your Grey Box for a new Blue IBOX on Friday, February 20, 2009 from noon to 5:00pm or Saturday, February 21, 2009 from 8:30am to 5:00pm. If you can not make it on either of those days then you must make an appointment with me for a time after February 21, 2009, but before March 1, 2009 to exchange your box. Thank you for your cooperation in getting these boxes exchanged in a timely manner. Contact me with any questions at (239) 992-6771 ext. 301 or [email protected]

Movies in the Park From Left to Right: Lenore Bennett, Ben Nelson (Mayor of Bonita Springs), Al Speach, Owen Feeney, and Christine Ross (CEO Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce)

Affiliate Spotlight:

Networking for the Shy, the Arrogant and the Rest of Us!

Tue. February 03, 9:30am Reverse Mortgage for Purchase Tue. February 10, 9:00am

Name: Al Speach Company: Keller Williams Elite Realty Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia Family: Wife Terri of 29 years, Daughter Toni, 40, lives in New York City, Son Angelo, 39, lives in Virginia Beach, Son Nick, 27, lives in Naples, Granddaughter Summer, 10, lives in Virginia Beach, and a dog Buddy, 1 1/2, lives in Naples. Career: C.O.O. of Finity Apparel Group for 18 yrs. Manufacturers of women’s sportswear with offices in New York, Hong Kong and Seoul, Korea. Florida licensed REALTOR®, Florida licensed Mortgage Broker, and Florida licensed PreNeed Counselor. BEAR Positions: Served on Building Committee, Building Fund Committee, Chair of the Community Relations Committee, presently serves on the Board of Directors and will serve as BEAR President in 2010. Something you’d like us to know about you: Has competed for many years in Powerlifting. Has held state records in New York, Connecticut, Virginia and Florida and won the National Championship last year. Hobbies include classic cars, remodeling and interior decorating. Phone: (239) 289-6635 E-mail: [email protected]

Name: Cathie Bartlett

A Thorough Guide Through Sunshine MLS Wed. February 11, 9:00am

Company: Third Federal Savings and Loan

A Thorough Guide Through MLS Alliance Wed. February 11, 11:00am

Hometown: Boston, Mass. Family: Happily married to Joe Bartlett for 35 years. 5 children and 10 grandchildren Specialty Product/Service: Mortgages and Equity Lines BEAR Positions: B.E.A.R. member for 4 years, Co-Chair of Community Relations Committee, on Banquet Committee, Affiliate Committee, and Golf Committee Something you’d like us to know about you: Cathie has a deep involvement in the community and started her career in banking in 1995 and she hasn’t looked back since. In her spare time she enjoys swimming, boating and shopping in all of the wonderful shops in the area. Phone: (239) 949-4800 E-mail: [email protected]

Part 1 of the Reality 101 Series, “Basic Business Plans” Thu. February 12, 10:30am “Be Insurance Savvy” Tue. February 17, 9:00am FAR BAR/NABOR Contract Comparison Wed. February 18, 9:00am New Member Orientation Seminar Thu. February 19, 8:30am National Ass. of Realtors Required Code of Ethics Thu. February 19, 12:00pm Short Sale Best Practices Tue. February 24, 9:00am How to Use CMA & Prospecting Wed. February 25, 10:00am FHA Financing - New Programs for your Buyers Thu. February 26, 9:00am *All classes are FREE and at B.E.A.R. unless otherwise specified. Space is limited in all class, call (239) 992-6771 ext. 313 or register online at: www.bonitaspringsrealtors.com

Issue #3

February 2009

25300 Bernwood Dr., Suite #1 Bonita Springs, FL 34135

Realtor® Spotlight: